Two female lawyers who were on Tuesday arrested by the police in Lagos were on Wednesday, March 17, arraigned at an Ojo Magistrates” Court in Ojo Lagos for affray by daring to fight inside the court’s premises

The defendants, Adaobi Emeka (pregnant) aged 37 years, and Nkiru Nwayanwu, aged 40, years were charged on one count of affray by engaging in physical combat in the court’s compound.

They had pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The Prosecutor, Supol Simon Uche told the court that the defendants committed the offence on March 16 in the court premises.

He said that his attention was drawn by a shouting crowd outside the court room, who informed the court that the two female lawyers were fighting.

He said that they were immediately arrested and taken to the Ojo Police station where they were detained .

According to the prosecutor, the lawyers
were subsequently, allowed to go home on self.recoginisance with an order to re-appear at the station the next day

The lawyers were consequently arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr A.A Adesanya and after their respective pleas, were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each with sureties in like sum.

The court ordered that the sureties must be blood relations or clergy men .

The court added that the defendants must produce a letter of good behaviour from their respective NBA branches.

Adaobi who is pregnant was said to have engaged in the fracas with Nkiru her colleague, after both lawyers struggled to offer their complimentary cards to suspects who were just produced before the court on Tuesday March 16.

The pregnant lawyer, Adaobi, was reported to have first offered her

cards to suspects who were just produced before the court on Tuesday March 16.

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The pregnant lawyer, Adaobi, was reported to have first offered her card to the suspects but was opposed by Nkiru who immediately threw her card on the floor. in reaction, Adaobi also grabbed the complimentary card of Nkiru and this time, flung it outside the Court’s window

During their arraignment , the suspects were produced from detention to give a narration before the court on how the incident occured.

They explained to the court that the lawyers had both offered them their complimentary cards, but became antagonistic towards one another as a result.

The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 54 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015

The court has adjourned the case until May 18 for mention

At the time of filing this reports relatives of the defendants who are still in police custody were still making efforts to perfect the bail conditions of the defendants. (Triplenet)

Abdulrasheed Bawa is seeking to curb money laundering and other illicit financial flows by deploying unconstitutional tactics of his own.

Three weeks after assuming office, EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa has yet to complete his asset declaration process at the Code of Conduct Bureau, workers at the bureau told Peoples Gazette. 

Conclusion of Mr. Bawa’s own asset filings was still pending as of yesterday when he controversially and unconstitutionally asked Nigerian bank workers to declare their assets by June 1, according to officials familiar with the matter.

“We heard that he wanted to declare his asset but he has not completed the process of asset declaration for someone in his position,” an official said under anonymity to comment without official permission. 

Another official who confirmed to the Gazette said it was not uncommon for officials to quickly file their assets and backdate the declaration date. 

“They do it all the time,” the official said also under anonymity to avoid retribution. “You just suddenly see a file that was not there before and they will tell you a powerful politician just brought it in but they had to backdate it for the person.”

A senior EFCC official told the Gazette that asset declaration was amongst the requirements for Mr. Bawa to become the agency’s chairman, saying it was possible that he declared secretly. 

“Many of us declare our assets secretly and I think the chairman may have done his own in secret as well,” the EFCC official said. “But some officials, especially those at the management level, are in the habit of not declaring their assets.”

A spokesman for the EFCC did not return a request seeking comments. 
Mr. Bawa’s directive, which he hinged on an obscure decree adopted by Ibrahim Babangida’s junta in 1986, said bankers may face sanctions if they failed to file their assets with the Nigerian government.

The EFCC chairman, who has an unresolved corruption case of his own, said the move was aimed towards sanitising the nation’s financial system and block loopholes exploited by unscrupulous bankers who seek to undermine the Nigerian economy through money laundering and other illicit financial flows.

But Mr. Bawa has no constitutional mandate to demand asset bankers who run private businesses. The 1986 law he cited said all those who work in the banking sector are bankers and their assets must be declared annually to the chief executive of their respective financial institutions. 

But the law had since been abandoned following the introduction of The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which mandated only scheduled public office holders to declare asset upon assumption of office. The bureau does not demand asset filings from workers in the private sector.

There’s also nothing in the EFCC Act that authorises Mr. Bawa to demand asset forms of bankers. But the 1986 law said the president can determine enforcement of the asset declaration by bankers. But President Muhammadu Buhari has yet to issue an executive order or similar proclamations for the bankers to declare their asset through the EFCC. 

Neither the CBN nor the association of bankers has issued a statement on Mr. Bawa’s directive, but lawyers have already dismissed it as reckless and arbitrary. 

“This arbitrariness is what we have been preaching against,” said Abuja-based lawyer Ken Eluma Asogwa. “We have to stamp out corruption but you don’t do so by corrupting the entire system.” 

Mr. Eluma Asogwa said Mr. Bawa should be the one who should publicly declare his asset as a way of encouraging transparency and accountability in public service, warning that forcing bankers to live up to higher standards could invite public disorder.

 “He should publicly declare his own asset so that we can all see that he will not leave office in disgrace like Ibrahim Magu,” the lawyer said. “Otherwise, his public attempt to smear people in the private sector and hold them to higher standards could give room to anarchy.”(Gazettengr)

 
Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s President on Administration and Women Affairs and Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Dr. Hajo Sani OON and the Rwandan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Yamina Karitanyi, have bagged awards during this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). The awards were in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of women within their spheres of influence.
 
In celebrating the achievements of the two esteemed women, Dr. Hajo Sani received the inaugural “Markets4Development Literary Award” for the socio-economic and political empowerment of women, while Her Excellency Yamina Karitanyi received the inaugural “Markets4Development Award for the UK-Based Africa Diplomat of the Year.”
 
Announcing the awards recipients at a virtual  interactive session to commemorate the IWD, the host and moderator for the event Ms Ndidi Njoku, an international finance and development specialist and CEO of United Kingdom -based organisation Markets4Development,  said empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps are key to attaining the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals- particularly Goals 5 and 8 – to achieve gender equality and to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all. Ndidi highlighted a McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report which concluded that advancing women’s equality can add $12 trillion to global growth.
 
In her keynote address at the March 9 event, Dr. Sani who is due to publish a new book titled, “Women in the New Era” – a compendium of essays by selected resource experts on different aspects of women’s development – said there is a need for collective action in driving gender parity against socio-economic challenges.
 
She noted that the theme of this year’s IWD, Choose-to-Challenge, was apt in tackling the Corona virus pandemic, which she said had affected the economic productivity of women.
 
“I have chosen to continue to challenge the impediments to women empowerment and the education of the girl-child with particular focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the success so far. We need strong and renewed partnerships at all levels by creating strategies to respond to the challenges arising from the pandemic, including those that pose as a threat to the attainment of women’s economic leadership and empowerment.”
 
In combating the issue of women’s empowerment, Dr Sani made a case for better support for rural women who mostly occupy the lower level of the economy, as they are the often most marginalised in terms of socio-economic empowerment.
 
“Rural women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. However, limited access to credit, healthcare and education are among the many challenges they face, which are further aggravated by the global food and economic crises and climate change.”
 
She added: “Empowering them is key, not only to the well-being of individuals, families and rural communities, but also to overall economic productivity, given women’s large presence in the agricultural workforce worldwide.”
 
Dr Sani observed that “One of the major constraints of empowerment of the rural woman is lack of capital or access to financial facility in form of loan from financial institutions,” a situation which she lamented.
 
In her own Keynote message, Her Excellency Yamina Karitanyi, the High Commissioner for the Republic of Rwanda to the United Kingdom, and non-resident Ambassador to Ireland underscored her country’s impressive strides in gender equality and women’s participation and empowerment with statistics.
 
“Currently Rwanda has the highest number of women in parliament in the whole world, with women occupying 64% of the seats; with gender parity – meaning an equal number of girls and boys, in both primary and secondary schools – all across the country,” Ambassador Karitanyi, said
 
Prior to her posting to the United Kingdom, the fluent English, French, Kinyarwanda and Swahili-speaking diplomat held the Tourism and Conservation portfolios at the Rwanda Development Board – a Government agency mandated with fast-tracking economic development.
 
Under her leadership, the Tourism and Conservation Board developed programmes to improve tourism, including the reintroduction of lions in Akagera National Park.
 
In 2012, Karitanyi, who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Studies from Buffalo State College, USA, and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, was appointed High Commissioner to Kenya in which role she significantly improved trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
 
Other speakers at the event included Chantelė Carrington, the COO of PwC’s African Business Group UK, Amma Gyampo, Co-Founder, ScaleUp Africa and recent TedxAccra Speaker, and Sonia Jordan-Kirwan, Manager, Gender Equality and Woman’s Economic Empowerment, CDC Group
 

In her inaugural launch and first engagement with the public, the Women, Law and Development Initiative also known as WOLDI Africa with support from the Urgent Action Fund for Africa (UAF-AFRICA) held a one-day consultative forum on COVID-19 related Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Abuja,
WOLDI Africa is a non-governmental, non-profit women’s rights organization that seeks to provide voice to the voiceless and access to justice to women and children, promotion of elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and children, ensuring sustainable development and gender equality in Africa. In ensuring that the rights and liberties of women are protected and guaranteed, WOLDI Africa uses the machinery of the law to provide free legal services to indigent women, children, vulnerable persons and marginalized groups including women with disabilities.

In the words of the President and Founder of WOLDI Africa, Dr. Hauwa E. Shekarau, FICMC, the one-day consultative forum is also a platform to launch WOLDI Africa to the public and to tackle the challenges of access to justice by women especially with the coming of the COIVD-19 pandemic which has exacerbated the spread of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria.
The vision of WOLDI AFRICA as a non-profit organization is a world where women and children have access to justice, their fundamental rights are guaranteed, protected and enforced and are free from all form of discrimination.

The mission of WOLDI Africa is to advocate for women’s rights and provide access to justice for women and children, protect their rights and liberties and promote their development by offering free legal services in the areas of strategic litigation, legal education, Advocacy, research and documentation on the fundamental rights and liberties for women and children.

Participants at the event were community leaders within the FCT; government ministries and agencies in particular were the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Legal Aid Council; the Nigerian Police Force represented by the gender unit; the Nigerian Correctional Centre; the Civil Society Organisations were also present, the Media (Print, digital, visual and audio); the National Association Of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and women-focused NGOs (FIDA Nigeria Abuja branch, Deaf Women Aloud, Cedar Seed Foundation, Women Right to Education) were all present.

While delivering her goodwill message, the honourable Minister of Women Affairs represented by Mrs Victoria Lar stated that the government encourages the Civil Society Organisations to partner with the government in ensuring access to justice and help for vulnerable women. She appreciated WOLDI Africa for taking giant steps to ensure that survivors of GBV have access justice. She concluded by stating that the Ministry of Women Affairs is ready to work with WOLDI Africa in achieving its mandate.

According to Ms Kyaharan Sude, Program Officer WOLDI Africa, so far WOLDI Africa has embarked on advocacy visits to Pasali and Kuchingoro communities of the FCT, engaged with the community leaders and empowered the women as well.
WOLDI Africa has also visited the Suleja Correctional Centre, 36 female inmates were attended to and 6 cases are currently handled by WOLDI Africa pro bono.

So, recently I learnt that a dear friend and sister of mine, human rights activist, Barrister Sai’da Saad Bugaje is currently being ruthlessly and brutally harassed and persecuted by the authorities over her critique of the gormless governor of the State she hails from. It has gotten so intense that friends and family are now scared for her safety and life. Some months back, she had initially been subjected to a special kind of extrajudicial harassment by, what is believed to be the governor’s henchmen, over utterances she made on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 funds in her State. At that time, she was almost whisked away by personnel claiming to be working for the authorities in her home, had it not been for the timely intervention of the police and government of a different State.

As part of that ordeal, Barrister Sa’ida Saad, the wife of renowned politician of esteemed pedigree and national treasure, Dr Usman Bugaje, was bombarded in her home when members of the police arrived in two vehicles and demanded for her to follow them to her State of origin even though they made that demand without an arrest warrant. Being that Barrister Saida is very much aware of her rights, she asked them to produce an arrest warrant and refused to follow the authorities unless she was furnished with one. Apart from the fact that the, so called, authorities sent to take her were not equipped with a valid arrest warrant, Barrister Saida was also cognizant of the insecurity in Nigeria and concerned. Given the spate of kidnappings and abductions across the country, it is no wonder that she was adamant on not blindly following strangers who barged into her house far into what could have been the great abyss. Luckily, while she stood her ground in refusing to follow them, they were eventually persuaded to leave.

With the ink hardly dry on that particular incident in which Barrister Saida escaped arrest, another confrontation was to ensue when the same group of personnel returned and forced their way into her home. In that particular incident, it looked as if they meant business because, according to eye witnesses, they intimidated members of her household, charged into her rooms, took pictures of the house, property and car number plates, amongst other forms of aggression. Perhaps Barrister Saida’s saving grace on that faithful day was her absence. Thankfully to the Almighty, my friend was not at home. One cannot imagine what would have happened to her if they hoard of people sent had met her and her children at her home. Having had no way of locating her, they subsequently made their exit.

Presently, the persecution has continued with that particular State governor relentlessly setting members of the authorities in his State against her for allegedly speaking her mind.

On the morning of the 15th of March 2021, unidentified men visited the apartment she stays in Abuja with her picture demanding that the occupants of the residence produce her. They arrived at 6.30 am and got all occupants of the building out in the car park, where they searched through everyone harassing and intimidating them to produce Barrister Sa’ida. Some of the occupants where even just half dressed, as it is expected that time of the morning.

It has been reported that the men sent by the State governor are currently going round every residence Barrister visits in Abuja relentlessly looking for her despite the fact that there is an ongoing court case on her matter and ‘an order from a high court against her indiscriminate arrest.’

Only in Nigeria can the kind of mutiny of the rule of law that seems to characterize this governor become commonplace. Reading the account that Barrister Saida had been subjected to in the first incident, one is compelled to question which authority the police personnel sent to apprehend her empowered them to the extent that they would leave their jurisdiction in their State and go to another State to arrest Barrister Sa’ida without a ‘Warrant?’

For goodness sake, we are supposed to be operating a democratic system of government. Freedom of speech to speak, analyze, question and criticize within the annals of the law is supposed to be part of the bedrock of which our hard fought democracy is based on. No longer do we operate a Military system where Nigerians are restricted from free speech. Alas, the action of this particular governor against Barrister Saida Saad Bugaje is reminiscent of the military era. We are no longer in that era neither are we under a dictatorship, hence such actions must not be condoned. The Governor should note that the rights of individuals to express themselves even in a critical manner are enshrined in the Constitution. He should realize that the people have a right to see things differently and critique policies of his administration.

It is unfortunate to see this dangerous growing trend where some State Governors, as well as powerful-individuals feel entitled and empowered to illegally use police personnel to intimidate and arrest their critics or Nigerians who speak freely about matters that inconvenience and irritate those in authority.

Why is this the case? Recall the curious case of Abubakar Idris a.k.a Dadiyata who has been missing for almost two years now after he was abducted from his home in his State. He is a well-known fierce critic of his government. This outspoken activist was whisked away by the authorities almost two years ago and till date, his whereabouts are unknown to the vast amount of the Nigerian public. And many fear the fate of Dadiyata, which are invariably linked to his criticism of government.

While speculations and confusion still dominates narratives of Dadiyata’s whereabouts, it is no wonder that Barrister Saida Saad Bugaje used her intellectual resources to resist becoming a statistic in the manner that this young man may have become.

The siege and attempted abduction of Barrister Saida Saad Bugaje by security personnel speaks volumes on how impunity is being employed by certain individuals to circumvent due process. And despite the danger of being apprehended back to her State, under the daunting force of her Governor, Barrister Saida Saad maintained that she is willing and ready to face any valid charges the State Government might have filled against her, as long as correct procedure were followed and the safety of her and her family was guaranteed.

As we live in Nigeria during a time when we are fighting a ferocious internal war against violent crime, armed robbery, banditry and kidnapping, it is indeed shameful that our scarce resources, particularly during this period of COVID-19 and dwindling revenues, are being expended to achieve selfish agendas against those who have the courage to exercise their Constitutional right to free speech, rather than for the greater good. Why scarce resources would be spent on large numbers of security personnel on a fool’s errand is really ‘Stoooopid’ with a capital S!

With several crimes and criminality across the country, especially the North, sending equipped police personnel all the way to one State from another to pick up an ordinary citizen for airing her views against a sitting government is the new definition of crime fighting. As a country, have we really sunk that low? Is appeasing some individual’s ego more important than the safety of people’s lives and properties? Where exactly is the priority of some of these Governors?

With her pedigree as an activist and human rights advocate, understandably, about 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) had, in the past, demanded that security personnel desist from hounding Barrister Saida Saad Bugaje and follow due process in instituting criminal proceedings against her. These CSOs previously went ahead to sign a petition calling on the police to desist from laying siege to Barrister Saida Saad Bugaje’s house. However, despite this, Barrister Sa’ida Saad Bugaje is being hounded and tracked as if she has no Constitutional or human rights.

While this particular Governor is supposed to be an academic genius and first class student, it might be pertinent for someone to sit him down and educate him on the very basic tenants of our Democracy and Constitution. Should he not be aware, in Nigeria, freedom of expression is protected by section 39 (1) of the Constitution. The Constitution protects the right to freedom of expression and provides that any restriction to this right must be justifiable in a democratic society. The declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa also provides that any restriction to freedom of expression must “serve a legitimate purpose, necessary in a democratic society.”

Freedom of expression is also a primary requirement for democracy to thrive. Any society, which indiscriminately regulates what can be said and what cannot be said will ultimately collapse. Free speech is inherent in man; thoughts are free and for man to blossom, such thoughts should be given expression. Societies such as ours should endeavor to appreciate the need to allow citizens to freely express themselves.

While Social media in particular has become a very important tool for shaping public discourse in Nigeria, the apparent desperation to intimidate, suppress and silence public opinion and free speech by some people in power as well as further entrench a siege mentality on the citizenry is beyond belief. The authorities should not exploit concerns about hate speech or fake news as a pretext for the repression of free speech. Actions like that of the Governor in this particular persecution of Barrister Sa’ida appear to actualize a dangerous drive to muzzle free speech in Nigeria.

While one is aware that some people hold very dangerous views; dangerous in the sense that their views are myopic, inciting, destructive or inflammatory and threatening to the ideals of mutual respect, the courts are there to interpret and persecute erring offenders. But in order for any matter to get up to that level, due process must be adhered to according to Nigerian law. It is not for an individual, no matter how powerful they are or how highly placed they are, to be the judge, jury and executioner!’

Notorious dictator Idi Amin once said, “there is freedom of expression; however he will not guarantee freedom after the expression.” Perhaps this very expression is what this Governor is, himself, governed by!

Barrister Sa’ida Saad Bugaje continues to live under extreme fear for her safety and that of her family since the September 16th, 2020 incident and the exercise of her free speech that set her and her family running helter skelter in preservation of mind body and soul.

It is important for her story to be put on public record should anything happen to her. It must again be noted that there are court orders and subsisting court cases for the enforcement of her ‘fundamental human rights’ presently in the law courts. Despite this, the governor’s team has become more determined and relentless in picking her up for charges, which appear to be completely baseless. The Governor needs to Simmer-down and allow the Courts to determine the next cause of action instead of this manner of extrajudicial persecution.

Barrister Sa’ida Saad Bugaje has declared that she is and will continue to be a law abiding citizen who “loves her country deeply and is known for her deep respect for the rule of law, Justice and fairness.” She has said that she will, therefore “continue to seek all legitimate means to protect herself and her family against the Governor’s excesses!”

Recently, in her own words, she posted that, “What the Governor and his men are doing is completely against my basic and fundamental rights! If he truly believes that he has a genuine case of defamation of character against me then he should go to a proper court to institute a CIVIL ACTION. This is the proper thing to do but not to set the machinery of justice that is meant to give protection against me…”

I have personally known Barrister Sa’da Saad Bugaje for decades and I can contest that she is one of the most honorable, decent minded people I know; a brilliant lawyer who continuously fights for the most downtrodden in society, a fantastic wife and mother, a good and loyal friend, a patriotic Nigerian and an all round decent human being. She does not deserve the treatment allegedly given to her by the Governor of her State’s not-so-merry men!

With that I throw my gauntlet in to exercise my constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech by stating that “I STAND WITH BARRISTER SA’IDA SAAD BUGAJE” in exercising her Constitutional right without fear of intimidation!”

“My thoughts and prayers are with you my dear friend and sister. May The Almighty keep you safe”

No matter what happens, Barrister Sa’ida Saad Bugaje MUST be kept ALIVE AND WELL… One hopes that her State Governor gets this message… “LOUD AND CLEAR!!!” (TheCable)

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, met with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, newly appointed Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the Presidential Villa.

President Buhari told her that despite the robust support Nigeria gave to her candidacy for the position, that she also earned it by the force of her past records of exemplary performances 8n public office.

According to him: “You also earned it. We are happy you made it, but you earned it with your record of performance both at home and abroad.”

The President said Dr Okonjo-Iweala was putting Nigeria more on the world map, “and I congratulate you, as well as the country. I know you will represent us so well.”

President Buhari lauded Nigerian women once again, pointing to key positions they hold like Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and many others. He said the same way, government would encourage the youths, “so that they can be ready for the challenges of the future.”

The new WTO DG thanked President Buhari for strong and unprecedented support she received from her own country in the race for the position.

“You nominated me, you wrote hundreds of letters, called up hundreds of world leaders. Without your personal and direct intervention, it may not have worked. The people of Nigeria also supported me massively. The youths were wonderful, always encouraging, backing me up on social media.

“Mr President, the world recognizes what you have done. Since its establishment, only men have led the WTO. Now, a woman has emerged for the first time, and she’s a Nigerian. We are so honoured,” Dr Okonjo-Iweala said.

She briefed the President about the opportunities for Nigeria in the global organization, as well as the challenges, stressing that “WTO will do more to help Nigeria, but we need to add value to our products in order to trade more. We should exploit all the opportunities in front of us.”

She added that the support and leadership of President Buhari will help her a lot in her position as DG.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala assumed office on March 1, 2021 as the first female DG of the World Trade Organization. (Theconclaveng)

The cry for state police is rising from state governors dissatisfied by the insecurity that ravage their people at the grassroots and the lame structures on ground presently.

Just a few weeks after his friend and partner in joint border security matters, Governor Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna, lamented the present security architecture, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has advocated the need for the establishment of state police in the country to provide security at the grassroots.

Governor Sani Bello made the suggestion when he received, on courtesy visit, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), led by David Kolade Alabi at the Government House, Minna.

He said time has come for the State Police to be established especially as the Federal Police are being faced with inadequate manpower and other logistical challenges.

“Now I strongly believe state policing is necessary because we have to take the security down to the lowest level as the Federal Police can not do it all”.

Everyday.ng reports that last week, frustrated by growing insecurity that has led to the loss of nearly 1000 lives and 2,000 kidnappings, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, called for the decentralisation of the Police to allow states employ personnel to tackle the menace of criminals.

Receiving a gloomy report of the security situation in his domain on last week Wednesday, he said: ‘’The security of our communities depend on the robust projection of state power, and that can only be done with sufficient security numbers to overawe and deter criminals….

“There are simply not enough police officers in Nigeria and the idea of policing such a vast, federal republic in a unitary manner is not pragmatic.”

In Minna, Bello said,”So, it is time to allow for the state police that will grow from the bottom-up so that there will be presence of security personnel even at the unit, hopefully, when that is done we will get some peace and more so, that the police will be employed from the communities they know everyone”.

The Governor said he did not expect the establishment of the state police to be complicated, adding that even the local governments should have their police too.

“We must break the responsibility from Federal-to-States, and from states-to-local governments.

“Even at the local governments level, they should have their police so that, at all levels, there are some measure of control and, in any case, it shouldn’t be complicated”.

He challenged the leadership of National ALGON to ensure that all LGAs chairmen provide robust local government administration because of their proximity to the people.

According to him, his administration had given financial autonomy to the local governments in the state and was pushing for them to have their allocations directly.

He decried a situation where only about nine LGAs could comfortably pay salaries of staff due to over bloated salary pay roll, with huge number ghost workers.

The Governor assured that he would continue to work closely with chairmen of local government councils.

The leader of the delegation, Alabi, said they were worried about the unprecedented attack and banditry activities across the country.

“You will agree with me that the panacea for a safe community is this call for the state police and for community policing.

“It is necessary that we should have state police and also the need for the review of allocation sharing formula in favour of states and LGAs when the state police is finally approved because there will be lots of money required for its takeoff”, he stated.

He commended Governor Sani Bello for earmarking substantial amount of money for road construction across the 25 LGAs to bring about the desired growth and development of the state.

He called on all the local government chairmen to be vigilant and ensure that there are no security breaches and challenges. (Everyday)