JUST IN! Court may Discharge Kanu as DSS Fails to Provide any of it’s 8 Witnesses

JUST IN! Court may Discharge Kanu as DSS Fails to Provide any of it’s 8 Witnesses






Following the inability of the federal government to produce any of the eight witnesses scheduled to testify before the court, the defendants, through their lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, applied to be discharged and acquitted of the charge against them.
They predicated their application on the provision of section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Earlier, the DPP informed the court that the witnesses said they would not appear to testify against the defendants unless the are allowed to wear masks or their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the proceeding. ‘My lord this is because they are already receiving threats from associates of the defendants that they will be dealt with. The witnesses said they love their lives and requested that their identities be shielded from people who are coming to witness the proceeding’, Diri added.

He said DSS operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made similar request on the basis that they are investigating terrorism cases and would not want their identities exposed. Justice Tsoho had on February 19, refused an application by the federal government which sought leave to mask the witnesses.
The application was vehemently opposed by counsel to the defendants who urged the court not to allow ‘masquerades’ to testify before it. Meanwhile, the parties are still exchanging arguments on the application for the charge to be quashed and the defendants discharged and acquitted.

Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, ‎has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom. The defendants were alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. FG alleged that they were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as ‘an unlawful society’.

Specifically, Kanu was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic ofBiafra”, from Nigeria. The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 20, even as the court ordered their remand at Kuje prison ‎in Abuja.‎‎

Court grants DSS permission to protect witnesses

Kanu said his team will challenge today’s court ruling which permitted the DSS to make use of masked witnesses. A Federal High Court has granted an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect its witnesses. The judge over the matter, John Tsoho, in his ruling said that the DSS application is not different from his previous order. He dismissed the defense counsel’s argument that Section 351 subsection 1 of the Administrative Criminal Justice Act that complainant must be ascertained affects this matter before the court. He said the complainant in this matter is the Attorney General of the Federation, who is the chief legal prosecutor of the state represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Dir and his team. Tsoho said that he upholds the argument that Section 351 subsection 1 of the Administrative Criminal Justice Act. He said the previous court order is not different from the application made by the DSS.

While discharging the prayer of the defendants to discharge the charges before the court and restrict the complainant to re-arresting the defendants, Tsoho said his order of February 19, included that the witnesses are shielded in a manner that they can be seen by the counsels. He added that the witnesses are also allowed to use private paths within the court premises that are different from the public paths. He said the DSS application does not amount to opening an already settled matter. The judge further explained that the witnesses will not be masked but will be screened in such a way that the counsels will be able to see the witnesses. Tsoho ruled that the matter be adjourned to Wednesday, March 9, as screens not facial masks will be used to protect the witnesses during examination and cross-examination. The prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri also told the court that the DSS intends to examine all its witnesses on the same day.
He had earlier urged the court to vary its order that the identities of its witnesses be protected from the public. Diri told the court that the inability of the DSS to bring the witnesses for the commencement of trial was because the witnesses were scared of their lives. Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu has said that he would challenge the order of the Federal High Court Abuja to allowed witnesses to be protected in his trial. Speaking after a court ruling in Abuja, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, one of the  counsels to Kanu said his team will challenge today’s court ruling. “We are going to challenge the decision of the court in a higher court,” Ejiofor said. Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015, by operatives of the DSS upon his arrival into Nigeria from the United Kingdom. He is facing charges bordering on felony, illegal possession of firearms and assisting in the management of an unlawful society alongside two others.

Biafra: DSS ‘Uncovers’ Plot to Abduct Kanu, Others in Court

BREAKING NEWS!!! Biafra: DSS ‘Uncovers’ Plot to Abduct Kanu, Others in Court

The Department of State Service, DSS, on Monday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that it has uncovered plot by some pro-Biafra agitators, to invade the court and forcefully free the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The security agency made the allegation on a day the federal government was to open its case against Kanu who is facing a six-count treason charge alongside two other pro-Biafra supporters, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Nnamdi kanu The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, told trial Justice John Tsoho that the DSS has already commenced investigation on the planned invasion. Meantime, following the inability of the federal government to produce any of the eight witnesses scheduled to testify before the court, the defendants, through their lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, applied to be discharged and acquitted of the charge against them.
They predicated their application on the provision of section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Earlier, the DPP informed the court that the witnesses said they would not appear to testify against the defendants unless the are allowed to wear masks or their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the proceeding. ‘My lord this is because they are already receiving threats from associates of the defendants that they will be dealt with. The witnesses said they love their lives and requested that their identities be shielded from people who are coming to witness the proceeding’, Diri added.

He said DSS operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made similar request on the basis that they are investigating terrorism cases and would not want their identities exposed. Justice Tsoho had on February 19, refused an application by the federal government which sought leave to mask the witnesses.
The application was vehemently opposed by counsel to the defendants who urged the court not to allow ‘masquerades’ to testify before it. Meanwhile, the parties are still exchanging arguments on the application for the charge to be quashed and the defendants discharged and acquitted.

Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, ‎has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom. The defendants were alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. FG alleged that they were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as ‘an unlawful society’.
Specifically, Kanu was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic ofBiafra”, from Nigeria. The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 20, even as the court ordered their remand at Kuje prison ‎in Abuja.‎‎

JUST IN!!! “I Can Turn Nigeria Around In 4 Months” Goodluck Jonathan Reportedly Says

Goodluck Jonathan beats Tinubu, Kofi Anan to prestigious prize

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan has won yet another prestigious award – Jonathan has been named the ‘Person -of-the-year 2015′, for the African Leadership Magazine – He beat APC chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and five others to get hold of the coveted prize – The judges chose him because of his role in Nigeria’s historic election which saw APC come into power Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s immediate past president, has beaten many high-profile nominees drawn from across Africa to emerge Person of the Year 2015. The prestigious award was bestowed on him by the African Leadership Magazine.
The disclosure was made in a letter signed by the former Liberian Pro tem Senate president and chair, 2015 African Leadership Person of the Year Selection Committee, Cletus Wortoson. The nominees for this year’s award include former Secretary General of the United Nations, Koffi Anan; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; founder of Econet Wireless; Strive Masiyiwa; Chairman of Heirs Holding, Tony Elumulelu; Executive Director of UN Women, Mlambo-Ngcuka, President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Akinwunmi Adesina. Wortoson noted that the selection committee and the African Leadership Advisory Board placed a very high premium on Jonathan’s commitment towards deepening democracy on the continent.

The letter reads, “There is no one best suited at the moment than Your Excellency, to advise the continent’s leaders on the merits of good governance and enduring democracy. Jonathan wins man of the year award “Your popular mantra of ‘one man one vote’ and ‘my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,’ is a message that must be preached loud and clear on the continent, hence our endorsement. “In adopting you as our choice, we placed a very high premium on your commitment towards deepening democracy on the continent – a characteristic which is uncommon among most African leaders at the highest level today.
“Chief among the many factors we considered was your efforts towards promoting good governance in Africa-through the promotion of free and fair elections across the continent. Your recent assignment to Tanzania received accolades and international acclaim, because, you discharged the responsibility most creditably.” Jonathan has continued to be applauded for his “classy role” in the 2015 presidential election which marks a significant milestone in the Nigeria’s democracy. After losing the election, Jonathan congratulated his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, and conducted a smooth transition of power.

BUHARI’S BILATERAL AGREEMENTS : NIGERIANS REQUIRE A REFEREE IN QATAR BEFORE VISA

This is from a country buhari told us he signed bilateral agreement with: “For a Nigerian to get a Qatari visa, he ought to have a sponsor who is resident in Qatar; that is the new policy for those countries that are not listed among the nations that its citizens are allowed to visit the country (Qatar).”
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A Questionable Deal with Qatar

March 3, 2016 64 12637 The verdict olusegun By Olusegun Adeniyi: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
President Muhammadu Buhari was in Qatar last week and the major news that came out of the visit was the signing of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Qatar to pave way for direct flights between major cities of both countries. While I continue to wonder whether any due diligence was done by the relevant authorities before committing Nigeria to such an agreement, there are pertinent questions as to whose idea this BASA deal is. Since Nigeria currently has no national carrier, it stands to reason that Qatar initiated the idea and that is where the problem lies: I don’t believe that the interest of our people was served by the agreement.

Early in January this year, I got a mail from a lady, Mrs Chioma Okigbo, narrating one of those unpleasant experiences to which Nigerians are usually subjected in their own country. On receiving the mail (with supporting documents), I immediately forwarded them to THISDAY aviation editor, Chinedu Eze, asking him to investigate the claims and give me a feedback. Since Mrs Okigbo’s enclosed her phone number, I also called to assure her I would follow up on the matter. It took Chinedu a week to get back to me but he confirmed Mrs Okigbo’s story. Now, this was what she wrote in her mail:

“To my shock and utter dismay, I received an almost instant response from the website informing me that the government of Qatar does not issue visas to Nigerian nationals. This response upset me a great deal and raised a number of questions in my head: If we, as Nigerians are not good enough to visit their country, what exactly are they doing running an airline in ours? What is the Nigerian Government’s stance on Qataris visiting Nigeria? Do we issue visas to them or are they also not allowed in Nigeria? Why is the Federal Government of Nigeria allowing a company to run a business in Nigeria, whilst their host country feels we are all criminals?

“Anyway, I went to the Qatar Airways office where, by the way, I met some really nice Nigerians, and asked for a full refund. To add insult to injury, the airline will be deducting a 10 percent fee for cancellation! Where in the world is this fair and equitable? I felt that I needed to share this with you as I do not know the number of other unsuspecting Nigerians that would be affected by such discrimination.”
When THISDAY sought explanation for such discrimination against our nationals, the Qatar Airways Lagos Airport Manager, who simply gave his name as Hashim said: “for a Nigerian to get a Qatari visa, he ought to have a sponsor who is resident in Qatar; that is the new policy for those countries that are not listed among the nations that its citizens are allowed to visit the country (Qatar).”
And it is this same Qatar with which Nigeria has just signed a BASA deal!
For those who still may not get it, what we are dealing with here is not the usual impunity of some foreign companies operating in our country, the summary of Mrs Okigbo’s ordeal is that Qatar Airways operates and makes money from Nigeria yet our citizens are considered not good enough to enter their country like other nationals.
There are several critical issues here for both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consumer Protection Council but I will highlight only two. First, Mrs Okigbo was practically fleeced of 10 percent of her ticket money because she did not embark on a flight to a country that would not give her a visa. Two, it is an official policy of Qatar to discriminate against nationals of Nigeria.
I believe that the humiliating experience of Mrs Chioma Okigbo should not be seen as a personal insult, it is a serious affront to our country. What is perhaps more worrying is that the presidential statement announcing the BASA deal went further to disclose that Nigeria has commenced discussions on partnership (with Qatar, I imagine) towards establishing a national carrier without providing any details.

Given that the nation’s aviation industry is currently going through financial crisis with many of our local airlines highly indebted, the Buhari administration has refused to answer the most pertinent question about this idea of national carrier that is being driven more by nostalgia than economic common sense: On what model will the flag carrier be based and what are the funding plans, especially at a time like this?

Again, coming up with a prestige project at a time Nigeria needs all the resources it can muster to meet pressing national demands betrays a clear lack of seriousness on the part of this administration. Against the background that even countries like Italy and others that are better managed have found running airlines a difficult proposition with most of them divesting from the business, I still fail to understand what is driving this obsession with national carrier. However, more pertinent is the question of why the latest announcement was made in Doha after signing the BASA deal.

Since our international aviation sector is very lucrative (Nigerians travel a lot and to everywhere in the world) and we currently do not have a national carrier, the implication of any BASA deal with Qatar can only be to the advantage of Qatar Airways. While I should not begrudge them for that, I hope the Nigerian authorities also have ready answers for the questions posed by Mrs. Chioma Okigbo. Yet, there is something in this untidy affair that should make one very sad. Apparently because we are now looking anywhere and everywhere for “foreign investors”, we don’t have a sense of shame anymore. But just how cheap can a nation be?

“Dear Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi,

“I felt a need to share an event that happened to me with you. On 19th November, 2015, I accessed Qatar Airways website with the intention of purchasing a ticket to visit Doha and Dubai. The visit to Dubai was the major reason for the trip as we had planned a reunion of our secondary school classmates from all over the world in that location. Having a friend working in Doha, I opted to leave Nigeria some days earlier than the planned reunion dates of 25th – 28th February.

“Before buying my ticket, I confirmed from the website that the airline was able to process visa for visitors to Qatar; in fact this information was very prominently displayed on their website. I proceeded to purchase my ticket and on Tuesday, January 19th, a month to my travel date, I visited Qatar Airways website again, this time to complete the visa process. The site redirected me to a website called Discover Qatar, which I believe is the official information center for all visitors to Qatar and had been set up by the Qatari government to provide accurate and timely travel information to visitors. I was required to complete a simple form but the first unpleasant surprise was that Nigeria was not listed among the countries under the pull down menu for Nationality. I found this curious and told my classmates that I had planned the Doha trip with a friend (who would be flying in from London) and she suggested that a country called Niceau was their own clever way of writing Nigeria. I decided however to contact the center and make proper inquiries.

One Person Burnt To Death As APC, PDP Supporters Clash In Rivers

One Person Burnt To Death As APC, PDP Supporters Clash In Rivers

A violent clash in Rivers State between Peoples Democratic Party members and All Progressives Congress members has left one man burnt to death.

Mr. Ofinjite Amachree, popularly known as ‘Kalampo’ has been burnt to death during a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru local government area of Rivers State.

According to LeadershipNG, the incident occurred at the new Health Centre area built by the immediate past administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for the community, while the victim, Kalampo was identified as a stalwart of the APC.

Giving graphic details about the incident, a resident of the Buguma, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said,“We don’t really know what caused the fight but what we know is that it is a clash between the APC and PDP. There were series of gun shots so we had to take cover in our house. One guy popularly known as Kalampo, who I think is an APC member was killed and burnt. As I speak with you, there is tension in entire community.”

The incident was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Kadiya Muhammad.

It’s awkward for Buhari to ban forex for education when his own kids school abroad – Ben Bruce

It’s awkward for Buhari to ban forex for education when his own kids school abroad – Ben Bruce

Outspoken Senator and businessman, Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, has said that it is unfair for President Muhammadu Buhari to ban foreign exchange for Nigerian students abroad, while his own children school abroad.

Mr. Buhari during an interview granted to Al Jazeera said: “Nigeria cannot continue to subsidize the forex needs of everyone.”
“Those who can afford foreign education for their children can go ahead, but Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decided to train their children outside the country. We can’t just afford it. That is just the true situation,” he said.
Reminded by the interviewer that his own children school abroad, President Buhari said “I can afford it.”

Reacting to this, Mr. Senator Bruce said: “Its awkward for a leader to say no #ForexForEducation for kids schooling abroad when his own kids school abroad!,” he wrote on his Twitter page.
“Mr. President, these are people who voted for you. Shouldn’t you be more sensitive to their need for #ForexForEducation.”
“This year officials, including the Presidency, will spend billions importing cars. If we can afford that cant we afford #ForexForEducation”
“What should parents whose kids have spent 2+ years studying abroad do? Should their kids drop out after going so far? #ForexForEducation”
“Its not a matter of “those who can afford it”. Parents aren’t saying they cant afford it. They’re saying they cant get #ForexForEducation”

“I advocate for #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira but I accept that there are some courses that we dont offer in our universities #ForexForEducation”
“If we can provide foreign exchange to those going on pilgrimage, surely we can provide #ForexForEducation. Education is a priority!”
“These policies will have the opposite effect of what you intend. Nigerians will take their funds to neighboring nations #ForexForEducation”
“We as elected representatives of the people must be sensitive to their needs and reflect this sensitivity in policies #ForexForEducation,” Mr Bruce said.