All posts by Edith Nwapi

Violation

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC) on Wednesday urged members of the public to report all cases of human rights violations during the enforcement of the lockdown order.

The advice was given in a statement by Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission in Abuja in line with the enforcement of lockdown order in Lagos , Ogun anf FCT.

Ojukwu stated that following reports of alleged human rights violations by security operatives enforcing the lockdown order, the Commission has directed it’s staff to monitor and document all cases of human rights violations across the country for necessary action.

He also directed members of the public to report by telephone calls or text messages or video to relevant staff of the Commission and ensure that such reports include the location of the violation.

“Members of the public should include date, time of such violations including a clear description of alleged violators and their victims, their gender and vulnerability  (if possible, name,  Sex,  rank and security outfit of security personnel or official.

“All complaints of human rights violations should be reported to the commission for documentation and directed for redress to the Commissioners of Police FCT on 08033438900 or CP Lagos: 08033438179  and CP Ogun: 08033438900

“Similarly, any complaints of violations involving the Military should be reported to the Commission for documentation and directed for redress to the Director Army,Civil Military Affairs: 08057750691,” he said.

Ojukwu also called on  the Commissioners of police of the various  states and the offices of the Commission across the country .

The NHRC had on the March 30, called on law enforcement agencies to refrain from all forms of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of Nigerians in the enforcement of the order.

He stated further that  the directives of the Government is in line with the Anti Torture Act of 2017 and Convention Against Torture, to which Nigeria is a party.

Ojukwu lamented that reports coming to the commission indicated that some security operatives were openly torturing and violating the rights of citizens in flagrant disregard to rules of their  engagements, the laws of Nigeria and its international Obligations.

The Numbers designated by the NHRC for reporting and documenting human rights violations during the enforcement of the lockdown order  are: 08037875427, 08179371339, 08034354537 and  07033398657

The commission also urged members of the public and bystanders and eyewitnesses  who can get video coverage of any violations to forward same to the said numbers by WhatsApp giving as much detail as possible to help locate and hold accountable violating law enforcement officials.

The Commission therefore enjoined all citizens in the affected states to comply with the Covid-19 directives to protect their rights to health and that of others (NAN )

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Test

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March 24, 2020 (NAN ) The Judicial Service Committee (JSC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered all judicial officials in the Territory to present themselves, along with members of their families, for Coronavirus test.

Mr Tandat Affang, Assistant Director and Head, Personnel Matter of the JSC, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said that the move was in a bid to control the spread of the global pandemic in FCT as well as to ensure the welfare and health of its workers.

The staff were further directed to present their medical certificates on April 7 to their respective directors at the departmental level on behalf of the chief registrars and secretary for onward transmission to heads of courts.

It, however, warned that any staff who refused to present themselves for the all-important test would be sanctioned.

The JSC directed that all courts in the FCT should be shut down temporarily for a period of two weeks with effect from today, subject to review depending on circumstances.

While JSC directed that hand sanitisers be provided at the entrances of courts and offices for all court officials and litigants, it asked that security personnel within the courts and offices should be alerted to minimise gathering of people, especially those who have no business in the courts or offices.

The meeting directed the JSC Secretary to liaise with NCDC for the purpose of having proper guidance for the disinfection of office premises and establishment of test centres within the jurisdiction of the courts.

The COVID-19 was first confirmed in the FCT last Saturday when three positive cases were recorded.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday confirmed that Nigeria now has 42 cases of the COVID-19.

The Federal Government on Monday advised residents of Abuja and Lagos, which account for the largest number of infections to stay at home “until further advice is given.” (NAN )

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Sadiya Hamza

APC

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March 20, 2020 (NAN) Justice Samira Bature of an FCT High Court, on Friday adjourned hearing in the motion on notice filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, until March 31.

The interim order was granted after listening to a motion ex-parte, marked FCT/HC/M/6447/2020, filed by Salihu, which was argued by his counsel, O.C. Ugwu.

Salihu had approached the court, through the ex-parte motion, seeking for an interim order allowing Giadom to pilot the affairs of the party as acting chairman .

Also, to preside at all meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) pending the decision of the party’s NEC fixed for March 17.

The applicant also sought an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the fourth defendant, APC, from preventing or in any way disturbing Giadom from functioning as the acting chairman.

The applicant added that unless otherwise decided by the NEC of the party pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

However, when the case was called  in court on Friday, neither the applicant nor the defendants were present in court.

They were not represented by any counsel.

No reason was given for their absence in court.

Their absence prompted the judge to adjourn the matter until March 31 for hearing. (NAN )

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Edited by Kamal Tayo /Sadiya Hamza

Appeal

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March 20, 2020 (NAN) The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday adjourned indefinitely proceedings in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, challenging his suspension from office.

The appellate court had on Monday (March 16) stayed the execution of the ruling of an FCT High Court suspending him from the party.

A three-man panel of the  court led by Justice Abubakar Yahaya  ordered a stay of execution and consequently, restrained the respondents in the appeal from proceeding to act or take any further steps with regards  to the ruling of the lower court.

The court ruled that the order would remain binding pending the hearing of Oshiomhole’s motion for interlocutory injunction slated for Friday.

The panel also unanimously restrained the respondents including the Police and the Department of State Services from further giving effect to the suspension order.

When the matter came up on Friday, a clerk of  the court announced that there would not be able to sit and that a new date will be communicated to the parties.

Justice Danlami Senchi of an Abuja High Court had in an interlocutory ruling on March 4, 2020, ordered among others, that Oshiomhole should desist from parading himself as the APC Chairman.

The order was sequel to an application of interlocutory injunction asking the court to suspend Oshiomhole, having been suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.

However Oshiomole through his lawyer, Mr Damian Dodo, SAN, had same day approached the appellate court to reverse the suspension order placed on him by the lower court.

He specifically asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the suspension order of Justice Senchi and restore his position as National Chairman of the APC.

In his appeal predicated on four grounds Oshiomhole argued that the judge erred in law and arrived at a wrong conclusion which occasioned a miscarriage of justice when the court placed him on suspension at an interlocutory stage of a suit instituted against him by some aggrieved members of the party.

He also argued that the High Court further erred in law when it decided that he, in the performance of his duties as APC National Chairman, would interfere in the court action filed against him by the aggrieved members.

He argued that the issue of duties as APC National Chairman is a matter which arose from substantive issues for determination .

He also  claimed that,  this ought not to have been determined at the interlocutory stage of the main matter.( NAN )

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efdited by Sadiya Hamza

Appeal

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March, 19, 2020 (NAN) The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed the election of Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) as the senator representing Anambra South.

Justice Bello Kawu had on Jan. 17, nullified Ubah’s election on grounds that he allegedly used a forged National Examination Council, (NECO) certificate to contest the senatorial election held in Anambra South on Feb. 23, 2019.

Delivering ruling, the three-man panel led by Justice Stephen Adah, held that the lower court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to hear and determine a pre-election matter that arose from election that held in Anambra State.

” The failure of the lower court to refuse the matter made the decision of the court void, ” the panel held.

The panel further held that the respondents erred for not serving the applicant with the originating process.

” Justice must be done on the arms of the law, the decision of the lower court was bad because the originating summon before us was void and incompetent because it was not endorsed by a legal practitioner,” he held.

The respondents are Anani Chuka, YPP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dr Obinna Uzoh.

The court had on April 11, 2019, after sacking Ubah ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return it issued to Ubah and issue a fresh one to Dr Obinna Uzoh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came 2nd at the election.

Dissatisfied, Ubah approached the Court of Appeal to set-aside the judgement which he insisted occasioned grave miscarriage of justice against him.

In the appeal predicated on four grounds, the Senator insisted that he was denied fair hearing by the trial court, adding that he was neither served with the Originating Processes nor hearing notice with respect to the suit that led to his sack from the Senate.

Besides, he argued that the Abuja court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to hear and determine a pre-election matter that arose from election that held in Anambra.

However, in his further affidavit in support of his motion on notice filed on March 6, Ubah prayed the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of Justice Kawu.

He said on the grounds that the entire proceedings and the judgment emanating from there  were manifestly incompetent being a nullity.

According to him, the proceedings amounts to a nullity on the grounds that, “As at the time the judgment in suit numbered: FCT/HC/CV/3044/2018 was purportedly delivered, the suit had not been filed as filing fees had not been paid.

“That as at the date of filing of this action the appellant/applicant had been duly elected as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and his election has been affirmed on Sept. 9, 2019, by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra.

“That having regard to the date of payment of filing fees, suit: FCT/HC/CV/3044/2018 was a post election matter and the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain same.

“That by the above, the suit, the entire proceedings and the judgment emanating there from are manifestly incompetent being a nullity.” (NAN)

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Sadiya Hamza

Order

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March 16, 2020 (NAN ) Justice Samira Bature of the an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, on Monday granted an interim order permitting Chief Victor Giadom,the current Acting National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to act as the National Chairman of the party.

The judge granted the order in a motion ex-parte, marked FCT/HC/M/6447/2020, filed by APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, which was argued by his counsel, O.C. Ugwu, Esq.

Joined as defendants in the motion are Babatunde Ogala; Lanre Issa-Onilu; Waziri Bulama and the party, APC.

Salihu had approached the court, through the exparte motion, seeking for an interim order allowing Giadom to pilot the affairs of the party .

And also, as acting chairman and to preside at all meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) pending the decision of the party’s NEC fixed for March 17.

The applicant also sought an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4th defendant (APC) from preventing or in any way disturbing Giadom from functioning as the acting chairman.

He added, unless otherwise decided by the NEC of the party pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

After listening to the motion as argued by Ugwu, Justice Bature granted the interim order as prayed.

“Application is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge ordered.

Bature then adjourned the matter until March 20 for hearing.  (NAN )

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Prosecution

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja,  March 16, 2020 (NAN) Attorney-General of the Federation’s office on Monday failed to arraign two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their alleged involvement in electoral fraud during the Feb. 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The officials, Sulaiman Ikhuoriah and Olugbenga Omotiloye were scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu of an FCT High Court, Maitama.

The AGF charged the suspects with falsifying results in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the elections held in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.

Ikhuoriah was said to have served as the Collation Officer for Ward 6 in Saint Maria Gorreti Secondary School, while Omotiloye was an electoral officer at Bishop Kelly, beside St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.

The alleged infractions of the two officials of the electoral body were investigated by the Edo Command Office of the DSS.

The duo was initially billed for arraignment before the court March 10 but the court did not sit that day.

At the resumed hearing , both defendants were absent in court, prompting the judge to ask the counsel from the Office of the AGF of their whereabout.

The prosecution told the court that the DSS had yet to bring the two defendants to Abuja from Edo State.

Adding that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) communicated through letters with the DSS to bring the defendants to Abuja, expressing  surprise that the Service did not bring them.

They, therefore, asked for a date in April for the prosecution to bring the two before the court for arraignment.

Justice Halilu, however, frowned at the inability of the prosecution to bring the defendants to court.

According to him, the court was not a warehouse where the prosecution would only come and file the case against the defendants and subsequently do nothing about it.

He then told the counsel from the OAGF that he would not give the prosecution any date, saying, however, that, “If you bring them (from Edo State) today, bring them tomorrow to court for arraignment.” (NAN )

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Prejudice

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March 13, 2020 (NAN) Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday said that the “Osu ” caste system was a violation of human rights and therefore illegal.

Ojukwu made this known  in Abuja during a scene on a movie series ‘ Silent Prejudice ‘ by a Non- Governmental Organisation( NGO) named Pillars of Hope Africa Initiative  (POHAI).

He said the “Osu” Caste system is a system which considers some as free born and others as slaves.

” It does not allow association between the so called free borns and the slaves. It  does not allow marriages or same market,  school or association between them in anyway.

” It is therefore degrading and accordingly,  the commission thereby declare that Osu caste system is violation of human rights and therefore illegal.

” Any person who continues this, has  violated the human rights of the citizens,  the  Osu caste system is therefore declared null and void and unconditional.

” As any such practises are considered a violation of human rights an such people should not go unpunished ” he said.

He called on those who practice and encourage such to said all parties involved should to regard as a degrading cast system.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN ) Mr Chris Oge- Kalu, producer /director of ‘ Silent Prejudice’ said the aim of POHAI was to bring to the front burner the issue of Osu.

He said that the scene was a public hearing on the Osu caste system which involves NHRC because the issue being treated in the movie was the system as practised in the South- East.

” The issue is a human right issue and a lot of people shy away from it and pretend that the issue is not there.

“People don’t want to to talk about it, that is why we took the initiative to come to NHRC for we reasoned that by collaborating with the commission,  we will pull the bull by the horn”

“What we are doing is an advocacy because the evil that this Osu system presents is much” he said.

He added that the Osu victims are seen as leprosy and that people should not go near to them and that some believe that they have body odour and all sorts of things.

Acting as senators were Mr Femi Fani- Kayode former Minister of Aviation as Uche Kai and former Sen. Dion Melaye, as Ibekwe.

Also in the cast was Mr Dan Nwanyawu former presidential candidate who acted as Chief Odumegwu.

NAN reports that the Osu Caste System is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of people, referred to as Osu (outcasts).(NAN )

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Testimony

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, March, 13, 2020 (NAN)  An Prosecution witness, Kazeem Yusuf, on Friday alleged that 78 companies collected various sums of money from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), without executing any contracts.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2015 charged former Minister of State Finance, Bashir Yuguda, Dasuki, a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited with 25 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19.4 billion.

Being led in evidence, by EFCC Counsel Rotimi Jacobs,SAN, Yusuf alleged that sometime in November, 2015, EFCC received a petition from the ONSA’s office, signed by one A.A.Ibrahim.

He stated further that the matter was assigned to a team, including himself, set up by EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Yusuf stated that Dalhatu Investment Limited, collected a total of N4.7 billion.

He alleged that about N1.1 billion was paid into the account of Javvama Ada Global Investment Nigeria Limited.

The witness said that investigation by the team revealed that Sagir was the director of Dalhatu Investment Limited and he was invited for interrogation.

“Sagir Bafarawa told EFCC that the money he received from Office of the National Security Adviser was for prayer.

“Later he came with a booklet with a forwarding letter dated Nov. 23, 2016 outlining how he expended the money.”

Among those who received from the money, the witness revealed were All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate in the 2015 election in Kaduna State, Muhammed  Soba and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto State, Amb. Abdallah Wali.

He alleged that Soba told EFCC that he got N85 million from Bafarawa to “help” nine of them who were members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly in the campaign for the 2015 election.

“He, however, refused to mention the names of the remaining eight people who received their own shares,” the witness told the court.

He alleged that Wali got N288 million through three companies for his gubernatorial election.

He added that from the amount, he (Wali) bought a fairly used Peugeot 406 vehicles for all the 23 PDP local government chairmen in Sokoto State for N1.3 million each.

The witness further stated that all the 23 chairmen were invited but only 17 reported.

He further told the court that they all confirmed that the vehicles were given to them to support Wali’s aspiration.

“We recovered 17 vehicles from the chairmen who reported to EFCC.

“Wali also bought bags of rice and 800 motorcycles for distribution to his supporters.

After listening to the testimony, Justice Hussein Yusuf of an FCT High Court, adjourned the matter until April 23 and April 24 for continuation of hearing. (NAN )

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza