The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
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Mamu detention: Causes prison congestion, human rights violation — HURIWA
…says swift prosecution guarantees justice, restores faith in the country
By Ogaga Ariemu
Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria(HURIWA), on Wednesday, has criticised the recent permission granted by a Federal High Court in Abuja to the Department of State Services(DSS) to detain the former terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, for 60 more days.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement released to NewsDirect Newspaper, described as unnecessary the detention order secured by the secret police, adding that the DSS does not need more time to investigate the ally of controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi after obtaining “incriminating materials” from his home and offices and even swore to affidavits before the Federal High Court adducing what it believe are incontrovertible evidence.
“Why does the DSS needs eternity to charge an accused person before the competent court rather than first embark on running commentaries in the media, then go to court with exparte application which does not guarantee fairness just to get the court to allow it detain the accused person for as long as the agency desires?
“HURIWA demand swift prosecution of Mamu, and all accused persons noting that he should not be added to the overwhelming list of detainees yet to be prosecuted for years. The rights group said prison congestion is the clearest sign of a failed justice administration in any nation.
“Mamu, who was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, was recently detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated back to Nigeria. He was one of those leading the negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnapped in March this year,” he stated.
Earlier the DSS accused Mamu of being a member of an international terrorist network who used the cover of journalism to perpetrate crime.
“During the processes, incriminating materials including military accouterments were recovered.
“Other items include large amounts in different currencies and denominations, as well as financial transaction instruments. While further investigations continue, Mamu will, sure, have a day in court,” DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, also said in a statement after a raid on his residence and office.
Reacting to DSS’s statement, HURIWA said, “In July 2021, the Minister of Interor, Rauf Aregbesola, said the custodial centres in the country are overstretched. The Minister said “50,992 inmates, representing 74 per cent of the total population of inmates in our custodial centres, are awaiting-trial inmates” show that the courts are in bed with a corrupt, power hungry executive arm of government whilst security agencies actively violate fundamental human rights of the citizens through subterfuge, and through unlawful means.
“If DSS has sufficient material evidence to swear affidavits before the Court on who this accused person is and where he was going, why does it need another 60 days to investigate to an extent that the judge asked them to consider coming back for more pre-litigation detention time as if Nigeria is now Guantanamo bay off Cuba Island whereby the Constitutional and fundamental human rights of detainees matters little?
“Did the DSS not disclosed that evidence they have on this person Tukur Mamu was “incriminating”? Why take 60 more days searching for more much ‘minblogging’ additional evidence? The UN recently carpeted the Court in Nigeria for keeping NNAMDI KANU almost ad infinitum whereas the prosecutors kept amending charges. The United Nations made far reaching ruling demanding immediate freedom for Nnamdi Kanu but both President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Federal High Court and the Department of State Services have continuously ignored this landmark decision by the United Nations. How is Nigeria a constitutional democracy when citizens languish in underground dungeons and cells for indeterminate periods of time and then the Federal Government continues to drag the matter in court for as long as the government wants and apparently the court system is in bed with the executive arm of government to abuse the fundamental human rights of citizens?”
“The heads of Courts in Nigeria must take the lead to stop their judges from keeping accused persons behind bars for long even when section 36(5) of the Constitution obliges the Court to give fair hearing. This peculiar pre-trial detention of accused persons simply paints Nigeria graphically as a failed state and as a primitive society whereby MIGHT IS RIGHT and where those who manage to gain political office use such privileges in pursuit of absolute power which corrupts absolutely.
Nigeria is a Constitutional democracy and fundamental liberty of the citizens makes the rule of law the hallmark of our sovereignty. There is no logical reason for the court of law to assist the armed security forces to adopt backhand tactics to detain accused persons when the grund norm states that accused persons are innocent before the law until a contrary determination is reached by a court of law and fair hearing is guaranteed when the accused persons are not unduly demonised using media propaganda by security forces and then proceed to the court to obtain exparte orders to detain citizens for as long as the security agency desires thereby rubbishing the Universal Declaration of Human, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and a plethora of international human rights laws signed on to by Nigeria and domesticated as national, municipal and local statutes and laws.”
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Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
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