News
Human Rights: NBA has failed to stand for Nigerians, Abuja Bar confesses

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Chapter, Barrister Chioma Onyenucha Uko has reflected on the activities of the Association nationwide and said the Bar has failed to advance the cause of human rights in Nigeria.

She spoke at a one day Human Rights Summit titled: “Is the state of Human Rights, still fundamental as constitutionally provided in Nigeria?”

She said the Bar failed to promote and protect the human rights in Nigeria as was supposed to embrace by many lawyers and non lawyers.
Participants at the summit were drawn from education sector, judiciary, civil society organizations, media and government ministries.
The purpose of the one day summit was to critically evaluate how the judiciary has fared in the expression of fundamental rights as encapsulated in the Nigerian
Constitution.
In her words: “The Nigeria Bar Association failed their responsibility as a body that supposed to protect the Human rights of its citizens.
“What we saw #END SARs doing is what we as lawyers and Human right activists are suppose to do, but we did not live up to expectations of people towards us.”
“Why we mark today Human rights day with this summit is to tell ourselves the truth that human rights is being abused every day without anybody questioning anybody.”
J.S Okutepa, SAN. Who spoke on the topic, lamented that rigjts of citizens are being trampled daily including those of lawyers, adding that the Bar and the Bench may have failed to do justice to the concept of fundamental rights.
He.said: “If we are not living up to their expectations it will affect all of us”.
Prof. Femi Odekunle, a professor of Criminology and Social Science, blasts lawyers, saying they contributed to human rights abuse.
Odekunle maintained that, “where justice is needed because of money you lawyers will compromise the truth and that is what is affecting the system now”.
Odekunle in his submission atated that, “there is an indisputable relationship between violation of human rights and police recruitment/training. The pandemic has shown our limitations as a society in handling the threats of human rights.
Inherent in Nigerian laws are discriminatory provisions.
Accordingly, Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, a professor of Agricultural Economics who frowned over the constant disregard to the rule of law governing right to food like non observance of constitutional division of labor and the side lining of critical laws to avoid food as a human right pervades the economy.
Hunger and malnutrition persists for lack of a rights-based policy
environment that empowers the people to ask questions and hold
government accountable.
Professor Joy Ezeilo, a professor of Law speaking on legal and gender perspective, maintained: “Women do not have access to justice as violence against women and poverty are still the reality of women in the society”.
She further highlighted that, “a lot of judicial officers do not appreciate the gravity of fundamental rights
and do not understand the rule of law.
“In the same development, Senior lawyers do not actively participate or demand for veritable persons to be in the judiciary or even occupy positions in the Association.
“Nigeria lacks cultural diplomacy which informs the institutional failure that is evident. The desecration in the profession has discouraged litigants from fighting for their human rights.
“It must be embedded in our work that Human rights encompasses women’s rights, marginalized people’s rights and vulnerable people’s rights; human
rights is for all and must be upheld.
“Constitutional review is necessary in order to demand for inclusion of a gender sensitive language, and revisiting the indigenity clause.”

News
Badaru pays condolence visit to Katsina State governor over death of mother

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.

During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.

In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.

News
Rivers: Sole administrator suspends Governor Fubara’s political appointees

All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.

News
Emir Bayero bows to pressure, cancels Eid-el-Fitri Durbar

Agency Report

The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.

Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN

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