Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Wednesday 29th June 2022
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 29/06/22
Read also
EXCLUSIVE: Forgotten Heroes: How Nigerian Football Club, Kwara United Turned Ex-Players, Staff To Beggars Amid Neglect, Unpaid Entitlements, Ruined Careers
Majin Mohammed
Agboola Basambo
Abdulazeez Saka
The remains of Abdulazeez Saka after he died
When Francis got injured while playing against MFM FC
Francis’ career as Kwara United Player
Abubakar Yusuf while playing for Kwara United
Abubakar Yusuf while playing for Kwara United
When Abubakar Yusuf, popularly known as Sylas, signed for Kwara United Football Club from Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC in the 2013/2014 season, he dreamt of a more prosperous life where he could meet the needs of his family as a young player.
SaharaReporters gathered that the club agreed to pay him N250,000 monthly as salary and N2 million as his annual signing-on fee, a contract which lasted for a period of four football sessions.
Francis’ career as Kwara United Player
The player had it all planned like many others; make some money, make a good name that would attract better offers from clubs abroad. But, despite using his sweat to serve Kwara United for four years, Abubakar has yet to live the life of his dream.
“For the past four years that Kwara United has terminated my contract, I have had my career stuck. All my efforts to play for another club were not successful.
“It is like my football career has ended,” Abubakar said, in a voice laden with grief and hopelessness.
Abubakar Yusuf while playing for Kwara United
Abubakar Yusuf while playing for Kwara United
He continued: “To take care of my family is now something very difficult. Even if I cannot continue my career as a footballer, Kwara United should pay me my entitlements. The money they owe me is enough (if paid) to start a new life.”
Abubakar was right. Kwara United still owes him over N4 million from his signing-on fees during his stay at the club.
A signing-on fee is a payment the player gets for signing for a club. This may vary from league to league. The idea is that if the player is at the club for the time set out in his contract, he will receive a set amount.
Francis Onyegbula is another player whose football career was ruined by Kwara United. He was signed from Dakkada FC in the 2015/16 football season as a central defender.
In his contract details, the club agreed to pay him N2.5 million as his signing-on fee and N1,000,000 clearance fee for every year.
Francis was a regular player with the team. He had an average performance of 80 percent throughout his 3 years’ stay at the club.
“I played three seasons with the team before they terminated my contract in June 2018 due to an injury I sustained while playing for the club,” Francis told SaharaReporters.
When Francis got injured while playing against MFM FC
It was gathered that Francis with jersey number 31 sustained an injury against MFM FC on 19 January 2018 at Agege Stadium, Lagos. While still nursing this injury, the team injected him to play against Kano Pillars because the club considered him as an important player who must feature in the match.
“My wound was still there but they called one man to give me an injection because the team needed the match against Kano Pillars so badly.
Francis’ career as Kwara United Player
“It was during that match with Pillars in April 2018 that I got another injury on the same wound. That was how a promising career ended.”
Due to the injury, Kwara United subsequently dropped Francis from their squad and despite his pathetic condition, the team neither released his entitlements nor bothered about how to nurse his injury and get him back on the field again.
Hence, on Friday, June 10, 2022, Francis held Kwara United players and staff members hostage in Aba when the team went to honour NPFL 2022 matchday 33 against Enyimba. He prevented the team from going out of their hotel for a training session ahead of their Saturday clash.
“The team owed me N5 million signing-on fee, N3 million as my clearance fee. I have also spent N2.5 million to take care of the injury whereas the club must take care of my injury because I sustained it while playing for them.
“They killed my career and left me here suffering. I could not secure a contract with another club again due to this injury. I have been nursing it since 2018,” he said.
‘Kwara United Turned Us To Beggars’
Abubakar and Francis are not alone in this hopeless situation. The pain of being hard up was evident in the voice of Hakeem Onigbari. Onigbari was the team captain during his stay with the club. He was dropped from the team at the end of 2018/2019 after spending more than four years with the club.
It was gathered that the club agreed to pay him N70,000 monthly salary and N3,000,000 annual signing-on fee.
“The club did pay our salaries but they still owe us our signing-on fees. I was only paid 70 percent of the agreed sum at my first session with the team and since then, the club has not shown serious commitment to pay me my entitlements. They still owe me over N6,000,000.
“The club has turned most of us to beggars. As a family man, it is very hard to take care of people depending on me.
“We have appealed to all those concerned, and written to the government and the League Management Company about our plight but nobody really cares about us.
“We have staged many protests and we won’t stop until we get our money,” he declared.
The story is just like that of David Ayeni. He was signed from Sokoto United and played for two and a half seasons. He was entitled to N7,500,000 signing-off fee for his service at the club but the club still owes him over N5,000,000.
“Due to nonpayment of this money, life has been difficult. This is the money I worked for,” he said.
Even The Dead Are Not Spared
SaharaReporters gathered that Kwara United Football Club does not only owe their ex-players who are alive, those who died while playing for the club were also being denied their entitlements.
The remains of Abdulazeez Saka after he died
The most notable one was Abdulazeez Saka who slumped and died on Friday, May 26, 2017 during the club’s training session.
It was reported that Saka slumped, unchallenged during their training session on a Friday morning and attempts to revive him were not unsuccessful.
But five years after his death, the club has yet to release his signing-on fee for the 2016/17 season he signed with the club to his family, a source close to his family confirmed to SaharaReporters.
Abdulazeez Saka
Ismaila Shagari is also being owed his entitlements by Kwara United even in death.
The former Team Manager, Agboola Basambo and ex-Chief Security Officer of the club, Mr Buki are dead but their ghosts are probably restless, thinking of when their entitlements would be paid by the club they dedicated years of service to. Their relatives are still hoping the team would release their signing-on fees one day.
Agboola Basambo
‘I Became Bankrupt Because Of Kwara United Contract’
Mr Majin Mohammed was an assistant coach with Kwara United for a period of 2 years (2015-2017). The club promised to pay N5,000,000 for every season he spent with them.
Majin Mohammed
“Due to this promise, I approached a bank to get a loan with the belief that I would get paid as and when due.
“I was only paid N2,250,000 during my first season. And the club failed to pay the balance.
“I became bankrupt due to this contract. I was forced to sell my belongings to repay the loan,” Mr Muhammad told SaharaReporters.
Another former employee of Kwara United who narrated his ordeal to SaharaReoorters is Coach John Obuh. Obuh was appointed as manager of the club on January 16, 2016 and left his position in March 2018 by mutual consent.
Despite Obuh’ achievements with Kwara United FC, he is being owed outstanding signing-on fees estimated at N23,250,000 (Twenty-Three Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), January 2018 outstanding salary of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira), match bonuses estimated at N280,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira), and feeding allowances estimated at about N125,000,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira), bringing the total outstanding sum to N24,155,000 (Twenty-Four Million, One Hundred and Fifty – Five Thousand Naira).
However, according to a document obtained by SaharaReporters in which the club responded to a letter of complaint filed by the LMC to demand the payment of Obuh’s entitlements, the club claimed that N13,450,000.00 was Obuh’s entitlements with the club.
“Despite miraculously changing the terms of the contract, they still failed to clear my debt, they only gave me N3,000,000.00,” he said.
Impunity
According to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) NPFL Framework And Rules:
9.45 The terms of a contract between a Club and a Player shall be strictly adhered to and where a club fails to pay remuneration or entitlements due to players for more than sixty (60) days, such Club shall be liable to a deduction of a maximum of six (6) points and a further deduction of three (3) points for every further thirty (30) days for which the remuneration or entitlement remains unpaid.
Despite the incessant breach of this provision by Kwara United, no action was taken by the League Management Company (LMC) against the club.
According to an official of the LMC, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, the club kept promising to clear the debt anytime they were queried by the LMC.
“But anytime they came to register for a new season, they would still be allowed to register without showing LMC a clear proof that would tell if they have actually fulfilled their promise.
“The problem is those at the top, once you can buy your way, the law is just there as a formality,” the source told SaharaReporters.
Document Shows Kwara United Owes Ex-Players, Staff N250 Million
According to a letter written by the Club Secretary, Olowo S. Hamidu, to the State Governor, through; the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Sports and Youths Development, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the debt owed by the club (as at October 24, 2019) was Two Hundred and Fifty Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N250,435,925.00).
The letter read in part: “Your Excellency may wish to be informed that the immediate past Administration in agreement with the National Association of Professional Footballers (NANPF) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) approved the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N278,746,500.00) only as Sign-On Fees for 2013/2014 30% Balance, 2014/2015 100% and 2015/2016 100% for Players and Officials. The said amount was to be released in ten (10) months instalment of Twenty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N27,874,650.00) monthly from March-December, 2017.
“The past Administration has so far paid 55% of the money, totalling One Hundred and Fifty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Ten Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N153,310,575.00) Naira only leaving the total sum balance of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Five Naira (N125,435,925.00) only yet to be released. In addition, the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira (N125,000,000.00) only was required to pay for 2016/2017 Season 100% Sign-on Fees.”
SaharaReporters independently discovered that the state government released a total sum of N20,000,000.00 to clear part of this debt early 2021. But about 95% of this debt has yet to be cleared by the club.
Club Chairman Blames Past Administration
When SaharaReporters contacted Kunbi Titiloye, the Chairman of Kwara United, to get his reaction to our findings, he said, “The club is owing some of its ex-players and officials and that was from the past administration.”
“I have tabled the matter to the government and they are currently looking into the matter. A budget will be reviewed to clear this debt,” he assured.
Scandal
Exclusive
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99ve-lost-my-primary-school-teachers%E2%80%99-college-certificates-tinubu%E2%80%99s-placeholder-masari I’ve Lost My Primary School, Teachers’ College Certificates, Tinubu’s ‘Placeholder’, Masari Tells Electoral Commission, INEC
Mr Kabir Ibrahim Masari, the running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his school certificates are missing.
This comes amid the controversy surrounding the supposed loss of Tinubu’s credentials.
SaharaReporters had reported how the late legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi sued Tinubu for lying under oath that he attended Government College, Ibadan and the University of Chicago.
It reported that Tinubu had made the claim of loss of certificates in his filings with INEC in 1999 and 2003 when he ran for governor of Lagos State.
Amidst this controversy, his running mate Mr Masari also filed a sworn affidavit for the loss of some original documents to the nation’s electoral body.
Peoples Gazette reported that the affidavit the APC vice-presidential candidate submitted to INEC showed that he misplaced vital documents including the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of one plot KT 17522 in Katsina state, his Grade II certificate from Katsina Teachers College and his primary school certificate.
See Also
Sahara Reporters
FLASHBACK: How Late Gani Fawehinmi Sued Tinubu For Lying Under Oath He Attended Government College Ibadan, University Of Chicago
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
An affidavit sworn by Masari at the Supreme Court and submitted to INEC on July 17, 2022, read partly, “That sometimes (sic) in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse Area, FCT-Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Plot, No KT 17522, GRA Katsina, Katsina State; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994 – 1995; Grade II Certificate from Katsina Teachers’ College (KTC) from 1978 – 1983 and First Leaving School Certificate issued by Masari Primary, Katsina State, from 1972 – 1978, got lost.”
“That all efforts made to trace the documents proved abortive hence this affidavit,” the affidavit added.
The electoral law mandates candidates to submit their personal credentials that will be published for public scrutiny ahead of elections.
See Also
Sahara Reporters
I Was Admitted Into Secondary School But Dropped Out Due To Poverty –Tinubu Once Admitted Not Attending Government College Ibadan
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
The APC had submitted Masari’s name as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election to meet the June 17 deadline given by INEC for its submission. Tinubu, however, later stated that he was still looking for a running mate, confirming reports that Masari’s name was submitted as a placeholder, pending when the party would find a running mate for Tinubu.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Commuters Stranded As Commercial Tricycle Riders Protest Extortion, Multiple Taxation In Adamawa
Commercial activities were disrupted in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State, as commercial tricycle riders blocked major roads to protest against extortion and multiple taxation.
SaharaReporters learnt that the protesters who later turned violent disrupted traffic flow by burning used tyres on Mohammed Mustapha Way, connecting the Jimeta modern market and the popular Mubi roundabout in the heart of the metropolis.
Business owners and shop owners around the area hurriedly closed for the day and fled to safe places before the police arrived at the scene.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Mohammed Galadima, said, “We are protesting because of the charges we are being subjected to pay every day.”
“We pay N100 in the morning and by noon, they ask you to pay another N100. More worrisome is that if you ride into Yola South from Yola North, you pay another money even when you can hardly differentiate between the two local government areas,” he added.
“Apart from these amounts, we also pay N6,500 every year to the state government through the Ministry of Transportation,” another rider said.
They also accused the Jimeta Marshall, a traffic control agency in Yola North Local Government Area of extortion. “They’ll charge you for nothing and collect money without issuing receipts,” a tricycle rider said.
When contacted, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Asiyale Ananze, said, “The ministry introduced a digitalised registration of all tricycle owners and riders in the state to reduce security challenges involving commercial tricycles, popularly known as Keke Napep.
“We asked them to buy a form for N1,000 and another N3,000 which was paid to the Board of Internal Revenue. The N3,000 is an annual fee for all tricycles in the state, it is not true that we collected N6,500.
“Since we introduced the digitalised registration of tricycles, we have been able to trace and recover items stolen from commuters who were dispossessed of them.”
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
International Press Centre Condemns Detention, Harassment Of Wikki Times Journalists Over Report On Deceased APC Local Council Chairman
The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the detention, harassment and molestation of Haruna Mohammed, the publisher of WikkiTimes online newspaper and one of its reporters, Idris Kamal, by the Bauchi state police command.
The IPC on Tuesday condemned the action of the state police command in a statement signed by the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, and obtained by SaharaReporters.
Arogundade noted that the ordeal of the two journalists began on Monday, June 27, 2022, when they honoured an invitation from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) following a petition by one Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Bauchi Federal Constituency.
He noted that the invitation concerns a Wikki Times report of May 18, 2022, on the sudden death of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Bauchi Local Government Area of the state.
He said, “The journalists arrived at the station about 10:00 am on Monday but after making a statement, they were clamped into a cell where they alleged that they were physically assaulted.
“Despite the presence of their lawyer at the police station, they were not set free until about 10 hours later and asked to report back on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, for further interrogation. The two journalists again reported at the SCIID Bauchi on Tuesday as directed but were promptly taken before a Bauchi Magistrates Court where they were charged with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and cyber stalking.
“The court ruled that they should be held in custody until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29, 2022. IPC is worried about this trend of events and calls on the police command in Bauchi to avoid being used as tools of harassment against the journalists. Since the petitioner alleged defamation, the police should have in the first instance advised him to seek legal redress instead of illegally detaining the journalists for 10 hours on Monday, June 27, 2022, and subjecting them to physical and mental harassment in the process.”
“It now behoves the police authorities in the state to ensure the safety of Mohammed and Kamal. Journalists should not continue to be treated as endangered species in Nigeria. In all circumstances the security agencies must always strive to toe the path of the rule of law in handling complaints or petitions against journalists and other media professionals, just as they should normally do for all citizens,” Arogundade added.
Journalism
MEDIA
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
How Tambuwal, Others Prevented Implementation Of 2014 National Convention Recommendations —Former President Jonathan
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has described the defection of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 as a major reason why it was impossible for his government to implement the 2014 National Convention recommendations.
One of the recommendations of the convention attended by Nigerians chosen from across the country was restructuring, which many southerners have been clamouring for.
The former president made this known on Tuesday in his remark at the public presentation of ‘The National Question’, a book written by Akpandem James & Sam Akpe, in Abuja.
In 2014, the Goodluck Jonathan administration organised a national dialogue to deliberate on, and recommend ways to resolve some of the challenges facing his government, many of which were rooted in history.
He, however, failed to implement the recommendations made at the convention till he left office in 2015 and many Nigerians have berated him for it, accusing the former President of trying to use its implementation as a campaign tool to return to power in 2015.
Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential election to incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The former President, however, explained that it was too late for him to implement them when they were presented in August 2014 due to the complexity of the Nigerian system.
He said, “Whenever people say that I should implement its recommendations, my feeling is either those people did not understand the political environment at that time, the length of time it would take to implement the report of a conference like that or probably were just playing politics with such an important matter.
“Those knowledgeable about the processes of constitutional reforms will know that to implement the Confab report, a number of alterations will be made in the constitution which would require the involvement of the National Assembly and state assemblies.
“Such an elaborate review couldn’t have been possible at that time because by the time the report was submitted in August 2014, we were already on the verge of a general election.
“It is also important to point out that at that time, the speaker of the House of representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was a member of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had already moved out, with some members, to the opposition party.
“When you know that your parliament is under that kind of situation, it would have been imprudent on my own part to take such a precious document, which I consider as crucial to our development yearnings, to a parliament that would not give it due consideration.
“If we had a task that would require the alteration of the constitution, enactment of new laws, and amendment of some existing ones, there was no way that could have been done overnight.”
He further stated that the Buhari administration should have implemented the recommendations for national interests and urged Nigerians to desist from using the recommendations as a political tool.
He said, “If we take politics out of our national calculations, we would all agree that with a fresh government it would have been easier to achieve the implementation of the report.
“One of the problems of this country is that we like playing politics with things that have very much to do with national interest. We play politics with our security. We play politics with our economy. We play politics with almost everything. That, definitely, is not the way to go, if we must make progress in realising our national aspirations and goals.
“May God bless the soul of Justice Idris Kutigi, chairman of the Conference, who died in 2018. However, the Vice-Chairman Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and other members who are still alive can testify that I never interfered with any decision of the conference. I can recall a particular incident when the chairman and his vice approached me for my guidance on a pressing matter before them, but I bluntly told them to figure it out themselves.
“I reminded them that, apart from the representatives of the youths, human rights and student groups, most of the members of the conference, up to 60 per cent of them, were older and even more experienced than myself. I encouraged them to deploy their vast experience to execute the assignment without interference.
“In closing, I implore our citizens to realise that the 2014 Conference was neither about me nor what my administration stood to gain from it at that time. It was all for the good of our country, our children and our grandchildren.”
“I plead with Nigerians not to play politics with the 2014 Conference report. I believe that at the appropriate time, the country through a dedicated parliament will do the right thing. And the right thing is to duly and dispassionately consider the report of the conference with a view to implementing the recommendations for the good of the country,” he added.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Court Releases Nigerian Comedian, Broda Mike, Illegally Detained By Secret Police, DSS Over Comedy Skits
The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital has granted bail to the comedian and vlogger, Chukwu Michael Emeka, arrested by Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS).
His lawyer, Matthew Osa-Oghogho, confirmed that the comedian, popularly known as Broda Mike, had been released in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, saying, “Today, the High Court of justice sitting in Benin released Comedian Emeka Chukwu Aka #BrotherMike to bail. He was arrested by the Department of State Services and accused of inciting the Public.
“The court agreed with our submission that the application for the remand of Mr. Chukwu is unmeritorious and therefore admitted him to bail. We stand for justice always and at all times!”
The lawyer also posted a picture of himself and the comedian.
The DSS arrested the comedian on June 14, 2022, accusing him of inciting the public. The comedian had been using comedy skits to talk about issues affecting Nigerians including poor governance and insecurity.
Reacting to his release, human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, tweeted, “BREAKING #BrodaMike granted bail: Glad to announce that lawless DSS was handed defeated in court today as I’ve argued, yesterday they were grandstanding that they have a valid detention order to keep #BrodaMike detained.
“It was all a ruse and a court in Edo state (presumably the court they obtained the fraudulent order from) has reversed itself and granted #BrodaMike bail.
“A lawyer Matthew Osa-oghogho handled this case brilliantly. It is another day that gladdens the spirit of relentless struggle for social justice in Nigeria and a defeat of tyranny. #Welcome Back #BrodaMike.
“Great job @Matthew Osa-Oghogho.”
Human Rights
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaHARAREPORTERS, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Court Grants Bail To Federal Lawmaker, Dagogo After 62 Days In Detention
Justice Chinwendu Nworgu of Rivers State High Court has finally granted bail to a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farah Dagogo after spending 62 days in Nigeria correctional centre.The lawmaker, who was former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Rivers State is standing trial for alleged felony.
Dagogo was arrested on April 22, 2022 at the venue of the screening exercise for the party’s governorship aspirants in Port Harcourt.The State Governor, Nyesom Wike had declared the federal Lawmaker wanted for allegedly hiring suspected cultists to disrupt a screening exercise at the party secretariat.SaharaReporters had reported that Justice E. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had first granted Dagogo bail.The State Commissioner of Police in breaching the order of the court hurriedly arraigned him before Justice Nworgu of the state High Court, who subsequently remanded him in custody of the Nigeria correctional facility.It reported that Justice Obile had while ruling in a fundamental rights action and ex parte application by his lawyers ordered the state Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal and Investigation Department, Deputy Superintendent of Police, the state’s Attorney General, and Chief Magistrate, Amadi Nna, to release Dagogo from police detention and restore his personal liberty.The court also issued an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, especially the police, the commandant of the Government House, DSP Efeturi Irikefe, the fourth respondent, the state Attorney General, and Chief Magistrate A. I. Amadi Nna from further instigating, threatening, harassing and invading the personal liberty of Dagogo.The court equally restrained the respondent from further obstructing the PDP governorship aspirant or hindering him, detaining him in custody from additionally attending his screening in party primaries as well as other electoral processesHowever, those orders were fragrantly breached by the officials of the Rivers State Government and the Police Commissioner.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
saharareporters, new york
Disable advertisements
:
#EndSARS: Lekki Protesters Spend 20 Months In Illegal Detention, Lament Delay In Trial, Starvation, Hard Labour
#EndSARS
After spending one year and eight months in prison illegally, Ismail Muftao, Sodiq Sulaimon and Yahaya Mustapha, who were arrested for participating in #EndSARS protest in Lagos State in October 2020 have cried out over the delay in the trial of their case.They also lamented the inhuman and degrading treatments they were subjected to by the prison officials which they said included; starvation, overcrowding, hard labour and beating by senior prisoners.
#EndSARS
One of the protesters, Ismail, was detained at the Kirikiri maximum prison while the others were kept in medium prison.They were arrested two days after the Lekki Tollgate protest and massacre at different locations. Sodiq and Yahaya were arrested in Ijora while Ismail was arrested in Ikorodu in his residence by thugs allegedly sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and by the Nigerian police.Ismail was reportedly beaten to a stupor before his arrest and was denied access to his lawyer, families and medical treatment.SaharaReporters gathered that he was tortured by one Supol Yemi of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, who later wrote a statement on his behalf incriminating him and forging his signature.It was learnt that the case of the suspects had not come up in court since their last adjournment on December 17, 2021 to Friday, June 24, 2022 which was later adjourned again as the court could not sit on the ground that the court would be going for vacation.The vacation which commenced on July 25 would end by September 16.The case was therefore adjourned to September 23.Findings by SaharaReporters revealed that the court actually gave the prison officials a date for the case after the December 17 adjournment but the prison officials refused to bring them to court, saying it was an order from above.A civil society group, Enough is Enough ( EiE) had recently raised the alarm over the plight of the young Nigerians who participated in #EndSARS protest against police brutality who were still languishing in some correctional facilities across the country.The group in a statement signed by its media assistant, Precious Ubah, called on the public, friends, or relatives of victims with reliable information to reach out to it for prompt legal intervention via any of their social media platforms.
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, new York
Disable advertisements
:
Nigerian-born James Pam Shortlisted For Registrar Of International Criminal Court Position
A Nigerian, Ibrahim James Pam has been shortlisted for the position of the Registrar of the International Criminal Court.This was disclosed by Silvia Fernandes de Gumendi, President, Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute.
According to the statement, Pam was shortlisted alongside 11 other candidates from various parts of the world.The position of the Registrar will become vacant on June 16, 2023.Eighty-eight applications, Gumendi said, were received by the Court on equal representation and to ensure gender balance according to the provisions of the Court, out of which 12 were shortlisted, including Pam.In the pitch by Pam, he stated that he is pleased to announce his interest in the position of Registrar of the International Criminal Court.He said, “I am pleased to provide a statement of my motivation and interest in the position of Registrar of the International Criminal Court.“Having worked in the area of international criminal justice, investigations and prosecution of Rome Statute crimes, internal oversight, administrative and criminal investigations, fraud risk management and fraud prevention at national and international level over the last twenty-two years, and given the diversity of my experience over this period, in addition to twelve years of banking and litigation experience as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria prior to that, I offer myself for consideration for the position of Registrar of the International Criminal Court.“This noble mission of the Court is one that deeply resonates with me, and one that must be at the heart of the operations of the Office of the Registrar. In my professional career I have had the privilege to serve the course of justice at both national and international levels, and particularly in countries across Africa that have borne the scars of mass atrocities, including Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Mali, Senegal and Kenya.“As Principal Administrative Officer responsible for the efficient and accountable administration and servicing of the non-judicial aspects of the ICC as set out in Article 43 of the Rome Statute, the Registrar has primary obligation to ensure the effective management of the processes that safeguard the ability of the other organs of the Court to efficiently discharge their mandates.“As Registrar I will appreciate the dual character of the Court as both a judicial entity and an international organization, and therefore ensure the preservation of this dichotomy in a manner that guarantees independence whilst ensuring seamless efficiency. In undertaking the task of the Registrar ICC, I appreciate the need to have a strategic vision of the Court and its fundamental mission which, in the words of the Preamble to the Rome Statute, is to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the worst crimes known to man and to contribute to the prevention of such crimes. It is on this that I will build the strategic vision of my tenure as Registrar, faithfully working to accomplish the noble mission of the Court.“In my years of experience in international institutions with important mandates, I have developed strong leadership qualities and strategic thinking, as well as the ability to lead and inspire colleagues.”I will bring this wealth of experience that I have acquired to bear in the execution of the responsibilities of the Office of Registrar of the ICC. “It will be my priority to adequately resource and motivate the staff of the ICC to execute their tasks, and to ensure that the work environment is both physically and psychologically conducive to the fulfilment of the mission of ICC personnel.”The value of a conducive workplace in the attainment of the noble mission of the Court cannot be exaggerated. I am aware that this is currently an important issue in consequence of the report of the Independent Expert Review Panel appointed by the Assembly of States Parties as part of the overall Court-wide review of the ICC.“In my experience leading accountability functions in UN field missions, at the African Development Bank, and at the Green Climate Fund, I have helped to create value-based work cultures that respond to the aspirations of working personnel, and meet the basic standards set for the international civil service and by the administrative tribunals.“By executing my primary function in providing integrity oversight at the Green Climate Fund, I enabled the formation of administrative responses to address workplace issues. Some of the features of the reforms that were instituted by the Executive Director of the Fund include open and transparent consultation processes that defined the values of the institution and created an improved Employee Value Proposition; strengthened internal redress mechanisms of the Fund to create effective alternative, non-conflictual redress options for staff conflicts (including a strengthened Ombudsman function and an office mediator); and enhanced capacity for managers and supervisors to improve their management practices in addressing staff conflicts. I would be looking to implement a similar approach at the ICC.”
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, new York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99s-trial-november-14 Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial To November 14
Nnamdi Kanu
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to November 14, 2022, pending the determination of the appeal court.This followed the denial of bail application on Tuesday, as the court held that Kanu had not provided sufficient reasons to warrant the court to set aside its order.
Nnamdi Kanu
In an application filed by his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu had prayed for an order setting aside the order made on March 28, 2019, directing for his arrest and continuation of his trial in absentia.The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed the application for being an abuse of the court process.The IPOB leader is facing trial before Justice Binta Nyako-led court for charges bordering on terrorism.
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
saharareporters, new york
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
