News

Nnamdi Kanu moves to stop trial by Nigerian Govt, heads to Appeal Court

Published

4 months ago

May 30, 2024

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed an application with the Appeal Court to halt his trial.

Filed by his Lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, the appeal challenges his prosecution by an Abuja Federal High Court under Justice Binta Nyako.

Ejimakor recently asserted that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear charges against Kanu.

The Nigerian Government is prosecuting Kanu on terrorism-related charges.

In the appeal, Ejimakor argued, “The Appellant (Nnamdi Kanu) filed this appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by B.F.M Nyako, J., delivered on March 19, 2024. The ruling is found on pages 42-43 of the Record of Appeal; the Notice of Appeal is on pages 44-49. The Record of Appeal was sent to this Honourable Court on May 16, 2024. There are three grounds in the Notice of Appeal, and the issues discussed herein are derived from these grounds.

“My Lords, the Appellant has been in pre-trial detention since June 2021 at the Headquarters of the State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja. He is currently on trial for seven charges, some carrying the death penalty. On February 19, 2024, the Appellant filed a ‘Notice of Preliminary Objection’ to the trial court’s jurisdiction, citing Section 36(6)(b) and (c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended). This notice was supported by an affidavit, three exhibits, and a written address and was based on several grounds detailed on pages 3-24 of the Record of Appeal.

“The Respondent’s forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to the Appellant by his lawyers, intended for his defense preparation, violate his constitutional right to adequate facilities for defense preparation and the right to be defended by legal practitioners of his choice, as guaranteed under Section 36(6)(b) and (c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended).

“The Respondent’s refusal to allow the Appellant’s Counsel to take notes during professional and confidential discussions with the Appellant further violates his right to adequate defense preparation and the right to counsel of his choice, thus infringing on his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

“The Respondent’s eavesdropping on confidential consultations between the Appellant and his lawyers during visits constitutes a denial of the Appellant’s right to adequate defense preparation and counsel choice, severely violating his constitutional right to a fair hearing.”

Ejimakor raised several questions for the court to consider, including:

“Was the trial court correct to assume jurisdiction when the Appellant was denied the constitutional right to a fair trial, particularly adequate facilities for defense preparation and the right to counsel of his choice? (Ground One of the Notice of Appeal).

“Did the trial judge fail to properly evaluate evidence, especially the Appellant’s uncontroverted evidence, leading to the erroneous conclusion that the court cannot direct a security agency’s operations and that the Defendant should only be allowed legal facilities within the law? (Ground Two of the Notice of Appeal).

“Was the trial judge wrong to order an accelerated hearing despite evidence showing the Respondent’s consistent denial of the Appellant’s rights to adequate defense preparation and unfettered access to counsel? (Ground Three of the Notice of Appeal).”

Ejimakor urged the Appeal Court to:

“Set aside the decision/ruling under appeal and specifically instruct the trial court to decline jurisdiction until the Appellant is granted his right to a fair hearing under Section 36(6)(b) and (c) of the Constitution. Alternatively, the trial court should arrange for a custodial or non-custodial setting free from the Respondent’s interference with the Appellant’s constitutional rights to a fair hearing.

“Set aside the order for accelerated hearing, considering the Appellant’s inability to prepare for his defense adequately and the denial of his right to counsel.”

Kanu also requested the Appeal Court to stay the proceedings until the Nigerian Government ensures he is afforded the necessary constitutional safeguards for adequate defense preparation and

access to his chosen counsel.

News

BREAKING: Edo guber: 90.33% results uploaded on IReV – INEC

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2024

ARS NEWS

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has successfully uploaded 90.33 per cent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Results Viewing Portal, IReV, as of the time of filing of this report.

Accordingly, results from 4,082 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held in the state have been successfully transmitted on the portal.

This means that only results from 437 PUs are yet to be uploaded on IReV.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Anugbum Onuoha, reassured the public during an interview on Arise Television that electronic transmission of results would proceed smoothly, barring any network disruptions.

“We have trained the operators for the BVAS. They are set. BVAS is to accredit the voters and to know the total number of voters that will vote at that level and that polling unit.

“After that, the voters will start voting. At the end of the day, they will count the results, and it will be uploaded to our IReV,” he assured.

This comes as the Peoples Democratic Party’s Asue Ighodalo, All Progressives Congress’ Monday Okpebholo, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party and others compete for votes from 2.2 million voters with permanent vote cards across the 18 local government areas in the state.

DAILY POST earlier reported that INEC uploaded 86.55 per cent of the results on IReV.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

News

We’ve been fair in distribution of FG palliatives – Abia Govt

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2024

ARS NEWS

The Abia State Government said that it has been fair and transparent in the distribution of the four tranches of the Federal Government palliatives to Abia citizens.

The Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Policies and Intervention, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, stated this in Umuahia while briefing the press on the distribution of the palliatives across the state.

He said that the state government first received a total of 16,800 bags of 50kg rice and 13,260 bags of 50kg maize. The government sold the bags of maize and bought rice instead and then added 4,800 bags of 50 kg rice. As a result, a total of 30,800 bags of 50 kg rice were distributed across the state in the first batch.

Anokwuru noted that the state government equally took delivery of 24,000 bags of 25 kg rice as the second batch of palliatives. Out of these, 19,524 bags were allocated to Abia civil servants from salary grade levels 01 to 08. The remaining 4,476 bags were distributed to persons with disabilities, Nigeria Correctional Centre in Abia, Amaudo Itumbauzo Centre for mentally ill, destitute, orphanages, and widows through the Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the Governor.

According to him, the state government received the third batch of palliative of 13,260 bags of 50kg maize and 3,196 bags of 25kg garri. Of these, 601 bags of maize and 144 bags of garri were given to each of the 17 LGAs, while faith-based organisations received 156 bags of maize and 38 bags of garri. Boarding schools received 23 bags of maize and six bags of garri.

In June 2024, the state received the fourth batch of palliative consisting of 8,900 bags of urea and NPK fertilisers, which will be distributed across 15 LGAs, excluding Aba North and Aba South LGAs, as well as a few wards in Obingwa and Osisioma LGAs, which are urban areas with minimal farming activities.

CREDIT: DIALY POST

News

Edo Governorship Election: Live results from polling units trickle in

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2024

ARS NEWS

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have started announcing results from polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

Voting has ended in most polling units and results are being counted and announced in the presence of party agents and voters.

DAILY POST reports that the leading contenders for Saturday’s election include Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.

Follow this thread for results from Polling Units, PUs.

Location: PU11, Ward 06, Oredo LGA

Results

PDP: 41

APC: 19

LP: 32

Ward 3, Unit 21, Etsako West

Results

APC: 28

PDP: 30

LP: 11

NNPP: 1

PU05, Ward02 GRA/Etete, Oredo LGA
Results
APC: 15
PDP: 58
LP: 12
The following results are from OREDO WARD 1.
UNIT18
APC—25
LB—-23
PDP—-104
VOID VOTE —2
UNIT19
APC—8
LB—10
PDP—-46
VOID VOTE 0
Unit 20
APC—-38
LB—-10
PDP—105
VOID VOTE —4
UNIT21
APC—-19
LB—-4
PDP—41
VOID VOTE—6
PU62, Ward 01, Ogbe, Oredo LGA, Edo state.
APC: 13
PDP: 19
LP: 02
Location: Ward 11 Unit 14 Etsako West LGA
Result
APC: 157
PDP: 35
ADP: 2
LP: 7
Location: PU1, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=51
APC=51
LP=4
Location: PU2, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=57
APC=36
LP=2
Location: PU3, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=45
APC=25
LP=1
Location: PU21, Amufi primary school, ward 3
PDP=136
APC=38
LP=8
PU001, Uwessan 1, Esan Central LGA
APC: 102
PDP: 1
LP: 1
PU2, Afegbua primary school, Etsako East LGA
PDP: 121
APC: 128
NNPP: 1
Ward 11 PU13 Etsako West LGA
APC: 136
PDP: 34
LP: 4
Location: PU21, Amufi primary school, ward 3
PDP=136
APC=38
LP=8
Location: PU1, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=51
APC=51
LP=4
Location: PU2, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=57
APC=36
LP=2
Location: PU3, Okada primary school, Ovia north/east
PDP=45
APC=25
LP=1
PU3, Ward 1, Ewohimi, Esan south-east, Edo state
APC 45
PDP 200
Oshiomhole’s polling unit
Ward 10 PU 1 Etsako West
APC: 403
PDP: 1
ADC: 1
PU14, Community Hall Idumodin, Orhionmwon LGA, Igbanke West ward 12
PDP: 95
APC: 84
LP: 5
PU1, Orhionmwon LGA, Igbanke west ward 12, Idumodin Primary School, Idumodin III (Community Hall)
APC: 67
PDP: 35
LP: 2
PU4, Egor LGA, Egor ward 4, Egor secondary school, Egor I
APC: 21
PDP: 32
LP: 5
PU10, Orhionawon LGA, Ugboko ward 5, Ugbugo, Ugbugo Town Hall II
APC: 26
PDP: 11
LP: 0
PU7, Agbor/Ogbokpa primary school, Ewatto ward 3, Esan south LGA
APC: 131
PDP: 78
LP: 0
PU6, ward 14, Oluku, Ovia north east LGA
PDP: 84
LP: 21
APC: 11
PU20, Oredo LGA, Unueru/Ogboka ward 10, Ogboka/Unueru III, Urubi Primary School II
APC: 54
PDP: 46
LP: 4
Edo guber election result
PU14, Urora-Akengbuda Primary school VIII, Ikpoba/Okha LGA, Aduwawa/Evbo Modu ward 4
PDP: 90
APC: 23
LP: 3
PU15, Ujoelen-Ugha Square, Emuhi/ Ukpenu/Ujoelenu/Igor ward 7, Esan West LGA
PDP: 96
APC: 100
LP: 4
PU13, Uromi-Amedokhian primary school IV, Amedokhian ward 7, Esan north-east LGA
APC: 130
PDP: 119
LP: 1