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The Indian actress got married to US singer Nick Jonas in Rajasthan state over the weekend.

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Weighing about 5,854kg, the GSAT-11 is India's "most-advanced" multi-band communication satellite.

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Researchers say that being outside in some areas is the equivalent of smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

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Svetlana Alekseeva was badly burned in a fire - now she's showing off her scars to inspire others like her.

Paul Usoro is set to preside over his first National Executive Committee meeting as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday.

Usoro emerged NBA President in August following an election that one of his opponents said was characterised by “corruption, massive vote buying, vote capture, rigging and a skewed process”.

The NEC meeting comes two weeks after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) narrated Usoro’s alleged role in how the sum of N1.7 billion was withdrawn from the Akwa Ibom State government’s accounts and diverted for personal use.

In a statement of defence filed before the Federal High Court in Uyo and seen by SaharaRepoters, the commission indicted Emmanuel Udom, Akwa Ibom State Governor; the Accountant General of the state, Uwem Sunday Andrew-Essien; Commissioner of Finance, Nsikan Linus Nkan; one Margeret Thompson Ukpe and a company, Paul Usoro & Co. See Also Corruption EFCC: How N1.7 Billion Akwa Ibom Funds Were Diverted For Personal Use 0 Comments 2 Weeks Ago

In August, the anti-graft agency had placed a freeze order on all bank accounts controlled by the Akwa Ibom State government, leading to the filing of a N50 billion law suit against the commission by the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State.

However, in its response, EFCC said it acted within the purview of its enactment act that empowers it to place a stop order on any account suspected to be involved in any crime. It said on March 10, 2016, the sum of N700 million was withdrawn in cash from the state’s Accountant General’s imprest account.

EFCC stated further: “That out of the said N700,000,000.00, the sum of N300,000,000.00 was deposited in cash to the Zenith account No. 1014604466 belonging to Paul Usoro & Co on the 14th of March, 2016 without any contractual relationship between Akwa Ibom State and the said Paul Usoro & Co.

“That the 1st defendant (EFCC) invited Paul Usoro (SAN) who volunteered extra judicial statement confessing that the said N300,000,000.00 was his professional fees for handling Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s personal matter before the election tribunal. That the remaining N400,000,000.00 was also diverted to private use.

“That in similar vein, the total sum of N1,100,000,000.00 was also removed from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice account No. 1011191486 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and lodged in the Paul Usoro & Co’s account number 0690123425 domiciled with Access Bank Plc without reasonable justification."

The anti-graft agency claimed that out of the N1.1 billion, Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko received a kickback of N65million from Paul Usoro. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: NJC Asks Buhari To Sack Corrupt Justices Ofili-Ajumogobia, Agbadu-Fishim 0 Comments 2 Months Ago

The Akwa Ibom case is not the only bribery allegation against Usoro. In October, the National Judicial Council (NJC) asked President Muhammadu Buhari to dismiss two judges after they were investigated and found to be guilty of corruption allegations brought against them by the EFCC.

The affected judges were Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court and James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, who had been in the news for at least two years for allegedly receiving bribe from Usoro.

NBA’s NEC meeting holds on Thursday (arrival on Wednesday and departure on Friday) at the NBA Auditorium, NBA House, Plot 1101 Muhamadu Buhari Way, Cadastral Zone A00 Central Area, Abuja.
Attendance is restricted to only statutory NEC members, who are the national officers, past presidents, past general secretaries, branch chairmen, branch secretaries, branch NEC representatives, and chairmen and secretaries of sections.

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The 7.5 magnitude quake struck east of the French territory in the Pacific Ocean.

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The Republicans say the Trump administration is ignoring evidence of the Saudi crown prince's alleged complicity.

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The US and China have agreed to a 90-day pause to their ongoing trade war, to avoid escalation.

Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have a presidential candidate for the 2019 general election.

He stated this while responding to questions from journalists on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC in the forthcoming election.

He also lamented the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act that has since been passed by the National Assembly.

"Actions and activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are being dictated directly from the villa. If that is not the case, by now if the INEC Chairman was a truly independent person, he ought to have conveyed message to APC and the villa that they do not have a candidate for the 2019 presidential election," he said.

"As of today, the nomination of President Buhari is not valid. To be nominated for an election, there are some conditions that must be met as provided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Number one, you must be a Nigerian. Now, there are issues that were even confirmed by the President himself in Poland that there is doubt about his nationality, whether he is a Nigerian or a Sudanese."

Okupe also added that evidence must be provided that the candidate had been educated to secondary school level.

"As of today, the form submitted by Buhari to INEC does not contain a certificate. What he submitted is an affidavit with a false claim that his certificate is with the Army, who had sometime issued a statement that they are not in possession of any certificate of the president," Okupe stated.

According to Okupe, that by itself was perjury. "If I falsely swear to an oath that I am seven feet tall and measurement shows I am not that tall, I have simply committed perjury," he said.

He said such an invalidly nominated candidate had lost an election even before it is conducted, adding that it was incumbent on APC to either go to court or find another candidate.

"Buhari is not a candidate for 2019 presidential election and the facts speak for themselves. By the action of Buhari to have gone to WAEC for an attestation showed that he knew that his certificate was never with the military and he swore to an oath falsely. That itself is ground for disqualification of nomination of any candidate. This is the truth and Nigerians needs to be aware of it, so that nobody creates crisis in 2019. Head or tail, Atiku will  be President of Nigeria in 2019," Okupe said.

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Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have a presidential candidate for the 2019 general election.

He stated this while responding to questions from journalists on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC in the forthcoming election.

He also lamented the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act that has since been passed by the National Assembly.

"Actions and activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are being dictated directly from the villa. If that is not the case, by now if the INEC Chairman was a truly independent person, he ought to have conveyed message to APC and the villa that they do not have a candidate for the 2019 presidential election," he said.

"As of today, the nomination of President Buhari is not valid. To be nominated for an election, there are some conditions that must be met as provided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Number one, you must be a Nigerian. Now, there are issues that were even confirmed by the President himself in Poland that there is doubt about his nationality, whether he is a Nigerian or a Sudanese."

Okupe also added that evidence must be provided that the candidate had been educated to secondary school level.

"As of today, the form submitted by Buhari to INEC does not contain a certificate. What he submitted is an affidavit with a false claim that his certificate is with the Army, who had sometime issued a statement that they are not in possession of any certificate of the president," Okupe stated.

According to Okupe, that by itself was perjury. "If I falsely swear to an oath that I am seven feet tall and measurement shows I am not that tall, I have simply committed perjury," he said.

He said such an invalidly nominated candidate had lost an election even before it is conducted, adding that it was incumbent on APC to either go to court or find another candidate.

"Buhari is not a candidate for 2019 presidential election and the facts speak for themselves. By the action of Buhari to have gone to WAEC for an attestation showed that he knew that his certificate was never with the military and he swore to an oath falsely. That itself is ground for disqualification of nomination of any candidate. This is the truth and Nigerians needs to be aware of it, so that nobody creates crisis in 2019. Head or tail, Atiku will  be President of Nigeria in 2019," Okupe said.

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Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have a presidential candidate for the 2019 general election.

He stated this while responding to questions from journalists on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC in the forthcoming election.

He also lamented the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act that has since been passed by the National Assembly.

"Actions and activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are being dictated directly from the villa. If that is not the case, by now if the INEC Chairman was a truly independent person, he ought to have conveyed message to APC and the villa that they do not have a candidate for the 2019 presidential election," he said.

"As of today, the nomination of President Buhari is not valid. To be nominated for an election, there are some conditions that must be met as provided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Number one, you must be a Nigerian. Now, there are issues that were even confirmed by the President himself in Poland that there is doubt about his nationality, whether he is a Nigerian or a Sudanese."

Okupe also added that evidence must be provided that the candidate had been educated to secondary school level.

"As of today, the form submitted by Buhari to INEC does not contain a certificate. What he submitted is an affidavit with a false claim that his certificate is with the Army, who had sometime issued a statement that they are not in possession of any certificate of the president," Okupe stated.

According to Okupe, that by itself was perjury. "If I falsely swear to an oath that I am seven feet tall and measurement shows I am not that tall, I have simply committed perjury," he said.

He said such an invalidly nominated candidate had lost an election even before it is conducted, adding that it was incumbent on APC to either go to court or find another candidate.

"Buhari is not a candidate for 2019 presidential election and the facts speak for themselves. By the action of Buhari to have gone to WAEC for an attestation showed that he knew that his certificate was never with the military and he swore to an oath falsely. That itself is ground for disqualification of nomination of any candidate. This is the truth and Nigerians needs to be aware of it, so that nobody creates crisis in 2019. Head or tail, Atiku will  be President of Nigeria in 2019," Okupe said.

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A group of youth under the auspices of the Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has dismissed the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally in Sokoto as the "latest form of MMM in town".

Inuwa Bako, President of Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition, urged Nigerians "to be wary of PDP’s ability to transparently manage public resources when it cannot be sincere with the number of people that took part at its rally".

His words: “The North-West rally which had the entire PDP loyalists from all over Nigeria left a 10,000-capacity stadium still empty and the mouthpieces of the party were still bereft of shame to lie that the number of people that attended the rally portends victory for Atiku (Abubakar). This is nothing but MMM whereby people were made to believe what did not exist. Anyone that allows themselves to be taken in by such scam is in for disappointing surprises.

“The PDP may be playing the ostrich, but the reality is that many people that should have attended the rally are aware that they will not hear anything new, but that they will be plied with insult and abuses against the ruling party since the PDP and its candidate are incapable of issue based campaign. The people of the North-West and other Nigerians are eager to attend rallies that are better organised, where they will be able to hear fact-based pitches from candidates, and not gatherings where actors and charlatans would be hopping on soap boxes.

“You can imagine that a party that was in power for 16 years with a candidate that was vice-president for eight years are unable to point to concrete projects or achievements to convince the electorate with. If after previously holding office for 16 years, all PDP can do is to make more promises of what it will do if elected instead of showing what it has done to be re-elected, then there is something capitally wrong with the party and its candidate.

“We have resolved that we will not allow the rural population or those with limited political exposure to be scammed by the PDP as they continue their other rallies. Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has therefore resolved to embark on an enlightenment drive to educate people on the issues they should raise when any party approaches them with non-issue based messaging."

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A group of youth under the auspices of the Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has dismissed the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally in Sokoto as the "latest form of MMM in town".

Inuwa Bako, President of Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition, urged Nigerians "to be wary of PDP’s ability to transparently manage public resources when it cannot be sincere with the number of people that took part at its rally".

His words: “The North-West rally which had the entire PDP loyalists from all over Nigeria left a 10,000-capacity stadium still empty and the mouthpieces of the party were still bereft of shame to lie that the number of people that attended the rally portends victory for Atiku (Abubakar). This is nothing but MMM whereby people were made to believe what did not exist. Anyone that allows themselves to be taken in by such scam is in for disappointing surprises.

“The PDP may be playing the ostrich, but the reality is that many people that should have attended the rally are aware that they will not hear anything new, but that they will be plied with insult and abuses against the ruling party since the PDP and its candidate are incapable of issue based campaign. The people of the North-West and other Nigerians are eager to attend rallies that are better organised, where they will be able to hear fact-based pitches from candidates, and not gatherings where actors and charlatans would be hopping on soap boxes.

“You can imagine that a party that was in power for 16 years with a candidate that was vice-president for eight years are unable to point to concrete projects or achievements to convince the electorate with. If after previously holding office for 16 years, all PDP can do is to make more promises of what it will do if elected instead of showing what it has done to be re-elected, then there is something capitally wrong with the party and its candidate.

“We have resolved that we will not allow the rural population or those with limited political exposure to be scammed by the PDP as they continue their other rallies. Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has therefore resolved to embark on an enlightenment drive to educate people on the issues they should raise when any party approaches them with non-issue based messaging."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A group of youth under the auspices of the Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has dismissed the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally in Sokoto as the "latest form of MMM in town".

Inuwa Bako, President of Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition, urged Nigerians "to be wary of PDP’s ability to transparently manage public resources when it cannot be sincere with the number of people that took part at its rally".

His words: “The North-West rally which had the entire PDP loyalists from all over Nigeria left a 10,000-capacity stadium still empty and the mouthpieces of the party were still bereft of shame to lie that the number of people that attended the rally portends victory for Atiku (Abubakar). This is nothing but MMM whereby people were made to believe what did not exist. Anyone that allows themselves to be taken in by such scam is in for disappointing surprises.

“The PDP may be playing the ostrich, but the reality is that many people that should have attended the rally are aware that they will not hear anything new, but that they will be plied with insult and abuses against the ruling party since the PDP and its candidate are incapable of issue based campaign. The people of the North-West and other Nigerians are eager to attend rallies that are better organised, where they will be able to hear fact-based pitches from candidates, and not gatherings where actors and charlatans would be hopping on soap boxes.

“You can imagine that a party that was in power for 16 years with a candidate that was vice-president for eight years are unable to point to concrete projects or achievements to convince the electorate with. If after previously holding office for 16 years, all PDP can do is to make more promises of what it will do if elected instead of showing what it has done to be re-elected, then there is something capitally wrong with the party and its candidate.

“We have resolved that we will not allow the rural population or those with limited political exposure to be scammed by the PDP as they continue their other rallies. Arewa Proactive Youth Coalition has therefore resolved to embark on an enlightenment drive to educate people on the issues they should raise when any party approaches them with non-issue based messaging."

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The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called out the Federal Government on the threat to stop payment of salaries of university lecturers who are on strike.

A statement signed by Acting President of the NLC, Lawal Dutsinma, on Tuesday, reminded the Federal Government that the protesting lecturers are workers and not slaves.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had commenced an indefinite strike on November 4, 2018 to demand proper funding of Nigerian universities. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: ASUU Begins Nationwide Strike 0 Comments 4 Weeks Ago

However, a memo dated Thursday, November 29, 2018 sent by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to university vice chancellors had noted that the Federal Government would enforce the 'No Work, No Pay' rule on the ASUU members.

Although the decision was said to have been withdrawn by the Federal Government, which NLC affirmed, the organisation said the 'No Work, No Pay' rule is an "autocratic attempt to cow workers into abandoning their legitimate demand for decent wages, conducive work spaces and social justice".

THE FULL STATEMENT

The attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress has been drawn to a memo by the Federal Government dated November 29, 2018 directing all Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to apply the “No Work… No Pay” rule. We understand that the Federal Government has since rescinded this order. Nonetheless, Nigerian workers are concerned that for the umpteenth time, the Federal Government and many state governments have resorted to bullying and draconian threats in dealing with matters that strictly reside in the domain of industrial relations. This is truly sad, highly unfortunate and extremely provoking.

We recall that the current struggle by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for improved conditions of learning in our public universities is not the first time that the Federal Government is issuing the “No Work… No Pay” threat. During the last warning strike by the NLC on the new national minimum wage, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige issued a “No Work… No Pay” threat against workers. Also, during the last nationwide strike action by health workers, the Federal Government did not only issue a “No Work… No Pay” threat, it went ahead to implement it. Till now, government still withholds about three months of salaries due to health workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress considers the application of the “No Work… No Pay” rule as an autocratic attempt to cow workers into abandoning their legitimate demand for decent wages, conducive work spaces and social justice. As far as we are concerned, government’s invocation of the "no work, no pay" clause in the Trade Disputes Act is selective, erroneous and hypocritical. As we speak, the Federal Government and nearly all the states in Nigeria are owing workers varying arrears of salaries, allowances, pension and gratuity – some running into years. Yet, workers have continued to endure such profound neglect by political leaders elected to prioritize the welfare of citizens. Given the grand betrayal of workers by government, workers stand the higher moral ground to invoke a “No Pay… No Work” action.

Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act of Nigeria has always been in our statutes but successive governments had hardly ever invoked it to punish an already impoverished workforce. It is sad that the current government is making a lot of fuss on just one aspect of our laws while holding in contempt several provisions in our labour laws and even our constitution demanding just and humane treatment of workers.

It is important to reiterate that Nigerian workers will never accept slavery in their own country. The right to strike is both a human and trade union right protected by our laws and international conventions particularly ILO Convention 87. It is the right to strike that distinguishes a worker from a slave. Do we need to remind government at all levels that Nigerian workers are worthy partners in nation building and not slaves? As a matter of fact, labour builds the commonwealth that political leaders and their cronies, more often than not, squander. It is, therefore, regrettable that government continues to behave as if Nigerian workers are slaves who have no rights or privileges to claim.

It is truly unfortunate that our political leaders act with a failed sense of history. On June 22, 1945, organized labour in Nigeria commenced a general strike action that shook the foundation of British colonialism in our country. Not a few historians would argue that our journey to nationhood started with the strike action of June 1945 as millions of Nigerians from every part of the country for the first time in their lives rallied around a common cause. Succinctly put, the 1945 general strike action was the foundation of Nigeria’s independence and sovereignty. It is therefore heart rending that latter day politicians would use the legitimate weapon of strike action to intimidate, hound and oppress the working class which sweat and blood procured the freedom we enjoy.

We warn government at all levels to desist from using the “No Work… No Pay” rule to shirk away from their responsibilities. We also demand immediate release of workers’ salaries withheld on the account of “No Work…No Pay” rule. Also, we ask government to respect agreements it freely entered into with ASUU in order to restore normalcy and sanity to our public institutions of learning especially our universities. Our children have suffered enough already! Enough is enough!!

LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called out the Federal Government on the threat to stop payment of salaries of university lecturers who are on strike.

A statement signed by Acting President of the NLC, Lawal Dutsinma, on Tuesday, reminded the Federal Government that the protesting lecturers are workers and not slaves.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had commenced an indefinite strike on November 4, 2018 to demand proper funding of Nigerian universities. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: ASUU Begins Nationwide Strike 0 Comments 4 Weeks Ago

However, a memo dated Thursday, November 29, 2018 sent by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to university vice chancellors had noted that the Federal Government would enforce the 'No Work, No Pay' rule on the ASUU members.

Although the decision was said to have been withdrawn by the Federal Government, which NLC affirmed, the organisation said the 'No Work, No Pay' rule is an "autocratic attempt to cow workers into abandoning their legitimate demand for decent wages, conducive work spaces and social justice".

THE FULL STATEMENT

The attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress has been drawn to a memo by the Federal Government dated November 29, 2018 directing all Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to apply the “No Work… No Pay” rule. We understand that the Federal Government has since rescinded this order. Nonetheless, Nigerian workers are concerned that for the umpteenth time, the Federal Government and many state governments have resorted to bullying and draconian threats in dealing with matters that strictly reside in the domain of industrial relations. This is truly sad, highly unfortunate and extremely provoking.

We recall that the current struggle by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for improved conditions of learning in our public universities is not the first time that the Federal Government is issuing the “No Work… No Pay” threat. During the last warning strike by the NLC on the new national minimum wage, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige issued a “No Work… No Pay” threat against workers. Also, during the last nationwide strike action by health workers, the Federal Government did not only issue a “No Work… No Pay” threat, it went ahead to implement it. Till now, government still withholds about three months of salaries due to health workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress considers the application of the “No Work… No Pay” rule as an autocratic attempt to cow workers into abandoning their legitimate demand for decent wages, conducive work spaces and social justice. As far as we are concerned, government’s invocation of the "no work, no pay" clause in the Trade Disputes Act is selective, erroneous and hypocritical. As we speak, the Federal Government and nearly all the states in Nigeria are owing workers varying arrears of salaries, allowances, pension and gratuity – some running into years. Yet, workers have continued to endure such profound neglect by political leaders elected to prioritize the welfare of citizens. Given the grand betrayal of workers by government, workers stand the higher moral ground to invoke a “No Pay… No Work” action.

Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act of Nigeria has always been in our statutes but successive governments had hardly ever invoked it to punish an already impoverished workforce. It is sad that the current government is making a lot of fuss on just one aspect of our laws while holding in contempt several provisions in our labour laws and even our constitution demanding just and humane treatment of workers.

It is important to reiterate that Nigerian workers will never accept slavery in their own country. The right to strike is both a human and trade union right protected by our laws and international conventions particularly ILO Convention 87. It is the right to strike that distinguishes a worker from a slave. Do we need to remind government at all levels that Nigerian workers are worthy partners in nation building and not slaves? As a matter of fact, labour builds the commonwealth that political leaders and their cronies, more often than not, squander. It is, therefore, regrettable that government continues to behave as if Nigerian workers are slaves who have no rights or privileges to claim.

It is truly unfortunate that our political leaders act with a failed sense of history. On June 22, 1945, organized labour in Nigeria commenced a general strike action that shook the foundation of British colonialism in our country. Not a few historians would argue that our journey to nationhood started with the strike action of June 1945 as millions of Nigerians from every part of the country for the first time in their lives rallied around a common cause. Succinctly put, the 1945 general strike action was the foundation of Nigeria’s independence and sovereignty. It is therefore heart rending that latter day politicians would use the legitimate weapon of strike action to intimidate, hound and oppress the working class which sweat and blood procured the freedom we enjoy.

We warn government at all levels to desist from using the “No Work… No Pay” rule to shirk away from their responsibilities. We also demand immediate release of workers’ salaries withheld on the account of “No Work…No Pay” rule. Also, we ask government to respect agreements it freely entered into with ASUU in order to restore normalcy and sanity to our public institutions of learning especially our universities. Our children have suffered enough already! Enough is enough!!

LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2P9DiYM

Four persons are feared dead in renewed violence between communities of Urugbam and Abanwa in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to the state Police Command, dispute over land led to several houses being set ablaze by the warring communities.

Confirming the development to SaharaReporters, Irene Ugbo, spokesperson of the Police command, said the people resisted the policemen earlier drafted to the area to restore law and order in the affected areas.

“Yes, Biase, Abanwan and Orugbam communities clashed over farmland. It started yesterday and our men were deployed to the areas to forestall breakdown of law and order, but to no avail. The communities didn't allow conventional policemen access into the affected areas," Ugbo said.

"The Commissioner of Police has directed mobile policemen to the areas now. The situation was tense but we are on top of it. There are people who have been injured, but no death recorded has been reported."

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Four persons are feared dead in renewed violence between communities of Urugbam and Abanwa in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to the state Police Command, dispute over land led to several houses being set ablaze by the warring communities.

Confirming the development to SaharaReporters, Irene Ugbo, spokesperson of the Police command, said the people resisted the policemen earlier drafted to the area to restore law and order in the affected areas.

“Yes, Biase, Abanwan and Orugbam communities clashed over farmland. It started yesterday and our men were deployed to the areas to forestall breakdown of law and order, but to no avail. The communities didn't allow conventional policemen access into the affected areas," Ugbo said.

"The Commissioner of Police has directed mobile policemen to the areas now. The situation was tense but we are on top of it. There are people who have been injured, but no death recorded has been reported."

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Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as 'Small Doctor', has been set free from police custody with a warning not to engage in any violent act for the next one year.

A magistrate court at Ebute Meta in Lagos ruled in favour of the musician on Tuesday after he was arraigned by the Police for unlawful possession of firearms.

The court ruled in favour of 'Small Doctor', because he had licence to carry a gun.

'Small Doctor', alongside three others, were arrested and paraded by the Police on Monday for harassing a Police officer with a gun. He was also accused of unlawfully carrying a functional rifle.

Edgal Imohimi, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, stated during the parade that the state had called on all those with similar rifles to relinquish the ammunition to the state regardless of their licences.

“You will recall that only recently, the  Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, gave a window of opportunity for all those who have this category of firearms to return them. All licences were cancelled and all approvals were suspended," the CP said during the parade.

However, the magistrate court ruled in favour of Small Doctor.

The musician was among a group of popular Nigerian entertainers appointed ambassador to the Nigeria Police Force earlier this year.

The group, including Omoni Oboli, Odunlade Adekola, Sound Sultan, Dr Sid, Korede Bello and Ruggedman, were seen in Police uniforms posing with Officer Dolapo Badmos.

He also performed at a show tagged ‘Entertainment Meets Security' at the University of Lagos in March.

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Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as 'Small Doctor', has been set free from police custody with a warning not to engage in any violent act for the next one year.

A magistrate court at Ebute Meta in Lagos ruled in favour of the musician on Tuesday after he was arraigned by the Police for unlawful possession of firearms.

The court ruled in favour of 'Small Doctor', because he had licence to carry a gun.

'Small Doctor', alongside three others, were arrested and paraded by the Police on Monday for harassing a Police officer with a gun. He was also accused of unlawfully carrying a functional rifle.

Edgal Imohimi, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, stated during the parade that the state had called on all those with similar rifles to relinquish the ammunition to the state regardless of their licences.

“You will recall that only recently, the  Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, gave a window of opportunity for all those who have this category of firearms to return them. All licences were cancelled and all approvals were suspended," the CP said during the parade.

However, the magistrate court ruled in favour of Small Doctor.

The musician was among a group of popular Nigerian entertainers appointed ambassador to the Nigeria Police Force earlier this year.

The group, including Omoni Oboli, Odunlade Adekola, Sound Sultan, Dr Sid, Korede Bello and Ruggedman, were seen in Police uniforms posing with Officer Dolapo Badmos.

He also performed at a show tagged ‘Entertainment Meets Security' at the University of Lagos in March.

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Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as 'Small Doctor', has been set free from police custody with a warning not to engage in any violent act for the next one year.

A magistrate court at Ebute Meta in Lagos ruled in favour of the musician on Tuesday after he was arraigned by the Police for unlawful possession of firearms.

The court ruled in favour of 'Small Doctor', because he had licence to carry a gun.

'Small Doctor', alongside three others, were arrested and paraded by the Police on Monday for harassing a Police officer with a gun. He was also accused of unlawfully carrying a functional rifle.

Edgal Imohimi, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, stated during the parade that the state had called on all those with similar rifles to relinquish the ammunition to the state regardless of their licences.

“You will recall that only recently, the  Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, gave a window of opportunity for all those who have this category of firearms to return them. All licences were cancelled and all approvals were suspended," the CP said during the parade.

However, the magistrate court ruled in favour of Small Doctor.

The musician was among a group of popular Nigerian entertainers appointed ambassador to the Nigeria Police Force earlier this year.

The group, including Omoni Oboli, Odunlade Adekola, Sound Sultan, Dr Sid, Korede Bello and Ruggedman, were seen in Police uniforms posing with Officer Dolapo Badmos.

He also performed at a show tagged ‘Entertainment Meets Security' at the University of Lagos in March.

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The four were part of a "decades-long criminal scheme" linked to law firm Mossack Fonseca, officials allege.

The Court of Appeal in Ilorin, Kwara State, has nullified the lower court’s judgment that awarded a N4billion cost as sum of damages against SaharaReporters and its founder, Omoyele Sowore, in a suit between the two and Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s Senate President.

On Tuesday, the Appeal Court set aside the judgment of Justice A.S. Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin delivered on June 28, 2017.

The Appeal Court judges — Honourable Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Salauwa, Honourable Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa and Honourable Justice Hamma Akawu Barka — unanimously ruled that the judgment be nullified and assigned to a new trial judge at the lower court for a retrial.

The account of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation, was garnisheed in a suit between SaharaReporters, an online citizen journalism news website, and the Senate President even though the foundation was never named in the suit, neither is it a news publishing platform.  

Justice Oyinloye had entered a judgment of N4billion against SaharaReporters and its founder, Omoyele Sowore, over allegations of defamation involving Saraki. However, the judgment was used to obtain a garnishee order against the foundation, a separate entity.

Sometime in 2017, Saraki had sued SaharaReporters and its founder to the tune of N1billion each as general damages for four different publications on SaharaReporters.

He also sought the court “for injunction restraining the Defendants from further writing, printing or causing to be written, printed or circulated or otherwise published of the Claimant, the said or similar libel".

However, Stanley Imhanruor, a senior lawyer from Falana & Falana’s Chambers, who represented SaharaReporters at both the High Court and the Appeal Court, argued that his clients were never served in the motion on notice neither were they given an opportunity to defend themselves during the hearings that led to Justice Oyinloye’s judgment.

Paul Erokoro, Saraki’s lead counsel, had claimed in court that he could not serve the counter affidavit on the counsel for SaharaReporters because there was no address for service within the court’s jurisdiction. He argued that he had no obligation to serve counsel directly unless the court ordered him to do so or if he sought the court’s leave to serve counsel directly.

Imhanruor contested this argument, stating that his chambers had sent one Adams Adebara to the chambers of Tunde Olomu & Co to pick up the counter affidavit, to no avail. He told the court that, rather than give the document to Mr. Adebara, the chambers rudely dismissed him.

He explained to the court that Saraki’s lawyer had asked Adebara, who was to collect the counter affidavit, to meet with him on the premises of the court so that the bailiff could serve him, but Erokoro failed to deliver on his promise. He told the court that multiple calls to Erokoro were ignored.

The case was, however, withdrawn from the lower court, having lost faith in the process and an appeal filed at the Court of Appeal.

The protracted case had taken several turns before the eventual judgement of the appeal court. In one of the hearings at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, journalists and student activists who had gone to court to observe the hearing were harassed by alleged loyalists of the Senate President.

Reporters from CoreTV, AIT News, and ChannelsTV who were in court to cover the proceedings were harassed and their cameras seized. They were also forced to erase footage of the court proceedings and the assaults that took place in the premises of the court.

The touts, perceived to have been supporters of the Senate President, also assaulted a middle-aged woman, Funmi Jolayemi Ajayi, stripped her naked and beat her. Ajayi, a civil society activist, had travelled from Lagos to observe the court proceedings in Ilorin.

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Senate President Bukola Saraki was the subject of mockery from members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), who locked down the National Assembly complex on Tuesday over non-payment of their salary and promotion arrears. See Also Breaking News JUST IN: Lawmakers Take To Their Heels As Protesting Staff Shut Down National Assembly 0 Comments 7 Hours Ago

The workers, demanding the implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), which has been stopped since 2010, were seen holding a mace and mimicking the entrance of the Senate President to the chamber.

Staff Shut Down National Assembly In Abuja Over Unpaid Salary Arears, Turn Back Lawmakers Protesting National Assembly Staff Mock Saraki's Entry Into Senate Chambers...

As the person holding the mace advanced forward as though he was possessed in the spirit, his colleagues hailed him and danced. They eventually crowded him out, each man touching a piece of him and the mace.

On Tuesday, the opening day of the protest, the workers prevented legislative activities from holding at the National Assembly.

The protest is expected to continue on Wednesday.

 

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