Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • Nigeria records 1,580 human rights violations in March alone – NHRC

    Nigeria records 1,580 human rights violations in March alone – NHRC

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday revealed that the country recorded 1,580 human rights violations in the six geopolitical zones in the March alone.

    The rights violations included killings , kidnapping, domestic violence , abductions, and children’s rights, among others.

    According to the Commission, North Central topped the list of the complaints of human rights violations recorded with 468 cases.

    The senior human rights advicer, Mr Hilary Ogbona, made this known at the National Human Rights Commission headquarters in Abuja.

    At the presentation of the findings attended by the Executive Secretary of the Human Rights Commission and Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Ogbona explained that the police, military, and Department of State Service DSS grouped as state actors recorded 94 rights violations cases.

    The human rights adviser who explained that the killings of the military and police personnel in Delta State formed part of the report revealed that 542 cases of violation of children’s rights were also recorded during the period.

    Besides, Ogbona explained that domestic violence, which he said was becoming too rampant in some parts of the country, had 471 cases recorded.

    He said that the non state actors and private actors have 32 and 36 respectively while 3 cases of violation of rights were recorded against disabled people.

    According to him, other sectors, including social economic and cultural rights, accounted for 157, while referred cases were put at 24.

    He said that killings and kidnapping accounted for 499, while another 71 violations of rights to life were also recorded by the commission during the period.

    Ogbonna said that the 1,580 human rights violations were the entire figures recorded in the 36 states offices of the commission and Abuja.

    Expressing worry over the increasing cases of human rights violation, Ogbonna said that about 301 school children were abducted in kaduna state alone while 40 people were killed in Benue state.

    He expressed dismay that rights to life were being violated in various ways and manner because four deaths were recorded in Nassarawa State during the sharing of palliative.

    He then called for restraint on both State and Private Actors, adding that reprisal attacks contributed to the recorded rights violations.

    Ogbona also appealed to police and military to always conduct their investigations in compliance with the rules of engagement and rule of laws as provided for in the national and international laws.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Commission Ojukwu reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

    He promised to partner with other stakeholders, including the government, in the bid to step up efforts to protect lives and properties and in ensuring downward size in the violations of human rights.

    The NHRC monthly dashboard aimed at making the human rights situation public is supported by the United Nations Development Program, the Office of the United Nations High Commission for human rights, and others.

  • Abuse of Naira: Court convicts Bobrisky, gives judgement April 9

    Abuse of Naira: Court convicts Bobrisky, gives judgement April 9

    The federal high court sitting in Lagos, Friday convicted controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for abusing the Naira.

    Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him after the review of the facts of the case.

    The judge also ordered that he should be returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody pending the judgment on April 9th, 2024.

    Bobrisky had, in his defense, told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira.

    He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.

    The court, in its ruling, held that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.

    He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.

    “I would do a video on my page, and I will educate people about spraying money.

    “I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.”

    Earlier, Bobrisky was arraigned on four counts of naira abuse preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The cross-dresser who refers to himself as “Mummy of Lagos” pleaded guilty to the charges.

  • Fraud, Bribery Allegation: Kano government sues Ganduje, wife, others

    Fraud, Bribery Allegation: Kano government sues Ganduje, wife, others

    The Kano State government has dragged the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, and others to court for allegedly collecting $200,000 from a contractor.

    The eight-count charges, according to the government, are offences contravening the state Public Complaints and Anti-Commission Commission Law 2008.

    The state government also accused Ganduje of collecting $210,000 kickback from “people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contract and or projects for the remodelling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent)”.

    Other defendants in the case are Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lesaga General Enterprises.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of September 2020 and March 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, wholly owned and maintained by the 3rd Defendant, agreed to do an illegal act to wit: dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd Defendant being monies earmarked and approved for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment for the health sector, thereby causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State and thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991,” part of the charge sheet reads

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, sometime between the period of September 2020 and January 2022 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, while entrusted with the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) or dominion over the said sum, earmarked for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment dishonestly misappropriated and/or converted the said sum to your own use through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd defendant, thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant (Umar Abdullahi Umar) being your biological son using 6th defendant (Lamash Properties Ltd) a company owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit of all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPD/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsorily acquired by you being the Governor of Kano State from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) where it was sold and the proceed part of which the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. Domicile at Access Bank where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant to the detriment of the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant Umar Abdullahi Umar, being your biological son using 6th defendant Lamash Properties Ltd a company substantially owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPDA/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsory acquired by you as a governor of Kano state from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) which was sold and the proceeds, the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. 7816362026 Domicile at FCMB where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and read together with section 79 and punishable under section 312 of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.”

    The state government said a forensic expert would analyse the video, showing the former governor receiving dollar notes from a contractor.

    Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as governor of Kano from 2015 to 2023.

    In 2018, Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published a video of Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollars from contractors, which he stuffed into his “babanriga”, a traditional outfit

    The newspaper said the former governor requested $5 million as a bribe from the contractors who recorded the video.

    In 2023, the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning over the incident in the video.

    The former governor did not honour the invitation and instead instituted a suit against the agency.

    In March, a federal high court in Kano stopped the agency from inviting or questioning Ganduje over the bribery allegations.

    The court ruled that the agency lacks the power to invite or investigate Ganduje over the allegations.

    Abdullahi Liman, the presiding judge, said the alleged infraction is a federal offence that can not be prosecuted by the state anti-graft agency.

  • Nnamdi Kanu heads to appeal court over “denial of fair hearing”

    Nnamdi Kanu heads to appeal court over “denial of fair hearing”

    Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has approached Court of Appeal, Abuja, to seek redress over alleged denial of his right to fair hearing by the Federal High Court Abuja.

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on March 19, 2024, refused to grant bail to Kanu, who is being prosecuted by the Federal Government over allegation of treasonable felony.

    The legal team of the IPOB leader, led by Aloy Ejimakor, told the appellate court in a notice of appeal with charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, that the trial judge erred when she denied Kanu’s constitutional rights to fair trial.

    In the grounds of Appeal, it was stated that, “The learned trial Court erred in law when the Court assumed jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing of the criminal trial against the Appellant when the Appellant is glaringly denied the constitutional right to fair trial with particular reference to denial of adequate facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations against the Appellant and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice.

    “Fair hearing/trial bears the constitutional safeguards of ensuring that the Appellant is accorded the adequate facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations levelled against the Appellant.

    The appellant held that the Department of State Services, also failed to provide adequate “facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations against the Appellant and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice”.

  • Non-service of charge stalls Binance, executives arraignment by FIRS, EFCC

    Non-service of charge stalls Binance, executives arraignment by FIRS, EFCC

    The arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and two of its executives; Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Thursday, stalled over non-service of charge by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    FIRS is prosecuting the defendants on a four-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion.

    Similarly, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) arraignment of the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering couldn’t be held because of the non-service of charge on the first defendant.

    The EFCC, in the charge, dated and filed on March 28, the defendants are being accused of money laundering to the tune of $35,400,000.

    When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja, only Gambaryan was represented by a lawyer.

    The company and Anjarwalla, who recently escaped from lawful custody, were not represented by any lawyer.

    However, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazo, SAN, told the court that his client had not been served with the charge. Hence, his arraignment can not proceed.

    In his response, counsel to
    FIRS, Moses Ideho, though acknowledged that the agency had not served Gambaryan’s with the charge, he said all efforts to do so proved abortive because the defendant could not be reached at the EFCC’s detention.

    Ideho then prayed the court to serve Gambaryan in the open court, and the judge directed that the charge be served on him in the dock.

    He orally applied for a stand-down of the matter or an adjournment to enable Gambaryan to consult with his lawyer.

    Ikwuazo did not object to an oral application for adjournment, and the matter was adjourned until April 19 for him to take his plea.

    In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, dated and filed March 22 by the FIRS, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence on or about Feb. 1.

    Count one alleged that while involved in carrying and offering services to subscribers on their platform, known as Binance, failed to register with the FIRS, for the purpose of paying all relevant taxes administered by the service.

    The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 8 and 29 of the VAT Act of 1993 (as Amended), Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act, 2007 (as amended) and under provisions of Section 94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended) respectively.

    Meanwhile, the EFCC, in the first count, claimed that the defendants were charged with operating a specialised business of another financial institution in Abuja without a valid license between January 2023 and January 2024.

    The offence is alleged to violate Sections 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and is punishable under Section 57(5) of the same Act.

  • Suspected membership of ISIS: Court grants DSS order to detain Nigerian, Osase Emmanuel

    Suspected membership of ISIS: Court grants DSS order to detain Nigerian, Osase Emmanuel

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted order for the detention of a Nigerian, Emmanuel Osase
    accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria for 60 days.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Wednesday while ruling in a motion ex-parte filed by the State Security Service (SSS) marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024.

    The matter was brought before the court pursuant to section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

    In his prayers, counsel to the SSS, Mr A. A Ugee asked the court for an order enabling the agency to detain Osase for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation.

    Granting the order, the court held, “Upon studying the averments in the affidavit, I hereby grant the relief as prayed.”

    The judge subsequently adjourned the matter June 3, 2024.

    Osase who was arrested on March 11, was accused of propagating the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the Democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty.

    In an affidavit dated March 27, 2024, and deposed to by the personnel of the State Security Service attached to the Legal Service Department, National Headquarters, Abuja, Ahmad Abubakar, the service sought an order to detain the suspect for 60 days, adding that the release of the suspect could jeopardize its investigation.

    He said, “That it is necessary for the Applicant in the case to apply to this Honourable Court for an Order to detain the Applicant for a period of sixty (60) days, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation in a case of terrorism;

    ” That the Respondent was arrested by a team of personnel from the applicant’s office for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist messages, including opposition to the Democratic System of Government and the call for staging terrorist attacks against Nigeria State and its symbols of sovereignty;”

    Abubakar stated that Osase was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence.

    He noted that from the service’s preliminary investigation, Osase was still involved in terrorist activities.

    Abubakar said the respondent still engaged with a proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation.”

    “That Preliminary investigation revealed that the Respondent, who is an ex-convict, still engages in terrorist activities which previously led to his conviction in France;

    ” That the Respondent appeared not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation” whose main objectives is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against Democratic Systems of Government such as Nigeria and the Western Governments including their interests across the globe;

    “That the Respondent who was born in the Federal Capital Territory left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of a five-year jail term in France for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (Group of Foreigners) in Syria.”

    Abubakar stated that the respondent, upon sighting operatives of the service, formatted his phone.

    He said, ” That the Respondent at the point of arrest, formatted his mobile device to factory settings upon sighting security agents ostensibly to wipe out any suspicious contents on the device and cover up his nefarious activities;

    “That the activities of the Respondent constitute a potent threat to National Security and corporate existence of Nigeria;”

    He, however, urged the court to grant the request of the service, adding there was a need to painstakingly probe the respondent to ensure he does not constitute a security treat to the country and world at large.

    ” That the release of the Respondent at this time would jeopardize the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension;

    “That there is a need for a thorough investigation of the suspect to ensure that he does not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world at large.

    “That the Respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large,” Abubakar stated.

  • Edo community rejects imposition of non indigene, Fidelis Okowele as leader

    Edo community rejects imposition of non indigene, Fidelis Okowele as leader

    Edo community has rejected the appointment of a non-indigene, Fidelis Okowele as the Onojie, a traditional leader of Illushi/Ozigono community of Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

    They called on Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, and the Commissioner of Police in the state to avert what may lead to breakdown of law and order in the state with the imposition.

    According to a protest letter dated April 2, 2024, written to the governor, the police, Secretary to the State Government and the Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs in the state and signed by the president of Illushi Progressive Association of Nigetia, IPAN, Barrister Victor Giwa, called for the withdrawal of the appointment of Okowele.

    The association said Okowele has no ancestral link or connection to the people of Illushi/Ozigono.

    In the letter made available to newsmen, the association said Okowele is not an indigene of their community and should not be inaugurated as the Onojie of the community.

    Parts of the letter also signed by the council of elders amd other community leaders read, “Sir, our attention has been drawn to the news making round that your office has recognised one FIDELIS OKOWELE as the Onojie of ILLUSHI Ozigono community, of Esan South East Local government area. Of Edo State.
    This news making the round in some official quarters is coming as a major concern to our people, and it has heightened tension between the Illushi and Onogholo people of Esan Southeast local government.

    “FIRSTLY, the said OKOWELE FIDELIS is not in indigene of Illushi/Ozigono community and has no ancestral link or connection to the people of Illushi/Ozigono.

    “Secondly, Illushi/Ozigono belongs to the Uloshi people whose ancestral home is Uloshi Community in Uroh/Uloshi community. Our dialect is Uloshi, and it is distinct from Esan dialect, which is prevalent in the Esan southeast area.
    Thirdly, as corollary to the reasons above, our dead are buried in our community, and all burial rites are performed in the same Illushi community.

    “Additionally, our people observe our cultural rites like Ogu, Eka, etc, in the community.

    “On the contrary, the said FIDELIS OKOWELE is not an indigene of the Illushi Community. Rather, he is an indigene of Onogholo Community, which neighbours and shares boundary with our Illushi community.

    “Therefore, any such recognition and appointment of a non-indigene of Illushi/Ozigono Community and specifically FIDELIS OKOWELE is totally unacceptable, unimaginable and is rejected by us.

    “For the purpose of Clarity, We the ILLUSHI/OZIGONO indigenes and people HEREBY REJECT any form of recognition and appointment of FIDELIS OKOWELE AS ONOJIE, KING, OR CHIEF of ILLUSHI /OZIGONO Community or in any name in whatever manner it is described.

    “We further state that any attempt to recognise or appoint, install, or decorate FIDELIS OKOWELE in any manner described above will be RESISTED WITH THE FULL FORCE OF OUR COLLECTIVE WILL. We therefore request that all action or FURTHER ACTION in relation to the head /Chieftaincy ILlushi matter be suspended immediately to AVOID BREAKING DOWN OF LAW AND ORDER
    It is further important that all action be suspended to avoid acrimony between the two communities – ONOGHOLO and ILLUSHI COMMUNITY and the fragile peace in the communities.”

  • Sen Ningi’s Suspension: Falana Issues 7 days’ Ultimatum

    Sen Ningi’s Suspension: Falana Issues 7 days’ Ultimatum

    Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has written to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, seeking reversal of Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension within seven days.

    The Senate has suspended Sen. Ningi on the floor of the Senate for three months, over the allegation he brought that the National Assembly passed two versions of the 2024 budget.

    The constitutional lawyer said that the senate, by its actions, violated the right of the entire people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months.

    According to him, their action breached section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.

    Reacting, the law firm of Falana & Falana, had in the letter dated March 25th, signed by its principal, noted that Ningi’s trial before the lawmakers on March 14, was contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, and violated their client’s fundamental right to a fair hearing.

    In the letter titled “Request to lift the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi” Falana posited that the Senate President faulted by not drawing the attention of the lawmakers to a recent decision of the court which held that no parliament in Nigeria has the power to suspend or expel a legislator.

    He, therefore, demanded that Ningi’s suspension be lifted within 7 days, failing which the matter will be taken to court for the reinstatement as well as a report to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain.

    The letter reads in full;

    We are Solicitors to Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) on whose behalf we write this letter.

    On March 9, 2024, our client granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 Appropriation Act. He expressed his views on the budget in exercise of his fundamental right of freedom of speech guaranteed by section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Dissatisfied with the interview, you caused our client to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024, contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.

    Even though it was alleged that you were indicted by our client in the interview, you presided over the proceedings of the Senate. It is on record that you were the accuser, the prosecutor and the Judge in your own case in utter violation of the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004

    At the end of the trial, you pronounced our client guilty and declared

    “That the Senate do suspend Senator Abdul Nigin (Bauchi North) for three (3) months and he should forfeit all his entitlements and be disallowed from the precincts of the National Assembly Complex during the period of the suspension. He should also apologise to the Senate in writing. Thereafter, the Senate can consider his remorse and recall him;”

    Apart from violating our client’s fundamental right to fair hearing, the Senate violated the right of the entire people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months. This is a breach of section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on

  • OPL 245 Saga: Mohammed Adoke discharged, acquitted

    OPL 245 Saga: Mohammed Adoke discharged, acquitted

    Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, has dismissed and acquitted the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Bello Adoke, of the charges of fraud, bribery and conspiracy brought against him by the federal government.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Adoke on alleged N300 million bribe said to have been given to Adoke.

    This is expected to finally bring litigation over the OPL 245 saga to an end.

    The court ruled that the EFCC did not provide any evidence to prove its case.

    Ruling on the “no case” submission made by Adoke, Kutigi said the EFCC failed to prove its charges of fraud, bribery and money laundering and ruled that the defendant has no case to answer.
    Consequently, he discharged and acquitted the former minister on all counts.

    The judge said the allegation of illegal tax waivers granted to Shell and Eni was not collaborated by the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) or any authority in government.

    Nigeria has now lost virtually all the cases it filed or joined in Italy, the UK and Nigeria.

    The EFCC had earlier conceded that it did not have sufficient evidence to oppose the applications by Adoke.

    Meanwhile, the court insisted that Rasky Gbinigie had a case to answer over the alleged forgery of company documents to remove the name of Mohammed Abacha as a director.

  • IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

    IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

    The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has
    raised fresh concern over his continued failing health, saying he needs urgent medical attention to avert a major health crisis.

    This is as the family sought to know those benefiting from the alleged whopping N800 million that the Federal Government spends as the cost of bringing him to court any time he is to make appearance.

    Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu in a statement on Sunday said the family heard that the Federal Government spent N800 million each time he was brought to court.

    His words:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has finally become a money-minting venture for a few corrupt individuals in the corridors of power.

    “We heard that Government spends N800 million each time he is brought to court. Then, we want to know who the beneficiaries of the said money are?

    “Government should tell the people who collects and spends the money, and on what.

    “Our fear is that if it’s true that such humongous amount of money were spent on bringing him to court any time he is to appear, then it may be impossible to grant him bail any time soon because the cabal benefiting from his continued incarceration may not be willing to let go of their oil well.”

    The family which recently berated the Igbo political class for allegedly abandoning their son, expressed deep worry over his health condition.

    “We just got information that he is critically down. He has not been granted access to his personal doctors, and he urgently needs cardiologist. He should not be allowed to die in DSS custody”.

    The family, once again, called on the international community, to prevail on Nigeria to release the IPOB Leader who, it said, “is unjustly held for demanding the freedom of his Biafra people “.

    Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), since June 21 when he was abducted and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.