BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The Niger State Police Command has assured the management of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, of sustained police patrols and enhanced security around the university to protect students, staff and property.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adamu Faruk Kuta, and his entourage during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Dutsen-kura, Minna.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Police for their prompt response to distress calls and security requests, as well as their continued support in maintaining safety within and around the university environment.

Professor Kuta said the institution, which is approaching its 44th anniversary, has a growing population of about 40,000 students from different parts of the country, making sustained collaboration with the Police necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff and university facilities.

He disclosed that the university had recently commenced medical programmes and sought the support of the Police Command in providing opportunities for students to undertake practical training where necessary.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the commitment and visibility of police patrol teams around the institution, while requesting sustained and increased deployment to address security challenges associated with its growing population.

Responding, CP Elleman described the university’s requests as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the institution.

He assured the Vice-Chancellor of improved collaboration, sustained police presence and enhanced patrols around the university, particularly at night, to protect students engaged in legitimate academic activities and prevent criminal activities.

The Commissioner urged the university management to promptly report security concerns to the Police, assuring them of the Command’s readiness to respond appropriately.

He further assured the delegation that all the requests presented would receive adequate attention, while expressing appreciation for the visit and reaffirming the Command’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with the university management.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
There was a sense of horror in Yenagoa, the Bayelsà following the suspected cultists killing of a rival and his his mutilated corpse in a sack.

The sack containing the mutilated body of the victim, according to sources, was dropped in front of the FCMB bank located at Obele junction in the outskirts of the State capital.

The incident according to sources occured on Monday night and the Corpse was discovered on Tuesday Morning.

The killing of the deceased has again threatened the peace recorded under the present leadership of the Police led by Commissioner Ajao Saka Adewale.

Investigation by our correspondent gathered that the deceased, whose identity is yet to be known, was reported to have defected from the notorious cult group, Greenlanders to rival notorious group known as Bobos.

And was accused to have led members of his new group on a “proof of loyalty,” to allegedly attack and kill a member of his former group at the back of Amarata.

It was gathered that suspected members of the Greenlanders were allegedly provoked and reportedly lures him out with a woman and death him several deadly matchet cuts.

Some Residents of the Obele area confirmed to newsmen that the Corpse of the deceased was kept carefully in a sack soaked in blood and left by the FCMB bank.

Concerned Youths and vigilante group contacted the police and the sack was evacuated.

In the last three days after the discovery of the bagged corpse, residents of the Sand Road, Aritalin, GweGwe and Obele streets have been thrown into restless nights due to the activities of the rival cult groups searching for one another.

By George Mgbeleke
Association seeks Daniel Ojukwu’s release on bail, urges police to focus on insecurity and calls for safeguards against the misuse of cybercrime laws

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnaedozie Onwubiko,strongly condemns the continued detention of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter Daniel Ojukwu and calls for his release on appropriate bail conditions pending the determination of the charges against him.

Ojukwu was remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja after pleading not guilty to 12 counts of alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation. The charges arise from reports published by FIJ about the expenditure of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

At his arraignment, Ojukwu’s lawyer told the Federal High Court that his client had complied with the conditions of the administrative bail previously granted by the police. The prosecution sought his remand. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that he remain in custody until December 1, when his bail application is scheduled to be heard.

HURIWA urges the court to hear the application promptly and consider whether Ojukwu’s continued detention is necessary while the case proceeds. The association recognises the independence of the judiciary and the court’s authority to determine the matter. It also stresses that Ojukwu has pleaded not guilty and is entitled to the presumption of innocence, access to counsel and a fair hearing.

The charges also name FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo. The police accuse both journalists of conspiring to commit cyberstalking and criminal defamation in connection with four reports concerning Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals and former Lagos State deputy governor.
The prosecution told the court that Soyombo was at large and sought a bench warrant; the judge declined the request because he had not been brought before her.

Reporting on public spending serves the public interest

The FIJ reports examined public spending by OSSAP-SDGs. They raised questions about payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom projects, the performance of solar panels installed in classrooms, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s forfeiture of ₦241 million linked to the office.

These issues concern the use of public resources and warrant clear answers from the relevant authorities. If any report contains inaccuracies, the affected parties have the right to respond and pursue lawful remedies.
Where questions about public expenditure require investigation, the appropriate response is to provide information, disclose relevant records and examine the evidence.

HURIWA is concerned that criminal charges connected to investigative reporting may discourage journalists from examining allegations of corruption or asking public officials to account for government spending.

The prosecution must be able to demonstrate the legal basis for the charges and show that the criminal process is not being used to punish or intimidate journalists for carrying out their work.

The association does not prejudge the case or the truth of the reports. It insists that the allegations against the journalists be determined through a fair process, while the underlying questions about public spending receive appropriate scrutiny.

Constitutional protections must be respected

HURIWA reminds the Federal Government and law-enforcement agencies that Section 22 of the Constitution assigns the press a role in holding government accountable. Section 39 protects freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information. These protections are essential to public debate and democratic oversight.

The association calls on President Bola Tinubu to make clear that journalists must not be targeted for legitimate reporting, and to ensure that federal agencies respect constitutional rights in carrying out their duties. This call does not ask the President to interfere with the court or dictate the outcome of a pending case. It asks the government to prevent the misuse of executive and law-enforcement powers against journalists and to uphold the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Police resources should address urgent security threats

HURIWA calls on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Nigeria Police Force to focus its resources on protecting lives and property and addressing the country’s serious security challenges.

Communities across Nigeria continue to face attacks, abductions and other forms of armed violence. Farmers and residents in Benue, Nasarawa and other affected states need effective protection, timely police response and thorough investigations. The police should pursue those responsible for terrorism, banditry and attacks on civilians, regardless of their identity or affiliation.

The association cautions against language that assigns criminal conduct to an entire ethnic or religious community. Investigations and prosecutions should focus on individuals and groups for whom there is credible evidence, while protecting innocent people from collective blame.

The police have a vital role in enforcing the law, but that role must be exercised consistently and in the public interest. HURIWA urges the Inspector-General to ensure that cybercrime provisions are not used as a shortcut to detain reporters over work that should be addressed through evidence, fair process and the rights of reply and correction.

Cybercrimes Act needs stronger safeguards

HURIWA calls on the Attorney-General of the Federation to propose and pursue amendments to the Cybercrimes Act that clearly protect journalists and other members of the public from the criminalisation of legitimate expression and reporting.

Any reform should preserve effective legal remedies for genuine cybercrime and online abuse while preventing broadly worded provisions from being applied to suppress criticism, investigative journalism or discussion of public affairs. The law should provide clear standards, require due process and protect freedom of expression and the press.

The association urges the Federal Government, the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders to review provisions that may enable disproportionate arrests, detention or prosecution over speech. Such a review should be transparent and include input from journalists, civil-society groups, legal experts and the public.

HURIWA’s demands

HURIWA calls for:

– Ojukwu’s prompt release on appropriate bail conditions pending trial;
– a timely and fair hearing of his bail application;
– a review of the charges against Ojukwu and Soyombo to ensure they are not being used to punish legitimate reporting;
– a clear response from relevant authorities to the public-spending questions raised in the FIJ reports;
– safeguards against the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act and other criminal laws to intimidate journalists;
– stronger police action to protect communities facing terrorism, banditry and other armed violence; and
– proposed amendments to the Cybercrimes Act that safeguard press freedom and constitutional rights.

HURIWA will continue to monitor the case and call for the rights of all parties to be respected. The association urges the authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect journalists from intimidation and ensure that questions about the management of public funds are answered transparently.