News
Court gives Nnamdi Kanu deadline to defend terrorism charges
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has given Biafra nation agitator Nnamdi Kanu till November 5 to defend the terrorism charges against him or waive his right to do so.
The judge urged him to consult with legal practitioners conversant with criminal law to aid his defence or opt for a lawyer to handle his case.
The judge’s decision followed Kanu’s persistent refusal to present his defense to the terrorism charges on the grounds that there was no valid charge against him.
Kanu, who announced his appearance for himself on Tuesday, told the court that he would not return to detention unless the charges against him were clearly shown to him.
He maintained that his detention at the facility of the Department of State Services (DSS) was illegal and unlawful because there was no known law he had breached.
Kanu accused the court of violating the Supreme Court judgment that condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya and demanded that the judge must immediately discharge him.
When reminded that the Supreme Court had remitted the case for a fresh trial, he insisted that the terrorism charge against him was incompetent, invalid, and illegal.
Citing Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, Kanu argued that there was no written law on terrorism offenses in Nigeria, hence nothing for him to defend.
“In Nigeria today, the Constitution is the supreme law. There is no provision for terrorism offences in the Constitution. There is no valid charge against me. I will not go back to any detention today.
“The Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act has been repealed. I cannot put in a defence under a repealed law. I won’t do that.
“Tell any lawyer to show me the valid charge. I appeal to you to please take judicial notice of the repeal of the terrorism charges. I am not ready to go back to detention today unless I am shown the valid charge against me.
“I cannot be tried under a law that has been repealed, a law that is not written in our Constitution. Prosecuting me under a repealed law is a violation of my fundamental right,” he said repeatedly.
After much persuasion and his insistence not to defend the charge, Justice Omotosho, in a brief remark, adjourned further hearing till November 5 for Kanu to either enter his defence or waive his right to do so.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), drew the court’s attention to some documents served on him by Kanu, adding that the documents were worthless and had no probative value because they were not signed or endorsed by the court.
He urged the court to discountenance the documents, permit him to adopt his final address, and fix a date for judgment.
The judge, however, overruled him, stating that the documents in the court records were signed and accompanied by evidence of payment.
Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami says Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence despite ongoing court proceedings over the property’s forfeiture.
He described the action as unlawful and vowed to challenge it in court.
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
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EFCC evicts Malami from Abuja home amid forfeiture dispute
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