News

IPOB Sets April 27 to Enforce Ban on Open Grazing

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2022

Eric

The Indigenous People of Biafra has stated that from April 27, 2022, it will start enforcing its ban on Fulani cows outside ranching places.

The Media and Publicity Secretary, IPOB, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Monday.

The group had earlier in January, issued a ban on the consumption and sale of Fulani cows in the South-East region. The group had said the ban would take effect by April.

Powerful said the clarification became necessary so as to reiterate its ban on open grazing in the South-East region, which had also since been outlawed by the governors of the region.

He pointed out that from the said date, no cow should be seen roaming the streets of Biafra land.

He added that anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafra land, must have a ranch, and properly mark the cows.

The statement read in part, “From April 27, 2022, we shall commence the enforcement of the ban on open grazing since it was pronounced by South-East governors and passed into law by many states in Biafra land, but security agencies have failed to enforce them.

“Thus, from the said date, no cows should be seen roaming the streets of Biafra land. Anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafra land, must have a ranch, and properly mark the cows.

“Cows seen outside ranches with effect from this date shall be treated as contraband products. Owners of such cows would blame themselves.

“Owners of cows and ranches should properly mark them with their ranch name or symbol for easy identification.”

It added that the above measures became necessary to stop the senseless and wanton killings in the South-East by Fulani jihadists masquerading as herdsmen.

Powerful said the Igbo people alone in Biafra land spent more than N3tn every year on cows.

He added, “We want to stop the incessant invasion of our communities and raping of our mothers and sisters by Fulani herdsmen. Enough is enough!

“Our action is not targeted against any tribe. We are only taking this measure as a necessity for self preservation.

“Igbo people alone in Biafra land spend more than N3tn every year on cows. We, therefore, want to stop using our money to finance the genocide attacks on our people by the Fulani herdsmen. Let them keep their cows so that we may have our lives.”

“We want our people to breed native cows in our land and also put them in a ranch. We won’t tolerate the wandering of cattle again in our land.”

The Punch

News

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

Published

4 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

4 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

5 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.