Headlines
FG Files Nine Fresh Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu
The Supreme Court on Thursday okayed the request by the Federal Government to file additional nine grounds in its appeal against the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The ruling followed an application moved by counsel for the Federal Government, Tijani Gadzali, SAN.
Gadzali equally sought an adjournment to respond to Kanu’s request to be transferred from the detention facility of the Department of State Services to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The five-man panel led by Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court okayed the Federal Government’s appeal and also granted leave to the Federal Government to include the additional nine grounds as part of its amended notice of appeal dated October 28 2022.
According to Ozekhome, Kanu was seriously ill and required proper medical attention, which, he believed, his client could access at the Kuje prison.
Ozekhome, SAN, and Ifeanyi Ejiofor also drew the attention of the apex court to an application seeking the release of their client on bail, pending the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal.
He, thereafter, applied for an accelerated hearing of all the pending applications as well as the substantive appeal
Consequently, the Supreme Court adjourned the case till May 11 for definite hearing.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had, in a unanimous judgement delivered on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s release from detention.
The three-man panel of the court quashed a 15-count terrorism charge against the detained IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court in Abuja adding that the Federal Government flagrantly violated all known laws, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, the Federal Government approached the appellate court to stay the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal at the Supreme Court.
The Appellate court granted the Federal Government’s application to stay the execution of its earlier judgement.
Kanu thereafter appealed to the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal and to place a bar to any further detention and prosecution.
He asked the apex court to strike out FG’s appeal against his release.
Specifically, he applied for an order of the apex court, “striking out and/or dismissing the Respondent’s Appeal No: SC/CR/1361/2022, for want of diligent prosecution.”
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
