In response to the recent US report regarding Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, called upon the Nigerian government to acknowledge its errors in Kanu’s trial and swiftly bring the prosecution to a close. The US report highlighted violations of Kanu’s rights during his arrest and extradition, condemning the Nigerian secret police’s actions as arbitrary.

Ejimakor praised the US for officially recognizing the unlawfulness of Kanu’s rendition and expressed gratitude to the US government, particularly its mission in Nigeria, for demonstrating diplomatic courage. He emphasized the significance of this acknowledgment, as it aligns with their argument that Kanu was unlawfully renditioned rather than lawfully extradited, underscoring the distinct legal implications of each term.

Furthermore, Ejimakor suggested that the US acknowledgment might prompt the Nigerian government to admit its wrongdoing and rectify the situation by closing Kanu’s prosecution without delay. He argued that continuing Kanu’s prosecution, initiated nearly a decade ago for alleged offenses that are no longer relevant, would be both futile and unjust, especially considering the challenges Kanu faces in obtaining a fair trial due to the circumstances of his detention.

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ben Igweh, has refuted the authenticity of a viral video purportedly showing robbers attacking motorists at traffic lights in Abuja.

In a statement released by Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, the Commissioner stated, “Forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre has uncovered significant findings regarding a circulating video allegedly depicting security incidents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

The police clarified, “Contrary to initial assumptions, the investigation confirms that the depicted incident actually took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was posted by a South African individual on X (formerly Twitter) on April 22nd, 2024. The video falsely suggests the necessity of carrying handguns for travel in Ethiopia.”

“It is deeply troubling that this misleading video has been erroneously associated with instilling fear and disseminating misinformation among FCT residents,” the police added.

Meanwhile, CP Igweh has initiated a thorough investigation to ascertain the original source of this misinformation and understand the motives behind its propagation. “The command reiterates its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all FCT residents and will pursue all necessary legal measures to address this matter. We urge the public to remain vigilant and discerning when consuming information, particularly in the digital realm,” the statement concluded.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) refuted allegations that its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, engaged in a media trial of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Olukoyede had convened a press conference where he disclosed that Bello withdrew $720,000 from a government account to cover his child’s school fees. He also asserted that the former governor invited the EFCC to his village for interrogation.

Additionally, the EFCC Chairman pledged to resign if he failed to apprehend Bello and proceed with the investigation. However, former Vice President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Prof. Nwoke Chijioke, criticized Olukoyede’s actions, labeling the press conference as an inappropriate and unjust trial.

Chijioke argued, “The EFCC chairman’s press conference of yesterday was really uncalled for. That is an unfair trial. All these challenges are because of what I would call a media trial.”

In contrast, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, defended Olukoyede’s statements, asserting that they did not contravene any regulations. Oyewale clarified, “There is nothing the chairman said on Tuesday that was not already in the public domain. Also, we have filed our processes, and everything is before the court, so the chairman did not say anything that is not already in the public domain. The chairman himself is a lawyer, and he knows his onions. Everything he said was within his rights as the Chief Executive Officer of the EFCC.”