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2023: Rights Group Warns Wike Over Crackdown On Atiku’s Loyalists, Others; Alerts Police, DSS

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has carpeted the Rivers State’s Governor, Nyesom Wike for allegedly launching crackdowns on his political opponents including those of his own Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The rights group in a statement issued by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Usman Alkali Baba, the Director General of the State security Services, DSS Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi and the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to instruct their operatives not to be used by Governor Wike for his “tyrannical attacks against political rival”.

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According to HURIWA, Governor Wike who is a lawyer ought to be “abreast of the indubitably binding and authoritative fact that constitutional democracy embodies several constitutional and democratic rights that are fundamental human rights enshrined in chapter 4 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended including the rights to civil and political freedoms, freedom of association, peaceful assembly and respect for the dignity of the human persons all of which are protected both locally and globally by binding precepts, Laws and covenants entered into by Nigeria as a member of the United Nations”.

The rights group stated that as a politician of many years of experience, the Rivers State governor is not expected to be linked to tyranny, dictatorship or launching attacks against political rivals.

HUIRIWA recalled that Governor Wike was said to have ordered the arrest of another House of Representatives member and Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful.

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Wike had during Saturday’s flag-off of a state project in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, ordered police arrest of the owner of a fuel retail outlet in Ojoto Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt, referring to the Mega Tools Filling Station belonging to Hon Chinyere Igwe, member representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency II.

According to media reports, security operatives under Rivers Police Command, apparently acting on Wike’s orders, had, the day before, invaded, sealed and occupied the fuel station, citing alleged trading on illegally refined petroleum products, an allegation the lawmaker denied, accusing the governor of political victimisation.

READ ALSO: I’ll Leave Our Enemies, Finish You First, Wike Tells Rivers PDP Rebels

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Reacting to Governor Wike’s recent actions, the rights group reminded the former presidential aspirant that he would not be in power forever.

His Excellency Governor Nyesom Wike should realise that many governors have come and gone because political power is transient. Today he is in charge, tomorrow he won’t be there.

“So, let all politicians campaign peacefully because Rivers State does not belong to the governor but to the entirety of the people and the governor is not an emperor but a servant of the people who exercises authority because the people gave the office holder the legitimacy to exercise that authority lawfully for only but a short-time and section 15(5) of the Constitution frown against abuse of power and political dictatorship,” the statement added.

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Misconduct, Indiscipline: 151 Senior Police Officers Face Force Disciplinary C’ttee

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As part of effort towards reinforcing internal accountability and professional standards, 151 senior police officers are currently facing the Force Disciplinary Committee, FDC, over various pending disciplinary matters.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi while confirming the appearances, said: “The exercise commenced on July 14 and will last till July 25, 2025, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

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“The Force Disciplinary Committee is an essential internal structure responsible for reviewing and adjudicating cases of alleged breaches of professional conduct, misconduct, and ethical violations involving senior officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above.

READ ALSO:Three Rescued As Police Foil Kidnap Plot In Anambra

The affected officers, drawn from various commands and formations across the country, are expected to undergo a thorough and transparent review process in line with extant police regulations and disciplinary procedures for final recommendation to the Police Service Commission, PSC.

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“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to discipline and ethical conduct within the Force. He emphasized that the Police Force will not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.

“The Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to promoting integrity, professionalism, and public trust. The disciplinary process reflects the Force’s keenness to maintaining an accountable and service-driven institution, where standards are upheld and the rule of law is respected from within.”

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FG Suspends Online Application Recruitment Into Paramilitary Services

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) has suspended online recruitment for job applicants in any of the paramilitary agencies until July 21.

In a statement on Thursday, the Secretary to the Board, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, said that the temporary suspension was to optimise the efficiency of the recruitment portal https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng.

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READ ALSO:Nigerian Army Begins Recruitment Of Tradesmen, Non-tradesmen

This development will ensure that the portal accommodates the high level of applications while guaranteeing a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and interest of young Nigerians to serve their country through these vital agencies,” Jubril said.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the online recruitment exercise was initially slated to commence July 2 before it was moved to July 14.

The paramilitary agencies with vacancies are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Federal Fire Service.
(NAN)

 

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Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared that Licensed Customs Agents, LCA shall not be subjected to regulatory control of the Minister of Transporation and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, CRFFN or required to pay fees or obtain clearance as a condition for access to ports or renewal of their licenses under Customs Act.

The suit No. FHC/CS/765/2018 which commenced at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, was instituted by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA against the Minister of Transportation, the Nigeria Authority, NPA and the CRFFN as defendants.

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The court ruled that the Minister of Transportation lacks legal authority to issue directives regulating the business or operation of LCA, declaring null and void the directive published in the Vanguard Newspapers on August 1, 2017.

READ ALSO:Lawyers Drag Tinubu To Court, Seek Emergency Rule In Zamfara

The landmark judgment delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor, resolved that: “the regulation of LCA is governed squarely by the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA which provides a comprehensive legal frame for the licensing and oversight of Customs operation in Nigeria. Only the Minister of Finance, acting through the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS is statutorily authorized to regulate the business and operation of LCA.

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“The Minister of Transportation is not recognized under the Customs Act as having any supervisory or regulatory role in this regard.

“Under section 4 the CRFFN is empowered to determine qualification, register freight forwarders and set standard for practice. LCA is a distinct profession from freight forwarders.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N335m, Hospital, Five Filling Stations To FG

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The business and regulation of LCA fall exclusively under the Customs Act, which vests regulatory control in the Minister of Finance and NCS. The CRFFN established under the CRFFN Act 2007, is a separate regulatory body whose jurisdiction applies only to freight forwarders not LCA”

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, described the victory as long overdue, even as he maintained that the CRFFN and the Ministry of Transportation have no statutory authority to regulate the business or operations of LCAs.

“We are not freight forwarders. We are licensed under a different law, and this judgment affirms that distinction. “Meanwhile, Registrar of CRFFN Kingsley Igwe, said that the court ruling will not prevent the Council from collecting Practitioners operating Fee, POF from customs agents.

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Speaking at a press briefing in response to the judgment, Igwe said that it remains the legally empowered authority to regulate freight forwarding in Nigeria under Act No. 16 of 2007.
(Vanguard)

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