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Buhari, Trudeau, Macron other world leaders congratulate Biden, new US president-elect

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Buhari, Trudeau, Macron other world leaders congratulate Biden, new US president-elect

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Vice President Joe Biden on his election as new President of the United States.

The president message was expressed in a statement signed Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant.

“Your election is a significant reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means,” Buhari said.
According to the president, “the most powerful group are not the politicians, but voters who can decide the fate of the politicians at the polling booth.”

He noted that “the main fascination of democracy is the freedom of choice and the supremacy of the will of the people.

“Respect for the will of the people is the very reason why democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one polity to another, and from one society to another.”

According to him, “I am thrilled by the fact that you are an experienced politician who had served as Congressman for 40 years and a Vice President for eight years. This is a remarkable track record that gives us hope that you will add value to the presidency and world affairs.”

The president expressed optimism for greater cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic and political levels, including the war against terrorism.

He urged Biden to deploy his vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs which have created divisions, conflicts and uncertainties.

The Nigerian leader also called on Mr. Biden “to introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respects and shared interests.”

Similarly, Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister on Saturday joined other world leaders to congratulate Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris for their victory in the US poll.

He tweeted the congratulatory message in a statement where he also invited the president-elect to join others to address some of the world greatest challenge including the global Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to him, Canada and the US has enjoyed extraordinary relationship with common interests particularly economic wise.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election as the next President and Vice President of the United States of America…”

“I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world’s greatest challenges together,” he stated.

Also, Emmanuel Macron, French President also shared similar congratulatory message through his verified social media.

“The Americans have chosen their President,” he tweeted. “Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! We have a lot do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together.”

Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister also applauded the two elected candidates.

He described the US as the UK’s most important friend, he expressed optimism to working together on ‘shared priorities from climate change to trade and security.’

Micheal Martin, Ireland Prime Minister described Biden as a true friend of his country while congratulating both candidates.

“I also wish to congratulate Vice President Elect Kamala Harris and recognise the huge significance of her election for so many people. Vice President Elect Harris and President Elect Biden will make a very formidable team,” he added

Charles Michel, President of the European Council in a statement also congratulated the US President-elect and his running mate for the vote so far polled. He applauded the voters’ turnout and expressed confidence of the US electoral system.

Biden and her running mate crossed the 270 threshold of the US electoral college after the candidate won the major determining States including Pennsylvania.

Moreover, reports from most international and US-based media organisations also confirmed Biden’s victory at the poll. The 77 years old former Vice President is to become the 46th president of the United States.

Lagos records first case of COVID-19 in secondary school

Vincent Ufuoma
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Lagos records first case of COVID-19 in secondary school

THE Lagos State Government says it has recorded the first case of COVID-19 in a secondary boarding school in the mainland area of the state.

Akin Abayomi, Lagos State commissioner for health, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday  said a member of the school’s staff was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 2nd of November and contact tracing revealed that a student and four contacts of the affected staff are also positive for COVID-19.

The commissioner confirmed  that the person fell ill for a few days and received first aid at the school clinic and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday November 2 at the Lagos State Biobank.

He explained that the State COVID-19 Incident Command System through the Emergency Operation Centre is investigating the incident, assuring members of the public and stakeholders of the school that the situation is completely under control.

According to him, “Steps are being taken to contain the spread within the school and reduce exposure to the outside community. All parents are being contacted first through the PTA and a family zoom call is being arranged to further allay their fears”.

“It is important to note that COVID-19 presents with very mild symptoms in children and teenagers, compared to other age groups. However, there is the risk of infected children transmitting the disease to adults who they interact with daily, and who may be at higher risk of severe disease and death,” he added.

Abayomi averred that the school authorities, supported by Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Education, are following the COVID-19 guidelines as set out by the government, noting that students who test positive are to be isolated in the school premises and, if unwell, will be admitted in one of the accredited isolation centres in Lagos.

He discouraged infected persons, who are predominantly asymptomatic and those with mild symptoms, from going home to avoid infecting members of their families, stressing that the state ministry of health and NCDC are working closely with the ministry of education through a joint approach to manage the outbreak in this school.

The commissioner disclosed that members of the Emergency Operation Centre Lagos, NCDC and counterparts in the ministry of education have been deployed to the school to provide strategic interventions and support, including psychosocial support, infection prevention control, medical monitoring and risk communication experts enlighten affected people.

“COVID-19 is still very much with us and we must strive to prioritise the safety of all, including students and teachers, by adhering strictly to prevention protocols and guidelines issued by the government to prevent its spread,” he said.

“Lagosians should continue to observe and practise the highest standards of personal and environmental hygiene. Using face masks in public places, hand washing and hand hygiene practice, and maintaining physical distancing will help prevent the spread of the infection.”

He advised the citizens to call the 08000EKOMED or 08000356633 toll-free line, if they notice any sign or symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or loss of taste and smell.

IGP Adamu reportedly recalls police officers attached to Fani Kayode, former senators, other VIPs

Lukman ABOLADE
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IGP Adamu reportedly recalls police officers attached to Fani Kayode, former senators, other VIPs

ADAMU Muhammed, the Inspector General of Police has recalled Police officers attached to Femi Fani Kayode, former minister of Aviation, senators, VIPs and corporate organisations in Nigeria.

According to report, Adamu made the order in a letter signed by Idowu Owohunwa, the principal staff officer to the IGP, referenced no.CB: 4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.116/32 dated November 4, addressed to commissioners of police, Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit and all 36 state commissioners of police and the Federal Capital Territory.

The letter is said to be a follow up to his previous directive that ordered the withdrawal of the police personnel from some individuals and corporate officials.

The letter titled, ‘Immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to unentitled corporate entities/individuals,’ read in part, “The attention of the IGP has been drawn to the fact that the police personnel attached to the corporate bodies and personalities are yet to be withdrawn despite extant directives to that effect.

“In line with the subsisting order, the IG directs that you withdraw all the PMF, SPU, CTU, or conventional police operations attached to the affected companies or individuals in any of their locations across the country with immediate effect.”

Prominent Nigerians affected by the IGP’s order to remove police security

The IG further directed the senior officers to submit a report confirming compliance not later than November 10.

Some of the individuals said to be affected include Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, former senator representing Katsina South constituency, Lado Yakubu, Yuguda Bashir, former minister of state for finance and other former government appointees and lawmakers

Among the corporate bodies and religious organisations are Christ Embassy, Think Nigeria First Initiative, Uche Sylva International, Stanel Groups, KYC Holding, among others.

The ICIR reached out to Frank Mba, the Police Public Relations Officer to confirm the report, he did not answer his call or reply to a text message sent to him as at press time.

Deploy ‘lawful’ force on rioters, IGP orders Police in suspected secret memo

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Deploy ‘lawful’ force on rioters, IGP orders Police in suspected secret memo

MOHAMMED Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed his officers in a suspected secret memo to deploy “lawful” force when managing riot incidents across the country.

He gave the directive in a letter dated Friday November 6.

The signal is born on an official letterhead displaying  name and stamp of the Office of the Inspector General of Police and its address at Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Commiserating with families of officers who lost their lives during the last nationwide demonstrations, the IGP  reminded the police that the order is in line with the constitutional mandate of the force.

It is titled, Order and Directives Enforcement of the Provisions of CAP. IV. Section 33 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 199 (As Amended) in Responding to Riots and Other Violent Internal and Personal Security Threats.

The letter was signed by the IGP on Friday, November 6 with a reference number CB:/4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL. 116/31, copying the deputy inspectors-general of police, assistant inspectors-general of police at the zonal headquarters, commissioners of Police aat various state command headquarters and commandants at the police colleges

“You are all encouraged to, henceforth, deploy all reasonable force to protect lives and property including your lives from any violent person or group operating under any guise,” the memo reads in part.

“You are similarly directed to deploy all reasonable force as authorised by the constitution in defending public and private assets including police stations and other operational assets from any form of looting, arson or vandalism by any riotous element or groups.”

This is coming almost 24 hours after the #EndSARS demonstration carried out at the National Assembly (NASS) entrance, Abuja. Police operatives eventually disrupted the protest and made some arrests.

Earlier #EndSARS protest across the country had claimed the lives of both police officers and unconfirmed scores of civilians.

The protest, later hijacked by hoodlums resulted in the looting of government and private offices as well as the destruction of properties.

“…as Police officers, you are legitimately obligated to deploy lethal force in managing internal security threats,” Adamu stressed further in the secret letter.

Meanwhile, Section 33 (1) & (2) of the Nigerian constitution referenced by the IGP promotes the right to life.

Part 1 says, “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”

“A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section, if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances, as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary – (a) for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property: (b)in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or (c)for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.

To verify the authenticity of the leaked memo, Frank Mba, the Police Spokesperson was contacted by The ICIR but he did not respond to message sent to his line as of the time of filing this report.

The Police later confirmed the leaked letter through its verified handle @PoliceNG.

Lagos judicial panel suspends sitting as ENDSARS promoters withdraw over frozen accounts

Lukman ABOLADE
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Lagos judicial panel suspends sitting as ENDSARS promoters withdraw over frozen accounts

THE Lagos State Judicial panel of inquiry has suspended its sitting over the withdrawal of two ENDSARS campaigners and members of the panel, Bolatito Olorunrinu and Temitope Majekodunmi whose bank accounts were frozen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

On Saturday morning, the panel led by a retired judge, Dorris Okuwobi announced that the panel could not form a quorum due to their withdrawal.

Okuwobi said Olorunrinu “was destabilised by the incident” hence her withdrawal from the panel.

Consequently, Okuwobi suspended the panel sitting until November 14.

The Bank accounts of the two panel members and 18 other front runners of the ENDSARS campaigners protesting an end to police brutality in Nigeria was frozen following a court order filed by Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Victims of the frozen bank accounts include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.

Others are Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams, and Gatefield Nigeria Limited.

In the court order seen by The ICIR, Ahmed Muhammed, the judge who granted the order ruled that the suspension of the accounts is for 90 days which could be renewed ‘upon good cause shown by the applicant’.

The Lagos state government had set up the panel to investigate police brutality and Lekki shooting of peaceful ENDSARS protesters on Tuesday, October 20.

The Nigeria Immigration had also seized the international passport of Modupe Odele who offered free legal service to detained ENDSARS protesters.

Odele said her passport was seized at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport when she was about to leave the country for the Maldives.

#ENDSARS: FG directs wage commission to finalise new salary structure for police officers

Vincent Ufuoma
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#ENDSARS: FG directs wage commission to finalise new salary structure for police officers

THE Federal Government has directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to finalise a new salary structure for operatives of the Nigerian police.

This was contained in a flyer seen by The ICIR on the verified twitter account of the ministry of information on Friday.

Flyer seen by The ICIR.

“Welfare of Police Personnel: The National Salaries Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalisation of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The flyer stated that the move is part of efforts by the FG to meet one of the demands of the protesters who demanded among other things an upward salary review for men of the Nigerin police force.

Also, state governors and the FCT minister are to take charge of interface and contact with the protesters in their respective domains.

To ensure the protection of  citizens’ human rights, from the newly formed tactical team of the police, the flyer added that state governors are to establish state-based Special Security and Human Rights Committees. Members of the committees will include representatives of youth and civil society, as well as the head of police tactical units in each of the states.

“Complaints Team of between 2 to 3 persons to receive complaints on an ongoing basis. That team would be established by the Special Committee on Security and Human Rights – State Governors to immediately establish a Victims Fund to enable the payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims,” the ministry said.

In October, there were a surge and series of protests across major cities of the country demanding an end to police brutality and also police reforms.

The protesters issued a five-point demand which included release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.

Other demands are “setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days), psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase in police salary so that they can be adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens.”

In response, President Muhammadu Buhari directed Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to disband the dreaded and tactical unit of the police.

Also, some state governors have set up Judicial panels of inquiry to investigate the acts of police misconduct perpetrated by the operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and to give reprieve to victims and family of police brutality.

Lost Childhood: The Trauma of growing up in Nigerian IDP camps

Editorial
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Lost Childhood: The Trauma of growing up in Nigerian IDP camps

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How Nigeria Immigration clearly violates the constitution by seizing EndSARs promoter’s passport

Niyi OYEDEJI
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How Nigeria Immigration clearly violates the constitution by seizing EndSARs promoter’s passport

IN clear violation to the Section 35 and 41 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has continued to hold on to the international passport of Modupe Odele aka Mochievous, one of the #EndSARS promoters.

Odele, a lawyer and one of the popular faces during the EndSARs protest offered free legal services to many Nigerians arrested during the protest. She later disclosed on her verified Twitter handle that the officers of the NIS on November 1, 2020, stopped her at the airport and seized her passport in the process.

She said the NIS officers did not give any reason for the action other than telling her that she was under investigation.

She said she also tried to retrieve her passport on November 3 from the officers of the NIS but was told that she was still under investigation, even though she was neither charged nor arrested for any offence.

“Hello people, I went to retrieve my passport today but was told this: “We cannot release your passport because you are still under investigation”.

“As of now, I’m not aware of any charges against me or what I am under investigation for.”

Meanwhile, it is the sixth day and the NIS officers are still holding on to Odele’s passport, which clearly violates the section 35 and 41 of the constitution that gives liberty and freedom of movement power to every citizen of the country.

The section 35 of the constitution stated that every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be denied such liberty unless the court ordered for such liberty to be violated and that’s after the person might have been found guilty of any criminal offence by the court of law.

“Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure permitted by law,”

“(a) in the execution of the sentence or order of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty;

“(b)by reason of his failure to comply with the order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed upon him by law,” says section 35 of the constitution.

Similarly, section 41 of the constitution gives freedom to every citizen to move freely without been hindered unless committed or suspected to have committed a criminal offence.

“Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.

“(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society-

“(a) imposing restrictions on the residence or movement of any person who has committed or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence in order to prevent him from leaving Nigeria,” section 41 reads.

All attempts made by The ICIR to confirm from the NIS the reason why the officers are holding on to Odele’s passport were declined.

Sunday James, Public Relations Officer of the NIS initially denied knowledge of the incident, after which he stopped responding to calls and text messages sent to his phone.

Media Rights Agenda calls on FG to Investigate the death of slain 20-year-old journalist, Onifade

Lukman ABOLADE
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Media Rights Agenda calls on FG to Investigate the death of slain 20-year-old journalist, Onifade

MEDIA Rights Agenda (MRA) has asked the Nigerian government to constitute an independent and transparent investigation into the death of Pelumi Onifade, a 20-year-old reporter with an online media, Gboah TV in Lagos state.

The demand is contained in a statement signed by Idowu Adewale, the MRA Communications Officer made available to The ICIR on Friday.

“This latest incident must not go uninvestigated. The Federal Government must make every effort to establish the circumstances of his death, identify his killers and make them face the wrath of the law,” said Ayode Longe, MRA’s Programme Director.

MRA tasked the government  to find the killers of Onifade and prosecute them, adding that the officer who led the squad that arrested Onnifade should be held responsible and if he is unable to provide a convincing account of what happened after they left the scene of the arrest and show that Onifade left his custody alive, should be prosecuted for the killing.

The right group also called for substantial compensation to the Onifade family for the wrongful killing of their son and a public apology to the family by both the Lagos State Government and Lagos State Police Command.

MRA stated that earlier in the week, on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2nd, it had called for the establishment of mechanisms to combat impunity for attacks and violence against media workers in order to ensure accountability for such acts and discourage future attacks.

The civil society group stressed that  killing of a journalist should never go unpunished, else the impunity will continue.

The MRA programme director reminded the government of its commitment to fulfil international obligations by launching a serious and transparent investigation into all unresolved cases of murders of journalists since the 1986 assassination of the former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa, and several other journalists whose deaths have not been resolved, including  Onifade’s case.

The deceased was reportedly arrested by police officers attached to the Lagos State task force while covering the #EndSARS protests and later found dead at a mortuary in Ikorodu Lagos, where his body was deposited.

The 20-year old Onifade was covering the scene of a mob raid on a government facility in Oko Oba area of Agege Local Government Area for Gboah TV, where he was serving as an intern when operatives of the task force stormed the scene and engaged hoodlums who attempted to loot palliatives at the Ministry of Agriculture store in the Abattoir area of the state.

MRA noted that despite wearing a jacket identifying him as a journalist, Onifade was reportedly arrested and dragged away by men of the task force on October 24.

Quoting a statement issued by Gboah TV, MRA said the family and the station searched for him for days before they discovered his corpse at the mortuary in Ikorodu.

Onifade was a second-year student of the department of history at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State.

Lagos state agents are threatening eyewitnesses of Lekki shooting – Ex NBA Chair, Ogunlana

Lukman ABOLADE
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Lagos state agents are threatening eyewitnesses of Lekki shooting – Ex NBA Chair, Ogunlana

ADESINA Ogunlana, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch has alleged that agents of the Lagos State Government are threatening the lives of eyewitnesses of the Lekki shooting.

Ogunlana said this on Friday during the resumed sitting of the Lagos state judicial panel for an investigation into police brutality and the October 20 Lekki shooting and alleged killing of peaceful ENDSARS protesters.

“I had intended to hide the identities of these individuals I am representing here today because of threats to their lives by agents of the state.  They are here within,” said Ogunlana.

Presenting three persons before the panel, Ogunlana introduced them as Victoria Oniru, Dabira Ayuku and Perpetual Ikechukwu as eyewitnesses of the occurrence.

However, Abiodun Owonikoko and Rotimi Seriki who are the legal representatives to the Lagos State government and Lekki Concession Company respectively argued the status of EndSARS protest as a legal entity to be represented at the Panel by Ogunlana.

“EndSARS protest is a nebulous entity. There is no entity called EndSARS protest. My learned colleague is entitled to represent anybody according to the law but to claim to represent the protest is not known before the law.

“It is understandable if he represents the protesters but to be representing the protest itself needs to be cleared,” Owonikoko said.

In response to Owonikoko’s claim, Ogunlana said the sitting is a panel and not a regular court hence he can represent the protest.

“We are all here because of the EndSARS protesters and victims of police brutality. This is not a regular court. It is a fact-finding panel.

Following the presentation of the eyewitnesses and the argument, Doris Okuwobi, chairman of the panel, ruled that Ogunlana can represent the EndSARS protesters.

The Lagos state judicial panel is currently playing the CCTV footage of the Lekki Tollgate in order to confirm the actions of the soldiers who were at the scene of protest on the evening of Tuesday, October 20.

According to live streaming of the occurrence by a Nigerian disc jockey DJ Switch, soldiers were seen shooting at peaceful ENDSARS protesters.

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