American based television channel, Cable Network News (CNN), has retracted its initial report which claimed that troops of the Nigerian Army killed 38 EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.
In its tweeter handle today, November 28, titled “clarification” CNN backtracked its initial report, admitting that it did not attribute the death toll to Amnesty International.
It however, failed to say in the report that the 38 persons killed were not just at the Lekki tollgate but across the country during the #EndSARS protest.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has expressed what he called “cautiously optimistic” that the country will exit recession by December, which marks the end of the fourth and final quarter of the year 2020, as the bank continues to implement interventions in the critical areas of the economy.
He dded the apex bank projects that Nigeria would return to positive growth in the first quarter of next year.
Emefiele, who spoke at the 55th Annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Lagos, advised financial experts to be wary about the implication of negative comments on the economy, insisting that Nigerians do not need “to worry,” as the economic fundamentals remain strong.
He said that some sectors of the economy, including the Information Communication Technology (ICT), have remained resilient, despite the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, adding that 18 sectors recorded positive growth in the third quarter, as against the 13 that contracted.
The CBN boss observed that the economy is on the path of growth and the stable growth witnessed after the 2016 recession is “a reassurance” that the economy would emerge stronger.
“As we are all aware, prior to the onset of the virus in December last year, the Nigerian economy was on a positive growth trajectory, having made a significant recovery from the 2016-2017 recession, which was triggered by the drop-in commodity prices in 2016.
“Following the recession, we witnessed 12 consecutive quarters of economic expansion and GDP growth in the fourth quarter of last year stood at 2.55 per cent.
“Our exchange rate remained stable for over two years at N360/$ and our external reserve witnessed significant accretions from the sale of crude oil and continued inflows from foreign investors.
“Our banking system remained strong, as key indicators reflected improvements across several areas. The capital adequacy ratio for the banking industry was above 15 per cent, surpassing the prudential requirement. The ratio of non-performing loans declined from 11 per cent in April last year to less than 6.1 per cent by January this year.
“Our intervention efforts in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors continued to support employment generating activities and improved local production of goods that can be produced in Nigeria.”
He called for urgent diversification of the economy so that it would not continue to sneeze every time the crude market is challenged, saying it has the potential to survive without oil.
Speaking on the current escalating inflation, Emefiele said more effort would be paid to the supply side of the economy, noting: “Let me add that while COVID-19 has brought on several challenges to our economy and indeed the banking sector, it offers a unique opportunity for us to build a more resilient economy that is better able to contain external shocks, whilst supporting growth and wealth creation in key sectors of our economy.
“Proactive steps on the part of stakeholders in the banking and financial system in supporting the growth of sectors, such as agriculture, ICT and infrastructure, will strengthen our ability to deal with the challenges that have been brought on by COVID-19, while enabling the growth of our economy in general.”
Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, adding that “stronger collaboration” between the private and the public sector is necessary to survive the pandemic and build a stronger economy.
Governors of states in the Northeast region of Nigeria have complained about the 2021 budget proposal of the Federal Government over what it called the paltry allocation of N45.3 billion for capital projects in the region out of a total budget estimate of N13.02 trillion.
The governors, in a communiqué they issued at the end of their meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, complained that the area had been short-changed in the proposed capital projects for 2021, even as they appealed to the National Assembly to review the budget in the spirit of equity and inclusion.
They insisted that the paltry 0.35 per cent allocation to a region hard-hit by insurgency, other forms of insecurity and infrastructural deficit showed that it had been short-changed.
“This (budgetary allocation) represents a paltry 0.35 per cent of the proposed N13.02tn. This means that North-East is highly short-changed”
According to them, the Northeast region had been unfairly treated in the provision of road infrastructure by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, while also bemoaning the slow or outright non-existent progress on the pace of work on the roads already awarded and called for the immediate reactivation and review of the comatose road contracts in the sub-region.
They decried the lack of budgetary provision in respect of the Mambilla hydro project in the 2021 budgetary proposals and called on the Federal Government to make the project a matter of serious priority by resolving all encumbrances around the project.
The communiqué read in part: “Forum critically examined the challenges of education in the sub region and resolved to adopt a regional approach by being deliberate on transforming education, especially at the basic level. Forum also agreed to form the North-East Council on Education.
“The forum said despite relative improvement in the security situation in the sub-region, the activities of Boko Haram, bandits, cattle rustlers and kidnappers still constitute a threat to sustainable development.”
The hypocrite minimises his own flaws and makes allowances for imperfections while homing in on and exaggerating the problems of another. We have an even distribution of hypocrites among all sections of the country. But I think there is a more bubbling joint of whited sepulchres in the south-east. Yes, a host of people lost in gyrations of affected piety and plaster saints who capitalise and summarise their troubles with third-party headlines. They are never responsible for own their problems; there is always someone or some people in the north, south-west or south-south to blame. Even the gully erosion ravaging my area in Anambra is blamed on exteriorised agents.
When are we going to take responsibility for our troubles? When are we going to face up to the adversaries within – not in the north or south-west? And when are we going call out corruption by our own?
We are fixated on the Bola Tinubu corruption trope, but our own people made flatulent by loot we palliate the enormity of their malfeasance. A former governor of Abia state was jailed for alleged N7.65 billion fraud. He was alleged to have magicked the contents of Abia state treasury into his private vault. But after he was released from prison, there was a carnival in the streets of Abia to welcome him – the same people he allegedly stole from. The same former governor has enjoyed canonisation by his people and even projected by them as a ‘’worthy son’’ to replace President Buhari in 2023.
Hypocrites! Tinubu in Lagos is a bigger headache to Okoye in Owerri than the ruins of Imo state? We are more concerned about the acts of tyranny in faraway Kaduna under Nasir el-Rufai than the attempts at autocracy in Imo.
Governors in the south-east have largely escaped outrage and social media justice, because the citizens of the region concern themselves with amplifying the troubles of the north, while glossing over the cancer ravaging the area. We cavort giddily to sit in parliament on issues affecting the north while our own problems are mitigated – and most times totally ignored.
In Anambra, for instance, there are over 1,000 gully erosion sites. About 70
percent of the land in the state is witnessing chronic denudation. Statistics show the environmental peril is devouring Aguata/Orumba local government areas, which have more than 78 gullies; Nnewi, (60 cavities); Njikoka/Aniocha, (50 gullies); Idemili, (46 dangerous openings); Ihiala, (40 gullies); Awka, (30 cavities); Onitsha, (22 gullies); and Anambra/Oyi, (16 gullies).
Many citizens of Anambra have lost valuable property to this creeping violator of nature. This monster has remained untamed. Now, 70 percent of land in the state is under threat! And there are gloomy projections that this intruder could overrun the state in the next few years. Yet no deliberate and exigent plan to salvage what is left. No alarm! No emergency! It is like we are waiting for the inexorable doomsday.
In Abia, some workers in the education and health sectors of the state have been not paid for months. In fact, the governor only elected to pay lecturers and non-academic staff of Abia State University 30 percent of their salary for June, 2020 – in November! But the Campus-based Industrial Trade Unions in Abia State University rejected the ignominious offer. Basic infrastructure is even not basic in the state; largely decrepit. The state is mere a garland of filth and slime.
In Imo, the governor rules like a potentate – he brooks no opposition. In September, the governor signed the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2020 which empowers him to detain anyone at his pleasure without the need for a court warrant.
Sections 484 and 485 of the law stipulate that the governor may summarily effect a detention notwithstanding the provisions of any other law – not even the constitution?
Section 484 of the law reads: “Where any person is ordered to be detained during the Governor’s pleasure he shall notwithstanding anything in this law or in any other written law contained be liable to be detained in such place and under such conditions as the Governor may direct and whilst so detained shall be deemed to be in legal custody.”
And section 485 stipulates that any person “detained during the Governor’s pleasure may at any time be discharged by the Governor on licence” and that “a licence under subsection (1) of this section may be in such form and may contain such conditions as the Governor may direct”. It also said such a licence “may at anytime be revoked or varied by the Governor, and where licence has been revoked the person to whom the licence relates shall proceed to such place as the Governor may direct and if he fails to do so, may be arrested without warrant and taken to such place.”
This law is clearly against the lay-downs of sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 constitution, which protect the rights to freedom of liberty and human dignity.
Governance in Imo is also on the reverse gear. So, clearly we have our own problems in the south-east which we should be chewing on and outraging against. If there is famine in the north, there is pestilence in the south-east. Whatever challenges there are up north, there are also down south. Armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, homicide and other crimes are all maladies ailing all parts of Nigeria – but one side gets outraged against the more.
Counsel to leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, Alloy Ejimako, has given conditions for his client to appear in the court for his treason trial.
He insisted that until a hearing is conducted on why the military allegedly invaded his client’s home in 2017, Kanu should not be expected to appear in court for trial.
Kanu did not appear when his treason trial commenced but the Court said he would be tried in absentia.
His lawyer, who was represented in court by another lawyer, claimed that the court notice was very short.
Kanu’s lawyer told newsmen after the brief hearing said that Nnamdi Kanu was absent because he needed to be assured of his security.
“Our position is the court should have conducted a hearing as to why Nnamdi Kanu has repeatedly failed to appear in court.
“If that enquiry is conducted, it will bring to the fore what happened in September 2017.
“And it will give an opportunity to introduce evidence in the proceedings to demonstrate why nobody under such circumstances should be expected to appear in court because the army went in there to kill him. I don’t know what the court expected him to do–to stay here and be killed and be brought to court, or what?
“If someone is on bail, such a person is under the protection of the court. And now, an agency of the same government that is prosecuting this man sent its armed forces to this man, to kill this man. And 28 men were killed.
“The court is not making an enquiry into that, and they are solely concerned about proceeding with his trial in absentia. It shouldn’t happen in a well-ordered system. We just have to get to the root: why did he not appear in court? That is the question.
“If it is settled, it will be determined on whether he jumped bail of which no conclusion like that will ever be reached. If the court makes such inquiry, it will also give the court an opportunity to determine what happened in 2017.
“Then they can tell Mr Kanu to come and face your trial in court because the court will give you protection. When that is done, he will come. I guarantee he will come.
“Once the court makes a pronouncement on why he is not there, and makes a ruling, then he will appear. But this court is not doing that. If they proceed with absentia trial, the international community will see it as kangaroo.”
On the fate of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, one of Kanu’s sureties, Barr Ejimako said: “I am representing the Jewish Rabbi, Immanuel Shalom, the co-surety for Nnamdi Kanu. Abaribe was not the only surety.
“The other one is Mr Tochukwu Uchendu, an accountant. They are of the equal footing with N100m each, totalling N300m. That is what they stand to lose if Nnamdi Kanu is determined to have jumped bail. Abaribe’s case is the same as my client’s case.
“We have the case in court that the bail bond cannot be revoked without conducting a hearing on why the person that was given the bail did not appear in court.
“The sureties cannot be said to have breached their bonds in circumstances such as Nnamdi Kanu’s situation where 28 persons were killed in his house.
“They bonded a man alive, and they want him produced in court dead? It can’t happen. The bond subsists, and no one is going to lose any money, and nobody is going to jail for a bail bond that was not breached, but by the Nigerian Army.”
“We will never allow this type of #EndSARS protests again. It was violent. Peaceful protest is allowed in our constitutions. When this process (EndSARS) started peacefully, we provided security for them.
“We were moving with them to make sure they were not molested by any group of people and it was going on well until it turned violent.
“When it turned violent, they then attacked the people that were even giving them protection. So, we shall never allow any violent protest in this country again. When you talk of peaceful protests, yes, it is allowed but violent protests, never!
“We’re to protect this country from hoodlums. We’re to protect this country from violence, and we want every Nigerian to work with us, to prevent what had happened as aftermath of the end of SARS in terms of destruction of public properties, loss of lives, businesses of individuals were crippled, corporate institutions were destroyed.”
These were the words of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, when he met with all Commissioners of Police in the country.
He said that the force is ready to face anyone, who organises or participates in such protests across the country.
“Remember, even our constitution does not accept violent protests, so, those people that are planning to come up with another protest, if they’ve planned it to be a violent one, they should re-think, otherwise, we have prepared to face them.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed A Adamu has ordered Commissioners of Police across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the 17 Zonal Commands, to revamp the security architecture in their Area of Responsibilities ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The IGP who gave the order today, November 27 at a meeting with Strategic Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, directed the officers to ensure optimal deployment to cover all vulnerable areas toward a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Mohammed Adamu said that the meeting was convened to review the general security situation in the country particularly in the aftermath of the EnedSARS protest and deliberate on challenges impinging on effective policing and internal security management concerns in the country.
He commended the officers for the leadership they provided at the field level during the EndSARS crisis and for their roles in guaranteeing a stable security order across the country.
The IGP assured the citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force towards ensuring their safety and security especially as the Christmas season approaches even as he called for their continuous understanding, support and encouragement to the Police.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who addressed the meeting, assured the Strategic Officers of the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the interest of the Police and providing adequate logistics to meet the operational needs of the Force.
According to him, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning et.al, is evolving special funding interventions to aid optimal performances by the Police.
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has asked all Igbo speaking people in the southeast to join en-mass, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain relevant in the nation’s scheme of things.
Governor Uzodimna, who spoke to newsmen today, November 27, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja said: “I think if it’s possible for all of us to belong to the APC since the APC as I speak to you now has the best political manifesto, programmes and government in power, I see nothing wrong in all of us joining APC based on conviction not that you are coerced into joining APC.
“Everybody that is not in the APC now in the southeast is a target. It’s not only governors. It includes those who are not governors, the entire political class. The whole idea is making the ideology of the party known to the people, allaying their fears, and encouraging them to come.
“Once you believe in Nigeria and you have a pan-Nigeria attitude, of course, you will go for a national party. There is no gainsaying that if you are not with the national party, and you choose to be in opposition, of course, you will continue to fast (go hungry) until God answers your prayers.
“But we that are in the ruling, of course, what it will take us to solve certain problems may be different from what it will take somebody who is not very close to the source of authority to solve his own problems.”
“But if you voluntarily come into APC, our dream is to have every citizens of Nigeria become a member of our party because we have to be ambitious.”
The Imo state governor said that the APC’s desire is to have as many as possible politicians within its rank as a national party to encourage national unity and cohesion.
“Well, I must count myself very lucky. After I emerged as APC governor, I used to be an orphan. You will agree with me I have a brother now, who is also in APC.
“My hope is that the region will see the reason and the wisdom in coming over to the ruling party because the ruling party is a national party.
“There is no way you can compare what your people will get in an opposition party to what they will get from the ruling party. APC is the ruling party which has access to the federal government. And because our preaching and gospel has always been how to unite Nigeria, how to encourage national unity, national integration, and national cohesion.
“It will be more cost effective to have my people, the people of southeast see reason and join APC, the national party. I’m very optimistic that gradually, we will get there. It’s a matter of convincing our people, which we are doing.”
Asked whether the APC’s drive for opposition politicians is to achieve a one-party state, he said: “I don’t think so. if you recall our history from 1999 till date, you will agreee with me that at a time PDP had 28 states and they were still looking to remove the very few states of the other parties.
“Now how many states do we have as APC? And the whole thing about politics is like evangelism. Every serious political party must have an expansionist mentality to expand their membership.
“I think we will continue to encourage our people because the whole idea is that once the idealogy is right, the system is working, nobody wants to go to a war that he will lose. So, you join those who are winning.
“What we are doing in the south East as a party is carrying the message of the party. Before this time some of us beloved that we should have marketed the ideologies and policies better than the past leadership did.
“What we are trying to do is to explain to our people the need to see that this Nigerian project belongs to all of us and if you jump out of the train, don’t accuse anybody of pushing you out of the train.
“It is not about whether you want to be president now or not. You don’t get presidential ticket by the market square, it is the decision of the political party, you must be loyal to your political party.
“So, I know that my brother Umahi is politically strong in the southeast and joining APC would add to the value of the party in my region, but he never told me he is coming because he will be president.
“So, I want the people who want to cause confusion and create bad name for Governor Umahi to run run away from that point and then encourage our people who have decided to align with the ruling party.”
The Bankers Committee, made up of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Deposit Money Banks as well as key stakeholders in the private sector have collectively raised a total sum of N39,646,100,039.00 to support work with the government in providing support in areas that would result in improved health and societal outcomes following the outbreak of coronavirus.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who briefed news men today, November 25 on the efforts of the Bankers Committee, in Coalition Alliance Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), said that the sum of N43,272,562,831 had so far been spent on the acquisition of , not only medical equipment and supplies , but also Food palliatives for the vulnerable.
He said that the Coalition was formed in view of the funding challenge faced by Federal and State governments and the need to improve the capacity of the health institutions to deal with emerging cases of COVID-19 in the country.
“We sought to aid the governments in improving testing capability, and management office positive cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. In addition, CACOVID was expected to provide palliatives to vulnerable members of our society, particularly those who earn daily incomes, and had been severely affected by the lockdown.
“As a result of these objectives, CACOVID requested and indeed received an outpouring of support from over 200 well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations, who provided in kind donations, as well as funds to the tune of N39,646,100,039.00 billion in support of the fight against COVID-19.
“In order to ensure that these funds were judiciously utilized, a transparent and accountable framework was put in place by highly rated firms of chartered accountants. We engaged KPMG Professional Services as book keepers and MessrsEnrst and Young as Auditors.Ladies and Gentlemen , in Line with our promise to be open and Transparent in the utilization of the funds donated by our partners, CACOVID has today decided to provide the general public with full details relating to the procurement of goods and services along with the disbursement schedule of procured items. These details will be posted on our websitein due course.
“The funds raised by CACOVID was used to support3 key priorities. These priorities include;
“MedicalFacilities and Equipment – Working with other stakeholders, CACOVID developed39 fully equipped isolation centers across the 36 States of the Country including the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) . The sum of N4,194,262,899 was spent in Building Isolation Centers. In addition, medical equipments such as PCR test kits for suspected cases of COVID-19were procured along with other required medical items at a cost of N9,017,561,723. This support by CACOVIDenabledmany states to deal with an unexpected surge in cases of COVID-19.
“Food relief programs – As part of our efforts to cushion the effects of the lockdown onvulnerable Nigerians affected by the restrictions in movement, CACOVID provided palliatives in the form of essential food items to 1.7m households, which is equivalent to supporting 8 million Nigerians. A total of N28,767,590,517 was spent procuring these Food supplies.These palliatives were acknowledged and disbursed by various state governments; and a schedule showing the various quantities and dates of delivery will also be posted on our website for public scrutiny. “Our intention for distributing these items through the State Government , just like in the case of the isolation centers was based on the thinking that the state governments has the closest contacts with the most vulnerable in our society for whom these support were meant.
“Communication Plans –CACOVID also worked to improve awareness in rural communities on the COVID-19 virus, and the measures community health workers and other members of society should take when someone in the community is suspected of having symptoms similar to that of COVID-19. Print, TV, radio and social media were leveraged as part of CACOVID communication plans.
“We would like to use this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to well-meaning Nigerians and businesses, who supported CACOVID in its effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, as well as in the support provided to vulnerable Nigerians.”
The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed tomorrow, November 26 for the commencement of the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in absentia for treasonable felony.
Copies of the hearing notice were served on the prosecution team today, November 25, in the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
The Federal Government has lined up five prosecution witnesses to testify against Kanu who fled the country in 2017.
The IPOB leader was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) in November 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organization.
He was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on health reasons on April 25, 2017.
However, the judge on March 28, 2019, revoked the bail granted Kanu and ordered his arrest.
She directed that his trial on charges of a treasonable felony would proceed in his absence.
But the court had not had any sitting on the case since then.
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Counsel to leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, Alloy Ejimako, has given conditions for his client to appear in the court for his treason trial.
The Bankers Committee, made up of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Deposit Money Banks as well as key stakeholders in the private sector have collectively raised a total sum of N39,646,100,039.00 to support work with the government in providing support in areas that would result in improved health and societal outcomes following the outbreak of coronavirus.
The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed tomorrow, November 26 for the commencement of the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in absentia for treasonable felony.
The Hypocrisy Of Southeast, By Fredrick Nwabufo
When are we going to take responsibility for our troubles? When are we going to face up to the adversaries within – not in the north or south-west? And when are we going call out corruption by our own?
We are fixated on the Bola Tinubu corruption trope, but our own people made flatulent by loot we palliate the enormity of their malfeasance. A former governor of Abia state was jailed for alleged N7.65 billion fraud. He was alleged to have magicked the contents of Abia state treasury into his private vault. But after he was released from prison, there was a carnival in the streets of Abia to welcome him – the same people he allegedly stole from. The same former governor has enjoyed canonisation by his people and even projected by them as a ‘’worthy son’’ to replace President Buhari in 2023.
Hypocrites! Tinubu in Lagos is a bigger headache to Okoye in Owerri than the ruins of Imo state? We are more concerned about the acts of tyranny in faraway Kaduna under Nasir el-Rufai than the attempts at autocracy in Imo.
Governors in the south-east have largely escaped outrage and social media justice, because the citizens of the region concern themselves with amplifying the troubles of the north, while glossing over the cancer ravaging the area. We cavort giddily to sit in parliament on issues affecting the north while our own problems are mitigated – and most times totally ignored.
In Anambra, for instance, there are over 1,000 gully erosion sites. About 70
percent of the land in the state is witnessing chronic denudation. Statistics show the environmental peril is devouring Aguata/Orumba local government areas, which have more than 78 gullies; Nnewi, (60 cavities); Njikoka/Aniocha, (50 gullies); Idemili, (46 dangerous openings); Ihiala, (40 gullies); Awka, (30 cavities); Onitsha, (22 gullies); and Anambra/Oyi, (16 gullies).
Many citizens of Anambra have lost valuable property to this creeping violator of nature. This monster has remained untamed. Now, 70 percent of land in the state is under threat! And there are gloomy projections that this intruder could overrun the state in the next few years. Yet no deliberate and exigent plan to salvage what is left. No alarm! No emergency! It is like we are waiting for the inexorable doomsday.
In Abia, some workers in the education and health sectors of the state have been not paid for months. In fact, the governor only elected to pay lecturers and non-academic staff of Abia State University 30 percent of their salary for June, 2020 – in November! But the Campus-based Industrial Trade Unions in Abia State University rejected the ignominious offer. Basic infrastructure is even not basic in the state; largely decrepit. The state is mere a garland of filth and slime.
In Imo, the governor rules like a potentate – he brooks no opposition. In September, the governor signed the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2020 which empowers him to detain anyone at his pleasure without the need for a court warrant.
Sections 484 and 485 of the law stipulate that the governor may summarily effect a detention notwithstanding the provisions of any other law – not even the constitution?
Section 484 of the law reads: “Where any person is ordered to be detained during the Governor’s pleasure he shall notwithstanding anything in this law or in any other written law contained be liable to be detained in such place and under such conditions as the Governor may direct and whilst so detained shall be deemed to be in legal custody.”
And section 485 stipulates that any person “detained during the Governor’s pleasure may at any time be discharged by the Governor on licence” and that “a licence under subsection (1) of this section may be in such form and may contain such conditions as the Governor may direct”. It also said such a licence “may at anytime be revoked or varied by the Governor, and where licence has been revoked the person to whom the licence relates shall proceed to such place as the Governor may direct and if he fails to do so, may be arrested without warrant and taken to such place.”
This law is clearly against the lay-downs of sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 constitution, which protect the rights to freedom of liberty and human dignity.
Governance in Imo is also on the reverse gear. So, clearly we have our own problems in the south-east which we should be chewing on and outraging against. If there is famine in the north, there is pestilence in the south-east. Whatever challenges there are up north, there are also down south. Armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, homicide and other crimes are all maladies ailing all parts of Nigeria – but one side gets outraged against the more.
Ndi Igbo, charity begins at home.
Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist
Twitter @FredrickNwabufo