JUST IN : Court awards N8bn damages to Kanu, says IPOB’s proscription illegal – Newstrends
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JUST IN : Court awards N8bn damages to Kanu, says IPOB’s proscription illegal

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JUST IN : Court awards N8bn damages to Kanu, says IPOB’s proscription illegal

Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court, Thursday, ruled that the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) by the Southeast Governors’ Forum in 2017 is illegal.

The Governors led by former Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, proscribed IPOB founded by Nnamdi Kanu. About three days later, the Federal Government government listed IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

Kanu approached the court to seek the reversal of the prescription based on the fact that IPOB is a registered organization, and composed of members who are exercising their right of association.

The respondents to the case are the Southeast Governors and the Federal Government.

The suit was instituted by Kanu’s special counsel, Barr Aloy Ejimakor.

The reliefs sought by Kanu are, “A declaration that the practical application of the Terrorism Prevention Act and the executive or administrative action of the respondents which directly led to the proscription of IPOB and its listing as a terrorist group, said IPOB being comprised of citizens of Nigeria of the Igbo and other Eastern Nigerian ethnic groups, professing the political opinion of self determination and the consequent arrest, detention and prosecution of Kanu as a member/leader of said IPOB, is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of the applicant’s fundamental right not to be subjected to any disabilities or restrictions on the basis of his ethnicity as enshrined and guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and his fundamental rights as enshrined under Articles 2,3,19 & 20 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Enforcement and Ratification) Act.

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“A declaration that self-determination is not a crime and thus cannot be used as a basis to arrest, detain and prosecute the applicant, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“An order mandating and compelling the respondents, jointly or severally, to issue official letter(s) of apology to Kanu for the infringement of his said fundamental rights; and publication of said letter(s) of apology in three national dailies.

“An order mandating and compelling the respondents to, jointly or severally, pay the sum of N8,000,000,000.00 (Eight Billion Naira) to Kanu, being monetary damages claimed by the applicant against the respondents jointly and severally for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, property and other damages suffered by the applicant as a result of the infringements of their fundamental rights by the respondents.”

Justice A.O. Onovo, while delivering the judgement, agreed with the applicant that the African Charter binds on Nigerian courts, hence self-determination is not a crime.

He held that the proscription is therefore unconstitutional.

On monetary damages, the court granted N8 billion damages to Kanu as well as apologies in national dailies. It however declined jurisdiction in stopping the criminal trial of Kanu on grounds that it is before the Supreme Court.

Ejimakor commended the court for being the last hope of the coming man. In his words, “We are grateful that justice had prevailed over this matter since 2017. The court has reaffirmed the hopes of the common man in the judiciary. You have saved thousands of lives.”

JUST IN : Court awards N8bn damages to Kanu, says IPOB’s proscription illegal

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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

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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

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May 2, 2024

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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

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May 2, 2024

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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

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

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