- SERAP sues Tinubu, govs over cybercrime law abuse
- FG approves 4 airlines for 2025 hajj operation
- INEC plans Diaspora, inmate voting
We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Monday, January 13, and present them below.
5 issues in the news that should matter to you today
1. SERAP sues Tinubu, govs over cybercrime law abuse: The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Nigeria’s 36 state governors at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja.
The suit challenges the alleged misuse of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to suppress freedom of expression and violate human rights, particularly those of activists, journalists, bloggers, and social media users.
2. Stampede: Oyo files murder charges against Ooni’s ex-Queen, others: The Oyo State Government has filed eight counts, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, over the December 18, 2024 funfair stampede, during which 35 children died.
The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
3. FG approves 4 airlines for 2025 hajj operation: The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday, January 12, in Abuja.
4. INEC plans Diaspora, inmate voting: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is pushing for reforms that would permit voting by Nigerians in the Diaspora and inmates at the correctional centres.
The recommendations are contained in the 75-page INEC Report on the 2023 General Election prepared by the review committee headed by a National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus.
5. Falana urges Nigerians to expose private and public officers violating Anti-Torture Act: Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist Femi Falana has called on Nigerians to actively expose private individuals and public officials who contravene the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act 2017.
In a statement issued on January 12, Falana condemned the persistent torture and degrading treatment of citizens despite constitutional and international protections.