Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Saturday 2nd January 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 02/01/21
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Doctor Examines Sowore’s Health In Custody After Police Brutality
Injured Sowore in custody of the Nigeria Police
The personal physician to human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has arrived at the headquarters of the Intelligence Response Team in Guzape, Abuja, formerly used as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office.
The doctor arrived at the detention facility to carry out a medical examination on him following the injuries inflicted on him by the police.
Injured Sowore in custody of the Nigeria Police
Armed policemen had on New Year’s Eve brutalised and arrested Sowore, alongside four others.
They inflicted injuries on him, with a deep cut on his nose bleeding profusely.
One of those arrested with him, Michael, was also injured in the mouth during the incident.
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EXPOSED: Police To Detain Sowore Illegally Till Monday, Shop For Magistrate To Do Bidding
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8 Hours Ago
The activists were said to have written their statements but according to sources, the police claimed they were still studying the contents as at the time of writing this report.
It is not yet clear what offence the police are planning to file against the activists.
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How Sowore, Others Were Illegally Arrested, Brutalised In Abuja
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Many Nigerians have condemned the police for using brutal force in an attempt to arrest innocent and unarmed Nigerian citizens who chose to celebrate the crossover into the New Year with a candlelight procession.
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UN Condemns Iran Over Execution Of Young Offenders
The United Nations (UN) has condemned Iran for executing a man for a crime he allegedly committed when he was 16 years old, BBC reports.
The UN human rights office said that Mohammad Hassan Rezaiee, aged 30, was put to death on Thursday, December 31, and was executed for a crime he allegedly committed as a teen amid reports he was convicted on a forced confession.
Amnesty International said Rezaiee had been arrested in 2007 over the fatal stabbing of a man. It said he was convicted on a forced confession.
It had warned that carrying out the sentence would represent “an abhorrent assault on children’s rights”.
“Imposing the death penalty on someone who was a child at the time of the crime is a serious violation of international human rights law, which absolutely prohibits the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by children,” it said in a statement earlier this month.
Following news of Rezaiee’s execution, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, issued a statement saying she “strongly condemns” Iran’s action.
Three other child offenders have been executed by Iran this year, according to the OHCHR.
At least 80 others are being held on death row in Iranian prisons, the office says.
In the statement, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani expressed dismay that the execution went ahead “despite interventions and engagement” by the OHCHR with Iran.
According to Amnesty, Rezaiee had been held for more than 12 years on death row.
It says he was convicted after what it called a “grossly unfair trial” which used confessions extracted under torture.
Rezaiee’s execution comes weeks after two other high-profile cases in Iran, which drew international condemnation.
One was the execution of a journalist for “corruption on earth” and the other of a wrestler convicted of murder, despite allegations that he was also tortured into confessing.
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E2%80%94-fcmb Marriage Scandal: We’re Reviewing Allegations Against Our MD, Nuru — FCMB
FCMB Managing Director, Adam Nuru
The Board of Directors of the First City Monument Bank has said it is currently reviewing allegations of unethical conduct against its Managing Director, Adam Nuru.
Nuru has been at the centre of a marriage scandal involving Moyo Thomas, a former employee of the bank, and his late husband, Tunde Thomas.
FCMB Managing Director, Adam Nuru
A petition initiated by friends of the deceased, on Thursday had alleged that Tunde died of depression after discovering that his supposed two children with Moyo belong to the FCMB MD.
It also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sack Nuru, while demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“This is a case of gross misconduct based on ethical grounds and an unjustifiable economic oppression by the elite (Adam Nuru) against the underprivileged in the society,” the petition, which has already garnered over 700 signatures, reads.
“The MD has been doing everything possible to sweep this case under the carpet. We implore the Central Bank of Nigeria, as the apex regulator, and the board of FCMB to investigate this for the integrity of the bank and Nigerian banking industry.”
But in a statement sent to SaharaReporters on Friday, FCMB Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, said the bank was aware of the allegations making the rounds against its MD.
He, however, said the bank’s board of directors had already commenced a review into the matter, adding that its findings would be disclosed in due course.
“We are aware of several stories circulating across several media platforms about our bank’s Managing Director, Adam Nuru, a former employee Ms Moyo Thomas and her deceased ex husband, Mr Tunde Thomas,” the statement read.
“While this is a personal matter, the tragedy of the death of Mr Tunde Thomas and the allegations of unethical conduct, require the bank’s board to conduct a review of what transpired, any violations of our code of ethics and the adequacy of these code of conduct ethics. This will be done immediately.
“We enjoin all our stakeholders to bear with us as we conduct this review and to please respect the various families involved.
“Our Board of Directors are reviewing all aspects of this report and once they are done with their review, we will revert to you.”
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Insecurity: Ijaw Youths Seek Regional Security Outfit For Niger Delta
IYC members demonstrating
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has vowed to push for the establishment of a regional security outfit in 2021 to police the Niger Delta region, especially the South-South geopolitical zone.
IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, disclosed this in his New Year address in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.
IYC members demonstrating
IYC Worldwide
Igbifa said like the Amotekun (Western Nigeria Security Network) in the South-West, it had become imperative for the South-South to establish its security outfit.He listed the security challenges in the zone, especially the Ijaw-speaking communities, saying the youth would mount pressure on the governors to undertake all executive and legislative processes required to set up such an outfit.He said, “We are not alien to the reports of infiltrations by the Fulani herdsmen and other groups in our bushes and environment. The recurrent discovery of guns and live ammunition on the highways is a clear indication that we must be prepared at all times. “The news of our women being raped and killed in bushes, farmers intimidated and maimed on a regular basis and travellers robbed and killed is becoming unbearable. It is no longer news that most of our city’s vigilantes are northerners holding machetes and safeguarding our own territories. This seems ridiculous as it reveals our highhandedness in trivialising possible attack against us all.“We, therefore, call on all structures of the council, zonal chapters and clans to set up mechanisms to check this unfortunate security threat in our region. My team and I are seriously considering the establishment of our own regional security outfit in line with the proposal made by the governors of our region. We shall push for this outfit and impress it upon the governors to invoke required legislative process to give it a legal backing.”
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E2%80%94-pastor-chris-oyakhilome There Are Curses For People Who Criticise Men Of God — Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Chris Oyakhilome
Founder and President of LoveWorld Incorporated, popularly known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has warned people who criticise clerics such as pastors and other ministers of God to desist from doing so.
The pastor said this in his New Year message to his congregation on Thursday.
He said people fond of criticising ministers of God are cursed.
Oyakhilome also advised people to desist from “waging war” against the church of God, describing it as a revered institution which cannot be defeated.
He said, “I usually tell those in my ministry, don’t criticise God’s people, especially the ministers of God. Leave them alone for the Bible says ‘whatever they do, they do them unto the Lord’.
“You’re not the one to accuse another man’s servant. Don’t join anybody to criticise other ministers. I tell my family members the same thing. Leave them alone because there are curses against those who do so.
“If you do, you find out sickness won’t leave your home; there would always be one terrible thing about your family. So, don’t join those who do that, they are ignorant.
“Don’t let any man push you against the church of Christ, it doesn’t matter what your political position is. Refuse to accept anyone telling you to destroy the church.
“Whatever you want to do, do it, but don’t touch the church of God. I warn you, leave the churches of God alone. The church of God cannot be defeated.”
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EXPOSED: Police To Detain Sowore Illegally Till Monday, Shop For Magistrate To Do Bidding
Injured Sowore in custody of the Nigeria Police
The Nigerian police authorities have concluded plans to illegally detain human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, till Monday, SaharaReporters has gathered.Sowore was arrested in Abuja, the nation’s capital, alongside other activists as they were carrying out a peaceful procession to mark the New Year.
Injured Sowore in custody of the Nigeria Police
The activists were almost done with their crossover procession when about seven vans loaded with Nigerian security men arrived at the location. The security the brutalised everyone on sight.They were taken to Abattoir Police Station, formerly of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit in Abuja, where they are currently being tortured and detained.Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 election, was severely injured by the policemen who arrested him.SaharaReporters gathered that 18 hours after the assault and arrest of the peaceful protesters, the police authorities had yet to take their statements or charge them for any offence.It was however learnt that the police authorities had concluded plans to detain the activists till Monday as they shop for a Magistrate to do their bidding.“What they are currently doing is to detain them till Monday and look for a Magistrate who will grant them a detention order to detain the activists, especially Sowore for 45 or 90 days,” a source said.Though peaceful protests are legal in Nigeria, security agencies controlled by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government are known for attacking peaceful protesters, killing some of them in the process.
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Coalition of Lawyers Warns Nigerian Government, Vows To Enforce Sowore’s Rights
The author, Omoyele Sowore
The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates has threatened to use every lawful means to enforce the rights of human rights activist, Mr Omoyele Sowore, and four others, who were arrested by the police, in the event that the authorities fail to release the activists unconditionally.In a statement signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Pelumi Olajengbesi, on Friday, the group condemned the assault on the activists who were out to protest on New Year’s Eve.
The lawyers explained that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, provided for the right to freedom of speech, thoughts and conscience, and the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The statement reads, “We received with great distress news about the wrongful arrest and unlawful detention of the person of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, alongside other rights activists this morning when the group took a peaceful walk around the Gudu metropolis of Abuja to carry out a peaceful protest to mark the advent of the New Year.
“We have been reliably informed that the group of activists led by Sowore, a rights activist and former presidential candidate, had proceeded on a peaceful protest when a team of policemen stormed their location with brutal force, assaulting them and inflicting injuries on the person of Sowore before taking them away in the full glare of the general public.
“Let it be abundantly clear that Nigeria is a democratic federation governed by the ethos of justice, human rights and the rule of law.
“It is thus sickening to witness the abysmal defiance and disregard that the Nigeria Police Force employed in its intentional infraction of the fundamental rights of peaceful citizens in the pursuit of their individual fundamental rights as guaranteed under our democracy.”
“We are resolute to use every lawful means to enforce the rights of Mr. Omoyele Sowore and his compatriots in the event that positive steps are not taken to heed our demands above. Let justice be done even if heavens fall,” the coalition added. The group condemned the attempt to criminalise peaceful protests by security agents, just as it warned against harming the activist and his colleagues in police custody.
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Respect Sowore’s Rights, Amnesty International Tells Nigerian Government
A global rights group, Amnesty International, has called on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, and four others who were arrested during a procession to usher in 2021 on Thursday night in Abuja.
The group urged the security operatives to respect and comply with the constitution and international human rights law in handling the matter.
The country Director, Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, disclosed this while speaking to SaharaReporters on the arrest and brutalisation of the activists by armed policemen who inflicted varying degrees of injury on them.
She said, “Our position is always clear in matters like this; since the authorities have him in their possession, they should respect the constitution which is very clear. If you arrest someone based on a known crime, charge the person within 24 or 48 hours as the case may be.
“But most importantly, they should ensure that his human rights are respected throughout this process and comply with the constitution and international human rights laws.”
She said the organisation would monitor the development on the matter and issue a formal statement.
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There Is Looming Economic Crisis In Nigeria If Land Borders Are Not Secure, Says MAN
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned the Nigerian government of impending economic and security challenges if the country’s land borders are not secure.
President Mohammadu Buhari had in his New Year message said land borders were open and that Nigeria was ‘fully ready’ for business transactions with neighbouring countries.
But in a statement made available to SaharaReporters, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said there is a necessary framework that must be in place to monitor the borders effectively, else the issues that led to the closure of the borders would manifest.
He stated that during the border closure, some sectors had considerable increase in their productivity, while some sectors recorded a sharp decline.
He said: “In particular, the Export Group of the association clearly suffered huge losses due to logistics issues occasioned by the closure as it takes an average of eight weeks for the carriers to ship and move goods within countries in the same region vis-à-vis moving the goods through the land border, which takes an average of seven to 10 days.”
He, however, noted that since border closure couldn’t be a long-term solution to the socio-economic problem of Nigeria, the government should act smartly and make Nigerian products competitive locally and internationally.
According to Ajayi-Kadir, the manufacturing sector in Nigeria is under siege; as manufacturers are now victims of increasing incidence of smuggling, “especially smuggling of counterfeited versions of established local brands; illegal importation of unregistered products, under-invoicing and considerable evasion of duty payments”.
He said the situation might become worse under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if the government did not consider and implement certain policies in readiness for the continental free trade.
He said, “Nigeria as the largest economy in West Africa and one of the largest in Africa, needs to step up in engaging her neighbours meaningfully in order to improve our trade balance, curb smuggling and stop the trend where other countries are having free lunch at the expense of the Nigerian economy.”
Suggesting the way forward, the MAN DG said the government should” establish joint border patrol with neighbouring countries involving police, customs, immigration, navy and state security services of the countries”.
He added that the government should “provide necessary infrastructural facilities like reliable power supply, good road/rail transportation network, etc. to reduce production cost because it is economically sensible for people to buy a cheaper product unless the quality is harmful for consumption.
“Government should sensitise citizens to patronise and consume locally produced goods, imbibe the benefit of consuming local goods and government should set a good example by patronising local products in all government purchases.
“It should strengthen the capacity of border agents for effective enforcement of laws and regulations at the border.
“It should create efficient accountability system that discourages corruption among border officials.
“It should invest in necessary technology for formal management procedures of customs officers that will improve accountability and transparency and improvement in port logistics
“It should strengthen the coordination among the regulatory agencies to ensure that they share trade information and timely review trade policies.”
He continued: “Government should synchronise the operations of the Nigerian Customs Service with that of the Federal Inland Revenue Service to reduce the lacuna that breeds corruption and institutional inefficiencies, for example, to allow FIRS to do the actual collection of import and export related duties.”
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Release Sowore Now Or Face Mass Action, CSOs, Activists Warn Nigerian Government
Omoyele Sowore
Civil Society Organisations and human rights activists have called for the immediate release of the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, and four others or face another round of protests in 2021.
The activists were arrested during a candlelight procession to usher in the New Year in Abuja on Thursday night.
The rights groups gave the Nigerian government and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, 24 hours to release the activists currently in detention at the headquarters of the Intelligence Response Team, Guzape, formerly known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Gerald Katchy, described the arrest of the activists as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
He warned that if the Nigerian government failed to release them unconditionally within 24 hours, last year’s #EndSARS protest would be a joke.
Katchy said they would mobilise Nigerians to storm the facility to demand their release.
He said, “The arrest of Sowore and others during the crossover night is condemnable and we demand the unconditional release of those comrades with immediate effect. Freedom of expression and association is becoming unbearable and if it continues, the #EndSARS protest of last year will be a joke.”
Also speaking, Coordinator, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Dare Ariyo Atoye, said Nigerians have the right to protest and ventilate their concern and anger.
Atoye called on Nigerians and the international community to prevail on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to stop unwarranted attacks and clampdown on peaceful protesters in the country.
The activist berated the Nigerian government for monolithic interpretation of #RevolutionNow slogan by Sowore to suit their imagination.
“We are asking them to immediately release Sowore and others arrested unless the government wants to witness another round of agitation that it would not be able to contain. Nigerians should be ready,” Atote stated.
On his part, Coordinator, Movement for Socialist Alternative, Abuja Branch, Dimeji Macaulay, said the movement would occupy and picket the police headquarters building on Tuesday, January 5, if the police refused to release them.
He said, “I see no reason why the regime should crack down on them since they did not breach the peace. We condemn the attack on Sowore and others because this attack is becoming too much under Buhari regime.
“We therefore call for their release but if that is not done, we will not stop to organise a rally to picket the force headquarters by Tuesday.”
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