Metro

Newspaper Vendors Protest Ban Of Newsstands In Anambra

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2022

Newspaper vendors in Anambra State have protested the alleged ban on newsstands across the State by the State government.

The vendors said the ban was an infringement on citizens’ rights of freedom of the press.

They said government agents have been harassing them on a daily basis, asking them to rent offices/shops where they would sell their newspapers.

A female vendor at Aroma, Esther Godwin, who spoke to journalists, said some government agents came to her newsstand and warned her to stop selling newspapers there from next week, adding that when she asked them the reason for the quit notice, they told her it was Governor Soludo’s decision.

She said, “Even in London and America, vendors still sell newspapers on the newsstands, despite their development. Why is Soludo telling us to rent offices where we will be selling newspapers?

“Where is the money to do that at a time like this. We have planned to visit the Commissioner for Information to complain; if nothing positive comes out from our meeting with the Commissioner, we shall go to the State House of Assembly and call for his (Soludo’s) impeachment.”

Meanwhile, a lecturer of Mass communication, who spoke in confidence to our correspondent, described the alleged ban on newsstands in the State as executive madness.

He said newspaper sales and distribution were components of free press in a democratic society, stating that emasculating the newspaper vendors under any guise was unfair and against the tenets of constitutional democracy.

“The mass media is central to the development of any democratic society. This has been generally acknowledged in developed societies to the extent that the media has often been described as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

“Nigeria, like other democracies, recognizes the role of the mass media and has gone to the extent of giving constitutional backing to it. The 1999 Constitution did not only guarantee every Nigerian freedom of expression and to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas, and opinions, but also gave obligations to the media to monitor governance and hold the government accountable to the people.

“Section 39 of the Constitution states that ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.’

“Section 22 of the Constitution states that the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

“So, it’s only a government that has something to fear or hide that would want to restrict vendors from circulating newspaper and other periodicals.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, on the matter was not fruitful as his telephone line rang out several times.

Metro

Natasha: Appeal Court Strikes Out Akpabio’s Motions, Imposes N100,000 Fine

Published

14 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Editor

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has struck out two motions filed by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and awarded costs of ₦100,000 against him.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Hamman Barka, struck out the motions on May 21, 2025, following the request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The PUNCH a certified true copy of the ruling on Tuesday night.

The motions, dated March 3, 2025, and March 25, 2025, and marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, listed Akpabio as the appellant.

The respondents were Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuem.

In the appeal, Akpabio sought the following reliefs: “An order of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may seek leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal.

“An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice | Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025, on Grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.

“An order of this Honourable Court enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may file their Notice of appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu) delivered on March 10, 2025.

“An order of this Honourable Court staying further proceeding in Suit No: FCH/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Others. (Coram: Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu), pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”

The court, in its ruling, held, “Application seeking to withdraw the two motions dated and filed on 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and the motions are struck out.

“Costs of ₦100,000 are awarded to the 1st Respondent. Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 to be deleted.”

Metro

JUST IN: Drama As Oshiomhole Shuts Down Lagos Airport’s Zulu Terminal After Missing Flight To Abuja [VIDEO]

Published

14 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Editor

In an arrogant display of political privilege and disregard for public inconvenience, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former Edo State governor and current senator for Edo North, on Wednesday forced the closure of the Zulu Terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos after arriving late for his flight to Abuja.

SaharaReporters gathered from credible sources at the airport that Oshiomhole blocked the entrance to the Zulu Terminal of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) after arriving at the terminal well past the scheduled departure time of his flight.

Oshiomhole was scheduled to travel on an early morning Air Peace flight. His departure time for the flight to Abuja was 6:30 am.

Sources at the airport said the senator blocked the entrance to the terminal entirely, refusing to budge despite multiple pleas from the terminal manager.

According to eyewitnesses, rather than accept responsibility for his lateness, the senator blocked the terminal’s entrance, creating a gridlock that left dozens of passengers stranded and delayed.

Sources said the terminal manager’s repeated efforts to resolve the disruption were met with obstinate refusal by Oshiomhole, forcing the regional manager to intervene.

A management meeting was hurriedly convened to pacify the senator and convince him to allow normal operations to resume.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and humiliating for airline and airport staff, who were seen pleading with the senator to de-escalate the situation.

Air Peace, the airline scheduled to fly the senator to Abuja, refused to accommodate him, citing his late arrival and adherence to strict check-in policies.

“He missed the flight. That’s the simple truth. He wanted them to delay the flight for him, but Air Peace refused,” a source familiar with the incident said.

“Oshiomhole blocked the terminal

https://x.com/SaharaReporters/status/1932776554347610343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1932776554347610343%7Ctwgr%5E2fa07ed71d8279348ed453c1552852f6c48ea541%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaharareporters.com%2F2025%2F06%2F11%2Fair-peace-lambasts-senator-oshiomhole-unruly-conduct-assaulting-staff-barricadinghttps://x.com/SaharaReporters/status/1932776554347610343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1932776554347610343%7Ctwgr%5E2fa07ed71d8279348ed453c1552852f6c48ea541%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaharareporters.com%2F2025%2F06%2F11%2Fair-peace-lambasts-senator-oshiomhole-unruly-conduct-assaulting-staff-barricading

Metro

Air Peace Lambasts Oshiomhole For Unruly Conduct, Assaulting Staff, Barricading Terminal Entrance At Lagos Airpor

Published

14 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Editor

A Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has strongly condemned the disruptive actions of former Edo governor and serving Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, who reportedly caused major disturbances at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning.

The airline made its position known in a statement signed by its management.

“Air Peace strongly condemns the unruly conduct of a prominent Nigerian politician who disrupted airport operations on the morning of Wednesday, June 11, 2025,” the airline said in an official release signed by its management.

According to the airline, the individual in question arrived at the terminal at approximately 06:10 AM for Flight P47120, which was scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 06:30 AM.

“The prominent individual in question arrived at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) at approximately 06:10 AM for Flight P47120 scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 06:30 AM. In line with our standard on-time departure policy, the boarding process had closed, and the flight departed as scheduled.”

“The airline said, “The politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance.”

The statement continues, detailing the extent of the disruption.

“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”

“This unacceptable behaviour caused significant disruption to ongoing operations and affected numerous travellers scheduled for various flights.”

Air Peace said it swiftly activated contingency measures to minimise the fallout from the incident.

“To minimise further inconvenience, Air Peace swiftly activated operational contingency plan to board affected passengers through an alternate terminal, ensuring the continuity of their travel plans.”

The airline expressed dismay over the incident, particularly considering the stature of the individual involved.

REAS ALSO: Air Peace Slashes London-Lagos Airfare

“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel. Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers. We urge all guests, to remain civil and cooperative at all times.”

Reiterating its commitment to operational integrity, Air Peace emphasised the importance of adhering to aviation protocols.

“Aviation operations are bound by strict timelines and safety protocols, and we remain committed to upholding these standards while delivering safe and timely services to the Nigerian public.”

“Air Peace continues to stand for discipline, integrity, and respect for due process. No individual, no matter how influential, is above these values.”

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that in an arrogant display of political privilege, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former Edo State governor and current senator for Edo North, on Wednesday forced the closure of the Zulu Terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos after arriving late for his flight to Abuja.

SaharaReporters had gathered from credible sources at the airport that Oshiomhole blocked the entrance to the Zulu Terminal of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) after arriving at the terminal well past the scheduled departure time of his flight.

Oshiomhole was scheduled to travel on an early morning Air Peace flight. His departure time for the flight to Abuja was 6:30 am.

Sources at the airport said the senator blocked the entrance to the terminal entirely, refusing to budge despite multiple pleas from the terminal manager.

According to eyewitnesses, rather than accept responsibility for his lateness, the senator blocked the terminal’s entrance, creating a gridlock that left dozens of passengers stranded and delayed.

Sources said the terminal manager’s repeated efforts to resolve the disruption were met with obstinate refusal by Oshiomhole, forcing the regional manager to intervene.

A management meeting was hurriedly convened to pacify the senator and convince him to allow normal operations to resume.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and humiliating for airline and airport staff, who were seen pleading with the senator to de-escalate the situation.

Air Peace, the airline scheduled to fly the senator to Abuja, refused to accommodate him, citing his late arrival and adherence to strict check-in policies.

“He missed the flight. That’s the simple truth. He wanted them to delay the flight for him, but Air Peace refused,” a source familiar with the incident said.