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Friday, October 4, 2019 EiE Nigeria Weekly Update

"I believe in the power of one citizen to stand up against anyevil in their society and demand accountability."- Oby Ezekwesili(Former World Bank VP & Nigeria's Former Minister for Education & Solid Minerals)

#FreeSowore   

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted Omoyele Sowore N100 million bail with 2 sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must own landed property and deposit N50 million. He is also prohibited from travelling outside Abuja and addressing the press until the completion of the trial. Justice Ojukwu also granted Olawale Bakare N50 million bail. He is also prohibited from travelling outside Osun State and addressing the press. Recall that DSS detained Sowore for 3 days despite a court order for his release, after he had already been kept for 52 days.

 #FreeJalingo   

Agba Jalingo, who was charged with terrorism for criticizing Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade was arraigned before Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Calabar and denied bail. The court was adjourned till Wednesday, October 16th for his trial.

The Nigeria Police is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order as well as combating crimes. Ironically, some police officers have resorted to unlawful duties of extorting and brutalizing innocent Nigerians.Nigeria's tech community launched the #StopRobbingUs campaign to put an end to the indiscriminate arrest and extortion of its members by some men of the Nigeria Police for simply being in possession of sophisticated phones and laptops-devices which are essential tools for carrying out their lawful jobs!Donate to the campaign.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila stated that the House may revisit the NGO Bill that seeks to regulate the operations of NGOs.Recall that the bill was previously presented in 2016 and none of the persons who were present at the public hearing on December 13, 2017, supported the bill. A large section of operators in the NGO sector stated that the 8 existing legal frameworks are sufficient for regulating the sector. They viewed any further amendment to the framework as amounting to over-regulation and a curious attempt to stifle progressive activities in the civic space.

 Court Grants SERAP Leave in Assets Declaration Suit Against CCB   

SERAP filed a suit challenging the Code of Conduct Bureau's (CCB) claim that it could not disclose details of assets declaration submitted to it by successive presidents and governors since 1999. Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos granted SERAP the motion for leave and adjourned the motion on notice till Wednesday, October 16th for hearing.

 #OfficeOfTheCitizen On Radio   

On #OOTCAkwaIbom, Sina Odugbemi of Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) and Uduak Ekong of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom Chapter discussed the Nigeria of our dreams.

You can follow the conversations on the #OfficeOfTheCitizen radio programs in 25 states.

Never forget, the Office of the Citizen is the highest office in the land!

Tweet at @EiENigeria using #OfficeOfTheCitizen to be a part of the conversation.

Intuitively, policymakers react to the problem of out-of-school children by calling for more investments in building new schools, more classrooms, and adding more furniture to existing ones. Read more.

Have a great weekend!The EiE Nigeria Team