Arrest Abuja, Anambra palliative organisers or set those in Ibadan free — MURIC

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern, has told the Nigeria Police to arrest the organisers of palliative distribution in Abuja and Anambra State or set those of the event in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, free.

The Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the different treatments for the same incidents.

The group therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested in Ibadan over the disaster.

Akintola said in the statement on Tuesday morning: “Three tragic events took place in the last few days as the distribution of palliatives in Ibadan, Oyo State, Abuja and Okija in Anambra State led to uncontrollable stampede which claimed the lives of about 50 people, many of them children.

“MURIC is interested in knowing why it was only the organisers of the Ibadan event that were arrested while those in Abuja and Okija were allegedly left free. We therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of the organisers of the Ibadan event.

“Queen Naomi Silekunola in particular is well known for her philanthropic activities and nobody in his or her right mind will assume that she deliberately planned a massacre.

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“By the same token, the arrest of the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, was quite unnecessary because the alumni of that school has confirmed that the venue was approved by the Oyo State Ministry of Education and not by the principal acting unilaterally (https://dailypost.ng/2024/12/21/ibadan-stampede-oyo-govt-not-principal-approved-venue-alumni/).

“The Obi Jackson Foundation led by Chief Ernest Obiejesi had good intentions as usual but things still went wrong. However, Anambra police did not haul him into detention the way Oyo police detained Queen Naomi and Mr. Fasasi, the school principal.

“In the same vein, there has been no report of arrests by the Abuja police formation over the palliative-induced stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday, 21st December, 2024.

“The Nigeria Police has left many questions unanswered regarding its handling of the three tragic episodes. A stampede is a stampede. One should not be differentiated from the other. Ditto for the issue of deaths. Homo sapiens died in all the events, not goats, not dogs.

“All the organisers should have been treated equally. But as things stand, it appears the sledgehammer descended on Ibadan organisers alone while Abuja and Okija merely vowed to investigate the calamities.

“There is only one way to go, viz, arrest the organisers of the Abuja and Okija events or set the Ibadan organisers free. The honourable thing the Oyo State Police Command can do is to set those detained free immediately and unconditionally while the state government sets up a panel to investigate the tragedy. The police should not blow hot and cold at the same time.

“We condole with the bereaved families and we pray that Allah will give them the fortitude to bear the loss. Finally, we align with the position of the police concerning the need for organisers of future events which are likely to draw large crowds to involve the police for security measures and crowd control modalities.”

Arrest Abuja, Anambra palliative organisers or set those in Ibadan free — MURIC

[UPDATED] I never lied, truth is my weapon against injustice – Dele Farotimi declares after release

Dele Farotimi, activist lawyer and author of the controversial book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, has doubled down on allegations he made against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, maintaining that his claims are truthful.

Farotimi, who addressed journalists on Tuesday following his release from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre, stated, “I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know. The truth is enough—it is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria.”

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Farotimi was granted bail by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, December 20, with conditions including a bond of ₦30 million, two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, submission of his passport and a prohibition on granting media interviews once released.

He met the conditions and was subsequently freed from detention, where he had been held since his arrest earlier this month over allegations of defamation against Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

Farotimi was arrested over statements in his book, which accused Babalola of unethical practices within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Despite being accused of defamation, the lawyer insists his claims are based on facts.

“I understand the challenges that come with fighting entrenched powers, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to the truth,” Farotimi stated.

[UPDATED] I never lied, truth is my weapon against injustice – Dele Farotimi declares after release

Luxury bus owners begin 50% fare discount, hail Tinubu palliative

Luxury bus owners have commenced the implementation of a 50 per cent fare discount on long distance routes across the country.

This was announced on Tuesday following a recent partnership agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON).

The transporters have also expressed their gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the rebate.

This, they said, would relieve the travelling public of the burden of high fares occasioned by rising costs of vehicle maintenance.

A statement issued by ALBON encouraged intending travellers to go to designated public motor parks and major transporters’ terminals to pay only half of the current fares and board available buses to their destinations.

The press release was signed jointly by ALBON President, Nonso Ubajaka, and the Honorary Secretary, Frank Nneji.

They assured travellers by road that long distance luxury bus and mini bus operators would start the collection of 50 percent of the prevailing fares from Tuesday, December 24, until January 5, 2025.

The designated inter-state routes on which the fare rebate is applicable include Abuja to Damaturu, Kano, Maiduguri, Makurdi, and Sokoto.

Those leaving Abuja for the southern parts of the country would also pay half the fares if they are travelling to Aba, Benin, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Umuahia.

The discount is also available for departures from Lagos to destinations such as Aba, Abuja, Asaba, Calabar, Enugu, Umuahia, Uyo, Warri and Yenagoa.

Travellers departing Lagos to destinations up North would benefit from the ticket rebate if they are going to Gombe, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Lokoja, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Sokoto, Gusau, Jalingo and Minna

The luxury bus owners further stated, “We urge intending passengers to take advantage of Mr. President’s magnanimity and travel to their various destinations nationwide by paying half of the current fares.

“Our member companies have all been notified and are ready for the exercise. They include, among others: Chisco Transport; GUO Transport Ltd; ABC Transport; Young Shall Grow Nig Ltd; Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd; God Bless Ezenwata Nig. Ltd; and SD Express Ltd.”

Some other ALBON members offering the ticket discount are Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd; E Ekesons Nig. Ltd; Ifeanyi Chukwu Industries & commercial Ltd; Bonnyway Motor Ltd; Delta Express Ltd; Welfare Transport Nig. Ltd. and God Is Good Motors Ltd.

The transport owners assured that the offer would run non-stop from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025, informing, however, that this is on ‘‘first come, first served,’’ basis.

“Once again, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria wishes to commend President Tinubu for being responsive to the challenges faced by the travelling public. We also wish to commend the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, for his efforts in helping to make the palliative a reality,” the association said.

At the various public motor parks and transporters’ loading offices last weekend, the operators blamed the rise in fares across the routes on the rising cost of maintaining the buses, as well as on the high pump prices of diesel.

They also argued that at the peak of every Christmas season, their vehicles are almost empty during return trips, which leads to a situation whereby the fares for the “to” journeys are raised to cushion the losses incurred during reverse trips.

According to the operators, during the peak Christmas/New year period, an Onitsha-bound luxury bus that left Lagos with about 59 passengers, for instance, may return from Onitsha with as few as 10 people on board, running the same costs to and fro, but with very few travellers on the return trip.