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HURIWA Insists NNAMDI KANU Must Be Given Fair Hearing Right to Defend Himself in an Unfettered Manner

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Our Correspondent

Prominent pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) not to enforce any kind of limitations and loss of privacy on the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu just as the Rights group said it behoves on the Federal High Court, Abuja division, to ensure that the DSS is not impeding the right of NNAMDI Kanu to defend himself in an UNFETTERED manner.

HURIWA said it was also bothered by speculation in the media that the executive branch of government has mounted pressure on the Federal High Court to stiffle NNAMDI Kanu’s rights to adequate defence so as to arrive at a predetermined severe sanction of the death penalty.

HURIWA said any attempt to execute Mazi NNAMDI Kanu just for exercising his fundamental human right to freedom of expression and the rights embedded in the International Covenant on Human and Peoples Rights to canvass for legal self determination would be considered as a brutal extraconstitutional measure and would instigate popular revolts in the South East of Nigeria and thereby complicate the already tensed security atmosphere in Igboland.

“We hope the speculation of a plot to sentence Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to death or life term, remains a huge misinformation because of the far-reaching implications it will have for the security and well-being of the people of the South-East of Nigeria. The Federal High Court must ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done by compelling the officers of the Department of State Services to allow the unlawfully detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to have his full right to defend the charges the government has framed against him”.

HURIWA said it was worried that the family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS), “is deliberately stopping him from preparing his defence in court”, warning that this ugly development might result in his absence in court on Friday.

This was contained in a statement issued by Price Emmanuel Kanu on Thursday night, on behalf of the family.

The family called on the international community to urge Nigeria to stop violating Kanu’s right to a fair hearing.

Efforts to elicit a response from the DSS were unsuccessful, as some personnel of the Department of State Services did not speak with reporters.

Below is a full text of the statement made available to the media in Umuahia, Abia state: “The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), wishes to inform the public and the international community that the Department of State Services (DSS) is deliberately stopping him from preparing his defence in court.

“In the last few days, the DSS has made it almost impossible for Mazi Kanu to have proper access to his lawyers, family members, and key witnesses. The DSS has also refused to allow him to file the court documents he needs for his case, which is scheduled for Friday, 7 November 2025.

Due to these actions, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu may not be able to appear in court on Friday, not because he does not want to, but because he has been denied the opportunity to prepare and defend himself.

“How DSS is blocking his fair hearing:
The DSS has been doing the following:
Stopping his visitors, including family members, lawyers, and recording his meetings with lawyers & family, instead of allowing private and free discussion as required by law.

“Refusing to give him access to a computer and printer necessary for the preparation of his processes and blocking him from filing his own court papers.

“Declining to take him to the court registry to submit the documents he intends to use for his defence.
These actions are in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and basic human rights. Every accused person has the right to facilities to help him prepare adequately and to interact freely with their lawyers, family, witnesses, prepare for court, and defend themselves — but the DSS is stopping Mazi Kanu from doing so.

HURIWA condemns the reported denial of the right of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to defend himself and therefore asked the Federal High Court not to allow the Department of State Services to disallow the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to have unimpeded access to materials and information from his team of lawyers so he can mount vigorous defence against the charges slammed on him by the Federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are appealing to the Director General of the Department of State Services to continue to demonstrate his willingness to adhere strictly to the principles of the Rule of law by ensuring that his foot soldiers are not in the illegal habit of denying Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of all his constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing given that section 36(5) of the Constitution states that “Accused persons are innocent in the eyes of the law until a contrary determination is reached”, just as HURIWA reminded the DSS that under section 6 of the Constitution the courts of competent jurisdiction such as the Federal High Court has the judicial powers of the Federation to adjudicate over all matters both criminal and civil before the court by defendants as presented by the prosecutors.

“The defendant been Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must never be denied of his right to vigorously defend himself from the allegations framed before the court of law against his person by the federal government.”

Law & Crime

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

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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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Law & Crime

Xmas : IPOB assures Igbos of hitch-free Xmas celebration, begs them to return en masse

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

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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