Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Wednesday 4th November 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 04/11/20
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Nigeria Immigration Service Yet To Release My Passport, Lawyer Placed On No-fly List For Participating In #EndSARS Protest Says
Modupe Odele
A lawyer, who participated in the #EndSARS protest that took place across Nigeria, Modupe Odele, has said that the Nigeria Immigration Service was yet to release her passport after it was seized while she tried to travel to the Maldives for her birthday recently through the Lagos airport.
The lawyer, who volunteered her service to help free peaceful protesters detained by law enforcement agents, was stopped from flying out of Nigeria on Sunday.
Modupe Odele
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#EndSARS
Immigration Officials Detained Me, Seized My Passport, Stopped Me From Leaving Nigeria, Lawyer Who Volunteered For #EndSARS Protest Says
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A source at the NIS told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the names of Odele and other active participants in the EndSARS protest were included on the no-fly list sent to the agency by the Defence Intelligence Agency following their efforts in rallying demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos where Nigerian Army personnel attacked and killed several protesters on the evening of October 20, 2020.
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Nigerian Military Put #EndSARS Leaders On No-fly List, Immigration Source Reveals
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A no-fly list is a register of people banned from boarding commercial aircrafts for travel within, into, or out of a country.
Giving an update on the matter on Tuesday evening, Odele in a post on Twitter said, “Hello people, I went to retrieve my passport today but was told this: “We cannot release your passport because you are still under investigation”.
“As of now, I’m not aware of any charges against me or what I am under investigation for.”Hello people, I went to retrieve my passport today but was told this: “We cannot release your passport because you are still under investigationâ€. As of now, I’m not aware of any charges against me or what I am under investigation for.— Moe (@Mochievous) November 3, 2020
#EndSARS
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E2%80%93defence Nigerian Army Kills 75 Boko Haram Terrorists, Loses Three Soldiers In Borno –Defence Headquarters
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The Nigerian military has said a total of 78 persons, including 75 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province fighters and three soldiers have been killed in an ongoing subsidiary operation in the North-East
Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
File Photo
Onyeuko added that four soldiers were also wounded during the encounter with the terrorists.
The statement reads, “Sequel to the commencement of Operation FIRE BALL, a subsidiary operation under Operation LAFIYA DOLE which is meant to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists from their identified enclaves in the North-East region, the operation has recorded tremendous successes within the short period from its existence with the last week of the preceding month proving to be the deadliest against the criminals.
“Consequently, as a result of the aggressive offensive action carried out by the troops, several terrorist elements have been neutralized as a large number of their equipment were captured while some were equally destroyed in the process.
“In this regard, a total of 75 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized within this period.
“The captured weapons include: six gun trucks, four anti-aircraft guns, one PKT gun, one general purpose machine gun, one automatic grenade launcher, one Dushka gun, one light machine gun, 48 AK 47 rifles, one locally made pistol and 10 AK 47 magazines.
“Furthermore, a large cache of ammunition was captured also. This include: one 36 hand grenade, 567 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 448 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 50 rocket propelled grenade bombs, 17 locally manufactured rounds, 3 shells for making improvised explosive devices, one smoke grenade and two belts of PKT rounds. Other assorted non-lethal items were also captured from the criminals.
“Regrettably, one officer and two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while four other soldiers were wounded in action over the period. However, the wounded soldiers have since been evacuated to a military medical facility and are currently responding to treatment.”
Boko Haram
Insecurity
Insurgency
Military
Terrorism
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Ondo Election Tribunal Begins Sitting, Grants PDP Candidate, Jegede, Permission To Inspect Voting Materials
The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday in Akure began sitting and granted candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede, permission to inspect materials used for voting during the October 10 governorship election in the state.
The tribunal headed by Justice Umar Abubakar also granted an order for substituted service to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who was declared winner of the governorship election.
In an exparte order, the tribunal granted the orders moved by Jamiu Makinde, one of the counsels representing Jegede.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Governor Akeredolu, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as winner of the election after he polled a total of 292,830 votes.
Jegede, who finished second in the election, polled 195,791 votes during the exercise, which was held in all 18 local government areas of the state.
After not being satisfied with the outcome of the exercise, Jegede approached the tribunal to challenge the result.
The grounds of the PDP candidate before the tribunal are that the election was marred by irregularities and violence.
Jegede’s lawyer, Makinde, had in the motion exparte sought an order to serve the defendants through substituted service by pasting the petition on the notice board of the tribunal.
He also sought an order allowing access to materials used for the conduct of the October 10, governorship election and custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He listed local councils in which electoral materials are to be accessed to include Owo, Eseodo, Ilaje, Okitipupa among others.
Justice Abubakar granted the order and said the petitioner could advertise the served processes in a newspaper circulating within its jurisdiction.
The tribunal also allowed the petitioner access to election materials in the custody of INEC within the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm from Mondays to Fridays.
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COVID-19: Government To Seize International Passports Of Nigerian Returnees Who Fail To Comply With PCR Test
Boss Mustapha
The Nigerian Government on Tuesday said it would start seizing the international passports of erring Nigerian returnees, who failed to comply with the PCR test at the point of entry.
Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.
Boss Mustapha
He said that about 65 per cent of Nigerians returning to the country had failed to comply with the PCR test, noting that the government had decided to place the sanction for defaulters for six months.
He said, “As you may recall, the PTF announced the guidelines on the reopening of the airspace and the obligations of arriving passengers.
“The PTF similarly announced sanctions as a consequence of any infraction. Having observed serious non-compliance to the level of 65%, the need has arisen to activate the sanctions which include the suspension of the passports of such defaulting individuals for six months minimum.”
Mustapha also observed that following the resurgence of the pandemic in Europe and the United States, the government had also been on the alert.
According to him, Nigeria as a country remained at risk of importation having opened its airspace and massive spread as a result of the protests.
“The next week or two remains critical. The PTF has noted with sadness the failure of Nigerians who arrived from abroad to present themselves for the in-country PCR test which they signed up for and paid before arrival.
“Statistics emerging from our records show that only one out of three passengers have shown up for the in-country test,” he added.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Travel
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UN Advises Nigerian Government To Support Independent Media, Not Stifle It
Ronald Kayanja
The United Nations has asked the Nigerian Government to adapt a supportive stance towards independent media as a means of combating fake news.
This advice goes contrary to the Nigerian Government’s policy of muscling the media through fines and threatening to regulate the social media space.
Ronald Kayanja
Director, United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja, shared his counsel at a virtual meeting to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday.
“One way to fight fake news and hate speech which is pervasive through digital media is to strengthen the independent media. Just like support is being provided for other sectors of the economy, to build back a better media, the industry should also be supported,” the UN official said.
He asked the Nigerian Government to investigate all incidents of attack against the media.
Writing on her Twitter handle, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said journalists should not be intimidated for seeking out the truth.
“A free press is essential for an informed citizenry. Journalists play a crucial role in holding our governments to account and preventing impunity. Journalists should never be intimidated or attacked for pursuing the truth,” she tweeted.
The Nigerian Government through the National Broadcasting commission fined three television stations for their coverage of the EndSARS protest.
Some of the country’s lawmakers, ministers and governors have at different times called for the regulation of the social media.
Journalism
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United States President, Donald Trump, Hails Members Of Anambra State-based Church For Staging Rally In His Honour
President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has hailed members of the Living Christ Mission Inc based in Onitsha, Anambra State, for staging a rally in support of his second term bid in office.
Members of the church headed by Most Reverend Professor Daddy Hezekiah held a prayer walk for the United States President and Republican Presidential Candidate on October 25, 2020 to canvass support for Trump.
Participants at the rally were clad in white and black attire and carried placards bearing the name and face of Trump with some of them reading: “Trump 2020: Keep America Great” and “Donal J. Trump, America needs a man like you”.
AFZ
Majority of the men and women sang in Igbo language as they marched through parts of Onitsha that Sunday afternoon in solidarity with the US President.
Americans are currently voting to choose between Trump and Joe Biden, candidate of the Democrats, in what has been described as the tightest race in US presidential election history.
Appreciating the gesture of members of the Living Christ Mission Inc, Trump while posting a video of the rally on Twitter on Tuesday said, “A parade for me in Nigeria, a great honour!” A parade for me in Nigeria, a great honor! pic.twitter.com/EHiSQMFvSZ— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2020
Earlier on Monday, Nigerians had in a poll carried out by SaharaReporters favoured Biden to win by 51.6% with Trump trailing at 48.4%.
The former US Vice President has also been leading in major polls carried out in America, however, a lot will still determine who eventually wins the race.
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Nigerians Favour Joe Biden To Win United States Presidential Election By 51.6%, Polls Show
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Politics
United States of America
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E2%80%99s-lawyer-faults-salami-led-panel%E2%80%99s-bid-oust-police-efcc-insists-recommendation Magu’s Lawyer Faults Salami-led Panel’s Bid To Oust Police From EFCC, Insists Recommendation Outside Its Mandate
Magu
Wahab Shittu, counsel to Ibrahim Magu, suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has faulted the recommendation of the Justice Ayo Salami-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry to stop police officers from heading the agency.
Shittu in a statement on Tuesday said that the reported recommendation was targeted at his client, who had not been given a fair hearing.
Ibrahim Magu
According to the lawyer, the recommendation of the panel if true is dead on arrival as the appointment of the EFCC boss was clearly spelt out in section 2(1)(a)(i-ii) of the EFCC Act 2004.
He said, “We were further alarmed with media reports stating: “If the plan to remove the police from the EFCC is approved, it will foreclose the recall of Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu”. We had waited patiently for a rebuttal of this story. Unfortunately, the story has not been retracted forcing us again to respond to the misleading report.
“As counsel of choice to Magu, our immediate reaction is one of shock that the panel could contemplate what is clearly outside its mandate for undisclosed reasons. Clearly, we are unable to understand how a Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted by law will arrogate to itself powers outside its statutory mandate including taking over the functions of the National Assembly to amend the EFCC Act 2004. Our client, who is incorruptible and remains innocent of all the allegations levelled against him by his accusers, was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in line with the EFCC Act.
“We wish to state with high sense of responsibility that if the media report on the matter is true, it is dead on arrival as the appointment of the EFCC boss is clearly spelt out in section 2(1)(a)(i-ii) of the EFCC Act 2004.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the said section states as follows – (1) The commission shall consist of the following members: (a) A chairman, who shall (i) Be the chief executive and accounting officer of the commission; (ii) Be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent.
“This is the position of the law guiding the operations of EFCC as at today until the National Assembly amends the act. This will appear to be what the Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry is setting out to do contrary to the terms of reference of the commission.”
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BREAKING: DSS Arrests EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu
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Recall that Magu was arrested on July 6, 2020 by security forces to answer questions by the panel headed by Salami and remained in detention until July 15 when he was released on bail.
Magu is being accused of mismanagement of recovered funds and lack of transparency in the recovered assets.
He is also being accused of allegedly amassing wealth illicitly and also shipping money to foreign countries through cronies.
The suspended EFCC Acting Chairman has consistently denied all of those allegations while the panel led by Salami is yet to prove its case against him.
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I Never Begged Salami Panel For Mercy, Says Magu
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Corruption
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Lekki Shooting: United Nations Tells Nigerian Government To Establish Independent Panel, Ensure Justice For Victims
The United Nations has asked the Nigerian Government to set up a credible, independent inquiry into the shooting and killing of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki, Lagos, on October 20, 2020.
The UN rights experts also said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government must ensure that victims of the shooting get deserved justice.
“Governments come and go, but #PoliceBrutality is as intractable as ever. Nigerians need justice,” the UN experts said.
The UN noted that while excessive use of force during peaceful protests is always unacceptable, the Lekki shooting was “especially disturbing because demonstrators were precisely calling for accountability for previous police brutality”.
It added that the fact that CCTV cameras and lights were apparently switched off shortly before soldiers opened fire indicates a disturbing level of premeditation.
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Nigerian Military Put #EndSARS Leaders On No-fly List, Immigration Source Reveals
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The UN lamented that despite raising issues of police brutality with the Nigerian Government, nothing has changed in the country.
The UN said, “Since 2005, UN Special Rapporteurs have repeatedly raised the issue of police killings and impunity with the Nigerian Government.
“We have had 15 years of government promises, but nothing has changed.
“What is particularly disturbing is that the authorities said they had disbanded the SARS and agreed to the protesters other demands, including investigations
“But they immediately announced the formation of another similar unit and have not ended the excessive use of force.”
The UN also asked the Nigerian Government to identify, who gave the orders to the soldiers to shoot at the protesters, insisting that systematic police brutality and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters must be independently and impartially investigated.
“In addition to setting up an independent inquiry, the Nigerian authorities must clarify why the military was deployed and who gave the order.
“Any investigation must aim to identify lines of responsibility, deliver accountability and justice, provide remedies and reparations, and recommend structural and systemic changes,” the UN rights experts said.
#EndSARS
Human Rights
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Nigerian Lady Trafficked To Oman Begs To Be Rescued
A 28-year-old Nigerian, Kemi Najeeb, who was allegedly trafficked to Oman, has cried out for help, saying she was tricked to the Arabian country.
The Osun State indigene said she was dispatched to work as a domestic help for an Omani, who allegedly subjected her to all forms of abuse, including sexual harassment.
The President, Journalist International Forum for Migration, Mr Ajibola Abayomi, narrated Kemi’s situation in a statement on Tuesday.
“At the current house I am now working, the man wants to sleep with me but I have been refusing him. So he told me to go back to the office that brought me to him. I am being starved and kept indoors without being allowed to go out.
“I can no longer cope with this job, so please I want to go back home. Kindly assist me. I have an Ordinary National Diploma from Offa Polytechnic. There are better opportunities in Nigeria. I am tired. All the money I have been getting I used to send it home to assist my younger one,” Kemi told JIFORM.
Explaining further, Abayomi stated that Kemi left for Oman in November 2016 in search of a better life after being talked into a deal by a close friend.
Upon arrival in Oman, her host seized her passport and other vital documents to retain her service as a housemaid.
In the last four years, Kemi has been engaged as a housemaid in four different locations on monthly stipends that were never paid in most cases.
“Some months ago according to her, she was traded off to her present boss for 8,000 Riyals (N700,000).
“Although her current boss placed her on a monthly salary of N70,000 per, she has been facing serious sexual harassment,’’ Abayomi stated.
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Policemen Kill Protesting Worker At Dangote Refinery
Workers walk at a construction site of the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju Lekki district, on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria August 7, 2019.
Policemen have killed a worker at Dangote Refinery during a protest in front of the company at Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday.
The workers were demanding an increment in their salaries when the incident happened.
Workers walk at a construction site of the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju Lekki district, on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria August 7, 2019.
REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
One of the workers said the company invited the police to disperse them as they converged today.
“Workers are fighting for increment of salary since last week.
“Because of the protest, Dangote ordered everybody to stop work.
“As we were protesting this morning, someone was killed by the police. His body has been taken to the hospital,” said one of the workers in a video obtained by SaharaReporters.
The incident has led to unrest in the area as angry youth invaded the entrance of the company.
They also started a bonfire while protesting the killing of the worker.
The company said the workers were not directly employed by Dangote Refinery but through a contractor, Onshore.
A spokesperson for Dangote Group said the workers were engaged by a contractor but the group has been working to ensure adequate compensation of workers and resolve the dispute.
“Our attention has been drawn to an issue on social media alleging staff protest at the refinery over salary increment dispute.
“The protesters are direct employees of Onshore, Offshore (Oil) and Chemie-Tech subcontractors, who are currently dealing with an industrial dispute with their employees.
“The situation is under control as we are mediating with the parties involved,” Tony Chiejina, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement reacting to the incident.
LABOR/WORKERS’ RIGHTS
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