National
Igbo Veterans Demand Justice, Freedom For Nnamdi Kanu
The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has called on Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja to ensure absolute impartiality in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who faces terrorism charges brought by the Nigerian government.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, AVID, along with two other US-based pro-Biafra groups—Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination—insisted that Kanu is a prisoner of conscience and should not be prosecuted, as they believe he has committed no crime.
Kanu is scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Omotosho on Friday, 21 March. The groups recalled his “extraordinary rendition” from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 and his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), despite multiple court rulings in his favour.
The statement, signed by AVID President Dr Sylvester Onyia, Rising Sun President Chief Dede Maxwell, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination President Chief Engr Evans Nwankwo, expressed concern over what they described as the government’s disregard for judicial rulings.
“In July 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council, through a landmark opinion by its Working Group, declared that the appropriate remedy for Mr Kanu would be his immediate release and compensation in accordance with international law,” the statement read.
It also cited a December 2023 ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court, which held that the revocation of Kanu’s bail was wrongful and should be reinstated in line with Section 287(1) of the Constitution.
The groups condemned the continued prosecution of Kanu, stating that since he had been acquitted by Nigerian courts, the government had no justification for further legal action against him.
“We demand his immediate and unconditional release. The government must not pile illegality upon illegality while the world is watching,” they asserted.
The statement also urged Justice Omotosho to prioritise Kanu’s safety and remain neutral in the case. It further criticised what it described as political manoeuvring, alleging that the case had been used to create division between Nigeria’s Igbo and Yoruba communities.
“The previous administration, under Muhammadu Buhari, saw the baselessness of these charges but conveniently left them for President Tinubu’s government, possibly to sow discord between the Igbos and the Yorubas,” the groups alleged.
As Kanu’s trial approaches, the calls for his release continue to intensify, highlighting ongoing tensions over his detention and the broader agitation for Biafra.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced suspension of sale of petroleum products in naira.
This was announced in a notice sent to petroleum marketers, on Wednesday afternoon.
In the notice obtained by Daily Trust, the company said the decision is temporary, explaining why it took the decision..
“We wish to inform you that, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.”
“To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency. Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. This is malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.
“We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.”
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revamp the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia, in collaboration with the Abia Government.
The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr Olugbile Holloway, made this known, on Tuesday, when he paid Gov. Alex Otti of Abia a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Holloway said that the initiative would play a crucial role in enhancing historical preservation and boosting the tourism sector.
“This is not just about having a museum; it is about creating a space where people can truly learn and connect with the rich history of the Nigerian Civil War and its surrounding narratives,” he said.
Holloway emphasised the need to upgrade these historical sites to world-class standards, ensuring they serve as educational and cultural landmarks.
According to him the two key aspects of the project include infrastructural improvements and storytelling.
He said that while infrastructural improvements were relatively straightforward, however, effectively narrating the events of the Civil War remains the biggest challenge.
“This is where NCMM comes in; we have museum professionals who can collaborate with professionals from around the world,” he added.
Holloway said that other federal heritage sites in the state would be revived.
He further highlighted the Arochukwu Long Juju, in Arochukwu as a cultural landmark with significant tourism potential if properly developed.
Responding, Gov. Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Abia’s tourism sector, because of its economic potential for both the state and the country.
He said that tourism had sustained the economies of nations with limited natural resources, and with the right approach, Abia could become one of Nigeria’s top tourist destinations.
The governor said that most of Abia’s key tourist sites, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, Arochukwu Long Juju, Umunneochi Cave, and the Azumini Blue River, are not currently in a marketable state.
He said that with collaboration between the state and federal governments, these tourist attractions could be revived to global standards.
Otti said that infrastructure aspect of the project would require significant funding, not to mention the critical aspect of storytelling “without which history is lost”.
He emphasised the urgency of documenting historical narratives while key storytellers were still alive, warning that once they passed on, valuable history may be lost.
Otti assured that his administration had already started working on tourism development before the NCMM visit, describing their interest as a welcome development.
However, in an interview with newsmen, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, described the collaboration between the federal government and Abia Government as crucial for reviving the state’s tourism sector.
Ekwuribe said that most of the tourist attractions in Abia owned by the federal government were currently in poor condition and not functioning as viable tourism destinations.
“The National War Museum in Umuahia is the only war museum in West Africa.
“Restoring it to global standards would attract visitors from around the world, boosting tourism, economic growth, and cultural preservation in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
… President declares state of emergency
… Appoints ex-CNA Ibas as Rivers administrator
… Atiku kicks
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy Ngozi Odu; and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
The president nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.
The president relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the proclamation. The section interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety.
FULL TEXT: Tinubu’s Declaration Of State Of Emergency In Rivers State
On May 14, 2013, then-president Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency for the entire northeast insurgent-ridden states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. A more limited state of emergency had been declared on December 31, 2011, in parts of Yobe, Borno, Plateau and Niger states. This earlier declaration included the temporary shutdown of the international borders in those regions.
For about two months, there seemed to be no end in sight in the protracted feud and power tussle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; and his estranged ex-political godson Fubara over the control of the political structure in the oil-rich Rivers State.
Pipelines have reportedly exploded in the state as the political tension heightened, with civil servants threatening mass protests against the Martins Amaewhule group in the House of Assembly loyal to Wike.
Tinubu said, “The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
“With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution.
“It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”