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PGGSJ Demands Dele Farotimi’s Release, Calls Arrest An Attack On Nigeria’s Conscience
The Professionals for Good Governance and Social Justice (PGGSJ) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights lawyer and political activist, calling it an assault on Nigeria’s conscience and a grave violation of fundamental rights.
In a statement released by its Convener/Leader, Dr. Ben Chukwu, the group expressed deep outrage over the timing of the arrest, especially amid the country’s ongoing socio-economic struggles.
Chukwu said, “The abduction of Farotimi at a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe socio-economic challenges is a wake-up call. This act should ignite deep resentment not only among the few vocal guardians of moral integrity but also among the ordinary citizens who form the backbone of the nation.”
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The PGGSJ also denounced the actions of the Ekiti State Police Command, accusing them of a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“The arrest was marked by illegal actions, including the intimidation of lawyers and staff members and the seizure of phones to conceal video evidence,” Chukwu said. “This behavior has severely damaged the credibility of the institution involved.”
Dele Farotimi, known for his unyielding stance against corruption, has been a vocal critic of Nigeria’s political elite.
His activism, which includes bold acts of protest such as refusing to groom his hair and beard in 2020 to oppose the detention of activists Agba Jalingo and Omoyele Sowore, has earned him both admiration and controversy.
Farotimi has consistently spoken out in defense of marginalized communities, earning a reputation as a fierce advocate for justice.
The PGGSJ also targeted Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who filed the petition that led to Farotimi’s arrest. Chukwu called on Babalola to reconsider his actions and withdraw the petition.
“As a respected lawyer, Babalola has a responsibility to uphold the law and protect the rights of all citizens,” Chukwu said. “Instead, his actions have been used to silence a vocal critic and undermine the democratic process.”
The PGGSJ’s statement emphasized that Farotimi’s arrest is not just a personal attack but an attack on the millions of Nigerians who yearn for change.
“Farotimi has voiced the frustrations and aspirations of the oppressed. His fight is one for a better Nigeria,” Chukwu added.
The group further called for the Nigerian Police Force to protect citizens’ rights and for the Federal Government to intervene and secure Farotimi’s immediate release.
“The government must take immediate action to release Dele Farotimi unconditionally and ensure that his rights are protected,” Chukwu said, warning that failure to act would further damage the government’s public image.
The PGGSJ also urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to rise in support of Farotimi and demand justice.
“The time has come for Nigerians, especially the youth, to take a stand against injustice,” Chukwu urged. “Farotimi’s fight is our fight, and his arrest is an attack on us all.”
The statement concluded with a call for widespread action, warning that if Farotimi is not released, the nation could face large-scale protests.
“Nigeria will stand still if Dele Farotimi is not freed. The future of this country depends on the courage of its citizens to challenge the present,” Chukwu declared.
The PGGSJ also called on human rights organizations, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigeria Bar Association, and trade unions to join the call for Farotimi’s release, stressing that the struggle for justice must be a collective effort.
The House of Representatives has intensified efforts to ensure financial transparency and regulatory compliance by directing the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Agency (ICRC), Nigeria Sugar Development Commission (NSDC), and Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to submit detailed budget performance reports.
The directive was issued on Tuesday during an interactive session of the House Committee on Finance, chaired by Hon. James Faleke, in Abuja.
The session aimed to assess the agencies’ adherence to extant financial laws.
Highlighting the concerns, Hon. Faleke instructed the ICRC to provide a comprehensive list of all concessionaires and fees collected since 2008.
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This followed a presentation by Shehu Danmusa, the agency’s Director of Infrastructure, which was criticized for lacking a clear breakdown of revenue and expenditure.
Faleke stressed the need for accurate and transparent financial reporting in line with standard accounting practices.
Similarly, NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, presented the agency’s income and expenditure for 2023 and 2024.
He disclosed that the commission’s primary revenue source was the electricity market but faced further scrutiny from the lawmakers.
The committee stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in financial management, urging all agencies to submit the requested details promptly for thorough evaluation.
During the presentation of the N605 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year at the Edo State House of Assembly, Governor Monday Okpebholo experienced a moment of hesitation that caught the attention of those in attendance.
As he began to outline the figures, he appeared to struggle with articulating the exact numbers, stammering and stumbling over the amounts allocated for various sectors. This brief but noticeable lapse seemed to momentarily disrupt the flow of his speech.
Despite the well-prepared nature of the presentation, the Governor’s difficulty in confidently calling out the figures raised murmurs among some lawmakers and attendees, who exchanged glances while others maintained a composed demeanor.
His hesitation was most evident when he addressed the significant capital expenditure of N381 billion and the recurrent expenditure of N223 billion, both critical components of the budget.
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It took him a few seconds to regain his footing, during which he paused, cleared his throat, and continued with a somewhat cautious tone.
Observers speculated whether it was the weight of the figures or the enormity of the budget’s implications that caused the Governor to falter briefly.
However, as the speech progressed, he regained his confidence, delving into the detailed allocations for road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture with renewed composure.
In a room where every word and gesture is scrutinized, the Governor’s brief struggle served as a reminder that even the most experienced leaders can have moments of nervousness under the spotlight.
Nonetheless, the focus soon returned to the substance of the budget, with its ambitious plans to transform Edo State’s infrastructure, education system, and healthcare sector.
Nine-time Nigerian league champions, Enyimba International FC of Aba, has signed former Super Eagles’ striker and 2013 AFCON winner Brown Ideye.
Biztellers reports that Ideye signed till the end of the 2024/25 season.
The Sporting Director of the ‘Nzogbu-Nzogbu Boys’ and ex-international, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, made the disclosure on Tuesday.
Ekwueme said, “The talks have been going on for a while and we completed it yesterday.
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“He will be with us until the end of the season and we believe he will bolster our team’s attack as we compete in the league and the continent.”
It was gathered that Ideye, 36, has been without a club since leaving Kuwaiti side Al Yarmouk in 2022 but he is now set to stage a return to Nigeria’s top flight, taking after former international teammates Ahmed Musa and Abdullahi Shehu who are currently playing for Kano Pillars.
The move will also mark the return of Ideye to the domestic scene 17 years after he left Ocean Boys in 2006.
Ideye was on the verge of joining former league champions Rivers United in October but the move collapsed.
Enyimba have two matches crucial to their domestic and continental aspirations in the next five days as they play Sunshine Stars on Wednesday in a rescheduled NPFL game before travelling to Maputo, Mozambique for their third group game in the CAF Confederation Cup against Black Bulls.
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betist
December 7, 2024 at 11:24 am
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