ECOWAS Court awards N30m against Buhari govt for ‘torture of journalist Agba Jalingo’

The ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja has “ordered the Federal Government to pay journalist Agba Jalingo N30m as compensation for ill-treating and torturing him while in detention in Cross River state.”

The court said in a judgment today: “Agba Jalingo was arrested and chained to a deep freezer for about 34 days without being charged to court, brutalized and dehumanized. This action taken on Jalingo’s behalf by SERAP seeks from this court reparation for inhuman treatment and torture meted out to him. We have looked at the evidence before us. There was no answer as to the facts that Jalingo was arrested and illegally detained, brutalized and dehumanized.”

“This is against international human rights treaties, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. The Nigerian government has flouted the provisions of these treaties on international fair trial standards.”

“For these reasons, on the claims of compensation for ill-treatment and torture, SERAP has been able to establish the claims. We condemn the Nigerian government for these acts, and hereby award compensation of N30m to Mr Jalingo for violations of his human rights. The Nigerian government must comply with the order of the court within three months, and file a process to this court to this effect.”

Reacting to the judgment, Femi Falana, SAN said: “In view of the ongoing brutalization of hapless Nigerian citizens by the police and other security agencies, this judgment could not have come at a more opportune time than now.”

“It is to be hoped that the Federal and state governments and all law enforcement agencies will study the terms of the judgment and desist from further infringing on the human rights of the Nigerian people, including criminal suspects who are presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the State.”

The judgment followed the suit filed by SERAP against the government of Nigeria and Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade to ECOWAS Court over the prolonged, arbitrary detention; unfair prosecution; persecution, and sham trial of Mr Jalingo.

Jalingo, who is the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22 over a report alleging that Mr Ayade diverted N500 million belonging to the state.

The court gave the order for compensation after hearing arguments from Solicitor to SERAP, Femi Falana SAN, and lawyers to the government Abdulahi Abubakar and A. A. Nuhu.

This development was disclosed today by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

In the suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2020, SERAP argued that: “The sole objective of the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade is to perpetually keep Agba Jalingo in arbitrary detention and to silence him simply for expressing critical views and carrying out his legitimate job as journalist.”

The suit, read in part: “The harassment, intimidation, unfair prosecution and arbitrary detention of Agba Jalingo simply for exercising his human rights violate Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which the country is a state party.”

“The government of Nigeria and the Cross-River state government of governor Ben Ayade have via the charges of terrorism and treason and denial of bail to Agba Jalingo, violated and continued to breach his human rights.”

“SERAP contends that Agba Jalingo is being unfairly prosecuted because of his reporting in his online news outlet, Cross River Watch, which alleged that the Cross Rivers State Governor diverted the sum of N500 Million, belonging to the Cross-River Micro Finance Bank.”

“On 22nd August 2019, the Nigeria Police, through its special anti-robbery squad arrested Agba Jalingo. On 23rd August 2019, Mr. Jalingo was transferred to a detention facility run by the anti-cult and anti-kidnapping police in Calabar, the capital of Nigeria’s southern Cross River state and was held there for days before his arraignment on 31st August, 2019.”

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

9/7/2021

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org  

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS IN TALKS WITH NATIONAL, BRITISH MUSEUMS TO REVIVE J.K. RANDLE CENTRE – SANWO-OLU

• Governor Appoints Trustees for Yoruba History Centre, Pledges to Restore Lagos Heritage

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, reiterated his resolve to restore the lost glory of the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, as he inaugurated the Board of Trustees (BoT) for the Centre.

The Governor is the chairman of the seven-member Board set up to revive tourism and engender cultural renaissance in Lagos. The Board comprises four Government officials and three professionals from the private sector.

The BoT members were inaugurated at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and held at the State House, Alausa.

The Centre, originally built in 1928, used to serve as a hub for cultural tourism, recreation and entertainment. Its reconstruction started in 2018.

Sanwo-Olu, as chairman of the Board, pledged to make the Centre a critical reference point for Yoruba culture and arts, stressing that the constitution of the Trustees was imperative, given the near completion of the reconstruction work on the Centre located in Onikan.

The Governor said his administration’s commitment towards bringing the Centre back to life remained unshaken, saying the Government had set the completion deadline for the contractor handling the reconstruction work.

He said: “I take up this opportunity to serve as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History with a sense of responsibility, and I assure stakeholders in the Arts, Culture and Tourism ecosystem that we will do everything to ensure that the Centre becomes a reference point, not only for Yoruba culture and arts, but also brings back the old glory of Lagos culture.

“We are expecting the reconstruction work on the Centre to be completed before the end of the year. That is why it is important to have a Board of Trustees to run the institution and take it to the level where the Centre would be second to none in the documentation of Yoruba history and culture. Our commitment on this project is unshaken and we are monitoring the contractor, which has committed itself to the delivery of the project.”

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government was already in discussion with arts and culture organisations and professionals, including national museum, British Museum, and private Arts collectors on the availability of compendiums and collection of works documenting the rich history of Yoruba and their arts in the Centre.

He said the revival of the Centre would reinvigorate tourism in the State, stressing that the Board had been empowered with administrative authority to engage both local and international players in arts and culture in conversations that would make the Centre realise its mandate.

He said: “We are not leaving anything behind to ensure the J.K. Randle Centre becomes an international destination for local and foreign tourists to learn about old and contemporary cultural heritage of the Yoruba. The Centre is sited on a location that is accessible and it provides the ambience for people to learn.

“The building of the Centre also fits into our overall global objective in Arts, Culture and Tourism. We recently launched our 20-year Arts and Tourism master plan and delivering the Centre would help bring our strategy to making Lagos a tourism destination a reality.”

Sanwo-Olu said the inclusion of private sector players in the Board was to provide a robust platform for engagement that would put the Centre on the world map. He charged members of the Board to bring their wealth of experience to bear as they serve in the capacity.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, presented the Board members to the Governor and urged them to justify their appointments.

Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji is the Vice Chairman of the Board, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi is the Secretary.

Other members are Mrs Olubunmi Osiewu (Treasurer), Mrs. Polly Alakija, Chief Euzebio Babajide Damazio, and Mr. Abdul-Rafiu Babatunde Adewale.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JULY 8, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU SWEARS IN AGUNBIADE AS NEW ETI-OSA EAST LCDA CHAIRMAN

…Urges Council Boss To Deliver For APC In July 24 LG Polls

…I’ll Continue Where My Predecessor Stopped, Says New Chairman

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sworn-in Hon. Biliaminu Samson Agunbiade as the new Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the State.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of Agunbiade held at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the new chairman to ensure a successful end of the tenure of his predecessor.

He also charged him to work with the leadership of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) at state and local government levels to secure total victory for the party in the July 24 council elections.

Agunbiade, a former Vice Chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA became the new council boss following the demise of the immediate past Chairman, Hon. Olufunmi Olatunji, who died on Monday June 21.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while stressing the need for continuity of good governance in Eti-Osa East LCDA, urged Agunbiade to carry on with the good works that the former chairman started in the council.

He said: “I want to congratulate you, Hon. Biliaminu Samson Agunbiade on this occasion marking the formal transfer of mandate of leadership of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area to you. This event is taking place barely 15 days to the local government elections. I have listened to you and I have heard your commitment at ensuring that come July 24, you will do everything within your power to ensure that our party, APC becomes successful at the forthcoming elections.

“Your major responsibility therefore is to ensure a successful end of the tenure and more importantly, work together with the leadership of our party both at the State and Local Government levels to secure total victory for our party on July 24, 2021 as a befitting tribute to the memory of Hon. Abdul-Rafiu Olufunmi Olatunji.”

Speaking of the former chairman, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased, described the late Olufunmi Olatunji as energetic, competent, illustrious son and one of our shining beacons in Eti-Osa.

“I know him (Olatunji) personally. I know he was one of our shining beacons. His death was quite painful, occurring at the twilight of his first tenure of four years and on the verge of securing another term, having won the primary election to contest the July 24 local government election on the platform of our great party. We commiserate with his family and the good people of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.”

Giving a vote of assurance, Hon. Agunbiade, who described his emergence as Chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA as divine and the will of God, assured Governor Sanwo-Olu that he would continue where his predecessor stopped.

“I promise to discharge my duties and to abide by the rules and regulations and also our party manifesto. I am going to pick it up from where my chairman stopped and I assure you that I am going to deliver my local government to our party, APC come July 24 Local Government elections. We will also protect the lives and property of our indigenes and non-indigenes across the local government.

“Mr. Governor, I want to appreciate your effort and good job you have been doing in Lagos State. May the Lord in His infinite mercy continue to guide you and bless you in future endeavours. Continue the good job you have been doing in Lagos State; the entire Lagosians are fully behind you,” he said.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JULY 8, 2021

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR LASU

• Sunmoni Steps In As New Chairman
• Governor Tasks Members on Peaceful Selection of VC, Industrial Harmony

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed a veteran accountant, Sir David Olabanji Sunmoni, as the new Pro-chancellor and chairman of the reconstituted Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU).

Sunmoni’s selection came about seven weeks after the Governor – the Visitor to the school – dissolved the Prof. Nurudeen Ninalowo-led Governing Council on the recommendation of the Visitation Panel that probed the crises and controversies surrounding the selection of substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) for the school.

The appointment of new Council members followed the recommendation of the Prof. Bamitale Omole-led panel, which also counselled the Governor to order fresh selection process for the substantive VC.

Sanwo-Olu, however, returned 12 other officials, who served in the previous Council led by Ninalowo.

Inaugurating the 13-member Council at the State House in Alausa, on Thursday, the Governor pointed out that there were wide consultations with the stakeholders before the members were selected, saying one of the urgent responsibilities before the new Council was to immediately activate the process for the appointment of a new VC.

Sanwo-Olu admonished the Council members to strictly adhere to due process, extant laws of the school and to be fair to all contenders.

He said: “Inauguration of new Governing Council for the Lagos State University (LASU) signals a new chapter of progress and resolution of issues surrounding the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the university. As the supreme governing authority of the university, I charge you to give top priority to implementation of quality policies and programmes that will accelerate the pace of development and growth of the university.

“One of the key responsibilities of the Council which requires your urgent attention is the activation of the process for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the university. In performing this responsibility, I urge you to be guided by the lessons from past events and ensure strict adherence to relevant laws, guidelines and procedures.”

The Governor urged the Council members to work tirelessly to sustain and improve existing peace and industrial harmony in the university, saying the progress of the school was the only way to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He charged them to come up with innovations, programmes and policies that would move the university forward and maintain its academic excellence, while assuring the Council members of the State Government’s continuous support.

Sanwo-Olu noted that special consideration was given to the appointees’ pedigrees, competencies, work experience and their contributions to the development of the State and the country.

He said: “As members of the new LASU Governing Council, I charge you to bring about your wealth of experience and accomplishments in your various chosen professions to impact positively on the management, policy formulations and smooth running of the university. I urge you to consider your appointment and this inauguration as a call to duty and service to your fatherland.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the Council members’ appointments were made in pursuant of the powers conferred on the Governor by the enabling laws of the school.

He said the ceremony became imperative in order not to create vacuum in the governance of the school.

Sunmoni, an indigene of Ikorodu, described his appointment as a “unique opportunity” to serve the people.

He promised to work with members of the Council and university administration to make the school a citadel all stakeholders would be proud of.

“We will do our best and work assiduously to take the school to the next level. The school under my leadership would be a pride of all. We will never disappoint the confidence repose in us by Mr. Governor,” Sunmoni pledged.

At the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Chancellor of the school, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN,

Acting VC, Prof. Adedamola Oke, and Acting Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Fanu.

Other members of Council are Mrs Tolagbe Taiwo, Mrs Moronke Williams, Mr Tolani Sule, Dr. Hakeem Adetugbobo, Mr Anuoluwapo Oladele Eso, Mr Adebayo Akinsanya, Mrs. Foluke Kafayat AbdulRazaq, Prof. Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, Mrs Adenike Yomi-Faseun, Mr Adekunle Soname, Mr Karl Toriola, and Dr Ifeanyi Odii.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JULY 8, 2021