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Nnamdi Kanu’s trial to start afresh March 21, identity of new judge revealed

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Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu will appear before a new judge on March 21, 2025.

Ekwutosblog learnt that Kanu will appear before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Speaking with Ekwutosblog, Kanu’s lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said the legal team is primed and ready.

 

Ejimakor, however, disclosed that Kanu’s legal team has not been served with the charges he would face before Justice Omotosho.

Kanu has been facing charges over his pursuit for the actualization of Biafra.

In September 2024, Kanu had challenged Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja to recuse herself from his trial.

Following his call, Justice Nyako recused herself but the Chief Judge of the Abuja Federal High Court rejected her decision.

In December, Justice Nyako adjourned Kanu’s case indefinitely.

Against this backdrop, Kanu vowed never to appear in court until an impartial judge is appointed to preside over his case.

Ejimakor said: “It’s now official that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu shall appear before a new Judge on 21st March 2025. It’s a milestone; and we are primed & ready.

“He will appear before Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court in court 7.

“The case will start new like it has never held before. Everything that was done from 2015 when he was arrested to the last time that he appeared before Justice Binta Nyako are gone including the appeals that are pending, they are gone out of the window.

“He would be rearraigned on charges that we have not seen, we can mention that we received a hearing notice but no charges have been sent to us.

“We really don’t know the charges we are facing on March 24. The government has a trick they always do, they will serve you a day before the hearing so that you don’t have time to study the charges.

“Sometimes they serve you will you are in court but the charges would have been in the court registry and we can’t start asking the court to give us copy.”

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Ex-Army chief Yahaya urges overhaul of recruitment, training to bolster military readiness

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Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), has called for a comprehensive and uncompromising reform in recruitment, training, and performance evaluation to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s professionalism and combat effectiveness.

He made this call while delivering a lecture at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna on Saturday.

He emphasized that courage, vigilance, and uncompromising standards must guide every stage of a soldier’s career—from recruitment and training to operational deployment.

“Recruitment and selection into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Depot Nigerian Army must be thorough and uncompromising. There is no room for weakness or mediocrity. We must be courageous and firm in weeding out bad eggs at every stage,” Yahaya stated.

He said the evolving modern threats and impacts on current training must include a change in training paradigms to reflect, not only conventional warfare, but also terrorism, asymmetric warfare, ideological extremism, and cyber threats.

He suggested a modification of military training. programs to include important strategic courses on emotional intelligence, military psychology, counter-terrorism tactics, and social media awareness.

“Effective training will help solidify the soldier-first concept in the minds of instructors and students. We must reflect modern threats in our training, not just conventional warfare,” he said.

The retired Army chief also stressed the importance of enhancing simulation-based and hands-on training to match real-time battlefield conditions. He urged military institutions across the country to modernize their facilities to meet 21st-century demands.

Yahaya proposed increased collaboration with international military institutions in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Pakistan. He said such partnerships would help fast-track knowledge transfer and improve the technical competence of Nigerian personnel.

“We must scale up our engagements with allied nations on training programs. Our non-commissioned officers should have wider access to Junior Command, Regimentation, and Train-the-Trainer courses abroad to meet international standards,” he added.

He stressed the need for capacity building for senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO) as a key target in modern military operations, primarily when operating below the level of battalion in a decentralized context, such as the North East and Lake Chad Basin.

“Modern security challenges can no longer be addressed solely through massed formations.

The Army must build a force capable of executing small-unit warfighting with speed, precision and initiative using a decentralized command structure grounded in the principle of mission command,” Yahaya said.

He reiterated that providing tactical leadership skills to SNCOs will close the gap of officers especially in remote and high-risk theatres of operation.

Yahaya concluded by saying that any reform effort must be soldier-centric which ensures that soldier’s welfare; professionalism and operational capability are the focus.

“The future of our Army depends on the soldier—how well we train, equip, and support him. Let us define our vision clearly and pursue it with consistency and discipline,” he said.

The guest lecture was part of a series of professional engagements, paving the way for NADCEL 2025, which saw a celebration of the 162nd year of the establishment of the Nigerian Army.

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Keyamo to launch Enugu Air July 7

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Nigeria’s minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will officially launch the Enugu State government-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

This is according to a recent statement from the airline.

The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Ozor, said Enugu Air is pivotal to Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for positioning Enugu State as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.

“With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally,” he said.

The domestic airline announced that its inaugural routes will be Abuja and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key locations in Nigeria.

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Commissioner of Police orders prompt medical care for sick suspects in Abia Command

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Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Danladi Isa has charged officers in the Command to maintain professionalism, avoid corruption, and strictly adhere to the NPF social media policy.

He has also directed that suspects must not be detained beyond 24 hours for bailable offences and that sick suspects must receive prompt medical attention.

CP Danladi, who gave the directive during the Command’s monthly conference, which was attended by Area Commanders, DPOs, Heads of Departments and Tactical Commanders, warned that senior officers would be held vicariously liable for misconducts by their subordinates, hence they must ensure proper supervision of officers under them.

He further prohibited Point of Sales, (PoS) operations within Police premises and urged officers to secure their bases, protect government infrastructure, and work in synergy with Mayors of local governments and the public for effective crime-fighting.

The Commissioner of Police, who commended the officers for their dedication to duties, said that greater responsibility is required from them.

He further recognised the the PRO of the Abia Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka for receiving award from the Inspector General of Police and for completing a short course on New Media Capacity Building in China.

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