Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Wednesday 12th August 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 12/08/20
Read also
E2%80%99s Former Ekiti Governor, Fayose, Vows To Jail Ex-President Obasanjo If He Becomes Nigeria’s President
Ayodele Fayose
Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has said that he would send ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo back to prison if he had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria.
Fayose said this during an interview with PlusTV.
He said the former President has been making hate speech and the present administration should make him face the law.
Ayodele Fayose
He said, “Let me tell you, Obasanjo has made hate speech and should be brought to book by this government.
“I pray one day I will become President of this country by God’s grace. Obasanjo will go back to prison.
“I am telling you the truth because there are so many things Obasanjo must be questioned about.
“Obasanjo is not a saint. When he came out of prison, his farm at Ota was in shambles. But, today, it is back to life.
“Where did the money for resuscitating the once ailing farm come from? It was from the government.
“For the library, all governors at that time contributed N10m each to support Obasanjo by force.
“The third term is still fresh in our memory. So, baba should stop telling us he is a saint.”
The former Ekiti governor also chided Obasanjo for his comments on late Buruji Kashamu, saying he had paid his own dues and spent his time on earth.
“No court convicted him and he left and departed the world. Everybody will have an end. Let’s wait and see how Obasanjo will end,” he added.
See Also
Politics
People Can Mourn Me The Way They Like When I Die, Says Obasanjo
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
I Never Handled Funds For NSIP, Says Vice President Osinbajo
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria, has disclosed that his office did not handle funds while overseeing the National Social Investment Programme.
Osinbajo stated that funds were being procured by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning when he was the Chairman of the Steering Committee that oversaw the National Social Investment Office between 2016 and 2019.
The revelation by Osinbajo comes after an exclusive report by SaharaReporters that the National Assembly was concluding plans to probe the activities of NSIP under Osinbajo and Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President on the NSIP.
The probe, according to sources, was to divert attention from the series of corrupt activities uncovered under Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Osinbajo stated that as testament to its far reaching impact on millions of beneficiaries, the Social Investment Programmes under his office was recognised and endorsed by several local and international bodies including the Africa Development Bank, World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
A statement from his office reads, “Osinbajo insisted since 2016 that a full-fledged ministry should undertake everything about financing the programme.
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
“Since its implementation in 2016 until October 2019, the SIPs was domiciled in the Office of the Vice President, with VP Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as Chair of the Steering Committee that oversees the National Social Investment Office (NSIO).
“The NSIO provides standard delivery mechanisms, with objectivity, collaboration, synergy transparency, efficiency and pro-active monitoring in mind. To assure of close collaboration and impact, focal persons from each State were nominated by the Governors, to supervise the State’s activities in relation to each of the four programmes.
“The Office of the Vice President WAS NOT involved in financial transactions or the disbursement of funds for the SIPs.
“The Ministry of Budget and National Planning, was in charge of all matters regarding financing, budgeting, procurement and disbursement of funds allocated and released for the N-SIPs.”
See Also
Corruption
National Assembly To Investigate Corruption In NSIP Under Osinbajo, Uwais
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
Osinbajo added that the NSIO Steering Committee supervised the implementation of the SIPs under the OVP.
The steering committee comprises nine ministers including that of Finance; Education; Health; Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs; Labour and Productivity; Information; with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as the Secretariat.
The committee meets regularly for updates, to review, advise, guide and approve the processes of the N-SIPs.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Police Arrest Two Persons In Bauchi Over Kidnap Of Three-year-old Boy
The police in Bauchi State on Tuesday arrested two persons over the kidnap of a three-year-old-boy.
The suspected kidnappers were said to have taken the boy into the bush where they demanded ransom payment from his parents but were arrested in the process by the police.
In a video posted by one Bello Tukur on his Facebook page, the suspects were seen in handcuffs while the victim was rescued.
Spokesperson for the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakali, could not be reached for comments when contacted by SaharaReporters over the incident.
Recall that the police in the state had on June 20 arrested over 20 criminals in connection with crimes ranging from theft, kidnapping, sodomy and rape.
Also, the command arrested a 19-year-old leader of a kidnap gang, Mohammed Jibrin alias Al-amin, with three others for kidnapping a 15-year-old boy.
CRIME
Police
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Insecurity: Exercise Some Patience, Buhari Pleads With Nigerians
President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians to have patience with him as the country battles to stem the tide of insecurity.
The President said this while meeting with the heads of security and intelligence agencies, and members of the Security Committee of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He called on Nigerians to be patient with his administration as they await the delivery of military equipment ordered from Jordan, China and the United States.
He said, “I have directed the service chiefs to meet among themselves, in-between the National Security Council meetings. Our intelligence-gathering, interpretation and sharing must all be improved.
“We are expecting the shipment of military weapons and aircraft we ordered from Jordan, China and the United States.
“As I have explained, we need patience on the part of the Nigerian public, for the new equipment to arrive, and for our personnel to receive appropriate training.”
See Also
Sahara Reporters
Nigerian Security Agencies Do Not Lack Equipment –Femi Adesina
0 Comments
1 Hour Ago
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%98insulted-buhari%E2%80%99 How Department Of State Service Is Illegally Detaining Lawyer Who ‘Insulted Buhari’
Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna
A human rights lawyer based in Abia State, Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, is being held in the custody of the Department of State Service for three months now despite court rulings ordering his release.
SaharaReporters gathered that Ogbonna was being detained and tortured by the DSS over comments against President Muhammadu Buhari on his Facebook page.
Torture of detainees by law enforcement agents is a clear violation of Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees an individual’s right to a fair hearing as spelt out by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act signed into law in 2015.
Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna
The 2017 Anti-torture Act also forbids security forces from obtaining information by force.
Ogbonna was arrested on March 24, 2020 by over 20 police officers in company with Chief of Staff to Abia Governor, Tony Agbazuere, and former Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon, in his office for making some critical comments about Buhari and the governor via his Facebook page.
He was subsequently arraigned for cybercrime and publishing false and threatening messages through the Internet against Governor Ikpeazu at a magistrate’s court in Umuahia.
However, because the Magistrate court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, he was remanded at a correctional facility until April 28 when he was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Umuahia and was granted bail.
Ogbonna was, however, rearrested by DSS operatives on his way out of the correctional facility in Umuahia on the same day despite perfecting the bail conditions.
See Also
Free Speech
DSS Still Detaining Nigerian Lawyer, Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, Without Charges Despite Fulfilling Bail Conditions
0 Comments
1 Month Ago
SaharaReporters learnt that the DSS moved the lawyer to its office in the state and subsequently its headquarters in Abuja where he has been in custody despite calls for his immediate release from several local and international human rights organisations including Amnesty International in Nigeria.
In some of the charges brought against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja and seen by SaharaReporters, the legal practitioner was accused of describing Nigeria as an Islamic Republic.
In some of the charges filed by Abubakar Musa, Senior State Counsel, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation and Ministry Of Justice, Ogbonna was accused of publishing materials for the purpose of insulting and causing hatred, ill-will against President Buhari.
Part of the charges read, “That you Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna between February and March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court through your Facebook page published materials you know to be false for the purpose of insulting and causing hatred, ill-will against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief.
“My Lord, the summary of this case is that following a petition by the Centre for Peace and Unity against the defendant alleging him of plots to destabilize the country, investigation was launched. In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that between February and March 2020, the defendant made several posts on his Facebook page that are racial/xenophobic in nature and are inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“The defendant made the posts inciting the Igbos against the Fulani and Northern Nigerians. The defendant in some of the posts called on Igbos to secede from the country.
“My Lord, intelligence revealed reasonable suspicion of the defendant subtly pushing for the agenda of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. The defendant has made a voluntary confession.
“My Lord, during the trial, the prosecution shall lead evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant based on credible and undisputed facts.”
DOCUMENTS: How Department of State Service is Illegally Detaining Lawyer Who ‘Insulted Buhari’ by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
Free Speech
Human Rights
Legal
Police
Politics
News
Reports
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Under Fire Malami Releases Millions Of Naira To Social Media Influencers To Trend “Achievements”
Abubakar Malami
In a desperate attempt to launder his image and apparently save his job as Nigeria’s chief law officer, Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, have released millions of naira to social media influencers to sing his praises and rub what they termed his “achievements” on the faces and noses of Nigerians.
A day after writing a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to distance himself from allegations of corruption and also listing many of his assets and businesses he claimed to have acquired before taking up his current appointment in government, Malami went further by having social media gladiators propagate his ‘gospel’, crediting him for reforming the judicial system in the country and promoting accountability in government.
Abubakar Malami
On Twitter where the #AchievementsOfMalami was a major trend on Tuesday, paid influencers of different backgrounds were observed sharing various items with the photo and purported achievements of the AGF while in office since 2015.
Justifying the funds received for the hatchet job, many of the influencers on Twitter described Malami as the best Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in Nigeria’s history.
A user of the popular social networking platform with the handle @_jidedaboss said, “Fast forward to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami’s contribution towards human rights policies initiation in Nigeria was tremendously impactful and surface transparency in the administration of justice. #AchievementsOfMalami.”
A female Twitter user, MIDE Woman technologist with the handle @Aramidee_sl while also sharing a post, said, “The Chief Law Officer of the country has been a great reformer of judicial system, particularly in this trying time of COVID-19 that all states are trying to protect the sanctity of human lives.
“Malami’s intervention into the kerfuffle of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki’s cases is one that lent further credence to the fact that in promoting human rights and a strong rule of law, culture, he is second to none. #AchievementsOfMalami.”
ButterflyFairyGbemieButterfly with the handle @Reddishwine3, said, “Concerned about the human rights and state of inmates across centres of the country, Malami envisioned the dire need for general review and decongestion of prisons. #AchievementsOfMalami.”
Another user with the handle @Biig_John_ said, “I think Malami’s commitment to speedy trial and administration of justice in clover with his exertion to ensure a Nigeria where justice is discharged timeously is obvious. #AchievementsOfMalami.” I think Malami’s commitment to speedy trial and administration of justice in clover with his exertion to ensure a Nigeria where justice is discharge timeously is obvious. #AchievementsOfMalami pic.twitter.com/wGb8fmirHz— BIG JOHN😎 (@Biig_John_) August 11, 2020
Uncle Precious with the handle @SamuelPresh posited that, “Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, as the Chief Law Officer of the country has been a great reformer of judicial system. #AchievementsOfMalami.”
Weight Cold face with the handle @DeeTwoGd stated that, “Malami understood the need to restrategize the model as a legal ace in which the suspected cases of Boko Haram terrorists and other accused persons’ cases were handled until proven guilty. #AchievementsOfMalami.”
The image laundering appears to be beyond the social media space as some prominent citizens especially in the Northern part of the country have also been promoting Malami in different ways.
For instance, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, a veteran journalist and social critic, while speaking with an online news medium said, “The Ministry of Justice under him (Malami) inaugurated a law review team which facilitated the review of existing laws on anti-corruption and transparency and accountability in governance. It was as a result of the review that new bills that addressed the limitations in existing anti-corruption laws were proposed.
“Kebbi needs a man like him, to change the narratives and concept of leadership and bring about the much needed development.”
In an opinion piece on Tuesday, public affairs commentator, Rabiu Musa, described Malami as a champion of Nigeria’s justice system.
He said, “Since his assumption of office on November 11 2015, and his subsequent reappointment as the AGF in President Buhari’s second term, Malami has not wavered in his commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, thereby strengthening the nationhood and livelihood of the citizenry.”
But condemning the celebration of the so called “achievements” of the AGF by social media promoters, some Twitter users posited that indeed human rights abuses and disobedience of court orders had been the norm under Malami’s watch as chief law officer of Nigeria.
Leading the line in that regard, human rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, said, “On 22nd July 2020, I obtained a Court Order mandating the @HQNigerianArmy & AGF @MalamiSan to grant Lance Corporal Martins access to his Lawyer & family.
“Till date, the AGF, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria & @HQNigerianArmy are yet to obey the Court Order #AchievementsOfMalami.” On 22nd July 2020, I obtained a Court Order mandating the @HQNigerianArmy & AGF @MalamiSan to grant Lance Corporal Martins access to his Lawyer & family. Till date, the AGF, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria & @HQNigerianArmy are yet to obey the Court Order #AchievementsOfMalami— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) August 11, 2020
A young activist, Ifemosu Michael Adewale, while reacting to the issue, said, “Hon minister of Injustice @Malamisan was part and parcel of the cabal that maliciously began a legal process to deny @IamMandate and @YeleSowore fundamental rights.
“He believes in impunity, he doesn’t believe in the rule of law, #RevolutionNow.”
A Twitter user, Towolawi Jamiu with the handle @jharmo while adding his voice to the matter said, “The @MBuhari regime under the most lawless and corrupt AGF @MalamiSan in the history of Nigeria holds the record for disobeying court orders in history (over 40 orders as at November 2019) of a democratic Nigeria. What a remarkable achievement.”
The media campaign for Malami is in response to series of detailed investigative reports published by SaharaReporters in recent times exposing his corruption-fuelled lifestyle.
In a combination of text, photo and videos, SaharaReporters revealed how the AGF had since assuming office in 2015 buying and constructing several properties across different parts of the country running into several billions of naira.
See Also
Corruption
Properties Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Malami, Corruptly Acquired While In Office
0 Comments
5 Hours Ago
The properties include luxury mansions, hotels, a school, a multi-billion naira entertainment and event centre in Kebbi state on top of expensive automobiles including for his sons, who are known with no previous work or business history.
Unable to successfully orchestrate the arrest of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over the expository reports through the police, the image laundering through social and conventional media influencers appears to be the latest in the arsenal of the AGF, who has come under fire from several civil society organisations for frustrating several high profile corruption cases in the country.
Corruption
Politics
Scandal
News
Reports
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
IPAC Threatens Fresh Suit Against INEC Over Moves To Stop Deregistered Political Parties To Participate In Edo, Ondo Elections
INEC Chair Mahmood Yakubu
The Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria has threatened to file a fresh suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission if it fails to re-enlist deregistered political parties in the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as ordered by the appeal court.
The electoral body had on February 6, 2020 deregistered 74 political parties on the grounds that they breached their requirements for registration because they failed to win at least 25 per cent of votes cast in one state of the federation during the presidential election.
IPAS said the parties would be left with no option than to approach the court and file a separate suit to adjudicate on the matter.
INEC Chair Mahmood Yakubu
IPAC Chairman, Peter Ameh, disclosed this while speaking with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday on the move by the electoral body to appeal the decision of the appellate court.
He said, “The next line of action is to return back to court. We have been disenfranchised as political parties. We have candidates that have indicated interest to contest elections and they have been refused entry through this dictatorial tendency and for that reason we would approach the court separately on different suit to adjudicate on the matter.
“Now that we have a superior court of law judgment that clearly stated that INEC acted in error, we should be re-enlisted. So it is the right of the members of the IPAC to participate in the election.”
Reacting to the judgment, Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation and member Steering Committee of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Rev Olusegun Peters, said that the affected political parties will participate in the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo.
In a statement, the coalition said that it was obvious that INEC erred by hastily deregistering political parties in flagrant violation of the constitution and the Electoral Act as amended.
But responding to the declaration of the parties, INEC stated that no political party will be added to the list of accredited groups acknowledged ahead of the governorship elections in both states.
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that the commission was yet to receive the enrolled court orders and do not know what is contained in the judgment.
The Court of Appeal had on Monday in its ruling nullified the deregistration of 22 political parties by the INEC and declared it illegal.
The court therefore ordered INEC to reenlist the political parties for elections in the country.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%93femi-adesina Nigerian Security Agencies Do Not Lack Equipment –Femi Adesina
Femi Adesina
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said that Nigerian security agencies and the military do not lack weapons and equipment to combat bandits and terrorists in the country.
Adesina said this on Tuesday during a programme on Channels Television monitored by our correspondent.
He made the claim despite multiple video evidence of military personnel publicly lamenting the lack of sophisticated weapons to combat insurgency in the country.
Femi Adesina
Adesina said though security agencies were not complaining of lack of weapons, the government was making moves to acquire more weapons for the military.
He said, “Most of the security agencies did not complain of lack of equipment. Additional equipment is coming in from Jordan, United States but the complaint was not majorly about equipment, the military is well equipped.”
Adesina also said that the President Buhari-led administration was constantly taking steps to find pragmatic solutions to the security problems facing the country.
He condemned reports that some politicians in the country were sponsoring and backing Boko Haram activities in the country.
He added, “People that you think are well educated, that are large-minded enough still operate from ethnic consciousness and make wild allegations about security in the country.
“They are not helping the situation but it is a democracy, they can say whatever they want to see, it doesn’t mean what they are saying is founded on truth but they should realize that when they make those wild allegations, those things are not good for the country.”
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
United States Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden, Picks California Senator, Kamala Harris, As Running Mate
Joe Biden on Tuesday named California lawmaker, Kamala Harris, as his running mate for the United States presidential election.
It was a historic event as Harris becomes the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket, abc13.com, reports.
In choosing Harris, Biden is embracing a former rival from the Democratic primary familiar with the unique rigour of a national campaign.
Harris, a 55-year-old first-term senator, is also one of the party’s most prominent figure, who quickly became a top contender for the number two spot after her own White House campaign ended.
Biden, who spent eight years as President Barack Obama’s vice, has spent months weighing, who would fill that same role in his White House.
He pledged in March to select a woman as his vice president, easing frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would center on two white men in their 70s.
United States of America
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
SERAP, Lawyers Demand Reversal Of Death Sentence On Musician Accused Of Blasphemy Against Prophet Muhammad
Yahaya Sharif Aminu
Outrage has followed a verdict by a Sharia court in Kano which sentenced a musician, Yahaya Sharif Aminu, to death by hanging over one of his songs alleged to be blasphemous against Prophet Muhammad.
Following the ruling, the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project and some Nigerian lawyers have knocked the Sharia court for taking such a decision.
In a statement, SERAP asked the Nigerian Government to immediately quash the death sentence, saying it “amounts to violation of the right to freedom of expression”.
Yahaya Sharif Aminu
It added, “We urge Nigerian authorities to immediately quash the death sentence by hanging for a Kano-based musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. This is a travesty of justice and amounts to violation of the right to freedom of expression.
“The sentence amounts to criminalization of the poor, as these vaguely worded blasphemy laws are typically used against the poor and those without political influence.
“Authorities must quash all sentences for blasphemy and immediately and unconditionally release those imprisoned solely for exercising their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.”
SERAP is also asking the government to urgently repeal blasphemy laws and bring them in conformity with the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended) and international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a party.
See Also
Islam
Kano Sharia Court Sentences Musician To Death Over Song Allegedly Against Prophet Muhammad
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
Reacting to the issue, rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, described the death sentence as “preposterous” and “antithetical to democratic tenets”.
He added, “Blasphemy laws derogate from citizens’ fundamental human right to freedom of religion guaranteed by S38 of Nigeria’s constitution. The sentencing of a Kano musician to death by Sharia court over allegation of blasphemy is preposterous. It’s antithetical to democratic tenets.”
Also condemning the development, another rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, posited that human life was sacred and it would be primitive to sentence one to death in the name of religion.
He said, “This decision is unconscionable and unconstitutional. No one should be killed for expressing an opinion. Human life is sacred.
“It is callous and primitive to condemn a human being to death in the name of religion. What differentiates this “court” from Boko Haram? It’s a travesty.”
The United Nations has also condemned the development, saying that religious and Sharia law in Nigeria was against international human rights law.
It added that applying the death penalty for alleged blasphemy also violates Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.
See Also
News
Nigerians Demand Punishment For ‘Bribe-taking’ Kano State Governor After Musician Is Sentenced To Death Over Alleged Blasphemy Under Sharia Law
0 Comments
8 Hours Ago
Human Rights
Legal
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
