News

Twitter Ban: Buhari Must Reconsider to Avert Damage to Economy, Reputation – Joel Popoola

Published

3 years ago

June 5, 2021

Eric

A digital democracy campaigner and Founder Rate Your Leader App, Mr Joel Popoola, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his decision to ban Twitter operations in Nigeria, saying that the country by the act, appears ‘unwise and frightened and you need to think again’.

While expressing his disgust at the decision, Popoola frowned at the situation where instead of building bridges, the Buhari government was busy building walls.

He maintained that there’s absolutely nothing to justify restrictions on rights of individuals in a democratic set up.

Read POPOOLA’S statement in full:

“This decision has clearly been taken because the government thinks Twitter is being used to make it look bad. But banning Twitter makes it look worse. My advice to the government is this – you look unwise and frightened and you need to think again.

“As both a digital democracy campaigner and an entrepreneur, I am extremely alarmed by this decision, which is economically illiterate and democratically unacceptable – President Buhari must reconsider before serious damage is done to both Nigeria’s economy and our international reputation.

“An official report by the World Bank has reported that digital entrepreneurship has the potential to become ‘an engine of economic transformation in Nigeria and set the country on a new growth trajectory’. Official figures suggest that 14% of our GDP is directly dependent on digital communications – with many more key economic sectors dependent on it for productivity.

“At a time of economic uncertainty and mass unemployment the government needs to be encouraging international technology firms to invest in Nigeria, and new innovative companies to start up and scale up. Sending the message that Nigeria has a government which is likely to declare war on technology companies every time it reads something it doesn’t like does our nation no favours at all.

“The worst part of this for the government is that this move is unlikely to work. Previous attempts to limit access to social media in Nigeria have proven utterly unenforceable and completely ineffective because social media users have time and time again come up with ways of bypassing the obstacles placed in their way by the authorities. The only thing worse than a ban on Twitter is a ban on Twitter that doesn’t work!

“Our constitution clearly protects the right to freedom of expression and in 2021 that expression inevitably takes place online, with almost two-thirds of Nigerians using Twitter. Restricting that right is unjustifiable in a democratic society.

“As I have repeatedly said in recent weeks, social media holds the key not to dividing Nigeria. Platforms like our own Rate Your Leader empower electors and elected to come together to address matters of mutual concern and to collaborate to make things better.

“This sort of engagement, which social media platforms enable, is the first step towards building a society where everyone has a stake. It is the first step towards building trust between people and politicians and moving forward together as a nation.

“The problems faced by our nation can feel insurmountable. But they are not, as long as we work together and utilise the technology of the digital age to bring us together.

“We need to build bridges. Digital technology allows us to do that, but the government seems determined only to build walls.”

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.