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HURIWA Condemns Nnamdi Kanu’s Judgment, Says Court Denied Fair Hearing and Ignored Core Constitutional Issues*

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, describing it as a travesty of justice and a violation of the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing. The group said the ruling failed to address critical legal and constitutional questions raised by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, particularly his objections that he was being tried under a repealed counter-terrorism law and that the court lacked the competence to proceed while related appeals were still pending before higher courts.

HURIWA said the judgment amounted to what it called judicial haste, judicial avoidance, and judicial injustice, insisting that the court should have suspended its decision until the Court of Appeal resolved the outstanding jurisdictional and procedural disputes. The association questioned why Justice Omotosho appeared determined to rush to judgment despite Kanu’s repeated insistence that fresh motions and notices had been filed at the appellate court challenging the legality of the trial, the non-existence of the charges, the refusal of the prosecution to respond to his applications, and the use of an already repealed law to frame the allegations against him.

According to court records referenced by the group, Kanu personally informed the judge that he had filed processes challenging the validity of the charges under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, which was replaced by the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. He maintained that the charge sheet failed to disclose any existing written law as required under Section 36(12) of the Constitution, a defect he said vitiated the entire trial. Despite these objections, HURIWA noted that Justice Omotosho insisted at various points that he would go on to deliver judgment regardless of the pending matters, a posture the rights group described as judicial aggression against due process.

HURIWA criticised the court for refusing to address what it called the most fundamental issue in the case: why the Federal Government was prosecuting Kanu under a law that no longer exists. The group said nothing in Nigerian jurisprudence allows a criminal trial to stand where the charge is incompetent or based on an inoperative statute, adding that longstanding judicial authorities require courts to first resolve any questions touching on jurisdiction, constitutionality, and the validity of charges before proceeding to judgment.

The association further accused the court of violating Section 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing and adequate time and facilities for a defendant to prepare a defence. It said the ruling was inconsistent with established decisions such as Adeniyi v. State, which holds that jurisdictional objections must be resolved before trial; Deduwa v. Okorodudu, where the Supreme Court held that even a likelihood of unfairness vitiates proceedings; and Ogba v. State, which mandates courts to address all essential issues raised by an accused person before judgment is delivered.

HURIWA faulted the judge’s conclusion that Kanu deliberately refused to enter his defence, describing the claim as disingenuous and misleading. It explained that Kanu repeatedly stated he could not open his defence until the court determined the legality and competence of the charges, a stance the group said aligns with Nigerian criminal procedure principles. It argued that the exceptional circumstances of the case required judicial restraint, not speed, particularly given the unresolved appeals on extraordinary rendition, the legality of the charges, constitutional reference requests, and challenges to the validity of the charge sheet.

The rights organisation concluded that the judgment is fundamentally defective because the court failed to address the repealed-law issue, denied Kanu adequate opportunity to present his defence, proceeded despite pending appeals, and ignored established authorities on fair hearing and jurisdiction. It called on the National Judicial Council to review the conduct of the proceedings and urged the Court of Appeal to overturn what it described as a ruling that offends both the law and the conscience of the nation.

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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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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