Sahara Reporters Latest News Sunday 3rd November 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 03/11/19
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Boko Haram: Revoke N14bn Road Project In Adamawa, Communities Urge Government
The Telegraph
After three years, communities have urged the Nigerian Government to revoke non-performing contracts on the construction of bridges destroyed by Boko Haram in Adamawa State.
In 2014, when the terror group overran the Northern axis of the state, covering seven local government areas, they also destroyed three bridges linking Adamawa and Borno states.
The collapsed bridges have since Boko Haram occupation disconnected Madagali and Michika local government areas from the rest of the state.
The government in 2017, awarded N14bn contract for the construction of the bridges and general road rehabilitation.
However, three years on, only six per cent work had been done, “after the contractor was mobilised with N2.2bn”, according to the Controller of Works, Salihu Abubakar.
As things stand, communities worst affected by the collapsed bridges have summoned their senator, Elisha Abbo, urging him to prevail on the government to revoke the contract.
However, the project manager, Ghais Sarieddine, said the slow pace of the project was due to bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He said, “It took the ministry two years to give us advanced payment of N2.2bn and another 14 months to approve our working drawings.
“Now that we have solved the problems we’ve had in the past, by December 31, everything will be resolved.”
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Former UNILAG Lecturer Accuses Attorney-General Of Imo Of Perverting Justice
Ndukwe Nnawuchi
Ndukwe Nnawuchi
A retired lecturer of the University of Lagos, Innocent Iwuji, has accused the Attorney-General of Imo State, Mr Ndukwe Nnawuchi, of coming in the way of justice.
In letter written by the retired lecturer and obtained by SaharaReporters, it was revealed that the Attorney-General had given instructions to lawyers handling his case not oppose bail application when
Giving the genesis of all that happened, the former lecturer explained that sometime in 2013, at Nnemere Mpam Village under Ekwereazu Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, his security man and in-law, one Ude Christopher Azionu, was abducted and murdered.
According to him, some of the people involved in the crime were arrested and charged to court in 2014 and 2016 at Mbaise and Oweri high courts respectively.
However, one of the suspects, Mr Innocent Chidi, absconded from the community only to be arrested in 2018.
Iwuji said Chidi was arraigned at the Imo State High Court with charge No. HOW/229C/2018 and HOW/229C/2018 respectively which was presided over by Hon. Justice Chikeka.
However efforts to reach the Attorney-General of Imo State has not been successful as all efforts to get his official contact proved abortive.
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FUNAAB Expels Student Over Letter To IGP, Alliance With Sowore
A 200-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ifemosu Adewale, who wrote an open letter on Facebook to the Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB over the incessant indiscriminate arrest of students and also over the lack of adequate transportation system on the school’s main campus, has been expelled on the orders of the VC and the school’s Senate.
The expulsion letter, which was received by Adewale on Friday, partly reads, “You would recall that in July 2019, you posted an open letter on the Internet to the Vice Chancellor of the school in which you raised allegations and misrepresentation of fact about the university.
“At the Student Disciplinary Committee meeting held on August 29, 2019, you were invited for the purpose of giving you fair hearing on the allegation of an act perpetrated through the Internet, that is inimical to the integrity and corporate image of the university.
“Senate at its 217th Statutory Meeting held on Thursday, October 17, 2019, considered the report of the Student Disciplinary Committee on the allegation and thus decided that you have been found culpable of insubordination to university officials, defamation of character and act perpetrated through the Internet that is inimical to the integrity and corporate image of the university based on the extant rules and regulations on penalties for various offenses by students of the university.
“Consequent upon the decision of Senate, you’re hereby expelled from the university as provided for the offenses committed by you.
“You should surrender all university properties in your possession including the university identity card to the Dean, Student Affairs.”
In an interview with SaharaReporters, Adewale said he sees his expulsion by FUNAAB’s management and the Vice Chancellor as a witch-hunt due to his relationship with Omoyele Sowore, the #RevolutionNow Movement, his previous letter to the Inspector-General of Police, and his consistent activism to bring about the development of the university community that is prone to incessant armed-robbery attacks.
He said, “The allegations against me is based on my alliance with Sowore and the #RevolutionNow Movement I was told by high-ranking officials within the university management.
“There was an open letter I wrote to the Inspector-General of Police on the incessant armed-robbery within the university community.
“So, I was secretly told that my expulsion is also linked to that letter, due to the fact that my letter almost got Ogun State Commissioner of Police removed.
“I was told that there was a publication made by SaharaReporters concerning the incessant robbery in FUNAAB, hence the school management felt I was definitely the one who gave the report to SaharaReporters due to my alliance with Sowore.”
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Army To Try 20 Including Six Officers For Cowardice, Negligence
The Commander Operation Lafiya Dole on Friday inaugurated two special court martial to instil discipline within the theatre, trial of six officers and 14 other found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
Theatre Commander, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, while inaugurating the courts at the Maimalanri Cantonment on Friday, said that the safety and well-being of Nigerians depends considerably on the willingness and readiness of men and women to defend against threats.
He said, “It is worrisome to observe the increasing cases of negligence, lackadaisical and cowardly activities of many of our personnel during Boko Haram terrorists’ offensive actions across the theatre today.
“The reason for the two court martial was to fast track the trial of the accused persons, as justice delayed is justice denied.
“As we all know, the court martial trial is a regimental and judicial exercise that may review, reduce or remove the right and privileges of any convicted service personnel.
“It is unique to the military and a tributary of a criminal trial that flows in the sea of Nigerian criminal justice system.
“These unprofessional and disgraceful habits have led to the death of many of our gallant colleagues and these attitudes must not be allowed to continue if we must retain our national pride.
“Breaches of military discipline must be dealt with speedily and frequently punished more severely than would be the case if civilian is engaged in such conduct.
“The military has its code of service discipline to allow it meet its peculiar disciplinary needs, therefore recourse to the ordinary criminal court would as a general rule, be inadequate to serve the disciplinary needs of the military.”
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Agba Jalingo Listed In World’s 10 ‘Most Urgent’ Cases Of Threats To Press Freedom
Nigerian journalist, Agba Jalingo, has been recorded in the November list of the most urgent cases of threats to press freedom suffered by journalists around the world.
Jalingo, who publishes Cross River Watch magazine based in Cross River State, has been facing immense threat since he published an article on how governor of the state, Ben Ayade, approved and diverted N500mil meant for Cross River Micro Finance Bank.
Jalingo was eventually arrested in a junta style by the police in Lagos on August 22, 2019, and was not arraigned until 34 days in detention.
He was denied bail twice with the court also giving an order for unidentified witnesses to testify against Jalingo in mask, signaling lack of fair hearing in the case.
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Again, Court Fails To Grant Detained Journalist, Agba Jalingo, Bail, Trial Adjourned To November 5
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The list — released each month by the One Free Press Coalition, which was created by a dozen news organisations including TIME, with the goal of defending journalists under attack — identifies ten of the most severe cases of threats to press freedom around the world.
Other journalists on the list, who have come under threat include an imprisoned reporter in Egypt tortured and a detained Uzbek blogger.
The journalists on the November list are:
1. Jamal Khashoggi (Saudi Arabia): No resolution in violent killing inside Saudi Consulate.
The one-year anniversary of Khashoggi’s killing has passed without officials opening independent criminal investigation into his death despite findings from United States intelligence officials and the United Nations pointing to bin Salman’s involvement. Although the Saudi prince has claimed responsibility for the murder, calling it a “mistake,” he has denied having a direct role.
2. Daphne Caruana Galizia (Malta): No resolution two years after reporter was murdered in Malta.
More than two years have passed since investigative reporter, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was killed in a car-bomb explosion in Malta. Though three men have been taken into detention in relation to her murder, no one has been brought to justice. Trial dates have not been announced either.
3. Esraa Abdel Fattah (Egypt): Imprisoned and tortured over allegations of spreading false news.
The Egyptian journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah was arrested on October 13 and was one of at least seven journalists detained amid anti-government protests in Egypt. Abdel Fattah has said through lawyers that she would start a hunger strike to protest being abused while detained, saying she was tortured while in custody, including being beaten, hung from her handcuffs and choked while being asked to give up her cellphone password.
4. Azory Gwanda (Tanzania): Authorities withholding information about journalist missing for two years.
November 21 will mark two years since the freelance journalist Azory Gwanda disappeared. He had previously been investigating mysterious killings in Tanzania. Though a Tanzanian government official said in July that Gwanda had “disappeared and died,” they later backtracked on the statement.
5. Miroslava Breach Velducea (Mexico): Trial continues in Mexican correspondent’s murder.
A correspondent for Mexico City newspaper La Jornada, Miroslava Breach Velducea was killed in March 2017 for her reporting on ties between politicians and organized crime. The trial in her murder case is ongoing, though the next court date has not been set.
6. Shujaat Bukhari (India): Suspects still at large in editor’s killing.
Shujaat Bukhari, founder and editor of the newspaper Rising Kashmir, was fatally shot along with two police officers in June 2018. While police have identified four suspects, one of whom was later killed, officials have given few other updates in the case.
7. Nafosat Olloshukurova (Uzbekistan): Uzbek blogger detained in a psychiatric center.
The Uzbek blogger Nafosat Olloshukurova has been detained in a psychiatric center for at least a month, following 10 days detention on charges of petty hooliganism and taking part in unauthorized assemblies. Prior to her arrest, Olloshukurova was covering writer Mahmud Rajabov’s efforts to have a criminal case against him dropped. Her family says they have not been able to contact her since late September.
8. Mahmoud Hussein (Egypt): Detained Egyptian journalist’s pre-trial continuously extended.
Mahmoud Hussein, a journalist who was working with Al Jazeera, was arrested in Dec. 2016 on charges of spreading false news and inciting actions against state institutions. Though his detention was initially said to be for 15 days, it has been repeatedly extended every 45 days. The arrest and detention is tied to a 2016 documentary about conscription in Egypt, which the government says uses fake footage.
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Masked Witnesses To Testify Against Journalist Agba Jalingo
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9. Agba Jalingo (Nigeria): Nigerian publisher faces life sentence if found guilty in upcoming trial.
Nigerian publisher Agba Jalingo was arrested on Aug. 22 and later charged with disturbance of public peace and treason for writings and social media posts about Cross River State governor, Benedict Ayade. If found guilty of treason, Jalingo could face a life sentence in prison.
10. Martin Inoua Doulguet (Chad): Chadian newspaper leaders face fines and unequal punishment.
The director of the newspaper Salam Info, Martin Inoua Doulguet has been arrested and faces charges of conspiracy and defamation brought from a Chad government health official. Doulguet is awaiting a date to appeal his three-year sentence, which began in September.
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Just In: One Person Dies As Petrol Tanker Collides With Bus On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
At least one person has been killed as a petrol ladden truck collided with a bus along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The accident happened at about 10am on Saturday along toll gate on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to an eyewitness, at least four other persons were injured.
“The driver of the commercial bus died and at least four people were injured,” the eyewitness said.
Traffic flow on the road has been disrupted after vehicular movement was diverted.
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Dangote Flour Records Negatives In Q3 Result
Dangote Flour, which is soon to be sold to Crown Flour – a subsidiary of Olam, is piling up losses for its coming investors.
Highlights of the group’s third quarter result indicates that the company lost N6.84bn.
The wheat milling firm earned N76.75bn in the quarter ending September 30.
It had previously netted in revenues worth N83.29bn in the period ending June 30.
This is a loss of 7.85 per cent.
Proshare reports that the firm’s loss before tax increased by 316.75 per cent to N9.64bn.
Its loss after tax soared by 309.69 per cent to N6.84bn.
The firm’s net asset also decline by 28.97 per cent to N39.
It’s before tax losses was occasioned by increased cost of sales, distribution and administration.
In April, the board of directors of Dangote Flour approved a 100 per cent take over from Olam.
Dangote sold over 60 per cent of the company’s stake to South Africa-based Tiger Foods in 2012.
That relationship lasted for three years.
It climaxed in Africa’s richest man repossessing his firm for just a dollar.
In 2013 and 2014, Dangote Flour was on the loss trail.
Its scorecard in 2018 amounted to a deficit of N1.16bn.
Experts have said the firm is not strategic to the Dangote Group, hence its laggard performances and double change of ownership in six years.
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British Clergymen Call For End To Oil Spill In Niger Delta
The Archbishop of York has called for urgent action to stop the oil spills that are devastating communities in Bayelsa State.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the interim report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, which he chairs, the archbishop said that a slow environmental genocide is taking place.
Bayelsa is the region where oil was first discovered in the country in the 1950s.
There are hundreds of oil spills each year in Nigeria, some caused by equipment failure – others by sabotage.
Dr John Sentamu, who is the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England, said that oil companies needed to end a culture of double standards in Nigeria.
He accused Shell, AGIP and other oil companies of reaping environmental devastation and ignoring pleas for assistance from the people of Bayelsa.
Both Shell and AGIP say that they follow international standards and best practices and work in accordance with local laws.
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Many Feared Dead As Building Collapses In Lagos
Building collapse
Building collapse
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Many people have been trapped as a building under construction caved-in in Lagos.
The building, which collapsed in the evening of Friday around Glover Court Ikoyi, fell while workers were trying to deck the second floor.
Confirming the building collapse, Dr Femi Oke-Osayintolu, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said the number of persons trapped was yet to be ascertained as he noted that rescue efforts was currently ongoing.
He said, “LASEMA has already activated the Lagos Emergency Response Plan for all first responders to move to the site of the collapsed building.
“Lagosians within the vicinity of the incident have been enjoined to stay calm and allow emergency responders to do their job.
“We are yet to know the number of persons trapped but I can tell you it was an uncompleted building and workers were on site.”
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Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Petitions UN To Free Sowore From Arbitrary Detention
Omoyele Sowore
The United States-based Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has petitioned the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on behalf of Omoyele Sowore.Sowore is a prominent human rights defender, activist, journalist, and founder of the citizen’s journalism site, SaharaReporters.Sowore has been arbitrarily detained by the President Muhammadu Buhari regime since August 3, which levied baseless charges against him for organizing the #RevolutionNow protest movement, a movement with aims to oppose the rampant government corruption that still plagues the country.”Mr. Sowore has a long history as a social and political activist, bravely advocating against corruption, wealth inequality, and Nigeria’s broken health care system.”In 2006, Mr. Sowore founded SaharaReporters — a citizen’s journalism platform that focuses on exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and other political misconduct in Nigeria. A frontier news source for advocacy journalism in Africa, Sahara Reporters has been referred to as the ‘Wikileaks’ of Africa.”Following years of unfulfilled promises to address rampant government corruption, Mr. Sowore began a popular call for nationwide peaceful pro-democracy protests,” the US-based organization said in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday.On August 3, 2019, two days prior to the planned #RevolutionNow protests, the Department of State Services operatives raided Sowore’s hotel room without a warrant, arbitrarily arresting in the early hours of the morning.After arbitrarily detaining him for days without charge, the DSS, eventually requested a judicial order to detain Sowore for an additional 90 days in order to investigate him for “terrorist activity”, invoking an overly vague provision of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism incompatible with international human rights law.While a court authorized 45 days of further detention, it eventually ordered Sowore to be released on reasonable conditions of bail upon the expiry of the 45-day term — an order which was summarily ignored by the DSS, who eventually charged Sowore with several baseless yet severe criminal charges, including treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking for “insulting the president”.Subsequently, on October 4 a separate Nigerian judge who local lawyers had called to recuse herself, imposed unduly burdensome bail conditions on Sowore’s release, ensuring his continued arbitrary detention.Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s unprecedented and burdensome financial conditions on Sowore’s release included the provision of a sum of N100 million (about $280,000), in addition to providing two sureties who must reside and have landed properties in Abuja equal to the amount of the bail.The conditions also restricted Sowore from talking to the press, engaging in protests and leaving the city of Abuja, even though he has no home in the city.
Omoyele-Sowore-UN-WGAD-Petition.pdf
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Although the financial bail conditions were slightly lessened on October 21, the impracticality of the conditions has to date amounted to an effective refusal of bail and de facto order of continued arbitrary detention.The statement added, “Mr. Sowore’s arbitrary arrest and continued detention violate multiple provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”As detailed in the petition, Nigerian intelligence officials detained and charged Sowore without proper legal justification.”Mr. Sowore’s arbitrary arrest and detention were in direct retaliation for the exercise of his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, illegally targeting Sowore based on his political opinion and status as a journalist and human rights defender.”In addition, the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied Mr. Sowore due process and violated numerous fair trial rights throughout the entire ordeal, including by unlawfully cutting off Sowore’s contact with his family, who reside in the United States, after his wife gave an interview with DemocracyNow! calling for her husband’s release.”Mr. Sowore has not spoken to his wife or two young children in over two months.”
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Omoyele-Sowore-UN-WGAD-Petition.pdf
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