Akpabio and Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
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Akpabio and Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
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House Urges FG to Facilitate Jonathan’s Safe Return From Guinea Bissau
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to explore diplomatic measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan who is trapped in Guinea Bissau following a coup in the country.
The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere.
Jonatha was in Guinea-Bissau as Head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), serving as part of an international observer mission.
He alongside hundreds of foreign observers, were trapped on Wednesday after the military took over power while results of the elections were about to be officially declared.
A group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.
The coupists, who called themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
However, Ihonvbere informed the House that Jonathan, who was in the country on election observation, was trapped following the coup.
He noted: “The government is aware and they are doing everything possible to get him back as quickly and safely as possible.
“Our goal is to urge the government not to relent in that effort, and to use all diplomatic means at its means to get our former president, a true democrat, back to Nigeria immediately.”
The head of the main opposition PAIGC party, Domingos Simoes Pereira, has also been arrested, Haque said. “As well, we’ve just heard that the military is trying to cut off the Internet. There’s a curfew in place.”
The House reaffirmed that safeguarding the lives of all citizens, at home and abroad, remains a matter of urgent national priority and urged the Executive to act without delay.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to explore diplomatic measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan who is
Read moreAbduction: Mamu not Mandated to Negotiate on FG’s Behalf, DSS Witness Tells Court
Alex Enumah in Abuja
A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that Tukur Mamu was not at any time appointed by the Federal Government to negotiate with terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022.
The witness, who is an operative of the DSS, alleged that Tukur sidelined the Chief of Defence Staff Committee put in place to negotiate for the release of those abducted during the March 28, 2022 train attack.
Tukur is standing trial on charges bordering on alleged terrorism funding.
Led in evidence by DSS lawyer, David Kaswe, the witness, whose identity was not made public for security purposes, said that the defendant “was not mandated by the government to engage in any form of investigation or negotiation with terrorists, but acted on his own for his personal benefit”.
The witness alleged that the defendant encouraged terrorists to discuss ransom payments with victims, collected money on their behalf, confirmed amounts and “facilitated payments illegally”.
He further claimed that the defendant benefited financially from the ransom negotiations and possessed firearms unlawfully, and even provided terrorists with information on how to create a website.
He added that the huge money recovered from the Kaduna residence of the defendant exceeded the threshold permitted by law, and that the defendant’s lifestyle “changed significantly” during the negotiation period.
“He was arrested in the company of four family members while on a trip to Egypt, and he bought two flashy cars during the negotiation period,” the witness stated.
During cross-examination, the defence counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), challenged several aspects of the DSS investigation.
Usman questioned whether the DSS, which has operatives at all Nigerian airports, verified how the defendant and his family travelled to Egypt to which the witness replied that he was not aware of their travel details but confirmed that the defendant’s passport was in DSS custody.
When asked if he was a diligent investigator, the witness affirmed that he was, though he admitted he did not open the defendant’s passport during the investigation, adding that it was not necessary because he worked with a preliminary report.
The defence also queried the inconsistencies regarding the negotiation process. Usman suggested that the terrorists asked victims to propose negotiators, and victims suggested several names.
The witness agreed that the victims introduced names, but insisted only the defendant (Mamu) agreed to engage with the terrorists, and maintained the defendant was not part of the CDS committee.
Usman further pressed the witness on hostage releases during the crisis. He noted that before the defendant’s involvement, only one hostage had been released.
Meanwhile Justice Mohammed Garba Umar has adjourned further cross-examination of the witness to January 29, 2026.
Alex Enumah in Abuja A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that Tukur Mamu was not at any time
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