The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, on Saturday in Kano State, said that domestic flights would resume operations across the nation’s airports on July 15, noting that those that are not ready will be given enough time in order not to risk people’s lives.

Sirika disclosed this while leading a team from the aviation industry and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano on a simulation exercise with MaxAir, VM1644.

He said the purpose of the exercise was to see that the airport was opened in accordance with the protocols established by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and to assess whether the airport was safe to operate

According to him, “I am very glad and I think the civil aviation authority with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have done extremely very well under our watch to ensure that everything we put in place on physical distancing, good hygiene is being established and is being followed.

“So, we believe this airport is one of those airports that is safe to operate in and out during this COVID-19. I am happy with what I saw and it is good enough for us to go.”

On the seating arrangement, he said: “sitting in an airplane, because of the nature of the airplane, the airplane is hygienic enough once you have your mask, you are safe to remain seated on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance.

“However, let me explain the mechanism in an airplane that makes it safe in COVID-19 period.

“Airplanes are designed in such a way that the ambient air at altitudes is clean. It is not contaminated. The airdropped in the aircraft, pressurised and because of pressurisation, the temperature of the air goes up to 200 degrees which is twice boiling water point and there is no bacteria or virus that can survive it and it is suddenly cooled to about two-degree centigrade and then it is passed to a filter, a high efficiency filter, and passing through the filtration system ensures that every single organism is screened and then it is passed to the cabin and once it is passed through the cabin, it comes from the ceiling downwards.

“So, it is not coming from the cockpit to the rear, it is from the ceiling downwards and it drops on the floor and gets circulated. This circulation happens every two minutes. So, on a flight from Abuja to Lagos, the circulation will happen like 27 to 30 times. With this, it is ensured that it is more hygienic to be in an airplane than to be in an operating theatre in the hospital.

“With this mechanism in place, everything will be safe provided that we are decontaminating the airplane before we enter and decontaminating after we leave and also clean all the possible surfaces that one will touch. If this continues, then everyone is safe to remain in the cabin seated next to each other with the mask on. So with this, yes you can but in the departure and arrival halls and everywhere including the buses, you must remain physically distant, like at least six feet or two metres.”

The minister further revealed that the Maiduguri airport was ready adding that air fare are normal.

“There is little or no increase because nothing changed within the cabin.”

On his part, the National Coordinator, PTF on Covid-19, Dani Aliu, said, “additional recommendations to the aviation authorities in terms of operationalizing this airport, in particular, to avoid having crowds and to make sure that the airlines depart promptly will be done.”

There is a developing fear of a likely cover-up in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the ongoing investigation of its suspended chairman, Ibrahim Magu, as some unknown people allegedly broke into the new office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and destroyed computers containing certain vital and sensitive documents that could help in the investigation.

According to Thisday, following the appearance of some officials of the NFIU before the Justice Ayo Salami panel, investigating Magu Thursday, to clarify certain grey areas especially, as relating to some accounts suspected to have been used to move money.

But the NFIU officials told the panel that by their operational protocols and procedure, they don’t go about with such documents. The officials however, advised members of the panel to visit their office Friday morning to sight the documents requested for.

Unfortunately, for them, before the panel members got to the NFIU office this morning, it was gathered that some unknown people had broken into their office, went straight to the room, where the documents were stored in the computers and destroyed them all.

It is worthy of mention that the NFIU was the agency that investigated all the allegations of financial malfeasance against Magu, in addition to the fact that the agency was only recently severed from the EFCC.

However, following the development, THISDAY sources, hinted that the Director-General of NFIU, Mr. Modibbo Hamman-Tukur, met with President Muhammadu Buhari immediately after to report the incident, a situation sources believed informed the decision by President Buhari to approve Magu’s suspension.

Meanwhile, the burgling of the NFIU office is the latest twist to the Magu trial and is already being investigated, sources added.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to repeal or amend its law on cybercrime to align with its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Delivering judgment on Friday, 10th Jul 2020 in a suit filed by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) challenging the law, the judge rapporteur for the case, Honorable Justice Januaria T.S. Moreira Costa, held the Nigerian government liable for the violation of the right to freedom of expression by the adoption of Section 24 of its 2015 Cybercrime Act.

The Court however dismissed, for lack of evidence, other claims for the violation of right to freedom of expression sought by the plaintiff, The Incorporated Trustees of Laws and Rights Awareness Initiative.

In the initiating application ECW/CCJ/APP/53/18 filed before the Court on 6 November 2018, the plaintiff through its counsel Mr Chukwudi Ajaegbo, claimed among others, that their members’ freedom of expression on the internet or in the use of computer devices was limited/breached by Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act of the Defendant State.

The plaintiff further claimed that nine of its collaborators were arrested and detained in connection with the enforcement of the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act in violation of Articles 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and 39 of the Nigeria’s Constitution.

The plaintiff argued that Section 24 contained vague concepts that allowed for arbitrary interpretation and application, and that the restrictions it imposes were not reasonably justifiable as they did not pursue legitimate objectives, necessary nor proportional.

On their part, the defendant submitted that Section 24 of its Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 was adopted as a legislative measure to give effect to freedom of expression as provided in Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and was in accordance with provisions of Section 39(3) of the country’s 1999 Constitution.

Each party was ordered to bear its own costs

Also on the panel with Justice Costa were Honourable Justices Dupe Atoki (presiding) and Keikura Bangura.

16 top officials before Salami committee
*Demands files of cases, forfeited assets’ register, cash releases since 2015

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, who is under investigation by a presidential panel, has requested bail from custody.

He has spent the fourth day at the Force Criminal investigation Department (FCID).

Magu has been detained at the FCID since Monday when he first appeared before the panel.

The presidential panel is probing Magu for allegations of misconduct levelled against him by Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

Also on Thursday, 16 top officials of EFCC and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), appeared before the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel sitting in Abuja.

Among those grilled are: Secretary to the EFCC Mr. Ola Oloyede, Director of Operations Mr. Mohammed Umar and a former Director of Organisational support – now a Commissioner of Police – Bolaji Salami.

A source said: “The committee gave the EFCC chiefs one week deadline to submit the list of cases investigated and prosecuted since 2015.

“I think the committee is interested in the status of each case. The sectional heads promised to meet up with the timeline.”

It was learnt that Magu returned to the detention facility in FCID about 8pm.

Investigation showed that lawyers defending Magu made an oral submission for his bail.

They pleaded with the committee to prevail on Inspector-General of Police to release Magu on bail because it is his fundamental right.

A source said: “At the sitting of the panel, Magu’s counsel applied for bail. Since the panel did not order his detention, it advised the lawyers to address their request to Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu.

“Although a member said the Chairman of the panel could act on the panel, however, said it is the IG’s responsibility.

The lawyer argued that “apart from being on the grounds of fundamental human rights, the application for bail was borne out of Magu being a senior police officer.

“Ordinarily, Magu ought to be detained at the Police Officers Mess pending the conclusion of investigation not behind the counters as the case is at the moment.

“On his first day in FCID custody, he slept on a chair throughout the night. He opted to stay in a cell but he was asked to sleep in an office. For safety reasons, he chose to sleep on a chair.”

“Magu is appearing before a fact-finding panel, there is no justification for detaining him,” his counsel said.

A member of the committee said Magu was being “detained based on directive.”

Following the counsel’s submission, members of the committee, according to sources, asked Magu and his counsel to leave the hearing room for some minutes.

But no decision was taken on the bail request.

Magu also denied giving N4billion to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Sources quoted Magu as saying: “I did not tell the panel that I gave the Vice President N4 billion. Where will I get such money? Do I have access to such funds? It is part of mudslinging. Please clear this. I do not have any control of such cash, I did not order the transfer of N4 billion to the VP or to anybody.

The Management of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced its decision that Associations must obtain a prior consent for registration.

Directs Umar to oversee commission pending conclusion of investigation

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

A statement on issued on Friday by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations,

Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, said the President approved the suspension of the EFCC boss “in order to allow for unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.”

According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regards.

Magu is currently facing a Presidential Investigative Panel over allegations leveled against him in a memo by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

The Presidential Panel comprising representatives of several security agencies is chaired by a former President of the Court of Appeal, retired Justice Ayo Salami.

Oladimeji Ekengba, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, against President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Senate.

Other respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Clerk of the Senate, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and the National Judicial Council (NJC)

President Buhari and the other respondents are being sued over the alleged breach of Section 256 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 in the appointment of judges of the FCT High Court.

In the suit, the lawyer is urging the court to make an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from screening, confirming and/or swearing in the names of the persons as judges of the FCT High Court pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Ekengba is contending that President Buhari breached the constitution when on July 7, he forwarded the names of 11 persons recommended for appointment as Judges of the FCT High Court to the Senate for confirmation.

In the main motion filed by the lawyer personally, he is praying the court to make a declaration that “By virtue of the provision of Section 256(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot abdicate his duties and responsibilities to the Senate for the appointment of persons as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.”

“A declaration that the forwarding of the names of Abubakar Useni Musa, Edward Okpe, B. Abubakar, M. Francis, Jude Nwabueze, Josephine Enobi, Christopher Opeyemi, Mohammed Idris, Hassan Maryam Aliyu, Fashola Akeem Adebowale and Hamza Muazu all recommended by the National Judicial Council to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory cannot be subjected to the Senate for screening and confirmation contrary to and in breach of Section 256(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.”

In a statement, the lawyer insisted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad and the NJC yielded to the clamour for more judges in the FCT High Court to ease the workload on the FCT High Court to meet the cosmopolitan nature of the FCT, but “it is absurd that the President decided to purport to send only 11 names out of the 33 names painstakingly and thoroughly screened/interviewed and recommended by the NJC to the President since April this year.”

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

The list forwarded to the Senate by President Buhari include Abubakar Useni Musa, Edward Okpe, B. Abubakar, M. Francis, Jude Nwabueze, Josephine Enobi, Christopher Opeyemi, Mohammed Idris, Hassan Maryam Aliyu, Fashola Akeem Adebowale and Hamza Muazu.

Nigeria’s image has been dented so bad that multiple institutions abroad, especially in Dubai, have begun rejecting Nigerians who are applying for school or jobs.

To prevent Nigerians from applying at all, a number of these companies added a clause in their job adverts stating that candidates of every nationality can apply except Nigerians.

A vacancy for merchandisers was advertised by Shirley Recruitment Consultants in Dubai. However, they stated that they do not want Nigerians.

“Male or female African candidates except Nigerians,” one job advert from Dubai reads.

Dubai based company, Shirley Recruitment Consultants has released details for recruitment of Merchandisers and stated Nigerians are exempted from applying.

The job summary states, looking for Merchandisers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the job qualification, it stated clearly, Male or female African candidates except Nigerians can apply for the position

Things may not be looking very good for Nigerian experts seeking for job offers in Dubai if other companies decide to follow in the foot steps of this company.

This decision may have resulted from the recent arrest of several Nigerians in Dubai including Hushpuppi and Woodberry who are facing fraud charges in the US.

A reason for this discrimination and exclusion is yet to be clarified by the company.

The Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor, Aminu Logun, has died.

Logun’s death was confirmed on Twitter by Fafoluyi Olayinka, the Special Assistant, New Media to the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman.

“Kwara State Chief Of Staff, Aminu Adisa Logun Is Dead.. Indeed, death is the next thing after birth. Black Tuesday here in Kwara.”Fafoluyi said

The late Logun was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Kwara State Governor in 2019 few weeks after Governor Abdulrazaq was sworn in.

In the heartbreaking post, which she wrote in Swahili, the actress, 32, also issued an apology for staying quiet about her issues while encouraging other women in violent or abusive marriages to speak out for help. 

She wrote: 

“I am writing this with a clear mind and conscience. First, I would like to apologise to my family. I am seeking your forgiveness because I assured you that my marriage was trouble-free, while in reality, it wasn’t peaceful.

I have been a victim of domestic violence and other evil acts I cannot speak about on this platform.

“I apologise because every time I heard my fellow women cry for justice after being assaulted by their spouses, I would urge them to voice out their grievances. When I heard that there was a woman from Kigamboni, who had been fatally battered and her body set alight by her husband, I was the first one to say: ‘she should have spoken out about her marital troubles’. I pretended that I was not one of the domestic abuse victims; I distanced myself from the group of women who were victims of domestic violence. Forgive me.

“[As an artist], I am a role model to many in the society; I represent women on many fronts. Today, I have decided to break my silence on my marital woes. My husband Ashrafu Sadiki, popularly known as Uchebe, has been battering me too much!

“And, after meting out violence on me, he never calls to show concern or know about my wellbeing. Other people, unknown to me, are the ones who usually nurse me in hospitals after being beaten up by my spouse. In my marriage, there are many other bad things that have been done to me, making my union lack the expected bliss.

“I have had enough [of domestic abuse], and from now henceforth, I would like to state categorically that no one should refer to me as Uchebe’s wife. People should refer to me as ‘that mother who chose to prioritise her children’s welfare and wellbeing at the expense of a toxic relationship’. They should describe me as ‘that woman who chose her happiness and safety [over a violence-ridden marriage].

“My female fans and other women in the society should use this social media post of mine as a strong message that says ‘we [as women] should speak up when we have been reduced to punching bags and recipients of brutality, because if we don’t, we’ll end up dead someday’.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYW6OlFxRf/?igshid=7zyorbkvu128