Category: Featured

Three traditional rulers in Imo State have reportedly been shot dead by gunmen on Tuesday afternoon.

The Nation learnt the royal fathers were having their meeting in Njaba Local Government Area of the state when the shooting occured.

Read Also: Imo residents observe self-imposed sit-at-home

However, the situation is still sketchy as at press time.

Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council in the State, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, told The Nation: “I have heard that some people were shot in the meeting in Njaba but I am trying to get the details.”

Detail shortly…

*Count one:

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State being the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, preparations made by you and others now at large for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

*Count two

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area ot Abia State, on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

*Count Three

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household which you declared as used household items and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act ,Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

*Count four

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult. of Afaraukwu iIbeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State in London, United Kingdom between 2018 and 2021 Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and FCT, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, professed to be a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Read Also: Kanu warns supporters against threatening, harassing lawyers

*Count five

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 22th of April, 2021 in London, United Kingdom on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act of terrorism in that you incite the other members (followers) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB}, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria, to look for security personnel, their family members through a Radio Biafra on 102.1FM monitored through the IPOB Community Radio and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.

*Count six

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia Stale on the 16thh of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that “In 2 weeks’ time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still, mark my word” and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

*Count seven

That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 31st of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by issuing a deadly threat that anyone who flouted your sit-at-home order should “write his/her will,” as a result banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses and vehicular movements grounded and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

The war against domestic/sexual/social violence will become easier to prosecute and win if the boy-child is fully involved, stakeholders have agreed. OYEBOLA OWOLABI reports that the Office of the wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is championing this cause through the ‘Boy-Child Initiative.’

The Boy-Child Initiative’ is a creation of the Office of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. It was aimed at ensuring a gender-balanced society. Mrs Sanwo-Olu, together with the wife of the Deputy Governor Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, are championing the boy-child initiative to entrench the right values in the boys and ultimately ensure a better society.

According to Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, it is not enough to educate the girls about gender and domestic violence, the boys should also be carried along to ensure the society is rid of abuse and violence.

The initiative was launched recently, starting with an awareness walk from Ikeja City Mall to the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja and a news briefing.  The theme was ‘The 21st Century Boy-Child: Creating a Vision for Transformation,’ with the Governor’s wife, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and pupils selected from the formal and informal sectors, participating. They displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘I stand with the boy-child’; ‘Stop neglecting the boy-child’; ‘Boys are important too.’

According to Mrs Sanwo-Olu, reports have shown that issues surrounding the boy-child are not getting the needed attention ‘and there is a strong need to correct the imbalance in the gender scale.’

She berated cultural inclinations which have downplayed issues affecting the boy-child, and stressed the need to cater for him, saying “even as we commemorate the International Day of the Girl-Child every October 11, we believe that the interests, welfare and well-being of the boy-child should be factored into the scheme of affairs.”

Continuing, she added: “By the nature and perception of the boy-child as being strong and resilient, the society tends to pay little or no attention to issues affecting male children. The ‘Boy-Child Initiative’ is thus aimed at focusing the searchlight on the challenges that boys silently contend with, and proffer workable as well as actionable solutions. This initiative is simply about inclusion and ensuring that no members or strata of the society are left behind.

“Objectives of the Boy-Child Initiative are to raise awareness on the rights and welfare of the boy-child; promote educational opportunities for male children, especially the indigent; facilitate the rehabilitation of the vulnerable boy-child through referrals, and to build a new generation of transformed male children who will contribute positively to the society.

“In line with the vision of my Office, we intend to take advantage of this initiative to create awareness on what our boys are grappling with, and properly educate them, as well as rehabilitate and engender transformation so that the society can be positively impacted.

“One of the reasons we decided to embark on this initiative is because there are cries that parents, knowingly and unknowingly, are putting so much emphasis and efforts on the girl-child but seem to be forgetting that the boy-child is equally important and we need to strike a balance.

“Even God created Adam and Eve (boy and girl); He didn’t just create Adam; there was a need for Eve. But we keep talking about the girl-child, forgetting that she will end with the boy-child as husband and wife. They will have children and then the cycle starts all over again. The point here is that it has to be balanced,” Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu also made a case for the United Nations (UN) to fully recognise May 16 as the International Day of the Boy-Child.

“I know there are quite a number of people like me out there pushing for the boy-child initiative. It has not been recognised 100 per cent by the UN but I know with time, when a lot of us push this initiative a little bit more, it will be recognised,” she said.

The target group for the initiative is principally boys from nine to 17 years. The participants have already been selected, both from the formal and informal sectors, across the five administrative divisions of the state, and they will go through a range of activities in the next week.

Read Also: Boys Quarters Africa, LASG partner to combat gender-based violence

Other such activities lined up to give the initiative life include sports (table tennis, football); boy bands, walks, counselling, talks, visit historic sites, media literacy and lectures to be facilitated by seasoned professionals and subject-matter experts on a wide range of carefully-selected topics that will interest the boy-child. These would hold between October and May 2022.

Some of the topics which would be facilitated include Security and You, Mental Health, Media Literacy and Responsible Use of Social Media, Counselling, Parenting, Family Values, Civic Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Career Path Finding, Self-Esteem, Personal Hygiene and Etiquette, among others.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu added: “Also, we have factored in the interest of parents, especially how to handle training of the boy-child from the home front. Parents from various groups and associations will have the opportunity to listen to the best minds on issues around parenting and the boy-child.

“Boys have emotions; they cry and feel pain. But because they have been conditioned to bottle up so much, they unleash terror on their wives and children when they become men because they cannot cope. So, I think there should also be a Ministry of Men Affairs to cater to such scenarios, a ministry that will identify with them through support groups that can help ease the mental tortures they grew up with.

“The plan is to involve the boy-child in the most remote parts. We will employ the carrot and stick approach to involve those kids who hawk and beg on the street. We will be using this because most of them have been freelance for a long time, and no one controls them. We cannot, therefore, be rigid in our approach and say this is how we want it done,” Mrs. Sanwo-Olu added.

To ensure its sustainability, the initiative will be institutionalised through the Ministries of Education and Youth, Sports and Social Development.

The Project Coordinator of Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation, Mrs. Olajumoke Otitoloju praised Mrs. Sanwo-Olu for taking the step to include the boy-child in the fight for a better society. She advocated the rights of children, especially children with disabilities.

She said: “This initiative is welcome because it is overdue. We have been supporting the girl-child and neglecting the boy-child; forgetting that the girl will one day end up in the boys’ house. It is better if we start training the boys now; teaching them life skills, and making communities understand that the boy-child also needs value and morals.

“When our boys are well informed, it will reduce domestic violence and child abuse. We should enlighten communities more about gender balance and equality. There are certain values and norms the boys don’t understand because they were not taught because of our culture, but as the society grows, we see the lapses in the boys.

“The gender world of masculinity is affecting our boys and making their life miserable; we are not seeing our true sons because of the gender duties/roles associated with/to them. So it’s high time we made the boys understand that the girls should be at par with them; by their side. We should start teaching the boys the values they do not really understand, as well as the life skills in terms of emotional intelligence.

“Yes, boys have emotions, they have feelings, they cry when they are tortured and when they are pained; they sympathise when they feel things are getting out of hands. They should also be able to exhibit the natural phenomenon of human beings–empathy and sympathy. They have it but hide it because of gender and societal masculinity imposed on them.

“I am happy that Mrs Sanwo-Olu has seen the challenges the boys face, that they need to survive, be well informed on their roles and duties so they can act accordingly, and thus help the society grow and develop. This is a welcome idea and I believe it won’t stop on the desk of Mrs. Sanwo-Olu.

“It will not be too much to also have a ministry of men affairs, just as Mrs Sanwo-Olu mentioned. This is because man and woman parent a child, but when we have only the ministry of women affairs, who oversees the affairs of men? They feel pain, they are challenged and go through a lot of emotional torture, but when there is a ministry of men affairs, they can get help instead of abusing their wives, children, girls. This will help society to move forward.

“It’s also good the Federal Government has approved two weeks paternity leave for fathers. This will help them participate in parenting because the man and woman parent a child. We need to forgo old cultural beliefs because culture is dynamic and keeps changing as events unfold.

“This kind of initiative will help the girls and boys move at par in terms of understanding, moral values and life skills, and help society grow and become better,” she said.

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday led other Nigerian leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to felicitate Muslims on today’s celebration of Mawlud Nabbiy, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

In a statement in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari urged Muslims to strive for “forgiveness and closeness to the noble life and teachings of the Prophet (SAW) whose birthday is being marked on this blessed day. On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all the blessings of today”.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan advised the Muslim Ummah on the need for peaceful coexistence, love and tolerance among Nigerians and other people across the world.

“Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) set clear examples through his life of piety and fervent worship of Allah for all true Muslims to emulate at all times,” he said in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi.

The senator representing Lagos Central in the National Assembly, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also rejoiced with Muslims on the Islamic celebration.

In a personal statement, she said: “I felicitate our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Lagos State, and across the Federation on the commemoration of the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

“The birth, life, and teachings of the Prophet are lessons in devotion and dedication, and indeed, worthy of celebration.

“Often celebrated with family, it is a time to, as a unit, profess the Muslim faith to one another, reminding each other of the teachings of the Prophet and strengthening their faith. If we can get it right at the smallest unit of society, which is the family, it will be easier to fix the ills that have become prevalent in the larger society.

Read Also: Muslims urged to uphold high ideals

“Beyond celebrating with immediate family, we should also extend a hand of fellowship to others around us, regardless of affiliations, creed, and religion.

“We must also take time to reflect on the teachings of the Prophet, especially as they relate to our dear nation, Nigeria. We must embrace charity to one another, living a life of piety, while doing our part towards ensuring our peaceful co-existence as a nation.

“Thus, I enjoin us all to, in these times, continue to seek God’s intervention in all our affairs as a nation.”

CAN congratulated the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and all Muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Mawlud Nabbiy.

A statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, said: “We send the best wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters from CAN on this year’s occasion of the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). His birth has given them the power of peaceful co-existence, code of conduct and boldness to live holy lives here on earth and assurance to enter into Paradise in the Hereafter without any hindrance…”

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi urged Nigerians to renew their faith in God and intensify prayers for the country to surmount its challenges.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike advised Muslims to imbibe the virtues of love, peace, patience, communal living and honesty, which Prophet Mohammad preached and practised.

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Mohammad (SAW) who he said exemplified unity, kindness, humility, and peaceful co-existence.

 

 

The Federal Government has amended its treason charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The amended charge now has seven counts as against the earlier five. The charge was filed on October 14   ahead of  Thursday’s resumption of the proceedings in the case at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

It was also gathered yesterday that the court has already issued a notice, reminding parties to the case about the Thursday date.

In the notice, the court asked the parties to bring forward all the evidence or document they wish to rely on in support of their arguments.

A senior official in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and one of Kanu’s lawyers, Maxwell Opara, confirmed the development.

The official, who did not want to be quoted because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, explained that the amended charge was necessitated by new developments.

The amended charge reads:

*Count one:  ”That you, Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State being the leader of  IPOB  on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations made by you and others now at large. for states in the SouthEast and Southsouth and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004;

*Count two:”That you,  Kanu , on or about the 28th April 2015 in London,  did broadcast on Radio Biafra … referred to Maj.- Gen.  Muhammadu Buhari (GCON), the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a pedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004;

*Count three: That you,  Kanu, had  between   March and April 2015 imported  and kept in Ubulusiuzor, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State,  a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household which you declared as used household items and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act , Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004;

*Count four:  ”That you,  Kanu, had  between 2018 and 2021 in Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu,   and FCT(Federal Capital Territory), professed to be a member of IPOB, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.”

Read Also: Sen. Ifeanyi Uba seeks court permission to visit Nnamdi Kanu in DSS facility

Southeast governors and Igbo leaders have announced their readiness to dialogue with the Federal Government on a plethora of challenges facing  Nigeria and the Igbo nation in particular.

Getting a reprieve for the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is one of the core issues the governors and leaders plan to table before the government.

They argued that the use of dialogue and political solutions were the best workable options open to the Presidency and everyone or group that desires peace and sustainable growth for Nigeria.

They, therefore, called on Buhari to ensure that Kanu was produced before an Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday, the day for his resumed trial.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

In the statement by its Spokesman,  Chiedozie   Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze, argued that until some of the obvious injustices against the Igbo were addressed, the chains of catastrophe that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria might continue.

According to Ohanaeze, “it is extremely difficult to have peace amidst injustice.”

“We need not look elsewhere to know that IPOB is simply an exponent of Igbo collective sentiments and predicaments in our tortuous journey and an unquantifiable sacrifice for one Nigeria,” the group said.

The Ohanaeze statement reads in part: “Ohanaeze recalls with consternation that on May 2, 2019, a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Abdul-Rahman Dambazau, held a meeting with national leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), as part of steps to address the country’s security challenges.

“The meeting was hosted by the Governor of Kebbi State, Alh. Atiku Bagudu. In attendance was the then Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Adamu.”

“During the time of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Niger Delta was at the peak of youth restiveness and Yar’Adua opened a channel for dialogue and the matter was over. President Goodluck Jonathan, during his incumbency, had set up a committee commonly referred to as the Presidential Committee on Dialogue with Boko Haram, an initiative that has been sustained by the  Buhari administration. As of today, Governors in the North have openly demonstrated their desire for dialogue with dreaded groups terrorizing their regions; the videos clips abound.

“Based on the foregoing, the Ohanaeze structures, including the Council of Elders, Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igbo Governors, Igbo NASS(National Assembly) members, government officials, Archbishops and the Clergy, stakeholders, youth and women wings, town unions, etc, are ready for a meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government on a plethora of challenges facing the Igbo nation and Nigeria. Our core objective is a sense of belonging in a country anchored on equity, justice, and fairness.”

While calling on President Buhari to “ensure that our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is produced in court on Thursday, October 21, 2021”, Ohanaeze said, “This is necessary to prove to the global community that Nnamdi Kanu is not only hale and hearty but that shady judicial process is not contemplated while on trial”.

The statement reiterated its call on the presidency to consider dialogue as a panacea to peace; insisting that the jackboot approach to the IPOB uprising would rather aggravate the precarious situation.

It also urged “the leader of Ohanaeze delegation to the trial of   Kanu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and our legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barr. Joseph Ojodu and Barr. Goddy Uwazurike to put in their very best to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu obtains justice”.

With the assurances provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerians are clamouring for the introduction of electronic transmission of election results and by extension, electronic voting in the next general elections. But, the only thing that may thwart the deployment of technology is the absence of an enabling law. Members of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, are not too optimistic that deploying technology that is yet to be tested on a large scale would be in the interest of the country. Yesterday, the parliament finally approved e-voting. Correspondent SANNI ONOGU reports

To many observers, politicians, civil society activists and members of academia, Nigeria’s readiness to adopt electronic voting for the conduct of the 2023 general elections is not in doubt. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also avowed its readiness to introduce e-voting in 2023 and future elections subject to enabling legislation being emplaced.

However, efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2010 to provide for e-voting have failed to yield desired results since 2015. However, yesterday, the parliament gave it nod. While the amendment done by the Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki-led Eight National Assembly suffered stillbirth due to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal of assent, analysts fear that the ongoing efforts to realign the Electoral Act by making categorical provision for e-voting may suffer a similar fate going by the aversion to electronic transmission of results already displayed by the Ninth Senate.

 

Clamour for e-voting:

With the assurance by INEC that it has worked out the modalities for further deployment of technology in future elections, provided the enabling law is put in place by the National Assembly, Nigerians are clamouring for the introduction of electronic transmission of election results and by extension e-voting. But, the lawmakers, particularly those in the upper legislative chamber, believe that deploying a technology that is yet to be tested on a large scale during the next general elections may not be in the interest of the country.

To some of them, electronic voting, as distinct from the electronic transmission of results, is an utopia or a dreamland – desirable but never attainable, especially in a country like Nigeria. Notwithstanding, the agitation for the adoption of e-voting in Nigeria has continued to soar. This stems largely from the nation’s unenviable record of an electoral heist.

The fraud, violence and prolonged post-election litigations that often characterise electoral contests in the country are often cited as ills that would easily fade away if e-voting becomes the modus operandi for the conduct of elections in the country. Added to this is the inherent ability of the technology to save time, reduce cost, intentional manipulation, rigging, eliminate human error, ballot box snatching, hijack of election materials, unbridled violence during elections and engender trust and credibility in the electoral process.

However, e-voting is not without its downsides. Electronic systems can be compromised by hackers, thereby making nonsense of the technology and reversing intended gains.

 

Is Nigeria ripe for it?

INEC says yes. Its chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the agency’s only hindrance to the deployment of electronic voting is the lack of an enabling law. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said a team of in-house engineers were currently evaluating proposals submitted by 49 companies, both local and foreign, for the supply of e-voting machines. Prof Yakubu had also in his remarks at the 2021 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters last year indicated that the commission would deploy electronic voting machines “very soon,” possibly beginning with the Anambra governorship poll scheduled to hold next month.

However, the commission has been seeking an amendment of the legal framework that would enable electronic voting. This, it remains committed to introducing electronic voting machines in the electoral process to replace the manual system that had put the commission under heavy logistics burden, including the printing of electoral papers and hiring of thousands of ad hoc staff, among others.

 

Opinions divided:

Although opinions on whether Nigeria is ripe for electronic voting or not remain divergent, Yakubu had said at the inauguration of the 1999 Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives in October 2020 that elections in the country were “too manual, expensive, cumbersome and archaic… the encumbrance of the deployment of full technology in elections should be removed”.

As debate soars over the workability of e-voting and transmission of results rages, former President Goodluck Jonathan has joined the ranks of those insisting that electronic voting is the way to go.

He canvassed for the immediate adoption of the system to curb the ugly trend of politicians using thuggery and cultism to win elections in the country. Jonathan who spoke during the Third Synod of the Diocese of Ogbia at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Otakeme, Bayelsa State, recently said over 50 per cent of the problems faced by the country, including insurgency, cultism and corruption, would be addressed with the adoption and effective use of e-voting.

He blamed the rising insecurity in the country on activities of politicians who were hell-bent on grabbing political power through the backdoor, against the popular wish of the people.

The former president said: “Our political activities, particularly the use of young people as militiamen and thugs and so on, to win elections has increased the security challenges facing our nation.

“Some of the youths they use are so protected that even the police cannot arrest them because they are ‘boys’ to powerful politicians who use them during elections.

“That is why I have always advocated that for us to move forward as a country, we must use electronic voting where nobody will use thugs to win elections. Immediately we use electronic voting, the issue of thuggery and cultism will drop by at least 50 per cent.”

 

Age of technology:

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani told The Nation that electronic voting should be adopted for the 2023 general elections. Rafsanjani who is also the chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organisation committed to free and fair elections strongly believes electronic voting should be used for the upcoming 2023 elections.

He said: “We are in the age of technology and almost everyone is embracing it for business transactions. Politicians are embracing technology and social media for their campaigns, so why don’t they want the same technology for elections? This same technology has been used commendably for local government elections in Kaduna State. It is no magic wand, but the pros far outweigh the cons. We have also seen other countries adopt electronic voting, so why are we scared? If we adopt electronic voting, and especially the electronic transmission of results, we will significantly minimise, if not completely remove, errors and issues during the collation of results.

 

Benefits surpass challenges:

“This will also eradicate unnecessary delays in the declaration of results due to manual computation and improve the efficiency of the process. It will also prevent fraudulent manipulation of results by powerful and influential actors in our political space. Nigeria as a nation will also be in tune with current developments which are geared towards a greater deployment of technology in conducting business and governance in the 21st Century.

“One other fundamental issue that will be resolved is the bloodshed experienced during elections where we have citizens and security officials being attacked and killed during the coalition process. If it (election result) is electronically transmitted, there won’t be a need to have security personnel escort results from polling unit to ward levels and the local levels before state and national, and this will also ensure greater transparency of our electoral process.”

Dr. Anthony Ogande of the Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University, also believes that the time for electronic voting in Nigeria is now. He argued that since the world is becoming increasingly digitalised, Nigeria has no other option than to adopt e-voting in 2023. He said: “Yes there has been an argument that: ‘The most advanced democracies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe have difficulty in shielding their electoral systems from cyber-attacks and Nigeria being substantially deficient in ICT, has no capacity and or capability to manage frauds associated with electronic voting.’

“Plausible as this argument, yet these same advanced democracies have not resorted back to manual conduct of elections. It simply means that the benefits far outweigh the losses, so it is worth a try.

“However, some of the challenges to encounter in e-voting in Nigeria are inadequate internet coverage, especially in rural communities, epileptic electricity supply, activities of internet hackers, insecurity of e-voting gadgets at polling units, inadequate sensitization and adoption by the electorate and the lack of political will power by the government.

For example, if the government is sincere, President Buhari should have passed the Electoral Act Amendment bill long ago.

 

Challenges:

“These and other challenges threaten the effective deployment of e-voting in the upcoming 2023 general election in Nigeria. The globe has gone digitized; Nigeria has no choice bu,t to begin with e-voting in 2023 general elections as her litmus test to catch up with the rest of the world, however, meekly.”

The National Secretary General, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Pastor Ifeanyi Odili said the use of e-voting for the 2023 general election is feasibl, if politicians will allow it. Odili said: “Electronic voting is a welcome development. It is good for so many reasons, and because of its many advantages, those politicians who cannot make it in a free and fair election contest would not allow it.

“To answer your question, what are the benefits of electronic voting? This voting technology has the intention to speed up ballots, reduce the cost of paying staff to count votes manually and can provide improved accessibility for disabled voters. Also in the long term, expenses are expected to decrease. Results can be reported and published faster.

“Now, if you behold all these benefits, our political leaders, business class and the so called bureaucrats, I mean the civil servants who are deeply enmeshed in corruption and electoral fraud, who want to fraudulently benefit  more from manual voting would not allow the INEC to succeed in this proposal. Taking a look at the expenses that are expected to decrease, the corrupt elements would cry foul, they would do everything human possible to thwart the proposal.

Read Also: CAN hails Senate over electronic voting, transmission

“I also mentioned that election results can be reported and published faster with electronic voting. I ask therefore, which of these politicians who obviously cannot win elections in their communities in a clean and clear contest would want election results to be reported or published earlier than their expectations? The answer is none! What I am only saying is that it is a welcome development. It is feasible. I mean INEC has come out with good election proposals, but the evil ones at the corridors of power, I mean the politicians in collaboration with their allies at the National Assembly and the civil service would not allow this good proposal to see the light of the day.

“Times without numbers, I have said that, our problem as a nation is not the institution. It is a problem of man’s inhumanity to man. It is a problem of corruption which has eaten so deep in our body politic. It is an artificial problem created by artificial people. These are problems that do not need much prayer to solve. We need to solve it ourselves by going to the streets.”

 

Lack of political will:

The publisher, Daybreak newspaper and lecturer, International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja, Dr. Austin Maho, believes credible elections is a means of recruiting leadership. Dr Maho said there is no doubt that transmission of election results remains the weakest link in the nation’s electoral process. He said despite the independence granted to INEC by the constitution, lawmakers in the Ninth National Assembly are attempting to subordinate the agency to its whims and caprices for selfish gains in their ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act 2010.

Maho  said: “Since the dawn of the present democratic process in 1999, there have been attempts by successive leaders of our electoral body, INEC, to give Nigerians credible elections. Leadership recruitment process is critical to the democratic process. There would be no democracy in the real sense if votes don’t count and if leadership does not reflect the wishes of the electorate. The Card Reader was a major innovation introduced by Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman.

“With the introduction of this innovative technology, electoral transparency improved a great deal leading to the defeat of an incumbent under whose watch the technology was deployed. A lot of people believe that the introduction of the card reader helped in no small way in bringing about the APC, Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in 2015. Buhari, a major beneficiary of the introduction of technology into our electoral process, was expected to take the step a notch further by expressly giving his support to electronic transmission of results which should be the natural follow up to the use of the card reader. This was not to be.

“In any case, the electoral body has never said expressly that they cannot transmit results electronically. It is the politicians who are singing this song against the wishes of Nigerians to have electronic voting and transmission of results. The politicians have even gone further in tying the hands of the electoral body by introducing the ridiculous clause that demands that INEC should get the approval and clearance of the NCC and the National Assembly before it can determine that the network is adequate for electronic transmission of election result. They forget that INEC is an independent body that cannot be an appendage of the NCC or the National Assembly.

 

Not rocket science:

“Besides, Section 52 of the Electoral Act grants the commission the power to deploy relevant technology it may require to carry out its function. INEC can, in effect, rely on this provision to transmit results electronically. The benefits of electronic transmission of election results were demonstrated in the Edo governorship election last year. And for those who kick against electronic transmission of result, Kaduna State has since 2018 demonstrated that the system is not rocket science or one that would disenfranchise rural or uneducated people.

“In the recent local government elections in the state, the system was again deployed in all nooks and crannies of the state. Although there were hitches in some places, it had no overall effect on the outcome of the election. The system has shown to be easy to use as reports said it took about a minute to complete voting in a free and fair manner. It is only those who fear the outcome of a free and fair electoral process that would stand against electronic transmission of results. If we are serious as a nation in correcting the flaws in our leadership recruitment process, electronic transmission of results is the way to go.”

However, the Executive Director, Adopt a Goal for Development Initiative, Ariyo Dare Atoye said deploying electronic voting on a wide scale during the 2023 general election would be disastrous. He argued that such a move would be against the globally accepted principle that an untested technology should not be deployed on a large scale.

Atoye said: “It is not a case of being ripe or not. We may even have the infrastructure. But electronic voting is more demanding, tasking and sometimes complicated. Election process should be incremental. It should be incremental in terms of getting technology into our elections. If we can succeed generally in terms of electronic transmission of results, we can decide to experiment with electronic voting.

“I said that we may have the infrastructure but it is incremental in the sense that we must first test electronic voting in smaller elections by INEC. Elections such as the off season election like bye-elections into the Senate and House of Representatives and even some governorship bye-elections that are off cycle elections.

 

Success of card reader:

“Now, it is when we have successfully tested this technology that we can now say that the same can be introduced in 2023. Bearing in mind that the electronic transmission of results that we are talking about has been tested in previous elections and would be tested in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun before 2023. Also, not forgetting that when we used or tested the Card Reader in the 2015 general election, it was a flop. The card reader was a flop because it was not tested in any smaller election before it was deployed in 2015.

“It is a universal principle that you do not deploy technology on a large scale without it being tested on a smaller scale. So, that is the whole essence of the issue of electronic voting. Electronic voting is desirable because it is quicker, faster and accurate. When there are no glitches or manipulations it is the best but one thing we have seen globally, is that people prefer use of ballot papers for elections because if electronic voting is manipulated, the consequence is that it will be difficult sometimes to be able to retrieve specific data.

“But, why the ballot paper has a big advantage over electronic voting is that if there is an error in the result, ballot papers can be recounted. But in terms of electronic voting, if it is manipulated or altered, sometimes it could be very difficult to amend. There are different kinds of electronic voting machines that have been adopted in the world. None of them has been 100 per cent or even 90 per cent foolproof.

“In America, they are still battling with the issue of electronic voting and some people are saying they should not even introduce it in some counties. Some counties in America have rejected electronic voting. As we speak, they want their paper trail. But the consensus globally is that results, after being collated, should be transmitted in a very simple, smart and quick way which only electronic transmission of results can guarantee. So that is the difference here.

 

Good, but…:

“Globally, more countries, including those in the developed world, are doing more paper voting than even electronic voting. Electronic voting is good for smaller elections like organizational elections, parliamentary elections, etc. But when it comes to general elections, many countries favour the paper ballot over electronic voting.”

When reminded that the Kaduna State Government, under the Governor Nasir el-Rufai administration has used electronic voting to conduct local governments’ elections twice, Atoye said that the Kaduna State local government elections where e-voting was deployed were not subjected to independent verification and validation and thus, cannot be used as a yardstick to determine the feasibility of e-voting in the 2023 general elections.

He said: “I have not been able to scrutinise the Kaduna use of electronic voting. People have criticised it and people have alleged a lot of manipulations. One thing that has been very questionable about the Kaduna voting is that it has not been opened up to civil society evaluation and monitoring for them to be able to assess. For instance, one aspect of the electronic voting system in Kaduna or the processes that have been adopted that is bad is that there is what we call ‘verification of sensitive and non-sensitive materials’.

“The ballot machine is a sensitive material. The opposition parties are not allowed access to monitor, to look at those things to know if they have been compromised. Some people have alleged that some of them have been preloaded. But I don’t want to totally criticise what the Kaduna State Government has done in terms of electronic voting. I believe that it is not a bad place to start, as long as it could subsequently guarantee transparency and accountability in our electoral process.”

 

NASS, the last hurdle:

In summary, if the optimism of the various respondents captured in this writeup is anything to go by, one can say that electronic voting is both feasible and practicable with humongous advantages if applied in the 2023 general elections. However, its application is wholly dependent on the National Assembly, including a clause in the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill, specifically empowering INEC to conduct elections with e-voting technology and the president’s assent to make the bill a law applicable in Nigeria.

 

The Federal Government has amended its earlier treasonable felony charge against the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

It was learnt that the amended charge now has seven counts as against the former charge with five counts.

A senior official at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) confirmed the development, explaining that the amendment was necessitated by new developments.

It was learnt that the amended charge was filed late last week ahead of the October 21 resumption of proceedings in the case.

One of Kanu’s lawyers, Maxwell Opara, also confirmed the development when contacted on Monday.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday issued a notice, reminding parties about the October 21 date.

The notice reads in part: “This case will be transferred from the General Cause List to the hearing paper for Thursday 21st October 2021at 9 o’clock forenoon and will come on to be on that day if the business of the court permits or otherwise on some adjustment day of which you will receive no further notice.

“If either party desires to postpone the hearing, he must apply to the court as soon as possible for that purpose and if the application is based on any matter of fact, he must be prepared to give proof of those facts.

“The parties are warned that at the hearing, they are required to bring forward all the evidence by witnesses or by documents which each of them desires to rely on in support of his own case and in contradiction of that of his opponent.

“The proof will be required at the hearing and not on a subsequent day, and parties failing to bring their evidence forward at the proper time may find themselves absolutely precluded from adducing it at all, or at best only allowed to do so on payment of substantial costs to the other side, and on such other terms as the court fits to impose.

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“Parties desirous to enforce the attendance of witnesses should apply at once to the court to issue one or more summonses for the attendance of the witnesses required.

“It is indispensable that the application should be made so as to allow time for reasonable notice to the witnesses required.

“If the witness is required to bring books or papers, they must be particularized in the summons sufficiently to enable him to understand what is meant.

”Any party summoning a witness through the court thereby becomes liable to pay such witness reasonable sum of money to be fixed by the court for his expense and loss of time.

“The court may refuse to enforce the attendance of a witness unless such sum has been fixed and deposited in the court.

“If either party desires to use in evidence at the hearing, any book or document in the possession or power of the other party, he must give the other party, reasonable notice in writing to produce It at the hearing, failing which he will not be allowed to give any secondary evidence of its contents.”

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry investigating cases of brutality and human rights abuses by the Police and its disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has ended its assignment.

But the long-awaited report of the October 20, 2020 Lekki Tollgate ‘shootings’ is being prepared, Panel chair, Justice Doris Okuwobi has said.

She said the investigation of the incident, including the taking of evidence and exhibits, had been completed.

The judge emeritus assured petitioners that the panel’s recommendations would include compensation to victims, if any, of the Lekki Tollgate incident.

Police victims of the violence, if any, would also be recommended for compensation, Justice Okuwobi assured.

Untreated or unconcluded petitions, she added, will be sent to the supervising Lagos State Ministry of Justice which may set up a human rights body to handle them.

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There are no fewer than 14 petitions relating to the alleged shooting incident, out of the 235 petitions received by the panel between October and December 2020.

The petitioners alleged that soldiers from the Army’s 81 Division, Victoria Island, Lagos fired live bullets on peaceful demonstrators, injuring and killing some.

They claimed that after the soldiers left, policemen arrived and shot at the protesters that returned to the scene.

But the army, which appeared thrice before the panel, denied the allegations, saying soldiers fired blank bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

It, however, shunned repeated summons by the panel requiring it to respond to petitioners’ further questions and protesters’ evidence challenging its claims.

On October 19, 2020, the Lagos State Government inaugurated a nine-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force and the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The panel was a response to one of the demands of youth during the #EndSARS protests, which is investigating cases of police brutality and providing restitution to the victims.

While inaugurating the panel, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said it was “in line with the resolution of the National Economic Council on October 15, 2020, chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.”

Gunmen around 12am on Monday attacked Ohaukwu Police headquarters at 135, Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu local government area, Ebonyi state killing a police sergeant

They also set the station ablaze and burnt vehicles at the station.

Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah, confirmed the attack.

She said:”About 23hrs, yet- to-be identified gunmen came to Ohaukwu Divisional Headquarters to attack the men and officers on duty and they were repelled. On the process, one police officer, a Sergeant paid the supreme price.

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“They threw patrol bomb into the station and unfortunately, it got one of the patrol vehicles and exhibit vehicle parked at the place.

“The Commissioner of Police has visited the station for on the spot assessment of the area. He has met with the community leaders

“This is the first time we are experiencing such a thing and the non state actors being the vigilantes and all those security outfits are of great assistance to the police. It is very surprise thing to us, we don’t expect any attack”.