NSCDC Expresses Commitment to Peaceful Election in Ondo

By: Michael Mike

In a bid to reassure the public of adequate security and protection in the Saturday Ondo Governorship Election; the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,

Dr Ahmed Audi has reiterated the Corps’ commitment to ensuring a free, fair and credible election in Ondo State,

Audi demonstrated this readiness while speaking through the Deputy Commandant General Operations, DCG Philip Ayuba, who attended a strategic meeting with the Deputy Inspector General, Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force-CID) who also doubles as DIG Election Security, DIG Sylvester Alabi.

Ayuba said the CG has given a direct order that all officers must be apolitical and neutral, and as such, the fundamental human rights of the citizens must be protected, and there should be no occasion for comprise amongst security operatives or disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

He noted that the mandate of NSCDC in Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure covers all election materials, which he said have been rated very critical because any act of vandalism or destruction through election violence would, of course, hamper the smooth process and peaceful conduct of the elections.

The NSCDC Boss hinted that over 6225 operatives were drafted from 10 neighbouring States, FCT and the Corps’ National Headquarters, noting that both overt and covert operational personnel are already on the ground for election duty.

The Corps’ Helmsman said there is an existing synergy between the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC and other security agencies; therefore all security agencies have been effectively briefed on the need to work in collaboration and guard against violence, destruction of public utilities, ballot box snatching, rigging, vote buying, thuggery and other associated crimes.

He further said there is no cause for alarm; hence, the public is enjoined to come out and exercise their constitutional rights without fear or any form of apprehension.

NSCDC Expresses Commitment to Peaceful Election in Ondo

NIDCOM Says 163 Trafficked Victims Rescued from Ghana in Five Months

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked Nigerian girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total number of those repatriated from the same country to the nation within the last five months to 163.

According to a statement on Friday signed by the spokesman of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police , The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.

Speaking on the latest efforts, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed her gratitude to the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.

She also commended the vital roles played by the BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana),
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.

The statement revealed that the rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

According to the statement, they were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.

NiDCOM representative, Mr Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly , having heard of the ealier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.

Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days after they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home which in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.

He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi state.

NIDCOM Says 163 Trafficked Victims Rescued from Ghana in Five Months

ECOWAS Court Dismisses Application for Default Judgment in Case Against Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has delivered a judgment in the case of Chukwuemeka Edeh v. Federal Republic of Nigeria, dismissing the Applicant’s request for a default judgment.

The Applicant, Chukwuemeka Edeh, a Nigerian citizen from Enugu State, filed his application against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alleging unlawful detention and torture by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Applicant claimed that SARS operatives subjected him to acts of physical abuse, including spraying of tear gas into his eyes, beatings, and forced confession, in violation of his human rights as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international instruments to which Nigeria is a party. Mr. Edeh sought compensation of N5 million for his suffering.

Following the failure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to submit a defense, Mr. Edeh applied for a default judgment. In the Judgment delivered by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court held that it had jurisdiction over the matter and that application was admissible, having complied relevant requirements in the Protocol of the Court. However, after examining the Applicant’s submissions and evidence, the Court found that the Applicant’s claims were not substantiated by sufficient evidence to warrant a default judgment. Therefore, it dismissed the application for a default judgment.

The three-member panel of the Court were Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves(presiding judge), Honorable Justice Dupe Atoki (panel member), and Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (judge rapporteur).

ECOWAS Court Dismisses Application for Default Judgment in Case Against Nigeria