Ex-NHRC boss, Odinkalu, alleges plan to subject staff of Commission to oath of secrecy

Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu has dragged the Commission before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged plan to compel its staff to subscribe to an oath of secrecy/confidentiality.

Odinkalu, in the suit which was filed on Monday, argued that the policy violates the staff’s rights to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution and other instruments.

He contended that the NHRC and its Executive Secretary are not empowered by any known law to direct the commission’s staff to subscribe to an oath of secrecy/confidentiality, the observance of which would violate his (the applicant’s) right to freedom of expression guaranteed under Section 39(1) of the Constitution, among other provisions.

He is praying the court to among others, declare the plan to administer the secrecy oath on the NHRC staff as unlawful and a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

The human rights activist is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from proceeding with the plan to subject staff of the NHRC to oath of secrecy/confidentiality.

Listed as respondents are the NHRC, its Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NHRC branch) and its Chairman, Comrade Efem Atu.

He stated, in a supporting affidavit, that “by an internal memo or circular dated 3rd July, 2019 and signed by one Ibe Obidigwe on behalf of the 2nd respondent, the 1st and 2nd respondent, directed all Heads of Departments/Units/State Coordinators of the 1st respondent (NHRC) to distribute copies of an oath of secrecy declaration to staff of their various departments/units etc to subscribe and return same to the 1st Respondent‘s Human Resources Management Department.

“A copy of the oath of secrecy declaration document to be subscribed by the staff of the 1st respondent was attached to the said internal memo or circular dated 3rd July, 2019.

“In the desperate bid of the 1st and 2nd respondents to achieve their purpose of compelling or getting the staff of the 1st respondent to subscribe to the said oath of secrecy, had a meeting with the 3rd respondent (the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NHRC branch) on 5th July, 2019 and enlisted the cooperation of the 3rd respondent to get its members to subscribe to the said oath of secrecy.”

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