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05/05/20
JUST IN: Another Borno Lawmaker Dies
A member of the Borno State House of Assembly, Umar Audi Jauro, is dead.
According to a source, the lawmaker died after a brief illness at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Tuesday.
His death comes barely a week after Wakil Bukar, lawmaker representing Nganzai Constituency, died of Coronavirus.
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JUST IN: Another Borno Lawmaker Dies
A member of the Borno State House of Assembly, Umar Audi Jauro, is dead.
According to a source, the lawmaker died after a brief illness at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Tuesday.
His death comes barely a week after Wakil Bukar, lawmaker representing Nganzai Constituency, died of Coronavirus.
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Lawmakers Summon Akpabio Over Fraud, Corruption In NDDC
Members of the House of Representatives have summoned Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and the Interim Management Committee of Niger Delta Development Commission, over corrupt activities in the commission.
The lawmakers also want Akpabio to explain the spending of N40bn by the commission without yielding commensurate result.
In the motion sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader, Peter Akpatason, he noted that the NDDC had been inundated with plethora of petitions calling for a probe of the commission. 
He said, “The House is further aware that the Committee on NDDC is inundated with petitions from contractors, stakeholders and public interest groups regarding alleged personnel layoffs and replacement with unqualified and inexperienced persons to man strategic offices in the commission, thereby hampering the efficiency of the commission.
“The House is alarmed that in the wake of COVID-19, a contract was allegedly awarded for the supply of Hilux vehicles/medical consumables to the tune of N4.8bn in clear breach of Sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. See Also 
“The House is also worried that the trend if not arrested will worsen an already pathetic situation in the Niger Delta region post-COVID-19.
“The House is also concerned that the forensic audit for which the Interim Management Committee was set up is most likely to become a conduit for forensic looting.”
After listening and debating on the motion moved by Akpatason, the House resolved that there was a need to invite Akpabio and the commission for an explanation.
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Lawmakers Summon Akpabio Over Fraud, Corruption In NDDC
Members of the House of Representatives have summoned Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and the Interim Management Committee of Niger Delta Development Commission, over corrupt activities in the commission.
The lawmakers also want Akpabio to explain the spending of N40bn by the commission without yielding commensurate result.
In the motion sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader, Peter Akpatason, he noted that the NDDC had been inundated with plethora of petitions calling for a probe of the commission.
He said, “The House is further aware that the Committee on NDDC is inundated with petitions from contractors, stakeholders and public interest groups regarding alleged personnel layoffs and replacement with unqualified and inexperienced persons to man strategic offices in the commission, thereby hampering the efficiency of the commission.
“The House is alarmed that in the wake of COVID-19, a contract was allegedly awarded for the supply of Hilux vehicles/medical consumables to the tune of N4.8bn in clear breach of Sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. See Also
“The House is also worried that the trend if not arrested will worsen an already pathetic situation in the Niger Delta region post-COVID-19.
“The House is also concerned that the forensic audit for which the Interim Management Committee was set up is most likely to become a conduit for forensic looting.”
After listening and debating on the motion moved by Akpatason, the House resolved that there was a need to invite Akpabio and the commission for an explanation.
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BREAKING: Three New COVID-19 Cases Recorded In Kaduna
Three new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Kaduna, the state government confirmed on Tuesday.
The three new cases brought the total active cases in the state to 75. 
"Kaduna update: As at 9:30pm on 5th May 2020, three more positive results have increased active COVID-19 cases in Kaduna State to 75.
"All three new cases are males with travel history outside the state," the state announced via its official Twitter handle.
A total of 2,802 cases have been confirmed in Nigeria with 93 deaths while 417 persons have been discharged after recovery.
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BREAKING: Three New COVID-19 Cases Recorded In Kaduna
Three new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Kaduna, the state government confirmed on Tuesday.
The three new cases brought the total active cases in the state to 75.
"Kaduna update: As at 9:30pm on 5th May 2020, three more positive results have increased active COVID-19 cases in Kaduna State to 75.
"All three new cases are males with travel history outside the state," the state announced via its official Twitter handle.
A total of 2,802 cases have been confirmed in Nigeria with 93 deaths while 417 persons have been discharged after recovery.
https://ift.tt/3bBrHIZ
70-year-old Man Arrested For Insulting President Buhari In Katsina Sentenced to 18 Months Imprisonment
A court sitting in Katsina State on Tuesday sentenced a 70-year-old man, Lawal Izala, to 18 months imprisonment.
Izala was arrested last week for allegedly insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Masari.
The septuagenarian and two others were arraigned for inciting disobedience to civil authorities and disrespect to authorities through demeaning utterances. 
But speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Izala said he spoke out of anger when he visited his village and found out that bandits had killed his family members and rustled 15 of his cows.
Delivering judgement on the matter, the court found Izala guilty of two count charges of inciting violence and disrespect for civil authorities. See Also 
He was sentenced to six months jail term for the first charge and one year for the other charge.
Izala was however, given the option of ₦10,000 fine for the first charge and N20,000 for the second offence.
SaharaReporters gathered that some kind-hearted fellows in the state paid the N30,000 fine and the 70-year-old had been released.
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70-year-old Man Arrested For Insulting President Buhari In Katsina Sentenced to 18 Months Imprisonment
A court sitting in Katsina State on Tuesday sentenced a 70-year-old man, Lawal Izala, to 18 months imprisonment.
Izala was arrested last week for allegedly insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Masari.
The septuagenarian and two others were arraigned for inciting disobedience to civil authorities and disrespect to authorities through demeaning utterances.
But speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Izala said he spoke out of anger when he visited his village and found out that bandits had killed his family members and rustled 15 of his cows.
Delivering judgement on the matter, the court found Izala guilty of two count charges of inciting violence and disrespect for civil authorities. See Also
He was sentenced to six months jail term for the first charge and one year for the other charge.
Izala was however, given the option of ₦10,000 fine for the first charge and N20,000 for the second offence.
SaharaReporters gathered that some kind-hearted fellows in the state paid the N30,000 fine and the 70-year-old had been released.
Free Speech Human Rights Police News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :https://ift.tt/3ck6DHe
CSOs Advocate Public Scrutiny Of Proposed Bill On Infectious Disease Control
Some civil society groups in Nigeria have called for public scrutiny of the proposed bill on infectious disease control, asking lawmakers to shelve the idea of passing the bill into law.
The groups disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by 41 civil society organisations on Tuesday in Abuja.
The statement noted that the bill had all the trappings of provisions that could infringe on fundamental rights of citizens. 
They however, cautioned the National Assembly to refrain from vesting powers beyond the remit of institutions, adding that such could be abused and misused to undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The statement reads, "The House of Representatives should subject the bill to public scrutiny by embarking on stakeholder consultations and a public hearing to harness public inputs into the legislation.
"The House should utilize the opportunity provided by the reviewed lockdown policy to consult with relevant stakeholders."
The rights group explained that laws must be made for the people and any law that failed to protect the human rights of the people as guaranteed under the constitution must be rejected in its entirety.
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CSOs Advocate Public Scrutiny Of Proposed Bill On Infectious Disease Control
Some civil society groups in Nigeria have called for public scrutiny of the proposed bill on infectious disease control, asking lawmakers to shelve the idea of passing the bill into law.
The groups disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by 41 civil society organisations on Tuesday in Abuja.
The statement noted that the bill had all the trappings of provisions that could infringe on fundamental rights of citizens. 
They however, cautioned the National Assembly to refrain from vesting powers beyond the remit of institutions, adding that such could be abused and misused to undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The statement reads, "The House of Representatives should subject the bill to public scrutiny by embarking on stakeholder consultations and a public hearing to harness public inputs into the legislation.
"The House should utilize the opportunity provided by the reviewed lockdown policy to consult with relevant stakeholders."
The rights group explained that laws must be made for the people and any law that failed to protect the human rights of the people as guaranteed under the constitution must be rejected in its entirety.
https://ift.tt/3fkrhsS
Access Bank Ignores CBN Directive, Fires Staff In Oyo Branch
Despite an agreement by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bankers Committee to suspend the lay-offs in banks across the country due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Access Bank has continued to dismiss its staff.
A man, whose wife worked for a branch of the bank in Oyo State for eight years and got retrenched, told SaharaReporters that the move was contrary to the decision of the CBN. See Also 
He said, "My wife was let go by Access Bank and from all indications, the bank is trying to override CBN's directive to suspend the letting go of staff. 
"This woman worked very hard, in the rain and sun for eight years. She has been crying uncontrollably and I'm worried because she just put to bed.
"When she went to work yesterday, she was asked to leave the environment and her ID was forcefully collected. She was also not given an exit for to sign."
The bank’s GMD/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, on April 30, told shareholders at the Annual General Meeting that, "Access Bank was well prepared for COVID-19 early enough and created ways of working from home and working with our customers. See Also 
"We set up links with our customers and devised ways of reaching out to them three or four times a day.
"This happened even before we started working with the larger society and it enabled us to start fighting this pandemic.”
But days later, the bank began to let go of its staff without warning. See Also 
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Access Bank Ignores CBN Directive, Fires Staff In Oyo Branch
Despite an agreement by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bankers Committee to suspend the lay-offs in banks across the country due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Access Bank has continued to dismiss its staff.
A man, whose wife worked for a branch of the bank in Oyo State for eight years and got retrenched, told SaharaReporters that the move was contrary to the decision of the CBN. See Also 
Jobs CBN, Bankers’ Committee Reach Agreement To Halt Employees Sack 0 Comments 2 Days Ago
He said, "My wife was let go by Access Bank and from all indications, the bank is trying to override CBN's directive to suspend the letting go of staff. 
"This woman worked very hard, in the rain and sun for eight years. She has been crying uncontrollably and I'm worried because she just put to bed.
"When she went to work yesterday, she was asked to leave the environment and her ID was forcefully collected. She was also not given an exit for to sign."
The bank’s GMD/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, on April 30, told shareholders at the Annual General Meeting that, "Access Bank was well prepared for COVID-19 early enough and created ways of working from home and working with our customers. See Also 
Jobs My Fiancee Broke Into Tears, Sacked Access Bank Cashier Billed To Wed In June Says 0 Comments 3 Days Ago
"We set up links with our customers and devised ways of reaching out to them three or four times a day.
"This happened even before we started working with the larger society and it enabled us to start fighting this pandemic.”
But days later, the bank began to let go of its staff without warning. See Also 
Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: Pregnant Access Bank Cashier Collapses In Lagos After Receiving Sack Letter 0 Comments 3 Days Ago
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Jigawa Records 32 New Coronavirus Cases
Jigawa State has recorded 32 new cases of Coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected persons in the state to 72.
Governor Muhammad Badaru in a briefing with journalists on Tuesday said 57 samples were taken from contacts of infected persons in five local government areas out of which 32 tested positive.
He said, “As you are all aware, COVID-19 pandemic is fast spreading all over the country with 35 states currently affected. 
“Of recent, 57 samples were taken from contacts of infected individuals in Jigawa, specifically from Dutse, Birninkudu, Auyo, Gwaram and Miga LGAs.
“Unfortunately, 32 are positive and 20 are negative, while laboratory test will be repeated on the remaining five samples.”
Badaru also said the lockdown in the state “will continue and sanctions will be imposed on anybody that breaks this order".
He added that efforts were ongoing to ensure the state has the capacity to deal with the cases.
He said, “In preparation for these difficult times, the state has constructed a 280-bed isolation capacity already.
“I have also approved the procurement of three additional ambulances and four ventilators, and other personal protective equipment.
“You will agree with me that these additional items will strengthen our collective response to this dreaded pandemic.”
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Jigawa Records 32 New Coronavirus Cases
Jigawa State has recorded 32 new cases of Coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected persons in the state to 72.
Governor Muhammad Badaru in a briefing with journalists on Tuesday said 57 samples were taken from contacts of infected persons in five local government areas out of which 32 tested positive.
He said, “As you are all aware, COVID-19 pandemic is fast spreading all over the country with 35 states currently affected.
“Of recent, 57 samples were taken from contacts of infected individuals in Jigawa, specifically from Dutse, Birninkudu, Auyo, Gwaram and Miga LGAs.
“Unfortunately, 32 are positive and 20 are negative, while laboratory test will be repeated on the remaining five samples.”
Badaru also said the lockdown in the state “will continue and sanctions will be imposed on anybody that breaks this order".
He added that efforts were ongoing to ensure the state has the capacity to deal with the cases.
He said, “In preparation for these difficult times, the state has constructed a 280-bed isolation capacity already.
“I have also approved the procurement of three additional ambulances and four ventilators, and other personal protective equipment.
“You will agree with me that these additional items will strengthen our collective response to this dreaded pandemic.”
https://ift.tt/395y8lC
Lawyers Hail Adoption Of Online Court In Nigeria, Say Move Good For Legal System
Lawyers in Nigeria have described the virtual proceedings, which commenced in Nigeria for the first time on Monday in Lagos, as revolutionary for the Nigerian legal system.
The first virtual session held at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos when one Olalekan Hameed was sentenced to death by hanging for a December 1, 2018 murder of Mrs Jolasun Okunsanya, a 70-year-old woman.
Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the pioneering judgment via video conferencing platform, Zoom.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), said the move will help in making the administration of criminal justice in the country more efficient. 
He said, "The proceedings of the Lagos High Court conducted online otherwise known as remote courts is revolutionary and the same thing has happened today at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja where three courts also sat using virtual technology.
"So, we commend their lordship because this will assist in achieving smooth and effective administration of justice.
"It will tackle the hydra-headed problem of delay in the judiciary and help in eliminating corruption because e-files will make it more transparent for litigants and lawyers to pay their money directly into the.purse of the judiciary rather than the current system whereby court official have become more like businessmen at the expense of Justice.
"So, to that extent, it is quite commendable."
Adegboruwa, however noted that the process comes with its own challenges, which must be addressed if the practice must achieve meaningful gains in the administration of criminal justice. See Also 
He said, "Beyond the euphoria of virtual sitting, there are fundamental problems that we must look at such as the foundation of the process which has to do with basic requirement to achieve success in virtual proceedings,
"For you to conduct a proceeding online, you must be in an environment that is well lit and conducive which means that there must be regular power supply to be able to give the capacity to participate in such process. For a lawyer conducting such process form their home, it means they have to buy generator and fuel it.
"For litigants, it also has to be the same consequence and for criminal proceedings where people are in custody.
"Secondly, the problem of data which accompanies GSM in Nigeria. This regime of data subscription whereby just one hour of video viewing will exhaust the data and with no transparent method of ascertaining what you paid for, I doubt that the ordinary litigant in the village, in the hinterland can be part of this type of process.
"Thirdly, is the issue of Internet security. The capacity of fraudsters to hack into sensitive political cases, cases involving husband and wife and custody of children, cases involving distribution of estates of people who could become public figures and then the issue of authenticity of the document uploaded such as C of O, WAEC, univeristy certificates etc. How do we cope in this age of manipulation and photoshop?
"I believe that the foundation has being laid to achieve virtual courts, for us to have capacity to participate in it, there must be a tech savvy gadget such as iPads, laptops and computer that is up to date and can use platforms such as Zoom, Skype of Google.
"The villages don't have this, the indigent person whose land has been taken doesn't have this, the poor man who is seeking justice, the workers who have been dismissed, the person who has been arrested don't have access to all this, so to that aspect, this process is purely elitist."
Monday Ubani, former 3rd Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, told SaharaReporters that while the move was innovative, the constitution needs to be amended to make room for peculiarities of virtual proceedings.
He said, "It is clearly something that some of us have been advocating for, the deployment of technology in modern day legal practice and we have been having series of lectures for lawyers to prepare for disruptions like this which will happen sooner rather than later and the pandemic has driven it home, it is now a reality.
"The court proceedings in Nigeria may begin to take a different dimension in terms of physical presence. The two events that took place in Borno and Lagos had to do with judgment, we are yet to see a virtual proceeding that encompasses a full trial.
"It is a good prospect that can take away a lot of the difficulties we have been having in legal proceedings in Nigeria such as in matters like divorce. Either of the parties may be abroad and sometimes you have to ask he/her to come back all the way from the UK or the US for the proceeding to take place in Nigeria and the matter is then adjourned for two or three months.
"Adjudication and delivery, quick dispensation of justice in situation where parties have travelled, this technology can bridge that gap and get the witness to give evidence without being physically present.
"There are HOWEVER, limiting factors in the usage and deployment of this technology at this time. We have to deal with some of our statutes, the constitution especially which prescribes that our court proceedings must be accessible by member of the public, if you have virtual proceedings, you have excluded a large percentage of the people contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of the constitution.
"We need to amend our procedure rules that never contemplated proceedings like this and make adequate proceedings for some of the things that would come up during virtual proceedings."
https://ift.tt/2SIGcDE
Lawyers Hail Adoption Of Online Court In Nigeria, Say Move Good For Legal System
Lawyers in Nigeria have described the virtual proceedings, which commenced in Nigeria for the first time on Monday in Lagos, as revolutionary for the Nigerian legal system.
The first virtual session held at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos when one Olalekan Hameed was sentenced to death by hanging for a December 1, 2018 murder of Mrs Jolasun Okunsanya, a 70-year-old woman.
Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the pioneering judgment via video conferencing platform, Zoom.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), said the move will help in making the administration of criminal justice in the country more efficient.
He said, "The proceedings of the Lagos High Court conducted online otherwise known as remote courts is revolutionary and the same thing has happened today at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja where three courts also sat using virtual technology.
"So, we commend their lordship because this will assist in achieving smooth and effective administration of justice.
"It will tackle the hydra-headed problem of delay in the judiciary and help in eliminating corruption because e-files will make it more transparent for litigants and lawyers to pay their money directly into the.purse of the judiciary rather than the current system whereby court official have become more like businessmen at the expense of Justice.
"So, to that extent, it is quite commendable."
Adegboruwa, however noted that the process comes with its own challenges, which must be addressed if the practice must achieve meaningful gains in the administration of criminal justice. See Also
He said, "Beyond the euphoria of virtual sitting, there are fundamental problems that we must look at such as the foundation of the process which has to do with basic requirement to achieve success in virtual proceedings,
"For you to conduct a proceeding online, you must be in an environment that is well lit and conducive which means that there must be regular power supply to be able to give the capacity to participate in such process. For a lawyer conducting such process form their home, it means they have to buy generator and fuel it.
"For litigants, it also has to be the same consequence and for criminal proceedings where people are in custody.
"Secondly, the problem of data which accompanies GSM in Nigeria. This regime of data subscription whereby just one hour of video viewing will exhaust the data and with no transparent method of ascertaining what you paid for, I doubt that the ordinary litigant in the village, in the hinterland can be part of this type of process.
"Thirdly, is the issue of Internet security. The capacity of fraudsters to hack into sensitive political cases, cases involving husband and wife and custody of children, cases involving distribution of estates of people who could become public figures and then the issue of authenticity of the document uploaded such as C of O, WAEC, univeristy certificates etc. How do we cope in this age of manipulation and photoshop?
"I believe that the foundation has being laid to achieve virtual courts, for us to have capacity to participate in it, there must be a tech savvy gadget such as iPads, laptops and computer that is up to date and can use platforms such as Zoom, Skype of Google.
"The villages don't have this, the indigent person whose land has been taken doesn't have this, the poor man who is seeking justice, the workers who have been dismissed, the person who has been arrested don't have access to all this, so to that aspect, this process is purely elitist."
Monday Ubani, former 3rd Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, told SaharaReporters that while the move was innovative, the constitution needs to be amended to make room for peculiarities of virtual proceedings.
He said, "It is clearly something that some of us have been advocating for, the deployment of technology in modern day legal practice and we have been having series of lectures for lawyers to prepare for disruptions like this which will happen sooner rather than later and the pandemic has driven it home, it is now a reality.
"The court proceedings in Nigeria may begin to take a different dimension in terms of physical presence. The two events that took place in Borno and Lagos had to do with judgment, we are yet to see a virtual proceeding that encompasses a full trial.
"It is a good prospect that can take away a lot of the difficulties we have been having in legal proceedings in Nigeria such as in matters like divorce. Either of the parties may be abroad and sometimes you have to ask he/her to come back all the way from the UK or the US for the proceeding to take place in Nigeria and the matter is then adjourned for two or three months.
"Adjudication and delivery, quick dispensation of justice in situation where parties have travelled, this technology can bridge that gap and get the witness to give evidence without being physically present.
"There are HOWEVER, limiting factors in the usage and deployment of this technology at this time. We have to deal with some of our statutes, the constitution especially which prescribes that our court proceedings must be accessible by member of the public, if you have virtual proceedings, you have excluded a large percentage of the people contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of the constitution.
"We need to amend our procedure rules that never contemplated proceedings like this and make adequate proceedings for some of the things that would come up during virtual proceedings."
https://ift.tt/2SIGcDE
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