TheNewsGuru

Tag: Evidence

  • Kylian Mbappe survives R3pe allegations as panel frees him due to insufficient evidence

    Kylian Mbappe survives R3pe allegations as panel frees him due to insufficient evidence

    The Swedish Prosecution Authority announced today that the inquiry into rape allegations against French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

    This is according to multiple reports on Thursday morning.

    The allegations had drawn international attention, casting a shadow over the football star’s career.

    Mbappé, who has consistently denied the allegations, has yet to make an official statement regarding the decision.

    His legal team had previously emphasised his commitment to due process.

    Mbappe was “linked to rape investigation in Sweden” and that he intended to reserve any explanations for the Swedish justice system “if necessary,” according to his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard.

    “He prioritises providing his explanations, if required, to the Swedish judiciary,” Canu-Bernard told AFP, while strongly condemning “media allegations suggesting that Kylian Mbappé had commented on the events of his trip to Stockholm.”

    The case, which began earlier this year, involved accusations stemming from an alleged incident in Stockholm. The prosecutor’s decision not to press charges marks the end of months of scrutiny and speculation.

  • Enugu govt ready to provide evidence against Ekpa, says he was a terrorist

    Enugu govt ready to provide evidence against Ekpa, says he was a terrorist

    Enugu State Government has commended the Government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest of the Finland-based leader of the criminal gang, Autopilots, Simon Ekpa, describing him as a common criminal, con man, and terrorist, who has no interest of Igbo people at heart.

    The government also described Ekpa as a murderer and fraudster, who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery, saying that Enugu State was ready and willing to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against Ndigbo to aid his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday.

    “The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa.

    “His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.

    “This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region.

    See also Bauchi: Head teacher bags 11 years jail term for sexually assaulting 6-year-old pupil
    “Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work. He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” the government said.

  • No proven medical evidence regular ‘other room activities ‘prevents prostate cancer – Urologist

    No proven medical evidence regular ‘other room activities ‘prevents prostate cancer – Urologist

    A consultant urologist, Dr. Odezi Otobo, has said there is no medical or urological evidence having regular sex and ejaculation reduces a man’s risk of coming down with prostate cancer.

    Otobo, who works with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, said this at a medical outreach for men organised by Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calabar.

    The outreach, which was held at the premises of the Christian Central Chapel International, Calabar, is part of programmes to commemorate “Movember.”

    Movember, which involves the growing of mustaches, is an annual event held in November to raise awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health.

    The urologist, who was reacting to claims on social media that constant intimacy and having multiple girlfriends could prevent prostate cancer, said the disease was either hereditary, caused by lifestyle, or environmental.

    “Instead of taking unprofessional and unscientific advice from different quarters, it is important to visit a hospital if you notice anything, and for those in their forties and fifties, get screened because early detection is key to effective treatment of cancer.

    “Prostate cancer is indolent cancer and can be handled when a man is aware, visits a medical facility, and changes his lifestyle, not by having multiple ‘side chicks,’ he said.

    On his part, Mr Yegwa Ukpo, the Executive Director, Asi Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre, said they had to commemorate Movember because men’s health issues were hardly addressed in society.

    Represented by Mrs Mercy Njoku, Event and Outreach Manager of the centre, Ukpo said there was something about masculinity in a society that made men think they had to keep their issues to themselves.

    “I want to appeal to the men to take their health seriously because cases of men slumping and dying in their forties and fifties are on the increase; we don’t want this to continue.

  • Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has offered N1million bounty to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.

    This is just as the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki has demanded for a water proof evidence from the incoming Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

    Shaibu in a press briefing in Benin City on Friday said he has evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last minute borrowing from financial institutions.

    He also called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the ministry of roads and bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last minute appointments by the outgoing administration.

    He said, “I have received disturbing reports of banks and other financial institutions, granting last-minute loans to Governor Godwin Obaseki. This is alarming, and not in good faith. Against that backdrop, I am issuing a strong warning to banks and financial institutions not to grant any loans or issue financial instruments to Governor Obaseki or any official of the state government in whatever capacity or office.

    Also, information at my disposal shows there are last-minute plans to siphon state’s fund using NGOs as a decoy, under the guise of supporting such organisations’ projects and activities.

    These actions undermine our state’s financial stability and potential mortgage of the future of Edo State. I dissociate myself and my office from any such dealings.”

    He said there were reports of indiscriminate and clandestine appointments into the civil and public service with outrageous grade levels.

    He added, “I condemn these actions and dissociate myself and my office from any involvement. These appointments have not only undermined the civil service’s integrity but also perpetuated a culture of cronyism.”

    He also alleged that consultants were being appointed and their date of engagement being backdated, allegedly to justify outrageous expenditures.

    “As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, I am inviting the EFCC and ICPC to look into the massive contract fraud that has taken place under the supervision of Ferguson Enabulele and the entire government.

    “Investigation is equally ongoing to unravel the alleged involvement of some engineers in the ministry, who agreed to assist the permanent secretary to keep such funds with their registered company accounts with banks and later convert such to US dollars.”

    A government official who pleaded anonymity said that the state government would not dignify the Shaibu with a response, noting that if he was important in the All Progressives Congress, he would have been included in Okpebholo’s transition committee.

  • Supreme Court hears Atiku’s motion to bring new evidence against Tinubu

    Supreme Court hears Atiku’s motion to bring new evidence against Tinubu

    Justice Inyang Okoro is leading six other justices of the Supreme Court to hear the motion filed by the  Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the Feb. 25, presidential election, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku seeking leave to file fresh evidence against President Bola Tinubu.

    Other justices on the seven-man panel are Justice Uwani Abaji, Justice Lawal Garba, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, Justice Adamu Jauro, Justice Tijani Abubakar, and Justice Emma Agim.

    Atiku and the PDP are seeking an order granting them leave to produce and for the court to receive fresh and additional evidence by way of deposition on oath from the Chicago State University.

    This is for use in this appeal to wit: the certified discovery deposition made by Caleb Westberg on behalf of Chicago State University on Oct. 3,  disclaiming the certificate presented by President Bola  Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

    At Monday’s sitting, counsel to the appellants was Mr  Chris Uche, SAN, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN appeared  for INEC, who is the  1st respondent.

    Mr Wole Olanipekun SAN, announced appearance for  President  Tinubu, the second respondent  while Mr Akin Olujimi SAN,  represented  the All Progressives Congress, (APC), the  3rd respondent.

    Uche told the apex court that his client was seeking leave to file new evidence in support of his case.

    “By the motion seeking permission dated Oct.5 and filed on Oct. 6, we are praying for an order of leave to present fresh evidence on appeal pursuant to the powers of the Supreme Court, particularly the depositions on oath from the Chicago State University,” Uche said.

    Uche further  told the panel that Tinubu, APC and INEC were opposing the application essentially on technical grounds of the the evidence  not being pleaded and coming late.

    He  argued that the motion was akin to jurisdictional issue not minding when it was filed, adding that the apex court should side-step technicalities and grant the request.

    Atiku’s counsel held that the motion was a constitutional issue, adding that the issue of 180 days could  not tie the hands of the apex court as they could hear the motion.

    Responding,  INEC’s lawyer said Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution should be interpreted to accommodate the Court of Appeal as a Tribunal.

    For his part, Olanipekun asked the court to dismiss what he described as an “unusual application” for lacking in merit.

    Olanipekun argued that  the Court of Appeal was a Tribunal based on relevant constitutional provisions, adding that the 180 days was like a rock of Gibraltar and it could not  be moved as it was sacrosanct.

    For his part, counsel  to the APC, asked the court to reject the motion seeking leave to bring additional fresh evidence as it was alien in law.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Atiku is before the court  challenging the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court, (PEPC) which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu.

    The  the Labour Party and it’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi as well  the Allied Peoples Movement, (APM) are also challenging the judgment of the PEPC before the apex court.

    NAN also reports that although the three petition were consolidated, the appeals would be heard separately.

  • Jandor’s counsel accuses WAEC official of compromising evidence against Sanwo-Olu

    Jandor’s counsel accuses WAEC official of compromising evidence against Sanwo-Olu

    Mr. Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), the lead counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Abdulazeez Adediran,  has accused the West African Examination Council (WAEC) official of compromising evidence in his testimony.

    The official was subpoenaed by the court to give evidence on the controversy surrounding the qualification of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Onwuenwunor accused Mr Olaolu Adekanmbi, the WAEC official, who was subpoenaed by the tribunal at his instance, of not being truthful in his evidence.

    The petitioner’s counsel told the tribunal that the evidence of the witness was adverse to its earlier findings after a search on WAEC’s online result verification portal which had allegedly indicated the absence of the governor’s names and result on it.

    Jandor’s counsel also applied to the tribunal for leave to cross examine the witness in order to challenge the accuracy of the WAEC official’s evidence.

    “There is a major conflict between what the witness has just brought and what we earlier tendered which was also issued by WAEC.

    “Our search before the polls had discovered that the governor had no result on WAEC’s portal and now this witness is bringing something different which contradicts their earlier position.

    “He is not being a witness of truth.

    “He has also refused to give more evidence on what he presented, and said the council does not produce hard copy of certificates or retain duplicate certificates,” he said.

    Earlier, the witness had presented a document bearing a May/June O’level result with the name of the governor issued in 1981 by Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School.

    Three member tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom admitted the document among the list of exhibits before it, into evidence.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) counsel, Mr Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), described the petitioner’s grouse as a storm in a teacup.

    He said: “This witness has made two contradictory statements.

    “There is nothing to warrant treating him as a hostile witness.

    “At the very best, he has only given evidence not palatable to my learned friend.

    “We urge you to refuse the application of the petitioner,”

    Dr Muiz- Banire (SAN) representing Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, who were the second and third respondents in the petition, also aligned himself with INEC’s position.

    “Exhibit P36 is a product of one Ijebu Ife community Grammar School, not WAEC while exhibit b2 is a product of one Grandex Ventures Ltd., not WAEC.

    “No one has led evidence to establish the authenticity of that portal so the attachment to it is totally unreliable.

    “No witness has even testified on the said Grandex, section 230 of the Evidence Act does not avail the petitioner the right to seek leave of court to declare the witness hostile,” Banire said.

    However, Labour party and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, urged the Tribunal to grant the petitioner’s request.

    They argued that the witness was being hostile to the truth and exhibited animosity.

    The Tribunal, in its ruling,  held that the petitioner could not cross-examine the witness and that the exhibit containing the findings from the portal could not be linked to WAEC directly.

    The tribunal, thereafter, ordered other counsel to cross examine the WAEC official.

    The witness told the tribunal during cross examination that the governor was found to have been entitled to a certificate issued by the school in question and that the online portal did  not exist as at 1981.

    He said: “Since there was no portal in 1981, this master list of 581 candidates that sat for the exam at the school is the primary information that will be fed into the result verification portal.

    “I think electronic registration of candidates started in 2004.

    “For migrating results, we have three portals and the council does not retain duplicate copies of certificates.”

    The tribunal adjourned until July 4 for continuation of hearing.

  • EVIDENCE: Don Jazzy fingered having affair with Korra during pregnancy

    EVIDENCE: Don Jazzy fingered having affair with Korra during pregnancy

    Korra Obidi’s husband, Dr. Justin Dean, has released evidence that his wife was allegedly having an affair with ace Nigerian music producer, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, while pregnant.

     

    This comes after he stated in a live video that his wife had a romantic moment with two Nigerian singers.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the America-based Nigerian dancer (Korra Obidi) had confessed to cheating on her husband while she was in Nigeria in a one time affair before she moved to America to be with him.

     

    She made this known during an Instagram live session with her sister, Nancy Umeh.

     

    Narrating her side of the story, the mother of two (Korra) denied being a chronic cheat, explaining that her ex-husband subjected her to physical and emotional abuse which led to her losing a pregnancy after she told him about her affair.

     

    “In her words: “I had an affair. That affair lasted like one date, I felt bad about it but I had not moved to America. Upon getting to America, I was sad that I had made that mistake with the guy so I told Dean the truth, I said,” Hey, I had an affair in Nigeria and I don’t want us to ever have secrets.”

     

    However, the chat evidence that Korra’s husband released was speculated to be a chat between his wife and Don Jazzy, who was born in Umuahia, Abia State.

     

    See chat evidence below:

     

     

    In the chat released by Justin Dean, it allegedly fingers Mavin Boss, Don Jazzy among the list of men his wife has had an affair with.

     

    The marital crises of the wonderful couple have been making headlines on many blogs with many allegations of infidelity on the part of Korra..

     

    In a chat screenshot that has surfaced online, Justin revealed that he only got to know that the famous Music mogul Don Jazzy was in a romantic affair with his wife recently.

    Korra Obidi shows backside

     

    This revelation comes after Peruzzi was also accused of bonking the professional dancer.

  • Sexual assault: Princess releases fresh evidence against Baba Ijesha

    Sexual assault: Princess releases fresh evidence against Baba Ijesha

    The sexual assault allegation levelled against popular comic actor, Olarenwaju Omiyinka, has taken another dimension as the child’s foster mother, comedienne, Princess, has released fresh evidence against the embattled actor.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that on Wednesday, Baba Ijesha, was arraigned before Magistrate Peter Nwaka on charges of rape, sexual assault and abuse of a minor.

    Magistrate Nwaka, however, refused the actor’s fresh bail application on the ground that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice had filed charges before a High Court.

    In a new development, Princess took to her verified Instagram account to release some incriminatory evidence against Baba Ijesha.

    In a series of posts on Instagram, Princess shared a recording of Baba Ijesha, alleging that while in police custody, he instructed his group members to spread false information.

    According to the voice note shared, Baba Ijesha was heard saying, “When something happens to someone that has a name, one must tread carefully so that the matter will die down. If you keep answering her, the matter will not die down. After she said this, she cannot say another thing tomorrow. She cannot go to social media again because they have banned everything.

    “You people should not fret; all of you should just keep doing publicity for me but act as if you do not know me. Share messages; I know you know how to write inspirational articles. Just say that we do not know the truth yet but Baba Ijesha will still come out by himself. That is all you need to say. Apply wisdom in all you do.”

    Princess further shared some messages she got from a lady who identified herself as Makinwa Elizabeth. The young lady told Princess that she works as Baba Ijesha’s secretary and also the admin for Baba Ijesha WhatsApp group.

    In the voice note, she alleged that she and her sister were almost victims of the embattled actor.

    Elizabeth was heard saying, “My name is Makinwa Elizabeth. I am Baba Ijesha’s worker; his secretary and the group admin. Seriously, as I am chatting with you, I am in tears. To be honest, at first, I was against you. To be frank with you I was against you because I thought you were trying to form some things against him. But I am disappointed. I know you are not lying. When you levelled the allegation against him, I knew you were not lying because Baba Ijesha is a flirt. But I thought what you said seven years ago was not real. We are all disappointed in the group we belong to.

    “I understand your pain and I feel your pain. I have been uncomfortable ever since I watched that video. We, members of the group, went to him and asked him for the truth, but this man lied. You will be surprised about the lie that he told us.
    “Please, do not be angry at me. Seriously, I know what you are saying. He has done this thing to me before; apart from harassing me, he did it to my blood sister. It has not been up to six months ago. God saved her.

    “Please don’t be angry; the whole group is sorry. The lie was just too much. He told us that both of you were once together. I went to meet him and asked that ‘Oga, is this thing real?’ I know he is a flirt because we work with him and we go around with him. When we go to a movie location, he can abandon us there. He did it to me as well but it is a long story. I did not know that he could do something like that. He lied to us.”

    Elizabeth further revealed that ever since the accusation of sexual assault was made public, members of the groups had reached out to her to share their experience.

    She said, “Those people are not telling me but because of this incident, they are now telling me as the admin. They are now recounting a lot of things in the group. Different people have been calling me to tell me what he did to them. They did not tell me before now, although we talk to him, he hardly listens because he is our boss. Even his senior colleagues have been advising him but he did not listen.”

    In another voice note, Princess released, an unidentified lady claimed she was almost raped by the actor.

    She said, “On this Baba Ijesha’s case, the man is the one who put himself into trouble. I remember a day we were at a movie location, and Baba Ijesha was there; I still have the picture we took together. The moment I got to the location, his eyes were fixated on me. He said he wanted to send me on an errand and I followed him to his room. If I was not a lady blessed with strong bones, I would have been telling another story. He almost raped me on that day. I pushed him away as he tried to force himself on me.

    “My elder siblings called me when the issue happened to ask if Baba Ijesha could do such a thing, I said, ‘yes, he can’. Please, do not support him at all. He has been doing this thing for a long time. If not that I do not want any problems for myself and I do not have the means to fight him, I would have done a video narrating my encounter. Please do not support him; he is the one that put himself in this predicament.”

     

  • Alleged forgery: Court admits Obaseki’s original certificates as evidence

    Alleged forgery: Court admits Obaseki’s original certificates as evidence

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted the original certificates of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, as evidence.

    This comes as Justice Ahmed Mohammed presides over the case of alleged certificate forgery instituted against the governor by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Mr Williams Edobor.

    The presiding judge admitted the documents as exhibits on Tuesday while the defendants called their first witness, Charity Aguobawekhina, to attest to their originality.

    Documents admitted by the court include Governor Obaseki’s First School Leaving Certificate obtained in 1971, his Ordinary Level Certificate obtained in 1973, and his Higher School Certificate obtained in 1976.

    Others are the governor’s Bachelor of Arts Degree Certificate issued by the University of Ibadan in 1979 and a Master’s Degree Certificate issued to him by the Pace University in New York, the United States in 1994.

    Counsel to the plaintiffs, Akin Olujimi, had raised an objection to the primary school certificate and original copy of the governor’s certificate from the University of Ibadan.

    He said the documents were not frontloaded and all arguments in respect to the objections raised would be taken to the final written address.

    Governor Obaseki’s certificates were admitted as evidence a day after the APC closed its case against him.

    At the resumed hearing of the suit on Monday, Olujimi concluded the APC’s case with the cross-examination of an expert witness, Raphael Onwuzuligbo, who is a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police and a forensic document examiner.

    When cross-examined by the counsels to Obaseki, Onwuzuligbo informed the court that the University of Ibadan’s logo on the governor’s certificate appeared to have been compromised.

    He added that the signature of the Vice-Chancellor of the university was missing from the certificate not because the document was poorly scanned but that it was truly missing.

    On his part, Olujimi stated that the testimony of the witness further proved their case against Governor Obaseki.

    This comes as Justice Ahmed Mohammed presides over the case of alleged certificate forgery instituted against the governor by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Mr Williams Edobor.

    The presiding judge admitted the documents as exhibits on Tuesday while the defendants called their first witness, Charity Aguobawekhina, to attest to their originality.

    Documents admitted by the court include Governor Obaseki’s First School Leaving Certificate obtained in 1971, his Ordinary Level Certificate obtained in 1973, and his Higher School Certificate obtained in 1976.

    Others are the governor’s Bachelor of Arts Degree Certificate issued by the University of Ibadan in 1979 and a Master’s Degree Certificate issued to him by the Pace University in New York, the United States in 1994.

    Counsel to the plaintiffs, Akin Olujimi, had raised an objection to the primary school certificate and original copy of the governor’s certificate from the University of Ibadan.

    He said the documents were not frontloaded and all arguments in respect to the objections raised would be taken to the final written address.

    Governor Obaseki’s certificates were admitted as evidence a day after the APC closed its case against him.

    At the resumed hearing of the suit on Monday, Olujimi concluded the APC’s case with the cross-examination of an expert witness, Raphael Onwuzuligbo, who is a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police and a forensic document examiner.

    When cross-examined by the counsels to Obaseki, Onwuzuligbo informed the court that the University of Ibadan’s logo on the governor’s certificate appeared to have been compromised.

    He added that the signature of the Vice-Chancellor of the university was missing from the certificate not because the document was poorly scanned but that it was truly missing.

    On his part, Olujimi stated that the testimony of the witness further proved their case against Governor Obaseki.

  • NHRC replies Malami: You have sufficient evidences to prosecute indicted SARS officers

    NHRC replies Malami: You have sufficient evidences to prosecute indicted SARS officers

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) claimed yesterday it had provided the Attorney General (AGF) and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami all relevant materials needed to prosecute 33 ex-operatives of the now scrapped Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) indicted for impunity and rights abuses.

    Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the claim in reaction to a report that the office of the AGF had no sufficient evidence to prosecute the affected operatives.

    The 33 ex-SARS operatives were indicted in a report recently submitted by a Presidential Investigation Panel constituted by the NHRC.

    Ojukwu said the two issues raised by the AGF as impediments to prosecuting the indicted operatives were that he had not received the original case files and that some of the police officers must first be dismissed by the Police Service Commission (PSC) before they could be prosecuted, “which is procedural.”

    He added: “We have worked on those conditions. We have sent all the original cases files, not only to him (the AGF), but to all the states, because the law says it is either the Attorney General of the Federation or the Attorney General of the states.

    “There are about 13 states involved, and I can assure you that we have dispersed all the original case files to all the 13 states. Secondly, we have submitted the list of these officers, with other necessary documents to both the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police.

    “So, they need to do the needful. Moving forward, I expect that, once these internal procedures are tidied up, they should be able to do what they are supposed to do. This is because, as at today, we have sorted out these two obstacles identified by the AGF.”

    Ojukwu, who frowned at the excesses of security agents in their relations with the people, and their reluctance to subject themselves to the law, insisted that members of the various security agencies must learn to comply with their rules of engagement.

    He noted that one of the major challenges of democracy and human rights protection in the country is that most people still manifest military mentality, while security agents feel they could operate unchallenged.

    “The law enforcement agents still keep feeling that nobody should challenge them,” Ojukwu noted, adding that it was time they realise that, in a democracy, despite the importance of their duty of keeping the society safe, they must operate within the confines of existing laws and the rules of engagement which they made for themselves.

    Ojukwu, who sought more funding for his commission to enable it to effectively deliver on its mandates, noted that the debate over whether or not the government should regulate the use of social media was unnecessary. He noted that the issues of freedom of expression and access to social media are constitutional matters.

    On the argument that there are sufficient laws to punish social media abuses, Ojukwu argued that it was within the right of the government, in a democracy, to seek to push through some policies, while the people also reserve the right to push counter arguments.

    “We are expecting that there would be a public hearing on any Bill to regulate social media. Certainly we would be there to defend the right of Nigerians to free press as enshrined in the Constitution. There have been attempts before and public hearings were conducted.

    “What we encourage is responsible media engagement. We do not encourage irresponsible use of social media. And, there are mechanisms to hold anybody who is irresponsible on social media accountable.

    “What we do not support is a situation where people are irresponsible on social media and still, they do not want to be held accountable. Your right stops where my own begins. So, if you decide to use social media to overstep my own right, then I have a right to call you to account.

    “It is the same thing for the government too. If any person oversteps his bound through social media, the government has the right to call that person to account. We encourage people to exercise their right, whether to social media or to the conventional media. But that right has to be exercised responsibly. And if any person crosses the line, I think that person should be held accountable,” Ojukwu said