Follow
established laws, UN warns Biafran agitators
Stories By Ikenna Nwosu
The United Nations (UN) has issued a stern
warning to those clamoring for the independent state of Biafra to always ensure
they pursue it in line with established international law.Stories By Ikenna Nwosu
In a report on Naij.com news site, it said that the EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini, who issued the warning to the agitators of pro-Biafrans calling for independence said that any form of self-determination must be achieved “in accordance with established international law.”
According to Naij report, thousands of Nigerians across the country’s Southeast have taken part in demonstrations in recent months, demanding an independence referendum for the historical region of Biafra.
It said that protesters also want the release of pro-Biafran activist Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by Nigerian authorities since October 19, 2015. Muhammadu Buhari has rejected calls for Kanu’s release, saying authorities are worried that the United Kingdom (U.K)-based activist would jump bail.
The report said Mogherini addressed the issue in a written response to a letter from Jonathan Levy, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Organization of Emerging African States (OEAS), a U.S.-based body campaigning for an independence referendum on Biafra.
“In the letter, which was sent to Levy, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security said that the EU has a “longstanding multifaceted relationship with Nigeria” and follows political developments in the West African nation closely,” Naij report stated.
It noted that Mogherini said protection of human rights and fundamental freedom remains a priority for the EU, and that pro-Biafran protesters have complained of abuses during their marches and three people were reportedly killed by security forces during a demonstration in Aba, Abia state in southeast Nigeria.
Naij report has it that the Abia State Police said they were not aware of any deaths at the demonstration, adding that a group of lawyers is also reportedly preparing to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Buhari’s government for human rights violations against supporters of the secessionist movement.
Biafra: Kanu explains why he apologized to Buhari, Jonathan,
othersBy Ikenna Nwosu
The leader of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has come
out to justify reasons why he tendered unreserved apologies to President Muhammadu
Buhari, former President, Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians.
In a statement, Kanu claimed it is un-African to be rude and insolent to elders, and as such, tendered unreserved apologies to the President, former President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent Igbo leaders whom he had castigated earlier through his Radio Biafra.
He stated: “Referring to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a pedophile is regrettable and uncalled for, and for that, I unreservedly apologize, and will be doing so in a private letter to the President.
According to him, before Buhari, there was Goodluck’s administration, and that he had said uncomplimentary things about him and other prominent Igbo leaders as well, which he now recognized should not have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders.
Kanu also stated: “All I was trying to do was to draw attention to the problems afflicting our society, so that something will be done about them.”
He affirmed that his organization IPOB was registered legitimately at the United Nation (UN), and as such is pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case, Biafra, to seek self determination according to the UN charter.
“The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations declaration to seek the peaceful rebirth of Biafra in line with international law,” he noted.
Kanu said that the secessionist agenda of IPOB became necessary as a result of incessant hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and economic regression.
It is to be recalled that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in 2015 effectively neutralized the illegal broadcast from the seditious pirate radio station operated by Kanu, that had shattered the peace in parts of the Southeast of Nigeria with unsavory hate messages.
NBC Director-General, Mba, had said that blocking of the station became a matter of urgent concern when they started appropriating FM frequencies in various cities across the Southeast and it became for them an urgent national security matter. “We had to trace them though they were using more sophisticated equipment.”
The illegal radio station was operated by Kanu, who is said to be resident in the United Kingdom (UK), and its activities became a source of concern to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a result of the station’s pejorative reference to the president as terrorist-in-chief and other derogatory names. The station also metaphorically used the word “zoo” or “zoological republic” in describing the generality of Nigerians who are not pathetic to the Biafran cause.
The call was made at the end of a two-day public-private sector dialogue on Nigeria/Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade litigation gap organized by the association in collaboration with European Union (EU) and German International Cooperation (GIZ), held at the Nightbridge Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently.
Speaking during the forum, the NANTS President, Ken Ukaoha, Esq. said that the non-state actors should explore the option of strategic litigation by bringing cases before the ECOWAS Court of Justice that seeks to test the extent of the human rights jurisdiction of the court, especially since some of the trade-related infractions have human rights undertone.
He noted that government needs to play a more proactive role in shaping the regional integration agenda especially by complying with regional instruments and using its political and economic weight to ensure that other countries do the same, adding that stakeholders should liaise with and seek collaboration of public interest lawyers to initiate cases at the ECOWAS Court of Justice on possible pro bono basis.
Ukaoha said that stakeholders should also explore advocacy towards the establishment of specialized courts with trade law competence to adjudicate over trade related issues, such as customs valuation, certification, etc at the national levels.
“There is need to widen the conversation to include all those working on the rule of law and regional integration, as well as members of the judiciary and political leaders at the national and regional levels. The identified gaps in trade litigation should be brought to the notice of the relevant community institutions and member states as a way of advocating the necessary legal changes,” he stated.
He is of the view that business actors and law enforcement agencies who ply their trade across the borders should be continuously sensitized through workshops, seminars, publications and road shows about ECOWAS as well as the rules and procedures for transacting business within the region, including products that are contraband.
He opined that there is need to establish a mechanism to collate complaints from the business community on the infractions of regional instruments as it concerns them, and that this could be done through the various market traders associations.
“Also Nigerian traders in other countries should form or register with National Association of Nigerian Traders in those countries as a platform for obtaining information and seeking redress where the need arises,” he also stated.
Ukaoha noted that since the domestic courts of member states are incompetent to adjudicate on contraventions of regional instruments, that there is need to have an effective regional platform for the adjudication of those infractions/infringements.
He observed that the ECOWAS Court of Justice is a potential forum for the adjudication of trade related regional instruments; therefore, there is need for advocacy towards the expansion of the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, hitherto limited to human rights, to cover trade related issues as part of economic rights.
He said that his organization will set up an email platform or mobile application for collation of complaints from traders on hindrances to regional trade or work with the GIZ in order to popularize the Trade Related Incidents Mapping System (TRIMS) currently being piloted in Ogun State, stressing that the email or app should be widely disseminated to traders.
In a statement, Kanu claimed it is un-African to be rude and insolent to elders, and as such, tendered unreserved apologies to the President, former President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent Igbo leaders whom he had castigated earlier through his Radio Biafra.
He stated: “Referring to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a pedophile is regrettable and uncalled for, and for that, I unreservedly apologize, and will be doing so in a private letter to the President.
According to him, before Buhari, there was Goodluck’s administration, and that he had said uncomplimentary things about him and other prominent Igbo leaders as well, which he now recognized should not have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders.
Kanu also stated: “All I was trying to do was to draw attention to the problems afflicting our society, so that something will be done about them.”
He affirmed that his organization IPOB was registered legitimately at the United Nation (UN), and as such is pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case, Biafra, to seek self determination according to the UN charter.
“The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations declaration to seek the peaceful rebirth of Biafra in line with international law,” he noted.
Kanu said that the secessionist agenda of IPOB became necessary as a result of incessant hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and economic regression.
It is to be recalled that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in 2015 effectively neutralized the illegal broadcast from the seditious pirate radio station operated by Kanu, that had shattered the peace in parts of the Southeast of Nigeria with unsavory hate messages.
NBC Director-General, Mba, had said that blocking of the station became a matter of urgent concern when they started appropriating FM frequencies in various cities across the Southeast and it became for them an urgent national security matter. “We had to trace them though they were using more sophisticated equipment.”
The illegal radio station was operated by Kanu, who is said to be resident in the United Kingdom (UK), and its activities became a source of concern to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a result of the station’s pejorative reference to the president as terrorist-in-chief and other derogatory names. The station also metaphorically used the word “zoo” or “zoological republic” in describing the generality of Nigerians who are not pathetic to the Biafran cause.
Rights Watch cautions on social media bill
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has
sent a warning signal to the National Assembly on the dangers of the proposed
Social Media Bill before it, if passed into law. The bill, HRW said, could
affect an estimated 15 million plus Nigerians who use social media, not to mention
the doubtless high number of Nigerians who send text messages.
In statement by its Nigerian representative, Mausi Segun, he said that the draft bill to “prohibit frivolous petitions and other matters connected therewith” specifically targets users of social and electronic media, adding that it has passed its second reading in Nigeria’s Senate, and that it is now due to go to committee, where it will be further studied. “If passed into law, it will restrict freedom of expression and a free press, which are protected by Section 39 of Nigeria’s constitution.”
According to him, the draft bill, sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All People’s Congress Party (APC), seeks to criminalize two types of behavior. “First, it proposes a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a five million naira fine for “anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message.”
“Second, it seeks to criminalize anyone disseminating via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media an “abusive statement” intending to “set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law,” he stated.
Segun revealed that the penalty for this is up to two years in prison or a two million naira fine or both, and that the bill is riddled with problems, adding that the vague term “abusive statement” is not defined and leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretation.
“Also, the proposed sanctions are excessively heavy. But most troubling of all, the draft bill is simply unnecessary. The offenses it seeks to criminalize already exist under Nigerian laws including those on treason, defamation, and libel,” he stated.
He opined that Nigeria’s lawmakers should focus on the critical issues facing the country, such as the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, communal violence, corruption, and impunity for crimes by Nigerian security forces, rather than trying to muzzle non-violent expressions of genuine dissent and criticism. “To stay in line with international and African human rights standards, Nigeria should be moving to decriminalize defamation, not creating new similar crimes.”
He noted that Nigeria is known for its vibrant civil society and strong independent media. Ironically, it was free speech and a free press that helped to bring President Muhammadu Buhari and his party to power in this year’s elections. The Senate should not succumb to a misguided attempt to reverse those hard-won freedoms.
In statement by its Nigerian representative, Mausi Segun, he said that the draft bill to “prohibit frivolous petitions and other matters connected therewith” specifically targets users of social and electronic media, adding that it has passed its second reading in Nigeria’s Senate, and that it is now due to go to committee, where it will be further studied. “If passed into law, it will restrict freedom of expression and a free press, which are protected by Section 39 of Nigeria’s constitution.”
According to him, the draft bill, sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All People’s Congress Party (APC), seeks to criminalize two types of behavior. “First, it proposes a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a five million naira fine for “anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message.”
“Second, it seeks to criminalize anyone disseminating via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media an “abusive statement” intending to “set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law,” he stated.
Segun revealed that the penalty for this is up to two years in prison or a two million naira fine or both, and that the bill is riddled with problems, adding that the vague term “abusive statement” is not defined and leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretation.
“Also, the proposed sanctions are excessively heavy. But most troubling of all, the draft bill is simply unnecessary. The offenses it seeks to criminalize already exist under Nigerian laws including those on treason, defamation, and libel,” he stated.
He opined that Nigeria’s lawmakers should focus on the critical issues facing the country, such as the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, communal violence, corruption, and impunity for crimes by Nigerian security forces, rather than trying to muzzle non-violent expressions of genuine dissent and criticism. “To stay in line with international and African human rights standards, Nigeria should be moving to decriminalize defamation, not creating new similar crimes.”
He noted that Nigeria is known for its vibrant civil society and strong independent media. Ironically, it was free speech and a free press that helped to bring President Muhammadu Buhari and his party to power in this year’s elections. The Senate should not succumb to a misguided attempt to reverse those hard-won freedoms.
Nigerian
traders admonish govt. on university curriculum
The Nigerian traders, under the auspices of National
Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), have called on government to develop a
conscious policy towards integrating international trade law into the
curriculum of Nigerian Universities as a way of developing more domestic
capacity in trade law, while also recognizing the role of trade lawyers in
government institutions.The call was made at the end of a two-day public-private sector dialogue on Nigeria/Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade litigation gap organized by the association in collaboration with European Union (EU) and German International Cooperation (GIZ), held at the Nightbridge Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently.
Speaking during the forum, the NANTS President, Ken Ukaoha, Esq. said that the non-state actors should explore the option of strategic litigation by bringing cases before the ECOWAS Court of Justice that seeks to test the extent of the human rights jurisdiction of the court, especially since some of the trade-related infractions have human rights undertone.
He noted that government needs to play a more proactive role in shaping the regional integration agenda especially by complying with regional instruments and using its political and economic weight to ensure that other countries do the same, adding that stakeholders should liaise with and seek collaboration of public interest lawyers to initiate cases at the ECOWAS Court of Justice on possible pro bono basis.
Ukaoha said that stakeholders should also explore advocacy towards the establishment of specialized courts with trade law competence to adjudicate over trade related issues, such as customs valuation, certification, etc at the national levels.
“There is need to widen the conversation to include all those working on the rule of law and regional integration, as well as members of the judiciary and political leaders at the national and regional levels. The identified gaps in trade litigation should be brought to the notice of the relevant community institutions and member states as a way of advocating the necessary legal changes,” he stated.
He is of the view that business actors and law enforcement agencies who ply their trade across the borders should be continuously sensitized through workshops, seminars, publications and road shows about ECOWAS as well as the rules and procedures for transacting business within the region, including products that are contraband.
He opined that there is need to establish a mechanism to collate complaints from the business community on the infractions of regional instruments as it concerns them, and that this could be done through the various market traders associations.
“Also Nigerian traders in other countries should form or register with National Association of Nigerian Traders in those countries as a platform for obtaining information and seeking redress where the need arises,” he also stated.
Ukaoha noted that since the domestic courts of member states are incompetent to adjudicate on contraventions of regional instruments, that there is need to have an effective regional platform for the adjudication of those infractions/infringements.
He observed that the ECOWAS Court of Justice is a potential forum for the adjudication of trade related regional instruments; therefore, there is need for advocacy towards the expansion of the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, hitherto limited to human rights, to cover trade related issues as part of economic rights.
He said that his organization will set up an email platform or mobile application for collation of complaints from traders on hindrances to regional trade or work with the GIZ in order to popularize the Trade Related Incidents Mapping System (TRIMS) currently being piloted in Ogun State, stressing that the email or app should be widely disseminated to traders.
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