General
Nnamdi Kanu Life Sentence ‘Assault on Constitutional Democracy’—SERG
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The sentencing of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment has been described as a judicial error and an assault on constitutional democracy by the South East Revival Group (SERG).
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced the IPOB leader after founding him guilty of the seven-count charges against him.
Reacting to the judgement in a statement signed by its National Director of Publicity, Mr Nnaemeka Aleke, SERG claimed that the judgment represented a mockery of Nigerian jurisprudence.
It accused the court of ignoring fundamental legal standards, sidestepping unresolved jurisdictional challenges, and proceeding with a haste that raised serious doubts about judicial neutrality.
SERG expressed deep shock that the court proceeded to convict Mr Kanu on charges framed under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, even though that law has been replaced with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
The group insisted that Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution clearly forbids convicting any citizen on the basis of an offence not defined by an existing written law, noting that using a repealed statute to prosecute and convict anyone renders the entire trial void from the outset.
According to the organisation, it is both unconscionable and legally absurd to convict a person—regardless of the allegations—under a statute that no longer exists, arguing that the court’s decision placed convenience above constitutionality and speed above justice.
It stressed that Justice Omotosho engaged in what it called judicial haste and judicial avoidance by rushing to deliver judgment even when he had been repeatedly informed that several motions, appeals, and jurisdictional challenges were still pending before the Court of Appeal.
The group described the judge’s insistence on proceeding despite these unresolved matters as judicial aggression against due process, lamenting that the court ignored key legal concerns raised by Mr Kanu, including the illegality of the charges, the prosecution’s failure to respond to defence applications, and the existence of pending appellate matters on issues such as extraordinary rendition, constitutionality, and the validity of the charge sheet.
SERG argued that no court has the authority to proceed with a matter when its jurisdiction is in doubt, especially in criminal trials where liberty is at stake.
The organisation further described the proceedings as a blatant violation of Section 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing and adequate opportunity for a defendant to prepare a defence. It faulted the judge’s assertion that Mr Kanu refused to enter his defence, calling it a gross misrepresentation designed to shift blame.
It explained that Mr Kanu only insisted that the court resolve the legality of the charges before he could proceed, noting that this position aligns with established principles of criminal procedure in Nigeria. According to the group, fair hearing is not a discretionary privilege granted by the court but a constitutional right that must be protected at all times.
SERG maintained that the judgment is fundamentally defective because it is based on a repealed law, ignores pending appeals and unresolved motions, violates constitutional fair hearing requirements, fails to address core jurisdictional questions, and disregards binding appellate precedents.
The organisation said such a “judgment of convenience” has the potential to erode public confidence in the judiciary and escalate national tensions, especially within the already fragile South East region.
Consequently, SERG called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to urgently review the conduct of Justice Omotosho, describing the issues raised by the judgment as too weighty to be overlooked.
It also urged the Court of Appeal to promptly intervene and overturn the ruling in order to restore constitutional order and reaffirm the principle that no Nigerian can be prosecuted or convicted under an inoperative law.
Concluding its statement, SERG declared that, “This judgment is not just flawed; it offends the law, logic, and the conscience of the nation. It must not stand.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, and his son, Mr Abudlazizz Malami, on a five-count charge of abetting terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
They were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In the charge, the former AGF was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the AGF in the last administration for prosecution.
Recall that the secret police had arrested Mr Malami, shortly after his release from Kuje prison in Abuja more than two weeks ago after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him and two others bail in the sum of N500 million in another case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Malami and his son are also accused by the DSS of engaging in conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in their possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges.
His arrest in January followed weeks of reports of surveillance by the secret police in front of the prison facility since the time Mr Malami, his wife and son were remanded there over the money laundering charges.
As per reports, Mr Malami had gathered that he would be picked up upon regaining his temporary freedom and so decided to wait out the DSS. However, after his eventual emergence, the operatives took the ex-AGF into detention again.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has initiated an inter-agency partnership with the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) to establish the Coastal Community First Responder Programme (CCFRP).
The first responder programme is aimed at promoting safe and secure transportation across Lagos waterways.
The initiative was unveiled during a meeting between a LASWA delegation and officials of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development at the secretariat in Alausa.
Leading the LASWA team, Mr Olademeji Shittu said the programme is designed to reduce fatalities and material losses on Lagos waterways, particularly in hard-to-reach coastal communities.
According to Mr Shittu, the CCFRP will focus on empowering community volunteers through targeted capacity building for sustainable rural development, while also equipping them with relevant skills that can enhance employability within the maritime sector.
He noted that trained volunteers will serve as community-based first responders, working in close collaboration with LASWA to strengthen search and rescue operations.
Providing the rationale for the programme, Mr Shittu highlighted the recurring cases of marine incidents and fatalities on Lagos waterways, often worsened by delayed emergency response in remote coastal areas.
He explained that residents of these communities are usually the first on the scene during accidents, making it necessary to formalise their role through structured training and partnerships.
He added that the collaboration with CERUD will help create a sustainable framework that aligns community development with safety and emergency response, while fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among coastal residents.
According to a statement, the Coastal Community First Responder Programme is expected to enhance emergency preparedness on Lagos waterways, improve response times during marine incidents, and contribute to safer water transportation across the state.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned protest in the Federal Capital Territory and instructed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to their duties with immediate effect.
The directive followed an overnight engagement involving labour leaders, the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and members of the Senate Committee on the FCT.
The meeting, which began late on Monday, stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, culminating in an agreement that led to the unions’ decision to halt the protest action and restore normal activities across FCTA offices.
This comes after Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court issued an interim order restraining the NLC, TUC, and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest.
Ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT and the FCT Administration, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents and their privies or agents from embarking on strike pending the hearing of the motion on notice, also ordering the 5th-9th defendants who are security agencies to ensure no break down of law and order.
The ex-parte motion, which was filed by the counsel to Mr Wike and the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, submitted that the Chairman of the FCT council had sent a message of mobilization to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
This move, he noted, was in violation of the orders of court, adding that after the ruling of the court on January 27, the order of the court was served on the defendants, same day the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The statement jointly signed by both unions directed that the striking workers should resume the strike as the unions’ counsel, Mr Femi Falana, has filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling.
He further pointed out that With the statement, JUAC issued a circular directing all employees to continue the strike.
This position they say is aimed at causing break down of law and order in the Nations capital.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until February 10 for hearing.
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