₦airaland Forum

@ gboye_1999 U took the words out of my mouth. In fact, U said it better. The onus is now on Us to make the best use of the FOI law. Talk is cheap indeed. Now we can do more than talking, we can Demand to know and Act. The time is now Nigerians. I don't know what moderattor meant by saying GEJ's going to be Nigeria's greatest President. Time will tell. In the meantime, am not impressed. Nigeria o ni Baje, Ju bayi lo. Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation, Bad Leaders

gboye_1999:
This Bill actually gives you and i the authority to demand information. Lets put to test first before we castigate government. The truth is without active participation of citizens, media and social groups even the most democratic country will descend to the abyss of corruption.
The FOI bill was one of the tools that turned Ghana's fortune around.

NIGERIANS, LET'S PUT THE LAW TO TEST.

Ban Ki Moon lied about Nigeria’s health care delivery system – HRN * Slams him for Human Rights snub




By Daniel Fayemi


A group consisting of 120 human rights NGOs in Nigeria, ‘Human Rights Nigeria’ has slammed the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon for dodging the human rights community during his visit to Nigeria.

Ban Ki- Moon paid Nigeria a two day visit, his first to Nigeria since he assumed office in 2007.

He was in the country to see the government's intervention in health as it relates to infant and maternal health.

The HRN in a statement yesterday (Wednesday) expressed disgust at the UN chief’s statement which suggested that Nigeria’s health care system was improving.

It said, “The network condemns the UNSG’s failure to meet with human rights community in his visit, despite requests made, and for openly announcing that the Nigeria’s health care delivery system was improving, when on the contrary, the cases of maternal and infant mortalities in the country are among the highest in the world.

“Several reports by UN experts, including the Special rapporteurs on torture, and UN Human Rights Council’s UPR reports on Nigeria, confirm reports by Nigerian and international human rights NGOs about the continued violations and abuses of human rights in the country.

“Extra judicial killings by police and other state agencies occur on daily basis and perpetrators are not properly investigated and punished. Nigerian government has continued to fail in its responsibility to investigate and prosecute those responsible for unlawful killings of tens of thousands of people in the various religious, ethnic and political conflicts that have engulfed the nation since 2004.

“Most recently, these include killings arising from the conflicts in the north central Nigeria especially in Plateau state, the police attack on Boko Haram members and associated reprisals killings, violence in the Niger Delta, April 2011 post election crises in Northern Nigeria, etc.”

The HRN gave an instance of a woman who was said to have been detained with three children (infant inclusive) because her husband was a suspected sect member and other human rights issues.

“In March 12 2011, police in Bauchi arrested and detained Hajia Sa’aduatu Umar and her 3 infant children, including a 10-month old. They have been detained since then at Area 10 police station Abuja on allegation that her husband is suspected member of Boko Haram sect and at large.

“Nigeria’s prisons are still in deplorable condition, with over 80% of the inmates on awaiting trial detention. The bill to reform prison services in the country has been pending in the National Assembly since 1999,” HRN said.

The group bemoaned the inability of the government to fulfil its obligation to fulfil the human rights treaties it has ratified.

“Nigeria has ratified almost every human rights treaty, and deposited it National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of human rights, but it has demonstrated little or no commitment to implement and enforce its obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the rights contained in those treaties.

“Human Rights Nigeria network expected the UN Secretary General to take up with Nigeria government, especially the relevant government agencies, these and other key human rights issue during his visit, and to demand that the government increased it political and financial commitments to respecting its human rights obligations under the constitution and ratified international and regional treaties.

“It is only in this way that the visit of the respected Secretary General will have meaning for millions of poor and indigent Nigerians who suffer human rights abuses on daily basis in this country,” the group added.

Source : http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=562

By Daniel Fayemi

Benue South Senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Gen. Lawrence Onoja has boasted that forensic experts will prove his allegation that Senate President, David Mark rigged the April 9 senatorial election.

Onoja in a chat with journalists yesterday said that evidence abounds for him to send Mark packing from the Senate saying that the Senate President won the election unfairly after his agents used toes and in some cases palm kernel to thumb print.

He said, “I am very confident because my lawyers at this initial stage are Chief Dubenu with about three others. They are now sorting out the documents and they are almost finished in all the local governments.

“And of course you know we are going to arrange to bring forensic experts who will go through all the boxes and they will find out that most of the ballot papers were thumb printed by one person.

“In some cases they were using toes and in some cases they were using palm kernel to thumb print. We have witnesses. This is why we are in the tribunal.”

He said that the lawyers who are sorting out the documents are almost through with documents from the nine Local Government Areas.

Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=555

By Daniel Fayemi



A group, the United Action for Democracy has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan on his reception and attitude towards the recurring moves of the United States for a military base in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

The UAD in a statement by its national convener, Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, said that the United States is only interested in global domination and Nigeria as a country should not compromise her sovereignty.

The group said, “We are not unwary that Mr. President is under pressure to accede to the U.S’ lustful aspirations for a military base in our country. The UAD and its allies were at the fore front to challenge similar moves under the Obasanjo era few years ago.

“Our interest as a country cannot be subsumed into the U.S narrow interest for global domination. For all intents and purposes, Nigeria's territorial integrity, sovereignty and development cannot and must not be compromised.”


The UAD warned that any attempt by the government to concede to the US’ wish will be met by stiff opposition which will lead to unending mass protests across the country.

“We do not need a U.S military base in Nigeria and any attempt to foist such on Nigeria would amount to stepping on cobra's tail.

“The gains of the April 2011 general elections must not be eroded because, any attempt to accept diabolical overtures of the U.S for a military base, the UAD and other focused political movements will lead unending mass protest across the country.

“The way forward for Nigeria at this juncture is a restructured State. Devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and a people’s constitution are key features of true federalism,” the group added.


Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=553

By Daniel Fayemi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has expressed disgust at the attitude of Mr. Tunde Dairo, a Personal Assistant to a former Minister of Aviation, Professor Babalola Borishade, in the suit instituted against him at a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
The Commission said that Mr. Dairo’s “time-wasting attitude” amounted to crude attempt to frustrate prosecution.
Counsel to the accused, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, at the court session today, (Monday) presented a letter notifying the court of an interlocutory appeal entered in the Court of Appeal challenging the ruling of the court on the admissibility of evidences against the accused and asking for an adjournment of the case to a further date.
EFCC Counsel, Sebastine Hon, SAN, who was represented in court by Daniel Penda in his response, said that it was wrong for the third accused to write such a letter which was brought on the adjourned date without being at the court to defend it. He said, “We are not satisfied with this development. It is not right for a counsel to sit in his office and write a letter which he knows needed some reply and he is not even here.” He urged the court to discountenance the letter and proceed with the case.
The trial judge, Justice  Sadiq Umar, agreed with the EFCC counsel saying that the propriety of Awomolo’s letter was questionable.  He, therefore, reserved further comment on the letter till Tuesday, May 24th, for Awomolo to address the court on it and also for the prosecution counsel to argue his case.

However, counsel to Babalola Borishade, Afe Babalola SAN, who also received the letter urged the court to consider the merit of its content arguing that all processes had been filed at the Appeal Court. His position was also taken by Chidi Ezenwafor, counsel to, Roland Iyayi while R. Okotie-Eboh counsel to the 4th and 5th accused, George Eider and Avsatel Communications Ltd opted to be neutral.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the case till Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
Diaro,  Borishade, and three others are standing trial for allegedly taking bribes and forging documents relating to a N6.5bn aviation contract. They were arraigned on a 15 count amended charge on November 19, 2009.

Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?id=550&page_id=3

By Daniel Fayemi


The continued relevance of the NYSC scheme has been questioned more than ever following the gruesome killing of youth corps members in the aftermath of the 2011 presidential election.

This is because innocent serving fresh graduates were targeted and cut down in their prime by some discontented elements in some Northern States (especially Bauchi) following the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan as winner.

Decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 which established the National Youth Service Corps  stated that it was formulated "with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity

The NYSC was created “in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war,” according to the Federal Government.

One of those who believe that the scheme should be scrapped is Professor Segun Ogungbemi, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Adekunle Ajasin University.

Ogungbemi hinged his argument on the premise that the government is incapable of ensuring security of lives of Nigerians thus, the undergraduates deserve the right to choose to serve or not.

He said, “The time to scrap NYSC is now or it is made voluntary. The Federal Government of Nigeria does not have the security apparatus to secure its citizens anywhere in the country.

“In my view as a parent and scholar the NYSC scheme has outlived its initial purpose and usefulness. The lawmakers should begin the process of scraping it as soon as they are sworn in or make a law that makes it voluntary.

“The truth of the matter is that it is evident that our security forces cannot give Nigerians adequate security. It is a national disgrace to say the least,” Ogungbemi lamented.

Taking the crusade against the scheme even further, an Ibadan-based attorney, Oluwole Aluko, has dragged the President and the Attorney General of the Federation to court, seeking the abrogation of the decree setting up the scheme.

In the suit number FCH/IB/CS/35/2011, Aluko claims that the NYSC Decree of 1973 is a contravention of the provision of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the United Nation Universal Declaration on Human Rights and therefore null and void.

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar on the other hand feels that the benefits of the scheme far outweigh its shortcomings.

“No right-thinking person should recommend the abolition of the programme because of the misguided actions of political thugs who are ruled by emotion rather than reason. You don’t decapitate yourself to cure a headache,” Atiku said.

He said that no country that went through a civil war should take unity for granted by dismantling the gains of the NYSC, which among others include forging unity even in diversity, under the heat of passion.

He also criticized the legal action being instituted by some persons seeking to scrap the NYSC programme, saying that no nation should formulate or reverse its policies out of sentiments.

Also making a case for the continuity of the NYSC, a medical consultant with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr Haruna Shehu, speaking at the Angwan-Bassa community in the Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, during the inauguration of a refurbished borehole project embarked upon by an NYSC member, Dr Grace Obiefuna said,

“If not for NYSC, I would not have known Imo State, and because of the good experience I had during my service year, I stayed back in Imo for sometime after the programme before coming to Abuja,” he said.

“It is true that the service year has its own challenges but the calls to scrap the scheme are not in the interest of this country. This is because the borehole project we are inaugurating now is a product of NYSC, executed by somebody who is not from the FCT.” Dr Shehu added.

Other challenges that have faced the scheme in recent times include the inability of some graduates to get placements immediately after graduating which results in waiting for years in some cases before they can secure placements to serve.

There is also the big issue of sexual harassment of female youth corps members in some places where they are posted for national service.

The onus is on the Presidency and the legislators to take a second look at the scheme now that it is under censure by the society.

Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=12&id=38

By Daniel Fayemi



Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2011 presidential election, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has expressed his disappointment over the rot in the country’s governance.

Ribadu in a statement by his campaign team, Team Ribadu today (Thursday) regretted that there was no sector in the country that worked.

He said, “The moral dimension of governance in the country today remains indisputably negative, and this is not a construction in anyone’s head.

“The evidence speaks starkly of levels of poverty that is simply beyond belief; of a crumbled educational sector; a health sector that posts a terribly disgraceful score card; as well as an infrastructure and power sector that bear the vivid meaning of the word failure. Indeed, the picture in every sector remains one of shock, shame, and stoppage.

“For the multitude of our youth that constitute 70 per cent of the population, their situation depicts a frightening reality of unemployment, and a furiously escalating surge of hopelessness, frustration, and anger.”

He said that rather than make hasty judgement on his failure at the poll, it was necessary to focus on the goal of creating a better society as his electoral disappointment is accompanied by “critical lessons, better clarity about means and ends.”

He said, “The elections have come and gone, and at moments like this when the results appear not to match up our expectations, the tendency is high to lapse into self-blame, and hasty but untested judgments about how we had invested in a failed project; and about how politics is too dirty and too evil.

“We need to focus more on the goals of a better society and the vision of creating a community of opportunity in our country. Invariably, in that journey, disappointments and reversals will accompany us but with it will also come critical lessons, better clarity about means and ends.”

Ribadu however thanked those who contributed to his campaign even as he reserved special encomiums for the near three million people that voted for him in the elections.

“To those who contributed in one way or the other to the campaign, I want them to know that they earn my boundless gratitude.

“But the lead heroes of this process are the near three million voters who trooped out to cast a vote of support to our vision of a new Nigeria as defined in the policy document, pathways to a New Nigeria.

“I thank them earnestly; also urge them to continue to show keen interest and greater awareness of the importance of their votes by demanding accountability from those to whom they have bestowed the authority of leadership from local to federal institutions,” he added.

By Daniel Fayemi

A group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has dragged the Federal Government to the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over the killing of National Youth Service Corp members after the 2011 presidential election.

The group alleged that, “the failure of the Defendants (The Federal Republic of Nigeria & the Attorney General of the Federation) to exercise due diligence to prevent the post election violence that resulted in the unlawful killing of the NYSC members and others amount to violations of their right to life; to sanctity and integrity of human person; to equal protection of the law; and violations of the families’ right to family life, and to basic enjoyment of economic and social rights.”

In the Suit Number ECW/CCJAPP/09/11 and filed by Solicitor to SERAP, Femi Falana, the group argued that the commission instituted by President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the post-election violence may result in efforts in futility as were previous similar commissions.

SERAP said, “The post election violence commission established by the government may end up the same way previous commissions of inquiry set up to address the outbreaks of violence in the country have ended: without success, implementation or follow-up.

“Also, the payment of N5m to each of the families of the NYSC members killed is grossly inadequate and falls far short of the requirements of international human rights law. The compensation by the government is unfair as it does not fully reflect the cost of education and training of the victims; the potential future earnings of the victims, the irreplaceable loss to the families; the physical, emotional and mental suffering by the families; and the human value and economic cost to the country.”

SERAP also argued that the government’s failure to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly acts to book amounted to the denial of the victims’ rights to justice.

“The failure by the Defendants to promptly, transparently and effectively investigate the death of the NYSC members, and to bring suspected perpetrators to justice amounts to a denial of the victims’ access to a fair, effective and prompt system of justice. In effect, the government has shown itself unwilling or unable to promptly, transparently and effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible for the unlawful killing of the NYSC members.”

“The Defendants have failed to discharge its positive obligation to take preventive operational measures to protect individuals whose lives were at risk.

“Granting compensation is separate from the additional obligation on states to conduct prompt, transparent and effective investigations and punish perpetrators,” the group added.

The group’s demands from the ECOWAS Court of Justice includes an order directing the Defendants and/or their agents to pay adequate monetary compensation of $500 million (US Dollar) to the families of the NYSC members unlawfully killed during the post election violence, for the violation of their human rights among other demands.

Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=539

By Daniel Fayemi


Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim has pleaded for a ministerial appointment from President Goodluck Jonathan following his re-election bid failure.

Ohakim who lost the 2011 governorship election to his opponent from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Rochas Okorocha is already repositioning himself in the scheme of things as he has offered up himself for a ministerial appointment from Jonathan.

Ohakim in a memo to the President said that following the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election in the State, there was the need to galvanise and sustain the party’s image in the state.

He said that “One sure way of doing this would be to empower the leadership of the party politically at the federal level. This may mean setting aside an important federal political position for me or any other party chieftain in the state as the President may deem fit as well as considering more Imo PDP members for appointment into Federal Commissions, agencies and parastatals.

“If the President deems it fit, I would, with all sincerity and the deepest sense of responsibility, suggest that I be consulted while such appointment are being made; the reason being simply that having presided over the state in the last four years, I am in the best stead to evaluate the potency of federal appointments coming to the state under the new dispensation; in terms of which area gets what among the three zones of Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri.”

Ohakim argued that since the Governor and his deputy were from Orlu and Owerri zones respectively, his home zone, Okigwe should produce a minister.

He said, “One thing Your Excellency may wish to bear in mind is that with the Governor and Deputy Governor going respectively to Orlu and Owerri zones, a Ministerial appointment coming to Imo should go to Okigwe zone, my home zone.

“In this regard, I offer myself for further service at that level if given the opportunity.

“Without any prejudice, I wish to remind Your Excellency that three areas I have demonstrated flair in the National Economic Council are; Oil & Gas, Police Reforms and Urban Development and Renewal,” he added.

Source: http://www.nigeriapoliticsonline.com/theContent.aspx?page_id=3&id=541