BREAKING: SERAP, FEMI FALANA, OTHERS, DRAG BUHARI’S GOVT TO ECOWAS COURT OVER TWITTER BAN

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 176 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration over “the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria”.

The applicants are against the criminalization of Nigerians using Twitter, and the escalating repression of human rights, rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

Following the deletion of Buhari’s tweet, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed last week announced the ban of Twitter operations.

The government has threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone using Twitter, while the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) asked all broadcast stations to suspend the use of the social media platform.

The suit No ECW/CCJ/APP/23/21 was filed today before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja.

SERAP threatens to drag Buhari govt to court for suspending Twitter in Nigeria

SERAP and the concerned Nigerians are seeking: “An order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from implementing its suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and subjecting anyone including media houses, broadcast stations using Twitter in Nigeria, to harassing, intimidating, arrest and criminal prosecution, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

In the suit filed by Solicitor to SERAP, Femi Falana (SAN), the plaintiffs contended that if the application is not urgently granted, federal authorities will continue to arbitrarily suspend Twitter.

They said the Buhari government was on the verge of slamming criminal charges and fines against telecommunication companies, media houses, broadcast stations and others.

The suit read in part: “The suspension of Twitter is aimed at stopping Nigerians from using Twitter and other social media platforms to assess government policies, expose corruption, and criticize acts of official impunity.

Twitter ban: NBC’s directive to TV, radio stations shows political interference – SERAP

“The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens and elected representatives is essential.

“This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censor or restraints, and to inform public opinion. The public also has a corresponding right to receive media output.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the full enjoyment is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society.”

NLC, ASUU PROTEST SACK OF 18 KADUNA UNIVERSITY LECTURERS

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU have kicked against the sack of 18 lecturers of the Kaduna State University (KASU) for participating in last month’s warning strike the NLC declared in the state to protest the disengagement of some workers by the state government.

The management of the university had sent the names of the affected lecturers with their departments indicated to the state government upon which they were sacked.

In an interaction with newsmen, NLC president Ayuba Wabba, said the union had already reported the state government to the presidency for breaching their truce terms.

Wabba, who threatened that union would embark on another strike if the state government continued to violate the agreement, described the government’s action as a violation of the “no victimisation” clause in the agreement signed by the congress and the state government after a reconciliatory meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on May 20.

The NLC said the state government had continued to violate workers’ rights as provided for in the labour laws as well as take punitive measures such as sack of workers for participating in the five-day warning strike.

Wabba told correspondent in Abuja on phone that the congress had written President Muhammadu Buhari to draw his attention to the action of the Kaduna State government.

He said, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had on May 25, 2021 resolved that in case the Kaduna State government continued to pursue the path of punitive actions against workers and their interests, that it had given the National Administrative Council (NAC) the power to reactivate the suspended industrial action in Kaduna State.

and also call for the withdrawal of all workers in Nigeria without any further notice.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of ASUU), Abuja zone, Professor Theophilus Lagi, has said the governor of Kaduna State as a visitor to that university does not have the power to sack the employees or interfere in the affairs of the school.

Lagi urged the governor to thread with caution, saying that it may be too hot for him to handle.

He said, “Going by what is trending on the social media as regards the dismissal of academic staff, the Governor of Kaduna State as a visitor to that university does not have the right to sack employees or interfere in the affairs of the university. It is the sole prerogative of the governing council of Kaduna State University to employ and fire staff based on clear university procedures.”

When newsmen contacted the new national president of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, he said, “I am still sorting for information from our branch in that university on the true situation. Will react when accurate information is available.”

Some senior advocates who spoke to correspondents condemned the action of the state government.

According to them, labour laws in the country permit unionism.

Mr Abdul Balogun (SAN) condemned the state government a for victimising the workers.

According to him, if the state government is insisting on victimising them, they should approach the industrial court for redress.

A Kaduna-based legal practitioner, Murtala Akosile, accused the state government of being intolerant.

He said, ‘’The Kaduna State government should know that the agreement they have with workers in the state is not a master, slave relationship. Their rights to protest perceived injustice is enshrined in the labour laws of the country.”

FG OFFERS CONDITION TO LIFT BAN ON TWITTER IN NIGERIA

The federal government has imposed a condition on the lifting of Twitter’s indefinite suspension in Nigeria.

At a meeting with several envoys, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama stated that Twitter’s operations in Nigeria will be restored only if the platform can be utilized “responsibly.”

When asked when the ban will be lifted, Onyeama stated there is no set date, but added, “The requirement would be responsible usage of social media, and that has to be it.”

“We are not claiming that Twitter is a threat to the country or anything like that; we have taken this action to prevent them from being used as forums for destabilization, facilitation, or encouragement of criminality,” he added.

TWITTER BAN: IPC, MRA THREATEN TO DRAG NIGERIAN FG BEFORE AU, UN

Two non-governmental organisations, Media Rights Agenda and the International Press Centre have threatened to drag the Federal Government to the African Union and United Nations if it doesn’t immediately rescind the ban placed on microblogging site, Twitter.

The groups stated that the action is an unjustifiable violation of the rights of all Nigerians to freedom of expression and access to information, noting that the action of the government violates the international and African charters the country was a party to.

They listed them to include 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.

This was contained in a joint statement signed by MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo; and the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade.

The statement was titled, ‘MRA, IPC Condemn Federal Government’s Twitter Ban, Threaten to Lodge Complaints Before AU, UN Bodies’.

It reads in part, “In its Resolution 362 of 2016, the African Commission 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.

“Also 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 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, 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.

“Also, 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.”

BREAKING: PROPHET T.B. JOSHUA IS DEAD

Report reaching our news desk reveals that Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua popularly known as T. B. Joshua, is dead.

Born on June 12, 1963, he was a televangelist and philanthropist.

He reportedly died in Lagos on Saturday evening shortly after concluding a programme at his church.

TB Joshua was the leader and founder of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian megachurch that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos.

According to Wikipedia, Joshua was known for his popularity across Africa and Latin America and his social media presence with 3,500,000 fans on Facebook.

His YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, had over 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers and was the world’s most viewed Christian ministry on the platform before it was suspended.

The cause of his death was unknown as at the time of this report.

Details Later…

REVERSE TWITTER SUSPENSION OR FACE LEGAL ACTION, NBA THREATENS NIGERIAN GOVT

The umbrella body of Nigerian lawyers, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has threatened to sue the Nigerian government if it fails to reverse its decision to suspend Twitter operations indefinitely in the country.

Many Nigerians have expressed outrage at the ban announced by the information minister, Lai Mohammed, on Friday.

The government had announced the suspension barely 48 hours after the microblogging site deleted a controversial post by President Muhammadu Buhari referencing the country’s civil war, and threatening to treat those attacking government buildings “with the language they understand.”

Reacting to the government’s decision in a thread of tweets posted via his twitter handle, the NBA President, Olumide Akpata, expressed the association’s “great concern” over the implications of the development.

The implications, according to him, extend to “the right of Nigerians to freely express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions through that medium.”

He said there is no Nigerian law that can be cited in support of the ban, reminding the government that the country practises “constitutional democracy” where everything must be done according to recognised rules.

“The Nigerian Bar Association finds no constitutional or legal authority to support the peremptory action of the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and deprive Nigerians of their right to freely express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions. Beyond the dent on our constitutional democracy, at a time when the Nigerian economy is unarguably struggling, the impact of arbitrary decisions such as this on investor confidence is better imagined.

“Consequently, if this decision is not immediately reversed, the Nigerian Bar Association will have no choice but to challenge same in the interest of the public and our democracy,” the NBA president’s tweet read in part.

Licensing of social media operations

He added that the Nigerian government’s directive to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT (Over The Top) and social media operations in Nigeria, “is, at best, yet another disguised attempt to regulate social media, restrict freedom of speech and shrink civic space.”

JUST LIKE TWITTER, FACEBOOK DELETES BUHARI’S CIVIL WAR STATEMENT FOR VIOLATING POLICY

Facebook has deleted President Buhari’s civil war statement for violating its community standards against inciting violence.

It would be recalled that the President had threatened punishment for regional secessionists blamed for attacks on government buildings.

President Buhari, who served in the army stated on Tuesday that many people misbehaving today were too young to remember the deaths and destruction from the civil war.

A quick check shows that Facebook has now removed the post from their platform, as the whole statement, has been removed from the social media platform for violating Community Standards against inciting violence.

The social media giants reiterated its commitment to remove any content, from individuals or organisations that violates Facebook policies.

“In line with our global policies, we’ve removed a post from President Buhari’s Facebook page for violating our Community Standards against inciting violence. We remove any content, from individuals or organisations that violates our policies on Facebook.” A Facebook Spokesperson

Recall that micro-blogging platform, Twitter, also deleted Buhari’s tweet where he issued a threat to deal with “misbehaving” elements in “the language they understand”, while making reference to Nigeria’s civil war.

While defending its action, the tech company said the President’s tweet violated its rules.

JUSUN TO RIVERS NBA: 'YOU LACK LOCUS TO ISSUE CIRCULAR ON OUR STRIKE'

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has lambasted the chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Port Harcourt Branch, Prince O. Nyekwere, Esq over his statement on the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Union.

The union in a statement warned that the strike cannot be called off by a branch as alluded by Port Harcourt NBA chairman in Rivers state over a purported meeting with the new Chief Judge of the state.

JUSUN believes that prince Nyekwere is not her member and so lacks the locus to talk about calling off an industrial action that he did not declare in the first place.

The statement which was signed by the National Treasurer of JUSUN Comrade Jimoh Musa Alonge, the union urges NBA to join hands with JUSUN to salvage the Judiciary from being suffocated by the governors in Nigeria.

“The attention of the National Secretariat of JUSUN has been drawn to a purported circular titled "JUSUN STRIKE UPDATE IN RIVERS STATE" by one Prince O. Nyekwere, Esq, Branch chairman of NBA in Rivers state that JUSUN has agreed to call off Strike in the state.

“Ordinarily, the union would not have responded to what appears to be propaganda by the NBA chairman in the state since he is not our member, but for the purposes of putting the records straight, the union wishes to state that the ongoing strike was declared by the National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union and therefore cannot be called off by any branch.

“That the union is willing and ready for dialogue towards addressing the present impasse if not for the refusal of the Governors to sign the Memorandum of Action reached at the instance of Chief Conciliator in the country and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

“And that the union has resolved to take the fight to the doorsteps of the Governors with nationwide street protest and picketing to drive her point home”.

IMPLEMENTATION OF JUDICIAL AUTONOMY MUST BE IN LINE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - GOV. WIKE

   Gov. Nyesom Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has accused the Federal Government of playing politics with judicial autonomy in total disregard to constitutional provisions. 

 

The governor made the observation at the inauguration and handover of the National Industrial Court Judges Quarters in Old Government Residential Area,  Port Harcourt on Thursday.

 

Governor Wike explained that under a federal system of government, it is only the executive arm of government, at all the tiers, that has the powers to present the annual budget to either State or National Assembly and also signed it into law.

 

According to him, the new narrative that a presidential implementation committee has been set up and will direct governors to sign budgetary allocations for the judiciary is purely unconstitutional.

 

Governor Wike said a federal government that is promoting autonomy of the judiciary should not have allowed the nation's courts to be shut for about two months by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

 

"Is it true that the federal government wants the autonomy of the judiciary? If the federal government wants the autonomy of the judiciary,  how can a government say that the courts should be shut down for almost two months now. Which country can survive when it's courts are shut down for two months?”

 

Speaking further,  the governor said his administration has fully implemented the autonomy of the judiciary and the legislature with releases of their financial entitlements as captured in the budget up till 2021.

 

Governor Wike explained that the funds released by Rivers State to the judiciary far exceeds the planned deductions by the federal government.  He further declared that his administration is not owing parliamentary workers who are also currently on sympathy strike.

 

He proclaimed  that already the no-work no-pay policy has come  into force in Rivers State and all judiciary and parliamentary workers cannot sit at work and expect salary anymore.

 

Speaking on one of his motivations to provide judges with official residences, Governor Wike recalled how when he was Chief of Staff, he received a call at about midnight that a judge was locked out of his rented apartment by a landlord.

 

"From that day,  I had this feeling that judges should not be so exposed to this kind of things that could lead to lose of their life.  We have also acquired land to build for judges of the federal high court who are in rented apartment. And I know that the landlord has told me that they have not paid him for several years.

 

"That comes to tell you the kind of autonomy of the judiciary that the federal government says they believe in. We agree but the rent of their judges is there,  they have not brought the money to pay."

 

Inaugurating the facility, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad noted that Governor Wike has remained a strong voice in the clamour for judicial independence and financial autonomy.

 

Represented by Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,  Justice Muhammad,  said Governor Wike’s affection and innate passion for the welfare and wellbeing of the Nigerian judiciary is worthy of emulation.

 

"The Wike Model should be holistically espoused and replicated by other governors in the country for rapid development and growth of the Nigerian Judiciary.

 

"I would love to see this mind-blowing gesture, which I refer to as the emblem of humanitarianism, replicated all over the nooks and crannies of the country with a view to lifting the Nigerian Judiciary out of the current squalor which is, largely, inhibiting the seamless and speedy dispensation of justice.

 

"With this astounding feat, you have, for the umpteenth time, profoundly hoisted the banner of a true statesman."

 

The Chief Justice declared that without any ambivalence, that Governor Wike remains a shining example in the comity of contemporary Nigerian political leaders who have the interest and welfare of the Nigerian judiciary at heart, both in words and in action.

 

“You are not doing this because you are a lawyer, as we have several lawyers occupying influential political offices in the country, but simply because you are a habitual care giver and development-conscious political leader.”

 

The President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict B. Kanyip  said Governor Wike has made history in Nigeria by being the first to build a court and residential apartment for judges of the Industrial Court.

 

Similarly, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, stated that Governor Wike by  providing conducive accommodation for judges has further expanded the frontiers of the access to justice.

 

On his part, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), said Governor Wike was spurred to provide accommodation for the judges of the Industrial Court because of his quest to provide access to justice to people and residents of Rivers State.

 

The newly inaugurated Industrial Court judges quarters comprises of four duplexes with five bed rooms each, a club house and swimming pool. 

 

Kelvin Ebiri

Special Assistant (Media) Rivers State Governor

June 3, 2021

 

Picture:

 INLINE IMAGE 

L-R: Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon C. Amadi; Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike; Deputy Governor of Rivers State,  Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo and Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani during commissioning of National Industrial Court Judges Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad ,represented by Justice Mary Odili.

STRIKE: RIVERS STATE JUSUN WILL RELEASE CIRCULAR FOR RESUMPTION OF WORK TODAY– NBA PORT HARCOURT

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Port Harcourt Branch, has said that the Rivers State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, is set to call of its ongoing strike.

This is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer signed by Chairman of the Branch, Prince O. Nyekwere.

Nyekwere said the decision was taken during a meeting between the JUSUN and the Chief Judge of Rivers State. According to him, the circular directing resumption of work will be released today.

Read details below... 

Dear SANs/Seniors/Colleagues,

JUSUN STRIKE UPDATE IN RIVERS STATE.

The Honourable the Chief Chief of Rivers State, Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi held a meeting with the Rivers State Chapter of JUSUN yesterday June 1, 2021.

Top on the agenda for the meeting among others was the ongoing nationwide JUSUN strike that has paralysed all court activities.

The deliberations at the meeting were cordial and the outcome fruitful. The Rivers State Chapter of JUSUN agreed to call off the strike and resume work immediately.

A circular directing JUSUN members to resume work is being awaited today to effectuate the agreement reached at the meeting.

Prince O. Nyekwere, Esq.
Chairman, NBA PH Branch.
02/06/2021