Nigerian Transitional Justice Advocate, Adekunle Urges African Govts To Publish Truth Commission Reports

Nigerian transitional justice advocate, Adetayo A. Adekunle, has called on African governments to publish reports of truth commissions and implement their recommendations to protect victims’ rights and strengthen accountability across the continent.

Adekunle made the call at a two-day Community of Practice (CoP) Strategic Engagement on Civil Society, Civic Space and Transitional Justice in Africa, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 12 and 13, 2026.

The meeting, according to a statement signed made by Adekunle, Research Assistant, Eniola Fortune, was convened by the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), in collaboration with partners under the African Union and European Union-supported Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA).

It brought together transitional justice practitioners, civil society organisations, victims’ representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing civil society groups and the implications of shrinking civic space for transitional justice processes.

Adekunle, who was invited in recognition of his experience in the field, also called for stronger, adequately funded and victim-centred transitional justice mechanisms capable of delivering truth, accountability, reconciliation and reparations.

He warned that the failure of governments to publish truth commission reports undermined victims’ rights to truth and justice while eroding public trust in transitional justice processes.

The Nigerian advocate further urged African governments to protect civic space and ensure that civil society organisations could operate freely and safely, warning that restrictions on civic activities could silence victims and weaken efforts to achieve justice.

During his intervention, Adekunle commended the Nigerian Court of Appeal for its September 17, 2026, decision in Corporate Affairs Commission v. Bob Ekpenyong Esq., which, according to the statement, struck down provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 empowering the Corporate Affairs Commission to suspend incorporated trustees and appoint managers in their place.

Participants at the engagement reportedly applauded his contributions, describing them as timely and reflective of the challenges facing civil society and transitional justice practitioners across Africa.

The discussions are expected to culminate in a Community of Practice communiqué on civil society, civic space and transitional justice in Africa, which will serve as an advocacy instrument for engagement with the African Union, member states, regional economic communities, national human rights institutions and development partners.

The engagement also reaffirmed the role of civil society in advancing transitional justice and the need to protect civic actors working in increasingly restrictive environments.