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Netizens Knock Activist Deji Adeyanju Over “Defamation Is Not A Crime” Comment

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Deji Adeyanju, a prominent activist and human rights lawyer, is facing criticism for his statement “Defamation is not a crime” after the arrest of journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Adeyanju’s comment came after the recent arrest of Adejuwon Soyinka, a Premium Times journalist, by the Department of State Service (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Soyinka was released after six hours in detention, following the intervention of the International Press Institute Nigeria.

As part of his bail conditions, the DSS seized his passport and requested his Nigerian address and phone number.

Reacting to the arrests, Adeyanju wrote on his X handle, “Defamation is not a crime. Ignore the Twitter lawyers and the tyrants in power. We must say no to the tyranny of the Tinubu regime.”

His statement has sparked a backlash, with some criticizing his stance on defamation.

In another post, he wrote, “Defamation is not a crime.”

Following the post, netizens have taken to their handles to water down his stance as being unconstitutional while questioning his Law degree from Baze University, Abuja.

One user who tweeted with the handle Timeless Femmy on X sarcastically wrote, “This guy studied law at Ibadan Poly.”

Another user on X.com with a handle, Basit said, “Defamation is a crime in Nigeria. It can be addressed both as a civil wrong (tort) and as a criminal offence under Nigerian law.

“Civil Defamation: Under civil law, a person can sue for damages if they believe they have been defamed. The goal here is typically to seek monetary compensation for harm done to one’s reputation.

“Criminal Defamation: Defamation can also be prosecuted as a crime under the Nigerian Criminal Code (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria). Criminal defamation is punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both. The laws are designed to protect individuals and entities from false statements that can harm their reputations.

“Both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written defamation) are considered under these laws.”

“Are you sure you’re a lawyer?” another user with the handle Star Boy queried.

One Alli Olabisi said, “Could this type of statement be the reason why Law has been put on hold at Baze University? Lawyer Deji.”

“‘Bazeless’ University law graduate, we heard you ooh but would it not have been ideal you approached the Court and stop attempting to be an X app lawyer?” Sam Adeyemi opined.

One Lateef Muritala stressed, “Defamation can be a crime in some countries, depending on the specific laws of each jurisdiction. In general, defamation refers to the communication of false statements that damage a person’s, group’s, or entity’s reputation.”

“This your evening or night degree will surely send some of your clients to prison. Lawyer isonu,” another user with handle, King Skarz, wrote.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Code Act 1990 condemns defamation in all spheres.

Section 375 of the act with the sub-heading, “Publication of Defamatory Matter’ reads, “Subject to the provisions of this chapter, any person who publishes any defamatory matter is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year; and any person who publishes any defamatory matter knowing it to be false is liable to imprisonment for two years.”

Also, Section 391 of the Nigerian Penal Code states, “Whoever by words either spoken or reproduced by mechanical means or intended to be read or by signs or by visible representations makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending to harm or knowing or having reasons to believe that such imputations will harm the reputation of such person, is said … to defame that person

Articles 512–514 of the Nigerian Criminal Code also succinctly put defamatory matter as a matter likely to injure the representation of any person by exposing him to hatred, contempt, or ridicule or likely to damage any person in his profession or trade by an injury to his reputation.

It, however, pegged such matters as those that may be expressed in spoken words or in any audible sounds, or in words legibly marked on any substance whatever, or by any sign or object signifying such matters otherwise than by words, and may be expressed whether directly or by insinuation or irony.

It is immaterial whether, at the time of the publication of the defamatory matter, the person concerning whom such matter is published is living or dead.

BIG STORY

400 Sex Tapes: Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded In Prison

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The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.

The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.

Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.

Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.

In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.

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BIG STORY

JAPA: Canada Tightens Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

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Canada will no longer automatically grant 10-year multiple-entry visas to tourists, according to new guidelines issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

This decision marks a shift from the previous practice where eligible visitors were routinely issued long-term visas, permitting multiple entries over a decade.

Under the revised rules, immigration officers now have discretion to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments.

Instead of a default extended validity period, each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Officers can decide whether to grant a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determine its duration, moving away from the automatic issuance of maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period,” said the IRCC.

The IRCC explained that this change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing temporary immigration levels while addressing ongoing challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs.

The policy adjustment reflects the Canadian government’s efforts to adapt its immigration approach in response to economic and infrastructure pressures.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants were generally considered for the multiple-entry visa, which allowed them to visit the country multiple times over a period of up to 10 years or until one month before their passport’s expiration date.

Single-entry visas, issued for specific situations like official visits or participation in single events, were less common.

Now, with the updated guidance, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas will no longer be the standard offering.

Immigration officers will exercise their judgement to decide on the appropriate type and duration of the visa, tailoring it to the specific needs and circumstances of the traveller.

The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains unchanged at CAD 100 per person, with no difference in cost between single-entry and multiple-entry options.

However, the shift may result in increased application costs for frequent travellers, who might need to apply more often due to shorter-term visas.

This policy change is part of a wider effort to balance immigration levels with Canada’s current infrastructure capabilities.

Other measures announced include a reduction in the target for permanent resident admissions, which will drop from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further decreases planned for 2026 and 2027.

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MC Oluomo Elected NURTW National President

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Former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as “MC Oluomo,” was elected the new National President of the Union on Saturday.

Akinsanya was the sole candidate in the election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road.

Delegates from the four Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.

The election, held during the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference, was monitored and observed by the acting National President of the group, Aliyu Issa-Ore.

Issa-Ore, addressing the gathering, explained that the Union’s Constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.

The acting NURTW President, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance at the National Headquarters in Abuja, added, “The Southwest zone has fully complied with the Constitution in electing Oluomo as President.

The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, Southwest, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as Trustee from the Zone.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya, surrounded by associates and family members, called for peace and pledged to work towards unity among members.

He further stated, “I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well.

“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

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