Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 30th June 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 30/06/20
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National Assembly Halts Planned Hike In Electricity Tariff
The leadership of the National Assembly in Nigeria has waded into the controversy on the planned hike in electricity tariff from July 1, 2020 and succeeded in convincing the Distribution Companies to defer the plan until the first quarter of 2021.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other principal officers of the National Assembly with the chief executives of the government electricity regulatory body and DisCos across the country.
Also in attendance were Chairmen of the Committees on Power from the Senate and House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Ola Awoniyi, the National Assembly leaders were emphatic at the meeting that the timing of the planned hike was wrong even though there was the need to introduce a cost reflective tariff for the power sector to attract the much-needed investment.
The statement reads, “In the course of the meeting, the DISCOs too admitted that they were not well prepared for the planned hike in tariff even though they so much desired the increase.
“The meeting agreed to defer the planned hike till first quarter of next year while the leadership of the National Assembly promised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue.
“The agreement is that there is not going to be any increase in the tariff on July 1.”
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Industrial Court Orders Reinstatement Of Demoted Federal University Lecturers In Bayelsa, Awards N20m Compensation
The Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, has ordered the reinstatement of four lecturers demoted by the Federal University of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Recall that in 2018 the institution downgraded Prof Steve Nwabuzor from the rank of a professor to Lecturer 1, Dr Felina Nwadike, Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer.
Others are Dr Sepribo Lawson-Jack, an Associate Professor to Lecturer I, and Dr Evans Eze from Associate Professor to Lecturer II.
Presiding judge, Justice Bashiru Alkali, ruled that the claimants be reinstated to their full status, privileges and entitlements by the institution.
Justice Alkali ruled that the university should pay each claimant N5m for defamation and N200,000 each for cost of litigation.
All the litigants were from the Diaspora, who returned to serve in the university.
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Missing Toddler: Defense Witness Accuses DSS Of Tearing Statements While In Custody
The ongoing trial of Prophet Alfa Babatunde, founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Akure, Ondo State, over the case of the missing one-year-old boy named Gold Eniola Kolawole resumed at the state’s High Court on Monday.
The third witness for the defense, Mr Richard Akinnagbe, narrated how the Department of State Services personnel tore three statements he wrote while in their custody.
Akinnagbe alleged that the DSS operatives destroyed the three statements because it was not what they wanted him to write.
He made the allegation when he was cross-examined by the defense counsel, Olusola Oke, at the resumed hearing of the trial.
The witness also revealed that he was detained by the DSS for more than a day after he was invited to their Akure office for interrogation over the case of the missing child.
Akinnagbe accused the mother of the missing boy, Modupe Kolawole, of being reluctant to involve the police immediately the incident occurred.
In his counter argument, Mr Adekola Olawoye, prosecuting counsel, who is also the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, described Akinnagbe as a “meddlesome interloper” in the case.
Olawoye also tendered in court as exhibit, the statement said to have been written in DSS custody by Akinnagbe and though there was opposition by the defense, the court accepted the exhibit.
In his ruling, Justice Olusegun Odusola thereafter adjourned the hearing of testimonies from witnesses until Tuesday (tomorrow).
Odusola also ordered that Prophet Babatunde and six co-defendants were returned to the facility of the Nigeria Correctional Service in Olokuta, Akure.
Olawoye expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the defense, saying it was affecting many other state issues.
Spokesperson for the defense team, Akinyemi Omoware, however assured that they would call all their 20 witnesses between the time-frame allotted by the judge.
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Group Calls For Removal Of Ondo Commissioner Of Police Ahead Of Governorship Election
A group, Sunshine Development Group, on Monday called for the redeployment of Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Salami.
The group in a statement in Akure, asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to redeploy Salami before the October 10 governorship poll.
The statement was signed by the group’s Secretary, Olusegun Akinsehinde, and spokesperson, Ajongbolo Oluwagbenga.
The group said it was clear that Salami would be baised in the policing and monitoring of the governorship election in the state.
The statement reads, “SDG, rising from an emergency virtual meeting, resolved to call for the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police as his continued overseeing of police affairs in Ondo State portends great danger to the existing calm and peace enjoyed here.
“It is instructive to note that the refusal to redeploy Mr Bolaji Salami implies that the police headquarters have concluded plans to stir the still waters in the state and influence the next gubernatorial elections in Ondo.
“If the deputy governor of a state is given such treatment, what then is the fate of the common man on the streets of Akure?
“We hereby call on President Buhari and IGP Adamu to redeploy Mr Salami with immediate effect as it is now clear he won’t be unbiased in the monitoring and supervision of the state in the forthcoming governorship election.”
Video of Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
WATCH: VIDEO: Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor In Office For Over Four Hours As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
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APC Moves To Reconcile Aggrieved Members As Giadom Asks Oshiomhole, Dissolved NWC Members To Learn From Mistakes
Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress and the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has said that the committee would embark on the process of true reconciliation among aggrieved leaders and members of the party.APC had been embroiled in a leadership crisis for months, which led to the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party led by Adams Oshiomhole by the National Executive Committee last Thursday.
Buni while swearing-in the other members of the committee at the party’s National Secretariat on Monday in Abuja, said that they believed that the decision of NEC to constitute it will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the party.He urged all APC members to heed the appeal of President Muhammadu Buhari for peace to reign in the party.
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BREAKING: Giadom Hands Over To APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Buni
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Buni said, “lt is time for this commitee therefore to commence the process of true reconciliation among leaders and members of the party at all levels. It is our belief that the decision by NEC to constitute this committee will mark the begining of a new chapter in our great party.”Meanwhile, the immediate-past Deputy National Secretary of the party, Victor Giadom, while addressing journalists called on the dissolved NWC to learn from their mistakes in order to strengthen the party.
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Experts Lambast Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Over Defections, Describe Them As ‘Shameless Politicians’
Political analysts have attacked Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of jumping from one political party to the other ahead of the September 19 governorship election in the state.
Obaseki moved from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party while Ize-Iyamu headed in the opposite direction. Speaking with Saharareporters on Monday on the political development in the state, Head of Department of Political Science, Prof Jonah Onuoha, described Nigerian politicians as a crop of people, who have no sense of shame and are only out to seek personal gains above serving the people.
He said Nigerian politics cannot move forward with the present crop of politicians jumping from one party to the other in the quest for power and to achieve their selfish ambitions.
Onuoha berated Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu for abandoning their previous groups and emerging governorship candidates of the PDP and APC respectively in Edo.
He said, “There must be a change of mindset and new set of politicians. Nigerian politics cannot move forward until these set of politicians leave the scene.
“They lack focus, principles, values and ideology. There is no difference between those in military uniforms and what we have now. They are all the same circulating themselves in power.”
On his own part, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Okechukwu Nwankwo, said the situation in Edo State had brought question marks on the sustainability of political system and political parties in country.
He said the situation in the state was a clear negative indicator that had eroded confidence, loyalty and discipline in the political party system.
Nwankwo said, “A situation where somebody leaves a political party and migrate few days to the primary of that party and emerges as winner creates disaffection for the political party followership.
“It is a deteriorating culture of political party loyalty and discipline.”
The two political parties were alleged to have mounted pressure on other aspirants, who had line up for the election to step down for Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu.
Interestingly, in 2026, former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, described Ize-Iyamu as someone, who could not be trusted with public funds.
The same Oshiomole also praised Obasekias one, who had used his “brain” and “creativity” to work for the good of the state and the people.
Things have however, taken a different turn today as Oshiomhole now rallies support for Ize-Iyamu and continues to condemn Obaseki at every opportunity.
It was through his orchestration that Obaseki was disqualified from the APC primary in Edo over alleged certificate irregularities.
It is the same scenario in Kogi State where Dino Melaye and Smart Adeyemi have swapped camps between the PDP and APC several times to contest the senatorial seat of the district. Also, no fewer than 14 APC senators including former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and 37 members of the House of Representatives defected to PDP and ADC before the 2019 general elections.
Analysts maintain that the practice not only embarresses Nigeria’s democracy in the international community but also casts a huge shadow of doubt over the country’s future.
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BREAKING: Convoy Of Nigeria’s Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Kills Man In Katsina
The convoy of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, on Monday killed a bike rider in Katsina State.
SaharaReporters gathered that the victim, who was sharing wedding invitations at the time of the accident, died on the spot.
It was gathered that the accident occurred around Mani House Junction within the Katsina metropolis.
A source told SaharaReporters that the convoy abandoned the corpse of the deceased on the road and drove away.
Buratai was at the Forward Operating Base, Daura, hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of efforts to combat banditry and ensure lasting peace and security in the state and the North-West region.
The Chief of Army Staff during a visit to Governor Aminu Bello Masari at the Government House said he will remain in Katsina State for sometime to coordinate and supervise operations in Rugu Forest and beyond.
He assured that the operations against the bandits will continue to rid the region of hoodlums.
Video of Man Rain Curses On Buratai Over Insecurity, Clampdown On Soldiers Exposing Failures
Man Rain Curses On Buratai Over Insecurity, Clampdown On Soldiers Exposing Failures
VIDEO: Man Rain Curses On Buratai Over Insecurity, Clampdown On Soldiers Exposing Failures
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BREAKING: Aso Rock Villa Fracas: President Buhari Appoints New Chief Personal Security
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President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, as his new Chief Personal Security Officer.
The appointment was announced by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
“Musa’s appointment follows the redeployment of his predecessor, Commissioner of Police, Abdulkarim Dauda,” Shehu said.
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This fresh appointment comes less than two weeks after a feud between the First Lady, Aisha, and Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf, his Personal Assistant.
The crisis started with Yusuf’s refusal to embark on a 14-day isolation period after returning to Abuja from a trip to Lagos.
This led to the arrest and eventual redeployment of the Aide De Camp to Mrs Buhari and other security details attached to her after it was claimed that they threatened to kill the President’s assistant in the process of trying to get him out of the Villa.
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President Buhari Sacks Security Details Over Aso Villa Crisis
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BREAKING: Nigerian Army Dragged To Court Over Illegal Arrest, Detention Of Lance Corporal Martins And Wife
Lance Corporal Martins berated the security chiefs of Nigeria for deliberately not acting to stop the incessant killings of Nigerians by terrorists and armed bandits.
The Nigerian Army has been dragged before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the unlawful arrest and detention of Lance Corporal Martins and his Wife, Mrs Victoria Idakpini.
The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, were also joined in the suit.
Lance Corporal Martins berated the security chiefs of Nigeria for deliberately not acting to stop the incessant killings of Nigerians by terrorists and armed bandits.
Martins had on June 23, 2020 in a video criticised security chiefs in the country for not doing enough to end terrorism and needless killings of citizens.
Video of Lance Corporal Blasts Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Over Incessant Killings In Nigeria
Lance Corporal Blasts Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Over Incessant Killings In Nigeria
WATCH FULL VIDEO: Lance Corporal Blasts Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, Over Incessant Killings In Nigeria
He was soon arrested by army authorities while his wife a few days later was also apprehended over the incident.
Confirming the institution of the lawsuit, Mr Tope Akinyode, National President of Revolutionary Lawyer’s Forum, said, “We are of the considered view that the continued detention of Lance Corporal Martins violates his fundamental human rights much as it violates the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“Unfortunately, the Nigerian Army displayed a higher degree of despotism on 25th June when again it illegally arrested and has continued to detain the wife of Lance Corporal Martins, Mrs Victoria Idakpini, leaving her three children in the care of no one.
“This unimaginable degree of wickedness from the Nigerian Army is worth the condemnation of all and sundry, to say the least.
“Already, Nigerians are daily losing confidence in the activities of the army but this recent arrest is a big blow on the generality of Nigerians.
“We shall battle the oppressive and abrasive tendencies of the Nigerian Army and we’ll ensure that justice is served in this case.”
Legal Document 1 by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
Legal Document 2 by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
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BREAKING: Army Arrests Wife Of Lance Corporal Martins For Granting Media Interview
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Order Nigerian Government To Name Beneficiaries Of COVID-19 Intervention Funds, SERAP Tells Court
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court, Abuja, to order the Nigerian Government and Central Bank of Nigeria.to publish names of beneficiaries of cash transfers, food distribution and other reliefs during the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
The suit followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information request dated April 4, 2020, expressing concern that, “Millions of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people have not benefited from the announced palliatives, donations, reported cash payments, cash transfers and other reliefs.”
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/657/2020 filed by SERAP through its counsels, Kolawole Oluwadare and Joke Fekumo, and made available to journalists, the organisation sought, “An order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to compel Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster.Management and Social Development, and Mr Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, to publish spending details of public funds and private sector donations to provide socio-economic benefits to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”
It also sought among others, “An order to direct and compel Ms Umar-Farouk and Mr Emefiele to publish an up-to-date list of donations and names of those who have made payments as per their publicly announced donations; spending details of the N500 billion COVID-19 intervention fund, and the names of beneficiaries, and whether such beneficiaries include people living with disabilities (PWDs).
“A declaration that the failure of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, and the CBN governor to provide SERAP with the requested information on spending details of public money and private donations and to publish names of beneficiaries amount to a fundamental violation of the FoI Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
The suit filed read in part, “By a combined reading of the FoI Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ms Umar-Farouk and Mr Emefiele ought to be directed and compelled to make public details of those that have benefited from COVID-19 funds and donations.
“Any perception that the reliefs, funds and donations are not reaching intended beneficiaries would undermine public trust and the integrity of the entire processes and modes of distribution of reliefs/benefits to these Nigerians.”
SERAP maintained that the general public has a legitimate interest in ascertaining and scrutinizing the veracity of the claims of how the funds and donations have been spent, and to know that the intended beneficiaries received any benefits.
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SERAP Drags Health Ministry, NCDC To Court Over Failure To Account For COVID-19 Money
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The group added, “Ms Umar-Farouk and Mr Emefiele also ought to be directed and compelled to make public details of any plan to provide social and economic reliefs to the over 80 million of the country’s poorest and the most vulnerable people, beyond the 11 million targeted by the Federal Government across 35 states.
“Democracy cannot flourish in the absence of citizens’ access to information, no matter how much open discussion and debate is allowed. This suit would ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of COVID-19 money and donations.
“SERAP submits that the principle of disclosure of information in the overriding public interest has been internationally reaffirmed, including in the Joint Declaration adopted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression.
“The Joint Declaration states that the right of access to information should be subject to a narrow, carefully tailored system of exceptions.”
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