Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Nigerian government.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, the IPOB leader demanded N1 billion in damages for alleged violation of his rights while in detention.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and the Department of State Service (DSS) were listed as respondents in the suit.
Kanu had 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 in detention.
READ ALSO:Rep seeks Buhari’s intervention in Nnamdi Kanu’s case
In the motion, the detained Biafran agitator prayed for a declaration that the respondents decision to seize and photocopied confidential legal documents pertaining to the preparation of his defense as illegal.
He also sought a “declaration that the respondents’ decision to stop his counsel from taking notes during professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention amounted to a denial of his right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defense by legal practitioners of his own choice.”
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit for lack of merit.
He noted that there was no evidence to show that Kanu’s lawyers were denied a fair hearing as claimed in the suit.
He held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with.
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Court dismisses Kanu’s N1bn suit against Nigerian govt
True strength of Niger Delta lies in youths – Group
The Niger Delta Young Professionals, NDYP, has said that the true strength of the region lies in its human capital, especially its youth.
The group said this while calling for a government and private sector supportive ecosystem to drive the growth and development of young entrepreneurs in the oil-rich region.
Coordinator of the NDYP, Mr. Gerald So-George made the call in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, weekend, at the 4th Niger Delta MSME Summit.
He stressed that governments in the region must recognize that “our youths are our greatest assets.”
He added that a “viable ecosystem for government and the private sector to come together to further the growth and development of entrepreneurs in the region” must be created.
He said this included “the provision of capital (seed and low-cost financial options), mentorship, and grooming”.
He highlighted the dual identity of the Niger Delta: a region rich in resources, but beset by challenges such as environmental degradation, social unrest, and economic neglect.
He emphasized the untapped potential of the region’s human capital, particularly its young people, as a driving force for change.
“The true strength of this region lies in its human capital, especially its youth.
“As Nigeria moves towards economic diversification, there is an urgent need for the young population in the Niger Delta to embrace entrepreneurship,” So-George charged the youths.
True strength of Niger Delta lies in youths – Group
Mexico extradites drug cartel bagman to US
Mexico has extradited a suspected senior money man of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel to the United States, officials said Sunday.
Sergio Miguel Vega Mendoza was arrested last year in Mexico City and was sought by a US federal court on charges of drug trafficking, the attorney general’s office said.
It said Vega Mendoza coordinated and oversaw drug shipments and transported large amounts into the United States.
Mexican media said he is close to Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, a son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the former head of the Sinaloa cartel who is now serving a life prison sentence in the United States.
After the elder Guzman was captured in 2016 and extradited to the United States, his sons took over the running of the cartel.
One of those sons, Ovidio Guzman, was handed over to US authorities in September last year.
Three of his brothers, including Ivan Archivaldo, are being sought by the United States on drug charges.
AFP
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Ika people reject Sen Nwoko’s Bill to ‘annex’ Anioma State to South East
The Onu Ika Nigeria, has rejected the proposed Bill by Senator Ned Nwoko to create Anioma State from the present Delta State as part of the South-East region.
The group which claims to be the mouth piece of Ika Ethnic Nationality, said it was not against the bill for the creation of the new state, which has been an ongoing agitation, but that it was not in support of the proposal to “annex” the new state to the south-east.
The group in a recent letter to Sen Nwoko, went down memory lane to remind the senator of the genesis and origination of the agitation for Anioma state.
Onu Ika Nigeria said it had “restrained itself from dabbling into the “dust” raised by our Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko in his call for the creation of ANIOMA STATE. We don’t see anything significantly unusual in his “Proposed Bill” for the creation of ANIOMA State except for the underlying content of GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE of his envisioned ANIOMA STATE”.
The letter reads:
Onu Ika is thus emboldened to enlighten our Distinguished Senator for guidance; and in guiding our Distinguished Senator we shall retrospectively and profusely refer to the genesis of the quest for ANIOMA STATE creation by some of our patriotic politicians most of whom though are of blessed memories yet, their desires still remain unquenchable.
We, of Ika Ethnic Nationality, are enthused that the younger generations are picking up the baton of ANIOMA State Creation agitation despite the prevailing suffocating socioeconomic developments in the country.
For the benefit of the younger generations ( including most of our Representatives) firstly, let us understand where we are coming from, where we are now and wher we want to be. By our tradition and, indeed universally, ” a child does not show his/her parents their former abode” . We shall herein quote verbatim the etymology of “ANIO-MA” an Acronym from Late Chief Dennis Osadebay, the Ojiba of Asaba, in his time honoured article “Excursion into History” (Reflection) . The First Premier of the defunct Midwestern Region published in the Guardian of September 10, 1991. We quote “… The meeting decided that the western ibos * should seek a State of their own without bringing in Eastern Ibos** of Onitsha, Ogbaru and Anambra Local Government Areas”
PLATFORM. We discussed the question of the Organisation which should spearhead the demand for the creation of the State. I suggested that we should coin the name by taking letter beginning the name of each of the FOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS *** of Western Ibos. Thus we took A from Aniocha, N from Ndokwa, I from Ika, O from Oshimili. We got the word ANIO and (Chief Osuhor of Umunde in Ika) clapped his hands and was happy that we now have a new name ANIO State. I suggested that we should sweeten the name by adding to ANIO the letter M in Oshimili and letter A which is the last letter in the names of the other three Local Governments so we had the word ( acronym) which gave us the new name ANIOMA State. Incidentally, the word ANIOMA in Ibo means ” the good land” ”
On August 27, 1991 anniversary of his administration, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida announced the creation of nine new states:- namely, Abia State, Anambra State, Kebbi State, Kogi State, Delta State, Osun State, Taraba State, Jigawa State, Yobe State. Anioma State was not created”
READ ALSO:Delta Senator, Nwoko, proposes creation of Anioma State, to join South-East zone
Before we make our inferences from Senator Ned Nwoko’s ANIOMA creation Bill and the efforts of Late Chief Dennis Osadebay and Co, Onu Ika would like to take Senator Ned Nwoko again to an excursion into the efforts of yet another Group of patriotic politicians (The ANIOMA State Movement” led by Late Distinguished Senator Nosike Ikpo and also, the singular efforts of Hon Pascal Nwaoranine Adigwe former member National House of Assembly representative of Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency particularly in his copious and overarching consultations in the heat of agitation for ANIOMA State creation. In the former’s Document Titled ” The case for the creation of ANIOMA” The four Local Government Areas referred to in Late Chief Dennis Osadebay’s Article namely, Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika and Oshimili were represented by 10 persons of proven integrity. All of them appended their names and signatures in full support of the renewed quest for the creation of ANIOMA State. The Group went a step further in collating endorsements from reputable members of the four Local Governments referenced.
OUR DEDUCTIONS AND STAND :
1. From 1963 to date, any political or non-political Group agitating for the creation of ANIOMA State has been conservative, consistent, focused and specific on the geographical land mass and the four Local Government areas encompassing the envisioned ANIOMA State. viz:- Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika and Oshimili. Admittedly, some of the inhabitants may be Ibo speaking but that alone does not make them full fledged Ibos;
2. Secondly, in the annals of State creation in Nigeria; there have not been any attempt to lump two areas naturally ( geographical boundaries) separated together as one State or part thereof. To do that will amount to ANNEXATION ; the Ikas are not willing to be Annexed to South East across the River Niger but would gladly like to be reintegrated into the old Midwestern Region
3. Thirdly, the idea of the nomenclature of Western Ibos, Eastern Ibos, Ika Ibos ( which gained currency during the Biafran War and thereafter) is peculiar to the Eastern part of the Country. We hardly hear of Western Hausas or Fulanis or Western or Eastern Yorubas. We are aware that there are ethnic minorities in other major Tribes/ethnic groups in Nigeria. To classify a geographical area as part of a State mainly on account of language is, in our considered opinion, grossly and linguistically misleading and unacceptable. Hence the Ikas unequivocally reject Senator Ned Nwoko’s Proposed Bill to ” Annex” Ika Ethnic Nationality to a Section of Eastern Region across River Niger. The Ikas from oral and recorded history have triple origins—Bini, Ishan and Ibo – Nri factor.
4. Fourthly, Delta State came out of Bendel State which was created out of Midwestern Region carved out of Western Region. Midwestern Region which was created in 1963 by plebiscite was one of the four (4) Major Regions that constitutionally made up the Nigerian Nation then namely:- Eastern Region comprised (9) States; Midwestern Region (2) States; Western Region (7) States and Northern Region (19) States. In our considered opinion; Senator Ned Nwoko and his Distinguished Colleagues from Edo, Ishan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw should be addressing the subtle and yet obvious marginalization/decimation of Midwestern Region amongst the original Four Regions of Nigeria as at 1963.
CONCLUSION:
In the light of all the above; Ika Ethnic Nationality, in principle, supports the Creation of States particularly ANIOMA State that does not bestride any part of Eastern State or Region. Taking all the determinants that are required for State Creation; the Four (4) Local Government Areas that make up the original Proposed ANIOMA State eminently satisfy all the requirements.
We, therefore, humbly request our Distinguished Senator, Ned Nwoko to revisit his ” Proposed Bill for the Creation of ANIOMA State particularly ” the GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE” or Contrived Annexation of ANIOMA State to Eastern Region.
We respectfully rest our case.
SIGNED BY:-
1.Elder Daniel Usifoh.
Head. Collective Leadership of Onu Ika Nigeria. (HCL)
2.Chief Barr. Edwin Osuhor. Ist Vice President.
3. Maj Gen Ephraim O. Usiade, rtd. General Secretary
Dated 26th June, 2024.
Cc. 11 Traditional Rulers in Ika Ethnic Nationality
Cc. Hon. Barr. Victor Nwokolo. Ika Federal Constituency Representative in the National House of Assembly
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Allow us elect our leaders – Traders beg Makinde
Traders in Oyo State have appealed to governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to allow them (traders) to elect their leaders.
Chairperson, National Association of Nigerian Traders, Oyo State chapter, Mrs. Odunayo Kayode Danjuma, made the appeal on Monday.
Danjuma said the traders should be given the opportunity to elect those who would lead them.
According to her, “The commissioner called us for a stakeholders’ meeting, we came to the meeting to discuss the progress of traders in the state. Many issues were discussed. The governor wants everybody to be under one umbrella, and wants us to unite.
“The outcome is that they maintained the 12 clusters, though it has been dissolved. I advised the ministry that when reconstituting another council, they should present people of impeccable characters. The clusters should ensure that they send reliable people, so that we will not have another problem.
“The Babaloja case was mentioned. We have two cases. Only one Babaloja was present, Alhaji Aderemi Jimoh. One Babaloja, Alhaji Y.K. Abass has a case with Alhaji Aderemi Jimoh at Magistrate Court, while the Babaloja in council has a case with Alhaji Y.K. Abass at the High Court of Oyo State.
“They are the two cases. They now advised them to withdraw the two cases for the traders’ association to move forward.
“The issue of Iyaloja General, presently they said that we don’t have Iyaloja General in Oyo State.
“The government advised the two Babalojas to withdraw the case. The ministry advised them to withdraw the cases.
“It is the traders that sent us here. It is not our duty. We need to consult the traders first before recommendation to the governor. That is where the error is.”
Allow us elect our leaders – Traders beg Makinde
Gov. Ododo re-appoints Ogbo as Kogi Poly Rector
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reappointed Prof. Usman Ogbo as the Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
The Director, Public Relations and Protocol of the institution, Mrs Uredo Omale disclosed this in a statement on Monday..
TVN learnt that Prof. Ogbo was appointed for a second term in office.
According to the statement, “The re-appointment was due to his superlative performance as Rector of the institution over the last four years.
“The Rector thanked His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for acknowledging his modest contributions to the growth of the institution.
“He also appreciated the immediate past Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for bringing him on board as Acting Rector after which the appointment was confirmed in 2021.
“The Rector also thanked the Governing Council, Academic Board, Management, staff and students of the institution for the invaluable support that assisted in the transformation of Polytechnic this far.”
The statement quoted the Rector as having vowed to put in much more effort in his second term to strengthen the positive visibility of the institution.
Gov. Ododo re-appoints Ogbo as Kogi Poly Rector
Lagos family donates hostel, calls for on-campus residence for school staff
A former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has said principals and teachers should be living on campuses for effective performance aimed at adequately monitoring and tutoring students on the school premises.
Ogunlewe stated this during the foundation laying of a 100-bed space capacity twin hostel to be donated to the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, by the Fadugba-Ogunlewe Family in honour of their late patriarchs, Amos and Oba Festus Ogunlewe.
He said aside from members of the family members, community members were also involved in the project.
He said, “We don’t have enough accommodation for our students or teachers and we believe that the principal must reside on the campus to be effective.
“Some of the teachers also must reside on the campus and that is the reason why the family, to celebrate 50 years of the death of our father, decided to build two hostels.
“It caused a lot of confusion in the community because the land belonged to the community and they were not happy at all but they persuaded them and they can see the benefits now.”
A member of the family, Jaiyeola Ogunlewe, said the project, when concluded, would immortalise the achievements of their late patriarchs, both of whom the family described as the vanguard of Western education.
He said, “We are the vanguard of Western education in the Igbogbo Kingdom and it is good to revisit some of the achievements in this regard. We assemble to undertake the assignment to immortalise their worthy achievements by erecting edifice in their names for future generations.”
Also, a former Lagos State Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe said Ikorodu indigenes had been supporting educational projects to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning to thrive in the division.
“Ikorodu indigenes have been doing a lot to support education in Lagos State, particularly in Ikorodu Division and our objective in that board is to ensure that we create an enabling environment for teaching and learning and having a good dormitory is one of them,” he said.
No subsisting judgment for Kanu’s release, Obi a big liar – Omokri
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday described as a big lie a claim by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on a subsisting court judgment ordering the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Obi had in a statement last week urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to obey existing court orders and release the Biafran agitator.
But following a fresh ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, Omokri came down on the former Anambra State governor, saying he had lied over the existence of the order.
Justice Omotosho had earlier on Monday dismissed another fundamental human rights suit filed by Kanu against the Federal Government.
In a post on his verified X handle titled “Peter Obi lied. There is no subsisting court order ordering Nnamdi Kanu’s release from DSS custody,” Omokri said:
“Contrary to Peter Obi’s claims, in a unanimous ruling on December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Nnamdi Kanu had a case to answer for treason.
“After that, on May 20, 2024, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled that Nnamdi Kanu should be denied bail.
READ ALSO:Omokri bombs Obi, Ezekwesili for keeping quiet as IPOB goes on rampage in South-East
“If Peter Obi or any of his Obidients can show a subsequent court order made countering the Supreme Court’s judgment of Friday, December 15, 2023, or the Federal High Court’s order on Monday, May 20, 2024, I will pay the first person to produce that judgment $10,000.
“Failing that, Mr. Peter Obi is counselled to stop spreading IPOB propaganda that a subsisting court judgment orders the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“The difference between Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu is that whereas Nnamdi Kanu made public broadcasts instructing his supporters to kill officers and men of Nigeria’s military and paramilitary forces, and thereafter, unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra did kill over one hundred security personnel in the Southeast, Sunday Igboho did no such thing.
“Sunday Igboho was declared wanted by the Buhari administration for the act of waging a militia war against Nigerian herders of Fulani background in parts of Oyo State on the accusation that they were behind d the spate of kidnappings for ransom in the area.
“When he was apprehended in Benin Republic, Sunday Igboho took the Beninoise Government to court and, on October 9, 2023, defeated them in court and secured his freedom.
“He thereafter left Benin Republic for Germany and, on December 5, 2023, defeated the Benin Republic Government again in the ECOWAS court, which ordered Benin to pay him 20 million CFA.
“The Nigerian Government did not free Sunday Igboho. A Beninoise court freed him, and was then further protected by the ECOWAS court. He and Nnamdi Kanu are not in the same class.
“Now, watch as they insult me, because they cannot fault the facts I have presented.”
Peter Obi Lied: There Is No Subsisting Court Judgment Ordering Nnamdi Kanu's Release
Peter Obi lied. There is no subsisting court order ordering Nnamdi Kanu's release from DSS custody. And the comparison that Obidients make between Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, AKA Igboho, is…
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 1, 2024
The post No subsisting judgment for Kanu’s release, Obi a big liar – Omokri appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Explosion hits Nigeria’s Zungeru Hydro Plant in Niger
Nigeria’s N1.3 billion worth Zungeru Hydro Electricity Plant in Niger State has been reportedly hit by an explosion.
TVN gathered that the explosion occurred in the early hours of Monday.
As of the time of filing the report, details of the explosion are still sketchy.
Recall that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said in April that the 700 megawatts capacity plant has been connected to the National Grid.
Adebayo said Nigeria’s electricity increased to 4,800MW from 4,200MW for a population estimated at over 200 million.
Explosion hits Nigeria’s Zungeru Hydro Plant in Niger
Manchester United close in on De Ligt deal
Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of securing the services of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old centre-back, who has struggled for regular playing time at the German club this season, could be set for a reunion with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf on Monday, Manchester United have offered De Ligt a five-year contract, with negotiations between the player’s management and the English club at an advanced stage. The report suggests that an agreement on personal terms is expected to be reached soon.
De Ligt’s potential move to Old Trafford comes after a challenging 2023/24 season at Bayern Munich, where he has found himself slipping down the defensive pecking order.
Despite joining the Bavarian giants for a substantial €67 million fee from Juventus in 2022, the Dutch international made only 22 appearances in the Bundesliga last season.
The report claims that de Ligt and Ten Hag have been in frequent contact, with the pair having “spoken on the phone several times.” Their previous working relationship at Ajax could prove crucial in finalising the deal.
While personal terms appear to be progressing smoothly, the transfer’s completion will hinge on Manchester United and Bayern Munich agreeing on a transfer fee. The two clubs are said to be in talks, though details of the potential fee remain undisclosed.
If the move materialises, it would mark a significant addition to Manchester United’s defensive options and potentially signal a shift in the club’s backline for the upcoming season.
For de Ligt, it represents an opportunity to reignite his career under a familiar manager in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
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