Curative Measures & Regulations by the Nigerian Government Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Vis a Vis the Fundamental Human Rights of Its Citizen and Matters Arising Therein.

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 has been the topical issue amongst nations of the world for the better part of the last two months. Countries have continued to seek solutions to tackle the increasing spread of the virus which has stifled the economy world over. This has seen laws being enacted, rules and regulations made in a bid to mitigate the continued spread. Indeed, Nigeria was not left out as the government issued some directives and made regulations to be complied with by all her citizens and those residing legally in the country, these measures ranged from cessation of movement, closure of business and ban of flights from affected countries to ban of large gathering of persons. In this article the validity of these measures in relation to human rights law shall be examined, answering the question as to whether or not such measures are in breach of the rights of citizens. Also we shall critically look at matters arising as a result of the measures taken such as the limited right to food, recent brutality being perpetrated by government officials which includes members of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police as well as other security agencies on persons who are in breach of the new regulations all of which affects the human rights of her citizens. In the same vein, the attendant issues caused by the limited access to COVID-19 test centers on the part of citizens shall also be appraised. Finally, recommendations shall be proposed to resolve the above problems.