Connect with us

News

Soyinka Faults Tinubu’s National Broadcast

Published

on

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Sunday faulted President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast for not addressing the violent crackdown by security forces on #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Soyinka, in a statement expressed concern over the president’s omission of this critical issue.

He said: “I set my alarm clock for this morning to ensure that I did not miss President Bola Tinubu’s impatiently awaited address to the nation on the current unrest across the nation.

Advertisement

“His outline of government’s remedial action since inception, aimed at warding off just such an outbreak, will undoubtedly receive expert and sustained attention both for effectiveness and in content analysis. My primary concern, quite predictably, is the continuing deterioration of the state’s seizure of protest management, an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short.

“Such short-changing of civic deserving, regrettably, goes to arm the security forces in the exercise of impunity and condemns the nation to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of resentment and reprisals.

READ ALSO: FULL TEXT: Tinubu Seeks End To Violence, Promises Reforms

Advertisement

“Live bullets as state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest. Hunger marches constitute a universal S.O.S, not peculiar to the Nigerian nation. They belong indeed in a class of their own, never mind the collateral claims emblazoned on posters.

“They serve as summons to governance that a breaking point has been reached and thus, a testing ground for governance awareness of public desperation.

“The tragic response to the ongoing hunger marches in parts of the nation, and for which notice was served, constitutes a retrogression that takes the nation even further back than the deadly culmination of the watershed ENDSARS protests.
“It evokes pre-independence – that is, colonial – acts of disdain, a passage that induced the late stage pioneer Hubert Ogunde’s folk opera BREAD AND BULLETS, earning that nationalist serial persecution and proscription by the colonial government.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Protests: IPC Condemns Attacks On Journalists, Tasks IGP, Others

“The nation’s security agencies cannot pretend unawareness of alternative models for emulation, civilized advances in security intervention.

“Need we recall the nationwide 2022/23 editions of what is generally known as the YELLOW VEST movement in France? Perhaps it is time to make such scenarios compulsory viewing in policing curriculum. In all of the coverage that I watched, I did not catch one single instance of a gun leveled at protesters, much less fired at them even during direct physical confrontations.

Advertisement

“The serving of bullets where bread is pleaded is ominous retrogression, and we know what that eventually proves – a prelude to far more desperate upheavals, not excluding revolutions.

READ ALSO: 10 Takeaways From Tinubu’s Broadcast On #EndBadGovernance Protest

“The time is long overdue, surely, to abandon, permanently, the anachronistic resort to lethal means by the security agencies of governance. No nation is so under-developed, materially impoverished, or simply internally insecure as to lack the will to set an example. All it takes is to recall its own history, then exercise the will to commence a lasting transformation, inserting a break in the chain of lethal responses against civic society.

Advertisement

“Today’s marchers may wish to consider adopting the key songs of Hubert Ogunde’s BREAD AND BULLETS, if only to inculcate a sense of shame in the continuing failure to transcend the lure of colonial inheritance where we all were at the receiving end. One way or the other, this vicious cycle must be broken.”

News

Nnamdi Kanu: Court Summons Wike, Buratai, T. Y Danjuma, Uzodinma, Others As Witnesses

Published

on

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has disclosed that the witness summons requested by Nnamdi Kanu to be issued against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 22 others to give evidence in his terrorism trial have been signed and are ready for dispatch to the listed witnesses.

Others whose summons have been signed and ready for delivery are Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and two former Chiefs of Army Staff, General T. Y Danjuma and Tukur Buratai.

They are part of notable Nigerians listed by Kanu to be compelled by the judge to appear in court to give evidence in the terrorism charges slammed against him by the Federal Government since 2015.

Advertisement

Justice Omotosho announced in the open court on Thursday that he had given effect to Kanu’s request, signed the witness summons and that they are available for him to collect and serve on the said witnesses as required.

Kanu, had in a notice to defend, filed on October 21, listed the names of prominent Nigerians, including former and serving governors, ministers, military and security chiefs as his intended witnesses, who he said should be compelled to attend court.

The judge directed Kanu to pick up the witness summons and serve them individually as required by law to ensure quick response of the witnesses.

Advertisement

At Thursday’s proceedings, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, announced that he had fired all members of his legal team.

READ ALSO:IPOB Faults Soludo For Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping

Kanu, who announced the decision himself on Thursday, told the court that he was willing and ready to now conduct his own case by himself.

Advertisement

At the resumed hearing in Kanu’s terrorism trial on Thursday, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced his team for the prosecution.

When it was time for the defendant’s legal team to announce appearance, the leader of the team, Kanu Agabi, SAN, stood up and told the court they were only present out of the respect for the court.

Kanu said they were in court to formally announce their withdrawal from further participation in the trial.

Advertisement

Agabi explained that the reason for their decision “is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that”.

He gave the names of the other SANs, who are also withdrawing to include: Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba and one other.

READ ALSO:IPOB Rejects FG’s Ranching Proposal, Says It’s ‘Land Grabbing’

Advertisement

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.

Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his own case by himself.

Justice Omotosho then ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team, who were in court, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom immediately, a directive they promptly complied with.

Advertisement

The judge then turned to Kanu and asked him to open his case.

In response, Kanu commenced by indicating his intention to make an oral submission, an indulgence the judge granted him despite opposition from the Federal Government lawyer.

Kanu said he would not open his defence as ordered by the court, because he was questioning the jurisdiction of the court to try him, adding: “This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Police Fire Tear Gas At #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters In Abuja

He hinged his objection to the court’s jurisdiction on four grounds, the first being his claim that the Federal Government, through the prosecution, was in contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment, which he said ordered his acquittal and release.

Kanu argued that for the court to grant the prosecution audience, it (the prosecution) must first comply with the said Court of Appeal judgment.

Advertisement

He said the second ground was that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and and Customs and Excise Act, under which the charge against him was brought, are repealed laws.

On the third ground, he claimed to have been denied fair hearing. He said his continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, has denied him the opportunity for adequate consultation with his lawyers to enable him prepare for his defence.

He hinged the fourth ground on his claim that the medical report submitted to the court by a medical team empanelled by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, which certified him fit to stand trial, was forged.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Jonathan To Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention — Sowore

Kanu denied being examined by any medical team, insisting that his blood and urine samples were never obtained for analyses.

He urged the court to declare the proceedings void and order his immediate release in line with the Court of Appeal judgment.

Advertisement

Reacting, Awomolo said Kanu deserved no formal response from the prosecution because all the allegations he made ought to be put down in the form of a sworn affidavit and effectively demonstrated to enable the other party respond appropriately.

Awomolo faulted Kanu’s claim that a Court of Appeal decision acquitted him, arguing that the said judgment was set aside by the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered on December 15, 2023.

He said: “The judgments of the Supreme Court that was given on December 15, 2023 has set aside the judgment they are claiming discharged him.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Nnamdi Kanu Slams N50bn Defamation Suit Against Reno Omokri

“If he has a preliminary objection he should file it and demonstrate all his claims,” Awomolo said.

The prosecuting lawyer also faulted Kanu’s claim that his right to fair hearing has been breached.

Advertisement

Awomolo argued that Kanu’s claim that the medical report was forged was an indictment on the senior lawyers.who were in his legal team, who, according to him, saw the report and found no fault in it.

He prayed the judge to determine all the issues that Kanu raised in his Thursday’s submission when delivering the final judgment.

In his intervention, Justice Omotosho noted that when the medical report was bought up in court on October 16, he sought the views of lawyers to both parties, who did not raise any objection to the report.

Advertisement

The judge said since the report has been admitted by the court, which acted on same and made decisions based on it, the court could no longer go back on the issue.

He said all the decisions taken by the court, based on the medical report, stand.

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

Advertisement

The judge noted that all the issues raised by Kanu in his Thursday’s submission were substantially raised in the no-case submission which the court overruled in a ruling delivered on September 26.

The judge said: “On the 26th of September 2015, I considered those issues and held that he has a case to answer. This was to enable him exercise his right to fair hearing to make his case.”

Justice Omotosho recalled that in the spirit of fair hearing, he vacated this courtroom on Wednesday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to enable Kanu and his lawyers have a private consultation session, despite the absence of evidence to support his claim that his conversation was being secretly recorded by the DSS, in whose custody he is being detained.

Advertisement

The judge said although all the issues raised by Kanu in his Thursday’s submission had previously been determined by the court, the defendant is not foreclosed and he can still raise them at the final written address.

READ ALSO:Travelers Stranded In Rivers As Soldiers Block Road After IPOB Clash

He then proceeded to call on Kanu to open his defence and overruled him when the IPOB leader attempted to insist on his objection to the court’s jurisdiction.

Advertisement

Justice Omotosho said: “I call upon and appeal to the defendant to open his defence. I beg the defendant, in the name of the Almighty God, to comport himself and conduct his defence.

“This is the opportunity that the Constitution gives him under Section 36. It is a right that he can exercise or waive either expressly or by conduct.

“I beg and I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity, given him by the Constitution to put in his defence, except he choses to waive it either expressly or by conduct.”

Advertisement

At that point, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, intervened and drew the attention of the court to the fact that Kanu’s lawyers’ withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.

READ ALSO:Ijaw Not Biafra, Count Us Out Of Your Planned Attack Military, INC Warns IPOB

He prayed the court to grant Kanu time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.

Advertisement

Taking a hint from what Ikpeazu said, Kanu said: “In the exercise of my right, I wish to state on record that I have not had the opportunity to prepare for my defence.

“I only had three hours yesterday in this courtroom. Section 36 of the Constitution allows me to be given adequate facilities to defend myself. My lord, I need time,” he said.

The prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned till Friday, October 24 for Kanu to open his defence.

Advertisement

He said the opportunity given the defendant to conduct his defence began to run from Thursday.

Continue Reading

News

Why We Arrested Sowore – Police

Published

on

The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday explained why activist politician, Omoyele Sowore was arrested.

Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore’s arrest was to ensure fairness in the prosecution of those involved in Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

Hundeyin disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja.

Advertisement

“If we move from there to charge some people to court and leave the person who led them to commit that act, more like their leader, the elite protester who told them and took them into the restricted area, that would not be fair.

READ ALSO:Sowore Mobilises Supporters For #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

“And that’s why, in the spirit of fair play and to ensure that justice is served, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today,” the police spokesman said.

Advertisement

He assured that Sowore will not be detained beyond the legally stipulated period, adding that he would be arraigned.

“Like the others, he wouldn’t spend time with us. He wouldn’t spend up to 24 hours with us. Once we wrap up the charges, he’s going to be prosecuted.

“In fact, if everything goes right, our plan is to ensure that he’s prosecuted today. He goes to court today,” he added.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Edo Vows To Reclaim Looted Assets, Strengthens Public Healthcare

Published

on

Edo State Government has vowed to reclaim state owned assets that were illegally acquired or sold by the immediate past administration of the state.

The government also promised to strengthen public healthcare system in the state.

Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa stated this when Chief Medical Director of the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), Dr. Anthonia Njoku, and her management team paid him a courtesy in to his office, Benin, on Wednesday.

Advertisement

The deputy governor commended the hospital’s management team for their dedication and progress, especially in expanding healthcare services and securing accreditation for the residency training programme of the West African College of Physicians.

READ ALSO:Reps To Probe Edo, Delta Communal Crisis

“I must thank Governor Okpebholo for swiftly reclaiming properties belonging to the Edo State Government that were diverted to private entities.

Advertisement

“The Edo Specialist Hospital is now back where it rightfully belongs, serving the people, not private interests,” Idahosa said.

He lauded Njoku’s leadership, describing it as “purposeful and transformational.”

Idahosa noted the hospital has evolved into a true centre of excellence for public healthcare.

Advertisement

“Unlike what we saw in the past, when the hospital was almost turned into a private business, today it caters to everyone, not just a privileged few,” the deputy governor added.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

Idahosa emphasized that the government’s renewed focus on public healthcare aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which, according to him, prioritizes accessible medical services and safe environments for all Edo residents.

Advertisement

While encouraging deeper collaboration between the state and the ESH, he expressed satisfaction that both patients and the wider public have recognized the hospital’s improved service delivery.

The CMD further commended the state government for its steadfastness and support, describing the administration’s interventions as “timely and ,”

“The government’s backing has enabled us to address pressing challenges, expand specialist training, and strengthen our workforce. This commitment ensures Edo State will continue to build a reservoir of highly skilled medical professionals,” she said.

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending