Simon Ekpa: Tinubu breaks silence, commends Finland’s intervention
Simon Ekpa: Tinubu breaks silence, commends Finland’s intervention
President Bola Tinubu on Friday commended the intervention of the Finish government with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa.
Tinubu spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president said that government would not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.
He also commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible.
” We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness.
” We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development.
” Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means.
” The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values.
” We must respect the rule of law,” the president said.
Similarly, Tinubu received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.
The president noted that the ambassador’s priorities, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture and education, would directly impact the country’s development.
“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity.
” Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East.
” I believe that we can work together,” he added.
Responding, the Ambassador of Finland extolled the president for his courage in initiating reforms that would benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations.
” The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now.
” The National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador noted.
“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country.
” They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.
“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well.
” We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.
In a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, Tinubu noted that the group remained one of the highest trading partners of Nigeria.
He urged the envoy to work toward elevating the volume of transactions and strengthening the ties.
According to the president, Nigeria needs support in digitalising and automating operations and processes for rendering services.
The president said the Nigerian economy could support investments with its vibrant and youthful population.
Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.
“We need to lift one another in Africa and we will be stronger together.
” We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves.
” We must lift Africa together,” the president said.
Mignot told the president that Nigeria holds “many untapped potential ” adding that more could be realised through development, cooperation and technology leveraging.
“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.
The Algerian Ambassador also said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects would significantly impact the continent.
He said Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihood on the continent with multilateral institutions. (NAN)
News
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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