Wole Soyinka Reacts To Buhari's Rule Of Law Comment, Says 'An Advance Warning'

As Soyinka warns Nigerians of a full-blown dictator should Buhari be allowed to return in 2019

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari over his comments at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference last Sunday.

In a statement Thursday, Mr Soyinka mocked the president by saying Mr Buhari had obviously given a deep thought to his travails under a military dictatorship and concluded that his incarceration at that time was also in the ‘national interest.’
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Mr Buhari was imprisoned for years by the Ibrahim Babangida regime after his military dictatorship was overthrown in 1985.

Since returning to power in 2015, Mr Buhari’s government has held some Nigerians for years without trial. High profile detainees have been denied freedom despite court orders.
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“Here we go again,” Mr Soyinka said in the statement he titled ‘Buhari’s Pernicious Doctrine.’
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“At his first coming, it was ‘I intend to tamper with Freedom of the Press,’ and Buhari did proceed to suit action to the words, sending two journalists – Irabor and Thompson – to prison as a reward for their professional integrity.
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“Now, a vague, vaporous, but commodious concept dubbed “national interest” is being trotted out as alibi for flouting the decisions of the Nigerian judiciary. President Buhari has obviously given deep thought to his travails under a military dictatorship, and concluded that his incarceration was also in the ‘national interest.'”
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Mr Buhari sparked outrage with his statement while addressing a gathering of lawyers when he said: “the rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.”
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The president’s comments drew criticisms from the lawyers and Nigerians who condemned his statement in strong terms.
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In his statement on Thursday, Mr Soyinka described the timing of the president’s speech as “perfect.”
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“We have cause to be thankful for the advance warning, since not all rulers actually make a declaration of intent, but simply proceed to degrade the authority of the law as part of the routine business of governance,” said Mr Soyinka.
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“We have been there before. It should be of mere interest, not despondency, that this latest proclamation of dictatorial recidivism has also been made before an assembly of officers of the law, the Nigerian Bar Association. We expect a robust response from the NBA as part of its conclusions.”
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Mr Soyinka noted that there is no shortcut to democracy and that the history of law, even where uncodified, is as old as humanity.
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“Numerous rulers have tried again and again to annul that institution,” he said.
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“Sometimes, they appear to succeed, but in the end, they pay heavy forfeit. So does society.
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“The rule of law, however, outlasts all subverters, however seemingly powerful. If the consequences for society in defence of the rule of law were not so costly, any new attempt would be merely banal and boring, hardly deserving of attention. We know, historically, where it will all end.”

   Source: premium times.

Davido begins his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Nigerian music artiste, David Adeleke aka Davido has begun his 'National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).



The singer who graduated from Babcook University in 2015, disclosed today (with photos) that he's participating in the scheme which was set up to to foster unity among youths from diverse socio-cultural groups in Nigeria.



Sharing photos of himself in his NYSC uniform, the Assurance singer wrote: "Otondo OBO ... ?? #Nysc .. tying up every loose end ! "

    Davido is sure gonna light up the camp he is,lol.

Tiv Elders Ban Traditional Marriage Festivities, Peg Expenses At N100k

Tiv elders ban traditional marriage festivities, pegs expenses for traditional marriages at N100k.

The Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) in Benue State has banned the practice of holding festivities in the house of a bride's parents during traditional marriages on the ground that such party-like activities are alien to their culture and is now abolished.

The decision was contained in a communique issued at the end of the General Assembly (Ijirtamen) of the Tiv nation held at the TATC Chambers and was chaired by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse. Part of the comminuque reads

"The practice of holding festivities in the house of the girl’s parents popularly known as Traditional Marriage involving cutting of cake, dances, parties should be discontinued as it is alien to the Tiv way of life. Celebration of a new wife is done by the Tiv People only in the husband’s house. Love should be the primary issue between the families concerned in marriage discussion and transaction but not money. Therefore, total expenses on marriage including dowry or bride price (kem kwase) and all sundry issues (Azaan a kwase) which at the moment vary from one community or family to another should not exceed One hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) in Tivland," the communique said

The Elders added that traditional marriage ceremony where bride price is to be paid shall involve only the elders of the two families concerned and that the practice of inviting large numbers of friends and well-wishers to the occasion is henceforth abolished.

The council maintained that any Tiv girl to be given out in marriage must attain the age of 18 years and above as it stressed that the violation of the marriage tradition shall attract boycott by traditional rulers and elders and the denial of traditional marriage registration, including other traditional sanctions as the community may deem appropriate.

 

Suspected assassin's gun down paint manufacturer in imo state:Graphic pix.

Gunmen suspected to be assassins shot paint manufacturer, Theo Mbakwe dead at Amaigbo, Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State on Saturday  and abducted a lady believed to be his girlfriend. .

The victim, a UNIBEN alumni popularly known as Chiboy, who was married with three children, two boys and a girl,  was killed in front of his home in Imo state.

A chieftain in the community , Ebubeagu Ekenulo, who spoke to PUNCH, said the suspects fled with a girl in the victim's vehicle.

"Chiboy Theo Mbakwe , the first son of the late Chief T. T.C. Mbakwe – first indigenous paint manufacturer in Nigeria – was shot dead in front of their palatial country home in Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA , Imo State by suspected kidnappers , who made away with a yet -to -be - identified female in front of his car. ”

Another eyewitness said the fleeing killers did not tamper with the victim's car and only dragged his female friend into the car before they sped off.

Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command ,Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the incident on Sunday, said the Commissioner of Police , Dasuki Galadanchi , had ordered immediate investigation into the killing.

"From preliminary investigation, it is presumed to be a murder case. They are suspected assassins. The CP has intervened and immediately activated the heads of the tactical units of the command to apprehend the fleeing killers. They can only run , but the long arm of the law will catch up with them. ”

Suspected cultist confesses to having taking the life's of three person's since he was initiated into cultism.

An undergraduate and cult member, Chijioke Ogbonna, also known as Ogbotiti who was arrested by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Imo State, has confessed to killing three people since he was initiated into the Black Axe confraternity in 2014.

The 23-year-old undergraduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, who is an indigene of Umuejije, Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, said his resolve to seek revenge led him into killing three persons, one of whom was a member of a rival cult group.

The suspect whose main weapon was a locally-made gun, was described as a deadly cultist and armed robber by the Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Andrew Enwerem. According to the police spokesperson, the police had been on the trail of the suspect since 2014 for his alleged roles in other criminal activities, and he was nabbed by F-SARS operatives on August 19 at Ama-Hausa in the Owerri Municipal area of the state capital.


“The suspect, a strong member of Black Axe, confessed to the crimes. He mentioned their gang members, nicknamed as Efizy, Ikalika,Shinshi, Bulldog, Baggy, Sky, now in Owerri Prison and X-money killed in an operation.

“He also confessed that they were the gang that killed one Michael, a student of Nekede Polytechnic, in 2015. In the same year, they killed one Mgbele on Douglas Road in Owerri and one Ifeanyi, a student of Nekede Polytechnic, in 2015.

“He confessed that they had killed so many people and had been on the run when he learnt he was being hunted by F-SARS operatives. Also, last year in Owerri, upon information that he was being trailed by the police, he jumped down from a two-storey building while receiving treatment in a private hospital for multiples bullets injuries”
from punch

Former aviation minister,Fani-kayode respond's to IG over police summon's.

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has written the Nigeria Police Force in response to a letter inviting him to appear over allegation of inciting comments.
Mr Fani-Kayode responded via a letter addressed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, dated August 27, asking the Force for detailed information on his alleged offence, and an extension of time for him to appear for questioning.
The police had in a letter dated August 20 and signed by an officer, Habu Sani, the Commissioner of the IGP’s monitoring unit invited Mr Fani-Kayode for questioning for alleged acts of “conspiracy, criminal and inciting publication.”
The police said the purpose of the invitation was for “fact finding.”
In his reply, Mr Fani-Kayode’s lawyers requested a rescheduling of the “interview”.
“We have our client’s instruction to inform you that he will honour the said invitation and possibly respond to questions on all facts which may be limited to his knowledge,” Mr Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, said.
“However it is essential to unequivocally state that the invitation letter under reference appears vague and ambiguous in its form. Your office for reasons best known to them did not mention the name (s) or person (s) complaining against our client and on what particular subject matter his presence is required.
“Therefore in view of the short notice apparent in your letter under reference, our client is constrained to politely request for a rescheduling of the interview date and also that he be furnished with essential particulars of the purpose of his visit to your office, so as to adwquately prepare for the said “interview.”
The letter further explained that Mr Fani-Kayode requested the extention of time, partly because of his current engagement at the ongoing national conference of the Nigeria Bar Association.
The letter was signed by Mr Fani-Kayode’s lawyers, Raphael Oyewale and Idunnu Ajina.

Mother sells six-weeks old baby.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have begun investigation into the alleged sale of a six-week-old baby by her a 23-year-old mother, Miracle Johnson.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, who confirmed the incident, described it as a serious offence.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Miracle sold the baby, Greatness, to an orphanage in Onitsha, Anambra State, for N200,000.

It was learnt that the nursing mother, who hails from Agenebode, in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, was paid in cash.

She was said to have used part of the proceeds to buy a mobile phone.

Miracle, a mother of two, blamed her action on frustration and the inability of her husband to take care of her and her other children.

She said she was persuaded by one Mama Joy, said to be at large, to sell the infant and give the money to her husband to start a business.

She said, “My baby was born on July 2. I sold her due to frustration. My husband was just struggling (to provide for us).

“My friend (Mama Joy) said that since my husband was not taking care of me, if I did it (sold the baby), I could give the money to my husband to start a business or buy a motorcycle.

“Two weeks later, she came back. I did not know what happened to me. So, I carried a bag, picked some things and left.

“I sold her to an orphanage in Onitsha. The orphanage bought the child for N200,000. I just bought only a phone; I did not want to buy it, but she (Mama Joy) forced me to do so,” she added.

Miracle stated that she regretted her action and later confessed to her pastor.

She said, “I told my pastor what I did and that it was a mistake for which I would never forgive myself. So, my husband and I went to a police station to report. I know what I did was not good. I pray that my child will forgive me.”

Her husband, Johnson Omovuokpor, expressed anger that his wife went ahead with her plan, in spite of his disapproval.

He said, “When she told me about her plan, I told her to forget about it and exercise patience.

“On that day, I took my motorcycle out for repairs. When I went back home to get some money, I saw my first daughter with my neighbour.

“When I asked about my wife’s whereabouts, I was told that she went out with a bag, saying that she was going to buy something. So, I remembered what she said she wanted to do with the baby.

“When she called me later in the afternoon to tell me that she had sold the baby, I cursed her and ended the call. I became confused afterwards and could not do anything for the rest of that day.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state said the baby would be rescued while the suspect would be charged to court.

Kokumo said, “It is an act against laws in Nigeria. Now that we have the woman in our net, we will definitely charge her to court. The baby will be rescued.”

ABOUT club LAX,the king of nightlife in warri.

Akpokevughe, Delta NUPENG Chairman, Assassinated After 8 Gunshots

The Delta state task force chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Akpokevughe, has been murdered.

According to reports, the deceased who has been the task force chairman for over and refused to step aside, was assassinated in his vehicle yesterday along Sapele-Warri road in Delta state.

It was said that the deceased was shot about eight times in the head as the assassins ensured he died in their presence before taking off.

Rumour also has it that Chief Akpokevughe has many enemies and has stepped on many toes due to the kind of work he oversees.

The police has been made aware of the murder as an investigation into the matter has been launched.

Singer Aretha Franklin Dies After Losing Battle To Pancreatic Cancer

Legendary singer, Aretha Franklin is dead.

Aretha, aged 76, died at 9:50am today, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

The death of the singer was made public by Gwendolyn Quinn, the family’s publicist in a statement, which noted that her death was caused by advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin's oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.

Aretha has been battling the sickness for years and has had to cancel some planned shows and singing tour.

The 20-time Grammy Award winner had hit songs that included ‘Respect’, ‘Chain of Fools’, and ‘I Never Loved a Man’.

Describing Aretha’s loss, the family said: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart.

“We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”

The family thanked supporters and well-wishers around the world who sent condolence messages to express their sadness over Aretha's death.

Celebrities and well-wishers around the world took to social media to mourn the legendary singer…

Elton John wrote: "The loss of ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists."

Paul McCartney said: "Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love, Paul."

Hilary Clinton wrote: "Mourning the loss today of Aretha Franklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend."

For Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, "Aretha Franklin will be profoundly missed. Her music is exceptionally powerful and resonates with Americans of every generation. She was an unflinching advocate for civil rights and women, and her legacy will live on in her music forever."

The singer's final public performance was last November, when she sang at an Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York.

Protest For The Release Of Samuel Ogundipe At Police Headquarters

Nigerians protest at police headquarters, demand release of Premium Times journalist

Shortly after NOT IN MY COUNTRY condemned the detention of Premium Times Journalist, Samuel Ogundipe, Nigerians have stormed the police head quarters in a protest led by Charly Boy, requesting the Immediate release of Samuel Ogundipe!

Several protesters on Thursday stormed the police headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of a PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe.

The protesters defied stern gun-wielding police officers to carry out the protest in the Nigerian capital.

Led by Deji Adeyanju and Charles Oputa of the #OurMumuDoneDo movement, the protesters asked that the journalist be released immediately.

Mr Ogundipe was arrested and detained on Tuesday for refusing to disclose his source for a story. He was secretly tried by the police on Wednesday and denied access to legal representation at the trial.

The journalist and PREMIUM TIMES have denied any wrongdoing.

The detention of the journalist has been condemned by local and international rights
groups including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists.

  Samuel  ogundipe  

How APC Is Giving Saraki ‘the Jonathan Treatment’ – Timi Frank

   Timi frank


Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians to charge the leadership of the ruling party to face governance instead of distracting the nation with the issue of National Assembly.

In a statement signed on Thursday in Abuja, Frank said the APC has suddenly shifted the blame game from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who the party blamed for three years, to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

The Bayelsa-born politician said: “For good three years, APC was busy blaming former President Goodluck Jonathan for all its failures but it seems the last one year has been dedicated to blame Saraki for the same reason.

“Nigerians must wake up. We must not allow this unnecessary diversionary tactics. APC should tell Nigerians why it is difficult to rescue the remaining Chibok and Dapchi School girls, why insecurity is getting worse, why are people loosing job daily, why is it hard for many Nigerians to put food on their table daily?”

On talks about corruption, Frank challenged the APC government to probe the activities of its cabinet members in the last three years to know the level of corruption associated with the current administration.

“Why is it difficult for the presidency to speak or allow some of the cabinet members who are having one corruption allegation or the other hanging on their necks to be probed?

“Some appointees of this government have been allegedly named in certificate scandals and the presidency is not bothered. White papers in various states have indicted some others but the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to look the other way.

“I believe that Nigerians will judge right in the coming 2019 elections. The government of propaganda and deceit will be sent parking because all their lies are no longer hidden to the public,” he said.

THURSDAY'S morning laughs

Togolese lady wants to know if Osinbajo is also acting chairman of ECOWAS with President Buhari on holiday.

    But why.

Twiiter user slams lagos and lagosians

     What do you think?

VICTOR MOSES calls it quit with the super eagles

    Victor moses


Super Eagles winger, Victor Moses has announced his retirement from playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.


The player represented England at the youth level having grown up in the UK, but later played for Nigeria at the senior national team.

Moses last played for Nigeria against Argentina in the Russia 2018 World, where he produced superb assist.


However, the 26-year-old has announced his retirement from international football with the Eagles via his instagram page on Wednesday evening.

He wrote, ‘I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football.

‘’I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime. Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country.


‘’However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish. We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.

‘’There are so many highlights that stand out for me over the years; from making my debut, to playing in two World Cups and being a part of the team to win the African Nations Cup for first time for our nation since 1994 being just a few of them.

‘’I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years. Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It’s meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team.

‘’Thank you for the memories and good luck to the team for the future .’’

Nigeria Police speak on arrest of Premium Times journalist

    Jimoh moshood, force ppro.


DEVELOPING STORY: Nigerian police detain Premium Times journalist, ask him to disclose his source
The Nigerian Police have made a first public statement on the arrest and detention of PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe.
Rather than explain the unjust detention of the journalist amidst global calls for his release, however, the police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said he is not aware of the details of the arrest.
Mr Moshood, who spoke when asked by a presenter on AIT programme, Kakaaki, however, said no Nigerian is beyond being arrested by the police when an investigation is being carried out.
“I am not aware of the details of the matter. But what I can say is that any Nigerian, whether a journalist or any member of the public can be invited by an investigating officer to come around so that he or she can clear themselves of any allegations against them. Since you are telling me now, I will find out exactly what is happening,” Mr Moshood said.
Mr Moshood’s claim of ignorance perhaps typifies the hypocrisy and incompetence within the Nigerian police. Not only have local and international rights organisations  demanded Mr Ogundipe’s release, the hashtag #FreeSamuelOgundipe on Twitter has trended since Tuesday with many tweeting at the police. Despite these, the police spokesperson claimed he was not aware of the arrest.
The police, through the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), on Tuesday arrested and detained Mr Ogundipe, who covers the security sector for PREMIUM TIMES.
Apart from Mr Ogundipe, this newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and its education correspondent, Azeezat Adedigba, were also briefly detained and manhandled by the police at the SARS headquarters in Abuja.
Ms Adedigba was later released after over three hours of detention.
Messrs Mojeed and Ogundipe were driven from the SARS headquarters in Abuja to the IGP Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters where Mr Ogundipe was made to write a statement.
At the Force headquarters, a deputy commissioner of police, Sani Ahmadu, was heard directing lawyers to “rush to court” to obtain a warrant to detain Mr Ogundipe.


Mr Mojeed, thereafter, asked Mr Ahmadu if he was aware that asking a journalist to reveal his source of a story, is an embarrassment to Nigeria as global journalism standards dissuades such.
“I don’t care if I embarrass Nigeria or not. I have the right to keep him here and I will keep him until he reveals his source,” was the response the DCP gave.
Officials at the police headquarters told PREMIUM TIMES that the directive to detain the journalist came directly from the Inspector General of Police who is said to be angry at this newspaper’s critical reporting of his activities.
Many Nigerians, activists, lawyers and groups have called for the unconditional and immediate release of the reporter who is still in detention.

SOURCE: premium times

#AdeosunGate: SERAP sues NYSC over Adeosun’s forged ‘exemption certificate’

SERAP gives NYSC seven days to respond to Adeosun’s certificate scandal
#AdeosunGate: PDP warns NYSC against cover-up
#AdeosunGate Timeline: What has happened so far
DOCUMENTS: Kemi Adeosun's fake NYSC certificate and other credentials
Certificate Scandal: Police keep mum on Adeosun but swiftly probe Senator's case
A civic group has sued the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over the ‘exemption certificate’ being used by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.
PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how Mrs Adeosun avoided the mandatory youth service upon graduation from the university and instead procured a forged ‘exemption certificate’ contrary to Nigerian laws.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had earlier made a freedom of information request to the NYSC seeking details of the certificate paraded by Mrs Adeosun.
The civic group has now sued the NYSC when the latter refused to honour the FOI demand.
Read a full statement by SERAP on the suit below.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Sule Kazaure, and the NYSC over “failure to publish specific documents and information on Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s application for NYSC exemption, and seeking to compel them to explain if Adeosun obtained any Exemption Certificate from the NYSC.”
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1369/18 filed Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, SERAP is seeking “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus directing and/or compelling General Kazaure and the NYSC to urgently provide specific documents and information on Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s application to the NYSC for Exemption and to publish widely including on a dedicated and on the NYSC website, any such information.”
The suit followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information request dated August 2 to Mr Kazaure, giving him seven days to provide “information on specific details and documents on the Exemption Certificate applied for and obtained by Mrs Adeosun; clarify whether the NYSC actually granted her the Exemption Certificate and if it did, the circumstances and the provisions of the NYSC Act under which the Exemption Certificate was granted.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its counsel, Bamisope Adeyanju, read in part: “Suspicions of obtaining unauthorised certificate involving a senior member of the government if not urgently and satisfactorily addressed would weaken public trust in the government’s oft-expressed commitment to transparency and accountability.”
“By the combined provisions of section 104(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011 and sections 14(2)(b) 14(3) and 19(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the NYSC, being the public institution in charge of issuing exemption certificates from the compulsory NYSC Programme, and having publicly declared that Mrs. Adeosun applied for exemption, has a duty to provide SERAP with details and documents containing the application for exemption and the exemption certificate itself, if it was granted.”

 “Mandamus lies to secure the performance of a public duty in the performance which SERAP has a sufficient legal interest. SERAP has shown that it has demanded the performance of the duty by the NYSC in this case, and that performance has been refused by the Director-General of the NYSC obliged to discharge it.”
“The right of access to information should be subject to a narrow, carefully tailored system of exceptions. Exceptions should apply only where there is a risk of substantial harm to the protected interest and where that harm is greater than the overriding public interest in having access to the information.”
“SERAP requested the NYSC to provide the information within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of the letter. But since the receipt of the letter by the NYSC and up till the filing of this suit, the NYSC has failed, refused and/or neglected to respond to or grant SERAP’s request.”
“This matter is of utmost national importance and public interest, because it borders on allegations of circumvention of the law, brought against a high public officer of Nigeria, who has sworn on oath to uphold the laws of the nation; including the NYSC Act. The grant of this application will help reveal the truth about the authenticity of the Exemption Certificate granted to Mrs Adeosun.”
“By the combined provisions of Sections 1; 2; 3(4); 4; 7(1)&(5); 9; 14(2)(b)&3; 19(2); and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the right of access to information is guaranteed and there is a statutory obligation on the NYSC being a public institution, to proactively keep, organize and maintain all information or records about their operations, personnel, activities and other relevant or related information or records in a manner that facilitates public access to such information or record.”
“The NYSC has no reason whatsoever not to comply with the demands by SERAP. There is compelling public interest in the disclosure of the information sought by SERAP, which concerns whether a high-ranking Minister had circumvented or disobeyed the law. The public interest in this case outweighs any private interest that the NYSC may be protecting. By the provision of Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, SERAP is entitled to apply to this Court for a review of the action of the NYSC.”
“Unless the reliefs sought by SERAP are granted, the NYSC will not provide SERAP with the documents and information requested and will continue to be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act.”
“SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on the Exemption allegedly applied for by Mrs Adeosun.”
The suit is seeking the following reliefs:
A declaration that the failure of the respondents to provide the applicant with specific documents and information on Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s application to it for NYSC Exemption is unlawful and amounts to a breach of the Respondents’
responsibility/obligation under the Freedom of Information Act 2011.



An order of mandamus directing and/or compelling the respondents to urgently provide the applicant with specific documents and information on Mrs Kemi Adeosun’s application to it for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Exemption and to publish widely including on a dedicated and on the NYSC website, any such information.
A declaration that the failure of the respondents to provide the applicant with specific documents and information on the following:
i. the procedure under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to “apply” for NYSC Exemption;
ii. ii. whether an authorised official of the NYSC actually issued an Exemption Certificate to Mrs. Kemi Adeosun;
iii. if NYSC did issue the NYSC Exemption Certificate, the circumstances and the provisions of the NYSC Act under which the Exemption Certificate was granted; and to publish widely including on a dedicated website and on the NYSC website, any such information, is unlawful and amounts to a breach of the Respondent’s obligation under the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
An order of mandamus directing and/or compelling the respondents to urgently provide the applicant with specific documents and information on the following:
i. the procedure under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to “apply” for NYSC Exemption;
ii. whether an authorised official of the NYSC actually issued an Exemption Certificate to Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; if NYSC did issue the NYSC Exemption Certificate, the circumstances and the provisions of the NYSC Act under which the Exemption Certificate was granted; and to publish widely including on a dedicated website and on the NYSC website, any such information.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

SOURCE:premium times

Eddie Murphy's Having His TENTH KID . . . Fifth Baby Mama . . . Pregnant AGAIN!!

Eddie Murphy is about to be a father again - for the 10th time. MTO News has learned that his baby mother Paige Butler is pregnant again. Paige and Eddie already have a daughter together - 2 year old Izzy.


Paige was spotted out last week walking with their daughter Izzy. Paige tried to hide her tummy - but the paparazzi managed to get a pic of her baby bump. Paige is an exercise FREAk and usually has NO BELLY WHATSOEVER (when she's NOT pregnant, that is).

Congrats to Paige and Eddie. Hey, he can afford the kids . . . so he might as well keep making them.

Eddie has 8 other children, from three different women - including ex-wife Nicole Murphy and TV personality Mel B. The other two baby mothers are Tamara Johnson and Paulette McNeely.


Eddie's 8 kids are Eric, Christian, Bria, Zola, Shayne, Bella, Miles, and Angel.


Here's a pic of the entire family together from Christmas two years ago:

Bria Murphy, Eddie’s eldest daughter with ex-wife Nicole, shared the holiday photo on Instagram and wished everyone a ‘Merry Christmas.’

Bria is following in the footsteps of both her parents by pursuing modeling and acting. She recently appeared alongside Ashley Tisdale and Jason Biggs in Amateur Night and will also appear in Conflict of Interest with late actor Tommy Ford.

Congrats to Eddie on his new child.

SOURCE: MTO

New pictures showing Black chyna might have had butt reduction.

Model Blac Chyna was spotted out and about in Los Angeles, where she spent 5 hours at a business meeting. After such a grueling day, she then treated herself with some Burger King, opting for the drive thru.


But what was surprising was the new look of Chyna's body. There have been rumors for weeks that Chyna underwent a "butt reduction" surgery. Under the procedure, a doctor uses liposuction to remove the fat deposits from a woman's butt. Usually a butt reduction is done to reverse the effects of a Brazilian butt fat transfer.

The changes in Chyna's body are very noticeable, and all but confirm that she got the butt reduction procedure. So far, Chyna's fans seem to like her new look. But some have commented that her new butt looks "deflated" as compared to her old butt.

    Source:mto

The Nine Kinds Of People Supporting Buhari For A Second Term, By ‘Fisayo Soyombo

…when next you run into someone who just doesn’t understand that Nigeria deserves better than Buhari in 2019, don’t get mad at them. Run through these nine groups and you will find one that best describes them, and you can therefore understand how their mind is working.


Corruption is fighting back! That is the constant refrain from the people in government and their supporters to criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari or opposition to his re-election ambition. If, for example, you’re a journalist and you believe the president hasn’t done enough to earn a second term, it is because brown envelopes have been in short or no supply. If you’re a politician and you feel this way, you stole while in office or you will if you get there. All of us who have opted not to say ‘Sai Baba’ ahead of 2019 have one thing in common: Corruption.

Fortunately for Buhari’s supporters, they can’t all be shoehorned into one homogeneous group. Who, who and who, or which classes of people, belong to this heterogeneous mix? And are they supporting their man in the country’s best interest?

The people in government: Around the time when former President Goodluck Jonathan was being told by some bigwigs in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he could not contest the 2015 presidential election because he had served out the remainder of the late Umaru Yar’Adua’s tenure (2010 to 2011) and was serving out a fresh term of his own (2011 to 2015), he met with Lagos-based print newspaper editors. When one of them asked if he would re-contest or not, Jonathan neither said yes nor no. But he asked them to look into the mirror; the editorship of many of them predated his presidency yet they were still in office. He wasn’t chastising them but making a valid point about how self-perpetuation in power is intricately human. It is no surprise that the people in Buhari’s government are desperate to have him back in 2019, despite the numerous and obvious red flags. Buhari is not the reason they support Buhari; their real interests are self-serving. To expect people in government to priotise the nation over self is a tall order very few people are capable of. The people in this group we must empathise with, not chastise.

The political jobbers: Buhari’s ascent to power is widely believed to have wrecked individuals and businesses that thrive on political jobbing, government patronage and official graft. While this may or may not be true, there is no doubt that there are individuals all over the country whose financial stocks have risen either directly through Buhari’s coming to power or indirectly through the people working with him. No matter the scale of poverty, government ineptitude, insecurity and anti-corruption hypocrisy in the land, these people will give anything for another four years of Buhari. The challenge with having people like this around is that you never know why they do what they do or say what they say about re-electing the president in 2019.

“The PR strategists”: These are about the deadliest of Buhari’s supporters — not because they can kill but because they can be seated right next to you but you won’t know, and also because they’re, more often than not, brilliant… for them, supporting Buhari is not about personal conviction but about professionalism in garnering public support for their client.

The religious fanatics: These are the opportunity-cost supporters. Some love Buhari because they love him, others simply because of the Yemi Osinbajo factor. They are a blend of the two leading faiths — Christians who would support Buhari or any other president for that matter as long as his deputy is a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor; and Muslims who won’t stop chanting ‘Sai Baba’ even if the pump price of petrol were to rise to N600/litre. To them, Buhari can be the opportunity cost of having Osinbajo in government, and they do not mind at all.

The ethnic jingoists: They want a Hausa-Fulani as president in 2019; simple. Not much needs to be said about this group, easily recognisable on social media by the names of its members. We all have one or two of them on our timelines, don’t we?


The northern foot soldiers: These are a huge majority of the 12.7 million people who voted for Buhari in 2003 or the 12.2 million who did in 2011. In the last three years, nothing has changed about Buhari’s popularity in the North. As seen by the mammoth crowds that welcomed him during his recent visits to Bauchi, Jigawa and Kano, Buhari is still the most loved northerner alive. Pure, blind love. One of them trekked from Yola to Abuja to witness the presidential inauguration in 2015, but while he’s currently stuck at the Yola FMC due to a leg injury he sustained from the expedition, his “political role model” is re-energising himself in the U.K. Still, whether or not Buhari extends his current 10-day vacation by 100 days, these people will vote him in 2019.

The APC supporters: Had Buhari been the PDP candidate, these people wouldn’t support him. But their loyalty belongs to the party and, by extension, its candidate. In this class also are people whose uncles, aunts, second cousins, in-laws, bosom friends, brother of their sugar daddy’s nephew or father of their friend’s sister’s husband, is contesting for some office in 2019 under the APC ticket. How dare you seek the party’s ticket without backing the president?

The naivetés: It’s honestly hard to blame them. They genuinely lack the ability to analyse issues beyond the surface. In their minds, Buhari is truly fighting corruption, bolstering the economy, killing off Boko Haram, providing exemplary leadership and putting food on the poor man’s table. And, above all, corruption is fighting back!

So, when next you run into someone who just doesn’t understand that Nigeria deserves better than Buhari in 2019, don’t get mad at them. Run through these nine groups and you will find one that best describes them, and you can therefore understand how their mind is working. And if you find some who fit into none of these nine groups, please feel free to create a tenth group for them.

‘Fisayo Soyombo, former editor of the TheCable and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), tweets @fisayosoyombo.

SARS Arrest Premium Times Reporter Samuel Ogundipe, Bank Account Frozen

The Nigerian police, through the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Tuesday froze the bank account of a Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe who was recently arrested over 'negative' stories he writes about the force.

Accordding to a report by Premium Times, Mr Ogundipe was arrested at about 300 p.m. and driven from the SARS headquarters in Abuja to the IGP Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters where he was made to write a statement concerning the source of a recent story he wrote.

He has declined giving his source as allowed by journalism ethics.

Mr Ogundipe’s salary account with Ecobank was frozen in an attempt to frustrate him. One of the police officers handling the investigation, Emmanuel Onyeneho, an inspector, was heard saying they had to freeze the account to incapacitate the reporter.

At the Force headquarters, where he was taken, a Deputy Commissioner of Police at the IGP Monitoring Unit, Sani Ahmadu, was heard directing lawyers to “rush to court” to obtain a warrant to detain Mr. Ogundipe.

They also repeatedly asked the journalist to disclose his source.

Mr Ogundipe has been taken back to the SARS headquarters in Abuja and is currently being detained there.

Apart from asking Mr Ogundipe to disclose his source, the police also accused the reporter, who covers the security sector, of publishing mainly negative stories about the police.

Mr Onyeneho told Mr Ogundipe that they believe the journalist had written more negative stories than positive stories about the police and they considered that a crime.

He said the journalist must disclose all his sources for his stories about the police, something Mr Ogundipe professionally declined.

Aside Mr Ogundipe, this newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and its education correspondent, Azeezat Adedigba, were also briefly detained and harassed by the police at the SARS headquarters in Abuja.

 Source:premium times.

 This smacks of press harrasment to me.

Aretha Franklin On Her DEATH BED . . . Expected To Pass . . . Within 24 HOURS!!!

R&B's Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is on her death bed, and can die any minute according to multiple reports online. Right now Aretha, who is 76 years old, is surrounded by her family in Detroit. The report was first made by Showbiz 411.


Reports of Aretha's illness first came about last year, when she lost a TON of weight, and began looking like she was ill. At the time, people were saying that Aretha was on her death bed. But that was almost a year ago, and Aretha is one tough lady.

But now it appears that she's ready to make the transition. Her family members have all gathered to her in Detroit - and are preparing for the passing.


The Franklin family is asking for prayers and privacy for the the singing legend. Aretha has battled hereditary health problems for the past number of years.

No further details about her health were immediately available, and reps for Franklin did not respond to request for comment.

Franklin, who turned 76 in March, has been battling health problems for years, but continued to perform until as recently as last year. Her most recent performance was last November for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York.

The soul singer was also forced to cancel a series of concerts last summer on “doctor’s orders.” In March, she announced she would not be at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival because her doctor recommended she take a break from touring.

“Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months,” Franklin’s management said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “She is extremely disappointed she cannot perform at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as she had expected and hoped to.”

Franklin had been planning on slowing down. Last year, she announced she was preparing to retire following the release of her new album and would be reducing the number of performances she does each year.
Source:MTO

Woman Gets CAUGHT ON DRUG CHARGES . . . Gives Police Her Twins Sister's IDENTITY!!

A Memphis woman is hoping to clear her name, after her twin sister used her identity when she was arrested for drugs.

Lee Brown is a mother a wife, and a professional woman - her twin sister is a hood rat who is active in the streets. If you look up the name "Lee Brown" in the Memphis corrections sister - you'll see that Lee was recently busted for drugs.


An affidavit showed, Lee was busted early Saturday morning after MPD searched a motel room and found 28 Ecstasy pills. She’s being charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

Here’s the problem, Lee has an identical twin sister, Myesha Brown. Brown has a rap sheet and she was actually the one busted for drugs but she gave officers her sister’s name because she had warrants out for her arrest.


Now Lee is upset, and trying top get the Memphis police to switch things around. She recently posted about her dilemma on social media.

 Source:MTO

COWS CAUSE NUISANCE IN UNIVERSITY OF JOS.

A student of University of Jos named Markus took to Facebook to narrate his experience with cows while trying to enter his class for exams.According to him,he was blocked from gaining entrance into classroom by cows.He wrote...

'This is university of Jos.  About to  enter class for exams  and cows blocking me?  This is turning to something else. Authority should do something'

   Seriously,the authorities needs to do something about this.

APC:Saraki, PDP, 15 Pro-Saraki Senators Plan To Attack APC Senators

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Peopels Democratic Party, PDP of alleged plans to attack APC Senators in a bid to ensure that Dr. Bukola Saraki retains the position of Senate President.

The APC in a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena called on security agents to protect APC Senators.

“If any Senator is harmed, the PDP and Saraki should be held directly responsible. We call on security agencies to also closely monitor the activities of some PDP leaders including Saraki because the plan to attack APC Senators is real and imminent,”

The party alleged that the plot was hatched in the private residence of a PDP leader in Maitama-Abuja on Sunday night, adding that ‘the meeting was attended by 15 pro-Saraki Senators including the Senate President himself’.

APC alleged that the PDP Senators planned several types of attack, one of which it said is to lure some APC Senators out at night in the guise of inviting Senators to a political settlement meeting and thereafter instigate a violent confrontation during the meeting and unleash thugs on APC Senators

Tragedy averted as thirty seven corpers(nysc) leaving from ogun state orientation camp escape death.

About 37 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who just left the orientation camp in Ogun which ended today - were involved in motor accident on their way to Sango Otta area of the state.

The lone accident involving a white Civilian Coaster Bus occurred as a result of over speeding as the driver lost control of the vehicle before the crash.

No one was killed in the crash.

19 adults (9 males and 10 females) were injured out of a total 37 Youth Corps Members in the vehicle.

The Injured victims were evacuated to FRSC Accident Emergency Clinic at Sagamu, though four of the victims with more serious injuries were referred for further medical treatment at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Sagamu.

The FRSC Sector Commander Ogun State Command, Clement Oladele advised Youth Corps members to always caution their drivers especially during this raining season and that where such drivers refused caution - they should call FRSC toll free number 122 for the FRSC to take necessary disciplinary action against such erring drivers .

    SOURCE: national helm.