Human Rights Activist Harps On Stringent Measures To Address Impunity

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has condemned the growing impunity in Nigeria, drawing the attention of president Bola Tinubu to the ugly trend.

Adeyanju who made the call during a news briefing in Abuja, decried the unlawful arrest of veteran journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who was detained after investigating illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive measures against the widespread crude oil theft, stressing that journalists like Soyombo must be protected in order to expose corruption without fear of harassment, pointing out that ongoing investigations into the matter had been hampered by the interference of security forces.

Adeyanju criticised the lack of action taken against senior military officers despite numerous complaints regarding their involvement in oil theft and warned that unless these activities are curtailed, Nigeria will continue to face severe economic challenges, relying on foreign loans to sustain its budget.

He stated, “We’ve been saying for years that such theft is not possible without the collusion of state actors. Recently, Tompolo himself stated that the Navy is complicit, and our country and economy are struggling.”

“It’s crucial for President Tinubu’s government to commit to fighting crude oil theft, and journalists like Soyombo must be protected to expose corruption without harassment.I f we prevent crude oil theft, we won’t need to borrow from countries like China or institutions like the IMF.”

The briefing also addressed the arrest and detention of Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and activist, who was abducted in Lagos by the Nigerian police.

Adeyanju expressed disappointment over the use of police power to intimidate a fellow lawyer, particularly given Farotimi’s prominence in the legal profession and kicked against the police for acting as instruments of political power, in recent cases of alleged defamation, including the prolonged detention of a musician, Speed Darlington.

He also addressed the recent controversy surrounding his own alleged defamatory remarks about political figures, particularly Umar Damagun, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the Acting National Secretary of PDP.

He expressed indifference to potential legal repercussions, but clarified that he had chosen to withdraw his statements to avoid unnecessary distractions.

In addition to these issues, Prophetess QueenEsther Anthony, Senior Pastor of Higher Favour Intercontinental Church in Abuja, also shared her own experience of police violence and land seizure.

She explained how police officers, allegedly acting on the orders from above forcibly evicted her workers and destroyed property on her land in Abuja,
despite her legal ownership and recent recertification of the property leaving her without a place to worship and therefore seeking justice.

Adeyanju also raised concerns about the ongoing tax reform bills, noting that even senators had not seen the bills until public outcry forced their release, stating that his position would be based on a thorough understanding of the bill’s content.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji