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  • Widow of vendor killed by Gbajabiamila’s aide disowns family over N500m compensation demands

    Widow of vendor killed by Gbajabiamila’s aide disowns family over N500m compensation demands

    Josephine Okereke, the wife of the newspaper vendor shot and killed by a Department of State Services operatives attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disowned her husband’s family over their demand for N500m compensation.

    Josephine spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

    The family of Ifeanyichukwu Okereke had written to Gbajabiamila, demanding N500m.

    Lawyer to the family, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a letter dated November 23, 2020, said he was given the mandate to write the letter by the father of the deceased, Okorie Okereke; and the younger brother to the deceased, Destiny Okereke.

    The DSS had last week arrested the operative, Abdullahi Hassan, who shot Okereke while Gbajabiamila had also visited the family of the deceased and promised to ensure that they do not suffer.

    However, the family demanded more, adding that nothing could bring the dead vendor back to life.

    The widow, however, said she was not aware of the pre-litigation process, urging the Speaker to ignore the family fulfil his promises to her and her two children.

    Details later…

  • Family of slain Abuja vendor demand N500m from Gbajabiamila

    Family of slain Abuja vendor demand N500m from Gbajabiamila


    … promise litigation after 7 days of non compliance

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju


    The family of Ifeanyichukwu Okereke,the  Abuja vendor who shot dead  by a security aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has written a letter to the Speaker, demanding N500 million.
    This was contained in a letter dated November 23, 2020, and  signed by the lawyer of the family, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) to Gbajabiamila.

    Father of the deceased Mr Okerie Okereke and the younger brother Destiny Okereke had mandated Ozekhome  to write the letter on behalf of their family.The letter read in part,” Our clients have instructed us to make from your good slf, the following modest demands: That you use your good offices to ensure the immediate persecution of to your security aide( Abdullahi Hassan) who went frolic of his own, clearly acted outside the purview of his duty and responsibility by shooting to death an innocent, harmless  and armless citizen.” ” That you adequately compensate the Okereke family with a modest sum of N500m only . This monetary demand can never adequately replace or take the place of their son, husband, brother and breadwinner’s life. But it will at least mitigate the obvious trauma and hardship the premature demise or their irreplaceable breadwinner has placed on them.”

     Department of State Services had last week arrested  trigger happy operative  Abdullahi Hassan, who shot Okereke while Gbajabiamila has visited the family of the deceased and promised to ensure that they do not suffer.
    The family also asked the Speaker to ensure that the safety of vendors is guaranteed as they had become afraid to return to the streets since the tragic incident.

    The Okereke family said it would take legal action against Gbajabiamila if all the demands are not met within seven days.

    “Take note therefore that it is our clients’ firm instruction that in the event that you fail, refuse and/or neglect to accede to or proffer reasonable compensatory terms to our above modest demands within seven days from the date of this letter, we shall without any further correspondences from us, take appropriate legal steps to enforce our clients’ constitutional rights,” the letter stated.

    RELATED POSTS:

    Gbajabiamila meets Abuja Vendors over dead colleague, seeks justice

    HURIWA to Speaker: Take responsibility for the killing of Abuja vendor

    BREAKING: Gbajabiamila reveals security personnel who shot Abuja newspaper vendor dead

  • Engage public, stakeholders in legislative processes, Gbajabiamila tells colleagues

    Engage public, stakeholders in legislative processes, Gbajabiamila tells colleagues

    …asks defaulting agencies to subject themselves to budget defence

    …as House passes PIB, Electoral Act amendment for second reading

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday urged the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the standing committees of the House to create innovative ways of engaging the public and relevant stakeholders in every legislative process.

    By so doing, the Speaker said, the House would have succeeded in building support for policy initiatives as well as promoting the relationship between the House and the public on one hand and the critical stakeholders on the other hand.

    In an address to welcome his colleagues from the budget defence break embarked upon in October, Gbajabiamila said the House has a lot of tasks ahead in the coming weeks.

    Gbajabiamila’s appeal to his colleagues came as the House debated and passed for second reading two critical Bills, namely: the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill.

    He said already, the Special Committee on Constitution amendment chaired by Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, has since commenced work as it had called for memoranda from the public.

    He encouraged members to reach out to their constituents “to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building.

    “It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country.

    “As much as is possible, I encourage all the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the House Committees to seek out innovative avenues for public engagement, stakeholder collaboration and cross-pollination of policy ideas.

    “Increased public participation in the legislative process is also part of our Legislative Agenda,” Gbajabiamila said, adding that “When done appropriately, such interactions can build support for policy initiatives and promote relations between the House of Representatives and the public on the one hand, and the critical policy stakeholders on the other.”

    The Speaker said following the budget defence period, “Efforts are in full swing to ensure that we will pass the budget on time in keeping with the standard we set last year, and which the Nigerian people now rightly expect of us.”

    However, the Speaker observed that during the budget defence process, there were government agencies “that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion on the management of their offices.

    “This posture stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative role in the appropriations process.

    “Let me at this time reiterate that when the Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority.

    “Let me also state very clearly that this is a responsibility we take seriously, and will not evade, regardless of whatever objections may arise from any quarters.”

    The Speaker asked such agencies to come over and subject themselves to the budget defence process as it is part of the constitutional mandate of the House.

    “It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country.

    “We will pass the budget, and we will do it early, and we will do it right. The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.”

    Gbajabiamila also called on the media to always ascribe comments made by individual members of the House to such members and not the entire House, saying whenever the House has a position on a matter, it would come out to say so.

    “There are no restrictions on the rights of members to speak to the press at any time and to espouse their ideas, and positions. However, these individual statements do not represent the official position of the House of Representatives. Treating them as if they were, usually to drive a particular narrative is a deliberate attempt to malign the House to further the known and unknown agendas of outside parties.

    “It is time to put a definite stop to this. When the House speaks as a collective, we will do so through our resolutions and the Spokesperson of the House. Any other pronouncements should be ascribed to the individuals that make them, as is the fair and proper journalistic practice.

    “I said this, because I read through the paper this morning and the headline said that the House said the 2021 Budget will not get us out of recession, and it was ascribed to the House of Representatives. That is why I feel it is important to mention it in our opening remark. If you don’t hear us say anything officially on any policy or any issue, do not ascribe it to the House. If the House needs to speak collectively as an institution, we will do so.”

    The House at plenary also prayed for the repose of the soul of Ifeanyi Okereke, the vendor that died from a shot fired by a security agent attached to the Speaker last Thursday.

  • Engage public, stakeholders in legislative processes, Gbajabiamila tells colleagues

    Engage public, stakeholders in legislative processes, Gbajabiamila tells colleagues


    …asks defaulting agencies to subject themselves to budget defence 
    …as House passes PIB, Electoral Act amendment for second reading

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday urged the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the standing committees of the House to create innovative ways of engaging the public and relevant stakeholders in every legislative process.



    By so doing, the Speaker said, the House would have succeeded in building support for policy initiatives as well as promoting the relationship between the House and the public on one hand and the critical stakeholders on the other hand.
    In an address to welcome his colleagues from the budget defence break embarked upon in October, Gbajabiamila said the House has a lot of tasks ahead in the coming weeks.
    Gbajabiamila’s appeal to his colleagues came as the House debated and passed for second reading two critical Bills, namely: the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill.

    He said already, the Special Committee on Constitution amendment chaired by Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, has since commenced work as it had called for memoranda from the public.
    He encouraged members to reach out to their constituents “to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building.

    “It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country.
    “As much as is possible, I encourage all the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the House Committees to seek out innovative avenues for public engagement, stakeholder collaboration and cross-pollination of policy ideas.
    “Increased public participation in the legislative process is also part of our Legislative Agenda,” Gbajabiamila said, adding that “When done appropriately, such interactions can build support for policy initiatives and promote relations between the House of Representatives and the public on the one hand, and the critical policy stakeholders on the other.” 

    The Speaker said following the budget defence period, “Efforts are in full swing to ensure that we will pass the budget on time in keeping with the standard we set last year, and which the Nigerian people now rightly expect of us.”
    However, the Speaker observed that during the budget defence process, there were government agencies “that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion on the management of their offices.


    “This posture stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative role in the appropriations process.
    “Let me at this time reiterate that when the Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority.

    “Let me also state very clearly that this is a responsibility we take seriously, and will not evade, regardless of whatever objections may arise from any quarters.”
    The Speaker asked such agencies to come over and subject themselves to the budget defence process as it is part of the constitutional mandate of the House.
    “It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country.

    “We will pass the budget, and we will do it early, and we will do it right. The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.”
    Gbajabiamila also called on the media to always ascribe comments made by individual members of the House to such members and not the entire House, saying whenever the House has a position on a matter, it would come out to say so.

    “There are no restrictions on the rights of members to speak to the press at any time and to espouse their ideas, and positions. However, these individual statements do not represent the official position of the House of Representatives. Treating them as if they were, usually to drive a particular narrative is a deliberate attempt to malign the House to further the known and unknown agendas of outside parties.

    “It is time to put a definite stop to this. When the House speaks as a collective, we will do so through our resolutions and the Spokesperson of the House. Any other pronouncements should be ascribed to the individuals that make them, as is the fair and proper journalistic practice.
    “I said this, because I read through the paper this morning and the headline said that the House said the 2021 Budget will not get us out of recession, and it was ascribed to the House of Representatives. That is why I feel it is important to mention it in our opening remark. If you don’t hear us say anything officially on any policy or any issue, do not ascribe it to the House. If the House needs to speak collectively as an institution, we will do so.”
    The House at plenary also prayed for the repose of the soul of Ifeanyi Okereke, the vendor that died from a shot fired by a security agent attached to the Speaker last Thursday.

  • Gbajabiamila meets Abuja Vendors over dead colleague, seeks justice

    Gbajabiamila meets Abuja Vendors over dead colleague, seeks justice


    …as vendors, distributors laud Speaker’s leadership display over incident

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday met with members of the Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA) and the Newspapers Vendors Association, Abuja (NVAA) to condole with them over the death of their colleague, Ifeanyi Okereke.

    Gbajabiamila, who visited the Abuja newspapers distribution centre at Area 1 in Abuja, said Ifeanyi, who died from a bullet fired by one of the security aides attached to the Speaker’s convoy, would get justice.
    He said “the arc of the moral universe is long but it always bends towards justice”

    The Speaker, full of grief over the incident, said the House would upon its resumption of plenary on Tuesday honour the late Ifeanyi and invited the leaders of the two associations to be part of the event to be held on the floor of the House.
    “Let me address you not as the Speaker but as Femi Gbajabiamila a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been caught unawares in the middle of this unfortunate incident. 

    “Many of you that have been following me from the beginning know that championing the cause of the masses has been my life work as a legislator.  I have been a champion of the common man and therefore the irony of this is not lost on me and many of us. However, I will continue to do this as long as I live.
    “This is a very difficult time for me. Like many have said, you guys have been my friends for years. I have no idea and I don’t know why you guys have always taken to me over the years including campaigning for me in the streets of abuja during the speakership election.  You’ve always been there for me. As you were selling your papers, you were also selling me.

    “That’s why each time I pass you guys , I stop to say hi. Some people said why did I stop in the middle of the road? But as we were moving, the lights changed to red which meant to stop. We could have moved on, but I have always instructed my convoy to be law abiding.  So we stopped and my friends, as usual, besieged the vehicle, shouting and were jubilant.

    “Immediately I heard the gunshot, I screamed and said why did they do that? At that time I thought it was just a shot into the air. As we moved on, I asked that they should park the car. It’s against security training as they made me realize, but I insisted and they  parked. They said everything was okay. Indeed some other road users behind us did say everything was okay.  We moved on. It was later that night that I got the full gist of what had happened. I want to commiserate with you over what happened.”
    The Speaker said the security operative responsible for the shooting had been handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS), and they are investigation the shooting and its circumstances. 


    Gbajabiamila said he had visited the family of the late Ifeanyi at the Kwata area of Madalla-Suleja on Saturday, where he met with his wife and children.
    “Those children have now become my children. I have made commitments to the family to train them until they become adults. I have instructed the lawyers in my office to immediately set up a trust fund for them until  adulthood. The incident has touched me in no small measure and in ways difficult for anyone to understand. I am a man of peace and not violence.”
    As part of the mourning period, the Speaker said he had cancelled all his engagements, “because I’m indeed mourning, and I can’t be mourning and be celebrating or attending joyous occasions or functions at the same time.
    “We all talked about justice, and I assure you we will follow due process. Justice, in whatever form it is, will prevail. That’s what we can do for now.

    “There’s sitting on Tuesday, and I’m inviting the Executives of the two associations, and maybe some few members, to come over where we will be honouring Ifeanyi. We have a lot of things on Tuesday, but we will honour him.
    “I feel your pain. Your pain is my pain.  My pain pales into insignificance  when compared to what you or the family may be feeling at this time. May his soul rest in peace. May God grant him eternal rest. May the death of Ifeanyi be the beginning of good things for the vendors. I have heard your requests, and I assure you that those requests would be handled. Ifeanyi’s death won’t be in vain. May a lot of good come out of this unfortunate incident.

    “I thank you for your very kind and generous words regarding my person. I thank you for receiving us. It’s unfortunate that we’re meeting under this circumstance, but I assure you that this won’t be the last.”
    On his part, the spokesman of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, said it was a sad moment, commending the vendors for the maturity with which they have handled the matter so far.

    “Out of concern, the Speaker insisted that a foundation or a trust fund be put in place for that family. He has also promised to grow the wife’s business or set her up in business if she doesn’t have one.
    “If it were another person, he would have sent his aides to go and see the family. But he suspended all his national assignments to go and see the family. He said that one life is more important than anything else.”  
    He suggested that November 19, which was the date of Ifeanyi’s death, be set aside every year to celebrate vendors.

    Speaking, the President of ANDA, Benji Obute, commended the Speaker for his humility and thanked him for showing uncommon concern over the incident.
    “I want to use this forum to appreciate Mr Speaker for the uncommon love he displayed to the newspaper vendors.
    “The vendors and distributors have been having robust relationship with the National Assembly, which led us to have a special publication commending the National Assembly last year December on the qualitative legislation you are doing, especially on the timely passage of the 2020 Budget.

    “We have stated our request, part of which is the scholarship, compensation and the welfare of the family. We want our late brother and colleague to be immortalized. We’ll give you the architectural design of a tent to be built here and named after him. We want a follow up of the prosecution. What we want is justice to be done.

    “The vendors are traumatized and cannot do their business at the Federal Secretariat again. Whatever kind gesture that you can extend to them will be appreciated. We exonerate you, we are not blaming you for what happened. We blame the security man that did the shooting.”

    Also, the Chairman of NVAA, Mr Etim Iwara, said the late Ifeanyi was a dedicated and loyal member of their association, noting that justice must be done on his death.
    “We appreciate the Speaker for the steps he has taken including the visit to late Elechi’s family yesterday (Saturday). We are happy that the Speaker has made promises to address the issue and assist the family.” 

  • Gbajabiamila’s Security Aide In Detention – DSS

    Gbajabiamila’s Security Aide In Detention – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a security aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    In a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the secret service, Peter Afunanya, the said personnel was detained following the alleged shooting of a vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    “The Service hereby confirms that the suspect is one of its personnel deployed to the Speaker’s Convoy as a security detail,” the statement partly read.

    “As part of its disciplinary procedures in the instance, he has been taken into detention. In addition, the Service has opened a detailed investigation into the matter.

    “And as already stated by the Speaker that he has been suspended from his Convoy, the Service has further withdrawn him from the assignment.”

    The DSS spokesman assured Nigerians that the service would “be transparent and accountable in handling this,” adding that “it is liaising with appropriate authorities to achieve this objective.”

    He also sympathised with the family of the deceased and his loved ones, reiterating the DSS commitment to thoroughly investigate “the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and will surely keep to this.”

    SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:

    PRESS RELEASE

    DSS INVESTIGATES ALLEGED SHOOTING BY SPEAKER’S SECURITY AIDE

    The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the allegation of shooting and killing of one Ifeanyi Okereke by a security aide of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.The Service hereby confirms that the suspect is one of its personnel deployed to the Speaker’s Convoy as a security detail. And as already stated by the Speaker that he has been suspended from his Convoy, the Service has further withdrawn him from the assignment.

    As part of its disciplinary procedures in the instance, he has been taken into detention. In addition, the Service has opened a detailed investigation into the matter. While it pledges to be transparent and accountable in handling this, it is liaising with appropriate authorities to achieve this objective. The Service condoles with the family of the deceased and his loved ones. It has promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and will surely keep to this.

    Peter Afunanya, Ph.D
    Public Relations Officer,
    Department of State Services,
    National Headquarters,
    Abuja
    20th November, 2020

  • Gbajabiamila commits to supporting the family of late Okereke

    Gbajabiamila commits to supporting the family of late Okereke

    By Doris Ferdinand

    The speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Friday said he is comitted to support the family of late Mr Ifeanyi Okereke who was killed by his security aid yesterday.
    He expressed sadness at the way Okereke’s life ended and said he has handed over the security aid who killed him to the security department for prosecution.

    “Mr Okereke was a citizen going about his business, trying to make a living for himself and his family. There is no reason for his life to have ended the way it did.

    “This morning, I have handed over the security operative, Abdullahi M. Hassan, to the Department of State Security (DSS) for investigation and appropriate administrative and judicial action. In the interim, he has been suspended from the convoy.

    “I expect, and I will see to it that the family of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke receives the full measure of justice so that their bereavement is not compounded by any actions that can cause them further pain and suffering.” Said Gbajabiamila

    The speaker further condoles with the family and pledged his support to the family of late Okereke.

    “I have expressed my personal condolence to his family and have arranged to meet with them when the parents of Mr Okereke, who are already on their way, arrive in Abuja.

    “Additionally, I have committed to them that I will support his wife and the immediate family he has left behind.

    “I commiserate with the family of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke and ask all Nigerians to join me at this time to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.” He added.

  • Gbajabiamila – Reps will ensure policing system works for all citizens

    Gbajabiamila – Reps will ensure policing system works for all citizens

    By Doris Ferdinand

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the 9th House would ensure a policing system that works for all citizens in view of the recent EndSARS protests.

    Gbajabiamila said to achieve the above, the House would carry out a wholesale reform of the Nigeria Police from recruitment to training and welfare of officers and men of the police.

    Addressing stakeholders at the 9th House Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue Series with the theme ‘Policing and Human Rights in Nigeria,’ the Speaker called on all well-meaning Nigerians to make their inputs toward the enactment of the Police Service Commission (Reform) Bill, 2020

    “Our reform objectives include wholesale reviews of police recruitment and training procedures and practices. It also includes an obligation to drastically and rapidly improve the welfare and wellbeing of police officers from recruitment through to retirement.

    “As we expect more from the men and women who carry arms and take risks to protect us, we must also be ready to do right by them, and by their families. They too are our citizens; they are our brothers and sisters deserving of the best that our nation can offer.

    “I want to assure all of you in this room, all of you who are watching today from wherever you are, the 9th House of Representatives will do everything we can to deliver for the Nigerian people a policing system that works for every citizen.

    “We will talk, we will engage, we will change laws, and we will amend the Constitution subject to the consensus of the Nigerian people. We will do everything that we have the power to do so that when the account of this moment is given, we will be counted for making the right choices and doing justice by our people,” he said.

    He said the issue of Police Reform has since the inauguration of the 9th House been one of the fundamental commitments of the Green Chamber.

    “This is because we recognise that the policing function is at the very heart of any fully functioning state. It is through the institution, mechanisms and resources of policing that the state can protect the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens.

    “Without the ability to offer this protection, the state loses legitimacy and the authority that flows from there. A society that cannot effectively police itself ceases to exist, and a government that fails to protect its citizens has lost the right to continue in office. We must avoid these unfortunate outcomes.

    “This is why we must commend the present administration which inherited a flawed policing system and is now taking giant steps to reform the system through the recently enacted Police Reform Act, 2020 and several other measures. But the work is far from done, and we must continue in these efforts.”

    Gbajabiamila added that “Effective policing is only possible when the policing institutions are grounded in the rule of law, when they are accountable and when the justice system in its entirety is fair to all who have cause to appear before it. We cannot have an effective policing system when the citizens do not have faith that the Police will treat them fairly every time, no matter the circumstance.

    “We do not have an effective system of policing when the relationships between communities and the Police are defined by fear and mistrust. The Police cannot be effective when the mechanisms for accountability and discipline are too weak to identify, remove and prosecute rogue officers as a matter of course.

    “We will have succeeded in building modern and effective Police when service in the Nigeria Police Force consistently attracts the best and brightest in our country without objection.

    “When we think about policing reforms, we must resist the urge to focus only on making new rules about police conduct, and establishing new ways of holding officers accountable for failures to meet the standards of behaviour that we expect from them. Policing reform is more profound than that. Yes, we must begin by holding officers accountable, but we cannot stop there.”

    “This moment is also about our nation’s young people, a generation that never witnessed military rule, who were born into and have lived their entire lives in a democracy. Too often, and for decades, that democracy has unfortunately fallen short of their expectations.

    In a remark, the Chairman of the House Committee on Implementation and Monitoring of the Legislative Agenda, Rep. Henry Nwawuba, said the 9th House has committed itself to seeking collective and holistic ways to find lasting solutions to our national needs.

    Noting that his committee was set up to ensure that the House meets its agenda and live up to its best aspirations and objectives, Nwawuba said the dialogue was an innovative step in the Bill process to get stakeholders’ buy-in even before the presentation of the Bill on the floor of the House.

    “We intend to collate the opinions, observations and ideas of stakeholders and citizens to form part of the Bill so that the House will consider. This interaction doesn’t usurp the legislative process of the Bill,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Rep. Usman Bello Kumo, said his committee would provide an enabling environment for people to cross-fertilize ideas when the Bill gets to them.

    In a goodwill message, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mohammed Yahya, said the PSC Bill is timely, noting that policing problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone as it obtains in the entire African Continent.

    On his part, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, represented by the DIG research and planning, Adeleye Olusola, requested for time to dissect the Bill before coming up with a sound position.

    The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, whose organization is one of the bodies working with the House on the Bill, said they were doing a lot to re-energize relevant bodies of the NBA to face issues of human rights violations squarely.

    “This is one collaboration that we’re proud of. The issues that confront our country and the Nigeria Police are issues that predate most of us. With regards to human rights violations, I think it’s a matter of orientation. In the proposed law, the issue of orientation is being addressed,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of PSC, Musiliu Smith, represented by retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, commended the House for coming up with the Bill, saying it would enhance the operations of the commission, requesting for more time to study the draft law.

    In his intervention, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said majority of Nigerian police personnel were ready and qualified to do their job, but that the environment they operate on does not allow them to.

    Lauding the House for the initiative, he said the Bill takes care of the independence of the commission with security of tenure and a broad membership.

  • Gbajabiamila meets UN Dep Sec. Gen., Mohammed, discusses social, economic devt, others

    Gbajabiamila meets UN Dep Sec. Gen., Mohammed, discusses social, economic devt, others


    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday hosted the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, where they discussed issues and explored partnership in critical areas.
    The issues include electoral reforms, reduction of Gender-Based Violence, creating an enabling environment for more women in politics, improvement of public financial management systems, managing Africa’s debt crisis as well as improving social investment and social protection systems in Nigeria.
    Agreeing on these priorities, the Speaker confirmed that these were aligned with the priorities the  House had identified in the Updated Legislative Agenda it launched in July to respond to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
    The Speaker said he looked forward to working with the Office of UN Deputy Secretary-General and the UN Resident Coordinator in taking things forward.
    The discussion concluded with an agreement to explore partnerships in helping to deliver impact in the stated areas, particularly through specific legislative interventions which reflect the priorities of Nigerians.
    Present at the meeting were the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria, Mr. William Kallon, the Special Assistant to the DSG, Hadiza Elayo, Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinador, Fred Eno and the Special Adviser to the Speaker on International and Interparliamentary Affairs, Mr. Dapo Oyewole.

  • House will ensure policing system works for all citizens – Gbajabiamila

    House will ensure policing system works for all citizens – Gbajabiamila

    …as stakeholders bear minds on proposed Police Commission Bill
    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the 9th House would ensure a policing system that works for all citizens in view of the recent EndSARS protests.
    Gbajabiamila said to achieve the above, the House would carry out a wholesale reform of the Nigeria Police from recruitment to training and welfare of officers and men of the police.
    Addressing stakeholders at the 9th House Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue Series with the theme ‘Policing and Human Rights in Nigeria,’ the Speaker called on all well-meaning Nigerians to make their inputs toward the enactment of the Police Service Commission (Reform) Bill, 2020
    “Our reform objectives include wholesale reviews of police recruitment and training procedures and practices. It also includes an obligation to drastically and rapidly improve the welfare and wellbeing of police officers from recruitment through to retirement.
    “As we expect more from the men and women who carry arms and take risks to protect us, we must also be ready to do right by them, and by their families. They too are our citizens; they are our brothers and sisters deserving of the best that our nation can offer.
    “I want to assure all of you in this room, all of you who are watching today from wherever you are, the 9th House of Representatives will do everything we can to deliver for the Nigerian people a policing system that works for every citizen.
    “We will talk, we will engage, we will change laws, and we will amend the Constitution subject to the consensus of the Nigerian people. We will do everything that we have the power to do so that when the account of this moment is given, we will be counted for making the right choices and doing justice by our people,” he said.
    He said the issue of Police Reform has since the inauguration of the 9th House been one of the fundamental commitments of the Green Chamber.
    “This is because we recognise that the policing function is at the very heart of any fully functioning state. It is through the institution, mechanisms and resources of policing that the state can protect the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens.
    “Without the ability to offer this protection, the state loses legitimacy and the authority that flows from there. A society that cannot effectively police itself ceases to exist, and a government that fails to protect its citizens has lost the right to continue in office. We must avoid these unfortunate outcomes.
    “This is why we must commend the present administration which inherited a flawed policing system and is now taking giant steps to reform the system through the recently enacted Police Reform Act, 2020 and several other measures. But the work is far from done, and we must continue in these efforts.”
    Gbajabiamila added that “Effective policing is only possible when the policing institutions are grounded in the rule of law, when they are accountable and when the justice system in its entirety is fair to all who have cause to appear before it. We cannot have an effective policing system when the citizens do not have faith that the Police will treat them fairly every time, no matter the circumstance.
    “We do not have an effective system of policing when the relationships between communities and the Police are defined by fear and mistrust. The Police cannot be effective when the mechanisms for accountability and discipline are too weak to identify, remove and prosecute rogue officers as a matter of course.
    “We will have succeeded in building modern and effective Police when service in the Nigeria Police Force consistently attracts the best and brightest in our country without objection.
    “When we think about policing reforms, we must resist the urge to focus only on making new rules about police conduct, and establishing new ways of holding officers accountable for failures to meet the standards of behaviour that we expect from them. Policing reform is more profound than that. Yes, we must begin by holding officers accountable, but we cannot stop there.”
    “This moment is also about our nation’s young people, a generation that never witnessed military rule, who were born into and have lived their entire lives in a democracy. Too often, and for decades, that democracy has unfortunately fallen short of their expectations.
    In a remark, the Chairman of the House Committee on Implementation and Monitoring of the Legislative Agenda, Rep. Henry Nwawuba, said the 9th House has committed itself to seeking collective and holistic ways to find lasting solutions to our national needs.
    Noting that his committee was set up to ensure that the House meets its agenda and live up to its best aspirations and objectives, Nwawuba said the dialogue was an innovative step in the Bill process to get stakeholders’ buy-in even before the presentation of the Bill on the floor of the House.
    “We intend to collate the opinions, observations and ideas of stakeholders and citizens to form part of the Bill so that the House will consider. This interaction doesn’t usurp the legislative process of the Bill,” he said.
    Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Rep. Usman Bello Kumo, said his committee would provide an enabling environment for people to cross-fertilize ideas when the Bill gets to them.
    In a goodwill message, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mohammed Yahya, said the PSC Bill is timely, noting that policing problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone as it obtains in the entire African Continent.
    On his part, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, represented by the DIG research and planning, Adeleye Olusola, requested for time to dissect the Bill before coming up with a sound position.
    The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, whose organization is one of the bodies working with the House on the Bill, said they were doing a lot to re-energize relevant bodies of the NBA to face issues of human rights violations squarely.
    “This is one collaboration that we’re proud of. The issues that confront our country and the Nigeria Police are issues that predate most of us. With regards to human rights violations, I think it’s a matter of orientation. In the proposed law, the issue of orientation is being addressed,” he said.
    Also speaking, the Chairman of PSC, Musiliu Smith, represented by retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, commended the House for coming up with the Bill, saying it would enhance the operations of the commission, requesting for more time to study the draft law.
    In his intervention, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said majority of Nigerian police personnel were ready and qualified to do their job, but that the environment they operate on does not allow them to.
    Lauding the House for the initiative, he said the Bill takes care of the independence of the commission with security of tenure and a broad membership.
    Other speakers at the dialogue such as a youth advocate, Bobo Ajudua, and the Director, Centre for Democracy and Development, Idayat Hassan, commended the House for the initiative and made some suggestions.