Putting The Record Straight On The State Of Affairs In CDHR: Debo Adeniran Must Stop Distorting The Truth

STATING THE FACTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC*

We would have preferred not to join issues with you, Mr. Debo Adeniran, but find it necessary to set the record straight for unsuspecting members of the public who may not be fully informed about the true state of affairs within CDHR.

As a mass-based organization with branches across the states of the federation and hundreds of units nationwide, CDHR has continued to champion the rule of law, constitutionalism, democratic accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with its Constitution and established traditions.

For the avoidance of doubt, Comrade Yinka Folarin is the duly elected and substantive President of CDHR, having emerged through a valid electoral process conducted at the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, alongside other members of the current National Executive Committee (NEC).

Similarly, Comrade Femi Falana, SAN, is the substantive Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of CDHR, having been duly appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the organization. His tenure, together with the tenures of the other members of the Board, remains valid and subsisting. Misrepresenting facts in an attempt to manipulate records will not change the truth.Recent attempts by you and certain individuals to misrepresent the leadership structure of CDHR compel us to place the facts before the public.

Mr. Kehinde Taiga and Mr. Debo Adeniran are not Presidents of CDHR. Likewise, Mr. Olasupo Ojo is not a member of the Board of Trustees of CDHR. Any contrary claims being circulated are false, misleading, and intended to create confusion within the organization and among members of the public. Concerned comrades, civil society actors, partners, and the general public are urged to disregard such claims.

THE CASE OF KEHINDE TAIGA

Mr. Kehinde Taiga was elected Vice President during the administration of Comrade (Dr.) Osagie Obayuwana. However, during that tenure, Mr. Taiga and a group of associates openly rebelled against the National Executive Committee following the exposure of his anti-organizational activities and alleged criminal conduct in Delta State, including providing protection to fraudulent individuals and obstructing security agencies in the course of carrying out their lawful duties.

Following a thorough investigation into the allegations, he was suspended. However, he refused to comply with the suspension and instead, along with his associates, rebelled against the leadership of the organization and purported to suspend the then President in clear violation of the Constitution of CDHR.

As a consequence of their actions, Mr. Taiga and his associates were expelled from the organization. Following their expulsion, they ceased to participate in the affairs of CDHR and have not returned to the Rights House as members of the organization.Mr. Taiga subsequently instituted legal actions challenging the leadership and decisions of CDHR before the High Court of Edo State, Benin Judicial Division:

Suit No. B/789/2021: Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga & 4 Ors v. Dr. Osagie Obayuwana & 2 Ors before Hon. Justice A. N. Erhabor, which was struck out on 27 February 2023.

Suit No. B/158/2023: Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga & 3 Ors v. Dr. Osagie Obayuwana & 2 Ors before Hon. Justice E. O. Ahamioje, which was struck out on 19 February 2026.Having been expelled from CDHR and having failed in his legal challenges, Mr. Taiga is not a member of CDHR and certainly cannot lay claim to the office of President of the organization.

As matters stand today and in line with available records, Debo Adeniran, like Kehinde Taiga, is falsely claiming authority within CDHR and should be regarded accordingly.

THE CASE OF DEBO ADENIRAN AND OLASUPO OJO

Mr. Debo Adeniran was elected President of CDHR at the 2023 Annual General Conference held at Pa Imodu Institute, Ilorin, Kwara State, for a constitutionally prescribed two-year term.

That tenure expired in October 2025.In accordance with the Constitution of CDHR, a new National Executive Committee emerged from the elective Annual General Conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Comrade Yinka Folarin was duly elected President.It is important to state that, faced with the prospect of losing a second-term bid, Debo Adeniran failed to participate in the elective Annual General Conference earlier approved by the National Executive Committee and over which he presided as President. Rather than submit himself to the democratic process established by the Constitution of CDHR, he assembled a group of persons, many of whom were neither recognized delegates nor members of CDHR, and purported to conduct an alternative gathering in Ota, Ogun State, where he allegedly declared himself re-elected and purportedly announced Mr. Olasupo Ojo as a member of the Board of Trustees.These actions have no constitutional validity and cannot supersede decisions validly taken by the National Executive Committee of CDHR.

The duly constituted AGC approved by the NEC was subsequently held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from 30 January to 1 February 2026, where elections were conducted and Comrade Yinka Folarin emerged as President alongside other elected members of the National Executive Committee.In order to protect the integrity of the organization and prevent continued misrepresentation, members of the National Executive Committee have commenced legal proceedings before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, seeking injunctive reliefs restraining Debo Adeniran and others from parading themselves as officers of CDHR contrary to the Constitution and decisions of the organization.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION

The facts are straightforward and supported by the Constitution of CDHR.

First, Chapter One, Section 2 of the Constitution establishes the supremacy of the Constitution and makes its provisions binding on all members and officers, including the President.

Second, Chapter One, Section 11(2)(d) imposes a duty on every member and officer to protect and ensure compliance with the Constitution.

Third, Chapter One, Section 12(1) provides that decisions at all levels and in all organs of CDHR are to be reached collectively by majority decision.

Fourth, Chapter Two, Section 1(2) expressly provides that the venue and date of the Annual General Conference shall be determined by the National Executive Committee, not by the unilateral decision of any individual officer.

Fifth, Chapter Three, Section 3(4)(a) and (b) empower the Assistant General Secretary to perform the functions of the General Secretary where the office is vacant or the General Secretary is unable to act.

THE NEC DECISION OF 5 JANUARY 2026

At the National Executive Committee meeting held on 5 January 2026 and presided over by Debo Adeniran as President, the NEC, by an overwhelming majority, resolved that the 2025 Annual General Conference would hold at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, from 30 January to 1 February 2026.

Following that decision, the Acting General Secretary was directed to issue the constitutionally required twenty-one-day notice to branches and members nationwide.

Indeed, Debo Adeniran personally signed correspondence to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ogun State Chapter, requesting the use of the venue. He also sought the intervention of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Comrade Femi Falana, SAN, in facilitating approval of the venue.Having participated fully in these decisions and arrangements, Debo Adeniran’s subsequent decision to abandon the same process and convene an alternative gathering in Ota between 23 and 25 January 2026 is inexplicable.The purported Ota gathering did not comply with the constitutional requirement of twenty-one days’ notice and was not authorized by the National Executive Committee. It therefore lacked constitutional legitimacy from inception.Furthermore, Chapter Two, Section 1(3) of the Constitution provides that the Annual General Conference comprises members of the Board of Trustees, the National Council, the National Executive Committee, and duly accredited delegates.

Apart from Debo Adeniran himself, no member of the Board of Trustees attended the purported Ota gathering. Likewise, no member of the National Executive Committee, apart from him, participated. The overwhelming majority of duly recognized branches and delegates of CDHR also did not attend.The conclusion is unavoidable: the purported Ota gathering was not the Annual General Conference of CDHR and could not validly elect officers of the organization.

THE LEGITIMATE AGC IN ABEOKUTA

Faced with attempts to derail the constitutional process, several state branches expressed concerns regarding the future of the organization and explored constitutional mechanisms for preserving its stability.With the support of the Board of Trustees, state branches, units, and committed members nationwide, the Annual General Conference duly approved by the NEC proceeded as scheduled at the Nigeria Labour Congress Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, from 30 January to 1 February 2026.The conference was successfully held, elections were conducted, and a new National Executive Committee emerged.

Consequently, Comrade Yinka Folarin remains the legitimate, authentic, and duly elected President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), while Comrade Femi Falana, SAN, remains the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

No amount of misinformation, distortion, or self-serving declarations can alter these constitutional and historical facts.

The public, members of the human rights community, civil society organizations, development partners, and all concerned comrades are therefore urged to disregard false claims concerning the leadership of CDHR and to continue to recognize only the leadership that emerged from the constitutionally valid Annual General Conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.The Constitution remains supreme. The rule of law remains paramount. The truth must prevail.

Comr. Idris Afeez Olayinka

General Secretary, CDHR

Comr. (Barr.) Henry Ekine

National Legal Adviser, CDHR