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#EndSARS protest: Groups seek to be joined in $1bn suit against Twitter

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Three groups have indicated their interest to be joined in the one billion dollars suit filed by a Nigerian, Adamu Garba, against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Twitter International Company, Jack Dorsey.

Garba filed the suit against Dorsey over his alleged sponsorship of the recent #EndSARS protests in parts of the country.

The groups; Association of West Africa Media Lawyers, Centre for Peace and Conflict Management in Africa and Rethink Africa Foundation, in a motion on notice with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1391/2020 filed by their counsel, Noah Ajare, before Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbajo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, averred that the application was in public interest.They said they sought to be joined as amici curiae (i.e as friends of the court) in the matter.The applicants (amici curiae), while giving their grounds of the application, said they applied specifically to assist the court on the approach to adopt in respect of the violation of the applicant’s (Garba’s) rights to fundamental right of liberty, human dignity and free movement complaint.“The applicants/amici curiae have significant expertise concerning the right to press freedom, fundamental rights, liberty, human dignity peaceful assembly, and the balancing between this right and other human rights, including rights to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and access to information.“The applicants/amici curiae also have significant expertise in relation to the exercise of these rights by social media handles, including in cases where such rights seems to conflict with personal rights of individual citizens.“The applicant/amici curiae are well equipped to offer useful insights into international law principles and comparative law standards relevant to the just and fair determination of this case by the honourable court.“The applicants/amici curiae are non-governmental organisations with particular interest and expertise in human rights issues which are relevant to the present case,” they said.In the motion, the groups sought an order of the court, granting leave to them to intervene in the above matter as stated in the grounds for the application.“An order granting the applicants/amici curiae leave to submit an amici curiae brief that would assist this court in reaching a just and fair decision in this matter.“An order of this honourable court directing the applicant (Garba) to serve and provide  us with all the originating processes and papers filed in this suit,” it read in part.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Garba, a businessman, had, on Oct. 20, through his lawyer, Abbas Ajiya, filed the suit, praying the court to direct Mr Dorsey to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in any part of Nigeria.Garba, who is the CEO of IPI Group Limited, said the suit was filed to enforce his fundamental rights pursuant to Provisions of Order II Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights Rules 2009, Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1), 43 and 46(1) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s’ Rights Act CAP. A9, LFN 2004.Also joined as respondents are Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps; Nigeria Communication Commission, Jack Dorsey, Twitter International Company and the #ENDSARS Protesters as 2nd to 10th respondents respectively.The matter, which came up on Nov. 25 before Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, was adjourned until April 22, 2021, for continuation of hearing.

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Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares

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President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”

Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.

Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”

According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.

While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.

“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”

Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”

He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.

Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”

“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.

The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”

He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.

Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.

During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.

“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.

In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”

The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”

He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.

“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”

Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.

“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.

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Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.

The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.

Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:

“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”

She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.

Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:

“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”

She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.

Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.

With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.

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Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra

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By Fabian Apechihin

A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.

However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”

He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.

“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.

Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”

He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.

“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.

Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.

“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.

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