September 2020 – Page 38

Post Date : September 13, 2020

SERAP sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila over ‘failure to publish details of corruption probes’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over “their failure to publish reports of all completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999, and failure to disclose the number of probes that have resulted in any indictment of suspects, and to name such suspects.” The suit followed recent public hearings by the National Assembly on corruption allegations in ministries, departments and agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Reports of several public hearings and corruption probes have remained secret, and the allegations unresolved. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1065/2020 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawal and Mr Gbajabiamila to send all reports of completed public hearings and corruption probes to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to consider if there is sufficient admissible evidence to pursue prosecution.”. SERAP is also seeking: “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or compel Dr Lawal and Mr Gbajabiamila to widely publish all reports of completed public hearings and corruption probes by the Senate and the House of Representatives, and to disclose the number and names of any indicted suspects since 1999.” SERAP is asking the court for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawal and Mr Gbajabiamila to sponsor a resolution to stop lawmakers from directly getting involved in the execution of projects by MDAs, and to ensure the proper and effective exercise of their oversight functions over corruption allegations including in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).” The suit followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated 25 July, 2020, stating that: “The most effective way to deter corruption is to make the cost of engaging in these types of acts higher than the rewards. This end can only be accomplished by making public the reports and pursuing public accountability for corrupt acts.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The court ought to compel Dr Lawal and Mr Gbajabiamila to publish the reports of hearings and probes and to send the reports to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution. Granting the reliefs sought would bolster public trust and confidence in the lawmakers’ oversight functions, and dispel the perception that many of the hearings and probes are politically motivated and serve personal interest, rather than the general public interests.” SERAP is also arguing that. “Nigerians have the right to information, as guaranteed under Section 39(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which the country has ratified and domesticated as part of its national laws.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part. “There is no legally justifiable reason why the information should not be made widely available to Nigerians, and why the prosecution of indicted suspects should not be pursued, where there is relevant admissible evidence.” “Public officers are mere custodians of public records. There is legitimate public interest in the publication of the reports of these public hearings and probes. The public hearings and probes can only serve as effective mechanisms to prevent and combat corruption if their reports are widely published.” “The exercise of oversight functions and powers by the National Assembly to conduct public hearings and corruption probes in MDAs should be regarded as a public trust. The National Assembly has a unique opportunity to enhance the integrity of its oversight functions on corruption matters in particular, and other constitutional roles, in general.” “Both the Senate and House of Representatives have over the years conducted several public hearings and corruption probes to expose pervasive problem of corruption in MDAs. Publishing the reports and pursuing prosecution would give Nigerians greater confidence that their lawmakers can use their constitutional oversight functions to address corruption in Nigeria.” “Lack of transparency and accountability about the systemic and widespread corruption allegations in MDAs and among high-ranking public officials has continued to create a culture of impunity, and to have negative impacts on socio-economic development, as well as access of Nigerians to public goods and services, including quality education, adequate healthcare, clean water and regular electricity supply.” No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Post Date : September 13, 2020

Health Workers to embark nationwide strike Sunday midnight

Health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU has declared a nationwide strike over hazard allowance and non-payment of withheld salaries of their members among others. JOHESU, in a statement on Sunday, has told its members to withdraw services from midnight of Sunday, September 13, 2020, since nothing concrete was achieved at the meeting with the Federal Government. According to the statement, leaders of various health unions in the sector unanimously reached the decision at the end of their expanded National Executive Council. “In the light of the above, the meeting of our expanded NEC was held Saturday 12 September 2020. And at the end of the meeting, which was held both physically and virtually, it was unanimously agreed that since nothing concrete was achieved at the said meeting with the Federal Government, that the strike notice is still germane and alive. “Therefore, the 15-day ultimatum still subsists and with effect from midnight of Sunday, 13th September, 2020 our members shall withdraw their services due to Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands,” the statement added. The health workers had in a letter dated August, 30th, addressed to the Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH, issued a 15- day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet their demand. The demands of the aggrieved workers include; the review of the defective implementation of COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance; the payment of all withheld salaries of JOHESU members, including the withheld April and May 2018 salaries; and the adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as was done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) since 2014. Others listed in the letter with the reference number HQ/JOHESU/ADM/FMoH/VOL.II/55 are the implementation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (ADR) Consent judgment and other court judgments as well as the call to address the structural and infrastructural decay in the health sector.

Post Date : September 13, 2020

Six civilians killed in Mali explosion

Six civilians were killed on Friday by an improvised explosive device (IED) near Boura, Mali’s southern region of Sikasso, a local security source confirmed to Xinhua on Saturday. According to the officer, who request condition of anonymity out of fear of being revenged, an ambulance carrying a patient from Boura hit an IED on Friday, killing six people on board, except the driver who “was severely injured and evacuated to Koutiala (south)’’. Among the victims, there was a pregnant woman and a two-year-old kid, he said. This is the first attack on civilians since the mutiny that led to the resignation of Mali’s president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Also on Friday afternoon, about 10 kilometres away from Boura, local authorities found the bodies of the two local staff of Environment Ministry who were kidnapped by unknown armed men on Thursday night, said the officer. The Malian army has been targeted four times, killing at least 21 soldiers with numerous injuries. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for these attacks amid political instability in Mali.

Post Date : September 13, 2020

Edo Election: Ize-Iyamu promises to turn Okada town to A university hub

……We need peaceful election, say Edo youth Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo governorship election, has promised to transform Okada town to a University hub if elected. Ize-Iyamu made the promise on Saturday at Okada town, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state, during his ward-to-ward campaign tour of the area. He appreciated the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for founding a University in the locality which he said had opened up the area for economic activities. He promised to complement the efforts of Chief Igbinedion in making life more comfortable for the residents of the area. “I will construct more roads, open up this area for more development, provide water and aid farmers to become more productive and resourceful. “Our goal is to transform the university town to a University City” On his part, former governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed his gratitude to the people for their large turnout at the event. He decried alleged neglect of the area in the last four years as there was no new project there since he left office as governor of the state. Meanwhile, Mr Samson Osagie, the Director-General, APC campaign council for Edo South, said he was impressed with the support the party was getting throughout the state. Osagie expressed optimism that APC would win the Sept. 19, governorship election in Edo. He restated that Ize-Iyamu was the best candidate in the upcoming election in the state. Osagie assured that the APC candidate would not disappoint the people if elected, describing him as a man with the fear of God. Meanwhile Hundreds of Edo youth, under the aegis of Esan central youth force, on Saturday defied the heavy rain and took to the streets of Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area, to demand for peaceful election. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the protesters, bore placards with various inscriptions such as “we don’t want violence”, “we want peace”. They took their protest to the palace of Onojie of Irrua, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Williams Momodu II, Irrua police division as well as the Area Command in Irrua. The Spokesman for the protesters, Mr Eigbe Osazele, told newsmen that the area in the state had been enjoying peaceful times in previous elections and that the Sept. 19, polls should not be different. According to him, the recent attacks on the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman in the local government, Mr Michael Anakaso, and the Council’s Boss, Prof. Waziri Edokpa, is condemnable. He requested the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks. “I want all the security agencies to wake up to the challenge and make sure that those involved in the brazen acts are brought to book within the next 48 hours. “We don’t want to resort to self defence when we still have the security agencies whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property. “We are sending this message to the Inspector-General of police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, and the Director of the State Service to rise up to their responsibilities. “We are peaceful and law abiding citizens,” he said. Addressing the protesters at his palace, the Onojie of Irrua thanked them for being law abiding and conducting their protest in a peaceful manner. “Don’t take to violence, don’t allow people to confuse you, vote for the person you know will give you quality leadership. “Don’t allow people to buy your conscience with money. “As you can see we don’t have water and road in this community, it’s only this election period we see them, and they will be busy later. “Those that are promoting violence should bring their children,” said the traditional ruler. Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer in Irrua, Okoro Henry, assured the protesters that the police would ensure the protection of lives and propert before, during and after the election. Okoro called on all citizens to go about their lawful business, adding that the police have the capacity to provide security for them. (NAN)

Post Date : September 13, 2020

50 killed in DR Congo mine collapse

No fewer than 50 people were killed after a gold mine collapsed in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local authorities said on Saturday. The accident occurred on Friday in the town of Kamituga in South Kivu Province, following days of heavy rain. The cause of the landslide is currently under investigation. Provincial Governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi confirmed in a statement on Saturday that majority of the victims were young people, including children. Rescuers are continuing to identify the dead and provide assistance. Local media quoted a survivor as saying that more than 50 people had been in the three shafts, which water had poured in to. Kamituga Mayor, Alexandre Bundya, decreed a two-day mourning period and called on local residents to help rescuers extract bodies from the ground. The South Kivu province records landslides every year due to artisanal mining activities in several communities.

Post Date : September 13, 2020

Falana drags FG, Kano to African Commission over death sentence on Kano singer.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia over the death sentence on Kano singer Sharif Yahya Sharif. Falana is asking the Commission to exercise its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and pursuant to the commission’s order 100(1) of the commission’s Rules of Procedure, 2020. Falana in the petition dated 8 September 2020, states: “I am writing to you on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif to ask the Commission to consider this request for provisional measures. The request is submitted in conjunction with our communication on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif convicted and sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State of Nigeria.” The petition reads in part: “Our communication details multiple violations of his right to life and fair trial rights guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.” “We respectfully submit that the Commission should urgently invoke its rules of procedure and its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to request that Nigeria adopt these provisional measures in order to stop the irreparable damage that would be caused to the petitioner and his Charter rights.” “The petitioner is a Nigerian citizen, who has been found guilty of the offence of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) contrary to section 382 (B) of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000 (which carries death sentence), and convicted.” “Despite their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, the Nigerian authorities continue to violate the fair trial and other rights of the petitioner, and put him at risk of imminent execution.” “In particular, there are serious, persistent and irreparable violations of the petitioner’s rights to life; and to fair trials, including to competent and effective legal representation.” “According to our information, on August 10, the Upper Sharia Court sitting in Kano, Kano State convicted Sharif Yahaya Sharif of blasphemy and sentenced him to death by hanging. The request for a certified true copy of the judgment of the Court was also not granted on time.” “When the petitioner informed the Court that he could not afford and secure the services of a Lawyer to defend him, the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council to assign him a Lawyer so that the petitioner could enjoy access to legal representation. However, the order was disobeyed by the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Aid Council is the body established by law to provide legal support to indigent citizens especially in cases involving death penalty.” “An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging. The petitioner is currently held incommunicado and without access to the outside world, including his lawyers.” “The petitioner is at risk of imminent execution. Nigeria is a state party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights but there is growing crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and attack on the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Nigeria. As a result, human rights continue to be violated with impunity.” “The right to a fair trial including to legal representation is a fundamental safeguard to assure that individuals are not unjustly punished. It is indispensable for the protection of other human rights such as the right to freedom from torture and the right to life. However, when people are subjected to unfair trials, justice cannot be served.” “The petitioner contends that he has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and his right to life may be irreparably violated. Like the African Charter, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), which Nigeria has also ratified, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. The word “arbitrarily” here means both ‘illegally’ and ‘unjustly’.” “Furthermore, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 44th Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2008 adopted a resolution calling on African States, including Nigeria, that still retain the death penalty to observe a moratorium on the execution of death sentences with a view to abolishing the death penalty.” “For the above reasons, the petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in his case will be illegal and unjust. The petitioner considers supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on him.” “Prisoners are not denuded of their rights by mere conviction. If carried out, the death sentence on the petitioner would amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. The petitioner has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and unless the African Commission urgently intervenes, his right to life may be irreparably violated.” “The petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in the case of Sharif Yahya Sharif will be illegal and unjust. We consider supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on the petitioner.” “Given the climate of persistent human rights violations in Nigeria and the impunity of perpetrators, the urgent intervention by the African Commission is required to protect the petitioner against irreparable damage.” Falana is therefore asking the Commission to find that Nigeria: By virtue of its consistent denial of fair trial and other rights of Nigerians, find that Nigeria has violated Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Charter; By virtue of the decision to execute the petitioner, find that Nigeria has violated his

Post Date : September 13, 2020

Fuel, electricity tariff hike: NANS dissociates self from planned protest in Southwest as Police warn

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has dissociated itself from the planned protest by the southwest Zone D chapter of the association over the recent hike in fuel pump price and electricity tariff. The NANS Southwest zone D, led by one Kappo Samuel Olawale had given the federal government a five-day ultimatum to reverse the hike in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff. The students insisted that if the government fails to reverse the prices, it would shut down the South-West states in a mass protest. But, reacting to the threat, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NANS, Comrade Azeez Adeyemi disowned the Olawale – led group, describing it as “impostor”. Adeyemi in a statement on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, insisted that the Olawale – led is not recognised by the national leadership of the students’ umbrella body. He called on the Ogun State Police Command not to hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone caught disturbing the peace of the State under the guise of any protest. According to Adeyemi, the national leadership of NANS had met in Abuja last Thursday where it was unanimously agreed that the federal government be given a stipulated date to reverse the hike in the pump price of fuel and electricity tariff failure to which NANS would stage a massive protest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. He added that NANS and other affiliate bodies had staged a protect in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital and other five southwest states last week Tuesday to register their displeasure on the issue. He said, “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) wishes to inform the general public that it is not part of any planned protest by a group of impostors who call themselves NANS SouthWest zone D, led by one Kappo Samuel Olawale. “We want to put it on record that the umbrella body does not recognise the Olawale – led group and would not in any way be held responsible for their actions. “No person should hide under NANS to disturb the peace of the State under any guise. “This group of individuals are not authorised to carry out any protest in the name of NANS and we want to call on the Ogun State Police Command to be alive to its responsibility and arrest anyone caught during the planned protect”, Adeyemi said. Meanwhile the Ogun State Police Command has warned members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over the planned protest against the increased price of electricity and petrol. In a press statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that the protest is billed for Monday, September 14, 2020. “The police is in receipt of reliable intelligence that some students are bent on disturbing the public peace in parts of Ogun state, starting from Monday 14th September 2020,” he said. DSP Oyeyemi warned those who are being linked to the planned protest to have a rethink of their plan. “In the course of identifying the persons involved and warn them against the planned action, a group of individuals who claim to be NANS executives South- West Zone D, led by one Kappo Samuel Olawale, in a letter addressed to the Command, has given the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to reverse the recent hike in fuel prices and electricity tariffs, threatening to unleash mayhem in Ogun state after the expiration of the ultimatum on Sunday 13th September 2020.” According to the command’s spokesperson, the students also plan to block the Lagos/Ibadan and the Benin/ Ore expressway. “It is part of their violent plans to block all major highways, including the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Benin expressway, recruit miscreants, street urchins, hoodlums, expelled, suspended and perpetual students over-running their courses at tertiary institutions in Ogun State and other states from the South-West, to swell their ranks and ensure their desired objective of spreading violence in the State beginning from Monday 14th September is achieved” He said any form of protest against the hike in prices as announced by the Federal Government is not welcomed and would be resisted. “The decision by any group of students to embark on protest over a recent increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs is unwarranted and therefore unacceptable to the Ogun State Police Command. “No group will be allowed to hold the entire good people of Ogun state in perpetual fear of violence and harm to their persons and properties. Olawale and his group are hereby advised in their own interest to drop their plan to block any highway in the state, thereby causing confusion, disturbances, and public apprehension. ” The PRO noted that officers will be on standby to arrest any individual or group that tries to put fear in the heart of the residents. “The law is not on their side on this Officers and men of the command have consequently be put on red alert in view of this unwarranted threat. Members of the public are advised to call the bluff of the group and go about their lawful businesses without fear of harm or molestation by any person, including Olawale and his cohorts. “Motorists and all road users alike have however been reminded of their rights to freedom of movement and self-defence of their persons and properties against molestation and violence by any persons acting under any guise, including miscreants and hoodlums”. He further added that the police in conjunction with other security agencies have resolved, and have the capacity, to deal with such elements in the most decisive manner just as he admonished and guardians to call their wards to order.

Post Date : September 12, 2020

REVEALED: IMSU lecturer began his sexual crimes 20 years ago -Report

One of the Imo state university Owerri (IMSU) lecturers who was allegedly involved in a forced sex for-grade scandal which went viral days ago ,Obi Njoku ,was reported to have started this ugly act about two decades ago . Crimefacts.News has reported earlier how two Imo state university lecturers were caught pant down in separate Videos trying engage in a Sex for-marks . It was also reported that the authorities of the institution has suspended both lecturers for proper investigation. However a new report emerged on how the said lecturer, Obi Njoku from the department of Chemistry started his sexual harassment on Women . The source who spoke to Crimefacts.News on condition of anonymity ,said, “I am sure most people have seen the nude/sex videos of the disgraced lecturer of Imo State University, Obi Njoku, from Uzoagba, Ikeduru, Imo State. He was not just caught pants down in a forced sex-for-grades scandal; he was caught right in the act, with his face blazing like a loud siren. According to the source ,”Obi Njoku raped a childhood friend of mine twenty-something years ago. She was too ashamed to speak up. Obi Njoku continued his sex perversion and other abominable acts until karma caught up with him. “I am making this post to name and shame him publicly and equally convict him in my own court of personal opinion. IMSU should kick him out and send him to rot in jail for 14 years,” The source concluded.

Post Date : September 12, 2020

GANA’S KILLING: Army Risks Creating Another B’Haram –Ex-DSS Director, Retired Army Captain

The killing of the militia leader in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza, otherwise known as Gana, may worsen the level of insecurity in the country and lead to the creation of another deadly group in the mold of Boko Haram. That was the view of some notable security experts, who feel that the extra-judicial killing of the notorious gang leader may aggravate the security situation, saying that the action of the law enforcement agents has left the people in palpable fears. Speaking with Saturday Telegraph, a security consultant and former Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Mike Ejiofor, said it is unfortunate that the military men would take laws into their hands and allow such extra-judicial killing in a democracy. “It’s unfortunate that in a civilized and democratic society like ours, military men as alleged, will take laws into their hands by killing someone who already surrendered himself. This was how Boko Haram started, to this point we are now, because their leader was killed extra-judicially. “If there is an amnesty as claimed by the governor and they were stopped, why didn’t you take him to your office, interrogate him and see whether he meant well with his intentions, rather than actually killing him? I don’t want to believe that story of gun duels. “It is quite unfortunate, and honestly, if it’s not properly managed, it might bring us again back to the same situation that started Boko Haram. On his part, a retired officer in the Nigerian Army, Capt Aliyu Umar, said Gana’s death was an unfortunate incident that has put the authorities between a rock and a very hard place. Agreeing that Gana was though seen as a dangerous person, with a lot of atrocities to his name, the retired officer faulted the manner in which he was killed, saying it does not help the situation at hand. Umar said: “On aggregate, strategic security wise, the entire situation may fester, to the detriment of peace, security, and the stakeholders in the matter. Where this goes and what comes out of this, remains a direct function of how the involved agencies and law enforcement entities handle it. “They will indeed need to, going forward, weigh in on a lot of metacognition, and professional savvy, when handling matters of militarycivilian engagements. One can say, while profiling the nature and history of these kinds of occurrences in the past, it is not unlikely that Gana’s followers may run haywire and extract a reprisal or revenge. It’s also not out of the way to assume that, like the situation in the North East, it may morph into some more bizarre activity or group setting. This becomes particularly so, when weighed against Intelligence reports of major terrorist organisations seeking inroads onto our national space “Allegiances and collaborators may just weigh in on this, to exploit the angst in whatever is left of Gana’s band of rogues, to further their own operations. The military and what could have been done differently is not the issue at the moment. What is for now, remains who, why, and how of that occurrence. “There is indeed a need to properly interrogate what occurred and ensure corrections are made swiftly, particularly in the communications, mission clearance, and cross functionality aspects of military operations. However, a retired onestar General, who spoke briefly on the strict condition of anonymity, argued that the incident must be viewed objectively, saying; “If Gana was killed in an encounter, then his killing is justified. But if he was going for Amnesty, his killing will cause more problems”. But a former Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr. Lawrence Alobi, said the killing will send warning signals to other suspected criminal elements, on the readiness of the military and other security agencies, to protect the state and its citizenry from violation. Alobi said: “Earlier, I think the Police had already declared him wanted. Isn’t it? If a suspected criminal is wanted, he is a criminal. And, a criminal should always face the wrath of the law. If actually there was an encounter, as the military has made us to believe, and it is true, and in a firing encounter with the military, may be the military fire power was overwhelming; that led to his death. “… If actually he has been killed, as the military claimed, of course that will send a signal to those criminal-minded people, that the military and security agencies are up and doing, to ensure that, the security of the country is guaranteed, To ensure that they insecurity and banditry”. Killing may worsen insecurity – Sokpo A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kpam Sokpo also expressed fears that the killing of Gana may worsen the level of insecurity while expressing fears that the situation may cause more harm as many of his followers might interpret it as a deliberate attempt to silence them. Sokpo, who represents Buruku Federal Constituency of Benue State, said it may aggravate the security situation because the action of the military has truncated the initiative to rein in the bad boys and grant them amnesty to leave their criminal activities. The lawmaker, though noted he was not in support of criminality, gangsterism and other forms of social vices, he said he would not also endorse extra-judicial killing of any Nigerian. He said: “I am afraid his boys may go back to the bush and continue with their criminality. In fact, some of them who were willing to give up may be hardened by the killing of their leader”. “It is true that Gana had several allegations of criminal activities, such as murder and kidnapping, hanging on his neck, but what has happened is an abuse of human rights. It is extra judicial killing because he was not armed. He accepted to give up criminality and accept amnesty; he was not tried in any court of law but just killed summarily. “According to the UN convention, even in war

Post Date : September 12, 2020

Gana’s Death:Ortom Asks Military To Release 40 Suspects, Confiscated Official Vehicles

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has asked the military to release about 40 other militias said to be in custody. Briefing journalists after a five-hour security meeting at the Government House Makurdi on Friday, Governor Ortom also called for the release of some official vehicles purportedly confiscated by the military authorities. The governor explained that the call for the release of the repentant militias is necessary to enable them to embrace the amnesty programme of the state government. “It is the resolve of this meeting, the expanded State Security Council meeting, that the repentant youths who were arrested by the military should be released so that they will continue from where they were coming to receive their amnesty and they were arrested. “Also items that were confiscated, we are also appealing to the military to return them. Some of those vehicles were hired, some are official vehicles to our government officials. Some other things are documents. We appeal that all these be returned to us,” he said. Reacting to the death of the state’s ‘most wanted criminal,’ Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, Governor Ortom said the Sankara people and the state is pained by the development. He however noted that nothing can be done to bring back the dead to life, calling on the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies particularly the military. While seeking more clarification on the true incident that transpired leading to Gana’s death, Ortom said the state government will continue to engage the military rather than being confrontational. “We are going to find out the truth of what happened. That is what the entire stakeholders here are demanding to know because from the press statement and information to us gives us a cause to worry. “We have resolved to move on and continue to interphase with the military and other security agencies to ensure that this kind of ugly incident does not happen again,” he said. Gana was killed on September 8 in what military authorities described as a firefight. But Governor Ortom said soldiers snatched Gana from a government convoy of repentant militants in Gboko.