June 12: Buhari directs gazetting of order

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to take immediate steps to publish the Presidential Order on June 12 as Democracy Day in the Federal Gazette.

This followed his declaration on Wednesday that henceforth, June 12 be observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and that some heroes of democracy be given national honours,

A statement by Coalition of civil society organizations for Justice and Equity (CCSO-JE) has expressed displeasure over the Nigeria Police Force refusal to obey court orders to unseal the Peace Corps of Nigeria corporate headquarters located in Jabi, Abuja.

The group, yesterday, stormed the premises of the Human Rights Commission to register its grievances over disregard for court orders regarding the Peace Corps case by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

Presenting its case at the commission, the group`s chief convener, Olayemi Success recalled that two Federal High Courts in Abuja on November presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, yesterday said the president directed that the Order be published as follows: “Chief MKO Abiola - Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (Posthumous).

“Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe - Grand Commander 9, 2017 and January 15, 2018 respectively, ruled that the action of the police in sealing the office was reckless and an infringement on the fundamental rights of the corps and therefore ordered that the office be unsealed forthwith.

“Consequently, the nation’s chief legal officer and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami followed it up by writing different letters to the IGP telling him to comply with these judgment, an order the IGP has continuously refused to comply with till date,” he said.

While responding Human Rights Commission Director of Corporate Services, Mr Lambert Opara assured that the commission would look into the matter. of the Order of the Niger.

“Chief Gani Fawehinmi -Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (Posthumous)”

He said the president also directed that this should be done so that the awards slated for June 12, 2018 could go on as planned.