News
SERAP Seeks Injunction To Protect Coalition of Northern Groups
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), yesterday, approached the Federal High Court in Lagos for an injunction backing and protecting the #EndSARS protesters.
In a fresh lawsuit, which has President Muhammadu Buhari; the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; as defendants, SERAP prays for an order protecting the protesters from harassment.
The protesters had come under attacks both by policemen and suspected state-sponsored thugs.
SERAP is urging the court to issue an injunction restraining Buhari and the other respondents sending their agents to “harass, arrest, detain or in any other manner infringing on the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters in the EndSARS/SARSMustEnd /ReformPolice protests or any other peaceful protest in Nigeria.”
The group asked the court to declare that Buhari has no legal right “using members of the Nigeria Police Force through the 1st and 2nd respondents, the military and other paramilitary formations to intimidate, threaten, ‘arrest’, beat, harass, shoot, kill and detain unarmed peaceful protesters in the ‘EndSARS/‘SARSMustEnd’/‘ReformPolice’ .”
It asked the court to declare such clamp down on protesters as a violation of Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights [Ratification & Enforcement] Act Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Meanwhile, the military authorities have threatened to deal with thugs and miscreants disrupting the ongoing peaceful protests by #EndSARS campaigners demanding police reforms in the country.
The Defence Headquarters frowned on the violent attacks on the activists and warned the perpetrators to desist or face sanctions.
Some of the protesters were attacked and injured by thugs in Abuja and Lagos, last Wednesday.
About seven vehicles were also vandalised at the Berger roundabout, Wuse, Abuja.
But the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, in a statement, yesterday, stated that the military would not condone further attacks on the peaceful protesters.
The statement was titled, “Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies assured Nigerians of their safety and stability of the nation, warn against violent protests in the country”.
It stated, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have observed with dismay some violence-related protests across the country, particularly the increasing number of attacks on peaceful protesters by thugs and miscreants.
“This unfolding event against peace-loving Nigerians will not be condoned. Hence, thugs and miscreants are hereby warned to desist from engaging in violent activities against peaceful Nigerians henceforth, or face appropriate measures.”
The Military High Command encouraged citizens to go about their normal activities without fear of intimidation or harassment “as the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are on ground for their safety.
“In clear terms, any attempt to undermine the democracy of our beloved nation under any cover will not be allowed,” the DHQ warned.
Earlier, while addressing Defence correspondents during the weekly briefing on ongoing security operations, yesterday, Enenche had condemned the attempts by some hoodlums to provoke the protesters.
Responding to a question on the planned nationwide protests against insecurity by the Coalition of Northern Groups, the coordinator said the military was concerned by the spreading civil disobedience.
He stated, “We are not worried but concerned and committed. You will become worried when you have remotely been involved; a lot has happened. You know that this thing (insecurity) has been ongoing for 40 years, as quoted by the authorities in Southern Kaduna. I want to say it is the same thing that happened all over the place.”
He explained that the armed forces were always reviewing its strategy and operations in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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