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Tag: Peace Corps of Nigeria

  • Peace Corps begs Buhari: Order IGP to unseal our office

    The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to unseal its corporate headquarters, according to various court orders.

    The development was even as the PCN claimed it had secured over 15 valid court judgement against the Police and other security agencies in Nigeria, which none has been appealed against.

    National headquarters of Peace Corps of Nigeria located at number 57, Iya Abubakar crescent, off Alex Ekwueme street, opposite Jabi lake, Jabi, Abuja, has been under lock and keys by the Police since February 28th, 2017, the day the office was officially launched.

    National Commandant of PCN, Amb. Dickson Akoh has claimed the organization pays as much as N13.5m rent annually on the sealed office.

    But the Police has refused to vacate the properties, despite two subsisting court orders; resolution of the House of Representatives; the letter of authority from the Attorney-General of the Federation; the interventions from the Civil Society Organizations and National Human Rights Commission.

    Consequently, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja, last Tuesday, through a ruling, restrained the Police and IGP Idris, from further harassing the PCN boss, Akoh, or prosecuting him on any ground, until all previous court judgements are obeyed.\

    Read Also: Reps fail to veto Buhari on Peace Corps’ Bill

    The Peace Corps boss, briefing newsmen on the judgment said his group remains a non-confrontational and law abiding organization and has explored all lawful means, including seeking political solutions to its ordeal, but  to no avail.

    His words: “In view of the landmark ruling yesterday coupled with other previous judgements and the resolution of the House of Representatives, we wish to renew our appeal, as part of our last resort, to President Muhammadu Buhari, to please direct the Inspector General of Police to order his men to vacate the premises of the headquarters of our organization in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

    “We are also appealing to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Activists and other well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene in this regard, especially in prevailing on the Nigeria Police to respect the rule of law as a frontline Law Enforcement Agency”, Akoh stated.

    Akoh further stated that his organization and his person have not committed any known crime under the laws of Nigeria, vowing to present himself for prosecution when the Police comply with court orders.

    His words, “We are ever ready to defend ourselves before any court of law as it is our wish to clear ourselves of any allegations.”

    The Peace Corps Boss expressed regrets, that, after securing over 15 valid court judgements, the Police and others have continued to clampdown on his organization, this, he said would only paint the country in bad light before the international community.

    “The truth is that, he is only courting more enemies for this administration that is known for its strong aversion to all manner of impunities, which is injurious to our President, who is doing all that is humanly possible to place Nigeria on the path of economic and political recovery”, Akoh stated.

  • Police to reopen Peace Corps building

    Officials of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) led by its National Commandant, Dickson Akoh have staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of their headquarters which has been sealed off by the police for a year. They demanded that the facility be reopened following a series of court judgments in their favour.

    After hours of waiting and calls, the police assured the Peace Corp of Nigeria (PCN) of reopening its headquarters within seven days.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police Sadiq Bello later disclosed this through a phone conversation with the National Commandant of PCN Ambassador Dickson Akoh.

    It would be recalled that the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Justice and Equity, had on January 25, 2018, petitioned the House, accusing the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, of flagrantly disobeying subsisting court orders in favour of the Peace Corps.

    House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions directed the police to vacate the headquarters of the PCN which has been under lock and key since February 28, 2017.

    Following the conversation, Akoh lauded the Police for approaching the matter in a civil way.

    He said this is the first time they had been spoken to by the police respectfully.

    He said, “Since they have for the first time spoken to us in a very humane manner we will not disrespect superior order, we respect constituted authority and in that spirit we will leave.

    “The CP has intervened and we will disengage because we are peaceful people. Their approach was very civil and he has spoken on behalf of the Inspector General (IG) that we should allow the House of Reps to exhaust their judgment,” he said.

    “If this matter has been handled this way by the then CP; engaging and discussing with us, it wouldn’t have gotten to this level,” he added.

    Akoh appealed to the Federal Government to see the need of accenting to the Peace Corp Bill which has passed second reading at the National Assembly, and forwarded to President Mohammadu Buhari since January this year.

    The Bill, he said, would alleviate the suffering of teeming young Nigerian seeking for employment, adding that the Peace Corps will focus on gathering intelligence for security especially at the community level.

     

  • Otukpo killings: Peace Corps seeks better security

    Security agencies have been urged to step up security in Otukpo Local Government area of Benue state to curb the wanton killings and destruction of property going on in the area.

    National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Dickson Akoh made this call at a news conference in Abuja.

    Akoh described the latest attacks in the area as “premeditated” being   perpetrated by hoodlums in the two communities of Ondo and Ogobia in Ugboju community of Otukpo local government of Benue state.

    He said, “This morning, Nigerians woke up to the sad news of killings of innocent civilians in two communities of Ondo and Ogobia in Ugboju community of Otukpo local government of Benue state.”

    Akoh who is an indigene and  holds traditional title of “ Ogigo`mebe of Ugboju land” said the renewal of killings yesterday  in the area have led to the killing of a retired major general of Nigerian army and former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state, Lawrence Ugbo.

    “He was allegedly locked up in the boot of his car and burnt to ashes.  This is coming closely on the heels of similar attacks in May and August this year, when several persons were reportedly killed and their houses set ablaze. These attacks, just like this one, left behind tales of anguish in its wake.”

    He said that over 50 persons have lost their lives, saying “these needless attacks have continued unabated for over three years.”

    “Despite the amnesty programme extended to the bearers of illegal arms by Governor Samuel Ortom at the wake of his administration in 2015, the perpetrators of these nefarious acts have refused to surrender arms; perhaps, they enjoy the backings of some blood-thirsty powerful individuals in the society.”

    Akoh lamented that what made the whole incident worrisome is that, the security operatives in Otukpo appeared helpless in containing the situation, which prompted him to donate a well equipped police station and an operational vehicle to Ugboju community last year.

    Akoh therefore called for the setting up of a high-powered and Independent panel of inquiry to immediately investigate and bring I book those behind the attacks even as he appealed to affected individuals and families to exercise restraint for the interest of peace, while the security  unravel the mastermind of the killings.

  • Senate dumps Peace Corps bill

    Senate dumps Peace Corps bill

    The Senate on Tuesday dumped the passage of the Peace Corps Bill.

    It cited fraud, irregularities in the recruitment process and pending court case as reasons for stepping down the passage of the bill.

    The bill is seeking the establishment of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.

    Details later.

  • Osun: Students protest alleged extortion by Peace Corps members

    Students of Technical College, Osogbo, on Wednesday embarked on a protest over alleged extortion by members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria deployed in the school as security personnel.

    The protest, which almost degenerated into a crisis, started when a Peace Corps member detained a student identified as Bakare Hammed for coming late to the school.

    The Peace Corps member was said to have dispossessed the student of N6,000.

    It was learnt that after the money was collected from Hammed, he mobilised other students to confront the Peace Corps member, which resulted in a clash between the students and the Peace Corps members.

    Hammed, who spoke with newsmen, complained of incessant extortion of students by members of the Peace Corps in the process of punishing  students  for lateness.

    “They are fond of extorting us for coming late to school; I have explained to them times without number that my house is far from the school and this is responsible for my lateness.

    “I reside at Container area around Oke-baale. When I came late again today, the peace corps official detained me and collected a sum of N6,000 from me;  the money is meant for part payment of my NABTEB exams.

    “I later mobilised my friends to get my money back from him and this resulted into a clash before members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria came to arrest us,” he said.

    The Head of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Osun, Mr. Mukaila Oyedokun, said members of the group came to the scene to douse the tension between members of the Peace Corps and students of the school.

    Also reacting, the Commandant of the Peace Corps in the state, Mr. Ayinde Kayode, debunked the allegation of extortion by his men, saying members of the group were not involved in the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Folashade Odoro, said the police had been able to put the situation under control.

     

  • Senator submits bill for abolition of State of Origin

    Senator submits bill for abolition of State of Origin

    The Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye Friday disclosed that he has submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin.

    Melaye said this in Abuja at the unveiling of the 18th anniversary logo of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN).

    He said that Nigerians should be united in everything instead of victimizing one another.

    The lawmaker disclosed that the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN) has performed to the admiration of the National Assembly hence the need to support the organization.

    He said the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki has assured him that the third reading of the PCN bill in the Senate will be slated soonest.

    His words: “I have submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin. We are one united indivisible people in this country we do not need state of origin. My bill will be that instead of state of origin we should have state of residence. Where ever you reside is your state. For example Emaka can become governor of Kano State, Oluwole can decide to become the governor of Borno State and Abudul Malik can want to become the governor of Edo State. That is the Nigeria of our dream and that is for the youth to actualize.

    “The PCN has demonstrated service in your labour for Nigeria in the last 18 years. I acknowledge that you are a very responsible organization and you have done well. I want to encourage you to press on and you will continue to enjoy the support of Nigerians like myself. And I the Senate President send his support and encouragement.

    “He has assured me that the third reading of the bill in the Senate will be slated soonest and I want to assure you that it has been passed in the House of Representatives and I will personally supervise the concurrent in the Senate.  I appreciate the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the supervisory roll and encouragement.

    “I charge the Nigerian youths to shun violence; they are yet to discover their strength. This country is yours. Youth need attitudinal change.”

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung said government will continue to support the PCN and urged the organization to keep up the good work.

    Dalung who was represented by the Permanent Secretary advised PCN to continue to respect constituted authority with the view to enhance peace in the country.

    The National Commandant of PCN, Amb. Dickson Akoh said despite being subjected to series of institutional and fundamental challenges PCN has so far triumph adding that its achievements over the years is the most recent passage of a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps by the House of Representatives on June 9, 2016.

    Akoh said it is the hope of all that the Bill will scale through third reading at the Senate.