CBN Secret Recruitment: Emefiele Gets 14 Days Ultimatum To Withdraw Employment Letters
MARCH 21ST, 2016 ADEYEMI OLALEMI NEWS, WITHIN NIGERIAN BORDERS
NEWS
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), requesting him to “immediately withdraw hundreds of letters of employment issued following a seriously flawed recruitment process and to put in place a system of recruitment and hiring based on the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, participation and objective criteria such as merit, equity and aptitude.”
The group warned that “Should Mr Emefiele and the CBN fail and/or neglect to act as requested within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take appropriate legal action to ensure effective remedies for millions of Nigerians that have been denied equal opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. And this may be without further notice to you.”
The letter dated 18 March 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni reads in part: “This corrupt process amounts to a fundamental breach of constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights of millions of Nigerians particularly the right to equality and non-discrimination, to work and to human dignity.”
“Instead of the CBN promoting equality of opportunity and access to employment for all Nigerians, it has perpetrated discrimination, and therefore denied an opportunity for economic self‑reliance and in many cases a means for millions of Nigerians to escape poverty and live a life of dignity.”
“The process also directly breaches article 7 of the UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified. Article 7 requires institutions like the CBN to adopt, maintain and strengthen systems for the recruitment and hiring of civil servants that are based on principles of transparency and objective criteria such as merit, equity and aptitude.”
“SERAP believes that by the secret recruitment, millions of otherwise qualified Nigerians have been treated less favourably than the children of the politically and economically connected. This differential treatment is arbitrary and cannot be reasonably and objectively justified. It can in fact result in pervasive discrimination, stigmatization and negative stereotyping. The secret recruitment also offends the requirement for Nigeria to make the labour market open to everyone in the country.”
“SERAP notes that non-discrimination and equality are essential for the exercise and enjoyment of other constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights, as well as equal and effective protection before and of the law. We also remind you that every Nigerian has the right to be able to work, allowing him/her to live in dignity.”
“SERAP is seriously concerned that the secret recruitment unfairly deprives millions of Nigerians the right to work, impermissibly limiting their freedom regarding the choice to work, and undermining their personal development and social and economic inclusion. While the right to work is not an absolute and unconditional right to obtain employment, it implies the right of access to a system of protection guaranteeing every eligible Nigerian access to employment, and the right not to be unfairly deprived of employment.”
“The secret recruitment has therefore impaired and nullified the exercise of the rights of Nigerians, especially disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups to human dignity, equality and non-discrimination.” “Furthermore, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides in section 42 that a citizen of Nigeria of a particular group shall not, by reason only that he is such a person: a) be subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other groups are not made subject; or be accorded any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to all citizens of Nigeria.”
“Section 16(2) provides that the economic system will not be operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group, such as the politically and economically connected or their children.”
“Section 17 provides that the state social order is founded on ideals of freedom, equality and justice. Subsection (3) of the same section provides that the state shall direct its policy towards, ensuring that all citizens without discrimination on any group whatever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment.”
“According to reports, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) carried out an alleged secret recruitment of over 900 employees on your directive and under your supervision. Many of the beneficiaries are said to be children and relatives of the politically and economically connected. Our information suggests that there were no prior notifications on the recruitment through advertisements to give all Nigerians the opportunity to participate.”
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Dakuku Peterside To Face Trial For Murder – Rivers Govt.
The director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dakuku Peterside, will go on trial for murder, Rivers state government has said.
He is accused of trying to kill an aide to the governor’s chief of staff on Sunday during the violent legislative elections held at the weekend.
Peterside himself had earlier released a statement saying he escaped an assassination attempt by agents of the state government.
Simeon Nwakaudu, special assistant to the Governor on electronic media, said in a statement that Peterside, who lost to Wike at the last governorship election in the state, “directed his security details to murder an aide to the Chief of Staff to Governor Wike while fleeing with some result sheets from Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“The incident took place at the UTC junction in GRA after Dakuku Peterside instead of taking Ikwerre Local Government Area result sheets snatched from collation officers to INEC office drove with it towards the GRA.
“He had stormed the Collation Centre in Isiokpo with soldiers after which he hijacked the already collated results, which included the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency. Chief of Staff to Governor Wike, Engr Emeka Woke is a PDP Collation Agent for Emohua Local Government Area. Dakuku Peterside, plays politics from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area and has no links with Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“After he snatched the results alongside his defeated running mate, Asita Asita, Dakuku Peterside and the soldiers fled towards Port Harcourt. The PDP leaders of Ikwerre and Emohua Federal Constituency followed suit.
“At Omagwa near the airport, the soldiers withdrew leaving the SARS personnel from Abuja to take over the electoral theft operation. At Omagwa, defeated APC candidate for Ikwerre State Constituency, Azubike Wanjoku attempted to murder the LGA Electoral Officer when he used his Armoured Sports Utility Vehicle to ram into the Electoral Officer’s car. The SARS personnel with Dakuku Peterside also opened fire on the rest of the people. The Electoral Officer was shot.
“It was from this point that Dakuku Peterside motorcade in neck-breaking speed drove towards Port Harcourt.
“Chief of Staff to Governor Wike, Engr Emeka Woke became a victim as the same SARS personnel with Dakuku Peterside opened fire on the vehicle of the Chief of Staff.
“Like in the case of infamous Chidi Lloyd, Dakuku Peterside went ahead to release a false press statement on the issue, he stated.
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I Never Stole Govt. Funds – Gbenga Daniel
A former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has described as lies reports that he stole state funds during his tenure in office and described the day he was arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the worst day of his life.
Daniel, popularly known as OGD, made this disclosure while addressing journalists ahead of his 60th birthday, scheduled for March 26, 2016.
“The day I will never forget in my life was the day I was arraigned in court in Abeokuta. Some students sponsored by the government that were singing abusive songs outside the court. They were calling me a thief. They said I took $3m of state funds, N1bn of local government funds but they were lies."
The former Governor also said that he has no presidential ambition.
“I have no presidential ambition or any political position but would remain as an elder statesman, giving advice to politicians,” he said.
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How Wike’s Gunmen Tried To Kill Me – Peterside
Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside has narrated how he survived an attempt on his life by unknown gunmen on Sunday.
Peterside alleged that the Gunmen were sent by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike adding that they trailed him to UTC Junction and opened fire on his car.
He made this known in a statement signed by his media aide, Emeka Woke.
The statement reads: “Our car however did a detour to first Aba road then old GRA with the two jeeps still trailing us. We drove to the DSS office to seek refuge and on getting to the gate the unknown gunmen opened fire again at the SSS men on guard.
“The exchange of fire between the DSS men and the assailants lasted for more than 30 minutes. In course of exchange of fire my Police detail Cpl Emma Esi was shot at and seriously injured. This is a very ugly experience but I thank God that my colleagues and I escaped unhurt.
“When the DSS men demobilized the two jeeps, we found out that the man at the back of the car who was identifying us to the assailants is Wike’s Chief of staff, Emeka Woke. He has been arrested by the DSS.
“Today’s experience is not only terrifying but also shows the parlous state of security in Rivers State. If I can be engaged openly by gunmen for nearly an hour in the heart of Port Harcourt, only God knows the fate that will befall members of our party and those sympathetic to our predicament. What is happening today in our dear state is not only horrible but also constitutes serious national security risk.”
According to the statement, Peterside was in the company of chairman of the Rivers state chapter of the APC, Davies Ikanya and HO Asita at the time of the incident
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Rivers Re-run: Amaechi, Wike Confront Each Other At Police Station
The tension in Rivers state over the ongoing legislative rerun election took a new dimension on Sunday as State Governor, Nyesom Wike and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi exchanged verbal fireworks at Mile One police station in Port Harcourt.
This occurred after an allegedly missing result sheet which was said to have been in care of Ekwi Adebisa, collation officer of ward 10, Port Harcourt local government (PHALGA).
Shortly after Ekwi was arrested by the police and taken to the station, Amaechi showed up in company of Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dakuku Peterside, Davis Ikanya, Ibim Semenitari, acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and some APC officials.
Wike also came to the station with some of his party men and both sides began to exchange unpleasant utterances. The police later called them for a meeting, which journalists were barred from attending.
Wike and Amaechi, former allies, had been in the news in the lead-up to the election over their provocative utterances.
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Jonathan Misused, Abused His Opportunity As President, Says Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the immediate past President of the country, Goodluck Jonathan misused, abused his opportunity to rule Nigeria.
While expressing no regrets in facilitating the emergence of Jonathan as President, Obasanjo said his objective had been achieved by making a minority group to produce the president of Nigeria.
He said: “I believe that Nigeria politics will be strengthened even more if we have the opportunity to allow the minority in its own right to emerge as President, and I do not have any apology for anybody because the purpose I wanted Nigeria to achieve had been achieved.
“That any Nigerian can become president, it is not a regret for Nigeria and for me because Nigeria gave him that opportunity, he used, abused, misused as he wished and at the appropriate time, Nigerians said thank you for what you have done and what you have not done and Nigeria said bye bye, which is the beauty of democracy.”
On Biafra agitation Obasanjo, who described the Biafra agitation as a platform for people of the South East to make their voices heard, insisted that Biafra was dead.
He said: “I sympathise with people agitating in the country, but what Nigeria needs to do now is to get our economy back on track. When you have a bad economic situation, such is expected. So I did not see their cause as a threat but I see it as a platform to get their voices heard.
“Like I said on January 15, the important, authentic leaders of the South-East are concerned about economic situation of Nigeria and I believe when the situation changes tomorrow, these young people will sing a new song.”
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How US, UK Spotted Missing Chibok Girls But Failed To Act – Ambassador Says
Andrew Pocock, former British high commissioner to Nigeria, has told The Sunday Times that surveillance teams of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) spotted 80 of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Sambisa forest shortly after they were kidnapped in April 2014.
Pocock said the information was passed to the authorities but no request was made for help.
He said though the rescue operation could have resulted into the deaths of some of them, a few of them would have regained freedom.
“A couple of months after the kidnapping, fly-bys and an American eye in the sky spotted a group of up to 80 girls in a particular spot in the Sambisa forest, around a very large tree, called locally the Tree of Life, along with evidence of vehicular movement and a large encampment,” Pocock was quoted as saying.
“A land-based attack would have been seen coming miles away and the girls killed.
“An air-based rescue, such as flying in helicopters or Hercules, would have required large numbers and meant a significant risk to the rescuers and even more so to the girls.
Bring Back Our Girls Protest
“You might have rescued a few but many would have been killed. My personal fear was always about the girls not in that encampment — 80 were there, but 250 were taken, so the bulk were not there. What would have happened to them? You were damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
The Sunday Times said it had seen gruesome rape videos showing that the girls were being used as sex slaves by the fighters.
Stephen Davis, former canon at Coventry Cathedral, who spent several months in Nigeria trying to negotiate the girls’ freedom, said the failure to mount a rescue was “unconscionable and disgusting”.
Davis said the locations of the Boko Haram camps were well-known.
He added that the Chibok girls were not the only kidnap victims — and South African mercenaries working with the Nigerian military had released about 1,000 others.
“If they could release that many, that belies the argument that the girls would be killed in the process,” he said.
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