News
Court orders repatriation of 270 Nigerians held in Ethiopian prison
By Francesca Hangeior
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to repatriate at least 270 Nigerians who are currently incarcerated or held in detention at Kaliti Prison in Ethiopia.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a ruling issued a mandamus order directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NiDCOM to facilitate the repatriation of the imprisoned Nigerians, following the Ethiopian government’s declaration that it lacked the budget to care for them.
Justice Ekwo stated, “I am satisfied that the applicants have made a compelling case, justifying the court’s decision to issue an Order of Mandamus to compel the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory responsibilities, and I hereby so declare.”
On Sunday, November 17, Sunday Mmaduagwu, Henry Anyanwu, and Leonard Okafor—filed the originating motion on notice. They sued NIDCOM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who were named as the 1st to 6th respondents, on behalf of Nigerians detained in Ethiopian prisons.
The motion was filed in accordance with Order II, Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 (FREPR 2009), as well as Sections 6(6), 34(1), 35(1), (4), and (6), 36, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The suit also referenced Articles 4, 5, and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, LFN 2004 (ACHPRRE Act 2004), and invoked the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The applicants sought a declaration that their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by Sections 33, 34, and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Articles 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the CAT, Articles 4(1) & (15) and Article 16 of the UNUDHR, and Articles 3, 5, 6, and 25(1) & (2) of the BPT (General Assembly Resolution 45/11 of 14 December 1990), had been violated by the 1st to 4th respondents.
Additionally, they sought an order compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to facilitate the repatriation of Nigerians imprisoned and detained at Kaliti Prison in Ethiopia, following the Ethiopian government’s declaration that it lacked the budget for their food, firewood, medicine, and other welfare needs, and in light of Ethiopia’s request for Nigeria to take them back.
In the affidavit accompanying the motion, Mmaduagwu stated that he is the first cousin of Remigius Anikwe, who is currently incarcerated at Kaliti Prison in Ethiopia.
He said Henry is a brother to Chinedu Michael Anyanwu, who is also detained or imprisoned in Kaliti prison, while Leonard is a relative of Okafor Livinus Edochie, who also is in detention in the same prison.
Mmaduagwu stated that upon visiting the prison to see his cousin, he discovered that over 270 Nigerians were being detained there.
He noted that some of the detainees had not been tried, as they did not understand the local language and were not provided with interpreters.
Mmaduagwu described the conditions in the prison as appalling, with any interaction between Nigerians and the locals resulting in severe beatings, leading to the collapse and death of some detainees.
He also said that several young Nigerians, who were merely in transit with visas, had been arrested, stripped of their money and valuables, and subjected to false testimony by witnesses who were coerced into speaking against them in a foreign language.
News
Nigerian Govt promises support for stampede victims’ families
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government will support families of victims of recent stampedes across the country.
Shettima made this known in a condolence message on Sunday in Abuja.
He expressed sorrow over the losses and offered prayers and condolences to the affected families.
Recall that on Saturday in Okija, Anambra, a Christmas palliative distribution event turned tragic with 22 persons losing their lives in an early morning stampede.
The same day in Abuja, another tragedy struck when ten persons died during an annual Christmas food-sharing event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama.
There was also a stampede on Wednesday at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, where about 35 children lost their lives and others sustained injuries during a holiday fun fair.
The vice-president, who described the incidents as a national tragedy, revealed that the Federal Government had directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to affected families.
“I am extremely saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives.
“My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
“I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation,” he said.
He prayed the Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed.
“We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this difficult period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance they need.”
News
Umahi rules out compensation for bare land owners
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated that the Federal Government does not compensate for bare lands, adding that all lands belong to the government.
He disclosed this at the inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section 1 at kilometre 18, Okun Ajah axis, recently.
He said, “Go and read the law; there is no compensation for bare land. All land belongs to the government. Hence, if you are taking what belongs to you, you do not pay compensation; it is the president that directed that anywhere we see a shanty on our corridor, we should pay compensation; it is a kind of human meekness from the president towards the people. We broke no law.
“So, where there is no infrastructure on land, they have to write to Mr. President for a direction on that.”
In an interview with The Punch, the General Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Lagos Chapter, Folusho Ogunrinde, said land was undeniably an asset whether owned by individuals, businesses, or the government.
He said, “Governments recognise the value of land as an asset and manage it as such. For instance, you cannot encroach on government-owned land for development because it is considered part of their assets.
Similarly, individuals and private entities acquire land either through inheritance, purchase, or investment. When such land is taken away, the argument that compensation should only be for developments and not the land itself is fundamentally flawed. It disregards the asset’s intrinsic value and how it was acquired.
“The 99-year lease system in Nigeria further underscores the value of land as an asset, as this lease is renewable. If governments require compensation for the renewal of a lease or when public use necessitates land acquisition, individuals and private owners deserve similar recognition and compensation for their land when expropriated.
“The law, as it stands, needs urgent redress. The idea that landowners should not be compensated for their land is, frankly, unjust and tantamount to fraud. Land is more than a physical space; it is an economic and generational asset. To deny compensation for it is to undermine the principles of equity and justice. Hence, there is a need for a review of the Land Use Act and constitutional provisions to align with the realities of land as a critical and valuable asset.”
In a similar vein, the Team Lead, Arbitration, Maritime, and Real Estate Practice Group, Stren & Blan Partners, Joseph Siyaidon, posited that non-payment of compensation on bare land was unconstitutional.
He said, “The Land Use Act is merely an existing Act and not part of the Constitution. We humbly submit that the provisions of the Land Use Act, which limit the payment of compensation for private properties compulsorily acquired by the government to only unexhausted improvements on the land, are unconstitutional in that they violate the provisions of Sections 43 & 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which extends the right of compensation to all immovable properties, bare lands included.”
Umahi disclosed that the first phase of the coastal highway will be completed by May 29, 2025.
He said, “By May 29 we are facing the commissioning, and we have directed all the comptrollers of works that, by the end of April, every comptroller of works in all the states must give us a minimum of three projects that Mr. President is going to commission.
“From Channel 0, we are going to be commissioning the first 20 kilometres; however, another 10 kilometres would be ready at the end of the project within this period, but we are not commissioning that one, it is going to be phase 2 of section 1 for commissioning. Generally, across the country, we are going to be commissioning projects in phases.”
Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Road Design, Engr. Musa Saidi, assured that the highway construction adheres to approved specifications and includes additional measures for durability. Any realignment is for public interest, safety, and economic reasons,” he said.
News
Telcos demand plan to resolve N250bn USSD debt
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria has called on industry regulators to implement clear and practical solutions to resolve the long-standing N250bn debt owed by banks to telecom operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data offerings.
Speaking with The PUNCH, ATCON President Tony Emoekpere stressed the need for clear solutions, warning that the debt crisis threatens the progress of financial inclusion in the country.
In Nigeria, USSD is vital for financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas where smartphone penetration and internet access are limited.
It is heavily relied upon by banks, especially for mobile banking services, and is also used for services like airtime top-ups, bill payments, and other telecom services.
“My advice is that it is crucial for this debt to be addressed directly and for a solution to be found. If telcos are not encouraged to support the financial industry and such debts continue to accumulate, it will be detrimental to financial inclusion targets,” he said.
Emoekpere also highlighted the importance of prioritizing USSD traffic and creating incentives for telecom operators to continue supporting the financial sector.
He urged industry regulators, including the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, to establish a framework that ensures the timely and equitable resolution of such disputes.
The debt crisis has persisted for years, with telecom operators threatening to suspend USSD services unless payments are made.
While smaller banks have reportedly begun repaying their obligations in installments, tier-one lenders—responsible for the bulk of the debt—are yet to make significant payments, according to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo.
“Some repayments have been recorded, but they fall short of expectations,” Adebayo told The PUNCH in November.
Telecom operators have long argued that the unpaid debts undermine their ability to maintain USSD services, which are critical for financial transactions in Nigeria.
The operators have repeatedly called for the intervention of regulators to facilitate a lasting resolution.
Industry stakeholders warn that failure to resolve the debt crisis could jeopardize efforts to expand financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas where USSD services play a pivotal role.
-
News21 hours ago
Abuja stampede: Wike orders free medical treatment for victims
-
Opinion19 hours ago
IBADAN, OKIJA, ABUJA AND THE DEATHLY FATE OF MEKUNUS
-
Sports20 hours ago
Arsenal’s top coach not happy over Bukayo Saka’s injury
-
News18 hours ago
Just in: Civil war veteran, ex-MILAD of Akwa Ibom, Gen Abbe is dead
-
News21 hours ago
Hunger! Anger as over 75 Nigerians die in Stampede while struggling for food
-
News21 hours ago
Just in: Albanian govt bans TikTok
-
News22 hours ago
NDLEA nabs businessman at Kano airport for body packing large consignment of cocaine(PHOTOS)
-
Politics16 hours ago
Ihedioha’s Ex-CoS, Others Dump PDP For APC