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NBA launches free legal services in 130 branches

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NBA launches free legal services in 130 branches

The Nigerian Bar Association, in recognition of the fundamental and guaranteed constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and protest, has set up pro bono legal support services for anyone whose fundamental human rights may be violated as a result of the protest.

The protest by citizens, calling for an end to bad governance in the country, took off on Thursday across many states of the federation.

The President of the association, Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in a statement on Thursday, through the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that a direction had been sent out to all chairpersons of the 130 branches of the association to take up any case of breach of fundamental human rights of persons involved in the protest.

He, however, advised participants to go about the protest peacefully, while he urged law enforcement agents to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the discharge of their duty.

He also noted that a situation monitoring committee had been set up to monitor activities between law enforcement agents and protesters.

The statement read: “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), yesterday, 31 July 2024, directed all the Chairmen/Chairpersons of the 130 branches of the NBA to ensure that their respective human rights committees take up observed or reported cases of breach of fundamental right(s) of any citizen, harassment, intimidation or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents, the protesters or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest.

“Chairmen/Chairpersons of NBA branches have also been directed to set up situation monitoring committees to monitor and report activities and interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.

“Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit the same for the NBA’s record and further action where necessary.

“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA has established Legal Support Services teams across the country headed by the 1st Vice President of the NBA, Mrs Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN); and the Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, (SAN). The NBA President has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.”

The association urged citizens and security agencies to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law

“As the protest commences today, August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including members of the NBA who are joining the protest, to exercise their rights peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

“The security agencies are also urged to be professional and observe human rights in their duty to enforce the law,” the statement read.

Okonkwo, others’ defection won’t stop 2027 victory – LP

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Okonkwo, others’ defection won’t stop 2027 victory – LP

The leadership of the Labour Party has said it was neither losing sleep nor in any form of panic over the recent exit of some chieftains and party bigwigs.

The party also claimed that some of the chieftains leaving its fold were working for the opposition parties to create a semblance of crisis in the LP.

On January 8, 2024, a former Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, resigned from the party due to what he called ideological differences.

In March, The According reported that six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, elected on the platform of LP, formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

On May 18, a lawmaker representing Onicha East constituency at the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Celestine Ogba, switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress.

Last week, a high-ranking senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Francis Ezenwa, and the House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the 2023 election, Tolulope Philips, also dumped the party for the APC and PDP, respectively.

In a more dramatic twist, the actor-turned-politician and former spokesman for LP Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, announced that he had cut ties with the party and its presidential standard-bearer, Peter Obi.

Amidst all these defections, the National Working Committee of the LP insisted that it had not in any way unsettled the party.

Speaking with The According in an exclusive interview, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Kehinde Edun, said the exit of some bigwigs had rather opened the way for more notable and committed personalities to come into the party.

He said, “There is no need to lose sleep over it. Things like this happen a lot in politics, especially in Africa. As they (chieftains) are leaving, more people are coming in. In fact, we have more people coming into the party without making noise about it.

“The truth is that some of these people leaving LP are working for opposition parties. What they are trying to do is create a semblance of crisis in our party. That is the situation they want to create so they can have an excuse for leaving the party.

“But as I told you, more people are coming in as some left. When five persons leave, 50 people come in. Our membership strength is getting bigger by the day. All this noise about people leaving us is sponsored to distract us. It is better to lose fats and gain muscle.”

The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, also shared his sentiment when he said they had no doubt the internal strife in the party was being sponsored by external forces.

Ifoh, however, insisted that the party’s national leader was also not giving up on his plan to reconcile all aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party, to have a united front in preparation for the 2027 general election.

“I think some external forces are propelling this distraction and the NLC agitation. That is exactly what Peter Obi is trying to resolve. But I can tell you that Obi’s reconciliatory effort has not collapsed. It is having an effect. You know reconciliation does not happen in a day. It takes time, depending on the people on both sides.

“This in-fighting is happening because LP has already confirmed Obi as our candidate for 2027. It is the handiwork of the APC and PDP. All these fights are against Obi, not the party. They (parties) easily buy some members over to cause a crisis in the Labour Party because they don’t want Peter Obi to emerge as the president.

“That is why we are having all these issues you are seeing. But we are working seriously to hold on to our members and party chieftains,” he said.

FG extends civil servants’ verification

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FG extends civil servants’ verification

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for workers’ verification from July 31 to August 15, 2024, The According has learnt.

Civil servants are to verify their identities on the portal of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System amidst the planned stoppage of salaries and sanctions for ghost workers.

Our correspondent gathered that civil servants had been in haste to generate their Taxpayers Identification Number.

Part of the requirement for verification is the TIN alongside the IPPIS number and salary account number.

Our correspondent sighted on Thursday an official notice on the extension of the verification exercise.

“This is to inform the Federal Government workers who receive monthly salary via treasury that the IPPIS verification portal has been extended to 15th August 2024.

“Therefore, all federal employees are expected to conclude update of their payroll information on or before 12 midnight of Thursday, August 15, 2024,” the notice read.

Confirming the development, a senior civil servant told our correspondent: “Yes, it is true. Initially, some civil servants, especially university workers, refused. I think this is why it was extended to August 15.”

President Bola Tinubu had directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad be made to refund the money.

The President also directed that the culprits’ supervisors and department heads be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud while they were in charge.

“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.

“I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning.

“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.

“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that the government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to the government treasury.

Passengers shun Lagos, Ogun motor parks over protest

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Passengers shun Lagos, Ogun motor parks over protest

As Nigerians observed the nationwide protest on Thursday, According Metro reports that passengers abandoned numerous motor parks in Lagos and Ogun states.

Our correspondent, who visited motor parks in Akute, Alagbole, and Ojodu-Berger, reports that commercial buses were in large numbers while drivers anxiously waited for passengers to arrive.

“It was yesterday that I heard that there would be a protest today. I cannot cancel my appointment for it,” a motorist identified only as Sola said.

Roadside vendors were seen operating openly, while motorists sat idly in the shaded areas of the parking lots.

The #EndHungerProtest organisers stated that the nationwide demonstration aimed to urge the government to change certain policies that were causing the public significant financial hardship.

When According Metro visited roadside stores and commercial banks along Akute-Alogbole Road on Thursday morning, nearly all were locked up by around 11:30 am.

Our correspondent observed a similar scene in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State. Except for a newsstand where people gathered to read daily newspapers, retail stores along the roadways were closed, and commercial buses filled the motor park without passengers.

No police officers were in sight, and commercial institutions in Ojodu, such as First Bank, Union Bank, and Access Bank, were also closed for business.

A small group of roadside vendors loitered around the market grounds, waiting for potential customers to arrive.

“People are afraid to come out because they thought there was going to be violence,” a commercial driver identified as Saka said.

He added, “They (passengers) will come out before evening.”

According to the organisers, the nationwide protest, themed “Days of Rage,” is expected to run until August 10.

LASG empowers 1,500 artisans

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LASG empowers 1,500 artisans

The Lagos State Government has empowered over 1,500 artisans with various tools of trade.

The artisans were empowered under the 2024 edition of the Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative.

They received various items, such as aluminum fabrication machines, manicure and pedicure kits; hairstyling kits, tile-laying machines; gas burners, cooking pots,  and cake mixers, among others.

The ministry also gave out over 200 Point of Sale machines to some of the beneficiaries with start-up funds and offered free registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

MESI, a programme coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is tailored towards reaching out to  socio-economically disadvantaged women, indigent youths, and students through skill acquisition, and distribution of basic empowerment tools.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that MESI reflected his administration’s commitment to consistently empowering residents of the state to create an inclusive and prosperous society..

He said, “This Micro Enterprise Support Initiative is designed to uplift vulnerable women and indigent youths by providing them with the tools and support they need to start and grow their businesses. By empowering this population segment, we aim to continue stimulating economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating a more inclusive Lagos.

“To the beneficiaries of this programme, I offer my sincere congratulations. I urge you to make judicious use of this opportunity and resources. This equipment is not given as gifts to be kept away, but they are tools to make you economically and financially independent and become worthy ambassadors of this great state.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji  Dada, said the gesture was to alleviate poverty in the state.

Gov committed to Lagosians’ welfare – Aide

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Gov committed to Lagosians’ welfare – Aide

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, has reaffirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to addressing the needs of Lagosians amid the ongoing economic challenges.

A statement obtained Thursday noted that Tajudeen said this at the presentation of cheques to 100 beneficiaries of the Financial Assistance Programme at the Conference Room of the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

According to the statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Olatokunbo Dawodu, the Special Adviser, while welcoming the beneficiaries, said Sanwo-Olu’s administration was fully committed to ensuring that every resident felt supported and valued regardless of the difficulties they faced.

Reiterating the role of each resident in maintaining peace and stability in the state, he appealed to all Lagosians to uphold law and order in the face of the ongoing protest.

“The distribution of cheques taking place is one of the various ongoing social intervention programmes of this administration. It had been planned before the issue of the protest, and it is out of the governor’s kind heart. He feels your plight and he will never be tired of putting smiles on the faces of Lagosians.

“Therefore, we all have a part to play in ensuring our state remains safe for us all. So, I urge you all to play your part by maintaining law and order while going about your normal activities as usual,” he added.

Also present at the ceremony was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Ms. Sholabomi Shasore.

On Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu, while addressing the state on the need for youths to shun the ongoing protests against hardship, said his government had rolled out several measures to assist the residents.

He warned that violent protests were capable of rolling back the collective gains of the state over time.

Police impose curfew as bomber kills 16 in Borno

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Police impose curfew as bomber kills 16 in Borno

The police on Thursday imposed a 24-hour curfew across Borno State in response to the suicide attack in the Kawuri village, Konduga Local Government Area that killed 16 people and injured 20 others.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, who disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri, said the decision was taken based on the bomb attack that killed many innocent citizens.

Nahum said the decision was taken after consultations between Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and heads of security agencies in the state, in order to forestall further security breaches.

“The curfew is a measure to prevent further loss of life and property and to allow security agencies to maintain control and ensure public safety.

“Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary movements during the curfew period,” he said.

He urged the people of the state to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that further developments would be communicated accordingly.

NAN reports that a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated a bomb at a marketplace in Kauri, a rural community in the Konduga area of Borno.

The incident occurred around 9 pm on Wednesday, at the market area, which operates at night every day.

The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Yusuf Lawan, said response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene to evacuate the injured victims for treatment while the corpses were taken to the primary healthcare centre.

He said the police Explosive Ordnance Device team was deployed to the scene to protect the area from further bombs.

He added that normalcy was restored, and joint security teams were on cautious alerts.

 The Wednesday incident comes about four weeks after 32 persons were killed in multiple suicide bombings that rocked the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno early July.

It was the deadliest after a long period peace in the North-East states.

The military described it as an act of cowardice by Boko Haram terrorists, insisting that the insurgents had been significantly degraded.

“Clearly, the terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline. Citizens must see through the smokescreen of the terrorists. We must realise that the terrorist  aims to counter the reports of their weakness and  create panic in the general population,” the spokesman for the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, said.

NSA officials cart away According photojournalist’s camera, phones

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NSA officials cart away According photojournalist’s camera, phones

Some officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser who abducted The According photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola, on Thursday, are yet to release his camera, phones and other belongings to him.

 

Jaiyeola was among the journalists covering the hunger protest at Eagles Square when officials from the office of the NSA abducted him.

 

Despite showing them his office identity card, the ONSA officials took his camera, phones and other belongings away from him.

 

Jaiyeola said the ONSA officials drove him to the FCT police command and ordered his detention.

He added that the officials refused his requests to call his office or family and inform them of his whereabouts.

 

Jaiyeola said, “I pleaded with them when we got to the station to allow me to speak with my office with my phones but they didn’t answer me. They drove off without even documenting with the police. They just introduced themselves as being from the office of the NSA. It was more of a case of abduction because nobody knew where I was, even in abduction cases the kidnappers will still let your family know you have been kidnapped.”

 

Jaiyeola stated that he managed to call one of his colleagues in the office after the FCT Nigerian Union of Journalists chairman, Jide Oyekunle, visited the command to retrieve his phone, which had been seized by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh.

 

“It was after the FCT chairman was given his phone I approached him to help me call any According reporter on his list. That was how I was able to make that distress call which eventually resulted in my release”, he added.

Jaiyeola who returned home some minutes ago, said efforts to get back his belongings proved abortive.

He said, “After I was released the police tried to help me see if they could help me get back my camera and phones but there was no headway. So I went straight to the NSA’s office but I was asked the names officers who arrested me. I told them they were not in uniform and there was no way I could know their names.

 

“I told them I can identify them when I see them. After some minutes they asked me to leave, at first I didn’t want to but in order not to create a scene I left and went back to the station with the hope that they would go back there to drop my gadgets but they didn’t.”

 

Efforts to speak to the ONSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa were fruitless as calls to his line were not answered, and he has yet to respond to a message sent to him on the matter.

 

When contacted, the FCT command police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh said Jaiyeola was brought by NSA officials and had been released.

Adeh added that Jaiyeola was still at the command because the police were trying to help him get his phone and camera back.

 

“We didn’t arrest him. He was brought from the NSA office. He has been told to go but he said his phone and gadgets are with the people who brought him and we have been trying to see how he could get them back which was why he is still with us. FCT police command didn’t arrest him, please. “

Sanwo-Olu hails peaceful protest in Lagos, calls for normalcy

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Sanwo-Olu hails peaceful protest in Lagos, calls for normalcy

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has hailed the peaceful conduct of Lagosians during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in the state on Thursday.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the peaceful protest experienced in the state should be the norm.

The governor said Lagosians have chosen to embrace peace and shun the path of destruction while expressing their views and constitutional right to protest.

The statement reads, “The Lagos State Government has watched closely today’s protest in some parts of the State and would like to put on record the peaceful conduct of Lagosians. This is the way it should be in our dear State, according to Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“We have also noticed the slowdown of business in some parts of the State, perhaps because of the fear that hooligans and architects of anarchy might force their evil design on us all and endanger our harmony. Thankfully, that did not happen. To a large extent, Lagosians have chosen to embrace peace and shun the path of destruction while expressing their views and constitutional right to protest.

“The message of the protest – hunger in the land – has also been well noted. It is, however, important to reiterate the fact that the Federal Government is taking steps to reverse the situation. Besides opening the National Grains Reserve, the Federal Government has suspended import duties on food items – a measure that will, no doubt, ensure that the current food shortage is addressed and high prices are rolled back. We will work with all food distributors to ensure that our citizens enjoy the resultant price reductions.

“On our part, as Mr. Governor has promised, the popular Sunday Markets will return with its 25% discount on all major food items. The Medical Outreach, which offered thousands of our people treatment free of any charge whatsoever, will also return. We are finalizing the logistics for its implementation.

“We will continue to ensure that all expectant women enjoy free delivery in our hospitals. The 25% slash in fares on all our transport facilities will continue. So will all the other measures we have put in place to relieve Lagosians of the burden of these times.”

The governor asked the protesters to call off the protest scheduled to be held from 1 to 10 August, saying that their voices had been heard loud and clear.

Sanwo-Olu asked residents to go out without any fear, saying that security agents will continue to ensure their safety and that businesses can operate without any harassment.

It added, “Considering all the Federal and State Governments have done, all lovers of peace will agree that it is time the protesters called off their action. Their voice has been heard – loud and clear.”

“It is also important to put on record the professional conduct of all our security agencies – the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services, the Military, the Civil Defence, Neighbourhood Watch, Community leaders, Religious leaders, Resident Associations and others – who ensured that the peace we cherish was not compromised.

“We will continue to engage all stakeholders to ensure that our State remains peaceful and a beacon of hope for all.”

APC, Edo govt clash over ownership of rice looted by #EndBadGovernance protesters

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APC, Edo govt clash over ownership of rice looted by #EndBadGovernance protesters

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Edo State government on Thursday traded words over the ownership of the truck of rice looted at a warehouse in Benin by #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Some residents of the state were sighted in a viral video looting the rice at a warehouse in Urora, Uhunmwonde local government area of the state during the protest.
In the video, the looters were heard saying the warehouse belonged to the state government.
Most of the residents were seen carrying more than a 10kg bag of rice.
At a news conference on Thursday, the Acting APC Chairman in the state, Jarret Tenebe, said the video had allegedly exposed Governor Godwin Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive Edo people of the Federal Government’s palliative.
Tenebe alleged that a substantial part of the rice was being sold in markets by a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) market woman leader.
He said: “If Edo people were in doubt, the video that emerged on social media today, showing an abandoned trailer load of repackaged Federal Government rice with Edo State Government inscription has exposed the state government.
“The rice was discovered by Urora residents and it has exposed Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive the Edo people of accessing the different palliative measures of the Federal Government.
“We have intelligence reports on several warehouses in the state, hoarding rice and other grains met for Edo people.
“There are reports also that a substantial part of the rice was being sold in markets by a prominent PDP market woman leader.”
The APC leader described the scenario as economic sabotage, which the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) must investigate.
However, the state government had denied ownership of the warehouse.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said in a statement the government did not keep relief materials in its warehouses
He said the government’s feeding programme for vulnerable persons in the state was being implemented through religious bodies.
Nehikhare alleged that APC was behind the video.
He said: “The Edo State government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, and the government does not have a warehouse in that location.
“The video is the handiwork of APC in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points.
“The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organisations particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and the Muslim leaders in the State.
“The state government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels.
“We will not put this tactic past the APC, which is spreading malicious content to score cheap political points.
“This condemnable action is intended to cause chaos in the state.”
The post APC, Edo govt clash over ownership of rice looted by #EndBadGovernance protesters appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

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