Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Saturday 14th May 2022
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 14/05/22
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E2%80%99t-exist-under-nigerian-constitutional-laws-%E2%80%93-human-rights-lawyer-alapinni Blasphemy Doesn’t Exist Under Nigerian Constitutional Laws – Human Rights Lawyer, Alapinni Reacts To Murder Of Sokoto Student, Deborah, Knocks Presidential Aspirant, Atiku
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Kola Alapinni, a human rights lawyer, has said blasphemy does not exist under Nigeria’s constitutional laws, although some northern Muslim states recognise it under their Sharia law.The lawyer, who had in the past defended those accused of blasphemy in many Nigerian courts, also demanded justice for a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in? Sokoto State, Deborah Yakubu, after she was killed for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
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SaharaReporters had reported how Deborah was violently stoned to death and later set ablaze by the angry mob who were mostly students of the college.In a statement on Friday, Alapinni berated Atiku Abubakar, presidential hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for deleting social media posts condemning the killing of Deborah.The statement read, “We had barely left the Court of Appeal, Kano Division yesterday when we heard of the gruesome murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto for making an allegedly blasphemous statement. Ironically, we were at the Court of Appeal to argue the appeal of Yahaya Aminu-Sharif (popularly known as the Kano singer).“Unfortunately, after over a year of delays and set-backs, the court couldn’t form a quorum yesterday. Two judges were unavoidably absent yesterday due to emergencies.“Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and Omar Farouq Bashir had been sentenced by a Sharia Court in Filin Hockey, Kano in August 2020 by the same judge, the same day for making blasphemous statements. Omar Farouq got ten years imprisonment; Yayaha got the death penalty. We got both penalties quashed. Omar was set free. Yahaya was to be retried at the Sharia Court, hence we appealed.“If the appeal had gone ahead yesterday, it meant as we would have been challenging the state on the inconsistency of the Sharia Law with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the hypocrisy of the religious laws and other constitutional issues; a young girl was being stoned and burnt to death in Sokoto over the same issues.“When the chips were down, the state could not protect the victim. The school security staff were overwhelmed by the mob action. Jungle justice became the order of the day.“The bottom line is that Nigeria has signed up to some international instruments like the African Charter on Human and Political Rights (The African Charter), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and of course the Constitution of Nigeria as it is, is the ground norm. The Sharia Penal Code, some aspects of the Sharia Laws and its application are incompatible to the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They cannot stand.“There is nothing like blasphemy under Nigerian Laws. The state government hides under a section of its Sharia laws that punish inciting statements or insulting statements to Prophet Muhammad. It needs to be tested at the Appeal Court or even at the Supreme Court. It will be interesting to see how this latest occurrence pans out.“A former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar – who is a Presidential hopeful – condemned the murder of Deborah Yakubu through his tweet. He deleted it due to the backlash from mostly Northern Nigerian muslims who threatened not to vote for him. You may wish to read between the lines.”
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Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers With N2million Cash, Rifles In Bayelsa Brothel
Operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a gun-running gang in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.According to a release on Friday, the police command said its operatives acting on a tip-off on May 12, around 5.50pm, arrested the suspects at a brothel in the Ayama area.
Asimin Butswat, the police spokesman, identified the suspects as; Seibo Dokubo, male, 32 years, “who is a native of Degema, Rivers State and one Boma Daniel, male, 45 years, a native of Patani, Delta State, who wanted to procure AK-47 rifles for kidnap purposes.” According to the statement, one brownie pistol loaded with eight .9mm ammunition, three 12.7mm expended ammunition, a sum of N2million cash and a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux 2021 model without registration number, were recovered from the suspects.The police spokesman said the suspects were cooperating with the police in its investigation and the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation.
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E2%80%99s-withdrawal-resignation-letters-illegal Attorney-General Malami, Labour Minister Ngige’s Withdrawal Of Resignation Letters Is Illegal, Violates Constitution – Falana-led Group
A group led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has stated that the decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to withdraw the resignation letters they tendered to President Muhammadu Buhari is illegal and violates the Nigerian constitution.The group, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), noted in a statement on Friday that if the ministers were to reappointed at all, they had to, as required by Section 147 of the Constitution, face the Senate for fresh screening and confirmation.
Malami, Ngige and seven other ministers had reportedly resigned from the Buhari cabinet as directed by the President, going by their 2023 political ambitions.While Malami was interested in the Kebbi governorship race, Ngige was one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress.However, the country witnessed a sudden twist on Friday when Malami said he had withdrawn from the Kebbi governorship race and Ngige also said in a release that he had buried his 2023 ambition.The two hence stated that they remained in the cabinet of the President after withdrawing their resignation letters.Reacting, the Falana-led group noted that such a step was illegal and violates the constitution.ASCAB said, “At the last Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari directed all Ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in the 2023 General Elections to resign their appointments. In compliance with the directive, nine Ministers resigned their appointments. The former Ministers are Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Ogbonnaya Onu, Timipre Sylva, Chris Ngige, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Uche Ogah, Pauline Tallen and Chief Tayo Alasoadura.“In a farewell meeting held with the former Ministers on Friday, May 13, 2022, President Buhari thanked them for serving the nation sacrificially, ‘with dignity and honour’. While wishing them success in the upcoming elections and in future endeavours the President commended them for their decision and courage to contest for elective offices and their compliance with his directive.“Having resigned from the Buhari administration Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN and Dr. Chris Ngige were reported to have withdrawn their letters of resignation after the farewell meeting. Such withdrawal is illegal as it is constitutes a gross contravention of section 306 (2) of the Constitution which stipulates that “The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.“Since the resignation of the former Ministers has taken effect they cannot return to the cabinet either on their own volition or on the directive of the President. The resignation of the Ministers is not a cabinet reshuffle. It is akin to the removal of the former Ministers by the President. Therefore, if the former Ministers are going to be reappointed the President is required by section 147 of the Constitution to submit names to the Senate for fresh screening and confirmation.”
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Imo Community Boils, Residents Flee As Nigerian Policemen Clash With Youths
Amakpaka community in the Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State has been deserted following a reported clash between police officers and some youths.The clash was said to have started in the early hours of Friday when officers reportedly stormed the community to arrest one Agu Ugochukwu, TheCable reports.
According to sources, Ugochukwu was accused of assaulting one Nick Akobundu, a retired police officer and the chief security officer (CSO) of the Umuawada autonomous community.Chima Uzoigwe, a resident of the community said that Akobundu was beaten up over alleged high-handedness and intimidation.“In return, Akobundu invited police to arrest Agu Ugochukwu who was among the youths that assaulted him,” Uzoigwe said.“Policemen came to arrest Agu Ugochukwu in their family house, but he was not at home as at the time of the arrest. Police officers then tried to arrest his brother, who was not in any way involved in the matter, and he resisted the arrest and that resulted in the fracas.“One of the police officers was injured, while Ugochukwu’s brother’s leg was also injured after which the police officers left, and returned to the village, during which they set Ugochukwu’s father’s house ablaze.”Another source in the community, who didn’t want to be named, also narrated the circumstances surrounding the incident.“There was an incident involving the police and a family from Amakpaka Umuawada. The police set the man’s newly-built house on fire,” the source said.It was learnt that the ever-busy Orie-Onuoha market square was deserted by residents who fled the area during the clash.The police officer who sustained injuries was said to have died.But when contacted, Michael Abattam, the Imo police command spokesperson said, “We are yet to receive such information and no police officer has been reported dead in our command.”
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VIDEO: Nigerian Soldier Laments Killing Of Colleagues In Taraba, Blames Army Authorities For Alleged Inaction Against Terrorists
A video of a soldier asking his colleagues to leave the Nigerian army over poor treatment by senior officers has surfaced online.
According to the soldier, the non-retaliation of the killing of soldiers of the 93 battalion in Taraba shows that their lives mean nothing to the army authorities.
SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported how gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked a military convoy in Tati village, Taraba State, killing six soldiers and abducting a commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ememike S. Okore (N/11717).
Those killed were Dauda Tata (7NA/44/4046), Yusuf Salihu (95NA/40/5031), Ndubuise Okonkwo (96NA/42/6911), Abdullahi Ibrahim (13NA/70/7901), Emmanuel Jerry (14NA/72/14051) and Sani Isa (14NA/72/15462).
While the Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu said troops of the 93 Battalion had launched an operation to rescue the abducted senior officer, the soldier in the trending clip dismissed the report.
He said failure to retaliate against the killing would make him lose respect for the army authorities, adding that the morale of most soldiers was low.
Suspected Herdsmen Kill Enugu Resident For Attempting To Save Sister From Rape
Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed a young man in Okpulugwu Agu-Amede community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State in a renewed attack.The incident, SaharaReporters learnt, had thrown the community into mourning.
Community sources told SaharaReporters that the recent incident which occurred on Friday would be the seventh brutal attack on the agrarian community since January 2022. It was gathered that the victim, Mr Ejike Odo, had got a report that his sister who went to farm was attacked and being raped by Fulani herdsmen while she was returning from farm, and he rushed to the farm to rescue her.“Unfortunately, the herdsmen who were about four overpowered him, stabbed several times before slitting his throat,” a community leader who gave his name as Justus Nwonye said.Eha-Amufu communities share boundaries with Benue State and have had several herdsmen attacks since August 2021 resulting in several killings and sacking of eight farm settlements.Efforts to get reaction from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful as the spokesman, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, could not be reached on phone.
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E2%80%93 Nigerian Army, Police Must Not Shoot, Harass Students Protesting Prolonged Strike – University Lecturers, ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the Nigerian security agencies particularly the Nigerian Army and the police to desist from harassing or shooting students who are protesting the failure of the government to meet the demands of the association.ASUU had announced a warning strike on February 14 and a month after, extended the industrial action by another two months to allow the government to meet all of its demands. A 12-week extension was announced on May 9.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.Students of several universities in the country have of recent been taking to the streets to stage a peaceful protest to express their sadness and disappointment over the ongoing strike action by ASUU.In a statement on Friday signed by the ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Adelaja Odukoya, ASUU warned security agencies not to apply force on the students, especially as it had become a norm for the police force to harass protesters.The statement reads, “ASUU Lagos Zone wishes to use this opportunity to call on both the Nigerian Army and police to rein in their officers with trigger happy disposition towards popular protests, particularly legitimate protest of students.“This is in view of the ongoing protests forced upon students who have been out of their classrooms as a consequence of government insensitivity to the more three months old ASUU strike. The army and the police have constitutional responsibilities to protect and not attack, maim or brutalise protesting students across the country. There is more than enough pains, anguish and bloodshed in the land on account of government failure that to allow security indiscretion to cause the death of a single student will be unconscionable and unacceptable.“This patriotic action of the Nigerian students is highly commendable and gives us hope for our beloved country. ASUU is in solidarity with, and have been monitoring the mass protest by students across the country which has been very peaceful, orderly and coordinated. We therefore urge the Army and Police High Commands to issue stringent directives of caution to their operatives who have made two to three attempts at attacking students in order to avoid unnecessary accidents.“The attempt to crush students with an army van today at the gate of University of Ibadan (UI) is shameful, condemnable and disgraceful. It seems the security operatives are yet to learn anything useful from the #EndSARS revolts. It cannot be overemphasised that students, like all citizens, have fundamental rights to protest as enshrined in our Constitution.“ASUU Lagos Zone salutes our students for their steadfastness and resolute struggle to get the Federal Government to adequately fund education at all levels. With more organising and collective actions, by d students, parents, civil societies and other stakeholders’ victory will surely come.”
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Gunmen Vow To Ban Church Activities In South-East, Say Clerics Colluding With Political Leaders
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Gunmen who identified themselves as the Sea Masters Volunteer Force have threatened to ban all church activities in the South-East region of the country.The armed group alleged that clerics were working with politicians to commit crimes in the region.
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The armed men made the threat in a video on Thursday obtained by SaharaReporters.In the video, the masked gun-wielding men numbering seven said they were determined to “sanitise the South-East” and end all radical Islamists.One of the gunmen in the 2 minutes, 48 seconds video made inside an unknown forest said, “We are the Sea Masters Volunteer Force. We are determined to sanitise the eastern Nigeria and to end all radical Islamists, thereby destroying their Islamisation agenda.”We salute all the volunteer forces in the region: the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, the Avengers, Biafra National Guard, Avier Vipers, the Ekumeku Warriors, Biafran Nations League, Eastern Security Network. We greet all volunteers fighting. We advise all freedom fighters to behave well. Let there be no rancour among us.”We are warning all Fulani jihadists hiding in Bayelsa or Rivers states to leave now or we will move you out by force. The Christian Association of Nigeria, your actions are no longer funny. Evil politicians are now working with pastors. Imagine Governor Wike (Nyesom of Rivers State) vomiting rubbish in a church and up till now, no condemnation from any church. If this rubbish persists, we are going to ban all church activities in the east.”
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E2%80%99m-only-one-apcs-presidential-race-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-where-others-are-running-%E2%80%93-ex-lagos I’m The Only One In APC’s Presidential Race; I Don’t Know Where Others Are Running To – Ex-Lagos Governor, Tinubu Boasts
Presidential aspirant and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Friday, has said that he is the only presidential aspirant to beat ahead of the 2023 general elections, adding “I don’t know where the others are running to.”The former Lagos State governor added that if elected, he would eliminate banditry and other forms of insecurity ravaging the country.
Tinubu spoke in Minna, Niger State, while addressing APC delegates.Tinubu said, “We will not give up on banditry, we will not run away. Bandits will not take over our lands. With me as President, forget bandits. It is now time to change the calendar of bandits, to tell them that there is no business good in killing people no matter how much you make.“We will eliminate all of them, we will conquer them, we will beat them. That is why I am out to run for President of Nigeria.”The former Lagos Governor said as far as he is concerned, he was the only one in the presidential race in APC, urging the delegates while pledging not to mislead them.He stressed: “I am the only one in this race, I don’t know about the others. I am running for the Presidency of Nigeria, I don’t know where the others are running to. I know the road to prosperity, safety, clean environment, development of our nation and infrastructure because I have done it all in Lagos state.“The others do not know the road, don’t follow them. The only person you should follow is the person who knows the road. Follow me, I know the road and I will not mislead you. They do not have my brains but I do have enough brains.“Where are their track records? How many Councillors, local government Chairmen and chairpersons, members of the house of Assemblies, House of Representatives or Senators have they produced? I have produced them.“Now, they are pointing the wrong fingers at me. I do not worry about them. God will forgive them because they are blind. They have empty brains. They claim I am too old, that I cannot stand without shaking, that my legs are bad, that is why when the Governor asked me to sit, I said I will stand.”
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Nigerian Christian Journalists, NACJ Condemn Killing Of Sokoto Student, Deborah, Demand Justice
The Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), has described as barbaric the alleged stoning to death and setting ablaze of a female student, Deborah Yakubu, in Sokoto State by Islamic extremists.This was stated in a statement signed by the Union President, Dr Charles Okhai, and the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sunny Idika.
NACJ, in a release signed by the President, Dr Charles Okhai, and the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sunny Idika, said it was very sad and unimaginable “that such barbaric practice of stoning humans to death for flimsy excuses of blasphemy still exists in some parts of the country in this 21st”, saying such out-dated practice should never again be allowed to fester in any part of Nigeria.“The incident once more underscores the need for those in positions of authority and religious leaders in the country to continue to educate their followers on the sanctity of human life and religious tolerance.“Such incidents are also a pointer to the fact that perpetrators of such in the past got away without punishment. We call on the government to ensure there are severe consequences awaiting such evil minded individuals.“Christians in the country have been pushed to the wall, and very soon, they will have to defend themselves by fighting back, and this could deal a very devastating blow to the peaceful co-existence of the country.“The senseless killing of innocent Christians has reached a global scale that requires urgent attention of the government stating that a situation where a group of religious extremists dispense capital punishment on mere civil matters as they will and against whoever they wish without any resort to the laws of the land is totally unacceptable,” the association said.While visiting the bereaved family, the group called on the law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the culprits to book in the shortest possible time.The association also urged the Islamic leadership in the country to tender an apology to Nigerians for what they described as a shameful act to humanity.On Thursday, Some students of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, lynched a 200-level female student, Deborah, over an allegation of blasphemy.The deceased was violently stoned to death and later set ablaze by the angry mob who were mostly students of the college.The college authorities immediately announced the closure of the school and ordered students to vacate the campus.The Sokoto State Government had also promised to investigate the matter and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to book.
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