Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative

Our Executive Director, Ms. Enwelum Ogechukwu participated in the orientation and training for members of the Legal Hub for Victims of Trafficking and Related Crimes, where she serves as the Secretary of the Enugu State Legal Hub.

The training was supported by the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administration (FIAP) under Component 3 – Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria, a Spanish Government–supported initiative implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

This engagement aligns strongly with DEDASRI’s mandate to promote human rights protection, access to justice, rule of law, and the prevention of human trafficking, abuse, and labour exploitation, particularly for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

As an active member of NACTAL, the umbrella network of CSOs working to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, Ms. Enwelum Ogechukwu also contributes in her capacity as National Legal Adviser, reinforcing coordinated civil society responses and survivor-centred legal interventions.

DEDASRI remains committed to advocating for victims of human rights violations, strengthening legal support systems, and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure justice, accountability, and dignity for survivors.

Together, we continue to build systems that protect the vulnerable and leave no one behind.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

The Human Rights Agenda Network Strongly Condemn the Persistent Attacks on Journalists and the Unlawful Detention of Friday Alefia.

We express deep concern and unequivocal condemnation over the consistent attacks, harassment and intimidation of journalists in Nigeria. The recent case of Mr. Friday Alefia, a Nigerian journalist detained for over six weeks without trial, represents yet another troubling example of the shrinking civic space and the rising threats against press freedom in our country.

Mr. Alefia, publisher of Naija News Today, was arrested in Lagos on 23 September 2025 and transferred to Abuja. Despite repeated appeals by his family and legal representatives, he was held at a detention facility linked to the now defunct SARS unit, an act that violates constitutional guarantees to personal liberty, fair hearing and due process.

Throughout his prolonged detention, Mr. Alefia reportedly suffered deteriorating health, requiring hospitalisation twice at the expense of his family. His continued detention, allegedly influenced by political pressure following his critical reporting on a sitting lawmaker, raises serious questions about the misuse of state power to silence dissent and punish legitimate journalistic work.

We recall the recent Nigerian Editors’ Conference, attended by the President, seen as a commitment to press freedom. This must be matched with action. We urge the Presidency and authorities to ensure the safety, dignity, and independence of journalists, whose lives and liberty must never be jeopardised for performing their constitutional duty.

While we maintain that every allegation should be tested before a competent court, no journalist should ever be subjected to arbitrary detention, intimidation or political persecution for doing their job. Journalists are not enemies of the state, they are partners in democracy, serving the public by exposing wrongdoing, promoting accountability and amplifying the voices of citizens.

The charges levied against Mr Alefia under the Cybercrimes Act should be addressed through a fair, transparent and timely judicial process, not through detention without trial. Laws must never be weaponised to stifle free expression or criminalise journalism.

We therefore call on the Nigerian Police Force and all relevant authorities to:
Uphold the rule of law and ensure Mr Alefia’s arraignment complies strictly with constitutional safeguards.

Respect press freedom, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.

End all forms of harassment, intimidation and unlawful detention of journalists across the country.

Protect journalists who report on issues of public interest, even when such reports are uncomfortable for those in positions of authority.

Nigeria cannot build a strong democracy while silencing the very individuals who hold power accountable. A free, safe and vibrant press is not optional, it is essential.

We stand firmly with all journalists who continue to work under increasingly hostile conditions, and we call for immediate safeguards to protect their rights, safety and dignity.

Endorsed:

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐎𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐮 𝐒𝐀𝐍 Chair, Steering Committee
Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN)
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐠𝐨𝐳𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐎𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐞-𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐧
Beautiful Eves of Africa Organisation (BEAFRO)
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐎𝐠𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐰𝐮 𝐄𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦
Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI)
𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐮
Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria
𝐌𝐨𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐎𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚
DigiCivic Initiative

People forced to flee conflict often fall prey to false promises of safety and better lives.

Targeted law enforcement and cross-border intelligence sharing along migration routes can prevent human trafficking.