Sahara Reporters Latest News Sunday 29th September 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 29/09/19
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E2%80%93segun-adeniyi target=_blank>How Sowore Predicted Long Ago That DSS Would Not Let Him Go –Segun Adeniyi
Olusegun Adeniyi
Olusegun Adeniyi
A former spokesperson for late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Olusegun Adeniyi, has said that pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, predicted long ago that the Department of State Services would not obey the court order for his release.
In a tweet, Adeniyi said that when he visited Sowore a fortnight ago, the activist predicted that he would not be allowed to return home.
He said, “That Sowore is still in detention more than 24 hours after his bail conditions were perfected is a real shame and a serious affront on the rule of law.
“I hope the authorities will act quickly on the court order.
“I visited Sowore two weeks ago and sadly, he predicted this scenario.”
Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered the DSS to release Sowore on bail.
But more than 72 hours after that period, the government is yet to obey that directive.
Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3 by the DSS for calling on Nigerians to express their frustration on the poor state of leadership in the country.
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target=_blank>Fowler Dragged To Court For Continuing As FIRS Boss Despite End Of Tenure
Babatunde Fowler has been summoned by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano for overstaying his tenure as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Mr Stanley Okwara had dragged the FIRS boss to court as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to explain why Fowler was yet to step down as well as asking that he return all salaries received within his extended period.
In the case with suit number FHC/KN/CS/141/2019 presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa, the plaintiff sought to know whether the continued stay of Fowler in office “was not illegal” having regard to the combined provisions of sections of the FIRS (Establishment) Act, 2007.
The presiding judge of the High Court after hearing a plaintiff’s counsel on September 23, 2019, ordered that the defendant should be served in Abuja and file their defence within five days.
In the originating summon, the two defendants were given 30 days to explain why Fowler, who was appointed on August 20, 2015, has not ceased to hold office as Chairman of the FIRS after that date in accordance with the “decision of the Supreme Court and having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 3(2) (a), Section 4(a) and Section 11 (a)” of the agency.
The plaintiff sought other reliefs including, “A declaration that the first defendant has ceased to hold office as Chairman of the FIRS after August 20, 2019 and that his continued stay in office is illegal.
“An order barring the first defendant from further holding himself out as, laying claim to or exercising the powers and functions of the Executive Chairman of the FIRS unless he is re-appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“An order directing the first defendant to return forthwith to the Treasury Single Account of the Federation all the salaries, emoluments and such other kindred monetary benefits he has been drawing on the purse of the FIRS and file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days after the delivery of judgment in this suit.”
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E2%80%99t-intimidate-judiciary-lagos-lawyer-jiti-ogunye-tells-buhari target=_blank>Sowore: You Can’t Intimidate The Judiciary, Lagos Lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, Tells Buhari
Human rights lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, has condemned reports that the Nigerian Government was making moves to punish Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for granting pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, bail in a case involving him and the Department of State Services.
Expressing his views in a post on Facebook, Ogunye described the news as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the judiciary into doing the bidding of the government, which runs foul to the rule of law.
He said, “We are of the opinion that the story is meant to prejudice the enforcement of Omoyele Sowore’s right to liberty whenever he may be arraigned in court on the said charge/information, and frustrate the prospect of his being granted a post charge and arraignment bail.
“The story is pre-emptive and published to scare the trial judge that may preside over his charge, arraignment and trial to refuse to exercise his discretionary power to grant him bail whenever he is eventually arraigned.
“And we believe the story is meant to intimidate, harass and embarrass Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who acted appropriately, judicially and very judiciously in granting Omoyele Sowore bail upon the expiration of the 45 days he had previously granted the SSS to detain and investigate him regarding the criminal allegations made against him.”
The rights lawyer also noted that contrary to the stance of the government against Sowore’s bail, all criminal offences including capital offences are bailable in line with Section 161 (1 & 2) and 162 of ACJA, 2015.
He claimed that while the Nigerian Government had the right to appeal the bail granted to Sowore, it should not misinform the public on court’s judgment and not also smear the reputation of the judicial arm of government.
He added, “We concede that the Nigerian Government may lodge an appeal against the decision of the court granting Omoyele Sowore bail.
“It may lodge a petition against the judge if it so wishes and if there are justifiable and reasonable grounds to do so.
“But it cannot, lawfully and rightly, resort to a newspaper or media publication to scandalise the court, misrepresent court proceedings and decisions, or impugn the character or judicial reputation of the judge, twisting the law and facts of this matter.”
Justice Taiwo had ordered the DSS to release Sowore on bail on Tuesday after the expiration of a 45-day ex-parte order to detain him while he is investigated for acts of terrorisms and other offences.
But despite the court ruling, President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has refused to release him, forcing condemnation from around the world.
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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E2%80%99s-regime-mounts-pressure-acting-chief-judge-federal-high-court-assign-sowores-case target=_blank>Buhari’s Regime Mounts Pressure On Acting Chief Judge Of Federal High Court To Assign Sowore’s Case File
The Nigerian Government is mounting pressure on the Acting Chief Judge of Federal High Court, John Tsoho, to assign the case of pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, it has been found.
The activist, who has continued to be held by the Department of State Services despite Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering his release on bail on Tuesday, was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 for calling on Nigerians to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.
According to findings by Sahara Reporters on Saturday, Tsoho has come under immense pressure from the government to assign the case file to enable President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to amend the charges earlier brought against the activist.
The DSS had on September 21 filed a seven-count charge against Sowore bordering on treasonable felony, cyberstalking and money laundering.
However, observers from around the world had condemned the charges, describing it as baseless and a deliberate attempt to silence Sowore’s and other voices of dissent in the country.
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E2%80%99s-continued-detention target=_blank>Don Jazzy Tackles Nigerian Government Over Sowore’s Continued Detention
Ace music producer and record label owner, Don jazzy, has hit out at the Nigerian Government for refusing to release pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, despite a court order directing that he should be freed.
In a series of posts on his Twitter page on Saturday, Don Jazzy said it was hypocritical for the government to urge citizens to honour rule of law when the government itself disregards it.
He said, “Isn’t it pious that a government that tells her citizens to always obey the rule of law doesn’t lead by example?
“They only regard the rule of law when it suits their sentiments. Let’s just pretend we’re not in a ‘banana republic’.
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.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the DSS to release him on bail but despite that directive, the government is yet to free Sowore.
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E2%80%93nollywood-star-stella-damasus target=_blank>I Can’t Get Over The Way Sowore Is Being Treated –Nollywood Star, Stella Damasus
Nigerian movie star and producer, Stella Damasus, has expressed disgust over how pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, is being treated by the government through the Department of State Services.
Damascus, who took to her Twitter handle earlier on Saturday to express her feelings, said, “Anyone who is not outraged about the way #Sowore has been treated does not know what democracy means.
“I still can’t get over it.”
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.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the DSS to release him on bail but despite that directive, the government is yet to free Sowore.
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target=_blank>Rise Up Against Assault On Judiciary, Deji Adeyanju Tells CJN, Nigerians
Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Chief Justice if Nigeria, Abubakar Tanko, and other lovers of democracy to save the judiciary from assault of tyranny.
He made this call while reacting to the plan by the Nigerian Government to drag Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, before the National Judicial Council for granting pro-democracy activist and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, bail.
He said the nation’s democracy was on the verge of collapse and the time to rise up and defend it was now.
Adeyanju added that it does not matter whose right was being violated but once there was a violation of rights, citizens must rise up in their defense.
He said, “This is a government that has no regard for the rule of law or respect for the doctrine of separation of powers, which is the hallmark of constitutional democracy.
“CJN Tanko and every lover of democracy must save the judiciary from this assault of tyranny.
“Like I always say, it does not matter whose right is being violated, once we see a violation of the rights of others, we must rise up in their defense.
“Besides, this particular judge is one of their compliance judge, who has given many favourable judgments to the government since 2015 including the initial 45 days detention order of Sowore which the government hurriedly complied with, so why get angry now because he turned against them this time.”
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target=_blank>HURIWA Demands Suspension, Arrest Of Head of Presidential Amnesty Office
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called for the suspension and arrest of Head of Presidential Amnesty Office, Prof Charles Dokubo.
In a statement, the group said it is seeking for a transparent investigation into several allegations levelled against Dokubo.
One of the allegations against Dokubo is that he approved the payment of N1.6bn for 400 wooden canoes at N4m each.
HURIWA threatened to mobilise the civil society community in Nigeria to carryout law based action against Dokubo if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to sanction him.
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target=_blank>Border Closure Was Never Intended To End In 28 Days, Says Customs Boss
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Nigerian borders would remain closed until neighbouring countries comply with protocols on movement of goods and persons as established by the Economic Community of West African States, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali (retd), has said.
Ali, who said this while speaking with journalists during a visit to the Idiroko Border in Ogun State, announced that there was no end in sight to the partial closure of land borders until the condition was met.
He noted that adherence to protocols on movement of persons and goods would ensure mutual benefit of the countries and enhance coexistence.
Ali, who was with the Controller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, maintained that the border closure was never intended to be in force within 28 days.
While commending the joint security operatives deployed for the enforcement of the policy, Ali said President Muhammadu Buhari had expressed satisfaction with the operations.
He said, “It was never meant to end at the end of the 28th day. As for planning purposes, we take it step by step.
“Phase one was when we put 28 days. The border drill has no definitive end but what we believe we want is to establish relationship with our neighbours and this relationship is mutual coexistence.
“So, we will keep this drill going on until we get to the point where we now sit down and agree on the basic things that will mutually benefit us and mutually enhance our coexistence and ensure that the protocols established by ECOWAS, not by Nigeria, are adhered to strictly.”
The joint-border security exercise code-named ‘Ex-Swift Response’, which was ordered by the Nigerian Government, commenced in August to secure Nigeria’s land and water borders.
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Education Ministry, NFF, 48 Others Fail To Honour FoI Request –Report
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A new report has revealed Federal ministries and agencies that have failed to comply with the Freedom of Information Act in the year 2019.
The report accumulated by the FOI Vault, ranked all agencies and security institutions on their responsiveness to FoI request and compliance with the act by government agencies and parastatals.
The 2019 ranking was co-organised by six civil society organisations, the Public Private Development Centre, BugdIT, Connected Development, Right to Know, Basic Right Watch, and Media Rights Watch.
Nkem Ilo, who gave an overview of the FoI ranking, said the parameters for the ranking were proactive disclosure, responsiveness in the request for information, level of disclosure, FoI training, and timeliness.
Other parameters used include the establishment of FoI desk in MDAs, publication, and submission of annual FoI compliance report to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
She noted that the process is focused on promoting accountability and transparency by encouraging timely access to information.
The Federal Fire Service tops the compliance ranking by security institution followed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Police Service Commission, Military Pension Board, and Nigerian Prison Service in the top five positions.
Seven other security institutions flagrantly disregarded the FoI Act and refused to comply with the laid down instruction.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission leads the ranking of 191 public institutions in the country followed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Broadcasting Commission, National Population Commission of Nigeria, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Ministry of Communication and Technology, and the Nigeria Football Federation all failed to comply with the provisions of the FoI Act.
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