Month: December 2023

Abuja:  Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also knowns as the Shi’ites, on Monday, staged a peaceful protest at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with a petition, seeking the investigation and prosecution of army officers responsible for the recent killing of scores of people at Tudun Biri Village in Kaduna State.

The protest, which started from the traffic before the Public Complain Commission (PCC), terminated at NHRC where the petition was delivered.

They called on the executive secretary of NHRC to pressurise the Federal Government to immediately investigate and prosecute the culprits, saying the claim by the Nigerian Army that the incident was a mistake is unacceptable as this is not the first of it kind.

Also in a statement issued shortly after the protest by Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, on behalf of the IMN under the leadership of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky (H), condemned the act.

It reads: “Numerous national dailies report that the Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for the Tudun Biri massacre that left hundreds of innocent Citizens killed at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.

“The army said the attack was a mistake. It is in record that this type of massacre, referred to as a mistake, took place several times in this decade alone, especially in the north-east and northwest.

“To refer to this atrocity as a mistake is unacceptable. The Nigerian Army should be held responsible for this massacre.

“Nigerian security forces have repeatedly killed civilians in settlements, camps, villages, and cities. In 2014, a Nigerian military aircraft dropped a bomb on Daglun village in Borno State, killing 20 civilians.

“In 2015, more than 1,000 disciples of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky were massacred in Zaria by the Nigerian Army. In 2017, 76 people were killed by the Nigerian Air Force strike on a refugee camp in Rann Camp in Borno State. In 2022, 64 people were reportedly killed by the Nigerian military’s airstrike in Mutumji Community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“These are unacceptable and condemnable atrocities, and a deafening silence on these atrocities will result in the reoccurrence of another massacre.

“In view of the foregoing, the Islamic movement, under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky (H) demanded The perpetrators of this massacre should with immediate effect be identified and prosecuted for committing this great crime against humanity.” (Flowerbudnews)

 

Abuja: Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, on Monday, urged judges in the country to always deliver justice with the fear of God.

Kaigama gave the advice while delivering his message at the Federal High Court (FHC)’s 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.

Kaigama, who was represented by Rev. Father Christopher Nnubia, the Judicial Vicar of Catholic Church in Abuja, urged the judges to be committed to discharging justice in the face of challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, read the first Bible reading from the book of Isaiah 35:1 to 10.

(The Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho and other brother judges at the Special Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja on Monday.)

Kaigama said it was their responsibility to give hope to the hopeless and strengthen the weak in the society.

“It is your responsibility to make firm the feeble knees.

“And as you do that, you need to do that with the fear of God knowing that at the end of the world, we will give account to the divine judge where we will render account of what we have done.

“What will you do that day? Will you say you have rendered justuce in the way it should be irrespective of religions you find yourself?

“We will answer before God. So, whatever you are doing, always remember God; always remember the last day when you will render account,” he said.

He enjoined the judges, who were Catholic Church members, to be good ambassadors of the church.

(Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, represented by Rev. Father Christopher Nnubia, the Judicial Vicar of Catholic Church in Abuja, with the Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho and other brother judges at the Special Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja on Monday.)

“As we celebrate this 50th anniversary, I pray that the good lord will bless everyone of you and strengthen you to carry out your duty,” he said.
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, while speaking to the newsmen, urged the judges to keep looking up to God.
“God called Solomon and filled him with his wisdom to govern his people and to let people know who God is and the way he had ministered.
“It is the same thing with them (judges). God called them specifically to ensure that the system works, the system flows.

“Our prayer should be to them that they too can do the right thing, and they have been trying looking at the antecedent of the court
“So they have been putting the very best and may God continue to work ahead of them, protect them and above all, grant them with his wisdom so that they will always do the right thing for the citizenry to the glory of God,” he said.

Earlier, Justice Tsoho thanked everyone for finding time to attend the service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the activities to commemorate the 50 years anniversary of FHC began today, Dec. 11.
Earlier, rhe Chief Registrar of FHC, Sulaiman Amida-Hassan, in the programme released in Abuja, disclosed that the activities would commence with devotional worships at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the National Mosque both in Abuja at 9:30am.

According to him, there will be a Special Legal Year Court Session at Ukeje Hall, FHC, Abuja also on Dec. 11 by 1:00pm.
He said a novelty football match between selected FHC judges and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) would be organised on Dec. 12 at 9:30am.

This, he said, would be followed by a presentation of publications of FHC by the Hon. Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho at Ukeje Hall by 10:00am.
Amida-Hassan said that on Dec. 13, judges’ annual conference anniversary lectures would be opened at 9:30am and end by 12noon.
“Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, judges’annual conference continues at 10am to 2:30pm.
“On Dec. 14 also, there will be Gala/Cultural Night (Dress Code: Native/National Attire) at the Ballroom 232, Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT at 5:00pm.
“On Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, there will be an health talk for honourable judges, Hon. Chief Judge’s Merit Awards Ceremony and closure of judges’ annual conference at National Stadium, Abuja by 4:00pm,” he said.

He said the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, would chair the occasion.
The FHC, which was established in 1973, was formerly known as Federal Revenue Court.
It was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 (1973 No.13) and began with four judges with a president as its head.

The court was, however, renamed the “Federal High Court” by Section 228 (1) and 230 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.

While Honourable Justice S.O. Lambo was the first president of the then Federal Revenue Court and served between 1973 and 1975, Justice John Tsoho is the 10th and current Chief Judge of FHC.

The court, which had grown structurally over the years, presently has 38 divisions in all the states of the federation, including Abuja, where its headquarters is located, with 95 judges.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Maiduguri inaugurated 107 mass transit vehicles, including 50 electric taxis purchased by the Borno State Government.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President lauded Governor Babagana Zulum for his foresight and people-oriented policies and projects.

 

He disclosed that the Federal Government planned to set up a plant in that direction to create employment and ease transportation.

Earlier, Zulum said he was motivated to embark on the project following a directive from the President to the governors after the removal of fuel subsidy.

 

He said the deployment of 50 electric taxis was the first of its kind in Nigeria and was in line with the realities of climate change.

 

NAN reports that the vehicles inaugurated by the President included 50 electric taxis, 35 coaster buses, 12 Hummer buses and 10 luxurious buses.

Tinubu, who was in Maiduguri on his first official visit to the state, paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi.

 

The President also declared the annual Chief of Army Staff Conference open

.

 

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has kicked-off the Emeka Okoye Football Competition to discover budding football talents among inmates within Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre.

The competition, which is known as the Emeka Okoye Cup being sponsored by Chief Emeka Okoye, an Enugu-based philanthropist, is featuring six club-sides that would engage in football spectacles from Dec. 11, 2023 to Jan. 3, 2024.

The six club-sides are made-up of players (inmates) currently serving at the centre.

Kicking-off the competition on Monday at the football pitch of the centre, Mr Sunday Oyakhire, Deputy Controller of Corrections in-charge of Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, said that the competition was meant to tap into the great prospect of sports especially football.

Oyakhire said that the competition would showcase great football talents even as the NCoS was also focused on sports as a means of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the inmates into the society.

“The Controller-General of Corrections, C-G Haliru Nababa, has been so wonderful in developing innovative means and engagement to see to the reformation and reintegration of our inmates back to the society.

“The C-G has continued to encourage sporting competition and engagement as a means of re-orienting our inmates. He also uses it to encourage the inmates to be the best they can be.

“Very recently he (C-G) has said that if there is an outstanding footballer (or footballers), he (player) will be recommended for freedom. That is what he has just said recently,” he said.

 

The deputy controller also lauded the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako, for creating an enabling environment for well-rounded reformation to take place at the Enugu Custodial Centre.

According to him, for this year, this is the second football competition or tournament we are having at this centre and it is more about promoting spirit of sportsmanship and positive competition among the inmates.

 

“It will keep them busy within this period and there will be no tendency of people (inmates) trying to escape from custody.

 

“It will arrest their minds, keep them in a place and they will not think of other evils as well,” he said.

The deputy controller said that there was an already made arrangement to get football scouts, football managers and owners of football club-sides in Enugu State and beyond to come and watch the semi-finals, third place and final matches.

 

“We normally invite coaches from outside, football teams, football managers and others for them to look at the good and quality players (inmates) they can incorporate into their teams once they are out of custody.

 

“These coaches, managers and scouts can also facilitate the recommendation for the release of the spotted or discovered talents.

“We are hoping that our students (who are under our reformation now) will turn out to be leading football stars in the country and internationally. This is our ultimate target and we are working hard to achieve it,” he added.

The six club-sides participating in the competition included: Controller of Corrections team; Deputy Controller of Corrections team; Emeka Okoye team; CAPIO team; NOWAS team and Freedom-at-Last team.

 

The winning club will get N100,000; while the runners up will go home with N60,000 and third place winner will grab N40,000.

There would be monetary prizes for best player of the competition; best goalkeeper; highest goal scorer and best defensive player among others.

 

The kick-off match between Emeka Okoye team and Deputy Controller of Corrections team was underway during the time of filling this report./ Flowerbudnews