Fresh treason charges force shift of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial – Newstrends
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Fresh treason charges force shift of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

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3 years ago

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Nnamdi Kanu

The re-arraignment of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu on amended terrorism charges was stalled yesterday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

New lead defence counsel, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), sought time to enable him to study the amended 15-count charge filed by the prosecution on January 17.

The SAN argued that the defence was ambushed with the fresh charge.

He claimed that the proof of evidence served on the defence by the prosecution was not legible enough to enable them to know what constitutes the fresh charge.

“My Lord, as I am talking now, the defendant does not know the charge yet. He is just interacting with me.

“He cannot be made to take his plea in relation to a charge he has not seen.

“The principle of fair hearing is just being violated by the Federal Government.

“The frail-looking defendant standing in the dock there has not been allowed to access his family as directed by this Honourable Court.

“I went to DSS to see him and I was almost stripped naked before I could see him.

“We pray that the arraignment is adjourned till tomorrow (today) to enable his lawyers to study the new charge along with him in the interest of justice,” Ozekhome said.
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Lead prosecuting lawyer, Magaji Labaran, faulted the defence’s claim that the amended charge was an ambush.

He also faulted the defence’s claim of Kanu not being properly fed, allowed to practice his religion and allowed free access to his family members.

He, however, did not object to the defence’s request for an adjournment.

Justice Binta Nyako adjourned till January 19 for arraignment on the amended charge.

Before adjourning, Justice Binta Nyako ordered that the defendant and his lawyers be allowed to interact within the courtroom for a while before being taken away.

On the defendant’s complaints, the judge ordered that he be allowed to change his clothes.

“I don’t want to see him in this clothe again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” the judge said.

Justice Nyako however reminded the defendant that a detention facility is not a 5-Star hotel.

She declined the defendant’s oral request that a foreign lawyer, Bruce Fein, be allowed into the courtroom to observe proceedings.

The judge said the request would be allowed upon a written application and approval by the Chief Judge.

Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) brought Kanu

into the courtroom at about 9.50 am.

He exchanged pleasantries with some of his family members and his lawyers.

Earlier, one of Kanu’s lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told our correspondent that the defence beefed up its legal team by engaging some senior lawyers, among whom is Ozekhome.

Ejiofor was, however, silent on the identity of the others.

Some supporters of Kanu, who stormed the court premises in large numbers, clashed with security operatives.

They chanted “Holy Holy Holy, Nnamdi Kanu is another Saviour”.

The IPOB supporters were at the other end of the Ministry of Justice when the security agents tried to disperse them.

The supporters refused, arguing that the security operatives gave free access to a pro-government group who were drumming and singing.

This resulted in a face-off between the supporters and security operatives who later called for reinforcement.

Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, said there was no clash of any sort.

The Nation

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UN seeks $160m for food crisis in northeast Nigeria

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6 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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UN seeks $160m for food crisis in northeast Nigeria

The UN on Monday said it needed roughly $160 million for Nigeria’s conflict-battered northeast, where the situation is at its worst in five years, according to the local head of the body’s humanitarian arm.

The region has been plagued by a 15-year jihadist insurgency that has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million. The fighting has also ruined livelihoods and hindered access to agricultural land and markets.

The funds are needed to provide nutritional and health supplies to two million people, including 600,000 children in the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, officials said.

The request comes as cuts by the United States have hampered the humanitarian response in the region.

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Speaking to reporters, officials from the World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization and children’s fund UNICEF warned that the already precarious humanitarian situation could be worsened by a disease outbreak or natural disaster such as flooding, which the region would not be prepared for.

“This is urgent,” said Trond Jensen, who heads the Nigeria office of the UN’s humanitarian response arm, UNOCHA. “We need the support now, not next week, not next month.”

“I cannot say how desperate the situation is,” he added. “It’s the worst that I’ve seen in five years.”

Jensen said cuts by the United States, notably to its main foreign development arm USAID, have had a critical impact on the capacity to provide critical services to people in the region.

“If these children don’t get access to those treatment services they will die,” said Nemat Hajeebhoy, nutrition chief at UNICEF Nigeria.

 

UN seeks $160m for food crisis in northeast Nigeria

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Davido, Cubana Chief Priest, others call for VeryDarkMan’s release

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6 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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Davido, Cubana Chief Priest, others call for VeryDarkMan’s release

Afrobeat superstar Davido, celebrity bar man, Cubana Chief Priest and other Nigerians have condemned the arrest of social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The celebrities and fans of VDM said his arrest was carried out like an “abduction”, which left many Nigerians worried, and therefore demand his release.

VDM was reportedly arrested on Friday at a bank branch in the Wuse area of Abuja by a combined team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives.

According to media reports, EFCC has secured a court order to remand him pending the conclusion of an investigation into alleged cybercrime offences.

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However, his arrest has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with the hashtag #FreeVDM, trending across different platforms.

According to the celebrities and fans, it is impossible to distinguish between legitimate arrest and unlawful abduction of the embattled socialite.

In a post on X, Davido extolled VDM’s positive impact on the lives of common Nigerians and urged relevant authorities to release him.

He wrote, “Outside all the noise it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and Pple actually appreciate!

“The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging… makes one want to do more for the masses FREE MY GUY.”

Cubana Chief Priest, in a post on his Instagram page, pleaded with the police to free the social media influencer right away, stressing that he should not be unfairly detained.

 

Davido, Cubana Chief Priest, others call for VeryDarkMan’s release

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Five kids die in abandoned vehicle in Nasarawa

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8 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed

Five kids die in abandoned vehicle in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of five children found inside an abandoned, unserviceable vehicle in the Agyaragu community, Obi local government area.

Nasarawa Police spokesman Ramham Nansel in a statement explained: “On May 4, 2025, at about 1730hrs, one Mr. Ozimna Ogbor, a resident of Agyaragu, reported at the Agyaragu Divisional Headquarters that five children—Kamsi Onah (male, 8 years), Somer Onah (male, 6 years), Unice Udouchi (female, 10 years), Nmasoma Nnaji (female, 10 years), and Chioma Nnaji (female, 8 years)—were discovered unresponsive inside a disused vehicle parked in the compound of one Mr. Abu Agyeme, also a resident of Agyaragu”.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, directed the Divisional Police Officer and his team to immediately proceed to the scene.

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“Upon arrival, the officers found the victims locked inside the abandoned vehicle. The children were promptly evacuated to Aro Hospital, Agyaragu, where a medical doctor regrettably confirmed all five children dead due to suspected suffocation.

“This heartbreaking incident is a painful reminder of a similar tragedy that occurred in August 2019, when two children lost their lives in an abandoned vehicle in Keffi.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

“He also used the opportunity to caution parents, guardians, and vehicle owners to be vigilant and ensure that children do not gain access to parked or abandoned vehicles without supervision.

“Due to severe heat burns on the deceased bodies, the remains were released to their parents based on request for burial.”

Five kids die in abandoned vehicle in Nasarawa

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