The former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Supreme Court for reversing his conviction by a Federal High Court in Lagos, saying it is an initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected.

Describing it as restoration, Dr Kalu, who is the senator representing Abia North senatorial district in a statement he personally signed on Friday maintained that his is a story of how wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end, advising that even though we may not get things right at the first attempt, with patience and dedication, we shall get them right eventually.

ABN TV reports that the Federal lawmaker used the opportunity to express gratitude to family, friends, supporters, people of Abia State for their support and confidence, stating that the last five months have been a profound period for him.

“Today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave judgment in my favour, quashing the conviction which the lower court had entered against me. By today’s judgment, the Apex court of our dear country affirmed my right to a fair hearing and equal protection of the law.

“The past five months have been quite a profound period for me. As challenging as that period has been, it has provided me with an opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about our country, our peoples, our justice system and the true meaning of love. I mean love for family, love for our country and love for humanity.

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“I want to use this moment to thank my family, my colleagues, my friends, my supporters, the people of Abia State, and all Nigerians for their unflinching and unwavering confidence and trust in me through the very testing period. We all know today that their prayers have not been in vain. I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the unalloyed professionalism and sincere humanity extended to me by its staff while I was in their custody.

“I must accord a special mention to the Justices of our Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to the rule of law. We all stand reminded of the consistent and strategic relevance of the Nigerian Supreme Court in holding this country together, even in moments of great peril.

“As far back as in the 1971 case of LAKANMI V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION, (the Ademola Adetikumbo-led Court) the Nigerian Supreme Court has severally rescued this country from the precipice. Also throughout the dark era of military rule in Nigeria, the Supreme Court neither wavered nor flinched in its commitment to justice and fairness.

“And despite some moments of distraction and mass hysteria, the Nigerian Supreme Court has remained the veritable compass to the highest ideals of justice attainable in this country. This long tradition of the court was exemplified in today’s judgment. I was humbled by the court’s boldness and sense of justice as shown in my case.

“Overall, my experience tested and reaffirmed my belief and confidence in our country, Nigeria. My case is a true Nigerian story with a bold MADE-IN-NIGERIA stamp on it. It is a story of initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected. It is a story of restoration. It is a story of how wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end. It is a story of the power of hope.

“My case should teach us all that even though we may not get things right at the first attempt, with patience and dedication, we shall get them right eventually. That is the lesson of my case and that is the lesson of our country – that with dedication and patience, we shall place Nigeria in its rightful place eventually.

“Before I end, I would like to let it be known that the events of the past five months gave me an added perspective on matters of justice and injustice in Nigeria. I have come to know that the course of justice will not be complete if it stopped in my case.

“It must continue until it touches the lives of millions of Nigerians who face injustice anywhere in this world. I shall be dedicating my time henceforth to ensuring there will be justice for all Nigerians whether they are in Sokoto or Akwa Ibom or in Lagos or Maiduguri or in Jos or Enugu, or wherever they may be. Justice for one man or for a few people will no longer be enough in this country.

“A system whereby over 70% of all prison inmates population is made up of people awaiting trial cannot be allowed to continue. Situations, where innocent people are falsely charged with murder just to get them out of the way, do not dignify our country and cannot continue. Justice must now mean justice for all. That is my pledge to Nigerians.

“I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in the Senate as soon as possible,” he said.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna, has said the state is under pressure to declare that it has COVID-19 cases where there is none.

ABN TV reports that the commissioner made the claims in a statement on Thursday.

He, however, said the state would not succumb to the pressure.

The statement followed a report, which claimed that four persons suspected to be COVID-19 patients had died at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja in the last one week.

He said that as the state commissioner for health, a member of the Governing Board of the FMC Lokoja, and also the incident manager for COVID-19 in the state, he had yet to be informed of any claimed cases.

“There is also a representative of the FMC Lokoja in the state’s squadron against COVID-19 /Lassa fever and never for once was any such case raised in our meetings.

The commissioner alleged that the aim of those putting pressure on the state was to politicise the situation as they are not happy that the current administration has been scored high by local and international observers on health care.

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He added, “First and foremost, it is imperative that the public realise that there is no state government that can deliberately put her people in harm’s way for whatever political reason and the current administration has been scored high by local and international observers on health. We have and will continue to put the health of our people as first priority.

“We have been in an annual fight against Lassa fever as the state is located in the Lassa fever belt, recording several cases with regrettable losses.

“We were first to establish a Biosafety Laboratory for Lassa fever in Nigeria and this year alone we have confirmed 30 cases of Lassa fever that was duly announced. To accuse the state of a cover-up of COVID-19 cases is mischievous and at best politically inclined.”

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has released conditions under which the ongoing lockdown in the state is to be partially eased.

ABN TV reports that Ikpeazu made this decision after all necessary consultations and considerations, including advice from medical experts. The terms for lockdown relaxation will take effect from Monday, 11th May 2020.

Among the conditions is the compulsory application for burial permit through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, which will only take place on the designated dates of Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the 1st and 3rd week of every month.

In a release signed by Secretary to State Government/Chairman, Abia State Covid-19 Committee, Barr. Chris Ezem, markets in the state are to open only 3 times a week which include Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 3 pm daily.

“All markets in the state shall open only 3 times a week viz: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 are to 3 pm daily. Relevant markets leadership have constituted a 17-man Enforcement Team that shall ensure the provision of a minimum of 20 litres bucket with tap for running water, in addition to soap and sanitizers by each trader, and the wearing of face masks by both sellers and buyers in the market.

“The enforcement teams are charged with the full responsibility of ensuring full compliance with social distancing in the markets at all times. They are also vested with powers to justifiably seal up any shop that circumvents any or all of these directives. Let it be noted that should there be any lapse on the part of the enforcement team of any market leading to a breach of these directives, such a market will be closed down by relevant local or state government authorities without any further recourse to the traders.

“Commercial tricycle (Keke) operators and all other intra-state commercial transporters will now operate from 8 am to 4 pm daily. While Keke operators can only carry 2 passengers at every point in time, minibuses (oke bekee) and other buses must not seat more than 2 persons per row with all passengers including the driver wearing face masks.

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“Burial ceremonies in the State are now allowed to hold only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the 1st and 3rd week of every month.

“For burials to be conducted by churches whether, on a field or church premises, attendance to such events must not be more than 30 persons while only 10 persons are allowed for the ones to hold at private residences. The same protocol applies to burials to be conducted according to native rites.

“In all cases, the church leader or traditional ruler concerned is expected to apply to the office of the Secretary to State Government (SSG) through the Transition Council Chairman of the relevant Local Government Area for a burial permit. It is an offence to conduct or attend burial ceremonies without wearing face masks.

” All Eateries/Restaurants must operate only on a take-away basis and close latest by 7 pm daily. Management, staff and customers of such eateries/restaurants must always have their face masks on and provide hand sanitizers and/or soap and running water for customers at the entry points.

“All our borders shall remain closed and all inter-state movements into Abia remain prohibited except for vehicles transporting essential items such as food, drugs and others duly authorized by the federal or state government. Drivers and passengers (not exceeding 2) of such authorised vehicles must wear face masks and be ready to subject themselves to search and medical tests as necessary.

“It is worth emphasizing that wearing of face masks is compulsory in Abia State and law enforcement agents are authorised to apprehend offenders and present them before the Mobile Court for prosecution.

“Religious activities/worships will hold only on Fridays for the Muslim communities, Saturdays for Sabbatarians and Sundays for others.

“Congregation of such worships must not exceed 50 persons per stream and they must all wear face masks while every worship centre must provide running water, soap and hand sanitizers at designated places in their premises.

“All worship activities must end on or before 2 pm on the days designated for worship.

“Civil servants are to resume work on Monday 11th May 2020 beginning with schedule officers on Grade Level 13 and above along with their immediate subordinates. They are to resume at 8 am on alternate days of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and close at 3 pm.

“All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to function with not more than 20 persons and must provide buckets with taps for running water, soap and hand sanitizers at their offices.

“Based on the foregoing, all MDAs are to submit the list of their staff scheduled to be at work in this period to the Head of Service.

“All our schools remain closed until further notice.

“Government urges Ndi Abia and residents alike to continue to maintain all COVID-19 protocols as it concerns wearing of face masks, regular hand washing and use of sanitizers in order to stay safe at all times.

“Finally, Government commends all our front line service providers, those on essential services, environmental and community health workers, security operatives, State and Local Government enforcement teams, our donors, volunteer organizations, ASEPA and, indeed, Ndi-Abia for keeping faith with Government in the fight against Covid-19 in the State,” he said.