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I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has directed all police personnel in the country to be neutral in all processes for the 2023 general elections.
Baba gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a conference for Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.
He also directed them to always be alert during security deployments for the elections and exhibit high degree of professionalism and fairness in dealings with all political parties.
“We are also expected to adopt a professional orientation that emphasises democratic values and respect for human rights and dignity,” he added.
Baba reminded all police personnel that their mandate was to protect the electorates against illegal acts and discharge policing duties without discrimination.
“As critical actors in the electoral process, the credibility of the 2023 general election will be measured by the extent to which we abide by professional and legal standards.
“It will also be measured by our decisions and actions as we interface with political parties in emplacing appropriate machineries to guarantee a peaceful electioneering campaign process.
“We must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of the country,” he said.
The I-G called on the conference participants to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act and Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on electoral duties.
Baba urged the officers to situate their decisions and actions within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Code, as well as other obligations contained in the Constitution, Nigeria Police Act, and other extant laws.
“All quasi-security outfits that were established by the various state governments and local communities, operating under different nomenclatures, structures and orientations have no legal roles in the Electoral Act 2020.
“Hence, you are charged to ensure that they are not in any way or manner utilised by any political or community actor for any role during the electioneering campaign and other electoral processes.
“Such will amount to acts in illegality and a potent threat to national security which could be inimical to our nation’s democratic interest,” he added.
Baba ordered CPs across the 36 states and FCT to liaise with Resident Electoral Commissioners and political party leaderships in their various states to come up with campaign timetables.
He said the idea was to address possible conflicts both in date, time, and venues during campaigns.
“Political Parties campaign timetable for each State should be forwarded to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge Operations for collation.
“The comprehensive layout of the timetable must be forwarded to the office of the I-G, not later than Sept. 27.
“You must also submit your Election Security Action Plan that will detail your deployment plans for the security of all the venues of the political campaigns as they affect your commands,” he said.
The I-G called on political actors to subsume their campaigns within extant legal frameworks, avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political order and cooperate with the Police to ensure peaceful electioneering process.
He warned individuals whose perception of democracy was the application of violence to have a rethink, adding that the Police was committed to dealing firmly with such characters within the dictates of the law.
I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
Borno APC New Media Announces Appointment of Acting Coordinator
By: Our Reporter
The Borno APC New Media, during an emergency meeting held on 21 April 2024, reached a decision to suspend Mohammed Sheriff as the coordinator of the forum. In light of this suspension, the Borno APC New Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Hon Abba Alhaji Alinma as the acting Coordinator, effective immediately.
This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with the stakeholders involved. The Borno APC New Media forum, consisting of 35 members, saw 23 members in attendance at the meeting where the decision to suspend Mohammed Sheriff was made.
According to the unanimous agreement reached among the Excos and members of the Borno APC New Media forum, Mohammed Sheriff’s suspension remains in effect, and Hon Abba Alhaji Alinma has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the forum during this period.
The appointment of Hon Abba Alhaji Alinma as the acting Coordinator ensures that the Borno APC New Media forum continues to function effectively, maintaining its commitment to disseminating accurate information and supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State.
Borno APC New Media Announces Appointment of Acting Coordinator
Tinubu, CJN, others for National Justice Summit 2024 Wednesday
•To adopt National Justice Policy
•Targets enhanced justice delivery in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola and stakeholders within Nigeria’s justice system are gearing up for a pivotal summit aimed at adopting the National Policy on Justice 2024. The two-day summit policy, which starts on Wednesday and is titled “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria,” serves as a guiding roadmap for government, civil society, and donor interventions in the realm of justice delivery across the nation.
Spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and other key development partners, the National Justice Summit seeks to catalyse dialogue and reimagine the landscape of justice delivery in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Project Manager, Component 1 – Criminal Justice Reform of the RoLAC II Programme, International IDEA, Mr. Badejogbin Oluwatoyin.
According to the statement, the Summit will highlight the critical role of the justice system in upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights, the summit aims to address persistent challenges such as trial delays and prison congestion. Despite commendable progress in strengthening access to justice, certain segments of the population, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, still face barriers to effective justice.
The inaugural summit held in 2017 resulted in the adoption of Nigeria’s pioneering National Policy on Justice (NPJ) 2017, a robust framework designed to tackle the myriad issues plaguing the country’s justice sector. With a focus on achieving equitable, fair, and efficient administration of justice, NPJ 2017 aims to enhance access to justice, promote transparency, strengthen legal protections, and ensure the timely delivery of justice.
Distinguished attendees at the forthcoming summit, scheduled for April 24-25, 2024, will include Chief Judges, Attorneys-General, and Solicitors-General from Nigeria’s 36 states, convened under the esteemed Chairmanship of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola. The event will be inaugurated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will see the participation of prominent figures from the legal fraternity, the legislative branch, and beyond.
International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, which is funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. With a focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery, the Programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the Nigerian justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU – Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.
Tinubu, CJN, others for National Justice Summit 2024 Wednesday
International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International DEA) and other development partners, convened a National Justice Summit to foster dialogue and reimagine justice delivery in Nigeria.
The justice system in Nigeria has continued to play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Nigeria has made commendable progress to strengthen access to justice, but challenges that include trial delays, and prison congestion persist, with several, especially women, children and persons with disability not enjoying effective access to justice.
To address these issues and drive comprehensive reform was the reason for the convocation of the National Justice Summit, which is a gathering of key stakeholders in Nigeria’s justice system. The first summit held in 2017 and resulted in the adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Justice (NPJ), a well thought out response to myriad problems that bedeviled Nigeria’s justice sector.
The NPJ 2017 offered a comprehensive framework for achieving equitable, fair and efficient administration of Justice. Its aim was to enhance access to justice for all, promote transparency, strengthen legal protections and ensure timely delivery of justice.
Five years later, the NPJ is now undergoing revision. Under the banner of the National Justice Summit 2024, Chief Judges, Attorneys-General, Solicitors-General from Nigeria’s 36 states will convene under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, to adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024. The Summit, which will hold on April 24-25, 2024, will be declared open by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will have the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the legal fraternity among others in attendance.
RoLAC II’s contributions to the National Policy on Justice aim to improve the legal framework for criminal justice delivery in Nigeria, move state interventions in the criminal justice sector towards resolving perennial trial delays and prison congestion in a sustainable manner, and access to justice for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Once adopted, the National Policy on Justice will be the roadmap that guides government, civil society and donor interventions for justice delivery in Nigeria.
International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, which is funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. With a focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery, the Programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the Nigerian justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU – Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.
International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit
Borno APC New Media Announces Appointment of Acting Coordinator
Tinubu, CJN, others for National Justice Summit 2024 Wednesday
International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit
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