The Week In Review: Nnamdi Kanu Pleads ‘Not Guilty’, EndSARS Memorial, FG Links Igboho To Boko Haram And More…

IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu was finally brought to court to face terrorism and treason charges, which he pleaded not guilty to; Nigerians on Wednesday held the #EndSARS memorial across the country; the Buhari govt has linked Sunday Igboho to a Boko Haram financier…

We are reporting these and more as we review the past week!

Nnamdi Kanu appears in court, pleads not guilty

Ejimakor and Nnamdi Kanu

IPOB’s leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was on Thursday arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on terrorism and treason charges.

The IPOB leader, who was represented by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, pleaded not guilty to the seven charges leveled against him by the federal government.

Justice Nyako however rejected Kanu’s plea to be transferred to the Kuje correctional facility, adjourning the trial to November 10, 2021.

20/10/20: Nigerians hold #EndSARS memorial

Nigerian youths on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, marked the one-year memorial of those who lost their lives in the now-infamous Lekki Tollgate shooting.

Some Nigerians took to the streets while some marked the day via posts and comments on various social media platforms.

Sad but expected, security agents in Lagos state attacked peaceful protesters, arresting, pepper spraying, firing tear gas and brutally assaulting some of them.

Journalists and many innocent passersby were not left out of the brutality, as power-drunk officers clamp down on anyone on sight.

FG identifies Sunday Igboho sponsors, link agitator to Boko Haram

Sunday Igboho

In a press conference on Friday, AGF Malami revealed that a lawmaker among others was sponsoring embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho.

Malami, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, disclosed that a committee set up by the Federal Government found out the sponsors of Sunday Igboho and uncovered how millions were pumped into the secessionist’s bank accounts.

“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a Federal Lawmaker in the National Assembly. A total sum of one hundred and twenty-seven million, one and forty-five thousand naira only (N127, 145,000.00) was received by Igboho from his financiers between 22nd October 2013 and 28th September 2020 through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts,” Malami claimed.

“A total sum of two hundred and seventy-three million, one hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred naira only (N273,198,200.00) transaction outflows were recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between 15th March 2013 and 11 March 2021.

“Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of twelve million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N12, 750,000) to Abbal Bako & Sons.

“It might be recalled that Abbal Bako & Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Umar Usman are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation. Abdullahi Umar Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to SURAJO ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism [Boko Haram]).”

ISWAP, Ansaru terrorists attack Abuja-Kaduna train tracks

Terrorist groups affiliated with the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP and Ansaru have been fingered in the bombing of the Kaduna-Abuja train tracks.

Ezenwoko’s Blog had reported that a former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani disclosed that terrorists attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway with an explosive and opened fire on the train, targeting the engine driver and the tank.

Sani added that he was on board the train on Thursday morning when the train ran over another explosive that damaged the rail track, adding that it took a miracle for them to escape

This news outlet had reported that the NRC immediately suspended the Kaduna-Abuja service as a precaution to keep the passengers safe.

Reacting the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) boss, Fidet Okhiria, confirmed that vandals attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway on Wednesday evening.

He, however, denied reports that bandits were responsible for the attack, adding that parts of the train tracks were severely damaged.

But sources revealed that terrorists actually carried out the attacks on the train tracks.

A senior security source confirmed that security agents had in the last few days intercepted and neutralized terrorists attempting to blow up bridges and rail tracks around the Kaduna axis of the rail line.

“These (attacks) have the signature of ISWAP and Ansaru written all over it, bandits want to kidnap and trade human beings for ransom but this is clear terrorism,” he said.

Secondus wants PDP national convention stopped

Uche Secondus

The suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has taken steps to stop the convention of the party.

The development was revealed in a letter dated 21st October 2021, and released through his lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.

Secondus in the letter disclosed that an appeal has been filed at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division in respect to the case filed by one Mr. Ibeawuchi E. Alex and four others jointly instituted Suit No PHC/2183/CS/2021.

That will be all for this week! Next week is another time.