Tag: Nigeria newspaper

The South-South Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Shola O’Neil, was last Monday brutalised by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) around Okada in Edo state.

O’Neil, who was returning to Warri from Lagos, was in a commercial vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, when the vehicle was stopped after the Okada Junction along the Benin Shagamu Expressway by men of F-SARS.

According to a trend on his twitter account, his only offense was asking his phone should not be tampered with in his absence, a comment that fetched him a heavy blow from an official, who already collected his phones and workstation.

“I was on my way to WARRI from Lagos. Just after Okada junction we met this SARS team from Okada. They operated from a red Mercedes Benz C-Class wagon. Number plate covered with yellow/black cellophane. They stopped the Toyota Corolla I was riding in.

“There’s a student of Afe Babalola University in the front seat. He had a laptop but no purchase receipt.
They asked everybody to disembark and started searching us one after the other. They took my MacBook and phones.
One of them, the youngest, asked me to unlock my phone, I did.

“Before then he asked the young man what he does for a living and he said he is a student of Afe Babalola. He asked him for his ID, got it. Then he went on about how impressed he’s about students because he (SARS guys) is an OND holder. They then took laptop to their Benz.

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“I unlocked my phone and gave it to him. After a minute or so he started walking away with d phone. I said ‘Oga are you done with my phone?’ because I wasn’t comfortable with him going through my phone where I can’t see what he’s doing.
This really got him angry.

“He shouted who I was to tell him how to do his job? You see, as I journo I’ve seen and experienced the antics of policemen on the roads. So when he ranted about me teaching him his job, I explained that it was better he did what he was doing where I could see him and answer questions

“He became livid and unleashed multiple slaps on my face. I was dazed, very dazed. ‘Oga what is my crime?’
But his colleagues closed in and joined in the beating. One of them just finished checking the engine of a car and he cleaned his oily palm on my shirt

“One broke a tree branch and unleashed it on my head. I had a saddle bag with me and was using it to fend off the blows. The OND holder removed the safety catch of his rifle and asked for space to fire me because his colleagues were all over me. At that point one gentleman stepped in…

“He said no, ‘you can’t just shoot him; over what?’ At that point my face was swollen and there was blood in my eyes.
The driver of the car (FocusRide) and passengers were begging them not to shoot. Somehow calm was restored. The SARS team leader asked me to get back inside the car and sit down

“They went away with my phones and MacBook along with the youth laptop and phones. While they were deciding my fate, the OND holder who started it all came to the car and told me how lucky I was that it wasn’t dark. He said ‘I for fire you just now and nothing go happen, u go turn another robber’.

“I said nothing but sat waiting for their next move. About 20 minutes later, they called for me to unlock my laptop. I did
They only saw news features that I was working on and other files relating to my job. The drunken team leader then asked me why I didn’t tell them I was a pressman.

“I said first, they neither gave me the chance to explain nor asked for identification. He mumbled his apologies that it was a misunderstanding, went on about how gunmen terrorised the stretch of the road. Then returned my items along with those of other passengers and wished me safe journey,” he narrated.

 

 

Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Kafarati, has re-assigned the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had called no fewer than 13 witnesses before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

EFCC arraigned Fayose before her on October 22, 2018.

It accused Fayose of receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act. Fayose pleaded not guilty.

EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu had on March 21 expressed lack of confidence in the judge and asked the Chief Judge to re-assign the case.

However, when the case came up on April 15 and the 11th prosecution witness testified, no reference was made to letter.

But in a May 23 letter, Justice Kafarati informed Justice Olatoregun that the case has been re-assigned to another judge of the Lagos Division.

He writes: “I refer to the petition of EFCC on this case and your Lordship’s comments thereto.

“It is apparent that the prosecution has lost confidence in the judge trying this case.

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done.

“I hereby transfer this case to Hon Justice C. J. Aneke for hearing.”

Fayose’s spokesman Lere Olayinka yesterday faulted the likelihood that the case would start de novo (afresh).

He said: “After calling 13 witnesses and failing to establish any case, EFCC will start the trial afresh.

“Will they manufacture fresh evidences and new witnesses? What a country. What a government.”

Among those who had testified was former minister of state for defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

Justice Olatoregun and EFCC lawyer Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had clashed on March 20.

It is believed that the hot exchange partly led to the latest development.

The judge had accused Jacobs of being “incompetent” and “extremely rude”.

The judge accused Jacobs of engaging in “Jankara” practice, but the Senior Advocate said he took “exception” to being described in such terms.

He said it was the first time he would be so described by any judge in all his years of legal practice.

The exchange occurred after the cross-examination of the 10th prosecution witness, Maroun Mechleb, who is the Chief Executive Officer of an Akure, Ondo State-based construction firm, Samchase Nigeria Limited.

The witness testified that he handled several contracts for Ekiti State, which he said were facilitated by Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele.

Under cross examination by defence counsel Mr Ola Olanipekun (SAN) (for Fayose) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) (for Fayose’s co-accused Spotless Ltd), Mechleb said: “In making the first statement (to EFCC), I did not say the truth. I was trying to help my friend. I can lie to help a friend.

“I later obeyed my conscience and went back to EFCC to say the truth.”

Olanipekun tendered parts of Mechleb’s statements at EFCC, but not all.

When Jacobs sought to tender the remaining part during his re-examination of the witness, Olanipekun and Ojo objected on the basis that Jacobs could not tender a statement at the re-examination stage.

Justice Olatoregun upheld the objections, but added that Jacobs could “have another bite at the cherry” by tendering it later. She did not mark the document as rejected.

But the judge took offence when Jacobs made reference to a submission by Ojo during his objection.

Justice Olatoregun said: “Mr Jacobs, you dare not! You are not competent to look into my ruling, to evaluate my ruling. You are totally incompetent, whether you are a Senior Advocate or not.”

Read Also: Fayose responsible for our electoral misfortunes, says Ekiti PDP

Jacobs said: “I was not referring to Your Lordship’s ruling.”

Justice Olatoregun said: “You are going beyond your bounds. Do not let me trash your practice. Listen to me, if you reevaluate my rulings in this court, you’ll get into trouble.

“You can only go on appeal, Mr Jacobs. Your mode of advocacy, I do not understand it. It looks like what do they call it?… Jankara market practice.”

Jacobs: “Thank you my Lord”.

Judge: “You stand here to reevaluate my ruling; you are incompetent to do that. If you have any re-examination, you do that. If you do not have, call your next witness, or you take a date.”

Jacobs: “I’m grateful to your Lordship. Thank you my Lord.”
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The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on Friday took over the case of alleged N25 billion fraud filed against Former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje from the EFCC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Jos that for almost eight years, the EFCC had been prosecuting the former governor until Friday.

The case, which is before Justice Babatunde Quadiri of Jos Federal High Court II, has even gone to the Jos Court of Appeal over the remaining two count charge out of 21 filed against him by EFCC.

The Appellate Court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the appeal.

When the case up for an emergency hearing before Justice Quadiri, the EFCC Counsel,Mr Wahab Shittu, told Court that the agency was withdrawing from the case and handing it over the office of the Attorney-General for continuation.

“My Lord, this case was earlier adjourned for June 20 for continuation of hearing, but then we are here today on the latest development on the matter.

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“We as EFCC counsels are withdrawing from the matter and handing it over to the office of the Attorney-General for continuation with the prosecution.

“As you can, in Court today is a State Counsel from the AGF’s office to formally take over this case from us, “ Shittu declared.

Responding, Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), did not object to the EFCC withdrawal and handing over of the case to the Attorney-General.

“My Lord we not objecting to the anti-graft withdrawal and handing over the prosecution to the AG’s office, “ Erokoro said.

Mr Pius Asika, Counsel from the office of the attorney general, however, announced his appearance for the case.

Asika then applied for an adjournment to enable him prepare for the case proper “having come into the matter today (Friday).

Justice Quadiri then adjourned to the case to June 21, 2019 for continuation of hearing.

The Ogun State Government on Friday set up a committee to review the appointments, installations and promotions of traditional rulers in the State carried out by the outgone Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the twilight of his administration.

A total of 75 people were appointed and installed as coronet Obas by Amosun across the state and which has continued to elicit condemnations, even from the Ogun state House of Assembly which passed a resolution suspending the installed Obas on grounds that their manner of appointment didn’t follow due process.

Also, a front line politician and Egba businessman, High Chief Alani Bankole, condemned Amosun’s installation of 75 Obas in one swoop, describing the action as “pure madness.”

Chief Bankole who is a traditional kingmaker in Egbaland, said a governor is not elected to disrupt the social and cultural system of a people, lamenting that even in a community where the residents were less than 200, Amosun, allegedly, appointed an Oba there, wondering the rationale behind such decision.

The father of former Speaker Dimeji Bankole noted that as a Kingmaker, he has a duty to promote, protect and defend the sanctity and sacredness of the culture and traditions of Egba people, added that the incident was an abnormality.

Read Also: Installing 75 obas in one swoop by Amosun wrong, says Alani Bankole

However, in a statement by the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, and made available to The Nation, the state government stated that the Review Committee comprises His Royal Majesty Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland (chairman); His Royal Highness, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, the Dagburewe of Idowa; His Royal Highness, Oba Adewale Osiberu, the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu; High Chief Yinka Kufile, the Aro of Egbaland; Mr. Babajide Oyeti, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Mr. Lanre Osota, the current Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who will serve as the secretary to the committee.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are to identify all the Obas and Chiefs whose appointments or promotions fall within the review period as contained in the recent resolution of the Ogun State House of Assembly and determine on a case-by-case basis whether such appointment or promotion is in accordance with extant laws of Ogun State and due process.

Others are: to identify and address any other issue(s) that the committee may consider relevant to its assignments and make appropriate recommendations as deemed necessary to the Government.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order ex-parte for the maintenance of status quo, pending the determination of a motion filed by DAAR Communications Plc in its suit challenging the suspension of its operating licence by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling onFriday, rejected two prayers by DAAR, for restraining orders against the respondents – NBC, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (FMIC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

In the first relief rejected by the court, DAAR Communications had, sought to restrain the respondents “from blocking, jamming. stopping, removing from air and/or interfering with the airwaves of the plaintiff/applicant in any way and manner howsoever, in its broadcast and airing of news, views, documentaries, or any other legitimate broadcast material that is usually associated with television, radio or social media broadcast pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.”

It also, in the second relief, sought to restrain the respondents from “from invading the premises of the plaintiff/applicant, or closing down, Viet armis, the said premises, its operations or broadcast services, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.”

Instead, Justice Ekwo granted the alternative relief: “an order for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum as at 30th of May, 2019, pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.”

Justice Ekwo said the applicant, DAAR would be penalised should it turn out, at the end of the day, that the order ought not to have been made.

The judge noted that, by the issues raised in its application by DAAR Communications, the respondents deserved to be heard.

He ordered the respondents – NBC, FMIC, AGF – “to appear in court on the next date to show cause why the prayers in the applicant’s motion should not be granted.”

Justice Ekwo adjourned further proceedings till June 13, 2019.

Daar Communication Plc stated, in a supporting affidavit, that is the first privately owned independent broadcasting organisation in Nigeria, having been licensed to broadcast on television and radio since 1996 and currently, operating the African Independent Television (AIT), Ray Power 100.5 fm, Faji fm and DARSAT stations.

Read Also: Atiku condemns shutdown of AIT, says free press in danger

“Plaintiff/applicants have in the best tenets and tradition of broadcast and in compliance with section 22 of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, carried out its duties legally, legitimately, morally and nationalistically, in informing, educating and entertaining Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on sundry matters, which activities have energized and contributed to national development and also nurtured, widened, deepened and strengthened democracy, rule of law, human rights and anti-corruption in Nigeria.

“Since the emergence of the present government, the plaintiff /Applicant has been under its close surveillance and undue monitoring of its operations by the present government which wrongly believes that the plaintiff/applicant had been too supportive of the immediate past government.

“That sometimes on 16th April, 2019, agents of the Federal Government represented by the 1st defendant (NBC), in a gestapo- like- manner, attacked and pulled down the two buildings and gates leading to the plaintiff/applicant’s operational headquarters which damage and destruction run into hundreds of millions of naira.

“The defendants and their agents have been writing series of letters with which they harassed and intimidated the plaintiff over the contents of their broadcast, particularly of late, concerning its social media segment of its morning flagship broadcast show called Kaakaki (the African Voice).

“Credible information just reaching the plaintiff has it that the defendants have concluded plans to invade and shut down the premises of the plaintiff and/or part thereof, in the next few days.”