October 20, 2021

[GIST] Lagos Police Boss, Odumosu Will Be Held Responsible For Any Harm Done To #EndSARS Protesters – RevolutionNow Movement

[GIST] Lagos Police Boss, Odumosu Will Be Held Responsible For Any Harm Done To #EndSARS Protesters – RevolutionNow Movement

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The #RevolutionNow Movement says Nigerians do not need any police permit to organise a protest.
 
The Lagos State Police Command had said it would not tolerate any demonstration to commemorate the first anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

The command said it has intelligence that some “faceless groups” are planning an anti-EndSARS protest on the same day.
 
It, however, said it would only allow indoor and virtual events, adding that security will the provided at such venues.
 
Nigerians had, in October 2020, protested against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force notorious for extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
 
The protest, tagged #EndSARS, was later hijacked by hoodlums, leading to killings and destruction of public buildings.
 
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, RevolutionNow Movement said the responsibility of policemen is to offer protection to peaceful protesters.
 
The group described protests as the fundamental right of citizens, adding that Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Police Commissioner “will be personally held liable if anything untoward happens to any Nigerian citizen engaging in lawful protest during the #EndSARS anniversary”.
 
The group added, “Our attention has been drawn to the latest statement credited to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police to the effect that no ‘street protests’ will be allowed tomorrow to mark the historic #EndSARS rebellion of 2020 and its attendant fallout due to police repression and Nigerian army’s murderous intervention.
 
“We state unequivocally that it is not within the powers of the Nigerian police to stop citizens from engaging in street protests, the right to engage in protest against unjust policies, tyranny and oppression is an inalienable right and as such these latest claims are at best superfluous and belligerently arrogant.
 
“We urge the police authorities to ensure they carry out their duties to protect protesters who will be on the streets by way of cars, bicycles, tricycles, skateboards and by foot all over Lagos and its environs tomorrow.
 
“The Lagos state police commissioner will be personally held liable if anything untoward happens to any Nigerian citizen engaging in lawful protest during the #EndSARS anniversary. We urge our compatriots to remain steadfast and prepare fully to carry out their conscientious duties and historical tasks tomorrow.”
 

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[GIST] Ex-Ogun Governor Amosun Reacts To Allegations Of Fuelling Crisis In Oyo All Progressives Congress Party

[GIST] Ex-Ogun Governor Amosun Reacts To Allegations Of Fuelling Crisis In Oyo All Progressives Congress Party

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A former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun has denied claims that he is fuelling crisis in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).


A statement sent to SaharaReporters from his media office, signed by Bola Adeyemi, dismissed the allegations made by The United Front (TUF), a group within the Oyo State chapter of the APC.

It had also accused Amosun of sponsoring members of the Unity Forum in the state, which include Prof. Adeolu Akande, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Bayo Shittu, Dr. Ismail Adewusi to divide the party.


"Amosun takes absolute delight in the fragmentation of Oyo APC for the purpose of extending the web of schism he established in Ogun APC to other parts of the South-West,” it had alleged among other things.

See Also Politics 'Ex-Ogun Governor Amosun Fuelling Crisis In All Progressives Congress Party In Oyo'—Group Seeks Buhari's Intervention 0 Comments 2 Days Ago
“His divisive ego-trip in Oyo State can be traced to the build-up to the 2019 elections when he extensively bankrolled Unity Forum to tear the fabrics of the party's wholeness apart - a move that triggered the inevitable lacklustre performance of the party in the gubernatorial polls.”


However, Amosun has said he should not be dragged into Oyo State politics.


Adeyemi, in the statement, said, “I hereby state categorically that the story is false in its entirety. Senator Amosun is from Ogun State and is not in any way involved in the politics of Oyo State nor fuelling crisis in any State in the country.
 
“It remains unthinkable why Senator Amosun's name is being dragged into a matter which he knows nothing about. Senator Amosun will rather advise members of the APC in Oyo State to find a way to resolve their differences rather than engaging in name dropping. Senator Amosun's name should not be dragged into the politics of Oyo State.
 
“For the records, Senator Amosun is not involved in the politics of APC in Oyo State or the politics of other parties in Oyo State or any other State in Nigeria.”
 

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[GIST] Imo Police Confirm Gruesome Killing Of Two Traditional Rulers By Gunmen

[GIST] Imo Police Confirm Gruesome Killing Of Two Traditional Rulers By Gunmen

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The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.
 
The incident occurred in the Njaba local government area of the state.
  File photo used to illustrate story.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mike Abattam, confirmed the casualty figure to Vanguard, saying, “Two traditional rulers were shot dead. They came and attacked them and ran away. I did not know if they died instantly there but they were confirmed that they were dead.
 
“I don’t have the names of these traditional rulers but when I get it I will let you.”
 
The incident was said to have happened around 2:32 pm.
The unknown gunmen reportedly stormed the venue of the meeting of the traditional rulers in cars and motorcycles, shooting two of them and fleeing the scene.
 
Some other monarchs were said to have sustained injuries.
 
The names of the monarchs who were allegedly shot dead have yet to be revealed but sources claimed the communities affected include Okwuodor and Ihebineowerri.
 
A source told the newspaper that the community had been under attack for some time.


It was gathered that the unknown gunmen “had issued notice long time ago that they were coming to attack and that traditional rulers would also be affected”.
 
“These guys have not hidden so they are known by these community leaders. They come face to face and warn you. If you want to know what I am telling you drive along between Njaba and Orlu town between 09:30 pm and 11:30 pm you will see them moving freely in the night with their guns.
 
“Sometimes you see them by 8 pm. They claim to be for the agitation and that they want their territory. I worry that they even overpower these security agents. Something must be done about this.”
 

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[GIST] Police Vow To Probe Inspector Caught Voting During All Progressives Congress Kano Election

[GIST] Police Vow To Probe Inspector Caught Voting During All Progressives Congress Kano Election

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The Kano State Police Command vows to investigate a police inspector, Bashir Muhammed, who was seen in a viral picture voting during the recently concluded congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was made known by the Zone One Headquarter Kano in a statement issued by the zonal police public relations officer, Abubakar Zayyanu Ambursa.

SaharaReporters had on Sunday shared a photo of the Inspector casting votes at the recently-concluded APC congress in Kano alongside the new party chairman.

According to the statement, Muhammed is attached to the government house in Kano from where he was deployed to work with one Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas (the newly elected APC Chairman of Kano) as a security aide.

“The attention of the Inspector General of Police Zone One Headquarters Kano has been drawn to a trending picture on social media of an inspector of police casting vote at the recently conducted congress of the APC along with his principal the state party chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas.

“The inspector has been identified as Bashir Mohammed of Special Protection Unit, Base One Kano. The inspector is attached to government house Kano from where he was deployed to work with the said Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas as security aide.

“In view of this seemingly unprofessional conduct of the inspector, the AIG has referred the matter to Zonal X-Squad for investigation. If the inspector is found to have committed disciplinary offence by this action, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against him” part of the statement reads.

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[GIST] #EndSARS: Nigerian Law Empowers Governors, Not Police To Permit Protests – Human Rights Lawyer, Falana

[GIST] #EndSARS: Nigerian Law Empowers Governors, Not Police To Permit Protests – Human Rights Lawyer, Falana

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has said no police permit is required for the conduct of public protests by the citizenry, except for the governor's permit.
 
Falana made the assertion amid threats by the police and other security agencies to disrupt the planned events to commemorate last year’s October 20 #EndSARS protests.

Femi Falana (SAN)

The Lagos State Police Command had said it would not tolerate any public gathering to commemorate the first anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
 
Nigerians had, in October 2020, protested against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a lawless unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
 
The protest, tagged #EndSARS, was later hijacked by hoodlums, leading to killings and destruction of public buildings.
 
SaharaReporters had reported that there was a growing momentum towards Wednesday’s memorial #EndSARS protests nationwide to honour the victims of police killings and demand good governance.
 
Falana, in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, said, “The defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party applied to the Nigeria Police Force to hold rallies protest the alleged rigging of the 2003 general elections.


“The application was turned down by the Police Authorities. Convinced that the action of the Police could not be justified, the ANPP proceeded with the plan to hold the rallies. The first in the series of the rallies which held in Kano on September 22, 2003, was attended by the leaders of the party, including General Muhammadu Buhari (as he then was).
 
“Even though the rally was peaceful, it was violently disrupted by the police. To put an end to such crude violation of the freedom of citizens to convene rallies without official harassment, the ANPP and 10 other political parties instructed our law firm to challenge the disruption of the Kano rally.
 
“We accepted the brief and filed the suit at the Federal High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of police permit as a precondition for exercising the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act. In defending the action, the defendant contended that by failing to obtain police permit the conveners of the rally had violated the provisions of the Public Order Act.
 
“In the epochal judgment of the Court in the case of All Nigeria Peoples Party v Inspector-General of Police the trial judge, the Honourable Justice Chinyere stated inter alia: ‘The gist of the provision in section 1 of the Act is that the Governor of each State is empowered to direct the conduct of all assemblies, meetings and processions on public roads or places of public resort in the state and prescribe the route by which and times at which the procession may pass.


“’Persons desirous of convening or collecting any assembly or meeting or of forming a procession in any public resort must apply and obtain the license of the Governor.
 
“The Governor can delegate his powers to the Commissioner of Police of the State or to other police officers. Persons aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner of Police may appeal to the Governor and the decision of the Governor shall be final and no further appeal shall lie therefrom'.
 
“In upholding the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the learned trial judge said: ‘In my view, the provision in section 40 of the Constitution is clear, direct and unambiguous.


“’It is formulated and designed to confer on every person the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons.


“’I am therefore persuaded by the argument of Mr. Falana that by the combined effect of sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the right to assemble freely cannot be violated without violating the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and association.
“’I agree with Mr. Falana that violation can only be done by the procedure permitted by law, under section 45 of the Constitution, in which case there must be a state of emergency properly declared before these rights can be violated.
 
“’I also agree with Mr. Falana that the criminal law is there to take care if protesters resort to violence in the course of demonstration and that once the rights are exercised peacefully, they cannot be taken away.

“’The Public Order Act so far as it affects the right of citizens to assemble freely and associate with others, the sum of which is the right to hold rallies or processions or demonstration is an aberration to a democratic society.’”
 

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