Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
The federal government of Nigeria said a right group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has been under security watch list.
According to reports, the group place on security watch list following its involvement in a nationwide “revolution” protest being planned for August 5 and being promoted through #RevolutionNow.
A government source who confirmed this to PUNCH correspondent said the government was surprised that the organisation circulated a message posted on the social media by the organisers of the #revolution protest.
He said the decision to put the organisation on watch list was also taken based on its past anti-government posture.
The source said: “There is a hashtag calling for revolution. A revolution means to overthrow Nigeria’s constitution. Those behind the move have sent out messages that they will start the revolution on August 5.
“Amnesty International Nigeria Office retweeted that message. The issue with is not with the organisers really.
“Of course, the government has been having sleepless nights over consistent reports by Amnesty which have been projecting the government in a bad light.
“But for the organisation to get involved in national politics and retweet such a message is alarming.
“When a Presidency official asked them whether their Twitter handle was hacked, they deleted the tweet. The Presidency is watching Amnesty Nigeria because of this. “
The message, #RevolutionNow, has been trending online.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, could not be reached on the telephone.
Presidency gives reason court order to release Zakzaky was disobeyed
Barely 24 hours after the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (also known as Shiites) clashed with Nigeria security operatives in Abuja, last week, following prolonged detention of Shia leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzakky, including his wife after series of court orders, presidency gives reasons to had disobeyed.
With the Police and Shiites clash that claimed lots of lives yesterday, and backlash from Nigerians against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari over the continuous detention of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzakky,
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Tuesday gave reasons why the Federal government disobeyed the court order.
Adesina made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government refused to obey Justice Gabriel Kolawole’s order on the release of El-Zakzakky, because it (FG) appealed the ruling.
In his word: “I know that the immediate past AGF in whose purview it was to make pronouncements on that, address the issue. If bail is granted and another case subsists and there is an immediate filing of appeal, you have to wait till it is dispensed with.
“So, that is a legal matter which is outside my purview but as a layman, an unlearned man as lawyers would call us, we know that until all cases are dispensed with, you don’t say that it has been concluded.”
The bail hearing will be coming up next Monday, as the matter was moved to Kaduna state. Vanguard reports.
The dramatic clash, between the Shia members and police, according to reports, has increased to 17, including demise of Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Umar Bellel (who has been laid to rest, according to Islamic rites), National Youth Service Corps member, Precious Owolabi, and over 15 Shia members.
