Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 20th August 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 20/08/20
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Yahaya Sharif-Aminu: Blasphemy And Death Sentence Revisited By Leo Igwe
Leo Igwe
While the Muslim Lawyers Association, the Council of Imams, and the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria have called for the execution of the Muslim singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, I urge a stay of action and ask that the death sentence be reconsidered and quashed.
Here I argue that Sharif-Aminu did not commit any crime as the Sharia court in Kano had ruled. First of all, as in cases of capital punishment, there is a high risk of executing an innocent person. Sharif-Aminu’s is a typical case. The Kano State Government is about to execute an innocent person. Unfortunately, all Muslim associations that have come out in support of the death sentence, have not considered this possibility — that Sharif-Aminu could be innocent and that the Sharia court could have erred in judgment. Nobody has bothered to ask. What if the Sharia court was wrong?
Look, the Sharia court in Kano sentenced Sharif-Aminu to death for insulting the prophet of Islam in his song. Right? Ok. What if it is later found out, after executing this sentence, that the song did not insult the prophet, Muhammad. I mean, someone’s life is at stake here. And we need to thoughtfully and painstakingly look at the facts.
Leo Igwe
Imagine this. The parties that were not insulted were the ones who determined and punished the insult. And they have gone to the extent of ruling that the insulter, Sharif-Aminu, be killed. And no Muslim organization sees nothing wrong in this Islamic misstep and judgmental overstep? Let us assume that by some stretch of Islamic sense, this Muslim singer insulted the Prophet of Islam. Who will be the ultimate judge? A sharia court judge in Kano? No. The Muslim Lawyers Association, the Council of Imam, or the Supreme Council for Sharia? Not at all. It is the prophet, Muhammad.
Now, the Prophet of Islam, who is the one that was allegedly insulted did not affirm-or was not in the position to affirm- that he had been insulted. So, how could a sharia court judge sitting in Kano and all these Islamic busybodies determine beyond a reasonable doubt that Sharif-Aminu insulted the prophet of Islam, and should be executed? Is it not viciously presumptuous of this judge? Is it not a demonstration of lack of wisdom on the part of all who support the death sentence to think that Sharif-Aminu should be killed at this instance?
Once again I urge the Kano State Government not to execute Sharif-Aminu because he did not commit any crime in the song that he circulated on Whatsapp. This Muslim singer exercised his right to freedom of expression and belief. He sang a song that reflected his beliefs. Muslims who disagree with his song and message should release and circulate a song that reflects their own beliefs. Muslims say that there is no compulsion in religion. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The death sentence passed on Sharif-Aminu for merely singing a song is an indisputable affirmation that there is a compulsion in the practice and profession of Islam in Nigeria.
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EXCLUSIVE: Police In Kaduna Allegedly Assault, Evict 85-year-old Retired Army Officer, Family Members On Orders Of Governor El-Rufai
Paul Ojo and his wife.
Isaac Ojo
The police in Kaduna State have been accused of beating up and forcefully evicting one Paul Ojo, an 85-year-old retired Staff Sergeant of the Nigerian Army and his family from his house in Kaduna.
The incident happened on Tuesday at L2 Kasupda Quarters, Kabala Costain, Kaduna.
SaharaReporters gathered that the police invaded the house without any prior notice or court order and asked the occupants to vacate the building.
Paul Ojo and his wife.
Armed policemen drafted to carry out the operation were said to have descended on Ojo, who insisted that the property was still under litigation and pending before the court.
He also demanded from the gun-wielding officers the court order or warrant that authorised his eviction.
The request did not go down well with the police as they pounced on the old man, dragged him on the floor and threw out his properties.
Also, his 75-year-old wife, Veronica, and children were not spared in the assault as the policemen inflicted injuries on one of the son, Isaac, for challenging them for beating up his father.
Paul’s son, Isaac Ojo.
Leader of the team, one DSP Ahmed, reportedly fired several gunshots during the operation.
Findings revealed that residents, who initially bidded and bought the houses in the area from government, were predominantly christians and had in 2017 instituted a suit at the state high court challenging the decision of the state government to revoke the properties.
A bank draft sighted by SaharaReporters also showed the payment of the sum of sum N235,000 made by Ojo which represented the 10 per cent of first installment of the total sum.
It was also gathered that buyers of the properties according to the terms and conditions were to pay in three installments of 10, 25 and 65 per cent respectively.
Ojo said he had paid the first installment in line with the agreements and wanted to pay the second installment but was turned down.
He explained that he wrote several letters notifying them of his readiness to pay the second installment but all to no avail.
In a court document obtained by SaharaReporters with suit No. KDH/KAD/904/2017 between Paul Ojo ( plaintiff) and Kaduna State governor, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Committee on the Sale of Residential Houses in Kaduna State, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
The plaintiff (Paul Ajayi) had prayed the court that he was the rightful and legal owner of the property and his allotment was based on public auction of the Kaduna State Government residential quarters.
The eviction was allegedly authorised by the state’s Solicitor-General, Chris Umar, who delegated one Samuel Madaki to lead the operation.
In an interview with SaharaReporters, Ojo’s lawyer, Kimi Livingstone Appah, said the matter on the property was pending before the court and that they had close their case but the state government represented by Tahir Ladan from the Ministry of Justice had refused to open defence.
He confirmed that his client was assaulted by the police, who came to carry out the eviction without any court order.
Appah said the house in question was bought by his client but later allocated to one Mr Abbas Mohammed Ango, who filed a suit at the Customary Court of Tribunal with the intention to taking over the house.
He explained further that he had filed a preliminary objection in the suit challenging the jurisdiction of the court in the matter.
He said the police physically assaulted and dragged his client on the floor in his presence when he approached Madaki, who was leader of the team to provide the warrant or court order to carry out the eviction.
He said, “When we met Samuel Madaki who is the leader of the team that you cannot do this and it is wrong, he told us to go to hell that as far as the governor had given order, he was following the directive.
“In my presence, they were beating the old man who just came back from the hospital. He was dragged on the floor like a goat. He is an hypertension patient and has leg problem.
“They also beat up his 75-year-old wife and arrested two of his sons, Isaac and Michael. They were detained in the police station for 10 hours.
“There is a pending matter over the property. There is no judgment yet, the case is in court. The governor sold the houses and most of the people including my client bidded and bought the properties but government later revoked it and gave it to their Muslim brothers.
“We went to court and challenged it that since they had.not returned the money to those who bought the houses, they had no right to allocate it to another buyer or evict them.”
DOCUMENTS: Police In Kaduna Allegedly Assault, Evict 85-year-old Retired Army Officer, Family Members On Or… by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
When SaharaReporters reached out to leader of the team, Samuel Madaki, for reaction, he said he was not in best position to speak on the matter.
Police spokesperson in Kaduna could not be reached for comments as of the time of this report.
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Group Tackles Nigerian Lawmakers, Says National Assembly Becoming “Absurdist Theatre”
The Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative has tackled lawmakers at the National Assembly over the recent outburst that has followed its public hearing.
The group posited that the lawmakers were serving their personal interests while pretending to represent the people of Nigeria.
In a statement by Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, National President; and Francis Udoka Ndimkoha, National Publicity Secretary of the group, they questioned the budgetary allocation to the National Assembly as they demanded an #OPENNASS.
The group is also asking President Muhammadu Buhari to order a forensic audit into the accounts of the National Assembly.
The statement reads, “It is worrisome that the NASS feels free to investigate MDAs based on frivolous petitions, sometimes, from faceless groups, but will not turn in their members accused, with evidence, for complicity and culpability in the sleaze going on in the MDAs they oversight.
“There is no better time to call for “Open NASS” than now.
“We call on the President to order a forensic audit into the accounts of the National Assembly because Nigerians will like to know how it is being spent on the public hearings that have become a comedy of sorts.
“The fact that billions are voted for the renovation of the NASS complex, yearly, while ordinary air conditioners in the venue for these public hearings are barely functional speaks volumes.
“The time to stem the tide of this absurdist theatre is now.”
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Malian Colonel, Assimi Goita, Declares Self As Head Of Rebel Committee
Colonel Assimi Goita addresses the press, from the Malian Ministry of Defense in Bamako, Mali, August 19, 2020
Malian army officer, Colonel Assimi Goita, announced himself on Wednesday as the coup leader, who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
Goita was one of the five military servicemen, who delivered a speech on national television on Wednesday morning to shed light on the military rebels’ program.
Colonel Assimi Goita addresses the press, from the Malian Ministry of Defense in Bamako, Mali, August 19, 2020
Malik Konate, AFP
He served in the special ops unit of the Malian armed forces.
“Let me introduce myself, I am Colonel Assimi Goita, Chairman of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People,” he said after meeting top civil servants.
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Mali: Return To Barracks Now, UN Security Council Tells Military
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The Malian military had on Tuesday ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta from power and announced plans to set up a transitional government for new elections.
Keita resigned from office and dissolved parliament hours after he was arrested by mutineering soldiers.
The ousted President said he resigned to avoid bloodshed, announcing the dissolution of the government and the National Assembly.
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COVID-19: 24 Ogun Hospital Staff Infected, One Dead As Management Begins Test Sampling Without Protection For Employees
Staff and medical workers at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital have been engulfed in fear as hospital management began COVID-19 tests without proper and adequate facility in place.
In less than three weeks the hospital began test sampling, over 24 staff have been infected with the virus and one death recorded.
One of the staff has also infected his wife and two children with the virus.
A staff of the hospital, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said the hospital ignored various warning to put in place adequate protection and disinfection equipment before commencing the testing of sample.
The staff said, “We told them that it is highly infectious but they insisted that they will go ahead with the sample testing.
“Everybody was exposed to the sample. A letter was written to the management complaining of the health risk but they ignored the letters and warning.
“We told them to set-up an insolated laboratory to be running the test sample just as it was done during the outbreak of Ebola but they also ignored the advice.
“As at today, 24 staff is positive to COVID-19 while some other people are expecting their result, which there is a high possibility that it will come back positive because many of us were exposed to the virus.”
It was gathered that the staff asked the hospital to provide personal protective equipment but they said the hospital did not have money.
“When a letter was written asking the hospital to provide protective gear as it is being used in standard COVID-19 test centre, the management of the hospital said the hospital does not have money to buy protective equipment and staff should continue working as they do,” another staff said.
One of the infected staff, who also spoke with SaharaReporters, said the hospital was putting the lives of people at risk due to its decision not to provide them with protective equipment.
He said, “I heard my test result from a third party, my colleague who called me and informed that I am positive.
“The hospital then asked us to go home for self-isolation.
“The decision of the hospital has cost a life already and it is putting the lives of many others at risk.
“We interact with each other at the hospital and there is a high possibility that about 40 per cent of the staff will test positive to the virus.”
Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Peter Adefuye, said the staff can test positive to the virus because it was in the community stage.
He, however, ended the call when asked if the hospital had protective measure in place for staff exposed to the samples during testing.
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Mali: Return To Barracks Now, UN Security Council Tells Military
The United Nations Security Council has issued a stern directive to the Malian military to immediately return to the barracks.
The warning came on Wednesday as mutineering soldiers took over the government in Mali as the President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and Prime Minister, Boubou Cisse, were arrested by the soldiers.
The President was subsequently forced to resign.
The 15-member council was briefed after soldiers ousted Mali’s President in a coup.
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Mali: ECOWAS Orders Military Force To Be On Standby
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A resistance group, M5, also insisted that the constitutional court must be dissolved, while the President must resign before peace can return to the country.
The crisis had erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the country’s polls, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of Keita.
On July 10, riots led to the killing of some protesters by security agents.
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BREAKING: Three Persons Injured As Violence Erupts In Idanre Ahead Of Council Election
Barely 24 hours after seven persons were badly injured in an attack at the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, at least three persons have also been attacked by armed thugs.
The fresh attack happened on Wednesday evening as thugs suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress moved on the streets with matchetes and axes and brutalised anyone seen.
The attack comes barely three days to the local council election in all 18 local government areas of the state.
A source told SaharaRepoters that the thugs were moving from house to house to attack perceived political enemies.
He said, “The thugs have started again, they are moving from one location to another to attack us. They have attacked three other persons.
“This time around, it is not even a case of an attack on SDP members or candidate for the election but it is an attack on those they feel could give them problems on the election day.
“I learnt they have a list of names of those to be attacked with them and now they are moving from one house to another to carry out the mission.”
It was learnt that military personnel have been drafted to Idanre to restore order.
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Human Rights Groups Ask Buhari To Release RevolutionNow Protesters, Condemn Judicial Decisions On Blasphemy In Northern Nigeria
#RevolutionNow Protest
Four prominent human rights groups have urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to commit to freedom of expression and assembly and end the arrests of citizens for expressing their opinions.
They asked the government to immediately release those being detained solely for exercising their right to free speech and amend any laws not in line with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The human rights groups made this known in a joint statement signed by Fatou Jagne Senhore, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 West Africa, Chido Onumah, Coordinator of African Centre for Media & Information Literacy, Okechukwu Nwaguma, Executive Director of RULAAC and Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Center.
#RevolutionNow Protest
The statement reads, “Protest is a right. The Nigerian constitution clearly recognises the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Nigerian security forces cannot simply arrest anyone who expresses an opinion critical of the government. Yet, in the past week, we have witnessed mass arrests of protesters.
“On 5 August, dozens of people were arrested in Abuja, Lagos, Abeokuta, Kano, Calabar and Osogbo during the #RevolutionNow protests calling for good governance. The police used teargas to disperse the largely peaceful protests. Most people were released the following day, without charge. Despite their release, the Nigerian authorities did not shed light on the excessive use of force against the protesters and the allegations of degrading treatments to which some demonstrators were allegedly subjected.
“In addition, an activist named Usman Zush remained in detention about 7 days without being judged. The police were accusing him of impersonation alleging that he was found with two ID cards. But a local lawyer who was closer to the case told anonymously to A19 that Usman was solely arrested in connexion with the RevolutionNow protest and impersonation was to cover up. Three days later, on 8 August, protesters were arrested in southern Kaduna State during protests against the increased insecurity in the state.
“Repression of protests and Impunity should stop. The perpetrators of the alleged inhuman violations should be identified and punished. It’s the responsibility of the Nigerian Government to investigate and enforce justice.
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PHOTOS: Nigerian Security Agents Subjecting Peaceful #RevolutionNow Protesters To Inhuman And Degrading Treatment At Unity Fountain In Abuja
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The groups also condemned the recent arrests and judicial decisions for blasphemy in Northern part of Nigeria.
“On August 10, 2020, the singer Sharif was sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Sharia Court in Kano State. He was accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad in a song he distributed through WhatsApp in March 2020.
“In another case, on 28 April, the President of the Nigerian Humanist Association was arrested in Kaduna for insulting the Prophet Muhammad on his Facebook page a day earlier. He is reportedly yet to be charged and detained incommunicado in Kano State. He may risk a death sentence like Sharif.
“It is shocking that posting a song on WhatsApp is punished with death, even if it is considered insulting. Nigerian authorities should protect opinions online and offline in consonance with its international human rights obligations. Death sentence cannot be accomplished without violating the right to life guaranteed to all Nigerians. It should have never been decided. Death penalty must be abolished unconditionally.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to release all people who are currently detained across the country solely for expressing their opinions. In addition, Nigeria should ensure its laws enable a climate of free speech.”
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Kano Sharia Court Sentences Musician To Death Over Song Allegedly Against Prophet Muhammad
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Police To Deploy 5000 Officers For Ondo Council Election
Ahead of Saturday’s local government election in Ondo State, the police said it would deploy no fewer than 5,000 police officers to monitor and ensure security for the exercise.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in Akure, said police would ensure adequate security of lives and properties during the poll.
Bolaji revealed that the officers would be supported by the other security agencies including officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Department of State Services.
He warned against violence before, during, and after the polls, calling on all political stakeholders in the state to follow the rules in Saturday’s election.
The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission had earlier announced that no fewer than seven political parties would be participating in the exercise.
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Nigerian High Commission Closes Embassy In Canada Over Lack Of Booklets, Attack On Staff
The Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has shut down activities indefinitely.
The high commission in a statement posted on its website said it was suspending consular activities indefinitely until further notice due to lack of passport booklets and unruly behaviour of applicants.
It said it had devised a system in which citizens with emergency cases were attended to strictly by appointment that allowed a limited number of people into the chancery at a time in compliance with the laid-down rules of physical distancing.
But it said some citizens chose to abuse the system by showing up without appointment.
“On a number of occasions, people seeking passport renewal came to the chancery without an appointment and acted in the a most unruly manner, disturbing the peace and acting in an abusive manner, banging windows,” it said.
It further stated that things got worse on August 14, when a group of applicants caused mayhem at the embassy, refusing people entrance and holding a staff member hostage for several minutes.
“Matters came to a head on Friday August 14, when a group showed up at the high commission and refused to allow the embassy staff members to attend to those who had appointments. They insisted that we had to attend to everybody who showed up.
“They went as far as holding a female staff member who went to address them hostage for over 20 minutes and subjected them to physical abuse,” the statement reads.
While acknowledging that the closure of the airspace was limiting its ability to bring much-needed passport booklets into the country and is an area it will work on, the Nigerian High Commission disclosed that it was considering ways to make our premises more secure and less susceptible to unruly behaviour and violent mob action.
“Nigerians whose work or study permits have expired since March 2020, and who do not have a valid passport, have a grace period that lasts until December 31.
“By this time, we expect to have resolved some of the challenging issues that COVID-19 has created,” the statement added.
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