Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 18th February 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 18/02/20
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Kwara Government Sacks Teacher For Leading Protest
The Kwara State Government has sacked a teacher of Government Girls Day Secondary School, Oke-Suna, Ilorin, Sanni Rufai, for leading a protest.
Rufai had led a protest against the disengagement of OND and HND holders by the Kwara State Government.
In reaction to the protest, the government through the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, issued him a query, which he was asked to respond.
In a reply to Rufai, the Permanent Secretary of the board, Mrs Ajarat Lawal, said the board decided to dismiss him as his act contradicts PSR 04401 of the board.
The letter reads, “Following the Senior Staff Management Committee meeting held on disciplinary procedure conducted by the board, the board availed you the opportunity to defend the allegation that you led the protester in the illegal rally on disengagement of OND and HND holders during the school hours without official permission.
“However, your attitude is contrary to PSR 04401 which is summary dismissal.
“Considering the fact that you are still probation, I am directed to inform you that the board has terminated your appointment with immediate effect.”
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Group Urges United States To Monitor Review Of Imo Governorship Ruling By Supreme Court
The United States as well as the US Senate will be monitoring the review of the Supreme Court ruling sacking Emeka Ihedioha as governor of Imo State.
The apex court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, had on January 14, 2020 through a ruling removed Ihedioha as governor of Imo State and declared Hope Uzodinma, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, winner of the governorship election in the state.
The judgment of the court had been met with stiff criticisms as analysts and experts posited that the court erred in its ruling.
Ihedioha and the Peoples Democratic Party had filed a suit for the review of the judgment.
In view of the review hearing scheduled for February 18, the Nigerian Coalition for Advancement of Democracy has urged the US to monitor the hearing slated for Tuesday.
In their discussion contained in a letter to the Whitehouse and Congressional Leaders, NICAD outlined that there had been an ongoing peaceful demonstration across Nigeria because of the corrupt practices by Nigeria Supreme Court justices.
NICAD held that the decision violates articles 21 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and article 25 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as it requested for an urgent intervention from the United States to reverse this miscarriage of justice and prevent further fraudulent judicial decisions in future.
The organisation stated that it had successfully pressured the US Senate to monitor the hearing.
“Rising from recent successful meeting and press conference with Associate Deputy U.S Attorney General, Bruce Fein, Esq, and retired U.S Federal judge and constitutional litigator, W.Bruce DelValle, Esq, the Nigerian Coalition for Advancement of Democracy has met and delivered letters to President Donald Trump, the Chairman, Members of United States Senate and House Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa.
“They agreed to closely monitor the scheduled February 18 hearing on the need to immediately reverse the Supreme Court erroneous judgment in Imo State in the interest of justice and equity,” NICAD said.
The Supreme Court will on Tuesday review the judgment on election petitions in Imo and Zamfara states.
Also, the Supreme Court would on the same day sit on the review of the judgment that nullified the victory of all the party’s candidates at the 2019 general elections held in Zamfara State.
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South-West Governors Urged To Prioritise Human Rights In Establishment Of Amotekun
Citizen’s Gavel, a non-governmental organisation working for better and faster justice delivery, human rights promotion, and transparency and accountability in the justice system, has commended South-West governors on the establishment of Amotekun while making a strong case for the respect of human rights.
The group held that for Amotekun to succeed as a community security intervention, its foundational laws, concepts, principles, policies and regulations must be totally imbued with adequate human rights provisions.
Citizens’ Gavel lamented that there exists inadequacy in human rights standards in the present security architecture of Nigeria, adding that it would be of greater damage for Amotekun to evolve and only contribute to the terrible human violations prevalent in the sector.
Nelson Olanipekun, Team Lead, Citizens’ Gavel, recommended that for the Amotekun Bill to forestall human rights abuse and promote accountability of operatives, it must provide for punishments and other disciplinary measures that can be adopted whenever there is a violation of human rights provisions.
He also added that pursuant to Section 35 of the Bill, which says that a 30-day pre-action notice must be issued before the outfit can be sued, we posit that this is contrary to international best practices.
“It is wrong and unacceptable to allow the outfit 30 days to pursue any form of infraction especially when it involves human rights violations.
“We however, recommend that the Section is redrafted to that before a person can institute an action against the outfit, he must lodge a complaint before the complaint Board to seek redress.
“Section 34 precludes members of Amotekun Corps from being sued which is contrary to the rights of every citizen to demand accountability from perpetrators.
“This means the outfit will be vicariously liable for every action or inactions of its members.”
He questioned that the law guiding the establishment of the security outfit does not specifically provide for offenses or infractions that Amotekun Corps can be held liable for.
He added, “This appears to mean that Amotekun members have powers to engage in all methods to achieve their mandate, which is a potential bomb waiting to explode.”
He also said that Section 29 of the Bill provides for powers to arrest suspects and hand such over to the police.
He recommended that “such provisions should also include that wherever there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspect, the outfit should have the power to send the matter directly to the Director of Public Prosecution for prosecution, and where further investigation is required, the outfit can send the matter to any security agency enacted by an Act.
“This will help Amotekun unit interact with specialised security sectors where necessary.”
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Timeline Of Agba Jalingo’s Arrest, Detention
Agba Jalingo, Publisher of Cross River Watch, was arrested on August 22, 2019, following a report he published on July 12, 2019, questioning the whereabouts of N500m approved for the establishment of Cross River State Microfinance Bank.
In the article, Jalingo said the micro-finance bank had been rendered non-functional as money earmarked to start its operation was not released.
Before his arrest, the police invited him after receiving a petition by the bank stemming from his report.
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BREAKING: Agba Jalingo Regains Freedom After Perfecting Bail Condition
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Jalingo had informed the police he was out of the state and the invitation was moved to August 26, 2019.
However, he was arrested by the police outside Cross River State four days before the scheduled date.
He was arrested in Lagos, blindfolded, tortured and taken to Cross River State by road where he was handcuffed to a refrigerator.
Below is a timeline of Jalingo’s arrest, detention and his eventual release on bail after 179 days in custody on Monday (today).
August 22: Police arrested Jalingo in Lagos.
August 23: Jalingo was transferred to a detention facility run by the anti-cult and anti-kidnapping police in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, and held him there without charge.
August 27: In response to his arrest and ongoing detention, Jalingo sued the Nigerian Police, seeking damages of N150m, citing wrongful imprisonment and mistreatment, and demanding his immediate release.
August 28: Committee to Protect Journalists pushed for the release of Jalingo after six days in detention without trial.
September 3: Police ordered to produce Jalingo in court.
September 8: GoFundMe account created for Jalingo.
September 9: Police seek frivolous court order to detain Jalingo for 90 days.
September 13: Police rushed Jalingo to hospital after his health conditioned worsened.
September 25: Jalingo arraigned for the first time in court after 33 days in detention.
October 4: Court denies Jalingo bail. The judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, held that there was no substantial evidence to prove that his health was failing and that his crimes carries a capital punishment.
October 24: Justice Simon Amobeda of the Calabar Federal High Court granted the prayer of the prosecution counsel to mask witnesses who will testify against Jalingo.
October 30: Wife of Jalingo made a public appearance saying she is disappointed in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for being against free speech and the shrinking of media and civic space.
October 30: Justice Amobeda for the second time dismissed the bail application of Jalingo.
November 2: Jalingo listed among most urgent cases of threats to press freedom suffered by journalists around the world.
December 2: Court attempts to bar journalists from witnessing and covering the trial of Jalingo.
December 4: PEN International, one of the world’s first international non-governmental organisations advocating for human rights, condemned the ongoing trial of Jalingo.
December 10: Jalingo sought the reassignment of his case to another judge. He claimed that Justice Amobeda was bent on killing him.
An audio was released where the judge was heard saying that Jalingo’s life was in his hands.
He added that the judge promised to treat him like Ken Saro-Wiwa by handing him a death sentence.
December 11: Justice Amobeda of the Calabar division of the Federal High Court recused from presiding over Jalingo’s case.
December 30: Igbo National council called for Jalingo’s release, says no offense in demanding accountability.
January 7: Nigerian students joined in the unconditional demand for the release of Jalingo.
January 13: After withdrawing from case, Justice Amobeda travelled with the case file of Jalingo instead of returning it to the Chief Judge.
January 27: Governor Ayade breaks silence, claims Jalingo tried to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari and blackmail him.
February 1: Philip, sibling of Jalingo died.
February 2: Ayade apologizes for lying against Jalingo that he attempted to overthrow Buhari.
February 5: Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service failed to produce Jalingo in court for the continuation of his case prompting the judge to adjourn the case.
February 6: Amnesty International accuses Nigerian Government, Cross River State of manipulating justice system to keep Jalingo in prison perpetually.
February 13: Jalingo appears before a new judge after Justice Simon Amobeda recused himself twice from the case. The new judge, Justice Sule Shuaibu, is the administrative judge of the Calabar division of the Federal High Court.
February 13: Jalingo granted bail.
February 17: Jalingo perfect bail condition and walks home a free man.
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70-year-old Woman Killed By Unknown Persons In Ondo
Sidikat Jimoh, a 70-year-old woman, has been killed by suspected ritualists in Ondo State.
Jimoh was killed at her residence in Ayetoro area of Ogbagi Akoko on Sunday.
SaharaReporters gathered that residents of the area woke up to discover the lifeless body of the elderly woman.
One of the residents, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the killers removed some vital organs from the victim’s body.
“It was a gory sight and it was a shocking experience to wake up to discover the dead body of the woman.
“The assailants removed some vital parts of the old woman’s body after they killed her.
“We had to call the police immediately we saw her body,” the source said.
The incident has since caused panic among residents with aged parents in the area.
Razak Rauf, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Ondo, told journalists that investigation into the incident had begun.
He added that the corpse of the woman had been deposited at the mortuary of Ondo State Specialist Hospital in Ikare Akoko.
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Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Ex-Nigeria Customs Service Boss, Dikko
Abdullahi Dikko Inde
Abdullahi Dikko Inde
The warrant of arrest for Abdullahi Dikko, a former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, has been issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu made the order on the grounds that Dikko had consistently failed to show up for trial.
At the court session on Monday, Solomon Akuma, Dikko’s lawyer, presented a medical report claiming that Dikko was critically ill and on admission in London, United Kingdom.
But the judge said Akuma had on the last adjourned date promised to produce his client in court.
She said the address on the medical report (No: N6 Ahmed Musa Crescent Jabi, Abuja) does not support his claim that his client was in a London hospital.
Ojukwu asked the prosecution to set aside the arrest warrant if they found out that Dikko was indeed in a London hospital.
If not, she said he should be arrested and brought to court on March 16, 2020, TheCable reports.
Dikko is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission alongside Garba Makarfi, former Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, and Umar Hussaini, a lawyer.
ICPC accused Dikko of inducing one Yemi Obadeyi, an Abuja-based estate developer, to pay the total sum of N1,100, 952,380.96 into the account of Capital Law Office (a company belonging to Hussaini) for the purchase of 120 units of duplexes as residential accommodation for officers of the NCS.
In 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recovered 17 exotic vehicles from Dikko’s warehouse in Kaduna.
In November 2019, Nnamdi Dimgba, judge of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the EFCC to discontinue its case against the former customs boss following the non-prosecution agreement entered into by Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and Dikko.
Dikko had reportedly returned N1.5bn alleged to be proceeds of crime to the government.
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E2%80%99s-leadership-flouts-order-salary-arrears INEC Staff To Embark On Strike Action After Commission’s Leadership Flouts Order On Salary Arrears Payment
Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission might embark on strike action over the refusal of the agency’s leadership to pay the new minimum wage arrears as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
INEC has flouted the directive of the President on the payment and implementation of the new minimum wage arrears as agreed with organised labour after the series of negotiations between the parties.
It was learnt that all ministries, departments and agencies except INEC had complied with the President’s directive since December 2019.
Staff of the electoral commission alleged that the agency’s leadership was being insensitive to their plight because they were yet to benefit from the salary adjustment.
They also claimed that some individuals in the commission had collected and deposited the funds in bank in order to yield interest for them.
It was also revealed that INEC’s management were yet to pay the promotion salary arrears to some workers since 2019.
In a letter dated February 5, 2020 and signed by one Isaac Ojemnenke, Secretary-General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, and forwarded to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the staff requested for the immediate payment of the consequential salary adjustment arising from the new minimum wage of N30,000 on or before February 29, 2020.
They noted that failure to do the needful might cause the union to take appropriate action on the matter.
The letter reads, “Recall that the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment directed all MDAs to ensure full implementation of the new national minimum wage and the consequential adjustment on or before December 31, 2019.
“The national leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, the Union that constitutes Council 1 of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, is surprised that INEC, the symbol of democracy in Nigeria, has failed to comply with the directive of the Federal Government over this important wage matter.
“Sequel to the above and the need to promote industrial peace and harmony in the INEC, ASCSN wishes to request that INEC management implement the consequential adjustment on salaries of staff with effect from April 18, 2019 on or before February 29, 2020, failing which the union will be left with no other alternative than to take appropriate action to address the matter.”
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BREAKING: Agba Jalingo Regains Freedom After Perfecting Bail Condition
Publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo, has finally been released from detention after perfecting his bail condition on Monday.
Jalingo was arrested on the orders of Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, after he raised questions on the whereabouts of N500m meant for the establishment of Cross River Microfinance Bank.
He was detained thereafter arbitrarily for over four months with his fundamental human rights grossly violated during the period.
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E2%80%99s REVEALED: Complainants To Give 30-day Written Notice Before Suing Amotekun Officials Under Agency’s Law
A provision in the proposed law of the Western Nigeria Security Network known as ‘Operation Amotekun’ has stated that the regional security outfit cannot be challenged in court until after a 30-day written notice had been issued by an aggrieved member of the public, SaharaReporters can confirm.
A copy of the bill sighted on Monday by our correspondent also stated that any complainant planning to sue the agency must include their full personal details before seeking redress in court.
The provision, which is inserted in Section 35 (Part IV) of the proposed law, provides for the pre-action notice as a way of shielding the security agency from being dragged to court on any action.
Section 35 reads, “A suit shall not commence against the agency unless thirty (30) days written notice of intention to commence an action is issued to the agency and it must include the particulars of the intending claimant, details of the complaint and reliefs sought.”
Also, under the miscellaneous provisions in another section of the proposed law, it is stated that acts done in the course of duty by any member of the board, staff of the agency of Amotekun Corps is excluded from liability and shall not be sued in his or her personal capacity for any lawful act.
Another part of the bill gives enormous powers to the outfit by stating that anyone, who assaults or obstructs members of the corps in the course of their duties shall be guilty of an offence and liable to conviction or pay a fine.
It was gathered that the bill have been submitted by other South-West governors to their respective legislatures for ratification except Ekiti State where it had already become a law.
Sehinde Fanokun, spokesperson for the Ondo State House Assembly, confirmed that lawmakers will resume legislative business on Tuesday so as to ratify the bill.
He added that a public hearing on the bill will hold on Wednesday at the Assembly complex.
Meanwhile, an Ondo State-based human rights activist and lawyer, Charles Titiloye, has condemned section 35 of the proposed law of the agency.
Titiloye said the inclusion of the 30-day pre-action notice before approaching a court will be a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
He said, “Amotekun is a security outfit whose action where it violates citizen fundamental human rights should be actionable within 24 hours.
“This section on pre-action notice in Amotekun bill is in conflict with section 46 of constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria which allows unrestricted access to court when fundamental human rights of citizens are violated.
“We should be careful not to create a security outfit that cannot be challenged until after 30 days. Nigerian Police Act did not have such provisions.”
Titiloye called on lawmakers of the six South-West states to further look into Section 34 and delete the clause from the proposed law.
‘Operation Amotekun’ was established by governors of the South-West region to tackle the spate of insecurity in the area.
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Court Refuses Fayose’s Application To Stop EFCC Witnesses
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ruled that the Head of Operations, Zenith Bank, Ado-Ekiti branch, Mr Johnson Abidakun, can testify as a prosecution witness in the ongoing N2.2bn fraud trial of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and a firm, Spotless Investment Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission listed Abidakun as a replacement for a bullion van driver with Zenith Bank, Ado-Ekiti branch, Adewale Aladegbola, who had earlier testified in the case.
The anti-graft agency claimed that Fayose had gone behind to compromise the bullion van driver, hence its decision to drop him and use Abidakun as a replacement.
But Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited had through his lawyers, Messrs Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), filed an interlocutory summons in objection to the EFCC’s move to change witness.
The defence counsel contended that allowing a change of witness was an abuse of court processes by the prosecution.
But the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), maintained that the EFCC was at liberty to replace Aladegbola with Abidakun since the case was starting afresh before Justice Aneke after it was transferred from Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (retd.), before whom Aladegbola testified.
In a short ruling on Monday, Justice Aneke agreed with the prosecution and dismissed the objection by the defence.
The judge ruled, “This is a fresh trial, the parties are at liberty to call any witness that they desire in proof of their case. As a result, the defendants/applicants’ interlocutory summons is dismissed for lack of merit.”
The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 5 and 6 for continuation of trial.
In the charges, the EFCC alleged among other things that Fayose on June 17, 2014 “took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000,000 to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”
The ex-governor was also alleged to have on the same day “received a cash payment of $5,000,000 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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