Nigeria Breaking News
SERAP asks Commonwealth to sanction Nigeria over attacks on journalists, protesters
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an Urgent Appeal to Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, urging her to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to hold the Nigerian authorities to account over reports of attacks on journalists covering the #EndHunger protests and peaceful protests in some parts of the country.”
SERAP urged Ms Scotland to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to press the Nigerian authorities to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate reports of attacks on journalists covering the protests’ in Nigeria and on peaceful protesters. SERAP also urged Ms Scotland to “press the Nigerian authorities to publish the outcome of any investigation and to hold suspected perpetrators to account and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the affected journalists and peaceful protesters for any violations of domestic law and international standards
SERAP urged Ms Scotland to “press the Nigerian authorities to uphold the rights of journalists to monitor and report on protests and ensure their safety, as well as ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened, attacked or restricted when covering noteworthy events of interest to the public, such as protests.”
In the Urgent Appeal dated 3 August 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The targeting of journalists with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law and contrary to best law enforcement standards.”
SERAP said, “Those violating such standards must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes. The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, media freedom and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.”
The Urgent Appeal, copied to Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, read in part: “The Nigerian authorities over the years have repeatedly demonstrated that it is not committed to protecting human rights.
“Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens to trust Commonwealth institutions. The Commonwealth ought to take a strong stand for protection of human rights and media freedom in Nigeria, principles which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity, functioning and effectiveness of its institutions.”
“Nigerian authorities have the legal obligations to protect journalists reporting the news, including covering protests. Nigerian authorities also have an obligation to investigate and punish any violation that occurs within the framework of a public demonstration including attacks on the press.”
“The Commonwealth Charter and declarations recognise media freedom and the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, access to information, and media freedom, which apply both offline and online.
SOurce: DSailypost
Nigerian singer, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has announced that he is currently on “break” from smoking. The ‘Pluto Presido’ crooner announced this while sharing a video from his vocation via Snapchat recently. He advised his fellow smokers to abstain from the habit sometimes.
He said, “No be everytime you go dey smoke igbo, sometimes take a break. I am on break now. I am feeling good. Nigerian celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh, Don Jazzy, Terry G, Faze, Dr Sid and Kizz Daniel have announced quitting smoking in the past.
However, some of them later made a U-turn, with Terry G and Kizz Daniel confirming on their respective social media pages that they have returned to the habit.
Source: Dailypost
In other news – My man pays me allowance – Mercy Eke
Reality TV star Mercy Eke has revealed that she gets paid for being in a relationship. Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Love Is A Game’, she said: “My guy [partner] pays me an allowance.
But it’s not that I mandated him to do that. I have about six domestic workers. So the allowance is just to assist me to pay my staff. Read more
Singer, Ayodeji Balogun, AKA Wizkid’s first baby mama, Shola Ogudu has revealed that she didn’t know she was pregnant until the pregnancy was five months.
Shola made this known during an interview with former BBNaija housemate, Maria Chike’s podcast, “Mum next door.
According to the mother of one, her parents were concerned about her studies because she was in her final year in the university.
She said, “I had my baby pretty early, I was in a university, my final year. I was pregnant for four months to be honest.
“I didn’t know I was pregnant until I was 5 months gone, my parents concern was I had to finish university and I did with good grades
Source: Dailypsor
In other news – Why I fell in love with Adekunle Gold – Simi speaks out
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has revealed why she fell in love with her husband, singer Adekunle Gold.
The mother of one revealed that she fell in love with her husband because of his graphic designing and photoshopping skills. Read more
The convener of Easyread Legal’s Mentorship Programme, Caleb Oboagwina, has called on members of the Nigerian public to report any lawyer found engaging in corrupt practices for disciplinary action. Oboagwina made this call while speaking to newsmen at the 2nd Externs General Conference and 10th Year Anniversary of the programme on Saturday in Abuja.
Decrying reports of corruption in the legal profession, Oboagwina said corrupt lawyers are sanctioned by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
If you find anyone wanting, don’t be silent. Report such a person immediately for disciplinary action against him or her to serve as a deterrent to others nursing the same evil and unethical ideas.
“Don’t be afraid. Report them no matter their reputation in the profession,” he said. He tasked aspiring lawyers on hardwork and dedication to excel in the profession whenever they are eventually called to the Nigerian Bar, urging young ones to see the profession as something that would redeem the society.
“If we have lawyers who would stand up for their rights, especially when they go up in the judiciary, and shun corruption, the society would be a better place.” Also speaking, the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Clement Chukwuemeka, charged lawyers to speak to power and hold the government accountable when it fails in its responsibility of providing social amenities or infrastructural facilities to the masses.
According to him, the responsibility of lawyers is not to make money but to provide justice where the need arises, especially those who do not have anyone to speak for them.
“Judges grant bail to the high and mighty in corrupt cases after which such cases may be swept under the carpet but the poor are being sent to jail for minor cases because they have no one to speak for them,” he added. Easyread Legal’s Mentorship Programme is a platform that renders assistance to students of the Nigerian Law School engaging in Bar Part ll programme.
Source: Dailypost
In other news – Residents seek quick intervention as bridge linking Adamawa with Borno collapses
Residents of Madagali, a major town in the northern part of Adamawa State which shares borders with Goza in Borno State, have appealed for the quick response of federal authorities after a major bridge in the town collapsed.
The Madagali Bridge collapsed completely in the night of Thursday, August 15, after a heavy rain that caused an overflow of the Madagali River over which the bridge was built. Read more
