NEWS
SERAP Issues Tinubu 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Detained Minors
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to use his “leadership position and good offices to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to take urgent steps to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all the #EndBadGovernance protesters including the 32 hungry and malnourished children.”
This was detailed in a statement in Lagos on Sunday under the signature of its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The SERAP said “these children and other protesters are detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
ALSO READ: #EndBadGovernance2024: Armnesty International Urges Immediate Release Of Minors
The SERAP urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate law enforcement agencies to promptly investigate the circumstances surrounding the grave violations of the human rights of the children and other protesters in detention, and to identify and bring to justice those responsible, and ensure justice and remedies for the victims.”
The SERAP also urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate agencies to ensure the immediate access to medical treatment for all the protesters including the 32 hungry malnourished children for their apparently deteriorating health.”
According to the open letter dated 2 November 2024, “Bringing charges against children and detaining them simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights is clearly not acting in the ‘best interests of the child’.”
The SERAP said, “The detention of the 32 hungry and malnourished children also infringes their right to education. These children ought to be in school, and not languishing in detention.”
According to the SERAP, “The apparent ill-treatment of the protesters including the 32 hungry and malnourished children have shined a light on the appalling conditions in Nigeria’s prisons which continue to put lives at risk.”
The letter, copied to Dr. Matthew Gillett, the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, read in part: “The continuing arbitrary detention of the protesters creates a climate of fear, discouraging other citizens from freely exercising their human rights, leading to a broader chilling effect.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
“SERAP is concerned that Nigerian authorities are weaponizing the criminal justice system to curtail the rights of the children and other protesters to liberty, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“We are concerned that the rights of the protesters to life, health, and safety are being violated in detention. Bringing charges against the protesters and detaining them is neither necessary nor proportionate.
“The conditions in which these children and other protesters are being detained are utterly inadequate and substantially below international standards.
“Children have the right to express their views freely in matters affecting them. Children’s ability to engage in political and public affairs depends largely on the extent to which their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
“Your government has the obligations to ensure and uphold the rights of Nigerian children including to life, liberty, education and development, as well as to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth.
“Your government also has the obligation to provide a safe, enabling and empowering environment for young people to promote human rights.
“Your government has the obligations to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate and appropriately punish those responsible for grave human rights abuses against the protesters in custody and to provide the victims with access to justice and effective remedies.
“Any decision concerning a child must take full account of the child’s best interests including by protecting the children from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and ensuring that the detention of a child is used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
“The Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a state party recognizes that children are entitled to a heightened duty of care because of their special status as children, which requires specific measures that take into account their level of development and evolving capacities.
“The Convention and the Child Rights Act impose binding legal obligations on your government to take specific measures for the development of children taking account of their evolving capacities, best interests and without discrimination.
“Articles 37 (b) and 40 (2) (b) (ii) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child also provide that every child arrested and deprived of his or her liberty should be brought before a competent authority within 24 hours to examine the legality of the deprivation of liberty.
“SERAP notes that rules 1, 24, 27 and 118 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) provide that all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, including by receiving appropriate medical care.
“Rule 22 of the Nelson Mandela Rules guarantees the right of all detained persons to receive food of wholesome quantity and drinking water.
“According to reports, 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters including 32 children, were recently arraigned in court for allegedly participating in the nationwide protests in August. The protesters, who have been in detention for three months, were reportedly arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja); as well as Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.
“Four children/young persons collapsed on the courtroom floor, writhing in pain before being removed to get medical help.
“The protesters were arraigned on 10 counts bordering on ‘treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny’. However, the protest was against economic hardship and poor governance, as protesters called for reduced governance costs, the reinstatement of petrol subsidy, and food security.”
NEWS
President Tinubu Set For First Nationwide Media Chat Tonight
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will hold his first Presidential Media Chat tonight, December 23, at 9 p.m.
The landmark event, announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, will be broadcast live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
READ MORE: Non-Oil Sector Fuels Nigeria’s Q3 2024 GDP Growth, Says CBN
All other television and radio stations have been invited to join the simulcast, ensuring nationwide access.
This highly anticipated media engagement offers an opportunity for President Tinubu to address key national issues, outline his administration’s achievements, and shed light on policies shaping the future of the nation.
Nigerians are encouraged to tune in to stay informed about the government’s vision and policies for the nation.
NEWS
FCT Health Sector On Brink As Doctors Warn Of Looming Deadliest Strike
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has sounded an alarm over an impending healthcare crisis, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The doctors have threatened a “deadliest shutdown” of hospital operations if their welfare demands remain unresolved.
READ MORE: Appeal Court Strikes Down CCT’s Suspension Of Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, highlighted the dire state of doctors’ welfare, despite acknowledging the minister’s achievements in infrastructural development.
He said, “We appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. But doctors are an abandoned project. While he fixes infrastructural abandoned projects, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge.”
List of Demands
The doctors are calling for immediate action on the following issues:
- Payment of six months’ salary arrears owed to members employed in 2023.
- Release of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Reduction of the bonding policy from six years to two.
- Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 intakes and issuance of related letters.
- Immediate payment of 2024 accoutrement allowances.
- Clearance of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Conversion of ARD Post 2 members to consultants.
- Recruitment of healthcare workers to address manpower shortages.
The association had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum at its Annual General Meeting, with just 14 days now remaining for the minister to meet their demands.
Dr. Ebong warned that failure to act would lead to a complete shutdown of medical services in the FCT, describing the potential strike as “the deadliest shutdown.”
Ebong said, “This injustice is alien to the FCT; if allowed to persist, the nation’s health sector will collapse. We do not want the deadliest shutdown, but if no action is taken, we will have no choice. The health of this nation is at stake, and the minister must act without delay.”
The association called on Wike to urgently address their grievances, emphasizing that the welfare of medical professionals is vital for the sustainability of healthcare delivery in the FCT and beyond.
NEWS
NNPC Cuts Petrol Price To N965 Per Litre
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets in Abuja to N965 per litre, down from N1,030 per litre.
The new pricing, confirmed at NNPC stations in the Central Area and Nyanya suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory, reflects intensified competition in the downstream petroleum market, particularly with the entry of products from the Dangote Refinery.
This is the second price cut by NNPC in two weeks, following a previous reduction from N1,060 to N1,030 per litre.
READ MORE: BREAKING: Kyari Oversees NNPC Ltd’s Transparent Recruitment Aptitude Test
Motorists have expressed cautious optimism over the adjustment, describing it as a step in the right direction but calling for further reductions.
“I noticed the new price yesterday,” said Adamu Shuaibu, a commercial driver on the Nyanya-Zuba route.
“The government is trying, but they should do more. The price should return to N530 per litre so that the cost of other goods can decrease too.”
Similarly, Taofeek Adetunji, a private car owner, attributed the price reduction to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and expressed hope for sustained improvements.
“When the President promised his reforms would yield results, many doubted him. But now you can see it. We are optimistic that prices will keep dropping. Petrol is vital to the economy, and this reduction will soon reflect in the cost of goods and services,” Adetunji said.
Motorists have urged the Federal Government to continue its efforts to make petrol more affordable, emphasizing its significance to the nation’s economy and the cost of living.