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• August 24, 2025
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South-East stakeholders demand end to shrinking of civic space

Stakeholders in the South-East rose from a meeting in Anambra State weekend, expressing concern over the shrinking of civic space by governments at various levels. The dialogue was convened by a rights organisation, The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), with the support of the Fund for Global Human Rights through the Action
South-East stakeholders demand end to shrinking of civic space

Stakeholders in the South-East rose from a meeting in Anambra State weekend, expressing concern over the shrinking of civic space by governments at various levels.

The dialogue was convened by a rights organisation, The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), with the support of the Fund for Global Human Rights through the Action Group on Free Civic Space.

It was a one-day dialogue session with the theme: “Voices Unchained – A Journey Through Civic Space in Southeast Nigeria.”

A communique issued after the meeting was signed by the Chairman- Prof. C. Jaja Nwanegbo, CSO Rep- OnyinyeChi Joy Nwosu, Media Rep- Ofoma Kenechukwu, Legal Rep- Okite Chukwuemeka Onyeka, Community Rep- Glory Okolie, Women Rep- Nneka E. Ikeh (Mrs.) and Youth Rep- Egwuatu Uchenna.

The participants urged the federal and the state governments to immediately halt the criminalisation of dissent and adopt policies that expand rather than shrink civic freedoms.

The session brought together stakeholders from civil society, academia, media, the legal community, security institutions, youth groups, religious leaders, community representatives, and victims of civic space violations.

It provided a platform to reflect on the state of civic freedoms in the Southeast, share personal testimonies of abuse, and chart collective pathways for protecting the right to free expression, peaceful assembly, and association in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.

Participants at the dialogue noted with deep concern persistent abuses of free speech and civic expression, including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, torture, and harassment of journalists, activists, students, and citizens by state and non-state actors.

Also prominent at the dialogue was recounting of “Police and security high-handedness, including detention in non-designated facilities such as local government secretariats and vigilante offices.

“The misuse of the Cybercrimes Act and other ambiguous laws to stifle online expression.

“Mob justice and vigilante abuses, leading to extrajudicial killings, such as the Uratta incident in Imo State in May 2025, where village youths tortured a 20-old boy to death over a missing power bank.

“Judicial weaknesses, including slow trials, corruption, denial of bail, and overcrowded custodial centres holding young people arrested for petty offenses.

“Suppression of student voices through imposition of unelected student union leaders in tertiary institutions.

“The conspicuous silence of political leaders in Southeast Nigeria on civic space violations”, among others.

After extensive deliberations, the participants resolved to defend constitutional rights, demand accountability by calling on security agencies to end arbitrary arrests, torture, and unlawful detentions, and ensure prosecution of officers and vigilante operatives found guilty of abuses.

They are also to advocate for speedy trials, bail enforcement, and pro bono legal aid to protect vulnerable citizens, as well as urge the National Assembly to review the Cybercrime Act and other laws used to shrink civic space.

Participants also resolved to demand the restoration of democratic student unionism and create safe spaces for youth voices in governance and peace-building and “encourage journalists to resist censorship, report civic violations fearlessly, and strengthen solidarity against attacks.”

They appealed to the global community to support local defenders with resources, visibility, and diplomatic pressure on the government to respect civic freedoms.

While calling on security agencies to adopt rights-based policing, respect court orders, and undergo regular human rights training, participants reaffirmed that civic space is not a privilege but a fundamental constitutional right and a cornerstone of democracy.

South-East stakeholders demand end to shrinking of civic space

• Hot Source
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• August 24, 2025
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Ask Nigerian govt to remove me from wanted list, unfreeze my accounts – Igboho begs Ooni of Ife

Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, has appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to prevail on the Federal Government to remove his name from its wanted list. Igboho also urged the Ooni of Ife to prevail on the Federal government to lift the embargo and unfreeze all his bank
Ask Nigerian govt to remove me from wanted list, unfreeze my accounts – Igboho begs Ooni of Ife

Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, has appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to prevail on the Federal Government to remove his name from its wanted list.

Igboho also urged the Ooni of Ife to prevail on the Federal government to lift the embargo and unfreeze all his bank accounts.

In July 2021, the Department of State Services had declared Igboho wanted due to the stockpile of arms found in his house in Ibadan, Oyo State during a raid.

During the raid, Igboho had escaped and left Nigeria to Cotonou in Benin Republic.

However, speaking at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife in Ile-Ife on Saturday, Igboho apologised to the monarch for verbally attacking the monarch in the past.

Speaking in Yoruba, Igboho said: “I want you to forgive and forget whatever wrong I have done to you. You are my father and you can’t do away with me. I know you have forgiven me going by this warm reception accorded us.

“I am here to further seek your help as you have been doing before. I am still on the Federal Government wanted list, and I want you to help me clear my name from the wanted persons’ list.

“Also, my account is frozen and I want you to assist me with that also. I want the embargo placed on my account to be lifted, and I know you are the one who can do it for me.

“When I visited the Olowo of Owo, the monarch asked if I had seen the Ooni, and I told him no. The monarch told me to come and see you as you are the overall authority.”

Ask Nigerian govt to remove me from wanted list, unfreeze my accounts – Igboho begs Ooni of Ife