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Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, believes President Muhammadu Buhari will not condemn reports of police brutality in America because he has supervised repression and killings of Nigerian protesters agitating for their rights.

Adeyanju spoke with SaharaReporters on Tuesday while reacting to the silence of the President on the killing of George Floyd.

Floyd, an African-America, lost his life after a police officer, Derek Chauvin on May 25 in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for over eight minutes despite Floyd telling him he could not breathe. 

Chauvin had since been charged with third-degree murder and will appear in court next week. 

Three other police officers linked to the incident have been fired.

Adeyanju said if millions of Nigerians bombarded the street to protest against police brutality as done in America, no security agency would be able to suppress their voices.

He said, “It would be laughable if President Buhari dares condemn any extrajudicial killings because he has supervised killings time and time again of Nigerian protesters, the Shiites, IPOB members etc. The police daily kill citizens, it is like a recurring decimal here.

“It is like the Buhari regime has legalised the extrajudicial killings of citizens. He cannot condemn such an act. You may be shocked Buhari would be rejoicing because they’ve got a template, saying it is not only in Nigeria and that it is happening in a developed country like the US.

“For me, I believe this is good news to Buhari and the presidency. This is their regular trademark so nobody should expect any condemnation from them and Buhari himself wouldn’t dare because he would be a laughing stock to the world.”

Adeyanju said Nigerians are not protesting like their American counterparts because they have been pushed to the point of accepting and normalising what is abnormal because of constant human rights abuse.

Another reason, according to him, was that over the years there had been a betrayal of trust and confidence by the people and activists leading the struggle.

He said, “That is why the people themselves must lead the struggle. They should not wait for people to come out and lead them. Just as in America, the people do not tolerate injustice and any form of abuse of their rights so Nigerians should learn from Americans and fellow African countries like Sudan, Tunisia and Lebanon.

“Our people are not willing to demand what is right and those who do so are seen as abnormal ones. The constitution already said sovereignty lies with the people from where the government derives all the power.

"The people are greater than the government and the people need to realize that. It’s about Nigerians knowing fully well that the real power belongs to them. Nigerians should realize that they are the reason the government exists."

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Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, believes President Muhammadu Buhari will not condemn reports of police brutality in America because he has supervised repression and killings of Nigerian protesters agitating for their rights.

Adeyanju spoke with SaharaReporters on Tuesday while reacting to the silence of the President on the killing of George Floyd.

Floyd, an African-America, lost his life after a police officer, Derek Chauvin on May 25 in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for over eight minutes despite Floyd telling him he could not breathe. 

Chauvin had since been charged with third-degree murder and will appear in court next week. 

Three other police officers linked to the incident have been fired.

Adeyanju said if millions of Nigerians bombarded the street to protest against police brutality as done in America, no security agency would be able to suppress their voices.

He said, “It would be laughable if President Buhari dares condemn any extrajudicial killings because he has supervised killings time and time again of Nigerian protesters, the Shiites, IPOB members etc. The police daily kill citizens, it is like a recurring decimal here.

“It is like the Buhari regime has legalised the extrajudicial killings of citizens. He cannot condemn such an act. You may be shocked Buhari would be rejoicing because they’ve got a template, saying it is not only in Nigeria and that it is happening in a developed country like the US.

“For me, I believe this is good news to Buhari and the presidency. This is their regular trademark so nobody should expect any condemnation from them and Buhari himself wouldn’t dare because he would be a laughing stock to the world.”

Adeyanju said Nigerians are not protesting like their American counterparts because they have been pushed to the point of accepting and normalising what is abnormal because of constant human rights abuse.

Another reason, according to him, was that over the years there had been a betrayal of trust and confidence by the people and activists leading the struggle.

He said, “That is why the people themselves must lead the struggle. They should not wait for people to come out and lead them. Just as in America, the people do not tolerate injustice and any form of abuse of their rights so Nigerians should learn from Americans and fellow African countries like Sudan, Tunisia and Lebanon.

“Our people are not willing to demand what is right and those who do so are seen as abnormal ones. The constitution already said sovereignty lies with the people from where the government derives all the power.

"The people are greater than the government and the people need to realize that. It’s about Nigerians knowing fully well that the real power belongs to them. Nigerians should realize that they are the reason the government exists."

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A court in Paris, France, has disregarded the request by Rwandan genocide suspect, Felicien Kabuga, that he be tried in France on health grounds. 

The 87-year-old fugitive accused of bankrolling the murder of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994, is unwilling to face the prospect of standing trial in Arushah, Tanzania, according to his lawyers.

According to Reuters, the court said his health was “not incompatible” with a transfer. 

Kabuga’s lawyers have argued that if he is handed over to the UN tribunal headed by Serge Brammertz, he is likely not to get a fair hearing.

According to the news agency, Kabuga’s lawyers wrote a letter to Brammertz, arguing that his health was too frail for him to be transferred to the African country particularly during a dangerous pandemic period prior to Wednesday’s ruling.  See Also Sahara Reporters French Police Arrest Africa's Most Wanted Man In Paris Over Rwandan Genocide 0 Comments 2 Weeks Ago

“If you were to decide to assert the primacy of your jurisdiction over French jurisdiction, thus endangering the life of Felicien Kabuga, we would take the risk of renouncing on discovering the truth forever,” one of his legal aides, Laurent Bayon, wrote, citing Kabuga’s medical history.

The businessman is charged with genocide and incitement to commit genocide among other charges. 

He could be taken to either Tanzania or The Hague in Netherlands.

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The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has grabbed the headlines again after taking over the case involving Bala Hamisu Wadume, a notorious kidnapper.

Some soldiers had killed three policemen in Taraba State while Wadume was being taken to the police headquarters in Jalingo, the state capital. 

Wadume was later re-arrested in Kano and is facing prosecution alongside Tijjani Balarabe, an army captain; and 18 others on a 16-count charge bordering on terrorism by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.  AGF Abubakar Malam

However, the matter took a new turn when a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice, Shuaibu Labaran, informed the court that Malami would be taking over the case.

This action has attracted reactions with many saying the AGF was plotting how to kill the case, going by his past records.

This is marked by previous top corruption cases taken over by the AGF as some of them ended up being swept under the carpet or the trial withdrawn.

The recent of such cases taken over by the AGF is the money laundering trial of Akinola Ogunlewe being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

At the continuation of the trial on March 10, 2020, Labaran told the court that Malami had shown interest to take over the matter.

In view of the interest shown by the AGF, counsel to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, and the prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, agreed to return before the court on April 7, 2020 to report on an out-of-court settlement.

That was the last heard of the matter as Ogunlewe walked away a free person.  See Also CRIME Nigeria’s Attorney General, Malami, Takes Over Prosecution Of Kidnapper, Wadume 0 Comments 7 Hours Ago

Another case taken over by Malami was the N25bn fraud trial of Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe State.

The case was stalled when in an emergency hearing before Justice Babatunde Quadiri EFCC counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, told the court that the agency was withdrawing from the case and handing it over to the office of the Attorney-General for continuation.

The AGF however, stated that having thoroughly reviewed the matter found no prima facie case while adding that it was weak, withdrew the charges against Goje from the court in exercise of his constitutional power.

The withdrawal of the cases by the AGF made Goje a free man.

Another of such corruption and controversial case taken over by the office of the AGF was the alleged debt of MTN's N242bn and $1.3bn for its business malpractices in the country.

MTN announced that it received through its counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a letter from the AGF formally withdrawing his demand for N242,244,452,215.97 and USD$1,283,610,357.86 alleged revenue indebtedness.

According to MTN, while the AGF had dropped his demand, he, however, referred the matter to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Custom Service to resolve the controversy.

The matter has since fizzled into oblivion.

Also, in 2017, Malami ensured the withdrawal of an ongoing corruption case involving three former officials -- Nasiru Ingawa (former Special Adviser on Sure-P to former Governor Ibrahim Shema), Abdulazeez Shinkafi (former director of finance and Account at the Katsina State Sure-P department) and Bello Bindawa (former Chief Store Officer in the Katsina State civil service) who were prosecuted for allegedly mismanaging N5.7bn Sure-P funds.

However, on October 25, 2017, the Katsina State Attorney-General, Ahmed El-Marzuqat, notified the court that the state government was taking over the prosecution of the accused persons from the ICPC following a fiat from the office of the AGF to take over the prosecution of the case.

After a slow prosecution by the state government, the Katsina State High Court terminated the corruption trial of the three persons.

The AGF was also accused of stopping the prosecution of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for allegedly forging the Senate rules to conduct the election of principal officers of the upper legislative chamber.

In 2019, the Concerned Football Patriots accused Malami of making frantic efforts to shield the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, and other accused officials from being prosecuted for the mismanagement of $9.5m FIFA grant.

While the case was going on, Malami reportedly sent Abubakar Musa, a lawyer in his office, to pray the court for an adjournment to allow the AGF harmonise all the cases in the various courts.

After a month, the Federal Government withdrew the case against Pinnick, NFF Secretary-General, Sunusi Mohammed; 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwumi; 2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko and an executive member, Yusuff Fresh.

Malami had denied involvement and quashing corruption cases in the country.

Defending an allegation by Transparency International, Malami described reports of him compromising corruption fight in Nigeria as false, frivolous and baseless.

“If the AGF had watered down corruption cases since he assumed office as maliciously claimed in the report, then all the convictions on corruption cases recorded by the EFCC would have been taken over and stopped by the AGF using his constitutional power of Nolle Prosequi.

“However, the AGF allowed the EFCC to thrive well due to his total commitment to the fight against corruption in line with the manifesto of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Malami said, clearing himself of all corruption allegations.

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Gunmen on Tuesday night kidnapped a female student of the University of Jos. 

The sister of the student identified as Helen, told PUNCH that the 300-level Zoology undergraduate will not be released until ransom was paid.

She said, “We were in our house around 8:30pm when a voice from outside asked us to open the door. Five of us were in the house including my mother and my sister (Helen).

“My mother demanded to know who was at the door but the voice insisted that we must open the door. They started shooting and before we knew it, they entered our house after using a heavy stone to forcefully open the door.

“They collected our cell phones and threatened to kill all of us if we make any move.

“They asked my mother who my sister is to her and she (mother) said she is her daughter. The gunmen then said they would go with her. They also left a message that they won’t release Helen until a ransom was paid.”

Sources at the police command headquarters in Jos said security agencies had visited the staff quarters where Helen and her family stays and had commenced an investigation into the kidnapping.

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The Federal Executive Council has approved the reimbursement of funds expended on federal roads by some state governments.

The total sum to be reimbursed to five states is N148,141,987,161.25.

Among states shortlisted to benefit include Cross River N18,394,737,608.85, Ondo N7,822,147,577.08, Osun N2,468,938,876.78, Bayelsa N38,040,564,783.40 and Rivers N78,953,067,518.29.

The memo was presented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at the third virtual council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari inside the Council Chambers of the State House. 

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed State House correspondents on behalf of Fashola, said council had also warned that there will be no reimbursement in future should any state government venture into such projects without the nod of the government at the centre.

He said, “You will recall that in 2016, 36 states of the federation sent a very huge bill to the federal government, asking for compensation for money that they have expended on federal roads. This prompted Mr. President to set up a committee to go and verify the claims of these 36 states, whether indeed these projects were actually constructed, were they completed, in line with the Federal Government standards.

“At the end of that exercise by an inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Minister of Works and Housing but also had ministers of Education, Transportation, Finance, Minister of State for Works, DG BPP and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, as members.

“At the end of that exercise, the committee recommended that the Federal Government should refund N550,364,297.31bn to 31 of the 36 states, after they were convinced that, yes indeed, the projects were completed and there were federal roads. But the claims of five other states Cross River, Rivers, Ondo, Bayelsa and Osun failed on the grounds that they did not do proper documentation and the committee felt they needed proper documentation.

“So the committee went back with new terms of reference to ensure that the claims of the five states were in order, which is why the BPP is on the committee. So at the end of the exercise, the committee now reported that the five states – Cross River with 20 roads and one bridge will get a refund of N18,394,737,608.85, Ondo with six roads to get a refund of N7,822,147,577.08, and Osun with two roads and one bridge to get a refund of N2,468,938,876.78.

“Others are Bayelsa with five roads and one bridge is to get a refund of N38,040,564,783.40 and Rivers with three roads and three flyovers bridges is to get a refund of N78,953,067,518.29.”

 

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Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has suspended the entire staff of a General Hospital in Ngala town for allegedly abandoning their duty posts.

The staff on suspension include resident medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians.

The suspension, it was gathered, came after Zulum’s unscheduled visit to the hospital on Monday. 

At 11am on Monday when the governor arrived at the hospital, it was established that the entire staff had abandoned the hospital to an international non-governmental organization, fhi360, which was managing hundreds of patients.

The governor was reportedly furious that the entire staff, despite receiving government salaries abandoned their duty.

He said, “This is a General Hospital belonging to Borno State Government, unfortunately, there is no single state government staff here to attend to all these patients, and we promptly pay all their salaries.

“I am directing the Borno State Hospitals Management Board, if there is any staff on the payroll of this hospital, to immediately suspend all the workers on the government payroll. I will be back to this hospital, hoping to see the opposite of what I saw today.” 

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Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has suspended the entire staff of a General Hospital in Ngala town for allegedly abandoning their duty posts.

The staff on suspension include resident medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians.

The suspension, it was gathered, came after Zulum’s unscheduled visit to the hospital on Monday. 

At 11am on Monday when the governor arrived at the hospital, it was established that the entire staff had abandoned the hospital to an international non-governmental organization, fhi360, which was managing hundreds of patients.

The governor was reportedly furious that the entire staff, despite receiving government salaries abandoned their duty.

He said, “This is a General Hospital belonging to Borno State Government, unfortunately, there is no single state government staff here to attend to all these patients, and we promptly pay all their salaries.

“I am directing the Borno State Hospitals Management Board, if there is any staff on the payroll of this hospital, to immediately suspend all the workers on the government payroll. I will be back to this hospital, hoping to see the opposite of what I saw today.” 

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A widow based in Ondo State, Aihie Orobosa Sylvia, has pleaded with the Inspector-General Police, Mohammed Adamu, to get her justice following an attack on her properties by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Sylvia disclosed that some armed herdsmen stormed her residence last month to assault her and destroy all her belongings in the process.

She said the incident took place at No. 67 Odejayi Crescent, Oniparaga, under Odigbo Local Government Area of the state and was reported to the police immediately. 

The victim, who had been homeless since the attack, said the police had not arrested any of the suspects since the case was reported.

According to a police report sighted by our correspondent, the police officer in charge of the case, Adeyanju James, said the victim was attacked and assaulted around 2:40pm in her residence, adding that her properties were destroyed by the herdsmen in the process.

Spokesperson for the police in Ondo, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said investigation into the case was being hampered by the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown that followed.

He however, said that the culprits will be tracked down and brought to book. 

 

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A widow based in Ondo State, Aihie Orobosa Sylvia, has pleaded with the Inspector-General Police, Mohammed Adamu, to get her justice following an attack on her properties by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Sylvia disclosed that some armed herdsmen stormed her residence last month to assault her and destroy all her belongings in the process.

She said the incident took place at No. 67 Odejayi Crescent, Oniparaga, under Odigbo Local Government Area of the state and was reported to the police immediately. 

The victim, who had been homeless since the attack, said the police had not arrested any of the suspects since the case was reported.

According to a police report sighted by our correspondent, the police officer in charge of the case, Adeyanju James, said the victim was attacked and assaulted around 2:40pm in her residence, adding that her properties were destroyed by the herdsmen in the process.

Spokesperson for the police in Ondo, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said investigation into the case was being hampered by the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown that followed.

He however, said that the culprits will be tracked down and brought to book. 

 

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Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof Ishaq Akintola, has called on security agencies in Nigeria to fish out the killers of Miss Bello Barakat, a student of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Akintola, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday while reacting to the rape and killing of the young lady, called on the police and other security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said, "We condemn violence against women because they are our mothers, sisters and daughters. We call on the security agencies to take necessary steps and leave no stone unturned in finding the killers of Barakat. Barakat Bello

"Islam condemns taking of human lives. Human lives in Islam is very sacred, let alone when you now attack a woman for sexual purpose and you rape her and then kill her violently."

He said the group would be monitoring the situation closely until the perpetrators are brought to book, adding that the killers deserve no mercy. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Another Female Student Raped And Stabbed To Death In Parents’ House In Ibadan 0 Comments 5 Hours Ago

When SaharaReporters reached out to spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Mr Gbenga Fadeyi, for reaction, he said the command would issue a statement regarding the incident.

He said the matter was formally brought to the notice of the police and they needed to investigate how it happened.

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Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof Ishaq Akintola, has called on security agencies in Nigeria to fish out the killers of Miss Bello Barakat, a student of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Akintola, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday while reacting to the rape and killing of the young lady, called on the police and other security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said, "We condemn violence against women because they are our mothers, sisters and daughters. We call on the security agencies to take necessary steps and leave no stone unturned in finding the killers of Barakat. Barakat Bello

"Islam condemns taking of human lives. Human lives in Islam is very sacred, let alone when you now attack a woman for sexual purpose and you rape her and then kill her violently."

He said the group would be monitoring the situation closely until the perpetrators are brought to book, adding that the killers deserve no mercy. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Another Female Student Raped And Stabbed To Death In Parents’ House In Ibadan 0 Comments 6 Hours Ago

When SaharaReporters reached out to spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Mr Gbenga Fadeyi, for reaction, he said the command would issue a statement regarding the incident.

He said the matter was formally brought to the notice of the police and they needed to investigate how it happened.

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Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu also known as Wadume.

Mr Shuaibu Labaran, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice, told the court that the AGF had taken over the prosecution of the matter at the resumption of hearing on Wednesday (today).

Wadume; Tijjani Balarabe, an army captain; and 18 others were charged to court on a 16-count charge bordering on terrorism by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in February.  Abubakar Malami

“The AGF has taken over the prosecution of this case. We have received the file and noticed that there are about 20 defendants from the charge.

“So there is a need for us to review the charge and also liaise with the arresting agency to ensure that all the defendants are brought to court.

“We will do all that is necessary to ensure that justice is done in the matter,” Labaran told the court. 

Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter until June 8 for re-arraignment of the defendants.  See Also Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: Judge Yet To Assign Kidnap Suspect, Wadume's Case File 18 Days After Filing Charges 0 Comments 3 Months Ago

SaharaReporters had reported that there were some powerful influences working behind the scene to truncate the case.

Wadume escaped on August 6, 2019 while being taken to the police headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Three of the police officers were killed by soldiers, who claimed they thought the policemen were kidnappers.

Wadume’s whereabouts was unknown until he was rearrested by the police in Kano.

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Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu also known as Wadume.

Mr Shuaibu Labaran, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice, told the court that the AGF had taken over the prosecution of the matter at the resumption of hearing on Wednesday (today).

Wadume; Tijjani Balarabe, an army captain; and 18 others were charged to court on a 16-count charge bordering on terrorism by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in February.  Abubakar Malami

“The AGF has taken over the prosecution of this case. We have received the file and noticed that there are about 20 defendants from the charge.

“So there is a need for us to review the charge and also liaise with the arresting agency to ensure that all the defendants are brought to court.

“We will do all that is necessary to ensure that justice is done in the matter,” Labaran told the court. 

Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter until June 8 for re-arraignment of the defendants.  See Also Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: Judge Yet To Assign Kidnap Suspect, Wadume's Case File 18 Days After Filing Charges 0 Comments 3 Months Ago

SaharaReporters had reported that there were some powerful influences working behind the scene to truncate the case.

Wadume escaped on August 6, 2019 while being taken to the police headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Three of the police officers were killed by soldiers, who claimed they thought the policemen were kidnappers.

Wadume’s whereabouts was unknown until he was rearrested by the police in Kano.

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A group, United Action for Democracy, has kicked against the appointment of Mr Olumide Metilolu as Acting Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic.

UAD in a statement by its General Secretary, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, demanded a reversal of Metilolu’s appointment for peace to reign in the institution.

The statement reads, “Mr Olumide, on record, was a staunch pillar of the inner circle of the corruption-driven, diabolic and incompetent administration that the outgone Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, ran for five years. The duo presided over the rot and decay into which LASPOTECH has gradually descended, as there was no crime of harassment, corruption, highhandedness and the employment of the tactics of termination of lives to silence and combat normal industrial disputes visited on members of the school community by Sogunro that did not bear the signature confidence, and support of Metilolu as an accomplice. 

“We are saddened at this seeming insensitivity to the plight of the entire school community which has been hoping to breathe a sigh of relief at the expiration of the diabolic and draconian tenure of Sogunro, to be given this sore grape that Metilolu represented as one of Sogunro’s henchmen. We will not accept a rebottling of the same old, sore, stinking wine in the same old, broken bottle.

“UAD recalls a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State Government by the major worker's unions in LASPOTECH dated May 18, 2020 which was well circulated to the press and the civil society where the unions correctly posited that:

“We are hinging our involvement in the appointment process, not only because we are a stakeholder that is suffering and may continue to suffer from bad governance but also relying on the 15th condition stated in the vacancy advertisement that a prospective rector of the polytechnic must meet.

“This is paraphrased as follows: ‘Candidates must be able to command the respect and loyalty of the majority of members of staff and students of the institution’. We also had to be involved because there is the utmost need to prevent the re-emergence of the prevailing travail in the next dispensation which may be brought about by appointing a wrong and unacceptable person to manage the polytechnic affairs in the next five years. The Unions are passionate about preventing a repeat of the turmoil associated with Sogunro’s style of administration in the polytechnic.”

The group further said Metilolu’s appointment constitutes a ridicule of the high esteem in which institutions like LASPOTECH are held across the world and also an indictment on the credibility of the school before the eyes of academic communities both within and outside the county.

It added, “We can say authoritatively that the integrity and goodwill of the school which have both floundered in the past years under Sogunro are now set for total eclipse with the undemocratic appointment of his co-conspirator of five years, Metilolu: we thereby called for a halt of his continuation in that capacity.

“As a cosmopolitan concern where students from other parts of the world flock to achieve their objective of learning, having as head of LASPOTECH an individual of Metilolu’s psyche with records of poor understanding of independence of academic unions, the vibrancy of student unionism and the liberal orientation of a learning environment portends grave dangers whose grave consequences will be difficult to quantify.

“It is an open truth that Metilolu lacks both the intellectual and administrative tenacities to handle the affairs of an institution like LASPOTECH. Nothing points to this fact than his failure to exert any grain of positive influence on his ally, Sogunro, whilst the imbroglio lasts. Apart from this, we believe that Metilolu will have questions to answer when the findings of the Visitation Panel set up by the governor is made public. 

“As a waiting ‘guest’ of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over his roles in the malfeasance that has nearly reduced the worth of LASPOTECH as an institution, we see no reason why a character in the person of Olumide Metilolu should be made to have any role in determining the affairs of the school either now or in the future. Metilolu must therefore be compelled to vacate that position, face his nemesis and answer for his crimes. We do not want to believe or insinuate that Metilolu is being granted the opportunity and the chance to cover his dirty tracks and those of his mentor Sogunro with this appointment. Our demands over this travesty of truth and justice that his appointment represents are follows.

“An immediate withdrawal of his appointment as Acting Rector, which will correct the wrong signal already sent to the whole world that LASPOTECH is bereft of individuals with the required cerebral capacity and administrative acumen to run the institution apart from dimwits and criminals whose only agenda and mission are their pockets and their bellies.

“An immediate constitution of the Governing Council of the school which will objectively assess the aspiring candidates based on merit and recommend qualified candidates for the exalted position within available good heads in the school.”

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A group, United Action for Democracy, has kicked against the appointment of Mr Olumide Metilolu as Acting Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic.

UAD in a statement by its General Secretary, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, demanded a reversal of Metilolu’s appointment for peace to reign in the institution.

The statement reads, “Mr Olumide, on record, was a staunch pillar of the inner circle of the corruption-driven, diabolic and incompetent administration that the outgone Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, ran for five years. The duo presided over the rot and decay into which LASPOTECH has gradually descended, as there was no crime of harassment, corruption, highhandedness and the employment of the tactics of termination of lives to silence and combat normal industrial disputes visited on members of the school community by Sogunro that did not bear the signature confidence, and support of Metilolu as an accomplice. 

“We are saddened at this seeming insensitivity to the plight of the entire school community which has been hoping to breathe a sigh of relief at the expiration of the diabolic and draconian tenure of Sogunro, to be given this sore grape that Metilolu represented as one of Sogunro’s henchmen. We will not accept a rebottling of the same old, sore, stinking wine in the same old, broken bottle.

“UAD recalls a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State Government by the major worker's unions in LASPOTECH dated May 18, 2020 which was well circulated to the press and the civil society where the unions correctly posited that:

“We are hinging our involvement in the appointment process, not only because we are a stakeholder that is suffering and may continue to suffer from bad governance but also relying on the 15th condition stated in the vacancy advertisement that a prospective rector of the polytechnic must meet.

“This is paraphrased as follows: ‘Candidates must be able to command the respect and loyalty of the majority of members of staff and students of the institution’. We also had to be involved because there is the utmost need to prevent the re-emergence of the prevailing travail in the next dispensation which may be brought about by appointing a wrong and unacceptable person to manage the polytechnic affairs in the next five years. The Unions are passionate about preventing a repeat of the turmoil associated with Sogunro’s style of administration in the polytechnic.”

The group further said Metilolu’s appointment constitutes a ridicule of the high esteem in which institutions like LASPOTECH are held across the world and also an indictment on the credibility of the school before the eyes of academic communities both within and outside the county.

It added, “We can say authoritatively that the integrity and goodwill of the school which have both floundered in the past years under Sogunro are now set for total eclipse with the undemocratic appointment of his co-conspirator of five years, Metilolu: we thereby called for a halt of his continuation in that capacity.

“As a cosmopolitan concern where students from other parts of the world flock to achieve their objective of learning, having as head of LASPOTECH an individual of Metilolu’s psyche with records of poor understanding of independence of academic unions, the vibrancy of student unionism and the liberal orientation of a learning environment portends grave dangers whose grave consequences will be difficult to quantify.

“It is an open truth that Metilolu lacks both the intellectual and administrative tenacities to handle the affairs of an institution like LASPOTECH. Nothing points to this fact than his failure to exert any grain of positive influence on his ally, Sogunro, whilst the imbroglio lasts. Apart from this, we believe that Metilolu will have questions to answer when the findings of the Visitation Panel set up by the governor is made public. 

“As a waiting ‘guest’ of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over his roles in the malfeasance that has nearly reduced the worth of LASPOTECH as an institution, we see no reason why a character in the person of Olumide Metilolu should be made to have any role in determining the affairs of the school either now or in the future. Metilolu must therefore be compelled to vacate that position, face his nemesis and answer for his crimes. We do not want to believe or insinuate that Metilolu is being granted the opportunity and the chance to cover his dirty tracks and those of his mentor Sogunro with this appointment. Our demands over this travesty of truth and justice that his appointment represents are follows.

“An immediate withdrawal of his appointment as Acting Rector, which will correct the wrong signal already sent to the whole world that LASPOTECH is bereft of individuals with the required cerebral capacity and administrative acumen to run the institution apart from dimwits and criminals whose only agenda and mission are their pockets and their bellies.

“An immediate constitution of the Governing Council of the school which will objectively assess the aspiring candidates based on merit and recommend qualified candidates for the exalted position within available good heads in the school.”

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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