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NBA explains delay in Patience Jonathan’s domestic staff trial
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By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Bar Association has explained the delay in the trial of 13 domestic staff of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who have been incarcerated at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa since 2019.
Fielding questions from journalists while briefing them on the activities lined up for the 2025 Law Week on Monday, the chairman, Yenagoa NBA branch, Somina Johnbull, said it was a case that involved capital punishment.
The Law Week was themed ‘Setting the Pace: Law, Leadership and Transformational Development’, of which ex-Vice President, Prof Yomi Osinbajo, is expected to deliver the keynote address on Friday, May 16.
Johnbull said that because of the nature of the case, all lawyers ought to be present in court before it could proceed, but there was never a time when all the counsels were present.
According to him, all the 13 defendants were represented by different counsels, noting that it was strange that a matter of that nature could continue for that long in Bayelsa State after the provision of modern facilities, including e-recording.
Johnbull disclosed that on the last day the case was called in April, the court volunteered to recuse itself because of the sensationalisation of the matter, but the defendants appealed that it should continue because they had confidence in the court.
He stated, “With regard to the case you spoke about, I want to say that the NBA investigated the case. We spoke with all the lawyers and the fault isn’t from the court. We had a situation where there were 13 defendants. The 13 defendants all have their different lawyers and any day, because it’s also a case that has capital punishment, any day that any of the lawyers don’t come (to court), the case cannot proceed.
“And we found out from the records that there was never a time this matter came up for hearing and the court wasn’t ready to hear the matter. This is a case that we have found somewhat strange. In Bayelsa, without sounding immodest, it is very strange for any matter to last beyond three, four years because of the facilities that have been provided, the e-recording system, and so, we find it strange, and then we investigated it.
“And, as a matter of fact, on the last day that the matter came up, I think the court even volunteered to recuse itself from the matter on account of the sensationalisation of that matter. All the defendants appealed that they still wanted the matter to proceed and that they had confidence in the court.”
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.
The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.
It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.
“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.
“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.
Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.
The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.
Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.
“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.
“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.
The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.
The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.
Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.
“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.
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