…to visit families of late victims…says won’t sign budget without adequate provision to compensate victims, police welfare
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday rolled out more action plans of the Green Chamber for wholesale reforms of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The Speaker, in an address at the commencement of Tuesday’s plenary, said two weeks from now, the House will receive and immediately begin to consider legislation that seeks to establish a system of independent, responsive accountability in the police.
He said the system would hold erring members of the Police Force to account for their conduct in the performance of their duties and impose civil and criminal liability for violations of the law and the Police regulations.
Additionally, he said, it would ensure that officers who engage in unauthorised, unlawful use of force are expelled from office and subject to the full penalty of the law as well as prohibit, with severe penalties, the practice of using illegal incarceration as a cudgel to extort law-abiding citizens of their hard-earned resources.
He also declared that he would not sign off the 2021 budget without adequate provision for the compensation of the victims, the welfare of police officers and ASUU.
“We will establish a system of citizen-led accountability for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) because in the democracy we have set out to build, the police are not above the citizenry, they are servants of the people. The police are not above the law; they are its guardians.
“As we endeavour to hold our nation’s police to higher standards of personal and professional conduct, we must also make sure that we provide for the welfare of the men and women to whom we assign such significant responsibilities in our collective interest,” Gbajabiamila said.
In achieving the above, the Speaker noted, the House is already collaborating with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Gbajabiamila also announced that in the next one week, he, along with some members of the House, would visit the families of those that lost their lives to SARS brutality.
He also declared that he would not sign off the 2021 budget without adequate provision for the compensation of the victims, the welfare of police officers and ASUU.
“As Speaker of this House of Representatives, let me say now for the records to reflect, and in the expectation that I would be held to account: I will not sign off on a 2021 Budget that does not include adequate provisions to compensate those who have suffered violence and brutality at the hands of the police in Nigeria in the last two decades.
“I will not sign off on a budget that does not include provisions to fund improvements in police training and welfare.
“I will not sign off on a budget that does not meet the reasonable demands of the ASUU, to which Government has already acceded. There is no better time to rethink the system of funding for higher education in Nigeria. The current system does a great disservice to our children and our country, and we must commit to changing it so that we can free our institutions of higher learning to be citadels where innovation thrives, and excellence is a given.
“With my colleagues in the House of Representatives, I will visit over the next week, some of the families of those who have lost loved ones to police brutality and when we come back, we will work together to honour the memory of those we have lost.
“The House of Representatives will pass an Electoral Reform Bill in time for the next general elections so that we may continue to improve the process of electing our political representatives at all levels.
“I will support the amendment of the constitution to ensure that the provisions on fundamental human rights have teeth, resource control is dealt with equitably and that the next generation of Nigerians does not inherit evident dysfunctions of our current system.”
He also called on the protesting youth to tarry a while and give the government the opportunity to attend to their demands.
“To the young people across Nigeria who have led these protests, whose call for change has brought about this historical moment, you are the midwives of national rebirth. You have moved a nation to action, and now you must join in doing the hard work of making real the vision of a more just, more prosperous, and more resilient nation.
“We see your true cause. Please do not allow your righteous cause to be hijacked by those with base motives, who see in this moment an opportunity to pursue vendettas, to spread division, exploit the many existing fissures that exist in our society and bring our nation to its knees.
“You have raised your voices and marched to demand a better Nigeria. From Abuja to Washington, to Calgary and London, your voices have been heard. Do not allow anybody to convince you that to withdraw from the streets now is to concede defeat.
“This is the time to move your agitation from the chaos of the streets to the painstaking deliberations and strategic partnerships that birth policy and produce legislation. It is time to mobilise your voices in support of specific policy interventions that will deliver on our shared objectives of national renewal and a country that reflects the best of us. I thank you, your country thanks you, and history will be kind to you.”
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SARS Brutality: Gbajabiamila rolls out Reps action plan
Armed Thugs Attacks Christian Procession, Beat Pastor To Stupor, Abducts Three In Kogi
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Christian worshippers on Monday in Anyigba were allegedly attacked, stripped the pastor naked after beating him to stupor and abducted two worshippers as some armed thugs stormed Dunamis International church Anyigba in Dekina Local government area of Kogi state.
The thugs were allegedly led
by the former Dekina council boss and the local government chairmanship candidate of the All Progressive Congress,( APC), Ishaq Shuaibu Okolo who violently disrupted a peaceful prayer walk organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kogi east chapter.The Objective of the programme according to the organisers was to pray for the peace of the country and God’s intervention on the killing, rapes and kidnapping in the land.
The thugs were said to have shot sporadically into the air and went straight to the leader of Christians group, Bishop David Sanders, tore his clothes, beat him to comma.
Our correspondent gathered that other church leaders and worshippers were allegedly beaten to stupor including some women and children while the property of Dunamis Int’l church where the prayer walk was to commence were vandalised.
Speaking with newsmen on phone, the resident pastor of Dunamis Int’l church, Anyigba, Samson Ejila expressed sadness that a peaceful Christians’ prayer walk for the country could be so disrupted with so many people securing various degree of injuries.
According to him, the organisers of the programme took permission from the appropriate authorities including the police with the knowledge of the state deputy governor, Edward Onoja who gave them the go ahead, but wondered why a prominent political player in the area could lead armed thugs to disrupt an armless group.
In his words” We are surprised that it is a past LG boss in person of Ishaq Shuaibu Okolo who is contesting for the chairmanship Election for Dec 12 Local council poll that has done this to the Christians in the state. “
” This is not rumours, he was the one that physically led the thugs including some Vigilante members to attack us, we have every document including video clips, and so he can not deny this” he added
Ejila, however, confirmed that the three abducted members, including the zonal secretary of the prayer group, Silas Edegbo who were abducted were released in the early hours of Tuesday after tortured.
Meanwhile, the State Governor Yahaya Bello has condemned the attack on the Christians who were on a peaceful prayer walk in Anyigba area .
The Governor in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, while condemning the act, assures that perpetrators of such unholy act will be fished out to face the full weight of the law.
Bello said at a time the nation is facing unrest and disturbance, there is need for every religion organisation to intensify their faith by praying to God for His intervention in the affairs of the country, noting that any act capable of truncating peaceful religious gathering is sacrilegious, repugnant and unacceptable.
However, all attempts to get the reaction of the APC flag bearer, Shuaibu Okolo proved abortive as several calls to his cell phone were not responded to.
#EndSARS: Akeredolu orders Closure Of Schools in Ondo
The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has directed the closure of schools from Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
Although the schools had just resumed, a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Femi Agagu, says that the decision followed the nationwide protest and the need to ensure the safety of students and staff.
“Parents and the public are to note this directive and all schools are to comply.
“Any inconvenience is regretted, while the State Government would ensure the resumption of our schools as soon as possible.
“Thank you and God bless”.
#EndSARS: Ekiti declares 24-hour curfew
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state effective from 10pm on Tuesday (today).
Fayemi said the curfew followed the state governrment’s observation “with growing concern how the ENDSARS protest, which started as a peaceful protest against police brutality by youths in Ekiti State, has been hijacked by some hoodlums.”
He said, “The hoodlums have capitalised on the ENDSARS protest to rape, assault, rob and extort innocent citizens across the State. These are in addition to the wanton destruction of properties, particularly private properties.”
The governor, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday titled, ‘Fayemi imposes 24-hour curfew on Ekiti, said, “Government is concerned that if this state of affairs is allowed to continue unabated, it will lead to a breakdown of law and order thereby threatening the wellbeing of the people of Ekiti State.”
“In the past 48 hours there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station. These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.
#EndSARS: 4 feared dead as hoodlums burn police station in Abuja
Four persons have been reportedly dead as hoodlums set ablaze Dutse Makaranta Police Station, Kubwa, Abuja.
According to an eyewitness who spoke to the Day Break, the station was set ablaze after a clash between security operatives and hoodlums on Tuesday, October 20.
The eyewitness said that the outrage started from Sokale junction in Dutse to where the police station is located and four persons have been confirmed dead, adding that a police officer was rumoured dead.
This has caused unrest to traders and residents of the area.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordered the deployment of riot policemen nationwide to protect lives and property.
The IG also deployed police operatives to strengthen security around custodial facilities nationwide.
A statement on Tuesday, by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, titled, ‘Attacks on police facilities, others: IG orders deployment of anti-riot police officers,’ explained that 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on two custodial facilities and a police station in Edo State, on Monday.
1,993 inmates escaped from Edo custodial facilities — FG
The Federal Government has revealed that 1,993 inmates were freed from the Benin and Oko custodial facilities, Edo State, by suspected hoodlums on Monday.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga.
The statement titled, ‘Unconscionable attack on custodial facilities,’ accused the #EndSARS protesters in Edo State of masterminding the attack.’
The custodial centres had come under attack from the suspected hoodlums who freed the inmates and also looted the armoury of a nearby police station, carting away five rifles.
The police said 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident while the stolen rifles had been recovered.
The statement read, “Two NCoS custodial centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked yesterday (Monday) by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS aegis, freeing (at the last count) 1,993 inmates in legal custody and looting the centres, including the weapons in their armoury.”
“They came in large numbers, bearing dangerous weapons and attacked the officers on guard duty. They were unmistakable on their mission, which was to force the cells open, free the inmates and carry out other nefarious activities,” it noted.
The FG said the situation has been brought under control while security around the custodial centres nationwide had been beefed up.
Shut down twitter now – Garba tells court
A former Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba, has filed a suit before a Federal High Court asking the court to compel the Nigerian Communications Commission to shut down Twitter and prevent it from operating within the Nigerian cyberspace.
Garba, in a fundamental human rights suit filed on Monday, prayed the court to “direct the 7th respondent (NCC) to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in any part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ironically, Garba, who is a very active user of Twitter, has over 32,000 followers.
The #EndSARS protests have been largely coordinated on Twitter where it has also been able to gather funding.
Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Jack Dorsey, had last week endorsed the #EndSARS campaign and posted links to donations, a move which drew the ire of Garba.
Although the Nigerian Senate is currently considering an ‘Anti-Social Media Bill’, there are no known instances of the Federal Government shutting down social media sites
Other African countries like Burundi, Benin Republic and Sudan have in the past shut down social media amid criticisms from international rights groups.
According to the BBC, several people were unable to access these platforms except with the use of Virtual Private Networks which disguise a user’s presence on the Internet.
In 2019, these instances of shutdowns collectively cost Sub-Saharan Africa about $2.16bn.
Nasarawa: Gov. Sule inaugurates 7man judicial panel
warn non residents to stay clear or face the wrath of the law.
Abel Leonard/ Lafia
warn non residents to stay clear or face the wrath of the law.
Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, has warned people moving into the state for the purpose of staging protest seeking the banning of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), to stay clear of the state or face the full wrath of the law.
Engr Sule handed down the warning while inaugurating the judicial commission of enquiry into the activities of the F-SARS of the Nigerian Police and other related matters, at the Government House, Monday.
Sule said according to report, some people are being conveyed into the state in buses, with a view to staging protests in Karu and Keffi, warning such people not to carry on with the protest as government will not fold its arms and allow them to cause problems in the state.
He however, advised such intending protesters to stay clear of Nasarawa State and to remain in their places of resident to protest.
In his words he said, “If there is going to be any protest, let it be by residents of Nasarawa who understand what is happening in Nasarawa State.
“We will not welcome and we will not fold our arms as government and continue to receive other people who don’t understand the challenges that we are having in Nasarawa State, to come in buses, arrive somewhere in Karu and Keffi and stage protest in false claims because those people don’t understand our problems, they should go to where they are resident and protest,” he stated.
The Governor further stressed that inaugurating the judicial commission has become even more imperative after some disgruntled elements and desperate politicians have cashed in on the situation, with the intent of destabilizing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, at a time when steady progress and development is being recorded in the country.
“As far as we are concerned in Nasarawa State, we have recorded some successes as a result of the activities of SARS and we have identified that and we have also identified some weaknesses of SARS and so we are in line with whatsoever is happening in the country, as long as it is for the peace of the country,” the Governor said.
He equally pointed out that his administration has recognized the rights of people to protest whenever they find the policy of government is going in the right direction, but that when it comes to SARS, it has been kind to Nasarawa State.
Engineer Sule lamented that in spite of the fact that the Federal Government and Police authorities banned the SARS, the protest appears to continue unabated.
While commending members of the commission for their readiness to serve both state and country, and their statesmanship and love for peace, stability, progress and development of Nasarawa State and the country at large, they were chosen to carry out a broad base appraisal of the situation.
The judicial commission, which is to be chaired by a former Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Badamasi Maina, has the following terms reference, to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, or related extra judicial killings, to evaluate evidence and draw conclusions on validity of complaints and to recommend compensation and other remedial measures to government.
It has six months within which to submit its report.
The Governor added that members of the commission were not selected to say what government wants to hear, but to tell government the truth.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity to restate his appreciation to the Federal Government for the continued support to Nasarawa State, in the area of maintenance of law and order, stressing that the robust relationship has made it possible for the state to benefit from the establishment of critical security infrastructure.
These include, special joint military operation code named Ayum Patuma, with the operations headquarters in Nasarawa State, to take care of the entire North Central zone, Operation Whirl Stroke, with its headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State and operational bases in Nasarawa, to address farmers/herders conflicts.
Others are, establishment of 123 Task Force Battalion in Doma, the barrack which is fully operational is serving as the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, the establishment of two military super camps at Mararaban Udege in Nasarawa and Kenyehu in Toto Local Government Areas, among others.Former Presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, asks court to stop #EndSARS protests
A former Presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the #EndSARS protests rocking the country illegal.
The motion on notice was brought pursuant to order II Rules 1, 2, 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 and Sections 34(1), 35(1) and 41(1) and 43 of the 1999 Constitution.
Others joined in the suit include the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Communications Commission.
Garba, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, and #EndSARS protesters “whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies and or otherwise, however, called from further sponsoring and standing the #EndSARS protest or any protest in any other manner howsoever described that infringes the fundamental rights of the applicant (Garba) as guaranteed under Section 34(1), 35(1), and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap.A9, 2004.
The #EndSARS protests rocking the country have continued for almost two weeks with youths calling for a lasting reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
GOV LALONG CANVASSES FOR REPAIR OF FEDERAL ROADS & HEALTH FACILITIES IN PLATEAU STATE.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has appealed to the Federal Government to embark on urgent intervention in some of the Federal roads in the State which are in a deplorable condition and causing untold hardship to motorists.
Governor Lalong was speaking when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on FERMA who are on over sight visit to Plateau State.
Governor Lalong said some of the roads include the Akwanga- forest-Jos road, Jos-Jingre-Saminaka-Pambegua road and Shendam-Lafia road among others which are in a deplorable condition.
He said “I want to appreciate the ongoing intervention in some of the roads such as the collapsed bridge in Wase, Mato-Kuka Taraba road, as well as Panyam-Shendam roads. However, we appeal for immediate intervention in the other roads such as the ever busy Jos-Abuja road which are in bad shape. We shall continue to work with the National Assembly particularly members of the House Committee on FERMA to ensure that this is done”.
Chairman of the Committee Hon. Olufemi Richard Bamisile assured the Governor that the Committee will do all within its power to ensure that there is intervention in the roads enumerated. He commended Governor Lalong for his development efforts in infrastructure, agriculture and peace.
Meanwhile the Governor also recieved a 7-Man Delegation from Federal Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development which is implementing the APPEALS project funded by the World Bank.
Governor Lalong while welcoming the team which is promoting Agro processing and value chain addition said Plateau is eager to join the second phase of the program because of the need to process perishable crops such as tomatoes, potatoes and other vegetables which the State produces in abundance.
He presented the letter of intent to the team leader for onward presentation to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Leader of the team Dr. Tijjani Ahmed Ajayi said they were in the State for an assessment visit that will ascertain the readiness of Plateau to join the project and has been satisfied with the efforts of the State which has provided a project office, vehicles and other requirements. He requested the Government to address few areas that have been pointed out for improvement.
The Governor also received House Committee on Health led by its Chairman, Dr. Pascal Chigozie Obi who informed the Governor that they were in the State to inspect Federal Health institutions in the State such as the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
Governor Lalong appealed to the Committee to facilitate the development of existing health institutions in the State and establishment of new ones in line with the efforts of the State to develop health tourism.
