Profiles International Human Rights Advocate

 THE RESURGENCE OF TERROR IN BORNO: A CALL FOR DECISIVE ACTION FOLLOWING THE MAY 11, 2025, BOKO HARAM ATTACK ON THE NIGERIAN ARMY BASE IN MARTE LGA Written by Hamza Nuhu Dantani, Esq.   INTRODUCTION  Suppose any proof was needed that the war against Boko Haram is far from over. In that case, it is in the fresh terror attack lodged against the Nigerian Army military base in Marte, Borno state, the main theatre of the insurgency in the Northeastern region.  On the night of May 11, 2025, tragedy struck again in my beloved Borno state. In a gruesome and condemnable terrorist attack, Boko Haram insurgents launched a coordinated offensive against a Nigerian Army military base in Marte. The terrorists dislodged the 50th Task Force Battalion stationed in the area, leaving several gallant soldiers dead, carting away weapons, and destroying vital military equipment. This brazen assault marks a troubling resurgence of Boko Haram and a significant setback in the fight against in...

 FROM ENUGWU AGIDI TO GLOBAL SHORES: EXPOSING NIGERIA'S MIGRATION CRISIS AND THE GREAT ESCAPE OF TALENT — A DEEP DIVE INTO NIGERIA’S CHALLENGE By Daniel Okonkwo  Are there right and wrong reasons for leaving one's country in search of a better future? This question remains central in discussions about global migration. Interestingly, even developed countries like the United Kingdom are experiencing significant emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals, many seeking better opportunities or improved quality of life abroad. The UK has witnessed record numbers of people leaving, including British citizens—a growing concern due to potential economic and social impacts. However, this migration takes place within the context of a relatively stable economy, making the reasons for leaving markedly different from those in developing nations. Developed countries often present attractive pull factors such as higher salaries, improved work-life balance, better infrastructure, a...

 Guardians or Guns for Hire? The Promise and Peril of State Police in Nigeria By Tijjan Shettima In the heart of Nigeria’s security crisis, one question echoes louder each day: Should we embrace state police? Across the country, from the forests of Zamfara to the streets of Owerri, Nigerians live in fear. Kidnappings, insurgency, and communal clashes have become everyday headlines. The federal police, overwhelmed and under-equipped, struggle to respond. It’s no wonder many are calling for a new solution one closer to home. State police, they say, would be faster, more effective, and better trusted. Who better to protect a community than those who know its streets, its people, and its problems? Regional outfits like Amotekun and the Civilian Joint Task Force have already shown what local security can achieve when the people are involved. But Nigeria is a complex country. Beneath the surface lies a deep worry. Can we trust our state leaders not to misuse this power? In a system where...

 STITCHING A FRACTURED FLAG: TINUBU'S SECOND-TERM PUSH AND THE DANGEROUS GAMBLE WITH NIGERIA’S UNITY BY TIJJANI SHETTIMA Despite widespread hardship, soaring inflation, and growing disillusionment across the country, a quiet but determined political strategy is unfolding: to secure a second term for President Tinubu—at all costs. Yet, rather than being anchored in performance or the genuine trust of Nigerians, this emerging agenda risks taking a dangerous and divisive turn. Across the South-South, South-West, and parts of the South-East, certain political leaders are rallying—not necessarily out of belief in the government’s achievements, but due to a growing interest in consolidating political influence within their regions. Some governors are openly aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while others are preparing to work subtly from within their existing parties to boost Tinubu’s re-election chances. The calculation appears straightforward: unify the southern ...

 Criminalizing Conscience: The Nigerian Struggle for Human Rights By Tijjani Shettima  In Nigeria, demanding human rights has become a dangerous act. Though the country’s constitution and international commitments promise freedom, dignity, and justice, the reality tells a different story. Peaceful protesters are tear-gassed, arrested, or even killed. Journalists face threats for exposing the truth. Activists are labeled enemies of the state. From the #EndSARS movement to everyday voices speaking out against injustice, the response is often the same silence them. It doesn’t end with the government. Criminal gangs abduct schoolchildren, armed groups terrorize villages, and no one is held accountable. At home, women endure domestic violence. In schools, children face abuse and exploitation. Even religious and cultural institutions often protect abusers instead of the abused. In all of this, those who speak up are punished. The law that should be protected becomes a tool of oppres...

 Dear Your Excellency, My Able Leader Prof Babagana Umara Zulum. A PASSIONATE PLEA FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE BAN ON SALE OF FUEL IN BAMA LGA I write to you today not only as a lawyer and human rights advocate but also as an indigene of Borno State whose heart beats for the security and welfare of our people. I pen this letter with deep reverence and immense appreciation for your exceptional leadership and tireless efforts in reclaiming Borno State from the grip of insurgency. Indeed, under your stewardship, hope has returned to towns that were once abandoned, and the Bama Local Government Area is a remarkable example of such revival. However, I want to passionately appeal to Your Excellency to duly reconsider the recent directive imposing an outright ban on the sale of fuel (petrol) in all filling stations within Bama LGA, including Bama town and Banki. I understand and sincerely appreciate that this decision was informed by consultations with security agencies and motivated by th...

 BUYING TROUBLE: WHY IGNORING GOVERNMENT CAVEATS ON PROPERTY IN NIGERIA IS FINANCIAL SUICIDE By Daniel Okonkwo Knowingly purchasing a property under a government caveat is akin to pouring salt into the ocean—completely futile and self-defeating. In Nigeria, some property buyers are fully aware of the legal red flags surrounding the properties they acquire, yet proceed with misplaced confidence that they can somehow outwit the system or “manage” future consequences. A case in point is currently unfolding in Lagos, where the state government has commenced the demolition of several buildings in Megamound Estate, Oral Estate, and Lekki County. These structures, though structurally sound, were constructed directly along the alignment of the Ikota River, in violation of environmental and urban development regulations. The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that th...

 RECORDING ANYONE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT CAN LEAD TO SEVERAL YEARS IN PRISON—REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE RECORDING WAS MADE. In Nigeria, recording someone without their consent is not only unethical—it is a potentially criminal act with serious legal consequences. This offense falls under various legal frameworks, including Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc..) Act, 2015, the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). This article is a public warning: unauthorized recordings done with malicious intent may lead to imprisonment and substantial fines. Unlawful Recordings: A Criminal Offense. If you unlawfully record anyone—whether through a phone call, hidden camera, or any other device—especially with the intent to manipulate, defame, blackmail, or use it as evidence without proper authorization, you are committing a cybercrime. Such conduct can attract a penalty of up to seven (7) years imprisonment and/or a ...

 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEWLY ELECTED POPE LEO XIV: THE FIRST AMERICAN PONTIFF USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH By Daniel Okonkwo In a momentous event in Vatican City, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old prelate from Chicago, Illinois, made history by becoming the first pope from the United States, stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel took two days to elect Prevost, a timeline consistent with the elections of his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, both chosen on the evening of the second day. This efficiency signals that Prevost made a strong impression during the secretive deliberations, indicating a consensus among the electors about his vision, leadership, and global pastoral experience. Though born in the U.S., Pope Leo...

 "Habemus Papam": The World Awaits New Pope's Proclamation In a moment steeped in tradition and global significance, the Catholic Church stands on the cusp of announcing its new spiritual leader. From the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, a cardinal will soon step forward to proclaim the historic words: “Habemus Papam” — Latin for “We have a Pope.” This brief but powerful declaration marks the conclusion of the secretive papal conclave and the beginning of a new chapter in Church leadership. With white smoke already billowing above the Sistine Chapel, signaling a successful vote, the world now waits to learn the identity of the newly elected pontiff — and the papal name he has chosen to mark his reign. As anticipation builds across Vatican City and beyond, this moment will not only echo through the ancient colonnades of St. Peter’s Square, but also resonate with millions of faithful around the globe, watching and listening for the first glimpse of the man chosen to...

 The World Waits: Conclave Continues Without a Decision on New Pope By Daniel Okonkwo Profiles International Human Rights Advocate A thick column of black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel has once again signaled to the world: no pope has been elected. As tradition holds, the black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote from the cardinal electors, and the anticipation for white smoke — the symbol of unity and a new papacy — continues to build. The ongoing conclave is more than just a religious event; it is a moment of global significance. Behind closed doors, cardinals deliberate not only on spiritual guidance but on who will lead the Catholic Church in navigating pressing issues like human rights, peace, global poverty, and moral leadership. Who will emerge? Will it be a reformer? A voice from the Global South? A bridge-builder between faiths? The next pope will carry the hopes of over a billion Catholics and the attention of the world. As human rights advocates, we believe the ...

 EFCC'S MISPLACED PRIORITIES AND THE BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST  By Hamza Nuhu Dantani, Esq. Constitutional and Human Rights Activist. Abuja.     INTRODUCTION The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), established under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, is Nigeria's foremost anti-graft agency. Tasked with investigating, arresting, and prosecuting corrupt public officials and financial criminals, the EFCC symbolized hope in a country where impunity had long been the order of the day. However, in recent times, that hope has waned. The EFCC, rather than focusing on the real saboteurs of Nigeria's economy, the high-profile political elites who have looted the nation dry, has diverted its energy toward persecuting low-level offenders and critics of its inefficiency.   No example drives this point home more than that of Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), the popular social media activist who was arrested in Ges...

 EFCC'S MISPLACED PRIORITIES AND THE BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST  By Hamza Nuhu Dantani, Esq. Constitutional and Human Rights Activist. Abuja.     INTRODUCTION The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), established under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, is Nigeria's foremost anti-graft agency. Tasked with investigating, arresting, and prosecuting corrupt public officials and financial criminals, the EFCC symbolized hope in a country where impunity had long been the order of the day. However, in recent times, that hope has waned. The EFCC, rather than focusing on the real saboteurs of Nigeria's economy, the high-profile political elites who have looted the nation dry, has diverted its energy toward persecuting low-level offenders and critics of its inefficiency.   No example drives this point home more than that of Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), the popular social media activist who was arrested in Ges...

 HERBERT WIGWE’S TRAGIC HELICOPTER CRASH: AVOIDABLE DEATHS CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE AND PILOT ERROR By Daniel Okonkwo The final report released by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings Group CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo has sparked profound sorrow and outrage. These deaths were completely avoidable and painfully unnecessary. In any professional aviation environment, safety is non-negotiable. The level of negligence and unprofessional conduct displayed in this case is deeply alarming and should attract serious legal and regulatory penalties—not only to serve justice but to send a clear and uncompromising message to aviation companies and personnel worldwide: human lives must never be gambled with. The accident, which occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, has now been officially a...

 A TRIBUTE TO BARRISTER IFEANYI EJIOFOR – DEFENDER OF DIGNITY AND JUSTICE FOR NDIGBO By Daniel Okonkwo – Profiles International Human Rights Advocate May 7, 2025 I begin this tribute with deep admiration and gratitude, acknowledging the remarkable sacrifices, steadfast efforts, and extraordinary risks Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has undertaken to lawfully and courageously defend the rights of Ndigbo and protect them from unjust imprisonment. We deeply appreciate your sacrifices, your tireless efforts, and the immense risks you have taken to restore our dignity and safeguard our people—lawfully and legally—from oppression. Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, you are more than an advocate; you are a super lawyer, a fearless defender of justice, and a leading light of hope for the voiceless. As we take a moment in this ongoing journey of life to reflect on the battles you faced—both within the courtroom and within ourselves—our thoughts naturally turn to those who have devoted their lives to the...

 EFCC'S STATEMENT ON MARTINS INNOCENT OTSE: A CRUCIAL TEST OF JUSTICE, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA By Daniel Okonkwo, Profiles International Human Rights Advocate The recent statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the arrest and detention of Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VDM, warrants a sober, professional, and principled review in the interest of justice, public accountability, and institutional transparency. While the Commission’s attempt to clarify the circumstances of Mr. Otse’s arrest is commendable, it also raises critical legal and ethical concerns that must be addressed in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. According to the EFCC, Mr. Otse was invited for questioning over multiple petitions involving alleged financial misconduct. His repeated failure to honor these invitations reportedly prompted the Commission to obtain a lawful remand order and carry out his arrest. The EFCC asserts that ...