A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has expressed deep concern over the controversy surrounding a defamation judgment reportedly secured by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), warning that the situation poses serious risks to judicial transparency, civic freedoms and democratic accountability.

In a joint press statement dated May 11, 2026, the groups faulted the growing public debate over the judgment despite the absence of the Certified True Copy (CTC) and full text of the ruling at the time reactions began to circulate.

According to the organisations, such a development raises fundamental questions about due process, procedural fairness and institutional responsibility within Nigeria’s justice system.

They stressed that under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the right to fair hearing extends beyond courtroom proceedings to include transparency, access to judicial decisions and the opportunity to exercise appellate rights.

The coalition also cited Sections 39(1) and 22 of the Constitution, noting that freedom of expression and the duty of the media and civic actors to hold government accountable are essential pillars of a democratic society.

Referencing international frameworks, the groups pointed to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee the right to receive and disseminate information.

They noted that the African Commission has consistently held that any restriction on civic expression must meet the tests of legality, necessity and proportionality.

The statement further decried the delay in releasing the Certified True Copy of the judgment, describing timely access to court decisions as central to the administration of justice.

“Without access to the judgment, litigants are unable to properly assess their legal position, pursue appeals or engage responsibly in public discourse,” the statement read.

The organisations warned that such delays could undermine public confidence in the judiciary, weaken transparency in judicial administration and erode trust in democratic institutions.

They also cautioned against what they described as the growing use of defamation suits and coercive legal measures against civil society actors involved in anti-corruption and public accountability advocacy.

According to them, the right to appeal is a fundamental component of the justice system and should not be misconstrued as disobedience to judicial authority.

The coalition called for the immediate release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, respect for constitutional and international human rights obligations, and greater restraint in public commentary on judicial matters lacking full disclosure.

They further urged authorities to safeguard civic space and protect public-interest advocacy from intimidation or misuse of legal processes.

The statement concluded that Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on electoral processes but also on adherence to the rule of law, judicial integrity and the protection of civic freedoms.

A coalition of international scholars and policy experts will, from May 15 to 29, convene for a three-part webinar series to interrogate the complex intersection of energy security, resource wealth and the global transition to renewable energy.

The series, titled “The Politics of Power: Energy Security, Resource Wealth and the Global Energy Transition,” is organised under the CIFAL Global Network and UNITAR, with sessions hosted by leading academic institutions across Australia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Scheduled to hold over three consecutive Fridays at 9:00 a.m. (Nigeria time), the webinars will explore how countries can balance economic prosperity with the urgent need for a just and sustainable energy transition.

The opening session on May 15 will be hosted by CIFAL Newcastle in collaboration with the University of Newcastle. Discussions will focus on Australia’s strategic position as a major coal exporter and the challenges of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources.

Speakers for the session include Lara Eadie, a specialist in sustainability and regional development, and Paul Ebert, an authority in energy systems and infrastructure.

The second webinar, slated for May 22, will shift attention to Nigeria’s energy landscape. Hosted by CIFAL Nigeria at Rivers State University, the session will examine how Africa’s largest oil producer can navigate the dual challenge of sustaining economic growth while expanding domestic energy access amid declining global reliance on fossil fuels.

Panelists include Prof. Augustine A. Ikein, a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow and Professor Emeritus at the Federal University Otuoke; Prof. Kingsley Okpara,an expert in Environmental Pollution of the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management(IGEM), Rivers State University; and Dr. Uduak Akpan,a postdoctoral researcher at SOAS University of London,whose work spans Africa’s economic transformation and energy sector, including experience at the African Development Bank.

The final session on May 29 will be hosted by CIFAL Surrey in partnership with the University of Surrey. It will broaden the conversation to global governance, resilience and the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition.

Speakers include Dr. Amelia Hadfield, Director of CIFAL Surrey; Mustafa Demir, an expert in international governance; and Prof. Mahmoud Shafee, noted for his research on risk and sustainability in global energy systems.

Organisers said the series is designed to bring together diverse global perspectives to unpack one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century — achieving energy security while ensuring economic stability and advancing a fair transition to renewable energy.

Participants who attend all three sessions will receive a certificate of participation from the CIFAL Global Network/ UNITAR while recordings will be made available to registered attendees.

The organisers urged stakeholders, policymakers, academics and industry players to take advantage of the forum to engage with emerging ideas and contribute to shaping the future of global energy systems.

Register now and be part of the conversation.https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y2W4u2qMSc6UHP_7Gbd9EA#/registration

Nigeria’s health system will remain fragile and unsustainable unless it returns to its original tripartite structure that accords public health its rightful place alongside primary and hospital care, a Professor of Health Policy and Medical Ethics, Kalada Godson McFubara, has said.

Delivering the 131st inaugural lecture of Rivers State University on Wednesday, McFubara warned that the continued treatment of a three-component system as either bipartite or, at best, incomplete, has weakened healthcare delivery and undermined outcomes across the country.

Speaking on the topic, “Medicalization of Public Health: Imperatives for the Health System Reform in Nigeria,” the don described public health as the backbone of the entire system, lamenting its persistent neglect and “invisible medicalization,” which he said has imposed a curative, rather than preventive, philosophy on the sector.

According to him, the dominance of curative medicine has shifted responsibility for healthcare away from citizens and communities to medical professionals and institutions, turning Nigerians into “habitual consumers” of medical services rather than active participants in preventive health practices.

He argued that the sidelining of public health has placed an avoidable burden on an already weak system, stressing that leadership and governance, core pillars of public health, have not received the attention required to drive efficiency and equity.

McFubara called for a fundamental restructuring of the health sector through the formal adoption of a tripartite model comprising public health, primary healthcare and hospital services, with public health positioned as the first point of contact.

He said such a shift would strengthen disease prevention, promote hygiene and sanitation, and improve referral systems, in line with provisions of the National Health Act 2014.

The professor urged strict enforcement of the “first contact” principle, recommending that citizens be properly educated on sanitation and registered with primary health centres to ensure access to basic care.

To deepen institutional capacity, he proposed the establishment of a National Public Health Development Agency and State Public Health Management Boards, alongside sustained investment in infrastructure and manpower.

He also advocated clearer delineation of roles within the system, insisting that Hospitals Management Boards, not Ministries of Health, should oversee referral services as stipulated by law.

Professor McFubara further stressed the need to institutionalise research and development to support data-driven policy decisions tailored to Nigeria’s peculiar health challenges, while calling for wider dissemination of the Patient’s Bill of Rights to empower citizens and promote accountability.

He recommended statutory recognition for public health professionals and proposed the creation of a Health Ombudsman to enforce compliance with health laws in collaboration with the judiciary and legislature.

On professional conduct, the don called for a unified ethics curriculum across health professions to foster collaboration and strengthen leadership.

He concluded by advocating a preventive approach anchored on deterrence, targeting diseases, infections and environmental hazards before they escalate, while maintaining adequate capacity for curative care.

Professor McFubara also raised concerns over political and ethical challenges in the sector, noting that effective leadership and governance remain critical to repositioning the system.

Drawing lessons from countries in Europe and Africa, he said sustained investment in public health has proven pivotal in building resilient and efficient health systems.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer for addressing a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Blessing Jaja, the Vice-Chancellor described the lecture as enriching and timely, noting that its recommendations, if implemented, could significantly strengthen the nation’s health system.