I Didn’t Take a Dime for Testifying, It’s Blood Money, Says #EndSARS Activist – Newstrends
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I Didn’t Take a Dime for Testifying, It’s Blood Money, Says #EndSARS Activist

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3 years ago

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Victoria Oniru, a witness of the October 20, 2020 shooting of protesters at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos, has denied receiving a N5 million compensation from the state government.

Oniru, reacting to claims by Temi Majekodunmi, youth representative at the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of SARS-Related Abuses and Other Matters, that the panel awarded N5 million compensation to her, Perpetual Kamsichukwu and Dabira Ayuku, and N10 million to Sarah Ibrahim, said she did not receive any money.

Majekodunmi earlier told FIJ that the panel recommended compensations for all four but the state government’s white paper omitted them and only mentioned Ibrahim.

He had said back in December: “Serah Ibrahim was not the only eyewitness that the panel awarded a compensation to. That was why I said the state did not read the report.

“There were four: Perpetual Kamsichukwu, Dabira Ayuku and Victoria Oniru. The panel awarded compensations of N5 million each to them, while Serah Ibrahim was awarded a compensation of N10 million because she was the star witness.”

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However, after the claims were brought to Oniru’s notice on Thursday, she denied ever receiving any compensation from the state. She also said she did not expect to receive any, as she would reject it.

“I was one of the coordinators at Lekki toll gate during the #EndSARS protests. I was one of the first persons – alongside Dabira, Kamsi and Sarah – to go to the panel of inquiry to testify that a massacre happened, that police truly shot at innocent protesters holding flags, and ever since then, we have been struggling, putting all our best to make sure that justice is served and our nation is better,” she told FIJ.

“I am saying all this because I saw an article that was published December 2nd, and in the article, it was claimed they paid me N5 million as a witness alongside Dabira, Kamsi and Sarah.

“What I am saying and would continue to say is that I don’t need to be paid for doing the right thing. I don’t need to be paid to be on the side of justice. All I did during the #EndSARS [protest] and during the panel of inquiry, I did for love, for justice, because it was the right thing. I don’t need the compensation from the panel, from Lagos. I don’t need anything from them now. I don’t need anything from the government in the future.

“I have never taken a penny from them. In case one day the government thinks to do the right thing and pay the victims – and no money can fix their disabled bodies – mine should be shared among the victims.”

She described money given as compensation for testifying as ‘blood money’.

“If I take it, that money will be blood money. I was raised to be a leader; I was not raised to lie. I was not raised to steal or deceive. I was not raised to get money from people unlawfully. I was not raised to be wicked and corrupt,” she told FIJ.

“I was raised to be a leader, be honest, progressive, smart, hardworking and humanistic, a leader who wouldn’t eat if people haven’t eaten, a leader who would advocate and support for the best of the best of this country.

“I’m not a fake, and I am not going to lie. Come rain, come shine, I remain my humble self. Again and again, I repeat, I have not taken any money from the government. I don’t need to be compensated for doing the right thing, because we can be human together. I don’t need anything. I am fine, I am good, and the struggle continues.”

When FIJ contacted Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, he told our reporter the state did not adopt all recommendations of the judicial panel.

“There is a white paper. The state government is not bound by the panel report, we are bound by the white paper,” he told FIJ.

He said the government questioned the recommendation for compensation, but only mentioned Sarah Ibrahim in its white paper.

When FIJ asked if the state paid Ibrahim, Akosile said, “Go and ask Sarah Ibrahim if we paid her. Call her and ask if we paid.”

FIJ called Ibrahim, but she had not responded to calls at press Time, and her number was switched off. A text message sent to her was unanswered as well.

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

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2 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

 

The General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of peace, love and compassion as taught through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He stated this in his Christmas and end of the year goodwill message to felicitate members of the union and Nigerians in general.

Agbeyangi urged Nigerians to use the festive season to reflect on the values of love, compassion, and sacrifice that Jesus Christ embodied.

“This period is not for merry making alone; we should also spare time to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

“His birth teaches humility, love compassion and sacrifice. As Nigerians, we must show love to our fellow county men. We must love our country. As Nigerians, we must be ready to make sacrifices for the nation.”

The NURTW scribe also used the opportunity to appeal to members of the union and other road users to always exercise caution and adhere to all safety protocols while travelling during the festive season.

“As we celebrate, let us not forget the importance of road safety. The roads can be treacherous, especially during the festive season.

“I urge our members and all road users to drive safely, avoid overspending, overtaking at dangerous bends and overloading, and be courteous to other road users,” he stated.

He also advised drivers that all their vehicle papers should be up to date to avoid embarrassment from law enforcement officers on the highways.

Comrade Agbeyangi prayed for a peaceful and joyous celebration, and wished members of the union and Nigerians, a happy prosperous New Year.

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Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

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2 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

 

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has said the “Jesus Christ is Not God” banner placed on the fence of the mosque was not intended to provoke anybody. The banner became a source of controversy after a picture of it was shared on social media, with many calling it an…

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has said the “Jesus Christ is Not God” banner placed on the fence of the mosque was not intended to provoke anybody.

The banner became a source of controversy after a picture of it was shared on social media, with many calling it an attack on the Christian faith.

 

Addressing his congregation, Jamiu said the banner was displayed to educate Muslims.

 

He said, “When you come to Lekki Central Mosque, at least you should learn something. You pass by the banners outside, you look here and there, you learn something because Islam treasures knowledge.”

The Imam said all the banners displayed outside the mosque contain Quran and Hadith verses.

 

He said after a photo of one of the banners went viral, he “received calls from the government, local government, and area command appealing to us to please remove the banners because of the festive period.”

 

He said the display of the banners was not to provoke anyone, noting that there’s a difference between propagation of Islam and provocation.

 

“It was not placed there just yesterday. It has been there for about two months or thereabout. We are peace loving people, we don’t provoke anyone. We only propagate our name,” he said.

Jamiu further stated that nobody can monopolise Jesus because Muslims also have what they believe about him as backed by the Quran which calls him Isah.

 

“If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not a Muslim. We are Muslims and anything we believe must be in consonant with the Quran and the Quran says Jesus Christ is not God, he’s a messenger of God. We quoted this verse in the banner. Is there anything wrong if we paste what we believe on our territory to educate our congregation? It’s a verse of the Quran. This is freedom of religion, freedom of speech,” he said.

 

On the removal of the banner, Jamiu said he received multiple calls ascribing the gesture as cowardice.

 

 

“It is not cowardice. We removed it to let peace reign, to obey our government because we are peace-loving people and also because we know it’s a festive period, people may think it was actually calculated to enrage others. We are going to modify it and put it back. We are not cowards,” he said.

 

The banner has since been replaced with another which says “A

llah is the lord of Jesus.”

 

Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

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CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

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6 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a N150 million fine on a commercial bank for failing to dispense cash through its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

This action follows an unannounced inspection by the apex bank, which uncovered deliberate cash hoarding and ATM manipulation by the erring bank.

Sources within the CBN revealed that the sanctioned bank was caught disabling its ATMs, thereby denying customers access to their funds while prioritizing cash disbursements to select VIP clients.

A staff member of the CBN stressed that the apex bank would not tolerate such practices.

“The Bank will not spare any Deposit Money Bank (DMB) caught in the act of hoarding cash or found favoring VIP customers over other customers,” the official stated.

To this end, the CBN has intensified spot checks on banks nationwide, exposing various illicit cash-handling practices by some unscrupulous financial institutions.

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For now, the CBN is imposing financial penalties on defaulting banks. However, according to the official, the next phase of enforcement will include publicly naming and shaming offending banks and prosecuting implicated bank officials.

“This fine is just the beginning. The CBN is determined to hold banks accountable for any actions that undermine public trust and the integrity of the banking system,” the official added.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the CBN has reiterated its commitment to promoting cashless banking in the country.

Another senior official disclosed that the apex bank’s management is intensifying efforts to encourage the use of electronic channels for transactions.

“The frustration faced by account holders is undermining our push for a cashless economy. We are doubling down on initiatives to restore public confidence in electronic banking solutions,” the official said.

CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

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