APC wins Kwara Assembly bye-election

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oPDfImsM1J80qS6ePPIcov-zLLha9DqOodxHF8yU1daGQFm4RExEWUEAO9bNwiFocrkgCOYR97MshChrwjFGjsG1sxBF3CP2ZRFw7ZYgVKhnkBJMocgtt_edPBfYYnfqv-mT_mCo7NY/s1600/APC-Logo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oPDfImsM1J80qS6ePPIcov-zLLha9DqOodxHF8yU1daGQFm4RExEWUEAO9bNwiFocrkgCOYR97MshChrwjFGjsG1sxBF3CP2ZRFw7ZYgVKhnkBJMocgtt_edPBfYYnfqv-mT_mCo7NY/s400/APC-Logo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Adam Ahmed Rufai, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was Saturday night declared winner of the bye-election into the Kwara state House of Assembly for Patigi constituency.<br /> <br /> Returning officer for the election, Dr Abdulazeez Ishola Musbau, of the University of Ilorin, declared Rufai winner having scored the highest vote cast of 10,354 in the peaceful exercise held weekend.<br /> <br /> Only 15,654 voted during the exercise representing 35 percent of the 43,695 permanent voter cards in the hands of the electorate as revealed by INEC.<br /> <br /> Adam Rufai would replace his late brother Saidu Ahmed Rufai who died in December 2019 after a brief illness to represent Patigi constituency in the State House of Assembly.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The election contested by six candidates from AAC, ADC, APC, APM, and NNPP saw PDP as the runners-up with the total of 4,623.<br /> <br /> Reacting, the Speaker of the House, Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, congratulated Rufai, saying the victory reaffirmed the support of the people of Patigi to pro- people government of Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in the state.<br /> <br /> He charged him to exhibit the uncommon passion, dedication and commitment to serving the people.<br /> <br /> Also reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hajia Aishat Ahman Patigi, said, “The victory was a signal that APC is still much on ground in Patigi, although it was a mix excitement because we lost a life in the late lawmaker, we give glory to the almighty Allah for this victory.”

Latest-News APC wins Kwara Assembly bye-election

Adam Ahmed Rufai, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was Saturday night declared winner of the bye-election into the Kwara s...

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We have no record of how $5bn Abacha loot was spent – Malami

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQo_QxmAC09Z8yKCjwNaIufTvkAsf-Q3wLmSrRhyphenhyphenqEIaHcJHNXxKtqXfTn91nSFk5TF7-wEAIaTO-9w_kIJRYbBltrFezY5GVFMeJw8N8xUWaRkzdj7N4SStqXNlhJs1A4u2sRePdteY/s1600/malami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="983" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQo_QxmAC09Z8yKCjwNaIufTvkAsf-Q3wLmSrRhyphenhyphenqEIaHcJHNXxKtqXfTn91nSFk5TF7-wEAIaTO-9w_kIJRYbBltrFezY5GVFMeJw8N8xUWaRkzdj7N4SStqXNlhJs1A4u2sRePdteY/s400/malami.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The federal government has replied the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it “has no records of the exact amount of public funds stolen by a former military head of state, Sani Abacha and no records of the spending of about $5 billion recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015.”<br /> <br /> The government’s response followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information (FoI) requests sent to Abukabar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, requesting: “information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha, and details of spending of about $5 billion recovered loot since the return of democracy in 1999.”<br /> <br /> According to SERAP, only Mr Malami has sent a reply to its FoI requests. In the reply dated February 26 but which SERAP said it received March 9, Mr Malami said: “We have searched our records and the information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha and how recovered loot was spent from 1999–2015 is not held by the Ministry.”<br /> <br /> Mr Malami also said: “However, a total of $322 million was recovered from Switzerland in January 2018 and the funds were used for Social Investment Project. Also, $308 million was recovered from the Island of Jersey in collaboration with the USA. While awaiting the transfer of the money to Nigeria, it has been designated for the following projects: Lagos—Ibadan Expressway; Abuja—Kano Expressway, and Second Niger Bridge.”<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Dissatisfied with Mr Malami’s reply, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The failure to provide information on the exact amount stolen by Abacha and on spending of recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015 implicitly amounts to a refusal by the government. The government also failed to provide sufficient details on the spending and planned spending of the $630 million it said it recovered since 2018.”<br /> <br /> In the statement dated March 15, SERAP said: “in the circumstances and given that Mrs Zainab Ahmed has failed and/or refused to response to our FoI request, we are finalising the papers for legal actions under the FoI Act to compel the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to fully and effectively comply with our requests.”<br /> <br /> Mr Malami’s reply with reference number MJ/FOI/REQ/035/11/34, was signed on his behalf by Hamza Omolara, Principal Counsel at the Ministry of Justice.<br /> <br /> It would be recalled that SERAP’s FoI requests expressed: “concerns that substantial part of the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been diverted, re-stolen or mismanaged, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”<br /> <br /> The FoI requests dated February 14, read in part: “the Federal Government should disclose details of projects executed with the Abacha loot and their locations, details of companies and contractors involved in the execution of any such projects, details of all the agreements on the loot, the roles played by the World Bank and other actors, as well as the implementation status of all projects since 1999.”<br /> <br /> “Publishing the details of projects on which Abacha loot has been spent would allow the public to know the specific projects carried and the areas of the country in which the projects have been implemented as well as the officials that may be responsible for any alleged diversion or mismanagement of the loot.”<br /> <br /> “According to our information, a special panel set up on 23 July 1998 by the former head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar to probe the late military dictator General Sani Abacha stated that he stole over $5 billion between 1993 and 1998 when he was in power. Much of the stolen public funds have been returned to Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> “The report by the panel shows that the government recovered some $635 million, £75 million, DM 30 million and N9 billion as well as several vehicles and properties in Abuja, Lagos and Kano together with 40% interests in West African Refinery in Sierra Leone. Other assets were recovered from the Abacha family and associates.”<br /> <br /> “Furthermore, former president Olusegun Obasanjo administration also reportedly recovered over $2 billion of Abacha loot. Mr Obasanjo would seem to confirm this fact when he stated in the second volume of his book titled My Watch that: ‘by the time I left office in May 2007, over $2 billion and £100 million had been recovered from the Abacha family abroad, and N10 billion in cash and properties locally.’”<br /> <br /> “Similarly, former president Goodluck Jonathan administration reportedly recovered $226.3 million and €7.5 Million from Liechtenstein. Some £22.5 million was also recovered from the Island of Jersey while $322 million and £5.5 million from the Abacha loot were reportedly returned to the government.”<br /> <br /> “The government of president Muhammadu Buhari has also recovered several millions of dollars of Abacha loot since assuming office in May 2015, including $321 million from Switzerland, and $300 million from the US and Jersey.”, Sani Abacha and no records of the spending of about $5 billion recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015.”<br /> <br /> The government’s response followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information (FoI) requests sent to Abukabar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, requesting: “information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha, and details of spending of about $5 billion recovered loot since the return of democracy in 1999.”<br /> <br /> According to SERAP, only Mr Malami has sent a reply to its FoI requests. In the reply dated February 26 but which SERAP said it received March 9, Mr Malami said: “We have searched our records and the information on the exact amount of public funds stolen by Abacha and how recovered loot was spent from 1999–2015 is not held by the Ministry.”<br /> <br /> Mr Malami also said: “However, a total of $322 million was recovered from Switzerland in January 2018 and the funds were used for Social Investment Project. Also, $308 million was recovered from the Island of Jersey in collaboration with the USA. While awaiting the transfer of the money to Nigeria, it has been designated for the following projects: Lagos—Ibadan Expressway; Abuja—Kano Expressway, and Second Niger Bridge.”<br /> <br /> Dissatisfied with Mr Malami’s reply, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The failure to provide information on the exact amount stolen by Abacha and on spending of recovered loot for the period between 1999 and 2015 implicitly amounts to a refusal by the government. The government also failed to provide sufficient details on the spending and planned spending of the $630 million it said it recovered since 2018.”<br /> <br /> In the statement dated March 15, SERAP said: “in the circumstances and given that Mrs Zainab Ahmed has failed and/or refused to response to our FoI request, we are finalising the papers for legal actions under the FoI Act to compel the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to fully and effectively comply with our requests.”<br /> <br /> Mr Malami’s reply with reference number MJ/FOI/REQ/035/11/34, was signed on his behalf by Hamza Omolara, Principal Counsel at the Ministry of Justice.<br /> <br /> It would be recalled that SERAP’s FoI requests expressed: “concerns that substantial part of the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been diverted, re-stolen or mismanaged, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”<br /> <br /> The FoI requests dated February 14, read in part: “the Federal Government should disclose details of projects executed with the Abacha loot and their locations, details of companies and contractors involved in the execution of any such projects, details of all the agreements on the loot, the roles played by the World Bank and other actors, as well as the implementation status of all projects since 1999.”<br /> <br /> “Publishing the details of projects on which Abacha loot has been spent would allow the public to know the specific projects carried and the areas of the country in which the projects have been implemented as well as the officials that may be responsible for any alleged diversion or mismanagement of the loot.”<br /> <br /> “According to our information, a special panel set up on 23 July 1998 by the former head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar to probe the late military dictator General Sani Abacha stated that he stole over $5 billion between 1993 and 1998 when he was in power. Much of the stolen public funds have been returned to Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> “The report by the panel shows that the government recovered some $635 million, £75 million, DM 30 million and N9 billion as well as several vehicles and properties in Abuja, Lagos and Kano together with 40% interests in West African Refinery in Sierra Leone. Other assets were recovered from the Abacha family and associates.”<br /> <br /> “Furthermore, former president Olusegun Obasanjo administration also reportedly recovered over $2 billion of Abacha loot. Mr Obasanjo would seem to confirm this fact when he stated in the second volume of his book titled My Watch that: ‘by the time I left office in May 2007, over $2 billion and £100 million had been recovered from the Abacha family abroad, and N10 billion in cash and properties locally.’”<br /> <br /> “Similarly, former president Goodluck Jonathan administration reportedly recovered $226.3 million and €7.5 Million from Liechtenstein. Some £22.5 million was also recovered from the Island of Jersey while $322 million and £5.5 million from the Abacha loot were reportedly returned to the government.”<br /> <br /> “The government of president Muhammadu Buhari has also recovered several millions of dollars of Abacha loot since assuming office in May 2015, including $321 million from Switzerland, and $300 million from the US and Jersey.”

Latest-News We have no record of how $5bn Abacha loot was spent – Malami

The federal government has replied the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it “has no records of the exact amoun...

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Coronavirus: Church bans use of Common Cup for Holy Communion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XzA-_YVHa7c5778OjkEU3rgOnCVGxFH9uV-T-RIOGX4NC0X9c_AXcLWFGbWSgZwKQ-ji3n752AIJBGMfAlTwmwyEhH4PBrlhkpYC8vANFVL2SNYpRGokbbKmA6Rd1blt66La9AuNtZI/s1600/b4k87c6gigmhqw1zm7a89koh78l-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XzA-_YVHa7c5778OjkEU3rgOnCVGxFH9uV-T-RIOGX4NC0X9c_AXcLWFGbWSgZwKQ-ji3n752AIJBGMfAlTwmwyEhH4PBrlhkpYC8vANFVL2SNYpRGokbbKmA6Rd1blt66La9AuNtZI/s400/b4k87c6gigmhqw1zm7a89koh78l-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> In a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus0, the Church of England has banned the use of the Common Cup for Holy Communion.<br /> <br /> The Anglican cathedral announced the cup of wine, used during the Eucharist, will no longer be passed around for people having Holy Communion<br /> <br /> The Common Cup is often reused several times and passed from person to person while receiving Holy Communion drink wine or grape juice from the which is supposed to represent Jesus’ blood.<br /> <br /> The Church of England also encouraged worshippers not to shake hands during the ‘Sign of the Peace’.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> While the sacred practice of the Common Cup has now been axed, worshippers will only eat bread or wafer, which represents Jesus’ body.<br /> <br /> According to the Church’s spokesman, “St Paul’s Cathedral is monitoring the coronavirus outbreak very closely and following all government and Church of England advice.<br /> <br /> “This has included removing the Common Cup during services, increasing its cleaning regime and providing hand sanitiser to public-facing staff.<br /> <br /> “The Cathedral currently remains open and has welcomed sightseers and worshippers this week.”

Latest-News Coronavirus: Church bans use of Common Cup for Holy Communion

In a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus0, the Church of England has banned the use of the Common Cup for Holy Communion. Th...

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Prominent Nigerian dies from Coronavirus in Canada

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDErzdkWeS4RbQKh3iduSXlgBx74vssHLBQ4pAPteznwZPh3suwbrj_lvlY-DPLS1082w-Dg3j__FSMo41kzVgTM8T0VwzPev66U4gCfCUsJl5eGyuKytzKOCQkXQmDl-pjcA0evKBbas/s1600/coronavirus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDErzdkWeS4RbQKh3iduSXlgBx74vssHLBQ4pAPteznwZPh3suwbrj_lvlY-DPLS1082w-Dg3j__FSMo41kzVgTM8T0VwzPev66U4gCfCUsJl5eGyuKytzKOCQkXQmDl-pjcA0evKBbas/s400/coronavirus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A prominent Nigerian medical doctor, Olumide Okunuga has died of the raging Coronavirus disease in Canada.<br /> <br /> According to reports by US-based blog, Irohinoodua, Okunuga died on Saturday morning at 63 years.<br /> <br /> Okunuga is the first Nigerian known to have died of the dreaded disease.<br /> <br /> He was the President of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Emila Romagna and Vice-President of Yoruba National Community in Italy.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He was a pathologist and native of Ikenne Remo, in Ogun State.<br /> <br /> Dr Okunuga was also a two-time Councillor for Modena in Italy where he had lived for 35 years. He was diagnosed to have contacted Coronavirus in Canada, a country which has recently been hit by the deadly virus, Irohinoodua said.<br /> <br /> It quoted sources as saying that the remains of Dr. Okunuga were asked to be recognised from a distance by his daughter, Dr. Bolanle Okunuga, whose mother is a Caucasian of Italian origin.<br /> <br /> Irohinoodua further quoted Canadian health officials as saying that Dr Okunuga’s body would not be released but had to be cremated.<br /> <br /> “His death has left the Yoruba community in Italy totally devastated. We have lost a very great man who is in the apex of his career,” an official of the Egbe Omo Yoruba who does not wish to be named told Irohinoodua.<br /> <br /> Also mourning Dr Odunuga, Mr Abiodun Gbadamosi, an official of Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America, said: “We lost a great man this weekend. He was an affectionate and decent man who lived for others through his meritorious services since he left Nigeria for Canada many years ago.”

Latest-News Prominent Nigerian dies from Coronavirus in Canada

A prominent Nigerian medical doctor, Olumide Okunuga has died of the raging Coronavirus disease in Canada. According to reports by US-ba...

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Houses destroyed, church services disrupted as heavy pipeline explosion rocks Lagos

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgu3AZx10RAwziq1G6Vy2Yotw5oljLq0-FmeWANC8cdJlugYMnc2IorHyw0xTEqmalxkeyNfXRvrCWEDxg0JK9FCeVP-8LA5zYRXCTpJiDToVTAIfDxkHYSahROAl98GfEnDNesh-Oy8/s1600/Explosion-I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="493" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgu3AZx10RAwziq1G6Vy2Yotw5oljLq0-FmeWANC8cdJlugYMnc2IorHyw0xTEqmalxkeyNfXRvrCWEDxg0JK9FCeVP-8LA5zYRXCTpJiDToVTAIfDxkHYSahROAl98GfEnDNesh-Oy8/s400/Explosion-I.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Many residents are beginning to count their loses over the pipeline explosion that occurred on Sunday morning at Ashoba (near Abule Odo) in Amuwo Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that many buildings have collapsed due to the intensity of the blast. According to eyewitness reports, the shock waves from the explosion were felt as far as 15 kilometers away from Abule Ado.<br /> <br /> Information reaching newsmen confirms atlas-cove has suspended supply of product towards that axis as at 9 am Sunday (this) morning.<br /> <br /> NNPC has suspended operations towards the site of the explosion owing to drop in pressure at the receiving end. The drop in pressure usually suggests break in the pipeline.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Meanwhile, several houses close to the explosion area were either totally collapsed or have their roofs blown up. Window panes of some houses were also shattered to pieces.<br /> <br /> Worship session of several churches around the area was also brought to an abrupt end as buildings housing the churches are completely shattered.<br /> <br /> The operatives of the state fire service and other sister rescue agencies are heading towards scene of the explosion as at the time of filing this report.<br /> <br /> However, aside the destruction of properties, number of casualties was unknown as at the time the report of filing this report.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that this is the latest in a series of pipeline explosions that have rocked suburbs in the nation’s former capital city.

Latest-News Houses destroyed, church services disrupted as heavy pipeline explosion rocks Lagos

Many residents are beginning to count their loses over the pipeline explosion that occurred on Sunday morning at Ashoba (near Abule Odo) i...

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Trump’s physician announces result of Coronavirus test

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCePaChc_SQ0vqgIGwsD8XW0BKh84Fy1G6LMSfyCl7cdLzHIizGGVXsoNiivGLDD5gD1Vi-yEzILOGUN1WnqbDOulbxFR4ZiWTkwgbzKtCPxs8-0dtU2kzIa-FRXzA68BqaaTM_JJR3k/s1600/Trump-2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCePaChc_SQ0vqgIGwsD8XW0BKh84Fy1G6LMSfyCl7cdLzHIizGGVXsoNiivGLDD5gD1Vi-yEzILOGUN1WnqbDOulbxFR4ZiWTkwgbzKtCPxs8-0dtU2kzIa-FRXzA68BqaaTM_JJR3k/s400/Trump-2-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> US President Donald Trump has tested negative to coronavirus, according to a memo from his doctor late on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The doctor, Sean P. Conley said he received confirmation that the president’s COVID-19 test was negative, adding that Trump was “symptom free.”<br /> <br /> The much expected news must have brought much relief to all people around the US President.<br /> <br /> Anxiety about the US President’s coronavirus status had mounted since Thursday after the press aide of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had tested positive.<br /> <br /> The aide Fabio Wajngarten, and Bolsonaro had dinner on Saturday, with Trump in Florida and even had a photo, standing beside Trump.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC8xuzk6VnxFnr5cEtKfsB3GxMgJuPDZ7ua8x5Zocafs99KihobAjeGp4-hHj8ThE7GY-wxyOCDpwym3eMdwkur9bsv0TTNb4zTnNpnOv3OJBj8-gbVccKoBo_2uf6W1vZiwIzGE2Gy0/s1600/Sean-P.-Coleys-memo-to-White-House-Press-Secretary-e1584230616696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC8xuzk6VnxFnr5cEtKfsB3GxMgJuPDZ7ua8x5Zocafs99KihobAjeGp4-hHj8ThE7GY-wxyOCDpwym3eMdwkur9bsv0TTNb4zTnNpnOv3OJBj8-gbVccKoBo_2uf6W1vZiwIzGE2Gy0/s400/Sean-P.-Coleys-memo-to-White-House-Press-Secretary-e1584230616696.jpg" width="302" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">Sean P. Coley’s memo to White House Press Secretary</div> <br /> “One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the president remains symptom-free,” Conley said in his memo of 13 March.<br /> <br /> “I have been in daily contact with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation.”<br /> <br /> Because of a U.S. effort to slow the spread of the virus, which disproportionately kills older people, schools have been closed, museums shuttered and many employees have been urged to work from home to practice “social distancing.”<br /> <br /> The virus has killed more than 50 Americans. It has infected more than 154,000 people worldwide and killed some 5,800 since it emerged in China in December.

Latest-News Trump’s physician announces result of Coronavirus test

US President Donald Trump has tested negative to coronavirus, according to a memo from his doctor late on Saturday. The doctor, Sean P. ...

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2019 Election: We’ve evidence DSS, army intimidated voters, INEC officials – US

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyPoBqO-Ybi8xyS55gK6Cg1oEBn3HjIaB2y-KBjMxS02XevunZ6SNq9DCksJuLTBvZAvnDd7DSG_Q9zL5sAfXqBNIo1ns5MOfNtTXiQzfUB0OSqpXMcgFmPkQOAAo25VObMBglQiy7FO5/s1600/ballot+broken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="554" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyPoBqO-Ybi8xyS55gK6Cg1oEBn3HjIaB2y-KBjMxS02XevunZ6SNq9DCksJuLTBvZAvnDd7DSG_Q9zL5sAfXqBNIo1ns5MOfNtTXiQzfUB0OSqpXMcgFmPkQOAAo25VObMBglQiy7FO5/s320/ballot+broken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The United States Government says there is evidence that Nigerian security agents, including the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army intimidated voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and even election observers during the 2019 general elections.<br /> <br /> According to the US, this fuelled the impression that the Nigerian Army worked for the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a>The US further stated that the Nigerian judiciary was still susceptible to intimidation by the executive and the legislative arms of government, adding that there was corruption in the judiciary, which made it not to be able to function independently.<br /> <br /> These observations are contained in the 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria released by the US Department of State on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> The 44-page report read in part, “During the year (2019) INEC conducted the presidential election, National Assembly elections, state House Assembly elections, and local elections in all 36 states plus the FCT, as well as governorship elections in 30 states.<br /> <br /> “There was evidence military and security services intimidated voters, electoral officials and election observers. In addition violence in several states contributed to lower voter participation and added to the sentiment the army is a tool of the ruling party in many parts of the country, particularly in the South.<br /> <br /> “For example, widespread violence and military involvement in electoral processes, including during the vote collation process, significantly scarred the governorship election in Rivers State. Additionally several of INEC’s resident electoral commissioners reported DSS operatives intimidated them when the RECs attempted to protect voting materials. Some RECs reported security service personnel visited them multiple times prior to the elections.”<br /> <br /> It added, “There were reports that corruption, including vote-buying were historically high during the 2018-19 electoral season. Examples of vote- buying were apparent in the re-run of the Osun (State) gubernatorial election in September 2018, and during the Kano (State) gubernatorial election on March 9 (2019).<br /> <br /> According to the report, the judiciary has been unable to function optimally due to executive and legislative intimidation as well as corruption.<br /> <br /> It said court officials were also poorly paid thereby making them susceptible to manipulation.<br /> <br /> The US stated, “Although the constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, the judicial branch remained susceptible to pressure from the executive and legislative branches. Political leaders influenced the judiciary, particularly at the state and local levels.<br /> <br /> “Understaffing, underfunding, inefficiency, and corruption prevented the judiciary from functioning adequately. There are no continuing education requirements for attorneys, and police officers were often assigned to serve as prosecutors. Judges frequently failed to appear for trials. In addition the salaries of court officials were low, and they often lacked proper equipment and training.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further on the judiciary, the US report noted, “There was a widespread public perception that judges were easily bribed and litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgments.<br /> <br /> “The constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary in civil matters, but the executive and legislative branches as well as business interests exerted influence and pressure in civil cases. Official corruption and lack of will to implement court decisions also interfered with due process.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the report also highlighted the high rate of human rights abuse perpetuated by security agents against journalists, rights groups and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> It stated that Buhari’s government had not taken action against any of the military officials that killed over 300 Shiites in 2015.<br /> <br /> The US explained that Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State had set up a panel of inquiry on the matter and the panel had also called for the proscription of the IMN which was done. However, the aspect of the report that indicted military officers had not been implemented.<br /> <br /> The report adds, “As of September (2019) there were no reports of the Federal Government further investigating or holding individuals accountable for the 2015 killing and subsequent mass burial of members of a Shia political organisation, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and other civilians by Nigerian Army forces in Zaria, Kaduna State.<br /> <br /> “A 2016 report by the government of Kaduna State included acceptance of the commission’s recommendation to investigate and prosecute allegations of excessive and disproportionate use of force by the Nigerian Army. As of September, there was no indication that authorities had held any members of the NA accountable for the events in Zaria.”<br /> <br /> On the state of the prisons (now Nigerian Correctional Service), the report pointed out that prison and detention centre conditions remained harsh and life threatening. “Prisoners and detainees reportedly were subjected to gross overcrowding, inadequate medical care, food and water shortages, and other abuses; some of these conditions resulted in deaths.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, attempts to get a response from the APC were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.<br /> <br /> Calls made to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, were neither answered nor returned. A response to a text sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as of press time.<br /> <b><br /> Report has vindicated us – PDP</b><br /> <br /> In its reaction, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, said the report had vindicated its position on the election.<br /> <br /> National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke with one of our correspondents, described the position of the US as the “voice of the people.”<br /> <br /> He said, “We have always been saying it. Our members were maimed, killed, harassed and even burnt. The security agents did not do anything while the crime against our members was being carried out. The report is a voice of the people which the government thought it had silenced.”<br /> <br /> Also, attempts to get a reaction from the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, proved abortive.<br /> <br /> Also, when contacted, the spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunnaya, asked one of our correspondents who called him to send him a text, which was sent. But as of the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply.<br /> <br /> Also, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Jos. Prof Nnamdi Aduba, agreed with the US report, saying corruption had really been preventing Nigerian judiciary from performing their duties well.<br /> <br /> In an interview with one of our correspondents, he said, “ If you look at the lifestyle of some of those in the judiciary, you will marvel at the level of corruption. That is why they could not speak with one voice when they took the former Chief Justice of Nigeria. Look at the contradictory judgments they are giving. The former CJN warned them against giving ex parte orders but have they stopped?”

Latest-News 2019 Election: We’ve evidence DSS, army intimidated voters, INEC officials – US

The United States Government says there is evidence that Nigerian security agents, including the Department of State Services and the Nige...

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