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House Committee Calls NAPTIP To Account For Alliance Hospital CEO’s Detention
The House of Representatives has summoned the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to address allegations of the unjust detention of Dr. Christopher Otabor, the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Hospital Abuja.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petition, Rep. Mike Etaba, has mandated NAPTIP’s Director-General, Mrs. Fatima Waziri-Azi, to present herself before the committee on April 18, amplifying concerns surrounding this matter.
The chairman emphasized that a failure to appear would force the committee to issue a warrant of arrest.
Expressing disappointment in NAPTIP’s absence during the investigative hearing, he noted the four-day detention of Otabor.
The committee additionally called on the police officer involved in the alleged organ harvesting case against Otabor to appear and provide insights into the situation.
He said, “We will handle this matter the way it should, we will be thorough in our investigation and whoever is found guilty will be punished.
“This country is not a lawless country; whoever violated the Nigerian constitution will be dealt with severely.
“Everybody that is supposed to respond to the petition must be here, or we will issue an arrest warrant.”
The committee expressed dismay that NAPTIP relied on social media for information leading to Otabor’s detention, deeming it an unfortunate and unacceptable practice that has the potential to tarnish an individual’s reputation.
They emphasized the gravity of the matter, asserting that it surpassed the acceptable standards for their hearing.
He said “We must get the date of the arrest and those involved in the arrest, including the statement from the IPO.
“Why we are discouraging the Japa syndrome, some who are preventing and helping this country to grow are hounded down, this investigative hearing will be a fact finding mission.”
Rep. Victor Ogene (LP-Abia), a committee member, praised the CEO of Alliance Hospital for bringing the issue before the lawmakers, acknowledging the transparency of involving the “people’s house.”
He highlighted the absence of relevant law enforcement agencies that were expected to present their cases, expressing a need for their presence in the proceedings.
He said, “The D-G of NAPTIP should be summoned before this committee; she knows why she did the illegal detention. The law has prescribed a term of detention.”
“We have an organisation paying a bill of over N70 million and if the staff were driven away, you know how that will affect them and their family.”
Otabor revealed that the police had previously questioned him regarding organ harvesting allegations, later confirming the falsehood of the claims and releasing some of his detained staff.
He explained that, without conducting an investigation, NAPTIP ordered his arrest and subjected him to a four-day detention based on a video circulating on social media alleging his involvement in organ harvesting.
Otabor asserted that the organ harvesting allegation was an attempt to tarnish his long-standing goodwill and reputation.
He accused NAPTIP’s Director-General of orchestrating a deliberate effort to embarrass and diminish his image, citing a display of excessive power and intimidation.
Otabor, a respected multi-specialty healthcare service provider, highlighted that during his four-day detention at NAPTIP, no inquiries related to investigations were made, and his phone was not subjected to search.
Otabor contended that the organ harvesting allegations were rooted in hatred, emphasizing that he had taken legal action against the newspaper that implicated his hospital in such a heinous act.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.
The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.
RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.
“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.
The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.
Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.
The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.
Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.
A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.
“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.
The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.
While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.
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