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Senate rules out political solution as option to free Nnamdi Kanu

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***Demands that Simon Ekpa be extradited from Finland

The Senate on Wednesday condemned in strong term, the weekly ‘sit at home’ orders in the South East imposed by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The upper chamber consequently urged the federal government to collaborate with the Finish government and extradite a leader of the gang, Simon Ekpa from Finland for prosecution in Nigeria.
It rejected a prayer seeking “political solution” to free the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from the detention of the Department of State Service, DSS.

The Red Chamber also resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, when appointed, and relevant stakeholders to carry out thorough investigation as well as bringing other sponsors of the act to book, just as it rejected call to prevail on Federal Government to obey courts order on release of Kanu.

Kanu was extradited from Kenya in 2021 after he jumped bail in Nigeria, alleging threat to his life by Nigerian security forces.
On October 2022, Justice Binta Nyako of the Court of Appeal struck 8 from the 15 count charge earlier brought against Kanu by Nigerian government.
The appellate court ordered his release on account of his unlawful extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. But the Supreme Court upturned the decision- of the court of Appeal, leaving Nnamdi in detention since then.
The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso ( APC ) . representing Imo West senatorial district.

Senator Izunaso in the motion titled: “Condemning the disruptive nature of ‘sit at home’ demonstration in the South East Nigeria”, lamented that “thousands of lives have been lost since this act started, and properties worth over a trillion naira have been destroyed which has resulted in investors leaving the region.

He added that the ‘sit at home’ civil disobedience in the region has led to the disruption and destruction of economic activities as well as immeasurable losses for businesses, workers and the local economy, noting that “when people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines, and income is reduced, thereby affecting livelihoods and economic growth.”

The lawmaker further regretted that the act disrupts the education of students leading to missed classes and delay in academic progress, stressing that “such prolonged disruptions have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes and educational development.”

“Disruption of essential public services such as healthcare, transportation and waste disposal continues to have severe impact during the ‘sit at home’ protests which adversely affect the well-being and safety of the general population living in the South East.

“The ‘sit at home’ protests continue to lead to acts of violence and clashes with the law enforcement agencies, which have led to uncountable losses of lives of innocent people, security agents and the protesters. As this increases, the potential for criminal elements to take advantage of the situation to engage in looting or other unlawful activities while the people stay at home,” he lamented.

Senator Izunaso, however, warned that “if the activities of Simon Ekpa, who is issuing the illegal ‘sit at home’ orders is not checked, he may succeed in corrupting the minds of Nigerian youths and turning them against the government, which is tantamount to treasonable felony.”

Also in his contribution Sen.Enyinnaya Abaribe,(APGA-Abia) said the “sit at home” phenomena has been taken over by criminals, and was now used to maim, people, kill police officers loot, carry out vandalism of properties of people of the region.

According to him, his interface with Nnamdi Kanu had revealed that “he”Kanu had told him, that he never authorised “seat at home” on Mondays in the South – East, saying that it was Simon Ekpa, who was a maraudarer.

He said the criminals masquerading as IPOB under the instructions of Ekpa was using terror to loot and maim in the South-East.

Senator Abaribe said he had engaged the Finland Ambassador on the issue of Simon Ekpa, but was told that his matter could only be discussed on government to government basis as he was a citizen of Finland.

Sen.Orji Uzor -Kalu(APC-Abia) thanked the mover of the motion saying the the military has done well.

He said the South -East governor’s need to drive the solution to the problem, saying that they have a lot to do.

Kalu said Over N7trillion has been lost as a result of the sit -at – home order ,saying that the criminals were in the bush every where, hijacking trucks and trailers on the highways .

“The governors must come together to work with the security chiefs to solve the problem,”Kalu said.

Sen.Kenneth Emeka (APC -Ebonyi) said the situation was very pathetic,as people were been kept at home in the South-East.

However, the Senate rejected the pleas for political solution to the case of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, especially withdrawal of all cases against him pending in courts.

Speaking with journalists after plenary, Senator Izunaso insisted that political approach remains the best way to handle the case, saying that the ‘sit at home’ protests and destruction of lives and properties by enforcers of the orders in the South East would stop with his release.

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CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

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**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.

The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..

Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.

But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit

However, the chairman,

Media Committee of the

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate. 

“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.

“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively. 

“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP),  hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public. 

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Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

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the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024

The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.

2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.

3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.

4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.

SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.

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Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

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Dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.

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