The attack on the Abolongo correctional facility, Oyo town in Oyo State was planned and carried out by Fulani gunmen, believed also to be invading bandits, SaharaReporters has reported.
Top prison officials told reporters on Saturday that the gunmen carried out the attack to free the detained notorious Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili and other criminal Fulani herdsmen in the facility.
It was however reported that hundreds of inmates used the opportunity of the attack which was carried out around 10pm on Friday, to escape from the facility.
Sources told reporters that the gunmen, three days before the Friday invasion, struck in Ogbomoso, a neighbouring town to Oyo, and the security operatives were fully aware of their presence in the area.
“The attack in Oyo last night from the Ogbomosho axis was a well-coordinated Fulani attack aimed at securing the release of Wakili, the terrorist whom (Sunday Adeyemo) Igboho drove away from Ibarapa. I am informed by my staff and very reliable people that he was the object of that attack last night at about 10pm,” one of the top source said.
“The rest was just drama. My security staff told me the gunmen struck three days ago on the Oyo-Ogbomosho Road and around that time, their strange faces were also seen around an area the boys described to me. This was a well-coordinated attack with the objective to free Wakili and other Fulani inmates,” he added.
It had earlier been reported that the entrance to the prison was blown with an explosive device while security officials at the prison fled for their safety.
Speaking to reporters, the spokesman of the NCS, Olanrewaju Anjorin, had said; “Yes. It has been confirmed that the attack actually happened. And right now, the Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and other top officers are assessing the situation. But I can confirm to you that the incident actually happened.”
On March 7, a joint team of Ibarapa security operatives, including the Oodua Peoples Congress, Vigilante, and other groups had arrested the notorious Fulani warlord terrorising Oyo communities, Wakili.
Wakili had been arrested after several attempts resulting in a gun battle.
There had been reports that Wakili and his gang were involved in the killings and kidnapping of several people in Ibarapa, Oke Ogun, Oyo State.
Wakili was nabbed barely seven days after his second-in-command, Isiaka Muhammadu, was arrested alongside four others.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, had confirmed Wakili’s arrest in a statement.
On June 7, no fewer than 17 persons were reportedly shot dead by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at Igangan, in the Ibarapa North LGA.
Residents had said the hoodlums invaded the town on motorcycles around 11pm in an attack which continued until around 3am on Sunday.
They had fingered Wakili’s men on a revenge mission to be behind the attack.
At daybreak, residents reportedly saw corpses of children and adults littered some places in the town, while houses and vehicles, including a truck loaded with cassava flour, were razed by the attackers.
The Convener, Igangan Development Advocates, Oladiran Oladokun, had said the gunmen set fire to houses to drive out the people, after which they opened fire on them.
He said the government did not take the security seriously, adding that they had reported that the herdsmen were planning to attack them.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted Nigerians of a new, high-risk and extremely-damaging Malware called Flubot currently in circulation.
According to the report, a malware is a generic word used to describe a virus or software, designed specially to “disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.”
In a statement released on Friday, NCC noted that it received information from the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), that Flubot “targets Androids with fake security updates and App installations.”
“Flubot impersonates Android mobile banking applications to draw fake web view on targeted applications and its goal transcends stealing personal data and essentially targets stealing of credit card details or online banking credentials,” NCC’s director of public affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde revealed.
“FluBot is circulated through Short Message Service (SMS) and can snoop “on incoming notifications, initiate calls, read or write SMSes, and transmit the victim’s contact list to its control centre”, NCC said in a statement.
“This malware attacks Android devices by pretending to be “FedEx, DHL, Correos, and Chrome applications” and compels unsuspecting users to alter the accessibility configurations on their devices in order to maintain continuous presence on devices.
“The new malware undermines the security of devices by copying fake login screens of prominent banks, and the moment the users enter their login details on the fake pages, their data is harvested and transmitted to the malware operators’ control point from where the data is exploited by intercepting banking-related One Time Passwords (OTPs) and replacing the default SMS app on the targeted Android device.
“Consequently, it secures admittance into the device through SMS and proceeds to transmit similar messages to other contacts that may be on the device it has attacked enticing them into downloading the fake app.”
However, the commission however released steps to take to prevent falling victim, which includes;
“Do not click on the link if you receive a suspicious text message, and do not install any app or security update the page asks you to install. Use updated antivirus software that detects and prevents malware infections.
“Apply critical patches to the system and application. Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) over logins. You will also need to change the passwords to all of your online accounts, with urgency, around your online bank accounts.
“If you have concerns that your accounts may have been accessed by unauthorised people, contact your bank immediately.”
There was outrage yesterday as the report of the Federal Government’s 24-man committee blamed the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for the murder of Dr. Chike Akunyili, Ahmed Gulak and 177 others in the South east zone.
The panel also linked Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (a.k.a Sunday Igboho) to a Boko Haram sponsor, Surajo Muhammad, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Arab Emirates for financing terrorism.
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneeze Ndigbo, IPOB, Afenifere Renewal Group, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Yoruba Ronu and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), all condemned the report, describing it as incoherent, untenable and outright falsehood.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made the allegations, yesterday, while reading out findings of the Presidential committee set up to investigate Igboho and Kanu.
The panel was made up of personnel of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Also, the government alleged that between 2013 and 2020, Igboho received N127 million from several financiers, including a federal lawmaker. Malami, however, refused to reveal the identity of the lawmaker.
The AGF said: “The report revealed that Igboho is a director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on April 23, 2010. Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 accounts in nine banks.
“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a federal lawmaker in the National Assembly. A total sum of N127,145,000 was received by Igboho from his financiers between October 22, 2013, and September 28, 2020, through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.
“A total sum of N273, 198, 200 transaction outflows was recorded from Igboho’s account between March 15, 2013, and March 11, 2021. Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of N12,750,000 to Abbal Bako & Sons.”
According to Malami, Abbal Bako and Sons and its promoter, Abdullahi Usman, are suspects in the ongoing Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation.
“Abdullahi Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism (Boko Haram). This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country,” Malami added.
He said that the report found connections of financial transactions between Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses, among others. On Kanu, the government accused him of being responsible for the murder of a former Presidential aide, Ahmad Gulak, and over 177 others in the Southeast.
Malami stated that consequent upon the instigating directives of Kanu, members of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) carried out massive attacks on democratic institutions, especially facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a view to hampering democratic process in Nigeria.
He said the attacks, which were carried out between October 2020 and June 2021, led to the killing of 175 security personnel.
The report read in part: “Acting on the instigating directives of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB members and #EndSARS protesters attacked and killed many security agents and destroyed several public and private properties, including police stations, public transport buses and other facilities across the country.
“On October 21, 2020, Kanu, through an online call-in radio programme (Radio Biafra), further instigated IPOB members to burn down all police stations and kill government security forces, which was carried out, and security personnel (especially police officers) were killed and public and private properties destroyed.
“In all, 175 security personnel were killed by IPOB/ESN, comprising 128 policemen, 37 military personnel and 10 other security operatives.”
The panel further alleged that IPOB/ESN were responsible for the killing of prominent Nigerians. “Recently, there were gruesome killings of traditional leaders: Obi 1 of Okwudor autonomous community; Eze E. Anayochukwu Durueburuo and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebineowerre autonomous community as well as the killings of Dr. Chike Akunyili and eight others and the killing of Gulak on May 30, 2021.”
The committee found that as a consequence of Kanu’s broadcasts, there were 19 attacks on INEC facilities that resulted in the destruction of offices as well as burning of 18 INEC logistical vehicles, several election materials, equipment and ICT gadgets in Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The panel claimed that 164 police stations and formations, including police headquarters, Owerri, Imo State, were attacked by IPOB/ESN, leading to the death of 128 policemen while 144 were injured and 628 vehicles were destroyed.
According to the report, 396 firearms and 17,738 ammunition were carted away during the IPOB/ESN attacks.
“There were three IPOB/ESN attacks on Nigerian Correctional Service, including the Headquarters of NCoS, Owerri, Imo State where 1,841 inmates escaped. That Headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Umuahia, Abia State was also attacked by IPOB/ESN leading to the death of one officer.” Malami stated that having received the report, the Federal Government remained determined to have a peaceful Nigeria.
“The Federal Government will do the needful, within the context of the legal provisions, in ensuring that the matter is given the deserved attention and those found guilty will be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
In the reaction of YCE to the report, the Secretary General, Dr. Kunle Olajide, told The Guardian that the allegations against Igboho were outright falsehood.
His words: “I can tell you clearly that as far as we are concerned here, Igboho has no link, to the best of our knowledge, with any terrorist group. And in any case, the way he (Igboho) organised his protests in all the Yoruba state capitals, he did not violate any laws of this country. There was no iota of violence reported anywhere. He was just mobilising frustrated and unemployed youths to champion what he believes could be in the best interest of Yoruba nation.
“Yes, we may not agree with him but nevertheless we don’t grudge him because we are in a democracy where everybody is free to express his or her views and state their opinions as long as they do not breach the laws of the land. Malami’s position is a false allegation.”
Chairman of ARG, Mr. Wale Oshun, said: “I am sure that every Nigerian knows that Malami causes confusion. What is at stake in the whole of this country is the question of justice. He is a Minister of Justice but basically he is an unjust person. Where was Malami when the armed herders, bandits and criminals coming from outside the country, and who are not even Nigerians, were taking over our forests, attacking our women, stopping farming from taking place? Now maize that we used to buy for below N80, 000 a tone is now going for about N240, 000 because our people could no longer go to farm. Where was Malami then? Because Igboho was able to put a stop to that, does that make him a terrorist? Malami is minister of injustice, let him continue.”
President of Yoruba Ronu, Mr. Akin Malaolu, wondered what could have gone wrong with the minister. “In the first place, the company is a fully incorporated company and it has its duty. The Article of Association spells out the activities of the company, which must have been licensed by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This guy sells cars and he does other businesses that have no relationship with terrorism. If in the process of transferring money from one place to the other he used a legitimate bureau the change to transact his business, he has not committed any offence. Malami has not said that the so-called terrorist person was running an illegitimate bureau de change.
“Malami should just be careful; he is looking for any flimsy reason to nail Igboho who is not a terrorist. As far as we are concerned, Igboho stood for the welfare of his people.” The counsel to Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), challenged the Federal Government to mention the name of the lawmaker allegedly sponsoring the activist.
Alliyu declared that his client is not a terrorist but a businessman, doing legitimate business. In a statement, Alliyu said the Federal Government was only trying to paint his client in the bad light.
“Our attention has been drawn to a text press conference by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice wherein he fruitlessly tried to paint our client and those patronising his car trade as terrorists and/or financiers of terrorists.
“I have gone through the text. Sunday was alleged to have transferred the sum of N12.7 million to Abbal Bako and Sons owned by Abdullahi Umar. Transferring money to bureau de change to buy dollars is what is done by every businessman of our client’s calibre. Thank God that his passports and various bills of ladings were carted away by DSS during the ungodly invasion of July 1, 2021.
“Thus, so far, there is no evidence of receipt of money from Abbal Bako and Sons or Abdullahi Umar going by the text conference. What the AGF stated are mere conjectures. Not hard fact. Our client, according to him, paid Umar and NOT vice versa.
“The picture the AGF wanted to paint is that our client is being financed by Abdullah Umar allegedly involved in terrorists financing. Who is now financing who? Again, Chief Adeyemo is a car dealer trading in the name of Adesun International Concept Ltd. Does it mean that anybody buying car from him or selling car to him is a terrorist?” the counsel queried.
Alliyu said Igboho was not into Oodua Nation until last year, hence, finding over N273 million turnover between October 2013 and September 2020 shows that he was not a poor man. His house invaded by DSS on July 1, 2020 is worth over N2billion!
“I challenge the AGF to mention the lawmaker that sent money to Chief Sunday Adeyemo for terrorist act whether he would not found himself in exemplary damages for defamation.
“Up till date, our client has not been prosecuted or found liable for any criminal act or terrorism. There is also a valid and subsisting court judgment that agitation for self-determination is not an act of terrorism but fundamental human right of any citizen.
“My learned AGF knows that suspicion, no matter how great, cannot grant conviction. Chief Sunday Adeyemo is not a terrorist but a campaigner for self-determination,” Alliyu maintained.
On its part, IPOB said the committee’s report was not only disgraceful but also showed that the Federal Government had nothing against her leader.
A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful said: “We note with great dismay the kind of incoherent and untenable allegations coming from a supposedly Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria. What a disgrace! Why not wait for us at the law court instead of resorting to media trial. That shows he has no case to prove against IPOB.
“This latest show of shame by Malami also shows the level of his ignorance and cluelessness on the office he occupies. To put the records straight, IPOB remains a peaceful movement, and was never involved in such barbarities Malami was linking IPOB with.
“Instead of killing security agents, IPOB members have been the victims of the extra-judicial killings by the wicked Nigerian security operatives as no fewer than 20,000 of our members have been murdered in cold blood by the Nigeria security agencies. It is not controvertible that innocent IPOB members and Biafran youths have been wasted at different times by the Nigeria security agencies. This genocide against IPOB is still ongoing, yet they want to suddenly change the narrative.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that the report had made it obvious that there was a desperate attempt by the Federal Government to give Kanu a bad in order hang him.
National Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia, queried the rationale behind such report on Kanu whose matter is already in court. According to him, it is now clear that government lacks sufficient evidence to prosecute the IPOB leader.
“I think what they are trying to do is to heap all atrocities in Nigeria on Kanu. At what point did they investigate to arrive at their conclusion that he is the cause of all the killings they listed in the southeast region? Does it mean that there is no case of gunmen any longer? It is not about making allegation but substantiating the claims with verifiable evidence. I want to let the Federal Government know that the whole world is watching and we cannot keep quite when they try to employ antics that could undermine his fair trial. What is happening is an indication that they are desperately looking for evidence to give him a bad name. It is unfortunate,” he said.
Elder statesman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, who expressed worry over what he described as “public trial” of Kanu, warned against actions that could deepen misgivings and suspicion in the country.
Wondering why the committee should issue such a statement when the government had some days ago amended its seven-count charge against Kanu, Okorie stated that it would be sad if the committee fail to back up the said report with verifiable evidence.
“I am worried that an allegation as weighty as this is coming up when trial is underway and a few days after the Federal Government through the AGF amended its charges. Is it because the amended charges came with evidence? The truth about it all is that the government should allow the trial go on. Nobody is saying Kanu should not be tried. Let the court do their work and not by public statements. It shouldn’t have been so when a matter is underway and a day after the court had adjourned hearing. So we should watch it,” he said.
Emeritus President General, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, described the development as a “Nollywood story with Malami as director and producer and so many minor players.”
He stated that such allegation against the IPOB would continue as long as Malami and President Muhammadu Buhari remain in power. “The mentality of those in power now is crush him with anything possible.”
Uwazuruike, who is part of the legal team assembled by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to defend Kanu, insisted that the allegation was a “fairytale.”
“No serious lawyer will address this kind of press conference that has no substance. What they are doing is to instigate the public into believing that there is something. All those charges can only go in where there is no judiciary or where there is subdued judiciary. I am aware that those charges have been challenged in court and without waiting for the court to rule, the AGF decided to take the case to public domain.
“I can assure you that we will respond in due time to every line made by the Attorney General. There is nothing about the allegations. It is propaganda and mishmash of inefficiency of the Federal Government. I won’t be surprised that one day, they will blame Kanu for the kidnapings taking place in the whole of the North, bombing of police stations there, among several other atrocities. This government is grossly inefficient and somebody wants to justify the inefficiency by blaming it on Kanu. It is unfortunate.”
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also faulted the report. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said there was a clear evidence of double standard in the area of public prosecution of politically exposed individuals from either North or South.
The statement read: “The government, particularly the Ministry of Justice has consistently manifested aversion or lack of enthusiasm towards bringing suspected terrorists from the northern part of Nigeria to justice but it is always overzealous to charge other persons from the South with certain phantom allegation of terrorism and the Justice Ministry is busy conjuring up half-baked allegations to hang it on the necks of either Nnamdi Kanu or Sunday Igboho.
“A good example will suffice; Nnamdi Kanu versus certain elements and divisive leaders of Miyetti Allah that have been quoted in the media for supporting the activities of the armed Fulani headsmen who are terrorists.
“These same leaders of Miyetti Allah who are in Nigeria have made treasonable statements challenging the authorities of the state governments that have carried out the legal passage of laws on the anti-open grazing legislation and have not only made threats but carried out their threats like in Ondo State.
“The National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has threatened fire and brimstone in the Southeast of Nigeria just because people rejected Ruga Fulani initiative of the President.
“A few months after these threats were published in the media, and still on the internet as I speak, there were sporadic attacks targeting strategic national security institutions and assets and the government’s at both the Southeast and centre have refused to conduct proper forensic investigation but have hastily blamed Eastern Security Network and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra. IPOB denied.”
The Federal Government says it has established a link between Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, and a Boko Haram sponsor, Surajo Muhammad, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Aram Emirates on charges of financing terrorism.
The government also alleged that between 2013 and 2020, Igboho received N127m from several financiers including a federal lawmaker. The government, however, refused to reveal the identity of the lawmaker.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said this while reading out findings of a Presidential committee set up to investigate Igboho and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The 24-member committee comprised members of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Malami said, “The report revealed that Sunday Igboho is a Director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on April 23, 2010. Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in nine banks.
“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a federal lawmaker in the National Assembly. A total sum of N127, 145,000 was received by Igboho from his financiers between October 22, 2013, and September 28, 2020, through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.
“A total sum of N273,198,200 transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between March 15, 2013, and March 11, 2021. Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of N12, 750,000 to AbbalBako& Sons.”
The AGF noted that Abbal Bako and Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Usman, are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation.
“Abdullahi Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism (Boko Haram). This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country,” Malami said.
The report found connections of financial transactions between Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses among others.
Malami stated that having received the reports, the Federal Government remains solute in its determination to have a peaceful Nigeria.
“The Federal Government will do the needful, within the context of the legal provisions, in ensuring that the matter is given the deserved attention and those found guilty will be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
The FCT Administration Social Development Secretariat (SDS) on Friday, in Abuja arrested 217 defaulters over street begging.
This is even as the secretariat declared zero tolerance against destitute, child abuse, street begging and all forms of activities that constitute environmental nuisance in the territory.
Malam Sani Rabe, Acting Director, Social Welfare Services of the SDS, made the declaration when he led an enforcement team of security agencies and evacuation squad to arrest beggars and destitute within the city centre.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enforcement team arrested and evacuated beggars and destitute at Gwarinpa, Galadimawa Junction, Maitama, around National Mosque and the city centre.
He disclosed that over 217 street beggars and destitute had been arrested by the enforcement team within three days of the renewed efforts to rid the city of environmental nuisance and other social vices.
Rabe gave the assurance that the operation would be sustained until the city was free of street beggars and destitute.
He appealed to religious leaders to educate the public on the implications of begging.
“We arrested many beggars with substantial amount of money with them yet some of them are sick, malnourished, and don’t even take care of themselves as they leave in a very dirty environment.
“We have on record at the FCT Bwari Area Council Rehabilitation Center, where we used to organised rehabilitation and vocational training for the beggars and destitute.
“In particular, there is a lady (beggar) we arrested with N675,000 cash, some of the naira notes that were kept for long are looking very dirty. I have the video record kept as an evidence,” he said.
Rabe, who condemned begging in it totality, said there were some people who were into business and were providing for their family with credit of less than N50,000.
He promised that the FCTA would intensify efforts to subject the arrested beggars to attitudinal change to make them understand that having hopeless mind doesn’t help an individual and the society.
The director, while noting that beggars were parasites and burden to the society, reiterated the determination of SDS to change their minds set to enable them become useful to themselves and the society.
Earlier,Amb. Haliru Shu’aibu, Director, Finance and Administration, Abuja National Mosque, said Islam doesn’t support begging and gave assurance of the management of the Mosque to the total support of eradicating beggars from the territory.
“The management of the Abuja National Mosque has directed all Imams of the mosque to announce everyday that begging is not allow in the religion centre.
“It is on record that the mosque have empowerment programme for the widows and those who have genuine reason to be assisted and empowered,” he said.
A High Court in Ibadan on Friday ordered an internet fraudster, Adewale Tosin, to sweep the court premises for six months.
Justice Bayo Taiwo, sentenced Tosin, after he pleaded guilty to defrauding an America man, Lylian Zamarippa of the sum of 2,400 dollars while pretending to be a female with the name, Zielone Nyson.
Justice Taiwo ordered that the community service would be observed by the convict from 8. a.m to noon every working days.
”The convict will serve two years imprisonment if he fails to show up for the community service or arrives late on any of the day, even if it occurred at the last day of the service.
”The convict must refund the 2,400 dollars to the victim and forfeit his SUV car, laptop and iPhone to the Federal Government,” the judge held.
Earlier, the Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Festus Ojo, informed the court that the convict committed the offence between February 2020 and January 2021.
Ojo said that the convict entered plea bargain agreement with the commission and urged the court to enter it as judgment of the court.
The Defence Counsel, Mr M.A. Rufai, had pleaded with the court to convert the sentence to non-custodian or an option of fine.
In a related development, the Judge ordered another convicted internet fraudster,Tunde Adejuwon, to sweep the court premises for five months and to forfeit his Lexus car and blue iPhone to the Federal Government.
The Muslim Rights Concern have tackled the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over his comments regarding the presence of Turkish terrorists in Nigeria.
The group, in a statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday said the Turkish President’s claims were baseless while adding that ISWAP and Boko Haram are the terrorists present in the country.
MURIC’s statement comes after Erdoğan claimed the terrorists who tried to carry out a coup in his country were present in Nigeria during his official visit to president Buhari on Thursday.
The statement read in part, “We take the Turkish President’s allegation that there are Turkish terrorists in Nigeria with a pinch of salt. It is false, baseless and of no consequence whatsoever.
“We are aware of the existence of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the country but we reject the attempt to label innocent Turkish citizens as terrorists just because there is a political difference between them and their President.
“We acknowledge Erdogan’s role as a leading mouthpiece of the Muslim world and a stout defender of Islam, particularly against Western stigmatisation. But that does not confer on him the right to label the opposition in his country as terrorists and to haunt them all over the place. Erdogan should stick to what we know him for as the unrelenting defender of world Muslims.
“Neither should Erdogan’s humongous Muslim hero image becloud nor diminish MURIC’s commitment to protecting Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims in Nigeria, be it, individual or group. This is where the issue of protecting the rights of members of HIzmet in Nigeria comes in.”
According to the Islamic rights group, the group Erdoğan calls terrorists are impacting the lives of Muslims in the country.
“What we know of them is that they build primary and secondary schools, universities and hospitals. They also engage in humanitarian services, assisting poor Muslims to meet religious obligations like hajj and sacrificial animals.
“They have been in this country for more than 20 years (even before Erdogan became Prime Minister) and some of the institutions established by them in Nigeria are two decades old already. A coup that allegedly occurred in Turkey five years ago while these people were still in Nigeria should not be hanged on their necks,” the statement added.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba
A human rights group, Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law Initiative, has condemned the practise of preventing Nigerians from having access to courtrooms during high profile cases.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force had on Thursday closed entrances and the streets leading to the Federal High Court, Abuja because of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, who was re-arraigned in court on Thursday, pleaded not guilty to an amended seven counts bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism preferred against him by the Nigerian government.
Convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju in a letter to the Inspector General of Police described the action as unlawful.
The group sent copies of the letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, National Security Adviser and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
The letter read, “We write, with great sadness, to draw your attention to the reoccurring and unlawful blockage of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by security agencies, particularly officers from the State Security Services, anytime Nnamdi Kanu’s case or other ‘high profile’ case comes up for trial, as was observed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 21, 2021, when Nnamdi Kanu’s case came up for trial.
“You may note that section 36(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, clearly provides that the courtroom shall be accessible to members of the public. However, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, your officers have developed the habit of blocking all access to the court courtroom, during the so ‘high profile’ trials, thereby denying members of the public, including lawyers and litigants, access to the courtroom.”
After speculations about his health and whereabouts since his re-arrest in June, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, finally appeared in court for his re-arraignment yesterday, eliciting some joyous reaction in court and most parts of the Southeast. His trial had been delayed for three months when authorities failed to produce him in court.
Kanu was brought into the court premises in a heavily fortified security convoy led by a black Prado SUV at exactly 8:00 a.m. Many were sceptical as to whether he was actually in the convoy considering that a similar drama took place on July 27 when he was first re-arraigned.
But two hours later, Kanu, who wore a white Fendi designer jumpsuit, was ushered into the courtroom by security operatives to face a seven-count amended charge bordering on incitement, terrorism, treasonable felony and money laundering.
The charges against Kanu, a British citizen, also included calling for secession, knowingly broadcasting falsehoods about President Muhammadu Buhari and membership of an outlawed group.
Entrances leading to the court premises were barricaded by a combination of gun-wielding Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, the army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Nigerian Police, while a large number of security personnel were deployed to the premises and its surrounding to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
However, restriction of human and vehicular movements, baring of journalists from coverage as well as the harassment of lawyers, who had other matters in court, caused serious uproar and chaos within and around the court area. Security operatives also forcibly dispersed crowds of supporters who gathered nearby.
Even some select journalists finally made their way into the court premises, they were strictly restricted from going into Court 2 by the DSS who were allegedly acting on the directives of the trial judge, Binta Nyako.
Though Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, was later granted access into the courtroom, other lawyers, journalists and representatives of apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, were barred from entering the court premises, including former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
When the seven-count charge was read to him, at about 10:45 a.m., the separatist leader pleaded not guilty. Kanu beamed with smiles as he took photos with his team of lawyers before the court session began. Some security men also took selfies with him inside the court. He looked healthy and in good spirits.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but disappeared while on bail in April 2017. His social media posts during his absence and his Radio Biafra broadcasts outraged the government, which said they encouraged attacks on security forces.
Shortly after pleading not guilty, the judge ordered that he remains in the custody of the DSS after failing to grant his request to be transferred to a correctional centre. The case was then adjourned till November 10, 2021.
Justice Nyako adjourned the case after counsel to Kanu, Ejiofor, informed that he had notice of preliminary objection challenging the fresh seven-count charge filed against his client.
Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Abubakar, told the court that an amended seven counts had already been filed and he prayed the court for the charges to be read to Kanu to take his plea.
The court refused the application by his lawyer for the transfer of Kanu to Kuje Correctional Centre. However, Justice Binta Nyako, allowed three persons of his choice to visit him at the DSS facility.
Speaking with newsmen after leaving the courtroom, Ejiofor said he urged the court “to dismiss the seven-count charges, acquit our client and discharge him before the case was adjourned.”
He added that the matter was adjourned to allow lawyers to challenge the competence of the new charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Ejiofor said they have an application challenging the competence of the underlying charges, most of which reference Radio Biafra broadcasts made out of London. “I can’t see how someone would make a statement in London and it becomes a triable offence in this country,” Ejiofor told reporters.
Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, Kanu’s home state, was on total lockdown in solidarity with the IPOB leader yesterday. The streets were completely empty as residents remained indoors in full compliance with the ‘sit-at-home order.
There were no vehicular movements except for a few vehicles that occasionally passed by. No market or shop was open around the state capital as residents stayed indoors. Banks and schools both private and the public were all shut down. There were no incidents of violence anywhere in the capital city.
Similarly, the ‘sit-at-home recorded full compliance in Aba, the commercial capital of the state. The commercial city was a ghost of itself as markets, banks, schools and motor parks were all shut down. The roads were also empty as residents remained indoors.
The pro-Biafra group had ordered for ‘sit-at-home every Monday throughout the Southeast in protest of the detention of its leader. IPOB’s media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, later announced the suspension of the Monday ‘sit-at-home, replacing it with only the days Kanu would appear in court.
Residents of Enugu State also remained indoors in total compliance with the ‘sit-at-home order by IPOB. As expected, no vehicle was on the road and no market opened while government and private businesses were all paralysed.
There was, however, an incident of violence recorded in the state. A shop and a trailer truck were set ablaze by hoodlums suspected to be enforcing the order at the Eke-Obinagu suburb along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
It was gathered that the truck, which was said to be heading to Abakaliki, was attacked and set ablaze around3:30a.m. though the driver escaped unhurt.
Economic activities in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, and its environs were also brought to a halt. The exercise, which recorded total compliance in the state, saw the shutdown of both public and private schools, markets, banks and shops.
It was gathered that between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., there were no vehicular and human movements and the Nigerian flag was seen lowered in many private offices and banks.
Parks of major transport companies such as Peace, Onitsha South, GUO, Ifesinachi, Eastern Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, among others, were shut down.
There was no movement of vehicles on major roads, including the Abakaliki/Enugu, Abakaliki/Afikpo highways and other major busy internal roads like Afikpo and Ogoja Roads. All filling stations in the state did not also open for business.
For the second time this week, economic and social activities were crippled by residents of Owerri, the capital city of Imo State. Residents had earlier observed the ‘stay-at-home’ on Monday despite it being outlawed by the separatist group.
Residents stayed at home yesterday, shutting markets, banks, schools, shops, social outlets, eateries and other outdoor activities.
They spontaneously expressed joy when they saw pictures of Kanu with some lawyers in court as it went viral on social media.
Scores of youths and pupils who were playing football on various streets in Owerri were jubilant on seeing Kanu alive and well in court.
It was also learnt that the residents in the state were happy because by the physical appearance of Kanu in court, the issue of the one-month compulsory ‘stay-at-home’ threat issued by IPOB should DSS not present him in court would no longer hold.
Speaking in Owerri on the development, social commentators, Chiefs Fidel Onyeneke, and Jude Ugbaja advised that an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) measure be adopted to settle the matter out of court to ease tension in the Southeast.
IPOB, on Thursday, gave the President Buhari-led Federal Government conditions for dialogue.
There was heavy security presence in major roads of Asaba, the Delta State capital, ahead of the trial of Kanu, yesterday, in Abuja. Asaba, gateway to Anambra State and the Southeast hub of the agitation from the Benin-Onitsha expressway, witnessed unusually, but not unexpected security patrol as early as 7:00 a.m. across the major roads to forestall breakdown of law and order.
The security personnel, in a convoy of vehicles, moved round in what looked like a show of force, blaring a siren, not hindering, but briefly slowing down vehicular movements while it lasted.
Most of the shops in the city centre and markets were closed in observance of the weekly clean up exercise.
Many Onitsha and indeed, Southwest-bound passengers, especially those who travelled by night were temporarily stranded at the Delta State end of the Niger Bridge, as they could not continue their journey for fear of being attacked or molested by Biafran agitators.
Even though there was no enforcement of the ‘sit-at-home order by IPOB in Asaba, most travellers chose to be on the side of caution, considering events of the past. Those who dared to drive or commute on the less busy Niger Bridge did so with maximum alertness.
There were hardly commercial vehicles on the road to Onitsha in the early morning, thereby restricting the movement of those who would have loved to cross over to the other side of the River Niger.
Tuesdays have become nightmarish for commuters across the bridge, particularly, traders going to Onitsha to make purchases and travellers going from the Southwest to the Southeast. This is due to rush into the zone, as markets and shops hardly open and commuters prefer to stay off the roads on Mondays, willy-nilly, for fear of being attacked.
This has caused many travellers who could not get into Onitsha by Sunday to sleep on the road, while those who can afford it pass two nights in hotels in Asaba, if unable to travel on Monday.
For security operatives and agents, this is certainly not the best time to live or work or even drive by the zone.
Last Sunday, a soldier in uniform, ostensibly going to Onitsha/Southeast, suddenly parked off the expressway at Summit Junction in Asaba and went inside his Toyota Sienna car. By the time he came out, he had changed into mufti.
When jokingly asked why the change in dress, he retorted: “You want to tell me you don’t know what is happening in the East? Do you want me to die just like that?
“My brother, it is better to be alive in mufti than die in uniform. I have a family and cannot afford to leave them just like that.”
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the group would listen to the Federal Government when its leader, Kanu, is released unconditionally. Powerful also noted that the Federal Government should set a date for the referendum on Biafra.
In a statement he signed, Powerful insisted that Kanu committed no crime to warrant being arrested and prosecuted. He maintained that Kanu should not be detained, while terrorists are roaming the streets freely.
According to Powerful: “Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, committed no crime to deserve persecution by the Federal Government that is openly hobnobbing with real terrorists and Fulani bandits but crushing peaceful agitators. We demand the unconditional release of our leader. He should not be in detention while real terrorists and mass murderers are parading freely on the streets.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said it will not relent till Kanu and his members regain their freedom. Ohanaeze aired their views via a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
The group said: “We are unrelenting in our resolve to ensure that the FG toes the path of wisdom by conceding to the proposal for dialogue and ADR, which will ensure the unconditional freedom of Kanu and all members of IPOB detained across Nigeria.”
In the statement titled, Ohanaeze wins as FG produces Kanu in court, the group noted that the government has bowed to pressure by producing their leader in court.
He said: “The diplomatic engagements by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the able leadership of Prof George Obiozor has yielded a positive result as the Federal Government has through the DSS bowed to the overwhelming demands of Ndigbo by producing the IPOB leader in court. This is one step forward in Ohanaeze’s determined moves towards ensuring that the Afara Ukwu prince is set free in no distant time.”
Ohanaeze also commended Nigerians from all walks of life for the extraordinary interest and solidarity they have demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Kanu. It urged youths to show restraints, prudence and maturity even as they demand equity, justice and fairness.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra chapter, has appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to as a matter of good conscience consider the release of Kanu to lessen the untold hardship people in the Southeast geo-political zone are passing through.
CAN said the wave of insecurity in Anambra is linked to the detention of Kanu and said that in the interest of the nation, Kanu should be released so that all aggrieved persons would sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue.
In a 10-point communiqué, jointly signed by the state chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke; Secretary, Rev. Moses Echefu; Anglican Bishop of the Niger and chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Bishop Owen Nwokolo; and Bishop Onuagha, Methodist Archbishop of Onitsha, CAN note that the appeal was sequel to the observed security tension, wanton killings, destruction of property, a threat to lives and presumed doubts over the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state on November 6.
BUT the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the treatment meted out on some Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers who were in court to observe the proceedings during Kanu’s trial. During the trial, a former governor of Anambra, Dr. Ezeife, a host of other Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers were denied access to the court sitting.
In a statement made available to journalists, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, urged Igbo youths to remain calm as underground efforts continue in order to secure Kanu’s freedom.
Also, Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) condemned in strong terms the access denial of Ezeife to the courtroom by the DSS. The youth group who are not also happy how Senator Ifeanyi Ubah despite obtaining a court order to carry out his oversight function to inquire about the allegations on Kanu could not be allowed entry, further described the action by the DSS as undemocratic.
In a statement by the President-General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, noted that DSS’s action did not conform with the fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.
“Denying Ezeife, Senator Ubah and other Igbo leaders entry into the courtroom is an insult to Ndigbo. The DSS have desecrated the temple of Justice.”
Security operatives also barred activist Omoyele Sowore from accessing the courtroom to witness the trial. Sowore, who was dressed in traditional Isi-agu attire was told to go back by operatives of the DSS.
Sowore who spoke to journalists said he was at the court for a number of reasons. He said, “I am here to check the registry because for a while I have not been charged to court, I need to know about my treason case.
“Also, I am here to witness the trial of my friend, Nnamdi Kanu, the court is a public space and the public should not be barred from accessing the courtroom.
“People have the right to self-determination, Nigeria has not worked and will never work. So Nnamdi Kanu is not wrong and his trial should not be in secret.
“Security operatives have consistently failed to do their jobs and now you see them harassing journalists and lawyers.”
