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Abuja CP departs three months after resumption

Beloved JOHN
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Abuja CP departs three months after resumption

THE outgoing FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Sadiq Abubakar, has handed over his duties following his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG).

Abubakar departs office just three months after his appointment as the FCT Police commissioner in December 2022.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, Abubakar handed over to the deputy commissioner, Ahmed Musa.

“Abubakar Sadiq has handed over the duties of the office of Commissioner of Police, FCT Command to the most senior officer at the Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Department, DCP Ahmed Musa, following his recent promotion to the rank of AIG and subsequent posting to a new duty post.

“He has similarly directed that all communications should be forwarded to the DCP pending the posting of a new CP to the Command,” the statement said.

On April 8, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, deployed the newly appointed AIGs to their posts.

This was shortly after decorating them with their new ranks following their promotion in the Nigeria Police Force.

Sadiq was deployed as an AIG to the Commandant Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

Court orders fresh APC congresses in Kogi

Faith ABEKA
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Court orders fresh APC congresses in Kogi

THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, April 12, nullified and set aside the Ward and Local Government congresses conducted on February 7 by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State to nominate a candidate ahead of the governorship election in November.

In a judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the purported congresses were not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the APC’s Constitution.

He, therefore, ordered the leadership of the party to conduct fresh Ward and LGA congresses that would be in compliance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 13 of the party’s Constitution.

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The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from using the delegates list that emanated from nullified congresses.

The judgment followed a suit that was instituted by a group of aggrieved members of the party led by Realwan Okpanachi.

The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that the APC in Kogi State failed to conduct congresses as stipulated by relevant provisions of the law by concocting a purported list of delegates and submitting the same to INEC without the knowledge of registered members of the party in the state.

Similarly, Justice Omotosho held that the APC failed to produce any result sheet showing the scores recorded by the participants in the purported Ward and LG congresses.

He noted that the major document that was at the disposal of the court to justify the conduct of the February 7 congresses did not contain a single name of any human being but signatures of imaginary participants at the purported congresses.

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Consequently, the court ordered APC to conduct special Ward and Local Government congresses in line with the provisions of the relevant laws.

Other plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/329/2023 are Yahaya Nuhu, Omaonu Arome, Mustapha Idoko, Aku Umar, and Abu Okpanachi.

The APC and INEC were cited as the 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively.

The Arab Council for the Sciences offers fellowship

Blessing OTOIBHI
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The Arab Council for the Sciences offers fellowship

THE Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) is accepting applications for the 10th cycle of its Early Career Fellows Program (ECFP).

This 12-month fellowship program aims at enabling early career researchers, up to three years out of a Ph.D., to pursue their research and publishing plans, become part of Arab research networks and plan a research career in the Arab region.

The fellowship will provide living and research expenses, with a total stipend ranging between US$20,000 and US$36,000.

The deadline for the submission of applications is May 25, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

152 stranded Nigerians evacuated from Libya

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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152 stranded Nigerians evacuated from Libya

THE Nigerian Government in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have evacuated 152 stranded Nigerians from Libya.

The evacuated Nigerians with illegal immigrant status arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening.

“Today, we have successfully evacuated another 152 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria. Because of their status as undocumented immigrants, they become vulnerable to exploitation and degrading treatment, including forced labour and prostitution,” Head of Nigeria’s Mission in Libya Kabiru Musa, said in a statement.

Musa noted this was the third exercise the Nigerian government and IOM have carried out in 2023, with a successful evacuation of nearly 500 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria since January.

“We evacuated almost 4,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya in 2022 and we hope to surpass that number this year.

“The federal government is determined to protect the rights of these migrants and will continue to facilitate their safe and voluntary return home,” Musa said.

Libya is a transit country for irregular migrants hoping to travel to the Western and other parts of the world, but sometimes become stranded in the country.

Since 2015, more than 60,000 migrants in Libya have been repatriated to different countries of origin across Africa and Asia through assisted return programmes that sometimes do not meet international human rights laws and standards, a report of the UN Human Rights Office published last October revealed.

The report which analysed the human rights protection gaps in the context of assisted returns from Libya stated that while ‘assisted returns’ of migrants to their countries of origin are, in principle, voluntary, many of the assisted returns carried out from Libya lacked free, prior and informed consent.

It also found that migrants are frequently compelled to accept assisted return to escape an environment of impunity, abusive detention conditions, threats of torture, ill-treatment, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, extortion, and other human rights violations and abuses.

“Once in Libya, migrants risk being systematically and routinely subjected to criminalisation, marginalisation, racism and xenophobia, and face a wide range of human rights violations and abuses by both State and non-State actors,” the report noted.

At the same time, there are virtually no safe and regular pathways for admission to and stay in third countries for migrants trapped in Libya.

As a result, many migrants find they have no choice but to return to the same circumstances that made them leave their countries in the first place.

Borno assembly member-elect is dead

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Borno assembly member-elect is dead

BORNO State House of Assembly member-elect Nuhu Clark has died, 23 days after winning his election.

He was to represent the Chibok constituency.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he died in India on Monday after taking ill.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the election held alongside the governorship poll on 18 March.

He was a Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation under the incumbent Governor Babagana Zulum.

He resigned from the cabinet to contest for the Chibok constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Clark was elected the chairman of Chibok Local Government Area in 1999.

He played an active role in ensuring the release of hundreds of girls abducted in the Chibok community by Boko Haram in 2014.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Babakura Abbajatau, confirmed Clark’s death on Wednesday while addressing journalists.

Kano APC contests NNPP’s victory, leaves Gawuna out of suit

Bankole ABE
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Kano APC contests NNPP’s victory, leaves Gawuna out of suit

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has filed a petition to challenge the victory of Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the just-concluded governorship election.

However, the APC governorship candidate Nasiru Gawuna was exempted from the petition filed before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Gawuna, the outgoing Deputy Governor of the State, was not joined as a party in the petition.

The parties involved in the petition are APC as the petitioner, versus the NNPP, Abba Yusuf and INEC as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents, respectively.

In the petition filed on Sunday, April 10, the APC alleged that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the election because his name was not on the list of members of the NNPP sent to INEC.

The petitioner further alleged that Yusuf didn’t win the election with the majority of lawful votes, arguing that some of the votes cast for the NNPP are invalid and, if removed from the scores, the APC will have the highest number of votes cast.

APC also alleged that the Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was wrong for declaring the NNPP candidate as the winner, arguing that the margin of lead is not higher than the votes cancelled.

Reports say the exclusion of Gawuna might not be unconnected with his loss and congratulatory message to Yusuf. Gawuna had earlier conceded defeat and congratulated Yusuf.

Gawuna conceded defeat in a statement issued on March 29 in Kano by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Musa Fagge.

Gawuna, in the statement, called on the people of Kano and APC’s supporters to continue to be law-abiding.

“I am congratulating him, and I pray for him for Allah’s guidance in his administration,” he said.

While receiving his certificate of return at the INEC headquarters, Yusuf extended an olive branch to Gawuna and other candidates who contested the governorship election.

Arewa youths react as Benue govt suspends livestock guards

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Arewa youths react as Benue govt suspends livestock guards

THE Benue State Government has suspended the operations of the state’s livestock guards for two weeks.

The operations of the livestock guards, who enforce the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted in 2017, was temporarily suspended to allow the exit of all herdsmen with livestock within Benue territory.

Governor Samuel Ortom announced the development on Tuesday, April 11, after a state security council meeting, which deliberated on the killing of about 130 villagers in the state by suspected armed herdsmen, last week.

Ortom said that the suspension is to enable herdsmen who are not aware of the anti-open grazing law to leave.

“The move is to show good faith to all those who claimed to have come into the state without knowing there is a law prohibiting open grazing.”

He stressed that security agencies in the state have confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to investigate and apprehend perpetrators of the mass killings in the state.

The governor, however, reiterated the need for speedy investigation by security agencies to enable victims of the attack to get some form of justice and restore peace.

Meanwhile reacting to the development in an interview with The ICIR,  the director of publicity of the Arewa Youth For Peace and Security, Salihu Mahmoud, said the temporary suspension of the operations of the livestock guards was politically motivated.

“Ortom introduced the anti-grazing law because of political interest and his self centered interests. The temporary reversal was borne out of how he had lost grace because if you observe in the present political system he has lost totally.

“He lost his senatorial bid and his anointed governorship candidate lost, so he need to retract his decisions.

“The law should be suspended and it should not be temporary because these cattle are consumed by majority of people,” Mahmoud said.

Stressing that the law should be abolished, he added, “Benue State does not have any approved grazing route for herdsmen. For you to suspend grazing, you must have a legal grazing route across the state from Benue to Makurdi.

The ICIR reported that President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the recent killings in Benue communities and charged security agencies to make efforts to end the violence.

According to Buhari, it was unacceptable for lives to be taken by herdsmen and farmers alike.

On April 7, The ICIR reported how residents of Apa community in Benue State took to the streets to protest against incessant killings by suspected armed herdsmen in the state.

Census: NPC postpones training for enumerators, supervisors

Beloved JOHN
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Census: NPC postpones training for enumerators, supervisors

THE National Population Commission (NPC) has postponed a training programme organised for enumerators and supervisors involved in the 2023 population census.

The training, which the NPC slated for April 13, has been postponed indefinitely.

The Commission’s chairman, Dr Ipalibo Harry, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Wednesday, April 12.

He assured that the development would not affect the conduct of the population and housing census scheduled to hold from May 3 to 7.

Harry said the NPC has concluded the training of its data managers and is prepared for the census.

First census since 2006

Nigeria is set to hold its first national population census in 17 years.

The census will be conducted in May and, according to the NPC, will meet global best standards.

Nigeria’s estimated population is more than 200 million, and the United Nations expects that to double by 2050. That would make Nigeria the world’s third most populous country, overtaking the United States.

The census had been earlier scheduled for March 29 but was postponed due to the postponement of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

According to the NPC, the census will be conducted digitally. This, according to the Commission, is in line with the United Nations (UN) recommendations.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved N2.8 billion for the Commission to procure software to be used for the conduct of the census.

Internews Health Journalism Network offers HIV/AIDS Reporting Fellowship

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Internews Health Journalism Network offers HIV/AIDS Reporting Fellowship

THE Internews Health Journalism Network, with the support of the Mercury Phoenix Trust, is inviting applications for its HIV/AIDS Reporting Fellowship.

The programme seeks to encourage and support journalism that looks at new, unique, or underreported angles of HIV/AIDS.

Ten journalists will be selected for the fellowship and they will receive US$1,000 each.

The fellowship includes three virtual training sessions, one-on-one mentoring on story development, and a chance to win an additional prize for the best story to be produced and published or aired.

The organiser says the publishing/airing of stories produced as a result of this fellowship will aim to correspond with the International AIDS Conference in Brisbane, Australia in July.

The deadline for the submission of the application is April 18, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Peter Obi detained by Immigration at London airport – Spokesperson

Bankole ABE
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Peter Obi detained by Immigration at London airport – Spokesperson

THE Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Office said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, was harassed by immigration officers at Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom (UK).

According to a statement released by the Head of Media of the Obi-Datti Campaign, Diran Onifade, on Wednesday, April 12, Obi was detained and interrogated for hours by Immigration officials over offences allegedly committed by an impostor.

According to the Campaign Council, Obi’s impersonator, who is still at large, may commit some offences that might result in his arrest in the UK.

Onifade said the spontaneous action of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport saved the LP presidential candidate, who has just returned from London, where he celebrated Easter.

Parts of the statement read: “The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, just back from London, United Kingdom where he celebrated Easter, has confirmed that he was harassed by London Immigration officials and placed in detention but for the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport.

“Obi-Datti Media Office can confirm that the LP presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential poll arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols when he was accosted by Immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.

“He was questioned for a long time, and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.” 

Onifade further disclosed that as Obi was recognised by Nigerians in the Diaspora who are likely to be Obidients, people who witnessed what was happening quickly raised their voices, wondering why he was being delayed.

“The Immigration officials who were also taken aback at the reaction of the people were forced to reveal that Obi was being questioned for a duplication offence meaning that someone has been impersonating him in London,” Onifade stated.

.He noted that the implication of the offence is that the impersonator could be committing serious crimes and other dubious acts that would be recorded in Obi’s name.

The Obi-Datti Media office claimed that its principal had been the target of numerous attacks since the February 25, Presidential Election in which he finished third out of 18 candidates.

The campaign office further stated that Since Obi was told to go to court, there have been severe attacks on him from all corners.

Onifade observed that the Federal Government, which directed Obi “to go to court,” still despatched the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad, to the United States to de-market Obi and accused him of treason.

He added that Obi is back in the country and has continued his charity works.

INEC declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, announced the result of the election on March 1.

According to the released result by INEC, Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes, and Obi of LP, who came third with 6,101,533 votes.

The PDP and LP candidates had since rejected the election’s outcome and are challenging it in court.

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