By Juliana Francis
Civil society organisations under the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) have celebrated the discharge and acquittal of Comrade Emmanuel Acha, describing the court victory as a product of sustained collaboration between the media and civic actors, while warning that threats to civic freedoms in Nigeria persist.
Speaking on Friday, January 16, 2026, at a press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos State, Ms Victoria Ibezim Ohaeri, a leading member of AGFCS, said the judicial victory underscored the power of collective action in confronting civic space violations.
“Communal efforts yield a multiplier effect,” Ohaeri said, invoking an Igbo adage to illustrate the impact of collaboration. “This is a typical reflection of the partnership between the media and civil society that led to this judicial victory.”
She noted that consistent media engagement through interviews, press briefings and publications played a critical role in amplifying advocacy efforts that eventually culminated in Acha’s release.
“From raising awareness to sustained public engagement, the media aided the advocacy measures rolled out by AGFCS and other civil society organisations, leading to the discharge and acquittal of Comrade Emmanuel Acha,” she said, adding that details of his arrest, detention and legal battle would be shared during the briefing.
Ohaeri also acknowledged the support of the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR), describing it as “critical in bringing our shared objectives to fruition.”
Despite the legal victory, she warned that restrictions on civil and political rights remain widespread across the country.
“Barely into the new year, between January 10 and 14, the Edo State High Court remanded 52 students and residents of the Ekpoma community who were arbitrarily arrested, some dragged from their rooms late at night for protesting rising insecurity,” she said.
She further cited the case of a social media commentator, Abubakar Salim Musa, who was reportedly remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre over criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“These incidents depict an increasingly vigilant and repressive approach by state actors, who appear to instantly counter any exercise of civic freedom,” Ohaeri said.
Calling for sustained resistance against the shrinking civic space, she urged civil society organisations and the media to maintain the same level of alertness in defending fundamental rights.
“With the media’s ability to reach a wider audience and civil society’s strength in mobilisation and advocacy, this collaboration can be instrumental in protecting civic freedoms and reversing repressive tactics,” she said.
Ohaeri reaffirmed the commitment of Spaces for Change (S4C) to supporting coalition members through “tech-facilitated monitoring systems, policy engagement, community action and resource mobilisation.”
“Our vision is to ensure that human rights are enshrined in decision-making processes affecting civil and political rights in Nigeria,” she added.
Concluding her remarks, Ohaeri quoted indigenous rights advocate Tara Houska, saying, “The power we have when we stand together is incredible.”
“This victory affirms that statement,” she said. “Only by standing together can we continue to do incredible things.”
