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Tag: CDHR

  • Misau’s retirement saga: CDHR calls for IG’s suspension

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Chapter, has urged the federal government to suspend the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, over Senator Isah Misau’s retirement saga.

    The Nigeria Police had alleged that Misau did not retire properly from the police force before he contested and won the seat for Bauchi Central Senatorial District. The police claim was a reaction to an earlier allegation by Misau that the Inspector General of Police, usually collects huge sums of unaccounted payments from oil companies before they are provided police security.

    In a statement, the group, under the leadership of Comrade Kehinde Taiga, also called for proper investigation of the allegations, pointing out that a government that is fighting corruption must take such allegation very seriously.

     

  • CDHR, association protest non-payment of contractors

    THE Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Udu Indigenous Contractors Association (UICA) yesterday protested the non-payment of contractors by Premium Steel and Mines Limited, Ovwian-Aladja, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The groups had issued a 31-day ultimatum to the steel company to pay the debts owed contractors, who did business with the former Delta Steel Company (DSC).

    A statement by Chairman, CDHR in Delta State Comrade Kehinde Prince Taiga said since Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and Premium Steel and Mines took control from DSC, the contractors have not been paid.

    The statement said: “CDHR is aware that on April 6, 2011, Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL) released N31.4 illion in respect of credit facilities granted to the company by banks to enable AMCON settle outstanding debts.

    “Equipment of contractors, such as Caterpillars, Excavators, Pale Loaders, Forklift Cranes used in doing business with DSC are still locked up in the yard since 2011.

    ‘’The manager of AMCON requested the contractors to submit claims against the company within 14 days. They  complied, yet no payment.

    “CDHR believe people are trading with money released to pay the contractors. This is evil and a gross violation of peoples’ right. So, what we asking for is that the money left unpaid before AMCON transferred to Premium Steel and Mines Company should be paid.”

  • CDHR proffers restructuring as only solution to Nigeria’s problem

    CDHR proffers restructuring as only solution to Nigeria’s problem

    …Urges members to emulate Soyinka, Falana

     

    The Committee for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, had said that restructuring is the only alternative solution to Nigeria nation at this challenging period of economic recession under the All Progressive Congress, APC led administration.

    The national president of the group, Mr. Malachy Ughwummadu who made this statement in Udu, Delta State during a 2-day National Strategic Leadership Conference with a theme: Enter to learn; Go forth to Act, said too much powers at the central has been the bane of underdevelopment of this country.

    Ughwummadu who stated that the human rights group had always supported restructuring of the Nigeria nation, said distribution of powers to states and local government will not only enhance growth of this country, but also attract rapid development.

    While explaining that it is only restructuring that can bring out the numerous challenges that the country has been faced over the years, Ughwummadu said that the too many powers at the central has also been traced as the route cause of bad leadership in the country.

    He reiterated that the strategic leadership conference was put up as a means to re-igniting the driving force and repositioning the minds of its members on some of the problems they are encountering in the course of fighting or defending the oppressed.

    The Chairman of the Delta State Chapter, Comrade Prince Kehinde Taiga said he has through the struggle to free the oppressed from the hands of their perpetrators, built a good working relationship between the group and the Delta State Police Command.

    The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zaina Ibrahim, represented by the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Warri, Mr. Aniete Eyoh said the police are also part of the group since they also have their rights to protect, saying that they have in their course of duty build a synergy between them and the group.

    Other speakers at the ceremony which includes; Prof. Lucky Akaruese, Prof. Julius Ohonvbere and Dr. Osagie Obayuwana charged the various states chairmen at the event to carry their members along and strive hard to emulate renowned activists such as Prof. Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana among others.

  • CDHR gives Premium Steel 31-day ultimatum to pay contractors

    THE Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has issued a 31-day ultimatum to Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML) to pay all outstanding debts owe contractors who did business with Delta Steel Company (DSC) or be ready to face mass protest and relocate to their yard until payment is made.

    A statement signed by the Chairman, Committee for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Kehinde Prince Taiga, said the human rights body cannot sit comfortable while innocent contractors who rendered services to DSC suffer in penury.

  • Ogbe-Ijaw/Aladja crises: CDHR gives 21-day ultimatum to Delta

    FOLLOWING the incessant communal crises between Ogbe-Ijaw and Aladja communities that have claimed several lives and property, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, yesterday, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Delta State Government to end crises.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Prince Taiga, said the committeeis compelled by the collective reality of the Nigeria addenda to act at this point, seeking a corruption-free nation with workable institution.

    Taiga said as human right body, they can no longer sit in their comfortable chamber while innocent citizens of the state are being brutalized and killed daily in the lingering crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijaw communities over a piece of land.

  • CDHR protests killing of Okada rider by customs officers

    CDHR protests killing of Okada rider by customs officers

    THE Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for thorough investigation and prosecution of Customs officers involved in the killing of an automobile technician, Saheed Omotosho.

    Omotosho was hit by a stray bullet allegedly from the gun shot of the Customs men, who were on the trail of rice smugglers at Alagbado, a Lagos suburb on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    They were reported to have pursued the smugglers from Idi-Iroko area of Ogun State to Agbado, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, last Thursday and had to shoot in a bid to ensure the smugglers did not escape.

    As the sporadic shooting continued, Omotosho who was on a commercial motorcycle (Okada) was hit by a stray bullet. He later died on the way to the hospital.

    Members of the CDHR, armed with a petition, yesterday marched to Customs office and the House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.

    The petition signed by CDHR Lagos chapter chairman Alex Omotehinse and secretary, Kushimo Olumuyiwa reads:  “Only a beast and vampire would display such act as done by these men of Nigerian Customs Service.

    “Also in a bid to cover up their shame and lack of competence, they abducted a relation of the late Omotosho, Rasheed Oyedeji, who raise the alarm over the killing of his brother.”

    The group demanded among others, the “immediate and unconditional release of Oyedeji; justice for the deceased and adequate compensation to his family; investigation and arrest of all the Customs officers involved in such criminal act and subsequent trial.”

    Reacting, NCS Comptroller, Lagos Operation, Adamu Turaki, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and promised to forward the group’s petition to Customs’Comptroller-General.

    He said the petition would be looked into and justice would be done after investigation.

    At the assembly, the protesters called for laws to restrict operations of Customs officers to the border areas.

    Addressing the protesters, Dayo Saka-Fafunmi (IfakoIjaiye I) said the House had condemned the killing of Omotosho during a plenary session.

    Saka-Fafunmi said: “We empathise with you on this loss. It was a loss for the entire state and the nation. We strongly believe that the strength of democracy lies with the people.

    “The Lagos State House of Assembly being a responsive and responsible arm has tabled the matter and has decided to take the matter up. We will ensure protection of the people. We are not leaving the people of Ifako Ijaiye and family of Saheed Omotoso in this struggle, the House will ensure justice is done. Every allegation will be treated accordingly. The customs officers will be brought to book and justice will be done.”

  • CDHR warns against rise of ‘politically-motivated’ attacks

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the police to take preventive measures against a rise in ‘politically-motivated’ killings.

    The group gave the warning against the backdrop of the killing in Port Harcourt of Rivers State-based lawyer and human rights activist, Ken Atsuete, by unknown persons on August 29.

    In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ropo Rasheed, the CDHR said it condemned Atsuete’s killing, which occurred “in circumstances that have now assumed political dimensions.

    “It is highly regrettably that the incidence of politically-motivated assassinations has returned and is on the increase.

    “The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the respective state police commands must stem this disturbing trend which is a direct affront on the foremost fundamental right of every Nigerian, including the deceased whose right to life and presumption of innocence have been truncated.

    “Atsuste was a very brilliant lawyer and a fighter for the people; his murder should not go unresolved,” the CDHR said.

    It urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police “to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act and have them face the adequate punishment they deserve.”

    It continued: “We also urge the Rivers State governor, who is the chief security officer of the state, to ensure that the current upsurge in extra judicial killings in the state is stopped and peace restored since he has given his word in a recent security meeting in Abuja that under his watch Rivers State will be safe for all and sundry to reside.”

  • CDHR protests ban on street trading

    The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest the government’s ban on street trading.

    The protesters said many market traders in the state have been subjected to hardship as a result of exorbitant rate for which renovated shops were sold.

    In a petition addressed to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and signed by its chairman and secretary, Alex Omotehinse and Kushimo Olumuyiwa respectively, CDHR said there was need for immediate review of the law by a way of showing concerns for the masses.

    The group urged the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to reflect on the economic pains and challenges of Lagosians and come up with a people-oriented policy.

    While addressing the group, Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, hailed the protesters for being peaceful and taking appropriate step to seek for the amendment of the law.

    Agunbiade cautioned the protesters to always be careful not to let bad eggs among them who might have ulterior motive to perpetrate evils.

    According to him, “when you have a crowd like this, some people came with premeditated minds to cause trouble while others came with genuine reason.”

    He promised that the House would look into the group’s grievances, adding that the process through which the law came into effect would also be applied if there is need to amend it.

  • CDHR protests ban on street trading to Lagos Assembly

    CDHR protests ban on street trading to Lagos Assembly

    The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Thursday protested to the Lagos State House of Assembly calling for urgent review of the law on street trading which put a fine of N90,000 or six months imprisonment on both the seller or buyer who contravenes the law.

    The Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode recently in a live broadcast directed total enforcement of ‘Street Trading Law and Illegal Market Law, 2003 after an incident between Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI)’s officer and a trader that led to the death of the latter.

    In a petition which was addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and signed by its chairman and secretary, Alex Omotehinse and Kushimo Olumuyiwa respectively, CDHR said there was need for immediate review of the law by a way of showing concerns for the masses.

    The protesters explained that many market men and women in the state have been subjected to hardship as a result of exorbitant rate for which renovated shops were sold.

    The statement read in part, “It is also important to state that the industrious market men and women’s shops in various markets across Lagos state were taken away from them by the Lagos state government under the disguise of market renovation only to contract such markets to their cronies who are building\property developers,” the group alleged.

    The group declared that, “The CDHR, Lagos Branch urged the Governor of Lagos State and the legislative body (House of Assembly) to be pro-masses and reflect on the economic pains and challenges of the good people of this country who have been very patient and tolerant with the federal government policies that tend to reshape Nigeria with the promises of better tomorrow and for now makes life unbearable for the common man in the country.”

    Also speaking, another member of the group, Barrister Samuel Adeola said the law on street trading in the state contravenes the constitution, saying to that effect the citizens have no other option than to disobey the law.

    According to him, section 5(a) of the street trading law is not in conformity with the constitution which stipulates that it is duty of government to provide security and welfare for its citizens.

    While addressing the group, Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, Obasa, commended the protesters for being peaceful and taking appropriate step to seek for the amendment of the law.

    Agunbiade however cautioned the protesters to always be careful not to let bad eggs among them who might have ulterior motive to perpetrate evils.

    According to the Majority Leader “when you have a crowd like this, some people came with premeditated minds to foment trouble while others came with genuine reason.

    “As a legal practitioner, no matter how draconian a law is, until it is reversed, it remains a law until a court of law of competent jurisdiction declares it null and void. Nowhere in the world do we have perfect law, that is why we have mechanism for amending the law,” he said.

    Agunbiade promised that members of the House would look into CDHR’s grievances, adding that the process through which the law came into effect would also be applied if there was need to amend it.

  • Amnesty, CDHR join forces against torture

    Global rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) has joined forces with Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) to fight torture.

    AI’s Project Manager Makmid Kamara, at a briefing in Lagos, said the collaboration was in furtherance of AI’s ‘Stop Torture’ crusade, and that it recognises the CDHR’s work in rights protection in the country.

    “Human rights issues in Nigeria are very complex. For instance, the Nigerian Constitution prohibits torture but does not criminalise it. We urge the CDHR and other civil society groups to speak out against this. Torture should be criminalised in Nigeria.”

    The AI official added that the partnership with CDHR will involve, among other things, “the rendering of assistance to the CDHR in the area of research and investigation of alleged rights abuses.”

    Responding, CDHR National President Malachy Ugwumadu said the CDHR was delighted that its work in the area of rights protection had been identified by AI.

    “The CDHR pledges its total commitment to the cause of justice and the Stop Torture campaign. All the support needed will be readily available to make this partnership a success,” he said.