Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch

    FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch

    The federal government has taken over the prosecution of four suspected terrorists who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku.

    The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke were earlier slammed a three count charge which has been increased to five in the amended charges.

    At the resumed proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the
    Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, announced the taking over of the trial from the Inspector General of Police

    The AGF, through his counsel, David Kaswe, invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to assume trial of the terrorism charges.

    Consequently, he pleaded with the court to put off the arraignment until another date to enable him to study the case file.

    He said that the Inspector General of Police has already been directed to make the case file available to the Federal Ministry of Justice for approximate action by the AGF.

    Meantime, April 15 has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendants on the amended charge.

    Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.

    The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family.

    In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

    They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped, and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.

    The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies, which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

    Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

    “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

    “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

  • Court Refuses to stop impeachment move against Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

    Court Refuses to stop impeachment move against Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, again, refused to stop the alleged impeachment move against the incumbent Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr Phillip Shaibu by the State House of Assembly.

    Specifically, Shaibu prays the court to grant an order of status quo to be maintained by the House of Assembly and others involved in the impeachment move.

    Counsel to the plaintiff, Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN) had orally requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.

    In his ruling, Justice Omotoso held that the cited authority was not applicable in the Shaibu’s case because the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the impeachment bid have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.

    However, the Judge granted the request that the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly be served with the originating summons by substituted means.

    Specifically, Justice Omotoso ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the State House of Assembly Complex both in Benin.

    Besides, the Judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered Courier Company.

    Justice Omotoso subsequently fixed April 15 for hearing of the case.

    The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu who was in the room throughout the Wednesday’s proceedings declined to speak with newsmen.

    In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police IGP and Director General of the Department of State Services DSS were listed as the first to eighth defendants.

    Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the third to fifth defendants from commencing any process by issuing a notice of allegation, holding proceedings, or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal pending the hearing of a motion on notice.

    He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit either by way of taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as the deputy governor of Edo State pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    Other reliefs sought are: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 8th defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, and or any other person or authority acting through them, from preventing the plaintiff either by threat of removal from office or adverse actions capable of hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending State Executive Council meetings, functions and other duties.

    “An order of interim injunction directing the defendants herein jointly, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, or any other person or authority acting through them, to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before the issuance of the purported notice or petition to commence removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and the final determination of the motion on notice. ”

  • Japa: Nurses drag health minister, others to court over implementation of new policy

    Japa: Nurses drag health minister, others to court over implementation of new policy

    Some nurses in the country have dragged the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the Minister of Health, and six others before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria over the new certificate verification guidelines.

    The NMCN had, on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.

    The council stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license.

    The new guidelines came into force on March 1, 2024.

    There have been series of protests by nurses in Abuja and Lagos to demand the reversal of the new guidelines.

    Some aggrieved nurse dragged the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council Nigeria; Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Federal Ministry of Health and Attorney General of the Federation before the court demanding a suspension of the policy.

    The complaints in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/ 76/2024,
    are Desmond Aigbe; Kelvin Ossai; Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro; Tamunoibi Berry; Osemwengie Osagie; Abiola Olaniyan, Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse.

    They are urging the court to restrain the defendants or their agents from implementing the NMCN circular pending the determination of the suit.

    The nurses also urged the court to suspend the commencement of the new guidelines.

    The reliefs sought partly read, “An interlocutory order restraining
    suspending the commencement of the 2nd Defendant” “REVISED GUIDELINES FOR VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) WITH THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA” earlier proposed to take effect from the 7th of March, 2024 as indicated on the 2nd Defendant’s circular dated 7th February, 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons in this suit.

    “An interlocutory order restraining the Defendants, their Partners, parastatals, subjects, counterparts. agents, servants, privies, assigns, or whoever, acting for. with or on behalf of the Defendants from taking any further step that may hinder, restrict, or infringe on the constitutional rights and freedom of nurses and midwives in Nigeria from emigrating to the country to seek better career opportunities and training abroad.

    “An interlocutory order of the court mandating the 1st & 2nd Defendants to continue to carry out verification of certificates or any documents requested by applicants, their other intending colleagues, and other members of the Nursing and Midwifery profession within 7 days from the date of such application pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons.”

    At the proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the complaints, Ode Evans told the court that he had just received the preliminary objection filled by the first and second defendants some moments ago.

    He pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him to reply to their applications.

    Evans said,” I confirmed the receipt of the application from the first and second defendants this morning. We shall be asking for a date to enable us to file our responses. ”

    The judge, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, however, adjourned the matter till May 20 for hearing.

    She ordered that the hearing notice be served on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation who had no legal representation in court.

  • Church loses bid to stop conduct of elections, examinations on Saturdays

    Church loses bid to stop conduct of elections, examinations on Saturdays

    A Member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Nigeria, Ugochukwu Uchenwa, Wednesday, loses bid seeking the prohibition of the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays in Nigeria.

    Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted against the Federal Government for being frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless.

    According to the plaintiff, Saturday is its Sabbath day of worship and that fundamental rights of its members are being brutally breached by the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays.

    Specifically the plaintiff, through his counsel, Benjamin Amaefina, sought order of the Court to prohibit the FG from further conducting elections and examinations on the Sabbath day so as to stop disruption of their rights to worship.

    Consequently, he prayed the court to declare the fixing of elections and examinations on Saturdays as unconstitutional.

    In the alternative, the plaintiff asked the court to order the defendants to allow him and other members of his church to vote or take examinations on any other day of the week including Sundays.

    Listed as defendants in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Minister of Internal Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO), West African Examination Council, (WAEC) and the National Business and Technical Examination Board.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Omotoso held that the fundamental rights being claimed by the church were not at large and cannot be curtailed by government policy.

    Besides, the Judge held that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is in the minority in Nigeria and cannot impose its doctrine on the majority of other religious denominations in the country.

  • I’m not in support of violence in South East -Kanu

    I’m not in support of violence in South East -Kanu

    The embattled Nnamdi Kanu has distanced himself from the violence in the South Eastern part of the country by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members.

    Speaking after the court refused to grant his bail application, Kanu vowed that those behind the violence in the name of being an IPOB member would not be spared.

    He noted that the violence persisted because he was being held in the custody of DSS, adding that if released, there would be peace in the entire South- East.

    He said, “Anybody committing crime cannot go free. I swear it. Anybody committing crime in the east cannot go free. They are doing it because I am in the DSS(custody). If I were to be outside, nobody can try this. I suspect that some people in government are complicit. They are making money with the insecurity.

    “They know if Nnamdi Kanu is outside, in two minutes this nonsense will stop. Who is the bagger or idiot that will speak when I am talking. That I will give an order in the East who is the idiot that I will an order that will counter it ? Nobody can. I am Nnmadi Kanu. Rubbish!.

    “Anybody involved in any form of violence in the East in the name of IPOB is a goner and they know it. Let me come out of this mess, only two minutes there will be peace in the East. “

  • BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

    BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, however, granted an accelerated hearing instead.

    Counsel for the IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial.

    Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life.

    Ejimakor also argued that the continued incarceration of Kanu would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter.

    But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing.

    He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him.

    Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail.

    He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.

  • Unlawful arrest, detention: Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer loses appeal against police, DSS

    Unlawful arrest, detention: Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer loses appeal against police, DSS

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja, Monday, dismissed the appeal by Felix Okonkwo, one of the lawyers of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu over his unlawful arrest and detention by the Police and the State Security Services (SSS).

    Dismissing the appeal for want of merit and substance, the lead judge, justice
    Abang held that the appellant failed to establish miscarriage of justice in the judgment of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in the matter.

    Felix Okonkwo, Ikenna Chibuike, and Okafor Ugochukwu had dragged the Nigeria Police Force and the SSS before the high court for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

    They specifically accused the two security agencies of violating their fundamental rights by their unlawful arrest and detention on September 27, 2021, during which they claimed that they were tortured, harassed and intimidated while in the custody of the Police.

    Justice Samaila Bature had, in his judgment delivered on March 24, 2022 found Police liable for the unlawful arrest and detention of the the appellants and subsequently imposed a fine of N2 million against Police to be paid to the appellants.

    Justice Bature, however, did not make any order against the SSS because the Appellants, then plaintiffs, did not disclose any cause of action against SSS.

    Not satisfied with the findings and decisions of the high court, the three plaintiffs approached the Court of Appeal praying for an order to hold that SSS was also culpable in their arrest and detention.

    They claimed that the N2 million imposed on Police as fine to be paid to them was paltry and ridiculously low and asked the appellate court to jerk up the fine as compensation for their unlawful arrest and detention.

    In his judgment, Justice Abang held that from the video footage tendered as exhibit by the appellants at the trial court, there was no where the operatives of the SSS were found at the scene of their arrest in the house of Ifeanyi Ejiofor in Anambra state.

    The appellate court Justice disagreed with the appellants in their claims that the N2 million compensatory damages was grossly insufficient.

    According to Justice Abang, the decision to award compensatory damages is at the discretion of a judge and can not be dictated by any plaintiff or appellant.

    In the instant case, Justice Abang agreed with Justice Bature that peculiar facts and circumstances of the unlawful arrest and detention of the appellants were carefully considered at the trial court before arriving at the amount.

    Besides, Justice Abang said that the appellants did not point out irrelevant facts in the judgment of the high court and did not also disclose their status in the society, their their monthly or yearly income and also what they lost in the course of their detention.

    “In my opinion and going by the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the N2 million compensation to the appellants was properly awarded.

    “I can not fault the award because the appellant did not give any good reason for them to have been awarded a much higher amount.

    “In the final analysis, the appeal lacks merit, and it is accordingly dismissed. The decision of the trial court is hereby affirmed. There is order as to cost, “Justice Abang held.

    Justices Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole and Abba Bello Mohammed endorsed the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Abang.

  • Ex-husband losses joint property ownership to Nigeria’s former envoy to Argentina

    Ex-husband losses joint property ownership to Nigeria’s former envoy to Argentina

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, Monday, dismissed an appeal by Jude Chidiebere, a former husband to Nigeria’s envoy to Argentina, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu over joint ownership of a property in Abuja.

    In a unanimous judgment delivered by the lead judge, Justice
    Okon Abang, the appellate court, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    At the federal capital territory high court,
    Chidiebere had sued his former wife, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu, Nigeria’s former envoy to Argentina, claiming that a property at Kubwa, in Abuja jointly belong to their matrimonial family.

    He prayed the court to issue an order compelling his former wife to compute the amount generated as rent from the house since 2013 and share the same with him.

    However, the high court Judge, Justice A.A Kutigi dismissed the claim of the joint ownership of the property by the plaintiff.

    The high court held that the former husband to the Ex-envoy didn’t lead any credible evidence to establish his assertion that the property jointly belongs to him and his former wife.

    Not satisfied with the decision of the high court, Chidiebere approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, praying that the judgment of the high court be voided and set aside on the ground of miscarriage of justice.

    However, in the Court of Appeal Judgmentent Justice, Okon Abang held that the appellant failed to convince the appellate court that there is injustice in the judgment of the lower court.

    Among others, Justice Abang said that the allocation paper and the certificate of occupancy issued by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) bear only the name of Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu.

    Justice Abang also held that all receipts for payments for the property to the FCDA were issued in the name of the former envoy.

    The appellate court held that the appellant did not establish any source of income to be able to buy a property other than been a driver, driving the former envoy around in Argentina and that the court cannot speculate for him.

    Justice Abang upheld the claim of the former envoy that she divorced her former husband due to irreconcilable differences occasioned by beating while they were together.

    The Court of Appeal disagreed with the claim of the appellant that he was responsible for letting out the property to a tenant adding that, mere letting out the property to a tenant was not sufficient to confer joint ownership on the appellant.

    “In my opinion, the first respondent in this matter, Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu, made a better case for her sole ownership of the property, block 145, Flat 1, in Kubwa, Abuja. There is no where the appellant made a better case for joint ownership, as he claims in this matter.

    “In all, this appeal lacks merit and is hereby accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on December 11, 2019 , in favour of the first respondent’s soul ownership of the property, is hereby affirmed, “the Justice Abang held.

  • Alleged Terrorism financing: Court orders Binance Ltd. to release data to EFCC

    Alleged Terrorism financing: Court orders Binance Ltd. to release data to EFCC

    Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered Binance Holdings Limited to release all the comprehensive data or information of all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

    Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange that lists more than 350 cryptocurrencies globally.

    The interim order was granted to enable the anti-graft agency unravel the alleged money laundering and terrorism financing on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform.

    Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order after ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho.

    “The applicant’s application dated and filed 29th February, 2024, is hereby granted as prayed.

    “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform,” the judge ordered.

    The ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2024, was brought pursuant to Sections 6(b), (h), (I), 7(1), (a)(2), and 38 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as amended) and the inherent powers of the court.

    In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Hamma Bello, an operative of the EFCC, he said he was attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the commission domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Bello averred that, following the inauguration of the Technical Committee on Currency Stability and Forex Manipulation by the ONSA, the SIT “received an intelligence stating the nefarious activities (money laundering and terrorism financing) on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform.

    “That on receipt of the Intelligence, the team began investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities of the platform.

    “That the team uncovered users who have been using the platform for price discovery, confirmation and market manipulation which has caused tremendous distortions in the market, resulting in the Naira losing its values against other currencies.

    “That the damage the platform has caused was clearly explained to the operators of the platform and they were requested to delist the Naira and avail the ONSA on the activities of the Nigerians on their platform.

    “That from the information afforded to the team by Binance shows that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 (twenty one billion, six hundred million dollars).

    “Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is a copy of the document from Binance to the ONSA stating this fact amongst others.

    “That the commission will ensure that investigation is conducted within such reasonable time.”

    Bello, who said that the matter was of utmost urgent public interest, said the data provided would enable the commission accomplish its investigation activities.

    He said it was in the interest of justice to grant the application as refusal of the request would largely hamper the commission’s investigation.

    In addition to cryptocurrency trading, it offers several services that enhance the experience for users and blockchain developers.

  • NJC raises alarm over alleged bid to defraud retired Judicial officers

    NJC raises alarm over alleged bid to defraud retired Judicial officers

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has raised an alarm over alleged incessant bids by a group of fraudsters to defraud retired Judicial officers across the country.

    According to the NJC, the alleged fraudsters have been bombarding its retired Judicial officers with phone calls demanding for various sums of money to help them fast track payment of their retirement benefits.

    In a statement signed in Abuja on Sunday, by its Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, thr council dissociated itself from the actions of the alleged fraudsters and pleaded with retired Judicial officers not to fall victims of the unscrupulous people.

    The statement read in part “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to the incessant phone calls being made to retired Judicial Officers by some unscrupulous individuals demanding payments to fast track the processing of their retirement benefits.

    “The National Judicial Council by this medium, informs retired Judicial Officers and members of the public to disregard such phone calls as NJC would never demand money from any Judicial Officer to fast track the payment of his retirement benefit.

    “The public is hereby advised to be wary of and report such calls to the Pension Department of the Council for appropriate action”, the statement said.