The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Nigerian government to pay ₦10 million in compensation to Glory Okolie, a student who was unlawfully detained and mistreated by the police.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, November 21, 2024, also mandates the government to implement measures to prevent similar human rights violations in the future.

Okolie, who was arrested on June 13, 2021, was held without judicial authorization.

Along with the One Love Foundation and the Incorporated Trustees of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, Okolie filed a case against the government, claiming she was denied legal representation, subjected to forced labor, and physically abused during her detention.

The plaintiffs argued that Okolie’s treatment violated the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, seeking reparations for the unlawful actions against her.

In its defense, the Nigerian government argued that Okolie had alleged ties to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group banned in Nigeria for its suspected involvement in terrorist activities.

The government maintained that her detention was necessary for national security reasons.

However, in a ruling sent via email to our correspondent, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves stated that Okolie’s prolonged detention without judicial oversight violated her fundamental rights to liberty and a fair trial under Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter.

The court condemned her treatment as a clear human rights violation.

“The court has therefore ordered the Federal Government to pay Glory Okolie ₦10 million in damages and cease all forms of harassment against her,” the judgment read.

It also emphasized the need for safeguards to prevent such violations from happening again.

The court, however, dismissed the claims made by the two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in the case, citing procedural issues.

The three-member panel that adjudicated the case included Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge), Honourable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, and Honourable Justice Edward Amoako Asante.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday addressed growing speculation about his potential bid for the governorship of Lagos State, stating that while he has not seriously considered running for the position, he is neither too young nor inexperienced to do so if the opportunity arises.

Obasa made the remarks following the presentation of the state’s 2025 budget, which was delivered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the assembly.

The Speaker emphasized that his primary focus remains on strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, rather than any personal political ambitions.

He clarified, “I have made it my personal task to mobilize people on the platform of Mandate, which some political opponents have mistakenly interpreted as a selfish ambition for me to become governor. The truth is, my main concern is to build our party. The notion that my focus is on becoming governor is a misrepresentation.”

Obasa rejected claims that he was seeking political legitimacy by trying to establish a blood relationship in Ojo, a move some critics had suggested would validate his eligibility to run for governor.

“I have never claimed to be related to the Onikoyi, Oniru, or other prominent Lagos families, but I am proud of my heritage in the Obasa family in Ojo. I do not need local validation to run for office. If I decide to contest, it will be from Agege.”

Despite the rumors, Obasa stated that his leadership in the House has not been driven by personal aspirations for higher office.

“Becoming governor is secondary to me,” he remarked, reinforcing that strengthening the APC in Lagos is his main priority. He also expressed confidence in the current administration, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful about the nation’s economic recovery under President Bola Tinubu.

The House of Representatives has voted down a bill proposing a single six-year term for the President and State Governors.

The bill was rejected during the plenary session on Thursday, following its second reading.

Sponsored by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and 33 co-sponsors, the bill aimed to amend the 1999 Constitution to introduce a six-year, non-renewable term for both the President and Governors.

It also included provisions to synchronize all elections to be held on the same day and other related amendments.

Titled, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to create a single term of six years for the office of President and State Governors, recognize the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, provide for the rotation of the offices of President, Governors, and Local Government Council Chairmen among the regions and zones, and provide that all elections be held on a single day, and for Related Matters (HB. 1511),” the bill was introduced by Rep. Ugochinyere and seconded by another lawmaker.

However, when put to a voice vote by Speaker Abbas Tajuddeen, members overwhelmingly shouted “Nay,” signaling their opposition.

The Speaker then declared that the “Nays” had it, meaning the bill failed to pass the second reading and would not proceed further.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has expressed confidence that the Finnish government will extradite Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria to face charges related to his involvement in acts of violence in the Southeast.

Ekpa was arrested in Finland on Thursday.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, Gen. Musa welcomed the arrest, noting that it marked a significant step towards ensuring Ekpa’s accountability in Nigeria.

“The CDS is pleased with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will lead to his extradition to Nigeria, where he will stand trial for his actions,” the statement read.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, also reiterated the military’s long-standing call for Ekpa’s arrest, citing his key role in inciting terrorism and violence in the southeastern region of Nigeria.

“We are delighted with his arrest and pleased that the international community is collaborating with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism,” Buba said.

The Nigerian military had previously issued a list of 97 individuals wanted for terrorism, violent extremism, and secessionist activities, with Ekpa prominently featured.

DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported how Ekpa was arrested and detained in Finland.

Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism.

Ekpa, along with four others, was detained by Finnish authorities in connection with terrorist activities.

According to reports from Finland, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court, where he faces suspicion of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.

The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed in a statement on Thursday that five individuals were arrested during a series of operations targeting terrorism-related crimes.

The police clarified that Ekpa, the primary suspect, was arrested for allegedly promoting violent acts through public incitement with terrorist motives.

The four others were apprehended on charges of financing terrorism-related activities.

The statement further detailed that Ekpa, born in the 1980s, is suspected of using his platform in Finland to incite violence against both civilians and government authorities in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Authorities say his actions were largely facilitated through social media channels.

Head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, emphasized that the suspects’ activities, including financing terrorist crimes, were part of an ongoing investigation.

Hiltunen confirmed that international cooperation was involved in the inquiry.

The district court of Päijät-Häme is expected to hear the charges on November 21.

Andy Uba, a former Special Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been charged with involvement in an alleged N400 million fraud.

Uba, along with three others, is accused of deceiving George Uboh into paying the large sum under the false pretence that they could secure him the position of Managing Director at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The charge, filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claims that Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (who is reportedly on the run), conspired to obtain the N400 million from Uboh.

They allegedly made false claims that they could arrange the NDDC appointment for anyone willing to pay the money.

According to the charge, the defendants falsely presented to Uboh that they had a way to secure the NDDC MD position for any candidate who could afford N400 million.

This presentation, the prosecution argues, was knowingly fraudulent.

The charge reads:
“That you Andy Uba, Crystal Chidinma Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (now at large) sometime in 2022 conspired to commit an offence by obtaining N400 million from George Uboh under false pretences… thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”

The case stemmed from a petition filed by Uboh, who claims to have been duped into parting with the money after being assured by Uba that he could influence the NDDC MD appointment.

Uboh, in his petition, stated that Uba promised to refund the money if the appointment did not materialize, but the refund never came.

Uboh also provided documentary and voice recording evidence to support his claims, including details of two bank accounts Uba allegedly provided for the transfer of the funds.

Uboh nominated his sister, Doris Uboh, a qualified candidate for the NDDC position, but alleges that the promised appointment never took place, and Uba failed to return the money.

The defendants were scheduled to be arraigned on November 13, but the process was delayed after the prosecution’s lawyer, M.L. Anthony, informed the court that he had been unable to serve the charges personally to the defendants.

Anthony explained that the defendants had been evading service of the court documents, despite being granted administrative bail.

The lawyer also stated that the defendants had obtained a court order that temporarily halted their arrest, but that order was lifted, leading to the current charges.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case until February 18 of next year for the defendants’ arraignment, with the prosecution expected to ensure proper service of the charge documents before then.

The tragic tanker explosion in Majiya town, Jigawa State, on October 14, has claimed 209 lives and left 99 others injured, according to the report of the investigative panel set up by the state government.

The panel, chaired by Hafizu Inuwa, presented its findings to Governor Umar Namadi on Wednesday in Dutse.

The explosion, which occurred when a fuel tanker went off in the town, resulted in a significant loss of life and property.

Inuwa disclosed that of the 99 injured, 38 are still hospitalized while 61 others have been discharged. The incident also affected 167 families, some of whom lost multiple members.

The investigation revealed that the explosion caused extensive property damage, with losses amounting to millions of Naira.

Factors contributing to the accident were identified as poor road conditions, including damaged speed bumps and potholes near the accident site.

Additionally, the panel cited night driving and speeding as major factors that led to the explosion.

The report suggested that the ignition of the fire may have been caused by the friction of metallic objects with surfaces or other containers, as some victims were reportedly attempting to scoop spilled fuel at the scene.

Inuwa recommended several measures to prevent future accidents, including regular inspections and stricter enforcement of safety protocols for petroleum transporters.

The panel also called for the establishment of trauma and burns units in hospitals, the upgrading of emergency response services, and the creation of a dedicated road traffic control agency.

To assist the victims and their families, the panel proposed that vulnerable individuals and relatives of the deceased be enrolled in the Danmodi Care Programme for social protection.

Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude to the panel for its thorough investigation and assured that the state government would act on the recommendations.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens by improving road safety and emergency response systems.

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure has reserved its judgment on a case questioning the eligibility of Dr. Olaiyide Adelami, the Deputy Governor-elect of Ondo State.

The suit was filed by Mr. Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded November 16 election, challenging Adelami’s qualification as the running mate to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

During the court session, six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were present to represent the parties involved. The case, which was initially filed in Abuja, was transferred to Akure due to territorial jurisdiction.

Ajayi, who was the PDP candidate and finished as the second runner-up in the election, argued that Adelami should be disqualified due to discrepancies in his name.

According to Ajayi, Adelami is listed with conflicting names on different official documents, namely “Adelami Owolabi Jackson” on his West African Examination Council (WAEC) result from 1974, and “Adelami Olaide Owolabi” on his degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University in 1982.

Ajayi contended that these inconsistencies render Adelami constitutionally unqualified to run as Deputy Governor and further claimed that the APC lacked valid candidates for both Governor and Deputy Governor.

Representing the defendants, Dr. Remi Olatubora (SAN) argued that the variation in the names was not a legal issue, noting that the difference was merely in the order or arrangement of the names.

He pointed out that both names belonged to the same person and the documents in question were valid.

In the case, Adelami’s legal team, which included Dr. Olatubora, argued that the grievances raised by the plaintiffs were not based on any substantial legal grounds but rather on the arrangement of Adelami’s names.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC were also parties in the case, with each represented by senior counsels.

The court has reserved its judgment, which will determine whether Adelami and Governor Aiyedatiwa can retain their election victory or if a disqualification will be issued.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, has alleged that Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, opposed the nomination of his son, Cyril, as the state’s Commissioner for Health.

This follows the recent appointment of Cyril by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who swore him into the cabinet and tasked him with improving the health sector.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Idahosa defended Cyril’s appointment, highlighting his qualifications as a seasoned medical doctor.

“Cyril has excellent credentials. He studied medicine in Nigeria and furthered his studies in the United States. He is more than qualified to be a member of the state cabinet,” Idahosa stated.

The Deputy Governor also emphasized that Cyril’s relationship to Oshiomhole should not disqualify him from the role.

“Senator Oshiomhole is a respected Senator, but his son, like anyone else, has his own path and capabilities. Cyril is competent and will serve as Commissioner for Health based on merit,” Idahosa said.

Idahosa also revealed that Senator Oshiomhole himself was opposed to Cyril’s nomination. “In fact, Adams Oshiomhole was against the nomination.

He disagreed with the choice because of the vision the Governor has for Edo State,” he added, noting that the appointment was a decision made by the Governor and not influenced by family ties.