BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu files motion to stop court judgment
BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu files motion to stop court judgment
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has filed a motion, seeking to arrest the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, scheduled for Nov. 20.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice James Omotosho had, on Nov. 7, fixed Nov. 20 for judgment in the trial of Kanu on alleged terrorism offences.
Justice Omotosho fixed the date after Kanu’s defence was foreclosed following his insistence that he would not enter his defence under a repealed law.
However, in the motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, and personally filed by Kanu, the IPOB leader sought seven reliefs.
In the application dated Nov. 10 and filed same date, Kanu is seeking for an order arresting the delivery of judgment in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 scheduled for Nov. 29.
He alleged that the proceedings were conducted under a repealed and non-existent statute and in disobedience to the Supreme Court’s directive contrary to Section 287(1) CFRN 1999.”
He sought a declaration that by virtue of Section 287(1) CFRN, the trial court was constitutionally bound to give effect to the Supreme Court’s finding that Count 15 (now Count 7) “does not exist in law,” and its failure rendered all subsequent proceedings null and void.
He sought a declaration that the court’s failure to take judicial notice of the repeal of the 2013 Terrorism Act, contrary to Section 122 Evidence Act 2011, vitiates all steps taken thereunder.
He also sought a declaration that by virtue of Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the Terrorism (Prevention. and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to try him in the absence of proof that the alleged conduct constituted an offence under Kenyan law or of any Kenyan judicial validation or extradition order.
Besides, Kanu sought “a declaration that the plea purportedly taken on 29th March, 2025, under a repealed and non-existent statute and in violation of Section 220 ACJA 2015 is void and incapable of conferring jurisdiction.
“And forged materials amount to constructive denial of fair hearing under Section 36(6) CFRN.
“An order setting aside all proceedings and orders made by Hon. Justice Omotosho in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 for want of jurisdiction and violation of constitutional supremacy.”
NAN reports that Kanu, who disengaged his lawyers, had opted to represent himself in the charge before Justice Omotosho
Kanu had queried the jurisdiction of the court to try him based on the charge, which he claimed was invalid on the grounds that it was based on repealed laws.
Kanu submitted that the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 LFN 2004 on which the charge was hinged, had been repealed.
He further argued that the failure of the court to take judicial notice that the laws had been repealed rendered the proceedings so far conducted in the case a nullity.
Kanu claimed that his trial was a conspiracy and had been pre-determined, accusing the British authorities of wanting him to be convicted and jailed.
He alleged that he learnt of the British authorities’ intention about his fate about one and half years ago.
But Justice Omotosho said he was unaware of Kanu’s claim.
The judge, who said that he had no relationship with the British authorities, also clarified that he was not the judge during the period Kanu was refered to.
The IPOB leader insisted that he would only enter the witness box to give his testimony after he must have been told under which law he was being tried.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, held that Kanu, having exhausted the six days allocated to him by the court to conduct his defence, had waived his right to do so.
The judge said he would have extended the days allocated to Kanu to conduct his defence if he had opted to open it.
He said Kanu, having failed to utilise the opportunity given to him to conduct his defence, could not claim to have been denied the constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing.
“This court has given opportunity to the defendant under Section 36 as requires by the constitution and I will not allow this to continue.
“It is based on this, without hesitation, that I say that the defendant has waived his right,” Justice Omotosho said and adjourned the matter until Nov. 20 for judgment.(NAN)
News
Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police
Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police
The Police Command in Rivers on Wednesday, said it has arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 10.
She said that the suspect aged 30, was identified as the ringleader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, that coordinated several abductions for ransom across the state.
According to her, the suspect who is responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.
“The suspect was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme Local Government Area before his arrest,” she said.
She said that the recovered items include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.
The spokesperson said that during preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of the kidnapping syndicate.
According to her, the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. (NAN)
News
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
News
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
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