NEWS
Whistleblower Drags Nigeria To ECOWAS Court Over Child Trafficking, Others
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and registered as ECW/CCJ/APP/28/25, the suit accuses Nigerian authorities of unlawfully detaining Aghogho and using repealed laws to suppress his efforts to uncover illegal adoption practices.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.
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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arrested and charged under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015—despite the fact that the provision had already been repealed by the time of his arrest.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no protective or corrective measures were reportedly taken, and the prosecution persisted, allegedly relying on an outdated 2017 prosecutorial fiat,” the lawsuit states.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.
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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