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FRSC flags-Off Ember Minth Campaign Harps on Aggresive Sensitization against Reckless Driving

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Joel Ajayi
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Shehu Mohammed has Flaged-Off 2024 nationwide Ember Months Sensitisation Campaign to curtail the excesses of drivers and minimize incidences of road traffic crashes on the roads during end of the year travels.


In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Assistant Corps Marshal Corps Public Education Officer FRSC Headquarter Olusegun Ogungbemide,  emphasised on aggressive sensitization of commuters to speak up against reckless driving and report any noticeable case through the FRSC Mobile Application, 122 or the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM for prompt intervention.


He introduced new dynamic  strategic approaches to public sensitisation and directed immediate implementation. The new approaches include; massive press conferences, mega town hall meetings, motorcades, transit  rest  areas, and  loading bays advocacy. 


This strategy arose from the need to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers’ excesses, because it is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers. 


To implement this approach, the Corps will broaden it’s advocacy by focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights, in line with the theme for this year’s campaign which is: ‘Speak up against dangerous driving: Crashes kill more passengers than Drivers’.


To that end, the Corps Marshal directed Commanding Officers to ensure the immediate commencement of Mega Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaigns on Commuters in all states, including the Federal Capital Territory.


The directive also include ensuring smooth traffic flow, reduce road crashes through aggressive sensitisation of passengers, enforce traffic laws more rigorously, and improve public awareness on road safety ideals. This is in line with the Corporate Strategic Goal of the Corps for the year, which is to reduce road fatalities by 5%.


Expectedly, the Corps Marshal called on the motoring public, especially passengers to always know their rights, speak up against drivers who contravene traffic regulations and report any of such drivers to FRSC patrol operatives and other Security Agencies along their routes.

On the other hand, he enjoined them to call FRSC 122 toll free emergency numbers or leverage on the FRSC Mobile Application to report accordingly.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

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Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.


The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
 “EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.


Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts. 


These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.


In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.


“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”


The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).


– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.


– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.


– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.


– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.


Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.


“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”


The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.


About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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