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DSS frustrating, hindering Nnamdi Kanu’s right to fair trial – Lawyer Ejimakor

Published

3 months ago

June 14, 2024

Aloy Ejimakor, the Lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Friday, accused the Department of State Services, DSS, of hindering and frustrating the Biafra agitator’s right to a fair trial ahead of his next court appearance.

Ejimakor said DSS operatives disobeyed court orders by insisting that Kanu’s lawyers see him separately in its holding facility in Abuja.

He explained that DSS’s insistence prevented Kanu’s legal team from seeing him in preparation for his next court appearance on June 19.

In a statement he signed, Ejimakor said: “As the next hearing or trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case scheduled for 19th and 20th June 2024 looms close, the State Security Services (DSS) continues on its infamous path of frustrating every prospect of a fair trial for Mazi Kanu.

“Today, being 14th June 2024, the DSS once again exhibited its vested disrespect for judicial pronouncements when it (in disobedience of court order) refused Mazi Kanu’s legal team to meet with him as a team (or together) to prepare him for the said hearing/trial, commencing on 19th June.

“The DSS insisted that members of the legal team (including the undersigned Counsel) must meet with Mazi Kanu separately or we must leave the premises. For this reason, Mazi Kanu’s team of lawyers left the DSS facility without seeing him, a situation that will surely complicate the hearing on 19th June.

“This latest disobedience of a subsisting court order by the DSS is symbolic of what has become an executive self-indictment of the trial that the government itself and the Court insist must take place.

“If they do not obey a simple court order that is directly geared to giving them the trial they so much desire, why then is the AGF still bent on prosecuting the case? Are we to believe that it is only a sham trial that they secretly desire? To be sure, it is impossible to prosecute a case without having the ingredients of a fair hearing in place.

“These antics are further evidence that the case against Mazi Kanu has no merit, hence the reason every avenue for a fair hearing is being blocked. If the AGF through the DSS are apprehensive of the full consequences of a fair trial, then they need to do the needful by discontinuing this case without further ado. Otherwise, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his legal team will resist any trial that is against the tenets of the Constitution.”

CREDIT: DAILY POST

News

We’ll be forced to export 97% of our petrol – Dangote Refinery warns

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2024

ARS NEWS

Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.

Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.

This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.

News

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Round of 16 fixtures confirmed [Full list]

Published

1 week ago

September 9, 2024

ARS NEWS

The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.

In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.

As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.

The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:

Spain vs Canada
Brazil vs Cameroon
Colombia vs South Korea
Mexico vs USA
North Korea vs Austria
Germany vs Argentina
Netherlands vs France
Japan vs Nigeria

News

Nigerian Army debunks reported mass resignation of soldiers

Published

1 week ago

September 9, 2024

ARS NEWS

The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.

In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.

A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.

Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.

He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).

Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.