Kanu Moves to Halt Judgment in Terrorism Trial

Detained Biafra agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a motion at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to stop the Federal High Court from delivering judgment in the terrorism case instituted against him by the Federal Government.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had fixed November 20 for the delivery of judgment in the case, which has been ongoing since 2015.

In the fresh motion on notice, Kanu urged the appellate court to restrain the High Court from proceeding further, arguing that his pending appeal against Justice Omotosho’s earlier ruling must first be determined.

The ruling in question, delivered on September 26, dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence on the terrorism charges.

Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), contended that the trial court erred in law by refusing to address the issues of jurisdiction and the validity of the charges before dismissing his application.

He argued that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he is being prosecuted had been repealed, leaving no legal basis for the charges.

He also faulted the judge for failing to evaluate the credibility of prosecution witnesses and for foreclosing his right to defend himself.

According to the motion, Kanu maintained that if the judgment is delivered as scheduled, his appeal would be rendered futile, potentially resulting in what he described as an unlawful conviction.

He further submitted that neither the Federal High Court nor the prosecution would suffer any prejudice if the appellate court grants his application.

In a 13-paragraph affidavit he personally deposed to, Kanu referenced the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling on count seven of the charges, which he claimed was declared invalid, as well as the court’s failure to apply the test required under section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

He insisted that counts one to six were also predicated on a repealed law, and therefore invalid.

The Court of Appeal has yet to fix a date for hearing the motion.

SAGE Nexus Hub CEO Pushes AI Awareness, Unveils Plans to Train 500 Bayelsa Youths

SAGE Nexus Hub founder, Onowode Tobore Derick, has restated his commitment to equipping young people across Bayelsa State with digital and innovation skills, insisting that technology is “ the now big thing ” and young creatives must seize the opportunities it offers. Speaking on Tuesday at the Bayelsa Creatives Converse (BCC) 2.0, held at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Tobore announced the progress of the ongoing TechForward Bayelsa programme, an initiative aimed at training 500 young people in digital skills by the end of 2026. He said the first cohort of 50 participants had successfully completed their training, with another 50 set to resume in January 2026. The programme, he noted, covers artificial intelligence, digital marketing, software engineering, graphic design and a range of emerging tech skills. Tobore explained that the training sits at the heart of SAGE Nexus Hub’s wider mission of nurturing the next generation of innovators. The Yenagoa-based hub provides co-working ...

Bayelsa Acquires Two Aircraft for Commercial Operations

Bayelsa State has taken a major step towards boosting air travel and economic activity as it acquires two aircraft for commercial flight operations at the Bayelsa International Airport . Governor Douye Diri disclosed the acquisition on Monday when he received the Prime Minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora , Dr. Tin Louise-George , at Government House, Yenagoa , during his maiden visit to Nigeria . Diri stated that the aircraft, already procured by the state government, would soon arrive and begin daily flights between Yenagoa, Lagos , and Abuja , adding that the move was aimed at making the state-owned airport more viable and self-sustaining. " We are working on ensuring regular, daily flights from Yenagoa to Lagos and Abuja. We had an arrangement with a private airline that became unsustainable, leaving the airport underutilised. Now, we have taken the bull by the horn. Two aircraft have been acquired and will soon begin commercial operations ," the Governor said. A...

New Recruits in Bayelsa Information Ministry Told to Embrace Professionalism

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, has charged newly recruited Information Officers to approach their roles with professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to public service. Addressing the fresh employees on Friday during her maiden meeting with them in Yenagoa, Koku-Obiyai said their appointment was a demonstration of the state government’s resolve to strengthen its information machinery and ensure a more effective, result-driven public service. Describing the opportunity as a rare privilege, she urged the recruits to justify the confidence reposed in them by embracing diligence, discipline and a strong work ethic, while warning that the Ministry would not tolerate lateness, absenteeism or any form of indiscipline. The Commissioner further revealed plans to introduce in-house training, particularly in areas such as Public Relations and media engagement, to enhance their capacity and performance. Also speaki...

Search This Blog