Victor Mela, a member of the house representatives, has debunked the report that he is in jail.

Mela, who is the lawmaker representing Billiri/Balanga federal constituency, was convicted for lying under oath in the CF001 INEC form he submitted ahead of the 2019 election.

The lawmaker had claimed that he did not have dual citizenship but it was discovered that he has a British passport.

A magistrate’s court in the federal capital territory (FCT) subsequently sentenced him to one month in prison for perjury.

But in a statement by Ibrahim Tal, his media aide, the lawmaker said the magistrate gave him an option of a fine, which he “satisfied immediately”.

“I had been briefed about happenings surrounding the alleged false declaration case filed against me at the instance of Hon. Ali Isa JC, who had earlier instituted 5 court cases against me since his overwhelming defeat by my humble self at the 2019 National Assembly elections,” the statement said.

“Yesterday (Friday), the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Zone 6, Abuja finally dispensed of the matter with sentencing. I was given an option of a fine; a condition which I satisfied immediately.

“However, I would like to draw your attention to the false and malicious publications currently circulating on the internet via some online social media platforms.

“In the same vein, I have read with utmost dismay some misleading and misguided headlines that I was purportedly sentenced to imprisonment at a Correctional Center here in the FCT. This information is a grave misrepresentation of the sentence passed yesterday by the Court.

“While some of the above-mentioned outfits reported that I had earlier deposed to 3 conflicting affidavits pertaining to my citizenship status and that I hold a British passport, others said that I have been imprisoned.

“Let me clearly state here that, I do not have a British passport and neither was I imprisoned nor detained at any point in time during and after the trial.

“These are all lies concocted and fabricated by my desperate opponent to discredit me; I urge you to totally discountenance as well as disregard any such false publication(s).

“As at the end of working hours on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, Certified True Copies (CTC) of the Judgement and Sentence of the Court had not been issued to anyone, I inclusive, as a result of which the source of the news circulating on some social media platforms remains inexplicable.

“As always and even at the moment, I am free and carrying out my legislative duties for the good people my Constituency, my state, and the nation as a whole.”

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state, says those who are not in the All Progressives Congress (APC) will “continue to fast until God answers your prayers”.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Friday, Uzodimma commended the defection of David Umahi, Ebonyi state governor, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC.

The Imo governor noted that politicians on the APC platform are “close” to the federal government, and that this will enable them address challenges in their areas of focus.

“Everybody that is not in the APC now in the south-east is a target. It’s not only governors; it includes those who are not governors — the entire political class. The whole idea is making the ideology of the party known to the people, allaying their fears, and encouraging them to come,” he said.

“Once you believe in Nigeria and you have a pan-Nigeria attitude, of course, you will go for a national party. There is no gainsaying that if you are not with the national party, and you choose to be in opposition, of course, you will continue to fast until God answers your prayers.

“But we that are in the ruling party, of course, what it will take us to solve certain problems may be different from what it will take somebody who is not very close to the source of authority to solve his own problems.”

Uzodimma also spoke on the south-east’s chances regarding the presidency in the 2023 general election, adding that Umahi is popular in the region.

“It is not about whether you want to be president now or not. You don’t get presidential ticket by the market square. It is the decision of the political party. You must be loyal to your political party,” he said.

“So, I know that my brother, Umahi, is politically strong in the south-east and joining APC would add to the value of the party in my region, but he never told me he is coming because he will be president.

“So, I want these people who want to cause confusion and create bad name for Umahi to run away from that point, and then encourage our people who have decided to align with the ruling party.”

Uzodimma said the defection of Umahi to the APC means that he now has a ‘brother” in the party, as prior to the Ebonyi governor’s defection, Imo was the only APC state in the south-east region.

“I must count myself very lucky. After I emerged as APC governor, I used to be an orphan. You will agree with me I have a brother now, who is also in APC,” he said.

“My hope is that the region will see the reason and the wisdom in coming over to the ruling party because the ruling party is a national party.

“How many states do we have as APC? And the whole thing about politics is like evangelism. Every serious political party must have an expansionist mentality to expand their membership.

“I think we will continue to encourage our people because the whole idea is that once the ideology is right, the system is working, nobody wants to go to a war that he will lose. So, you join those who are winning.”

The House of Justice has substituted its 2020 Annual Summit and Banquet with a “more urgent and pertinent task of reinforcing the value of human life in Nigeria.”

This is contained in a Conference Text signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, Esq.

“Every end of the year, House of Justice hosts an annual Summit and Banquet that pulls together a national and international audience from all walks of life. In 2020, we have had to substitute that event for the more urgent and pertinent task of reinforcing the value of human life in Nigeria.

“Our first call is Southern Kaduna, an area that has perpetually been in the news for mind-boggling destruction of lives, property, cultural heritage and dignity. The long term effects of the violence has left many hungry, homeless, without means of livelihood and traumatized. The COVID-19 pandemic has met a bleeding community that is gasping for existence.” the text reads in part

The human rights lawyer, Ballason, said Justice mustn’t be pursued in courts only, hence, the organization has embarked on a project to rebuild Southern Kaduna Communities and restore education of their children by raising the sum of N100 Million

She said, “As a public interest firm, we understand that our pursuit of justice in the court room will make no meaning if the bond of humanity outside the courts is broken.

“It is in the light of this that House of Justice leads the Southern Kaduna Resilience Fund (SKARF) Project as an effort to join in rebuilding the communities, restore livelihoods and education for the children of the affected areas.

“From 1st December, 2020 to 30 November 2021, House of Justice and its present 6,477 partners across 25 countries will raise the sum of N100 Million naira ($250,000) to support the rebuilding of homes, livelihood and education in Southern Kaduna. House of Justice as an organization commits to a 5-year education support from January 2021- December 2025 as its corporate social responsibility.”

Furthermore, House of Justice said it has partnered with two Non-governmental Organizations and is calling on individuals and other organizations to support the project.

According to the statement, the most pressing need of the Southern Kaduna community is to go back to their homes as over 100 communities have been taken over by bandits

She said, “While we recognize that the amount and commitment is modest, we do not underestimate the generosity of the human spirit and the fact that it is only in extending our humanity to others that anyone truly lives. It is on that note that we invite you to join with us to replace tears and suffering with dignity and hope.

“House of Justice is honoured to work with two community NGOs, the Resilient Aid and Dialogue Initiative (RADI) and Kunak Foundation as implementing partners on this mission and calls on organizations, corporations and individuals to support this initiative and give of themselves and their resources. Every thing of value that you give can and will make a difference.

“The needs assessment we carried out has shown that the biggest need and priority of the victims in Southern Kaduna is to be able to return back to their homes. As it stands residents of over 100 communities have been sacked and those communities have been occupied by bandits and marauders.”

The House of Justice also called on President Buhari to rise to the occasion in line with his constitutional mandate to secure the people of Southern Kaduna.

They also called for support of volunteer psychologists, counselors

The statement reads in part, “We call on the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to his constitutional responsibility as enshrined in sections 14 and 17 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide security and welfare and to ensure that governmental actions are humane and anchored on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice not just in Southern Kaduna but in all parts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We request for volunteer counselors, psychologists, trauma assistants and teachers who can work in camps and the affected communities.We kindly request for donations that will go into rebuilding houses in the communities and for the support of means of livelihood and education.

“We will leave no one behind on this mission. On 18 December, 2020 House of Justice Crew Members and Volunteers will lead their commitment at a Cocktail. From 19-22 December 2020 we shall work with children and teenagers who will lead a resource mobilization drive to share their food, clothes and education materials with children like them in the affected communities.

“On behalf of House of Justice and the implementing partner organizations, we thank you for joining us in this mission of rebuilding dignity and hope. Long live Kaduna state. Long Live Nigeria And may God Heal the World.”

Other signatories to the text are the Co-founder of Resilient Aid & Dialogue Initiative (RADi), Alheri Bawa Magaji and the C.E.O. of Kunak Foundation, Bavoshiya Gloria Nyan Esq.

The Ethiopian army has seized control over the northern provincial capital of Makelle in Tigray region and freed some of its officers held hostage during the three-weeklong military assault, Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy announced in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on Saturday.

“The Federal Government is fully in control of Makelle with the full command of the regional capital,” Prime Minister Abiy said.

He said the Federal police would begin the work of clearing the region and apprehending members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), who were involved in the conflict in the region.

“This marks the completion of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces last phase of the conflict,” Abiy said in a statement declaring victory in the operation.

The military managed to sweep the regional capital, taking control of the Northern Command, which was attacked hours before a full-scale military assault on the region was declared.

Prime Minister Abiy said the authorities are in full control of the camp, the airport and public institutions, including the regional administrative offices.

Earlier, UN agencies said since the Ethiopian government launched the third and final phase of their “law enforcement operations” towards Mekelle city, capital of Tigray region, a city of more than 500,000 people earlier in the week, the region had been tense.

The launch came following the expiration of a 72-hour grace period granted the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to surrender.

The UN Humanitarian Office for Ethiopia (OCHA) reported that tension remained high in Mekelle in anticipation of the military action announced by the Government.

Human rights oganizations have raised concern over further disruption to essential services, particularly for the 850,000 people already dependent on relief assistance, including 96,000 refugees in Tigray. Humanitarian actors have reported urgent needs in food, water, and shelter in affected areas in Sudan and Ethiopia.

In Tigray, only five days’ worth of food supplies is available to assist 96,000 refugees who depend on humanitarian aid to survive, according to OCHA. About 5,000 new arrivals have been received in eastern Sudan since 22 November, bringing the total number of asylum seekers from Ethiopia to more than 42,600, as of 25 November.

On 26 November, the federal government of Ethiopia announced the intention to scale-up humanitarian assistance to the affected population in Tigray by opening a humanitarian access route managed by the Ministry of Peace.

Prime Minister Abiy said the priority of the government is to ensure the resettlement of those who fled the military operation.

Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Redwan Hussein, said after taking charge of the airport and several locations in Mekele under its control, the NDF is still facing some sort of shooting from the TPLF fighters.

“Thousands of soldiers who had been subdued during the unwarranted attack waged against our Northern Command have just been freed. Those who died of injuries and of the dire condition they were kept in have been buried,” Redwan said.

Redwan, who is also the head of the Special Task Force set up to liberate the province, said the major part of the operation has been successfully completed.

“What remains is tackling sporadic shootings by the scattered remnants of the militia and special forces within the city neighborhoods,” Redwan said in a statement posted on social media.

He said the National Defence Forces have taken maximum care to spare every town and city. No strike has been carried out within towns and cities.

He said, instead, the army had to make a wider detour to encircle towns and cut off the militia and special force of TPLF from its higher command so that its members could easily surrender or mingle with the community since most of them were conscripted under duress.

He also said maximum care was taken to save Mekele and its inhabitants even though churches, schools and densely populated neighborhoods were turned into armament stores and launching pads.

“Now that Mekele, by and large, has fallen to the hands of NDF, humanitarian corridor will be opened in all directions apart from access route which has already been created.

“The major task that lies ahead therefore is to begin rebuilding Tigray, Redwan said.

He said the infrastructure destroyed by the fleeing TPLF militia needed quick attention even to transport humanitarian assistance and government would immediately begin rehabilitation work. (PANA/NAN)

*31 Air Commodores, 97 Brigadier-Generals

The military high command yesterday approved the promotion of 39 Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General while 16 Air Commodores were promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

A statement separately issued by the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force said the Nigerian Army Council and the Nigerian Air Force Council approved the promotions which saw the elevation of the Spokesmen of the Air Force and Army, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal while his Army counterpart, Col. Sagir Musa, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.

A total of 39 Brigadier Generals were promoted to Major General, while 97 Colonels were elevated to the rank of Brigadier General accordingly.

The Air Force promoted a total of 107 senior officers to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The affected senior officers include 16 Air Commodores (Air Cdres) who were promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM), 31 Group Captains (Gp Capts) who were promoted to the rank of Air Cdre, 27 Wing Commanders (Wg Cdrs) promoted to the rank of Gp Capt and 33 Squadron Leaders (Sqn Ldrs) promoted to the rank of Wg Cdr.

Those promoted to Major General in the Nigerian Army are Brigadier General OO Oluyede Acting Commander Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Damaturu; Brigadier General BR Sinjen Acting Director Operations, Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations; Brigadier General AK Ibrahim Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri, Brigadier General OR Aiyenigba Head Operations Monitoring Team Army Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General SG Mohammed Commander 23 Brigade Yola, Brigadier-General UU Bassey of the Army Resource Centre Abuja, Brigadier General KN Garba Office of the Chief Army Staff, Army Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General A Bande Acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto, Brigadier General CV Eze Nigerian Army Special Projects, Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier General KI Yusuf Acting Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General SI Igbinowanhia Acting Commander Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno.

Others include Brigadier General H Ahmed Acting Provost Marshal (Army), Brigadier General AS Ndalolo Nigerian High Commission London, Brigadier General AA Fayemiwo Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Brigadier General IM Jallo Commander 63 Brigade Asaba, Brigadier General E Akerejola of Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Brigadier General AJ Fagge Ministry of Defence Abuja, Brigadier General JO Ochai Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, Brigadier General IS Ali Department of Defence Logistics Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General GU Chibuisi Headquarters 19 Brigade Baga, Brigadier General S Dahiru of Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre Jaji, Brigadier General OO Soyele Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General ML Augie Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Brigadier General PI Eze Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, Brigadier General BH Mohammed.

Commandant Nigerian Military School Zaria, Brigadier General EAP Undiandeye Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja, Brigadier General MK Yunusa of Command Finance Office Apapa Lagos, Brigadier General AM Dauda National Defence College Abuja, Brigadier General JO Iwara Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Brigadier General MG Kangye, Brigadier General GB Audu Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General TT Numbere Post Housing Development Limited Abuja, Brigadier General R Abubakar of Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General NC Ugbo Nigerian Army School of Signals Apapa Lagos, Brigadier General AI Taiwo 81 Military Intelligence Brigade Lagos, Brigadier General BH Tsoho Nigerian Army College of Education Ilorin, Brigadier General HG Tafida Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Makurdi and Brigadier LM Zakari Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology Makurdi and Brigadier General BU Yahaiya Nigerian Defence Section Cairo.

Those Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General include

Colonels BA Muhammadu of Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja, Colonel AA Egbejule Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, UM Alkali of Army War College Nigeria, DC Bako (promoted Posthumously), AK Lawal Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE Monguno, ID Oloyede Depot Nigerian Army Zaria, AM Usman Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja, SM Uba of 401 Special Forces Command, Cross kauwa, AGL Haruna Commander 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri, AIM Lapai of 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Onitsha, OD Williams 244 Reconnaissance Battalion Saki, IA Ajose Training and Doctrine Command, Minna, OA Awolo Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations, AM Grema 402 Special Forces Brigade Ngamdu, EA Orakwe Headquarters 5 Brigade Gubio, AA Idris of 1 Military Intelligence Brigade, Kaduna.

Also elevated to Brigadier General include – UG Yusuf of Army Headquarters Abuja, Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, MHB Manu Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre Jaji, D Dieke of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Kaduna, JK Feboke Defence Headquarters Abuja, OS Obot Headquarters 404 Engineer Brigade Doma, Nasarawa, Sagir

Musa Army Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations, UG Simon Headquarters 33 Brigade Bauchi, JD Bulus Headquarters Command Finance Office Lagos, OB Davies Defence Headquarters, MA Sadiq Headquarters Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, EA Obona Army Headquarters Garrison Finance, H Sarkin Fulani Army Headquarters Garrison Supply and Transport, OSA Fashina Sector 2 Military Intelligence Brigade Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Col E Egbe 303 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Jos.

Others include are IEE Akpaumontia Nigerian Defence Section Harare, IU Akpan Army War College Nigeria, MK Ibrahim Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Abuja, NUC Ogili 37 Brigade Garrison Maiduguri, A Rabiu Directorate of Army Recruitment Resettlement and Reserve Abuja, Col MCE Ejike of Sector 3 Operation DELTA SAFE Okrika, DK Zirkushu Headquarters 1 Brigade Gusau and OT Ojuoloruntaiye Defence Headquarters Communications, SA Emmanuel Headquarters 57 Signal Brigade Maiduguri among others.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai congratulates all the promoted officers and their families, and urged them to redouble their efforts to justify the confidence reposed in them”, the army statement read.

Meanwhile, Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force include Air Commodores Abraham Adole, Tajudeen Yusuf, Ibikunle Daramola, Uchechi Nwagwu, Sani Rabe, Kurotimi Obidake, Nanjul Kumzhi, Kabiru Aliyu, Akanbi Salami, Kabir Umar, Barisi Keenam, Sunday Ogba, Abiola Amodu, Pam Chollom, Mfon Ekpoh and Garba Abubakar.

Among those promoted from the rank of Gp Capt to Air Cdre are Garba Jibia, Adebayo Bamidele, Christopher Akpa, Ekele Odekina, Emmanuel Iduh, Sylvester Eyoma, Sampson Eyekosi, Osichinaka Ubadike, Patrick Edem, Garuba Bello, Mukhtar Umar, Olujames Salami, Nosiru Folaji, and Emmanuel Ukpong. Others promoted to the rank of Air Cdre include, David Dickson, Celestine Akubue, Tiyanu Kamla, Yayirus Lapips, Zakari Dangaji, Musa Abdullahi, Francis Ankeli, Abdullahi Madaki, Ugochukwu Ariahu, Mada Yushau, Ekongubong Akpabio, Isaiah Taiwo, Ali Tanko, Babatunde Bolarinwa, Ayodele Famuyiwa, Gbolahan Oremosu and Ikechukwu Ogbodo.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, heartily congratulates the newly promoted senior officers and urges them to see the elevation as motivation to re-dedicate themselves towards more effective and efficient service delivery.

“The newly promoted senior officers will be decorated with their new ranks at a later date”, the statement said.

By Dele Ogbodo

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, has said there is currently no Improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards on any

telecommunications network, even after the 9.2 million unregistered SIMs were blocked in 2019.

The Technical Assistance to the Minister on Information, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, in a statement made available to the media said the minister had directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to fine tune modalities to tie
the National Identity Number (NIN) to Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) cards.

Reacting to the invitation extended to the Minister by the Senate on the recent spate of insecurity across the country, Adeluyi, said:

“The attention of the Minister has been drawn to some newspaper articles which claimed that the Senate summoned him concerning the role of communication devices in national security.

“Pantami awaits the official invitation and would like to sincerely thank the Senators for their concern and support towards improving national security.”

With persuasive logic, the statement added that the minister has supported security agencies in their statutory duty of protecting lives and property and this is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no improperly registered subscriber identification module (SIM) be allowed to remain on our networks.

The statement further revealed: “Based on the report submitted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the 26th of September 2019, there is currently no improperly registered SIM on our networks.”

However, Adeluyi, said in the event of evidence to the contrary, the minister will sanction any individual or institution found wanting in this regard, adding:

“Pantami wrote to all security agencies on the 14th of October 2019 asking them to collaborate with the Ministry by contacting it whenever a crime has been aided and abetted through the use of telecommunication devices.

“No request by security agencies for assistance in the identification of owners of SIMs used for crime has gone untreated in his office.

“The Minister also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Senate Ad-hoc committee on Nigerian Security Challenges on the 12th of February 2020.

“In a similar vein, the Minister has directed the NCC to ensure that they put modalities in place to tie the National Identify Number (NIN) to SIMs, as well as see to it that no unregistered SIMs are sold.”

Pantami, has also directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to significantly scale up the number of monthly NIN registrations.

He assumes that the ministry is committed to using technology to support the growth of the economy and the security of the country, stressing, to this end, the ministry looks forward to collaborating with the Senate and security agencies.

sharpedgenews

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is today the happiest man in the world, reasons being that his investment of hundreds of million naira in the Amotekun Security Network Corp, is not in vain.

Only two days ago, Akeredolu had been very distressed and downcast over the near total collapse of the state security architecture since last Thursday.

In one single day, three major separate attacks by gunmen in different parts of the state had been recorded to the extent that in one of the incidents, a first class traditional ruler, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adeusi, was fell by a hail of bullets from suspected kidnappers. He died afterwards.

View pictures

Amotekun Commandant, Adetunji Adeleye

In another gory attack on Union Bank branch at Irele, by gunmen, one person was killed and several persons injured, even as armed robbers carted away several millions of naira from the bank.

The third incidence was the kidnapping of the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Olugbenga Ale same day Thursday.

Mrs Ale was as at the time of incidence returning to Akure when her vehicle ran into a roadblock mounted at Owena near Idanre by suspected kidnappers who abducted her since the past two days.

View pictures

However, there has been a cheering news of the rescue and release of the wife of the Governor’s top aide, courtesy of the state’s Amotekun Corps.

After two days of rigorous combing of the forests within the Ondo territory, local hunters working with members of the Amotekun Corps were able to successfully secure the release of the the woman.

A source said the woman was released on Saturday morning after the hunters and other security agencies got to the location where the kidnappers kept their victims.

Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the release of Mrs. Ale, said it was too early to disclose how the rescue operation was carried out.

He, however, disclosed that some suspects have been arrested in relation to the kidnapping.

According to him; “I can confirm to you that the wife of the Chief of Staff has secured her freedom and on her way to Akure. She was released without paying the ransom as she was rescued by Amotekun and local hunters.”

Chief Adetunji Adeleye is the Corps Commander Amotekun Security Corps, otherwise known as Ondo State Security Network Agency. 

He retired as the Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. He was Chairman of the Committee that transformed the NSCDC from a voluntary group to a full government paramilitary organization.

On Thursday, website of popular women’s right group, Feminist Coalition, and two others allegedly suffered a cyber attack and became inaccessible to Nigerians.

system and advocates digital rights in Africa, has written a Freedom of Information request to the Nigerian Communications Commission demanding information on the alleged secret blocking of the domain names of #EndSARS related websites by the Nigerian Government.

On Thursday, website of popular women’s right group, Feminist Coalition, and two others allegedly suffered a cyber attack and became inaccessible to Nigerians. 

When accessed with a Nigerian mobile network, the websites cannot be reached but when a user uses a VPN, the sites become accessible.

PIN in a statement on Friday described the action as violation of constitutionally and globally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression and access to information.

The statement reads, “Websites related to the campaign have been inaccessible as reported by many citizens and from independent checks carried out by Paradigm Initiative. These attempts are an unacceptable violation of constitutionally and globally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression and access to information.

“In a similar development that occurred in October 2017, we monitored and challenged the Nigerian government’s censorship directive through the Nigerian Communications Commission, an agency which is supposedly independent.

“The NCC must not continue to offer itself to be used by the Federal Government under any guise to intimidate citizens who engage in legitimate protests and exercise their digital rights by leveraging digital platforms for the protest.”

The group’s Senior Program Manager, Adeboye Adegoke, added, “Section 39 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly provides that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides similarly that everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression.

“This right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.”

Speaking also, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of PIN, said the group had sent a FoI request to the NCC to answer key questions such as who ordered the recent blocking of websites, the reason for the blocking, disruption, or restriction on the websites.

He said, “We want to know under which legal provision this is being carried out and if the NCC authorised the blocking, disruption, or restriction of these websites. We also need to know if the owners of the websites were informed that their websites will be blocked, and if they were given an opportunity for a fair hearing.

“Another question that must be answered is: Did the NCC act independently or was it acting on behalf of other government institutions? In a country with increasingly closed civic spaces and one that must do more work to protect freedom of expression and press freedom, a dangerous precedent could be set if the NCC continues to carry out the restriction of access to websites that are critical of the government or that support citizens’ right to contribute to our democracy.”

SaharaReporters