BREAKING: We are concerned about reports that the Publisher of Daily Nigerian Newspaper, Jaafar Jaafar, has gone into hiding after reportedly receiving threats to his life, for allegedly releasing video clips showing alleged bribery against Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
We urge President Buhari @MBuhari and @NigeriaGov to instruct @PoliceNG, the Attorney General and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to ensure and guarantee the safety and security of Mr Jaafar Jaafar and his family.
Nigerian authorities should promptly, thoroughly and transparently investigate the allegations of threats against Mr Jaafar Jaafar, publish the findings of the investigation, and bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible.
Ensuring the plurality of voices, safety and security of journalists and allowing them to freely carry out their work is consistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the country's international obligations.
It's essential to promote the public’s right to know.
Journalists should not have to fear for their lives because of what they report. The Nigerian authorities should promptly investigate these threats and ensure that Mr Jaafar Jaafar and his family are safe.
BREAKING: Following reports that terrorists have killed three abducted Kaduna varsity students, SERAP is calling on @mbachelet@UNHumanRights to appoint an envoy to visit Nigeria to investigate the mounting attacks on students, teachers and their families across the country.
The killing of these students is a grim reminder of the horrific toll that the violence and insecurity across Nigeria is having on children and their education.
The attacks on students are increasing, and Nigerian authorities are unwilling or unable to stop the attacks.
The authorities have refused to promptly and effectively investigate reports of attacks on students, teachers and their families, to prosecute the terrorists and their sponsors, and to provide effective remedies to victims.
Corruption is waxing stronger in Nigeria because the government is in comatose under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. - Femi Falana, SAN #FromDarknessToDarkness #LetThereBeLight
SERAP has urged Engr. Elias Mbam, Chairman, RMAFC to urgently review upward the remuneration, allowances, and conditions of service for Nigerian judges, and to review downward the remuneration and allowances of high-ranking political office-holders...
...in order to address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and to improve access of victims of corruption to justice.
We also urged him to send your review and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].
BREAKING: We’ve urged RMAFC to urgently review upward the remuneration, allowances, and conditions of service for judges, and to review downward the remuneration and allowances of President Buhari, 36 governors and members of @nassnigeria to address the poor treatment of judges.
In the letter sent yesterday, we urged Engr. Elias Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) “to send your review and recommendations to @nassnigeria for appropriate legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999.”
The letter followed the nationwide industrial action by the JUSUN to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government, and the federal government’s silence on the judiciary workers’ strike that has grounded courts across the country.
BREAKING: We urge @NigeriaGov to urgently clarify why the £4.2m Ibori loot would be used for the construction of Lagos—Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, despite telling SERAP last year that the Abacha loot of over $600m was earmarked for the same projects.
In response to our FoI, @NigeriaGov had in March 2020 told SERAP that the $322m Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and the $308m recovered from the Island of Jersey would be “used for the construction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Abuja-Kano Expressway and Second Niger Bridge.”
However, following the signing of an MoU today to return £4.2m assets stolen by former Delta State Governor, James Ibori to Nigeria, @NigeriaGov again stated that it would use the money to "construct the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Express road."
BREAKING: In response to our request for details of spending of funds approved for electricity projects in Nigeria between 1999 and 2020 and the names of officials involved, the World Bank has asked for more time to provide SERAP with "more comprehensive response."
The letter, just received from the World Bank, read in part: “In response to your request under S2102-1589, we would like to inform you that we are still considering your request and need additional time to provide you with a more comprehensive response.
In most cases, we will be able to respond within twenty (20) working days from receipt of a request for information. However, we may need additional time in special circumstances, for example, if the request is complex or voluminous."