metro
Court rejects FG’s evidence against Nnamdi Kanu
Court rejects FG’s evidence against Nnamdi Kanu
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday rejected the evidence sought to be tendered by the federal government in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, agreed with the argument of the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), that the Supreme Court had ruled that in extracting an extrajudicial statement from a suspect, the presence of his lawyer is mandatory.
Mr Omotosho held that though a provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, used the word “may” to mean that “the presence of a lawyer to a suspect is not a must while making a statement”, he could not close his eyes to the apex court’s decision.
The judge stood down the matter to deliver a ruling on the admissibility of the evidence sought to be tendered by the federal government.
The development occurred after FG’s counsel, Suraj Saida (SAN), and Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), adopted their written addresses and argued their case for and against the propriety of the evidence.
Ruling after the trial-within-trial, Mr Omotosho held that the issue is whether, with regard to the evidence placed before the court, the statements of Mr Kanu were admissible in law.
He stated that the burden of proof in a trial-within-trial lies with the prosecution to prove its case.
The judge said, in the mind of the court, the defendant did not establish the allegations of involuntariness in any way.
He said the video recordings showed that Mr Kanu was relaxed when he was interviewed by the State Security Services (SSS) operatives. He said the video and the statements showed they were the same.
READ ALSO:
- Hamas official says it will reject new US Gaza ceasefire plan backed by Israel
- Animals in human skin
- Senators link upsurge in banditry, Boko Haram activities to 2027 polls
However, the judge said the court must not close its eyes to the fact that Mr Kanu repeatedly said in the video that his statements were taken without his lawyers.
He held that relevant laws state that under Section 17(2) of ACJA, the statements of a defendant may be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner of his choice or, where he has no counsel, an official of the Legal Aid Council shall be present.
Mr Omotosho, however, added that the Supreme Court had ruled several times that the presence of a lawyer for a defendant when he is making his confessional statements is “mandatory”, and the security agencies must comply with it.
He said the charge against Mr Kanu was a grievous one, requiring the presence of the suspect’s lawyer during the recording of the statements.
“The statements are inadmissible in light of this omission by the prosecution,” Mr Omotosho said.
He held that the 2015 statements obtained from Mr Kanu are inadmissible in law due to the absence of his lawyers.
The judge subsequently expunged the video evidence and statements obtained from Mr Kanu on these grounds.
“The objection of the defendant’s counsel is upheld. The statements of October 23, 2015, and November 2015, earlier admitted in evidence, are rejected,” the judge said.
Mr Omotosho proceeded to mark the statements rejected and also expunge from the court’s record the video recordings of the interview and statement writing sessions that Mr Kanu had with the SSS officials in October 2015.
The video recordings were earlier admitted in evidence by the court during Wednesday’s proceedings and marked as Exhibits PWQ and PWR.
Mr Omotosho, on Wednesday, ordered a trial-within-trial following Mr Kanu’s rejection of the extrajudicial statements sought to be tendered by the prosecution.
The IPOB leader had alleged that he made the statements under duress.
Mr Kanu alleged that SSS officials, who interrogated him, denied him access to his lawyer, threatened not to allow him on bail and denied him the one hour granted to him daily to receive fresh air, given his health challenge.
He said he was threatened by an SSS investigator, whom he described as Brown Ukuaba, an assistant director of investigation.
Mr Kanu also alleged that his interrogators asked him to say things about former President Jonathan and former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo. He said he was kept in an underground cell, and the video recordings played in court were edited.
The FG’s witness, an SSS operative, however, insisted that Mr Kanu was never subjected to coercion and that all the complaints he raised were addressed.
He denied that Mr Kanu was subjected to any form of duress or coercion and faulted his lawyer’s claim that he was kept in solitary confinement in an underground cell and that he suffered from any ill-treatment.
The SSS operative said Mr Kanu was given preferential treatment and served bottled water during the interview sessions.
He also denied that anyone asked Mr Kanu to say things about Messrs Jonathan and Okorocha, adding that the IPOB leader “spoke voluntarily and truthfully in the interviews.”
Mr Omotosho then ordered the conduct of a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of Mr Kanu’s statements.
Court rejects FG’s evidence against Nnamdi Kanu
(NAN)
metro
Elderly Man Flung to Death as Truck Overturns in Lagos
Elderly Man Flung to Death as Truck Overturns in Lagos
An elderly man has died after being flung out of a moving truck that overturned following a tyre burst around the TREM axis of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, Lagos State.
The fatal accident occurred around midnight on Sunday, November 8, 2026, involving a fully loaded Mercedes-Benz six-tyre truck conveying assorted goods, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed the incident in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the agency, preliminary findings indicated that the truck, with registration number ABJ 37 AC, was travelling at considerable speed when one of its front tyres suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
During the ensuing struggle to stabilise the truck, an elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was thrown out of the vehicle.
He reportedly struck his head against a sharp object, sustaining fatal injuries and dying at the scene.
LASTMA said its Night Rescue Team, which was conducting surveillance along major traffic corridors, promptly mobilised to the accident location, cordoned off the area and evacuated the deceased from the busy carriageway.
The body was subsequently moved into an ambulance operated by the Lagos State Emergency Medical Services to prevent further exposure to approaching motorists and reduce the risk of another accident.
READ ALSO:
- ‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding
- Job Seeker Steals Bugatti CEO’s £2m Car After Finding Keys Inside
- Netanyahu Faces Political Setback as Israeli President Picks Rival to Form Government
Personnel of the Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also participated in the emergency response.
The traffic management agency said its operatives deployed traffic cones and emergency warning signals around the scene to alert approaching motorists and ensure the safe movement of other road users.
However, the overturned truck could not be immediately recovered because of the volume and nature of its cargo.
LASTMA explained that arrangements had to be made to transfer the goods into another empty truck before the accident vehicle could be removed from the road.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the fatality as a painful and avoidable loss.
Bakare-Oki condemned excessive speeding, warning that it reduces drivers’ reaction time, compromises vehicle stability and increases the severity of road accidents, particularly when unexpected mechanical failures occur.
He said the consequences of the crash could potentially have been less severe if the truck had been travelling at a controlled speed, despite the sudden tyre burst.
The LASTMA boss urged operators of heavy-duty vehicles, commercial transporters and other motorists to observe speed limits and conduct regular mechanical inspections before embarking on journeys.
He specifically advised truck operators to pay attention to the condition of their tyres, braking systems and other critical vehicle components to reduce the risk of road crashes.
He also urged drivers to remain composed and apply appropriate vehicle-control techniques when confronted with sudden mechanical failures.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to traffic surveillance, prompt emergency response and collaboration with relevant authorities to protect lives and property across Lagos State.
Elderly Man Flung to Death as Truck Overturns in Lagos
metro
Zamfara: Bandits Allegedly Burn 13 Family Members Alive After Locking Them Inside Room
Zamfara: Bandits Allegedly Burn 13 Family Members Alive After Locking Them Inside Room
By Newstrends Correspondent
MARADUN, Zamfara State – Tragedy has reportedly struck Gidan Taba community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State after suspected bandits allegedly killed 13 members of the same family by locking them inside a room and setting their house ablaze.
The victims were identified as Sani Ɗanwawo and 12 members of his family, who reportedly died in the inferno during an attack on Saturday night, November 7, 2026.
According to a report published by Daily Post on Sunday, November 8, the attackers allegedly confined all 13 occupants inside a room before setting the building on fire, leaving them with no opportunity to escape.
The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a security and conflict reporter who monitors banditry and other security developments in Nigeria’s North-West region, in a post on X.
The reported killing represents another disturbing incident in Zamfara State, which has continued to experience attacks by armed groups, including killings, kidnappings and destruction of property.
Maradun Local Government Area and other parts of the state have witnessed repeated security challenges, leaving residents exposed to violence and displacement.
However, details surrounding the latest incident, including the identities of all the victims and possible reactions from security agencies, remain unclear.
As of the time of filing this report, independent confirmation of the reported 13 deaths from the Zamfara State Police Command or other security authorities had not been established.
Zamfara: Bandits Allegedly Burn 13 Family Members Alive After Locking Them Inside Room
metro
[ICYMI] Lagos Summons DisCos, Regulators Over Persistent Power Outages, Seeks 24-Hour Electricity
Lagos Summons DisCos, Regulators Over Persistent Power Outages, Seeks 24-Hour Electricity
By Newstrends Correspondent
The Lagos State Government has summoned electricity regulators, distribution companies (DisCos), power resellers and suppliers to a major energy summit aimed at addressing persistent electricity shortages and finding lasting solutions to the state’s unreliable power supply.
The initiative is part of efforts to develop a roadmap towards achieving reliable, round-the-clock electricity across Lagos State, amid growing complaints from residents and businesses over frequent power outages.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 Lagos Energy Summit.
The summit, themed “Lagos Energy Evolution: Transforming the Future,” is scheduled for November 10 and 11, while a technical tour will take place on November 12 at selected energy infrastructure facilities.
Ogunleye said the gathering would bring together critical stakeholders across the electricity value chain to examine structural challenges affecting the sector and develop practical solutions capable of improving electricity supply.
He explained that discussions would focus on electricity sector reforms, energy efficiency, renewable energy, metering solutions and alternative sources of power.
According to the commissioner, the government intends to move beyond policy declarations and ensure that the summit produces practical outcomes that can improve electricity access and strengthen Lagos’ energy infrastructure.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ibilola Kasumu, said the summit would adopt a different approach from conventional industry gatherings by placing actual problems before experts for possible solutions.
She explained that the objective was to bring stakeholders together to identify challenges within the electricity value chain and develop workable strategies for addressing them.
Kasumu added that the government hoped to establish a framework for reliable electricity supply that could eventually serve as a model for other states.
Ogunleye also disclosed that the Lagos State Government was engaging the Federal Government on issues surrounding their respective regulatory responsibilities and the need to strengthen the state’s control over its electricity infrastructure.
The discussions are expected to cover the development of renewable energy, alternative power sources and other initiatives that could reduce dependence on conventional electricity generation.
The summit will also showcase clean-energy innovations by young Nigerians, including projects and prototypes developed by secondary school students.
The development comes amid persistent complaints by Lagos residents over erratic electricity supply, which has continued to affect households, commercial activities and small businesses across the state.
The Lagos government says achieving a more reliable energy system is essential to supporting economic growth, attracting investment and advancing its ambition of building a 24-hour economy.
However, residents will be watching closely to see whether the summit produces concrete measures capable of addressing the electricity challenges affecting communities across Lagos.
Lagos Summons DisCos, Regulators Over Persistent Power Outages, Seeks 24-Hour Electricity
-
metro3 days agoNNPCL Slashes Petrol Price By Up To ₦80, Sells At ₦1,325 Per Litre In Abuja
-
Sports1 day agoBREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
-
News2 days agoADC Heads to Appeal, Insists Mark, Aregbesola Remain Party Leaders Despite Court Ruling
-
News2 days agoTinubu’s Visit: One Feared Dead, Several Injured as APC Women’s Bus Collides With Security Vehicle in Uyo
-
metro3 days agoNiger Police Arrest Five Over Alleged Plot to Sacrifice Biological Children for Wealth
-
News2 days agoSex Trafficking: ‘They Took Us To Native Doctor, Shaved Our Private Parts Before Leaving Edo’ – Survivor
-
Auto2 days agoUwatse Joins Ade-Ojo, Maduka in Exclusive League of Nigeria Auto Legends
-
Politics3 days agoAisha Yesufu Fires Warning At INEC After Rufai Oseni Hails Americans For Voting Out Tyranny