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Russian Dissident Navalny To Appeal Jail Sentence
Lawyers for leading Russian dissident Alexei Navalny on Tuesday immediately said they would appeal a controversial 3.5-year prison sentence handed down by a court for a probation violation.
The court had ruled that Navalny should serve jail time for breaking the rules of his probation when he failed to check in with authorities while he was in Germany recovering from a poisoning attack.
According to his lawyers, Navalny may only have to serve two years and eight months of the sentence as a previous house arrest may be taken into account.
Navalny has been on probation since 2014 in a fraud case, which he has long condemned as political and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said involved “arbitrary and unfair” proceedings.
Navalny argued in court there was no way he could have followed the rules, noting that he was comatose at the time he was taken to Germany.
“I was being treated in Germany,” Navalny told the court ahead of sentencing.
But the Russian judge insisted that the terms of the probation apply whatever the circumstances.
“The court has ruled to satisfy the motion of the Federal Penitentiary Service,” said judge Natalya Repnikova as she announced the decision, in comments carried by TASS.
Navalny used the proceedings to once again pin the August attack, which involved the nerve agent Novichok being applied to his underpants, on Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the Kremlin leader would go down in history as “Vladimir, the underpants poisoner.”
Navalny said the attack was orchestrated by Putin and that an FSB domestic intelligence agency “hit squad” planted the Novichok in his underpants.
“We have proven that Putin committed this attempted murder,” Navalny said, and now “this little thieving person in his bunker” is going crazy because he had survived.
Putin and the FSB deny involvement.
Multiple independent labs have confirmed the presence of Novichok, which was used in at least one other attempted murder linked to the Kremlin.
Navalny returned to Russia from Germany earlier this month, even though Moscow made clear he would be detained upon arrival.
Since his detention, the country has endured two weekends of mass protests and arrests.
There were many arrests in Moscow on Tuesday evening following the verdict.
Videos on social networks showed Navalny supporters being taken away by security forces in the centre of the Russian capital and brought to police buses.
Human rights activists spoke of more than 850 arrests throughout the day.
Police were already detaining people during the trial, which lasted several hours.
Thousands of people took part in protests, according to estimates by observers.
The crowd chanted “Putin is a thief!” live images showed.
They also demanded Navalny’s release.
Cars honked in solidarity with the demonstrators.
In St Petersburg, in the country’s north-west, the security authorities also set up barriers in the city centre.
According to human rights activists, there were more than 170 arrests.
Navalny demanded the release of all political prisoners and called for his supporters not to be afraid.
“It’s not hard to imprison me,” Navalny said, adding: “But a whole country cannot be imprisoned.”
Putin has been in power for more than two decades, alternating between the presidency and the office of prime minister.
His rule has been characterised by increasing wealth in the country, but also by ever-increasing restrictions on free speech, the media and political opponents.
Prosecutors also said Navalny must pay a fine of 500,000 roubles (6,588 dollars).
It was not clear how the court decided on this.
During the sentencing, Navalny’s wife, Julia Navalnya, broke down in tears and removed her black face mask upon hearing the news.
“See you soon. Don’t be sad. Everything will be fine,” he said to her in farewell.
Internationally, the trial has been criticised as politically motivated, and many see it as a new attempt to silence Putin’s main political opponent.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed calls by the leaders of Britain, France, and the foreign ministers of Germany, Austria, Poland, the Scandinavian countries and the Czech Republic for Navalny’s immediate release.
“The United States is deeply concerned by Russian authorities’ decision to sentence opposition figure (Alexei) Navalny … replacing his suspended sentence with jail time,” Blinken said in a statement.
The EU will not accept the conviction, according to a statement by European Council President Charles Michel.
“We do not accept his sentence – justice must not be politicised.
”Protesters have the right to demonstrate peacefully and voice their political views,” Michel tweeted.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called Navalny’s conviction a violation of Russia’s international obligations regarding the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
“The sentencing of Alexey (Navalny) runs counter (to) Russia’s international commitments on rule of law & fundamental freedoms.
”It goes against the verdict of (the ECHR), which ruled this case arbitrary and unreasonable,” Borrell tweeted.
Earlier on Tuesday the Kremlin sharply rejected criticism of the trial, particularly from Brussels.
Russia would not accept “admonitions” by the European Union, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said according to news agency Interfax. (dpa/NAN)
News
STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT: NO PART OF TAX REFORM BILLS RECOMMENDS SCRAPPING TETFUND, NASENI, AND NITDA…NO PROVISION WILL IMPOVERISH THE NORTH
Since the public debate around the transformative tax bills before the National Assembly began in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, deliberately misinforming and misleading the public.
Unfortunately, most reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills. While some commentators have attempted to incite the people against lawmakers, others have polarized one section of the country against another.
The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent and other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer. The bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country. Instead, they aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, who are trying to make a living.
Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills.
Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes.
One reason President Bola Tinubu embarked on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms is the need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.
For decades, businesses, investors, and private sector players in Nigeria have complained of being overburdened by a myriad of taxes and levies, including those earmarked to fund various government agencies and initiatives.
The multiple taxes complicate the economic environment, making Nigeria uncompetitive for investment and preventing many businesses from growing or continuing their operations. Some companies have had to make the rational decision to relocate to other countries. We can not continue on this path or wait for 20 years if this country is to deliver the prosperity we need for our people.
The proposal, as contained in section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill, only seeks to consolidate some of the earmarked taxes imposed on companies and replace them with a single tax to be shared with the key agencies as beneficiaries in a phased manner until 2030.
The time frame offers ample opportunity for the affected agencies to explore other funding sources in addition to budgetary allocations in line with the constitution and international best practices.
It is a misrepresentation of facts to conclude that changing an agency’s funding source amounts to scrapping it. None of the countries leading globally in education, science, engineering, or information technology have similar earmarked taxes.
The government imposes major taxes, be it income tax, consumption tax, or other taxes, to channel resources to its areas of priority at the time. Imposing a separate tax to fund an agency is an aberration that has yet to yield results despite the huge burden on businesses. The tax bill seeks to address this problem.
Relevant stakeholders and public analysts owe it a duty to properly educate themselves about the bills’ contents and avoid misleading the public for any reason. We may be entitled to our opinions, but such views must be informed and based on facts, not emotions targeted at inflaming passions.
In a period like this, when our people across the country look up to leaders for guidance and direction on matters of public importance, such as the Tax Reform Bills, leaders should be more measured in their public utterances to avoid heating the polity and polarising the country unduly.
President Tinubu welcomes the public interest these bills have generated. He encourages leaders across the country, including Governors, Traditional rulers, Civil Society Activists, Students, trade associations, professional associations, and the general public, to take advantage of the Public Hearings that the National Assembly will organise to present their views on how best to reform our taxes and fiscal regime.
What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete and unhelpful in achieving the growth and development we desire for our country.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
December 2, 2024
News
Count us out of United States of Biafra-Igala youth council
Olu Samuel, Lokoja
The Igala Youth Council, IYC has dissociated the Igala Nation from being referred to as one of the states in the proposed United States of Biafra by the indegenous People of Biafra,IPOB
The organization condemned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for including the Igala nation in their proposed “United States of Biafra” without their consent.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday and made available to Newsmen in Lokoja
“This strong stance was taken during an emergency meeting held on December 1, 2024, in response to a viral video outlining IPOB’s plan for a 40-state Biafran nation.”The statement noted.
The statement signed by the national publicity secretary Michael Achor Joshua emphasized that the Igalas Nation was never consulted or invited to discuss this proposal, and therefore , reject IPOB’s attempt to include them in their secessionist agenda.
The council stressed that “the Igala nation demands good governance for all its people within the Nigerian nation, rather than being dragged into IPOB’s “madness.”
“It’s worth noting that IPOB’s actions have been a subject of controversy, with some viewing their agitation as a legitimate cry for self-determination, while others see it as a threat to national unity.”
The Council said that “The group’s methods, including the imposition of a weekly “sit-at-home” order, have been criticized for their disruptive impact on the economy and daily life in the Southeast region.”
The Council leadership called on Igalas across the globe to ignore that claim from the IPOB group and go about their lawful business in Nigeria.
News
16 Days Activism: NHRC sensitises school against GBV in Kogi
Olu Samuel, Lokoja
The National Human Rights Commission, Kogi State office, has embarked on school sensitisation campaign aim to educate students against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.
The campaign was in collaboration with Office of Kogi Governor’s wife, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and others, to mark the “16 Days of Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls 2024”.
Speaking at Muslim Community School, Lokoja, on Monday, Barr. Mohammed Nuhu, the State Coordinator of NHRC, said the campaign was to educate students and mobilize action to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.
According to him, the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls is an international campaign that takes place annually from November 25 to December 10.
Nuhu stressed that the commission is raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of violence against women and girls, stressing the need to promote policies and laws that protect women’s and girls’ rights.
He added that the campaign was also geared towards putting an end to bullying in schools and to bring GBV to the barest minimum.
Nuhu disclosed that the NHRC Kogi State office have handled approximately over 100 GBV cases in 2024 across the state.
“This awareness is geared towards bringing an end to GBV in our society. Very soon we shall embark on road show in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“We have handled over 100 cases on GBV in Kogi. We have done reconciliation and mediation, and those ones that needed persecution were referred to the State Attorney General.
“So, we urge the students to spread the message to their colleagues and parents as well as the general public on the need to end GBV,”Nuhu said.
Also speaking, Barr. Joy Akinola, President of Concerned Youth and Teens Forum, said the event was to get young people involved in the fight against GBV especially in schools.
She noted that this year’s theme: “Unite To End Violence Against Women and Girls”, was to draw attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women and girls, and revitalize commitments, call for accountability, and action from decision-makers.
“So, as part of our prevention mechanism, today, we inaugurated GBV club at Muslim Community Secondary School as GBV Ambassadors.
“We already identified two students per class, a male and female that are well behaved, and we are going to train them on GBV.
“Our collaboration with NHRC is geared towards uniting all the stakeholders together to jointly tackle the issue of GBV and say no to violence against women and girls,” Akinola said.
She explained that the GBV Ambassadors would help to checkmating and escalating any GBV issue in their various classes and schools so as to help victims of GBV to get justice.
Some selected students were decorated and inaugurated as GBV Ambassadors
Two students: Jumai Umar and Kemi Johnson, commended the NHRC and other stakeholders for the initiative and promised to join in the fight against GBV in their schools and at home.
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