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Death Of Detainee In Cell: Family Petitions Ondo CJ, Insists Death Caused By Torture

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Police Officer

By Ayodele Oni

Family of Tolu Bobade, a Detainee who was, reportedly, tortured to death in a police cell in Ondo State has demanded for justice in the matter.

In a petition to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, The Honourable Justice Olusegun Odusola, signed by the deceased’s sister, Dupe Bobade, the family insisted that the deceased met his untimely death while in police cell at Ifon, in Ose Local Government Area.

But in a statement on Sunday, the spokesperson for Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami,  stated that “one Tobi Bobade , one of the young men involved in the fight was brought to the station by one Mr. Losilosi. He appeared weak and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

“He was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment. His remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for a postmortem examination.

His death resulted into the burning down of the Ifon Police Station by angry mob protesting his death.

The petition states “I write to you with a heart laden with grief and a fervent plea for justice on behalf of the Bobade family of Ifon, Ondo State.

“Our beloved son and brother, Master Tolu Bobade, aged 17, met an untimely and tragic death under circumstances that not only shock the conscience but also starkly contravene the laws of our nation.

“On the 14th of February, 2025, Tolu was arrested by officers of the Ifon Police Division under the directive of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Isadare Funminiyi. During his detention, Tolu was subjected to severe torture, leading to his death on the 15th of February, 2024.

“In a grievous attempt to obscure their misconduct, the officers transported his lifeless body to Adelabu Hospital in Ifon, where it was rejected.

“Subsequently, they moved his remains to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo, where it was deposited in the morgue on their own without the knowledge of the family.

“The actions perpetrated by the Ifon Police Division are in direct violation of Nigeria’s legal statutes, which unequivocally prohibit torture and custodial abuse:

“In light of these egregious violations, we earnestly request  a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tolu’s arrest, detention, and death.

“That DPO Isadare Funminiyi and all officers involved be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in line with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act and the ACJA.

“The Bobade family seeks solace in the assurance that justice will prevail, not only to honour the memory of Tolu but also to reinforce the rule of law and deter future violations.”

LAHA Debunks Bomb Scare, Says Rumour Is Mischief, Plenary Ongoing

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Mojisola Meranda - Speaker Lagos State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly has debunked the rumour of a bomb scare at its premises. The false rumour was dismissed by the Media Team of Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

It was gathered that there was a serious fisticuffs between the Lawmakers and Officials of the Department of State Security, DSS who wanted to halt the Plenary scheduled for today.

The Media team debunked the alleged pandemonium of a bomb scare, saying that the Lawmakers resisted the DSS from entering into the Chambers as Plenary was ongoing, leading to the rowdy session.

Though, there is heavy Security presence in the Chamber. Speculations were rife that Obasa is battle ready to return to the Assembly as Speaker which prompted him to, allegedly, want to halt the Plenary Session.

It would be recalled that Obasa had sued the new Speaker alongside the Lawmakers, praying that the Court should reinstate him as Speaker.

Canada Botched Trip: DHQ Tells Nigerians To Support Armed Forces, Berates False Report

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Christopher Musa and Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria- James Christoff

By Ayodele Oni

The Defence Headquarters has urged Nigerians to disregard “the malicious allegations” and support the efforts of the armed forces to enhance national security and promote the welfare of servicemen and women.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Monday, faulted the allegations regarding Nigerian Military’s request for visas to attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.

He urged Nigerians to support the officers, men and women who sustained various degree of injuries while protecting the nation.

According to him, the need for accurate information at this time can not be overemphasised.

Gusau pointed out that the Nigerian military received an invitation to participate in the Invictus Games with its team, that comprised of three officers and 21 players, including the team’s physiotherapist.

He explained that the Invictus Games Foundation catered for the team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.

“However, inspite of our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas.

“Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the games.

“Notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games.

“Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.

“It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.

“The Invictus Foundation Centre, which is the first in Africa and currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel.”

Drug Mkt Closure: LP Reps Commend NAFDAC, Caution Against Hurting Innocent Traders Biz

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NAFDAC

The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has commended ongoing efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC), to crack down on merchants of fake and counterfeit medicines. However, the caucus also urged the agency to exercise caution and ensure that its enforcement actions target only identified culprits, sparing the operations of innocent individuals and businesses.

NAFDAC recently sealed medicine markets in Idumota, Lagos state , Ariaria, in Aba, Abia state and Onitsha, in Anambra state.

The agency said its ongoing enforcement operations at these drugs markets was to rid the country of counterfeit and substandard medicines; however, many people operating in the affected markets have complained about the blanket disruption of businesses, including those of innocent people, causing grave losses of goods and money.

Responding to this development in a statement in Awka on Monday, February 17, 2025, Leader of the LP caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, said “While the LP Reps commend NAFDAC for it’s efforts at tackling the menace of fake and adulterated drugs, we enjoin them to go about the assignment in adherence with global best practices, such that legitimate and innocent traders are not caught in the quagmire.”

Victor Ogene

Hon. Ogene, who is also the leader of Anambra state caucus in the House of Representatives, said further: “For instance, it was reported that NAFDAC sealed the market and allegedly denied the traders and their leadership entry, as it’s officials proceeded to break into shops, carting away pharmaceuticals, without owners of such shops being allowed to witness the operation and take inventory.
Already, there are reports of some traders and Point of Sale (POS) operators who left varying sums of cash in their shops – the closure having taken place at the weekend – without any means of getting same back.”

Providing further insight, the lawmaker revealed that in Onitsha, NAFDAC’s enforcement actions extended beyond the Medicine Market (Ogbo Ogwu), also affecting the Plumbing Materials section, which was shut down about a week ago. This move has left traders frustrated, as they were abruptly locked out of their businesses.

The LP leader urged NAFDAC to exercise caution and sensitivity in its operations to avoid unfairly impacting the livelihoods of innocent vendors engaged in legitimate businesses in the affected markets. “This measured approach will help balance the agency’s regulatory mandate with the need to protect the interests of law-abiding entrepreneurs and traders,” Hon. Ogene said.

PSC Approves Appointment Of Moshood Jimoh As Commissioner Of Police, Lagos State Command

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Moshood Jimoh - CP Lagos State

The Police Service Commission, Monday  17th February 2025, approved the appointment of Olohundare  Moshood Jimoh as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Command.

CP Jimoh, before his appointment,  was Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority,  Eastern Ports.

Jimoh, who hails from Kwara State, was former Force Public Relations Officer and later Deputy Commissioner,  Airport Police; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration and Deputy Commissioner General Investigation.

He has undergone several professional trainings which include; Combat operations Course, Mobile Training College Maiduguri; African  Union Mission in Darfur Sudan;  Weapons of mass destruction  counter measure first responder  Training Institute, United  States; training on social  construction  and management  Reform  China Executive Leadership  Academy,  Pudong China; Training on Maritime Rescue and salvage for Developing Countries,  China Maritime Academy  Ningbo, China and Training  on  anti hijacking techniques  and tactics for developing countries, Yunnan Police College  kunmung, China. He was also at the Police training  Institute, Seoul South Korea.

CP Olohundare Moshod Jimoh is a recipient of  the Presidential  award for Public Relations Personality of the year in recognition of his sterling qualities and outstanding contribution to the development and use of Public Relations  by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.

CP Jimoh appeared before the Commission today. Present were the Commission’s Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni,  Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, retired Justice of the   Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary and DIG Taiwo Lakanu, fdc  Honourable Commissioner representing the Police.

Security Operatives Barricade Lagos Assembly

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Police on Patrol

By Akinwale Kasali

There is heightened tension at the Lagos State House of Assembly as security operatives reportedly locked lawmakers inside their offices on Monday, February 17, 2025, following an alleged bomb scare.

The development comes amid the ongoing crisis in the Assembly following the recent removal of former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa and the appointment of a new Speaker.

Reports indicate that the Assembly complex, including the Speaker’s office, has been barricaded by Security Operatives.

According to security sources, the lockdown is due to an alleged bomb scare within the premises. However, insiders suggest that the unfolding events is linked to efforts to pressure the newly appointed Speaker into resigning.

The unexpected security clampdown occurred just hours before the scheduled plenary session at 12 noon, raising further concerns about the stability of the legislative body.

Lawmakers and staff trapped inside the complex have reportedly been left in confusion, with many questioning the true motive behind the action.

As of the time of filing this report, official statements from the Assembly leadership and security agencies are yet to be released.

However, the situation remains tense as concerned observers await further developments.

Recall that Obasa had sued the Assembly and the new Speaker alleging he was illegally removed from office, and asking to be reinstated by the Court.

“No Regrets Supporting Gov Otti” – Wabara, PDP BoT Chairman

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Adolphus Wabara and Alex Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst the confusion over his suspension, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara has remained unrepentant in his support for Dr Alex Otti’s administration in Abia State. Wabara is from Abia.

The Source reports that penultimate week, the Abia State PDP Executive Council had slammed an indefinite suspension order on  the former President of the Nigerian Senate, citing alleged anti-party activities as a major reason.

The PDP in the State had specifically alluded to Wabara’s no-hold-bar positive assessment and subsequent endorsement of the Dr Otti-led Labour Party LP, administration for a second term in office.

The PDP BoT chairman at the occasion of his birthday celebration held in Umuahia, the State capital in 2023, lauded Otti’s credible performance in office within a short period .

Wabara then noted that should the LP Governor maintain his good track record of performance, he should then be assured that Abians will reward him with a second tenure.

But while announcing the suspension of  Wabara, the Abia state PDP Chairman, Comrade Abraham Amah described the BoT Chairman’s position as a serious betrayal of his party as well as an act unbecoming of a party leader.

According to Amah, the party in the state decided to wield the big stick after several futile efforts to get Wabara to withdraw his distasteful endorsement of  a rival political platform.

Although the National Working Committee NWC, in a statement issued by the spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, has since invalidated the suspension order, the BOT,Chairman has remained unapologetic about his assessment of the performance of the Abia State Governor.

In a statement issued on Monday by Governor Otti’s Media Aide ,Ukoha Njoku, the PDP BoT, Chairman while speaking at the 80th birthday celebration of Dr Eme Okoro, a former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, during the first tenure of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, insisted on the sanctity of his assessment.

At the event which held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, same venue he had first passed his vote of confidence in 2023,  the PDP BoT Chairman noted that  as an Abian, he has the right to comment on the affairs of the State .

“Before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC ( National Republican Convention) card-carrying member in this State, I Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia State.

“Politics ends after campaigns. After elections, you face governance. Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia today

“I am saying it again. May be now they can expel me, after their suspension order. But having said so ,our ancestors in Abia are with you”, Wabara was quoted as telling Governor Otti.

According to the statement ,the PDP BoT chairman, also challenged the leadership of the party to equally suspend Okoro, the celebrant, who  Governor Otti, has come to celebrate.

“I will  continue to appreciate you. I have not mentioned Labour Party. I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are with you”, Wabara told Otti,

The PDP BoT Chairman said he cannot be suspended and expelled by anybody for only speaking the truth which is too glaring for every body to see.

This is even as he vowed to continue to appreciate the Governor ,so long as he remains  on the right track

On his part, Governor Otti, informed that it is in the spirit of respecting elders that he attended the birthday celebration of Dr Eme Okoro. He vowed to maintain the posture irrespective of party affiliations.

“I will return to the International Conference Centre next time to celebrate Senate Enyinnaya Abaribe who will turn 70 years by March 1, 2025, and Senator Chris Adighijie who turns 80 years on March 22, 2025”, Gov Otti stated.

Again, AI Accuses Nigerian Military Of Killing 10 Civilians In Another Mistaken Airstrike

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Nigeria Airforce - NAF Operatives

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Amnesty International, AI, has raised the alarm that the Nigerian Military is fast acquiring a notoriety for hitting more of civilian targets than those insurgents in its operations

This is even as it called for an immediate probe of the alleged killing of no fewer than 10 civilians in an airstrike in Zakka community, Safana Local Council of Katsina on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

In a statement issued on its official site, the AI Nigeria, while condemning the attack, noted with regret, that recent airstrikes across some parts of the terrorists prone areas in the country have ended up recording more civilian casualties.

According to the group, it is  gradually becoming, an emerging and disturbing pattern in the human rights violation records of the Nigerian Military, to be targeting innocent civilians during airstrikes.

The Amnesty International has, therefore, called on the Nigerian authorities to, as a matter of urgency, take decisive actions to stem the ugly trend.

“Airstrikes with high numbers of unlawful killings have become the latest in a long list of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian military.

“The Nigerian authorities must give clear directives to the military to always prioritize and respect human rights”, the AI noted..

As at the time of reporting, neither the Katsina state Government, nor the Military High Command has reacted to the Organization’s accusation concerning the alleged ill-fated airstrike.

But Safana Local Government is one of the strong holds of terrorists in Katsina.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the airstrike may have been part of the wider operational plans of the military to free one of its own, Major  General Tsiga.

The retired General and former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, was abducted by gun men about two weeks ago, and has  since remained in captivity.

His abductors ,who have since placed a whooping N250 million on his head are strongly believed to be holding out within the Safana Council.

The military top hierarchies are said to have issued a marching order for him to be rescued at all costs.

However, AI accusations are coming after some recent mistaken airstrikes in Sokoto and Kebbi States communities left in  their trail about 25 deaths, as well as the destruction of properties worth several millions of Naira.

“I Will Rather Remain In Detention Than Face Unfair Judicial Process”

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Nnamdi-Kanu - IPOB Leader

By Nnamdi Kanu

Greetings to all men and women of goodwill in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world.

I have been compelled by the events of the past few days to take the unusual step of writing this Open Letter for the singular purpose of calling the attention of the general public to the serial executive and judicial fraud being perpetrated against me since my extraordinary rendition in 2021.

The details are as follows:

  • 1, In a judgment entered on 1st March 2017, the Federal High Court Abuja ruled that the “IPOB is not an unlawful group”. At the time, it received widespread publicity which can be verified from: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/kanu-ipob-not-unlawful-group-court/amp/. This landmark ruling (made by the court before it turned unjust) emanated in a criminal proceeding that required “proof beyond reasonable doubt” and in which the federal government and my humble self presented our respective cases. Alas! Instead of the federal government going on appeal as the law mandated (if they were dissatisfied with the judgment), the former Attorney-General (Abubakar Malami) went behind closed doors with a letter signed by late Abba Kyari and got IPOB proscribed/tagged a terrorist group in an ex parte proceedings conducted without notice to me or the IPOB. This abominable incident was the earliest sign yet that the government and its judiciary have struck an unholy and fraudulent alliance to deny me my rights and thereby imperil the lives and liberty of millions who identify with IPOB.
  • 2. On 26th October 2022, a Federal High Court declared my extraordinary rendition and detention as unconstitutional, stating that: “the manner of arrest and detention of the Applicant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) in Kenya, his continued detention in Abuja, his subjection to physical and mental trauma by the Respondents, the inhuman and degrading treatment meted out to the Applicant amounts to a brazen violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to dignity of his person and threat to life under Section 34 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)”. The Court further ordered the federal government to apologize to me and pay me compensation. In a responsible and well-ordered society, run by a responsible government, this judgment is sufficient to have ended my lengthy detention and encourage the federal government to constructively engage me on the issue of the self-determination agitation that triggered this whole saga.
  • 3. Pedal back to 13th October 2022 when the Court of Appeal held that: “The Courts must never shy away from calling the executive to order when they resort to acts of “executive lawlessness”. The Courts must maintain a balance between ensuring that law and order are obeyed and the protection of the individual from oppressive actions by the executive. By the forcible abduction and extraordinary rendition of the Appellant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) from Kenya to this country on the 27th day of June 2021, in violation of international and state laws, the lower Court or indeed any Court in this country is divested of jurisdiction to entertain charges against the Appellant”. Despite the clarity of this judgment and its comportment with reason, the federal government refused to release me from detention while it went behind closed doors and connived with three other justices of the court of appeal who fraudulently and swiftly sat on appeal over the judgment and practically destroyed it by issuing what they termed “a stay of execution”. One may then ask: Is it not abominable for a court to stay a judgment the government already disobeyed? In a plethora of cases, the Supreme Court has held that anybody who disobeys a related court order cannot be given any judicial relief until such an order is obeyed. This is a sound reasoning that applies to everybody but is fraudulently overlooked when it comes to my case.
  • 4, Fast forward to 15th December 2023 when the Supreme Court sent back my case to the Federal High Court for trial. For the avoidance of doubt, that was not the only decision the Supreme Court made. It also decided that my bail should not have been revoked and it went on to state clearly that the judge exhibited significant and unacceptable bias by revoking my bail. In a sane society, one would expect that when the High Court received my case from the Supreme Court and hankered down for trial, it was also duty-bound to restore my bail in line with the pronouncement of the apex court. But that did not happen. Why? Well, your guess is as good as mine and that is: the Court connived with the federal government to continue my detention in violation of Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution while they plotted to railroad me through an unfair trial that already has a predetermined verdict.
  • 5, On 24th September 2024, I decided that I had had enough of taking my chances at getting justice from a judge that, in June 2021, sent me to secret police detention without a fair hearing, later refused to transfer me to prison to better prepare for my trial and capped it all by refusing to restore my bail and instead ordered an accelerated trial in the face of the reality that I will never get a fair trial whilst detained at the DSS. These are the major reasons that compelled me to request recusal of the judge and having consented to it, she proceeded to make an order removing herself from my case. That order was never challenged on appeal; thus it remains extant to this day. But instead of the Chief judge of the Federal High Court doing the lawful thing by assigning my case to another judge, he connived with the federal government to eat crow and send my case to a judge who stands recused by a valid order.

To conclude this Open Letter, let me make it clear that it should in no way be construed to mean that there are no decent judges in Nigeria who can be trusted to deliver even-handed justice in my case. That is not the issue. Instead, the issue is that my case is deliberately being shielded from judges and justices who are deemed to be committed to doing justice even when it means that the federal government must lose. Be that as it may, if it will take the rest of my life in detention to produce me before a proper and impartial court, so be it. But let me say this for the world to know: I will not succumb to any trial conducted by any judge or court whose jurisdiction does not pass constitutional muster. Not now, not ever.

Thank you all.

Signed:

Maazị Nnamdị Kanụ

Dated: 14th February, 2025

CSO, Media To Collaborate In Holding Abia Govt Accountable To The People

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CSO Media Collaboration

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A call has been made for   a strong collaboration, between Civil Society Organizations and the Media for the purpose of enhancing the quest for accountability and transparency in governance in Abia state

This is even as the domestication of key legislative frameworks has been advocated as a veritable panacea to their full compliance and enforcement at the state levels .

These were some of the outcome of a one day Media Talk Shop on support to civil society advocacy towards strengthening the implementation and observation of such key legislative frameworks as the Fiscal Responsibility  Act ,Public Procurement Act and Freedom of Information Act FoB.

The Roundtable which was  convened for  Media practitioners from the Print, Broadcast and Social Media outfits based in Aba, dwelt extensively on how to effectively use some of the existing legislative frameworks in enhancing accountability and transparency in governance at all levels in the State

In a communique issued on Saturday, February 15, 2025 by Okoye Chuka Peter and Amaka Biachi, Programme Officer, and Executive Director  CHARS-Africa, organizers of the workshop, participants urged the Government to take urgent steps to domesticate the FOI Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act FRA and Public Procurement Act PPA  to enhance accessibility and enforceability.

Forum particularly called for the reform of PPA, to incorporate inputs from key stakeholders, with a view to aligning its provisions with the  aspirations and interests  of Abia residents.

To ensure the ability of the Media to effectively play its roles in the observation of the Acts, participants called  for  the independence of practitioners, and adequate training on how to effectively apply the existing legislative frameworks to promote good governance practices .

“Media professionals should be made to undergo periodic training to expose them to  the  provisions of these existing legislative frameworks and how to put them to practical use .

“Also, they should be encouraged to promote ethical journalism, as journalists are supposed to uphold accuracy objectivity and balanced reporting based on facts in their line of engagement.

“Forum emphasized the need for enhanced legal and financial protection for working journalists to shied them from intimidation ,and assist them in the discharge of the duties without fear or favour.

“Participants called for the strengthening of collaboration between the Civil Society and the media to enhance the quest for accountability by way of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the frameworks”, part of the communique reads .

“Similarly, the forum called for the training of Government and other public officials on how to be compliant with provisions of the relevant legislative frameworks, particularly granting access to information on public interest.

“In the same vein ,the workshop called on the citizenry to be  more actively involved in monitoring Government activities at all levels ,so as to promote the culture of accountability and transparency in governance”.

Earlier participants had identified lack of access to information as one of the greatest factors militating against the abilities of the media to hold Government officials to account.

“Participants noted that the  use of the legislative frameworks is limited by the deliberate denial of access to information by lawmakers and public servants .which they noted hinders accurate reportage and by extension ,public knowledge of the tools .

“Participants noted attempts to suppress Media freedom through control over media unions and subtle censorship,thereby restricting journalists’ abilities to report objectively.

“Some Media practitioners lack adequate awareness and understanding of such legislative frameworks as the FOIA ,PPA and Fiscal Responsibility Act .This cap limits their ability to put the frameworks into effective use.

“Forum decried the  high level of secrecy in Government with officials unwilling to disclose information even when requested for in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws”, the communique further noted .

The workshop  regretted the negative impacts of weak institutional support for working journalists, as the absence of legal and financial backing have tended to expose practitioners to undue pressure ,censorship,economic constraints and other professional hazards .

However, participants reaffirmed their commitments towards discharging the crucial roles of the media in promoting good governance.

They called for sustained engagement through advocacy and training so as to ensure that the application of the legislative frameworks in promoting transparency and accountability in Abia state becomes a norm.

The roundtable was convened by the Africa Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support CHARS-Africa ,in conjunction with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption RoLAC .