Tag: #EndSARS Protests

17Jan By dthataNo Comments

News

#EndSARS Activists: Government Yet To Unfreeze Our Bank Accounts Since Oct 2020

The CBN had in October 2020 asked banks to freeze the bank accounts of about 20 individuals involved in controlling #EndSARS funds. Activists linked to the #EndSARS protests have said the Post No Debit restriction placed on their accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria has yet to be lifted. The CBN had in October 2020 asked banks to freeze the bank accounts of about 20 individuals involved in controlling #EndSARS funds. The affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Pamilerin Emmanuel. Others are Umoh Grace Ekane...

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13Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#Endsars: Court Stops Trial Of Davido, Adeyanju, Yesufu, 47 Others

An FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, has granted an application for stay of proceedings in a case between controversial lawyer Kenechukwu Okeke and 50 prominent Nigerians accused of championing the historic #EndSARS protests last year. Justice Bello Kawu in his ruling on Wednesday, granted the prayers of the applicants who had, among other things, sought an order of the court restraining the Nigeria Police Force, and the Abuja police commissioner from arresting or taking further steps against them on the matter. This followed an application filed by one of the counsels to the applicants, Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr. Mr. Okeke, the controversial Abuja-based lawyer had last November filed a criminal complaint against rights activists Deji Adeyanju and Aisha Yesufu, as well as popular s...

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11Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS: Adamu Garba Withdraws Lawsuit Against Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey

Former presidential aspirant Adamu Garba has withdrawn his court case against the founder/chief executive of Twitter International Company, Jack Dorsey. Mr Garba tweeted, saying he had asked his lawyers to withdraw the case, adding that the purpose of the lawsuit had been achieved. The former presidential hopeful had dragged Mr Dorsey before a Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged sponsorship of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. “I think the action has served its purpose. I’ve written to our lawyers to withdraw the case from court. “I also tendered my sincere apologies to Nigerians who are pained by my #EndSARS actions. Nigeria shall rise,” he wrote over the weekend. The motion on notice was brought pursuant to order II Rules 1, 2, 3 of the Fundamental Righ...

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4Dec By dthataNo Comments

News

Lekki Shooting Victims Storm Lagos Panel Of Inquiry

15 protesters who suffered gunshot wounds during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos have visited the Lagos State Court of Arbitration and Mediation in Lekki, venue of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and other matters. 14 of them were said to have been shot at Lekki Toll Gate on the evening of October 20, while one was said to have been shot Ojodu Berger. In their entourage was Mr Nathaniel Solomon, whose younger brother Abouta Solomon was said to have been shot dead at the toll gate. The deceased has since been buried in his hometown in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, and Aiyedungbe Olufunmi Grace, whose brother died at LASUTH after suffering gunshot wounds to the head. Grace told The Nation that after he...

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sanwo-Olu Gives 10M Each To Wives Of Police Men Killed During EndSARS Riots

Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu today presented a sum of N10m to the wives of Police Officers killed during the hijacked #EndSARS protests that turned violent in Lagos. @PoliceNG @rrslagos767 @gbenga_omo #ForAGreaterLagos #HealingLagos

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

CBN Denies Freezing EndSARS Promoters’ Accounts

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has faulted claim that his bank obtained court orders to block accounts associated with promoters of the #EndSARS protests. Emefiele’s position was stated by his lawyer, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) while appearing before a Federal High Court in Abuja. Aondoakaa is the CBN Governor’s lawyer in the case, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020)of CBN v. Bolatito Rachael Oduala and 19 others in which Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted an order freezing the accounts of the defendants for 90 minutes in the first instance. The former AGF spoke while reacting to remarks by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), lawyer to Albert A. Ugochuwu and others, whose accounts were also frozen i...

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

News

Police Ask Court To Stop Probe Of Abuses By Judicial Panels

The Police have initiated a move to stop various panels probing allegations of rights abuses and other acts of impunity against police officials, particularly operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). State governments have raised the panels to investigate alleged infractions by SARS operatives, following nationwide #EndSARS protests by youths. The panels have since been sitting in almost all the states. But, the Police have approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking among others, an order restraining the Attorneys-General of the 36 states and the panels of inquiry they constituted, from proceedings with their investigation of the activities of the police and their officials. The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1492/2020, filed for the NPF by its lawyer,...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

News

CBN Asks Court Not To Unfreeze EndSARS Campaigners’ Accounts

THE Central Bank of Nigeria has asked Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja not to unfreeze the accounts of #EndSARS campaigners because they are still under probe for terrorism financing. The CBN said this in a counter-affidavit in opposition to a motion on notice filed by Gatefield Nigeria Limited, a company that sponsored freelance journalists to cover the #EndSARS protests in October. The apex bank had through an ex parte order frozen the account of Gatefield Nigeria Limited and 19 other persons who played a role in the protests. However, Gatefield opposed the CBN’s action in court, insisting that the act was illegal because the apex bank had frozen the accounts even before the court order to do so was obtained. In a counter-affidavit filed by a lawyer...

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27Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigerian Networks Block #EndSARS Websites

A digital rights group believes the websites have been deliberately targeted by the government for playing an active part in the #EndSARS protests At least three prominent websites that were involved in the recent #EndSARS protests have been inaccessible to Nigerians without a Virtual Private Network (VPN) since Thursday. One of the websites belongs to the advocacy group, the Feminist Coalition, while the other two have the domain names www.endsars.com and www.radioisiaq.com. The Paradigm Initiative, an organisation that advocates for “digital rights”, has said through a Twitter post that they are “investigating” the situation, implying that they believe the blocking of these websites has been deliberate. “When similar network disruptions happened in October 2017, we obtain...

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26Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

EndSARS: CACOVID To Rebuild 44 Police Stations, Donates ₦100 Billion For Arms – Godwin Emefiele

The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has said the Coalition Alliance Against COVID- 19 will rehabilitate all the police stations that were damaged in the country as a result of wanton destruction and lootings that followed the recent #EndSARS protests . Emefiele spoke during a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday at the office of the CBN. He also disclosed that CACOVID had so far spent N43 .27bn on the acquisition of medical equipment and supplies, and food palliatives for the vulnerable, among others. The CBN governor said the alliance planned to spend N 150bn on youth empowerment. He said , “ CACOVID has committed to fully rehabilitate all 44 damaged and destroyed police stations nationwide in a bid to restore provision of security in affected locations . “ To further...

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25Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lekki Shootings: New Report Shows CNN Is Desperate — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed , has accused CNN of desperation over its second report on the Lekki toll plaza shootings that happened on October 20 . The Minister said this on NTA on Wednesday . The PUNCH reports that CNN had on Tuesday released a second ‘ investigative report ’ on the shootings at Lekki toll plaza during the #EndSARS protests amid threats of sanction from the Federal Government . But the minister faulted CNN’ s reports , saying it lacked credible sources . When asked about the second CNN’ s report, Mohammed said, “ It shows that they (CNN ) are desperate. The so- called recent development has been seen before. There is nothing new . If there is anything new, it is a contradiction of CNN ’ s position. “ What we are asking CNN is that ...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Uk parliament calls for severe sanction on Nigerian government

Members of the United Kingdom Parliament Monday pushed for possible sanctions against the Nigerian government officials over alleged human rights abuses during the #EndSARS protests. The calls for sanctions were made on Monday evening when the Petitions Committee of the UK Parliament held a debate in Westminster Hall on the motion “That this House has considered e-petition 554150, relating to Nigeria and the sanctions regime”. Petitions debates are general debates which allow members of parliament from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to government ministers. A member of the Petitions Committee, Theresa Villiers MP, opened the debate, while the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sent a minister to res...

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16Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

EndSARS: Hundreds Of Resignations By Police Officers Rejected By The IGP

Resignation letters from hundreds of officers in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests have allegedly been rejected by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. Senior officers confided in The Guardian that hundreds of policemen were ready to leave after their humiliation and burning of stations. “There is no amount of talk that will assuage the anger of policemen. We are very angry. Many of my colleagues tendered their resignation, but they are not accepting it. The morale is terribly low. Our officers were dehumanised. Some were killed. Many of us don’t have offices anymore. Nigerians should ask us to go if they don’t need police anymore. Are we not also Nigerians? Why should we be treated like animals?” an officer fumed. IGP Adamu had vowed to arrest perpetrators in...

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9Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

EndSARS: Lagos To Release 253 People Arrested In Connection To Lagos Protests

253 persons arrested by the Police for criminal offences in connection to the #EndSARS protests in Lagos State are to be released immediately for non-disclosure of a prima facie case against them by the Police. In a Lagos Ministry of Justice statement released earlier today by the Office of Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, explained that the Nigeria Police forwarded 40 case files in respect of the 361 persons arrested for criminal offences in connection with the #EndSARS protests to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for Legal Advice, between 4th and 5th of November, 2020.According to the statement; "Legal Advice has been issued in respect of all the 40 case files received, and as at 6th November 2020, the Directorate had been able ...

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8Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Tinubu Destined To Be A Kingmaker, Not A King – Shettima Yerima

Alhaji Shettima Yerima, President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has said recent developments in the polity, especially the fall-out of the #EndSARS protests has shown that the likes of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are not needed as contestants in the 2023 presidential election. Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Yerima who reiterated his earlier position that anyone above 70 years shouldn’t contest the presidential election in 2023 however said he will wait for Tinubu to make an official declaration on his presidential ambition before making his position known. While attesting to the fact that Tinubu has done a lot in raising and mentoring younger leaders among whom are Vice-Presi...

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

Religion

Stop Burning Mosques In Igboland – MURIC

Two mosques were set ablaze by the Igbo in Enugu on Saturday, 31st October, 2020. The Islamic School, Afikpo, Ebonyi State has also received threats of impending invasion. It will be recalled that 11 (eleven) Muslims were killed during the #EndSARS protests in Port Harcourt and Orlu while the Orlu Central Mosque was completely destroyed barely two weeks ago. Markets belonging to Muslims in the region were also attacked and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, including whole trailers with the goods. The Nigerian Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the attacks on Muslims in Igboland. MURIC called for a halt to the burning of mosques in the South East and South South. The organization also appealed to the Inspector General of Police t...

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

#EndSARS: Rinuola Mocks CBN After It Got A Court Order To Freeze Her Account

, one of the promoters of the #EndSARS protests, has reacted to the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to freeze her account and those of 18 others who promoted and received cash donations for the #EndSARS protests. In a tweet posted on her handle, Rinu who is a member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police brutality wrote: ''My name is even the first on the list Such a criminal that I am, that I protested without arms only putting on a white shirt stained red to say the Police should stop killing we youths. Freeze my account from today till tomorrow. I no get car. I go trek !#EndSars''

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

Lagos State Government Urges Calm, Warns Against Fresh Protests

LASG URGES LAGOSIANS TO REMAIN PEACEFUL The @followlasg has urged all Lagosians to shun any act that may threaten the peace of our dear state, which is battling to recover from the shock of the carnage unleashed by hoodlums who hid under the #EndSARS protests. Even as we are still counting our painful losses in lives and property, there are hints of a new protest. The police have warned that no protest will be tolerated. Any protest under any guise will be disrespectful to the memory of those who died in the violence and unfair to ordinary Lagosians, who have remained peaceful, despite the hardship that the original protests sparked. It is clear that the original protests, despite their good intentions, have caused more havoc than they were planned to resolve. The Govern...

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Needs $656 Million To Complete Lagos-Ibadan Railway – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said the Federal Government requires the sum of $656 million to complete work on the Lagos-Ibadan railway project. Amaechi disclosed this on Friday while defending his ministry’s 2021 budget at the Senate. He explained that the amount is needed to put the necessary infrastructure in place for the project to serve its intended purpose. “Some aspects of works involving the construction of upgraded railway station, signalling and telecommunication systems, power supply scheme and the construction of pedestrian and overpass bridges have to be completed,” he said. “These additional and extra works amounting to $656 million which is to be financed 100 percent by the Federal Government of Nigeria has been approved by the Federal E...

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5Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

El-Rufai Visits Sanwo-Olu, Says He Nearly Shed Tears Seeing Burnt Sites

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday, visited his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to sympathise with him over the recent loss of lives and properties in Nigeria’s economic capital. Rampaging hoodlums had hijacked the #EndSARS protests against police brutality to wreak havoc in Lagos last month. El-Rufai said Sanwo-Olu did all that needed to be done to prevent the demonstrations from degenerating to violence but those who thrive in violence infiltrated the protests to achieve their agenda. According to a statement by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the Kaduna State governor said he nearly shed tears seeing photos of burnt and looted sites in Lagos. The statement was titled, ‘El-Rufai: Youths Who Destroyed Public Assets In Lagos ...

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5Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sanwo-olu Signs Executive Order To Rebuild Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday signed an executive order for the rebuilding of the state as a result of the massive destruction inflicted by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests. Sanwo-Olu also constituted the Lagos State Rebuilding Trust Fund to oversee the rebuilding of every aspect of the state and also look at the future and healing of wounds.

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5Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

South-West Ministers Demand Probe Of Military Over Lekki Shooting

Ministers from the south-west who were directed to relocate to their home states to douse the tension created by the #ENDSARS protests have presented their report to the federal executive council (FEC). In the report presented earlier on Wednesday, they demanded a thorough investigation into the Lekki toll plaza shooting incident, particularly the role of the military. Armed men in military uniform had invaded the protest ground at Lekki tollgate in Lagos to forcefully disperse protesters. The incident sparked an outrage within and outside the country, with controversy on whether people were killed or not.

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4Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS: Sharia Supreme Council Of Nigeria Visits Oba Of Lagos

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria on Wednesday commiserated with Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, over the destruction of his palace by hoodlums in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests. The delegation was led by the Vice President, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Adiyatullah. A statement by Oba Akiolu’s palace said: “Sheikh AbdurRasheed Adiyatullah led a delegation of SCSN who came to sympathise with the royal father over the recent destruction of his Iga-Iduganran Palace in Lagos.”

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4Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

ICC Opens Inquiry Into Crimes Committed During #EndSARS Protests

The International Criminal Court (ICC) says it has opened a preliminary inquiry into the demonstrations against harassment and brutality by the police. According to BBC, the ICC said it had received information on alleged crimes during the protests, which were organised under the #EndSARS campaign. In October, many Nigerians took to the streets to call for an end to police brutality. In response to the protests, Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), announced the dissolution of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) — a unit that had been accused of extrajudicial killings. The ICC said the inquiry will begin with “whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met”. The development is coming after a number of civil society or...

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4Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EndSARS: FG Denies Generating ‘No-Fly’ List

The Federal Government has denied generating a ‘no-fly’ list of youths and persons who participated in the recent #EndSARS protests against police brutality. The Federal Ministry of Interior made this known in a tweet on Tuesday in reaction to a media report by an online publication (not The PUNCH). The publication alleged that the Nigerian authorities have started collating a no-fly list of Nigerians that energised the #EndSARS protest last month. Reacting, @MinOfInteriorNG wrote, “The Ministry of Interior did not, has not and will not generate any no-fly list. Ignore fake news, please!” The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday prevented a promoter of the #EndSARS movement, Modupe Odele, from travelling. Although the officers did not...

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3Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EndSARS: We Will Compensate Families Of Slain Policemen – Governor Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday November 2, announced that the Oyo state government will be compensating families of Policemen who lost their lives during the peaceful #EndSARS protests which was hijacked by hoodlums. The Oyo state Governor said this while speaking at the Oyo State Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Eleyele, Ibadan. Makinde who disclosed that N500 million fund has already been set aside to compensate victims of police brutality and injustice, commiserated with officers and men of the Police Command over the loss of their officers as well as the destruction of a number of structures and equipment. The Governor stated that government will continue to work together with the force to make Oyo State safe and secure for residents, and further urged the Police...

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3Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Northern governors call for censorship of social media

Northern Governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Northern Governors’ Forum, have called for the censorship of the social media. The governors said the social media have a “devastating” effects after their meeting on Monday. They also vowed to keep Nigeria one, declaring that the unity of the country was non negotiable. They northern governors condemned the #EndSARS protests which they claimed was meant to remove the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd), from office.

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2Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

Police Service Commission Warns Policemen To Return To Duty Posts Or Face Dismissal

The Police Service Commission has frowned on the refusal of some policemen to return to their duty posts following the killing of about 22 cops during the violence that broke out in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests across the country. The PSC said Public Service Rules, which also applies to members of the Nigeria Police Force, prescribes dismissal for any officer that deserted his job, while admonishing them to put the killing of their colleagues behind them. The PSC stressed that policemen did not deserve to be killed and should in fact be protected as fellow human beings, but it however noted that the attack on them by hoodlums should not be an excuse for them to stay away from work. PSC spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said the attacks on the police were not good for t...

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2Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sanwo-Olu Meets With Shop Owners And Tenants Of Circle Mall

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has addressed shop owners whose goods and shops were damaged following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests by hoodlums. Mr. Babajide reiterated his desire to help the business owners restore their businesses. Listen to him below as he addressed business owners: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHE4clYJ9s7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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1Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sanwo-Olu Lifts Curfew Due To EndSARS Riots In Lagos

The curfew imposed on Lagos State after the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests has been lifted immediately. The 12 am to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government to curb the spread of COVID-19 remains. Lagosians are free to go about their businesses without any hindrance whatsoever. Security agencies will continue to discharge their duties. Lagosians are urged to co-operate with them to maintain the status of our state as one of the most peaceful. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanks security agencies for their efforts in restoring peace to our troubled communities. He commends Lagosians for observing the curfew and ensuring the return of normalcy. The Governor urges the citizenry not to do or encourage any action that may turn back the clock, but to keep living in har...

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1Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Enugu Governmet Accuses Flavour, Phyno Of Collecting N78m From Ekweremadu

The recent allegation levelled against popular music heavyweights, Flavour N’abania and Phyno by the Enugu State government that the duo collected the sum of N78 million from the former Deputy Senate president, Dr. Ike Ekweremmadu to tarnish the image of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the nationwide #ENDSARS protests are currently raising dust in many quarters. Some concerned stakeholders in the state are still wondering why the Technical Assistant to Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Media and Public Relations, Comrade Stanley Ezediuto should make such a ‘grave accusation’ on his social media handles, while many others have asked the Enugu State government to apologise to the artistes. However, the truth remains that many celebrities across the country participated actively in the...

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31Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

Curfew Now 10pm To 6am In Lagos State

The Lagos State Government has announced a further relaxation of the curfew imposed after the breakdown of law and order, following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests. The curfew will now be from 10pm till 6am (meaning you can move till 10pm) Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises Lagosians for observing the curfew, which is expected to restore normalcy in our communities. He urges all Lagosians to go about their businesses in peace, even as they shun ‘actions that can threaten our unity’. The Governor advises purveyors of fake news to stop causing disaffection among Lagosians, who are well known for being peace-loving and friendly. Gbenga Omotoso HC, Information & Strategy

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30Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

With 28 Officers Killed, Police Admits Low Morale, IG Begins Tour Of Commands

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, will on Friday begin visits to the police commands across the country to boost the morale of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force. The PUNCH on Thursday gathered that the morale of members of the force was low following the killing of no fewer than 28 policemen by hoodlums, who hijacked the #EndSARS protests that started in the country on October 8 and lasted for two weeks. Findings showed that the police authorities were disturbed by the high level of dejection among policemen, hence the need for the IG to encourage them and boost their morale. It was also learnt during the tour, the IG would assess the level of damage done by the hoodlums, who burnt police stations and looted government and private property. Thes...

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30Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Protesters Disseminated Inciting Content On Social Media – Babagana Monguno

THE National Security Adviser, Maj . Gen . Babagana Monguno ( retd.) , has said the social media was used to disseminate subversive content to incite violence during the #EndSARS protests, which rocked the country . Monguno, who spoke at the multi -stakeholders ’ workshop for the validation of the draft National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2020, organised by his office in Abuja on Wednesday, also attributed the rising cases of terrorism , fake news, and other criminal activities to the cyberspace . The NSA stated , “ We are witnesses to the use of social media to disseminate subversive content to incite violence and heightened tension, causing unrest and sparking widespread looting and destruction across the country. ” He , however , noted that the sophistication of cy...

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30Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS Protests Will Return in Two Weeks if Issues Are Not Addressed, says Former Nigerian Minister

There are fears that #EndSARS demonstrators will take to the streets of Nigeria in the next two weeks if it is perceived that the government has set up judicial panels across the country to buy time. Former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs Professor Bolaji Akinyemi expressed this when he featured on ARISE News on Wednesday and called on the federal government to urgently address the issues raised by the protesters. “The government should at least give the youths the impression that you have not set up all these panels to buy time, but that you are really genuinely and seriously interested in addressing their issues. “I will say and let me believe I am wrong, the judicial panels have just two weeks to address all these issues before the youths come back to the streets,” Pr...

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30Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigerians Are Not Hungry; Protest Caused Looting- Femi Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says the looting of warehouses and shops by hoodlums cannot be traced to poverty in Nigeria but by the pandemonium that accompanied the #EndSARS protests. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, on Thursday, Adesina said attributing the looting to poverty was like justifying armed robbery. “Criminality is criminality. Would it justify armed robbery because the man was poor? Would it justify armed robbery because the man didn’t have money? Just as you cannot justify armed robbery because a man was poor and took a gun to rob another person, you can’t also justify the looting,” he said. Adesina claimed the protracted protests provided an atmosphere for looting to take place. He said i...

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29Oct By dthataNo Comments

Crime

Edo Police Parade 126 Suspects For Jail-break, Looting, Others

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded 126 suspects in connection with the jail -breaks, looting and vandalism in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests which rocked the country. According to the breakdown given by the State Commissioner of Police , Johnson Kokumo, 106 suspects were arrested for breaking stores , looting and arson. He also said 10 escapees were re -arrested , while 10 suspects were arrested for other offences. He said, “ The Command wishes to brief members of the public on the # EndSARS protest which was hijacked by hoodlums and mobs who went berserk wreaking havoc majorly in Benin metropolis. “As you are all aware , the hoodlums burnt down police stations, carted away arms and ammunition, raped women in some areas, killed policemen on their gory pa...

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28Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS: We Must Regulate Social Media Before It Destroys Us – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the issue of fake news is not urgently addressed, insisting on the regulation of social media in the country. The House of Representatives has, however, warned against clamping down on free speech and press freedom. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values were sharply divided on the matter on Tuesday. Mohammed had appeared before the committee to defend the 2021 budget proposed by his ministry. The minister, while responding to questions from members of the committee, noted that the next war to be fought in the country and across the world might be fought the social media, making reference to the ong...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

Meet The Man Whose Viral Video Sparked #EndSARS Protests

He obviously didn’t know that the video he was shooting at Ughelli, Delta State would trigger an outrage that would reverberate across the country. Prince Nicholas Makolomi merely felt he owed it a duty to alert the authorities and Nigerians to the illegal activities of some policemen. But once uploaded on the social media, the video went viral as it generated interest especially among activists opposed to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police. The development sparked tension across the country and led to a mob attack on an off-duty SARS operative, Sergeant Ohwovwiogor Fidelis, at the Ughelli Central Garage axis with the mob him attempting to set him ablaze but for the intervention of a Good Samaritan. Makolomi was subsequently arrested by the police but not b...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

NBC Sanctions AIT, Channels, Arise Over #EndSARS Protests And Lekki Shooting Coverage

The National Broadcasting Commission has fined Channels Television, Arise Television and Africa Independent Television for what it termed “unprofessional coverage” of the #EndSARS protests. . The acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. . NBC had last week warned all television and radio stations against reporting the #EndSARS protests in a manner that could embarrass the government or private individuals or cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the society.

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Palliatives Distribution: FG Never Asked Governors To Wait For Approval – Officials

There no time were governors of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) asked to await any further directive before distributing the palliatives given to them by the federal government to cushion the effect of the COVID- 19, credible sources have told Daily Trust. Since Wednesday last week, hoodlums across the states have been breaking into stores and strategic reserves looting food items and everything on sight in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. Besides donation by the federal government, groups such as the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and spirited individuals had also contributed food and non-food items even as much of such donations had not been distributed to the targeted people. The consignments were, however, looted...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Didn’t Invite Soldiers To Protect TVC & The Nation To Avoid Bloodshed – Tinubu

Former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says he didn’t request security operatives to stop “attackers” that razed The Nation Newspaper and Television Continental to avoid bloodshed. He made this known in a statement on Sunday titled, ‘The #EndSARS protests; a fundamental lesson in democratic governance’. Hoodlums had massively looted shops and set fire to several public and private properties, including Television Continental and The Nation newspaper, both of which have been linked to him. This followed the shootings of some protesters at the Lekki toll gate plaza by soldiers. While Tinubu confirmed that he is a financier of the media houses, he denied making money from the Lekki toll gate plaza. He said, ...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

‘Turn Back Your Children And Husband If They Bring Back Unaccounted Goods – Buhari To Wives, Families On Looting

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked parents and guardians not to encourage their children and wards to partake in the nationwide looting, destruction of property. “Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods, in the same way, wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home,” the President said. This statement is coming just as the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government and other states start sitting on Monday to look into the pillage that ensued following a rather abrupt halt to the #EndSARS protests across the country. President Buhari in a statement on Sunday expressed his full support and optimism that it will assist the nation to give justice to peaceful protesters who lost their lives, security men who were mu...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

Niger Delta Militants Make 5 Demands, Write IOCs

MILITANTS in Niger Delta, who threatened to resume hostilities, some days ago, have tabled five new demands before the Federal Government, while waiting for expiration of an earlier ultimatum. The nine renegade militant groups under the auspices of Reformed Niger-Delta Avengers, RNDA, said it had written the International Oil Companies, IOCs, to evacuate their staff to avoid human casualties, as fighters would occupy oil and gas facilities after destroying them. Leader of RNDA, self-styled “Major General” Johnmark Ezonbi, aka Obama, who confirmed the development, last night, said militants were in support of the #EndSARS protests and would, surely, escalate action in the creeks if the federal government failed to meet the demands.

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Crime

Lagos To Prosecute Suspects Who Destroyed And Looted Public/Private Properties

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice will be prosecuting suspects who allegedly took advantage of the #EndSARS protests to destroy and loot public and private property in different parts of the State Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, who disclosed this today, called on Lagosians to maintain peace, law and order in their respective communities, pledging the commitment of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to uphold the rule of law at all times. He revealed that the State Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi has gone round relevant Police formations with a team of Prosecutors to evaluate files of those arrested by the police with a view to determining those that have prima facie case made against ...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS Protests: Lagos Will Need N1trn For Reconstruction — Gbajabiamila

Aftermath of wanton destruction of lives and properties during #EndSARS protests, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that Lagos State required a minimum of N1 Trillion to reconstruct the wilful extensive damage of properties across the metropolis. This happened as South West Governors have alleged that there were some elements keenly anxious to annihilate the South West and destroy it common heritage. Also, the Ministers from South West condemned the violence, saying proper investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the violence and prevent future occurrence. They spoke during a commiseration and solidarity visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Marina, after an the spot assessment of some structures burnt by...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Crime

Survivors Of Awkuzu SARS Said Squad Sold Body Parts Of Executed Victims

Okechukwu Nwanguma is the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, an organisation that promotes justice for victims of human rights violation and has handled several cases of human rights violation by the Nigeria Police. He tells ALEXANDER OKERE how the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the security agency became an organised ‘criminal entity’ How would you assess the government’s reactions to #EndSARS protests, especially with the replacement of Special Anti-Robbery Squad with the Special Weapons and Tactics unit? I am happy that after many years of apparent docility and passivity, Nigerian youths eventually experienced a reawakening, found their voices, picked up the gauntlet and rose to the occasion. I never thought that this day of renewed co...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Tinubu’s Full Statement On Lekki Shooting

THE #ENDSARS PROTESTS; A FUNDAMENTAL LESSON IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE I heavily grieve for those who have lost their lives or been injured during the period of these protests. 2. My deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones for none should have been made to pay such a dear price. My career as an active politician spans nearly three decades. 3. In that time, I have seen many things as Nigeria has struggled, sometimes against itself, to undertake the often painful yet inexorable push toward democratic government accountable to, and protective of, the people. 4. Here, let me directly address the sharp point aimed against me. I have been falsely accused of ordering the reported deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters that took place at Lekki on 20 October...

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26Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Protests: Buhari Despatches Cabinet Members To Home States

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked his ministers to relocate to their home states for the purpose of dousing the tension created by the #ENDSARS protests and the lawlessness that followed. The ministers are scheduled to meet with stakeholders to explain federal government’s efforts to meet the demands of the youths. Water Resources Minister Sulaiman Adamu, who confirmed the development during a courtesy call to Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State in Dutse, said the cabinet members were directed to “go to our states to solicit the support of political, traditional, religious and community leaders against the violence that emanated from # EndSARS protests.” Adamu said he was therefore in the state to meet with leaders on “promoting tolerance, peace and stability...

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25Oct By dthataNo Comments

News

TVC Resumes Broadcasting 3 Days After Mob Attack

After being burnt down in the #Endsars protests on Wednesday 21st October, 2020, TVC News has resumed broadcasting this morning. Although I noticed that they are only showing old recorded programs and not live studio content yet, it is a step in the right direction. We hope they will learn from this to have multiple live studios in more cities across the nation. Imagine CNN or even NTA being shut down because the lost one studio. We also noticed that their radio arm Max Fm 102.3 Lagos is also back on air too. Their Max Fm 90.1 Abuja which was also taken off air, I believe for security reasons, is now back on air. I pray for Divine recovery for everyone affected in one way or the other by the protests. God bless Nigeria and Nigerians. #Endsars #EndTheLooting #EndTheDistruct...

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