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Again, NHRC boss speaks on suspended sitting of Abuja #EndSARS panel

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The panel, which holds its proceedings in Abuja, stopped sitting about three months ago.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), again, on Tuesday, explained why its Independent Investigation Panel set up to probe allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by the operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units, has not been sitting.

The panel, which holds its proceedings in Abuja, stopped sitting about three months ago, with the NHRC’s Executive of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, assuring later in June that the panel would soon resume.

Speaking in an interview with journalists again on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Ojukwu said the panel was busy handling some administrative issues.

He said the panel had a larger volume of work than the panels conducting inquiries on the similar matters of police brutality in different states of the country.

Mr Ojukwu spoke during the public presentation of a book titled, ‘The Dialectic of Rights: Nigeria’s Engagement with the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights Council’, in Abuja.

He explained that with almost 300 complaints filed at the Abuja #EndSARS panel, “huge resources, capacity, collaborations and sum of money,” are required to adequately compensate petitioners for the infringement of their rights.

Mr Ojukwu did not say if all the petitions that need to be heard by the panel at public sittings had been concluded.

He also did not say if the panel was going to resume sitting soon as he said last month.

‘Panel not idle’

Meanwhile, the NHRC boss dispelled rumours that the panel was idle, adding that the non-sitting of the panel since March was being used to “streamline things”.

“Why we are not sitting is not as if the panel is idle; we are doing administrative things, analysing things.

“Most of the complaints are judgements of courts against the police. We don’t have to sit over them again. All these things have to be compiled and analysed,” Mr Ojukwu explained.

He also reiterated the need for the availability of money to compensate victims of police cruelty.

“When you have the idea, you must now make arrangement for money, which government has to get,” Mr Ojukwu said.

#EndSARS panels

Conceived in the wake of the #EndSARS protest against the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the cases of police brutality in the country in October last year, the panel was inaugurated on October 21, 2020 to address the grievances of Nigerians whose rights were violated by the police over the years.

The panel, officially known as the ‘Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) to probe allegations of human rights violations against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)’, is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima.

Similar panels were also set up in most of the states of the federation. Some of them have submitted their reports to the governors in their states for implementation.

Book presentation

At the unveiling of the book, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Godffrey Onyeama, explained that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a human rights promotion and protection system of the United Nations General Assembly that assesses the commitment of member states to their international human rights obligations.

Mr Onyeama, who was represented by Bolaji Akinremi, a staff member of the foreign affairs ministry, said Nigeria pledged to promote and protect human rights at home and support the NHRC in its mandate.

Commenting on the importance of the book, the minister said it would spur Nigeria to work harder for better realisation of the human rights of Nigerians.

On his part, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, said the Federal Government had cooperated with the UN human rights protection mechanism.

Mr Malami, who was represented by Abiodun Aikhomo, enumerated a number of human rights instruments such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015), the Anti-Torture Act (2017) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015), to give effect to Nigeria’s commitment UPR.

However, a former UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Joy Ezeilo, said Nigerians’ human rights are well-documented in both national and international legal frameworks, but lacking in implementation.

According to Ms Ezeilo who is a professor of law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, noted that “Nigerians are not enjoying the human rights,” adding, “We are still battling with basic human rights.”

In his welcome remarks, the NHRC boss, Mr Okukwu, said the book was the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Mr Ojukwu itemised three areas of the UPR, noting that the most crucial stage is the implementation of the goals of the mechanism – improvement of the human rights situation on ground.

Culled from the Premium Times News Nigeria  

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Stephcynie’s “No Lie”: A Soulful Anthem Redefining Love

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With a feature on Billboard.com and placements on Netflix television, Stephcynie is an artist poised to enchant listeners once again with her latest single, “No Lie.” With its chill, romantic sound, and Stephcynie’s sultry vocals, “No Lie” is a soulful anthem that redefines love.
Stephcynie Shares Soulful New Single ”No Lie” Featuring S-Wrap | Stereofox  Music Blog
The song’s lyrics delve into the joy and security of being with someone who allows you to be fully yourself. Picture the harmonies of H.E.R and Snoh Alegra blending seamlessly with the seductive delivery of Jill Scott and SIR – that’s the addictive vibe you’ll experience. Stephcynie’s genre-melding style incorporates jazz phrasing with her smoky voice, showcasing her vocal versatility and offering a refreshing musical perspective. She’s an empowering songwriter, skilled at transforming life’s challenges into motivating musical narratives.
At a BPM of 134, “No Lie” sets the perfect mood for celebrating the beauty of true connection. Produced by the talented Daniel Sauls (known for his work with Lauren Daigle) and featuring word hip hop artist S-Wrap, the song is a testament to Stephcynie’s ability to seamlessly blend classic influences into a modern, genre-defying musical hybrid.
Stephcynie’s resiliency, determination, and undeniable talent have cemented her status as an in-demand vocalist with a solid foundation in the music scene. From her Billboard features to collaborations with industry heavyweights like Eric Church and Christopher Cross, Stephcynie consistently pushes boundaries and exceeds expectations.
No Lie” marks the beginning of Stephcynie’s journey to greatness. With her commanding stage presence and resilient artistry, she’s destined to inspire the next wave of musicians.

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Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.

In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Emilio Garcia said that after a night out in 2022 in Ibiza, Spain, he was in an SUV with the hip-hop star when she began having sex with another woman right next to him. He was unable to get out of the moving car, and would have been in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country even if he was able. Garcia was “embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal,” according to the lawsuit.

Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, said she would fight the lawsuit in court.

“This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” Spiro said.

The next day Megan told Garcia never to discuss what he saw and berated and fat-shamed him, the lawsuit said. The complaint also said Garcia, who had already considered quitting because he was overworked and underpaid in a hostile work environment aggravated by Megan’s possessiveness and abusiveness, was misclassified as an independent contractor but treated as an exclusive employee.

Garcia raised those issues in the conversation with Megan, and was fired the following day after four years of working for her, the suit said. He has since filed a job discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

The lawsuit, first reported by NBC News, names as defendants Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete; her companies Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring; and her label, Roc Nation. A defense response has yet to be filed. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from a representative of Roc Nation.

Garcia is seeking financial damages to be determined at trial, alleging he has suffered severely both emotionally and physically because of his treatment on the job, the firing and having to witness the scene in the SUV.

Megan, 29, was previously involved in major legal drama — and underwent a torrent of online abuse — as the victim of a shooting by rapper Tory Lanez, who a jury found fired at her feet on a street in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. She testified at the trial where jurors convicted Lanez of three felonies and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Already a major rising artist at the time of the shooting, Megan has since become one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and she had No. 1 singles with “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

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Body of O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE

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April 15 (UPI) — The body of O.J. Simpson, who died last week at the age of 76, is to be cremated, a lawyer representing the ex-football superstar’s estate said, adding his brain will not be donated for research.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s longtime attorney and executor, told the New York Post that his client’s body is to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas.

He said Simpson’s family also gave a “hard no” to scientists seeking to examine the former running back’s brain for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is better known as CTE.

CTE is a rare and little understood brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and the only way to definitively diagnose it is with an autopsy of the organ after death.

Memory and thinking problems, confusion, personality changes and erratic behavior, including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation, are among CTE’s symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

The disease has been found in those who play contact sports, including football and hockey.

LaVergne confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that at least one person has called seeking Simpson’s brain.

“His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated,” he said.

Simpson died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.

Known by the nickname “The Juice,” Simpson was a NFL superstar during the 1970s, which made him a household name that propelled him into film and television during the next decade.

But his stardom would come crashing down in the mid-1990s when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

His high-profile trial lasted months, but ended with his acquittal.

In 2008, he was found guilty on a dozen charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years of his 33-year sentence.

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