News
Group Blasts CBN Gov, IGP For Harassment Of #EndSARS Promoters
A pro-democracy and human rights group, Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE), has lambasted the Federal Government for the harassment of #EndSARS promoters.
The group said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was said to have frozen the accounts of the alleged sponsors and promoters of the recent protest across the country.
In the same vein, the group said that Police authorities were also said to have been arresting and charging to court those alleged to have been behind the protest.
The Chairman of HURIDE, Mr Dede Uzor, in a statement called for the immediate sack of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, over their unprofessional disposition against the Nigerian citizens.
He said the secret arrest of the protesters and frozen of their individual accounts were a clear violation of their fundamental rights and attempts to limit free speech which is an inherent right of citizens in a democratic environment.
Uzor noted that the account of these people was frozen without their knowledge, almost two weeks before CBN got purported court order to effect the criminal freezing of their individual accounts.
The group also queried the wisdom and power of the court to freeze their accounts for six months without even hearing from them to ensure a fair hearing, accusing the judiciary of helping the current despotic regime to sustain despotism and impunities in the highest order.
“We most despicably condemn the atrocious and obnoxious frozen of the accounts of the protesters and their unwarranted arrest and prosecution of the defenceless Nigerians without justifiable reasons.
“It is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of trust on the part of CBN to champion the freeze of the accounts of citizens who were merely exercising their freedom of expression before government allegedly and glaringly introduced violence that triggered off the hijack of the protest by miscreants” who unleashed terror with catastrophic human destruction.
“They should concentrate on arresting agents of government who introduced violence into the protest and the hoodlums who infiltrated the protesters and hijacked the protest with a monumental loss of lives and properties,” the group stated.
HURIDE said it would amount to a miscarriage of justice for the government to try to muscle the young Nigerians who want to achieve positive change for their country, noting that this government and indeed All Progressives Congress (APC) can never stay in power forever and if they block the opportunity to better the country it will sooner or later haunt them.
The group said the preoccupation of this government should be how to meet the demands of Nigerian youths to avoid a repeat of the protest which could be catastrophic.
“The President Buhari should arrest those soldiers who killed innocent and defenceless and unarmed Nigerians youths at Lekki Toll Gates, those who burnt cars in Abuja and those who were behind the counter-protest that was peaceful,” Uzor stated.
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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