General
SERAP Sues FG Over Failure to Rescue Train Attack Victims
By Adedapo Adesanya
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the federal government over its failure to protect the rights to life, security, and dignity of the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, and the failure to secure the safe release of those held captive by the terrorists.
The suit followed reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) failed to approve funds for surveillance equipment that could have helped to prevent the train attack.
Business Post had reported that terrorists had attacked the AK9 Abuja–Kaduna train on March 28, killing at least nine people, wounding several others, and abducting an unknown number of passengers.
The victims have remained with the terrorists for a month despite repeated appeals for the government to free them from captivity.
In the suit No ECW/CCJ/APP/20/22 filed last week before the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is, therefore, seeking “a declaration that the train attack, abductions and killings of passengers by terrorists amount to a failure by the government to protect Nigerians, and to prevent these grave human rights violations.”
The body is also seeking “an order directing the Buhari government to protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of Nigerians, including travellers across the country, by ensuring adequate security and taking measures to prevent attacks.”
SERAP is seeking “an order directing the Buhari government to urgently find and identify all the passengers, victims and their families, and to pay adequate monetary compensation of N50 million to each of the passengers and victims and their families.”
In the suit filed together with an application for an expedited hearing, SERAP is arguing that “The Buhari government has a legal duty to protect individuals from real and immediate risks to their lives and security caused by actions of third parties such as terrorists.”
It is also arguing that “a fundamental notion of contemporary human rights law is that victims of violations such as the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack enjoy an independent right to effective remedies. Rights without remedies are ineffectual, rendering illusory the government’s duty to protect such rights.”
According to SERAP, “the Buhari government has failed to protect the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights of the victims of the train attack to life, dignity and security, and their right to an effective remedy.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Miss Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “The Buhari government is under a legal obligation to protect the life of every citizen in the country.
“Remedies logically should be proportionate to the gravity of the harm or violations caused by the government and its agents or by terrorists or unknown perpetrators.
“Human life has a special value and dignity which requires legal protection. It is the principle of international law, and even a general conception of law, that any breach of an engagement involves an obligation to make reparation.
“The officials of the Buhari government have publicly stated that they knew or had information that an attack on the train was imminent but the government failed and/or neglected to take measures to prevent the train attack.
“The government will still be held accountable for failing or neglecting to guarantee and protect human rights regardless of whether such violations are directly or indirectly attributable to the government or its officials.
“The Buhari government has an obligation to promote and protect the rights to life, security and dignity. This obligation means that the government must create an enabling environment that facilitates the enjoyment of these rights by the people.
“The failure of the Buhari government to protect and guarantee the rights to life, security, liberty and dignity of the passengers and victims of the train attack violates the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
“The Buhari government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation had ignored several warnings in the past to take preventive measures to provide adequate security for the train services, and to suspend late rail services to prevent attack by terrorists and to ensure the security and safety of passengers.”
“Few days before the train attack, some terrorists had gained control of and entered the Kaduna airport in a daring attack. The Buhari government failed or refused to take preventive measures to ensure adequate security in the airport and its surrounding, and to prevent the attack on the train.”
By Dipo Olowookere
The Accountant-General of the Federation has been directed by President Bola Tinubu to create a special account for a support fund dedicated to members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
A statement on Sunday night by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that funds from the account would be used to support those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of fallen heroes.
Already, as a personal commitment, Mr Tinubu has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.
According to the statement last night, the establishment of this dedicated fund is to commemorate the 74th birthday of the President and to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation’s military personnel.
He urged state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that details of the fund will be made available in due course.
President Tinubu noted that “supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.”
He stressed that the initiative was rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.
“The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support,” the statement concluded.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded transparency and accountability regarding the six-month administration of the Rivers State sole administrator, Mr Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The group has asked questions regarding an alleged spending of over N302 billion received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) during the period. Rivers State was under an emergency rule from March to September 2025.
In a Sunday statement published on its official website, the group disclosed that the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning told the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt how Mr Ibas allegedly spent over N302 billion received from the FAAC between March and August 2025.
The statement signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed that the allegation was contained in a lawsuit titled Freedom of Information, with suit number PHC/4153/CS/2025.
Mr Oludare further disclosed that the lawsuit was filed by SERAP on October 31, 2025, against the Accountant-General of Rivers State and Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and is pending before Justice S.H. Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court.
In the counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026 and filed in response to SERAP’s lawsuit, the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning stated that “the FAAC allocations received by Rivers state between March and August 2025 were over N253 billion (N253,480,052,907.33)”
According to SERAP, Exhibit DT1, which is the bank statements, and Exhibit DT2, which is the capital pages of the Government House estimate, filed in support of the counter-affidavit and comprising 49 pages, provide some details of government expenditures exceeding N300 billion, including FAAC allocations and other funds.
The counter-affidavit, read in part, “Our records show that N28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, but no expenditure was incurred in respect of the project. Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided.”
“The Defendants/Respondents do not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and have no intention whatsoever of withholding the requested documents.”
“The Defendants/Respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and copies are herein attached as Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (capital pages of the Government House estimate).”
“By furnishing the documents requested, the Defendants/Respondents have substantially complied with SERAP’s demand.”
“While the Defendants/Respondents recognise the public interest in transparency and accountability, the delay in providing the requested information did not occasion any specific or proven injury to SERAP.”
According to the group, Rivers State received FAAC inflows of over N253.48 billion (N253,480,052,907.33) and other receipts totalling over N44.87 billion (N44,868,976,368.32) from March to August 2025, bringing the total funds received to approximately N298.35 billion (N298,349,029,275.65).”
“The two exhibits also show transfers to government entities, payments to individuals (NIP transfers), and repeated transfers to Government House during the period from March to August 2025. In total, over N302.35 billion was shown to have been spent during this period.”
“The exhibits reveal multiple payments to Government House ranging from N1.8 million to N4.27 billion, including transactions of N61.9 million, N122 million, N170 million, N389 million, N750 million, N850 million, and N900 million—with the N900 million payments occurring repeatedly. Notably, a single transfer of N4.27 billion was recorded in August.”
“Over N112.41 billion (N112,408,021,641.07) was reportedly spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads, while N163.44 billion (N163,441,654,922.70) was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).”
“Over N106 billion of the N163.44 billion allocated to MDAs was disbursed in August alone, showing a significant concentration of spending within a single month.”
“Additionally, over N26.01 billion (N26,011,189,540.73) was reportedly spent to service loans, while over N491.59 million (N491,592,418.57) was spent on bank charges, bringing these to approximately N26.50 billion (N26,502,781,959.30) during the same period.”
“Over N2.5 billion was released for the construction of Government House quarters, but only about N1.1 billion is reflected in the exhibits as actual spending. The exhibits show a revised allocation of N2.67 billion for office building repairs, while about N404 million was spent.”
“N350 million is stated to be allocated for canteen and kitchen equipment. It is unclear from the exhibits how much was released for the project. Over N463 million was shown to be spent on rehabilitation projects. A project initially budgeted at N800 million appeared to be increased to N1.56 billion.”
“The closing balance in the account as at August 2025 was N19,929,707,462.66.”
In the lawsuit, SERAP is seeking the determination of the following question, “Whether, having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2), and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and Sections 1(1), 2(3)(d)(v), 2(4), and 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, SERAP is not entitled to access and obtain the information sought from the Defendants/Respondents.”
The lawsuit has been adjourned to May 19, 2026, for further hearing.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2026 Global Camp Meeting of Dominion City, tagged Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers, will commence on Wednesday, April 1 and end on Monday, April 6, with the daily sessions at 8 am and 5 pm.
A statement from the church disclosed that the spiritual programme will take place simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu, with over 30,000 persons expected to attend, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
It was further revealed that the 2 Nights of Glory would take place on Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at the Golden Heart Place on Km 22, Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
The conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings by notable ministers of God, including Pastor David Ogbueli, Pastor Charles Ndifon, Pastor Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Speaking ahead of the event, the President of Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos and Europe, Nobbert Onaga, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation, describing the church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga added.
Also speaking, the Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, Shola Olapade, highlighted the church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people.
He noted that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development, stating that, “We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world.”
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