Ref: UAD/NW/HMR/VOL. II/008 January 21, 2014 The Director National Human Rights Commission, North West Zonal Office Plot 313, New Hospital Road, Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano. Dear Sir/Madam, RE: ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION The United Action for Democracy (UAD) is in receipt of a complaint from one Isyaku Abdullahi of Rijiyar Zaki Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State on the above subject matter. A copy is herewith attached for your perusal, please. In his complaint, Mall. Isyaku avers that his younger brother Sani Dandare, a 35 year old male and resident of one Akuzo Village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has been in detention at Gusau Central Prison for over 12 years now for an offence which he (the detainee) knew nothing about. That sometime on June 17, 2001, there was a communal clash between the people of the said Akuzo Village and another neighbouring Fulani Community, whereby two members of the Fulani Community were injured in the process and later died in the hospital as a result of the injuries they sustained. For that reason, some members of the Nigerian Police stormed the said Akuzo Village the next day and made a massive arrest whereby Sani was accidently arrested along other 16 youths. Mall. Isyaku further maintained that his younger brother, Sani Dandare is innocent, and that at the time when the said offence was committed Sani was not even in Akuzo Village. He was in another town called Mada for his business activities being a business man and also renowned a farmer. Following this complaint by Mall. Isyaku, the United Action for Democracy (UAD) raised a Legal Team of 3 members who travelled to Gusau, Zamfara State to make further investigation on this matter and the Team has the following findings: 1. That the accused person has been in prison detention (awaiting trial) since June 2001. 2. That the accused faces charges of culpable homicide contrary to Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code. 3. That the case (ZMS/GS/10C/2004) has been before High Court II sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State since December, 2004. 4. That all the other suspects arrested along with the accused have since been released with the exception of the accused and one another called Dayyabu Mohammed. Our Position: “Justice delayed is justice denied” is a popular maxim of those priests in the temple of justice and for this trial of the accused to have lasted for over a decade, it has become a mockery of the law. We believe that the accused deserves justice rather than waiting endlessly for a judgment that may never come. We also believe that even a notorious criminal has a right to speedy trial; therefore, the continued detention of the accused has amounted to the violation of his Fundamental Rights guaranteed by and under Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). In view of the above therefore, UAD is forwarding this complaint to your esteemed organization with a view to soliciting your assistance in any way you can to enable the accused person obtain justice. Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem. Sincerely, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo Zonal Organizing Secretary 08055558250 CC: 1. Prof. Chidi Odinkalu The Chairman Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission 19, Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja-Nigeria. 2. The Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Zamfara State Branch. About UAD: United Action for Democracy (UAD) is a coalition of over 50 human rights and pro-democracy organizations in Nigeria. It is a non–governmental and non-partisan political movement formed in May 1997 at the height of military dictatorship in Nigeria. UAD as a coalition is working towards the promotion of Democracy, Human Rights and Good Governance in Nigeria. It has its National Office in Lagos – Nigeria and has six Zonal Offices in the Six Geo-political Zones of the country with branches across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:11:20 +0000
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