By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

Concerned indigenous contractors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Monday staged a protest in Abuja over alleged non-payment for services rendered to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration more than three years ago.

The contractors claimed that the outstanding payments have severely affected their businesses and the livelihoods of their families.

According to the protesters, they dragged the matter to court but alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, failed to appear at any of the court sittings.

They further alleged that security operatives deployed teargas to disperse them during the protest.

The Chairman of the Concerned FCDA Indigenous Contractors said the group subsequently reported the incident to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Femi Haruna, seeking his intervention for a calm and peaceful resolution.

The matter is currently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.

As of press time, neither the Office of the Minister of the FCT nor the FCDA had issued an official response to the allegations of non-payment, absence from court, or the use of teargas.

Some legal practitioners in the country have continued to express divergent views on the best approach to handling the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists.

Recall that the Federal Government recently introduced the initiative as part of its strategies to tackle the perennial security challenges plaguing the country through non-kinetic means.

However, the move has since generated widespread debate.

While some Nigerians support the approach, others argue that convicted terrorists should face the full weight of the law rather than be reintegrated into society.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos, Vincent Aminu, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikare-Akoko Branch, Ondo State, called for strict punishment for terrorists, especially in cases where attacks resulted in loss of lives.

According to him, strong penalties are necessary to deter terrorism and safeguard national security.

Aminu noted that rehabilitation and reintegration should only be considered in exceptional cases where individuals were coerced into joining terrorist groups and may not have fully understood the consequences of their actions.

He advised that such cases should be thoroughly investigated before any rehabilitation programme is approved.

“Rehabilitation is mercy, not justice, and must be measuredly used,” he said.

He stressed that public safety and accountability must remain the government’s priority.

Also speaking, Bayo Akinadé, another legal practitioner, described terrorism as a criminal expression of dissatisfaction by groups seeking to challenge the government.

According to him, the primary aim of terrorism is to create fear and insecurity in society, thereby portraying the government as incapable of protecting its citizens.

Akinadé said confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting terrorism had already been weakened, adding that discussions around the rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists could further fuel suspicion among citizens.

He argued that in some societies, terrorism had been weaponized by political interests seeking to destabilise governments, adding that introducing rehabilitation measures could be seen as an admission of inability by authorities to confront the challenges.

“The act of terrorism, whether internal or local, is often presented as an agitation to draw government attention to the grievances of those who feel marginalised,” he said.

He maintained that the government should not indulge terrorists in any way and that perpetrators should be dealt with decisively.

On his part, Oladeji Olayemi, another lawyer, said that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, criminalises terrorism and all activities connected to it.

He noted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen’s right to life and that such rights should not be unlawfully violated.

According to him, neither the Constitution nor existing anti-terrorism laws provide rehabilitation as a means of absolving terrorists of their criminal activities.

“The supposed rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists into society is a baffling concept because it has no strict legal backing,” he said.

Olayemi advised that individuals accused of terrorism should be prosecuted before the Federal High Court and made to face the penalties prescribed by law.

He argued that reintegration undermined justice and should not be encouraged by the government.

According to him, allowing terrorists to return to society without facing appropriate consequences could send the wrong signal and encourage others to engage in similar activities.

“The right to life is important and should be safeguarded by the government at all costs,” he said.

Olayemi added that the Terrorism Act, 2022, already provides penalties for terrorism-related offences, including life imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty.

“Rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists undermine justice and fail to provide closure for families who have lost loved ones to terrorist attacks,” he added.

He urged the government to remain accountable to citizens and avoid policies that could be perceived as rewarding acts of terrorism.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State is set to host the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman, Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, tomorrow.

According to the State Government, the visit promises to be a memorable and impactful visit for the people of the state, particularly women.

The visit forms part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, a nationwide programme dedicated to empowering women, strengthening families, and improving the wellbeing of vulnerable groups across the country.

While in Benue, the First Lady will engage with women and beneficiaries of the initiative as part of efforts to deepen its impact at the grassroots.

Governor Hyacinth Alia expresses his pleasure at the forthcoming visit and is looking forward to receiving the nation’s First Lady.

He describes the visit as another positive step in the collaborative efforts of the Federal and State Governments to improve the lives of citizens, especially women and families.

A major highlight of Senator Tinubu’s visit will be the commissioning of 10 newly completed roads in Makurdi, out of the over 45 delivered by the Governor Alia administration.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the 10 roads, spanning a total of 11.5 kilometres, represent a significant investment in urban renewal and infrastructure development aimed at improving mobility, boosting economic activities, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The roads to be commissioned are: Ishaya Bakut Road (Dual Carriageway), Off Ishaya Bakut Road (Spur 1), Off Ishaya Bakut Road (Spur 2), Off Ishaya Bakut Road (Spur 3),  Abu King Shuluwa Road, Mama Mbateren Alia Street (Former Keke Napep Road), Dabo Plaza to Fashion Hub Road, Sir James Iorpuu Street, Tyagher Gbaa Street and Jato-Aka Road

Following the commissioning ceremony in Makurdi, the First Lady will proceed to Ihugh, where she will perform the commissioning and handover ceremony of the Community ICT Centre.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Benue State Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Scholastica Bensor, said all preparations have been concluded for a successful outing.

According to her, women across Benue State are excited and eagerly looking forward to welcoming Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Bensor therefore calls on women, community leaders, support groups, and members of the public to turn out in large numbers to receive the First Lady and demonstrate the warmth, hospitality, and unity for which Benue people are known.