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CategoriesAccountability HEDA News

HEDA Petitions CBN, Request Disclosure of Legal Fees Paid to Lawyers in P&ID Case

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has formally written to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, demanding full disclosure of legal fees paid to lawyers and law firms that represented Nigeria in the controversial Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) case. In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the CBN Governor, the anti-corruption organization invoked the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, requesting details of the names of lawyers and law firms engaged, as well as the exact amounts paid to them during the litigation process. HEDA, in its petition, emphasized that the request aligns with its mandate to promote public accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria. The organization noted that while the case between Nigeria and P&ID heard at the Commercial Court of the High Court of England (Claim No: CL-2019-000752) was ongoing, the CBN facilitated payments to legal representatives on behalf of the Nigerian government. According to Suraju, “The public has a right to know how much was expended from national resources on legal representation in the P&ID case. Transparency in this regard is crucial for accountability, as it will help Nigerians understand the financial implications of international trade disputes involving the country.” HEDA further stated that the request also forms part of a research initiative the organization is conducting on the cost of trade disputes between states and private enterprises, adding that the P&ID case remains a vital reference point for such a study. The civil society organization urged the CBN to provide the requested information within seven (7) days in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

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CategoriesHEDA News

Job Vacancy: Legal Officer

LOCATION: Ikeja, Lagos. REPORTS TO: Management Position Overview: We are seeking a competent and detail-oriented Legal Officer to provide legal support to our organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for handling legal research, drafting and reviewing legal documents, supporting litigation processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing legal advisory services to support the organisation’s programmes and operations. Key Responsibilities Qualifications and Requirements How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter to humanresourceshedang.org with the subject line “Application –Legal Officer”

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Muhammed Adoke CategoriesAnti-corruption HEDA News

No Victory for Adoke, Says HEDA as Court Dismisses Libel Suit on Technical Grounds

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court dismissing the libel suit filed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, over allegations linked to the OPL 245 case. In a statement issued and signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organization described the ruling as “no victory for Adoke,” noting that the court did not affirm the substance of the forgery allegations contained in his petition to the police. According to synchronised media reports emerging from the stable of The Cable online platform, the court dismissed the suit on the ground that Suraju was not expressly named in Adoke’s petition requesting an investigation into alleged forgery of materials used in proceedings in Milan and London. The court held that because Suraju’s name did not appear in the petition, the legal ingredients required to establish defamation were not satisfied. Reacting to the decision, HEDA stated that it welcomes the judgment, emphasising that the court did not embarrass itself by ruling that Adoke’s fantasies of forgery were truthful, even though Adoke had tried to make that argument before the Nigerian Police – despite the email having clearly emanated, as affirmed by the London Metropolitan Police, from an email account of his crony Abubakar Aliyu. The group further stressed that the ruling was based strictly on technical considerations relating to naming and identification, not on validation of the allegations. HEDA further maintained that Adoke in his Motion of Notice denied his frivolous and concocted allegations that Mr. Suraju and HEDA forged the RAI tape and the agroupproperties email. Instead, he argued that he never identified Lanre by name in the Petition to the Police, the implication presumably being that a person who is not named cannot suffer defamation and further dissociated himself from his own handwritten adoption statement with the police to the contrary. The civil organisation also challenged Adoke to publicly clarify the identity of the individual or individuals he accused in his petition. “The judgment has raised a question for Adoke: are you brave enough to come out into the open?” the statement read, urging him to state clearly who he believes was responsible for the alleged forgery. Meanwhile, contrary to the vain labour of The Cable online platform to rewrite history on the phantom charges preferred against our Chairman being withdrawn on political expediency of the London case, the fact of the matter was that of concocted charges of cybercrime hurriedly and poorly put together by “fantastically corrupt” immediate past Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, who David Cameron must have had in mind when describing Nigeria in that ignoble terms, in collaboration with a desperate Adoke and some corrupted police officers, contrary to Adoke’s forgery allegation in his petition. “The impressive defence legal team of Mr. Suraju led my Dr. Muiz Banire SAN put forward a robust defence, including the subpoena of Adoke and Malami as witness, leading to Malami and Adoke running tail in limbs to withdraw the charges.” the statement added. Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, HEDA stated that the dismissal of the suit does not alter its long-standing position on the OPL 245 transaction or its broader anti-corruption advocacy. The organisation pledged to continue defending its integrity and to pursue all lawful avenues in the public interest.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Trains Journalists and Creatives on Climate Advocacy Reporting, Awards Grants for Climate Solutions

As part of its effort to address climate change with innovative and lasting solutions, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), with support from OXFAM under the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) project, has trained 20 journalists, creatives, and climate advocates on the use of data and storytelling to spotlight climate issues and drive positive impact. The four-day Climate Creatives Bootcamp, held in Epe, Lagos, from Tuesday, September 23, to Friday, September 26, 2025, exposed participants to sessions on climate reporting, digital tools, innovative advocacy, and community-centered storytelling. The program was designed to bridge the gap between the lived realities of climate change and the often shallow or sensational narratives found in mainstream reporting and creative content. Guided by experts working at the intersection of climate justice, media, creative arts, and technology, participants explored the science and impacts of climate change, the human rights dimensions of climate justice, and the role of technology in shaping environmental decisions. Modules also examined how data and digital media tools can amplify marginalized voices, counter misinformation, and demand accountability from leaders. HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, said the initiative underscores the vital role of the media and creative sectors in shaping public understanding of climate issues. He noted that storytelling backed by data has the power to not only inform but also mobilize communities and influence policymakers. At the close of the bootcamp, participants were grouped for pitch presentations. The top two groups received grant prizes of ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively, to implement their innovative climate solutions focusing on air quality and food security. The bootcamp, which followed an earlier virtual masterclass, is part of HEDA’s broader commitment to promoting climate justice, good governance, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA to Train Media and Communicators on Transforming Climate Narratives into Action

In a bid to close the gap between the lived realities of climate change and the urgent need for more innovative, impactful storytelling that can influence policies and drive climate-smart local action in frontline communities, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has announced a four-day media training program. The initiative is designed to equip journalists, creatives, and digital storytellers with the skills to move climate change narratives beyond abstract headlines and transform them into compelling stories that inspire action and accountability. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, the free capacity-strengthening program, structured as a certificate course, will run from September 16 to 19, 2025. The training will feature leading experts working at the intersection of climate justice, media, gender equality, creative arts, and digital technology. According to Arigbabu, the program underscores the critical role of the media and creative sectors in shaping public understanding of climate issues. He noted that while floods, droughts, and extreme weather events increasingly disrupt communities, environmental stories in the media are often underreported or lack the depth required to galvanize meaningful action. “This initiative therefore seeks to provide participants with the tools to tell compelling, inclusive, and relatable stories that not only inform but also mobilize communities and influence decision-makers,” he said. The training will explore how emerging opportunities in data, technology, and digital platforms can be harnessed to cut through misinformation, amplify marginalized voices, and push for accountability in climate governance. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including the science and impacts of climate change, the role of technology in shaping climate decisions, media framing of environmental issues in Nigeria and Africa, and the human rights dimensions of climate justice. Additional modules will examine the impact of climate shocks on Nigerian communities, the African context of climate justice, storytelling for advocacy, and the use of digital media tools for effective campaigns. The workshop is open to journalists, artists, filmmakers, writers, social media influencers, and other creatives across Nigeria and Africa. Successful participants will receive certificates upon completion. Interested applicants are encouraged to register via the official link: https://bit.ly/climatecreatives. HEDA Resource Centre further disclosed that the virtual masterclass will serve as a prelude to its full immersive residential bootcamp on climate storytelling, scheduled for later in September.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Gives AGF 14-Day Ultimatum to Reinstate Criminal Charges Against Ex-AMCON Boss, Ahmed Kuru

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption and human rights organization, has called on the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to immediately reinstate the criminal charges against Mr. Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). In a petition signed by its Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the civil society organization expressed grave concern over the decision of the Justice Ministerto discontinue criminal proceedings against Mr. Kuru, despite the fact that the case was being prosecuted under the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Recall that on August 12, 2025, The Guardian reported that Hon. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court discharged the defendant following a Notice of Discontinuance filed by the Director of Public Prosecution on behalf of the AGF. HEDA stressed that the AGF acted outside the scope of his constitutional powers, insisting that Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution only empowers the AGF to discontinue criminal cases arising from Federal Laws Acts of the National Assembly, and not cases instituted under state laws. Further citing the Supreme Court decision in FRN v. Osahon (2006) 5 NWLR (Pt. 973) 361, the organization reiterated that matters arising from state laws remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the Attorney General of the State, in line with Section 211 of the Constitution. The group further referenced State v. Ilori (1983) 1 SCNLR 94 to reinforce its argument. According to HEDA, “Criminal defence is an opportunity for the accused to clear his name, not a political shield from justice. Allowing the case to proceed is in the best interest of justice, particularly as Mr. Kuru’s co-defendant has already admitted guilt through a plea bargain and forfeited proceeds of the crime to the EFCC.” The organization therefore demanded the immediate reinstatement of charges against Mr. Kuru and other defendants. It warned that failure by the AGF to act within 14 days would compel HEDA to petition the Nigerian Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee for abuse of office and explore other local and international legal actions. The organisation reminded the Attorney General of a failed similar attempt by his immediate predecessor Abubakar Malami, in the case against an in-law to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, John Abebe in 2018, in which the current Special Adviser in the AGF’s office and efcc prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, vehemently opposed Malami’s request and persuaded Justice Dada against granting The request, on the simple ground that only AG of Lagos State is constitutionally empowered to effect such withdrawal or take Over. The civil society organization further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption, the defence of human rights, and the pursuit of justice in Nigeria.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA urges transparency in disbursement of N125.5 billion flood intervention fund

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the federal government to ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement and use of the recently approved ₦125.5 billion flood intervention fund. This is contained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of HEDA, Sulaimon Arigbabu, on Wednesday in Lagos. Mr Arigbabu warned against repeating the failures of past ecological fund disbursements marred by mismanagement, lack of transparency, and political interference. “Nigerians cannot afford to repeat the ecological fund debacle. This ₦125.5 billion must be treated as an exceptional emergency fund—ring-fenced and dedicated solely to flood prevention, mitigation, and disaster response. Anything short of full transparency will further erode public trust,” Mr Arigbabu said. He recalled that in 2012, the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration disbursed ₦17.6 billion for flood mitigation, yet many victims received only token reliefs as low as ₦500, while numerous communities were completely left out. Mr Arigbabu added, “We commend the federal government for this new intervention. However, without clear frameworks for tracking, coordinating, and reporting at both federal and state levels, this fund risks being another missed opportunity.’’ He demanded the publication of a detailed breakdown of the fund’s disbursement, including amounts allocated to each state and federal MDA, names of implementing agencies and specific communities and infrastructure projects targeted. He also questioned the ₦10 billion allocation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stating it was inadequate considering NEMA’s nationwide mandate. It called for more support for State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and stronger accountability mechanisms. “NEMA is the lead agency but cannot cover all flood-prone communities, especially where SEMAs are inactive. These agencies must be empowered, coordinated, and monitored for effective response,” Mr Arigbabu noted. On regional flood emergencies, he urged Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to publish a full report on September 10, 2024, Alau Dam flooding, to reassure the public and strengthen preparedness efforts. It also demanded a thorough investigation into the recent Mokwa flood in Niger State, which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands. “Flooding in Nigeria is no longer an unexpected seasonal disaster—it is a predictable event. What we need is not just funding but institutional discipline and strategic response. “The success of this intervention will hinge on the integrity of its implementation,” he said. Mr Arigbabu enjoined all stakeholders—federal MDAs, state governments, and emergency agencies—to focus on people-centred interventions, including functional early warning systems, evacuation and emergency shelters, and sustainable drainage infrastructure.

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CategoriesClimate change

Oil Theft: Senate Must Match Security Efforts with Justice from IOCs for Niger Delta – HEDA

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Nigerian Senate to extend its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft by holding International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell and Eni, fully accountable for decades of environmental degradation, economic sabotage, and human rights violations in the Niger Delta. Reacting to the recent meeting between the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, HEDA in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, welcomed the renewed legislative attention to oil-related crimes but insisted that justice must go beyond addressing local theft. “While we commend the Senate for stepping up collaboration with security agencies to tackle oil theft, the deeper and more enduring theft is the environmental and economic plunder by IOCs. These companies including Shell and Eni in particular are attempting to exit Nigerian onshore quietly, divesting their assets without taking responsibility for the massive devastation they have caused. That is unacceptable.” Suraju maintained. The Senate Committee, led by Senator Ned Nwoko, recently emphasized the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and stronger coordination with security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. However, HEDA insists that securing oil assets is only one part of the equation. “Justice for Niger Delta residents cannot be secured by police action alone, if the Senate truly wants to end economic sabotage, then it must also tackle the longstanding impunity of oil multinationals who, for decades, operated with little regard for the environment or the people.” Suraju added. HEDA recalled its consistent advocacy against hasty divestment by IOCs. The organization petitioned both Nigerian authorities and international accountability institutions to demand that IOCs remediate polluted sites and compensate affected communities before divesting. This demand was repeated in 2023 and 2024 following international legal rulings against the Shell. Yet, concrete local action remains grossly inadequate. “It’s time for the Nigerian Senate to show the same urgency in enforcing environmental justice as it is doing in curbing oil theft, communities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and beyond continue to suffer the health, economic, and ecological consequences of oil extraction and they must not be abandoned again.” Suraju stressed. According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), between 2002 and 2025, Nigeria lost over 353 million barrels of crude oil worth an estimated $25.7 billion to theft. HEDA warns that the Senate must also investigate how much more has been lost to pollution, displacement, and corporate irresponsibility. “This is a defining moment, the Senate must rise above politics and protect the dignity and rights of the people. Shell and Eni must not be allowed to walk away without cleaning up their mess. Anything less is an injustice.” Suraju concluded.

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