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IPOB Leader, Kanu Arraigned; Pleads Not Guilty; Case Adjourned To November 10

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Sowore Attacked Outside Courtroom By Unknown Persons

Dressed in a Versace designer track was the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, as he appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the embattled leader is facing charges of Terrorism and Treasonable Felony.

He arrived in Court in a black Sports Utility Vehicle at about 8am, as security was beefed up from Transcorp Hilton through the Ministry of Justice and Abia House. There was heavy presence of a combined team of Police, Army, Department of State Services operatives estimated to be over 1,000.

Journalists, lawyers and IPOB members were denied access to the Federal High Court, Abuja for the epic trial of the IPOB leader.

This however led to serious vehicular and human traffic.

All pleas for Journalists to have access to the court were turned down by security personnel.

As proceedings began in Court over the Seven Count Charge on Treasonable Felony and Terrorism leveled against him by the Federal Government, Kanu pleaded not guilty of the charges before Justice Binta Nyako.

Following his pleading not guilty, his legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor challenged his detention and sought that he should be moved from the custody of the Department of State Security, DSS, to Kuje Prison, but the Presiding Judge, Justice Nyako rejected the application.

The Federal Government, last week, in the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015  signed by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. M. B. Abubakar, alleged that Kanu had in furtherance of an act of terrorism, issued a deadly threat that anyone that flouted his sit-at-home order should write his or her will.

FG alleged that as a result of Kanu’s directive, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses, with vehicular movements grounded in the South East region of the country.

Count one of the charge read, “Being the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations made by you and others now at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the federal republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Binta, then, adjourned the matter till November 10 and the IPOB leader was whisked out of the court in a convoy of white Hilux vans.

Omoyele Sowore,  activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, was allegedly physically assaulted outside the court premises by men suspected to be Government sympathisers.

According to Sowore, he was addressing the press and security agents while trying to gain access into the court premises when suddenly a number of thugs he believed were sent by  Government  swooped on him and molested him in the process.

The activist, however, noted that the hoodlums were later arrested by the security agents but he didn’t believe the arrest was genuine.

I Will Support UK Team On Correctional Centres’ Decongestion, Reform – Uzodinma

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma on Correctional Centeres

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured a team from the United Kingdom (UK) working on decongestion and reform in the Correctional Centres in the country of his Government’s willingness to ensure they succeed in their assignment.

The Governor  gave the assurance when members of the team paid a courtesy call on him at the New Executive Chambers at the Government House, Owerri on Tuesday.

Imo State is one of the three States in Nigeria where the team would be carrying out its pilot scheme on decongestion and reform in the Correctional Centres with focus on vocational skills for inmates and training for officers.

Receiving the team led by Mr. Emmanuel Findoro Obasi who is also the Director of Trade and Investment, African House London, Governor Uzodimma thanked them for choosing Imo State alongside Kaduna State and FCT for the pilot programme, noting that their job is not only  humanitarian but one that will bring about positive reforms in the Correctional Centres.

The Governor assured the delegation that “the Government of Imo State will provide the necessary support and logistics towards realising the objective of the work.”

He commended members of the team for their role in Africa, particularly in making sure that Correctional Centres are not only reformed and decongested but that justice system delivery is improved upon in the country.

He equally commended them for putting in place infrastructural processes that will entail training of both the inmates and officers of the Correctional Centres towards achieving a better society.

The Governor commended other global partners working with the UK team on reform and decongestion in Correctional Centres and advised all not to relent until their objective is realised.

Earlier while informing the Governor on the purpose of their mission, Mr. Obasi said their programme was spurred by President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to United Kingdom three years ago when the President sought for assistance to have Nigeria’s Correctional Centres decongested and reformed through investment in infrastructure. 

He explained that similar work had been done in African countries such as The Gambia and that they are in Nigeria to replicate the scheme.

A member of the group, Mr. Tim Bission, said that they had looked forward to working in Imo State and thanked the Government for the commendable reception that shows the willingness of the people to be part of the processes proposed to decongest and reform the prisons through training and retraining.

In the same vein, another member of the team, Matthew Cassini, explained that they have worked across Africa, providing legal training in conjunction with the various communities, inmates and Ministry of Justice of the pilot States.

He highlighted that their programme on justice delivery has positively affected over 50,000 inmates out of which more than 20,000 have been set free while many more have got trained on diverse vocational skills.

#EndSARS Memorial: Protesters Wave Blood Stained Nigerian Flag; Osun State Youths Opt Out

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Omoyele Sowore, 2019 Presidential Candidate for African Action Congress, AAC, and founder of Online News platform, Sahara Reporters, and activist, Deji Adeyanju, led hundreds of protesters at the Abuja #EndSAR anniversary protest, held at the Unity Fountain Park, frowning at the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to address the demands of youths since last year.

Sowore said that the present administration has failed and this was the best way for the youths to rise and challenge the Government to live up to its expectations and promises.

Lagos, the epicenter of the protest, saw Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz and Nollywood Actor turned- Comedian, Debo Adebayo, known as Mr. Macaroni, leading procession to the Lekki Toll Gate #ENDSARS Memorial protest.

This was after heavily armed Policemen had effected some arrest of protesters.

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions during the vehicle procession, waving the Nigerian flags with blood stains.

Taking to his Instagram handle on Social Media, an angry Debo vented his anger on Nigerian celebrities.

In the Instagram live video during the protest, he said Nigerian celebrities should stop collecting bribes from politicians.

He said; “If you keep enabling the Government by collecting money from them every time, think about millions of lives that your greedy decision will ruin.”

“If the Government gives you 50 million or 100 million, think about what that money will do for millions of poor masses.”

“People are seriously suffering in Nigeria. People are homeless; they don’t even know what their next meal will be. Think about them when you decide to extend your hands to collect bribes from our greedy politicians.”

“Nigerian celebrities, stop collecting bribes from these politicians and start lending your voices.”

Other activists that led the procession were inside their Cars at the tollgate waving Nigerian flags from inside the vehicles and honking the horns while singing solidarity songs.

In a chat with newsmen, one of the activists said that they will continue going to and fro the tollgate as their own way of protesting.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC and political activist, Comrade Timi Frank,accused the Federal Government of gross insensitivity to the plight of victims of the #EndSARS protests and the Lekki “Tollgate massacre” a year ago.

Frank in a statement to commemorate the first anniversary of the youth uprising which ended with a crackdown by men of the Nigerian Army, said the Federal Government has failed to bring those who carried out the dastardly acts to justice.

He lamented that Government,at all levels, has failed to initiate and implement policies and programmes aimed at massive job creation, youth empowerment and engagements and poverty alleviation.

“No soldier has been sanctioned nor prosecuted. No living victim nor family of dead victims has been compensated. How long will victims of the wickedness of Government await justice?

“Besides, it is both unimaginable and unacceptable that one year after the #EndSARS agitations, policemen involved in the inhuman and egregious acts like torture, extortions, extra-judicial killings and other abuses have not been held to account.

“The Nigerian Government at all levels has not only betrayed the people, they have continued to engage in anti-people rhetorics that show their unwillingness to learn from the issues that led to the #EndSARS protests,” Frank said.

“Why is it that the Panels of Enquiry set up by the Federal Government and various  State Government have failed to diligently carry out their assignments and ensure justice for victims?

“This is nothing but an unholy and ungodly collusion aimed at making Nigerians forget the incident, protect security agents who massacred peaceful protesters and to eternally deny victims of justice,” he said.

He called on Nigerian youths to remain resolute and steadfast in their quest to stamp out Police brutality and other forms of victimization, corruption, harassment, intimidation and extra-judicial killings by security forces in the country.

Following the arrest of some youths in Lagos, a Youth Group,  Coalition for Revolution, CORE, says Nigerian youths cannot be stopped by threats from armed forces in commemorating the historic #EndSARS movement which was birthed a year ago.

In a statement issued by the conveners of the group, Baba Aye and Gbenga Komolafe, it said the Police and other security agents should stay back and watch as the protests are carried out peacefully, stating that nothing will stop the youths from remembering those who lost their lives at the Lekki Tollgate of October 20.

It further ordered the immediate release of those arrested as they have rights to stage a peaceful protest and show their grudges against the government.

The statement reads, “Several organisations that played active roles in the #EndSARS protests last year have organised a series of activities over the last five days.

“This has been to honour those killed when the regime repressed the protests, and to demand the release of all those still languishing in jail over the protests as well as an end to continued police brutality.

“On 20/10/20, the world witnessed the #LekkiMassacre as the regime drowned the #EndSARS rebellion in blood. In memorial of this day, peaceful demonstrations will take place across Nigeria, on the platform of the #EndSARS United Memorial.

“The police and various states’ governments have threatened to stop these Nigerians. We will not be stopped. We will exercise our fundamental right protest and freedom of assembly tomorrow 20 October 2021.

“We want to make it unambiguously clear that the Youths WILL GATHER to remember our dead and to remember our struggle, a genuine youth and mass movement which moved the soul of every Nigerian at home and abroad and which was punctuated by a ruthless government determined to maintain their positions of power at the cost of lives of innocent Nigerians.

“We call on the Nigerian government, the Nigerian armed forces and the Nigerian police to cease and desist from threatening peaceful protests and memorials and from using scare tactics to dismantle a movement whose time has come. We demand that no drop of Nigerian blood be shed tomorrow. No arrests. No beatings. Just stand back and allow us to remember our fallen heroes.

“We are united, to #EndSARS, to remember our dead and to call for justice in our land. We will not be deterred and nothing can stop us. We continue to struggle, and united, of one voice, we will surely win.”

Interestingly in Osun State, the Youths ruled out street demonstrations and protest to mark the memorial anniversary of last year’s #EndSARS nationwide protests.

The youths under the aegis of Osun Civil Society Movement, through its Convener, Comrade Ayo Ologun disclosed that: “We are holding a programme at Aurora Event Center, Osogbo today to commemorate the anniversary and after that, there will be candlelight procession within the premises. We are not holding street demonstrations or protests.

“It is a constitutional right of anybody to protest so if any youths embark on street protest today they have police to deal with. At our own programme, what we will do is to dialogue on #EndSARS issues, lessons learnt and the regrets.

“We are peacefully engaging government since they are ready to dialogue with us. If they we would have embarked on street protests like Lagos and Abuja but there is a programme organized to commemorate the memorial anniversary.”

Though, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, had earlier warned youths and groups of people not to embark on protest in commemoration of the first anniversary of #ENDSARS.

In a statement released by the Osun State Police Command this morning, “Commissioner of Police has given marching orders to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.

“The CP advised parents and guardians to warn their wards to be law-abiding, and desist from such planned protest/gathering/ assembly as the State Police Command will arrest and prosecute defaulters.”

Nigerians Not Responsible For Banditry, Kidnappings – Gov Ortom

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has embarked on sensitization of indigenous  Fulanis, urging them to rise and speak out against the invasion of communities in Nigeria by their kinsmen from foreign countries.

Governor Ortom spoke on Wednesday in Makurdi when he received a delegation of Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers on behalf of the State Government on a condolence visit.

The delegation led by the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo was accompanied by other Traditional Rulers from the State.

Governor Ortom pointed out that the Tiv people, Fulanis and other Nigerians had lived together peacefully until foreign Fulanis were allowed to move into the country unchecked to cause the current violence being witnessed.

On the ranching law, Governor Ortom explained that the law is a win-win for herders and farmers, as it prohibits open grazing and cattle rustling, stressing that the law does not spare any offender from prosecution, including natives.

The Governor expressed appreciation for the visit, stressing that as brothers, it was incumbent on them to sympathize, or rejoice with one another when the time permits, the reason he attended the coronation of the Emir of Keffi, Dr Chindo.

Governor Ortom acknowledged his Nasarawa State counterpart, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, for his efforts to ensure peace between people of the two states, saying the Traditional institution also has a great role to play in that regard.

Leader of the delegation and Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo, who also recalled his early days in Makurdi where he attended his primary education, presented a letter to Governor Ortom from the Governor of Nasarawa State.

He expressed hope that the “conflict entrepreneurs who are benefitting from the farmers-herders crises will one day regret,” stressing that the Tiv and Fulanis were made by God and cannot separate.

The Emir also expressed appreciation to Governor Ortom for personally attending his coronation and the support he gave for the occasion, even as he prayed God to guide him through his administration.

One Year After endSARS Protests : FG Insists Reported Deaths, A Scam

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lai Mohammed

By Ayodele Oni

Minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that 17 states are yet to submit report of Judicial Panels of Inquiry into allegations of human rights violation against the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to the National Economic Council, (NEC).

The Minister spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference to commemorate the first anniversary of the #EndSARS protest which rocked the entire country.

Alhaji Mohammed pointed out that: “At its meeting on 15 October 2021, the NEC received an update on the Reports of Judicial Panels of Inquiry into Allegations of Human Rights Violations against Members of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies.

“Note that 28 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission – had set up Judicial Panels/Commissions of Inquiry to investigate allegations of violations of human rights levied against members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, especially members of the disbanded SARS.

“Out of the 28 States, 11 States (Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers) have submitted their final reports to Council.

“Governors of other States have also indicated that their reports would be submitted soon. Following deliberations on the recommendations of the panels, NEC agreed/resolved as follows:

On payment of compensation to victims,

“Each State, in collaboration with the Federal Government, shall establish modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the Panels.

‘Already, as resolved by NEC, a number of States have set up Victims Compensation Funds, from which several victims have already received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels.”

Prosecution of indicted persons,

“Council directed State Governors to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.

“Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”

On improvement of efficiency of security agents, “NEC called on the leadership of the security agencies to ensure that Persons recruited into arms-bearing security agencies undergo psychiatric evaluations and drug tests before enlistment and periodically after enlistment to ensure that the personnel are psychologically fit to carry live weapons and to identify behavioural tendencies that may require psycho-social interventions.

“Personnel of the agencies dutifully observe Rules of Engagement in the discharge of their functions/duties around and within the civilian populace.”

Other measures, according to the minister include “lifting of the ban on recruitment of police officers, giving priority to the general welfare of police officers and personnel of other security agencies.

“In particular, it advocated the review of pension and gratuity of retired police officers and attainment of parity of remuneration by police officers with sister security agencies. Undertake a comprehensive assessment of all police stations across the country with a view to ensuring that they are fit for purpose.

“Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should deploy cutting-edge technology in the fight against crimes. Nigeria Police Force to, in line with the mandatory training provisions of the Police Act 2020, prioritize training of Police Officers on procedures for the entrenchment of Human Rights Provisions guaranteed by the Constitution and on the professional handling of weapons.

“All those detained by the Police as a result of the EndSars protests are expeditiously processed with due regard to the principles of fair hearing.

“The system established within the Nigeria Police Force for receipt and handling of complaints or petitions is strengthened, and all police officers on duty should be in police-approved uniform with their full names and force numbers boldly written for easy identification.

“The States should, as resolved by NEC:

– Properly utilize and support the community policing programme of the Federal Government, with active collaborative efforts and participation of traditional rulers, elders, youths, vigilante groups, etc.;

“Of course, NEC also issued an advisory on public protests to mark the first anniversary of the EndSARS protest. While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the NEC strongly advised those planning public protests across the country to mark the EndSARS’ anniversary to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement, especially because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem.”

The Minister took a swipe at Foreign Media for their inaccuracy in reporting the endSARS protest especially, figures of those they claimed were shit dead by soldiers, saying nobody has come out to confirm the death if his relation during the incident.

“Sadly, the champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including Amnesty International and CNN, have continued to shamelessly hold on to their unproven stand.

“Recall, gentlemen, that after bandying different figures, Amnesty International finally settled at about 12 people killed. On its part, CNN went from 38 people killed to two to just one, after a supposed global exclusive even when the network had no reporter on ground at the Lekki Toll Gate on Oct. 20th 2020.

“On Monday, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that was set up by the Lagos State Government after the EndSARS protest wrapped up its sitting.

“During the sitting, CNN was summoned but it never showed up, thus missing a great opportunity to prove its allegation of massacre at the toll gate. Also, Amnesty International had a golden opportunity to convince the world, but it rather opted for issuing meaningless press releases.”

Oyo: Over 16,000 Teachers Receive Promotion Letters

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

Oyo State Government, OYSG has distributed over 16,500 promotion letters to primary school teachers across the 33 local government areas of the state. The state governor Seyi Makinde said his administration priotises education and will do everything to promote public education in the state.

As part of the efforts to further bolster pubic education, the state government said it has consistently allocated more than 20 percent of the state’s yearly budget to the sector, in order to promote its free education policy. The governor has insisted that every child must have access to free and qualitative education.

Also recall that the administration, in February this year, recruited 5,000 new teachers and converted 700 non-teaching staff into the teaching cadre in the state Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM. The newly recruited teachers were allocated their appointment letters in August, as the state’s helmsman promised to recruit more.

Some teachers who spoke with the magazine said they are happy that they finally received promotion letters after more than fours years delay.

Speaking at the presentation of the promotion letters to 66 representatives of the teachers, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran, said the letters were for the arrears of the 2017- 2020 promotion exercise.
Adeniran said the administration of Governor Makinde will continue to promote the welfare of workers in the Pacesetters state.

According to him, ”the important thing is that the governor of the state, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is so passionate about workers’ welfare. These are arrears of promotion that were supposed to have been given even before we came on board. The governor was magnanimous enough to say look, these people were due for promotion, let us give them.
“The governor is a wonderful person when it comes to workers’ welfare and what belongs to the people of the state. We may not have fulfill everything we want to do but we have certainly left where we were before.
“Whatever the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde says it will do, it will surely do it; it is a talk and do administration and you are seeing that here today.”
The SUBEB chairman said there is a gap in the recruitment of teachers that the administration is trying to fill., adding that “we are working on getting necessary approval for recruitment and it will come to limelight very soon”. He warned the teachers to cooperate with the government in its efforst to revamp the education sector in the state.

Adeniran said “We expect that you will take the full teaching of our students seriously in such a manner that we will see the impact on the learning outcome from the students you are teaching. “We want you to be more committed, punctual and support the government in terms of giving dividends of democracy to people.
“We want a situation whereby the students that we will be turning out from Oyo State public primary schools will be able to compete with their colleagues in any part of the world. This is the challenge we are throwing back at you and we believe by virtue of what the governor has done, you will put in your best.”

IPOB: Fear Over Kanu’s Life Causing Unrest In South East

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

Doubts by people of the South east on whether Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB is still alive is the reason for the continued observance of sit-at -home order by the secessionist group. Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor disclosed this, on Wednesday, during a press conference, noting that unrest in the region will persist as long as Kanu is held incommunicado by the federal government.

Major cities in the south east have remained deserted despite the suspension of the order by IPOB, as apprehension looms that businesses and other commercial activities are being paralysed, while repeated calls by state governors from the region for people to go back to their normal daily duties have been largely ignored.

Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, after he was arrested in Kenya.

During the last adjourned date, the prosecution failed to bring him to court from the custody of the State Security Services, DSS, Abuja where he has been detained for months.

Igbo leaders, including IPOB has continued to demand that Kanu be produced in court for trial as a minimum demand to end violence in the region and to prove that he’s still alive.

“We urge the leader of the Ohanaeze delegation to the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and our legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barr. Joseph Ojodu and Barr. Goddy Uwazurike to put in their very best to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu obtains justice,” Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the umbrella Igbo socio-cultural body, said ahead the resumption of Kanu’s trial on Thursday.

The federal government had, last week, filed fresh charges against the embattled IPOB leader.

According to his lawyer, the current tension in the region is due to the belief that Kanu may have been killed in detention because “our people are yet to see and believe that our Client Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still alive.”

“This suspicion was further fueled by his non-production in Court on the 26th day of July 2021, for no tangible reason. Our people’s demand for his unconditional release from custody is a well-informed position, which the Government at the centre currently persecuting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should give a listening ear to, and speedily activate the process towards his freedom, as he has committed no offence known to law.

“That the Security Agents should avoid any situation that will result to any form of maltreatment to the Lawyers in court (whose constituency is that very court), the media, or those that will be attending Court in solidarity with our Client.

“The World is watching. The show of shame openly demonstrated by the overzealous Security Agents on the 26th day of July 2021 should never repeat itself.”

Ejiofor warned security agencies not to harass Kanu’s supporters when they show up in court tomorrow for his trial.

“On this note, arrest, molestation, rough handling and maltreatment of harmless civilians and sympathisers, who are to be in court in a show of solidarity, should not be allowed.

“We also wish to advise our client’s supporters to bear in mind that not everybody will be able to access the courtroom on this day. Hence, wherever you find yourselves within the court’s environment, you all must remain civil in your conduct, as you have always been, and continue to supplicate to God Almighty even as the trial goes on,” he said.

EndSARS Anniversary: FG Yet To Address Protesters 5-Point Demands-Saraki

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

The federal government has not addressed the demands of youths that led to EndSARS protest last October, Bukola Saraki former Senate President has said.

Saraki, a former governor of Kwara state disclosed this, on Wednesday, amidst comment by Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, that nobody was killed at the Lekki Toll gate, Lagos, during the countrywide protest against police brutality by youths last year.

The protesting youths, had thronged the toll gate, in their thousands demanding an end to police brutality across the country, including a ban on the rogue Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS. They were later dispersed by soldiers who allegedly shot and killed some of the protesters.

The demands of the EndSARS protesters include: Immediate release of all arrested protesters; Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensations for their families; setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reported police misconduct within a period of 10 days; carrying out psychological evaluation and retaining of all disbanded SARS operatives before they can deployed (this should be verified by an independent body); and that the government should increase police salary and they should adequately be compensated for protecting lives and property of the citizens.

Saraki who spoke as some youths gathered in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country, to mark the one year anniversary of the protest said nothing has change, despite the government’s promise to address their demands.

According to him, “we Must Never Forget #EndSARS,” remembering the events of the Lekki toll gate shooting a year ago. It is worrying that despite the acceptance of the ” 5 of 5 Demands” nothing has really been done to resolve the issues that caused the protests in the first place.

“None of the policemen accused of torturing and extrajudicially murdering Nigerian citizens has been brought to justice, there has been no marked improvement in the funding or quality of equipment available to the Nigerian Police Force and these incidents of torture continue in many security facilities nationwide,” he said.

He demands the release of young Nigerians held in detention facilities across the country without trial, noting that “it appears that the lessons that ought to be learned from the events last year have been lost.”

He said rather than resolve the issues raised by the youths, the Nigerian Police Force has resorted to threats and mobilisation to stop them from further expressing their disaffection against the problems that led to the protest.

The former governor said the government should have learnt serious lessons from the protest, because “this is the only way we can honour the memory of those who gave their lives for this cause” Saraki said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture has reiterated federal government’s position that nobody was killed by soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate.

The minister who spoke to journalists on Wednesday described reports that 12 protesters were killed as ‘phantom’.

Mohammed said, “recall, gentlemen, that after bandying different figures, Amnesty International finally settled at about 12 people killed. On its part, CNN went from 38 people killed to two to just one, after a supposed global exclusive even when the network had no reporter on ground at the Lekki Toll Gate on Oct. 20th 2020.”

He also claimed that soldiers did not shoot at protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.

“On Oct. 20th (2020), members of the security forces enforced curfew by FIRING SHOTS INTO THE AIR (emphasis mine) to disperse protesters, who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to protest abusive practices by the Nigeria Police Force Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end. Amnesty International reported 10 persons died during the event, but the government disputed Amnesty’s Report, and NO OTHER ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE CLAIM (emphasis mine).”

“With the preponderance of evidence against any massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20th 2020, we are once again reiterating what we said one year ago, that:

“The military did not shoot at protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20th 2020, and there was no massacre at the toll gate. The only ‘massacre’ recorded was in the social media, hence there were neither bodies nor blood,” the minister said.

Imo Police Command Blames Killing Of Two Royal Fathers On IPOB, ESN

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) should be held responsible for the death of two traditional rulers in Njaba Council Area of Imo state on Tuesday.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussain, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Police spokesman, Michael Abattam that the Command position was based on information it received before the incident.

“This Command received information on Tuesday around 3 pm that some hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN were attacking the venue where the Transitional Chairman of Njaba Local Government was holding meeting with some Traditional Rulers.

“Immediately, the Command’s tactical teams comprising of the Special Forces, Rapid Response Squad and anti-kidnapping Squad were deployed to the scene.

“Unfortunately,  before the arrival of the Police, the hoodlums had fled the scene after killing the two Monarchs.”

He also blamed the incident on the refusal of the Transitional Chairman of Njaba local government, Hon. Emeka Ihenacho, who was having a meeting with 15 traditional rulers of Njaba communities without informing the police or other security agencies.

“While the meeting was in progress armed bandits suspected to be IPOB/ ESN members came and started shooting at them indiscriminately after which they ran back into the bush.

“Unfortunately, two of the Traditional Rulers HRH Eze S. C Osunwa of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Barr A. E Durueburuo of Okwudor Autonomous Community lost their lives in the attack while HRH Eze A. N Onyeka (JP) of Nkume Autonomous Community sustained gunshot injuries.

“The Police Station in Njaba was recently attacked and raised down by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror groups, where two police officers lost their lives.

“Thus, the Command had to post Policemen to the area on vehicular patrols to help in checkmating crimes and criminalities, pending when a new police station will be rebuilt.

“The Command is exploring all avenues possible to see that the fleeing bandits are arrested and prosecuted.”

Imo Killings: Traditional Rulers Met Without Our Consent – Police

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Nigeria Police

By Uche Mbah

The Imo State Police Command, Wednesday, accused Traditional Rulers in Imo state of holding a meeting without informing security agencies, resulting in their being attacked by Gunmen.

Gunmen had invaded Njaba Council headquarters at Nnenasa, venue of a Stakeholders meeting of some Traditional Rulers in Imo state, Tuesday, gunning down three Traditional Rulers. Two were later confirmed dead while the third sustained serious injuries.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, CSP Mike Abattam, the Force blamed the attack on the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Eastern Security Network, ESN.

According to them, at about 3 pm, they were tipped off that hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/ESN are attacking the venue “where the Transitional Chairman of Njaba LGA was holding a meeting with some Traditional Rulers.” They immediately dispatched a crack squad.

“At the scene, it was revealed that the Transitional Chairman of Njaba LGA Mr. Emeka Ihenacho invited, and was having a meeting with 15 traditional rulers of Njaba communities without informing the Police or other Security agencies.

“Unfortunately, two of the traditional rulers namely, HRH Eze S.C Osunwa of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Barr A. E Durueburuo of Okwudor Autonomous Community lost their lives in the attack while HRH Eze A. N Onyeka ( JP ) of Nkume Autonomous Community sustained gunshot injuries,” Abattam said.

“The Police Dstation in the community was recently attacked and razed down by hoodlums and during the attack, two Police Officers lost their lives. The Command had to post Policemen to the area on vehicular patrols to help in checkmating crimes and criminalities until when a new Police Station will be rebuilt.

“The command is exploring all avenues possible to see that the fleeing bandits are arrested and prosecuted,” he concluded.

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