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FG can’t fairly prosecute Nnamdi Kanu for terrorism charges – Igbo ministers

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CJN of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat kekete -Ekun

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi, Abuja

The Igbo Ministers Commission of South East has again restated that the Nigerian government cannot fairly prosecute the leader of the Igbo nation agitators, Nnamdi Kanu on terrorism charges and any other offense known to law.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB

The group in objecting to the trial of Kanu by the federal government, predicated its opposition on the alleged breach by the country of its own laws and international obligations.

In a statement on Thursday, in Abuja, the Ministers faulted the way and manner Kanu was brought in 2021 to the country through what they described as “kidnapping and state sponsored international banditry”.

Rev Tony Uzo Anthony, the international President of the concerned Igbo Ministers Commission signed the statement on behalf of his colleagues.

The statement read in part “We understand that the upcoming trial of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, scheduled to begin on 21 March 2025 in Abuja, has raised many questions and concerns.

“As this case is of great public interest, we believe it is important to break down the key legal issues in simple terms so that everyone can understand what is at stake.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the great and noble family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is being tried on charges related to terrorism- they have abandoned treason and treasonable felony after many years of maligning our leader and peddling worthless charges all because they want to cripple his legitimate right to agitate for Biafra.

“The fact remains that the way he was brought back to Nigeria—through kidnapping and state sponsored international banditry—has raised serious legal questions.

“The Supreme Court judgement that nullified the sound judgement of the Appeal Court that discharged him and referred the matter back to the high court, is now dead on arrival. This case is restarting from scratch (de Novo), which means all previous proceedings are set aside, and the trial will begin anew.

“Can Nigeria prosecute Onyendu for Terrorism After Breaking International Laws? Nigeria’s Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA) 2022 defines terrorism as acts committed to further an ideology (political, religious, racial, or ethnic) that violate international treaties.

“The abduction of Onyendu, an act described as criminal by the Nigeria’s apex court, violated several international treaties Nigeria has signed. This raises the question: Can a government that breaks its own laws and international obligations fairly prosecute someone for terrorism?

“Section 19(d) of the Nigerian Constitution requires the government to respect international laws and treaties. By abducting the IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the government of Nigeria has broken these laws as confirmed by the Supreme Court, which weakens Nigeria’s moral and legal standing in this case.

“The TPPA 2022 replaced an older law, the TPPA 2013. The new law allows the government to continue using the old law for cases that started before the change.

“However, since this case is restarting from scratch, courts have ruled that old laws cannot be used for new cases. This means the government will not be able to rely on the old law to charge him.

“Starting de Novo means the case is beginning anew, as if the previous trial never happened. This makes it harder for the government to use old laws or past actions to justify new charges. This means that he can no longer be charged under the old law which is the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act (TPAA) 2013.

“This case is not just about Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; it is about the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. If the government can break its own laws and international treaties, it sets a dangerous precedent for how citizens are treated. A fair and transparent trial is essential to uphold justice and maintain public trust in the legal system.

“We urge the international community to prevail upon the Nigerian government to
ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s trial is conducted in the open and is seen to be fair and transparent, in line with the laws of Nigeria and especially its Constitution and international laws.

“Government should avoid using outdated laws to prosecute him, as this would be against legal principles and a violation of the Constitution of Nigeria. It should uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights, which are the foundation of any democratic society.

“The trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice and the rule of law. We call on all nations and peoples of the world to pay attention to this case and demand a process that is fair, transparent, and respectful of the municipal laws and international obligations.

“Together, we can ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done”, the statement said.

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Law & Crime

EFCC acted in bad faith in charges against Peace Corps chiefs on contract issue

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National Commandant Dr Dickson Akoh

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) of acting in bad faith on arraignment of its National Commandant Dr Dickson Akoh and Director of Finance , Mrs Omolola Aminat Ahmed at the FCT High Court in Abuja on December 11.

The Corps said that the arraignment of its two bosses on contractual transaction was unlawful, illegal and uncalled for in the first instance .

In a statement on Friday in Abuja by its Media Consultant, Comrade Peterhot Apeh, Peace Corps said that it was wrong of the EFCC to have criminalized a simple civil contract transaction between Peace Corps of Nigeria and JETHEL Nigeria Global Resources Limited ,

PCN in the statement, recalled that contract No; 101/PCN50 for the production of badges of ranks, Nigerian/Service Badges, Beret badges and related kits was freely awarded to Jethel Nigeria Limited on July 12, 2024 and freely accepted by the company on the same day in writing by its Managing Director, Okocha Jones Gido.

The Corps said that challenges arose in the payment of the contract sum when Police unlawfully sealed off its National Secretariat in Abuja which till date, has crippled the activities of the organization .

Specifically, Peace Corps said that it was unable to effect full payment for the contract sum due to the inability to sell the badges to its members across the country as a result of the sealing off of its Secretariat .

The organization recalled that Jethel company had on March 6, 2025 petitioned the Police on the matter and Police in a letter with No; 3000/IGP-SEC/MU/ABJ/T.2/Vol.115 of March 6, 2025 invited the National Commandant in respect of the matter.

After taking arguments from the two parties, the office of the Inspector General of Police IGP practically resolved the matter with a conclusion after investigation that the issue in dispute was a simple business transaction fully documented by the two parties.

The Police however committed the Peace Corps of Nigeria and Jethel Limited to an agreement by the two parties in writing to facilitate short term payment .

Peace Corps noted with happiness that in compliance with police facilitated agreement, it had on December 9, 2025 made the first part payment of N20million to keep faith with the agreement.

PCN however noted with regret that four days after the office of IGP resolved the matter specifically, March 10, 2025, Jethel still took similar petition to EFCC in flagrant breach of the agreement reached at the Police Headquarters.

Rather than following the lawful and civil resolution adopted at the Police Headquarters, EFCC took side with Jethel Limited with unnecessary harrasment and intimidation of the two Peace Corps Chiefs in simple civil contract matter.

The organization took swipe at the EFCC when its Director of Finance on December 9 went to its Abuja office to present the evidence of N20million part payment for the contract sum, only for EFCC, rather than appreciating the payment, unlawfully arrested and detained the lady .

Peace Corps also expressed sadness that the same EFCC has audacity to arrest and detain the National Commandant when he went there to effect the release of the detained officer .

While faulting the EFCC for unprofessional conduct exhibited in the simple civil contract award, especially for acting as debt recovery agency for the contractor, Peace Corps warned the anti-corruption agency to stop the impunity of criminalising simple business transactions .

The organization called on EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede who by training, is a lawyer to wade into the unlawful acts of its operatives, especially those involved in the instant matter by calling them to order .

PCN particularly noted with deep concerns that the arraignment of its National Commandant and Director of Finance was borne out of malice because of their refusal to cooperate with operatives to compromise the matter.

The Peace Corps urged the EFCC boss to always obey and respect order of courts in the discharge of EFCC functions adding that a High Court in Abuja by Justice J.E Obanor had on August 11, 2025 ordered EFCC to maintain status-quo in respect of the contract dispute between Peace Corps of Nigeria and Jethel Limited .

The order of the court followed a motion filed against EFCC by Peace Corps Director of Finance, Omolola Ahmed, in which she prayed the court to stop EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining her in respect of the contract .

The PCN also noted that another Abuja High Court through Justice Edward Okpe had on April 7, 2025, restrained Jethel Limited from further harrasing, arresting or taking any adverse steps against Dr Dickson Akoh in respect of the contract dispute .

Peace Corps therefore demanded that the charges against its two Chiefs be immediately terminated from court so that EFCC will not be acting unlawfully as a debt recovery agency for anybody or organization.

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Law & Crime

Glo Mobile, NCC, Megatech Sued over breach of contract, refusal to pay USD 9, 578, 947 contractual fee

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Judicial logo

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Telecommunication giant, Glo Mobile Limited, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and an indigenous company, Megatech Engineering Limited have been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged breach of contractual agreement.

They were sued by an indigenous Company, Mosakab Nigeria Limited and its promoter, Mashood Mustapha, who are claiming over N20billinon as damages for the unlawful contractual agreement breach.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1534/2024, the two plaintiffs are praying the court for an order voiding or setting aside the sale of the Spectrum Licence in the 2.6 GHZ Band by Megatech to Glomobile on the ground that the purported sale was accentuated by fraud and illegality.

The suit has Megatech Engineering Limited, Glo Mobile and NCC as 1st to 3rd defendants.

In the suit filed by George Ibrahim SAN of Ogwu James Onoja SAN law firm in Abuja, the two plaintiffs asked the court to order Megatech to honour its monetary obligation of ten million US dollars due to them in their Consultancy Agreement executed of June 29, 2017.

Also, they are praying for an order compelling the NCC to revoke the Spectrum License in the 2.6 GHB Band issued to Megatech in March 2020 at their facilitation as Consultants.

Besides, the aggrieved plaintiffs asked that Megatech be ordered to pay them N5bn for breach of contract and another N10bn as general damage for the injury inflicted on them through the breach of the contract.

Similarly, they want the court to order Megatech to allot between 5 to 10 percent of its outstanding shares to the second plaintiff in line with the executed Consultancy agreement of June 29, 2017.

In their statement of claims, the plaintiffs averred that Megatech Company in 2017 consulted and retained their service as consultants to facilitate and secure the procurement of 2.5/2.6 GHZ Band for National License operation.

In furtherance to the engagement, the 1st plaintiff, Mosakab Nigeria Limited was said to have executed a formal agreement in June of the same year prompting its promoter to deploy both human and material resources for the realization of the agreement.

After series of meetings with government agencies, the NCC in March 26, 2020 was said to have offered a Spectrum License of 40 MHZ (TDD) on 2.6 GHZ Band to Megatech for nationwide deployment for a period of 5 years.

After series of correspondences on behalf of Megatech with NCC, plaintiffs claimed that statutory payments were made by the company.

The plaintiffs however claimed that along the lines, Megatech opted to share the Spectrum Band with Glomobile and that they as consultants achieved the feat with NCC and their resources of USD 250, 000

They averred that trouble began when Megatech reneged in the payment of USD 10M due to them but only paid USD 421,052 leaving a balance of USD 9, 578, 947 unpaid despite the formal agreement.

Megatech after taken the benefits of the Spectrum Band allocation was said to have entered into agreement with Glomobile to sell its interest without paying the plaintiffs, outstanding USD 9, 578, 947 as contained in the agreement.

They therefore prayed the court for declaration that they carried out their obligations as contained in the agreement and that they are entitled to be paid USD 9, 578, 947 as outstanding balance.

Plaintiffs also asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them N50M as cost of litigation.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar has fixed March 3, 2026 for hearing of the suit.

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Law & Crime

FG hands over 100 Released abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic School to Gov Bago of Niger State

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Released Abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council of Niger state

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Federal Government has Hand over the 100 abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council,to governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State,at the government house, Minna Monday 8th December 2025.

The National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu represented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong stated that since the abduction of the children on 21st November 2025,at the school hostel Papiri, federal government has been working assiduous to ensure their rescue and safe return.

Ribadu noted that to ensure the policies to protect the rights of every Nigerian child is safe,had reiterated the unwavering commitment of the security agencies to come up with measures to protect the country and the citizens.

Earlier,Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago who was emotional while receiving the 100 children, appreciated President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for their swift actions in rescuing and recovering of the children.

Bago promised that the rest students still in captivity will be recovered in no distance time and to be re-unite with their parents, appealed for sustainable prayers to ensure their safe return.

In Bago words”.Today is fundamental in redefining the history of Niger state, I am emotionally broken down due to the ages and size of this children, medical officials have been directed to examine their health status to ensure they are healthy”. He added.

The governor stressed that the state government is working in collaboration with the CAN, UNICEF and other relevant authorities to ensure safe return of all the remaining abducted students.

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