News

Activists To Protest Reporter’s Detention In Abuja Thursday

Published

4 months ago

May 8, 2024

Protesters have vowed to storm the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday, over the prolonged detention of a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Daniel Ojukwu.

On Wednesday, flyers circulating on social media shared by activists, journalists and other Nigerians called people to “join us for a peaceful protest at the police headquarters Abuja on Thursday by 9am”.

Former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, also shared the flyer on X which had the reporter’s image, captioning it “An end to #CybercrimeAct2015Now. Let’s all be there at 9 am tomorrow (Thursday).”

Human rights group, the Take It Back Movement, also posted on X, “We will be here tomorrow at 9 am, prompt! Join us. #FreeDanielOjukwu.”

The group’s coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, further confirmed to our correspondent in an interview, “We are rallying all our members to participate in the protest. This is democracy and the police are not bigger than the law.”

A lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, also wrote on X, “The protest at the Force Headquarters will also be an opportunity to protest against cybercrime levy.”

Ojukwu was picked up Wednesday, May 1, 2024, by the police on the streets of Lagos and was transferred to the Nigeria Police Force-National Cyber Crime Centre in Abuja on Sunday.

Widespread condemnations have trailed the journalist’s abduction even as the police maintain that a petition was filed against the journalist but have not given details.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, condemned the reporter’s abduction.

“The police cannot detain somebody for seven days under any law in Nigeria as we speak,” he had told The PUNCH on Tuesday.

FIJ on Monday reported that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria was behind the petition that led to the abduction of Ojukwu by the police.

According to the media house, the petition is in relation to FIJ’s coverage of alleged financial mismanagement in the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

In one of its investigative pieces on the office, FIJ had reported how a sum of N147.1m reportedly meant for the building of classrooms and a skill acquisition centre was allegedly sent to the account of a restaurant.

But in a statement on its X handle on Monday, the OSSAP-SDGs denied the allegation, describing it as “false from the onset.”

The statement said the office “has been transparent in its operations and project implementation processes” and noted that “therefore, the assertion that our project was sponsored by a restaurant is false and baseless.”

The Director of the Cyber Crime Centre, Uche Ifeanyi, on Tuesday, told The PUNCH the bail conditions for the detained journalist who has spent seven days in custody had not been met.

“We’ve served them papers for bail conditions. I think the problem is they’ve not been able to meet up with the bail conditions. The person they brought on Monday could not even produce an ID card. They brought someone on Tuesday who is not a civil servant. You know how sensitive the case is. So, once they bring the civil servant of measure, we will know,” he said.

FIJ’s founder, Fisayo Soyombo said on Tuesday it was “insane” to keep the journalist for that long. “I can’t believe this is happening in a democracy. The law is clear. If you feel that something false has been published against you, the process is laid down, you go to court and institute a case. You can’t just pick someone in Gestapo style and claim the person has a case to answer.”

News

How Fake Miracle Water-producing Church Is Resisting Investigation – NAFDAC

Published

3 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to faith-based organizations regarding the illegal production of regulated products that fail to meet regulatory standards.

The agency also cautioned the public to steer clear of so-called ‘miracle products.’

The advisory followed the discovery that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, a church located in Delta State along KM 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, has been involved in producing ‘miracle water’ and has been resisting NAFDAC’s efforts to investigate.

The church is accused of selling this miracle water with a counterfeit NAFDAC registration.

However, NAFDAC Director General (DG), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Sunday, September 8, revealed that following numerous public inquiries regarding the authenticity of the product, allegedly bearing a NAFDAC certification, the agency launched an investigation that has faced resistance.

Emphasizing that as a science-based organization, NAFDAC would not compromise its responsibility to safeguard public health for spiritual claims, the DG said after being inundated with inquiries by the public to ascertain the authenticity of the product given its NAFDAC certification, the agency was forced to commence an investigation that has met resistance so far.

Adeyeye, in a statement, detailed the events and multiple attempts made by the church to evade investigation, saying, “NAFDAC wishes to alert the public on the activities of a faith-based organization – Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries – that uses NAFDAC’s name to deceive unsuspecting public.

“Recently, NAFDAC has been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State on a Miracle Water and Miracle Soap being advertised with healing and miracle claims and sold to unsuspecting members of the public by the Spiritual Ministry.

“The Minister showcased the use of Miracle Water and Miracle Soap on social media to heal barrenness.

“He claimed that the women would carry twins if they used the soap. He openly told his congregation that the Soap is NAFDAC registered. Thus, the public began to visit the office to confirm the claims.

“The petitioners also submitted the following products from the Spiritual Ministry to NAFDAC to verify the bogus claims.

“The products include Miracle & Healing Water; River Jordan Water; The Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida; A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water; Water of Life; Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L); A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water; and Father Smelled Perfume.

“Upon receipt of the petitions, NAFDAC, through the Director Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) NAFDAC, contacted the Delta State Coordinator to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with the Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products in Delta State Office.

“The coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the Ministry where the Miracle water and other products are produced.

“The State Coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for 3000 naira from the Ministries and took the pictures.

“On Wednesday 14th August 2024, the State Coordinator Delta State visited the Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service (HOS) – Mr. Ogunleye Fufeyin and the Chief Security Officer (CSO).

“The officials denied producing Miracle and Healing Water or Soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase. He claimed that only the Logo and address on the label were theirs but not the product.

“The HOS added that they only have a pool of Bethsaida water which is spiritual and artificial. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO.

“On 27th August 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC and Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the Ministry, to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team.

“Letters of invitation were issued to the officials to report on 28th August, but it was not honoured. The company instead submitted a Legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters Abuja on 28th August 2024 and asked to come back on the 3rd September 2024 to organize their document before coming. The Agency then gave the Prophet till the 29th to report at the investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC Office Asaba for further necessary investigation.

“Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of the investigation, but they still refused to show up. On 3rd September 2024, they forwarded some documents instead asking for more time to report.

“In a document, made available to the NAFDAC Office on the evening of 3rd September, the faith organization claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, DSC Expressway, Otokutu, Delta State without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta State. This act is illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.

“In continuation of our investigation, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale, and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of Fake NAFDAC Registration Number.

“At this point, it is very clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered “Miracle” products.

“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC.

“The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is a scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.

“In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organization with regard to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn either faith organizations against illegal production of regulated products without requisite regulatory requirements.

“I want to assure Nigerians of our resolve to continue safeguarding the health of the citizens”.
NATION

News

Ijaw Nation Vows To Protect Fubara’s Government From ‘Strangers

Published

6 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Editor

Prominent Niger Delta rights and environmental activist, Comrade Ozobo Austin, has stated that the Ijaw nation will not permit “strangers” to destabilize the government of Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara.

Ozobo specifically mentioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike Nyesom, as one of the “strangers” who will not be allowed to undermine Fubara’s administration.

According to Ozobo, Governor Fubara is the “original aborigine” of Rivers State, adding that the Ijaw nation will not allow outsiders to disrupt his government.

Ozobo’s statement comes amid reports of political tensions in Rivers State, with some individuals allegedly trying to undermine Fubara’s government.

Ozobo who is also the president of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, emphasised that the Ijaw people have a vested interest in ensuring the success of Fubara’s administration, which they believe is working in their best interests.

Ozobo made it clear that the Ijaw nation will not stand idly by while “strangers” try to rock the boat.

“We will not allow anyone to come into our state and cause trouble,” Ozobo said.

“Governor Fubara is our son, and we will protect his government from any external interference.”

Ozobo’s comments have been seen as a warning to those who may be trying to destabilize Fubara’s administration.

“The Ijaw nation is a powerful force in Rivers State, and their support for Fubara’s government is crucial to its success.

“One thing is clear: the Ijaw nation will not allow anyone to undermine Fubara’s government without a fight,” he noted.

News

ATBU Alumni Donate N7.2m Laboratory Equipment To Bauchi University

Published

7 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Editor

A group, under the aegis of 2001/2002 Alumni class of Electrical Engineering Department of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, has donated laboratory equipment and furniture to the department.

Speaking during the presentation of the equipment on Saturday, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Nurudeen Umar, said that the equipment was worth N7.2 million.

Umar, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano, said the group felt they should go to the school and make the donation as a sign of gratitude to the school.

“We are here this morning at the Electrical Engineering Department of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi to donate some equipment and furniture to the department.

“We are alumni of this great department class 2001/2002 and we felt we need to give back to the department and that’s why we are here today.

“We donated some items, mostly laboratory equipment and furniture.

“We donated desktop computers along with computer tables, we donated more than 200 tools, we donated office blinds, multimeters, magnifying glasses, sockets and other items that can be used in the workshop.

“Basically, they are laboratory equipment, tools and furniture,” he said.

Receiving the equipment, Prof. Sani Kunya, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, said that the gesture marked another milestone moment for the university at this critical point in time.

“I feel humbled on behalf of the university to have this presentation.

“Not even the presentation but when you look at the amount involved, we really appreciate this gesture.

“This would go down in the history of the department, the faculty and the university as a whole,” he said.

Kunya assured that all what was donated would be used judiciously and highly maintained.