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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.
Police repel bandits, rescue six kidnapped victims on Yankara-Funtua highway in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Katsina State have successfully rescued six kidnapped victims after intercepting an armed bandit attack on Yankara-Funtua highway in Faskari Local Government Area.
Sources said on Jan. 24 at about 1:25 a.m., unidentified armed bandits blocked the highway and abducted six occupants of a green Honda Civic, registration number AAA 518 BC, en route from Funtua to Faskari.
The DPO Faskari, on routine patrol, promptly engaged the hoodlums in a tactical gunfight.
The bandits were overpowered and fled into the bush, abandoning their mission. All six victims, Rabi Hamisu, Safare Musa, Abubakar Samaila, Shehu Umar, Sara’u Yahaya, and Ibrahim Babangida, were rescued unharmed and safely returned to their homes.
Intensive patrols continue in the area, while efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Police repel bandits, rescue six kidnapped victims on Yankara-Funtua highway in Katsina
Suspect arrested for trespassing, attempting robbery at Bauchi Emir’s palace
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old man, Umar Hamza, was apprehended Wednesday night for trespassing and attempting to steal from the Emir of Bauchi’s residence.
Sources said Hamza entered one of the Emir’s son’s rooms carrying a bunch of keys and tried to commit theft around 8:20 p.m. on January 23.
He was intercepted shortly after the act and taken into the Police custody for questioning.
Police said Preliminary inquiries indicate the suspect intended to steal from the palace.
Suspect arrested for trespassing, attempting robbery at Bauchi Emir’s palace
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja, Says Nigeria Firmly Back On Global Economic Frontline
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after a week-long diplomatic and economic mission to Guinea-Conakry and Switzerland.
This is just as he said Nigeria has reclaimed a frontline seat in global and regional policy conversations.
VP Shettima arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of Guinea’s President, Mamadi Doumbouya, and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.
According to the Vice President, the trip is part of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to regional solidarity in West Africa and its determination to reposition the economy under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The Vice President had departed Abuja for Conakry, where he attended President Doumbouya’s inauguration, reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role within ECOWAS, while opening new pathways for bilateral cooperation in agriculture and manufacturing.
From Guinea-Conakry, Senator Shettima proceeded to Davos, Switzerland, where he led the Nigerian delegation at the WEF 2026.
One of the highpoints of his engagements in that country was the commissioning of Nigeria House Davos, the Nigeria’s first-ever sovereign pavilion on the Davos Promenade, designed as a permanent investment hub showcasing opportunities in solid minerals, agriculture and the digital economy.
At a high-level WEF session titled, “When Food Becomes Security,” the Vice President outlined Nigeria’s new national food security framework, describing agriculture as a strategic pillar of national security and macroeconomic stability.
Vice President Shettima also joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to advance the Accra Reset Initiative, a forum advocating African industrialisation driven by domestic capital and value chains rather than foreign aid.
On the economic front, the Vice President told investors that Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators were stabilising, citing a projected 4.4 per cent GDP growth in 2026 and a decline in inflation to 12.94 per cent.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s imminent transition into a net exporter of refined petroleum products, anchored by the Dangote Refinery, and the growing export of digital talent.
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja, Says Nigeria Firmly Back On Global Economic Frontline
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