EDOCSO TAKE STEPS IN SEEKING JUSTICE FOR DEHUMANIZED CAB MAN BY EFCC PERSONNEL:

A member of Edo Civil Society Organisations had brought to the attention of the group of a case of assault, abduction and detention of a man, Mr. Uyi Daniel who runs cab services by an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his residence over an accident between the duo in Benin City.

The Interim TEC Chairman, Bishop (Dr.) Osadolor Ochei JP with his executive members swung into action as soon as the report hits his table. His first point of action was to engage the victim to ascertain all allegations, video and picture contents contained in a viral post on social media.

In order to operate the principle of fair hearing as expected of a civil society group, the executives and some its members accompanied with a member of the press stormed the office of the Benin Zonal office of the commission so as to engage it on subject matter before further action.

The team met with the acting Zonal Head, Mrs. Nkechi Ude who received the team and expressed her disappointment over the embarrassment the viral video has brought to the commission and not to talk about the several calls that has bombarded her phones since as early as 6:30am. She equally informed the team that the commission’s Executive Chairman is interested in the matter and had instructed a discrete investigation and action.

She went further to state that, whatever has happened is not and cannot be the modus operandi of the commission. She told the team that, investigation had already commenced even before the arrival of the team. The victim narrated his sordid ordeal in the hands of the EFCC official and his current medical state.

Bishop Osadolor Ochei informed her that, EDOCSO will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice for the man and that the civil society is fully ready to take the matter headlong anyway it swings to which is dependent on the action or inaction of the commission.

The acting Zonal Head pleaded for a short time for the commission to do what is expected administratively and report accordingly. She assured that the commission will surely deliver justice to the cab man and appropriate sanctions meted.

It should seen that the first line of victory for the supposed ‘nobody’ cab man is that Abuja office of the EFCC is interested in the matter and there is no denial of the commission’s personnel not responsible for the act.

EDOCSO, a foremost organised and dedicated group have over the years defended the rights of the commoners in uncommon ways in ensuring justice for all. This incident will speak to the fact that, Edo state doesn’t have room for oppression, intimidation and abuse of rights.

We shall be bringing updates soonest as we keep close tab on the issue.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer,
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)

www.edocso.org

OCHEI CONGRATULATES COMRADE FESTUS ALENKHE ON VICTORY

On behalf of Edo Civil Society Organisations, I congratulate Comrade Festus Alenkhe on your emergence as the newly elected chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo state chapter.

There is no doubt your victory will reposition and rejig the union owing to your antecedents from your various leadership experiences over the years.

It’s also our convinction that the mutual relationship enjoyed between the civil society community and the media would get better for the advancement of the society. The media had helped in amplifying the various advocacy of the civil society, this we expect to be sustained and improved on with the coming on board of your team.

May your leadership redefine the profession and place same in its pride and enviable position in the polity.

Signed:

Bishop Dr. Osadolor Ochei JP
Interim TEC Chairman
Edo Civil Society Organisations

BISHOP OSADOLOR OCHEI SPEAKS ON THE 2021 WORLD HUMANS RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION:

It my pleasure that, we are celebrating another World Human Rights day as we have ever done continuously for the past eight years. It gives me greater joy that more people are beginning to activate their human rights consciousness in the face of tyranny, oppression, intimidation and denigration of human dignity.

Edo Civil Society Organisations which I am the current leader has put in so much sacrifice in terms of manpower, finance, commitment and time in ensuring that even rural people are equipped with the knowledge of their fundamental human rights. This has formed our motivation in investing in the building of Study Centres at the grassroots level. At last count, our Study Centres have hit 25 cells which are staggered in the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo state.

We have equally delved into the public transportation sector having observed the high level of suffering by commuters occasioned by the private operators who have developed the habit of arbitral increment of fares due to lack of government price control mechanism. Our ‘Masses’ Bus’ scheme came to the rescue, charging commuters the cheapest fare in Edo state. Not only that, our buses go farther distance than any other. Our fare are even cheaper during Yuletide seasons when others jack up theirs.

We will be taking the message of liberation to the streets of Edo state to commemorate the 2021 World Human Rights day with the theme EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights. Personalities with antecedents of defending the rights of the common man will be speaking directly with the masses face to face. The likes of Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, a foremost rights activist under the tutelage of Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory and a former Attorney General of Edo state. Dele Igbinedion Esq, a man that has consistently nullified anti people’s law through the instrumentality of the court. Leonard Osa-uwagie Esq had in different times taken up cases that touches on oppression and anti people policies pro bono. President Aigbokhan Esq has always insisted on the judicious deployment of public resources for the common good of all. These and others will be forming the train of movement that will be interfacing with the people come 10th of December, 2021.

This year’s celebration is to further consolidate on the vision of the coalition in ensuring that the requisite information towards self liberation is delivered to the common man. Government all over the world has not been able to give human rights protection priority and we don’t see that coming through soon. It’s our collective responsibility to demand for it through using the tools of advocacy and synergy among citizens.

I welcome you once again to the celebration of the 2021 World Human Rights day.

You are invited to join us in the rally.

Bishop (Dr.) Osadolor Ochei JP
Interim TEC Chairman
Edo Civil Society Organisations

www.edocso.org

EDOCSO SET TO HOLD MASSIVE RALLY ON 2021 WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY:

The leadership and members of Edo Civil Society Organisations will be holding a massive street rally to mark the 2021 World Human Rights day under the leadership of Bishop ( Dr.) Osadolor Ochei with the theme *EQUALITY: Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.*

Date: Friday 10th December, 2021

Take-off Point: National Museum Ground, King Square, Benin City.

Time: 7:30am

*SPECIAL APPEARANCES:*

1. Dr. Osagie Obayuwana

2. Dele Igbinedion Esq

3. President Aigbokhan Esq

4. Leonard Osa-uwagie Esq

The general public is hereby invited to be part of this event.

Signed:

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)

…powers of Edo State Waste Management Board cut to size.

Judgement was delivered Thursday 18/11/2021 by Justice Sir Biobele Abraham Georgewell on behalf of other two justices of Appeal Court in suit No. Appeal No CA/B/476/2018

The justice ruled in favour of Edo people aligning himself with the judgement of the lower court, that Edo state government, Edo State Waste Management Board do not have the powers to evacuate waste; that it is solely the duty and responsibility of the local government councils to do so.

As you may be aware, after losing the case in the lower court, Edo state government and Edo State Waste Management Board approached the appeal court to nullify the judgement of the lower court, that ruled in favour of Edo state people by stating that the evacuation of refuse and any other thing relating to waste and sanitation is solely the duty and responsibility of the local government councils.

The court also advise the waste managers to venture in other businesses and charged the local government council to rise up to fully take charge in their responsibility with immediate effect.

Edo State Waste Management Board was declared to lack the powers to accredit and impose waste managers on citizens.

Members of Edo Civil Society Organisations have been following the matter since it was instituted in 2018 by Dele Igbinedion Esq at the state high court with Suit No. B/460/2014: Mr. Johnson Obasogie Igbinedion & Anor V. Edo State House of Assembly & Ors and judgement delivered on 26/7/2018.

Erstwhile government accredited waste managers have been noted for using the mobile courts and and other state machineries to extort, intimidate and oppress the citizens even when they usually fail in rendering services. In many instances, citizens are forced by their mobile courts to either pay for services not rendered or face jail term not less than six months.

The high handedness, arrogance and insensitivity of the now disbanded accredited waste managers led to the institution of the court case which sought to interrogate their legitimacy thereby leading to their exposure as an illegal bunch acting on a poorly drafted law.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations
(EDOCSO)

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE BILL FOR A LAW TO PROHIBIT OPEN GRAZING OF CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK AND PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND REGULATION OF RANCHES IN EDO STATE 2021 AND FOR CONNECTED PURPOSES BY EDO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS WHICH WAS DELIVERED BY BISHOP OSADOLOR OCHEI, THE INTERIM TEC CHAIRMAN ON THE 13TH OF NOVEMBER, 2021.

Gentlemen of the press, stakeholders, members of Edo Civil Society Organisations and everyone present in today’s press briefing are duly acknowledged.

We the above named coalition of civil rights groups in Edo state with a huge membership strength within Nigeria and in the Diaspora, having our structures in the 18 local government councils of the state have deemed it necessary to lend our voice to the drafted bill on subject matter.

First, we want to commend Edo state government for hearkening to the voice of the people to see the need to put in place a law that will regulate cattle and its attendant consequences. However, a cursory look at the drafted bill raised certain questions that call for concerns and consideration.

We shall be particular about sections 3(a) and 9 which states thus:

*“Create designated ranching areas for the rearing and grazing of cattle and other livestock in Edo State”*

*“The Governor shall on the recommendations of the Committee by a notice in the Gazette, designate Land in any Local Government Area to be used for ranching”*

As stated in our position paper in the Town Hall meeting held on the 11th of October, 2021. We raised serious objection to creating a colony for ranching in Edo state owing to the future consequences it would have on our children’s children as it touches on claims of territory by professional pastoralists.

The reason for our fear is not far-fetched owing to precedents from Kaduna, Benue and Plateau states experience with similar arrangement years back. The aftermath effects have resorted to conflicts, bloodsheds and insecurity.

We want to reemphasized that, the idea of creating designated ranching areas by government should be jettisoned while individuals should be allowed to source for lands for personal business ventures and getting the appropriate permits from the government. We have stated before now that cattle ranching is a private venture like every other agricultural venture and should remain so save for government regulations. Establishing a colony of ranches amounts to creating another community inside a community.

We are calling on the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly to call for public hearing in order to harvest inputs from all concerned before the passage of the bill into law. This is to ensure transparency and engendering true democratic process.

It is our utmost belief that this recommendation is treated with the expected reasoning that comes with it.

I want to thank you all for taking out your valuable time to be part of this press briefing today.
God bless us all, God bless Edo state and God bless Nigeria.

Signed:

Bishop Dr. Osadolor Ochei (JP)
Interim TEC Chairman

The immediate past Coordinator General of Edo Civil Society Organisations, Leftist Omobude Agho was in court today to give evidence in response to the court summons initiated by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The BEDC had prayed the court for a perpetual injunction against Omobude Agho and his group, youths and communities from further protests against its unwholesome operations. They further put up a claim of N500, 000, 000 as damages.

Members of Edo Civil Society Organisations led by the Interim TEC Chairman, Bishop Osadolor Ochei JP in their numbers were in court in solidarity with their former leader.

Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and his team led Agho in evidence as various documents were tendered in support of his sworn affidavit. He was cross-examined by the claimer’s counsel.

Alongside with Dr. Obayuwana was U.L. Osa-uwagie Esq who had also offered his legal services pro bono since inception of the matter in court.

The activists were in a street procession as they filed out from the court premises. The street of Benin was agog with cheers from citizens who appreciated them for their steadfastness and tenacity over the years in the fight for just and fair business deals from the power company.

The case was adjourned to 3rd of February, 2022 for further hearing of the matter.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

LEFTIST OMOBUDE AGHO GOES TO COURT TO RESPOND TO BEDC:

All members of EDOCSO and the general public is by this notice invited to join the immediate past Coordinator General of Edo Civil Society Organisations, Leftist Omobude Agho as he responds the court summons by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

The power company had gone to court to get an order to perpetually restrain Agho and his group from further protests against its unwholesome operations and to also pay the sum of N500 million as damages. The court case comes up as follows:

Date: Thursday 11th November, 2021

Venue: Court 12, State High Court, Sapele Road, Benin City.

Time: 8am

NOTE

There shall be a street procession after the court session. Another opportunity to sound it louder again that our voices cannot be shut out.

DON’T MISS THIS EPOCH MAKING OUTING.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)