A strict lockdown imposed in March has not been uniformly respected, with local media reporting on nighttime gatherings of neighbours and collective prayers on roofs, beyond the view of street patrols. Drones have now been introduced to spot violators or make announcements.
Author: Sumner Shagari Sambo
Unlike the bill introduced last week at the House of Representatives, Senators were not allowed to see the content of the bill before or during its First Reading, triggering questions and opposition to its Second reading.
“We must therefore, basing ourselves on the limited preparations, start slowly and carefully to open up without undoing our gains so far in fighting COVID-19,” said President Yoweri Museveni.
“The incident occurred under unclear circumstances,” the Kenyan foreign ministry said in a statement, expressing its “deep shock and regret” and offering condolences to the families of the deceased.
The relaxation has triggered deep concern in some quarters, given how easily the coronavirus spread and the poor state of Nigeria’s health system.
Bus stations were full Monday, with masks mandatory in all public places. Buses were allowed to operate only at half capacity and only within Kigali.
The government suspended the director and a senior official of the national laboratory responsible for coronavirus testing after President John Magufuli denounced irregularities at the facility.
Justice Minister Abubakar Malami said the recovery of the funds “further consolidates” the government’s record on repatriating stolen money, citing an earlier deal with Switzerland that saw $322 million returned in 2018.
Judge Maureen Onyetenu agreed with Olukoya Ogungbeje, who sued on behalf of himself and other protesters, that the Federal Government deprived them of their right to peaceful assembly and association, in violation of sections 38, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
The promise to free the two reporters in detention came on the heels of the World Press Freedom Day 2020 being held globally to canvass freedom for journalists.