Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Friday 21st August 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 21/08/20
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Madagascar Government Sacks Health Minister, Ahmad, Amid COVID-19 Surge
The Madagascar Government has sacked the country’s Minister of Health as part of cabinet reshuffle, a move that came a month after he butted heads with the President for seeking outside help for Coronavirus.
The Indian Ocean island-nation saw COVID-19 cases surge in July despite an official campaign to promote a controversial herbal drink touted as a remedy for the virus.
The drink, named Covid-Organics, has been widely distributed in Madagascar and sold to several other countries, mainly in Africa.
The UN’s World Health Organisation has cautioned that there have been no published scientific studies to validate claims for the drink and, mainstream scientists have pointed to potential risks from untested concoctions.
As hospitals raised concern about lack of beds, the sacked minister wrote a letter in July asking international agencies to send medical equipment.
Ahmad’s cabinet exit was revealed on Thursday in the announcement of a new list of ministers following a reshuffle.
“Jean Louis Hanitrala Rakotovao has been named new health minister,” cabinet secretary Valery Ramonjavelo said.
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Southern Kaduna Killings: El-Rufai Should Stop The Genocide Or Resign By Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed
Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed
Life matters but not to those who see people as a minority. They deliberately suppress people’s right to live in a society where all rights ought to be equal. They mute these rights in every sphere of life; morally, financially and economically – even in terms of protecting the people which is the primary responsibility of any serious or responsible government.
Government knows the problem of the people but they obviously deprive them their rights, and make these rights appear like privileges. Southern Kaduna needs a purposeful response from the government, but the same government from whom they expect a response has turned into a bully against them.
The governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has shown that Fulani lives are so crucial to him than the people of Southern Kaduna. Same governor who was quoted saying, “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes”.
Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed
El-Rufai went ahead to “negotiate” with Fulani herdsmen who have been killing the people of Southern Kaduna under the pretext of restoring peace in the region.
It is crystal clear that the continuous killings in Southern Kaduna is a deliberate ploy by some people. The Christian vommunity in Southern Kaduna hasn’t been known as a peaceful community, and the records are there. They have been bullied, maimed and killed by the same set of people: “Fulani herdsmen”. Yet, el-Rufai has been so shameless that he’s been blaming his incompetence or complicity on the victims who bury their loved ones everyday.
On December 3, 2016 Mallam el-Rufai was quoted as saying, “We’ve paid some Fulani to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna”. A chief security officer of a state should be ashamed with these words. Unfortunately our politicians have no shame, and they have no dignity for humanity.
Governor el-Rufai is only good at arresting critics who criticize his woeful government. His mediocre approach on the attacks on a people he swore to protect is lamentable. It is unfortunate that el-Rufai sees them as a minority that add no value to the state economy.
A time is coming when people will have no option but to carry arms to defend their people in their communities as the last option. If el-Rufai is not capable of bringing peace and security to the people of Southern Kaduna, he should humbly resign and walk away, and stop pointing fingers at victims of his nightmarish government.
The conspiracy and deliberate silence of Arewa Elders and Youth Consultative Forum tells more than we know. None of them has raised a voice against the ongoing genocide. None!
Southern Kaduna now seems synonymous with a theatre of war, yet Mallam el-Rufai insists that the killings are orchestrated by the leaders of Southern Kaduna people. This same man told Nigerians in 2016 that he has paid Fulani Herdsmen to stop the killings in the same region. Double standard!
One ought not shirk his responsibilities. To face war and not flee is the honour of a man. El-Rufai is a chief security officer of a state who knows the people behind the killings as he claimed on TV, namely that some people are collecting brown envelopes as compensation for the killings. He shouldn’t now come to the public to tell us a moonlight tale.
His primary responsibility is to protect lives and properties, and if Mallam el-Rufai fails as he obviously has, the people of Southern Kaduna will have no alternative but to rise in defence of themselves.
El-Rufai should not abdicate his responsibilities by imposing blames on the people he swore to protect. Irrespective of anybody involved in these killings, they ought to face the wrath of the law. But wherein lies the political will in el-Rufai?
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Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed
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E2%80%99s-assassins-democracy-steve-ogah Mali’s Assassins of Democracy By Steve Ogah
What is the way forward now that Mali has fallen into the hands of soldiers? Well, the obvious way forward is that no one who values freedom should allow Malians suffer the loss of it under draconian laws.
Non-Malians and Malians alike must rise up for this landlocked west African country which is on the verge of total collapse, and falling into the hands of religious fundamentalists.
The central question is this: does Mali need a West African force, the type previously deployed in Liberia and Sierra Leone; to drive away an unwanted force? Should a new Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group(ECOMOG) be scrambled to Bamako, now that the diplomacy of Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan did not stop civil protests and the army, in spite of all the peaceful preachments the serene lover of democracy made to major actors in the conflict? These puzzles are not without responses, since the cultured world knows what Mali is in desperate need of.
The situation in Mali demands that the coup plotters return to their barracks. Nothing more. Nothing less. But this is not going to be as easy as boiling an egg! It is not yet clear if protesters who railed against president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita can oust the army. Having tasted some political juices by now, and the splendor which exists in presidential palaces, will the coup leader; colonel Assimi Goita be willing to return to the drudgery and monotony of barracks life? There is little evidence to show that ordinary Malians are not in for a long and tortuous battle with insurgents in the north and the army.
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Mali suffers from a cocktail of ailments. Tuareg rebels want a country of their own. Civilians desire a better handing of the economy and greater freedom. The army is dissatisfied with the way former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had handled the battle with the Tuareg rebels, who have obviously lost the sympathy of some western powers by instigating rebellion and demanding a free state by force of arms, with the ultimate aim of forming an Islamic republic; which is not entirely a bad idea. But the fears from some quarters is that such a fragile republic may become breeding ground for Al-Qaeda terrorists who showed their brutal intentions in the 2012 Tuareg insurrection, by hijacking the Tuareg militancy.
The Tuareg rebels will pose a major obstacle for the new rebel government which is already appearing as incompetent as a soldier in democratic offices can be. A true man of the people doesn’t need to introduce himself. But col. Assimi Goita according to Aljazeera, began his address with these words: “let me introduce myelf…” An offhand interrogation of that speech indicates that the colonel is from the backs streets of the army and politics in Mali. His credibility and acceptance seems in doubt, a situation which prompted his hasty introduction. But again, how does a poorly-reckoned officer appeal to Tuareg rebels and the civil society which is reported to have distanced itself from the coup plotters.
The June 5 movement needs to maintain a healthy and peaceful identity, and this is the reason the leaders of the group are dining with colonel Goita with a long spoon. The movement itself may not be the embodiment of the total wishes of the majority of Malians. The movement’s members may be more interested in their own personal political gains to the detriment of the masses. If the coup plotters and movement truly love the people, they would have listened to the voice of reason and appeals from mediators such as Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who went to Mali with his democratic credentials intact, having recently handed over power to a political adversary in a peaceful transition program. Dr. Jonathan was convinced he would make the president follow his own path of honor and statesmanship. But colonel, Goita and his disillusioned lieutenants ambushed democracy on the violent streets of Bamako and left Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with no luck from Mali.
World leaders and their emissaries must be circumspect in the way they relate with the leaders of the coup. No believer in a coup truly loves democracy. The military boys in Mali are assassins of democracy and free speech. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, who seized power in a military coup in Nigeria in 1985; was a suave officer who dribbled the whole country and mediators for so long about democracy that the Lagos press had no choice but to gift him the name: Maradona; in a blatant reference to the wonders of the Argentine maestro, Diego Armando Maradona against England at the Mexico 1986 FIFA world cup. Col. Goita has killed democracy in Mali and he can’t claim to be in possession of the resurrecting powers of Jesus Christ, so that he may give back life to that form of government.
The problems in Mali can be solved at a table not at a battlefield. This then demands that the June 5 movement which appears to enjoy some sympathy from observers and a portion of the population, must reject in totality, the coup plotters and seek the immediate reinstatement of President Kieta. If the deposed president appears permanently out of the political equation, for whatever reasons; then Mali must return to democracy at the earliest possible time. France must break its hymen of inaction and military silence and the sub-regional body, ECOWAS, must as a matter of urgency ; scramble a peacekeeping force for Mali. This to some of us, appears workable solutions to the assassination of democracy in Mali. The murderers of democracy cannot claim to be its dutiful guardians.
P.S: Steve Ogah is a creative writer whose writings have appeared across print and online platforms.
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Nigerian Government Approves N13bn For Community Policing Start
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Over N13bn has been approved by the Nigerian Government for the take-off of community policing initiative across the country and also part of measures targeted at containing the country’s security situation.
This was made known by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement.
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Laolu said based on the approval, the National Economic Council at its virtual meeting on Thursday, which was chaired by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, resolved that Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi; with two other governors met with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to coordinate the proper utilisation of the funding of the initiative.
The statement reads, “The National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Policing had made a presentation on its assignment to the council, noting that engagement with key stakeholders on the operationalisation of community policing in the country was ongoing.”
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Family Cries Out As Community Leader Allegedly Exhumes Two Corpses In Lagos
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A family in Lagos has cried out over the sudden exhumation and disappearance of the corpses of their lives ones.
The family, whose apartment was at number 1 Ilupeju Street, Ile-epo, Oke Odo area of Lagos, sold the house after the death of two of their family members to raise funds for the welfare of the others.
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However, trouble started when Baale of Oke-odo, Saliu Dada, allegedly stormed the house with some thugs and grave-diggers to exhume two corpses belonging to the family in the old house.
The family, who said they were not at the house when the corpses were excavated, stated that neighbours informed them of what happened, testifying that Dada oversaw the exhumation.
A relative of the family said the community head denied involvement in the excavation despite multiple people witnessing the act.
“When we sold the house, the family was making arrangement to dig the corpse before the right owner occupies it.
“While this was on, we heard that the two corpses belonging to us in the house had been dug and the Baale was there.
“There is no way people will come to the house without the Baale knowing about it.
“All our neighbours who were there said they saw the Baale came with people and they were all saying we should go to meet the Baale.
“What we want is for the Baale to give us the corpses and if he does not know, since he was at the scene, he should tell us who exhumed the corpses,” a family member explained.
Another member of the family known as Popoola said the Baale directed the family to one ‘Last born’, who was described as a well-known and influential person in the community.
They said he was at the scene when the excavation was happening.
“When we asked him, he denied knowing about it and said we should get more information from Last born. The people said he was there too when the digging was going on.
“What we are pleading for is the Baale should release the corpses or order anybody holding the corpses to release them for us.
They belong to us and there is no reason or ground that anybody will dig out the bodies and deny us of it,” the Popoola family added.
When a phone calll was put across to the Baale, his aide responded to the call but said the Baale was unavailable to speak at the moment, asking our reporter to call back.
The Baale, however, has failed to respond to subsequent calls and messages to his phone.
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Residents Express Fear Of Violence Ahead Of Saturday’s Ondo Council Election As Distribution Of Sensitive Materials Is Set Begin
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Fear of possible violence has gripped many residents of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s local government election.
At least five separate attacks and clashes had been recorded in the state in the build-up to the election this weekend.
The violence has mostly been between members of the All Progressives Congress and members of opposition parties participating in the election.
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The election is expected to hold in all 18 local council areas of the state.
Expressing fear of violence while speaking with SaharaRepoters on Thursday, a resident of Ondo, Mrs Tola Ibidapo, said crisis recorded during past elections may stop many people from coming out to vote.
She said, “The atmosphere is currently tensed and we have this fear that there might be crisis in the state because of the election.
“The participating political parties are ready for a showdown for the election and it is the electorates that will suffer it and we are scared already.”
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BREAKING: Three Persons Injured As Violence Erupts In Idanre Ahead Of Council Election
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Another resident, Mr Temitope Obagunwa, said he would stay indoors on Saturday, noting that the police, who suppose to be neutral in the exercise, has begun taking sides with a particular group.
He said, “I witnessed the violence that occurred a few days ago and was surprised that the police were just busy watching those boys (thugs) attacking people on the road and could not do anything.”
The police in the state have said it would deploy 5000 officers for the election in order to provide adequate security during the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission said it would on Friday begin the distribution of sensitive materials for the local government election.
ODIEC Chairman, Prof Yomi Dinakin, who made the disclosure at a briefing in Akure, said 10 political parties would now participate in the exercise.
Dinakin revealed that not less than 41 chairmanship and 425 councillorship candidates draw will contest in the election.
He listed the parties as Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Party, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Social Democratic Party, and Young Progressive Party.
The Peoples Democratic Party had already boycotted the election on the grounds that the electoral umpire might not conduct a transparent poll.
He said, “We have also made provision for NCDC recommendations including face masks for our staff. We will enforce two-metre social distancing.”
SaharaReporters gathered that a total of 1,822,346 registered voters were expected to show up for Saturday’s exercise.
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Again, Magu Writes Presidential Panel, Demands To See Petitions, Exhibits, Case Files To Prepare Defence
Ibrahim Magu
Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, has again written to the retired Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel, faulting its manner of proceedings.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated July 3, 2020 approved the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the embattled former EFCC boss.
Ibrahim Magu
Magu in a letter dated August 20 written through his counsel, Wahab Shittu, requested access to materials, exhibits, case files, petitions and details of allegations against him ahead of his impending defence in line with the constitution provisions.
“Please refer to section 36 (6) (A) (B) CFRN 1999 which provides as follows; every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be entitled to:
“(a) Be informed promptly in the language that he understands and in details of the nature of the offence
“(b) Be given adequate time and facility for the preparation of his defence.
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BREAKING: Drama As Security Agents Whisk Away Barrister Giwa, Lady During Testimony At Panel Probing Magu
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“Based in the foregoing, we request ahead of the defence of our client before this judicial commission of Inquiry for the following; copies of all presentations/petitions against our client tendered in these preceedings.
“Access to all exhibits tendered in these proceedings. Access to relevant case files and documents tendered in these proceedings. Any other materials that will be relevant for purposes of the defence of our client in these proceedings.
“Please note that the foregoing request has become urgent and compelling in view of paragraph five of the instrument establishing this judicial commission of inquiry.
Thanks “We humbly request you to note that in view of the timeline stipulated above and the need to clarify the duration of the sittings and whether the appointing authority has extended the period, It is of utmost importance that access to the requested documents is granted to our client and his counsel to ensure seamless proceedings and the guarantee of fair hearing as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“In view of the foregoing and the status of His Lordship as a retired judicial officer heading this judicial commission of inquiry, we draw attention to this constitutional provision so that same can be taken on board by the honorable members as reflections on the legality of these proceedings and the determination on how to further proceed in the circumstances,” part of the letter reads.
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Drama In Adamawa Court As Nigeria Correctional Center Rejects Convict Due To COVID-19
There was a mild drama and confusion at a high court in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on Thursday as a convicted inmate was rejected by officials of Nigeria Correctional Center due to COVID-19 related issues.
A midle-age lady, Mercy Elder, was convicted for impersonating the Department of State Services and obtaining money from the public through false pretence.
She was accordingly sentenced to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
However, officials of the correction center in Yola rejected her.
An officer attached to the Yola Correctional Center, who doesn’t want to be named, told our correspondent that they wouldn’t admit any more inmates not certified to be Coronavirus free.
He said, “The state COVID-19 Containment Committee should be held response for this mess.”
However, spokesperson for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou, rejected the claim, saying, “Both the DSS and Nigeria Correction Center are federal agencies, how possible is it for either of them to have blamed the state government for their own failure?”
The convict was arrested eight months ago after she was reported to have defrauded some unsuspecting persons on the grounds that she was a director with the DSS detailed to investigate them.
She obtained monies through false pretence, claiming to help her victims evade justice.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Nathan Musa sentenced her to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The woman has not been admitted to any correctional center as the DSS has also refused to take her into custody.
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Seven Persons Killed In Bayelsa Gang Violence
No fewer than seven persons were on Wednesday night shot dead in Oluasiri community of Nembe-Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State during a gun battle among rival armed groups in the area over control of illegal bunkering and kidnapping businesses.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Isiah-Ama area of Oluasiri.
The Guardian Nigeria
It was gathered that the violence was ignited among three armed gangs when one of the gangs was accused of allegedly withholding high caliber guns being used by all gangs during illegal operations on the high sea.
A community source said that the three gangs involved are located in Izakiri, Ben-Ama and Isiah-Ama communities.
These areas, according to the source, had become a den for armed militias operating along the borders of Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The armed groups from Ben-Ama and Isiah-Ama suffered the most casualties during the violence, which last over 10 hours.
Paramount ruler of Isiah-Ama, HRH. Iyerite Chiefson Awululu, confirmed that the gun battle was among militant factions in the area.
Mr Alalibo West, Chairman of Nembe Local Government Area, who also confirmed the incident, said relevant security agencies had been briefed.
Spokesperson for the police in the state, Asinim Butswat, said the command had launched an investigation into the incident.
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Another Man Chained By Father For 30 Years Rescued In Kano
Murtala Muhammad, a 55-year-old man, has been rescued by the police in Kano after being locked up in a room by his father for 30 years.
Muhammad, a resident of Kofar Fada in Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State, was rescued by the police and Human Rights Network on Thursday.
The victim was said to have been chained due to his mental illness.
Muhammad said he was happy to be freed.
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Kano Police Rescue 32-year-old Man Locked Up For Seven Years By Father, Stepmother
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Comrade AA Haruna Ayagi, Executive Director of Human Rights Network, said Muhammad was 25 years old when he was locked up in the house.
The development comes four days after the police rescued Ibrahim Lawan, a man held captive by his father for 15 years in the same city.
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Another Man Chained By Father In Kano Rescued
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