ECOWAS Court Gives Buhari Government 30 Days To Respond To Suit Against Its Moves To Gag Media Stations

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja has given the Nigerian government 30 days to respond to the suit filed by One Love Foundation seeking damages and orders to prevent the government from gagging the media. 

The suit, filed through human rights lawyer, Samuel Ihensekhien Junior on behalf of the group's president, Patrick Eholor, also seeks damages and restraining orders against Nigerian government, to prevent it from enforcing Sections 5, 4, 3, 1 of NBC code on all broadcasting stations. 

The sections relate to reportage and giving details of security issues and persons affected by insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria. 

But the group argued that the actions offend all relevant laws and the African Charter on Media and Broadcasting Rights and Freedom of Press.

The foundation had in a suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/43/21 sought an order of court directing the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and the National Broadcasting Corporation, a government agency, to desist from enforcing Section 5, 4, 3, 1 of the NBC code on all broadcasting stations. 

In a "Notice of Registration" dated July 28, 2021, sighted by SaharaReporters, the court asked Nigerian government to file a defence within thirty (30) days after service of the application. 

The notice read, "Notice is hereby given that an application between Patrick Eholor and the Federal Republic of Nigeria was lodged by the applicant and registered by the court on the 28th July 2021 

"You are required to lodge a defense within thirty (30) days after service of this application on you and take note that in default of your so doing, the applicant may proceed herein and judgement may be given in your absence." 

The suit is also challenging the clampdown on broadcasting organizations by the Buhari government and the NBC, an action which the suit said contradicts Sections 24, 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended in 2011), which guarantees the rights to freedom of press, expression and information as also contained in Articles 8 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended in 2011. 

Facebook Restricts New IPOB Page After Shutting Down Nnamdi Kanu’s Page

Social networking service, Facebook, has restricted a new account belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra.

According to Vanguard, this was disclosed by a member of the group, Simon Ekpa, on Tuesday.

“Our new Facebook page has been blocked, restricted by Facebook,” Ekpa wrote.

In January 2020, the separatist group had alleged that Facebook shut down the page of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The group had in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, alleged that the shutting down of Mazi Kanu’s Facebook page by Facebook Nigeria was linked with the fact that it had become a rich resource for people determined to expose the alleged misrule in Nigeria and the evil perpetrators of the regime.

IPOB had berated Facebook Nigeria that it was more corrupt than the Nigerian government it was defending.

It had added that Biafra suffered immeasurably as a result of denial of media space in the late 60s, warning that IPOB is not prepared to allow such suffering in the present 21st century.

Vanguard also noted that Kanu opened another Facebook account which hit 5,000 friends limit within six days, following the sudden deactivation of his official page by Facebook.

However, the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently facing 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, after he jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.

He was extradited from Kenya to the country by the Nigerian government as claimed by IPOB and Kanu's family.

He has been remanded in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody and his next appearance in court is October 21.

This came after Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned the case, for the failure of the secret police to produce him in court on Monday.

BREAKING: Benin Republic Court Declines Extradition Of Sunday Igboho To Nigeria, Orders Him To Remain In Cell

The Court D’Appal of Cotonou has ordered Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to be kept in prison custody pending further investigation.

The court, however, declined the extradition of Igboho to Nigeria.

The court, which was expected to start hearing the case at 10:00am, barred reporters and supporters of Igboho who besieged the premises. The hearing commenced at about 5:00pm.

Daily Trust reports that supporters of Igboho were dispersed from the premises of the court later in the evening, prompting fears that he might be deported to Nigeria.

The government of Nigeria had accused Igboho of trafficking in arms, inciting violence to disrupt public peace, and agitating for secession. It also sought his extradition to Nigeria.

Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, last Monday while trying to catch a flight to Germany.

However, Ropo, who is a German citizen was set free by the court on Thursday while the self-styled agitator was remanded in the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou.

Igboho was placed on the wanted list on July 1 by the Department of State Services after its operatives raided his Soka residence in Ibadan, killing two of his aides. They arrested 12 others during the operation.

Father Locks 6-Year-Old Boy In Cage For Weeks Without Food

A six-year-old boy has been reportedly brutalised and abused by his father at the Jeddo area of Otokutu in Delta State. 

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the boy is interviewed. 

The boy, who has sustained head injuries, noted that he did not wear trousers because they were dirty. 

He said he did not have money to buy soap.

"I stay in Jeddo with my dad and sister. My daddy gave me all the marks (injuries) on my head, he said I am stubborn. I am not putting on trousers because they are dirty and I'm still looking for money to buy soap.

"I have not eaten since morning," he added. 

According to Warri Aproko Special, the neighbours said attempts to rescue the boy from his allegedly abusive father or prevent the abuse were not successful. 

A source said sometimes, the father would chain the little boy in a cage for weeks without giving him food. The source said the boy fed on the blocks used to build the cage.

Nigeria’s Secret Police Prevented Nnamdi Kanu From Signing Forms For UK Consular Assistance— IPOB Leader's Lawyer

The Department of State Services (DSS) has prevented the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from signing a consular assistance form by the United Kingdom.

Special counsel for the IPOB leader, Aloy Ejimakor disclosed to SaharaReporters in a statement issued after visiting his client on Monday.

In the statement he titled, ‘Summary of my visitation with our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Monday 19th July,’ Ejimakor expressed shock as the consular and diplomatic forms were returned to him unsigned.

The legal practitioner, therefore, called on the British High Commission in Nigeria and the British Government authorities to intervene in the matter, as he claimed the operatives of the DSS, which is Nigeria's secret police, have stopped Kanu from signing those forms.

The statement reads: “Last Saturday, when I visited Mazi Kanu, I expressed strong concerns about the inordinate delay in having Kanu sign the two forms I had taken to the DSS for Kanu’s signature some days before.

“Both forms relate to affirming his consent to consular and diplomatic interventions by the United Kingdom and her High Commission in Nigeria.

“Surprisingly, the forms were returned to me unsigned.

“Let me make it clear that the day I took the forms to the DSS, the officers on location were amenable to Kanu signing them until somewhere along the line, they tarried and decided to send it to the legal unit for vetting.

“So, my sense is that it’s the legal unit of the DSS that disapproved of Kanu signing the forms for reasons that were not given to me.

“As a lawyer, I don’t see any legal advantage the government of Nigeria stands to gain by blocking Kanu from signing those forms. The forms are but a mere routine in matters like this.

“Instead of any advantage, the refusal will help fuel the notion that the government of Nigeria is deliberately isolating Kanu from having consular and diplomatic access to the United Kingdom.”
Ejimakor condemned the act of the Nigerian government and its secret police by denying the fundamental human rights of the pro-Biafra separatist leader, who should appear in court on July 26.
The lawyer also said the DSS returned some Jewish prayer books and clothings he had taken to him last week to use.

“It does not comport with the best traditions of fundamental fairness that a detainee is being denied access to resources that will assist him in his defense. This is one of the things that will count in our reckoning as this matter continues to fold.

“For these reasons, I am now compelled to call on the British High Commission in Nigeria to banish every red tape and exert the full weight of its diplomatic clout in gaining immediate access to Kanu. This is especially important, given the prospects of better welfare, including adequate medical care for Mazi Kanu.

“Further, the prompt intervention of the High Commission will mean that Kanu will have another layer of human contact in addition to his legal team who are the only ones currently allowed to see him.

"They also returned some Jewish prayer books and clothings we had taken to him last week, explaining that he had to be the one to make the request through a certain department at the DSS that officially caters to his needs," Ejimakor said.

Sunday Igboho Trying To Escape From Nigeria – Nigerian Government Alerts Police, Immigration, Puts Activist On Stop-list

The Nigerian security agencies have alerted its officials nationwide to stop Yoruba nation activist and agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday igboho, from leaving the country.

The Nigerian security agencies after serially failing to stop the ravaging insecurity in the country in a letter by the Nigerian immigration Service copied to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services among others said that “credible intelligence revealed that Adeyemo is making efforts to obtain a police extract and/or court affidavit."

The Immigration noted that this was to enable Igboho to acquire a new Nigerian passport, apparently to facilitate his escape out of the country.”

The government also said it had at the moment, placed the activist on the stop-list in order to facilitate his arrest.

The government said it had directed security agencies to arrest Igboho anywhere he is found.

This was contained in a letter by the Nigeria Immigration Service dated July 9, 2021 and addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS, the Inspector General of Police and the DG, National Intelligence Agency, NIA.

Igboho was declared wanted by the DSS on allegations of stockpiling arms to destabilise the country, which he has since denied, but his whereabouts remain unknown.

Igboho’s whereabouts has remained unknown ever since his home was attacked by operatives of DSS and other security agencies attacked his home, killing some of his aides and taken his wife and other family members away.

The NIS letter titled “Stop-listing of person: Adeyemo Sunday Adeniyi (aka Sunday Igboho), male, Nigerian, passport number A11613637, date of birth 10/10/1972’ was signed by Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Investigation and Compliance, A.B. Baba, on behalf of the Comptroller General and was copied to all zonal controllers and control posts nationwide.

“I am directed to request that you kindly place the above-named person on stop-list. Credible intelligence revealed that Adeyemo is making efforts to obtain a police extract and/or court affidavit to enable him to acquire a new Nigerian passport, apparently to facilitate his escape out of the country,” it reads.

“In addition, he should be arrested wherever and whenever sighted and referred to the Director-General, Department of State Services vide letter no: S.605/A/246 dated 05 July 2021.”

My Belief About TB Joshua – RCCG Pastor Adeboye Writes Synagogue Founder’s Wife

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has condoled with the family of the late founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T.B Joshua.

Adeboye said he believed he would meet Joshua at the feet of the Lord Jesus on the resurrection morning. 

Pastor E.A Adeboye

Joshua died on June 12, 2021 and was buried on July 9, 2021.

Adeboye’s condolence was contained in a letter he personally signed to the wife of the late popular televangelist, Evelyn, dated July 6, 2021.

The RCCG General Overseer said he joined millions of people worldwide to register the church’s condolence with her on the passing of her husband.

He said he believed he would meet Joshua at the feet of the Lord Jesus on the resurrection morning. 

Adeboye said, “We want to join millions of people across the globe to register our condolence with you on the passing of your husband, Temitope Joshua.

“We take solace in the Lord, believing that we shall meet again at the feet of our Lord Jesus, on the resurrection morning.”

He prayed for the family that Joshua left behind.

Adeboye said, “We therefore pray for you, your children and the entire church that the Lord will uphold all of you and such untimely death shall cease in our midst in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Nigeria Ranks 98 Among 107 Countries On Global Hunger Index

Nigeria is facing a critical hunger level as it ranks 98 out of 107 countries in the 2020 Global Hunger Index.

The country also has the proportion of undernourished in the population rising from 7.6 per cent in 2012 to 12.6 per cent in 2020.

Foods'N'Stuff...

According to a consulting firm focused on Africa geopolitical research and strategic communications, SBM Intel’s report, the country’s food crisis is a result of insecurity from Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and killer herders that have forced farmers to abandon their farmlands.

Other factors, however, are the lack of proper storage facilities, volatile oil prices, climate change, rising cost of energy and logistics, stifling government policies, natural  disasters, the Coronavirus pandemic, and currency devaluation.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report as published by SBM, food inflation has seen a 48.94% rise (from 15.04% to 22.95%). 

SBM gathered reports from major food markets across the country and noted how people lamented devastating rising prices of food which have altered their normal daily living.

The prices of most staple food items in a typical Nigerian home, including rice, beans, egg, garri, plantain, yam, beef,  palm oil, fish, pepper, tomatoes, onions, bread and groundnut oil,  have all surged.

In Lagos, a housewife disclosed to SBM that the food allowance her husband provides could no longer sustain the family. She precisely complained about her failure to buy monthly food items, which now occurs every two weeks or save from the allowances while expenses keep increasing. 

A trader in Lagos’s Balogun Market was very specific as to fish, saying that the border closure affected his ability to supplement  his fish stock, forcing him to raise prices for the increasingly scarce stock he has.

Most of those interviewed in the low socio-economic echelons admitted they could no longer afford three square meals but had one whole meal daily supplemented with snacks. 

Mrs Christiana, a Lagos housewife and entrepreneur disclosed she chose two-square meals daily, as allowances received can no longer afford her family decent three-meal days. 

Another respondent who is a wife and mother of two at Sango-Ota, Ogun State, lamented the rapid escalation of prices of commodities in the market at Sango-Ota. She explained how she last went to the market and ended up confused about what exactly to buy since “what N20,000 can but a few months back, today, N40,000 cannot afford the same.”

The price of beans and garri in Sango-Ota rose by a significant 97.9%, which almost doubled within the period under review. Beans rose from N1,457 to N2,883 per four-litre paint rubber and garri saw a  price rise from N869 to N1,856 per paint rubber. According to her, the price increases of these two staple foods were the highest in the last one year.

In Port Harcourt, a four-litre paint bucket of garri, which sold for N1,200  at the end of March, rose to N1,500 by June 2021, an increase of 25%.  In the same period, a paint bucket of beans, which sold for N1,500, now sells for N1600.

Visits to various markets revealed that in all the markets except in Onitsha, Port Harcourt and Calabar Municipal markets, the cost of making a pot of Jollof rice has skyrocketed. The decline in Anambra, Rivers and Cross River states was as a result of a slight reduction in the cost of beef, onions and tomatoes.

How North Plans To Produce Next President After Buhari – Arewa Forum Reveals

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum has vowed to ensure the Northern part of the country produces the next president in 2023.

The AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima, said the North would mobilize people of the region to get their Permanent Voters Cards to vote for a presidential candidate from the region.

Speaking with Daily Post, Shettima said since politics is a game of numbers, the North would mobilize and ensure they produced Nigeria’s next president.

Countering the call by Southerners for rotational presidency, Shettima said the North would produce a youthful and capable president in 2023.

He said: “We will mobilize our people to get their PVCs because democracy is all about numbers and we will get the numbers that will give us the next president of this country, no going back on it.

“Southern governors need to bring their heads down and lobby, let’s talk, agree and bargain because democracy is all about lobbying, understanding and respect for one another, not by intimidating anybody.

“We would push for Nigeria’s president from Northern extraction, we are not looking for Southern presidency the way they are looking for it, we are looking for the president of the country from Northern extraction.

“He would be experienced, youthful with capacity and something to offer and we will build synergy.”

On the issue of ban on open grazing, the AYCF National President said the Southern governors reserved the right to take such a decision.

He, however, charged Northern governors to make provisions for herders to return to the North and continue their business.

Shettima also said Northern governors should have laws that would stop Southerners residing in the North involved in negative businesses.

“The issue of open grazing is a personal issue, so if at the end of the day, the governors feel they don’t want anybody to graze within their territory, then they have that right to do so.

“But, the Northern governors will also look into other sectors and businesses owned by Southerners that portray negativity to our youths in the North. They should make a law that would stop them.

“The Northern governors should be courageous enough to produce lands for them so they can bring back their cattle back to the North to do their grazing,” he said.

Nigerians React, Lambast Lagos Government As Flood Ravages Homes

Some residents of Lagos State have lambasted the state government over its failure to provide a proper drainage system to prevent incessant flood which is ravaging their areas.

This is coming as flood submerged parts of the state again on Friday, submerging cars and other property following a heavy rainfall.

It was learnt that the flood affected both the island and mainland axis of the state, as #Lekkiflood trended on Twitter. 

Several residents took to social media to share pictures and videos of the flood situation in their homes and areas.

It was gathered that some motorists had to park their vehicles, to avoid mechanical faults and had to go by foot to their destinations. 

Many lambasted the state government over its failure to combat the problem which has seemingly become an annual ritual, particularly for residents on the Island. 

Others, however, observed that Lagos residents might have been the architect of their own misfortune by clustering the drainage system with dirt particularly water sachets, bottles among others.

Below are some of the reactions on microblogging platform, Twitter:

Every year, Lagos has that one day when the rain is exceptionally mad & the flooding is intense. Every year Lagos floods during the rainy season.

Every year the Lagos State govt fails yo do anything about it.

— 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) July 16, 2021

One day rain for like 3hours and flood.
I have been on this twitter for weeks screaming about how the Lagos state government clears drainages and leaves the dirt on the street till rain washes it back into the drainage.
Now we can see it.
Our drainages can’t even work for a day? pic.twitter.com/X9QBGK9mvk

— Leo Dasilva (@SirLeoBDasilva) July 16, 2021

Just remembered how every year I always looked forward to floods in Lagos around my birthday 😄. Same floods every year since I was born. You'd think things would've changed in over 20 years. Up Atlantis! https://t.co/aiA8wulRnX

— Bello Abdullahi (@itsM_B) July 16, 2021

This is crazy🤯 I don't think it makes sense that till now, no solution has been found for the worsening flood cases in Lagos. It doesn't make sense that every rainy season Lagosians experience this. https://t.co/tMoCYwbIcv

— Mariam Akbar🌟 (@Konemanen) July 16, 2021

Every. Single. Year. 

You'd think the government would have found a lasting solution to the Lagos flood problem by now. https://t.co/bjlS0ks5lJ

— Oluwatoyosi (@0luwatoyosi) July 16, 2021

People will complain about the flood in Lagos, and very soon will forget. Next year the same thing will happen. Maybe if government house gets flooded they will take it serious.

— Karo (@Karovoni) July 16, 2021

Lagos State will have to figure out fast how to properly manage flood drainage. https://t.co/XJJsz05PbJ

— uche obi (@JustCallMeUche) July 16, 2021

 

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has urged residents of the state to observe safety precautions when driving during rainfall. 

The agency's acting assistant zonal coordinator, south-west zonal office, Ibrahim Farinloye, said residents should avoid driving when flood covers half of the vehicles’ tyres.

He said, “Once the rainwater gets to half of the wheels it sweeps off your vehicle. Kindly park and move on to the higher ground for safety.”

Farinloye also advised that trekking should be avoided during downpours.

“The rainwater must have risen above our ankles, once it happens like this, the flood has the capacity to carry us off,” he added.

“Residents of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Ojo, Kosofe, Apapa, Epe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, Surulere and Ajeromi /Ifelodun LGAs are advised to be more careful when it rains.”