Pressure Mounts On Buhari To Act On Amnesty International’s Report Indicting Top Military Officers Of War Crime

June 5, 2015

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein

Pressure has started mounting on President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast on the report coming of Amnesty International that indicted five top military officers in Nigeria of war crime and human rights violation in the course of executing the war against Boko Haram in the North East in particular.
The latest call for action came from the United Nations, with its commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, asking President Buhari to investigate Amnesty International’s reports of crimes by Boko Haram and alleged abuses by the Nigerian military
In a statement issued by him, Al-Hussein said that he had seen allegations of mass executions, rape and amputations of children.
He described the role by the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram as “extremely worrying.”
He said that reports had emerged about the conduct of Nigerian armed forces, adding that one man testified about his ordeal when he was mistaken for a Boko Haram member and detained by the military in Yola in Adamawa.
“The man said he spent five days without food or water, as detainees drank the urine of others to quench their thirst. He claimed that there was an average of five deaths per day in the facility.
“Civilians in northeast Nigeria have been living through horrifying acts of cruelty and violence by Boko Haram. These include wanton killings, summary executions, forced participation in military operations – including the use of children to detonate bombs, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual violence, including rape.
“We have reports of children who were suspected of theft and had their hands amputated, of a man stoned to death on accusations of fornication, mass executions of captives whose hands and legs were bound and who were dumped into rivers and wells.”
The UN representative recalled that about 1,000 people were brutally killed by insurgents in Mararaba and Madagali in Adamawa state in late 2014, adding that the UN encountered some witnesses who described how insurgents asked villagers in Kwajafa, Borno state to gather to hear them preach.
“When the villagers gathered, the insurgents opened fire. The U.N. Human Rights Office has also received a video recording of an execution, allegedly of a girl who refused to convert to Islam.” [myad]

Ado Ibrahim Wins Over 15 Year Legal Battle As Supreme Court Affirms Him As Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2015

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim

The reining first class traditional ruler of Ebiraland in Kogi state, the Ohinoyi Dr. Prince Ado Ibrahim has won a long-drawn legal battle against some of his subjects that wanted to unseat him.
This followed the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. Ibrahim was appointed the paramount ruler of Ebrialand by the then Military Administrator of Kogi State, Colonel Bzigu Afakirya, on June 2, 1997.
After his enthronement, a suit challenging his appointment was instituted before the Kogi State High Court on March 6, 1998.
Ibrahim appealed to the Supreme Court after he was ordered to be deposed by the concurrent judgments of both the Kogi State High Court where the matter started and subsequently the Jos Division of the Court of Appeal.
But the Justice Ibrahim Muhammad-led five man panel of the Supreme Court, today, struck out the suit on the grounds that the Kogi State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit because it (the suit) was caught by “statute of limitation.”
Justice John Okoro who delivered the lead judgment of the apex court held that the Kogi State High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit since the plaintiffs, some of whom are now dead, failed to institute it within three months of Ibrahim’s appointment.
Justice Okoro held that “having appointed the appellant (Ibrahim) on June 2, 1997 and the 1st to 4th respondents becoming aggrieved of the said appointment, their cause of action arose with effect from June 2, 1997.
“Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act states that such an action, prosecution or proceeding ‘shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months after the act, neglect or default complained of …’
“The effect of the Public Officers Protection Act like any other statutes of limitation is to deprive the court of jurisdiction to entertain an action filed outside the time prescribed in the statute.
“The first to fourth respondents did not file their suit until March 6, 1998, clearly about nine months after their cause of action arose.
“That action, in my estimation, ought to have been filed not later than 2nd September, 1997.
“Let me state again for the umpteenth time that where a law prescribes a period for instituting an action, proceedings cannot be instituted after that period.”
The apex court ruled that the Kogi State High Court, having been robbed of the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, “in the same vein, the lower court (Court of Appeal) had no jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal arising from a judgment generated from the High Court which had no jurisdiction to entertain same.”
Justice Okoro then held that “accordingly, both the judgment of the High Court of Kogi State delivered on April 3, 2006 and that of the court below (Court of Appeal) delivered on January 12, 2009, are hereby set aside.”
Respondents in the appeal are, Alhaji Maigida Lawal, Alhaji Isa Omolori, Mr. Idris Seriki, Mr. Nwaha Sanni, Military Administrator of Kogi State and the Attorney-General Federation. [myad]

How Nigeria Lost $50 Billion Investment For Delayed Passage Of Petroleum Industry Bill – Rep. Elect

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2015

Within the lull of the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), most investments that should have come to Nigeria found a safe alternative in Mozambique, and additional development of oil in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. All these amount to about $50 Billion.
This is the view of Mr. Sergius Oseasochie who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Relentech Integrated Services Ltd, Nigeria and who was recently elected into the House of Representatives to represent Esan North-East/Esan South-East of Edo State in an interview. He lamented the non-passage of the PIB by the seventh National Assembly even as he stressed the need for the total deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry.
Excerpts from the interview:
Do you think the seventh National Assembly is justified over their inability to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill?
Sergius Oseasochie: Not at all. The seventh Assembly should have passed the Petroleum Industry Bill given the volume of work already done by the sixth Assembly on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC), with the impact and benefits of such reform in a high oil price regime.
The impasse in the passage of PIB has led to uncertainty in the investment climate in Nigeria and the ability of the oil and gas companies to guarantee returns on investment based on their portfolio across other regions of the world. Within the lull of the non-passage, most investment that should have come to Nigeria found a safe alternative in Mozambique, and additional development of oil in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. All these amount to about $50bn.
Following your election into the National Assembly, what contributions will you make to ensure that the PIB does not suffer the same fate that has befallen it in the past?
I shall immediately review all the legislative notes and submissions from the 6th and 7th Assemblies with a view to reducing areas of discordance while getting maximum value for Nigeria, given my background in the oil and gas industry. Professional societies such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) that are apolitical shall be requested to provide their unbiased communiqué over the years.
What are your views about the much-touted corruption in the oil and gas industry? Where do you think things started to go wrong and how can the rot in the sector be addressed?
Strategic reforms shall be recommended in the sector through tenured appointment of young technocrats within the system with considerable career life. This is to steer the ship aright bearing in mind that the consequence of non-performance leads to early retirement. Independent boards should be appointed in line with CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act) to reduce interference.
If you were to advise the Muhammadu Buhari administration, what will you advise should be done to the country’s refineries?
Given the amount of money spent on subsidy (N3 trillion naira), I shall advise the government in the short term to repair the refineries and implement both new governance models such as the NLNG model and business model to encourage profitability. This guarantees the country’s energy security, while ensuring that its product serves as feedstock to petrochemical and manufacturing industries. In the long run, government should fully deregulate the downstream. You cannot be issuing licenses for importation of fuel and fixing prices for the product and expect people to invest in building refineries. In Western democracies, refineries are owned and managed by individuals and businesses, not government. This will naturally create employment and increase government revenue through tax. If the business was not profitable, the likes of Aliko Dangote would not have been building their own refineries. The question will be how many Dangote’s do we have in Africa? This is why government should stay off completely to allow simple economic dynamics come to play in this sector.
Strikes, production shutdowns and vandalisms have over the years been sore points to the Nigerian oil industry. In what ways do you think these can be addressed, in view of the huge revenues the country is losing in this regard?
Proactive intervention and collaboration with the executive arm in engaging the labour union shall reduce industrial unrest which leads to production shutdown in the present situation of low foreign exchange income occasioned by low oil price. Vandalism needs to be addressed via the critical infrastructure intervention command and force under the NSA (National Security Agency) created by a presidential order. This would remove the current impediment on the current structure of the Police and Armed Forces commands in the protection of oil pipelines limited by command jurisdiction. The sophistication of the vandalism is above the capacity of the NSCDC (National Security and Civil Defence Corps), charged with the responsibility without the necessary platform for intervention.
The fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market is currently hurting the Nigerian economy in no small measure. What measures do you want the Federal Government to put in place to cushion the effect of the drop on the Nigerian economy?
Diversify the economy: “Nigeria Beyond Oil.” As long as the world cannot control its appetite for oil, there will be boom, burst, downturn, meltdown etc. No modern economy can rely on one commodity as its source of revenue, not to talk of the most populous black nation with over 180 million people of which 60 per cent are young people.
There should be massive investment in agriculture. We should be able to feed ourselves and export food to our neighbours. Our population and land mass should count for something in the sub-region. The best chocolates are from Switzerland and yet they do not have cocoa plantations. We should farm our land and process the produce. This will create employment for our youths. The World Bank, ADB, international donor agencies are ready and willing to support this initiative. We just have to kick the habit (over dependence on oil) and the entire storyline will change. Yes, it is as easy as that. With increased security, the tourism industry will thrive. We do not have to look for the Western world. If we can lure our brethren in the region to Nigeria, the West will follow thereafter. We have all it takes to be the Dubai of Africa. [myad]

Atiku Is Sure That With Buhari In Charge, Boko Haram Will Soon Fade Away

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2015

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has assured Nigerians, especially the people in the North East that with President Muhammadu Buhari in charge of the nation’s affairs now, Boko Haram insurgency would soon be put behind us.
According to him the Boko Haram offensive against the Nigerian people would eventually fail, as the measures and alliances being put in place by President Buhari administration would result in the defeat of the group where ever they are found
This message was contained in a statement today by his media office in Abuja to sympathise with the victims of Thursday’s bomb explosions in Jimeta-Yola, in Adamawa State. The explosions damaged a greater portion of the popular Jimeta market and caused widespread destruction of lives and property.
Atiku lamented that these renewed attacks have sowed seeds of fear, violence and destruction in many parts of the North east region of the country even as he advised the people to unite and isolate the agents of the terrorists among them and to support the government in its effort to degrade activities of the insurgents.
He observed that the recent spate of bomb attacks is a wake-up call on the need for improved vigilance on the part of the people and intelligence on the part of the security agencies to forestall such heinous attacks.
He called on the people and the security forces to monitor carefully the displaced person’s camps to ensure that insurgents do not infiltrate the latter and where they have done so, to deny them the liberty to operate by neutralising them, isolating them and then having them fished out for prosecution. [myad]

Buhari To Ghana: Nigeria Stands By You In Your Tribulations

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the government and people of Ghana that Nigeria stands by them in these hours of national tragedies, with several deaths resulting from both flooding in fire outbreak within the week.
A message by the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu quoted the President as consoling the Ghananians over the two tragedies and that Nigeria will stand by them in their moment of grief and loss.
“In this moment of grief and loss, the government and people of Nigeria stand with the government and people of Ghana.”
According to President Buhari, the twin tragedies of flooding and fire outbreak that led to loss of several lives are painful and regrettable.
The President, however, noted that the flooding incident undoubtedly reminds leaders and governments in the West African sub-region of their responsibilities to the problem of global warming, among others.
He prayed that the souls of the deceased rest in eternal bliss and that their families and friends find fortitude to bear the losses. [myad]

Politics Of Speakership Of Reps: Dogara’s Chance, By Simon Reef

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2015

Few days to the inauguration of the 8th session of the National Assembly, the permutation over who becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives has become too obvious as to where the pendulum will swing, regarding who becomes the speaker. With the formal withdrawal, by Abdulmumin Jibrin, from the race in favour of Yakubu Dogara, both zones have now closed ranks for the speakership.
Identifying the attributes of the Bauchi-born lawmaker as the reason for his decision to withdraw from the race and support his candidature, Jibrin noted that Dogara “is a man who epitomises personal discipline, a man who has the full conviction of his faith and a man who has strong family values. “He played a critical role in stabilising the House after the defection of the 37 legislators from PDP to APC. He is a cognate member with a wide parliamentary experience and extensive understanding of the rules and workings of the House.”
The decision by Jibrin to step down for Dogara shocked political pundits who had since predicted heady days ahead for all aspirants who have been engaged in consultation for the coveted seat.
Reputed to comprise members who have always stood on what they believe to be the best for the country, the refusal of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to be involved in zoning key offices of National Assembly has afforded the Reps another rare opportunity to elect the most acceptable candidate that is capable of carrying everyone along.
There seems to be a consensus across geo-political zones and party affiliation that for the vibrant and untainted era of former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to be re-enacted, a personality that has lived above board and left footprints of commendable performance profile in legislative duties is imperative. And Dogara fits the bill.
A third timer, the Bauchi-born lawmaker, is reputed to possess a commendable pedigree in academics, having obtained a law degree from the University of Jos, and a masters degree in International Commercial Law from the Robert Gordon University in the United Kingdom. This academic laurel, coupled with his 22 year experience as a lawyer, has assisted him to tremendously shape and influence his work as a legislator.
Coming from the North-east geo-political zone that has been described as heavily marginalized at the point of political office distribution, not a few believe that the emergence of Dogara as Speaker is capable of addressing the injustice of the past. Having delivered the second highest votes to the APC after the North-west, Dogara’s chances is bolstered across party lines, as his candidature has broadened the bridge of consensus and united the House for a common goal.
Beyond the rays of definite hope to clinch the speakership position, Dogara has not relented, as he has embarked on intensive consultation with elected members of the House, and articulating his point of focus if elected to head the House.
In a letter he wrote to the elected lawmakers, and dated June 1, 2015, Dogara was categorical in saying that his aspiration to lead the House is hinged on the need to provide a visionary leadership as espoused by former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who ensured that the Parliament was united with the Nigerian people and worked together to ensure the desired change.
Reminding elected members of the historic decision by the House of Representatives to remain independent, Dogara recalled: “The House has charted a course for itself of being independent and devoid of any external interferences, but this was only achieved after members defied the powers that be and overwhelmingly voted for leadership of their choice on June 6, 2011.
“Now, a new dawn is here. History beckons. Our destiny is in our hands; here comes a chance to continue on this noble path of making hard choices, not easy ones, thereby freeing ourselves and the institution we cherish from internal and external shackles.
“As members of the 8th Assembly, we have a golden opportunity in our hands to consolidate on the numerous achievements of the 7th House of Reps, especially as it concerns its independence. This is the only way by which we can secure the destinies of our constituents who have invested their confidence in us.”
Considering the chances of deepening and sustaining the present democracy, the need to have someone who is firm and free from manipulation by external factors is necessary and important. Having being a part of that historic event that put a stop to external interferences in the election of leaders for the House, there can be no better person who can re-enact that momentous and iconic moment that remains indelible in the history of the National Assembly.
Among the contestants for the speakership, Dogara remains the only one that has clearly laid out plans for what he intends to achieve for the lower chamber of the National Assembly if elected. Among his top priority list is to ensure a united and an independent House of Representatives that will cooperate with other arms of government in providing good governance for the common good.
Dogara has promised to promote the equality of members and ensure that membership of committees are based on cognate experience and relevant career interest of members. Apart from promising to introduce electronic voting as a regular feature of the House, the Speakership aspirant has promised to carry everyone along in the vision of providing conducive atmosphere for legislative duties.
The leadership qualities of Dogara have attracted endorsements from various geo-political zones in the country and place him far above other contestants. As the bourgeoning popularity of the lawmaker from Bauchi State continues to soar few days to the inauguration of the 8TH Session of the National Assembly, some of the contestants have come to realise that the race is already lost and won. Against the backdrop of challenges facing the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, many people agree that what is needed is consensus across party affiliation to ensure the emergence of a firm hand that can provide effective and accountable leadership to assist in making laws for the nation.
If cognate experience in leadership is all that is required to clinch the position of the speakership, then there is no doubt that Dogara is poised to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives. Dogara, after all, is an epitome of knowledge; he is widely read and widely travelled and has the capacity to swing the pendulum in his favour. His performance track record since he was elected as member of the House of Representatives in 2007 speaks volume.
A glance at what he has done since 2007 when he came to the House shows that he had held the position of Chairman, House Ad-hoc Committee on Nigerian Customs Service Probe Panel. He also chaired the Ad-hoc Committee on Disbursement of Public Funds by the Bank of Industry. In handling these and other assignments, he embraced probity, sincerity and time tested principles of humility to achieve results. Little wonder, the House Services Committee which Dogara served under former Speaker Dimeji Bankole and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was without any scandal, as the lawmaker ensured everybody was carried along.
With the 8th Session of the National Assembly around the corner, we do not need any soothsayer to predict where the pendulum will swing to. By his footprints and pedigree on the job, Dogara is far ahead in the race for the coveted seat.

Reef, a media practitioner based in Abuja can be reached on: simonreef927@gmail.com [myad]

Kidnappers Turn To Journalist, Kidnap News Agency Of Nigeria Lady Reporter

Greenbarge Reporters

June 4, 2015

Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Imo state, Miss Chidi Opara has been kidnapped. She was kidnapped last night at her MCC road residence,Urata in Owerri North local government area of Imo State.

She was said to have been abducted at about 8 pm as she was about entering the gate of her residence by two armed men.

Meanwhile, her abductors according to her family members have demanded a N 5 million ransom.

So far, the police in the state are yet to have any clue of her abduction despite an official report to them.

[myad]

We’ve Rescued Kidnapped Kogi Commissioner, Police Announces

Greenbarge Reporters

June 4, 2015

Kogi State Police Command has announced that it has rescued the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Stephen Maiyaki, who was kidnapped from his farm on May 30th.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shola Adebayo, Maiyaki was rescued at about 2am from the kidnappers’ hideout at Abobo village in Adavi Local Government area of the state.

About six people were abducted alongside the commissioner at Osara village also in Adavi Local Government Area of the state while they were trying to resolve a land dispute.

The police statement said the commissioner had been reunited with his family but nothing was said about the other six persons abducted along with him or the fate of Justice Samuel Obayomi of the state High Court who was abducted in the same local government area on May 2. [myad]

President Buhari Holds Joint Press Conference With President Deby In Chad

Greenbarge Reporters

June 4, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari and his host, President of Chad, Idris Deby during a joint Press Conference at the State House in N’djamena, Chad today, Thursday. [myad]

At Last, House Of Reps Passes Petroleum Industry Bill

Greenbarge Reporters

June 4, 2015

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the lingering Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The House, after considering an Ad hoc Committee report on 312 sections and 438 clauses, unanimously passed the bill into law.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on PIB, Ishaku Bawa (PDP-Taraba), submitted the report of the committee’s assignment to the House in March 2015.

The committee had scrutinised the sections and annexure of the original bill and made some amendments and recommendations.

The public hearings also conducted by the 23-member ad hoc committee in all the geo-political zones provided opportunities for stakeholders to make their contributions to the bill.

The bill, which covered salient areas in the petroleum industry, is to ensure the establishment of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund and incorporation of National Gas Company.

Others are the establishment of the Petroleum Directorate and National Asset Management Company, as well as the imposition of new tax regime such as Nigeria Carbon Tax.

The committee, in its report, recommended the removal of Section 191 of the bill, which gave the president discretionary powers to grant petroleum licences.

Other amended areas included Section 174, which recommended that 30 per cent of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) shares be sold through public offers at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

It further amended Section 185, which proposed that 49 per cent of Nigerian Gas Company shares be sold through public offers at the stock exchange.

Under Section 116, the Petroleum Host Community Fund was created to benefit host communities of oil facilities and installations.

The committee retained environmental remediation funds under Section 203, which obligates petroleum investors to pay adequate compensation for the remediation of environmental damages.

Three conventional licencing systems, namely petroleum exploration licence, petroleum prospecting licence and petroleum mining leases were retained in sections 225 and 229 respectively.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, said the PIB bill would serve Nigeria a great purpose.

Ihedioha further said that the action taken by the House on the PIB bill was in the best interest of the country.

According to him, the bulk of the work is now left for the Senate to take action on.

“This bill is not political but very vital to the economy of the country,” Ihedioha said.

Meanwhile, ‎the lawmakers adopted a motion by the Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (Oyo-PDP), for the House to adjourn indefinitely, having concluded its life span.

[myad]

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