THE Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the renewed attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana, saying it as uncalled for.
The chairman of the commission disclosed this, via a statement signed by the Commission Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Tuesday.
Dabiri condemned the reported case of attacks on Nigerian shops and traders by Ghanaians, saying it was quite unfortunate because it came when xenophobic attacks have been laid to rest following interventions of Nigerian and Ghanaian leaders.
There were reported cases of clash between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders on Monday.
The clash according to report resulted in the arrest of six, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
It was gathered that the attack on Nigerians followed the closure of shops belonging to some Nigerian traders at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
Dabire however, appealed to Nigerians in Ghana, especially shop owners, not to take laws into their hands, but to remain calm and allow law enforcement agents to deal with the situation.
She said, “I hereby appeal for calm from both sides and implore the law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and properties, especially that of Nigerians from being attacked pending the resolution of the matter.”
“There has been tension between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in recent time when over 600 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Kumasi and other areas were shut this year allegedly by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
“Ghanaian traders feel foreigners, particularly Nigerians, Chinese and Lebanese have taken over their retail business,” the statement read.
Nigerians in Ghana, have long faced attacks from Ghanaian traders.
It would be recalled that in June, the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) reportedly locked up several shops belonging to Nigerians but was quickly reopened after 48 hours following intervention.
There was also another reported case of shops belonging to Nigerians locked up by Ghanaian traders at the popular Opera Square Electronic Market in the central business district of Accra.
IFEANYI Ejiofor, counsel to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu may have gone into hiding after police in Anambra State on Tuesday declared him wanted following the death of two policemen after a clash with some IPOB members.
The police said while they were at Ejiofor’s house to arrest him over failure to honour the Area Command’s invitation for questioning on alleged malicious damage and abduction, they were attacked by over 50 members of the IPOB.
The Police PRO confirmed to The ICIR that two officers were killed and burnt while several others sustained serious injuries.
The IPOB lawyer’s two mobile phones were switched off when contacted by The ICIR. A member of his chamber in Abuja identified as Habila also told our correspondent that although he spoke with him in the morning, his mobile lines have been switched off
Habila told The ICIR that Ejiofor left Abuja last week to attend the burial ceremony of his brother in his residence in Anambra state.
Habila added that Ejiofor has not been sighted at his Zone 7 office in Abuja as of Tuesday afternoon when he was declared wanted.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police John Abang in a video message on Tuesday declared Ejiofor wanted.
According to report, the commissioner of police said, “I will like to let Nigerians know that as we speak, Barrister Ejiofor, an IPOB member and his cohorts have been declared wanted by the command.”
The commissioner was quoted to have urged members of the public to report to the nearest police station or any other security agency for possible arrest and prosecution if they have information on his whereabouts.
Ejiofor and others are wanted for ‘alleged brutal murder of two police officers’ in Anambra state on during an encounter between IPOB members and the police.
TWO officers of the Nigeria Police Force were killed and burnt on Monday during a fatal encounter between the Police officers and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra Command, Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident to The ICIR.
He said contrary to reports that the police attacked members of the IPOB, it was the IPOB members that attacked the Policemen while they were about to discharge their duty.
Haruna revealed that the police officers were at the house of IPOB Lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in Ifite Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government for an arrest after he failed to respond to police invitations for questioning on alleged abduction and malicious damage.
“Immediately the police got there, IPOB members numbering over 50 attacked the police officers with dangerous weapons including riffles and machetes,” Haruna said.
He added that the attack claimed the lives of two senior police officers who were burnt inside the police vehicle.
“Several others sustained injuries and they also abducted a police Inspector who was later rescued by a combined team of the police and the Nigerian Army,” he added.
When asked the names of the police officers that were killed during the attack and if any IPOB member was killed, Haruna responded that “as far as the Police are concerned, we are not aware of the killing of any IPOB member”
He said the police officers were burnt beyond recognition that the police are still trying to identify them.
He revealed that the police were able to arrests ‘a reasonable number’ of the IPOB members.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu wrote on his official Twitter handle that Nigerian forces invaded the home of his lawyer to assassinate him and his family members but failed, killing two IPOB members.
ON Monday the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, obtained an order from the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for the forfeiture of two houses in Ilorin, Kwara State belonging to a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki according to a report.
The EFCC said its investigations revealed that fraud was perpetrated in the treasury of the Kwara State Government between 2003 and 2011 when Saraki was the governor of the state.
In October, the embattled erstwhile senate president had some of his landed properties in Lagos state confiscated by the Federal Government over unlawful acquisition using proceeds from the state treasury.
In an ex parte application filed by the anti-graft agency pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006 the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa ordered the temporary forfeiture of Saraki’s two properties designated as Plots No. 10 and No. 11 Abdulkadir Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State.
In an affidavit filed to provide backup for the ex parte application to move for the forfeiture of the houses after the findings made by the EFCC alleged that “the report of a committee set up to review sales of Kwara State Government during the reign of the Governor of Kwara State in the year 2003 and 2011.”
Olamide Sadiq, an operative of the EFCC stated in the application that the intelligence report gathered by the commission alongside hard evidence showed that proceeds from the treasury were used in the purchase of the houses.
“Whilst the investigation was ongoing several fraudulent transactions were discovered. I know for a fact and verily believe that our investigation has revealed the following mind-boggling findings, among others.
“That between 2003 and 2011, Dr Olubukola Abubakar Saraki was the Executive Governor of Kwara State.
“That whilst he held the aforementioned position, the common pattern was that after payment of monthly allocation by the Federal Government to the Kwara State Government, a cumulative sum of not less than N100m will be deposited into the Kwara Government House account.
“That upon the payment of the said N100m, same will, in turn, be withdrawn in cash by one Mr Afeez Yusuf from the Kwara State Government House, Ilorin’s account in bits and brought to the Government House,” he said.
The EFCC said it believed that Saraki developed the two properties with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged Justice Aikawa to order their temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government.
After granting the order as prayed, Justice Aikawa directed the EFCC to publish the temporary forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till December 17 for anyone interested in the properties to appear before him to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
THE Kano State Executive Council has approved the Emirate Council Bill 2019, which supports the creation of additional emirates in the state.
The Council had disclosed this in a statement issued by the commissioner of information, Malam Muhammad Garba after a council session held at the council chambers, government house, Kano.
The statement noted that the endorsed bill for the creation of additional emirates in the state has been sent to the Kano House of Assembly to expedite actions for its enactment.
A Federal High Court, sitting in Kano had nullified the creation of additional four emirates namely, Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi, on grounds that the process for its creation was unconstitutional.
The ruling on the court to repeal the first-class emirs, as the governor had described the leaders of the autonomous emirates was however greeted with dissent by individuals of the affected communities.
Speaking to the press after the state’s executive council session, Garba disclosed that some of the emirates had pre-dated kano in ancient times but all efforts to reinvigorate them by past administrations proved abortive.
The emirates noted to have existed hitherto included Karaye, Rano, Gaya, with Bichi which was created at the enactment of the new law endorsing the creation of four additional emirates earlier in May.
The new law also elevated the heads of the institutions in Rano, Gaya and Karaye to first-class emirs, as provided by the law, and appointed Aminu Bayero, a son of late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, to head Bichi.
While commenting on the outcome of the session, Garba said the drag for the establishment of the additional emirates was aimed at bridging the gap between traditional rulers and the people, expedite socio-economic development and security in the state.
The commissioner noted that the fresh bill was amended in the interest of the public.
The amendment was a sequel to the court’s verdict to nullify the creation of additional four emirates on the grounds that the petition was presented to the Assembly by a private person not a member of the House.
While the Kano government stiffens on its approval for the additional emirates, some Nigerians have described his persistence as an inexplicit move to decrease the influence of Mohammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano in the state by reducing his domain of power from 44 local government areas to less than 10, wherein he formerly exercise authority.
The governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, however, denied such claims saying, “It is not vendetta, I am not against him (Sanusi). In fact, he is supposed to be reporting to the local government chairman according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The governor and the monarch have long been in disagreement for the past four years.
ON Monday a South African police constable, Austine Luciano Reynold was sentenced to 30 years in prison, on a four-count charge bordering on robbery and the murder of a Nigerian, Ebuka Okoli.
Reynold was found guilty of a four-count-charge, levelled against him, three of which pegged on robbery and one on the murder of Okoli.
In 2018, Okoli was reportedly murdered in Durban, in Kwa Zulu-Natal province in South Africa by 24 years old Reynold at a close-range shot and robbed him of his possessions in the process.
An accomplice in the raid, Brinley Pallo, who turned out to be a state witness, testified against the accused before the presiding judge, Shyam Gyanda on Friday, November 29, stating that he wanted justice, duly served.
Reacting to the verdict, the minister of Trade and Investment, Nigerian Consulate General, Johannesburg, Bello Sambo, expressed satisfaction noting that the case had lasted for a year and all that the Nigerian government wanted was justice.
Also, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on her part said, “We are glad that justice has been done”, stating that there were consequences for every action.
“We are glad that this case finally came to an end and South Africa has demonstrated the political will to deal with xenophobia,” she said.
She urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to be well behaved as admonished by President Muhammadu Buhari, wherever they find themselves.
She said Nigeria and South Africa will continuously work at a United Africa while those who perpetrate crime irrespective of their nationality should face the penalty for their actions.
DUBAWA, an independent fact-checking project initiated last year by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), has kicked off a week-long nationwide exercise where it will be educating Nigerians on verification and freedom of expression.
In a press release shared with The ICIR on Monday, the group said the activities are aimed at pushing “the gospel of truth to all corners of Nigeria, to bring Nigerians together and offer them information as tools to hold the powerful in the society and by extension themselves accountable.
“Throughout the week, DUBAWA will be hosting a couple of events across Nigeria to engage young students, professionals, entrepreneurs, online content creators, people on-the-street and ordinary Nigerians in honest, constructive discussions and hands-on activities exploring the intersections between freedom of expression, civic engagement and fact-checking,” it said.
Media literacy outreaches across various schools were scheduled for Monday to teach students the importance of truth-telling while social media events will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the group will hold a cocktail dinner to mark the end of its maiden fact-checking fellowship; and to round off the series of event, on Friday, it will have an on-the-street vox pop.
Uchenna Emelife addressing students of Marshal International Schools, Sokoto for the Week for Truth campaign. Credit: Twitter/@UcEmelife
Ebele Oputa, Dubawa’s Programme Officer and Editor, said the campaign will give people the ability to spot possible misinformation and ultimately make them better voters and citizens.
“We can talk for hours about the role of tech companies, the government, the media and every other stakeholder in the information industry in fighting misinformation, but an often ignored but essential ingredient is education,” Oputa said.
“By giving people the knowledge and ability to spot potential fake news, you are creating an army of voters who are critical of news they consume from covert and overt sources; people with greater access to information that causes them to challenge leadership; and that’s the kind of people we need in Africa!”
Dubawa’s goal is to “to institute a culture of truth and verification in public discourse and journalism through strategic partnerships between the media, government, civil society organizations, technology giants and the public”.
CHIKEZIE Omeje, senior investigative reporter of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has been shortlisted for the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism in the online category where the overall winner will be named Nigerian investigative reporter of the year.
According to a press statement by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and signed by Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director, on Monday, Omeje was shortlisted from 194 entries received across newsrooms in the country for six different categories, along with 12 other journalists.
The award ceremony in its 14th edition will be held in Lagos on Monday, December 9, to mark the Anticorruption Day and eve of the Human Rights Day. The aim of the award is to acknowledge best practices in investigative journalism that seek good governance, accountability, and social justice.
In the online category, Chikezie Omeje of the ICIR, Damilola Banjo of Sahara Reporters and Isine Ibanga of Next Edition News made the shortlist.
His story on the charcoal production pushed the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to shut down the illegal company operated by the Chinese.
Journalists shortlisted for any of print, editorial cartoon, radio, TV, and Photo categories are Chinwe Agbeze of The Sun, Samson Folarin of The Punch; Sharon Ijasan of TVC News, Samuel-Wemimo Bukola of TVC New, Oladimeji Ramon of Punch.
Others are Mary Abayomi-Fatile of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Ayodele Adeniran of Guardian; Saheed Olugbon of The Punch; Albert Ohams of The Sun and Odutayo Odusanya of Mobile Punch.
Since 2005, Wole Soyinka award has produced nine investigative journalists of the year, while the 10th will be chosen from among the 13 shortlisted journalists.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Amnesty International and veteran photojournalist, Sunmi Smart-Cole, would be conferred with the honorary awards at the ceremony on Monday.
Omeje who is on a study leave in Data Journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School, New York received the International Science Journalism Award in October that came with 3000 dollars prize.
MEMBERS of the United States Congress, the country’s federal legislative body, last Monday, wrote to Nigeria to condemn the suppression of the freedom of expression and state-sponsored assaults against journalists.
The lawmakers were senior Senator from New Jersey and former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, and Representative for New Jersey, Josh Gottheimer.
In a letter written to Sylvanus Nsofor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Menendez and Gottheimer expressed “strong concern” about closing media and civic space in Nigeria, as well as reports of security agents detaining journalists, harassing non-violent protesters and preventing Nigerians “from fully exercising their fundamental constitutional rights”.
“Journalists and activists such as Omoyele Sowore, Jones Abiri, Kofi Bartels, Samuel Ogundipe, and others investigating and speaking-out about politically sensitive problems like corruption or insecurity have been harassed and detained; with reports that some have even been tortured. In at least one instance, the Department of Security Services has ignored a court order to release a detained activist,” the lawmakers said.
“Restrictions and deadly crackdowns on non-violent protests since 2015 have similarly reflected a lack of apparent commitment to civic freedoms which is beginning to negatively impact the image of Nigeria’s government, both at home and abroad.”
They urged that the perpetrators of rights abuses are brought to justice, that the rights of all citizens are respected, and the country observes the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
It is not the first time issues relating to human rights violations and insecurity within Nigeria have drawn attention and reprimand from foreign countries and groups under the incumbent administration.
The UK on Buhari’s re-election
The United Kingdom, while offering congratulations to Buhari in February on his re-election as president, also expressed worry over violence and killings during the general elections.
“My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in election-related violence. No one should die in the exercise of their democratic rights,” Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, said in a release.
“We will continue to support Nigeria and its civil society in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy.”
US President on religious violence
In April 2018, during a joint press conference held at the White House, US President Donald Trump told Buhari his country is “deeply concerned” about religious violence in Nigeria which has led to the killing of Christians and burning of churches.
“We encourage Nigeria and the federal, state, and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure the affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths, including Muslims and including Christians.”
US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the Oval Office of the White House on April 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)
EU delegation, 26 countries on electoral violence
In November 2018, in the lead-up to Nigeria’s last general elections, the European Union delegation to Nigeria and 26 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada, in a joint release condemned incidents of violence observed in previous elections.
“We were gravely concerned over widespread incidents of intimidation, interference and vote-buying during the recent gubernatorial elections,” the statement said.
“We were also perturbed by irregularities and violence during party primaries, and noted with particular concern that several women candidates were disenfranchised.”
The countries also stated that they “strongly support the principle of media freedom and the vital role the independent media plays in ensuring informed public debate”.
The European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, also in August emphasised the need to uphold citizen’s freedom of expression, which he described as “a natural part of a thriving democracy”.
Omoyele Sowore in a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Other international organisations including the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) have, in recent time, also published damning reports about the Nigerian government’s poor handling of cases human rights violations.
The former said in December 2018 that local authorities have failed to ensure members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) get justice, hundreds of whom have been killed since 2015.
“The repression against the IMN Shia Muslim group by government security forces risks creating grievances that could worsen Nigeria’s already precarious security situation,” Anietie Ewang, HRW Nigeria researcher said.
AI’s Country Director, Osai Ojigho, likewise charged the Buhari-led government, following the presidential election, to “seize this opportunity to end decades of human rights violations and pervasive impunity including by making human rights central to its agenda and ensuring that human rights are not suppressed”.
Dozens of protesters, on Tuesday, marched in Newark, a city in New Jersey, to call for the release of Sowore, who is also resident there. The Sahara Reporters’ Publisher was arrested in August by operatives of the Department of State Services and has since been in detention despite two court orders granting him bail.
“We have seen our community come together, our family come together, free press organizations come together to voice concern for what is happening to him,” Opeyemi Oluwole, his wife, said during last week’s demonstration.
“This Thanksgiving he will not be here with me or with the kids, but we continue to hope and pray that he comes home safely to us.”
FIVE inmates have been electrocuted in the Ikoyi prison on Monday, according to the prison authorities
The minister of interior confirmed the incident in Ikoyi Medium Security Prison in Lagos in a release issued by the press officer Jane Osuji on Monday, in a series of tweets on the ministry’s official Twitter handle.
“The attention of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been drawn to an electrocution incidence at the Ikoyi Medium Security Prison in Lagos,” the statement reads.
The ministry will in the next few hours share a comprehensive update on the incidence as directive was given by the minister on a quick investigation into the root cause.
Many other inmates are said to be battling for their lives in a Lagos hospital.
Aregbesola has commiserated with the victims of the incidence and ordered immediate medical attention for those affected.
