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Wike: Amaewhule, 16 Rivers Lawmakers Did Not Inform Me Of Their Defection

December 5, 2025

Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the ruling All All Progressives Congress, APC did not inform him about their decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The minister, however, said the defecting lawmakers have the right to make their political choice, saying he will continue to work with the 10 lawmakers who remained in the PDP.

Wike spoke on Friday while addressing journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of an interchange bridge connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

His remark comes barely hours after 16 lawmakers in the Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule dumped the PDP for the APC.

The Speaker, is a close ally of the Minister, and not a few insist that the defection has the imprimatur of the minister, who is currently working with the APC.

Reacting, Wike blamed the defection on the leadership crisis in the PDP, saying the factionalisation in the opposition party made it possible for the lawmakers to defect.

He urged the party to put its house in order or lose entire, adding that he would continue to work for the progress of the party.

Wike: “Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised. And the requirement of the Constitution is that when a party is factionalised, they are allowed to leave the party.

“You will see that it’s not everybody who has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together. They never told me, but they have a right.

“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. And I have said to the party, put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that will lose.

“And we still ask the party to work together to see how the remaining members will be a relevant opposition. But they chose not to. So for me, those who have left are free. But those who remain in the party, we will continue to work together.”

Those watching developments in the oil bearing state, informed the magazine that the lawmaker’ defection is a prelude to the minister and Governor Siminalayi Fubara defection to the ruling party.

“It’s a matter of time” a political analyst said on Friday.

Fred Chukwuelobe, You Are Wrong On Imo Summit

The Source

December 5, 2025

By Oguwike Nwachuku

This morning, I read on the Facebook page of my brother, friend, and colleague, Chief Fred Chukwuelobe, a piece I considered was ill- conceived on the two- day Imo Economic Summit holding in Owerri- December 4 -5, 2025.

Fred, a very senior colleague, was once the Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State, and possesses enough experience to analyse and comment on matters of public interest.

And he does that from time to time, occasionally descending on those in power who do not share the same political or leadership sympathy with him.

On several occasions I had called him to share some insight with him on his pieces, commended him when he got it right and flayed him when he wrote from where he appeared. So, I would say we enjoy friendly cum brotherly cum professional relationship, hence this intervention.

The subject matter that drew the ire of Fred is the ongoing Imo Economic Summit. He hid under the subject matter to express his disdain for former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, one of the guests, to call the Summit a wild goose chase and a jamboree.

Yes, I have the feeling Fred has a beef with Boris Johnson or leaders in his mould who are often engaged by countries or institutions for one event or the other as guest speakers, and as a way of leveraging their experiences while in office to advance the course of societal change.

Contrary to Fred’s thinking that the Summit was a wild goose chase and a jamboree, it has gone down well in the history of Imo State in particular, and Nigeria at large, that the Summit is one of the best ever to be organised by a sub national in the Country.

In case Fred does not know, the list of leaders, national and international that graced the Summit opening is too long.They are personalities who have made their marks in their chosen areas of human endeavour – politics, oil and gas, banking, ICT, health, education, commerce and industry, to name but a few.

They include but not limited to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria (represented), President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, President Amina Akim of Mauritius, Prime Minister Americo Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki- Moon, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Mr. Wale Edun, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governors of Edo (Monday Okpebholo), Ekiti (Abiodun Oyebanji), Ondo (Lucky Aiyedatiwa), Yobe (Mai Mala Bumi), former Africa import -export Bank CEO, Prof Benedict Oramah, among others too numerous to mention.

Obviously, it must have been in bad light that Fred decided to pick on Boris Johnson and Ban Ki- Moon as former public office holders and portrayed them as leaders who attended the Summit because they were paid.

“Johnson is part of world leaders bankrolled by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on a wild goose chase and jamboree called Imo State Economic Summit 2025,” Fred had mischievously written.

Like I said earlier, except Fred has an outstanding issue to iron out with Boris Johnson and he saw in his Imo State visit the opportunity, I do not think it was reasonable for him to lampoon a man of that calibre who, regardless of what he must have been told about the security situation in Nigeria, to come and see things for himself.

Yes, insecurity is a challenge in Nigeria, but there is no where on the surface of the earth where there are no pockets of insecurity. Boris Johnson is not an ordinary person who should not be allowed to think for himself. Or is it because he was the guest of Governor Hope Uzodimma who, probably Fred does not like his face, that the insinuation of inducement became a sine qua non for the Summit he attended to be rubbished?

Why is Fred annoyed that Boris Johnson said he couldn’t see the reason for the politically hyped insecurity in Imo when he attended the Summit? Whatever happens to the popular axiom, “seeing is believing?” He came, he saw and he spoke out. He said he feels safe in Nigeria and you are angry, why? If mere miscreants who stumbled on money can fly around on chattered flight, why should someone of the social standing of Boris Johnson be denied the opportunity if he can afford it? Even if it was paid for, do people no longer get paid for services they render? If the whole idea was not to cause public dissaffection why should the flight Boris Johnson flew on rankle with him? Again, what is wrong in people making a living from public speaking if the ideas they market are impactful?

Away from Boris Johnson, who wouldn’t want to have former UN Secretary General, Ki-Moon grace his event whether it is politically or economically primed?

I cannot believe that Fred, in good conscience, described an event where these calibre of national and global icons in politics and business attended as a wild goose chase and a jamboree.

If only Fred knew that since the creation of Imo State, barely 50 years ago, no such Summit on how to unlock the economic potential of the State had taken place, he would, without delay, apologise to the Government and good people of Imo State for insulting their sensibilities.

Not a single Imo indigene, including non indigenes who are familiar with the State,

is saying something against the well-organised and well-attended Summit except Fred Chukwuelobe. Why?

Part of the problem Fred is having is that he has not bothered to find out what has been happening in Imo State since Hope Uzodimma mounted the saddle about Six years ago. He prefers to believe rumours on social media platforms and those that emanate from eateries and Bar spots

(even though he is not a frivolous person) to carrying out his own independent investigation about what governance in Imo has become under Governor Uzodimma.

The reason there is jubilation in Imo over the Summit is not just that economic and business eggheads gathered to brainstorm, but because the Governor has laid a solid foundation upon which the Imo State of our collective dream can rest upon if successive governments coming after him build and follow through on the already laid solid foundation for economic sustenance stability.

When we say “Imo has risen” it is because the government of the day has done a lot to keep it on the rising mode till now. The necessary infrastructure to align with the dream of the Summit are available. The security situation is good and will keep getting better. The pool of resourceful human capital is available. The will of the people to have Imo become their home, with all they need to be happy in Nigeria is also available.

Imo people are happy with the good road network that is connecting them together. They are happy that they can generate their own electricity, courtesy of the efforts of the government of the day, they are excited about the efforts to take their teaming unemployed youths off the labour market using the Skill-Up Imo Programme that has prepared the youths for public service and private sector employment, among others.

The worst thing that can happen to the dream of the people is the negative evaluation of the real situation of things in Imo the way my friend Fred has done.

If one of the benefits of the Summit is the promise made by President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to invest hugely in any area the government and people of Imo State deem fit is a wild goose chase and a jamboree, then let the wild goose chase and jamboree continue.

I really think that what may be giving Fred concern is the fact that Imo State has been brought to the global economic and business limelight by Governor Uzodimma, the man many love to under rate his capacity.

But the deed has already been done, hence there is nothing anybody can do about the risen Imo.

Nwachuku wrote from Owerri

Hirelings at It Again: Obi Never Granted Any Interview to Talk about ADC

The Source

December 5, 2025

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) once again feels compelled to refute false and malicious claims circulating about an interview purportedly granted by Mr Peter Obi.

POMR, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, said it “categorically disclaims any news suggesting that Mr Obi granted such an interview or made remarks against the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In fact, Peter Obi has expressed significant confidence in the ADC under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark.”

It continued: “The narrative claiming that Peter Obi made statements “against” the ADC is directly at odds with his documented actions and public statements, which emphasise cooperation and partnership with any group aiming to strengthen our democracy and create the Nigeria of our dreams.

“In his recent public engagements, Peter Obi has consistently highlighted the importance of unity in addressing poor governance and economic hardship, rather than attacking or criticising the ADC. His primary focus is on forming a coalition to combat hunger and bad governance.

“We urge the public, particularly the leadership of the ADC, to regard these publications as fake news and recognise them as the work of political hirelings intent on distorting facts and distracting the opposition from the vital goal of ending bad governance.”

Supreme Court Scolds FG Over Withheld Osun Funds, Splits On Who’s Eligible To File Suit

Ayodele Oni

December 5, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court has ruled that only the duly elected officials of local governments have the right to file the suit challenging the seizure of allocation to local councils in Osun state.

The Apex Court, therefore, struck out a suit filed by the Attorney General of Osun State against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), over the withheld local government allocations in the state.

The Court held that the Osun state Attorney General has no legal right to have instituted the case on behalf of the 30 local governments in the state.

The judgement noted that those who won the local government election and have been inaugurated are the juridical persons that can sue and be sued directly.

However, the Court slammed the Federal Government for withholding the local government fund, adding that the action was in grave breach of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who read the lead judgment, said that the hand of the federal government was soiled in its decision to unjustly seize funds and admonished it to strictly ensure that the funds are directly channelled to local accounts.

The Justice also dismissed AGF’s contempt allegations against Osun, adding that he was in more contempt than Osun by not paying the fund as required by law.

The court, however, said that since there was no evidence that the Osun Attorney General was briefed by the local governments, he ought not to have filed the case on their behalf.

In a minority judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, disagreed with the six other justices, holding that Osun Attorney General has the right to institute the case.

Justice Agim said that the action of the federal government in withholding the local governments funds was in bad taste because it was capable of crippling the activities of the councils.

There have been allegations of victimisation against the federal government by Governor Adeleke, saying President Tinubu is punishing the state for not being under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Distribution of Reelection Cars: ADC Asks For Tinubu’s Resignation

The Source

December 5, 2025

By Gideon Njoku

For distributing what they termed vehicles for his 2027 Presidential Campaign, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Thursday, urged President Bola Tinubu to seriously sit up in terms of governance or ship out.

Bolaji Abdullahi, National Secretary of the Party, made the call on the President in response to, according to him, appalling reports that President Tinubu distributed fleets of Hilux trucks, Land Cruisers, and Hummer buses to his political agents across Nigeria to begin his 2027 re-election bid.

In a statement, Abdullahi, like Peter Obi, 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, is insensitive. He said that the purchase and distribution of the vehicles, and the kick-off of the 2027 Presidential Election, at this time when Nigeria is under a declared state of emergency due to the frightening state of insecurity, confirms that the President’s declaration of security emergency was a mere joke for newspaper headlines for a President whose main focus is re-election.

Said Abdullahi: “While ordinary citizens are being kidnapped, displaced, and killed, the President is handing out branded vehicles and building a partisan mobilisation structure. Entire communities are living under siege, our armed forces are stretched thin, yet the ruling party is preparing for rallies.

“At a time when children are being kidnapped and countless communities are under attack, the President is focused on re-election, seeking to continue presiding over a nation that has become more diminished, more fractured, and more dangerous than he met it.

“A nation under emergency rule is expected to adopt extraordinary conduct and behaviours that reflect the desperate nature of its condition. More importantly, the leadership of that country must demonstrate that nothing else matters in a time of emergency than tackling the situation that necessitated it.

“What we have seen under President Tinubu is that, apart from the declaration itself and a few symbolic gestures, nothing of substance has changed; no new safety measures, no heightened security alertness or presence, nothing. Instead, it has been business as usual.

“Leadership in times of crisis demands focus, sacrifice, and moral clarity. Lavish convoys and early campaigns are not the answers to national trauma. The President must return to the business of governance or step aside and admit that his political ambition now stands in the way of Nigeria’s recovery.”

Rivers Assembly Speaker, Amaewhule, 15 Lawmakers Dump PDP For APC

Ayodele Oni

December 5, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State House of Assembly is now under the full control of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), following the defection, on Friday of the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 15 other members of the House.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the PDP.

The major reason for leaving the PDP, they said, is because of the division in the party.

The Speaker commended President Bola Tinubu for programmes embarked upon by his administration which have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

This will be a second time in a while, Amaewhule, would announce defection to the APC.

Recall,that during their crisis with the Governor, Simi Fubara, earlier in the year, the Speaker and lawmakers had announced their defection to the APC.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

“Your Daughter, Kemi Badenoch, Is Our Future Prime Minister” – Fmr British PM, Boris Johnson Hails Nigeria

The Source

December 5, 2025

By Charles Igbo

A former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has hailed Nigeria for giving his country its “future Prime Minister”, Kemi Badenoch.

Badenoch, Nigerian by birth, is the leader of the Conservative Party.

Badenoch, really, has no use for Nigeria, a country which she runs down at any given opportunity. But Johnson does not think Nigeria is no good.

Johnson spoke on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, during the State’s two-day Economic Summit.

According to Johnson, while the UK exports pharmaceuticals, automotive parts and other economic items, Nigeria sends “so much in return such as oil and gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors, nurses, technicians, and tech geniuses, among others.

“I will say nothing of those former colonies of France, but it’s wonderful; it’s absolutely wonderful that here in Nigeria, we are united, we have this huge blessing — ties of history and language and woven together constantly by the toing and froing of brilliant Nigerians to my country and and back again, and British people are coming to Nigeria, and of course I’m proud, very proud.

“We’re very grateful and honoured. And we send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.

“And I think the greatest hope that we have, and not just the exports or the imports, is the things that we actually do together, the things that we do in partnership.

“And that there’s just so much, a Nigerian singer who stole the show in the recent coronation of our king, the Nigerian football players who have millions if not billions of fans in the Premier League and who have admirers around the world, Nigerian artists, there’s a huge Nigerian show on right now at Tate Modern, Anglo-Nigerian films that are being nominated for the Oscars.”

Full List Of President Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees And Their States Of Origin

The Source

December 5, 2025

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, President Bola Tinubu released more names of his Ambassadorial nominees. Released in batches, the President has sent the names to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for the Senate’s clearance and confirmation. The first three names he submitted have been confirmed. Out of the 68 nominees, 34 are Career Ambassadors.

Following, is the full list of the Nominees and States of origin.

Career Ambassadors (34)

1. Abia: Ambassador Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka
2. Adamawa: Maimuna Ibrahim
3. Anambra: Enpeji Monica Okochukwu
4. Bauchi: Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele
5. Bayelsa: Endoni Sindup
6. Borno: Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno
7. Cross River: Ambassador Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael
8. Delta: Ambassador Clark Omeru Alexandra
9. Ebonyi: Chima J. Leoma Davies
10. Edo: Oduma Yvonne Ehinose
11. Edo: Wasa Shogun Ige
12. Ekiti: Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel
13. Enugu: Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley
14. Jigawa: Ambassador Magaji Umar
15. Kaduna: Ambassador Mohammed Saidu Dahiru
16. Kano: Ambassador Abdul Salam Abus Zayat
17. Katsina: Ambassador Shehu
18. Katsina: Ambassador Aminu Nasu
19. Kebbi: Abubakar Musa Musa
20. Kebbi: Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris
21. Kogi: Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar
22. Kwara: Ambassador Sulu Gambari
23. Lagos: Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle
24. Nasarawa: Ambassador Shaga John Shama
25. Niger: Salau Hamza Mohammed
26. Niger: Ambassador Ibrahim Dan Lamy
27. Ogun: Adjola Ibrahim Mopolola
28. Ondo: Ruben Abimbola Samuel
29. Osun: Ambassador Akonde Wahab Adekola
30. Oyo: Ambassador Ariwani Adedokun Esther
31. Plateau: Ambassador Gedagi Joseph John
32. Rivers: Ambassador Luther Obomode Ayokatata
33. Taraba: Danladi Yakubu Yaku
34. Zamfara: Bidu Dogondagi

Non Career Ambassadors (31)

35. Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
36. Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
37. Adamawa: Senator Grace Bent
38. Akwa Ibom: Senator Eta Enang
39. Anambra: Nkechi Linda Okocha
40. Bauchi: Mahmoud Yakubu
41. Bayelsa: Philip K. Ikurusi
42. Benue: Paul Olga Adiku
43. Cross River: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.)
44. Delta State: Reno Omokri
45. Edo: Hon. Abbasi Brahma
46. Ekiti: Erelu Angela Adebayo
47. Ekiti: Barrister Olumilua Oluwayemika
48. Enugu: Rt. Hon. Ugwanyi Ifeanyi
49. Imo: Barr. Mrs. Chioma Ohakim
50. Kano: Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.)
51. Katsina: Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari
52. Kogi: Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliu
53. Lagos: Olufemi Pedro
54. Nasarawa: Barr. Mohammed Obanduma Aliu
55. Ondo: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, PhD
56. Ondo: Ambassador Joseph Yusuf Shara’aji
57. Osun: Fani-Kayode
58. Oyo: Ajimobi Fatima Florence
59. Oyo: Lola Akande
60. Plateau: Yakubu N. Gambo
61. Plateau: Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut
62. Rivers: Onweze Chukwudi
63. Sokoto: Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar
64. Taraba: Rt. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe
65. Yobe: Adamu Garba Tarba-Nagri

First batch cleared by Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs (3)

66. Oyo State: Ayodele Oke
67. Jigawa: Amin Mohammed Dalhatu
68. Ogun: Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are

It is expected that more Ambassadors will be nominated as there are over 100 Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions. While some States have about three to four nominees, a couple of them, including Imo State has only one nominee, so far.

Kidnapping: Senate Insists On Death Penalty

Akinwale Kasali

December 5, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Senate is resolute on its insistence on death sentence for kidnappers, its financiers and informants.

The Senate said it is one of the ways to decisively address the spate of insecurity nationwide.

Having debated extensively on the proposed amendment to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the Senate it insisted insisted on prescribing the death penalty for kidnappers and anyone who knowingly assists, facilitates, or supports kidnapping operations.

Members of the Red Chamber unanimously agreed to the proposals that would authorise law enforcement agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks by enabling stronger enforcement, as well as placing kidnapping under the terrorism framework anywhere in the federation.

The insistence on death sentence was led by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, with contributions from Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adam Oshomhole, Chairman, Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro, among others.

The Senate President, unanimously approved amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act as proposed by the Senate leader.

Referring the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Committee on National Security and Intelligence, as well as the Committee on Interior for further consultation and fine-tuning at the public hearing.

Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Transfer Out of Sokoto Custodial Centre

Suleiman Anyalewechi

December 5, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed hearing for Wednesday December 4, 2025, on a motion ex-parte filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be transferred out of the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The Source reports that Kanu was on Thursday November 20, 2025, convicted and sentenced to life in jail by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on a seven count charge bordering on terrorism and other related Offences preferred against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He was, subsequently, relocated to the Sokoto State Custodial Centre after the judge had specifically ruled out Kuje, Abuja Correctional Centre.

Prior to his conviction and sentencing, the IPOB’s Leader was kept at the Abuja Headquaters of the Department of State Service, DSS, facility.

Before fixing the date for the hearing of the notice, presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho refused to either accord attention or audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who had sought to move the motion on behalf of the IPOB leader.

The younger Kanu had announced his appearance for the absentee leader of IPOB, despite not being a legal practitioner.

But in rejecting Emmanuel Kanu’s request, Justice Omotosho insisted that he should engage the services of lawyers to move the motion.

“This ex-parte motion cannot be moved on the convict’s behalf because you are not a legal practitioner.

“You can engage the services of a legal practitioner, or approach the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria for legal representation since the law allows it.

“When I said representation, it is not his (Kanu’s) brother, father, sister or relations. I mean his Counsel.

“I am not going to the merit of this application now in the interest of justice. But you cannot represent a human being when you are not a lawyer. You can only represent a corporate body.

“Therefore, you cannot move the application because you are not a Solicitor or Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“For you to be qualified as a lawyer, it will take you another six years or thereabout. So get a Counsel to move the application”,

Justice Omotosho insisted.

Kanu, in his application, had adduced the long distance from Sokoto to Abuja to prosecute his case as among the reasons for seeking transfer.

He averred that he is currently serving jail term at a facility which is over 700 kilometers from Abuja where he has filed his appeal.

“On the 21st of November, 2025, the applicant was transferred to, and is currently detained at the Sokoto Correctional facility which is over 700 kilometers from Abuja.

“The applicant, who is currently unrepresented by Counsel, intends to personally exercise his constitutional right of appeal against the conviction and sentencing.

“The preparation of the notice of appeal and record of appeal requires personal interface with the Registrar of this Honourable Court, and the Court of Appeal Abuja.

“All persons critical to assisting the applicant in preparing his appeal, including his relatives, associates and legal consultants are based in Abuja.

“The applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, occasioning exceptional hardship and potentially defeating the said right, in violation of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended)”, Kanu stated.

In the motion ex-parte which was personally signed by him, Emmanuel had sought an order from the Court permitting him to move the said motion in the face of the unavoidable absence of Nnamdi Kanu at the Court.

It will be recalled that the IPOB’s leader, towards the twilight of his trial, had jettisoned the services of his lawyers, preferring, instead, to defend himself, despite contrary views and advice from the Justice Omotosho.

The motion seeks among other things an order of the Court directing the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Correctional Service to immediately transfer Kanu from Sokoto custodial centre to within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.

In the alternative, however, the IPOB leader is seeking an order of the Court transferring him to the Court’s ” immediate environs, such as the Suleja, or Keffi Custodial Centre for the purpose of enabling the applicant ( Kanu) to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.

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