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Lawyers, Journalists, Partner, Form Network To Protect Abuja Indigenous People

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Aso Rock

By Akinwale Kasali

Groups under the auspices of Network of Journalists on Indigenous Issues and Lawyers Network for the Protection of the Rights of Abuja Original Peoples have been established in Abuja to promote and defend the rights of original inhabitants in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The indigenous peoples who were the first to settle in the FCT some 1000 years ago complain of exclusion and all forms of repression and loss of their ancestral values occasioned by the movement of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1976 by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida and the subsequent loss of most of their land.

The people who are lamenting their displacement and evictions, said they have been facing denial of access to their ancient land which they have physical and spiritual attachment to.

It was gathered that the original inhabitants in Abuja were about 2 million people.

The formation of the networks was part of the resolution at the end of a week-long training and workshop dedicated to dealing with the plight of Abuja original inhabitants, mainly Gwari, Nupe, Ganagana, Koro, Ebira, Bassa and others that make up the nine aboriginal ethnic groups. The events also led to the establishment of the first Working Group on Indigenous Peoples in Nigeria.

The event was organised by the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED with the support of the John D and Catherine T, and the MacArthur Foundation.

CHRICED dedicated the first two days to the training of Journalists in collaboration with Journalists for Democratic Rights, (JODER) and the International Press Centre, IPC while another two days were set aside for expert summit on access to justice.

CHRICED has continued to sustain its reputation as the country’s foremost human rights groups with distinguished career in promoting sustainable development in Africa.

The organisers said the summits are timely interventions to prevent conflict and ensure peace building in the FCT.

The week-long event saw extensive training of Journalists on indigenous issues and a peer review by legal luminaries on the various laws that favour or marginalise the original inhabitants. They observed that there is the need to review all the statutory provisions to ensure any future constitutional review is inclusive of the rights of Abuja Original inhabitants.

Participants urged that the Nigerian Government should, as a matter of urgent importance, create the necessary atmosphere to address the challenges of indigenous peoples especially the original inhabitants of Abuja who wish to live in peace in a just and equitable country.

Original peoples in the FCT who attended the event said they suffer institutional repression, forceful eviction, their voices lost, are met with conflict arising from lack of access to ancestral land, loss of sacred forests, groves, burial sites amidst ownership of land defined by laws of the state which often exclude their input.

They said they are stateless, since employment, admission into federal schools are based on being an indigene of a state whereas the FCT is not recognised as a state. They said the original peoples in FCT cannot vote for State Governors like other Nigerians which deny them their constitutional obligations.

Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), the physically challenged,  the University Communities, the Judiciary, civil society, labour and government institutions.

Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director, CHRICED, Zikirullahi Ibrahim said original inhabitants in Abuja are enraged against historic injustices adding that it was important to provide a democratic platform for them to express their views in a peaceful manner to avoid conflict or people taking the law into their hands.

He said dialogue around original inhabitants will aid stability and prosperity of the country.

He said resolutions at the end of the event would be made available to the relevant authorities for prompt action.

The participants said that across the world, original inhabitants and issues around their livelihood, rights and access to justice have become a critical focal point in national and international dialogue.

“The original peoples are over 300 million all over the world including in the FCT, a distinct people with a long history characterised by rich heritage, traditional knowledge, language, spirituality, cultures and civilisations treasured for centuries, there are growing concerns that valuable assets of original inhabitants currently face multifaceted threats from lack of access to justice, human rights,  economic, political and cultural dispossessions of land and ancestral territories by state and non-state actors”, participants said.

They said that the consequences of serial denial of the rights of indigenous peoples are manifest in lack of equitable access to the essentials of life like housing, land and its bio and genetic resources, education, health, equitable economic and political representation.

In the communique signed by Ibrahim and the Executive Director JODER, Adewale Adeoye, participants noted that original owners are not alone, knowing that the United Nations, (UN) is concerned about the plight of Indigenous peoples and since 1982,  has provided various Conventions and treaties, including but not only the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,(UNDRIP), the International Labour Organisation, (ILO) Convention 169, the Economic, Social and Cultural, Rights, (ECOSOC), the Convention on Biological Diversity, (COB), the establishment of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples and the Working Group on Indigenous Issues,  The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights other relevant international instruments for the advancement of the rights of indigenous peoples amidst other declarations by Indigenous peoples across the world.

Participants at the event included traditional leaders of indigenous ethnic groups in the FCT, a prominent lawyer, Lady IBB Benede, Dr Kole Shetimma and Dr Amina Salihu who represented the MacArthur Foundation, legal experts like Prof Abdulmumuni Bala Ahmed, Law Faculty, Bayero University, Kano, who presented  a paper titled Key Legal Issues Affecting Indigenous Peoples in Nigeria: FCT Abuja as a Case Study’, Barrister Musa Salihu, FCT spoke on Legal and Regulatory Requirements for the Compulsory Acquisition of Land in Nigeria: The FCT OI Journey so Far’, Barrister Mohammed Ndayako, SAN on ‘Execution and Enforcement of Judgments and Orders of Courts under the Relevant Laws in Nigeria’, Barrister Chima Williams, Access  to Justice and Human Rights Protection in Nigeria: Travails of Indigenous Peoples and the Quest for Justice’, Prof Momodu Kassim-Momodu, Barristers Musa Salihu, Chima Williams among many others.

How Former Mr. Anambra Universe, Slami Ifeanyi, Was Gruesomely Murdered

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Slami Ifeanyi

By Akinwale Kasali

His death shocked his numerous fans all over the country. They found it unbelievable.

No one had the premonition that the Singer, Model and Songwriter, Slami Ifeanyi would die untimely, not to talk that would meet his death in such a gruesome manner in the hands of gunmen.

For him, death was nowhere near his thoughts. The 31year old just wanted to work hard, and enjoy life. Three weeks bedrooms he was killed, he had just acquired a Lexus 330 Jeep. Sadly, he was shot dead inside his lexus, and left dangling from the vehicle’s driver’s door.

He was was attacked and killed at Umubere area in the State capital, Awka.

According to one of  his friends, he was driving his new car which he bought just two weeks ago when it happened. Although we don’t know why he was attacked it looks like a targeted attack,” he said.

His assailants left his car intact.

Slami was a Nigerian music artiste who known for his extraordinary sound, a mixture of Afro Pop, High life & RnB, which made him a star to his fans.

Apart from singing, Slami was a model, actor, and founder of the SLAMI EMPIRE, which organised ANAMBRA GOT TALENT.

His death has continued to generate reactions on social media, especially on Facebook.

Chijioke Okanmelu said, “I’m speechless when I got the news of your death, Ifeanyi. But, I still don’t believe it yet because this was not what we discussed on the phone.”

“This again tore me apart. Dude was my man from way back. He was hardworking, focused, talented and handsome. And today, I heard you’re gone.

“The monster instituted by a failed system is eating up the future ambassadors. Slami Ifeanyi of St Rita’s Hostel! RIP buddy. Soon! We will take back our country.” Nwanya Bernard said.

Blessing Okonofua wrote her tribute to the late Ifeanyi, “ RIP to you dear Facebook friend, one of the cutest of them all. Rest in peace Slami Ifeanyi, so we’ll never talk again? ‘Obi agbawalam”(Meaning: My heart is broken.)

The late Slami will be missed in the industry by family, friends and fans.

Osun: Executive Orders Not Meant To Sack, But Put Those Affected On Notice – Gov Adeleke Spokesman

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ademola Adeleke

By Ayodele Oni

Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke has shed light on some executive orders he signed less than 72 hours in office saying they are not meant to relieve those affected from their duty posts.

According to him, the present administration has not sacked any worker or dethroned three monarchs.

The Governor signed Executive Orders 3, 4 and 5, nullifying all employments and appointments by his predecessor Gboyega Oyetola from July 17 till his inauguration on Monday.

He issued another Executive Order dethroning three of the monarchs installed by Oyetola

The order states: “All employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17th, 2022 be and are hereby nullified.

“All appointments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after 17th July, 2022 be and are hereby reversed.

“Executive Order number five on Chieftaincy Affairs and appointment of traditional rulers.

“All appointments of traditional rulers made by Osun State Government after 17th July, 2022, are hereby ordered to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.

“In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review.

“Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.”

But speaking through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Rave FM in Osogbo during a talk show programme: ‘Frank Talk’, Adeleke said he has neither sacked 12,000 workers nor dethroned any monarch.

He however said the appointments and employment by the administration of Oyetola will be reviewed to ensure due process.

He explained that the executive order one to five shows the intentions of the administration to review, nullify, set aside and the instrumentality to effecting the orders was the order six which is the composition of the panel.

“There was never sack of any worker or traditional ruler. We only set up review panel. It is impossible to sack and put review panel in place.

“The review panel is to look at the numbers of the people that were employed, due processes of the employment, and qualification among other things.

‘’Before our taking over, there were issues of backdating of employment, even till last year. So order 1-5 will be operationalize by order 6 which are the panels.

“Those that were employed from July 17 till our takeover are still at work presently, they have not been sacked.

“The staff audit will review the employment. Within 4 hours, Adeleke has dismantled the illegality of 4 months, all the bobby traps he has dismantled them.“

IGP Reacts  Says He’s Not Aware Of Order To Reinstate Dismissed Officer

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Alkali Baba Usman - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has said that he is not aware of any court  directing reinstatement of a dismissed police officer.

He was reacting to the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, sentencing him (IGP) to three months in prison for flouting a 2011 court order.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced Alkali Baba to three months in prison for flouting the court order.

The IGP’s committal followed a suit that was filed by a police officer, Patrick Okoli, who was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained that the IGP did not disregard the court order or the rule of law.

“The office is not aware of any Court Order, during the current IGP’s tenure, with respect to a matter making the round in the media that the IGP disobeyed a Court Order for the reinstatement of a dismissed officer of the Force.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state emphatically that the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+),NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, did not disregard Court Order or rule of law.

“It is instructive to note that the case in point concerns an officer who was dismissed as far back as 1992, a few years after the current IGP joined the Nigeria Police Force.

“Based on available facts gleaned from the reports. The most recent judgement on the matter was given in 2011 which should ordinarily not fall under the direct purview of the current administration of the Force. Thus, the news is strange and astonishing.

“The IGP has however directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force Legal Unit to investigate the allegation in a bid to ascertain the position of the court and proffer informed legal advice for the IGP’s prompt and necessary action.

“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates his commitment to upholding the rule of law and synergizing with the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice for an improved criminal justice system.”

2023: UNDP Partners INEC, Hold Retreats For RECs, Promises Efficient, Credible Polls

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Sam Olumekun, Represented INEC Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

The United Nation Development Programme, UNDP has partnered with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, towards achieving a hitch free, credible, free and fair election come 2023.

The International Body held an Induction Retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, at Four Point By Sheraton in Lagos for all the 36 States of the Federation as part of the lined up programmes by INEC to give the nation its best election ever.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu represented by INEC National Commissioner, Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EPMC), Sam Olumekun, at the induction retreat for administrative secretaries of the Commission, said it has reached assurances from security agencies to ensure a secured election.

He said: “We all should be bothered that people keep attacking INEC facilities, but we have assurances from security agencies that they will secure the election and so we rely on that.”

Yakubu reiterated that the Commission’s allegiance is to the country, adding that its loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, credible and verifiable elections.

He warned staff of the Commission to be neutral and professional in their conduct in preparations for the election.

Yakubu also stated that the combination of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal have come to stay as a means of voter accreditation and transmission of election results.

He urged the electorate to familiarise themselves with the election technologies of INEC, adding that the deployment of technology in elections was to have better polls.

Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, said the improvement recorded in successive elections in the current dispensation and recent conduct of the off-season governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states raised the bar of election administration and management in the country with attendant positive perception of the voting public that their votes would count at the elections.

Deryck Fritz, the Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP, said the peaceful transfer of power was inextricably linked to processes and outcomes that were accepted by the political actors, civil society and the populace at large.

“INEC, as the constitutionally mandated electoral management body, must be and also be seen to be the impartial and neutral arbiter of the electoral contest.

“In line with SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and strong institutions, UNDP continues to support inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes for peaceful and cohesive societies,” he said.

UK Museum Return Stolen Benin Artifacts To FG

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Oba of Benin Palace

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government is set to officially receive another set of Artifacts looted from Benin in 1897 by the British Government. The official process has begun to return them to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said that the Horniman Museum is a small Museum located in South East London which houses a collection of 72 treasured items that were taken by force from Benin City.

The Horniman described returning the looted objects as a “moral and appropriate” response after a request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

There are still questions about whether thousands of items which were held at large institutions globally, including the British Museum, will ever be sent back.

However, the first six objects which were returned included two Benin Bronze plaques from the Royal Palace which were handed over to Nigerian officials at a ceremony marking the transfer of ownership of 72 looted items.

The items were taken from Benin City by British troops in February 1897.

Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, and prof. Abba Tijani, the NCMM’s Director General, were asked by journalists ahead of the official handover if they were frustrated at the British Museum’s apparent reluctance to hand over the 900 objects it had held for more than a century.

Merriman, who said the Horniman had been an “excellent example” of leadership, stated that, “Journalists who ask me about the Benin return always want to ask me about the British Museum.”

“I would rather talk about what an excellent example the Horniman is rather than answer questions about the British Museum.”

The six objects selected in consultation with the NCMM as being representative of the collection of 72 items form the first wave of physical repatriation of Benin objects from the Horniman.

A new agreement between the NCMM and the Horniman will allow the remainder to stay in Britain on loan for now, with a second phase of physical repatriations to follow in due course.

Professor Tijani later explained that about 5,000 Benin bronzes were currently “scattered” around the world.

He said that he is hoping that talks with various institutions may result in deals that could herald the items being returned from places including Germany and the U.S.

Ekiti Assembly Recalls Four Suspended Members

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ekiti State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State House of Assembly seems to be threading on the path of reconciliation as four of its members suspended last week have been recalled.

The four were suspended in the wake of impeachment of Gboyega Aribisogan in a manner that has been condemned by stakeholders in the state.

Bunmi Adelugba, who reportedly enjoys support from former Governor Kayode Fayemi and leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state was thereafter elected as Speaker.

State Council of Obas on Monday held a meeting with the two parties in the dispute with an appeal to Aribisogan to drop the court case he instituted against his impeachment.

It was learnt that it was at the meeting that leadership of the parliament was told by the royal fathers to recall the suspended members, described as arrow heads of Aribisogan’s emergence as Speaker as part of the reconciliation process.

The assembly’s leadership, had earlier stated that affected members, who are to be on suspension without pay, will have to write letters of apology to the assembly’s leadership before they will be reabsorbed.

One of them, Kemi Balogun was was recalled during Monday’s plenary while others were recalled on Tuesday.

Those that had their suspension quashed on Tuesday are Tajudeen Akingbolu, Goke Olajide, Yemisi Ayokunle, Adeyemi Raphael Ajibade, and Tope Ogunleye.

The assembly is still silence on the fate of the impeached Speaker, who is already in Court to challenge his removal.

In a statement, Adeoye Aribasoye, spokesman for the assembly, stated that ” Ekiti state House of Assembly today, 29 day of November, 2022 at her plenary sitting lifted the suspension earlier placed on the following honourable members:

“Tope Ogunleye – Ilejemeje Constituency; Yemisi Ayokunle – Ekiti South West I; Ajibade Rapheal Adeyemi – MOBA I

“The reinstatement is consequent to the consideration of their various letters of apology to the house and fulfillment of other conditions attached thereto.

“The three honourable members are therefore been readmitted to the Ekiti legislative fold with all their rights and privileges restored.”

Fmr. PDP Spokesman, Metuh Calls For Caution, Says Nigerians Tired Of Excesses By Political Class

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Olisa Metuh

By Ayodele Oni

Chief Olisa Metuh, a former spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who recently bid farewell to active politics, has observed that continued collapse of the economy and insecurity portend bleak future for Nigerians.

He has therefore urged the political actors to change their ways or prepare for revolution.

Mr Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday, pointed out that revolution will happen in two years, if the political class continues to showcase rascality and impunity; wanton abuse of influence, power and position “particularly in the midst of the near collapse of our economy and rising insecurity in our country.

He stated that “The entire political class must stop this tomfoolery and listen to the drumbeat by the ordinary Nigerians.

“Nigerians are tired of the lack of empathy by the political class who continue to abuse their positions and exploit the national resources for their lavish merrymaking, while the nation burns.

“As a non-partisan statesman, it is imperative that I again caution our political class to, as a matter of urgent national importance, change their ways and cleanse their acts.

“This persistent assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, if not immediately halted, may trigger a situation that may be worse than the October 2020 EndSARS protest with dire consequences in the polity.

“Truth be told, Nigerians have suffered a lot; they are suffering with burning indignation against politicians and their families and, God forbid, such indignation has the propensity to trigger a revolution and complete anarchy within one year of the general elections, if our political class fail to cleanse its ways.

“It is instructive that the Senators should show remorse by apologizing to Nigerians while the Presidency takes strong steps to ensure that such abuse does not occur again.

“For emphasis, Nigerians are not ready to condone any government, post May 29, 2023, that will continue to use or hire private jets, maintain guest houses, use long and exotic convoys or indeed use government resources to fund their excesses.

“All those holding or aspiring for public offices must therefore brace up and be ready for transparency and integrity in office or steer clear of such public responsibilities.

“I believe that Nigeria is destined to be great and I also believe that we have men of honour, integrity and passion for our nation who can fix our country and move it to greater heights.

‘Nigerians must therefore do their part to save our country by supporting only candidates that will work for the interest of the nation and not be driven by mundane desire for monetary gains, gratifications and lust for political appointments.”

Aisha Buhari Keeps Mum Over Arrest, Beating Of University Student

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady is having it really rough with not a few Nigerians at the moment for her alleged involvement in the arrest and detention of Aminu Adamu, an undergraduate of the Federal University, Dutse Jigawa state.

Adamu has been in detention of the Department of State Services, DSS for days, on the alleged directive of Aisha after the university student criticised her on twitter for living large on the public funds. His family said he has received serious beating from security operatives following his arrest.

His parents who spoke to journalists said they were not aware of his detention by the DSS until after five days, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife to intervene so that their son could be released.

According to his uncle, Shehu Azare, who spoke to the BBC, Shehu ‘s detention has caused his father a serious trauma, since he was arrested by the secrete police over a week ago.
Narrating how they got to know about their son’s travail, he said, it was one of the officers who detained Shehu that gave him his mobile telephone to call them.

Azare said, “His father did not know about his arrest. It was five days later that one of Mallam Ádámù’s friends called and told him that his son had not been seen in school for about five days. That was last Monday.

“Then a day after, Aminu called his father and told him what was happening, that he was arrested and taken to Aso Rock by the wife of the President, Muhammad Buhari, beaten, scolded and was arrested somewhere.
“It was a security agent that gave him a phone and told him to tell his parents. Later on, Adamu explained more to me that the school authority called him and told him that it had no knowledge of the incident before, but now they have information on his arrest.”
“We are in tension because you cannot stand your son disappearing like this. Same incident happened in so many places, some you don’t even hear about again. What we are saying is that let her not be offended, let her be patient and release him, because she is a mother, that is what we are hoping,” Azare said.

Responding to Adamu’s arrest, the Institution’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Bello, in a statement, said he was arrested outside the school’s premises, adding that the institution had nothing to do with it.
“The university authorities have spoken to the parents who have already engaged the services of a lawyer to handle the matter and they are hopeful for an amicable resolution soon,” Bello said.
In her response, Aisha Yesufu, a human rights activist and co-founder of Bringbackourgirls, said it was wrong for Buhari to order the arrest of Shehu, saying “Aisha Buhari should be ashamed of herself. This is so unlawful. Her husband has thrown 133 million Nigerians into multidimensional poverty. Haven’t they grown fat over the sweat of Nigerians? They have been thrown into multidimensional wealth. Who is she to arrest people for telling her to have eaten the riches of the poor?”

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA said the arrest points to the level of decay among security services in the country. It said the DSS has degenerated to the level or arresting people who gossips on social media.
The Executive Director of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “It is a very sad development. Whether it was the DSS or police that arrested the guy, it shows that the government has continued to deploy security assets to chase after gossip. They go to websites and social media in search of those gossiping about the President, his wife and his children, to arrest them.”
On his part, the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the arrest violated the right of the student.
He said Aisha should have charged Adamu to court instead of taking law into her hands by ordering his arrest.
He said: “RULAAC is following developments around the arrest and incommunicado detention of Aminu, for posting on Twitter that Mrs (Aisha) Buhari had suddenly added weight after taking part in plundering the nation’s meagre resources as the masses endured hardship under her husband’s regime.
“RULAAC condemns the arrest and incommunicado detention of the citizen as being in violation of his democratic right to freedom of expression. If, however, the government believes that it has credible evidence against him to warrant his arrest, he should not be detained illegally. “
“He should have been charged to court before now. This is yet another evidence of an attack on civic freedom and the shrinking civic space. We call for his immediate release and remedies as prescribed by law for violations of civil liberties.”

Since the story broke, neither Aisha or the Presidency has responded to the issue.
Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians insist that the detainee has suffered enough, and should be released immediately. They also accused Nigeria leaders of acting like emperors and dictators, while other world leaders have learnt to Ignore social media attacks from their citizens.
They cited President Emmanuel Macron of France, for example, who have been attacked many times by his citizens, but chose to let security forces do their job by charging the attackers to court.

Buhari’s Inlaw Dumps APC, Says Party Is Lawless

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Buhari-independence Day

President Muhammadu Buhari Inlaw,  Sani Shaaban has dumped the ruling All Progressives  Congress, APC. Shaaban, a former governorship aspirant and founding member of the  APC, in Kaduna State dumped the party on Monday, saying his action is with immediate effect.
The former governorship aspirant is the father of Mohammed Turad Sani, husband to Buhari’s daughter, Hanan. The couple got married at a lavished wedding ceremony in September 2020.
Shaaban had lost the governorship ticket to Uba Sani who is now flying the APC flag in the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna state.
Apparently not happy with his loss and how he has been treated in the party, Shaaban said he left because the leadership of the party trampled on his rights, describing his former party as lawless and with no regard for human lives.
Speaking through the Director General of his Campaign Council, Ephraim James Shaaban, who is also an in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari, says he can no longer remain in member of the APC under the present state of affairs where the interest of the majority of common folks is little regarded.
According to him, the APC in Kaduna state has become more alienated from the masses, and rather than foster unity, social cohesion, and integration as envisaged by the founding fathers, the party has instead, brought hardship, division, and total disregard for human lives, communal and family values.
He advised the party to do soul searching with a view to returning it back to the ideals for which it was formed by the progressive minds.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that Shaaban is likely to defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP, in coming days.

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