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Prove Atiku Is Corrupt, Get  N12m — US Based  Nwoye

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Billy Nwoye

By Adesina Soyooye

There is a bait for those who   accuse the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, of being corrupt.

For years, Atiku has been in the eye of the storm over allegations that he is not only corrupt but sold off State assets to himself while he was Vice President, and in charge of Privatisation.

But a United States based Nigerian, Billy Nwoye, has thrown his weight behind Atiku, and thrown a bait at Atiku’s accusers. He has challenged anybody harbouring such allegations to prove it and get the sum of $20,000, which translates to a whopping N12million.

Nwoye, a Politician in the USA, is the first Nigerian elected to  City Council member in Altadena in the County of Los Angeles in 2003.

The deadline for the proof that Atiku sold State assets to himself is August 1, 2022.

Nwoye who was, also,  Special Adviser to Governor Gray Davis on Consular Matters. insisted he was conversant  with the activities of Abubakar between as Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007.

Nwoye: “I had the opportunity of working with Atiku when he negotiated bilateral cooperation between the State of California, the fifth largest economy in the world and Nigeria through the office of the former Lieutenant Governor, Cruz Bustamante.

“I will like to offer a reward of $20,000 (12 million Naira) to anyone who can PROVE that the UNIFIER sold all assets to himself between 1999 and 2007. You have until August 1st, 2022 to present the proofs and claim the reward.”

ARISE TV Interview: Six Lies Told By Atiku – Tinubu

By
The Source
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has reacted, ferociously, to the interview the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar, granted ARISE TV on Friday.

In the interview which covered a number of areas, Atiku had taken a dig at Tinubu over his choice of Senator Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate.

Atiku said Tinubu had always desired a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and revealed that Tinubu’s demand to be his running mate in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in 2007, which he turned down, was a fundamental point of departure between two of them, politically.

But in a strongly-worded statement signed on his behalf by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Communication, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Tinubu not only punctured the claim, but pointed out six lies Atiku told in the interview. He said Atiku’s performance was embarrassing, and showed he is not prepared for the job.

Following the full text of the statement.

“Mr Presidential candidate: Lincoln did not contest US Presidency five or six times, Takeaways from Atiku Abubakar bungled interview on ARISE Television

“We have watched Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s interview on ARISE Television and were extremely shocked by the many lies and ignorance displayed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.

“In the interview, Alhaji Atiku exposed himself as a man who is not prepared for the job he is applying for and a man who can not be entrusted with our commonwealth. He was flippant in his response to important questions about his record of service and how he made money while serving in Customs. He muddled up facts and exhibited befuddling absence of mind

“Here are our takeaways from the bungled interview:

*1. PDP candidate is a law breaker:

It was most shocking Atiku admitted that he cheated the system for decades and engaged in gross misconduct as a government worker. As a customs officer at the Idi-Iroko border, Atiku revealed that he ran a commercial taxi service, claiming ‘there is no law stopping public officers from doing business in Nigeria”. He punched harder, claiming there is no conflict of interest in doing so.

“We found this to be untrue.

“Every officer in the civil service is expected to comply with a code of conduct and service rules which bar civil and public servants from engaging in private business while in government employment to the detriment of the service he/she is employed to render to the public. The 1999 constitution further codifies this in Part I, Fifth Schedule, Section of 2 (b).

“It says a public officer shall not, except where he is not employed on full-time basis engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade. The rules however allow a public officer to engage in farming.

“We wonder which rule or which law Atiku was relying upon for his gross misconduct as a public officer. It is our considered view that Atiku gamed the system all through his career in public service, culminating in his founding of the Intel Logistics along with Late Shehu Yar’Adua and some Italians, even while he was still in the employment of the Nigeria Customs Service.

* 2 Poor Knowledge of key sectors of the economy:

We also found it surprising that the PDP presidential candidate does not know the contribution of the oil and gas industry to Nigeria’s GDP. He claimed the sector represents 20% of our national GDP whereas it is below 10 percent and it is still falling owing to the growth of the non-oil sector under the current All Progressives Congress led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

*3. False Data from Egypt:

Atiku Abubakar wanted to impress his audience with his supposed knowledge of international affairs. He ended up embarrassing himself with false data he cited from Egypt. We found his claim that Egypt has 2 million police officers on the streets to be untrue. Various sources put the number at about 500,000 for a population of 104 million and not 80 million as falsely claimed by Atiku.

*4. Rotational Presidency:
Asked to justify why the PDP jettisoned Section 3c of its own constitution which enshrines power rotation between the North and South, Atiku tried to fudge his answer by focussing on Governor Nyesom Wike and his effort to reconcile with him after he, a northerner snatched the presidential ticket that ought to have been taken by a southerner. While Atiku was playing to the gallery on APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, he didn’t see seeking to be President after 8years of a President from his part of Nigeria as politics of exclusion.

“Probed further, Atiku provided several contradictory answers. In one breath, he said power rotation is not in the constitution. In another breath, he said the PDP has never “micro zoned any position’. Then he admitted that the party has always rotated power between the North and the South. Atiku’s justification as to why he became PDP’s presidential candidate, instead of a southerner is a perfect example in ellipsis: “In politics”, he said, “we negotiate power through negotiations(Sic)”. Whatever that means.

“Atiku, never an expert in not telling the truth also did not come clean over his once-upon a time preference for same-faith ticket. In 1993, after Atiku and Kingibe lost to MKO Abiola in the SDP presidential primary in Jos, Atiku was the choice of the Yar’Adua camp to become Abiola’s running mate. Abiola overlooked him and picked the more cerebral diplomat and bureaucrat, Babagana Kingibe. In all the tonnes of biographies written about him, there was no where he said he opposed Shehu Yar’Adua’s support for his candidacy as Abiola’s VP. He was not against it, since it favoured him. Now, it is politically convenient and opportunistic for him to oppose the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

*5. Political Credentials:

Most reprehensible was Atiku’s lies about how many times he ran to become the governor of Adamawa or old Gongola state.

“Mr. Presidential candidate, in case you don’t know due to your limited education, you run for an office, only, when you are on the ballot in an election. Your signifying interest in an office does not mean the same as running for the office. From available records, the first time you contested the governorship election in your state was in 1999. Your name entered the ballot for the first time and you won.

*6. Poor grasp of history:

Atiku Abubakar also exhibited poor Knowledge of history when he claimed that Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s famous leaders, contested the presidency five to six times before he eventually won.

“This is a beer parlour tale that has been recycled over time. Lincoln contested the U.S. presidency twice. He ran in 1860 and 1864 and won both, before he was assassinated on 15 April, 1865.

“The false story about Lincoln’s failed presidential bids sprang from his previous failed state and national elections, from his state of Illinois. They were not the same as America’s presidential election.

“According to historians, Lincoln lost his first election in 1832 for Illinois state legislature. In 1834, he ran again and won.

“In 1843 he ran for Congress. He lost. Three years later in 1846, Lincoln ran for Congress again – this time he won and went to Washington. From established history, in 1848, Lincoln ran for re-election to Congress and lost. In 1854, he ran for Senate of the United States. He lost. Lincoln also made another failed bid for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858. He lost to Democrat Steven Douglas.

“Our conclusion is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is ill-prepared to be President of Nigeria if he could bungle a Television interview that was planned well ahead of the day and time the duo of Dr. Reuben Abati and Ms.Tundun Abiola conducted it.

“We expected the PDP presidential candidate to be well informed on any issue before coming on national television to expose himself to avoidable ridicule.”

The Presidential election, scheduled for February 2023, is seen as a three-way horse race between Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Atiku and Tinubu. Speculation is that for the first time, there could be a run-off.

WAFCON 2022: Bayana Bayana Of South Africa Are African Women Champions

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

After four previous attempts, the Bayana of Bayana of South Africa are the Continental champions of Africa.

The Coach Ellis Desiree of South Africa girls, against all odds, broke another record and the jinx that had marred it from lifting the coveted trophy for over two decades.

South Africa recorded a 2-1 victory over their host, Atlas Lioness of Morocco, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday.

Three goals were scored in the second half, with Hildah Magaia netting a brace and Rosella Ayane putting fear into the visitors late in the match with her consolation strike.

But the South African ladies earned a hard-fought victory against a determined Moroccan outfit, who were eager to raise the trophy in front of 52 000-strong home crowd.

Banyana Bayana had been denied in four previous Women’s WAFCON finals – 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018 – and at the 2022 edition, tasted glory for the first time in the history of the national senior women’s team.

It was also the first time since Bafana Bafana’s heroics in 1996 that a senior national football team was victorious in the Nations’ Cup.

Banyana Bayana return to South Africa on Tuesday, 26 July, with gold medals and an unbeaten streak more than a month since arriving in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, 22 June, more than a week before the tournament kick-started.

Coach Desiree Ellis’s charges defeated tournament favourites Nigeria in their opening match before seeing off Burundi and Botswana to end top of Group C.

Slender 1-0 victories against Tunisia and Zambia in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively, set up the final against Morocco, who knocked out Nigeria to ensure that a first-time champion will be crowned.

It was a nervy start to the final. Both Morocco and Banyana could not muster clean enough passes as the roars from the sold-out crowd looked to have gotten to the players on the field.

However, Banyana threatened first when Jermaine Seoposenwe showed tenacity in bursting forward, fending off a Moroccan defender in the hosts’ penalty area before knocking the ball towards Magaia, who put a strike towards the goal, but her effort was too gentle as a red shirt cleared the danger.

Magaia would get another chance courtesy of the help from Seoposenwe, who again provided the perfect pass to her teammate.

This time, however, Magaia attempted to chip the ball over the Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi but it ricocheted off the shoulder, and the Banyana forward attempted to backheel it into the back of the net on her second attempt, only for Nesryne El Chad to boot the ball out the danger area.

On the cusp of half-time, Morocco nearly broke the deadlock as Fatima Tagnaout darted beyond the Banyana defence and played in the perfect low cross in the 18th area with Ayane arriving late, but her left-footed strike went narrowly wide.

For all of her missed goal-scoring chances throughout the tournament, Magaia netted the opening goal 18 minutes into the second period that Seoposenwe superbly assisted. Nine minutes later, Magaia doubled Banyana’s lead, dinking the goalkeeper as she dove to stop the strike.

However, in almost typical South African fashion, it would become even more of a nervy ending as Morocco’s Ayana netted in the 80th minute with nine minutes of stoppage time added on. Somehow, through grit and character, they held on to clinch their first African title.

IPOB: UN Orders Kanu’s Release

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The United Nations, UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The UN indicted Nigeria and Kenya Governments for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture, and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu without due process.

The UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also asked the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to pay him adequate compensation for the arbitrary violation of his fundamental human rights.

The group called for the investigation and punishment of government officials and security agents responsible for the torture of the pro-Biafra activist.

The UN directed Nigeria to report back within six months of the transmission of its opinions on Kanu’s matter, steps taken to comply with all the recommendations thereof.

The body also threatened to take further action to ensure the recommendations are complied with, noting that Nigeria and Kenya are signatories to the Convention and should comply.

The 16-page report dated July 20, 2022, was adopted on April 4 by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its 93rd session, held between March 30 – April 8, 2022.

The unedited version of the document sighted by Vanguard was marked: ”Opinion No. 25/2022 concerning Mr. Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu (Nigeria and Kenya).”

The UN Group said that Kanu was a victim of State persecution as Nigeria failed to provide convincing explanations with proof that he is guilty of treason and other criminal allegations levelled against him.

It said there was no evidence that International laws were observed in the arrest and rendition of Kanu from Kenya.

“Noting the failure of the Government to explain what actions of Mr. Kanu amounted
to such criminal acts and how, and observing the lack of any evidence that any of his actions may in fact amount to such crimes, the Working Group concludes that Mr. Kanu is, in fact, being persecuted for the peaceful exercise of his rights, most notably his freedom of opinion and expression.

“In the present case, the Government of Nigeria has presented no exceptions permitted under article 19 (3) of the Covenant, nor is there any evidence to suggest that Mr. Kanu’s exercise of his right to freedom of opinion and expression was anything but peaceful.

”In fact, the Government has chosen not to provide any explanation for the arrest, detention, and subsequent proceedings against Mr. Kanu. In these circumstances, the Working Group concludes that Mr. Kanu’s detention is thus arbitrary under category II,” UN Working Group said.

The 16-page dossier read in part: “In the present case, Mr. Kanu was not furnished with an arrest warrant by Nigerian authorities, nor was he promptly informed of the grounds for his arrest in Nigeria. Consequently, the Working Group finds that Mr. Kanu’s continued deprivation of liberty
violates his rights under articles 3 and 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article
9 of the Covenant, and principles 2, 4, and 10 of the Body of Principles and constitutes
arbitrary detention under category I.”

“Turning to the uncontested allegations that following his rendition to Nigeria, Mr. Kanu remained in pre-trial detention with his trial having been scheduled to commence
in January 2022, the Working Group recalls that it is a well-established norm of international law that pre-trial detention should be the exception rather than the rule, and should be ordered for the shortest time possible. Put differently, liberty is recognized under article 9 (3) of the Covenant as the core consideration, with detention merely as an exception.

“Therefore, detention pending trial must be based on an individualized determination that it is reasonable and necessary for such purposes as to prevent flight, interference with evidence, or the recurrence of crime. Such determination was not carried out in the present case, in violation of Mr. Kanu’s rights under article 9 (3) of the Covenant.

“Further, in accordance with Article 9 (3) of the Covenant, an arrested person is to be
brought before a judge within 48 hours.27 This was not satisfied in the case of Mr. Kanu and
the Working Group, therefore, finds a violation of articles 3 and 9 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, Article 9 (3) of the Covenant, and principles 11, 37, and 38 of the Body of
Principles.

“Furthermore, in order to establish that detention is indeed legal, anyone detained has
the right to challenge the legality of his or her detention before a court, as guaranteed by
Article 9 (4) of the Covenant. The Working Group wishes to recall that according to the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on Remedies and Procedures on the Rights of Anyone Deprived of their Liberty to Bring Proceedings before a Court, the right to challenge the lawfulness of detention before a court is a self-standing human right, which is essential to preserve legality in a democratic society.

“This right, which is in fact a peremptory norm of international law, applies to all forms of deprivation of liberty, 29 to “all situations of
deprivation of liberty, including not only to detention for purposes of criminal proceedings but also to situations of detention under administrative and other fields of law, including military detention, security detention, detention under counter-terrorism measures”.

“Moreover, it also applies “irrespective of the place of detention or the legal terminology used in the legislation. Any form of deprivation of liberty on any ground must be subject to
effective oversight and control by the judiciary. This was also denied to Mr. Kanu, thus, violating his right under Article 9 (4) of the Covenant.

“Finally, turning to Mr. Kanu’s pre-trial detention in Nigeria, the Working Group recalls that according to international human rights law, in particular, Article 9 (3) of the Covenant, any person detained while awaiting trial is entitled to trial within a reasonable
time, or otherwise shall be released. Article 14 (3) (c) of the Covenant also guarantees the
right of anyone charged with a criminal offense to be tried without undue delay. In the
absence of a substantive response from the Government of Nigeria, the Working Group finds no legitimate grounds for the delays in the trials against Mr. Kanu.

“Consequently, the Working Group finds that the Government of Nigeria failed to
establish a legal basis for the detention of Mr. Kanu. His detention is thus arbitrary under
category I.”

The UN Working Group said that both the Nigerian and Kenyan Governments should take responsibility for Kanu’s rights violations.

“The Working Group wishes once again to underscore the collusion between the
Governments of Kenya and Nigeria, in the rendition of Mr. Kanu, reiterate that both
Governments bear joint responsibility for any violations of Mr. Kanu’s rights in Kenya and
Nigeria.

“The Working Group has already established in its discussion of the detention of Mr. Kanu in Kenya that he was arrested and detained due to the peaceful exercise of his rights (see paras 52-54 above). The Working Group notes that the source has argued the same in relation to Mr. Kanu’s arrest, detention, and trial proceedings in Nigeria. Notably, the Government of Nigeria has chosen not to address the substance of these allegations.

“The Working Group notes that it is not contested that Mr. Kanu is accused of the crime of conspiracy to commit a treasonable felony through an agreement with others to be broadcast from London, in view of the establishment of a Biafran sovereignty. The source notes that, while treason consists of “levying war” against Nigeria under Nigerian law, the Federal Government of Nigeria does not allege any action implicating Mr. Kanu in the contemplation, planning, or incitement of war against Nigeria. The source argues that
Mr. Kanu was, in fact advocating for a peaceful referendum for the establishment of a Biafran
sovereignty, in conformity with international and other relevant laws.

“The Working Group recalls that freedom of opinion and expression, as expressed in article 19 of the Covenant, is an indispensable condition for the full development of the person. It is essential for any society and constitutes the foundation stone for every free and democratic society. It also recalls that freedom of expression includes the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, and that this right includes the expression and receipt of communications of every form of idea and opinion capable of transmission to others, including political opinions.

“Similarly, in Resolution 12/16, the Human Rights Council called on States to refrain from imposing restrictions which are not consistent with article 19 (3), including on the discussion of government policies and political debate; reporting on human rights; engaging in peaceful demonstrations or political activities, including for peace or democracy; and expression of opinion and dissent, religion or belief.”

The UN Working Group further said that the Nigeria Government could not disprove claims by Kanu that he was denied adequate legal representation, including access to his US lawyer.

“The source has submitted, and the Government did not address, that Mr. Kanu was denied effective legal representation. The Working Group considers legal representation as being a core facet of the right to a fair trial. Legal assistance should be available at all stages of criminal proceedings, namely, pre-trial, trial, and appellate stages, to ensure compliance with fair trial guarantees. Any denial of access to lawyers substantially undermines and compromises an accused individual’s capacity to defend him or herself in any judicial proceedings.

“As the Working Group has stated in principle nine and guideline 8 of its Basic Principles,
persons deprived of their liberty have the right to legal assistance by counsel of their choice,
at any time during their detention, including immediately after the moment of apprehension, and must be promptly informed of this right upon apprehension. Access to legal counsel should not be unlawfully or unreasonably restricted.

“Article 14 (3) (b) of the Covenant entitles defendants to adequate time and facilities
for the preparation of their defence and to communicate with counsel of their own choosing. Defendants must have access to documents and other evidence, including “all materials that the prosecution plans to offer in court against the accused or that could assist the defence.

“Recalling general comment No. 32, a detainee has the right to have “prompt access” to legal counsel, meaning that a lawyer must be able to have private communications and meetings with the detainee and be able to attend all the investigations without interference or restrictions. A detainee also ought to have access to “effective counsel.”

“All of this was denied to Mr. Kanu. In the Working Group’s view, by failing to allow
Mr. Kanu to be represented by lawyers of his choice, including an international counsel,
the Government denied Mr. Kanu’s right to legal assistance at all times, which is inherent in the right to liberty and security of the person, as well as the right to a fair and public hearing
by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal established by law, in accordance with articles 3, 9, 10, and 11 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 14 of the
Covenant, articles 37 (b) and (d) and 40 (2) (b) (ii) and principles 15, 17, and 18 of the Body
of Principles and principles 1, 5, 7, 8, 21, and 22 of the Basic Principles on the Role of
Lawyers.

“The Working Group is also disturbed by the source’s report of the treatment of
Mr. Kanus’s lawyers recalls its jurisprudence highlighting that such treatment of lawyers is entirely unacceptable and violates articles 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as article 14 (3) (b) of the Covenant.41 It is the legal and positive duty of the State to protect everyone on its territory or under its jurisdiction against any human rights violation and to provide remedy whenever a violation still occurs.

“The Working Group also considers that Mr. Kanu’s presumption of innocence was
violated as the Department surrounded the court complex with an array of armed forces,
creating an atmosphere of intimidation and danger (see para. 9), a submission which the
Government has chosen not to contest. The Working Group recalls that defendants should
not be presented to the court in a manner indicating that they may be dangerous criminals, as this also undermines the presumption of innocence. The Working Group finds a breach of Article 14 (2) of the Covenant.

“Further, according to the source and uncontested by the Government, following his
rendition to Nigeria, Mr. Kanu was detained in solitary confinement within the headquarters
of the Department in Abuja, Nigeria. He is reportedly currently still held in a very small cell where he is exposed to daily psychological and mental torture without access to other inmates or any other person except for the Department officers. Mr. Kanu is also allegedly denied access to reading or writing materials and has been refused access to professional medical care despite a serious heart ailment.

“The source reports that Mr. Kanu’s life is in jeopardy and that he suffers from a medical condition occasioned by gradual depletion of potassium in his system, which has defied any medical solution given to him within the Department facilities.

“The Working Group is seriously concerned about the treatment to which Mr. Kanu has been subjected. Especially noting its finding that Mr. Kanu was subjected to extraordinary rendition as well as his treatment prior to that, the Working Group considers it unlikely that Mr. Kanu would have been able to effectively assist with and participate in his own defence during the proceedings against him, and that such treatment proceedings against him, rendering them inherently unfair and unjust, in violation of article 14 of the Covenant. For all the reasons above, the Working Group finds that the fair trial rights and procedural guarantees of Mr. Kanu under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Covenant, and other relevant human rights standards were not observed and that such violations are of such gravity as to render Mr. Kanu’s detention arbitrary under category III.”

“Mr. Kanu is an activist and the leader of the organization Indigenous People of Biafra,
which he founded in 2012. The source alleges that the Government of Nigeria is targeting
Mr. Kanu, due to his political expression, in particular, due to his membership in a group
politically opposed to the Nigerian Government on the question of Biafra, his widely published criticism of the Government, and his work with and advocacy for the Indigenous People of Biafra. The Government has chosen not to address these allegations.

“The Working Group finds that Mr. Kanu has indeed been targeted by the Government
as a human rights defender on account of his freedom of opinion and expression as well as
his position regarding the sovereignty of Biafra. As Mr. Kanu has been targeted on account of his activism in galvanizing momentum for a referendum on the sovereignty of Biafra, the Working Group considers that his detention violates articles 2 and 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (1) and 26 of the Covenant, and is arbitrary under category V.

Concluding remarks: “The Working Group wishes to record its very serious concern for the well-being of Mr. Kanu, who, according to the source and uncontested by the Government of Nigeria,
remains in solitary confinement since his arbitrary detention in Nigeria on 29 June 2021. He has been denied medical treatment and medication for his heart condition. The Working Group recalls that prolonged solitary confinement in excess of 15 consecutive days is prohibited under rules 43(1)(b) and 44 of the Mandela Rules.

“The Working Group is also obliged to remind the Government of Nigeria that in accordance with article 10 of the Covenant, all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect to the inherent dignity of the human person and that denial of medical assistance constitutes a violation of the Nelson Mandela Rules, rules 24, 25, 27 and 30 in particular.

”According to the source, throughout Mr. Kanu’s detention in Kenya and transfer to Nigeria, no family members knew about his location or could access him, and Mr. Kanu was not permitted to contact his family during this detention. These allegations have not been contested by either Governments. The Working Group stresses that, under international human rights law, all detained and imprisoned individuals have the right to communicate and be visited by their families.

“The right to receive visits applies to all detainees, “regardless of the offence of which they are suspected or accused.” Under Principle 19 of the Body of Principles, this right could be subject only to conditions and restrictions that are appropriate to a legitimate aim. Neither Government have argued that the restrictions placed on Mr. Kanu’s contact with his family conformed with this requirement. As a result, the Working Group finds that the restrictions placed on Mr. Kanu’s contact with his family violated his right to contact with the outside world under rules 43 (3) and 58 (1) of the Nelson Mandela Rules and principles 15 and 19 of the Body of Principles.

“Noting the treatment to which Mr. Kanu has been subjected at the hands of both Kenyan and Nigerian authorities as well as his continued solitary confinement, the Working
Group refers this case to the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment for further consideration.

“The Working Group also wishes to reemphasize its very serious concern over the apparent collusion between the Governments of Kenya and Nigeria in this case and reiterates its findings that both Governments are jointly responsible for the violations of Mr. Kanu’s rights in both jurisdictions. The present Opinion concerns solely the treatment and rights of Mr. Kanu and is position

“In the light of the foregoing, the Working Group renders the following opinion: In relation to Kenya and Nigeria.

“The deprivation of liberty of Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu, being in
contravention of articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and articles 2, 9, 13, 14, 16, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights is arbitrary and falls within Categories I, II, III, and V.

“The Working Group requests the Governments of Kenya and Nigeria to take the steps necessary to remedy the situation of Mr. Kanu without delay and bring it into conformity with the relevant international norms, including those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

” The Working Group considers that taking into account all the circumstances of the case, the appropriate remedy would be for the Government of Nigeria to release Mr. Kanu
immediately and for both Governments to accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law.

”In the current context of the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the threat that it poses in places of detention, the Working Group calls upon the Government of Nigeria to take urgent action to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of Mr. Kanu.

” The Working Group urges the two Governments to ensure a full and independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Kanu and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of his rights.

”In accordance with paragraph 33 (a) of its methods of work, the Working Group refers
the present case to the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment for appropriate action.

“The Working Group requests the Governments to disseminate the present opinion through all available means and as widely as possible.

Follow-up procedure:

“In accordance with paragraph 20 of its methods of work, the Working Group requests
the source and the Governments to provide it with information on action taken in follow-up
to the recommendations made in the present opinion, including (a) Whether Mr. Kanu has been released and, if so, on what date;
(b) Whether compensation or other reparations have been made to Mr. Kanu;
(c) Whether an investigation has been conducted into the violation of Mr. Kanu
rights and, if so, the outcome of the investigation; (d) Whether any legislative amendments or changes in practice have been made to harmonize the laws and practices of Kenya and Nigeria with its international obligations in line with the present opinion; (e) Whether any other action has been taken to implement the present opinion.

“The Government is invited to inform the Working Group of any difficulties it may have encountered in implementing the recommendations made in the present opinion and whether further technical assistance is required, for example, through a visit by the Working Group.

“The Working Group requests the source and the Government to provide the above mentioned information within six months of the date of transmission of the present opinion.

“However, the Working Group reserves the right to take its own action in follow-up to the
opinion if new concerns in relation to the case are brought to its attention. Such action would enable the Working Group to inform the Human Rights Council of progress made in implementing its recommendations, as well as any failure to take action.

”The Working Group recalls that the Human Rights Council has encouraged all States
to cooperate with the Working Group and has requested them to take account of its views
and, where necessary, to take appropriate steps to remedy the situation of persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, and to inform the Working Group of the steps they have taken.”

[NAIJANEWS]

Ekiti: Fresh Lockdown Looms As COVID Cases Rise To 74

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State residents are currently gripped with fear over the spike of corona virus infection in the state. The state government, it was learnt is already contemplating a fresh lockdown if the situation persists.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani in a statement in Ado Ekiti, explained that the new cases were recorded after the Eld- EL- Kabir celebration.

The commissioner noted that there was a significant decline in the number of positive COVID-19 cases and low occupancy in the isolation centres before the Eid El Kabir celebrations which occurred early this month.

Even at the height of COVID 19 breakdown in the country, Ekiti remains one of the states which recorded lowest number of cases.

The commissioner appealed to residents of the state to adhere strictly to the government’s public health and social measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Filani announced some measures to be observed to mitigate the spread of the virus, which include wearing of facemasks in public gatherings, maintaining hand hygiene through proper handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand rub, social or physical distancing.

Others are reporting at the nearest health facility when sick, getting tested and isolated if positive and adhering to COVID-19 measures by banks and other institutions.

He said vaccination remains the most effective means of curbing the pandemic and encouraged all residents of the state to get vaccinated.

Dr Filani confirmed that a total of 384,730 persons were fully vaccinated in the state, leaving greater number of unvaccinated residents.

He explained that the state government has trained and deployed over 80 mobile vaccination teams and 177 health facility-based teams across local governments in the state.

The commissioner encouraged citizens to visit the vaccination post to get their complete COVID-19 jabs.

Umahi: I Deeply Appreciate Obi’s Courage, But Will Work For My Party

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State says he appreciates and admires the courage of Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in his quest to become Nigeria’s President in 2023.

This appreciation will not, however, translate to support and/or votes. Umahi said he would work for his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, against 2023.

Umahi was reacting to a viral statement which quoted him as saying that Obi is going nowhere, and that he no longer believes in the quest for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.

A statement signed on his behalf by the Commissioner  for Information, Ebonyi State, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji,  said the viral claim on the social media is fake, as it is a fabrication.

The full text of the  statement reads:

“The attention of Ebonyi State government has been drawn to a social media post being recently in circulation and purported to have been authored by the hard-working Governor of Ebonyi State by miserable and frustrated political jobbers.

“For the records, the Governor of Ebonyi State is not against His Excellency, Peter Obi for Presidency but, in fact, deeply appreciates his courage in his campaign.

“His Excellency, Engr Umahi never said that Peter Obi is going nowhere and that he does not believe in Igbo Presidency.

“However, His Excellency David Nweze Umahi is a member of APC and shall support the party in all their state and national elections as a good party man.

“The Governor believes that most party members will defend their parties during elections and people will freely vote for candidates of their choice.”

Umahi was a Presidential aspirant in the APC Primary which was won by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Tinubu Attacks Atiku, Says He Can’t Be Trusted

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Tinubu And Atiku Abubakar

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has hit back at his counterpart in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Atiku Abubakar after the latter said the former Lagos state government has always wanted a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Atiku, a former vice president said on Friday during an interview with Arise TV that he once turned Tinubu down when he offered to be his vice-presidential candidate.

The duo has a long history together dating back to when Atiku fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who refused to support the Adamawa born politician as his successor.

Atiku would later emerge the presidential candidate of the Action Congress, AC the party he former with Tinubu in 2011.

Speaking during his interview with Arise, Atiku alleged that Tinubu wanted to be his running mate, saying he rejected the move on the basis that Nigerians will reject a muslim-Muslim ticket. The two politicians are Muslims.

Reacting to Atiku’s claim in a statement, Tinubu said the former vice president lied.

The APC candidate said in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, his media aide, said Atiku wanted him to be his running mate by offering him the ticket, adding that the former vice president is a shady character that cannot be trusted.

Tinubu said, “We are saddened to see such a man become unhinged from the truth. So obsessed is he with his quest for office, Atiku is willing to render any form of untruth if he thinks it might gain him a single vote. Atiku may want to be president. However, all he has shown is that he is pathological,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has hit back at his counterpart  of  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Atiku Abubakar after the latter said the former Lagos State Governor always wanted a Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket.

Atiku, a former Vice President, said on Friday during an interview with Arise TV that he  turned Tinubu down when he demanded  to be his Vice Presidential candidate in 2007.

The duo has had a long history of working together dating back to when Atiku fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was the Vice President.

Atiku would later emerge the Presidential candidate of the Action Congress, AC, the party he co-founded with Tinubu in 2011.

Speaking during his interview with Arise, Atiku alleged that Tinubu demanded to be his running mate, but that  he rejected the move on the basis that Nigerians will reject a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The two politicians are Muslims.

But reacting to Atiku’s claim in a statement, Tinubu said the former Vice President lied.

The APC candidate said in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, his media aide, that it was Atiku who wanted him to be his running mate by offering him the ticket, adding that the former Vice President is a shady character who cannot be trusted.

Tinubu said, “We are saddened to see such a man become unhinged from the truth. So obsessed is he with his quest for office, Atiku is willing to render any form of untruth if he thinks it might gain him a single vote. Atiku may want to be President. However, all he has shown is that he is a pathological liar.

“Whatever moral compass he had has been lost. During a 22 July television interview, Atiku assaulted historic truth by lying that he did not name Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 on the Action Congress ticket because Atiku did not want a Muslim as his running mate.

“It was the actual founders of the AC who offered the party’s flag to Atiku because of the need to fight the authoritarian designs then President Obasanjo and the PDP had on Nigeria’s democracy.

“At that moment, Atiku had been unceremoniously pushed aside, if not out of the PDP by Obasanjo. We needed to rally all forces to confront the one-party state Obasanjo had in mind. Atiku was simply a beneficiary of this collective duty to fight the attack on multi-party democracy the PDP had launched.

“I feel sorry for dear old Atiku. Love of his own ambition has eclipsed his relationship with the truth and an honest account of the past. We formed the AC without his knowledge. When President Obasanjo virtually exiled him from the PDP, we lent him our support by giving him the AC platform for the 2007 election.

“Let me say openly that Atiku offered me the Vice Presidential ticket in 2007. Let me also say that my religion has not changed. When he offered the position to me, I was a Muslim and I believe he was aware of my religious faith at the time.

“Atiku’s calculations and deceit had nothing to do with religion or his sensitivity to it. His conduct has everything to do with what we discovered about his paucity of character and love of intrigue.”

2023: Catholic Priest Urges INEC To Add Candidates’ Pictures On Ballot Papers

By
Ayodele Oni
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INEC Ballot Paper

By Ayodele Oni

A Nigerian Catholic priest in Malawi, Fr Kelvin Ugwu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to include the names of political party candidates running for next year’s election on the ballot papers.

In a letter posted on his verified Facebook page, Fr Kelvin noted that Nigerians are no longer voting based on political parties, but rather, the personality of the various candidates, stressing that the ballot papers should not be limited to only the party logo.

Sharing an image of a Malawian ballot paper, the priest said almost all the countries in Africa have both the face, and the names of the candidates running for elections on the ballot paper.

He wrote, “Dear INEC Nigeria, our ballot paper should be like this because in the true sense of it, it is actually the individual with his vice that we are voting for.

“All the elections conducted in Nigeria in the past, the ballot papers just carried only party logos. But it is not the party we vote for that leads us after the elections but the individual.

“Almost all the countries in Africa have both the face, the name of the candidate, his/her running mate, and the party logo on their ballot papers. Please do this for Nigerians.”

2023: Controversy Trails INEC’s Replacement Of Candidates

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Controversy has surrounded the last-minute replacement of candidates for next year’s general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Investigations revealed that some candidates being dropped had emerged victorious during the primary elections conducted by their respective political parties.

Some of them have now been dropped by the electoral empire due to court orders to that effect or on compliance with their party’s instructions.

For instance, in Kano state, where INEC has released names of governorship candidates for 2023 elections, name of Mohammed Abacha, the son of former Military Head of State was excluded.

Abacha is the governorship candidate of the court-backed faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano.

The electoral umpire approved Sadiq Wali and Yusuf Bello Danbatta as gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates of the PDP in the state. Wali is a son of former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Intra-party conflicts and litigations had trailed the primary election, following parallel leadership structure which led to factional primary elections in Kano.

However, a Federal High Court gave a favourable judgement for the Shehu Wada Sagagi-led faction that produced Mohammed Abacha as the governorship candidate of the party.

The other faction of the party led by Senator Bello Hayatu Gawarzo, who is the North-West vice chairman of the party, produced Sadiq Wali as the governorship candidate of its faction in a parallel primary election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kano State, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, had earlier told journalists that INEC recognised Mohammed Abacha as the rightful candidate having been produced by the faction that was recognised by the court.

Reacting to the development, INEC Public Relations Officer in Kano, Ahmad Adam Maulud, said the commission at the Kano office submitted the results of the primaries it had monitored to the headquarters of the electoral umpire in Abuja but the list which was pasted on Friday, which excluded Abacha’s name was from Abuja.

“Whoever wishes to seek any clarification should contact national body of his or her party for any information,” Maulud said.

In Ebonyi state, the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has disqualified Governor David Umahi, of Ebonyi State from contesting the election for Ebonyi South senatorial district seat on the platform of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Similarly, the court disqualified Austin Umahi, who is the governor’s younger brother from also participating in the election on the party’s platform.

The younger Umahi had clinched the party’s ticket to contest the election in the senatorial district after he emerged the winner of the APC primary in the zone.

He later resigned to pave the way for Governor Umahi to contest the Ebonyi South senatorial district election after the governor lost out in the APC Presidential Primary to former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu.

During a court proceeding on Friday, Justice Fatun Riman, declared that with the withdrawal of Austin Umahi, after winning the primary, the authentic candidate of the party for Ebonyi South senatorial district was Ms Ann Agom-Eze, who came second in the primary.

According to the judge, Section 115 of the Electoral Act forbids a person from contesting two different primary elections in the same year.

In a swift reaction to the court’s decision, the Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on Strategy, Chris Oko, said the judge was misled by Agom-Eze.

He alleged that Agom-Eze lied on oath that she never withdrew from the contest, stressing that there would be a re-run.

INEC had in June published the names and particulars of candidates vying for various positions at the federal level in the 2023 general elections.

But Governor Umahi’s name and particulars were missing from the list published by the electoral body which said it never monitored any rerun primary where Umahi was elected as candidate.

Displeased with the development, Governor Umahi approached the Federal High Court seeking an order for INEC to publish his name as the candidate of the ruling party for the election in the senatorial district. Ms Ann Agom-eze had also applied to be joined in the suit.

Report from Edo state indicates that INEC has written to the (PDP) insisting that it only recognized the list of candidates produced at the primary election held by Dan Orbih’s faction in May.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, Abuja, had in earlier judgment in the Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/808/2022 issued an order directing INEC to only accept and recognize the candidates that emerged from the Dan Orbih faction on May 18.

Recall that Ihama, Ogieva, Omagbon, Giwa and others had approached the Federal High Court 5, Abuja, seeking an order for INEC to only recognize the Dan Orbih-led faction of the party’s primary.

Following Justice Ekwo’s judgment, INEC in a letter dated June 27, 2022 and signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony and addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, asking the party to forward the list recognized by court to the commission.

INEC in the letter titled, “Notification of pending orders in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/807/2022 between Dr. Michael Onolememen & 2 Ors. V. INEC; Suit No. FHC/ABJ/808/ between Barr. Nosa Adams & 8 Prs. V. INEC and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/809/2022 between Christabel O. Ekwu & 23 Ors. V. INEC and the need to Comply with them” asked PDP to comply with the order.

“The Commission hereby draws the attention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the order of the Court arising from the three (3) suits listed above.

“In line with the order of Court, the Commission is restrained from accepting and recognizing any list of candidates other than the list containing the names of the plaintiffs as the PDP’s duly nominated candidates for the election of the seats of senators representing the senatorial zones of Edo North, Edo South and Edo Central of Edo State; the twenty-four House of Assembly constituencies across Edo State.

“Accordingly, the Commission expects the PDP to forward the nomination forms of the respective candidates as ordered by the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the umpire said.

The PDP had conducted parallel primaries by the factions loyal to the party’s National Vice Chairman, South South,  Orbih and the faction loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki at different locations across the state. But the court rejected Governor Obaseki’s faction

UN Commends Sterling One Foundation On Africa Social Impact Summit 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigeria  Matthias Schmale, has commended the Sterling One Foundation for creating a platform to accelerate growth towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals across Africa. This was shared during the 2-day hybrid event held penultimate week in Abuja with about 4,000 registered delegates from 55 countries in attendance.

Giving a keynote address at the event on the theme, ‘Rethink, Rebuild, Recover, Accelerating Growth for the SDGs’,  Schmale noted that the theme was apt, timely, relevant, and required given the economic regression across Africa occasioned by the pandemic, the volatilities caused by the Ukraine war and the fact there was just 8 years to go before 2030. He commended the leadership of the Sterling One Foundation stressing that there was need for intensive collaborations and partnerships among African leaders across the public and private sectors including the civil society groups to aid the achievement of not just the 2030 goals but also, the African Union’s 2063 goals.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, noted that the summit had in-depth and insightful panel sessions on climate action, education access and funding, primary healthcare, youth and gender empowerment, impact investment and governance which all give a good appreciation of the 17 interlinked global goals.

She added that a recurring resolution that came through in all the panel sessions was the need for the elimination of silo executions and the embracing of collaborations by all sector players. Financing strategies, impact measurement and evaluation of such impact were also discussed as

it was clear that the SDGs require financing to become a reality with an estimated amount of $1.3 trillion annually in Africa as shared by the UN and over $300 billion to block the gap in Nigeria.

“Various deals from 4 African countries were brought to the summit’s Deal Room with innovative solutions that cut across the education, health, construction, renewable energy, and food security sectors. Most of these businesses already have conditional commitments from our investors at the event and we expect to seal these deals in the coming weeks by working with the investees. We will continue facilitating financing for purpose and profit-driven business solutions that will help promote access to health and education for all while guaranteeing returns for impact investors locally and globally’’, she added.

She noted that the Foundation was already working with various partners and will continue in this light as the event was organized in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Sterling Bank, the Coca-Cola Company, VFD Group, the Impact Investors Foundation, Giving.ng, the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Ventures Africa, Proshare and Tech Cabal.

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