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Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.
Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The rule of law and empowerment initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) recently hosted a media town hall meeting on human rights, the police act 2020 and regulations. The meeting which attracted reporters from key north east States of the federation had speakers like Zainab Waziri of PWAN and and Dr Kelechi Akubueze of the human rights commission. The new police act was exhaustively handled bringing out so many questions that needed answers. The duo spoke to us on their town hall experiences after the interaction with newsmen which took place in maiduguri recently. Below are extracts of the short interview with Dr Kelechi:
Could the pronouncements of President Tinubu on the end bad government case of minors arraigned in court by the police be applied legally to the entire country or just Abuja?
The answer is a definite yes because in the first place that pronouncement came as a result of an embarrassment that the President faced when he was accosted with the sight of seeing those minors being arraigned in court with adults.
The Nigerian law excludes minors from being arraigned in court. Therefore that was a terrible misuse of power and it was very wrong. The directive was not only for one state but it should have applied to all the states of the federation that the very error was committed. It was a terrible error to arraign minors who were malnourished and collapsing before a court of law. It was bad optics.
But who do you think is culpable in this terrible error?
I think its the police and the DSS. This is because since the word treason came in, the DSS would have been involved. Especially with the issue of flying of the Russian flag and the reaction of the state. They are both culpable in this error.
What can such a damning optics impute for the country?
Its a wake up call for all. A call to action for citizens to actually rise up against such misuse of power by the police and such misrepresentation of the laws of the country. Its actually laughable. One wonders what is treasonable about some minors carrying flags holding a piece of cloth and a particular colour on it. It is really laughable within the international community. Are they trying to tell us that those hungry minors have anything to do with Russia?
What can the rights activists do about this wrong as it is also trendinmg in Borno as we speak?
They should speak out against it but most importantly take action because there are minors still incarcerated somewhere in the country. Pressure should be mounted on the government to release those minors and the police who should have read the directive of the President concerning them to release these kids and drop all the charges against them should act.
Do you think it is important we translate the child rights act into different languages so that the police can understand the nitty gritty even as they battle to understand the new police act?
Its very necessary but let me make this observation. Even when you translate this law into Nigerian languages, has it occurred to you that most of the people may not know how to read or write in their own languages. For instance how many people know how to read and write in Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Tiv, Hausa or idoma? It is a big challenge which is why we need to keep on educating the people on this. And also, this is where you guys in the media need to come in too to contribute in educating the public as regards the police act so these people who enforce the laws would do the right thing at all times.
Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.
News
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have successfully neutralized scores of bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, Zagazola report.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the successful operation was as a result of a coordinated intelligence which revealed that a large number of bandits suspected to be relatives of notorious bandit leader Ado Aleiro, along with other unidentified individuals, left Zamfara State/Tsafe LGA to rustle cattle from nearby communities.
The sources said that the bandits succeeded in stealing several livestock and were attempting to escape when they encountered resistance from local the security forces.
The troops tracked the rustlers and waited until they reached a mountainous area before surrounding them. Upon confirming their location, they alerted the Nigerian Air Force, which swiftly deployed air assets to engage the fleeing bandits.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that several bandits were eliminated in the operation, though he said that the exact number is yet to be determined. The second sources said that at least 23 bandits were killed as well as several others injured
The sources said that the troops also recovered a large number of rustled cattle.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to dismantle terrorist strongholds and curb cattle rustling, a key source of funding for bandit groups operating in Zamfara and neighboring states.
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.
“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.
Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.
Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
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