NEWS
Lawmaker Visits Nnamdi Kanu, Resolves Lawyers’ Access Restrictions
Obi Aguocha, a lawmaker representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, recently visited Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The visit, on Thursday, October 24, 2024, was part of ongoing efforts to seek a political resolution to Kanu’s prolonged detention.
Kanu was initially arrested in Kenya on June 27, 2021, and later extradited to Nigeria, where he now faces charges including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement of violence through his broadcasts on Radio Biafra.
A statement released on Saturday by Aguocha’s media team indicated that Kanu’s legal representatives had recently reached out to the lawmaker, expressing concerns over restricted access to their client.
The statement read in part, “A few days ago, the lawyers to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu reached out to his Honourable member, Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituency. This was about the long-running difficulties being encountered by the legal team in their efforts to gain access and meet with their client.
“Hon Obi Aguocha took urgent steps in writing the Department of State Security and Tajudeen Abbas, Honourable Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, seeking their immediate intervention.
READ MORE: BREAKING: CAF Penalize Libya With Match Forfeit, $50,000 Fine
“A meeting of the aforementioned was positive to the effect that Hon Obi Aguocha having inquired from the DSS, who informed that the seeming pause to accessing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was occasioned by his lawyers asking the judge to recuse herself, which requires further legal process and is also known to both parties.
“Hon. Obi Aguocha had a physical audience with Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday, 24th of October 2024, in the company of an immediate family member, Ms Ezioma Stella Ikpo Hon. Obi Aguocha fully briefed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu about the circumstances during their meeting.”
The statement further noted that the legal team have now been granted access to Kanu.
“A resolution was reached regarding the lack of access to Nnamdi Kanu by his legal team, who hereby are granted the requisite access to their client”, the statement added.
It also commended the DSS leadership in its handling of the medical needs of Kanu, saying “Nnamdi Kanu is keeping well and looks strong.
“Hon Aguocha appreciates the commendable efforts of the new leadership of the DSS in ensuring that Nnamdi Kanu’s healthcare needs are met, including the approval of his request for access and attention to private medical care and to a doctor of his choice, to which Hon Obi Aguocha is pleased to confirm that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has received private medical attention as recently as October 3, 2024.
“Hon Aguocha deeply appreciates the uncommon and courageous effort of the Honourable Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives for his quick intervention, which has facilitated these positive outcomes.
“It should be noted that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended and other relevant instruments of the United Nations should be upheld.
“Hon Obi Aguocha remains optimistic that in the end, a political solution will be achieved, leading to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and also for the peace and stability of the South-East.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt Chairman By Police
The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
READ ALSO: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others
Fans Celebrate Davido As Nigerian Superstar Turns 32
CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
