Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission

The Royal African Society invite you to the launch of Father Matthew Hassan Kukah's book, Witness to Justice: An Insider's Account of Nigeria's Truth Commission, 6pm, 13th May.

The Author

Along with his work on the Truth Commission, Father  Kukah has served on the Electoral Reform Committee, the Political Reform Committee, and has been the Chairman of the committee overseeing reconciliations between Shell and Nigeria’s Ogoni community.

The Book

This important and timely book takes a serious look at the systematic devaluation of human life in Nigeria since Independence, especially under the years of military rule.

In June 1999, President Obasanjo appointed the author to a truth commission (also known as the Oputa panel) but whose official name was ‘The Judicial Commission for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations’. The commission’s mandate was to: establish the causes, nature, and extent of human rights violations - in particular the assassinations and attempted killings - between January 15, 1966 and May 28, 1999, to identify perpetrators (individuals or institutions), determine the role of the state in the violations, and to recommend means to pursue justice and prevent future abuses.

‘Witness to Justice’ is a personal account of the author’s time on that commission. Using issues of human rights violations as a backdrop, the author examines various implications of military rule and the culture of impunity that emerged over a thirty- year period.

Respondents

Dele Ogun (author of Identity and Development: lessons from Nigeria for Africa and Europe)

Peter Cunliffe-Jones (Authour of My Niger: Five Decades of Independence/London-based online editor of AFP news agency)

Chair

Titi Bankjoko (Director, Africa Recruit)

To purchase a copy of the book contact Dipo Salimonu - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The launch will be followed by a drinks reception

Please RSVP for all RAS events at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it