Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Not Discussed in South-East Governors Meeting- Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo clarified that the issue of releasing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was not part of his discussions with the South-East governors in Enugu, Enugu State, on Tuesday. Obasanjo, accompanied by former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, met with the governors primarily to discuss regional development issues. These included security, infrastructure, economic cooperation, and collaboration aimed at complementing the national economic development agenda. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo emphasized that the agenda did not include Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The meeting was convened at his invitation before the governors’ summit began. The South-East Governors Forum, comprising Peter Mbah (Enugu), Alex Otti (Abia), Prof Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Senator Hope Uzodimma (Imo), had resolved during the six-hour meeting to visit President Bola Tinubu and engage with the Federal Government to secure Kanu’s release. Additionally, the forum expressed condolences over the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation and the first civilian governor of Abia State.

Senators beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu for peace in South East

A total of 15 Senators from the South East region of Nigeria, Wednesday, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to order the release of the detained Biafran Nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu has since being in the custody of the DSS on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Senators made the plea during a closed door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) where a letter begging Tinubu to release Kanu was delivered for onward passage to the presidency. Led by a former Abia state deputy Governor, Senator Eyinanya Abaribe, the lawmakers claimed that unless Kanu is released, the social and economic activities in the South East region will continue to be stagnant. Speaking shortly after the meeting, Abaribe who spoke on behalf of his colleagues lamented that the economy and social life in the South East had suffered enough due to the continued incarceration of the Biafra Nation Agitator. Abaribe noted with grave concern that the peaceful demand of the detained IPOB leader had been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals leading to wanton killings of innocent people, including security operatives. The former Abia state deputy Governor told newsmen that he had already met with Kanu at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja and had agreed to abide by any conditional release. Senator Abaribe expressed optimism that once Kanu is released, the tension and acrimonious engulfing the South East region since 2021 when he clamped into DSS custody would became event of the past. The Senators therefore pleaded with the AGF to convey their message to President Tinubu and for the AGF to use his position to terminate all the charges brought against the IPOB leader by the Federal Government. Besides the Senators, Abaribe said that virtually all political leaders, religious leaders and stakeholders have unanimously agreed that Kanu be released for peace to bounce back to the region. It would be recalled that Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government and brought to the country for trial on terrorism charges. Although, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to admit him to bail on the ground that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team Reacts As Court Dismisses IPOB Leader’s Suit Against FG, DSS

The legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, has rubbished the recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed his client’s case against the federal government. Ejimakor said, contrary to the court’s ruling, the IPOB leader’s legal team had presented a legion of evidence to back their claims. Recall that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained IPOB leader against the Federal Government. Kanu had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Service (DSS) for N1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations. The IPOB leader, in the suit marked FHC/CS/1633/2023, claimed that the DSS and its Director General violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal trial. However, Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment on the suit on Monday, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with. The judge also said there was no evidence that Kanu was denied unhindered access to his lawyers or that the DSS officials had eavesdropped his conversations with his lawyers, which constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing. Reacting, however, to the court’s ruling, Ejimakor vowed to appeal Justice Omotosho’s ruling. According to him, some of the shreds of evidence presented before the court are even in the public domain. “I am already preparing the notice of appeal. The evidence submitted before the court was legion. Some of it is even in the public domain,” Ejimakor told Daily Post on Tuesday

IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, May Move For Negotiation With FG

Leader of the indigenous people of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has through his lawyer told Justice Binta Nyako of the federal high court that he will under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act seek negotiations with the federal government. Lead counsel to Mr Kanu, Alloy Ejimakor made this known in open court after he moved two applications brought before the court. The first application is to move form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court. Mr Ejimakor says if the applications are denied they will move for the implementation of section 17 of the Federal High Court Act. Responding to this counsel to the federal government Adegboyega Awomolo told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he does not have the powers to negotiate on behalf of the federal government, the fiat given to him does not empower him to negotiate. The defendant should approach the Attorney General of the federation. The form 49 application is a contempt charge against the DSS for failing to obey the orders of the court, granting Mr Kanu unfettered access to his lawyers which the DSS has failed to comply with. The second application is challenging the remaining 7 count charge retained by the court after it had struck 8 count out of the 15. Justice Nyako held that she could not overrule herself, the defendant should go on appeal.

South-East Govs, Igbo Leaders Plot To Keep Nnamdi Kanu Detained Untill 2027 – Ohanaeze Alleges

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has accused South-east governors, Igbo leaders, and National Assembly members of conspiring to extend the detention of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until 2027. In a statement issued by the factional Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization blamed the South-east governors for the deteriorating security situation in the zone. The organization stated that the Southeast governors and certain Igbo leaders had not provided the essential assurances required to explore political resolutions for the release of Kanu. The body expressed disappointment that certain South-east governors and Igbo leaders merely took photos with Kanu at the DSS facility rather than actively seeking political solutions for his release. The statement partly read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo decries and brings to light the plots by South-east governors, Igbo elders, and National Assembly members to prolong Nnamdi Kanu’s detention until 2027. “The failure of some South-east governors to utilise their political ties to advocate for Kanu’s release is regrettable and underscores self-interest over communal welfare. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo underscores the crucial need for unity and cooperation among South-east governors and esteemed Igbo personalities, such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Pa Ebitu Ukiwe, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu, and others, in providing the federal government with assurances regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s future conduct post-release. “Regrettably, it appears some South-east governors and Igbo elite have chosen to exploit Nnamdi Kanu’s detention for personal gain, political bargaining, and the pursuit of political relevance. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses deep concern over the behaviour of South-east governors, senators, representatives, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other prominent Igbo figures who prioritise visits to Kanu in detention over seeking his release and addressing the pressing security challenges in our region. “It is paramount for Ndigbo to hold South-east governors, Igbo elders, National Assembly members, and traditional rulers accountable for the extended detention of Nnamdi Kanu, and refrain from laying blame on the federal government or President Tinubu. “The federal government awaits a united stance and commitments from the Igbo community to facilitate a potential release of Nnamdi Kanu.” Isiguzoro called on all stakeholders in the South-east to put aside personal ambitions and unite in the effort to secure Kanu’s release and address the security challenges in the region.

AGF Explains Why Nnamdi Kanu’s Case Still In Court – AGF …says FG convicted 250 terrorism, criminal cases

Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Friday, maintained the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case is very difficult, requested it is left to court. Also, the Federal Government, revealed that it prosecuted and convicted 250 terrorism and criminal offenses in various courts across the country. The AGF made this revelation, Friday, at the Sectoral Ministerial briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office. Fielding questions from the press, the minister explained that there is a remarkable difference between Kanu’s case and that of the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore. He said, “Sowore and Kanu are not the same. When it comes to the first one, I didn’t have difficulty to say go, but I have difficulty with the second one. “The matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court”. Sowore was arrested in 2019 and prosecuted for allegedly calling for the forceful take over of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the federal government through the office of the AGF in February this year filed a notice of discontinuation of the case. Breaking down the achievements of justice ministry in the year under review, Fagbemi said the FG has secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions in the last one year for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women. He hinted on enhanced interagency synergy for prosecution of Maritime Cases, Electricity offences, collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders on cybersecurity protection and cybercrime prosecution. Following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, Fagbemi said the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders. “The percentages of terrorism cases initiated and corruption cases concluded within the reporting period has been significant,” the Justice Minister said. Speaking on the development of the proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Regulation, 2024, by the Ministry, the AGF said the objective of the regulation which is being developed with relevant agencies is to ensure transparency, accountability and standardization in the management of recovered assets, in line with global best practices. “This document is being finalized for validation, the AGF said. On terrorism financing and other transnational crimes, the AGF stated that the Tinubu administration has facilitated international cooperation and secured conviction of 13 terrorism financing cases, and have also concluded 150 mutual legal assistance requests and 12 extradition requests from law enforcement agencies and foreign countries. “The Ministry places priority on enhancing the prosecutorial and litigation capacity of its staff, to this end it organized capacity building programmes to improve knowledge on various aspects of the law including Darknet and Cryptocurrencies applied to terrorism financing, investigation and prosecution of financial and wildlife crimes in Nigeria. “The coordination of the effective implementation of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Proliferation Financing (AML/CPF) Strategy 2023 – 2027 is also a top priority for the Ministry, the AGF said. On the fight against corruption, the Minister submitted that the present administration has achieved successes under its international asset recovery and management efforts. The asset sharing agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February 2024, for the return of £2,125,944 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four GBP) proceeds of corruption, the AGF revealed. “This has been approved by the President to be utilized, for continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project” Fagbemi said. On the Glencore settlement, the Justice Minister said the Ministry on behalf of Nigeria on April 25, 2024, concluded negotiation of a settlement agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein the firm is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria.

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.”

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.

IPOB: Kanu to know fate on fresh bail, house arrest requests, May 20

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu will on May 20, knows his fate in his request for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to house arrest. Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 in a motion argued by Ejimakor requested the court to restore the bail granted him in 2017 by the same Judge. The embattled Kanu, had though his Counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the court that contrary to the claim of the Federal Government, he did not jump bail or breach any of the conditions of the bail but had to escape out of the country when the military allegedly invaded his house. He insisted that he would have been killed if he had not escaped the way he did and accused the FG of misleading the court to get the bail revoked in his absence. He also asked the court to set aside the arrest warrant issued against him by the court while he was out of the country. In a separate motion, also argued by his legal team, Kanu demanded his removal from the custody of the DSS to a house arrest or in the alternative, to remand him in prison. Besides, he asked that his lawyers must be allowed unhindered access to him to enable him prepare for his defense in the terrorism charges against him, adding that, untill those conditions are met by the Federal Government in line with Section 36 of the 1999 constitution, he would not submit himself for trial. However, counsel to the FG led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, vehemently opposed granting of all the requests made by Kanu. He submitted that, in a criminal matter, no defendant has right to dictate to court how his prosecution would be conducted. Awomolo told the court that Kanu was once admitted to bail but breeched the bail by escaping out of the country under false claims. He argued that the fresh request for bail by Kanu is a gross abuse of court process, having been rejected earlier by the same court, adding that the only option available to the defendant is to go to the court of Appeal to challenge the rejection since the High Court cannot over rule itself. On the request for removal from DSS custody, Awomolo said that, the only safe and secured environment for Kanu remains the DSS custody in the interest of safety of his life. He urged the court to dismiss the allegation of hindered access to lawyers by Kanu, adding that, in his application and the supporting affidavit, he, Kanu failed to name any DSS operative hindering lawyers from accessing him or eavesdropping during conversation with lawyers. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, a House of Representatives members, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere praised the legal team of Kanu for standing to get fair trial for their client adding that, under the present circumstances, there would be no opportunity for Kanu to get better deal when his hands and legs are tied in the custody of the DSS. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end the trial logjam by ensuring out of court settlement for general peace to reign in the country. After taking arguments from both parties, Justice Binta Nyako fixed May 20 for ruling .

FG rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s conditions for resumption of trial

The Federal Government has kicked against conditions submitted by detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, for the resumption of his trial. During the hearing on Wednesday at the Federal High Court Abuja, Kanu agreed to acceleration of prosecution of the charges against him on the ground that his conditions are met. The IPOB leader, through his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, listed three conditions that must be met before the trial could resume. Among others, he demanded that the bail granted him earlier be restored to enable him prepare for his defense. He claimed that the bail was erroneously revoked based on a false and fraudulent claim of the Federal Government. Kanu also requested that the setting aside of the arrest warrant issued against him based on allegations by government that he had jumped bail and escaped out of the country. He also demanded that his lawyer must be permitted to have unhindered access to him as required by law. He insisted that he would be willing to face accelerated trial once the conditions are met. Responding, counsel to the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to reject the conditions on the ground that they are frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless. He maintained that the court had earlier rejected the bail application and as such the court cannot over rule itself. Awomolo argued that the only option open to Kanu is to go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the rejected bail request. Reacting, Justice Nyako has given Kanu two options to choose either the court adjourned the matter sine dine(indefinitely) or allow the federal government call its witness. As at the time of filling this report, the court is on stand down to enable Kanu make a choice.