Metro

Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: Court Okays FG’s Bid To Shield Witness Identities

Published

3 months ago

April 29, 2025

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given the Federal Government the nod to shield identities of witnesses billed to testify against the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Trial Justice James Omotosho gave the approval in a ruling he delivered on Tuesday.

The ruling followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through its team of prosecutors led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

Specifically, the court, gave permission for the proposed witnesses to testify behind a screen with their real names replaced with acronyms.

FG’s lawyer, Awomolo, SAN, pleaded that identities of the witnesses needed to be protected for security reasons and in view of the serious nature of the case.

While the witnesses would be shielded from the public, they would however be seen by the judge.

The request was not opposed by Kanu’s team of lawyers led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

Sequel to the ruling, FG opened its case against the embattled IPOB leader by presenting its first witness, who was simply identified as PWAAA.

Kanu, whose trial started de-novo (afresh) following the reassignment of his case-file to Justice Omotosho, had earlier pleaded not guilty to a seven-count treasonable felony charge the government preferred against him.

It will be recalled that Justice Binta Nyako, who previously conducted the trial, recused herself from the matter after she was accused of bias by the defendant.

Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return to the country from the United Kingdom, UK.

On April 25, 2017, the court granted him bail on health ground, after he had spent about 18 months in detention.

Upon the perfection of the bail conditions, he was on April 28, 2017, released from the Kuje prison.

However, midway into the trial, the IPOB leader escaped from the country after soldiers invaded his country home at Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, an operation that led to the death of some of his followers.

Kanu was later re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021 and extraordinarily renditioned back to the country by security agents on June 27, 2021.

Sequel to the development, the trial court, on June 29, 2021, remanded him in custody of DSS, where he remained till date.

On April 8, 2022, the court struck out eight out of the 15-count charge that FG preferred against him on the premise that they lacked substance.

Likewise, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s immediate release from detention even as it quashed the charge against him.

Dissatisfied with the decision, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court, even as it persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

While deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, vacated the judgement of the appellate court and gave FG the nod to try the IPOB leader on the subsisting seven-count charge.

Metro

Guest Collapses, Dies At Niger Govt House In Minna

Published

50 minutes ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A man, identified only as Gregory, has died after collapsing inside a lodge at the Niger State Government House in Minna.

The incident happened around 9:30 p.m., according to a report from the Chief Security Officer at the Government House.

The Niger State Police Command said Gregory went to visit Sammy Adigun, the chairman of the Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics Company, on the night of Friday, August 2.

However, he was informed that his host was not available, and shortly after, he became ill and collapsed.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said officers from the GRA Division were called and quickly moved Gregory to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

“The guest was rushed to IBB Specialist Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead,” the police statement said.

Gregory’s body has been taken to the hospital mortuary, and an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Three Kidnappers During Ransom Collection In Plateau

Published

1 hour ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, OPSH, have eliminated three kidnappers during a failed ransom collection operation in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) by security expert Zagazola Makama, the interface between the kidnappers and the troops, which took place along the Jos–Makurdi road at the Rafin Sanyi area of the council, followed the abduction of a military officer, Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, who was kidnapped on Saturday, August 2, while travelling to Abuja.

Further reports reveal that on getting knowledge of the abduction of the soldier, troops of Sector 6 of the OPSH, in collaboration with the EIB STRATOC team, launched a coordinated operation on Monday, August 4, around Farin Lamba, Maraban Jama’a, and Ganawuri in Jos South and Riyom LGAs, where they encountered the kidnappers when they were about to pick up a ransom of N500,000 they had negotiated with the family of the victim.

“At about 5:35 p.m., a suspect was observed with a bag suspected to contain the ransom money en route to a POS shop. Troops monitored the suspect as he diverted through a bush path to link up with his gang,” Makama wrote, quoting a military source who pleaded anonymity.

“On noticing he was being trailed, the suspect raised an alarm, prompting other syndicate members to flee. The troops pursued and engaged them, killing three of the suspects.

“Recovered from the scene were N312,000 in cash, two knives, three mobile phones, and one AirPod device.

“The kidnapped soldier reportedly took advantage of the commotion to free himself and safely rejoined his unit,” he added.

Metro

One Killed, Six Injured As Security Forces Repel Bandit Attacks In Katsina Villages

Published

1 hour ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

At least six persons sustained injuries and one later died after security forces repelled a bandit attack on Tashar Gemu and Unguwar Gambo villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The development was disclosed in a post on Tuesday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama, via X.

According to the post, the attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, when the assailants, in large numbers, stormed the communities.

They were, however, confronted by a combined team of troops, police operatives, vigilantes, and members of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to retreat into the surrounding bush.

The injured victims were identified as Sani Umar, Shamsu Isah, Usman Rabiu, Adamu Amadu, and Isah Abdullahi. All were taken to the General Hospital in Malumfashi for treatment, where Sani Umar was later confirmed dead.

Security patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks and to apprehend the fleeing assailants.