News

Media Foundation Calls for Close Monitoring of N185bn Palliatives

Published

1 month ago

August 21, 2023

Eric

Naija Times Journalism Foundation (NTJF), the not-for-profit arm of Naija Times, an online newspaper, has called for strong media oversight in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the N5 billion per state and the FCT palliative fund recently announced by the Federal Government.

The frontline journalism foundation, which promotes a vibrant media ecosystem capable of holding government to account in a democracy, noted that past attempts by government to directly touch the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, were undermined as a result of weak media oversight.

Chairman of the Foundation, Ehi Braimah, gave the charge in Lagos, while assessing the possible impact of the palliative on the lives of ordinary citizens. Braimah, who is also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Naija Times, noted that previous facilities such as the Paris Club Refund and other initiatives that the government tried to implement through the state governors failed woefully.

He stressed that those interventions, which failed to make the desired impact on the lives and fortunes of ordinary Nigerians, should provide enough lessons for the federal government and citizens across the states.

He said: “If this palliative being released is to make any impact, there is need for serious planning and monitoring of how the funds will be spent. In the aspect of monitoring, the media and journalists should show more interest in reporting whether the benefits of these funds are reaching the ordinary people or not. Without such media oversight, the disbursements we are talking about will simply go the way of similar interventions in the past.”

The NTJF helmsman noted that given the level of poverty and destitution currently affecting Nigerians, governors and other political leaders could not afford to again bungle current efforts to bring reprieve to the people.

“As things stand, the level of hunger in the land has become deeply troubling, while the hardships have become unbearable. To avoid hunger-induced protests, the deprivation across the country must be addressed urgently and purposefully,” Braimah advised.

The media is critical in ensuring that the quest for transparent and accountable governance is realised across all the three tiers of government.

The recently announced palliatives should be closely monitored by the media and reported regularly in the public interest.

News

Supreme Court Sets October 5 to Hear All Appeals on Nnamdi Kanu – Counsel

Published

8 hours ago

October 1, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lead Counsel of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Sir ifeanyi Ejiofor, has announced that the Supreme Court is set to hear all appeals on the IPOB peader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Ejiofor made the disclosure in a statement he personal signed and titled “UPDATE ON THE HEARING OF APPEALS ON ONYENDU MAZI NNAMDI KANU’S CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA.”

The full statement reads:

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has slated for HEARING all Appeals on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case before the Apex Court on Thursday, 5TH OCTOBER, 2023.

Recall that on the 13th day of October 2022, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, delivered a Landmark Judgment in an appeal filed by Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN,CON, OFR, Ph.D, on behalf of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, challenging part of the Federal High Court ruling, which had retained 7 counts out of the original 15 counts against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, after striking out eight out of the 15 count charge.

The learned Justices of the Court of Appeal, in allowing the appeal filed by our erudite Lead Counsel-Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, directed the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.The intermediate court in the Landmark decision, proceeded in the aforesaid judgement to prohibit the Federal Government of Nigeria from further detaining Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, or prosecuting him on any indictment or charge before any court in Nigeria.

On the 5th day of October, 2023, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, leading Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor Esq., and others, will be exchanging the legal fireworks on behalf of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in urging the Supreme Court to dismiss in its entirety the frivolous appeal filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria against this landmark judgement of the Court of Appeal; and to further set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of its earlier judgment.

We are very firm, and committed to our solemn belief that the wheels of justice,though grinds slowly, but grinds exceedingly fine and towards the attainment of justice at the end of the day.
Justice shall prevail,by the grace of God. And the hour is here .

We move.

Thank you and God bless you all.

News

Adeleke Cancels Independence Day Celebration in Osun

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eric

Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has cancelled celebration of Independence Day slated for Sunday, October 1 in the state.

His spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, announced on Friday in Osogbo that the governor urged residents of the State to pray for the peace and prosperity of the country.

“Let us use the Independence Day to meditate and pray on the state of our nation.

“Our people are passing through tough times. It is time to take stock and seek divine intervention and guidance in the affairs of our nation.

“I greet Osun people and Nigerians in general as the Independence Day knocks at our doors.

“Here in Osun, we will celebrate with meditation and prayers,” he said.

News

Mohbad: Sam Larry Now in Our Custody, Police Confirm

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eric

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, over an ongoing investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development to The Punch in a late Thursday night telephone interview.

“Yes, Balogun Eletu aka Sam Larry is now in our custody. He is currently assisting with the ongoing investigation,” Hundeyin said.

The police had earlier invited Sam Larry and singer, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, for questioning over Mohbad’s demise.

The police, last week, also confirmed that pathologists had concluded the autopsy conducted on Mohbad, while they await the result.

He said, “Autopsy has been concluded. Awaiting results.” This development followed the exhumation of Mohbad by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and health officials.

The police had also arrested the nurse who reportedly injected the deceased singer before his demise on Tuesday, September 12.

The Punch