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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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Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA

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Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

The Adara Development Association (ADA) has expressed deep shock and sadness over a deadly attack by unknown gunmen on Wakeh community in Agunu Ward, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025.

According to a statement by the ADA National Publicity Secretary, Livinus Paul Magaji, heavily armed attackers invaded the village, blocking entrance routes to prevent possible assistance from neighbouring communities.

The assault left eight people dead and nine others seriously injured. Victims were reportedly given mass burial, while the injured are receiving treatment at St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Alheri Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Kachia. Several properties, including a bus, were destroyed, causing millions of naira in losses.

The association noted that such attacks have become increasingly frequent in Adara communities since, despite the presence of security in the area. ADA strongly condemned the violence, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.

“ADA leadership calls on the Kaduna State Government and other relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect lives and property and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement said.

It added that the Adara community is ready to collaborate with government and security agencies to curb the ongoing attacks.

The association also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to those injured, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

ADA reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and called on all indigenes and residents of Adara land to work with government and stakeholders to build sustainable peace in the region.

The Kaduna state government are yet to visit the affected communities or make any statement on the attack.

Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA

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NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja

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NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

A Deputy Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has accidentally shot and killed a colleague in Life Camp, Abuja, security sources confirmed.

The sources told Zagazola Makama that at about 10:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 7, DSC Adekunle Emmanuel was accidentally shot on the left upper arm above the bicep by fellow Operative while en route to a principal’s residence at Lias Estate from Corner View Hotel.

The victim was immediately rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, the sources added.

NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja

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Decomposed body of man found in car at National Assembly Complex , Abuja

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Decomposed body of man found in car at National Assembly Complex , Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

The decomposed body of a 55-year-old man has been discovered in a car parked outside the annex gate of the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the police have confirmed.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Gaddafi Iwar, a Tiv man suspected to be a labourer at a construction site within the complex, was found motionless in a red Peugeot 406 with registration number BWR-577 BF at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7.

The body was evacuated to the National Assembly Clinic for medical confirmation and later conveyed to Asokoro General Hospital, but was rejected due to advanced decomposition.

The Tiv community and youth leaders eventually took the body to Gbawu Village, a border town between AMAC and Kuje Area Council, for burial to prevent a health hazard.

Decomposed body of man found in car at National Assembly Complex , Abuja

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