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Judge Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial

UPDATED: Judge Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Indefinitely

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UPDATED: Judge Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Indefinitely—-Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), indefinitely.
Justice Nyako gave the order after Kanu and his counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, insisted that the trial judge no longer had jurisdiction to preside over the case following her earlier recusal (withdrawal) from the matter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nyako had, on Sept. 24, 2024, recused (withdrew) herself from the trial of Kanu, after an oral application from the defence and the case file was transferred to the chief judge.
However, the Chief Judge (CJ) of FHC, Justice John Tsoho sent the Kanu’s case file back to Justice Nyako for adjudication, insisting that a formal application must be made by the defence before the recusal could be accepted.
When the matter was called on Monday, counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, informed the court that the case was for resumption of Kanu’s trial.
“Your lordship will recall that on the last date of hearing, there was an oral application that your lordship should recuse yourself and the file be remitted back to the CJ.”
“The CJ, who has the power, has sent back the file. We are ready to proceed with the trial and our witnesses are ready too.
“In obedience to your lordship order, the proof of evidence and relevant documents have been served on the defence and we are ready to go on,” he said.
Hardly had Awomolo ended his statement when Ejimakor interjected.
“My lord, this honourable court has recused itself from the case and my lord has to tell us, first, why we are here before the learner silk could talk.
“We don’t know why we are here because this court stands recused by the extant order,” Ejimakor said.
Justice Nyako then explained that on Sept. 24, 2024, she sent the case file back to the CJ.
“On Oct. 7, 2024, I got a memo from the CJ and it instructs as follows that if the defendant still wants a recusal, he should filed a formal application by way of motion on notice .
“It was.minuted to me by the CJ. The CJ has not accepted by recusal and has minuted the file back to me.
“So if you still want a recusal, you will file a motion on notice and the prosecution will join issues with you and it will be adjourned for ruling.
“I have so many cases before me so it is not as if I am begging for a case,” the judge said.
Responding, Ejimakor disagreed with Justice Nyako.
“With due respect, even though we do not have the privy of the memo from the chief judge, the chief judge does not have the judicial power above this court.
“The CJ is just the first among equals and his memo cannot override the subsisting order of this court that has been enrolled.
“An ordinary administrative memo should not be allowed to override the order of this court. The order stands and we are guided by it,” Ejimakor insisted.
“My advice is that you should go and file a formal application irrespective of your position.
“The power vested in the CJ are not vested in me. He has the power to assign cases in line with the law.
“You are just stalling your client’s case. File everything you want to and the prosecution will join issues with you,” the judge told Ejimakor.
Ejimakor argued that there was no rule of the court that mandated a party to file an application when a recusal had already been done.
While Ejimakor was addressing the court, Kanu cut in and asked his lawyer to keep quiet and sit down.
“Mr Kanu, are you taking over from your lawyer?” Justice Nyako asked and the IPOB leader responded in affirmative.
Awomolo, who expressed surprise at the development, said:he was embarrassed by the proceedings.
The FG’s lawyer said after the explanation by the judge, the proper thing to do by Ejimakor was to either indicate if he would be filing a formal application or not.
Ejimakor stood up to respond to Awomolo’s submission but the judge told him: “Mr Aloy, you have been disengaged. Don’t say anything.”
Kanu then stood up from the dock to address the court.
The IPOB leader insisted that his trial can no longer be before the judge.
Turning to Chief Awomolo, Kanu said: “The Chairman of Body of Benchers is here distorting the laws.
“This man is a grown up man and should be upholding the law.
“Why is he turning the law upside down. I came here because of the respect I have for you (the court). God is my witness.”
“I have not said anything that is contrary to anything.. I sent the case file to CJ and he sent it back to me,” Justice Nyako restated.
“But he (the CJ) is wrong. The CJ supposed to go on appeal because you cannot preside over my case again; not today and not tomorrow.
“Why must he insists that you must be on my case. You are bias. So I don’t want you on my case again. You stand recused,” Kanu said angrily.
Against the development, Awomolo therefore applied for a trial date.
“In view of the fact that the defendant has said that he will not make a formal application, I apply that my lord give a date for hearing,” the senior lawyer said.
Responding, Kanu  said a memo from the CJ cannot override the order of the court.
He recalled that Justice Tsoho, who is presently the CJ, had once presided over his case and he applied that he recused himself from his case.
Kanu said during the time, he took Justice Tsoho to National Judicial Council (NJC) and he won, leading to Justice Tsoho’s withdrawal from his case.
“Why is he insisting that his lordship should continue even after recusing herself?
“Can a memo from the CJ overrides court order? The answer is no.
“Justice Binta stands recused,” he said.
The IPOB leader, who brought out some documents, said: “This is a National Judicial Policy of Nigeria. Please give it to Chief Awomolo, it seems he doesn’t know the law.
“The rule of law is once an order of court is made, it can only be set aside on appeal. Please give him a copy.
“It seems he doesn’t know. If you don’t like what Justice Nyako has done,  go on appeal. She is functus officio. Stop wasting your time.”
When the judge said she would adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) pending when the parties agree, Kanu said: “You cannot adjourn this case sine die because you have no jurisdiction to adjourn sine die.”
Justice Nyako consequently adjourned the matter sine die (indefinitely).
“The case is now in limbo. I have to adjourn sine die,” she said.
However, Kanu kept shouting in the court: “Why must you insist you must take it. You have an agenda.”
NAN reports that Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge.

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Aston Villa Complete Alejandro Garnacho Signing from Chelsea on Season-Long Loan with Mandatory Buy Clause

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Aston Villa Complete Alejandro Garnacho Signing from Chelsea on Season-Long Loan with Mandatory Buy Clause—-Unai Emery has landed one of his top transfer targets after Aston Villa reached an agreement with Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho to join on a season-long loan, with a conditional obligation to make the move permanent.

Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho on a season-long loan, with a buy clause that will become mandatory if certain conditions are met. The move is expected to be finalized after the 22-year-old completes the remaining formalities following his medical in Birmingham.

The deal represents a significant show of faith from Villa manager Unai Emery, who has long admired Garnacho and had attempted to sign the winger before his move from Manchester United to Chelsea last summer. Emery is understood to have personally pushed for the transfer, believing he can help the Argentine rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier League’s brightest young talents.

Although structured initially as a loan until the end of the 2026-27 season, the agreement includes a conditional obligation to buy. The exact conditions have not been disclosed publicly, but reports indicate they are linked to performance or appearance targets and are widely expected to be met. Garnacho has already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract that will take effect once the permanent transfer is triggered.

Garnacho’s departure comes just one year after Chelsea signed him from Manchester United on a long-term contract. Despite arriving at Stamford Bridge with high expectations, the winger struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, managing only limited league starts as competition for places intensified under new manager Xabi Alonso. Chelsea’s recent club-record £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers further reduced Garnacho’s prospects of regular first-team football, making a move away increasingly likely.

For Aston Villa, the signing is another statement of intent as the club prepares for a campaign that includes UEFA Champions League football. Emery has built a reputation for revitalizing players whose careers have stalled, and Villa believe Garnacho’s pace, direct running and attacking flair can add a new dimension to their frontline. Club officials are confident the Argentine international still possesses the potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s top wingers under Emery’s guidance.

The transfer also continues a busy summer of business between Aston Villa and Chelsea. It follows Chelsea’s acquisition of Morgan Rogers in a British-record £117 million deal, with Garnacho now heading in the opposite direction as both clubs reshape their squads ahead of the new season. While the financial details of the future permanent transfer remain undisclosed, all parties are confident the move will become permanent once the agreed conditions are fulfilled.

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BREAKING: Ferran Torres the Hero as Spain Beat Argentina to Capture 2026 FIFA World Cup

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BREAKING: Ferran Torres the Hero as Spain Beat Argentina to Capture 2026 FIFA World Cup—-Substitute Ferran Torres struck the decisive extra-time winner as Spain edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift their second FIFA World Cup title and complete a historic double as reigning men’s European and world champions.

Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a tense and tactical final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

After 90 minutes of relentless intensity failed to separate the two footballing giants, substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the only goal of the match in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second World Cup crown, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa.

Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled much of the contest from the outset, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities against an Argentina team chasing back-to-back World Cup titles. Spain finished the match with 15 attempts on goal and won nine corners, while Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to impose themselves in attack, failing to register a shot on target for long periods of the encounter.

Spain’s patient approach was finally rewarded early in extra time. Following sustained pressure around Argentina’s penalty area, Ferran Torres collected the ball inside the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beneath the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with no chance and sending the Spanish supporters into wild celebrations.

Argentina’s task became even more difficult after midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time, forcing the reigning champions to play the remainder of the contest with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Argentina fought until the final whistle but were unable to break down Spain’s disciplined defence.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón produced another assured performance behind a well-organised back line marshalled by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, while Rodri once again dictated the tempo in midfield. Teenager Lamine Yamal also impressed throughout the tournament, capping a breakthrough World Cup campaign by helping Spain reach the summit of world football.

The victory crowns a remarkable era for Spanish football under Luis de la Fuente. Having already won UEFA Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League, Spain now add the FIFA World Cup to their growing list of honours, becoming world champions for the first time since 2010. The triumph also makes Spain the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles.

For Argentina, the defeat brought an end to their bid to retain the trophy they lifted in Qatar four years earlier. Lionel Messi and his teammates had reached the final after dramatic victories over England and Switzerland in the knockout rounds, but they were ultimately denied by a composed Spanish side whose consistency and tactical discipline proved decisive on football’s biggest stage.

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