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CSO vows to institute legal action against Niger retiring Chief Judge, Commissioner of Police over detention of journalist
A Civil Society Organisation, Action Aids For Transparency and Justice (AAFTJ), has threatened to institute a legal action against the outgoing Chief judge of Niger State, Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki, and the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Mr Adamu Usman for unlawful detention of a Minna based Online Journalist, Alhaji Uthman Mijinyawa Siraja over a publication exposing the appointment of the daughter of the outgoing chief judge as the Secretary of the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC), ahead of most qualified applicants.
The Journalist who was arrested two weeks ago after the said publication on CAPITAL POST went viral, while the outgoing Chief judge felt embarrassed, described the report as malicious and damaging to his person.
The Civil Society felt that the said publication was in consonance with the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended as well as the Freedom of Information Act, hence, the arrest and detention of the journalist by the Chief Judge of Niger State constituted a breach of his fundamental human rights.
The CSO in a press statement jointly signed by the North Central Director of (AAFTJ), Comrade Abdulmajeed Jimoh, and the Head of Legal Services, Barrister Jameela Okpanachi which was released on Sunday, vowed that the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Adamu Usman and the outgoing Chief Judge would be prosecuted, saying they should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law for unlawful detention of the Journalist.
Explaining his experiences over his detention, Alhaji Uthman Mijinyawa said: “I was invited by the Chief Protocol of the State Judiciary, one Danladi Sallau Pangu for a discussion only for the Chief Protocol who claimed that the Chief Judge alledged that he divulged the information of Niger State Judiciary to me as he was the closest person to the Chief Judge only for me to publish online.
“The Chief Protocol then arranged with the Police from GRA Divisional Police Command where I was whisked away like an ordinary criminal and taken to State Headquarters for onward interrogation and kept in CID custody for three days.
According to the press statement which was made available to CAPITAL POST, the CSO said after going through the publication and making findings in Minna, the report was discovered to be the true position of the whole contents.
“We further discovered that the daughter of the outgoing Chief Judge, Aisha Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki was acting as the Secretary of the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on level 17 which is the position of Permanent Serectary in the State Civil Service.
“We further learnt from a confirmed authority that an emergency JSC meeting was conveyed on Tuesday last week, and one Abdulrahaman Garafini who was a Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation was hurriedly appointed as the substantive Secretary of the JSC.
“Equally, it was also discovered that the outgoing Chief Judge inaugurated 13 new Magistrates on Friday with his daughter on the first list.
“Our question here is this. Why the Journalist was arrested and detained for doing his work perfectly and professionally.
“Why should the Police Commissioner allowed himself to be used by the outgoing Chief Judge to arrest and detain the Journalist who we even gathered that he has been covering the activities of the Command and the Judiciary for years.
“If the outgoing Chief Judge felt offended with the report, the appropriate thing for him to do is to institute a libel suit against the Media organization and not even the Journalist who was doing his work.
“For all these unlawful detention of the Journalist, we are left with no option than to seek redress against the Chief Judge and the Commissioner of Police for allowing himself to be used to intimidate Alhaji Uthman Mijinyawa Siraja.”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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