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FG Files Nine Fresh Grounds To Oppose Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

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The Federal Government, on Thursday, secured permission from the Supreme Court to file nine fresh grounds of appeal to oppose the release of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

The apex court granted FG’s request to include the fresh grounds in its amended notice of appeal dated October 28, 2022.

The ruling followed an application that was moved by a government lawyer, Mr Tijani Gadzali, SAN, who equally sought an adjournment to respond to Kanu’s request to be transferred from the detention facility of the Department of State Services, DSS, to the Kuje Correctional Center.

Gazzali, SAN, told the court that he would need time to file a counter-affidavit to oppose Kanu’s request.

Consequently, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Inyang Okoro adjourned the case till May 11 for definite hearing.

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It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had in a judgement it delivered on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s release from detention.

READ ALSO: S’Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Case Till Next Month

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court equally quashed a 15-count terrorism charge that FG entered against the detained IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court said it was satisfied that FG flagrantly violated all known laws, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

It held that such arbitrary use of power by the Nigerian government, divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to continue with Kanu’s trial.

However, dissatisfied with the judgement, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court.

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It further persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

Meanwhile, at the resumed proceedings in the matter on Thursday, Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, drew the attention of the apex court to an application seeking the release of their client on bail, pending the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal.

READ ALSO: Release Kanu If Your Apology Is Genuine, IPOB Lawyer Tells Buhari

Ozekhome, SAN, said there was a need to also transfer his client from the custody of the DSS to where he could get proper medical attention in view of his deteriorating health.

He, therefore, applied for an accelerated hearing of all the pending applications as well as the substantive appeal.

Kanu had earlier asked the apex court to strike out FG’s appeal against his release.

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Specifically, he applied for an order of the apex court, “striking out and/or dismissing the Respondent’s Appeal No: SC/CR/1361/2022, for want of diligent prosecution”.

As well as an order setting down his own cross-appeal for hearing.

The IPOB leader contended that going by Section 6 (1) of the Supreme Court (Criminal Appeals) Practice Direction 2013, FG had only 10 days within which to file and serve him with its brief of argument, upon the service of record of appeal.

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Condition Worsens, Lawyer Laments

He further argued that Order 2 Rule 29 (1) & (2) and Order 6 Rule 9 of the Supreme Court Rules, as amended in 2014, empowered him to seek the striking out of FG’s appeal for want of diligent prosecution.

According to him, “Parties were served with the record of appeal since the 2nd November 2022.

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“The ten (10) days stipulated under the Fast Track Rules of this Honourable Court for the Respondent to file its Appellant’s Brief has since elapsed.

“The Respondent is not diligent in prosecuting its appeal.

“The purpose of this Honourable Court’s Rules and Practice Directions is to provide fair, impartial and expeditious administration of criminal appeals, especially in relation to offences of terrorism, rape, kidnapping, corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.

“On the 28th day of October 2022, the lower court while relying on the Notice of Appeal filed by the Respondent, granted the Respondent’s application for stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court, and consequently stayed the execution of its judgement delivered on the 13th October, 2022, which discharged the Applicant and prohibited his further detention.

READ ALSO: Foreign Affairs Committee Urges UK Govt To Intervene In Kanu’s Case

“The Respondent, which obtained an order of stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court, on the basis of this appeal, has not demonstrated any good faith in prosecuting the said appeal

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“Owing to the pendency of the instant appeal, the Applicant who was discharged by the lower court since the 13th October, 2022, is still in the custody of the Appellant/Respondent’s State Security Service (SSS), where he has been held in solitary confinement since the 29th day of June, 2021.

“Striking out and/or dismissing the Respondent’s appeal will serve the best interest of justice and fair trial, having particular regards to the fact that the Applicant’s right to liberty was stayed by the lower court on account of the pendency of the Respondent’s abandoned appeal.

“The Applicant has filed his Cross-Appellant’s brief and same has been duly served on the Respondent.

“It is in the interest of justice and fair trial to set the Applicant’s cross-appeal down for hearing.

“The Respondent which is not desirous of prosecuting its appeal, will not be prejudiced by the grant of the instant application”, Kanu added.

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Okuama Killings: Army Whisks Surrendered Delta Monarch To Abuja

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The Army has flown the Ovie of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo, who surrendered himself to the Police in Asaba on Thursday to Abuja.

Delta State Police Command handed over the king, who the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, declared wanted with seven others over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama on Friday morning.

READ ALSO: [JUST IN] Okuama Killings: Army Declares Eight Persons Wanted [FULL LIST]

The Commanding Officer Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner, and other senior military officers escorted the monarch to the Asaba International Airport.

He boarded an Air Peace airline , and the plane departed Asaba Airport tarmac at about 9.10 am to Abuja.

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Let Your Prices Reflect Naira’s Improvement, CNG Tells Business Owners

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The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has asked business owners to reflect the naira’s improvement against the dollar on the prices of the products they market.

A statement by the National Coordinator, CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, expressed support for genuine efforts to strengthen and stabilize the naira and bring back its value against the dollar.

However, the Group lamented over the reluctance of businesses to review their prices and adjust accordingly.

They said, “The CNG acknowledges some appreciable commitment to addressing economic challenges resulting from the naira’s instability against the dollar, which negatively impacted Nigerians’ purchasing power.

“However, the CNG expresses disappointment over the reluctance of businesses to reflect the current improvement in the naira by adjusting their prices, similar to how they did when the naira was floated.

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“We are saddened to admit that despite sustained gains by the naira, including in the black market, exorbitant prices of goods and services remain prevalent across Nigeria.

“The CNG is deeply concerned about the current skyrocketing prices, which evidently expose some businesses as sworn enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians, despite claims for the contrary.

“The CNG emphasizes that businesses must take positive steps to reciprocate the naira’s stability by lowering the price of their products for the benefit of the common man. Failure to do so may constitute deliberate economic sabotage and exploitative tendencies against Nigerians.

“Businesses in Nigeria have moral and economic obligations to contribute to the overall well-being of Nigerians, which includes lowering prices to allow citizens to fully benefit from the strengthened naira.

“The CNG calls upon these businesses to reconsider their pricing strategies that are inimical to stabilizing the economy to alleviate the pangs of hunger and financial burdens faced by many Nigerians and

“Although profit is essential for any business, it should not come at the expense of Nigerians’ rights and privileges, which businesses must respect to enjoy a friendly business environment.

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“The CNG believes that businesses should support initiatives aimed at controlling inflation and supporting consumers in line with best ethical business practices that encourage shared prosperity for all and sundry.

“Business entities must note that neither the country nor their businesses can achieve a sustainable growth and development when Nigerian masses continue to wallow in hunger and starvation.

“While the government has made strides in stabilizing and strengthening the naira, prices of goods and services have remained unchanged after their hikes due to a weaker naira.

“Hence, businesses must support efforts to stabilize the economy and recalibrate new prices in tandem with the current realities in the interest of all.

“The CNG calls on all stakeholders, including businesses, to take necessary actions that align with the greater interest of Nigerians for a stable economy that provides food for the downtrodden while allowing businesses decent returns on their investments.”

While we specifically acknowledge the efforts of the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other relevant agencies in achieving this milestone, the CNG stresses that efforts should be sustained until a dollar is brought below ₦1000 for Nigerians to cope with the current economic challenges.

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“Furthermore, the government, through the instruments of NSA and CBN, must continue in their efforts to maintain this momentum and implement further measures that will enhance the lives and livelihoods of all Nigerians without fear or favour.

“We at the CNG, suggests that government’s commitment to improving economic conditions should be matched with closer surveillance of major business conglomerates engaging in ethically abhorrent business practices that stifle economic mobility of the majority of Nigerians.

“The CNG, therefore, remains committed to advocating for the welfare of northern Nigerians and encourages all businesses in Nigeria, especially those in the north, to engage in responsible and transparent business practices.”

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Former South African President Zuma Involved In Car Crash

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South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car crash overnight after a vehicle transporting him was hit by a drunk driver, police said on Friday.

Zuma, however, escaped from the accident unhurt.

The car crash happened just hours after electoral officials barred Zuma from standing in the May 29 general election, further stoking tensions in the run-up to the polls.

The driver’s car “collided with former president Mr Jacob Zuma’s official armoured state vehicle”, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The 51-year-old man was arrested in KwaZulu Natal province “for drunken driving, as well as on a charge of reckless and negligent driving”, SAPS said.

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READ ALSO: South Africa Beat DR Congo In shootout To Finish Third At AFCON

Zuma and his bodyguards escaped uninjured and the 81-year-old was taken to his place of residence.

Zuma, a former veteran of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was forced out of office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations but still wields political clout.

In December he announced he would be campaigning for the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in an attempt to relaunch his career — a major blow to the ANC.

On Wednesday the ANC launched a new court application against MK, after losing an initial bid to have it disqualified.

READ ALSO: 8-year-old Survives As Bus Carrying 46 Pilgrims Crashes In South Africa

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The ANC says that MK’s name and logo are similar to those of the now disbanded apartheid-era military wing of the ANC once led by Nelson Mandela, and that this could deceive or confuse voters.

– Conspiracy theories –

MK’s spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela alleged the car collision was not a coincidence.

“The police minister who is responsible for the former president’s protection unit has not upgraded his vehicle for eight years and he is the same person that has previously uttered messages around burying Zuma,” Ndhlela told AFP.

“There is underhand at play here,” he said, alleging that Zuma’s car was specifically targeted in the motorcade.

Political tensions are running high in the lead-up to the polls, in which the ANC is on the brink of dropping below 50 percent of the vote for the first time since it came to power at the end of apartheid in 1994.

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READ ALSO: ‘How Nigeria Can Achieve N10 Trillion Revenue From Knowledge Assets’

The party is bleeding support amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Zuma’s car accident, two months before the vote, has been sparked conspiracy theories across social media.

The driver of the other vehicle is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

When asked how Zuma was, Ndhlela told AFP: “He is in high spirits as always and was in laughter this morning about the accident.

“But it does not mean he took it lightly (or that) he is not aware of what’s happening.”

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“Mr Zuma is in church today praying that the devil does not come into MK,” referring to the ANC.

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