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We won’t allow Nigerians to join Ukrainian forces – FG

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2022

The Federal Government has expressed its disapproval of the ongoing registration of Nigerian citizens volunteering to join the Ukrainian Army to resist the invasion of the country by Russia.

Over 150 Nigerians have volunteered to be recruited after the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged people around the world to join the fight.

But in a statement on Monday, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said the Federal Government would not tolerate the recruitment.

She stressed that the government would engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to an alleged ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fighting force of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the embassy to verify the speculation. The Ukrainian Embassy refuted the allegation, but confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached the embassy, indicating their willingness to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

“Furthermore, the embassy clarified that the Ukrainian government is not admitting foreign volunteer fighters and, as such, dissociated itself from the claim that it was requesting $1,000 from each Nigerian volunteer for air ticket and visa.

“As a responsible member of the international community and consistent with our obligations under international law, Nigeria discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world and will not tolerate the recruitment of Nigerians in Nigeria as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world.

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“The Federal Government will continue to engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this possibility.”

Nigerian community in Belarus makes evacuation plans for students

Following the recent sanctions imposed on Belarus for aiding and abetting Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, the Nigerian community in Belarus is making plans for the smooth evacuation of its members after the cancellation of flights, shutdown of banks and businesses had made life difficult.

Belarus, a neighbouring country to Russia, has provided help for the super power in its invasion of Ukraine.

This has led to multiple sanctions on both Russia and Belarus. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has provided support for the transportation of fleeing Nigerians from Ukraine.

In an interview, a member of the Transition Committee, Nigerian Community in Belarus, Dr Oyewo Oyenike, said, “The general requirement for new students has always been to buy return tickets to Belarus, which some new students that came for language courses did through the Turkish Airlines.

“The students in question completed their language courses and decided to return to Nigeria, but unfortunately because of the current crisis, Turkish Airlines flights have been cancelled and the only option is for them to fly with the Belavia (Belarusian Airlines) to Istanbul and then connect with Turkish Airlines flights to Lagos.

“This is, however, not a reason to panic as the Nigerian community in Belarus is working on resolving this.

“The Nigerian community is in contact with the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow for relevant updates, although there’s no current emergency situation for the evacuation of Nigerians here in Belarus and we hope if the need arises, relevant procedures will be taken immediately. Contacts have been made and we’re awaiting a response from the embassy.

“There have been mobilisation in some cities and we’re trying to pursue emergency evacuation plans in case they become necessary. We’ve also got the parents involved and they’re trying their best through the embassy and the foreign ministry.

“It’s been exhausting and full of anxiety because the current crisis was unexpected.

“All the sanctions placed on Belarus have affected everyone one way or another. MasterCards/Visa cards are no longer working. Some banks have been shut down and a lot of businesses are being affected.

“The main challenge is the inability to stay focused for the students due to fear, cancelled flights and others.”

NYU faults FG’s slow response

The Nigerian Youth Union, on Monday, called on the Federal Government to adopt more proactive strategies to protect Nigerians abroad, especially during unforeseen emergencies.

The organisation also faulted the slow response of the Federal Government to the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, especially students, after Russia invaded the European country last week.

The NYU, in a statement by its National President, Chinonso Obasi, lamented that Nigerians were subjected to various acts of social abuse, degradation and molestation at Ukrainian borders due to the nonchalant attitude of the government.

He expressed dismay that the Federal Government delayed in evacuating Nigerians from Ukraine despite early warning signals.

Obasi stated, “There was early intelligence that Russia would invade Ukraine in a matter of days. Governments of other countries mobilised resources and reached out to their nationals in the country, but Nigeria developed indifference.

“We have witnessed this show of nonchalance on many occasions. When the xenophobic attacks broke out in South Africa last year, the Federal Government did not deem it fit to rise for the protection of its citizens until a private citizen, Chief Allen Onyema, volunteered to evacuate them.

“We at the NYU, condemn the penchant of the Federal Government for abandoning Nigerians abroad to their fate without regards to the protection and preservation of their interests in foreign countries. This attitude does not enhance patriotism; neither does it uplift the image of the country in the comity of nations.”

The NYU, however, commended Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for ensuring that Sokoto indigenes in Ukraine were airlifted early enough when the signs of impending hostilities emerged.

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Related Topics:FG join Nigerians Ukrainian

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$6bn fraud: Judge scolds Agunloye’s counsel over delay tactics

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Former Power and Steel Minister Olu Agunloye

$6bn fraud: Judge scolds Agunloye’s counsel over delay tactics

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja On Thursday, chastised Adeola Adedipe, SAN, counsel to former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, for using delay tactics to slow the pace of the former minister’s prosecution.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on seven counts of official corruption and fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract worth $6 billion.

During Thursday’s hearings, the court observed that the defence counsel has been in the habit of making excuses based on Agunloye’s health and age, as well as filing various motions, ensuring that little progress has been achieved in the trial.

Addressing the defence counsel, Justice Onwuegbuzie stated that “My principle of justice is that of no delay. The other time you brought the issue of amicus curiae and wasted the time of the court. You should also know that in my court I don’t read processes.

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“If you need time to serve processes, it must reach me on time, and your colleague must also be duly aware in time. There must be mutual respect. Do not come and serve processes in court; I don’t take that in my court,” he said.

Prosecuting Counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, informed the court at the start of proceedings that the business of the day was the adoption of the prosecution’s application for the amendment of the charge, which was filed on October 30, 2024, to which the defence responded with a counter-affidavit and a request for an adjournment to allow the prosecution to study the affidavit.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until November 28, 2024, to rule on the adoption of the application.

$6bn fraud: Judge scolds Agunloye’s counsel over delay tactics

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Emefiele printed new naira notes different from what Buhari approved – Ex-CBN official

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele

Emefiele printed new naira notes different from what Buhari approved – Ex-CBN official

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, continued at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

A former CBN Deputy Governor, Kingsley Obiora, who served in the policy department, testified that the newly printed naira notes issued during Emefiele’s tenure deviated from the approval granted by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

In his testimony before Justice Maryann Anenih via Zoom, Obiora disclosed, “the approval by then President Muhammadu Buhari was different from what was eventually produced,” according to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Obiora, responding to evidence presented by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, explained that he noticed discrepancies when comparing the naira notes in circulation with the President’s original directive.

During his seven-year tenure at the CBN, Obiora served on the Committee of Governors (COG), which he described as a body comprising “the governor, four deputy governors, and the director of corporate services.” He clarified, “The governor is the Chairman of the Committee, and during my tenure as Deputy Governor, Emefiele was our Chairman.” Obiora said the Committee met every Wednesday to address significant policy matters.

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Obiora recalled the initial introduction of the redesign plan during an event marking the one-year anniversary of the e-naira in Lagos on October 25, 2022. “The governor called all four deputy governors into a huddle and informed us of the plan to redesign the currency,” he said, expressing immediate concerns, as he felt “the event itself may not be the appropriate place to announce such a major policy.” He advised that the policy undergo further scrutiny before any public announcement.

Despite his reservations, Obiora noted that Emefiele proceeded with the plan, formally presenting it to the COG on October 26, 2022. “The governor mentioned that we had already had the president’s approval for the policy,” he stated, adding, “The deputy governor in charge of currency operations presented a memo, and it was discussed, deliberated upon.” Following this, a press conference was held to announce the redesign.

Obiora explained that the CBN Board was formally briefed on the naira redesign months later, in mid-December 2022. He said, “The policy was discussed at the board level mid-December. The board did not sit as day-to-day management but instead gave policy directions.” Obiora clarified that “the board’s involvement in the policy was limited to endorsing the COG’s prior decision, not initiating it.”

During cross-examination, defense counsel Olalekan Ojo, SAN, questioned Obiora about the timing of the board’s formal involvement. Ojo suggested that the December meeting “conforms with the naira notes currently in circulation,” to which Obiora responded, “Yes, sir.” He noted there had been no indication or directive from former President Buhari challenging the redesign.

Reflecting on past experiences with currency design, Obiora mentioned that while he was with the bank during the introduction of a redesigned N100 note in 2014, he was not directly involved in its development.

After delivering his testimony, Justice Anenih discharged Obiora and adjourned the case to December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025, for further proceedings.

Emefiele printed new naira notes different from what Buhari approved – Ex-CBN official

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Train attack: ECOWAS court dismisses SERAP suit against FG

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Train attack: ECOWAS court dismisses SERAP suit against FG

The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) has rejected a suit filed by a group of Nigerian activists, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over an attack by bandits on an Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.

The court held that it lacks jurisdiction over the case because relevant ingredients that could qualify it to be entertained as a public interest litigation were missing.

SERAP filed the case after bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train in 2022.

In the attack, armed assailants bombed the train carrying over 970 passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line near Rigasa in Kaduna.

The attack led to numerous fatalities, injuries, and abductions.

SERAP, by its case, sought to hold the government of Nigeria accountable for alleged human rights violations in relation to the terrorist attack.

The organisation claimed, among others, that the attack was the result of the state’s inability to provide tight security for the passengers.

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SERAP argued that Nigeria’s alleged lack of measures to avert the attack violated the rights of passengers to life, security, and dignity.

It prayed for a N50 million compensation for each of the passengers and their families.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the regional court declared the suit inadmissible due to lack of victim status required for public interest litigation.

A statement by the court said the judgment was delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki.

It added: “The court recognised its jurisdiction to hear the case as it involved potential human rights violations within a member-state, in accordance with Article 9(4) of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol.

“However, the court found the claim inadmissible on grounds that it failed to meet the victim status requirement essential for litigation under Article 10(d) of the same Protocol.

“In its findings, the court said that SERAP claimed to be acting in public interest, citing previous incidents of terrorism in the region, including attacks on educational institutions and transportation services.

“However, the court determined that the case did not meet the criteria for a public interest action, or actio popularis, which requires that the alleged violations affect a large, indeterminate segment of the public or the general public itself.

“The Court highlighted that: The victims of the March 28 attack were identifiable individuals rather than an indeterminate public group, making the claim unsuitable as a public interest litigation.

“The reliefs sought, including specific monetary compensation, were directed at the identifiable victims of the attack rather than the public at large.

“Members of the three-member panel of the court were Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves(presiding judge), Honorable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (panel member), and Honorable Justice Dupe Atoki (judge rapporteur).”