ENDSARS
CBN receives order to freeze bank accounts of 20 #EndSARS sponsors
CBN to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received the nod of the federal high court in Abuja to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests till January.
The request was granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed and was filed by the CBN on October 20, according to ChannelsTV
READ: Covid-19: N3.5 trillion disbursed as stimulus package for the Nigerian economy
Some of the affected individuals are Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.
Others are: Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif. Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams, and Gatefield Nigeria Limited.
READ: #EndSARS: Access Bank announces N50 billion interest-free facility for businesses
The court order, which was addressed to the head offices of Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa, and Zenith Bank, directed the banks to freeze forthwith all transactions on the 20 accounts on the list annexed to the CBN’s application as Exhibit A and all other bank accounts of the defendants/respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
READ: Active bank accounts in Nigeria surge to 111.5 million as COVID-19 drives account opening
What you should know
Gatefield Nigeria Limited had earlier sued Access Bank Plc for allegedly blocking an account used to promote media coverage of the #EndSARS protests.
READ: CBN reveals framework for the N75 billion Youth Investment Fund
ENDSARS
FG petitions CNN over investigative report on Lekki shooting, threatens action
The Federal Government has petitioned CNN over its alleged bias report on the Lekki Tollgate shooting.
The Federal Government has written a petition to the US-based Cable News Network (CNN), demanding an immediate and exhaustive investigation into its report on the Lekki Tollgate shooting, to determine its authenticity and conformity to basic standards of journalism.
The government berated CNN for its investigative report on the #EndSARS protest in Lekki area of Lagos, pointing out that the media outfit breached the most basic of the core principles of journalism – balance and fairness.
In the petition written by the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to Jonathan Hawkins, VP (Communications) in CNN Centre Atlanta, Georgia; the government said that if the international media organization does not carry out its demand, it will take any action within its laws to prevent CNN from making the #EndSARS crisis worse.
According to a report from Punch, the government’s letter dated November 23, 2020, is titled “Re: How a bloody night of bullets quashed a young protest movement”.
The letter reads: “Our attention has been drawn to an ‘investigation’ by CNN, entitled ‘How a Bloody Night of Bullets Quashed a Young Protest Movement’ and aired on 18 Nov. 2020, in which the international news organization said it uncovered that Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigeria, during the #EndSARS protest.”
“We write to put on record that the report did not just fall short of journalistic standards, it reinforces the disinformation that is going around on the issue. It is blatantly irresponsible and it is a poor piece of journalistic work by a reputable international news organization.
“In the first instance, the report did not live up to the most basic of the core principles of journalism – balance and fairness. According to the website www.ethics.journalists.org, balance and fairness are classic buzzwords of journalism ethics: In objective journalism, stories must be balanced in the sense of attempting to present all sides of a story. Fairness means that a journalist should strive for accuracy and truth in reporting, and not slant a story that makes a reader draw the reporter’s desired conclusion.”
What you should know
It can be recalled that CNN in its investigative report broadcasted on November 18, disclosed that the Nigerian army allegedly fired live ammunition directly at unarmed protesters, who peacefully assembled at the Lekki Tollgate during the #EndSARS protests. While confirming some deaths, CNN said it spoke with over 100 protesters and family members, but didn’t speak to any government official.
In response to the Federal Government’s criticism of the report, which it described as a blatantly irresponsible and a poor piece of journalistic work, CNN insisted that it was standing by its report.
ENDSARS
#EndSARS: Insurance firms can seek refund after indemnifying victims – MD, NICON Insurance
NICON MD has stated that it is possible for the insurance firms to be compensated by the FG after victims have been indemnified.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Muhammadu Bagudu Hussaini, has advised Insurance firms to maximize certain provisions in the constitution that guarantees their refund after compensating victims of the recent #EndSARS protest, opining that it is possible for the insurance firms to be compensated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He made the disclosure during an interview with the Daily Trust, where he decried the high level of losses encountered during the protest and the imminent high claims on insurance firms, which if care is not taken, might affect liquidity in the system.
Mr. Hussaini stated that the government has the machinery to pay the insurance companies without recourse to treasury, but he was quick to point out that it is a dormant machinery.
What they are saying
Elucidating his points, Mr. Hussaini said: “There will be a large volume of claims which the insurance industry would have to pay. I have no doubt about the capacity of the insurance industry to meet its obligations on claims that may arise from the destruction across the country.
“However, two issues would arise because the context of the claims are huge and would come in at the same time. There will be no spread, thus this will impact the finances of the underwriters and may destabilize their finances.
“What happened was as a result of breakdown of law and order. Section 14 (2b) of the Nigerian Constitution vests the duty of guaranteeing security and providing for the welfare of the citizens in the hands of government – the executive precisely. I will look at the damages from the protest as a failure of the government to provide security and welfare for the citizens.
“The section says the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Thus, insurance companies have a subrogation right – the right to recover from the government their funds after they pay the claims arising from the destruction.
“Therefore, I advise the insurance companies to pay their claims and seek refund on the basis of Section 14 (2b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
ENDSARS
EndSARS protests: British parliament to sanction request against Nigeria on Monday
The British Parliament will consider a petition demanding the British government applies sanctions against the Nigerian Government for alleged human rights violations.
The British Parliament has disclosed that it will consider a petition by some groups and individuals, asking that it should apply sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials for alleged human rights violations during the #EndSARS protest and Lekki shooting incident.
The parliament also claimed that the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Tollgate gave rise to the outbreak of violence and is waiting for the outcome of investigations by the federal and state governments into reports of police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
This disclosure was made by the parliament, in a response to a petition signed by over 220,118 individuals in the United Kingdom, requesting the UK Government to sanction Nigeria for alleged violations of human rights.
(READ MORE: #EndSARS: AU Commission calls for respect of human rights)
The response was signed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and obtained from the official website of the parliament – https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554150.
The reply from the parliament partly reads, “The UK Government is deeply concerned by violence during recent protests in Nigeria, which tragically claimed lives. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected.”
“Parliament will debate this petition on November 23, 2020. You will be able to watch online on the UK Parliament YouTube channel. On July 6, the British Government established the Global Human Rights sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.
“The Foreign Secretary set out in full the scope of the UK’s new Global Human Rights sanctions regime. He announced the first tranche of designations, as well as the Government’s approach to future designations.
“This sanctions regime will give the UK a powerful new tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses. The sanctions regime is not intended to target individual countries.
“It will allow for sanctions to be imposed on individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around the world.
“We will continue to consider potential designations under the Global Human Rights sanctions regime. It is a longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. The UK Government will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review,” the parliament said in its reply.
(READ MORE:#EndSARS: UN to support Nigeria in bridge-building and police reforms)
The response pointed out the different interventions that the British government had made as part of the efforts to draw the attention of the Federal Government to cases of human rights violation during the #EndSARS protest.
The parliament asked the British government to look at the possibility of imposing new sanctions that allow individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted.
To impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses during the protests.
It said the Foreign Secretary issued a statement on October 21 calling for an end to the violence and for the Nigerian Government to urgently investigate reports of brutality by its security forces and hold those responsible to account.
It can be recalled that there were petitions against the Nigerian government and public officials by Nigerians at the UK parliament over human rights abuses during the #EndSARS protests.
They called for the implementation of sanctions that would allow individuals and entities that violate human rights to be targeted.
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Ifeanyi udeji
November 7, 2020 at 5:59 am
Am so sorry that this country is riding to another civil war and this time it will be disastrous. People can not express their civil rights again.
Ibi Babs
November 9, 2020 at 2:07 am
We need to first take the war language out first. Building our our own systems of ruling and institutions to government, I think will work on the long run.
We have started building a so called Democratic system. If we of today want a better tomorrow for our children, we have to take the pains of building on this this democracy, to suit Nigeria.
If our Fathers were patient in 1966, with the coup and 1981 or 1982 coup. We would be better experienced today. Our institutions would have also have developed.
The military intervention gave us nothing to build on. If have to build a system for us. It can’t be done in a day. Uk is 600 years of democracy. We are 20 years.
If we destroy and start killing ourselves were will that get us to
Anonymous
November 7, 2020 at 10:55 am
Lord Jesus, have mercy on Nigeria 🙏
namep
November 7, 2020 at 11:45 am
Where is this Country going like this, They are just calling for another war Oloriburuku Government. They Judge you will die in three days in Jesus name
Anonymous
November 7, 2020 at 12:22 pm
So this is what we have become? I always told those who cared to listen that a Buhari government is nothing short of a junta in kaftan and now, everything called a right to the common man is being taken away. First social media and now our simple right to protest peacefully
Augusta
November 7, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Its rather unfortunate, why freeze their accounts? That is the lowest any govt can descend to. Why the selective freezing? They might as well go ahead and freeze the accounts of all participants nation wide. Are building or destroying? How would the freeze address the burning issues that led to the protest? Its shameful and dishonest and lacked good faith inn all they have been telling the world. Too bad and capable of sparking another round of protest.
Julius Raji
November 7, 2020 at 7:56 pm
The title of this report is wrong. It ought to read ” CBN Obtains Court Order To Freeze Endsars Facilitators Accounts.”
What concerns CBN in this matter? Many looters and fraudsters in and out of government were slipping billions through their nets. The only thing they are serious with is caging those who were campaigning for the betterment of all Nigerians!
Anonymous
November 7, 2020 at 9:37 pm
We will burn down cbn bastard
Anonymous
November 8, 2020 at 1:45 am
It is like the FGN did not learnt any lesson at all from the endsars protest. It is a big shame !. By freezing their account , you are indirectly calling for something worse than what just happened. The govt of the day should bury their heads in shame having FAILED the youth of this great nation . It is a pity
Kenneth
November 8, 2020 at 3:25 am
Absolute rubbish what are they trying to turn Nigeria into is the country truly an independent nation or is it just a scam that a citizen of a country can’t express their right. Non sense it is only going to be more catastrophe they are indirectly asking for war let’s see how it goes in the end who will lose. Honestly this country news is getting bad bad and worse daily
Babas
November 8, 2020 at 6:22 am
BOKO-HARAM has been in existence for so many years now and we all know quite alright that they’re being sponsored by some people in this same country, so why haven’t the CBN done anything about these guys bank accounts since then?
Hmm, Nigeria is really a zoo country.
Anonymous
November 8, 2020 at 7:09 am
What do you expect from the analog system of govt.everything about them is to draw Nigeria backward..They forgot that at this digital age a lots of innovations is on air.their reasoning is decayed.no common sense.we the youth will definitely take the bull by the horn if they fail to listen to us..they should go ahead in frozen those accounts and wait for another round of protest that will shake them..when you fail to listen to your childs complaints.then wait for his reactions thereafter.. Mtcheew!!
Isaac
November 8, 2020 at 7:16 am
Order from who? Lifeless president quick on other countries issues but dormant on the national issues only to descend so low on civilian
Somebody joor
November 8, 2020 at 9:03 am
This government haven’t learnt they lessons . They want more of youth dosage.
It will soon rain on them. Keep provoking Nigerians.
Olatiler
November 8, 2020 at 3:01 pm
I think this government was calling for war that will divide this country last last
Anonymous
November 8, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Dead Nigeria. They only know how to take decisions that will hinder genuine progress. Boko harram has been sponsored by people to kill innocent people only. Why haven’t CBN frozen their accounts?
Patiently waiting for Jesus Christ to deal with them
Anonymous
November 8, 2020 at 8:08 pm
They know vividly those that are sponsoring them, to destroy our feature, but Almighty will disappointe them very soon.
Akinwale Felicia
November 8, 2020 at 8:42 pm
This idiot Emefiele who met dollars at 190 and it is getting close to 500 all because of his stupidity. The bastard leaves Leprosy and chases shadows. What concerns him with End SARS? So it means this retarded numb skull is a chief sponsor of SARS because if not, Wetin concern the Agbero with overload? Will freezing their account bring back the missing Oba of Lagos staff of office? Abeg, let’s plan for season 2 of lockdown Lagos.
Imam uba
November 8, 2020 at 11:04 pm
This is fantastic the the government used the frozen accounts money to repair all the end SARS destructions,so that it will teach lesson to others unpatriotic citizens!!
ABC
November 11, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Define unpatriotic?
Anthony Michael
November 12, 2020 at 7:46 am
Who Gave this order of freezing Peoples Account?
This was how soldiers were ordered to kill peaceful innocent protesters at lekki
If it took CBN a week to trace those people helping us eat during the protest
But 10 years to trace accounts funding Boko Haram.
Instead to concentrate on improving the banking sector. ..since this men came on board the country is worst,,they are all trying to push their failure on Other people
Dollar now is close to 500 from 190 ..prices of things High…Useless Block heads