US Civil Rights Organisation Appoints Deji Adeyanju to Board

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has been appointed to the Board of the Katutu Civil Rights Center, an international civil rights organisation headquartered in New York, United States.

The appointment was formally communicated to THE WHISTLER on Friday by the organisation, confirming Adeyanju’s inclusion in its global leadership structure.

The Katutu Civil Rights Center is a civil rights and advocacy organisation known for its work in human rights protection, policy engagement, and support for vulnerable and marginalised communities across different regions of the world.

In his acceptance, Adeyanju expressed gratitude for the appointment, saying he was honoured to support the organisation’s mission of advancing human rights and strengthening civic participation globally.

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He noted that the role would further enable him to contribute to justice-oriented advocacy beyond Nigeria, while working alongside international stakeholders focused on democratic governance and civil liberties.

Adeyanju, who has been active in human rights advocacy for over a decade, is widely known for his campaigns against police brutality, civic repression, and abuse of power in Nigeria.

His appointment has been interpreted by observers as international recognition of his long-standing involvement in democracy advocacy, social justice campaigns, and legal representation of activists and citizens in high-profile rights cases.

The Katutu Civil Rights Center said Adeyanju’s selection reflects its commitment to including diverse voices from different regions in its governance structure, particularly individuals with hands-on experience in grassroots human rights work.

The organisation also highlighted his track record in legal activism and public advocacy as key factors in his appointment.

The development has sparked reactions across civic and human rights circles, with supporters describing it as a significant milestone for Nigerian civil society engagement on the global stage.

Adeyanju’s new role is expected to further expand his involvement in international human rights conversations, particularly around accountability, rule of law, and protection of civic freedoms.

US Civil Rights Organisation Appoints Deji Adeyanju to Board

Woman Gets 20-Year Jail Term For Supporting Terrorism Activities

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a housewife, Halima Umar, to 20 years imprisonment after she was found guilty of offences linked to terrorism financing, illegal arms movement, and unlawful possession of ammunition allegedly meant for bandits operating in Plateau State.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court ruled that offences involving terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, and support for criminal groups posed serious threats to Nigeria’s national security and therefore required stiff punishment.

According to details presented during the trial, Umar admitted acting as a courier responsible for transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition to suspected bandits.

A DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, who testified before the court, said the defendant was arrested on July 6, 2025, while allegedly transporting the ammunition alongside N57,100 cash.

Investigations later revealed that Umar was allegedly instructed by one Alhaji Sani to travel to Zaria in Kaduna State, where she collected the ammunition from another contact before attempting to deliver it onward.

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The prosecution further told the court that the defendant was transferred to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on August 11, 2025, where she made additional confessional statements in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the recovered ammunition, the cash sum, and the defendant’s confessional statements as exhibits. The defence did not object to the admissibility of the evidence.

Umar also personally admitted before the court that she was in possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.

The charges against her included providing support for terrorism-related activities under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and unlawful possession of ammunition under the Firearms Act, 2004.

Although the convict pleaded for leniency and expressed remorse, Justice Yilwa held that crimes connected to terrorism support, arms trafficking, and the movement of illegal ammunition could not be treated lightly because of their grave implications for public safety and national stability.

Following her guilty plea and the evidence presented by the DSS, the court convicted and sentenced her to 20 years imprisonment.

The conviction comes amid intensified efforts by Nigerian security agencies to tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and the illegal movement of weapons across the country.

Woman Gets 20-Year Jail Term For Supporting Terrorism Activities

Police Dismiss Five Inspectors, Prosecute Three Over Robbery, Kidnapping in Rivers

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors and initiated prosecution proceedings against three others over alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and abuse of office in Rivers State.

The development was confirmed on Friday during the parade of the affected officers at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid.

Placid said the disciplinary actions followed extensive investigations into multiple complaints of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, stealing, extortion, and misconduct allegedly carried out by officers operating within Rivers State and other parts of the country.

According to the police spokesperson, three inspectors attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa — identified as Ayanniyi Jelil, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus — were arrested over the alleged abduction and robbery of a man identified as Festus Saturday. He explained that the officers were allegedly operating an illegal patrol team along the Igboh-Etche axis when they stopped the victim and his cousin during a stop-and-search operation in November 2025.

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The officers were said to have assaulted the victims, forced them to unlock their mobile phones, and gained access to their banking applications and cryptocurrency wallets, before allegedly stealing about ₦7.3 million and $1,742. Placid further alleged that the suspects used AK-47 rifles during the operation and had carried out similar attacks on other unsuspecting residents across Rivers State. Recovered items reportedly include three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly linked to the operation, while three additional officers connected to the case are currently on the run.

In a separate case, five officers attached to the Operations Department of the Rivers State Police Command were dismissed following investigations into allegations of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and abuse of office. The dismissed officers were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.

Their case followed petitions filed by the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of victims who accused the officers of operating illegal patrol teams and abducting civilians around Port Harcourt. Police investigations reportedly showed that the officers routinely seized victims’ phones, accessed bank details, and transferred funds from accounts and cryptocurrency wallets.

One of the victims, Felix Favour, was allegedly forced to transfer about $4 million in cryptocurrency, while another victim reportedly lost ₦940,000 after being kidnapped along Aba Road. Another complainant, Okparaocha David Ugochukwu, was said to have lost ₦1.3 million, as well as jewellery and a wristwatch valued at over ₦6 million. Investigators also alleged that the officers falsely claimed to be operatives of Zone 16 Headquarters to intimidate victims and evade detection.

Placid said all the affected officers were subjected to orderly room trial procedures before their dismissal, while those indicted in the criminal cases have been recommended for prosecution. He added that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to internal discipline and will not tolerate misconduct that undermines public trust, stressing that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and ensure accountability.

Police Dismiss Five Inspectors, Prosecute Three Over Robbery, Kidnapping in Rivers