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JUST IN: 119 Inmates Escape As Rainstorm Destroys Suleja Correctional Centre Fence
It’s unfortunate that 119 inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, due to the havoc caused by a rainstorm. The damage to a part of the facility enabled their escape. This situation highlights the vulnerability of prison facilities during natural disasters and the importance of robust infrastructure to prevent such incidents. Authorities will undoubtedly be working to apprehend the escaped inmates and ensure the safety of the public.
The Deputy Superintendent of Corrections Command Public Relations Officer, AS Duza, stated on Thursday morning that a heavy downpour on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. This resulted in the destruction of a part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, allowing 119 inmates to escape. Efforts have been intensified to recapture the escaped inmates, with 10 of them already retaken into custody. Duza also mentioned ongoing efforts to modernize and upgrade custodial facilities across Nigeria, with the construction of new centers and renovation of existing ones.
The heavy rain damaged parts of the building, particularly the perimeter fence protecting one of the cells where inmates were housed. Babangida Turaki, a resident of Suleja, reported that a part of the fence, which was undergoing repairs, was brought down by the rain. Security reinforcements managed to return some of the escaping prisoners, and efforts were underway to locate and arrest the remaining escapees.
Despite the incident, normalcy has returned to Suleja town, with a continued search operation to recover the remaining prisoners.
This escape incident occurred as the Federal Government is stepping up efforts to decongest correctional centers across the country. Plans were announced in November to release 4,068 inmates nationwide, particularly focusing on indigent inmates who cannot afford to pay their fines. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated that the government has allocated N585 million for the payment of fines to secure the release of these inmates.
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ALLEGED CONTEMPT: INEC CHAIRMAN ABSENT, COURT FIXES OCTOBER 8
The lawsuit is instituted by Edozie Njoku, Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), who was accusing the INEC boss of flouting an order of mandamus directing INEC to accept the outcome of an emergency convention that produced him.
The Chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, failed to show up when a case of contempt against him came up for mention at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
The lawsuit is instituted by Edozie Njoku, Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), who was accusing the INEC boss of flouting an order of mandamus directing INEC to accept the outcome of an emergency convention that produced him.
At the proceedings, Alhassan Umar, counsel for Professor Yakubu informed the Court of a pending application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
But this was contested by NRM’s lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba ought to have been present as it is a criminal case.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case till October 8.
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FG Immortalizes Buhari renaming UNIMAID after him
UNIMAID will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday announced that the University of Maiduguri would be renamed in honour of the late leader, Muhammadu Buhari.
UNIMAID will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Presiding over the FEC session, President Tinubu delivered a stirring tribute, celebrating Buhari’s life as one defined by discipline, moral fortitude, and unwavering patriotism.
He described Buhari not as a perfect man—no leader is—but as a good, decent, and honourable man.
While acknowledging that Buhari’s record, like all legacies, will be subject to debate, Tinubu insisted that the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, and the incorruptible standard he represented will not be forgotten.
A high court in Ebonyi State has ordered the release of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after they were held in detention for four years.
The ruling on Thursday marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the group.
The 24 IPOB members were discharged and acquitted by Justice I. P. Chima of Ebonyi State High Court.
It was gathered that they were among the last batch of the IPOB detainees out of the 36 held since May 4 2020.
Meanwhile, their lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed their freedom in a statement titled, “Justice Delayed, But Never Denied.”
According to him, the ruling followed the preliminary objection which highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights: particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Ejiofor said the sacred principle, “autrefois acquit”, stipulates that no person shall be tried again for an offence in respect of which they have previously been acquitted.
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