News
Coalition seeks UN, EU intervention into persecution of Sheikh El-Zakzachy

The coalition of civil society organization (CSOs) under the aegis of Conciliation and Right Protection has written an open letter to the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) Human Rights Commission to call on Nigeria Government to end the persecution of Shia Muslims and their leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky.

In a statement signed by the following members of the group; Geoffrey N Nwokolo (Esq), Prince Adelaja Adeoye, Dr Hassan Bala, Comrade E. Ekoja, Comrade C. Mabel, Comrade Ahmad Shuaib and sent to CAPITAL POST, said, the Nigerian authorities have failed to ensure justice for the killings of hundreds of members of the Nigerian Shia Muslims since December 12, 2015, where the Nigerian army used disproportionate force against the group in Zaria, Kaduna State in northwest Nigeria.

“In a violent crackdown, the army killed hundreds members of the group and arrested hundreds more, including the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat Ibraheem.
“This is a gross violation of the fundamental human right of the Nigerian Shia Muslims under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky,” it added.
According to them, the rights of all persons, including suspects, detainees and prisoners are respected at all or times and that no person placed under investigation or held in custody of any person in authority shall be subjected to physical harm, force, violence threat or intimidation or any act that impairs his free will, adding that the Fully adhere to the principles and standards on the absolute condemnation and prohibition of torture set by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international instruments to which Nigeria is a State party.
The group noted that the act of murder, destruction of properties and unconstitutional arrests has violated the Nigerian constitution that outlined the fundamental human rights of its citizens as it is enshrined in chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The inhuman treatments of members of this religious minority group and their leader Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat that have been kept in custody incommunicado with severe bullet wounds all over their bodies is a crime.

News
Shehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence

Civil Rights Activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has debunked the former Governor, Malamn Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani has diverted the Local Government Councils allocation to buy properties abroad.

Shehu Sani said El-Rufai’s allegation is “falsely crafted to smear the name of of the Governor because of the N420 billion investigation hanging on him like the sword of damocles.”

Reacting to the allegation on Monday, Shehu Sani challenged the former Governor to release proofs of purchases of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London by Uba Sani publicly.
He said, Kaduna people would not forget in a hurry how Nasir El-Rufai plundered the State in eight years as Governor of the State, stressing that he should stop pushing falsehood into the public space.
He said: “As Kaduna indigenes, we are all living witnesses to how El-Rufai plundered the State and now investigation has indicted him and he should face it rather than pushing falsehood into the public domain.
El-Rufai should be bold enough to show proofs linking governor Uba Sani in the purchase of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London, then we will take him serious.
“But he should be ready answer for the whereabouts of N420 billion because that money is substantial enough to develop Kaduna State to an extent”, Shehu Sani maintained.

News
Bill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate

The Nigerian Senate has passed for first reading a Bill to establish the National Cashew Production and Research Institute to be sited at Idah in Kogi East Senatorial District after it was laid on Wednesday last week.

The Bill which was sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho representing Kogi East Senatorial District said, the propsed research institute will be situated at Idah, headquarters of Igala kingdom and the institute will be charged with the responsibilities of cashew research, processing and boosting production for local and export consumption.

According to the documents of the proposed bill made available on Monday, it pointed out that the Federal Government could leverage on the abundant cashew production in Kogi East and by extension Kogi State and other parts of the country to ensure that the quality of cashew is processed in line with the global standards, notwithstanding that the current quality of cashew from Kogi State is sought all over the world.
He said the legal framework of the Research Institute will identify the value chain and processing, ensuring that at each level, there is job creation for the teaming youths and not just for the raw nuts to be exported, stating that the current handling of cashew nuts was unacceptable as it tended to bypass the needed revenue that would been generated into government coffers.
Senator Isah said: “This will not only improve the quality of cashew products but also provide support to farmers and cashew business owners in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi East, which is known for its high cashew production.
“The institute will also attract investment, create jobs, and ensure better pricing for cashew farmers, thereby strengthening the local economy in Kogi East, Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”
DAILY POST recalled that a fortnight ago, Kogi State government was urged by the State House of Assembly to safeguard cashew and other economic trees in the State by putting in place stringent measures against abuse.
The regulatory measures which the State parliament said will be put in place, urged the State government to enforce the laws with serious sanction for any erring persons and to also stop foreigners from accessing cashew farms in the State.
The resolution was the outcome of a motion sponsored by Hon. Oluwaseyi Bello representing Kabba Bunu State Constituency in the House of Assembly, adding that the State Ministry of Agriculture should properly monitor and regulate the activities of exploitative foreign businessmen in the interest of revenue for the State and security of the people.
Kogi continues to be the leading State in cashew production in Nigeria which the State government attributed to robust and sound agricultural policies.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo once said: “Kogi State is the biggest producer of cashew in Nigeria because of our sound agricultural policies geared towards empowering farmers with improved seedlings, mechanization, agrochemicals as well as creating an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in cashew production.”

News
Report of attack on Wike’s Port Harcourt residence false, misleading – Police

The Rivers State Police Command has described reports on several news outlets that hoodlums have attacked the Port Harcourt residence of Nyesom Wike as false and misleading.

The police said nothing close to attack ever took place on Sunday on the residence of Wike who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory as mischievously reported in sections of the media.

On Sunday night, several online media platforms alleged that Wike’s residence was under siege and had been torched by unidentified individuals.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, described the reports as false and misleading, stating the the report was a connivance between some elements and the media to cause unrest and further create panic.
The statement read: “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a misleading and malicious report circulating on various online media platforms, falsely claiming that riots have erupted in Rivers State, leading to the burning of the residence of the former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, along with other acts of violence.”
She further stated that the state remains peaceful, and there has been no such attack on Wike’s residence or any other major security breach.
“The Command categorically states that this report is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to incite unrest and spread fear among law-abiding residents. There is no record of any such incident, and normalcy prevails across the state,” she said.
The police spokesperson warned against spreading misinformation, emphasizing that those found guilty of fabricating such reports would face legal consequences.
According to the spokesperson, “The Police Command sternly warns those responsible for spreading such incendiary falsehoods to desist from engaging in activities capable of inciting public disorder. The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on individuals or groups found guilty of spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt the peace in any form.”
She reassured residents of the police command’s commitment to maintaining security in Rivers State and urged the public to rely only on credible sources for information while reporting any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

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