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  • #RevolutionNow: 90-day detention must be challenged, says Falana

    Is it constitutional for a judge to order the detention of a citizen for 90 days as provided under the Terrorism Prevention Act? Activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana SAN said on Thursday that it is time to find out.

    Falana said the detention of the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, has provided that opportunity.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted a Department of State Services (DSS) request to further detain Sowore for 45 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    The DSS had applied for a 90-day order, but Justice Taiwo Taiwo exercised his discretion and slashed the period by half in the first instance, noting that it could be renewed upon an application.

    In the motion ex-parte brought by the DSS under Section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, the agency accused Sowore of engaging in acts of terrorism.

    According to Falana, the country’s human rights credentials was at risk of worsening under a democratically elected government, than “under the worst military dictatorship” if the 90-day order is legitimized.

    Read Also: Falana warns against continued detention of El-Zakzaky

    He said: “I met Mr. Omoyele Sowore in detention yesterday (Wednesday). He is in high spirits. In anticipation of today’s (Thursday’s) ruling, he had instructed us to challenge the refusal of the SSS to charge him with the alleged offences of terrorism or treason within 24 hours of his arrest as stipulated by Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution. More so, that some of those who participated in the Revolution Now protests in Lagos and Calabar have since been charged with unlawful assembly and breach of the peace!

    “It is, however, pertinent to note that the Terrorism Prevention Act as amended which empowers a judge to order the detention of a citizen for a period of 90 days was not enacted under the Buhari regime. It was enacted by the national assembly in 2011 and amended in 2013. But it has never been invoked to justify the detention of placard carrying protesters in any part of the country!

    “We had convinced the authorities to repeal the obnoxious provision of the Act. Instead of acceding to our request the national assembly enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which permits a pre-trial detention period of 14 days subject to renewal.

    “No doubt, the Sowore case provides an opportunity to test the constitutional validity of the 90-day detention period.

    “Even under the worst military dictatorship in Nigeria the maximum detention period was three months subject to renewal by the detaining authorities.  Our situation should not be worse under a democratically elected government.”

     

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Friday

    The Nigerian Meteoroligical Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains over the Northern, Central cities and cloudy to light rains over the Southern cities on Friday.

    NiMet’s weather outlook on Thursday in Abuja predicted thunderstorm over Gusau, Sokoto and Yelwa axis of Northern States in the morning hours leaving the rest of the axis in cloudy condition.

    It further predicted thunderstorms over the entire region in the afternoon/evening hours with day and night temperatures of 29 to 32 degree Celsius and 20 to 23 degree Celsus respectively.

    “For Central States, rains are expected over Abuja, Minna, Ilorin and Bida axis in the morning hours.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Monday

    “As the day progresses, chances of thunderstorms/rains are expected over the entire region during the afternoon/evening period with day and night temperatures of 25 to 33 degree Celsius and 17 to 24 degee Celsius,” it said.

    According to NiMet, cloudy conditions are expected over the inland and the coast of Southern States in the morning hours with chances of light rains in the afternoon/evening period.

    The agency forecast day and night temperatures in the region to be 28 to 30 degree and 22 to 24 degree Celsius respectively.

    NAN

  • EID-EL-KABIR: Police warn against street carnivals in Oyo

    The Oyo state Command on Thursday gave a stern warning to organisers of frivolous street carnivals to be wary of disgruntled youths and idle individuals who are criminally minded and always willing to use such avenues to extort money; intimidate their perceived rivals and commit crimes including murder.

    Some residents of the state were in the habit of organizing street carnivals especially during the Ileya festival, which on many occasion turned violent and bloody.

    The police, however, said it would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anyone found in the act of disturbing public peace during and after the Eid-Kabir celebration, under any guise.

    In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi  , the Command  said that the police would not stand by and watch some violent individuals or groups under the aegis of carnivals to engage in activities that would disturb the peace of the environment or that may lead to a breakdown of law and order.

    “Consequently, organisers of such unapproved street carnivals should be ready to bear the consequences of any negative fallout before, during and after the celebrations”, the police said.

    The police also called on the leaders of Okada riders to join hands with it to flush out criminally minded individuals in their midst who have been devising several means/methodology, styles and modus operandi to commit crimes such as stealing, armed robbery, rape, among others.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Aregbesola urges Nigerians to embrace selfless service

    “It is pertinent to note that, police searchlight will henceforth be beamed on such operators with a view of running them out of business and bringing them to justice,” it added

    Olukolu assured that it was fully prepared for the Sallah celebrations and adequate security measures had been put in place to respond adequately to any security threats from any individuals or groups who may be bent on disturbing the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed by the law abiding citizens in the state.

    The CP equally advised that celebrants should be conscious of their security, the environment, suspicious parcels, packages, movement/individuals and avoid frivolous journeys and invitations particularly by unknown persons on telephone who may pretend to be friend but may only be an enemy lurking around to commit havoc.

  • Why Nigeria wants to host 2020 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup, by Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday gave reasons why Nigeria wants to host the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup

    Apart from the desire to host the sporting event next year, he said that Nigeria wants to satisfy the needs of Nigerians who have demonstrated uncommon love for football over the years.

    Osinbajo spoke while receiving a delegation of FIFA Inspection Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “The Federal Government is backing Nigeria’s bid fully and we are prepared to do all that is required for the adequate comfort of our guests and fans.

    “Nigeria’s love for football is a mark of well-being, and it is also culturally important to us. It is a unifying force for the people…

    “We politicians don’t even compete with footballers, they are far more famous than us,” the Vice President stated.

    According to him, the Federal Government is excited about the prospect of Nigeria hosting the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup,

    “Going round this country you will notice that practically every Nigerian is a football fan. We are excited about the prospect of hosting the competition,” the VP told the FIFA delegation,

    Prof. Osinbajo also pointed out that Nigeria has indeed participated in all FIFA’s female competition and that the country has the number to effectively host the sporting event next year.

    Speaking earlier, the head of the FIFA Inspection team, Mr Kaj Heyral observed that the team was impressed with the facilities they have seen and expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown by Nigeria during their two-week stay.

    A decision on Nigeria’s bid to host the event will be taken next month.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s future bright – Osinbajo

    Mr Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, said that hosting the competition will further boost Nigeria’s positive image.

    According to him, the FIFA team inspected six stadia, 13 training sites, nine hospitals and about 10 hotels in the country.

    He added that Nigeria’s hosting of the sporting event “is about the future of Nigerian football; it is about the future of our youths; it is about the future of our female players.”

     

     

  • Insecurity: Soyinka calls for state of emergency in South West

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called for declaration of state of emergency due to the security challenges in the South West Zone.

    Soyinka made the call on Thursday in Akure on the sidelines of the D.O Fagunwa Study Group International Conference held to celebrate his 85th birthday.

    The conference had as theme: ” Wole Soyinka, DO Fagunwa and the Yoruba Artistic Heritage.”

    The literary giant said that the most appropriate measure to take in view of the insecurity that had pervaded the whole of the South West was to declare a state of emergency across the region.

    “As regards the insecurity in the South West, there is an emergency. There should be a declaration of security emergency through out the land and measures taken accordingly.

    “There are many directions of security lapses, you know it here, especially in Ondo State, it is a calamity through out the whole nation. There is an emergency,” he said.

    The first African Nobel Laureate said the governors, especially those in the South West geo-political zone, must work assiduously toward tackling the menace of insecurity.

    Soyinka, however, expressed gratitude to Ondo State Government for celebrating his 85th birthday and the completion of the ‘Dome’ which was meant to celebrate art and culture.

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the nation had allowed unreasonable competition, ethnicism, tribalism, corruption, political and economic ownership of the nation to slow down the pace of self-realisation.

    According to Akeredolu, in Africa, the challenge has moved largely from the legitimacy of governance institutions to its responsiveness to the need for a coordinated plan for cultural integration, economic development and general human capital development.

    Read Also: ‘Soyinka deserves highest national honour’

    The governor was, however, excited at the 85th birthday celebration of Soyinka, whom he described as his mentor and supporter.

    Akeredolu described Soyinka as a first class academic, playwright, poet, novelist, and great human condition activist.

    He said that Soyinka’s life was a lesson for public office holders because he had elevated the art of partisan living as the biggest ideal of social reclamation.

    “I join other well meaning Nigerians and the world at large to wish you, our great emblem of decency and justice, a happy 85th birthday!

    “I am fully convinced that your gathering here is another of those creative moments of rethinking our journey as a nation and our health as a society in search of its own civilisation.

    “I have read a bit of the book of proceeding of your last conference and I am convinced of the vigour, depth and clear headedness with which your Study Group addresses the myriad of challenges that the human mind faces in its quest for self reinvention and reclamation.

    “For all that we know, humanity is passing through some of its trying periods. Globally, definition of peace, progress, liberty and prosperity is interrogating the best of our civilisation today.

    “From leadership crisis which torments the sanest of public organisations to the fearful response of a traumatised followership, the narrative is clear: we must check and recheck the path on which we tread,” Akeredolu said.

  • Members ask court to stop APC from adopting indirect primary in Kogi

    Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) from adopting the indirect primary model to select candidate for the August 29 primary ahead of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

    The aggrieved members, who are said to belong to the Haddy Ametuo-led faction of the party, include the Ex-officio, Destiny Eneojoh Aromeh; Organising Secretary, Isah Abubakar; Zonal Youth Leader, Noah Aku, and Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Joy Onu.

    Their lawyer, Oluwole Aladeloye, while moving a motion ex-parte on Thursday, drew the court’s attention to a pending case before another judge of the same Federal High Court, Abuja (Justice Okon Abang) in which parties were praying the court to determine which of the existing factions of the party in Kogi State could control the party.

    Aladeloye proceeded to identify two motions ex-parte filed by his clients, the first prayed that the case be heard during the court’s vacation, while the other was for “an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendant by itself, its organs, agents or any person as so ever described, from adopting the indirect mode of primaries for the nomination of the governorship candidate in the forthcoming governorship primaries of 2019 in Kogi, pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

    He added that the plaintiffs are members of the State Executive Committee for the poll, which is scheduled to take place on Aug. 29.

    “They (plaintiffs) are elected state executive members of the defendant (APC) in 2018. They emerged as elected. After the election, the Governor (of Kogi State) set up a parallel EXCO, excluding the plaintiffs from participating in the nomination and the matter is still pending before Justice Okon Abang of this same court,” he said.

    After listening to the plaintiffs’ lawyer moved his motion, Justice Taiwo Taiwo adjourned until August 9, 2019 for ruling.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/833/2019, the plaintiffs expressed the need for the party to respect court processes and halt any action on the proposed indirect primary.

    READ ALSO: I’ll be more party conscious, Buhari promises APC

    The plaintiffs are praying the court, in the substantive suit, to determine whether the APC can adopt the indirect primaries with regard to the pendency of the suit filed by Haddy Ametuo, Salam Adejoh (suing for themselves and on behalf of other members) of the (State Executive Council (SEC) elected on May 19, 2018.

    *Whether the involvement of persons claiming to be members of the Kogi SEC, during the pendency of the suit, in the nomination of the governorship candidate would not amount to interference with the judicial process and run against the principle of subjudice, which would render the outcome of such primary illegal, null and void.

    *Whether the defendant can ignore the suit which seeks to determine the authentic members of the Kogi SEC, who constitute the delegates by adopting the indirect mode of the primary.

    *Whether it is not an act of disrespect for judicial processes for the defendant to adopt the indirect mode of primary in nominating its governorship candidate having been made a party to the suit, which seeks to determine the authentic members of the Kogi SEC, who will constitute the bulk of the delegates to participate in the indirect primary mode for the nomination of the governorship candidate.

  • Call for #RevolutionNow by Sowore is treason, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the call for #RevolutionNow by Omoyele Sowore was a treasonable offence for which no government any where in the world would fold its hands and declare as a none issue.

    The party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu that all those who were in collaboration with him were cowards and enemies of the country.

    Onilu said while the right to peaceful protest was a given under the Nigerian laws, a call for a revolution was no doubt a call for a forceful take over of a legitimate government which no government will accept.

    The  statement reads: “All Progressives Congress (APC) calls on Nigerians to reject the toxic messages and criminal antics of some individuals and partisans who have embarked on a campaign of calumny against the government and are calling for a forceful takeover of government. They are cowards and enemies of Nigeria.

    “The recent arrest of Mr. Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) must be seen for what it is — a legal and timely action by our security services to protect our democracy and protect the country and its citizens against any action that threatens our collective peace and safety.

    “Predictably, some desperate individuals, sore losers, and their sympathisers are acting in vain trying to pull wool over the eyes of Nigerians. Of course, the disgruntled presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar is expectedly the patron and cheerleader of the unpatriotic elements who would rather bring our country down for being rejected at the polls.

    “The desperate attempt to politicise a legitimate action by the security agencies and futile effort to spread falsehood to create chaos in the country are clearly irresponsible actions.

    “We call on Nigerians to look at the issue of Sowore’s arrest dispassionately, devoid of the skewed narratives and sentiments being propagated by these individuals.

    “Sowore arrived the country recently and openly threatened a revolution against a constitutionally recognised and legitimate government. Should the DSS and other security services have dismissed the declaration and the underlying implications as a non- issue? No intelligence/security agency worth its calling takes issues like this with levity.

    “From elections to governance and general conduct, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has demonstrated its adherence and defence of the rule of law over politics and sundry interests.

    “Again, on the safety of Nigerians, the current government has been decisive in addressing any action that threatens the country’s unity, peace and our democracy. Sowore’s arrest is another testament to our unshaken resolve in this regard.

    “The right to a civil protest is a given. However, it should not be construed to mean the same thing as a revolution to forcibly take over government.

    “This makes it necessary to put the act of a revolution in context, at least by the proclamation made by Sowore and his co-travelers. Revolution means to forcibly overthrow a government through rebellion, revolt, insurrection, mutiny, uprising, insurgency, coup.

    Read Also: NLC begs FG to release Sowore, 26 others

    “Nigeria is not a banana republic. We are a country with a democratically-elected government, governed by laws. Our laws are clear on Sowore’s actions. It is treason. No one should be allowed to get away with any attempt to destabilize this country.

    “We must remind ourselves that the same Sowore who attempts to lead a revolution had a legal opportunity during the 2019 Presidential election as a candidate to sell his governance ideas, if any, to the electorate.

    “He failed woefully in that attempt, coming a distant sixth with 33,953 votes compared to the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari, who polled over 15 million votes.

    “Sowore and some of his co-losers have now resorted to an illegal and misguided plot to destabilise the country. Their plan is dead on arrival.

    “We reiterate that our laws are clear on all criminalities and Nigerians expect that the enforcement of relevant laws should apply to every Nigerian, irrespective of class and status. This government would not be found wanting where it is required to take decisive actions.

    “Finally, the effects of instability being championed by these cowards and enemies of Nigeria are disastrous. The same proponents of a forceful takeover will be the first to flee the country with their loved ones while the ordinary Nigerian suffers the disastrous consequences. Nigerians beware.”

  • Man. United in talks with Mandzukic

    Manchester United are back in talks to sign Mario Mandzukic from Juventus as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, according to SkySports..

    Lukaku, meanwhile, is currently in Milan for a medical after Inter agreed a £73m fee on Wednesday.

    Lukaku had looked set to join Juventus earlier in the window after a swap deal was agreed involving Paulo Dybala.

    However, United ended their pursuit in the Argentine forward due to his hesitation over a move to Old Trafford and his wage demands, and they are now looking at Mandzukic instead.

    Former Croatia international Mandzukic, 33, a World Cup finalist, is someone United have kept tabs on for some time, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to preserve his striking options next season.

    Read Also: Ronaldo scores as Juventus held to a draw at Ajax

    Mandzukic scored 10 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions for Juve last season. During his four years in Turin he has won Serie A four times, the Coppa Italia three times and the Italian Super Cup once.

    At Bayern Munich he won the Bundesliga twice as well as the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 while he also lifted the Spanish Super Cup during a year-long stint at Atletico Madrid.

     

    SkySports.com

     

  • Inter Milan reach agreement to sign Lukaku

    Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Manchester United to sign striker Romelu Lukaku for a fee that could rise to 74 million pounds

    Manchester United in July rejected Inter Milan’s 54 million pounds bid for Lukaku, who was fined by the club after missing training on Tuesday.

    Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, flew to London on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve Lukaku’s future.

    Later that evening, Pastorello posted a photo on Instagram of them on board a private jet with the caption: “Ready to take off. Direction Milano.”

    Read Also: ‘Lukaku’s time in England is over’

    United and Inter Milan had been some way apart in their valuation, with United wanting to recoup at least the 75 million pounds they paid Everton two years ago.

    Inter and fellow Serie A side Juventus have been competing to sign Lukaku, who did not play in pre-season because of an ankle injury.

    Inter manager Antonio Conte – who wanted to sign Lukaku when he was Chelsea boss – has said he remains his number one target, adding: “I consider him a player who could improve our team.”

    United have an interest in Juventus’ Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic, 33, who could reinforce their forward options.

    BBCSports

  • Arsenal agree £8m deal for David Luiz

    Arsenal have agreed an £8m deal with Chelsea to sign defender David Luiz on a two-year contract.

    The 32-year-old Brazil centre-back, who signed a new two-year Chelsea deal in May, will have a medical at Arsenal on Thursday.

    On Tuesday, Arsenal sold defender Laurent Koscielny to French side Bordeaux for a fee of up to 5m euros (£4.6m).

    They are also set to sign Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney for £25m.

    Luiz has spent six and a half years at Chelsea during two spells and has made 160 Premier League appearances, scoring 11 goals.

    Read Also: Chelsea won’t miss David Luiz, says Mourinho

    His departure, if confirmed, comes five weeks after Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge to manage his former club.

    Chelsea are banned from signing players until the end of January 2020 following an investigation into their signing of foreign under-18 players.

    With Gary Cahill, who has since joined Crystal Palace, released at the end of last season, Chelsea’s options at centre-back include Germany’s Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, who was on loan at Everton last season, and Denmark’s Andreas Christensen.

    Having signed for Chelsea from Benfica in a £21m deal in January 2011, Luiz joined Paris St-Germain for £40m in June 2014 before returning to Stamford Bridge in August 2016 for £34m.

    Luiz was present at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Wednesday, although he did not take part in first-team training.

    BBCSports