Stakeholders at the 37th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) in Uyo, organized by the HEDA Resource Centre, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, have emphasized the critical need for judicial reforms to counter systemic corruption and political interference, which have severely undermined public trust in Nigeria’s judicial system. Key recommendations focused on enforcing accountability, promoting ethical standards, and ensuring fair, unbiased rulings to safeguard democracy and public confidence. The conference brought together key anti-corruption bodies and stakeholders from across the country. The event, themed “Addressing Corruption in the Judiciary and Providing Effective Strategies for Transparency and Accountability,” provided a platform for participants to dissect challenges facing Nigeria’s judiciary, proposing actionable steps to mitigate corruption and strengthen the rule of law. The event follows the release of the 2024 Corruption Survey Report by the UNODC and Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, which estimated that $1.23 billion (N721 billion) in bribes was paid to public officials in 2023, with a significant portion reportedly linked to the judiciary. HEDA Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju emphasized the urgency of tackling judicial corruption, noting the impact of inconsistent judgments, judicial manipulation, and other integrity issues on public trust. Suraju called on all stakeholders, including academics, civil society, and judiciary members, to develop evidence-based recommendations for Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to address these issues head-on. Justice Kekere-Ekun was ably represented at the event by Justice Adamu Jauro. Other notable figures in attendance included Justice Ejembi Eko (JSC Rtd.), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, represented by Barr. Dennis Idoko, as well as representatives from Nigeria’s legal space, anti-corruption bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the media. The event also included a virtual address by Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, who underscored the judiciary’s historical importance and the urgent need for reforms to restore its foundational role in upholding state stability. Key presentations highlighted issues such as judicial bribery, manipulation by political actors, and the need for oversight and sanctions to uphold ethical standards. Retired Justice Ejembi Eko addressed the critical role of ethics and professionalism, stating that adherence to a code of conduct is the judiciary’s strongest defense against misconduct. Barrister Muhyi Magaji, Chairman of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, called attention to political interference in judicial appointments, which he described as contributing to “judicial capture,” where judges feel obliged to serve political interests over justice. Magaji advocated for judicial reforms, including the adoption of technology to enhance transparency, and proposed convening a National Judicial Reform Conference to address systemic issues. Rotimi Oyedepo, Special Adviser to the President on Financial Crimes, also highlighted the need to tackle both institutional and cultural factors enabling judicial corruption. He called for robust penalties against bribery, biased rulings, and procedural delays that disrupt justice. The two-day conference is expected to yield a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at strengthening judicial accountability, minimizing political influence, and ultimately restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a prominent anti-corruption and human rights advocacy organization, has submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba, Dr. (Mrs.) Josephine Emebiziogo Anene-Okeakwa. This request seeks critical documents and information regarding the college’s recent infrastructure projects and purchases, aiming to uphold accountability and transparency in public spendings. HEDA’s FOI request pertains to several projects at the institution, including the construction of a staff canteen, a new clinic, a new ICT building, a guest house, and the acquisition of project monitoring and supervision vehicles. The anti-corruption organization is calling for detailed documentation, including Copies of advertisements soliciting expressions of interest for consultancy and construction services; Contract award letters for each project; Final completion certificates, and Interim Payment Certificates, along with architects’ reports and quantity surveyors’ valuations. According to HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, this request is alignment with the organization’s mandate to promote public accountability and transparency in public institutions in line with laid down rules and regulations. Under the Freedom Of Information Act 2011, HEDA anticipates a response within seven days, allowing citizens and stakeholders to gain insight into the financial and operational transparency of these projects. HEDA has expressed its commitment to pursuing this information to reinforce Nigeria’s accountability standards and encourages the college’s administration to cooperate fully in providing the requested documents.

In the October Monthly Advocacy Series (MAS) session of HEDA Resource Centre’s X-Space, Ayoola Kassim, Channels Television’s environmental journalist, highlighted governance lapses and climate change as key drivers of Nigeria’s recurrent flood crises. Kassim emphasized that governance failures account for 70-80% of the issue, while climate change contributes around 20-30%. Despite forecasts of heavy rainfall, government inaction has left communities vulnerable. Kassim also noted that behaviors like littering, which clog drainage systems, worsen the impact. “We can’t blame everything on climate change. It’s primarily a governance gap and human character,” she asserted. On the role of government agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Kassim noted that the proliferation of early warning systems has not been effectively utilized. “We have all the early flood warning messages, but who is making use of them?” she asked, pointing to the need for the masses to effectively utilize early warnings about floods and prepare to avert disaster. Kassim emphasized the need for better accountability and government action, stating, “When warnings are issued, but drainage systems are blocked and rivers aren’t dredged, flooding becomes inevitable. If the government does the minimum, water levels may rise but won’t necessarily result in disaster.” Regarding Nigeria’s stance at the upcoming Unite Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Baku, Kassim expressed concern about the lack of clarity from the Ministry of Environment and the National Climate Change Council (NCCC) on the country’s priorities. “There’s been no information from the NCCC on Nigeria’s goals for COP28, despite critical issues around climate finance and loss and damage that require urgent attention,” she remarked. She highlighted that African negotiators, including Nigeria, are advocating for a financing framework for loss and damage from climate events. Kassim also stressed the need for knowledgeable Nigerian negotiators at COP28, recalling the expertise Nigeria had fostered for COP21 in Paris in 2015 and questioning the decision to advertise for new negotiators ahead of COP28 without utilizing existing trained experts. On climate accountability, Kassim pointed to recent flooding in Borno State as an example where media and public calls for accountability brought attention to government responsibilities. “When flooding happened in Borno, the media questioned why the state government hadn’t used the ecological funds provided to prevent such disasters,” she said, emphasizing that holding officials accountable opens more opportunities for preventive measures. Kassim also urged civil society organizations (CSOs) and citizens to play a proactive role by holding government accountable. She stressed that communities must heed early warning predictions, while CSOs should press for preventative actions in high-risk areas. “Predictions alone are not enough, we need proactive measures to keep water out of homes and safeguard vulnerable communities.” she concluded.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to take immediate action to recover over $55 billion owed to the Nigerian government by International Oil Companies (IOCs). This demand is based on the Supreme Court ruling in Suit No. SC/964/2016 mandates the recovery of additional revenue under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act. In a formal letter addressed to the Attorney-General on behalf of HEDA Resource Centre by its Solicitor Bolarinwa Elijah Aidi, SAN, it emphasized the urgent need to recover the outstanding sums owed by the IOCs. The judgment, delivered by the Supreme Court on October 17, 2018, ordered the adjustment of the revenue-sharing formula between the Nigerian government and the IOCs whenever crude oil prices exceed $20 per barrel. This adjustment, which has not been implemented since 2004, is expected to yield over $55 billion for the Federation. Despite the clear mandate of the Supreme Court, the recovery process has been stalled due to various manipulations from the IOCs and subsequent suspension of recovery actions by the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, in 2020. HEDA believes this delay has further exacerbated the country’s economic challenges and has deprived the nation of much-needed revenue. HEDA urges the Honourable Attorney-General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to exercise his authority to ensure the swift recovery of these funds. The recovery will not only stabilize the Nigerian economy and support the Naira but also provide much-needed financial relief for critical development projects across the country. The anti-corruption organization stated its unwavering committed to holding of all parties accountable, and ensuring that Nigeria receives its rightful share of revenues under the law. It has promised to, should the recovery process continue to face delays, pursue further legal actions to protect the interests of the Nigerian people.

In response to growing concerns over coastal flooding in Akwa Ibom State, the HEDA Resource Centre has spearheaded a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing resilience in communities most vulnerable to flood risks. As part of the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) Project, the outreach targeted Ibeno and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas (LGAs), where coastal floods are increasingly threatening livelihoods and safety. The affected communities, including Okoroutip, Okomita, Upenekang, and Iwuo-Achang in Ibeno, alongside Okorobokho, Okoroete, Okorobobo, and Akwarata in Eastern Obolo, are bounded by rich marine ecosystems and rely heavily on activities like crop farming, fish farming, and boat making. However, coastal floods, driven by changing climate patterns, pose significant risks to both their homes and agricultural lands. In Ibeno LGA, the invasive, Nypa fruticans (nipa palm), introduced historically by colonial settlers, now presents a complex environmental challenge. While the nipa palm acts as a natural shoreline protector, forming an extensive barrier against flooding and erosion, its unchecked spread—exacerbated by changing rainfall patterns—has begun to invade farmlands, disrupting local agricultural activities. As shared by the village head during HEDA’s sensitization session, the resilience provided by this plant is now a double-edged sword, with its seedlings invading areas crucial for food production. During the outreach, community elders emphasized the importance of leveraging indigenous knowledge in addressing climate variability. Their deep understanding of the environment, passed down through generations, underscores the need for locally adapted solutions to the escalating threat of coastal floods. Many participants also highlighted the role of blocked water channels and poor waste disposal in exacerbating flood risks, calling for climate-smart infrastructure tailored to local needs. Such structures, designed with community input, could mitigate the impacts of flooding while addressing broader environmental issues. HEDA’s engagement with these communities focused on empowering them with actionable strategies, including the importance of maintaining clear waterways, utilizing early warning systems, and adopting climate-resilient farming techniques. The outreach further underscored the necessity for government support in designing and implementing protective measures for lowland areas prone to recurring floods. This initiative is part of a broader campaign, supported by OXFAM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, aimed at building adaptive capacities in frontline communities. HEDA continues to call on relevant authorities and stakeholders to intensify efforts in safeguarding these vulnerable populations, ensuring they are not left defenseless against the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

On October 4, 2024, the HEDA Resource Centre launched a vital outreach program aimed at enhancing flood resilience in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. This initiative, part of the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ), targets high-risk flood zones identified by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), particularly focusing on coastal communities. The outreach was led by HEDA’s Environmental Justice and Sustainability Development Program Officer, Akinmayowa Shobo and Mr. Tajudeen Olayemi, who facilitated comprehensive training sessions in the Igbokoda community. The training brought together key local stakeholders—including members of fishermen associations, market leaders, educators, youth leaders, and local government officials —to discuss critical issues such as flood risk assessment, early warning systems, and effective disaster management techniques. During the session, community members voiced significant concerns regarding persistent blockages in drainage canals, which have intensified flooding in the area. Participants emphasized the need for improved waste management practices and better drainage infrastructure to protect vital public spaces, including markets, health centers, and schools. Highlighting the connection between sanitation and flood resilience, Shobo remarked, “Flood mitigation goes hand in hand with proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Proper waste management reduces blockages in drainage systems, allowing floodwaters to disperse more effectively.” The HEDA team extended their outreach efforts to Ayetoro, a coastal community suffering from severe flooding due to the Atlantic Ocean’s encroachment. Supported by local participants from Igbokoda, HEDA made a 45-minute drive followed by a 15-minute boat ride to Ayetoro, where they were welcomed by community leaders, including the Youth Spokesman, Comrade Thompson O. Akingboye, and Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi (JP). At the king’s palace, discussions highlighted the community’s alarming history with flooding, which has plagued Ayetoro since 2000. Once a thriving area established in 1947, the community now faces dire challenges as rising sea levels have submerged over 90% of its land, transforming streets into waterways navigable only by canoe. Women leaders shared poignant accounts of how the ocean, once several miles away, now threatens their homes and livelihoods, with heartbreaking stories of lives lost and property destroyed. Despite previous government interventions aimed at shoreline protection, including significant investments in 2004 and 2009, community members expressed frustration over failed projects and the lack of meaningful progress. In a unified call to action, the community is demanding urgent shoreline protection measures and support from offshore oil companies. They are also insisting on an investigation into past intervention failures, highlighting their neglect in the face of growing environmental threats. HEDA’s outreach in Ilaje, Ondo State, is part of a larger commitment to promote climate resilience throughout Nigeria, working closely with frontline communities to raise awareness, provide technical support, and advocate for proactive measures against flooding.