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Groups To Petition Buhari Over Late Rivers Mechanic
A non-government organization, Extra Steps Initiative (ESI) has said it would petition President Muhammadu Buhari over what it called the poor handling of the circumstances surrounding the death of a mechanic, Chima Ikwunado, and the alleged torture of the Ikoku Four by operatives of the Eagle Crack Team of the Rivers State Police Command.
Similarly, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has advised the police to give a copy of the autopsy report conducted on the late mechanic to his family’s lawyer on or before March 10, in their own interest.
Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave the advice, yesterday, when lawyer to Chima Ikwunado’s family, Princess Chinyere Lawrence reported to the court that the police were yet to give her the report days after it was released by the pathologist.
Justice Omotosho said failure by the police to comply would be seen as if they have something to hide; just as he adjourned the matter to March 10, for hearing.
The suit was instituted by the Civil Society Coalition based in Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Executive Director of the Extra Steps Initiative, Eugene Abels, disclosed that the move follows the continued delay by the police to prosecute those indicted in the matter and the move by the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura to attempt to settle a ‘capital offence’ out of court.
Abels noted with dismay that a similar matter that occurred in Sagamu, Ogun State, could receive speedy intervention, leading to the dismissal of the police officer involved, whereas in Rivers State, such matter is being delayed, noting that the double standard was unacceptable.
According to him, “We find it out of place. In this matter, the police is the defendant. It is out of place for the plaintiff to be going to the defendant to get a copy of the autopsy report. Number two, it is taking several months and even media reports stating that the commissioner of police is asking for a settlement or suggesting it in a matter that concerns a capital offense. It is out of place.
“And this is where the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should be called to order. So, we at the Extra Steps Initiative, we are going to do a petition to the President, and we will copy the IGP and the Attorney General of Federation. We want to call for an inquest”, he added.
The group’s executive director further revealed that he would demand an investigation to probe the creation of the Eagle Crack Unit and the role the Judiciary played in the detention of the Ikoku Four at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
“How could the police, just right under their noses, a team will be created with a torture chamber in place called the Eagle Crack Squad which reports directly to a commissioner of police. We need to conduct an inquest to know who gave those orders.
“Where did they get the authorization from, and under what condition these men under arms have functioned that pushed them to the point of being able to torture a man to death? We need to do an inquest to know why the Judiciary in Rivers State tolerates the Nigerian Police to deliberately charge people to wrong courts, and the Magistrate, instead of turning them back, remands these people in prison,” he stated.
Dennis Naku
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.