Category: News

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to abide by his oath of office by calling on the police not to disrupt upcoming #EndSARS protests.

Falana, who is the Interim Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, said this in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘Nigeria Police Force Lacks Power to Ban Public Protests in Nigeria’.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, had said the police would not allow anyone to stage another #EndSARS protest ahead of the one-year anniversary of the protests of last year.

However, Falana said Buhari who himself took part in protests while he was running for office, should call on the police to respect the rights of citizens.

He added, “It is public knowledge that General Muhammadu Buhari (as he then was) and other leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress took part in public rallies against fuel hike in January 2012 and protests against insecurity in November 2014.

“To that extent, the Buhari administration ought to restrain the Police from banning peaceful rallies against police brutality on October 20, 2021 in any manner whatsoever and however.”

Falana noted that the law guarantees Nigerians the right to hold public meetings, rallies and processions in the country.

“The threats against peaceful rallies oozing out of the police headquarters and state commands are illegal as they constitute a gross infringement of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly guaranteed by Sections 38 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as Articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act,” the activist added.
He recalled that in the case of the All Nigeria People’s Party v Inspector-General of Police 2006, Justice Anwuli Chikere declared that police permit as a precondition for holding rallies in Nigeria was illegal and unconstitutional.

The judge consequently granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police and other police officers from preventing Nigerian citizens from convening and participating in rallies.

“The appeal of the police against the judgment was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December 2007. In the unanimous decision of the court, their lordships described police permit as ‘a relic of colonialism’ which is anomalous in a democratic society,” Falana said.

He added that based on the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal, the National Assembly amended the Electoral Act 2010 in March 2015 to impose a duty on the police to provide security for participants in public meetings and rallies.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 94 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides: Notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order Act and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision of adequate security as provided in subsection (1) of this section,” the senior advocate said.

He added that Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides that where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.

“In view of the fact that the police authorities have been notified of the public rallies scheduled to hold on October 20, 2020 to mark the first year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, the Nigeria Police Force is required to make arrangements for the provision of adequate security for the participants at the venues of the rallies,” Falana said.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali, to direct the Commissioners of Police in all the states of the Federation to ensure that adequate security is provided for all citizens who may wish to protest against the policies of the government which are considered inimical to their interests.#EndSARS #buhari #falana #Falana

Ebute metta residents woke up to clash of hoodlums known as Area boys engaged in fight during which they robbed residents of their belongings and damaged properties.

According to an eye witness the boys were very young (17-20years), they struck around 6am Thursday morning and disrupted the community, they robbed residents who were going to work around the time, looted shops and damaged properties.

Another resident call on the government to relocate the plank far away from Ebute metta, the boys are using the area as hideout to perpetrate their illegal activities.

By Adebayo Miracle

A regeneration plan has been disclosed by the Lagos State Government  for Obalende towards achieving a megacity status within the state. This was made known by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,Tpl DR. Idris Salako, at a stake holder- engagement forum on the Obalende Blighted Community Regeneration Project which was organized by the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA).

 In his words, he pinpointed the fact that the state government is proactive and will continue to ensure setting up of all possible mechanism to prevent and reduce the case of collapse building in Lagos. Emphasizing on the current state of Obalende and how it does not fit into the megacity vision for the state, he said “To this end, the present administration is going to carry out an overhaul of key areas in the state that this regeneration exercise is not peculiar to Obalende community. Consequently, buildings without approvals will eventually give way in the course of the exercise”.

The special adviser to the governor on Lands and physical planning, Dr. Jide Babatunde, also comment on the government’s readiness to work with the Obalende community to achieve meaningful and productive result and at the same time protecting the interests of the residents.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ayuba also in the same vein explained that the governor of the state administration is committed to the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda, which is a good print in the development of Lagos state.

In the general manger welcome remarks, Ms Ajibike Shomade, explained that the government has no intention of chasing away any resident of the Obalende community through this regeneration plan, but it is only aiming at making Lagos a 21st century Economy as stated in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. Adding that In order to maintain and achieve this agenda, the regeneration of obalende into a modern community is what will be enjoyed by all  and it is imperative the work is done together for a greater Lagos.

The general manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Arc, Gbolahan Oki, also urged the builders in the community to get the necessary documents before starting a building projects and also saying that the government is not out to claim their land but replan the area as a matter of urgency. In his words, he added that if adequate planning mechanisms are not put to place, the people may experience their worst fear, as there are houses within the area that are not approved and the state government frowns at.

The Eti Osa II constituency in Lagos state house of assembly (LSHA) was also represented by Mr Olukorede Yishau where he spoke on the stakeholder’s engagement being a lofty idea that would explain the government’s plans to the constituents and also observing that some interventions are already going on in Ikoyi- Obalende.

Mr Patrick Forster, a second generation resident of Obalende and also a stakeholder in attendance, urged the government to bring residents up in speeding the template for regeneration of Obalende adding thatmany home owners in the community are already embarked on restructuring their home towards achieving a different Obalende Axis.

Gracing the events also, were other members of the Lagos state House of Assembly, religious leaders, opinion leaders, community leaders among others.

Governor Kayode Fayemi has come under attack for urging President Muhammadu Buhari to turn National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into security training grounds and recruit “willing and able” graduates to join the military and the police.

ODUDUWA NEWS had reported that Fayemi pointed out that one of the cheapest and fastest ways to handle this was to amend the law setting up the scheme.

According to him, if NYSC ‘corpers’ are converted into soldiers, they could be deployed to fight against Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, separatists and so on.

He added that corps members, who cannot join the military services, can serve in their communities without pay.

But reacting, some Nigerians on social media urged him to lead by example by bringing his children abroad to join the military.

Here are some comments gathered on Twitter and Instagram:

@abeesoyeh, ”I just hope all your Children would also be among the troop to fight the bandits. Wicked souls after siphoning all the funds meant for the masses, your next agenda is to start your suicide mission.”

@opeyemibanzini,” When will these folks stop treating NYSC as the panacea to all Nigeria’s problems. Can’t they just leave these graduates to face real-world post-graduation uncertainty in peace!”

@holluwaphemmy88, Dear@kfayemi one of the qualities of a good leader is leading by example. Will you be kind enough to bring one of your children just one, not two to join in beefing up security?”

@dbassboi, ”After all the sufferings in school, when it’s now time for parents to reap their labour, they should lose their sons and daughters to the hand of Bokoharam and bandits. You have children also, Mr. Fayemi, Please recruit your children to fight them.”

@Dot_E_Fresh, ”Insane. Fayemi is better than this. Sensible people like him and Fashola seem to lose their marbles when they get near the levers of power.

@adresbello, ”This is pure madness. Why don’t you lead by example by bringing your kids to join this security training grounds.”

@DopplerFilmz, ”Looking for people’s sons and daughters to kill in an avoidable war fuelled by Islamists expansionist agenda and corruption.”

@magnus_coker, ”Some suggestions to Gov. Fayemi of Ekiti State: 1. His children should be at the forefront of this security campaign.
2. He and other governors should reduce the number of DSS operatives, Police personnel, and Civil Defense personnel on their security detail.”

@O_basslet, ”APC is a curse. Fayemi wants the FG to recruit Corps Members as security personnel. Tinubu wants to recruit 50M youths into the army. Are you people okay?”

@SodiqTade, ”Osinbajo is their best choice in that party for the sake of the country if at all APC get to rig the 2023 election successfully. I can’t have Tinubu who believed in 50m battalion or Fayemi that believed Corp members should be used to beef up the country security.”

Hundreds of natives and residents of Ile-Ife especially the aged members in the ancient city on Wednesday benefited from the free healthcare services, sponsored by the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade, in celebration of the birthday anniversary of the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

The initiative which held at the prominent Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, was put together by the Iyalaje Oodua to assist the poor and other vulnerable persons particularly those suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes.

Iyalaje Oodua, Represented by a public health expert, Dr Juliana Harriman praised beneficiaries of the free healthcare for coming out in their numbers to be educated and given treatment on various health challenges they facing them. She assured them that Iyalaje Oodua would continue with the exercise even beyond the Ooni’s birthday.

“Yes, you have turned out in numbers and this has indeed impressed my Principal, Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade, the Iyalaje Oodua Worldwide who has asked me to tell you all that this exercise will surely be regularly”. Dr Harriman said.

The exercise which was segmented into various stages including; Health Education or prevention and Management of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes, Fee Blood Sugar Test, Visual Accuracy Test, Free Pick Flow Test, Free Blood Pressure Test and free Healthcare services for 200 persons suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes among others, had Professor Olapeju Esimai who is the head of the Community Health Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital(OAUTH) in attendance as the Guest Speaker.

“My mothers and sisters, please take your health very importantly, always adhere to the lecture we have just given you here today on your health, please used your drugs adequately and please always remember that health is wealth.

These are the way to motivate Iyalaje Oodua who has done this for you so that she can come back to do more for you.” Professor Esimai said.

The free medical checkup was laced with the administration of free drugs and other medications as recommended by doctors on ground as well as detailed medical advice for the senior citizens.

Beneficiaries who took turns to be attended to, moved with enthusiasm from one phase of the exercise to the other with prayers for Iyalaje Oodua and the Ooni Ogunwusi.

A beneficiary who identified herself as Mrs. Saidatu Ajoke, expressed her heartfelt joy as she prayed fervently for Iyalaje Oodua who is the brain behind it.

“This is a huge sign that we the elderly are still regarded and it sends a great message of love, right now I am filled with joy and I don’t know what to say that to thank the Iyalaje of Oduduwa Race worldwide and our father, the Arole Oduduwa. I wish him a happy birthday anniversary and long may he reign on the throne of his ancestors.” The obviously happy woman said in Yoruba language.

The second phase of the health outreach commemorating the Ooni’s birthday anniversary is scheduled to continue on Friday 15th, October 2021 at the same venue for women and ladies suffering from Urinary Tract Infections(UTI) to receive treatment and lectures on the cure and prevention of any type of urinary tract infection (UTI). This aspect is sponsored by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) an Ooni’s Charity Outfit being run by Princess Temitope Adesegun.

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, awarded a N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, for his absence in court to take his plea in an alleged N4.6 billion fraud.

Fani-Kayode, also the Chairman of the 2015 Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation, is standing trial alongside Nenadi Usman, a former Minister of Finance; a former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Danjuma Yusuf, and a limited liability company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

The trial of the defendants had first commenced in 2016 before Justice Muslim S. Hassan.

Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has ruled as proper, the action of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, in investigating and detaining one Amos Olugbenga Olaniyan, aka Crime Alert, in a case of investment fraud.

She was delivering judgment in a fundamental human right enforcement suit filed against EFCC by Olaniyan in the aftermath of his arrest in May, 2021 by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC.

Governor Kayode Fayemi has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to turn NYSC camps into security training grounds to recruit “willing and able” graduates to join the military and the police.

Mr Fayemi pointed out that one of the cheapest and fastest ways to handle this was to amend the law setting up the National Youth Service Corps. If NYSC ‘corpers’ are converted into soldiers, they could be deployed to fight against Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, separatists and so on.

“With this, we can use the existing orientation camps to train willing and able graduates to reflate the security personnel under a special arrangement that will be worked out,” the Ekiti governor said.

“That way, the fund that is currently deployed to the NYSC can be used with just some additional funding, which could be sourced through a national emergency fund for the next five to 10 years.

“Those who cannot join the military services can serve in their community without pay if we must still retain the NYSC for everyone.”