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Again, CSOs stage mass protest against EFCC chairman, Bawa in Lagos

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2023

Over 100 Anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations and thousands of their members and supporters staged a massive protest in Lagos on Saturday in continuation of their call for the removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, over alleged continued disobedience of court orders.

Leaders of the Anti-corruption groups, who began what they described as a “Week Long Protest Against Politicisation of the EFCC, Disobedience of Court Orders and Infringement on Human Rights of Nigerians” on Friday, said many CSOs called to join the struggle after the maiden press conference held in Lagos.

The CSOs were joined by senior lawyers at the rally, staged through the streets of Ikeja, through Ikeja City Mall, ending at the Oregun Junction, in Ikeja, Lagos.

They noted that they were aware of the persistent pressure on and intimidation of the Nigerian media to underplay the dissatisfaction of the anti-corruption CSOs with Bawa, stressing that no amount of intimidation would make them give up their collective struggle against corruption and leaders undermining the struggle.

Spokesperson for the Transparency and Accountability Group, Ayodeji Ologun, who spoke on behalf of the anti-corruption CSOs, said the Coalition of Anti-corruption Organisations, could not watch the country’s legal system being bastardised by the selfish interests of a few, insisting that if Bawa was bent on playing politics, he should get a membership card from any of the political parties.

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He said the need to press home their grievance strongly and call for the removal of the EFCC boss was founded on the realisation that some anti-democratic elements were drawing the civil societies back in the fight against corruption.

According to the CSOs, the fixation of the EFCC boss on certain individuals and institutions “when grievous petitions capable of bringing the economy down are left unattended, gives the anti-corruption war, under the leadership of Mr Bawa, a dangerously political colouration.”

Ologun said, “We are beginning to see anti-democratic elements within the democratic process, who are daily drawing us back in the fight against corruption. This is a coalition of different civil society organisations against corruption. For a while now, we have observed the EFCC Chairman flagrantly disobeying court orders. And we believe that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. If you are at the helm of affairs of an anti-graft body and you find it difficult to obey court ruling, such a person is a law breaker. You cannot be in charge of taming corruption in the county and you yourself would be a culprit of disobeying court order.”

“One of the essences of leadership is obeying the tenets of democracy and the rule of law and key to that is court ruling. If Bawa has, in the last few months, continued to disobey court orders, he is unfit to sit at the helm of that body and we are calling for his sack,” he declared.

Executive Director, Centre for Public Accountability, Olufemi Lawson, who called on the media to be partners in the struggle for a better society by resisting intimidation, said, “We are not unaware of the persistent pressure on the media to downplay what is happening currently at the EFCC. This is just one of the series of actions that we are going to be undertaking as Nigerians. We will not relent until the Commission begins to toe the path of the rule of law.

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“We cannot run a society on the wish and aspirations of a man. It must be consistent with the provisions of our law. And if there is negative pressure on the media, then we will not accept it. We are glad that the media has refused to compromise and we will continue this struggle until the President overhauls the EFCC. The biggest form of corruption is disobedience to the rule of law.”

On his part, Declan Ihehaire, of the Activists for Good Governance, said if Bawa had been committed to prison for disobeying court order, he must go to prison.

“We have found out that as young as Bawa is, he has refused to obey court orders and he wants to send people to prison. And we are saying you can’t be sending people to prison when you fail to obey the court order that says you must taste the prison for disobedience. You have been convicted three times by competent courts and three times, Bawa has refused to obey. He is not fit to be in office. Bawa must go,” he said.

Leaders of the anti-corruption CSOs that began the call for the removal of Bawa include the Chairman, Centre for Anti-corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; Executive Director, Zero Graft Centre, Kolawole Sanchez-Jude; Chairman, Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance, Toyin Raheem; Executive Director, Centre for Public Accountability, Olufemi Lawson; and Ahmed Balogun of Media Rights Concern.

Others are Ologun Ayodeji,

Transparency and Accountability Group; Declan Ihehaire, Activists for Good Governance; and Ochiaga Jude, Centre for Ethics and Good Governance, among many others.

Saturday’s protest was also led by Barr. Cletus Okedube, Barr. Johnson Areola, Barr. George Sanda, among a host of other notable activists.

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Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

Published

2 minutes ago

April 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

The Nasarawa State Police Command on Sunday disclosed the arrest of one Pastor Asonye Isaiah, 37, of Rock of Love and Adoration Ground, Old Karshi, Abuja, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.

The arrest followed a complaint lodged at the Karishi Division on Saturday, 18th April, 2026, at about 8:00pm.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect deceived the victim’s aunt, claiming her niece was “possessed” and required cleansing at a river.

According to the Command spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, Isaiah instead took the victim to a hotel in New Karshi, Nasarawa State where he allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her twice and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.

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He said, “The crime came to light after the victim’s guardian observed unusual changes in her behaviour and questioned her.

“The victim was immediately taken for medical examination, which confirmed penile penetration.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and pleaded for leniency.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for comprehensive investigation and prosecution.

He assured that justice will be served and urged members of the public to exercise caution regarding places of worship they attend and individuals who parade themselves as clerics.

Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

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Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

Published

8 minutes ago

April 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ugborikoko Police Station in Warri, Delta State, has been accused of ordering officers to brutally assault, strip naked, and force confessions from 15 women during a controversial police raid.

The allegation was made public by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu and one of the victims, Janet James George, in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), which has since sparked widespread outrage.

According to the victim’s account, the women were arrested during a raid around the Delta Mall area and taken to the Ugborikoko Police Station, where they were detained overnight before the alleged assault occurred the following day.

She alleged that the DPO personally supervised the operation and instructed officers—reportedly dressed in plain clothes—to flog the women with wires and force them to confess to prostitution.

“They flogged us naked… they used wire to flog us… if you say you are not a prostitute, they will slap you and beat you until you agree,” she alleged.

She further claimed that the women were beaten for several hours, forced to sign statements admitting to prostitution, and filmed during the ordeal.

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The victim also alleged that some of the women sustained injuries to sensitive parts of their bodies, making it difficult for them to walk or use the toilet after the incident.

The alleged abuse has drawn strong reactions from rights advocates, who have called for a transparent investigation into the conduct of officers at the station and accountability if the claims are verified.

The incident is said to have occurred on April 10.

Reacting to the viral video, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State, DSP Bright Edafe, condemned the allegations, describing them as “painful and very sad.”

He confirmed that the command has begun reviewing the case and assured that appropriate action would be taken.

“The command has received this report… no human being should be given this treatment no matter what. The command is presently giving it all the attention it deserves,” Edafe said.

He also urged the victim to formally reach out to the command to assist ongoing investigations.

The case adds to growing scrutiny of alleged misconduct within police divisions in Nigeria, with renewed calls for reforms, improved accountability, and adherence to human rights standards in law enforcement operations.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to verify the claims and determine the next steps.

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

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Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Published

23 minutes ago

April 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Kwara Police Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo

Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife, and another resident following a late-night attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The monarch, Oba Salman Aweda, who was recently elevated by the Kwara State Government, was among those kidnapped when armed attackers stormed his palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking away the monarch, his wife, and one other victim to an unknown destination.

A resident who spoke on the incident said the attackers operated freely despite the late hour, leaving the community in fear.

“It happened around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and one other person were also taken. The monarch is one of those recently graded,” the source said.

Another resident described the raid as swift and terrifying, noting that no resistance could be mounted against the heavily armed attackers.

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“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere,” the resident added.

Confirming the attack, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, said the incident reflects worsening insecurity in neighbouring communities, warning that rural settlements are increasingly under threat.

“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in the area, stressing that local vigilante groups and security personnel need more support to respond effectively.

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as distressing, confirming that a joint search-and-rescue operation had been launched.

According to him, security operatives, local vigilantes, and forest guards have begun combing surrounding forests and communities in efforts to rescue the victims.

“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said.

He urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command said efforts have been intensified to track down the kidnappers. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, noted that security operatives are closing in on the suspects, although he expressed concern over possible insider collaboration.

“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.

The incident adds to a growing wave of abductions in parts of Kwara North and South, where rural communities and traditional institutions have increasingly become targets of armed groups.

Authorities say operations are ongoing as security forces intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.