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Rivers: Lawyers march for return of democratic governance, seek US Govt’s intervention

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A group of human rights lawyers, under the aegis of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, on Wednesday marched on the streets of Abuja to demand the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.

The lawyers are calling on the United States and the international community to pressure President Bola Tinubu to rescind his decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy and the Rivers Assembly for six months after declaring a state of emergency in the state.

Speaking to newsmen during a protest march to the United States embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, the lawyers, led by their Country Director, Barr. Uche Chukwu Udeh Sylvester, argued that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State is unconstitutional and undermines democracy.

They further argued that there was no clear and present danger to warrant the emergency rule, adding that due process was not followed.

In a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, they urged the United States government to intervene and pressure Tinubu to restore democratic rule in Rivers State.

According to the lawyers, the suspension of Governor Fubara and the State Assembly is a brazen attempt to undermine constitutional order.

The lawyers also condemned the National Assembly for ratifying the emergency rule, describing their action as an assault on democracy.

They asked Tinubu to reconsider his stand and allow Fubara to continue his work as the democratically elected governor of Rivers State.

Parts of the letter addressed to Trump read, “In an era where democracy is supposed to reign supreme giving democracy dividends to the masses, we have found ourselves at a crossroads, a sober moment of reckoning where constitutional order is being tested most brazenly.

“The President, who swore to uphold the Constitution, has taken a most unprecedented and unlawful step with the suspension of a democratically elected governor, deputy governor and an entire state House of Assembly under the guise of Emergency Rule. What emergency? Nigerians and Rivers people did not see or feel any such emergency.

“In our law books and we stand by this, no constitutional provision, statute or any known convention gives the president the powers to single-handedly dissolve the structures of an elected state government.

“This could only have happened during the days of military juntas, but we are not under the firm grip of a military dictatorship. At the moment, the country is being governed under a constitutional democracy that operates a presidential system of government.

“President Bola Tinubu should not have taken the decision because democracy is a learning process, and the judiciary has demonstrated the capability to resolve issues.

“The president should have allowed the various state organs to resolve the issues. It is not worthy that until recently, there was a crisis of local government administration in Osun State, which has not led to a declaration of a state of emergency.”

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NAF airstrikes crush terrorists in Niger

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The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 1, said it carried out a series of precision air strikes in support of ground troops, targeting terrorists behind recent attacks, and neutralized scores of terrorists in Niger State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, in a statement said:

“On 26 June, following credible intelligence, and with inter-service and inter-agency cooperation, the NAF identified terrorist activities involving attacks and cattle rustling in Kakihun and Kumbashi communities.

“Swiftly deploying air assets, the Air Component executed multiple waves of precision strikes that neutralized scores of terrorists, destroyed their logistics, and disrupted regrouping efforts.

“The operation demonstrated NAF’s professionalism, rapid response capability, and strong coordination with ground forces and other agencies.

“The Nigerian Air Force remains resolutely committed to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians and ensuring lasting peace across the country.”

 

 

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BREAKING!!! Court Declares Nnamdi Kanu’s Abduction And Rendition To Nigeria Illegal, Awards ₦120Million In Damages

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A High Court in Nairobi, Kenya, has ruled that the abduction and detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya and his subsequent rendition to Nigeria in June 2021 were unlawful and illegal.

Delivering judgment, Justice E.C. Mwita held that the actions of both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments amounted to gross violations of Kanu’s fundamental human rights as protected by their respective constitutions.

The court also awarded Kanu 10 million Kenyan shillings in compensatory damages against the Kenyan government for its role in the unlawful abduction and rendition.

Justice E.C. Mwita said, “Having considered the pleadings and arguments by parties, the decisions relied on, the Constitution and the law, I come to the following conclusions:

 

“First, the government of Kenya violated the Constitution and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s rights and fundamental freedoms. Having entered Kenya lawfully he was subject to the protection offered by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the government of Kenya had an obligation to uphold and protect his rights and fundamental freedoms.

 

“Mr. Nnamdi was, however, abducted, kept in solitude confinement, tortured and denied food and medication, a breach of basic rights. He was chained, humiliated, ridiculed and held in contempt and later forcibly removed from Kenya without following the law in violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms for which the government of Kenya is liable.

 

“Based on the above conclusions, the court makes the following declarations and orders it considers appropriate: A declaration is hereby issued that the abduction of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu Kanu; holding him in incommunicado confinement, torturing him and denying him food, water, medication and other basic necessities was a violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms.

 

“A declaration is hereby issued that the abduction and subsequent forcible removal of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria was in violation of the laws of Kenya; his rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of movement and security of the person guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and, therefore, unconstitutional and illegal.

 

“An order for compensation is hereby issued awarding Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu general damages of Kshs 10,000,000 (N119,546,576.79) against the Attorney General of Kenya on behalf of the government of Kenya for the violation of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu’s constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.”

 

Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has hailed the judgment as a landmark victory, saying it vindicates the group’s long-standing position since what it described as the sham and farcical trial of its leader in Nigeria.

 

A statement signed by the IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wishes to formally announce a resounding judicial earthquake that has shaken the legal foundations of the fraudulent rendition of our leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

 

“In a historic, courageous, and landmark judgement delivered on June 24, 2025, the High Court of Kenya, sitting in Nairobi, found that the abduction, incommunicado detention, torture, and illegal transfer of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under Kenyan and international law.

 

“This judgement vindicates our consistent position that what transpired in Nairobi in June 2021 was not extradition but extraordinary rendition — a criminal act of state-sponsored international terrorism involving the highest authorities of the Nigerian and Kenyan governments.

 

“We are grateful beyond measure to the brilliant legal leadership of Professor PLO Lumumba, lead counsel in the Kenyan litigation, whose courage, clarity, and tenacity led to this monumental legal victory. IPOB also extends heartfelt appreciation to the Kenyan judiciary, especially Hon. Justice E.C. Mwita, who stood tall against ferocious political interference and international diplomatic pressure to deliver a fearless judgement grounded in law, morality, and constitutional justice.

 

“We know, and now the world must acknowledge, that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did not commit any crime in Kenya. He entered Kenya lawfully as a British citizen.

 

“He was abducted in broad daylight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by agents of Nigeria’s secret police in collusion with rogue elements of the Kenyan security apparatus. He was chained, tortured, denied medication, and eventually bundled onto a private jet and flown illegally to Abuja without any extradition hearing or judicial warrant.

 

“This verdict places a permanent and indelible legal stain on the records of former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, ‘Muhammadu Buhari’ of Nigeria and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and their accomplices.

 

“It also exposes the criminal lobbying missions embarked upon by Nigerian leaders — from ‘Buhari’, Osinbajo, to Tinubu and Shettima — all of whom tried and failed to manipulate Kenya’s judiciary to cover up this internationally condemned act of extraordinary rendition.

 

“Let it be known that this is not the end. This is the beginning of a global accountability campaign. All those responsible — in Kenya, Nigeria, or elsewhere — shall be pursued to the ends of the earth under the universal principle of accountability for crimes against humanity. Neither British diplomatic complicity nor cowardly silence from Western powers will shield the perpetrators from the legal, diplomatic, and moral reckoning that is coming.”

 

“To Justice E.C. Mwita, we say thank you for your judicial bravery. To Professor PLO Lumumba and his team, we salute your exceptional advocacy. To the oppressed peoples of the world, this is your victory — a warning to tyrants that international borders will no longer shield criminal regimes from justice,” the statement added.

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Breaking News: Single Mother of Two Found Dead in Uyo Gutter

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A tragic incident has shaken the community in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as the lifeless body of Goodness Edem Israel, a single mother of two, was discovered in a gutter along Udok Street, off Barracks Road.

The corpse was found in the early hours of Thursday, June 26, 2025, by passersby and residents of the area.

The cause of her death is yet to be ascertained, but authorities have confirmed that there’s no indication of gunshot or violence in the vicinity.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, revealed that Goodness Israel’s National Identification Number (NIN) was found with her corpse, which led to her identification. The command has begun investigations into the matter

Goodness Israel was reportedly a resident of Mbiabong Itam in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

Her tragic death has left her family and community in shock, and many are seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding her demise.

As the investigation continues, the police are working to determine the cause of her death and identify any potential suspects.

The community is rallying around Goodness Israel’s family during this difficult time, and many are calling for increased security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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