NEWS
CSOs Urge Nigeria To Drop Defamation Lawsuit Against SERAP
Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged the Nigerian Government to refrain from intimidating human rights and anti-corruption campaigners.
This was contained in a statement on its behalf released in Abuja, which was jointly signed by the Amnesty International (AI), Accountability Lab (AL), BudgIT, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), CISLAC, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), and the YIAGA.
They averred, “We, the undersigned civil society organizations and individuals urge the government of President Bola Tinubu to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) – an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and end escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other civil society actors simply for carrying out their legitimate work.
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“Nigerian authorities must immediately withdraw their bogus defamation lawsuit against SERAP and end the growing attempts to stifle dissenting voices in the country.
“Following SERAP’s letter calling on President Tinubu and his government to probe allegations of corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and to reverse the increase in the pump price of petrol, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) suddenly visited SERAP’s Abuja office unannounced.
According to SERAP, “Some officers from DSS invaded our Abuja office. A tall, large, dark-skinned woman entered our office, accompanied by a slim, dark-skinned man. Other officers were sighted in two unmarked vehicles stationed outside our office. The officers who interrogated our staff requested to see our directors.”
Two DSS officers have now filed a ‘defamation lawsuit’ against the organization, claiming N5 billion.
“We are seriously concerned that this intimidatory tactic by the Tinubu government against SERAP solely for peacefully carrying out its mandates illustrates the growing repression of civil society and crackdown on human rights, media freedom, violent repression of peaceful protests, and restrictions on civic space in Nigeria.
We express our unwavering support for and solidarity with SERAP. The organization is a watchdog committed to advocating for human rights and rule of law and exposing corruption in Nigeria,” it added.
Recall the alleged intimidation and harassment of the SERAP followed the invasion of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights’ (CDHR) office in Ikeja, Lagos in August by armed security personnel and the invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress and the arbitrary arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero by the DSS in September at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom to attend the World Trade Union Congress. His passport was seized.
We note that law enforcement agencies violated the rights of protesters and non-protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
It noted that the police and DSS reportedly shot live ammunition at peaceful protesters and journalists while they harassed, arbitrarily arrested and detained protesters and non-protesters – including minors during the protests in August.
According to reports, in February, Dele Fasan, the bureau chief of Galaxy Television, was arrested and placed in handcuffs by soldiers for recording a video of the labour’s protest in Uvwie, Warri, over economic hardship in the country. Madu Onuorah, publisher of Global Upfront; Daniel Ojukwu of Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Dayo Aiyetan, executive director, International Centre for Investigative Journalism; Fisayo Soyombo founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Nurudeen Akwasika and Adejuwon Soyinka have all faced repression simply for doing this legitimate job under Tinubu’s watch.
These cases appear designed to send a broader message of intimidation to Nigerian citizens, civil society organisations, journalists, and other civil society actors striving for the promotion and protection of human rights and a rule of law-based society.
Nigeria is now rated as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for human rights defenders, activists, labour leaders, journalists and other civil society actors.
The increasing attacks and intimidation against civil society organizations, human rights, journalists and other civil society actors under Tinubu’s watch is antithetical to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights both of which the country has ratified.
The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party clearly guarantee the rights of everyone to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
We are concerned that the increasing repression under the Tinubu government is clearly aimed at creating a climate of intimidation against civil society organizations, human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society actors in the country. The targeting of civil society actors and protesters will have a chilling effect on the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country.
We therefore call on President Tinubu and his government to urgently reverse these dangerous trends and end the impunity of perpetrators for grave human rights violations and abuses in the country.
Nigerian authorities must immediately end the growing threats, harassment, and intimidation of the SERAP and other groups, human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society actors in the country. Authorities must ensure a conducive environment for civil society actors to carry out their work and operate freely without any fear of reprisals.
Nigerian authorities must uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations and end the brutal assault on the human rights community in the country.
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
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In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.
To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.
This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.
Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.
Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”
Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”
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Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”
The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the disbursement of ₦689.79 million in bursary payments to 19,318 continuing students across 97 institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The disbursement follows a 100 per cent increase in academic bursary rates, marking the first adjustment since 2007.
The latest payment forms part of the state government’s broader investment in education and student welfare, with cumulative bursary disbursements and related student awards under the administration reaching ₦3.29 billion.
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More than 174,000 beneficiary payments have been recorded across successive payment cycles.
Increased Allowances for Veterinary and Law Students
Under the revised scholarship support framework, allowances for Veterinary Medicine students have increased by 150 per cent for students in the 300 and 400 levels and by 200 per cent for those in the 500 and 600 levels.
Support for Nigerian Law School students and academic excellence awards has also continued.
The state government has also approved a scholarship programme for 1,700 students, with 50 beneficiaries drawn from each of the state’s 34 local government areas.
The programme is designed to support tuition fees, registration and other educational expenses.
₦6bn Scholarship Trust Fund
The government has made provision for ₦6 billion in seed funding for a scholarship trust fund intended to strengthen educational financing.
The fund is expected to support specialised scholarship opportunities in fields including engineering, medicine, Artificial Intelligence and mechatronics.
The state’s foreign scholarship initiatives have also supported 118 students studying Medicine, Artificial Intelligence and Bioengineering in Egypt, Ethiopia and China, with approved educational and living expenses covered by the government.
More Scholarship Opportunities
Other educational support initiatives include 34 maritime scholarship beneficiaries and seven students receiving 50 per cent financial support at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
The state has also nominated 34 candidates for MBBS studies in Russia, identified 70 prospective master’s degree candidates and selected 10 candidates for Qur’anic Sciences scholarships in Ghana.
These initiatives form part of the state’s broader efforts to expand access to education across different fields and levels of study.
Scholarship Board Strengthens Accountability
The Katsina State Scholarship Board has also strengthened its application, verification and payment systems.
As part of its accountability measures, the board interviewed more than 14,925 fresh applicants and returned approximately ₦86 million in unclaimed funds to the state government.
The state also acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in expanding access to educational financing and digital learning resources.
Radda Inaugurates Tinubu/Dikko Education Beneficiary Network
As part of the activities, Radda inaugurated the Tinubu/Dikko Education Beneficiary Network (TDEBNET), a voluntary organisation comprising parents and beneficiaries of educational programmes.
Members of the organisation expressed support for the re-election bids of Radda and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
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