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HEDA Submission on Article 24 of the African Charter

HEDA Submission on Article 24 of the African Charter HEDA Resource Centre presents its written submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in support of the development of a General Comment on the scope of Article 24 of the African Charter. The submission examines the right to a satisfactory, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, highlighting the importance of environmental protection, human rights safeguards, and the responsibilities of states and institutions in addressing environmental challenges. It draws on HEDA’s experience in environmental justice, sustainable development and human rights advocacy to contribute to the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the interpretation and implementation of environmental rights across Africa. Download the full submission here.

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CategoriesClimate change

chronology of the Defendants’ decisions and operations relating to the 2011–2013 Bille oil spills

This document is the “Voluntary Chronological Particulars” provided as Annex F of the Claimants’ Re-Amended Particulars of Claim in Lucky Alame and others vs Shell PLC (formerly known as Royal Dutch Shell PLC) and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (formerly known as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd), High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, CLAIM NO: KB-2023-000252. Download the full document here: Download PDF

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Isa Pantami CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Petitions EFCC Over Isa Pantami’s Alleged ₦18.9bn Broadband Contract Fraud

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, over the alleged diversion or misappropriation of ₦18.9 billion allocated for broadband infrastructure projects. In a petition dated October 9, 2026, and signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation alleged that the projects, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on March 29, 2023, were not executed despite the award of contracts and a four-month delivery deadline. According to the petition, a FEC memorandum put the contract value at ₦18.976 billion, covering broadband infrastructure at selected airports and tertiary institutions nationwide. Ten contractors were assigned airport projects worth about ₦5.527 billion, while 19 contractors were awarded institutional projects valued at approximately ₦12.784 billion. HEDA urged the EFCC to establish whether the contractors were paid, trace funds released, and determine why the projects were allegedly not completed. It also called for a forensic audit, physical verification and an investigation into the roles of Pantami, other officials, contractors and technical auditors. The group further asked the commission to reconcile the ₦18.976 billion in the FEC memorandum with the approximately ₦24.2 billion publicly announced by Pantami in 2023. It said the broader figure reportedly included ₦5.25 billion for broadband projects in six markets, for which it had not obtained comparable details. HEDA also called for scrutiny of the procurement process, including the use of the Direct Procurement method, contractor selection and beneficial ownership. While noting that the contracts were approved shortly before the end of the Buhari administration, the organisation said the timing alone did not establish wrongdoing but warranted investigation alongside the alleged non-execution of the projects. HEDA further urged the EFCC to recover any misappropriated funds and prosecute anyone found culpable, stressing that the petition was a call for an independent investigation and not a presumption of guilt.

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CategoriesHEDA News

Petrol Discount: HEDA Welcomes FG’s Initiative, Calls for Broader Measures to Ease Economic Hardship

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Federal Government to complement its 30-day petrol discount with comprehensive measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation said the effectiveness of the intervention would depend on transparent implementation, accessibility and tangible benefits for citizens. HEDA noted that although the government had clarified that the initiative was a temporary margin discount rather than a return to blanket fuel subsidy, it must translate into meaningful reductions in transportation costs and provide relief to households and businesses. The civil organisation called for stronger social protection programmes, including timely and transparent cash transfers to vulnerable households, supported by credible beneficiary data, clear eligibility criteria and effective accountability mechanisms to prevent diversion and exclusion. It also urged the government to address rising food and transportation costs through targeted support for commercial transport operators, improved access to affordable public transport, increased investment in local food production and distribution, and measures to reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce to markets. On the implementation of the petrol discount, Suraju called for the publication of clear guidelines identifying participating NNPC stations, the applicable discount per litre, eligibility criteria for public transport operators and mechanisms for monitoring compliance. It also urged the government to ensure transparent reporting on the proposed petrol price ceiling and its monthly reviews. “Regular disclosure of implementation costs and outcomes was necessary to promote public accountability, particularly given the tax concessions and arrangements involving fuel marketers,” Suraju added. HEDA further called for accelerated investment in sustainable alternatives to petrol, including reliable public transportation, affordable compressed natural gas (CNG) options and renewable energy, supported by adequate infrastructure and appropriate safety standards. While acknowledging the government’s concerns about the long-term fiscal implications of a blanket fuel subsidy, the organisation maintained that economic management must prioritise citizens’ welfare alongside fiscal sustainability. HEDA urged the Federal Government to treat the 30-day discount as an immediate relief measure and develop a broader, people-centred response that improves household purchasing power, supports small businesses and makes essential goods and services more affordable. It added that the success of the intervention should be measured by the tangible relief experienced by Nigerians, rather than the announcement of the policy alone.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Urges Federal High Court Chief Judge to Return ₦10.27bn Bello Case to Judge

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, to return the ₦10.27 billion money-laundering case involving Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalami Hudu to Justice James Omotosho for conclusion, rather than allowing the case to start afresh. HEDA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, made the call following Justice Omotosho’s reported withdrawal from the case on September 24, 2026, over concerns surrounding the alleged tampering with an exhibit admitted in evidence. The case, which began in 2022, concerns the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) allegations that ₦10.27 billion was misappropriated from the Kogi State Government treasury. The defendants have denied the allegations. The prosecution called 17 witnesses and closed its case on June 2, 2026, after which the defendants filed no-case submissions. Justice Omotosho’s withdrawal followed an earlier incident involving Exhibit N, a mobile phone containing WhatsApp conversations. The judge had ordered investigations by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) after alleging that messages on the device had been deleted. He subsequently said the unresolved controversy surrounding the exhibit could affect his consideration of the no-case submissions and create an appearance of bias. HEDA urged the Chief Judge to consider all lawful options for returning the case to Justice Omotosho, stressing that restarting the trial could further delay and derail a case that has already progressed to the close of the prosecution’s evidence. The organisation also called for the outcome of the investigation into the alleged evidence tampering to be formally made available to the court and properly addressed through due process with law enforcement agencies prosecuting the Registrar indicted by the judge. According to Suraju, HEDA’s position does not amount to a determination of the guilt or innocence of any of the defendants. The allegations against the defendants remain matters for judicial determination based on the evidence before the court, and it is also to be ascertained if any of the defendants participated in the alleged evidence tampering. “We urged the Chief Judge to protect the integrity of the proceedings while ensuring that the substantial progress already made in the case is not unnecessarily lost. We also further call for clarity on the outcomes of the investigations, the status of the allegedly deleted messages and the circumstances surrounding the handling of evidence admitted by the court.” Suraju added. HEDA said the case should be allowed to proceed from the stage already reached, subject to applicable law and due process, rather than being restarted without compelling legal necessity. The organisation also called for the outcome of the investigation into the alleged evidence tampering to be made available to the court and properly addressed through due process. HEDA stressed that its position does not amount to a determination of the guilt or innocence of any defendant, noting that the allegations remain subject to judicial determination. It urged the Federal High Court to preserve the progress already made in the case and ensure its timely determination in accordance with the law.

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HEDA x PPLAAF workshop CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA, PPLAAF to Convene Stakeholder Workshop on Anti-Corruption Capacity and Asset Tracing in Abuja

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), in collaboration with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), will convene a one-day stakeholder workshop aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to trace, recover and repatriate illicitly acquired assets. The workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Abuja, will bring together financial intelligence analysts, anti-corruption practitioners, prosecutors, judicial officers, civil society organisations and investigative journalists. The hybrid-format event tagged “Strengthening Anti-Corruption Capacity & Asset Tracing Frameworks in Nigeria” will focus on strengthening practical approaches to asset tracing and recovery, improving inter-agency intelligence sharing, and advancing whistleblower protection mechanisms. Key regulatory and enforcement institutions expected to engage with the initiative include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). According to HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the workshop is being convened against the backdrop of increasingly sophisticated methods of concealing illicitly acquired assets, including the use of offshore companies, complex corporate structures, real estate and digital assets. “Strengthening anti-corruption enforcement requires approaches that go beyond investigating and prosecuting individuals to systematically identifying, tracing, freezing, recovering and repatriating the proceeds of corruption,” Suraju added. The workshop will therefore provide a platform for participants to examine modern asset-tracing methodologies, including the use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), as well as explore legal and technical frameworks for cross-border asset recovery, Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), and the effective integration of whistleblower-generated evidence into financial crime investigations and prosecutions. “Asset recovery must remain a central component of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. Strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions to trace complex financial networks, share intelligence and protect those who provide information is essential to ensuring that corruption does not pay,” Suraju maintained. The workshop is expected to strengthen technical capacity among relevant stakeholders while creating practical pathways for sustained collaboration between enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and the media in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows.

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CategoriesHEDA News

UK Acquittal Should Not Halt Diezani’s Corruption Case in Nigeria – HEDA tells FG

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has said the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a United Kingdom court should not be interpreted as an end to corruption investigations, prosecutions and asset-recovery proceedings relating to her in Nigeria. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation said the June 17 verdict of the Southwark Crown Court Jury must be respected as a judicial decision concerning the specific bribery charges brought before the UK court, but does not automatically determine the outcome of separate proceedings and allegations being pursued under Nigerian law. HEDA said Federal Government of Nigeria must continue to pursue all legitimate aspects of the cases based on credible evidence, due process and the rule of law. HEDA said its position was informed by its longstanding monitoring of the Diezani case, which it has documented in its Compendium of 100 High-Profile Corruption Cases. The organisation’s 2020 edition highlighted the difficulties surrounding efforts to bring Alison-Madueke before a Nigerian court, including an order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce her for trial. Its subsequent publications also tracked forfeiture proceedings involving properties and other assets linked to the former minister, including her challenges to the EFCC’s efforts to dispose of forfeited assets. “The UK judgment should be respected for what it is: a decision on the specific criminal charges for crimes committed under the UK laws that were before the court. It should neither be misrepresented as proof of guilt nor as a blanket determination of every allegation, investigation or asset-recovery proceeding connected to the former minister,” Suraju said. The organisation noted that criminal prosecution and asset recovery are related but distinct processes, stressing that the failure of a criminal prosecution does not necessarily determine the status of assets where separate legal proceedings apply. HEDA urged the EFCC and other relevant Nigerian institutions to independently assess the evidence available to them and proceed with viable cases, while ensuring that any further prosecution complies with constitutional safeguards, including the right to a fair hearing and protection against double jeopardy. HEDA also stressed that Nigeria’s responsibility to investigate corruption and recover public assets cannot be outsourced to foreign jurisdictions. “Nigeria must not wait for foreign courts to determine whether Nigerians accused of corruption should face justice. Our institutions must sustain and improve the investigative capacity, evidence-gathering systems and international cooperation mechanisms required to pursue complex corruption cases, wherever the proceeds may have been moved,” the organisation said. The organisation said the Diezani case has a significant international asset-recovery dimension, with previous proceedings involving properties and other assets linked to the former minister in jurisdictions including the United States and the United Kingdom. It urged Nigerian authorities to provide greater clarity on the status of the various corruption cases and asset-recovery proceedings involving Alison-Madueke, warning that prolonged investigations and court processes without adequate public communication could weaken confidence in anti-corruption institutions. The group also called for greater transparency in the management of assets recovered or forfeited in corruption cases, saying Nigerians should know what has been recovered, where such assets are located, how they are being managed and how recovered public resources are ultimately deployed. It urged the media and civil society organisations to sustain scrutiny of the Nigerian authorities’ handling of the case, including criminal proceedings, asset recovery and the management of recovered assets. “The ultimate test is not whether justice can be obtained in London or any other foreign jurisdiction. The test is whether Nigeria has institutions capable of investigating credible allegations, prosecuting cases based on evidence, recovering the proceeds of corruption and ensuring that those resources are returned transparently to the Nigerian people,” Suraju said.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Commends EFCC on ₦1.23 Trillion Recoveries, Intensified Anti-Corruption Drive

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the significant progress recorded in the recovery of proceeds of corruption and financial crimes, prosecution of offenders, and strengthening of internal accountability within the Commission. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation said the EFCC’s reported recovery of approximately ₦1.23 trillion and US$684.48 million between October 2023 and June 2026, alongside forfeiture orders covering more than 10,000 assets, represents a significant development in Nigeria’s efforts to combat corruption and recover public and criminal assets. The recoveries include 1,177 properties, 251 plots of land, 370 vehicles and other assets, including the 753-unit housing estate in Abuja. Suraju said the significance of the recoveries goes beyond the volume of funds and assets recovered, noting that they have the potential to contribute directly to public welfare, strengthen accountability and restore citizens’ confidence in the fight against corruption. “The reported allocation of additional ₦50 billion to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and another ₦50 billion to the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDITCORP) demonstrates how recovered resources can be redirected towards programmes with direct benefits to citizens,” he said. HEDA also described the transfer of the recovered 753-unit Abuja housing estate to the Federal Ministry of Housing as an opportunity to convert a recovered public asset into social and economic value while demonstrating that proceeds of financial crimes can be recovered and put to productive use. The civil group has also welcomed the EFCC’s recent measures to strengthen accountability within its own ranks, with over 40 personnel of the Commission dismissed for corruption and financial malpractice, while more than five of the affected personnel are being prosecuted. HEDA described the action as an important component of credible anti-corruption enforcement. According to the organisation, an institution charged with investigating and prosecuting corruption must be prepared to subject its personnel to the same standards of accountability it demands from members of the public. The organisation also called for sustained collaboration among the EFCC, civil society organisations, the media, oversight institutions and citizens to strengthen the fight against corruption. HEDA commended the leadership and personnel of the EFCC for the progress recorded in financial crime enforcement and urged the anti-graft agency to sustain the momentum, deepen institutional reforms and ensure that recovered funds and assets are transparently managed and ultimately contribute to public accountability, social development and improved quality of life for Nigerians.

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CategoriesHEDA News

Fake Agencies, Ghost Workers: HEDA Commends Tinubu’s Directive on Forensic Audit, Urges Swift Prosecution of Perpetrators

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing a comprehensive forensic audit of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), federal agencies and related government systems following disturbing revelations of fictitious government entities, ghost workers and systemic control failures. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the anti-corruption group described the directive as an important step towards uncovering the full extent of the weaknesses that have enabled fraud, impersonation and the diversion of public resources within the Federal Government. While welcoming the forensic audit, HEDA urged the Federal Government to ensure that the exercise is conducted independently, transparently and without political interference. According to Suraju, the audit must not become another administrative exercise that produces reports without consequences. Its findings should provide a clear basis for institutional reforms, recovery of public funds and criminal accountability. “HEDA particularly calls on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to move swiftly on all evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigations. “Where individuals are found to have created fictitious agencies, falsified government records, impersonated public officials, facilitated ghost-worker schemes or unlawfully accessed public resources, they must be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added. The group also urged the relevant prosecutorial authorities to ensure that cases arising from the investigations are diligently pursued to their logical conclusion. Those found guilty must face the full consequences of the law, while public funds established to have been fraudulently obtained must be traced and recovered. Beyond individual prosecutions, Suraju further demanded that the forensic audit result in concrete reforms to the government’s institutional architecture. Government must ensure that the exercise establishes not only who committed the offences, but also how the system allowed such conduct to occur and who enabled or failed to prevent it. HEDA further recommended that the outcome of the forensic audit, subject to legitimate security and investigative considerations, should be made sufficiently public to enable citizens to understand the scale of the problem and the measures being taken to address it.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Demands Transparency as Senate Probes Oil Companies Over NEITI Audit Queries

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called for full transparency and public accountability in the Senate’s ongoing investigation into audit queries involving Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria, All Grace Energy and Aradel Energy. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation maintain that the call follows the decision of the Senate Public Accounts Committee to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the companies to appear before the committee after they failed to attend an investigative hearing on audit queries contained in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). According to Suraju, the Senate’s investigation underscores the importance of effective oversight and transparent management of Nigeria’s natural resources, particularly in the extractive sector, where unresolved financial obligations can have significant implications for public revenue. “These companies should be given the opportunity to respond fully to the audit queries and present relevant documentation, while insisting that any established financial obligations to government must be recovered and accounted for transparently.” Suraju noted. “Public resources belong to Nigerians, and every company operating in the extractive sector has a responsibility to comply with the laws governing the payment of royalties, taxes and other statutory obligations. Where audit queries raise questions about payments due to government, these issues must be investigated openly and resolved based on verifiable evidence,” He added. Similarly, HEDA also urged the Senate Public Accounts Committee to conduct the investigation transparently and publish its findings and recommendations, including details of any outstanding liabilities established against the affected companies. The group noted that the appearance of Dubri Oil Company before the committee and its submission of documents disputing the reported $3.25 million royalty and gas-flare debt demonstrates the importance of allowing all parties to present evidence and reconcile disputed figures before conclusions are reached. HEDA therefore called on the Senate, NEITI, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other relevant agencies to ensure that the investigation leads to concrete outcomes rather than becoming another unresolved audit matter. The organisation further urged the affected companies to cooperate fully with the Senate investigation and provide all information required to clarify the audit queries. “Nigerians deserve to know whether revenues arising from the country’s oil and gas resources have been properly assessed, collected and accounted for, and legislative oversight must ultimately translate into the protection of public revenue and stronger accountability in the extractive sector.” Suraju concluded.

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