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MRA, IPC To Lodge Complaints Before AU, UN Against FG Over Twitter Ban

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2 years ago

June 8, 2021

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Two non-governmental organizations, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) on monday condemned the Federal Government’s indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and threatened to lodge a formal complaint before the appropriate agencies of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) if the Government does not immediately rescind the ban.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the organizations condemned the Government’s action as a violation of international norms and standards, citing the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights’ Resolution 362 on the Right to Freedom of Information and Expression on the Internet in Africa, adopted on November 4, 2016 at its 59th Ordinary Session;

The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, adopted by the Commission in November 2019, at its 65th Ordinary Session; and recent UN Human Rights Council resolutions touching on the matter.

They argued that the action is an unjustifiable violation of the rights of all Nigerians to freedom of expression and access to information, while also contravening the relevant instruments of both bodies.

The statement signed by MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo; and the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the organizations also noted that in its Resolution 362 of 2016, the African Commission has expressed concern at the practice by African States of “interrupting or limiting access to telecommunication services such as the Internet, social media and messaging services.”

“The Declaration of Principles also provides in Principle 38 (1) and (2) that “States shall not interfere with the right of individuals to seek, receive and impart information through any means of communication and digital technologies, through measures such as the removal, blocking or filtering of content, unless such interference is justifiable and compatible with international human rights law and standards” and that “States shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to the internet and other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.

“The organizations also cited the UN Human Rights Council resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet, adopted at its 38th Session in July 2018, in it asked “all States to address security concerns on the Internet in accordance with their international human rights obligations to ensure the protection of all human rights online, in particular freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association, and privacy, including through democratic and transparent national institutions, based on the rule of law, in a way that ensures freedom and security on the Internet so that it can continue to be a vibrant force that generates economic, social and cultural development.

“In addition, they noted that in its latest resolution related to the matter, which was adopted at its 45th Session in October 2020, the Council has also unequivocally condemned “measures in violation of international human rights law aiming to or that intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online and offline, which undermine the work of journalists in informing the public, including through practices such as:

” Internet shutdowns or measures to unlawfully or arbitrarily block or take down media websites, such as denial of service attacks” and called on “all States to cease and refrain from these measures, which cause irreparable harm to efforts at building inclusive and peaceful knowledge societies and democracies.

“The organizations called on the Federal Government to urgently take steps to comply with these internationally agreed norms and standards and retrace its steps from its current path, which puts Nigeria in danger of becoming a rogue nation that is constantly violating international human rights law as well as the principles of international law.

“Mr. Ojo, said: “The Government’s claim on the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence is not only unsubstantiated, but is clearly bogus and illogical. The pertinent questions here are: who is the government accusing of using the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence? Is it the owners of Twitter that are posting such tweets? Is it foreigners using the platform for such activities? Or is it all Nigerians who are on Twitter or some of those Nigerians who use Twitter? The Government needs to be specific on this.”

According to him, “If some Nigerians on Twitter are using it in a manner that displeases the Government, how is banning Twitter for all Nigerians, in contravention of international norms an appropriate response? And if the government is convinced that people should not be allowed to post whatever they like on Twitter, no matter how divisive, hateful or inciting, why was the Government itself so angry when Twitter deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari, which it adjudged to be in violation of this same principle?

Why did the Government opt to embark on this highhanded response which violates the rights of all Nigerians to freedom of expression and access to information instead of appealing Twitter’s decision on President’s Buhari’s post or challenging it in a judicial forum?”

“Similarly, Mr. Arogundade said: “On the surface the government claims it is fighting Twitter but in reality what it is doing is waging war against its own citizens by infringing on their fundamental and socio-economic rights despite their being constitutionally guaranteed. If anything, the threat by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to prosecute anyone that disobeys the ban is indicative of the fact that if this government has its way all social media platforms would be shut down because they have become veritable avenues for citizens to express their disaffection with its acts of mis-governance.

“Mr. Arogundade added that, “the ban does not show that the government is serious about the welfare or economic well-being of the citizens otherwise it would have given due consideration to how the decision would disrupt businesses that are transacted by many individuals and corporate bodies on Twitter and affect investor confidence in the Nigerian economy before rushing to make the announcement”. The statement reiterated.

Politics

Crisis Looms Taraba PDP, AS Court Restrains New Chairman From Assuming Office

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2 hours ago

March 31, 2023

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The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State Capital on Friday gave an order of interim injunction restraining Alhaji Abubakar Bawa from functioning as the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Justice Bala Usman issued the order in response to the application by the erstwhile acting Chairman of the party Mr. Inuwa Bakari, challenging the recent appointment of Bawa as the state chairman of the party.

A Certified True Copy of the injunction obtained by our Correspondent in Jalingo read in part that “upon this MOTION EX-PARTE dated the 31st day of March 2023 and filed on the same date coming up before this Honourable Court praying for the following reliefs:

“AN ORDER of INTERIM INJUNCTION restraining the 2nd Defendant Abubakar Bawa from acting, carrying out functions, and parading himself as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Taraba State chapter pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AN ORDER restraining the 1st Defendant from taking any step (s) that may negatively affect the membership right of the Plaintiff as the acting chairman of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AN ORDER restraining the 1 Defendant by itself or any of its organs at any level from expelling, suspending, reprimanding, censuring, fining, department from any party office and removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AND for such further or other Order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”.

The Injunction further read that “upon reading the affidavit in support of the Motion paper, sworn to by one Alhaji Bakari Inuwa, Male, Adult, Nigerian Citizen, of Old Pantisawa Road, Nyamusala, Jalingo, Taraba State, filed in the Registry of this Court on the 31st day of March 2023, and after hearing Chief C. C. Damba Mbanaso, Esq. of Counsel for the Plaintiff/Applicant moved in terms of the Motion paper, it is hereby ordered as follows:

“That an order of INTERIM INJUNCTION is hereby granted restraining the 2nd Defendant Abubakar Bawa from acting, carrying out functions, and parading himself as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Taraba State chapter pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“That an Order is made restraining the 1st Defendant from taking any step (s) that may negatively affect the membership right of the Plaintiff as the acting chairman of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“That an Order is made restraining the 1 Defendant by itself or any of its organs at any level from expelling, suspending, reprimanding, censuring, fining, debarment from any party office and removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

Justice Usman, however, announced that the matter is adjourned to the 9th of May, 2023 for a hearing.

Recalled that Governor Darius Ishaku had recently appointed his Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa as the state Chairman of the party, a move some people described as trying to control the party machinery even after leaving office on May 29th.

When contacted through telephone, the embattled party Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa confirmed that he was aware of the court case but did not receive any surmon.

“Frankly speaking I don’t know anything but I heard that I was taken to court but nobody bring a surmon to me, nobody call me and I did not go to the court, that is the only thing I know,” Bawa added.

When asked whether he will still go to the office on Monday, Abubakar Bawa said “I am a law-abiding citizen, so, since the court has given an order I will comply.”

Hausa

Za Kuga Chanji Cikin Kwanaki Dari Na Farko A Ofis- Zababben Gwamnan Taraba, Agbu

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1 day ago

March 30, 2023

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Zababben Gwamnan Jihar Taraba, Kanal Kefas Agbu (mai ritaya) yace da yardan Allah zasu kawo chanji na zahiri cikin kwanaki dari na farko da za suyi a ofis.

Agbu ya sanar da hakan ne a lokacin da yake yiwa dunbin magoya bayan Jam’iyyar su ta PDP yawabin godiya jim kadan bayan ya karfi takardan shedan zaben sa daga ofishin hukumar zabe mai zaman kanta ta INEC dake Jalingo.

Kwamishinan zabe na hukumar zaben mai zaman kanta ta INEC dake Jihar Taraba, Umar Muktar Gajiram shine ya mikawa zababben Gwamnan Jihar, Kanal Kefas Agbu (mai ritaya) takardan shedan zaben sa a ranar laraba 29 ga watan maris na 2023 da muke ciki.

Hakanan kuma, Umar Muktar Gajiram ya mikawa suma zababbun ‘Yan Majalisan dokokin jihar ta Taraba guda 24 takardan shedan zaben su a dakin da aka gudanar da tattara sakamakon zaben Gwamnan Jihar wanda ya gudana a ranar 18 ga watan maris din dake cikin haraban hukumar zaben a garin Jalingo.

Da yake yiwa dunbin magoya bayan sa da Jam’iyyar su ta PDP yawabin godiya, zababben Gwamnan Jihar, Kanal Kefas Agbu (mai ritaya) yace da yardan Allah zasu tafiyar da gwamnati ne na kowa da kowa domin hada kan al’umma, samar da zaman lafiya da ayyukan cigaba.

Batun addini, na sahun gaba wajen farraka al’umman jihar ta Taraba, toh saide kuma ga sakon da Kanal Kefas Agbu (mai ritaya) ya baiwa Al’umman jihar.

“Batun addini wannan tsakanin Mutum ne da Allah, saboda haka Ina rokon ku ku taya mu da addu’a, dawan sukayi da wanda ma ba suyi ba dukkan mu daya ne, zamu sami zaman lafiya a Taraba, zamu hada kai, duk abinda gwamnati ya kamata tayi za muyi shi da yardan Allah,” inji Kanal Agbu.

Wasu daga cikin jama’an da suka dalarci taron sunyi fatan alheri da rokon iri daga sabuwar Gwamnatin mai zuwa.

Sun roki Kanal Kefas Agbu (mai ritaya) daya duba wadan da suka yi ritaya daga aikin gwamnatin jihar kuma ba’a biyasu hakkin su ba na tsawon shekaru.

Mr. Nelson Len, Uwargida Veronica Alhassan, Gimbiya Batulu Muhammed, Mr. Gideon Katabs, Alh. Musa Abdullahi Chul, da Tsohon Kakakin Majalisar dokokin jihar Taraban, Peter Abel Diah na daga cikin zababbun ‘Yan Majalisan dokokin jihar guda ashirin da hudu.

Gimbiya Batulu Muhammed daga Gashaka, da Veronica Alhassan daga Bali ta daya zasu kasance mata guda biyu cikin ‘yan Majalisar dokokin jihar kashi na goma.

Politics

God’s willing you will see changes within our 100 days in office – Taraba Governor-elect, Agbu

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1 day ago

March 30, 2023

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Taraba State Governor-elect, Col. Kefas Agbu (Rtd) has pledged to transform the state within his hundred days in office.

Agbu made the promise on Wednesday while addressing a large gathering at his house shortly after he received the certificate of return from the resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Umar Muktar Gajiram in Jalingo.

The Governor-elect, Col. Kefas Agbu (Rtd) alongside his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Alkali while thanking the people of Taraba State for believing in them and giving them the mandate also promised to run an all-inclusive government.

“I promise you that by the grace of God, we will have unity, peace, and development.

“We will create job opportunities for the teaming unemployed youth, and by his grace, we will do everything that a government supposes to do for its citizens to make Taraba great,” Agbu assured.

According to the Governor-elect, (rtd) Col. Kefas Agbu, the issue of religion is between man and God, therefore, he urged the people of the state to embrace one another and pray for the incoming administration.

“I am also urging you whenever you see us doing something that you feel is wrong, you should please call our attention in decent manners but not with insults, and I promise you we are going to carry everyone along,” he emphasized.

Some supporters and well-wishers who spoke to SAHEL REPORTERS Comrade Mannsir Audu from Gashaka, the former PDP state Women leader, Hon. Felicia Kaletus and the Taraba State Chairman of Rescue Teachers, Comrade Sylvanus Acha prayed for the new administration of (rtd) Col. Kefas Agbu for God’s guidance, and expressed optimism that the new government will change the narrative of the state in terms of development.

“Our expectations from his administration are very high from this new administration but we are very optimistic that he will do much better,”.

However, some elected new members into the Taraba State House of Assembly Mr. Nelson Len from the Nguroje constituency, and Mrs. Veronica Alhassan from the Bali I constituency all under the platform of the people’s Democratic Party PDP, appreciated their constituents and promised them good representation.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Veronica Alhassan and Hajiya Batulu Muhammed who also won the state house of assembly seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC from Gashaka will be the two female legislators among the twenty-four house of assembly members in the state.