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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 United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
Nigerians are facing yet another economic blow as petrol prices surge again. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N1,175 per litre, marking the third increase in just one week.
The latest adjustment, announced to marketers on Monday, follows a temporary suspension of petrol sales at the refinery on Sunday. Diesel, also known as Automotive Gas Oil, has also been revised upwards to N1,620 per litre.
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A senior refinery official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the hike, noting that it reflects “prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”
Industry checks show that depot pricing systems have already updated the new rates, signaling an inevitable rise at retail stations.
In some cities, petrol is now being sold at over N1,200 per litre, adding pressure on Nigerian motorists and businesses alike.
This repeated surge comes after earlier increases that pushed gantry prices from N774 to N995 per litre earlier this week.
Experts warn that the hikes are likely to drive up transportation, logistics, and production costs, potentially impacting the prices of goods and services nationwide.
While the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), is working to secure crude supplies for the refinery via international traders, officials cautioned that this may not immediately reduce prices for consumers.
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