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Railway Assets Not Scraps, NRC MD Warns
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has issued a warning against the vandalism of railway infrastructure, asserting that these critical components are not mere scrap materials but invaluable national assets essential for the country’s unity and economic development.
In an interview on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy,” on Saturday, Opeifa emphasised the significance of the railway system beyond its immediate transportation function, highlighting its role in binding the diverse Nigerian populace.
Addressing the persistent challenge of vandalism, particularly the theft of railway materials, the NRC MD stated, “We don’t have scraps in the Nigerian railway; we have national assets.”
He distinguished discarded waste and the functional, integrative infrastructure that forms the backbone of the nation’s connectivity.
Opeifa recounted encountering similar issues internationally but pointed out a unique local problem.
“I was at a conference in South Africa I think in the month of April and I was shocked that people are even stealing electric cables that powers their trade,” he noted, contrasting this with the prevalent issue in Nigeria. “but what do they steal here they steal the steel and they call it scrap.”
He stressed the destructive impact of such acts, explaining that these “scraps” are in fact fundamental elements that facilitate national cohesion.
“Those are the assets that link our people by culture, by religion, by tribe to each other. Through those tracks, you can transit from Lagos to Osogbo speaking Yoruba. You’ve got to learn speaking further when you get to Ilorin to Mokua and Niger, you change to Nupe from Nupe you start speaking Hausa and go further to speak Igbo. You speak fufide in Kaura Namoda or some other language when you go to the other side you are speaking calabari, you speak Edo then if you want to go further, you speak Hebrew and you move further you start speaking Tiv and when you get to Maiduguri, you are speaking Kanuri”, Opeifa said.
The NRC MD underscored that any act of vandalism is akin to striking at the very core of Nigeria’s national identity. “Anybody vandalising them is like going to the heart of our people, the integration that binds us together,” he lamented.
Opeifa appealed directly to local communities situated along the railway corridors, urging them to take ownership and ensure the survival of these vital assets.
He pointed out that rail lines often transform surrounding areas into major cities, thereby serving the direct interests of the local populace.
“Every part the railway passes through becomes a major city so it is in the interest of the locals too to make sure the railway survives,” he added.
While not detailing specific security measures taken, Opeifa implied ongoing efforts, stating, “I wouldn’t want to talk about what we have been doing so far but we just pray that we continue to do them and want to appeal to the communities who are supporting us to continue to support us the area we need them more is in the area of vandalism.”
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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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