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Falana tasks NBA citizen liberties committee to protect rights of citizens
By Francesca Hangeior
Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has commended the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, for establishing a Citizens Liberties Committee.
The senior lawyer in a statement he personally signed on Saturday stated that the development was a right step in the right direction hence members will ensure that the rights of suspects and convicts guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Establishment Act, and the Nigerian Correctional Services Act are respected.
He also called on the Citizens Liberties Committee to link up with the Human Rights Committees of the 128 branches of the Nigerian Bar Association and other human rights organisations in the country with a view to working together to enforce the comprehensive rights of suspects and end the illegal arrest and detention of innocent persons in the country.
The statement read: “Since the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted in May 2015, I have repeatedly called on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to invoke the provisions of the Act to end illegal arrest and detention of the Nigerian people.
“I have also called on NBA leaders to ensure that the rights of suspects and convicts guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Establishment Act, and the Nigerian Correctional Services Act are respected.
“Regrettably, such calls fell on the deaf ears of the leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association in the recent past. Hence, the illegal arrest and detention of innocent citizens has continued unabated. Even a lawyer, Pius Iwoke was recently released from the illegal custody of the State Security Service after he had been detained for 3 years without trial. Iwoke would not have been subjected to such harrowing experience if the detention facilities of the State Security Service had been inspected by a Judge on a monthly basis in accordance with the provisions of section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and section 70 of the Police Establishment Act.
“Therefore, the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, deserves commendation for establishing a Citizens Liberties Committee, which has been charged with the responsibility to carry out the following functions:
“To collaborate with the NBA branches to liaise with the Chief Judges of the States and the FCT to ensure that all Police stations and other detention facilities in each State of the Federation and the FCT are visited and inspected by Magistrates and Judges once a month, in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law.
“To direct the Human Rights Committee of each branch of the NBA to accompany Chief Magistrates and Judges to conduct monthly inspections of all Police Stations and other detention facilities in Nigeria, in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law.
“To encourage citizens to participate in the monitoring and inspections of Police Stations and other detention facilities by Magistrates and Judges and to report through the Human Rights Committee of Branches.
“I am confident that the Citizens Liberties Committee will succeed in its assignment as its members are largely drawn from the nation’s human rights community”.
Taraba was agog last Saturday as Senator Haruna Manu hosts 21 serving Senators during his neice’s wedding fatiha in Jalingo.
Sumayyah Adamu Manu is his elder brother’s daughter who married Muhammad Lamba Sha’ibu
The ceremony took place at Senator Manu’s residence in Jalingo, marking a significant milestone for the family.
During the event, H.E Sen. Aminu Tambuwal served as the representative (Wakili) for the bride, while former Senate President Sen. Ahmed Lawal acted as the representative (Wakili) for the groom Muhammad Lamba Sha’ibu
The ceremony was filled with heartfelt prayers as Senator Manu invoked blessings from the Almighty Allah for the couple, wishing them a prosperous and harmonious union.
The wedding was graced by the presence of various dignitaries, including twenty one (21) senators Senators across the country, Honourable Member House of Representatives, Traditional rulers among others, who joined in celebrating this momentous occasion.
Senator Manu expresses gratitude to all who attended and contributed to making the day memorable.
May the union of Sumayyah Adamu Manu and her groom Muhammad Lamba be blessed with love, joy, and success.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
About 400,000 corps members are set to benefit from a new federal government scheme called YouthCred.
The initiative, a partnership between CreditCorp Nigeria and the NYSC, aims to provide affordable consumer credit to serving corps members.
According to Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, the scheme is designed to promote a culture of good credit among young Nigerians.
He noted that the beneficiaries can access loans ranging from N100,000 to N150,000 to sort out urgent needs like clothing, mattresses, phones, and basic furniture.
Dada added that the loan will be repayable during the service year at a single-digit interest rate, making it accessible and manageable for corps members.
According to him, Before loan approval, applicants will be educated on credit scores and responsible borrowing to build financial literacy.
He states that President Tinubu’s administration hopes the program will reshape attitudes towards credit before corps members enter the workforce.
The SA also confirmed that the federal government has already set aside N6 billion for the rollout of the YouthCred scheme.
He said the implementation will start with financial institutions already working with NYSC, and full rollout is expected within the next 12 months.
The statement reads, “As part of efforts to promote good credit culture among young Nigerians starting with corp members, @CrediCorpNG in collaboration with NYSC will be launching a new scheme called “YouthCred”.
“YouthCred is an initiative that will offer affordable consumer credit to corps members.
“Corp members in need of quick cash to sort urgent bills like clothing, mattresses, mobile phones, basic furniture etc that will help them settle down in the new PPAs, will be able to access up to credit facilities of N100,000-150,000 and repay same over the course of their youth service at a single digit interest rate.
“The essence of a good credit score and how it works will be taught to interested corp members before final approvals are granted.
“This is part of President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to instill values among the young populace and change the narrative about credit even before entering the workforce.
“An initial N6bn has been reserved for this purpose with the launch expected anytime soon.
“Rollout of YouthCred will begin with partner financial institutions that already work with NYSC and related agencies.
“The initiative will target 400,000 corp members over the next 12 months.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kano State Police Command agents have detained 18-year-old Saudat Jibril on suspicion of killing her husband, 30-year-old Salisu Idris, in the state’s Farawa community just nine days after their wedding.
According to a statement from SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the State Police Command spokesperson, the suspect “allegedly cut off her husband’s throat, with a sharp knife.”
He said, “The victim was rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel. The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in custody at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Homicide Section, and will be charged to court for the offence of culpable homicide.”
March 28, 2025
Community members claimed that Saudat may have poisoned her husband before stabbing him during an altercation, while the exact circumstances of the death are still unknown.
According to reports, Saudat and Idris’ marriage, which was consummated on Sunday, April 27, 2025, ended on Tuesday, May 6.
The marriage was planned by relatives of the couple and lacked mutual affection between both parties. It was said that the dead had voiced concerns regarding the union. Family members, however, convinced him to go ahead with the marriage.
The public was reassured by the Command that it will carry out exhaustive investigations to guarantee that justice is done.
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