IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu Engages New Legal Team As Trial Continues
<p> Mike Ozekhome, who was formerly the senior counsel representing Kanu, was replaced by Emeka Ejiofor.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanu-engages-new-legal-team-as-trial-continues/">IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu Engages New Legal Team As Trial Continues</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has engaged new lawyers as his trial resumes before the Abuja federal high court.
Mike Ozekhome, who was formerly the senior counsel representing Kanu, has been replaced by Emeka Ejiofor, while the prosecuting team is being led by Adegboyega Awomolo who replaced David Kaswe, a lawyer with the federal ministry of justice.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in 2020, has been reported to be present in court.
The federal government charged him with terrorism after he was extradited in June of 2020.
A federal high court judge in Abuja named Binta Nyako dismissed eight of the fifteen counts in the charge in April 2022.
Nyako ordered Kanu’s release on October 13, 2022, when the court of appeals rejected the remaining seven counts.
Nevertheless, on October 28, 2022, the court of appeals imposed a stay of execution on its decision, expunging Kanu, following the federal government’s filing of an appeal with the Supreme Court.
However, the appellate court’s ruling was overturned on December 15, 2023, when a five-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered Kanu to retry his case before the Federal High Court.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/someone-holding-a-stack-of-canadian-bills-illustrative.jpg?id=53770298&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=218%2C0%2C219%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>October has arrived, and with it comes a slew of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-cra-benefits-credits-payment-dates-october-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">federal benefit payments Quebecers can receive this month</a>, including payments from the Advanced <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-workers-benefit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canada Workers Benefit</a>.</p><p>This refundable tax credit is designed to help lower-income individuals and families across the country, giving them a financial boost to cope with the rising cost of living. </p><p>For eligible Canadians, the upcoming <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/government-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">government benefit</a> payment could put extra cash in their pockets this fall, helping with everyday expenses. While the CWB is available in all provinces and territories, the payment amounts and income thresholds are a bit different in Quebec from elsewhere in the country.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know about the October 2024 Canada Workers Benefit payment, including how it works and how much you could receive as a resident of Quebec.</p><h3>What is the Canada Workers Benefit?</h3><br/><p>The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit that helps individuals and families across Canada who are working but earning a low income. It's designed to give workers a bit of extra financial support by providing a basic amount, as well as a disability supplement for those who qualify. </p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-workers-benefit.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about the CWB</a></p><h3>What is the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit?</h3><br/><p>The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) lets eligible individuals receive part of their Canada Workers Benefit ahead of tax time. </p><p>Instead of waiting until you file your tax return, you can automatically get up to 50% of your total CWB in three payments throughout the year. These payments are spread out to help you manage everyday expenses, and you don't need to apply for the advanced payments — if you're eligible, the payments are issued automatically.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-workers-benefit.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about the ACWB</a></p><h3>Who is eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit?</h3><br/><p>To qualify for the CWB, you must meet a few basic conditions. First, you need to have earned a working income, and your net income must be below the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-workers-benefit/net-income-not-eligible.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limit set for your province or territory</a>. You also need to be a resident of Canada throughout the year, and either be 19 or older on December 31 or live with a spouse, common-law partner or child.</p><p>However, there are some situations that make you ineligible. You won't qualify if you were a full-time student for more than 13 weeks of the year (unless you had an eligible dependant on December 31), if you were in prison for at least 90 days during the year or if you don't have to pay Canadian taxes because of your role as a diplomat or similar position.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/acwb-eligibility.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about CWB eligibility</a></p><h3>How to apply for the Canada Workers Benefit</h3><br/><p>Applying for the Canada Workers Benefit is simple — you just need to claim it when you file your taxes. If you file your return electronically, your certified tax software will guide you through the steps to claim the CWB. If you prefer to file a paper return, make sure to fill out and submit <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/tax-packages-years/general-income-tax-benefit-package/5000-s6.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schedule 6</a>, which is specifically for the Canada Workers Benefit.</p><p>If you're also eligible for the disability supplement, the process is similar, but keep in mind that if you have an eligible spouse, only one of you can claim the basic amount, while both of you can claim the disability supplement on separate forms if you're both eligible.</p><p>You don't need to apply separately for the advance payments under the ACWB program — these will be sent out automatically if you're eligible. Just make sure to file your tax return before November 1 of the benefit period to receive those payments.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/acwb-apply.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about applying for the CWB</a></p><h3>How much is the Canada Workers Benefit in Quebec?</h3><br/><p>The amount you can receive from the CWB depends on your income and where you live in Canada. Here are the maximum basic amounts you can get in Quebec, depending on your family situation:</p><ul><li>If you're <strong>single without children</strong>, the maximum basic amount you can get in Quebec is <strong>$3,521.87</strong>. This starts to decrease if your income is over $13,294.87, and you won't get anything if your income is above $30,904.22.</li><li>A <strong>couple without children</strong> can get up to <strong>$5,494.27</strong> for the basic amount. This begins to decrease if your net family income is above $20,412.45 and maxes out at an income of $47,898.80.</li><li>If you're a <strong>single parent</strong>, the maximum basic amount is <strong>$1,888.40</strong>. This amount is reduced if your income is more than $13,400.24, and no amount is paid if your family income is over $22,842.24.</li><li>For a <strong>couple with children</strong>, you can get up to <strong>$3,522.38</strong>. This starts to decrease if your family's income is over $20,563.57, and you won't get anything it's above $38,175.47.</li></ul><p>There's also a disability supplement available, which can add a maximum of <strong>$787.70</strong> per eligible person and is also subject to reduction based on income.</p><p>Given that the ACWB quarterly payments are for around 1/6 of your yearly entitlement, for the October 2024 payment, eligible recipients could receive up to:</p><ul><li><strong>$586.98</strong> if you're single without children</li><li><strong>$915.71</strong> for a couple without children</li><li><strong>$314.73</strong> if you're a single parent</li><li><strong>$587.06</strong> for a couple with children</li><li><strong>$131.28</strong> extra for each person who qualifies for the disability supplement</li></ul><p>These amounts vary for other provinces and territories, as they have different maximums and income thresholds. You can always use the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-family-benefits-calculator.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CRA's benefit calculator</a> to get a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/acwb-amount.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about ACWB payment amounts</a></p><h3>Is the Canada Workers Benefit taxable?</h3><br/><p>No, the Canada Workers Benefit is not taxable. As a refundable tax credit, it's actually designed to reduce the amount of tax you owe, or give you a refund if you don't owe any tax.</p><h3>When are the Canada Workers Benefit payment dates?</h3><br/><p>The next Advanced Canada Workers Benefit payment date is <strong>October 11, 2024</strong>. </p><p>This is the final payment for 2024, with the following payment scheduled for January 10, 2025.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More about federal benefit payment dates</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
<p><img width="696" height="385" src="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/futa.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="FUTA Reacts To EFCC Midnight Raid On Student Hostel" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/futa.jpg 696w, https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/futa-300x166.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" /></p>
<h2>The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has reacted to the raid by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on some hostel residents inhabited by some students of the institution.</h2>
<p>The management of FUTA, in a statement by the institution's spokesperson, <strong>Adegbenro Adebanjo</strong>, said the mode of the raid is condemned as it could have caused harm or injuries to anybody physically or psychologically.</p>
<p>As earlier reported by Naija News, the EFCC operatives conducted <strong><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/02/14/breaking-efcc-operatives-allegedly-arrest-futa-students-in-midnight-raid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a midnight raid</a></strong> around 2 am at the lodges of some FUTA students located in the Orita Obele area of Akure metropolis.</p>
<p>The raid has prompted a flurry of reactions from students and social media users, who have shared videos and accounts alleging forced entry into rooms and the arrest of some students.</p>
<p>Visual evidence shared online shows damaged window frames, purportedly resulting from the operatives’ attempts to gain access to the lodges.</p>
<p>Reacting to the development, <strong><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/topic/futa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FUTA</a></strong> management said though the raid took place on off-campus lodges, the timing and mode of the operation raised questions.</p>
<p>It added that while the institution does not condone or encourage any form of criminal activities, due process should always be followed by the EFCC.</p>
<p>The institution added that it is in touch with the <strong><a href="https://www.naijanews.com/topic/efcc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EFCC</a></strong> to ascertain the identity of those arrested during the raid.</p>
<p>Adegbenro stated: <em>“Such patently dangerous tactics should not have been employed by the operatives. The process should always follow due process without causing harm or injuries to anybody physically or psychologically.</em></p>
<p><em>“Indeed but for providence something untoward could have happened in the course of the operation carried out in the off-campus hostels.</em></p>
<p><em>“The University is in touch with the EFCC to ascertain the identity of those arrested and validate their studentship and also to ensure that innocent FUTA students are not punished for offences they have not committed.</em></p>
<p><em>“FUTA abhors all forms of anti-social practices including acts of criminality in all its forms and supports all initiatives to bring perpetrators to face the consequences of their actions within the ambits of the law. The University rules and regulations as contained in the Students Code of Conduct as stipulated in the University Handbook and oath of Matriculation which all students are made to sign specifically prescribe varying degrees of punishment for students who run afoul of the laws governing their studentship or engage in illegal acts or odious behaviour.”</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.naijanews.com/2024/02/14/futa-reacts-to-efcc-midnight-raid-on-student-hostel/">FUTA Reacts To EFCC Midnight Raid On Student Hostel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.naijanews.com">Naija News</a>.</p>
