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Nnamdi Kanu’s trial: Focus on facts, not propaganda – Lawyer tasks journalists
Media practitioners have been urged to focus on facts rather than propaganda in the terrorism trial of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Directorate of Legal Affairs, Research and Global Communications Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,
Onyedikachi Ifedi, Esq., made the call in a statement on Sunday. He was reacting to arguments canvassed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, at the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday in Abuja.
The lawyer advised against sensational reporting of what he described as propaganda spewed by the Federal Government legal team.
According to him, journalists should not ignore germane questions raised by Agabi during the proceeding, particularly on the identity of over 170 security officers the government claimed have been killed as a result of Kanu’s broadcasts.
Ifedi said, “Who are the families of these alleged victims? Why have they not testified in court? Which individual has claimed, under oath, that they heard Mazi Kanu and then committed violence as a result of his broadcasts? Who issued the unsigned, unauthenticated death certificates the DSS tried to smuggle into evidence?”
Agabi had in his submission urged the prosecution to tender the forensic pathologist or investigator linking any death to IPOB or Mazi Kanu. He submitted that no victims had come forward to testify in court that their loved one was killed due to any violence by Nnamdi Kanu.
Ifedi added, “Self-determination is not a crime. No Nigerian law criminalizes calling for Biafra; free speech, even harsh or fiery speech, is not terrorism. No evidence links Mazi Kanu’s utterances to violence. No lawful investigation was conducted under the Terrorism Prevention Act.
“Instead, the media gave uncritical oxygen to laughable claims that because Mazi Kanu said “the world will stand still”, Nigeria must imprison him. Since when did hyperbole become terrorism? If so, when will government officials who have made similar or worse threats be charged?”
The lawyer appealed to the media not to give “unnecessary oxygen and voice to the narratives aimed at misleading the public”.
“We challenge you to report that all five prosecution witnesses were DSS agents. That none of them tendered direct evidence of violence caused by Mazi Kanu. That the “evidence” they submitted consisted of unsigned, unauthenticated documents.
“That no victim, no investigator, no family member, no forensic expert testified in support of the government’s claims. We remind all Nigerians and the international community: well-scripted propaganda cannot replace facts, evidence, or the rule of law.
“The Federal Government’s case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is legally unsustainable, morally bankrupt, and politically vindictive,” the statement added.
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Beautiful and Well Equipped Medical Health Centre Built by Atanda Lawal in Obalende/Ikoyi Local Government Area
This is what another local government chairman has done in Obalende with his own increased allocations paid directly to him.
This is the result of the new social reorder; place the money for development in the hands of the authorities closer to the everyday people.
Tinubu has done his own, and if you cannot ask your individual local authorities what they have done with their allocations, that is your own irresponsibility as a citizen.
Remember, the amount each of the 774 authorities receive is published every month for all eyes to see.
Grassroot developments have begun, and it will only get better with time.
No more na governor chop money.
Hold your governors and LG chairmen by the neck.
They must deliver EVERYTHING IS NOT TINUBU !!!
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and welfare of National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state, assuring them of a peaceful and enabling environment throughout their service year.
Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 940 corps members took the oath of allegiance marking their formal admission into the mandatory three-week orientation course.
The governor made the pledge on Friday, during the formal swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government Science Technical College, Amada, in Akko Local Government Area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development / Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Inuwa Ibrahim welcomed the corps members to the “Jewel in the Savannah.
Governor Yahaya described Gombe as a “safe haven,” stressing that his administration places high priority on youth development, peace, and security.
“We guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” he said. “Let me assure you of our unwavering commitment to your welfare, security, and general well-being.”
The governor, who congratulated the new corps members on their successful academic journey and induction into national service, advised them to take the orientation course seriously, as it lays the foundation for a purposeful service year.
“The orientation course is designed to introduce you to the objectives of the NYSC. I urge you to participate actively and take advantage of the teachings and training to develop your potential,” he stated.
Yahaya encouraged the corps members to integrate into their host communities and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.
“As you serve in Gombe, I encourage you to be part of our developmental efforts and help in empowering the youth. Your predecessors left positive footprints, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue building on that legacy,” he added.
The governor also commended the NYSC scheme for promoting national unity over the past 50 years and appreciated partner agencies and stakeholders for their continued support of the scheme in the state.
He concluded by declaring the orientation course officially open and wished the corps members a fruitful, impactful, and incident-free service year.
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The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has called off its warning strike, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, announced on Friday.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, Pate said the decision followed agreements reached between the government and the association’s leadership.
However, union leaders declined to speak to the press after the meeting.
Nurses and midwives under the association had begun a nationwide warning strike on July 29 over unmet demands, including improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions in federal health institutions.
The strike, which affected public health institutions across the country, was scheduled to last until August 5.
The union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had previously accused the Federal Government of failing to engage with the association during the 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan had said.
The association is demanding an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan had also said the decision to embark on the strike was driven by widespread frustration among members over years of neglect.
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