Legal Implications of Human Rights Violations During COVID-19 Lockdown in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines human rights violations carried out by law enforcement officers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. These include torture, inhuman treatment and extra-judicial killings. It examines the rights violated under international, regional and Nigerian laws. It also considers judicial decisions. It examines the laws prohibiting torture, inhuman treatment and extra-judicial killings along with factors responsible for persistent human rights violations in Nigeria by law enforcement officers such as inconsistent prosecution of erring officers and lack of protection of victims from threats and reprisal attacks which has made conviction difficult. It concludes that until these factors amongst others are addressed, law enforcement officers will continue to violate the rights of Nigerians with impunity.

Keywords - COVID-19, Human Rights, Lockdown, Regulation.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/100-08

Publication date:August 31^st 2020