Abstract
All over the world human rights are violated on a daily basis, and would continue to be violated. This is largely so because of our different value systems, behavioral antecedents and the society we have found ourselves in. Every responsive government therefore promulgates laws for the protection of the rights of its citizens against abuses whether by security agencies that are statutorily empowered to safeguard lives and properties or private citizens in the form of jungle justice, lynching or mob attacks these laws are enacted by the National Assembly. Every day in Nigeria there are cases of human rights violations perpetuated by security agencies and private persons. Although Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions and treaties, these conventions are not valid or enforceable until domesticated by the National Assembly as stipulated by s. 12 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). This article examines the National Legal framework for the protection of human rights in Nigeria. It will state relevant provisions of these legal frameworks, identify perceived gaps and proffer recommendations for the overall effectiveness of these legal frameworks.