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Nigerian Doctor, Ben Okigbo Sh*ots Self, Wife In M*rder-Suicide In US

The police in the US are investigating the death of a Nigerian couple believed to have resulted from murder-suicide.

Dr. Ben Okigbo and his wife, Theresa, were found dead in their Sugar Land, Texas home on Friday morning, according to police.

The discovery was said to have been made around 10:05 am at the Greatwood Subdivision in the 1500 block of Brookstone Lane.

“One of the kids dialed 911 (the emergency police number), apparently there was a fight or disturbance going on inside the resident,” Police chief, Eric Robins, said.

The police said that when officers arrived, they found the couple dead inside the home.

“It appears that it could be a potential murder-suicide but it has not been totally ruled,” Chief Robins said.

Police said the couple’s three adult children were also at the scene, with two of them suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Neighbours were said to have been shocked when they heard the news.

A neighbor, Ace Walker, said he was shocked to see police cars and crime tape in his neighbourhood.

“It’s like right down the street so that’s really wild,” he said.

Steven Nelson, who lives down the street, says the neighbourhood has always been quiet.

Nelson said he had seen the husband before, while walking his dog.

“It’s shocking for all of us because you just don’t expect something like that to happen here; it’s always somewhere else,” he said.

It’s still unclear about what happened and how the couple died.

“My heart goes out to them. That’s really sad,” Walker said.

Chief Robins said it’s a tough situation, especially with Christmas a week away.

“We try to make sure our residents are safe in the City of Sugar Land.

“But when these types of things happen, especially during this time of the year, holiday season with everything else that is going on, we ask people who have crisis in their home to seek out and reach help,” he said.

While the police was yet to identify the couple, a Facebook post by the Rector at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Houston said: Dear friends, the causes for grief in 2020 seem to multiply.

“I am very sad to inform you that Ben and Theresa Okigbo died this morning at their home in Sugarland.

“Their sons Peter and Paul were transported to Memorial Sugarland Hospital, but have since been released.

“Currently, they are with their sister Laura, in the care of their uncle, Ben Okoh.

“This news is absolutely devastating for our Epiphany family, especially for many of our Nigerian members, whose lives and hearts were touched so profoundly by Ben and Theresa.

“We have no good answers, only broken hearts to bring to our Lord Jesus. And there is no better place for our broken hearts to be than in his care.

“I assured Ben and Laura that their Epiphany family is ready to surround them with grace and mercy, and to be of any assistance we can to these three children who will now grapple with the loss of two parents.

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SERAP Asks Buhari To Stop NIN Registration, Withdraw Threat To Block SIM Cards

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) Mr Aliyu Abubakar to stop the push for registration of Nigerians for National Identity Number (NIN), and withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, as the data being sought already exist in several platforms, including the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), driver’s license, international passport, and voters’ card.”

The organization also urged him “to instruct Mr Pantami and Mr Abubakar to take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully and effectively discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, and to use the information to update SIM card registration.”

The Federal Government had threatened that SIM cards not linked to NIN by 30 December, 2020 would be blocked, and that telecom service providers that failed to block phone numbers without NIN would have their operating licences withdrawn.

But SERAP in a letter dated 19 December, 2020 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “No government has the right to strip its own people of their basic rights under the guise of registration for national identity number. If the authorities continue down this path, the threats to citizens’ rights such as the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, will inevitably increase, and the NIMC will remain a paper tiger.”

SERAP said: “Instead of forcing Nigerians to register, threatening telecom service providers with sanctions, and exposing Nigerians to the risks of COVID-19, your government ought to make sure that the NIMC discharges its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies, and make use of the information collected.”

According to SERAP: “The request for Nigerians to register for NIN is burdensome, unjustified and unnecessary. It would end up serving no other purpose than to threaten and violate the rights of Nigerians, and create a ‘chilling effect’ on citizens’ ability to participate in the fight against corruption in the country, and thereby seriously undermining the government’s oft-repeated commitment to transparency and accountability.”

The letter, read in part: “There is neither a pressing legal or practical need for this registration, which threatens Nigerians’ human rights, especially at a time your government is warning Nigerians about the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.”

“Blocking Nigerians from using their SIM cards would amount to a blatant violation of their rights to freedom of expression and access to information, and have a ‘chilling effect’ on the enjoyment of other human rights.”

“We would be grateful if your government would indicate the measures being taken to stop the unnecessary registration of NIN, withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, and take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations in the interest of millions of Nigerians.”

“One of the stated purposes of NIMC as elaborated in section 5 [a] of the NIMC Act is to harmonise and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into a national identity database. If the NIMC cannot perform this important statutory duty, then it has failed to achieve an obvious part of its legislative purpose.”

“This push for registration will place a substantial burden on the exercise of human rights by Nigerians. It is also patently contrary to the objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as contained in Section 1[g] of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which is to protect the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria.’”

“These rights presumably include the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, life and personal security. The enjoyment of these rights forms the basis for a free and democratic society. A democratic government based on the rule of law is one that is responsible to its citizenry and seeks to represent their interests.”

“The push for registration for NIN is a bad initiative, and cannot find support in existing laws, the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“SERAP notes that the information on individuals currently being sought by your government already exist in several platforms, including through multiple citizen’s collection data platforms such as the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), international passport, driver’s license, SIM card registration and voters’ card.”

“This point is buttressed by Section 5 [h] of the NIMC Act 2007, which provides that: ‘the Commission shall establish and maintain secured communication links with any existing relevant identity related database or agency’”.

“The statutory duty to harmonize and integrate existing data for the purposes of NIN and SIM card registration should not be difficult to carry out, as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are already members of the Board of the NIMC by virtue of section 2[1][b] of the NIMC Act.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Nigeria has ratified both human rights treaties.”

“According to our information, your government has issued a two-week ultimatum for the registration and linking of National Identity Number (NIN) to mobile numbers across the country.”

“The NCC has also reportedly directed telecom service providers to block phone numbers without NIN while Mr Abubakar has stated that there would be no extension for the announced deadline ending 30 December, 2020.”

“Your government has also reportedly threatened that, ‘After the deadline, all SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks. Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.’”

The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Pantami, and Mr Abubakar.

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Mr. T

By Abubakar D. Sani

A word of caution:
Lest you are fooled
By the title
Of this epistle-of- sorts

It’s not about Lawrence Tureaud
The famous ‘80s American thespian
Better known
By that moniker

No.It is none other than
A certain President of the United States
Whose surname
Begins with that letter

That’s right:
Donald John Trump
As controversial as they come,
Ever up for a fight
Man of many firsts:
First billionaire American President;
The oldest when elected -
And to lack prior military/government experience

His victory in 2016
Against Hillary Clinton
Defied all odds
And went against all predictions

When he took office, he promptly set about
Re-casting America in his own image
Unfortunately, his message
Was undermined by its lack of clout

Which -in turn
Was fuelled by his failure
To galvanize the public
To his America First policy.

To be sure, however,
His recordprior to assuming office
Not to mention his persona,
Was largely his undoing
Seeminglyloathed and loved
In equal measure
He comes across
Asa highly divisive figure

To those enamoured
Of his Make America Great Again mantra
He is the Messiah
They have been waiting for

However, large segments of the population
View him with suspicion
Or worse – he is their worst nightmare
With him, they simply feel unwanted

Name them:
Immigrants, Blacks
Same-sex proponents,
Muslims, Trans-genders

Little wonder, then
That they were the first to celebrate
When his re-election bid failed
And he lost to Joe Biden
Unfortunately,
True-to-type,
He has refused to accept defeat
And, instead, is flying the kite

Of an election fraud
Even after he was serially
Laughed out of court
Into which he was goaded bythe likes of Rudi Guiliani.

Those verdicts surely resonated
As they seemed to re-echo
His famous catch-phrase
From his erstwhile reality show:

The Apprentice, that is:
“You are fired!”
How life imitates art - But not for our protagonist

As he continues -still
To propoundhis alternative reality;
That his loss is a massive conspiracy;
And the biggest fraud in American history
The saddest part
Is that many Republicans
Seem to believe
This fantastic spin -

Regardless of its consequences
On history
And future elections
Not to mention the rule of law -

And a whole host
Of other undesirable outcomes
In God’s supposed own country
Surely America’s standing -

As the bastion of democracy
And international best practices
Is at risk
Nay, in jeopardy

If such infantile/immature
Challenges to the most basic
But fundamental institutions
Of States are allowed to persist If such a misfit
Can be allowed to sleep-walk his way
Into the highest office
In this corner of the Milky Way -

What hope for the rest of humanity?
How shall we respond
To autocrats and despots
When next they sit tight and insist

That they- and no one else
Won elections– which, though free and fair Was won by their opponent(s)?
Who will blame them?

In other words, any prizes
For guessing What Mr. Trump’s legacy Will be?

Certainly not-
Suffice it to say that it is best summed up
By President Roosevelt’s famous reaction To the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour:
That is to say - His tenure will certainly
“Live long in infamy”
Who can deny this, except the most blasé

Written By Abubakar D. Sani, Esq,

Australia halts local COVID-19 vaccine development due to false HIV positives

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia cancelled the production of a locally made vaccine against COVID-19 after trials showed it could interfere with HIV diagnosis, with the government instead securing additional doses of rival vaccines.

Antibodies generated by the vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and biotech firm CSL, one of four candidates contracted by the Australian government, were found to lead to some false positive HIV test results, the makers said.

While the vaccine had elicited a “robust” immune response to the novel SARS-COV-2 virus without serious adverse effects in a Phase 1 trial with 216 participants, re-engineering a fix could take another 12 months, they said.

CSL and the Australian government had together decided to stop Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials.

“While this is a tough decision to take, the urgent need for a vaccine has to be everyone’s priority,” said UQ professor Paul Young.

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CSL, which had a contract to produce 51 million doses of the UQ vaccine, will instead produce an extra 20 million doses of the Oxford vaccine being developed with Britain’s AstraZeneca, taking the total to 53 million.

The government said it has also secured additional doses of Novavax vaccines.

Australia also has a contract for 10 million doses of a vaccine being developed by Pfizer, with regulatory approval expected by January 2021.

JPMorgan analysts said the cancellation of the CSL contract removed an “important” opportunity for the vaccine maker that would have brought it A$100 million ($75 million) in extra revenues. CSL shares fell 3.2% on Friday, underperforming a slightly weaker broader market.

VACCINE ROLL-OUT

All up, Australia has secured 140 million vaccine units to inoculate its 25 million people, one of the highest ratios of vaccine purchases to population in the world, officials said.

The cancellation was announced before Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s final meeting this year with state and territory leaders in Canberra – their first in-person meeting in nine months – to plan the vaccination roll-out and to develop seasonal visas for skilled workers and students.

“We want to ensure that Australians … have full confidence, absolute full confidence that when it gets the tick, they can get the jab, and they can make that decision for themselves and for their families, confidently,” Morrison told reporters.

Despite suffering significant economic hits due to COVID-19, Australian consumer sentiment is climbing again as the country re-emerges from the pandemic faster than most.

Australia’s tally of 28,000 COVID-19 infections is far fewer than in many other developed countries, and with only sporadic cases of the virus now showing up, it has not raced to start vaccinations as in North America and parts of Europe.

The country is scheduled to start vaccinations in March 2021 and expects to inoculate its whole population by the end of the year.

($1 = 1.3229 Australian dollars)

reuters

Why We Didn’t Kill Katsina Schoolboys’ Abductors — Military

The Nigerian military on Saturday made some disclosures on how it carried out the rescue operation of the 344 boys kidnapped from their school in Kankara, Katsina State, on December 11.

The military disclosed that while kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were used to ensure that all the boys were rescued unhurt, there was resistance from the abductors who laid an ambush for the troops.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, and a former Director, Military Intelligence, Maj.Gen. Ahmed Jibrin (retd,), gave the accounts on Saturday when they featured on a special edition of the Nigerian Television Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria.”

The News Agency of Nigeria identified Jibrin as the Special Technical Adviser to the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.).

Jibrin said following the abduction of the boys, the minister led a delegation, including the Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser, to Katsina and Kankara.

He said the minister gave the rules of engagement, directing the troops to ensure that the abducted boys were rescued without casualties and within the shortest time possible.

He said, “Following the directive, the troops closed in on the abductors from four different fronts, including the reinforcement that was made from other divisions, to ensure that the entire location was sealed off.

“The bandits were all under siege and they were fully aware of that, feeling the impacts of the presence of the troops both from the air and on the ground.

“When they approached the location where the boys were held, the troops encountered some pockets of opposition which they cleared and moved deeper into the forest.

“Although there was no casualty on the part of the boys, a lot of the bandits were neutralised because in the attempt by the military to move forward, they laid ambush in two places along the way.

“In fact, in the second place where they laid ambush, there was serious resistance because they were hiding and had occupied the road.

“They delayed the movement of the troops for some hours before they were neutralised.”

Jibrin said while the troops were on the field, negotiations were ongoing at another level of the rescue efforts.

He said the troops could not completely demobilise the bandits because of possible collateral damage as the abducted boys were used as human shields.

On the claim by the Boko Haram terrorists that they were responsible for the abduction, Jibrin said the group was only seeking cheap relevance.

“(Abubakar) Shekau does not have the reach to carry out the abduction because a lot is being done to stop them in the North-East.

“He is just taking advantage of what happened to get publicity locally and internationally; it is clear that the abduction was done by bandits.

“All their efforts when they were trying to reach out to the bandits, which they did, were monitored,’’ he said.

On his part, Enenche said the rescue mission, like any other one, was a delicate operation because if it was not carried out very professionally, the tide could turn negatively.

“This is an operation where you do not rely on your capacity on platforms and mechanical weapons but your ability to effectively carry out the mission with unarmed combat.

“This means you have to silence your enemies and take your objective away without firing a shot.

“It is very delicate in the sense that if you do not manage the operation well, the children who are in-between you and the enemies will now become the victims.

“When they become the victims, the people outside there will attribute it to failure on the part of your security forces,’’ he said.

Thenigerialawyer

Ekiti State Govt Translates Amotekun And Other Laws To Yoruba To Be Understood By Majority Of People In The State

The Government of Ekiti State has translated five of its laws into Yoruba.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Law Review, Ministry of Justice of the state.

The Director said the laws are Amotekun law, 2019; Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law, 2019; Property Protection Law, 2019; Sustainable Development Goals law, 2019; and Ekiti State Transition Law, 2019.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TRANSLATES AMOTEKUN LAW, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ( PROHIBITION) LAW AND THREE OTHERS LAWS INTO YORUBA LANGUAGE.

In furtherance of the directive of Governor, Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi on the need to ensure that Laws of Ekiti State are understood and accessible to the majority of the people living in Ekiti State, the Ministry of Justice has translated five laws into Yoruba Language.

These laws are:

1. Ekiti State (Transition) Law, 2019: A Law to establish arrangements for the political transfer of administration from one democratically elected governor to another, to provide for the regulation of the political transfer of power and for related matters.

2. Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019: A Law to repeal the Ekiti State Gender-based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2011 and enact the Ekiti State Gender-based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019 to incorporate the provisions of the Law to Prohibit Female Circumcision or Genital Mutilation in Ekiti State Cap. E13, the Law to protect the Rights of Widows, Cap. R6 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) Act 2015, in one law, and other matters connected therewith.

3. Ekiti State Sustainable Development Goals Law, 2019: A Law to provide for the mainstream of sustainable development goals across the workings of government, to raise awareness of sustainable development goals and practices across Ekiti State and to promote the adoption thereof.

4. Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti-Land Grabbing) Law, 2019: A Law to prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Ekiti State and other related matters.

5. Ekiti State Security Network Agency Law, 2019: A Law to establish the Ekiti State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to assist in maintaining law and order in Ekiti State and for connected purposes.

This is the first phase of the Ministry of Justice’s “Translation of Laws of Ekiti State into Yoruba Language”Project.

Copies of these Laws can be obtained from the office of:

The Director,
Law Review,
Ministry of Justice,
Phase III, State Secretariat
Ado-Ekiti

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Boko Haram; The Propagandists; The Reality (Part 2)

By Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN

INTRODUCTION

Last week, we saw how this government has severally promised to deal a death blow on the Boko Haram insurgency, but has instead exacerbated the security situation with the addition of armed bandits, rampaging herdsmen, vampirous kidnappers, killer squads, etc. Nigerians are in a quagmire. What next? Many Senators and others had waded in. Today, we shall continue the search for solutions. However, the most recent kidnap of about 333 male students from a secondary school, Kankara, Katsina State, right before the very nose of President Buhari who is holidaying in his Gusau country home, underscores Nigeria’s insecurity predicament. The report of the release of these young innocent boys gladdens my heart. I am not here interested in the ongoing conspiracy theories of whether the entire kidnap and release was a mere cooked up melodrama and simulated histronics, to give the semblance of a performing president. With peoples’  lives? With Nigerian lives?

However, former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, had contributed to the debate of insecurity at the Senate Plenary, by saying troops lack modern arms and were hardly provided with support. He said people in Borno State were paying ransom to Boko Haram before being allowed to go to their farms or move around in their villages. Indeed, Boko Haram are said to have audaciously mounted checkpoints and road blocks in most LGAs, collecting toks and levies. Can you believe that? Fello Nigerians, can you now see why GEJ deserves to be garlanded? Trust Ndume. He shot from all cylinders, when he called for the hiring of mercenaries.

“I can tell you that people fighting war are sharing ammunitions. They have no arms or proper kits. I have a not seen a Nigerian soldier holding a new AK47, Last week, some people came to me in Abuja and they asked for money to help them pay their dues to Boko Haram terrorists before they can harvest their crops. If government is serious, this terrorism can be stopped in six months. 

America engage mercenaries. Why can’t we get that? We will be failing in our responsibility if we fail to do the right thing. In his contribution, former Kebbi governor, Mohammed Adamu Aliero, wondered why Buhari has refused to visit Borno after the attacks. “President Buhari should have gone to Borno State and not to send a delegation.”

RESOLUTIONS OF THE SENATE

The upper chamber later urged federal and state governments to address issues fueling insecurity. It similarly called for massive recruitment into the military and Nigerian police force.

President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, was blunt for once, even against his appointers. He warned that excesses will no longer be tolerated. He Said the resolutions of the Senate must be implemented by the Executive.

Lawan must have shocked his benefactor when he said, “this is not the first or second case of insecurity in the country. We will take additional steps and insist that our resolutions are implemented. These are recommendations the Executive must implement because they are frivolous. This is one thing that will gladden the hearts of Nigerians when implemented. Enough of any excuses. Those who have nothing to offer in terms of securing the country, should be shown the way out. We need people who can do the job. Nothing is more important than to Nigerians than their lives”. The security of Nigerians should take the centre stage. Time has come to find solution”.

This was not all. Further reactions poured in:

THE CHURCH

RESIGN NOW IF YOU CAN’T GUARANTEE SECURITY OF NIGERIANS, CLERICS TELLS BUHARI

Two clerics, Adewale Giwa and Pastor Ebenezer Ologunowa, told President Buhari point blank to resign if he cannot guarantee security of lives of Nigerians.

Giwa, senior Pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Christ Ministry, Akure, Ondo State, however urged Nigerians to stay strong despite the challenges confronting them, saying “it’s unfortunate that we have a president who doesn’t listen to the yearnings of his people”.

He claimed the president’s highhandeness has set to Nigerian in all ramifications.

“if they could kill a first class monarch in Ondo state, who is now safe in this country? If the wife of Ondo state Chief of staff could be kidnapped easily, who knows who is next? As of now, God is our security. Even Buhari is not safe not safe in Aso rock because the citizens are not happy”.

On his part, Pastor Ologunowa, who is the leader of Christ Sanctuary of Praise Gospel Church, Akure, said President Buhari should be honourable enough to resign if he cannot manage the nation’s security:

“They never promised us that our people will be killed like animals. Buhari’s sense of sight ought to have advised him quit instead of staying in office without any meaningful contribution to the development of Nigeria”.

THE MOSQUE

Sultan of Sokoto, tested General (rtd.), His Eminience Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has twice within one week, lamented, the dire insecurity situation of the country, and warned the government to stop paying lip service to it. He described insecurity-ravaged North as the worst place to live in Nigeria. He even called for specialist prayers five times daily. He noted that bandits now rule some communities and set rules that must be obeyed. The Sultan noted the paradox of the common man is “now caught in between two contending phenomena. When he goes to the farm, he gets killed and when he stays at home, he dies of hunger”. He urged the Buhari government to go beyond mere lip service and the traditional condemnation and do something concrete. The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) obviously alarmed, later resolved to meet Buhari, contending that the military is overstretched.

Is this the same military that ferociously went after #EndSARs peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll gate? So, President Buhari has also finally agreed to honour the House of Representatives’ invitation over the wanton killings, the first time ever since 2015? Ha, wonders shall never end!

THE GOVERNMENT – AS USUAL

But, trust Buhari government. Ever incorrigible, it sets its exams, marks them, and awards mark to itself. It blames everyone, everything and everyone, but itself.

Thus, in a swift reaction on Arise TV, Presidency spokesman, Garba Shehu, said sacking the service chiefs was not the solution to the security challenges. Oh, really? Even after they have since outlived their welcome and usefulness? Hear more: “The clamour for the sack is out of place considering that the President is not subject to the oppositional political party which has clamoured for this all the time.

It is entirely his (Buhari) determination; he decides who he keeps as his service chiefs and for how long”. This was in obvious reference to President Muhammadu Buhari who has been under intense pressure from opposition leaders, lawmakers, traditional Rulers, as well as civil society organisations, to rejig the entire security architecture, starting with the sacking of the military heads.

But, Shehu said the appointment and sack of service chiefs were not tied to public demands. Hear his logic:

“I am not aware that the tenure of service chiefs is subjected to any law or regulation that is clearly stated. They serve at the pleasure of the president and (if) the president is satisfied with their performance, he keeps them. The buck stops at his table- with due respect to the feelings of Nigerians”. I think Garba is not getting the point. No one is wrestling with Buhari about his obvious powers to appoint or sack service chiefs. But, he is being reminded to sack them since they have failed the country. Is Garba saying the President is not answerable to the Nigerian people? Is he Louis XIV of France? By saying “with due respect to the feelings of Nigerians”, it means Garba is aware that the Nigerian people want the service chiefs out. But Buhari would not do so because he is “not aware that the tenure of the service chiefs is subject to any law or regulation”. Oh blomey!

NORTHERN ELDERS

MASSACRE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL BUHARI REPLACES SERVICE CHIEFS-NORTH

Garba must be alone in a frolic of his own. This is because concerned stakeholders from the Northern states have warned that there may not be an end in sight if the current service chiefs remained in the saddle.

Specifically, they called on President Buhari to replace all of them without further delay, to remediate the worsening security situation in the country, especially in the North.

Stakeholders who headed different groups and coalitions had made the call at an emergency meeting in Kaduna.

Part of the 11-point communiqué read: “We say enough is enough of these killings of innocent and unarmed civilians in Borno State, brought about by the seeming inability of the nation’s troops stationed in the state to hgelp avoid this kind of massive attacks and killings.

“We categorically call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack the service chiefs for their inability to save the nation this tragically-embarrassing experience that has dire consequences to our international image.

“There is also need for not only total overhaul of the security architecture in Borno but also the out-dated intelligence-gathering method.

It is our conviction that until a major paradigm shift in the security architecture is promptly applied by President Muhammadu Buhari, we will continue with this bad and alarming rounds of a tragic and embarrassing situation.

“The time to end this madness is now; the nation can’t afford to wait any longer.

This is good music to my ears and those of many Nigerians, especially since the Buhari’s most ardent devotees who worship him like a deity, have finally seen his light.

But, who is to blame when Muhammadu Buhari cannot see beyond his nepotic enclave to rejig his security architecture? Now, read the following by an avid reader who exposed the dangers of nepotism, sectionalism, favouritism and tribalism in appointing people from only ones section of the country, a most horrific scenario in a pluralistic, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious country like Nigeria. This is how he put it.

LOOPSIDED APPONITMENTS

“INSECURITY IN NIGERIA: WHO IS TO BLAME?

President Muhammadu Buhari (Katsina); Senate President: Ahmad Lawan (Yobe); Deputy Speaker: Ahmed Idris (Polateau); Defence Minister: Bashir Salihi Magashi (Kano); Chief of Army Staff:  Major-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Borno); Chief of Air Staff: Sadique Abubakar (Bauchi); National Security Adviser: Babagana Monguno (rtd.) (Borno); Director-General of DSS: Yusuf Magaji Bichi (Kano); Minister of Police Affairs: Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi (Sokoto); IGP: Mohammed Adamu (Nasarawa); Comptroller-General of Customs: Hamid Ali (Bauchi); Commandant- General NSCDC: Abdullahi Gana Muhammad (Niger); Director NIA: Ahmad Rufa’I Abubakar (Katsina); Comptroller-General of prisons: Aloh. Ja’afaru Ahmed (Katsina), SGF: Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha (Adamawa); Chief of Staff: Ibrahim Agboola Gambari (Kwara)”.

“CHAIRMEN OF SENATE COMMITTEES

Army: Ali Ndume, (Borno); Airforce: Bala Ibn Na’Allah, (Kebbi); Defence: Aliyu Wamakko, (Sokoto); National Security and Intelligence: Abdullahi Gobir, (Sokoto); Police Affairs: Dauda Jika, Abubakar Tambuwal (Bauchi).

CHAIRMEN OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEES

Army: Hon. Abdurazak Namdas (Adamawa); National Security and Intelligence: Hon. Sha’aban Sharada, (Kano); Navy: Hon Gagdi Yusuf (Plateau); Police Affairs: Hon. Kumo Bello (Gombe)”.

So, who is to blame? That is the big question. Nigerians, do you know? (The end).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“In situations of military conflict, civil strife, lawlessness, bad governance, and human rights violations, terrorists find it easier to hide, train and prepare their attacks”.

(Gijs de Vries).

Fellow Nigerians, synergise with me every week, to put our heads together on how to retool Nigeria. Right here on “The Nigerian Project”, by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D.

Lawyers, JUSUN Kick Against Establishment Of State Judicial Council

Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and some Lawyers have kicked against the establishment of the State Judicial Council, a bill currently before the House of Representatives which has passed second reading.

The State Judiciary bill is sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

The long title says it’s “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Provide the Legal Framework for the Financial and Administrative Independence of State Judiciary, to Establish State Judicial Council which shall be responsible for the Appointment, Promotion and Discipline of Judicial Officers in State Courts and Judicial Bodies and disburse Money standing to the Credit of the State Judiciary or Money Appropriated to the State Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1062)”.

The Bill seeks to alter the provision of Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution and have the State Judicial Council to replace NJC as the recipient of funds standing to credit of state judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Also, the Bill provides for 11 members of the State Judicial Council which include Chief Judge as the Chairman, next most senior Judge who shall be the Deputy Chairman, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal (if any), Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the state (if any) and two retired Judges of the State Judiciary to be selected by the Chief Judge.

However, in a letter of protest written by P. Nnamani, JUSUN Deputy National Secretary addressed to the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, appeals to him “to halt and refuse the bill as it will do more harm than good to our democracy.”

Besides, he noted that the establishment is an attempt to make State Judiciary “glorified godfather, and removing the supervisory role of the National Judicial Council on State Judiciary.”

Furthermore, JUSUN noted that the establishment of the NJC is a worthwhile and healthy development necessitating “takeover of the appointments, discipline, payment of salaries and assessments of the performance of judicial officers, there was relative peace in the state judiciaries as governors would no more flex muscles on who lies the authority.”

Chief Sebastine Hon., SAN described the Bill as an attempt to emasculate Judiciary at the state level.

“If we allow states to have judicial councils to appoint judges to high courts, Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal, there will be absolute and total breach of etiquettes because we have seen what is happening in some states such that even when the NJC nominates the most senior person to be Chief Judge, the governors and the House of Assembly who are always acting in cahoots, will frustrate that move.

“In fact, if we do that it will totally emasculate the judiciary at the state level”, he said.

Joseph Otteh, Executive Director of Access to Justice said the Bill “would end up politising the entire judicial process. It is already bad now even with the major roles that the NJC plays. The NJC is hardly able to control many state governments when it comes to appointments.

“In some of these cases, the NJC has been able to put its foot down that we have got to apply the seniority principle, so what then happens when we don’t have the NJC as the layer of oversight? The cost of it is that everybody does what they wish to do.

“The cost of that is that we will lose judicial independence; we will lose the ability to appoint, at least, people with a credible level of integrity. We have had the history of what this bill seeks to achieve before. We have gone the way before and the experience was horrible.”

Meanwhile, he added that it is hoped that it “is not passed because what it will probably do is remove the only available layer of oversight from the appointment process.”

China-Based Zoom Employee Charged For Secretly Censoring Tiananmen Square Anniversary Events

A China-based former Zoom employee is being charged with harassment for allegedly disrupting video calls commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Brooklyn federal prosecutors unsealed a case against Xinjiang (also known as Julien) Jin today. The complaint doesn’t identify Jin’s employer, but Zoom published a blog post acknowledging that it employed him.

According to the complaint, Jin was a liaison between Zoom and Chinese law enforcement and intelligence services. He allegedly used this position to target dissidents and activists both inside and outside the People’s Republic of China, collecting account information and disrupting meetings.

“The allegations in the complaint lay bare the Faustian bargain that the PRC government demands of U.S. technology companies doing business within the PRC’s borders, and the insider threat that those companies face from their own employees in the PRC,” said acting US attorney Seth D. DuCharme.

While serving as a “security technical leader” at Zoom, Jin allegedly identified users who discussed “disfavorable” political and religious topics, then worked with other employees to stop these users from participating in calls.

As the 31st anniversary of the protests approached, the complaint says, he asked US-based employees to provide account information about dissidents planning to commemorate the events. Chinese authorities subsequently detained potential participants inside China and in at least one case, it threatened the family of a participant living abroad.

Most dramatically, Jin reportedly led a conspiracy to get Tiananmen Square-related events and their participants banned for violating Zoom’s terms of service. A group of employees allegedly set up accounts under false names using profile pictures with terrorism-related or pornographic imagery. Then they infiltrated Zoom event rooms and reported the meetings for hosting “disgusting pics,” “child abuse,” and content “inciting violence” — based on images from their own fake accounts.

Zoom apologized earlier this year for terminating public commemorative events and the accounts of their hosts. At that point, it said it shut down the meetings because they had a large number of participants from mainland China, and Chinese authorities had called the events unlawful. “Going forward Zoom will not allow requests from the Chinese government to impact anyone outside of mainland China,” the company promised. An update to the post acknowledged that at least one session was terminated due to “an apparent terms of service violation.”

In a post following the unsealing, Zoom said it had cooperated with the Department of Justice and launched its own internal probe, resulting in Jin being terminated and other unnamed employees placed on leave while the investigation concludes. Zoom says it appointed Jin after the Chinese government abruptly terminated its service and demanded it comply with local censorship laws. “The shutdown put Zoom in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position,” the post reads. “As we worked to resolve the shutdown, China requested that Zoom confirm it would comply with Chinese law, including designating an in-house contact for law enforcement requests.”

Jin is charged with conspiracy to commit interstate harassment and unlawful conspiracy to transfer means of identification, based on his alleged impersonation of Zoom users. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, but the Department of Justice says that Jin has not been taken into custody.

Thenigerialawyer

Police Service Commission Names Four New DIGs

Promotes several other senior police officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday rose from its 10th plenary meeting with the promotion of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police and one Commissioner to Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

The new DIGs are expected to represent their geo-political zones in the police management team, according to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.

The statement reads: “The new DIGs are AIG Usman Alkali Baba, currently acting DIG Administration; AIG Dan Mallam Mohammed, AIG in charge of Zone 13 Ukpo, Anambra State; AIG David Oyebanji Folawiyo, AIG in charge of Zone 17, Akure and CP Joseph Egbunike, CP, Budget.

“The 13 newly promoted AIGs: are CP Augunbiade Lasore, CP Kebbi State; CP Uche Anozie, retired; CP Kenneth Ebrimson, retired; CP Undie J. Adie, CP Osun State; and CP Olugbenga Adeyanju, CP, Adamawa State.

“Others are: CP Johnson B. Kokumo, presently CP, Edo State; CP Ajani O. Babatunde, Commandant, Police College, Ikeja; CP Olukolu Tairu Shina, retired; CP Awunah N. Donald, former Force Public Relations Officer and currently Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; CP Hafiz Inuwa, CP, Delta State; CP Garba Baba Umar, CP, Interpol; CP Omololu Bishi, CP, Armament; and CP Isaac O. Akinmoyede, presently CP, Imo State.

“Twenty three Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to the next rank of Commissioners of Police are: DCP Godwin Akor Job, retired erstwhile DCP, Administration, Abia State Command; Abimbola Adebola Shokoya, DCP, OPS, Kwara; DCP Christopher Owolabi, DCP Administration, Bauchi; Olubunmi Osoka, DCP, OPS, Benue; Attahiru Isa, retired; DCP Yekini Adio Ayoku, DCP Administration, Zone 6, Calabar; and Olufu Tony Adejoh, DCP Ops, Ebonyi.

“Others promoted to Commissioners of Police are DCP Ari Mohammed Ali, DCP Ops, Lagos, Mamman Sanda Umar; Aliyu Adamu and Haladu Musa Ros-Amson, among others.

“Some of the 29 ACPs promoted to DCPs are: Emmanuel Ola Toluse; Simeon Udofia Akpanudom; Osagie John Agans-Irabo, Area Commander, Aguata, Anambra State; Adedamola Ayilara, Commander, PMF 2, Lagos; Michael Okoh, Area Commander, Ajaokuta; Hycenth Azuka Edozie, ACP, Ops FIIB FHQ, Abuja; and Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, former Area Commander, Eleme, Rivers State and currently, Area Commander, Mbaitoli, Imo State.

“CSP Olusegun Akanbi; CSP Stanley Egbo; CSP Doughye Blessing; CSP Timoty Olaolu; CSP Emmanuel Anene Ogbuanya, DPO, B Division, Awka; CSP LInus Ogbodo; and CSP Samuel Awopetu, i/c MOPOL 16, Abeokuta, Ogun State, were some of the 91 CSPs promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police.

“The commission also promoted 599 Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Chief Superintendents of Police. They include; Etim Okon Inyang, FCT Command, SP Glory Udoka, O/C Gender Unit, State CID, Enugu; SP Celestina Tochukwu Amadi Kalu, former PPRO, Delta State, and currently DPO, Ogudu, Lagos State.

“The commission also promoted twenty one officers who lost their lives during the EndSARS violent protests across the country and another 121 officers injured during the same crisis.

“Commission Chairman, Musiliu Smith, presided over the plenary meeting and enjoined the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.

He promised that the commission will continue to ensure that promotion of deserving police officers will be prompt and merit driven. He also prayed for the souls of the gallant police heroes who lost their lives, while asking God to condole all families concerned.”

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