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.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly eliminated scores of bandits in air strikes in Zamfara state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said a component of Operation Fansa Yanma launched air strikes on bandits’ hideouts targeting Yusuf Yellow, “a notorious bandit leader”, in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara.
According to the publication, a senior security source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the intelligence-led operation was highly successful.
The publication said the strikes were carefully coordinated based on credible intelligence.
“The mission was executed with precision to degrade their operational capabilities,” the source confirmed to Zagazola Makama.
The publication added that it remained unclear as of press time if Yusuf Yellow was among those killed in the air raid.
“Security forces are currently conducting surveillance to assess the full impact of the operation,” the publication said.
The Nigerian military has intensified air and ground offensives under Operation Fansa Yanma, to restore peace and stability in the region.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has cautioned Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from interfering in the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against her husband.
The trouble began when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. The situation escalated further when she appeared on Arise News, where she accused Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
Reacting to the allegations, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the claims as baseless. She insisted that both families had maintained a cordial relationship for years—even before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage—and suggested that the accusations were politically motivated.
However, in a March 1, 2025 letter addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly advised her to stay out of the matter, stressing that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should defend himself.
The letter, titled “Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,” warned that further interference could escalate the issue unnecessarily.
“Our client has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President but was eventually forced to speak out,” the letter partly read. “The allegations are personal to him, and our client believes he has the capacity to defend himself. We suggest you leave the defense to the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also stated that she possesses concrete evidence to back up her claims and remains committed to defending Nigerian women against harassment.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m
The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.
“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.
“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”
He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.
“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
The Punch
NAF air strikes eliminate bandits in Zamfara
Alleged se3ual harassment: Stay clear now, I’ve concrete evidence, Natasha advises Mrs Akpabio
Just in: Kidnapped corps member regains freedom after N1.1m ransom payment
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News15 hours agoTinubu, Senate to beam searchlight on se3ual allegations against Akpabio
-
News20 hours agoObasa’s Return To House: Police deny any link to such development
-
News20 hours agoTHROWBACK! “I Asked IBB If He Had Blood Oath With Abacha’ – Gen Williams
-
News5 hours agoJust in: “Start Throwing Articles of Impeachment on Fubara now– Ohanaeze Tells Rivers Speaker
-
News15 hours agoMeta dismisses employees for revealing confidential information
-
News5 hours agoSEE Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate
-
News5 hours agoSAD! 60 passengers d3e in Kwara auto crash
-
News15 hours agoRAMADAN! Hisbah orders closure of private schools