Author: Chief Editor

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked the military and police not to intervene in the ongoing civil protests in order to avoid killings. In a statement yesterday by its President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, CAN commended the youths who are advocating reform of the police either through #EndSARS protests or prayer walks nationwide for embracing a peaceful approach. It said: “We condemn in strong terms every attempt being made to stop or disrupt the peaceful protest, which is lawfully allowed and guaranteed by 1999 Constitution (as amended). “We are monitoring the #EndSARS protests nationwide and we are praying that…

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday inaugurated members of the judicial panels on police brutality in their respective states. In Lagos, the members of the panel took their oath at the State House, Marina, yesterday. The panel members, led by the chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi, immediately moved to Ikoyi for their inaugural proceeding. Speaking during the inauguration, Sanwo-Olu said the swiftness of the process of the panel members’ composition was an indication of the state government’s sincerity towards…

The suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has faulted the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the activities of the agency for verifying seized assets without the presence of his lawyers or himself. He also said it was unfortunate that he closed his defence about two weeks ago without being granted opportunity by the panel to call any witness to strengthen his innocence. Magu spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja. The statement said Magu has nothing to hide, unlike the panel, which it claimed allegedly refused…

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday intervened in the ongoing #EndSARS protests, urging the protesters to calm down and end the demonstrations that have paralysed socio-economic activities in Abuja, Benin, Lagos among other capital cities in the country. “You have made your point. Government has made a commitment to you. Please, please and please, call off the protests,” he appealed to the protesters in a statement, adding: “Give the government a chance to implement your demands.” He urged the youths to end the protests since President Muhammadu Buhari has acted with commendable dispatch by not…

Pep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero must earn a new contract at Manchester City even though he is the club’s all-time record goalscorer. Aguero, who returned from a four-month spell out with an injury in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, has entered the last 12 months of his existing deal. The Argentine has scored 254 goals for City and been a major part of four Premier League title triumphs, including his famous last-gasp winner in 2012. However, Guardiola, who is also in the final season of his deal, believes the 32-year-old needs to prove his fitness and form in the coming…

The World Assembly of Youths (WAY) on Monday appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to restrain the military from the ongoing #EndSARS protests. The WAY Vice-President (Africa), Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa. “While I urge the youth to maintain their peaceful disposition in asserting their rights; I passionately appeal to the good conscience of President Muhammadu Buhari as a father, to hearken to the voice of youths. “Also the Nigerian Army’s planned Exercise Crocodile Smile VI should be restricted to its war theatre. “WAY joins Nigerian youths and…

• N’Assembly wants end to protests • FG to address demand in 14 days • Ethnic groups back agitations • OPC, ex-senator, Ukpai want restructuring Ethnic nationalities yesterday voiced support for the ongoing Anti-SARS protests as military plans deployment of troops for routine operations tomorrow. There are concerns that the timing of the nationwide military exercise could degenerate the already tensed situation following youths’ insistence on total lockdown of the country from today (Monday). Yoruba, Niger Delta and Igbo groups said deployment of troops to stop #ENDSARS would be treasonable and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from such moves.…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday inaugurated a seven-man judicial panel of inquiry into the demands of the ongoing #EndSARS protesters. The demands of the protesters include prosecution of erring officers involved in police brutality, justice and compensation for victims of police irresponsibility and total reform of the police force. The panel, which has six months to complete its job, will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi; Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN representing the Civil Society; a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Taiwo Lakanu. Others are: representing the Civil Society, Ms Patience Udoh; Human Rights Activist, Mr. Segun…

Marcus Rashford insists Edinson Cavani will prove a valuable addition for Manchester United after the veteran Uruguay striker swapped life on the farm for the Old Trafford spotlight. Cavani signed a two-year contract worth £210,000-per-week ($271,000) on transfer deadline day and could make his debut in United’s opening Champions League group game against his former club Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday. The 33-year-old missed Saturday’s 4-1 victory at Newcastle — United’s first match since his signing — after going into quarantine for 14 days following his arrival in England. But Cavani is expected to be available to join Ole Gunnar…

It’s been 12 days of sustained nationwide street protests against police brutality under the aegis of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Last week’s reported dissolution of the wayward units and their replacement with the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team did not placate protesters, but caused voices of disenchantment to get louder at home and abroad. Curiously, the Federal Government has literally gone quiet. Irregular sermons by the Vice President on this score are not enough!  But the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration cannot ignore this ticking time bomb. To avoid a major calamity, the government should take the protesters’ demands seriously,…