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Activist Adeyanju slams military, police for always arresting, detaining Journalists, Lawyers
In recent times, journalists and lawyers have been arrested and detained on slightest presumed utterances or publication that may have arose out of investigation.
Reacting to this worrisome development, a human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has slammed the Nigerian Army and Police over unlawful arrest and detention of Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist with Foundation for Investigative Journalism ( FIJ ) . and a human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Deji believed that the military and police has become defocused from their statutory duty of protecting territorial integrity and combating oil theft to harassing and arresting journalists illegally.
He reminded the Police and Military that the work of journalists is to hold government office holders to account for their deeds.
Deji stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja at the weekend, describing the arrest of an investigative journalist Soyombo an affront on his sacred duty which he published a report on oil bunkering, adding that the military should come clean on oil bunkering and vandalism rather than intimidating journalists who dared to expose the theft of Nigerian oil.
He urged the military authority to probe activities of military men in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
“We have been saying this for years now that crude oil theft is not possible without the collusion of state actors. You know, just recently, Tompolo himself said that the Navy is complicit, you know, and our country and our economy is battling and struggling.
“It’s important that we holistically, especially the government of President Tinubu, commit to fighting crude oil theft in the country and that journalists like Fisayo must be protected at all costs to do their job to expose corruption and to do reporting as they so fit without any form of harassment.
“Many of us are keenly looking forward to the revelations of the ongoing investigation by Fisayo Soinbo, despite the fact that his investigation has been jeopardised by the military.
“Also in this, on our end, we had written a petition against crude oil theft in the country several months ago, especially early this year. But up to today nothing has been done,” he said.
Adeyanju also kicked against the arrest of lawyer and rights activist, Dele Farotimi, who was picked up on allegations of defamation against foremost lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola.
He said if Babalola felt defamed, he should explore available legal channels to address his grievance instead of getting Farotimi arrested.
He cautioned the police against being used by influential people for their personal interests. He cautioned against abuse of power and office.
“I am therefore making a passionate appeal that these incessant arrests by security agencies, especially the police, will continue to make the human rights index rating of Nigeria to be extremely very bad. The president of Nigeria should give an executive order restraining the police from getting involved in civil disputes such as defamation.
“The Nigerian police and other security agencies like the DSS will have the trust and respect of all Nigerians at home and abroad. And that this will improve the human rights rating of the country,” he said.
He also urged opposition parties in the country to live up to their responsibility of holding the government of the day accountable.
“it is unfortunate and regrettable that as of today, there appears to be a nonexistence of the opposition political parties. A situation where key issues, key decisions of government are not being challenged at all by the opposition political parties sends the message that the opposition is completely in bed with the government in power.
“I have said this time and time again that the only way Nigeria will progress is if we have a credible opposition. That is the beauty of democracy. What strengthens democracy and the tenets of democracy is when the opposition is up and doing and it’s a life to its responsibilities,” he said.
Adeyanju also condemned the invasion and forceful demolition of a property belong to one Prophetess Esther Anthony Higher Favour of International Church Asokoro by the FCT Joint Task Force.
The property was said to have located at a recreational park near the house of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike in Guzape.
She alleged the task force stormed the park on the instruction of the Minister and destroyed everything on sight and reallocated the landed property of about 1.3 hectares to his cronies.
The Northern Senators Forum has expressed its sadness over the lynching of travelers in Uromi, Edo State, saying that they were taken aback over the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians because of the zone where the victims came from.
The Forum was reacting to the attack that led to death of individuals on 27th March, 2025 while travelling to the Northern part of the country after they were tragically stereotyped as Fulani kidnappers and brutally murdered in a despicable manner.
The Forum in a statement issued by its Chairman, Abdulaziz Yar’adua strongly condemn the killing and described it as a heinous act which must be investigated with the culprits brought to book.
It read: “We strongly condemn this heinous act, which is a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims. We urge the Edo State Government to take immediate action to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this gruesome murder.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, with a view to arresting the culprits.
“This swift action demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“As stated in Section 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and residence throughout the country. No citizen can be expelled from or refused entry into Nigeria. We must uphold these fundamental principles and ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
“We call on the Edo State Government, the security agencies, and all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We must promote a culture of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
The Ex-Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke has revealed how the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara ordered bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in 2023 to avoid impeachment moves by legislators loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike.
The governor who was suspended from office in the heat of crisis rocking the State however, swiftly denied the allegation and urged the public to disregard it.
The former HoS who resigned from office recently gave the revelation during a press briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt, adding that bag of money was allegedly handed over to the former House of Assembly leader, Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff to attack the Assembly complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He said, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Nwaeke stated that he resigned voluntarily, countering speculations that he was sacked or pressured to leave.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he clarified.
Nwaeke further alleged that another attempt was made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members but was thwarted by a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
According to him, Fubara had openly expressed a desire to demolish more state property, raising concerns about his leadership style.
He also claimed that Fubara had made comments about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, referencing control over oil pipelines and potential disruptions.
Reacting, Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
The governor described Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday.
“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President,” he said.
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline is pleased to announce the resumption of flight services from Abuja to Jalingo and return. Overland Airways has also introduced Lagos to Jalingo flights through Abuja.
Overland Airways has been the pioneer airline on the route for years but flight services were temporarily suspended in November 2024 due to expansion work at the airport. The airline is now set to reconnect the two cities providing passengers with convenient and reliable travel options.
Effective April 3, 2025, Overland Airways will resume three (3) weekly flights on the Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights will depart Abuja to Jalingo at 10:00am and Jalingo to Abuja at 11:30am.
Passengers across Overland Airways network including Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Minna and Ilorin, amongst others can connect to Jalingo through our hub in Abuja.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: “We are excited to reintroduce our Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja services which will not only enhance connectivity but also boost economic activities in Taraba State in particular and the Northeastern region of Nigeria in general. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Governor of Taraba state, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the Danbaba Suntai Airport. We would like to also thank our customers for their patience and understanding and assure them of our usual excellent customer services.”
Jalingo has been a long existing route for Overland Airways, and for the very first time, Overland Airways will be operating our brand-new Embraer 175, a dual-class 88-seater modern jet aircraft featuring Premium class seats with spacious legroom and the regular Economy class on this route. We are keen on providing our Jalingo travellers with unparalleled convenience and comfort.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
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