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Tag: #ENDHUNGER

  • Police summons Ajaero again

    Police summons Ajaero again

    A little over 24 hours after his return from an earlier invite, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero has again been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for questioning.

    This time he is to report in company of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja the General Secretary of NLC.

    Both leaders of the Congress are scheduled to turn up at Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.

    Recall that on August 29, the NLC President complied with a previous summons to appear before the police on allegations of criminal conspiracy, financing of terrorism, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

    In the latest summons, the police is demanding that the NLC President and the General Secretary answer to questions on allegations bordering on criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of the public peace and malicious damage to properties.

     

     

  • Hunger Protests: Court strikes out suit against protesters, IGP, DSS, others

    Hunger Protests: Court strikes out suit against protesters, IGP, DSS, others

    Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, struck out a suit instituted against the anti-hunger protesters and Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF) for want of diligent prosecution.

     

    The court action followed the absence of the 17 plaintiffs and 26 defendants in court and without legal representation from the two parties.

     

    Other Respondents in the suit instituted by 17 Nigerians are Inspector General of Police, Department of the State Service, DSS, and the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff.

     

    Although the suit was fixed for hearing, Justice Lifu was however shocked that none of the 17 plaintiffs showed up neither were they represented by any legal practitioner.

     

    To worsen the matter, the defendants comprising Take it back movement, Nigerians against hunger, DSS, IGP, Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff had no legal representation while no excuses or explanations were offered for boycott of the proceedings.

     

    Justice Lifu concluded that it had become apparent that the plaintiffs were no longer interested in the matter and subsequently struck it out.

     

    The plaintiffs drawn from the six geo political zones of the country had approached the court seeking order to terminate the protest on the ground that their fundamental rights to freedom of movement, human dignity, right to own property, economic, social and cultural development and right to national peace and security were been breached.

     

    They asked the court to compel the Director General of the DSS, Inspector General of Police, Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff as well as the AGF to enforce their fundamental rights for them by bringing the protesters to order.

     

    The plaintiffs cited Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa among others where great destructions were allegedly done to public and private properties.

     

    The suit was however terminated by Justice Lifu as a result of lack of diligent prosecution on the part of the plaintiffs.

     

    Some of the plaintiffs are Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, Ocholi Aduku, Francis John, Nnamdi Eze, Chibuzor Ifeanyi, Fesco Olatunde and Ishaya Istifanus among others.

    Also, Omoyele Somore, AGF, National Security Adviser IGP Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff among others

  • Court Acquits 6 EndSARS Protesters 

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja has released six men who had been detained since 2020 in connection with the #EndSARS protests.

     

    The men—Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33), and Azeez Isiaka (34)—were initially charged with disturbing the public peace during the protests.

     

    In a plea bargain, the men admitted to breaching public peace, leading to their conviction.

     

    Despite the conviction, Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi decided to discharge them, noting their nearly four years in custody.

     

    The court heard that the offense occurred on November 23, 2020, in Ebute Metta, Lagos, and was in violation of Section 168(d) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

     

    Dr. Babajide Martins, Director for Public Prosecutions, presented the revised charges and urged for sentencing based on their plea.

     

    Defense attorney Mr. T.D. Ojeshino requested leniency, emphasizing that the defendants are first-time offenders, some of whom support their families and have demonstrated remorse.

     

  • #EndBadGovernance: Over 2,000 protesters languish in Police detention

    #EndBadGovernance: Over 2,000 protesters languish in Police detention

    Following a merciless clampdown, some of the protesters during 10-day #Endbadgovernance protest were killed, while others were arrested and clamped into police detention.
    According to Femi Falana, SAN, human rights activist, and the Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, no fewer than 2,111 protesters were arrested in connection with the 10-day #Endbadgovernance action across the country that was held from August 1st to 10th.
    He added that 1,403 were brought to court, and then sent to prison custody.
    Below are the number of protesters arrested in states across the country, and the Federal Capital Territory.
    1. Kano — 873
    2. Jigawa — 403
    3. Katsina–120
    4. Gombe — 111
    5. Sokoto — 110
    6. Borno — 99
    7. Yobe — 90
    8. Bauchi-60
    9. Plateau — 51
    10. Kaduna — 50
    11. FCT — 50
    12. Nasarawa — 40
    13. Niger — 25
    14. Zamfara — 19
    15. Cross Rivers — 10

  • Endbadgovernance: Police Raid Homes in Abuja

    The police have intensified their actions against individuals and institutions suspected to have links to the End Bad Governance protests, with recent invasions targeting prominent figures in Abuja. 

     

    Mrs. Helen Batubo, proprietress of Stars of Nations School, had her home invaded by police officers.

     

    The operation is reportedly connected to her involvement in the protests.

     

    In a related incident, the home of Drew Povey, the owner of Iva Valley Books, was also raided by police.

     

    Iva Valley Books issued a statement condemning the invasion and highlighted the ongoing police actions against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

     

    According to the statement, police officers, along with other armed men, forcibly entered the NLC buildings earlier in the month and removed all the books from a bookshop that had been operating there for seven years.

     

    The books covered various topics, including trade unionism, environmentalism, and feminism.

     

    The statement from Iva Valley Books also noted that Joe Ajaero, NLC President, and Povey’s partner received police interview invitations related to accusations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

     

    The bookshop firmly denied any involvement in such activities, calling the accusations baseless.

     

    The Iva Valley Books statement called on civil society organizations to support an inquiry into the attacks and urged for the immediate return of the confiscated property.

     

    Despite demands for the return of the books and other items taken during the raids, the police have yet to comply.

     

  • Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    In a move described as fascist and targeted to cow him, the Nigeria Police Force has invited the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.
    The invite was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Department of Force Intelligence.
    The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.
    According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.
    Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his official X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
    He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes.
    #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.

  • #EndBadGovernance : Mobilisers Of Foreign Flag, Set To Resume Protest

    #EndBadGovernance : Mobilisers Of Foreign Flag, Set To Resume Protest
    Less than a week after suspending the nationwide protest against hardship in Nigeria which held from August 1st to 10th, the mobilisers say Nigerians have the right to request the assistance of Russian govt and other countries in their struggle against hardship in the country.
    The Protesters at a media briefing in Abuja, insist that they are returning to the streets in the coming days as no amount of accusations and arrests of members will force them to back out of the demonstrations until their demands are met.
    The ten days nationwide protest that occurred in several states except in some south -eastern states in Nigeria was suspended upon the completion of the time frame given to the federal government amid efforts made by security agencies who tear-gassed and arrested some members of the #endbadgovernance protest.
    Over one week after some arrests, some members are still in the security detention centre including Michael Lenin, Sodiq, Opaoluwa and Angel.
    At a media conference in Abuja, the mobilisers defended the decision of Nigerians to raise Russian flag during the demonstration, arguing that the display is an expression of their constitutional right to free speech and solidarity with global struggles against bad leadership.
    The young Nigerians insist that they will not give up their struggle to put an end to bad governance in Nigeria as the group is set to resume the demonstration in coming weeks.
    The mobilisers however, did not reveal to the media a specific date when the protest shall resume.
    They urged Nigerians, particularly members of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the trade union congress, to prepare by refusing every possible attempt by the government to ignore their struggle.
    The mobilisers told the Tinubu-led government not to incite protesters with violent repression as they prepare to return to the streets.
  • Education Is The Game Changer – Atiku

    Education Is The Game Changer – Atiku

    Former vice president and promoter of the American University of Nigeria (@aun), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said education remains one of the most sustainable means of addressing societal changes and assuring the future of children.
    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said without education, he would not have achieved what he has achieved in life. He said every child should have access to education regardless of family background.
    The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate stated this on Saturday while reacting to a viral video of a child rights activist, Ibrahim Zannah Sunoma.
    Atiku said the government and all stakeholders owe it a duty to help children achieve their destiny by providing access to education for all children.
    In the video, posted by former chairman of Nationa Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Ibrahim said banditry activities leading to the destruction of schools, killing of teachers and death of children’s parents are affecting the rights of children to access education.
    Ibrahim said education is the mother of all child rights and the only way for the child of a peasant farmer to become a celebrated icon.
    “If we see every child as our own child, then we will not be here today, because no parent, no leader, no government will want his child in a condition that no horror movie can explain.
    “Education is the only tool with which the child of a peasant farmer can become the celebrated icon of tomorrow and the challenges are very severe.
    “Our schools are destroyed, our teachers killed, our parents mothered, our schools burnt down, we are kidnapped. Even just looking at the physical destruction itself, it is more than that, it’s psychological.
    “It is something that will make you think that the future does not exist for you because education is the future. Children who lack access to education are lacking access to many rights because is the mother of child rights for children. The resources that children need are those destroyed,” he said.
    In reaction, Atiku wrote on his X handle, “I cannot agree more with Ibrahim. Education is the game changer. Without education, we will not all be here. Let’s help our children to share the sunshine, too.
  • Invasion: NLC holds emergency NEC meeting today

    Invasion: NLC holds emergency NEC meeting today

    Even as agents of the Federal Government deny the act, leaders of the Nigeria Labour (NLC) are holding an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today to deliberate and take a stand on the needless invasion of the Labour House on Wednesday night in Abuja by security forces.
    This came as Labour Writers Association of Nigeria, LAWAN, joined the growing list of concerned organisations and individuals condemning the invasion.
    Recall that heavily armed Policemen and others in mufti late Wednesday night invaded the NLC Headquarters, Abuja, commonly known as Labour House.
    The stern looking policemen stormed the Labour House some few minutes to 9 pm and ransacked both the Second and 10th floors.
    According to information, “They broke into second floor and ransacked offices including a bookshop and carted away several materials including books claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”
    The NEC meeting is scheduled for 4 pm “to enable Labour leaders determine appropriate response to the invasion and related matters.”
    It gathered that the meeting would be virtual.
  • #EndBadGovernance: I’m not affraid of death or arrest – Sowore

    #EndBadGovernance: I’m not affraid of death or arrest – Sowore

    Politician, Journalist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, said on Monday that he is not afraid of being arrested for the #EndBadGovernance protest.
    The publisher of online news medium, Sahara Reporters made this known in an interview Monday evening when asked if he was not afraid of being arrested for calling for protests across the country.
    The Human Rights Activist said, “I would be happy to rejoin them for those conversations. If there’s anything I love after being arrested — after all the noise, violence, and the beating we received, which is unfortunate, because we are not supposed to be treated like animals in our own country.
    “When I sit down with them, no matter what they call interrogation, it becomes an educational process. I lecture them. When I was arrested by the DSS, they brought in about four young guys to interrogate me.”
    He said, “During a long interrogation session, one of them left and never came back. I saw him another day and asked him why he ran away. He said he couldn’t take it anymore and that anything they were told to ask me was concocted by their boss.
    “He didn’t know that I had been arrested by the DSS in 1995; the guy told me he was born in 1996. So, when I was lecturing them inside the room, they were all getting nervous.”
    Sowore said he was not worried or afraid of death.
    “Nobody who went to university with me thought I would live beyond 30 years old because they ganged up against me so much. All the cults and the police were working with the military to kill me at the University of Lagos in 1994.”
    He said some people he met in Nigeria in 2018, who were also at the University of Lagos, swore that they thought he was no longer alive because of what he went through.
    “I expect them to drop all charges against me because they called me and said they regretted withdrawing the treason charges and want to add new ones. What I promise is that I will be back.”
    He said he would return to face the government with any charges that may come his way.
    He added that any sacrifices that could help make Nigeria better should be made, as some people had already done in the North.