News
HEDA Rallies Support For Establishment of Global Anti-Corruption Court
The growing demand for the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court has been described as a viable means of reducing corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, as well as combating illicit financial flow globally.
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) made these assertions during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja.
HEDA’s Legal Officer, David Ogungbesan, underscored the importance of establishing an international anti-corruption court, noting that it is necessary given the rising need to strengthen the prosecution of corrupt individuals, as well as urged Nigerians to support the advocacy.
Ogungbesan stressed that having an international court to try graft will deter public officers from engaging in corrupt acts to help local law enforcement agencies and the administration of justice in the country, adding that it provides the opportunity for Nigeria and other countries to explore international means towards mitigating corruption.
“The impact of corruption on Nigerian society is there for everyone to see. We believe that besides preventing corruption, a way to go about it is by prosecution, which is a good measure to deter public officers from engaging in corrupt practices. The international anti-corruption court will also aid the local law enforcement agencies and the situation of injustice in the system.
“It’s an opportunity for Nigeria, and of course, other countries to explore international means towards reducing corruption in our society. It will not be conflicting with the court of the land but will be important in combating illicit financial flow,” He stressed.
Ogungbesan revealed that the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and over 100 world leaders have hitherto expressed support for establishing an international court to prosecute corruption. He acknowledged that there would be challenges against establishing an international court to prosecute corruption. He urged citizens to hold leaders to account and support the initiative given the positives it brings.
“The people need to take this advocacy seriously. They should talk about it, engage their representatives, and buy into this idea,” Ogungbesan stressed.
On her part, Programme Officer at West African Bar Association, Dabotonye Dappa, also urged Nigerians to support the initiative of a special court to prosecute corruption while citing judiciary independence and lack of political will by leaders to fight crime as a “major problem.”
Her words: “In trying to tackle lack of political will, the judiciary has a huge role to play, and that is why we call for the independence of the judiciary, not a judiciary that is influenced by the Executive.
“Because at the end of the day, in fighting corruption, we end up in the courts, and when we have judges that are being influenced by the same corrupt people we are fighting, we are back to square one,” Dappa stated.
Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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