News
IHRC prays court to declare as illegal impersonation of its name, use of its logo
The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on Thursday Approached the Federal High Court Abuja to seek for declaration barring any other group from impersonating with the name and Logo of the organisation.
The court action was coming against the backdrop that a group of persons have been using the name and logo of IHRC to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians in the name of launching pro-poor Housing Estate.
The organisation’s high Commissioner for African Region Ambassador Dr. Friday Sani said they approached the court to get a declaration because a particular group has continued to impersonate the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).
“This is our reason for resorting to court action, having filed several petitions with the police the actions were inadequate.
“We think it has reached the peak whereby a court of law needed to make a pronouncement so it can stand as law against such impersonation.
“This group use the exact name and logo that was ordinarily protected by the trade mark act, because every logo in Nigeria and outside is usually protected by the registered trade mark. “Being an international Organization in Nigeria we ensured that our logo is protected by that registration for trade Mark and in Nigeria it is usually done by the Federal ministry of Trade and Industry.
“We have done that, even at that they still continued to use our logo and name against the established law.
According to Dr. Sani the group has been extorting money from people and even in recent times staged a launching on Tuesday targeted at defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians because International Human Rights Commission is not a Property consultant. “There is no way we will be proposing for a launch of a housing estate for the people. So it is an attempt to defraud the people and I want the public to take note of it.
“Whether it is the property Housing that was launched they do not have anything to do with the IHRC, including our logo that was protected by law in Nigeria and outside.
“We had taken this matter to the Trade Mark Act tribunal, whereby if anybody impersonate your logo you take the person before the tribunal.
“We have exhausted that window of opportunity to make complaint to the tribunal and the Tribunal came out with a ruling that it has no jurisdiction over them because they are not registered or they don’t have a registered name or logo with the Federal ministry of Trade and Industry, hence they have no jurisdiction over them.
“Since they have continued to impersonate our organization we felt it is better to come before the court to protect our organization.
The IHRC is our name with the European Union, it is a European Union property across Europe and in the world you cannot use the logo anywhere.
“Yet the same group continued to use the logo and the name with the intention to defraud. We have a police report that was released recently indicting them of defrauding people with an account where several monies were collected in the name of registering them.
He said the IHRC that he heads in Africa does not register anybody for any amount as people don’t need to pay money for accessing human rights. “What we do is free legal services to every individual living on earth. We don’t register anybody for money. Anybody who is asking you to bring money to be registered into the International Human Rights Commission belongs to the same group of fraudulent agents whose matter we have brought to court.”
The legal representative for the IHRC
Victor Onuche Chapi said relief in the application he has filed is for the court to declare that only the International Human Rights Commission and it’s Lawful Attorney Dr. Friday Sani has the legal right to act as the official representative of the IHRC both in Nigeria and in the African region.
“We are asking the court to declare that the attempt by these individuals to impersonate, to act as the official representatives of the IHRC is it ultra vires
Null and void and that any act they have carried out in the name of International Human Rights Commission using our name, using our logo to perpetrate all manners of illegal activities be declared ultra vires, null and void
“The import of this action is not just to distance the African head of IHRC from the activities of these well known fraudsters but also to establish that human right is free, human right is for everyone, you cannot sell it, you cannot divorce yourself from it. “So anyone that is attempting to exchange money or other gifts to provide you with your human right, they are looking for something that is not protected or guaranteed by the law.
“The law is clearly established, where there is wrong there is right. So we have asked the court to make us even because these people have not only brought disrepute to the International Human Rights Commission both in Nigeria and the world because their activities are broadcasted globally. “They are fronting a criminal organization using a well known organization with integrity. So yes, we have asked the court for damages and we believe the court will hear us and grant us our reliefs.
News
Obidient Movement Denounces Fake Social Media Posts Targeting Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
News
Senate Approves President Tinubu’s N1.767 Trillion Loan Request
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
News
Finland Detains Pro-Biafra Agitator Simon Ekpa on Terrorism Charges
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
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