The Nation Newspaper

Category: Featured

JUST IN: Osun Senator resigns from PDP

Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Fadahunsi, a strong politician in Osun East, especially in Ijesa land, is a second-time Senator and one of the strong supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The senator, in a letter of resignation dated July 12, 2025, to the party chairman of Ward 4, Obokun local government area of Osun State, hinged his decision on the irreconcilable differences and legal battles the PDP is facing at the national level after the 2023 general elections.

Read Also: Lagos unveils Nigeria’s first LG-owned radio station

The letter reads in part: “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning my Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect, due to the irreparable, irreconcilable differences and protracted legal battles that have bedeviled the party at the National level after the 2023 general elections.

“This was concluded after consultation and engagement with my political associates, family and friends. It is my wish that you accept my resignation in good faith.”

July 19, 2025
PDP chair mocks Atiku over exit from party
- His exit, not new, we’re expecting his return, says Damagum
- Many people congratulating us on his resignation – Spokesman
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar came under some mocking yesterday from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his Wednesday exit from the party, his third since 2007.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said Atiku’s latest departure did not come to the party as a surprise.

He said the former VP would be back in the party as he has always done.

Atiku’s resignation, according to him, is consistent with his history of switching political affiliations.

“This is not the first time; we’re expecting him back,” he said, flanked by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Damagum said PDP remained strong and unbothered by Atiku’s resignation.

Why PDP is not losing sleep over Atiku —Abdulahi

Also speaking on Atiku’s exit from the PDP, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulahi, said it (exit) has no consequence for the party.

Atiku, according to him, “is a person who is given to driving and pursuing his ambition with every vehicle, and there’s nothing wrong with that in the face of the law.

“But we as a party are not deterred; we are not losing any sleep over Atiku Abubakar.”

Continuing, Abdulahi, who spoke on Arise Television, said: “When he said the other previous instances were not as justified as this present one, it leaves much to be desired about his commitment to the party. But suffice to say PDP is moving on; we are beginning to get our house together.

“If only you know the number of persons that are calling to congratulate the PDP on his exit, because there were a lot of persons who, all along, wanted to identify with the PDP but they were apprehensive of his involvement for the simple reason that as long as he remained within the party all the time, he would get the ticket, and it doesn’t matter to him if the zoning favours the north.

“A lot of persons are now calling across the strata, saying that now you people seem to be getting it right, and by the grace of God, you will cross the bridge for the first time since those of them who you know kept constituting a clog in the wheel of the progress for the party are now giving way.

“So, we bid him farewell. Let him go and try somewhere else. I only pray he will not fail in his promise by coming back after the so-called coalition hits the rocks, which is going to be the case ultimately.”

Abdulahi said PDP would not have found itself in the crisis it currently battles with if Atiku had managed the post-2022 PDP presidential primary situation carefully.

He added: “All that he is obsessed with is to contest for the presidency of Nigeria at all cost. And when a person begins to think that he is indispensable in a movement, then it leaves much to be desired about his sincerity in that mission.

“By now one would be expecting Atiku to have called it (presidential bid) off; to have raised some other successors to say three decades after he started, he’s not still aspiring for the presidency.

“It mustn’t be you; if you can’t see anybody all along to back for it, it’s very unfortunate. So, PDP is not losing any sleep over his exit.”

Abdulahi said Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains a member of the PDP as he hasn’t come out to denounce his membership.

He spoke of PDP’s plan to utilise an ongoing internal process to ensure reconciliation and also deal with any member who perpetuates division within it.

He said that with the resolution of the dispute over the authentic national secretary, the party was now poised to put the past behind it and move boldly forward ahead of the 2027 general election.

“PDP is still there and we are priding ourselves with 10 performing governors who have carved a niche for their states and who have stood out in the crowd relative to what obtains in the APC-governed states.

“Our governors have done so well and it doesn’t matter if we are receiving a lot of pressure from the ruling party APC, for them to join the few elements that were cowed into joining the ruling party.

“PDP is not intimidated; we’ll truly come out triumphant in 2027.

“We came out of a storm, we suffered some problems but we are now navigating the waters safely.”

Atiku, in his resignation letter, cited irreconcilable differences for his ‘heartbreaking’ action.

He claimed that the party has diverged from “the foundational principles we stood for.”

Following his first exit from the PDP in 2007, he contested for the presidency on the platform of the Action Congress (AC).

He returned to the PDP only to dump it for the second time in 2014 to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Read Also: Keyamo slams Atiku over PDP exit amid Buhari’s mourning

He lost the ticket to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and four years later found his way back to the PDP.

He has his eyes on the presidential ticket of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

The same ticket is being sought by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Mr.Peter Obi and former Transportation Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

PDP’s survival depends on National Convention —Ologbondiyan

The survival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be determined by the party’s ability to hold a national convention through which it can overhaul its leadership and inject fresh energy, a former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, has said.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, yesterday, Ologbondiyan said: “As we speak, the party is going ahead, saying it is organising congress, and I find it laughable because who are those that will buy forms in the first place for you to conduct a congress?

“What the party needs at this critical moment of its life is to go into a convention, replace the leadership, or recalibrate it in a situation wherever it can and allow a new life to run the party.”

He argued that without urgent reforms and a clear strategy to revive the PDP, the party risked sinking deeper into irrelevance.

According to him, factions within the PDP had taken divergent paths from those pushing for a strategic alliance with President Bola Tinubu to others who are seeking alternative platforms or simply staying neutral.

Ologbondiyan noted during the show that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is a serving member under the PDP, has his sympathy for trying to revamp the party’s structure, but expressed doubt about the possibility of success unless steps were taken.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has my sympathy and possibly support because he is in a desire to say we can revamp the situation, and in revamping the situation, we can still use it effectively as an opposition political party.

“But to be honest with you, from the look of things, I don’t see how that will manifest, and I say this from a responsible position,” Ologbondiyan stated.
July 19, 2025
Alleged terrorism: Let Kanu defend his actions, prosecution tells court
- Urges court to reject IPOB leader’s no-case submission
- Our client was only boasting, says ex-AGF Agabi •Court to rule October 10
A Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to order the detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to enter a defence in the terrorism charge in respect of which he is being prosecuted.

Prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who made this request during Friday’s proceedings, also urged the court to reject the no-case submission made by the defence.

He prayed the court to instead, order him to explain why he engaged in terrorism activities that promoted violence and destruction, including the killing of not fewer than 170 security officials.

Awomolo, while adopting the prosecution’s address in an opposition to the no-case submission made by Kanu, said the prosecution has supplied sufficient evidence in proof of all elements of the offences charged to warrant the court to call on the defendant to enter a defence.

He noted that the prosecution called five witnesses and tendered many exhibits, including video and audio evidence, adding that as against the claim by defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the reply address of the prosecution addressed all issues raised, to the effect that the no case submission is of no moment.

Awomolo, who prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission, argued that all the court was required to do at this stage of the case was to take a panoramic view of the evidence led so far and determine whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against the defendant to warrant his being called to enter a defence.

He noted that the defence, in its no-case submission, attacked the credibility of the witnesses, the record and evidence led so far, which is not what is required at this stage.

Read Also: Alleged terrorism: ‘Let Kanu provide defence for his actions’ – Prosecution tells court

Stressing why court should reject the no-case submission, Awomolo noted that in both the video and audio evidence tendered by the prosecution, Kanu admitted being the leader of IPOB, which he knew was a proscribed group.

He added that Kanu also, in some other videos, admitted making broadcasts in which he allegedly called for violence and destruction.

Reading a portion the defendant’s address in support of his no-case submission, Awomolo faulted Kanu’s lawyer’s argument that his several broadcasts amounted to a clear case of boasting that did not require criminal prosecution.

Awomolo argued that the law prohibits statements that have the possibility of causing fear in the mind of the people.

He added: “Why will somebody say a terrorist who boasted that security men and other people should be killed, should be allowed to go free?”

Awomolo argued that the aim of the defendant was to create the separate state of Biafra, and in the process, no fewer than 170 security men were killed because of his boasting.

“Why was he boasting? Boasting is not the answer. If the defendant believes that he was merely joking and was a content creator, he should be made to answer to why he was boasting and creating fear in the mind of the people.

“When person is boasting and threatening death and violence, that cannot be said to be mere boasting,” Awomolo said.

He urged the court to call on the defendant to come and explain what his boasting was about.

Awomolo faulted claim by Agabi (a former Attorney General of the Federation) that the defendant has been in solitary confinement for 10 years now.

The prosecuting lawyer noted that Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015, was granted bail in 2017, which he enjoyed until 2022 when it was revoked on the grounds that he jumped bail.

Awomolo said the current detention of the defendant was upon an order of the court, which found that he jumped the earlier bail granted him.

He also accused the defence legal team of being behind the delays experienced in the case before now.

Awomolo added: “For three years, his counsel were responsible for the delay of trial. The delay had been the shenanigans of the defence team, not that of the prosecution.

“Their case that this case has lasted for 10 years is not true. They are the cause of the delay,” he said.

On Kanu’s argument that IPOB was not lawfully proscribed, Awomolo contended that since the issue was currently before the Supreme Court, it would be inappropriate for the trial court to pronounce on whether or not the proscription was properly done.

Earlier, Agabi argued that all the prosecution has succeeded in doing was to paint the picture that the defendant is a bad man.

He contended that no single element of the offences charged was proved by the prosecution, adding that the prosecution did not bring anyone before the court who said he was incited by Kanu’s broadcasts.

Agabi said: “This man (Kanu) can boast. He was just boasting. He said I can bring the world to a stand still. I don’t see anything wrong with that. You don’t prosecute a man for mere boasting.”

He drew the court’s attention to the wave of killings in most parts of the country, and argued that the defendant was equally concerned with the state of insecurity in the country.

While insisting that the defendant did nothing wrong, Agabi said the defence team tendered evidence in the case where the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, and a former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma, were heard advocating that people should defend themselves against attacks.

Agabi argued that “what the defendant said was that the people should defend themselves.”

He faulted the ENDSARS report tendered by the prosecution on the grounds that it was not authenticated.

Agabi said his client has been under solitary confinement for more than six years, noting that under International Law, solitary confinement must not exceed 15 days.

The defence lawyer said: “He (the defendant) is no longer normal on account of his solitary confinement. The case has been pending for 10 years.

“Memories have been lost, which is why most of the prosecution witnesses were saying they can’t remember, they don’t know, when they were asked questions,” he said.

He also faulted the death reports tendered by the prosecution, arguing that reports were tendered without the doctors being invited to be cross-examined.

Agabi noted that from the record of proceedings, the witnesses called by the prosecution said “I don’t remember, I am not aware, I do not know” for 80 times, when they were being questioned.

He argued that such responses from witnesses do not satisfy the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Agabi, who said the defence team raised 40 points in its address, stated that the prosecution failed to respond to 10 issues which the defence raised.

“If they (prosecution) failed to respond to one or two issues, it is enough for the court to acquit the defendant. But, in this case, the prosecution failed to respond to 10 issues raised by the defence.

“The participation of the witnesses was not more than obtaining statements. The statements obtained from the defendant were not investigated,

“All the witnesses came from the DSS. That is why they kept saying I can’t remember, I am not aware because they did nothing,” he said.

Agabi urged the court not to attach probative value to the additional evidence filed after trial had commenced in the case.

He noted that the charge had been amended for about seven times, but no persons’ names were reflected as those who were invited by the defendant.

Agabi faulted the proscription of IPOB, arguing that proscription does not lie without the President’s approval. “

He added: “Without the President’s approval there cannot be any proscription.

“We are saying there is no proscription, because there is no presidential approval. If they have it, they should bring it.”

Agabi argued that the court lacked that jurisdiction to try the charge relating to the alleged unlawful imported transmitter, noting that the Court of Appeal had already ruled on that.

After listening to the arguments of lawyers to both sides, Justice James Omotosho adjourned till October 10 for ruling on whether or not to allow the no-case submission and free the defendant or reject it and order him to enter his defence.
July 19, 2025
Labour Party factions clash over tenure extension for Usman, others
- Abure: NEC meeting illegal, says Otti isolated
Hostilities resumed yesterday between the Nenadi Usman faction of Labour Party (LP) and the Julius Abure faction, with Abure and his supporters raising hell over the election of Usman as Interim National Chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Interim National Secretary.

The Abure faction disowned yesterday’s meeting of the statutory National Executive Committee of the party in where the election took place

It also branded the gathering as illegal, unconstitutional and of no consequence, and warned Abia State Governor Alex Otti to desist from expending state resources on trivialities.

National Secretary of the Abure faction, Umar Farouk claimed, in a statement, that the power to summon such a meeting lies only with the National Chairman and National Secretary.

He said participants at the “illegal gathering” were some suspended members of the party parading themselves as members of the party’s National Executive Committee.

Farouk particularly took exception to a statement by Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the meeting of the Usman faction that Abure,Lamidi Apapa (another factional leader) and “other disgruntled members” should tender a formal apology as a condition for their reintegration into the party.

Farouk,citing Articles 14(4)(b) and 13(B)(xii) of the party’s constitution, argued that the Umuahia meeting lacked legitimacy and was a direct violation of internal procedures.

His words:“By the above provisions, every meeting convened by the suspended Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Caretaker Committee, being the product of the illegal Umuahia meeting, is unconstitutional and of no effect.

Read Also: I’m still in Labour Party, says Obi

“It is important to note that there has never been any vacancy in the leadership of the Labour Party and there will not be any until 2028.”

Besides,Farouk referenced the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court ruling that asked that all intra-party disputes be resolved internally in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“Dr. Otti and his co-travellers must know by now that the train of the party has moved on and the party is focused ahead of the 2027 general election with or without them,” he said.

Continuing,he said:“Governor Otti is probably not aware that his flanks have been exposed as the majority of his combatants and leaders have deserted him and moved on. He is probably living in ignorance and in the past.”

He told Otti to “channel the Abia State resources to providing basic infrastructure for the good people of the state rather than wasting resources chasing shadows.”

Usman-led NWC to remain until national convention

The Senator Usman led interim national working committee elected yesterday is expected to run the affairs of the party until the election of new officials at the party’s national conevention, according to a communiqué issued yesterday.

The meeting also approved a timetable for the conduct of ward congresses, local government area congresses, state congresses, Zonal congresses, and the National Convention of the Labour Party.

The National Secretariat of the party is to publish the guidelines and timelines to ensure transparent and democratic elections at all levels.

Speaking at the meeting,National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ,Joe Ajaero,declared that the congress “which formed the party is very much” with the LP faction led by Usman and “ we have not abandoned the party.”

“I want us to be focused, not distracted,” he said.

On his part,Gov.Otti said the statutory NEC meeting was a fallout of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court which,according to him, affirmed Usman as the national chairperson of the party.

He said: “as law-abiding people, we felt we should obey the Supreme Court judgement, and what we are here to do is to begin a structured process by formalizing some key committees like the interim national working committee, which will oversee all party activities till the party’s convention, when elections for a new NEC will be conducted.”
July 19, 2025
Gambari admits to ‘cabal’ under Buhari, says every govt has one

Former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has admitted that a cabal existed in the Buhari administration, stating that such power blocs are a natural feature of every government, regardless of the name they are called.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources hosted by Laolu Akande, the former presidential aide explained that while there was widespread speculation about the existence of a cabal around President Buhari, such groups are neither unusual nor unique to his administration.

“They say there was a cabal, there was. Every government has a cabal. They may call them a kitchen cabinet; they may call them a think tank,” Gambari stated.

The seasoned diplomat, who served as Chief of Staff from May 2020 to May 2023 following the death of Abba Kyari, emphasised that informal advisers and trusted associates have always played significant roles around Heads of State across different administrations.

“(Former President Olusegun) Obasanjo had a group of people—the Aboyades of this world and others—a small group of people. It’s the nature of the office of the President that they must have some people in and out of government whom they can let their guard down to and talk to freely,” he explained.

According to Gambari, what distinguished one administration from another was not whether such circles existed but the level of influence such individuals wielded.

Read Also: Fed Govt gets kudos over Buhari’s burial

“Some have more powers than others but I’m bold to say that every government has a cabal of some kind or another, whatever name it is called. So, there was (a cabal under Buhari),” he said.

Reflecting on his experience in office, Gambari disclosed the challenges he encountered in managing presidential correspondence and decision-making protocols.

“When I came as Chief of Staff to the President, he made a statement publicly. He said all memos must go through the Chief of Staff before coming to him. Even the Vice President (Yemi Osinbajo), to his credit, always passed his memos through me and several ministers,” he said.

However, Gambari admitted that certain individuals in the administration found ways to bypass official channels, exploiting President Buhari’s personal weaknesses.

“Our people still got their memos to him from behind because they knew his weak point and who to use and he never stopped them. But the advantage I had was that the memos came back to me,” he revealed.

He noted that these individuals had cultivated a level of informal access to the President that allowed them to sneak communications past official processes.

“They knew his weak moment, they knew when to smuggle (memos) because they knew him as they interacted with him informally,” he said.

Gambari also touched on Buhari’s earlier stint as Head of State from 1983 to 1985, offering insights into tensions that may have contributed to his ouster by military colleagues.

“I was a Minister 1984–1985 but I wasn’t privy to why he was removed by his colleagues; they put him there. But one of the reasons I’m told was the military people were resenting the fact that Head of State Buhari was now getting a lot of advice and second-guessing the decision of his military colleagues—the Supreme Military Council,” he said.

July 18, 2025
I cannot guarantee Peter Obi’s security in Edo, says Okpebholo

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has cautioned a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, against visiting the state without informing him.

Governor Okpebholo said Obi’s security in Edo State was not guaranteed.

He said the former Labour Party presidential candidate should take whatever happened to him anytime he (Obi) visits Edo without informing him.

The Edo Governor spoke in Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government, while receiving Hon Marcus Onobun, the lawmaker representing Esan West/Igueben/Central in the House of Representatives, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said he was serious about what he said.

According to him, “The man we say he no get shi shi I am sending a direct message to him. He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

“His security cannot be guaranteed. We are serious about it. Whatever that happens to him when he comes to Edo State, he will take it. He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin. Tell Obi he should not to come to Edo without telling me.”

On his part, Onobun, who had earlier claimed he was being harrased to join the APC, said he was back home to the APC.

Obi, had last week, visited the St Philomena hospital in Benin City and donated the sum of N15m.

Cult related killings began in different parts of the state last week Friday leading to the killing of over 12 persons.

July 18, 2025
Tinubu appoints Babangida, four others as chairmen of federal agencies

…others as heads of agencies

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Babangida, son of former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, signaling a new phase of leadership at the institution as part of ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector.

The announcement was made on Thursday through a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the appointment is part of a broader reshuffle aimed at repositioning strategic federal agencies for improved service delivery and policy execution.

Alongside Muhammad Babangida, seven other individuals were named as new chairpersons or heads of key national institutions.

Muhammad Babangida, 53, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland.

He also completed an Executive Program on Corporate Governance at Harvard Business School in 2002.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

In other appointments, Lydia Kalat Musa from Kaduna State was named Chairperson of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), while Jamilu Wada Aliyu of Kano State will serve as Chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, also from Kano, was appointed Chairman of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Sanusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is to lead the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).

President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu from Sokoto State as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), while Sanusi Garba Rikiji of Zamfara State was appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).

In the energy and development sector, Mrs. Tomi Somefun from Oyo State has been named Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

Dr. Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria of Kaduna State was appointed Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).

July 18, 2025
Dino Melaye makes ‘first court appearance’ as lawyer

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye has made his first courtroom appearance as a lawyer, marking his debut since being called to the Nigerian Bar.

Dino, who graduated from the department of Law, Baze University, Abuja, represented the Kogi West Senatorial District at the red chamber during the 8th Assembly.

Melaye, dressed in a full wig and gown, appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite at Court 8 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, July 18.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

According to a post on his official Facebook page, Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress said: “Senator Dino Melaye at the Federal High Court Abuja today. Appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of Court 8”

Stepping into legal practice after years in politics and public life, the former lawmaker was among over 5,000 new lawyers called to the Bar in Abuja in early July.

July 18, 2025
JUST IN: New U.S. Consul General arrives Lagos

The United States (US) Mission has announced the arrival of its new Consul General, Rick Swart.

He arrived in Lagos on July 16.

In a statement, the mission said, “As Consul General in Lagos, Swart is the senior U.S. Government representative to the Nigerian people throughout the 17 states in southern Nigeria.

“He is responsible for leading and overseeing U.S. government activities that deepen trade and investment ties, expand people-to-people connections, and advance the full range of priorities in the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship across the region.

“I am honored to serve in Nigeria. I am excited about the opportunity to travel across the region, meet the people, experience the culture, while advancing the shared goals of making our two countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Swart takes over from JoEllen Gorg who led the Consulate General in an interim capacity over the last seven months.

The immediate past Consul General, Will Stevens, completed his tour of duty in November 2024.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

“I thank JoEllen for her remarkable leadership and for the outstanding work she has done to promote our close partnership with the Nigerian people in the region,” Consul General Swart added.

“I look forward to working closely with Ambassador Mills and the team at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, to further advance the shared objectives between Nigeria and the United States.”

Consul General Rick Swart, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has held diverse diplomatic roles across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, most recently as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad.

His diplomatic assignments include serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., in the Republics of Chad, Congo, and Burundi; Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq; and Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Other assignments include overseas tours in London, Manila, and Dubai; as well as domestic postings in Washington, D.C., serving as the focal point for several cross-cutting sub-Saharan Africa issues.

Before joining the State Department in 2002, he worked in the private sector on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.

July 18, 2025
Alleged terrorism: ‘Let Kanu provide defence for his actions’ – Prosecution tells court

…urges court to reject IPOB leader’s no-case submission

…our client was only boasting,’ says ex-AGF Agabi

…court to rule October 10

A Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to order the detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to enter a defence in the terrorism charge in respect of which he is being prosecuted.

Prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who made this request during Friday’s proceedings, also urged the court to reject the no-case submission made by the defence.

He prayed the court to instead, order him to explain why he engaged in terrorism activities that promoted violence and destruction, including the killing of not less than 170 security officials.

Awomolo, while adopting the prosecution’s address in a opposition to the no-case submission made by Kanu, said the prosecution has supplied sufficient evidence in proof of all elements of the offences charged to warrant the court to call on the defendant to enter a defence.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

He noted the prosecution called five witnesses and tendered many exhibits, including video and audio videmce, adding that as against the claim by defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the reply address of the prosecution addressed all issues raised, to the effect that the no case submission is of no moment.

Awomolo, who prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission, argued that all the court was required to do at this stage of the case was to take a panoramic view of the evidence led so far and determine whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against the defendant to warrant his being called to enter a defence.

He noted that the defence, in its no-case submission, attacked the credibility of the witnesses, the record and evidence led so far, which is not what is required at this stage.

Stressing why court should reject the no-case submission, Awomolo noted that in both the video and audio evidence tendered by the prosecution, Kanu admitted being the leader of IPOB, which he knew was a proscribed group.

He added that Kanu also, in some other videos, admitted making broadcasts in which he allegedly called for violence and destruction.

Reading a portion the defendant’s address in support of his no-case submission, Awomolo faulted Kanu’s lawyer’s argument that his several broadcasts amounted to a clear case of boasting that did not require criminal prosecution.

Awomolo argued that the law prohibits statements that have the possibility of causing fear in the mind of the people.

He added: “Why will somebody say a terrorist, who boasted that security men and other people should be killed, should be allowed to go free?”

Awomolo argued that the aim of the defendant was to create the separate state of Biafra, and in the process not less than 170 security men were killed because of his boasting.

“Why was he boasting? Boasting is not the answer. If the defendant believe that he was merely joking and was a content creator, he should be made to answer to why he was boasting and creating fear in the mind of the people.

“When person is boasting and threatening death and violence, that cannot be said to be mere boasting,” Awomolo said.

He urged the court to call on the defendant to come and explain what his boasting was about.

Awomolo faulted claim by Agabi (a former Attorney General of the Federation) that the defendant has been in solitary confinement for 10 years now.

The prosecuting lawyer noted that Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 was granted bail in 2017, which he enjoyed until 2022 when it was revoked on the grounds that he jumped bail.

Awomolo said the current detention of the defendant was upon an order of the court, which found that he jumped the earlier bail granted him.

He also accused the defence legal team of being behind the delays experienced in the case before now.

Awomolo added: “For three years, his counsel were responsible for the delay of trial. The delay had been the shenanigans of the defence team, not that of the prosecution.

“Their case that this case has lasted for 10 years is not true. They are the cause of the delay,” he said.

On Kanu’s argument that IPOB was not lawfully proscribed, Awomolo contended that since the issue was currently before the Supreme Court, it would be inappropriate for the trial court to pronounce on whether or not the proscription was properly done.

Earlier, Agabi argued tha all the prosecution has succeeded in doing was to paint the picture that the defendant is a bad man.

He contended that no single element of the offences charged was proved by the prosecution, adding that the prosecution did not bring anyone before the court who said he was incited by Kanu’s broadcasts.

Agabi said: “This man (Kanu) can boast. He was just boasting. He said I can bring the world to a stand still. I don’t see anything wrong with that. You don’t prosecute a man for mere boasting.”

He drew the court’s attention to the wave of killings in most parts of the country, and argued that the defendant was equally concerned with the state of insecurity in the country.

While insisting the the defendant did nothing wrong, Agabi said the defence team tendered evidence in the case where the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi and a former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma were heard advocating that people should defend themselves against attacks.

Agabi argued that “what the defendant said was that the people should defend themselves.”

He faulted the END SARS report tendered by the prosecution on the grounds that it was not authenticated.

Agabi said his client has been under solitary confinement for more than six years, noting that under International Law, solitary confinement must not exceed 15 days.

The defence lawyer said: “He (the defendant) is no longer normal on account of his solitary confinement. The case has been pending for 10 years.

“Memories have been lost, which is why most of the prosecution witnesses were saying they can’t remember, they don’t know, when they were asked questions,” he said.

He also faulted the death reports tendered by the prosecution, arguing that reports were tendered without the doctors being invited to be cross-examined.

Agabi noted that from the record of proceedings, the witnesses called by the prosecution said, “I don’t remember, I am not aware, I do not know” for 80 times, when they were being questioned.

He argued that such responses from witnesses do not satisfy the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Agabi, who said the defence team raised 40 points in its address, stated that the prosecution failed to respond to 10 issues which the defence raised.

“If they (prosecution) failed to respond to one or two issues, it is enough for the court to acquit the defendant. But, in this case, the prosecution failed to respond to 10 issues raised by the defence.

“The participation of the witnesses was not more than obtaining statements. The statements obtained from the defendant were not investigated,

“All the witnesses came from the DSS. That is why they kept saying I can’t remember, I am not aware because they did nothing,” he said.

Agabi urged the court not to attach probative value to the additional evidence filed after trial had commenced in the case.

He noted that the charge had been amended for about seven times, but no persons’ names were reflected as those who were invcited by the defendant.

Agabi faulted the proscription of IPOB, arguing that proscription does not lie without the President’s approval. “

He added: “Without the President’s approval there can not be any proscription.

“We are saying there is no proscription, because there is no presidential approval, if they have it, they should bring it.”

Agabi argued that the court lacked that jurisdiction to try the charge relating to the alleged unlawful imported transmitter, noting that the Court of Appeal had already ruled on that.

After listening to the arguments of lawyers to both sides, Justice James Omotosho adjourned till October 10 for ruling on whether or not to allow the no-case submission and free the defendant or reject it and order him to enter his defence.

July 18, 2025