Minister withdraws orphan-marriage suit against Niger Assembly Speaker

The Minister of Women Affairs , Uju Kennedy -Ohanenye, has withdrawn a suit she earlier filed against the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, following his decision to marry off 100 orphans from his constituency.

Speaking with reporters, the minister noted that the ministry in collaboration with the speaker of the Niger state assembly, and traditional rulers from the state, are currently investigating the ages of the girls to ascertain if they are within the stipulated age for marriage.

According to her, the Ministry of Women Affairs will, for now, focus on empowering girls, as well as others affected by insecurity in the state.

Last week, the speaker, Sarkindaji, announced plans to marry off 100 orphans in his constituency as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings.

While the development had sparked national outrages, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urged the minister to withdraw the litigation and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police.

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The Chairman, Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Indabawa, who made the call on Thursday night in a statement, urged Nigerians to learn to respect one another’s culture and traditions.

“We found the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.

“The minister’s attempt at media demonisation of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim North.

“This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern for the needs of members of his constituency,” Indabawa said.

The marriage arrangement in question is slated to take place on May 24, 2024.

Minister withdraws orphan-marriage suit against Niger Assembly Speaker

Group protests against corruption allegation against Mattatwalle at EFCC HQ

A group on Friday occupied the national headquarters of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a protest they said was aimed at urging the anti-graft agency to ignore being cowed to prosecute President Bola Tinubu Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle over allegations of corruption.

The group led by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) carried various placards and urged the EFCC to resist any pressure and blackmail to prosecute an alleged offender, but follow the due process of the rule of law.

Onwubiko, who addressed journalists at the EFCC headquarters, called on politicians to stop pressuring the EFCC to prosecute citizens who they are at war with.

In the letter Onwubiko presented to the executive chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukayode, on behalf of the group, the group said, “We are compelled to address the recent developments regarding the protests against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle.

“The protests, which appear to be sponsored, have reached a disturbing level and are now a cause for serious concern.

“HURIWA is here by advocating the observance of the tenets of the law that recognises even suspects as being totally innocent in the eyes of the law until a contrary determination is reached by a competent court of law and not court of seekers of ‘lynch mob’ injustice.

“It is crucial to emphasise that allegations alone do not constitute guilt.

“These claims lack substantial evidence and seem politically motivated.

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“We urge that such matters be handled through the proper legal channels, with written petitions submitted to the EFCC as required by law, rather than through public protests that aim to intimidate and exert undue pressure on the Commission.”

Dr. Matawalle has consistently operated within the bounds of the law and has expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the EFCC to ensure a transparent and fair inquiry, the group argued in the letter.

The letter further argued that, “His track record of service to the nation speaks for itself. volumes about his integrity and dedication to public office. As such, the EFCC must conduct its investigations without external pressures or distractions.

“The context of these allegations cannot be ignored.

Tinubu solicits Faye’s help in bringing Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso back to ECOWAS 

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the President of Senegal, Bassirou Faye, to join him in persuading Mali, Niger and Bourkina Faso to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three countries withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2024 after ECOWAS sanctions were imposed on them following the military takeover of their governments.

The military rulers of the three countries announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS in a joint statement.

They have refused to return to the regional bloc despite the lifting of the sanctions.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, received the younger Senegalese President on a visit to the Presidential Villa Abuja on Thursday.

“As the Chairman of ECOWAS, I am inviting you to collaborate and meet those other brothers; to persuade them to come back to the fold,” the Nigerian President said.

Tinubu however said democratic governance, democratic values, and constitutional order are sacrosanct and must be protected.

He said, “But how can we work for our people and make them the focus of our democracy if we are violating the rule of law and promoting unconstitutional takeover of government?”

The Nigerian President added that critical institutions and precepts, like the judiciary and the rule of law, must be respected and observed for the sustenance of democracy.

“Constitutional democracy is what Senegal proved to the rest of the world and Africa.

“It is a joy to have you here; to meet the hope and aspiration of our youths. You fit in perfectly well.

“A critical time it is in the history of constitutional democracy, particularly in West Africa. What you have embarked upon, a struggle couched in freedom, is remarkable,” Tinubu said.

In addition, the Nigerian President called for a common front among African nations in the fight against challenges of terrorism and human trafficking bedevilling them.

Tinubu described Nigeria and Senegal as brotherly nations, recounting both countries’ long history of cooperation.

“We must be able to partner and build the freedom we believe in – in economic growth, development and other spheres of governance,” the President said.

In his remarks, Faye acknowledged Nigeria and Senegal’s shared values, ideals, and challenges, emphasising that both nations have always had good relations since the 1960s.

“The good relations we have and the relations between our private sectors should be beneficial to our countries,” he said.

The Senegalese President called for the reactivation of the Nigeria-Senegal joint commission to strengthen bilateral relations across the areas of diplomacy, trade, and other spheres.

Speaking on regional bloc, the Senegalese President said, “ECOWAS is the beacon of successful regional integration in Africa and globally. It is something we owe to the founding fathers of the community, and I have no doubt that you want to continue this legacy of integration.

“I know I can rely on your wisdom and experience, as the leader of this great African nation, and the more recent example of Senegal; so that together, hand in hand, we can grow together, and that we can discuss with our brothers and convince them to come back into the fold.”