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Protests Live Update: Kano, Borno, Yobe declare curfew
Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Thursday evening summoned an emergency security meeting, apparently to review activities of the #EndBadGovernance protesters on the first day of the nationwide protests.
Wike had earlier in the day commended the protesters for being nonviolent.
However, reports of violence emerged later in the evening when some elements took over the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed (Kubwa) Expressway, setting bonfires, erecting blockades and extorting motorists.
As of 6:45pm, the FCT Security Council meeting was still on.
The governments of Kano, Borno, and Yobe states have declared curfew, as the protests that began across Nigeria degenerated into violence in some areas.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.
The governor announced this while addressing newsmen at the Kano State government house.
He said the action became imperative to ensure full protection of lives and properties in the state as hoodlums and thugs had hijacked the protest to embark on looting and indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens.
Yobe
In Yobe State, the government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns, where some hoodlums took advantage of the protest to vandalise and loot properties.
Dairy Abdulsalam, the Special Adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters, urged the public to abide by the curfew order.
He urged them to stay at home for peace to reign in the affected areas and the state at large.
According to him, the security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew order.
Borno
In Borno State, a 24-hour curfew was imposed across the state.
A suicide bomber had rocked Kawuri Village in Konduga Local Government Area, killing 16 people and injuring 20 others.
According to a statement by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Daso, “In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare 24 hours curfew in the state with immediate effect.
“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly please,” he said.
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As the planned nationwide protest against hunger begins today, the organisers and the police, the lead security agency, have held their positions as the former insisted on a street procession, while the latter maintained its stance of having the protest confined to designated spots.
Vanguard will keep you updated with live coverage of the protest with stories, pictures, and videos. Stay with us.
Source: The Vanguard
News
Prof. Mike Oquaye accuses gov’t of ‘secret trial’ of Chief Justice
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as the mishandling of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
He is unhappy with the constitutional provision requiring the hearing of the Chief Justice’s case to be held in-camera.
“I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in-camera provision. You will ask yourself what the rationale is for that provision in our constitution, what is its purpose, and if we are to give it a purposeful interpretation, where shall we go? The purpose is it to benefit the people of Ghana as a whole, that the Chief Justice must be trial in-camera…”
He added, “From the very beginning, the constitution tells us justice belongs to the people, it emanates from the people, justice belongs to all of us people, one may say that this provision could be advarance to the one that says trial must be done in-camera.” he said in an exclusive interview with JoyNews.
Prof. Oquaye also raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process.
He argued that the judiciary must be insulated from political interference, adding that the current handling of the matter risks eroding confidence in the rule of law.
The Chief Justice was recently suspended following allegations of misconduct, after which a formal petition was submitted to President John Mahama, prompting the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
The proceedings, however, have largely been conducted in-camera, drawing criticism from sections of the public and some legal minds.
While the NDC government maintains that the suspension was carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions, Prof. Quaye argues that the secrecy surrounding the process undermines the principles of accountability and due process.
Source:Myjoyonline.com
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Committee on Roads and Transport engages Transport Ministry
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has paid a familiarization visit to the Ministry of Transport and its agencies to perform its legislative oversight and foster collaboration in Ghana’s transport sector.
The visit by the 17-member Committee led by its Chairman, Isaac Adjei Mensah, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Wassa East Constituency in the Western Region, was aimed at getting updates on ongoing projects and foster direct dialogue with agencies under the Ministry’s purview.
The Chairman of the committee described the visit as “a strategic and symbolic gesture” and emphasized the importance of direct engagement with sector leadership to enable informed legislative support.
The Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe outlined some reforms including a framework to regularize commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada by lowering the minimum rider age from 25 years to 21 years, which is near completion and will soon be presented to Parliament.
He also mentioned the reviving of Ghana’s national carrier via a public-private partnership, upgrading airport infrastructure, studying coastal routes to ease road congestion, opening a new DVLA branch in Adenta, and upgrading the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry is in the process of procuring new buses for Metro Mass and STC.
The other Members of the visiting Committee were Chiwitey Dari Andrew, Vice Chairperson and MP for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba; Osei Nyarko Kennedy, MP for Akim Swedru and the Ranking Member; Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama; Frimpong Kwame Ohene, MP for Asante Akim North; Cudjoe Doyoe Comfort, Ada MP; Marfo Ahenkorah Kofi, MP for Achiase; Mahama Toure Naser, Ayawaso East MP; Ziedeng Anwataazumo Bede, MP for Lawra and Mubarak Seid, MP for Sunyani East.
The Committee also visited the Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training Centre to be acquainted with its functions and operations.
