News
NHRC Advocates Better Working Conditions For Humanitarian Workers
From Alhasan Abdullahi,Abuja
As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2020 World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the National Human Rights Commission is urging government at all levels and other stakeholders not to compromise on the security of all humanitarian workers who despite all adds, work round the clock to provide a lifeline and protection to people in need.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq who stated this in Abuja on the eve of the 2020 WHD celebrations emphasized the need to adequately equip and support humanitarian workers in order to encourage them to diligently discharge their difficult and challenging responsibilities to humanity.
NHRC Seeks Participation Of Youths In Governance
Ojukwu recalled the origin of WHD when on the 19th August 2003, 22 people including the Chief Humanitarian Officer in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello were bombed at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad for which the UN
General Assembly designated the Day to honour the victims and other humanitarian workers around the globe.
He stated that the WHD which is observed on 19th of August annually in honour of all aid and health workers killed or injured in the course of their duties remains an auspicious occasion to reminisce over the efforts and sacrifices of these humanists whether dead or living. While assuring champions who are still in the field that their sacrifices are not in vain but rather appreciated.
According to the human rights Czar, the rising level of insecurity across Nigeria and the world at large coupled with the novel COVID-19 pandemic which effects have virtually crippled world economy with high morbidity and mortality rate have made humanitarian work a more risky and daunting task.
“In Nigeria alone, insurgency, kidnappings, ethnic clashes, armed banditry and Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) etc. have unfortunately thrown up a number of humanitarian workers and issues which government and development partners are grappling to address”, the Executive Secretary remarked.
Meanwhile, he commended the federal government for the thoughtfulness in creating a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and other interventions to address the plights of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, returnees, migrants which if left unattended to, will snowball into further violations of human rights.
While commiserating with the families of humanitarian workers who lost their lives during the course of their work, the NHRC Boss used the opportunity to urge Nigerian institutions and organizations to always mainstream human rights in their daily activities in line with extant national, regional and international human rights and humanitarian laws to enhance the inherent dignity of mankind and Humanitarian workers
In a statement by Assitant Director Corporate Communications Fatima Agwai Muhammad said in order to improve the plight of placed countries and humanitarian workers, the National Human Rights Commission is working with the Ministry of Justice, Defence, Civilians in conflicts and other stakeholders to adopt a National Security Policy for the protection of civilians. When adopted, this will improve the climate for humanitarian workers and displaced communities in the country.
News
Federal Government Declares Public Holidays
The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18 and Monday April 21 as public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.
erior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.
News
Court Jails Man Four Years for Refusal to Accept Naira As Legal Tender
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi to four years imprisonment for his refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender.
Chimaobi was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 5, 2025 on a two-count charge bordering on refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet with serial number (12345678) and you, thereby , committed an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
He initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, leading to his full trial.
Subsequently, the prosecution presented its first witness, PW1, Owolabi Oyarekhua Jude, an operative of the EFCC.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, Jude told the court that “the Commission received intelligence on the activities of a jewelry company called Unlimited Jewellers Limited, “whose owner is one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi.
“The Company, which deals in jewelry at Atlantic Mall, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos intentionally tags and sells its products in Dollars as against the CBN Act, 2007 ,which stipulates Naira as the only legal tender in Nigeria.”
Continuing, he added that “ Subsequently, a covert operation was carried out , where an undercover operative of the Commission disguised as a customer to purchase a Diamond Nail bracelet that was tagged $6000 and bought it for $5700.
“The company refused to receive Naira and demanded Dollars as a means of payment. The payment was made and receipt was issued in Dollars . The owner of the company was arrested and taken to the Commission’s office.”
However, at the resumed sitting on April 14, 2025, the defendant opted to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty.
Consequent upon his guilty plea, Kofarnaisa, prayed the court to rely on the evidence earlier given by the investigating officer, and admit the same in convicting the defendant.
Kofarnaisa, thereafter, tendered the defendant’s statement and other evidence to further prove his guilt and they were admitted by the court.
Justice Owoeye then adjourned till Tuesday, April 15, 2025 for ruling.
Delivering judgment, they found the defendant guilty and gave him an option of fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) on count one.
The Judge sentenced him to four years imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N600,000 on count two.
His Cartier Diamond wristwatch was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convict bagged his imprisonment when he refused to accept Naira by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet. He was charged to court and convicted.
News
Senator Sumaila Begins Consultations on Possible Return to APC
Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila has begin consultation with his constituents to decide his fate on whether to return to the All Progressives Congress or not.
Reacting to a recent call by the APC leaders from Kano South Senatorial District, Senator Sumaila said he had embarked on rigorous consultations with constituents and other stakeholders.
“It is true the APC leaders from my district have called on me to return to APC. The leaders took the advantage of the internal crisis in my party; New Nigeria Peoples Party which factionalized the party.
“And I am sure they are targeting me because they knew my political strength and commitment in politics. So, when the call persist, i have started consulting my constituents and all relevant stakeholders.
“I am into politics because of my people and whatever situation I found myself, I will let them decide my fate. So, even this issue, I will not decide it by myself, I will rather allow them to decide.
“Whatever decision my constituents take, I will abide by it because in politics consultation and openness are critical. So, one thing I can aşure you is that I will not decode my fate alone and whatever my constituents decode, I will go by it.” He concluded.
Federal Government Declares Public Holidays
Court Jails Man Four Years for Refusal to Accept Naira As Legal Tender
Senator Sumaila Begins Consultations on Possible Return to APC
Ganduje, CPC’s Defection Threat and APC’s Hegemony
Buhari’s Aide: APC Ready to Welcome Kwankwaso Back
Federal Government Declares Public Holidays
Court Jails Man Four Years for Refusal to Accept Naira As Legal Tender
Senator Sumaila Begins Consultations on Possible Return to APC
Ganduje, CPC’s Defection Threat and APC’s Hegemony
Buhari’s Aide: APC Ready to Welcome Kwankwaso Back
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