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FG Rearrests And Arraigns IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu In Court As Nigerians React

Nnamdi Kanu

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has announced the rearrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

He made the revelation on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, while briefing journalists. He said the IPOB leader who had jumped bail will continue his trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is defending charges such as management of an unlawful society, treasonable felony, terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

On how Nnamdi Kanu was arrested, Malami said it was a collaborative effort between Nigerian security agencies and Interpol.

Meanwhile, the IPOB leader appeared before Justice Binta Nyako, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, amidst tight security with combat-ready security operatives stationed at the Federal High Court.

In court, the Department of State Services (DSS) prayed the court to remand the IPOB leader in their custody. The request was granted by Justice Binta Nyako, who ordered that Nnamdi Kanu be remanded in the custody of the DSS until July 26, 2021, when the trial, which began on the 14th October 2015 will be continued.

The adjournment was mainly because the defendant appeared in court without his defense attorney and Mazi Kanu is expected to contact his lawyers by July 26 with his trial will resume.

Meanwhile, the news of the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians across the board. While some have hailed the federal government and the security agencies involved in the arrest for their decisiveness, others have lambasted the FG for treating IPOB, harshly because of its links with the South East, arguing that Boko Haram, Bandits, and Fulani Herdsmen have been given a fairer treatment.

Read Also: Nnamdi Kanu Issues Sit-At-Home Order For May 30 As DSS Warns Against Hate Speech

Apex-Igbo Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide while reacting to the news of the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu released a statement where it praised the FG for the ‘timely’ recapture of the IPOB leader.

The statement read:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for calm and cautioned Igbos to desist from any form of protests and processions that will bring more catastrophe for Southeastern Nigeria.

“The re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB is the beginning of the end of violent agitations in southeastern Nigeria and a lesson to others that, deviation from the nonviolent agitations contradicts what Igbos are known for, and self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking.

“Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, Elders, and Political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him, he made a lot of enemies especially those that would have saved him and Federal Government will never lose grip on him again. We don’t think that any Igbo leader will stick out his/her neck for him, his re-arrest will eventually bring peace and stability to the region and averted another civil war that was raging on.

“Federal Government should handle the situation carefully because his large followers of Ipob wouldn’t resort to violent revolts, his trial should be strictly based on the laws of the land, they shouldn’t kill him because it will destabilize the entire country.”

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, said the Nigerian government should ensure that Kanu faces the consequences of his actions this time.

“Finally Nnamdi Kanu has been brought back home. We must commend the Nigerian government, Interpol for its wonderful work. They have demonstrated that it’s a matter of time, though long overdue at least, it’s better late than never.

“Finally, he has to face the music probably, and I’m sure this will serve as a lesson to our brothers in the Southeast that never again should they fold their hands and allow a common criminal to be talking as if he speaks for them out of fear.”

“I’m sure the judiciary would do the needful and ensure he faces the proper music so that at the end of the day it will serve as a deterrent to the like of him that may want to think or behave the way this mad man has done over time.” 

The Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, thinks that Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest is a good development as it would reduce the tensions in the East but warned that nothing should happen to the IPOB leader. He said:

“I think his extradition is a good development, which will bring a little bit of calm and peace to the boys he has been instigating and to Igboland so that we can have a peaceful atmosphere.

“Nnamdi Kanu jumped bail. He did not appreciate Senator Abaribe and others who secured the bail for him. Rather, when he was abroad, he was instigating people to cause confusion.

“We warned him several times to stop that. It’s not only that, we felt that if you are a leader, you should come down here so we can discuss with others on how to solve the problem. First of all, settle this case for which you jumped bail.

“We will not allow him (Nnamdi Kanu) to be eliminated. Let him face his trial and judgment. They cannot eliminate anybody like that. If they eliminate him, then, they are looking for more trouble.”

The Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe took to social media to celebrate Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest. He captioned a picture post he shared of himself kneeling and raising his hands in worship to God with the following;

“To God be the glory. May the Souls of hundreds of young men who lost their lives in the South East rest in perfect peace. Amen! An Endless Alleluia!” THE JUDGEMENT DAY COMETH. MAY THE SOULS OF TGE DEPARTED REST IN PERFECT PEACE.”

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One Half Of The Estranged Duo P-Square Declares Nov 30 as his new birthday

Mr P has officially moved his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30, adding a new layer to the ongoing P-Square family feud. What began as a social media declaration has now been formalised. A few hours after announcing his intention to change his birthday date, Peter Okoye, known professionally as Mr P, has issued an open letter confirming that November 18, the date he has shared with his twin brother Paul Okoye since birth in 1981, is no longer his day of celebration.

“Dear Family, Friends, and Fans,” the post read. “I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day. My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The message is brief, but its implications are quite clear. November 18 has long been one of the last remaining public symbols of a shared identity between two brothers whose professional and personal relationship has deteriorated sharply over the past several years.

By formally reassigning the date, Peter is drawing a line that goes beyond creative differences or business disputes.

The reaction from Nigerians online has been largely sceptical.

Many have questioned the necessity of the gesture, with a significant number describing it as petty and unnecessary given the more substantive issues that have defined the brothers’ current estrangement.

The consensus among critics is that changing a birthday date does little to resolve any of the actual grievances and serves mainly as a public statement of severance.

The feud between Peter and Paul Okoye has now spanned multiple years, two official splits, a brief reunion, and a growing list of public accusations on both sides. November 30 is still months away. To see if the gesture will land as true liberation or just pettiness may depend entirely on where things stand by then.

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I Took Over From Myself’: Tinubu’s Claims that He and Buhari Are ‘One’

President Bola Tinubu addressed supporters on Wednesday night in a video that was equal parts pep talk and provocation, but it was one particular line that cut through everything else and set social media alight.

Speaking to the leadership and coordinators of his Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu pushed back against the criticism that his administration inherited and worsened an already broken economy.

His defence took an unexpected turn. “This economy, I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself,” he said. “The late Buhari is me, he was a partner, if I took over from him, is that not from myself? So, it’s wrong? Fine. Live with it, correct it, move on.

Nigerians online did not move on, at least not immediately. The comment, which appeared to collapse the distinction between his administration and Muhammadu Buhari’s, drew a flood of reactions ranging from genuine bewilderment to sharp mockery.

For critics who have spent two years arguing that Tinubu’s government is a continuation of the same policies that drove Nigeria into economic hardship, the president had essentially handed them their argument in his own words.

The broader address, shared to his official page at 10:38 pm alongside a roughly ten-minute video, was deliberately combative.

Tinubu took aim at the opposition, dismissing the recently held ADC convention as “a street convention” and its energy as mere “rascality.”

He warned that his government would not yield to noise or disobedience of court orders, while also promising supporters that standing with him would not be a decision they would regret.

At one point, he told the ambassadors, “That is why we have told you to renew their hope”, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that for those unwilling to embrace the hope on offer, they would simply provide “eyeglasses.” It was the kind of line that plays well in a room full of loyalists and poorly everywhere else.

The overall message he tried to convey was that he would not be retreating, would not be apologising, and was not particularly interested in critics.

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S.A Opposition leader Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison over gun incident

A South African court has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after finding him guilty of illegally firing a rifle during a political rally, a ruling that could shake the country’s opposition politics.

Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on several firearm-related charges linked to a 2018 party rally in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, where he was filmed firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air in front of thousands of supporters.

The court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment, offences that prosecutors argued posed a serious public safety risk.

During sentencing, the magistrate emphasised that public figures must respect the law and warned that celebratory gunfire could endanger lives. Prosecutors had pushed for a maximum 15-year sentence, arguing that leniency would set a dangerous precedent given Malema’s influence as a national political figure.

Malema’s legal team, however, argued that the act was symbolic and caused no harm, urging the court to impose a fine instead of prison time.

The outspoken politician has already vowed to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, insisting the case is politically motivated. If the sentence is upheld, the ruling could have major political consequences. Under South African law, a prison sentence exceeding 12 months without the option of a fine can disqualify a lawmaker from holding a parliamentary seat, potentially forcing Malema out of the National Assembly.

Malema, a former youth leader of the African National Congress before founding the EFF in 2013, has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most controversial political figures. His party campaigns for radical economic reforms, including land redistribution without compensation and nationalisation of key industries.

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