By Kayode Esan
The Nigeria Police Force has declared Barr. Edward Omaga, President of the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), wanted over allegations of criminal defamation and other sundry offenses.
This move has been widely condemned as a witch-hunt and an attempt to silence whistleblowers.
According to reports, the GICN had exposed corrupt practices at Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB) and submitted a private investigation report to the media and various crime-fighting agencies.
Instead of investigating the allegations, the Police have turned their attention to the whistleblower, Barr. Edward Omaga.
The GICN has described the Police’s actions as a “deliberate attempt to bury the truth and silence those seeking justice.” The group has also filed several court cases to challenge the Police’s actions and protect the rights of whistleblowers.
The charges against Barr. Edward Omaga includes economic sabotage and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. However, many have questioned the validity of these charges, arguing that they are an attempt to criminalize activism and silence critics of corruption.
The GICN has called on Nigerians to stand in solidarity with whistleblowers and activists who risk their lives to expose corruption. The group has also vowed to take legal action to quash the Police’s actions and ensure that justice is served.
“Rather than call the group to write a statement in support of the report, the Police acting through DCP Ibrahim Zungura sent an invitation letter dated 10th October 2024 to Barr. Edward Omaga, asking him to come and answer questions connected to his commission of the offences of Criminal Defamation, Cyberbullying, Economic Sabotage, and Conduct likely to Cause a Breach of Public Peace. This is nothing short of an attempt to make the hunter become the hunted.”
“With this development, GICN and its leadership felt threatened that injustice was looming. They quickly filed court cases to wit; GICN Vs. CBN & 7 Ors. – SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/1549/2024, GICN Vs. IGP – Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/742/24, EDWARD OMAGA Vs. DIG & 6 Ors. – Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1588/24 and EDWARD OMAGA v. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE & 2 Ors. – Suit No. CV/5181/2024. Despite the fact that these cases were served on all parties, the Police went ahead to take so many illegal actions. First, they watch-listed the International Passport of Barr. Edward Omaga and blocked his bank accounts. Then they proceeded to declare him wanted in the media today as if he was a common criminal.”
“No doubt, the present ordeal of Barr. Edward Omaga in the hands of Police reflects a typical scenario where corruption fights back with vigour. In a country like Nigeria where those in power can easily manipulate the system to protect their interests, it is not uncommon for whistleblowers and activists to find themselves on the receiving end of threats, intimidation, and in some cases, prosecution. The allegations contained in the GICN’s report are not trivial; they concern the integrity of one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions and its top executives. In any functioning democracy, such allegations would prompt a serious and independent investigation to ascertain their veracity or otherwise.”
“It is only after the allegations, together with documents supplied, are confirmed through forensic analysis to be false that the whistleblower can be held liable for criminal defamation. We submit that the method adopted by the Police to tackle this serious issue suggests a deliberate attempt to bury the truth and silence those seeking justice.”
“Nigeria is not a banana republic where the rule of law can be easily trampled upon. Whistleblowers and activists play a vital role in strengthening democracy and ensuring accountability. Therefore, any attempt to breach their fundamental rights must be frontally resisted. Let it be known that GICN will immediately take appropriate steps to quash the illegal actions of the Police both in Nigerian and ECOWAS Courts.”
“The case of corruption fighting back is not new, but it is one that we must continually resist. The power of the people when united is greater than the people in power. As long as there are those willing to speak out against injustice, there will always be hope for a better Nigeria. We call on other sister Civil Society Organizations and Media Outfits to join us in this campaign for justice. Today, it is Barr. Edward Omaga being hunted down, tomorrow it could be any other citizen of Nigeria.”
