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IGP Redeploys 24 Assistant Inspectors General Of Police

By
Ayodele Oni
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Usman Alkali Baba - Acting IGP

By Ayodele On

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,  has ordered the posting and redeployment of twenty-four Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to Zonal Commands and Formations accros the country.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mbah.

The statement explained that the new postings were in tandem with the new manpower development policy of the Police Force.

It quoted the IGP of assuring the nation that the posting and redeployment of the Senior Police Officers would further help in driving the new policing vision.

The vision, it added was targeted at improving policing services across the country and effectively responding to security threats.

According to the statement, the posting and the redeployment which are with immediate effect, saw AIG Bala Ciroma moving to Zone-7 Abuja, AIG Usman Belel, AIG John Amadi and AIG Adeleke Adeyinka are posted to FCID Annex Lagos, Maritime and Zone 9 Umuahia respectively.

World Bank: Nigeria Lacks Funds To Provide Basic Infrastructure

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The World Bank has blamed over dependence on crude oil as the bane for Nigeria’s low revenue status. The global financial institution noted that this is the reason why the country’s revenue to gross domestic product, GDP ratio is the lowest in the world, adding that this has hampered the provision of critical infrastructure.

Last week, the Brenton Wood USA based bank said it was worried that over 70 per cent of the revenue is being used to service debt. The breakdown of 2020 budget indicate that the federal government spent N310 trillion out of the N3.48 trillion, representing over 70 per cent on debt servicing for the year.

The situation has led to paucity of funds on the part of the government to fund critical infrastructure such as education, public transport, health etc, analysts say, noting that the government has been forced to incur local and foreign dent in other to bridge the gap. The Buhari administration has pushed the nation’s debt to over N30 trillion since it came to power in 2015.

Speaking during a panel session at a virtual public sector seminar organised by the Lagos Business School, LBS the, World Bank’s country director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri emphasized the urgent need to diversify the economy.

The minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed also disclosed at the occasion that the government is very worried that critical infrastructure could not be provided due to lack of funds.

The webinar was themed ‘Nigeria in Challenging Times; Imperatives for a Cohesive National Development Agenda’

Chaudhuri said “Nigeria is a country with tremendous potential. If you look at the synopsis for this panel, it suggests that Nigeria is at a critical juncture – almost at the moment of crisis.

“Despite all of that, Nigeria is still the largest economy in Africa. So, just think about the potential that Nigeria has because of its natural resources, but more than that, because of its dynamism and all of its population. Nigerians are more entrepreneurial by nature.

“No country has become prosperous and realised its potential, eliminated poverty without doing two simple things: investing in its people, and unleashing the power of the private sector in creating jobs by investing and growing business. And then, of course, the basic function of the state is to provide security and law and order.”

He said the federal government needs more revenue to provide basic social services, such as education, primary healthcare, nutrition, among others.

According to him “On this, Nigeria at the moment ranks sixth from the bottom in terms of the human capital index that we produce every year,” he added.

“So, obviously, there is a huge agenda in terms of investing in human capital. Nigeria spends more on premium motor spirit, PMS subsidy than it does on primary healthcare in a year, and we know who the PMS subsidy is benefitting.”

The country director noted that despite the country’s huge potential to attract private capital, the non-oil sector is not growing robustly – and not generating enough revenues to cater for the government’s needs.

He said government’s policies are emasculating the growth of the private sector. According to him “So, we see as priorities investments in human capital. But for that, one needs revenues. And there again, Nigeria, unfortunately, has the distinction of having about the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratio in the world,” Chaudhuri said.

“The standard rule of thumb is that for the government to provide the basic services and law and order, it needs between 15 to 20 percent of GDP as being revenue, and this will be both at the federal and state levels combined.

“In Nigeria, it was eight percent in 2019. In 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and with the fall in oil prices, that went down to about between five and six percent.

“So, domestic revenue mobilisation is huge. And then the third is enabling the space for private investment. You have to fix the power problem. Power is like the oxygen of an economy. In Nigeria, the private sector is struggling to breathe,” the World Bank’s chief said.

PDP Governors Are Idle – APC Caretaker Committee

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator John Akpanudoedehe

By Ayodele Oni

The Secretary of the  Caretaker Committee of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has described Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), as a bunch of idle hands.

The APC scribe, therefore, charged them to face the current plight of their party,  rather than blaming anyone for the self-inflicted misfortunes of the PDP.

Senator Akpanudoedehe gave the charge in a statement he issued Monday night in Abuja, in reaction  to the outcome of Monday’s meeting of the PDP governors in Bauchi.

Part of the statement reads

“Our attention has been drawn to yet another communiqué by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governors’ Forum which is laced with lies, idle conspiracy theories on the state of the nation and the PDP’s pitiable attempt to explain its failed state as the supposed main opposition party in the country.

“It is indeed remarkable that the PDP has finally opened up to its fast depleting fortunes. However, it is advisable that the PDP concentrates on redemption instead of blaming the APC or anyone else for its rudderless state.

“We reiterate that it is foolhardy for the PDP to expect its members to sink with the party in the face of its failed state.

“The PDP should quickly address itself to the fact that its members and leaders who are joining the APC in droves are attracted and inspired by the progressive leadership of the President Muhammadu Buhari government and the internal democracy being entrenched by the leadership of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC.

“Under President Buhari, every election conducted in the country has been an improvement on the last. The APC will continue to support constitutionally backed innovations by our election management bodies to make our elections more credible.

“At party level, the APC’s is resolved to entrench internal democracy in all decision making processes, particularly party nomination – direct and indirect primaries or consensus.

“The Permanent Voters’ Card remains the only legal instrument voters can use to elect progressive leaders who can sustain the ongoing efforts of APC governments at the Federal, State and Local Government Areas to sustain its successes in renewing national infrastructure, transforming agriculture and diversifying the economy.

“We urge well-meaning Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission’s INEC Continuous Voter Registration exercise to register.”

The PDP Governors had accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC of converting the seat of Nigeria’s power, Aso Rock, to APC’s  Headquarters where they arm twist and coerce PDP Governors and other Chieftains into defecting to the APC.

In the past couple of months, two PDP Governors and a number of their Chieftains had dumped the party for the APC.

OPINION: Democratic Nigeria has never had a successful treason trial

By
The Source
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Aloy Ejimakor

By Aloy Ejimakor

Yes, that’s right: Since 1960, democratic Nigeria has had many treason trials without any – except for that of Obafemi Awolowo – netting a conviction or even coming close.

No other person has ever been convicted of treason or its garden varieties like treasonable felony or sedition throughout all the democratic dispensations in Nigeria.

Even when that of Awolowo resulted in conviction, it immediately brought many issues that still remotely dog Nigeria to this day.

Plus, Awo’s conviction most probably would not have happened had he not overconfidently opted for summary trial when he could have tarried awhile.

What’s more? His trial was later found to have been tainted with profound judicial bias. And in quick time, it was commuted.

Most remarkably, his conviction convulsed Nigeria to no end, especially Western Nigeria. And it ultimately contributed to the 1966 coups that directly led to the Civil War and its horrendous aftermaths.

Paradoxically, a few months after his release from prison, Awolowo became deputy to Gowon, sat astride the nation’s finances and went to the funeral of some of the politicians that had jailed him for treason.

To cap it all, in 1979, Awolowo nearly became President. You can’t beat that. And if you stretch it to the military dispensations, Obasanjo meteorically went from conviction for treason to becoming President.

The lesson from all these are not hard to see, and they are:

First, treason is a regime-specific political offense. So, unless the trial is dubiously concluded during the life of the extant regime, it sunsets with the coming of a new regime.

Second, treason trial – if pushed too aggressively – can bring more problems than it initially set out to contain. In some climes, it led to overthrow of the very government in power.

Don’t forget that Rawlings went from being in jail for treason to overthrowing the very government that jailed him.

So, Nigeria needs to thread with caution and a keen reference to history as it ramps up on its aggressive treason trials of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Igboho and Omoyele Sowore.

When alpha patriots get so upset with the system that they begin to seek solutions in revolution or separation, you talk to them; you don’t try them. Simple.

Ejimakor, an American trained Lawyer, writes from Alaigbo

Insecurity: Buhari Approves N770bn For Armed Forces

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N770 billion for the purchase of various platforms and military hardware for the Nigerian Armed forces. The amount is part of the 2021 supplementary budget signed by the president before he travelled to London on Monday. The development comes on the heels of arrival of six Supertucano fighter jets from the United States of America, USA for the Nigerian Airforce.

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesman, disclosed in a statement last Thursday that “The first batch of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft have arrived Kano, today 22 July 2021 at about 12.34pm. On hand to receive the aircraft were the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.”

Speaking on the Supplementary Budget last month the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the budget contains an aggregate sum of N770.60 billion to further enhance the capacity of the nation’s defence and the security agencies to enable them address current and emerging security challenges in the country.

A total of N983 billion supplementary budget had earlier been passed by the National Assembly which the president assented before he jetted out of the country to attend an education summit. The president will also spend time in London for a ‘medical check-up,’ Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant said in a statement.

Shehu, said in the statement that the president signed the budget in his office at the State House in the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff Ibrahim Gambari, Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze.

According to the presidential spokesman “Of the amount, N123.3 million is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the sum of the N859.3bn is for contribution to the Development Fund for the capital expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2021.

“President Buhari commended the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and approval of the supplementary budget, assuring that the executive arm of government would ensure the timely delivery of capital projects to achieve the laudable objectives of the Budget.

Buhari signed the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board (Amendment) Act, 2021.

She said “Meanwhile, the President has also, at an earlier date, signed the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board (Amendment) Act, 2021.

“The Act amends the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board Act Cap. O10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the establishment of the Orthopedic Hospital Jos, Plateau State under the control of the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board affiliated to the Jos Teaching Hospital to provide specialised orthopedic treatment and medical services.”

The Federal Executive Council, FEC had last month approved a draft supplementary budget of N895,842,462,917 for the year 2021.

BREAKING: Gunmen Dare Uzodimma, Attack Police Division In His Village, Kill DPO, Armourer

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

By Gideon Njoku

On Monday, July 26, just 48 hours after Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, assured Imo State Stakeholders of adequate security in the state, Gunmen, who rode on several motorcycles, hit him hard.

They invaded the Police Division in his Community, Omuma, shot and killed both the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and the Division’s Armourer. After killing them, they burnt their bodies.

However, the Gunmen were unsuccessful in their bid to burn down the Police Division, as they were eventually repelled by gallant Police officers, who rallied round, after they were initially taken unawares, to return fire.

Even though none of the attackers was killed, a number of them have been, allegedly, arrested.

The attack which happened late evening, coincided with the day the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was billed to appear in court at an Abuja Federal High Court, for the continuation of his trial.

Even though the trial did not hold, as Kanu was not produced in Court, because of what the Directorate of State Services, DSS, explained as  logistics problems, the coincidence of the attack, to the trial date, raised the suspicion of some people that the attack may have been, allegedly, carried out by IPOB.

There is no confirmed evidence yet of the identities  of the attackers.

A reliable source informed this magazine that the attackers came from Nnewi, Anambra State which, along with Onitsha was shut down for Kalu’s Court appearance. They rode in several motorcycles, which they allegedly, snatched.

On arrival to Omuma, they began intense shooting. At the time, the DPO was alleged to be in the company of the Area Commander. On hearing the gunshots, the Area Commander had, allegedly, drawn the attention of the DPO to them.

The DPO, however, dismissed it, saying it must be his boys. When the gunshots got uncomfortably close to the Police Division, the Area Commander was said to have insisted they leave the office. But the DPO preferred their staying inside an office.

The Area Commander thought otherwise, and escaped into a nearby bush to monitor events. The DPO went into his office. That was where the gunmen, who had successfully entered the Division saw him. They shot him and set his body on fire. In a bid to, allegedly, raid the Armoury, they also killed and burnt the body of the Armourer. But they were unable to raid the Armoury, or burn down the Division as planned.

This Magazine gathered that a number of them have been arrested. Investigation has started.  The investigation,  a source told this Magazine, will, among other things, focus on why the Area Commander escaped to safety, and why the DPO stayed in his office, instead of leading and gallivanising their boys to action.

It will be the second time Gunmen would attack the Governor’s Community.

During the first attack, a couple of months ago, Governor Uzodimma’s country home was their main target. A security guard was killed during the unprecedented incident.

How My Country, Nigeria, Failed, Killed My Wife – NIJ Deputy Provost

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Omojuyigbe Mrs

By Akinwale Kasali

He couldn’t hold back tears. His face was swollen. He intermittently lamented the pathetic State of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

If the nation’s healthcare system was in good and proper shape, with adequate facilities put in place, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe, Deputy Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, would not have lost his precious and amiable wife to the cold hands of death.

Recounting the horrific experience of his wife breathing her last in his arms inside the car due to the lack of bed space in the State and Federal public hospitals, Omojuyigbe said he was saddened that the beloved country of his wife killed her.

Narrating his ordeal in an article titled, “AND THERE WAS NO SPACE!”, Omojuyigbe recounted the final moments of his wife.

“We had traversed five Lagos hospitals in seven anxious hours. Sadly, we got the same cold, lethal refrain: “THERE IS NO SPACE”. Her health had reached a frightful state already, I admit. But it wasn’t irredeemable, perhaps.

“My son had called me about 5am that the doctor would like to speak with me. My heart had skipped. “Madam is not responding to treatment again”, the doctor had said.  Jeez! But you assured me yesterday that situation was under control! “Yes! Her system changed suddenly”, he riposted. “There is an issue with the urea. And the pancreas has packed up”, the doctor further explained.

“In no time, I arrived in the hospital with the NIJ driver. I met my wife on oxygen. I was terrified. She was croaking. The entire room vibrated. Even the ante-room shook.  It was terrific. I stared at her for five minutes and bowed in grief. I mourned. The nurses appealed to me to hold myself together for the sake of my children waiting at the reception. The children weren’t aware of the development. I tidied up my face and went to see the doctor.

‘Doctor, talk to me’, I said. He replied quietly that he would refer my wife to the Emergency Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja. “There is an Intensive Care Unit there. She needs it”, he said. ‘Any hope?’ He was hesitant. ‘Don’t worry, doctor; talk to me, I have mourned already’, I told him.  “Sir, the chance is about 20/80”. What! I looked into space, struggled with myself for a few seconds and vowed, ‘even if it remains one percent chance, I will fight with it’.

“Immediately, I sent my daughter home and asked her brother to stay with me. We called a driver accustomed to emergency driving, and we moved… from the private hospital in Igando area to LASUTH Ikeja. We were on flight. We reached LASUTH but LASUTH failed. THERE IS NO SPACE, I was told. What do I do? Try FMC (Federal Medical Centre) Ebute Metta, the doctor said. He withheld the referral note I brought and gave me a fresh one.

“I checked my wife in the Sienna car carrying us; she was breathing silently. I was afraid. I told the driver that we were moving again. Where sir? FMC. We got to FMC after much traffic and stress, being a Friday. The same lamentation: THERE IS NO SPACE. I cajoled and pleaded. But truly, they had no space. I called one of the doctors aside and sought his advice. “Try Military Hospital, Yaba; they usually have space”. We moved again, agonizingly. I asked the driver to keep moving wherever I told him; we would renegotiate his fare. We got to Military Hospital. “They shouldn’t have referred you here. They should know that we don’t have ICU”, the doctor who attended to me said. ‘What next’? “Go to LUTH, Idi-Araba”.

“Again, we moved. At that point, my son couldn’t control himself anymore. His eyes had become red and swollen with tears. I was left with small hope and little faith. We got to LUTH. I was glad to notice that two female doctors would attend to her. Not quite! They got to her in the car, actually, and examined her. They wrote a small report which wasn’t frightening. My son and I read it, looked at each other and had relief. But the doctors averred, THERE IS NO SPACE. “I don’t know how heavy your pocket is. If you have the money, then try the Spill Over in the next building. It is run by a private organization. I will attend to her there if you are lucky to find a space”, one of the doctors said.

“My pocket had become lean then but I ran there still. THERE IS NO SPACE, the lady in charge told me. I ran back to the doctor and begged her to attend to my wife in the car. “It is contrary to medical ethics”, she replied. The driver saw my plight and had pity. He suggested that we move to a private hospital on LASU-Iba expressway if I wouldn’t mind the cost. He called a doctor there who, in turn, called the medical director. We snapped the referral note and sent it to the medical director on request through WhatsApp. He studied the note and summoned us immediately.

“So, we moved from LUTH at breakneck speed. Reaching Ile-Zik, Ikeja, my wife stopped breathing. She died. I checked the time; it was 5.01pm… from 9.30am. That is my country; my wife’s country, NIGERIA. I asked the driver to take us straight to Igando General Hospital for verification, since we were going in that direction already. There, she was confirmed, BID (Brought-in Dead).  My wife!

“She had a good life. She was caring and loving and was on top of her profession. A Grade Level 17 officer and a school principal in Lagos, she retired statutorily in September 2020. She got punctuality award in three different schools where she taught and was among the few principals invited for recognition at Alausa, on two occasions, for good performance (Just for mention – nothing was added). She made me proud.

“If facilities were adequate in those hospitals, maybe she would still be alive! Maybe many Nigerians who had died would be alive! For now, THERE IS NO SPACE in public hospitals.

“To all who were with me; who supported me and my household in every way during the burial, I say, THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU”, he narrated.

Omojuyigbe’s late wife case is just one out of thousands of Nigerians that have experienced this pathetic situation, yet, the case keep on worsening by the day, with Public hospital still is deplorable State.

Igboho: Afenifere Lauds Ooni Of Ife, Olubadan; Says Igboho Justified To Run

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Yoruba Nation’s agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka,  Sunday Igboho, still a long walk to freedom. He is being tried in a Court in Cotonou, Benin Republic, after he was arrested at an airport. He was escaping from Nigeria, alongside his German wife, to Germany, after the Directorate of State Services, DSS, declared him wanted over sundry issues.

Since his arrest, the battle to grant him bail, asylum, and/or release him to continue his trip has been tough. His wife, Ropo, a German citizen, has been released.

But Igboho’s lawyer said he, Igboho, has had it rough, as he was chained in the cell.

Igboho has, however, had tremendous support from across the Yoruba, home and abroad. On Monday, after an eight-hour hearing, the court granted him access to his doctor, and remanded him in prison custody. He had been in the custody of the Police since his arrest.

The Afenifere, Pan Yoruba Group,  led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has lauded the moves and impact made by the Ooni of Ife, HRM Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Olatunji. Both Royalties sent delegations to Cotonou,  to witness Igboho’s Court appearances, and show solidarity with him.

In a statement by Jare Ajayi, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary,  the group said there is nothing wrong with Igboho seeking asylum to preserve his life.

The group also accused the Federal Government of hunting “those seeking relief from the oppressive situation in Nigeria” while neglecting kidnappers and terrorists.

“We recall that Moses had to be taken away from the prying eyes of Pharaoh and his agents in Egypt. Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) too had to leave his hometown, Mecca for Medina in order to escape persecution,” the group said.

“Thus, there is nothing wrong in Igboho seeking a respite first to preserve his life and perhaps to re-strategise.

“What is now regarded as Sunday Igboho travail ought not to occur at all if there had been good governance in Nigeria and people are not harassed without any just cause.

“It is so sad that President Muhammadu Buhari administration is concentrating on hunting and harassing those who are seeking relief from the oppressive situation in Nigeria while shying away from tackling the menaces of kidnapping, terrorism and antics bordering on ethnic cleansing.

“By its conduct, the government is giving people reasons to believe the allegation that it is pursuing a Fulanisation agenda. Harassment of freedom agitators and innocent citizens must stop forthwith.”

Afenifere urged other monarchs and prominent people in Yorubaland to emulate the Ooni and Olubadan.

Gov. Ortom Under Fire Over Buhari; Tiv Youths Task Him On Governance; Calls Him Hypocrite

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has come under criticism from Tiv Youths in the State.

They are angry with him over his incessant criticism  of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, and the APC as a party.

The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide, an umbrella body of Tiv youths, therefore, called on the Governor to concentrate on governance, and refrain from criticising President Buhari.

Mike Msuaan, the President of the Council said in a statement in Abuja, that Governor Ortom should provide for his people the dividends of democracy and not unwarranted accusations.

The Council added that the Governor should stop taking delight in attacking Buhari at any slightest opportunity, and concentrate on providing democracy dividends in his State.

The Council described as “hypocrisy driven to a rather ridiculous height’’ the accusations Ortom levelled against the President in his most recent utterances.

“It is curious that the Governor who has used apparatus of state to intimidate critics from interrogating his inability to provide basic amenities for the people of Benue will turn round to accuse the President of intimidating critics.

“Just recently, Mr Atsar Gundu, who has been a virulent critic of Ortom was arrested in a gestapo manner and remanded in prison without trial for several months.

“The Governor, like no other in the history of the state, is currently in court with several other citizens of the state, all in a bid to gag public outcry against his dismal performance,’’ the group said.

On the allegations of corruption against Buhari’s aides, Msuaan said that Ortom’s Principal Private Secretary and Adviser on Works and Housing were charged to court for alleged corruption for embezzling N4.7 billion.

“Similarly, just recently, Mr Joseph Loko, the Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission and others were dragged to court by the EFCC for misappropriation of about N500 million.

“We expect the Governor to get busy with fashioning out a solution to the militia killings in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

“There are protracted communal crisis in Bonta, Konshisha LGA and Oju LGA which has led to the destruction of several lives and property worth millions of naira.

“Also, the ongoing Ipiav and Yandev communal problems in Gboko LGA and many other crises should get the governor’s action,’’ he said.

Showering encomiums on President Buhari for his giant strided in transportation and other sectors of the economy, Msuaan commended the security agencies and urged them not to be deterred by negative statements but sustain the fight against criminality and agents of destabilization.

Why Nnamdi Kanu dragged Nigeria And Kenya to Continental Court

By
The Source
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0

By Aloy Ejimakor

A few days ago, I commenced a continental legal action against Nigeria and Kenya before the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, demanding accountability for the extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Jurisdiction lies with the Commission because Nigeria and Kenya are State Parties to the African Charter; and Nigeria even took a step further to domesticate the Charter, thus making it part of her municipal laws.

Both countries also have extradition laws that prohibit this sort of reprehensible conduct that saw Kanu to Nigeria.

More particularly, extraordinary rendition is expressly prohibited under the African Charter, where It provides in pertinent part that “A State may not transfer (e.g. deport, expel, remove, extradite) an individual to the custody of another State unless it is prescribed by law and in accordance with due process and other international human rights obligations. Extraordinary rendition, or any other transfer, without due process is prohibited”.

A victim of extraordinary rendition is entitled to remedies mandated by the Charter.

Therefore, among many other reliefs, I requested that Kanu be restored to his state of being before the rendition, which state of being was that he travelled to Kenya on his British passport and was duly admitted as such and as a free man.

Further, that no valid territorial jurisdiction can issue from an act of extraordinary rendition because Kanu is, technically speaking, still in Kenya.

And that the Nigerian bench warrant standing against Kanu is, in the absence of any successful extradition proceedings in Kenya, invalid to arrest in Kenya.

I also requested the Commission to adopt other urgent measures as the Commission sees fit in the circumstances to protect Nnamdi Kanu in the interim. A fact-finding visitation to Nigeria is also in reckoning.

In my previous press briefings, I had said – with much confidence – that Kanu’s trial will be a trial within trial. To those who didn’t fully grasp what it meant, this extant continental legal action will give you a clue. And this is just the beginning.

To be sure, any nation that dabbles in extraordinary rendition has unwittingly brought impediments to her territorial jurisdiction. So, Nigeria, whether it admits it or not, has triggered a hornets nest that has, for the first time, brought the international legal order to bear on the matter of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Ejimakor, Esquire, is the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu

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