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Delta: Parade of “gay suspects” abuses dignity and the law

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Delta: Parade of “gay suspects” abuses dignity and the law

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center has denounced the large number of suspects detained after being accused of performing a gay wedding ceremony at a hotel in Warri, Delta State.

The state police command paraded the 100 suspects, who were apprehended on Monday night during a midnight raid.

However, the center claimed there are established legal procedures for the treatment of people suspected of crimes in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.

Nwanguma observed that suspects being paraded before the media is illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to a fair hearing and a fair trial while also asserting that the detained individuals had a right to be treated with dignity.

The statement said, “RULAAC notes with considerable concern the arrest by the Delta State Police Command of over a hundred young people for allegedly performing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel in Warri, Delta state, and their parade before the media today, August 29, 2023.

Even if we agree that homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria, there are established legal processes for the handling of those who are accused of crimes.

“Until they are proven guilty after a fair trial in a court of competent jurisdiction, persons accused of violating any provision of the law are entitled to the presumption of innocence. They have a right to dignity as well.

The argument that parades of suspects in front of the media are unlawful, unconstitutional, and harmful to the rights to a fair trial and hearing has been presented numerous times. It is an illegal and ineffective tactic of law enforcement that offends against human dignity and undermines the right to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution. The suspects are effectively found guilty without a trial.

The Center also expressed amazement at the state command’s “quick and efficient” action in detaining and displaying LGBT suspects despite the fact that it had not yet addressed a petition that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, three months prior.

The police should stop violating the suspects’ rights, according to a new request from RULAAC.

The statement went on to say that “they should either charge them right now or release them on bond.”

Oyo APC claims Makinde diverted N5.7 billion, palliatives

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Oyo APC claims Makinde diverted N5.7 billion, palliatives

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State expressed outrage on Tuesday over the alleged misappropriation of monies and food supplies supplied to the state by the federal government to ease the effects of hardship on the public as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

According to report, Tinubu declared that his government would devise palliative methods to lessen the suffering of hunger and financial hardship among the nation’s poor.

Recall that some of these intervention monies and supplies were allegedly distributed through state and local governments in the previous several weeks, with certain state governments, including Kwara and Ogun, publicly confirming the news.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state’s capital, Olawale Sadare, the APC’s publicity secretary, criticized the PDP administration in the state for willfully withholding information about the receipt, distribution, and management of money and food supplies delivered to the Oyo State government as the share of the state’s good people.

Almost all of the states of the federation have acknowledged receiving at least two billion naira of the five billion the federal government has set aside for payments to be made to the poorest of the poor through the states, he added.

“Last week, neighboring Osun and Kwara states admitted paying the sum of two billion naira into their coffers, but Makinde hid this from the public knowing in his typical manner.

The people of the state have been wondering where the 3,000 bags of rice that Makinde received from Abuja for the past six weeks, and there are signs that they may have been diverted in the same way that the COVID-19 relief supplies provided by the federal government, business organizations, and private donors were.

We also ask Makinde to clarify the rationale behind his directive to local government council chairs to transfer (to the state government account) the two tranches of N56 million that the federal government paid to their council accounts between August 16 and August 18 of this year as the shares of the third tier of government.

The 33 local government councils in the state received a total of N3.696 billion, but they were unable to use even a small fraction of it for the intended use.

“It is clear that Gov. Makinde’s contrived Palliative group, which was established about four weeks ago, was only intended to deceive the public because the group would ultimately have no function.

“We won’t be surprised, however, if the state government releases a few bags of rice and noodles to the committee in the coming days and asks them to distribute the same to a few PDP members just to create the appearance that the target population of poor people in society have benefited,” Sadare submitted.

Ganduje asks investors to back Wike’s transformation of FCT

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Ganduje asks investors to back Wike’s transformation of FCT

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has asked businesspeople to give Nyesom Wike, the incoming Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, all the support he requires to improve security in the megacity and foster a conducive atmosphere for economic activity.

At the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Ganduje delivered this instruction to a delegation from the Arewa Traders Association.

The news comes three days after the former governor of Kano swore in six party zonal officers to the National Working Committee.

After the meeting with the traders from the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Ganduje spoke to the media and praised Wike as a capable minister who will apply the lessons learned from his spectacular transformation in Rivers state to the FCT.

 

“You have a qualified honorable minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the former governor of River State, Nyesom Wike, who comes from the big city himself but now has another mandate to run another huge metropolis like the Federal Capital Territory,” he remarked. In order for him to establish a respectable climate for commercial activities in the megacity of Abuja, I implore you to work with him. Security is his first priority, and I have no doubt that he will enhance Abuja’s transportation system.

“As merchants, you understand the significance of the city’s transportation system. He would enhance the city’s lighting so that trading may occur at night if there is light everywhere in Abuja. We appreciate your visit, have taken notice of your request, and promise that we will include you in our political party events. Despite the fact that Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States will all be holding elections on November 11 and that there are traders in each of these states, you will have access to them so they can actively participate in the election.

“I can guarantee you, Mr. President, that he is creating a conducive climate for you to carry out your lawful actions. He is putting a lot of effort into the country’s security. Everyone is aware of how crucial security is to traders because without it, there can be no commerce, no marketing, and, most crucially, no feeding.

Adam Ibrahim, the chairman of the Arewa Traders Association, had earlier congratulated Ganduje on his recent election as the APC national chairman and expressed the support of his organization’s members for his victory.

Ibrahim also called for inclusive politics that would encourage some of their constituents to take an active role in government at the federal level.

“Sir, Arewa Traders Association supports Tinubu-Shettima programme for all lawful traders in the 19 Northern States and the FCT who have unanimously resolved to work day and night to ensure the victory of the president, his deputy, and all APC candidates at all levels.

“Your Excellency, as a father and a leader, we would like to appeal to you to listen to the opinions of the people, just like you did when you were governor of Kano State. You are aware of the academic excellence of this wonderful organization’s members. We would appreciate it if you used your good offices to offer a suitable format for the inclusion of merchants in the various governmental appointments and committees so that traders feel comfortable participating in the party’s electoral campaign.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, the elimination of gasoline subsidies, the high rate of exchange, and the insecurity in many areas of the nation are posing economic hardships to our people. Therefore, we are requesting your kind support and intervention,” he stated.

FG announces N825.8m in compensation for impacted communities for second runway in Abuja

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FG announces N825.8m in compensation for impacted communities for second runway in Abuja

To prepare the way for the construction of the 4.2km second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Federal Government has announced N825.819million as compensation for locals of the affected community in the Federal Capital Territory.

Following a meeting with Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, officials from both ministries and representatives of their agencies, as well as stakeholders from Jiwa, the affected community in Abuja, on Tuesday, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, announced the decision.
According to the minister, the N825.8 million is intended to entice the people to leave the neighborhood and solicit their assistance in completing the 4.2 km second Abuja runway project, which was originally awarded in 2022.
The second runway project was divided into four parts, and the Federal Executive Council had approved it in March 2022. By June 2023, the project was also supposed to be put into operation.
However, a portion of the Jiwa Community, which houses the runway, protested their displacement from their traditional grounds and demanded compensation from the government.
At a Tuesday meeting with community members and other stakeholders to discuss problems, Wike said he understood their suffering and would do everything in his ability to ensure they received their just compensation.
He therefore ordered the immediate payment of N825 million in compensation to the impacted landowners.
In reference to the decisions made during the meeting, Wike stated: “Contractors will now arrive on site. We have been able to resolve amicably with the community. The Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Ministry of Aviation will each provide 10 jobs for the Jiwa community and 12 jobs immediately as part of the community incentives. With a 5 km road, we’ll build the Tunga Madaki Bridge, which will be included in the 2024 budget. For the benefit of the community, we’ll build a cutting-edge medical center.The agreement reached between the government and the Jiwa Community will be signed by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Aviation and the FCTA, His Royal Highness (the Sarkin Jiwa), the Chairman of the AMAC, and the Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (FCT). If this is done today, tomorrow, or the following day, the contractors won’t wait any longer because they must move to the site right away and start working. Therefore, the second runway is now permanent.
“I understand how you’re feeling. I am from a place where the government has essentially stolen all of our land for development. I’ll carry it on my head if there’s anything I can do to make you happy. But the fact still stands that right is right and wrong is wrong. We wouldn’t be in this situation if the Aviation ministry had only focused on the runway project; instead, they arrived to take over the FCTA’s responsibilities.
“There is only one runway here. If something were to happen to that runway tomorrow, how would you feel? That indicates there won’t be any flights. In a vast, diverse metropolis like Abuja?” he questioned.
Festus Keyamo SAN, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, had earlier claimed that the ministry had erred by getting involved in matters outside of its purview.
According to Keyamo, “We haven’t even mobilized to the site by now. The schedule to commission the second runway was somewhere in June or July 2023.Assessing compensation on regards of land in the FCT is not Aviation’s area of expertise. I’m making this appeal to the community to realize that anything you previously discussed with aviation was completely beyond of its purview. The FCTA is allowed to take that action. Payment of compensation must follow a specific legal timeline. The repercussions of disobeying the law are known to us. The phrase “rule of law” does not just refer to the government. Anybody can use it.
We can consider creative solutions in the domain of social responsibility to explore how we might secure additional benefits for the populace in addition to the legal minimum compensation requirements.
As previously explained by Shehu Hadi, Executive Secretary of FCDA, FCTA has no business compensating land occupiers because the land was issued to a third party.
He asserts that anyone who is offered land has a responsibility to pay the current residents of that property compensation.
“I would like to address the topic of payment of compensation, which was brought up. It is important to make it clear what the FCT believes about this matter at this point. Following our allocation of lands to them, it is the MDAs’ responsibility to make arrangements for the payment of compensation.
‘The Department of Resettlement and Compensation in the FCT assists in the enumeration of economic trees, structures, etc. for compensation,’ he said.
The Sarkin Jiwa, the area’s traditional ruler, urged the FCTA and the Aviation Ministry to increase the compensation from less than N700,000 so that the people could purchase other lands. He also expressed his understanding of the frustration of his people, saying that the back and forth regarding compensation had been giving him sleepless nights for months.
We sat alongside the Aviation and FCT Administration, he stated. Aviation has a consultant for the compensation, but they sat with us and the FCTA was an observer; we have agreed with the consultant that they will pay N2.5m per acre in some specific terms.
“So, at long last, the government declared that the FCTA should handle it and that Aviation lacked the authority to do so. The price per hectare thereafter dropped to under N700,000. In response to a letter from the community to the FCT Public Complaints Commission, discussions were held in my palace up until yesterday to ensure that the matter is resolved in the interests of the general public.

Lagos instructs schools to resume Monday

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Lagos instructs schools to resume Monday

The Lagos State Government has ordered all basic schools, including nursery, primary, and secondary institutions, to reopen on Monday, September 4, 2023, in preparation for the 2023–2024 academic year.

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education approved the 2023–2024 Harmonised Academic School Calendar, which the Director General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, stated during a news conference on Monday in Alausa.

Seriki-Ayeni advised all educational institutions to observe the resume date strictly “for the delivery of quality and sustainable education in Lagos State.”

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She said that the unified school calendar is available on the agency’s website for use by parents, school administrators, and members of the general public in the whole state.

As schools get ready to resume, she also pleaded with owners and school officials to guarantee strict adherence to the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

As the state government is still committed to providing high-quality education, the DG emphasized that “complete compliance with all safety protocols on school grounds is required for a safe learning environment.”

Students complain community restricts movement because of festival

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Students complain community restricts movement because of festival

Some Sagamu Campus students at Olabisi Onabanjo University have expressed dissatisfaction with the community’s restrictions on movement during the Storm of Love event, also known as the Eluku Offin festival there.

The statement caused some of the students, particularly those studying medical sciences, who were now in the middle of their exam, to express how challenging it was to study.

The community issued a one-minute, 36-second video warning the residents—especially the non-indigenous ones—of movement limitations from August 27 to August 29 between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

During the restricted hours, the neighborhood also issued warnings to drivers of commercial buses and taxis to stay indoors.

 

However, a level three nursing student at OOU who did not want to be named in the media for fear of victimization claimed that the announcement had interfered with their plans and prevented them from going outside to read.

Students who used to read outside in the mornings can no longer do so, the student claimed. And others who enjoy reading late at night are finding it difficult to do so. This announcement has already irritated the students.

Another local student, going by the name Fasasi, claimed that while the festival wouldn’t have any impact on the students, it would have an impact on the restaurants, which close early due to the nearby students.

In the meantime, the Student Union Government issued a letter, jointly signed by Vice-President II Hamzah Oyekunmi and Assistant General Secretary II Obayomi Emmanuel, titled “Temporary restriction of movement in Sagamu community for students safety.” In the letter, the SUG warned students in the neighborhood against disobeying the restriction order within the allotted three days for their safety.

Niger Coup: Miyetti Allah warms against use of force, demands dialogue

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Niger Coup: Miyetti Allah warms against use of force, demands dialogue

Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, a sociocultural organization, urged President Bola Tinubu on Monday to consider dialogue as the “best option in addressing the current crisis in Niger Republic.”

Any declaration of military action, the group declared in a communiqué released at the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting in Abuja, will have “devastating implications throughout the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa with detrimental impact on Fulani pastoralists in particular.”

Speaking in the communiqué that was co-signed by its National President, Abdullahi Bodejo, and National Secretary, Saleh Alhassan, the group asked for the establishment of the “Ministry of Nomadic Affairs” by state governors while also denouncing the extrajudicial killings of pastoralists.

“Delegates thanked Niger State Governor Muhammed Bago for establishing the Ministry of Nomadic Affairs and encouraged other governments to follow Niger State’s example.

“Delegates vehemently denounce the ongoing profiling of the Fulani race by some media organizations, notably the social media, and call on the press to verify the accuracy of their stories before publishing or risk legal repercussions.

Delegates condemn the country’s security agencies’ ongoing extrajudicial execution of Fulani pastoralists and urge the National Human Rights Commission to look into these crimes and see that justice is done, according to Badejo.

The group added that it supported the creation of the “Miyetti Allah Vigilante” security organization, which will “assist security agencies in curbing criminalities such as cattle rustling, kidnapping, and rural banditry,” and that it also supported the introduction of a dress code for all of its members as a way to preserve the Fulani culture.

Dangote defends cement price amid criticism

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Dangote defends cement price amid criticism

According to Dangote Cement Plc, the cost of cement in West Africa is comparable to or lower than those elsewhere in the region.

In addition, the company said that, in contrast to widely circulated reports in various media, the cost of a bag of cement from its operations in Nigeria had not changed.

The company had come under heavy fire for the difference in price of its cement in Nigeria as opposed to other West African nations.

In contrast, according to a statement from the firm, the cost of Dangote Cement as of Monday was N4,010 in Okpella and N4,640 in Ibese, Objana, and Gboko.

According to the statement, charges per bag could range from N5,000 to N5,300 when transportation expenses and delivery location are taken into account.

The company claimed that the statement was made in response to recent rumors that claimed it sold cement in Nigeria for substantially more than it did in other nations, including the Republic of Benin and other nearby nations.

Read Also: Peace advocates praise military’s tenacity in battling bandits, insurgents

Mr. Arvind Pathak, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, stressed the significance of separating the ex-factory prices of the company from the prices at which retailers sold cement in the market.

According to the company’s check, cement sold for between CFA 3,495 and CFA 4,500 in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin’s economic hub, or between N4,997 and N6,435 per bag at the current currency rate of CFA 1: NGN 1.43.

According to Pathak, “We continually develop novel approaches to deliver high-quality items to millions of our clients throughout Africa while offering first-rate customer services.

We at Dangote Cement are dedicated to creating a company that is inclusive and sustainable for all parties involved in the value chain.

Smuggler promised N50m bribe for confiscated containers release – Customs

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Smuggler promised N50m bribe for confiscated containers release – Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service’s Tincan Island Command stated that it turned down a N50 million payment that a drug smuggler who was importing tramadol and other drugs had proposed in exchange for the release of his container.

Speaking to reporters at the command on Monday, Tincan’s Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Adekunle Oloyede, said this.

According to him, Boniface Ike, the suspect, acknowledged ownership of two 40-foot containers filled with drugs and valued at N550m in duty-paid sales.

“One of the suspects in detention, Boniface Ike, acknowledged that he is the owner (importer) of the two containers and demanded a confidential discussion with the command,” he stated.

 

“With the hope of getting crucial information from the culprit, I told my officers to play along. To their surprise, however, the suspect demanded his release from custody and the release of the containers in exchange for N50m, which, at the current exchange rate of N920/$, is equal to $54,330. To be presented as an exhibit, the money was gathered and held in the enforcement unit’s safe custody.

Oloyede noted that two individuals had been detained and were now in the custody of the command’s enforcement team.

He claimed that the medicinal cartons that were seized came from India.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, according to Oloyede, regulates the unlicensed pharmaceutical products that were seized.

He repeated that the medications lacked the import permits and certificates that they should have had.

He declared that the organizations in charge of overseeing such importation restrictions would receive the suspects, containers, and evidence.

Lagos Assembly accuses planned to assault Speaker, others over rejected cabinet nominees

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Lagos Assembly accuses planned to assault Speaker, others over rejected cabinet nominees

The Lagos State House of Assembly claimed on Monday that anonymous individuals had planned to harm its Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and other lawmakers in retaliation for the governor’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s recent screening and rejection of several cabinet nominees.

In his remarks at Monday’s plenary, Obasa emphasized that the House would not yield to intimidation of any kind, including “sponsored protests by some civil society groups and activists” because its action was “in tandem with the constitution.”

Obasa stated, “Before today, I had been reliably informed of the plan to attack the Speaker based on the decision of the House concerning the nominees of the governor, particularly the rejected ones,” and he had received a deluge of calls from individuals and members of the opposition.
The Speaker also said the House had refrained from revealing all that it discovered during the screening of the nominees while warning that “those who live in glass houses should be conscious not to throw stones,” maintaining that it would not “spill” its discovery during the screening “to the public.”

Read Also: Tinubu moves to dismiss underperforming ministers – Ajuri Ngelale

Regarding insinuations that all was not well between the governor and the House, Obasa said, “There is this erroneous belief that we are waging a war against the governor. There is no basis for me and the House to fight the governor. I will continue to say that the governor is a brother and colleague in the Lagos project and service to the people of our state.

“The governor and I have been around in the system for long. While he was SA to the former deputy governor, Femi Pedro, I was in this House as Chairman, Committee on Rural Development. He was SA on Establishment and Pensions and I was Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments). While he was heading LSDPC, I was Chairman, Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Then, I became the Speaker and when he became the Governor, I remained the Speaker. So it’s been a long journey together.

“But I wonder why anytime the House says no to a particular request of the governor, it is taken by some people to mean there is a fight with the governor. This House has passed so many resolutions that the executive arm refused to carry out, but the people don’t see that as something to talk about and the House does not raise eyebrows. So, I don’t know what brings the erroneous belief that the House is fighting the governor, who is our brother and who we will continue to work with.

Obasa noted that while the House has its constitutional backing on its decisions, the same goes for the state governor.

He added that the House had its reasons for saying “no” to some of the commissioner-nominees sent by the governor.

“However, we have a constitutional responsibility. Just as the Governor has the responsibility to inform the House about his nominees, the House also has the responsibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ which we have exercised by confirming some and denying some and we have our reasons for saying ‘no’ to some of the nominees.

“The House, as a body, has refrained itself from exposing what it discovered during the screening and we are not going to be forced to spill to the public.”

Commenting on the rejection of the immediate-past commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Obasa said considerations went beyond his efforts in the fight against COVID-19 which he described as an isolated issue in the challenged health sector of the state.

“Before Prof. Abayomi, there were Leke Pitan, Dr. Jide Idris and others. COVID-19 was an isolated case that was considered. Before COVID-19, we had Ebola which was also taken care of under Babatunde Fashola.

“Beyond all these, we are the representatives of the people, their mouthpieces, eyes and ears. The health sector of Lagos is not just about COVID-19. We have general hospitals and other healthcare centres around the state. What can be said about them?

“Before Engineer Aramide Adeyoye, we also had Engineer Ganiyu Johnson and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Commissioner for Works and under whom the Ikoyi-Victoria Island link bridge was built while Babatunde Fashola was Governor. Under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor, there was massive infrastructural development too.

“So we must stop making allusions concerning some things we do not understand. They mentioned the former Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, and his experience. But how about actions in office?” Obasa asked.

The Speaker added that as a politician whose party is in power, the priority of those in government should be the interest of the people.

He urged those planning to sponsor actions against the House to realise that protests and sponsored articles would not make the House rescind its decision.

“The civil society that is threatening to protest should do so because it is a constitutional right. But we are not going to be threatened or intimidated. We have said no, but if there is a convincing or germane reason for us to reverse our decision, we will, but not by threats.

Read Also: Seven communities in Kwara complain about the 18-month blackout.

“It is because we are successful as politicians that is why the technocrats are being appointed. And to our own estimation, if they have not done well, we have the right to say no and we have said no.”

Obasa said, “We don’t want instigation and conflicts. The Executive and the House are working together. We are brothers and colleagues; we will continue to work together but we need to caution fourth columnists not to instigate any crisis. And those that are living in glass houses need to be careful.”

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