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Biafra: IPOB Disowns Government In Exile

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The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Sunday, cleared the air on setting up a Government in exile.

DAILY POST reports that Simon Ekpa, self-acclaimed discipline of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, had announced the setting up of Government in exile.

But IPOB has distanced Kanu from the said Government in exile.

A statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said: “We the global movement and noble family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to reiterate once again to Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom across the globe that IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu has not set up any Government In Exile (GIE). We, therefore, dissociate ourselves completely from the purported Government in Exile.

“IPOB has legitimate and well established institutions and well-structured administrative hierarchy that oversees the day- to-day running of Biafra affairs. Already, all Diplomatic Missions and countries of the world know about Biafra agitation and they communicate with IPOB as the responsible authority that overseas the affairs of the Biafran people be it Nationally or Internationally.

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“IPOB has international contacts and connections not through any worthless Government In Exile but through our established Institutions and Structures . So, anybody or group peddling or claiming to have set up Government In Exile has again embarked on a jamboree like those who came before them claiming to have formed a government in Exile at one point in time. They simple do not deserve to be given any attention because this is the avenue that the Nigerian government wants to us to water down our agitation for total freedom.”

READ ALSO: Biafra: Shut Down IPOB-linked YouTube Channels, FG Tells Google

The group recalled how a former deputy leader suggested such a government to Kanu, but he refused such a move.

“We are not unaware that some dissidents expelled from IPOB, including a former Deputy to our Leader had once suggested this Government In Exile to our Leader, Kanu, but he did not buy into it knowing fully how needless it is at this stage of our struggle.

“But unfortunately, now that our Leader is in detention, these same elements saw it as an opportunity to actualise their selfish ambition by quickly claiming to have set up the non-existent GIE. We know that their ultimate aim is to use it to sell the Biafra struggle to our enemies but they have failed woefully,” the statement added.

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Detained Binance Executive Drags EFCC, NSA To Court

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The detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission of violating his fundamental human rights.

Gambaryan, in an originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution.

He urged the court to order the NSA and the EFCC to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.

READ ALSO: Soldiers’ Killing: Wanted Delta King Surrenders To Police

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He also urged the court to order the respondents to issue a public apology to him.

Gambaryan averred that he was in Nigeria alongside fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Anjarwalla escaped from the guest house where he and Gambaryan were being held

He argued that he had not committed any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he added.

READ ALSO: Shaibu Impeachment: Panel Fixes Date For Commencement Of Sitting

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The fleeing Anjarwalla also filed a similar suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24.

At the proceedings on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo (SAN) appeared for the plaintiffs, while the respondents had no representation.

Krukrubo informed the court that the respondents were served two days ago.

Shortly after that, he announced to the court that he was withdrawing from the matter as counsel for the fleeing Anjarwalla.

He did not give reasons for his withdrawal.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the matter till April 8.

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Malabu Oil Scam: EFCC Loses Case As Court Discharges Ex-AGF Adoke, Others

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A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court on Thursday discharged a former Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke, and six others after dismissing charges filed against them over the controversial Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL, 245, otherwise known as Malabu Oil scam.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dragged Adoke and other defendants before the court on an amended 40-count charge bordering on disobeying direction of the law, offering and receiving gratification, conspiracy and forgery, among others.

Adoke, who served as AGF and Minister of Justice under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was prosecuted by EFCC in the suit marked FCT/HC/CR/151/2020.

READ ALSO: Shaibu Impeachment: Panel Fixes Date For Commencement Of Sitting

Other accused persons are Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Nigeria Extra Deep Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited.

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Ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defendants, Justice Abubakar Kutigi held that any trial processes are evidence driven but the prosecution failed to produce certain documents or call some witnesses to prove its case.

He further held that the prosecution has failed to prove the essential elements of the offences the defendants were charged with before the court.

According to him, though the defendants were constitutionally presumed to be innocent, to establish prima facie case against them, the prosecution had to produce sufficient evidence to warrant the court to call on them to enter their defence.

READ ALSO: Full Text Of President Tinubu’s Speech At Burial Ceremony Of 17 Slain Soldiers

Justice Kutigi held that in the current case, the prosecution failed to establish any prima facie case against the defendants.

He cited the situation whereby about three counts involved forgery, yet the prosecution failed to tender relevant documents as exhibits.

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The judge further held that a charge must not be filed for the purpose of doing so, submitting that frivolous charge does damage to the judicial system.

He commended the prosecution counsel for accepting in his final written address that no case has been made by the prosecution against the defendants.

Justice Kutigi, however, lamented that it took the prosecution four years before realising it.

”The defendants ought not to have been charged in the first instance.

“This, stemmed from the fact that the prosecution failed to produce before the court the minimum evidence to enable the court to order the defendants to enter their defence,” he said.

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Easter: Nationwide Darkness Hits Nigeria As National Grid Collapses

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Nationwide darkness hit Nigeria as the national grid collapsed for the fourth time in 2024 amid the Easter holidays.

According to sources from electricity distribution companies in Nigeria, the grid collapsed around 4:30 pm on Thursday.

Kunle Olubiyo, the president of Nigerian Consumer Protection Network confirmed the grid collapse to DAILY POST.

It was learnt that power went off around 4:30 pm on Thursday in Apo, Dawaki, and Utako.

READ ALSO: INEC To Publish Edo Gov Candidates’ Credentials Saturday

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The implication is that millions of homes and businesses centrally managed by Osogbo, Osun State, are without power from the national grid.

As of the time of filing this report, Discos said their feeders were rendered inactive, resulting in widespread blackouts nationwide.

As of 6 pm, the Azura Power Plant was the sole facility contributing to the grid, albeit with a modest output of 54 megawatts.

Major power generation plants such as Egbin, Afam, Geregu, Ibom Power, Jebba, Kainji, Odukpani, and Olorunsogo, among others, remained dormant, further exacerbating the electricity deficit nationwide.

READ ALSO: EFCC Arraigns Businessman For Allegedly Issuing N8.5m Dud Cheque

The grid’s output, which stood at 2984 megawatts as of 4 pm, plunged to zero within an hour, with all 21 plants connected to the grid ceasing operations by 5 pm.

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Recall that the grid collapsed on February 4, 2024.

Nigeria’s national grid, managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, collapsed 46 times between 2017 and 2023.

Nigeria’s power sector has been challenged for decades. The situation has exacerbated since January 2024.

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