17 YEARS AFTER GANI: GAFAMORG REOPENS DEBATE ON DEMOCRACY, STATE POLICE, LIVING WAGE

GAFAMORG SET FOR 17TH GANI FAWEHINMI MEMORIAL LECTURE, SEEKS NATIONAL DEBATE ON DEMOCRACY, LIVING WAGE, SECURITY

LAGOS — The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) is set to hold the 17th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture and Civil Justice Legacy Project in Lagos, with a call for a fresh national conversation on democracy, human dignity, living wages, security and accountability.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026, is themed “Democracy, Human Dignity and the Nigerian State: Living Wage, Security and Accountability in the Public Interest.”

The organisation said the annual memorial would go beyond remembering the late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAN, SAM, to examine some of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigerians and the Nigerian state.

According to GAFAMORG, the event is designed as a public-interest platform inspired by Fawehinmi's lifelong struggle for democracy, justice, workers' rights, human dignity, the rule of law and the defence of the voiceless and defenceless.

STATE POLICE, DEMOCRATIC SAFEGUARDS IN FOCUS

A major issue expected to dominate discussions at the event is the proposed establishment and operation of State Police in Nigeria.

The sub-theme for the conversation is: “State Police, Democratic Safeguards and Constitutional Accountability: Security for Whom and in Whose Interest?”

GAFAMORG said the discussion would interrogate the implications of State Police for democracy, human rights and constitutional accountability, particularly the safeguards required to prevent the abuse of security institutions.

Among the questions the organisation wants Nigerians and policymakers to confront are whether democracy can deliver human dignity to citizens, whether Nigerian workers can live with dignity from their labour, who security institutions ultimately serve and who should exercise control over them.

The organisation also wants the public to examine who holds public power accountable and, ultimately, in whose interest the Nigerian state exercises its power.

FROM MEMORIAL TO ACTION

GAFAMORG said the 2026 event would also mark an important step in transforming remembrance of Fawehinmi into practical civic action through its Civil Justice Legacy Project.

A central component of the project is the campaign for the establishment of a National Civil Day of Remembrance on September 5, the anniversary of Fawehinmi's passing.

According to the organisation, the proposed day would provide an opportunity to remember victims of mass killings, abductions, extra-judicial killings, mob violence, unlawful detention and other violations of human dignity.

The project will also introduce the Citizen Justice Tracker (CJT), described as a platform for lawful citizen documentation, monitoring and follow-up of justice and accountability cases.

Another component is The Gani Paper – Volume One, a compendium of papers, resolutions and interventions arising from the Memorial Lecture and Civil Justice Legacy activities.

GAFAMORG said the initiative would be guided by a simple accountability chain:

ALLEGATION → EVIDENCE → DOCUMENTATION → ACCOUNTABILITY → REFORM.

GAFAMORG INVITES MEDIA

The organisation has invited editors, journalists, broadcasters, publishers and online media platforms to attend and provide coverage of the event.

It said the Nigerian media has a critical role to play in sustaining the tradition of public-interest journalism and accountability which Fawehinmi represented throughout his lifetime.

GAFAMORG urged journalists not only to report the event but also to ask questions, analyse the issues raised and follow up on resolutions reached at the gathering.

“Attend. Report. Question. Analyse. Broadcast. Follow up,” the organisation urged the media.

'THE STRUGGLE MUST CONTINUE'

GAFAMORG stressed that the significance of the memorial should not be limited to recalling the personality of the late legal icon.

Seventeen years after his death, the organisation said, the more important question is whether Nigerians are prepared to continue the struggle for justice, democracy, human dignity and accountability.

Chief Gani Fawehinmi, one of Nigeria's most prominent human rights lawyers and activists, was renowned for his uncompromising advocacy for ordinary Nigerians and his persistent challenges to abuse of power.

The organisation said his legacy must therefore be measured not merely by the number of memorials held in his honour, but by the extent to which Nigerians continue to defend the values for which he stood.

The 17th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture and Civil Justice Legacy Project will hold from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Conference Hall, Off Obajobi Way, GRA, Ikeja, Old Secretariat, Lagos State.

The event is expected to bring together civil society actors, lawyers, labour activists, journalists, political stakeholders and members of the public for a critical examination of Nigeria's democratic journey and the responsibilities of the state to its citizens.

Theme: Democracy, Human Dignity and the Nigerian State: Living Wage, Security and Accountability in the Public Interest.

Sub-theme: State Police, Democratic Safeguards and Constitutional Accountability: Security for Whom and in Whose Interest?

REMEMBERING GANI BY CONTINUING HIS STRUGGLE.

GANI FAWEHINMI MEMORIAL ORGANIZATION (GAFAMORG)
“For the Voiceless and Defenceless!”

Pensioners’ Tear-Gassing: CHSR Demands Arrest, Prosecution of Lagos Police Officers

Human rights group challenges CP Tijani Fatai over alleged ‘AI-generated’ protest footage, demands full investigation

By Our Correspondent

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of police officers allegedly involved in the tear-gassing and violent disruption of a peaceful protest by pensioners at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The elderly pensioners had reportedly gathered at the Assembly gate on Monday, August 31, 2026, to demand the payment of their outstanding pensions, gratuities and other entitlements.

But the protest, according to CHSR, was allegedly disrupted with the use of tear gas and other forms of force by security personnel.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, CHSR described the reported action as “inhumane, unacceptable and a serious affront to human dignity.”

The statement was signed by the organisation’s President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse.

‘Pension is not charity’ — CHSR

CHSR said the protesters were elderly men and women who had devoted several productive years of their lives to the service of Lagos State and should not be treated as criminals for demanding benefits legitimately owed to them.

“Pension is not a favour, charity or privilege. It is an entitlement earned through years of dedicated public service,” the organisation declared.

According to the rights group, the grievances displayed on the protesters’ placards reflected the severity of the hardship confronting many retirees, including difficulties associated with unpaid pensions and health challenges.

CHSR maintained that the appropriate response to such grievances should be dialogue and prompt resolution rather than intimidation, harassment or the use of force.

‘Lagos pensioners deserve dignity, not tear gas’

The organisation questioned why elderly citizens who spent their working lives serving Lagos State should be subjected to what it described as humiliating treatment while demanding their legitimate entitlements.

CHSR argued that government has a duty to protect the welfare and dignity of senior citizens.

It further reminded members of the security agencies that they too would eventually retire.

“The elderly pensioners protesting today are the parents, relatives and predecessors of many serving public officials and security personnel. They deserve respect, restraint and dignity,” the organisation said.

CHSR challenges CP over ‘AI-generated’ footage claim

The human rights group also challenged Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, over the reported claim that some of the photographs and video footage emerging from the pensioners’ protest were AI-generated.

CHSR described the position as an apparent “damage control” effort and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

The group challenged the Commissioner of Police to establish the truth.

“We hereby challenge the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, to investigate the incident and, if truly the news were fake, then the perpetrators should be brought to book,” CHSR stated.

According to the organisation, the issue should not be reduced to a public relations battle, particularly because the alleged victims were elderly citizens who had devoted a substantial part of their lives to public service.

11-point demands

CHSR presented a series of demands to the Lagos State and Federal Governments as well as the police authorities.

Among other things, the organisation demanded:

• Immediate payment of all verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances owed to retirees.
• Publication of a clear and time-bound schedule for settling outstanding pensioners’ entitlements.
• Direct and constructive engagement between the Lagos State Government and pensioners’ representatives.
• A full investigation into the reported tear-gassing of the elderly protesters.
• Public disclosure of the outcome of the investigation.
• Accountability for any security personnel found to have acted unlawfully.
• Respect by the police and other security agencies for citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
• Urgent training and retraining of security personnel on the professional management of peaceful protests.
• Greater emphasis on restraint, dialogue and respect for human dignity during demonstrations.
• Immediate action by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to arrest and prosecute officers found responsible for the alleged assault and disruption of the protest.
• Solidarity from organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress, professional bodies, human rights organisations and other Nigerians with the affected pensioners.

‘Lagos must not become hostile to peaceful protesters’

CHSR warned that Lagos State must not become a place where elderly citizens are tear-gassed, intimidated or humiliated for demanding what they believe to be their lawful entitlements.

The organisation called on the Lagos State Government to approach the matter with urgency and sensitivity.

“The most appropriate response to the grievances of pensioners is not force but dialogue, accountability and immediate action,” CHSR said.

The rights group further urged the government to demonstrate that public servants who spent their productive years serving Lagos State would not be abandoned in retirement.

CHSR said it would continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the affected pensioners until their grievances were adequately addressed.

— Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR)

Sowore: GAFAMORG Warns Tinubu Govt Against Criminalising Dissent

‘Government must not fear criticism, citizens must not fear government’ — Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation

The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) has warned the Federal Government against using criminal law and security agencies to intimidate or silence journalists, activists and citizens who criticise government policies.

The organisation, in a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, also threw its weight behind the fundamental right of journalist and activist, Omoyele Sowore, to criticise government and participate in public affairs.

GAFAMORG’s statement followed the recent call by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on the Tinubu administration and the Department of State Services (DSS) to withdraw criminal charges against Sowore.

The organisation said the development raises a fundamental question for Nigeria’s democracy: “What happens to democracy when criticism of government becomes a security offence?”

‘We Defend the Right to Criticise’

GAFAMORG said it supports the right of Sowore and every other Nigerian to question public officials, criticise government and participate in public affairs without intimidation.

It, however, stressed that defending freedom of expression does not mean placing anyone above the law.

“If a crime is alleged, it must be tested transparently before an independent court, with full constitutional safeguards,” the organisation stated.

It warned against what it described as the use of criminal law, security agencies and the courts to silence political opposition, journalism and legitimate dissent.

‘This Is the Gani Fawehinmi Standard’

Invoking the legacy of the late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, the organisation said its position was rooted in the principles for which the legal icon fought throughout his life.

According to GAFAMORG, Fawehinmi did not merely defend individuals; he defended principles, particularly against arbitrary power, unlawful detention and suppression of the powerless.

“The power of the state must always be subject to law,” the organisation declared, describing the principle as central to Fawehinmi’s legacy.

GAFAMORG maintained that remembering Gani means defending citizens’ rights whenever they are threatened, irrespective of who is in power.

GAFAMORG’s Six Demands to Tinubu Government

The organisation called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the DSS and other law enforcement agencies to:

1. Stop persecuting Nigerians for peaceful expression, journalism or political criticism.
2. Ensure that allegations against Sowore are determined strictly on the basis of law and evidence.
3. Prevent security agencies from defining political expression according to political convenience.
4. Ensure that the electoral calendar does not determine respect for fundamental rights.
5. Prevent prosecution from being used as a substitute for political debate.
6. Review laws used to criminalise expression and ensure their conformity with the Constitution.

‘Freedom Comes With Responsibility’

GAFAMORG also cautioned activists and citizens that the right to freedom of expression comes with responsibility.

The organisation said it would defend a citizen’s right to speak without necessarily endorsing every statement made by that individual.

“The answer to controversial speech is more speech, evidence and debate — not intimidation,” it said.

According to GAFAMORG, the issue goes beyond the Sowore case, warning that journalists, students, labour leaders, human rights defenders and ordinary citizens could face similar challenges if democratic safeguards are weakened.

“Do we want a democracy where citizens can question power, or a system where power decides who may question it?” the organisation asked.

“GAFAMORG chooses democracy.”

GAFAMORG Unveils Five-Point ‘Revolutionary Standard’

The organisation also unveiled what it called its “Revolutionary Standard”, built around five principles:

SPEAK — without fear.
QUESTION — without intimidation.
PROTEST — peacefully and lawfully.
PROSECUTE — only on evidence and due process.
ACCOUNT — especially when you hold public power.

GAFAMORG further proposed the establishment of a National Civil Liberties and Justice Accountability Framework to independently monitor cases involving journalists, activists, protesters and citizens facing state action.

It also called for stronger oversight of security agencies and a comprehensive national review of laws affecting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

‘Gani’s Legacy Is Not a Statue’

GAFAMORG said the legacy of Gani Fawehinmi should not be confined to monuments, anniversaries or memorial events.

“Gani’s legacy is not a statue. It is a standard,” the organisation declared.

It pledged to condemn oppression by government, abuse by security agencies, injustice by political opponents and irresponsibility by activists and citizens.

“Our loyalty is not to persons. Our loyalty is to justice,” GAFAMORG stated.

The organisation ended its statement with a powerful message directed at both government and citizens:

“Government must not fear criticism. Citizens must not fear government. The law must fear no one and protect everyone.”

GAFAMORG described itself as an organisation committed to defending “the voiceless and defenceless” and to remembering Gani Fawehinmi by continuing his struggle for justice, accountability, constitutional rights and democratic freedoms.

SDP Denies Collapse of Oluyole Structure into APC, Says ‘Our Structure Is Intact’

Oyo SDP Chairman dismisses report as misleading, says party remains active and mobilising across Oluyole

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has dismissed reports that its political structure in Oluyole Local Government Area has collapsed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claim as misleading and a misrepresentation of the current political situation in the council.

The State Chairman of the SDP, Okunlade Michael, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the party's structure in Oluyole remains intact, with its members and supporters actively engaged in mobilisation and other political activities.

Okunlade said while the party respects the constitutional right of every individual to freedom of association and the decision to move from one political party to another, it was inappropriate to portray former SDP members as constituting the party's present structure in Oluyole.

According to him, the group led by Mogaji Saheed Oyewale left the SDP sometime last year and became associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He further stated that Oyewale subsequently participated as an aspirant in the ADC's recently concluded primary process.

The SDP chairman questioned what he described as the sudden re-emergence of the group in narratives concerning the SDP structure in Oluyole following the outcome of the ADC primary, saying the development raises questions about the motivation behind the reports.

“It is misleading and mischievous to present people who have ceased to be members of the SDP for almost a year as though they constitute the party's current structure in Oluyole,” Okunlade stated.

He maintained that the SDP remains active in the local government and continues to mobilise members ahead of future political engagements.

As evidence of the party's continued activities in the area, the chairman pointed to a sensitisation meeting being held by the SDP candidate for the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kazeem Olawale Hamzat, with members and supporters within his constituency.

Okunlade said the ongoing engagement demonstrated that the party's structure was still operational and capable of mobilising its supporters.

He urged residents of Oluyole, members of the public and supporters of democracy to disregard what he described as politically motivated narratives capable of creating confusion about the strength and organisation of the SDP in the local government.

The chairman also used the opportunity to call on Nigerians seeking an alternative to the dominant political parties to join the SDP, stressing that the party was committed to building a credible, responsible and people-oriented political platform.

He said the party's immediate focus remained strengthening its structures, expanding its membership base and providing citizens with a genuine platform for political participation and good governance.

“The SDP in Oluyole is alive. Our structure is intact. Our members are resolute. And we are moving forward,” Okunlade declared.

Federal Workers Cry Out Over Rising Hardship, Demand ₦300,000 Minimum Wage

Federal Workers Forum Demands ₦300,000 Minimum Wage, ₦1.5m Salary for Level 17 Officers

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently review the salaries of federal workers, demanding a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a salary ceiling of ₦1.5 million for Level 17 officers.

In a press statement dated September 2, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Comrade Ogundele Ayodele, the group said the current ₦70,000 minimum wage was no longer sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers amid the rising cost of living.

The statement, addressed to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, urged the National Assembly to intervene urgently in what the group described as an “emergency” situation facing federal workers.

According to the FWF, the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage has not adequately reflected in the salaries and allowances of federal workers through the expected consequential adjustments. The group also called for the immediate implementation and payment of outstanding components of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, promotion arrears and other salary-related entitlements.

The workers’ forum argued that the economic conditions that prevailed when the new minimum wage was introduced had deteriorated significantly, making it dangerous, in its view, to wait until July 2027 for another statutory minimum-wage review.

FWF: ₦70,000 No Longer Sustainable

The FWF said federal workers were facing severe financial pressure as the prices of food, transportation, accommodation, energy and other essential services continued to rise.

It maintained that workers were increasingly relying on loans and other forms of credit to meet basic household expenses and, in some cases, to finance transportation to their workplaces.

The group therefore proposed an immediate wage structure beginning with ₦300,000 for Level 1 Step 1, rising progressively to ₦1.5 million for Level 17 Step 1.

Under its proposed structure, Level 2 would receive ₦330,000, Level 3 ₦360,000, Level 4 ₦390,000, Level 5 ₦420,000, Level 6 ₦450,000, Level 7 ₦480,000, Level 8 ₦510,000, Level 9 ₦550,000, Level 10 ₦600,000, Level 12 ₦700,000, Level 13 ₦750,000, Level 14 ₦800,000, Level 15 ₦1 million, Level 16 ₦1.2 million and Level 17 ₦1.5 million.

The proposed wage structure did not list a figure for Level 11.

Group Seeks Permanent Cost-of-Living Allowance

Beyond an immediate wage review, the FWF demanded the introduction of a permanent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) that would be adjusted in line with prevailing economic conditions.

It also proposed a Family Support Allowance (FASA) for federal workers, arguing that rising household costs had placed additional pressure on employees.

Other demands include the payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements; harmonisation of salaries and pensions in the federal public service; improved health insurance coverage; car and housing loan schemes; long-service awards; and measures to address what it described as stagnation in the public service.

The forum specifically called for an end to the stagnation of workers and the declaration of vacancies for promotion, alleging that some workers, particularly in the Federal Ministry of Education, had suffered prolonged career stagnation.

Calls for Wider Social and Economic Reforms

The FWF's demands extended beyond the salaries of federal workers. The group called for improved pensions, settlement of outstanding pension arrears and the development of a comprehensive national social security programme for unemployed and underemployed Nigerians.

It also called for free education in federal institutions for the children of federal workers and pensioners, while advocating a long-term national policy of free education.

On healthcare, the group demanded free medical treatment for children, pregnant women and elderly citizens in government hospitals, as well as federal intervention in the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The forum further demanded the decongestion of correctional facilities, justice for prisoners, consideration of amnesty measures and the abolition of capital punishment.

FWF Calls for Action on Cost of Living and Insecurity

On the wider economy, the group called for measures to reduce the cost of living, including the return of petrol subsidy, price-control mechanisms for essential goods and services, deliberate measures to strengthen the naira, and increased government participation in the mass production of basic commodities.

It also urged the Federal Government to halt what it described as the rapid increase in the prices of essential goods, including cement, while promoting industrialisation and employment creation.

The forum appealed for urgent action against insecurity and called for the release of kidnapped Nigerians and an end to the country's security crisis.

It additionally urged the government to develop productive opportunities for young people as an alternative to internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

FWF Seeks Probe of Alleged Borrowing of Pension Funds

The workers' forum also asked the National Assembly to investigate reports that part of workers' contributory pension savings may have been borrowed by the Executive.

The group said that if the allegation was established to be true, the practice should be stopped immediately and the funds refunded.

“Federal Workers Cannot Wait Until 2027”

The FWF said its demands were motivated by what it described as the deteriorating living conditions of workers and argued that waiting until the next statutory minimum-wage review would further worsen the situation.

“We cannot wait till July 2027 for a new national minimum wage,” the group declared, insisting that an immediate review was necessary to reflect current economic realities.

The forum urged President Tinubu, the National Assembly and relevant government authorities to treat the matter as an emergency and take steps toward what it described as a “just and fair wage” for federal workers.

The statement concluded with the forum's call for solidarity and a commitment to continue advocating for improved wages, better working conditions and broader social protection for Nigerian workers and citizens.

“We shall overcome,” the statement declared.

ASCSN: Unity, Solidarity as Members Mobilise for Court of Appeal Hearing

ASCSN Mobilises Members for Court of Appeal Hearing in Abuja

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called on its members nationwide to mobilise and attend the Court of Appeal hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Abuja.

The call was contained in an important notice issued by the Strategic Media Group, Office of the National President of ASCSN, concerning the ongoing legal matter between Shehu Mohammed and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

According to the notice, the matter has been listed for hearing before the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Court of Appeal Complex, Abuja. ASCSN members have consequently been urged to arrive early and demonstrate unity, solidarity, discipline and commitment to the Association throughout the proceedings.

The association also appealed to members to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, stressing that their presence should reflect ASCSN's collective commitment to justice, the rule of law, internal democracy and the protection of the integrity of the association.

Describing the hearing as an important moment for the association, ASCSN emphasised the significance of collective presence and solidarity among its members.

The notice concluded with a mobilisation call: “All hands on deck. All ASCSN members — Court of Appeal, Abuja. Thursday, 3rd September 2026 | 9:00 a.m.”

The association further expressed confidence in the strength of its members' unity, declaring: “United we stand. Together, we shall prevail.”

Capital Post and Ijaw Voice Reports Should Stop Sowing Seeds of Confusion, Division and Distrust Among Our Members — ASCSN

ASCSN Rejects Capital Post, Ijaw Voice Reports, Says Petition Is Not Conviction

Association faults reports on its leadership and financial affairs, urges media to verify claims and respect due process.

By Our Correspondent

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has rejected what it described as misleading and unsubstantiated publications by Capital Post, Ijaw Voice Newspaper and other online platforms concerning the leadership and financial affairs of the association.

In a statement signed by the Strategic Media Group, Office of the National President of ASCSN, the association alleged that certain individuals, including persons it said were parading themselves as members or staff of the association, were circulating information capable of creating confusion, division and distrust among its members.

ASCSN specifically raised concerns over materials allegedly being circulated under the name of a purported “Media and Publicity Committee”, particularly on matters which, according to the association, have already been subjected to judicial proceedings.

The association urged members of the public and the media to exercise caution and verify such claims through its established Open Information System (OIS), where it said clarification and relevant documentary evidence could be obtained.

ASCSN Cites April 15, 2026 Court Judgment

The association also referred to the leadership dispute within ASCSN and the judgment delivered on April 15, 2026, by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by Honourable Justice R. Haastrup.

According to ASCSN, the existence of a judicial pronouncement requires all parties to respect the authority of the court and avoid selective presentation or misrepresentation of judicial proceedings.

The association maintained that where any party disagrees with a court decision, the proper avenue is the established appellate process, stressing that the media cannot substitute for the courts.

“A Petition Is Not a Conviction”

A major focus of the statement was the association's response to reports concerning petitions allegedly submitted to anti-corruption agencies.

ASCSN stressed that a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), or any other investigative authority does not, by itself, establish criminal liability.

The association therefore cautioned against describing individuals as having “looted” or “stolen” funds, or using other expressions that imply guilt, unless such guilt has been established by a competent court.

It said there must be a clear distinction between an allegation and an established fact, a petition and an investigation, an investigation and prosecution, and prosecution and conviction.

According to the association, deliberately conflating these separate stages could result in sensational and misleading reporting.

Disputed ASCSN Account

On concerns surrounding a disputed ASCSN account and other financial matters, the association acknowledged that questions had been raised but insisted that such issues should be addressed through documentation, investigation, due process and appropriate institutional or judicial channels.

ASCSN said it remained prepared to provide clarification and relevant documentary evidence through its Open Information System to enable members and stakeholders distinguish facts from speculation.

Call for Responsible Journalism

The association also appealed to Capital Post, Ijaw News and other media organisations reporting on ASCSN affairs to adhere to professional standards of journalism.

It urged journalists to verify information before publication and give all parties an opportunity to respond to allegations.

According to ASCSN, sensational headlines, unverified claims and prejudicial language could further deepen divisions within the association and undermine the interests of its members and the wider labour movement.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, internal democracy, due process, respect for the rule of law, protection of members' legitimate interests and welfare, responsible communication, and peace and unity within the organisation.

It further advised members to rely on recognised and authorised channels for information rather than social media posts and unofficial sources.

“The truth does not require propaganda. It requires evidence,” the association stated.