Babajimi Benson pushed the House of Representatives on Tuesday to investigate xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and record what was lost. The motion puts Ghanaians back into the wider debate over anti-migrant violence, while the House starts a four-week process that could lead to compensation claims being tested against the facts.
Babajimi Benson and the House
Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, moved for what he called "a comprehensive legislative enquiry." He said the enquiry would establish who was responsible for the attacks and document the cumulative human, economic and social consequences of xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa, with a view to recommending enduring legislative, diplomatic, and institutional for di protection and reparation systems for Nigerians in di diaspora.
The motion focuses on the losses Nigerians left behind in South Africa, including properties and shops that protesters looted and destroyed during anti-immigration protests. The lawmakers also said the inquiry will determine whether the government of South Africa had any direct or indirect role in the attacks against Nigerians and other Africans.
House committees and claims
Abbas Tajudeen sent the motion to joint committees of the House, and the committees were told to take record of all property abandoned by Nigerians in South Africa, determine further action, and recommend appropriate diplomatic, legal and bilateral engagements. The same committees will also recommend steps to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and to protect Nigerians still living legally in South Africa.
Paschal Agbodike said videos went viral showing South Africans looting the homes and shops of Nigerians who had evacuated from the country. Akin Rotimi argued that Nigeria should hold the South African government responsible, saying the South African government continued to make inciting statements and that South Africa allowed its citizens to act through acts of omission.
Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, speaking for the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said earlier this month that the issue would be discussed between the two governments at "for di highest levels." He also told Nigerians who wanted to evacuate from South Africa to document accurately the things they left behind.
Chrispin Phiri said transparent claims for compensation go dey assessed on the facts and on a case-by-case basis. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on X, "I no dey stammer. Any form of property obtained illegally we no go compensate for am."
The House committees are due to report in four weeks, and that report will decide whether the documentation becomes the basis for diplomatic, legal and bilateral action, or remains only a parliamentary record of abandoned property, looted shops and the claims still waiting to be counted.
