Benue State University, Makurdi

Exploring the Legal Obligation of Nigeria Concerning the Right to the Truth as Restorative Justice within the Context of the Boko Haram Conflict

Eunice Gandiba Tali*

Abstract

The right to the truth for victims of gross human rights abuses is important to help victims find justice in the quest to address post conflict in the Boko Haram violence in North East Nigeria through non judicial means. The State has an obligation to provide a framework for victims to know the truth as an effective remedy for restorative justice. The right to the truth is an Internationally recognized right in International Law and International Humanitarian Law and has been a viable discussion in International jurisprudence. This article explores the existence of the right to the truth as contained in the International Instruments and the role non judicial measures through the Truth commissions plays in addressing pass human rights violations, and available remedies like, Compensation of victims by the State, or the Perpetrators, Seriously, investigating Human right violations, identifying perpetrators and Punishing them, which the Nigerian State can effectively embrace. The article recommends that victims of such human rights violations should be actively involved in the investigation and reintegration process of the perpetrators of Boko Haram violence through effective sensitization and an open trial to help victims of human rights abuses, find justice, strengthen the rule of Law and build a strong democratic system.

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