NEWS
INEC Seeks Reps Nod to Classify Facilities as High Security
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, on Friday sought the nod of the House of Representatives to classify its facilities as high security facilities across Nigeria.
Yakubu made the appeal in Abuja during the investigation hearing of the the ad-hoc Committee Investigating the Attacks On INEC Offices and Facilities.
He said INEC might not be able to hold election in states where facilities are being repeatedly attacked.
The INEC Chairman noted that out of the 36 states, 15 states have recorded fifty incidents so far.
He urged the National Assembly to expedite action to pass the Electoral Offences Commission Bill, adding that any nation that does not penalize offenders is doomed.
According to him, INEC is saddled with a responsibility that it can not execute, the commission cannot keep replacing destroyed items.
He said Nigeria needed to put a stop to these destructions, adding that the commission had applied for additional budgetary allocation towards the success of the 2023 elections.
In his submission, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Ahmed Audi, said the various attacks were targeted at the 2023 elections.
He said the Civil Defense had lost men in the crisis, especially in Imo state, adding that one of the reasons for the attack was to prevent INEC from conducting free, fair and credible elections.
“It might disenfranchise some people and cost government money. We have increased deployment of men to curtail the attacks.
“We have also mounted surveillance on facilities across the country, the nature of the attacks are very new in Nigeria.
Similarly, Inspector General of Police, Mr Alkali Baba, said the Nigerian Police were always at the receiving end of the attacks.
He said Imo state and south East Nigeria had been very volatile due to the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their military wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“It is a well known fact that we have issues of secession that are bent on stopping elections in the south East.
“There is also the issue of failed politicians who are bent on making sure that the election does not hold. There is also the issue of retired politicians,” he said.
He, however, lamented the lack of synergy and intelligence gathering between the security agencies.
“The police are handicapped as most of the people arrested are connected to people in high places. Police are under-staffed.
“We are not up to 400,000. We lack manpower. We need additional funding for recruitment. We lose personnel everyday and we need to replace,” he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, while declaring the hearing open, said that the House is disturbed at the systematically orchestrated attacks .
He said this was not only because it posed a threat to INEC’s capacity to conduct the 2023 general elections, but because it was an attack on democratic governance.
He declared the perpetrators of the attacks as enemies of the country, adding that it was on these basis the House unequivocally condemned the nefarious attacks.
He said this also propelled the House to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incessant attacks on INEC facilities.
He said the house is hopeful that at the end of the investigation, the Committee would come up with far-reaching recommendations.
This, he said, would not only bring an end to the unfortunate attacks on the nation’s democracy, but also ensure that the perpetrators of the nefarious acts face the full wrath of the law.
The Chairman of the ad-hoc Committee, Rep. Oluga Oluremi, said the House would look into the issue of inadequate manpower of security agencies as well as other recommendations.
She also urged security forces to be more proactive to prevent further attacks. (NAN)
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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