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NGO Demands Respect Of Digital Right For Nigerians

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Ali Sabo addressing the press

 

By Ozumi Abdul

Centre For Information Technology And Development (CITAD) on Friday drew the attention of the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police force for what it regarded as the police continued arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens for exercising their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

While speaking during a press conference in Kano State, the organization’s program officer Mallam Ali Sabo said It is important to state clearly that section (IV) sub section (c) of the Nigerian constitutions has prohibits any security agency from unlawful arrest, incarceration or detention of the citizens without following due process.

He noted that what the country is witnessing today is totally in contrast with what the constitution stated, the act he said if not properly checked would throw the country into a lawless anarchical state.

“Gentlemen of the press what we are witnessing today in Nigeria is clearly contrary to what the Nigerian constitution has provided and these acts by the Nigerian security agencies if not checked and addressed will flung the country into anarchy and will negate the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended”.

Sabo recalled that in the months of November and December of 2022, CITAD organized a press conference which he said was geared towards reminding the authority of the negative implications the unlawful arrests of citizen by security agents portend, and also recalling that in the month of November of 2022, a 500 level student of Federal University of Dutse, Aminu Adamu was arrested by the police on the order of the First Lady for exercising his fundamental rights.

Sabo said in the months of November and December we drew the attention of the Nigerian authorities about the negative implications of these arbitrary arrests and detentions of the citizens to the country’s image in the comity of nations .

 

 

“Gentlemen of the press, you may recalled that in the month of November, 2022, the Nigeria Police on the orders of the wife of the president arrested and detained a 500 level student of Federal University, Dutse, Aminu Adamu for merely excising his rights online. He was held for days without being allowed access to his family or his lawyers. Also on the 11th of December, 2022, a minor named Umar Garba was arrested in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni. The boy was held captive by the Nigeria Police for more than two weeks without a court order or any arrest warrant. Similarly, the boy was not taken to court.

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“These impunity being excised by the Nigerian politicians has transformed to another level to the extent that citizens are being deprived their fundamental human rights to speak about things that concern them and their country and interrogate their representatives without being harassed by the security agencies. These cases have continued to grow spontaneously as many cases are being reported every day and in every corner of the country which is worrisome and threat to our democracy. Another and more recent case we have received is the arrest and detention of Yau Saeed, a Freelance Journalist and founder of Y2S Online Television based in Yola that was arrested by the Nigeria Police, FCT Command by the order of Senator Elisha Ishiaku Abbo, Senator representing Adamawa North for excising his rights as citizen and journalist since 27th of December, 2022. The most unfortunate thing is that the Nigeria Police has refused the detained journalist access to his wife, lawyers and family.

“These arbitrary arrests of the citizens are against the Nigerian constitution and international covenant of human and people’s rights. Section IV of the Nigerian Constitution has clearly stated that:

i. Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with section (1) (C) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within reasonable time. The expression of reasonable time under this section means:
a. In case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of 40 kilometres, a period of one day; and
b. In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable

It is significant to know that allowing citizens to express themselves and constructively criticize leaders are cardinal to democracy and no democracy can grow where those at the helm of the affairs of the country are using the country’s security agencies to clamp down on dissents and activists”, he said.

He submitted that the collusion between security agencies and politicians to harass and intimidate citizens for freely expressing their opinions is a serious attack to the country’s democracy.

Sabo added that democracy strives by the maintenance of a free market of opinions and availability of information that allow citizens to make informed choices in exercising their civic responsibility.

He added that when journalists are seized, detained, and tortured because they have exposed the dirty underbelly of some politicians.

He quickly reminded the authority it was police brutality that to the 2020 ENDSARS pogrom where many lives and properties were lost, warning that such mistake shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.

“We must also not forget that it was the brazen police brutality that led to the EndSars protest with all its attendance consequences to the nation. We cannot afford to continue to repeat this sad experience. Such illegal and unconstitutional acts and conduct by police and security agencies bread the ground and context for anarchy to set in which is of not good to anybody”.

Sabo then called on Nigeria Police and its sisters’ security agencies to be neural in conducting their duties and should not allow themselves to be used as rent-organizations by politicians to shield their despicable acts and conduct.

He also enjoined security agencies to respect the Digital Right of the citizens as they are the logical and legitimate extension of our fundamental human rights which are protected in our constitution and all the international instruments on human to which Nigeria is a signatory and the country is duty bound to accord the same respect to rights online as rights offline, as well calling on The Nigeria Police to desist fromk arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they are following due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens.

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Hon. Abubakar Bichi Mourns The Passing Of Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi At 92

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In a heartfelt tribute, Honourable Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, has mourned the passing of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, the Galadiman Kano, who died at the age of 92. The late Galadiman Kano passed away in Kano on Tuesday and was laid to rest the following day in accordance with Islamic rites.

Expressing his condolences, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar described the news of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi’s passing as a source of profound sadness and shock. He praised the late Galadiman Kano for leading a peaceful and exemplary life, which he deemed worthy of emulation.

The Honourable Member highlighted the special connection between the late Galadiman Kano and the people of Bichi, where he was born during the tenure of his father, the late Emir Muhammad Sanusi I, as the district head of Bichi. This bond, he noted, has continued to foster a sense of belonging among the people of Bichi, a constituency Hon. Abubakar currently represents in the Federal House of Representatives.

In his statement, Hon. Abubakar extended his condolences to the Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas Sunusi, who lost his father at a time when his guidance and wisdom were most needed.

“On behalf of my family and the entire people of Bichi Federal Constituency, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant the late Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, eternal rest and Aljannatul Firdausi,” said Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar.

The passing of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi marks the end of an era for Kano State and the Kano Emirate Council, leaving behind a legacy of peace and leadership that will be remembered for generations to come.

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Murtala Garo mourns Galadiman Kano, Abbas Sunusi

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Late Abbas Sanusi

 

 

The former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, has mourned the most senior councillor and oldest member of the Kano Emirate Council, Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi Bayero, who passed away at the age of 92.

In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, Garo described the late Galadiman Kano as a respected elder statesman who contributed immensely to the development of Kano and the traditional institution.

“The passing of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi is a great loss, not only to his family but to the entire Kano Emirate and the people of the state. He was a man of wisdom and integrity, whose guidance and leadership were invaluable,” Garo said.
Murtala Sule Garo, a former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs further prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and for the family to have the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Abdullahi Abbas, Kano APC Chairman and the entire family. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” he added.
Alhaji Abbas Sunusi passed away on Tuesday night leaving behind children and numerous grandchildren.
Born in 1933 in Bichi, Kano State, he previously served as Wamban Kano before being turbaned as the Galadiman Kano by Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in 2014.
Throughout his lifetime, he was known for his deep commitment to the traditional institution and his contributions to the socio-political landscape of Kano.
His funeral prayer was conducted in accordance with Islamic rites and attended by dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers from different walks of life.

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Senator Barau mourns Galadiman Kano, attends burial in Kano

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has mourned an elder statesman, Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi Bayero, who died on Tuesday night.

The late prince, who is the father of the Kano State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abdullahi Abbas, died at the age of 92 in Kano.

He held Galadiman Kano’s most senior title and had been a member of the Kano Emirate Council for several decades.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, described the deceased as an elder statesman par excellence whose contribution to the growth and development of Kano emirate and Kano State cannot be overemphasised.

He enjoined the family of the late prince to find solace in the fact that the deceased was a devout Muslim who spent his life and resources worshipping Allah SWT and assisting humanity.

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” The demise of our father, Galadima Kano, is a great loss that creates a huge vacuum that cannot be easily filled. He played a pivotal role in the development and growth of the Kano emirate, Kano State and the entire north. We have lost a father, a mentor and a role model,” he said.

He prayed to Allah SWT to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and give his family, associates, and the entire Kano emirate the fortitude to bear the loss.

” Our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of our late father, especially the chairman of our party, APC in Kano, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, Kano emirate, Kano State and all the members of the family. May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul Firdaus and give all those he left behind the strength to bear this loss,” he said.

The Deputy President of the Senate arrived in Kano around 9:40am today (Wednesday) and proceeded to the funeral ground at the Gandu cemetery in the Kano State metropolis.

 

 

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