News
Showdown imminent between IPOB lawyers, DSS over continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu
There may showdown between lawyers of Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and the Department of State Services (DSS), over the failure of the latter to release him more than 72 hours after he was set free by Abuja Court of Appeal.
The Punch reports Senior Counsel for Kanu and Lead Counsel for the IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, as saying the legal team would be formally approaching the DSS headquarters on Monday with the enrolled order of court and judgement of the Court of Appeal, which would be available for immediate compliance.
While citing legal authorities, he said the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu, which was his fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed right, could not be stayed.
Should the government and its security agencies refuse to release Kanu, he said far-reaching extant legal remedies, including reporting Nigeria to international agencies, would be activated to ensure immediate compliance with the court order.
Ejiofor said these in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja.
The Court of Appeal (Abuja Division) had on Thursday freed Kanu of the terrorism and treasonable felony charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The three-member panel of Justices of the Appellate Court had, in the judgement, set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which quashed eight out of 15 counts charge preferred against Kanu.
The Appellate Court in the unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie declared as illegal and unlawful the abduction of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire seven charges retained by the trial court against him on the ground that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.
But Ejiofor, who expressed optimism that Kanu would be out of prison today (Monday), advised the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to do the needful by obeying the court order.
He said, “It has been my position that the Federal Government has a right to appeal to the Supreme Court, which is a constitutionally guaranteed right. But the only impediment to the exercise of that right is that the Federal Government must first of all comply with the Order of the Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal which discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and prohibited further indictment or commencing any fresh criminal charge against him.
“It is a settled law, as has been held by the Supreme Court in plethora of cases, including the apex court’s decision in the case of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Vs Lagos State Government, that an appellant will not be in contempt of an order of a lower court, and approach the Supreme Court in search of equitable remedies to stay execution. It is more so when by the effect of the Judgement of the Court Appeal under reference emphatically set aside the order of the lower court and the frivolous charge which had hitherto legitimised his detention from June 29 2022, they are now terminated and became extinct on October 13 2022.
“Furthermore, the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which is his fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed right cannot be stayed.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is yet to be released, though we will be formally approaching the State Security Service Headquarters on Monday with the enrolled order of court, and judgement of the Court of Appeal which will be available on Monday, for immediate compliance. We expect to have Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released to us today, being October 17 2022.
“The Federal Government is yet to file any appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal, as at today. But as I had earlier stated, the Federal Government must first of all obey the order of the Court of Appeal and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been discharged by the Court of Appeal, before challenging the judgement before the Supreme Court.
“It is our position that in the unlikely event that the Federal Government of Nigeria fails to obey the order of the Court of Appeal discharging Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we will activate far-reaching extant legal remedies to ensure immediate compliance, which remedy may not be limited to resorting to domestic legal remedy, but would be extended to reporting the Federal Government of Nigeria heinous conduct before the relevant international agencies, foreign Institutions and governments. Other legal remedies available to us will not be disclosed here.
“President Muhammadu Buhari had said on various occasions that he would not interfere with the judicial process and that it is the court that would set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free. The Court of Appeal, the penultimate court, has set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free, it is now time for President Muhammadu Buhari to keep to his word and ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released without any further ado.”
News
UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences
UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences
The United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana, citing immigration offences, including failed asylum applications and criminal convictions.
In a joint statement released by the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday, UK authorities confirmed the removal but did not specify the exact date of the deportations.
According to the statement, the deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences. An additional seven individuals reportedly returned to their home countries voluntarily.
“Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. Seven people returned voluntarily,” the statement noted.
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However, the government did not clarify how many were sent to each country or confirm if all were nationals of Nigeria and Ghana.
Since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office, the UK has organized two charter deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana, removing a total of 87 people. In October, a record 44 individuals were deported in a single flight to both countries.
This shift comes after the collapse of the controversial UK-Rwanda migration deal, which was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023. The deal aimed to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement.
In response, the UK reportedly signed a deportation agreement with Nigeria to facilitate the return of undocumented migrants.
Following the latest flight, UK Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle expressed gratitude to the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments for their cooperation, calling the operation an example of strong international collaboration.
The UK government also noted that over 24,000 individuals have been removed from the country over the past year—an 11% increase compared to the previous year.
UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences
News
Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances
Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Zamfara State are set to receive double their previous state allowances following a directive by Governor Dauda Lawal.
The governor made this known on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I orientation course in Gusau. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to corps members’ security and welfare.
“I am happy to inform you that I have directed the resumption of payment of state allowances to all corps members in the state.“I have also directed the upward increments of corps members’ allowances by 100 percent.“My administration is also willing to pay special allowances to the medical corps members serving in the state,” he stated.
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He also encouraged the 550 corps members deployed to Zamfara to embrace the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.
“I assure corps members of adequate security and warm hospitality throughout their year of service in the state.“I wish to reiterate that we will pay full attention to your security and welfare.“We will give you all the necessary support to carry out your duties and will provide everything necessary to make your stay here a memorable one,” the governor added.
In his remarks, NYSC State Coordinator Mohammad Ahmad expressed gratitude for the state government’s ongoing backing of the scheme.
“We appreciate the state government for adequate provision of additional facilities as well as approval for the payment of state allowances to corps members,” Ahmad said.
Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances
News
Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
A factional House of Assembly has emerged in Zamfara state with members demanding the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by Governor Dauda Lawal.
The group, made up of nine lawmakers who were suspended in February 2024 over allegations of misconduct, conspiracy, and illegal sitting, convened in Gusau, the state capital, and declared the formation of a parallel legislative body.
At the session, the lawmakers elected Hon. Bashir Aliyu Gummi as Speaker of the factional assembly.
During the sitting, the faction addressed several issues, including the state’s deteriorating security situation, economic challenges, and the recent reports of mass sackings within the state civil service allegedly carried out by the Lawal administration.
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The group further demanded that Governor Lawal re-present the 2025 budget, arguing that the process followed in its initial passage was flawed. The governor had originally submitted the N545 billion Appropriation Bill to the widely-known State House of Assembly led by Speaker Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki in December 2024. The bill was passed and signed into law that same month.
Present at Wednesday’s session were Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), and Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun 1). Others included Bashar Aliyu (Gummi 1), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Amiru Ahmed (Tsafe West), Basiru Bello (Bungudu West), and Mukhtaru Nasiru (Kaura Namoda North).
Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
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