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IIP-SARS Orders Police To Produce Victim Of Enforced Disappearance NOV.19

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From Alhassan Bala,Abuja

The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and of the units of the Nigerian Police force Monday ordered the Police to produce Edward Dumsiri Leera whose brother Confidence Leera alleged was held in police custody since November 1,2019.

The panel also gave the Police team led by James Idachaba till Tuesday, November 17, 2020 to respond to a case involving threat to life of Mr. Bello Akubuokwu who was allegedly hit by Police bullet during Shiite clash with the Police at the Federal Secretariat in 2019.

The Chairman of the panel, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima who made the order at the FCT ceremonial court, venue of the panel’s sitting adjourned the case to Thursday November 19, 2020 to enable the Police make the necessary arrangemets towards ensuring the appearance of SP Martins Samuel, DSP Essien E. Edet Esq., ASP David Ahmed Agbo, IGP,IRT “D” Division Itam, Uyo, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom and Inspector General of Police, who are the 1st to 6th respondent respectively.

Prior to the order, elder brother to the victim, Confidence who was led by his counsel, Giwa Victor testified before the Panel about some of the ordeals of his missing brother in the hands of the affected Police officers.

According to the complainant the victim was arrested, detained for no just cause and his car confiscated and converted to personal use by IPO ASP David Ahmed Agbo.

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In addition, he alleged that ASP Agbo is now driving the car belonging to the victim, as well as allegedly making cash withdrawals from the the victm’s bank account using his ATM between the period of November 2019 to October 2020.

He informed the panel that his family was asked to pay the sum of three million naira (N3m) by the police before Edward will be released.
Continuing, he stated that unfortunately, Edward Dumisara was not arraigned before any court of law in Nigeria and when the family got worried over his long incaceration, they instituted a suit for the enforcement of his fundamental rights in suit No. BHC/202/2019.
“Subsequently, on December 17, 2019 the honourable court ordered hearing of the application of Edward Dumisara Leera and delivered judgment in his favour and ordered immediate release of the said Edward. He added that the order was served on the Police but they refused to obey.

He lamented that instead of complying to the court judgment of December 2019, Edward Dimisara was charged to court on 7 count charge before Honourable Justice E.N. Ogbuji in suit No. PHC/287/CR/2020 but IRT has neither produced him in court nor released him in accordance with the earlier court order.

Against the foregoing, he told the panel that it seems the victim had been killed extra judicially and disposed of.

Meanwhile, four other cases were adjourned to later dates. For instance the case of extra judicial killing of a corps member, Linda Igwetu by the Police was adjourned to December 2, 2020 for the 1st respondent, Inspector Benjamin Peters to be produced before the panel.

Similarly, a complaint of abuse of office and arbitrary arrest of Engr. Nicholas Ogbedo Azuka was adjourned to November 30,2020 because the Police legal team pleaded for more time to study the case file and make necessary arrangements to bring the respondents to the panel.

In the same vein, a complaint of alleged abuse of office and intimidation also by Engr. Nicholas Ogbedo Azuka was ajourned to 2nd December, 2020 to give more time to the Police towards ensuring the appearance of the respondents as ordered by the panel.

Earlier, a team of Counsel to the National Human Rights Commission led by Chino Obiagwu (SAN) told the panel that the Police were properly served with the processes and proceedings of the honourable panel and therefore should be ready for the cases.

Lastly, CP legal and lead counsel to the Police promised to bring all the police respondents to the panel to ensure that justice is served to all the parties concerned.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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