Category Nigeria News

Nnamdi Kanu, a leader of the indigenous people of Biafra and currently detained, has opposed the Federal Government’s request for a resumption of his trial.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, revealed in a post on X on Tuesday.

His client Kanu claimed that the Federal Government had rejected the trial’s request to reopen it and that Justice Binta Nyako, the trial judge, should have ordered her to recuse herself.

Kanu’s lawyer, Ejimakor argued that Justice Nyako’s decision to recuse herself was still valid and binding.

Also, read: DHQ confirms that six soldiers were killed by ISWAP terrorists during a raid in Borno.

According to Justice Nyako, who entered and enrolled an order recusing herself on September 24, 2024, and that order has continued to exist and continue to exist, we hold that position. It has not been set aside by any competent court,” Ejimakor stated.

He further claimed that Kanu no longer has a case before Justice Nyako, and that the prosecution was trying to deceive the court.

“For the avoidance of doubt, as of September 24, 2024, the defendant no longer has any case to answer before Justice Binta Nyako,” Ejimakor said.

Kanu, who is facing terrorism and treason charges, has entered a not-guilty plea.

After returning from the United Kingdom to Nigeria on October 14, 2015, he was first detained at the Kuje correctional facility, where he was detained for the first time. In 2017, he was granted bail on health grounds.

Kanu later eluded the country and returned home after the military raided his home. He was later detained in Kenya in 2011 and later detained and brought back to Nigeria.

He was detained in the Department of State Services’ custody until 2021 when he was again apprehended in Kenya.

At the last court session on September 24, 2024, Kanu requested that Justice Nyako, recuse herself.

He cited her handling of the case as lacking in confidence.

Justice Nyako consented to her recusal and forwarded the case to the Federal High Court’s Chief Judge for rescheduling.

However, the Chief Judge returned the case to Justice Nyako, stating that two other judges had previously recused themselves, and Justice Nyako, having handled the matter since 2015, was best positioned to conclude it.

The Chief Judge instructed that if Kanu still wanted Justice Nyako to step aside, he must file a formal motion with an affidavit detailing his reasons, serve it on the prosecution, and await Justice Nyako’s determination.

Despite this directive, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), requested a new trial date in a December 5, 2024, letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court.

According to Awomolo, Justice Nyako was reinstated as the trial judge in the Chief Judge’s decision.

Demanding Justice Nyako’s withdrawal from his case at the previous proceedings, Kanu, who shouted down his lawyer and spoke for himself, maintained that he did not trust the judge to be impartial.

Justice Nyako rejected Kanu’s numerous requests for new bail.

My Lord, I have no confidence in this court any longer, and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not follow the Supreme Court’s order.

It is regrettable that the Supreme Court has refused to follow a court order, but I can understand why the DSS did that. Please recuse yourself from this situation, I ask. ”

However, the prosecution counsel,  Awomolo demanded that Justice Nyako take into account Kanu’s claim that he disobeyed a Supreme Court order and move forward with the hearing.

You should not recuse yourself based solely on this simple observation, which is unrelated to the Supreme Court, my Lord. It is an incompetent observation. We urge this court to proceed with the hearing,” Awomolo said.

However, Kanu vehemently disagreed, claiming that the Supreme Court’s remaining judgment was a copy of the document in his hand.

He then proceeded to read a section that claimed the judge’s impartiality was questioned based on the trial court’s actions.

He also attempted to persuade the judge that he was fed up with the trial, which he claimed violated constitutional rights, that his objection to her presided over his case was not personal.

Former finance commissioner under the governor’s administration, Bashir Saidu, is facing charges from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly committing money laundering and financial misappropriation.

The controversied former commissioner was detained by the Kaduna State Police command a few weeks ago for allegedly abusing public funds, and he was later remanded in custody at the state capital’s correctional facility.

The former finance commissioner was charged with the charge on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna by an assistant legal officer at the ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.

He was charged alongside a staff of the Ministry of Finance, Ibrahim Muktar.

READ ALSO: DHQ confirms that six soldiers were killed by ISWAP terrorists during a raid in Borno.

According to the suit number FHC /KD/IC/ 2025, the defendants are charged with a two-count charge of money laundering.

Part of the charge sheet reads: “Sometime in March 2022 or thereabouts, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, &nbsp, who at that time was commissioner of finance, did accept cash payment of the sum of N155m from one Ibrahim Muktar exceeding the amount authorised by law, which sum you received in cash through proxy to wit, Muazu Abdu, &nbsp, your Special Assistant and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section2 (a) and punishable under the Section 19 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, &nbsp, 2022”.

Additionally, the former commissioner is accused of indirectly obtaining control over the sum of N155 million that Muazu Abdu allegedly reasonably ought to have known, making up the proceeds of a criminal offense, including corruption, under Section 18 (2)(d) and Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Saidu held the positions of El-Rufai’s administration’s commissioner of finance, chief of staff to the government house, and commissioner of local government affairs.

The Islamic State/Boko Haram group raid on its military base in Borno State led to the confirmation of six soldiers’ deaths by the Defense Headquarters.

On Monday, Channels Television reported on the incident.

Two military officers claimed that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters reportedly launched a pre-dawn attack on a base in Sabon Gari in Borno State’s Damboa district on Sunday in a pre-dawn attack on trucks and motorcycles.

According to reports, the base and army vehicles were also set on fire by the insurgents. One of the officers, who was quoted by AFP, said, “We lost six soldiers in the ISWAP terrorists attack on the base after a long gun battle.

Fighter jets were reportedly deployed from the regional capital Maiduguri 100 kilometres (62 miles) away, and struck the attackers as they retreated.

In an update statement on Wednesday, the DHQ said although on the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered, six of its personnel were killed in action.

The DHQ also said its troops recovered over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

READ ALSO: ISWAP Raid On Borno Military Base Kills Six Soldiers

In a firefight, an undetermined number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks attacked soldiers stationed in SABON GARI Village of&nbsp, DAMBOA Local Government Area of Borno State on January 4, 2025. The terrorists had made an attempt to apprehend troops and retaliate against the recent killing of their commander and combatants.

When troops fighting patrol returning to base thwarted their planned attack right away, the terrorists were caught unaware. Additionally, the troop’s reinforcement team comprised of elements of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilantes as well as hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.

“Furthermore, though troops reinforcement team encountered an Improvise Explosive Device injuring the Vigilante Commander. Just in time to save the fugitive terrorist, the reinforcement team arrived.

” Furthermore, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorist. Attle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists had been killed and had recovered weapons.

“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons were recovered. Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, 6 personnel were killed in action.

Please take note that the names of the in-action personnel killed are kept secret to facilitate the completion of the administrative process for contacting their next of kin. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect the process, please. “

The armed forces reiterated that they are “profoundly aware” of their role and responsibility in putting an end to insurgency and terrorism in the country.

The troops are still working hard to defeat the terrorists, according to the statement.

Northern Nigeria has been ravaged by armed criminal organizations as well as jihadist organizations since 2009, including Boko Haram and a rival faction, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP).

Around two million people have been displaced from their northeastern homes as a result of the conflict, which has claimed more than 40 000 lives.

The body of late US President Jimmy Carter was moved to the US Capitol on Tuesday for a grand and somber military ceremony, where it will remain until a national funeral later this week.

Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100, served a single term from 1977-1981 and was widely praised for his post-presidential humanitarian efforts, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

READ ALSO: You Can Count On Nigeria’s Support, Tinubu Tells Ghana’s New President

His body arrived at the snow-covered US Capitol, where it will remain until Thursday, after a full day of ceremonious travel that began in his native Georgia.

Members of the public walked through the building’s rotunda for a live broadcast, with many of the viewers holding their hands in the air as they paid their respects to the late president.

“I&nbsp, paid&nbsp, my respects to President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state in the U. S. Capitol Rotunda today”, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on X. We join the Carter family and all Americans in observing this extraordinary life, legacy, and military service to our nation, in the name of the entire Department of Defense.

READ ALSO: Cabals In Tinubu’s Govt Dangerous, Sophisticated Than Buhari’s – Dalung

Carter’s flag-draped casket was flown to Washington via a US Air Force jet, leading the way to Capitol Hill by following the same route he did during his inauguration parade from the US Navy Memorial, an ode to his military service on submarines.

A recent winter storm that caused the closure of federal offices and schools in the area caused hundreds of US service members to accompany the procession down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Following his funeral, Carter’s family, members of Congress, and other dignitaries, including Vice President Kamala Harris, were present at the Capitol Rotunda, where a brief service was held.

Carter is the 13th former US president to slander in the Capitol. Abraham Lincoln, assassinated in 1865, was the first.

The ceremony has taken on added significance, coming a day after the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in which Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building in an attempt to block certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.

With the complex under heavy security and without any disruption, Congress officially certified Trump’s victory over Harris on Monday.

The National Cathedral, a Washington Episcopal church that also hosted funerals for former presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush, will hold a state funeral service on Thursday.

Biden, the current president, will deliver the eulogy to his fellow Democrat.

All four living former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Trump — are expected to attend.

Federal government offices will be closed for the day due to Biden’s declaration of a national day of mourning on Thursday.

He has also ordered flags to half-staff for 30 days as is customary, which means that will be the case during Trump’s January 20 inauguration, something the Republican has criticized.

Carter, the first president to have triple digits, passed away in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he was buried next to his late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in February 2023.

Éric Sékou Chelle has been named as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The NFF Executive Committee, which endorsed the recommendations of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee, made the statement released by the NFF communication departments on Tuesday evening.

Chelle, a 47-year-old French-Malian coach, has a wealth of experience in African football.

He led the Malian national team to an impressive performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire as head coach.

Chelle’s Mali team narrowly lost to the hosts and eventual winners, Cote d’Ivoire, in the quarterfinals.

As a player, Chelle had a successful career in France, featuring for several clubs including Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.

Additionally, he won five caps for the national team of Malawi.

Chelle’s coaching career has seen him manage several clubs in France and North Africa, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran.

Chelle’s appointment as the Super Eagles’ head coach comes as a first step, and he will be responsible for helping the team advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of&nbsp, Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

The NFF Technical a^nd Development Sub-Committee recomme^nded the appointment of the former senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles at its “meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, February 2, 2025.”

“This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7^th January endorsed by ^the NFF Executive Committee”, ^the federation’s website revealed

READ ALSO: Super Eagles To Get Substantive Coach ‘ Any Moment From Now, ‘ Says Pinnick

His appointment comes as a result of his swift action and responsibility to help the Super Eagles advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the start of Matchdays 5 & 6 in March.

Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022.