Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba
A human rights group, Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law Initiative, has condemned the practise of preventing Nigerians from having access to courtrooms during high profile cases.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force had on Thursday closed entrances and the streets leading to the Federal High Court, Abuja because of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, who was re-arraigned in court on Thursday, pleaded not guilty to an amended seven counts bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism preferred against him by the Nigerian government.
Convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju in a letter to the Inspector General of Police described the action as unlawful.
The group sent copies of the letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, National Security Adviser and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
The letter read, “We write, with great sadness, to draw your attention to the reoccurring and unlawful blockage of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by security agencies, particularly officers from the State Security Services, anytime Nnamdi Kanu’s case or other ‘high profile’ case comes up for trial, as was observed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 21, 2021, when Nnamdi Kanu’s case came up for trial.
“You may note that section 36(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, clearly provides that the courtroom shall be accessible to members of the public. However, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, your officers have developed the habit of blocking all access to the court courtroom, during the so ‘high profile’ trials, thereby denying members of the public, including lawyers and litigants, access to the courtroom.”
After speculations about his health and whereabouts since his re-arrest in June, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, finally appeared in court for his re-arraignment yesterday, eliciting some joyous reaction in court and most parts of the Southeast. His trial had been delayed for three months when authorities failed to produce him in court.
Kanu was brought into the court premises in a heavily fortified security convoy led by a black Prado SUV at exactly 8:00 a.m. Many were sceptical as to whether he was actually in the convoy considering that a similar drama took place on July 27 when he was first re-arraigned.
But two hours later, Kanu, who wore a white Fendi designer jumpsuit, was ushered into the courtroom by security operatives to face a seven-count amended charge bordering on incitement, terrorism, treasonable felony and money laundering.
The charges against Kanu, a British citizen, also included calling for secession, knowingly broadcasting falsehoods about President Muhammadu Buhari and membership of an outlawed group.
Entrances leading to the court premises were barricaded by a combination of gun-wielding Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, the army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Nigerian Police, while a large number of security personnel were deployed to the premises and its surrounding to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
However, restriction of human and vehicular movements, baring of journalists from coverage as well as the harassment of lawyers, who had other matters in court, caused serious uproar and chaos within and around the court area. Security operatives also forcibly dispersed crowds of supporters who gathered nearby.
Even some select journalists finally made their way into the court premises, they were strictly restricted from going into Court 2 by the DSS who were allegedly acting on the directives of the trial judge, Binta Nyako.
Though Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, was later granted access into the courtroom, other lawyers, journalists and representatives of apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, were barred from entering the court premises, including former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
When the seven-count charge was read to him, at about 10:45 a.m., the separatist leader pleaded not guilty. Kanu beamed with smiles as he took photos with his team of lawyers before the court session began. Some security men also took selfies with him inside the court. He looked healthy and in good spirits.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but disappeared while on bail in April 2017. His social media posts during his absence and his Radio Biafra broadcasts outraged the government, which said they encouraged attacks on security forces.
Shortly after pleading not guilty, the judge ordered that he remains in the custody of the DSS after failing to grant his request to be transferred to a correctional centre. The case was then adjourned till November 10, 2021.
Justice Nyako adjourned the case after counsel to Kanu, Ejiofor, informed that he had notice of preliminary objection challenging the fresh seven-count charge filed against his client.
Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Abubakar, told the court that an amended seven counts had already been filed and he prayed the court for the charges to be read to Kanu to take his plea.
The court refused the application by his lawyer for the transfer of Kanu to Kuje Correctional Centre. However, Justice Binta Nyako, allowed three persons of his choice to visit him at the DSS facility.
Speaking with newsmen after leaving the courtroom, Ejiofor said he urged the court “to dismiss the seven-count charges, acquit our client and discharge him before the case was adjourned.”
He added that the matter was adjourned to allow lawyers to challenge the competence of the new charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Ejiofor said they have an application challenging the competence of the underlying charges, most of which reference Radio Biafra broadcasts made out of London. “I can’t see how someone would make a statement in London and it becomes a triable offence in this country,” Ejiofor told reporters.
Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, Kanu’s home state, was on total lockdown in solidarity with the IPOB leader yesterday. The streets were completely empty as residents remained indoors in full compliance with the ‘sit-at-home order.
There were no vehicular movements except for a few vehicles that occasionally passed by. No market or shop was open around the state capital as residents stayed indoors. Banks and schools both private and the public were all shut down. There were no incidents of violence anywhere in the capital city.
Similarly, the ‘sit-at-home recorded full compliance in Aba, the commercial capital of the state. The commercial city was a ghost of itself as markets, banks, schools and motor parks were all shut down. The roads were also empty as residents remained indoors.
The pro-Biafra group had ordered for ‘sit-at-home every Monday throughout the Southeast in protest of the detention of its leader. IPOB’s media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, later announced the suspension of the Monday ‘sit-at-home, replacing it with only the days Kanu would appear in court.
Residents of Enugu State also remained indoors in total compliance with the ‘sit-at-home order by IPOB. As expected, no vehicle was on the road and no market opened while government and private businesses were all paralysed.
There was, however, an incident of violence recorded in the state. A shop and a trailer truck were set ablaze by hoodlums suspected to be enforcing the order at the Eke-Obinagu suburb along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
It was gathered that the truck, which was said to be heading to Abakaliki, was attacked and set ablaze around3:30a.m. though the driver escaped unhurt.
Economic activities in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, and its environs were also brought to a halt. The exercise, which recorded total compliance in the state, saw the shutdown of both public and private schools, markets, banks and shops.
It was gathered that between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., there were no vehicular and human movements and the Nigerian flag was seen lowered in many private offices and banks.
Parks of major transport companies such as Peace, Onitsha South, GUO, Ifesinachi, Eastern Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, among others, were shut down.
There was no movement of vehicles on major roads, including the Abakaliki/Enugu, Abakaliki/Afikpo highways and other major busy internal roads like Afikpo and Ogoja Roads. All filling stations in the state did not also open for business.
For the second time this week, economic and social activities were crippled by residents of Owerri, the capital city of Imo State. Residents had earlier observed the ‘stay-at-home’ on Monday despite it being outlawed by the separatist group.
Residents stayed at home yesterday, shutting markets, banks, schools, shops, social outlets, eateries and other outdoor activities.
They spontaneously expressed joy when they saw pictures of Kanu with some lawyers in court as it went viral on social media.
Scores of youths and pupils who were playing football on various streets in Owerri were jubilant on seeing Kanu alive and well in court.
It was also learnt that the residents in the state were happy because by the physical appearance of Kanu in court, the issue of the one-month compulsory ‘stay-at-home’ threat issued by IPOB should DSS not present him in court would no longer hold.
Speaking in Owerri on the development, social commentators, Chiefs Fidel Onyeneke, and Jude Ugbaja advised that an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) measure be adopted to settle the matter out of court to ease tension in the Southeast.
IPOB, on Thursday, gave the President Buhari-led Federal Government conditions for dialogue.
There was heavy security presence in major roads of Asaba, the Delta State capital, ahead of the trial of Kanu, yesterday, in Abuja. Asaba, gateway to Anambra State and the Southeast hub of the agitation from the Benin-Onitsha expressway, witnessed unusually, but not unexpected security patrol as early as 7:00 a.m. across the major roads to forestall breakdown of law and order.
The security personnel, in a convoy of vehicles, moved round in what looked like a show of force, blaring a siren, not hindering, but briefly slowing down vehicular movements while it lasted.
Most of the shops in the city centre and markets were closed in observance of the weekly clean up exercise.
Many Onitsha and indeed, Southwest-bound passengers, especially those who travelled by night were temporarily stranded at the Delta State end of the Niger Bridge, as they could not continue their journey for fear of being attacked or molested by Biafran agitators.
Even though there was no enforcement of the ‘sit-at-home order by IPOB in Asaba, most travellers chose to be on the side of caution, considering events of the past. Those who dared to drive or commute on the less busy Niger Bridge did so with maximum alertness.
There were hardly commercial vehicles on the road to Onitsha in the early morning, thereby restricting the movement of those who would have loved to cross over to the other side of the River Niger.
Tuesdays have become nightmarish for commuters across the bridge, particularly, traders going to Onitsha to make purchases and travellers going from the Southwest to the Southeast. This is due to rush into the zone, as markets and shops hardly open and commuters prefer to stay off the roads on Mondays, willy-nilly, for fear of being attacked.
This has caused many travellers who could not get into Onitsha by Sunday to sleep on the road, while those who can afford it pass two nights in hotels in Asaba, if unable to travel on Monday.
For security operatives and agents, this is certainly not the best time to live or work or even drive by the zone.
Last Sunday, a soldier in uniform, ostensibly going to Onitsha/Southeast, suddenly parked off the expressway at Summit Junction in Asaba and went inside his Toyota Sienna car. By the time he came out, he had changed into mufti.
When jokingly asked why the change in dress, he retorted: “You want to tell me you don’t know what is happening in the East? Do you want me to die just like that?
“My brother, it is better to be alive in mufti than die in uniform. I have a family and cannot afford to leave them just like that.”
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the group would listen to the Federal Government when its leader, Kanu, is released unconditionally. Powerful also noted that the Federal Government should set a date for the referendum on Biafra.
In a statement he signed, Powerful insisted that Kanu committed no crime to warrant being arrested and prosecuted. He maintained that Kanu should not be detained, while terrorists are roaming the streets freely.
According to Powerful: “Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, committed no crime to deserve persecution by the Federal Government that is openly hobnobbing with real terrorists and Fulani bandits but crushing peaceful agitators. We demand the unconditional release of our leader. He should not be in detention while real terrorists and mass murderers are parading freely on the streets.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said it will not relent till Kanu and his members regain their freedom. Ohanaeze aired their views via a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
The group said: “We are unrelenting in our resolve to ensure that the FG toes the path of wisdom by conceding to the proposal for dialogue and ADR, which will ensure the unconditional freedom of Kanu and all members of IPOB detained across Nigeria.”
In the statement titled, Ohanaeze wins as FG produces Kanu in court, the group noted that the government has bowed to pressure by producing their leader in court.
He said: “The diplomatic engagements by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the able leadership of Prof George Obiozor has yielded a positive result as the Federal Government has through the DSS bowed to the overwhelming demands of Ndigbo by producing the IPOB leader in court. This is one step forward in Ohanaeze’s determined moves towards ensuring that the Afara Ukwu prince is set free in no distant time.”
Ohanaeze also commended Nigerians from all walks of life for the extraordinary interest and solidarity they have demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Kanu. It urged youths to show restraints, prudence and maturity even as they demand equity, justice and fairness.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra chapter, has appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to as a matter of good conscience consider the release of Kanu to lessen the untold hardship people in the Southeast geo-political zone are passing through.
CAN said the wave of insecurity in Anambra is linked to the detention of Kanu and said that in the interest of the nation, Kanu should be released so that all aggrieved persons would sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue.
In a 10-point communiqué, jointly signed by the state chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke; Secretary, Rev. Moses Echefu; Anglican Bishop of the Niger and chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Bishop Owen Nwokolo; and Bishop Onuagha, Methodist Archbishop of Onitsha, CAN note that the appeal was sequel to the observed security tension, wanton killings, destruction of property, a threat to lives and presumed doubts over the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state on November 6.
BUT the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the treatment meted out on some Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers who were in court to observe the proceedings during Kanu’s trial. During the trial, a former governor of Anambra, Dr. Ezeife, a host of other Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers were denied access to the court sitting.
In a statement made available to journalists, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, urged Igbo youths to remain calm as underground efforts continue in order to secure Kanu’s freedom.
Also, Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) condemned in strong terms the access denial of Ezeife to the courtroom by the DSS. The youth group who are not also happy how Senator Ifeanyi Ubah despite obtaining a court order to carry out his oversight function to inquire about the allegations on Kanu could not be allowed entry, further described the action by the DSS as undemocratic.
In a statement by the President-General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, noted that DSS’s action did not conform with the fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.
“Denying Ezeife, Senator Ubah and other Igbo leaders entry into the courtroom is an insult to Ndigbo. The DSS have desecrated the temple of Justice.”
Security operatives also barred activist Omoyele Sowore from accessing the courtroom to witness the trial. Sowore, who was dressed in traditional Isi-agu attire was told to go back by operatives of the DSS.
Sowore who spoke to journalists said he was at the court for a number of reasons. He said, “I am here to check the registry because for a while I have not been charged to court, I need to know about my treason case.
“Also, I am here to witness the trial of my friend, Nnamdi Kanu, the court is a public space and the public should not be barred from accessing the courtroom.
“People have the right to self-determination, Nigeria has not worked and will never work. So Nnamdi Kanu is not wrong and his trial should not be in secret.
“Security operatives have consistently failed to do their jobs and now you see them harassing journalists and lawyers.”
A former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, has hailed the book, ‘Standing Strong’, authored by a former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, which focuses on the alleged attempts by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to extend his tenure in office.
Danjuma, who served as defence minister in Obasanjo’s cabinet in the early 2000s, was also part of the supreme military council in the late 1970s.
The former minister, who was the chairman at the book launch in Abuja on Thursday, stated that the publication was “classic history.”
While congratulating Nnamani, he said, “The book is a classic history of a country and we have the unfortunate habit of not valuing and preserving our history. The result is that the lies and the distortions that hit the headlines survive.
“So, I want all of you if you forget everything this morning, you mustn’t forget the fact that the records of what really happened have been documented and everybody should try and possess it, read it and look out for witnesses.”
In his speech, the President Muhammadu Buhari praised Nnamani and the Senate for helping to preserve democracy.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister for Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, said but for the courage of Nnamani and his colleagues, the seamless transfer of power in 2007 would have been difficult, if not impossible.
He stated, “We thank Senator Nnamani and his colleagues at the National Assembly for standing strong in carrying out their constitutional duty in the defence of democracy in our dear country, Nigeria.
“We have had a President hand over power to another President elected on the platform of the same political party. In 2015, an opposition political party defeated a sitting President and our democracy witnessed a smooth transfer of power from one political party to another. Our democracy is growing and can be said to be matured.”
Also speaking, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo saluted Nnamani, saying, “He (Nnamani) is a man that truly loves the nation. He wants to serve but he is not desperate, which informs why at the risk of losing his Senate presidency, he stood his ground. Your role in our national life is just beginning.”
The former Senate President recalled how he thwarted Obasanjo’s third term agenda.
Nnamani said he wrote the book to remind Nigerians of the dangerous path it could have taken but for the vigilance and courage of some legislators, and to challenge the citizens never to abandon the responsibility of protecting due process for democracy to survive
He added, “Our democracy was tested in 2006 and it passed. It was tested again in 2015 and passed. This has culminated in the Buhari presidency. The crucial 2015 test would not have been if we failed the 2006 test.
“The 2006 test was a test of if leaders will rise above fear and the politics of the strongman to strengthen democracy by upholding due process. It was a test of the solidity of our legislature. The 2015 test was a test of whether a ruling political party and an incumbent president will have the grace and patriotism to accept political defeat and allow the opposition to form a new government. This was not a simple test.
“Many African countries failed this test. The result of such failure is the collapse of national consensus and retreat into authoritarian politics with its attendant political instability and economic stagnation.”
Obasanjo has denied ever attempting to extend his tenure in office.
A 25-year-old man appeared in court on Thursday after being charged with the murder of British MP David Amess, who was stabbed to death last week in what lawyers said was an attack with a “terrorist connection”.
Ali Harbi Ali, who was arrested at the scene of the killing in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London, last Friday, also faces a separate charge of preparing acts of terrorism.
He appeared in court in central London wearing a grey tracksuit and thick-rimmed glasses, speaking only to confirm his name, age and address at the 13-minute hearing.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and London’s Metropolitan Police announced charges against Ali earlier on Thursday.
Nick Price, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism unit, said lawyers would submit that Amess’ killing “has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations”.
Amess, a 69-year-old father-of-five, was killed as he met constituents at a church hall, in the second such death of a British MP in the last five years.
The veteran Conservative MP’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes from his parliamentary colleagues, but also calls for better security for elected representatives.
Labour MP Jo Cox was killed as she met constituents near Leeds, northern England, in the febrile run-up to the Brexit referendum in June 2016.
Home Secretary Priti Patel on Wednesday evening said intelligence officers had upgraded the threat level for politicians to “substantial”.
But she said there was no “specific or imminent threat”.
Shocked colleagues held a minute’s silence in parliament for Amess on Monday. Patel, a friend of the respected MP, said his killing was “an attack on our democracy”.
But there have been calls for MPs to take responsibility by ending divisive political rhetoric that has intensified since the vote for Britain to leave the European Union.
Amess’ family last weekend also made a plea for greater tolerance, as several MPs spoke of receiving death threats and a stream of abuse.
“Set aside hatred and work together towards togetherness. Whatever one’s race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand,” the family urged in a statement.
But on Wednesday, a handful of protesters erected a mock gallows outside parliament, accusing MPs of “treason” for imposing coronavirus lockdowns and vaccination programmes.
Labour MP Peter Kyle tweeted a photograph of the noose and said he had been told by one protester: “This is what we do with traitors.”
“Out of the two of us I’m the one whose life and routine must adapt, not his. Our politics really is broken,” he added.
On Tuesday, police had to scramble to protect a senior minister in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet, Michael Gove, when he was surrounded by an angry crowd.
Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner for specialist operations at the Met, told reporters that detectives have been working around the clock on the case.
Searches had been carried out at several London addresses, while forensic examination had been conducted on digital devices and security camera footage reviewed, he said.
Jukes confirmed that security arrangements for all of Britain’s 650 MPs were under review both at parliament and in their constituencies.
Unnamed official sources have previously told the media that Ali is British of Somali origin.
But Jukes warned against further speculation, given strict reporting restrictions now in place before any trial.
“I understand the huge level of public interest in this case,” he said.
“But now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way.”
Thirty out of the 102 abducted students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, have arrived at Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital following their release from captivity.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser, Media, to Kebbi State Governor.
“Today Thursday, the 21st of October, 2021 thirty (30) students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri have arrived at Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital following their release, while efforts are still continuing to secure the release of the remaining.
“They shall undergo medical screening and support while being reunited with their families.
“We thank all those who have helped in securing the release, while congratulating Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the success,” the statement read.
Parliamentarians in Benin have voted to legalise abortion in the West African country, where it was already authorised under restricted conditions.
Under the new law passed late on Wednesday women can terminate a pregnancy within the first three months if it is likely to “aggravate or cause material, educational, professional or moral distress, incompatible with the woman or the unborn child’s interest”.
Previously, abortion was authorised if pursing the pregnancy “threatened the life of the mother”, was “the result of a rape or incest” or, when “the unborn child has a particularly severe affection”.
After a heated debate in parliament, with some lawmakers strongly opposed to legalising abortion further, the amendment finally passed.
“In Benin, nearly 200 women die each year as the result of abortion complications,” said the health minister, Benjamin Hounkpatin, in a statement Thursday.
“This measure will be a relief for many women who face undesired pregnancies, and are forced to put their lives in danger with botched abortions,” he added.
The influential Episcopal Conference of Benin said in a statement that it was “highly preoccupied by the proposed law to legalise abortions.”
Initial applications for US jobless aid dipped again last week, falling to a new pandemic low, according to government data released Thursday.
New unemployment claims fell 6,000 to 290,000, seasonally adjusted, in the week ended October 16, the lowest level since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. That was before the spread of Covid-19 sent them surging into the millions amid mass layoffs, the Labor Department reported.
The number of workers seeking aid moved higher last month amid the spread of the Delta variant, but have been falling this month.
There were just 2,338 applications, not seasonally adjusted, filed last week for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the federal program created for freelance workers not normally eligible for benefits, which ended in early September.
But even with the end of the pandemic benefits and as businesses report struggles to fill open positions, there were still nearly 3.3 million people receiving some form of jobless assistance as of October 2, the latest week for which data is available.
President Muhammadu Buhari (right); his Turkish counterpart, Recep Erdogan and members of his delegation during their arrival in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA
Visiting Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has raised the alarm over presence of a terror group hibernating in Nigeria, Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), as both nations, yesterday, signed eight critical bilateral agreements on energy, defence and hydrocarbon, among others.
Erdogan, who is on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, made the revelation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Specifically, FETO, an atypical, armed terror group, exploiting religious sentiments of the people, was said to be behind the failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.
Recall that Turkey had accused the coup leaders of being linked to the Gulen Movement, led by Fethullah Gulen, reported to have about 17 schools in Nigeria.
Addressing a joint press conference during the visit, President Erdogan, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Emine Erdogan, solicited cooperation from Nigeria as his country battle terrorism, stressing that his country has been battling terrorism for many years.
“Turkey has been fighting against terrorist organisations for many decades, such as the PKK, PYD, FETO, DASH and other terrorist organisations.
“The perpetrator of the heinous failed coup of July 15, FETO, is still illegally active in Nigeria, and we are continuously sharing our intelligence with the Nigerian interlocutors and authorities. I hope and pray that our Nigerian brothers will forge a closer solidarity in this field with us, the Republic of Turkey. I hope and pray that our visit will yield the most auspicious results and I would like to thank my distinguished brother, President Buhari, for being such a gracious host for me and for my delegation.”
President Erdogan, who departs for Togo today, said Turkey was keenly following developments in Nigeria and expressed the readiness of his country to share capabilities with the West African nation to fight terrorism to a halt.
Commiserating with Nigeria on the attack in Goronyo Council of Sokoto State, which claimed over 40 lives, the Turkish leader pledged that his country would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism as well as in the fields of military, defence and security.
On the economic front, he stressed that Turkey was determined to improve relations with Nigeria to ‘’higher levels on all fields,’’ revealing his country’s readiness to expend about $5 billion dollars to increase the trade volume between the two countries.
“We hope and pray that the relations between the two nations would be further developed on the basis of a win-win situation and on the basis of mutual respect.”
“We shall be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations, and Nigeria hosts one of the oldest diplomatic missions of the Republic of Turkey on the African continent. Nigeria is one of the outstanding members of international organisations such as the G-8, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ECOWAS and the African Union.
“We should appreciate the tremendous efforts of Nigeria with eventual goal of bringing peace, stability, and economic development to the entire African continent. Nigeria holds the manufacturing position of the entire continent, and trade volume between the two nations reached $2 billion last year. Thus, Nigeria became our most outstanding and biggest trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Responding, President Buhari heaped praises on President Erdogan for opening his country’s borders to accommodate millions of refugees in dire need of humanitarian support, saying that his Turkish counterpart has set an example to the rest of the world on how to treat refugees.
‘’I commend Your Excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating four million refugees fleeing conflict areas, particularly in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.”
He noted that it was the second time he was receiving the visiting president in Abuja.’
On the accomplishments from the visit, President Buhari said: “We held very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey. The key issues we touched on included a series of Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that had been finalised.
‘’As a positive outcome, eight major Agreements/MoUs on a number of the key sectors including energy, defence, industry, mining and hydrocarbons among others were signed today (Wednesday). We have agreed that implementation is to commence immediately.
‘’In the course of our discussions, we also reviewed the travel ban list based on the revised COVID-19 protocols and removed Turkey from Nigeria’s travel ban list.’’
THE 2016 coup, largely blamed on the exiled and acclaimed Muslim scholar, Fetullah Gulen, struck the nation like a tremor, when about 10,000 soldiers staged attacks against government institutions, and after hours of action, 251 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured, many of who confronted the rampaging coup plotters.
The coup was eventually quashed but the scar was deep and indelible. The Turkish Government has since embarked on extensive purges. In the last five years, over 10,000 education staff were suspended and the licenses of over 20,000 teachers working at private institutions were revoked for alleged links to Gülen even though the U.S.-based cleric has denied any involvement in the coup and condemned it. Turkey has arrested nearly 40,000 people and dismissed some 110,000 public servants since the coup attempt.
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, in his remarks in July during the ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the coup in Abuja, in the presence of Nigeria’s Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello and members of the Diplomatic Corps, said: “The perpetrators of the hideous undertaking actually consisted of the disciples of Fetullah Gulen, whose aim is to take control of the Turkish State to reinstitute it according to their perverted religious ethos.”
He warned Nigeria and other countries where Gulen may have opened institutions and businesses to be wary of the Gulen Movement, describing FETO “as a mafia-like cultish terror group, with clandestine political aims.”
He added that FETO “is a threat not only to Turkey but also to all countries where they still run their operations. Their actions in Turkey should be considered as a wake-up call for other countries.”
The warning from the Turkish envoy in the face of lingering war against Boko Haram insurgents and bandits was reechoed by the Turkish President yesterday.
Reacting to the Turkish President’s statement, a criminologist, Albert Uba, said: “The visit of Edorgan and revelation that the dreaded FETO had infiltrated the country like it did to India and other countries can be viewed from two perspectives. First, it underpins the porosity of our borders and the inertia with which the issue of the exacerbating insecurity is being handled. Secondly, it sadly underscores the fact that the country is sitting precariously on a keg of gunpowder that can explode any time soon.”
According to former Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Mike Ejiofor, “this is a very serious allegation if I must call it allegation. Is Nigeria government aware of it? Fighting terrorism requires international cooperation. I am surprised if the Nigerian government is not aware there is FETO in Nigeria.”
Security expert, Christopher Oji, said: “The meeting is one of the best things that had happened in Nigeria lately. It shows that our President has been warned and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The FG seems to be sympathetic to terrorists.
“With the arrival of FETO combined with active presence of ISWAP, Boko Haram and bandits, the burden will be too much for our soldiers currently fighting armies of agitators. It is my advice that the FG should sit tight and stop paying lip service to issues of security. Let President Buhari, as a matter of urgency, seek foreign assistance or Nigeria will soon be captured by terrorists.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has asked the Federal Government to declare bandits in the Northwest geo-political zone of the country as “insurgents” or “terrorists”. The declaration, the governor said, would enable the Nigerian military to attack and kill “these bandits without any major consequences in the international law.”
The governor, who spoke shortly after receiving the third quarter security report from the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, yesterday, also said the recruitment of 1,000 youths each across the 774 local government areas of the country would deal a deadly blow to bandits and other criminal elements in the land.
Backing the National Assembly’s resolution to declare bandits as terrorists, the governor said the state government had since 2017 written to the federal government on that, pointing out that “bandits don’t deserve mercy and they should not be allowed to live.
“We in the Kaduna State government had always urged for the declaration of bandits as insurgents and terrorists. We have written letters to the Federal Government since 2017 asking for this declaration because it is this declaration that will allow the Nigerian military to attack and kill these bandits without any major consequences in the international law.
“So, we support the resolution by the National Assembly and we are going to follow up with a letter of support for the federal government to declare these bandits and insurgents as terrorists, so that, there will be fair game for our military,” the governor added.
The Commissioner had earlier in his report, said bandits killed no fewer than 343 and abducted 830 persons as well as injured 210 persons among them women and minors within the third quarter of the year in the state.
He said: “the operations against the bandits that began in this last quarter are degrading bandits, but are not yet simultaneous across all the affected states in the North-West region. That explains the limitations that our personnel and other resource deficits have imposed on federal security agencies.
“There are simply no enough boots on the ground to have credible deployment to most places, deter crime, and restore order. That is the reality that we face.
“Many state governments in the North-West and North-Central have adopted a non-conventional approach to help the security agencies to better protect our communities. In our own case, we have about 900 trained and vetted vigilantes personnel working with the security agencies.
“However, we still observed that there is no alternative to launching simultaneous operations in all states.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it will support youths in tertiary institutions with grants to promote entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment.
The CBN disclosed this on Wednesday in a report, titled ‘Guidelines for the implementation of tertiary institutions entrepreneurship scheme’.
“Five top Nigerian polytechnics and universities with the best entrepreneurial pitches/ideas shall be awarded as follows: first place – N150m; second place – N120m; third place – N100m; fourth place – N80m; and fifth place – N50m,” it said.
It added that activities to be covered under the scheme would include innovative start-ups and existing businesses owned by graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities in areas such as agribusiness, information technology, creative industry, as well as science and technology.
The CBN said agribusiness would include production, processing, storage and logistics, while information technology would include application/software development, business process outsourcing, robotics and data management.
It said the creative industry would include entertainment, artwork, publishing, culinary/event management, fashion, photography, beauty/cosmetics; while science and technology would include medical innovation, robotics, ticketing systems, traffic systems, renewable energy, and waste management.
According to the report, the interest rate will be five per cent per annum and nine per cent effective from March 1, 2022 or as may be prescribed by the CBN.
The beneficiary must apply on the dedicated online portal and provide all requisite documentation to support the application, the CBN said.
It noted that priority would be given to innovative entrepreneurial activities with high potential for export, job creation and transformational impact.
Former US President, Donald Trump, announced plans Wednesday to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social,” which is expected to begin its beta launch for “invited guests” next month.
The long-awaited platform will be owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which also intends to launch a subscription video on-demand service that will feature “non-woke” entertainment programming, the group said in a statement.
“I created TRUTH Social and TMTG to stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech,” Trump, who was banned from Twitter and Facebook in the wake of the Capitol insurrection carried out by his supporters on January 6 this year, was quoted as saying in the statement.
“We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable,” he continued.
The Trump Media & Technology Group will merge with blank check company Digital Acquisition Corp to make TMTG a publicly-listed company, the statement said.
“The transaction values Trump Media & Technology Group at an initial enterprise value of $875 Million, with a potential additional earnout of $825 Million in additional shares (at the valuation they are granted) for a cumulative valuation of up to $1.7 Billion depending on the performance of the stock price post-business combination,” it stated.
Ever since he was banned from the world’s dominant social networks as punishment for stirring up the mob that ransacked Congress on January 6, Trump has been looking for ways to reclaim his internet platform.
In May he launched a blog called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,” which was touted as a a major new outlet.
But Trump, who was also banned from Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat in the wake of the Capitol mayhem, canceled the blog just a month later.
Former Trump aide Jason Miller launched a social network called Gettr earlier this year, but the former president has not yet joined it.
