A THOUGHT FOR NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS – THISDAY PG.44

Today (November 2) on the international calendar is devoted to ‘End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’ and comes just days after a country such as Somalia pledged to end arrest of journalists.

It comes in a year when 28 journalists have already been killed in the pursuit of their profession, one of them sadly in Nigeria, and when 246 journalists are in prison for the same reason. And it comes only a few years after the killing of a journalist in Malta and Slovakia respectively led to changes in government. This sobering day provides us with a welcome opportunity to devote some thought to the travails of media practitioners a little closer to home. And to consider the important role of their institution as they struggle to fulfil their constitutional and social responsibility in a free and democratic Nigeria.

OVER 1M YOUTHS APPLY FOR INVESTMENT FUND, SAYS BUHARI – NATION PG.7, NATION PG.8, THISDAY PG.5

President Muhammadu Buhari has again urged the youth to end their street protests and work with the government to find solutions to issues that agitate their minds. The President, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the maiden National Youth Day celebration – observed on November 1 and coinciding with the African Youth Day celebration – encouraged the youth to have meaningful discussions with government in order to have comprehensive reforms to police brutality.

SERAP, LAWYERS ASK COURT TO QUASH NBC’S N9M FINE AGAINST TV STATIONS – NATION PG.6, SUN PG.3, PUNCH PG.44. THISDAY PG.12

Two rights groups have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash the N3 million fine imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on each of the three television stations over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) co-filed the first suit alongside 261 concerned Nigerians, civil society and media groups, while the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative filed the other.

ELECTORAL BILL PROPOSES N5B AS PRESIDENTIAL POLL FUNDING – NATION PG.8

Political parties and their presidential candidates would have N5 billion as the ceiling for their campaign expenses if a proposed electoral law pending before the National Assembly sailed through. Also, aspirants will have to spend less. For instance, the bill recommends a maximum N10 million as fee for the presidential nomination form.

PROTESTERS DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY – NATION PG.5

On October 2oth 2020, Nigerian soldiers opened fire in Lagos against ‘End SARS’ demonstrators, resulting in the death of at least 12 protestors. Reports from Amnesty International have confirmed that soldiers were implementing an ‘excessive use of force’ on protesters, which has triggered an investigation by authorities. Following Tuesday’s massacre, the city fell into chaos as police stations were attacked and buildings were set on fire. Amnesty International has reported that at least 56 Nigerians have died since the beginning of the ‘End SARS’ protests which commenced on October 8th.

EIGHT SUPREME COURT JUDGES’ SWEARING-IN SUFFERS DELAY AFTER SENATE CONFIRMATION – PUNCH PG.43

The appointment of more justices to the Supreme Court, which was held back by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), for over a year, has continued to suffer delay two weeks after the Senate confirmed eight justices of the Court of Appeal for appointment to the apex court’s bench. Recall that before the Senate confirmation on October 13, 2020, four of the eight nominees had been recommended to the President for appointment since October 2019, but he did not act on the list until August this year when an additional list, comprising four northern nominees, was forwarded to him by the National Judicial Council.

EDO JAILBREAK: MORE INMATES RETURN – SUN PG.7, PUNCH PG. 44

In a bid to beat the October 30 deadline issued to fleeing inmates of Benin and Oko Correctional Centres by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, to voluntarily return, 24 of the inmates from the Oko medium correctional centre were reportedly returned last weekend by their parents, lawyers and relations. The governor had‎ issued the October 30 deadline after hoodlums under the guise of EndSARS protest broke into the two centres and freed over1,181 inmates.

#ENDSARS: WE WON’T FORCE ANY POLICE OFFICER TO RETURN TO DUTY – OFFICIAL – SUN PG.26

The PSC said this on Sunday in a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, its head of media and public affairs. The statement was in reaction to a newspaper publication which stated that the commission had threatened to dismiss officers who failed to return to work.

SOWORE, #ENDSARS PROTESTERS BLOCK FORCE HQTRS – DAILY TRUST PG.4

A group of #EndSARS protesters, including the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore on Sunday blocked the entrance to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The group was demanding release of many protesters arrested for alleged involvement in the looting of COVID-19 palliatives and other private assets.