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Ignore Detractors, Ozekhome Still Nnamdi Kanu’s Lead Counsel, Says Ejiofor

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By Eric Elezuo

A member of the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu legal team, and Lead Counsel of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor Esq., has dismissed as false the news making the rounds that Kanu has sacked hisead counsel, Prof Mike Ozekhome, and the entire legal team.

Ejiofor made the clarifications in a statement he signed himself, denouncing Kanu’s brother, Kingsley Kanu, who purported originated the sack story as an opportunist, who does not have the interest of the IPOB leader at heart.

Ejiofor’s statement is presented in full below:

Update on Today’s Visit to our Indefatigable Client – ONYENDU MAZI NNAMDI KANU – AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS), ABUJA, WHERE HE IS STILL BEING ILLEGALLY AND UNCONSTITUTIONALLY DETAINED IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT; AND A REJOINDER TO THE FAKE NEWS MAKING THE ROUND ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE EFECT THAT MAZI NNAMDI KANU’S LEGAL TEAM ABLY LED BY PROF. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, HAS PURPORTEDLY BEEN “DISMISSED” BY ONE KINGSLEY KANU, ALIAS KANUNTA KANU, who lives in Germany and does not even know anything about Onyendu’s case. To show his ignorance or deliberate falsehood, he lied that Prof Ozekhome has refused to visit Onyendu since 11TH OF MAY, 2023,whereas the erudite Professor of law actually led me to have an over 2 hours meeting with Onyendu and the DSS on the 3RD of JUNE, 2023.

We visited our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu –TODAY, being the 15th DAY OF JUNE, 2023, at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, to brief him on matters relating to his cases in Court, including his matter coming up on the 20th OF JUNE, 2023, before the Federal High Court, Abuja. Matters of concerns relating to his deteriorating medical condition occupied the centre stage of our discussions.

It is important to make the following statements/clarifications:

1) The Medical Doctors that attempted to see Onyendu last week Tuesday being 6th OF JUNE, 2023, were not there to participate in any surgical procedure, but to first meet and interface with Onyendu.on a preliminary basis.

2) The Medical Doctors were expected to consult with our lead counsel- Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before proceeding with other administrative engagements as we unanimously agreed upon during our well over one hour meeting of 3RD JUNE, 2023, led by Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, which was held with the DSS in the presence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who participated in and approached all the decisions reached at the meeting.

3) Biafrans should note and be assured that Onyendu’s legal team, ably led by the legal iroko of our time – Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is closely monitoring every situation about and around Onyendu. We are not resting on our oars to get him freed and released from his illegal and unconstitutional detention after his discharge by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, which also prohibited his further detention or trial on the charges he was standing trial for before his extraordinary and forceful rendition from Kenya to Nigeria on 27thJune, 2021. There is therefore no cause for alarm, as the Supreme Court is set to finally decide the matter on the 14th of September, 2023, immediately after the annual vacation. We are thousands of miles and steps ahead of the evil plans of the enemies, both from within and from without. Onyendu will be out of the DSS gulag strong and unbroken, by the grace of God.

4) In view of the desperate attempt of the enemies to break our ranks, the legal team resolved to minimize the information that we make public through my regular updates. Therefore, you will not, as in the recent past, be receiving updates on our routine visits as regularly as it used to come, except when there is a compelling situation that demands for it, as the present one specifically demands.

Several visits to Onyendu, and particularly, the visit of 3RD JUNE 2023, was deliberately not publicized because of the confidential nature of the matters discussed, but all relevant persons were duly briefed about the outcomes.

5) May I use this medium to address an obvious HIGHLY DEFAMATORY and VERY DISAPPOINTING PUBLICATION which was brought to my attention immediately upon I stepped out of the meeting venue of my routine visit to Onyendu at the SSS Headquarters, Abuja. Unarguably, the author intended to serve some satanic mischief through a diet of falsehood and defamatory publication.BUT,HE HAS FAILED.

6) Let it be on record and be known to the whole world that NEITHER KINGSLEY KANU, NOR EMMANUEL KANU, had at any point in time briefed me to handle Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case,or even IPOB matters. My letters of engagement issued to me since 2015, by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB are still firmly with me till date.

7) Neither Kingsley Kanu, nor anybody acting on his behalf, ever engaged Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to represent Onyendu in any matters affecting him. Biafrans and members of the public are aware that Onyendu specifically requested to see Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN upon his forceful abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June, 2023. It was not until 22nd December, 2022 (6 months later), that Ozekhome finally accepted the the brief. During that first meeting between him and Onyendu, which details are already in the public domain, Onyendu PERSONALLY BRIEFED Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to head his legal team. He also instructed me to put the briefing in writing, which I did to his satisfaction. Till date, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN has done excellently and overwhelmingly well in deploying his deep knowledge of the law, advocacy skills and daring bravado to represent Onyendu in all courts in Nigeria, churning out successes upon successes.

8) Further to the above, my briefings with Onyendu TODAY, lasted for WELL OVER one-hour, during which we discussed pertinent issues concerning his legal and health matters. There was NO TIME HOWSOEVER during the meeting that Onyendu entertained or expressed any iota of doubt WHATSOEVER on the ABILITY AND CAPACITY of his indefatigable legal team, ably led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to defend him. Onyendu, also proceeded to avail me with other important messages to be passed on to his said lead counsel, which assignments are expected to be conducted WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

9) Kingsley Kanu in a bid to preempt any exposition I may make after today’s visit, proceeded to make the extremely ridiculous publication at exactly 1:57pm Nigerian time, a few minutes before the scheduled visit of 2:00pm, but which drawn to my attention immediately I left Onyendu.He need not have worried himself, because out of respect and deference to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I did not and I do not intend to make any such exposition.

10) As you may be aware, right from the 26th of July, 2021, when an order was made by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, directing the DSS to allow Onyendu access to his lawyers and relatives, upon prior submission of the names of those visiting Onyendu, my chambers has been exclusively submitting names of those visiting Onyendu,on his personal instructions and this process has continued since then and still subsists till date. The names are usually shared with Onyendu before clearance is finally given by the DSS for the visits to take place.

11) Against the backdrop of the foregoing, I wish to unequivocally state that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu NEVER AT ANY TIME EVER DISMISSED, DISENGAGED, NOR has he EVER expressed any intention of ‘dismissing’ his legal team ably led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. Biafrans and indeed the members of the general public are respectively advised to ignore in its entirety, the obviously FALSE, BASELESS, DEFAMATORY, MISCHIEVOUS, FAKE, REPREHENSIBLE, DENIGRATING, INSULTING AND UNAUTHORIZED Public Notice issued by one Kingsley Kanu, alias Kanunta Kanu, a person not even known to Prof Ozekhome. The alleged public notice is a blatant lie from the pit of hell fire as it is NOT TRUE.

12) May the general public and indeed Biafrans, be properly guided that the simple reason for dishing out such condemnable falsehood is to ridicule and embarrass Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team ably led by an erudite, foremost and distinguished Senior Advocate of our time – Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. They hope to get him angry and leave Onyendu to his fate for them to prey on, a step the learned SAN has vowed not to take inspite of such shenanigans.

13) Kingsley Kanu should be assured that his evil strategies are DEAD ON ARRIVAL. There is nothing whatsoever, that will stop or deter Onyendu’s legal team which is tirelessly working day and night to ensure that Onyendu is released unconditionally. AND HE WILL BE RELEASED, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, to their eternal shame and embarrassment.

14) In conclusion, Onyendu further used the opportunity offered by my visit today to convey his deepest appreciation to Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, for his humane and robust legal defence; and also thank Ezigbo UmuChineke for standing shoulder to shoulder with him, particularly all through this trying time. Onyendu assured Ezigbo UmuChineke once again that it shall surely end in Praises. He urges you all to remain firm, steadfast, and unrelenting in your supplications to God.

Furthermore, Onyendu implores Ezigbo UmuChineke to continue to abide by your peaceful conduct as you have consistently demonstrated.

Thank you all, Ezigbo UmuChineke, and remain blessed.

We move!

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The Travail of Tinubu’s Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John

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By Eric Elezuo

Just weeks after her confirmation as the Minister of Tourism, seasoned banker and foreign-based tech investor, Lola Ade-John, has been hospitalised in Abuja following reports of acute poisoning she suffered from unknown origins, says a Peoples Gazette report. The medium added that her family members and immediate colleagues fear that time was running against their efforts to save her life.

The Boss learnt that Lola Ade-John, who is 60, was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, shortly after she started manifesting symptoms of her poisoning, according to family sources familiar with her ordeal. As the time of filing this report, a source says that the minister has spent five days at the facility as at Saturday morning.

The source further revealed that Ade-John, who is a career banker and tech expert, has been on a machine to aid her breathing. The specifics as to what substance she ingested and how could not be immediately established by The Gazette, which broke the news. The paper also revealed that the Police and the State Security Service did not immediately return a request on whether or not any investigations had been opened into the matter.

Her worsening situation has further set the family against the government, with the permanent secretary of her ministry said to be in disagreement as to whether she should continue receiving treatment at a public hospital or be moved to a better-equipped private facility downtown.

The permanent secretary, Ngozi Onwudike, it was further stated, was said to have insisted that the minister should not be transferred because the FMC is a public hospital and its services wouldn’t attract substantial charges to the government, a position her family rebuffed. But they remained with her as they could not raise funds to move her to a private hospital, our sources said. A phone number for the permanent secretary did not connect on Friday morning.

A spokesperson for the FMC did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette about Ms Ade-John’s condition.

Ms Ade-John was appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu in August. She was immediately touted as one of the few cabinet members appointed from outside the political beltway. She was based in London for years before she was asked to return to the country to serve by the president.

Stakeholders in the Tourism told The Boss that Ade-John was expected as a special guest software honour at the just concluded World Tourism Day held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, but she failed to turn up raising concerns as to her health.

A source from the Tourism sector, who craved anonymity lamented that it was a very healthy Ade-John that took over the ministry in August, but wondered why just a few weeks after, she is battling for her life over alleged poisoning.

“Though there is no available medical information, but it is heavily suspected to be poison,” a Tourism sector source told The Boss.

However, a family source, who also prefers to speak behind identity revelation, has revealed that the report of poisoning is true, but not the poisoning as most people know it, saying that it is a case of ‘food poisoning’, adding that the report of conventional poisoning in the media space is a product of ‘junk journalism’.

“She has had a bad case of food poisoning compounded by bad malaria. She hasn’t been poisoned by anybody at all. That’s junk journalism at work!

“Also, she’s in a private hospital not a government hospital and no problem at all about funding from her private resources. Further junk journalism! She is receiving treatment and on the way to recovery, no life threatening situation.

“Temi, her daughter, came into Nigeria yesterday because she was understandably concerned about her Mother,” the source exclusively revealed to The Boss.

But the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Haruna Garba, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to immediately take over from the Mabushi Police Division, on the ongoing investigation into the alleged poisoning.

The FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed the development on Saturday in an exclusive telephone interview with The Punch.

“The CP has ordered the Mabushi Police Division that was investigating the matter to immediately transfer it to the SCID,” SP Adeh was quoted as saying.

Lola Ade John is a 1984 B.Sc graduate of the University of Ibadan, who majored in Computer Science. Her exceptional performance in her academic sojourn earned her the honour of being the top graduate of her class that year.

Presently, Lola Ade John is the Principal Consultant at Novateur Business Technology Consultants, a company she founded in 2014. The firm specialises in providing technical management and consulting services to both private and public sector clients, helping them improve their operations and performance through the application of technology systems knowledge and operational techniques.

She was invited from her base in the United Kingdom to come and serve in the Tinubu-led government.

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Rotary Africa Donates $25k, Mobilizes Funds, Support for Morocco

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Rotary International Zone 22, which covers the whole of Africa, has made an initial donation of $25,000 to help the disaster relief effort going on in Morocco while also calling for more funds, donations and support for the people following a devastating earthquake.

According to statement by Rotary International Director, Patrick Chisanga, “Rotary stands in solidarity with the people of Morocco as we witnessed the unprecedented devastation caused by a catastrophic earthquake. Our hearts go out to the affected families, and we mourn the tragic loss of lives.

While the 5th All Africa Zone 22 Institute was ongoing in Lusaka, on 8th September, and with members from across Africa in attendance, we received the distressing news of this earthquake, and our immediate response was to offer support and comfort to those affected.

“Rotary clubs in Europe and Africa including in Morocco have raised funds and mobilised material support for the relief efforts. An initial $25,000 was approved by the Rotary Foundation to immediately go to the disaster relief efforts and more grants are being developed.

“Our partner organisation, Shelter Box and others have supported in raising support for shelter and related needs of affected individuals.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco, particularly our fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and their families who have endured immense suffering. We also wish a swift recovery to all those injured in this calamity.

In our commitment to making a difference in times of crisis, Rotary International is actively engaged in providing assistance and support to the relief efforts in Morocco. To this end, we have established direct communication channels for Rotary Districts willing to mobilize support in any form. Clubs and Districts can contact District Governor Saadia Aglif on +212 661 135750 for further information on how they can contribute to the relief efforts directly in Morocco.

Furthermore, the Rotary Foundation Trustees have set up the Morocco Earthquake Response Fund, a dedicated fund to provide immediate relief to those affected by the earthquake. Donors can contribute directly to this fund to aid the ongoing relief efforts. Contributions to this fund will be accepted until 31 December 2023. Districts are encouraged to apply for grants from this fund until 21 September 2024 or until the funds have been fully allocated. Any remaining contributions after 21 September 2024 will be directed to the general Disaster Response Fund, which supports disaster relief efforts worldwide.

· Rotarians can give online, by cheque or by transferring District Designated Funds through https://my.rotary.org/disaster-response-fund

· To give by check, make it payable to The Rotary Foundation or an associate foundation, and include a completed contribution form. In the DESIGNATION/PURPOSE section, choose “Other” and write the fund name (Morocco Earthquake Response Fund).

· To allocate District Designated Funds, district leaders can use the DDF contribution form.

· We also call upon individuals and organizations to join us in raising funds to support the Morocco Earthquake Response Fund. You can start a fundraiser on Raise for Rotary, a platform that currently accepts 12 currencies. Contributions made through fundraisers for this fund on Raise for Rotary will be credited and recognized and acknowledged as described on the Rotary website.

Rotary International Director (RID) for Africa, Patrick Chisanga urges everyone to come together in this time of crisis and demonstrate the true spirit of Rotary by providing much-needed relief and support to the people of Morocco. He said, “we believe that our collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this tragedy”.

“The expertise of Rotarians and Rotaractors across Africa, will be available and essential in assisting clubs in Morocco respond effectively to the needs of their communities. RID Patrick has pledged the support of all Regional and Zone Coordinators’ in grants and projects development to support the clubs in Morocco during this crises”

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Tourism Minister, Lola John Allegedly Poisoned, Fighting for Life in Abuja Hospital

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The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, has been hospitalised in Abuja after suffering acute poisoning from unknown origins, says a Peoples Gazette report, adding that her family members fear time was running against their efforts to save her life.

Lola Ade-John, 60, was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, shortly after she started manifesting symptoms of her poisoning, according to family sources familiar with her ordeal. She has spent four days at the facility as of Friday morning, The Gazette heard.

Ms Ade-John, a career banker and tech investor, has been on a machine to aid her breathing, our sources said. The specifics as to what substance she ingested and how could not be immediately established by The Gazette. The police and the State Security Service did not immediately return a request on whether or not any investigations had been opened into the matter.

Her worsening situation has further set the family against the government, with the permanent secretary of her ministry said to be in disagreement as to whether she should continue receiving treatment at a public hospital or be moved to a better-equipped private facility downtown.

The permanent secretary, Ngozi Onwudike, was said to have insisted that the minister should not be transferred because the FMC is a public hospital and its services wouldn’t attract substantial charges to the government, a position her family rebuffed. But they remained with her as they could not raise funds to move her to a private hospital, our sources said. A phone number for the permanent secretary did not connect on Friday morning.

A spokesperson for the FMC did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette about Ms Ade-John’s condition.

Ms Ade-John was appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu in August. She was immediately touted as one of the few cabinet members appointed from outside the political beltway. She was based in London for years before she was asked to return to the country to serve by the president.

People’s Gazette

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