The erstwhile incumbent Executive Secretary of the Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OPCAT), Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN has emerged as the Vice-President of the continental body, African National Preventive Mechanisms Network (ANPMN).
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disclosed this Monday, in its capacity as Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
A statement by the NHRC Director Corporate communications and external linkages, Fatima Mohammed Agwai, explained that Chief Ojukwu was elected on 26 June 2026 during the Fourth Annual Conference of ANPMN held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The conference, themed “Women and Children in Detention: Gender-responsive and Child-sensitive National Preventive Mechanism Approaches,” coincided with the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
The timing reinforces Africa’s renewed commitment to preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The newly elected ANPMN Steering Committee for the next term comprises:
President: Commissioner Philile Ntuli, South African Human Rights Commission, South Africa
Vice-President: Chief Anthony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria.
Steering Committee Members: Morocco, Rwanda, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal and Mauritania
ANPMN is the continental platform for National Preventive Mechanisms established under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, OPCAT.
The Network serves as a strategic forum for strengthening preventive monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty, sharing best practices, enhancing technical cooperation among African NPMs, and advancing torture prevention across the continent. Its Permanent Secretariat is hosted in Rabat, Morocco.
The Commission describes the Executive Secretary’s election to this high continental office as significant recognition of his distinguished leadership in torture prevention, and of NHRC’s growing reputation in promoting preventive monitoring and protecting the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.
It further reflects the confidence reposed in Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism and the Commission’s contributions to regional human rights initiatives.
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