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Plan To Send Migrants To Rwanda Unlawful, UK Supreme Court Rules

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The UK Supreme Court, on Wednesday, rejected a contentious government plan to transfer migrants to Rwanda, upholding a lower court judgement that it was illegal, in a major blow for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A five-judge bench of the UK’s highest court agreed with Court of Appeal justices that the strategy was incompatible with Britain’s international treaty responsibilities.

“We conclude that the Court of Appeal… was entitled to find that there are substantial grounds for believing that the removal of the claimants to Rwanda would expose them to a real risk of ill-treatment,” they concluded.

The judges agreed with the lower court’s June verdict that Rwanda risked forcibly returning asylum seekers and refugees to a country where they could face persecution, in a move known as refoulement.

“Having been taken through the evidence, we agree with their conclusion,” they added in their 56-page ruling.

Sunak’s ruling Conservatives have insisted the Rwanda scheme is crucial to reduce “illegal” immigration across the Channel on small boats, an issue set to feature prominently in the next general election.

But the ruling scuppers a saga that began in April last year when Britain signed a deal with Rwanda to send undocumented migrants to interim centres there, and leaves the UK leader’s immigration agenda in tatters.

It is also set to widen rifts in the ruling Tory party between right-wing lawmakers and moderates.

Sunak said the ruling was “not the outcome we wanted” and the government “will now consider next steps” while ministers in Kigali “take issue” with the ruling that Rwanda was not a safe third country.

‘Stop The Boats’

Hardliner Suella Braverman launched a scathing attack on Sunak Tuesday, the day after she was fired as interior minister, accusing him of “betrayal” and “magical thinking” over the policy.

She wants Britain to leave or disregard the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and “any other obligations which inhibit our ability to remove those with no right to be in the UK”.

The Migration and Economic Development Partnership envisages sending to Rwanda anyone who has made what the government calls “dangerous or illegal journeys, such as by small boat or hidden lorries” to the UK.

The government insists it is essential to deter migrants trying to cross the Channel from northern France in rudimentary small vessels.

More than 27,000 have made the journey this year.

The government passed legislation in July barring any “illegal” arrivals from claiming asylum.

Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” is one of his five key priorities for this year, after succeeding Liz Truss in October 2022.

His administration says regular and irregular immigration must be slashed to ease pressure on housing and other social services, such as health.

Opponents decry the Rwanda policy as cruel, expensive and difficult to implement. They also argue it is in breach of international law on asylum and refugees.

The first deportees were on a plane and ready to fly to Rwanda in June 2022 when a last-minute ECHR injunction prevented any deportations.

The High Court had ruled the plan broadly lawful, but the senior courts have now quashed that.

‘Disgraceful’

The Supreme Court ruling forces the government back to the drawing board to try to drive down asylum seeker numbers, with speculation it may try to strike deals with other countries.

It is also expected to renew demands from right-wingers that Britain withdraw from the ECHR — a drastic idea that Sunak has so far refused to back.

In her excoriating letter Braverman, who has called sending asylum seekers to Rwanda her “dream” and “obsession”, accused the prime minister of having “no appetite for doing what is necessary” on immigration.

She is widely believed to covet the Tory leadership and her hardline stance on the issue is seen as red meat to the party’s grassroots.

But Sunak’s surprise appointment of ex-prime minister David Cameron as foreign secretary and the switch of James Cleverly to the interior ministry suggests he is halting his party’s post-Brexit lurch to the right.

Migrant advocates welcomed Wednesday’s court ruling.

The Refugee Council said it was a “victory for the rights of men, women and children who simply want to be safe”.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International’s UK arm, urged ministers to “now draw a line under a disgraceful chapter in the UK’s political history”.

 

Credit: ChannelsTV

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Rejoinder To Daily Trust Article: President Tinubu Positioned For Victory In 2027 — By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

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President Tinubu is well-positioned to secure victory in the 2027 elections. His achievements, leadership experience, and the significant strides made across key sectors of governance solidify his place as the frontrunner.

  • Key Achievements and Factors for Victory

1. Direct Funding to Local Governments:

For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the 774 local government chairmen will receive funds directly from the federal government starting this month. This bold move decentralizes resources, empowers grassroots development, and strengthens loyalty to the man who initiated this transformative policy—President Tinubu.

2. Empowering Citizens:

President Tinubu’s administration has rolled out impactful programs, including student loans, consumer credit initiatives, and direct cash transfers. These initiatives have touched millions of lives and earned him unwavering support from beneficiaries who recognise the positive impact of these policies.

3. Political Dominance:

APC remains the most dominant political party in Nigeria, controlling more states than any opposition party. APC governors will rally behind Tinubu in 2027, leveraging the party’s expansive structure to consolidate support.

4. Regional Strength:

South West:

President Tinubu will sweep all six South West states. APC currently controls four states, and Tinubu’s win in Oyo during the 2023 elections further demonstrates his stronghold. By 2027, even Osun, which narrowly escaped APC control, will fall back in line.

South-South:

Tinubu will likely secure Cross River, Rivers, Edo, and Delta while achieving the required 25% in other states. APC’s current control of Edo and Cross River further reinforces this projection.

South East:

The establishment of the South East Development Commission has endeared Tinubu to the region. He is expected to win Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi while securing 25% in Anambra and Abia. APC governs Imo and Ebonyi, and with strategic campaigning, Anambra might surprise everyone in 2027.

North West & North East:

These regions remain APC’s strongholds, and Tinubu’s track record ensures that they will deliver the necessary states.

North Central:

States like Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Plateau are expected to align with Tinubu, given his strong rapport and ongoing development efforts in the region.

5. Resilience and Leadership Experience:

Tinubu’s journey from private sector success to public service is unparalleled. He served as a lawmaker, a transformative governor, and now a results-driven president. His international experience in oil, gas, and finance, coupled with his fearless leadership style, makes him a standout leader. Tinubu is the only president in Nigeria’s history to take bold steps like subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, laying the foundation for long-term prosperity

6. Economic Reforms and Policies:

Tinubu’s tax reforms exempt minimum wage earners and small businesses (earning less than ₦25 million annually) from federal taxes. By 2027, Nigeria will become a major exporter of refined petroleum products, with all four refineries operational.

The federal government’s agriculture policies, in collaboration with states, will yield significant results.

Security will improve, potentially with the full implementation of state policing.

Electricity management, now involving states, will lead to a more reliable power supply.

Mass transportation systems, including local, state, and federal rail services, will transform mobility.

With growing FDI, increased earnings from oil and gas, and direct investments, Nigeria will witness unprecedented progress under Tinubu’s leadership.

7. Broad-Based Support:

Tinubu’s influence transcends party lines, garnering support from private enterprises, public institutions, and even opposition leaders. Some PDP governors from the East may align with Tinubu’s vision in 2027, recognizing his ability to unify and deliver results.

8. Legacy of Leadership:

Tinubu’s record of governance in Lagos—one of Africa’s largest economies—is unmatched. When he assumed office in 1999, Lagos generated ₦400 million monthly against expenses of over ₦600 million. By the end of his tenure, Lagos’ monthly IGR had risen to ₦8 billion. This same transformational leadership is now evident at the federal level, with Nigeria’s reserves growing and states receiving triple their previous allocations.

Under Tinubu, local governments will receive significant funds. If each of the 774 local governments spends ₦2 billion monthly, the ripple effect will transform communities and improve lives nationwide. Without constitutional reforms, Tinubu is restructuring Nigeria by empowering states and local governments while maintaining harmony with governors, legislators, and the judiciary.

9. Strategic Reallocation of Subsidy Funds:

Funds from subsidy removal on petrol and exchange rates are now being redistributed across federal, state, and local governments. The judicious use of these funds will catalyse development, creating visible progress that further cements Tinubu’s leadership legacy.

10. A Leader for the Future

By 2027, Tinubu’s achievements will speak louder than promises. Nigeria will see improved security, stable electricity, a revitalized economy, and a robust transportation system. His reforms will deliver real, measurable results, leaving opponents to merely speculate on what they could do better.

If God grants him life and strength, and he chooses to contest in 2027, President Tinubu’s re-election will not just be a possibility—it will be a certainty. His vision, achievements, and widespread support make his victory inevitable.

 

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare .

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Fuji Icon K1 Loses 105-Yr-Old Mother Days After Wife’s Death

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Nigerian Fuji legend, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as “K1 de Ultimate,” is in mourning following the death of his mother, “Halimotu Anifowoshe,” just days after the passing of his former wife, “Hafsat,” at the age of 65.

It was gathered that the mother of the music icon was declared dead by medical professionals in her hometown, “Ijebu Ode,” Ogun State, where she resided.

A family source revealed that the centenarian passed away in the early hours of Saturday, causing the entire community of “Ijebu Ode” to mourn her loss.

It was further gathered that the deceased would be buried in accordance with Islamic rites later that day in her hometown.

According to a source, the Fuji musician has been deeply affected by his mother’s death, as they shared a close bond. He often praised her during his stage performances.

The centenarian’s death followed the artist’s earlier revelation that he inherited his musical talent from his mother, who, despite her own potential, was not permitted to pursue a career in music.

He explained that his mother was the daughter of a king, and her parents did not allow her to sing because they wanted her to marry.

K1 added that his mother was highly talented, but her parents feared that her career in music would delay her marriage.

“I was blessed with the gift of music from a young age, I was born into music. My mother was a singer before she got married. She had the gift of music and she was a princess.”

“She was not allowed to sing back then because she was a princess, and her parents were worried that allowing her to be a musician would delay her from getting married sooner. Her parents said my mother won’t be allowed to sing because she is the daughter of a king.”

It should be noted that the singer’s former wife, “Hafsat,” passed away after battling an undisclosed illness and was buried following Islamic traditions at “Abari Cemetery,” Lagos State.

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Nigerians Recruited As UK Prison Officers Sleep In Cars, Camp Near Jails

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The United Kingdom’s prison service has started recruiting prison officers from Nigeria and other countries to address staffing shortages.

However, many of these new recruits, including Nigerians, are facing accommodation difficulties, with some resorting to sleeping in their cars or camping near prisons to save on housing costs, according to a report by The Telegraph on Thursday.

This is the first time the UK prison service is sponsoring skilled worker visas for international recruits, following a rule change in 2023 that added prison officers to the list of eligible professions.

Many of the new recruits are Nigerians, including some who transitioned from other visa routes to the prison service.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) has reported cases of Nigerian recruits arriving at UK prisons under the assumption that accommodation would be provided.

Mark Fairhurst, the president of the POA, shared an example of a recruit who commuted 70 miles daily from Huddersfield to Nottingham, eventually deciding it was cheaper to sleep in his car outside the prison.

At another location, some officers set up a camp in a wooded area near the prison after learning they would need to arrange their own housing.

“We have got problems with people who turn up at the gates with cases in tow and with their families saying to the staff: ‘Where is the accommodation?’,” Fairhurst stated.

Sources from the Ministry of Justice in the UK indicate that approximately 250 foreign nationals have been recruited into the UK prison service after Zoom interviews and vetting.

In 2023, a significant portion of the 3,500 monthly applicants were from Africa.

Tom Wheatley, the president of the Prison Governors Association, attributed the influx to word-of-mouth promotion by Nigerians already working in the UK.

“It’s turned into an approach that has been promoted online by the expat Nigerian community,” Wheatley noted.

However, he acknowledged challenges, including language barriers and the difficulty of integrating foreign recruits into rural communities.

Despite these challenges, the UK prison service insists its recruitment and training processes are thorough.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service told The Telegraph, “all staff – regardless of nationality – undergo robust assessments and training before they work in prisons. Our strengthened vetting process roots out those who fall below our high standards.”

The reliance on virtual interviews has also raised concerns, with some questioning the suitability of officers recruited this way.

Fairhurst has called on the prison service to return to face-to-face interviews, stating that six weeks of training is insufficient for recruits to manage prisoners effectively.

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