Forum Welcomes US sanctions move on Miyetti Allah, hails former Governor
Forum Welcomes US sanctions move on Miyetti Allah, hails former Governor
The Forum of Concerned Nigerians (FCN) has applauded the recent move by the United States House of Representatives to impose sanctions on the Miyetti Allah groups over alleged involvement in killings and human rights abuses across Nigeria, describing the development as a “vindication” of former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
The U.S. House of Representatives, in a resolution introduced before the 119th Congress by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga, urged the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The resolution, tagged H. Res. 860, called for sanctions against those responsible for “egregious violations of religious freedom” and “orchestrated attacks” on communities, particularly in Benue and Plateau States.
It also recommended that Fulani militant groups be listed as Entities of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act, a move that signals a tougher U.S. stance against terrorism and religious persecution.
In a statement made available to journalists, the FCN said the resolution was a “clear vindication” of former Governor Ortom, who had consistently warned against the activities of violent herder groups and the inaction of the previous administration.
“History has once again vindicated Chief Samuel Ortom. For years, he cried out against the killings and displacement of innocent people by armed herdsmen, yet he was mocked and vilified. Today, the international community has seen the truth he spoke,” the group said.
The forum recalled that during Ortom’s tenure from 2015 to 2023, he persistently urged the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute leaders of Miyetti Allah and other violent organisations, such as the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), for their alleged roles in attacks on farming communities.
It lamented that the Buhari administration ignored Ortom’s appeals and instead turned him into a political target, denying Benue State critical federal support.
The FCN commended Ortom for his “courage and foresight” in enacting the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, describing it as a landmark policy that helped restore peace and order in affected communities.
“Governor Ortom demonstrated true patriotism by defending justice and human life, even when he was isolated and attacked politically. The U.S. resolution has now validated his position,” the statement added.
The group urged the Tinubu administration to take a cue from the U.S. Congress by revisiting previously ignored intelligence and reports on the activities of violent herders and their sponsors.
“Justice for the countless victims of herdsmen attacks in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, and other states must no longer be delayed or denied,” the group said.
It also called on the U.S. government to expedite the implementation of visa bans, asset freezes, and other punitive measures under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and related frameworks.
The FCN concluded by commending the U.S. Congress for “standing on the side of truth and justice” and amplifying the voices of oppressed communities that have suffered in silence for too long.
“The time has come for Nigeria and the global community to act decisively against those who promote bloodshed under any guise,” the group stated.
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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)
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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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