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Court orders immediate release of deposed Emir Sanusi from confinement

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Court orders immediate release of deposed Emir Sanusi from confinement

…Leads Friday prayer in exile, stressing obedience to God***

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the immediate release of deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, who was confined to Awe town, Nasarawa State, after his banishment.

Justice Chikere, who gave the order in an ex-parte motion brought by the team of Sanusi’s lawyers, also granted the prayers to serve all the respondents through substituted means should it become impossible to personally affect the service.

The deposed emir had, on Thursday, sued the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, over what he called “unlawful detention/confinement.”

Also joined in the motion with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 are the Attorney General of Kano State, Ibrahim Mukhtar and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami as 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.

Sanusi brought the application pursuant to Sections 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Articles 5, 6. 10 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP A9 LFN 2004, among others.

At the hearing of the application on Friday, Counsel to the dethroned emir, Fagbemi, thanked the court for accommodating their motion despite busy schedule.

“However, I want to apologise because by 5 O’Clock yesterday (Thursday), this suit had been taken to public domain. We don’t how it happened,” he said.

The judge, who was quite unruffled about the media report, said: “I am sure they are hearing today.”

“If you are a media person, please publish what transpired in court so that you will not be sued for libel,”  Chikere added.

Fagbemi, then, informed the court that they had a motion -ex-parte dated March 12 and filed same day.

“It is asking for two orders,” he said.

“An interim order of this honourable court releasing the applicant from the detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s right to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria, (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s originating motion.

“The second leg of the application has to do with order to serve the respondents in the manner listed in (a) to (e) of the application (that is through substituted means should it become impossible to effect personal service)..

“And for such further order(s) as it pleases your lordship,” he prayed.

According to him, it is in the interest of justice to grant this application.

Fagbemi, further said the application was predicated on eight grounds and an affidavit of 22 paragraphs and one exhibit.

Also read:  Southwest youths celebrate deposed Emir as KDSG names Sanusi KASU Chancellor

“There is also a written address in support.

“We also have an originating motion and we crave your indulgence to also rely on that one with affidavit.

“We rely on all these processes,” he said.

Fagbemi, who pleaded with the court to allow him made few remarks, said it was disheartening that prior to the service of the dethronement letter (Exhibit A) on Sanusi on Monday, there was an unusual presence of large number of officers of police and DSS who condoned off the palace, causing a serious restriction on his movement in and out of the palace.

He also said Sanusi’s health in Awe where he was presently was a source of worry.

“As we speak, there is no criminal proceeding pending against the applicant,” he said.

“We urge you to grant the sister’s leg and the second leg my lord,” he said.

Justice Chikere, in the ruling, said: “An interim order of this honourable court releasing the applicant from the detention and or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria, (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s originating summons is hereby granted.”

The judge also granted the applicant’s leave to serve a copy of the released order and the processes in relation to the substantive suit on the respondents through substituted means.

Justice Chikere allowed Sanusi to serve the defendants in the following manner:  On the IGP, through any officer in his office at the police headquarters at Louis Edet House, Garki, Abuja; on the DG DSS, through any officer at the DSS headquarters at Aso Drive in Abuja; on the AG of Kano State, through any officer at the state’s Ministry of Justice, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano, and on the AGF, through any officer at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

She ordered that the original summon should be served within three days from today, Friday.

The judge then adjourned the matter until March 26 to hear the substantive suit.

The deposed emir’s younger sister, Zainab Sanusi, who led other family members to the court, commended the judge for granting their requests in an interview with newsmen.

“We are very happy with the ruling, Alhamdulillahi,” she said.

However, newsmen observe that despite the wide publicity of the matter in the media, none of the respondents was represented in court.

The Kano State Government had, on Monday, announced the dethronement of the emir, banishing him to Loko in Nasarawa state before being taken to Awe town in the same state.

In the meantime, the dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, led Friday prayers in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The deposed Emir, who has been in Awe since Tuesday, March 10, was allowed to lead the Friday prayers in the Central Mosque located in the Palace of the Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar. Sanusi during his sermon, urged Muslim faithful to always obey God and accept His judgment in whatever happens.

Sanusi has departed Awe, Nasarawa state, at about 4:27 p.m in company of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state after observing the Friday congregational prayer, following the Federal High Court order directing his immediate release from confinement.

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NAGAFF Vows to Stop Kwankwaso from Taking Over NNPP

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NNPP inaugurates 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Aniebonam remains BoT Chairman

…Votes N150m take off professional fees for lawyers to begin litigation warfare!

Members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) will vehemently resist the taking over of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) by the group noted to be loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

It would be recalled that the NNPP was originally founded by the National Association of Government-Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, largely to provide a credible platform for maritime industry stakeholders to make a national impact within the nation’s political space.

It. would also be recalled that the former Governor of Kano, Senator Kwankwaso latched on the NNPP, after his effort to run as the flag bearer of another political party was dimmed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who emerged as the PDP presidential candidate.

NNPP inaugurates 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Aniebonam remains BoT Chairman

Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Presently, a statement issued by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna, lamented that what started as a child’s play is becoming a reality with the body language and actions of Senator Kwankwaso to highjack NNPP from the original owners, the members of  NAGAFF.

In a swift move, the president of NAGAFF, leading the pack of resourceful young freight forwarders said the original are poised to match money for money and contact for contact to retrieve NNPP from the people tagged ungrateful.

The statement revealed that the sum of N150,000,000 has been contributed as a take-off professional fee for the lawyers to take on the serial litigations upcoming.

NAGAFF accused Kwankwaso of court abuse with the institution of a court case involving INEC at Kano State High Court. “And so what does it take someone who held the position of minister of defence and member of the national assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to know that it is out of jurisdiction to do so.

NNPP is a national party and INEC is a federal commission. “Let Nigerians be told that there is a new order in Nigeria judiciary at the moment. If Senator Kwankwaso likes let him, Elder Buba Galadima and all of them who are the former members of the National Working Committee led by Alhaji Abbah Kawu who was alleged not to be able to write a statement at the state police command, Abuja when he reported a case against Mr Phillip Oyana the Zonal Secretary North Central of New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“Our young, vibrant and informed lawyers shall meet him and his cohorts in court. Once again we hold no malice against any person. All members of NNPP and NAGAFF are children of God and always ready to show love to all manner of people who may come our way,” the statement further said.

The statement directed and appealed to all members of NAGAFF and NNPP to keep the peace of the society and be law abiding and respectful to the constitution of Nigeria.

“Regret to note that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had avoidably prided himself to have brought NNPP to relevance and recognition. Tell the American marine that trash for the fact that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso forgot to note that NNPP is as old as People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria spanning over 24 years in existence. He joined less than 2yrs ago.

“We consider Senator Kwankwaso as someone who is avoidably arrogant and proud for no good reasons. This is because NNPP provided him the opportunity to contest the Presidency of Nigeria 2023 with great men like the current president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party

“Let it be on record that if NNPP were not winning elections for the period under review it would have been deregistered like the one he facilitated which was called Alliance National Party. As a matter of fact, the current headquarters of NNPP in Abuja is the same office used by the defunct Alliance National  Party whose chairman was one Moshood.

“We also know that the current executive Gov of Kano Alhaji Abbah Kabir who was shortchanged in the previous elections took advantage of us as children of God to be protected and today those evil men could not stop him from becoming the Gov of Kano State.

“Therefore senator RABIU MUSA Kwankwaso should be taught the principles of humility and gratefulness to people who have been nice to him.

“In all of these, he may wish to distance himself from elder Buba Galadima if he wants to make headway in politics. The former President, Gen. Buhari did realise and distanced himself to combine with Asiwaju B. A. Tinubu, the grand master to become the President of Nigeria.,” advised.

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Reps. Summon Minister, Perm.Sec. Over $300m Antimalarial Funds

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Following perceived hanky panky, the House of Representatives Committee on Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis has summoned the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.Mohammed Pate, over alleged misappropriation of 300 million dollars anti-malaria funds.

“The Committee has resolved that the Permanent Secretary be arrested if she failed to honour the summons, having failed to appear three times”, Rep. Amobi Ogah, the Chairman of the Committee who read the resolutions in Abuja on Tuesday, stressed.

Ogah expressed displeasure over the absence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry at the resumed sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

“Malaria is now an epidemic in Nigeria. The government has always wanted to help the people but most times the civil servants are our problem.

“This money has been made available since 2021. We have been inviting the Permanent Secretary. This is the third time we are inviting her to come and explain to us what has happened.

“Have they used the money? If they have not used the money, where is the money? It is a matter of simple explanation. But they have been running away, calling all manner of people to talk to us,” he said

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We Didn’t Pad Budget -Adaramodu

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…Senate explains alleged N3trn 2024 budget padding

Senate on Tuesday explained that the N3trillion alleged to be padded in the 2024 budget was actually statutory transfers to first-line charge agencies of government not domiciled in the ministries.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Sen.Yemi Adaramodu gave the explanation while speaking with journalists on the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi over alleged padding of the 2024 budget.

Adaramodu said the 10th Senate needed to be treasured as a pillar of democracy and would only do what would promote national interest

He said there was nothing like budget padding, saying that the false narrative on N3trillion padding was a demonstration of the error of arithmetic and innocence of procedure by the protagonists of budget padding.

“The N3 trillion is for statutory transfers of government agencies on the first lines charges.”

He listed the agencies to include Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)Public Complaints Commission, National Judicial Council, North East Development(NEDC), Commission Niger -Delta Development Commission Commission(NDDC) among others.

$22.7bn: Senate announces new financier of Kaduna-Kano rail modernisation

The Senate

He also dismissed the issue of the provision of N500 million as constituency funds to senators, describing the allegation as a fairy tale.

He urged journalists to study the 2024 budget to investigate allocations to the National Assembly.

He said the issue of budget padding was a negative connotation and a serious crime in budgeting, hence senate didn’t take it lightly.

“It is a matter of integrity, The issue of budget has been put to rest as the protagonist of the budget padding was called to substantiate and they could not prove it but the allegations can not just go without being attended to.

“The Appropriation Act is a public document and when it was done,it was done in the public glare and it was N28.77 trillion and so for some to say N25 trillion was what was approved is scary.

“Statutory transfers for agencies on first line charges, that are not domiciled in the Ministries was what Ningi said was padded, that the allocation can not be traced.”

He reiterated that the N3trillion was not padded, was not missing, but was for agencies of government that were placed on first-line charge.

He also said the allegation that a section of the country was allocated more funds than other regions was not put in the right perspective, saying that allocations were done sectorally.

The Senate image maker said the integrity of the National Assembly was in question, hence the matter was treated with the seriousness it deserved.

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