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EndSARS: Edo Panel Members Express Worry Over Obaseki’s Insincerity

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Some members of the Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and other related matters have expressed worry that over two months after its submitted its report to Governor Godwin Obaseki, he is yet to begin the implementation of its recommendations.

Obaseki, while receiving the Panel report and recommendations had assured the government would carefully review the report of the panel and ensure that its recommendations are implemented.

But a letter by eight of the Panel members dated 30th September and addressed to the governor while copying the Secretary to State Government (SSG) and the Chairperson of the panel, the members said the governor had promised that he would begin the implementation of their recommendation not later than 14 days after its submission but they are surprised that till date no action has been taken on their recommendation.

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The members of the panel who wrote the letter are Osaro Culture Iyamu, Dr Usiosefe Ereyimwen, Kelly Omokaro Osunbor, Kola Edokpayi, Ogidi Eromosele Godwin, Pius Effam, Salami David and Imafidon Imadeyogie Stephen.

The letter titled “Appeal for the mobilization and implementation of the recommendations of the Edo State Judicial Panel of inquiry on police brutality and other related matters #EndSARS” reads:

“We bring you greetings in solidarity for genuine progress and wish to use this medium to remind you of your sworn commitment to goodwill.

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“May we remind Your Excellency that it is apparently a year since the #EndSARS protest took place which led to the setting up of The Judicial Panel of Inquiry across the country to look into all issues that resulted in the subject in reference.

“Sir, it is no longer news that in your usual good spirit, you mobilized one of the most genuine and formidable teams to do justice to the petitions from the victims of police brutality and other related matters as headed by our most respected Hon. Justice Ada EHIGIAMUSOE (Rtd).

“We wish to bring to your notice Sir and for the sake of emphasis that the feedbacks from the street are beginning to show genuine worries over the rational as to why the reports of the panel is yet to be implemented or attended to, in view of your verbal commitments during the Panel’s inauguration that the implementation will be at least Fourteen (14) Days after the submission of the report,

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“In the light of the above, we wish to appeal that you commence implementation of the report in reference and in other to mitigate public outcry and reinforce the trust in your leadership.”

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Denies Controversial Kano Sheikh Bail

Recall that Justice Ehigiamusoe, while submitting the report said the panel received a total of 170 petitions and struck out 25 for lack of diligence, while 10 others were dismissed for lacking in merit, with 135 petitions which were considered to be meritorious.

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US Revokes Visas Of Foreigners Who Mocked Kirk’s Assassination

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The United States has revoked the visas of several foreign nationals who publicly mocked or celebrated the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The State Department said the decision followed an internal review of social media posts deemed “offensive and contrary to U.S. values,” adding that the country “has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”

Kirk, 31, co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA and a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot dead during a political rally on 10 September.

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His killing drew widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with many describing the act as a targeted attack on free speech.

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According to U.S. authorities, at least six individuals from Argentina, South Africa, Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, and Germany had their visas revoked after making comments online that celebrated Kirk’s murder or insulted his supporters.

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Examples cited by officials included posts calling Kirk a racist who deserved it, and messages mocking grieving Americans.

We will not tolerate foreigners who promote or celebrate acts of violence against U.S. citizens,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The move underscores Washington’s growing use of immigration powers to respond to online behaviour perceived as threatening or disrespectful towards the country.

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The Department said it continues to monitor social media content for evidence of incitement or endorsement of violence.
Civil liberties advocates, however, have questioned the decision, arguing that revoking visas for social media comments could set a worrying precedent.

Officials maintained that the visa cancellations were lawful, limited in scope, and aimed at protecting national integrity.

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Freedom of speech does not extend to foreigners seeking the privilege of entry while glorifying violence,” the spokesperson added.

The United States has increased visa scrutiny in recent years, requiring applicants to disclose social media handles and online activity.

The policy, officials say, is designed to prevent extremist sympathisers or those expressing hostility towards the country from entering its borders

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Israeli PM Netanyahu Back In Court For Graft Trial

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was back in a Tel Aviv court on Wednesday for the latest hearing in his long-running corruption trial, which opened in May 2020.

The prime minister kept a smiling face as he and his entourage of several ministers from his conservative Likud party were heckled by protesters en route to the tribunal.

It comes after US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that the Israeli premier should be pardoned in his three separate corruption cases.

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His latest appearance at the Tel Aviv court also follows the return of the hostages taken by Hamas as part of Trump’s US-brokered plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

READ ALSO:Why I Won’t Attend Gaza Summit In Egypt — Netanyahu

In one case, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods, including champagne, cigars and jewellery, from billionaires in exchange for political favours.

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In two other instances, Netanyahu is also charged with attempting to negotiate better press coverage from two Israeli media outlets. He has denied any wrongdoing, claiming to be the victim of a political plot.

During his current term, which started in late 2022, Netanyahu has proposed far-reaching judicial reforms that critics say sought to weaken the courts.

Those prompted massive protests that only abated after the onset of the Gaza war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

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In an address on Monday to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Trump told the chamber that Netanyahu should receive a pardon in the graft cases.

“Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?” Trump joked, before asking his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog: “Why don’t you give him a pardon?”

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The Israeli premier is also subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on suspicion of ordering war crimes in his government’s assault on Hamas militants in Gaza.

Netanyahu holds the record for the most years spent at the head of Israel’s government, having served 18 years in several stints as premier since 1996.

AFP

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FULL LIST: US Set To Carry Out Four Executions This Week

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A Florida man convicted of murdering two women he hired for sex was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday, one of four executions to be carried out in the United States this week.

Samuel Smithers, 72, was sentenced to death in 1999 for the 1996 killings of Christy Cowan and Denise Roach in Tampa. They had been beaten and strangled and their bodies were found in a pond.

Smithers was executed at a Florida state prison at 6:15 pm (2215 GMT), the 14th execution in the southern state this year.

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Another convicted murderer was also put to death by lethal injection in the midwestern state of Missouri on Tuesday.

READ ALSO:Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate In Rivers, Rescue Babies

The execution of Lance Shockley, 48, was carried out at 6:13 pm (2313 GMT) for the 2005 murder of a police sergeant, Carl Graham.

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Graham was gunned down in an ambush at his home. The officer had been investigating a fatal car accident involving Shockley at the time.

Shockley maintained his innocence but his appeals were rejected by numerous courts, including the Supreme Court. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe rejected his clemency request on Monday.

Two other executions are scheduled this week.

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Charles Crawford, 59, is to be put to death by lethal injection in Mississippi on Wednesday for the 1994 rape and murder of Kristy Ray, a 20-year-old college student.

READ ALSO:China’s Trade Surges Despite US Tariff Threats

Richard Djerf, 55, is to be executed by lethal injection in Arizona on Friday for the brutal 1993 murders of four members of a Phoenix family.

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In a letter last month apologizing for the crime, Djerf said he was ready to die and would not seek clemency.

“If I can’t find reason to spare my life, what reason would anyone else have?” he wrote.

There have been 37 executions in the United States this year, the most since 2013, when 39 inmates were put to death.

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Florida has carried out the most executions with 14, followed by Texas with five and South Carolina and Alabama with four.

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Thirty-one of this year’s executions have been carried out by lethal injection, two by firing squad and four by nitrogen hypoxia, which involves pumping nitrogen gas into a face mask, causing the prisoner to suffocate.

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The use of nitrogen gas as a method of capital punishment has been denounced by United Nations experts as cruel and inhumane.

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, while three others — California, Oregon and Pennsylvania — have moratoriums in place.

President Donald Trump is a proponent of capital punishment and, on his first day in office, called for an expansion of its use “for the vilest crimes.”

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