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3,650 Inmates sentenced go death awaiting to be executed in Nigerian Prisons

In recognition of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, Advocats Sans Frontières (ASF) France, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, has expressed deep concerns regarding the increasing number of inmates on death row in Nigeria, revealing that there are currently 3,650 inmates awaiting execution across the country.

The organisation revealed that the 3,650 inmates included 63 women, awaiting execution across 11 maximum-security prisons in the country. Ms. Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, ASF’s Country Director, shared these statistics during a high-level technical consultation held on Thursday.

She pointed out that although Nigeria has maintained a voluntary moratorium on executions since 2014, the lack of a formal policy leaves death row inmates at risk of execution at any moment.

“While the moratorium is a positive step, the absence of an enforceable policy means that over 3,000 inmates remain vulnerable to execution,” Uzoma-Iwuchukwu stated. She emphasized that Nigeria has the highest number of death row inmates in sub-Saharan Africa, a figure that continues to grow as new death sentences are frequently issued.

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The event also included comments from Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, Executive Director of the Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP), who reiterated Nigeria’s standing as the African nation with the most death row prisoners.

“With the highest number of offenses punishable by death, this trend is extremely concerning,” Obiagwu remarked, urging the government to abolish capital punishment.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) joined in calling for an end to the death penalty.

NHRC Executive Secretary Mr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, highlighted the irreversible nature of capital punishment and its potential for causing irreparable harm, especially in wrongful conviction cases.

“We cannot overlook the evidence that indicates capital punishment does not deter crime. The risk of executing innocent individuals remains one of the greatest failures of any justice system,” Ojukwu added.

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Representing the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, labeled the death penalty as “outdated and ineffective,” urging the federal government to reconsider its application.

He assured that the NBA would continue advocating for reforms to ensure fair trials and humane sentencing, including providing free legal services to those facing capital punishment.

International representatives, such as the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Leilani Bin-Juda, and Jean-François Hasperue, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy, also attended the event, demonstrating global support for Nigeria’s efforts to abolish the death penalty.

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a suspect accused of stabbing a uber driver and dispossessing him of his car.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Saturday at 7:34p.m., at Ile-Zik in the Agege area of the state.

“A uber driver reported at Isokoko Division that the suspect boarded his Toyota Camry at Nitel by Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, to Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.

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“On getting to Ile-Zik along the way, the suspect brought out a sharp knife, stabbed him all over his body and stole his vehicle, ” he said.

Hundeyin said that based on the report,
a team of policemen later trailed the vehicle to Oshodi where the suspect was intercepted.

“He was immediately apprhended and the vehicle was recovered from him to the station, ” he said.

The police spokesman said that the victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

Hundeyin said that investigation into the case was ongoing. (NAN)

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BREAKING; Killing: University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

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BREAKING; Killing University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State has announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24.

The closure of the school followed a protest embarked on by the students on Sunday after they alleged that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) had shot to death one of their colleagues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students’ protest continued Monday morning.

Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.

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The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.

“The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said. (NAN)

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, recently attended a prominent opposition senator’s private ceremonies in Kano, sparking political controversy and speculation.

Prior to the 2023 elections, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who is currently the representative for Kano South in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), made news when he left the APC after a protracted leadership dispute inside the party.

His recent choice to invite APC members to his family gatherings has drawn criticism, with many speculating about the political ramifications.

On Friday, Jibrin, who led a delegation of federal lawmakers, confirmed their attendance at the wedding of Sumaila’s children, which took place in Sumaila town, Kano State on February 21.

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The wedding united Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina, and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, in a ceremony officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.

Jibrin’s statement also highlighted the attendance of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, who joined the festivities and offered blessings for the newlyweds.

“May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love. Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Jibrin added in his post.

The following day, both Jibrin and Ganduje were present at the first convocation of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly founded by Senator Sumaila in the Sumaila Local Government Area. This further fueled speculation about the growing relationship between the APC and the NNPP senator.

Within the NNPP, these moves have sparked unease, with many members expressing concern over Sumaila’s increasing openness to opposition figures. There are growing rumors that Sumaila may be contemplating a return to the APC, especially as he continues to distance himself from NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano.

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The senator’s tensions with the state government have been well documented, especially over the controversial reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law, which had consolidated power in five emirates.

The involvement of APC heavyweights at Sumaila’s events, including former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left many questioning the senator’s allegiance.

With his history of disagreements with the state government, particularly over the dissolution of emirates created under Ganduje’s administration, there’s increasing speculation that Sumaila may once again align with the APC.

Should Sumaila make the move back to the APC, he would join a growing list of opposition lawmakers defecting to the ruling party, further shifting the political dynamics in Kano.

The NNPP, which currently holds the title of Nigeria’s fourth-largest party in terms of parliamentary representation, has been struggling to maintain its influence in Kano—the only state it governs.

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While NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso managed to secure a victory only in Kano, a potential shift in allegiance by Sumaila could mark a significant blow to the party’s already fragile standing.

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