Blog – Page 1901

December 12, 2014

Human rights lawyer seeks Obiano’s disqualification as APGA candidate

The Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Isah Gafai, is today expected to deliver judgment in the suit filed against Governor Willie Obiano, by a human rights lawyer based in Onitsha, Jezie Ekejiuba, seeking to disqualify and nullify Obiano’s election over alleged submission of false voter’s card along with his application to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for participation in the November 16, 2013 Governorship election in the state.

Justice Gafai had after hearing and adopting the submissions and written addresses of both the plaintiff, Ekejiuba who stood in for himself and counsel to Obiano, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), adjourned sine-die, explaining that the judgment date would be communicated to parties as soon as the judgment was ready for delivery.

On November 18, the court summoned both parties to come for possible judgment on Thursday, November, 20 at 1 p.m. On November 20, Justice Gafai said he spotted a pending motion filed by Ekejiuba, seeking an order of the court to compel INEC to produce the certified true copies of the three voters cards obtained by Obiano on different dates with different numbers, which INEC failed to produce in court, noting that judgment could not be delivered while the motion was still pending in court.

Ekejiuba now applied for the motion to be struck out based on the fact that it was no longer relevant in the matter since he was able to travel to INEC headquarters, Abuja and obtained the documents directly which he tendered before the court during the proceedings.

Justice Gafai struck out the motion and promised to communicate a judgment date to both parties, as soon as the judgment was ready to be delivered.

The court eventually communicated to them on Monday, December 8 that the judgment was ready to be delivered on Wednesday, December 10.

Ekejiuba had dragged Obiano, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to court asking for the disqualification of Obiano as the candidate of APGA and the nullification of his election of November 16 and 23, 2013 because he gave a false information by submitting a false Voter’s Card in his INEC’s Form CFOO1 with a sworn affidavit, contrary to Section 31 (1) to (6) of the amended Electoral Act, 2010.

– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/human-rights-lawyer-seeks-obianos-disqualification-apga-candidate/#sthash.CvY5RMgC.dpuf

By admin

News

December 12, 2014

IG Directs Zonal AIGs, CPs To Protect Human Rights

The Police High Command has directed the Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT to uphold the rights of Nigerians and foreigners alike.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Emmmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer, an Acting Commissioner of Police in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement said the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, gave the directive in commemoration of the 2014 International Human Rights Day.

It said that the directive was a further proof of the commitment of the force to respect the rights of all Nigerians.

The statement also said this informed the recent launch of the “Nigeria Police Force Human Rights Practice Manual”.

“The document was produced with support from Altus Global Alliance, Department of Foreign International Development (DFID), Cleen Foundation, Justice for All Nigeria and the Embassy of Switzerland, Abuja, “it said.

Abba, in the statement, said the manual was meant to expose all personnel of the force to practical and theoretical aspects of human rights.

It stated that the document was based on approaches to policing in conformity with global best practices.

The statement said that this had been followed up with the creation of a “Human Rights Desk’’ to be manned by officers in all the formations of the force.

It said that the officers were tasked with ensuring that rights of suspects were protected and cared for.

It said that this was to give fillip to the I-G’s commitment to “walk the talk in observance of the Human Rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of class, creed and tongue.”

According to the statement, these innovations conform with the 2014 Human Rights Day slogan, “Human Rights 365, Every Day is a Human Rights Day’’.

It said that they upheld the fundamental proposition in the Human Rights Declaration “that all humans, everywhere at all times are entitled to the full range of Human Rights’’.

The statement said the police high command had resolved to do all that was humanly possible to ensure that the rights were protected. (NAN)

By admin

News

December 12, 2014

Moses Akatugba – ‘His heart beats just like mine’

Tosin Francis is a passionate human rights activist from Nigeria. She tells us why she is supporting Moses Akatugba during Write for Rights, who was just a schoolboy when he was arrested and tortured. Last year he was sentenced to death.

Moses Akatugba was 16 when he was arrested. He told Amnesty he was hung up for hours, beaten, shot at and had his fingernails pulled out. He was then forced to sign a pre-written confession for armed robbery. Last year he was sentenced to death, despite the fact that he was a child when he was arrested.

Tosin Francis is a passionate human rights activist from Nigeria. She tells us why she is supporting Moses Akatugba during Write for Rights.

“Moses’ case means everything to me. His story could be mine. He’s a Nigerian like me. He has blood flowing in his veins like me and a heart that beats just like mine. I imagine the anguish he wakes up to every day, thinking about the death sentence that hangs around his neck. I think of his family, not knowing the fate of their child.

When I heard about his case, I began to research torture, to understand what it really is and its effect on the lives of its victims. I read books and watched films and found myself able to talk to others about it fearlessly and with compassion. And the response from everyone I’ve spoken to has been great. Supporting Moses gives me the joy of being an advocate of hope, justice, and fairness.

As rights activists in Nigeria, we do face challenges in our work: attacks, harassment and smear campaigns. But many are speaking up for their rights; awareness is growing, and we are hopeful. The Governor of the Niger Delta recently responded to pressure from Amnesty supporters and said he is looking into Moses’ case. We’re one step closer.

Everyone – regardless of their colour, tribe, race, beliefs or sexuality – needs to have their rights defended. No one deserves unjust punishment.

My message to Moses is: we all feel and share your pain. We are with you every step of the way – stay strong and don’t give up, despite this dark moment. You are always on our mind and in our prayers. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel, that is what we all see and that is the only thing you should see. We are hopeful for a very positive response and we look forward to rejoicing with you soon.

Lots of love from the Amnesty family worldwide.

By admin

1
…
1,899
1,900
1,901

Human rights lawyer seeks Obiano’s disqualification as APGA candidate

IG Directs Zonal AIGs, CPs To Protect Human Rights

Moses Akatugba – ‘His heart beats just like mine’

Contacts

Our Programs

Navigation