Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Saturday 7th March 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 07/03/20
Read also
BREAKING: Nigerian Government Seeks To Mask Witnesses In Case Against Sowore
Omoyele Sowore in court.
Omoyele Sowore in court.
The Nigerian Government has filed a motion to mask its witnesses in the case against Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore is currently under trial for planning a protest demanding good governance from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The trial was adjourned to continue on March 11,12 and 13 after failure of the Department of State Services to give Sowore and his legal team necessary documents to argue their case.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Sowore revealed that the government had filed a motion to mask its witnesses.
He wrote, “UPDATE: Just now the @MBuhari regime filed a motion in court that they want to mask their witnesses in the #RevolutionNow trial scheduled for next week.
“Same prosecutors said they were ready for trial last month with unmasked witnesses!?
“This is their latest tactic to seek another adjournment! Funny people!”
Earlier this week, United States-based advocacy organisation, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said that Sowore was being persecuted by the Nigerian Government for speaking truth to the leadership of the country.
In a recent documentary detailing how the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had infringed upon the right of the journalist for simply criticising its failures, the international rights group condemned the attempt by the Nigerian Government to silence critics and shrink the civic space.
Sowore was arrested in the early hours of August 3, 2019 by operatives of the Department of State Services for calling on Nigerians to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations on August 5 and was kept in unlawful detention from that period until December 5, 2019 when he was finally released on bail despite two court orders earlier sanctioning his freedom.
In a twist of event, DSS operatives invaded the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 6, 2019 to rearrest him without any court order.
He remained in unlawful detention until 18 days later when he was released by the secret police for the second time.
See Also
ACTIVISM
Sowore: International Rights Group Says Activist Being Attacked For Speaking Truth To Power
0 Comments
2 Days Ago
At the resumption of his trial in a case brought against him by the Nigerian Government, the prosecution failed to prove accusations against him and even went ahead to dropping seven of the charges earlier preferred against him.
The trial resumes on March 12, 2020 in this time government is accusing him of attempting to overthrow Buhari’s administration by calling on citizens to protest against the regime.
Groups and high-raking individuals from around the world have described the charges against Sowore as baseless and a waste of time.
The journalist remains confined to Abuja as one of his bail conditions forbids him from leaving the city or speaking with journalists until the end of his trial.
ACTIVISM
Free Speech
Human Rights
Journalism
Politics
Breaking News
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Court Bars Commission From Investigating Emir Of Kano
The Federal High Court in Kano has restricted the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission from investigating Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll.
Justice Lewis Allagoa gave the interim order stopping the state anti-corruption commission from investigating Sanusi in an alleged land racketeering of about N2m months after another court exonerated him in a corruption case of N3.4bn brought before the court by the same anti-corruption commission.
Delivering judgment in the suit filed by Dikko amd Mahmoud on behalf of the Kano Emir, Justice Allagoa ordered all parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the case.
Others in the suit include Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, and Attorney-General of the state, Ibrahim Mukhtar.
Justice Allagoa then adjourned the case until March 18, 2020 for hearing.
Legal
Politics
Tradition
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Labour Threatens Strike Action In Bauchi Over Non-payment Of N30,000 Minimum Wage
The organised labour in Bauchi State has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike action over the refusal of the state government to begin the payment of N30,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
The labour union bemoaned government for halting negotiations over the payment of the new minimum wage.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Danjuma Kirfi, who spoke on behalf of the organised labour after a joint executive council meeting of the union said they were giving a 21-day ultimatum to government to resume negotiations with the union or risk workers embarking on indefinite strike action.
He said, “The organised labour calls on government to restore negotiations without further delay.
“That failure to conclude negotiations within the shortest period of time, the leadership will not guarantee the industrial atmosphere in the state.
“That government is hereby given 21 days ultimatum within which to conclude negotiations and implement the new national minimum wage in the state.
“The union resolved that if nothing was done after the ultimatum, they would embarked on industrial action.”
He explained that while the government had started paying workers the minimum wage from grade levels 01 to 06 whose salary is not up to N30,000, workers from grade levels 07 to 14 are yet to begin to receive their consequential adjustment in their monthly salary.
Kirfi urged the state government to immediately commence negotiation as he charged workers in the state to gear up for an industrial action hinging on the actions of the government.
LABOR/WORKERS’ RIGHTS
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Three Suspected Coronavirus Cases In Lagos Test Negative
The three persons suspected to have been infected with the Coronavirus in Lagos has been confirmed negative.
This was revealed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, who also said that they had all been discharged.
The suspected persons came into the country from France, England and China after which they were isolated and tested.
“All the three #COVID19 suspected cases; travellers from France, England and China whose samples were collected yesterday for analysis have tested negative and they have been discharged,” he tweeted.
PUBLIC HEALTH
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99s-expulsion-party All Progressives Congress In Adamawa Calls For Oshiomhole’s Expulsion From Party
Members of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State have expressed support for a court order directing Adams Oshiomhole from parading himself as National Chairman of the party.
The party supporters expressed their thoughts in Yola, the state capital, during a demonstration on Thursday evening, urging the leadership of the APC to expel the former Edo State governor from the fold.
Leader of the youth caucus, Mohammed Bappare, who spoke during the peaceful march, blamed the party’s loss in Adamawa State during the last election to Oshiomhole’s leadership style.
He said, “It has never been this bad for any political party in history, more so, a ruling party for that matter.
See Also
Breaking News
BREAKING: Oshiomhole Suspended As APC Chairman By Court
0 Comments
2 Days Ago
“In Adamawa, our party lost the state to the Peoples Democratic Party because of Oshiomhole’s poor judgment.
“The same situation was witnessed in Zamfara and Bayelsa, this has never happened to any party; and if he (Oshiomhole) is allowed to continue, our party will be nowhere by 2023.”
In a letter addressed to the National Working Committee of the APC, the protesting members applauded the court decision suspending Oshiomhole as chairman of the party.
A court had on Thursday issued an order directing Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as National Chairman of the party.
In a twist of event, another court in Kano issued an order setting aside the earlier ruling of the FCT High Court in Abuja, which announced his suspension.
Oshiomhole has fallen out of favour with top stalwarts of the APC and has become sworn enemies with former ally and Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Five Students, Teacher Kidnapped In Niger
Five students and a teacher have been kidnapped by gunmen from a private boarding school in Mariga Local government Area of Niger State.
The affected students were taken from Tular Academy at Moruba area of the state where one of them managed to escape.
The Niger State Police Command said the attack took place late on Sunday but for lack of communication it only got the information late on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of police in the state, Adamu Usman, has led a combined team of police and military personnel to the affected school.
According to Usman, the bandits had taken advantage of poor communication network to attack the school.
He said, “We have since deployed Special Technical Squad and Armed Anti-Kidnapping Squad to identify areas with a view to rescuing the victims unhurt.”
CRIME
Education
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
EFCC Arrests 42 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Ogun
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on March 6, 2020, arrested 42 youngsters for their alleged involvement in Internet-related fraud.
The suspects, whose ages range between 18 and 33 years, were apprehended at different locations in Ilaro, Ogun State, following actionable intelligence earlier received on their alleged illegal activities.
The suspects are Peter Fasuhan, Kareem Oladimeji, Adeleke Sodiq, Akinlolu Quadri, Popoola Lukeman, Faniyi Jamiu, Joseph Elijah, Idowu Afolabi, Laleye Olaoluwa, Olabode Olasunkanmi, Shoyola Joseph, Baura David, Janta Oluwafolabomi, Akintunde Wariz, Olukotun Abiodun, Kazeem Popoola and Olaoye Akinyemi. EFCC Arrests 42 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in OgunThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office on March 6, 2020, arrested 42 youngsters for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud. pic.twitter.com/1L7PM50j3z— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) March 6, 2020
Others are Adebanjo Olamide, Esiegbe Dare, Job Emmanuel, Idris Olarewaju, Bakare Sodiq, Popoola Waliu, Popoola Ibrahim, Balogun Daniel, Adegbite Richard, Owolabi Aderibigbe, Oniyide Benjamin, Sheye Oluwaseun, Enitan Babajide, Oguntayo Samud, Daramola Damilola, Adeniji Azeez, Shobola Adeolu, Odunbaku Tunde, Olamilekan Adedeji, Maja Toheeb, Giwa Olajide, Tolu Yusuf, Ashoregbabo Ayo, Akanbi Olamide and Adeosun Temitope.
Items recovered from them include eight exotic cars, mobile phones and laptops.
They will soon be arraigned in court, according to the anti-graft agency.
Corruption
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99s-application-transfer-case-abuja Court Dismisses Ex-INEC Chair, Maurice Iwu’s Application To Transfer Case To Abuja
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on March 6, 2020, dismissed an application filed by Prof Maurice Iwu, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, seeking the transfer of his N1.23bn fraud trial from Lagos to Abuja for lacking in merit.
Iwu, between December 2014 and March 27, 2015, allegedly aided the concealment of the money in the account of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited with number 1018603119 domiciled in the United Bank for Africa.
One of the counts reads, “That you, Prof Maurice Maduakolam Iwu, between December 2014 and March 27, 2015, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court aided the concealment of the total sum of N1,203,00,000.00 ( One billion, two hundred and three million naira) in Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited’s Account No. 1018603119 domiciled in United Bank for Africa Plc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 ( 3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against him.
At the last adjourned sitting on February 27, 2020, Iwu’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), had told the court that his client, whom he claimed to be in his 70s, was too old to be coming from Abuja to the Federal High Court in Lagos to stand trial.
Raji had further submitted that the transactions leading to the charges against his client took place in Abuja.
“It will amount to great agony for him to continue with this trial in Lagos,” he had argued.
However, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, had opposed the prayer of the defence.
Delivering ruling, Justice Oweibo said the application lacked merit.
The judge further held that the list of witnesses submitted by the commission showed that many of them were in Lagos, with some retired.
“Justice will be better served for the trial to proceed in Lagos,” the judge held.
The matter has been adjourned until April 28, 2020 for commencement of trial.
Corruption
Legal
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Lagos Demolition: Road Transport Workers Urge State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, To Relocate Them
Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, have appealed to Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to relocate them to another park after the one they used before now was demolished by the government.
The park was demolished on March 1 by the state government following claims of increased criminal activities in the area.
The Branch Chairman and Managing Director of AA Motors, Prince Ajele Abayomi, while addressing journalists on Friday, said that members of the park recently spent over N20m to fix roads leading to their offices.
According to Abayomi, the demolished park accommodates over 50 vehicles belonging to AA Motors, Yare Motors, Lamb of God Motors, Libra Motors, Prince Line, and so on.
He said that while the government announced that they gave a notice of evacuation to all users of the park, the notice was not formally communicated to them.
He added that the operation was carried out before the expiration of the seven days.
He said, “There was no formal information, they didn’t notify us, and we only noticed that on Tuesday they pasted stickers around our offices, requesting that we leave within seven days.
“On Sunday, which is the fifth day, they carried out their operation.
“We operate from here to various states across Nigeria, since the demolition exercise took place, most residents in this area have found it difficult to access various states.
“We are appealing to the governor, if they can provide for us space to accommodate 50 buses, so that we can carry out our operations without causing traffic.”
Speaking further, Abayomi stated that the branch executives had made efforts to meet the Commissioner for Transport and Director of Physical Planning for engagement and possible solution.
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
JUST IN: Togo Confirms First Coronavirus Case
Togo on Friday confirmed its first case of Coronavirus after a 42-year-old woman tested positive following her return from a trip to Benin, Germany, France and Turkey.
The presidency in the West African nation of eight million people said the patient, who lives in the capital, Lome, with her family, was “currently isolated in a treatment centre for infectious diseases” after testing positive on Thursday, according to the AFP.
“From February 22 to March 2, 2020 she visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey before returning to Togo via the land border with Benin,” the presidency said in a statement.
It said all people, who had contact with the patient in the country “have been identified and put in quarantine”.
In sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal has registered four cases, all foreign nationals, and South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon have one case each since the outbreak emerged in December in China.
PUBLIC HEALTH
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
