NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS EXPRESSES CONCERN AT PERENNIAL FUEL SCARCITY & DROP IN NAIRA'S VALUE

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has asked the federal government to investigate as well as pursue established cases to a logical conclusion.

In an eight-point communiqué at the end of its 4^th quarterly Standing Committee meeting in Abuja yesterday, the Guild commended government for courage in recovering stolen funds, but however called for the respect of the fundamental human rights of suspects.

The Nigerian editors equally advised Judges to be circumspect in granting injunctions and be more painstaking in the adjudication of corruption cases.

The Guild cautioned state governments against reneging in the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage. While urging them to improve their internally generated revenue, the Guild called for due process in the award of contracts and reduction of the cost of governance.

Decrying the decline in the value of the Naira and its negative impact on the purchasing power of Nigerians, the editors urged government at all levels to urgently diversify the country’s revenue base.

The Guild also urged government to find lasting solution to the perennial fuel scarcity, to lessen the pains of Nigerians.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors restated its warning against any attempt to gag the press or tamper with the freedom of expression of Nigerians, and tasks the Senate to drop the proposed Frivolous Petitions Bill, as well as expunge Section 24 of the Cyber Crime Act which is considered to be more obnoxious than the Frivolous Petitions Bill.

The Guild calls for thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the involvement of some media executives in the payments from the office of the former National Security Adviser in the interest of fairness and justice.

GHANA DISMISSES JUDGES GUILTY OF BRIBERY CHARGES

Twenty judges and magistrates have been sacked in Ghana after they were convicted of bribery.

Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood said the dismissals followed a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption in the judiciary.

In September, a journalist revealed that he had evidence showing dozens of judges had demanded bribes to influence judgements in court cases.

The revelation shocked Ghanaians who packed cinemas to see his documentary.

Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood

Announcing the sackings, the chief justice said she wanted to assure the public that the judicial council, the regulatory body for judges, would take "prompt and resolute" action to "redeem" the image of the judiciary.

Judicial council secretary Justice Alex Poku Acheampong said some of the sacked judges had been stripped of their benefits. Ghana's Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood says she will not tolerate corruption.

However, the benefits of other judges had been retained, after they had shown show remorse and had apologised "profusely" for bringing the judiciary into disrepute, he added. Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas handed over nearly 500 hours of video evidence on tape to the chief justice in September. (BBC)

NIGERIAN EDITORS ASKS SENATE TO HALT PROCEEDINGS ON CYBER BILL

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has asked the Senate to suspend unconditionally, all proceedings with respect to a proposed Bill, "FRIVOLOUS PETITIONS (PROHIBITIONS ETC) BILL, 2015."

According to President of the Guild, Mr Garba Deen Muhammad the broad objective of the curiously accelerated Bill is to outlaw the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens and freedom of speech of all media organizations.

The NGE President noted that appallingly, the Bill equally included as its target very personal and private means of communication such as SMS or text messages and WhatsApp, among others.

The Editors stressed that the freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed in section 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution respectively. Therefore, to enact any kind of law under any guise that will contradict these fundamental provisions is to deliberately seek to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While urging the lawmakers to avoid misusing the mandate of the electorates, the Nigerian Guild of Editors however frowned at on-line fraudsters who take advantage of the vulnerable cyber space to carry out cyber bullying, stealing, stalking and all manner of cybercrimes.

The NGE’s position read in part ‘In view of this and the glaring danger posed by the proposed Bill, the NGE is strongly advising the Senate to drop all proceedings on the proposed Bill and turn its attention instead to critical areas in need of urgent intervention.
While believing that members of the Senate have a right both individually and collectively to express their concerns about the abuse of the cyberspace by unscrupulous people and organizations, we advise them to consolidate or strengthen the existing laws and enforce implementation.
We call on all Nigerians that are justifiably peeved by the very consideration of enacting such obnoxious law to remain calm and express their opposition through lawful means’.

FALSE ASSETS DECLERATION: REPRIEVE FOR SARAKI, AS SUPREME COURT GRANTS STAY OF PROCEEDINGS

The Supreme Court has granted the application of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to stay proceedings in the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The CCT is trying Senator Saraki on a 13-count charge on false asset declaration, during his tenure as governor of Kwara state.

Despite the arguments by Saraki's lawyers that the CCT stay proceedings until the ruling of the Supreme Court, Chairman of CCT, Danladi Usman insisted that the case must continue.

Following the walkout by Saraki's Counsels, the CCT adjourned till 19 November, to enable the Senate President secure the services of new defence counsels.

LIONS ATTACK SAFARI TRUCK, TERRIFY TOURISTS IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

A pride of hungry lions attacked a jeep full of tourists in Serengeti National Park, destroying tires and attempting to shatter windows to get at the terrified humans inside.

Safari tour guide Emmanuel Bayo from Arusha, Tanzania, witnessed the encounter from nearby and snapped off a few photos that showed the lions in attack mode at the famous Tanzanian park.

“It was quite scary, really — the lions are very hungry in the park and hadn’t had a kill for a while,” Bayo told Caters News. “The truck was driving past with people inside and the lions smelt the humans.

“Then they were trying to get inside for about an hour and wreaked havoc.”

Lions tried to eat the tires of the safari truck at Serengeti National Park. Photo: Emmanuel Bayo/Caters News

Tourists inside were terrified as the lions mauled the truck for an hour. Photo: Emmanuel Bayo/Caters News

In addition to puncturing tires, the lions attempted to smash the windows. Fortunately, the trucks are equipped with reinforced glass and they weren’t able to succeed.

“It would have been a disaster if we hadn’t [had reinforced glass],” Bayo said.

“It was scary but exhilarating. I think everyone should come on safari with me to have these experiences!”

Such a frightening scene might have the opposite effect and keep would-be tourists away.

h/t Daily Mail
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