Breaking News
Nnamdi Kanu To Appear In Court On Feb 26th Over Terrorism Charges
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Federal Government of Nigeria is to resume the trial of the self appointed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on terrorism charges on Monday, February 26.
The decision of the government to resume trial followed the December 15, 2023, judgment of the Supreme Court which gave go ahead for continuation of trial of Kanu in the remaining seven count charges against him.
A notice for resumption of the trial, indicated that it would proceed before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The notice indicated that Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) have been put on notice.
The Director General of the Department of the State Services (DSS) has also been contacted to make the IPOB leader available in court on the date.
Kanu has been in the custody of the DSS since June 19, 2021, when he was arrested in Kenya and brought to Nigeria by the federal government through its security agency.
Although he was initially slammed with 15-count terrorism charges, Justice Binta Nyako in the course of trial did not find merit in 8 of the charges and subsequently dismissed them.
In a ruling in April 2022, the Judge upheld only seven count charges against Kanu and ordered him to open his defense on the alleged offense.
Temporary respite however came the way of the detained IPOB leader when the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in October 2022, quashed the entire terrorism charges against him and ordered his immediate release from DSS custody.
The decision of the Court of Appeal was predicated on the unlawful rendition of Kanu by the Nigerian government from Kenya instead of extradition and held that his trial was unlawful along with the charges against him.
However, on October 28, 2022, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution of its order discharging Kanu following an appeal filed by the federal government at the Supreme Court.
On its part, the Supreme Court in a judgment on December 15, 2023, upturned the judgment of the lower court in favour of the government.
The Apex Court in the lead unanimous judgment by Justice Garba Lawal, but read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, ordered that the trial of Kanu in the seven count charges be continued.
Justice Lawal held that although the Nigerian government recklessly, irresponsibly and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act had not divested any court power to proceed with his trial.
The apex count said that no Nigerian law supported quashing of the charges and releasing Kanu owing to his mere unlawful abduction from Kenya and held that the remedy for such an action is for Kanu to file a civil matter against the government.
A salary increase for civil servants has been approved by the Nigerian Federal Government. The salary increment ranges from 25 per cent to 35 per cent across the remaining six consolidated salary structures.
The increment affects the remaining six consolidated salary structures, namely, Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
For polytechnics and colleges of education, it involved the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).
The Health Sector also benefited through Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).
A statement signed by the Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Emmanuel Njoku, said the increases take effect from January 1, 2024.
According to the statement, the Federal Government also approved a pension increase between 20 per cent and 28 per cent for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme for the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures, with effect from January 1, 2024.
Former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ayogu Eze, is reportedly dead.
JomogNews learnt that the former Senate spokesman died in an Abuja Hospital after a protracted illness.
A source who spoke to the Daily Post said the late Senator had been down, which prevented him from attending his child’s wedding ceremony earlier in the year, which was held in Lagos State.
Ayogu Eze was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he ran for the Enugu State governorship election.
Details later…
Breaking News
Just In: Ododo Speaks On Helping Fleeing Yahaya Bello To Evade EFCC Arrest
“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives.
“Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,”
Governor Ododo has denied helping fleeing Yahaya Bello to evade EFCC arrest.
JomogNews Nigeria reports that Governor Usman Ododo through Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has claimed that did not shield ex-Governor Yahaya Bello from arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
This Nigeria news platform understands that Fanwo stated this while speaking on Channels Television on Friday.
“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives.
“Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said.
Fanwo also insisted that a state high court injunction protects Bello from harassment by the EFCC.
He noted that Governor Ododo remains a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of Nigeria.
JomogNews Nigeria reported that EFCC operatives had laid a siege at Bello’s house in Abuja.
But Ododo arrived at the residence and hours after he drove out, there were reports that Bello snuck out with him.
The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted.
Lagos- Calabar Coastal Project: Peter Obi Inciting Igbos Against Tinubu Govt – Umahi
Tinubu’s Administration Renege On Promise Not To Borrow, Takes $4.1bn Loan In One Year
VIDEO: Outrage, Condemnations As Masquerades Beat Female Nurse To Pulp In Nsukka
Mild Drama In Senate Over Sitting Arrangements In New Chamber
Detained Binance Chief’s Wife Drags Nigeria Before US Parliament
Just In: Nigerian Government Increases Workers’ Salaries By At Least 25%
FG Opens Port Harcourt-Aba Railway To Passengers
Police Arrest Three Suspects Who Allegedly Robbed, Macheted DPO In Lagos
Unity Bank Marks Global Money Week, Engages Students on Financial Literacy
EFCC Says No Shooting At Pro-Yahaya Bello Protesters In Abuja
-
News2 days agoHow I Collected $600,000 Alleged Bribes For Emefiele: Ex-CBN Director
-
Breaking News20 hours ago
Just In: Nigerian Government Increases Workers’ Salaries By At Least 25%
-
News1 day agoMissing UniAbuja Female Student Died In Car Crash – Family
-
Security & Crime1 day agoPolice Arrest Three Suspects Who Allegedly Robbed, Macheted DPO In Lagos
-
News9 hours agoVIDEO: Outrage, Condemnations As Masquerades Beat Female Nurse To Pulp In Nsukka
-
News1 day agoCourt Orders EFCC To Freeze 1,146 Bank Accounts Involved In Unauthorised FX Deals
-
News10 hours agoMild Drama In Senate Over Sitting Arrangements In New Chamber
-
News20 hours agoDetained Binance Chief’s Wife Drags Nigeria Before US Parliament