General
SERAP Tells Buhari to Reverse Communication Blackout in Zamfara, Katsina
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the suspension of internet and telecommunication networks in Zamfara State, and 13 local government areas of Katsina State.
The body called on the president to direct the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately reverse the decision.
Business Post had recently reported that the NCC ordered telecom operators to suspend all telecommunications networks in Zamfara State.
The decision had also extended to at least 13 local government areas of Katsina State to check banditry and terrorism.
SERAP in an open letter dated September 11, 2021, and signed by its deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, said the move was without any legal justification, adding that the suspension was a form of collective punishment of Nigerians resident in these states.
The group said the development was “egregious, and suggests a disturbing trend, especially given the growing restriction of civic space in Nigeria. Shutdowns should never become an entrenched practice in the country.”
“While the authorities have a legal responsibility to protect, ensure and secure the rights to life and property, any such responsibility ought to be discharged in conformity with constitutional and international human rights standards,” the association said.
“Large-scale shutdowns of communication networks are a form of collective punishment. Shutdowns exert significant chilling effects, with direct implications on participatory democracy, whose existence depends upon an active and informed citizenry capable of engaging with a range of ideas.
“Shutdowns generate a wide variety of harms to human rights, economic activity, public safety and emergency services that outweigh the purported benefits. The suspension has the potential to affect millions of internet and telecommunication users in these states, and those on the margins of society are most impacted by it.
“The suspension of internet and telecommunication networks in Zamfara and Katsina states fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of restrictions such as the telecoms blackout in these states, with the aim of ensuring that restrictions target a specific objective and do not unduly intrude upon human rights,” a part of the statement read.
It added that, “While ‘checking the activities of bandits/terrorists in these states could conceivably be viewed as justification for exceptional measures necessary to protect public order or national security, the authorities have so far failed to show how shutting down internet and telecommunication networks in the entire Zamfara State, and 13 local government areas of Katsina State is necessary to achieve the stated purposes.
“The imposition of any restrictions should be guided by the objective of facilitating the right, rather than seeking unnecessary and disproportionate limitations on it. Restrictions must not be discriminatory, impair the essence of the right, or be aimed at causing a chilling effect. Internet and telecommunication shutdowns fail to meet all of these conditions.
“Internet and telecommunication shutdowns amount to an inherently disproportionate interference with the rights to freedom of expression and information. Necessity requires a showing that shutdowns would achieve their stated purpose, which in fact they often jeopardize.
“We would be grateful if the suspension of internet and telecommunication networks in Zamfara and Katsina states is reversed within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.
“In their 2011 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet, four special mandates on freedom of expression emphasised that ‘Cutting off access to the internet, or parts of the internet, for whole populations or segments of the public can never be justified, including on public order or national security grounds.’
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has affirmed the principle of non-interference with access to internet and telecommunication networks and stressed that states including Nigeria ‘shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to the internet and other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.’
“There is no convincing justification that the stated objectives of checking the activities of bandits/terrorists could not be achieved through measures with a lesser impact on the rights to freedom of expression and information than the wholesale blocking of internet and telecommunication networks in these states.”
SERAP, “therefore, urges you to sponsor an executive bill to explicitly recognize the right to access and use the internet as a constitutional and legal right, and as an essential condition for the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and information.
“The rights to freedom of expression and access to information are protected by Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“These rights must be protected online as they are protected offline. Access to the internet is a fundamental right. Access to the internet is also a necessary precondition for the exercise and enjoyment of human rights online and offline.
“Your government, therefore, has a legal obligation to enable access to the internet for all, as access to the internet is inextricably linked to the exercise of freedom of expression and information.
“Access to information, the ability to exercise the right to freedom of expression and the participation that the internet provides to all sectors of society is essential for a truly democratic society.
“The rights to freedom of expression and information may be restricted only in specific circumstances. Restrictions on these rights must be provided by law, proportionate, and necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others or for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health and morals.
“Further, any measures to address security challenges must make use of the least restrictive means to achieve that legitimate aim.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over its failure to account for the alleged missing or diverted N22.3 billion, $49.7 million, £14.3 million and €5.2 million oil funds.
Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, said the suit followed the damning allegations documented in the 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was published on 9 September 2025.
The suit was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the organisation seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the NNPCL to account for the alleged missing or diverted N22.3 billion, $49.7 million, £14.3 million, and €5.2 million oil money.”
It also asked the court to “direct and compel the NNPCL to disclose the specific financial transactions carried out in respect of the alleged missing or diverted N22.3 billion, $49.7 million, £14.3 million and €5.2 million oil money, including details of disbursement, the contractors, and other individuals who collected the money.”
“The diverted or misappropriated oil revenues reflect a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s continuing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability,” SERAP argued, noting that, “Granting the reliefs sought would strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing or diverted oil money, and ensure that the money is returned for the sake of NNPCL’s victims—Nigerians.”
“The allegations have also undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities.
“The Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of oil money from the NNPCL. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing oil money meant to provide essential public services for Nigerians,” it added.
SERAP is also arguing that, “Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has emphasised that unified government messaging remains very critical to restoring public trust, especially in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said this on Thursday in Abuja at an interactive session with Directors of Information and Resident Information Officers (RIOs) on grade level 14-17, deployed across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The event, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Director Public Relations and Protocol of the ministry, Mr Suleiman Haruna, was themed Aligning Public Information with the Renewed Hope Agenda: Rebuilding Trust Through Effective, Transparent Communication.
The Minister noted that government officials must adopt a unified, coordinated, and trust-driven approach to government communication.
He posited that public trust remains the most valuable asset of government communication, stressing that information officers must be guided by honesty, credibility, and consistency in their work.
“Public trust is our most important capital. Once credibility is lost, no amount of messaging can fix it,” the Minister said, warning that fragmented messaging and parallel communication channels weaken government credibility and confuse citizens, insisting that the government must speak with a single, clear, and consistent voice.
“We are one government serving one national interest, and our communication must reflect that unity,” he said.
Mr Idris urged Resident Information Officers to see themselves as active partners within their host MDAs rather than passive observers, encouraging them to engage proactively with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and agency leadership, noting that professionalism, relevance, and initiative are key to earning trust and influence.
Addressing the growing pressure of misinformation and the speed of digital media, the founder of Blueprint Newspaper stressed the importance of timely and accurate communication, noting that delays often create space for false narratives. While reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to freedom of expression, he said such freedom must be exercised responsibly.
The Minister also outlined steps being taken to strengthen professionalism within the information cadre, including mandatory periodic reporting, improved deployment processes, continuous training, and stronger institutional support. He disclosed that the Federal Government has begun restoring the National Institute of Public Information to boost capacity building for public communicators.
He called for teamwork and mutual respect, reminding participants that they are central to the projection of government policies and achievements and that they must align their work with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has constituted a seven-man committee to harmonise contributions and opinions on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, with a mandate to present a consolidated report to the chamber next Tuesday.
The decision followed over two hours of consideration of the bill’s provisions during a closed-door session on Thursday.
The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Mr Niyi Adegbomore.
Other members are Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
The group has three days to conclude its assignment and submit its report for consideration at the next plenary session scheduled for next week.
The Senate on Thursday commenced consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2026, moving into a closed-door session to review documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr Simon Lalong.
The Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 would expand voter participation, safeguard against electoral fraud, and strengthen institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The closed session was convened to allow lawmakers to thoroughly examine the proposed amendments and supporting documents before engaging in further legislative debate on the bill.
This development comes after the upper chamber deferred consideration of the bill on Wednesday, giving lawmakers time to prepare for a detailed review.
Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio underscored the need for thorough scrutiny, given the bill’s implications for the nation’s electoral process.
“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.
According to the committee’s findings, a clause-by-clause analysis of the bill indicates that enacting the legislation would leave Nigerians with an enduring legacy of electoral integrity, enhance transparency, and boost public confidence.
The bill contains more than 20 key innovations distinguishing it from previous electoral frameworks, including provisions recognising the voting rights of prisoners and mandating INEC to register eligible inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.
It also prescribes sanctions for vote-buying ranging from a fine of N5 million to a two-year jail term, as well as a 10-year ban from contesting elections. It also recommends mandatory jail terms and higher fines for offences such as result falsification and obstruction of election officials.
Others include standardising delegates for indirect party primaries to prevent arbitrary determination of delegate criteria by party leaders, while addressing perennial funding challenges to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by mandating the release of election funds at least one year before polling day.
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