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Tag: Interior Minister

  • Stakeholders demand prosecution of interior minister’s blackmailers

    Stakeholders demand prosecution of interior minister’s blackmailers

    • …issues 7-day ultimatum

    Stakeholders under the aegis of the Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) have called for the prosecution of individuals allegedly blackmailing the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

    The group issued a seven-day ultimatum, demanding that those making allegations against the minister substantiate their claims with credible evidence or face legal action.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, NDRA spokesperson, Mr. Darlington Nwauju, described the allegations as malicious, defamatory and politically motivated, warning that unproven accusations pose a serious threat to democratic accountability and individual reputations.

    Nwauju challenged the accusers to publicly present verifiable proof of the forgery allegations, stressing that claims made without evidence amount to defamation under the law.

    “He that alleges must show proof,” he said, adding that the continued circulation of unsubstantiated claims was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage the image of the Interior Minister.

    According to Nwauju, a Mr. Isaiah Davies Ijele from Kogi State is at the centre of what he described as a coordinated smear campaign against Dr. Tunji-Ojo.

    He alleged that Ijele operates through multiple unregistered organisations purportedly created solely to target the minister. Among the groups listed were Accountability Front for Justice and Good Governance, National Youth Reform Coalition, Civil Action Network for Transparency, Police Integrity Movement, Nigeria Integrity Movement, Integrity and Transparency Alliance, and Centre for Leadership Legacy.

    Nwauju claimed the organisations lack verifiable track records, identifiable trustees or evidence of sustained civil society engagement, describing them as “briefcase organisations” allegedly formed to give credibility to repeated petitions against public officials.

    He further referenced a petition dated October 17, 2025, with reference number AFJGG/CC/001, reportedly submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Presidency, alleging that investigations showed the organisations behind the petition were linked to the same individual and had no history of advocacy work.

    “We want to confirm to the press today that the arrowhead of these malicious and defamatory allegations against Dr. Tunji-Ojo is one individual who is the president, founder and proprietor of these unregistered groups,” Nwauju stated.

    Addressing the substance of the allegations, Nwauju said independent investigations showed that Dr. Tunji-Ojo was duly remobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2019. 

    He, however, said his discharge certificate was reportedly omitted due to an administrative lapse during processing.

    Nwauju said that the minister formally requested the issuance of his discharge certificate from NYSC management on October 18, 2022, and subsequently received it on February 28, 2023.

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    He said the facts were corroborated by investigative reports published by Premium Times using information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, which, according to him, clarified the circumstances surrounding the certificate.

    Describing the continued allegations as extortionate and politically motivated, the he issued a seven-day ultimatum, effective from December 25, 2025, for the accusers to publish credible evidence supporting their claims.

     Nwauju said his organisation would be compelled to petition relevant authorities to investigate and prosecute those involved for defamation and attempted extortion.

    He strongly defended Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s performance in office, describing him as one of the most effective ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

    According to Nwauju, the Ministry of Interior under Tunji-Ojo’s leadership has recorded significant improvements in service delivery, personnel welfare, and job creation across paramilitary agencies.

    He claimed that more than 75,000 personnel had been promoted within two years, while about 30,000 young Nigerians had secured pensionable employment — a development he said marked a clear departure from past recruitment practices.

    Nwauju referenced previous mass recruitment exercises in agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, which he said were poorly managed and allegedly led to tragic loss of lives across the country.

    “This minister has changed that very ugly narrative. We cannot afford to sacrifice one of our best on the altar of sponsored media campaigns or abandon him to the ferocious attacks of enemies of excellence and sterling performance.”

  • The interior minister must hear this!

    The interior minister must hear this!

    Sir: The relocation of the Ikoyi Marriage Registry to the headquarters of the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Alagbon Close, Ikoyi without first and proper relocation of the command to a suitable place is an affront to national security. Although, the registry generates revenue, it is more like prioritising revenue generation over national security. Yet, the implications of exposing and degrading the command centre of five major prisons and other security outfits in Nigeria cannot be anything but dire.

    A visit both the command and the registry at its new site since they moved there will confirm this. The place is in a mess.

    Of equal concern are the activities of the managements of Zone A and Lagos State Command of the Correctional Service. It is as if they do not understand the job they are doing. They are routinely giving out sensitive places as car parks, shops, drinking joints and visitors’ stands to the registry for tokens and this at the expense of national security and prestige. Could this be a case of greed and low self-esteem overriding national interest?

    Today, the area looks like something between a marketplace, car park and an entertainment hub. Everywhere has been turned into shops for different kinds of businesses. This is an area that is supposed to be the command centre of important national security facility.

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    I was informed that one unbefitting block is being renovated where the command will be moved to, adjacent to the desecrated area (registry) while the registry will now occupy the whole area that previously housed the Zone A and Lagos State Command of the service.

    Again I ask, is revenue generation more important than national security? Will the money generated from these ventures be enough to manage the consequences of this security breach and negligence?

    As a visitor and friend of the service and citizen, I am compelled to highlight my worry over this institutional neglect and relegation of an important security agency in the country. The fact remains that the relocation of the marriage registry to that area without properly relocating the command first to a befitting place is a slap on the service and threat to national security. The command needs a proper place to be built that suits it roles in national security management. Not a one block cubicle to cramp its activities.

    •Owolabi Alani,Lagos

  • JUST IN: Court orders Interior Minister, NIS to ensure passport issuance within six weeks

    JUST IN: Court orders Interior Minister, NIS to ensure passport issuance within six weeks

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to always ensure that applicants who meet all the requirements are issued international passports within six weeks and in compliance with Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015.

    Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/75/2023 filed by an aggrieved Nigerian, Benita Ngozi Ezumezu, with the NIS and the Interior Minister listed as respondents.

    Benita claimed to have applied for Nigeria’s international passport and met all the requirements as of October 6, 2022, but the NIS failed to issue her the passport 14 weeks later.

    In the judgment delivered on December 4, Justice Nwite rejected the respondents’ arguments, upheld the applicant’s claims, and granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant.

    Justice Nwite, who awarded N3 million damages against the respondents and in favour of the applicant, declared that as of October 6, 2022, Benita had fulfilled all the requirements and was qualified to be issued a passport within six weeks.

    The judge also declared that the respondents’ failure to issue the applicant passport 14 weeks after meeting all requirements violated Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015 and the applicant’s right to freedom of movement.

    He proceeded to issue an order “directing the first respondent (NIS) to issue the applicant (Benita) passport forthwith as stipulated in Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

    Benita’s employer, Citizens’ Common (CC), a civil society group, expressed delight over the outcome of the case and commended the Judiciary for coming to the aid of a Nigerian whose right was violated.

    CC’s Chief Executive, Olalekan Oshunkoya, who read a statement by his organization, said: “Our interest in Benita’s case is not just because she is a staff in our organization, but primarily because the service quality of the NIS has diminished to an all-time low in the last few years.

    “The frustrating experiences of Nigerians, seeking to procure international passports in the hands of the NIS officials must be stopped.

    “We understand that the service may have slightly improved in recent months under the current administration, however, we know that this case (Ezumezu’s case) highlights the plights of most Nigerians in the hands of many government ministries, departments and agencies when it comes to service delivery.

    “After almost two years of litigation, we are glad that justice has been served in this matter. All the prayers sought in the case were granted by the judge.

    “We commend the Judiciary for serving justice in this matter. This is a landmark judgement, asserting the right of every Nigerian to demand to be served right, especially when such service is tied to a fundamental right, such as freedom of movement.

    “It should not be acceptable that services that can only be provided by the government remain poorly delivered without consequences.

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    “Majority of Nigerians continue to suffer irreparable loss for bad service quality from government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and it is time to make things work.

    “The award of the three million naira in general damages to the applicant is a reminder to every Nigerian that the law remains a shield against bad experiences and services from government ministries, departments, and agencies.

    “We must sound the alarm that losses incurred in the process of poor service delivery can be remedied through the courts, and this is an example.

    “It is also a reminder to public service providers that consequences exist for poor service delivery.”

  • Okojie commends Interior Minister on automated passport process launch

    Okojie commends Interior Minister on automated passport process launch

    Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Hon. Prince Odianosen Okojie, has commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for the epoch-making launch of the Automated Passport Application process by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    In a resounding show of appreciation for innovative leadership, Okojie, who represents Esan North East/Esan South East in the House of Representatives, said marks a historic milestone in the nation’s pursuit of efficiency and technological advancement.

    Okojie, in a statement in Abuja, said the highly-anticipated automated passport application system, unveiled by Minister Tunji-Ojo on Monday is set to revolutionize the passport acquisition process, providing Nigerian citizens with a faster and more streamlined experience.

    Hon. Okojie, said he recognizes and applauds Minister Tunji-Ojo for his visionary leadership and commitment to bringing about positive change within the Ministry of Interior. 

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    He said the launch of the automated passport application is just one of many pioneering policies implemented by the Minister since assuming office.Okojie expressed his enthusiasm for the transformative impact of the automated passport application system.

    He said, “This groundbreaking initiative is a testament to Hon. Minister Tunji-Ojo’s unwavering dedication to modernizing our nation’s services. It reflects his commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of our citizens and addressing longstanding challenges in the passport acquisition process.”

    He underscored the Minister’s steadfast dedication to championing policies aimed at elevating the efficiency and transparency of government services.

    Hon. Okojie appealed to stakeholders and citizens alike, urging them to wholeheartedly endorse and applaud the transformative and revolutionary initiatives spearheaded by the Hon. Minister Tunji-Ojo, thus establishing the Ministry of Interior as an epitome of excellence in service delivery.”

    In expressing his appreciation, Hon. Okojie extends profound gratitude to Hon. Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his unwavering commitment to advancing the welfare of Nigerian citizens.

    He concludes with an impassioned call to action, urging sustained support for policies that not only uplift the well-being of Nigerians but also significantly contribute to the overarching development of the nation,” the statement reads.

  • Interior Minister to speak on universities’ internalisation challenges at UNILAG conference

    Interior Minister to speak on universities’ internalisation challenges at UNILAG conference

     Interior Minister, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, will on Monday grace the opening ceremony of the International Week at the University of Lagos where he is billed to address key challenges faced by Nigeria’s academic institutions in obtaining work permits, visas and passports in their quest for cross-border partnerships.

    This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the Director, International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Ismail Ibraheem, a professor.

    Ibraheem noted that the event is aimed at galvanising support for the university’s internationalisation drive and “breaking partnership barriers.”

    Apart from Tunji-Ojo, he said his education counterpart, Tahir Mamman, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK), Iain Gillespie, a professor, will also be on hand to address the gathering of global educational leaders.

    The conference, with the theme: “Breaking the Borders of Partnership,” will also be attended by the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, and his counterpart at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Sonny Echono, among other key stakeholders. 

    According to the director, many  tertiary institutions encounter some avoidable challenges in their efforts to collaborate with foreign institutions through exchange programmes and research support.

    He listed some of these challenges to include passport and visa issuing processes, and procurement of work permits, among others.

    “So the peculiar issues of visa and passport processes, and work permits for foreign scholars would be addressed by the interior minister who supervises Nigeria’s Immigration Service,” Mr Ibraheem said.

    He further noted that the education minister, Mr Mamman, “who will be supported by heads of NUC, TETFUND, among others, will lead discussions on the policy directions of the new administration to assure the foreign institutions of the government’s commitment.”

    The conference, which was initiated three years ago during the tenure of the university’s immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, will be hosted by incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola.

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    He said the vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee, Mr Gillespie, will be the keynote speaker and will be assisted by the Academic Lead for Internationalisation at the University of Warwick, Jo Angouri, also a professor, and the President of the 48-member SG group of universities, Arnim Heinemann.

    “Mr Heinemann also doubles as the Executive Director, Internationalisation at the Bayreuth University, Germany,” the statement added.

    The University of Lagos International Week is an annual academic and policy-driven international convening which provides a forum for cross-fertilisation of ideas between industry and academia.

    In its third edition, the weeklong programme provides a forum where issues of cross-border relationships, research collaborations, and foreign relations are discussed to enhance the quality university education in the country.

    Mr Ibraheem said: “It is a forum for institutions from the global north and south as well as within the global south to share thoughts on areas of strengths and weaknesses for possible impctful collaborations. 

    “It also provides a platform to discuss strategies that could assist Nigeria in benefiting from the opportunities of transnational education.”

    He said other expected participants at the forum include members of the diplomatic community, African education policymakers, representatives of Nigerian and international education institutions, leading academicians, members of industry and development partners as well as students.

    “Universities from the UK, US, Canada, European Union, Asia, as well as many African countries, will join the University of Lagos and other invited Nigerian universities to discuss challenges and opportunities of transnational education,” the statement added.

  • Attention: Interior Minister

    A recent investigative report titled Agony, despair: Many tales of Nigerian child prisoners by a journalist, Ameh Elekwonyilo, should be of interest to the Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, and other concerned organisations.

    The report, which was supported by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) Abuja, is a harrowing account of why the recent name change by the Nigerian Prisons Service to the Nigerian Correctional Service should be matched with concrete action to ensure that prisons in the country don’t remain overcrowded with long list of awaiting trial inmates, particularly child prisoners languishing in detention.

    Following the visits to prisons/remand homes in Minna, Kaduna, Markurdi and Port Harcourt, the reporter gave a heart rending account of children in chains and all manner of deprivations contrary to the child rights act.

    What the 2003 Child’s Rights Act of Nigeria provides for children offenders in Part Two Section 11 of the law is that “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treating or punishment, held in slavery or servitude, while in care of a parent, legal guardian or school authority or any other person or authority having the care of the child.”

    What the reporter found was a total disregard for the above provision.

    “Since I came to this prison in February 2018, my education came to an end. You can see that my mother and little sibling who is just twelve months old are also being held here for the same alleged offences. Our condition here is unbearable. The most painful part of our situation at the Suleja prison is the fact that I cannot go to school. Does that mean our lives are over?” Happiness, one of the children interviewed, wondered.

    As much as the prison officials, the courts and others would want to abide by the provisions of the act, the report confirmed that they are overwhelmed by lack of necessary resources and personnel.

    “We are overwhelmed by the challenges of difficulty of conveying the children to court during the hearing of their suits. Most of these inmates have not been to court for trial for the past two years. Also, the approved school which is supposed to provide education and skills for the children has since closed down due to lack of resources to run the school.

    “Our mandate is hampered by the lack of resources like mobility to convey the inmates to court for trial. We lack water and electricity here as you can see. Our school lacks teachers, and therefore, it’s not functioning. So, how do we cater for the needs of transforming these inmates into better citizens?” two officials asked.

    According to the trial magistrate at the Rivers State Juvenile Court, Mrs. Ibiere Foby, an ideal family court should have a magistrate and two assessors to hear and determine suits concerning children who come in conflict with the law, but that is not the case.

    Instead of allowing the present deplorable situation to persist, there is an urgent need to heed the call of the Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, for sustainable intervention by both the government and private individuals to reposition these homes for better service delivery.

    Adequate facilities must be provided while the child rights act is applied for child offenders. The cases of those being currently held should be urgently reviewed and not allowed to suffer unnecessarily.

    We cannot afford to allow our reform and correctional services centres become places for raising hardened criminals, some of whom are innocent of the offences for which they are held.

  • Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The Senate Tuesday mandated its joint committee on Public Service, Anti-Corruption, Interior and Judiciary to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial return of former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina to the country.

    The committee is also to determine how Maina was reinstated into the civil service and handed enhanced promotion to the position of director.

    The upper chamber said that development became even curious especially when Maina is on the wanted list of the country for alleged fraudulent activities.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (Bauchi South)

    Misau said that the circumstances of Misau’s return and reinstatement into the civil service had become huge embarrassment to the country.

    Many of the senators who contributed to the debate asked the Senate to resolve to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to sack those linked to the development.

    The lawmakers singled out Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami and the Interior Minister, Abdulrahmane Danzabau as two public officials that should be hammered by President Buhari for their alleged roles in the return and reinstatement of Maina.

    Misau said, “Right from day before, you will see the story of somebody who has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  We read how the man who was declared wanted and was said to be abroad, came back to Nigeria miraculously.

    “Going by the newspaper publications, somebody wanted by the EFCC, left the country for so many years. He was dismissed from the service. He was out for a long time, but smuggled into the service. He left the country as an assistant director. Today, he is a director.

    “We even heard that he goes about with police escort. I wonder how a government that claims to be fighting corruption will be involved in a matter like this. This is a big embarrassment for this country. The people around the President are not helping matters. It appears that the President is the only one talking about corruption. Other people around him are protecting corrupt people.

    “The AGF was mentioned and other people were mentioned. We investigated this case in the 7th Assembly. I am calling on the Senate to investigate this case again.”

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye in his submission said:

    “I remember what happened then. It got to a point when the former President of the Senate, David Mark, told the former President Goodluck Jonathan to choose between Abdulrasheed Maina and loyalty to the country. It got so bad that Maina had over 30 police officers attached to him.

    “It got so bad that he was always on the front roll whenever the former President travelled. At some point, we thought that he was being protected. I remember one of us was blackmailed and called names. He was accused of taking billions as bribes. Today, that lawmaker was cleared and he is here.

    “Some principalities in power then ferried Maina to neighbouring countries. There is a procedure when it comes to promotion in the civil service. This is an insult on the part of civil servants who have worked so hard.

    “As a member of APC, it is a sad moment. We cannot say that we want to fight corruption and have this approach. Jesus Christ said it is difficult for a rich man to pass through the eyes of a needle.

    “This saddens me and I am sure it saddens all of us. I am glad that following the outrage from the public, the President acted swiftly. We read in the papers that the rules of the civil service were bypassed.

    “It appears there are people in this government who want the President to fail. Every patriot and member of APC in this house must stand out and ensure that the President does not fail.

    “Papers have reported that two Ministers were involved. Those Ministers must be brought to justice. The President must ensure that those Ministers are sacked. Corruption is not only about stealing money. Incompetence too is another form of corruption.

    “I hope that this Senate will not forget its past resolutions on Maina. On it, we still stand. He must be made to stand and face the law. He is not above the law. Steven Oronsaye was accused. He did not leave the country. He stayed back and cleared his name. Maina must do same.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa said:

    “I want to appreciate the person who brought this motion by exposing some dubious people in government. No family can boast of having 100 per cent good people. APC is not an exception. We cannot attribute everything to the President. He should be commended for rising to the occasion.

    “Reinstating Maina is a crime against Nigerians. We should approve a full blown investigation into what happened. We must not allow this thing to go unnoticed.

    Senator Atai Idoko on his part said:

    “We are looking at the symptoms; we are not looking at the cause. Maina is too small to go back to office. Somebody brought him back to the office. Maina is too small. He is not the issue. We should look at those who returned Maina.

    “As we were told, the person who approved this thing is the AGF. The simplest thing the President could do was to terminate the appointment of Maina. That is not the issue. The AGF brought him back. The AGF has a history of doing things like this. The President should tell us what he will do to the AGF.

    Senator Albert Bassey Akpan said:

    “The Senate must investigate and bring to book any person who wants to bring this country to disrepute. We will stand with the Senate to ensure that the right thing is done.

    Senator Tayo Alasoadura on his own cautioned:

    “The President has set up a committee to investigate the matter. We should not call names of people who have not been indicted. We should not duplicate. If the executive has set up a committee, we should not do the same thing. We must not set up committees every time.

    Senator Dino Melaye said:

    “The whole unfolding affair is pathetic. Should we continue in sin and ask grace to abound? The AGF time after time has abused his office. Maina did not get himself back. We should talk about the integrity of the AGF and his office. If the number one law officer is breaking the law, where is the hope?

    “The AGF started with the forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu. Something happened we have not noticed. Two public officers had issues and the AGF chose to support the Inspector-General of Police against Senator Isah Hamman Misau. Today, it is Senator Isah versus the Federal Government.

    “Tomorrow, if I commit any offence against the friend to the AGF, I will be arraigned. We should not encourage the setting up of investigative committees. The President is surrounded by worms who are bent on destroying the country.

    “There are so many committees that have been set up by the President and the resolutions of those reports may not be implemented until after rapture. Enough is enough. We cannot have this forever. This is wrong. The Senate needs to do something.

    “We must recommend to the President that the AGF has erred in discharging the affairs of his office. If we do not check it, the AGF will plunge us into trouble.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki asked the joint committee to do a thorough job.

    Chairmen and deputies of the four committees were appointed to form an adhoc committee to investigate the issue.

    Saraki concluded: “We are all very disturbed. I want the committee to work hard and bring this matter back to us. We need to investigate the breech in our security and how the anti-corruption war is going.”

  • Group faults FG’s plan to build more prisons

    Group faults FG’s plan to build more prisons

    …Seek eradication of causes of congestion

     

    A group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria) has faulted plan by the Federal Government to build new prisons to address congestion and decapitated prison structures.

    It argued that such option was wrong where everyone, including the Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau know that majority of those in existing prisons were awaiting trial inmates, kept behind bars owing to the inability of the criminal justice system to promptly process their cases.

    In a statement Monday, CURE-Nigeria’s Executive Director, Sylvester Uhaa commended the Minister for visiting the Kano prison during the the Eid-el-Fitr and the Kano State Government for donating a large piece of land for the building of a 3,000 capacity prison.

    Uhaa said though he is aware that majority of the country’s prisons are old and debilitated and the building of modern prisons is necessary, prison decongestion and justice reforms should precede the building of new prisons, not to do so will be a huge mistake to make.

    Uhaa said: “We cannot decongest the prisons by simply building new prisons.

    “We should decongest the prisons my ensuring that only those who are convicted are sent to prison to serve their jail terms, reduce the over reliance on incarceration as the only form of punishment and by reforming the criminal justice system.

    “It is only then that it will make sense to build new prisons.

    “If we build new prisons now without first addressing the root causes of the rising crime rate in Nigeria addressing the failure of the criminal justice system to process and send to prisons only those who are found guilty of crimes, we will still fill up the new prisons with people awaiting trial, most of whom are innocent.

    “This is why we have always been against the construction of new prisons at this moment, and I call on the FG to put off the plans to build new prisons until it is the right time to do so.

    “But, if the FG must go ahead with the building of new prisons, we advise that the new prisons should be the same capacity as the old prisons and that the new prisons should replace the old prisons, not add to them to avoid prison expansion and mass incarceration.

    “It sounds strange, though that at a time countries around the world are closing down their prisons, Nigeria is planning to build new prisons when 70% of prisoners are awaiting trial.

    “What we should be doing now is investing our scarce and limited resources in creating jobs and reviving our educational system, building infrastructure, fighting poverty, not building prisons,” Uhaa said.

    CURE-Nigeria had, in 2012 launched a campaign against the planned construction of prisons across the country, and wrote a letter to then President Goodluck Jonathan on the matter.

     

  • NIS official sues Interior minister, others over promotion

    •Seeks N250m compensation

    An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who claimed to have been employed about the same period with the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Muhammed Babadende, has sued the Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Danbazau and all other relevant individuals over his stunted promotion.

    The official, Daniel Makolo wants the court to, among others, compel his employers and other relevant individuals, including the Interior minister and Babadende to reverse the injustice done to him and promote him to his deserved rank. The suit is before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

    Makolo, who said he joined the NIS on December 14, 1987, blamed his stagnated promotion on the NIS authorities, who he said, were not comfortable with his objection to fraudulent and unlawful practices within the system, a disposition which brought him problems.

    He stated in a supporting affidavit that while Babadende was employed in 1985 as a Grade Level 08 officer, he was employed in 1987as a Grade Level 07 officer.

    “He (Babadende) was promoted to Grade Level 17 in 2013 and now on consolidated salary, while I am stagnated and kept in limbo on Grade Level 12 ever since by the same board, for equal service rendered.

    “We worked as immediate subordinates when we came into this service in 1985 and 1987. This NIS is still the same. I know as a fact that what is good for citizen Mohammed Babadende in NIS is equally good for citizen Daniel Makolo in NIS too. I am demanding for special promotion to at least, Grade Level 17,” he said.

    Makolo, who cited instances where he had been subjected to unjust hardship and punishment with the intention of forcing him out of service, said he had been cleared by the Federal High Court of moves to link him with Boko Haram.

    He added that the fear among members of the NIS top management was that with his disposition, he could become fraudulent should he be elevated to his deserved rank and position.

    Makolo said “The NIS and her board abused their powers/privileges on me deliberately in a crafty and mischievous manner on the altar of official powers in bad faith, keeping me in limbo while promoting my contemporaries. From all my complaints, the NIS and its board – the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Services Board (CDFIPB) – failed to give me listening ears and withheld my promotions since 1992”

    He explained that his resort to court action was because the relevant individuals and bodies failed to act on his several complaints, despite having served as “a loyal, dedicated and committed officer in the service of my fatherland in NIS and as a citizen, whose right has been violated and refused due promotion.”

  • Minister beaten to death by striking miners

    Bolivian miners on Thursday during a clash with the police in the town of Panduro hacked the Deputy Interior Minister to death.

    Interior Minister, Carlos Romero, confirmed on Friday that reports by witnesses indicated that the 55-year-old was beaten to death following clashes between police and miners in the town of Panduro, 165 kilometres south-east of La Paz.

    Romero said Illanes had been kidnapped by miners after attempting to initiate talks with them at a roadblock.

    The minister, who spoke of a “cowardly and brutal” murder, added that his aide was also injured and was taken to hospital.

    He said that one miner was reportedly also killed in the Thursday’s clashes, bringing the death toll in several days of protests against controversial trade union legislation to three.

    “Two miners were killed on Wednesday.

    “Around 100 miners were detained after Thursday’s protests,’’ he said.

    Miners currently represented by independently organized cooperatives have been using street blockades to protest against a law allowing them to join trade unions.

    The national federation of mining cooperatives (Fencomin) representing some 10,000 miners rejects any trade union influence on Bolivia’s mining sector.