As associates call for activist’s release

DETAINED human rights lawyer and activist, Mr Dele Farotimi, has stated that he did not send anyone to plead with elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, who took him to court for defamation.

This came as some associates of the detained human rights lawyer, yesterday, called for his release, saying his rights had been violated.

Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ekiti State following a petition by Babalola regarding his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

Recall that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, recently paid a visit to Afe Babalola, with sources suggesting that the visit was to make a plea on behalf of Farotimi.

But speaking on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Mr Tope Temokun, a lawyer for Dele Farotimi, stated that during a prison visit on Friday, Farotimi denied asking Peter Obi to appeal to Afe Babalola or seek an out-of-court settlement.

Temokun said: “I visited Mr Dele Farotimi in a correctional service in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday afternoon.

“The events of the recent days; the visit of Mr Peter Obi, the (2023) presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to Aare Afe Babalola; his visit to Mr Dele Farotimi, created some lack of clarity; people are not so clear about some things; people are not clear about what is going on. It is based on this that I had to visit him yesterday, and we sat together and had a good discussion.

“After Peter Obi left Ekiti, the news that filtered through the town to the issue of the conditions for release, the issue of apology, the issue of whether Mr Dele Farotimi can do this or that to come out.

“I told him (Farotimi): the reason I am here is to confirm from you, ‘What do you think should be done?’ The visit of Mr Peter Obi to you in person and the subsequent visit to Aare Afe Babalola: What do you know about it? What is your message to Aare Afe Babalola? What is your message to the people outside? What is also your message to me as part of your legal team?

“He (Farotimi) said if anybody who is familiar with his antecedents, with his principles, with his philosophy over time should join anybody to believe that in a matter where he had written a book that he had published and that had been in circulation, that if anybody, or somebody should join others to believe that he has sent anybody to beg anybody, he said he will be so disappointed in that person.

“He told me categorically that even you, Tope, if you join anybody to believe that I could beg anybody or that I have sent anybody to beg anybody, I will be so disappointed in you.”

Associates call for activist’s release

Meanwhile some associates of Dele Farotimi, in a statement by Mr Taiwo Akinlami, stated that the recent arrest and detention of Farotimi reflect a troubling disregard for procedural fairness and the rule of law.

The group, however, insisted that there were irregularities in the arrest procedures of the activist.

The statement, titled ‘Unlawful arrest and detention of Mr Dele Farotimi: A call for justice’, reads: “We, the associates of Mr Dele Farotimi, a distinguished author and legal practitioner, are deeply troubled by the blatant violations of his rights following his recent arrest and detention. This press release is issued to highlight the irregularities surrounding his case and to demand his fair treatment and prompt release by the law.

“Mr Dele Farotimi, author of ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, has become the target of criminal and civil litigations tied to his book. Despite his willingness to address these issues legally, his recent arrest and detention reflect a troubling disregard for procedural fairness and the rule of law.

“These events have significantly disrupted Mr Farotimi’s ability to prepare for multiple civil suits filed during his detention. As associates, we are also concerned about the toll this situation is taking on his family, particularly his 76-year-old mother, who has already suffered the loss of one child.”

While condemning the misuse of state resources, the associates called for an investigation into the irregularities in his arrest and detention.

Akinlami said: “We condemn the misuse of state resources and apparatus to persecute Mr Farotimi and call on the Nigerian authorities to facilitate the immediate release of Mr Farotimi on bail; investigate

“This case is a test of the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. We urge all individuals and organizations committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law to join us in advocating for Mr Farotimi’s rights and freedom.”

The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,660 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,662 per dollar last weekend.

However, the Naira depreciated to N1,550 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market.

Data from the Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,550 per dollar from N1,540 per dollar last weekend, indicating N10 depreciation for the naira.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate depreciated to N1,545.1 per dollar from N1,533 per dollar last week Friday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N110 per dollar from N122 per dollar last week Friday.

Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, the founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, SPAC Nation, has revealed that his ministry does not collect tithes and offerings from members.

Adegboyega disclosed this while opening up on his source of income which he linked to businesses and managing companies in the United Kingdom, UK.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, the flamboyant pastor said: “I have brought people from prisons and made them multi-millionaires and the testimonies are public.

“I have raised people and they became CEOs of black corporations in the UK.

“I’m not a person that believes in wealth, I believe in people and I have raised a lot of people.

“If anybody knows us around the world, they will know us for having people, I have supported 250 SMEs in Nigeria with one million each over the past two years and they are doing well.

“We started businesses, we raised companies here. What we do is that we invest in little businesses and watch them grow, that is what sustains us here.

“Even as a church, we don’t take tithes and offerings, we watch these businesses grow.”

The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, SPAC Nation, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has opened up his lifestyle and source of income.

Naija News reports that the controversial pastor in an interview with Channels TV’s Politics Today, linked his flamboyant lifestyle to businesses and managing companies in the United Kingdom, UK.

Adegboyega said he does not believe in wealth but he is passionate about raising people who have turned multi-millioniares.

He also disclosed that his church does not collect tithes and offerings.

He said, “I have brought people from prisons and made them multi-millionaires and the testimonies are public.

“I have raised people and they became CEOs of black corporations in the UK.

“I’m not a person that believes in wealth, I believe in people and I have raised a lot of people.

“If anybody knows us around the world, they will know us for having people, I have supported 250 SMEs in Nigeria with one million each over the past two years and they are doing well.

“We started businesses, we raised companies here. What we do is that we invest in little businesses and watch them grow, that is what sustains us here.

“Even as a church, we don’t take tithes and offerings, we watch these businesses grow.”

Nigeria and Nigerians had a good outing at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Award, scooping several laurels at the event, which held on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The CAF awards which celebrates football brilliance and outstanding achievements across the continent, celebrated many talents on the African continent both at individual and team levels.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was the star of the night as he won the coveted CAF Men’s Footballer of the Year Award after a brilliant year for club and country.

In the women’s category, Zambia’s Barbra Banda emerged as the CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year Award.

There were wins for Nigeria in other categories, including the goalkeeper of the year, won by Chiamaka Nnadozie, National Team of the Year and representations in the Best XI for both men and women categories.

Below is the full list of winners of the 2024 CAF Award.

Men

Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman (NGR)

Club Player of the Year

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns/RSA)

Goalkeeper of the Year

Ronwen Williams (RSA)

Young Player of the Year

Lamine Camara (SEN)

Coach of the Year

Emerse Fae (CIV)

National Team of the Year

Ivory Coast

Club of the Year

Al Ahly (EGY)

Best X1

Andre Onana (CMR); Achraf Hakimi (MAR), Kalidou Koulibaly (SEN), Chancel Mbemba (COD); Mohammed Kudus (GHA), Sofyan Amrabat (MAR), Franck Kessie (CIV), Yves Bissouma (MLI); Mohamed Salah (EGY), Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman (both NGR)

Women

Player of the Year

Barbra Banda (ZAM)

Club Player of the Year

Sanaa Mssoudy (FAR Rabat/MAR)

Goalkeeper of the Year

Chiamaka Nnadozie (NGR)

Young Player of the Year

Doha El Madani (MAR)

Coach of the Year

Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe/COD)

National Team of the Year

Nigeria

Club of the Year

TP Mazembe

Best XI

Andile Dlamini (RSA); Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale (both NGR), Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dlamini; Linda Motlhalo (all RSA), Rasheedat Ajibade (NGR), Ghizlane Chebbak (MAR); Barbra Banda (ZAM), Asisat Oshoala (NGR), Tabitha Chawinga (MAW).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on winning the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year.

In a statement on Monday night by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also hailed Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for clinching the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and the Super Falcons for being named the Women’s National Team of the Year.

The awards were announced Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

The President joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating these athletes, describing them as worthy ambassadors for showcasing their talent and bringing honour to the country on the continental and world stage.

The President express belief that this recognition by Africa’s highest football authority will inspire other upcoming athletes to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams.

He affirmed that their determination, discipline and confidence underscore the administration’s resolve to build a better Nigeria where everyone thrives and succeeds.

‘‘These athletes embody the essential Nigerian Spirit. They signpost the best in us as a nation. Let no one ever write us off. I am incredibly proud of them.

‘‘Thank you for making Nigeria proud and keeping our flag flying.

‘‘Thank you for winning medals for Nigeria both at home and abroad. You will win more in the future,’’ the President said.

Former National Vice Chairman, North West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has stated that former president Olusegun Obasanjo and other past leaders are responsible for the challenges plaguing Nigeria.

He insisted that the decision of Obasanjo and others to produce “anointed successors” makes them part of the problem.

Lukman stated this while reacting to Obasanjo’s remark that even Satan produces leaders but such are bound to fail, while those chosen by God will succeed.

Speaking via an open letter titled “Satanic Leadership and Nigeria’s Boiling Point,” Lukman urged Obasanjo to accept his past mistakes as Nigeria seeks solutions to its challenges.

He charged the former President to stop dwelling on the “vain glory” of his past and recognise that all Nigerian leaders since independence share responsibility for the leadership crises plaguing the country.

According to him, “Your Excellency inadvertently institutionalized the practice of imposition of candidates in our political parties.

“Without going into details, you will recall how in PDP, ahead of the 2007 elections, under Your Excellency’s leadership, the practice of imposition of candidates became the political robe of the PDP.

“Eventually, being the ruling party for sixteen years, the imposition of candidates became an acceptable political rule.

“With imposition, basically, our democracy lost its bearing and became a shadow of the worst authoritarian system.

“The major challenges faced by Nigeria since independence are a result of attempts by past leaders, including Your Excellency, to produce ‘anointed’ successors.

“This has contributed to the political crises and the resulting social and economic challenges, which have worsened under successive administrations.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has deployed 1,102 operational vehicles to ensure hitch-free movements of citizens during the yuletide.

Olusegun Ogungbemide, the corps public education officer, said on Monday that the FRSC has also deployed its personnel, including the special marshals, to the highways.

“These logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks, which brings the total to 1,102 operational vehicles,” he said.

Ogungbemide quoted Shehu Mohammed, FRSC corps marshal, to have said that the mobilisation is aimed at curtailing excessive speed, overloading, dangerous driving and overtaking, lane indiscipline, and other traffic offences.

 

He urged members of the public to download the FRSC mobile application for real-time traffic reporting and updates, adding that they can also utilise the corps’ social media handles —facebook.com//frscnigeria,Instagram.com//frscnigeria, twitter.com//frscnigeria — in case of emergency.

“The directive also mandates the commanding officers to ensure effective collaboration with military units, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),” Ogungbemide said.

“We also have collaboration with the Directorate of State Services (DSS), NGO Ambulance Service Providers, National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS), and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), among others.

 

“The operatives will be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks and giving notification of traffic-distressed areas for intervention.

“The public can also call the 122 toll-free number as well as the National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107, which are available means to reach FRSC to report traffic situations anywhere in the country.

“The public can also reach the situation room at 07054005754 and 07054005712, respectively.”