Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State has shut-down the state.
In a Tweet addressed to Lagosians Tuesday afternoon, the Governor imposed a 24 hour curfew on the state.
The curfew stems from the protest by Youths nationwide, with a hashtag #EndSARS, which has degenerated to violence from its earlier peaceful nature. The protest in Lagos has cost loss of lives, and destruction of properties, and looting.
In imposing the curfew, he said:
“Dear Lagosians,
“I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.
“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.
“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.”
The Governor had earlier, on Monday, shut down schools in the State. The Edo State Government was the first Government to impose a curfew in the state after hoodlums stormed Benin Correctional Centre, released Prisoners, and burnt down five Police Stations.
Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has said that he has no cause to resign his appointment now.
The social media was awash early in the week that Ajayi was set to resign as Deputy Governor to pre-empt fresh moves by the House of Assembly to impeach him.
His, alleged, sudden resignation was also anchored on perceived irreconcilable differences between him and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, a chieftain of Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP) after the last Governorship election, which placed him at a distant third position.
He contested on the platform of ZLP after he lost the PDP Governorship primary to Eyitayo Jegede, and even lost in his Ese Odo local government to both the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) at the October 10 election.
In a statement on Tuesday by his media adviser, Mr Allen Sowore, Ajayi stated that the report about his resignation “is false and a figment of the imagination of the writers.
“The Deputy Governor was elected together with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN by the good people of Ondo State in 2016. That four years mandate given to both men will not end until 23rd February, 2021.
“The news of his impending resignation is being sponsored by the governor through the propaganda machinery and machinations of Ondo State Ministry of Information as a subterfuge in preparation for a macabre plan to put the deputy governor’s forged signature on a prepared resignation letter.
“The general public should be wary of these latest antics and desperation of the Governor to remove his Deputy by all means and at any cost illegally.
“The people of Ondo State, who voted for Agboola Ajayi as Deputy Governor in 2016 have not ask him to resign or quit the government. Therefore, he has no reason whatsoever to relinquish the people’s mandate, which of course is limited by term/time, democratically bestowed upon him.”
Ajayi resigned from the APC, but received to quit his office as the Deputy Governor. Most people see his refusal to quit as immoral.
Many Nigerians are asking who are behind the power and impunity the former Abdulrasheed Maina are.
Maina was the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension before he was sacked over alleged embezzlement of over two billion Naira Pension Funds.
He was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and arraigned before the Court on a 12-count criminal charge.
Before he was arrested in an Abuja Hotel in a dramatic manner, Maina had escaped to Dubai in a dramatic manner, after he was sacked as a civil servant. But he was also reinstated in a more dramatic manner than before, and then, sacked again. He disappeared thereafter until security agents arrested him in Abuja, and he was hauled before a court.
Maina was detained in prison custody, but was later granted bail under very strict conditions. After much appeal, the conditions were reviewed. He was released after he met the reviewed bail conditions.
Maina was taken on bail by Ndume. But now. Maina has disappeared. For about 10 times, Maina has refused to appear in court. Senator Ndume, at one such court appearance told the Court that he didn’t know Maina’s whereabouts, and has been unable to reach him.
Abdulrasheed Maina
But on Tuesday, the case took a twist for the worse.
Maina was absent again, and now, Senator Ndume is in trouble. He is a few steps away from jail.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has given Senator Ndume 21 days to produce Maina or get behind bars over Maina’s repeated failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial on alleged money laundering charges.
Maina is in trouble over the 12-count criminal charge against him and a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited by the EFCC.
The Commission alleges Maina used the account of the firm to launder funds of about two billion Naira.
The EFCC alleged that Maina used part of the money to acquire landed properties in Abuja.
The case against him has already been opened, and witnesses, including bankers and Maina’s relatives had testified, tendering exhibits in evidence before the court when Maina suddenly, stopped appearing in court since September 29.
The simple meaning is that he has jumped bail.
On October 2 when the matter came Ndume told the court that the whereabouts of Maina was unknown to him. A couple of weeks ago, reports quoted Maina as saying he was not strong in health to appear in court, and would do so as soon as he is fit. But many Nigerians think some powerful forces are beating the drum he is dancing to.
Both the EFCC and Ndume had asked the Court to issue a Warrant of arrest against Maina on Monday.
But in a bench ruling, Justice Okon Abang said Ndume would have to be put behind bars if a bench warrant is issued. He, therefore, asked the Senator to produce the first defendant within twenty-one days.
The matter was adjourned to November 18.
Many doubt Maina would show up, and wonder what would be the fate of Ndume.
Chairman, Ekiti state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Mr Rotimi Ojomoyela, is among members of Ekiti state Judicial Panel on Human Rights Violations by Police officers, SARS operatives and other persons named on Monday by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode stated that Dr. Fayemi, directed the immediate establishment of the Judicial Panel with retired Justice Cornelius Akintayo as Chairman.
According to the statement, other members of the 10- member panel are Mr. Dipo Ayeni, Commissioner of Police; Mrs. Yetunde Kolawole, State Counsel, representing the Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice; and Mrs. Kikelomo Owolabi, Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikere-Ekiti Branch.
Others are Mr. Abiodun Adigun, Representative, National Human Rights Commission:
Mr. Adeyinka Opaleke, Representative, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; Ms. Caroline Fakinlede, Ekiti State Youths Representative; Mr. Abiola Johnson-Ogunleye- Ekiti State Students Representative and Mr. Akin Rotimi, Researcher, Police Reforms.
Its Terms of Reference include:
To receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra-judicial killings;
Receive and Investigate complaints of violence against individuals and destruction of properties in every part of Ekiti State in the course of the protest; and evaluate evidence presented and other surrounding circumstances, as well as draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints.
The panel is also expected to recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.
The statement added that the panel has six months duration during which the Chairman is expected to provide monthly briefings to the Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice to further enhance the speedy consideration of all complaints.
“In order to enable the panel respond appropriately to the urgent needs of victims of rights violations, Mr. Governor has established Victims Compensation Fund to enable the speedy payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.”
The Lagos State Government, Monday evening, shut down all Primary/ Secondary Schools – Public and Private.
It asked parents to keep their children safe at home.
The shut-down follows the fluid security situation in the State which stemmed from the #EndSARS protest embarked upon, nationwide by thousands of youths over the brutalities, extortion and killings perpetrated on Youths by the now defunct SARS.
Before the announcement by the Government, most pupils, students, and teachers were unable to access their schools on Monday because the protesting youths blocked, virtually, all roads in the state.
A statement by Kayode Abayomi, the state’s Head of Public Affairs, Ministry of Education, quoted the Commssioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo as saying schools were shut down over the ” tension generated by the Anti-SARS protest.
The statement added that a new date for resumption of schools will be announced.
This is the second time the state would shut down schools in 2020. The first was over the COVID-19.
Lagos schools fully reopened last week, and has again been shut down.
Lagos is the second state to shut down schools over the #EndSARS protest. Edo State had, Monday morning shut schools and imposed a – 24 hour curfew in the state. The violence turned violent on Monday in Benin, when hoodlums stormed the Oko Correctional Centre, setting free hundreds of prisoners.
The Western Nigeria Security Corps, code named Amotekun, began operation in Ekiti state on Monday with the inauguration of the security outfit by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi charged the 500 corps members to be patriotic and carry out their activities in conformity with the rules and regulations guiding the corps.
At the ceremony in Ado Ekiti, which was part of the administration’s second year anniversary, Dr Fayemi was of the view that Amotekun Corps would help to curb all forms of insecurity in the state andcomplement efforts of other security agencies in protecting the lives and property of the people
He pointed out that the Amotekun security corps was not an alternative to any security agency but was established to strengthen the security architecture of the state, adding that the issue of insecurity in the country was a major concern which needed to be tackled collectively.
The Governor said that the Amotekun corps would deploy ancient, local and modern security techniques to ward off kidnapping, robbery and other crimes in the state.
Earlier In his remarks, the corps Commandant, Retired Brigadier General Joe Komolafe, said the mandate of the Amotekun corps revolved around the protection of lives and property.
He added that the outfit would not dabble into marital issues, land disputes or other breach of contractual agreement.
Ondo State Governor was the first to inaugurate the outfit in his state.
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has warned that there will be catastrophic consequences if the Police and Nigerian military allow themselves to be pushed into using force to suppress the ongoing #EndSARS protesters.
The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu warned that “Nigeria will burn if the police and military authorities allow themselves to be used by selfish government officials who have demonstrated unprecedented level of insensitivity and shielded president Muhammadu Buhari from knowing the reality of things.”
According to the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, “the situation is worsening because our President has locked up himself in the Presidential Villa while those who elected him are on the streets protesting against bad governance and police reform.”
Recalling that “during the build up to the planned labour unions strike and after the eventual disappointment by the labour unions, the CNPP continued to reach out to civil society groups across the country on the need to arrest the continued maladministration in the country.
“But at the peak of the consultations and mobilisation, the SARS attack that sparked the rise of the #EndSARS Movement occurred.
“Today, the Federal Government, through its intelligence networks, should have known that young people across the country, on their own accord, opted to take their own destiny in their own hands after obvious sellout and betrayal by labour unions in the country.
“As the labour unions lost the trust of citizens, the youths are raising their funds to support each other while the protests lasts, with some Nigerian celebrities supporting them with food and water.
“At the momentum of the widespread protests, any attempt to use force to disperse these demonstrators will be disastrous for the country and may lead to a total collapse of the already collapsing Nigerian economy.
“We therefore warn the Nigerian military and the Police authorities not to allow selfish politicians use them to destroy the country.
“Unfortunately, the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did not, as expected, heed earlier advice by CNPP that there was urgent need for President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation to calm ruffled nerves of the protesting youths.
“As usual, the presidency saw such advice as an attack from the opposition, even though it was based on intelligence within the CNPP network of impending total shutdown of the country, which a fatherly words of assurances from Mr. President would have prevented.
“We saw it coming and today, we are all living witnesses to the growing agitations against bad governance both at home and abroad.
“The APC and the Presidency should know that the worst is yet to come. It’s not the time to be adamant and insensitive. #EndSARS is a movement of the people which no Pharaoh can stop.
“No government is above the people; the people gives power to those in government and all government officials at all levels, including security operatives, must immediately realise that the Nigerian people are their employers and treat them as such.
“Nobody can tell his or her employer to go to hell without dire consequences. For the umpteenth time Mr. President, it’s time to address Nigerians. A word is enough for the wise”, the CNPP stated.
Edo State Government has shut down schools and businesses over the #EndSARS protest.
And, in a first since the #EndSARS protest began, a Prison facility has been broken into, triggering another first – the imposition of a curfew in a state, Edo.
Some hoodlums broke down the walls of Oko prison located at Benin-Sapele road, setting inmates free.
Eye witness accounts said the hoodlums, who were in large numbers, gained access into the prison through a perimeter fence.
The number of inmates who were freed by the hoodlums could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
Edo State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.
According to a statement signed by secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, the curfew is to take effect from 4pm, October 19, 2020.
“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.
“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.”
School children, workers, and several persons were trapped in Ekiti state on Monday as the end SARS Protest rocked the entire state for the fourth day running.
The school children had already been picked from their various homes by buses, but could not reach the schools as they were held up by protesters that had trooped to the streets as early as 7.00 in the morning.
Logs and different heavy equipment were used to block all roads that lead to the state capital while traders that reported in their shops forced to close up.
Although the protesters were moving around peacefully with different placards, major roads were deserted with no presence of security agents.
Parents and stakeholders were making phone calls to radio stations to find out situation of things in other parts of the state.
They appealed to the protesters not to take the law into their hands so that government would not be forced to use military option to quell the protest.
The Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has declared a 24 hour curfew following the breaking of the Edo state prisons, and release of prisoners by some hoodlums.
According to the governor, this is to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
But the Prison break, according to sources, happened without any destruction of prison facilities. It was also alleged that security officials were conspicuously absent, fuelling speculations that it may have been an inside job.
On his verified Twitter handle, Governor Obaseki said the decision became necessary because of incidents of vandalism.
“The Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice”, he said.
“The curfew is to take effect from 4 pm, today, October 19, 2020.
“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.
“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shutdown activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4 pm till calmness is restored.
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.
The Twitter release was signed by Signed Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government, Edo State.
Viral videos of youths cooking in the middle of the Lagos-Benin expressway surfaced online as part of the protest.
At the time of writing this, it was not known how many prisoners escaped, or if any of them who escaped has returned.
