latest
Activist Deji Adeyanju Faces Backlash for Claiming “Defamation is Not a Crime”
Activist Deji Adeyanju Faces Backlash for Claiming “Defamation is Not a Crime”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Social media users have started criticizing popular activist and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, for his assertion that “defamation is not a crime.” This statement emerged following the arrest of journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
One notable case involved Adejuwon Soyinka, a journalist with Premium Times, who was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. According to DSS spokesperson Peter Ifunnaya, the arrest was initiated based on a request from another government agency. Although Soyinka was released after six hours in detention—thanks to the intervention of the International Press Institute Nigeria—his passport was confiscated, and he was required to provide his Nigerian address and a reliable phone number for further communication.
In response to what he termed the “abduction of journalists,” Adeyanju took to social media on Sunday evening. He wrote on his X account, “Defamation is not a Crime. Ignore the Twitter lawyers and the tyrants in power. We must say no to the tyranny of the Tinubu regime.” In another post, he reiterated, “Defamation is not a crime.”
This position drew immediate backlash from netizens, many of whom questioned his legal expertise. One user, Timeless Femmy, humorously remarked, “This guy studied law at Ibadan Poly.” Another user, Basit, pointed out that “defamation is a crime in Nigeria” and can be prosecuted both as a civil wrong (tort) and as a criminal offense.
In Nigeria, defamation is recognized as a legal offense. Under civil law, individuals can sue for damages if they believe they have been defamed. This typically aims to provide monetary compensation for harm to one’s reputation.
Conversely, criminal defamation can lead to imprisonment or fines. According to the Nigerian Criminal Code and Penal Code, which apply to Southern and Northern Nigeria, respectively, defamation is punishable by law. Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act 1990 states that anyone who publishes defamatory material is guilty of a misdemeanor and may face up to one year in prison. If the defamatory material is known to be false, the punishment can extend to two years.
The Penal Code further explains that any form of communication, including spoken words or written representations, that intends to harm or believes will harm another’s reputation can be classified as defamation.
The responses from social media users reflected a mix of sarcasm and disbelief regarding Adeyanju’s statement. One user, Star Boy, asked, “Are you sure you’re a lawyer?” while Alli Olabisi suggested that such comments might be why the Law program at Baze University has been put on hold.
Others, like Lateef Muritala, highlighted that defamation laws vary by jurisdiction but remain a serious legal issue. Critically, user King Skarz warned that “this your evening or night degree will surely send some of your clients to prison.”
Former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has accused Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, of misleading his constituents over the proposed creation of Anioma State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Okowa made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Oshimili South Local Government Area. The gathering is part of ongoing consultations linked to his 2027 Senate ambition.
Okowa said that contrary to Nwoko’s position, people of Delta North actually support the creation of Anioma State within the South-South geopolitical zone, with Asaba as its capital, rather than aligning it with the South-East.
He criticised Nwoko’s approach, describing the push as misleading and poorly thought out, while recalling the role of an Asaba indigene who fought for the city to become the capital of Delta State.
According to him, the current agitation for Anioma State has been handled in a unilateral manner, without proper consultation with the wider population.
Okowa stressed that such a major political demand should not be driven by individual interests, insisting that collective agreement is necessary.
He argued that leaders must remain connected to their people and consider majority opinion, warning against decisions taken without broad consultation.
He also noted that the process of creating new states is not currently at a critical stage in the legislative timetable, suggesting that the agitation at this time may be misplaced.
Okowa maintained that the push for Anioma State should remain a collective aspiration, adding that when the time eventually comes, it should reflect the genuine will of the people of the area.
The trial of Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, was on Tuesday delayed at the Federal High Court in Abuja after his newly appointed defence counsel sought an adjournment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
At the resumed hearing before Justice James Omotosho, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that he was only recently briefed on the matter and required time to properly study the case file.
He explained that the prosecution had already been informed of the development and pleaded for an adjournment to allow adequate preparation for the defence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.
He is standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman on an amended 16-count charge involving alleged misappropriation and money laundering of about ₦10.27 billion.
However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), objected to the adjournment request, arguing that proper legal procedure under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, was not followed.
He stated that the previous defence counsel, A.M. Aliyu (SAN), ought to have formally notified the court in advance regarding the change of counsel.
Despite the objection, Justice Omotosho granted the request in the interest of fair hearing.
The case was subsequently adjourned to May 5 and May 6, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Bello and his co-defendant are accused of involvement in the alleged diversion of public funds running into billions of naira through questionable financial transactions, a case that has continued to attract public attention due to its political implications.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received a delegation of stakeholders from Enugu State at the State House in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The delegation was led by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, during a high-level engagement focused on development priorities in the state and the wider South-East region.
During the meeting, President Tinubu assured the stakeholders of continued federal attention to key infrastructure challenges, particularly in transport and power.
Addressing the delegation, he noted that major projects such as the Port Harcourt–Enugu rail line, ongoing power sector reforms, and other critical infrastructure needed for economic growth would receive greater attention from his administration.
Governor Mbah recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development that has continued to generate political reactions.
Meanwhile, the PDP has reacted to the wave of defections from its ranks to the APC, saying the affected governors and political leaders would soon regret their decisions.
The opposition party made the comment after the APC ruled out automatic tickets for defecting governors.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, accused the defectors of acting out of personal interest rather than the welfare of citizens, adding that their actions were not surprising.
He further stated that the APC does not truly value its members and described the situation as the beginning of regret for those who left the PDP.
Several governors, including those from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Enugu, Taraba, Rivers, and Kano States, alongside lawmakers and other political figures, have recently moved from the PDP to the APC.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp