Connect with us

Crime

Endbad governance: AGF intervenes, seeks case file from police

Published

on

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file of the #Endbadgovernance protesters to his office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) on Saturday 2nd November, 2024.

The AGF, who gave the directive Friday evening in a press statement said, he was aware that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the Endbadgovernance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.

He however said, there are some issues the office of the AGF will need to look into regarding the matter to enable him take an informed decision.

The AGF further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date).

The statement reads in part, “I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.

“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Amnesty International has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally order the release of all #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.

Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said in a statement late Friday that the protesters are unlawfully detained nationwide solely for exercising their right to peaceful protest.

According to AI, “Detaining protesters since August and charging them with bizarre offences, including ‘treasonable felony’ and ‘terrorism-related offences,’ shows the Nigerian government’s utter disregard for the right to freedom of assembly.

“The 114 protesters arraigned today at the Federal High Court, Abuja, have done nothing unlawful and do not deserve the horrifying treatment they have endured since their arrest.

“Among the 76 protesters arraigned in the first group today, the majority are minors, and the collapse of four in the courtroom underscores the poor state of their mental and physical health.

“Subjecting minors to such horrifying detention for demanding good governance reveals the government’s clear determination to crush dissent.

“In Katsina, 12 children under 16 years old are also facing an unfair trial. Many of these children ended up in detention simply for being on the streets during the protests.

“Children with their whole lives ahead of them are now at risk of being tried on trumped-up charges”.

The organization said, the action of the Federal Government is unacceptable adding that, in the aftermath of the protests in August, over 1,000 people were detained nationwide, and some lost their lives in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Niger State, and Maiduguri due to violent crackdowns on peaceful protests by security personnel.

“Detaining minors unlawfully and subjecting them to sham trials marks a new dimension in the Nigerian government’s persistent attacks on human rights.

“With millions of people on the brink of starvation, widespread malnutrition, and deepening poverty, President Bola Tinubu’s government should urgently address widespread hunger and the rapidly failing standard of living, instead of prioritizing the punishment of protesters”, the Amnesty International statement added.

Crime

ALLEGED TERRORISM: Witness Says Kanu Founder Of Eastern Security Network ‎‎

Published

on

Government’s second witness in the ongoing trial of Biafra nation agitator, Nnamdi Kanu says the secessionist leader is the founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and operator of Radio Biafra.‎‎

At the resumed hearing on the matter, the second prosecution witness, identified as BBB, testified that he was assigned by the then Attorney General of the Federation to investigate Kanu. ‎‎

But attempts by the prosecution to tender a letter authorising the investigation was objected by Agabi on grounds that the document was not front loaded.

This prompted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the document, a request granted by the court. ‎‎

The court, therefore, ordered that all materials intended for the trial must be served in advance and listed properly, stressing that no document would be admitted unless previously disclosed to the defence.‎‎

In another aspect, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, has instructed that only 16 out of the 26 listed would be recognised in court.

This followed a bit of confusion about legal representation, where a certain Charles Ude claimed to be a member of Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team. ‎‎

But lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, disassociated the team from Ude’s claim, with Kanu affirming that Agabi remains his official legal representative.

‎‎Similarly, the court has barred a relative of the defendant, Favour Kano, from attending three successive proceedings of the court, after she admitted doing a live stream while the judge was seated.

Justice Omotosho revealed she had also posted the content online. ‎‎The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 7 for the continuation of the examination-in-chief of the second prosecution witness.‎‎

Continue Reading

Crime

JUST IN: Bandits Attack Three Bauchi Villages, Kill Many Villagers, professional Hunters

Published

on

An unconfirmed number of people have been killed in an ambush attack by bandits on a combined team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The bandits also killed many residents who fled from their villages following the attack which occurred on Sunday 4th May 2025, at about 5.40am.

The hunters were on a routine patrol along Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest bordering Bauchi and Plateau States when the armed bandits attacked them.

Details on the exact number of the hunters and residents killed are still sketchy but residents say nine people were killed, while some say that the number could be as high as 15.

The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists on Monday did not give the exact number of casualties but said that many people were killed both on the side of the bandits and that of the hunters.

He said those killed also included civilian residents from Sabuwar Sara village, who were mercilessly shot by the bandits while attempting to flee from the attack.

Wakil also said the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has deployed tactical teams to Mansur village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi following a visit to relevant stakeholders where he strongly condemned the recent killings, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.

Continue Reading

Crime

JUST IN: Suspected herdsmen hijack fully loaded vehicle, kill driver, abduct passengers in Benue

Published

on

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday night hijacked a commercial vehicle along the Otukpo-Adoka road in Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. as the vehicle was en route to Otukpo from Abuja.

Eyewitnesses said that the attackers opened fire as soon as they sighted the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and veer off the road into nearby bushes after being hit by a bullet.

The assailants subsequently abducted all the passengers before abandoning the vehicle at the scene.

The body of the slain driver, identified as a native of Adoka, has been recovered and taken to his hometown.

Meanwhile, military personnel have arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the attackers.

Continue Reading

Trending