Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’ – Newstrends
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Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’

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Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has praised Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his decisive move in establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, arson, and destruction of public property that followed the local government elections in the state.

HURIWA described inquiry as one of the Governor’s most commendable actions, given the need for justice and accountability in the face of such serious unrest.

In a media statement, by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA lauded the commission as a crucial step toward identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators, whom it referred to as “political terrorists.”

The Governor had inaugurated a seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the violence that led to the burning of several local government council headquarters in Rivers State.

“This is a well-timed intervention aimed at uncovering the root causes of the unrest and ensuring those responsible are held accountable,” the statement read.

HURIWA stressed that the individuals behind the violence are not mere vandals but political terrorists determined to destabilize the state’s democratic institutions.

“Those who burned local government secretariats to disrupt the election process and undermine democracy are political terrorists by definition,” the group asserted.

While commending that the Commission of Inquiry, which Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri chairs, includes prominent individuals like Mrs. Inyingi Brown, who serves as the secretary, and Uzor Ikenga, acting as counsel, HURIWA stressed the importance of this commission in delivering justice.

The human rights group called on security forces to ensure that any individual, regardless of political stature, is made to appear before the commission if summoned. “If any person, no matter how powerful or influential, is implicated in this plot to destabilize Rivers State, the security agencies must act swiftly to arrest and present them before the commission. If found guilty after lawful proceedings, they should be prosecuted,” HURIWA stated.

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HURIWA also expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s response to the situation, describing his remarks as lacking statesmanship.

In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President had urged political leaders in Rivers State to settle their disputes in court while also directing the police to ensure the protection of public facilities. However, HURIWA criticized the President for failing to identify those responsible for the violence explicitly and instead attempting to shift the narrative onto Governor Fubara.

The human rights group pointed out that it is not within the President’s purview to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carry out his constitutional duties, especially after a failure of security management has already occurred.

“It is not the President’s job to tell the IGP to ensure peace and order at the local government offices. That is the constitutional responsibility of the police, and the IGP should not need a reminder to fulfill that role,” HURIWA stated.

Furthermore, HURIWA criticized IGP Kayode Egbetokun for previously refusing to provide security during the Rivers local government elections, thus making him a partisan player in the crisis.

The group argued that the IGP’s refusal to maintain neutrality compromised his role as the nation’s top police officer, and as such, President Tinubu should have dismissed him. “By allowing IGP Egbetokun to remain in office after he failed to secure the elections and by condoning his partiality in this crisis, the President is effectively endorsing impunity and lawlessness,” HURIWA remarked.

In light of the IGP’s actions, HURIWA issued a seven-working-day ultimatum to arrest and prosecute the individuals responsible for the violence and arson in Rivers State.

The group emphasized that these individuals, many of whom were captured on video, must be apprehended and held accountable. “The terrorists who set local councils on fire are identified on video. If the IGP fails to arrest them within seven working days, HURIWA will initiate an international campaign urging European countries and the United States to impose visa bans on him. We will work to ensure that any visas he holds are revoked,” HURIWA warned.

The group stressed that while it is committed to achieving justice within Nigeria, it will not hesitate to seek international redress if the situation is not addressed swiftly. “We are prepared to launch a global advocacy campaign against IGP Egbetokun unless he fulfills his constitutional duty and arrests these criminals,” HURIWA concluded.

In closing, HURIWA reaffirmed its support for Governor Fubara’s actions, stating that the judicial commission of inquiry is an essential step toward restoring peace and preventing Rivers State from becoming a theater of lawlessness. The group called on all stakeholders, including security forces, political leaders, and the judiciary, to act responsibly in addressing the issue. “This is a defining moment for the rule of law in Rivers State. Those responsible for this chaos must face justice, and we commend the Governor for his bold and timely action in establishing this inquiry,” HURIWA said.

The group also reiterated its readiness to hold the IGP and other law enforcement agencies accountable, insisting that no one is above the law, and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in safeguarding democracy in Rivers State.

Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’

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Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name

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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo

Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor stated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.

He instructed commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately or face severe consequences.

The statement reads: “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.

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“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.

“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect.”

Okpebholo also directed relevant agencies to revert the name of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its previous title, the Ministry of Works, a change made during the Godwin Obaseki administration.

“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement added.

 

Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name

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Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi

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Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi

Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi

Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has criticized the widely discussed two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling it a “deception.”

His remarks followed a recent summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, where President Bola Tinubu and other leaders condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged an end to hostilities.

In an interview with Daily Trust at his Kaduna residence, Gumi argued, “This Two-State Solution is a deception. No Israeli will allow a Palestinian to survive, and Palestinians will never allow Israel to survive.

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The only solution is to dissolve the two states and create a democratically electable region.”

Gumi commended the OIC’s support for Palestine, noting that Muslims and Arabs worldwide increasingly see the treatment of Palestinians as “genocide” and accuse Israel of human rights abuses.

He also called for a return to the pre-1948 structure, where Palestinians, Jews, and Christians lived together, suggesting a single, inclusive state that allows peaceful coexistence.

“When I hear people talking about Two-State Solutions, I know they are just deceiving themselves,” Gumi added, advocating for a unified region where people of all faiths can live together, similar to the multi-faith coexistence seen in countries like the United States.

 

Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi

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Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll

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Olusola Ebiseni

Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll

The Labour Party candidature of Olusola Ebiseni for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State has been nullified.

The nullification follows the sacking of Ebiseni by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The governorship election of the southwest State will hold on Saturday, 16 November 2024.

The judgement disqualifying Ebiseni was unanimously delivered by the three members of the panel and read out by the chairman of the panel, Justice Adebukola Banjoko.

The judgment granted the prayer of the Labour Party who preferred the case against Ebiseni.

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Justice Banjoko held that, “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”

Justice Banjoko further stated that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to the parties involved in the appeal as soon as possible for their review.

Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept and recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship elections.

Justice Nwite confirmed that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in Ebiseni and Awude being selected as candidates, was valid and should be upheld by INEC.

However, the appellate court has now overturned the judgment of the trial court’s judgment.

 

Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll

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