News
Activist-Lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, Dies After 60th Birthday
Activist-Lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, Dies After 60th Birthday
Death cast a sombre shadow on the legal community and the civic space in Nigeria on Wednesday with the devastating news of the demise of one of the most resilient members of the legal profession.
Adesina Ogunlana, popularly known as Serubawon (a colloquial Yoruba word for ‘scare them’ or ‘frighten the oppressors’), has embarked on his final voyage. This time, not to the courtroom to defend helpless, voiceless and oppressed citizens, and not to demonstration grounds to protest anti-people policies by the government; but to the world beyond, to the other side of mortality.
In a similar way to bowing in the courtroom before judges as he argued on behalf of his clients, Ogunlana bowed to death just days after friends and colleagues celebrated his 60th birthday with a lecture late in July.
Known for his pro-people stance on national issues, the radical and outspoken Ogunlana prominently featured in many defining protests in Nigeria. From Occupy Nigeria in January 2012 to the 2020 #EndSARS rallies and the most recent #EndBadGovernance nationwide rallies. He was also the lawyer of #EndSARS petitioners at a panel set up to probe the incident at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.
Ogunlana expertly fused activism with his legal practice; he juggled the two constituencies with unparalleled but equal zest. He was a force in the civic space whose vacant seat would be hard to fill.
In a statement, a spokesman for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akorede Lawal, expressed sadness over the passing of Ogunlana, who was a former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.
Lawal said Ogunlana’s tenure as the Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed “a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018”.
“In this time, when citizens of this country look up to conscientious members of the legal profession for direction, the passage of Adesina Ogunlana is a monumental loss, as he was an activist in the exact sense of the word.
“Not one to shy away from standing firmly on the side of the people, Mr. Ogunlana actively participated in the Nationwide Hunger Protest in Lagos last week,” the NBA spokesman eulogised.
Ogunlana was “renowned for his active commitment to the rule of law, the effective administration of justice and the protection of human rights”.
Lawal said the NBA and indeed the legal profession would miss Ogunlana and offered deep condolences to the grieving family of the late activist cum lawyer.
Friends and associates of the late legal icon have splattered social media with tears of tribute and the legendary exploits of Ogunlana, whose fighting spirit has challenged many in the civic space.
Source: ChannelsTv
international
US Marshals Offer $25,000 Reward for Nigerian Man Wanted in Child Murder Case
US Marshals Offer $25,000 Reward for Nigerian Man Wanted in Child Murder Case
A Nigerian man wanted for murder and child abuse charges is now on the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted list. The US Marshals are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, who is accused of fleeing the United States after the death of his infant son from severe abuse-related injuries.
According to official reports, Providence Police charged Olawusi with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017, after his 3-month-old son was found with multiple injuries. Emergency responders discovered the infant in cardiac arrest on April 3, 2017, at a Providence residence, leading to resuscitation efforts at the hospital.
Medical examinations revealed 18 distinct injuries in different stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse. The child later died after months on life support due to severe injuries, including skull fractures, a subdural hematoma, and fractures across the body.
After his initial arrest, Olawusi was released but fled the country on June 20, 2017, via JFK Airport in New York, reportedly using his Nigerian passport. Authorities believe he may be hiding in Nigeria with family assistance, posing potential risk to other children. In response to the infant’s death on October 31, 2017, charges against Olawusi escalated to first-degree murder.
Ronald L. Davis, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, expressed grave concerns: “Olawusi committed heinous crimes against a child and is now evading justice. His inclusion on our 15 Most Wanted list underscores the priority of capturing him to ensure community safety.” The USMS collaborates closely with local and federal law enforcement and leads task forces that apprehended over 73,000 fugitives in 2023.
Described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, Olawusi may be using the alias Olekun Olawusi. Anyone with information on his location is urged to contact U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 or via the USMS Tips App.
Since its creation in 1983, the 15 Most Wanted list has helped capture over 250 high-profile fugitives who pose serious risks to public safety.
Source: ChannelsTv
Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by news
News
US Election Deadlock: What Happens If Trump and Harris Tie?
US Election Deadlock: The US election is nearing its pivotal moment, but a question looms: what if Trump and Harris end up in an Electoral College tie? This scenario, while uncommon, remains a possibility in the closely contested race as voters prepare for the November 5 election.
Under the US electoral system, the Electoral College—not the popular vote—determines the next president. Each state holds a certain number of electors, corresponding to its Congressional representation, totaling 538. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to secure the presidency.
Electoral College Tie: How Does It Work?
Every state except Nebraska and Maine awards all of its electors to the candidate winning the state’s popular vote. However, if Trump and Harris both fail to reach 270, the US Constitution grants Congress the power to decide the outcome. In such a scenario, the House of Representatives would elect the president, while the Senate would choose the vice president.
US Election Deadlock: Several plausible paths could lead to a 269-269 split. For instance, if Harris wins states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and Trump carries Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina, the result could be a deadlock.
This situation has not arisen in modern history, though the 1800 election required Congress to step in, with lawmakers ultimately selecting Thomas Jefferson as president after multiple rounds of voting.
What’s Next? Congress Holds a Contingent Election
In a contingent election, each state delegation in the House casts a single vote for the president, regardless of population size. That means smaller states, like Wyoming, have the same voting power as larger ones, like California. The candidate must win a majority of the states—26—to secure the presidency. Washington, DC, which holds three electoral votes, does not participate in this vote as it is not a state.
Constitutional Crisis Ahead?
A House vote on January 6, 2025 could introduce significant tension and potential disputes, especially if new rules need to be established to govern the voting process.
In a sharply divided political climate, this might lead to intense disagreement and even a constitutional crisis. The very idea of a contingent election might further shake public confidence in an already strained electoral system.
For American voters, the possibility of a Trump-Harris tie amplifies concerns over the election’s integrity and transparency. With polls showing a near-deadlock, this outcome may feel unsettlingly possible as the nation awaits the final decision.
Source: ChannelsTv
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by news
News
US Election Results: When Will We Know the Winner?
US Election Results: As Election Day approaches, the US Election has already seen an impressive turnout, with around 81 million Americans voting early, surpassing half the total ballots cast in 2020. This high early voting number highlights the intensity of this year’s presidential race, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump are in a close contest to secure the all-important 270 Electoral College votes needed to win.
The US electoral process is unique; citizens cast ballots not directly for the president but to elect 538 members of the Electoral College. Each state awards its Electoral College votes based on its popular vote, with larger states holding more influence in the total count. This system can create suspense, especially in close races.
How Long Will the Count Take?
Polls start closing at 6:00 pm Eastern Time (2300 GMT), but in a close race, it might take days to confirm a victor. In previous elections, results have varied: in 2020, Joe Biden was declared the winner days after polls closed, whereas 2016 and 2012 saw shorter waits.
Local officials, responsible for counting votes, follow different tallying methods across states. Some states now allow early processing of mail-in and overseas votes to speed up counting. However, battlegrounds like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have delayed mail-in ballot processing, potentially slowing results if the race remains close.
Who Certifies the Election?
Although news outlets project results, official certification occurs at the state level. States must certify results by December 11, after which electors cast their votes for the candidate who won the state. By December 25, these votes are sent to the Senate President, currently Vice President Harris. Congress then counts and confirms the results on January 6, leading to inauguration on January 20.
Possible Delays and Legal Challenges
While certification usually proceeds smoothly, recent trends suggest a risk of delays. Experts note that some county officials, especially in battleground states, have delayed certification in past elections, with a 30% increase in such delays between 2020 and 2022.
Lawsuits from both parties also add to potential complications. Since 2020, certification has become more politicized, with several officials even refusing to certify results. This trend, alongside the US Election legal battles, could further delay the official results if the race remains contested.
Source: ChannelsTv
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by news
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