July 24, 2022

[GIST] I Will Tell Nigerians Actual Truth About Atiku Presidency – Governor Wike Says

[GIST] I Will Tell Nigerians Actual Truth About Atiku Presidency – Governor Wike Says

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The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he will soon reveal the “actual truth” about the recent happenings in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his relationship with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said it had become pertinent for him to speak and reveal to Nigerians all that had transpired in the PDP since the emergence of former Vice President, Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the party.


"On Atiku, I will speak soon and Nigerians will know the actual truth of all that has transpired in the PDP in recent times," Wike said.
SaharaReporters on July 6 reported that the governor also rejected the call for him to have one-on-one meeting with the Atiku, over the lingering crisis on the choice of running mate.
The PDP has been enmeshed in deep crisis since Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate for the 2023 general elections.
The crisis has also degenerated to some members of the party calling for the resignation of its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike, who came second in the party’s primary election, had asked Atiku to rather meet with his team for peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, especially as it concerns the resignation of Ayu.
The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, had suggested that Atiku should lead a reconciliation team to Wike, but Wike indicated that he would depend on the advisory from the “Strategy Team.”
Also, a BoT member of the party, Waziri Adamu, had suggested that Wike should be appointed as Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation.
Meanwhile, Wike who rejected the one-on-one meeting with Atiku cited lack of faith in any personal agreement with Atiku.
A source had said, “There is no likelihood of Wike having one-on-one private discussion with Atiku. Shortly after the primary, the governor had a side meeting with Atiku in Abuja and nothing was adhered to.
“He was shocked that Atiku has not told Nigerians what transpired between him and Wike after the primary and how he arrived at Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a running mate.
“Since there was no full disclosure, Wike has directed that fresh talks with Atiku should be with his strategy team members, who will come up with an advisory for him.”

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July 23, 2022

[GIST] Secret Police, DSS Report Can’t Stop Nationwide Protests Over Lecturers’ Strike – Nigeria Labour Congress Warns Buhari Regime

[GIST] Secret Police, DSS Report Can’t Stop Nationwide Protests Over Lecturers’ Strike – Nigeria Labour Congress Warns Buhari Regime

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The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Joint Action Committee, comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, have said their planned protest in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities will hold as planned.
The labour unions said they were not aware of any security report by the Department of State Services that advised against the rally, insisting that their protest in solidarity with ASUU over its six months old strike would hold on July 26 and 27, PUNCH reports.


ASUU had on February 14, 2022 embarked on a nationwide strike over the failure of the Federal Government to honour the agreement it reached with the union in 2009.
The issues in contention include the delay in the release of the revitalisation fund for the universities, adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as the preferred payment platform for the university system and the payment of earned academic allowances to lecturers.
Despite the series of meetings between the Federal Government and the union, the issues have yet to be resolved, prolonging the strike and prompting the intervention of the NLC.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, declared the proposed nationwide protest illegal, saying the NLC had no dispute with the government.
Also on Thursday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, cautioned against the demonstration, saying he received a security report from the DSS that the rally might be hijacked by hoodlums.
But responding to Ngige on Friday in an interview with PUNCH, the Head, Information and Public Affairs, NLC, Mr Benson Upah, stated that the congress was not aware of any security report by the DSS.
He noted that the rally was a symbolic gesture to pressure the government to resolve the five-month ASUU strike, adding that the union’s rallies were always peaceful and that participants had always conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.
He said the police were aware of the protest and would be expected to provide security during the exercise.
He said, “First and foremost, none of our rallies have ever been associated with violence; Nigerians can attest to that. We have always been peaceful; we will ensure we are not implicated. We will carry out our duty as usual.
“I’m not aware of any directive sent to us but I heard the Minister of Labour and Employment saying an advisory came to him, but this will not be the first time such an advisory will be issued.
“Left for the DSS, we will not hold any peaceful rally in this country. At the peak of Boko Haram attacks in Abuja we had our rally. All the rallies were peaceful. I think that is a testimony to our patriotic intention, our organisational capability, our vigilance and the voice of appreciation from Nigerians and we appreciate all of that. We have been able to conduct ourselves reasonably well.”
Responding to the statement by the government that the education minister was not given two weeks to resolve the ASUU crisis, Upah argued that this means the government was not interested in a quick resolution of the crisis.
He noted, “It’s an open ‘cheque’ such that even if it takes till 2023 there is nothing wrong. So, you see why it is necessary for a rally as a platform for people to speak publicly to the issues at stake.
“In a situation like this, what I expect the government to say, given the increasing anxiety, is that the Ministers of Education and that of Labour and Employment are hereby given the mandate to resolve the issues in 48hrs. That would have been more consoling.”

 
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[GIST] Court Hears Bail Application For Delta Take-It-Back Coordinator, Aghogho, Illegally Detained, Refuses State Government’s Moves To Take Over Case

[GIST] Court Hears Bail Application For Delta Take-It-Back Coordinator, Aghogho, Illegally Detained, Refuses State Government’s Moves To Take Over Case

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A Federal High Court in Warri has heard the bail application of the Delta State Take-It-Back Coordinator, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, who was illegally detained and remanded in prison.
SaharaReporters had on June 1 reported that Justice Okon Abang fixed the hearing for July 21, 2022.
The lawyers supported by Legal Aid, Citizens Gravel Foundation for Social Justice had filed the bail application for the release of the activist, Aghogho.


The case was listed as No 16 on the cause list.
Aghogho was represented by four counsel led by U. G Ehirim Esq while the police were represented by S. B. Irabor, a Superintendent of Police.
SaharaReporters learnt that in a twist and an attempt to truncate the business of the day, the Zonal head of the Delta State Attorney General's office Warri, one Mrs Aikpokpo-Martins appeared to take over the matter from the police.
The judge was, however, bold and refused every attempt by the state to truncate the business of the day.
After the arguments were taken, the court raised issues as to whether it had jurisdiction to take the application given as the remand order was made by a magistrate court.
The lawyers addressed the court and ruling was adjourned to October, 2022.
A source at the court told SaharaReporters that the state government also made desperate attempt to remove Aghogho to an unknown destination in the guise of taking him to Warri for arraignment whereas the reproduction order shown to the warders read Asaba as a destination.
“The prison officials resisted this Gestapo moves by the state and Aghogho is safe in custody,” it added.
SaharaReporters also learnt that the Take It Back Movement members who visited Aghogho in Prison confirmed that some plain-clothed police officers led by one CSP Fidelis Odunna (O/c Legal of Delta State Police Command) came to pick Aghogho from the Ugwashukwu Correctional Centre.
“They came with a tinted Ash color Lexus 350 Jeep and two White hilux vans with well armed men as though they were coming to get a notorious criminal. Nothing on their vehicles or their clothes signified that they were police officers.
“When the officers were confronted, they said they wanted to carry Aghogho to Federal High Court, Warri, where he had his day in court. Because of the suspicious manner they appeared, Aghogho demanded to see the reproduction warrant, and what was on it was Chief Magistrate court, Asaba.
“Upon this revelation, Aghogho raised alarm in the Correctional center that his life was at risk. At that point, the Deputy Controller Corrections, Ogwashukwu, Sunday Oyachiri, demanded for explanation but the explanation from the officers was not adding up. He resisted all attempts by the officers who were hell bent in whisking Aghogho away without proper explanation and documentation.
“When it was obvious that Sunday Oyachiri - DCC Ogwashikwu Correctional Center was hell bent on doing the right thing after several hours, the police left without returning,” a source explained to SaharaReporters.
Meanwhile, in the suit numbered FHC/WR/CS/51/2022, the lawyers demanded the release of Aghogho from Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre (Prison).
The court document read, “Grounds for the Relief(s) sought are (1) On or about the 8th day of June 2022, the Applicant was remanded at Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre (Prison) by the Order of P. U. Nsolo (Mrs) of the Magistrate Court 1 sitting at Asaba on the guise of holding charge pursuant to sections 293 and 294 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Delta State. (2) By the said sections of the ACJL, the order made on or about 8/6/2022 has a lifespan of 14 days and was unprofessionally extended to 8/6/2022 by P.U Nsolo (Mrs) on 24/6/2022 without the court sitting.
“(3) The Order has expired since on 24/6/2022 and there is no valid order of court extending the remand order since the Court did not sit. (4) That to date, the Delta State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Efe Odogwu Jesin Odogwu has failed to and /or file any charge against the Applicant (Aghogho) if she wishes to prosecute the Applicant.
“(5) This Court has the power to release the Applicant on the circumstance on bail pending the DPP advice or prosecution (if any). (6) The applicant is an asthmatic patient and needs to be released so he can properly treat himself. (7) The applicant is innocent of the offence with which he is being accused of and ought to be granted bail unconditionally. The applicant is ready to stand trial at any time if called upon to do so.”
On June 6, 2022, the activist was illegally arrested and detained by the police in the state over his calls for a probe into child-trafficking cases in the state.
He had also protested against the lack of police vehicles for an investigation involving child trafficking.
He specifically accused the Assistant Inspector General, Zone 5 Benin, Lawan Tanko Jimeta of compromising an ongoing child trafficking investigation involving Delta State Government officials, police officers, and a retired chief judge among others.
In a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Baba Usman, the activist alleged that Jimeta tried everything possible to frustrate investigations into the case, urging the IGP to caution the AIG “if he the IGP is not part of the deal as officers in the zone boast about.”

 
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[GIST] Lawyer Petitions Nigerian Army Over Alleged Threat by Brigadier General To Kill Elegushi, Other Lagos Landlords

[GIST] Lawyer Petitions Nigerian Army Over Alleged Threat by Brigadier General To Kill Elegushi, Other Lagos Landlords

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A lawyer, M. A. Omotayo, has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Farouk Yahaya, to investigate Brig Gen Y.O Zubair of the Nigerian Army Signal Base, Apapa, Lagos State, for threatening the life of her client, Chief Elegushi Ifasegun over a landed property which the court had decided.
Omotayo said that despite various court judgements up to the Supreme Court which ruled in favour of Chief Elegushi Ifasegun and his family over the ownership of a land at Itedo, in the Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, one Toluwaleke Megba and his family members employed the services of the senior military officer who on Saturday, July 16, deployed soldiers who threatened to kill her client with a gun after brazenly trespassing on the property.


The petition dated July 20, 2022 and titled: "Assault, Harassment, Intimidation, Threat To Snuff Out Life With Military Riffles And The Use Of Nigeria Army Weapons/Equipment To Unleash Terror & Wrestle Land At Itedo, Lagos State And Abuse Of Office By Brigadier General Y.O Zubair Of Nigeria Army Signal Base Apapa Lagos State," was copied to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, 81 Division, Corps Commander Nigerian Army Signal Corps, Executive Secretary, National Human High Commission, and the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
The petition partly read, "We are Solicitors to Elegushi Royal Family & in particular Chief Elegushi Ifasegun, the Opemolua of Ikate Land, Elegushi Property Investment Company and Chief John Ogunyemi, the Baale of Itedo (herein after called “Our Client”) and on whose instruction we write to register Our Client’s protest and raise serious objection to use of Nigeria Army Signal Base/Authority, Apapa, Lagos State to unleash terror, assault, harass, intimidate assault, coerce Our Client in order to grab Our Client’s land at Itedo, in the Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State irrespective of the fact that he has knowledge that there is JUDGEMENT in favour of Our Client by the LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT, where Brigadier General Y.O Subair’s Principal, Toluwaleke Megba and their family members known as Itedo community, declared trespassers on the land.
"Our Client, Elegushi Royal Family including Chief Elegushi Ifasegun and Elegushi Property Investment company are the owners of all land in the Ikate Elegushi Kingdom which includes Itedo, Gbara, Igbokushu, Iroko-Awe, Ilasan, Ologolo, Igbo Olube, Alajapa and Aro all in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
"The Ownership of the which has been stamped with the force of the law in different cases up to the Supreme in; Suit No. SC/29/75: CITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED VS. AG LAGOS STATE, ONIKOYI CHIEFTAINCY FAMILY & 2 OTHERS delivered on the 30th day of January 1976 Suit No. CA/L/80/87 PRINCE OKANLAWON AJAIYI VS. MUTIU S. ELEGUSHI & ORS. Delivered on the 1st day of February 1989. Suit No. LD/1686/2005: CHIEF PATRICK IBIKUNLE FAFUNWA ONIKOYI & 3 ORS. V. A.G, LAGOS STATE AND OBA YEKINI ELEGUSHI & ORS delivered on the 10th day of July, 2006 SUIT NO. LD/2275/96 BETWEEN MOST REV. APST. ZEBULON HARRISON IKUEGBOWO & ORS. V. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE & ORS (the suit which deals specifically with the land in this suit and between the same parties herein to mention a few.
"SUIT NO. LD/2275/96 BETWEEN MOST REV. APST. ZEBULON HARRISON IKUEGBOWO &ORS. V. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE & ORS was instituted by Brigadier Subair’s Principal seeking to be declared owners of the land and other relieves sought. The Honorable Court in its judgement in delivered on the 29th day of November 2016 by Hon. Justice T.A.O Oyekan Abdullahi.
"Our Client were adjudged owners of Itedo land and village as against Brigadier Subair’s Principal and his family who were customary tenants of Our Client on the land including the shoreline.
"All sales by Subair’s Principal on Itedo land were declared NULL & VOID and possession of all land granted to Our Client. Subair’s Principal and their Privies including Subair were restrained perpetually by from committing further acts of trespass on the landPrince Toluwaleke Megba and others (Brigadier General Y.O Subair’s Principal) having lost in Court by judgment stated above filed a suit against Our Client at the Federal High Court before Honourable Justice M. S. Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division in suit FHC/L/CS/655/2017: PRINCE TOLUWALEKE MEGBA & LUCKY MEGBA OJONLA NIG LIMITED VS. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY (NIWA) & SIX OTHERS concerning a purported permit granted by National Inland Waterways and again lost dismissing the claim of Brigadier Subair’s Principal the Honorable Court in a well-considered ruling on the 23rd day of January, 2019 held that I have carefully examined the Statement of Claim and I do not see any legal nexus between the Plaintiffs and the 4th and 5th Defendants/ Applicants in this matter."
"Irrespective of the above Judgements and Rulings Toluwaleke Megba and his family members employed the services of Brigadier General Y.O Subair as their land agent who on Saturday the 16th day of July, 2022 deployed the machinery of the Nigeria Army Signal base Apapa Lagos State who under the guise of having a piece of land at Itedo which has been trespassed upon came to the personal office of Chief John Ogunyemi at Yemi Car Wash, Off Admiralty Way, Itedo slapped the Chief who is the head of the village severally and commanded two of his men to beat up the Chief.
"These soldiers in obedience to Brigadier General Subair removed their uniform belts and beat Chief Ogunyemi mercilessly until the Brigadier General ordered them to stop when he realised the Chief was flat on the floor.
"While other soldiers who came with the Brigadier General pointed the rifles in readiness to kill anyone who would dare to come closer and or attempt to rescue the Chief from this indignity, and dehumanisation.
"The team of soldiers led by the Brigadier General Y.O Subair then proceeded to Chief Ifasegun Elegushi’s house at Opemolua Compound No 8, Oba Yekini Elegushi Street, Ikate Elegushi and in a commando manner jumped down from their pick up van, pointing their riffles unto the people including women and children as they enter the compound while everybody scampered for safety.
"Forcing their way into his office, Brigadier General Subair brought out his service pistol and threatened to blow-off Chief Ifasegun Elegushi’s head for daring to ask him for documents that gives authority to the Brigadier General that is higher than the judgements of Court. Banging the Chiefs office table severally despite being cautioned by the Chief to stop to no avail and threatening to kill the Chief and nothing would come out of it.
"He dared Our Client and their agents or privy to come unto Itedo land and be killed, that no judgment of Court can stand where he stands as a Brigadier General in the army.
"Our Clients were terrorized, oppressed, assaulted, humiliated, harassed, intimidated, their human rights abused by Nigeria soldiers as if they were at war.
"As such have become so disenchanted and worried that the machineries of the Nigeria Army could be deployed to terrorize Nigerian citizens for no just cause but to illegally help their cohorts wrestle land that has been adjudged to belong to our Client by Courts of competent jurisdiction.
"Sir, the succor we opine is in your power to intervene and investigate this matter and determine if the purpose for which the army is established is to terrorise, harass, intimidate Nigerians and grab land for an ally.
"If this is answered in negative, we pray the Nigeria Army to bring the culprits to book that sanity may return to Our Society."

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[GIST] Court Declares Invasion of Nnamdi Kanu's Lawyer's House Illegal, Awards N100milliom Against Nigerian Army, DSS

[GIST] Court Declares Invasion of Nnamdi Kanu's Lawyer's House Illegal, Awards N100milliom Against Nigerian Army, DSS

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A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has declared the invasion of the residence of Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer to the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, by the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian police as illegal and unconstitutional.

The court also awarded the sum of N100million aggravated damages against the security agencies involved in the invasion.



Recall that four persons including two members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and two policemen were killed in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, after a combined team of soldiers and policemen invaded the home of Ejiofor.
The presiding judge, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, while delivering his judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked, FHC/AWK/CS/56/2021, declared that the brutal invasion of the ancestral home of the lawyer on June 6, 2021, was oppressive, illegal and a gross violation of his rights to life, dignity of human person, fair hearing, right to private and family life.

The court also ordered the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Nigerian police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others to pay the sum of N100million as compensation to the lawyer.

The court also declared as illegal and unlawful, the taking away and subsequent burning of Ejiofor’s Toyota Car with Registration No. YAB 60 CB together with the dead body of Mr. Samuel Okoro, and other vital documents and valuables seized from the lawyer’s house by the security
agents.

Nganjiwa further made an order restraining the the Nigerian government and security agents from further harassing, threatening or taking further steps in an attempt to terminate the life of the applicant.

The court also directed the Inspector-General of police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately identify their personnel involved in the gruesome act and to sanction them in line with the extant laws.

The defendants in the case include; the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Amy Staff.

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[GIST] Osun Election: My Defeat Is Temporary Setback — Governor Oyetola Replies PDP

[GIST] Osun Election: My Defeat Is Temporary Setback — Governor Oyetola Replies PDP

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The Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, on Friday, said the defeat suffered by the All Progressives Congress at the July 16 governorship election to the opposition party, People Democratic Party (PDP) was a temporary setback.
Oyetola mentioned this at a meeting held at the Osun Government House, Osogbo, and attended by many political appointees and party leaders.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola
He noted that his loss was a test from God.
The governor urged his party members to return to their various wards and continue regular party activities.
He emphasised that the defeat must not distract them from the bigger project ahead.
He said, “Rumours have been spreading around that I have run away after the election result was announced. We also heard the PDP saying I am trying to convert government assets to mine. Don’t worry about them; they are simply playing to the gallery.
“I summoned all of you here to assure you that the present situation is just a temporary setback. It is a test of our resolve by God and we will continue to stand by him. Ours is God’s project and we shall not despair.
“Go back to your various units and wards across the state and continue with regular party activities, hold your meetings regularly. We have bigger projects ahead and we must not allow this temporary setback to distract us.”
He further said security operatives had been instructed to maintain law and order, harping on the need to remain peaceful. 
“Some persons have been going around disrupting peoples’ daily activities. Do not be disturbed. I have instructed security operatives in the state to maintain law and order. We must continue to remain a peaceful state, nobody is allowed to misbehave,” he concluded.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission. 
Adeleke was declared the winner of the Saturday, July 16 poll, garnering 403,371 votes to defeat Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 375,027 votes.

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July 22, 2022

[GIST] Niger Delta Youth Council Kicks Against Water Resources Bill, Insists It's An Attempt By Buhari Regime To Grab Their Land, Water Resources

[GIST] Niger Delta Youth Council Kicks Against Water Resources Bill, Insists It's An Attempt By Buhari Regime To Grab Their Land, Water Resources

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The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has vehemently opposed the proposed Water Resources Bill currently before the National Assembly, describing it as an attempt by the Nigerian government to appropriate their lands and water resources in flagrant disregard to existing laws. 

The group made this known in a statement signed by Engr. Jator Abido, NDYC National Coordinator and its National Secretary, Comrade Kede Michael, which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday. 

"We make bold to state that we shall fight to finish in ensuring that our lands are not taken over by the federal government under any pretext. 

"Going by the stipulations of the Land Use Act, all lands comprised in the territory of each state in the federation are vested in the Governor of that state, and such lands shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Making another parallel law to contradict that law will not fail but will be met with still and overwhelming resistance," the group said. 

The youth group faulted the Nigerian government for hijacking the oil and gas resources of the region and also trying to hijack the land and water resources without minding the fact that the livelihoods of the people in riverine areas are tied to their lands and water without which they will be impoverished and vulnerable.

“As Niger Deltans, we are saddened with the fact that our natural resources are taken over by the federal government without recourse to true federalism. It is appalling that the federal government will even be considering a bill that gives constitutional power to the Federal Government to have absolute control over the nation’s entire water resources, both over and underground. 

"Ceding the control of our land and water resources to the federal government will not only impoverish our people but make them vulnerable," the statement said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, the youth group noted, has not shown enough commitment toward national unity and cohesion as certain events happening in the country in recent times, including the reintroduction of the Water Resources Bill can divide Nigerians more than unite them. 

"The reintroduction of this obnoxious and flawed Water Resources Bill is indeed a confirmation that President Buhari is not committed to national unity and cohesion. Instead of prioritizing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to stimulate economic growth, the present administration has chosen to display its obsession with the Water Resources Bill which is a clear statement that the federal government is not concerned about the suffering of average Nigerians," the statement said.

While calling on all legislators and stakeholders from the South-South and riverine areas to rise in strong opposition to the Water Resources Bill, the group urged the federal government to prioritize ending insecurity and many economic woes bedevilling Nigeria rather than pursuing legislation that is harmful to the already fragile situation in Nigeria.  

"Nigeria is a total mess. The federal government should make efforts to clear the burden of insecurity, disunity, ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) strike, rising inflation and cost of living rather than creating more problems and opening up more fresh wounds. 

"We will not fold our hands and allow this caricature of legislation to pass. The lawmakers should be concerned about ending ASUU strike, ending insecurity and promoting national unity rather than getting obsessed with other people's resources which are already protected by existing law," the statement added.

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[GIST] Human Rights Groups Back Nigeria Labour Congress’ Protest Over Lingering University Lecturers, ASUU Strike

[GIST] Human Rights Groups Back Nigeria Labour Congress’ Protest Over Lingering University Lecturers, ASUU Strike

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Civil groups, International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative, as well as the Coalition of Civil Society, Workers and Human Rights Defenders, have commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on its plan to stage a nationwide protest over continued closure of tertiary institutions in the country.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for five months over the failure of the Nigerian government to honour an agreement on issues bordering on funding universities, as well as on salaries and allowances of lecturers.

In a letter dated July 15 and addressed to chairpersons of the NLC in the states, Ayuba Wabba, the congress’ national president, and Emmanuel Ugboaja, general secretary, had said the protest was aimed at getting “our children back to school and support our unions in Nigeria’s public universities fighting for quality education.”

They designated Labour House in the federal capital territory (FCT) and secretariats of the NLC as the takeoff points for the protest.

According to the circular, the protest would be held on “Tuesday, July 26, 2022, and Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in all the states of the Federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Backing the workers’ union, the two human rights groups in a statement by their leaders condemned the alleged insensitivity of the Muhammadu Buhari-led government on the legitimate demands of lecturers.

The statement was signed by Comrade Osmond Ugwu, Dr Jerry Chukwuokolo and Comrade Chukwudi Anachina.

It read, “International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative and Coalition of Civil Society, Workers and Human Rights Defenders wish to express her total support to the organised Labour in Nigeria, under the auspices of the duo major labour centres- Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as they carry out protest warning-strike in solidarity with the public tertiary institution's Lectures and students in Nigeria.

“We commend the bold steps taken by the duo to initiative this action and thereby urge all Nigeria Workers and union leaders to be steadfast in this struggle. They should not be deterred by the negative expression of the federal government, describing her actions as unconstitutional. Contrary to the opinion of the federal government, the planned action of labour is very legitimate, constitutional and morally imperative given the circumstances that gave rise to such action.

“For the avoidance of doubt, protest is governed and protected by the fundamental human rights provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, UN Charter on Human Rights as well as International Covenant on Civil and Political rights which Nigeria is signatory to and in most cases have been ratified.

“Precisely, protest, involves assembling of people, including workers, their movement from one place to another and speaking or voicing out their grievances. They are protected by sections 40, 41 and 39 of the 1999 constitution as ammended which deals with and provide for right to peaceful assembly and association, right to freedom of movement and right to freedom of expression and free speech. These are among other cardinal principles and virtues which every states and leaders world over respects and meticulously protect, most especially in a democratic government. To this extent, we advise all the security agencies, particularly the police, the army and DSS to act maturely by ensuring the rights of Nigeria workers are judiciously respected, preserved and protected as they embark on this noble protest.

“More so, the concept of solidarity action is also envisaged by Fundamental Rights Enforcement Rules 2009 under chapter IV of 1999 Constitution as amended where it provides that "Courts shall encourage and welcome public interest litigation in the human rights field...... In particular, human rights activists, advocates or groups as well as any non-governmental organisation can institute human rights application on behalf of any potential applicant. This is corollary to the action of the NLC to the lecturers and Nigeria students whom the federal government have held down with their destiny for over a year now without any hope of letting them go free while the children of those in power are abroad with the resources of those workers whom their children and their future are held under bondage. They need freedom and it is only this action that can give them the required freedom and future.

“We condemn the insensitivity of the federal government on the legitimate demands of lecturers and the strike that has dragged for over a year with the students being kept at home every day for over a year without the government feeling any serious concern about the ugly situation. We attribute the insensitivity of the President, his cabinet members and members of the National Assembly on the l huge sum of common wealth of the people in their possession with which they find it very easy to send their children to the best of universities across the world.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, including the students themselves, all lecturers and non-academic staff, traders associations, students unions, professionals including NBA, NMA, etc informal sector workers, all Civil society organisations, religious organisations and leaders, Keke operators and all affiliates of NLC and TUC to identify with the strike protests and ensure that it succeeds.

“We also use this opportunity to call on the leadership of labour to see this action as a mission for the salvation of our youths and educational sector from destruction and treat it as such in order to restore the full confidence of Nigeria people. To this end, the warning strike should be seen as the beginning of a real action that need to commence if after one end of suspension of the mass action the matter is not finally resolved in the interest of ASUU.

“We consider two weeks ultimatum, reportedly given to the Minister of Education by the president to resolve the ASUU problem as diversionary, which does not have any hope or weight for serious solution. What Nigeria people expect from the president is a directive to report to him within a week the extent of implementation of the demand of ASUU and other striking workers in the tertiary institutions.

“The problems of ASUU and other unions in the tertiary institutions have gone beyond rhetorics and should be addressed holistically and radically once and for all. We call on NLC, TUC and Nigeria people to accommodate the interests of other striking workers in the tertiary institutions in this action and ensure the problems in the sector are resolved completely, once and for all, since solving the ASUU problems alone without the others will not end the continuous sitting at home and frustration of youths in those instructions. We wish to use this medium to call on the organised labour, civil society and all the Nigeria masses to rise in solidarity to sustain the mass protest against the latent increase in the pump prices of petroleum products until they are reversed.”

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[GIST] Stop Pretending, You Once Served As Ex-President Jonathan’s Adviser—Sowore Knocks Peter Obi For Expressing Surprise At Government Failure In Electricity Provision

[GIST] Stop Pretending, You Once Served As Ex-President Jonathan’s Adviser—Sowore Knocks Peter Obi For Expressing Surprise At Government Failure In Electricity Provision

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The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday knocked his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi for expressing surprise at the incessant collapse of the country’s national grid.
Nigeria’s power grid collapsed again on Wednesday, as it crashed from the 3,921.8 megawatts generated at 6am to as low as 50MW around 12.23pm, causing a widespread blackout across the country.


Industry figures obtained from the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja showed that power generation on the grid had hit a peak of 4,091.6MW on Tuesday.
But this dropped to 3,921.8MW on Wednesday morning, before crashing to about 50MW, a development that led to the eventual collapse of the national electricity grid.
Wednesday's collapse of the national grid was the sixth time the country would experience such an occurrence this year. 
However, Obi, whose tweet on Thursday, about the issue came over 24 hours late, blamed the frequent collapse of the national grid on the government.
“Reports that the national power grid has collapsed for the 6th time in 7 months is alarming. Once again, many Nigerians have been left grope around in darkness without electricity,” he had tweeted.
“Such negative parameters are not only benchmarks for governance failure but a compelling catalyst for leadership change.
“Moreover, in a nation where many go the bed hungry, and national bakers going on strike is indicative of the high-stress level in both the productive realm of our economy and quality of life.”
But reacting to Obi’s post, Sowore asked him to stop pretending as he was once an adviser to a sitting President, Goodluck Jonathan who led the country for about six years.
He said, “What a puerile response? 
‪@PeterObi‬ served as an adviser to ‪@GEJonathan @OfficialPDPNig‬
 govt & the electricity situation didn’t improve, recently you traveled to Egypt to “learn” how their electricity works. Didn’t you learn anything? Why pretending that you just found out now?”
Sowore on Wednesday also berated a former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar over his reaction to the National Grid collapse.
Atiku on Wednesday after it was announced that the National Grid had collapsed for the 6th time posted on his verified Twitter page, his displeasure over the repeated collapse of the grid that has continued to throw Nigerians into darkness.
Among other things he said on the thread, Atiku had noted, “I am reliably informed that there was a total National Grid Collapse at precisely 12:23pm today. This is one collapse too many. It is the 6th time this is happening this year alone.”
Reacting to Atiku’s tweet, Sowore said, “The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16 billion to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law.
“Alhaji @atiku, don't pretend that you care about the National Grid!”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been accused of spending $16 billion on the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) to increase Nigeria’s power generation to 10,000 megawatts.
 
However, when President Muhammadu Buhari came to power and vowed to probe the alleged $16 billion investment in the national power sector, Obasanjo denied the allegation, describing it as “incorrect information based on ignorance.”
 
The House of Representatives had in 2008 described the alleged $16 billion spent on power projects between 1999 and 2007 as “a colossal waste.”

Civil Society groups including SERAP had called for a probe of the funds but in a statement by the Media Aide to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Obasanjo denied the allegation. 

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[GIST] We Hand You Over To Igbo Deities For Prosecution – Ohanaeze Knocks Governor Uzodinma Over Killing Of Imo Youths

[GIST] We Hand You Over To Igbo Deities For Prosecution – Ohanaeze Knocks Governor Uzodinma Over Killing Of Imo Youths

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The South-East socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has described as a sacrilege, an attempt by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to cover up the killing of 14 wedding guests in the Otulu area of the state on Sunday by operatives of the state-owned Security Network codenamed Ebubeagu.
The group which condemned the killing of the 14 young men in strongest terms said that everyone who was involved in any attempt to cover up the crime would never escape the laws of natural justice and God's retribution.

Hope Uzodinma
Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a statement by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, called for an immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit and demanded that the federal government of Nigeria should lead a forensic investigation into the matter to bring the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has condemned in strong words, the killing of wedding guests from the Otulu community in Oru East of Imo state, and the attempts by those who went awry to cover up their misdeeds without decent investigation over the killings will never escape the laws of natural justice and God's retribution.
“Ndigbo is inquisitive in unraveling the circumstances and mystery surrounding the unfortunate killing of seven wedding guests as confirmed by the Otulu Community President General, as the identity of those killed has been identified by the community leader, Nnamdi Agbor, if the issues are not properly handled by Federal Government it might lead to the total breakdown of law and order in the southeast, this carnage should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet, as there were reckless endeavors to cover up the issues with the aid of security reports to confuse Nigerians.
“Ndigbo calls for a forensic investigation (led by the Federal Government) into the killings of the Otulu wedding guests from Oru East of Imo State and President Buhari's intervention is expected to help in assuaging the bitterness of Ndigbo over the tragic incident.
“Ohanaeze calls for the disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit Imo State chapter, as they have turned into a killer squad that had outlived its usefulness, instead of serving the purpose of which they were established as an intelligence gathering organization for the society, they have become a pro bandit and state-sponsored terror groups.
“Ndigbo has handed over the tragic incident and the Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to Almighty God and Igbo deities, for prosecution and actions.
“We are committed to any lasting measures that the security agencies will employ to curb the insecurity challenges in the southeast, but it's a sacrilege for anyone to use security reports to exonerate those responsible for the gruesome slayings of Otulu community's wedding guests, whose identities are known, a time of reckoning is imminent, we call for calm in Oru East and West LGAs of Imo State and President Buhari's intervention is what Ndigbo is looking forward to beholding,” Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated.

 

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July 21, 2022

[GIST] Governor Uzodinma Lied, We Watched As Ebubeagu Operatives Led By Ogwu Mozambique Killed 14 of Our Kinsmen –Survivors Of Imo Massacre

[GIST] Governor Uzodinma Lied, We Watched As Ebubeagu Operatives Led By Ogwu Mozambique Killed 14 of Our Kinsmen –Survivors Of Imo Massacre

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As outrage continues to trail the killing of 14 Imo wedding guests on Sunday, survivors have narrated how the team leader of Ebubeagu South-East Security Outfit in the state, Ogwu Mozambique and other members of the outfit allegedly killed their relatives.
 
They said that contrary to claims by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma that those killed were criminals and that the operatives of Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) carried out the operation.

Hope Uzodinma

Governor Uzodinma on Tuesday while briefing journalists, absolved Ebubeagu outfit of blame, stating that operatives of DSS traced the victims to their camp and killed them. He also vowed to sustain the killings as no amount of blackmail would deter him.
 
The DSS on its part claimed responsibility, noting that the murdered persons said to be wedding guests were criminals. The Service said they were killed during an exchange of gunfire.
 
But narrating the incident, a survivor, Nnamdi Nnanna, the elder brother of the groom, Chijioke Nnanna, said he only survived the massacre by the mercy of God.
 
He alleged that Ogwu Mozambique, leader of Ebubeagu, shot his brother who was carrying him on a motorcycle and when they fell down, he came to kill him but one of them told him to stop.
 
Nnamdi, who narrated the encounter on Wednesday, noted how Ebubeagu operatives, allegedly shot and killed seven of his kinsmen before him in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Council Area of Imo State.
 
Nnamdi, who works with a borehole drilling company, said he narrowly survived the killing.
 
On how he survived, he said he pleaded with the leader of the Ebubeagu team, whom he identified as Izuchukwu Akuegbulenwa, popularly known as Ogwu Mozambique, who is also not an operative of the DSS as claimed by the Governor. “I called out to him and begged him to spare my life,” he said.
 
Nnamdi, who is a father of two, narrated that on their way home, they travelled on four motorcycles; three were ahead while his own motorcycle was behind, pulling up the rear with three occupants.
 
He said as he saw his kinsmen being gunned down, he shouted and told his rider to go back and they beat a fast retreat, but that was not enough.
 
He said the Ebubeagu operatives gave a chase and, in their haste, their rider hit a bump and one of them fell down. "When the Ebubeagu operatives got to him, one of them shot him in the chest and head."
 
The bridegroom, Chijioke Nnanna, also narrating the incident, said that 14 people who came for his marriage ceremony were massacred.

"One of the victims was killed inside my in-law's house," he said, adding that "they even took away vehicles and drinks my friends who came Onitsha brought for me."
 
"They killed a total of 14 of my friends and kinsmen. My wife hasn't returned home because she is afraid," he narrated.

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[GIST] Nigerian Senate Passes Bill For States, Individuals To Supply Electricity Amid Repeated Collapses Of National Grid

[GIST] Nigerian Senate Passes Bill For States, Individuals To Supply Electricity Amid Repeated Collapses Of National Grid

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The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the Electricity Bill 2022 to allow states and individuals to generate and distribute electricity.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam (Peoples Democratic Party, Benue) in his presentation after the plenary.

dentons.com
According to him, the bill will help policy and regulatory measures to improve power generation, transmission and distribution capabilities of the sector.
“Since electricity is on the concurrent list in the constitution, the bill has allowed state governments to license people who intend to operate mini-grids within the states,” he said.
“The bill also gives legal backing to renewable energy. If you decide to generate one megawatt of power using solar as an energy source, that is also provided for.
“That is the only way the power problem would be solved. The space is now open; there is little restriction as to who can generate power and distribute it.
“What is obtainable now is that any power that is generated must be put on the national grid for transmission and distribution.”
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, midway through consideration of the bill, sought to know the role and operational capacity of banks that had taken over Distribution Companies (DisCos) indebted to them.
After the passage of the bill, the Senate President assured of a quick passage by the House of Representatives followed by assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said, “We believe that this piece of legislation can change the fortunes of the electricity industry in Nigeria for the better.”
Senator Suswam also explained that the takeover of the DisCos by banks was duly carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
He further disclosed that the Nigerian government had disbursed $100m to Siemens to kick-start transmission in the distribution end of the power sector.
SaharaReporters on Wednesday reported that Nigeria's National grid collapsed for the sixth time this year.
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company on Wednesday on its Twitter page announced the collapse of the grid which occurred at about 11:27 am.
“Dear Customers, we regret to inform you of a system collapse on the National grid at precisely 11:27 am today, Wednesday, July 20th.
“We are in talks with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ascertain the cause of the collapse and a possible restoration timeline.
“We will keep you updated on the situation,” the power company announced.

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[GIST] Nigerian Asset Management Corporation, AMCON Sues Interior Minister, Aregbesola’s Aide Over N167Million Debt

[GIST] Nigerian Asset Management Corporation, AMCON Sues Interior Minister, Aregbesola’s Aide Over N167Million Debt

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The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has filed a debt recovery suit against Ademola Adeyinka, the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

According to a statement of claim supported with a statement on oath by AMCON’s supervisor, David George, and filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos by Oluwole Olukole, an Ibadan-based lawyer, Adeyinka allegedly owes N167,242,515.22, The Punch reports.

Rauf Aregbesola

AMCON is a corporation established by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act 2010 (as amended) and duly empowered for the purpose of acquiring eligible bank assets from Eligible Financial Institutions and efficiently resolving the Eligible Bank Assets.

Adeyinka was a banker with Intercontinental Bank Plc (acquired by Access Bank Plc) but is now a politician with residential addresses in Lagos, Osogbo and Abuja.

AMCON said the defendant at all material times was a customer of the erstwhile Intercontinental Bank Plc and operated accounts with the bank at their Plot 999C Danmole Street, Victoria Island branch in Lagos.

AMCON averred that the defendant sometime in 2008 applied for and was granted a credit facility for N50 million only to purchase shares of blue-chip companies quoted on the stock exchange acceptable to the bank.


It said that the facility was to be paid back within 270 days and repayment was to come from operational cash flow but not limited to the sale of the shares.
 
The claimant averred that it disbursed the funds under the facility and that the defendant utilised the facility by issuing cheques to various relevant parties to the transaction that were honoured by the bank.

“Upon the disbursement of the facility to the defendant, the defendant rather than honour the express terms of the facilities failed and /or refused to repay the debt and kept accumulating interest,” it said.
 
AMCON further stated that sometime in 2011, some staff members of Intercontinental Bank loyal to the senior management of the bank tried to delete and in fact deleted some computer files belonging to some customers, including that of the defendant.

Efforts to have the files of the defendant totally gone proved futile as the bank had backup files to reprint the documents they tried to delete, and retrieve the same.
 
“The effect of this act of sabotage was to render some files and documents of the defendant, including the offer letter illegible and not very clear,” AMCON said.


The claimant pleaded that when the facility of the defendant expired, it was not repaid by him and that it degenerated to a non-performing loan of N69,280,723.57.

It said the continuous refusal of the defendant to liquidate his indebtedness to the bank occasioned great hardship for the bank which led to AMCON taking over the non-performing facility from Intercontinental Bank Plc.

Pursuant to its powers under the AMCON Act 2010 (as amended), the claimant said it purchased the defendant’s outstanding indebtedness arising from the facility granted her by Intercontinental Bank Plc.

Consequently, all rights including but not limited to the right to institute an action in respect of any indebtedness were assigned to the claimant by the bank.

The claimant contended that the defendant has failed and/ or refused to settle the outstanding indebtedness to date despite repeated demands.

It added that the indebtedness has continued to grow at an interest rate of 15% per annum and would continue to grow until full liquidation of the outstanding indebtedness.
The claimant said it has incurred various substantial costs in its efforts to recover the indebtedness of the defendant by engagement and/or payment of various professional services/fees including but not limited to the institution of this action.

The claimant stated that the defendant has numerous accounts with other banks where he has money standing to his credit and that he also has millions of shares standing to his credit at the Central Securities Clearing System Plc.

The claimant’s claims against the defendant are for the payment of the sum of N167,242,515.22 being the outstanding balance as of 29th September 2020 of the credit facility granted by Intercontinental Bank Plc to the defendant (which debt was purchased by the Claimant) but which the defendant has refused to pay despite repeated demands.

Meanwhile, the court has adjourned till after vacation for the report of service.
 

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[GIST] Nigerian Children Showing Signs Of Malnutrition Under Buhari Government —Report

[GIST] Nigerian Children Showing Signs Of Malnutrition Under Buhari Government —Report

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A Report by SBM Intelligence has shown how the rate of malnutrition has increased among children in Nigeria since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015.

 

According to the report, information and data were gathered from different interview sessions conducted in 10 states across the country to examine how inflation has aggravated food scarcity in the country, particularly among young children.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

The report reads in part: "Interviews were conducted in 10 states across the country (Abuja, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Rivers and Sokoto) to examine if the present economic condition has affected the diet of children. That is to say, are children now seen with signs of malnutrition?

 

“Respondents in Sokoto confirmed that children are beginning to show signs of malnutrition in the region. One of the respondents had this to say: ‘The average Northerner does not care so much about the food he eats or whether the food is a balanced diet. They just make sure there is something in their stomach. They do not care if the food given to the children is balanced as well. The recent economic situation, especially the increase in prices of foodstuff has made the situation worse. So will say yes, more children are now showing signs of malnourishment. They look pale when they come to school.

 

"Judging from this respondent's statement, we can infer that more people have fallen below the poverty line. A respondent in Kogi, a petty trader, said that her husband, who is a university lecturer, has not been paid his salary for months because of the ongoing ASUU strike, hence the family is struggling to feed.

 

“From her point of view, her family can still afford food for now, but she does not know what will happen if the ASUU strike and nonpayment of salaries continue till the end of the year. She also mentioned that children are increasingly being seen in the streets with signs of malnutrition.

 

"Those who hitherto could easily provide their families with three square meals a day are now struggling to keep up because of economic hardship. Some have dropped to two meals, but most have been reduced to one. This was according to a respondent in Edo State. A staff member of the state university in Edo said that he currently has challenges feeding his family as he has not been paid for seven months.

 

“According to him, some of his colleagues are suffering the same fate. ‘So why will you not see children with malnutrition when there is not sufficient money for a balanced diet?’ he asked.

 

"Some of our respondents in Abuja and Lagos said that the present economic condition is not the cause of the signs of malnutrition being seen in some children. According to a respondent, a doctor, many children had not been eating properly for a while, so the current economic situation reflected by the continuous rise in food prices only serves to compound what was already an issue. He further explained that prior to now, poor Nigerians have been having issues with their diet, but those who were getting along could begin to show signs of malnutrition.

 

"A teacher in Port Harcourt said that she observed that her students have been coming to school with reduced rations of food and snacks.

 

“’Some don't even come with food or snacks at times, and the food that some of the poorer children bring to school does not look nutritious.’ She noted that the poor kids she teaches have been losing weight lately.”

 

The report also explained how the average cost of making a pot of jollof rice went up from N8,595 to N9,311 at the end of Q2 2022, an 8.3 percent increase.

 

It was noted that Bauchi had the highest cost at N11,600, followed by Wuse II at N11,300. The noticeable pattern here is that the Northern states had a higher cost of making a pot of jollof rice despite their farming and livestock rearing occupations.

 

“This trend is accounted for by increased insecurity in those states. Traders who purchase from the rural markets are boycotting those areas. Transportation costs have greatly increased, not only because of fuel shortages but also because of the risk involved in travelling those kidnap-infested roads,” it said. 

 

 

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[GIST] FLASHBACK: In 2014, Buhari Knocked Then-President Jonathan, Said A Serious Government Would Negotiate With Striking University Lecturers, ASUU

[GIST] FLASHBACK: In 2014, Buhari Knocked Then-President Jonathan, Said A Serious Government Would Negotiate With Striking University Lecturers, ASUU

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In 2014, Muhammadu Buhari, as a member of the opposition criticised the then President, Goodluck Jonathan ‪over a strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
 
ASUU is currently on strike after embarking on industrial action on February 14, 2022, over President Buhari’s government’s failure to honour an agreement on issues relating to funding of universities, and lecturers’ salaries and allowances.

The ongoing strike action by the university lecturers’ union is in its fifth month. In 2020, also under Buhari’s government, the union was on strike for 9 months.
The industrial action has crippled academic activities in government universities across the country.
 
On Tuesday, Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, was granted approval by President Buhari to resolve issues of contention regarding the ASUU strike.
 
In an old video trending online, Buhari was heard castigating then-President Jonathan’s administration for failing to reach an agreement with the lecturers’ union.
 
Speaking about the 2014 National Conference convened by the ex-President, Buhari picked holes with the timing of the event which came at a time ASUU, Polytechnic lecturers and other arms of tertiary institutions unions were on strike.
 
He faulted the government for earmarking the sum on N7 billion for the confab, saying a serious government would not spend so much money on frivolity while the tertiary institutions workers were on strike.
 
“If you could recall, at the time the government said it was voting N7 billion for the conference, ASUU was on strike. And teachers of other tertiary institutions, like the polytechnics, were on strike,” Buhari had said.
 
“This strike was on for almost an academic year and a serious government, if they had N7 billion to throw about, would go and negotiate with ASUU and the teachers’ organisations and the teachers’ unions of the tertiary institutions of the polytechnics downwards so that our children will remain in schools.
 
“The National Assembly is there, if you want to amend the constitution so why go and take N7 billion that we could not afford when our children are on the streets? I think this government has the capacity for wrong priorities that are hurting us as a nation.”

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July 20, 2022

[GIST] World's Richest Man, Elon Musk To Face Trial Over Failed $44bn Twitter Takeover

[GIST] World's Richest Man, Elon Musk To Face Trial Over Failed $44bn Twitter Takeover

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In an early victory for Twitter, a judge in the United States, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick has set a five-day October trial date for the looming legal battle between the social giant and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk.

According to Aljazeera, the hearing on Tuesday centred on Twitter’s push to set a trial date for as early as September in a case focused on Musk’s attempt to walk away from a $44 billion agreement to purchase the company.

Twitter accused the Tesla CEO of smearing its reputation and lowering its value.

“Delay threatens irreparable harm,” said Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of Delaware’s Court of Chancery, which handles many high-profile business disputes. “The longer the delay, the greater the risk.”

Musk had announced that he was terminating the deal earlier this month, but Twitter has sought to hold him to it, saying he “knowingly, intentionally, willfully, and materially breached the agreement”.

The San Francisco-based company is seeking to resolve months of uncertainty for its business as Musk tries to abandon the takeover, alleging Twitter misled him about the tally of fake accounts on the platform.

Twitter has asked McCormick of Delaware’s Court of Chancery to find Musk breached the agreement and to order him to complete the deal at the agreed price of $54.20 per share.

The company’s value dropped to $32.65 per share last week, erasing nearly $3bn in value. It was trading at about $39.16 on Tuesday morning, up about 2 percent and near the highest level since Musk said he was walking away.

Twitter wanted an expedited trial in September because it said Musk is smearing Twitter and undermining operations by refusing to approve business initiatives, such as an employee retention plan.

“It’s attempted sabotage. He’s doing his best to run Twitter down,” William Savitt, a lawyer for Twitter, said during Tuesday’s hearing, which was held virtually after McCormick said she tested positive for COVID-19.

The company said adopting Musk’s “slow walk” proposal for a 2023 trial – his legal team had proposed a mid-February start date – left little time for additional litigation over deal financing if Musk is ordered to close. The deal financing expires in April.

But Musk on Friday accused Twitter of seeking a “warp speed” trial to “railroad” him into buying the company.

McCormick said on Tuesday that his legal team had underestimated the court’s ability to “quickly process complex litigation”. She asked the parties to work out the schedule for the trial, which she set at five days.

Since agreeing in April to buy Twitter, Musk has questioned whether the company misled regulators about fake accounts and bots on the platform.

A lawyer for Musk on Tuesday blamed Twitter for dragging its feet in responding to requests for information regarding the methods for calculating the number of spam accounts and he said an expedited trial will prevent the truth from coming to light.

“When Mr Musk started asking questions, the answers he got were alarming,” said Andrew Rossman, Musk’s lawyer, adding that it will take months to analyse massive amounts of data to resolve questions about Twitter’s spam accounts.

Rossman also rejected Twitter’s argument that his client was trying to damage the company as “preposterous. He has no interest in damaging the company,” said Rossman, noting that Musk is Twitter’s second-largest shareholder with a far larger stake than the entire board.

Rather than Silicon Valley, where Twitter is based, the company has lodged its lawsuit against Musk in Delaware.

The firm is incorporated in the tiny state like scores of other companies, and the case will happen in the Delaware Chancery Court that has deep experience in business disputes.


 

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