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Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Seeks Recommendation Of US Senate To Joe Biden To Impose Visa Ban On Buhari, AGF

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Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Seeks Recommendation Of US Senate To Joe Biden To Impose Visa Ban On Buhari, AGF

Bruce Fein, a counsel to the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has written to the US Senate and House of Representatives, urging the parliament to recommend an adequate sanction to President Joe Biden against Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Bruce Fein in the letter dated October 20, 2022, and obtained by ABN TV through Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s special council cited “Gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu, including kidnapping, torture, and prolonged arbitrary detention to retaliate for exercising internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression and association,” as the reason for seeking imposition of sanctions against Buhari and Malami.

Bruce Fein also reminded the Senate and House of Representatives that the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an Opinion finding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention in violation of sixteen (16) international human rights guarantees and subsequently ordered his immediate and unconditional release, an order the Buhari-led federal government of Nigeria has not obeyed nearly three months later.

READ ALSO: Senators Orji Kalu, Abaribe, T.A Orji, Others Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

The letter read in part, “In January 2022, following the extraordinary rendition of Mr. Kanu, a Nigerian High Court judgment impliedly exonerated him from the Nigerian government’s Orwellian claim that he had jumped bail in evading its notorious attempted assassination.

“On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, Holden at Abuja, decreed that Nigeria’s detention of Mr. Kanu was illegal because of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in violation of international and state laws. The Court ordered the dismissal of all charges against him. Again, President Buhari and Attorney General Malami have flouted the Court’s orders and kept Nnamdi Kanu illegally detained.

“The Opinions of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Court of Appeals of Nigeria speak for themselves. They are crystal clear.”

“The sanctions should include ineligibility for a visa to enter the United States and blocking of all transactions in properties of Mr. Buhari and Mr. Malami in the United States,” Bruce Fein recommended.

He said Buhari and Malami are a threat to international peace and security with their flagrant disobedience to court orders, calling for punitive measures against them.

The court of Appeal in Abuja had earlier in the week discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of all charges leveled against him by the federal government but the government is yet to comply by releasing the embattled separatist leader.

Gunmen Attack Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi (Photos)

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Gunmen Attack Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi (Photos)

The Governorship Candidate of the All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Ebonyi State, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh narrowly escaped death on Thursday after his convoy was attacked by Gunmen.

Gunmen Attack Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi (Photos)
Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh

ABN TV gathered that Odoh’s convoy was pelted with bullets on his way to Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area of the state for a meeting.

Speaking on the development, Prof. Odoh said; “We were on a visit to Izzi local government because Izii local government is part of the state. We have supporters there.”

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu: Buhari Making Efforts To Create A Jungle Situation — Udensi

“As early as 6 a.m, I started getting distress calls, One of our coordinators called and said that the chairman of the local government called and warned him that no visit should take place in his local government and that he is under pressure from the state government. The DPO also called and raised similar alarm that he is under enormous pressure that we should not come”.

“We defile all their threats and got to the place. We were confronted by the Ebubeagu team, the government militia and they shot at one of our cars.”

“They have taken the war to us and we will also respond. Dave Umahi and his people need to hear from us and we will respond”.

Gunmen Attack Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi (Photos)

Gunmen Attack Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi (Photos)

FG Approaches Supreme Court, Seeks Overturn Of Judgement Freeing Nnamdi Kanu

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Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Ejimakor Reacts To UK designation Of IPOB As Terror Group

Despite several calls on the Federal Government to obey the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, freeing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, it has approached the Supreme Court with an application seeking the court to set aside the judgement.

The appellate Court, in a judgement delivered last week, discharged  Kanu from all the charges preferred against him by the federal government on the ground that he was illegally brought into Nigeria from Kenya.

The Federal Government, in the appeal, hinged on seven grounds, wants the apex court to grant a stay of the execution of the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on October 13, 2022.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed the appeal, which among other things, prays the apex Court to set aside the judgement of the lower court.

The Federal Government is contending that the Court of Appeal erred by faulting the manner Kanu was renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria after his alleged jumping of the bail granted to him by the Federal High Court in 2017.

The government argues that the Appeal Court acted in error by striking out pending charges preferred against Kanu based on the fact that the trial judge had no jurisdiction to handle the matter.

The date for the hearing of the appeal by the Supreme Court has not been fixed.

The three-member panel of Justices of the Appellate Court, in a judgement delivered last week, set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which quashed 8 out of 15 counts charge preferred against Kanu.

In the unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, the court declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction of the Biafra nation agitator from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire seven charges retained by the trial court against him on the ground that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.

The appellate court agreed with counsel to the IPOB leader, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) that, Kanu was illegally abducted and extra-ordinary renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria,  against both, International and local laws.

The appellate court, therefore, discharged Kanu and ordered his unconditional release.

However, the federal government, through the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), declared that the discharge does not mean acquittal, hence other legal means would be sought to try Kanu.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja had said, in her judgement that counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 15 showed some allegations, which the IPOB leader had to answer.

But Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, praying the court to quash the remaining seven counts for being devoid of merit

Senators Orji Kalu, Abaribe, T.A Orji, Others Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

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Court Gives Condition To Grant Nnamdi Kanu Bail
Nnamdi Kanu

.…Urge FG Not to Appeal Appellate Court Ruling

The South East Caucus in the Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Government to obey the Appeal Court ruling, which ordered the immediate release of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The Caucus in a statement released in Abuja also advised FG against appealing the ruling at the Supreme Court, but rather asked the Presidency to utilise the opportunity presented by the Appeal Court ruling and consider political solution to solve the lingering problem in the interest of the country’s unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

The Caucus cautioned that resorting to the Supreme Court would ignite varied interpretations, which to all intents is injurious to the unity and corporate existence of the country.

READ ALSO: Abia: G-17 Salutes Kalu’s Outstanding Performance As Senator

We should be mindful of our diversity and the strengths we as a country derive there from. This is the time to show magnanimity and statesmanship. The Appeal Court has provided the leeway for the authorities to walk the talk as ones desirous of preserving Nigerias unity and respect for her diversity.

“Not appealing the matter and resorting to political solution will in no way question the enormous powers of the federal government, rather it would enhance its prestige as a government in love with all segments of the Nigerian society.

“Accordingly, we as a Caucus and stakeholders in the Nigeria project appeal to Mr President, to remember the promise he made to a delegation of elders of Igboland sometime ago and release Nnamdi Kanu, especially now that the Appeal Court by that ruling removed the burden of interference from him. Going on Appeal would ultimately negate that kind gesture,” the Caucus said.

Signed:
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Majority Whip)
Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Minority Whip)
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe
Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom)
Senator Stella Oduah
Senator Sam Egwu
Senator Obinna Ogba
Senator T A Orji (Ochendo)
Senator Chimaroke Nnamani
Senator Micheal Nnachi
Senator Onyewuchi Ezenwa
Senator Rochas Okorocha
Senator Frank Ibezim
Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Uba

Lady’s Body Missing After She Jumped Into Osun River

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A yet-to-be-identified young lady was said to have jumped into the Osun river around the Gbodofon area of the state capital on Thursday.

It was gathered that the lady was walking on the Gbodofon bridge and after receiving a call, dropped her wallet and jumped into the river.

Passersby who saw her jump into the river quickly alerted the state fire service and the agency’s operatives got to the scene around 4:15 pm.

According to an eye witness, Lamina Kamiludeen, the lady after receiving a call, dropped her phone into her wallet and jumped into the river.

We didn’t know what happened to her, we were just looking at her from a distance receiving a call around 4pm, she dropped her phone in her wallet and jumped into the river after dropping the wallet beside the road.

“One of the people here called fire service and they arrived within 10 minutes or thereabout and all effort to rescue her proved abortive. They couldn’t find her body, maybe due to the water level in the river”.

Another witness, Grace Aworanti, said the lady dropped from a motorcycle heading toward Fakunle before jumping into the river.

“She was receiving call when she dropped from the motorcycle and jumped into the river, the current moved her to the other side. We were seeing her head but no one can jump into the river because of the water level.

“Unfortunately before operatives of the fire service arrived she disappeared and they could not jump in as well”, she added

Effort to get a reaction from state fire service officials proved abortive as the number of the Administrative Officer Ibrahim Adekunle could not be reached

Cristiano Ronaldo Dropped From Man United Squad

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Ronaldo Might Return To Man Utd Under Amorim—Sheringham
Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from Manchester United’s squad for Saturday’s clash with Chelsea after his tantrum against Tottenham.

Ronaldo stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel with several minutes remaining in United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old star reportedly told United manager Erik ten Hag that he did not want to come on as a late substitute.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture,” a United statement said on Thursday.

Fake EFCC Operative Arrested For Defrauding Belgian €45,000

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Fake EFCC Operative Arrested For Defrauding Belgian €45,000

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a 29-year old Ume Ifechukwu Clinton for impersonation, computer related fraud, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering.

It was gathered that Clinton was arrested on October 18, 2022 at No 46 Atoke Gbadebo Street, Isheri, Lagos, by operatives of the EFCC, following a news story published by an online portal: foundation for investigative journalism narrating how Clinton defrauded Axelle Mahieu, an educator working as a caregiver in Brussels, Belgium.

Fake EFCC Operative Arrested For Defrauding Belgian €45,000 Fake EFCC Operative Arrested For Defrauding Belgian €45,000

According to the report, the victim was surfing through her Facebook page in November 2021, when she saw that someone had sent her a message. The message was from Ume Ifechukwu Clinton, who introduced himself as “a friend of a friend”.

Investigation revealed that as they continued chatting in the following days, Clinton told Mahieu that he was an official of the EFCC, with a fake Identity Card and Nigerian Passport as proofs.

After several months of video calls and gaining Mathieu’s trust, Clinton allegedly proposed a cryptocurrency business to her, assuring her of huge profit and secured capital.

After convincing the Belgian, Clinton ended up defrauding her of €45,000.

Villarreal Vice-President Jose Llaneza Passes Away At 74

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Villarreal Vice-President Jose Llaneza Passes Away At 74

Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza, a figure who has played a big part in the club’s success over nearly three decades, died on Thursday at the age of 74 years after a battle with leukaemia.

“The club wishes to manifest its profound and immense pain, sadness and dismay for the irreparable loss and our most sincere love and care to his family and relatives,” said Villarreal in a statement.

Llaneza arrived at Villarreal in 1994, and the “Yellow Submarine” have since twice reached the Champions League semi-finals and won the Europa League in 2021, as well as finishing second in La Liga in the 2007/08 season.

The vice-president had been diagnosed with blood cancer in February and Villarreal players took to the pitch against Granada wearing special t-shirts in support of the Spaniard. His wife, Encarna Carceller, died in September.

AFP

We Are Under Attack, Labour Party Chair Cries Out

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Labour Party National Chairman, Abure, Dissolves Party's State Executive Council In Rivers State
Comrade Julius Abure

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Julius Abure, has cried out over what he alleged is a coordinated attack on members of the party in some states of the federation.

Abure said this while receiving in audience a delegation of Interfaith clerics at the party’s National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Thursday.

He said, “We have had attacks in Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos and elsewhere. First, they said we had no structure, now they have seen that the people are our structure, and they have plans to attack our members across the country.

READ ALSO: I Would Have Preferred To Work For Peter Obi’s Success — Ortom

“Only yesterday, after our meeting we had planned to cry out to Nigerians to pray for us. Today, the Bishops and the Sheikhs came to pray for us, it is a confirmation that 2023 is the year of the Lord.”

Abure noted that many people argue that campaigns should not delve into the past but that it would be out of place not to because “You cannot treat an ailment without proper diagnosis. You cannot talk about solutions without looking at the challenges.

“In the area of security for instance it is the failure of leadership, people are kidnapped and phone calls are made yet no arrest.

“In the economy, we are suffering from double-digit inflation, and people are hungry.

“For us in the Labour Party, we believe Nigeria had what it takes to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry even if we can’t build skyscrapers, we can grow food to feed ourselves.”

The LP National Chairman further said, “The APC and the PDP are owned by money bags who sit in the comfort of their homes and decide who becomes what politically.

“We formed the LP to bring succour to Nigerians. For us in Labour Party we are ready to provide leadership, we are prepared to take Nigeria to where it ought to be.

“I say without fear of contradiction that the LP has the best presidential candidate in the person of Mr. Peter Obi.

“We dare say no amount of tear gas, attacks and intimidation can stop an idea whose time has come.

“We must look at the age and the health of candidates because we cannot hand over a Sick country to sick people.

“People who have started rushing to hospitals outside the country even before campaigns start proper.

“The Labour Party has what it takes to change the reality not just the perception. For many decades, the political oligarchy in this country have been using religious and ethnic divisions to divide us.

“When Buhari took over in 2015 the number of out-of-school children was between 7-10 million but today, 7 years after this number has jumped to over 20 million with most of them in the North. This is not about religion or ethnicity, it is about taking back our country.”

Earlier, one of the leaders of the delegation representing the Christain faith, Archbishop Leonard Kawas explained that their visit was first to pray for the party and it’s leadership and pledge their support.

He said, “We are not fake bishops, we are real. We are here to pray for the party and the leadership, we are just Representatives of millions of members across Nigeria.”

His Muslim counterpart, Sheikh Murtala Mahmoud said, “We want Nigerians to try a new person, Peter Obi is new. We want unity between Christians and Muslims in the interest of Nigeria that is why we are here.”

FG Reveals Real Cause Of Devastating Flood In Nigeria

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Save Ogun Communities From Flood, Assembly Urges Commissioner
Flood

The federal government has said claims that the flood ravaging many states of the federation is caused by Cameroon’s Lagdo dam are false.

On September 20, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the release of the Lagdo dam will cascade down to Nigeria and cause heavy flooding in 13 states.

But speaking During the ministry’s 2023 budget defence in Abuja on Wednesday, Suleiman Adamu, minister of water resources, says 80 percent of the floods in Nigeria are caused by rainfall.

He said the stories on social media attributing the floods to Cameroon are misleading.

“All these stories I’ve been seeing on social media, I just laugh, because they are misleading,” he said.

“The contribution of the Lagdo dam to flooding in this country is only one percent. Sometimes they release the water without notice and when they do that, it has an impact on communities downstream.

“But it is not the main reason we have floods in this country — 80 percent of the floods in this country is water that we are blessed with from God from the sky.

“This year’s flood, I can assure you, we cannot blame it on Cameroon to be sincere. We’ll continue to have floods on the river Niger and Benue basins. We signed the MOU with the Cameroonian authorities but since then, every year, it is the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that calls them ‘what is your level in Lagdo?’

“Even this one when he called them, I was communicating with the DG NIHSA, I said ‘what’s happening in Cameroon?’ He said he has been calling them and they said they have not released any water but they said they will inform us. Finally, they said they will inform us tomorrow, they didn’t inform us, they informed us 24 hours after they had released the water.

“They did the same thing two years ago, I wrote to the minister of foreign affairs and Nigeria had to write a protest letter to the Cameroonian authorities that they did not inform us.

“It was after our rains had gone down, suddenly we saw floods in the Adamawa area and we were asking them. For two weeks they were denying that they had opened the reservoir. Of course, it didn’t go to the confluence, it was limited to the areas of Adamawa state and Taraba. Because like I said, the contribution to the flood by Lagdo dam is not so high.”

Meanwhile, the federal government said it will initiate bilateral discussions with Cameroonian authorities in November on the periodic opening of the dam.

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