"AN UNJUST LAW"

The issue this essay will address is one that requires no flowery introductions. On the 7^th of January, the Nigerian presidency signed into law a bill which comprehensively criminalized homosexual unions, acts and sympathies. For the purpose of the law, ‘civil union’ included homosexual adult independent relationships, caring partnerships, civil partnerships among others. The overwhelming majority of Nigerians who have applauded this law did on various grounds which I have summed up thus: culture, religion and public choice. I do not agree with this majority. And I will justify my deference by logically and systematically attacking these bases in order to prove that this law is: first, a clamor for public support and patronage and second, a prejudiced attempt by a powerful majority to oppress a minority.

                                                   

CULTURE

The presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati said about the act of homosexualism, “…it is not our culture…” and millions of Nigerians echoed in agreement. What is culture? If memory serves correctly, it is simply the totality of a people’s way of life, key word being totality, not majority. My social studies class also taught me that culture is diverse and changes with respect to people, place and time; true to this, the numerous Nigerian cultures have undergone transitions. Christianity, health care, education and technology are all additions to the Nigerian cultures in response to the demands of the three referrals listed above – people, place and time. And more additions occur as these referrals continue to transform daily. Where then, lay the boundaries defining ‘our culture’ as a nation?

Gov. Chime Ejects Wife From Government House

Governor Sullivan Chime has finally evicted his official wife from the government house in Enugu after several days of wrangling.  The first lady of state was packed up and moved with her 4-year old son to her mother’s house in Enugu. Security agents were posted outside the house for several hours to ensure she did not return to the government house.

Mrs. Chime described how her marriage to the governor had broken down, with four years passing without any intimacy between them.

She said she continued to stay in the government house hoping that the governor might change his ways after receiving treatment for cancer in the United Kingdom; she also charged that several members of her family would not allow her to leave the governor because they were benefiting from the governor directly.

Gov. Sullivan Chime Attempts To Eject Wife From State House

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State attempted to eject his wife, Clara Chime, from her State House quarters over her decision to go public about his illegal detention of her.

In effect, Mrs. Chime would have regained the freedom she has been denied for months, and for which she has campaigned publicly in the past week.

The governor’s action followed a marathon meeting the governor held with Clara’s Igwe family, during which the governor decided to let her leave the government house.

However, insiders say Mrs. Chime said she would prefer to travel out, preferably to the United Kingdom, to take care of herself and then be allowed to return to her matrimonial home upon completion of her trip.

Sources at the meeting said the governor turned down that offer, instead telling the First Lady to pack out immediately.

Source: Saharareporters

N225 Million Car Scandal: 'Stella Oduah Is A Serial Liar' - House Of Rep Committee On Aviation

 

 



The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has concluded that Mrs. Stella Oduah, the Minister, is a serial liar.

In a report on its investigation obtained by SaharaReporters, the committee dismissed every single claim the Minister made during her testimony to the committee earlier in the week concerning the purchase of two bulletproof cars for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

It stressed there was no appropriation for the purchase of the two armoured cars, and stressed that the NCAA proposal for the purchase of the two MBW armoured cars was rejected.

“There was no provision for armoured vehicle in Nigerian law for a minister in any event, any procurement for an armoured vehicle must be provided for in the appropriation act and backed by relevant approval,” the report said.

"Order The Release Of Mrs. Clara Chime From Unlawful Detention By Her Husband Or Be Dragged To Court" - Femi Falana Tells IGP

Lagos lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to order the immediate release of Mrs. Clara Chime, the First Lady of Enugu State from unlawful detention by her husband and disciplne the police and state security officers who colluded with the governor to perpetrate the cruel act.

Mrs Chime, Falana said, is being detained illegally in Government House, Enugu by Governor Sullivan Chime. And failure to order her release would compel the law to take its course with the IGP dragged to court. 

In the letter dated, November 1, 2013, published exclusively by SaharaReporters, Falana said Mrs. Chime is his client who has been kept in custody and not allowed to see or speak with anyone for the past four months on the orders of the governor.
SaharaReporters on October 28, also published exclusively a letter by Mrs. Chime in which she appealed to human rights organisations to come to her rescue because Governor Chime had placed her under house arrest.

Minister of Aviation BMW Car Scandal: Coscharis Opens Up At The Reps Panel

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday said that the Federal Ministry of Finance granted a waiver of N10.1 million to Coscharis Motors for the purchase of the two BMW cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The NCS told the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation investigating the alleged importation of the cars by the NCAA for the Minister of Aviation Ms Stella Oduah that the said waiver was to import 300 vehicles, including the controversial two BMW cars.

Representative of the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Mr Manasseh Jatau, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, disclosed this in his presentation at the public hearing of the case on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the point of entry of the cars was Tincan Port in Lagos, adding that no import duty was collected from the owner of the goods (Coscharis Motors) as a one-year duty waiver for 300 cars was granted in the name of the company for importation of cars for Eko 2012 Games in Lagos.