heda, Author at HEDA Resource Centre

HEDA Condemns Tinubu’s Intervention in EFCC’s Osun Account Investigation

Calls for Respect for EFCC’s Independence, Judicial Process The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation involving suspicious transactions in the accounts of the Osun State Government. In a press statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the anti-corruption civil society organisation said the President’s directive to the EFCC to lift the restriction on the accounts raises serious concerns about the operational independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions and undermines the principle that enforcement decisions should be subject to due process and judicial review. The group noted that the anti-graft commission has a statutory responsibility under Section 6 of the EFCC Act 2024 to prevent, investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes. It said where credible intelligence or evidence suggests that public funds are at risk of diversion or misuse, the Commission should be allowed to take lawful preventive measures while investigations are ongoing. “Public money does not belong to any governor, political party or administration. It belongs to the people,” Suraju said, stressing that where an EFCC enforcement action is considered excessive or unlawful, the appropriate avenue for redress is the court, rather than presidential intervention. The civil society organisation said the restriction of accounts is intended to prevent the movement of potentially compromised funds while investigations are conducted, noting that “you cannot investigate a moving target.” HEDA cited previous EFCC similar interventions, including the restriction of Edo State Government accounts during the last governorship election following petitions and intelligence relating to alleged contract inflation and diversion of federal allocations. It said the intervention reportedly helped preserve about N12 billion pending a forensic audit. It also recalled the EFCC’s 2021 court-backed restriction of a Kogi State salary bailout account containing more than N20 billion, stressing that such measures are intended to protect public resources and not to shut down government. According to HEDA, the law empowers the EFCC to take preventive action where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that public funds may be moved or misappropriated. It cited Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Section 34 of the EFCC Establishment Act as part of the legal framework supporting such action. The organisation warned that presidential intervention in a specific ongoing enforcement action could create the perception that anti-corruption investigations are subject to political control, particularly when the affected state is governed by an opposition party and an election is approaching. HEDA urged all political actors to refrain from turning anti-corruption institutions into instruments of electoral competition, stressing that the political affiliation of a government should not determine whether public resources are protected. “Where public money is threatened, the law should protect it. Where an anti-corruption agency exceeds its authority, the courts should correct it. But when political authorities determine which specific enforcement actions anti-corruption agencies pursue or reverse, the credibility and independence of the entire anti-corruption system are undermined,” HEDA said. The organisation called on the EFCC to continue any legitimate investigation into the Osun State accounts and prosecute anyone found culpable of diverting or misusing public funds, irrespective of political affiliation. HEDA said the controversy goes beyond Osun State, arguing that Nigeria needs anti-corruption institutions capable of protecting public resources without fear, favour or political interference. “The President should strengthen anti-corruption institutions, not determine the outcome of individual enforcement actions. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing,” Suraju said.

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026 By heda 0

HEDA News

Osun 2026: HEDA Calls for Credible Poll, Urges INEC, Security Agencies to Uphold Democratic Integrity

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, political parties, and citizens to uphold democratic principles by ensuring that the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for 15 August 2026 is peaceful, free, fair, credible, and transparent. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organisation described the election as another important opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that its credibility will not only determine the legitimacy of the eventual winner but also reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions ahead of 2027 general elections. According to Suraju, “Every institution involved must discharge its responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and accountability. The credibility of the election will depend not only on the conduct of INEC but also on the professionalism of security agencies, the maturity of political actors, and the vigilance of citizens.” HEDA urged INEC to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, neutrality, and transparency by ensuring the timely deployment of election materials and personnel, the effective use of electoral technology, prompt resolution of operational challenges, and transparent collation and declaration of results in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution. The group also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to provide adequate security before, during, and after the election while remaining politically neutral. Security personnel, it said, must protect voters, election officials, observers, journalists, and electoral materials without intimidation, harassment, or any action capable of undermining public confidence in the process. The organisation further reminded political parties and their candidates to conduct issue-based campaigns and refrain from vote-buying, hate speech, voter intimidation, misinformation, and all forms of electoral violence. “We are also calling on media, election observers, and civil society organisations to sustain their oversight role by promoting transparency, documenting the electoral process, combating misinformation, and ensuring that citizens have access to accurate information. Journalists covering the election must be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities freely and safely.” Suraju added. HEDA encouraged the people of Osun State to participate peacefully in the election, reject inducements and violence, and exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear. Reaffirming that credible elections are fundamental to democratic governance, accountability, and sustainable development, the organisation pledged to monitor the electoral process and urged all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the election.

August 3, 2026August 3, 2026 By heda 0

Shell Nigeria Pollution Report

Nigeria: Shell documents expose basket pipeline, missing wells and US$10.9bn decommissioning costs as pollution scandal grows

Nigeria: Shell documents expose ‘basket’ pipeline, ‘missing’ wells and US$10.9bn decommissioning costs as pollution scandal grows Photo by Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Shell must answer for decades of pollution in the Niger Delta after internal company documents revealed broken rules, failing infrastructure and unresolved clean-up costs that risk leaving affected communities to pay the price, a coalition of human rights and environmental organisations, including Amnesty International, said today in a new report. The report, Nigeria: Lifting the Lid, analyses internal Shell emails, audits, presentations and confidential reviews disclosed in UK legal proceedings, revealing a wider human rights scandal than previously reported. While Shell presented its operations as meeting global standards, the documents point to concerns raised by the Nigerian army over alleged complicity in oil theft, suspected staff and contractor collusion, exemptions from safety standards, chronic neglect of known pipeline integrity risks, missing well data, weak leak detection and flawed spill monitoring. Shell knew the risks from ageing and leaking infrastructure, including an old pipeline internally described as “a basket” [case], yet kept oil flowing. It later decided to divest its onshore business rather than face the enormous cost of clean-up and decommissioning, including an internal US$10.9 billion decommissioning estimate. A separate internal presentation stated that 375km² of mangrove forest had been harmed by pollution. Amnesty International wrote to Shell on 3 July 2026 to share its findings related to the disclosed documents. In response to Amnesty’s report, Shell wrote that: “The characterisation and portrayal of Shell in your letter is not one we recognise. Shell is committed to honesty, integrity and respect for people, and to conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner.” Shell says that the findings do not reflect the “challenging operating environment in the Niger Delta at the time”. Their full response is included in the report. “Shell has long blamed oil theft and sabotage for pollution in the Niger Delta. But these documents cut through years of denial and raise grave questions about what Shell knew, what it allowed to continue, and whether it then sought to walk away from the costs of its toxic legacy,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria. “The scandal was not simply illegal ‘bunkering’ or oil theft. The real scandal is Shell’s pursuit of profit at the expense of people’s rights. Shell was willing to accept further environmental damage in Nigeria that would not have been tolerated elsewhere, and years of public denial are now challenged by its own documents.” The real scandal is Shell’s pursuit of profit at the expense of people’s rights. Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria The report is published by Amnesty International together with The Corner House, Hawkmoth, HEDA Resource Centre, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), Recommon and Social Action. For affected communities, the findings confirm what many have said for decades: oil pollution has damaged water, farmland, fisheries, health and livelihoods, while companies continued to profit and deny responsibility. “Shell cannot be allowed to take the oil, take the profits and leave the pollution behind. Communities in the Niger Delta deserve truth, justice, clean-up and full remedy,” said Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of the HEDA Resource Centre, a Nigerian governance and environmental justice NGO. Concerns over role in oil theft, broken rules and failing infrastructure The documents show that even while Shell blamed criminal gangs for oil theft, senior staff allowed illegal taps to remain on pipelines because removing them would “take considerable system downtime”, meaning the temporary suspension of profitable crude oil flows. One senior Shell manager wrote in 2013 that this had led the Nigerian security force responsible for pipeline security to accuse Shell of being “complicit” in oil theft “because we are not removing the bunkering points.” A Shell presentation that year, referring to the effects of the illegal tapping, asked: “are we comfortable to continue producing, KNOWING that further environmental damage WILL occur?” The report also reveals that Shell exempted its Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from key elements of its global health and safety standards so oil could continue flowing through tampered pipelines, even when not deemed safe under Shell’s own safety rules. This was an approach one senior Shell executive appeared to acknowledge would not be tolerated elsewhere. Internal documents additionally show Shell executives suspected staff and contractors may have been involved in oil theft, with one email warning: “we have to work on the assumption that the bunkerers get good access to SPDC planning data.” Internal audits further exposed serious weaknesses in Shell’s pipeline management, including a major maintenance backlog, weak oversight systems, and poor records on pipeline clamps that Shell had allowed to become permanent repairs on leaking pipelines. More than 1,600 clamps were registered, including older clamps whose locations were unknown. A 2012 technical review also found that SPDC flowlines were supposed to be replaced every 15 years, but this was “not being followed” and only “breakdown maintenance” was being applied. Shell cannot be allowed to take the oil, take the profits and leave the pollution behind. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of the HEDA Resource Centre ‘Missing’ oil wells, weak monitoring and flawed spill monitoring An internal report in 2014 to Shell’s then CEO said there were “hundreds” of SPDC onshore wells that were either missing from its electronic well-tracking system or whose condition could not be verified. Shell later launched a “well hunt campaign”, which identified 750 overdue maintenance tasks that contributed to an “unsatisfactory” audit rating. A 2013 report also found that SPDC’s pipelines had no real-time monitoring system, despite the fact that quickly detecting spills and limiting contamination is key to reducing pollution. Without such monitoring, anything short of a major rupture could go unnoticed. “A fossil fuel giant that could not verify the location and integrity of hundreds of wells and pipeline clamps, and lacked effective leak detection, cannot credibly claim it had pollution under control. Shell must stop deflecting blame,” said Dr Emem Okon from Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, a Nigeria-based group promoting women’s

July 29, 2026July 29, 2026 By heda 0

HEDA News

HEDA Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Continued Salary Payment to Former Minister Geoffrey Nnaji, Demands Expanded Investigation and Recovery of Funds

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has submitted a supplementary petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), urging the Commission to expand its ongoing investigation into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, to include alleged salary fraud, unlawful enrichment, payroll manipulation, and possible conspiracy involving public officials. The petition, signed by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju addressed to the commission, follows an earlier petition dated 17 October 2025 concerning allegations of certificate forgery, perjury, and presentation of false academic credentials by Mr. Nnaji. HEDA stated that new information obtained from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) indicates that Mr. Nnaji may have continued to receive government salary payments months after his removal from office. According to the petition submitted to the ICPC, payroll records obtained from IPPIS for June 2026 allegedly showed that Mr. Nnaji remained listed under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) as “Hon. Minister” and received a net payment of ₦170,282.61 for the month. The document referenced in the petition also reportedly indicated cumulative earnings of ₦5,845,601.13 recorded on the system. The group expressed concern that if verified, the continued payment of public funds to an individual no longer occupying the office raises serious questions about weaknesses in government payroll management systems and possible breaches of public service accountability standards. “We are concerned that a public official who has left office could allegedly remain active on the government payroll system for several months. Beyond the individual involved, this raises questions about the accountability of officials responsible for maintaining and supervising government payroll records,” He added. In its supplementary petition, Suraju urged the ICPC to expand the scope of its investigation and consider additional offences relating to alleged salary fraud, unlawful enrichment, payroll manipulation, and possible collaboration with officials responsible for maintaining payroll records. The anti-corruption organisation also requested that the Commission investigate the circumstances surrounding the continued presence of Mr. Nnaji’s profile on the IPPIS platform after leaving office; identify and investigate officials responsible for approving or maintaining the alleged payments; take appropriate steps to prevent further disbursement of public funds pending the outcome of investigations; and recover any public funds found to have been improperly paid. HEDA reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, stressing that public resources must be protected from abuse through effective oversight mechanisms. The organisation called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to ensure a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the allegations contained in the petition and take appropriate legal action where wrongdoing is established.

July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 By heda 0

HEDA News

HEDA hails Court’s Final Forfeiture of Aisha Achimugu’s Assets, Urges Sustained Anti-Corruption Efforts

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has welcomed the Federal High Court’s order granting the final forfeiture of assets linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to the Federal Government, describing the judgment as a significant boost to Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign. Justice Jude Onwugbuzie of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the forfeiture of jewelry valued at N4.65 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.29 billion and $50,000 in cash following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). HEDA in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the anticorruption group commended the anti-graft agency for pursuing the case to its logical conclusion and lauded the judiciary for upholding the rule of law. According to Suraju, the judgment demonstrates that anti-corruption institutions can achieve meaningful outcomes, whether with private or public persons, when investigations and prosecutions are conducted professionally and without undue interference. He said the forfeiture should serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of status or political connections, should be above the law. “The court’s decision is capable of reinforcing public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework. Asset recovery must remain a key component of efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the management of public resources,” Suraju said. The organisation urged the EFCC and other relevant agencies to sustain the momentum by ensuring that all recovered assets are transparently managed and deployed for projects that directly benefit Nigerians. Suraju also called for consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, stressing that investigations and prosecutions should remain evidence-based and free from political considerations. HEDA further urged public officials and politically exposed persons to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity in public service. The organisation maintained that strengthening institutions, ensuring judicial independence and promoting transparency in asset recovery remain critical to sustaining Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The judgment comes months after the same court ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, a company associated with Achimugu.

July 20, 2026July 20, 2026 By heda 0

HEDA News

HEDA Demands Immediate Enforcement of Supreme Court Jail Sentence Against Convicted Former Army Officer Bello Magaji

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has formally petitioned the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), demanding the immediate enforcement of the five-year prison sentence affirmed by the Supreme Court against convicted former Army officer, Major Bello Magaji over the offence of sodomy. In a petition signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju and addressed to the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, the civil society organization expressed grave concern over reports suggesting that the convict may have evaded serving the custodial sentence imposed by the nation’s highest court, describing the situation as a serious threat to the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. According to Suraju, the administration of justice cannot be considered complete when a person validly convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction escapes the consequences of the crime. “Justice does not end with conviction. The enforcement of judicial decisions is fundamental to maintaining public confidence in the legal system. Where a Supreme Court judgment remains unexecuted, it sends a dangerous message that powerful individuals can evade accountability,” Suraju stated. HEDA recalled that Major Bello Magaji was arraigned before a General Court Martial on February 6, 1997, for the offence of sodomy contrary to Section 81(1)(a) of the Armed Forces Decree No. 105 of 1993. Following his conviction, he was initially sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, which was later reduced to five years by the Confirming Authority. The convict unsuccessfully challenged the judgment before the Court of Appeal before proceeding to the Supreme Court in Appeal No. S.C. 204/2004 (Major Bello Magaji v. The Nigerian Army). On March 7, 2008, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed his appeal and affirmed the five-year prison sentence. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Niki Tobi, the apex court upheld the concurrent findings of the lower courts and affirmed the conviction. HEDA noted that credible public disclosures have raised serious questions as to whether the convicted former officer ever served the prison term affirmed by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the organisation called on the Nigerian Correctional Service to urgently verify its custodial records to determine whether Major Bello Magaji was ever admitted into any correctional facility to serve the sentence. Where no such record exists, HEDA urged the Service to immediately collaborate with relevant law enforcement agencies to apprehend the convict and ensure the full execution of the Supreme Court judgment. The anti-corruption organisation also demanded a comprehensive internal investigation into any administrative or institutional failures that may have enabled the alleged non-enforcement of the custodial sentence. “The rule of law cannot be selective. Every valid judgment of the Court must be respected and enforced irrespective of the status or influence of the convicted person. Failure to execute such judgments undermines public trust in the justice system and weakens the nation’s commitment to accountability,” Suraju added. HEDA, however, has forwarded relevant portions of the Supreme Court judgment to the Nigerian Correctional Service to facilitate immediate action and copied the Honourable Minister of Interior, urging the Ministry to ensure full compliance with the judgment. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law, stressing that no individual should be above the law or permitted to escape the consequences of a lawful conviction.

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 By heda

HEDA News

Total’s divestment from Nigeria: Four organizations demand transparency

Following Total’s announcement that it is selling part of its oil assets in the Niger Delta, Friends of the Earth France, Hawkmoth, HEDA Resource Centre and Social Action, supported by Corner House and ReCommon, are taking legal action against the parent company of the group. The organizations are seeking to obtain documents that will shed light on the terms of the proposed transaction, as the provisions of the agreement are currently unclear. Whilst the Niger Delta is known to have been ravaged by oil exploitation, no information has been made public regarding the guarantees provided concerning the management of environmental damage and compensation for those affected. The documents, requested under pre-trial summary proceedings, would enable the organizations to verify whether Total has complied with its Duty of Vigilance under French law. The Niger Delta ravaged by decades of oil extraction The Niger Delta is now considered one of the “most polluted places on Earth”[1]. Water is unfit for consumption; fisheries have been destroyed; and land has been rendered uncultivable. The volume of hydrocarbons spilled in the area by all oil companies between 1958 and 2010 is estimated at approximately “9 to 13 million barrels”. This is equivalent to approximately 35 to 50 times the volume of oil spilled during the Exxon Valdez tanker disaster in Alaska. This case is about people, not just oil assets. It is about children growing up with poisoned water, families breathing polluted air, and communities losing their health and livelihoods while international oil companies walk away with decades of profits. These communities must not be treated as corporate sacrifice zones. France’s Duty of Vigilance Law requires Total to demonstrate that its divestment does not further infringe the human rights of people in its oil and gas extraction sites by ensuring adequate remediation. Dr. Isaac ‘Asume’ Osuoka, Director, Social Action A gradual withdrawal that risks jeopardizing clean-up efforts The oil companies Total, Shell and ENI – which have historically operated in the region – are withdrawing one after the other, leaving the affected communities in uncertainty about their future. In March 2025, Shell sold its subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), to Renaissance Africa Energy. SPDC was the operator of the onshore oil and gas assets owned by the SPDC joint venture (now renamed “JV Renaissance”), which has contributed significantly to the massive oil pollution in the Niger Delta over the last thirty years. The joint venture, in which Total has a 10 per cent share is now operated by Renaissance African Energy. In January 2026, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria signed an agreement to sell its stake in the Renaissance JV to a Nigerian consortium, Vaaris. In May 2026, ENI also announced the sale of its stake. This withdrawal by the major European oil companies, carried out with a complete lack of transparency, is a cause of serious concern for those most directly affected, as well as for local and international organizations: no information has been provided regarding the existence of guarantees concerning the remediation of polluted areas and compensation for those affected. The clean-up of the region could be jeopardized as a result. ”Total served on the international board of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). So it can’t say it doesn’t understand the public interest, and its own obligation to be transparent about such transactions. We asked Patrick Pouyanné about the deal at this year’s AGM, but all we got back were smoke and mirror claims – just what has Total got to hide?” Simon Taylor, co-founder of Hawkmoth “The UN working groups and Mandate holders have categorized the 2024-2025 divestment shenanigans as experiments in divestment without clean-up. The lack of financial capacity to take over assets of SPDC without loan from Shell by Renaissance and inability of Chappal to consummate the take of Total share of SPDC after several extensions of deadlines goes to lack of capacity for liabilities take over by the new buyers”. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chair of HEDA Resource Centre Fossil fuel companies must ensure responsible divestment from their operations Whilst fossil fuel companies reap considerable profits from their activities, they all too often refuse to take responsibility for the legacy of pollution they leave behind. After they have left, local communities remain exposed to long-term health risks and the loss of their livelihoods, with no prospect of redress. Today, Friends of the Earth France, Hawkmoth, HEDA Resource Centre and Social Action are taking Total to court in France to seek clarification on the terms of its intended divestment from the Renaissance JV. Under the French Duty of Vigilance Law, Total is required to take the necessary measures to identify risks and prevent serious breaches of human rights and environmental damage resulting from Renaissance JV’s operation and the proposed divestment of Total’s share. The documents requested would enable us to verify whether the company has in fact complied with this obligation. Oil companies are organizing their divestment with a complete lack of transparency. Following Shell’s withdrawal in 2025, Total’s departure is heightening uncertainty amongst the affected communities: who will fund the clean-up once the major European oil companies have left, taking years of profits with them? CAMILLE GRANDPERRINlitigation officer at Friends of theEarth France

July 1, 2026July 1, 2026 By heda

HEDA News

ITALIAN SUPREME COURT QUASHES CONVICTIONS OF PROSECUTORS IN OPL 245 CASE AS UNLAWFUL

NEW CHAPTER IN OPL 245 SAGA OPENS AS OECD TELLS NGOS IT WILL NOW INVESTIGATE POLITICAL INTERFERENCE BY ITALIAN STATE IN THE TRIAL AGAINST ENI AND SHELL We welcome and celebrate the decision by the Italian Supreme Court on 18 June 2026 decisively to overturn the conviction of Fabio de Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro, the two lead prosecutors in the Milan trial of oil multinationals Eni and Shell and others for alleged bribery in the acquisition of the OPL 245 oil field in Nigeria. The prosecutors had wrongly been accused and sentenced by lower courts for refusing to perform an official act,” based on alleged failure to file documents by a deadline – even though, the cited documents were never actually in the possession of the two prosecutors The Court wholly rejected the allegations, ruling that “the facts do not exist”. In effect, the Supreme Court found that the prosecutors had no case whatsoever to answer and the convictions were wholly unlawful. The ruling vindicates the prosecutors who had always defended their innocence; and shames those, such as former Nigerian Attorney General Mohamed Adoke and associates of Shell and Eni, who have sought to argue that the prosecutors’ convictions bolstered their case that no bribes were paid in the OPL 245 deal. We call on those who have made such statements to issue an immediate apology and retraction. The prosecution of the prosecutors has all the hallmarks of a politically-motivated witch hunt. The disciplining and criminal conviction of the prosecutors (on charges that an independent judicial expert long prior to the Supreme Court ruling described as “questionable conjectures”) effectively dismantled prosecutorial discretion in anti-corruption cases, making their prosecution harder. Far from bringing an end to the OPL 245 case, as some news reports have suggested, the Supreme Court ruling now opens a new chapter. In response to a dossier documenting 60 red flags in Italy’s handling of the OPL 245 case, the OECD Working Group on Bribery (which acts as guardian of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention) has given an undertaking to non-governmental organisations that it would investigate concerns over political interference in the OPL 245 case once the case against de Pasquale and Spadero had reached its conclusion. The Working Group has already ruled that the acquittal of Eni, Shell and other defendants in the OPL 245 trial did not accord with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Any finding that there was political interference in the OPL 245 trial would place Italy in breach of Article 5 of the Convention. The prima facie evidence for such a breach is considerable. Associates of Eni have already been convicted for conspiring with state officials to “pollute” the prosecutors’ investigation into OPL 245 deal, and a former senior legal counsel for the company, is currently being prosecuted for the same offence. One of those convicted has alleged that the aim of the “pollution” scheme was explicitly intended to terminate the OPL 245 prosecutions; to discredit and discipline the trial prosecutors; and to reduce the effectiveness of the specialist anti-corruption unit within the Milan Prosecutors’ Office – outcomes that have all come to pass but which the Supreme Court ruling will (hopefully) now reverse. The public record also shows that Italy’s handling of the OPL 245 prosecutions was characterised by departures from applicable procedural rules that would appear to have been necessary precursors to decisions that resulted in or that are alleged to have resulted in the selection of trial judges favourable to Eni: the termination of the OPL 245 prosecutions on grounds that were overtly political and which, in one instance, failed to take account of new jurisprudence favourable to the prosecution: the prevention of the two lead prosecutors at the Court of First Instance from joining the team leading the State’s appeal against the acquittal of the defendants, which they had filed, thereby sabotaging the appeal: and the evisceration of the specialist anti-corruption unit at the Milan Prosecutors’ Office, lauded for its performance prior to these events, in the WG’s Phase IV review of Italy. We will now hold the Working Group to its undertaking. The OPL 245 saga is far from over. For further commentaries on the prosecution of the prosecutors and the OPL 245 case, we would refer readers to the following links: Corner House, UK Hawkmoth, The Netherlands HEDA, Nigeria ReCommon, Italy 23 June 2026

June 30, 2026June 30, 2026 By heda

HEDA News

HEDA Commends EFCC’s Prosecution of Ngige, Urges Judiciary to Ensure Justice is Served

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its continued commitment to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases involving public officials, following proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over alleged procurement irregularities involving the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organisation described the prosecution as another important demonstration of the EFCC’s resolve to pursue accountability irrespective of the status of those involved. According to reports presented before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, an EFCC witness challenged claims that the former minister acted under a presidential directive in overseeing procurement activities at the NSITF. Documentary evidence, including correspondence from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), procurement records and contract award documents, was also tendered before the court as the trial continues. Mr. Ngige while serving as the minister of Labour defied the authority of the President in the appointment of renowned labour union leader, late Chief Frank Kokori and ensure the late activist never assumed office as the appointed Chairman of NSITF. Subsequent developments and revelations emerging from the EFCC investigations and prosecution have exposed the personal interest and mismanagement plan of the minister in that position which the presence of Kokori as chairman would have made difficult. The civil society group noted that corruption allegations involving the mismanagement of public resources deserve thorough judicial scrutiny. It maintained that public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts depends not only on diligent investigations but also on fair, transparent and timely judicial processes that allow the facts to be fully examined. “We commend the EFCC for remaining steadfast in the discharge of its statutory mandate. The Commission’s willingness to prosecute high-profile corruption cases sends a strong message that public office must never become a licence for impunity,” Suraju said. HEDA emphasised that every defendant is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. However, the organisation stressed that the seriousness of the allegations makes it imperative for the judicial process to proceed without undue delay or interference. The organisation therefore urged the judiciary to continue to uphold its independence by ensuring that justice is served strictly in accordance with the law and the evidence presented before the court. “The Nigerian judiciary occupies a critical position in the fight against corruption. This case presents another opportunity to reinforce public confidence in the administration of justice. Nigerians are closely monitoring the proceedings and expect a process that is impartial, transparent and guided solely by the rule of law,” Suraju added. HEDA reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in public institutions. The organisation pledged to continue monitoring corruption-related cases and advocating for stronger institutional reforms that promote good governance and safeguard public resources.

June 30, 2026June 30, 2026 By heda

HEDA News

Sowore: HEDA Condemns DSS Intimidation at Federal High Court, Warns Against Threats to Civic Space and Rule of Law

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has strongly condemned the reported conduct of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Federal High Court during proceedings involving activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. In a statement released and signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation described the incident as unfortunate, noting that it raises serious concerns about respect for the rule of law, judicial independence and fundamental human rights in Nigeria. Recall that on Wednesday, DSS operatives reportedly blocked lawyers, supporters and members of the public from accessing the courtroom, intimidated citizens within the court premises and restricted movement around the venue. Suraju said the development was particularly troubling given reports that Sowore was forcefully handled by DSS operatives on Monday while similar acts of intimidation and harassment were again reported during Wednesday’s proceedings. According to him, the reported actions, if established, represent a dangerous departure from the standards expected of security agencies in a constitutional democracy and risk undermining public confidence in the administration of justice. “Courts are public institutions established to uphold justice and fairness and should remain accessible to litigants, lawyers, journalists, observers and members of the public. Any action that creates fear or restricts lawful access to court proceedings threatens the openness and transparency that are essential to the judicial process.” He maintained. The group further stressed that the rights to a fair hearing, freedom of expression, freedom of association and access to justice are guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and protected by international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory. HEDA also warned that the recurring use of intimidation, excessive force and arbitrary restrictions within civic and judicial spaces contributes to the shrinking of civic space in Nigeria, discourages public participation and weakens democratic accountability. “We call on the leadership of the DSS to investigate the reported incidents and ensure accountability where misconduct is established. The agency must guarantee that lawyers, journalists, civil society actors, political associates and members of the public are not subjected to intimidation or unlawful restrictions while attending court proceedings.” The organisation further maintained that Nigeria’s democracy can only flourish where courts remain open, accessible and free from intimidation, stressing that courtrooms must remain sanctuaries of justice, fairness and constitutional order rather than theatres of fear.

June 26, 2026June 26, 2026 By heda