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‘Kanu’s life in jeopardy’, lawyer writes Buhari’s ministers, Onyeama, Malami

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'Kanu's life in jeopardy', lawyer writes Buhari's ministers, Onyeama

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to act on the directive of the United Nations Working Group to free the IPOB Leader from detention.

In a letter made available by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor on Saturday, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama was also copied.

The petition reminded the two ministers that their offices are responsible to enforce Kanu’s unconditional release as demanded by UN, stating that his arrest in Kenya last year contravened the international law.

It partly read: “We are Solicitors to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (hereafter: our Client), on whose behalf and instruction we write this obvious Letter.

“We believe your good Office is already in receipt of the 17-page Opinion (no.25/2022) adopted by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (at its Ninety-Third Session, 30 March -8 April 2022) dated 20 July 2022 on the illegal/arbitrary arrest & the continuous detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Cover Letter from the United Nations indicated that the Opinion was forwarded to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 21st July, 2022 i.e. forty-eight hours earlier than the 23rd of July, 2022 when we received the copy from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention hereafter referred to as; ‘the Working Group’.

“The copy of the Opinion to our client is attached for your ease of reference.

“As you must have noted, the Opinion demanded the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately and unconditionally release our client; Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations for his continued unlawful detention.

“To be more graphic, herein are some few extracts from the 114 Paragraph Opinion:
23. …, by placing Mr. Kanu in solitary confinement and denying him necessary medical care to treat his heart condition, the Federal Government of Nigeria subjected him to torture, in violation of the Convention Against Torture. …. such violation makes Mr. Kanu’s detention arbitrary under article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 9 (1) of the Covenant.

READ ALSO: Release, compensate Nnamdi Kanu now, UN tells Nigerian govt

“25.. In this regard, …. the Federal Government of Nigeria arrested Mr. Kanu on terrorism-related offenses in 2015 and attempted to assassinate him on 10 September 2017, in an army-led attack that killed five individual and wounded 30 others. Further, on 21 September 2017 the Federal Government of Nigeria reportedly listed the Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organization during ex parte proceedings lacking elements of due process, including notice and the opportunity to be heard, and based on the President’s assertions alone. …… United Nations experts have raised concerns as to the justification and legality of the organization’s listing on the terrorist list.

  1. Similarly, in Resolution 12/16, the Human Right Council called on States to refrain from imposing restrictions which are not consistent with article 9 (3), including ….expression of opinion and dissent. Religion or belief.”

The lawyer also said Kanu’s health conditions which need urgent medical attention is one of the reasons for demanding his freedom.

“96. Further, ….., following his rendition to Nigeria, Mr. Kanu was detained in solitary confinement within the headquarters of the Department in Abuja, Nigeria.

“He is reportedly currently still held in a very small cell where he is exposed to daily psychological and mental torture without access to other inmates or any other person except for the Department officers. Mr. Kanu is also allegedly denied access to reading or writing materials and has been refused access to professional medical care despite a serious heart ailment. ….

“Mr. Kanu’s life is in jeopardy and that he suffers from medical condition occasioned by gradual depletion of potassium in his system, which has defied any medical solution given to him within the Department facilities,” it added.

It added, “Your Excellency, we are sending this demand Letter to you because we believe that the subject matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Relations Ministry of Nigeria, as it is the duty of the Ministry to, among other things, ensure that Nigeria complies with her obligations under international law.

“This Nigeria cannot afford to squander. It is opportunity to explore a more reconciliatory path to resolving the Biafra question.

“In view of all the foregoing, we mostly respectfully ask you to bring your good Office to bear on the Government of Nigeria to unconditionally release our Client, Nnamdi Kanu within a reasonable time after the receipt of this Letter.”

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Lagos Market On Fire As Hoodlums Clash [Video]

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Numerous individuals sustained injuries following a confrontation between rival groups in the Ile-Epo vicinity of Lagos State.

According to reports, the altercation erupted within the local market on Wednesday night and persisted into Thursday morning.

During the clash, several shops were set ablaze, and merchandise was vandalized. Despite efforts by law enforcement, the intervention was hindered by the aggressors.

This morning, a fire service truck attempting to enter the market was compelled to retreat after being bombarded with stones by unidentified assailants.

See video below:

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NGX Group Releases Stellar Q1 ’24 Numbers

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NGX: Transactions maintain bearish trend with 0.0% loss

The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has unveiled stellar Q1 2024 results, signaling a promising trajectory for the company.

Biztellers reports that this is coming shortly after the company’s 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

From the results made available on Thursday, the Group reported an impressive N2 billion in Profit before Tax (PBT), bolstered by robust growth in operating margins and operational efficiencies.

From the results, Profit After Tax (PAT) rose to N1.3 billion, marking a remarkable 332% increase from the N310 million recorded in Q1 2023.

The NGX claims that “This exceptional performance underscores the group’s unwavering commitment to excellence and strategic growth initiatives”.

Recall that at the AGM, the NGX Group announced plans to capitalize on digital distribution for the upcoming recapitalization exercises mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Additionally, the group disclosed a strategic acquisition of a stake in the Ethiopian Stock Exchange, securing a seat on the bourse’s board.

These decisive moves align with the group’s overarching strategy to expand its business operations and solidify its position in the regional market.

In a bid to secure long-term sustainability and drive growth, the NGX Group implemented a strategic optimization initiative. This comprehensive plan encompasses a strategic reduction in workforce size, accompanied by significant salary increases for retained staff.

The initiative aims to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and optimize resources, fostering a more competitive and agile organization.

The exercise follows a thorough review of the group’s operations, which revealed opportunities for optimization and improved competitiveness. The NGX Group remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for sustainable growth.

The recent approval by shareholders of a N10 billion capital raise underscores investor confidence in the NGX Group’s strategic direction and its unwavering commitment to driving sustainable growth and value creation.

The NGX Group remains dedicated to serving its customers, partners, and stakeholders, confident that these strategic measures will pave the way for future success. The company’s focus remains on innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for growth.

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Premium 86-Room-Under-Bridge Apartment Uncovered At Ikoyi, Lagos

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The Lagos State government has uncovered an 86-room under bridge apartment in the Ikoyi Area of the state, where tenants pay as much as N250,000 annually as rent, per room.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, made the disclosure in text and video clips on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

He revealed that the apartment is under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, and has 86 partitioned rooms, sized “10×10 and 12×10”.

According to Wahab the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

He wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, shed more light on the matter.

He gave kudos to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as KAI for the feat, who cleared up the mess on Tuesday, arresting some of people in the process.

Rotimi-Akodu, who also shared text and video clips of the development, wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.

“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.

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