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Court begins hearing on DSS’ ₦5b defamation case against SERAP

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A high court of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday began definite hearing in the case of defamation instituted by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The officers instituted the case after SERAP, last September, failed to apologize to the secret police after accusing its operatives of invading its Abuja office. The DSS officers, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, consequently filed the defamation lawsuit in October 2024, seeking ₦5 billion in damages from SERAP.

In addition to the remedy sought by the officers for what they called reputational harm, was demand for an apology published on SERAP’s website, national dailies and television stations, N50 million for legal costs and 10 percent annual interest on the N5 billion until payment is completed.
At the resumed hearing, the presiding judge, advised the defence (SERAP) to go through all the six documents tendered by the plaintiffs. He stressed that all objections would be part of the final written address.

The hearing kicked off with the cross examination of the first claimant, Sarah, referred to as ( Plaintiff Witness 1) PW1, by the counsels to the first and second defendants.
SERAP was represented in court by Divine Oguru, while its deputy director was represented by Oluwatosin Adesoye, who apologized for the absence of his client.
Akinolu Timothy Kehinde, SAN, who represented the plaintiffs, said he was fully prepared for the hearing.

Both defence counsels cross examined DSS operative Sarah on happenings surrounding the alleged invasion of SERAP office last year.

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Both counsels pushed the argument that the claimants’ names were not mentioned by SERAP, hence not justified in the claims before the court.
Sarah stated that SERAP’s allegations negatively impacted her reputation, that of her colleague, as well as the entire DSS.
After a session that lasted for about an hour, the judge adjourned to May 8, 2025, for continuation of definite hearing on the matter.

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Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim ; Recipient, “Meeting a Woman Championing Impact”

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BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

For Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi,the Minister of Women Affairs, she has been a woman of honor , from her school days, the success story she is still keeping as a top government official and public servant .

As head of two prominent government agencies,NAPTIP, NCFRMI her stint was full of honor through awards and recognition of giant strides organised by Arise TV and This Day to encourage more women engagement.

Even before then , her political outing and exposure , including private endeavors was laced with honor and dignity.

In her recent sojourn as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the first female Minister of Police Affairs ,(State), and now Women Affairs , it is been characterised with awards , commendation and recognition.

Before her last birthday and in the course of her official engagement as Minister of Women Affairs, she has been eulogised for her giant and humane strides not only towards administering her Ministry, but to both gender and the generality of the people.

Imaan has proven beyond standards, her efforts at policing this country as immediate past Minister of Police Affairs, (State) , and in the current capacity as Minister of Women Affairs.

Another great opportunity provided itself on Saturday in Lagos ,2nd, May ,2025, were she was enlisted among great women who was honored as icon tagged “Honoring Icons” for her dedication to womanhood, public service and her great country, Nigeria.

Imaan , one of the three female Ministers of the present administration that was recognized , was also honored in a program, “Meeting a Woman Championing Impact” in an elaborate and well attended program held in Lagos on Saturday.

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The organisers did not know the potentials of the Tinubu’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi who is determined to continue to champion the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration in all ramifications and the Renewed Hope Initiative RHI, the pet project of the wife of the President , Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Imaan had a global outlook interms of recognition and honor as her activities is tailored towards engagement that is instinctively provide and promote global engagements.

It is worth commending and congratulating , the new feat of honor to women of valor that was bestowed on Hajiya Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi, the Minister of Women Affairs.

Congratulations, Hon Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.

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How SDGs is Accelerating Action on Women’s Welfare In Nigeria

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BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The determination of the SDGs leadership in Nigeria to resolve poverty , create empowerment and employment opportunities as well as entrepreneurial development had been the cardinal objectives to liberate women from the shackles of underdevelopment.

Therefore, this years International Women’s Day (IWD), 2025, tagged ‘Accelerate action ‘ was not only meant to mark the occasion, but create an enabling environment for women to thrive, equality among men and women as well as promote gender parity amidst daunting environment.

In this vein, SDGs under the leadership of Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has prioritised SDGs Goals (5), and also promoted indices that will make the programs of reducing poverty through its alleviation, against women a cardinal objectives.

Having made the two core issues possible through empowerment and entrepreneurial development to make women self sustaining, realize their potentials, over 1,850 women from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT are been empowered with 500 each from 36 states, with series of items in conjunction with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Renewed Hope initiative (RHI) of the office of the First Lady , Senator Remi Tinubu in 2025 .

To forestall the welfare and well-being of Nigeria’s women , efforts are been drew to equate the domesticated action towards women welfare in line with the global action and activities, so as to bring to par women emancipation across length and breadth of the country.

With determination to sustain the tempo , SDGs under SSAP -SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope -Adefulire expressed more commitment while marking this year’s program with the following speech to herald the program.

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In her speech at the occasion, she opined as follows …

“The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reaffirmed her office’s dedication to implementing policies and initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare and well-being of women and the girl-child, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”

“Her remarks were contained in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Desmond Utomwen, to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’. ”

“Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that this year’s IWD theme serves as a clarion call for collective action to advance gender equality and enhance the welfare and well-being of women. She emphasised that the theme acknowledges the urgent need for the global community to accelerate efforts towards achieving gender equality.”

“The World Economic Forum has estimated that, at the current rate, gender equality may not be achieved until 2158. But we do not need to wait until 2158. We can accelerate action if we take swift and decisive steps that bring us closer to gender equality while continuing to dismantle the systemic barriers that have hindered women’s progress,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire stated.”

“She further reiterated her office’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of women, highlighting OSSAP-SDGs’ interventions in the health sector, including the establishment of well-equipped Mother and Child Hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality rates across Nigerian communities. She also referenced the provision of Transit Homes for abused women and girls.”

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“At OSSAP-SDGs, we remain committed to implementing initiatives that advance gender equality in line with Goal 5 of the SDGs. We will continue working with governments at various levels to deliver interventions that promote the progress and welfare of women, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire affirmed.”

Having created an enabling environment, no doubt the 2158 envisaged as period of women emancipation and equality, may be altered in view of both domestic and global approach towards women development.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.

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Alleged defamation: Farotimi threatens lawsuit over arrest, detention

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Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has threatened to sue those behind his arrest and detention over the halted defamation case between him and legal luminary Afe Babalola (SAN).

Police authorities had in December arrested Farotimi in Lagos and whisked him to Ekiti, where he was charged with defaming Babalola in his book: ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

An Ekiti Magistrate court remanded him for 21 days, but Babalola later withdrew the case, ending several weeks of legal tussle.

But those who thought the matter had ended may be in for another run of battle. This is because Farotimi has threatened to sue those behind his arrest and detention.

“Let me continue to reassert that I was always at peace. But when it comes to demanding an account of those who have perverted the powers of the state in pursuit of a private cause, you can be certain of one thing: some people will account for my incarceration, but that is not a matter for banter. That is something for the courts to decide,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“So even though the criminal suit has been withdrawn, the civil suits are there, and what I would like to do in response to my incarceration is another ball game entirely, but you can take it to the bank: I will certainly be demanding an account from those who sent me to prison,” he said.

When asked who he is suing over his detention, Farotimi said, “My lawyers will decide who is responsible, and they will then proceed to the court.

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“Whether it’s the police that I have to be sued, whether it’s the magistrate who sent me to prison, whether it’s the persons who wrote the petition, whether it’s whoever, but somebody would explain,” the activist said on the show.

Babalola had withdrawn the case after the intervention of some traditional rulers from the South-West region. He said several prominent Nigerians, including ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, also sent him letters concerning the matter.

According to the senior advocate, he acquiesced to their pleas, which led him to withdraw the case.

However, Farotimi insists he did not ask anyone to intervene in the matter. The human rights lawyer said he was not consulted before the traditional rulers and others’ visit to Babalola.

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