Nigerian Navy denies allegations of human rights abuse

The Nigerian Navy has denied allegations of human rights abuse levelled against it by the proprietor of a Lagos based building construction company.

Briefing the National Human Rights Commission which had summoned the Navy on the issue, the Managing Director of Navy Building and Construction Company Limited, Commodore Abdul Adamu, said the Navy was a disciplined force and do not involve in any form‎ of human rights abuse in any part of Nigeria.

He admitted that the Nigerian Navy had a business relationship with Lexy Nigeria Limited which ‎was now a subject of dispute before an arbitration panel in Lagos.

Commodore Adamu also apologised for the absence of the Chief of Naval Staff due to exigencies of state duties.

The National Human ‎Rights Commission (NHRC) had on September 21 summoned the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to appear before it on September 26.

He has been invited to answer to allegations of human rights violation levelled against him and the Managing Director of Naval Building and Construction Company Limited, Commodore Abdul Adamu.

In the summons made available to Channels Television, the Commission said it was in receipt of a complaint by the Managing Director of Lexy Nigeria Limited, Prince Leye Adetipe, against Vice Admiral Ibas and some staff of the Navy whom allegedly violated the rights of the complainant.

The NHRC implored the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, to direct the Navy Chief and the senior officers of the Nigerian Navy to appear before the Commission on the said date by 12 noon.

Prince Adetipe had in a petition, alleged that the Navy had terminated the company’s contract and engaged other building contractors at a construction site at the command of the Naval Building and Construction Company Ltd.

He also claimed that the Navy reneged on their joint venture agreement by refusing to declare the proceeds of the sale of the housing units and other developments, contrary to earlier signed agreement on May 19, 2015.