₦airaland Forum

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International has called on the National Assembly and the Executive to fast track the passage and assent of a legal framework to manage and utilize recovered assets.

The Executive director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani state this during a round table meeting organized by CISLAC for representatives of Anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies with the mandate to recover asset and representatives from the House and Senate Committees on Anti-corruption.

Rafsanjani who was represented by Mr. Samuel Asimi of CISLAC stated that a legal framework will remove discretion and reduce the risks of mismanagement of these recovered assets.

The Africa Regional Advisor of Transparency International (TI), Mr. Samuel Kaninda in his remarks noted that Asset Recovery provides a good resource opportunity for African government against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

He stressed the challenge of mismanagement of recovered asset should be handled urgently.

The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) Mohammed Abdullahi has called on Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to initiate urgent interventions in order to engage Nigerian youths make their lives more meaningful.

The Minister said this when he gave a goodwill message at the Generation Unlimited Nigeria Launch during the week in Abuja.

The Minister therefore made a reference to a disturbing 2020 report made by Saadia Zahidi who is the Managing director of World Economic Forum (WEF) that in the next five (5) years about 85million Jobs will be disrupted around the world due to lack of skills ,population, robotics, remote work etc.

The Minister further said that 85million persons globally comprises of about 65million of our Nigerian youth which is alarming and gloomy that needs to be arrested urgently. He further commended the initiatives of jobberman which is aimed at developing soft skills curriculum and placements to make our youths employable and capable of generating employment.

The Minister said the Generation Unlimited platform is also aimed at creating better education, skills, employment and entrepreneur opportunities for young persons, adding that the program is at the heart of challenges facing the global youth population and believes the initiative by UNICEF would help in bridging the gap.

In is words , ‘’the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is willing to partner with UNICEF in this direction especially in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) as a tool to engage the youths meaningfully ‘’ adding that the Ministry will partner with UNICEF to create sustainable and skilled youth manpower for job and wealth creation.

He further thanked the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo for his untiring efforts in addressing these challenges by churning out several youths engagement programs through the economic sustainability program.

Maryam Zakari
Press Secretary for HMoS
28th July , 2021.

�Olusegun Shogbola

The Centre for Information Technology and Development(CITAD) has been awarded a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for its work to promote vaccine acceptance and access for marginalized groups in northern regions in Nigeria

The grant is part of roughly $80 million in awards MacArthur was announced in support of the foundation’s Equitable Recovery initiative, centered on advancing racial and ethnic justice.

The initiative which is funded by MacArthur’s social bonds, is in response to the crises of the pandemic and racial inequity.

In its announcement, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation said “As we emerge from this moment of crisis, we have an opportunity to improve the critical systems that people and places need to thrive. Our systems and structures must be rebuilt,” said MacArthur President John Palfrey. “We are committed to ensuring that our response to the pandemic is focused on supporting the reimagining of systems that create a more just, equitable, and resilient world.”

CITAD is one of the organizations receiving grants advancing the Public Health Equity and COVID-19 Mitigation and Recovery focus area of the Foundation’s initiative.

This is in a bid to advance public Health Equity and COVID-19 Mitigation.

This recovery akso supports improving access to resources for immediate health challenges while advancing new policies, models, and structures to support a more equitable and resilient public health sector in the future.

MacArthur is also supporting work in that focus, as well as three other areas;
Racial Justice Field Support, with a focus on combatting anti-Blackness, supports building Black power by supporting Black-led and -focused philanthropic organizations. According to the statement, MacArthur also will take a leadership role in positioning reparations and racial healing as issues that philanthropy helps to meaningfully address issues such as Self-determination of Indigenous Peoples supports especially in uplifting Indigenous communities to enable autonomous pursuit of a recovery guided by their priorities, cultures, and practices.


The Mac Arthur project also aims at an Equitable Housing Demonstration Project supports restoring communities and reducing incarceration and housing instability by generating an array of housing solutions that can help to permanently end the use of jails and prisons as housing of last resort.

It was also revealed that almost two-thirds of the awards represent new grantee relationships, and most of the organizations are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led or -serving.




In the fall of 2020, MacArthur established a $125 million Equitable Recovery Initiative. The Foundation deployed $40 million of bond proceeds through 24 grants. Initial grants focused on strengthening voter mobilization and election protection, addressing anti-Black racism, and supporting Native Americans impacted by COVID-19. Grants also supported Black, Latinx, Asian, and Indigenous arts organizations in Chicago, technology and justice, and a fund for social entrepreneurs advancing racial equity.

By NewsDigest
Arewa Youth Frontiers says Information Minister Lai Mohammed has only recurred to his antics of “destroying anything good” by calling Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, a “one-chance” governor because he had not been allowed to function as a kingmaker in the state.
Two weeks ago, Mr Mohammed said he regretted throwing his weight behind the incumbent in the 2019 Kwara gubernatorial election, adding that the party had been warned not to support the governor who had now turned out to be “one-chance.”
“It beats our imagination why a governor that has revitalized Agriculture, revived moribund industries, constructed roads in all nooks and crannies of the state and empowered the youths would be described as a ‘one chance’ governor,” said Mohammed Hussaini, Arewa’s coordinator.
Mr Hussaini said Lai’s vituperations were hardly surprising since the governor had chosen not to dance to his tune or regard him as a kingmaker.
The Information Minister recently found himself at loggerheads with statesmen after he credited himself with financing the party’s campaign in 2019. The sum faciitated, according to Lai Mohammed, totalled N150 million. “Nobody gave the party a dime for logistics apart from what I gave,” Mr Mohammed said.
Members of the Kwara house of assembly have since described Mr Mohammed’s claim as an “odious lie”, and challenged him to name the beneficiaries of his support.
Arewa insists it is obvious that the Minister was trying to cast aspersion on the pedigree of the governor with his “lies”.
“We all knew how Lai came to national limelight. It is glaring he was a nobody, besides the CPC/APC spokesperson. So how come did he finance the party in the state? Was it the allocation of the Federal Ministry of Information he used to finance the party in the state? We need answers,” said Mr Hussaini, who asked the Information Minister to come out clean.

According to Arewa, Lai Mohammed has brought disrepute and shame to the party with his outburst and should be disciplined without delay by the National headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“We call on the national body of the APC to without delay suspend Lai Mohammed from the party so as to ensure the party sustains its popularity in the state,” he said.
Mr Hussaini added that Lai Mohammed fitted into the category of leprous fingers who seek to destroy anything good and Governor Abdulrahman would do better not to be distracted by his antics.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has condemned the suspension of the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Magaji-Rimingado.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who made the condemnation in a statement issued on Tuesday, urged the State Assembly to schedule a public hearing.

“Coming at a time when we are calling for the independence of Anti-Corruption institutions and more accountability at subnational levels, this sends another concern about the state’s commitments to combat corruption,” he said.

In the statement, the executive director described the allegations against the chairman as “baseless” adding that it was backed by an unconstitutional process.

The statement said: “We are disappointed at the self-serving position of the State Assembly which has the fundamental mandate to protect and allow citizens’ interest to prevail in its legislative activities, flouting provisions of the rule of law and procedures.

“This combined with other reported cases involving outright disregards for the rule of Law and procedures raises public concerns on the level of credibility, integrity and independence maintains by Kano State House of Assembly especially.

“The provisions of Sections 6 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Law 2010, gives only the Governor the power to remove the Chairman or any member of the Commission, while acting upon a resolution supported by the State Assembly on the inability to discharge effectively the functions of his office or for any other reason.

“We are not unaware that suspension of Magaji has been triggered by the reported undemocratic political attempt instigated by some politicians to undermine independence and integrity of the Commission; and his earlier rejection of an illegally-driven direct posting of staff from the Office of Kano State Accountant General; as against Section 15(1)(g-h) of the Law establishing the Commission, which enshrines such within the functions of the Commission; and the provision of Section 8, stating that “In exercising its powers under the Law, the Commission shall not be subjected to the direction and Control of any authority.”

“While we have been following with keen interest the competence, commitment, and progress of the commission in the war against corruption and injustice that have continued to yield appreciable impact in the state, we observed from the politically motivated suspension, effort to divert the Commission’s attention and frighten its operatives from the progressive struggles at digging deep into- and uprooting major corruption cases in the state.

“We are disturbed that despite various pledges and effort by the present administration to combat corruption at all levels, Anti-Corruption operatives and institutions are seriously endangered and sabotaged at sub-national level with deeply rooted political resistance and unchecked display of rascality.

The group, therefore, called on the assembly to reconsider its decision on the suspension of Mr Magaji-Rimingado.

“The failure of the Kano State Assembly to retract the suspension would have grave consequences and indeed backpedal the state progress in the Anti-Corruption fight and pave way for a bad precedent.

“We demand openness and transparency in further legislative activities that may involve any resolution or action against Magaji; through a well-attended Public Hearing to enable appropriate participation and accommodate positions of civil society groups.

“We encourage all operatives of the Commission never to succumb to threat or intimidation by any person or group, but instead strengthen the fight against corruption through enhanced strategies as enabled within legal provisions.

“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians and the media to kick against an unjustified decision or resolution at all levels to frustrate the on-going Anti-Corruption fight in the country.”

Youngvegetable:
Help family. I have a child, a 5 year old boy who grew up with his mum. We were much younger when we had the child.

Until recently, she brought my child to me, she traveled to Ghana and married. I don't have a problem with that tho. My problem is with my son. He is too gentlemanly for my like. I don't even know if gentlemanly is the right term.

Dude is too timid for my liking. He looks exactly like me and all that but his behaviors are just not what I was when I was his age. He is too timid, kind and lenient. Please what could I do to toughen him up apart of beating. I need a my child. Imagine one small boy was dragging the biscuit I bought for him and he still have the boy and still give him water. It was the strangest thing I have seen in a while. Where the hell did he get that leniency and kindness from? I was never like this

This boy is 5. How did u know how you were at 5? You mostly heard stories. You are only worried, on the long run, he will man up. Dont pressurize him because you do not know what you got.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Germany, have held a conference on female participation in politics.

Speaking at the event, a lecturer, Mallam Aminu Ali of the Department of Sociology, Bayero University, Kano who presented a paper on the invisibility of young females in the arena of discourses on political exclusion in Nigeria society, noted that the subordination of women in every sphere of life maybe connected to the political discourse.


Speaking emphatically on theme, he noted that “Young women are conspicuously invisible in the discursive arena of youth political exclusion despite being double victims. From media to academia, to civil society, among other discursive spaces, female-youth political exclusion has not received satisfactory attention. The discourse on youth exclusion in politics is gendered and youth political participation is measured by the visibility of male youth."




It was noted also that gender has remained a fundamental basis for exclusion in Nigeria’s malestream politics. Women, particularly young ones, have continued to face political exclusion and different forms of repression and subordination in politics and public life.

At the event, it was stated that the reasons for this are many and varied, ranging from "supposed apathy and disinterest in the voting process, to lack of opportunities for systematic inclusion in decision-making processes.”

There have been efforts by governments and multilateral agencies to promote females’ participation in politics through policies, affirmative action and advocacies. Plus, demand for increased political inclusion has been at the center stage of women’s struggles since the Universal Suffrage Movement in the 19th century.



Despite efforts aimed at engendering political inclusiveness through activism and policy interventions, females’ participation in politics to a large extent, remains insignificant.



Another concern was raised on the consciousness of the Female-youth who are said not to be conscious of their identity as double victims of political exclusion, not to talk of mobilizing or asserting it.


As a way forward from the dilemma, Mallam Aminu recommended some strategies to raise young women’s participation in the discursive space, politics and public life.



He emphasied the need for Countering stereotypes and prejudice against females and building their confidence to participate in political discourses through leadership training and political education programme.


Dialogues, symposia and political education class on female-youth participation in politics should be organized to, among other things, identify passionate young females, who should be mentored by veteran women activists and those in active politics, he noted.



He also recommended capacity building trainings on communication skills and organization building and networking need to be regularly organized for young females.

Structures for step-down training should be created, so that as many young females as possible would benefit from the skills and knowledge necessary for active participation in the discursive arena.



He harped on the need to leveraging the different social media platforms to mobilize and conscientize young females, build their capacity for collective action and building alliance and networks is very imperative

Commending CITAD for the initiative, Mrs Angela Odah of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation commended CITAD for organizing such fruitful discussion especially coming with ways forward on peculiar problems faced by women in politics in Nigeria.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has hailed the re-appointment of Mrs. Amina Mohammed as the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for the second term of five years.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), described her re-appointment as an excellent choice.

The CISLAC boss applauded the Secretary General for "well-deserved re-appointment, we are convinced that the re-appointment is an appreciation of her efficient performance, sterling qualities, credibility, integrity and track records suitable for the re-consideration.

"We also observed in the re-appointment, practically demonstrated spirit of inclusiveness, equality and social justice by the Secretary General.

"As we rejoice with Nigeria and the international community, we observed hitherto in her selfless service, genuine passion and commitment towards improving the quality of lives of humanity across the world, especially in the areas of poverty eradication, Covid-19 pandemic prevention and impact mitigation, social justice, gender equality, climate change, sustainable democracy, global peace and security, and human rights.

"We are therefore hopeful that Mrs. Mohammed’s re-appointment will accelerate existing gains and enhance global partnership for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

Public buildings must have access routes for persons with disabilities – Accountability Lab

A non-profit organisation, Accountability Lab, has called on owners of public structures, head of government institutions to make their buildings accessible for persons with disabilities.

The Country Director of Accountability Lab, Mr Friday Odeh made the call at the Open Government Partnership - Inclusion and Diversity Ecosystem Building Meeting organised by AL Nigeria.

According to him, it was necessary for public structures to be made accessible to the blind, deaf and those on wheel chair as provided for in the Persons with Disabilities Act.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s effort in establishing the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Odeh stressed the need for more sensitisation workshops and advocacies for people on the disabilities act which seeks equal rights for people with disabilities.

He said: "The major defaulters who fail to implement the act are government agencies. So, government needs to do more in creating awareness on this law as well in pushing for its implementation by its institutions."

Mr Odeh also appealed to the state and federal governments to ensure inclusive budgeting and a constant assessment of the progress on the disability act, as well as continued advocacies for their implementation.

“No respect or sign has been accorded to people with disabilities and its two years down the line since the enactment of the disabilities act and it feels like there's no progress.

“Persons with disabilities can't still access their moneys in most banks; airports are still not user-friendly for people with disabilities,” Mr Odeh lamented.

Also speaking, the project officer of the AL Nigeria, Mr Shiiwua Mnenga, stressed the need for people with disabilities to be included in government processes, calling on developmental partners to come to the assistance of Nigerian government in that direction.

He said: Governments should add people with disability at the top of their agendas. We need to plan for them. Also, Nigerians need to be educated about the challenges of the disabled people and how to manage them effectively, because they are also humans like us.”

On her part, Dr Amina Salihu, a representative of MacArthur Foundation at the workshop, also lamented that some state governments were yet to domesticate the law on disability, saying that only 10 states had passed the law.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the workshop advocated an affirmative action for the implementation of the act in order to help the disabled people have a sense of belonging.

According to them, the policy needs to be adapted, citing instances where a disabled person needs to travel by air, that he/she would need to travel with a second person at his/her expense.

They also lamented that despite a five-year grace for organisations to create access route for people with disabilities, two years down the line nothing has been done.

The News Digest reports that in January 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law a legislation that criminalised common discriminations against persons with disabilities.

The Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on ground of disability and imposes fine of N1, 000, 000 for corporate bodies and N100, 000 for individuals or a term of six months’ imprisonment for violation concurrently.

It provides for a five-year transitional period within which public buildings, structures or automobile are to be modified to be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchairs.

The law states that: "Before erecting any public structure, its plan shall be scrutinised by the relevant authority to ensure that the plan conforms with the building code.

“A government or government agency, body or individual responsible for the approval of building plans shall not approve the plan of a public building if the plan does not make provision for accessibility facilities in line with the building code.

“An officer who approves or directs the approval of a building plan that contravenes the building code, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of imprisonment of two years or both.’’

“Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation facilities and service providers are to make provision for the physically, visually and hearing impaired and all persons howsoever challenged. This applies to Seaports, Railways and Airport facilities.

“The rights and privileges include education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.

Furthermore, all public organisations are to reserve at least 5 % of employment opportunities for these persons.

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is also established in Section 31 with Executive Secretary as the head.

Today, on Democracy day, President Muhammadu Buhari is told that he is proving to be undemocratic with his governing of the country after repeated political efforts to shrink civic spaces.

In direct reference to the Twitter ban, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, says it is puzzled with the President’s handling of fundamental human right issues.

The President announced the suspension of Twitter last Friday and warned through his Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, that the continuous use of Twitter was now illegal and a prosecutable offence.

Not long after, the National Broadcasting Commission wrote to television and radio broadcasters in the country, demanding that they should deactivate their Twitter accounts immediately.

This Thursday, President Buhari gave an interview to Arise News but chose to keep his card close to his chest when asked when the ban would be lifted. He said, “I’ll keep that to myself.”

The civic group believes that these sequence of events, along with media harassment and illegal ban on protest, are “basic symptoms of the lack of necessary democratic values in the country.”

And there continue to be unlawful attempts by a few individuals or group to “undermine democratic values, inflame mayhems and public disorder” in the country, says Mr Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC.

“[These democratic values] are mistook by some individuals or groups to exacerbate insecurity, inflict tensions, killings, destructions and instabilities; as recently observed in some parts of the country,” Mr Rafsanjani said.
Mr Rafsanjani says that the Nigerian people are yet to have the hopes and expectations of the 1999 return to democracy met by any administration. Instead, they are forced to endure the growing trend of socio-economic and political challenges delivered by each administration.

CISLAC’s Demands

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre is pushing for widespread reforms in the country’s political circle. CISLAC still finds the electoral process lacking in credibility and seeks a review which would instil people-oriented blueprints in political parties.

Mr Rafsanjani said: “We demand unconditional respect for citizens’ human rights irrespective of their socio-economic and political status at all levels including recognition of their freedom of expression as a Constitutional right and not privilege.

“We call on the government at all levels to uphold and allow civic space for meaningful contribution to democratic governance in Nigeria, with demonstrated commitment to the principles of responsibility and responsiveness for good governance.

“We call for the creation of an independent and functional Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute breaches of relevant electoral provisions including vote buying and rigging.

“We further demand immediate investigation and prosecution of the recent killings of innocent citizens and security personnel in various parts of the country to demonstrate social justice, reinforce peaceful co-existence and responsive governance.”

· To build capacities of NGOs in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal



With the support of the Ford Foundation, the development Research and Projects Center has called on the federal and state governments to redouble their commitments in fighting Gender-based violence in Nigeria. Executive Director of the organization, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, disclosed at the ongoing African regional council on women societies in Abuja on Thursday.

Dr. Walker added that Nigerian women continue to face various forms of violence, including sexual harassment, physical violence, harmful traditional practices, emotional and psychological violence, socio-economic violence, and violence against non-combatant women, especially in conflict situations.

''This has had a serious implication on their education, health, economic life, social relation, and personal development. According to a study commissioned by the ministry of women's affairs and social development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) Nigeria, 28% of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15,'' she said.

She also disclosed that 15% of women in Nigeria had experienced physical violence within 12 months, while 25% of married women or those living with their spouses experienced violence in their lives, adding that Gender-based violence has become a recurrent issue across the Nigeria region exempted.

''Indeed, there is no day in the country without a reported case of sexual violence, especially rape, in the media. This is a matter of great concern for women and men in the nation. What has become of our people? Why is the incidence of GBV on the increase? What are the government at national and sub-national levels doing to address this situation? What are active citizens and voluntary associations such as Mosques and Churches doing to ameliorate the reoccurrence? What are the drivers and causes of GBV? '' She asked.

She then revealed that the DRPC is rolling out a one-week network Building program to build the capacities of CSOs on techniques for amplifying CSO network successes; new advocacy approaches in the context of Covid-19; user-friendly monitoring and evaluation tools and approaches; and writing winning proposals in GBV. dRPC, according to her, will also provide mini-grants for Networks to design and carry out an advocacy engagement to address an emerging driver of GBV

Earlier, the Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has called for zero tolerance to Gender-based violence, adding that the federal government has declared a state of emergency on gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The Minister disclosed the formation of a committee of first Ladies in Nigeria that will work to stem the rate of gender-based violence in all the 36 states of the federation, adding that Nigeria has the political will to deal decisively with gender-based violence.

''I urge Nigerians to report cases of gender-based violence to the nearest police station to help in stemming this monster that is rocking our societies,'' She added.

In her presentation, Mrs. Ogochukwu Kehinde said that the Pathfinder International is working in nine states of Nigeria by supporting 10 Sexual Assaults and Referral Centers (SARCs) to provide essential health services to survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), sensitize the communities on SGBV and strengthened their capacity to solicit, administer, and manage funds. She added that Pathfinder contributes to a better understanding of SGBV in Nigeria by improving data management across the 11 states in the federation.

Mrs Olorufemi Oluwatoyin, Director, Lagos State Gender-Based Violence agency, said efforts have advanced to record, follow up, document and shame perpetrators of sexual violence in the state through sustained campaigns and delibrate interventions to protect women and girls in the state.

The President of the National Council for Women Societies, Dr Gloria Laraba Shoda, commended the participants and the Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, to fight gender-based violence, which she called a monster raking havoc in Nigeria.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club and Centre for information Technology and Development wishes to call for applications toward its Social Media Training and Fellowship Program.


The application is open to

1) Campus Journalists with interest on Accountability, anti-corruption and Transparency issues and reporting

2) Youth and Youth Leaders

3)Small and Medium Scale Enterprise owners, aspiring business owners or those wanting to know how to leverage Social media for business creation and Job Creation.

APPLY VIA LINK BELOW

https:///3gofQBR

Online Application Ends On July 3rd, 2021.

Kindly see flier for more details

A REPORT by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has revealed that between October 2020 and April 2021, not fewer than 21 police stations have been attacked by hoodlums in Southeastern Nigeria, while fifteen officers lost their lives during the period.

Of the 21 police stations, seven stations in Imo State were attacked by hoodlums, four in Ebonyi, three in Abia, four in Enugu and three in Anambra.

The October attack was triggered by the EndSARS protest organised across states in Southern Nigeria. According to the report, five police stations were attacked in October 2020, one in January 2021, five in February 2021, while four and six stations others were attacked in March and April 2021, respectively.

Due to several attacks, police officers in the Southeast have stopped wearing uniforms to work, and while at work, they hardly venture out to investigate cases.

Side view Ehime Mbano police station
Side view Ehime Mbano police station
A senior police officer (names withheld) serving at Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, lamented about the threat to life experienced by police offers in the region.

“We are being killed like fowls; nobody cares about how we feel again, our colleagues are being killed daily, nobody is talking about that. Are we not human? We are expected to die for the country, but a police inspector collects a paltry sum of N88,000 monthly, and we know how much politicians collect,” he said.

This development has because a source of worry also to the residents.

A farmer in Onicha who identified himself as Chuks told The ICIR he no longer could go to the farm because of insecurity.

“ We are not certain whether we would come back alive; you don’t know what will happen,” he said.

Experts who spoke about the incidents blamed the crisis on the poor justice system, break-down of civil-military relationship and the handling of the EndSARS protests.

Police Officers who lost their Lives, the rank of officers In The South-Eastern States Due To attacks On Police Stations 1
Police Officers who lost their Lives, the rank of officers In The South-Eastern States Due To attacks On Police Stations 1
“These happenings question the level of civil-military relations, and security agents are human too. It shows the breakdown of trust, which may be an extension of the EndSARS issue whereby some people are still aggrieved,” said a security consultant, Senator Iroegbu.

Police Officers who lost their Lives, the rank of officers In The South-Eastern States Due To attacks On Police Stations 2
Police Officers who lost their Lives, the rank of officers In The South-Eastern States Due To attacks On Police Stations 2
Also, retired Colonel Ademola Lawal reminded people of the Southeast that policing remains key to maintaining social order. But he also noted that the professional misconduct by the police must stop.

“We must address impunity in the country; we must make sure that the police itself is very professional and properly reformed. “Loss of confidence in the police is the cause. Only the police themselves can restore confidence by ensuring that their personnel perform with the utmost professionalism,” Lawal advised.




The Police Spokesperson Frank Mba did not comment for this report.

https://www.icirnigeria.org/15-officers-killed-21-police-stations-attacked-in-seven-months-in-southeast/

Anambra Police Command To Discipline Officers For 500,000Naira Extortion

...Vows to prosecute anyone found culpable.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Monday Bala Kuryas fsi, has expressed his total aversion to unprofessionalism and other extortionist tendencies amongst some Police personnel in the Command.


The CP stated this in a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu in Awka.

The statement follows a petition alleging the extortion of the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#500,000) from a citizen by some men of the Command.

According to the statement, Investigations, ordered by the CP, into the case led to the swift identification and arrest of the personnel involved. The sum of N500,000 extorted from the victim was also recovered intact and returned to him and the officers charged with misconduct in line with extant disciplinary procedure of the Force.

"While restating his resolve to stamp out extortionist tendencies amongst some personnel of the Command, the Commissioner also urges citizens to report any misconduct whatsoever by personnel of the Command to him through the *’X' Squad or the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB), or call 112, 07039194332 or 08039334002."

"The CP assures utmost confidentiality of information conveyed through these channels."

https://www.excelbreakingnews.com/anambra-cp-kuryas-restates-resolve-on-professionalism-of-personnel/

It is obvious that from the Judgements of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court, Stephen Odey is no longer the Senator Representing Cross River North, in the Senate.

It is a known fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission, has obeyed the Judgement of Courts and has issued a Certificate of Return to Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (MHR), which automatically invalidates the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Stephen Odey, after the By- Election.

The fact that the Apex Court has ruled on who was the authentic Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party is incontrovertible. The candidate remains Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as affirmed by the Supreme Court judgement, which struck out the Appeal filed by Stephen Odey, challenging the decision of the Appeal Court.

The Appeal was struck out due to a defective Notice of Appeal, on the 25th of February, 2021.

We are reminded that Stephen Odey sought to be joined as an interested Party to the Suit and was joined at the Appeal Court. He went ahead to Appeal the Judgement of the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court.

He sought some reliefs from the Supreme Court, including his affirmation as the authentic candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the December 5th, 2020 Senate By-Election for Cross River North. The Appeal to the Supreme Court by Stephen Odey was Incompetent and was struck out. The Appeal failed and Stephen Odey now claims he was not part of the Suit. This is an attempt to Approbate and Reprobate. These guys have gone gaga.

The man that appealed to the Supreme Court was Stephen Odey and not Chief John Alaga. Chief John Alaga was one of the Respondents at the Supreme Court. Chief John Alaga lost his case at the Trial Court and Appeal Court. The Appellant at the Supreme Court was Stephen Odey and he lost the case to the Respondents. On that note, the subsisting verdict of the Trial and Appeal Courts are affirmed and yet to be upturned. It cannot be upturned because the Judgement of the Supreme Court is final and infallible. This is the “Truth” that is incontrovertible.

It is not the duty of the Senate to look at Court Judgements or interpret Court Judgements. The Clerk of the Senate is supposed to verify the Certificate of Return issued by INEC and document the Elected Senator, in line with the Certificate of Return (Latest in time) for swearing in. The Senate President’s duty is to act in line with the advice of the Clerk of the National Assembly, based on the Legal brief and advice of the Legal Department.

It is worthy of note that, with the evidence before us, the Legal Department and the Clerk of the National Assembly have advised the Senate President to Swear in Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, in obedience to Court Judgements, INEC Compliance and Issuance of Certificate of Return to Jarigbe and in total compliance with the Rule of Law.

The question is – is the Senate President competent to Interpret Judgements of Courts, or question the actions of INEC? Can the Senate President possibly ask for Results of an Election, before swearing in an Elected Senator, after a Certificate of Return has been issued to an elected Senator? So why should the Senate President Dwell on Court Judgements and the Interpretation thereof, when there is a valid and authentic Certificate of Return Issued?

What is going on in the Senate, in the case of Stephen Odey and Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, is an illegality taken too far. The Senate President is wrong and should retrace his steps to avoid bringing the Institution of the Legislature to disrepute.

The General Public should advise Barr Daniel Bwala, who has been hallucinating on this issue, to accept defeat, instead of prevaricating and coming up with half-truths. These are issues that would have been canvassed in Court. At this point, it is too late to cry wolf. It is Professional misconduct to attempt impugning and criticizing a Judgement of the Supreme Court, whose Judgement is final and infallible.

The Case of Hon. (Mrs) Dorathy Mato V. Hon Iorwase Herman Hembe (2017) is a locus classicus on who the authentic candidate of a Party is. Hembe was declared winner by INEC but the Supreme Court gave the Victory to Dorathy Mato, who took over the Seat of House of Reps in 2015. Both Hon. Herman Hembe and Hon. Dorathy Mato were members of the APC and the Suite was a Pre-Election Matter.

It is the Party that contested elections and not the candidate. Rt Hon Jarigbe Agom was declared winner of the PDP Primary election, monitored by INEC in line with section 85, 86 and 87 of the electoral act.

Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Campaigned and took part in all stages of the election but Stephen Odey was erroneously declared. Many thanks to the Judiciary, the last hope of our Democracy. Rt Hon Jarigbe’s Victory has been affirmed by the Judgment of the Supreme Court.

The citations of Barr Daniel Bwala are academic and inconsequential at this point. These citations can be applied in Future Litigations, if admissible. The Supreme Court is final and infallible.

Omang Omang, a practising lawyer, writes from Cross River.

It is no longer news that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) had recently approved a 'whooping' $1.5 billion to rehabilitate the epileptic Port Harcourt refinery.

This move, according to the government, is to ensure that the obsolete refinery, which last benefitted from a turn-around maintenance work in 2000, comes back to life, while also contributing to the development of Nigeria's oil sector.

As expected, the 'mind-boggling' contract awarded for the rehabilitation was greeted with mixed reactions. In some quarters, the debate was on how the Federal Government intends to raise the large sum of money to finance the project, especially at this critical period of the nation's economy.

Loan may seem to be the only option available for the government to raise funds for the rehabilitation work. But for a country whose national debt has grown from ₦12 trillion in 2015 to ₦32.9 trillion today, we cannot afford to seek additional loans, at the expense of our future generations.

In what seems to be the latest reaction on the project, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, in an interview with Channels Television, gave a breakdown of how the funds would be raised.

He said NNPC is going to spend about $200 million from its internally generated revenue sources, while the federal appropriation will put in about $800 million, and it is already broken down into three parts.

“The 2020 appropriation will give $350 million, 2021 appropriation will give another $350 million, and 2022 appropriation will give another $100 million, making it all $800 million from appropriation, and then the rest of it will now come from Afreximbank,” he added.

Flagbearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, while questioning FG's proposed action, disclosed that Shell Petroleum Development Company, last year sold its Martinez Refinery in California, USA, which is of a similar size as the Port Harcourt refinery for $1.2 billion.

According to him, the government’s decision to invest $1.5bn on the refinery defies logic.

That Nigeria’s economy is in dire straits is a fact well-known to all Nigerians. At this current time, unemployment has just reached an all-time high of 33%, while inflation has hit another record high of 17%.

The country keeps churning out graduates year in and year out but the labour market has become a death trap where young people are hopelessly counting on for a meaningful livelihood that hardly comes about.

In its latest report, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has said, about 26.5 million Nigerian Children do not have enough water to meet their daily needs and are experiencing high or extremely high water vulnerability.

UNICEF lamented that Nigerian children will be the biggest victim of the coming water crisis in the world.

Sad! Who has the next generation offended? In Nigeria, the minors are angry with us because we have failed in keeping them safe from occasional abduction from their dilapidated schools, to bandits who are collecting ransom money for killing their colleague.

Politics aside, the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is apparently not a bad idea, but considering the dire financial strait of the country, and the anticipated intervention of the soon-to-be-completed Dangote refinery, which will be producing 650,000 bpd, one wonders which market the Port Harcourt refinery intends to serve.

Drawing lessons from the advice of the erstwhile Minister of State Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, the state should sell off the refineries and let private entities with the capacity to repair and run it without burning public funds manage it.

We cannot, as a nation, expect to make economic progress if we continue to fund inefficiency, and we are going too deep dive into the debt trap for unnecessarily overpriced projects.

While fixing dead refineries have become important, there are more urgent and pressing needs for the country especially at a time where we are unsure of how the refinery would be given effective commitments, unlike previous efforts that yielded less or no results.

The Nigeria government must continue to look inward and to develop industries that can work as rural-urban migration has undermined our cities and our evergreen forests are harbouring criminal elements.

I strongly advise the government to use relevant resources in developing the forest by engaging agro rangers and setting up ranches in the forest by providing schools, health care facilities, cottage industries and good road networks in selected forests where young people will be engaged.

While having functional refineries should be a priority, the timing of this current development remains a source of worry. A lot can be done for the country with $1.5bn, rather than investing in rehabilitation work at an obsolete refinery.

Gidado Yushau Shuaib is the Editor of Youths Digest and The News Digest. He wrote in via giddyshuaib@gmail.com

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over what it described as 'growing undemocratic clampdown' on peaceful protesters in Niger Republic, following its February Presidential election.

In a press statement on Sunday, CISLAC's Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) accused Niger Republic Authorities of suppressing citizens’ fundamental rights and freedom through secretive arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention of peaceful protesters and human right activists.

"We are disappointed that the authorities positioned basically to protect the citizens autocratically embark on an unlawful mission to arbitrarily arrest and imprison them without iota of respect for their civic rights, even when such are guaranteed under Articles 11, 12, 13 of Republic of Niger's Constitution of 2010," the statement said.

Citing Articles 14, 15 and 18 of the provision of Niger Republic's Constitution which gurantees that no citizen shall be submitted to torture, slavery, cruel, inhuman, degrading abuse or treatments among other provisions, CISLAC accused the Nigerien Authorities of gross impunity in dealing with the situation.

"We are more worried by extra-judicial activities of the authorities to arrest and illegally imprison peaceful protesters including Hajia Haoua Abdoulabo, who was arrested and held by the police for 72 hours and illegally transferred to Civil Prison of Niamey on depositary mandate since 15th March, 2021; for her participation in a peaceful protest held against the reported irregularities that marked Presidential elections in February 2021.


"While we monitor with keen interest, the development in Republic of Niger including the death of two individuals, seven electoral officials, mass arrests and illegal restriction of access to internet that dominated the recently concluded elections, we without hesitation reiterate that arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions of citizens who exercise their fundamental rights and freedom through peaceful protest, constitutes a major violation of the Republic of Niger's Constitution of 2010 as well as Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings."

While condemning in totality these violations, CISLAC demanded for immediate release of Hajia Haoua Abdoulabo and other illegally detained protesters by authorities in Republic of Niger.

It also called on regional, continental and international communities to strengthen surveillance on the democracy system, human rights, women rights and citizens’ freedom and impose sanctions where these rights and freedom are being violated.

#EndSARS protest that left Imo communities desolate and traumatic



Umuocha is located in Mbaitoli Local government area of Imo state in Nigeria. Residents of the community would not forget in a hurry the incident occasioned by the EndSARS protest that took place in October 2020, which led to the fracas and the attendant tragedy that still plague the land as at the time of this report. When this reporter visited the community, there was somberness and strange quietness except for the occasional sound of moving vehicles and few persons sighted outside their homes.  Also, there was a heavy presence of the army in strategic locations within the community.

 In this REPORT, OLANREWAJU OYEDEJI examines the alleged cases of human rights abuse and crimes that characterised the EndSARS protest and the military attack against the people of Umuocha, Awo-Mbieri and Orlu communities.

How the fracas started

Last October, the media was awash with stories of how youths protesting police brutality in the country set ablaze the Nwaorieubi Police Divisional Headquarters in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state, freed inmates and killed two soldiers in the process. When this reporter visited the scene of the incident three months after to report the root cause of the crisis, the ruins of the police station burnt by the mob remained visible, yet the police officers are there occupying the preserved part of the building.

According to an eye-witness who pleaded for anonymity for his safety, the problem started when a group of youths visited the Nwaorieubi police station chanting “EndSARS, EndSARS’, and demanded the release of prisoners whom they said were innocent. The agitation continued until the divisional police officer was compelled to order for the cells to be opened.


“The divisional police officer was scared because protesters were taking over the station, so he ordered that cell be opened. When they opened the cell, one of the police officers shot out of fear. And the mob asked immediately that the police should identify the officer that shot but none was produced,” the eye-witness who owns a business close to the vicinity narrated.


This angered the protesters and they began to burn down the police station. And many prisoners escaped (the number cannot be ascertained as at the time of this report). When the matter got out of hand, police officers also abandoned the building and ran for their lives.
Corroborating this, another resident who identified himself as Alex recounted: “The only thing heard in the community before the incident of burning down of the station was EndSARS, EndSARS which we did not expect to become very fatal, I went out afterwards but came home with luck that my family escaped”.

The Nigerian Army to the rescue

After burning down the station, the youths who allegedly were armed with guns attempted to leave the vicinity through the Army check-point at Umuocha but were denied passage, leading to a confrontation with personnel of the Nigerian Army.



“The soldiers stood their ground and refused to allow them passage, the boys said they were not there for the army, they had already completed their mission. One of the Army officers then shot at the hoodlums, it was at this point that the exchange started and we all started running helter-skelter, they killed two soldiers and one Army officers with an axe when bullet did not penetrate him, one of the soldiers escaped,” a resident identified as Fidelis told our reporter.


Speaking further, he said: “They burnt both the vehicle and the Army check-point because after the death of the personnel, others ran away leaving behind their equipment. In another 30 or 45 minutes, we saw Army Hilux in their numbers in our community, they started shooting sporadically and it was at this time that we started picking race. My mum and dad had to lie down on the floor; I was the one that told them to do so. We believed that young men maybe the target but old persons may still be respected by the soldiers on the rampage”.


Burial Post of Oliver at Umuocha, Imo State
Fidelis lamented that the Nigerian Army personnel in revenge for the death of their colleagues attacked the community close to their check-point despite knowing that the youths were not from the community –


“My unhappiness or that of this community is that the Nigerian Army attacked this community leading to loss of lives despite knowing that the hoodlums cannot and are not from this community. As you can see, this place is now a shadow of itself,” he noted.


Another source confirmed to The ICIR that the soldiers attacked some communities in Umuocha, believing that most persons staying there are indigenes and they should know those who attacked their men. 

Multiple sources also confirmed Army’s attack on Umuocha, and the death of indigenes.
That same day, angry soldiers reportedly stormed Nwaorieubi where the police station had been razed down and started shooting sporadically leading to several deaths. This newspaper was able to identify at least seven persons who lost their lives that day from the shooting and has decided to use only their first names as sources requested.


This investigation confirms that a 38-year old man, Onyinyechi Oliver, was killed by stray bullet which pierced his heart at a T-junction within the community. He was later framed up as a “bad guy”.

“When the family attempted to hold a burial ceremony for him, the soldiers refused to allow that to happen, they claimed that Oliver was a ‘bad guy’ before his death. His wife has been left distraught by the incident,” a source told our reporter
Onyiyechi’s house was deserted when we visited.

His grave was covered with sand while the poster made by his family for his burial event which was refused by the Nigerian Army still lay on the wall of his building (picture below).


Another victim, Benedict Dioku, said to be in his late forties was also killed in Nwaorieubi. He ran all the way from Umuocha to his untimely death according to an eyewitness.


“Benedict was caught in the sporadic shooting by the soldiers from Umuocha, so he ran all the way from Umuocha to Nwaorieubi.

Even-though he could escape shooting at Umuocha, he could not escape being gunned down at Nwaorieubi.  The Army personnel shot him upon sighting him from where they were shooting; we could not do anything” a resident who witnessed the incident recounted the helplessness of the community.


The reporter visited Benedict’s house where his brother narrated how life has been hard since his demise. He noted that it took the intervention of the court before Benedict’s body could be released.


“We had to go to the court to fight for release of his body, the survival of his family is a big issue now, I am the one fending for the family and it is not easy” he said. Benedict’s father did not utter a statement throughout the interview.


Benedict had six children before his death; the eldest is 14 years old.  To make ends meet, his wife started a food vendor business as a means to sponsor her children to school after the sudden death of their breadwinner

.
Chisom worked as a plumber at Awo-Mbieri. He too fell from a bullet that day while trying to rescue a wounded young man who also was gunned down.  Chisom attempted to save the fallen 20-year old man but was hit by a stray bullet, as everybody else ran away in the frenzy. Neither of them survived the bullet wound. Chisom, according to sources, left behind a pregnant wife who has now put to bed. His neighbors described him as good-hearted whose kindness cost him his life.



A medical expert, who examined the boy after his death told this reporter that the bullet hit him in the heart.
“I examined him and saw that the bullet hit his heart” he said.

Another resident told our reporter that the incident had forced his family to move out of the community, “What they did was unprecedented and they have moved out of this area ever after that, we have not heard about them again,” he said.


Other victims recount experiences
Alex, a pharmacist at Nwaorieubi shared his family experience during the incident, he told this reporter that his children still suffer psychological trauma as a result of the clash.



“My family was here at the time of the incident, I was not around when the Army came because they came after over three hours of the police station being burnt. Many persons were brought down by bullets. My family ran into the shop, in this shop, there is no window, I have little children. My kids were suffocating in the shop, even my daughter who was barely three weeks as at that time was not spared.

My daughter was three weeks old as at that time and my other three children were aged 2, 5 and 7 years respectively. My son whenever he hears a sound or police will start crying. It really affected us and even my business is affected as you can see that

everyone is scared,” he lamented.
Another resident, identified as Chidi Eze who used to work as a mechanic was said to have been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing items from the police station while it was on fire.


He has been in prison ever since, and even though his pregnant wife was delivered of twins, he has not been able to see his children, nobody also knows the state of the case nor his own state.


“There was a crowd invasion of the station during the burning down, everyone was scared and then ran to the police station to salvage things but the police came to arrest Chidi days after, they accused him of theft, we have yet to hear from him soon after. His wife was pregnant when he was arrested but she has now delivered a twin babies but we do not know of the state of their father” a friend of Chidi told this reporter.


A Chief in Nwaruebi, (name withheld) who resides at Mbaitoli but visited his hometown when the shooting occurred was lucky to escape with his life wearing only his briefs and a polo shirt. A relative of Charles told our reporter that “He had to abandon his car and run for his life.

He was lucky to escape before the shooting spread to the village where he stayed. He is from Mbaitoli and only went home as an indigene of the village. We saw him and felt bad, he did not return to Nwaruebi till he left, I had to pick up his car days after the incident as he could not even go there himself,”
How Orlu crisis degenerated
The reporter later visited Okporo community in Orlu. Obioma, a resident of the community, where the incident reportedly started recounted his experience. He noted that the situation got heated when men dressed in black tops, black and red caps stormed Amawusa, a market in the area demanding that everyone in the area should evacuate the place.


“On a Friday in January, there in Okporo and Umu-town, we heard reports that two soldiers were shot by unknown gunmen in the town, they were killed, leaving the bodies of the soldiers. On Saturday, we also heard that about four hilux vans went to that area, they took the bodies of the dead soldiers and shot bullet in the air,” Obioma said.


“People were scared. Some people lost their properties, in the instance of a man I know who lost his tricycle to the soldiers’, his Tricycle was burnt. They set-up blockages soon after this. On the following Monday, some men on black at around 10am came to Amawusa and set the place ablaze, they asked occupants of the market to leave and then burnt it down. They went to the police station close to the market and damaged it partially. The shops were also looted,” he explained.


The ICIR learnt that there is a place called Ogbosisi where building materials are sold, the attackers met army personnel at the area and they shot at them. A resident of the area said two soldiers were killed and one injured, adding that the attackers also burnt down an amy Hilux van and went away with the bodies of the slain soldiers.


“Around 1 pm, 20 Hilux vans from Obinze came to Banana junction area. People were outside thinking everything was calm already. This sudden attack from the army took everybody by surprise and people started running. There used to be a woman who sells food here, along a village nearby, she was hit by a bullet and died instantly. There is a woman in Amawusa who was also hit by bullet, you would think this place is a war zone as over 300 soldiers took over this location, they were shooting sporadically,” an eye-witness told this reporter.


Another eyewitness who simply identified herself as Amarachi and owns a tailoring shop few metres from the Amawusa market, gave her account of the incident: “I was in the shop with my boy when we saw these boys shooting in the air. I had to run with my small kid. It was a very painful experience, as you can see my situation. Life has not been the same after this, especially for business. This area has been abandoned by many, I just came back myself as I did not want to return due to the clash”


Orlu residents’ clash with soldiers


Orlu witnessed a clash between soldiers and armed men identified to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in January.


Not only have they being faced with pains of such occurrence since then, Okporo, in Amaifeke, Orlu has remained a shadow of itself with shops closed, heavy police presence and destruction visible in the area. While the destruction that occurred remained visible, Policemen were scattered in different areas of Okporo, Imo state with many roadblocks and locked up buildings, with very few vehicular movements.


“By 5pm, the streets would be deserted already, you would rarely see anyone on the road because no one knows what will happen next. For instance some days ago, members of the ESN were reported to have passed through Orlu again and the next day the Nigerian Army helicopter numbering about four started flying in the air, this was after the clash,” a resident told this reporter.


The aftermath


Following the protests and killings, life for residents of Umuocha, Nwaorieubi and Orlu has not remained the same. While many who fled are yet to return, those who had nowhere to go are living in perpertual fear and business owners are yet to recover from their losses, as patronage for their products and services is still low. Parents are also reluctant to send their wards to school due to the uncertainty that hovers around these communities, despite the heavy presence of security personnels deployed to the area.

 “We have been doing business in fear ever since the incident, although I personally rely on God but I have my colleagues who have failed to return to the area,” a furniture business owner at Nwaorieubi who identified himself as Emmanuel told this reporter.

Another business owner said it has not been the same since the incident. “I lost many things during the attack, I abandoned my shop and could only salvage few things, since then although we see it as the past, my stock has not remained the same again, even here, you can see the mood,” he said.


An education administrator who spoke under anonymity revealed that student presence in schools has drastically reduced: “Parents are scared of bringing their wards to school, the few we have here had to be convinced to come especially given the presence of police men. However, we have been hit hard by the situation. Students no longer want to come to school, although we have kept reassuring them of their safety. It would have been worse if many students were in school that day and that has been the fear of parents who refused to allow their children back to
school”.



Read more

https://www.icirnigeria.org/endsars-protest-that-left-imo-communities-desolate-and-traumatic/

Umuocha is located in Mbaitoli Local government area of Imo state in Nigeria. Residents of the community would not forget in a hurry the incident occasioned by the EndSARS protest that took place in October 2020, which led to the fracas and the attendant tragedy that still plague the land as at the time of this report. When this reporter visited the community, there was somberness and strange quietness except for the occasional sound of moving vehicles and few persons sighted outside their homes. Also, there was a heavy presence of the army in strategic locations within the community.

In this REPORT, OLANREWAJU OYEDEJI examines the alleged cases of human rights abuse and crimes that characterised the EndSARS protest and the military attack against the people of Umuocha, Awo-Mbieri and Orlu communities.

How the fracas started

Last October, the media was awash with stories of how youths protesting police brutality in the country set ablaze the Nwaorieubi Police Divisional Headquarters in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state, freed inmates and killed two soldiers in the process.
When this reporter visited the scene of the incident three months after to report the root cause of the crisis, the ruins of the police station burnt by the mob remained visible, yet the police officers are there occupying the preserved part of the building.

According to an eye-witness who pleaded for anonymity for his safety, the problem started when a group of youths visited the Nwaorieubi police station chanting “EndSARS, EndSARS’, and demanded the release of prisoners whom they said were innocent. The agitation continued until the divisional police officer was compelled to order for the cells to be opened.


“The divisional police officer was scared because protesters were taking over the station, so he ordered that cell be opened. When they opened the cell, one of the police officers shot out of fear. And the mob asked immediately that the police should identify the officer that shot but none was produced,” the eye-witness who owns a business close to the vicinity narrated.


This angered the protesters and they began to burn down the police station. And many prisoners escaped (the number cannot be ascertained as at the time of this report). When the matter got out of hand, police officers also abandoned the building and ran for their lives.

Corroborating this, another resident who identified himself as Alex recounted: “The only thing heard in the community before the incident of burning down of the station was EndSARS, EndSARS which we did not expect to become very fatal, I went out afterwards but came home with luck that my family escaped”.

The Nigerian Army to the rescue

After burning down the station, the youths who allegedly were armed with guns attempted to leave the vicinity through the Army check-point at Umuocha but were denied passage, leading to a confrontation with personnel of the Nigerian Army.



“The soldiers stood their ground and refused to allow them passage, the boys said they were not there for the army, they had already completed their mission. One of the Army officers then shot at the hoodlums, it was at this point that the exchange started and we all started running helter-skelter, they killed two soldiers and one Army officers with an axe when bullet did not penetrate him, one of the soldiers escaped,” a resident identified as Fidelis told our reporter.


Speaking further, he said: “They burnt both the vehicle and the Army check-point because after the death of the personnel, others ran away leaving behind their equipment. In another 30 or 45 minutes, we saw Army Hilux in their numbers in our community, they started shooting sporadically and it was at this time that we started picking race. My mum and dad had to lie down on the floor; I was the one that told them to do so. We believed that young men maybe the target but old persons may still be respected by the soldiers on the rampage”.



Fidelis lamented that the Nigerian Army personnel in revenge for the death of their colleagues attacked the community close to their check-point despite knowing that the youths were not from the community –


“My unhappiness or that of this community is that the Nigerian Army attacked this community leading to loss of lives despite knowing that the hoodlums cannot and are not from this community. As you can see, this place is now a shadow of itself,” he noted.


Another source confirmed to The ICIR that the soldiers attacked some communities in Umuocha, believing that most persons staying there are indigenes and they should know those who attacked their men.

Multiple sources also confirmed Army’s attack on Umuocha, and the death of indigenes.
That same day, angry soldiers reportedly stormed Nwaorieubi where the police station had been razed down and started shooting sporadically leading to several deaths. This newspaper was able to identify at least seven persons who lost their lives that day from the shooting and has decided to use only their first names as sources requested.


This investigation confirms that a 38-year old man, Onyinyechi Oliver, was killed by stray bullet which pierced his heart at a T-junction within the community. He was later framed up as a “bad guy”.

“When the family attempted to hold a burial ceremony for him, the soldiers refused to allow that to happen, they claimed that Oliver was a ‘bad guy’ before his death. His wife has been left distraught by the incident,” a source told our reporter
Onyiyechi’s house was deserted when we visited.

His grave was covered with sand while the poster made by his family for his burial event which was refused by the Nigerian Army still lay on the wall of his building (picture below).


Another victim, Benedict Dioku, said to be in his late forties was also killed in Nwaorieubi. He ran all the way from Umuocha to his untimely death according to an eyewitness.


“Benedict was caught in the sporadic shooting by the soldiers from Umuocha, so he ran all the way from Umuocha to Nwaorieubi.

Even-though he could escape shooting at Umuocha, he could not escape being gunned down at Nwaorieubi. The Army personnel shot him upon sighting him from where they were shooting; we could not do anything” a resident who witnessed the incident recounted the helplessness of the community.


The reporter visited Benedict’s house where his brother narrated how life has been hard since his demise. He noted that it took the intervention of the court before Benedict’s body could be released.


“We had to go to the court to fight for release of his body, the survival of his family is a big issue now, I am the one fending for the family and it is not easy” he said. Benedict’s father did not utter a statement throughout the interview.


Benedict had six children before his death; the eldest is 14 years old. To make ends meet, his wife started a food vendor business as a means to sponsor her children to school after the sudden death of their breadwinner

.
Chisom worked as a plumber at Awo-Mbieri. He too fell from a bullet that day while trying to rescue a wounded young man who also was gunned down. Chisom attempted to save the fallen 20-year old man but was hit by a stray bullet, as everybody else ran away in the frenzy. Neither of them survived the bullet wound. Chisom, according to sources, left behind a pregnant wife who has now put to bed. His neighbors described him as good-hearted whose kindness cost him his life.



A medical expert, who examined the boy after his death told this reporter that the bullet hit him in the heart.
“I examined him and saw that the bullet hit his heart” he said.

Another resident told our reporter that the incident had forced his family to move out of the community, “What they did was unprecedented and they have moved out of this area ever after that, we have not heard about them again,” he said.


Other victims recount experiences
Alex, a pharmacist at Nwaorieubi shared his family experience during the incident, he told this reporter that his children still suffer psychological trauma as a result of the clash.



“My family was here at the time of the incident, I was not around when the Army came because they came after over three hours of the police station being burnt. Many persons were brought down by bullets. My family ran into the shop, in this shop, there is no window, I have little children. My kids were suffocating in the shop, even my daughter who was barely three weeks as at that time was not spared.

My daughter was three weeks old as at that time and my other three children were aged 2, 5 and 7 years respectively. My son whenever he hears a sound or police will start crying. It really affected us and even my business is affected as you can see that

everyone is scared,” he lamented.
Another resident, identified as Chidi Eze who used to work as a mechanic was said to have been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing items from the police station while it was on fire.


He has been in prison ever since, and even though his pregnant wife was delivered of twins, he has not been able to see his children, nobody also knows the state of the case nor his own state.


“There was a crowd invasion of the station during the burning down, everyone was scared and then ran to the police station to salvage things but the police came to arrest Chidi days after, they accused him of theft, we have yet to hear from him soon after. His wife was pregnant when he was arrested but she has now delivered a twin babies but we do not know of the state of their father” a friend of Chidi told this reporter.


A Chief in Nwaruebi, (name withheld) who resides at Mbaitoli but visited his hometown when the shooting occurred was lucky to escape with his life wearing only his briefs and a polo shirt. A relative of Charles told our reporter that “He had to abandon his car and run for his life.

He was lucky to escape before the shooting spread to the village where he stayed. He is from Mbaitoli and only went home as an indigene of the village. We saw him and felt bad, he did not return to Nwaruebi till he left, I had to pick up his car days after the incident as he could not even go there himself,”

How Orlu crisis degenerated

The reporter later visited Okporo community in Orlu. Obioma, a resident of the community, where the incident reportedly started recounted his experience. He noted that the situation got heated when men dressed in black tops, black and red caps stormed Amawusa, a market in the area demanding that everyone in the area should evacuate the place.


“On a Friday in January, there in Okporo and Umu-town, we heard reports that two soldiers were shot by unknown gunmen in the town, they were killed, leaving the bodies of the soldiers. On Saturday, we also heard that about four hilux vans went to that area, they took the bodies of the dead soldiers and shot bullet in the air,” Obioma said.


“People were scared. Some people lost their properties, in the instance of a man I know who lost his tricycle to the soldiers’, his Tricycle was burnt. They set-up blockages soon after this. On the following Monday, some men on black at around 10am came to Amawusa and set the place ablaze, they asked occupants of the market to leave and then burnt it down. They went to the police station close to the market and damaged it partially. The shops were also looted,” he explained.


The ICIR learnt that there is a place called Ogbosisi where building materials are sold, the attackers met army personnel at the area and they shot at them. A resident of the area said two soldiers were killed and one injured, adding that the attackers also burnt down an amy Hilux van and went away with the bodies of the slain soldiers.


“Around 1 pm, 20 Hilux vans from Obinze came to Banana junction area. People were outside thinking everything was calm already. This sudden attack from the army took everybody by surprise and people started running. There used to be a woman who sells food here, along a village nearby, she was hit by a bullet and died instantly. There is a woman in Amawusa who was also hit by bullet, you would think this place is a war zone as over 300 soldiers took over this location, they were shooting sporadically,” an eye-witness told this reporter.


Another eyewitness who simply identified herself as Amarachi and owns a tailoring shop few metres from the Amawusa market, gave her account of the incident: “I was in the shop with my boy when we saw these boys shooting in the air. I had to run with my small kid. It was a very painful experience, as you can see my situation. Life has not been the same after this, especially for business. This area has been abandoned by many, I just came back myself as I did not want to return due to the clash”


Orlu residents’ clash with soldiers


Orlu witnessed a clash between soldiers and armed men identified to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in January.


Not only have they being faced with pains of such occurrence since then, Okporo, in Amaifeke, Orlu has remained a shadow of itself with shops closed, heavy police presence and destruction visible in the area. While the destruction that occurred remained visible, Policemen were scattered in different areas of Okporo, Imo state with many roadblocks and locked up buildings, with very few vehicular movements.


“By 5pm, the streets would be deserted already, you would rarely see anyone on the road because no one knows what will happen next. For instance some days ago, members of the ESN were reported to have passed through Orlu again and the next day the Nigerian Army helicopter numbering about four started flying in the air, this was after the clash,” a resident told this reporter.


The aftermath


Following the protests and killings, life for residents of Umuocha, Nwaorieubi and Orlu has not remained the same. While many who fled are yet to return, those who had nowhere to go are living in perpertual fear and business owners are yet to recover from their losses, as patronage for their products and services is still low. Parents are also reluctant to send their wards to school due to the uncertainty that hovers around these communities, despite the heavy presence of security personnels deployed to the area.

“We have been doing business in fear ever since the incident, although I personally rely on God but I have my colleagues who have failed to return to the area,” a furniture business owner at Nwaorieubi who identified himself as Emmanuel told this reporter.

Another business owner said it has not been the same since the incident. “I lost many things during the attack, I abandoned my shop and could only salvage few things, since then although we see it as the past, my stock has not remained the same again, even here, you can see the mood,” he said.


An education administrator who spoke under anonymity revealed that student presence in schools has drastically reduced: “Parents are scared of bringing their wards to school, the few we have here had to be convinced to come especially given the presence of police men. However, we have been hit hard by the situation. Students no longer want to come to school, although we have kept reassuring them of their safety. It would have been worse if many students were in school that day and that has been the fear of parents who refused to allow their children back to
school”.

Clash with police continues In Imo

Clashes between hoodlums in the state and police formations have continued unabated as at the time of this report.

This is coming as the police headquarters at Aboh Mbaise was attacked leading to injury of one female police officer.

At Obowo in Imo state, two police officers were killed by hoodlums during an attack.
The attack on Police formations in Imo state has been strengthened since the EndSARS protest incident.


The station which was said to be renovated after being set ablaze during the protest was burnt down again. It would be recalled that in 2019, protesting youths set ablaze a police station at Otowo, Obowo local government area of Imo state.

It was reported that on sighting the youths, the Divisional Police Officer of the station alongside his men scampered for safety.

While the state says it would investigate the crisis, the police say it would not give in to cheap blackmail of the attackers.


Read more via

https://www.icirnigeria.org/investigation-endsars-the-heavy-military-presence-in-imo-state-and-the-silent-killings/
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The presidential task force on COVID-19 must ensure that the distribution and administration of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is transparent, says the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

On Tuesday, Nigeria took delivery of 3.9 million doses of the vaccine.

Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC executive director, in a statement on Wednesday, said the relevant authorities should carry the media and CSOs along in the distribution process.

The CISLAC executive director said the funds provided for in the budget for COVID-19 relief must be judiciously used for the purpose it was earmarked for.

"CISLAC categorically states that the Nigerian government, through the Covid-19 Presidential Task Force (PTF) and its members as the Ministry of Health, its related departments and agencies, must ensure that the distribution and vaccination process is transparent and accountable to the public,” the statement reads.

“The Ministry of Health and NPHCDA need to ensure that representatives of the media and civil society organisations are carried along in the distribution and vaccination process. This should be done in line with the proactive disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the doctrine of openness.

“Every corruption scandal, nepotistic behaviour and profiteering of the life­saving vaccine provided to Nigeria through the UN-sponsored COVAX facility will outrage Nigerians and the international community. Similar scandals in Lebanon led the World Bank to the cancellation of the pandemic relief programmes.

"South American countries saw politicians skipping the line and getting vaccinated ahead of critical workers. This led to their dismissal and even imprisonment in some cases.

“We call on the Government to include credible Civil Society Organisations, the international community representatives and media into the monitoring of the vaccination process.”

Bawa’s EFCC must deliver balanced fight against corruption — Rafsanjani

Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa has a new charge some hours into his new job as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

Mr Bawa, 40, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, replaces Ibrahim Magu, who was suspended in June 2020.

Bawa’s new job is to place the commission in a position of strength to fight financial crimes and corruption in the country. A civil society organisation says any such fight against corruption in the country must be balanced and fair.

And to do this, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, says he must rid the commission of the same political influences that are frustrating the successful management of anti-graft and law enforcement agencies across the country.

“We at CISLAC/Transparency International (TI) hold the opinion that the insulation of the commission from vested interests is very fundamental in the fight against corruption,” Mr Rafsanjani, CISLAC’s Executive Director, said in a press statement congratulating Bawa on his new appointment.

Mr Rafsanjani recognises that inadequate remuneration to staff of the commission can lead many to compromises and enjoins Mr Bawa to put measures in place to this effect. Rafsanjani asks that staff who abuse their office are promptly investigated and sanctioned in line with existing laws of the commission.

Bawa’s new methods to ensure a better EFCC, Rafsanjani says, should include cooperation with sister anti-graft agencies and thorough investigation of cases before court filing to “ensure sufficient utilization of scarce resources.”

Finally, Bawa is enjoined to readily provide information to the public and non-state actors like the media and civil society organizations in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

“By doing this, he will make the fight against corruption a collective effort with increased participation by citizens,” Rafsanjani added.

The coalition of civil society organisations in Nigeria has said that President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors have failed in their responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

It therefore called on the House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President if insecurity persists in the country.

In a statement made available to the media on Sunday, the coalition, decried the spate of security concerns bedevilling the country, noting that the herder-farmer crisis, ethnic imbalances and wanton kidnappings have dominated the country's atmosphere.

It therefore adjudged President Buhari to have failed in his primary duty as contained in the 1999 constitution of the country.

The Coalition described it's action as a move to discourage a new precedent of “kidnapping for ransom.”

It revealed that, "Despite government’s denial, the abducted school boys of Kankara told the Wall Street Journal that a ransom was paid for their release. After Wednesday’s abduction of 27 students from Government Science School, Kagara, the Federal government finds itself, once again, in a dark spot.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, what has now become the government’s standard state policy of using taxpayers’ money to pay terrorists thereby funding and encouraging terrorism and criminality.”

It went ahead to accuse Buhari's Government of irresponsibly downplaying criminality in the North-West by tagging it banditry; supporting extrajudicial killings by State Security agents and perpetrating gross injustices through clampdown on peaceful protesters contrary to the molly-cuddling of terrorists.

The coalition demand that the president provides political and moral leadership for the security crisis militating against the country in line Section 17 (2) C of the constitution which calls on government to be humane with its actions.

It challenged the president to end the persecution of the media; end impunity for the abuse of power and sectionalism through his appointments and seek international cooperation to ramp up security assets, while charging the House of Assembly to exercise the provisions of Section 143 of the 1999 constitution to begin impeachment proceedings against the president, should he fail to heed their call.

The Civil Society Organisations that formed the coalition are: Centre for Democracy and Development, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Media Rights Agenda, Centre fir Information Technology and Development, Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project, Zero-Corruption Coalition, Molluma Medico-Legal Center and Femi Falana Chamber.

Others are; Partners on Electoral Reform, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, National Procurement Watch Platform, Praxis Center, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civil education, Social Action, Community Action for Popular Participation, Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress, Global Rights, Alliance for Credible Elections and House of Justice.

The remaining include; Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement, Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, Women in Nigeria, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, Community Life Project, Nigerian Feminist Forum, State of the Union.

Alliances for Africa, Spaces fir Change, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, BudgiT Foundation, Action International Nigeria, HEDA Resource Centre, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Organization Community Civic Engagement, Say NO Campaign—Nigeria, Women in Media, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, and Sesor Empowerment Foundation.

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani has said it would be irresponsible for Nigerians to trivialise results of the 2020 CPI index which highlighted Nigeria the most corrupt it has been since 2013.

The Corruption Perception Index, computed by Transparency International (TI) based in Germany scored Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in the ECOWAS region, behind Guinea-Bissau.

Rafsanjani explained that it would be wrong for Nigerians to take the general position of “we do not need TI to tell us that corruption is everywhere in Nigeria” and not take time to reflect constructively on factors driving the unfavourable ranking.

It noted that groups like TI, the Mo Foundation, CISLAC, CDD, BudgIT, SERAP are not biased, partisan or incompetent with their thinking and employs consistent methodology to provide evidence-based result.

CISLAC’s own Corruption Barometer, a survey carried out with Afro-Barometer measures the detailed public opinion of citizens and this, in conjunction with another survey that includes TI’s CPI, points at a negative trend in fighting corruption in Nigeria and the overall quality of governance in the country.

Nigeria’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, had on Sunday faulted the Transparency International’s corruption rating of Nigeria, saying it does not reflect the country’s strides in fighting corruption. This, according to Rafsanjani, constitutes “desperation and a lack of policy that would make a difference.”

Rafsanjani stressed how in 2014, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, claimed the unfavourable CPI result proved that widespread corruption abound in the country and wondered what has changed from 2014 that the APC administration now fault TI’s methodology.

Proofs and consequences

Rafsanjani maintains that the Federal Government cannot claim a lack of truth in the CPI rating because “it is the Governmental own data that suggests that corruption incidents, not just perceptions, are rampant.”

The national corruption surveys conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2017 and 2019 also revealed the prevalence of bribery and corruption of Nigerians when dealing with the Nigerian Police, judicial system and other public institutions. It is CISLAC’s position that “one has to be extremely unlucky to be caught, prosecuted and convicted for corruption in Nigeria.”

According to Rafsanjani, available data has shown that Nigeria loses billions of dollars every year on tax evasion, defence procurement among others. The country has also been unable to make true on most of its anti-corruption commitments made in recent years.

Nigeria’s poor CPI rating, Rafsanjani said, will have a direct and indirect impact on economies and the lives of people.

“Many multinational companies consider the CPI ranking when deciding where to invest. Governments around the globe include the CPI results in their political economy analysis when deciding how to engage a particular country in terms of investments, development cooperation or diplomatic ties.”

FG’s cosmetic measures makes no difference

The Federal Government has been urged to improve on governance if it seeks a good CPI rating in the future. Rafsanjani insists that the country must first experience a positive difference before CPI and other indices begin to move in the right direction.

“How do we stop tax evasion? How do we ensure transparency in public finance management? How do we comply with procurement guidelines? How do we nominate leaders of public institutions based on merit, not on political, ethnic or religious affiliation?

“How do we ensure civil servants are appointed, appraised and promoted on merit? How do we dismiss politics from the anti-corruption fight? How do we create systems to prevent abuse of power by public officials?

“These are practical problems that we should all be discussing. We do not need the CPI for that.”

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani has called on African leaders to emulate the United States in building strong and independent institutions that can checkmate the excesses of public office holders.

In a statement made available to the media from the United States, Comrade Rafsanjani noted with disdain the US capitol invasion which was carried out by a mob of supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump.

He said: “It is necessary to note that the US Capitol invasion by Trump supporters led his impeachment once gain by members of the U.S House of Representatives who cited incitement of insurrection as the reason.

“It is worthy of note that despite the fact that Trump is the sitting President of America, he could not manipulate the electoral process. He could not also ask legislature, judiciary, security or any government institutions to do his bidding.

"This can only happen in a functional society were institutions are strong, independent and not just mere rubber stamp.”

Comrade Rafsanjani congratulated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration, urging them to uphold the rule of law and respect for international agreements and treaties.

“President Joe Biden must restore confidence in the role of America as the largest economy in the world which has a very significant responsibility for the peace, security, stability and progress of the world,” he added.

The CISLAC Boss who also doubles as chairman Board of Amnesty International Nigeria called on Mr Biden to respect human rights and fight corruption in not just America but in the world.

He stressed that the new American leader must build on existing protocols in keeping people safe and healthy from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and work to advance peace and inclusion, economic prosperity, and climate action around the world.

He noted that political parties and politicians should learn to play politics in a healthy way that does not promote violence or breed hatred citing the instance of the United States.

According to Rafsanjani, “the Republican Party as the United States ruling party did not use state institutions to influence elections despite being in power. This is worthy of great emulation.”

He also congratulated the American people for a vibrant exercise of democracy in their country’s elections as he also looked forward to strengthening African-American relations, stressing that the strategic alliance is an essential pillar of the international cooperation needed to address the dramatic challenges facing the world today.

While recalling what happened in Uganda, where the opposition were constantly subjected to state sponsored oppression, Rafsanjani stressed that there was a need for stronger institutions in Africa and respect for values on the continent.

He stated that if there were institutions, such incidences would not have occurred in the manner in which it did.

While calling for a harmonious relationship between all arms of government, primarily for the overall benefits of the Nigerian masses; the CISLAC boss, however, said the legislature must checkmate the excesses of other arms of government.

Mr Rafsanjani also restated CISLAC's commitment to help reposition Nigeria to benefit in terms of the economy, size, governance, fighting insurgency and corruption.

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) led by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, on Monday, paid an advocacy visit to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to discuss a collaboration on civilian protection.

The advocacy visit aimed to secure the partnership of the NHRC, to agree a right-based approach to protection of civilians and engage a framework on civilian harm mitigation.
“Providing adequate protection is a daunting task,” Mr Rafsanjani said. “It is a task that needs the closest possible coordination to be effective.”
“The parliament has an oversight role to play on civilian casualties. It is vital that their knowledge and contributions are factored into discussion of protection issues.

CISLAC, with support from Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, has been mobilizing champions within government, military, and civil society to advance policies and practices that minimize civilian harm.
In conflict-ridden locations, CISLAC is deeply engaged with communities in several LGAs to help civilians develop self-protection strategies. This is one of many collaborations with the Nigerian government to develop a national civilian protection legislation that put civilians at the heart of counterinsurgency operations in the country.

In light of this, the team from CISLAC also paid a visit to the House Committee Chair on Army, Hon. Adulrazak Sa’ad Namdas.

CISLAC’s visit to Hon. Namdad was under the auspices of the project “Strengthening Capacity, Advocacy and Local Engagement on Protection of Civilian and Civilian Harm Mitigation Legislation in Nigeria”, supported by OSIWA.
CISLAC believes that parties to armed conflict have a responsibility to prevent civilian harm. CISLAC does this by assessing the causes of civilian harm in conflicts, craft practical solutions to address that harm and advocate for the adoption of practices that can improve the well-being of civilians caught in conflict.
Recognizing the power of collaboration, CISLAC with support from OSIWA engage with civilians, governments, militaries, and international and regional institutions to identify and institutionalize strengthened protections for civilians in conflict.

“There is often a lack of clarity and common understanding about PoC [Protection of Civilians] and how to achieve it. Civilians are the people most at risk during armed conflict, and military operations have faced significant challenges in protecting civilian populations effectively,” Mr Rafsanjani added.

Lifestone:
Las las this yeye girl cash out on top of #Endsars. Smart one

Yeye girl with much courage. I like that kind of yeye girl

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has said that the outcome of the United States election is a progressive change that reflects the aspirations and desires of the people of America.

A statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, called on the President-Elect, Joe Biden to consider Nigeria in his foreign policy, by paying more attention to ensuring accountability and good governance in Nigeria.

Part of the statement: "According to CISLAC, this is because strengthening of the Nigeria-United States bilateral relationship through trade, investment and transfer of know-how remains paramount to mitigate the fast-growing unemployment challenges and boost industrialisation with youth employment opportunities.

"Lamenting how trade relationships with developed countries have sadly deepened the economic inequality in Nigeria, the statement, however, expresses belief that trade could serve as a catalyst for economic and human development if conducted in equity and fairness. Stretching the argument, CISLAC says it is in the interest of the United States that bilateral trade benefits all segments of the Nigerian society by contributing to poverty reduction in a country with over half of the 200 million population live in abject poverty while just over 50 thousand of Nigerians enjoy immense wealth of at least 1 million USD in assets

"Also included in the shopping list covered in the congratulatory message is formulating and implementing what it calls a coherent policy to address the lingering insecurity in Nigeria. The NGO is arguing that every Nigerian could witness the impact and consequences of the generalised insecurity kidnapping for ransoms, rural banditry, attacks by insurgents and wide socio-economic dissatisfaction.

“Citing recent public riots across Nigeria, CISLAC says the breakdown of the law and order happened in spite of the immense wealth from natural resources of Nigeria. It, therefore, feels the importance of drawing the attention of the President-elect to what it calls the systemic corruption that has eaten deep into Nigeria’s public sphere including unaccounted asset recovery and normalised money laundering.

“It is estimated that the cost of corruption in Nigeria runs as high as 30% of the country’s GDP, CISLAC pointed out, adding the downside of the Nigerian Government claiming recovery of assets worth billions of dollars but without proper accountability on the management and utilization of the assets as to prevent re-looting."

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has waded into the ongoing legal battle between the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police face-off over the recruitment of police constables, demanding an amicable resolution of the impasse.

The CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, who made the disclosure in a statement on Monday, said the legal tussle would only bring a lot of disadvantages to the country.

According to him, the two bodies have constitutional roles in the recruitment of the 10,000 police constables.

Mr Rafsanjani said: “Without prejudice to the ongoing legal interpretation that is before the apex court, we strongly observe that the current legal tussle will bring a lot of disadvantages to the country.

“Recognizing the fact that we are not in a position or the best authority to interpret the laws, but as a civil society organisation who feels concerned about the security and well-being of Nigerians, we decided to intervene in this matter.

“While the position of the PSC is that they hold the exclusive right to appoint persons to all offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the office of the IG) by virtue of the constitution; thereby ousting the IG from exercising such powers.

“We also note that the recruitment of constables is well within the powers of the IG by virtue of the Police Act 1967 and the Nigeria Police Service Regulations, 1968, which he acted under.

“Knowing fully well that it is an established position of law that any piece of law that conflicts with the constitution is null and void (as the Court of Appeal relied on), the question we have to consider here is if there is truly a conflict in the provisions of the laws in question as regards the recruitment of constables; does ‘appointment’ of persons into offices in the Nigeria Police Force as vested on the PSC by the constitution include ‘recruitment’ of constables as conferred on the IG by the Police Act 1967?”

The CISLAC, therefore, appealed to all parties to reconsider their grandstanding in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Mr Rafsanjani further advised that an urgent reconciliatory structure be put together by the Presidency and National Assembly to resolve the crisis.

“We urge the federal government to weigh in to have an amicable impasse between the PSC and the police management team in ensuring that the recruitment of 10,000 constables are not dislodged.

“That an infrastructure for effective coordination and communication should be put in place between the PSC and the IG which must serve as an internal grievance mechanism which reduces a situation of seeking redress in court.

“That the face-off between the PSC and the Police Management Team should not be personal, thereby leading to the loss of revenue, disenfranchising Nigerians from the first order of the state which is the security of lives and property because of our inability to manage internally perceived conflict.

“That the police, policy and politics are children of the same parent. We request that both parties should not allow politics to be prioritized over the integrity of the policy of internal policing,” he added.

https://newsdigest.ng/news/2020/10/13/police-recruitment-cislac-demands/

Killings by SARS operatives worrying, unfortunate for Nigeria- Rafsanjani

NEWS DIGEST - Following the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said officers and men of the police need proper reorientation and training on how to effectively discharge their duties.

According to him, it is necessary as the protection of lives and properties remains the primary duty of the police.

The News Digest reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, today announced the disbandment of SARS. Adamu announced this in a live broadcast.

Recalled that youths in Nigeria have been protesting in their large numbers over the past few days, accusing SARS operatives of unlawful arrests, tortures and killing of citizens.

Comrade Rafsanjani, while speaking to newsmen in Abuja, described the wanton killing of 'harmless' citizens by SARS operatives as worrying and unfortunate for the country.

He maintained that there is need to sanction rogue police personnel who kill innocent Nigerians.

"It is important that we rise to the occasion and condemn in its entirety the brutality, human rights violation and impunity witnessed in the hands of the Nigerian police personnel. We need to ensure accountability and sanctions against police officers involved in unprofessional and illegal activities," he noted.

Comrade Rafsanjani, commended the efforts of the National Human Rights Commission for bringing together relevant stakeholders in the fight against violation of human rights.

He said: "We at CISLAC do not support or promote any form of human right violation, and it is expedient that Nigerian youths are seen as a pivotal part of Nigeria's developmental project. They should be encourage to stick together in ensuring the country gets better.”

According to the CISLAC helmsman, it is imperative that the welfare of police officers are prioritized, to motivate and also boost their morale in tackling criminality in the country.

"There is an urgent need to reform the entire security architecture of the country. That is the only way to go if we must arrest the spate of kidnapping, banditry and other sundry crimes. Equally germane, is the need for government to properly cater for the welfare of the police and other security agencies," he added.


https://newsdigest.ng/news/2020/10/11/killings-by-sars-operatives-rafsanjani/

Pan-African Social Media Summit To Hold In Abuja,Online Platforms


The Fifth edition of the annual Nigerian Social Media Summit, which has now evolved into the Pan-African Social media summit will hold on November 12 and 13.

This position was revealed by the organizing Committee Local Organizing Chairman, Olanrewaju Oyedeji, while addressing pressmen in Abuja.

Olanrewaju noted that the event which started as the Nigerian Social Media Summit in 2016 will hold on November 12 and 13.
The chairman of the event is billed to be the Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Yz Yau.

According to the organizers, the event which will discuss leveraging on Social Media for issues such as Accountability and Anti-corruption, Youth Development, Corporate Development, governance, Human Rights/Security and International Diplomacy, will have top guests spread across Africa as participants. This is as the continent grapples with the aftermath of Covid-19 in the Post-Covid19 era.

It was also gathered that the event will hold also virtually with participants unable to be part of the event due to Covid-19 restrictions expected to join via Online platforms that would be provided for the event.

The social media event registration details including participation details will be unveiled subsequently.

https://techmirrormag.com.ng/index.php/news/pan-african-social-media

Information Technology powered brand, Bicond, is set to be launched on August 25, 2020, which is also the world's secondhand day.

This was revealed by the Principal strategist of the brand while speaking to journalists ahead of the program.

He noted that the need ti reposition the use of fairly used clothings and recycle what has ben refered to as waste in clothing spurred the initiative.

Guests like the Chief Executive Officer of Insider Group, Sam Adegbola, Head of Kaduna Markets and Development Company, among others have been confirmed for the launching set to take place via Instagram Live.

The event will commence by 5pm while participants can join via Bicond's page @Bicondco. Lots of gifts will also be won at the event.

Bicond is the first ever IT powered premium online clothing store with a focus on thrift and affordable quality clothing.

https://techmirrormag.com.ng/index.php/start-up-innovations/bicond-set-for-launch