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Tag: Mohammed Ibrahim

  • INEC commences distribution of sensitive materials in Niger – REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger says it has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 25 local government areas of the state.

    Prof. Samuel Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch office, Minna on Wednesday.

    He said the electoral materials were moved from the Minna branch of CBN to the local government areas, accompanied by security personnel.

    “We are starting the transportation with Rijau, Mariga, Shiroro, Bida, Bako and Burgo Local Government Areas under tight security cover,” he said.

    Egwu said that heavily armed security personnel would escort the materials to the local government area of the state.

    Read Also: INEC must get its acts together

    He explained that the sensitive materials, comprising ballot papers and result sheets, would be transported under tight security to the 25 local governments for the conduct of Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    He said “The timely and transparent distribution of sensitive materials  “to the various local government area showed that INEC was willing and prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the state.

    So, we want these materials to get to the various local government areas, this evening, and by tomorrow morning, it would be distributed to the various registration areas.

    The sensitive materials which were handed over to INEC by the CBN Minna Branch Controller, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, were arranged and customized according to each local government areas.

    NAN reports that the materials were distributed in the presence of representatives of various political parties in the state.

     

    NAN

  • Borno, Yobe ready for Saturday’s polls – RECs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Borno state has assured it has taken delivery of all the sensitive and non- sensitive materials for Saturday’s rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner Mohammed Ibrahim told reporters at the headquarters of the Commission in Maiduguri on Tuesday that deployment of election materials and personnel will commence from Wednesday to local governments far from the state capital.

    He assured “polls would open by 8pm on Saturday across the state”.

    He also announced the state headquarters of INEC has taken custody of sensitive materials from all the twenty seven local government areas and re-deposited at the Central Bank.

    The INEC Commissioner informed over five thousand smart card readers have been recalled and reconfigured.

    On the safety of materials and personnel for the election, Ibrahim said adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure they are well protected.

    The Borno REC explained the over 160,000 uncollected PVCs will be deposited at the Central Bank until after the general elections.

    In Yobe State, his counterpart Ahmad Makama also assured all the sensitive materials dispatched across the 17 local government councils have been returned intact and re-deposited at the Damaturu branch of Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “We initially kept the sensitive materials at the Police armory of respective local government headquarters and asked our Electoral Officers to keep vigil until clear directives were received from headquarters.

    “On receiving that directive on Sunday, all materials were safely returned intact to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Damaturu and that has been confirmed by the CBN Controller.

    “The consignments are now kept local government by local government for easy re-distribution either on Wednesday or Thursday,” Makama informed.

    Speaking on the security challenges in Gujba local government where the Boko Haram launched attacks on military base on Saturday, the REC said: “The voters and ad-hoc staffs must have been frightened and the case will be tabled at the security meeting scheduled for Tuesday so that the commission will solicits for guidance if the situation is not containable but i assure you that no one will be disenfranchised”.

    Our correspondent discovered INEC in Yobe had earlier relocated all voting/polling units to three centres in Goniri, Gujba town and Buni Yadi due to security threats.

  • INEC has distributed 98 per cent election materials in Borno – REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it has achieved about 98 per cent delivery of non-sensitive election materials to polling units ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The commission said it had also begun the distribution of sensitive materials to all the 27 local government areas of the state; adding that it was expecting to complete the exercise on Friday.

    The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, made the disclosure at a news conference on Friday in Maiduguri.

    Ibrahim explained that non-sensitive materials, such as voter registers, voting cubicles, Smart Card Reader, power generator and others were currently being distributed to polling centres.

    He disclosed that 2, 315, 956 eligible voters were expected to vote in the elections in the state.

    Read Also: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Imo

    Ibrahim said 435 candidates were presented by 41 political parties for various posts, including governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

    He also said about 11, 000 security personnel were deployed for the elections, to secure 3, 933 polling units (PUs), electoral officers, election materials as well as buildings and premises.

    The REC said the commission had registered 409, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from eight local government areas, who would vote in designated camps.

    The commissioner listed the affected councils to include Abadam, Guzamala, Marte, Dikwa, Ngala, Kukawa, Mobbar and Kala Balge.

  • Buhari has managed Nigerian economy better than predecessors- Ajimobi

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has stated that no other president in the country has managed the nation’s economy better than President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The governor spoke  in Ibadan on Friday evening while receiving members of the National Congress Committee of APC at the Government House.

    The committee led by Alhaji Musa Aliyu were in the state for the ward congress of the APC scheduled to hold on Saturday.

    “I read Economics and Finance, and there is no economic theory that we have not read. The most important part of all the economic theory is leadership.

    “And Nigeria is lucky to have that leadership. There is no president in Nigeria that has ever managed the economy like Buhari,” he said.

    Ajimobi, who described the APC as the greatest party in Africa, said Buhari was the most credible president that Nigeria has ever produced.

    “I was in one of Buhari’s delegation to London and when he was asked to speak he said ‘I have no money to distribute. All I have been selling is my integrity,” he said.

    The governor said that Buhari has been able to maintain that integrity till date

    “Politics is just a game that if God plays it, some people will abuse Him no matter the performance. I use to tell the president anytime I meet him not to worry people is abusing him.

    “I told him that people abused Prophet Muhammed and Jesus Christ, who are godsend not to talk of us ordinary human beings. That is why God has created the world a binary one,” he said.

    Ajimobi promised that the congress committee would not be influenced, assuring them of their support.

    Earlier, Aliyu said the committee was in Ibadan on a national assignment of the party, which he said the committee would do satisfactorily.

    He said that the party was known for internal democracy, adding such was the cardinal principle preached by Buhari, the leader of the party.

    “We intend to work closely with the local chapters in achieving the desired success, so that the party will come out strongly,” he said.

    The committee had Hon Usman Ibrahim, Hon Mohammed Ibrahim, Hadjia Halima Jabiru and Mrs Fola Olasehinde.

    Also in attendance were Chief Akin Oke, Oyo State APC Chairman and some House of Representative members from Oyo State.

    NAN

  • INEC swears in seven new RECs

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has sworn in seven new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) bringing the total number of serving RECs in the commission to 33.

    Performing the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the new RECs would contribute to the commission’s determination to make 2019 general elections the best in the country.

    He said “with the track records of service in the academia, public service and private sector, it is gratifying to note that the new RECs made positive contributions to the society in various ways.

    “I am equally delighted to note that some of you have managed elections at national level as RECs.

    “I am confident that you will bring to bear on your new assignments, the experience of the recent past that will contribute to our determination to make the 2019 general elections our best elections in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu advised the new commissioners to maintain openness and consultations, as well as be firm and courageous in carrying out their new assignments.

    The chairman disclosed that in addition to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the commission would be conducting four bye-elections this year to fill vacancies.

    These, according to him, include Takum state constituency in Taraba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in c, Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Kastina North Senatorial District in Kastina State.

    The INEC boss reassured newly registered voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) of getting their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) before the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “we have consistently reassured the public that for those who registered in 2017, their PVCs would be available for collection in the first week of May 2018.

    “Those who registered in the first quarter of this year, that is between January and March, as well as those who are registering right now in the second quarter of this year, would collect their cards thereafter.”

    Yakubu also reassured the public and those who applied for replacement of their PVCs that their cards would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Wanted: An ‘independent’ INEC

    “For those who registered in Ekiti and Osun in 2017 and 2018, priority attention was given to the production of their PVCs, such that all the cards would be available ahead of the July 14 and Sept. 22 governorship elections,’’ he said.

    Responding on behalf of the new RECs, Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Ekiti State, pledged the new commissioner’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    He said “by the grace of God, we shall finish well.”

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Yakubu, saying “with your style of leadership, we would
    not be surprised if 2019 elections turned out to be the best elections in the country.”

    The new RECs are: Mr Baba Yusuf and Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Borno and Ekiti states for second term.

    Others are Dr Uthman Ajidagba, Kwara;  Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State; Dr Emmanuel Hart, Rivers; Mohammed Ibrahim, Gombe and Dr Cyril Omorogbe, Edo.

    NAN

  • Senate confirms seven RECs, stands down one nominee

    Senate confirms seven RECs, stands down one nominee

    The Senate on Wednesday confirmed seven out of the nine nominees for the position of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

    They are Baba Yusuf (Borno), Dr Uthman Abdulrahman (Kwara), Mr Segun Agbaje (Ekiti) and Dr Cyril Omorogbe (Edo).
    Others are Yahaya Bello (Nasarawa) Dr Emmanuel Hart (Rivers) and Mohammed Ibrahim (Gombe).

    The confirmation followed a successful screening of the nominees at the committee level and adoption of report submitted during plenary by Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Sen. Suleiman Nazif.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in December asked the Senate to confirm nine INEC RECs in line with section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    However, the nominee of Akwa Ibom, Elder Monday Tom was stepped down while that of Osun, Eric Olawale did not turn up for the screening.
    Presenting the report, Nazif said of the nine nominees referred to the committee for screening, only eight showed up.

    He said that the nominee for Osun did not communicate to the committee reasons for his absence.

    According to him, Tom, the nominee for Akwa Ibom state was stood down for further legislative action.

    “Other seven nominees were duly cleared by the relevant security agencies and the Code of Conduct Bureau,’’ he added.

    In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki commended members of the committee for their diligence during the screening process.

    NAN

  • Niger Assembly probes magistrate over light sentence for rape

    The Niger House of Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution urging the state government to investigate the magistrate who handed a one month prison sentence to a man convicted of rape.

    The House passed the resolution following a motion moved by Nurudeen Umar (APC/Kontagora I) under matters of urgent public importance.

    Umar, who decried the increasing rate of rape and sodomy in his constituency, suggested that the magistrate be investigated to serve as a deterrent to other judges.

    “A man sodomized a 12-year-old boy and was handed a one month jail term and a N30,000 fine.

    “The convict has already served his term, paid his fine and was released, but the outrage of the public on his release forced security operatives to re-arrest him.

    “If nothing is done to ensure that justice is served in this matter, the public may start taking the law into their hands.

    “Section 284 of the penal code law of Niger state provides that whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with a prison term running up to 14 years.

    “The punishment in this case is so light that the convict and other would-be offenders cannot be deterred,” he added

    He called on the Commissioner of Police to hasten investigation into the matter to quicken prosecution.

    Contributing, Mohammed Bawa (APC/Mokwa), prayed the House to invite the officials of the Judicial Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police for a meeting on the matter.

    Other members, who spoke, condemned the crime of rape and the action of the magistrate in handing out a light sentence to the convict.

    The House also resolved to set up a six-man committee to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased victim.

    In his remarks, the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, directed the clerk of the House to communicate its resolutions to the executive.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that a Magistrate in Kontagora, Mohammed Ibrahim, recently sentenced one Nuhu Musa, 37, to a one month prison term and a N30,000 fine, for raping a 12-year-old.

    The boy later died from complications confirmed to have developed from the rape.

     

  • Amnesty Intl accuses FG of ‘continuous’ rights abuse

    Amnesty Intl accuses FG of ‘continuous’ rights abuse

    Amnesty International on Wednesday accused the Federal Government of continuous human rights abuse against Nigerians.

    The rights watchdog in its 2015 annual report accused the security agents of war crimes, extrajudicial killings, torture, ill-treatment, custodian deaths, flawed criminal justice system and excessive use of force against the Shia movement in Zaria and protesters in Anambra State.

    Amnesty also accused the Lagos and Kaduna State governments of rendering thousands of people homeless and vulnerable to other human rights violations when they conducted mass forced evictions without consultation, compensation and provision of alternative accommodation.

    The Country Director of Amnesty in Nigeria, Mohammed Ibrahim, while speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, added that Boka Haram insurgents have equally continued to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in the northeast by killing thousands of civilians.

    Ibrahim said the purpose of the report is not to create enmity with the government or security agents but to let the government be aware of its responsibility of promoting and protecting the rights of Nigerians.

    He said “The conflict between the military and the armed group Boko Haram continued, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and over two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the end of the year. Torture and other ill-treatment by the police and security forces were widespread. Demolition of informal settlements let to the forced eviction of thousands of people, death sentence continued to be imposed, although no executions were reported.

    “The military committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in its response to Boko Haram between 2011 and 2015, with extrajudicial executions by the military, arrest of people during screening operations, where suspects detained by the military had no access to their families or lawyers and were not brought before the court.

    “Boko Haram continued to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in northeast Nigeria, killing thousands of civilians especially the attack on Baga, satellite images revealed that more than 3,700 buildings had been damaged or destroyed in the attack.

    “In July, the police announced they were reviewing the Forces Orders, including Force Order 237, which allows police officers to shoot suspects and detainees who attempt to avoid arrest or escape. Many police divisions, including the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Forced Criminal Investigation Division, kept rooms where suspects were tortured while being interrogated.”

     

  • ACF seeks probe of Fulani herdsmen’s arms

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government to investigate the possibility of some external influence in the activities of gunmen in some part of the north in the last few weeks.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, said in a statement that the increasing attacks by gunmen on the people of Northern Nigeria had assumed a dangerous dimension and instilled fear and uncertainty in the minds of the people.

    The ACF said: “The Federal Government should therefore, investigate the possibility of alleged external influence considering the sophistication of arms being used by the gunmen and insurgents.

    “The frequency of such attacks by gunmen has placed the region under siege. The disturbing reality is that there is no sign of this intractable war coming to an end.”

    The Forum noted that the wisdom of associating such attacks with religion or ethnicity should be discouraged, as the warring parties in communities where these killings took place had lived together peacefully over the years.

    “ACF calls on the northern states to pool their resources together and fund the security apparatus in their states for effect, similar to the security Joint Task Force operating in Lagos and Kano states.

    “The intelligence community and governments should do more to unravel the cause, motives and sources of arms, and funding of these terrorists and the ACF extends its sympathy and condolences to the affected persons, especially the bereaved families, the government and people of Kaduna State over this unfortunate incident.

    The Methodist Arch-bishop of Kaduna, Rev Sunday Ogo Idoko, has appealed to the sponsors and the executors of terrorist activities to have a change of mind and stop destroying human life and property.

    Speaking at the 51st Annual Synod titled: “Let My People Move Forward” held at Freeman Methodist Church, Zaria Circuit, Idoko said terrorism does not benefit any one, not even the perpetrators.

    He condemned the barbaric and inhuman killing of pupils in Yobe State.

    he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government to investigate the possibility of some external influence in the activities of gunmen in some part of the north in the last few weeks.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, said in a statement that the increasing attacks by gunmen on the people of Northern Nigeria had assumed a dangerous dimension and instilled fear and uncertainty in the minds of the people.

    The ACF said: “The Federal Government should therefore, investigate the possibility of alleged external influence considering the sophistication of arms being used by the gunmen and insurgents.

    “The frequency of such attacks by gunmen has placed the region under siege. The disturbing reality is that there is no sign of this intractable war coming to an end.”

    The Forum noted that the wisdom of associating such attacks with religion or ethnicity should be discouraged, as the warring parties in communities where these killings took place had lived together peacefully over the years.

    “ACF calls on the northern states to pool their resources together and fund the security apparatus in their states for effect, similar to the security Joint Task Force operating in Lagos and Kano states.

    “The intelligence community and governments should do more to unravel the cause, motives and sources of arms, and funding of these terrorists and the ACF extends its sympathy and condolences to the affected persons, especially the bereaved families, the government and people of Kaduna State over this unfortunate incident.

    The Methodist Arch-bishop of Kaduna, Rev Sunday Ogo Idoko, has appealed to the sponsors and the executors of terrorist activities to have a change of mind and stop destroying human life and property.

    Speaking at the 51st Annual Synod titled: “Let My People Move Forward” held at Freeman Methodist Church, Zaria Circuit, Idoko said terrorism does not benefit any one, not even the perpetrators.

    He condemned the barbaric and inhuman killing of pupils in Yobe State.

     

  • Teacher charged with ‘defiling’ two pupils

    A 27-year-old teacher, Mohammed Ibrahim, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos Mainland. He was charged with defiling two pupils ages six and 11.

    Ibrahim, of 2, Olaosebikan Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos, Mainland is charged with “defiling two minors.”

    The Prosecutor, R. Odigie, an Inspector, said the crime was committed on December 18 about 11 a.m at Al-adab Nursery and Primary School, Abalti Barracks in Surulere.

    He said the accused took the pupils to the school’s toilet and forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of them. “The victims screamed for help and they were rescued by another teacher. An eyewitness reported the accused to the headmaster,” he said.

    Odigie said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. But the accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.A. Demi-Ajayi, granted the accused bail N1 million with two sureties in the like sum.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she adjourned the case till January 29, 2014.