By Mohammed Mohammed

The Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Ibrahim DanAzumi,

has said expressed regret that the Office has to inevitably shelve the commemoration of the African Intellectual Property Day (AIPD) because of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Usually, 13th September of every year is commemorated in all African States as African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property (IP) Right, the Office affirmed in a statement made available to SHARPEDGENEWS on Sunday night.

This commemoration, the agency said is usually in compliance with the resolution made by the then Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) Council of Ministers and Assembly of Heads of State and Governments at Addis Ababa-Ethiopia in July, 1999 to celebrate the day across the continent.

According to the DG, the event is usually held to arouse the latent creativity and inventive spirit of young inventors and innovators being one of the ways through which rapid development of a nation can be assured.

He added that it was also to further sensitize and facilitate the domestication of Technology and development of the Intellectual Property Right (IPRs) system in Africa and reawaken the creative ability of the people in the continent to eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.

He further stated that no nation of the earth can grow without adequate development and deployment of science, technology and innovation.

‘NOTAP as an agency saddled with the responsibility of promoting the inventive and innovative spirit of Nigerian has over the years, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology commemorated this day to demonstrate to our children and youth the importance of IPR to nation-building.”

He reiterated that technology and intellectual property systems have long been recognized to be among the foremost important factors in nation-building and wealth creation. “Ideas and knowledge are increasingly becoming veritable instruments in international trade relations as codified in the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory since January 1, 1995”.

He further said that NOTAP had in the past celebrated the day through technology exhibitions by secondary and Vocational schools within and around FCT, Nigerian young inventors and innovators as well as the Association of Nigerian Inventors (ANI).

He said that young Nigerians have demonstrated high intellect and commitment to the development of the Nigerian innovation sector through their products.

He said because secondary schools children are the major exhibitors at the event and in accordance with the global and Presidential Committee on COVID-19 protocols, the Office decided to shelve it and prepare adequately for 2021 Commemoration.

He stressed that in today’s knowledge-based economy and global business environment, absorption of new technology has become a veritable component for companies to survive through maintaining their competitive positions in the market place and for a nation-state, technology is used as a tool to enhance national competitiveness. “Nations are no longer valued in terms of their population, geographical landmass or mineral resources but on the organic mass of knowledge in its citizenry.”

According to him, “Unless Nigeria develops the technical manpower to attract and domesticate foreign technology for our daily operations, it may be difficult for it to meet up with the challenges of unemployment, poverty, wealth creation and youth restiveness.

He said NOTAP is working seriously in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure rapid technological development of the nation, hence the need to continuously sensitize Nigerians and indeed other African Countries on the need to develop indigenous technology.

An unidentified driver and his passengers narrowly escaped death  on Monday as the bus taking them to their destinations rammed into a moving train around the PWD area of Oshodi, Lagos State.

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the vehicle suddenly veered onto the tracks and collided with the train.

He noted that some of the victims, who sustained injuries resulting from the impact of the collision, had been provided with immediate medical care.

Oke-Osanyinntolu said that the wreckage of the bus had been safely removed and normalcy restored.

“The agency received distress calls on the above. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a passenger motor GGE 972 GE had veered onto the train tracks while crossing the rail at PWD inward Oshodi and subsequently collided with a scheduled commuter train”, he said.

Some personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps traveling from Sokoto and Kebbi States Command of the Corps for a training programme at FRSC Academy, Udi were reportedly attacked by Bandits/Kidnappers at Udege junction, along Mararaban-Udege between Adoka, Nasarawa state today Monday 14th September, 2020 at about 8am . The Officers totalling 26 in number were travelling in two buses.

According to the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem, one of the Officers in the vehicle conveying the staff of the Corps reportedly died during the attack while another officer died in the hospital and four others were injured, 8 escaped unhurt, ten unaccounted for as they were allegedly kidnapped by the assailants.

The Corps Public Education Officer noted that the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has immediately reported the incident to relevant authorities for prompt rescue of the kidnapped staff while investigations to ensure that the assailants are brought to book is ongoing.

Kazeem noted that the Corps Marshal has called on all staff of the Corps not to be deterred by this unfortunate incident. He assured that the Corps will work closely with relevant security to ensure that the criminal elements are brought to book and justice is served while the missing personnel are found

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia over the death sentence on Kano singer Sharif Yahya Sharif.

Falana is asking the Commission to exercise its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and pursuant to the commission’s order 100(1) of the commission’s Rules of Procedure, 2020.

Falana in the petition dated 8 September 2020, states: “I am writing to you on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif to ask the Commission to consider this request for provisional measures. The request is submitted in conjunction with our communication on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif convicted and sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State of Nigeria.”

The petition reads in part: “Our communication details multiple violations of his right to life and fair trial rights guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.”

“We respectfully submit that the Commission should urgently invoke its rules of procedure and its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to request that Nigeria adopt these provisional measures in order to stop the irreparable damage that would be caused to the petitioner and his Charter rights.”

“The petitioner is a Nigerian citizen, who has been found guilty of the offence of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) contrary to section 382 (B) of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000 (which carries death sentence), and convicted.”

“Despite their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, the Nigerian authorities continue to violate the fair trial and other rights of the petitioner, and put him at risk of imminent execution.”

“In particular, there are serious, persistent and irreparable violations of the petitioner’s rights to life; and to fair trials, including to competent and effective legal representation.”

“According to our information, on August 10, the Upper Sharia Court sitting in Kano, Kano State convicted Sharif Yahaya Sharif of blasphemy and sentenced him to death by hanging. The request for a certified true copy of the judgment of the Court was also not granted on time.”

“When the petitioner informed the Court that he could not afford and secure the services of a Lawyer to defend him, the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council to assign him a Lawyer so that the petitioner could enjoy access to legal representation. However, the order was disobeyed by the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Aid Council is the body established by law to provide legal support to indigent citizens especially in cases involving death penalty.”

“An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging. The petitioner is currently held incommunicado and without access to the outside world, including his lawyers.”

“The petitioner is at risk of imminent execution. Nigeria is a state party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights but there is growing crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and attack on the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Nigeria. As a result, human rights continue to be violated with impunity.”

“The right to a fair trial including to legal representation is a fundamental safeguard to assure that individuals are not unjustly punished. It is indispensable for the protection of other human rights such as the right to freedom from torture and the right to life. However, when people are subjected to unfair trials, justice cannot be served.”

“The petitioner contends that he has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and his right to life may be irreparably violated. Like the African Charter, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), which Nigeria has also ratified, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. The word “arbitrarily” here means both ‘illegally’ and ‘unjustly’.”

“Furthermore, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 44th Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2008 adopted a resolution calling on African States, including Nigeria, that still retain the death penalty to observe a moratorium on the execution of death sentences with a view to abolishing the death penalty.”

“For the above reasons, the petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in his case will be illegal and unjust. The petitioner considers supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on him.”

“Prisoners are not denuded of their rights by mere conviction. If carried out, the death sentence on the petitioner would amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. The petitioner has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and unless the African Commission urgently intervenes, his right to life may be irreparably violated.”

“The petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in the case of Sharif Yahya Sharif will be illegal and unjust. We consider supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on the petitioner.”

“Given the climate of persistent human rights violations in Nigeria and the impunity of perpetrators, the urgent intervention by the African Commission is required to protect the petitioner against irreparable damage.”

Falana is therefore asking the Commission to find that Nigeria:

By virtue of its consistent denial of fair trial and other rights of Nigerians, find that Nigeria has violated Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Charter;

By virtue of the decision to execute the petitioner, find that Nigeria has violated his right to life under Article 4 of the African Charter, and the resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN General Assembly.

Find that Nigeria has deliberately and wilfully disregarded the request by the African Commission to the effect that African countries, including Nigeria that still retain the death penalty should fully comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and guarantee to every person accused of crimes for which capital punishment is applicable, fair trial standards, including access to legal representation.

Ask Nigeria to immediately and unconditionally release the petitioner who is facing imminent execution simply for exercising his human rights, and to pay appropriate compensation to the petitioner for the multiple violations of his Charter rights and freedoms.

Ask Nigeria to faithfully and fully implement resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 1: Immediately remove the petitioner from imminent execution or any risk of execution, and fully accord the petitioner his fair trial and other human rights, pending this Commission’s decision. Unless the African Commission urgently intervenes in this case, there is a risk of irreversible denial of the petitioner’s rights, which in turn will render nugatory the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 2: Give assurances that the petitioner facing imminent execution will not be executed.

The Nigerian authorities should also give assurances that they will fully implement the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 3: Impartially, independently and transparently investigate whether the petitioner received fair trial and other international human rights guarantees applicable to his situation. Pending the government’s fulfilling this important responsibility, the Commission’s urgent intervention is required to ensure that the petitioner’s rights to life and fair trial are not unjustly and illegally violated.

Provisional Measure No. 4: Undertake a prompt review of its legal framework and administrative practices on the use of the death penalty to ensure their consistency with the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the African Commission Dr Solomon Ayele Dersoo has confirmed that the commission is now considering the petition. In his response to the petition yesterday, Dr Dersoo stated that, “Your petition and request are well received. The Secretariat will take steps for following up on this as per the Rules of Procedure of the Commission without prejudice to other steps already in motion.”

Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia over the death sentence on Kano singer Sharif Yahya Sharif.

Falana is asking the Commission to exercise its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and pursuant to the commission’s order 100(1) of the commission’s Rules of Procedure, 2020.

Falana in the petition dated 8 September 2020, states: “I am writing to you on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif to ask the Commission to consider this request for provisional measures. The request is submitted in conjunction with our communication on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif convicted and sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State of Nigeria.”

The petition reads in part: “Our communication details multiple violations of his right to life and fair trial rights guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.”

“We respectfully submit that the Commission should urgently invoke its rules of procedure and its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to request that Nigeria adopt these provisional measures in order to stop the irreparable damage that would be caused to the petitioner and his Charter rights.”

“The petitioner is a Nigerian citizen, who has been found guilty of the offence of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) contrary to section 382 (B) of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000 (which carries death sentence), and convicted.”

“Despite their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, the Nigerian authorities continue to violate the fair trial and other rights of the petitioner, and put him at risk of imminent execution.”

“In particular, there are serious, persistent and irreparable violations of the petitioner’s rights to life; and to fair trials, including to competent and effective legal representation.”

“According to our information, on August 10, the Upper Sharia Court sitting in Kano, Kano State convicted Sharif Yahaya Sharif of blasphemy and sentenced him to death by hanging. The request for a certified true copy of the judgment of the Court was also not granted on time.”

“When the petitioner informed the Court that he could not afford and secure the services of a Lawyer to defend him, the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council to assign him a Lawyer so that the petitioner could enjoy access to legal representation. However, the order was disobeyed by the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Aid Council is the body established by law to provide legal support to indigent citizens especially in cases involving death penalty.”

“An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging. The petitioner is currently held incommunicado and without access to the outside world, including his lawyers.”

“The petitioner is at risk of imminent execution. Nigeria is a state party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights but there is growing crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and attack on the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Nigeria. As a result, human rights continue to be violated with impunity.”

“The right to a fair trial including to legal representation is a fundamental safeguard to assure that individuals are not unjustly punished. It is indispensable for the protection of other human rights such as the right to freedom from torture and the right to life. However, when people are subjected to unfair trials, justice cannot be served.”

“The petitioner contends that he has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and his right to life may be irreparably violated. Like the African Charter, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), which Nigeria has also ratified, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. The word “arbitrarily” here means both ‘illegally’ and ‘unjustly’.”

“Furthermore, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 44th Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2008 adopted a resolution calling on African States, including Nigeria, that still retain the death penalty to observe a moratorium on the execution of death sentences with a view to abolishing the death penalty.”

“For the above reasons, the petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in his case will be illegal and unjust. The petitioner considers supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on him.”

“Prisoners are not denuded of their rights by mere conviction. If carried out, the death sentence on the petitioner would amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. The petitioner has been deprived of his liberty and other fair trial rights and unless the African Commission urgently intervenes, his right to life may be irreparably violated.”

“The petitioner considers that the application of the death penalty in the case of Sharif Yahya Sharif will be illegal and unjust. We consider supervening factors such as those highlighted above to be sufficient grounds for setting aside the death sentences imposed on the petitioner.”

“Given the climate of persistent human rights violations in Nigeria and the impunity of perpetrators, the urgent intervention by the African Commission is required to protect the petitioner against irreparable damage.”

Falana is therefore asking the Commission to find that Nigeria:

By virtue of its consistent denial of fair trial and other rights of Nigerians, find that Nigeria has violated Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Charter;

By virtue of the decision to execute the petitioner, find that Nigeria has violated his right to life under Article 4 of the African Charter, and the resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN General Assembly.

Find that Nigeria has deliberately and wilfully disregarded the request by the African Commission to the effect that African countries, including Nigeria that still retain the death penalty should fully comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and guarantee to every person accused of crimes for which capital punishment is applicable, fair trial standards, including access to legal representation.

Ask Nigeria to immediately and unconditionally release the petitioner who is facing imminent execution simply for exercising his human rights, and to pay appropriate compensation to the petitioner for the multiple violations of his Charter rights and freedoms.

Ask Nigeria to faithfully and fully implement resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 1: Immediately remove the petitioner from imminent execution or any risk of execution, and fully accord the petitioner his fair trial and other human rights, pending this Commission’s decision. Unless the African Commission urgently intervenes in this case, there is a risk of irreversible denial of the petitioner’s rights, which in turn will render nugatory the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 2: Give assurances that the petitioner facing imminent execution will not be executed.

The Nigerian authorities should also give assurances that they will fully implement the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Provisional Measure No. 3: Impartially, independently and transparently investigate whether the petitioner received fair trial and other international human rights guarantees applicable to his situation. Pending the government’s fulfilling this important responsibility, the Commission’s urgent intervention is required to ensure that the petitioner’s rights to life and fair trial are not unjustly and illegally violated.

Provisional Measure No. 4: Undertake a prompt review of its legal framework and administrative practices on the use of the death penalty to ensure their consistency with the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the African Commission Dr Solomon Ayele Dersoo has confirmed that the commission is now considering the petition. In his response to the petition yesterday, Dr Dersoo stated that, “Your petition and request are well received. The Secretariat will take steps for following up on this as per the Rules of Procedure of the Commission without prejudice to other steps already in motion.” sundiatapost

Residents of Alapere area of Lagos on Saturday recorded another tragedy as two yet-to-be-identified children were swept away as people battled flood after a downpour that lasted for hours and submerged many parts of the area.

The incident occurred at about 8:00pm at Oyebanjo Street, Ketu.

While the rain forced some residents to stay indoors, a few others suffered personal tragedies as the downpour and flooding led to destruction of properties.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency in a situation report on Sunday said a search operation was ongoing to find the missing children.

LASEMA’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, noted that it was discovered that the children were missing around 8:00pm on Saturday.

He said, “The agency received distress calls concerning the above. On arrival at the scene of the incident it was discovered that, around 8:00pm, two children had been caught up by floodwater.

“A joint team of responders comprising agency responders, LASG Fire Service and LASAMBUS was at the scene.

“The agency’s tiger team commenced a search and rescue operation along the path of the floodwater.

“Initial observations revealed a sloping topography with a direct channel of drain water into the canal. This has proven to be rather challenging to navigate. Rescue operation remains ongoing.”

Federal government agencies in the Presidency have held consultations for the 2021 budget, as the rush continues to meet the deadline to get budget proposals from President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly this month.

The frenzy is on to get the financial proposals to the federal lawmakers, who beat their own record last year to get out the Appropriation Bill out of the Assembly for Buhari’s signature before the beginning of 2020. This effectively re-introduced the traditional January to December financial year into the polity.

The National Assembly gloated over the feat, but the unexpected entry of Covid-19 dampened spirits as all calculations were upturned, and Nigeria, like other countries of the world, resorted to ingenious measures to stay afloat.

Whether the 2020 Budget was of any tangible benefits is a matter of contention among economists, but the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Tijjani Umar, led the 2021 budget bilateral meeting between Government Agencies under the Presidency and officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The virtual meeting took place on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the conference room of the State House administrative block.

It was attended by Chief Executives and key budget, finance and accounts staff of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the State House Permanent Secretary, “the preparation of the 2021 budget estimates takes into consideration the policies and strategies contained in the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), which is the Federal Government pre-budget statement.”

Umar also explained that in line with the directive issued by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the annual budget is being prepared using the Zero-Based Budget (ZBB) approach and in compliance with the government’s policy thrust as articulated in the MTEF/FSP and Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).  

Citing a September 1, 2020 circular issued by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, State House, said MDAs have been directed to work assiduously to conclude the budget bilateral meetings as scheduled in order to get the 2021 budget ready for transmission to the National Assembly (NASS) by President Muhammadu Buhari this month.

The latest  budget circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning put the expenditure ceiling of the 2021 pre-bilateral proposal for the Presidency at N10 billion compared with N15.3 billion of the revised 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly. Everyday