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Category: Governance

  • Two Boko Haram bomb experts surrender in Borno

    Two Boko Haram bomb experts surrender in Borno

    Two suspected Boko Haram individuals identified as Improvised Explosive Device (IED) experts, 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (alias Garba) and 13-year-old Babagana Modu, have laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of Sector 3 Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Monguno, in Borno State.

    The surrender took place on April 21, 2024, marking a notable success in the ongoing campaign to dismantle Boko Haram’s operations in the region. 

    This was disclosed on Monday in a press statement signed by the Chief Military Public Information of MNJTF, Ndjamena, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi.

    The statement reads: “Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Monguno, Nigeria, has reported continued surrender of terrorists in its Area of Operations.

    “Among the latest to lay down their arms were two individuals identified as improvised explosive device (IED) experts, 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (alias Garba) and 13-year-old Bana Modu. The surrender took place on 21 April 2024, marking a notable success in the ongoing campaign to dismantle Boko Haram’s operations in the region. 

    “During a preliminary investigation, Mohammed and Modu revealed they had been ordered to plant IEDs along roads of Doron Baga and Fish Dam in Baga, Kukawa Local Government of Borno State Nigeria.

    “Instead of carrying out their mission, they decided to abandon their task, escape with the IEDs, and surrender to the MNJTF. Their decision was influenced by the MNJTF recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic operation and sector’s personal engagement strategy with relevant sources, showcasing the effectiveness of psychological operations in the fight against terrorism.

    “Items recovered from them include two IEDs, two mobile phones, and a sum of fifty-three thousand Naira (N53,000.00) only from Mohammed and Modu. This development underscores the MNJTF’s commitment to encouraging other terrorists hiding in the Lake Chad Islands to come out, surrender, and lay down their arms, in a bid to achieve sustainable peace in the region.

    “The MNJTF remains dedicated to its mission of restoring peace and facilitating the return of normalcy to the Lake Chad Basin,” Lt. Col. Abdullahi stated.

  • INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election

    INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election.

    Following the conclusion of initial primaries, the Commission had earlier disclosed the personal details of gubernatorial candidates and their running mates at its offices across the state.

    In compliance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, certain political parties opted to conduct fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates before the 15th April, 2024 deadline.

    Notably, the Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) made substitutions for their Governorship candidates and running mates.

    Additionally, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced only the running mates of their candidates.

    A total of seventeen (17) political parties will be fielding candidates in the election, with sixteen (16) being male and one (1) female.

    The final list, inclusive of detailed candidate information such as age, academic qualifications, and disability status, has been made accessible at INEC’s offices in Edo State, as well as on its website and social media platforms.

    Part of the statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, read:

    ”With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is the electioneering campaign.

    ”As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

    ”Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday, 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

    ”As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.”

    The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 21st September 2024.

  • Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has expressed dissatisfaction over recent developments surrounding the N6.7 billion fraud case involving former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Jones Udeogu.

    The right group held that the situation has exposed serious deficiencies in the criminal justice system of the nation.

    The Director General of the group, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, on a press statement released on April 19, informed that the utilization of technicalities and procedural loopholes to evade justice in the matter is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of accountability and fairness.

    The convener recall that the Supreme Court, had on the 8th of May, 2020, nullified the conviction by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, holding that the Constitution does not permit a judge elevated to a higher court to return to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case.

    Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment of the panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (retd.), also declared as unconstitutional the provision of Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd), relied on to authorized Justice Idris to return from the Court of Appeal to the High Court to conclude the trial.

    The decision by the Court of Appeal to dismiss the EFCC’s appeal based on insufficient records highlights how technicalities are being exploited to thwart the judicial process.

    Instead of addressing the substantive issues of fraud and corruption, the focus has shifted to procedural irregularities, allowing the accused to evade accountability and delay justice for the people of Abia State.

    The group insisted that Sen. Orji Uzor has been tried, found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and convicted accordingly, consistent with the extant laws as provided by the Constitution of Nigeria.

    According to Nwambu, the interpretation of legal provisions, such as the constitutional limitations on judges returning to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case, has been used to create confusion and delay in the adjudication of this case.

    He said that the insistence on strict compliance with procedural requirements, to the detriment of addressing the actual allegations of financial misconduct and massive fraud, is a disservice to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.

    “It is unacceptable that technicalities are being prioritized over the merits of the matter, especially in a case as serious as an alleged N7.6 billion fraud. The manipulation of legal loopholes to avoid facing the substantive allegations undermines the integrity of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the ability of our institutions to hold the powerful accountable.”

    Consequently, our coalition here by call on all stakeholders in the legal system to prioritize the fair and expeditious adjudication of cases involving financial crimes and corruption. The focus should be on addressing the substantive issues at hand and ensuring that justice is served without being derailed by technicalities and procedural obstacles.

    The coalition thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his willingness and determination to combat the hydra- headed monster of corruption, which has held the Nigerian nation on her knees for several decades.

    The group informed that the pronouncement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice on the current case of the former Governor of Kogi State has shown Mr president’s determination to ensure that every alleged corrupt Nigerian citizen irrespective of creed, religion or office held is made to face the law is a clear testament to this fact

    The group therefore informed that it is time to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those accused of financial misconduct are held accountable, regardless of the legal maneuvers they may employ to evade justice.

  • BREAKING: Adoke discharged, acquitted of all charges as court dismisses EFCC’s second case

    BREAKING: Adoke discharged, acquitted of all charges as court dismisses EFCC’s second case

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the federal high court, Abuja, on Friday upheld the “no case” submission by Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation, on charges of money laundering.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Adoke and Abubakar Aliyu, a property developer, to court in 2017, alleging money laundering to the tune of N300 million.

    Although there is no mention of the OPL 245 transaction in this case, the same particulars were also charged by the EFCC before Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the FCT high court in 2020.

    While the EFCC admitted before Ekwo that it was a mortgage that Adoke took from Unity Bank, it alleged before Kutigi that the money was a bribe from the sale of the oil block by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.

    On March 28, 2024, Kutigi pointed out the contradiction while dismissing the charges against Adoke and other defendants, chiding the EFCC for wasting the court’s time for four years.

    In his own ruling on Friday morning, Ekwo said the EFCC did not provide any evidence to prove the essential elements of the offence against Adoke, who was listed as the first defendant.

    He upheld the no case submission, discharging and acquitting,

    However, Ekwo ruled that Aliyu, the second defendant, has to open his defence because he has a case to answer.

  • Police Invite Edo Labour Party’s Guber Candidate, Akpata Over UNIBEN Assault Incident

    Police Invite Edo Labour Party’s Guber Candidate, Akpata Over UNIBEN Assault Incident

    The Edo State Police Command has summoned the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, to discuss alleged security breaches, particularly the incidents of gunfire reported at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) last Friday.

    The Public Relations Officer for the Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this development to the media in Benin City.

    Nwabuzor stated that the LP gubernatorial candidate was served the invitation by investigators during the Political Desk Session at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

    Recall that during an investiture ceremony hosted by the UNIBEN Staff Club, the candidate of the Labour Party for the forthcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State was allegedly assaulted by suspected political thugs.

    Olumide Akpata, on the other hand, has claimed that the attack was orchestrated by both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the State Government to assassinate him.

    The Command’s spokesperson elaborated that the invitation extended to Olumide Akpata was a component of the investigation launched by the police Command into the crisis.

    In response to inquiries, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, verified the reception of the police invitation, mentioning his absence in Benin during the letter’s arrival, but he affirmed his intention to honour the invitation.

    “The police ought to have done their background investigations, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party secretariat. So, I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to the Police Command Headquarters in Benin, however, I will honour the invitation,” he said.

  • AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

    AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe.

    Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State.

    In the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday.

    Reacting to the development, the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, said EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation.

    He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’,.

    According to the Minister, embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.

    He reiterated his stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon.

    The AGF said in the terse statement: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.

    “It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.

    “A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.

    “I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.

    “I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”

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

    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

    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.

  • Naira Abuse Charge: Cubana Chief Priest pleads not guilty ….granted 10m bail

    Naira Abuse Charge: Cubana Chief Priest pleads not guilty ….granted 10m bail

    A businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira.

    Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

    He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.

    Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offences while dancing during a social event.
    He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.