Article
In the matter of GTBank’s persecution of poor bloggers
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu
By the time Muhammadu Buhari ran for a second presidential term in 2019, it seemed clear that the judicial process in many parts of the country had been actively co-opted in the intimidation of civic opponents of the government, both real and imagined. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Steven was a compelling activist and amplifier of the crisis of human security in Southern Kaduna under former governor, Nasir el-Rufai. For this, el-Rufai arranged the abduction of Steven from his residence in Rivers State on 8 May 2019. From there they bundled him into interminable detention in Kaduna on the imagined crime of criminally defaming Cafra Caino, an acolyte of the governor who was also Chair of the Kajuru Local Government Council.
For this invented crime, el-Rufai had Steven charged before a Magistrate in Kaduna who refused him bail even when the crime was clearly a misdemeanor. Steven renewed his application for bail before the Federal High Court in Kaduna where the presiding judge, Peter Mallong, incredulously ruled that his suit was “an abuse of court process” because the Magistrate had previously refused bail. Turning judicial precedent on its head, Peter Mallong held that the decision of the Magistrate was binding on the Federal High Court.
Gloria Ballason, who argued Steven’s case, was also my lawyer when el-Rufai sought to also abduct me in circumstances that would have been not dis-similar to what he did to Steven. On the eve of the presidential election in 2019, el-Rufai went public with claims of a massacre of scores of Fulanis in Kajuru, a community against whom he appeared to have an implacable beef. The following morning, I publicly rebutted his claims. The security services were pointedly unable to support his claim.
After the 2019 elections, el-Rufai instructed my prosecution before the Magistrates Court in Kaduna on fanciful charges of incitement and injurious falsehood. The case did not even have a charge number. The magistrate called up the case on two successive occasions and, when I did not show up, decided the time was ripe to issue a warrant for my abduction. Contrary to my entitlements under the Nigerian constitution, even bothered to bring the charges to my attention. It seemed as if the entire objective from the beginning was to set me up for abduction.
Informed off-record about the case by sympathetic law enforcement agents subsequently, Gloria Ballason first issued filings objecting to how the court had chosen to proceed. Thereafter, she instituted proceedings before Peter Mallong’s Federal High Court in Kaduna against el-Rufai and the police arising out of these facts alleging breach of my constitutional rights.
One year after the case was instituted, in October 2020, Peter Mallong issued his decision. He claimed that the affidavit in support of my court processes sworn to by a litigation clerk in the law firm of my lawyers, was incompetent because the deponent was someone other than me. It was as if he had never heard of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules which allowed for what the litigation clerk did. As a result, Peter Mallong said, my case was incompetent and his court lacked jurisdiction over it. After holding that he lacked jurisdiction, however, Peter Mallong went on to “dismiss” my case.
The judgment was manifestly crooked on the face of the record. A judge can only dismiss a case that they have had the opportunity to consider but a judge cannot consider a case over which s/he lacks jurisdiction. So, a judge who rules that he or she lacks jurisdiction cannot thereafter decide to dismiss the same case. That is exactly what Peter Mallong did. Having accomplished such crookedness, he then went on to award punitive costs against me.
It was this kind of casuistic and crooked jurisprudence that emboldened el-Rufai and his ilk to routinise the persecution of Nigerian citizens by abduction under cover of law. I was lucky. Steven Kefas was not. Gloria Ballason’s tenacity and an international campaign eventually enabled to Steven to make bail after 162 days in pre-trial detention in Kaduna prison.
According to Steven, while he suffered prolonged pre-trial detention for an imaginary crime framed against him for being a government critic, he witnessed kidnappers caught in the act being released without charges. Steven’s explanation is that: “What the oppressive elites do in Nigeria is that they will hire rogue lawyers to help them draft all manner of petitions to get critics and ‘enemies of the government’ abducted and locked up….”
This appears to be the perfect description for what is happening in an ongoing case involving the prosecution of Precious Eze, Olawale Olurotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa and Seun Odunlami before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The accused are all bloggers who run different platforms as citizen journalists or aggregators.
On 19 September, 2024, Country Hill, a law firm acting on behalf of Guarantee Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its CEO, Segun Agbaje, wrote a petition in which they complained against the accused for what they called “acts of cyberbullying, criminal extortions (sic) and conducts (sic) likely to cause a breach of public peace” arising reportedly from material published on their blogs about Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank). Importantly, the complaint omitted any mention of the sums that any of the suspects allegedly extorted or sought to. Subsequent investigation by the police showed clearly that upon the material being brought to their attention by intermediaries, the suspects had voluntarily pulled down the publications complained of.
Acting on this petition, nevertheless, the police promptly arrested and detained Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi, both of whom have been held in pre-trial custody since then. By the date you read this, each of them would have been in pre-trial custody for over 91 days. That is more than double the maximum duration of 42 days of pre-trial custody allowed by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
It took the police just four days to conclude investigation. Michael Abu, the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who led the investigation into GTBank’s petition, wrote in his report of 23 September 2024 with reference to Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi that “these types of people be used as scapegoat” and recommended that they be “charged to court for the offence (sic) of conspiracy, cyberbullying, attempt to extort money through fraudulent means and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.”
On 14 October, the police re-arraigned them. Ten days later, the amended charges filed against them included six counts of cyberbullying and two each of conspiracy and extortion. To prosecute them, GTBank secured the “fiat” of the Inspector General of Police to instruct a high-powered team of ten lawyers, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). This is a classic example of “oppressive elites” capturing the criminal process for destructive purposes against poor citizens.
Until now, the people who orchestrate these kinds of travesties and their judicial and legal co-travelers have enjoyed earthly impunity. Judges like Peter Mallong made this possible. The one lesson, however, of the Dele Farotimi case is that citizens now have the wherewithal to make these kinds of perversion of the legal and criminal process costly for those who orchestrate them.
In this case of Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi, that should be even moreso, given that the travesty is procured at the instance of a commercial and corporate actor. We are both citizens and customers. In this dual capacity we have the muscle to resist the determined conspiracy of politicians and corporates who seek to muzzle and destroy an informed and responsible civics. It is not too late for GTBank to retrace its steps.
A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu
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As FCC Under Omidiran Sets to Restore Fairness, Balance and National Unity
————From dormancy to destiny, the Renewed Hope Agenda finds its moral compass in fairness, inclusion, and credible leadership under Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Hon. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
For years, the FCC wrestled with bureaucratic inertia and dwindling public trust. It existed in structure but struggled in spirit. Nigerians watched with delight yesterday October 14 as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Tinubu requesting the senate to confirm Omidiran and 38 other commissioners. The needed confirmation serves as part of statutory requirements of the commission. With Omidiran’s pragmatic, purpose-driven leadership — and guided by President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — the Commission will once again find its voice and vision.
With service driven 37 Commissioners drawn from every state and the FCT, the FCC will no longer be a dormant establishment; it will become a living conscience of equity, balance, and opportunity — a true reflection of Nigeria’s diversity and promise.
THE WOMAN REDEFINING FEDERAL CHARACTER
Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran stands at the intersection of integrity, intelligence, and inclusivity — a rare blend of competence and compassion. Twice elected to the House of Representatives (2011–2019), she earned national acclaim for her people-centered approach: delivering potable water, quality healthcare, scholarships, and empowerment programs that restored dignity to countless families.
Her politics is not one of noise, but of nurture; not of entitlement, but of empathy. Guided by the enduring principles of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Omidiran sees leadership as a moral obligation — “to feel the people’s pain and respond with purpose.”
Her story extends beyond politics. She made history as the first Nigerian woman to serve on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Organizing Committee, and as founder of Omidiran Babes FC, she built a generation of women who rose from obscurity to global recognition through sports. That same spirit of mentorship, teamwork, and excellence now defines her stewardship of the FCC.
Omidiran will lead not as a ruler, but as a reformer — building a team bound by trust, discipline, and shared vision. Under her watch, the FCC will no longer be an idle bureaucracy but a coalition of conscience — a collective mindset committed to making equity not an exception, but a standard.
RENEWED HOPE IN ACTION: OMIDIRAN’S BLUEPRINT FOR EQUITY
Under Omidiran’s visionary direction, the FCC is expected to transform into a model of transparency, digital efficiency, and moral accountability. With her commissioners she will introduce systems that prioritize merit, inclusion, and measurable impact, making the Commission a true guardian of justice in public service distribution.
Her guiding philosophy is clear and compelling:
“Fairness is not favoritism; it is balance.”
Every appointment, employment, and resource allocation must reflect both Nigeria’s federal diversity and her meritocratic spirit. In Omidiran’s FCC, representation will not be about tokenism — it is about trust. And every decision carries the weight of national responsibility.
This is the living embodiment of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — a Nigeria rebuilt on fairness, inclusion, and credible leaders.
THE TEAM THAT MIRRORS NIGERIA’S UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Behind Omidiran stands a remarkable assembly of leaders — 37 Commissioners, each bringing integrity, intellect, and innovation from their respective states. They represent Nigeria’s mosaic of culture, competence, and conviction.
Together, they form a “coalition of conscience and competence”, a team designed not to preserve the old order, but to pioneer a new era of equitable governance.
From policy thinkers to administrators, human rights advocates to professionals, the Omidiran-led Commission embodies the Renewed Hope dream in motion — transforming ideals into institutions.
NORTHWEST: EXPERIENCE, STATESMANSHIP, AND STRUCTURAL DEPTH
Hon. Lawan Ya’u Roni (Jigawa State) stands as a pillar of institutional memory. With over 30 years of governance experience — from serving as Commissioner to Secretary to the State Government and Acting Governor — Roni brings tested wisdom to policy formulation and intergovernmental relations.
His mandate in Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental Synergy ensures that federal appointments and initiatives align seamlessly with state realities. His insight and steadiness anchor the FCC’s evolving reform structure, driving unity through understanding.
SOUTHWEST: PROFESSIONALISM, DISCIPLINE, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
Hon. AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah (Lagos State) is the archetype of administrative discipline. Having served as Chief of Staff to a Senator and Minister, and as a corporate executive in the U.S., he brings global precision to national service.
As head of Operational Efficiency and Ethics Oversight, Bawa-Allah is setting a new standard for institutional accountability. His leadership ensures that the FCC’s internal mechanisms reflect transparency, order, and ethical governance — making the Commission a model for other federal agencies.
SOUTHEAST: STRATEGIC THINKING, COORDINATION AND DIGITAL REFORM
Hon. Peter Eze (Enugu State) brings a refreshing blend of strategic intellect, youthful energy and innovation. An economist and policy strategist with international exposure, and a key contributor to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Eze understands both leadership dynamics and national governance architecture.
Tasked with Research, Strategy, and Public Communication, he will spearhead the digital modernization of the FCC — ensuring transparency, data integrity, and accessible public information . His nomination signals a new generation of technocratic leadership, where ideas and integrity merge to serve the nation. Eze’s experience in public and private sector and commitment to FCC’s principles and objectives bodes well for the success of the commission
NORTHEAST: RESILIENCE, ADVOCACY, AND THE POWER OF INCLUSION
Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa State) embodies the courage and tenacity of the Northeast. A seasoned banker, policy advocate, and community mobilizer, she has spent decades empowering women and youth in post-conflict communities.
She oversees Community Engagement and Gender Equity Initiatives, ensuring fairness transcends paper policy to touch real lives. Her approach is practical — equity that educates, empowers, and elevates. She represents the Renewed Hope spirit of rebuilding people, not just systems.
SOUTH-SOUTH: SERVICE, LEGISLATION, AND HUMANITARIAN IMPACT
Hon. Chief ( Barr) Lovette Ederin Idisi
exemplifies selfless service. A lawyer by profession and legislator with years of community impact, he has championed rural healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.
He leads Humanitarian Affairs and Social Impact, ensuring that fairness extends beyond employment into wellbeing. His model is fairness with a human face — a governance of compassion consistent with the Renewed Hope philosophy.
NORTH CENTRAL: BALANCE, VISION, AND SOCIAL COHESION
Hon. Halima Ahmadu Jabiru (Nasarawa State) combines administrative rigor with social empathy. Her extensive background in land administration, welfare coordination, and governance reform makes her a dependable voice for balanced development.
As head of Institutional Development and Social Cohesion Programs, she is driving equitable access to federal opportunities across the North Central region — ensuring that fairness is not abstract, but tangible. Her leadership bridges the gap between policy and people.
ONE COMMISSION, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY
Under Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, the Federal Character Commission will no longer be bureaucratic relic; it will become the nation’s moral compass. Each Commissioner is not merely a representative of a state, but a custodian of the Nigerian dream — a dream where justice and opportunity are evenly shared.
Together, they personify the spirit of Renewed Hope — the belief that governance must mirror the nation’s diversity while uniting it under a common purpose. From Abuja to the remotest local council, their collective mandate is to ensure that no citizen is invisible, and no community is forgotten.
OUR VERDICT: THE FCC REBORN, NIGERIA REAWAKENED
The Federal Character Commission, once seen as dormant, has found its pulse again — firm, fair, and forward-looking.
Under Omidiran, it will no longer be an institution of routine; it is a movement of renewal — restoring confidence, credibility, and national cohesion.
With this credible and competent team of Commissioners, fairness is no longer a promise — it is policy; inclusion is no longer aspiration — it is action.
In the rebirth of the FCC, Nigeria rediscovers her essence — a nation bound not by tribe or tongue, but by trust, transparency, and shared destiny.
Written by Dr George Allwell , a Public Affairs Analyst and Promoter of good governance in Nigeria
October 15,2025
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Article
The Craft of Creative Writing: From Shoot to Branches
By Emman Usman Shehu
“Always resist the urge to start with too many characters; even a plant begins as a shoot before developing its peculiar branches.” This insightful observation, seemingly simple, offers a profound metaphor for the craft of creative writing. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The initial “shoot” in creative writing represents the foundational element of a story. This could be a single character with a clear desire, a specific setting that sparks imagination, or a central premise that demands exploration. Rushing to introduce a multitude of characters, elaborate backstories, or convoluted plotlines at the outset can overwhelm both the writer and the reader. It’s akin to planting a sapling with too many branches already attached; the roots haven’t had time to establish, and the structure lacks inherent strength. A strong beginning, therefore, often focuses on establishing one or two key elements, allowing them to take root in the reader’s mind.
As the narrative progresses, the “shoot” begins to develop its “peculiar branches.” These branches are the secondary characters, the subplots, the thematic explorations, and the intricate details that enrich the story. Just as a plant’s branches grow in unique patterns, shaped by its environment and genetic code, a story’s elements should emerge naturally from its core. A new character might be introduced because their presence is necessary to challenge the protagonist or reveal a new facet of the central conflict. A subplot might sprout to deepen the thematic resonance or provide a moment of respite before a major turning point. This organic development ensures that every element serves a purpose, contributing to the overall strength and coherence of the narrative.
Moreover, the metaphor extends to the concept of revision and growth. A gardener doesn’t simply plant a seed and leave it; they nurture it, prune it, and guide its growth. Similarly, a writer’s first draft is rarely the final product. It’s the initial shoot, often raw and unrefined. Through subsequent revisions, the writer prunes away unnecessary elements, strengthens weak connections, and encourages the healthy development of the story’s branches. This iterative process allows the narrative to mature, its complexities to deepen, and its peculiar beauty to fully emerge.
In essence, the wisdom of starting small is about embracing the power of organic growth. It’s about trusting the narrative to reveal itself, character by character, plot point by plot point, rather than forcing a predetermined, overstuffed structure. By allowing the story to develop its branches naturally from a strong, central shoot, writers can cultivate narratives that are not only intricate and engaging but also deeply rooted and enduring.
*Shehu is the author of four poetry collections, Questions for Big Brother, Open Sesame, Icarus Rising and The River Never Returns. He is currently working on a poetry collection, a collection of short stories, and a collection of plays. He is also co-founder of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF).
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Ajia: The Bridge-Builder Turbaned as Dan Amanar Fune Emirate
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, reporting from Damagum, Yobe State
In a rare blend of honour, tradition, and national recognition, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, a distinguished son of Ilorin in Kwara State, was turbaned as Dan Amanar (Custodian of Trust) of Fune Emirate in a grand ceremony held at the Emir’s Palace in Damagum, headquarters of Fune Local Government Area, Yobe State, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The colourful occasion, which also marked the 25th coronation anniversary of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Saleh Ibn Uthman, Emir of Fune, was attended by royal fathers from across Northern Nigeria, political leaders, captains of industry, and hundreds of admirers from Ilorin, Abuja, and Damagum.
Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia is not just a politician or businessman—he is a patriotic Nigerian whose footprints in public service, security, philanthropy, and community development have made significant impacts nationwide. Born in Magaji Ngeri ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ajia’s life journey is that of relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project.
From humble beginnings at ECWA Primary School in Ilorin and later Government Secondary School Kawo, Kaduna, Ajia pursued academic excellence with deep passion. Though he initially gained admission to study Economics at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, his desire to serve Nigeria led him to the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, where he was commissioned as an Inspector of Police in 2004.
Ajia later earned a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Abuja and a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria. He also obtained a Certificate in Public Leadership and Policy from the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Abuja.
As a young, vibrant, and intelligent officer, Ajia served in various sensitive capacities in the Nigeria Police Force, including as:
ADC to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, Security Aide to the late Governor of Yobe State, Senator Mamman B. Ali, Chief Security Officer to Governor Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command and 2IC, Yenagoa Area Command, Bayelsa State.
He also trained in several advanced security and leadership courses across Egypt, Italy, the UK, and Nigeria, including combating organised crime and high-risk operations. These experiences sharpened his understanding of national security and human management, building his reputation as a trusted, tested, and efficient.
Upon retiring from active service in 2017, Ajia transitioned into politics and entrepreneurship, but his core passion remained human development. Through his MAI Foundation, he has provided succour to thousands of Nigerians—orphans, widows, students, farmers, and small-scale business owners—across Kwara State and other parts of the country.
The foundation has carried out impactful interventions in education, health, youth and women empowerment, rural infrastructure, and skills acquisition. Whether it is donating medical equipment to rural hospitals, providing scholarships to indigent students, drilling boreholes, or equipping young people with vocational tools, Ajia has consistently used his resources to uplift the underserved and vulnerable.
This was one of the key reasons behind his recent honour by the Fune Emirate, which described him as “a trustworthy, honest, reliable, and dependable personality who has written his name in gold.”
To be turbaned as Dan Amanar Fune is not merely ceremonial; it signifies a deep trust and a sacred responsibility. For the Emir of Fune, Ajia represents those rare Nigerians who transcend tribal and religious lines, working selflessly for unity and progress.
Speaking after his turbaning, Ajia expressed gratitude to the Emir and the people of Fune for the honour. He promised not to relent:
*This is not just a title; it is a sacred trust. I will continue to work for the good of the Emirate, Yobe State, and our great country, Nigeria. This recognition has rekindled my commitment to serve humanity even more.”
Indeed, for nearly two decades, Ajia has maintained a close relationship with the Fune Emirate, dating back to his days as the Security Aide to the late Governor Mamman B. Ali. That relationship, built on mutual respect, trust, and shared goals, has now matured into formal recognition by the traditional institution.
Aside from his security background and philanthropic work, Ajia is also a farmer, businessman, and President/CEO of FUNAB Group of Companies, a conglomerate involved in construction, retail, hospitality, and cleaning services.
In 2019, he contested for the PDP gubernatorial ticket in Kwara State. In 2023, he ran for the House of Representatives seat for Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency. Beyond the ballot, Ajia has remained a passionate voice for inclusive governance, social equity, and national cohesion.
His track record, humility, and passion for development make him one of the shining stars of the younger generation of Nigerian leaders.
That a man from Ilorin, Kwara State, would be so recognised and turbaned with a traditional title in faraway Fune Emirate, Yobe State, is both a celebration. It is a celebration of how character, service, and loyalty can gain national recognition.
Ajia has done much, not only for Kwara but for Nigeria. From Ilorin to Abuja, Damagum to Bayelsa, his legacy continues to expand. His recent turbaning should serve as a call to action for his native Emirate to also recognise his efforts, and further encourage other indigenes to serve with integrity, humility, and purpose.
In the words of one observer at the event, “Ajia may have received the title of Dan Amana in the North-East, but his loyalty and service began from home. Ilorin must not be the last to honour him.”
With his head held high and heart full of gratitude, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia has shown that true service transcends geography—and those who serve selflessly will always be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
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