Lekki Shootings: ‘We Stand By Our Report’, CNN Reacts To FG's Sanction Threat

International Cable News Network, CNN, said its report on the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020, was “carefully and meticulously researched”.

CNN stated this in a report on Thursday in response to comments by the Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, that the news platform practised “irresponsible journalism” by relying on fake videos sourced from social media to produce its report.

CNN had published an investigative report this week claiming soldiers fired live ammunition directly at protesters at the Lekki toll gate, a claim which Mohammed denied on Thursday.

“Like everyone else, I watched the CNN report. I must tell you that it reinforces the disinformation that is going around, and it is blatantly irresponsible and a poor piece of journalistic work by a reputable international news organization,” Mohammed told reporters at a press conference in Abuja today.

“This is very serious and CNN should be sanctioned for that,” he added.

The PUNCH reports that the minister also described the event of October 20, 2020 as a “massacre without bodies”, insisting that not a single body has been produced or a single family has come out to claim their family member was killed at the Lekki tollgate.

Reacting today in another story titled, ‘Nigeria threatens CNN with sanctions but provides no evidence Lekki toll gate investigation is inaccurate’, the cable news network said it stand by its earlier report on the Lekki incident.

“Our reporting was carefully and meticulously researched, and we stand by it,” CNN stated.

It added, “The report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN. It painted a picture of how members of the Nigerian army and the police shot at the crowd, killing at least one person and wounding dozens more.

“CNN verified photos and videos acquired from multiple eyewitnesses and protesters using timestamps and other data from the video files. Video footage shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the direction of protesters. And accounts from eyewitnesses established that after the army withdrew, a second round of shooting happened later in the evening.

“Prior to publishing the report, CNN tried multiple times to elicit comment from the Nigerian army and police. A Lagos State police spokesman declined to comment because of an ongoing investigation. While a statement from the Lagos State government said that there would be no comment while a judicial tribunal was underway.”

The Lekki incident has been condemned locally and internationally by civil rights organisations.

#nairaland

EndSARS: Ezekwesili Reacts To FG's Threat To Sanction CNN

Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education has reacted to a statement by the Nigerian government demanding that CNN be sanctioned.

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information on Thursday said CNN should be sanctioned for its investigations which he described as irresponsible journalism.

On her Twitter page, she wrote:

Sanction CNN *laughs* But then again, it is not even funny because it is too serious a matter to allow for this comedy.

What’s really the point of the ‘Independent’ Panels of Inquiry if the @NigeriaGov @FMICNigeria have already closed their minds to information based on evidence?

#nairaland

Austin Umera Shoots Wife, Kills Himself In Kaduna

A retired Kaduna Polytechnic lecturer, Mr Austin Umera on Thursday, shot his wife and killed himself over a domestic quarrel.

Mr. Austin, who lectured at the Department of Languages, Kaduna Polytechnic, before his retirement argued with his wife and threatened to shoot her if she talks further.

His son who witnessed the drama told DAILY POST that, “it was like a joke. When my father said he would shoot my mom, she couldn’t believe him.

All of a sudden, I heard a gunshot. I ran to my mom to take her to a nearby hospital, when I heard the second shot. This time, it was my father that shot himself on the head. He died instantly.”

Also, speaking, a neighbour told DAILY POST that, “We heard gunshots from the house and we quickly called the emergency number. Immediately the policemen arrived at the residence at Kigo Road.

According to the source, the police took the injured wife to the hospital because she was shot in the eyes. While the dead body of her husband was lying on the ground.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the man has been deposited at Barau Dikko mortuary.

As at the time of filing this report, the injured wife Dr Maurin Umerah who is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Languages, Kaduna State University is still receiving treatment at the 44 Army Reference Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident. He said an investigation has since commenced.

#dailypost

#endsars: UK Parliament Debates Sanctions Against Nigerian Govt Officials Nov 23

The UK Parliament will hold a debate on individual sanctions against Nigerian government officials on November 23, Daily Sun has learnt.

In an email sent to one of the individuals (name withheld) who signed a petition asking the UK government to sanction those responsible for the killing of unarmed EndSARS protesters, the petitions team of the UK government and parliament said November 23 has been set aside for its parliament to debate the issue.

The email read: “Parliament is going to debate the petition you signed -’Implement sanctions against the Nigerian government and officials’. The debate is scheduled for 23 November, 2020. Once the debate has happened, we’ll email you a video and transcript.”

However, when contacted, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the ministry was yet to be notified about the development.

“We cannot comment on a matter yet to be brought to the attention of the government.”

Senior Advocate, Mr Femi Falana, has said there should be no hypocrisy in the United Kingdom Parliament’s decision to debate individual sanctions on government officials involved in the shooting of #endsars protesters in Lekki, Lagos State.

Also reacting, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa, said the decision of the United Kingdom Parliament to debate on individual sanctions on government officials responsible for the killing of unarmed protesters in Lekki is a very welcome development.

He said at the level of the Federal Government, an impression is given that the military had not done anything wrong despite the many contradictions by the military as far as the Lekki incidence is concerned.

The debate on whether or not sanctions should be imposed on Nigerian government officials will depend on the conditions stipulated in the UK Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020, also known as the ‘Magnitsky’-style sanctions regime.

According to the UK government website, the sanctions regime targets those who have been involved in some of the gravest human rights violations and abuses around the world.

The regulations put in place sanctions measures to deter and provide accountability for activities, which if carried out by or on behalf of a state within the territory of that state would amount to a serious violation by that state of an individual’s right to life, right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to be free from slavery, not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

The UK government said so far, 49 individuals and organisations involved in some of the most notorious human rights violations and abuses in recent years have been designated for sanctions under the powerful new regime.

The UK’s first wave of sanctions under this new regime targeted 25 Russian nationals involved in the mistreatment and death of auditor Sergei Magnitsky, who uncovered widespread Russian corruption by a group of Russian tax and police officials; 20 Saudi nationals involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi; two high-ranking Myanmar military generals involved in the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities, two organisations involved in the forced labour, torture and murder that takes place in North Korea’s gulags.

#endsars

"Dont Spoil My Make Up Oo"–Bride Tells Groom On Wedding Day (video)

Bride after paying money for a full make up for her wedding and her husband wanted to kiss her but the wife's reaction is something else.

She said "Dont Spoil My Make Up oo"–The Bride Tells Groom On Wedding Day.

#lol

Watch The Video Below:

NBA Drafts 8 Nigerian Players For The First Time In History

Eight Nigerian players made the draft to the NBA basketball season 20/21.

Edo Pastor Caught With Female Pants, Laminated Pictures Of Girls In Bayelsa

A middle aged man from Edo State who has been posing as a Pastor was caught this morning in Imiringi, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa state in Possession Female pants, laminated pictures of young girls, a big ����� and other stuffs in his bag.

#nairaland

Zlatan Ibile Shows "Palliative" Dance Moves

Zlatan Ibile Shows Off His New Dance Move, Called It "Chop Am Like Palliative"

Nigerian singer and rapper stopped Zlatan Ibile, stopped by at Beat 99.9Fm Lagos to premier his new album #LagosAnthem. Then he shows off his latest dance move after ZANKU, names it “Chop am like palliative” .

#zlatan

Watch The Video Below:

Abike Dabiri Receives Dr. Maduka, Commends His Achievements In Diaspora, Nigeria

Today in Abuja, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission-NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa on behalf of the Federal Government has received one of the most outstanding, noble and most successful Nigerian in diaspora, Dr. Godwin Maduka, a renowned Philanthropist, Medical Doctor and CEO of Las Vegas Pain Institute, located in the United States of America-USA.

Speaking during the reception of Dr. Godwin Maduka, who arrived Nigeria days ago, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission-NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri applauded the extensive strides of the Billionaire Medical Doctor and Investor, especially by responding to the call of President Buhari for Nigerians in Diaspora to return home and invest in the country.

Hon. Abike further commended Maduka for his monumental impacts and fundamental achievements in several areas of development, including security, education, housing and other infrastructural provisions in Anambra state. She however encouraged him to continue in the patriotic path of improving lives and making Nigeria a better and greater nation.

Dr. Godwin Maduka however spoke extensively on his prospective vision and mission in Nigeria, especially for the people of Anambra state. He noted that he had return to duplicate his abroad achievements in Nigeria. He therefore spoke about his pride as a Nigerian, stressing that he would ensure that his capacity and international network will be explored to ensure that Anambra becomes one of the leading cities in Africa especially in health tourism.

According to reports, the Triple Professor of Medicine, Leader and Philanthropist has been called upon by youths to return to Anambra and champion the affairs of governance, as they continue to mount supports for Dr. Godwin Maduka ahead of the 2021 Governorship elections in Anambra state. He has been described as the most credible candidate to lead Anambra state in the next phase of leadership.


#nairaland

Gunmen Abduct And Kill Retired Shell Staff In Port Harcourt, Dump His Body On Bridge (Photos)

Unknown gunmen suspected to be assasins have killed a retired Shell staff simply identified as ETK Amah, after abducting him on Tuesday night in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, IgbereTV reports.

Details on the incident are still sketchy, however, it was gathered Amah, said to be a former NUPENG chairman, was kidnapped in Ngwuve Woji area of Port Harcourt around 8pm on Tueday, November 17.

His body was found dumped along Woji bridge linking Odili road on Wednesday morning, November 18.

The deceased's son, Amah Aperepikiya, confirmed the incident on his Facebook on Thursday morning. He wrote:

"Men of the underworld kidnapped my healthy father, killed him and dumped him on the road at ALCON bridge. All this happened in less than 20hrs. Assassins...cursed you are"

"Tell me what he did to warrant this. As long as night and day had not ceased you shall remain cursed to your 10th generation."
https://www.facebook.com/amah.aperepikiya

See photos below.

#igberetv