The supreme court has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu.
A seven-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Inyang Okorowo reserved judgment after parties in the appeal adopted their respective briefs of arguments on Monday.
Mr Abubakr is challenging the judgment of the presidential election petitions court, which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu.
More to follow…
… as Anambra Women Affairs Commissioner, Obinabo, warns against illegal adoption
A middle-aged woman, Oluchukwu Nwosu, has explained that economic hardship forced her into selling of her daughter’s 3-month-old baby in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The woman, who said she is 49yr-old, explained that her daughter had earlier given birth to two babies, and abandoned them for her to take care of.
She said she sold the baby for N50,000, adding that the other two sons were being cared for at the state community children’s home in Awka.
She however pleaded for forgiveness, sobbing profusely.
She said, “This is the third time my daughter Ijeoma has conceived outside of marriage.
“Due to our poor income and lack of childcare, we’ve had trouble feeding right from the time my daughter gave birth to the first baby.
“We had no other option than to take the kids to motherless babies home, especially when our daughter refused to tell us who’s responsible for her pregnancy.
“I came across a buyer, one Tochukwu Asiegbu, who approached me, after bargaining, paid me the agreed sum.”
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the 3-month-old baby sold by the grandmother has been rescued.
She said the rescue followed report by mother of the baby, Ijeoma Nwosu, who claimed that her mother, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born, and refused to disclose the child’s whereabouts.
She added that those involved in the act have all been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
She said, “Following receipt of the allegation, I quickly swung into action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“After barely one month of consistent intelligence surveillance by officials in the Ministry, the offenders were caught.”
The Women Affairs Commissioner Obinabo, who regretted growing rate of illegal adoption of children in the state despite government’s efforts to put an end to such nefarious activities, warned that anyone found involved in any form of unlawful adoption must face legal action.
The Nigerian Senate is set to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the senate at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State.
The new amendment will make electronic transmission of results mandatory, allow uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation and allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections.
The Senate noted that it was necessary for the Independent National Electoral Commission to be unbundled to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections.
The communiqué stated, “Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22.
“Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.
“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.
“Relating to political parties; stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty.”
The 10th Senate further noted that it was time to develop and enact a comprehensive national security strategy that outlines the nation’s security objectives, threats, and policy priorities.
The Red Chamber added that such a strategy could serve as a guiding framework for legislative action in the security sector.
The strategy it noted would, “Address the root causes of terrorism/banditry, which is often driven by poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunity.
“Promote community policing and engagement to identify and prevent terrorist attacks. The government should also work with civil society organizations and local/ traditional communities to identify and address security concerns. “
The Senate added that it would, “ Establish independent oversight mechanisms for the security sector. These mechanisms can help to investigate allegations of abuse and corruption and to ensure that security forces are accountable to the law.”
The Senate further agreed that legislative engagement and oversight in Nigeria’s security sector can be significantly bolstered through comprehensive legislative reforms.
“These reforms are essential for ensuring that the legislative branch is equipped with the necessary tools and mechanisms to fulfill its critical role in security sector reform,” it explained.
The Senate concluded that “The periodic engagement of the National Assembly with the security chiefs for adequate briefing. There is a need for the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives to be part of the weekly security briefing that goes to the President.”
In a bid to salvage the economic situation of the country, the Senate has proposed the enactment of an Emergency Economic Intervention Bill.
It explained that “This will address critical socio-economic issues concerning foreign exchange management, tackling inflation, stimulating economic growth, and creating more jobs.
“Enforce consequences for violations of any provisions of the law regarding monetary and fiscal matters.
“This will require amendments to the relevant laws to ensure effective oversight and enforcement of the consequences, as the case may be.”
Also agreed was the “need for legislation that clearly defines the taxing rights of the three levels of government.
Senior staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have demanded the sacking of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the commission.
They accused the chairman of neglecting the welfare of staff and prioritizing his own welfare through awards of contracts that allegedly benefit him.
In a letter addressed to Bola Tinubu by “Concerned Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nationwide,” they advised the president to immediately sack him as national chairman of INEC.
The letter, which was sent to THE WHISTLER by senior personnel of INEC who claimed to have attended some of the meetings where the staff debated the issues, called the attention of President Tinubu to 10 issues they’re aggrieved about.
They described Prof Yakubu as “a tyrant” who “sees staff as slaves” with no right to complain, and stressed that the system has become “rotten due to the leadership style of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood.”
The INEC chairman is also accused of refusing to implement the Review Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) and the 40% Peculiar Allowance to staff approved by former President Mohammad Buhari since September 2022.
The staff said they would also not benefit from the Federal government approved 35% for all federal workers to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, because “He will say there is no money.”
They claimed that the INEC chairman’s promise to increase Electoral Hazard Allowance at a meeting with staff in November 2022 was not fulfilled.
Part of the letter reads: “Prof Yakubu Mahmood has also turned the Commission into a one-man show, no Commissioner can approach him. He takes critical decisions alone without the input from other Commissioners thereby seeing himself as a god.
“Prof Yakubu Mahmood does not allow staff to air their grievances as there is no medium or mechanism to address them.
“There is serious financial misappropriation by Prof. Yakubu Mahmood as he concentrates mainly on contracts that will benefit him. Relevant authorities such as EFCC and ICPC can be invited to check INEC financial record for confirmation.”
The staff stated they could no longer wait for the end of his second tenure in November 2025 as many of their colleagues had died due to neglect of staff welfare matters.
In conclusion, the staff stated “We the entire staff of INEC are disappointed over the leadership style of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood and we hereby passed a “vote of no confidence” on him. “WE WANT HIM TO GO NOW SINCE STAFF WELFARE MATTERS IS CRITICAL TO ANY CREDIBLE ELECTION” We are tired of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood’s abuse of office.
“We humbly request Presidential intervention in this matter so that the situation will not go out of hand as the INEC Staff may not want to go on mass protest over neglect of staff welfare matters occasioned by the abuse of office leader by Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, Hon. Chairman, INEC.”
Explaining why the staff chose to write a letter to the president on the issues, a deputy director in the commission said INEC has no labour union as it is not allowed.
“Those who tried to start one two years ago were transferred out of INEC headquarters to different states by the chairman,” he said in a chat with our Reporter
When our Reporter called Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman on Tuesday, he said he was at a meeting.
But while responding to a text message on the letter, he said, “I heard about it but I have not seen it.”
— NN media.
The GUO Transport company has released an official statement condemning assault on one of her drivers by Soludo Government officials. The company described the incident as most unfortunate and traumatizing.GUO has threatened legal action against Soludo Government.
Press release obtained from the company’s website says:
Criminal Assualt on Our Driver: Our Stand – GUO
“Today, the 20th day of October 2023, one of our drivers was brutally assaulted while in transit with passengers in his vehicle for overtaking a vehicle conveying one Mr. Ossy Onukwo, (MD Awka Capital
Territory Development Authority (ACTDA). We watched with great dismay, multiple videos from
different eyewitnesses of how our driver was brutally beaten by Mr Ossy Onuko’s aides at the Awka axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Our passengers, who unfortunately witnessed this incident are still traumatized by the horror.
“We thank the good, spirited individuals who witnessed and tried to intervene in this sad, inhumane act by this political officer and his aides. If not for their intervention, our driver would have lost his life in the hands of the daredevil Individuals acting as government officials who ordinarily have the duty to serve and protect law abiding citizens. Thankfully, the driver is currently receiving medical attention, and we pray for his complete recovery physically and mentally. Our heart goes to our passengers, who were
also left traumatized and stranded on the highway.
“Anambrarians and other Nigerian citizens have called to express their sympathy for the victim. They have also joined us in prayers for his recovery from the inhumane treatment meted to him by the
power abuse of a government official. We assure all concerned citizens that we will seek legal redress, to ensure that such acts of inhumane treatment of citizens do not keep occurring.
“We have also seen the statement from the press secretary of the Anambra state Government. We are
surprised that they would want to defend the atrocious act meted out to our driver today. Suddenly, they justify this atrocious action of theirs by contending that it is our driver’s recklessness that led to his being beaten with a machete and terribly brutalized. “The false narrative they put out without speaking to our driver or the passengers in the vehicle that witnessed the whole incident speaks volumes.
“We call on the Executive Governor of Anambra State to condemn the conduct of his officials and constitute a panel of inquiry into this incident to curtail the excesses of his officials and avoid a repeat of similar incident which could possibly have led to loss of lives and chaos in the state”.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order that was instituted against striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following the commencement of their eight-month industrial action which began on February 14, 2022 and was terminated on October 17, 2022.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement on Friday.
He said the president invoked the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy.
The president directed the grant of the waiver with a mandatory requirement that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must secure a Document of Understanding (DoU) establishing that this exceptional waiver granted by the President will be the last one to be granted to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and all other Educations Sector Unions.
“In view of his determination to mitigate the difficulties being felt during the implementation of key economic reforms in the country, as well as his recognition of the faithful implementation of terms which were agreed upon during the fruitful deliberations between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has directed the grant of an exceptional last waiver of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ Order on ASUU, which will allow for the previously striking members of ASUU to receive four (4) months of salary accruals out of the eight months of salary which was withheld during the eight-month industrial action undertaken by the union,” the statement titled ‘President Tinubu Approves Partial Waiver of the ‘No Work No Pay’ Order on ASUU Members, Orders Release of Four Months of Withheld Salary’ added.
Former militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have described as “provocative” the recent statements by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi against the Nigerian government, saying he failed to speak out against the kidnappings, maiming and killings in the country.
The former Niger Delta warlords asked “Gumi and his likes” where they were when former President, Muhammadu Buhari, “used Nigeria’s infrastructures and souls of Nigerians to borrow money.”
They also warned Sheik Gumi against actions that would provoke the people of the Niger Delta region.
The ex-militant leaders under the auspices of the Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Ayibatekena Olodin, expressed the suspicion that Sheik Gumi, like in the shameful days of Boko Haram killings, was allegedly representing groups of corrupt individuals who plunged the country into an abysmal state.
MSDND, in the statement, described Gumi’s utterance as disheartening, noting that some individuals still engaged in hate speech and divisive rhetoric, seeking to use religion to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.
“We have resolved to point out to Gumi and his likes that the massive fraud in the FCT including a garnishment order to the tune of $800 million against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was perpetuated under a Northern Minister and a Northern President.”
“Minister Wike is only taking very hard decisions to restore the economy of the FCT.
“It is a sad reminder that Gumi could not speak out when his alleged sponsors were kidnapping, maiming and killings Northerners under the guise of Islamist fundamentalists. Where was he when former President Buhari used Nigeria’s infrastructures and souls of Nigerians to borrow Money? Suddenly, he has turned to an activist against FCT administration.”
“We challenge Sheik Gumi and his cohorts to mention a State Governor that has performed in their Northern states such as Nyesome Wike since advent of democratic rule. Wike is the Pride of the Niger Delta region.”
The MSDND strongly called on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Dele Alake to ensure that the revenues from the Mining of precious minerals such as Gold are domicile in the nation’s treasury, warning that failure of the Northern States to allow collective revenue into the nation’s purse would force the youths from the Niger Delta to truncate crude oil exploration and deny Northern states from the benefits.
They argued that President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dele Alake should embark on an urgent review of mining policies and ensure revenue from mining activities are domicile in nation’s purse, “we stand ready to champion this cause to ensure that all revenue from our nation’s resources be brought into the national treasury.”
“We are ready to cut off the Northern states from crude oil exploration revenue if the monies from mining activities are not domicile with the Federal Government.”
Amnesty International has said that a total of fifteen protesters arrested in 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained three years after the #EndSARS protest that took Nigeria by storm.
According to a statement by the international non-governmental organization on the third anniversary of the protest, the majority of the protesters are in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos without trial. It noted that the Nigerian authorities have filed trumped-up charges including theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder against many of the protesters, adding that some of those detained alleged that they had been subjected to torture.
“Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Isa Sanusi Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Seven #EndSARS protesters – Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin – arrested in Lagos in 2020, are being arbitrarily held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Amnesty International said. Daniel Joy-Igbo, a Beninois #EndSARS protester arrested in Lagos in October 2020, who has also been detained at the Bar Beach Police Station, the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, and at a SARS facility in Ikeja, told Amnesty International:
“Since my arraignment in December 2020, I have been locked up in the prison without trial. Since then, there has been no adjourned date for my case. I have not been taken to court since December 2020.”
Sodiq Adigun, also arrested in October 2020, who was previously detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, told Amnesty International:
“Let the government release me. I have been detained since 2020 without trial. I am innocent. My life has been shattered. I need my liberty.”
Eight #EndSARS protesters – Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan and Sadiq Riliwan – have been detained without trial in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020.
“All those detained solely for taking part in peaceful #EndSARS protests must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Isa Sanusi
Torture in detention
The Amnesty International report added that many peaceful #EndSARS protesters have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in detention since 2020.
They include Oluwole Isa, currently held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, who told Amnesty International how he was tortured while in detention at the SARS facility in Ikeja:
“I was tied with a rope. They bent me backwards and tied my hands and legs together at my back. An iron rod was passed in between my tied legs and hands. With the iron road, I was suspended on an iron bar. Then, they started beating me with a machete and wooden batons. They were forcing me to admit that I was involved in vandalism during the #EndSARS protests. When I could not bear the torture anymore, I told the Inspector that I would confess. At that point, I was almost going to die. He brought me down; I still have the scar of the machete cut on my throat …”
Source : Channel News
Biafra Defacto Customary Government, BDFCG, says the 1999 Nigeria constitution has continued to serve as an instrument of oppression by allowing those in power to perpetuate their interests at the expense of the people.
It regretted that the oppressive constitution has been a driving force behind the excessive centralization of power, reminiscent of the colonial era.
In press statement available to our Correspondent, the Pro-Biafran group, while describing the 1999 constitution as instrument of neo-colonialism in disguise, said it has continued to enable the Nigeria central government wield disproportionate and unchecked power; to the detriment of the Nigerian people.
Giving an instance, the group recalled that “as far back as 1944, the colonial government promulgated the Minerals Ordinance, a decree that vested all subsurface rights and minerals in Nigeria in the central (colonial administrator), and later the federal government, regretting that the unjust arrangement persists to this day.
It however called on citizens to be at the forefront to play their civic roles, saying that the time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to unite in their demand for a constitution that serves the people, and not the interests of a select few.
Details of the statement:
1999 CONSTITUTION FITS NIGERIA POLITICAL ENTITY –
Biafra De Facto Customary Government believes in People’s Sovereignty
https://bhradvocates.com/post.php?post=138
The fitness of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution is strongly evidenced by the various irresponsibilities emanating from government organs and agencies. This is currently exemplified by the recent deliberation of the National Assembly to procure 360 brand-new Toyota Prado SUVs, each valued at N160 million, for members of the House of Representatives, amidst the ‘multi-dimensional’ impoverishment of more than two-thirds of the population.
The World Health Checklist for the comity of nations ranks Nigeria as a failed political entity. Unfortunately, stakeholders and abstract citizens continue to display a carefree attitude toward such a consolidated alert. Of course, the frameworks and outcomes for any nation under such conditions are symbolized in the Constitution, with its disastrous chain of results.
BDFCG believes it is high time for us not to shy away from our responsibility. Enough of shame and pride games. Citizens must be able to truly participate and be represented in all matters that have to do with their sovereign rights.
It is a stark reality that the 1999 Constitution, often touted as the supreme law of the land, has served as an instrument of oppression, allowing those in power to perpetuate their interests at the expense of the people. This oppressive constitution has been a driving force behind the excessive centralization of power, reminiscent of the colonial era. In short, it’s neo-colonialism in disguise. The central government, from the time of colonial administration to the neo-colonial era, has wielded disproportionate and unchecked power, to the detriment of the Nigerian people. As far back as 1944, the colonial government promulgated the Minerals Ordinance, a decree that vested all subsurface rights and minerals in Nigeria in the central (colonial administrator) and later the federal government. Shockingly, this unjust arrangement persists to this day.
However, enough with the embattled colonial excuses. Despite decades of struggle and governance changes, there has been no orchestrated demand for a comprehensive revision of the ownership of subsurface rights, allowing the central government to maintain its vice-like grip on these essential resources.
The current generation of politicians, unfortunately, has moved even further away from this historical pattern and has instead exacerbated it. The recent irresponsible deliberation by a pivotal organ of the Constitution demonstrates a blatant example of the insensitivity that pervades the corridors of power.
Though often sprouting statements about civic duty and collective awareness, like that of former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili’s warning that “you all (constitutional lawmakers) are the biggest threat to our democracy”, we must emphasize that a day cometh, and very soon too, when it will be your fed-up Nigerian citizens, not the military, who will rise up and collectively chase all of you grossly irresponsible and insensitive people out of office.
As for BDFCG, the action for remedy is multifaceted. Citizens must be at the forefront to play their civic roles, just like other state organs and agencies – lawmakers, the military, etc.
The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to unite in their demand for a constitution that serves the people and not the interests of a select few. Constitutional sovereignty resides in the people, not in juntas, bandits, or the ruling class.
Prosper Odinga
Spokesperson, BDFCG
Phone: +19173465419
Email: biafradefactogov@gmail.com
A concerned citizen and police officer at the force headquarters Abuja, name withheld, has expressed concern over poor response to police recruitment exercise by Anambrarians.
In a statement available to our Correspondent, the concerned policeman said it has been noticed that Anambra State citizens have not taken advantage of the recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Police Service Commission, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force.
“Details of method of application are contained in the October 13, 2023 edition of The Daily Sun p9. or applicants are to visit www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng
He advised interested and qualified persons from Anambra State to apply to get enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as Police Constables; otherwise called recruits, adding that the need to have Anambra people recruited into the force cannot be overstated.
“The online application portal will be opened for the period of six weeks from 15th October to 26th November 2023”.
