Connect with us

News

HURIWA Details Identities Of Journalists Arrested, Harassed Under Tinubu Govt

Published

on

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has strongly condemned the increasing harassment and intimidation of journalists across Nigeria.

It warned that the rising climate of impunity posed a grave threat to press freedom and democracy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The association said its concerns stem from a series of troubling incidents, including the recent summoning of three journalists from Alimosho Today, a community news outlet in Lagos, by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the rights group revealed that the journalists- Wisdom Okezie, a former reporter, Ayomide Eweje, the managing editor, and Oluwamodupe Akinola, the publisher, were summoned to appear at the Zone 2 Command office on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

“The summonses were reportedly issued through letters dated August 22, 2024, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Martin Nwogoh on behalf of the AIG.

“Notably, the letters did not disclose the identity of the complainant or the nature of the inquiry, raising serious concerns about the intentions behind the questioning,” it said.

HURIWA criticized this development, warning that such actions fostered a “climate of impunity” where journalists were increasingly targeted for fulfilling their duties.

The association accused the police of being used as a tool by public officials and powerful individuals to silence the press.

It condemned the growing trend of security agencies using complaints about media reports as a pretext to arrest, detain, or charge journalists without verifying the accuracy of their stories.

The rights group also highlighted a series of alarming incidents where journalists have been harassed, detained, and intimidated under dubious charges, particularly under the Cybercrime Act.

The association noted that those attacks on the press were clear signs of an administration seeking to silence dissent and suppress free speech.

The group pointed out that at least 11 journalists have been detained on questionable allegations since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

“Among the journalists targeted is Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police and detained without communication for three days before being transferred to Abuja.

“Similarly, Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, was arrested by heavily armed military personnel and detained in an underground cell for 14 days over a report implicating a top government official in a $30 billion financial scandal.

“Other cases include Kasarachi Aniagolu of The Whistler, who was arrested and physically assaulted while covering an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raid in Abuja, Achadu Gabriel of Daybreak Newspaper, who was detained and arraigned on charges of defamation and incitement and Godwin Tsa of The Sun Newspaper, who was assaulted and detained while covering a peaceful protest in Abuja.

“Additionally, an online publisher, Precious Eze was arrested at his Lagos residence, where a special police task force seized his gadgets and left him incommunicado.

“The pattern of repression continued with the arrest of Informant247 journalists, Salihu Ayatullahi and Adisa-Jaji Azeez by the Kwara State Police after they published reports linking a state official to financial fraud.

“Furthermore, Saint Mienpamo of NAIJA Live TV was arrested over a report on a man allegedly killed by security guards, while Just Events Online publisher, Abdulrasaq Babatunde and Satcom Media’s Lukman Bolakale were detained for 10 days after being summoned by a police unit in Kwara State,” HURIWA narrated.

It emphasized that those incidents were just a fraction of the numerous cases of harassment and violence against journalists in Nigeria since Tinubu’s inauguration.

The association argued that the government’s misuse of the Cybercrime Act as a tool for censorship, combined with its disregard for legal protocols, signaled a creeping authoritarianism that threatened the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

It warned that if Nigerians remained silent in the face of those systematic attacks on press freedom, the nation risked descending into dictatorship.

The association stressed that the persistent harassment and persecution of journalists were red flags that should not be ignored, noting that totalitarianism often begins with the dismantling of press freedom.

In its statement, HURIWA further warned that the unchecked harassment of journalists by security agencies was part of a broader pattern of repression under President Tinubu’s administration.

The group noted that the misuse of power against journalists has intensified, with arbitrary arrests, detentions, and assaults becoming increasingly common.

HURIWA emphasized that this hostile environment undermined Nigeria’s democracy, as a free and independent press was essential for holding power to account.

The association called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to take immediate action to curb the misuse of police power against journalists.

HURIWA also urged the government to uphold the rule of law, respect press freedom, and protect the rights of media professionals.

The association stressed that the failure to address those issues endangered not only the journalists themselves but also the public’s right to information, which was crucial for a functioning democracy.

HURIWA also called on civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and the general public to stand in solidarity with journalists and demand an end to those oppressive tactics.

The group urged international bodies and foreign governments to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for its actions against the press.

The statement urged the Nigerian government to release all journalists currently held “on dubious charges” and to drop all cases that lacked merit.

SOURCE

News

Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

Published

on

By

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

Continue Reading

News

Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

Published

on

By

The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

Continue Reading

News

Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

Published

on

By

Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

Continue Reading

Trending