Home Blog Page 1433

Ensure fairness, group urges Lagos coroner

admin
-
0
Ensure fairness, group urges Lagos coroner

A human rights group, International Observers in the Pursuant of Justice, has called on the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Adedayo Shotobi, not to be biased in the ongoing inquest into the death of late singer, Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

In a statement on Sunday by its chairperson, Victoria Janolewsky, the group raised concerns over how Mohbad’s case is being handled.

It further called for equity, fairness, and justice in the matter.

The group told the coroner, “If by any slightest chance, you can no longer preside over this case due to personal reasons or biases, respectfully and gracefully recuse yourself.

“We, the international observers, will implore your honourable magistrate to allow equity, fairness and justice to prevail in this matter, knowing that silence in the face of injustice is a perversion of justice as everyone is equal before the law and all are under the rule of law.

“If the case of Mohbad is appropriately adjudicated, it will serve as a judicial milestone and a resounding deterrent to the society which will set a new precedence for the community at large, emphasizing the sanctity and dignity of human life.”

The group added, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria is by far a country of law and order to the highest degree, whose pristine standards should not be dented by any persons or personalities.

“We noticed that when one of the witnesses by the name of Spending was about to narrate the incident that transpired on the 3rd Mainland Bridge between the deceased and Wunmi Cynthia Adebanjo, the live-in partner of the deceased, you interjected and told him to calm down.

“This singular action made him lose his train of thought and further intimidated and suppressed his already low self-esteem and confidence, leading to increased anxiety level, as evidenced in the ensuing panic attack. These are cardinal signs and symptoms of panic attack under this circumstance.”

In the interest of justice, the group said every witness should be called and allowed to tell their side of the truth freely without any fear or intimidation.

It added that such witnesses should be protected and high security provided to ensure their lives are safe under the Witness Protection Act.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27 in Lagos State.

Following an investigation by the Lagos State Police Command to unravel the cause of his death, Mohbad’s remains were exhumed for an autopsy.

NDLEA seizes 44,948kg drugs, vehicles in Lagos, Edo, Ondo raids

admin
-
0
NDLEA seizes 44,948kg drugs, vehicles in Lagos, Edo, Ondo raids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have seized over 44,948.1kg of illicit drugs and arrested eight suspects in multiple raids across Lagos, Edo and Ondo states.

The anti-narcotics agency also seized 11 vehicles owned by the drug cartels.

This was revealed by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday.

The statement noted that “no less than 14,310.8625 kg of psychoactive substance was razed on 5.7 hectares of farms in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State on Tuesday, March 19.”

Five suspects including 67-year-old Sunday Otulugbu; Agbayeogor Joshua, 39; Kelvin Ofuasia,45; Williams Peter, 37; and Kamaru Onimisi, 44, were arrested.

It added that 7, 687.8kg of cannabis was destroyed in a warehouse in Ala forest, Akure, Ondo State with another 670kg evacuated, on Saturday, March 23.

The statement read in parts, “In another operation in Uzebba/Avbiosi forest on Thursday, March 21, over 6,500kg cannabis was destroyed on 2.6 hectares of farms where three suspects: Kabiru Idris, 36;

“Alaba Jimoh, 40; and Lekan Asobere, 35, were arrested. In the same vein, 5,000kg of same substance was razed in a warehouse in Okpuje forest, Owan West LGA by NDLEA operatives with support from the military on Friday 22nd March.”

The agency stated that in a well-coordinated operation on Wednesday, March 20, in Lagos State, its operatives seized “10,534 kg (10.534 tonnes) of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis in Ajah area of the state where 11 vehicles were seized from the drug cartel.

“The recovered vehicles include: Iveco truck marked KRD 522 YE; Toyota sienna marked AAA 338 GL; Toyota sienna marked AAA 308 EP; Toyota Sienna marked FKJ 381 JC; Nissan bus marked EKY 846 YG; Mercedes bus marked EPE 743 XT; an unmarked Iveco J5 bus; Toyota sienna marked LSD 744 GP; Toyota highlander SUV marked KTU 280 FN; Toyota sienna marked AAA 333 GH and Toyota sienna marked FKJ 208 HV.”

Babafemi noted that “in another raid at Ago Palace way area of the state on Friday  March 22, a suspect, Miracle Obi, was arrested with 1,006 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 50 tablets of tramadol 225mg; 89 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,360 ampoules of Diazepam injection. Another suspect, Kareem Mustapha was earlier on Tuesday,  March 19, nabbed along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with 25,000 pills of tramadol and 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

“While 58kg cannabis was recovered at Jagindi village, Kafanchan LGA, Kaduna State on Friday, March 22, Abdulqadir Muhammad, 34, was arrested with 45 kilogrammes of same substance by NDLEA operatives along Kaduna- Zaria Expressway.

“In Borno State, Salisu Yusuf, 20, was nabbed with 30kg Arizona, a strain of cannabis at the Njimtilo checkpoint on Saturday 23rd March, while another suspect, Rabiu Husseini, 27, was arrested with 34kg cannabis along Gwagwalada/Abuja highway on his way from Lagos to Katsina state on Wednesday 21st March. The following day, 22nd March, NDLEA officers on patrol along Gashua-Baymari road, Busari LGA, Yobe state arrested Haladu Hassan with 160 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 50kg.”

In Kano State, the agency “successfully dismantled” a syndicate dealing in cocaine and heroin “with the arrest of 42-year-old Onyeka Uba in the Sabon Gari area of Kano where 1.805 kilograms and 7grams of the illicit substances were recovered from him on Monday 18th March. Another suspect, Ubale Sani, 49, was arrested with 51.5kg of cannabis in the Chiromawa area of Kano.

“Operatives of a special operation unit of NDLEA also disrupted criminal activities of another cocaine syndicate in Abuja at the weekend with the arrest of three leaders of the group. While Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu, 41, and Okoro Chigozie Christian, 35, were arrested.”

The statement further read, “On Friday 22nd March at Paint House Hotel, Umar Garba Benna Street, 21 Road, First Avenue, Gwarimpa Abuja with 718 grams of cocaine, a follow-up operation at the residence of Okoro Chigozie at House 30, 69B Road 6th Avenue Gwarimpa, led to the recovery of 19 blocks of Arizona, a strain of cannabis weighing 9.823kg and monetary exhibits: N545,500 and $250, as well as property documents. Two vehicles: a Toyota Camry 2007 marked BWR 94 BM and a Toyota Camry 2012 marked RBC 154 BS were also recovered from them.

“Another follow-up operation to the residence of Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu at 49 Mercy Orjiakor Street, Becky Estate 11, Karu, Nasarawa state on Saturday 23rd March also led to the recovery of various quantities of Arizona and methamphetamine while his girlfriend and accomplice, Ifemenam Oge was arrested.”

Babafemi added that “various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week.”

“While commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, and FCT Commands as well as the Special Operations unit of the Agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures in schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres and workplaces,” the statement concluded.

IPOB knocks DHQ for declaring leader wanted

admin
-
0
IPOB knocks DHQ for declaring leader wanted

The Indigenous People of Biafra has faulted the Nigeria military authorities for declaring its Head of Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem, wanted, alongside other “bandits” and “terrorists.”

The pro-Biafran group said mentioning the name of Edoziem with other “bandits” and “terrorists” is an insult to the IPOB global family

This was contained in a statement issued by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Sunday, insisting that they would not be intimidated by any blackmail from the Federal Government in their self-determination movement to restore the Biafra nation.

The statement read, “Linking Simon Ekpa, Zuma, Temple, and others to our gentle leader, Mazi Chika Edoziem is a totally reckless attitude of the Nigeria military headquarters. Apart from Edoziem, IPOB has for long distanced every other individual mentioned in the wanted list

“IPOB has distanced itself from the time, and we cannot be associated with criminals and vampires. IPOB worldwide assured our people that they cannot deceive them or harm them for any reason. The Nigerian Defence Headquarters showed that they are confused about ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers and movement.

“Mazi Chika Edoziem, the Head of the Directorate of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is a gentle and disciplined leader who has led IPOB peacefully for over a decade and has maintained the United Nations’ principles of seeking self-determination through a referendum.”

The group noted that Edoziem “has not been associated with any crime or violence, neither in Biafra land nor in diaspora. For the Nigerian military to declare him wanted among the violent terrorists and criminals is the same violent suppression approach that the Federal Government has adopted against Biafrans and the self-determination movement.

“The Nigerian security forces know that the violent criminals in the South-East are under the command of Simon Ekpa. Those criminals are not ESN operatives nor IPOB volunteers led by Mazi Chika Edoziem under our supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

IPOB stated that “those criminals were recruited by the Federal Government through Simon Ekpa. They used them to infiltrate and blackmail IPOB, but we busted and exposed them earlier. Irrespective of that, IPOB has severally disassociated its movement from them, but the Federal Government keeps linking their activities to IPOB/ESN in order to achieve their mission, which is to blackmail us.”

The group further challenged the Federal Government to explain what crime Edoziem committed to be declared wanted, adding that Edoziem was declared among terrorists, and bandits just to demonise him before the international community because his leadership has frustrated every effort to destroy the IPOB family.

“Mentioning the name of Mazi Chika Edoziem with the bandits and terrorists is an insult to the IPOB global family. The Federal Government and her military have all the intelligence and can’t claim ignorance of those responsible for insecurity in the South-East.

“The current wave of media blackmail and propaganda will never deter our resolve towards Biafra self-determination. The threat of arrest of our leaders will not stop us because we have incurred no offence in the pursuit of Biafra self-determination,” the statement added.

Abducted Kaduna, Sokoto pupils release excites Tinubu

admin
-
0
Abducted Kaduna, Sokoto pupils release excites Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, welcomed the news of the release of the Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State.

He also welcomed the release of pupils of a Tsangaya school in Sokoto State, commending all the parties involved in the feat for their valiant effort.

Tinubu’s message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu welcomes release of Kuriga school children, said schools must be safe and secure for learning.’

The Nigerian military on Sunday said it rescued students of LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

On March 6, at least 287 pupils were kidnapped when terrorists on motorcycles stormed their school, whisking them away in an operation that drew condemnation and outrage from the Presidency and the global community, including the UN children’s welfare agency UNICEF.

However, a statement issued Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said 137 pupils were rescued, contrary to reports of 287.

According to Buba, the pupils rescued through a joint effort of the military and local authorities in Zamfara State in the early hours of Sunday.

They comprised 76 females and 61 males, aged between eight and 15.

The military said the pupils would be handed over to the Kaduna State Government.

Reacting to the development, Tinubu emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Federal Government and states for expected outcomes, especially on matters of security.

“The President commends the National Security Adviser, the security agencies, and the Kaduna State Government for the dispatch and diligence with which they handled this situation, noting that incipient urgency, meticulous attention, and tireless dedication are critical to optimal outcomes in cases of mass abductions,” read the statement.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that “our schools remain safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.”

Despite the announced kick-off of the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative in August 2023, gunmen have continued to terrorise schools in Nigeria’s north.

At the time, the National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative under the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Halima Iliya, said the N144.8bn programme expected to begin in 18 states, covering at least 48 schools in each state.

Iliya said states would budget for the Safe Schools Initiative from 2024 to support the Federal Government, which said it had earmarked N15bn to finance the Initiative in 2023.

Senegal elects new president Sunday

admin
-
0
Senegal elects new president Sunday

Senegal began voting Sunday for a new president in an unpredictable race following three years of turmoil and political crisis.

Around 7.3 million voters are registered in the West African nation where two favourites have emerged – the governing coalition’s former prime minister Amadou Ba and anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

They were both once tax inspectors but now appear to have little in common. Ba, 62, offers continuity while the 43-year-old Faye promises profound change and left-wing pan-Africanism.

Both say they will claim a first-round victory — but a second round looks probable with 15 other candidates in the field, including a sole woman, at a date yet to be decided.

Former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, 68, is considered to have an outside chance.

“It’s a symbolic and historic day for me because it wasn’t easy to hold these elections, it was gained through a great fight,” voter Mohamed Bop, 42, told AFP in Dakar.

“So, I’m very relieved and proud,” he added.

The eventual winner will be tasked with steering traditionally stable Senegal out of its recent troubles and managing revenues from oil and gas reserves that are short to start production.

Voting will end at 1800 GMT and provisional results could be known overnight. The first official results are expected during the coming week.

Senegal has traditionally been considered a beacon of democracy and stability in the coup-hit region, where Russia is strengthening its influence.

– Raucous campaign –

Hundreds of observers will be out representing civil societies, the African Union, the ECOWAS regional group and the European Union.

A raucous campaign, lasting just two weeks after being shortened, followed a dramatic last-minute delay to the election date, originally scheduled for February 25.

President Macky Sall’s intervention to delay the presidential vote sparked unrest that left four people dead.

Sall, who won praise abroad last year by renouncing a possible third-term bid, said he called off the vote over fears it would not go smoothly.

After weeks of political crisis, the country’s top constitutional body stepped in and forced him to reset the date to March 24, despite clashing with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Sall’s hand-picked would-be successor Ba has positioned himself as a last bastion against “bandits” and urged people to vote “for experience and competence instead of entrusting the reins of the country to adventurers”.

“We don’t need officials who need two years of apprenticeship,” Ba said at his final campaign rally on Friday.

“We need to consolidate what we have. We need to go even faster and further,” he said, with a vow to create one million jobs in five years.

But he must also face the darker side of Sall’s legacy which includes mass arrests, persistent poverty and 20 percent unemployment, and thousands of migrants setting off on the perilous voyage to Europe each year.

– Radical reform –

The recent unrest in Senegal was the latest chapter in episodes of violence since 2021, triggered partly by the stand-off between the firebrand opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko and the state.

Economic and social tensions, as well as concerns that Sall would run for a third term, also fuelled the unrest that left dozens killed and hundreds arrested.

The election has also been fired up by a rapidly passed amnesty law that led to the March 14 release from prison of opposition leaders Faye and the charismatic Sonko.

Although Faye is Sonko’s deputy, he is only on the ballot because Sonko has been barred from standing and in voters’ eyes, they are a package deal.

Both have attacked Ba as “the greatest danger facing Senegal today”.

They have also questioned where his wealth came from, branding him a “billionaire civil servant” who “will be the president of foreign countries”.

Faye on Friday pledged to bring “radical reform” to Senegal, including renegotiations of mining, oil and gas and defence contracts, while at the same time offering assurances to foreign investors.

“Henceforth we will be a sovereign state, independent, which will work with everyone, but in win-win partnerships”, he said.

The pair are hoping to harness Sonko’s charisma and popular appeal in a country where half of the population is under 20.

Sonko has drawn a passionate following with Senegal’s youth through his rhetoric on sovereignty, as well as attacks on elites, multinationals and colonial ruler France.

Experts have warned of the potential for tensions to flare on Sunday and after — particularly if Ba wins in the first round, or Faye fails to reach the second.

AFP

Three feared killed in Delta auto crash

admin
-
0
Three feared killed in Delta auto crash

No fewer than three persons were feared killed, and many others were injured when a truck rammed into pedestrians along the Asaba, Delta State end of the River Niger bridge on Saturday.

It was gathered that the truck had brake failure and while the driver was struggling to control it, the vehicle skidded off the track and rammed into the walkway, hitting some passengers and other bystanders.

Eyewitnesses said the accident, which occurred late on Saturday, left a woman and her children dead instantly, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

One of the eyewitnesses, who narrated the incident to our correspondent on Sunday, said, “It was a horrific accident yesterday evening (Saturday) at the Onitsha head bridge. A truck travelling towards the Asaba end of the bridge experienced brake failure and rammed into the walkway.

“The truck crushed bystanders and individuals waiting to board Asaba-bound vehicles. Among the victims were a mother and her children, as well as several other pedestrians.

“About three persons died instantly, while several persons sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical.

“Security officers who swiftly responded to the incident worked to restore order and assisted with emergency operations.”

When contacted on Sunday, the acting Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Margaret Onabe, could not confirm the incident as she requested to contact FRSC officials at the head bridge before getting back.

She has yet to revert as of the time of filing this report.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Plateau committed to developing SMEs

admin
-
0
Plateau committed to developing SMEs

The Plateau State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Usman, says Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led administration is poised to develop small-scale businesses through massive support.

Usman said this while delivering a keynote speech at an entrepreneurship and stakeholders meeting in Jos, the state capital, on Saturday

He said already, the state government had invested commitment covering appropriate profiling of businesses and community-based organisations with the view of developing a pool of reliable data from government intervention and other positive uses;

He also pointed out that the state government had committed investment in minimising business risks with firefighting equipment and expansion of markets and parking lots, introduction of smart tax system to reduce multiple taxes and make the process flexible and convenient for payment.

The commissioner said, “In Plateau State, the relevance of small and medium enterprises for the growth and development of our people especially from the community and/or rural areas is of utmost concern to the governor.

“It is thus the priority of the government to address poverty, unemployment and social vices amongst the population through constructive re-engineering of the state’s economy.

“Infrastructure that supports small and medium businesses are being fixed, conflicts that hitherto threatened businesses including agro-sector enterprises are being addressed, while major re-organisations in the transportation and entrepreneurship sectors are becoming part of key indicators in the policy direction of the government in addressing socio-economic challenges of the people in the state.

“The government is aware that there are under-represented and marginalised entrepreneurs across the 17 local governments. These are vulnerable groups such as women, minorities and individuals from low-income backgrounds who are involved in one small business to the other.

“But one of the questions that this engagement and discussions must address is: how can we establish alliances with community organisations and non-profits to support the under-represented and marginalised entrepreneurs on the Plateau?”

The commissioner added that “as a government, we are poised via the seven-point agenda of H.E., the governor to address the challenges associated with the business environment and focus towards improving ease of doing businesses on the Plateau.”

He also called on small business owners to form alliances and cooperatives to enable them to easily access government intervention.

Prioritise TB treatment, foundation urges govt

admin
-
0
Prioritise TB treatment, foundation urges govt

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has urged leaders at all levels of government to prioritise the prevention and treatment efforts of Tuberculosis.

The foundation said this in a statement on Sunday signed by its Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborishade to commemorate the 2024 World TB Day themed ‘Yes! We Can End TB.’

World Tuberculosis Day is marked on March 24 every year to create awareness about the impact of the disease.

According to the World Health Organisation, TB is a disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.

WHO said a total of 1.3 million people died from TB in 2022 (including 167,000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).

The global health body stated that an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB worldwide in 2022, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.

It said multidrug-resistant TB remains a public health crisis and a health security threat, as only about two in five people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2022.

The AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, was quoted as saying, “It is important for stakeholders to create greater awareness about TB and ensure that people get tested for TB and HIV. TB is treatable while the treatment is quite accessible and free across Nigeria.

“It is in this regard that AHF Nigeria is happy to contribute to the existing efforts of the Nigerian TB programme through awareness creation and driving greater community involvement and participation through the strategic engagement of community-based organisations and their civil society counterparts.”

AHF Nigeria noted that it is partnering with other stakeholders, particularly the TB programmes in its states of operation – Abuja-FCT, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa states to honour the millions of lives lost to TB while urging leaders at all levels of government to prioritise TB prevention and treatment efforts.

“Through dedicated radio awareness effort, AHF Nigeria with officials from the office of TB focal persons in these states shall be educating the public on TB prevention and creating awareness about the availability of free TB treatment, across Nigeria.

“Through this effort, all the TB Directly observed Therapy centres across AHF Nigeria states of operations shall be popularised so that people can be aware of where to seek help for TB treatment and be knowledgeable about identifying cases and referring them to care and treatment,” it added.

Holy week: Obi seeks divine intervention for Nigeria

admin
-
0
Holy week: Obi seeks divine intervention for Nigeria

The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to use the final stretch of the Lenten season to seek divine intervention for the country.

His message was contained in a series of posts on his X account on Sunday.

He wrote, “As the global Christian Lenten season enters the final lap known as the Holy Week today, I like to wish them, especially Nigerian Christians, a very edifying week.

“The week-long activities of the Holy Week, mark the deep remembrance of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which is the core of the Christian faith. Since February 14, 2024, when the Lenten season started, Christians have continued to fast, pray and show brotherly love to one another through almsgiving to the poor.

  • The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to use the final stretch of the Lenten season to seek divine intervention for the country.

“The activities of the Holy Week, thus, present us the opportunity to soberly reflect on the many challenges facing us individually, and those facing us collectively as a nation, an opportunity to ask for God’s divine intervention.

“Even as we make our human efforts, as a people, to move our nation forward, we must leverage the solemnity of this season to pray for divine intervention in our nation.

“The hearts of many are heavy with pain, grieving the loss of their dear ones due to the high level of insecurity in the nation. Families are hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from because they can no longer afford the basic necessity of food.

“Many of our fellow Nigerians have died in their struggle to find food to eat. The unity and love in diversity, for which our dear nation was known, have been sacrificed on the altar of tribal and religious division.

“Let us, therefore, present our nation to God for healing and restoration, in this Holy Week, so that as we labour, as humans, for New Nigeria, it will become even more possible. I wish us all a fruitful and impactful Holy Week commemoration.”

Obey court ruling, stop pension to ex-govs, deputies, SERAP urges Tinubu

admin
-
0
Obey court ruling, stop pension to ex-govs, deputies, SERAP urges Tinubu

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies.

The organisation recalled that in 2017, it filed a suit seeking the repeal of pensions for former governors and their deputies across all states of the Federation.

In 2019, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, ordered the Federal Government to recover pensions collected by former governors serving as ministers and members of the National Assembly.

The ruling, SERAP said, was “blatantly” turned down by former President Muhammadu Bahari-led administration.

However, the organisation stated in a letter dated March 23 and signed by the deputy director,, Kolawole Oluwadare; a copy of which was made available to According Online on Sunday, March 24, that Tinubu should follow the footsteps of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

On March 21, Otti signed the Abia State of Nigeria Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Repeal Law of 2024, which prohibited former governors and deputies in the state from receiving pension payments.

On his  Friday visit to the governor’s country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the pension payments as outrageous and a daylight robbery.

In its statement, SERAP urged Tinubu “to emulate the good example of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State by immediately obeying the judgment ordering the Federal Government to recover pensions collected by former governors, and to challenge the legality of states’ pension laws permitting those involved to collect such outrageous pensions.”

The organisation said, “We urge you to emulate the good example of Governor Otti by urgently obeying the judgment, something which former President Muhammadu Buhari blatantly failed to do.

“The judgment, dated 26 November, 2019 was delivered by Honourable Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo following a suit by SERAP.

“Unless the judgment is immediately obeyed, former governors and their deputies including those now serving as ministers in your administration and members of the National Assembly who receive pensions would continue to evade justice for their actions.”

SERAP noted that “immediately obeying the judgment would show the sovereignty of the rule of law in Nigeria and go a long way in protecting the integrity of the country’s legal system.

“Obeying the judgment would also show you as a defender of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the rule of law, and public interest within government.

“Nigeria’s democracy needs courts so that public officials and private actors including former governors and their deputies collecting life pensions, exotic cars and other allowances from their states can be held accountable for any infraction of Nigerian laws.”

“Mr. Buhari turned a blind eye to the judgment. State governors have failed to provide names of former governors and their deputies who have collected and continue to collect pensions from their states and the amount so far spent on these ex-officials.”

The organisation noted that the court judgment had “pointed the way for your government to provide the leadership to ensure the reform of pension laws allowing former governors and their deputies to collect lifetime salaries and allowances. It is now time for your government to restore the rule of law systemically.

“Like pension laws of several states, the repealed Abia state pension law stipulated that former Abia governors and deputies are entitled to 100 per cent of the annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy; their cooks, stewards, drivers, and gardeners are to be paid by the state; and are entitled to three police officers and two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).”

SERAP recalled Justice Oguntoyinbo saying, ‘I remember with pride my landmark judgment in SERAP vs. The Attorney-General. Regrettably, that order is yet to be obeyed. I find it very disappointing that Court orders are often not obeyed. If there’s anything I wish to change, it is the impunity towards judicial decisions and the disrespect for the bench.”

“Immediately obeying the judgment would demonstrate your oft-repeated commitment to the rule of law, and respect for the judiciary as the guardian of justice in this country. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function, if the government routinely ignores and/or fails to abide by court orders,” it urged Tinubu.

SERAP said it was concerned that “while many Nigerian workers and pensioners have not been paid by state governors for several months and struggle to make ends meet, former governors continue to collect double emoluments and enjoy opulent lifestyles.”

The statement added, “According to our information, those who are reportedly receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states include: Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Theodore Orji (Abia).

“Others are Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau).”

“At least 22 states starting from Lagos State have reportedly passed life pensions laws for former governors and other ex-public officials. Other states include Akwa Ibom; Edo; Delta; Ekiti; Kano; Gombe; Yobe; Borno; Bauchi; Abia; Imo; Bayelsa; Oyo; Osun; Kwara; Ondo; Ebonyi; Rivers; Niger; Kogi; and Katsina,” it added.

1...1,4321,4331,434...2,849Page 1,433 of 2,849
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv