November 27, 2021

[GIST] New Report Confirms Massacre Of #EndSARS Protesters At Lekki By Soldiers, Police, Urges International Court To Prosecute Perpetrators

[GIST] New Report Confirms Massacre Of #EndSARS Protesters At Lekki By Soldiers, Police, Urges International Court To Prosecute Perpetrators

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Most of the findings by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate police brutality and also the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020 by personnel of the Nigerian Army and policemen, have been validated by a new report.

The 12-page document containing testimonies of victims and witnesses including detailed analysis of the events surrounding the massacre by experts in various fields, was carried out and released by Olukayode Dada, a partner with Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie law firm based in Lagos.

File Photo

Dada, who is an expert in dispute resolution, compliance and investigations, in the report stated that the Lagos State Government, Federal Government and military authorities all knew of the brutal killing of young Nigerians at the Lekki Toll Gate ahead of the incident.

According to the report, the activities of soldiers deployed to the scene of the peaceful demonstration and later policemen from the Maroko Division on the night of October 20, 2020, sufficiently qualified as crimes against humanity and therefore should be investigated by the International Criminal Court in light of the Nigerian Government's unwillingness to act on the findings and recommendations of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry.

The report stated that though a Nigerian court can try soldiers indicted in the panel's finding, the military authorities in the country are unlikely to offer the type of cooperation needed for such to take place.

At least nine persons were confirmed to have been killed by security agents deployed to the scene while several others were left with life-threatening injuries, according to the panel's findings.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how soldiers moved several bodies away from the scene of the massacre in their vans to a hospital in Lagos in order to conceal the killings.

Soldiers deployed for the mission told relatives of victims that they were sent by the Lagos State governor to violently quell the protest.

The document released by Dada partly read, "While there had been killings and harassment of #EndSARS protesters demonstrating police brutality and bad governance by Nigerian security forces across the country prior to the toll gate killings, the Lekki Toll Gate attacks/killings stood out because of the brazenness of the killings and bravery of protesters (including DJ Switch, a popular Nigerian disc jockey) who risked their lives to provide live feeds of the attacks. 

"Without question, the killings and brutalisation of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate constitute crimes against humanity. The totality of the circumstances regarding the #EndSARS protests, and the toll gate killings/attacks validate this conclusion. 

"Government actions to stop the protests culminated in the attacks on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, a location where the protests had been peaceful since the commencement of the nationwide protests.

"It is unlikely that the Nigerian Government (whose officers and agents are the accused in this matter) would refer those officers and agents to the ICC. 

"The Lekki Toll Gate killings is not also the subject of any deliberations before the UN Security Council. The ICC Prosecutor, is therefore, entitled to initiate an investigation into the killings proprio motu. There are sufficient grounds for the Prosecutor to initiate a proprio motu investigation in respect of the Lekki Toll Gate killings. The ICC has both subject matter and personal jurisdiction in this matter. 

"The investigation, prosecution and trial of crimes against humanity fall within the jurisdictional purview of the ICC, and the accused persons are natural persons. The scale, nature, manner and impact of the crimes are of such severity that an investigation by the ICC is warranted. 

"Based on the totality of the circumstances, it is in the interests of justice for this matter to proceed at the ICC. 

"Despite ample evidence, the Federal Government of Nigeria has not initiated any formal investigation or prosecution of the soldiers and policemen involved in the killings at the Lekki Toll Gate. 

"While the Lagos State Government set up the JPI to investigate the killings, the Lagos State Government does not control the Nigeria Army and the Nigeria Police. The Lagos State Government cannot, therefore, impose and enforce sanctions against the erring soldiers and policemen. 

"Although under Nigerian law, civil courts (e.g., the High Court) may try criminal law offences committed by a serving member of the military, in reality, the likelihood that a serving member of the military would be tried in a civil court depends largely (if not, solely) on the cooperation of military authorities. 

"It appears that the military authorities and the Federal Government of Nigeria have little or no interest conducting any meaningful investigation in this matter and/or achieving justice for the victims of the killings.

"Crimes against humanity occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020. Reports of several investigations including the investigations conducted by CNN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up the Lagos State Government to investigate the incident, as well as eyewitness accounts and ample photographic and video evidence clearly establish that soldiers and policemen engaged in coordinated, systematic and premeditated attacks against unarmed civil population, which led to deaths and injuries.

"Despite the evidence, the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed to initiate any meaningful investigation of the incident, but has instead engaged in efforts to discredit the reports issued by the organisations, while not offering any evidence in rebuttal of the facts set out in those reports. 

The Killings of Unarmed Endsars Protesters at Lekki Toll Gate Were They Crimes Against Humanity by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

"It is evident that the Federal Government of Nigeria is unwilling to investigate, and/or achieve justice for the victims of the attacks/killings.

 

"Nigeria is a party to the Rome Statute, and all the conditions for the ICC to assume jurisdiction in this matter, and to, in the least, conduct a preliminary examination and a formal investigation are present. 

"Unless the international community brings pressure to bear on the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is unlikely that there will ever be accountability for the persons who attacked and killed unarmed protesters at the Toll Gate, and for the persons who gave the orders for the attacks."

The Nigerian Government and officials of Lagos Government have been working tirelessly to discredit the findings of the panel that investigated the massacre of unarmed protesters at Lekki last year since the report surfaced.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, described the report as "fake and full of errors" earlier in the week while a member of the panel, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has alleged threat to his life by agents of Lagos State Government.

Earlier this week, Miss Kamsiyochukwu Ibe, who took active part in the nationwide protest last year, was attacked for testifying before the #EndSARS judicial panel in Lagos State.

Other persons in support of the panel report and calling for the prosecution of perpetrators have also alleged threat to their lives.

The United States, United Nations, European Union, Amnesty International and several other groups around the world have all called for persons indicted by the panel report to be punished for their role in the killing of peaceful demonstrators at Lekki in October 2020.

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[GIST] 18-year-old Girl Wins BBC Hausa Writing Contest With Story On Sexual Violence

[GIST] 18-year-old Girl Wins BBC Hausa Writing Contest With Story On Sexual Violence

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Aishatu Musa Dalil has won the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa short story contest for women with a story on the travails of a girl who was a victim of sexual violence within the family.

According to a release from the BBC Hausa Service, Aishatu, an 18 years old and first year university student of English and French won the contest with her story titled, “Hakkina” which is translated “My Right.”

“Hakkina tells the story of a young woman, Fatima who is raped by her stepfather and is threatened by her mother not to tell anyone about the abuse. In fact, she locks Fatima in a room despite the injuries she sustained during the assault. To Fatima’s mother, silencing her daughter not only covers for her husband but also ‘protects’ her daughter from the stigma faced by victims of rape in the Hausa society,” the BBC said.

“The first runner-up is a story written by Nana Aicha Hamissou Abdoulaye. Titled ‘Butulci’ (Betrayal) it is about a young couple whose new marriage and pregnancy news is marred by the sudden horror of kidnapping. The title of the story stems from the events that led up to the kidnapping and the unexpected revelation of the person involved.

“The second runner-up is ‘Ramat’ by Zulaihat Alhassan. Titled after the protagonist, ‘Ramat’ is a revered police woman whose husband is also in the police. She is caught in a family scandal where she has to choose between her only son and her job,” the organisers of the contest added.

The BBC Hausa women’s short story contest was introduced to give female writers a platform to tell and share their stories.

The Editor of the Hausa Service, Aliyu Tanko, said, “As the competition enters its sixth year, it is satisfying to know that women have accepted it as an avenue to stir conversations in the region through their writing. We’ve seen set after set of remarkable writers emerge from Hikayata competition and this is truly what we’ve always aimed to achieve.”

“This year we have seen an absolute shift in the thematic preoccupation of these stories. It is obvious that women writers in northern Nigeria are becoming aware day by day, of the most pressing issues faced by women in the region. The themes centre around rape, domestic violence, kidnappings, and career choices. The characters this year have been created to represent strong, bold women,” the lead judge, Dr Hauwa Bugaje, said.

The winner, Aishatu, in her remarks noted that she was not expecting to win as she was a new writer and the competition was known to attract great writers.

The winner and runners up were awarded their prizes on Friday, November 26, 2021.

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[GIST] Nigerians Should Present National Identity Number Even Before Using Restaurant – Buhari’s Minister, Pantami Speaks On Insecurity

[GIST] Nigerians Should Present National Identity Number Even Before Using Restaurant – Buhari’s Minister, Pantami Speaks On Insecurity

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The Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who has been linked to terrorists’ activities in the recent past, has stated that in order to secure Nigeria in the next few years, Nigerians should present and verify their National Identity Number even before using a restaurant.

Pantami explained why his ministry insisted on the mandatory use of the NIN in spite of over 44 petitions written against the policy and several court cases in the country.

The minister, who claimed he had since renounced his stance on terrorism, added that the NIN policy was mandatory by law in Nigeria and that it stood to secure the country.

He said, “Without profiling, no country will be secured globally. Criminals don’t like it, and they have been fighting it day in, day out.” 

The minister stated this while speaking at a convocation lecture of the Federal College of Education Technical Gombe.

He added, “When I came up with the policy, they wrote more than 44 petitions against us just to stop it, some of them to Mr President; some of them even court cases. On that policy alone, some people suspected to be criminals took the federal government to at least seven courts all over the country. But today it has become part of our lives, you cannot go and obtain a SIM card without NIN and we are glad that the Joint (Admissions and) Matriculation Board has accepted it. The Nigerian Immigration Service has also accepted it.

“I do hope that in order to secure our country in the next few years, even if you want to enter a restaurant you must verify your NIN. Most of us when we travel abroad, we obtain their NIN before going anywhere or doing anything but when we come back to Nigeria, we don’t have it.

“You cannot go and work in the USA without the Social Security Number, you cannot work in the UK without the National Insurance Number, you cannot work in Saudi Arabia without their Saned Number; you cannot go to India and work without Aadhaar Number.

“In all these countries, this identification is mandatory by law and it is mandatory by law in Nigeria, so, in any situation, we will continue to push for its implementation and for sure we cannot be intimated.”

 

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[GIST] Boko Haram Insurgents, Others Planning To Attack Nigerian Military Bases In Border Areas – Department Of State Services

[GIST] Boko Haram Insurgents, Others Planning To Attack Nigerian Military Bases In Border Areas – Department Of State Services

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The Department of State Services has put the Nigeria Customs Service on red alert over planned attacks by insurgents on Ogun State border communities and other border communities across the country.

According to Punch, the secret police said it has intelligence that the marauders intend to hatch their sinister plot on military bases in border towns.

In a letter dated November 25, 2021, addressed to the Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, Abeokuta, the DSS asked Customs and other security agencies in the country to put counter-measures in place to frustrate the dark plot by the insurgents.

The letter was titled, “Plans by Insurgents To Launch Attacks On Military Bases In Various Border Communities,” and signed by the State Director of Security, Ogun State Command, M.B. Abdullahi.

It read, “Available intelligence indicates plans by insurgents and criminal elements to carry out simultaneous attacks on military posts and bases in various border communities across the nation anytime from now.

“In view of the foregoing and the likelihood such attacks not limited to the military personnel only, all law enforcement and security agencies with operational bases at border communities are advised to take note of the above threat and put in place countermeasures with emphasis on personal security of operatives to frustrate the planned attack, please.”

For over a decade, Nigeria has been bedevilled by deadly attacks by terrorist group, Boko Haram, and its splinter faction, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province. Thousands of innocent Nigerians including scores of soldiers have been fell by the militant fighters.

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[GIST] Police Arrest Suspected Killer Of Pro-Buhari Activist, Okeke Who Fought Against #EndSARS Campaign, Sued Davido, Aisha Yesufu, Others

[GIST] Police Arrest Suspected Killer Of Pro-Buhari Activist, Okeke Who Fought Against #EndSARS Campaign, Sued Davido, Aisha Yesufu, Others

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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Chiadiobi, an indigene of Enugu State and a butcher at Tarzan market, Nkpor, Anambra State, over the killing of Kenechukwu Okeke, a supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari.

SaharaReporters had on Thursday reported that the pro-Muhammadu Buhari government activist who put up a vicious opposition against the #EndSARS campaign, was killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers in Anambra State.

Kenechukwu Okeke

According to Daily Post, Okeke was said to have been macheted by some assailants numbering seven.

Okeke, as reported by his wife, Mrs Blessing Odinakachi, was allegedly killed in October by Chiadiobi, a former tenant of his, after a disagreement.

The Anambra State Police Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest of Chiadiobi on Friday.

Police spokesman, Ikenga, said the state police commissioner, Mr Echeng Eworo, gave an order for the suspect to be arrested and questioned over the death of Okeke.

Although details of the arrest are still sketchy, Ikenga said the suspect had discarded his phone number and gone into hiding when it dawned on him that the killing of Okeke had become public but he was later smoked out by police operatives.

“He is now helping police authorities with its investigations,” the police spokesman said.

SaharaReporters had on Thursday stated that Kenechukwu was infamous for dragging many celebrities and media outfits, including CNN to court for defaming President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration during the October 2020 #EndSARS campaign. See Also News Pro-Buhari Activist, Okeke Who Fought Against #EndSARS Campaign, Sued Davido, Aisha Yesufu, 48 Others, Killed In Anambra 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

According to witnesses, the activist was attacked and killed in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State. His wife, Mrs Blessing Odinakachi Okeke and his daughter witnessed the attack.

SaharaReporters had in November 2020 reported that Kenechukwu sued 50 Nigerian celebrities including musicians David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, Tiwa Savage, Folarin Falana known more popularly as Falz and Aisha Yesufu for allegedly promoting the #EndSARS protest that swept across the country in October.

Kenechukwu, who had filed a motion on notice at the Federal Capital Territory Magistrates' Court, Abuja, alleged that the involvement of the celebrities in the protest led to violence across the country, resulting in the destruction of properties and loss of lives.

Others listed as defendants included Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, Peter and Paul Okoye, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, Bankole Wellington (Banky W), Michael Ajereh, also known as Don Jazzy and Debo Adebayo popularly known as Mr Macaroni.

The list also included Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi; former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo; activist, Deji Adeyanju; Yul Edochie and Uche Jombo.

 

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