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Accountability Showdown! SERAP Demands Full Disclosure of NDDC Audit in Court

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), alongside four concerned Nigerians, has taken the government of President Bola Tinubu to court over its refusal to make public the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to SERAP, the report, which covers the period between 2001 and 2019, indicts several top officials and politicians in the alleged mismanagement and disappearance of over ₦6 trillion from the agency’s funds.

This development was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

It will be recalled that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the forensic audit in response to widespread allegations of monumental fraud and mismanagement within the NDDC.

SERAP further highlighted fresh allegations recently raised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who claimed that the wife of a former minister received ₦48 billion in one year purportedly “to train Niger Delta women.”

The plaintiffs in the suit include Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, Chief Jude Igbogifurotogu Pulemote, Ben Omietimi Tariye, and Princess Elizabeth Egbe.

Filed last Friday at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/35/25, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the Nigerian government’s refusal to release the report is a violation of its international human rights obligations.

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They are seeking:

  • An order compelling the government to publish and grant access to the NDDC forensic audit report already submitted but kept secret.

  • An order mandating the government to adopt concrete measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in NDDC’s financial management.

In their filings, the plaintiffs argued:

“The Nigerian government has violated our right to know the truth about the corruption allegations documented in the NDDC forensic report. Blocking the report’s publication perpetuates impunity and covers up these allegations.”

They stressed that freedom of expression inherently includes the right of citizens to access information on government activities:

“Without open access to information, truth will languish, and citizens’ participation in governance will remain fragmented and illusory.”

The plaintiffs maintained that the government has not only withheld the report but has also failed to provide any justification for its secrecy, despite having a legal duty to uphold transparency and enable public scrutiny.

The legal team—Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo—emphasised:

“There is overwhelming public interest in the release of the NDDC forensic audit report. The government’s continued refusal to publish it undermines the rule of law and violates our rights.”

They pointed out that the report is not a classified security document but rather concerns issues of transparency, accountability, and human rights protected under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—both ratified by Nigeria.

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The suit further explains that these human rights instruments impose a positive obligation on the Nigerian government to grant access to such information.

“Access to information is a fundamental tool for building active citizenship. Nigerians have the right to participate in public affairs and demand accountability for the massive corruption documented in the report.”

According to the plaintiffs, making the report public would:

  • Strengthen democratic participation,

  • Empower citizens to hold government accountable,

  • And help combat corruption in the country.

They argued that, in line with the principle of maximum disclosure, transparency must be the rule, while secrecy should be the exception—allowed only in narrowly defined circumstances justified under international law.

While acknowledging that the right to information is not absolute, they insisted that any restrictions must be clearly provided by law, pursue a legitimate objective, and remain necessary and proportionate.

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“Explosive Revelation As Nwosu Claims Bala Was Present At All ADC Meetings”.

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The founder and pioneer National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has maintained that a prominent party member, Bala Nafiu, was actively involved in all party activities, rejecting claims that he was sidelined amid the ongoing internal crisis.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Nwosu made the clarification during an interview with Punch, where he addressed growing tensions and disputes within the party.

Responding to questions on Bala’s participation in key meetings, Nwosu insisted that records showed he was present throughout.

He said, “One hundred per cent, yes. There was no meeting he missed. The records are there. INEC records are there.”

He further stated that evidence of Bala’s involvement had been submitted during court proceedings.

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“When Bala went to court claiming something, one of the documents presented was from INEC. INEC itself confirmed that he participated in everything,” he added.

However, Nwosu expressed surprise over what he described as a change in position by the electoral body.

“But recently, we heard that INEC had gone back on what they presented when Bala started this troublesome thing,” he said.

The ADC founder also alleged that the party’s internal crisis was being influenced by external interests attempting to create the impression of division.

“What is happening is that people are being induced to appear as if there is a crisis in ADC,” he said.

He questioned the idea that a few individuals could represent a faction in a large political organisation.

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“How can one individual be a faction in a group that is now five million persons?” he asked.

Nwosu also criticised Dumebi Kachikwu, accusing him of trying to exaggerate his influence within the party.

“As far as Dumebi is concerned, he is using anything that would make it look as if he influences ADC,” he said.

He further alleged that financial influence from political actors was worsening the situation, claiming that opposition activities were being targeted.

Despite the tensions, Nwosu maintained that those involved in the dispute represent only a very small fraction of the party’s large membership base.

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“ADC Not Built On Transactions – Nwosu Fires Strong Warning”.

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The founder and pioneer National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has dismissed allegations that party leaders were involved in power-sharing deals during ongoing negotiations with emerging political groups.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that he made the clarification in an interview with Punch, where he responded to claims that certain stakeholders were being excluded from coalition discussions.

Reacting to suggestions that some factions, including a group linked to Senator David Mark, were being favoured, Nwosu rejected any notion of political bargaining or transactional arrangements within the party.

He said, “Sharing what? I have never been a transactional leader. As far as ADC is concerned, as far as this coalition is concerned, nobody did any transaction.”

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He maintained that all members remain equal stakeholders in the party, regardless of political alignments.

“We are part of the party, and if by God’s grace, we win the election, we’ll be part of the government. From what we were before, that’s a big plus,” he added.

Nwosu referenced past presidential aspirants under the party to support his claim that the ADC does not operate on financial inducements or backroom deals.

He said, “We gave Pat Utomi the party to run for president. Ask him if there was any transaction. Instead, most leaders of the party were contributing to his election.”

He also pointed to the involvement of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, insisting that no financial exchange took place during such engagements.

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“When the former president Obasanjo came, ask him if Chief Nwosu or any executive of the party had come to him to collect a dime. None,” he said.

The ADC founder criticised the growing belief that politics is driven mainly by money, warning that such thinking undermines national progress.

He added that the party remains focused on nation-building rather than personal or financial interests, stressing that this mindset has become a challenge in the political space.

Nwosu reaffirmed that the ADC is built on integrity and a strong ideological foundation, insisting that its principles remain unchanged.

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“I Was Offered Dollars To Alter My Content – Governor Amuneke Reveals Shocking Bribe Attempt”.

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Nigerian skit maker Kevin Chinedu, popularly known as Kevinblak or Governor Amuneke, has alleged that he was offered money in dollars by members of a political party to alter the message of his satirical skits, which often criticise politicians and governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that he made the claim during an interview on ARISE Television, where he spoke about the challenges content creators face while using humour to hold public officials accountable.

Kevinblak said the incident happened at a difficult period in his life, shortly after his wife underwent a Caesarean section, adding that he was invited to Abuja and promised financial relief in exchange for changing his content.

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According to him, despite the pressure and financial difficulties, he rejected the offer and chose to remain committed to his principles.

“I was approached with cash by members of a political party to alter my content. They said they were going to change my life, that I’m earning crumbs, you know, give me dollars,” he said.

He explained that he was told to come to Abuja where he would be “changed” financially, but insisted he could not compromise his values for money.

“I looked at it and said no, I am who I am. I’ve never been involved in anything illegal or influenced by money to do something against my principles,” he added.

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Kevinblak also declined to name the political party involved, referring to it only as “Amuneke’s party,” a reference to a fictional character in his skits, and warned against attempts to publicly identify it.

He further noted that people close to him have also faced similar approaches but have refused, stressing that his circle is made up of individuals who uphold strong personal values.

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