Suraju is also the Chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA).
A human rights organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), had decried the recent attack on the home of anti-corruption activist, Olarenwaju Suraju by armed assailants, while calling for a probe by security agencies.
Suraju is also the Chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA).
No fewer than five armed men allegedly broke into Suraju's home on Tuesday and subjected him and his wife to verbal threats and severe beatings.
The attackers also reportedly carted away valuables such as phones, laptops, and a car from Suraju’s apartment which was the only robbed house in the estate where he lived.
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CHRICED in a statement by its Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, noted that the ugly incident symbolised the “current government's lax attitude toward protecting whistleblowers and other citizens who support the anti-corruption campaign.”
The group in the statement on Friday obtained by SaharaReporters said the Nigerian state seemed to have failed in its mandate.
CHRICED said, “The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) strongly condemns the recent attack on the home of frontline anti-corruption activist Olarenwaju Suraju by armed assailants.
“The attack is coming on the heels of the malicious prosecution and harassment of Mr. Suraju for opening the can of worms over the Malabu deal, which named former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, as a beneficiary. The attack highlights the level of threat that anti-corruption activists face, as well as the lengths to which desperate elements will go to silence those who muster the courage to demand accountability, particularly in the use of public resources.
“CHRICED urges law enforcement to investigate the criminal invasion of this law-abiding citizen's home as soon as possible and to bring the perpetrators to justice. It is obvious that if such criminal acts go unchallenged and uninvestigated, the perpetrators will become even more emboldened and will continue to target innocent citizens.
“As always, CHRICED expresses its support for Comrade Suraju and his colleagues at HEDA. There is no doubt that this latest assault is intended to intimidate and silence the activist and all those working with him. As a result, CHRICED, therefore, calls on Suraju not to be discouraged by this incident, but to keep up the good fight to vanquish corruption and its destructive effects on the lives of all Nigerians.
“Importantly, the attack on the activist highlights the current government's lax attitude toward protecting whistleblowers and other citizens who support the anti-corruption campaign. It is unfortunate that those who make patriotic efforts to combat corruption are either mocked or persecuted, as has been the case with Comrade Suraju. Such a stance by the government gives the go-ahead for corrupt and desperate elements to target those involved in exposing corruption. This attitude runs contrary to the constitutionally-sanctioned mandate given to the state, that it must abolish all forms of corrupt practices.
“Unfortunately, the state is failing in this regard, leaving dedicated activists vulnerable. CHRICED, on the other hand, prays that the Almighty Creator, who is the giver of justice, will continue to guide and protect all patriots who insist on exposing corruption, despite the risks involved.”