Igboho Sues Govt Of Benin For $1 Million Over Unlawful Detention, Violation Of Rights

February 13, 2022

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has filed a $1 million suit against Republic of Benin before the Community Court of Justice, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as cost of general damages for each day he has spent in prison in the country.

Igboho, through his lawyer, Tosin Ojaomo, also asked for a declaration of court that Benin’s actions regarding his unlawful, arbitrary arrest and detention, violating his freedom of movement, his right to an unbiased trial within a reasonable time, violated his right to dignity as a person.

The order being sought, according to Igboho’s counsel, is pursuant to Article 59 of Rules of Procedure, an Expedited Procedure and Hearing, regarding the imprisonment and release of his client.

Igboho after being raided at his Soka Ibadan home on July 1, 2021, by operatives of the Department of State Services had escaped to Benin Republic en-route Germany, but was arrested by the operatives of the Brigade Criminelle on July 19, 2021.

Ojaomo in the application dated February 10, 2022, sought for an order for the immediate and unconditional release of Igboho with his Nigerian passport, pending litigation and determination on damages.

According to him, the application is brought pursuant to Article 3 (4) of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/01/05, by which “the court has jurisdiction to determine (the) case of violation of human rights that occur in any member state.

He added: “Article 11(1) of the 1991 Community Court of Justice Protocol (A/P.I/7/91) by which “cases may be brought before the Court by an application addressed to the Court Registry. The Revised Treaty of Economic Community of West African States (“ECOWAS Treaty”), Articles 56(2) and 57.

“The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the “Banjul Charter”), Articles 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12(1), 12(2), 12(3), and 17(2). Article 3(2)(d)(iii) of the ECOWAS Treaty, Article 2(1) of the ECOWAS Protocol A/P.1/5/79 relating to Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and establishment, upon which Chief Adeyemo sought to escape the persecution by passing through the neighboring Republic of Benin (“Benin”), to take refuge in Germany,” he added.

According to him: “While imprisoned in Benin, Chief Adeyemo’s lawyer filed a lawsuit on his behalf in the Oyo State High Court, seeking damages against Nigeria’s attorney general, Abubakar Malami, the State Security Services (“SSS”), and Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”).

“On September 17, 2021, the Oyo State High Court ruled in affirmation of Chief Adeyemo’s right to political activity in pursuit of self-determination for the Yoruba People, and ordered payment of #20,000,000,000 in damages to Chief Adeyemo in Suit No. M/435/2021.”

APC, PDP Share 6 Abuja Area Councils Equally In Yesterday’s Election

Editorial staff

February 13, 2022

The All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have shared the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), equally in the election conducted yesterday, February 12.

While the APC won the chairmanship seat in Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils, the PDP won in Kuje, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Councils.

According to the returning officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC candidate, Jubrin Abubakar won in Gwagwalada with 11,125 votes while his opponent, Mohammed Kassim of the PDP got 9,597 votes.

In Kuje Area Council, the candidate of the PDP, Suleman Abdullahi Sabo won with 13,301 votes while his closest rival, Sarki Hamidu, of the APC got 7,694 votes. Sabo will now serve a second term in office.

The candidate of PDP, John Gabaya won in Bwari Area Council polling 13045 to defeat his closest rival, Haruna Shekwolo of the APC who scored 7697.

In AMAC, the candidate of the PDP, Christopher Zaka polled 13,240 votes to beat Murtala Karshi of the APC who scored 10,302.

Police Spokesman Frank Mba Goes On Leadership Course, Hands Over To Deputy

Editorial staff

February 12, 2022

The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, has been nominated by the Inspector-General of Police for the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.

Mba, according to statement from the Force Headquarters, has therefore handed over the duties and responsibilities of the Force Public Relations Department to his Deputy, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement said that Olumuyiwa Adejobi is a Chief Superintendent of Police and an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ibadan where he studied Archeology and Geography (Combined Honours).

He also holds a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same University.

He was the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the Ogun State Command from 2008 – 2016; PPRO Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, in 2016 and PPRO Lagos State Police Command between September, 2020 and August, 2021.

Olumuyiwa is an experienced communicator and image manager who has achieved great strides in his previous appointments.

He is a member of several professional bodies and associations which include: Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); International Public Relations Association (IPRA); Pointman Leadership Institute, USA; International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), USA; and the Institute of Corporate Administration, Nigeria.

Buhari Sacks First Lady’s Aide, Redeploys, And Engages Others

Editorial staff

February 12, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has effected some changes in the political appointees of of the First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement today, February 12 by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the president has sacked the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Office of the First Lady, Zainab Kazeem, with effect from yesterday, February 11.

The statement said that Buhari redeployed three of the political appointees in her office to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), pending their assignment to some other government departments or agencies.

Those affected by the redeployment are Dr. Mohammed Kamal Abdulrahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health and Development Partners and Personal Physician to the First Lady; Hadi Uba, Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant to the President on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Those who are newly appointed, include Muhammad Sani Zorro, a journalist, a politician and former lawmaker as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady.

Sani Zorro was at various times President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).

He was in the House of Representatives where he chaired the committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives on North East.

Also appointed, according to the statement, are A’isha Rimi, a law graduate of the University of Buckingham in England as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legal Matters, Office of the First Lady and Dr. Zabah Muhammad Jawa as Personal Physician to the First Lady.

While A’isha is a resourceful administrative executive and a founding partner at Africa Law Practice, a commercial law firm in Nigeria, Dr. Jawa is a Senior Consultant in Nuclear medicine and European Certified in Nuclear Medicine.

He is a Fellow of the College of Radiologists of Nigeria and Fellow of the South African College of Nuclear Physicians.

Police In Confusion, As Over 1 Million People Vote In Abuja Today

Greenbarge Reporters

February 12, 2022

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Abuja, had ran into confusion and has confused the people in the Territory, few hours to the commencement of the election of the six area council chairmen and councillors, which is now ongoing.
The command started, about four days ago by banning movement of people on the day of election from 12_midnight to 4pm, but unbanned the restriction of movement yesterday, only to wake up today, February 12, restoring the ban.
Meanwhile, the election is currently ongoing, with over one million voters trooping out in the six area council to elect their leaders.
After the initial order restricting movement on election day, the police command, yesterday, February 11, issued a statement, relaxing the restriction.
In a statement, the command had said that it decided to relax the restriction of movement as earlier announced.
“Consequently, members of the public are hereby advice to go about their normal legitimate business without the fear of harassment or molestation of any kind from any quarters.
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Police Command, CP Babaji Sunday psc. while assuring the members of public of the provision of a water tight security before, during and after the election, urges members of the public to come out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice.”
But today, February 12 just as people were waking up to go out and vote, the command came up with another statement, restoring the restriction.
In the statement, the command said: “based on credible intelligence at the disposal of the FCT Police Command and in the best security interest of the territory, the Fct police command has deemed it fit to restore the earlier pronounced restrictions of movement.
“The water-tight security arrangement will enable eligible voters exercise their civic responsibility.
“Consequently, the restrictions commences from 8am – 3pm of 12th February 2022, exempting those on essential services, participants and key players in the already scheduled WAEC examinations.
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Police Command CP Babaji Sunday psc, while assuring the members of the public of the Command’s commitment towards ensuring a safe environment before, during and after the election, urges residents to exercise their voting rights without the fear of molestation or harassment of any kind, from any quarters .The CP also calls on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.

Our reporter who went out to monitor the election exercise just reported that many people who heard this morning restriction announcement have refused to come out to cast their votes. This is even as others who did not hear the restored restriction are battling the security agents, arguing that the last thing they heard yesterday was that restriction had been lifted.

Our reporters on the field however, said that as at the time of going on the air, there has been no major incidence recorded in the six area councils.

Dangote Cement Goes To Zambia, Inducts 15 Fresh Engineers As Trainees

Editorial staff

February 11, 2022

Fifteen Copperbelt University (CBU) engineering students have been inducted as graduate engineer trainees at Dangote Cement Zambia Limited in Masaiti district. Dangote Chief Executive officer, Vipul Agrawal said today, February 10 that the programme is aimed at training Zambian engineers to operate state-of the-art technology Cement and Power plants.

The 15 CBU Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Mining-engineering students selected to participate in the program were issued with a two year contract. Agrawal said that the graduates would go through structured, but intense hands on training to consolidate their academic knowledge. “On conclusion of their training, they will be absorbed in responsible positions in the company.

“The Graduate Engineer Trainee program is a key component of succession planning and building of talent pull at Dangote.”

He said that the first Program for GET”s was launched in 2016 culminating in some of the graduate engineers taking leadership positions at Dangote. The Chief Executive Officer said that the program had yielded positive results by exposing fresh graduates to industrial challenges while working under the guidance of experienced technocrats from diverse backgrounds.

Agrawal further said that Dangote would continue to partner with other institutions of higher learning across the country as a way of supporting government efforts to develop skilled workforce and betterment of society. Dangote Plant Director Xavier Kennedy said that the program will expose the trainees to practical part of the theory learnt in school.

Meanwhile a student representative, Harriet Likomeno thanked management of Dangote for according them an opportunity to be part of Africa’s largest cement manufacturing company. She promised that they will put in their level best best to meet the aspirations of the company through the GET program.

Buhari To NNPC: Don’t Spare Importers Of Substandard Fuel

Editorial staff

February 10, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited not to spare the importers and producers of substandard fuel and other consumable products.

A statement today, February 10 by his spokesman, Garba Shehu quoted him as having also given directives to the relevant government agencies to take every step in line with the laws of the country to ensure the respect and protection of consumers against market abuses and social injustices.

The President, who reacted to the issue of petroleum product shortages linked to the inadvertent supply of products of foreign origin into the Nigerian market, said that the protection of consumer interests is a priority of the present administration and is ready to take all necessary measures to protect consumers from hazardous products, loss or injuries from the consumption of substandard goods.

He directed that in line with the law, service providers must make full disclosure of relevant information with respect to the consumption of their products and that dissatisfied consumers are entitled to a proper redress of their complaints.

FCT Polls: Minister Warns Against Violation Of Electoral Laws, Violence

Editorial staff

February 10, 2022

As residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) go out on Saturday, February 12 to elect Area Council Chairmen and Councillors, the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has warned against violation in any form, of the electoral laws.

The Minister reminded would-be trouble makers that the security agencies are under strict directives to bring the full weight of the law on errant individuals or groups who may attempt to breach the peace in whatever guise.

In a message to the residents today, Muhammad Bello further called on parents, traditional, community and religious leaders to caution their wards, subjects and members of their congregation against engaging in acts that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.

He reminded residents that the attention of the national and international community is focused on the Area Council elections, saying that the electorate have the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections..

The Minister called on the residents not to hesitate to call on the relevant authorities if they witness any activities that run contrary to the laid down election guidelines.

“I call on residents and contestants to use the Council polls to truly demonstrate the unity of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.”

2023: Buhari Cautions Foreign Envoys Not To Dabble Into Nigeria’s Internal Affairs

Editorial staff

February 10, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised foreign envoys not to dabble into the internal affairs of Nigeria, especially as the country prepares for general elections in 2023.

The President, who received Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy, Stephano De Leo; Spain, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel, Michael Shual Freeman, today, February 10, at the Presidential villa, said: “you are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria at very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in early 2023.

“As you settle down in the face of these developments, it is my hope that you will also be guided by diplomatic practice, to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the general elections next year.’’

The President called for the support of the envoys in tackling rising global insecurity, and strengthening of communality.

“We are living in unprecedented times and with so many uncertainties, especially with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the rise in global insecurity and the devastation of our environments caused by Climate Change among other existential threats to our collective peace, progress and shared values.

“Different factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain alone. Matters of security have become the business of all the nations of the world to work closely together to build consensus in order to overcome these challenges.

“For us in Nigeria, we continue to make steady progress despite the daunting challenges, especially in the areas of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance, amongst other aspirations.’’

The President said that Nigeria’s differences and divergence in culture and religion have contributed immensely in cementing unity, as a people, as well as spurring religious tolerance and respect for one another.

President Buhari advised the Ambassadors to build lasting friendships in the course of performing their duties that will go beyond assignments in Nigeria.

On the regional level, the President said that Nigeria will continue to work with other member-states of ECOWAS and regional blocs to deal with the problems of terrorism, trans-border crimes, banditry, maritime issues and unconstitutional change of government.

“We are engaging in frank self-retrospection in order to identify and isolate appropriate containment strategies that can help de-escalate the drift into the unconstitutional seizure of power in the sub region.”

President Buhari assured of partnership and mutual cooperation in canvassing more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in healthcare system, education, infrastructure, local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and transportation.

“The countries which you all represent, namely, Czech Republic, Republic of Italy, Kingdom of Spain and State of Israel, enjoy very cordial bilateral relations and cooperation with Nigeria that span across our socio-economic and cultural spheres.

“Therefore, the envious task of building on the successes of your respective predecessors will further advance our relations to significant heights for the benefits of our countries and peoples.

“As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I am sure that you will appreciate the uniqueness and strength in our country’s political, socio-economic and cultural diversities, in terms of both human and natural resources the President said.

Responding on behalf of the diplomats, the Ambassador of Czech Republic assured the President of what he called “comprehensive cooperation’’ of the representatives.

Fed Revenue Introduces Self-Service Stations In Tax Offices

Editorial staff

February 10, 2022

Management of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced what it called “Self-Service Stations” for the purpose of increasing voluntary tax compliance.

It is where taxpayers can file tax returns, pay taxes, apply for and validate Tax Clearance Certificates among other services.

In a statement today, February 10, the Special Assistant to Mohammed Nami, the Executive Chairman of the FIRS on Media and Communications, Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, said that tax payers can by themselves go online platform located in FIRS tax offices across the country.

The statement said that the initiative is aimed at supporting taxpayers in the optimised use of the TaxPro Max solution.

“As part of the Service’s effort to enhance voluntary tax compliance, the SelfService Stations will, among other things, provide taxpayers the opportunity to carry out the following services online while in the Tax Office: Filing tax returns; Paying taxes; Applying for and validate TCCs; Generating receipts and credit notes.”

The statement said that to make it more convenient for the taxpayers, the Self-Service Stations have designated officers readily available to assist taxpayers with any technical difficulty or concerns that may arise.

The Service enjoined taxpayers to take advantage of the Self-Service Stations in fulfilling their tax obligations.

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