Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 1st October 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 01/10/20
Read also
Police Declare Ex-minister, Gbagi, Wanted As Court Restrains IGP, Others From Arresting Him
Kenneth Gbagi
The police in Delta have declared a former Minister of State of Education, Kenneth Gbagi, wanted for refusing to honour series of invitations extended to him over a case of assault and dehumanisation of his staff.
Gbagi had last week accused four of his staff, Precious Achibong, Roselyn Okiemute Diaghwarh, Victor Ephraim and Gloria Oguzie working at Signatious Hotel, Warri, Delta State, of stealing his N5,000 and stripped them naked to photograph and video them before handing them over to the police, who detained them for four days and subsequently charged them to court.
Kenneth Gbagi
Gbagi, described by protesters as a serial violator of human rights, had earlier said he was ready to honour any police invitation extended to him after querying why should he be arrested.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that after the former minister failed to honour several invitations extended to him by the state police command, he was declared wanted.
See Also
Corruption
Ex-Nigerian Minister Arrests Hotel Staff, Strip Them Naked For Allegedly Stealing N5,000
0 Comments
1 Week Ago
In a statement by spokesperson for the police in the state, DSP Onomo Onovwakpoyeya, an appeal was made to members of the public to supply information on the whereabouts of Gbagi.
The statement reads, “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi was invited by the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commander Warri and DPO Ebrumede Division on September 25, 2020 for questioning concerning the alleged dehumanising manner in which he ordered some of his staff to be stripped naked and physically assaulted because of an alleged case of stealing which took place at Signatious Hotel belonging to him.
“Kenneth Gbagi personally and severally called and gave the excuse that he had a burial ceremony of his elder sister on Friday 25/9/2020 in which he is a key player, and asked for time to finish with the ceremony on Sunday, thereafter will report at the state headquarters on Monday September 28, 2020. These requests were granted on humanitarian ground.
“On Monday September, 28, 2020, Kenneth Gbagi called the Commissioner of Police to say that he has a court case to attend to, promising to report at the police headquarters in Asaba by 3:00pm; again he was equally obliged. On the same date, the Commissioner of Police had to call him at about 5:00pm before the same Kenneth Gbagi said he was on his way to the state HQ Asaba. Sadly and unfortunately Kenneth Gbagi still failed to report. Instead, he went into the public space to disparage, blackmail and maligned the person of the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, for insisting on investigating him.
“Having failed to honour his promises, Delta State Police Command is left with no option than to declare Kenneth Ggbagi wanted. Therefore members of the public with useful information as to his whereabouts are advised to go to the nearest police station to report for his immediate arrest and handing him over to the command for thorough investigation/prosecution.” PHOTONEWS: Delta Residents Protest Dehumanisation Of Hotel Staff, Call For Arrest And Prosecution Of Former Education Minister, Gbagi | Sahara Reporters pic.twitter.com/WGu829PZvR— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) September 26, 2020
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist, a Federal High Court sitting at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, presided by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Wednesday granted an interim order restraining the IGP and operatives of the Delta State Police Command and its agents from threatening, arresting or detaining the embattled former minister, Gbagi.
In an exparte motion filed through its counsel, Nkem Okoro, Gbagi prayed the court to restrain the police from further going after him pending the determination of his fundamental right case.
CRIME
Police
Scandal
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
President Buhari To Address Nigerians Via TV Broadcast
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has made a u-turn on his decision to address the country on October 1 in commemoration of Independence Day from Eagle Square, venue of a planned parade.
Buhari will now address Nigerians via a television broadcast at 7:00am before proceeding to the venue at 10:00am for the parade to mark the country’s 60th independence anniversary.
The change, SaharaReporters, gathered was not unconnected to nationwide protests planned across the country including in the capital city, Abuja.
Femi Adesina, media aide to the President, said, “As part of activities commemorating the 60th independence anniversary of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 7:00am.
“All television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria respectively for the address.
“The President will thereafter, proceed to the Eagle Square, Abuja to review the anniversary parade and participate in other activities beginning at 10 am, which will be covered live by major television and radio stations.
“This updated statement supersedes our earlier one indicating an open-air live presidential address on October 1.”
See Also
Human Rights
Group Urges US, UK, EU To Issue Visa Ban On IGP, DG SSS, Army Chief If Protesters Are Harassed, Arrested On October 1
0 Comments
5 Hours Ago
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
BREAKING: Ogun State Governor Imposes Curfew, Ban Statewide Independence Day Protest
Governor Dapo Abiodun
The Ogun State Government has imposed a curfew to commence from 10pm on Wednesday while also banning all public processions and protests in the state.
Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday night.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun
It reads, “There will be a curfew in Ogun State, effective tonight (Wednesday) from 10:00 pm to tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 6:00am.
“This curfew will again be effective tomorrow (Thursday) at the same time, 10:00 pm-06:00 am.
“Restriction of operations of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called Okada, from all major roads in the state from 10:00pm tonight (Wednesday) all through to 6.00 am on Friday.
“Operations of all commercial buses are also suspended from 10.00pm tonight till Friday morning;
“Taxicabs are permitted to operate within the hours outside the daily curfew period. However, the number of passengers remains limited to a maximum of three only.
“All forms of gathering in the state, except the State announced Independence Day Anniversary programme, are restricted to a maximum of 20 persons from 10.00 pm tonight till 6.00 am on Friday.
“No procession whatsoever is allowed.
“Owners and operators of hotels, suites guest houses, motels, and such establishments providing accommodation should note that the restriction on operations has not been lifted;
“All residents are to monitor and report any suspicious movements and activities in their neighbourhood to the security agencies.”
ACTIVISM
Human Rights
Police
Politics
Breaking News
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Right To Protest Is Fundamentally Backed By Constitution, CORE Tells Police
The Coalition for Revolution has stated that the right to protest was a fundamental one guaranteed by the constitution of the country.
CORE said this in reaction to the ban on protest on October 1 by the Lagos State Police Command.
Different civic groups and bodies had slated a protest on the day to express anger at the degrading state of the country.
Baba Aye and Gbenga Komolafe, Co-conveners of CORE, said the group will go on with its scheduled protest and urged other civil society groups to embark on their respective protests.
“We want to make it clear that we remain undeterred and the protest cannot be stopped.
“When in our national anthem it is said “the Labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” we remember clearly that the labour of real heroes of independence was struggle: protests that were not deterred by the colonialists repressive tactics.
“We salute Michael Imoudu, Raji Abdallah, Mokwugo Okoye, Margaret Ekpo, Mallam Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Nduka Eze, Baba Omojola, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Wahab Goodluck.
See Also
Human Rights
Police Warn Against October 1 Rallies, Protests In Lagos
0 Comments
7 Hours Ago
“These and the thousands of working-class class people and youths who took to the streets and downed tools in the workplaces are the heroes of what was won 60 years ago but which was bastardized by the thieving elites who took over power.
“We take the liberation struggle forward towards our total and lasting self-emancipation. Come out one and all, rise and reclaim your dignity and win a better life. Down with all forces of oppression and their tools of repression.
“We call on all Nigerians not to succumb to intimidation. Our peaceful protests against the elites’ corruption, our state of poverty and underdevelopment of the country shall proceed as planned and the take off point remains the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota in Lagos and at all points in our posters across every state of the federation. Take-off time in all the states’ capitals remains 8am prompt,” the statement reads.
ACTIVISM
Human Rights
Police
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Nigeria At 60: Prepare To Fight Unjust Policies, Falana-led Group Tells Nigerians
Femi Falana (SAN)
The Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond has asked Nigerians to use the 60th independence anniversary to reflect on the state of the nation and commit themselves to reject economic policies that impoverish them.
The group in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), urged Nigerians to express themselves in a peaceful and coordinated manner.
Femi Falana (SAN)
Falana stated that the group endorsed and fully supported any peaceful protest against fuel price, electricity tariff hike on Thursday.
He added that ASCAB will provide free legal services for any Nigerian arrested in the cause of protesting the fuel and electricity tariff hike.
He said, “We express full support for peaceful protests against the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria. We are a people united by common economic afflictions. Irrespective or ethnic, religious or cultural barrier, we should work together to end the era of profit of the few as against the livelihood and prosperity of Nigerians.”
He asked the police not to use force but to protect and defend the constitutional rights of the protesters.
He said the protesters by the civil society groups will be conducted in a peaceful manner, adding that their demands for economic justice was legitimate.
“We call on the police to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians to peacefully protest against injustice and bad policies. The police should not molest protesters but rather protect them as stipulated by the Nigerian constitution,” Falana said.
He also called on the government not to arrest the protesters but to ensure the immediate release of those being held by the central or state governments.
He said the continued incarceration of some Nigerians for expressing their belief was against local and international conventions of which Nigeria was a signatory.
“We call for the release of all political prisoners. We ask the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari to release the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore, without any strings attached.
“It has become clearer to local and international community that his detention is politically motivated. He is a prisoner of conscience being held because of his campaign against corruption and injustice,” Falana said.
Human Rights
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
N3.1bn Fraud: Again Court Adjourns Five-year-old Trial Of Former Benue Governor, Suswam
Gabriel Suswan
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has again adjourned the trial of former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam.
Suswam is being tried alongside his Finance Commissioner, Okpanachi Okolobia, for allegedly defrauding Benue State Government to the tune of N3.1bn while in office.
Gabriel Suswan
EFCC
The case had been on since November 10, 2015 when they were first arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a nine-count of financial impropriety and money laundering.
The case has since gone through a series of adjournments that had made the trial last for five years.
The case again suffered the same fate on Wednesday at the resumption of the trial before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The court adjourned the case until October 15, 2020.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently said that the slow pace of court trials in Nigeria was one of the areas that must be urgently reformed for the sustenance of law and order.
He then proposed a limit of 12 months for the prosecution and trial of criminal cases.
He said, “My question then is why can’t we have a time limit for criminal cases? Why can’t we have a rule that will say a criminal trial all the way to the Supreme Court must not exceed 12 months?”
See Also
Exclusive
EXCLUSIVE: How Senator Gabriel Suswam Bribed Federal High Court Judge To Quash Pending EFCC Fraud Case
0 Comments
1 Year Ago
Corruption
Legal
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Group Urges US, UK, EU To Issue Visa Ban On IGP, DG SSS, Army Chief If Protesters Are Harassed, Arrested On October 1
Concerned Nigerians Group has called on the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to issue visa ban on the Inspector-General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Chief of Army Staff and other heads of security agencies.
Coordinator of the group, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Adeyanju, security agencies have criminalised the act of protest, an otherwise constitutional right in an attempt to shield the government of the day from criticism.
He said, “It is no longer news that Nigeria is increasingly becoming a repressive state, and the security agencies have surrendered their constitutional responsibility and made themselves a tool in the hands of the government. These security agencies have criminalized the act of protest, an otherwise constitutional right, in an attempt to shield the government of the day from criticism.
“Sadly, the Nigerian judiciary has not been able to stand up and be counted. The citizens are, therefore, left at the mercy of state actors who have developed the penchant for indiscriminately arresting protesters.
“As members of the civil societies get ready to lead a citizen movement against bad governance in Nigeria, tomorrow, it is imperative to call on the United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union to place visa ban on any member of the security agency who makes himself available to the government of the day, tomorrow, for the purpose of suppressing the protesters. This visa ban should equally be extended to their family members.
“This call is made with deep sense of responsibility, as it appears that the only wedge between state actors in Nigeria and totally authoritarianism is visa ban.”
Human Rights
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%93okei-odumakin Nigeria Has Sunk In Pandemic Corruption In Last 60 Years –Okei-Odumakin
Joe Okei-Odumakin
Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise and Centre for Change, has said that 60 years after independence, Nigeria has sunk in pandemic corruption.
In a statement to commemorate the 60 years anniversary of Nigeria, Okei-Odumakin said the country still has a long walk to freedom as every sector was in shambles.
Joe Okei-Odumakin
She noted that beyond the celebration and goodwill messages, Nigerians should “reflect on where we are as a nation, so as to collectively chart a way forward for ourselves as a people”.
She added, “There is no doubt that in the last 60 years of our Independence, our country has sunk in pandemic corruption, social crises, and economic dilapidation – all of which have led, year-in, year-out, to a systematic decline in the living standard of our people.
“Our much respected values of patriotism and uncompromising emphasis on integrity and honesty have been thrown to the dogs by the corrupt elements that have seized leadership positions at various levels in our country.
“Education is in practical ruins, just like critical infrastructures are in shambles with healthcare virtually in peril.
“Security of life and property is no longer guaranteed as lawlessness pervades everywhere, even among the law enforcement agents.
“Nigerians live in frustration, agony, hopelessness, misery, pain, and suffering.”
See Also
ACTIVISM
Fuel Hike: Nigerians Must Say No To Further Hardship –Joe Okei-Odumakin
0 Comments
3 Weeks Ago
Okei-Odumakin lamented that about 70 of Nigerians today live in abject poverty while a few are super rich at the expense of the downtrodden.
She added that Nigerian youth were continuously faced with uncertain future because of the greed of a privileged few.
She stated that the time had come for the country to be rebuilt.
“We call on government at all levels to make the welfare of Nigerians top priority as well as earnestly begin a process of rebuilding hope, which is already nearly lost in the minds of Nigerians.
“We also demand that the government must do all within its powers to ensure the rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok and Dapchi school girls just like the other women, men, and children in the captivity of terrorists must be liberated.
“Inependence anniversary is also an auspicious occasion to demand an end to all forms of violence against women in Nigeria.
“We can only hope that, henceforth, the dreams of our founding fathers shall become a reality.
“It is then that Nigerians will have their hope rekindled that they would be free from the social and economic slavery they have wallowed in despite the 60 years of Independence,” Okei-Odumakin added.
Corruption
Human Rights
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
United Arab Emirates Lifts Visa Restriction On Nigerians, Says Government
The United Arab Emirates has agreed to resume visa issuance to Nigerians, the government has said.
Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, announced this via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.
He disclosed that the move was to allow Emirates Airlines resume operations in Nigeria
He said, “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria.
“Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks.”
See Also
Travel
UAE Orders Nigerians With Expired Visas To Leave Country In Three Weeks
0 Comments
2 Months Ago
Travel
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Police Warn Against October 1 Rallies, Protests In Lagos
Lagos CP Hakeem Odumosu.
The Lagos State Police Command has warned against any rallies and protests in the state on October 1, 2020.
Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, directed police officers in the state to clampdown and disallow any form of rally in the state.
Lagos CP Hakeem Odumosu.
Describing the rallies as unlawful, Odumosu in a statement by SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the police in the state, urged parents and guardians to warn their children from joining any rally or risk being prosecuted.
The statement reads, “While the Commissioner of Police announced the cancellation by the Lagos State Government of the ceremonial parade to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, he warned that the command will not allow any gatherings, rallies or protests against the sovereignty of Nigeria in the state.
“CP Hakeem Odumosu similarly warned parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from any rallies, protests or be mobilised to wage war against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or else they (parents or guardians) of any youths arrested for such act will be prosecuted.
“The Commissioner of Police, however, appealed to the general public to be law-abiding, desist from violence and any act that is capable of disrupting the sovereignty of Nigeria.”
Human Rights
Police
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
