Headline

Oilwatch Africa, 53 Other CSOs Condemn Murder Of Maseko, Swaziland-base Human Rights Lawyer

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2023

The civil society community in Africa and around the globe has condemned in strong term the “gruesome assassination” of a Swaziland-base human
rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko.

The CSOs, while describing Maseeko as a “highly decorated human rights lawyer,” demanded that the state assumes its responsibility of arresting the perpetrators and make sure citizens are protected.”

A statement e-signed by Oilwatch Africa and 53 other CSOs, and made available to INFO DAILY, said the “brutal murder of
Maseko raises serious concerns about the heightened threat to human and environmental rights defenders and the overall rule of law in Swaziland.”

The statement added that “the assassination of Maseko marks an ugly turn in the attempts to
cripple dissent and eliminate the defenders of the masses on our
continent.”

The statement reads in part, “Oilwatch Africa and other civil society organisations in Africa and beyond condemn the murder of this renowned activist in his own home and demand that the state assumes its responsibility of arresting the perpetrators
and protecting citizens.

“Thulani Maseko was well-known as a campaigner committed to the respect of human rights and the use of dialogue as the key tool for the resolution of political disputes and conflicts.

It added: “Human right defenders have been the target of executions,
torture, beatings, arbitrary arrest and detention, death threats, and
harassment as well as restrictions on their freedom of movement in
Swaziland and elsewhere in Africa.”

The CSOs, while stating that, as a family, African human and environmental rights campaigners, they shared in the grief of Maseko’s, recalled how the human rights lawyer was arrested for alleged contempt of court charges.

“During one of Maseko’s life challenges, he was arrested allegedly for
contempt of court charges for having questioned the way the then Chief Justice was conducting the affairs of the Judiciary.

“He was sentenced to
two years without an option of a fine. Sadly, he had to endure that
imprisonment and completed the sentence before the Supreme Court
accepted that his arrest and sentence were unlawful in the first place and an infringement on his right to freedom of expression,” the statement recalled.

They, therefore, called on United Nations, African Union, and governments and individuals to prevail on Swaziland to respect human rights.

“African governments must ensure they create an environment where human
rights of all citizens are respected, and activists are not targeted for
standing up to injustice. No more bloodshed!,” It added.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.