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Senate Threatens SURE-P With Zero Allocation In 2014

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Senate Threatens SURE-P With Zero Allocation In 2014

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, may not be getting any allocation in the 2014 budget if it fails to give proper accounts of its 2013 allocation, the senate ad hoc committee on the initiative has threatened.

The committee issued the threat following the failure of the minister of works, Mike Onolememen, to appear before it to account for the N30 billion allocated to the ministry.

Members of the committee were kept waiting for over an hour after sending an invitation to the ministry without any feedback.

The chairman of the committee, Abdul Ningi, interpreted the incident as an attempt to undermine the committee, stressing that such an action will not be condoned.

Ningi, who is the senate deputy majority leader, said the minister’s action demonstrated “the height of nonchalance” with which political appointees approach their work and warned that immediate action would be taken if such an action was repeated.

“A minister of this government cannot refuse to appear before any committee of the National Assembly, talk less of the Senate committee that is saddled with the responsibility of unfolding a programme that is not clear to Nigerians. For us as a committee, we will not take it, we will not condone it,” he said.

He added: “If they cannot come and answer on a laudable programme such as SURE-P, then certainly, they are trying to undermine this government. They are also trying to undermine the president and the National Assembly.”

Ningi said the committee had invited the minister to give a rundown of the ministry’s activities, challenges and achievements as Nigerians were beginning to ask questions about the programme.

“And it is clear that a strong message must be sent to the President. We can refuse to appropriate a single kobo to this programme; but before we do that there are available options that can be taken in making sure that any public officer who is required by a committee must appear,” the chairman said.

He warned: “I will repeat this, this is no longer business as usual, people must be accountable and they must be responsible for their actions. Any minister who refuses to show his face, we will take the necessary legal actions against him.”

President Jonathan In Israel On Holy Pilgrimage

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President Jonathan In Israel On Holy Pilgrimage

President Jonathan In Israel On Holy Pilgrimage

FROM LEFT: GOV LIYEL IMOKE OF CROSS RIVER STAE; GOV GODSWILL AKPABIO OF AKWA-IBOM; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; DEPUTY SENATE PRSIDENT IKE EKWEREMADU;  GOV. JONAH GANG OF PLATEAU AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF, CHIEF
MIKE OGHIADOMHE AT AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE TAGGED “A DAY WITH JESUS FOR NIGERIA IN ISRAEL” IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY.

Jonathan (7)FROM LEFT: PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAILOR MADE TOURS LIMITED, MRS JOSEPHINE TINDEL PRESENTING JERUSALEM PILGRIM CERTIFICATE TO PRESIDENT GOODLUCKJONATHAN IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY  WITH THEM IS THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NCPC, MR JOHNKENNEDY OPARA.

Jonathan (6)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) BEING DECORATED WITH THE JERUSALEM PILGRIM INSIGNIA BY THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY.

Jonathan (5)

FROM LEFT: PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS COMMSSION, MR JOHNKENNEDY PRESENTING JERUSALEM PILGRIM CERTIFICATE TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF, CHIEF MIKE OGHIADOMHE IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY (27/10/13). WITH THEM IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAILOR MADE TOURS LTD, MRS JOSEPHINE TINDEL.

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CROSS SECTION OF NIGERIAN PILGRIMS AT AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE TAGGED “A DAY WITH JESUS FOR NIGERIA IN ISRAEL” IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY.

Jonathan (3)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN RECEIVING THE YITZHAK RABIN LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE FROM MR YUVAL RABIN, THE FIRST SON OF THE FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, YITZHAK RABIN IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY. BY THE  LEFT IS THE PRESIDENT, YITZHAK RABIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, DR BLESSING OGINI.

Jonathan (2)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (M) CUTTING A CAKE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL PILGRIMAGE TEAM AFTER AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE TAGGED “A DAY WITH JESUS FOR NIGERIA IN ISRAEL” IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN LIGHTING A SYBOLIC CANDLE AT THE MOUNT CAMEL CHURCH WHERE THE CONTEST BETWEEN PROPHET ELIJAH AND THE PROPHET OF BAAL TOOK PLACE.

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Governors of Akwa Ibom, Plateau State and Delta (Godswill Akpabio, David Jang and Emmanuel Uduaghan respectively).

Jonathan (18)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK WITH SOME CHILDREN WHO CAME TO GREET HIM AT MOUNT CAMEL

Jonathan (17)

FROM LEFT: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS COMMISSION, MR JOHNKENNEDY OPARA; CHIEF OF STAFF, CHIEF MIKE OGHIADOMHE; REV JEREMIAH JADO OF ECWA CHURCH; DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT, IKE EKWEREMADU; PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR AND PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AT THE HOLY FAMILY CHURCH IN NAZARETH.

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PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (2ND L) ARRIVING THE BASILICA OF ANNOUNCIATION NAZARETH (THE PLACE WHERE ANGEL GABRIEL ANNOUNCED TO VIRGIN MARY ON HER CONCEPTION). WITH HIM ARE: PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR (2ND R) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS COMMISSION, MR JOHN KENNEDY OPARA AND A TOUR GUIDE.
Jonathan (15)FROM LEFT: DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT IKE EKWEREMADU; PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND THE SUPERVISING MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PROF VIOLA ONWULIRI AT THE MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH.

Jonathan (14)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (M) WITH OTHER NIGERIAN PILGRIMS TO ISRAEL AT MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH. BEHIND IS THE STATUE OF PROPHET ELIJAH.

Jonathan (12)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN PRAYING AT THE WAILING WALL, JERUSALEM OLD CITY.

Jonathan (10)PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) WITH THE ISRAELI MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MR BOGI YEELON IN JERUSALEM ON MONDAY

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FROM LEFT: PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NCPC, MR JOHNKENNEDY OPARA; PRESENTING JERUSALEM PILGRIM

Jonathan (8)

 

FROM LEFT: PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON MEDIA AND PUBLICITY, DR REUBEN ABATI AND THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NCPC, MR JOHNKENNEDY OPARA DURING AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE TAGGED “A DAY WITH JESUS FOR NIGERIA IN ISRAEL” IN JERUSALEM ON SUNDAY

Kenyan Parliament Moves To Gag Press

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Kenyan Parliament Moves To Gag Press

Kenya’s Parliament has begun the process of gagging the country’s media, the Kenya Kapital FM reported on Wednesday.

The legislative body would be doing this by trying to adopt a motion that would empower it to control media reports in the country, according to the radio station.

According to the report, members of parliament now want to be given powers to control news items that run in the media channels.

A parliamentary committee scrutinising the Media Council Bills has proposed that members of the parliament be allowed to control how stories are reported.

If enacted, the two constitutional bills that should be passed in Parliament by December 27 seek to take away the powers of dictating the code of conduct for journalists from the information ministry and place it under the Kenyan lawmakers.

The bill will not only accord the ICT cabinet secretary excessive powers over the Media Council of Kenya which regulates the media, but also give the right to dissolve it and authorize another body “to administer, broadcast content, formulate media standards and regulate compliance with such standards.”

Clause 5(B) 4 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, KICA, law also allows for censorship of the Press during emergency and restricts freedom of the media during such occasions.

Article 34(2) of the Constitution of Kenya states that: “The State shall not- (a) Exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting, the production or circulation of any publication, or the dissemination of information by any medium.  (b) Penalize any person for any opinion or view or the content of any broadcast, publication or dissemination.”

Article 34(5) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that “Parliament shall enact legislation that provides for the establishment of a body which shall – (a) Be independent of control by government, political interests or commercial interests; (b) Reflect the interests of all sections of society; and (c) Set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance with those standards.”

If the contentious clauses in the two bills are passed without revision then media operations will be severely affected.

For instance, journalists will not be allowed to report during crises such as the recent Westgate attack which will be categorized under ‘emergency’ and will be regulated to say what government wants.

Already, the Inspector General of Police,  David Kimaiyo, has threatened to arrest journalists who “propagate a propaganda war, incite Kenyans, distribute or maybe issue statements that can amount to hate speech and issue statements or reports that can be able to affect the life of another person”.

The threat was issued a few days after two investigative journalists at the KTN aired CCTV footage showing Kenya Defence Forces, KDF, soldiers entering Nakumatt Supermarket at Westgate and leaving with loaded white paper bags, which were suspected to contain looted goods.

This revelation must have annoyed the police boss because earlier on a joint parliamentary committee investigating the conduct of KDF troops had exonerated them from any looting allegations.

Chairman of the parliamentary committee on administration and national security, Asman Kamama, said that “KDF soldiers and all the officers who participated in that operation, never, and I want to use the word, never, participated in looting”.

Kamama added: “We want to confirm to the media and Kenyans that from what we have seen, no officer from KDF looted as alleged and we want to appeal to Kenyans in the social media to desist from besmirching and maligning the name of KDF.”

Following Kimaiyo’s threat, police summoned journalists Mohamed Ali and John Allan Namu of the KTN to an inquiry on October 25 to investigate the “unlawful sending of misleading messages contrary to the law.”

Surprisingly, the police bypassed the MCK, which is tasked by law to deal with complaints against the media, especially on unethical issues.

According to media sources, the chief of defense forces, Julius Karangi, a general, appeared before the joint parliamentary committee and defended his troops claiming “the paper bags contained bottled water which the troops needed to quench their thirst and were authorized by their commanders.”

He denied that the soldiers ransacked cash boxes/vaults at Nakumatt Supermarket and were simply “sanitizing the area” to ensure there were no weapons left by the terrorists.

Shocking Revelations At House Probe Of Armoured Cars Purchase

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Shocking Revelations At House Probe Of Armoured Cars Purchase

More shocking revelations were made Wednesday on the controversial armoured cars imported by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, as it was revealed that Coscharis Motors brought in the vehicles in the name of Lagos State government.

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, which made the disclosure on Wednesday during the hearing of the House of Representatives into the purchase, indicated that the federal ministry of finance granted a waiver of N10.1 million to Coscharis Motors for the importation of 300 vehicles, including the controversial two BMW cars.

Representing the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Manasseh Jatau, a deputy comptroller of customs, disclosed that the vehicles were brought in through Tincan Port in Lagos, adding that no import duty was collected from the owner of the goods (Coscharis Motors) as a one-year duty waiver for 300 cars was granted in the name of the company for importation of cars for Eko 2012 Games in Lagos.

Jatau said the exemption on the two BMW cars along with 298 others was at the expense of the Lagos State government, who would have been the beneficiaries of the payment.

Documents presented to the committee by the NCS showed that the import duty, Value Added Tax, VAT, ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme and Port Charges Waiver Certificate was issued by the ministry of finance on November 20, 2012.

The document was signed by the director of revenue, Rose Ngozi-Maranzu, on behalf of the finance minister.

Jatau also disclosed that contrary to earlier reports, the office of the national security adviser duly issued an approval for the purchase of the armoured cars.

He said a signed copy of a pre-shipment inspection end-user certificate issued by the NSA on June 6, 2013 showed that due approval was gotten from the office for Coscharis Motors to import three armoured cars valued at $223,653.48 into Nigeria for commercial purposes.

The document, identified as “Form A”, had the stamp of the Office of the National Security Adviser appended on it.

Members of the committee were engaged, for over 30 minutes, in a heated argument with Coscharis Motors in a move to ascertain the market price of the vehicles.

While the committee insisted that the current price of the vehicle should not exceed N50 million each, Coscharis refuted this position, saying it could never be the case with BMW B7 series anywhere in the world.

Coscharis, represented by the company’s chairman, Cosmos Maduka, alleged that the NCAA demanded an increase in the prices of the controversial vehicles over what the company had submitted earlier.

“NCAA told us that the initial price is not proper,” Maduka, said.

He also said the cars were sold to NCAA as used vehicles following the delay encountered when the company sought clearance from the office of the NSA.

But the committee insisted that Coscharis deceived the public and the government by saying that the cars were bought for NCAA when actually they were purchased on behalf of the Lagos state government.

The committee also accused the company of ripping Nigerians off.

According to the committee, the change in the prices of the vehicles from the initial N70 million to N127.5 million, even when the company had admitted that it got waiver from the government not to pay customs duties on the cars, cast aspersion on the company’s position on the prices.

The hearing later took a dramatic turn when the committee discovered that the company supplied different make and type of vehicles.

A member of the committee and spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed, said that the chassis number of one of the vehicles inspected by a delegation from the committee read DW68011.

He argued that the number differed from what Coscharis gave in their correspondences with the office of the NSA.

But in a swift response, Maduka refuted this, quoting the chassis numbers as 68044 and 68432, respectively.

He, however, promised to send the certificate issued by the NSA for the purchase of to the committee.

Earlier, the company had requested to play a video to demonstrate how exotic the cars were in a bid to justify the prices but the request was turned down by the committee.

Also the former acting director-general of NCAA, Joyce Nkemakolam told the committee that he approved a leasing agreement rather than a loan with First Bank Plc on the purchase of the cars because of an advise he received from his colleagues.

A member of the committee, Raphael Nnanna-Igbokwe, had asked why the NCAA insisted on going on with the leasing agreement after being informed by First Bank Plc that it was not disposed to leasing facility but loan facility.

“I signed the agreement based on advice from my colleagues that leasing and loan facilities are the same. I thought the templates are the same,” Nkemakolam said.

However, the committee was shocked when Nkemakolam said that as chief executive officer during the period under investigation he was not aware of the details of the delivery of the two vehicles.

The embattled minister of aviation. Stella Oduah, remained conspicuously absent at the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives to probe the purchase of two BMW cars at an inflated cost of N255 million.

Oduah, was said to be in transit and had asked to appear on Thursday afternoon, but the committee only extended what seems like a final grace to her that will expire by 10 am tomorrow.

Fake EFCC Official Arraigned In Court

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Fake EFCC Official Arraigned In Court

A man who posed as an assistant commissioner of police and an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been arrested and arraigned for impersonation and forgery.

According to the commission, Kunle Adeshola had gone to the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, claiming to be a staff of the EFCC and that he had been assigned to discreetly investigate staff of the corporation.

The accused, who claimed to hold a doctorate degree from the University of Jos, was docked on a 7- count charge of impersonation, forgery and obtaining under false pretence.

One of the charges reads, “that you Kunle Adeshola “M” sometimes between May and October, 2013 in Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory falsely pretended to hold the office of an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with staff identity card no. EFCC: 073, as a public servant and in such assumed character held out yourself to the Director General and staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation under colour of such office…”

The offence committed is punishable under section 132 of the Penal Code Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.

Adeshola pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him, prompting the prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir to ask for a trial date while urging the court to remand the accused person in prison custody.

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However, the defence counsel, Yemi Akinseye, prayed the court to admit the accused person to bail, stressing that the charges preferred against him are bailable. He assured that the accused will be available to face his trial.

Justice Hussain Baba of the FCT High Court, Maitama, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and surety in like sum who must be a civil servant of the rank of deputy director in the federal service and resident in Abuja.

He adjourned hearing on the case to November 29, 2013.

Boko Haram: UN Seeks Protection Of Fleeing Nigerians

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Boko Haram: UN Seeks Protection Of Fleeing Nigerians

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, has called for the protection of Nigerians fleeing the North-east region of the country as a result of the violence inflicted by the Boko Haram sect.

Dan McNorton, spokesman for the UNHCR, said the violence in the region is estimated to have displaced about 5,000 people and advised states against forced returns of people to the region.

McNorton said that UNHCR had been “alarmed” by reports of the attempted forced return of 111 people from Cameroon to Nigeria on October 5, during which 15 people were killed and another seven wounded.

He said that the remaining 96 individuals immediately fled back to Cameroon and were detained, but that the UNHCR is working with the government of Cameroon to assess whether there are people in the group in need of international protection.

McNorton said that in light of the security situation in the north-east, people fleeing were likely to meet the criteria for refugee status as outlined in international treaties.

The UNHCR said that some 10,000 Nigerians had crossed into neighbouring Cameroon, 150 to Chad and another 2, 700 had escaped to Niger in recent months.

 

Morsi Rejects Court’s Authority Ahead Of Trial

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Morsi Rejects Court’s Authority Ahead Of Trial

Egypt’s deposed President Mohammed Morsi has rejected the authority of the court that will try him for inciting the killing of protesters, the Muslim Brotherhood said.

The movement said on its website that neither Egyptian nor foreign lawyers would be defending Morsi, who “does not recognise the trial or any of the actions and processes that resulted from the coup, such as the politicisation of the judiciary”.

It said the only method of trial while Morsi will recognise is according to the 2012, 1971 and the 1956 constitutions, which specify that if a “president is to be tried, it has to be ahead of an exceptional court and through the consent of the majority of the parliament.”

“It doesn’t matter if you support Morsi or disagree with him on a personal level, the law is the law, and if the court decides to go through with the trial, it will be a legal scandal on a domestic and international level,” the Muslim Brotherhood said.

The statement charged that the Egyptian judiciary had become “a means of repression and terror used by the coup regime against opponents”.

Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood member and Egypt’s first elected president after the ouster of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, was deposed by the military on July 3 amid massive protests against his one-year rule.

Morsi is to face court on November 4 along with 14 other senior Muslim Brotherhood figures for charges related to violence that occurred on December 5, 2012 in front of the Presidential Palace.

The clashes were a result of a protest by Muslim Brotherhood supporters, who attempted to forcibly evacuate anti-Brotherhood supporters who were conducting a sit-in.

At least five were killed in the violence and over 700 were injured.

House May Order Stella Oduah’s Arrest

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House May Order Stella Oduah’s Arrest

The minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, whose name has continued to dominate local media headlines for her highly priced security vehicles, may soon be arrested.

A member of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Zakari Lafia Mohammed, in an interview with Vanguard, warned that a bench warrant could be issued on the minister if she failed to appear before it to defend herself.

The committee is investigating the inappropriate purchase of two armoured cars for the minister at N255 million.

The committee’s invitation to the minister has not been honoured as Oduah travelled to Israel on the official delegation of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Interestingly, Jonathan set up an administrative probe of the controversial vehicles purchase before his trip abroad.

“This is a national issue that must be properly thrashed out with the zeal of a wounded lion. If need be, we will ask the Speaker to issue a bench warrant immediately she fails to show up and she will be arrested,” Mohammed is quoted as saying.

Speaking further, Mohammed said: “We’ve given her enough grace…All those excuses given on her behalf will not hold by the time we conclude our findings.”

He said that the committee will ensure that all necessary avenues are explored to deliver justice to Nigerians on reckless spending in government.

According to him the House approved the purchase only five Toyota Pickup Hilux, 16 Toyota Corolla, five Toyota Landcruiser Jeeps, three Toyota Hiace buses all at a cost of N240 million, “but they eventually bought 54 vehicles through the bank lease for the sum of N643 million which was financed by the bank.”

He insisted that there was no time the issue of a lease was discussed during the budget defence, adding: “I do not want to preclude this investigative hearing but we will dis-passionately seek justice for all Nigerians through this investigation. Never again in the history of Nigeria will public servants take Nigerians for a ride”.

The committee on Aviation has rescheduled its public hearing on the matter which was to hold today to Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the clerk of the committee, Abubakar Chana, the shift is to allow enough time for the invited agencies to put their documents together.

Mike Okhai Akhigbe is Dead – Brother

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Mike Okhai Akhigbe is Dead – Brother

Nigeria’s former military vice president, Mike Okhai Akhigbe, is dead, his family has confirmed.

His elder brother, Alemon Akhigbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the former chief of genetal staff during the military era had battled cancer and finally threw in the towel on Monday at the age of 68.

Akhigbe died in a hospital in New York.

News about his death was first reported in the media over the weekend but his family had dismissed the report as misleading, unprofessional and an embarrassment to the family.

The Nigerian Navy on Monday also urged the public to disregard the information and advised journalists to authenticate their stories with relevant authorities before going to press, in the spirit of objective journalism.

Akhigbe, who hails from Edo State served as the vice president of Nigeria during the Abdusalam Abubakar- led military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in Nigeria, in 1999.

He was also the chief of general staff in the administration Ibrahim Babangida and as governor of Ondo and Lagos states.

Akhigbe attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations Dryad, Southwick the United Kingdom, Command and Staff College Jaji, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru and University of Poitiers, Rouan, France.

He was a lawyer with special interest in maritime and real estate law.

 

Press Freedom Comes Under Attack In Sierra Leone

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Press Freedom Comes Under Attack In Sierra Leone

A Sierra Leone group, Society for Democratic Initiatives, SDI, has condemned the violation of the fundamental rights of journalists, using the 1965 Public Order Act, demanding that such a law be repealed.

The group was reacting to the arrest of two journalists, Jonathan Leigh and Baibai Sesay, of the privately owned Independent Observer Newspaper who have also been slammed with 26 count charges.

Subsequently, three other newspapers were raided and their editors, proprietors, and printers, invited for questioning, in violation of Section 25(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

Section 25(1) stipulates that “except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression and such freedom includes the freedom to hold opinion and to receive and impact ideas and information without interferences”.

The SDI observed that “Sierra Leone has acceded to many international instruments, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, African Charter on Democracy, Elections and all these international instruments promote and protect free expression and journalistic freedom”.

Freedom from interference also covers correspondence, ownership, establishment and the operation of any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinion and academic freedom in the institution of learning.

It said that the country must respect its obligation under international law and must not only release the two journalists, but must go further to ensure that it laws conform to the dictates of these international human rights provisions in international treaties that it has acceded to.

The executive director of the SDI, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, said the arrest of the two journalists will “chill other media practitioners from holding government to account and scrutinizing activities of government officials. It will give a blank cheque to government without any media reporting.”

“Part V of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Laws is sadly still in the law books of Sierra Leone and undermines the true spirit of the constitution and guarantee to free expression. SDI call on the government to expunge this said criminal and seditious libel. It is an impediment to free expression and Sierra Leone democratic process; therefore it should be repealed from our law books,” he stated.

Abdulai said the human rights environment in Sierra Leone is not conducive for free expression as it obstructed by the Public Order Act of 1965 which is a major impediment to democratic free expression.

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