“It’s a shame that those who claim to be men of honour cannot honour their word.”
Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have expressed disappointment over the failure of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to honour an alleged agreement between his son Seyi , and the family before the 2023 general election.
Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, in a statement, claimed that Seyi with the approval of his father, personally met with him in Abuja shortly before the election, where both parties entered into agreement concerning Kanu.
According to him, it was agreed that IPOB would not bycott the polls on the condition that Tinubu would release Kanu if elected President.
Prince Emmanuel expressed disappointment that nearly two years after the emergence of Tinubu as President, his brother (Kanu), has continued to languish in detention despite the fact that the presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, had since recused herself from the matter.
He said it was disappointing that those who claimed to be honourable, failed to keep their words.
The statement read:”Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi the son of President Tinubu wanted to see me. I agreed to meet with him on the condition that the overriding priority and hence the fulcrum of our discussion will be the release of my brother. The meeting was held in Abuja in the presence of another individual whom I asked along to witness the deliberations and if need be provide independent verification should the need arise.
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“Seyi confirmed to me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that I should consider any agreement we reach as binding on the then candidate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In good faith we agreed that I shall relay the outcome to my brother to reinforce the long held tradition of IPOB not interfering with the conduct of elections, either through boycott or any other form of civil disobedience. This understanding was duly communicated to my brother and he reaffirmed his commitment not to stop the elections or order any boycott.
“When President Tinubu as a candidate visited Owerri during his campaign, he too reiterated his commitment to facilitate the release of my brother if elected. We took his public statement as a tacit reaffirmation of the understanding I reached with his son Seyi.
“At the end, IPOB did not call for election boycott despite having the capacity to do so. IPOB also made sure that discordant voices urging election boycott were overcome because election boycotts would not reflect well on the reputation of a global movement that prides itself on adherence to democratic tenets.
“It therefore, defies logic that nearly two years after President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, my brother is still in detention despite not having any charge against him. It’s been over three months now that Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the case yet no new judge has been assigned the case.
“This is on top of the fact that Appeal Court had earlier discharged him of the sham charges and ordered his release which the previous regime of Buhari declined to obey.
“Supreme Court determination that his bail ought not to have been revoked has been ignored by the courts and the government. The latest insult is that Abuja courts of all persuasion are no longer willing to determine the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on merit but are rather relying on ludicrous and inapplicable technicalities to stall the timely determination of his cases.
“The truth is that Nigerian courts cannot, will not and do not have both the substantive and procedural jurisdiction to try him. His detention is without the backing of any known law in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.
“It’s a shame that those who claim to be men of honour cannot honour their word.”
Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart
The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, is currently grappling with a crisis over the distribution formula of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses to higher institutions nationwide.
The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.
The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State; Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-officio; Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties; Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education; Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad; Comrade Muhd Muazu; Mamuna Bello; Paul Edoh Gabriel; Kabiru Saminu; and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to newsmen Monday in Awka.
In the statement, a copy of which was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS Headquarters, Abuja; Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja; EFCC; ICPC; SSA to the President on Students Affairs; Minister of Transportation; NANS Zonal Coordinators; NANS JCC Chairmen; as well as all SUG Presidents, asking particularly President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.
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The petition read in part: His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear Sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
“This decision, made by the President of NANS, Comr. Lucky Emonofe, in collaboration with the Senate President, Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.”
“The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students have been selectively distributed, leaving many students without access to this vital resource. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.”
“The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of these buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation”.
*Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of NANS but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging times across the country”.
Gunmen kill 3 sons of Anambra native doctor
Gunmen have killed three children of a native doctor at their home in Nise community of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The killers were said to have carried out the act on Saturday night by scaling the fence to gain entrance to the building.
It was learnt that the suspects dumped the corpses in a parked Mercedes Benz car in the compound before exiting.
Spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, told newsmen on Monday that a manhunt for the killers had begun.
“The assailants entered the compound, killed the victims and dumped their corpses inside a parked Mercedes Benz in the compound. The incident happened on Saturday, but we got the report late on Sunday.
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“We are trying to unravel the circumstances behind the killing, whether it was due to the negligence of their father or the motive of the suspect and as soon as we conclude our investigation, the report will be made public,” he said.
A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bodies of the three boys, aged between six and two, were found with their mouths tied.
The source claimed the native doctor had a habit of locking up his children and wife in the house while he is out.
“The father of the victims was reported to have been having issues with some unconfirmed individuals. However, it cannot be determined if these conflicts led to the deaths of the three children or not,” the source added.
Court to hear Speed Darlington’s N300m suit against IG Jan. 13
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, fixed Jan. 13 to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the detained Singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington.
He filed the lawsuit against the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after counsel for the singer, Abubakar Marshal, sought an adjournment to enable the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, to study and to respond accordingly to the processes served on him in the open court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Liman had, on Dec. 23, 2024, ordered the I-G to charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.
The judge made the order in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by a lawyer who appeared for Achakpo, David Ihuoma, and adjourned the matter until Jan. 6 for the hearing of the substantive case.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over allegations of “defamation and cyberstalking” of the ace award-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy but was released on bail on Oct. 8, 2024.
A lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju alleged that Speed Darlington was apprehended in Lagos State following a petition by Burna Boy, and was moved to Abuja where he had been in detention.
Upon resuming hearing in the matter on Monday, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing of the originating motion on notice for the enforcement of Achakpo’s fundamental rights.
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Although Audu said he was yet to be served with the process, the court however confirmed through the proof of service in the court record that the police were duly served.
The judge thereafter directed Marshal to avail Audu with a copy of the application in the open court.
Justice Liman then asked Marshal if the singer had been released but the lawyer responded in the negative.
Responding, Audu explained to the court that the I-G had already filed a criminal charge against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion ex-parte for his release.
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