By George Mgbeleke

Disturbed by the transfer of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from the Abuja Custodial Centre to Sokoto, Concerned Igbo Ministers Commission has condemned what it described as the politically motivated, insisting the move is intended to punish and frustrate him rather than serve the ends of justice.

In a press statement issued on Thursday signed by Rev. Tony Uzor Anthony, on behalf of the group, the commission said the decision “has nothing to do with justice, nothing to do with law and order, and everything to do with politics and punishment.”

The group faulted federal officials who cited insecurity in Abuja prisons, accusing them of turning their own administrative failures into a weapon against Kanu.

According to the statement, “Government officials keep repeating the excuse of ‘prison insecurity,’ yet they are the ones running the prisons. Instead of fixing their own failures, they now use those same failures as an excuse to keep frustrating one man. We say clearly:
It is wrong, it is unfair, and it is targeted.”

The commission also took aim at The Nation newspaper, accusing it of functioning as an extension of government propaganda aimed at undermining Kanu’s rights.

It said, “We note with disappointment the role of The Nation newspaper, which has now positioned itself as the main mouthpiece for this continued state harassment. Every time there is a government move to undermine Nnamdi Kanu’s rights, The Nation quickly publishes a story that tries to justify it — even when the facts are wrong or the reasoning makes no sense.”

The statement further read, “A newspaper that cannot tell the difference between a repealed law and an active one has no moral right to lecture the public.

A newspaper that refuses to investigate or cross-check facts should not be the one shaping public opinion on such a serious matter.

The Nation has chosen a side — and it is the side of repression.”

Transfer to Sokoto Seen as Deliberate Frustration

The group argued that relocating Kanu to Sokoto—one of the farthest points from the Abuja courts—was calculated to obstruct his legal rights and disrupt communication with his defence team.

It stated, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has ongoing legal rights, including appeals and meetings with his lawyers. Moving him to Sokoto — one of the farthest places from Abuja courts — is clearly meant to make his legal work difficult, if not impossible.

“If the government believes its own case is strong, why is it afraid of giving him proper access to his lawyers? Why hide him far away?
Why block easy communication?

“The answer is simple: this case has never been about justice.”

The ministers warned against the judiciary being used as a cover for political directives.

They said, “It is also important to remind Nigerians that it is not the job of any court to decide the exact prison where someone should be kept. That duty belongs to the Correctional Service, not judges acting under pressure.

“The attempt to dress political orders in the robe of the judiciary is one of the biggest problems in this case.”»

The statement called on the Federal Government to reverse the transfer and return Kanu to a facility within the Federal Capital Territory.

It declared, “The Concerned Igbo ministers commission calls for the immediate return of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a custodial centre within the Federal Capital Territory, where he can properly exercise his rights and continue his legal processes without hidden obstacles.”

The statement warned that, “This constant mistreatment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not just about one man. It is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law. If this type of behaviour continues unchecked, then no citizen is safe.

“We cannot and will not keep quiet.”

By Our Correspondent

The Senate Wednesday through its Ad – hoc committee investigating the collapse of Safe School Initiative , summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy , Wale Edun , to appear before it on Tuesday next week .

Summoning of the Minister of Finance by the Ad – hoc committee headed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( Abia North) , for appearance on Tuesday, followed adoption of its work plan during maiden meeting held on Wednesday.

Aside the Minister of Finance , other critical stakeholders of the collapsed initiatives , slated for summoning are the Minister of Education , Mr Tunji Alausa , Minister of Defence , Lt – Gen Christopher Musa , the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence , Dr Mohammed Abubakar Audi and representatives of school proprietors .

Briefing journalists at the inaugural sitting, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, , vowed that the Senate would unravel all issues surrounding the initiative’s implementation and ensure full accountability.

He noted that over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, describing the situation as “unacceptable for a nation committed to educational development and child safety.”

“It is unacceptable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers,”.

“We will track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative , some of which were the $30million mobilized between 2014 and 2021 aside the latest N144billion released for the initiative by the federal government .

” Nigerians deserve to know why, despite enormous investment and global support, our schools remain unsafe .

“The committee will undertake a comprehensive financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, and civil society partners”, he said .

The committee according to him, owes Nigerian parents the responsibility to guarantee that their children can pursue education without fear just as he stressed that the probe is not targeted at any individual or institution, but aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency

Areas of investigation according to him, are (i) Utilisation of funds allocated since 2014, ( ii) Deployment and effectiveness of security personnel, (iii) Early warning and emergency response systems, ( iv) Infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable schools and ( v) Partnerships with international donors and private-sector contributors.

The investigation follows fresh national outrage triggered by the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State and over 200 others in St Mary Catholic School in Niger State .

By Our Correspondent

The Senate has confirmed the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence.

The upper legislative chamber confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after hours of a rigorous screening session in the Committee of the Whole, during which he was asked questions by the lawmakers.

Musa who had been in service for 39 years before his retirement said that while he was the Chief of Defence Staff ” it was a defining moment for me.

“I pledge to give my best to ensure that Nigeria is safe. We need the support of all Nigerians. The terrorists are the enemies of Nigeria; they have no respect for human life.

“We must first love one another. I assure you we will work as nited as when I was the CDS. We cannot win the war until we are determined.

“The Sahel is hitting up. Our borders must be secured, security agencies must be supported. Nigeria is great. We will never be ashamed. We are one people,” he said.

Musa described the frequent abduction of students as “very unfortunate,” noting that in spite of the the rollout of the Safe School Initiative last year, many schools remain highly vulnerable.

“We need to look at it critically and make sure the approach is holistic,” he said.

“Crime is localised, and security agencies cannot be everywhere. Communities must be resilient and capable of being first responders.”

He lamented the absence of basic security infrastructure in many schools.

“Most schools have been built, but when you visit them, there is no perimeter fence. They are left exposed,” he said.

Musa also identified communication gaps as a major setback in preventing kidnappings, stressing the need to adopt technology that enhances information sharing and early response.

“Information conveyance has been an issue. A whole-of-society approach is needed—technology, the armed forces, the police, other security agencies, and the communities working together.”

Answering a question posed by former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Musa pledged to ensure strict oversight of defense funds if confirmed.

“Whatever funds are made available must be properly utilised. We must ensure that whatever we procure truly supports our armed forces in carrying out their duties.”

He insisted that improved accountability would significantly enhance the military’s operational capacity.

Musa cautioned against placing all expectations on the armed forces, arguing that military operations alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s complex security challenges.

“One mistake we make is thinking the armed forces can solve all the problems.

“The military solution is just 20 to 25 per cent. Effective policy and support from ministries, departments and agencies are essential.”

On late Brig. Musa Uba, the minster said “It was very unfortunate that he was captured. We will not stand to see terrorists have a way with it.

“No indolence or act of cowardice will be entertained. There are questions that must be answered. All found culpable will be brought to the book,” he said.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau said “You did very well as CDS to secure our country. Your relationship with all and sundry was outstanding. The tempo of attacks was going down,” he said.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan said the nomination of Musa was a nomination that everybody is saying yes.

“I saw in you a sense of duty and professionalism”.

Lawan explained that no investment in the armed was too much adding that the 2026 Budget should provide more for the armed forces.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio urged Musa to go straight into action to assist the government in tackling the insecurity in the country.

He kicked against negotiations with the terrorists saying that “Even when I was a state governor, I never negotiated with terrorists.

“I made the state so hot that each time we arrested a kidnapper, he would say, please forgive me, I didn’t know it was part of your state”.

He called for a review the policy of kinetic and non kinetic approaches to tackling insecurity.