Sahara Reporters Latest News Wednesday 25th September 2019

Sahara Reporters Latest News Wednesday 25th September 2019

Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 25/09/19

target=_blank>JUST IN: Festus Keyamo Redeployed To Labour Ministry

Legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
His redeployment comes about one month after being named as Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs.
A statement from the Director of Information at the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, said Keyamo would replace Tayo Alasoadura as the Minister of State for Labour, while Alasoadura went the other way.
The statement said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the swap.
It said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate redeployment of two Ministers of State as follows.
“Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, is to move to Ministry of Labour and Employment as Minister of State.
“Senator Tayo Alasoadura is to move to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as Minister of State.
“This redeployment takes effect from today, September 24, 2019.”
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target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: How I Found Out I Had Been Granted Bail -Sowore

Omoyele Sowore

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Details have emerged as to how pro-democracy campaigner and Convener of RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, found out that he had been granted bail on Tuesday by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore was granted bail by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on the condition that he deposits his international passport with the court and that he is produced whenever needed by his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
Speaking with Sahara Reporters at the facility of the Department of State Services where he is being held in Abuja, Sowore said, “On Tuesday morning, I was asked to dress up by men of the DSS in preparation for my arraignment.
“I got dressed and was ready to go to court but was left unattended to for several hours by the DSS with no communication as to the change in plans of the arraignment until evening when visitors came around and told me that I had been granted bail.”
Sowore however, expressed skepticism on the will to carry out the court ruling by the Nigerian Government famed for disregarding court orders.
While thanking his supporters, he urged them not to relent in the demand for freedom and justice for every citizen arbitrarily detained by the Nigerian Government.
Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

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target=_blank>AFRAA Urges African Airlines To Own Airports To Mitigate Loss

African Airlines Association has called on African governments to develop a policy that would enable their airlines to own airports in their countries or vice versa in order to reduce losses.
Director of Government, Legal and Industry Affairs, AFRAA, Mr Aaron Munetsi, canvassed this position on Tuesday at the Akwaaba African Travel Market held in Lagos.
Munetsi pointed out that airlines on the continent, unlike their counterparts in Europe, America or Middle East, were operating at a huge loss.
He attributed the loss to payment of landing and parking charges, en route charges, aviation fuel and payment on aircraft lease to lessors.
Ethiopian Airlines is the only carrier on the continent, which owns an airport at the moment, while Kenya Airways was also pushing for same position through its government.
Munetsi declared that two most important components of aviation were airlines and airports, noting that unlike airlines, airports hardly close shop and called on players in the sector to develop interest in airport construction.
He said, “Several airlines have collapsed in Africa in the past 10 years but I want you to point to one airport that has collapsed within the same period of time. I still don’t know why people are not looking at setting up an airport rather than an airline.
“Airlines and airports are the most important components of aviation industry, everything else is peripheral to these two.”
He also agitated for the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market by African governments, saying that this would lead to growth in the aviation industry on the continent.
Munetsi lamented that only 19 per cent of air passengers were airlifted by African carriers from the continent, while airlines outside the continent transport the other 81 per cent, stressing that Africa could not continue to allow foreign carriers to dominate its airports.
He explained further that as at 2016, only Morocco and South Africa received more than 10 million passengers and tourists on the continent, while Atlanta Airport alone in United States, welcomed at least 184 million passengers and tourists within the period.
He insisted that there was level playing field for all airlines on the continent to thrive but declared that without cooperation, alliance and team work, airlines on the continent would continue to remain unprofitable.

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E2%80%99s-real-estate-sector-grew-once-15-quarters-%E2%80%93research target=_blank>Nigeria’s Real Estate Sector Grew Once In 15 Quarters –Research

The Guardian Nigeria

Analysis by CSL research has showed that the housing industry in Nigeria grew once since 2016.
Using data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the financial analysis firm discovered that loans granted to the real estate sector has recorded seven consecutive quarterly declines, stretching back to q3 2017.
The report said, “The real estate sector performance has remained lacklustre since 2016 and has recorded a positive GDP growth just once in the past 15 quarters.
“Deposit Money Banks’ credit to the real estate sector maintained a downward trend in Q2 2019, the seventh consecutive quarterly decline since Q3 2017.
“Total credit to the real estate sector declined 4.2 per cent q/q and 22.9 per cent y/y to N1.8trn in Q2 2019.”
The recessionary trends have impacted negatively on firms in the housing industry as well, as shown by UACN Property Development Company, which reported a decline of 42 per cent in revenue and made a pre-tax loss of N9.2bn in FY 2018.
CSL’s explanation for the state of the real estate industry is the shrinking disposable income available to Nigerians and the high mortgage rates in the country.
Citing a recent survey carried out by the CBN, CSL said the loan facilities made available by DMB’s for purchasing or building a home ranged between 14.0 per cent and 36.5 per cent.
The report added, “A plethora of perennial systemic issues continue to inhibit the sector’s recovery. One of such factors is the high mortgage rates in the country.
“A recent survey carried out by the CBN revealed mortgage rates across 23 banks in the country ranged between 14.0 – 36.5 per cent.
“Furthermore, consumer pockets remain severely pressured which has seen consumers opt for cheaper housing alternatives with the concept of shared apartments becoming a rising phenomenon.”

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target=_blank>Police To Arraign Journalist, Agba Jalingo, On Wednesday After 34 Days In Detention

The Nigerian Police is expected to arraign journalist and rights activist, Agba Jalingo, on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State.
After 33 days in detention, his lawyer, Mr James Ibor, told journalists that the police had picked a date to arraign Jalingo in court.
He said, “I have been informed that he will be arraigned at Court 2 of the Federal High Court in Calabar on Wednesday.”
Jalingo is being charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Cross River State Government, treasonable felony and terrorism; charges which pressure groups have described as laughable.
He was invited for an interview by the police in Cross River State on allegations that his article about the Cross River State Microfinance Bank where he requested for the whereabouts of the N500m approved and released for the floating of the financial institution.
The Cross River State Government has been fingered as being behind his ordeal, an allegation the spokesperson for Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Christian Ita, has continuously denied.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Association of Cross River Online Journalists, Mr Darlington Edem, has called on Nigerians to appear in court for the session in a show of solidarity.
Also, a former Chief Prosecutor in the state, who is also in Jalingo’s legal team, Mr Attah Ochinke, said a series of symposia in honour of the detained journalist is in the works in a bid to promote the campaign for citizens to hold their leaders accountable.

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target=_blank>Sowore: Nigeria Has A Way Of Punishing The Innocent, Says Banky W

Nigerian musician, Bankole Wellington popularly known as Banky W, has reacted to the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordering the Department of State Services to immediately release pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore, on bail.
In a statement on Tuesday, Banky-W described Nigeria as a county that prides itself in punishing the innocent.
He said, “I’m so thankful that our justice system made the right call by granting the release of Omoyele Sowore.
“Nigeria has a way of punishing the innocent and trampling on the rights, dreams and hopes of the regular citizens.
“Every time our leaders do wrong and get away with it, we lose a little piece of our soul.
“We become numb, we lose hope, and we subconsciously accept that this is how things are and there’s nothing we can say or do to change it.
“You didn’t need to be a voter or volunteer for Mr Sowore to see that this was clearly an infringement on a basic human right and a grave injustice.
“Freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest is the unassailable right of every Nigerian citizen.
“May God bless those in our justice system who stood on the right side of history by doing the right thing.
“May God strengthen, comfort and bless Sowore, his wife and family as they have endured the most difficult of times while only being guilty of attempting to speak up for a better Nigeria.”

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target=_blank>Kiribo: Inside Sleepy Ondo Community That Gave Birth To Sowore

Before now, not much was known of the town called Kiribo. Tucked in the extremes of Ondo State – one of Nigeria’s coastal cities – the history of the community is as interesting as its name sounds. One of the nine settlements making up Apoi kingdom, Kiribo is surrounded from all sides by Igbobini, Ojuala, Ikpoki, Inikorogha, Oboro, Shabomi, Igbotu and Gbekebo. Boasting of a rich culture and fearless humans – one of them popular activist, Omoyele Sowore – the town has suddenly shot into limelight in recent days. Since Sowore’s arrest in the early hours of August 3, 2019, by operatives of the Department of State Services, the name ‘Kiribo’ has suddenly found its way onto the lips and lexicon of many curious minds.
During a visit to the sleepy Ondo community on Tuesday ahead of a court hearing over Sowore’s case with the DSS in the Federal High Court, Abuja, SaharaReporters correspondent observed how the entire community had worn a celebratory mood in anticipation of a positive outcome at the court in Abuja. Though many residents went about their normal daily activities including school children, who flooded every available space in their respective classrooms for the day’s lessons, everyone was alert and ready to take to the dancing floor once the court delivered a favourable ruling. While those, who could afford smartphones and mobile data tracked the court proceedings with keen interest, others with leaner pockets clutched around transistor radios to feed their curiosity.
By the time Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court delivered his verdict and ordered the DSS to immediately release Sowore on bail, the entire Kiribo went wild with jubilation. For them, it was the climax of over 52 days of intense prayers and hope.
Expressing their excitement at the news while speaking with SaharaReporters, the people of Kiribo – young and old – could not hide their joy and first step to freedom of man, whose benevolence had positively impacted their lives. In unison, the people asked for the unconditional release of their illustrious son and hero.
Reacting to the news, Chairman of Parents Teachers Association of the Community High School, Kiribo, Idowu Orungba, described Sowore as their hero, adding that his arrest and detention by the DSS was an infringement on his fundamental rights.
According to him, Sowore regularly assists many individuals and households in the town financially without asking for anything in return.
“He is a great man who has assisted lots of people in the community including those outside Nigeria.
“We are aware that he was arrested by the DSS and some frivolous charges were filed against him just because he was calling for a protest.
“Our own Puluma (Sowore) is not and has never be a criminal because he grew up in this community before travelling overseas.
“Even when he travelled, he still remembers his source (people) financially and takes adequate care of the old ones by placing them on stipend for upkeep.
“In fact, he employed no fewer than three teachers in this school and pays them from his pocket to assist us.
“These and more are what he has been doing for this community. So, the government should drop all charges against him and set him free,” he said.
An indigene of the community, Babalola Orimisan, who has benefited from a scholarship programme initiated by Sowore in the past, described him as a life-changer.
“Sowore is a son of the soil whose yearly scholarship initiative has assisted many young people go to school in Kiribo.
“So, his arrest and subsequent detention came to us as a rude shock because as far as we are concerned it was to punish those of us here who are beneficiaries of his benevolence,” he said.
Traditional ruler of Kiribo, Oba Ajayi, told SaharaReporters that the entire community consulted God in many different ways to have their son freed from DSS’ detention.
“Omoyele is my son and we have always stood by him because he has helped us and always willing to support us in ways that he can.
“He means a lot to our community and that is why we are happy to hear that the court had said that she should be released on bail,” he said.
A group of old women, who could not hide their excitement upon hearing that the court had ordered the DSS to release Sowore, told SaharaReporters that they would not stop praying for his safe return home because he has been so good to them.
“He (Sowore) helps us to pay the school fees of our children and also provides learning materials for them to use in schools.
“All of us were sad the day we heard that he was arrested.
“But he is our son and we shall continue to stand by him. We know there are some forces behind his arrest because he is saying the truth and they want to cage him.
“We are pleading with Buhari to leave our son alone and drop every charges against him and allow him rest,” one of the old women said.
Tuesday’s ruling opened a new chapter in the legal battle between Sowore’s lawyers and the DSS, which had initially sought an ex parte order from the court to keep him for 45 days pending the conclusion of investigations into his involvement in alleged acts of terrorism.
After listening to the argument of all parties, Justice Taiwo ordered the DSS to release Sowore on bail, adding that his passport should be dropped with the court within 48 hours.
The ruling followed a seven-count charge brought against the activist bordering on terrorism, money laundering and cyberstalking President Muhammadu Buhari.

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E2%80%99ll-mobilise-nigerian-youths-plant-25-million-trees-says-buhari target=_blank>Climate Change: We’ll Mobilise Nigerian Youths To Plant 25 Million Trees, Says Buhari

President Buhari in his farm

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will mobilise Nigerian youths to plant 25 million trees to in order to enhance the country’s carbon sink and combat climate change.
Speaking at the Climate Action Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States, on Monday, Buhari said the government will include youth in the climate decision-making process.
He said, “I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020.
“In the water sector, Nigeria will issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply.
“We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.
“We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision-making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture.
“We will mobilise Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.
“In the energy sector, Nigeria is presently diversifying its energy sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources.
“Specifically, Nigeria is progressively working to realise 30 per cent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030. This is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide reduction per annum by 2030.
“It is now imperative that we must step-up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary-General.
“It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to its obligation under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.”

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target=_blank>Sowore VS DSS: Full Text Of Ruling By Justice Taiwo Taiwo Of The Federal High Court, Abuja, On September 24, 2019

I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant/respondent. I am also not oblivious that there is an information filed in this court dated September 19, 2019 but filed on the September 23, 2019. I did not have the information before me but I take judicial notice of the filing of the information since I have before me one of the counter affidavit of the applicant deposed to by one Tanko Musa.
I also note that the counsel before the court most especially the learned counsel for the applicant made reference to and confirmed the filing of the information.
The court can make use of any document before it especially if that document forms part of the record of the court. The order of court has not been renewed and cannot be renewed in view of the motion ex-parte stated earlier.
I have listened to the submissions of the learned counsel most especially for the respondent (Sowore) that he should be released from the custody of the applicant (DSS). It is a fact that there is no longer an extant order restraining the respondent as at today. It is not also in doubt that there is an information filed in the registry of this court. The merit of which this court cannot go into at this stage.
It is also not in doubt that this is a court of justice and must be seen to uphold the rule of law and constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria both in criminal and civil cases. The liberty of Nigerians, poor or rich, is guaranteed by the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is to this end that I am of the view that the respondent (Sowore) ought to be released forthwith in the view of the fact that there is no extant order of this court for his continued detention. However, in view of information filed in the registry of this court, I am of the view that the release forthwith of the respondent must be on terms.
I therefore order the respondent (Sowore) be released forthwith but he must deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of this court within 48 hours of this order.
Furthermore the respondent shall be released to Mr Femi Falana (SAN) forthwith by the applicant that is State Security Service.
Mr Femi Falana shall ensure that the respondent is produced for formal arraignment whenever the respondent is notified. This is my ruling.

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Sowore: How Justice Taiwo Taiwo Nailed DSS’s ‘Coffin’

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More details have emerged as to the real reason Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of pro-democracy campaigner and Convener of RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday.
During the court session, prosecution counsel, G.A.O Agbadua argued that the charge against the SaharaReporters Publisher is a “capital offence punishable by death” and granting bail to such person is done “under exceptional circumstances”.
But counsel to Sowore, Femi Falana (SAN), objected to the submission of the prosecution, asking the court to discountenance the argument.
He said that the applicant was misleading the court for saying that the offence filed against the respondent was a capital offence.
However, in his ruling, Justice Taiwo said that the respondent (Sowore) ought to have been released since there was no extant order of the court for his continued detention.
The judge said, “It is to this end that I am of the view that the respondent (Sowore) ought to be released forthwith in view of the fact that there is no extant order of this court for his continued detention.
“However, in view of information filed in the registry of this court, I am of the opinion that the release forthwith of the respondent must be on terms.”
Justice Taiwo held that the court can make use of any document before it especially if that document forms part of the record of the court.
He explained that the order of court had not been renewed and cannot be renewed in view of the motion ex-parte stated earlier.
He pointed out that liberty of Nigerians both poor and rich were guaranteed under the constitution and the court must be seen to be upholding the rule of law as entrenched by law.
He added, “It is also not in doubt that this court of justice must be seen to be upholding the rule of law and constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria both in criminal and civil cases.
“The liberty of Nigerians, poor or rich, is guaranteed by the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I therefore order the respondent (Sowore) to be released forthwith but he must deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of this court within 48 hours of this order.
“Furthermore, the respondent shall be released to Mr Femi Falana (SAN) forthwith by the applicant that is State Security Service.
“Mr Femi Falana shall ensure that the respondent is produced for formal arraignment whenever the respondent is notified. This is my ruling.”

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