By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A group known as Naija Lives Matter (NLM), established by Mr Ope Banwo, has expressed optimism that the Ogun State government will obey the judgment of Justice Abiodun Adeyemi of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta on the release of the full details of a 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).

NLM had approached the court under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to compel the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun to release details of the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu.

The organisation, through Mr Yemi Salman, filed the suit after the state government refused to provide key details of the project.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Adeyemi ordered the Ogun State Government and its key ministries to release critical documents and information relating to the agreement to NLM and Mr Banwo.

Reacting to this, the founder of the group said, “This is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured.

“We believe the Governor has an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite all the drama about him, he still respects the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy; accountability over avoidance; and respect for the rule of law over resistance, because at this point, disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue—it is a public accountability issue.

“And we at Naija Lives Matter are hopeful that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not add disregard for judicial authority to the list of questions already before the people of Ogun State. We expect all documents regarding the Ogun State–ARISE IIP project within 14 days, as ordered by the court.

“We hope other organisations fighting for transparency and accountability from our governments will be encouraged by this bold ruling to keep up the fight for justice in our nation.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court (FCT) Abuja, in the N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit filed against the organisation by two officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday ordered SERAP to pay N100 million in damages to the DSS officials for alleged defamation.

The court also directed the organisation to issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully paid.

Reacting in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said: “This judgment is totally unacceptable to us. It is a travesty and a serious blow to civic space in Nigeria. It reflects a troubling pattern under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using defamation laws to punish legitimate criticism and suppress accountability.”

SERAP added, “We have instructed our lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, to immediately appeal this judgment.”

The statement read in part: “This case represents a textbook example of judicial harassment and a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), designed to intimidate civil society and deter legitimate human rights advocacy.

“The Tinubu government is misusing both the DSS and the judicial system to target activists, journalists, and ordinary Nigerians who are peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights.

“Rather than deploying state institutions to intimidate critics, the government should be protecting those working to expose corruption, including allegations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

“We strongly disagree with the judgment, which fails to reflect the evidence presented before the court and disregards Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.

“This judgment sends a dangerous message and creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression, civic participation, and anti-corruption work.

“Strategic lawsuits against public participation undermine the rule of law by diverting judicial processes from their proper purpose—justice—to repression.

“Courts have a duty to prevent the misuse of legal proceedings and to safeguard the rights to freedom of expression and association.

“The judgment raises serious concerns regarding compliance with international human rights law. Judicial authorities must ensure that defamation laws are not weaponised to silence dissent or suppress legitimate advocacy.

“We are committed to pursuing all available legal avenues, including appeal, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that fundamental rights are protected. We stand resolute. We will continue to defend civic space, promote transparency, and advance accountability in Nigeria.

“Our work—particularly in promoting transparency, challenging corruption, and addressing illicit financial flows—is carried out in the public interest and in accordance with the law.”

SERAP further stated: “The Tinubu government has continued to fail to investigate the allegations of corruption our organisation raised against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“We call on Nigerian authorities to uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations, including the duty to protect human rights defenders and ensure that security agencies operate lawfully, transparently, and accountably.”

The lawsuit arose after SERAP, on September 9, 2024, alleged that DSS officials unlawfully entered its Abuja office following the organisation’s call on President Tinubu to investigate corruption allegations in the NNPC Limited and reverse fuel price increases.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking confirmation of the nomination of Mr Joseph Tegbe as the Minister of Power in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The request, read by the President of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday, was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Senate.

President Tinubu, citing Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to nominate ministers subject to Senate confirmation, urged lawmakers to give the request prompt consideration.

Last week, Mr Tinubu nominated Mr Tegbe as the Minister of Power, following the resignation of Mr Adebayo Adelabu to pursue a governorship ambition in Oyo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 polls.

In the same vein, President Tinubu sought confirmation of two other nominees: Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State, as well as Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

“The nomination has been transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with the Constitution,” a statement by presidential spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga read in part.

Like his predecessor, Mr Tegbe is from Oyo State. He is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors.

A former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance in that firm.

Mr Tegbe has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.

Until his nomination, he served as the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), and was responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

Key priority for Mr Tegbe, if confirmed, will be to institute and execute policies that can help fix one of Nigeria’s most crucial sectors.