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Nnamdi Kanu’s Rearrest, Trial: Another Historical, Trial Of Century – CDHR National President

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2021

Editor

The national president, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and former Attorney General of Edo State, Osagie Obayuwana, has said the trial of the leader of Indegenious People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu would be historical and trial of the century the nation would experience.

The former Attorney-General of Edo State who disclosed this in Benin City while reacting to his rearrest and detention by the security agency in the country, noted tha all eyes are on Nigerian government to see how his case would go.

Obayuwana who said he doesn’t want to comment on his dual citizenship status, said at the moment, he is innocent before the law not until it is proven otherwise.

“For people to start speculating that he enjoys dual citizenship and so for that reason Britain should protest and demand his repatriation, I really want not to be dragged into such speculation.

“We have had a historical trials, Nelson Mandela was tried, Fedel Castro was tried.

“There are plenty of examples for historical trials. Even in this country Obafemi Awolowo was tried, Anthony Enahoro was tried.

“So, I think it is a matter that needs to be separated from sentiments. Specific offences have been alleged, the stage should be prepared with credible evidence to prove those allegations“, he said.

The former Attorney-General of Edo State faulted those who said the arrest of IPOB leader would further worsen the already tensed security situation of the country.

He said that if he (Kanu) has any questions to answer, he should face it and be cleared for once while those who have what it takes to exonarete him should prepare to do so.

“The frigile security situation of the country is not an excuse not to proceed with his trials.

“All those who believe in the innocence of Nnamdi Kanu, who are supportive of his course should be prepared to go to the venue.

“Yes, it is supposed to be a public trial. That the country is tensed already cannot be an excuse for refusing to proceed with the trial.

“Nelson Mandela had the opportunity to talk about what motivated him while he rebel against the system that vindicated him.

“Of course, we know how that case turned out. That is another matter but where we are right now is like every other Nigerian citizens; like every other persons because foreigners can also be charged in Nigeria for offences that are committed in Nigeria.

“So, where we are, is that we are looking forward to historical trial, trial of the century. I believe that Nnamdi Kanu has a team of lawyers that would also put up a defence that is available to him”, he said.

He warned against a situation whereby Kanu would be kept in the prison custody for a long time than necessary.

“This is not the matter of media trial or media hype, a situation where all kinds of things are alleged against him in the media.

“The law requires proof beyond the reasonable doubt. And so, if there are witnesses that are believable, credible ones at that who are prepared to testify and be subjected to the rigours of cross-examination, that is what will take off now.

” I think the nation is awaiting a historical trial where Nnamdi Kanu will also have the opportunity to defend himself and also call witnesses. So, it is going to be sensational. What we would expect, it is not a situation where he will be kept indefinitely.

“The matter has been adjourned and by the next adjourning date, the presecution should be ready to proceed, call witnesses, come forth with documents believed to be sufficient enough to prove the allegations that they have leveled against him“, he said

Related Topics:CDHR Nnamdi Kanu Osagie Obayuwana

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Man, 38 Escapes Assassination Attempt In Benin

Published

10 months ago

July 22, 2023

Editor

Innocent Omoruyi

By Omokha Andrew

A 38-year-old activist, Innocent Omoruyi, narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as his residence at Obe Community,Sapele Road in Benin city was attacked by yet to be identified gun men.

The attack which eye witnesses say was viciously executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 bore the markings of a dreaded cult group terrorizing Benin City, the state capital.

The Obe, Sapale Road incident, it was learnt, happened soon after Omoruyi left the house to attend to matters of interest some few metres away from his home.

The assailants were said to have shot sporadically in their frustration as residents scampered for safety.

However, Omoruyi escaped unharmed.

One of the eye witnesses who craved anonymity said: “The felons apparently went for the kill, weilding guns and other dangerous weapons. “We are shocked that they didn’t see Innocent Omoruyi who was just some few metres away from home when they arrived”.

“How that happened, only God knows and it was obvious that it wasn’t his time to die yet and just before that not long ago his business place on Lagos Street, Benin City was burnt down in the middle of the night by unknown arsonists.

“This sequence of events is not ordinary. We know it’s politically motivated due to the role he played in the last general elections. He has been advised to go into hiding at the moment for his personal safety”, he concluded.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to get any information as regards the latest incident. He promised to feed our correspondent with relevant details as soon as they become handy.

Our information source however revealed that the matter has already been incidented at the Love World Police station on Sapele Road, Benin city.

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Nigeria To Earn Over $4bn Revenue As FEC Okays Concession Of Abuja, Kano Airports

Published

12 months ago

May 18, 2023

Editor

Nigeria will earn over $4 billion in nominal revenue as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday okayed the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, a Luxembourg-based company.

James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Council also approved that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would be renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

The statement noted that the company would make combined upfront payments of $8.5 million for the concession of NAIA and MAKIA.

He added that the development would spur evidential growth within the Nigerian aviation industry.

“In alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr President on 18th October 2016, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is delighted to inform all stakeholders, both local and international, and the media, that the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano has been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” the statement said.

In December 2022 and January 2023, Corporacion American Airport Consortium was announced as the preferred bidder for the airport’s concession after scaling through a series of evaluations of technical and financial bids.

Nominal revenues mean income not adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.

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Russia Expelled From Council Of Europe Amid War With Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2022

Editor

The Council of Europe says it has expelled Russia with immediate effect after 26 years of membership because of the Ukraine war.

The Committee of Ministers took the decision in a special session, the rights body announced in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had already declared its withdrawal from the Council of Europe after it had taken steps to exclude it.

On Tuesday evening, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted unanimously in favour of Russia’s exclusion.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on Feb. 28, 1996.

Together with the formal notification of the withdrawal, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe also received information from the Russian Federation on Tuesday about its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the leaders of the Council of Europe once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They expressed their solidarity with the Russian people, who continue to belong to the European family and share its values.

The body said it would continue to stand by Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The Council of Europe monitors the observance of human rights in its 46 member states and is not part of the European Union.

The body reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago by suspending Russia’s membership, this decision was considered historic.