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Defamation: Banire seeks redress from FIJ, threatens N1Billion libel suit

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Defamation: Banire seeks redress from FIJ, threatens N1Billion libel suit

By: Michael Mike

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Convener of social advocacy group, United Action for Change, UAC, Dr. Muiz Banire has threatened to drag Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, to court for N1billion compensation if the organisation fails to meet his demands over damages done his 35 years legal and academic record.

This was disclosed in a letter titled “DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS AGAINST DR MUIZ BANIRE, SAN, OON PRE-ACTION PROTOCOL WRITTEN MEMORANDUM”, dated 7th May 2024 and addressed to FIJ by his lawyer, Kunle Adegoke SAN.

The letter whose copy was made available to journalists, read: “Our client Informed us, and we verily believe him, that: his attention was drawn to your organisation’s publication of
6th May 2024 with the caption: CONFIRMED: Muiz Banire Wrote the Petition That Triggered FIJ Reporter’s Abduction, published on your organisation’s website.

“In the said publication, your organisation wrote that our client is responsible for the abduction of one Daniel Ojukwu, a member of staff of your organisation.”

The letter further said “your publication deliberately conveyed the malicious
impression that our client engineered the kidnap of the aforementioned Daniel Ojukwu, thereby, suggesting that our client engages in criminal conduct; in this vein, your publication failed to mention that our client acted in line with his professional obligation in the representation of his client and that his office, M. A. Banire & Associates, authored the petition to the Inspector-General of Police on behalf of their client to report a case of
cyberbullying; your publication is, without a doubt, designed to damage the
reputation of our client, a purpose it is currently serving.

“Due to the popularity and effectiveness of your organisation’s online distribution network, millions of people have received and read your organisation’s defamatory publication; your organisation to note that your publication has dragged our client’s carefully nurtured good name in the mud and exposed our client to underserved public opprobrium; many that have read your publications, particularly his professional colleagues and associates, have expressed shock as to why our client would engage in the criminal behaviour your organisation attributed to him.

“Many also queried our client on the sins or transgressions of the said Daniel Ojukwu against the person of our client as to warrant our client resorting to the crime of engineering his abduction; to many of them, our client’s explanation that he had no personal relationship with the said Daniel Ojukwu and did not know him from Adam but only acted in his professional capacity as counsel to his client in the submission of a petition to the police on his client’s behalf fell on deaf ears; and your organisation has, through its false and heinous allegations, inflicted grievous damage on our client’s reputation.

“It is beyond cavil that the referenced publication casts a direct aspersion on the person of our client. To right-thinking members of society, you have presented
our client as a criminal who engages in abduction of people. Furthermore, your organisation’s publication has caused many to believe that our client, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a member of the Body of Benchers and a holder of a doctorate degree in Law, has no qualms in committing the heinous crime your organisation’s publications attributed to him.

“The gross implication of your organisation’s publication is that it has informed the world that our client is unfit to be a legal practitioner or an Officer of the Order of the Niger and is only fit for the four walls of a prison.”

The legal luminary therefore gave the organisation 14 days to retract and make amends, without which, he would be left with no other option than to drag FIJ before the court.

“It is in view of the foregoing that we, on behalf of our client, demand the following:
not later than 14 (fourteen) days from the delivery of this written memorandum to your organisation, your organisation immediately retracts the said publication and tenders an unreserved apology through all your organisation’s platforms and 5 (five) national daily newspapers circulating all over the federation, which must include the Punch Newspaper and ThisDay Newspaper;

“Not later than 14 (fourteen) days from the delivery of this letter on your organisation, pay the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as compensation for the reputation of our client that your organisation has maligned maliciously and/or recklessly.

As your organisation is aware, our client considers litigation only as a last resort. In this regard, our client is open to resolving this matter through conciliation, mediation, arbitration or other dispute resolution options you deem most suitable.”

At the expiration of the 14 days grace, the letter said Banire’s lawyers will pursue litigation to seek redress if the stated demands are not met. The court suit among other reliefs will seek “AN ORDER compelling your organisation to immediately withdraw the said publication and tender an unreserved apology in 5 (five) national daily newspapers, which must include Punch Newspapers and ThisDay Newspapers;

“An Order of the Honourable Court compelling your organisation to pay damages in the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as compensation for the person of our client that your organisation has defamed.”

Defamation: Banire seeks redress from FIJ, threatens N1Billion libel suit

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No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

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No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, reportedly shot by a police officer in Effurun, warning that the authority of law enforcement must never be abused to take lives unlawfully.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the April 26 incident as “deeply disturbing” and a direct violation of constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.

He stressed that no citizen should lose their life at the hands of those entrusted with their protection, noting that the reported conduct of the officer involved was “condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”

The NHRC boss raised alarm over what he termed a troubling pattern of excessive force by security personnel, urging the Nigeria Police to take immediate and decisive action to curb the trend.

He called for systemic reforms, including mandatory periodic psychological and mental fitness evaluations for officers, particularly those deployed on special assignments, to ensure they are capable of handling firearms responsibly and engaging civilians within the bounds of the law.

Ojukwu further demanded swift disciplinary measures against the officer implicated in the incident, insisting that accountability must be pursued in line with existing laws and police regulations. He also pressed for the full implementation of recommendations from past panels on police brutality, arguing that meaningful reform remains critical to preventing future abuses.

“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that justice must also include adequate compensation for the victim’s family.

He warned that delays in justice risk eroding public trust in state institutions and weakening confidence in law enforcement agencies.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to human rights protection, Ojukwu said the NHRC would closely monitor the case while continuing its advocacy for accountability and justice.

“Nigeria must never normalize brutality,” he said. “Justice must speak louder than silence.”

No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

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Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

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Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria has reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral relations, describing Bangladesh and Nigeria as natural partners bound by shared aspirations for development, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.

Speaking at the Bangla New Year 1433 celebration in Abuja, the High Commissioner, Miah Md. Mainul Kabir, emphasized that although geographically distant, Bangladesh and Nigeria share strong historical and developmental parallels as populous, dynamic, and rapidly evolving economies in their respective regions.

He noted that the relationship between both countries has continued to expand steadily in recent years, particularly in areas of trade, education, capacity building, and cultural exchange.

According to him, there remains significant untapped potential for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, ICT, and human capital development.

The High Commissioner stressed that cultural diplomacy remains a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral relations, adding that events such as the Bangla New Year celebration in Abuja provide an important platform for fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations. He described such engagements as essential tools for building trust and expanding cooperation beyond formal diplomatic channels.

He further underscored the importance of people-to-people connections, noting that the Bangladeshi community in Nigeria plays a key role in reinforcing goodwill and serving as informal ambassadors of their country. He commended their contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic environment while also preserving cultural identity abroad.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s interest in stronger engagement with Nigeria, the High Commissioner said both countries stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation in trade diversification, knowledge exchange, and investment partnerships. He expressed optimism that continued dialogue and cultural interaction would translate into more structured bilateral initiatives in the near future.

He described the celebration of the Bangla New Year in Abuja as a reflection of the growing warmth in bilateral relations and a symbol of shared commitment to friendship and mutual progress between Bangladesh and Nigeria.

The event was arranged by the High Commission of Bangladesh in Abuja. And present were Ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of think tanks, media, business community of Nigeria and expatriate Bangladeshis. The venue was colourfully decorated with traditional Bangladeshi artifacts, symbols of cultural heritage. Diversity of Bangladesh’s landscape in different seasons were put on display. A spectacular cultural performance by Bangladeshi and Nigerian artists displaying different aspects of the six seasons of Bangladesh charmed the audience. Traditional Bangladeshi food items including various pithas were served among the guests.

Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

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Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

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Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 5 Operation Peace Enforcement (OPEP) have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching incident in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State by Berom Militia.

Security sources said that the incident occurred at about 7:20 p.m. on April 28 in Maiduna village, Dafof district, when armed individuals attacked a civilian and attempted to seize his motorcycle.

The sources said troops deployed at Maiduna general location responded swiftly to distress calls, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and flee the scene.

According to the sources, the victim was rescued with injuries and his motorcycle recovered by troops during the operation.

They added that the victim was later evacuated to a clinic in Dafof, where he was confirmed dead despite medical attention.

The recovered motorcycle is currently in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

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