Latest news with #Hausa
AFP
15-04-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Posts falsely claim ICC issued arrest warrant for Nigeria's senate president
'Breaking: ICC allegedly issues international arrest warrant for Nigerian senate president over sexual harassment allegations,' reads the heading of a post shared on Facebook. The post claims the ICC sent a letter to inform the Nigerian government of its decision and ordered that Akpabio be arrested in any country he visits. Image Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on April 11, 2025 A screenshot in the post shows an internet search for the words 'Akpabio and his girlfriend' and includes pictures of the senate president and his accuser, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The claim has also appeared in Facebook posts written in Hausa, one of the major languages spoken in northern Nigeria. Sexual harassment allegations In an interview with local broadcaster Arise TV on February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making unwanted advances towards her (archived here). Akpoti-Uduaghan said Akpabio – who denies the accusations – repeatedly blocked a motion she tried to advance in the Senate and then allegedly asked her for sexual favours to let it go through. On March 5, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition asking the Senate to investigate Akpabio. The petition was rejected on procedural grounds on the same day. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended the next day for six months – a move ostensibly justified by an earlier argument over a change in her seating arrangement in the Senate chambers. 'Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of the allegation of sexual harassment or assault,' a letter from the Senate's majority leader said. Akpoti-Uduaghan has sued Akpabio for alleged defamation (archived here). In return, Akpabio's wife Ekaette Akpabio filed multiple lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged defamation, saying her comments caused her family emotional and psychological distress (archived here). However, claims that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Nigeria's senate president are false. ICC's procedures Akpabio is a high-ranking politician who has been a minister for four years and governor of Bayelsa state in Nigeria's south-south for eight years (archived here). News of an arrest warrant for him would have been widely published by local media. Keyword searches established there have been no credible reports to support the claim. The ICC's spokesman, Fadi El Abdallah, told AFP Fact Check that the claim was baseless. 'These claims are false,' he said in an email to AFP Fact Check. The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, which allows it to prosecute four main crimes (archived here). These include genocide, war crimes, crime of aggression (when a state attacks the sovereignty of another) and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, enslavement – particularly of women and children – sexual slavery, torture, apartheid and deportation. The list does not include sexual harassment. The ICC's legal process before issuing a warrant of arrest for an individual includes investigating whether there is sufficient evidence of the crime, if it falls under its jurisdiction and whether there are genuine national proceedings. When this is established, it can issue a warrant of arrest or summon the suspect. A list of people summoned or whose arrest warrants have been issued is published on the ICC's website. Akpabio's name is not among them (archived here). Those declared wanted by the ICC include former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir and his associate Ahmed Haroun. Both are to be prosecuted for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Neda Imaseun, head of the Senate Ethics Committee, said on March 25, 2025, that the matter of Akpoti-Uduaghan's accusation is closed, especially as both parties were litigating in court (archived here). UN figures place Nigeria in 179th place worldwide for women's representation in national legislatures (archived here). Women hold just 17 of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. After Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, the Senate is down to three women out of 109 seats.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Posts falsely claim ICC issued arrest warrant for Nigeria's senate president
'Breaking: ICC allegedly issues international arrest warrant for Nigerian senate president over sexual harassment allegations,' reads the heading of a post shared on Facebook. The post claims the ICC sent a letter to inform the Nigerian government of its decision and ordered that Akpabio be arrested in any country he visits. A screenshot in the post shows an internet search for the words 'Akpabio and his girlfriend' and includes pictures of the senate president and his accuser, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The claim has also appeared in Facebook posts written in Hausa, one of the major languages spoken in northern Nigeria. In an interview with local broadcaster Arise TV on February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making unwanted advances towards her (archived here). Akpoti-Uduaghan said Akpabio – who denies the accusations – repeatedly blocked a motion she tried to advance in the Senate and then allegedly asked her for sexual favours to let it go through. On March 5, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition asking the Senate to investigate Akpabio. The petition was rejected on procedural grounds on the same day. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended the next day for six months – a move ostensibly justified by an earlier argument over a change in her seating arrangement in the Senate chambers. 'Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of the allegation of sexual harassment or assault,' a letter from the Senate's majority leader said. Akpoti-Uduaghan has sued Akpabio for alleged defamation (archived here). In return, Akpabio's wife Ekaette Akpabio filed multiple lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged defamation, saying her comments caused her family emotional and psychological distress (archived here). However, claims that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Nigeria's senate president are false. Akpabio is a high-ranking politician who has been a minister for four years and governor of Bayelsa state in Nigeria's south-south for eight years (archived here). News of an arrest warrant for him would have been widely published by local media. Keyword searches established there have been no credible reports to support the claim. The ICC's spokesman, Fadi El Abdallah, told AFP Fact Check that the claim was baseless. 'These claims are false,' he said in an email to AFP Fact Check. The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, which allows it to prosecute four main crimes (archived here). These include genocide, war crimes, crime of aggression (when a state attacks the sovereignty of another) and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, enslavement – particularly of women and children – sexual slavery, torture, apartheid and deportation. The list does not include sexual harassment. The ICC's legal process before issuing a warrant of arrest for an individual includes investigating whether there is sufficient evidence of the crime, if it falls under its jurisdiction and whether there are genuine national proceedings. When this is established, it can issue a warrant of arrest or summon the suspect. A list of people summoned or whose arrest warrants have been issued is published on the ICC's website. Akpabio's name is not among them (archived here). Those declared wanted by the ICC include former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir and his associate Ahmed Haroun. Both are to be prosecuted for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Neda Imaseun, head of the Senate Ethics Committee, said on March 25, 2025, that the matter of Akpoti-Uduaghan's accusation is closed, especially as both parties were litigating in court (archived here). UN figures place Nigeria in 179th place worldwide for women's representation in national legislatures (archived here). Women hold just 17 of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. After Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, the Senate is down to three women out of 109 seats.
Russia Today
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Niger drops French as official language
Niger's transitional government has declared Hausa the national language, demoting French to a 'working language'. The move is set out in a new charter recently adopted by the West African nation. Although Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, French had been the official language since the country's independence from France in 1960. The new leadership in Niamey – which took power following a coup that deposed civilian President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 – has sought to cut ties with Paris. Late last month, the Sahel state adopted the Charter of Refoundation, which the government says will be executed as state law. The country's November 2010 Constitution was suspended after the July 26 coup. 'The national language is Hausa… and the working languages are English and French,' Article 12 of the charter reads, published in Niger's official journal, AFP reported on Tuesday. READ MORE: African state quits French union According to the document, nine other languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fulfulde (Peul), Kanuri, Gourmantche, and Arabic, have been designated 'spoken languages' of Niger. The transition charter, which first emerged from a national conference held in February, also extended the term of Niger's interim president, Abdourahamane Tchiani, for five years. READ MORE: Adieu: Africa's military breakup with France is official Niger and its allies Burkina Faso and Mali withdrew from the global French-speaking group, the International Organization of Francophone Nations (OIF), in March. The three countries – founders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – accused the OIF of deviating from its mission of promoting cultural and technical cooperation and becoming a biased tool for political manipulation. The AES also criticized the Paris-based organization for disregarding the sovereignty of its countries through the selective application of sanctions. The group suspended Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups in the three former French colonies, which were among the first members of the OIF when it was founded in Niamey on March 20, 1970. Relations between Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou and Paris have deteriorated in the aftermath of the military takeovers. The three military governments have all terminated defense cooperation with Paris over allegations of meddling and the failure by French forces to put down a deadly jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Zawya
The Labari Journal Launches with Focus on In-Depth Reporting in Ghana and Africa
The Labari Journal ( an independent digital publication founded by Tech Labari ( Editor, Joseph-Albert Kuuire, has launched in Ghana. The platform's mission is to publish in-depth, community-based stories that explore Ghanaian and African issues in areas such as politics, society, and lifestyle. Derived from the Hausa word "labari," meaning "news" or "story," The Labari Journal seeks to amplify African perspectives and provide audiences with deeply researched, trustworthy reporting. Founded by Joseph-Albert Kuuire, a technology journalist and the founder of Tech Labari, The Labari Journal is designed for audiences who crave journalism that goes beyond the surface. "Stories have the power to connect us, challenge us, and shape how we see the world," said Joseph-Albert Kuuire, Editor-in-Chief of The Labari Journal. "We believe that high-quality in-depth journalism is essential for holding power to account and fostering meaningful conversations about Ghana and Africa's future," he added. Mr Kuuire plans to extend The Labari Journal's brand to experiential events, such as in-person events, including debate series, live interviews, and expert panels sessions. Readers can explore current and upcoming stories on mobile or desktop at Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Tech Labari.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Nigeria: Oluyole LG chairman convenes stakeholders' meeting on security, community relations
The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, has convened a critical stakeholders' meeting with security agencies, traditional rulers, farmers, and herders. The meeting, which was part of efforts to deepen dialogue among stakeholders, especially farmers and herders, focused on peculiar issues concerning public peace and security in the local government area and implementing measures to ensure lasting solutions. The meeting held on February 19 at the local government Secretariat, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan. Asiwaju Olatunji, who commended both farmers and herders as critical stakeholders in the development of Oluyole's socio-economy and growth, frowned at the incessant clashes between them and warned that his administration would not condone any act of lawlessness. Acknowledging the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde on security matters, Olatunji maintained that no governor would invest billions of naira in procuring security operational vehicles, communication gadgets, and motorcycles to bolster the state's security architecture and expect lawlessness. He enlightened stakeholders on the effectiveness of the Rule of Law across the state, stressing that nobody, regardless of their social status, would be allowed to truncate the peace and tranquillity of Oluyole LG under his watch. He called on both farmers and herders in the Council, as well as traditional rulers, to deepen collaboration in their various domains to ensure the right information is passed across anytime anything untoward is being sighted. He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration, in line with the vision of Governor Makinde on security, to leave no stone unturned and to ensure that Oluyole remains a safe place where people and other investments are secured. Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, Olatunji said: 'Anybody who has lived steadily in Oyo State since 2019 would know that security has become a top and cardinal priority of the present government, and since coming on board as the executive chairman almost a year ago, such persons too would have realised that we're not just 'barking' on this issue, we're capable of biting. 'There's a rule of law fully in effect in Oyo State, there's an open grazing prohibition law and several other laws that are in place to ensure security and peaceful coexistence in the state. Anybody who violates these laws, be it Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo or from anywhere, we will get you and deal with you within the provisions of our laws. 'I urge you all, especially the farmers and herders, to abreast themselves with the right information on how to go about their lawful businesses while maintaining peaceful coexistence in their various communities because we're not just going to fold our arms and watch anybody or group of people to, on account of their businesses, cause disruption to public peace.' The Director-General, Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED), Dr Morounkola Thomas, in his earlier address, highlighted Governor Seyi Makinde's commitment to security, citing the creation of Amotekun, a security outfit that has collaborated with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace in the state. 'Governor Makinde believes in the peaceful coexistence of all residents in the state regardless of your tribe or religion, as well as a peaceful environment, that's why he has invested so much in security. The result is the creation of Amotekun, who have joined hands with law enforcement agents in the state to bring about peace in the state, and it is expected that everyone will cooperate with government at both state and local government levels to sustain the relative peace and tranquillity,' he said. Earlier, CSP Olaiya Oluwafunmi Martins, the Divisional Police Officer of Alaro Division, in his remarks, lamented instances where security agents collaborate with criminal elements, describing it as a betrayal of public trust, similar to 'Judas Iscariot's'. He added that such actions demoralise law enforcement, endanger citizens, and must be met with strict legal consequences. He suggested that, in addition to curbing the rising farmers/herders conflicts, the government should create a special task force against open grazing, just as it did for land grabbing. He clarified that unregulated grazing has led to violence, the destruction of farmlands, and insecurity. 'A dedicated task force will enforce laws, protect farmers, and ensure peaceful coexistence. Security agencies must uphold their duty with integrity, not compromise it,' he said. Similarly, the Oyo State Deputy Commandant of Agro Rangers, DC Alonge Isaac Olugbenga, in his remarks proposed the creation of a well-structured identification system for farmers and their cattle. He recommended that every farmer should possess an official identity, while each cow should be tagged for easy identification. This, he explained, would help trace and address any case of misconduct involving livestock. Furthermore, DC Alonge urged the government to enact laws prohibiting underage individuals from engaging in open grazing. He stressed that such legislation would help mitigate challenges related to improper livestock management and prevent conflicts between herders and farmers. Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Mr Oluwatoyin Adedoyin, Chairman of the Farmers Association of Nigeria, Oluyole LG chapter, commended Engr. Akeem Olatunji for his bold initiative. He praised the chairman's commitment to security, noting that no past administration had shown such a strong dedication to ensuring the safety of the people. The meeting was well-attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including the local government vice chairman, Hon. Niyi Akorede, traditional rulers (Baales), farmers, herders, security agencies, Supervisory Councillors, Special Assistants, elected Councillors, and other key community leaders.
