News
IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu tells Justice Nyako to recuse herself from trying him on terrorism charges
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused herself from trying the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Nyako remitted the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho for reassignment to another judge, following the lack of no confidence in her by the complainant, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who has been in detention questioned the jurisdiction of Justice Nyako to continue to try him on terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria and urged that she recuse herself from further trying him.
The IPOB leader has been on terrorism trial since 2021 that he was detained in the facility of the Department of State Services, DSS with the case being halted on Monday following Justice Nyako recusing herself in an oral application by his defence lawyer on 24th September, 2024.
The Chief Judge however, rejected the case file brought before him by Justice Nyako, insisting that Kanu’s application for Justice Binta Nyako to recuse herself must come through formal application by way of motion on notice.
Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial of the IPOB leader.
Opposing the request for a trial date, the defence counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024, said the ruling of Justice Nyako recusing herself remains valid.
Ejimakor asked that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it, a request which was not granted.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Nyako said the Chief Judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her.
She asked the defence team, led by Aloy Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.
Earlier, the Prosecution counsel led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN said they were ready for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were ready.
Addressing the court, a furious Kanu questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako. He said all that the judge said was meaningless to him and that, he does not recognise the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako in his case.
The IPOB leader said he was only in court because of the respect he has for the rule of law, adding that the judge had previously recused herself from the case.
Kanu said he was not happy with the decision of the Chief Judge who returned the case to Justice Nyako, insisting that the prosecution could not prosecute him.
The prosecution counsel, Chief Awomolo who took an objection to Kanu’s remarks, asked for a definite date for the hearing and added that it was not right for Kanu to insult the court.
Despite Kanu’s objection, Justice Nyako adjourned his case indefinitely for trial.
Despite Kanu’s insistence on Monday that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost its quest to remove the ally of Chief Nyesom Wike as the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the early hours of Friday affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.
Anyanwn who was planted by Wike as the National Secretary of the PDP has been engrossed in legal battle as Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT is now loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a unanimous judgment, the five member panel averred that the matters bordering on the leadership or membership of a political party is its internal affair and should not be the business of a Court, hence, the Court has washed off its hands in PDP affairs.
The court proceeded to set aside the decision of Appeal Court, Enugu Division which on 20 December 2024 affirmed the removal of Anyanwu by a Federal High Court in Enugu.
The Apex Court held the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the matter instituted by Aniagwu Emmanuel.
Anyanwu contested for Imo State Governorship on the platform of PDP in 2023, but failed to secure victory.
News
Emergency Rule in Rivers: Senators Dickson, Abaribe, Tambuwal walk out of Senate Chambers in protest
As the Nigerian Senate approved the emergency rule declared in Rivers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senators Seriake Dickson, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal walked out of Chambers in protest of Senate’s position.
Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District (PDP), Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South Senatorial District (APGA) and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal representing Sokoto South Senatorial District (PDP) were unhappy over the declaration of emergency that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara out of office.
Senators Seriake Dickson and Aminu Tambuwal who was also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives are lawyers and said, the declaration was unconstitutional and would not have their support.
Notwithstanding, their objections, the Senate presided by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio through a voice vote overwhelmingly supported the president’s move, shutting down an open debate on the matter.
Senator Dickson expressed his gratitude to colleagues who supported his stance and acknowledged the presidency’s modifications to the original declaration. However, he emphasized that the introduced oversight mechanisms did not address the core constitutional concerns.
Dickson also criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of attempting to silence opposition. “The Senate is a meeting of equals, and no lawmaker should be censored for speaking on national issues,” he stated.
The walkout by the three senators highlights the deepening divisions within the Nigerian Senate and raises concerns about the implications of the state of emergency on the country’s democratic institutions.
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
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