National News
Reuters’ Unannounced Appearance at SIIP-NE Questionable As Marie Stopes Denies Involvement In Abortions Of Pregnancies
Reuters’ Unannounced Appearance at SIIP-NE Questionable As Marie Stopes Denies Involvement In Abortions Of Pregnancies
By: Babagana Wakil
A lawyer from Reuters, Clifford Kalu, walked into the hearing session of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East on Friday, despite the international media organization’s refusal to appear before the panel.
Earlier, the panel’s Secretary, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, had invited Reuters to appear before the panel to substantiate its allegations of abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, massacre of children, and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against the Nigerian military in its counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
The National Human Rights Commission expressed concern about the curious manner in which the lawyer came to the panel, having earlier declined to appear. The Commission is therefore of the view that Reuters’ behavior suggests foul play because when a member of the secretariat of the panel asked him to wait in the waiting room, as the panel cannot have both Reuters and the Army in the hall while the cross-examination of the top military official is going on, Mr. Clifford left, again unannounced, and never came back.
Before Clifford’s unexpected visit to the panel, his client, Reuters, had written to the Commission explaining its inability to honor the summons. This is unfortunate because Reuters seem not to cooperate with the Commission and this is unexpected for such a news agency.
On March 21, 2023, Reuters, through the services of Olumide Babalola chambers, wrote a letter to the Commission titled, “Notice of objection to summons to witnesses dated the 16th day of March 2023 issued on Paul Carsten, Reade Levinson, David Lewis, Libby George, and Christophe Van Der Perre brought pursuant to Section 6 (2)(b) (e) of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2010. In the letter, Reuters claimed that the witnesses do not have any physical or business presence in Nigeria and, by extension, are outside the territorial jurisdiction of the panel.
Meanwhile, the panel heard the testimony of Mr. Emmanuel Ajah, country director of Marie Stopes, an international organization that provides family planning services. Marie Stopes was alleged to have been involved in the abortion saga. In his testimony, Mr. Ajah said that his organization does not conduct illegal abortions but provides post-abortion care and that the Reuters allegation is a pure misrepresentation of facts.
Mr. Ajah, who said his organization collaborated with public offices in the country in the course of their services, the country director, and Dr. Kingsley Odogwu, a specialist gynecologist with Marie Stopes in their oral evidence before the panel said that they only had cases where women who are at risk of their lives are given medical assistance to save their lives during complicated medical conditions.
Reuters’ Unannounced Appearance at SIIP-NE Questionable As Marie Stopes Denies Involvement In Abortions Of Pregnancies
National News
Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy
Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy
By: Michael Mike
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsuyama Kazuyosh hasi said his country trade volume with Nigeria is in the region of $10 billion.
Kazuyoshi however said efforts are already in place geared towards improving the trade relations.
The envoy made the disclosure at the 64th Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito.
He said, “Currently, Japan and Nigeria as at today have a trade volume at $10 billion.”
The envoy while insisting that it is not a good data given the potential of both countries, said there is a need to expand trade relations between both countries.
He said: “I really feel the potential of Nigeria, rich in mineral resources and also rich in the talented youth. We need to expand trade and investment to Nigeria.”
The envoy said further that Japan is looking forward to deepening the existing cooperation between both countries.
He said: “Japan looks forward to further deepening its cooperation with Nigeria, despite the various challenges we both face.
“Japan is facing unprecedented population ageing and decline and Nigeria is facing an economic crisis.
“But Japan has its advanced technology, and Nigeria has its rich human and natural resources, they complement each other.
“So together, united as one, we can become a formidable force for a better future.
Just as the Japanese people continue to “Build Back Better” after every natural disaster, each time we come together, we learn from each situation and from each other.
“In this way, we can overcome anything. Especially as 2024 is the Year of the Dragon in Japan—a symbol of courage, strength, and wisdom. With these qualities and our unwavering unity, we will triumph over any obstacle in our path.
“So here’s to another year of deepening friendship, fruitful cooperation, and shared prosperity between Japan and Nigeria.”
He also revealed that there are scholarship opportunities for Nigerians students to school in Japan.
He said there are lso exchange programmes in place .
The Ambassador said currently no fewer than 51 Japanese companies operates in Nigeria.
He said his country is working with the Nigerian government to address the challenges inhibiting Nigeria investment climate.
Accordjng to him, “So there are many challenges but now
we are working together with Nigerian government to overcome that kind of challenge to Japan and Nigeria companies.
“In many ways, Japan is rich in technology, so that technology can help Nigeria to overcome those kinds of challenges. So I think that Japan and Nigeria should be united together to overcome challenges to promote more trade and investment between Japan and Nigeria.”
On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Nigeria House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu also called for deepening of Nigeria-Japan relations.
Kalu also assured the Japanese Ambassador and investors that the National Aseembly is ready to remove any impediment in the ease of doing business in Nigeria, through the legislative instrument.
He said, “As you know, we are the home for primary products but its about time we use their technology (Japanese) to add more value to our primary product.
“Lots of resources are here Japan is blessed with technology and they have been doing well with assistance, communication, equipment and the rest of them we want them to do more.”
“Every legislative impediments that will affect investors coming into our country will be removed.
“We are willing to fine tune the laws to ensure legislative interventions that will give more confidence to invest in us.”
Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy
National News
ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION
ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court on 14 March 2024 dismissed an application brought by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which asked the Court to hold the Federal Republic of Nigeria liable for violating the right to development of the Africans in the diaspora particularly people of Haiti.
The action was premised on Nigeria’s alleged failure to take measures to ensure the admission of Haiti into the African Union at a 2016 Summit of the AU, in Addis Ababa, which the Applicants claimed would have enabled Haiti to take advantage of developmental initiatives on the continent such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Justice Dupe Atoki, judge rapporteur who delivered the judgment said the Court declined jurisdiction to hear the matter and dismissed it on the grounds that the alleged violation occurred outside the ECOWAS sub-region. Both parties were ordered to bear their cost of litigation.
The initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/54/22 was filed on 24 November 2022 by two NGOs – The Incorporated Trustees of Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Nigeria, and Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Switzerland. In the suit, they claimed that the Nigerian government failed to protect the right to development of persons of African descent in the diaspora, particularly those in the Caribbean country of Haiti, by its failure to formulate and execute a policy in line with Article 22(2) of the African Charter that would have supported Haiti’s 2016 request for membership of the African Union (AU).
Mr Charles Offokaja who represented the NGOs said that such membership could have forestalled Haiti’s economic crisis and enhanced the development of Haiti and other Afro-American individuals and peoples and ensured their full participation in the affairs of the AU including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He asked the Court for a declaration that Nigeria breached Article 22(2) by not formulating and executing a policy to support Haiti’s application for membership of the AU. He also demanded an order of Court compelling Nigeria to formulate and execute such policy to support Haiti application for consideration at the next ordinary or extraordinary session of the Assembly of the AU.
In response, Mrs Maimuna Lami Shiru, lead counsel representing Nigeria filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the Court to hear the matter relating to Afro-Americans who are not citizens of the ECOWAS Community, adding that the NGOs’ pleadings were not in accordance with Article 9 of the Court’s Protocol as amended.
In addition, she argued that the ECOWAS Court was not the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and therefore not empowered to determine cases not related to the ECOWAS sub-region. She also said that the subject matter had been determined by the African Union Commission and published in a press release issued in May 2016.
Mrs Shiru asked the Court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction and reasonable cause of action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In its analysis, the Court noted that though an allegation of human rights violation was invoked, the alleged violation did not occur in any Member State of ECOWAS as required under Article 9(4) of the Supplementary Protocol of the Court. The Court therefore dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.
Also on the panel were Justices Edward Amoako Asante (presiding) and Sengu Mohamed Koroma (member).
ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION
National News
ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost
ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost
….To establish anti-Terrorism force
By: Michael Mike
No fewer than 3,500 terrorist attacks were recorded in West Africa in 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) revealed on Friday.
The subregional bloc lamented that about 9,000 lives were claimed as a result of terrorism with the same period under review.
The Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musa, said this has left the body with no other option but to establish an Anti-Terrorism Force to address the challenge.
Musa gave the details on Friday in Abuja at the weekly press briefing of the ECOWAS Commission.
He noted that the bloc is not unattractive as some would want many to believe, stating that the body despite its challenges remain as attractive as before and that the request for membership from Morocco is still on the table and that the three member states that pull out are still seen as members for they have up till February next year for their request to exit to be considered in accordance with Article 81 of the organisation.
He noted that efforts are been made within ECOWAS and outside of the group to persuade the departing member states to rescind their action and retrace back their steps.
He said they are prominent members and importance in the security of the region from the Sahel to the Ocean, insisting that it is unimaginable that they would leave the bloc that has done so much to all the 15 countries, stating that the ECOWAS does not have anything against the association of the Sahelian States of which the three departing countries have formed for their security.
He said that is seen as a bilateral or rather multilateral relations among members for their good and not in conflict with anything under ECOWAS rule.
He applauded the announcement of the formation of joint anti terrorism force by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, stating that it was a welcome development.
He explained, “The whole geographical area of West Africa is rich in human and natural resources. However, our geographic area is an area of immense vulnerability.
“In 2023 alone, about 3,500 terrorist attacks were recorded in the ECOWAS region alone. This includes close to 2,000 in Burkina Faso, over 1,044 in Mali, and 500 in Niger Republic. These incidents have resulted in close to 9,000 fatalities including 7,000 in the three Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
“In the three Sahel countries, a total of 4.8million people faced food insecurity, 2.4million people were internally displaced and close to 9,000 schools remain closed in the region.
“Burkina Faso has already taken over from Afghanistan”
On the creation of Counter Terrorism Force, Musa said that the region will soon work out modalities to finance the force.
“On terrorism, you would recall during that the previous ECOWAS meeting, the Heads of State decided that there was a need to create a counter terrorism force to help fight terrorism in the region. This is presently underway.
“Very soon, there will be a meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defence to work out the modalities of raising our own resources in the region to finance that counter terrorism force,” he said.
ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost
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