IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised fresh concern over his continued failing health, saying he needs urgent medical attention to avert a major health crisis. This is as the family sought to know those benefiting from the alleged whopping N800 million that the Federal Government spends as the cost of bringing him to court any time he is to make appearance. Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu in a statement on Sunday said the family heard that the Federal Government spent N800 million each time he was brought to court. His words:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has finally become a money-minting venture for a few corrupt individuals in the corridors of power. “We heard that Government spends N800 million each time he is brought to court. Then, we want to know who the beneficiaries of the said money are? “Government should tell the people who collects and spends the money, and on what. “Our fear is that if it’s true that such humongous amount of money were spent on bringing him to court any time he is to appear, then it may be impossible to grant him bail any time soon because the cabal benefiting from his continued incarceration may not be willing to let go of their oil well.” The family which recently berated the Igbo political class for allegedly abandoning their son, expressed deep worry over his health condition. “We just got information that he is critically down. He has not been granted access to his personal doctors, and he urgently needs cardiologist. He should not be allowed to die in DSS custody”. The family, once again, called on the international community, to prevail on Nigeria to release the IPOB Leader who, it said, “is unjustly held for demanding the freedom of his Biafra people “. Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), since June 21 when he was abducted and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.

FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch

The federal government has taken over the prosecution of four suspected terrorists who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku. The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke were earlier slammed a three count charge which has been increased to five in the amended charges. At the resumed proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, announced the taking over of the trial from the Inspector General of Police The AGF, through his counsel, David Kaswe, invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to assume trial of the terrorism charges. Consequently, he pleaded with the court to put off the arraignment until another date to enable him to study the case file. He said that the Inspector General of Police has already been directed to make the case file available to the Federal Ministry of Justice for approximate action by the AGF. Meantime, April 15 has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendants on the amended charge. Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022. The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped, and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022. The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies, which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act. Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

New Salaries for Judicial Officers

In the latest review of judicial officers’ salaries made by President Bola Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, will now earn N1monthly basic salary and N4.3 million regular allowances. This was contained in an executive bill sent to the National Assembly by the President on Tuesday seeking an upward review of the salaries of judicial officers. After the House of Representatives approved Tinubu’s request to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, the CJN will earn N13.5 million in annual basic salary and N51.2 million in regular allowances, making it a total of N64.7 million. Further analysis of the new salary structure showed that the President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million annually. In contrast, the justices of the Supreme Court will earn N61.4 million annually. It would be recalled that in October last year, retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad said the CJN N400,000 monthly salary is lower than the N1.2 million earned by the Supreme Court Registrar.

Court Refuses to stop impeachment move against Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

The Federal High Court in Abuja, again, refused to stop the alleged impeachment move against the incumbent Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr Phillip Shaibu by the State House of Assembly. Specifically, Shaibu prays the court to grant an order of status quo to be maintained by the House of Assembly and others involved in the impeachment move. Counsel to the plaintiff, Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN) had orally requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice. In his ruling, Justice Omotoso held that the cited authority was not applicable in the Shaibu’s case because the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the impeachment bid have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law. However, the Judge granted the request that the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly be served with the originating summons by substituted means. Specifically, Justice Omotoso ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the State House of Assembly Complex both in Benin. Besides, the Judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered Courier Company. Justice Omotoso subsequently fixed April 15 for hearing of the case. The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu who was in the room throughout the Wednesday’s proceedings declined to speak with newsmen. In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police IGP and Director General of the Department of State Services DSS were listed as the first to eighth defendants. Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the third to fifth defendants from commencing any process by issuing a notice of allegation, holding proceedings, or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal pending the hearing of a motion on notice. He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit either by way of taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as the deputy governor of Edo State pending the hearing of the motion on notice. Other reliefs sought are: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 8th defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, and or any other person or authority acting through them, from preventing the plaintiff either by threat of removal from office or adverse actions capable of hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending State Executive Council meetings, functions and other duties. “An order of interim injunction directing the defendants herein jointly, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, or any other person or authority acting through them, to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before the issuance of the purported notice or petition to commence removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and the final determination of the motion on notice. ”

BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, however, granted an accelerated hearing instead. Counsel for the IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial. Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life. Ejimakor also argued that the continued incarceration of Kanu would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter. But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing. He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him. Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail. He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.

Unlawful arrest, detention: Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer loses appeal against police, DSS

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, Monday, dismissed the appeal by Felix Okonkwo, one of the lawyers of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu over his unlawful arrest and detention by the Police and the State Security Services (SSS). Dismissing the appeal for want of merit and substance, the lead judge, justice Abang held that the appellant failed to establish miscarriage of justice in the judgment of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in the matter. Felix Okonkwo, Ikenna Chibuike, and Okafor Ugochukwu had dragged the Nigeria Police Force and the SSS before the high court for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights. They specifically accused the two security agencies of violating their fundamental rights by their unlawful arrest and detention on September 27, 2021, during which they claimed that they were tortured, harassed and intimidated while in the custody of the Police. Justice Samaila Bature had, in his judgment delivered on March 24, 2022 found Police liable for the unlawful arrest and detention of the the appellants and subsequently imposed a fine of N2 million against Police to be paid to the appellants. Justice Bature, however, did not make any order against the SSS because the Appellants, then plaintiffs, did not disclose any cause of action against SSS. Not satisfied with the findings and decisions of the high court, the three plaintiffs approached the Court of Appeal praying for an order to hold that SSS was also culpable in their arrest and detention. They claimed that the N2 million imposed on Police as fine to be paid to them was paltry and ridiculously low and asked the appellate court to jerk up the fine as compensation for their unlawful arrest and detention. In his judgment, Justice Abang held that from the video footage tendered as exhibit by the appellants at the trial court, there was no where the operatives of the SSS were found at the scene of their arrest in the house of Ifeanyi Ejiofor in Anambra state. The appellate court Justice disagreed with the appellants in their claims that the N2 million compensatory damages was grossly insufficient. According to Justice Abang, the decision to award compensatory damages is at the discretion of a judge and can not be dictated by any plaintiff or appellant. In the instant case, Justice Abang agreed with Justice Bature that peculiar facts and circumstances of the unlawful arrest and detention of the appellants were carefully considered at the trial court before arriving at the amount. Besides, Justice Abang said that the appellants did not point out irrelevant facts in the judgment of the high court and did not also disclose their status in the society, their their monthly or yearly income and also what they lost in the course of their detention. “In my opinion and going by the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the N2 million compensation to the appellants was properly awarded. “I can not fault the award because the appellant did not give any good reason for them to have been awarded a much higher amount. “In the final analysis, the appeal lacks merit, and it is accordingly dismissed. The decision of the trial court is hereby affirmed. There is order as to cost, “Justice Abang held. Justices Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole and Abba Bello Mohammed endorsed the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Abang.

Ex-husband losses joint property ownership to Nigeria’s former envoy to Argentina

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, Monday, dismissed an appeal by Jude Chidiebere, a former husband to Nigeria’s envoy to Argentina, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu over joint ownership of a property in Abuja. In a unanimous judgment delivered by the lead judge, Justice Okon Abang, the appellate court, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. At the federal capital territory high court, Chidiebere had sued his former wife, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu, Nigeria’s former envoy to Argentina, claiming that a property at Kubwa, in Abuja jointly belong to their matrimonial family. He prayed the court to issue an order compelling his former wife to compute the amount generated as rent from the house since 2013 and share the same with him. However, the high court Judge, Justice A.A Kutigi dismissed the claim of the joint ownership of the property by the plaintiff. The high court held that the former husband to the Ex-envoy didn’t lead any credible evidence to establish his assertion that the property jointly belongs to him and his former wife. Not satisfied with the decision of the high court, Chidiebere approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, praying that the judgment of the high court be voided and set aside on the ground of miscarriage of justice. However, in the Court of Appeal Judgmentent Justice, Okon Abang held that the appellant failed to convince the appellate court that there is injustice in the judgment of the lower court. Among others, Justice Abang said that the allocation paper and the certificate of occupancy issued by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) bear only the name of Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu. Justice Abang also held that all receipts for payments for the property to the FCDA were issued in the name of the former envoy. The appellate court held that the appellant did not establish any source of income to be able to buy a property other than been a driver, driving the former envoy around in Argentina and that the court cannot speculate for him. Justice Abang upheld the claim of the former envoy that she divorced her former husband due to irreconcilable differences occasioned by beating while they were together. The Court of Appeal disagreed with the claim of the appellant that he was responsible for letting out the property to a tenant adding that, mere letting out the property to a tenant was not sufficient to confer joint ownership on the appellant. “In my opinion, the first respondent in this matter, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu, made a better case for her sole ownership of the property, block 145, Flat 1, in Kubwa, Abuja. There is no where the appellant made a better case for joint ownership, as he claims in this matter. “In all, this appeal lacks merit and is hereby accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on December 11, 2019 , in favour of the first respondent’s soul ownership of the property, is hereby affirmed, “the Justice Abang held.

NJC raises alarm over alleged bid to defraud retired Judicial officers

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has raised an alarm over alleged incessant bids by a group of fraudsters to defraud retired Judicial officers across the country. According to the NJC, the alleged fraudsters have been bombarding its retired Judicial officers with phone calls demanding for various sums of money to help them fast track payment of their retirement benefits. In a statement signed in Abuja on Sunday, by its Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, thr council dissociated itself from the actions of the alleged fraudsters and pleaded with retired Judicial officers not to fall victims of the unscrupulous people. The statement read in part “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to the incessant phone calls being made to retired Judicial Officers by some unscrupulous individuals demanding payments to fast track the processing of their retirement benefits. “The National Judicial Council by this medium, informs retired Judicial Officers and members of the public to disregard such phone calls as NJC would never demand money from any Judicial Officer to fast track the payment of his retirement benefit. “The public is hereby advised to be wary of and report such calls to the Pension Department of the Council for appropriate action”, the statement said.

Kogi: Supreme Court sets aside Appeal court’s ruling on inspection order

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Court of Appeal ruling which set aside the inspection Order granted the Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by the Governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. The Governorship election petition Tribunal had, on November 25, 2023, granted an Exparte Order, allowing the SDP and its candidate in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election to carry out forensic examination of all the Bimordal Voters Accreditation system (BVAS) used in the Governorship election, among other sundry reliefs. A three-man panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice J.O.K. Oyewole, sets aside the inspection order, on the grounds that it has gone outside the province of the Electoral Act. The Court of Appeal ordered that, while inspection is allowed under the Electoral Act, it must be jointly carried out with the respondent and the scope of the inspection should be within the strict limit allowed under the Electoral Act. However, the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, on Thursday, allowed the appeal of the Appellants, saying that the order of inspection made by the trial tribunal were within its power. The Court also held that the Respondents were duly served.

Bayelsa guber: Gov Diri, PDP close defence, fixes April 22 for adoption

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday, fixed April 22 for parties to adopt their final briefs of argument in the petition the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship poll that held in the state on November 11, 2023. The Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal okayed the matter for adoption of addresses, after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Awhrujakpo and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who were cited as respondents in the matter, closed their defence. Each of the respondents produced a witness that testified before the tribunal, even as they tendered several electoral documents in evidence. Governor Diri’s witness, Mr. Gesiye Isowo, identified himself as the Secretary of thw PDP in Bayelsa State. Among exhibits he tendered before the tribunal included his his party membership card and his Permanent Voters Card. Governor Diri, through the witness, also tendered in evidence, the official result of the election as well as the final declaration of the result, which were contained in INEC’s forms EC8D and EC8E. The governor equally tendered INEC’s forms EC8B and EC8C. While being cross examined by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Sylvester Elema, SAN, the witness told the tribunal that he registered and voted at Unit 9, Ward 10 in Kolokuma/Okpokuma LGA. “There was restriction of movement on the day of the election. I did not go to Nembe, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw because of the restriction, but I had agents in all the polling units. I was in constant touch with my agents in all the LGAs,” he stated. Asked if it was true that the National and State Assembly elections held in the state in February and March 2023, the witness said he was in court only with respect to the governorship election. “I am not INEC. If you ask about my party’s primary, then I should know,” he added. The petitioners had contended that voters registers that were tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibit R1- R19 by the tribunal, which was generated on January 25, 2023, were only used for the National Assembly election and not governorship poll. However, in his evidence, the witness insisted that the registers were used for the governorship poll. He identified his name as No. 179 in the voters register that was used at his polling unit. The petitioners opposed the tendering and admissibility of the register which they said was not furnished to them before hand as directed by the tribunal. On their part, the respondents urged the tribunal to disregard the objection and admit the exhibit as relevant to the case, saying it would help to confirm if the witness actually voted during the election or not. Continuing his testimony under cross examination, the witness, told the tribunal that some of the voters register were not ticked because election did not hold in those areas. Asked if he knew one Commissioner of Police named Tolani Alausa, the witness, said: “My lord, he was a very notorious police commissioner in Bayelsa State.” The witness insisted that INEC discharged its function creditably by conducting the election in compliance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Electoral Act 2022, adding however that there was wilful resistance of the use of BVAS by the APC and its agents. He told the tribunal that in various Wards in Nembe LGA, no vote was recorded, indicating that election did not hold there. The witness said results of the election that were tendered by the petitioners, were manufactured by the APC. “In fact, looking at the results that were tendered, the writing looked similar, as if it was written by one person. And looking at it closely, it looks like that was the writing of my brother, Dr. Dennis Otiotio.” The statement of the witness irked Mr. Otiotio who not only testified before the tribunal earlier, but also the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State and a member of the party’s legal team. According to the witness, contrary to what the petitioners produced before the tribunal, pink copies of results of the election were not given to agents of political parties or security agencies. “Pink copies are only for INEC,” he insisted. He further told the court that voters register for areas where the APC produced election results from, were not ticked and no vote was recorded there. In his own defence, the deputy governor produced a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Bayelsa State, Mr. Gowon Toruyouyei as his witness. The witness said he retired in January and was subpoenaed to appear before this tribunal. While being cross examined, the witness confirmed that the deputy governor is a legal practitioner whose Call to Bar certificate was listed in INEC’s form. Asked if in all his interactions with the 3rd respondent, he could be described as an illiterate, the witness, said: “He could not have been an illiterate. He is very educated. “I will describe him as someone that has the requisite experience and qualification to be elected into any office in the country.” In its own defence, the PDP, brought a former Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, as its witness. He maintained that Sylva could not have been validly sponsored for the election by the APC, having already been elected as governor twice. “I worked as the DG of his campaign at one time, so all these facts are within my knowledge,” he added The witness said he was not physically present at Ogbia and Nembe LGAs on the election day, “but virtually, I was there.” Said he served as the State Collation Agent of the PDP during the election and also voted at his polling unit at Southern Ijaw. The witness identified his picture on the voters register. He told the tribunal that those whose names were not ticked on the register, did not vote on the election day. “It is