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Five Major Reasons Many Are Calling For Release Of Nnamdi Kanu From Prison
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
There is a widespread belief that releasing Nnamdi Kanu could pave the way for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the longstanding issues in the southeastern region.
For quite a while, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been detained and the continued detention has been a basis for widespread debate and controversy in Nigeria.
Several leaders from the Southeastern region have been urging the Federal Government to release Kanu, including the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party – Mr Peter Obi, even as security concerns within the region deepens.
In a recent move, the South-East Governors resolved to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss possibilities for Kanu’s release even though the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, says the offence of the detained IPOB leader is a difficult one and can only be resolved by a competent court of law.
Following the persistent calls for Kanu’s freedom, here are five compelling reasons why many believe he should be released from prison, focusing on human rights, the potential for dialogue and peace, legal fairness, political stability, and strong public sentiment.
1. Human Rights Concerns
For activists, Nnamdi Kanu’s prolonged detention raises significant human rights issues. Many believe his rights to freedom of speech and assembly have been violated. International human rights organizations have at various points called for his release, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and adherence to the rule of law.
2. Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution
There is a widespread belief that releasing Nnamdi Kanu could pave the way for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the longstanding issues in the southeastern region. Proponents of this idea suggest that Kanu’s release could help de-escalate tensions and foster a more constructive conversation between the government and pro-Biafra groups.
3. Legal and Judicial Fairness
There have been concerns about the legality and fairness of Kanu’s arrest and detention. Critics argue that his trial has been marred by legal irregularities and that releasing him would demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to upholding judicial fairness and due process.
4. Political Stability
Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has been a source of unrest and agitation within the South East. There are many who are of the opinion that his release could help calm the situation, reduce protests and violence, and contribute to overall political stability in Nigeria. According to those who push this idea, Kanu’s release could also improve relations between the government and the southeastern populace.
5. Public Sentiment and Pressure
There is significant public support for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, both domestically and internationally. It is thought in certain quarters that releasing him could address public grievances and demonstrate that the government is responsive to the concerns of its citizens, potentially boosting its credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the people.
Kanu has been seeking legal means to regain his freedom, however, a recent fundamental human rights suit which his legal team instituted against the Federal Government was dismissed by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu has 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 the IPOB leader’s interactions with his lawyers were interfered with, and 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.
News
Lagos seals church, fuel station over environmental violations
The contractors handling various housing projects on behalf of the Lagos State Government have been warned to deliver all aspects of the projects as scheduled in all contract agreements or have contracts terminated and re-awarded to those who will deliver on time.
The Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who had earlier expressed his displeasure and dissatisfaction with the level of work done during a routine inspection of Sangotedo Housing Estate Eti Osa phase 2, lamented that the project was yet to get to the expected level despite Lagos State Government commitment and support to the contractors.
The commissioner reiterated his dissatisfaction after an evaluation of the projects, formal briefs from project supervisors, and a follow-up meeting between the Ministry’s technical team and the project contractors at the ministry’s conference room at the secretariat in Ikeja.
He frowned at the slow pace of work witnessed at some of the project sites visited and directed the affected contractors to increase the speed of work or be excused from the sites.
Akinderu-Fatai said, “Shifting of completion period by contractors will no longer be tolerated because we will not allow you to slow us down, as there is pressure on the government to deliver on all its promises, especially in the housing sector.”
He further expressed the dissatisfaction of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the inability of most of the contractors to adhere to the agreed time of delivery on various aspects of the projects.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abdulhafis Toriola, enjoined the contractors to ensure they deliver every facet of the project as scheduled without compromising quality.
The project review meeting was attended by heads of technical departments and supervising officials.
The Sangotedo Housing Estates phase 2 after completion will comprise about 43 blocks and is expected to add over 500 housing units to the existing stock.
The first phase of the project consisting of 744 home units was delivered and inaugurated by Sanwo-Olu in December.
News
Former House of Representatives Member Arrested Over Alleged WAEC Certificate Forgery
Hon. Rita Odichi Orijifor, who represented the Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2019, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police over allegations of using a fake WAEC certificate during her tenure in the House of Representatives.
According to sources, Orijifor was apprehended earlier today at her residence in Wonderland Estate, Abuja, after police officers had waited for over five hours for her to come out. She reportedly locked herself in her bedroom and made calls to influential political figures in a bid to avoid arrest. However, none of the figures offered assistance in this high-profile scandal, and despite some attempts to intervene with the police, Orijifor eventually emerged from her hiding place and was taken into custody.
Before her arrest, Orijifor had reportedly been hiding in Akure to evade law enforcement, only returning to Abuja after believing the situation had cooled. However, unknown to her, the police were already on her trail.
Her legal troubles began when a judge in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed her application to stop the ongoing police investigation. The judge ruled that Orijifor failed to demonstrate that her rights had been violated by the authorities.
Orijifor is currently being detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as investigations continue. The case is expected to be a significant development in Nigerian politics, given her previous role as a federal lawmaker.
This is a developing story, and more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
News
I Looked At Myself In The Mirror And I Asked “Who Are You?” – Gov Adeleke
Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, November 24, 2024 held his Thanksgiving Service at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State to celebrate his Second Year in Office as the Governor.
The officiating Pastor directed all guests and members of the church for a-minute-silence for three elders in the Adeleke dynasty who have passed away; Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, his mother, Mrs Nnena Esther Adeleke and her husband, Senator Ayoola Adeleke.
The officiating Pastor took his message from Psalm 23. He admonished the Governor to always put God first in everything he is doing and strike a balance between public and private interest.
The Priest said the Thanksgiving Service celebrant should be careful of sycophants and praise singers and he should let people see him as a man of God and be accessible.
In his testimony, Governor Adeleke said, he still cannot believe what God is doing through him in Osun State, how God is able to turn things around for good for him in the State.
He remembered when his mother was on sickbed asked him to always sing three praise songs through which God will always answer his prayers.
One of the songs include a Yoruba song, “Ogo yi Oluwa ye Ogo yi, mase JE ko baje mase JE ko Daru…” and two other Igbo praise songs.
The governor who was filled with excitement said he woke up one day and went to the mirror and asked himself “who are you?”. The answer, the Governor of Osun State. He was surprised at how God works in the affairs of men
The elder sister of Mr. Governor, Yeyeluwa, Modupe Adeleke-Sani admonished the awesomeness of God presence in Adeleke’s family.
She said it wasn’t time of Senator Ademola Adeleke to be the Governor in 2018 because God knows there was going to #ENDSARS and COVID-19 during the period, God made his governance possible at the appropriate time in 2022. “Adeleke’s family is God’s family, we will continue to serve and worship him for his goodness and mercies that endure forever.”
She donated the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira Only) on behalf of Adeleke’s family.
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