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Whistleblower Drags Nigeria To ECOWAS Court Over Child Trafficking, Others

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Child rights activist and whistleblower, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, alleging persecution for exposing systemic child trafficking in Delta State.

Filed on June 11, 2025, and registered as ECW/CCJ/APP/28/25, the suit accuses Nigerian authorities of unlawfully detaining Aghogho and using repealed laws to suppress his efforts to uncover illegal adoption practices.

Represented by his counsel, Andrew Elekeokwuri, the activist is seeking justice for what he calls a “retaliatory and politically motivated” crackdown.

READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Symbolises Hope for Africa ― ECOWAS President

According to the suit, Aghogho had published findings on social media exposing fraudulent adoption schemes allegedly sanctioned by Delta State officials.

Shortly after, on July 21, 2022, he was arrested and charged under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015—despite the fact that the provision had already been repealed by the time of his arrest.

He claims that following his arrest, he was held in detention for over 600 days at the Warri and Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centres.

During this period, he submitted a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation, urging an investigation into alleged misconduct by Delta State prosecutors.

“Despite acknowledging the petition, no protective or corrective measures were reportedly taken, and the prosecution persisted, allegedly relying on an outdated 2017 prosecutorial fiat,” the lawsuit states.

Aghogho contends that his arrest and continued prosecution were part of a broader effort to silence his advocacy. “Aghogho argues that his arrest and prosecution were illegal and retaliatory, aimed at silencing his advocacy and shielding those implicated in child trafficking.”

He further alleges that the recently enacted Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024, which was signed on April 10, 2025, is an attempt to legitimise years of illegal adoptions carried out in the state.

“He also challenges the legality of the Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024, signed into law on April 10, 2025, claiming it seeks to retroactively legitimise decades of illegal adoptions in contravention of federal laws and international treaties.”

Aghogho says child trafficking in Delta State was facilitated through the Ministry of Women Affairs between 1991 and 2022, but that repeated petitions to national institutions such as the National Assembly, DSS, EFCC, Nigeria Police, and the National Population Commission failed to result in any meaningful investigations or actions.

In his plea before the ECOWAS Court, Aghogho is asking for multiple forms of relief, including:

“Declare his arrest and prosecution under the repealed Cybercrime Act unlawful and a breach of his rights to freedom of expression under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

“Declare his prolonged detention of over 600 days as unlawful and arbitrary punishment, violating both domestic and international legal standards.”

“Declare his continued prosecution under a 2017 prosecutorial fiat as judicial harassment and an abuse of prosecutorial discretion in violation of fair trial standards.”

“Invalidate the Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024, and declare it unconstitutional, ultra vires, and inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations under the UNCRC and ACRWC.”

Additionally, the plaintiff wants the court to:

Halt the prosecution in Charge No. FHC/WR/92C/2022.

Revoke the prosecutorial fiat Delta officials relied upon.

“Order the Federal Government to initiate an impartial, multi-agency investigation into the disappearance and trafficking of children in Delta State between 1991 and 2022, and publish the findings within a defined timeframe.”

Compel the Delta State Police Commissioner to release records related to the transfer of children to the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs.

“Mandate the EFCC to conduct a forensic audit of all adoption-related accounts managed by the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, especially those held with Eco Bank and Zenith Bank.”

The court is also being asked to instruct the EFCC and the National Population Commission to make available all relevant records tied to adoption and financial dealings.

The whistleblower is seeking $100 million in damages for unlawful incarceration and breach of fundamental rights, along with protective measures for whistleblowers and child rights defenders going forward.

A notice signed by the ECOWAS Court’s Chief Registrar has directed the Nigerian government to respond within 30 days. Failure to do so could result in a default judgment.

 

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NUPRC Dangles 40 Oil Blocks Before Global Investors at ADIPEC

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has invited global investors to participate in the bid for the 2026 Licensing Round, which has 40 oil and gas blocks on offer.

The Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, informed investors at the 2026 ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday, November 2, 2026 that Nigeria offers a stable climate amid global energy tensions.

She urged investors to look to Nigeria and take advantage of the opportunities and revealed that the licensing round portal will officially open on November 20, 2026.

READ ALSO: OPEC+ Retains Output at 30.9mbpd

The NUPRC boss said this during a roundtable discussion titled, ‘Energy Sovereignty in an Interconnected World: Aligning National Priorities, Markets and Global Security’.

She said, “We are expecting investors to turn to Nigeria. We are going into another licensing round, and we will launch our bid portal on November 20. We expect to see interested investors because the environment is a lot more competitive.

“We have set a very attractive fiscal framework for investors. The overall environment is much more secure. We have been able to manage costs with a lot of incentives for investors, and we expect to see investors take up the offer when we open the portal.”

The NUPRC boss noted that since the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, as well as the executive orders signed by President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has seen an improved investment climate.

Eyesan said that between 2021 and 2026, the NUPRC held at least four successful licensing rounds, which brought more investment into the country.

This marks a departure from the pre-PIA era, when licensing rounds were less frequent.

The CCE said Nigeria has huge energy potential, as it sits on 215 TCF of gas, but daily production is barely 7 bcf.

This presents an opportunity to investors, especially as key gas infrastructure, such as pipelines, is being built, she said. The stars are already aligned. For gas infrastructure, we just completed very major infrastructure projects that will unlock gas supply in the country and the sub-region.”

We have two major projects on the drawing board to move gas through the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline.

Again, this gas will go to Europe and will also meet regional demand. So, Nigeria is positioned to meet not just domestic supply,” the CCE stated.

Eyesan maintained that as many countries discover petroleum resources, the race for investment has become more competitive.

She said Nigeria was already ahead of the game, as it had made certain modifications to attract the right capital.

“We understand that investors will prize execution risk, cost, delays and also uncertainty, and so what we have done in Nigeria is to ensure that we guard against these risks and then attract the investment required to enable us to unlock the huge resources we sit on,” the NUPRC boss said.

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‘Becoming Nigeria’s President Is a Divine Blessing’ – Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described his emergence as Nigeria’s President as a special favour from Almighty Allah, saying his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is a privilege that must be matched with dedicated service to the country.

Tinubu made the remarks while reflecting on his spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), during which he was granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.

The President expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his Nigerian delegation the rare privilege.

SEE MORE: APC Defends Tinubu Over Electricity Promise, Says President Is Tackling Sector’s Challenges

Speaking after the spiritual exercise, Tinubu said his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was an extraordinary blessing, considering the millions of people in the country.

“I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour. Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.

The President also disclosed that he used the opportunity to pray for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” Tinubu said.

Recalling his previous Umrah pilgrimage before the 2023 presidential election, he said he had asked Allah to bless the journey and promised to return to express gratitude.

Tinubu also reflected on the message in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which establishes Allah as the ultimate owner of sovereignty and authority, with the power to give and take leadership.

He said the message reinforces the need for those entrusted with positions of authority to exercise power responsibly, with humility and in the interest of the people.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” the President said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria, investing in the future of young Nigerians and pursuing development in line with the aspirations of the people.

Tinubu described the opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual experience, adding that it reflected the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

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Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador

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The Ogun State Police Command has received three major honours at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council’s Golden Jubilee Press Week, with Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni named a Golden Jubilee Ambassador.

The Command received the Shield of Public Safety Award, while its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, was presented with the Vanguard of Public Safety Award.

The recognition formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the NUJ in Ogun State, which coincides with the state’s 50th anniversary.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Stolen Items Worth ₦16.2m

According to a statement released on Monday, November 2, 2026, by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi, the awards recognised the Command’s commitment to public safety, proactive policing and effective engagement with the media.

The Golden Jubilee Press Week, held from October 26 to November 1, 2026, was themed, “Truth, Trust and the Press: Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism.”

Ojajuni also participated in a panel session during the celebration, where he urged journalists to uphold truth, professional ethics and patriotism, stressing the importance of responsible journalism to national development and public confidence in public institutions.

While receiving the Shield of Public Safety Award, the police commissioner attributed the Command’s achievements, particularly the impact of Operation KOSAYE, to the strategic direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, under the Handshake Patrol initiative.

He explained that the operation was carried out on the directive of the IGP through collaboration between the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands, with support from the governors of both states.

According to him, the initiative strengthened security cooperation between the two states and improved coordinated efforts to prevent and combat criminal activities.

Ojajuni was also named among 50 distinguished personalities recognised as Golden Jubilee Ambassadors.

The honour reflects his leadership and previous contributions to policing in Ogun State, where he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department and Squadron Commander of the 16 Police Mobile Force, Abeokuta, before becoming commissioner.

Similarly, Babaseyi received the Vanguard of Public Safety Award in recognition of his contributions to police-public communication, media engagement and public safety advocacy.

The commissioner dedicated the honours to the Inspector-General of Police and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, acknowledging their commitment and sacrifices in protecting lives and property.

The Command also commended the NUJ Ogun State Council, led by its chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, for the recognition and its role in promoting constructive engagement between journalists and security institutions.

It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media, noting that effective policing depends not only on operational deployment but also on public trust, timely information and stakeholder engagement.

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