The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kanu

  • Kanu joins Iwobi’s praise singers

    Kanu joins Iwobi’s praise singers

    Former Arsenal star, Nwankwo Kanu has joined a growing list of admirers of Nigeria youngster ,Alex Iwobi after he posted a man-of-the-match display for Arsenal on Saturday.

    The 19-year-old Iwobi scored his first-ever Premier League goal for the London Gunners in an important 2-0 win at Everton.

    Arsene Wenger also started Iwobi for last week’s UEFA Champions League clash at Barcelona.

    “Well done Arsenal and well done Iwobi. Keep going and I wish you all the best,” Kanu saluted.

    Iwobi’s uncle, the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, was one of the first to congratulate the young midfielder.

    “So pleased with Alexi’s performance this afternoon. Delighted he got his first premiership goal…So proud of him. Wel-done Ojiogwu,” Okocha tweeted.

  • Dutch, British coaches for 5th Greensprings Kanu Football Camp

    Dutch, British coaches for 5th Greensprings Kanu Football Camp

     This year’s Greensprings Kanu Football Camp promises to be exciting as Dutch and British coaches are expected to handle proceedings at the one-week clinic holding in Lagos next month.

    The camp, which has continued to receive commendation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well as football buffs, holds on April 3 to 9 at the Lekki campus of Greensprings School.

    To ensure that the foreign coaches would impact on local coaches, a two-day coaching clinic will be organised for grassroots coaches in Lagos State to acquaint them with the new techniques of handling young people.

    The serene environment that hosts the camp has become the talking point among football followers while more students across the country are eager to be part of the camp this year.

    According to the consultant on sports to Greensprings School, Oluseyi Oyebode, youth development coaches from the Netherlands Football Association as well as English FA-certified coaches from Westbrom Albion have been confirmed for this year’s event while Super Eagles former captain, Nwankwo Kanu will also be part of the clinic again this year.

    “In our usual manner, we would not the foreign coaches to come and go but we want them to tutor our local coaches so they can also replicate this knowledge in their various locations across the country. This is what prompted the two-day coaching course to be staged before the commencement of the camp.

    “Some of the coaches will also put to action what they have learnt during the training when the camping of the students begins on April 3. The stage is set as all arrangements are in top gear to stage another befitting clinic that will continue to add to the quality of Nigerian football at grassroots level,” Oyebode said.

  • NFF snub Kanu, Okocha as Eagles coaches

    NFF snub Kanu, Okocha as Eagles coaches

    Former Nigeria international skippers, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha were among the names brought before the NFF technical committee for consideration as part of the Super Eagles coaching crew in the wake of Sunday Oliseh’s shock resignation.

    However, they were not considered because they do not have any coaching badges.

    Okocha, for one, pushed hard to be named assistant Eagles coach when Sunday Oliseh was named in July 2015. But again, the one-time mercurial playmaker of PSG was overlooked.

    Interestingly, ‘Jay Jay’ has often maintained he does not wish to be a coach until his recent u-turn.

  • Biafra: Ohanaeze Ndigbo holds talks with presidency over Kanu

    Biafra: Ohanaeze Ndigbo holds talks with presidency over Kanu

    • Group meets Sultan, Ooni, other monarchs

    Pan Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, yesterday said that it has began talks with the Presidency to ensure the release of the founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

    The body also said that its leadership will commence discussions with notable traditional ruler for the same purpose.

    Although the group did not disclose details of its discussions and the Presidency officials it met “for security reasons”, it noted that those consulted assured its representatives that something positive would come out of the consultations very soon.

    The apex Igbo body told journalists in Abuja yesterday that discussions were already at advanced stage between its leaders and key personalities in the presidency.

    The modus operandi, it said was on how to employ political solution to secure the release of Kanu.

    National President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing, Mazi Okechukwu Iziguzoro, who spoke at a news briefing, explained that notable traditional rulers, like the Sultan of Sokoto, Ooni of Ife, Emir of Kano and the monarch of the Bornu Kingdom, had been consulted on the issue.

    Iziguzoro noted that the Igbo leaders assured the Presidency and the royal fathers that they were prepared to prevail on Kanu to discontinue the operation of Radio Biafra if he is released.

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo, he said, decided to initiate the ‘free Nnamdi Kanu’ campaign, as part of its peace in the Nigeria project.

    He noted that it is their conviction that dialogue, instead of protests, remained the best option to resolve contending issues.

    The group leader added that the peace move initiated by the body yielded some fruits recently when the leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo addressed a joint news conference with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum and demanded the unconditional release of Kanu, in the interest of peace and harmony.

    He said, “For the past two months now, we have started to mediate with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in this country, with regards to what is happening to our zone. Ohaneze Ndigbo have also meet with the family of Nnamdi Kanu, his younger brother, Emma, his sisters and other members of the family and, we know their mindset.

    “We are now convincing Kanu personally on the need to soften the stand of his movement. Before now, we had no access to him, but we can now have access to him through the Directorate of State Service and explain issues he needed to understand.

    “If you are talking about Biafra, it is not only about one person. It is about the entire Igbo nation who have multi trillion dollars investment across the country. So everything has to be taken into consideration.

    “The talks are still on and we met high profile personalities in government who would not want their names mentioned in the media without clearance. Two weeks ago, we were with the Sultan of Sokoto on the same issue. From there to the Shehu of Bornu, and then the Ooni of Ife.

    “We as youth leaders of Ndigbo will be shirking in our responsibility and duty if we fail to state our position, opinion and suggestion on the way forward to this burning issue.

    “In the first place we believe in a United Nigeria anchored on justice, equity and fairness. We believe that all problems and issues in Nigeria can be solved through dialogue and roundtable discussion.”

    Isiguzoro expressed the hope that the peace initiative across the country by the apex Igbo group would go a long way to achieve the objective of freeing Kanu from detention.

  • I opened doors for Africans- Kanu

    I opened doors for Africans- Kanu

    Kanu Nwankwo has said his success with Arsenal paved way for more African footballers to play and thrive in the English Premier League.

    The former Super Eagles skipper joined the Gunners in 1999 and helped Arsene Wenger’s men lift two Premier League trophies, two FA Cups during his five-year at the club where he boasts of 44 goals in 198 games.

    February 18 marks his 17th anniversary of signing for the club, and the 39-year-old has fond memories of his time in north London.

    “I believe I was the first [African] person who came to England and did very well,” Kanu told Arsenal Player.

    “After that, the doors opened for African talents so, with Arsenal behind me and what we did with Arsenal, everybody now tends to follow the English league.

    “When I came over I saw a good coach who saw the best in me. I was a good player because he made it easier for me to play.

    “Everybody believes that English football is all about playing the ball up, not keeping it on the ground, but Arsène has his own idea of football and it made it easier for us. He wanted us to play football the right way, he wanted us to enjoy it by passing the ball around and that’s what we did.

    “It was very easy to adjust when you saw the fans. The supporters are behind you and they love you and what you are doing and that means you have to do more. If you keep doing more, they keep loving you and it was very easy for them to adopt me.

    “I had the skills and the tricks the fans really love. When I left Arsenal I still had the fans on my mind and since then I’ve been supporting the club,” he concluded.

    Before hanging his soccer boots, Kanu also featured for Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion.

  • Biafra: Kanu denied bail, to remain in prison

    Biafra: Kanu denied bail, to remain in prison

    Pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, and his associates, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (identified as a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited), are  to remain in Kuje prison, Abuja as the Federal High Court, Abuja rejected their bail application yesterday.

    Justice James Tsoho, earlier at their arraignment, ordered that they be ramanded in Kuje prison.

    Yesterday, the judge, in a ruling on their bail application, rejected their prayer for bail,

    Justice Tsoho held  that they were not entitled to bail as they failed to challenge the allegation by the prosecution that they would not continue to commit the alleged crime for which they were being prosecuted, if granted bail.

    They were charged with treasonable felony for seeking secesion from Nigeria and running an illegal organisation – the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Justice Tsoho had earlier noted that there was no objection to his being represented by Udechukwu during the hearing of the application on January 25.

    The judge upheld the contention by the prosecuting counsel,  Mohammed Diri, who had opposed the bail application, to the effect that the accused were likely to interfere with and intimidate prosecuting witnesses.

    The judge also ruled that contrary to the contention by defence lawyers, the charges of treasonable felony, which attract life imprisonment on conviction are serious ones as held by the Supreme Court in Federal Government’s case against Asari Dokubo.

    He also held that the charges filed by the Federal Government were not trumped up as contended by the defence.

    He held that the defence failed to contradict the exhibits tendered by the prosecution in opposing the bail application to the effect that the accused were likely to constitute “threats to the peace and tranquility of the country”.

    He ruled that rather than contradict the allegation with a rebuttal, the applicants chose to “maintain that they are within their right to agitate for self-determination.”

    “In my view, this does not contradict the allegation. It is trite that an allegation not challenged is deemed admitted,” the judge held.

    He also rejected the defence’s contention that the continued arrest since October 14, 2015, violated his rights under section 35.

    The judge also ruled that Kanu’s admission that he was a dual citizen of Nigeria and Britain further “heightened the possibility of him jumping bail”.

    The judge ruled that rather than grant bail to the accused persons, he would order an accelerated hearing of the case with the possibility of hearing it on daily basis.

    “It is my candid opinion that the three defendants are not entitled to bail. Accordingly, they are to be detained in prison pending their trial,” the judge ruled.

    He adjourned till February 9, 10, 11 and 12 for trial.

    Kanu was in the custody of the Department of State Service since his arrest in a Lagos hotel on October 14, 2015 till January 20, 2016, when he was transferred to prison by an order of Justice Tsoho  shortly after he was arraigned along with two others.

  • Fed Govt urges court to deny Kanu, others bail

    Fed Govt urges court to deny Kanu, others bail

    The Federal Government yesterday urged a Federal High  Court in Abuja to decline the bail application by pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu and his associates, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

    The trio were arraigned on January 20 on a six-count of treasonable felony; running an unlawful organisation, plotting to levy war on the country, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and unlawful importation of a transmitter, with which they ran the illegal Radio Biafra.

    Yesterday, the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammad Diri, moved the counter-affidavit on their bail application, urging the court to decline the request.

    Diri said Kanu admitted he was a British citizen who sneaked into the country.

    He added that he could sneak out of the country, if admitted to bail.

    Earlier, while arguing the bail application, defence lawyer M. U. Udechukwu told the court that their offences were bailable and urged the court to grant them bail.

    Udechukwu relied on sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    He argued that the prosecution’s claims were not sufficient to deny the defendants bail.

    Justice James Tsoho adjourned ruling till Friday.

     

  • Court remands Kanu, two others in Kuje prison

    Court remands Kanu, two others in Kuje prison

    Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that pro-Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu and two of his associates be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja.

    Justice James Tsoho gave the order when Kanu, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (a Field Maintenance engineer with MTN) were arraigned before him.

    They were arraigned on a six-count of treasonable felony; running an unlawful organisation, plotting to levy war on the country, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful importation of a transmitter to run their illegal radio station – Radio Biafra.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    When the case was called, lead prosecution lawyer and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Muhammad Diri withdrew the charge of December 18, 2015, urging the court to allow the defendants plead to the December 23 charge.

    He said the charge was accompanied by a list of exhibits, witnesses, case summary, proof of evidence of witnesses, and their written statements, affidavit of completion of investigation in the case and a letter of approval by the chief judge, for their arraignment before the Abuja division.

    Shortly after Kanu and others pleaded to the charge, their lawyer, Chucks Muoma   (SAN), applied that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, saying the prison authorities were neutral.

    Muoma argued that the complainant should not be allowed to keep the accused, saying the prison would be a more appropriate and neutral custodian of the accused.

    “The DSS cannot be a judge in its cause, cannot accuse and also detain the accused in its custody. The accused have been in DSS custody since October or thereabout. They have been held incommunicado for three months, without access to the world, lawyers or their families.

    “They are not allowed to make phone calls to families. In the opinion of the DSS, the defendants are already condemned. That opinion negates the foundation of our criminal justice system that a man is presumed guilty until proved guilty. It is only the court that can declare a man guilty at the end of trial.

    “Since the prosecution claimed investigations have been concluded, why seek to further keep them?” Muoma said.

    He urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody, as is the tradition once a person is arraigned.

    The judge rejected the prosecution’s request that the three be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where they have been since their arrest last October.

    He ordered  they be remanded in prison and adjourned to January 25 for hearing of their bail application.

  • IPOB leader Kanu files fresh bail application

    IPOB leader Kanu files fresh bail application

    Detained Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) leader and Radio Biafra Director Nnamdi Kanu has filed a fresh bail application.

    Kanu, who was arrested last October by the Department of State Service (DSS), was charged with two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, with treasonable felony for allegedly plotting the secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria and managing an illegal organisation.

    Kanu’s fresh bail application, now pending before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was served last week on the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

    Kanu stalled their arraignment last year when he told Justice Ahmed Mohammed that he doubted his ability to ensure justice in the case.

    Justice Mohammed withdrew and remitted the case file back to the court’s Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge. The case is yet to be re-assigned.

     

  • Falana to Fed Govt: obey orders on Dasuki, Kanu

    Falana to Fed Govt: obey orders on Dasuki, Kanu

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has asked the Federal Government to obey the court order granting bail to former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

    In a statement, entitled: “The orders for the bail of Dasuki and Kanu should be obeyed”, Falana said the alleged refusal of the Department of State Services (DSS) to obey the order admitting them to bail, coupled with the failure to re-arraign Dasuki on fresh charges, amounted to impunity.

    The lawyer noted that for the 16 years that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, the Federal Government exhibited total contempt for the rule of law, in which the constitution and other laws were breached with impunity while court orders were disobeyed on a regular basis.

    According to him, one of the reasons Nigerians voted for President Muhammadu Buhari was his promise to fight corruption and end impunity.

    “Therefore, he has a duty to ensure that all organs and officials of the government operate within the ambit of the law,” the lawyer said.

    Falana said the President should not allow overzealous security personnel to engage in impunity and thereby expose the government to unwarranted embarrassment.

    “The decision of the DSS to ignore the order admitting Col. Dasuki to bail coupled with the failure to re-arraign him on fresh charges is tantamount to impunity. If the Federal Government was aggrieved by the order admitting Col. Dasuki to bail, it should have challenged it at the Court of Appeal.”

    Falana said the order admitting Kanu to bail should also be complied with.

    To him, if the Federal Government had other charges against both suspects, it should file them in court.

    “There is no provision for keeping criminal suspects at the pleasure of security officials. Meanwhile, all valid and subsisting orders made by courts in favour of criminal suspects should be obeyed without further delay,” he said.