News
Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s N1bn suit against FG
A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the federal government and Department of State Services (DSS).
In a judgment delivered on Monday, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to back the allegation of violation of his fundamental rights by the defendants.
Omotosho said claims that operatives of the DSS denied Kanu access to his lawyers, and that the officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers, could not be established.
THE SUIT
The suit was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023 and filed on December 4, 2023.
Kanu joined the Federal Republic of Nigeria, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), DSS and its director-general as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.
He sought “a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence, which were brought to him at the respondents’ detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice”.
He also sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of preventing his counsel from taking notes of details of counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him at the DSS detention facility was unlawful.
He further sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of eavesdropping on his confidential consultations/conversations with his lawyers amounted to denial of his rights.
Consequently, Kanu prayed the court for an injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to him at the detention facility by his lawyers.
He also sought N1 billion as damages for the mental, emotional, psychological and other damages he suffered as a result of the violation of his rights.
However, the DSS denied all the allegations by the applicant.
The security service said the applicant is allowed access to members of his family and team of lawyers on his visiting days.
DSS averred that Kanu interacts and consults with his lawyers on his visiting days without any interference.
“Applicant’s counsel are allowed to moderate size notes or pads for the visit, but exchange of materials that promotes the IPOB ideals (subject matter of applicant’s criminal trial) were strongly resisted and refused,” the DSS affidavit reads.
The FRN and the AGF, in their counter affidavit, also urged the court to dismiss the suit for being “an abuse of court process”.
News
Fire engulfs section of Lagos blue line rail track
A fire outbreak has occurred on a section of the Lagos blue line track opposite the NEPA station, near the Eko bridge in the Apogbon area of Lagos.
Gboyega Akosile, spokesperson for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the incident happened at 4:12 pm on Saturday.
He said the incident was a minor one, adding that no casualties were involved and train service was not in operation at the time of the incident.
He said a team of safety and emergency personnel have completely extinguished the fire.
“There was a fire outbreak on a small section of the Lagos Blue Line track at a spot opposite NEPA Station by Eko Bridge inward Apogbon,” Akosile wrote in a post on X.
“The incident occurred at 4:12pm. No casualty was reported and no train service at the time of the incident.
“A team of safety and emergency personnel and other first responders had completely put out the fire.
“Lagosians in that axis can go about their business peacefully as the situation is under control. Kindly await further details on operations of the train from @Lamataonline.”
News
Tinubu is destined to fix Nigeria, says Kennedy-Ohanenye
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, former minister of women affairs, says President Bola Tinubu is destined to fix Nigeria.
On Wednesday, the president sacked five ministers from his cabinet.
Among the dismissed were Kennedy-Ohanenye; Lola Ade-John, the minister of tourism; and Jamila Bio Ibrahim, minister of youth development.
Tahir Mamman was also relieved of his duty as the minister of education while Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo was let go as minister of state, housing and urban development.
In her reaction to the ouster, Kennedy-Ohanenye had thanked Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as minister.
She added that it has been an honour and privilege to contribute to the development of Nigeria.
In a statement on Saturday, Kennedy-Ohanenye said she would continue to fight for Nigeria alongside Tinubu.
“This is a test of time, a Highly Spiritual Movement that no Human being can stop,” she wrote.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is destined to fix Nigeria and I, Barr Uju Kennedy will fight alongside him to the last. Let’s be optimistic. Nigeria will be great!”
News
Lagos state government announces traffic diversion for installation of truck barriers at Ojuelegba Bridge
The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion to facilitate the installation of truck barriers at the Ojuelegba Flyover Bridge by the Fire Station.
The diversion will run from 10:00 pm on Saturday, October 26, to 5:00 am on Sunday, October 27, 2024, following recent damage to the barriers.
This planned diversion follows an earlier temporary closure of the bridge for barrier installation between Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2024.
The announcement was contained in a statement by Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, on Thursday.
“The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion at Ojuelegba Flyover Bridge by the Fire Station from 10:00 pm on Saturday, October 26th, to 5:00 am on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, for the installation of truck barriers which were recently damaged,” the statement read in part.
The diversion is part of the government’s traffic management strategy to enhance road safety, control the movement of heavy-duty vehicles, and prevent further accidents or loss of lives.
The statement further noted that the installation would require motorists to use alternative routes.
- Motorists traveling from Eko Bridge, Constain, and Iponri toward Ojuelegba are advised to use the service lane from the National Stadium gate to connect to Barracks for access to their destinations.
- The commissioner encouraged motorists to cooperate with authorities to prevent unnecessary delays during the installation period. He also appealed for patience, explaining that the nighttime closure was planned to minimize disruptions.
- “This traffic management strategy aims to prevent further accidents and loss of lives,” he added.
The Commissioner also warned motorists against damaging public infrastructure, cautioning that offenders would face the full wrath of the law.
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