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BREAKING: Nigerian Human Rights Activist Arthur Judah Angel Assassinated

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian human rights activist and anti-death penalty advocate Arthur Judah Angel, has been assassinated in his country home in Edo state.

Mr Angel, who was the President and founder of Life Wire International Foundation, wrote: “I refused to die, a true life story of Divine Intervention on death row”

It was gathered on Tuesday that Mr. Angel, who had spent nine years of his life on death row after being sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit in 1986, was killed and buried in a shallow grave on Sunday.

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The assailants also burnt down his house down after the assassination.

After he was granted a pardon and released from prison, Angel dedicated his life to fighting against the use of the death penalty in Nigeria.

He travelled to over 15 countries to speak out against death penalty through his art exhibitions and drawings.

The incident happened at Ugboha, Esan South East, Edo state.

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When SaharaReporters contacted Arthur’s cousin, Michael Ihaza, he confirmed the assassination of his uncle.

He told SaharaReporters that although, they don’t know of anyone whom his late uncle had any problem with, the family has cases in court over their landed properties sold by trespassers and land grabbers.

“We won one of the cases a few weeks ago and Arthur was the head of the family,” he said.

He, however, noted that Arthur Angel’s 15-year-old has been accused of killing him, adding that “as it is, we don’t believe that side of the story”.

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He said, “Probably those who killed him may want to push that narrative to divert attention. If the son killed him, how would he have buried him alone and burnt their only house? He didn’t steal anything. He didn’t run away and he went to the police to report the incident.”

“Well, we want the police to do a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice. But till the police are done with the investigation, we cannot really say what happened,” he added.

When SaharaReporters contacted the Edo State Police Command regarding the tragic incident, the Command’s spokesperson SP Chidi Nwabuzor said he did not have any record of such an incident yet.

He requested for the location of the incident so that he can track it.

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A review of his autobiography on Amazon described ‘I Refused to Die’ as a personal and harrowing account of one man’s time on death row in Nigeria.

It described Arthur Angel as lucky enough to escape death row alive and brave enough to tell his story to the world in order to highlight the flawed and corrupt criminal justice and penal systems in Nigeria.

“Through his drawings and his book, he is courageously championing a cause.

“It may be difficult to assimilate this story. You heard or read about this but still wonder if it is true; anyhow, the story is real. It may sound like something out of a vicareque book, but this one is no fiction. It happened to Arthur Judah Angel.

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“Punishment is synonymous with crime, but when a man is innocent yet faces death sentence, it could be regarded as absurd. For Arthur Judah Angel, a victim of circumstances, he had felt it, heard it, experienced and seen it all, yet he conquered all odds.

“It is all here, as expressed by the irrepressible Arthur Judah Angel. If 16 years of unreasoned goal failed to subdue and dehumanize him, I just wonder what could. Here’s an angel in the gallows… an endless memoir,” the review added.

Source: SaharaReporters

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NUJ National Dismisses Petition Against FCT Credential Committee

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The National office of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify Comrade Henry Umoru and Comrade Sarah Odugbo, members of the Credential Committee overseeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council election scheduled for November 8th.
The petition which was submitted by  Osaretin Osadebamwen, John Chuks Onuayin, and Victorson Agbenson, called on the NUJ national leadership to remove the two officials from their roles in the committee.
However, in an official statement, the National Secretary of the NUJ, Achike Chude, declared that the petition lacked merit.
According to Chude, a thorough investigation into the allegations against Umoru and Odugbo found no evidence to support the claims or justify their disqualification from the Credential Committee.
He stated:  “A careful investigation of the complaints made against the duo did not produce any evidence to substantiate the allegations against them and the subsequent call for their disqualification from the Credential Committee set up to supervise the FCT Council election. The allegations were without merit.”
Chude reaffirmed the NUJ’s position that Comrade Henry Umoru, Comrade Sarah Odugbo, and Comrade Elizabeth Christopher Atte should continue their duties as members of the Credential Committee without any hindrance.
He further urged members of the FCT council to support the committee, providing an enabling environment to ensure the successful conduct of the election.
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Just in: Govt Imposes License Fees On WhatsApp Group Administrators

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Administrators of WhatsApp groups operating within Zimbabwe’s borders are now forced to register and secure a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ).

The new controversial licensing requirement, outlined at a recent POTRAZ breakfast meeting, set the minimum cost for a license at $50, with fees going up to US$2,500 depending on the type of WhatsApp group.

The move has ostensibly been necessitated by the need to tighten data security and privacy for all citizens.

Information Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, said all WhatsApp group administrators will soon be required to register and obtain a license from POTRAZ to operate their groups.

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In addition to getting a license, WhatsApp group admins will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) trained and certified by POTRAZ.

This move is intended to ensure compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which governs the handling of personal information.

Under the Act, personal data is defined as any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person. Since WhatsApp group admins have access to members’ phone numbers, the government argues that these groups fall under data protection regulations.

Mavetera noted that the latest development would affect not only businesses, but also community organisations, churches, and any other groups that collect personal data

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“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” Mavetera said.

Those found in violation of the fresh clampdown measures risk penalties, jail time, or both.

The new controversial policy, which comes against a backdrop of growing use of the popular social media application to stir political debates as President Emmerson Mnangagwa is locked in a power tussle with his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, is seen as an infringement on citizens’ right to free speech and association.

Zimbabwe joins a growing number of countries gravitating towards shutting digital spaces amid growing dissent and anger against the ruling Zanu PF party.

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Alleged Assault: Lawyers dump bolt driver for apologizing to Abia Reps member

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By Francesca Hangeior

The team of lawyers representing Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye, an Abuja based bolt driver that was allegedly assaulted by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, have withdrawn from his case.

The withdrawal, came barely 24 hours after the driver made a volte farce by tendering an apology to his alleged assaulter who had since been docked in court by the police over his action.

Hon. Ikwechegh was arraigned after he had admitted that he manhandled the e-hailing cab driver and apologized for his unbecoming conduct.

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However, in view of the recent turn of events in the matter, Abuwatseye’s lawyers said they were no longer ready to offer legal services to him.

A statement dated November 8, signed by Zainab M. Otega of Deji Adeyanju & Partners and titled: “PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED ASSAULT OF MR. STEPHEN ABUWATSEYE: WITHDRAWAL OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION,” read:

“We wish to formally announce the withdrawal of our legal representation in the case involving the alleged assault of Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye.

“On October 28, 2024, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye walked into our law firm, visibly distressed, and sought redress over an alleged assault. Following his complaint, and having verified his claim, we took steps to protect Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye’s rights, on pro bono basis, culminating in the arraignment of the alleged assaulter.

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“However, in view of recent developments and after careful consideration, we have made the decision to withdraw our legal representation in other to protect our professional integrity and maintain the highest ethical standard in the legal profession.

“We wish Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye the very best, while we assure the general public of our continuous commitment towards protecting the rights of the oppressed and indigent members of the society.”

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