Metro

US court rejects request to compel FBI, CIA to release Tinubu’s records

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2023

The District of Columbia Court in the United States on Monday rejected a request made by an American, Aaron Greenspan seeking an order to compel the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to release private documents and records of Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, and make them public.

Greenspan, the owner of PlainSite, a website that advocates data transparency to combat corruption in public service, had been in the forefront along with Nigerian investigative journalist, David Hundeyin and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar for the release of Tinubu’s records.

Greenspan had accused the law enforcement agencies of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by not releasing the confidential information within the stipulated time.

Greenspan had in the application sought the court to compel the FBI, CIA, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to hasten the release of Tinubu’s dossier.

But in a ruling on Monday, the court said the request by Greenspan was a reconsideration of an ealier ruling which showed he was merely seeking to reargue his position on which the court had already ruled.

While declining the request, the the District Judge, Beryl Howell said Greenspan did not meet the preconditions for granting a request of that nature.

Howell said the request “may be of a highly sensitive and private nature” and that “the subject of those documents, Bola A. Tinubu, has had no opportunity to protect his privacy interests in any such records”.

The court noted that it was denying the motion on the ground that Tinubu had “privacy rights that should be considered” and would abide by the responses of the agencies which both asked the court to deny the plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration.

In its motion of rebuttal, the FBI said it would not make public any documents or information relating to Bola Tinubu, arguing that its position on the issue was based on Greenspan seeking to compel US security agencies to release some documents and information about Tinubu and one “Mueez Adegboyega Akande (deceased as of 11/16/2022).”

“The Court properly characterized that motion as a motion for a temporary restraining order and determined that plaintiff did not satisfy his burden of showing that he would succeed on the merits as to FOIA exemptions and irreparable injury is likely, and the balance of equities favor him or granting the motion would further the public interest because Tinubu has privacy interests that should be considered,” Howell said.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.