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16 Soldiers, One Officer Face Court Martial In Plateau

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At least, 16 soldiers and one officer are currently facing court martial in Plateau state.

The personnel facing trial were accused of various offences ranging from armed robbery and murder to unlawful possession of arms and ammunition and selling same contrary to their operational mandate within the 3rd Amoured Division.

The inaugural sitting of the court martial took place at the 3rd Armoured Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, the Nigerian Army in Bassa Local Government Area on Tuesday.

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Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major Aminu Mairuwa, who spoke after the inauguration of the General Court Martial noted that the Nigerian military is an institution that believes in discipline and will continue to ensure the full application of its internal disciplinary mechanism.

READ ALSO: Fundamental Rights: Court Dismisses Police Objection Against Fubara’s CoS

He said the accused personnel were brought before the court martial to follow the necessary procedures premised on respect for the rule of law and ensuring that there is compliance with the principle of natural justice and the extant rules and procedures.

“The essence is to make sure that the military personnel always operate within the confines of our rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect to international best practices”, he stated

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The President of the General Court Martial, Brigadier General Liafis Bello, who read the order of the Convening Officer and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj.General Abdulsalam Abubakar, maintained that Nigerian Army as an institution thrives on discipline, regimentation and utmost professionalism.

READ ALSO: Family Gets Police Approval To Bury Rivers FIrst-class Graduate

He said unveiling the court martial in the Nigerian Army is a routine duty aimed at compliance with the dictates of the military justice system pointing out that the 3 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army had keyed into the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja which is “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a Joint Environment”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Judge Advocate, Major Nasir Abdullahi, stressed that the court was set up to enhance discipline and ensure that erring officers and soldiers are investigated and prosecuted within a reasonable time through the laid down rules, regulations and procedures.

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He further stated that the General Court Martial is being convened to try some Nigerian Army personnel who are alleged to have committed various offences within the 3 Division Area of Responsibility.

READ ALSO: SERAP Drags Wike, Others To Court Over Missing LG Funds

One of the aims of Court Martial is to achieve timely and quick dispensation of justice” he stated

Abdullahi charged the accused and their defense Counsels to avoid frivolous adjournments that may lead to unnecessary delay in dispensing justice.

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Representative of the Plateau State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, Samson Gotom, stressed the need for fair hearing and expressed satisfaction with the composition of the Court.

He said the Nigerian Bar Association would support the Court to ensure a smooth trial and speedy dispensation of justice for the accused soldiers.

The President, Judge Advocate and other members sworn in pledged to administer justice according to the Armed Forces Act CAP 820 and the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria without partiality, favour or affection.

The Court adjourned further sitting to 6th March 2024, for commencement of trial.

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2023: Why INEC Servers Failed To Work – Peter Obi

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has explained why the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, servers failed to work during the 2023 presidential election.

He said the ‘establishment of criminality’ made the INEC servers not work during the last last general elections.

Obi stated this, while addressing the issues of the 2023 elections, including the IREV servers, in Canada during the weekend.

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READ ALSO: Underbridge Tenants: Lagos Govt Uncovers Identity Of Ring Leader

The Labour Party flagbearer in 2023 said people must intensify engagement with all the stakeholders to make the system work.

The former Anambra State governor explained that Amazon testified there were no glitches recorded globally on the day of the presidential election.

He said: “Where did we go wrong in the last election? We didn’t go wrong anywhere. We did the right things.

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“But as I can always tell people: when you bring a change, you fight all those who live off the old order. They don’t go away; they gang up. And don’t think it’s a straight race to remove an establishment.

READ ALSO: PDP Crisis: Why Party Members Are Resigning – Sule Lamido

“It’s a long-distance journey anywhere in the world. Go and check anywhere, whether you are looking at what happened in India, with Mandela in South Africa, or America. No change has happened overnight, it takes time.

“I urge all of you, if you really want change, we have just begun. We just have to continue from where we are.

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“Yes, there might be one or two things we will correct, those things we will correct. I assure you we are correcting them without naming them.It’s not going to be easy.”

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INC Vows To Internationalise Ijaw Struggle

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The Ijaw National Congress (INC) says time has come to internationalise the “Ijaw struggle” beyond rhetoric.

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC, said this in a communique of the 2024 edition of the Ijaw National Day celebration held in Bayelsa.

Okaba said that the vexatious factors that provoked grievances between the late Maj. Adaka Boro and the federal government in the improper management of the oil political economy of Nigeria, have remained unmitigated.

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He noted that the situation had worsened with its attendant impunity.

READ ALSO: Ijaw Not Biafra, Count Us Out Of Your Planned Attack Military, INC Warns IPOB

According to him, the Ijaw environment continues to bear the brunt of petroleum resources exploitation-related pollution without concomitant remediation or reparations of the heavily despoiled ecosystem.

Instead, Ijaw communities still face the adverse effects of uncontrollable spills, perennial flooding, ocean encroachment and so on,” he said.

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The INC president noted that at different forums, it had been made clear that the Ijaw agenda of self-determination was premised on resource and environmental justice.

“What all Ijaw people seek is for a fair, just and justifiable reward for our resources and sacrifices.

“The Ijaw Congress has articulated a set of prescient conditions for its continuous commitment to the Nigerian project and these include restoration of true federalism (fiscal federalism).

READ ALSO: Ijaw Group Tackles OPC, CSO Over Call For Review Of Tompolo’s Surveillance Contract

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“Devolution of power and repel of all obnoxious and discriminatory environmental and resource related laws (Land Use, PIA), as well as restoration of Ijaw Territory as non-balkanised, administrative and politically generated unit(s).

“This is for the reassurance and promotion of Ijaw developmental pursuits by creating at least two additional states, more local government areas and wards for the Ijaws.

“Remediation of our massively polluted and endangered environment and the enforcement of adherence to international environmental best practices by IOC’s operating in Ijaw territories,” he said.

Okaba also demanded for the relocation of the administrative headquarters of all oil companies and their subsidiaries to their operational bases in Ijaw territory and Niger Delta.

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READ ALSO: Ijaw Demand Environmental Clean-up Before IOCs Exit Niger Delta

He further called for proper funding and management of the Interventionist Agencies such as the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Niger Delta Development Commission.

We call for the promotion of modular refineries owned by our people.

“We also want a balance in appointment at the federal levels (the civil service, military and oil companies) as well as equitable distribution of critical infrastructure, to reflect the true principles of federal character.”

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He said it was against this backdrop that the theme of the 2024 Ijaw National Day “Re-Invigorating Our Resolve to take the Ijaw struggle for Self-determination beyond Rhetoric” was derived.

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Drake Gives Condition To Quit Music As Feud With Kendrick Lamar Thickens

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US rapper Drake has vowed to quit his music career if allegations regarding a secret daughter are substantiated.

The controversy started when rival artiste Kendrick Lamar, in his diss track ‘Meet The Grahams,’ levied accusations suggesting Drake’s involvement with an 11-year-old secret daughter.

Lamar branded the Canadian rapper a “deadbeat” for purportedly neglecting his paternal responsibilities

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Renowned American media personality Akademiks, however, disclosed rapper’s response to the allegations during a recent broadcast.

According to Akademiks, Drake denied the claims, going as far as promising to leave the music industry and work for Akademiks if any evidence of the alleged secret daughter emerged.

During his Saturday night show, Akademiks shared the rapper’s direct message, stating, “Drake hit [texted] me, he said, ‘Ak, if you or anybody can prove that I have an 11-year-old daughter, I’ll quit rapping and come work for you.’”

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