News Release: Intersociety, Anambra CLO, FJEDHR & Electricity Consumers Forums Rise Against EEDC In South-East Nigeria

The leaderships of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, led by Emeka Umeagbalasi; Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organization, led by Comrade Aloysius Attah; Forum for Justice, Equity & Defense of Human Rights, led by Justus Uche Ijeoma, Esq.; and the Electricity Consumers Forum in the Southeast, represented by Iyiowa Electricity Consumers Forum in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State, led by Rev Elisha Umeh & Barr Mrs. Walson Nduka; have risen vehemently against the fraudulent activities of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

U-Report: Timi Sylva’s Kinsmen Endorse Governor Seriake Dickson For Second Term

Sylva (l) and Dickson

Report By Femmy Lawson

Thousands of placard-carrying people of Opu Nembe, the hometown of the APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva today besieged the streets in the ancient town, to welcome the campaign Train of Governor Seriake Dickson in continuation of his campaign tour ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa state.

News Release: Transparency International To Publish Opinion Poll On Corruption In Africa

(The report launch includes a press event later in the day in Johannesburg, South Africa at the Africities 2015 conference)

Article: Where Dr. Jibiya Got It Wrong

Jibia 

By Ibrahim Usman

One Dr. (and Associate Professor) Abdussamad Umar Jibia from Bayero University Kano wrote a letter to the in-coming Nigerian president, General Muhammad Buhari and published on Leadership newspaper (May 12, 2015), which I consider more of ‘a call for violent action’ than a good mannered letter from an academician.

News Release: Purported Endorsement Of Governor Dickson

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to dissociate itself from an imposter and self-acclaimed “Acting Chairman” of MEND, going by the name of ‘Prince Amaibi Horby (aka General Busta Rhymes)’ who claims to be speaking for MEND by endorsing Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, for the December 05, 2015 governorship elections. This so-called support and endorsement was circulated in some sections of the media on Monday, 23 November 2015.

News Release: Africa 2.0 Annual Leadership Symposium

(Africa 2.0, Dangote and the Pension Commission of Nigeria (PENCOM) will host an online news conference on Wednesday 25th at 10:30 GMT)

News Release: The Future Awards Africa Announces Nominees For The Ford Foundation Prize In Youth Employment

The Future Awards Africa announced successful candidates for The Ford Foundation Prize in Youth Employment - selected after an intensive four month period.

News Release: Understanding Social Realities Of The Southeast (Biafran) Self Determination Agitation In Nigeria

The leaderships of the Southeast based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations; comprising the Anambra State Branch of Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy (CHRPA), Human Rights Club(HRC) (a project of LRRDC), Southeast Good Governance Forum (SGGF), Forum for Equity, Justice & Defense of Human Rights (FEJDHR), Society Advocacy Watch Project (SPAW), Anambra Human Rights Forum (AHRF) and the International Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative (INTERSOLIDARITY) having observed the recent socio-political developments and events in the Southeast Nigeria; collectively wish to take a firm stand on the issues so generated.

News Release: A Rising Humanitarian Crisis in Nigeria (NAL Council Reports Vol. I)

In the beginning of October 2015, the NAL Council dispatched our team of researchers to Nigeria, to monitor the on-going transition of the current government; and to provide credible reports, for global analysis and policy advisories, by our Policy Advisors in Washington.

Article: Before You Go! Where Is Our Money?

By Rufus Kayode Oteniya

Nigeria is supposedly a rich nation whose wealth rather than being kept in a national portfolio or evident in some state-of-the-art public infrastructures and social amenities, it is illicitly tucked in the bottomless pockets of some greedy and corrupt individuals who have had the privilege of being in positions of public trust and leadership and those who were closely associated with them.

News Release: Three-Quarters Of Internet Users Can’t Recognise An Online Threat

(The findings follow recent consumer research from Kaspersky Lab and B2B International)

News Release: DSS On Rampage Against Dasuki & Kanu Using Trumped Charges, Kangaroo Court Orders & Abusive Power Of Arrest

The leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law is shocked and alarmed over steady perpetration and perpetuation of anti-democratic, anti-rule of law and anti-constitutional conducts by the Buhari administration otherwise called State terrorism. The most shocking aspect of it all is that as days go by, these despicable and condemnable conducts continue to escalate and deepen. The DSS has fully gone on rampage against Citizens Nnamdi Kanu and Sambo Dasuki using trumped up charges, kangaroo court orders and abusive power of arrest.

U-Report: Closing Of The Mourning Gathering In Zaria

Report by Stephen Lawan

The Daily Ashura Mourning Gatherings at Husainiyyah Zaria wrapped up on 30th of Muharram 1437. The Leader of the Islamic Movement who spoke on various stages of Ashura tragedy, spoke on what happened on 9th and 10th of Muharram between Imam Husain (alaihis salam) and the army of Yazid, the cursed.

Article: Adamu Adamu And His Critics

By Ibrahim Usman

And finally Adamu Adamu has been screened and confirmed as Nigeria’s Minister of Education. While he receives shower of congratulations from well-wishers over a well-deserved appointment, few disgruntled voices are still raging green with envy, since his nomination.

News Release: 50 African Bankers Discuss Outsourcing In Mauritius

(The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) hosts 50 top executives representing 37 African banks at the week-long 2015 Africa Forward Together conference)

News Release: Group Seeks To Unlock Over The $100bn Potential In Nigerian Mineral Resources

(The 4th hosting of the Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) is scheduled to take place on the 19th of November 2015 in Abuja)

News Release: Don Jazzy, Asa, Others Are The Ambassadors For The Future Awards Africa 2015

Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa has announced the ambassadors for the 10th anniversary – a stellar cast of past winners of the awards across business, development, governance and the creative industries.

Open Letter: The Return Of State Terrorism In Nigeria: Continued Extra Judicial Detention Of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu As A Case-Study (2)

Kanu

This is the concluding part of our letter, referenced above, to the United Nations Secretary General and eleven other influential members of the international community (US, UK, EU, Vatican, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan and Canada), dated 13th November 2015 and referenced: Intersociety/SE/CSOs/01/11/015/Inter-Community/UN. The letter is supported and adopted by Coalition of the Southeast based Human Rights Organizations and copied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of Board of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Security Adviser.

News Release: President Buhari Should Not Subvert Democracy In Bayelsa State

President Buhari

The Bayelsa Patriots wishes to call the attention of Nigerians particularly the people of Bayelsa State on the latest move by President Muhammadu Buhari to deploying parts of the allocated funds for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to bribe Bayelsa state’s voters in order for them to vote for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Chief Timi Sylva who is believed to be one of the major financier of the election of President Buhari during the 2015 general election.

In The Matter Of State Security Service (Sss) And Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: Progress Report

Kanu

Preamble

We are Solicitors to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader/Director of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), and Radio Biafra, respectively. He has retained our services and it is on this basis that we act. He shall hereinafter be referred to as “our client”.

Open Letter: The Return Of State Terrorism In Nigeria: Continued Extra Judicial Detention Of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu As A Case-Study (1)

Kanu

Ref: Intersociety/SE/CSOs/01/11/015/Inter-Community/UN

1. The United Nations Secretary General

C/O

The UN Special Representative in Nigeria

The UN House, 617/618 Diplomatic Zone

Central Business District, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria

 2. The Apostolic Nuncio (Pope’s Ambassador to Nigeria)

Vatican Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria

Pope John Paul Crescent, Maitama

FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 3. The United States Ambassador to Nigeria

Embassy of the United States, Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive

Central District Area, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

4. The Head, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria & ECOWAS

Europe House, 21st Crescent, Off Constitution Avenue

Central Business District, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria

5. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria

The British High Commission, 11, Torrrens Street, Off Mississippi Street

Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 6. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria

Embassy of Germany, 9, Lake Maracaibo Close

Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 7. The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria

The Canadian High Commission

 15, Bobo Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

8. The Ambassador of the Republic of France to Nigeria

The Embassy of France, 7, Udi Hills Street

Off Aso Drive, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

9. The Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria

Brazilian Embassy, 324, Diplomatic Drive

Central Business District, Garki, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

10. The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria

Embassy of Japan, No. 9 Bobo Street

Off Gana Street, Maitama District

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

11. The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria

The Australian High Commission, Fifth Floor, Auckland Center

48, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 12. The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria

The High Commission of India, 15, Rio Negro Close

Off Yedseram Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 Your Excellencies,

The Return Of State Terrorism In Nigeria: Continued Extra Judicial Detention Of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu As A Case-Study (1)

Special Report: Tragedy Of Electricity Sector (Distribution) Privatization In Nigeria

This is the concluding part of special-report sent to the Board Chairman (Dr. Sam Amadi) of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety); supported by the Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), concerning unchecked graft practices of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The letter and the CLO’s supporting letter were dated 10th November 2015 and referenced: Intersociety/ CLO/NG/002/11/015/NERC/ABJ. The two letters were copied via a forwarding letter to the Senate and House of Reps Committee Chairmen on Power, Ethics & Public Petitions, the Managing Director & CEO of the EEDC (Mr. Robert Dickerman), the Hon Minister for Power, the Principal Manager for Operations in-charge of Anambra State, the Governor of Anambra State and the State Assembly Speaker, among others.

News Release: Africa Urged To Counter Global Shocks By Using Own DFIS

Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah (front row, 4th left) and Sheila Mmbijjewe, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Kenya (3rd left) in group photo with participants in the 15th Afreximbank Advanced Structured Trade Finance Seminar in Nairobi.

Africa can minimise how much it is affected by global shocks by taking advantage of the services and programmes available from strong African multilateral development finance institutions like the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr. Patrick Njoroge, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, said in Nairobi today.

News Release: An Intention To Commit Crimes Against Humanity

Our immediate and prompt attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Nigerian Army yesterday in Abuja, in which it issued a stern warning with vivid reference to millions of  Nigerian citizens who are peacefully and non violently asserting through non violence and peaceful assembly and association, their regional and international rights to self determination. Such rights are also constitutionally guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution in the form of rights to personal liberty and peaceful assembly as well as rights to freedom of association and movement and they are contained and enshrined in Sections 35, 40 and 41 of the Fundamental Human Rights Charter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

News Release: South-East Human Rights Coalition Warns Military Chiefs In Nigeria

We, the Coalition of  Southeast Human Rights Organizations, comprising the Anambra State Branch of Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy, Human Rights Club (a project of LRRDC), Southeast Good Governance Forum, Forum for Equity, Justice & Defense of Human Rights, Society Advocacy Watch Project, Anambra Human Rights Forum and PADDI Foundation; wish to align ourselves with the earlier statement issued by our leading Coalition Partner (International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law) over the above subject. The statement is reproduced below as follows:

Open Letter: Tragedy Of Electricity Sector (Distribution) Privatization In Nigeria

Ref: Intersociety/NG/002/11/015/NERC/ABJ

Dr. Sam Amadi

Executive Chairman, Board of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

NERC Headquarters, Adamawa Plaza

Plot 1099, First Avenue, Off Shehu Shagari Way

Central Business District, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Sir,

EEDC-A Tragedy Of Electricity Sector (Distribution) Privatization In Nigeria & Uncovering Of Its Unchecked Fraudulent Activities Against Citizens Of The Southeast: A Case-Study Of Ogbaru, Onitsha &  Ogidi Business Units (Part 1)

Recall Sir, that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), under your chairmanship, is an independent body, established by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of the Federation 2005 to undertake technical and economic regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The Commission is also created to, among others, license operators, determine (regulate) operating codes and standards and establish and protect customer rights and obligations as well as setting cost reflective industry tariffs.  

Recall too Sir that our organization (International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law) had on 3^rd December 2012 written your office and then Minister of Power (Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi), raising same complaints against then Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Enugu Zone and its three Biz Units of Onitsha, Ogbaru and Ogidi. The letter was referenced: Intersociety/NG/001/11/012/FMP/ABJ/FRN and titled: Multi-Billion Naira Fraud In Onitsha, Ogbaru & Ogidi Business Units Of The Power Holding Company Of Nigeria: Ogbaru Business Unit As Our Case-Study.

News Release: Improving Aid Delivery And Development Strategy In East Africa

(The Aid & International Development Forum Africa Summit 2016 will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

News Release: The Future Awards Africa Tour Visits Chibok, Mubi, Yola, Others

As part of the 100-city tour for The Future Awards Africa’s (TFAA) 10^th anniversary, the awards visited conflict zones across the North of Nigeria last week – to highlight challenges, spotlight inspiring stories and set up hubs to solve problems at scale.

Article: Timi Sylva’s Political Craft In Bayelsa Politics

Sylva

By Femmy Lawson

As the December date for the governorship election in Bayelsa State approaches, every concerned Nigerians particularly those conversant with the history of Bayelsa state politics have every reason to show concern and voice out opinions that will not only ensure a free and fair process, but also guarantee the security of lives and properties before, during and after the election.

U-Report: Martyrs Of Ashura Bomb Blast In Potiskum Remembered

 Report By Stephen Lawan

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has on Tuesday (3/11/2015) commemorated the one-year anniversary of Ashura bomb blast in Postiskum, north-east of Nigeria. Last year, joint military forces detonated bomb and shot at members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, while dispersing from the annual Ashura procession. The attack left 28 people, mostly children, dead and many more injured. 

News Release: Afreximbank Trains 1,500 African Bankers On Structured Trade Finance

Sheila Mmbijjewe, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Kenya, declares open the Afreximbank Structured Trade Finance Seminar as (L-R) Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank Executive Vice President Dr. George Elombi, and Ernest Eti of the African Capacity Building Foundation, look on.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has trained more than 1,500 African bankers and trade finance practitioners in structured trade finance, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to improve economic conditions of the continent, Dr. Benedict Oramah, President of the Bank, has announced in Nairobi.

News Report: Pope Pledges To Continue Reforms In Face Of Leaks

Pope Francis

Courtesy: Associated Press

In his first public comments on the latest scandal rocking the Vatican, Pope Francis told followers in St. Peter's Square on Sunday that the theft of documents describing financial malfeasance inside the Holy See was a "crime" but pledged to continue reforms of its administration.

Article: The Valerio Viccei Of Imo State

Valerio Viccei

By Kenneth Uwadi

Valerio Viccei, an Italian moved to London in 1986 . He was a playboy and serial seducer who came to London in search of a big life and he had found it. "I had a passion for weapons, beautiful women and fast cars," he said. When he was caught a few days later for robbery at the wheel of his Ferrari, traced by a fingerprint, he became a folk hero. The Italian Stallion, the Wolf, the gentleman thief - he exulted in all his nicknames.

Article: Biafra; Time For Nigeria To Right The Wrongs

By Sam Asoluka

It is amazing that 45 years after the Biafra-Nigeria civil war, Biafra came back alive ‘big time’ without a gun shot. In this second coming of Biafra there were no war fronts. Nobody heard war commentaries from Ikot Ekpene, Owerri, Asaba or Abagana sectors. Soldiers were not given order to capture Awuri (Owerri) ‘double pay’. More important too, no body heard news like Port Harcourt had fallen into the hands of the enemies. However, the sad news is the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the Director of Radio Biafra and the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra for broadcasting the plight of the Biafrans which is in the public domain anyway and demanding the restoration of the Republic of Biafra.   

News Release: South-East Human Rights Coalition Names Nigeria’s Secret Police As Chief Enemy Of Democracy & Rule Of Law In Nigeria For 2015

The Coalition of Southeast Human Rights Organizations operating in the Southeast Nigeria wishes to alert Nigerians and the international community concerning the unconstitutional resurrection of Nigerian State Security Decree 2 of 1984 (Detention of Persons Without Trial); otherwise called Decree No 2 of 1984, which allows for indefinite and incommunicado detention of Nigerian citizens without recourse to competent and diligent judicial process. Also unconstitutionally resurrected with Decree No. 2 of 1984 is another obnoxious and anti democracy decree called Decree No.4 of 1984 (Public Officers Protection against False Accusation); extensively used to arrest and clamp media practitioners into indefinite and incommunicado detention for publishing reports deemed inimical to the interests of members of the ruling military brigandage or cabal. The two infamous decrees were promulgated in 1984 by the current sixth civilian President of Nigeria, Retired Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari when he served as Nigeria’s post Second Republic maximum military ruler.

News Release: Annan Confirmed As Keynote Speaker At Tana High-Level Forum On Security In Africa 2016

(The theme for the 2016 edition of the Tana Forum is “Africa in the Global Security Agenda”)

News Release: Guinean Packaging Firm Gets EUR 15 Million Afreximbank Facility For Plant Extension

Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah (right) and Juliete Camara, CEO of CIPPL, exchange documents following the signing of the facility agreement in Cairo

Guinea-based printing and packaging company Complex Industriel Polygraphie Patrice Lumumba (CIPPL) is the beneficiary of a 15-million Euro credit facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for the extension and modernization of its printing and packaging plant.

U-Report: Gov. Okorocha’s Pay-Cut On Allowances Of Imo State Magistrates

Report By A Citizen Reporter

The government of Imo State has been called upon to desist from its current move to cut down on the more than eight-year old allowances of magistrates in Imo State.

News Release: Celebrating 10 Years! The Future Awards Africa Launches #Africaneedsyou Campaign

The Central Working Committee (CWC) of Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) has officially launched the media campaign for the 2015 edition – which celebrates 10 years of inspiring Africa.

Photonews: Prophet T.B Joshua In Tanzania For Presidential Inauguration

News Release: Real Energy Access And Improved Product Safety

Today, a major step has been taken towards greater access to electric power, safer electric and electronic products and overall better conditions for economic development, with the official opening of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Africa Regional Centre.

News Release: Forum Closes With Call For Strengthened Due Diligence And Governance Practices In Africa

Dr. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank (right) in handshake with Marco Francis, Chairman, Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, after signing of MOU.

Bankers, financial regulators, financial institutions, and corporate entities from some 30 African countries have called for the institution of strengthened customer due diligence and corporate governance practices across the continent in order to enhance access to capital and investment for economic development and growth.

Open Letter: Saving Nigerian Judiciary And Democracy From The Hands Of Dictatorial Executive Arm

President Buhari

Ref: Intersociety/NG/11/015/001/NJC/ABJ

1. Hon Justice Mahmud Mohammed

Chairman of the National Judicial Council & Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

The NJC/Supreme Court Headquarters

Three-Arms-Zone, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

2.Hon Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa

President of the Court of Appeal (PCA)

The Court of Appeal Headquarters

Three-Arms-Zone, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

 Your Lordships,

Saving Nigerian Judiciary And Democracy From The Hands Of Dictatorial Executive Arm: A Case Against Executive Recklessness & Excesses In Rivers & Akwa Ibom Governorship  Judicial Reviews & Extra-Judicial Detention Of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu Of IPOB

I international Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law is a leading nongovernmental rights organization in Nigeria advocating for the  advancement of civil liberties & rule of law, democracy & good governance and public security & safety. Intersociety was incorporated in 2008 with Onitsha, Southeast Nigeria as its operational base.

News Release: Afreximbank, Dangote Group To Collaborate In Intra-African Trade

 Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah (Left) with Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will partner with the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s leading indigenous multinational corporations, in promoting intra-African trade, Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah announced in Lagos today.

Article: Attacks On Shi’a In Jos; Synopsis Of The Carnage

By Ibrahim Usman

Over the years, a certain Izala scholar of the Kaduna faction named Ustaz Aliyu Aliyu, together with one Kabiru Cidawa in Jos have been advocating and agitating for attack and expulsion of the Shi’a from Gangare and Rikos towns in Jos. Kabiru Cidawa had also been posting on Facebook insults on the personality of Sayyed Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), as well as character assassination of the Shi’a. They therefore used the Ashura mourning session in the month of Muharram to actualize this the heinous agenda.