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Tight security for Nnamdi Kanu’s trial stalls Fubara loyalists’ hearing in court

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The trial of five supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on terrorism charges in Abuja was disrupted on Tuesday due to heightened security measures accompanying the movement of Biafra nation advocate, Nnamdi Kanu, to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The trial was hindered because their lawyers couldn’t access the Court due to checkpoints manned by Department of State Service (DSS) operatives during Kanu’s trial on similar charges.

The five men facing terrorism charges, namely Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod, aimed to contest the validity of the terrorism charges against them and the court’s jurisdiction over the case.

Despite the prison officials managing to bring them to the courtroom, their lawyers couldn’t make it inside due to the heavy security presence.

Armed DSS operatives heavily guarded the roads leading to the court on Tuesday morning to prevent security breaches during Kanu’s appearance, leading to abrupt adjournments of several cases as litigants and lawyers were turned away.

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Although the trial was scheduled for 12 noon, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon postponed it until 2 pm to allow the lawyers access. However, due to ongoing security measures during Kanu’s trial, Justice Olajuwon adjourned the trial at the request of the few lawyers who managed to enter, scheduling it for April 16, one day before Kanu’s trial resumes on similar charges.

Justice Olajuwon ordered the defendants to be returned to Kuje prison in Abuja to continue their remand. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Simon Lough, representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), was among those present in court.

The IGP filed terrorism charges against them on January 25 for allegedly invading, vandalizing, and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly last year during political unrest in Port Harcourt in October. The charges allege that they killed a Superintendent of Police, SP, Bako Agbashim, and five police informants in Ahoada community, namely Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu, and Saturday Edi.

Additionally, they are accused of using various cult groups, including Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland, and Greenland, to disrupt peace and commercial activities in the state. The defendants allegedly conspired to commit acts of terrorism by willfully destroying public property, specifically, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on October 29, 2023, according to the charges under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

Despite their denial of the charges, the defendants were remanded in Kuje Prison in Abuja due to the severity of the charges and their failure to secure bail from the court.

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Police arrest Portable over G-Wagon debt

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested popular musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.

DAILY POST learnt that the controversial singer was nabbed on Tuesday following his alleged refusal to pay the debt he incurred when he purchased G-Wagon from a car dealer in the state.

According to reports, Portable had paid only N13 million after purchasing the vehicle, which was worth N27 million. He was said to have refused to pay the N14 million balance.

The car dealer reportedly took the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the singer.

When contacted by DAILY POST, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest.

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He simply said: “The report is true. He was arrested today.”

CREDIT: DAILY POST

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Electricity Tariff Hike: Labour Shuts Down NERC, DisCos In States

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) took action yesterday by shutting down offices of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) nationwide.

This protest was sparked by the recent increase in electricity tariffs by NERC and the DisCos, with the unions demanding a complete reversal of the hike and the reclamation of public electricity assets.

During the protest at NERC headquarters in Abuja, workers displayed placards bearing messages such as “We are not a generator Republic” and “Let the poor breathe. Give us affordable and constant light,” indicating their frustration with the current state of the power sector.

NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, criticized the privatization efforts as a failure and called for a reversal of the tariff increases. He emphasized the disproportionate impact on wage earners who cannot adjust their income to offset rising utility costs, unlike business owners.

Ajaero also highlighted the adverse effects on small and medium-sized enterprises, crucial to Nigeria’s informal economy, exacerbating the unemployment crisis.

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The labour center reiterated its rejection of the recent tariff hike and urged the government to honor previous agreements, including a halt to further increases until specific conditions are met.

In response, NERC chairman, Sanusi Garba, acknowledged the peaceful nature of the protest and assured consideration of concerns regarding tariff affordability and energy source diversification.

Meanwhile, the NLC and TUC picketed the headquarters of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) in Plateau State, the offices of NERC and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Ebonyi State, and the headquarters of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Ondo State.

Similar protests occurred in Bayelsa, Adamawa, Osun, Kebbi, and Ekiti States, demonstrating widespread discontent with the electricity tariff hike across the country.

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Katsina Gov swears in new Head of Service, retains former Reform Adviser

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Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has sworn in Alhaji Falalu Bawale as the state’s new Head of Service.

The Katsina Governor also swore in the immediate past Head of Service, Usman Isiyaku, as Special Adviser on Public Service Reforms and member of the State Executive Council.

Addressing the audience at the swearing-in ceremony after administering the oath of office and oath of allegiance to the appointees at the Katsina Government House Chamber, Governor Radda stated that both the new Head of Service and the Special Adviser were appointed on merit.

He called on all the permanent secretaries to join hands with the new head of service to enable them deliver for the progress of the state.

According to the Katsina Governor, the major challenge facing the incumbent administration was the issue of time, as the state government had a lot to cover.

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Turning to the Special Adviser, Governor Radda described him as a committed and trustworthy personality, which prompted the state administration to retain him to enjoy more from his vast experience.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

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