Kanu: IPOB grounds South East as Ozekhome joins defence team – Newstrends
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Kanu: IPOB grounds South East as Ozekhome joins defence team

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Commercial and social activities were crippled across the five states of the South East, yesterday, following a directive by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to residents to remain indoors in solidarity with leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whose treasonable trial resumed in an Abuja court, yesterday.

Our correspondents who went round major cities and towns in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi reported that the order received various levels of compliances ranging from total and partial.

Residents of some parts of Nnewi, Nnobi and Ichi in Nnewi North, Ekwusigo and Idemili South local government areas of Anambra State scampered for  safety following the appearance of gunmen suspected to be enforcers of the sit-at-home order. There was pandemonium when the gunmen arrived in Sienna vehicles and warned that nobody should be seen on the roads.

Although nobody was harmed, the gunmen forced some drinking joints within Nnewi community to close abruptly and chased away their customers.

Earlier in the morning, the major areas in Nnewi including Bank Road, Nkwo Nnewi Roundabout, Nwany Imo Bus Stop, Izuchukwu Junction and Nnobi Road were all blocked with used tyres to prevent vehicular movements.

Hoodlums invaded a catholic church in Awada area, Onitsha and disrupted an early morning Mass.

The masked and weapon wielding hoodlums stormed St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, Awada close to Oraifite Street/Ukaegbu junction around 5.45am and forcefully dispersed parishioners.

Investigations revealed that the hoodlums continued their violent activities at Ezeiweka road and Onitsha Owerri road Upper Iweka axis where they destroyed stalls and looted goods .

Schools, banks, markets  and petrol filling stations were shut in Onitsha.

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In Abakaliki and its environs, popular International Market located on the Tran-Sharan-Highway and commercial banks were all deserted.

All major roads in the city including Water Works Road, Ogoja Road, Afikpo Road, Ogbaga Road, Old Enugu Road, and Mile 50 among others were devoid of human and vehicular movements. Parks, relaxation centres and eateries were also shut.

Government offices were almost empty as only few workers came to work. 

In Owerri, capital of Imo State, roads, shops, majors  banks, schools, offices, service  stations, upscale eateries were  shut. Fuel stations including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and markets including the popular Eke-Onuwa, Relief and Alana markets in Owerri were totally lockdown.

However, in the suburbs of the state capital such as the World Bank and Umuguma areas, some traders opened for businesses. One of the traders said he had to open as remaining at home would not provide food for his family.

“I plead with President Buhari to free Nnamdi Kanu so that the people can do their business without fear. Things are hard. Federal Government should release Nnamdi Kanu. But those who must work everyday to be able to eat should not be forced to sit at home, facing hunger,” he pleaded.

In the university town of Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, markets, motor parks, commercial banks, fuel stations, shops, public, privates and missionary schools did not open in compliance of the sit-at-home order.

Although there were free but scanty movements of people and vehicles on the roads.

At the ever-busy Old Motor Park and Peace Mass Transit Park all in  Nsukka town was deserted by both passengers and management, even as all the entrance of Ogige Main Market, Nsukka were under lock and key.

Kanu challenges fresh terrorism charges, hires Ozekhome

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi  Nnamdi Kanu, has engaged foremost constitutional lawyer, Mr.  Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to lead his defence team in the fresh terrorism charges slammed against him by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the trial have been adjourned to Wednesday by Justice Binta Nyako.

In his new brief, Ozekhome was at the court in company with Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who had earlier been leading Kanu’s legal team.

Ejiofor confirmed to newsmen that the change of leadership was to effectively tackle the challenge of the Federal Government.

Ozekhome told newsmen that his decision to take over Kanu’s defence was based on the fact that he was facing an incompetent charge.

“Right to self-determination is inalienable. It is guaranteed under both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Peoples’ Rights. I am here today because I believe that the charge against the defendant is baseless,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the arraignment of the pro-Biafra agitator has been stalled following his objection to the fresh charges.

Kanu, who appeared before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Monday, accused the Federal Government  of ambushing him with the new charges.

He accordingly asked the court to allow him time to study the new charges before his plea could be taken.

He was expected to take a fresh plea to an amended 15-count treasonable felony and terrorism charge preferred against him.

The adjournment followed Kanu’s complaint that the Federal Government failed to promptly serve him the fresh 15-count amended charge it brought before the court.

Kanu, through his  team of lawyers, led by Ozekhome, further accused government of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him.

Ozekhome told the court that the amended charge was served on them barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing.

“With due respect, that is not justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration if Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) allows them to amend, but this is the 6th amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial,” Ozekhome added.

On his part, the prosecution team, led by Mr. Mohammed Labaran from the Federal Ministry of Justice, said it was not opposed to the court granting a short adjournment to enable the defence lawyers to study the charge.

Before adjourning the case till Wednesday,  Justice Nyako ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Kanu have a change of clothes.

“I don’t want to see him in this cloth again. This one is almost off-white. Also make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Justice Nyako added.

In the amended charge signed by the Director of Public Prosecution,  M.B. Abubakar, dated January 14, the IPOB leader, who hitherto faced a seven-count charge, was accused of attempting to use his broadcasts to “destabilize the fundamental political and economic structures of Nigeria.”

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Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

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Abacha, Tinubu and Abiola

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.

“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”

Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”

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He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”

Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.

“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”

According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”

Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”

He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

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US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

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US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

Oladapo Fadugba, a Nigerian-born United States citizen, faces 27 years in jail for his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud operation and making false representations to earn US citizenship.

Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.

According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.

According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.

It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.

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The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.

“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”

In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.

According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.

“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.

“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.

Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

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Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

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Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

The solemnisation of holy matrimony between a groom, Henry James, and Miss Afiniki Ibrahim was reportedly called off few days to the occasion.

The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.

Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).

It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.

A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.

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However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.

The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.

In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.

The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.

With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

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