News

Quit Notice Served on Farmers by Herdsmen Likely to Cause Famine – Adamawa Monarch

Published

7 years ago

July 1, 2018

Eric

The Hama Batta, Alhamdu Teneke, has said killer herdsmen, who attacked the Bare and Dowaya communities in the Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, told the farmers that they would not allow the farmers to farm on their land.

According to the first-class chief, the notice served by the herdsmen during their last attack on Dowaya and Bare is likely to cause famine because of the threat by the herdsmen not to allow any farming activities in the area.

Alhamdu, who said this during an advocacy visit by UNWOMEN Media Network on Saturday, stated that women and children were the most affected by the attacks.

The first-class chief called on the military and police to persevere and ensure an end to the killings.

SUNDAY PUNCH had reported that 21 persons were killed in the attacks on Dowaya, Demsa LGAs in the first attacks, while another attack in Bare on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of two more persons, which locals claimed were carried out by armed Fulani herdsmen.

He said, “The entire Numan people are living in fear of the unknown. In some areas, the herdsmen categorically stated that they would not allow the farmers to farm on their land. Especially in Numan, the herdsmen mentioned that they would not allow them to farm and that, even if they do, they were going to destroy their farmlands.

“But we have informed the government of this. Definitely, if the government does not come to our rescue this rainy season, our people will not be able to farm. These farmers depend on the land for their livelihoods. If they don’t farm, then, there will be famine because they will have nothing to eat.”

According to Alhamdu, most communities, under the Numan federation, require security presence for the farmers to go to their farmlands.

The Punch

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.