Civil and political rights 250. Equality and nondiscrimination are principles that underpin the protection and promotion of rights. Further, the government is constrained not to interfere in the enjoyment of individual rights or to interfere with the private spaces of the individual without lawful cause, but must instead ensure and protect the civil liberties of Nigerians. In Nigeria, rights such as freedom of speech, opinion, religious beliefs and conscience are guaranteed and freely enjoyed to a great extent. The existence of a large number of political parties, religious organisations, business and professional associations and organisations, NGOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) does attest to wide enjoyment of freedom of association. 251. Freedom of association and expression is widely enjoyed in the country. Nonetheless, there have been incidences where peaceful demonstrations by citizens exercising their right to expression, opinion and assembly were violently dispersed by the police, sometimes resulting in injury and death. The nullification of the Public Order Act by the Court of Appeal has ensured that restriction and policing of the right to freely assemble are lifted, hence protecting important civil liberties. 252. The Nigerian press is renowned for being independent and freely critiquing government policies and programmes in all fields in the print and electronic media. However, and more so under the military regimes, journalists who criticise the government of the day have been the target of attacks by the agents of the government, including the police and members of the state security service. Such incidents decreased after the return to civilian government, although some occurrences have still persisted, especially against opposition media houses or those deemed to be inimical to the government’s interests, whether at national or state level. 253. The dynamic spirit of the Nigerian press has been an invaluable asset to the strengthening of democratic culture in Nigeria, particularly with regard to the coverage of the rough-and-tumble of electoral politics over the last decade. There is a vibrant and diversified media, with both private and public ownership that is famous across Africa. There are at least 128 radio stations, 20 dailies, 12 Sunday papers and four weekly business reports. State-run radio and television reach virtually all parts of the country. 254. The civil and political rights where challenges are experienced include dignity, liberty, access to courts and protection of property. Even though the constitution guarantees citizens the right to reside anywhere in the republic, the conflicts between indigenes of states and other Nigerians who are regarded as ‘settlers’ is posing a major challenge and has led to many internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially in states such as Plateau, Benue and Taraba. Whenever new states are created and divided, communities become citizens of different states, and some are then regarded as ‘outsiders’ and ‘minorities’ in the new states. 255. Access to justice where violations of rights occur is paramount in the protection of human rights. Several courts have been established at state and federal level to dispense justice. Although state stakeholders from the 99