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FG’s sudden trial of Zakzaky a mockery of judicial process- IHRC

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A group, Islamic Human Rights Commission has condemned the volte-face by the Nigerian authorities to charge the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky to court after illegally holding him in detention for two years, describing it as yet another slap in the face of due process in the country. A statement by the group on Wednesday said that along with his wife and two others, the Sheikh has been charged with eight offences, the most serious of which is punishable by death.

“The authorities claim that the Sheikh and supporters of his group abetted the Commission of culpable homicide when they allegedly blocked roads in the city of Zaria in December 2015. “In reality, though, the charge aims to deflect government responsibility for a planned and systematic attack by soldiers on the Islamic Movement that left at least 1000 civilians dead and hundreds more arrested. The government attack is the subject of a complaint by the IHRC to the International Criminal Court in the Hague,” the statement read.

“The charges are more visible when viewed against the context of legal proceedings to end the illegal detention of the Zakzakys. The pair remain in the custody of the Nigerian secret services in defiance of a federal court order on 2 December 2016 ordering their release by January 16, 2017. The federal court had ruled the detentions unconstitutional and illegal. “The leveling of charges should also be seen as an attempt by the government to curb continuing protests in the capital Abuja calling for justice for the Sheikh. Sunday 15 April 2018 marked 100 days since protests broke out all over Nigeria demanding Sheikh Zakzaky’s release. The protests erupted after Sheikh Zakzaky suffered a stroke, aggravating an already poor condition caused when he was shot during the 2015 military assault.”

The statement noted that despite calls by the Islamic Human Rights Commission and other supporters of the Sheikh for his release him from unlawful detention so that his health can be assessed and he can receive medical treatment the Nigerian authorities have failed to act. “Demonstrations involving tens of thousands of the sheikh’s supporters have been staged daily in Abuja as well as other towns and cities across northern Nigeria. Despite their peaceful nature,  the protests have been subjected to sabotage and violence. Often fatal, attacks by security forces intend on bringing the Islamic Movement of Nigeria into disrepute.

“Since 8 January 2018, six protesters have been killed by security forces. Hundreds more have been arrested and sustained injuries from beatings during their detention. The majority of those released were released without charge,” the statement added. IHRC Chairman, Massoud Shadjareh said: “These charges make a mockery of a legal process that had already been bought into considerable disrepute by the Nigerian executive. They are nothing but a contemptible attempt to deflect responsibility away from the government for the 2015 massacre and to seek an end to the daily protests in support of Sheikh Zakzaky. The international community must act now to ensure that Nigeria abides by its commitments to human rights, especially those relating to upholding the rule of law.”

Source: News Express

 

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Fuel Price Skyrockets To ₦1000 Per Litre In Some States As Scarcity Sets In

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News reaching us is that fuel Prices have gone up ranging up to ₦800 to ₦1000 and above per litre in different states.

The price increase is also as a result of fuel scarcity which has set in. It is believed that some fuel stations are currently hoarding fuel.

Motorists are queuing up in large numbers at filling stations across Kano State struggling to buy petrol that is now selling at over N1,000 per litre.

One Mr Ibrahim said filling stations in the metropolis were charging as high as N1,000 as of Monday morning, adding that he bought the product over the weekend at prices ranging between N950 and N920 before the price skyrocketed on Monday.

The fuel scarcity has also touched Abuja and even Lagos.

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King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed

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King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.

“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.

A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”

Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”

“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”

Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.

A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.

All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.

“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.

“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”

Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.

We hope the king gets well soon.

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EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members

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Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.

A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.

Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.

The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.

In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.

the school fees documented payment

The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”

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