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Kanu’s lawyers cite 16 legal infractions, seek his release
Kanu’s lawyers cite 16 legal infractions, seek his release
The Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Global Defence Consortium has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), insisting that his ongoing trial in Abuja is fatally flawed.
In a covering letter dated September 10, 2025, and signed by human rights lawyer and consultant, Njoku Jude Njoku, Esq., the Consortium outlined sixteen distinct legal infractions which it argues render the proceedings against Kanu “null and void ab initio.”
The group condemned what it described as “corrupt judges who make injustice legal,” and stressed that the Nigerian state has no lawful basis to continue holding Kanu.
“Each infraction is independently sufficient to vitiate a criminal trial,” the letter stated.
“Taken together, they present an insurmountable jurisdictional bar to any Abuja court purporting to try him for alleged offences abroad.”
Among the infractions highlighted by the Consortium are extraterritorial Jurisdictional Defect: Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the group said, requires proof that alleged offences committed abroad would also constitute crimes in that country.
“No such allegation or proof exists for Kenya,” the Consortium argued.
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On what the group called illegal rendition and arrest amounting to a breach, it said Section 46(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 requires a suspect to be produced before a court in the place of arrest.
“Mazi Kanu was abducted in Kenya and never presented before a Kenyan court,” the brief stated. “This violates the Extradition Act, Cap. E25, LFN 2004, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
Also, it said there was a constitutional violation of fair hearing, citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing, saying that cannot be derogated under Section 45(2).
“Rendition itself constitutes denial of this right,” the Consortium said, citing Ariori v. Elemo (1983) 1 SCNLR 1, where the Supreme Court held that any breach of fair hearing vitiates the entire proceeding.
The legal team argued that the entirety of the case bothers on competence of the court and referred to the Madukolu v. Nkemdilim (1962) principle, noting, “A court is competent only if the case is initiated by due process. Initiation through kidnapping is the antithesis of due process.”
In addition, the group stressed that proceedings under a repealed law was a nullity and emphasised that the prosecutors have relied on the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, which was repealed by Section 98(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
“As held in Cole v. COP (1961) and Esiaga v. University of Calabar (2002), a repealed law cannot sustain fresh proceedings,” the letter stressed.
The Consortium also pointed to international law breaches, including violations of Article 12(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“Extraordinary rendition is unlawful under both Nigerian and international law,” Njoku said. “As the Supreme Court ruled in Abacha v. Fawehinmi (2000) 6 NWLR (Pt. 660) 228, Nigerian courts are bound to apply the African Charter.”
The brief appealed to the international community that, “The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not just unlawful, but a direct affront to the Nigerian Constitution and binding international obligations,” the Consortium declared.
“We respectfully urge the global community and human rights defenders to insist upon his immediate and unconditional release.”
Kanu’s lawyers cite 16 legal infractions, seek his release
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Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Visits CAN Leadership, Advocates Religious Harmony
Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Visits CAN Leadership, Advocates Religious Harmony
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has paid a goodwill visit to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria as part of efforts aimed at strengthening interfaith unity, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among residents of Oyo Land.
The meeting, which was held in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect, brought together prominent Christian leaders across the Oyo Zone under the leadership of the Zonal Chairman of CAN, Amos Kehinde Eguntola.
Discussions during the visit focused on the need for sustained collaboration between Muslim and Christian communities in promoting peace, religious tolerance, unity and sustainable development in Oyo Land.
Speaking during the visit, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu stated that both Islam and Christianity preach peace, love and harmony, stressing that religious leaders must continue to work together to preserve the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed in Oyo Land and beyond.
According to him, unity among religious leaders would contribute significantly to societal growth, moral development among youths and communal stability.
The Grand Chief Imam also expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to him by the CAN leadership, reaffirming his commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding and cooperation between adherents of the two major religions.
Responding, Pastor Amos Kehinde Eguntola described the visit as symbolic and commendable, noting that it would further strengthen the long-standing peaceful relationship between Muslims and Christians in Oyo Land.
He assured the Muslim leadership of CAN’s readiness to continue working with all stakeholders towards ensuring peace, unity and progress in society.
Other notable Christian leaders present at the meeting included Gbenga Oluokun, Peter Ajao, Wale Oyedemi, Ebasekore, Akin Alabi and Idowu David O..
As part of activities marking the visit, the Grand Chief Imam took photographs with the CAN leadership, including a group photograph with Local Government CAN chairmen in the zone, symbolising unity and cooperation among religious leaders.
Observers noted that the visit reflects the determination of both Muslim and Christian leaders in Oyo Land to continue fostering peace, religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence irrespective of religious affiliation.
Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Visits CAN Leadership, Advocates Religious Harmony
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Six Nasarawa University Students Abducted in Gudi Night Attack
Six Nasarawa University Students Abducted in Gudi Night Attack
The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of six students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) following an armed attack on a student lodge at Anguwar Ninzo, Gudi area of Akwanga Local Government Area in Nasarawa State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night when suspected gunmen invaded the off-campus residence and whisked away the students at gunpoint, throwing the community into panic.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, the command received a distress call at about 9:00 p.m. on May 6, 2026, reporting that armed men had stormed the lodge and abducted several occupants.
He confirmed that six victims have so far been identified, all of them students of the Faculty of Engineering, NSUK Gudi Campus, along with one additional person who was visiting one of the students at the time of the attack.
“So far, six victims have been identified, all students of the Faculty of Engineering, Gudi Campus of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, alongside one other victim who was visiting one of the students when the incident occurred,” he said.
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The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the scene shortly after the incident for an on-the-spot assessment and reassured residents and the university community that efforts were underway to rescue the victims safely.
He directed immediate strengthening of security deployment in the area and surrounding communities to prevent further attacks.
The command also confirmed that a joint security operation has been launched, involving personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups.
Security operatives are currently combing nearby forests and suspected escape routes as part of efforts to rescue the abducted students and apprehend the attackers.
In addition, the Area Commander in Akwanga has been redeployed to enhance coordination of field operations and improve security response in the affected axis.
The police urged residents of Gudi and surrounding communities to remain calm but vigilant, while appealing for useful information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
DSP Nansel assured that the command remains committed to securing the safe return of the victims, adding that updates would be provided as investigations and operations continue.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of students living in off-campus accommodations across Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-rural communities where armed attacks have become increasingly frequent.
Six Nasarawa University Students Abducted in Gudi Night Attack
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NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation
NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France, and Greece, have dismantled a transnational criminal organisation allegedly involved in drug trafficking and money laundering operations valued at hundreds of billions of naira across Nigeria and Europe.
The coordinated operation led to the arrest of a suspected billionaire drug kingpin, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, alongside two alleged accomplices — 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi, arrested in Anambra State, and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi, arrested in Agbor, Delta State. The arrests were carried out simultaneously on April 28 following months of intelligence-led investigations.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation was the result of extensive surveillance and cross-border intelligence sharing that linked the suspects to a sophisticated financial and drug trafficking network operating across multiple jurisdictions.
The investigation reportedly uncovered a complex laundering system involving shell companies, proxy accounts, pass-through transactions, and cryptocurrency platforms, all allegedly used to disguise and move illicit proceeds across continents.
Authorities also traced several high-value assets in Nigeria believed to be linked to the syndicate. These include Jovi Hotel in GRA Phase 1, Asaba, Jovi Hotel and Suites in Agbor, Delta State, and Jovi Apartment in Mabushi, Abuja, alongside frozen bank accounts and digital wallets suspected to have been used in laundering illicit funds.
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The NDLEA said the operation also led to the identification and blocking of multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used to move and conceal funds running into hundreds of billions of naira.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), described the operation as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and associated financial crimes.
He said the success of the multi-country operation demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation and reinforced the agency’s zero-tolerance stance against drug-related crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.
Marwa also expressed appreciation for the support of the US-DEA, noting that the partnership has strengthened Nigeria’s capacity in intelligence gathering, evidence collection, tactical operations, and forensic investigations.
He assured that the NDLEA would continue to deepen collaboration with international partners to track and dismantle drug trafficking networks wherever they operate.
According to him, “The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” stressing that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers or their illicit proceeds.
Investigations into the wider network are ongoing, with authorities indicating that more arrests and asset seizures may follow as intelligence continues to develop across multiple countries.
NDLEA, DEA Bust Billionaire Drug Cartel in Global Sting Operation
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