06082020 - Insecurity: Protests in Abuja, Lagos, Ondo, Osogbo

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 , 2020 —27 vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES 018773962, 08052867058 VERIFICATION: Some officials of Kaduna State Ministry of Finance checking the credentials of staff members of the state judiciary, at the State High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday. NAN Photo. Insecurity: Protests in Abuja, Lagos, Ondo, Osogbo Continues from Page 5 violators, not protesters – FCT Police Command Indeed, the FCT Police Command, in its reaction, said its personnel did not arrest any protesting member of the #RevolutionNow group at any point in the FCT, Abuja, contrary to insinuations that 62 protesters were arrested. Rather, the command said its operatives arrested some persons who violated the COVID-19 protocols banning the convergence and gathering of people without face masks and those violating social distancing principles. Commissioner of Police, FCT, Bala Ciroma, said all the persons arrested were taken to Eagle Square in compliance with the COVID- 19 protocols to appear before a magistrate and be arraigned for the violations. The said offenders were, however, let off the hook because the magistrate that would have presided over their case failed to show up at Eagle Square. Consequently, the CP directed his operatives to issue warnings to the arrested persons to desist from further violation of FCT COVID-19 protocols, after which they were released. Asked why it was during the Revolution Now protest that the Police decided to swing into action and arrest violators of COVID-19 protocols, the CP said: “Their arrest had nothing to do with the protest. It is their right to protest as long as they don’t disturb the peace and other law abiding Nigerians. “The FCT Command has remained steadfast in ensuring people follow the COVID-19 protocols and this has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of over 1,000 person’s in the past. So this has nothing to do with any protest.” 25 protesters arrested, charged to court in Lagos In Lagos, 25 protesters were arrested for allegedly causing obstruction for road users in Ikeja, the state capital. Some of them were also alleged to have driven in vehicles with covered number plates. Though identities of those arrested could not be immediately ascertained, one of them was Agba Jalingo, a journalist and activist, who was recently released from detention by the Cross Rivers State Government. When contacted, spokesman of the command, SP Elkana Bala, said they had been charged before a mobile court. He said: “The arrest was because they came out in vehicles with covered number plates which is an offence, and also caused a hitch in the free Naira down to N389.25/$ in I&E window By Elizabeth Adegbesan THE Naira yesterday depreciated to N389.25 per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the window rose to N389.25 per dollar yesterday from N388 per dollar on Tuesday, translating to 25 kobo depreciation of the Naira. The volume of dollars (turnover) traded in the window dropped by 58 percent to $10.49 million from $24.66 million on Tuesday. However, the Naira yesterday was stable at N473 per dollar in the parallel market. flow of traffic. As much as they have a right to protest, others also have a right to free flow of traffic. They have been charged to the Mobile Court.” In fact, armed policemen prevented protesters on the banner of Coalition for Revolution CORE, from joining the planned nationwide protest against what they described as “massive corruption, rising unemployment and worsening misery of the masses in Nigeria.” The protest, tagged: “Grand Corruption Mass Misery,” was to mark the first anniversary of the #RevolutionNow Movement and relaunch a campaign for an end to looting of public resources to pave way for revamping of the social and economic fabric of the country. Also, the group demanded greater accountability in the management of public funds. As early as 7 am, the Police barricaded the Ikeja under bridge venue, where the protesters were supposed to converge for a march to Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja and prevented them from gathering. As soon as the police sighted some of the protesters coming to the venue, they fired tear gas canisters to disperse them. The protesters, mainly youths, displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Put an end to insecurity and mass killings now;” “Stop destroying our homes, invest in social housing;” “No to increase in electricity tariffs, fraudulent bank deduction;” “Embezzlement and looting is affecting our nation,” “Is this how to fight corruption?” among others. Despite police presence and appeal by authorities of the Area F Command to vacate the area, the Convener, Comrade Babatunde Ayelabola, popularly called “Baba Aye” urged the demonstrators to continue with the peaceful protest in an orderly manner in the face of police threat. Consequently, the police fired tear gas canisters which made the demonstrators scamper in different directions through the Computer Village and adjoining streets. At press time, it could not be confirmed if the police made any arrest. CORE accuses FG Ayelabola accused the Federal Government of unleashing unprecedented repression, incarceration of some leaders of the movement, and brutalization of not less than 50 CORE activists all over the country during the protests. His words: “This was with the mistaken belief that such jackboot tactics would silence the yearnings and aspiration of the people for equitable development, social justice and improved standards of living. “Since then, the situation in the country for most working people keeps getting worse. While poverty continues to increase for many, the rate of stealing of monies that could be used to improve lives and livelihoods keeps accelerating on a daily basis. “The gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the suffering of the masses to historic proportions as inhuman lock-downs were imposed, resulting in massive retrenchment of workers, terrible hunger, insecurity, and death for people working in the informal sector, while at the same time, prices of the most basic utilities, including electricity and fuel, have been whimsically increased “ M e a n w h i l e , unprecedented looting of the national treasury continues unabated as exemplified in the pilfering of N81 billion at the NDDC by a few officials even during the difficult and trying period of the lockdown!” Some of the protesters later gathered at the Committee for Defense of Human Rights, CDHR, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja where CORE National Secretary, Comrade Gbenga Komolafe, commended them for their resilience. Komolafe noted that despite intimidation by the Nigeria Police, the protesters were able to register their plight, saying, “the protest was successful because we have made an impact in fighting social injustice in Nigeria and this will be a continuous exercise until our plights are hearkened to by the government,” Komolafe said. Four protesters who were arrested by law enforcement operatives were soon set free. DSS re-arrests Bakare, 5 others in Osun In Osogbo, Osun State, Olawale Bakare, co-convener of Revolution Now was rearrested by operatives of the Department of Secret Service, DSS, yesterday. On August 4, 2019, a human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore staged a protest in Lagos which led to his arrest and detention Similarly, Olawale Bakare was also arrested in Osogbo and arraigned alongside Sowore. Olawale, alongside other members of the Revolution Now converged on the popular Olaiya junction in Osogbo to stage a protest against bad governance, lack of infrastructure, and extrajudicial activities among others. The protesters, led by Samuel Olowolefa, while having a peaceful protest, addressed the police officers at the scene on their mission. A yet-to-be identified member of the RevolutionNow movement, while addressing security agents and onlookers, was abruptly arrested by DSS. Bakare and four others, including Abiodun Sanusi, Samuel Olowolefa, one Gift Martin and Okunlola were also arrested. Peaceful protest in Ondo In Ondo State, youths converged on Ore, Odigbo Local Council to participate in the #RevolutionNow protest. The protesters moved round the commercial town of Ore, demanding a better society, and called on the people to rise and fight for their rights. They urged President Buhari to give priority to welfare of the citizenry, and address the rising insecurity in the country, which .they described as embarrassing. Meanwhile, armed security personnel manned strategic locations within the town to prevent miscreants from hijacking the protest. Security beefed up in Kano There was heavy security presence in Kano metropolis in readiness for the protest in the state capital. Combined teams of security personnel including the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Police, KAROTA, among others, were stationed in strategic areas with their vehicles around the Kofar Nassarawa bridge, Gadan Lado and Dangi bridge. At the time of filing in this report, there was no protest in the area as residents were going about their daily activities. SERAP condemns police action Meanwhile, the Socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, condemned the attacks on protesters in Abuja, Osogbo, Lagos and other parts of the country. In a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization asked what government of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing to end the use of excessive force against protesters. The statement read: “By failing to adequately protect protesters from violent attacks, Nigerian authorities have blatantly violated their obligations under the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. “Nobody should be arrested or subjected to torture and illtreatment simply for taking part in peaceful protests. The authorities should stop criminalising peaceful protesters. “Rather than suppressing peaceful protests, the authorities ought to protect peaceful protesters and ensure a safe and enabling environment for people to exercise their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.’’ SERAP, therefore, urged the international community, including the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to publicly condemn attacks on peaceful protesters, pressure the Nigerian authorities to effectively investigate attacks on protesters, prosecute perpetrators, respect and protect the human rights of everyone. NCFront kicks, calls for immediate release of protesters Also, the leadership of the NCFront demanded immediate freedom for protesters arrested during the protests. NCFront in a statement signed by Dr Tanko Yunusa, Head of Public Affairs Bureau, also condemned the latest increase in hate speech fine by government The group described protest as a constitutional right of every citizen of Nigeria, adding that the arrest and continued detention of the young protesters was illegal and high handed “For this reason, those forcefully taken into custody by security agents today deserve unreserved apology and compensation for abuse of their constitutional and fundamental human rights of Speech, association and movement apart from deserving of being immediately released from their illegal detention,” the group stated. Arrest undemocratic, unjustifiable – RULAAC Similaerly, the Rule of Law And Accountability Advocacy Centre , RULAAC, condemned the arrest, describing it as undemocratic and unjustifiable. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Okechukwu Nwagunma, the group, asserted that “right to freedom of expression is guaranteed under Nigerian Constitution and other regional and international human rights legislation which Nigeria is a signatory to. Peaceful protest is one of the means of exercising the right to freedom of expression.’’
28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 08152060944 How Akpata emerged NBA president By Innocent Anaba THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA's national elections have been won and lost. Though one of the presidential candidates, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, has called for the cancellation of the entire exercise, another candidate, Chief Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, has conceded defeat. While Presidentelect, Olumide Akpata awaits his swearing in later this month, Law and Human Rights examine some of the issues that shaped the polls. The emergence of Akpata, former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law, in the association’s election for the office of the President, has been attributed to young lawyers, who decided this time around to be part of the exercise, among other issues. There was also the issue of a letter by a SAN, who wrote a former president of the association, expressing the readiness of the SANs to hold on to the position of the Presidency of the association, which caused a backlash, as young and other lawyers, who are not SAN yet, saw the letter as an affront and joined in mobilising against the two SANs in the election. Also was the issue of endorsement by the regional South-West lawyers’ body, Egbe Amofin, which many saw as limiting the choice of the entire Nigerian lawyers to their choice of candidate to lead the bar. During the campaigns, the issue of remuneration for young lawyers played a role, as the younger lawyers, some of who are paid meagre salaries by some of the senior lawyers, were surprised that the law firm where Akpata works, pays about the highest among law firms in the country. As the campaigns for the elections progressed, Akpata took out time to talk on issues that affect young lawyers and promised to do his bit to address them if he emerged, just as he promised the young lawyers of their involvement in the affairs of the association. As some of the young lawyers attested, Akpata took out time to reach out to them during the lockdown with palliatives and even made calls to reassure them. This particular action endeared him to many young lawyers. Some of the young lawyers, who feared that the election process would not be transparent were reassured and encouraged to trust the system and be part of the process by Akpata, it was learned. Many of the young lawyers, in turn, promised to take part in the exercise, which they actually did. Again, before the just-concluded NBA election, the presidency was viewed as the reserve of SANs. As a matter of fact, before the ban on politicking was lifted, a certain SAN had written a former President of the association, expressing the readiness of SANs to take over the headship of the bar. For sure, the non-SANs took him up. The SAN issue caught the attention of the younger lawyers, who saw the development as capable of denying them the chance of ever heading the Bar, if not frontally tackled. Disenchanted with the development, some of the *Incoming President of NBA, Olumide Akpata (right), receiving certificate of return from ECNBA chairman, Taiwo Taiwo, SAN. lawyers and the young ones inclusive, who complained openly, said it was wrong to be denied the opportunity of heading the Bar on account of a privilege, which does not in any way detract from the fact that they are also very competent in the law profession, though they have not been privileged to attain the rank. There was also the regional endorsement of candidates, which many lawyers felt should be discountenanced with this era. They argue that since the NBA president, though zoned to a particular region, the zone should not decide who takes it, as all lawyers in the country should be allowed to decide collectively on who emerges from the list of candidates from the zone. With young lawyers, who constitute a larger percentage of lawyers in the country, it was, therefore, not surprising that in the first hours after the NBA Electoral Committee opened the portal for the elections, most of the young lawyers had voted and given Akpata an early lead which he sustained until the close of the election at 11 p.m., on Thursday. Akpata was later on July 3, 2020, presented certificate of return and is to be sworn in later this August. Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the elections. NBA poll as electronic fraud — Adesina One of the aspirants for the position of President of the NBA, at the justconcluded elections of the association, Deacon Adesina, has again petitioned the Body of Trustees of NBA describing the election as “electronic fraud, illegal and unconstitutional.” In a petition addressed to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of NBA, Adesina said he was one of the builders of the Association before “some of the godfathers who are plunging the NBA into avoidable crisis today ever became involved in the affairs of the Association.” Adesina, SAN, alleged that the data in the election results monitoring site was programmed to produce a premeditated result and many voters were disenfranchised. He said: “The election in a most disgraceful, brazen and unconscionable manner, was conducted in violation of the clear, express and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the NBA 2015 (as amended). “It was riddled with electronic fraud where the server used for the election was loaded with predetermined data. It is significant to note that the system used for this election was said to have been registered the very day the election was to start and the MoU was signed on that same day. “The appointment of the Service Provider was done solely by the President contrary to the provisions of Section 18 (2) of the NBA Constitution which obligates the ECNBA to engage the Service Provider for the Election. There was no opportunity to interrogate the System before the commencement of the Election in order to determine its vulnerability, security and capacity. “The inability to deliver 14,000 notices to prospective voters 13 hours after the commencement of the election was not only evidence of lack of capacity on the part of the system but also a clear disenfranchisement of these prospective voters. Therefore, the election failed to conform to the minimum principle of fairness and transparency.” Egbe Amofin kicks On its part, Egbe Amofin has rejected the outcome of the NBA National Officers election, saying the election was conducted in “arrogant breach of the NBA The election in a most disgraceful, brazen and unconscionable manner was conducted in violation of the clear, express and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the NBA 2015 (as amended) constitution.” In the communique after its meeting on August 1, 2020, Egbe Amofin called on all the stakeholders of the association to investigate its claims about the conduct of the elections in order to put a stop to electoral manipulation that has bedevilled the association since it started electoral voting in 2016. The communique by Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Chairman, Steering Committee, and the Secretary, Dr Oluwole Akintayo warned that “failure on the part of our great association to urgently address the issues contained herein might, wittingly or unwittingly lead members of the association to consider other options available in the exercise of the fundamental right of members to freedom of association.” A credible mess? —Odinkalu In his appraisal of the poll, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu said: “When the votes were eventually tallied in the early hours of July 31, there were 18,256 votes cast, a turnout of 62 per cent. Olumide Akpata polled 9,891 or 54.3% to beat Ajibade, who polled 4,328 or 23.7% and Adesina, with 3,982 votes or 21.81%. Eight hours to the end of voting, over 14,300 (48.25% of the voting roll) notices to prospective voters sent by the SMS channels were undelivered. “The margin was substantial but the process was messy. In the end, reluctantly, most people appeared to agree that the most popular candidate was declared the winner in the contest for the presidency but the flaws in the process created a mess. "If and when he assumes office as the 30thpresident of the NBA at the end of August 2020, Akpata will have his work cut out. “Restoring the credibility of the Association, distracted as it is by the incredulous lows of electoral fraud and financial malfeasance of the past few years will be high on his list of priorities. An intergenerational dialogue between younger and older lawyers is needed. “The choice of Mr Akpata is not a rejection of responsible elders at the Bar but of the entitled, unaccountable, old ways of doing things exemplified by Chief Awomolo’s letter. Above all, however, he will have to work hard to keep his campaign promise of bequeathing to his successor a reformed and much less flawed process than the one that has produced him. This begins with making the NBA credible in the management of membership data and information. That will be the biggest – and most fitting – unintended consequence of #NBADecides2020.” His promises Meanwhile, Akpata who made the welfare of members his major campaign focus, which was broken down into Welfare Fund for NBA branches; Remuneration of Lawyers; Standardisation of Fees and Charges; Expanding and Deepening the Legal Services Market; Protecting the Business of Lawyers; Stamp and Seal Issues; Health Insurance; Improved NBA Life Assurance Policy; and Young Lawyers, is now being watched to keep his promise when he takes over the reign of power. His other promises include: Lawyers with Disabilities; Aged Lawyers; Abuse and Harassment of Lawyers; Lawyers’ Defence Fund; Protection of Lawyers against Sexual Harassment; Access to Finance/ Establishment of NBA Micro- Finance Bank; and NBA Education Fund. Welfare of members On the welfare of members, he said: “The promotion of the welfare of Nigerian lawyers is the raison d’etre of the NBA. It is my belief that while the Bar should remain a watchdog in the society, it must not do so to the neglect of the welfare of its members. As part of the core mandate of my administration, the NBA will use its best endeavours to ensure that, among other things, its members earn decent wages, have better working conditions, have access to finance to set up or fund their law practice and enjoy improved access to healthcare under a workable insurance scheme. On Welfare Fund for NBA Branches, he said: “My administration shall ensure that the refund to Branches of 10 per cent of the Bar Practising Fees attributed to each Branch shall be paid promptly and, in any case, in April of every year during my tenure. “In the course of my interactions with different branches across the country, I have been made to understand that the inability of the branches to promptly receive such remittances has adversely affected their ability to execute some of their plans for their members. “Furthermore, realising the critical role that the branches play as the last mile interface with the members, with the approval of the NBA-NEC, we shall reintroduce the payment of an additional 10 per cent of the total sum of BPF to each branch as Welfare contribution from the NBA. These funds will be paid into the branches’ welfare accounts and will be used strictly to promote the welfare of members at the branch levels, in line with proposals on welfare submitted by the branch leadership to the National Secretariat.” On remuneration of lawyers, he said: “The question of the working conditions of lawyers especially the remuneration of legal practitioners in private practice is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues for an NBA President to tackle. A number of our colleagues who are not in private practice also suffer a similar fate as they are poorly remunerated by their employers relative to their other professional counterparts who occupy the same rank or position as them. “Shorn of all pretences, the remuneration of legal practitioners is purely a contractual issue between the lawyer and his employer, and the NBA as presently constituted, lacks the powers to determine or police that. That being said, a good number of lawyers work without any formal employment contract. "Thus, leaving them at the mercy of their employers, in some cases, the paltriness of the remuneration that our lawyers receive is a function of the inability of their employers to do better given the revenue base of their law firms." C M Y K
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