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Atiku, Obi condemn killing of soldiers, civilians in Abia

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2024

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, have condemned the attack in Abia State that claimed 11 lives.

Five soldiers and six civilians were killed in Aba on Thursday when gunmen stormed the military unit at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill area, and burnt the unit as well as a patrol van parked in the unit. Some soldiers were alleged to have escaped the attack by the gunmen.

A day after the incident, Atiku and Obi joined the list of prominent Nigerians in condemning the attack in separate statements on their X handle

Describing the attack as a dastardly act, Obi said the Abia attack is a reminder of the escalating insecurity that has plagued the nation.

“I am appalled and saddened by the attack on our brave soldiers in Abia State yesterday, resulting in the death of five soldiers,” he said.

“This dastardly act remains condemnable as it is a stark reminder of the escalating insecurity and violence that has continued to plague our nation under our collective watch.”

I am appalled and saddened by the attack on our brave soldiers in Abia State yesterday, resulting in the death of five soldiers. This dastardly act remains condemnable as it is a stark reminder of the escalating insecurity and violence that has continued to

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 31, 2024

He also commiserated with the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, the families of the slain soldiers as well as the entire people of the state.

Obi asked the Nigerian authorities to step up decisive actions to avoid further bloodshed in the country.

“I condemn this atrocity in strong terms and demand an immediate and thorough investigation into this crime in order to identify and punish the culprits. We must not stand idly by while our nation is torn apart by violence and fear.

“Our failure as a nation to protect our citizens and security personnel is a clear dereliction of duty and a sign of deficiency of the Nigerian state. The continued brutality and bloodshed in our nation must be met with swift and decisive action, not empty words and hollow promises,” he added.

To Atiku, the Federal Government should “ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.

Political Solution

While mourning the victims of the attack, Atiku wants the President Bola Tinubu administration to proffer a political solution to the case involving the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

“The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace.

“But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.

“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties,” he said.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Nigerian government on a 15-count terrorism charge. He has been in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody since he was brought back from Kenya on June 19, 2021.

He was arrested in October 2015 when he arrived in Nigeria from the UK. He was later released on bail before he fled the country following the 2017 attack on his home by security officials.

In December, the Supreme Court ordered Mr Kanu’s fresh trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja after it dismissed the IPOB leader’s appeal challenging his forcible repatriation from Kenya in June 2021.

In April 2022, the high court struck out eight of the 15 charges brought against him by the government.

But the Court of Appeal quashed the entire proceedings on account of the Nigerian government’s violation of both local and international laws in forcibly bringing Kanu back to Nigeria.

The appellate court then ordered his immediate release. It was after that, that the Supreme Court ordered a fresh trial.

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BREAKING: FG completes handover of Enugu Airport to Concessionaires, extols Mbah’s role

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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..Says Enugu-Guangzhou cargo flights to commence in a few months

…Mbah: Concession Opens New Economic Opportunities to S’East

…Aero Alliance: We’ll transform AIIA into Africa’s leading aviation hub

The Federal Government has officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, to the concessionaires, Aero Alliance Limited, under a public-private partnership arrangement.

Following the execution of the handover certificates, assets register, and other relevant documentation, Aero Alliance will now undertake the financing, rehabilitation, expansion, operation, and management of the airport, ensuring that it meets and sustains internationally recognised standards of safety, efficiency, and passenger experience.

This was even as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described the successful concession of the airport as a major breakthrough and opener of new economic opportunities for the South East, while Aero Alliance vowed to transform AIIA into one of Africa’s leading regional aviation, logistics, and commercial hubs.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the international terminal of AIIA, Enugu, on Thursday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, extolled President Bola Tinubu’s and Mbah’s roles in the realisation of the long-stalled concession plan.

“For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way.

“During the time of the previous administration when almost all the airports were advertised for concession, all the bidders avoided Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. There was not one bidder for Enugu and Port Harcourt. Everybody was rushing Lagos, Kano, and Abuja because many people want food that is ready.

“However, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr. Peter Mbah, the reverse is the case.

“Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone.

“Dr. Mbah went straight to Mr. President a few weeks after his inauguration and said, ‘This is my plan for the airport.’ The President minuted and said that we should give him all the assistance he needs to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.

“Mbah started with Enugu Air, and now he has brought in capital, brought in investors for the airport.

“So, I just want to say that Dr. Peter Mbah came with a plan for Enugu. He did not come and begin to assess the situation. He is a governor who came into office with a plan. And today, we are glad that we have found in him the perfect partnership we need between the federal and the state governments,” Keyamo said.

On what is expected of Aero Alliance, he said, “We expect Aero Alliance Limited to discharge its responsibilities with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, operational excellence, and commitment to safety.”

He also allayed fears over job losses, noting that the terms of agreement reached by Aero Alliance were such that they would create new jobs rather than trigger job losses.

In his remark, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Ewalefor, thanked President Tinubu for making the concession happen, describing it as historic and special for Nigeria.

He commended Mbah’s commitment to building infrastructure, extolling his international credibility and tenacity.

“That we are here today is because of the reputation of the governor. His reputation attracted the capital. Governor Peter Mbah is a miraculous governor. He has been coming to Abuja all the time for this. You can see when someone is prepared. You can see that he is very strategic and methodical in what he is doing.

“The Enugu Air and an agreement being signed from Guangzhou to Enugu are enough traffic to create viability,” Ewelefoh noted.

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah lauded the Tinubu Administration for the successful concession, saying that it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the journey to unlock the immense economic potential of the South East region.

“It opens a new chapter of economic possibilities because businesses across our region have for long grappled with logistics constraints that increased costs, lengthened delivery timelines, and limited competitiveness.

“We hope that future generations will look back to this day as the moment when Akanu Ibiam International Airport began its transformation into a truly world-class gateway serving the South East, connecting Nigeria to the world and opening new pathways to prosperity for millions of our people.

“So, today is a dream come true as we herald the promise of a South East that will be more connected, more competitive, more prosperous, and more visible on the global stage,” he emphasised.

While appreciating the Aero Alliance consortium for believing in the promise and potential of the Enugu airport, he urged undecided investors to come and invest in Enugu State.

The Managing Director of Aero Alliance, Saleem Hussain, assured that the consortium would put its over three decades’ experience in the aviation sector to work, focusing on connectivity, cargo and logistics, passenger experience, commercial development, and technology and operational excellence to transform AIIA into one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Henry Agbebire; Commissioner for Transport, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Ozor; and the Regional General Manager, FAAN, Hillary Umunna, all committed to making the concession work for the socioeconomic benefits of the region and the nation as a whole.

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LPPC suspends Mike Ozekhome’s SAN rank

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN

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Foremost constitutional lawyer and human rights crusader, Professor Mike Ozekhome, has been relieved of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Ozekhome, a professor of law, was suspended from the SAN rank by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 173rd General Meeting.

A statement by the LPPC, signed by its Secretary, Mr. Kabiru Eniola Akanbi, explained that the action was taken against Ozekhome pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the SAN Rank and matters pertaining to the rank.

Akanbi, who also doubles as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, further stated that the action is pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings presently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC.

According to the statement, the suspension of Ozekhome is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity and prestige of the SAN rank.

The LPPC has therefore barred Ozekhome from parading himself as, or otherwise holding himself out to be, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.

According to the statement, “The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the rank of SAN continues to command public confidence and respect.”

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress (ADC)

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Senate passes state police bill, empowers govs to appoint commissioners

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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The Senate on Wednesday passed the landmark Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation, marking a major step in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising the country’s policing structure to address worsening insecurity.

The passage followed a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration of the bill and came after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the chamber.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the legislation after lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the proposal during plenary.

The upper chamber approved the bill after considering the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Barau Jibrin.

The bill’s provisions were first considered at the Committee of the Whole before lawmakers adopted them and proceeded to a final vote.

Debate on the legislation was led by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who urged senators to support what many lawmakers described as a critical reform aimed at strengthening internal security and improving response to local threats.

The legislation seeks to establish a state policing framework that would operate concurrently with the existing federal police system, effectively ending the exclusive control of policing by the Federal Government.

A key provision of the bill “empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.”

Under Clause 17 of the proposed constitutional amendment, “while the Federal Police Serv will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature of the state.”

The bill further outlines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands.

Section 17(6) provides that “a governor may issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to the Commissioner of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and public order within the state.”

To address concerns over potential abuse of the new policing structure by state governments, lawmakers included safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.

Section 17(7) specifically states that “a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any person, political party or group merely for criticising the government except in accordance with the law.”

The provision is intended to prevent state police formations from being weaponised against political opponents, activists, journalists or dissenting voices and ensures that any action taken must comply with due process and existing legal provisions.

The passage of the bill came barely an hour after the Senate abandoned plans to deploy an electronic voting system for the consideration of the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals.

Lawmakers instead adopted a manual voting process following concerns that technical glitches affecting some voting devices could disenfranchise senators and undermine the integrity of the exercise.

The decision followed a motion made by Bamidele, who argued that every senator should be given an equal opportunity to participate in the historic vote.

Akpabio backed the proposal, insisting that an open voting system would not only guarantee full participation but also promote transparency by allowing Nigerians to know where their representatives stood on critical constitutional issues.

Several senior government officials, including the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the Senate’s decision on the floor of the Senate.

Following the adoption of the motion, senators were called individually to publicly declare their votes during the consideration of the constitutional amendment bills.

The successful passage of the State Police Bill represents one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly and is expected to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture if it secures the required approval of state Houses of Assembly and other constitutional processes.

Advocates of state policing have long argued that the country’s centrally controlled police structure is overstretched and unable to effectively tackle the growing challenges of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal clashes and other forms of criminality across the country.

Critics, however, have consistently warned that state police could be abused by governors to intimidate political opponents and suppress dissent.

With the Senate’s approval, the proposal has now crossed a major legislative hurdle, bringing Nigeria closer than ever to the creation of state-controlled police services operating alongside the federal police system.