KILLING

DEBORAH YAKUBU: NBA POSTPONES SPIDEL SOKOTO CONFAB

The Nigerian Bar Association has postponed its NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference earlier scheduled to kick-off this weekend in Sokoto, saying it is “not only for the safety of our conferees and guests, but as a mark of respect for the memory of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the lawyers’ association expressed worry “not just by the chilling news of the murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu, but also by the sudden and sad turn of events and the deteriorating security situation in Sokoto State.”

Continuing, the statement personally signed by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, added: “As such, having critically reviewed the current security condition in Sokoto, it has become apparent that we cannot guarantee the safety of our guest speakers, delegates and other stakeholders that have committed to attend the NBA-SPIDEL’s conference which was designed to put the State in the global spotlight for the duration of the conference and beyond. Accordingly, the Executive Committee of NBA-SPIDEL came to the painful decision to request, and I have approved, that the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference be postponed not only for the safety of our conferees and guests, but as a mark of respect for the memory of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu.

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‘JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED IN DEBORAH YAKUBU CASE,’ WARNS CLASFON

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) has urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that prosecution of the alleged masterminds of the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel Yakubu do not escape justice.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the umbrella body of Christian lawyers stated that “against the background that murder or culpable homicide is a criminal offence in the Federal Republic of Nigeria irrespective of the motive for perpetrating it.

CLASFON however commended the Sultanate Council “for its condemnation of the unfortunate incident in its entirety and its appeal to law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the acts which resulted in the death of Deborah Samuel Yakubu to justice, we expect all people of goodwill to do the same.”

The statement reads:

CHRISTIAN LAWYERS FELLOWSHIP OF NIGERIA (CLASFON) PRESS STATEMENT ON THE GRUESOME MURDER OF DEBORAH SAMUEL YAKUBU OF SHEHU SHAGARI COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, SOKOTO STATE

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) received with great shock and dismay the news of the gruesome and barbaric killing on Thursday, 12 May 2022 of Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a female 200 Level Home Economics Nigerian Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Sokoto State, by irate youths including her Muslim student colleagues, for blasphemy allegedly committed by her through WhatsApp communication with her course mates.

It is our considered view that there are adequate laws both substantive and procedural in the Statute books of Sokoto State to deal with the alleged blasphemous conduct of Deborah Samuel Yakubu and it was out of place to resort to jungle justice or self-help contrary to the law of the land. The unlawful and cruel termination of the life of Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a gross violation of her right to life guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the supreme law in Nigeria, as well as relevant international human rights instruments. The right to life is the most important and precious of all human rights and it is incumbent on all to ensure its protection. Life is sacred and Nigerian law does not authorise the unlawful taking of anyone’s life in the circumstances depicted by the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu. It is important to reiterate that the rule of law does not in any way support the criminal acts perpetrated with respect to Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

While we commend the Sultanate Council for its condemnation of the unfortunate incident in its entirety and its appeal to law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the acts which resulted in the death of Deborah Samuel Yakubu to justice, we expect all people of goodwill to do the same.

We urge the Nigeria Police Force to ensure they leave no stone unturned to see that justice is served according to the law of Nigeria in the matter of the gruesome killing of a fellow citizen, Deborah Samuel Yakubu. This is against the background that murder or culpable homicide is a criminal offence in the Federal Republic of Nigeria irrespective of the motive for perpetrating it. The Police as an institution must not allow itself to be cowed by the sponsored protests in Sokoto State or pressured into abdicating its responsibilities to the good people of Nigeria by hoodlums whose only interest is the promotion of anarchy. Justice must be done and must be seen to be done in this case of Deborah Samuel Yakubu. Not only will this send the right message to the international community and all people of goodwill that Nigeria is a country governed by law and committed to the rule of law but it will also help to build the trust of the average citizen in Nigeria’s fidelity to the rule of law and respect for human life.

We urge religious leaders of all persuasions not to be deterred in performing their bounden duty to educate their followers on the need to be cautious, sensitive, tolerant and to follow legally prescribed processes for the vindication of their rights that are infringed cognisant of their tremendous ability to guide adherents of different faiths in Nigeria’s multi-religious environment.

CLASFON commiserates with the parents, family members, friends and associates of Deborah Samuel Yakubu and the entire Christian community in Nigeria on this sad development. We pray for God’s comfort and strength for them at this very difficult time.

We pray God Almighty to cause His peace that passes all understanding to reign in Nigeria in the most precious Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

DATED THE 15TH DAY OF MAY, 2022

Prof. Oluwole John Akintayo                                                                        Precious Nwadimuya, Esq., NP
President                                                                                                                        National Secretary

CLASFON_SOKOTO

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Mar 31, 2022
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  • Comments Off on TAIDI CONDOLES NBA OVER TRAIN ATTACK, ASKS FG TO ACT

TAIDI CONDOLES NBA OVER TRAIN ATTACK, ASKS FG TO ACT

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi has condoled the NBA leadership on the death of some lawyers in the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.

Extending his condolence message to the Chairman and members of NBA Kaduna Branch in particular over the loss of three of its members, Taidi said: “My deepest sympathy is with all the families who lost their loved ones on board the train as I join my voice to those who demand that the government immediately accounts for those whose whereabouts are still unknown.”

He urged the Federal Government to act fast to arrest the spate of attacks across the country, adding: “I hereby call on the Federal Government to stop the foot dragging, the feckless reassurances, and the crocodile tears, and actually make drastic changes to the current methodology of crime fighting. It is obvious that whatever it has done till now has not worked and had instead emboldened the bandits to perpetuate even worse atrocities.”

Below is the full text of the statement made available to CITY LAWYER.

TIME TO OVERHAUL NIGERIA’S SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

INCESSANT INSECURITY: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW TO END THESE SENSELESS KILLINGS

The recent twin-attack on the popular Abuja – Kaduna rail line which killed a score of passengers, and left many more wounded or unaccounted for is proof that the Federal Government of Nigeria is sleeping on duty. The second attack actually came within 24 hours of the first and both came only a year after a similar attack was launched on the railway last year shortly after the route became popular as a result of the incessant kidnappings and killings along the Abuja- Kaduna road which made the rail a safer alternative.

Now the bandits have taken away that alternative and we are forced to live like people under permanent siege.

It is impossible to excuse the kind of incompetence that is at work here. At every election we see a massive deployment of security personnel, in their tens of thousands, outside their places of primary assignment, drafted to police the polls, so the question is: why are we not seeing the same kind of commitment now when there is a clear and present danger to the lives of our people traveling this route?

It seems that as far as the government is concerned, winning elections takes precedence over the sacred duty of protecting the lives and property of the people, which is universally acknowledged as the first function of government.

For how long shall we continue to mourn and grieve the loss of our loved ones, colleagues and compatriots while also living in fear for our lives because we know that no one is safe anymore in this country?

I hereby call on the Federal Government to stop the foot dragging, the feckless reassurances, and the crocodile tears, and actually make drastic changes to the current methodology of crime fighting. It is obvious that whatever it has done till now has not worked and had instead emboldened the bandits to perpetuate even worse atrocities.

May I use this medium to commiserate with the president and members of the Nigerian Bar Association in general and the Chairman and Members of NBA Kaduna Branch in particular over the loss of three of its members. My deepest sympathy is with all the families who lost their loved ones on board the train as I join my voice to those who demand that the government immediately accounts for those whose whereabouts are still unknown.

This Government Must Act Now!

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 -2020)

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