Law & Crime
AVID Berates Justice Omotosho’s Ruling, …Cautions of plot to deny Kanu of Fair Hearing
By George Mgbeleke
The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has condemned what it described as a “continuing judicial travesty” in the ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
AVID, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID expressed “grave concern and total condemnation” over what it called the erosion of constitutional and judicial standards in Kanu’s case.
The statement alleged that the trial lacked legal foundation and violated both domestic and international principles of fair hearing.
“Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear under Section 36(12) that no person shall be tried for any criminal offence unless that offence and its penalty are defined in a written law,” the group stated.
“This is a non-derogable constitutional safeguard, a cornerstone of due process, and a measure of any civilized nation’s commitment to justice.”
According to AVID, the Nigerian government continues to prosecute Kanu under the repealed Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013, despite the enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which replaced it.
“Yet, before the world and under Justice Omotosho’s watch, the Nigerian state persists in trying Mazi Nnamdi Kanu under a dead law — the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 — which ceased to exist upon the enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” AVID said.
“Justice Omotosho, contrary to the mandatory duty of judicial notice under Section 122(2)(a) of the Evidence Act, has refused to acknowledge this repeal. This is not a mere oversight; it is a judicial dereliction of constitutional duty.”
The group further faulted the judge’s alleged decision to defer ruling on issues of jurisdiction and double jeopardy until final judgment, insisting that such questions strike at the root of any criminal trial.
“Justice Omotosho’s posture of ‘wait till judgment’ on questions of jurisdiction, double jeopardy, and validity of charge is the opposite of established precedents of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the statement noted.
“Jurisdictional defects strike at the root of a case and must be determined forthwith, not deferred. No court, no matter how highly placed, can arrogate to itself jurisdiction it does not possess,” the statement emphasised.
AVID cited Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which, it said, requires that any alleged terrorism committed abroad must also constitute an offence in the jurisdiction where it occurred — in this case, Kenya, where Kanu was allegedly abducted.
“This double criminality requirement has not been met, yet the judge insists on proceeding, thus nullifying the moral and legal foundation of the entire trial,” the group argued.
The organization also accused Nigeria’s legal and judicial institutions of silence in the face of what it termed “constitutional infidelity.”
“It is appalling that in the face of such manifest constitutional infidelity, Nigeria’s legal institutions — the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Judicial Council (NJC), and so-called legal analysts — have chosen cowardly silence,” the group lamented.
“A nation whose lawyers fear to ask, ‘Under what law is this man being tried?’ has surrendered its conscience to tyranny,” the group added.
AVID also expressed concern over what it called “the destruction of every element of fair hearing” guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the Constitution.
“From the denial of access to lawyers and family in DSS custody to the judicial disregard of documentary evidence before the court, every element of fair hearing has been destroyed in Justice Omotosho’s court,” it said.
Citing an incident in open court, the veterans’ group claimed Kanu had asked for a brief recess in the judge’s chambers “to prevent the judiciary’s embarrassment” but was denied.
“When Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in court, asked for a five-minute recess in the judge’s chambers to prevent the judiciary’s embarrassment, he was rebuffed,” AVID said.
“When he raised the profound constitutional question — ‘Under what law am I being tried?’ — Justice Omotosho retorted, ‘Wait till judgment.’ That a sitting Federal High Court judge can preside over a criminal trial without identifying a subsisting law is the ultimate indictment of Nigeria’s judicial decay,” AVID stressed.
The group called on international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the U.S. Department of State, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to monitor and document what it described as “ongoing judicial abuses in Nigeria.”
“The trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in its present form, is not just a constitutional aberration but an affront to international human rights standards on fair trial and rule of law,” the statement read.
AVID urged Nigeria to “choose between law and lawlessness,” saying the ongoing proceedings undermine the nation’s claim to democracy.
“Justice Omotosho’s courtroom has become a theatre of constitutional absurdity — a place where a man is asked to defend himself against a non-existent law, where judicial notice is optional, and where constitutional provisions are treated as irritants,” the group said.
“If Nigeria still claims to be a constitutional democracy, it must immediately halt this charade, restore the rule of law, and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.”
Law & Crime
Glo Mobile, NCC, Megatech Sued over breach of contract, refusal to pay USD 9, 578, 947 contractual fee
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.
Law & Crime
FG hands over 100 Released abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic School to Gov Bago 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.
Law & Crime
Xmas : IPOB assures Igbos of hitch-free Xmas celebration, begs them to return en masse
By Our Correspondent
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sunday, begged Ndigbo living within Nigeria and in Diaspora who plan to come home for the Christmas festivities to do so, assuring that its security outfit, Eastern Security Network, (ESN, operatives and IPOB volunteers will ensure security throughout the entire South East region within the period under review.
Making the urge through its image maker, Emma Powerful, the movement said that, “The South East Region is Nigeria’s most tranquil area. Despite the sponsored instability in the East over the last 4 years, the security conditions have notably enhanced.
“The government and their backed criminals have depleted their orchestrated insecurity employed to blackmail IPOB and ESN. Despite all the antics and deadly deeds of hyenas and jackals, the landowners remain present to defend and hold onto their territory. The Eastern region has consistently been secure and will always remain secure since Ndigbo are inherently peaceful.
“Thus, we urge Ndigbo and their friends wishing to visit Ala Igbo this Christmas to return home and experience the warmth of the Land of the Rising Sun. Our people need to disregard the funded and exaggerated media effort portraying insecurity in the Biafra region.
“We acknowledge that there are areas of insecurity in Biafra Land, as we are affected by the broader insecurity occurring in Nigeria. Nonetheless, IPOB and ESN, alongside the support of Ndigbo, have performed admirably in maintaining the security of Alaigbo relative to other areas.
“We aim to take this opportunity to clarify the false rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged kidnapping of some passengers at Ngor Okpala along the Owerri – Aba expressway recently. The mentioned kidnapping event was false.
“The footage of the abduction incident was an old clip that reappeared on social media. Numerous security tasks have been carried out discreetly by the ESN Operatives without any social media attention. The public should be aware that ESN lacks any social media accounts.
“Do not anticipate observing their activities on social media apart from those that IPOB leadership has authorized for posting. The absence of continuous killings and abductions in that Eastern region serves as evidence that there are Lions guarding the Land. Those spreading the falsehood that ESN Operatives have been wiped out should question the Fulani terrorists about their avoidance of the Eastern region. The Igbo proverb states, “onye si na Osimmiri atala, ya tinye ukwu ya” (whoever claims a river is dry should place their feet in it).
“The Nigerian government, along with certain self-serving Igbo politicians, has attempted and been unsuccessful in breaking up ESN and IPOB. The Biafra Restoration project led by IPOB is a sacred initiative. Thus, darkness cannot eliminate light. The restoration of Biafra is a summons from Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty), and it will materialize at the appropriate moment. In the end, we invite our people to come back home for Christmas in large numbers and to also bring some investments to be made in our region.
“Do not allow anyone or the government to use fear tactics to make you abandon Biafra Land. We greet you during this joyful season. May God bless each of you and provide safe travels on roads, oceans, and in the air. Iseeeee”, IPOB prayed.
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