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The Reprehensible Tendencies of a Neo-Fascist Regime: A case study of Nigeria

By Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi

Forty-three years ago, the late Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, the former governor of Kano State, presented this paper in remembrance of his slain political adviser. The paper was prophetic because the issues it raised are with us today.

This paper is dedicated to a patriot, a nationalist, a Pan-Africanist, a teacher, a broadcaster, a colleague. It’s dedicated to my late political adviser, Dr. Bala Mohammed, who was assassinated in an organised, premeditated violence aimed at halting the wheel of progress in Kano State on Friday, July 10, 1981.

The subject matter of his assassination and the nature of emerging neo-fascist regime calls for this paper. The level of composition would be a critique of this emerging system. The unit of analysis is Nigeria. The approach is a combination of theory and fact, logic and history. The purpose is to analyze and make it possible to understand the nature of a neo-fascist regime and its common tendencies. Fascism has many faces, it can be dictatorship of the extreme right, or totalitarianism which is a collectivistic system of government in which system of control is exercised over all economic, political and social activities.

Both definitions reject liberal democracy. Both present a return to an authoritarian system of power elite. It’s based on exaggerated nationalism with an organised system of terror and propaganda. Fascism, in its modern form can be traced to Mussolini’s Italy. But fascism per se and authoritarianism are as old as human history. In modern times, it’s akin to Hitler’s Germany, Baby Duval Doc’s Haiti and contemporary Marco’s Philippines. The Fascists believe that their political party should have complete control of the country. The intellectual tradition of Fascism is from Hegelian tradition that emphasizes the power of state and the citizens blind obedience to it.

Today, that tradition is anti-socialist, anti-liberal and anti-intellectual. And in the context of Nigeria, neo-fascism is in league with feudalism and in opposition to everything that is progressive. Neo- fascism is a replay of fascism in an official non-fascist setting. That is, the constitutional guarantee of the land may be presidential or parliamentary, in which cases democratic, but the power play by the power brokers at the helm of affairs is fascist.

The functions dispensed in economics, politics and culture are neo-fascist. There is no concentrated programme for progressive economic development in a neo-fascist regime. Instead, the economic system is subordinated to the political ends of small power elite. The principle of terror(police brutality) is the chief cant phrase of the time as individuals are submerged, brutalized, terrorized and sometimes murdered. It is in remembrance of a colleague murdered in pursuit of neo-fascist action and the cause which he lost his life that gave rise to this seminar and this paper. Neo-fascism relies heavily on private ownership of property but denies the equality of men in the process while emphasizes class and racial distinction. It maintains that one ethnic group or class is superior to the others and is therefore ordained to rule. It disseminates this propaganda in public media in order to indoctrinate the people and coerce them into submission.

Neo-fascist Symptoms: The government is unnecessarily aggressive and coercive,
very insensitive to and intolerant of opposition. It’s characterized by suppression of critical information that is not in its favor. It creates superficial conflict and crisis( where there is none) only to deflect people’s concern for the real issue in the regime.

Emphasis is placed on stability induced through terror while their conscious actions generate unconscious instability. Power elite resist social change and alternatively vouch to retain the pattern that continuously reproduces their kind. They crack down on rival political parties and relentlessly plot to destabilize the constituted authorities of rival state governments. There is an attack on the press, political entities, critics and government that hold contrary points of views from those who forced or rigged themselves into power.

Psychology of Neo-Fascism: In the case of Nigeria, this attack emanates from the sensibility that the masses are aware of the government’s wrongdoings ( like the Abuja contracts, the foreign policy blunders; the mismanagement of the economy; the corruption at the N.ET ( Nigerian External Telecommunications), NEPA, Central Bank and Ribadu Road; the incompetence in government, the illegal deportation of Shugaba Darman, the Revenue Bill, the Bakolori Massacre, the misapplication of police power and innumerable misdeeds which go beyond pardon. But the masses of the people know these neo-fascist acts of the NPN Federal Government… A government that comes to power through election rigging must feel insecure, resort to violence and terror as a means of intimidating the masses to induce subservience.

The intimidated masses are subjected to feelings of helplessness and insecurity transmitted by neo-fascist government… the illogical 2/3 of 19=12(states) of 1979 Presidential election defies all sensible reasoning. The character of irrationality of a neo-fascist calculation is the induced justification based on non-logical action. That action was justified right from the very cradle of our presidential democracy. It’s not only the actions, nor the methods of actions themselves that are repressive, the consequences ( products) of both the actions methods are far more so…

The consequences have been a bad government that governs not by the collective conscience or the will of the people but by the sentiments of its few party patronages; the regime that uses carrot and stick approach to gain temporary sympathy from an unwilling people can’t sustain public support. The killers ( of democratic ideals) whose passion for greed and thirst for destruction…

We thought the military government was corrupt relative to time and space of its regime. If the military in 13 years failed to produce a higher critical mass of millionaires than the civilian government in 2,3/4 years, then by all logical inferences one has been more corrupt than the other. Of course, the production of millionaires in most countries takes more than 13 years. It’s only in Nigeria that an unaccountable number have been produced in the past 2,3/4 years. We have no ill-feelings towards their production since Nigeria is supposed to be operating free economy but we have misgivings towards the method of their proliferation, the circumstances under which they grow up and the socioeconomic and political consequences of their growth.

Dubious federal government awards have been largely responsible for the consequences of their multiplicity. The contracting partners both become millionaires with the signing of the contract papers without implementing the contract.

The socioeconomic consequences are:

(1) the skewed income distribution that allocates poverty to many, and millions of naira to a few.

(2) the deepening dependency of neo-colonialism and the rise in the ratio of disgruntled and dissatisfied Nigerians who advocate for a revolutionary change to bring to an end of wanton onslaught on the masses of the people and the national wealth which they collectively own.

Popular Ideological Ploy: One of the repressive tendencies of a neo-fascist regime is the deliberate use of popular ideology to manipulate and divert the frustration and anxieties of the mass following away from their objective source. The ideology of ‘green revolution’ is mass ideology because every Nigerian needs and knows the value of food.

But, what the average Nigerian doesn’t know is how much and for what purpose
the green revolution had become a fascist repressive agenda. Billions of Naira of the nations scarce resources has been deliberately wasted on importation of the cow-dung (called fertilizers) which we have more than enough for export in the Northern part of the country but have not been researched to utilize it massively as an alternative fertilizer…

The main principle of the green revolution is to create avenues for patronage to party supporters by importing and distributing foreign fertilizers, tractors and food supplies. The rush to import is not only dictated by the pro- imperialist petit bourgeoisie link with foreign counterpart but, also by the greed for economic and political domination of Nigeria by a fascist political party. The rush to create illicit fascist millionaires (out of contracting partners) who will be party financiers for continuous domination of Nigeria by a fascism supersedes the urge to take stock of alternatives.

The slogan of ‘fertilizer’ and ‘rice’ to boost the green revolution is sold to the masses on television and Radio Nigeria in different multi-linguistic group every night…But the propaganda on the public media to take government achievements in the field of agriculture to the people is not devoid of ideological content. The praise goes to the few fascists who have swindled the people and not the people who have been swindled. A massive nationwide campaign is stepped up like the one that has just been undertaken by the Federal Ministry for Information to indoctrinate and program the masses from frustration and anxieties into hope of raising expectation that will never be fulfilled.
Irrational Concept: Fascist ideology is characterized by emphasis on essentially irrational concepts such as, authority, obedience, honor, duty based on blind obedience and leadership principles…

Both the NPC and NPN have been authoritarian and therefore repressive. We could go back in history to recall the reigns of fascists. Though each historical epoch and its influences were different, the difference is more of time and place than of character and tendency. Personalities were mystified to induce blind adulation to the extent that it became a cult…
Feudal-Fascist Alliance…

The repressive role of the police since the return of the civil rule in Nigeria in October, 1979 in the name of maintaining law and order such as opening fire on demonstrating university students or the mass arrest of political opponents of the government at the center are the derivative of the official immoral conduct of an unpopular regime insisting on gaining support through brutal force.

Otherwise, can anyone explain brutality independent of official conduct of Mr. President and his NPN administration? How can anyone explain corruption, mismanagement, ineptitude and other repressive tendencies outside of the policies and actions of the NPN federal government? How can anyone defend the blunders in foreign policy and domestic affairs.

Foreign Policy Failure: The feelings of insecurity and helplessness spill over foreign policy. The conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy indicates the policy of realism. The foreign policy of realism is based on the concept of power capability to change and influence the outcome of events in the world. Nigeria has such power (economic, political, population, size and of course military). But what Nigeria does not have is the leadership that has the will and the right political bearing at the center to direct the affairs of this country.

Odinkalu calls for boycott of GTbank following 3months detentions of bloggers, condemns role of SANs

Law teacher and rights advocate, Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu has condemned the three-month detention of some bloggers at the behest of GTbank. The bloggers were said to have published stories that were considered unfavourable by the bank.

Odinkalu in a number of Tweets disclosed that: “Since Sep 19 2024, @gtbank has procured @policeNG to detain some bloggers, including one Precious Eze & Olawale Olurotimi on charges of #Cyberbullying & “conspiracy” in connection with stories published on their platforms. GtBank has not seriously addressed the stories.

“These #Bloggers have now been detained for 3 months, more than double the duration of pre-trial custody allowed by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. On 23 Oct, @gtbank showcased a team of 10 lawyers, including 3 SANs whom it has retained to oppress these poor bloggers.

“The case began 19 Sept with a petition written by lawyers to @gtbank which made ostentatious claims of #cyberbullying & criminal extortion &c against these bloggers wth hardly any supporting material. The complaint cld not even mention how much they supposedly sought to extort!

“Within 4 days, the @PoliceNG had finished investigation. The report of the investigation team led by Michael Abu, a Chief Superintendent of Police, #CSP, said explicitly that Precious Eze & Olawale Olurotimi shd be “used as scapegoat.”

“There’s only 1 way to read these facts: @gtbank is using its considerable financial muscle to oppress & persecute poor bloggers so as to achieve a #ChillingEffect on civics. #GTBank forgets that we are also customers. If GTbank fails to stop this, citizens shd stop banking wth it.”

Photos from commissioning of the New Civil Defence Office – Ofante-Kogi State outpost, facilitated, built, and donated By Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN

Following the resounding success of the official commissioning of the Ofante Civil Defence Outpost, the overwhelmed officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as the people of Ofante, a locality in Olamaboro, Kogi State showered encomiums on Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, for his generosity and benevolence that made the project possible.

The outpost is equipped with:

•⁠ ⁠Fully Furnished Office: Latest furniture and technology for effective operations

•⁠ ⁠Modern Staff Quarters: Comfortable accommodation for personnel

•⁠ ⁠Branded Patrol Vehicle: Swift response and enhanced mobility

•⁠ ⁠State-of-the-Art Communication Gadgets: Seamless communication and coordination

•⁠ ⁠Security Monitoring Equipment: Safeguarding the community and its residents

All facilitated, built and donated by The Learned Silk, Ogwu James Onoja, SAN.

A Captured Judiciary: Obasanjo’s painful indictment of a twisted legal institution

By John Egbeazien Oshodi

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal respectively, hold the highest positions in the country’s judiciary. Yet, their actions—or more accurately, their inaction—have cast a deep shadow over the judiciary, leaving it tainted and compromised. This is not just a failure of leadership; it is a betrayal of their sacred duty to uphold justice, independence, and integrity in an institution that should be above reproach.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent speech at Yale University was a brutal and unapologetic critique of Nigeria’s descent into chaos under President Bola Tinubu. His indictment of the judiciary as a “captured” institution was a direct hit at its two top leaders. These women, entrusted with safeguarding Nigeria’s courts, have presided over a system that increasingly bows to corrupt hands, political interference, and financial influence.

A Judiciary in Free Fall

The judiciary is supposed to be the cornerstone of justice and democracy, a beacon of hope for the powerless, and a safeguard against tyranny. Yet, under the watch of Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Dongban-Mensem, it has devolved into a system that serves the highest bidder and political overlords.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the judiciary’s handling of election-related cases. Courts that should serve as neutral arbiters have instead become tools in the hands of political actors, embroiling themselves in internal party disputes that have no place in a courtroom. Obasanjo’s concerns about the “dark ways” of Nigerian elections are painfully accurate. Judges now actively lobby for seats on election tribunals, not to serve justice, but because these positions have become synonymous with personal enrichment.

Even more alarming is the growing trend of judicial appointments being handed out to the children, in-laws, and relatives of those already in power. Meritocracy has been replaced with nepotism, as connections and favouritism dictate who ascends to the bench. A judiciary that once prided itself on its impartiality and competence is now a breeding ground for familial privilege and entitlement. Is it any wonder that such a system has been captured? How can justice thrive in a judiciary where appointments are based on bloodlines rather than qualifications?

These tribunals have transformed into marketplaces where rulings are not determined by law or evidence but by who can offer the largest bribe. It is a grotesque betrayal of the judiciary’s purpose, and the fact that it occurs under the leadership of these two women underscores their failure to stem the tide of corruption and manipulation.

The Hypocrisy of Leadership

While some judges under their leadership strive to uphold the rule of law, what message do Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Dongban-Mensem send when they attend celebratory events hosted by Nyesom Wike—a politician whose cases could land in their courts at any moment? This is not just poor optics; it is a blatant disregard for the principles of neutrality and fairness. Their actions place every diligent judge under their leadership in an untenable position, forcing them to work in a system where political influence looms large and justice is increasingly a commodity for sale.

Obasanjo’s indictment of a “captured judiciary” should hit home for these two women. By failing to act, they have allowed the courts to be weaponized for political purposes, tarnishing the judiciary’s reputation both at home and abroad. The very integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process is at stake, yet they remain silent, complicit, and seemingly indifferent.

A Judiciary Complicit in Nigeria’s Decline

The judiciary’s failure under these two leaders is not just an institutional problem—it is a national crisis. Obasanjo’s description of Nigeria as a “failing state” is not hyperbole. When the courts are seen as instruments of corruption rather than as protectors of justice, the entire fabric of democracy begins to unravel.

Involvement in election tribunals has become a lucrative venture, with judges vying for appointments because they know it is an opportunity to enrich themselves. This reality is a damning reflection of the judiciary’s state under Kekere-Ekun and Dongban-Mensem. Their inability to address these issues has eroded public trust to the point where the judiciary is no longer seen as an impartial arbiter but as a tool for political domination and financial gain.

Adding to this crisis is the nepotistic practice of appointing unqualified relatives to key judicial positions. Children and in-laws of powerful figures ascend to the bench with little regard for merit, further weakening the judiciary’s credibility. A judiciary where lineage matters more than competence is one that cannot deliver justice. It is a system designed to protect the interests of the powerful while leaving ordinary Nigerians at the mercy of corruption and inefficiency.

The Responsibility to Act

The time for platitudes and half-measures has passed. Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Dongban-Mensem must confront the reality of their failure and take immediate steps to restore the judiciary’s integrity. This requires more than symbolic gestures—it demands decisive action to root out corruption, distance the judiciary from political actors, and restore public confidence in the courts.

They must banish judges who actively seek out election tribunal positions for personal gain, impose strict ethical guidelines, and ensure that the judiciary is no longer a participant in internal party disputes. Above all, they must lead by example, refusing to associate with political actors like Wike, whose presence casts doubt on the impartiality of the judiciary.

The High Stakes of Inaction

If these two women fail to act, they will not just tarnish their own legacies; they will preside over the complete collapse of Nigeria’s judiciary. The consequences will be catastrophic. Public trust in the courts is already at an all-time low, and the continued perception of a “captured judiciary” will further alienate the populace, fueling political instability and deepening Nigeria’s democratic decline.

Obasanjo’s words at Yale should serve as a wake-up call. His critique was not just about the judiciary but about the broader implications of its failure. A captured judiciary is a captured nation, and if Kekere-Ekun and Dongban-Mensem do not act, they will be remembered as the architects of Nigeria’s descent into chaos.

Now is not the appropriate moment to seek a public affairs commentators to engage in media attacks against your critics, it is crucial to refrain from retaliatory measures and uphold professionalism by carefully reflecting on the feedback provided by writers or critics.

History Will Judge

The judiciary is on trial, and so are its two most senior leaders. Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Dongban-Mensem must decide whether they will be remembered as defenders of justice or as enablers of corruption and political manipulation. Obasanjo’s words were a painful reminder of what is at stake. If these two women continue on their current path, they will go down in history as the faces of Nigeria’s judicial collapse, complicit in the very corruption they were sworn to fight.

The time to act is now. The judiciary’s survival—and Nigeria’s democracy—depends on it.

Defamation lessons from Trump to Babalola

By Martins Oloja

The case of Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and author, has raised concerns about the treatment of individuals by the police and courts in Nigeria, particularly in libel cases. Farotimi who has just been granted another bail was arrested and detained following a petition by Afe Babalola, a prominent lawyer, who alleged that Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” contained defamatory statements against him. The petition led to Farotimi’s arrest by the Ekiti State Police Command, who then arraigned him before a magistrate court. The court granted an order remanding Farotimi in prison custody.

This curious case has sparked worries about free speech in a democracy. The arrest and detention of Farotimi have been seen as an attempt to silence him and stifle criticism of the Nigerian justice system. The fact that the libel case against Farotimi hasn’t been properly filed has also raised concerns about the misuse of the legal system to intimidate and harass individuals. Ultimately, this case highlights the need for greater protections for free speech in Nigeria and the importance of ensuring that the legal system is not used to silence critics and stifle dissent.

Meanwhile, as the civil society organisations including the media have been worried about the case that has led to continued detention of the lawyer is still dominating public discourse, there are some remarkable lessons about the same libel case by one of the world’s greatest complainants against the media, in fact, the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump who actually tagged the U.S mainstream media as “the enemies of the people”. The former president actually sued a major television network ABC News and here are some of the outcomes so far all of us including the elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola can learn from.

The recent $15 million libel settlement between Donald Trump and ABC News is a significant development that offers valuable lessons for media outlets, politicians, and the public. At the heart of the dispute was a comment made by George Stephanopoulos, claiming that Trump was found liable for rape, which was said to be inaccurate.

‘Significance of the Settlement’
The settlement is a substantial win for Trump, who has long accused mainstream media of bias and defamation. The $15 million payout, along with an apology and an editor’s note from ABC News, demonstrates that media outlets can be held accountable for inaccurate reporting. This settlement also highlights the challenges of reporting on high-profile individuals, particularly in today’s polarised media landscape. The case serves as a reminder that even slight inaccuracies can lead to costly legal battles and reputational damage.

‘Lessons for media outlets’
There are significant lessons for media outlets and media law scholars in this regard:
Accuracy is paramount: The settlement emphasises the importance of accuracy in reporting. Media outlets must ensure that their reporting is thorough, accurate, and unbiased to avoid costly lawsuits.
Clear apologies and corrections: ABC News’s apology and editor’s note demonstrate the importance of clear and prompt corrections. Media outlets must be willing to acknowledge and correct mistakes to maintain credibility.
Understanding of legal nuances: The case highlights the importance of understanding legal nuances and complexities. Media outlets must ensure that their reporting accurately reflects the complexities of legal cases.

Lessons for Politicians

Consequences of litigation: The settlement demonstrates that litigation can have significant consequences, financially and can affect reputation. Politicians must be cautious when pursuing legal action, as it can backfire and damage their reputation.
Importance of media relations: The case highlights the importance of maintaining positive relationships with media outlets. Politicians must work to build trust with journalists and media outlets to avoid misreporting and defamation.
Thick skin and strategic communication: Politicians must develop a thick skin and strategic communication skills to navigate the challenges of modern media. This includes being prepared to address inaccuracies and misinformation promptly and effectively. There may not be any smooth relationship between Trump and the mainstream media in his second term as Elon Musk, Trump’s most trusted digital media baron, has already declared the mainstream media persona non grata in the new media ecosystem in the United States.

Broader Implications

The settlement has broader implications for the media landscape and the relationship between politicians and the press. It highlights the challenges of reporting on high-profile individuals and the importance of accuracy, fairness, and transparency in journalism.

In the main, the ABC News $15 million libel settlement to Trump serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible journalism and the need for media outlets to prioritise accuracy and fairness in their reporting.

The nexus between strategy of Trump and Babalola

The ABC $15 million libel settlement to Trump and Afe Babalola’s use of the court and police to detain Dele Farotimi, author of a book he claims defames him, may seem like unrelated cases, but they share some common lessons.

Power of libel laws: Both cases highlight the power of libel laws in holding individuals and media outlets accountable for false or damaging statements. Afe Babalola’s actions demonstrate that individuals can use libel laws to protect their reputation but without having to use the police to torture the accused, while the ABC settlement shows that media outlets can also be held liable for false reporting.
Importance of fact-checking: The ABC settlement payment to Trump emphasises the importance of fact-checking in journalism. Similarly, Afe Babalola’s case against Dele Farotimi highlights the need for authors and publishers to verify the accuracy of their content to avoid libel claims.
Consequences of false reporting*: Both cases demonstrate the consequences of alleged false reporting, which can lead to financial losses, damage to reputation, and even long-drawn litigation.
Need for media literacy: The ABC News settlement case underscores the need for media literacy and critical thinking in consuming information. The ABC News case, for instance highlights the importance of verifying information through reputable sources to avoid spreading misinformation.

In conclusion, while the ABC settlement payment to Trump and Afe Babalola’s case against Dele Farotimi may seem like unrelated cases, they share common lessons about the power of libel laws, the importance of fact-checking, the consequences of inaccurate reporting, and the need for media (law) literacy.

But Elder Babalola should also consider 10 reasons most leaders, politicians and business barons avoid defamation lawsuit:

Fear of scrutiny: Defamation lawsuits can lead to increased scrutiny of their activities, which may expose their corrupt and unethical practices.
Loss of reputation: A defamation lawsuit can damage their reputation, even if they win the case. The negative publicity surrounding the lawsuit can be detrimental to their business and personal interests.
Financial consequences: Defamation lawsuits can be costly, and the financial consequences of losing a case can be significant.
Fear of discovery: During a defamation lawsuit, the discovery process may reveal information that the corrupt and unethical barons would rather keep hidden.

Intimidation tactics: Corrupt and unethical barons may use intimidation tactics, such as threatening to sue for defamation, to silence critics and avoid accountability.

Lack of transparency: Unclean barons may operate in opaque environments, making it difficult for critics to gather evidence and build a strong case against them.
Influence and power: Corrupt barons may have significant influence and power, which can be used to silence critics and avoid accountability.

Fear of retaliation: Critics may fear retaliation from filthy barons, including physical harm, financial ruin, or damage to their reputation.
Limited access to justice: In some cases, corrupt barons may have significant resources and influence, making it difficult for critics to access justice.
Culture of impunity: In some environments, corrupt barons may operate with a sense of impunity, believing that they are above the law and that they can avoid accountability.

Meanwhile, appeals for Dele Farotimi to apologize to Afe Babalola before a proper trial are misguided and can undermine the principles of justice and free speech. Here are several reasons why:
Presumption of innocence: In any democratic society, an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. By demanding an apology before a trial, Babalola’s supporters are essentially presuming Farotimi’s guilt.
Undermining free speech: The demand for an apology can be seen as an attempt to stifle free speech and criticism. Farotimi, as an author and lawyer, has the right to express his opinions and critique the justice system.

Lack of due process: A proper trial ensures that due process is followed, and both parties have an opportunity to present their cases. By demanding an apology before a trial, Babalola’s supporters are circumventing this process.

Apology as admission of guilt: An apology can be perceived as an admission of guilt. By demanding an apology before a trial, Babalola’s supporters are essentially asking Farotimi to admit to defamation without a proper investigation or trial.

Precedent for Intimidation: If Farotimi is pressured into apologising before a trial, it sets a dangerous precedent for intimidation and silencing of critics. This can have a chilling effect on free speech and open criticism.

Disregard for the rule of law: The demand for an apology before a trial disregards the rule of law and the principles of justice. It is essential to allow the legal process to unfold without external pressure or interference.

Let’s examine why libel case should not be treated as if we were going to war: Already, there are curiosities surrounding the claims by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, that a younger lawyer, Dele Farotimi, defamed him in a book on the judiciary. For this, the police had invaded Farotimi’s chambers, assaulted his staff, threatened two of his lawyers with guns and, practically abducted the lawyer. He was first dragged in handcuffs before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, Chief Babalola’s hometown where he is a legend. The Magistrate first denied Farotimi bail. While the bail conditions were being argued, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egebtokun had Farotimi brought from prison to a High Court to face new charges: cybercrimes. Another bail was granted in this case which Farotimi had not perfected at press time.

Then while still being held in prison, Babalola and his supporters filed more charges against Farotimi before courts in Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. The Babalola Chambers additionally, petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to remove Farotimi from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners. But in the case of Donald Trump vs ABC News, the ABC Newsanchor, George Staphanopoulos who allegedly claimed that Trump was found guilty for rape wasn’t arrested by the U.S police high command, nor was the ABC News operations disrupted at any time before the influential news organisation opted for the settlement of $16m dollars. What if elder Afe Babalola had filed a lawsuit against Dele Farotimi without humiliating him, would that have made any difference? Why is the accused being tried in Ado-Ekiti at the instance of the accuser in a democracy? Is this a warning signal to those who would like to deconstruct and critique the current systemic malaise in the country? Let’s manage allegations of defamation like Trump and his supporters. The trial of Dele is becoming messy and complicated. Simplify and dignify it, AGF!

Ekiti gets first female Commissioner of Police

Bose Akinyemi has become the first female Commissioner of Police ever produced by Ekiti State.

The Ekiti-born Akinyemi was among those recently elevated by the Police Service Commission to the position of Commissioner of Police.

According to a write-up on an online platform, cited by Eagle Online, “the renowned daughter of Ikere-Ekiti with the remarkable milestone not only brings pride to Ikere, where she hails from but also to the entire Ekiti State.”

It was further disclosed that: “Akinyemi’s promotion is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence in her career.

“Her achievement serves as an inspiration to women and girls in Ekiti State and beyond, demonstrating that with perseverance and determination, they can break barriers and reach great heights.

“The people of Ikere-Ekiti and Ekiti State are celebrating this historic achievement, and Akinyemi’s promotion is being hailed as a victory for women’s empowerment and representation in leadership positions.

“Congratulations to CP Bose Akinyemi on this remarkable achievement!”

Nigerian Navy fingered in alleged disappearance of Barr. Kevin Okorie

The Nigerian Navy is being accused of the illegal detention of a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Kevin Okorie

Details of his alleged detention and refusal by Nigerian Naval authorities to release him were shared by one Gloria Worlu on WhatsApp.

Worlu in the post wrote:

“Barr. Kevin Okorie from Ebonyi State Onitcha Igboeze (sorry if I spelt it wrongly) is a member of the NBA.

“He was invited for a meeting on the 10th of September 2024 by the Navy at Iwofe Aker base in Port Harcourt he didn’t come back that day. On the 11th he called his wife that he was coming back home with some Naval officials. But he didn’t come back, the wife called but his number wasn’t available till the end of that day.

“On the 12th his wife went to the naval office herself. They told her to go to the police station and report that he was missing. She said NO, that her husband told her he was in their custody.

“They sent her away.

“Only for him to call with a naval officer’s phone to say that he’s being held by the Navy. She took food to him and spoke with him the same day. But they didn’t allow her to see him, he was talking to her from another office or cell nobody knows

“It went on and on till His community wrote a letter to the NBA that their son was in Naval custody. Two weeks later human rights advocate and some NBA members went to Naval base but they denied he wasn’t there.

“Human rights invited the wife to follow them again to Naval base on reaching there they said she should go and come on a Monday but the woman protested that she wouldn’t go anywhere that they’ve been holding her husband for 3weeks If he committed any crime he should be charged to court. They denied that there was no record of him.

“The wife said “So who is the person I spoke to and brought food for twice in this same place? Who ate the food?” That was when Mr Eko with this phone number 08035362486 said that Barr Kevin had been moved to Abuja. With no crime being stated. That she should call him (Mr Eko) so that he will give information about where they moved him to in Abuja. Only for her to call as instructed he said he has been moved to Abuja that’s all he knows.

There is no information on his whereabouts from September 10th till today the 26th of December 2024.

The community where he came from has written a petition to the NBA to help get back their son. The wife has been frequenting the naval office. The children have been crying and asking for their dad. The wife has partial blindness. She has been managing her eyes like that for months now. Barr Kevin is the source of support to his family. We don’t know if he is dead or alive. The only clue we have is the Naval base Iwofe Port Harcourt.

Bauchi High Court dismisses blasphemy, cybercrime charges against Rhoda Jatau 

Rhoda Jatau, a health worker resident in Warji Local Council, Bauchi State, has been discharged and acquitted after a Bauchi High Court found her not to be guilty of the cybercrime, blasphemy and religious disturbance charges filed against her following a two-year trial.

Jatau was arrested and detained on May 24, 2022, after residents of the area accused her of blasphemy for sharing a video of someone condemning the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a 200 Level student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

Sean Nelson, the legal counsel for Global Religious Freedom at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), shared on his X page on Thursday that Jatau was freed after the Bauchi High Court found her not guilty of the charges.

He stated that the court dismissed the charges against her on December 10 although she was granted bail a year earlier.

Read Also: Finally Rhoda Jatau freed from Bauchi Prison

Jatau, who spoke in the five-minute-long video attached to the post, said after she shared the video condemning the murder of Samuel, Muslims who were offended by it visited her home and burnt it down.

“That was when the crises started. They went on and burnt our houses and so many places. A day after, on Tuesday the 24th, they took me to prison after taking me to court. They charged me for cybercrime, blasphemy and religious disturbance,” Jatau said.

Read Also: Nigerians ask, who will compensate Rhoda Jatau?

Jatau, who is also a mother of five, said no one except her lawyer was allowed to visit her and described the treatment she received in prison as terrible.

“There are many things that are not enjoyable in that place. One cannot explain. It is just too bad,” she said.

She was released on December 9, 2023, after spending 19 months in detention. Her release followed interventions from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide who criticised her unjust persecution.

The prosecution of Jatau by the Bauchi State Government was only made public in November 2023, about 18 months after she had been detained.

On November 29, 2023, FIJ reported how the health worker was arrested and charged under sections 114 and 210 of the state penal code, and section 24, subsection 1b(i) of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act of 2015 with inciting public disturbance, exciting the contempt of religious creed and cyberstalking.

Credits: FIJ

Creating demand for the Naira

By Victor Ogiemwonyi

A national currency is one of the things that makes a country sovereign, it should be the pride of a Nation , its strength, purchasing power and therefore guarded with all …its acceptability of its legal tender ( National Currency) is important, with vast economic implications.

In a recent conversation, with my friend and market colleague, Mr Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, he reminded me that the word “ current “ in any National Currency…. implies the flow of energy…in the business activities that are tied to a Country’s Currency. The more the activity in your National currency, the more, the demand for it, and therefore, value. In his view, when the only thing the world really wants to buy from a country, is not sold in that Country’s local currency, then the currency is doomed. The consistent depreciation of the Naira, regardless of the levels of Reserves and import cover, attests to this. Simple economics dictates, value rises where there is consistent demand. Something he says he has been canvassing for years on end.

In our discussion, the issue of the value of Naira, came up. He believes selling our oil in Naira was the solution. Why shouldn’t a Vitol or Trafigura ( oil traders who frequently buy our oil) sell its Dollars to our newly created FX Market (EFEM ) to buy Naira and then use the Naira to pay NNPC Limited for our oil? After all, NNPC is now a private Nigerian Company and legally should accept Naira for its products. The coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery has done Nigeria and Africa great pride. Selling oil to it in Naira for refining is the right thing to do. We should complete the cycle by selling all our oil in Naira.

This point mirrors the position expressed by Mr Femi Falana SAN, a prominent lawyer, who brought this up sometime in 2023. Although, his concern at the time was more about the dollarisation of transactions in Nigeria by those who transact here in Dollars. Also earlier this month, a Bill that is now being considered, emerged in the National Assembly, seeking to ban transactions in Dollars in Nigeria. I think this law will not be necessary, once we have a market priced Naira.

Any time you make a law to ban something this nebulous, implementing it, is usually, almost impossible. The effort to monitor and enforce it, will usually take away the oxygen in the idea.

The calls to have the Naira, as the only transaction currency, in our economy, are grounded in good economic logic and on its merits, and a move in the right direction, that is deserving of a considered look.

Selling our Oil in Naira for instance, will have huge positive implications, that will help in stabilising the Naira … let those who buy our oil, convert to the Naira and pay us in Naira.

Let’s move from our current approach and fixation, only on increasing the supply of Dollars to our economy, and focus on getting more demand for the Naira.

We do not have much to sell in dollars, we are a consuming nation, that may always import and also consequently, always importing inflation, with our Dollar purchases from abroad. It will take very many years, to produce enough to significantly to reduce our dependence on imports.

We can immediately focus our energies on creating demand for the Naira, to generate an uplift in value and create dollars to be supplied to our economy in a significant way. Oil is our main product to the world, let us leverage it, to boost our National Currency. It is a quicker and more effective way to enhancing the value of the Naira.

Let’s put in perspective, the recent smart decision by the Government, to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery, in Naira… that means, that the nearly 60% of our FX demand for importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria , disappears from our Dollar demand, and less pressure on the Naira. If we can finally persuade, those who insist that, they must import what we produce to ensure “ competition” even though that means, importing dirty fuel from Malta, with unknown owners from a blending plant, that has mysteriously appeared from nowhere… and now the largest facility for importing fuel into Nigeria.

As they say, If you understand Nigeria, then you don’t know Nigeria.

We should also wean NNPC off, their love for borrowing Dollars with Crude Oil swaps. It does not matter to them, that they cannot now supply Dangote Refinery, its crude oil requirements. Nobody has been able to explain to us, the new Nigerian phenomenon of importing crude oil to refine locally, despite now having the capacity to refine our own crude oil, to save FX and reduce our demand for Dollars.

I was surprised a few years ago on my visit to Kenya and found that Kenyan Taxi drivers are not excited to be paid their fares, in Dollars…they will direct you to a bureau de change, to change the Dollars and pay them in their Kenyan Shillings ( their National currency)

No matter how rich you are in Dollars, you can only buy and pay for goods and services in Pounds in the UK, Euro in Germany and Yen, in Japan… they will not accept Dollars for any physical payment.

Companies report their activities in their currency, even when some of those activities occur outside their home country, where the company headquarters are located. Nigerian Companies Report in Naira. Even NNPC that is so much in love with borrowing in Dollars to swap for oil, also report their Financials in Naira.

Funding Government budgets in Nigeria today is by selling oil in Dollars and then convert to Naira, and share at FAAC. Why not sell our oil in Naira and avoid the run around of first selling in Dollars, and exchanging it back to the Naira?

This current trade flow kills the value of the Naira as it does not by design, create demand for the Naira. The flow to create demand, should be for buyers of oil to sell the US dollars to buy Naira ( creating daily demand for large quantums of Naira) This demand should over time, bring about levels of Naira scarcity and eventually, Naira begins to require more Dollars to be availed to it, therefore increasing Naira value.

Recent examples of creating demand for National currency, like in Russia for instance, have proven positive. Since Russia started demanding that, its oil be paid for, only in Rubble.. (their National currency ).
Two years down the line, and despite the crippling sanctions, the Russian Rubble, has not fallen from the sky as was expected. It has strengthened and has also remained stable.

We now have a market price for the Naira, all our contracts should accordingly be priced and paid in Naira. Importing inflation with these Dollar denominated contracts, no longer makes sense.

A true Nigeria FX market will emerge once the demand for the Naira goes up … imagine selling 2m barrels of oil every day in the market at N1500, this will translate to a demand of N30billion daily, and also automatically translates to $2b inflow daily, effortlessly. Those buying our Oil will need to sell Dollars to get the Naira they need to pay.
A US $2b dollar market daily transaction, just from oil alone, will transform the value of the Naira, increase Dollar liquidity and improve the overall economy. It will help moderate inflation, promote strong growth, and stabilise the Naira.

We recognise that Oil is sold in Dollars, we will sell in dollars but receive payments in Naira.
Since our Oil buyers will have to come to the Nigerian FX market to buy the Naira, the true value for the Naira will emerge, from a market mechanism, leading to, true price discovery. That, buying and selling activity in the market, will make the Naira a trade-able currency in the International market. It will also give the Naira, more visibility and enhance its status.

Victor Ogiemwonyi is a retired Investment Banker and writes from Ikoyi, Lagos.

Hunger, stampedes and death

By Olusegun Adeniyi

I commiserate with the families who lost loved ones to the stampedes of recent days in Ibadan, Oyo State, Okija, Anambra State and Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). There can be no greater tragedy than for anybody to die while looking for something to eat, especially during a festive season like this. So, for those in authority at all levels, the message should be clear. But from what I have been reading in recent days, it appears some may simply be looking for scapegoats while others are playing politics with a problem that has always been with us. In the process, important lessons are ignored. If only to honour the memories of the dead, we must not waste this moment.

While ordering a probe into the tragedies, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun “warned groups and organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked…” These incidents, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director General, Zubaida Umar, who also waded in, “undermine the goodwill behind charity events, turning acts of kindness into sources of grief due to poor planning and crowd control.” The impression being unwittingly created is that these tragedies would not have occurred if the police and other security agencies as well as NEMA ‘experts’ had been involved in planning and execution. Even President Bola Tinubu seems to have bought into that narrative considering what he said during his media chat on Monday night. But is the blame game supported by empirical fact?

On 23 February this year, seven people died following a stampede during the distribution of 25kg bags of rice at a discounted price of N10,000 by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos. Aside the fact that the NCS is a quango whose personnel bear arms, policemen were also at their zonal headquarters in Yaba when the stampede occurred. “Unforeseen challenges arose when we ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, leading to a regrettable outcome,” spokesperson for the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained after the incident. “The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. In the stampede that ensued, some fatalities and injuries were regrettably recorded.”

A month later, two female students at the Nasarawa State University in Keffi, also died while 17 other students were injured following a stampede inside a hall where bags of rice were kept. Security personnel at the scene were reportedly ‘overpowered’. At the instance of Governor Abdullahi Sule, each tertiary school student in the State was to receive two 7.5kg bags of rice and N5,000 to cushion the effect of the difficult times in the country. “After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students that was to be held at the university’s convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered security,” the Nasarawa State Students Association national president, Yunusa Yusuf Baduku, explained. “They (the students) broke through the gate into the hall where the bags of rice were to be shared. Unfortunately, most of our female students sustained injuries. We rushed several students to the school clinic and Federal Medical Centre Keffi. I learned that two female students died from suffocation.”

Given the foregoing, the self-righteous fixation about ‘criminal negligence’ on the part of organisers of these events may not be accurate. And it could be counterproductive. Since I arrived Ilorin last Saturday for the Christmas holiday, I have found it difficult to sleep well as I reflect on where I would probably be now if God had not intervened on behalf of our church three weeks ago when we organised a similar programme. Therefore, as much as I share in the grieve of the bereaved families, I also sympathise with the organisers of these events who must now be going through trauma. So, before I conclude with my take on these tragedies, I seek the indulgence of readers to share a personal experience.

The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where I worship in Abuja, features an annual programme that supports the less fortunate with gifts of food items and household wares during the Christmas period. Called ‘Tabitha Tent’, it was initiated by Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili in 2007 and continues with his successor, Evaristus Azodoh. Dependent on donations from church members (with some members also using their networks to get external support), the event is held on the first Saturday in December every year. While my wife and I had been actively involved from the beginning, Pastor Azodoh raised the stakes in 2019 by appointing me chairman of the organising committee. Our responsibilities include raising funds, procuring essential foodstuffs and coordinating the programme. I have able lieutenants in Modupe Ogundimu, the Lagos Zonal Director, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Elizabeth Ekpenyong, Director of Strategic Programmes, Debt Management Office (DMO) Abuja, Funke Abegunde, a teacher at the American International School, Abuja and Bello Bissalla, Managing Director/CEO, Beltina Printing Press.

Being both a retired army Colonel and a medical doctor (with his wife also a medical doctor), Pastor Azodoh ensured we had security and medical teams in place for the programme every year. Despite that, we have had situations of some participants going home with bruises and other minor injuries after being treated by our team of medical personal led by Dr Rosemary Nwokorie, a consultant anaesthesiologist and Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Asokoro General Hospital and Bayo Olakareem, a pharmacist. Last year, a woman broke her arm in the struggle at the gate. After the preliminary intervention by our medical team, I asked my driver to take her to the hospital with N50,000 as a deposit. Before they left the church premises, the woman asked to be given the money and just taken home. When all entreaties for her to be taken to the hospital proved futile, we acted as she demanded. She was around three weeks ago for this year’s edition and told us she had spent a fraction of the money to heal the arm through traditional methods. That is the kind of poverty you deal with at these charity programmes.

On Saturday, 7th December, our medical team was on ground and for security, we had ten policemen and another ten men from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to support them. These 20 official security people were joined by our 13 in-house security personnel (we have an expansive compound that also hosts both primary and secondary schools) and several Ministers/Workers. In the days preceding the event, as it was the practice every year, we (in the organising committee) also fasted and prayed together. On D-Day, we believed we were well covered despite the thousands who had camped outside our church premises from Friday 6th December—24 hours before the programme.

The programme started by 8am with beneficiaries (the number we could cater for) allowed entrance into the premises through a guided process once they collected the accreditation tags. Everything went well and by 10.30am we had concluded the sharing of foodstuffs to as many as 1,300 people – only clothing materials and shoes were left. By our arrangement, beneficiaries had to remain inside the church premises so that they could all leave at the same time since the number of people outside was almost three times the number inside. When we felt our assignment was completed, we asked the security personnel to open the two gates to allow beneficiaries to exit with their packs. That was when all hell broke loose.

The moment the gates were opened, the thousands of people outside rushed in. And that was the point of divine intervention. For some inexplicable reason, the people inside practically froze. Likewise with all the security men who became mere onlookers. That was how we were saved from what could have been a tragedy. If those inside had attempted moving out while those outside rushed in, as it almost always happens on such occasions, many lives would have been lost. Although Pastor Azodoh was evidently shaken by what we witnessed, I had a delayed reaction. It was only after the Ibadan tragedy that I began to ruminate on what could have happened at Tabitha Tent 2024!

The first lesson I take from ‘Tabitha Tent’ every year is how the level of desperation in our society continues to rise and the need for concerted efforts to deal with food insecurity for millions of our people. This is a programme that we do not advertise yet huge crowds turn up every year. Packs contain little more than rice, beans and garri (vegetable oil has disappeared from our list in the last two years) that would last no more than two weeks at most. Yet people come from as far as Nasarawa and Plateau States. Since they are mostly women, another story on its own, many come with their children. They sleep on bare ground outside the church premises and endure the scorching sun the next day. Meanwhile, some still go home empty-handed because the turn-out almost always exceeded our provision—even when we were catering for about 5,000 people.

Now to the critical issues. If you remove his usual divisive slant, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Executive Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, is right to demand the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested over the Ibadan disaster. “Queen Naomi Silekunola in particular is well known for her philanthropic activities and nobody in his or her right mind will assume that she deliberately planned a massacre,” Akintola wrote following her arraignment along with two others on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities. “By the same token, the arrest of the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, was quite unnecessary because the alumni of that school have confirmed that the venue was approved by the Oyo State Ministry of Education and not by the principal acting unilaterally.”

The point for me is that in a nation where there is no safety net for the poor by the government at any level, criminalising charity work is unconscionable. How the programmes should be organized can be debated but it would be catastrophic if public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies were discouraged from supporting such programmes. That can easily happen with the way some officials are carrying on about seeking government permits bla bla bla. But there are also lessons that organisers of these charity programmes should take onboard going forward.

As I wrote in my March column, ‘The Stampede for Food to Eat’ (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/03/28/the-stampede-for-food-to-eat/), there is a lot we can all learn from the ‘Al-Habibiyyah Society Food Programme’ through which Imam Fuad Adeyemi has, for almost two decades, been feeding thousands of people every day in Abuja during Ramadan, in a flawless manner. The secret is that the Imam deploys several unarmed volunteers from the elite of our society because they can attest to his integrity. If you unleash too many arms-bearing security personnel to confront an army of hungry and desperate people where food is being shared, as is being suggested, you are inviting trouble. But we must also rethink the idea of a safety net for the poor beyond ‘palliatives’ that do not address the challenge of hunger in a sustainable manner.

Many have suggested that empowering the people through vocational training and providing funds for small scale businesses is the way to go for philanthropic organisations. I subscribe to the idea. But it is also not as easy as they imagine in a nation where not only are many people lazy but also have an entitled mentality. Four years ago, Pastor Azodoh expanded the mandate of ‘Tabitha Tent’ to include empowerment. We were to organize training programmes and give out loans to support small businesses. The church provided a tidy amount as seed money. I delegated Bissalla to handle that assignment. We would spend a lot of money to organize training programmes, invite resource people and at the end, only a few people would turn up. But when we ask for proposals on viable ideas that could be supported with soft loans, we would receive hundreds of applications, each requesting for millions of Naira “to do business”!

While investigations continue on the stampedes that claimed dozens of lives in Ibadan, Okija and Abuja, government agencies must be ready to provide the support needed to individuals and organizations carrying out acts of charity. They should not scare them away. Based on the demography of the casualties in the three recent tragedies, it is evident that victims are mostly women and children—the most vulnerable of any society. Considering that Nigeria’s population is predominantly youth based, there must be a deliberate policy to identify and implement empowerment initiatives that directly impact their lives and communities. But as a matter of urgency, the government must also address the root causes of the kind of poverty that pushes our people to the point of animalistic desperation.

I wish all my readers the compliment of this glorious season.

You can follow me on my X (formerly Twitter) handle, @Olusegunverdict and on www.olusegunadeniyi.com   

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