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‘I Am Ready To Defend Myself’ – Malami Accuses DSS, EFCC Of Violating His Rights

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The office of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has accused security agencies of actions it said were aimed at frustrating his constitutional right to fair hearing and effective legal defence.

In a statement issued on Saturday morning by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami’s office expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of conduct by state agencies following charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the statement, although the Federal High Court granted Malami bail, the EFCC allegedly delayed the submission of his international passports to the court for about one week, despite the passports being a key condition for the perfection of bail.

The office claimed that the delay prolonged Malami’s detention and obstructed the execution of what it described as a valid court order.

The statement further alleged that immediately after Malami perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to his aides, Malami was detained for five days without access to his lawyers or family members and was only allowed to meet his legal team on Friday after what they described as prolonged isolation.

The office described the detention as a violation of his fundamental human rights.

Malami’s camp said the detention occurred at a critical stage when he was required to prepare his defence in an EFCC interim forfeiture proceeding before the Federal High Court.

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It argued that denying him access to legal counsel during this period impaired his ability to consult with his lawyers, prepare court filings and give instructions.

“This amounted to a clear frustration of due process,” the statement said.

The statement alleged that the sequence of events suggested a pattern where arrest precedes investigation, with evidence sought after detention.

It claimed that such an approach violated the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights, accusing the DSS of adopting similar practices.

Malami’s office stressed that bail granted by a court must be respected, warning that no agency should undermine judicial orders through what it described as coordinated delays, rearrests or denial of access to legal representation.

“Mr. Malami remains ready to defend himself fully in court and in accordance with the law, and calls on all state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees, and the rule of law,” the statement added.

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Defence Headquarters Social Media Account Hacked

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The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.

Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.

He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

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He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.

Source: naijanews.com

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Seven workers killed, 19 rescued in India tunnel accident

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At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.

The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.

At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.

Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.

Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.

Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.

Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.

Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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RATTAWU honours DSS DG for strategic intelligence, national security

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The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary

RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.

Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”

He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.

He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.

“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.

“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.

“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”

Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.

Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.

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Source: punchng.com

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