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Digital switch over: NBC takes delivery of 50,000 set-top-boxes

By Zakariyya Adaramola

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it has received more than 50,000 set-top-boxes to facilitate the migration of analogue TV users in the country to digital, starting from Jos, Plateau State.

NBC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mallam Awalu Salihu, who confirmed this to Daily Trust in Abuja, said arrival of the boxes, delivered by SMK Engineering Limited and Gospell Digital Technology Limited, meant that the commission was serious about Nigeria’s broadcasting going digital in June 2017.

“One of the evidences of our seriousness towards the digital switchover was the delivery of set-top boxes”, he said.

He expressed excitement at the prospect of meeting the deadline of June 20, 2017 and said the commission would not relent in its efforts at making the switch possible next year.

Emir Sanusi advises traders to bank their money

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has commiserated with Kano traders who lost their property and wealth in the Sabon Gari market fire outbreak at the weekend.

Emir Sanusi, who cut short a visit outside the country, returned to Kano over the disaster and urged the traders to learn to keep their monies in the banks, instead of keeping them at their shops to curb loses.

The fire incidence, according to the affected traders, has cause loses of about N2 trillion worth of goods in the Sabon Gari Market, with a total of 3,800 shops razed down by the fire, based on the estimates of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

However, in a BBC Hausa report, the emir said there was the need to be conscious in giving out alms and charity by the haves to avert similar recurrence of disasters like the recent fire outbreaks.

“We must be conscious in giving out charity, taking care of the orphans, women, children and the weak. We must also be conscious in giving out alms and there is the need to be keeping money in banks, instead of shops.

“We must embrace insurance scheme, especially one that is built on Islamic tenants ‘Takaful’ to recoup the lost wealth during disasters like this one,” he said.

The Emir enjoined the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation towards unravelling the mysteries behind the frequent fire outbreaks in markets and schools.

Illegal detention: Court awards N1m against Police

By John Chuks Azu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the sum of N1 million as compensation to a citizen who was illegally detained by the Nigeria Police in 2014.

Justice A. Abdu-Kafarati in a judgement ruled that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) violated the fundamental right of Ifeanyi Orazulike by detaining him beyond the period provided by the constitution.

“Having found that the 1st Respondent (IGP) violated the fundamental rights of the applicant to personal liberty, dignity of dignity of his person and freedom of his movement, the applicant is entitled to some compensation as provided by Section 35 (6) of the constitution,” he said.

Orazulike, who is the executive director of NGO, the International Centre for Advocacy on the Right to Health, was arrested by a joint task force of the Police and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) about 11PM on October 22 to 23, 2014.

Orazulike claimed he was detained at the Area 3 Garki premises of the AEPB and prevented from receiving members of the NGO, who had arrived same day to celebrate his birthday.

His counsel Mike Enahoro-Eba argued that the arrest and detention breached Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Article 10 (1) and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights ratified in 2004.

While demanding the sum of N100 million as compensation and public apology in two national dailies, Enahoro-Ebah also argued that the action violated Section 40 of the constitution on freedom of assembly.

In his ruling the judge agreed that section 35 (6) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person.” He however assessed the compensation at N1 million only.

CSOs to monitor disbursement of N1.7bn pilgrims’ refund

By Abbas Jimoh

Independent Hajj Reporters has mobilised its members to monitor the disbursement of N1.7 billion refund recovered by NAHCON for 2015 hajj to pilgrims.

A statement by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity Secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud said to ensure a transparent process, the civil society has directed its members nationwide to monitor the distribution of the money to pilgrims.

The money was secured by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) from some Saudi hajj service providers to Nigerian pilgrims for services not rendered or rendered unsatisfactorily during the 2015 hajj exercises.