News

NATIONWIDE PROTESTS DAY 2: Read about state of the nation

Published

9 months ago

August 2, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Lagos: Popular Computer Village, Ikeja, empty

Abuja: ‘Hunger dey, hunger dey’; tear gas

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A detachment of fully armed men of the Nigerian Police on Friday morning forcefully dispersed a group of protesters around the Berger Bridge in Abuja.

The protesters were chanting ‘Hunger dey oo, hunger dey ooo” (There’s hunger, there’s hunger), before the officers dispersed them forcefully, including using tear gas.

Some passers-by and motorists, who were caught off-guard, could be heard accusing the Police of high-handedness.

An Abuja high court had earlier granted an injunction seeking to confine protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, had on Thursday night urged protesters to obey the court order.

But leaders of the protesters say they had not been served with a copy of the said order.

Abuja is quiet

On Day 2 of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide strike, Abuja, the nation’s capital has become quiet.

Our Correspondent who visited the MKO Abiola Stadium and the Eagle Square which witnessed the main activities yesterday reported that they were empty and quiet.

There were neither protesters nor pro-government demonstrators in any of the locations. Only security forces and armoured tanks were seen in those places.

Additionally, troops of the Nigerian Army, police, and other security forces have continued to patrol the entire city, ostensibly to prevent a repeat of yesterday’s experience.

Katsina Police impose curfew, arrest 50

The Katsina State Police Command has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the rest of the state. The directive, which takes immediate effect, also bans all forms of protest within the state.

ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the Command spokesperson, attributed the decision to the need to maintain public safety and prevent further escalation of violence, vandalism, and looting.

He disclosed that over 50 suspects have been arrested in connection with the destruction of public and private properties, with authorities vowing to apprehend all those involved.

ASP Sadiq debunked the circulating rumour about police brutality and fatalities, stating that “there is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports.” He emphasised in the statement that the command officers exercised maximum restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters.

The Command appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s and urged young people to resist pressure to participate in violent activities. They warned that curfew violators would face stiff penalties.

ASP Sadiq said warned that the command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, will be conducting regular patrols to ensure total compliance with the curfew, as anyone found violating the curfew will be dealt with decisively.

Day 1 protest: Sanwo-Olu hails protesters, calls for continued calm, peace in Lagos

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended protesters for the peaceful demonstration in the state on Thursday even as he stressed the need for continued peace and calm in d state.

Sanwo-Olu made the remark in a statement released through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso while making his accessment on the protest.

Operatives Arrest Kaduna Protester Dressed in Police Camouflage

The Police in Kaduna State has dealt with miscreants who hijacked procession of youths and other citizens on the first day of the End Bad Governance protest, and vandalised State Government, private and police assets.

Among those arrested was a man dressed in police camouflage uniform, and others wielding dangerous weapons.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Audu Ali Dabigi called on parents and guardians to.restrain their wards from involving in violent acts, and assured that his operatives would continue to maintain law and order by not allowing criminals breathing space.

Having recorded success in some parts of the country on its first day, the nationwide hunger protest enters day 2.

The first day saw 14 persons killed and a curfew declared in Yobe, Kano, Borno States.

Vanguard

News

NUJ-FCT Unmasks Financial Scandal Under Ex-Leadership

Published

8 minutes ago

April 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…handover Ogbeche, Osadebamwen, others to EFCC for probe

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has concluded a comprehensive internal review of the immediate past administrative activities, revealing concerns about financial stewardship during previous leadership cycles. The findings have been forwarded to relevant oversight bodies for further evaluation.

Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, the Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike shared details of the inquiry conducted by a committee established by the NUJ Congress. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance organisational accountability and strengthen internal governance systems.

The five-man panel, chaired by veteran journalist, Comrade Tony Akowe, included Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka (Secretary), Comrade Akin Orimolade, Comrade Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Comrade Imam Umar.

The committee’s scope covered activities from December 2018 to October 2021, encompassing the periods of past administrations led by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osadebamwen.

According to the committee’s documentation, critical gaps were observed in record-keeping and transitional documentation. In addition, there was limited engagement from some former officeholders during the review process. The only available financial review for the period in question reportedly presented inconsistencies requiring further attention.

Among the most damning discoveries was the undocumented use of over N33 million purportedly collected as rent, with no supporting tenancy agreements or lease details. Other flagged transactions included N220,000 labeled as check-off dues and N392,000 under chapel remittances, both lacking sufficient documentation.

The probe further uncovered a deeply suspicious transaction involving Canopy Global Investment Limited, owned by Chief Oti Chidiebere. In July 2020, the company paid N24.5 million into the union’s UBA account. However, only N14 million was accounted for in the financial records. Despite Chief Oti presenting bank statements and receipts, the union issued no acknowledgment of the transaction, leaving a glaring N10.5 million unaccounted for.

Also raising red flags was the unexplained merging of a $148,000 balance from the union’s dollar account into a naira account, recorded as N6.148 million. This conversion lacked any documentation or justification, further deepening concerns about fiscal mismanagement.

In light of the findings, the committee made strong recommendations: inviting the EFCC, ICPC, and the Police CID to investigate, barring indicted individuals from accessing union bank accounts, and renegotiating all lease agreements under the supervision of licensed valuers.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the NUJ-FCT Congress, in its April 12 sitting, unanimously adopted the report. Members voted to dissociate the Council from Emmanuel Ogbeche, Patrick Osadebamwen, and Ochiaka Ugwu, barring them from conducting any business in the name of the union or accessing its funds.

The Congress also withdrew Comrade Gloria Essien’s role as NUJ-FCT representative at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over her non-cooperation with the investigation.

As a symbolic move, members directed that portraits of the former chairmen be removed from the NUJ Secretariat until further notice. A public disclaimer is also being issued to caution government agencies, diplomatic missions, and corporate organizations from engaging with the accused persons on behalf of the Council.

Letters detailing the probe’s outcome and adopted resolutions will be forwarded to the employers of all individuals named in the report.

Addressing the press, Comrade Grace Ike reiterated the Council’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.

“This union belongs to the people. We will not allow anyone to tarnish its name or abuse the trust of our members,” she said.

News

Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo

Published

2 hours ago

April 17, 2025

ADMIN

The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.

The court held that he has no case to answer.

Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).

Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.

However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.

Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.

The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.

According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.

Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.

Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.

They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.

However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.

Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

News

Lawmaker Slams NBA Over Rivers Crisis, Demands Return of N300m

Published

3 hours ago

April 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Hon. Solomon Bob has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Bar Association, accusing it of insincerity, hypocrisy and “misguided praetorian pretentions” following the association’s condemnation of the state of emergency in Rivers State in another statement on Thursday 10th April.

Recall that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu had on 18th March issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State after a prolonged crisis involving Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The crisis had assumed a dangerous dimension following a fresh impeachment move against the governor, leading to the blowing up of petroleum infrastructure amid threat to violence and social unrest before the president stepped in.

The president’s proclamation was followed two days later by the National Assembly’s ratification as required by section 305 of the constitution.

Justifying the declaration of a state of emergency in his home state in a statement made available to news men on Thursday, Hon. Bob said the NBA “cannot circumscribe or amend the clear untrammelled and discretionary powers granted the President by Section 305 of the constitution.

“Neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary – which the President is required to adopt under the same section”

The lawmaker stated further that the NBA does not have “the jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism.”

He claimed that an association of lawyers, which should be a model of democratic participation, has become a cartel for pursuing narrow interests to the point where the NBA is “unable to organise its elections based on the principle of universal franchise, devoid of zoning.”

Hon. Bob said that since after the fiasco of the 1992 conference, “so-called NBA elections are no more than predetermined coronation of regional or even ethnic hegemons”

While also describing the NBA’s statement as a distraction, the federal lawmaker stated further: “Having witnessed Fubara’s dangerous and incomparable incompetence first-hand, and the embarrassing diminution his actions have exposed my state to, I consider the statement arrogant and a gratuitous insult.”

He charged the NBA of “rank hypocrisy and insincerity because it stood idly by without a whimper when suspended governor Siminilayi Fubara exhibited the type of crass lawlessness and wanton irresponsibility never before seen in any state in Nigeria.”

Hon. Bob said that NBA’s priorities lay elsewhere. He claimed that “the NBA had got itself entangled in a sweetheart deal with Fubara, a quid pro quo, and it was set to use the Port Harcourt conference to whitewash the worst misgovernment of any state in Nigeria.”

He further stated that NBA’s statement on the Rivers situation carefully concealed their pecuniary interest and only belatedly admitted receiving a huge advance payment from Fubara after the authorities in Port Harcourt exposed the deal by publicly demanding a refund of the money.

He said NBA’s grudging claim that the sum of three hundred million naira was a gift is unreasonable and unbecoming of a “self-appointed ombudsman”, and proof that they were engaged in a relationship of compromise with Fubara.

He demanded that the money be returned to the coffers of the Rivers State government, failing which the authorities in Port Harcourt should take every necessary step to recover same.