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The vessel, able to transport up to two tonnes of drugs, was found in the city of Malaga.

Premier regional bar association for East Africa, the East African Law Society, has instituted a reference before the East African Court of Justice challenging the legality of the actions of the Ugandan Government in restricting its citizens’ and residents’ access to the internet during the last elections.

In January 2021, the Ugandan government ordered an internet shutdown on the eve of the presidential election.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

The East African nation lifted the blackout more than 100 hours after imposing it the day before the January 14 elections.

Authorities apologised for the inconvenience and said the shutdown was to avoid outside interference in the election, which long-time leader Yoweri Museveni was declared to have won against popular singer-turned-politician, Bobi Wine.

But on Friday, the East African Law Society, in a statement signed by its president, Bernard Oundo, described the action as 'worrying'.

According to the legal practitioners, such an action was a growing trend of mass censorship and intolerance to dissent within the member states of the East African Community.

The group stated that the government of Uganda followed in the footsteps of the governments of Tanzania and Burundi that had similarly blocked access to major social media networks during their October and May 2020 general elections respectively.

The group stated that the restrictions and shutdowns are unlawful, as it violates every important body of law including the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, international human rights law, and even the domestic laws of the affected countries.

Part of the release read, “In consideration of its mandate to promote and enhance the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights across the East African Community, the East Africa Law Society (“EALS”) has today, the 12th day of March 2021, instituted a Reference before the East African Court of Justice challenging the legality of the actions of the Government of the Republic of Uganda in restricting its citizens’ and residents’ access to the internet.

“On 13th January 2021, the Government of Uganda imposed a total internet shutdown within Uganda. Before that, it had also blocked access to social media networking platforms and over 100 Virtual Private Networks. The actions of the Government of Uganda followed in the footsteps of the Governments of Tanzania and Burundi that had similarly blocked access to major social media networks during their October and May 2020 general elections respectively.

“Such actions are part of a worrying and growing trend of mass censorship and intolerance to dissent within the member states of the East African Community (“EAC”). The restrictions and shutdowns are unlawful. They violate every important body of law including the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, international human rights law, and even the domestic laws of the affected countries.

“They impermissibly limit, among others, the peoples’ rights to internet access, freedom of access to information, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, the right to freely participate in the affairs of one’s government, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the right to self-determination, and economic rights.

“The restrictions are also a violation of the obligation of EAC state governments to abide by the principles of good governance, democracy, the rule of law, public accountability and transparency, and social justice. If not addressed in time and checked, the rising trend of internet censorship in East Africa will only deepen and cement further.”

The group also stated that the reference is filed against the Attorney General of Uganda and the Secretary-General of the East African Community.

It said the reference is also to get compensation for the immense inconvenience and loss suffered by Ugandan citizens, residents, and businesses during the internet shutdown while compelling the Government of Uganda to legal and other reforms in place, to avoid a repeat of the situation.

The release added: “The Reference that the EALS has filed is against both the Attorney General of Uganda and the Secretary-General of the EAC. Within it, the EALS not only seeks declarations that the Government of Uganda violated the law, but also seeks compensation for the immense inconvenience and loss suffered by many Ugandan citizens, residents, and businesses.

“The Reference also seeks a structural interdict compelling the Government of Uganda to put in place legal and other reforms, under the Court’s supervision, to ensure that a repeat of the challenged violations does not occur. We hope that the Reference will serve as a deterrent for EAC member states and send the message that illegal actions will not be ignored or taken lightly.

“We call upon the peoples of the EAC and Civil Society Organisations to remain vigilant in holding the governments of East Africa accountable so that together, we can make the EAC a law-abiding Community. One people one destiny.”

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The Lagos State judicial panel, has awarded a a petitioner, Marc Chidiebere Nwadi, N7.5 million for spending six years in prison without trial.

The Lagos state government had set up the judicial panel to probe police brutality on victims.

In her ruling on Friday, chairperson of the panel, Doris Okuwobi, held that the petitioner suffered in the hands of police officers owing to his inability to offer a bribe.
 
Okuwobi presented a cheque of N7.5 million to the petitioner on behalf of the state government.

The chairperson said the petitioner endured six years in prison without any justification.

“His inability to provide bribes led to trumped-up charges, as a result he was kept in the awaiting trial section of the Kirikiri maximum security for six years,” she said.

“The petitioner was incarcerated in the prime of his life without justification for six years and was never tried or sentenced for any crime despite enduring a long six-year stay in prison and losing a vital part of his youth and opportunities.

“We hereby give an award of N7.5 million in favor of the petitioner.”

Okuwobi also recommended that the investigating police officer in charge of the case should be sanctioned by the police and suspended for six months without pay and that other police officers involved should be suspended for three months.

The petitioner came to Lagos in 1999 to visit his brother but could not locate his address and was arrested by police officers at a bus park.

He later spent six years in prison, awaiting trial.

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The Lagos State judicial panel, has awarded a a petitioner, Marc Chidiebere Nwadi, N7.5 million for spending six years in prison without trial.

The Lagos state government had set up the judicial panel to probe police brutality on victims.

In her ruling on Friday, chairperson of the panel, Doris Okuwobi, held that the petitioner suffered in the hands of police officers owing to his inability to offer a bribe.
 
Okuwobi presented a cheque of N7.5 million to the petitioner on behalf of the state government.

The chairperson said the petitioner endured six years in prison without any justification.

“His inability to provide bribes led to trumped-up charges, as a result he was kept in the awaiting trial section of the Kirikiri maximum security for six years,” she said.

“The petitioner was incarcerated in the prime of his life without justification for six years and was never tried or sentenced for any crime despite enduring a long six-year stay in prison and losing a vital part of his youth and opportunities.

“We hereby give an award of N7.5 million in favor of the petitioner.”

Okuwobi also recommended that the investigating police officer in charge of the case should be sanctioned by the police and suspended for six months without pay and that other police officers involved should be suspended for three months.

The petitioner came to Lagos in 1999 to visit his brother but could not locate his address and was arrested by police officers at a bus park.

He later spent six years in prison, awaiting trial.

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Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted about 30 Maulud passengers along Kankara-Sheme Road in Katsina state.

According to blueinknews.com, the passengers travelling in two big buses were abducted Thursday night while on their way to the annual celebration scheduled for Sokoto.

It was gathered that the gunmen initially abducted 50 passengers but later voluntarily released 20.

They were said to be on their way to Sokoto from Kano state.

However, there was no information on whether the gunmen had contacted the relations of the victim.

Katsina is one of the states most affected by terrorism and banditry in Nigeria's North-West region.

On December 11, 2020, some bandits kidnapped 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. They were released about a week later. 

However, on December 19, 84 Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya in Mahuta village, Dandume Local Government Area of the state were also kidnapped but rescued shortly after.

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Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted about 30 Maulud passengers along Kankara-Sheme Road in Katsina state.

According to blueinknews.com, the passengers travelling in two big buses were abducted Thursday night while on their way to the annual celebration scheduled for Sokoto.

It was gathered that the gunmen initially abducted 50 passengers but later voluntarily released 20.

They were said to be on their way to Sokoto from Kano state.

However, there was no information on whether the gunmen had contacted the relations of the victim.

Katsina is one of the states most affected by terrorism and banditry in Nigeria's North-West region.

On December 11, 2020, some bandits kidnapped 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. They were released about a week later. 

However, on December 19, 84 Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya in Mahuta village, Dandume Local Government Area of the state were also kidnapped but rescued shortly after.

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No fewer than five people were reportedly killed on Thursday night when a group of youths attacked a dreaded Ibadan masquerader, popularly called Oloolu while he was performing his annual ritual in the metropolis. 

SaharaReporters learnt that several others were reportedly injured.

The hoodlums, who allegedly attacked the masquerader at the Oje area of Ibadan, were said to be many.

According to a source, the irate youths who were armed with machetes, clubs, and cutlasses waylaid the masquerade when his rites had almost been completed.

When contacted, the National President of Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Wahab Ajijola Anabi, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters.

“Yes, I was part of the entourage of Oloolu when the ritual was being performed by Oloolu. It is an annual ritual Oloolu performs around the city to ensure peace reigns in the state.

“He started the rituals in the morning and was about to round off in the evening at Oje when some youths, without any provocation, swooped on him and his followers.

“They were many, about 80 of them. They killed no fewer than five people. One of the attackers was a popular hoodlum called 'Star boy', who is known to be very deadly. The youths were armed with cutlasses, guns, and other dangerous weapons.

 
“Four boys were injured during the attack and are being moved from one place to another for treatment.

“We want Governor Seyi Makinde to empower local security outfits like Agbekoya so that the hoodlums will be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.”

The Iyaloja of Oje Market, Alhaja Oluwakemi Laaro Akala, who confirmed the incident said the youths threatened to burn her shop.

“The government should please help us to check the excesses of these hoodlums," she said. 

The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Gbenga Fadeyi, said he had not yet been briefed.

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No fewer than five people were reportedly killed on Thursday night when a group of youths attacked a dreaded Ibadan masquerader, popularly called Oloolu while he was performing his annual ritual in the metropolis. 

SaharaReporters learnt that several others were reportedly injured.

The hoodlums, who allegedly attacked the masquerader at the Oje area of Ibadan, were said to be many.

According to a source, the irate youths who were armed with machetes, clubs, and cutlasses waylaid the masquerade when his rites had almost been completed.

When contacted, the National President of Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Wahab Ajijola Anabi, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters.

“Yes, I was part of the entourage of Oloolu when the ritual was being performed by Oloolu. It is an annual ritual Oloolu performs around the city to ensure peace reigns in the state.

“He started the rituals in the morning and was about to round off in the evening at Oje when some youths, without any provocation, swooped on him and his followers.

“They were many, about 80 of them. They killed no fewer than five people. One of the attackers was a popular hoodlum called 'Star boy', who is known to be very deadly. The youths were armed with cutlasses, guns, and other dangerous weapons.

 
“Four boys were injured during the attack and are being moved from one place to another for treatment.

“We want Governor Seyi Makinde to empower local security outfits like Agbekoya so that the hoodlums will be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.”

The Iyaloja of Oje Market, Alhaja Oluwakemi Laaro Akala, who confirmed the incident said the youths threatened to burn her shop.

“The government should please help us to check the excesses of these hoodlums," she said. 

The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Gbenga Fadeyi, said he had not yet been briefed.

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The Kaduna State government has said a total of 39 students are missing after some gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in the Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

SaharaReporters had reported how bandits broke into the school on Thursday night and abducted some students.

Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, had earlier in a statement said 30 students could not be accounted for after the attack.

See Also Exclusive EXPOSED: How Nigerian Army, Kaduna Government Lied About Rescuing 172 Abducted Students, 8 Others 0 Comments 2 Hours Ago

But in a statement on Friday evening, Aruwan said further checks had shown that 39 students were missing.

He noted that 23 female and 16 male students had yet to be accounted for following the attack on the school. 
The commissioner, however, gave an assurance that the state government was maintaining close communication with the management of the college.

He added that efforts were being sustained by the security agencies to track the missing students who were apparently abducted by the bandits.

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The Nigerian army didn’t rescue 180 students and staff allegedly kidnapped by bandits at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna as claimed by the state government, SaharaReporters has gathered.

Bandits had on Thursday night invaded the school and abducted some students.

See Also Insecurity 30 Kidnapped Kaduna School Pupils Missing, Army Secures 172 Students, Others 0 Comments 8 Hours Ago

However, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state in a statement on Friday claimed 42 female students, 130 male students and eight staff members were rescued by Nigerian soldiers.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army in the early hours of today, Friday, 12th March 2021 rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

“The armed bandits in large numbers had attacked the institution at around 11:30 pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff members.

“The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 meters to attack the first facility.

“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.

“The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff, and 130 male students. However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for.

“Some of the rescued students were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility.

“Pictures of some of the rescued persons, and the broken perimeter fence, are attached to this update.

“Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops for their swift response and the rescue of the 180 citizens. He also wished the injured students a speedy recovery.

“As at the time of this update, a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police, and DSS troops are conducting an operation to track the missing students.

“Citizens will be updated on emerging developments,” the statement had read.

However, one of the students said to have been rescued by the military, told SaharaReporters that the soldiers only counted those who came out of hiding after the bandits had left and moved them to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) campus, which is close to the institution.

He said the gunmen, numbering about 80, broke into the school premises through its perimeter fence at the back.

He added that the bandits attacked the male hostel not far from the fence before heading to the female hostel, where they kidnapped most of their victims.

“They lied, how did they rescue people that were not kidnapped at all? They arrived at the school about 30 minutes after the gunmen had left. So who were those rescued by them?

“They came and moved those of us who went into hiding when the bandits attacked us to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) campus and claimed they rescued us. How? They didn’t meet the bandits when they came here talkless of engaging (let alone engage) them in a gun battle.

“It was after the bandits had left with those kidnapped that they arrived, then they counted those of us they met on the campus and moved us away,” the student told SaharaReporters.

 

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A 52-year-old Nigerian man, Olabamidele Olumide Bewaji, has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping an 83-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States.

Bewaji was accused of attacking the elderly woman at the Pillars of Mankato home in Minnesota since the beginning of March. 

He was nabbed by the woman's son who set up a surveillance camera in his mother’s room so he could keep an eye on her while at home. 

The son told a local newspaper that Bewaji, a carer, caressed his mother, before stripping her clothes off and sexually assaulting her as she lay in bed. 

He alleged that the carer then climbed into his mum’s bed, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her a second time.

A court heard that a surveillance camera set up by the victim’s son was equipped with a speaker, which let him broadcast his voice into her room. 

The son ordered Bewaji to leave his mother alone, it is alleged. He was said to have eventually complied with the son’s demands.

The Free Press reported that the police arrived at the scene after being called by the victim’s son. They found the elderly woman half-naked and unable to understand what had happened to her.

It was gathered that Bewaji was identified as a suspect, and initially denied the charges against him. He is then said to have admitted sexual contact with the elderly woman, but claimed he only did so after she made overtures to him.

The Nigerian man also admitted a second sexual encounter with the woman in February, despite knowing she is a vulnerable adult. 

He has been charged with felony sexual assault and is being held in jail ahead of his next court appearance.

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