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Alleged corruption: Ganduje’s immunity expired since May 29, Falana tells court

Published

9 months ago

July 26, 2023

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana

Alleged corruption: Ganduje’s immunity expired since May 29, Falana tells court

A fiery human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has told a Federal High Court sitting in Kano that the immunity of the immediate-past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, had expired since May 29.

On July 7, the court restrained the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, PCACC), Nigeria Police and six others from inviting, harassing or arresting Ganduje, family or any of his appointees who served under his administration, pending the hearing and determination of substantive originating motion.

Mr Ganduje, through his counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, filed a motion ex parte, dated July 7, on fundamental rights enforcement procedure Rules 2009 under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

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Mr Ganduje was seeking the court to restrain PCACC from arresting, investigating and inviting him over the alleged bribe dollar video.

The respondents are the KNPCACC, Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Others are the Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of Kano state.

When the case came up for hearing, counsel to the applicant, Matthew Burkaa SAN, filed a further affidavit in response of the respondents counter affidavit.

He said the fundamental right suit was to protect the right of Mr Ganduje and also sought to protect his family members and political appointees.

“My Lord we are not saying Ganduje should not be invited or investigated, but rather do it according to law,” Mr Burkaa said.

But counsel to the PCACC, Femi Falana SAN, told the court that the applicant’s immunity has expired on May 29.

“We have filed 23 paragraph counter affidavit, four exhibits and a written address as our argument.

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“This case is a public interest litigation not personal. The applicant wants to use the order to protect his reputation and protect parties that are not before court,” he said.

Mr Falana said the court cannot protect the names of those who are not before the court.

“This court has no jurisdiction, this is a gaging suit.

“The PCACC invited the applicant to investigate alleged N1 billion theft. Therefore, if you are invited you must honour the invitation,” Mr Falana said.

He therefore urged the court to dismiss the exparte it earlier granted the applicant.

Counsel to Nigeria Police, Sunday Ekwe, and Counsel to the DSS, Mr I B Bulus, aligned themselves with the first respondent.

Counsel to Attorney General of Kano, Khalifa Hashim, also filed a three paragraph counter affidavit dated July 19, praying the court to dismiss the exparte.

Justice A M Liman adjourned the matter to September 22 for judgment.

NAN

Alleged corruption: Ganduje’s immunity expired since May 29, Falana tells court

Related Topics:corruption Falana Ganduje

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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

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6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.

It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.

A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.

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The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.

“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.

“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”

Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

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IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”

IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.

The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.

“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.

By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

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Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.

According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000