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  • Drama in court as lawyer tackles judge for adjourning suspended UNICAL professor’s bail plea

    Drama in court as lawyer tackles judge for adjourning suspended UNICAL professor’s bail plea

    There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, after Justice James Omotosho adjourned the hearing of a bail application of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), until Jan. 31.

    The adjournment followed counsel for the prosecution, Osuobeni Akponimisingha’s objection that he was just being served with Ndifon’s further affidavit and would need time to study the process in the interest of fair hearing.

    The development did not go down well with Solomon Umoh, SAN, who appeared for Ndifon and Sunny Anyanwu, the co-defendant.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Ndifon and Anyanwu (1st and 2nd defendants) on allegations bordering on sexual harassment and threatening the star witness in the case.

    Anyanwu, who is one of the lawyers in the defence, was joined in the amended charge filed on Jan. 22 by the ICPC on allegation that he called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threatened her.

    Justice Omotosho had, on Thursday, ordered the two defendants to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.

    The judge, who adjourned the matter until today (Friday), held that the bail request would be taken after the trial.

    When the matter was called on Friday for continuation of trial, Umoh prayed the court to allow the hearing of his clients’ bail applications before the trial but Akponimisingha opposed it, saying based on the previous day’s directive of the court, the trial should be taken first.

    The ICPC lawyer argued further that he was just being served with the latest application filed on Thursday by Umoh and that he would need time to study it whether to respond or not.

    But Umoh told the court that Akponimisingha was being economical with the truth because he was aware of the medical report attached to the application already, and that the instant application was just an adjunct.

    He said when the judge admitted Ndifon to temporary  bail on Jan. 10 to enable him go for a glaucoma surgery slated for Jan. 11, it took them about a week to perfect the bail before the professor could proceed.

    He said the latest documents attached to the bail application had been verified by the ICPC in Exhibit PF3

    “So why will the counsel seek for an adjournment?” he asked.

    Besides, Umoh argued that Akponimisingha had no right to file any other process after the one he filed “because this is the final process.”

    He insisted that bail is a constitutional right which should not be taken away from his clients, even though they had been subjected to media trial.

    “We are talking of a constitutional right of a professor of Law to liberty,” he said.

    The senior lawyer urged the court to overrule Akponimisingha and proceed to hear the bail plea.

    Umoh said in the event that his application was not granted, “we ask that the interim bail be extended because he (Ndifon) has an imminent irreversible eye defect.”

    But the anti-graft commission’s lawyer disagreed with Umoh.

    He argued that the exhibit (Exhibit PF3) that the learner silk cited that they verified was in response to the medical report dated Dec. 29, 2023, and not the one dated Jan. 19.

    He said contrary to Umoh’s claim, the commission had not verified the latest exhibit (Exhibit A).

    “We have not verified the instant exhibit dated 19th day of January, 2024. He just serves me about three minutes ago.

    “I am just seeing this document for the first time. Fair hearing demands that I be allowed to see it whether to respond to it or not.

    “That is my reserved right which cannot be taken away from me. That is why I sought an adjournment to enable me look into it,” he said.

    Ruling, Justice Omotosho said in view of the fact that the further affidavit filed on Jan. 25 by Umoh was served on Akponimisingha in the courtroom, “it is fair hearing that the lawyer be given time to respond.”

    He said since accelerated hearing had been granted in the matter, the court would give a short adjournment.

    The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 31 for hearing of the bail applications.

    But shortly after the adjournment, Umoh stood up to address the court.

    The senior lawyer, who insisted that bail is a constitutional matter, said the application he brought was in line with the constitution.

    He reminded that Ndifon did not flout the interim bail granted by the court, hence the need to admit him to bail or extend the earlier one granted him.

    “I beg in the name of God that he should be granted the bail in the terms granted him earlier,” he said.

    Responding, Justice Omotosho said the earlier bail granted was granted on the premise that there were facts before the court that Ndifon was going for a medical surgery on a scheduled date.

    He said even though they were unable to conclude on the bail application, the defendant was allowed to go on bail but did not undergo the surgery in the long run.

    He said the facts about the present application were not before the court.

    “You filed a process on Jan.  25 and you served the prosecution counsel today.

    “That process has a medical report that was not before the court and the prosecution said he needs to respond

    “I have looked at my diary and there are many cases on Monday and Tuesday.

    “Even on Wednesday, Jan. 31, I have about 19 cases but I conceded to ensure that the bail application is taken,” the judge explained politely.

    Umoh then prayed the court to take Anyanwu’s bail, saying “the bail of the 2nd defendant is independent of the 1st defendant. I will always thank you.”

    Umoh consistently addressed the court using the word, “You,” and the judge corrected him, saying “learner silk, you are 13 years as senior advocate. You don’t address the court using ‘you’.”

    “Don’t judge me with this because I am on my weakest point today,” Umoh responded.

  • Court sends suspended UNICAL professor, lawyer to Kuje Prison

    Court sends suspended UNICAL professor, lawyer to Kuje Prison

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the remand of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), in Kuje Correctional Centre.

    Justice James Omotosho also ordered one of the lawyers of Ndifon, Mr Sunny Anyanwu, to be remanded in the correctional centre pending the hearing of their bail application.

    Justice Omotosho gave the order after Ndifon was re-arraigned alongside Anyanwu on an amended four-count charge bordering on alleged sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.

    According to reports, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is the complainant, Ndifon and Anyanwu are 1st and 2nd defendants in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2023.

    In count one, Ndifon was alleged to have, between May and September 2023 while being in the employment of UNICAL as Dean of Faculty of Law, caused one Miss TKJ (not real name), a diploma student of the university, to send pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself to him through his mobile telephone number: 08037066222 vide WhatsApp charts.

    The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention) Act 2015.

    In count three, the lawyer was alleged to have, sometime in November 2023 or thereabout, in Abuja during the pendency of the charge filed against Ndifon and on the prompting of the professor, called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone.

    Anyanwu was alleged to have threatened her not to honour the invitation of the ICPC in respect of the criminal investigation against Ndifon, which conduct he knew was intended to perverse the cause of justice.

    The offence was said to be punishable under Section 182 of the Penal Code Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.

    Justice Omotosho had, on Jan. 10, ordered the release of Ndifon on a temporary bail to enable him go for a glaucoma surgery.

  • Court grants UNICAL professor temporary bail to undergo eye surgery

    Court grants UNICAL professor temporary bail to undergo eye surgery

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the release of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), on temporary bail to enable him to go for glaucoma surgery.

    Justice James Omotosho made the order following an application by Ndifon’s counsel, Okon Efut, SAN, which was not opposed by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, lawyer to Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Justice Omotosho, who said he had considered Ndifon’s oral bail application, admitted him to bail in the sum of N250 million with a surety who must swear to affidavit of means and deposit his or her travel passport with the court registry.

    The judge also ordered that the bail would take effect from today (Jan. 10) to Jan. 25 when the bail application filed by the lawyer would be heard.

    The matter was consequently adjourned until Jan. 25 and Jan. 26 for continuation of trial and hearing of bail application

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Efut had, on Monday, informed the court that Ndifon had been scheduled for the eye surgery on Thursday (Jan. 11).

    The senior lawyer passionately appealed to the court to admit his client to bail to enable him go for the operation for him to be able to stand his trial, but the court held that the bail application was not ripe for hearing.

    The embattled varsity don was ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and the matter was fixed for today.

    The development occured after the ICPC’s lawyer alleged that one of the defence lawyers, Mr Sunny Anyanwu, threatened the commission’s star witness on phone over the case.

    Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter until today to hear the bail application and the affidavit of facts which Anyanwu was directed to file to give him fair hearing.

    Upon resumed hearing, Efut informed the court that he had filed a further and better affidavit to respond to ICPC’s counter affidavit to their bail application.

    He said he had also been served with Anyanwu’s affidavit of facts.

    The judge then asked of Anyanwu’s whereabouts.

    Omotosho, who wondered why Anyanwu would not have been in court, said if he had delivered the ruling based on the arguments in the last sitting, the lawyer’s name would have been mentioned and this might either affect the court decision negatively or positively.

    A lawyer stood up and informed that Anyanwu had issues with his car but was already in the court premises.

    The lawyer also confirmed that he had already filed his affidavit of facts.

    But the prosecution lawyer said he had neither seen Efut’s better and further affidavit nor seen Anyanwu’s affidavit of facts.

    “My lord, I am empty. I have not been served witb any of these applications to either respond or not. My lord the issue of service needs to be clear in the interest of justice,” he said.

    The judge then said that the bail application was not ripe for hearing.

    Efut and Anyanwu told the court that their applications were filed previous day and the bailif was mobilised For the service.

    Efut, who pleaded with the court, said he would undertake so that Ndifon could be released to him to enable him have the surgery.

    Justice Omotosho then agreed to release Ndifon to Efut with conditions.

    “I will release him to you as a SAN and attach a little condition,” he said.

    The judge, who said the matter would be given accelerated hearing, directed the ICPC to come with their witnesses in the next adjourned date.

  • UNICAL: Court remands suspended Law professor in Kuje Prison

    UNICAL: Court remands suspended Law professor in Kuje Prison

    A Federal High Court on Monday ordered that Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), charged with alleged sexual harassment be remanded in Kuje prison.

    Ndifon, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice James Omotosho, however pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.

    The ICPC, though its counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle, had filed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/511/23 on Oct. 30, 2023 against Ndifon.

    In count one, the defendant was alleged to have, between June and September 2023, used his office and position to gratify himself by soliciting for nude photographs and videos from a year 2 diploma female student of the university through Whatsapp chats on his telephone number: 08037066222, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    In count two, he was alleged to have corruptly requested for nude photographs and videos from a 400level female student of the Faculty of Law with the plan of changing her project supervisor to himself in order to guarantee favourable grades for her and offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a) (il) of the agency’s Act.

    in count three, he was alleged to have corruptly requested to see photographs of a 16-year-old prospective post UTME female student, as an inducement to consider her for admission into the Faculty of Law contrary to and punishable under Section 18(d) of the Act.

    Count four accused him of causing a female student to send pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself to him through Whatsapp chats on his telephone number: 08037066222 between May and September 2023, contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention) Act, 2015.

    These, Ndifon was alleged to have committed while being a public officer charged with responsibility for the certification of students as fit in learning and character as a prerequisite for the award of Bachelor’s degree in Law and admission into the Nigeria Law School.

    After the charge was read to him, the embattled lecturer pleaded not guilty to the counts.

    Ndifon’s counsel, Okon Efut, SAN, took his bail application dated Jan. 2 and filed Jan. 3.

    Efut prayed the court to admit his client to bail, particularly on health grounds.

    Besides, he informed the court that there were four other grounds why Ndifon should be granted bail.

    Speaking from the dock, Ndifon said: “My lord, I was supposed to have an eye surgery on Glaucoma.”

    Efut told the court that it was on the basis of his health condition that the magistrate court in Calabar admitted him to bail on Oct. 27, 2023, after being in detention for about 22 days.

    He said based on the medical report, the surgery was expected to be carried out on Jan. 11.

    ICPC Lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, opposed the application for bail.

    He said on receipt of the process, the commission filed a counter affidavit dated and filed Jan. 5.

    The lawyer, who alleged that one of the counsel to Ndifon threatened the commission’s star witness on phone, said they were in possession of the call logs.

    Akponimisingha argued that one of the cardinal reasons for granting bail was the assurance that a defendant would not interfer with the case.

    He further alleged that the lawyer’s name was in the bail application filed by Efut and that he was also at the court sitting.

    Justice Omotosho then asked the lawyer to come forward.

    “What is your name?” he asked.

    “Sunny Anyanwu is my name my lord,” he replied.

    The judge then asked him if he would wish to respond to the allegation by filing affidavit of facts and he responded in affirmative.

    Anyanwu, who admitted calling Tochi Kanu on phone, said the person he called was different from the names of the four witnesses in the charge and proof of evidence.

    “Tochi Kanu called me. When she called me, I was at Federal High Court here and I said I will call you later through a message.

    “It was much hours later I remembered somebody called me and put a call through.

    “At that point, there was a network issue and I was saying hello, hello and the call was cut off.

    “And that name they (ICPC) called was not in the proof of evidence. They have four witnesses,” he said.

    When the judge asked him his interest in the matter, he said Ndifon was his lecturer and that he came as counsel to defend him or support the defence.

    Justice Omotosho then asked Akponimisingha the name of the person that was alleged to have been called.

    “The name is Tochi Kanu Jane,” he said.

    The judge therefore directed Anyanwu to file his affidavit of facts for the court to decide on the issue.

    But Omotosho wondered why Ndifon had not gone for the surgery since Oct. 27, 2023, when the magistrate court granted him bail.

    Akponimisingha told the court that the medical report was served on them late and they were still verifying its genuineness.

    Justice Omotosho, who ordered Ndifon to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, adjourned the matter until Jan. 10 for hearing of the bail application and to enable Anyanwu filed the affidavit of facts.

    NAN

  • Varsity professor returns N1.1m wrongly paid to him by NDA

    Varsity professor returns N1.1m wrongly paid to him by NDA

    The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John-Ochefu Ochai, on Wednesday visited Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria to commend Prof. Umar Ka’oje for voluntarily returning N1,153,953.36 wrongly paid to him.

    The money was paid to the don after expiration of his teaching contract with the nation’s apex military academy.

    The visit by the commandant to the university was in addition to a letter of commendation to the don by the NDA dated Sept. 11.

    The commandant was received by Dr Rahanatu Lawal Head, Department of Political Science and International Studies.

    Lawal said, ”Only a few people today could exhibit Prof. Ka’oje’s uncommon moral courage stressing such exemplary character should be emulated.”

    In his remarks, the commandant said that he had to follow up the letter of commendation earlier written to the professor with the physical visit to further show appreciation for such act.

    According to him, the act exhibited by Ka’oje was extremely rare in Africa’s clime.

    He, therefore, pledged the NDA’s readiness to further honour the professor at an appropriate time.

    The commandant also expressed gratitude to the department for its well established culture of training leaders to be honest and accountable.

    In his response,  Ka’oje commended the academy, saying,” the Commandant equally deserved commendation for recognising and rewarding honesty.”

  • Court acquits Anambra varsity professor, others of forging chieftaincy documents

    Court acquits Anambra varsity professor, others of forging chieftaincy documents

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze and four others of allegations bordering on forgery of chieftaincy documents.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on the defendants’ motion on notice dated April 29, 2022, and filed by their counsel, Kelvin Nwufo, SAN, quashed the 11-count charge in its entirety for being invalid, unconstitutional and ultra vires.

    “The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted. This is the order of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.

    The judge agreed with the defendants that filing the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 after a similar matter had already been decided in an Anambra High Court and two more suits were still pending before the courts on same subject matter was an abuse of court process.

    “It is the law that where persons have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, they are bound by the judgement thereof,” he said.

    It would be recalled that the police had, on Feb  22, 2022, arraigned Prof. Obikeze, who works with the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly known as Anambra State University Igbariam in Anambra,

    Obikeze, the 1st defendant, was arraigned alongside Dr Raymond Ofor, Chief Ezue, Sir Amobi Nwafor and Okafor Bethram IK as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Inspector-General of Police, was the complainant in the 11-count charge.

    The defendants, however, pleaded non-guilty to all the charges.

    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 dated and filed on July 6, 2021, by the prosecution lawyer, Celestine Odo, the defendants were charged for the offences of conspiracy, forgery of the constitution of the Igweship Constitution of Awa, and punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.

    They were alleged to have committed the offence around Jan.15, 2019, at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    While count two accused them of uttering forged documents, count three accused them of making “a forged letter to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra on Chieftaincy and Towns Union Matters.

    The document was titled, “Submission of Awa Chieftaincy Constitution,” knowing it to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State.”

    But in a preliminary objection dated April 29, 2022, the defendants’ lawyer, Nwufo, prayed the court to dismiss the charge for being an abuse of court process.

    The senior lawyer argued that an High Court of Anambra had already delivered judgment in a similar matter in suit number: AG/155/2018 on Jan. 29, 2020 in which the court dismissed the case.

    Besides, he said that two others matters were pending in the state courts.

    Delivering the ruling,  Justice Ekwo held that even if someone later wrote a petition on a matter that judgement had been given, It was the duty of the police to advise the parties or any person connected thereto to either obey the judgement or proceed on appeal.

    “It can be seen from the respective averments of the parties to this application that the criminal charge in this case, is an attempt by the nominal complainants to use the police to intimidate, harass, frighten and cow the defendants/applicants.

    “On this ground, I find that this charge is a product of self-help and cannot be allowed to stand and I so hold. I make an order dismissing it,” he declared.

  • SAD! Foremost Nigerian professor and author, Kole Omotoso is dead

    SAD! Foremost Nigerian professor and author, Kole Omotoso is dead

    A Nigerian author and professor, Kole Omotoso, is dead.

    He died at the age of 80 in South Africa where he had been sick for a while, a family source told Premium Times.

    Mr Omotoso’s family later released a statement confirming his death.

    “Our beloved father and husband moved on from this plane on Wednesday 19th late afternoon,” the family wrote in a statement sent to journalists.

    They will share more information with the public as they gather themselves, they said while thanking friends of the family for their care, love and support.

    Some of the works of fiction Mr Omotoso authored include The Edifice and The Combat

  • Police confirm murder of UI professor in Ibadan

    Police confirm murder of UI professor in Ibadan

    The Police Command in Oyo State has confirmed the murder of Prof. Opeyemi Ajewole of University of Ibadan by gunmen.

    Ajewole, a Professor of Social and Environmental Forestry at the institute, was killed on Monday night on his way home.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    “The matter is under investigation. Updates would be provided accordingly,” Osifeso said.

    Also, a lecturer in the institution, who prefered to be anonymous, said Ajewole was killed while driving home.

    “It is true, he was killed last night while returning home. They shot him and took his car away,” he said.

  • Nigerian-born academic, Nwauwa, receives Professor of Service Excellence award in U.S.

    Nigerian-born academic, Nwauwa, receives Professor of Service Excellence award in U.S.

    Apollos Nwauwa, a U.S.-based Nigerian historian and professor of Africana Studies, has received Professor of Service Excellence award for his outstanding achievement and excellence in public service.

    Nwauwa received the award at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, U.S.

    The Professorship of Service Excellence is conferred upon members of the faculty who hold the rank of professor.

    It is also conferred on members of the faculty who have established outstanding national and international recognition for professional service and/or public service through their work at the University.

    The award was presented to Nwauwa by the university’s President, Dr Rodney Rogers, and Dr Joe Whitehead, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, also of the university at the institution’s just concluded 34th Annual Faculty Award Ceremony.

    Speaking with NAN in New York on Sunday, Nwauwa thanked the university for the honour bestowed on him.

    “To be recognised and honoured with this prestigious award in a clime other than my country of birth is quite humbling, though I knew that I have been contributing my best within the context of my professional calling and to serving the university community and the public the best ways possible.

    “I never expected that my efforts would be considered the best among peers and to be rewarded with the title/award as Professor of Service Excellence.

    “The award means a lot to me, giving my humble beginnings in Nigeria and more so, earning it in an American university,’’ he said.

    Nwauwa attributed the height attained in his profession to the discipline and support from his parents, saying,” I attribute every stride I make in life to my upbringing in a polygamous home in a Nigerian countryside.

    “With a father who was principled and strict but who stressed the importance of hard work and dignity alongside my mother who was so loving and yet spared nothing in putting me aright, I was minted to face the world beyond them.

    “With 17 siblings in the family, rivalry and competition was intense, but we either played it safe and healthy or incurred the wrath of our father.

    “Our school system in the ‘70s complemented the family discipline.

    “I was a product of the boarding house system in high school and the discipline it inculcated in me through the university system prepared me well for my sojourn and success in Canada and the United States.’’

    NAN reports that the Nigerian- born professor who hails from Ekwe in Orlu, Imo State, earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the then Bendel State University now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria.

    He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in History at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1989 and 1993 respectively and is a member of many learned societies.

    He has taught at many universities in Africa and America.

    Author and co-editor of more than 10 scholarly books and 40 research articles published in journals worldwide, Nwauwa’s most recent research piece on West African Elites has been published by Oxford University in its reference research encyclopedia on Africa.

    Nwauwa is Editor-in-Chief of Ofo Journal of Transatlantic Studies. He serves on the editorial board of several international journals.

    He has dedicated much of his professional life to giving back to Nigeria and Africa not only in terms of teaching and research but also by his mentoring presence.

    In 2016-2017, he took a one-year leave from his university to teach at the University of Calabar and was honoured with an award by his students for his devotion.

    Thereafter, he served as a visiting fellow at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

    Nwauwa is committed to turning brain drain into brain gain or brain circulation

  • Don frowns at record labels exploiting young artistes

    Don frowns at record labels exploiting young artistes

    A Professor of International Economics and Intellectual Property at the University of Abuja, K.M Waziri, has expressed dissatisfaction with the exploitation of young, naïve, up-and-coming and impressionable musical artistes, by record labels.

    In a statement obtained on Sunday, Waziri condemned the alleged servitude, unequal bargaining power, anti-labour law activities that characterized the many contract record labels.

    Some record labels literally manipulated young artists seeking exposure to sign and commit themselves to unbeknownst

    He claimed that some record labels literally manipulated young artists seeking exposure to sign and commit themselves to unbeknownst.

    Waziri said while record labels fed fat on the royalty and financial returns from the works of creatives, the artistes got an infinitesimal portion or absolutely nothing of their sweat as rewards, an action which contravened the dictates of the International Labour Organisation and local labour laws.

    The don said provisions of labour legislation by the ILO totally frowned at forced or compulsory labour which was an ancient practice akin to slavery and had no place in the modern world.

    Today, record labels with local and international management fraudulently make young artistes sign contracts without giving them the opportunity to know the details of the contract

     

    Waziri said all international instruments on forced or compulsory labour condemned the deceptive recruitment by record labels and the exploitative actions of the latter. The instruments include the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105), the United Nations Slavery Convention, 1927, and the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956.

    Waziri said, “Disappointingly, record labels are the new slave masters in town. One would have thought that with the exit of the colonialists and imperialists, the era of slavery in Nigeria and parts of Africa has ended but it is not so, evidently.

    Poor exposure and little or no educational background of up-and-coming artistes also contribute to the exploitation by record labels

    “Today, record labels with local and international management fraudulently make young artistes sign contracts without giving them the opportunity to know the details of the contract. This recruitment is by abuse of lack of information because the young artistes are not fully aware of the contract terms. This is condemnable and exploiters should desist from preying on the vulnerabilities of these young talents thus preventing them from making informed decisions before committing themselves to contract.”

    “The indicators of deceptive recruitment include economic reasons that render a young artiste vulnerable at the point of recruitment, including being from poor ground and lack of funding to produce records. Poor exposure and little or no educational background of up-and-coming artistes also contribute to the exploitation by record labels. Excessive deductions of wages for food or lodgings, or monetary penalties for fraudulent reasons also constitute indicators of deceptive recruitment, according to the ILO.

    “These practices are fraudulent, grossly exploitative and prosecutable and should be stopped by record labels. Young artistes already in messy contracts can also seek redress in court,” Waziri added.