A civic advocacy group, Talk Initiative, has rejected claims by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), that the sexual harassment and rape allegations made against him by Hadiza Musa Baffa are “spurious, politically motivated, and orchestrated by adversaries.”

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the group’s executive assistant, Sefinatu Peace Ahmed, insisted that the ordeal narrated by Baffa was “heartbreaking” and deserved a transparent, impartial investigation by Nigeria’s security agencies and justice system.

On August 17, 2025, Hadiza released a video alleging that Turaki, a senior lawyer and former federal minister, had subjected her and her child to years of threats and intimidation.

“He has been using his power and his status to threaten my life and frustrate my life with my child. For the record, I didn’t do anything of such,” she said tearfully in the video, while denying knowledge of a controversial letter being circulated in her name.

Hadiza further alleged that Turaki is the father of her child. She recalled a September 2014 incident during her time as a student at Base University, Abuja. According to her, the minister’s driver picked her up around 4:00 p.m. and took her to a house in Asokoro.

“He came around 1:00 a.m. in 2014. I don’t want to go into details because it’s not a fun thing to say. He raped me that night and asked me not to say anything. He left, and I was really scared to talk,” she recounted, breaking down in tears.

Hadiza said she confided in a roommate who noticed her distress at the time. She added that “there is evidence to be pushed out soon” to support her claims.

Responding to the allegations, Kabiru Turaki described them as baseless and politically motivated. He said he had remained silent while the case was under police and judicial processes, but was compelled to respond because “silence is no longer golden.”

The former minister maintained that the allegations were being sponsored to tarnish his reputation and insisted he would not allow his name to be smeared.

Talk Initiative, however, dismissed Turaki’s rebuttal, emphasising that its campaign was not politically motivated but solely about protecting a mother and her child.

“The Talk Initiative has established direct contact with Hadiza Musa Baffa, and we stand firmly with her in this fight for justice. Her ordeal with Mr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN is heartbreaking, and we cannot remain silent,” Sefinatu Ahmed said.

The group demanded that Nigerian security agencies and the judiciary conduct a “thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation” into the case.

“Talk Initiative remains committed to defending human dignity, promoting equality, and amplifying the voices of vulnerable Nigerians until justice prevails,” Ahmed concluded.

“Let it be clear: this campaign has no political undertone. It is simply about the safety of a mother and the welfare of her child.”

They urged Nigerians, civil society organisations, and human rights advocates to rally behind Hadiza and ensure she does not face the battle alone.

“We call on Nigerians, civil society groups, and all advocates of justice to rally behind Hadiza. She must not face this battle alone.

“We equally demand that security agencies and the Nigerian justice system conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation. Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.

“Talk Initiative remains committed to protecting human dignity, promoting equality, and amplifying the voices of the vulnerable. We will stand by Hadiza until justice prevails.

“#JusticeForHadiza is not just a campaign—it is a call to conscience,” the statement added.