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Amnesty International, SERAP Demand Immediate Release Of FIJ Journalist Remanded In Kuje

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Human rights organisations Amnesty International Nigeria and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned the detention of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter Daniel Ojukwu, demanding his immediate release.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The organisations also called on the Federal Government to discontinue the prosecution of Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over investigative reports that questioned the expenditure of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

Ojukwu was remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to 12 counts of cyberstalking and criminal defamation filed against him.

Naija News reports that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that the journalist remain in custody until December 1, when his bail application is scheduled to be heard.

Reacting to the development, Amnesty International, in a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday, expressed concern over what it described as the treatment of journalists who investigate corruption and demand accountability from public officials.

The organisation warned that Ojukwu’s continued detention and prosecution appeared to reflect a broader pattern of using the criminal justice system to punish journalists for their work.

“The continued prosecution and detention of Ojukwu appear to be part of a broader pattern of using the criminal justice system to punish journalists for exposing allegations of corruption and holding public officials accountable,” it said.

Similarly, SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to ensure Ojukwu’s release and end the use of cyberstalking and criminal defamation charges against journalists over their professional activities.

SERAP explained that the case was linked to four FIJ investigative reports published between November 2023 and January 2024, which raised questions about payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects.

One of the reports questioned an alleged ₦147.1 million payment made by the SDGs office to a restaurant for a classroom construction project in Lagos.

Another investigation examined a ₦47.5 million contract awarded to Tru3 Nigeria Limited, raising concerns about the company’s status and its alleged failure to move to the project site.

The organisation also referenced reports concerning solar panels that reportedly stopped functioning in classroom blocks barely a week after installation.

Another investigation focused on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) forfeiture of ₦241 million allegedly linked to the SDGs office.

SERAP maintained that the allegations raised in the reports should be investigated by the relevant authorities rather than leading to the prosecution of the journalists who brought them to public attention.

“The proper response to investigative reporting that raises questions about public expenditure is to provide explanations, disclose relevant records and, where necessary, investigate allegations of wrongdoing, not to subject journalists to criminal prosecution and imprisonment,” it said.

The Nigeria Police Force filed the 12-count charge against Ojukwu and Soyombo over the four reports concerning Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals and was also a former deputy governor of Lagos State.

The police accused the journalists of conspiring to commit cyberstalking and criminal defamation through their publications.

At Tuesday’s court proceedings, Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Kunle Lawal, asked the court to remand him in custody.

However, Ojukwu’s lawyer, Atanda Kayode, opposed the request and urged the court to allow his client to remain on the administrative bail previously granted by the police.

Kayode argued that the journalist had not breached any of the conditions attached to the bail.

Justice Abdulmalik, however, declined the request, explaining that the bail application was not ready for hearing. She subsequently ordered that Ojukwu be remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre pending the December 1 hearing.

The prosecution also informed the court that Soyombo was at large and requested a bench warrant for his arrest.

The judge rejected the application, stating that the FIJ founder had not been brought before her.

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‘I Used My Military Connections To Create Banana Island’ – Terry Waya Reveals.

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Nigerian businessman and socialite Terry Waya has once again claimed that he played a major role in the creation of Banana Island, one of the most expensive residential estates in Lagos State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Waya made the claim during an appearance on the School of Hard Knocks podcast, where he disclosed that he leveraged his military connections to facilitate the development of the high-end estate.

The businessman insisted that he was instrumental in bringing Banana Island into existence, pointing to the wealthy individuals who currently reside there as evidence of the value of the project.

Speaking during the interview, Waya said: “I was the one that created Banana Island using my military contacts. Today, the richest people in Nigeria live there.

“I’m not a millionaire, I’m a billionaire. I became a billionaire 20 years ago.

“I’m one of the biggest farmers in Nigeria. Very, very serious farmer.

“My secret is investment in people. So tomorrow, if I get up and I happen to need anything, just a phone call away, I have enough contacts. Yes, I’ve got a lot of network.

“Nigerians like to copy, and any copy is always better than the original. Because you go to a board meeting with a Nigerian, he’s intelligent enough to watch you take the first move. No, he will destroy you from your first move.

“From your first move, he knows where you are going. When you are going to a negotiation, a desperate man will always make mistakes. I hate desperation. I’m calm. Go in as if you’re not interested, and then you have the leverage.

“If you lose your family trying to be rich, when you get rich, you may not have them back. They are gone. Just pray that you don’t lose too much in trying to be successful.”

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Breaking: Thugs Attack Isa Pantami’s Convoy In Gombe, Police Launch Investigation.

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Suspected political thugs on Wednesday attacked vehicles belonging to the convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami, shortly after he arrived in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the incident occurred in the Jekadafari area, where a large crowd accompanied the former minister, who arrived aboard a chartered aircraft, to the Emir’s Palace to present flags to the party’s candidates.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers set bonfires along the road and smashed the windscreens of some vehicles in the convoy.

Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Police Command spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, said an investigation had commenced, although no arrests had been made.

He explained that police officers were present at the scene but the attackers struck after most of the procession had moved ahead.

“It was only when the crowd passed a particular point that the thugs began to barricade some of the remaining vehicles and attack them,” he said.

Abdullahi added that the police could not immediately establish the number of vehicles damaged because no victim had formally lodged a complaint. He also said the command could not rely solely on videos circulating on social media.

The police spokesperson reiterated an earlier warning by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, against political violence, whether physical or online.

“Whoever is found culpable will be prosecuted accordingly. We are not going to relent or allow this to go unpunished,” he stated.

He urged members of the public with relevant information about the attack to assist the police with their investigation.

Meanwhile, addressing his supporters, Pantami pledged that his administration would prioritise the protection of Gombe State’s resources.

“Some are saying that if given a chance, they will share Gombe money, but if we are given the opportunity, we will protect Gombe money,” he declared.

The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy also appeared to take a swipe at his political rivals.

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Roma Set To Make January Move For Super Eagles Star Ademola Lookman.

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AS Roma are weighing up a possible move for Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman ahead of the January 2027 transfer window as they seek to reinforce their attacking options for the second half of the season.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the 29-year-old has struggled to secure regular playing time at Atletico Madrid this season, managing just two goals and one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions.

Lookman’s limited involvement has fuelled speculation about his future at the Spanish club, particularly after he was left on the bench throughout Atletico’s 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona last weekend.

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Roma’s sporting directors have identified the Nigerian international as a potential target as they evaluate their options ahead of the January transfer window.

The Serie A side are reportedly considering making an approach and could begin discussions with Lookman’s representatives in the first weeks of December 2026 to understand his current situation in Madrid.

Roma are also expected to assess whether Atletico would be willing to let the forward leave before deciding whether to submit a formal bid when the transfer window opens.

A possible reunion with Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini could further increase the chances of a move, given their successful working relationship at Atalanta.

Lookman enjoyed some of the finest moments of his career under the Italian tactician, becoming a central figure in Atalanta’s attacking setup.

His most memorable performance came in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a remarkable hat-trick to guide Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and hand the Italian club their first major European trophy.

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