News
US rescues American citizen held hostage in Nigeria
The United States forces on Saturday rescued an American citizen taken hostage by armed men earlier this week in Niger and held in northern Nigeria, the Pentagon said.
“US forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men. This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the US Department of State. No US military personnel were injured during the operation,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.
It added, “We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation. The United States will continue to protect our people and our interests anywhere in the world.”
The mission, which was several hours long, was conducted by the Navy’s elite SEAL Team 6 flown to the region by Air Force special operations, a US official with knowledge of the operation told the CNN.
The US forces that conducted the mission killed six of the seven captors, the official said.
The US believes the captors have no known affiliation with any terror groups operating in the region, and were more likely bandits seeking money.
The United State Department confirmed earlier this week that a US citizen had been abducted in Niger.
Local media outlets reported that the US citizen was a male missionary. The CNN has not been able to confirm the citizen’s identity.
The governor of the local region where the abduction took place was quoted in various local media and by French media reporting from Niger as saying that six men on motorbikes armed with AK-47s came to the man’s property in the village of Massalata, close to the border with Nigeria.
The governor, Abdourahamane Moussa, told these media outlets that after demanding money, the men took the American citizen with them in the direction of the Nigerian border.
The State Department spokesman said that “when a US citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.”
On Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US citizen would be reunited with his family.
“Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence professionals, and our diplomatic efforts, the hostage will be reunited with his family,” Pompeo said in a statement, adding, “We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
News
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
His suspicion was on the order of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday evening.
No reason was given for the suspension.
Ahmad was directed to hand over to the Director, Engineering Services in the FCDA.
The statement read: “The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
“According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
“The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, Engr in the FCDA.”
News
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two state high court for over acts of professional misconduct.
The NJC named the affected judges as Justice G. C Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A.O Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court.
They were both suspended for the period of one year without pay and thereafter placed on watch list for two years.
The decision was taken at the 107th Meeting of the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on 13 and 14 November 2024.
A total of five serving judicial officers were sanctioned for various acts of misconduct.
The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.
The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.
The Council considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled six committees for further investigation.
Twenty-two cases were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.
The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.
-
Sports23 hours agoBREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
-
Aviation1 day agoDisaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight
-
metro10 hours agoCourt orders varsity to pay lecturer N40m compensation for wrongful dismissal
-
Education2 days ago12-year-old Nigerian girl Eniola Shokunbi invents air filter to reduce spread of diseases in US schools
-
Opinion10 hours agoApomu king turns warmonger for PDP
-
Politics2 days agoWhy I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore
-
News1 day agoEdo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
-
News3 days agoTwo Nigerian companies developed contactless passport renewal – FG
You must be logged in to post a comment Login