Kano Governor Vows to Sign Death Warrant Of Mosque Bombing Suspect
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has revealed that last Wednesday’s bombing of a mosque at Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state was neither extremism nor politically motivated. Directing that the mastermind of the bombing be prosecuted before the Shariah court, the governor said that investigation had revealed that the attack was occasioned by family squabbles over inheritance. Yusuf made this disclosure on Sunday when he visited injured victims at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano after he returned from Abuja on official visit. He noted that the death toll in the incident had risen to 15, and vowed that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant if the court found the 38-year-old guilty and sentenced him to death. Recall that Abubakar threw a locally-made bomb at the mosque while worshippers were inside observing the early morning prayers. Speaking during the visit, Yusuf said, “Whatever the court decides, we will ensure that the victims of the Gadan village arson get justice and if it condemns him to death after finding him guilty, we will not hesitate to sign the death warrant.” He added, “For the avoidance of any doubt, the incendiarism that led to the death of 15 out of the 24 victims was neither politically motivated nor a terrorist attack on the residents of the state.” The governor donated N100,000 to each of the victims.
FG Gives Important Update On Students Loan
Ahead of its kick-off on Friday, May 24,, the Federal Government has listed fresh criteria for student loan applications. Managing Director of the Nigerian Economic Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has revealed that a maximum of 1.2 million students across federal tertiary institutions will access the students’ loans in its opening phase. Speaking ahead of the portal’s formal launch for applications Sawyerr stated that students enrolled in federal tertiary institutions whose institutions have finished uploading their data would be able to apply in the first phase. He noted that potential candidates can start the application process as early as May 24, but noed that the loan application process has been simplified to provide simple access for all qualified students in federal tertiary institutions. According to Sawyerr, the program is an essential part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Its purpose is to give needy students financial support (obligatory fees and stipends) so they can pursue their academic objectives without worrying about the financial burden. He also added that the Fund will pay 100 percent of institutional fees directly to the institutions of learning account while also providing stipends to the students monthly based on when school is in session. He stressed the importance of some of the key features of the student loan including, No physical contact between the loan applicant and NELFUND, a user-friendly Loan Application portal, comprehensive support where applicants can access online support to assist and flexible repayment plans. He said: “We encourage all students in federal institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to secure the required financial assistance for their education. Applicants must submit their applications as early as possible to ensure timely processing.”
Military shut down Abuja shopping complex to ‘protest’ assault on soldiers
Officers of the Nigeria Army have shut down Banex Plaza, a shopping complex located in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja, following attacks on some soldiers over the weekend. A trader at the nearby Emab Plaza, Mr Somto, confirmed this to our correspondent via phone call on Monday. “Yes, Banex is locked down. We are not affected by it, though. Some men of the Army are here”, he said. Another shop owner, who runs an Apple Products store, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development, adding that traders are still in talks with the Army. “No, we are not open. You know it is because of the issue that happened. The Army has locked down the place. At each gate of Banex now, there is a Hilux vehicle, Army Hilux. They won’t even let you cross the place. “But maybe between tomorrow and next, it will be open, we don’t know. We are still on it, having meetings with them,” he said
Why we rejected N48,000 minimum wage, Organized Labour
The Organised Labour has said it rejected the proposed N48,000 minimum wage because the Federal Government did not reveal how it arrived at the amount. Mr Etim Okon, the Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said this while confirming that labour will attendn the negotiation meeting of Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage slated for Tuesday. According to Okon, the government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support its offer exacerbates the situation, adding that lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process. “The proposal falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations. “The Federal Government has apologised and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and we are going to appear and present our demand. “We will still be presenting the N615,000. It is what we presented before we walked out, though our submission was not rejected by the government. “We only rejected the N48,000 that government presented because they did not show us how they arrived at that amount. “That is taking cognizance of transportation, housing, food, utilities, health, education among others which are basic needs of the people. “So government should come out clearly with what they are offering with the indices and variables and also how they arrived at that. This is all what we are saying,” Okon said. Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC had walked out on the negotiation meeting after the Federal Government proposed N48,000 as new minimum wage for workers in the country.
Tinubu Reacts To Ebrahim Raisi’s Death
President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi; Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials in a helicopter crash. President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed profound grief over the disturbing tragedy, and described President Raisi as a leader who was passionately committed to the development of Iran. While commiserating with the bereaved families, President Tinubu prayed for the continuous peace, stability, and prosperity of the Iranian nation. On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, the President assured the Islamic Republic of Iran of Nigeria’s support and prayers in this moment of grief.
IPOB: “You are a terrorist” Kanu berates FG lawyer Awomolo
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Monday, blasted counsel to the Federal Government, Asiwaju Awomolo SAN, for perpetrating an act of illegality in a bid to prosecute him. The visibly angry Kanu, told the court that he cannot be tried in Nigeria because the Supreme Court had declared his forceful rendition from Kenya, an act of illegality. “My Lord, I don’t understand why my trial is being conducted contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kanu said. He insisted that the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement on his issue, stressing that “Anything you do on the contrary is an act of terrorism. “This man is a terrorist for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria entered into. Once a treaty is entered into and signed, it becomes a law. “You are a dishonest man. You are a terrorist. Who the hell are you” Kanu yelled at Awomolo.”
Iran Supreme Leader Declares 5-Day Mourning Over President’s Death
Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei has announced 5 days of national mourning following the tragic death of President Raisi death in a helicopter crash earlier today. The announcement of President Raisi’s demise came early Monday morning, following the crash of his helicopter en route to Tabriz City after inaugurating the Qiz Qalasi Dam at the border with Azerbaijan Republic on Sunday. Also onboard were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, Mehdi Mousavi (head of Mr. Raisi’s guard team), and Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the province. Local authorities at the crash site confirmed the tragic loss. The Iranian government pledged to issue an official statement promptly as investigations continue into the incident. This calamity unfolded as one of the three helicopters in the convoy carrying President Raisi crashed on Sunday. The helicopter reportedly suffered a “hard landing” near Jolfa, a city bordering Azerbaijan, about 600km (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the Iranian capital. The State TV said, “Some unconfirmed reports say that the helicopter carrying President Raisi has had an accident in East Azerbaijan province.” Disclosing that rescue efforts were underway, the news outlet added, “The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site.” The 63-year-old was in Azerbaijan with the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev, earlier in the day to inaugurate a dam, the third one both countries built on the Aras River. Other officials on board included Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Chuck Schumer, the United States Senate majority leader, on Sunday evening, said the crashing of a helicopter conveying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was an accident. The New York politician said preliminary findings of American intelligence indicated the incident was unplanned, and no foul play was immediately suspected. Mr Schumer’s statement said “no evidence of foul play” in the helicopter crash. “It was very bad, foggy weather, northwest Iran where the copter crashed. So it looks like an accident, but it’s still being fully investigated.”
Stay in DSS custody, court tells Nnamdi Kanu
The Biafra nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, loses bid for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to a house arrest or prison custody. Ruling on the request, Justice Binta Nyako held that she found as a fact that Kanu jumped the bail earlier granted him and escaped out of the country. The Judge also held that the sureties who stood for him in the earlier bail had applied to be discharged and had been discharged on the ground that they could not locate Kanu and did not know his whereabouts. Therefore, she delared the application not meritorious and dismissed it. However, the court proffered that the detained IPOB leader had Kanu’s only option is to approach the Court of Appeal to exercise his right of appeal. On the argument that by Kanu’s lead Counsel that Supreme Court held that the earlier bail granted him ought not to have been revoked, the court said that it perused the Supreme Court judgment copy and did not see the claim of the lawyer. At the time of this report, Kanu shouting on top of his voice is insisting not to stand trial before any court in Nigeria. He is claiming that any attempt to put him on trial would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Constitution and the international laws. Details later.
Court refuses terrorists negotiator, Tukur Mamu’s request for transfer to Kuje Prison
Mohammed Tukur Mamu, a terrorist negotiator’s bid to be transfered from the custody of the Department of the State Service, DSS to Kuje Prison in Abuja has been refused by the federal high court, Abuja. Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022. Consequently, DSS is trying Mamu on 10 counts charge of terrorism financing, among others, but he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been at the custody of the prosecution agency following the refusal of the Court to admit him to bail. In the ruling, the court said that the federal government had raised the issues of incessant jail breaks in prisons as a major ground to oppose the request for transfer to Kuje. According to the judge, since the averments were not challenged by Mamu, they are deemed to be true facts and facts admitted need no further proof. The judge subsequently ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody throughout his trial in the criminal charges against him. Justice Ekwo, however, affirmed his earlier order that the terrorist negotiator be allowed to access his personal physician for medical treatment with the supervision of the DSS. Mamu, through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, had on April 29, alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023, that he be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not complied with by the DSS. In his motion on notice argued by Mohammed, the terrorist negotiator claimed that he was allowed access to the physician once during which a report of comprehensive medical examination to be carried out on him was submitted to the DSS. Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to access him and that he needed urgent surgical operations in any hospital in the country. The defendant further claimed that his health had since deteriorated and that he may lose his life any moment if he was not moved out of DSS custody to Kuje Prison. He promised regular attendance in court, adding that he can only stand trial when alive.
Rivers Executive, Judiciary Tussle Akin To Anarchy, Worrisome – Group Warns …calls NJC to beam it’s search light on Justice C.N. Wali
By Daniel Okejeme Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness has stated that the rift between the Rivers State Executive and its Legislative counterpart is becoming worrisome, and the actions of the chief executive officer is akin to anarchy. The group through it’s Director General, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, said it cannot allow a threat to the hard-earned democracy to thrive in Nigeria where we operate a constitutional democracy, where the rule of law stipulating the supremacy and predominance of the law should be practiced to the later. The group said that they are talking about a purported assembly where 3 persons parade themselves as law makers for an entire state contradicting clearly the provisions of section 96(1) as amendment which defines one-third (1/3) as what constitutes a quorum. They maintained that if for any reason the Assembly cannot form quorum, the Assembly shall adjourn, adding that it is never the intendant of those who crafted the 1999 Constitution that only 3 lawmakers shall be enacting laws for the people. Furthermore, the group faulted the legislative sitting inside the government house as not consistent with the principles of Separation of Power. They, therefore, urge the appropriate authorities to investigate the allegations that chief executive is spending Rivers State funds outside the realm of appropriation thoroughly and take appropriate actions to safeguard the interests of the citizens. Also, they call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to beam it’s search light on Justice C.N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court for issuing an ex-parte order contradicting section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. They insisted that the order made by Justice C.N. Wali amounts to Forum Shopping, Abuse of Court Process and tantamount to self-help. According to them, Wali’s action violated a subsisting Judgement made by Justice J.K. Omotosho stating that the Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule is the Assembly that is recognized by law and certified by the Court. They call on all citizens, civil society organizations, and leaders of the Bar and the Bench to join in defending the rule of law, upholding democratic tenets and principles, and safeguarding our constitutionally guaranteed rights. “We will take all necessary steps to oppose these desecrations of our courts and the noble profession of law. Together, we can ensure that justice prevails and the rights of the people in Rivers State are protected.”