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  • ALARMING! Ondo State Attorney-General defends appointing 273 lawyers as aides

    ALARMING! Ondo State Attorney-General defends appointing 273 lawyers as aides

    Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), has appointed 273 lawyers as advisers while also announcing his eight-point agenda in office.

    In a statement, Mr Ajulo said the appointment of the aides was aimed at enhancing the provision of excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State and protecting the rights of its people.

    “Upon assuming the position of Attorney General of Ondo State, a total of 273 lawyers, comprising both seasoned professionals and junior colleagues, eagerly presented a multitude of ideas to lend their support to me in serving the government and people of Ondo State. I have graciously appointed all the 273 lawyers, dividing them into two categories: Honorary Advisers and Technical Advisers to the Attorney General & Commissioner of Justice of Ondo State.

    “They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce the vision of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ondo State to be the best public law office in Nigeria,” the statement read.

    Mr Ajulo disclosed that the terms of engagement of the aides, who are yet to be named officially, were remarkably innovative.

    According to the Justice Commissioner, the appointees are lawyers who have distinguished themselves in law practice, bench (retired), government, academia, and social work, among others.

    He listed an eight-point reformative agenda, AJULOKAY, which would drive his time in his office to include (A) Access To Justice, (J) Justice Sector Reform, (U) Uniform Law Enforcement Procedures, and (L) Law Officers And Lawyers’ Welfare In Ondo State Will Be Reviewed.

    Other points are (O) Obedience To Court Order And Law; (K) Knowledge Of Existing Laws (Adequate Dissemination); (A) Adherence To Executive Orders Of The Governor And Rule Of Law; and (Y) Youth, Children, Juvenile, Women And Persons With Disability Laws.

    Find below the Commissioner’s 8-point agenda:

    THE 8-POINT REFORMATIVE AGENDA OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE

    In view of the functions of the office of the Attorney General of a State donated by sections 195 and 211 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, together with all the stakeholders, we shall work within an 8-point performative agenda to recalibrate the law and Justice sector in Ondo State for a renewed hope and in line with the mission and vision of His Excellency, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    This agenda will inform the objectives and strategies the office of the Attorney General of Ondo State and the Ministry of Justice will pursue, as well as performance indicators to measure our progress while in office.

    A – ACCESS TO JUSTICE: We shall ensure the protection of fundamental human rights, particularly the rights of the vulnerable in the State. In this regard, we shall work towards recalibrating the human rights and legal aid institutions with the aim of capacity building for better delivery of their respective core mandates. Particularly, the Office of People Defender will be established with the mandate to safeguard the fundamental human rights and freedom of the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups through a strong, vibrant, and high-quality pro bono service in collaboration with stakeholders nationally and internationally.

    J – JUSTICE SECTOR REFORM: Bearing in my mind the importance of the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, we shall assiduously work towards the facilitation of immediate and long-term reforms in the judiciary. The overall objective of justice sector reform in the State will include the building of a justice system that is affordable, efficient, independent, transparent, professional, and accountable to citizens and residents of the State. We shall ensure innovation in the justice delivery system in the State and ensure the speedy dispensation of justice. We shall also take maximum advantage of the existing legal framework in the State with a view to advancing more creative development for seamless criminal justice delivery in Ondo State.

    U – UNIFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES: We shall ensure adherence to law and order in respect of enforcement of law by security agencies and MDAs. The idea of illegal arrest, detention and enforcement of order of Court must be stopped. All security agencies in the State must comply with the laws establishing such bodies.

    L – LAW OFFICERS AND LAWYERS’ WELFARE IN ONDO STATE WILL BE REVIEWED: We shall look into all areas of existing displeasure in the practice of law in Ondo State vis a vis the need for improved welfare of law officers across the State. We shall collaborate with the Chief Judge of the State to embark on development of Court Infrastructures, eradication of touting in Courts and we shall collaborate with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association in the State to establish a Compliant Desk to address all issues connected with lawyers and their practice across the State.

    O – OBEDIENCE TO COURT ORDER AND LAW: There must be strict compliance with Order of Courts and Law in the State by Government and all persons. We shall do everything within the perimeters of our law to prohibit flagrant abuse of Court Orders and Laws within the State.

    K – KNOWLEDGE OF EXISTING LAWS (ADEQUATE DISSEMINATION): We shall engage in strategic partnership with key stakeholders in the State to facilitate the dissemination of the existing laws in the State and constitute the Law Development Strategy Team to ensure adequate information pertaining to different sectors of the society is disseminated across the State, utilising all known communication platforms for compliance.

    A – ADHERENCE TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS OF THE GOVERNOR AND RULE OF LAW: We shall, from time to time, advise the Executive Governor in tune with the needs and yearnings of the people of Ondo State. We ensure compliance by all MDAs and other stakeholders in the State of all Executive orders issued by the Executive Governor in this regard.

    Y – YOUTH, CHILDREN, JUVENILE, WOMEN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY LAWS: We shall zoom, with particular attention, all laws relating to Youth, Children, Juvenile, Women and Persons with disability with a view to ensuring that these classes of people are not unlawfully abused or exploited for whatever reasons within the entire state. We shall liaise with the House of Assembly to make law for the protection of the vulnerable in the State.

  • Famous actor dies in okada accident at 27

    Famous actor dies in okada accident at 27

    Popular Actor, Chance Perdomo, best known for his role in Netflix horror series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, has died in a motorcycle accident at 27, his publicist announced.

    The British-American star was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Southampton.

    He was nominated for best actor at the 2019 Bafta TV Awards for his role in the BBC Three drama Killed by My Debt.

    “His insatiable appetite for life was felt by all who knew him,” the publicist said in a statement.

    “His warmth will carry on in those who he loved dearest,” the statement seen by the BBC’s US partner, CBS, added, before asking that Perdomo’s family be given “privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother”.

    Details of where the accident took place, or how it was caused, have not yet been shared. CBS reports that the representative said, “no other individuals were involved”.

    As well as playing warlock Ambrose Spellman in the Netflix drama, Perdomo starred as Andre Anderson in Amazon Prime’s superhero series Gen V.

    A statement released by Amazon MGM Studios and Gen V co-producers Sony Pictures Television remembered the actor as “charming” and an “enthusiastic force of nature”.

    “Even writing about him in the past tense doesn’t make sense,” they said.

    Perdomo studied law after leaving school and began his acting career in 2017 with a part in the CBBC series Hetty Feather.

    His role in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina saw him being named among Bafta’s “Breakthrough Brits” in 2019.

     

    After being nominated for the best actor Bafta in the same year, Perdomo told BBC Newsbeat he had been “overwhelmed” by the reaction to Killed by My Debt – a docudrama based on the true story of Jerome Rogers, a motorcycle courier in London who found himself in crushing debt and took his own life.

    In the run-up to the Bafta awards ceremony in May 2019, Perdomo was reported by a local newspaper to have returned to his former Southampton secondary school to give a talk to Year 10 pupils.

    “He spoke to them about working hard and he told them it was just his passion for acting and not for fame that got him where he is now,” Redbridge Community School’s headteacher Jason Ashley told the Southern Daily Echo at the time.

  • Sad! Popular US actress dies at 93

    Sad! Popular US actress dies at 93

    American actress, Frances Sternhagen, popular for US comedy series, ‘Sex and the City’, has died at the age of 93.

    This was disclosed by John Carlin, her son, via a tribute on his Instagram page on Wednesday.

    Carlin described his mother as a “remarkable artist and human being” who was deeply admired by many.

    He added that he cherishes their close bond as mother and son.

    “Mom. Frances Sternhagen. On Monday night, Nov 27, she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday. She was beloved by many,” Carlin wrote.

    “I am very lucky I was able to call her my mom, my friend, and my song and dance partner. We were together last week, and we spoke Monday afternoon and said how much we loved and missed one another.

    “She always encouraged my writing and enjoyed my singing. I’ll fly back very early the next day. Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly, and generously lived.”

    Sternhagen made her acting debut at age 25 at the Cherry Lane Theater.

    In 2002, she earned an Emmy nomination for her role as Bunny MacDougal in ‘Sex and the City’.

    She was married to Thomas Carlin, a fellow actor whom she first met at Catholic University, from 1956 until his death in 1991.

    Frances Sternhagen is survived by six children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

  • What should happen to my body when I die – Femi Kuti

    What should happen to my body when I die – Femi Kuti

    Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti has said he wants his body to be cremated when he dies.

    Kuti said he wants the funeral attended by close friends and family members without a loud burial ceremony.

    The son of late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti disclosed this at the New Africa Shrine during his performance on Sunday.

    The 59-year-old singer said, “When I die, please cremate me, burn my body. It is the most hygienic way. Have you all thought about Ikoyi cemetery, this Lagos has been in existence for let’s just say 60 years and people die, if they don’t die today, they will die tomorrow and that burial ground has never been full and if you check it, it is not like it’s 1 million acres since I was little when we used to bury people there.”

  • Anambra must not die, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Anambra must not die, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    “The seat at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State is not hereditary and no winner is returned to it without an election duly conducted within the time frame as stipulated by the law…it will be judicial slumber to grant an application of this nature. The election in which he was returned is an illegal exercise and the certificate of return issued to the applicant (Uba) has no backing in law…if this court grants this application, it will be setting a bad precedent and standing the law against its feet, which it has refused to do…”

    So held the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, on November 13, 2009, as per Justice Nwali Ngwuta (of the blessed memory) in unanimously dismissing the application filed by Andy Uba praying the appellate Court to declare him “Governor-in-waiting”. On November 13 2009, the whole Anambra stood still anxiously awaiting the much-dreamt verdict of the Court of Appeal. A few days to the delivery of the judgment, Andy Uba and his cohorts went agog in a champagne celebration in some parts of Awka under the false illusion that the Court of Appeal judgment was in favour of Andy Uba. But when the true verdict of the Court finally came to light on November 13 2009 many Ndi Anambra heaved a sigh of relief. Many could be seen jubilating in the streets because Anambra was not captured by the Anambra juju politicians and ruffians whom Chinua Achebe referred to at that time as political renegades.

    The aforesaid Court of Appeal judgment sealed the hope of Andy Uba in trying to capture Anambra in order to convert it into his personal fiefdom. Talking about Uba, Anambra has had a checkered political history. From the traumatic totalitarian reign of Chinwoke Mbadinuju (May 1999-May 2003) to the short reign of Dame Virginia Etiaba (3 November 2006-9 February 2007), Anambra democracy was bringing out thieves, murderers, mad men, wicked men, vultures and undisciplined rabble from their hideouts and entrusting them with the sacred duty of managing the affairs of their fellow men and women in Anambra. Or, if you like, Anambra prior to the emergence of Peter Obi had been entering “one chance”. After the Supreme Court had extended Peter Obi’s tenure as well as ordered that Governorship Election would hold in Anambra in 2010, Andy Uba came out from the blues and started claiming that, by virtue of the April 14, 2007 Governorship Election in which he emerged victorious and was sworn in as Anambra Governor (He reigned for only about three weeks), he was a “Governor-in-waiting” and therefore should be allowed to bounce back as Anambra Governor. But thank God that the aforesaid November 13 2009 Court of Appeal judgment truly consigned Andy Uba to where he belongs-the dustbin of Anambra political history. The judgment also cleared the coast for the February 6th 2010 Governorship Election which produced Peter Obi thus making him the first civilian Anambra Governor to enjoy a second term.

    Peter Obi’s second term ushered a new dawn in Anambra. It marked the glorious days of Anambra State. Under the watch of Peter Obi, Anambra State simply triumphed. It became a role model for other States of the federation. Beyond reconstruction of roads and provision of infrastructure, true human development flourished in the State. Being a sensible technocrat with no time for dirty identity politics, Obi wasted no time in returning most Anambra schools to their former missionary owners. This gesture in no distant time started yielding dividends. Anambra schools and students started to marvelously excel in WAEC, NECO, JAMB exams and other national and international educational exams and competitions. Anyway, Peter Obi’s biggest achievement as Anambra Governor, in my view, is his ability to create a new work culture and serviceable public ethics that encouraged hard work, honesty, diligence and meritocracy in Anambra public institutions. He managed to create a work culture that did not create loopholes for the flourishing of incompetence, laziness, corruption and graft.

    This is why the Anambra voters must troop out en masse on Saturday November 6, 2021 (Anambra seems to have a pact with the alphabetical number 6. Peter Obi was re-elected February 6 2010 and the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election comes up November 6 2021) to vote for a candidate who will reenact the Peter Obi prodigy in the next four years in order to keep Anambra alive. Boycotting the Saturday Election will be tantamount to giving the Abuja-assisted thieves, murderers, vultures, mad men, wicked men and undisciplined rabble rousers in Anambra the opportunity to steal the Anambra Election. There are conflicting news/reports regarding whether or not IPOB has called for an Election boycott or ordered for a sit-at-home from November 5 to 10 2010. IPOB itself has purportedly been sending out public notices/messages to the effect that it is neither calling for an Election boycott nor ordering for a sit-at-home during the Election. There is no doubt that the Abuja meddlers in the Anambra Election are bent on creating a contrived state of anarchy or helplessness in Anambra in order to rig the Anambra Election in favour of their sponsored candidate. The people of Anambra must resist this. If the people of Edo State resisted Federal-assisted election manipulation and gerrymandering and fraud during the last Edo Governorship Election, the people of Anambra must follow suit. It is an insult to our collective intelligence that a State that has produced the most outstanding contemporary literary personalities and legal icons in Nigeria will be governed by a ruffian or renegade parading “Toronto” educational qualifications.

    Nothing will be gained in boycotting the Saturday Anambra Election. Those presently killing their Anambra brothers and sisters or intimidating Anambra voters to boycott the Saturday Election on ground or feign ground of exercise of their right to self-determination should remember that participation in the political process or voting on Election Day is not incompatible with the exercise of the right to self-determination. Instead of scuttling the right to self-determination, voting for a candidate of one’s choice on Election Day could facilitate the exercise of the right to self-determination. One thing is clear: self-determination cannot be actualized under a chaotic, ruinous, and hostile atmosphere. More importantly, when brothers fight to death strangers will inherit their land. If the various Anambra combatants, enemies and perceived enemies succeed in killing themselves then the strangers hiding in Anambra bushes will come out from their hideouts and take over Anambra and occupy it. The President of the Leadership Institute, Arlington Virginia, United States Morton Blackwell used to say to us in those days, “If you cannot pay your rent then you cannot save the world”. Analogically, if Ndi Anambra cannot save their little clans, Umunna (kindred), villages and towns in Anambra State, how can they hope to save Nigeria let alone save the world? This is why Ndi Anambra must rally round today to save Anambra from the present dangers and enemies surrounding her. Anambra must not die.

  • 2023: Don’t die for us politicians, Makinde cautions Nigerians at Fayose’s son’s wedding

    2023: Don’t die for us politicians, Makinde cautions Nigerians at Fayose’s son’s wedding

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has apparently announced an end to the political difference between him and the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Makinde and Fayose had a few months ago locked-horns over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West region.

    Although the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose conceded defeat after his preferred candidate, Eddy Olafeso lost to Taofeek Arapaja who was backed by Governor Makinde in the April 2021 south-west zonal PDP Congress, there were indications that the party in the zone may not be united.

    But one week to the Special National Convention of the PDP, Governor Makinde, who was a guest at the traditional wedding ceremony of Oluwanigba Fayose, son of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose in Lagos on Saturday, said whatever misunderstanding they have had, has been put behind them.

    He also cautioned against politics of bitterness, noting that the presence of the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and present Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and erstwhile governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni at the wedding, should serve as a lesson to Nigerians.

    “If you look at the former governors in Ekiti State – Governor Segun Oni, Governor Ayo Fayose and the incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi, they have governed the state at one time or the other but they were not in the same party. So, those of you who want to die because of us politicians, be careful,” Makinde said, according to a statement signed by his spokesperson, Taiwo Adisa.

    “Politics is not something that should cause anybody to lose his or her life. We are moving towards the electioneering period, and I just want to use this opportunity to appeal to you all.

    “If you also look at this marriage, the bride and groom are from Christian and Muslim families. So, people who also want to always fight on religious grounds should have a rethink.”

  • 12 die, six injured in Kaduna road accident

    12 die, six injured in Kaduna road accident

    Twelve persons have died with six others injured in a motor accident along the Kaduna-Abuja on Monday.

    The accident occurred around Nasarawa Doka, along the highway in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement.

    The commissioner explained that the accident involved a lone Toyota Hiace bus conveying 18 passengers from Kaduna to Abuja.

    He explained that one of the bus tyres exploded due to brake failure with twelve passengers dying on the spot.

    According to him, six others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

    On his part, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed sadness over the incident and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

    While wishing the injured a quick recovery, the governor asked citizens to continue to drive safely, pay attention to the condition of their vehicles and observe traffic rules as they ply major highways.

    The latest accident comes five months after the state recorded an accident at the Kateri axis of the highway.

    The commissioner had on March 22 said a commercial DAF trailer carrying 53 passengers was on high speed, lost control and veered off into the bush.

    No fewer than 19 people died with 34 others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

  • COVID-19: ‘Vaccinate and ‘die within 3 years’ (2), By Ehichioya Ezomon

    COVID-19: ‘Vaccinate and ‘die within 3 years’ (2), By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    The first of this serial of Monday, July 12, 2021, contrasted the “mRNA COVID-19 vaccine” with the “normal vaccine” from the pathogen itself – a microbe or virus that was killed or weakened – and introduced into the body in order to produce antibodies.
    The argument of the “anti-vaccine” (anti-vax) propagators is that those inoculated with the COVID vaccines have been sentenced to “premature death,” contrary to the advantages that vaccine enthusiasts claim it confers on the immunised.
    These contradictory views among virologists and vaccinologists have left many confused, fueling vaccination hesitancy or refusal amid more fast spreading and deadlier Delta variants worldwide.
    As reported in many countries, infections and hospitalisation are rising, doubling the rate of vaccinations that’s down, say in the United States, to 80 per cent in some states.
    While the “SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has surfaced in Nigeria – and the federal and state governments, and experts managing the pandemic are bracing up for any eventuality, even as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has shut down due to a rise in cases among students – Nigerian virus sceptics are unmoved.
    Instead, they lap up conspiracy theories: COVID-19 vaccines carry “microchips” that alter the gene, destroy immune system, sterilize people for depopulation, and the over 3.57 billion vaccinated worldwide as at Friday, July 16, “will die within three years.”
    Other myths and misinformation stoking vaccine resistance among Nigerians are: * The virus can’t kill Africans due to the continent’s climatic conditions, and “immunity” from drugs against malaria and other ailments. * Africans and people of colour are used as “guinea pigs” for the vaccines. * Doses sent to Africa and communities of colour are different from those administered in other regions.
    Oblivious of allianceforscience.cornell.edu‘s caution that “most conspiracy theories, like the viruses they resemble, constantly mutate and have several variants circulating at any one time,” Nigerian COVID-19 deniers not only shun health and social protocols as effective means of preventing the virus, but also poke fun at those wearing masks that demonstrably save lives.
    I got a dose of the laugh-you-in-the-face on July 5 when I went and picked a copy of New Telegraph, and saw the commercial (okada) rider, who helps refill our cooking gas cylinders.
    The previous Monday, June 28, he had promised to come and pick an empty cylinder for refilling; he didn’t. So, chancing on him at the “okada park,” I wanted to know why he didn’t turn up.
    Rather than answer the question, he raised a query in response. “You’re still wearing mask?” he said, as he made to mollify me for breaking his assurances of the previous week.
    “Yes, I’m still wearing mask as COVID-19 hasn’t been eliminated,” I replied, torn between anger and accepting his apology. “Or have you heard that the virus is no longer in Nigeria?” I added.
    The elderly cyclist, who seems my senior, and dons the same jacket since I knew him for several years – and in this COVID-19 era used to wear a mask on his chin – held me and repeatedly said, “I’m sorry I didn’t come. Please, forgive me. I will not fail you again.”
    Away from the “okada rider,” I met another patron, a lady mini distributor of bread, who asked in pidgin English: “Una still dey wear mask? COVID-19 no dey againooo! As im no fit do us anything, di people wey carry im come don komot am from Nigeria.”
    My counter-argument was of no effect, so I left to see my friend, who runs a provision/patent medicine store. Addressed simply as “Chemist” by customers, he, like most sceptics, maintains a matter-of-fact manner to COVID-19 and the vaccines.
    As we moved, as usual, from one topic to another: politics, economy, insecurity, rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu and declaration Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho, “wanted,” a woman in hijab pulled up, wound down the glass and asked for a ware.
    Perhaps not grasping what she said, the storekeeper urged her to “remove your mask, there’s no COVID-19.” The woman lowered the mask to the jaw, and told him to cut the prank.
    Interjecting, I told her the storekeeper merely wanted to see her face, which she affirmed, saying, “Don’t mind him, he wants to see my face,” and laughed, as she alighted and repeated her advice that COVID-19 was real, but “we are lucky because of our climate.”
    Having received the two packets of the product she requested, she climbed back behind the wheel, opened the packets and emptied their contents into a small silver warmer/flask.
    Before she engaged gear, I appreciated her donning a mask, and briefly narrated how I went into town, and didn’t meet or see any Lagosian wearing a mask, to which she said it’s unwise to trivialize the pandemic and the vaccines. She curtsied and drove off.
    Glad to find a woman, among thousands of Lagosians, admitting to the reality of COVID-19 that has killed 4,087,957 people globally, and 2,126 Nigerians as at 20:12 GMT (7:12 p.m. NT) on July 16.
    Some of the conspiracy theories, myths and misinformation about COVID-19 are at best hilarious, but the rave of the moment is that the vaccinated spot in the upper arm can “generate light.”
    Reportedly linked to a video by a medical doctor, who “generated light” by placing a handset on the vaccinated spot of his arm, Nigerian vaccine doubters hold that with vaccine-induced light, “there is no need for NEPA,” an allusion to Nigeria’s inefficient and moribund public electricity supplier.
    Possibly aligning with this narrative, some of my community people in Lagos, at our monthly meeting on Sunday, July 4, tried to goad me into pulling-up my sleeve, to “generate light” from my arm, knowing that I’d taken the two shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
    Momentarily, I was tempted to yield to the “experiment.” But I decided against lending credence to public fantasies, and help solidify people’s non-belief in COVID-19 and the vaccines.
    I refused their urgings, promising, inwardly, to carry out the test at home, which I did with no “light” generated in my arm. But would the virus deniers and inoculation resistants believe it?
    Not when they didn’t witness the “experiment,” which outcome they would’ve disputed, anyway, on the likely accusation of manipulation of the process, even if carried out in their presence, but didn’t meet their expectation or mindset.
    It’s why they don’t wear masks, and mock those who do as “ignorant” or “having contracted” the disease. It’s why they look at you with suspicion, and sometimes try to sidestep or avoid contact with you. And it’s why they voraciously consume conspiracy theories and deny the reality of and about COVID-19.
    Now that the “anti-vaccine heroes” have passed a “death sentence” on those already immunized, the vaccine deniers will claim vindication about an alleged hidden agenda by the enthusiasts and governments that insist on mass vaccination.

     

    Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • I may die before trial, Nnamdi Kanu raises alarm over worsening health

    I may die before trial, Nnamdi Kanu raises alarm over worsening health

    Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed an application before the Federal High Court in Abuja, wherein he lamented that he might die in the custody of the Department of State Service, DSS if nothing was done to urgently address his deteriorating health condition.

    Kanu, in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, demanded to be transferred from the custody of theDSS, to the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Kuje.

    “That if the health condition of the Defendant is not addressed most promptly, the Defendant may die in custody, even before his trial. It is essential that Defendant’s Medical Experts/Consultants be allowed to carry out proper, thorough, and independent medical examinations of Defendant to save Defendant’s life.

    He specifically applied for an order of the trial court, “directing the transfer of the Applicant from the custody of the National Headquarters of the State Security Service to the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, where he was initially detained before he was granted bail, pending the determination of the charge”.

    As well as, “An order of this Honourable Court directing the Defendant/Applicant’s custodian, to grant access to his medical experts/doctors to carry out a comprehensive independent medical examination of the defendant/applicant’s health condition/status, while in custody.”

    It will be recalled that Kanu whose whereabout was hitherto unknown, was on June 27 returned back to the country after he was arrested from a yet to be confirmed African country.

    in the fresh application, Kanu alleged that he has been “subjected to mental and psychological torture” by the DSS, saying it would be in the interest of justice for the court to order his transfer to the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre which he described as “an impartial facility that has no interest whatsoever” in the outcome of his trial.

    An affidavit he attached in support of the application, read: “That this charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 came upon 29th June 2021 and the Applicant was brought before the Court in Chains, handcuffs and leg-cuffs, blindfolded, and was consequently remanded in the custody of the State Security Service, even though there was no legal representation for the Defendant, and the matter was therefore adjourned to the 26th day of July 2021 for trial.

    “That the Counsel to the Applicant was not served with any hearing notice before the appearance of the applicant in Court, neither were they aware that any action was scheduled to take place in the criminal charge NO. FCH/ABJ/CR/383/2015 on that 29th June 2021.

    “That on 30th June 2021, the Applicant’s Solicitors formally wrote to the State Security Service to allow the Applicant solicitors have access to the Applicant. A copy of the said letter is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit MNK 1. That on 2nd July 2021, at about 12:32 pm, the State Security Service called me to inform me that our request to visit the Applicant has been approved and that I should come by 4:00 pm to see Defendant.

    “That on the said 2nd July 2021 at about 5:00 pm, at the State Security Headquarters, in Abuja, the Applicant informed me of the following facts which I verily believed to be accurate and correct as follows; That he was kidnapped and/or abducted by Kenyan Security Forces on 19th June 2021, specifically at Nairobi Airport.

    “That he was detained by the personnel of the Kenyan Police Force for eight days, and was throughout this period of detention subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment, brutal torture, causing grave and severe heart problem that almost took his life. That he was detained in an unconventional facility, not necessarily a police detention center in Kenya.

    “That throughout this detention in Kenya, he was never allowed access to his relatives before he was handed over to their Nigerian Security counterparts who smuggled him into Nigeria in clear violation of his rights.

    “That since he was smuggled into this country on 27th June 2021, he has been kept in solitary confinement without access to his family members, relatives, wife, cousins, and children, except his lawyer, who only visits after they must secure the approval and endorsement of the Director-General of the State Security Service, which approval are not usually granted as a matter of course.

    “That he is still being subjected to mental and psychological torture by his custodians, on account of the conditions of his solitary confinement. That an ECG examination was carried out on Defendant, and it was discovered that Defendant’s heart had been enlarged by more than 13 per cent, posing a serious threat and danger to Defendant’s life.

    “That there is a need for the Defendant to have access to his Medical Doctors to avert the danger looming against the life of the Defendant. That the health personnel attending to the Defendant in the custody of the State Security Service is not adequate considering the circumstances of the Defendant’s health condition.

    “That the Defendant requires the services of his medical experts as his medical records issued by the Chief Cardiologist of Nairobi Hospital who has the Defendant’s medical records, mainly, before the arrest/abduction of the Applicant shows a debilitating medical condition. Copies of these medical records showing the Applicant’s subsisting health condition are hereby attached and marked as Exhibit MNK.

    “That if the health condition of the Defendant is not addressed most promptly, the Defendant may die in custody, even before his trial. It is essential that Defendant’s Medical Experts/Consultants be allowed to carry out proper, thorough, and independent medical examinations of Defendant to save Defendant’s life.

    “That the Defendant needs regular medical observation/attention by the Defendant’s Medical specialists/Consultants in Cardiology. That the Defendant’s Medical Specialists (including the Chief Cardiologist of Nairobi Hospital) in Kenya have his complete medical records that will easily aid the examination of the Defendant and treatment thereof.

    “That the Defendant undertakes to bear any cost incidental to getting the medical experts to attend to his ill health while in custody. The defendant can only be alive to stand his trial, which cannot be guaranteed because of his rapidly deteriorating health situation.

    “The Defendant cannot effectively put up a defense to the charge against him, in his present deteriorating health condition. That I know that upon the arraignment of the Applicant, this Honourable Court in its wisdom initially remanded the Applicant in Kuje Correctional Service Centre, where he was held for almost two years before bail was consequently granted to the Applicant.

    “That for the almost two years the Applicant was in custody in Kuje Correctional Facility, there was never any complaint about any form of misconduct against him. That the State Security Service is not a detention Centre, neither does it have the requisite custodial facilities to enhance the conditions of the occupants/inmates.

    “That the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre is an impartial facility that has no interest whatsoever in the outcome of this charge. That the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre is the only body statutorily empowered to keep custody of persons facing criminal trial in courts, hence, the necessity to transfer the Applicant to the Nigerian Correctional Service Center Kuje.

    “That it will serve the interest of Justice and enhance fair hearing for this Honourable Court to transfer the Applicant from the State Security Service to the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.

    “That the Applicant has very limited access to his lawyers, who can only visit him after the approval of the Director of the State Security Services has been first sought and obtained, which said approval in most cases, takes days and that the above situation would greatly impede the Defendant’s preparation for his defense to the charge against him.

    “That the favorable consideration of this application is compelling in the circumstance of the present Notice for the resumption of the Court’s Annual vacation, which would affect the hearing on the substantive charge already slated for the 26th Day of July 2021. That fair hearing can only be guaranteed when the Applicant is not remanded in the custody of his accusers.

    “That it is a fact that Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. That it will greatly aid and serve the interest of Justice if this application is granted. That the respondent will not be prejudiced by the grant of this application. That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be true and correct and in accordance with the oath Act.”

  • [Video]: Covid-19 is real, I saw many patients die in my isolation center – Ali baba warns Nigerians after recovery

    [Video]: Covid-19 is real, I saw many patients die in my isolation center – Ali baba warns Nigerians after recovery

    Foremost Nigerian stand-up comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba has warned Nigerians to take all protocols put in place by the government on the deadly Coronavirus, seriously.

    Ali Baba who made the remarks in a video via his Instagram stressed that he saw many patients die at the Covid-19 Center in Yaba area of Lagos, where he also received treatment before testing negative to the disease.

    His post reads: Don’t let anyone tell you it’s a scam. I just came out of isolation. Several people died while I was there. Some of my close friends knew and they were very supportive.I thank the Lagos State governor @jidesanwoolu and the commissioner for health, the MD of the COVID CENTRE in YABA.

    Watch video: