News
Terrorism Not Part Of Charges Against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Says Lawyer
Constitution is supreme and any action inconsistent with it is void, no matter the motive.”
The human rights lawyer argued that Kanu’s activities fall within his constitutional rights. “Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, while Article 20 of the African Charter recognizes the right of peoples to self-determination,” she stated.
“Advocating for political reform or self-determination is not terrorism. It is protected speech.”
She also defended the public campaign by some activists calling for Kanu’s release, describing it as a legitimate demand for justice. “Every major democratic turning point in history began with freeing a conscience prisoner,” she said.
“Mandela’s release changed South Africa, Gandhi’s release reshaped India, and Martin Luther King’s release energized the civil rights movement. Justice for one political prisoner is justice for all.”
Okezie faulted the use of international examples of prolonged detentions to justify Kanu’s continued incarceration, saying those cited instances have been widely condemned by the international community. “Guantánamo Bay, Turkey, and Kashmir are not models of justice. The United Nations and European courts have repeatedly condemned such practices as politically motivated detentions,” she said.
She described the prolonged detention of Kanu despite court orders as a threat to democracy and judicial independence. “Obedience to court orders remains the cornerstone of democracy,” she said. “No government can claim to uphold the rule of law while selectively enforcing judgments.”
Okezie called on the Federal Government to comply with judicial rulings and release Kanu, emphasizing that Nigeria’s credibility before the international community depends on its respect for the rule of law.
“The government must demonstrate that no citizen is above or beneath the protection of the Constitution,” she said. “The continued detention of a man discharged by a competent court undermines the nation’s commitment to justice and equality.
“The law must remain sacred,” she said. “Nigeria cannot build a stable democracy by disregarding its own courts. Justice for one is justice for all.”
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.
IMO STATE LABOUR PARTY DESCENDS INTO FACTIONAL WAR
EFCC evicts Malami from Abuja home amid forfeiture dispute
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
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