Headline

SERAP Sues 36 Governors Over Failure To Account For N72bn Subsidy Palliative

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2023

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the 36 state governors in the country over “their failure to account for the spending of the N72 billion palliative collected from the Federal Government, including details of the beneficiaries and the reliefs provided with the money.”

The Federal Government recently disbursed N2 billion out of the N5 billion palliative package to each state of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT), to address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1943/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel each of the 36 state governors to account for the spending of the N2 billion palliative collected by the governors from the Federal Government.”

SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel each of the 36 state governors to disclose details of the beneficiaries and the reliefs provided to the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians with the money.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel each of the 36 state governors to instruct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the spending of fuel subsidy palliative collected by them.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Government secrecy is fundamentally anti-democratic. Secrecy in the spending of the N72 billion collected by the 36 state governors would create distrust or suspicion of the government. The failure by the governors to account for the public funds is both legally and morally wrong.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “The 36 state governors are constitutionally required to act in the public interest. Secrecy in government is a form of coercion. Government secrecy promotes arbitrariness and covers illegal acts.”

According to SERAP, “The right of access to official information such as the spending of the N72 billion by the governors exists to facilitate the exercise of free expression right, discover the truth, and encourage citizens’ participation in a democracy.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “The right to access information held by public officials and bodies is also essential for collective decision-making in a democratic society. The right to know strengthens the enjoyment of other constitutionally guaranteed human rights and expands the whole system of freedom of expression.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Blessing Ogwuche, read in part: “It is in the public interest to direct and compel the 36 state governors to account for the spending of the N72 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement of public funds to the states.”

“There is no democratic freedom without accountability and the basic postulate of accountability is that the people should have information about the functioning of the government.”

“Compelling and directing the governors to account for the spending of the N72 billion would increase government transparency and enhance an open and democratic society.”

“A functioning democracy rests upon participation and accountability. Citizens cannot fully participate in a democracy unless they are allowed to effectively enjoy the right to know what their government is doing in their name.”

“The right of access to information also lets in light and allows the public to scrutinise the workings of the government and find truth in them. Nigerians have the right to know how their states are spending the fuel subsidy relief funds. It is part of their legally enforceable human rights.”

“Transparency and accountability in the spending of the N72 billion and any subsequent disbursement to the governors would help to reduce the risk of corruption, mismanagement, diversion, or opportunism.”

“The oversight afforded by public access to the details of the spending of the N72 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement to the governors would serve as an important check on the activities of the states, and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.”

“The constitutional principle of democracy provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know details about the spending of the N72 billion fuel subsidy palliative. Citizens’ right to know is crucial for the country’s democratic order.”

“The effective operation of representative democracy depends on the people being able to scrutinise, discuss and contribute to government decision making, including on the fuel subsidy relief funds.”

“The removal of subsidy on petrol continues to negatively and disproportionately affect the poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians in several states, undermining their right to adequate standard of living.”

“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including about how the N72 billion fuel subsidy relief funds are spent.”

“By the combined reading of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, applicable throughout Nigeria, there are transparency obligations imposed on the 36 states to account for the spending of the N72 billion fuel subsidy palliative.”

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”

“States cannot hide under the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act is not applicable to them to refuse to provide the details being sought, as all the 36 states also have clear legal obligations to provide the information as prescribed by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and. Enforcement) Act.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Headline

US Diverted 20,000 Anti-drone Missiles From Ukraine To Middle East -Zelensky

Published

16 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, redirected 20,000 anti-drone missiles that were originally intended for Ukraine to American forces stationed in the Middle East.

In an interview published by ABC News on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine had relied on the missile delivery to bolster its defence against ongoing Russian drone assaults, particularly swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

He noted that the plan, developed under President Joe Biden’s administration and coordinated with then-Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, was meant to deliver a cost-effective and specialised missile system to counter aerial threats.

“We have big problems with Shaheds… we will find all the tools to destroy them. We counted on this project, 20,000 missiles. Anti-Shahed missiles. It was not expensive, but it’s a special technology,” Zelensky stated.

According to a June 4 report by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration ordered the diversion of the munitions, including special fuzes for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, citing an urgent need to supply American forces in the Middle East.

The decision, reportedly communicated to Congress through a classified Pentagon message, was made under current Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth.

A source from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency told The Kyiv Independent that Russia is preparing to escalate drone warfare, potentially launching more than 500 long-range drones in a single night as Moscow accelerates drone production and expands its launch capacity.

Since the beginning of Trump’s second term in January, his administration has halted the approval of new US military aid packages to Ukraine.

Trump has voiced reservations about prolonged military support for Kyiv and briefly paused shipments earlier this year.

Deliveries resumed after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire framework during peace negotiations held in Jeddah on March 11.

Headline

Los Angeles Invaded By Illegal Aliens, Criminals, Says Trump

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles on Sunday amid ongoing protests against immigration raids, despitethat California Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections.

Newsom formally requested the Trump administration rescind the order to deploy the troops.

The governor requested a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, which he then shared on X.

“We didn’t have a problem until (U.S. President Donald) Trump got involved.

“This is a serious breach of state sovereignty – inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re needed,” Newsom wrote.

“Rescind the order. Return control to California.”

Trump signed a memorandum on Saturday deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” the White House said.

An expert cited by The New York Times said this is the first time in 60 years that a president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent.

The last instance was in 1965, when President Lyndon B Johnson used troops to protect predominantly Black demonstrators during the civil rights movement in Alabama.

The protests began on Friday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executed search warrants across the city as Trump pushed forward with his goal of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Newsom appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and not give the government an excuse to act.

“Trump is trying to manufacture a crisis in LA County — deploying troops not for order, but to create chaos,” he wrote on X.

“Don’t take the bait. Never use violence or harm law enforcement.”

Los Angeles Police said protests continued on Sunday, even when authorities had declared it an unlawful, gathering.

Protesters had blocked traffic on a freeway and had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre where soldiers had formed a perimeter around the building.

“Officers are reporting that people in the crowd are throwing concrete, bottles, and other objects. Arrests are being initiated,” police wrote on X.

Cars had also been stopped and set alight on roads, the police said.

An Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Guard “has deployed approximately 300 soldiers to 3 separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area, the U.S. Northern Command posted on X.

“They are conducting safety and protection of federal property and personnel,” it added.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Los Angeles had been “invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals.”

“Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations. But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve,” he wrote.

He had directed his officials “to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots,” he said.

“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city would “always stand” with those who call it home.

“Deploying federalised troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation,” she wrote on X.

“The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk.

“This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful,” Bass said.

“Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.”

Trump’s administration has threatened to deploy regular armed forces domestically, which would represent an even greater breach of norms.

Hegseth stated that, if necessary, U.S. Marines stationed in California could also be mobilised.

Newsom condemned Hegseth’s threat to deploy U.S. soldiers against its own citizens on U.S. soil, calling it “deranged behavior” in a post on X.

Hegseth responded to Newsom on X stating that the National Guard “and Marines if need be” stood with ICE.

“There is plenty of room for peaceful protest, but ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job,” he wrote.

The U.S. Northern Command said about 500 Marines were “in a prepared to deploy status” should they be needed.

(NAN)

Headline

10 Countries Hiring Nigerians, Other Foreign Workers In 2025 With Easy Visa Process

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

In 2025, the global race for skilled talent is intensifying as many countries grapple with labour shortages across key industries, prompting changes to visa policies to attract and retain foreign professionals.

In response, countries such as Canada, Japan, Australia, and Germany are expanding their immigration and visa pathways to attract foreign professionals.

According to TravelBiz, sectors like technology, healthcare, construction, and caregiving are seeing especially high demand in top destinations.

These countries aren’t just offering jobs—they’re also providing opportunities for long-term residency or even a pathway to citizenship.

Top 10 Countries Hiring Foreign Workers in 2025

1. New Zealand

New Zealand is streamlining immigration to address urgent gaps in its workforce.

In-demand roles: Civil Engineers, Registered Nurses, Plumbers, IT Professionals
Visa Pathway: Green List Straight to Residence Visa – direct pathway to permanent residency for critical occupations.

2. Spain

Spain has simplified work visa procedures to combat labour shortages.

Top roles: Construction Workers, Agricultural Labourers, Hospitality Staff
Visa Programs: Seasonal Worker Visa, General Long-Term Work Visa

3. Singapore

Asia’s innovation hub is actively hiring digital and biomedical professionals.

High-demand jobs: Biomedical Scientists, Software Developers, AI & Machine Learning Experts
Visa Options: Employment Pass (for professionals), S Pass (for mid-skilled workers)
Applicants should check the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website for guidelines.

4. Romania

Romania is scaling up its workforce by issuing thousands of visas to foreign workers.

Key sectors: Construction, Agriculture, Hospitality
Visa Update: 100,000 annual guest worker visas approved for citizens of Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
No university degree? No problem—these roles often don’t require one.

5. Estonia

Estonia is emerging as a digital economy leader with simplified work visa options.

Hiring in: Software Development, Web Design, IT Support
Visa Options: D-Visa (short-term employment), Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers)

6. Ireland

With a booming economy, Ireland is opening its doors to international professionals.

Jobs in demand: Nurses, Chefs, Childcare Workers, Data Scientists
Visa Programs: Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit

7. Japan

Japan is overhauling its immigration system to welcome more foreign talent.

Hiring for: Caregivers, Factory Operators, IT Engineers, English Instructors
Visa Options: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa

8. Germany

Germany is making migration easier with a points-based system and international partnerships.

Top roles: Mechatronics Engineers, Technicians, Healthcare Workers, IT Specialists
Visa Type: Opportunity Card – a new system designed to simplify skilled migration
Knowing basic German is a plus; apply via the official Make it in Germany portal.

9. Canada

Canada remains one of the most immigrant-friendly countries, actively recruiting in multiple sectors.

In-demand jobs: Nurses, Truck Drivers, Welders, Software Engineers
Visa Options: Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), International Mobility Program (IMP)
Workers can switch jobs immediately after filing a new permit—no need to wait for approval.

10. Australia

Australia tops the list, thanks to booming demand in infrastructure and tech.

Top jobs: Construction Managers, Electricians, Cybersecurity Analysts, Aged Care Workers
Visa Route: Skills in Demand Visa, launched in December 2024, targets essential trades and high-growth fields
Apply early due to processing delays. Visit Home Affairs Australia and ensure your job title aligns with the official ANZSCO codes.