Category: News

The Federal Government, on Thursday, secured permission from the Supreme Court to file nine fresh grounds of appeal to oppose the release of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

The apex court granted FG’s request to include the fresh grounds in its amended notice of appeal dated October 28, 2022.

The ruling followed an application that was moved by a government lawyer, Mr Tijani Gadzali, SAN, who equally sought an adjournment to respond to Kanu’s request to be transferred from the detention facility of the Department of State Services, DSS, to the Kuje Correctional Center.

Gazzali, SAN, told the court that he would need time to file a counter-affidavit to oppose Kanu’s request.

Consequently, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Inyang Okoro adjourned the case till May 11 for definite hearing.

It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had in a judgement it delivered on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s release from detention.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court equally quashed a 15-count terrorism charge that FG entered against the detained IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court said it was satisfied that FG flagrantly violated all known laws, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

It held that such arbitrary use of power by the Nigerian government, divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to continue with Kanu’s trial.

However, dissatisfied with the judgement, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court.

It further persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

Meanwhile, at the resumed proceedings in the matter on Thursday, Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, 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.

Ozekhome, SAN, said there was a need to also transfer his client from the custody of the DSS to where he could get proper medical attention in view of his deteriorating health.

He, therefore, applied for an accelerated hearing of all the pending applications as well as the substantive appeal.

Kanu had earlier 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”.

As well as an order setting down his own cross-appeal for hearing.

The IPOB leader contended that going by Section 6 (1) of the Supreme Court (Criminal Appeals) Practice Direction 2013, FG had only 10 days within which to file and serve him with its brief of argument, upon the service of record of appeal.

He further argued that Order 2 Rule 29 (1) & (2) and Order 6 Rule 9 of the Supreme Court Rules, as amended in 2014, empowered him to seek the striking out of FG’s appeal for want of diligent prosecution.

According to him, “Parties were served with the record of appeal since the 2nd November 2022.

“The ten (10) days stipulated under the Fast Track Rules of this Honourable Court for the Respondent to file its Appellant’s Brief has since elapsed.

“The Respondent is not diligent in prosecuting its appeal.

“The purpose of this Honourable Court’s Rules and Practice Directions is to provide fair, impartial and expeditious administration of criminal appeals, especially in relation to offences of terrorism, rape, kidnapping, corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.

“On the 28th day of October 2022, the lower court while relying on the Notice of Appeal filed by the Respondent, granted the Respondent’s application for stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court, and consequently stayed the execution of its judgement delivered on the 13th October, 2022, which discharged the Applicant and prohibited his further detention.

“The Respondent, which obtained an order of stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court, on the basis of this appeal, has not demonstrated any good faith in prosecuting the said appeal

“Owing to the pendency of the instant appeal, the Applicant who was discharged by the lower court since the 13th October, 2022, is still in the custody of the Appellant/Respondent’s State Security Service (SSS), where he has been held in solitary confinement since the 29th day of June, 2021.

“Striking out and/or dismissing the Respondent’s appeal will serve the best interest of justice and fair trial, having particular regards to the fact that the Applicant’s right to liberty was stayed by the lower court on account of the pendency of the Respondent’s abandoned appeal.

“The Applicant has filed his Cross-Appellant’s brief and same has been duly served on the Respondent.

“It is in the interest of justice and fair trial to set the Applicant’s cross-appeal down for hearing.

“The Respondent which is not desirous of prosecuting its appeal, will not be prejudiced by the grant of the instant application”, Kanu added.

Vanguard

The National Economic Council, NEC, has suspended the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Nigeria’s Federal Government on Wednesday formally reacted to the ongoing crisis in Sudan saying no single Nigerian soul has been lost to the civil war.

It, however, disclosed that many Nigerians had already been evacuated by sea with the assistance of Saudi Arabian government.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of State, Zubairu Dada, made this known while speaking with newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Srate House, Abuja.

Commenting on the evacuation process of stranded Nigerians in Sudan, Dada said the Nigerian government had successfully secured permission and authorization from the Sudanese government to evacuate Nigerians from the war torn country.

According to him: “The evacuation is being done in batches to ensure the safety of all Nigerians, but the good news is that no Nigerian life has been lost so far. I think it’s important to stress that all Nigerians are very safe and we’re very confident and hopeful that we shall not lose any Nigerian life Insha Allah in this exercise. All is well and we’re good to go”.

Asked if all Nigerians will be evacuated before the 72-hour window, he said “we have no problem about the 72 hour window. Because we’ve talked to all the authorities concerned and we’re on the same page, but talking about the window, we are making every effort to ensure that we make use of this window to evacuate as many Nigerians as we possibly can.”

Dada also disclosed that some Nigerians have already been evacuated by ship by the government of Saudi Arabia.

His words: “Let me also add that some Nigerians have actually been evacuated by ship, I guess from Port Sudan, by the government of Saudi Arabia. Don’t forget, this is a joint effort. We have friendly nations that are ready to assist, you know, so that we’re having to record that the Saudi authorities have been able to pick up some Nigerians, they’re transporting them by ship, I guess to Saudi Arabia, to Jeddah in particular. From where, of course, again, we’ll link up and find a way of bringing them back from Jeddah those that succeed in going to Jeddah”.

On the order of priority of those to be evacuated, Dara said: “all lives are equal. Certainly, we won’t want to give preference to diplomats. The diplomats are just as good as every other Nigerian, so we will take them all on board depending on who’s ready and available at any point in time.

He explained that in the order of evacuation, women and children will be prioritised, adding that diplomats will not be evacuated before students and other Nigerians.

Also speaking, Onyeama said: “With regards to the evacuation of Nigerians in the Sudan, you’ll recall that the main challenge we had was securing some permission, first of all authorization of the Sudanese government and, and then, you know, some security support for the convoy because its been decided that we will transport or convey the Nigerians to the Egyptian border Aswan.

“So that’s what we decided. We are liaising with our embassy in Egypt as well. So we’ve been able to overcome a number of challenges and have started the process which we’re very happy about. We secured significant number of luxurious buses because the distances are quite considerable. We started the process and it will take, you know, maybe a couple of days to evacuate everybody.”

“As regards the gender question, I think that’s obviously something we will have to look into in a bit more detail, but I think ordinarily, it will be appropriate that women and children should be given priority I think that goes without saying”.

Asked what the evacuation exercise was costing Nigerian government, Onyeama said: “$1.2 million is what we’re being charged for all the 40 buses. We have huge transporter luxury buses made available to us to transport to the Egyptian border. Of course you know, because of the risks involved and so many other things, a lot of people are going to also take advantage, you’re going to hike up the price. We saw that the French convoy was attacked and so forth. It was difficult procuring these buses. But we had to do it because you know, Nigerian lives matters for us.”

Onyeama also explained that the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammadu Muhammed, was already on ground in Egypt and coordinating the logistics with embassy staff to ensure a smooth evacuation process.

He said: “Now, regarding the evacuation process, what we are primarily responsible for, is to ensure the safe evacuation from Egypt, of all the Nigerians who want to leave. The numbers as the honourable minister has said, have left through various borders, and by ship thanks to the Saudis.

“So the exact numbers that will now make it on that convoy to Egypt is not exactly clear at the moment. But once they get there is from Aswan, as the Honorable Minister has also said, the director general of NEMA is there, and they are now going to take over with regards to getting them back to Nigeria.

“So whether they use military transport planes, C-130, I spoke to the Chief of Defence Staff, and he indicated that there were some military transport planes that will be available. And of course, you mentioned you know, Airpeace making that offer and there are other airlines, too, that their owners might also want to make an offer, but we will leave it to never to coordinate who they use to transport by air, these citizens of ours”.

Arise News

In preparation for the inauguration of the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Deputy Governor-elect, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, on May 29, 2023, the committee for the planning and organizing of the epoch-making event has held its inaugural meeting at the Government House, Enugu.

The 35-man inauguration committee which is being chaired by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, has the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi and former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and Managing Director, Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The committee is also saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful and seamless transition from the PDP-led state government of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to another PDP-led state government of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

Members of the inauguration committee include the Director General of PDP State Campaign Council, Chief Ikeje Asogwa; a former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. U.S.A Igwesi; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji; Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh; Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Mrs. Mabel Agbo; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Sir Obi Kama and Commissioner for Transport, Comrade Peter Andy Omeje.

Others are the Spokesperson of the PDP State Campaign Council, Chief Nana Ogbodo; Special Advisers to the Governor on Information and Diaspora, Steve Oruruo and Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu respectively; former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Director, Women Affairs, PDP State Campaign Council, Hon. Rita Mbah; Chief of Protocol (COP), Government House, Enugu, Dr. Barth Ezeugwu; and the PDP Zonal Chairman, Enugu East Senatorial District, Hon. Nnamdi Nwafor.

Also on the list are the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, DCP Fidelis N. Ogarabe; SP Peter Nnadozie; Dr. Uche Nwobodo; Hon. Emeka Vitalis Onah; Mrs. Sylvia Onwubuemeli; Hon. Emeka Ajogwu; Ike Ezugwu; Winston Anosike; Engr. Gerald Otiji; Emeke Eche; Hon. Chinedu Ani; Dame Ugochi Madueke; Engr. Cecilia Umeh; Mrs. Lucy Ifeoma Ijetta; Representative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Representative of Nigerian Air Force; and Representative of Federal Road Safety Corp.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the Adamawa governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Aisha Ahmed Binani, seeking to be affirmed as the winner of the election.

Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi has confirmed that an 80-capacity Air Peace flight conveying federal government delegation to the state is expected to land at the Ebonyi State International Cargo Airport on Thursday.

Governor Umahi said that the flight is expected to depart the Abuja Airport at 11am while the flight is expected to land in the state as part of the test flight of the completed International Airport.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the meetings held by the state executive council in Abakaliki, the governor said that the delegation will be in the state to participate in the commissioning of the numerous projects executed by the present administration.

Umahi stated that apart from the federal government delegation, others that will join the flight to the Ebonyi Airport will include Ebonyi Indigenes also arriving the state for the epoch -making event.

He said another 80 capacity Air Peace flight will also land at the airport from the Lagos adding that the test flight will be carried out having completed all the works at the international airport.

Umahi announced that the delegation will also participate in the commissioning of projects in the state adding that parts of the projects to be commissioned includes, the Ebonyi International Cargo Airport, the Inyere Bridge in Edda, Afikpo South local government area, King David Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Akanu Ibiam flyover and Bishop Micheal Nnachi Okoro flyover among others.

Governor Umahi during the state executive council meeting also swore in six permanent secretaries in the State and charged them to discharge their duties with every commitment and zeal.

Leadership

The Nigerian government, on Wednesday, commenced the evacuation of Nigerians in Sudan.

This was revealed in a tweet by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) where it shared a video showing buses parked in line. It also shared a picture of people queued up which it captioned “at the registration point this morning.”

“Last night, the Nigeria Evacuation team in SUDAN received some buses to transport Nigerian Students to nearby borders in Egypt, before airlifting them to Nigeria, this has been sorted by the Federal Government through @nemanigeria and the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan,” NiDCOM tweeted.

NiDCOM added that more buses are arriving this morning and the stranded students will depart today.

The evacuation was initially scheduled to start on Tuesday but did not happen because buses were unable to secure passes to move, a source at the ministry of foreign affairs who did not have permission to speak to the media, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Another explanation on the WhatsApp group for Nigerians in Sudan said it was due to some logistics issues.

Since the fighting erupted over a week ago, nearly 500 people have been killed and almost 4,100 injured, the UN said.

Several countries including UK, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, France amongst others have been able to evacuate their citizens from torn Sudan.

Four attempts at a ceasefire failed last week, however, the U.S. was able to broker a partial ceasefire that enabled more countries to evacuate and the Sudanese to run to safety.

There are no signs that the warring parties in Sudan are ready to seriously negotiate an end to fighting, UN envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes told a UN Security Council meeting in New York City on Tuesday.

Premium Times

Emmanuel Onuorah, the President of the Premium Bread Makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), has revealed that more than 26,000 bread factories have shut down across Nigeria over the past four years.

According to Onuorah, the doubling of the cost of bread production is the primary cause of job losses in the industry.

Speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, Onuorah said his own company has laid off 130 workers in the past four years.

He further revealed that PBAN membership has dropped from 36,000 in 2017 to less than 10,000.

“In my factory, I used to have about 180 workers and we were doing two shifts, today, we have about 50 workers. That is how it is in the industry.

“I have laid off about a hundred and you can see the job losses. Just imagine that you don’t want to do that but you are forced to do that. At the end of the day, you must pay. A labourer deserves his wages. That is for me.

“So many have shut down. Four years ago, we had about 36,000 members when we started this association. Today, it is less than 10,000 across Nigeria and what are you having? It is a series of job losses across the line.”

He also blamed government taxes which include the 30 per cent wheat levy, 15 per cent for wheat development levy, while 15 per cent is on duty.

According to him the industry players have written several times to the Federal Government to remove the 15 per cent development levy which has outlived its usefulness, but nothing had been done by the Nigerian government to stabilize the price of wheat.

He said, “Those millers that bring in the wheat from Ukraine, the US, and other places, they pay 30 per cent on wheat import. There is a 15 per cent wheat development levy. It was supposed to be a stopgap.

“It started in June 2012 and it hasn’t gone away. For the Federal Government, it is a revenue stream that is not a good one. You can’t generate revenue from everything. It is supposed to be for two years or thereabout after which the money generated will be used.

“We have been begging the FG, we have written for them to remove the 15 per cent development levy which has outlived its usefulness so that we can have some cushion for those people bringing in wheat.

“With that, you can stabilise to a reasonable extent the price of wheat coming into Nigeria. But it is just like flogging a dead horse. Nobody listens.”

Ripples