Christian Groups Warn Against The Danger In Religious Regulation Law In Kaduna

June 9, 2019

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have warned against the danger of the religious regulation bill that was recently passed by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The religious groups warned that the bill would further cause religious crisis in Kaduna State, even as they called on the State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai to do away with it.

The Kaduna State Chairman of CAN, Joseph Hayab said: “you don’t make laws with the intent of causing havoc; you make laws with the intent of helping people to unite. You don’t make laws and claiming that the purpose of the law is for peace but the law itself is used to cause a crisis.

“We are stakeholders in nation building, but when people choose to treat us as if we don’t understand what is happening, then we have to show them that we also have a right.”

The PFN similarly expressed disagreement with the House of Assembly for disobeying a court order restraining it from passing the bill.

counsel to PFN, Sunny Akanni said: “we are surprised that despite the court order restraining the house from continuing with the hearing or anything on the controversial bill pending the determination of the matter, the lawmakers went ahead to pass it.

“We are going to serve forms 47 and 48 on the house for disobedience of a court order and if they don’t respond, we will charge the clerk and the speaker of the house for contempt of court.”

1,400 Soldiers On Parade In London As Queen Elizabeth Celebrates 93rd Birthday

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

No fewer than 1,400 soldiers took part in a parade today, June 8, as Queen of England, Elizabeth II marked her 93rd birthday. The queen’s birthday was supposed to be on April 21, however, she traditionally planned birthday festivities for June due to the typically warmer weather.

Elizabeth II is the Queen of the UK and the other Commonwealth realms. She was born in London as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York. They later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

The queen’s husband, Prince Philip, who turns 98 years old on Monday, did not attend; he has rarely been seen in public since entering retirement.

The queen, with members of her family, is scheduled to watch the Red Arrows air show from the balcony of the palace.

NBC Complains About AIT, Raypower Still Breaking Code After Court Order Reopening Them

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has complained that Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM have returned to their old ways by breaching the broadcasting code after an Abuja court granted an expert motion directing that status quo be maintained.

In a statement today, June 8, the NBC said: “the National Broadcasting Commission wishes to take note of the ex parte order granted by the Federal High Court Abuja division on June 7, 2019 to Daar Communications Plc.

“The ex parte order was sequel upon a motion ex parte dated May 30, 2019 and filed on May 3, 2019, by Daar Communications Plc.

“This was before the directive from the NBC suspending the broadcasting licence of Daar Communications Plc on June 6, 2019.

“The commission also notes the continued breach of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code by Daar Communications Plc.”

The commission, which shut down the stations on Thursday for alleged breach of the broadcasting code, was forced to lift the suspension on Friday following a court order.

The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had ordered both DAAR communications and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to maintain the status quo pending a hearing on June 13, of the main suit instituted by Daar Communications Plc.

Justice Ekwo also mandated the FG and NBC to appear before it to show cause why a revert to May 30, 2019 status quo ante bellum, sought by Daar Communications Plc should not be granted.

I Have Not Made Up My Mind On Reconciliation With Kano Emir – Gov Ganduje

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that he has not made up his mind yet after a reconciliation meeting organized between him and Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll by both Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Abba Anwar, who spoke on behalf of his boss, admitted that there was a reconciliation meeting that was held in Abuja yesterday, June 7, but that the matter has not been resolved.

“Certainly, a reconciliation meeting was organised by Governor Fayemi and Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the governor and emir attended the meeting, the governor has not given his stand on the matter.

“What I can confirm to you is that the dialogue is still on, therefore, we should wait for the response of the governor.”

It was gathered that at the peace meeting yesterday, June 7, the governor and the emir agreed to sheath the sword for the interest of Kano and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The rift was said to have arose as a result of the alleged support by Emir Sanusi for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abba Yusuf, in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

I Did Not Misappropriate Fund, Emir Of Kano Replies Gov Ganduje’s Query

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II Saturday replied the query handed him by the Kano State government over the alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Emirate Council.

In a letter to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who issued him the query, the Emir, through the acting secretary of the Kano Emirate Council, Abba Yusuf said that he could not have been culpable in the alleged fund misappropriation since he was neither the accounting officer nor the council secretary.

He said that at the time he was installed as the emir in 2014, the Emirate Council had only N1, 89 billion, an amount far lesser than the N3.4 billion Kano State anti-graft agency said was siphoned between 2014 and 2017.

“You may wish to note that at the time his highness Muhammadu Sanusi was appointed Sarkin Kano, the exact amount in the account of the Kano emirate council is N1.893,378,927.38.

“It is also important to note that Emir Sanusi is not the accounting officer of the emirate council but the secretary of the council.”

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission had, on Wednesday, recommended that Emir Sanusi should be suspended over misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Emirate Council under his leadership.

The recommendation was contained in a preliminary report of an investigation conducted by the commission and signed by its chairman, Muhuyi Magaji, a copy of the report was made available to news men in Kano.

Following the recommendation, the state government on Thursday, gave Emir Sanusi 48-hour ultimatum to “give satisfactory explanations” on the allegations.

The secretary to the state government, Usman Alhaji, who issued the query on behalf of the government, said that Emir Sanusi’s answer to the query will allow the government to “take appropriate decision.”

Meanwhile, the governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Kano-born Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote were said to have intervened in the rift between Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi.

Governor Fayemi, who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), was said to have arranged the meeting between the duo which took place in Abuja today, June 8, with all the key figures in attendance.

It was gathered that at the meeting, Governor Ganduje and Emir Sunusi exchanged pleasantries and agreed to settle their differences.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abba Anwar, said in a statement that both leaders advised the Muslim community to imbibe the good teachings and spirit of the Fasting period.

He said that the dialogue, which was at the instance of Dangote and Fayemi, also addressed the indictment of the Emir by the Kano state public complaints and anti-corruption commission on allegations of corruption and mismanagement of N3.4 billion.

He said that at the meeting, Emir Sanusi seized the opportunity to congratulate Governor Ganduje for his second term victory as the state governor, wishing him a successful tenure in office.

What Freedom Of Media Should Be, By Yakubu Suleiman Ozohu

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

Media academics and practitioners need to sit down, revisit and thoroughly and contextually debate this issue of media freedom because even in advanced democracies, you don’t get absolute media libertarianism.

Penal measures are necessary to make journalism more responsible and protect people and the institutions of leadership against the political interests often represented by the media.

The media is not always right, which is why fake news and hate contents are now prevalent. So let’s not be too quick to consider NBC’s action as an infringement on media freedom. FREEDOM should actually mean the freedom for you to know that you are not free, but that your words and actions matter to the rights and well being of others.

Ozohu, PhD, lectures at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Guild Of Corporate Online Publishers Worry Over Shutting Down Of AIT, Ray Power

Editorial staff

June 8, 2019

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has expressed grave worries over the sudden revocation of the operating licence of DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television and Ray Power FM, by the Federal Government.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, the Guild called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to reconsider its stance in the interest of free press and Nigeria’s growing democracy.
GOCOP also advised all media practitioners to operate with every sense of responsibility, even as it advised NBC to resolve its differences with DAAR Communications through dialogue, which it described as the most acceptable channel in a democracy.
In the light of the foregoing, GOCOP called on the Federal Government to mandate the NBC to rescind the decision against DAAR Communications in order to pave the way for dialogue.
It said that despite the court order that AIT and Ray Power should be reopened, there is still the need for decorum to be the watchword of government agencies in taking decisions that will affect the lives of many and the country’s image abroad.

Court Describes INEC Refusal To Issue Certificate Of Return To Okorocha As Lawless

Editorial staff

June 7, 2019

A Federal High Court in Abuja has described as “lawless and a complete nullity,” the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Rochas Okorocha, as Senator-elect for Imo West Senatorial Constituency.

Justice Okon Abang, who today, June, ordered INEC to immediately release the certificate to the immediate past Imo State Governor, held that only the returning officer of INEC had the constitutional authority to declare a winner of the February 23 Imo West Senatorial election.

The electoral body had said it refused to give Okorocha certificate of return after the returning officer for Imo West senatorial district said he was compelled to declare Okorocha winner.

Justice Abang, held that INEC had no reason not to issue him certificate of return.

Justice Abang held that the federal high court had exclusive jurisdiction to decide on the matter even as he overruled the submission by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jones Onyeriri and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osita Izunaso that the matter ought to be taken to the election petitions tribunal, since it was a post-election matter.

The judge held that petitions to the election tribunal under Section 133 of the Electoral Act should be made by the losers, and not the person declared winner and not a person that was declared winner whether under duress or not.

“The reliefs sought by the plaintiff (Okorocha) does not relate to the validity of the election to warrant him filing petitions at the election tribunal”.

“The tribunal has no jurisdiction to answer questions as to the validity of INEC’s action, the action by INEC not to issue certificate of return is unknown to the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”

The Judge awarded the cost of N100, 000 each against all the respondents in the suit.

Meanwhile, candidate of the PDP, Onyeriri said that he had already filed a petition relating to this matter before the election petitions tribunal, saying that he is confident of victory at the tribunal.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Kingdom Okere, Counsel to the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Precious Nwadike, vowed to appeal against the judgment of Justice Abang.

He described the judgment as “empowerment of illegality to recognize candidates who use thugs during elections.”

According to Okere, such a judgment is capable of holding electoral officials to ransom to win election.

Source: NAN.

Okorocha’s Certificate Of Return: INEC Fears Court May Be Promoting Impunity

Greenbarge Reporters

June 7, 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concern that the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed it to issue a Certificate of Return to Rochas Okorocha as Senator-elect for Imo west senatorial district may be promoting electoral impunity.

Reacting to the court’s ruling today, June 7, directing it to issue the certificate of Return to Okorocha, in a statement by its director of voters education and publicity, Festus Okoye, INEC said that it is worried about the court order.

It stressed: “if electoral impunity is allowed to flourish, any individual can harass, intimidate and put the Commission’s officers under duress, procure a favourable declaration and be rewarded with a Certificate of Return.”

The commission, however, said that it would meet to “do the needful” over the court judgment as well as another one from a high court in Imo state directing it “not to issue a certificate of return to any of the candidates that contested the Imo west senatorial district election.”

INEC had refused to issue the certificate to Okorocha who was declared winner of the poll, after the returning officer reported that he declared the former Imo Governor winner under duress.

It said that while the order from the High Court of Imo was issued on May 23, “the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja is the latest in time and determined the rights of the parties in relation to the subject matter of the Certificate of Return, in respect of the Imo West Senatorial Election.

“As a law-abiding institution, the Commission will continue to obey judgments of all courts of competent jurisdiction.”

Group Condemns Northern Christian Elders Forum For Telling European Union Lie

Editorial staff

June 7, 2019

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), condemned a petition written and sent to the European Union by the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), telling the international organization lie against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NCEF had yesterday, June 6, petitioned the European Parliament over Buhari’s attendance of the summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), alleging an attempt at Islamizing Nigeria. The NCEF also alleged that the president was not doing enough to tackle the security challenges facing the country.

But MURIC, in a statement today, June 7 by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the allegations as frivolous, unfounded, imaginary, untenable and unacceptable. The statement said: “We have no modicum of doubt that their lies will come crashing down on them like a pack of cards when the EU Parliament investigates their allegations and NCEF cannot fool the EU Parliament.

“EU Parliament will find it interesting to know that Nigeria became a member of OIC back in 1969 when General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), a Christian, took Nigeria to the organisation in observer status.

“Gowon is not a Muslim but he needed the organization’s support for Nigeria during the civil war (1967 – 1971).”

MURIC added:”Spain, Portugal and France were supporting Biafra and Gowon found it mandatory to rally the support of African countries through Nigeria’s membership of OIC.

“It will therefore become clear that joining OIC has nothing to do with Islamisation but another way of pursuing Nigeria’s national interest. ”

Nigeria joined for political expediency and the regularization in 1986 was merely procedural. “Just as Gowon used the instrumentality of Nigeria’s membership of OIC to secure victory for Nigeria in the civil war, President Buhari used his physical presence at the 2019 OIC summit to return home with two juicy take-aways.

“Is the Second Niger Bridge situated in Daura? Who benefits from its completion? Is it Buhari personally, the Fulanis as a race or Islam as a creed? ”

MURIC appealed to Nigerians in general to seize the opportunity of Buhari’s credible leadership to partner with one another in building a prosperous nation.

Professor Ishaq Akintola, however called on President Buhari to order heads of all security outfits in the country to eliminate all known kidnappers’ camps and hideouts.

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