News

Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s N50bn suit against FG until April 22

Published

3 months ago

January 29, 2024

Leader of Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu

Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s N50bn suit against FG until April 22

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned a N50 billion suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government until April 27 for further mention.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter after Aloy Ejimakor, the lawyer who appeared for Kanu, informed the court that he had just filed a notice for a change of counsel.

Ejimakor told the court that he would be taken over the case from Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who filed the suit on April 7, 2022.

Justice Ekwo directed the lawyer to find out if a similar matter was not before any sister court or other courts pending, or if a judgment had not been delivered in a similar suit.

The judge, who observed that no counsel appeared for the defendants, ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on them against the next adjourned date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)) reports that Kanu, had sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022.

Kanu, who sued the defendants over allegations bordering on violation of his rights, alleged that he was kidnapped from Kenya and brought back to Nigeria to stand trial.

He wants the court to determine “whether the way and manner in which the plaintiff was abducted in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria is consistent with extant laws.”

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Particularly, he cited “the provisions of Article 12 (4) of the African Charter on human and peoples rights (ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Article/Part 5 (a) of the African Charter’s principles and guidelines on human and peoples’ rights while countering terrorism in Africa.”

Kanu also wants the court to determine “whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the plaintiff can be competently/legally tried for offences stated in counts 1 to 14 of the 15-count amended charge in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 between Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

He said the counts “are not the offences for which he was surrendered or extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria.”

In the originating summons, the IPOB leader is seeking 11 reliefs, including an order for his release from the Department of State Services (DSS)’ custody.

He is also seeking an order restraining the defendants from taking any further step to prosecute him over criminal charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, currently pending before a sister court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako.

Kanu also asked the court to award the sum of N100 million to him “as the cost of this action.”

But in a notice of preliminary objection dated Jun 6, 2022, but filed June 27, 2022, the FRN and AGF prayed the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as “an abuse of court process.”

Giving one ground of argument, the defendants argued that Kanu had filed an earlier suit with similar facts before a Federal High Court, Umuahia Division in suit number: FHC/UM/CS/30/2022.

They further argued that the two defendants were parties in the suit.

According to the defendants, this renders this suit as an abuse of court process that deprived the court of the jurisdiction to entertain the instant suit.

Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s N50bn suit against FG until April 22

(NAN)

News

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully prosecuted Mr. Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for his involvement in an employment scam, according to a statement by the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, on Thursday.

Oluchukwu was convicted by the Katsina State High Court 3 after being accused of receiving significant sums from individuals under the pretence of securing jobs for their children within the NSCDC. Despite failing to fulfil his promises, he refused to refund the money to the victims.

The court found Oluchukwu guilty on all nine counts and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and the judge directed that Oluchukwu’s sureties be arrested and detained for further investigation, as he had jumped bail.

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Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a probe into allegations of a N7.5 billion fraud involving ten senior officers of the NSCDC, including Commandant General Ahmed Audi. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, wrote to Audi, inviting the officers for questioning, with the investigation scheduled to commence from May 2, 2024.

The fraud, allegedly involving several contractors and money laundering through Bureau de Change operators, is under investigation by the EFCC.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government agencies and ensure accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public service sector.

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

News

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as the co-chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

This is contained in a terse statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.

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It reads: “In line with his avowed commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process for unique oil and gas projects in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

This is also to further ensure effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.

The President remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.”

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

News

Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

4 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers

The Senate on Thursday passed a bill that upgraded the maximum sentence of life imprisonment to the death penalty for drug traffickers in the country amidst controversy over the voice votes.

The death sentence as a penalty for drug traffickers passed through the third reading, the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.

The proposal was adopted when the Senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for clause-by-clause consideration of a report of the Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Senator Tahir Munguno.

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In a review of the penalty provisions of the amendment bill towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award a death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip and Sen. Peter Nwebonyi Under clause 11.

When the matter was put to a voice vote, it appeared the nays had it. However, when the question was put on a second vote, the Deputy Senate President ruled in favor of the i’s. A slight uproar ensued as some lawmakers were displeased.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause.

The Deputy Senate President rejected an objection by Senator Oshiomhole to reverse the ruling, insisting that it came late which is against the rules.