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Coup: Soyinka attacks Tinubu for intervention in Benin Republic, condemns Lagos demolitions
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s military involvement in the recently foiled coup attempt in the Republic of Benin.
Speaking on Monday in Lagos at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Awards, the literary icon warned that such interventions could have serious implications for regional stability and Nigeria’s internal security.
Soyinka reflected on governance failures, human rights concerns, worsening insecurity, and the growing danger of misinformation in the digital age.
He described Nigeria’s role in Benin as “another needless military entanglement next door,” insisting that the incident should serve as a wake-up call for the country to strengthen its democratic institutions rather than rely on military force as a first response.
Soyinka noted that political unrest in any neighbouring country inevitably affects Nigeria.
“What happens in Benin inevitably affects us. Instability anywhere in the region echoes within our own sense of security,” he said.
The Nobel Laureate also condemned the widespread demolitions carried out in Lagos in recent months, criticising the state government’s handling of displaced residents.
He said he had received photographs and testimonies from victims left homeless, warning that forced evictions had become disturbingly frequent.
While acknowledging the need to remove unsafe structures, he stressed that demolition exercises must be conducted humanely and with proper consideration for vulnerable citizens.
“We must not strip away the humanity of the people affected,” he said, adding that development must not come at the expense of compassion.
Soyinka further raised concerns about what he described as an excessively large security detail assigned to a young individual close to the Presidency, saying the entourage appeared large enough “to take over a small country.”
He questioned why a non-government official should be surrounded by such a formidable formation, describing it as a troubling misuse of state security resources.
“Children must understand their place. They are not elected leaders and must not inherit the instruments of state power simply by proximity,” he said.
Turning to the media, Soyinka commended journalists for their resilience but called for stronger editorial discipline as misinformation continues to spread rapidly online. He warned that unchecked falsehoods could one day trigger global instability.
He added that responsible journalism — grounded in truth, verification, and professional integrity — remains the nation’s strongest defence against chaos.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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