Nigerian Police in Abuja has urged the management of the raided Nigerian Online Media, Premium Times, and the Nigerian Army to resolve their dispute amicably.
On thursday, police had raided the headquarters of Premium Times and arrested the publisher, Dapo Olarunyomi and judicial correspondent Evelyn Okakwu. They were granted bail same day, but asked to return the following morning.
The police said they were acting on a complaint filed by Usuagwu Ugochukwu, a lawyer who claimed he was representing Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
According to a press release distribution medium, PRNigeria, “The FCT Police Commissioner, Mohammed Mustafa, admonished the military and the media on the need to sustain mutual relationship towards protecting national security and interest.”
PRNigeria said the Commissioner of police gave the suggestion when the Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi and Judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu who were arrested on Thursday returned to the Police Command Headquarters on Friday morning, as required by their bail condition.
“The Commissioner appealed to the two parties to settle their difference amicably and out of court.”
Mr. Ugochukwu claimed in his complaints that by its alleged defamation of Mr. Buratai, the paper’s reporting was “unpatriotic” and amounted to supporting and furthering Boko Haram’s terror campaign in the Nigerian north-eastern zone.
Already, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a rights group, had written United Nations on increasing cases of arrests and detention of Journalists in Nigeria, in the last one year.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have sent an urgent appeal to Mr. David KAYE, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, requesting him to “urgently intervene to prevail on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, police and several state governments to end growing clampdown, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers, and bloggers.”
The urgent appeal followed the arrest yesterday of Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of the online newspaper Premium Times, and the judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. Both have been released bail and instructed to report at the FCT Police Command Headquarters today. There are fears that they may be taken before a Magistrate’s Court.
The appeal signed by Adetokunbo Mumuni SERAP executive director and Abdulwaheed Odusile President, Nigerian Union of Journalists expressed “concern concerned about the Nigeria’s government’s erosion of media freedom and continuing readiness of its agencies and state governments to limit the operation of online newspapers and bloggers in the country.”
The appeal reads in part: “We note that under international law criticism of public measures or comment on Government action, however strongly worded, would be consistent with the fundamental right to freedom of expression, and media freedom.”
“We believe that the crackdown and the increasingly restrictive media atmosphere and impermissible restrictions to freedom of expression has damaged Nigeria’s democratic credentials and violated its international human rights obligations. The crackdown has also impeded the ability of journalists, online newspapers, bloggers and the media in general to hold government authorities to account or scrutinize their activities.
“The arbitrary arrest of Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of online newspaper Premium Times, and the judiciary correspondent of the online newspaper, Evelyn Okakwu would seem to mark an intensification of a crackdown on media freedom that has been going on for some time now. Both Olorunyomi and Okakwu were released last night but asked to report to the police this morning. We are seriously concerned that they may be re-arrested and detained for a prolonged period.
“The Army had accused the online newspaper of ‘unwarranted serial provocative, unauthorised, libellous and defamatory publications against the person of Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Army counter insurgency operations in the North East,’ and threatened to take action against PT and Mr Olorunyomi.
“We argue that while public officials are entitled to protection of their reputation, including protection against defamation, as individuals who have sought to play a role in public affairs they should tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than ordinary citizens. This distinction serves the public interest by making it harder for those in positions of power to use the law to deter or penalize those who seek to expose official wrongdoing, and it facilitates public debate about issues of governance.
“We further note that the UN Human Rights Committee, the independent expert body that monitors state compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in its General Comment No. 34 states that “the value placed by the Covenant upon uninhibited expression is particularly high. The mere fact that forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify the imposition of penalties. All public figures are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition.”
“In addition, the Human Rights Committee has said that “defamation laws must be crafted with care to ensure that they do not serve, in practice, to stifle freedom of expression. State parties [such as Nigeria] should consider the decriminalization of defamation.” We therefore believe that criminal penalties infringe on peaceful expression and are always disproportionate punishments for any perceived reputational harm.
“We note that the legal tool that has been repeatedly used to threaten, intimidate, harass and press politically motivated charges against journalists, online newspapers and bloggers is the obnoxious and unlawful Cybercrime Act of 2015 which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in May of that year.
“Cyber stalking, which falls under Section 24 of the act, carries a fine of up to 7 million naira (USD$22,000) and a maximum three-year jail term for anyone convicted of knowingly sending an online message that “he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another”.
“We further argue that the Cybercrime Act is vaguely worded, overly broad, and prone to misuse and have fact been repeatedly and arbitrarily used against journalists, online newspapers and bloggers, as the cases highlighted have shown. The use of the Cybercrime Act has created an environment of intolerance, with a chilling, inhibiting effect on freedom of thought and discussion.”
“We also argue argues that the Cybercrime Act is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations, and undermines rather than strengthen efforts to prevent and combat corruption, and, because freedom of expression is an enabler of other rights, threaten to erode human rights protections more generally. The Cybercrime Act therefore impose limitations on expression that go beyond the restrictions that are permitted by international law and, in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”
“We note that the ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to peacefully criticize government and its officials, and to express critical views is crucial to the fight against corruption, and the exercise and enjoyment of many other human rights. Freedom of opinion and expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society. It extends not only to “information” or “ideas” that are favourably received, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb.”
“We also note that Nigeria is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of expression and impose legal obligations on states to protect freedom of expression and information. The Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) also protects freedom of expression, and includes language that permits for limitations on that right, which broadly tracks article provisions of the Covenant and Charter.”
SERAP and the NUJ therefore asked the Special Rapporteur to:
Publicly express concerns about the continuing clampdown, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers and bloggers, and to insist that the Nigerian Army and police end attacks, harassment and intimidation of the Premium Times and its journalists; and that state governments and police authorities end increasing persecution of other journalists, online newspapers and bloggers in their various states;
2. Hold that the Cybercrime Act is inconsistent and incompatible with freedom of expression and media freedom standards and Nigeria’s human rights obligations and commitments;
3. Call on the government to withdraw and repeal the obnoxious Cybercrime Act, and other laws providing for criminal defamation or criminalizing insulting public officials, and bring Nigeria’s laws and practices into compliance with the country’s international and regional human rights obligations protect and uphold freedom of expression and media freedom, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
4. Request to visit Nigeria to undertake fact-finding mission and investigate allegations of growing attacks, threats, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers and bloggers;
5. Request the Federal Government and state governments to drop all charges against journalists, online newspapers and bloggers;
6. Insist that the Nigerian authorities should not criminalize or subject anyone to threats or harassment, intimidation, persecution or reprisals simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression and doing their job as journalists and bloggers;
7. Call for an immediate end to arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists and bloggers simply on the basis of the content of their journalism or media work
Adetokunbo Mumuni SERAP Executive Director Signed 20/1/2017 Lagos, Nigeria Emails: news@serap-nigeria.org; info@serap-nigeria.org Twitter: @SERAPNigeria Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bornu State Command in North-east Nigeria has said 75 personnel of the command were killed, while 15 others are declared missing in action in the year 2016 as a result of Boko Haram insurgency.
The state Commandant, Ibrahim Abdullahi, while briefing journalists said the officers were killed in separate attacks in Gwoza and Gamboru Ngala.
He added that, about 19 area offices belonging to the NSCDC across the state were completely destroyed by Boko Haram, noting that, “We have alerted our sister agencies on the issues while the NSCDC national headquarters have assisted the families of the bereaved.”
According to him, “We will deploy additional 500 personnel in liberated LGA’s. We have already deployed 100 to Dikwa; we are preparing 30 for Monguno, while 20 of our men were drafted for Nganzai local government area.
“Some of them are already in Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas.”
Abdullahi further added that those deployed include the Anti-riot Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Unit as well as Intelligence and Detective Unit of the command.
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Michael, a haircut salon owner in Kaduna city, NorthWest Nigeria, relies on electricity to run his business, but epileptic power supply in the country has hampered the growth of his business. The situation has forced him to rely on alternative power generating set to go about his business.
“We have issues with light because at times there is a fault or power outage, he told AFRICA PRIME NEWS. “so I have to get a generator as back up even though my shop is close to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria [the electricity company in Nigeria].”
Ojone Aduku, another business owner in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, who is an interior decorator and caterer says, “sometimes I have to use old method of preservation to preserve food items and have used phones to decorate at night”
Stories like these are common in Nigeria where citizens spend hours and days without electricity supply, yet paying the utility company for power not consumed. The citizens have generally resorted to relying on alternative source of power to run their businesses and home appliances.
The erratic supply has destroyed gadgets, appliances, and increased the cost of production for businesses.
International Journal of Engineering Science Invention 2014 (online), reports that, “There is inefficiency in power generation, transmission, distribution and consumption in Nigeria.”
Energy Demand in Nigeria About 50,000MW is required to adequately light up Nigeria, but it is currently generating 2,500 MW as recorded by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Sometime in February, the (TCN) released a statement saying, “The System Operator, TCN, is pleased to announce the attainment of a new record peak generation of 5,074.7MW and also the highest maximum daily energy wheeled nationwide of 109,372MWH” adding that, the new peak generation of 5,074.7MW was attained.
Despite the poor generation and supply, the utility company has been charging Nigerian higher for services not rendered. This was attested to by President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Frank Jacobs in a paper review when he said, “In spite of the poor energy situation in the country, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has maintained increased electricity charges not considering its implication on economy especially the productive sector.”
“The new prepaid billing system where electricity units are paid for in advance by buying meter tokens or PINS which would be used to recharge electricity meters has not helped the situation because users have complained that it has failed, that some users have gone back to the postpaid billing system. One of such people confessed that;
“The prepaid billing system is more expensive and we had to go back to the prepaid system which is also expensive but better.” Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said
“The country has today the capacity to generate at least 12,000 MW. If we fix all what is not working in the industry, including building any new power plant, the country would be generating close to 12,000 MW”.
Efforts at Boosting Generation and Supply
The power utility company was at its optimum in the early and mid-80’s, but poor investment in the sector had let to decay and deterioration of generation and distribution of the commodity. The population of the country was growing, but there was no concrete plan in place for generating additional quantity to meet to the increasing need.
This led the Nigerian government under the leadership of General Ibrahim Babangida to resort to privatizing the utility agency.
Privatization in Nigeria was formally introduced by the privatisation and commercialization Decree of 1988 as part of the Structural Adjustments Programme (SAP) of the Ibrahim Babagida administration.
The Federal Government of Nigeria in (1988) through Decree No. 25 set up the Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialisation (TCPC) of some selected enterprise such as the power sector.
Nigerian government has made countless promises on addressing the issue of electricity supply in the past and present yet, none has fulfilled any.
“Nigerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is the power situation in our country. But, ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer a laughing matter. We must and by the grace of God we will put things right.”
Above, were the words uttered by President Muhammadu Buhari shortly after he took power from Jonathan, to woo Nigerians to have faith in the ability of his government to provide electricity to the nation.
His words were not too far from those proceeding him – the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo had promised Nigerians of improved power supply within six months of assumption of office – that never come to pass.
Minister of Mines and Power Bola Ige promised that within six months of his appointment, “power failure will be a thing of the past.” He also stated that; “The mission of this ministry will be to provide regular power supply throughout the federation at affordable price … It is no longer business as usual. These goals shall be pursued relentlessly and with all seriousness.”
When late President, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, took over the mantle of leadership he said, “Would develop sufficient and adequate power supply to ensure Nigeria’s ability to compete as a modern economy and achieve full industrialization by the year 2015”.
His promises came to a halt when he died.
The story was no too different when President Goodluck Jonathan took over.
At the flag-0ff of The Roadmap For Power Sector Reforms, on August 26, 2010 in Lagos Jonathan said, “By God’s grace, by December 2012, Nigeria will not only celebrate one day of uninterrupted electricity supply, but we would celebrate one week, one month and so on of uninterrupted electricity supply,”
Despite huge investment in the sector, the country has remained without meaningful power generation capability; talk less of supply to citizens. In 2016 alone the country had three time witness zero generation of power – all these because of wrong policies that have continued to plague the country.
Power producing companies also known as power generators who create and sell the electricity that is delivered to your home or business by your electric distribution company.
The distribution companies play the role of delivering power to consumers and reading meters, as well as maintaining local power lines, restoring power when there is power outage. They have been blamed by many Nigerians as being the perpetrators of constant power failure in the country.
Nigerian police Thursday raided headquarters of a famous Nigerian Online media, PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja, arresting the publisher, Dapo Olarunyomi and a reporter, Evelyn Okakwu.
PREMIUM TIMES, published on its website that, “Plain-clothed officers conducted search at the office shortly after 5p.m. Thursday, and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
“The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations.”
The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, had condemned the raid, saying, “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.”
He said the paper will continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility and patriotism, even at great risk to our personal liberties”.
Nigerian Journalists are currently facing another round of arrests and prosecution for their jobs, just like it was in the military era. More than five of them had been arrested and interrogated by Nigerian authorities in 2016.
A Nigerian media specialist, Steve Aborisade, who had personally worked with Mr. Olarunyomi had commented on his Facebook Wall, “Sad that Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Premium Times publisher, and a leading light of the democratic struggle, who experienced incessant police harassment sequel to the enthronement of democratic governance in Nigeria, and at a point fled into exile when his life became marked is being made to go through this type of treatment again, in a democracy he fought for. It is sad, that this is happening to the media at this time, and to such a leading light of the best that the media in Nigerian has to offer.
“It is ironic that this is a government populated by his friends, some of whom were in the trenches with him in the dark period of Military rule. How long more should we behave as if these disturbing occurrences as we are witnessing them are normal? Why does it look as if the media is being repressed in a government of change?”
By Winifred Bulus Kaduna (Nigeria) — President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria is proceeding on 10 day medical leave, from 23rd January to 6th of January.
This is coming few days after Buhari deployed 800 military troops to Gambia to force Yahya Jammeh to hand over power to Adama Barrow
In a letter to the Senate, Buhari says, “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away in a short medical vacation from Monday January, 23 to February 6th, 2017 and while I am away, the Vice President (Osinbajo) will perform the functions of my office. Please, accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration.”
Last year, Mr. Buhari wrote a similar letter to the Senate requesting to proceed on medical leave between 6th-16th of June, 2016.
Meanwhile, moves though rejected, had been made against the President for deploying troops to Gambia, violating section 5(4b) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which authorizes the President to seek the National Assembly’s approval before he can deploy any troop outside of the country.
Nelson Ekong, one of the Senators who objected to the President was accused of being biased as a result of internal issues posed by party difference.
Borno State government in northeast Nigeria says all the 54 victims of the military bomb on Rann community hospitalised in three health centres in Maiduguri are in stable condition.
Briefing journalists Wednesday, Commissioner for Health, Haruna Mshelia, said the state had set up medical emergency response units to coordinate rehabilitation of victims, saying, 32 of the 54 victims were at the state specialist hospital; 16 in Military hospital and 6 persons in the University of Maiduguri teaching hospital.
The commissioner added that bodies are still being recovered and survivors evacuated at the time of issuing the update, thus making it difficult to have an accurate number of dead persons.
Governor Shettima received a Presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari who came alongside the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, Minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olanishaken, Chief Army Staff, Lt-Gen TY Buratai and Chief of Army Sadiq Abubakar and other military officers operating within and outside Borno State.
“This kind of incident happens occasionally in war, especially when dealing with terrorists like Boko Haram who arbitrarily and in cowardly fashion hide among civilians. The President deeply regrets the incident. The Armed forces will take extra care to ensure this doesn’t happen again. The Federal Government is working with the State, Local, and International partners to ensure speedy resettlement of IDPs” the Chief of Staff said.
Governor Shettima through the deputy governor said the incident was an unfortunate tragedy and a painful price of war which would not be kept a secret from the citizens.
“It is most unfortunate and wasn’t meant to happen. Nothing can justify this tragedy but going memory lane, incidents of friendly fire is unfortunately as old as history of wars in the world. There are many incidents of friendly fires since the 1st and 2nd World Wars down to ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and other parts of the world.
The Governor had particularly commended the MSF for its rapid response in providing first aid treatment to victims at the scene, while also thanking the ICRC and the United Nations (UN).
“I am happy that rather than blame game, information was made public with sincerity, mistakes were accepted and focus was channeled into evacuation and rehabilitation of victims. War comes with different kinds of very terrible prizes and this is one of such painful prizes. We pray this crisis ends and we shall remain forever grateful to all stakeholders for their support” Shettima said.
A Military jet bomber on Tuesday killed several civilians in Borno state, northeast Nigeria while targeting Boko Haram members.
Several others were wounded, among them, humanitarian aid workers from the International Committee on Red Cross (ICRC) and Doctors Without Border (MSF).
“We got information that Boko Haram terrorists were gathering somewhere in Kala Balge Local Government. We coordinate our air component and strike the location but somehow, some civilians were killed,” said Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen Lucky Irabor.
“It is too early for us to determine whether it was an error or not. We have at no time targeted the civilians whenever we carried out our operations and wherever they are gathered,” he maintained.
He said the military was yet to ascertain the number of persons killed in the airstrike, but MSF said, it had counted more than 50 dead bodies.
Unconfirmed sources said the bomb fell on Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs), killing over 100 people.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in a tweet said “I received with regret news that the Air Force, working to mop up BH insurgents, accidentally bombed a civilian community in Rann, Borno State,” he wrote.
