?Calls for probe of military?s alleged oil bunkering ties

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate release of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, and an immediate end to the constant abd vicious harassment of investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, who have both been recently arrested under troubling circumstances. HURIWA condemned these arrests as an assault on democracy and a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices in Nigeria.

The group expressed shock at the reported ordeal of Dele Farotimi, who was detained by the Nigeria Police Force at Zone 2, Lagos, over allegations stemming from a defamation petition reportedly filed by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, and another petition by Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). HURIWA found it deeply concerning that Farotimi, who has been a vocal critic of corruption and human rights violations, is being subjected to what appears to be a targeted campaign of harassment and intimidation.

The association also denounced the three-day detention of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo by the Nigerian Army, alleging that his arrest is linked to his ongoing investigation into the involvement of security personnel in illegal oil bunkering. Soyombo?s detention, HURIWA argued, is emblematic of the dangers faced by journalists and whistleblowers in Nigeria, a country that has increasingly gained notoriety for its shrinking civic space.

HURIWA raised a crucial question for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration: ?Is Nigeria still a democracy, or has it become a dictatorship?? The organization questioned why journalists and human rights defenders are being arrested and harassed for performing their constitutional duties of holding the government accountable.

?Dele Farotimi and Fisayo Soyombo are not criminals; they are citizens exercising their fundamental rights to free speech and press freedom. Their arrests highlight a disturbing trend where the state machinery is weaponized against dissent. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy if the voices of lawyers, activists, and journalists are systematically silenced,? HURIWA said in a statement.

HURIWA also called on President Tinubu to immediately order an independent investigation into the military?s alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering, as revealed by Soyombo?s investigation. The association noted that Soyombo?s findings expose systemic corruption within the security apparatus, a matter that warrants urgent attention.

?Is President Tinubu afraid of uncovering the truth about the military?s complicity in oil bunkering? Why is the government more interested in arresting journalists than addressing the issues they expose? The implications of these revelations go beyond economic sabotage; they strike at the heart of national security and governance. The president must act decisively if he is not complicit,? HURIWA stated.

The group further alleged that the suppression of investigative journalism on sensitive issues like oil bunkering could embolden corrupt officials within the security forces and exacerbate the nation?s economic woes.

HURIWA expressed concern that the administration?s heavy-handedness in dealing with critics might be driven by a fear of a coup or rebellion within the military ranks. The association questioned if the arrests of journalists and activists are an attempt to conceal internal discontent within the armed forces.

?If the government is not afraid of a coup, why is it afraid of investigating the military?s role in oil bunkering? Instead of fostering transparency, the administration is fostering fear. This is dangerous for Nigeria?s democracy and stability,? the statement added.

HURIWA also appealed to the international community to take note of the worsening human rights situation in Nigeria. The association urged global human rights organizations, foreign governments, and international media to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its actions.

HURIWA warned that the continued crackdown on free speech and press freedom poses a significant threat to Nigeria?s democracy. The association reiterated its commitment to defending human rights and holding the government accountable, even in the face of increasing hostility.

?Nigeria cannot afford to regress into a police state. The arrests of Farotimi and Soyombo are a test case for President Tinubu?s administration. Will it uphold the principles of democracy, or will it continue down the path of authoritarianism? The world is watching,? HURIWA concluded.

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