Nigeria struggles with its past

President Obasanjo set up the commission

By Nigeria correspondent Barnaby Phillips

The special human rights commission set up by the Nigerian Government to investigate abuses under previous regimes begins its final and longest session on Monday in the capital, Abuja.

Over the next several weeks, the commission, known as the Aputa panel, is due to hear 110 cases.

Very few important revelations came out of the Lagos hearings and this failure has been repeated elsewhere

Amongst the hundreds of witnesses summoned are three former military heads of state.

The commission, modelled roughly on South Africa's truth commission, was also intended to help achieve reconciliation.

It has had successes. Its hearings in Lagos late last year attracted enormous public interest as some of the most notorious members of the late General Sani Abacha's government came under cross-examination.

But very few important revelations came out of the Lagos hearings and this failure has been repeated elsewhere.

All too often, important witnesses have not told the truth or have simply not bothered to turn up.

Members of General Abacha's regime have been cross-examined

If the commission can convince three former military rulers to come to its hearings in Abuja, it will go a long way to enhancing its reputation.

Afterwards, the commission will submit a report to the Nigerian Government.

This may include general observations on how abuses can be avoided in the future, as well as recommendations that specific cases should go back to the law courts.