SERAP Sues NCDC, Health Minister Over Covid19 Fund

The group seeks “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Minister of Health and the NCDC to publish details of the funds and resources from federal and state governments, and the private sector, as well as details of how the funds and resources have so far been spent and used to combat COVID-19.”
It also seeks to get “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Federal Government to disclose information on the exact number of tests that have been carried out for high-ranking public officials and politicians, the number of any such high-ranking public officials and politicians now in self-isolation or quarantine, as well as the exact number of tests that have been carried out for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”
SERAP challenges the government and those in it to be held accountable to “reduce the risk of corruption or opportunism, build trust” through transparency.

In the lawsuit, the group argues that, “Transparency in the use of COVID-19 money would help to reduce the risk of corruption or opportunism, build trust and engage Nigerians in the fight against coronavirus as well as safe lives. Transparency and accountability are important to implementing an effective response to COVID-19 and slowing the spread of the virus in the country.
“Nigerians have the right to know the details of spending of COVID-19 money, as this is essential to the fight against corruption, and will foster the development of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Nigeria.
“Millions of Nigerians continue to lack access to an improved water source and to proper sanitation, thereby making them vulnerable to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Yet, the Ministry of Health and the NCDC have failed and/or refused to disclose whether there is any collaborative work with the Ministry of Water Resources to provide vulnerable Nigerians with safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions.
“The information SERAP is seeking to access is permitted under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
“The Federal Government has a legal duty to ensure that information on the spending of COVID-19 money and resources is released to SERAP and widely published. It is not too much to ask for details of measures to protect health workers and procedures put in place to ensure that COVID-19 money is not diverted, mismanaged or stolen.
“The Federal Government has no legally justifiable reason for refusing to provide SERAP with the information requested, and therefore, this court ought to grant SERAP the order directing and compelling the Federal Government to publish details of spending of COVID-19 money.
“There are reports of lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources being mobilised to combat coronavirus, and that authorities are prioritising home testing of politicians, with some reportedly taking multiple tests. Politicians engaging in multiple tests for coronavirus have in turn slowed the number of tests for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
“The suit is in the public interest, as it bothers on issues of national interest, public welfare and interest, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability. Obedience to the rule of law particularly by those who publicly took oath of office to protect and preserve the constitution is a desideratum to good governance and respect for the rule of law.
“Nigerians are entitled to know how the commonwealth is being utilized, managed and administered in a democratic setting, as this positively influences the feeling of belonging in the society. This right to know will no doubt help in promoting a transparent democracy, good governance and public accountability.”

Buhari’s Govt is the most serious government Nigeria ever had- Minister of Health

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has described President Buhari’s Administration as the most sincere and serious government Nigeria ever had.
Speaking on Channels Tv while Reacting to the strike embarked on by the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria, The Minister said: “We have made it clear to them (doctors) that this government is the most sincere and serious government this country has ever had. His (Buhari) word is his bond,”
“This government has a record of being sympathetic to people, of meeting its obligations and keeping to its promises.”
“This government does things differently. This is a government that says its word and keeps to its words. We would not do anything to hurt you. We work in your (doctors) interest,”
“We are going through a very difficult time with other countries and this is quite clearly not the time to add more to our problems by deciding to go on strike. I am worried that we are probably the first and only country where doctors have decided to go on strike.”

Breaking: Akeredolu stops deputy from leaving govt house

Tension heightened on Saturday’s night at the Ondo State Government House in Alagbaka, Akure after the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi was prevented from leaving the Government House by the Commissioner of Police, Salami Bolaji.
It was gathered that the security operatives were acting out the order of the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The Deputy Governor was alleged to have looted government property from his lodge in his bid to take them to his personal house within the state capital.
The move against Ajayi was not unconnected to his planned defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that is expected to take place on Sunday.
In a video obtained by GCFRNG, the deputy governor was seen exchanging words with the Commissioner of Police, Salami Bolaji at the gate of the Government House as he was prevented from leaving. He said it was unfortunate that the police were being used in the ongoing political battle in the state.

Buhari Orders Investigation, Prosecution Of EFCC Acting Chairman

The acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu may be on his way out of office, and also may be looking forward towards accounting for alleged infrac­tions preferred against him by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
Sources within the presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari had given Malami approval to investigate and prosecute Magu following his memo­randum, where he itemised 22 weighty allegations against the EFCC chairman, who has occupied the office for nearly five years in acting capacity.
The sources said the EFCC chairman will temporarily hand over the anti-graft agency to the next most senior person, Mohammed Umar Abba, Director of Operations of the agency.
Malami had also included a short list of three candidates for consideration to replace Magu. Our sources said FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, may ultimately replace him, being the most favoured among the three names Malami submitted to the president.
One of the sources said the president wanted the panel to investigate the authenticity of the property and proxy alle­gations against Magu, noting that “because of the weight of the allegations, and the kind of person managing the EFCC, the president wouldn’t want to take any decision in a hurry. So he made sure a crack team is assembled to look into the matter holistically.”
According to him, Ayo Salami, former President of Court of Appeal, is heading the panel with the offices of National Se­curity Adviser (NSA); Director General, Department of State Services (DSS); Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Police, and Attorney General of the Federation as members.
According to the source, the panel has two weeks to submit its report to the president, but had already done a week.
Malami, had in his memorandum to the president, made allegations bordering on financial malfeasances in failure to declare actual money recovered from looters. He also accused Magu of gross in­subordination, refusing directives from the commission’s supervisory ministry; and as a result, the Federal Government has come under severe attack and embarrassment on account of odium stemming from poorly pursued investiga­tions. The AGF’s memo made strong innuendos purporting that Magu has made himself a willing tool in the hands of politicians thereby reducing the sterling reputation EFCC once enjoyed.
Sources at the presidency insisted on Friday that Buhari has indeed signed off on the memo only awaiting imple­mentation.
“By the recommendation, Magu should be eased out of office, and prosecuted on the strength of the allegations made against him,” explained a presidency source to the newspaper, who said the president was livid after reading the memo.
Adding further, the sources said that had the matter rested squarely on just Malami’s memo, maybe a form of re­prieve could have been worked out for the commission’s chairman.
“Malami was extensively debriefed on the matter. Security agencies were also involved in the matter and they all came back with damning verdicts,” the source added.
So far, the presidency has refused to say much on the matter.
In a text message response by Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, asking for confirmation on whether Magu will be eased out, the presidential spokes­man simply said, “I don’t know the answer to your question.”
Several attempts at reaching Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, yielded no result as his phones continued ringing without the calls being picked up. However, another source within the commission told the newspaper that there cannot be any official response from EFCC unless matters are directed at them.
But as also learnt, Magu is said not to be leaving anything to chance. It was learnt that some of his backers with link at the Presidential Villa have been putting in words for the embattled anti-graft’s czar, telling Mr. President that Magu is being hounded by corrupt politicians.
One of the result of the alleged brokering resulted in Magu being seen at the Aso Rock mosque where he observed the Jumat with President Buhari.
As learnt, the EFCC boss was there to have an audience with the president.
It was, however, unclear if the mission succeeded as at the time of filing this report.
It would be recalled that in 2016, the Senate declined to confirm Magu’s appointment as EFCC chairman, citing a Department of State Services (DSS) report, which revealed unsavory activities. Despite the Senate’s rejection of Magu, President Buhari re-nominated him, but the Senate again rejected him.

Source: PressExpress

Ambode, four others likely to replace Senator Osinowo

The demise of the Senator representing Lagos East, Senator Bayo Oshinowo popularly known as Pepperito on Monday, was undoubtedly a rude shock to Lagosians and those following Lagos politics with keen interest.
Oshinowo, a former majority leader in the Lagos state House of Assembly died after a brief illness suspected to be COVID-19. The death of the lawmaker has therefore created a vacuum in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
He has been mourned by government officials including, President Muhammadu Buhari, National Assembly leaders, Ahmad Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governor of Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the All Progressives Congress National leader, Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the question on everyone’s lip after his internment on Wednesday is: “who will succeed the powerful Osinowo?”.
The death of the 64-year-old Senator has brought into light silent agitations among politicians in the state. Although the process for his replacement has not started, the names of five people have been mentioned and have started flying within the ruling APC.
According to an article that was published by Politics Nigeria, PURPLEWORLD reviews the likely successors of late Bayo Osinowo and why they stand a chance.

1. Akinwumi Ambode
   Akinwunmi Ambode (born June 14, 1963) was the former Governor of Lagos State. He was a civil servant for 27 years and a financial consultant before running for public office as Governor of Lagos State in 2015.
   Ambode ran for the office of the Governor of Lagos State in April 2015 as a member of the All Progressives Congress, the state’s ruling party.
   He won the election, just defeating the second-place candidate Jimi Agbaje of the People Democratic Party by 150,000 votes. He began his tenure as the governor of Lagos on 29 May, 2015, succeeding former governor Babatunde Fashola.
   Ambode lost in the gubernatorial primary election to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, denying him an opportunity to run for a second term. He eventually supported Sanwo-Ou campaign that brought about a smooth transition in the state.
2. Dr. Tola Kasali
   Another person tipped to replace lat Osinowo is Tola Kasali. He is a former chairman of ibeju-lekki and a two-time commissioner in Lagos state. Kasali is also the APC leader of the Lagos East constituency.
   Kasali came on board the Tinubu administration on the second lap of the Tinubu administration in 2003 as Commissioner for Rural Development. He was at home in the Ministry until midway into the second term that his boss moved him to another familiar terrain, the Ministry of Health.
   The man, whose record of achievements remained unmatched in Ibeju/Lekki council area where he called the shot as the helmsman for three years, resigned from the cabinet to contest the governorship ticket of the Action Congress (AC), which Babatunde Fashola won.
   Kasali was the Director-General of the BRF (Babatunde Raji Fashola) Campaign Organisation. In terms of performance, this doyen of grassroots politics has a lot going for him. The track records of his imprint in the provision of rural roads, electrification and water are there for all to verify in Ibeju/Lekki.
3. Gbenga Ashafa
   Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa (born 22 July 1955) was a former senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District in the 8th senate (2015–2019) on 9 June 2015. Senator Ashafa was a two-time senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Lagos State.
   Ashafa is a member of the All Progressives Congress and served as a member of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress as well as the Vice-Chairman (South West) of the Southern Senators Forum.
   4.Jimi Benson
   Babajimi Benson is currently a Member, House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos. Born in 1972 and with a career progression that has taken him through both the private and public sector of the nation’s economy, he is an experienced senior boardroom executive and legal practitioner. In addition, he has a proven track record in public administration.
   Before his election into the Nigerian House of Representatives, he was the COMPANY SECRETARY / GENERAL COUNSEL at the Lagos State Development & Property Corporation (LSDPC) and was also a NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Nigeria.
4. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
   Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa (born October 10, 1962 was born in Jos Plateau State. She is a Nigerian politician and former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State. She was the Chairman of the House Committee on Media & Publicity.
   She was also the former Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, and was elected for the first time in 2003, and re-elected in 2007 and 2011.
   In 2015, she was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
   In November 2018, Dabiri-Erewa was given a new role as Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. The letter for the confirmation of her appointment was sent to the Senate in 2018 by the Presidency but was delayed until May 2019 when the Senate confirmed her appointment. She is the incumbent Chairman/CEO of Nigerian in Diaspora Commission

Autopsy reveals Uwa was raped

The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Yinka Omorogbe, on Friday said the slain 22-year-old student of the University of Benin, Uwa Omozuwa, was a virgin before she was raped and murdered.She was reacting to reports on social media that the suspect arrested in connection with Uwa’s murder confessed that he was sent on the assignment by a church pastor who she was pregnant for.Omorogbe stated this during a protest organised by members of Edo Women Development Initiatives to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.Uwa was raped and murdered in a church where she went to study on May 27, 2020 and her death spared outrage across the country.Omorogbe noted that the news of her being impregnated by her pastor caused serious anguish to the family members, describing it as a terrible story.She said: “We were all terribly shocked to see what happened to Uwa. It was terrible; it was a brutal experience.“We were further shocked by some of the different things we saw all over the place, particularly on social media, and became important to come here.“For example, we saw a terrible lie being peddled on social media, not regular press (traditional media), that Uwa was impregnated by her pastor. That has been refuted, though it caused serious anguish to the family members. It’s a terrible story.“Though one cannot talk at this point, but from the autopsy done on Uwa, it was clearly established that not only was she not pregnant, she was a virgin, so, how boyfriend and pregnancy came in, only God knows.”Omorogbe, who noted that rape could be totally eradicated from society if the criminals were given deserving judgement, solicited the partnership of the mainstream media.“All we are trying to do is to make sure there is no more rape in Edo State. Not only do I believe that rape can be totally eradicated in the state, government of Mr Godwin Obaseki is committed to ensuring that there is total eradication of rape culture in this state and to ensure that rapists are given deserving punishment. We are doing all we can to make sure that this becomes a reality.“This is why there is need for partnership. First and foremost, in any news, we need to know the source of the news we come across,” she said.Also speaking, the Chairperson, Edo Women Development Initiatives, Mrs Roseline Okosun, described the increasing cases of rape as worrisome.A member of the Federation of International Women Lawyers, Stella Ojeme, also said the culture of silence could be the reason for the increase in rape cases.

Tens Of Thousands Protest in Mali, Seek Resignation Of President

The massive response to the anti-government protest comes after series of calls by opposition groups, accusing the president of not addressing the country’s many challenges.
Pressure is mounting on Kieta, over failure to contain the 2012 terrorist insurgency, that has claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
“ He thinks that after our discussions at this rally, the demonstrators are going to be tired. But they won’t be. God willing, we will continue until victory is achieved. ”
Bintou, one such protester said it is the time for IBK to leave: “We are here tonight to put an end to corruption, to put an end to demagoguery, to put an end to this dying power that is no longer capable of educating our children, giving us health, equipping our army.
“Imagine in a country where the money intended to equip the army to protect the nation is misappropriated. This regime must be stopped. IBK (Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta) must go.”
The embattled president on Tuesday announced that he would hold talks on establishing a unity government. A move some critics say, is an attempt to appease increasingly vocal opposition critics.
However, it did little to hold back the protesters. The regional Economic Commission of West African States, ECOWAS; bloc sent a delegation that met the president on Thursday, they also called for the formation of a unity government and a review of contentious results from recent legislative polls.
Mahmoud Dicko, a protest leader stressed that the protesters were not going to relent. “He thinks that after our discussions at this rally, the demonstrators are going to be tired. But they won’t be. God willing, we will continue until victory is achieved.”

Group Of Women Pressure UN, Others To withdraw D’banj’s appointment

Almost 15,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the United Nations and other organizations to strip Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’Banj of his appointment.
D’banj, who is currently in the waters of a rape accusation, is United Nations Ambassador for Peace.
Other brands in a commercial relationship with D’banj include Heritage Bank Africa, One Africa, CSA Global, and others not mentioned here.
However, they have all been called to end their commercial relationship with him and stand in support of victims of sexual violence.
The petition which was started by one E.Pooola 20 hours ago on Change.Org had hit 14, 310 as of 11.10 am on Friday.
It read in part, “We call on the United Nations, and United Nations Women Africa organizations to remove Nigerian artiste Mr. Dapo Oyebanjo as a youth ambassador and distance themselves from his actions following the sponsored kidnap of Seyitan who accused D’Banj of rape and sexual assault which happened in 2018.
“Women in Nigeria are increasingly at risk of sexual violence and the United Nations and United Nations Women Africa as an entity committed to the empowerment of women should not be seen to associate themselves with alleged rapists, abusers, and kidnappers.
“We ask the United Nations and United Nations Women Africa to support and lend their influence in helping Seyitan get justice for the abuse she endured in 2018 and the harassment and bullying in the past weeks.”
Seyitan’s friend, Benjamin Ese, in a Twitter thread in early June, had told the story of how D’Banj allegedly raped Seyitan at a hotel two years ago – in December 2018.
She said it happened at an all-white party where D’Banj allegedly offered her friend some money to spend the night which she rejected until he surprisingly showed up in Seyitan’s hotel room around 2am – at midnight.
“D’Banj drove all the way from Eko hotel where he was lodged and came down to glee hotel in Victoria Island at midnight 2.40 am and collected the spare key from the receptionist,” Ese said in the thread which has since sparked an outrage.
She said D’Banj allegedly “got into my friend’s room and forcefully threatened he would walk her out of the room naked, kept his fingers in her vagina, and repeatedly raped her.”
The rape experience, Ese said had caused Seyitan some trauma since the incident happened.
One month after Ese’s tweets, Seyitan came out publicly to present herself as the lady who was allegedly raped by D’Banj in December 2018.
The musician, however, denied the allegations levelled against him and asked his accuser to make a public apology and also pay him the sum of N100m in damages.
On Tuesday, however, some policemen allegedly acting on the instruction of the Oliver Twist crooner detained Seyitan for over 24 hours and intimidated her, making her delete all chats, social media posts, and other vital information from her phone.
The incident had sparked outrage on social media with D’Banj trending for the last two days.
However, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had ordered a probe into the allegations of rape levelled against D’Banj.
D’Banj is one of Nigeria’s biggest artists.
He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards and the Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards.

Source: PMnews

US Sanctions 6 Nigerian Cyber Criminals

The Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, in a coordinated action with the U.S. Department of Justice, on Tuesday, announced it had taken action against six Nigerian nationals for allegedly conducting an elaborate scheme to steal over six million dollars from vulnerable victims across the United States.
The department listed the accused as Richard Uzuh, Michael Olorunyomi, Alex Ogunshakin, Felix Okpoh, Nnamdi Benson, and Abiola Kayode.
The Nigerians targeted US businesses and individuals through deceptive global threats known as business email compromise (BEC) and romance fraud.
According to the State Department, American citizens lost over $6,000,000 due to these individuals’ BEC fraud schemes.
The Nigerians reportedly impersonated business executives, requested and received wire transfers from legitimate business accounts.
In a statement posted on the US Department of State’s official website and titled, “U.S. Sanctions Nigerian Cyber Actors for Targeting U.S. Businesses and Individuals” the US dept said, “Technological advancements that provide greater interconnectivity also offer greater opportunity for exploitation by malicious actors who target at-risk Americans.
“Today, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control took action against six Nigerian nationals, pursuant to Executive Order 13694 as amended, for conducting an elaborate online scheme to steal more than $6 million from victims across the United States.
“The six individuals designated today manipulated their victims to gain access to their sensitive information and financial resources. The U.S. will not tolerate such gross misuse of technology.
” The United States will use all of the tools at our disposal to defend the American people and businesses from malign actors that seek to target them, including cyber-enabled actors who prey on vulnerable Americans and businesses.”
“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within or transiting the United States are blocked, and U.S. persons generally are prohibited from dealing with them.”

Ogun state threatens to ban operation of Okada

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday threatened to ban operations of commercial motorcycle otherwise known as okada in the state, if the operators continue to flout the health measures put in place to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
The Governor of Ogun State, Abiodun, who stated the this while addressing journalists on the update on the fight against the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the state, frowned at non-compliance with safety rules by the Okada riders.
“We observed that motorcycle (Okada) riders are breaking this law and we will not hesitate to ban all of them from operating in our State (Ogun) if our resolve is further put to test”.
The governor also threatened to arrest and prosecute any operators of viewing centers that contravened the lockdown order saying that both the operators and viewers will be prosecuted if caught
Speaking on the initial plan to open religious centres, Abiodun said, base on the facts available, we are suspending our initially slated reopening of places of worship.
“As a responsible Administration, we choose life and the wellbeing of our citizens and are therefore constrained to take the painful but necessary decision to maintain the current regime of eased lockdown in the meantime”.
“We are consequently suspending our initially slated reopening of places of worship. Let me thank some of our religious leaders who by themselves advised us that this is the best decision that we should take at this time in the best interest of all of us”, the governor said.
“This is not an easy decision, but we are confident that the wisdom and scientific basis for this decision will become clearer to those who may have initial misgivings about it”.
“Since the advent of this pandemic in our State, our cautious, methodical, data-driven and scientifically supported approach has ensured not only comparably superior outcomes, we have also not had reasons to reverse our decisions, because our decisions are usually well thought out”.
He said, “In my last briefing, we were considering a tentative date of Friday, 19th June, 2020 to further ease the restrictions and allow gradual opening of places of worship on Fridays and Sundays”.
“Towards this end, we have had robust engagements with the religious leaders – Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas”.
“I must thank them for their forthrightness, cooperation, and even appreciation that the curve of the spread of the pandemic is worsening and that places of worship represent most potent fertile grounds for the spread of the deadly virus”.
“After a careful review of the data, feedback from the field, expert opinions, and lessons from far and near, two major conclusions are very clear and obvious to all: first, the COVID-19 situation in Ogun State and indeed in the country as a whole has not improved since the last update”
“Secondly, there are dire consequences in loss of human lives for premature relaxation of the guidelines, necessitating a rollback of the relaxation in a number of states and countries. Unfortunately, guidelines may be rolled back, the lost human lives cannot be rolled back”.
“Our objective is to preserve the welfare and wellbeing of our people at all times. After all, that is the primary reason for the existence of government in the first place. In doing this, it will require tough decisions. I have no doubt that we can continue to count on the understanding and support of our people in this joint war against an invisible enemy which turn wives to widows and children to orphans”.
“In this task, we are confident that we will prevail – through the benevolence of God Almighty and the resilience of the human spirit”.