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Court Clears IPOB Leader Of Terrorism Charges, Awards N5m Damages Against FG

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A Federal High Court 1 sitting in Owerri, Imo State, presided over by Hon. Justice I.N. Oweibo has cleared the Head of Directorate of State of Indigenous People of Biafra, Chika Edoziem, of charges related to terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and violent criminal activities.

Justice Oweibo delivered the judgment in Suit No: FHC/OW/FHR/29/2024, between Mazi Chika Edoziem Vs Hon. Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff and consequently declared as “illegal”, the designation of Edoziem as a wanted person, terrorist, insurgent, kidnapper and violent criminal by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.

The ruling affirms that the March 22, 2024, publication of Edoziem’s name and photograph in the Ministry of Defence’s First Edition of 2024, as a security threat, was done in “gross violation of his constitutionally guaranteed right to dignity of the human person, and as such, unconstitutional”.

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In the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, His Lordship, further directed the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff to immediately retract the unconstitutional declaration of Mazi Chika Edoziem as a “terrorist”, “insurgent”, “kidnapper”, “violent criminal” and “wanted person”, and to issue an unreserved public apology in two national newspapers to Mazi Chika Edoziem.

READ ALSO: Police Storm IPOB/ESN Camps In Imo, Kill 6 Including 3 Wanted Kingpins

The court also awarded ₦5 million in damages to Mazi Chika Edoziem for the infringement of his fundamental right to the dignity of the human person.

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Notably, among the many names listed in the said notice, Mazi Chika Edoziem was the only one who successfully challenged the publication or inclusion of his name in the offending publication.

Edoziem is the next in the rank to the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Reacting to the development, the lead counsel for IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has hailed the Federal High Court 1, for the “landmark” judgment clearing the Head of Directorate of State of IPOB, Mazi Chika Edoziem, of charges related to terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, and violent criminal activities.

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Edoziem is the next in the rank to the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court Declines Trump’s Request To Reinstate Birthright Citizenship Order

Ejiofor, in a statement on Thursday, described the ruling as “historic” and “landmark”, saying that the judgment is a strong statement against unjust profiling and underscores the importance of due process in security matters.

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He said, “Security agencies must focus on proper profiling to identify actual criminals rather than targeting innocent citizens. The real perpetrators of crime operate in known locations, and tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility beyond just the security forces.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dedicated colleagues in Chambers whose relentless efforts made this victory possible. Special thanks to Ezigbo Umuchineke for their unwavering support and prayers, whose peaceful conduct has enabled seamless defence in matters affecting genuine and peaceful agitators.

“Above all, I thank Almighty God for His guidance and protection throughout the proceedings.

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“Justice has prevailed.”

Metro

My Husband Started Coming Home Late, Dated Other Women After He Bought BMW

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Kabushi Local Government, Zambia, has heard how a married man changed after buying a BMW vehicle as it gave him confidence to go after other women.

In this case, Veronica Chiluya 30, , sued Sammy Shapi, 40, for divorce due to marital disputes.

Veronica told the court that the two got married in 2014 after Sammy paid K400 as dowry and together they have two children.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Comes Home With Used Condoms — Wife

According to Zambia Daily Mail, she said all was well until 2021 when her husband bought a car after he went to do some work outside the country.

He started coming back home late and sometimes he would come the next day around 14:00 hours.

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“He used to be a good husband, but the moment he bought a car, things changed in the house as he now started seeing other women.”

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Metro

My Husband Seized My Wedding Gifts, Threw Me Out — Wife

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…I’m sorry —Husband

A Sharia Court in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a two-year-old marriage between a couple, Harira Sanusi and Aliyu Yunusa.

The judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar-Tureta dissolved their marriage following a petition for divorce filed by Harira.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Harira accused Aliyu of calling her parents names and humiliating her.

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He will often throw out my suitcases and other belongings.

READ ALSO:My Husband Does Not Give Me, Our Children Feeding Allowance —Wife

“He seized my wedding gifts and humiliates me,” she said.

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She prayed the court to order Aliyu to allow her access to her belongings.

On his part, Aliyu who did not deny the allegations apologized to her in court.

Aliyu granted the request of Sanusi and made one pronouncement of divorce to her.

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My Husband Threw Me Out After 17yrs of Marriage —Wife

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…I still love her —Husband

A housewife, Lawal Modupe, has approached an Upper Area Court sitting at Kubwa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeking the dissolution of her 17-year-old marriage to her husband, Ismaila on the grounds of lack of love and affection.

Modupe told the court that she got married Ismaila according to Islamic laws.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the mother of three stated that her husband sent her out of their matrimonial home on June 17, 2023.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Wants To Take A New Wife, Threatens To Kill Me If I Refuse To Leave, Woman Tells Court

“I do not love him anymore and I want the court to dissolve our marriage,” she said.

The respondent, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

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He pleaded with the court to call for a mediation involving his family and that of the wife.

READ ALSO:My Husband Does Not Give Me, Our Children Feeding Allowance —Wife

The judge, Mohammed Wakli, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

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He pleaded with the court to call or a mediation involving his family and that of his wife.

The judge, Mohammed Wakili, however, advised the respondent to make efforts to win his wife’s love back and the couple two weeks to settle their differences and report back to the court.

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