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Kanu accepts former attorney general, Agabi as new lead counsel
Uchechi Kanu, wife of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has confirmed that her husband has accepted Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, as his new Lead Counsel in his case against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a statement released on Saturday through IPoB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Uchechi Kanu noted that her husband not only approved Chief Agabi’s appointment but also endorsed his move to address Justice James Omotosho on previous events at Justice Binta Nyako’s court, which had significant implications for the Nigerian judiciary.
She emphasized that Chief Agabi, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, took on the case to mend tensions within the legal community caused by Kanu’s past outbursts against Justice Nyako, which led to her recusal.
“Chief Agabi’s stature demanded it; he couldn’t represent Onyendu without restoring decorum acceptable to the Abuja bench and the judiciary in general,” she stated.
Justice Omotosho, presiding over the case, reportedly apologized to Kanu for the prolonged delays and mismanagement of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uchechi Kanu described Agabi’s approach as a strategic effort to balance her husband’s grievances with the dignity of the court while advocating for an amicable resolution.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed a 24-hour curfew in two local government areas following a violent communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities. The crisis, stemming from a land dispute, has led to multiple deaths and the destruction of properties.
On Friday, three people, including a former councillor, were reportedly killed, while several others sustained gunshot wounds. The violence has also displaced many women and children in the affected areas.
In a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, announced that the curfew had been extended to Erin-Osun town. “Governor Adeleke has approved that the curfew be extended to Erin-Osun town. The curfew time is now 24 hours daily,” the statement read.
Security agencies, including the Military, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Immigration, NDLEA, and Amotekun, have been directed to enforce strict compliance with the curfew to prevent further violence and restore order.
Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, assured residents of Ifon and Ilobu that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis. He noted that his administration is deploying multiple peacebuilding strategies and has briefed the presidency on developments in the state.
“I assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties. We are on top of the situation,” Adeleke stated.
Additionally, the governor warned against the circulation of misleading videos from past conflicts. He accused opposition elements of spreading old footage to create false narratives about insecurity in the state. “The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the public,” he added.
The government urged all residents to comply with the curfew and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to restore peace.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed a total of N1.678 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2025 expenditures. This comes from the gross revenue of N2.344 trillion generated in February.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, total deductions for cost of collection amounted to N89.092 billion, while transfers, interventions, refunds, and savings stood at N577.097 billion. The FAAC meeting was chaired by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and attended by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion consisted of N827.633 billion in statutory revenue, N609.430 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT), N35.171 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), N28.218 billion from solid minerals revenue, and an augmentation of N178 billion.
The amount shared this month was N194.664 billion lower than the N1.848 trillion disbursed in the previous month. The VAT revenue of N654.456 billion was also lower than last month’s N771.886 billion by N117.430 billion.
From the total allocation, the federal government received N569.656 billion, while state governments got N562.195 billion, and local government councils were allocated N410.559 billion. Additionally, N136.042 billion was shared with oil-producing states as derivation revenue.
In the breakdown of the N827.633 billion statutory revenue, the federal government received N366.262 billion, state governments got N185.773 billion, local government councils received N143.223 billion, and N132.374 billion was allocated to oil-producing states as derivation revenue.
From the N609.430 billion VAT revenue, the federal government received N91.415 billion, state governments got N304.715 billion, and local governments were allocated N213.301 billion.
The federal government also received N5.276 billion from the N35.171 billion EMTL revenue, while state governments got N17.585 billion and local governments received N12.310 billion.
For the N28.218 billion solid minerals revenue, the federal government received N12.933 billion, state governments got N6.560 billion, local governments received N5.057 billion, and oil-producing states were allocated N3.668 billion as derivation revenue.
The N178 billion augmentation was distributed with N93.770 billion going to the federal government, N47.562 billion to state governments, and N36.668 billion to local governments.
The statement noted that while Oil and Gas Royalty and EMTL revenue increased significantly, VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty, and CET Levies declined.
The House of Representatives has strongly denied allegations that its members were bribed with $5,000 each to approve President Bola Tinubu’s request for a State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Deputy spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), dismissed the claims as “false, malicious, and emanating from the pit of hell” while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday. Agbese maintained that the resolution was reached purely out of patriotism and a commitment to restoring stability in Rivers State. He argued that the House acted in the national interest and rejected accusations that lawmakers were financially influenced.
Agbese emphasized that the House’s decision followed extensive deliberations on the security and political crisis in Rivers. He stated that any suggestion of bribery was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension. He insisted that the House remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles, the rule of law, and the collective will of Nigerians. According to him, the lawmakers made their decision to uphold national stability, not to succumb to baseless distractions.
He revealed that the House made key amendments before approving the emergency declaration. One of the changes was that the National Assembly would take over legislative duties of the Rivers State House of Assembly during the emergency period. Another was the recommendation for a shorter timeframe instead of a fixed six-month period, should warring parties reach a resolution sooner.
The lawmaker assured that the President’s decision was aimed at preventing a breakdown of governance in Rivers. He likened the intervention to King Solomon’s wisdom in resolving disputes and reiterated that President Tinubu, as a democrat, would not undermine democratic institutions. In addition, he announced that a tri-partite committee, comprising eminent Nigerians, lawmakers, and executive representatives, would be formed to mediate between conflicting parties and seek a peaceful resolution.
Agbese dismissed claims of quorum irregularities, stating that 243 members attended the emergency session. He urged Nigerians to disregard opposition-fueled misinformation and continue supporting the House in its commitment to national progress. He expressed confidence that the emergency period would lead to a stronger, more unified Rivers State, assuring citizens that the House of Representatives remains dedicated to serving the people’s best interests.
Kanu accepts former attorney general, Agabi as new lead counsel
Ifon/Ilobu crisis: Adeleke extends curfew to 24 hours
