A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed “definite hearing” for October 2, 2025 in a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), in which the organization is asking the Court to compel the AGF to fulfil his statutory obligation under Section 11 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 to make rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act. The matter, earlier scheduled for July 2, 2025, was on that day adjourned to October 2, 2025, for a definite hearing.
Recall that MRA initiated the suit following the AGF’s prolonged failure to issue the rules and regulations required by law for the effective implementation of the Act, despite the legislation having been enacted over seven years ago. MRA contends that this failure has undermined the purpose of the Act and has enabled the continued use of torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment against citizens, including journalists, by law enforcement agencies, security operatives, and even non-state actors.
In a letter dated August 20, 2021, MRA formally urged the AGF to comply with his statutory duty to develop the requisite framework for the enforcement of the Act. The AGF, however, took no steps in response to the demand. This inaction, according to MRA, amounts to a dereliction of duty and has effectively stalled the operationalisation of a law designed to protect Nigerians from one of the gravest human rights violations.
MRA argues that the absence of the required rules and regulations has rendered the Act largely ineffective, thereby fostering a climate of impunity where perpetrators of torture and other abuses face little or no accountability. The organisation stresses that victims are left without remedies, while government authorities continue to disregard international and domestic human rights obligations.
Through its counsel, Mrs Bankeye Akinwale, MRA is asking the Court for the following reliefs:
- A declaration that the AGF’s failure to issue rules and regulations for the implementation of the Act constitutes a breach of his statutory duty under Section 11 of the Anti-Torture Act.
- An order of mandamus compelling the AGF to perform his legal obligation by making the required rules and regulations.
- An order of mandamus directing the AGF to act on MRA’s letter of August 20, 2021.
- An award of N5 million in exemplary and aggravated damages against the AGF for his failure to discharge his statutory duty and for the consequences of this prolonged inaction.
MRA maintains that the AGF’s continued failure to act represents a fundamental governance gap in the country’s human rights framework, undermining both the intent of the Anti-Torture Act and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.
At the resumed hearing on May 20, 2025, MRA was represented by Mrs Akinwale, while Mr Tolulope Mokuolu appeared for the AGF. The Court adjourned the matter to July 2, 2025, for hearing. However, when the matter came up on that date, it could not proceed due to the Court’s impending vacation. Consequently, the case was further adjourned to October 2, 2025, for a definite hearing.
