Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday paid heartfelt tribute to the late Jimmy Carter, describing him as a “titan and man of peace” during a memorial service held in honor of the former U.S. president at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo recalled how Carter played a pivotal role in securing his release from imprisonment during the regime of General Sani Abacha.

He shared how the 39th President of the United States actively intervened in his case, risking personal and political capital to help him during his time in detention.

“I will forever be grateful to President Carter, one of my foreign friends who stuck his neck out to save my life,” Obasanjo said.

He remembered that during Carter’s visit to Nigeria, he successfully convinced Abacha to transfer Obasanjo from detention to house arrest on his farm, though this arrangement did not last long.

He continued, “President Carter was the only non-African leader who visited Abacha solely to plead for my release. While many others made efforts, Carter was the one who relentlessly pursued my freedom.”

Obasanjo added that despite efforts from other leaders, it wasn’t until after Abacha’s death that he was finally released by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, his successor.

Obasanjo also shared a touching moment with Carter following his release.

He recounted how Carter told him about Ted Turner, the media mogul, who had expressed a strong desire to help Obasanjo.

“Ted Turner came to me and asked me to get his friend, Obasanjo, released from prison,” Carter told Obasanjo.

“I will take care of him and his family wherever he chooses to live.” This gesture moved Obasanjo to tears, and he remained deeply grateful for both Carter’s and Turner’s kindness.

Reflecting on Carter’s life and legacy, Obasanjo highlighted his simplicity, humility, and commitment to global justice.

He emphasized that Carter’s leadership was driven by moral integrity, a strong work ethic, and compassion for others.

“President Carter was a simple, humble, honest man of God, and that is why I am here today to celebrate him,” Obasanjo remarked.

He also pointed out the personal similarities between his own upbringing and Carter’s.

Both were born into farming families that instilled values of discipline, morality, and hard work.

While their backgrounds were modest, Obasanjo noted, they both grew up with strong beliefs in integrity, humility, and compassion for others.

In closing, Obasanjo described Carter as not only a great leader but also a true and loyal friend.

“He was a lover of humanity, a man of God, and a great friend to me,” Obasanjo said.

“Though we were separated by thousands of miles, our bond was one of shared values, compassion, and commitment to service.”

Obasanjo expressed his confidence that he would meet Carter again in Paradise, noting that his leadership and kindness will continue to inspire those who knew him.

Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged Nigerians to actively report individuals and officials both in the private and public sectors who violate the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.

In a statement released on Sunday, Falana condemned the ongoing torture and mistreatment of citizens, despite both constitutional and international legal protections.

He highlighted that, despite clear protections in the Nigerian Constitution and global human rights agreements, the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups such as children, impoverished citizens, and criminal suspects are still regularly violated across the country.

Falana referenced past violations, including the infamous Mogaji v. Board of Customs & Excise case of 1982, where armed officials violently raided Lagos markets in search of contraband.

He described this as a blatant violation of constitutional protections against cruel and degrading treatment.

Although Nigeria enacted the Anti-Torture Act in 2017, Falana emphasized that torture remains deeply embedded in law enforcement practices across the nation.

Drawing on a 2007 UN report, he cited various forms of police abuse, including physical beatings, hanging prisoners from ceilings, and the denial of basic necessities like food and medical care.

The Act itself criminalizes such practices, with Section 1 mandating that the government uphold the right to freedom from torture for all individuals, including detainees and prisoners.

The law imposes severe penalties for offenders, including a 25-year prison sentence for torture, and a potential murder charge if torture leads to death.

Despite these legal provisions, Falana expressed concern that forced confessions are still common, often made without the presence of legal counsel, leading to unfair trials.

To tackle these abuses, Falana called for the involvement of institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other human rights groups to mobilize citizens in exposing and reporting these violations.

In his final remarks, Falana stressed the importance of holding accountable those who violate the Anti-Torture Act: “It is critical for Nigerians to stand against the culture of impunity and demand respect for human dignity in the country.”

The Nigerian military has officially banned personnel from engaging in activities such as homosexuality, cross-dressing, bestiality, and other actions considered unethical by the armed forces.

Under the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, signed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024, military officers are also prohibited from getting tattoos or body piercings, exhibiting disorderly conduct, or being intoxicated, whether on or off duty.

Section 26 of the revised document outlines several restrictions, including a ban on participation in LGBTQIA2S+ activities, cross-dressing, and any behavior that goes against the standards of military ethics.

The section also stresses that officers must maintain proper decorum, avoiding actions that bring public disgrace.

The rules further prohibit military personnel from engaging in romantic relationships with subordinates or the spouses of their colleagues.

Officers are also forbidden from joining secret societies or political parties and participating in any related activities.

Additionally, the military clarified that cultural or traditional religious groups that are not secret by nature are exempt from the prohibition on secret societies.

This move by the Nigerian military comes as part of ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and uphold the ethical standards of the armed forces.

Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced plans to challenge the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal that favored the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Dan’Agundi, who holds the title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba in the Kano Emirate, had previously sought to enforce fundamental human rights through the Federal High Court, claiming violations during the ongoing emirship dispute.

However, he rejected the appellate court’s decision and vowed to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

At a gathering at the Nassarawa Mini Palace, Dan’Agundi said, “This emirship issue is far from over. Nobody can declare victory just yet because we are taking the matter to the Supreme Court for a final resolution.”

He further explained that his legal team had already been instructed to obtain a certified true copy of the judgment, as the appeal would put a stay on the lower court’s decision.

Dan’Agundi clarified the Court of Appeal’s judgment, noting that although the lead judge suggested transferring the case to the state’s Chief Judge for redirection, the court did not outright dismiss their claims but ruled that it lacked jurisdiction.

He added that two other judges disagreed with the lead judgment, which ultimately led to the appeal being struck out.

“Until the Supreme Court renders its decision, we do not consider the matter settled, and no one should assume victory,” Dan’Agundi emphasized.

He also called for peace and urged Kano residents to remain law-abiding as the legal battle unfolds.

Sir Mike Okiro, a former Inspector General of Police and an aspirant in the recently concluded Ohaneze Ndigbo election, has dismissed reports claiming a court order barred him from the election as a complete hoax.

Okiro, in a media briefing held in Port Harcourt, urged the media to be cautious about the information they share with the public.

The former IGP explained that on January 7, 2025, he was made aware of a media report stating that a court order issued by the Enugu High Court had prevented him from contesting for the position of President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Okiro said he was initially misled by the information and took legal steps to challenge it.

“I contacted my lawyer to obtain a copy of the supposed court order and work to have it vacated. By the evening of January 8, 2025, my lawyer had not succeeded due to time constraints. On January 9, I addressed the press and stepped aside in compliance with what I believed to be a valid court order,” Okiro recounted.

However, after further investigation, Okiro’s lawyer discovered that no such court order existed.

The legal proceedings related to the case, filed by Comrade Chimenu Amadi, were still in motion, with the court hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025.

Okiro revealed that the court had only granted leave for the motion to be heard and had not issued any orders to bar him from the election or screening process.

“There was no court order barring me from the election. The media reports were false, misleading, and deceitful. I followed the information because I respect the rule of law, but I missed the election as a result,” Okiro stated.

He also criticized the media for spreading false information and called on the police to investigate the matter under Section 125(A) of the Criminal Code for the circulation of false information.

He further urged the Nigerian Bar Association to take action against the lawyer involved in filing the misleading application.

“I urge Nigerians to be cautious about what they read and believe. The misinformation surrounding this issue has diminished the credibility of the judiciary and caused unnecessary confusion,” he added.

Despite the setback, Okiro congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and pledged his full support for the advancement of the Igbo community worldwide.