THE Nigerian panel investigating human rights abuses has already received about 30000 petitions from about 10000 victims or perpetrators. These include submissions by high-ranking officials in the former military government headed by General Sani Abacha, according to Chukwudifu Oputa, head of the Human Rights Violation Investigation Panel of Nigeria. Oputa and seven other officials with the Nigerian panel this week met with South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated human rights abuses under apartheid. Oputa told reporters that the second-in-command to the late Abacha, Lieutenant-General Olapido Diya, had applied to the panel as a victim, claiming he was framed by other military officials in the commission of atrocities. The panel, set up in June by President Olusegun Obasanjo, will look into human rights violations from 1966, over six successful coups, the 1967-70 civil war, and two long periods of military rule, including that of Abacha. It is due to start public hearings early next year.