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ESN is illegal security organization under Nnamdi Kanu – DSS tells court

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Nnamdi Kanu

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), is an illegal security organization without the backing of the law.

IPOB, a proscribed pro-Biafra separatist movement, had early in December 2020 launched the ESN as a reaction to the perceived targeted killings of Igbos by Fulani herdsmen.

However, testifying under re-examination in the ongoing trial of the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, a prosecution witness and a personnel of the DSS, simply identified as BBB, told the court that the Eastern Security Network is an illegal organization because it was not established by any existing law.

The witness was responding to a question by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awolowo SAN, to differentiate between the ESN and Amotekun in the southwestern region of the country.

The DSS witness told the court that while the ESN was formed by Kanu without any backing of the law, the Amotekun security outfit on the other hand has legal backing from the respective Houses of Assembly of the affected states.

He said Amotekun was set up in the six states of the South-West to complement the efforts of security agencies in curbing insecurity, especially kidnapping, armed robbery as well as herdsmen and farmers contentions in the region.

“My lord, while the ESN is not a registered organization under any law, Amotekun was established following the law passed by the respective Houses of Assembly in the affected States,” the witness clarified.

Meanwhile, during the cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro SAN, the court admitted in evidence, a certified true copy (CTC) of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution of Victims of EndSARs and other Related Abuses and Related Matters.

The report which was tendered from the Bar by the defence team was admitted and marked as exhibit PWUO.

The defence team then proceeded to tender a flash drive accompanied with a certificate of compliance from the Bar.

Both the flash drive and the certificate of compliance were admitted and marked as exhibits PWP and PWI respectively.

A video evidence was played in open court by the defence team showcasing public speeches by the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma.

In the short video clip, the Director General of the DSS, Ajayi spoke on the need for communities to cooperate with security agencies in the fight against insecurity, as security agencies cannot fight criminals alone.

Ajayi who expressed the need for communities to rise up and defend themselves against miscreants and criminals, said they must do that in collaboration with security agencies.

On his part, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma exonerated the ESN from the killings of top politicians in Orlu and blamed same on opposition politicians.

The DSS witness however disagreed with the claim by Uzodinma that the killings in the South-East was targeted at political chieftains of the All Progressives Congress APC.

Contrary to the claim, the DSS operative alleged that the ESN was responsible for killings of the generality of innocent people, including politicians and the downtrodden.

In his speech, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, urged citizens to stand up and defend themselves.

Danjuma while accusing the Armed Forces of aiding and protecting criminals noted, “if you are depending on the Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one”.

Meanwhile, Justice James Omotosho has warned parties against any form of delay tactics that may be employed during the trial.

The judge stated that having granted an accelerated trial of the case, it would be against the interest of justice to delay the trial while Kanu is languishing in detention.

He therefore ordered the prosecution to close it’s case within six days, subject to any special circumstances.

Accordingly, he adjourned further trial dates to May 28 and 29 and June 6, 16, 18 and 19, respectively for the prosecution to close its case.

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Fuel price reduction: ‘Joy’s coming’ – Manufacturers

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Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, sees the price of fuel coming down to N800.

Ekwutosblog reported recently that Dangote Petroleum Refinery slashed its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to N840 per litre.

The reduction represents a N40 decrease from the previous rate of N880 per litre.

This happened a few days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, increased the pump price of petrolto N925 per litre in Lagos.

This decrease is also coming a week after Dangote Refinery increased the ex-depot petrol price to N880 per litre

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Ajayi-Kadiri said that it was a welcome development, adding that price of the product would further decrease to N800 with the modalities being put in place by Dangote Refineries.

“You cannot blame anyone for producing and ensuring effective delivery,” he said.

When asked to share his thoughts from a manufacturer’s point of view on what he sees about the long term effect, he added, “So if I may use what the Gen Z is called ‘Joy is coming’, that’s what I see.

“The long term is going to be better. I see the price coming down to 800 and that’s what manufacturers want.

“I just told you now that last year, we spent as much as 1.1 trillion in terms of providing alternatives, apart from the fact that even the quality of the products is not guaranteed.

“So in the near future, I continue to see continued reduction in the price of diesel.

“I also see a situation where other players will be encouraged to come into the field, because that is what it takes. I don’t think that we should use sentiment to dissuade any investor from improving the life and well being of the people.

 

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FCT ground rent: I have no apology for revoking Rochas Okorocha’s land – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he revoked the land of former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Wike warned that the FCT Administration under his leadership will repossess any land where the owners fail to pay their land rent.

He disclosed this during the 60th birthday of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, in Abuja over the weekend.

Anyanwu had celebrated his birthday at the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister assured property owners of getting the best services if they pay their ground rent.

He said: “Rochas Okorocha is here, he is my boss, even though I revoked his land because the right thing must be done, he is my man.

“Senators are here, Ikpeazu, my colleagues are here, yes, if you don’t pay, I will take back our property.

“Look at what Julius Berger did here, is it by empty hand? It is not by money?

“Pay and you will get the best services, and you are getting the best services under the leadership of Tinubu. I have no apologies because I’m the one here.”

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Suspected herdsmen kill three policemen, seize rifles in Benue

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Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State was thrown into panic on Sunday following an attempted attack by suspected herdsmen, which reportedly left three police officers feared dead.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen ambushed the officers during the attack and allegedly made away with their rifles.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command and other relevant authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the attack.

More to come…

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