A Lagos High Court has ruled that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to maximum dictator, Sanni Abacha must die by hanging for the 1994 murder of Hajia Kudirat Abiola, the wife of the late business mogul and winner of the June 12 election, Bashorun MKO Abiola.
SUPREME COURT 'INTERPRETES' THE 1999 CONSTITUTION.
'Its a firing season'
FIVE STATE GOVERNORS KICKED OUT OVER TENURE ELONGATION
The Supreme Court, today (Friday, 27th January, 2012), sacked five governors of Bayelsa, Adamawa, Sokoto, C/River, Kogi state from their respective office.
In a unanimous decision, a 7-man panel of justices of the apex court, maintained that the affected governors exceeded the 4-years tenure that was specifically stipulated in section 180(2) of the 1999 constitution.
Consequently, it made an order setting aside the two lower courts judgments that ab-initio elongated the tenure of the governors till this year.
The affected governors are Timipre Sylva(Bayelsa,) Magatakada Wamakko (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke(C/River), Ibrahim Idris(Kogi) and Murtala Nyako ( Adamawa).
The section reads:
180 (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of period of four years commencing from the date when -
(a) in the case of a person first elected as Governor under this Constitution, he took the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office; and
(b) the person last elected to that office took the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths.
The court held that the provisions of that section of the Constitution will stand violated if the tenure of office of the Governors is calculated from their second taking of Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance and stated that their tenure started counting from their first Oath of office which they all took after they were declared winners of the April 2007 elections and that they are entitled to four year terms from that date.
The court also rapped the Peoples Democratic party for attempting to abort the hearing of the matter at the court through their preliminary objections filed against all the consolidated appeals. The party had argued that the subject matter of the appeals have become academic and should be dismissed.
The Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly take over as governors in acting capacity.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS ACTING INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved theappointment of Mr. Mohammed D. Abubakar as Acting Inspector General of Police as a first step towards the comprehensive reorganization and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force to make it more effective and capable of meeting emerging internal security challenges.
Mr. Abubakar who is currently an Assistant Inspector General of Police replaces Mr. Hafiz Ringim who proceeds on terminal leave with effect from today, 25th January 2012.
Born on May 5, 1958, Mr. Abubakar enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on July 30, 1979. He was the AIG in charge of Zone 12 Headquarters in Bauchi, before his new appointment. President Jonathan has also approved the retirement of all Deputy Inspectors General of Police with immediate effect. These are: Mrs. Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, DIG POL 2i/c Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Azubuko J. Udah, DIG Administration (“A” Dept), Mr. Sardauna Abubukar, DIG Training (“E” Dept.); Mr. Audu
Abubakar, DIG Operations (“B” Dept); Mr. Saleh Abubakar, DIG Works (“C” Dept.) and Mr. Mohammed A. Yesufu, DIG Planning and Info-Tech (“F” Dept.).
The President has also established a Special Committee to oversee the urgent reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force. The committee is to be chaired by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry B.O Osayande, DIG (rtd).
Other Members of the Committee are:
1. Mr. Casimir T. Akagbosu, AIG (rtd.), mni
2. Mr. Bashir A. Albasu, AIG (rtd.), fwc.
3. Major Gen. S.N. Chikwe, rtd.
4. Prof. S.D. Mukoro
5. Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN
6. Aisha Larai Tukur
7. Solicitor General of the Federation
8. Permanent Secretary, SSO, Office of the SGF to serve as the Secretary to the Committee
The Committee’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
1. To identify the challenges and factors militating against effective performance in the Nigeria Police Force and make recommendations for addressing the challenges.
2. To examine the scope and standard of training and other personnel development activities in the Police to determine their adequacy or otherwise.
3. To determine the general and specific causes of the collapse of public confidence in the police and recommend ways of restoring public trust in the institution.
4. To examine records of performance of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force with a view to identifying those that can no longer fit into the system due to declining productivity, age, indiscipline, corruption and/or disloyalty;
5. To make any other recommendations for the improvement of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Committee’s recommendations shall be implemented along with those by previous committees set up by Government on the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
25 January 2012
Artisans, in thousands, enroute to Gani Fawehinmi Park, venue of the OccupyNigeria protest in Lagos.
Youth from all quarters using the event to show their artistic side. Here, a young man posed as herbalist, threatening to rain curse on GEJ.
'Chief Iman' for the youth (standing on motorcycle) protesting against removal of fuel subsidy.
Myself, Don Abiodun Odedeyi, on ground. The reason why you are viewing these exclusive pictures
Another youth posing as king, with his entourage (in white), on their way to the protest ground.
'We cant wash our hands clean before prayer anymore', these alfas seems to be saying.
'Don't push me'
'Don't push me'
Alfa Sule of 'o ti gan pa' fame was at the protest ground.
One of the ojota 'agbero' telling GEJ his own opinion on the fuel subsidy price.
While this white pastor was doing it alone, his performance quickly attracted admirers who join him in his heavenly dance.
From the other side of the world, masquerades seems to feel the heat of fuel subsidy removal.
At first, I thought this was a deliverance session. on a closer look (Next picture), it was evidence that the young man also wanted to be part of the ongoing Lagos (carnival) protest.
God knows where he got the cow-head carcass from... he pursue anyone who dare wait on his approach but do no harm to anyone caught unguarded.
When I approached him, he said, "Mo fe kan GEJ pa ni" (I want to ram GEJ to death)
Sango incarnate at the Ojota Protest ground
This young banker's silent speaks more than many speaker who mounted the protest stage.
How much did he want the price to be?
This is my picture of the year. This young man, (God knows where he got the custume from), matched from morning till evening. A large crowd troop behind him singing Fela popular song ZOMBIE.
All picture posted on this site were taking between Monday 9 Jannuary and Friday 13 january, 2012 during the OccupyNigeria protest. Venue, Ojota, Lagos, Nigeria.
All right reserved.
For any info, contact odedeyi abiodun +2347066261301, abiodunodedeyi@gmail.com
Twitter: donabiodun, Facebook: Don Abidun Odedeyi
Recordings between the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship and the Livorno Port Authority, which is part of the Coastal Guards, have given new insight into what happened on the ship when it hit rocks Friday night just off Italy's western coast.
A total of 23 people remain missing following the wreck, which led to 11 deaths, Italian officials said Tuesday. Capt. Francesco Schettino is under arrest and may face charges that include manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning a ship when passengers were still on board, according to an Italian prosecutor.
Questions abound for captain of doomed cruise ship
Below are several transcripts of recordings between authorities and the captain published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Livorno Port Authorities: "Concordia, we ask you if all is OK there." Concordia: "All is well."
----------------------- Port authority: "Concordia. We ask you if all is well there." Concordia: "All is well. It is only a technical failure." Port authority: "How many people are on board?" Schettino: "Two-three hundred" Port authority: "How come so few people? Are you on board?’ Schettino: "No, I’m not on board because the ship is keeling. We’ve abandoned it." Port authority: "What? You’ve abandoned the ship?" Schettino: "No. What abandon? I’m here."
----------------------- Port authority: "You must return on board. Climb the ladder (rope ladder), return to the fore (stem) and coordinate the work." Schettino does not reply Port authority: "You must tell us how many people are on board, how many women, how many children. You have to coordinate the rescue operation. Commander, this is an order. Now I’m in charge, you have abandoned ship and now you are going to go to the stem and coordinate the work. There are already dead bodies." Schettino: "How many?" Port authority: "You should be the one telling me this…What do you want to do? Do you want to go home?...Now go back on the stem and tell me what to do.." Port authority: "Listen, this is De Falco from Livorno. Am I speaking with the captain?" Schettino: "Yes." Port authority: "Tell me your name." Schettino: "This is Captain Schettino, commandant." Port authority: "Listen Schettino, there are people trapped on board. Now, you have to go with your lifeboat and go under the boat stem on the straight side, there is a ladder there." Port authority: "Get on board on the ship and tell me, you tell me how many people there are." Port authority: "Clear? I’m recording this conversation, Captain Schettino." Schettino: "Well then commandant, I need to tell you something." Port authority: "Speak loudly." Schettino: "The ship now…I’m here in front of it..." Port authority: "Captain, speak loudly." Schettino: "Commandant, at this moment the ship is tilted." Port authority: "I understand. Listen. There are people who are coming down the stem ladder. You must take that ladder in the opposite direction. Get on board the ship and you tell me how many people are on board, and what do they have. Clear? You tell me if there are children, women, people with special needs. And you tell me how many there are of each category..." Port authority: "Is that clear?" Port authority: "Look Schettino, you might have been saved from the sea, but I will make sure you go through a very rough time…I will make sure you go through a lot of trouble. Get on board, damn it." Schettino: "Commandant, please…"
Port authority: "No...please. No, you get on board. Assure me that you are getting on board." Schettino: (Hard to understand) "I’m here with the rescuers. I’m here. I’ve not gone anywhere. I’m here." Port authority: "What are you doing captain?" Schettino: "I’m here coordinating the rescue." Port authority: (Speaks over captain): "What are you coordinating there? Go on board and coordinate from there the rescue operation. Are you refusing?" Schettino: "No, no, I’m not refusing." Port authority: "You are refusing to go on board? And why are you not going on board?" Schettino: "I am going because now there is the other motorboat (Lancia) that has stopped now." Port authority: "You go on board. It is an order. You cannot make any other evaluations. You have declared abandoning ship. Now I’m in charge. You get on board. Is it clear?" Schettino: "Commandant..." Port authorityover captain: "Are you not listening to me.." Schettino speaks over Port authority: "I’m going..." Schettino: "Call me immediately when you get on board. Our rescue officer is there." Schettino: "Where is your rescue officer?" Port authority: "My rescue officer is at the stem…Go …(can hear captain saying OK)…There are already bodies, Schettino." Schettino: "How many dead bodies are there?" Port authority: "I don’t know. I know of one. I’ve heard of one. You are the one to tell me how many there are. Christ!" Schettino: "Are you aware that it is dark here and we cannot see anything?" Port authority: "So? Do you want to go home Schettino? It is dark and you want to go home? Climb the ladder and get on the stem." Port authority: "...and tell me what can be done, how many people are there, what do they need. Now." Schettino: "Commandant, we are with the second in command…" Port authority: "Then both of you climb up. What is his name?" Schettino: "Dimitris Christidis." Port authority: "You are your guard. Go on board, now!" Schettino: "Commandant… I want to go on board, it is just that the other lifeboat here…there are other rescue operators... it has stopped and it is stuck there... now I’ve called other rescue operators..." Port authority: "It is one hour that you are telling me this. You go on board. On b.o.a.r.d (says the word slowly almost spelling it out). And you immediately tell me how many people there are" Schettino: "OK."
Saturday 14 January 2012
Nigeria Government VS the People (our Advantage)
Recently, friends and followers raised concern over the ongoing occupynigeriaprotest presently going on across the country. With cities shut down totally by citizenry, many are still pessimistic about the outcome of true independent of Nigeria for Nigerians.
'It’s a waste of time'
'Labour will compromise'
'You will just end up dead while someone else enjoy your sweat'
Indeed, previous records of negotiation between the FG and NLC show that never has any change in price returned to status-quo; ground has always been shift.
However, the timing couldn’t have been better. The removal of subsidy on petrol by FG coincides with the face-off between Iran and US/EU that had threatened to increase the international fuel price.
Iran, for a while had been accused of enriching Uranium with the hope of manufacturing A-Bomb which Iran had repeatedly denied.
According to it President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "Tehran’s nuclear program was intended only for generating electricity"
In February 2006, however, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) charged that it had evidence of an Iranian military program to produce high explosives, like those used in detonating a nuclear weapon. This earned Iran a tough sanction from the UN.
Recently, further sanctions were being prepare on Iran for it refusal to stop the enrichment of Uranium which the US predicted is now about 20% pure.
In response, Iran threatened that any further sanction, the country will close the Strait of Oman.
If this happened, it will mean 40% of the world total oil export will be trap in the Persian Gulf. This will leave China, US among others in extreme shortage of crude oil.
The strait of Oman is a small inlet of about 52 miles in width that open seaway into the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf is the sea port used by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman to export crude oil to the world.
About 40% of the world total oil will be trapped if the Strait of Oman is closed by Iran.
This treat caused the International crude oil price to skyrocket.
While these were going on, the FGN removed subsidy, a move that spark wide protest across the country with a standoff between the people and their representative.
When PENGASSAN announced that it Union will join the strike, there were international concern.
The reason for this concern is not far fetch.
Crude oil price could go up as high as 60%. This will hurt China's industry by more than half and U.S. by about 30%. Fuel shortage is a gap which neither China nor American will accept to happen in the face of Russia's ever increasing treat, Europe economic burden and the alienation of the West by Latin American oil producing country.
If anyone is still having a second doubt about the Iranian saga, on the 11th of January, 2012, a top Iranian scientist was killed by magnetic bomb in the country's capital. Iran was quick to point accusing finger on Israel and US.
While US denied any involvement and condemned the act, as at the time of filing this report, Israel is yet to say anything about it.
While many hypothesis about the future of this country heat the feet of the government from within, the ripple effect of another major oil producing country shutting off it production maybe more than
the coalition of international countries may handle.
Odds against OccupyNigeria
The resilient of many had, by the end of the first week, wan thin. Drained of fund, many protesters are ready to resume their businesses irrespective of what price the pump price is. I went round the city of Lagos, spoke with many friend via social media, collated responses from post and tweets; there was overwhelming negative attitude to the continuation of the protest. Many see the resolution of the NLC/ FGN as the stop for the struggle.
Lack of information, especially to the interior town and cities of Nigeria is hampering the real reason for the struggle. Many of these cities rely on NTA for news, the same NTA that is blacking out news and footages about the protests, the size of the protesters and their demands. Conventional methods may not go far and many cities may soon see themselves isolated in the struggle for a better Nigeria.
It thus left to see how long the citizens’ resilient will last or the government’s tactics will end up.
The future of Nigeria and indeed the prosperity of it people is vested in the selfless sacrifice of it leaders.
Having said that, the current ongoing faceoff between the FGN and it citizens will surely be a turning point of what we spell how Nigerian government treats the masses. Anyone born of this generation may argue blindly that good times had never passed the shore of this country.
Indeed, there were times when Nigeria was sleeping in gold and diamond, in the days of oil boom of the 70s, until trouble started during the Babangida regime (1985-1993) when SAP was introduced and according to him (IBB), the effect of the programme will be 'for a short while'. This was supported by IMF and World Bank and the price of fuel was increase from 70k to N5 overnight.
Things degenerated, beyond words, during the Abacha regime when men were no more men, men became less men, men were thrown back to the stone age, the most civilized of us citizens were made to cook with saw-dusts when price of Kerosene was way beyond even the rich.
The introduction of democracy brought back some check and balance and things started looking up (1999), under the Obasanjo-led administration but the payoff of about $19b to Paris Club, a move spearheaded by the then Minister of Finance, Okonjo Iweala signal a grand opening of corruption that soon may burst the country's economy. While pundit argued that such huge amount should be channeled to infrastructure developments, the FEC held ground that amount to be saved on debt servicing will be more than enough to do just that.
Among items listed to be affected with the no debt servicing payment were roads, schools, hospitals, electricity etc.
Well, as a Nigerian saying goes maybe tomorrow will those items promised in 2006 be implemented.
On ground, insecurity was on the increase with militants in Niger-Delta, Kidnapping became a lucrative trade in the East, pockets of kidnapping in the West, religious tension in the North and the emerging of Boko Haram in the North East.
In 2010, the then President, Yaradua was ill and flown abroad for medical treatment, an action that left a power vaccum which almost split the country. His subsequent death resulted in a peaceful transition of power to his deputy GEJ whose short term in office was extensively criticize by many. But the majority of his southern kinsmen ask for more time saying H.E. need time to assert himself in office.
His real test came when the 2012 Budget was presented few weeks before the end of 2011 and there were widespread of a federal strategy that doesn't want the people to really scrutinise the budget before passage. About the same time, it was announced that the FG is planning on removing subsidy on fuel as the move cannot be sustained if infrastructure is to be embarked on in the country.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that 70% of the Budget is spent on government while a little is used on infrastructure development. FEC argument on fuel subsidy removal was that there will be enough fund to embark on infrastructural development.
In another claim, CBN governor alleged that over N1.5t is used annually to subsidise fuel and at the end of the year a deficit of N200b is also incurred. In other to convince Nigerians, town hall meetings were held in Lagos and Abuja and a possible date of April 1, 2012 was still being discussed when Nigerian woke up on January 1, 2012 to the news that subsidy on fuel has been removed. It sparked a nationwide anger and protest in some cities.
While the IMF and World Bank commend the FG for its moves, Labour, civil societies call on the citizen to gear up for mother of all protest against government insencitive to the citizen.
In spite of these, FG neverblink an eye and when Labour declared an indefinite strike, FG went to seek an injuction from an Industrial Court. This follow a national address where the President announced a 25% deductio in Basic salaries of all executive poblic office holder.
Interestingly, a governor's basic salary is about $15,000 while allowance is about $188,000. This revelation furiates many and a nationwide protest appeared in all capital cities and major towns across the country.
Among what the citizen are demanding for are...
Total reduction in government spending
Reverting of fuel price to pre-2012
Resignation of all FEC members
Resignation of the President
Accountability in government among others
Indeed, the call for overhead cost reduction on the part of the FG is a much awaited call. Also, the practice of budget passage days to the end of the year rob the citizen the right to scrutinises the budget and point out bougous allocations like -
about N1b for food allowance (Pres. and VP)
about N600m annual salary for Senate President
about N16m for Gate repairs
about N40m allocation for newpapers etc
While different groups have emerge at the or front of the struggle, it is important to note that their strategy to act as one is quantum-leaping the struggle beyond government control.
Save the Nigeria group
Enough is Enough
Occupy Nigeria
NLC
NMA
ASSU
LASU plus many others were at the occupynigeria rally at the Ganifawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos.
This faceoff and the ongoing strike will go down in history as the point where the future map was drawn. It is left to see who bow and who wins.
Fuel subsidy protests and it aftermath has, again, open some deficits in the Nigeria government. Starting from 3rd of January, 2012 when some cities in Nigeria witnessed the reactiosn of the FG subsidy removal, Odedeyi Abiodun presents you THE TOP 3 HOLES TO PLUG…
1.Senate fix Monday 9 for Subsidy Removal Debate: Indeed, this is simply a show of thoughtlessness despite the huge capital invested in the Senate, despite their late conveyance of sitting (3 months after being elected).
What sort of National Assembly will sit-in, refreshingly, to enjoy their hard earned holiday while the nation groan under the weight of fuel price, get shot at, killed for protesting? Our Senate cannot sacrifice a six-day holiday to save this country from burning rather. I believe they won’t mind spending 9 months (with fat pockets) to salvage the country from it ruin.
What do we do? ****
2.Protest blackout on NTA: While NLC and the entire Nigerians are either marching on the streets of major cities in Nigeria, following the events via social media or stay glue to their television set, our dear largest television network in Africa is busy paying homage to a late Chief Judge’s burial ceremony.
While this move (Media blackout) was a bit successful in Egypt, Libya, Syria or Tunisia, it remains to be seen if such move will aid or mar the outcome of the citizen revolution in Nigeria.
Indeed, the Nigerian government is fast alienating itself away from the government with moves like this.No government remains popular by hoarding information from it citizen. History has revealed that rather than misinformed or denied the populace, actual news becomes exaggerated as it spread via word of mouth and it effects are mostly catastrophic.
What do we do? ****
3.NCC to Telecommunication Companies “shut down Social Media sites”: This allegation was widespread on the 3rd of January with angry reactions, warning in strong terms pouring in from Nigerians to telecommunication companies
§Adedunmade: The question here is who pays? Me or the government?
§Adebanjo:If I pay for my BIS and government tell the telecommunication company to shut me down, well, l will like to tell them that here in Nigeria, we do things differently.
§Omonye: Government or army cannot guarantee your (telecommunication company’s) investment. I guess a word is enough for the wise.
In reaction to the allegation, Minister for information responded that the allege statement was design by ‘agents opposing the removal of fuel subsidy’
