Libya halts execution of Nigerians on death row

Libya halts execution of Nigerians on death row

By Davidson Iriekpen, 10.01.2009 
Thursday, October 1, 2009

Temporary relief has come the way of Nigerians on death row in Libya as the country's authorities have agreed to stop their execution. The suspension was made  pending the final determination of a case brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in Banjul, The Gambia.
THISDAY gathered the decision by Libya followed a Provisional Measure issued by the African Commission which ordered the country to halt the execution.
The North African country's adherence to the measure was made known in a paper titled Debating the Death Penalty: Experiences from Different Regions, dated September 25, 2009 and presented by a member of the African Commission, Ms Catherine Modupe Atoki, at the International Peace Institute in New York last week.
“Early September this year, a communication was filed with the African Commission against Libya by a Nigerian Non-Governmental Organi-zation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). It alleged that over 200 Nigerians are on death row for offences ranging from immigration, murder, drug and armed robbery. 

"The Commission requested from the President of Libya a provisional measure to stay execution pending the determination of the communication. Happily, the President obliged and for now there is a hold on the execution of the convicted persons," said Atoki who delivered the paper.
It was gathered that one of the prisoners, Miss Juliet Okoro, reportedly claimed that the accusation of murder for which she has been placed on death row since 2000 was forged. Her indictment, she further claimed, followed no legal representation.
However, Okoro confirmed that the Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi had granted amnesty to the convicts who are waiting for the Nigerian embassy in Libya to sign some documents for their deportation.
SERAP’s lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, welcomed the news of suspension but challenged the Nigerian government to be more responsive to its citizens abroad.

“It is now time for the Nigerian government to show responsibility by immediately ensuring the safety and well-being of the Nigerians on death row in Libya, and facilitating their safe return back home. The continuing silence and inaction of the Nigerian government on this matter is a failure of leadership and simply unacceptable,” Falana said. 

The feisty lawyer asked President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to rise up to the occasion in defending the rights of Nigerians across the world. According to him, the Libya case is proof that the rights of Nigerians outside the country could be protected when and if their government takes action.
It is important for the government do discharge its "Constitutional and International responsibility," towards Nigerians he added. Falana commended the Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and SERAP for fighting for the rights of the condemned persons.
SERAP had through its solicitor, Falana, filed a case before the African Commission on September 6 2009, on behalf of the prisoners.
He alleged "serious, persistent and irreparable violations of the Complainants’ rights to life; to communicate with their embassy or consular post; to competent and effective legal representation; to trial within a reasonable time or to a release; to trial by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law; to the presumption of innocence; to an interpreter and to translation; to appeal to an independent and impartial tribunal, and fair trial guarantees during appeals.”
The Commission in the Provisional Measures with reference number ACHPR/ PROVM/LIB/01/75, dated September  9, 2009, and signed by Acting Chairperson of the Commission, Bahame Tom Mukirya NYANDUGA, expressed concern about Nigerians on death row and those held under "inhuman and degrading treatment," in Libya.
The Provisional Measures reads in part: “The Complaint has been registered as a Communication against Libya. I would also like to inform you that the Communication shall be tabled before the African Commission, for seizure during its next Ordinary Session, which is scheduled to take place from 11-25 November 2009, and will subsequently be sent to the authorities.” 

The Commission also said: “In accordance with Rule 111(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the African Commission, I urge you to intervene in the matter with the view of preventing irreparable damage being caused to the victims while the African Commission inquires about the veracity of the Complaint. The appeal is particularly pertinent in respect of the imprisoned Nigerians, whom the Complainant alleges that they await the death penalty.” 

The African Commission is the body charged with overseeing compliance with legal obligations under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights

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NIGERIANS TO BOYCOTT SONY IF.....

Nigeria opposition seeks boycott of Sony products over advert


News - Africa news
Lagos, Nigeria - Expressing anger at what it called the rising spate of Nigeria bashing around the world, the country's opposition Action Congress (AC) party Sunday called for a boycott of Sony products to show their displeasure against the Japanese firm's derogatory advert on Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos and obtained by PANA here Sunday, the party said boycotting Sony products would ''send a strong signal to other companies out there that may be inclined to copy Sony''.

AC said the offensive part of the advert, on Sony's popular Play Station 3 Console, which says ''You can't believe everything you read on the internet, otherwise I will be a Nigerian millionnaire by now'', was aimed at sho wing that Nigerians are not capable of conducting a decent business.''
``Yet, Sony, which is behind this advert, has been doing good business in Nigeria for decades. We are appalled at the companyâ?s audacity, and we believe that its belated and half-hearted apology has not diminished the damage done to our people by the advert. Even if the advert has been pulled, the version posted on various sites around the world, including youtube, continue to run,'' the party said.

Following complaints by Nigeria's Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Sony has applogised over the advert, in addition to withdrawing it from circulation.

In a related development, AC has also joined the growing list of individuals and organisations complaining about a sci-fi movie, District Nine, which the government said portrays Nigerians as cannibals, criminals and prostitutes.

The movie was set in South Africa and produced by a South African, a situation that prompted the AC to say it was shocked that a fellow African nation could make itself available as a platform to attack Nigeria.
``The fact that the movie 'District Nine'...was set in South Africa and produced by a South African is a great shock to us, considering the long-standing good r e lations between our two countries, and Nigeria's sacrifice in helping to liberate the co untry from the throes of apartheid,'' it said.

But the party blamed the disrespect being shown to Nigeria on its government, saying: ``It does not matter how good the ordinary Nigerian is, the world cannot r e spect a country that cannot freely and fairly elect its leaders, a country where votes are stolen with impunity and unelected leaders are holding sway.''

Lagos - 27/09/2009

http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/nigeria-opposition-seeks-boycott-of-sony-products-over-advert-2009092735544.html

A LOOK AT NIGERIA

When I look back at Nigeria,
I see a failed nation,
a colossal mistake of the colonial masters,
combination of deadly coils called unity
time bomb waiting to explode

When I look back at Nigeria
I see a dehumanized people
Scavengers struggling to survive
Feeding on unavailable carrions
A nation of anything goes.
Teju 2009 ©

Velletri: 6 arresti per induzione e sfruttamento della prostituzione.

OPERAZIONE ANTIPROSTITUZIONE DELLA COMPAGNIA CC DI VELLETRI
ARRESTATE 6 PERSONE PER INDUZIONE E SFRUTTAMENTO DELLA PROSTITUZIONE

Velletri (Roma) 19 settembre 2009. La Compagnia Carabinieri di Velletri, supportata da personale di quelle di Palestrina e Frascati, nonché da un elicottero del Raggruppamento Elicotteri Carabinieri di Pratica di Mare, hanno ieri sera sgominato una banda di sfruttatori di ragazze nigeriane che le inducevano a prostituirsi nella zona dei Pratoni del Vivaro.
A seguito di una lunga attività di osservazione e pedinamento svolta per settimane, i militari hanno accertato che le ragazze giungevano ogni mattina da Roma generalmente in gruppo utilizzando dei pullman di linea. Quindi a piedi ciascuna raggiungeva la propria posizione e vi rimaneva fino a sera, quando tutte insieme, coordinate però da due di loro, riprendevano i mezzi pubblici per raggiungere un’abitazione sita a Roma in via Casilina, dove abitavano.
Durante il viaggio di ritorno le due coordinatrici raccoglievano il denaro guadagnato dalle altre, per consegnarlo poi agli sfruttatori che le attendevano nell’abitazione di Roma.
Il sistema era collaudatissimo, tanto che le due coordinatrici durante il giorno si posizionavano lungo via Tuscolana per sorvegliare le altre ragazze e per anticipare eventuali retate delle forze dell’ordine.
Ieri i carabinieri hanno però posto in essere un efficace dispositivo che ha inibito alle sfruttatrici la possibilità di fuggire: prima hanno catturato loro due, una delle quali, tentando di fuggire, ha investito con la propria auto – fortunatamente senza gravi conseguenze – un carabiniere: per questo sarà accusata anche di tentato omicidio; successivamente, con soddisfazione degli altri passeggeri, hanno catturato tutte le ragazze fermando il pullman di linea con il quale stavano facendo rientro a Roma.
Anche un cinquantenne italiano nella circostanza è stato tratto in arresto poiché, inizialmente cliente abituale, da tempo aveva preso a favorire la prostituzione delle ragazze accompagnandole nelle loro posizioni guadagnando così a volte del denaro, a volte delle prestazioni sessuali.
Infine, con l’ausilio di un elicottero, il personale ha effettuato un fulmineo blitz negli appartamenti dove il gruppo risiedeva, arrestando altre tre persone e sequestrando una grandissima quantità di materiale utile a prostituirsi, una ingente somma di denaro in dollari USA, e persino un ettogrammo circa di eroina.
Attualmente altre tre persone, già identificate e di nazionalità nigeriana, sono ricercate perché anch’esse responsabili dello sfruttamento delle 8 prostitute catturate sul pullman, che questa mattina sono state accompagnate in Questura per le procedure di espulsione e denunciate alla Autorità Giudiziaria per il reato di clandestinità.

http://www.melitoonline.it/2009/09/19/velletri-6-arresti-per-induzione-e-sfruttamento-della-prostituzione/

CBN to issue N5, N10, and N50 notes in polymer substrate

By AMECHI OGBONNA, TITUS NWOKOJI and BLAISE UNDUNZE Thursday, September 17, 2009
In continuation of the currency reforms initiated by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex bank has said it will on September 30, 2009 issue a total of 1.915 billion notes in N5, N10 and N50 denominations using polymer substrate format.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido

The new notes which will be launched by President Umaru Yar’Adua, is to replace the existing paper mode in the affected denominations.
Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, who briefed the press in Lagos on Wednesday said the extension of polymer substrate was due to the cost effectiveness of the base material and its long lasting nature.
He stated that polymer notes are known to last longer in circulation and was 1.8 times the cost of the paper notes but last 4 times longer than the paper notes. It does not tear easily, nor get soiled easily. According to him, the N20 note on polymer was a test case to determine the advantages and demerits of polymer substrate and its acceptance; and the lower denominations are being reprinted because of their frequency of use by Nigerians.
Of the total amount being introduced, The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc will only handle 615 million notes while a foreign printing company will complement with 1.3 billion notes.
He explained that the reason the NSPMC was handling only 615 million was because it is still saddled with the responsibility of printing other higher denominations of the naira and has reached its capacity due to the large volume involved.
He enumerated the elements of the currency reform to include reduction in the size of the notes to make them fit properly into a wallet in addition to streamlining of security features for cost effectiveness.
The notes have special features to assist the blind in recognizing the various denominations. They have no naira sign on them while the values are expressed in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba for easy recognition by most Nigerians, and reflect modern designs in currency production.
Sanusi noted further that the objectives of the reform includes making the notes secure and keep ahead of counterfeiters, enhance the durability of banknotes, thereby sustaining Central Bank’s clean notes policy.
“Since polymer notes last longer in circulation, it implies that the frequency of processing/sorting and replacing unfit/dirty notes will be reduced, translating into cot-savings. The reduction in cost will free resources that could be diverted to other uses.
“ Besides, the long-term cost advantage of polymer is backward integration as the material can be made from petrochemical products which exist in Nigeria” the governor stated.
The new notes, according to him have retained their current sizes, designs and other key elements. Only the watermark has been replaced with the transparent window and G-switch which turns from green to gold when the note is tilted which are essential features present in N20 note.
Responding to questions journalists, Mr. Ben Onyido, director of currency and branch operations Central Bank of Nigeria said that 1.3 billion notes was given to a foreign printer was through a competitive bid process. He recalled that in 2008, no currency was imported from overseas but in this case, the NSPM has reached its capacity for the year

source

Son to Nigeria’s newly appointed Ambassador to US accused of rape

Sep 19, 2009
We are Embarrassed — Senators

By Victor Omoregie & Emma AzikenAdedamola son of Nigeria Ambassador-designate to the US Professor Tunde Adediran was charged with rape in the US. It happened in Maryland, and he is now charged with gang_raping three women in the city of Baltimore, according to ABC_2 News, a local Baltimore television station. However Prof. Adeniran in Nigeria confirmed that Adedamola is his son but feigned ignorance of the rape charges.Maryland police say on July 27th, two women accepted a ride from two men near North Calvert and West Fayette streets in Downtown Baltimore. But instead of driving them home, police say the men got on I_95 south, threatened the women with a knife, and drove them to the parking lot of Seton Keough High School in Southwest Baltimore. There, police say the women were both raped by the two men and a third man who arrived later.

Professor Tunde Adeniran and son Adedamola
Three men were charged in the case, 19_year_old Adedamola Adeniran of Halethorpe, along with 19_year_old Anthony Edoror and 20_year_old Opeyemi Adigun, who both live near Woodlawn.
On August 18, an identical attack took place, but the victim was able to identify the licence plate of the car to the police, thereby leading the police to one of the suspects. She identified the other two men.

Apart from the rape charges against his son, Nigeria’s ambassador_in_waiting, who was appointed over five months ago, faces potential hurdles to his clearance to assume his exalted position in Washington DC. State Department officials said that Professor Adeniran has two wives in the US bearing his name, which effectively makes him a polygamist. They said it is a grey area that needed to be sorted out before he can be finally cleared.
In addition to rape, Adedamola and the other two men also face charges that include false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit rape. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison.

We are Embarrassed — Senators
This rejection arose from criminal proceedings being instituted against his son who has been charge along side other fellow Nigerians for statutory rape in the US. In the US, public office holders are liable to infraction by their families. So it is expected that anybody, even representatives of foreign countries and members of their families, should be above board morally, financially and other wise.
What remains now is the reaction of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to this diplomatic move.
Embarrassed Senators of the Foreign Affairs Committee have said they would not have cleared Professor Tunde Adeniran as Ambassador nominee to the United States of America if they knew his son was facing rape charges in America.
Their reaction was part of the storm of protests from leading politicians, trade union activists academics and lawyers that greeted the rejection of professor Tunde Adeniran by the United States of America, as Nigeria’s Ambassador nominee.

The common refrain was that Professor Adeniran,s rejection has brought shame to the country.Prof. Adeniran was reportedly rejected by the United States government as Nigeria’s envoy to that country on account of his son’s alleged involvement in serial gang rape in the United States.
His son Adedamola 20, is reportedly held in custody in the United States without bail alongside two other Nigerians allegedly involved in the gang rape of some American girls.
Senators Effiong Bob (PDP, Akwa Ibom Northeast) and Abubakar Sodangi (PDP, Nasarawa West) both members of the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs which cleared Adeniran before his approval by the Senate claimed that they were not aware of the alleged criminal inclination of the nominee’s son. A third member of the committee, Senator Osita Izunaso (PDP, Imo West) claimed ignorance of the alleged indictment of Prof. Adeniran’s son and did not comment on the issue.
Chairman of the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Jibril Aminu could not be reached as at press time on the development.
“That fact was not before us that is why we conducted all these hearings so that people who have established facts could have briefed us, so I am not aware except reading of it today (yesterday) in the paper,’’ Senator Bob told Saturday Vanguard yesterday on telephone.
“We were not aware of the criminal allegation against the son and if we were aware the man would not have been cleared,’’ he further affirmed.
Speaking in the same tone, Senator Sodangi said:
“I am just hearing of it from you. It is very embarrassing if it is true and it is a matter of investigation and if it has happened it is actually a very, very embarrassing situation to the Professor himself and as well to the country.’’ “Of course we have people who are very clean who have no skeleton in their cupboards that we can take.”
Senator Sodangi said that the case if established was another reason why parents should show godly examples to their children. “This is a lesson to all of us that we should be living above board and that we should be very godly because if we bring up our boys wrongly their misbehavior will affect us one day and even above all, in the hereafter.’’

SOURCE

New Nigerian music| Omo 2 sexy|Justina (Hit)

419?

Dear ATM Card Holder,

Because of high rate of fraud,Central Bank Of Nigera CBN has decided to put extra security on all ATM Machine to secure you and your money while you use the ATM Cards for withdrawals.This measure will include an Email/SMS verification code which shall be send to your Mobile Number or Email addresses anytime your ATM Card is slot in to any ATM Machine.

As a result, you are required to Upgrade your ATM Card Informations to the new ATM Machine Code including your mobile number and email address where
verification codes will be sent.The new ATM Machine Verification codes will ensure you to have access and use of your ATM Card.Kindly assist us by filling the individual customer form,the form will be made available by clicking on http://cbnverificationonline2009.justfree.com/cbn.html

(Failure to Upgrade your ATM Card will result in ATM Machine rejecting your ATM Card,which means you will no longer be able to use your ATM Cards with any ATM machine) Be notified that all ATM Cards must be upgrade On or Before 15 August 2009.after verification and upgrading of your ATM card a 3 digit code will be sent to you within 48 hours either through phone or via email signifying that your ATM card has successfully been upgraded.

We Appreciate your prompt attention to this important message.

WARM REGARDS
Mr.Tony Ede
Assistant Director,
LAGOS OFFICE
Office Address:Tinubu Square,Lagos
Postal Address:P.M.B. 12194,Lagos.
Fax: +234(1)882 617