National
ECOWAS Court dismisses human rights violation claim against Nigeria
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed an alleged human rights violation suit filed by one Patrick Eholor, on behalf of Makia Media Limited, against the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant had in suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/43/21, alleged that Nigeria’s broadcasting laws violated social media rights, human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, and journalists.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sengu Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, with Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding) and Dupe Atoki (member), dismissed all the applicant’s claims and upheld the preliminary objection raised by Nigeria.
The court held that the applicant lacked the legal capacity to bring the matter before it as ‘actio popularis’ (public interest) suit.
According to the Community Court, the applicant also failed to present evidence mandating him to act in a representational capacity on behalf of Makia Media Limited.
It, therefore, declared the entire suit inadmissible “both as an actio popularis suit and a representational suit.”
“The reliefs sought must be exclusively for the benefit of the public to the exclusion of the personal interest of the Applicant,” Justice Koroma held.
The court noted that it only had jurisdiction to entertain the case because it bordered on alleged human rights violations but pointed out that the case was inadmissible.
The court further held that although the applicant had jurisdiction to bring a claim for human rights violation as a corporate body, the suit neither met the requirement of ‘actio popularis’ principle.
According to the Community Court, the action was not for the benefit of the public, and the applicant did not demonstrate that the victims cannot be envisioned by the Court.
Eholor had in his submission argued that various Nigerian Broadcasting Code provisions were inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and International Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The applicant had further claimed that in July 2020, the Respondent through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) began implementation of repressive Sections of the Code, particularly Sections 5, 4 (1), (f) and 5 (4), (3).
He argued that NBC considered all coverage on security issues as a threat to governance and engaged in arbitrary arrest and detention of media practitioners.
He further claimed that the Respondent also failed to release public information sought by practitioners, which violated their rights to freedom of expression and information.
Responding, Nigeria had denied the claims of the applicant, arguing that no court had declared any section of the NBC Code as ambiguous or illegal and the applicant had not been prevented from exercising its rights within the limits of the law.
It added that the applicant was not at any time arrested or detained, and as a corporate body, lacked the capacity to sue for the violation of human rights.
The court, however, ordered Nigeria to pay an interlocutory cost of 250,000 Naira to the applicant due to the respondent’s “tardiness” in the course of the matter.(NAN)
National
Insecurity: APC Forum Accuses Governor Dauda Of Failing to Protect Citizens Amid Party’s Abductions
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of five party chieftains by armed bandits, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal of failing in his responsibility to protect citizens.
The kidnapped individuals, all from Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, were reportedly taken on Saturday while travelling to the Marafa area of the state.
The abductees include Yahaya Sani Dogon Kade, chairman of Dan Isah ward, Bello Dealer, chairman of Sakajiki ward, and three others whose names have not yet been released.
In a statement on Monday, its spokesperson Muhammed Ismaila Kaura criticised the governor’s handling of security in the state.
“As the chief security officer of the state, Governor Dauda Lawal bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” Kaura said.
“Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to this duty. This is not the time for excuses, blame games, or empty rhetoric. It is a time for decisive action.”
The party called for immediate and effective measures to secure the release of its members and to tackle the growing wave of banditry in the state.
“The people of Zamfara are tired of living in fear. We are tired of leaders who offer nothing but excuses while our brothers and sisters are being kidnapped, killed, and displaced. The time for action is now,” Kaura added.
The APC also urged security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring justice for the victims.
“This reprehensible act is not only an assault on the affected individuals and their families but also a direct attack on the peace and stability of our dear state,” the statement continued.
The forum reaffirmed its solidarity with the families of the abducted persons and vowed to continue pressing for their safe return.
“To the criminals behind this heinous act, let it be clear: Zamfara State belongs to its people, not to bandits. Your reign of terror must come to an end. And to the Governor, we say: act now, or history will remember you as a leader who failed his people in their time of greatest need.”
There has been no official response from the state government regarding the abductions. However, insecurity has remained a pressing issue in Zamfara, with frequent attacks by armed groups targeting both civilians and public officials under Governor Dauda lawal
The spokesperson for the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has said that the sexual harassment allegation by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is not before the Senate.
Adaramodu made this disclosure while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday.
He also maintained that the only case before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition is Akpoti-Uduaghan not complying with the Senate standing orders.
He said, “The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, that she is not complying with the standing orders of the Senate. No other issues.
Then, if there is anything that comes tomorrow about any senator in the National Aseembly, the ethics, privileges and public petition committee will review once it is referred to them. It is going to be taken as an internal affair.
“In the hallowed chamber, whatever we do or say is not actionable in the court, so because of that, the committee will treat the issue as it comes.
“The Senate does not run the committee with senators. The Senate President does not even run with its members. It is an independent committee.”
Details Later
National
Akpabio’s alleged sexual scandal: female CSOs demand Akpabio’s resignation for impartial investigation
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Coalition of Female Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria has called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual scandals involving Senator Natasha of Kogi State and other related cases from the past.
The coalition stated that it is to allow for an unbiased, thorough, and fair investigation into the allegations.
A statement issued on Monday by the Coalition of female CSOs signed by its coordinators from the six geopolitical zones of the country expressed concern over the allegations leveled against the Senate President for sexual assault by his colleague, Senator Natasha.
The Coordinators who signed the statement are Amina Usman Zubairu-North West, Falmata Babagana Gire-North East, Oyindamola Ojulari-
South West, Chinelo Emeka Augustin-
South East, Prisca Planknan Auta-North Central and Linda Emonefe-South South.
The group described the allegations as heavy, embarrassing, and an abuse of the Senator’s gender existence as a woman, saying, “Unless the Senate President had another motive (sexual harassment, which he is accused of) he had no justification for walking Senator Natasha out and threatening her with suspension or impeachment for rejecting a seating arrangement, something he did under Saraki’s leadership, and he wasn’t met with similar action.”
The Coalition, citing a newspaper report from the Whistler stated that Senator Akpabio has always had issues with women, stated that in 2022, a sexual assault allegation was made against him by former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.
According to her, the statement explained that Akpabio promised to make her “NDDC substantive MD”, saying that it’s the same tactics Senator Natasha has accused Akpabio of, that if she acquiesced to sexual gratification, that she could “enjoy a whole lot in the Senate.”
The statement added that he (Akpabio) also talked down on another female colleague, Senator Kingib, during plenary and denied her the opportunity to contribute.
As a Female Civil Society Organisation that is gender sensitive, the statement explained, “we frown at these behaviors of the Senate President, we condemn them and also call for his resignation as Senate President to allow for uninterrupted investigations.”
As a subject of investigations into sexual harassment allegations, the group said that Akpabio should step aside and cannot be a judge in his own case, believing that his presence as the Senate President can compromise the course of investigation.
The group promised to come out next week with about 5,000 in number and shut down activities of the National Assembly in anger on Akpabio’s relationship with women if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
The also called on the National Human Rights Commission, Ethics and Privilege Committee of the National Assembly and other international bodies fighting against gender discrimination and sexual harassment of women to investigate Senator Akpabio, for this allegation and previous ones, saying that an injury to one, is an injury to all.