#BIAFRA : BABATOPE ADVISES BUHARI, DECLARES TOTAL SUPPORT FOR BIAFRA

Ebenezer Babatope, a former minister of transport, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government to negotiate with pro-Biafra agitators in the interest of peace in the country.

“I am in total support of Biafra,” Ebenezer Babatope said.

According to Today.ng Babatope, who is also a member of the Board of the Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, described himself as a loyal and staunch supporter of Biafra.

The ex-minister advised the demonstrators to be law abiding and avoid violence while making their demands.
“I am in total support of Biafra. I just wrote that in my column in Tribune Newspaper. I have always said that the federal government should talk to them because, not only that they are part and parcel of Nigeria, but they are citizens of this country and subjects of the federal government”.

“The Biafra agitators on their part must stop all the violence if they desire any serious talk with the federal government. They can’t achieve anything by being ruthless and violent. Once they are law abiding, I believe the federal government should dialogue with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the ex-president of Nigeria, has opposing opinion about the agitation for Biafran independence.

Speaking during a public discussion on the Biafra issue in Abuja, Obasanjo said: “Biafra as a secession issue is dead, and nobody should follow that way.”

Undoubtedly, his statement caused discontent and anger among members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

In a swift reaction, the group recalled that the former president had tried to destroy the Biafra group in the past, but the struggle for the actualization of Biafra survived, despite persecution masterminded by him.
Moreover, Comrade Samuel Edeson, the group’s director of information, warned that MASSOB would drag Obasanjo to the International Criminal Court for the killings of over 1000 members in March 2003 in Imo state.

Biafra Agitation: EU High Representative Gives Condition For Independence

Biafra Agitation: EU High Representative Gives Condition For Independence
Against the backdrop of the request by Biafra agitators and the organization of Emerging African States (OEAS) for the referendum to be conducted on the independence of Republic of Biafra, the European Union has replied the agitators.

Federica Mogherini, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security

The Biafra had earlier through OEAS requested that the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Federica Mogherini, to wade into the need to conduct a referendum for Biafra’s independence.

Sahara Reporters reported that  the OEAS  also called for the release of those it described as Biafran political prisoners and a stay of action by the Nigerian troops, and for quick referendum to be held within 90 days.

In response to this request, Mogherini told Dr. Jonathan Levy, OEAS chief administrative officer, that while the European Union has strong diplomatic and economic relationship with Nigeria, the “protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms remains a priority for the EU and we encourage the authorities [Nigeria] in every occasion to respect such rights.”

The EU further went on to caution the OEAS and Biafran that the push for self-determination and border changes must be carried out within the ambits of established international law.

It added that Biafra can only be recognized through international law and not through armed secession.
The OEAS had been pushing  for an internationally recognized referendum on Biafra independence or autonomy.

In the same vein, OEAS advised that  all nonviolent means should be utilized including general strikes, economic boycotts, work actions, demonstrations, lawsuits, and civil disobedience. Nigeria is a member of The International Labor Organization (ILO).

The ILO recognizes the right to engage in general strikes and the right to strike is also recognized in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 (Article 8(1)(d)).
Below is a copy of the letter:

pics

Biafra: IPOB To File Complaint Against Buhari On January 29 at the Hague – Göran

he Indigenous People of Biafra is set to drag President Muhammadu Buhari and various senior officials of Nigeria to the Hague over alleged inhumane acts, and persecution committed against IPOB members and the Igbo people of South-Eastern Nigeria by the federal government. 

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu is accused trying to cause crises that might force President Muhammadu Buhari to concede certain parts of Nigeria to a purported Biafra nation.

According to Todayng, the suit against Buhari and other senior officials would be filled by Göran Sluiter of Prakken d’Oliveira Human Rights Lawyers, a law firm based in Amsterdam on January 29.

Explaining the reasons for the action against the federal government, the firm on Tuesday, January 19 stated that: “To date, there is clear and consistent evidence that crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the ICC—in particular: murder, unlawful imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearance, other inhumane acts, and persecution—have been committed in the context of politically- and ethnically-motivated state violence against, primarily, IPOB members and the Igbo people of South-Eastern Nigeria.”

The firm accused the Nigerian State Security Service of using politically-motivated terrorism charges as an excuse to detain Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB’s leader and the director of Radio Biafra against his will.

It said: “In the context of this widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of South-Eastern Nigeria, the Federal Government has specifically targeted—among many others—Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB’s leader and the director of Radio Biafra. Kanu has been physically detained against his will, on politically-motivated terrorism charges, by the Nigerian State Security Service since approximately 17 October 2015 in an undisclosed location, presumably somewhere Nigeria’s capital Abuja.

“Despite unconditional bail orders from at least two competent Nigerian courts, Kanu continues to be held in violation of Nigerian and international law. Kanu’s family, supporters, and Nigerian legal team have all expressed serious concern regarding the conditions of his detention. President Buhari, for his part, has publicly endorsed—and presumably ordered—the prolonged unlawful imprisonment, suggesting that the situation is far too politically sensitive to be entrusted to the court system.
The firm accused the federal government of embarking on an anti-Igbo campaign targeted at Kanu and others who are in support of the Biafran self-determination. It said  the injustices currently unfolding in South-Eastern Nigeria​ will soon be addressed by the ICC.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has replied former president Olusegun Obasanjo, over his comment on Biafra struggle at the weekend.

The director of information the group, Comrade Samuel Edeson, in a statement issued in Enugu, on Monday, January 18, said Biafra is not dead and will never die.

He said Obasanjo tried to destroy the Biafra group in the past, during his administration as Nigeria’s president, but the struggle for the actualization of Biafra survived, despite persecution masterminded by him.

NUJ files N500m suit against Customs over brutal assault on journalist (PHOTO)

NUJ files N500m suit against Customs over brutal assault on journalist (PHOTO)
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Chapter, has filed a N500 million criminal suit against the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, over the brutal assault of a Badagry-based journalist, one Yomi Olomofe at Seme border post of the NCS last year.

Olomofe was on June 22, 2015, brutally beaten by hoodlums believed to be working for the NCS at Seme border and left him in the pool of his blood at a refuse dump.

In a fundamental rights suit filed by Mr. Jiti Ogunye on behalf of the NUJ and the brutalised journalist, the applicant is asking for N500 million as special and exemplary damages for the violation of the applicant’s rights.

The applicant, in the suit, asked the Court for a declaration that the beating meted out to him by the Defendants, which inflicted bodily and internal injuries on him on June 25, 2015 in the premises of the NCS, Seme, was “capable of infringing on his right to life as guaranteed by Section 33 (1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”

The applicant, however, prayed the court to declare that the beating on the said date in the course of discharging his professional duties and obligations constituted an infringement on his rights to freedom of expression and the press as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Comptroller of Customs, Mohammed Ndalati, Deputy Comptroller, Emmanuel Nkemdirim, Assistant Comptroller, Ibrahim Turaki and the Comptroller General, Hameed Ali.
Others are the Nigerian Customs Service, Chief Sam Ibiye, Alhaji Momoh (aka Basket), Mr. Shehu and Mr. Elijah.

Anti-Graft War: Corrupt Judges In Trouble

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has made public its plans on what to do to corrupt judges in the country, The Nation reports.

Abubakar Malami (SAN) at the Senate for Ministerial Screening . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Malami, who spoke as a special guest at the launching of a report by Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) at Weston Hotels, Opebi Link Road, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, January 19, disclosed that corrupt judges will no longer be allowed to escape from justice.

Speaking on a report titled: “Go Home and Sin no more: Corrupt Judges escaping from justice in Nigeria,” Malami, who‎ was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, White Collar Crimes, Abiodun Aikomo, said the resolution is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to kill corruption in the country.
‎“I can assure you that in line with the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation will ensure that every appearance of corruption in judiciary is dealt through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the state of illegally acquired assets,” Malami said.

He said government will ensure that corrupt judges are prosecuted and their illegally acquired assets returned to the state.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi, today signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

Economy Bites tougher As South Africa End Crude Oil Imports From Nigeria

Over the years, revenue from the oil industry has been the main stay of the Nigeria’s economy. But the country’s oil revenue may dwindle as South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) yesterday, January 18, indicated South Africa’s intention to end importing crude oil from Nigeria.

Vanguard reports that the action is compelled by the lifting of the sanctions on Iran.

Speaking with newsmen, Avhapfani Tshifularo, executive director of the SAPIA explained that the potential return of Iranian oil exports to South Africa threaten to displace barrels from Saudi Arabia and Nigeria that plugged the supply gap when sanctions were imposed on Iran, which is OPEC’s fifth biggest producer.

”The re-emergence of Iranian crude oil provides options for those willing to buy from Iran. Iranian imports are likely to displace the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian crudes, since they seem to have filled the gap since South Africa stopped importing Iranian crude oil,’‘ he said.

Since 2013, South Africa had stopped importing crude oil from Iran following which its oil imports from Nigeria rose significantly.

As a result, Saudi Arabia emerged the highest exporter of crude to the country.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a sharp decline was recorded in revenue accruable to the federal government from the petroleum sector.

Date from NBS showed that the country’s earnings from crude oil export dropped to N5.271 trillion from January to September 2015.

The  NBS, in its Foreign Trade  Statistics for the Third Quarter of 2015, had noted that the value of Nigeria’s crude oil export for the nine month period 2015, represented a decline of 45.39 per cent or N4.381 trillion when compared to crude oil export of N9.652 trillion recorded in the same period in 2014.
It also represented a decline of 55.67 per cent or N6.62 trillion when compared to total crude oil earnings of N11.891 trillion recorded in 2014.

NBS data further revealed that the country earned N1.675 trillion from crude oil export in the first quarter of 2015, N1.984 trillion and N1.611 trillion in the second and third quarters respectively.

This was in contrast to crude oil export earnings of N3.234 trillion, N3.269 trillion and N3.149 trillion for the first, second and third quarters respectively, while in the fourth quarter of 2014, the country earned N2.239 trillion from the export of the commodity in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The 2015 data also showed that the country earned N505.898 billion, N591.964 billion, N577.361 billion, N698.387 billion and N668.526 billion in January, February, March, April and May respectively.

In the months of June, July, August and September, Nigeria’s crude oil export stood at N617.364 billion, N572.813 billion, N512.823 billion and N525.857 billion respectively.

Buhari Warns Niger Delta Militants, Says Defeating Them Won’t Be Tough

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalism of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta.

Declaring that the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, Mr. Buhari said the activities of oil thieves and vandals would soon be brought to an end, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday.

“The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them,” he was quoted as saying.

Speaking Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the president warned telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria not to place their desire for huge profits above the security needs of the country.

Speaking at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian Community in Abu Dhabi, President Buhari said the war against terrorism can only be won with the collective effort and commitment of everyone.

Remarking that the registration of all mobile phone users without exception will help the security agencies to pre-empt terrorist attacks, the president said telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria must adhere to the rules and guidelines of the Nigerian Communications Commission in this regard.

President Buhari assured Nigerians at the session that his administration’s war against corruption will continue to be vigorously pursued.

The president pledged that more persons who have abused the public trust will be exposed and brought to justice soon, adding that his government was committed to re-establishing former standards of accountability and probity in the management of public funds which were jettisoned under past administrations.

The president appealed for more patience and understanding from Nigerians as his administration takes steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil prices.

“In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do without to preserve our economy.

“We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries,” he said.