The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Protesters

  • Protesters march on Downing Street, demand Cameron’s resignation

    Protesters march on Downing Street, demand Cameron’s resignation

    •PM admits he botched handling of tax issue

    Hundreds of protesters, many of them wearing Panama hats, rallied outside Downing Street, London, the official residence of embattled Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday asking him to “close tax loopholes or resign”.

    Some moved in the direction of the Tory Spring conference at Whitehall to drive home their point that he should quit after admitting to have profited from more than 30,000 pounds in an offshore tax haven.

    Cameron is one of the world’s leaders mentioned in the leaked 11 million documents held by the Panama law firm of Mossack Fonseca.

    The under fire PM told the conference yesterday that he botched the handling of the row over his finances.

    But he pledged to ‘learn the lessons’ from the controversy over his ownership of shares in his late father’s offshore investment fund and insisted voters should ‘blame me’ over the affair.

    He also said he had been ‘angry’ about accusations made about his father.

    He offered to release six years of his personal tax returns to persuade the public he was being transparent.

    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he “looked forward” to that publication.

    The Cameron-must-go protesters carried placards   urging Cameron to ‘go now’.

    Some other placards said: ‘he’s got to go’, ‘time to go chum’ and ‘Eton’s mess’.

    A huge pig with the Prime Minister’s face emblazoned on the front was hoisted into the air above the crowd who chanted ‘David Cameron must resign / Tax evasion is a crime’.

    However, policemen blocked them from entering the venue of the Tory Spring Conference.

    The organiser of the Downing Street protest, freelance writer Abi Wilkinson, said : “The thing that really made us think we had to get out and protest was the news that, in 2013 when the EU were trying to crack down on offshoring and tax avoidance, he stepped in and actually weakened what they were trying to do.’

    House of Commons leader Chris Grayling said those accusing Cameron of misleading the public were making a ‘mountain out of a mole hill’.

    The PM, addressing the Tory forum said: “It’s not been a great week. I know that I should have handled this better, I could have handled this better, I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them.

    “Don’t blame No 10 Downing Street, or nameless advisors. Blame me. And I will learn the lessons.”

    Of his father, he said: “I love my dad. I miss him every day, he was a wonderful father and I am very proud of everything he did.

    “But I must not let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought the shares in the unit trust, shares that are like any other sort of shares.

    “I paid tax on them in exactly the same way. I sold those shares, in fact I sold all the shares that I owned on becoming Prime Minister.

    “And later on, I will be publishing the information that goes into my tax return – not just this year but for years gone past because I want to be completely transparent and open about these things.”

    No. 10 Downing Street indicated yesterday that Cameron would release tax returns dating back to the 2009-10 tax year – the year in which he and wife Samantha sold their £31,000 stake in Blairmore Holdings.

    The Camerons made a £19,000 profit on the 5,000 shares and the Prime Minister has insisted all relevant UK taxes were properly paid.

    Cameron faces mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers to reveal the full extent of his past investment in offshore investments, particularly those run by his late father, Ian, a millionaire stockbroker who placed much off his savings in trusts based in island tax havens. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and others have vowed to press Cameron on the issue when Parliament reconvenes tomorrow.

    The British prime minister is one of scores of political leaders, celebrities and sports stars who have been linked to shell companies and investment trusts organized by the Panama City-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specializes in registering offshore companies.

    The revelations forced the Prime Minister of Iceland Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson to step aside on Wednesday after the #PanamaPapers revealed his offshore business interests.

    The leaks showed Gunnlaugsson owned an offshore company with his wife but had not declared it when he entered parliament

    He is accused of concealing millions of dollars’ worth of family assets.

    Mr. Gunnlaugsson said he sold his shares to his wife and denied any wrongdoing.

  • Protesters want detained lawmaker released

    Protesters want detained lawmaker released

    Some youths in Ekiti State yesterday staged a peaceful protest to condemn the continued detention of the House of Assembly member representing Efon, Afolabi Akanni, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Acting under the aegis of the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), they converged on Fajuyi Park from where they marched on some major streets of the town.

    They called on the DSS to release Akanni immediately to prevent what they called “possible death in custody”.

    Led by the state NYCN Chairman, Olumide Fasuba, the protesters claimed that the protest was not politically motivated but a call for justice to prevail.

    Some of their placards read: “DSS release Akanni now”; “Nigeria belongs to all of us” and “Gov. Fayose is our man”.

    Fasuba said Akanni’s continued detention without trial was undemocratic, describing it as impunity.

    “This is a peaceful protest and we are gathered to express our displeasure on the continue keeping of our lawmaker in DSS custody.

    “This demonstration is against the impunity, abduction and detention of our lawmaker. It is Akanni today and it can be anybody tomorrow, it can even be you or me.

    “We, therefore, call for his release. He must not die in custody.”

    Corroborating Fasuba, the President of Hausa Community in Ekiti, Nuhu Lawal, urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

    “We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to kindly intervene in the matter, so that the detained lawmaker could regain his freedom unconditionally.

    “DSS should act according to the constitution. Release Akanni or charge him to court, if he has committed any crime.

    “We do not want the current peace being enjoyed in Ekiti to be tampered with,” Lawal said.

  • Protesters ask Saraki to quit

    Protesters ask Saraki to quit

    • Call for Saraki’s suspension

    It was anti-climax yesterday in the Senate. The speculated plot by some Senators to engender the suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa failed to materialise.

    The Senate resolved to refer Marafa, who represents Zamfara Central Senatorial District to its Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions over alleged uncomplimentary comments against the institution of the Senate.

    Instead of the reported suspension, protesters took over the gate of the National Assembly. They demanded the resignation of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Although, Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu submitted the committee’s report on alleged Marafa’s misdemeanor, the report was not considered.

    Some Senators claimed that the report was not considered “for some obvious reasons” without saying exactly what amounted to “obvious reasons.’

    The title of the report of the investigation of Marafa, which was the eight to be received by the Senate yesterday simply read: “That the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the complaint from Senator Isah Misau and two others against Senator Kabiru Marafa over a publication on February 7th 2016 and for allegedly misleading the public against the Senate and the National Assembly.”

    Immediately Anyanwu laid the report as required by the Senate rules, there was heightened tension especially in the Senate gallery that the report would be considered to pave the way for the suspension of the Zamfara lawmaker.

    That was not to be as the Senate considered a few other reports and apparently kept the investigative report on Marafa in view.

    When the committee met on Monday, Marafa was absent forcing members of the committee to go into a closed session to take a position.

    Also, the prime mover of the motion that led the Senate to resolve to investigate Marafa, Senator Isah Hamma Misau was absent.

    Senator Mathew Urhoghide, who seconded the motion appeared before the committee to defend the motion.

    It was not clear when the report would be considered but some insiders noted that considering the high wired politics associated with the issues raised by Marafa in the alleged offensive interview, the Senate might take its time before considering the report.

    It is also not clear what the Senator Anyanwu Ethics and Privileges Committee recommended to the Senate.

    A source said that the committee might have taken exception to Marafa’s absence at the investigative hearing on Monday to ask the Senate to reprimand him.

    Another source noted that “Marafa is likely to escape severe punishment especially when only four members of the committee out of a total of 11 members attended the investigative hearing on Monday.”

    Yet another source said that the controversial report might be considered today “due to its urgency and need to reassure Nigerians that Saraki is still in charge of the Senate.”

    The group of protesters under the aegis of Open Society Coalition and Good Governance Initiative, demanded for the immediate resignation of Saraki “in order for him to focus on his trial at the CCT.”

    The group displayed banners with various inscriptions such as: “Suspend Saraki, not Marafa”; “Stop suspending members, leave the Senate and face CCT”; “Democracy survives in inclusiveness, not in suspending people of different opinion”;  and “National Assembly, centre of Democracy not Fascist centre.”

    Coordinator of the group, Mr. Emeka Ude, told reporters that the planned suspension of Marafa was undemocratic.

    He said that the suspension of Marafa would dent the image of the Senate and portray the upper chamber as an institution that is opposed to free speech.

    Ude said, “Democracy thrives where there is fairness, rule of law, freedom of expression among others.

    “In a situation where the legislature is foreclosing the democtatic space, that is an invitation to Fascism”

    He noted that Saraki should encourage others with contrary views instead of trying to suppress them through threat of suspension.

    Asked why they were clamouring for the resignation of the Senate President, Ude said Saraki was standing criminal trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    He also faulted the referral of the alleged Marafa derogatory comments to the Senate Ethics Committee saying it showed Saraki had made up his mind to punish Marafa.

    END

     

  • South African police clash with protesters after death of Nigerian in custody

    South African police clash with protesters after death of Nigerian in custody

    South African police yesterday fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at a group of Nigerians protestingthe death of an unnamed 33-year-old fellow Nigerian near Johannesburg.

    The scene was chaotic in front of Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park northeast of Johannesburg as police clashed with the protesters, witnesses said.

    The protest took place after news emerged that the unnamed Nigerian was beaten up and suffocated to death by law enforcement agents in a police van in Kempton Park.

    Police however said the man overdosed on drugs he swallowed as he was arrested.

    Spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Robbie Raburabu told News24 that police said the man was arrested for possession of drugs.

    “As soon as he saw the police coming, he swallowed the drugs and overdosed and died on the scene,” said Raburabu.

    “It was a sizeable amount of drugs.”

    This account was dismissed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Union in Gauteng Province, who said that the victim was beaten to death by the police.

    The protesters gathered outside the hospital and tried to prevent the police from taking the body away for forensic examination.

    The forensic experts had to come outside to retrieve the body.

    According to Netcare911 spokesperson,AthlendaMathe, scores of people sustained minor injuries and two others sustained moderate to serious injuries following the riot.

    “Reports from the scene are that at least five hundred people gathered near the Arwyp Medical Centre. The causes of the riots are subject for police investigation and comment.”

    Netcare911 had to be called to the scene and treated several injured, with some taken to a nearby hospital for further medical care.

    “Those that were injured were treated for gas inhalation, assault and injuries inflicted by stones,” Mathe said.

    The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed the death of the Nigerian whose name was withheld.

    The IPID said it was investigating the incident.

    Police said they had brought the situation under control.

    The death of the Nigerian national was reminiscent of police brutality that has happened before.

    South African police were put under the spotlight in 2013 when a video showed police murdering Mozambican taxi driver MidoMacia by tying and dragging him behind a police van.

     

    A South African court later convicted eight policemen of murdering the Mozambican driver.

     

     

  • IPOB protest disrupt activities in Asaba

    IPOB protest disrupt activities in Asaba

    Protesters under the aegis of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Monday disrupted commercial activities in major streets of Asaba, Delta State.

    This may not be unconnected with the continued incarceration of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

    The placard carrying protesters who also bore various Biafra insignias insisted that they would remain in the streets until the detained Kanu is released from the custody of security agencies.

    The protest paralyzed socio-economic activities in the metropolis, causing traffic gridlock on the ever busy Nnebisi Road.

    One of the protesters who simply identified himself as Mr. Ikenna said that the protest was a peaceful one to prevail on the Federal Government to release Kanu from detention.

    Ikenna said security agencies were cooperating with them, noting that they were not being harassed as it used to be in the past.

    “This is a peaceful protest for the release of our leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu from prison. We will continue to remain on the streets until he is freed. This protest is happening in Asaba alone by members of IPOB,” Ikenna added.

    The detained Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was billed to appear in court yesterday (Monday) for charges bordering on treasonable felony but disagreement between IPOB members, his family members and his wife over change of his counsel might jeopardize his chances in the legal tussle.

  • Protesters are APC thugs, says PDP

    The Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said protesters asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel last Saturday’s election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area are “thugs” of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Director of Publicity of PDP’s Restoration Campaign Organisation (RCO) Mr. Jonathan Obuebite urged the police commissioner and heads of other security agencies to check APC’s protest.

    In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, Obuebite urged residents to beware of the protests.

    The RCO spokesman alleged that the protesters had instructions to unleash mayhem on the streets of the state capital.

    He also urged residents to steer clear of the protesters and forestall any form of molestation.

    Obuebite said: “We are calling on Bayelsans, particularly business and shop owners, to beware of these protests. We have it on good authority that the protesters have been instructed to unleash violence and mayhem on the streets of Yenagoa, under the guise of asking INEC to declare their candidate winner of the December 5 election.

    “As the protest is bound to get violent, Bayelsans are advised to take precaution to steer clear of the protesters and guard against any form of molestation.”

    The RCO chief hoped that security agencies would forestall any breakdown of law and order.

  • 100 protesters released from Burundi prison

    No fewer than 100 Burundian protesters who opposed President Pierre Nkurunziza during months of violence have been released from prison, officials said.

    Deo Ruberintwari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, said that the protesters were freed on Tuesday as the government held aid talks with European Union officials.

    Burundi, which emerged from a 12-year civil war a decade ago, began spiraling into chaos in April when Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term, causing months of protests in Bujumbura and a failed coup.

    Burundi has been holding talks with EU officials on whether it can continue benefitting from EU aid after arresting hundreds of protesters, shutting private media houses and closing bank accounts of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

    Ruberintwari, however said that the release of the protesters “has no connection with the consultations under way”.

    Activists and human rights groups said many of the protesters were young men who were beaten while in prison, an allegation which the officials had denied.

    According to government’s spokesman, Philippe Nzobonariba, media and other organisations were shut down for criminality and there was evidence that a failed coup in May was financed through bank accounts of NGOs.

    Nzobonariba said that he expected Burundi and EU countries to come up with an agreement for vital aid flows to continue.

    The U.S, in November warned that Burundi was on the brink of civil war and would need regional mediation to establish a peace process between the government and opposition to avert a new conflict.

    Regional efforts to cool Burundi’s crisis had stumbled, in spite of calls by African Union and East African states for dialogue.

  • Protesters block Lagos Assembly over abnormal electricity tariff

    Protesters block Lagos Assembly over abnormal electricity tariff

    Scores of residents marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday.

    They blocked the two entrances for hours.

    The protesters carried lanterns and placards to protest against the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

    Under the auspices of Youth Alliance for better Nigeria, they lamented that every month they pay huge electricity bills when they hardly ever get power supply.

    Some of the placards read: “Outrageous bill, oppressive conduct of staff”; “Fashola save Nigerians from darkness”; “Enough exploitation of 10 streets on a transformer” ; “We need prepaid metres”; “Frustration of government effort to provide employment by not improving the epileptic power supply”; “IKEDC should stop substandard prepaid metres “and “If you cannot serve us, you should not exploit us”.

    The protesters were angry that no lawmaker came to address them.

    They blocked the road leading to the Governor’s Office.

    The protesters lamented that some areas in Alimosho have not had power supply for months.

    Their leader, Moruf Adegoke Niniola, said this was not the first time of protesting against IKEDC.

    According to him, a delegation had met with the government, which set up a committee.

    He, however, said some top management staff of IKEDC frustrated the move for an amicable solution.

    “As I am talking to you, the committee is not sitting anymore.

    “The last sitting was on  October 2. Abule-Odu in Alimosho has not had power supply in more than three months.

    “The IKEDC supplied pre-paid metres to customers but they have not been working.

    “The company has resorted to coded billing system or what you call estimated billing,” he said.

    Addressing the protesters after yesterday’s sitting, the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, told the protesters that the struggle was a genuine move to ameliorate the plight of Nigerians.

    Advising the protesters to make the fight a collective one, Agunbiade said: “The struggle is not meant for those who are here alone, it is a struggle for everybody.

    “I do not want you to isolate your struggle. The moment some people in the struggle negate the belief, you can’t achieve the purpose.”

     

     

     

  • Southeast right activists fault military over threat to protesters

    Southeast right activists fault military over threat to protesters

    The Coalition of Southeast Human Rights Organisations yesterday deplored the warning issued by the Army to pro-Biafra campaigners to stop their protests.

    The coalition said the people have a right to campaign for self determination provided they do so in a peaceful manner.

    The activists faulted the military’s threat to clamp down on the protesters.

    The coalition, in a statement in Onitsha, said: “The stern warning or riot act so issued is totally misguided, vexatious, shallow, dubiously intended and constitutionally incoherent.

    “The stern warning or riot act was also grossly misdirected, as it ought to have been directed to the Boko Haram terror insurgents who have severally disclosed their intention to violently destroy the country’s existing socio-legal system and put in place radical Islamic theocracy.

    “Till date, the IPOB pressure group and millions of its supporters have not used or advocated violence.

    “We see the stern warning or riot act as a clear declaration by the Nigerian Army of an intention to commit crimes against humanity by indicating its readiness to deploy and use brute force to ‘suppress’ ongoing peaceful and non violent processions involving the IPOB pressure group and its teeming supporters.

    “From the body language of the Nigerian Army, it may most likely stage-manage or create group violence, arson, vandalism and damages to property so as to find grounds to deploy and use brute force as well as justification of same.”

    The statement was signed by Comrade Aloysius Attah for Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organisation; Emeka Umeagbalasi for International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law; Comrade Peter Onyegiri for Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy; Comrade Samuel Njoku for Human Rights Club (a project of LRRDC); Comrade Justus Uche Ijeoma for Forum for Justice, Equity & Defense of Human Rights; Comrade Chike Umeh for Society Advocacy Watch Project; Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Esq., for Anambra Human Rights Forum; Comrade Alex Olisa for: Southeast Good Governance Forum; and Eze Eluchie, Esq. for PADDI Foundation.

     

  • Pro-Biafra protesters cripple activities in Port Harcourt

    Pro-Biafra protesters cripple activities in Port Harcourt

    Hundreds of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members calling for the creation of the sovereign state of Biafra yesterday protested in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The presence of over 200 men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), deployed in the Aba/Port Harcourt Expressway, did not deter them.

    The protesters, who gathered at the Oyigbo junction as early 6.30am, crippled commercial and other activities in major parts of the city.

    The agitators were said to have arrived in the Garden City from Aba, Abia State, through the Aba Expressway.

    They got to the Artillery junction on Aba Road before anti-riot policemen blocked them.

    The scene became rowdy and the police used teargas to disperse the protesters.

    In the stampede that ensued, some of the protesters fell and others scampered for the safety.

    Some of them later converged on a spot in the area, accusing the police of shooting live ammunition at the protesters.

    One of the protesters, Samuel Elijah, 25, said the demonstration was meant to make the Federal Government release their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested for running an “illegal” Radio Biafra.

    Some residents of Aba Road, who were forced to shut their homes and businesses, decried the development.

    They said the protesters should have complied with the procedure for protests to avoid a clash with security agents.

    Despite the tear gas canisters fired at them by the police, the protesters insisted on getting to the Government House to see Governor Nyesom Wike.

    But the Rivers State government yesterday dissociated itself from the agitation, saying it “takes exception to the disruption of commercial activities by the protesters”.

    A statement in Port Harcourt by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Simeon Nwakudu, said: “The Rivers State government believes in one indivisible Nigeria. In as much as people have the right to peaceful protests, it should not be at the detriment of other members of the public.

    “If the protesters have any misgivings, they should channel same to the appropriate authorities.”

    The police command said it was monitoring the situation to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    Police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said reports at his disposal “indicate that nobody was shot let alone injured”.

    An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, said: “It was something else today (yesterday). The protesters wanted to confront the police, who fired several tear gas canisters at them, but somehow, they changed their minds and insisted they must get to the Government House.

    “I salute the professional way the police handled the matter; if not, there would have been casualties.”

    He added: “After battling for hours to stop the protesters, the police had to surrender and escort them as they were moved on, pulling down the Nigerian flag, throwing stones at banks offices and even compelling people to chant Biafra solidarity song.”

    Sensing that they would find it difficult to get to their destination through Aba Road, another group of protesters re-grouped on the Ikwerre Road, from where they moved on to Mile One, heading to the Government House.

    Flying the Biafra flags, the agitators chanted solidarity songs, such as: “Obey o, you must obey Biafra!”