society
Speak and Seek Justice: Why Free Speech and the Right to Litigate Stand or Fall Together
Speak and Seek Justice: Why Free Speech and the Right to Litigate Stand or Fall Together.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
There are societies that fear words and there are societies that fear courts. The first tries to gag dissent; the second tries to close the courthouse door. Both are attacks on human dignity. A truly free republic protects both the right to speak and the right to litigate. These are not competing liberties; they are twin pillars of the rule of law. Where speech dies, truth withers. Where litigation is denied, rights become ornaments. We must defend both; without apology, without equivocation.
The Legal Bedrock: Global and African Standards.
Freedom of expression is not a privilege handed out by rulers; it is a human right recognized in black-letter international law. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms that “EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION,” including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.
The same guarantee is legally binding under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects the right to hold opinions without interference and to express them; subject only to narrowly tailored restrictions provided by law and necessary for respect of the rights of others or for national security, public order, public health or morals.
On our continent, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights secures the right to receive information and to express and disseminate opinions within the law. The African Commission’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (2019) further consolidates these protections for the digital age.
Freedom of speech is not a slogan; it is law.
National Constitutions: Nigeria and South Africa.
These global standards breathe through our domestic constitutions. Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press in Section 39, the right to fair hearing in Section 36, and it establishes a special jurisdiction of High Courts for enforcement of fundamental rights under Section 46; including rules allowing public interest suits.
South Africa’s Constitution echoes the same architecture. Section 16 protects freedom of expression (press freedom, the right to receive or impart information, artistic creativity and academic freedom) while making clear that the right does not extend to incitement of imminent violence, advocacy of hatred that incites harm, or propaganda for war. Section 34 goes further, guaranteeing access to courts, the right of everyone to have legal disputes decided in a fair public hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal. This is the constitutional spine of the right of litigation.
In short: speak freely and if power infringes your liberty, SUE – the Constitution says you can.
The Right to Litigate: Justice Without Violence.
Courts are where citizens contest power without bloodshed. The ICCPR’s Article 14 proclaims equality before courts and tribunals and the right to a fair and public hearing. The African Charter’s Article 7 guarantees the right to have one’s cause heard, a presumption of innocence and the right to defense and counsel. A democracy without these mechanisms is merely orderly despotism.
Over a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court captured a universal truth that transcends jurisdictions: “The right to sue and defend in the courts is the alternative of force… the right conservative of all other rights.” Deny people the courtroom and you invite the street. That is not a Western aphorism; it is a constitutional logic any RULE-OF-LAW system must accept.
Why Both Rights Rise and Fall Together.
Free speech and fair litigation are interdependent. Speech exposes abuse; litigation remedies it. Journalists and citizens uncover corruption, environmental harm, election irregularities or police misconduct; then litigation compels evidence, checks executive overreach, vindicates rights and develops jurisprudence. Without speech, courts go blind. Without courts, speech is a cry into the wind.
This is why any policy that muzzles the press or criminalizes dissent corrodes judicial independence and why procedural barriers that block public-interest suits or muzzle access to counsel chill speech. Democracies that weaken either liberty eventually weaken both.
As Nigerian comedian I Go Dye once joked in a show, “In Nigeria, if you talk too much, they will say you are disturbing peace. If you keep quiet, they will say you are enjoying the suffering. My brother, which one we go do?” His humor captures the absurdity of silencing voices; it’s a LOSE-LOSE situation when citizens cannot express grievances freely.
The Boundaries: Lawful Limits, Not Convenient Gags.
Rights are robust but not reckless. International law permits narrow, necessary and proportionate restrictions; for example, to prevent incitement to violence or to protect the rights and reputations of others through defamation law. OPEN-ENDED BANS, vague notions of “OFFENSE,” and executive convenience do not meet this test.
The South African Constitution is explicit: advocacy of hatred that incites harm and incitement of imminent violence are outside the protection of Section 16. That clarity both protects pluralism and guards society against genuine danger; without handing censors a blank cheque.
The Intellectual Case: Why Liberty Works.
Great thinkers have long warned against the arrogance of censorship. John Stuart Mill, in On Liberty, called the silencing of any opinion a theft from humanity: if the opinion is right, we lose the chance to exchange error for truth; if it is wrong, we lose the sharper understanding that comes from confronting error.
In modern constitutional thought, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. crystallized the “marketplace of ideas”: “the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.”
Justice Louis Brandeis added the doctrine of counterspeech: “If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.”
Nigerian comedian Gordons brought the same truth home with laughter: “Our leaders do not like people talking because once you talk too much, their lies will need extra lies to cover it.” The humor might sound casual, but it reflects a sharp reality: truth dies in silence and litigation becomes useless when speech is stifled.
Practical Imperatives: What Governments Must Do.
Protect journalists and whistleblowers.
Keep the courthouse door open.
Legislate with precision.
Educate for resilience.
As Gordons quipped in another show: “Na only in Africa person go sue government, government go still be the judge.” The laughter hides a warning: judicial independence must be protected or litigation rights are reduced to theatre.
A Civic Mandate: Citizens, Not Subjects.
Citizens have duties too. Free speech is not a license for slander; it is a calling to truthful, accountable discourse. Litigation is not a toy; it is a sober instrument to vindicate rights and clarify law.
The Bottom Line
The measure of a constitutional order is simple: Can I speak? Can I sue? If either answer is “no,” the promise of freedom is already broken.
Let us say this plainly: There’s the right of free speech. There’s the right of litigation. Nobody should be denied either. Not by the state. Not by mobs. Not by wealthy actors who would rather settle truth with money than with evidence. The only alternative to speech is silence; the only alternative to litigation is force. We choose speech. We choose courts. We choose the rule of law.
Or as I Go Dye might say: “If you silence the people, don’t be surprised when the silence begins to shout louder than words.”
Nigerian Businessman Oluwasegun Elusoji Denies Fraud Allegations, Insists He Is Not a Fugitive
Lagos, Nigeria — The legal representatives of a U.S.-based Nigerian Information Security Engineer, Mr. Oluwasegun Rolland Elusoji, have issued a strong rebuttal to recent police publications declaring him wanted over allegations of fraud amounting to over ₦1.2 billion.
In official rejoinders published in The Punch and The Nation newspapers on Friday, August 29, 2025, his lawyers, W.K. Shittu (SAN) & Co., described the police notice as “false, misleading, injurious to reputation, and issued in disregard of ongoing legal proceedings both in Nigeria and the United States.”
According to court documents attached by his lawyers, the case is already before the District Court of Montgomery County, Texas, in Case No. 24-06-0979, where the same allegations of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretenses are currently being litigated.
His legal team emphasized that this fact was deliberately ignored in the Nigerian police bulletin, which portrayed him as a fugitive on the run. “Our client is not evading justice; rather, he is actively defending himself before competent courts in the United States of America and has also initiated proceedings in Nigeria to clear his name,” the statement reads.
His lawyers confirmed that petitions dated March 28, 2025, and April 22, 2025, had been filed against the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, and others involved, before the Lagos High Court of Lagos in Suit No: ID/1953/MFR/2025.
Similarly, petitions were sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), EFCC/PET/HQR/1656/202,5, against those allegedly orchestrating the campaign to brand him a criminal, with acknowledgment copies attached as proof.
In a sworn affidavit filed in the State of Illinois, U.S.A., Mr. Elusoji declared:
- He resides at 9997 S Whimbrel Cir, Conroe, Texas, and is not in hiding.
- He is a law-abiding citizen, employed as an Information Security Engineer in the U.S.
- He is fully cooperating with investigations in both countries.
- He has engaged the services of W.K. Shittu SAN to pursue justice in Nigerian courts.
The affidavit further states: “I am not on the run from justice. The publication declaring me wanted is injurious to my reputation and ought to be withdrawn.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Wahab Shittu SAN, who leads the defense team, argued that the police’s publication amounts to a media trial and undermines the principles of due process. He urged the authorities to withdraw the notice pending the conclusion of ongoing court proceedings.
“The rule of law requires that justice must take its full course in both Nigeria and the United States. Our client is entitled to equal access to justice without discrimination or defamation,” Shittu added.
Mr. Elusoji’s lawyers insist their client has committed no wrongdoing and remains committed to clearing his name through lawful means. They called on the Nigerian Police and media outlets to refrain from further publications that could prejudice ongoing judicial processes or tarnish his reputation.
Nigeria Held Hostage: Wrestling a Nation Back from the Grip of Greedy Elites.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria is a nation of contradictions though blessed with abundant human and natural resources, yet shackled by POVERTY, CORRUPTION and UNDERDEVELOPMENT. The tragedy of our country is not that we cannot work, but that there are powerful individuals and institutions who do not want Nigeria to work. Their power, wealth and influence are built on the back of our suffering. They thrive in chaos and instability. They profit from inefficiency. They grow fat when the common man starves. They will fight, tooth and nail against any reformer or institution that dares to fix this nation.
The question before us is simple but urgent: HOW LONG SHALL WE, THE CITIZENS, ALLOW A CABAL OF SELFISH ELITES TO HOLD OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY HOSTAGE?
The Economics of Suffering; Real Numbers Tell the Truth.
As of September 1, 2025, obtaining a standard Nigerian passport (a 32-page booklet with 5-year validity; now costs ₦100,000, while the 64-page version is priced at ₦200,000).
This represents a staggering 100 % increase from August 2024’s prices (previously ₦50,000 and ₦100,000), and what’s more, the minimum wage in Nigeria remains around ₦70,000 per month.
Adding insult to injury, NIN verification now costs ₦5,000 per passport applicant, a fee introduced in April 2023 under the guise of “STREAMLINING” the process; yet in effect, placing another levy on already squeezed citizens.
These realities crystallize the argument: the system is configured to extract maximum value from ordinary Nigerians; while offering insufficient service improvement or international mobility in return. It’s PURE PROFIT for those in power; PURE PAIN for the masses.
Compare this with Ghana, where a standard passport costs about ₦21,000 equivalent or Kenya, where it is less than ₦17,000. Even worse, the Nigerian passport ranks embarrassingly low in global mobility. The 2024 Henley Passport Index ranks it 95th out of 199, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 45 destinations, mostly small or developing countries. Our passport cannot take us freely to the U.S., the U.K., the E.U. or major Asian economies. WHAT THEN ARE WE PAYING SO MUCH FOR?
This is not just about passports. It is about a system where the government piles burdens on citizens while offering little in return. The elites and political class are insulated; they travel with diplomatic passports, fly private jets and educate their children abroad. Meanwhile, the ordinary Nigerian struggles under a system designed to exploit rather than serve.
The Architecture of Oppression.
We must understand that instability is not an accident in Nigeria; it is engineered. Those who loot the treasury, divert public funds and manipulate the system know that a stable, well-governed Nigeria would strip them of their illicit power.
The late Chinua Achebe, in his timeless book The Trouble with Nigeria, said: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Today, that failure has metastasized into a deliberate strategy of the ruling class. They deploy ethnicity, religion and regional divides as tools of distraction. While the masses argue over TRIBE and FAITH, the elites laugh their way to Swiss banks.
It is no wonder the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once lamented: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” Nigerians cannot afford silence anymore.
Voices of Reason and Voices of Humor.
Even our comedians (those who make us laugh in the midst of pain) have captured the absurdity of Nigeria’s situation. The popular comedian I Go Die once quipped: “The problem of Nigeria is not witches and wizards from the village, but leaders who do not know their left from their right.”
His colleague Gordons, with his biting satire, declared: “In Nigeria, we do not need prophets to see the future; just watch our leaders and you already know tomorrow will be worse if nothing changes.”
These jokes may sound funny, but they carry the weight of truth. In a society where humor exposes the rot more sharply than government reports, laughter itself becomes a weapon of resistance.
Global Comparisons: Why We Lag Behind?
Let us compare Nigeria with countries that were once at par with us. In the 1960s, Nigeria and Malaysia had similar GDP levels. Today, Malaysia boasts a GDP per capita of over $12,000 (World Bank, 2024), while Nigeria languishes at about $2,200. Why? Because Malaysia built institutions that worked, while Nigeria allowed corruption to hollow out its systems.
South Korea, in the 1950s, was poorer than Nigeria. Today, it is a global economic powerhouse, home to giants like Samsung, Hyundai and LG. Meanwhile, Nigeria cannot boast a single globally competitive indigenous brand in technology or manufacturing.
The difference is not fate. It is leadership. It is policy. It is the deliberate choice of leaders who decided to build rather than plunder.
The Way Forward: Wresting Back Nigeria.
If we are serious about change, Nigerians must rise above TRIBALISM, RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT and POLITICAL MANIPULATION. The struggle is not North versus South, Christian versus Muslim or Yoruba versus Igbo or Hausa. The struggle is the PEOPLE versus the PREDATORS.
To wrest Nigeria back from their grip, we must demand accountability at all levels. Citizens must insist on transparency in public spending. Civil society must grow teeth, not just bark. The media must return to FEARLESS JOURNALISM, not BROWN-ENVELOPE COMPROMISE.
Above all, the Nigerian youth (the largest demographic force in the country) must reject apathy. As Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Silence is no longer an option.
A Call to Courage.
We must recognize that the enemies of progress will not surrender willingly. They will not hand over Nigeria’s destiny with a smile. We must be ready to wrest it back. This does not mean violence, but it does mean courage, persistence and collective action.
The passport issue is symbolic of a larger rot. If we cannot get something as basic as affordable, functional identification right, how can we hope to fix power supply, healthcare, education or security? Fixing Nigeria is possible; if we are willing to confront those who benefit from keeping her broken.
The great Nelson Mandela once reminded us: “Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.” Nigerians must summon that courage now.
Final Word: The Battle for Nigeria’s Soul.
This battle is not just about POLICIES or POLITICS. It is about the soul of our nation. Shall Nigeria remain a playground for greedy elites or shall it rise as a beacon of African pride and prosperity?
The answer lies in our hands. We must refuse to be divided. We must refuse to be silenced. And we must refuse to pay endlessly for passports that cannot even open the doors of opportunity.
To borrow the words of Gordons, “If Nigeria were a person, she would need urgent intensive care.” The time for jokes is over; the time for action is now.
Nigeria can work. Nigeria must work. Firstly, Nigerians must rise together to wrest her back from the grip of those who never wanted her to.
FROM CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO REALITY: HOW DR. PATRICK UMOH IS BUILDING BRIDGES
By Pius Ukpong
Dr. Patrick Umoh is a man loved and adored by his people, not for grand speeches or empty promises, but for the way he truly listens. During his campaign across the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, he didn’t just sweep through villages with a megaphone; he stood in crowded market squares and sat under shaded trees, hearing out farmers worried about their harvests, mothers anxious about healthcare, and youths yearning for opportunity.
Those heartfelt exchanges stayed with him. Now, his constituents see the impact: a new health center providing free check-ups, scholarships opening doors for students, and streetlights turning dark paths into safe routes. To them, Dr. Umoh is more than a legislator—he’s the one who understands their struggles and delivers change they can see and feel every day.
To those who know him, Dr. Patrick Umoh is widely regarded as a true man of the people and a dedicated project ambassador. His relentless pursuit and tangible efforts in his federal constituency have established him as a deserving son, an astute legislator, and a genuine representative. At the national level, he stands out as an ardent reformer and innovator.
Many affectionately refer to him as the “man of projects,” a title earned through his focus on delivering tangible benefits to his constituents rather than relying on empty rhetoric. Dr. Umoh is not one for slogans or self-promotion; he is a quiet achiever with a healer’s touch in modern legislation, steadfastly committed to improving healthcare access for all.
A symbol of resilience and a fierce advocate for social justice, equity, and freedom in all its forms, Dr. Umoh has transformed the lives of many in his constituency through financial grants and the provision of mobility aids. His efforts have brought hope and opportunity to those he serves.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Dr. Umoh is a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of medical care and related technologies. His outstanding achievements and exceptional performance distinguish him as a leader of remarkable repute, building bridges and changing lives.
There is no denying that Dr. Umoh has carved a niche for himself through the significant strides he has made in his federal constituency. By delivering on his campaign promises, he has improved the quality of life for his people, demonstrating the power of collaboration, steadfastness, and resilience.
Dr. Umoh remains a champion of community engagement, fostering proactive partnerships and collective action. His commitment to his constituency is evident in his consistent efforts to address their pain points and meet their unique needs and concerns.
A compassionate representative, Dr. Umoh is highly visible in his advocacy for the less privileged, offering hope and inspiring change through diplomacy and strategic policies. His fierce advocacy, integrity, and influence have yielded significant results, including facilitating the employment of numerous constituents into the Federal Civil Service. These efforts have alleviated financial burdens, combated insecurity, and provided stable income sources, enabling his constituents to serve their country with dignity and pride.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Dr. Umoh has worked tirelessly to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector, ensuring the equitable distribution of health facilities across the country and the provision of standard medical equipment in federal health institutions. Through his committee’s efforts, he has initiated citizen-centred healthcare projects that have had a profound and positive impact on healthcare delivery, not only in his constituency but nationwide.
Dr. Umoh has played a pivotal role in the health sector, contributing significantly to the monitoring, evaluation, and implementation of legislative agendas critical to healthcare reform. His innovative approach and foresight have earned him the respect of the Speaker of the House, who values the constructive feedback and steadfast support from the committees Dr. Umoh chairs.
Dr. Patrick Umoh stands out for his dedication to revolutionising the healthcare system, delivering measurable results, and making impactful contributions to the lives of his constituents. His thoughtful interventions during deliberations and sponsorship of key bills further underscore his commitment to public service.
Dr. Patrick Umoh’s dynamic and insightful leadership in the House of Representatives, particularly as Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, serves as a testament to his capacity and capability to drive meaningful change. His competence in overseeing the implementation of various reforms emanating from the House of Representatives highlights his exceptional ability to transform campaign promises into reality, building bridges that uplift his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Dr. Patrick Umoh’s legacy is not etched in stone but in the lives he has touched, the communities he has united, and the futures he has secured. As the sun sets over his constituency, casting golden hues on the bridges he has built—both literal and metaphorical—his story continues to unfold. Each step he takes as a legislator, each life-changing legislation, adds another chapter to a narrative of hope, resilience, and dedication to his people, proving that true leadership is not about promises made, but promises kept.
Ukpong is a public affairs analyst writing from Uyo.
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