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Falana Kicks Against Compulsory Voting Bill, Declares It Unconstitutional

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Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly opposed the proposed bill to make voting compulsory in Nigeria, declaring it “unconstitutional” and “impractical” under the current legal framework.

The bill, co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Labour Party lawmaker Daniel Asama Ago, seeks to amend the Electoral Act to make voting mandatory for all Nigerians of voting age in national and state elections. It proposes a six-month jail term or a fine of ₦100,000 for eligible citizens who fail to vote.

During the plenary on Thursday, Ago, who represents Bassa/Jos North, argued that the bill aims to curb voter apathy and reduce vote-buying. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu supported the bill, citing Australia as a model where compulsory voting has reportedly enhanced civic responsibility.

However, Falana, in a statement issued on Monday titled ‘Compulsory Voting is Not Enough’, faulted the legislative move on constitutional grounds.

He said the bill is inconsistent with several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee citizens’ rights to privacy, freedom of thought, and freedom of conscience.

“The Speaker of the House of Representatives probably wants Nigeria to join Egypt—the only African country out of 23 globally with provisions for compulsory voting.

“The said constitutional provisions protect the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to privacy, freedom of thought and conscience, as well as the freedom to register and vote in national and state elections conducted in Nigeria.

“However, it is doubtful whether the Speaker and his colleagues have paid sufficient attention to the relevant provisions of the Constitution. Otherwise, they would have realised that the compulsory voting is constitutionally invalid in every material particular on the ground that it is inconsistent with Sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5) and 178(5) of the Constitution,” he stated.

He argued that the legal foundation for mandatory voting is shaky since Chapter II of the constitution outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which remain non-justiciable.

“Compulsory voting cannot be legalised in vacuo. Apart from the possibility that it may be declared illegal under the current political dispensation, it is practically impossible to prosecute millions of Nigerians who may decide to boycott national and local elections that have been reduced to the periodic renewal of misgovernance, corruption, and abuse of power by pampered members of the political class,” Falana warned.

“Since Section 14(2) of the Constitution provides for popular participation in the democratic process, compulsory voting may only be justified if Chapter II thereof is made justiciable,” he said.

Falana criticised Nigerian courts for dismissing the enforceability of Chapter II without considering Section 224 of the Constitution, which mandates political parties to align their programmes and policies with the principles in that chapter.

“Nigerian courts have never considered Section 224, which states that ‘the programme, as well as the aims and objects of a political party, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter II of this Constitution,’” he said.

He also cited sections of the constitution which require public officeholders to swear to uphold the Constitution, including the directive principles in Chapter II.

Falana maintained that both political parties and officeholders are legally bound to respect the socio-economic rights of citizens.

“Each of these public officers is mandatorily required to swear or affirm to ‘strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The point I am struggling to make is that by the combined effect of the relevant provisions of the Constitution, all political parties and members of the executive and legislature are under a legal obligation to comply with the provisions of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in Chapter II,” he said.

He further invoked Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which guarantees citizens the right to participate in government.

“Citizens can be justifiably compelled to vote only if the socio-economic rights set out in Chapter II are made justiciable,” Falana added.

Citing several precedents, Falana stressed that compulsory voting violates both legal and moral boundaries. “The National Assembly is advised to review the controversial bill without any further delay,” he stated.

The SAN also criticised the lack of constitutional backing for electronic election devices such as BVAS and IReV, despite their role in improving electoral credibility. “The Supreme Court has ruled that the use of these devices is not yet recognised under the Electoral Act or the Constitution,” he stated.

According to Falana, the legislative focus should shift toward amending the Electoral Act to formally integrate technological innovations like BVAS and to adopt key recommendations from the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel.

These include unbundling INEC, introducing proportional representation, concluding election petitions before the swearing-in of winners, and establishing an electoral offences commission.

He stated that unless Chapter II of the Constitution—containing the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy—is made justiciable, enforcing compulsory voting would remain a legal contradiction.

“Having regard to the state of the law, compulsory voting cannot be legalised in vacuo,” the lawyer declared.

Falana referenced Nwali v Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission & Ors (2014), where the Court of Appeal ruled that open ballot voting violated the right to privacy.

The senior lawyer also cited Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal v Okonkwo (2001), where the Supreme Court upheld the right to freedom of thought and conscience, emphasising that individuals cannot be coerced into actions that conflict with their beliefs.

Falana noted that in the case, the court reversed a disciplinary sanction on a doctor who had respected a patient’s religious refusal of blood transfusion, stressing that coercion undermines constitutional rights.

Further highlighting judicial positions, he pointed to Incorporated Trustees of Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative & Ors v National Identity Management Commission (2020), where a judge ruled that the right to privacy extends beyond physical spaces to personal data and decisions.

On religious freedoms, he cited the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Lagos State Govt & Ors v Asiyat AbdulKareem, which upheld Muslim students’ right to wear the hijab in public schools, reaffirming that religious expression is constitutionally protected.

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Ondo female student forced into sex-for-grades by HOD — NANS

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The National Association of Nigerian Students has alleged that a female student of a tertiary institution in Ondo State was coerced into a sex-for-grades ordeal by her Head of Department after repeatedly failing a compulsory course needed for her graduation.

The President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed this in a statement on Friday titled, “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.”

According to Akinteye, the student had only one outstanding course preventing her from graduating with her colleagues and returned to the institution to retake the examination.

He said the student was informed that she had failed the course again and subsequently approached the lecturer, who also served as the Head of Department, to seek clarification on why she was unable to pass.

According to the NANS president, the student alleged that the lecturer told her she could never pass the course and, after several encounters, demanded a sexual favour in exchange for awarding her a passing grade.

“She further alleged that, after several encounters, the lecturer demanded that she perform a sexual act on him in his office in exchange for a passing grade,” the statement partly read

Akinteye said the student claimed she felt trapped and believed she had no option if she wanted to graduate.


“Feeling trapped and believing she had no other option if she wanted to graduate, she said she complied and she gave the him BLOW JOB as demanded by him,” he stated.

According to him, the student believed the incident would end there, but the lecturer allegedly continued contacting her about a week later.

He alleged that the lecturer repeatedly called the student and invited her to his residence, implying that she would have to continue the sexual relationship before she could finally be cleared.

“Disturbed and afraid, she reached out to me for help,” Akinteye said.

The NANS president explained that although he initially intended to escalate the matter publicly, the student pleaded with him not to do so because she feared further victimisation and only wanted to graduate without additional harassment.

He said he subsequently contacted relevant authorities within the institution and was informed within three hours that the student had been cleared.

“While I am relieved that she was able to complete her academic process, I am deeply saddened that she was too afraid to publicly identify herself or the lecturer involved.


“This reflects the fear, intimidation and stigma that many female students face when confronted with sexual harassment,” he said.

Akinteye described the incident as part of a wider problem of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions, noting that many similar cases remain unreported because victims fear retaliation, embarrassment and victimisation.

“No student should ever be forced to exchange sexual favours for academic success. Our campuses must be places of learning, not environments where students are exploited by those entrusted with their education,” he added.

He urged female students experiencing sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation to report such incidents to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that complaints would be handled professionally, confidentially and with the seriousness they deserve.

“We are committed to handling such complaints professionally, confidentially, and with the seriousness they deserve. Together, we must build campuses where every student can pursue an education free from fear, harassment, and abuse,” he said.

The NANS president, however, did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the institution were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, as NANS did not identify the school in its statement.

Credit: Punch

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Lagos queries LAGESC officer caught on camera collecting ₦20,000 bribe

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The Lagos State Government has issued a query to an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps over allegations of corruption after a viral video purportedly showed him receiving a ₦20,000 bribe from a suspected environmental offender.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X on Friday, describing the officer’s alleged conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the ethics and core values of the agency.

According to Wahab, the officer has been formally queried, while a Personnel Management Board will be constituted to investigate the incident in line with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

“My attention has been drawn to a viral video allegedly showing an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps receiving a bribe from a lawbreaker. Such conduct is unacceptable and runs contrary to the rules, ethics, and core values of the Agency,” Wahab wrote.

“Consequently, we have immediately issued the officer a query, and this will be followed by the constitution of a Personnel Management Board (PMB) to investigate the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.”

The commissioner reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures.

“The Lagos State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and any form of misconduct within its public service. Any officer found culpable will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary measures as stipulated by the relevant regulations,” he said.

Wahab also warned members of the public against attempting to bribe government officials, stressing that both giving and receiving bribes are criminal offences.

“I also wish to remind Lagosians that offering a bribe is as unlawful as receiving one. We urge everyone to obey the law and refrain from attempting to compromise enforcement officers.

“Together, we can uphold integrity, strengthen public trust, and build a more accountable and responsible society,” he added.

In the query letter attached to the commissioner’s post, the officer was accused of collecting ₦20,000 from an offender, an act that was allegedly captured on video and circulated on social media.

The letter, referenced MOE/LAGESC/431/56 and dated July 10, 2026, stated that the footage was viewed by the Lagos State Governor.

“You were alleged to have collected the sum of Twenty Thousand Naira (₦20,000) from an offender. This act was recorded and posted on social media, where it was viewed by His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State,” the letter read.

It described the alleged conduct as corruption and extortion, adding that it constituted serious misconduct under the Public Service Rules.

The officer was directed to submit a written explanation within 48 hours stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

“Your representation (if any) must reach the undersigned officer within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. Failure to submit your response within the stipulated time limit will result in disciplinary action being taken against you,” the letter added.

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Obi Deserves Protection From Federal Government, Not Ridicule — Kwankwaso

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The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Thursday criticised the federal government’s handling of concerns raised by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging the authorities to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Thursday,

Kwankwaso said Obi deserved state protection after expressing fears about his safety, while El-Rufai should be accorded due process and a fair trial in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

Reacting to Obi’s recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Anambra State governor expressed concerns about his safety and alleged that his role as an opposition leader had negatively affected his businesses, Kwankwaso faulted the federal government’s response.

“Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” he said.

He added, “A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi.”

Kwankwaso also expressed concern over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying he was disturbed after watching the former governor’s wives publicly speak about the family’s ordeal.


“Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.

He argued that the delay in granting El-Rufai bail under what he described as “stringent and unreasonable conditions” was troubling, insisting that, as an unconvicted citizen, the former governor deserved “a fair and expeditious trial” while his health and that of his family should be protected.

Kwankwaso urged the federal government to handle both matters with “transparency, accountability and justice,” warning against using state institutions to settle political scores.

“These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores. For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen, young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” he stated.

Obi had, during an interview on With Chude, alleged that the current administration was frustrating his activities and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed that his businesses had suffered because of his role in the opposition.

His remarks drew a sharp response from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which dismissed the claims as “hallucination” and suggested that the former presidential candidate should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Kwankwaso’s statement also comes amid growing concerns over El-Rufai’s detention. On Wednesday, one of the former governor’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, alleged during an interview on ARISE News that the arrest of El-Rufai’s longtime physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, amounted to the “weaponisation” of healthcare, warning that such actions could discourage medical professionals from carrying out their duties without fear.

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