News
Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s rights suit against FG
By Francesca Hangeior
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government.
Kanu sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Service for ₦1bn in damages for alleged rights violations.
The IPOB leader claimed that the DSS and its director general violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal
While delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with, that he was denied unhindered access to his lawyers, and that DSS officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers, which constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing.
Justice Omotosho held that the claims that Kanu was denied unhindered access to his lawyers by the operatives of the DSS, and that the officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers in the preparation for his defence, could not be established.
The IPOB leader, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), DSS, and its DG as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.
In the originating summons, he prayed for eight reliefs.
He also sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of preventing his counsel from taking notes on the details of counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention was unlawful.
He further sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of eavesdropping on his confidential consultations/conversations with his lawyers amounted to a denial of his right, among others.
Kanu, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of forcible seizure, and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to him at the detention facility by his lawyers.
He also sought an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of ₦1bn as damages for the mental, emotional, psychological, and other damages he suffered as a result of the breach of his rights, among others.
But in a counter affidavit, the DSS denied allegations levelled against it.
In the application deposed to by Yamuje Benye, a legal department staffer, he said 11 paragraphs in Kanu’s affidavit were untrue.
He stated that Kanu was in safe and secured custody of the DSS, and that he was not detained in solitary confinement.
According to Benye, Kanu was allowed access to his family members and team of lawyers on his visiting days, without any hindrance whatsoever.
He argued that the IPOB leader was permitted to interact and consult with his lawyers on his visiting days without any interference.
He said at no time did any DSS personnel seize or confiscate documents brought to Kanu by his lawyers or any other person.
He added that their personnel never denied Kanu’s lawyers the professional liberty to perform their lawful duty of discussing, consulting, and interacting with his lawyers.
The applicant has consistently requested that various prayer books and religious materials be brought to him as part of his fundamental human right,” he said.
Benye added that Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over Kanu’s criminal trial, has always maintained that visits to him should always be under supervision, as it is the best practice all over the
According to him, mister Kanu, along with his counsel, was permitted to consult and interact on visiting days in one of the best interview facilities of the DSS to ensure maximum comfort of the applicant and his visitor(s).
The official, who denied allegations that the personnel usually record their interaction during visits, said “there is no basis for eavesdropping and recording of their conversations.”
He said, in line with the Service Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) of the State Security Service, all visitors to her facility are subjected to normal routine security checks, and items in their possession are scanned.
According to him, this is to avoid unauthorised materials making their way into the facility.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.
Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.
For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.
THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.
He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.
There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….
A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.
The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Barely 24hours to governorship election in Edo State, no fewer than two governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday arrived Benin City.
The governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kefas Agbu of Taraba, arrived the state to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Fintiri made this known in a post on his social media page on Friday evening.
He said : “Just touched down in Edo State alongside my brother, Gov. Agbu Kefas, ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election. We stand united in support of our Official PDP Nigeria candidate, Asue ighodalo, for a brighter future.”
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the PDP leader in the state, had earlier cried out over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to rig the election.
As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear if other PDP governors would also hit the state for the election
……. As Speed Darlington queries Afrobeats singer, Burna Boy over his Grammy win.
By Ojomah Austin.
Controversial Nigerian rapper, Speed Darlington has sparked controversy with his claims that Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win can be attributed to the influential role of American rapper and entrepreneur, P. Diddy.
Amid allegations against US rapper, P.Diddy, resulting in his arrest, Speed Darlington suggested that Burna Boy had an intimate relationship with Diddy which paved the way for him to win the Grammy.
Speed Darlington’s bold and contentious assertion comes amidst recent allegations surrounding Diddy, who was reportedly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of human trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
In a provocative Instagram video, Speed Darlington credited Diddy for Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to international fame and Grammy success, highlighting the American rapper’s significant impact on Burna Boy’s music career.
Speed Darlington openly challenged Burna Boy to disclose the nature of his relationship with Diddy. Suggesting an amorous relationship between the duo, he blatantly asked Burna Boy to reveal how many bottles of oil Diddy used on his buttocks before he was able to win a Grammy.
In his words:
“It wasn’t long after Burna Boy posted a photo of him and Diddy that he won a Grammy Award. Burna Boy, don’t be offended, but how many oils did Diddy use on your nyash before they gave you the Grammy Award?”.
In response to Speed Darlington’s video, One @oluchukwu_____ wrote: “Akpis confidence need to be studied 😂😂.”
vibe_with_fiona wrote: “When burna comes for him,make una no say burna too do o?”
godson_allsom wrote: “If there is Grammy for comedians 😂 akpi for done win like 10.”
official_kahlan wrote: “Presido I don tire to defend you 😂 ga zu ike 🙄.”
asikosharon50 wrote: “Very anyhow talk, Burnaboy won Grammy for his hard work and talent . If na Diddy dey share Grammy why him own Artist for him label nor dey win the Grammy? Na him be say Tems dey and wizkid sef they nick people dem work with naa, useless talk …”
jaytee_yna wrote: “I’m a big fan of Akpi but this is so irrelevant and irresponsible. Burna’s hardwork & God’s grace gave him the Grammy. Okbye!”
lorah_irez wrote: “If person never bèat akpi he no go rest, wetin be this na 😂😂😂.”
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Speed Darlington taunt Burna Boy about his grammy award (+Video)
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