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Tag: Kanu

  • 2019: Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu to run for Presidency, vows to unseat Buhari

    2019: Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu to run for Presidency, vows to unseat Buhari

    Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu has announced he will run for President of Nigeria in 2019

    The former Arsenal FC and Inter Milan forward said he was inspired to aspire for presidency by the feat attained by George Weah..

    Recall that Weah, who had a very successful football career in Europe, was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election after defeating the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, and sworn in on 22 January 2018.

    In an interview with Goal.com, Kanu said: “My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people.

    “The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.”

    “Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption,” Kanu, who also had a successful career in Europe, added.

    “If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

    “George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side,” he said.

    Kanu, 41, will be hoping to unseat incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari during the Nigerian general elections which will be held in Nigeria on 16 February 20

  • Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Court adjourns further proceedings in Kalu’s trial till March 6

    A Federal High Court, Lagos, has adjourned continuation of trial until March 6 in the N3.2 billion fraud charge slammed on former governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016 preferred a 34-count charge bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against Kalu and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogu and Kalu’s company — Slok Nigeria Ltd.

    All the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    At the resumed trial of the case on Monday, the EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commenced the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, an officer in First City Monument Bank.

    The witness, Olusegun Adesomoju, swore with the Holy Bible.

    Jacobs: What is your occupation ?

    Witness: I am a compliance officer in FCMB. I received a subpoena to appear in court and produce the statement of account of the third defendant (Slok ) in his bank.

    Jacob tendered the statement of account and the certificate of identification from the bank attached to it. The document was labeled Exhibit N to N 50.

    Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Awa Kalu (SAN), told the court that he did not object to the document, but that it was his first time of seeing it.

    Mr Joseph Ochu (SAN), counsel for the second defendant and Mr Kingsley Nwofo, counsel for the third defendant, both agreed to the submissions of Kalu.

    As Jacobs continued the examination-in-chief, the witness identified 95 cheques deposited in the bank account of the third defendant between Aug. 16, 2001 and Aug. 10, 2005.

    Jacobs: Where were you in 2005 ?

    Witness: I was doing my National Youth Service Corps.

    Jacobs: So why are you giving evidence for the bank ?

    Witness: It is part of my duties as a compliance officer.

    Jacobs: Which department of the bank has records of customers accounts ?

    Witness: Both the compliance department and the IT department.

    After the conclusion of the examination-in-chief, Kalu addressed the court that it was the first time the defence was seeing the document and they needed a “stand down” to go through it.

    In response, Jacobs told the court : “We have tendered this document since 2007, it is not a new document and I object to the stand down”.

    Justice Idris, in his ruling, said “in the interest of justice, let us come back tomorrow for cross-examination.”

    The court adjourned until March 6 for continuation of trial.

    Kalu was alleged to have utilised his company to retain in the account of a First Inland bank, now FCMB, the sum of N200 million.

    The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

    Slok Nigeria Ltd and a man, Emeka Abone, who is still at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company’s account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused (Kalu).

    They allegedly used Manny Bank, (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and Fin Land Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

    The accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia Government.

    Cumulatively, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the state government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibitions) Act, 2005.

    The offences also violated the Money Laundering Act of 1995 (as amended) Act No.9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

  • Henry delighted to be in Nigeria, rates Kanu as Nigeria’s best player

    Former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry has admitted that former Super Eagles striker, Nwankwo Kanu remains one of Nigeria’s best players that he has ever met.

    The French star made this revelation when he arrived Nigeria on Sunday to grace the ‘Watch a Match with Thierry Henry’, which was also attended by ex-Nigeria internationals Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Finidi George, and Austin Eguavoen.

    ”Happy to be first time in Nigeria, I have met with Kanu, Ikpeba, they always say you have to go (Nigeria) they love the game there, I knew that for a fact, I grew up watching the Super Eagles that in 1994 and before that a lot of Nigerians played in France, Siasia, late Stephen Keshi,” Henry said.

    ”When those guys played that was how I knew Nigeria but they played in France and did well and the Super Eagles backed it up in 1994 World Cup.”

    Henry added: ”Kanu is always happy, positive. He was really good, very good. Everyone knew it. He was very calm, just unbelievable. It was a privilege playing with him.”

    soccernet

  • Erosion destroys 200 graves in Kano

    The Kano State Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Ali Makoda, has said erosion destroyed more than 200 graves at Tudun Murtala grave yard in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner announced this on Saturday when he visited the Tarauni Grave yard in Tarauni Local Government as part of the state’s monthly sanitation exercise.

    “Immediately when we received the news, we took an urgent action to ensure that such disaster did not continue.

    “Presently we embark on the renovation of many grave yards across the state, especially those at the areas where they are facing the challenges of erosion,’’ he said.

    He commended a community development association of the sanitation team at the grave for their efforts at keeping the grave yard clean.

    The commissioner pledged to continue to give them all necessary support, especially with the working material to encourage them.

    He called on other volunteer groups to also embark on such self-help work with the aim to move the state forward and ensure that all grave yards remained clean.

    Makoda commended the public for complying with the sanitation order, calling on them to continue to support the government to keep the state clean.

    The leader of the Tarauni Youth Initiative, Malam Salisu Adamu, appealed to the state government to assist them with all the necessary working materials that could assist them to carry out their duties effectively.

    “We are also appealing to the government to come to the aide of some volunteers who are always at the grave yard to dig graves.

    “Before, each of the workers was paid N3,000 monthly, but for over two years now, they have not been paid at all’’, Adamu said.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • BREAKING: Kanu absent, co-defendants arrive court

    Three of the co-defendants facing charges of treasonable felony against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, have arrived the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    They were brought to court by prison officials at about 10am on Tuesday.

    However, Kanu, whose lawyers said was last seen on September 14, 2017 following a military operation in his hometown in Abia State, is absent from court as Justice Binta Nyako is now set to commence proceedings.

    His co-accused already in court are the National Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe; an IPOB member, Benjamin Madubugwu; and a former Field Maintenance Engineer seconded to the MTN, David Nwawuisi.

    But Bright Chimezie, who became a co-defendant in the case following an amendment of the charges was also absent.

    Kanu was on bail before he was declared missing.

    Announcing his appearance on Tuesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejifor, told the judge that the IPOB leader was still in the custody of the Federal Government.

  • I don’t know where Nnamdi Kanu is – Gov Ikpeazu

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that he does not know the whereabouts of the missing leader of the now-outlawed secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Kanu who is standing trial for treason, is expected to be in court today, October 17th, for the resumed hearing of the case.

    Governor Ikpeazu while speaking to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, said it would be unfair for anyone to ask him of Kanu’s whereabouts.

    “I don’t think that is a fair question. I don’t have the capacity to determine where Kanu is. I have never visited him. I have never called him on phone and he has never taken me into confidence as to what he does, where he goes.
    So, those who are close to him would answer. I don’t have the capacity to monitor him and know where he is, maybe Journalists through investigative journalism will know.” he said
    Speaking further, the governor said the people of the South-East believe in Nigeria more than any other part of the nation.

    “Fundamentally speaking, I think that if the question we ask in this country today about whether there are inequalities, whether there are gaps or there are people who don’t feel that they have been fairly treated either as an individual or as a family or as a geopolitical zone, the answer is yes.

    There is agitation in the northeast, there is an agitation in the south west, of course there is agitation in the south east but I dare say that there is no other ethnic group in this country that has as much faith in the Nigeria as a country, one united country than the people of the south-east, that is why they are in Sambisa.

    You can count how many big businesses belonging to the southwesterners that are in Aba. You can count how many big businesses belonging to the people from the northeast, north-west, north-central that you can find in Owerri.

    You cannot find a four-storey building belonging to somebody from the northeast anywhere in the south-east. But if you go to Kano, you don’t count three hotels before you count that of somebody from the south east. What it means is that we are the people that have demonstrated faith in the united Nigeria’.
    Continuing, the governor said “Post war experience is that everybody started receding and then we started moving everywhere and then at the end of the day, our people are beginning to feel that we are not being trusted enough with certain strategic positions despite the fact that we have demonstrated in particular times that we love Nigeria more than anybody.

    We have faith in this country more than anybody. That coupled with the fact that there is huge potential energy within the youth community in Nigeria that is unused because of the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, for me, as a biochemist, I look at it as mismanagement of energy; people have too much energy but can’t use it anywhere.

    If you have a 2year old child in this house today and that child doesn’t go to school, he doesn’t go anywhere, before you go out and come back, you will discover that somebody with a lot of energy is residing with you here. So, the idea is that all these agitations bottled up and all that created what you call IPOB.
    And then the federal government over time started watching from the sideline because IPOB was getting money from elsewhere, setting up radio stations, indoctrinating people, all that went on.
    But while that was going on, at a point, the leadership of the south-east through Ohaneze, through the governors started engaging Nnamdi to say we know that there are issues.
    Can we find alternative channels to discuss them? Can we make a studied and intellectual presentation and confront the federal government with these arguments? But he felt that his own strategy was better and all that.

    So, I think it got to a point when the federal government began to feel that the red line was threatened and unfortunately some of us as governors were not taken into confidence as to the details and plans and intentions of the federal government and it is the irony of this thing they governors chief security officers; chief security officer but you are not controlling the CP, the soldiers around you, the navy around you, you cannot tell them to stop, you cannot tell them where to go and all that.

    So, that clash came upon us in Abia state and I was confronted as a leader to make a choice between the oath I swore, what was politically expedient and what was right and I think what was right was for me to do everything to protect the lives and properties of Abians and those that are doing business in Abia.

    So, all that I did, the press releases, my actions, all that I did was geared towards fulfilling my mandate which was to protect lives and properties of not only Abians but of everybody that was within Abia doing business.

  • ‘Provide Kanu in court, dead or alive’ IPOB tells FG

    ‘Provide Kanu in court, dead or alive’ IPOB tells FG

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the federal government not to provoke it into taking up arms by continually keeping its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The group added that its angst would be felt if the Nigerian government failed to produce Kanu in court, dead or alive to continue his trial.

    Recall that Kanu was granted bail in May under a stringent condition, with the order to return to court to face his trial before Justice Binta Nyako.

    The group in a press release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Emma Powerful, stated that it was gradually losing patience with Nigerian government for keeping its leader, who they alleged was abducted during the invasion of his home in Umuahia, last month.

    IPOB also condemned the continued denial of the military that Kanu was not with it, citing a recent interview by the Nigerian Defence Minister, General Mansur Dan Ali on Channels Television in which he confirmed that Nigerian Army went in search of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his home.

    The group said this was in total variance with previous statements of the military, where they denied invading Kanu’s home. It noted that since the invasion on 14th September, Kanu and his parents have not been located.

    “The barefaced lies of the Nigerian Defence Minister General Mansur Dan Ali and that of the Buhari regime against our leader and organisation is beginning to unravel before the eyes of the world. By admitting publicly that soldiers were sent to Isiama Afaraukwu to look for our leader without any order or warrant from a court of law confirms the contempt in which Nigerian government holds the rule of law and their judicial process.

    “It is, therefore, incumbent upon civilised nations of the world and organisations alike to ask the APC led Nigerian government why they decided to send armed soldiers to invade Kanu’s residence.”

    The group spoke further that, “It is therefore reasonably expected to conclude that the army is also lying about not having our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their custody.

    “Is the world waiting for Biafrans to pick up arms to demand the release of the body of their leader before they know IPOB is serious about ascertaining what the Nigerian government did with him?”

    It said the struggle for Biafra independence had gone far beyond violence and way beyond the capacity of Nigeria to deal with, and that the dimension its struggle will take going forward depends on what fate Nigeria visited or intend to visit on its leader.

    “One outcome is guaranteed in all this, should Nigeria not produce our leader in court on the 17th of October 2017, there will be inevitable confrontation on a scale the human mind cannot imagine, at a time and place of our choosing. By nature we are peace loving people, Nigeria should stop provoking us into armed conflict. They should bring our leader to court.”

  • Kanu’s kinsman asks court to order his repatriation from UK

    Justice John Tsoho of a federal high court has been asked to to order the British High commission and the Nigerian Immigration Service to arrest and repatriate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the United Kingdom back to Nigeria to stand his trial.
    In a suit dated ‎4th October and filed on the 5th by Kanu’s kinsman, Ugochukwu Kenneth, through his lawyers, Obor John, Esq. and Tersagh Unande, Esq‎, ‎also asked the court for an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to advise President Mohammadu Buhari to declare the British High Commission as persona non grata for her complicity in facilitating and harbouring a fugitive from justice in her territory being the United Kingdom.
    ‎Joined in the case with ‎suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/9300/17 are the British High Commission, the Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
    The case has been assigned to Justice Tsoho and will be coming up on ‎October 12, 2017.
    In the suit, the plaintiff asked the court to determine whether by a true interpretation of Sections 1, 4 and 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 the 1st and 2nd Defendants have not abdicated their duties by failing, neglecting or omitting to prevent and arrest the IPOB separatist leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for treason and terrorism in Nigeria from illegally travelling to the United Kingdom.
    He also asked the court to determine whether the British High Commission is not under obligation to repatriate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu –a fugitive from justice irrespective of him holding dual nationalism of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, back to Nigeria to stand trial for the offences of treason and terrorism pursuant to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the United Nations Convention on Terrorism.
    Theplaintiff prayed the court for the following reliefs‎:
    A declaration that by a true interpretation of Sections 1, 4 and 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and Section 2 (1) of the Immigration Act 2015 the 1st and 2nd Defendants have abdicated their duties by failing, neglecting or omitting to prevent and arrest the IPOB separatist leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for treason in Nigeria from illegally travelling to the United Kingdom and remaining as a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom.
    A declaration that the British High Commission is under obligation to repatriate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-a fugitive from justice, irrespective of him holding dual nationalism of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, back to Nigeria to stand trial for the offences of treason and terrorism pursuant to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and the United Nations Convention on Terrorism.
    He also prayed the court for an order compelling the 1st and 2nd Defendants to arrest and repatriate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the United Kingdom back to Nigeria to stand his trial.
    He prayed the court to make an order compe the 3rd Defendant to advise the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to declare the
    British High Commission as persona non grata for her complicity in facilitating and harbouring a fugitive from justice in her territory being the United Kingdom.
    In the affidavit in support of the suit, deposed to, by the plaintiff, he said, “That consequent upon the above condition, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, the Senator representing the good people of Abia South Senatorial District of Abia State, Tochukwu Uchendu and Jewish Chief High Priest Immanuel –El Shalom Oka-Ben Madu perfected the bail bond which facilitated the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

  • IPOB Lawyer, media officer should be arrested’ says lawyers group

    Lawyers under the auspices of Lawyers of Conscience (LAWCONS) have called for the arrest of Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as well as one Emma Powerful, the self acclaimed Media Officer of the proscribed organization.
    The lawyers said failure of the government to arrest the two men, LAWCONS shall be forced to approach a competent court of law to compel the security agencies to arrest Kanu, Emma Powerful and Ejiofor immediately.
    Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, LAWCONS President, Babatunde Oladimeji Esq, said both Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Emma Powerful, are members of IPOB and therefore should be arrested for belonging to an outlawed organization.
    He said government must enforce the arrest because refusal to do so, amounts to contempt of court which proscribed IPOB a terrorist organization
    He said LAWCONS is concerned that law enforcement agents are yet to act on the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja that designated IPoB as a terrorist organization whose activities are outlawed in any part of Nigeria.
    In his words, “Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in addition to being Kanu and IPoB’s lawyer, is a member of the terror group and therefore should have been arrested long before he went judicial shopping
    ‘We do know that in addition to being a member of IPoB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor is also out to confuse the issues by claiming that the military has his leader/client, Kanu, who “kidnapped” himself to avoid showing up at his upcoming trial and jeopardize the freedom of those who stood surety for him.
    “Knowing that he had grossly violated his bail conditions for his treason trial, Kanu had deliberately instigated his followers to attack troops on Operation Python Dance II drills to claim attacks on his person when they acted to defend themselves.’
    He also said the security agencies should approach Interpol to assist in fishing Nnamdi Kanu out from Cameroon, France or any other country he might have fled to.
    The LAWCONS president also advised Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Jewish High Chief Priest Immanuu-El Shalom Okabemadu and Chartered Accountant Tochukwu Uchendu to call on their client to present himself at the next adjourned date or begin packing their bags for their extended stay at Kuje Prison since the subject of their surety has taken flight.
  • Buhari should tell us if Kanu is detained or killed – Femi Fani-kayode

    Buhari should tell us if Kanu is detained or killed – Femi Fani-kayode

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians about the whereabouts of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

    In a post on Twitter, the former Minister insisted that Kanu has not been seen nor heard from ever since the army under the military Operation Python Dance, invaded his home in Umuahia, Abia state.

    He said Buhari should be bold enough to tell Nigerians if the army killed the pro-secessionist leader or not.

    Fani-Kayode wrote, “Happy independence day Nigeria! Can @MBuhari now tell us what his army did to Nnamdi Kanu after invading his house and killing the people and dogs that were there?

    “If they arrested and detained him they MUST tell us. If they killed him they MUST release his body to his family.”