metro
Fresh treason charges force shift of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial
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.
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
metro
BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-AGF Adoke
BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-AGF Adoke
A former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has been acquitted of money laundering charges by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, upheld Adoke’s “no case” submission against the money laundering charges.
In 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Adoke and Abubakar Aliyu, a property developer, with laundering about N300 million.
While the EFCC acknowledged before Ekwo that it was a mortgage taken by Adoke from Unity Bank, it alleged before Justice Kutigi that the money constituted a bribe from the sale of an oil block by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.
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On March 28, 2024, Kutigi dismissed the charges against Adoke and others, citing contradictions and criticizing the EFCC for a four-year trial.
Justice Ekwo, on Friday, ruled that the EFCC failed to provide evidence to prove the essential elements of the offence against Adoke, acquitting him of the charges.
However, Ekwo mandated Aliyu, the second defendant, to open his defence, stating that he has a case to answer.
BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-AGF Adoke
metro
Army releases Delta traditional ruler detained over slain 17 soldiers
Army releases Delta traditional ruler detained over slain 17 soldiers
The Nigerian Army has released a Delta State traditional ruler, Clement Ikolo, arrested over the murder of 17 soldiers in Okuama community.
He was released on Friday during a briefing by the Director of the Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu.
metro
BREAKING: Tension in Benue as riot police take over APC secretariat
BREAKING: Tension in Benue as riot police take over APC secretariat
Anti-riot Police forces have assumed control of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat led by Comrade Austin Agade in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state.
This marks the second instance within a month. It’s noteworthy that Makurdi hosts two separate APC secretariats, with Agada heading one and Benjamin Omakolo overseeing the other.
The Agada-led APC State Working Committee (SWC) had scheduled the inauguration of members of the zoning committee for the upcoming council elections at their Secretariat on Friday the 19th.
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In a pre-emptive move, anti-riot police trucks arrived as early as 6 a.m., barricading all routes leading to the Secretariat.
At present, the situation is chaotic, with motorcycle riders, suspected to be aligned with the Benjamin Omakolo-led APC State Working Committee, occupying the area. Chief Of Staff Paul Biam has characterized this faction as the authentic APC.
Governor Hyacient Alia previously issued a ban on all political activities and public gatherings in Benue State, and it appears this directive remains in force.
BREAKING: Tension in Benue as riot police take over APC secretariat
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