Tag Archives: Alleged

Vice Chancellor Docked For Alleged N800 Million Fraud Returns Money To EFCC

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The embattled Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,  Olusola Oyewole, and others accused of corruption have refunded N6.5 million to the anti-graft agency, EFCC.

Mr. Oyewole is facing criminal charges for allegedly misappropriating N800 million belonging to the university. He was charged to court alongside the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Adeseye Ogunlewe, and Bursar, Moses Ilesanmi.

The three were accused of benefitting from various illegal allowances not approved by Nigeria’s Salaries and Wages Commission.

Investigation showed that Mr. Oyewole  refunded N2.5 million on December 6 from the illegal allowances he allegedly collected to finance his daughter’s wedding. Four other staff  of the university also refunded a total of N4 million from similar illegal allowances.

A spokesperson of the EFCC zonal office in Ibadan, Ayo Oyewole, confirmed that some money was returned by suspects in the matter.

“The Commission will ensure that everybody who benefited from the illegal allowances return whatever they collected to the coffers of the university,” he said.

The monies returned so far are, however, a far cry from the N800 million that the EFCC says Mr. Oyewole and others mismanaged.

The university’s spokesperson, Emi Alawode, declined comment saying the matter was already in court.

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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/217853-vice-chancellor-docked-alleged-n800-million-fraud-returns-money-efcc.html

Bureau To Investigate Buratai For Alleged False Asset Declaration

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The Code of Conduct Bureau has pledged to invite Nigeria’s Army Chief, Tukur Buratai, for questioning as it verifies his asset declaration to determine whether or not he is culpable of false asset declaration.

Mr. Buratai, a lieutenant general, was enmeshed in asset declaration scandal after evidence emerged that he owned property in Dubai.

The Nigerian Army in June admitted that Mr. Buratai owned property in Dubai but said they were legal and he declared them in his asset declaration form.

“It is a fact that the Buratai family have two properties in Dubai that were paid for instalmentally through personal savings three years ago,” the army spokesperson Sani Usman said. “This, along with other personal asset have consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Asset Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff”.

Dissatisfied with the army’s response, as well as concerned with more reports suggesting the army chief violated Nigerian laws in  acquiring the property, a civic group asked the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, to investigate and prosecute Mr. Buratai for false asset declaration.

“Evidence of payments (payment tellers of Skye bank) made on behalf of General Buratai and published by Sahara Reporters shows that one of the properties was purchased after the assumption of office by General Buratai as Chief of Army Staff. The payment was effected and contract consummated between July 24 and August 17, 2016,” the Civil Society Network against Corruption, CSNAC, wrote in its petition to the CCB.

“It would be important for your Bureau to investigate the source of this acquisition and the differences between the General’s most recent asset declaration and the penultimate one,” CSNAC’s head, Olanrewaju Suraju, wrote while calling for Mr. Buratai’s prosecution.

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Police Arrest Alleged Killers Of Dangote’s Strategist

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Operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team have arrested suspected kidnappers who allegedly murdered a senior strategist with Dangote Industries Limited, Istifanus Gurama.

Abubakar Gide,24 Babuga Adamu, 25 and Abdulahi Saliu, 22, were arrested at Ijebu Igbo forest, Epe forest in Lagos and Ipo forest in Kwara state, respectively, were they absconded to.

The operatives led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) also recovered three AK47 rifles and 167 live ammunition which the suspects buried inside the forest.

It was gathered that the kidnappers were the ones who led the police where the deceased was dumped and also disclosed their armoury.

Gurama was taken hostage about three weeks ago at Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State, after he went to secure the release of four expatriates and a Nigerian working with the industry.

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Police arrest alleged killers of Dangote’s strategist

Court Jails Herdsmen For Alleged Kidnapping

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Two herdsmen, Usman Muhammed and Manu Saleh, on Wednesday appeared before a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja over alleged kidnapping.

They were later remanded in prison custody pending police investigation. Muhammed and Saleh of Gwagwalada Village, Abuja, were arraigned on three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and kidnapping.

The Senior Magistrate, Mohammed Tahir, gave the order for the defendants to be remanded and adjourned hearing till December 8.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Gambo Musa, told the court that one Saidu Adamu, of Gwagwalada village, Abuja, reported the matter at the Nigeria Mobile Police (Mopol) team in Abuja on Nov. 21.

Musa said that the defendants kidnapped the complainant and his son sometimes in October.He said that the defendants later released the complainant in order to source for the ransom demanded for his son’s release.

The prosecutor added that the complainant’s son also managed to escape. He said that on Nov. 18, the defendants came back to the complainant’s house, hit his hand and head with cutlass and kidnapped his wife.

Musa, said that the defendants kept the complainant’s wife in the bush for two days and demanded for N1million ransom until she managed to escape.

He said that the phone used by the duo in demanding for the ransom was recovered from them during police investigations.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 97, 247 and 273 of the Penal Code.

Credit: NAN

EFCC Arrests Two SON Directors For Alleged N1.3bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two directors of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) over alleged N1.3billion in the agency.

More staff of the organization might be questioned in the next few days.

Also, a prosecution witness has opened up on how $752,000 (about N229million) was deposited in the VISA Gold account of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Badeh.

The witness said the huge cash was lodged by Badeh’s aide-de-camp (ADC) and orderly.

But the arrest of two directors of the SON was a major breakthrough for the anti-graft agency.

A reliable source said: “The two directors have been arrested and questioned for their alleged role in a N1.3billion fraud scandal rocking the agency.

“One of the directors is currently in the custody of the anti-graft agency, while the other, who is an assistant director, was arrested a few weeks ago and released on administrative bail after making a statement before a team of detectives.

“The arrest of the directors was pursuant to the investigation into a petition received by the agency from a body known as Peculiar Systems Services dated February 24, 2016.

“The body alleged gross financial mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of N200million in the SON.

“ But in the course of the investigation, EFCC operatives found that more than N1.3billion was siphoned from the coffers of the SON by the affected directors and their collaborators in bogus payments.

“What we are doing now is profiling the accounts of the affected staff to determine their levels of involvement. We are determined to bring all those directly involved n the fraud to book”.

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EFCC arrests two SON directors for alleged N1.3bn fraud

Teacher Nabbed For Alleged Sodomy With 10 Year Old Boy

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A primary school teacher, Obi, aged 20, has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly having anal intercourse with a 10-year-old boy.

He allegedly committed the offence on November 5 at Asaka Itamaya area of Ibadan. He was accused of luring the boy to a house in the vicinity to commit the crime.

Collins was also an extra-mural class teacher to the boy. He was said to have threatened the boy that something bad would befall him if he told anybody about the alleged sodomy.

The boy reported the incident to his mother, who took the case to the Iyaganku Police Station.

Obi, who confessed to the offence, said he was introduced to sodomy by an older friend, who is on the run.

The police spokesman, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, a Superintendent, confirmed the incident.

According to him, “arrest of the suspect was made following a report made at the Iyaganku Police Station by the victim’s mother after the former reported the incident to her.

Credit:

http://sunnewsonline.com/teacher-nabbed-for-alleged-sodomy-with-boy-10/

Alleged Plot To Rig Rivers Rerun As Wike Wants Buhari To Prosecute Dakuku, Others

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Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari  to take action against the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over their alleged plot to rig the December 10, 2016 State and National Assemblies rerun polls in Rivers State.
The Governor, who briefed reporters in Government House, Port Harcourt, over the arrest of a syndicate that prints fake INEC result sheets in Port Harcourt, expressed disappointment that the Commissioner of Police said he was under pressure to free the suspects of the alleged crime.
He described electoral fraud as a corrupt practice that Mr. President would frown at, and said that individuals who wanted to deny the people of Rivers the right to vote for the candidates of their choice won’t escape the President’s hammer.
Wike alleged that the person who awarded the contract for the fake result sheets, Emmanuel Chinda, the former Commissioner of Agriculture in former Governor Rotimi Amaechi;s administration, is a top member of the APC, but has not been arrested due to pressures on the CP.
He noted that Buhari would act because when he complained to him that bail out refund was being deducted from the state’s account despite not collecting bail out fund in the first instance, the President prevailed and the deduction was stopped.
He said: “They want us to take the laws into our hands. But we won’t do that. I am sure that the President will not take lightly what has just happened. INEC and APC want to rig the rerun at all cost…
“Buhari will never support this if informed. We believe that this is part of the corruption that is being fought. We want the public to know that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will resist any attempt to rig the election.
“It is unheard of for a party to collude with INEC and deny the people their votes. I am in support of the President’s fight against corruption. We stand for peace, and want the world to know what is going on here.”
He added: “Each time Rivers is mentioned, they cite violence. But they are the ones causing the violence through their actions. When you print fake result sheets and you think we won’t resist it.
“The police, INEC and APC are threatening the security of Rivers State. I have written more than 15 letters to the Inspector General of Police complaining of dubious postings. But the IG never listened to me..,
“But you cannot kill everybody at the same time. Everybody knows that the APC cannot win here. They are only giving themselves false hope.
“Let me see that INEC official that will come and rig the election. If you rig the election, you rig your life. If you like come with the American Marines, we will resist them. We said we want change, so the people must be allowed to vote.”

Credit:

http://dailytimes.ng/alleged-plot-rig-rivers-rerun-wike-wants-buhari-prosecute-dakuku-others/

Merkel Reacts To Buhari’s Alleged “My Wife Belongs To My Kitchen…” Statement

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German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was reported to have laughed at President Buhari when he responded to journalist on his wife controversial interview.

Buhari was reported to have said “, “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.”

His comments to reporters in Germany promoted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing at his side, to give him a short glare and then laugh, AP reports.

Credit: dailytrust

Alleged Rapist Says His Penis Is Too Small To Rape Anyone

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Jacques “Porkchop” Rouschop of Canada is currently on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting and choking two sex workers in the back of his pick-up truck in 2013.

On Thursday, his lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, tried a new argument for the jury as Rouschop pleads not guilty: His physical measurements would have prevented him from committing these crimes.

Specifically, Calvinho argued that Rouschop’s hernia “makes it too painful to have sex from behind, his stomach is too large, and his penis is way, way too small,” according to crime reporter Gary Dimmock of the National Post.

The lawyer for the 44-year-old alleged choker-rapist also called a registered nurse to the stand to testify that she had measured Rouschop and that he stands at five feet six inches, with a 66-inch waist, 31-inch thighs, and a one-inch penis (two inches when erect).

Jury members were also given naked photographs of Rouschop during the trial. The Ottawa Citizen reports that according to one of Rouschop’s alleged victims, Rouschop had paid her for oral sex, and when she refused to do more, he flipped her over and choked her — repeatedly asking “Who’s in charge now?” — until she passed out.

Rouschop’s other alleged victim testifies that when she refused to do more than oral sex, Rouschop choked her and raped her from behind, leading her to lose consciousness.

In her arguments, Calvinho is also highlighting the fact that Rouschop, a registered sex offender since 2005, was a prime suspect in the unsolved 2013 murder of sex worker Amy Paul. While he was never charged, “He believes he is the subject of a witch hunt,” Calvinho told the jury.

Credit: cosmopolitan

Police Arraign Herdsman For Alleged Possession Of Firearms

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The police in Enugu State have arraigned a herdsman, Ibrahim Adamu, before an Enugu East Magistrates’ Court for allegedly being in possession of an AK-47 rifle.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said that Adamu was arraigned on Sept. 16 and had been remanded in prison custody by Chief Magistrate Denis Ekoh.

Adamu was arrested on Aug. 29 at Affa in Udi Local Government Area.He was arraigned on a three-count charge of illegally possessing and having under his control AK 47 rifle with 24 rounds of live ammunition in contravention of the Firearms Act.

The statement said that the offence was punishable under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap. R11 vol. 14, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Credit:

http://guardian.ng/news/police-arraign-herdsman-for-alleged-possesion-of-firearms/

3 Alleged ISIS Members Arrested In Germany

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Three Syrian nationals suspected of being ISIS members were arrested Tuesday in Germany, and are being investigated in connection with November’s deadly terror attacks in Paris, authorities said.

Information gathered so far seems to indicate that the three — arrested Tuesday morning in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein by special police forces — were brought to Europe by the same organization of smugglers that imported the Paris attackers, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in Berlin.
Their travel documents also appear to have originated from the same forger, de Maiziere said.
The three — two Syrian teenagers and one man in his 20s, identified as Mohamed A. — came to Germany in the middle of November 2015 via Turkey and Greece, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office said.
Tuesday’s arrests come as European security officials hunt for people connected to those who killed at least 130 people in gunfire and suicide bombings at six locations in the Paris area on November 13.
Read More: CNN

Alleged N2.3b Diversion: Orubebe, Others Get N50m Bail

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A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has granted bail at N50million to former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and two others arraigned before it Wednesday morning.

Godsday Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars), Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited) and the company were arraigned on a six-count charge marked: CR/265/2016.

They are, in the charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), accused among others, of diverting about N2.3b meant for the compensation of property owners to be affected by the Federal Government’s dualisation project of Section IV of the East West Road.

Orubebe and others pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which Justice Kayode Adeniyi granted the ex-Minister bail at N10m and one surety, who must be a responsible Nigerian, resident in Abuja and must show evidence of regular tax payment.

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Alleged N2.3b diversion: Orubebe, others get N50m bail

Gov. Ayade’s Brother Arrested Over Alleged N2.4billion Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a brother to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State over alleged N2.4billion contract scam.

Sources at the EFCC said that Francis Ayade was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the scam.

Mr. Ayade, managing director of Leophina Nigeria Limited and Hally Brown International Limited, was fingered in alleged shady deals involving diversion of public funds into his companies’ accounts.

“Specifically, four different allocations from the Federation Accounts were alleged to have been diverted into Hally Brown International Limited’s account owned by him,” an official said.

Investigations by EFCC operatives showed that Hally Brown International Limited was awarded a road construction contract to the tune of N2.4billion in 2011.

To finance the contract, Mr. Ayade allegedly took a loan of N350,000,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) from First Bank Plc, on behalf of Cross Rivers Rural Access and Mobility Project.

The loan, was however, unused for the contract, but transferred into the Mobility Project.

Mr. Ayade has also been implicated in alleged suspicious transactions involving Obudu Micro Finance Bank, among other allegations.

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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/209185-breaking-brother-cross-rivers-governor-ayade-arrested-alleged-n2-4billion-fraud.html

Zamfara Mob Kills 8 Over Alleged Blasphemy

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No fewer than eight persons were killed on Monday in Talata-Mafara community in Zamfara State following violence that erupted over alleged blasphemy by a student of the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, joined hundreds of people to bury the deceased, who were said to have all been killed when an angry mob set fire on the house of a man who tried to rescue the student.

The student was alleged to have made a blasphemous statement against Islam and Prophet Muhammad and was consequently attacked by a mob.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the boy was said to have been beaten to a pulp by the mob, and the man, whose name was simply given as Tajudeen, took him in his car and drove him to a hospital.

Enraged by the act of the man who rescued the student, an eye witnesses to NAN that the mob moved to his (Tajudeen’s) house, set it on fire and killed eight persons.

The governor, who called for an emergency security council meeting over the incident, expressed sadness and vowed that “no stone will be left unturned until all those behind this act are brought to book.”

NAN further reported that the police had imposed a 12-hour curfew in the community, from 7p.m. to 7a.m. daily until further notice, with warning that anyone caught violating the order would be prosecuted.

Credit:

http://punchng.com/zamfara-mob-kills-8-alleged-blasphemy/

Jonathan, Wife, Under Probe Over Alleged Link To Niger Delta Bombings

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The Nigerian presidency has ordered a discreet investigation of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Patience, over the spate of bombings of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.

A top government source, quoting intelligence reports, said that it had now been established that some of the oil installations bombed in the Niger Delta had actually been mined while President Jonathan was in power, just before the 2015 election, by some of the militants and operatives known to be very close to him.

“The mining was meant to be a “Plan B should they be removed from Aso Rock,” said the official, who requested not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

“The plan then was to cause confusion if the 2015 presidential election did not go as expected, in favour of the then incumbent.”

“However, when the former president surprisingly conceded the election to President Mohammadu Buhari, according to the source, there was both disappointment and confusion in the camp of those who had designed the plan, causing a suspension of the whole agenda.

“But by February this year, it was learnt, the plan was reopened as several of the backers were getting investigated on different corruption cases.

“Mr. Jonathan himself was concerned that himself and his wife could be prosecuted, including on money-laundering charges where investigators said evidence against the wife has already been amassed.

“It was at that point that the bombing activities under the banner of the Niger Delta Avengers started.

 “Even the former President himself had been reported while on a foreign trip as saying he knew he was under probe. This was after the plan to start the bombing had become fully operational according to intelligence reports.”

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Alleged N22b Fraud: Amosu ‘Returns N2.6b To Fed Govt’

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The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), charged with laundering N21billion, has returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government.

His lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), while arguing Amosu’s bail application after he was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris, said his client had returned “collossal sums”.

Amosu returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government, reporters learnt.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The companies arraigned with them are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a).

Arguing the bail application, Ayorinde said his client, who pleaded not guilty, had always been cooperative with the prosecution since his arrest in January and would not jump bail.

“He has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies.

“My application is that bail be granted to the first defendant on self-recognisance. Let those terms be liberal. He has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The first defendant will make himself available for trial,” the Senior Advocate said.

Adigun’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), also urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. “Incidentally, the second defendant is on administrative bail by the commission. He will be available for trial,” he said.

Gbadebo’s lawyer, Mr A. Etuokwu also asked for bail for his client. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications, but urged the court to make the terms stringent.

Justice Idris granted them bail for N500 million with two sureties in same like sum. The sureties must be property owners within the court’s jurisdiction, he said.

Title documents of the properties must be submitted to the court’s registrar, which must be verified by the EFCC. The sureties must also swear to an affidavit of means which must be verified by the EFCC, the court ruled.

Justice Idris directed the defendants to submit their travel passport to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).

He ordered Amosu’s and Gbadebo’s remand in prison custody. Adigun is to be kept in EFCC custody because of his health condition pending when he fulfils his bail terms.

The defendants were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014,  allegedly removed over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to buy properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

They were accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo on Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, using the AirForce’s money.

Other properties they allegedly bought using the Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

Between last March 6 and April 30, the accused allegedly spent N428,139,539.00, allegedly removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

Count one reads: “That You, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nunayon (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites Bdc, Fonds and Pricey Ltd,Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd And Solomon Health Care Ltd on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N21,467,634,707.43, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

EFCC said the accused persons converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.” They all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Idris adjourned till July 8 for trial.

Credit: Nation

Alleged N42b Fraud: Ex-Customs Chief, Dikko, In Hospital

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is watching over a former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service(NCS), Abdullahi Inde  Dikko in a hospital in Abuja.

Dikko, who is being investigated over alleged N42billion fraud, has been in hospital since he surrendered to the EFCC for interrogation  last  Thursday.

A top source in the anti- graft commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “When Dikko reported at the EFCC, he was looking pale. It was obvious that his health was in bad shape.

“We interacted with him and relocated him to a hospital for treatment. From the first day, we allowed him to stay in hospital. Our operatives are only watching over him at the hospital.

 “We need to set the records straight. He was never at any time detained in EFCC’s custody because of his frail health. But we are monitoring him in a hospital.”

Out of the total fraud sum Dikko is being grilled on the sources of funds with which he acquired a N2billion mansion at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi Abuja.

The anti-graft agency had been on the trail of Dikko since January 8 when its operatives stormed the posh residence of the ex-Customs boss.

Following search pressure, Dikko gave himself up on Thursday by responding to the outstanding invitation of the EFCC.

Looking pale, Dikko arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters at about 10am for interrogation which lasted about eight hours.

Credit: Nation

Ese Oruru, Alleged Abducted Girl, Delivered Of Baby Girl

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Ese Oruru, the teenager who was allegedly abducted and impregnated by Yunusa Dahiru, a Kano indigene, has been delivered of a baby girl in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Her baby came on Thursday about 10.15 am at the Government House Clinic in the state capital.

Her elated father, Charles Oruru, confirmed yesterday that the girl, who was in Junior Secondary School at the time she was allegedly abducted, was in good health after going through the early morning labour stress.

Ese was allegedly abducted in Bayelsa State last August and taken to Kano where she was converted to Islam and married off without the consent of her parents.

Since she returned to Yenagoa following outcry by members of the public and the pressure mounted by the media, she has been in the custody of the police at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa.

Oruru said that the family was excited about the latest addition to the family, despite the circumstances of the child’s birth, adding that the baby and the mother were doing well.

“My daughter gave birth in the morning around a quarter past 10. The mother and the child are well. She gave birth to herself (a baby girl). We are very happy that she gave birth safely,’’ Oruru said.
Ese’s abduction case is currently before the Federal High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, where her alleged kidnapper, Dahiru, is facing a five-count charge of kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Credit: Thisday

Akwa Ibom To Prosecute 9000 Workers For Alleged Salary Scam

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No fewer than 9000 employees in the Akwa Ibom civil service were to be prosecuted for alleged fraudulent drawing of salaries from more than one pay point in the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel who disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Uyo said the massive fraud was uncovered in the preliminary bio-metric exercise recently conducted by the office of the state Accountant-General.

“It is shocking to know that a section of the employees in the state are drawing salaries from more than a pay point.

“We have given the affected employees and those yet to be uncovered, the option to refund the salaries they have fraudulently taken or be prosecuted,’’ he said.

The governor directed the Permanent Secretaries in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to commence finger print verification of all employees.

He said that employees who failed to participate in the verification exercise would have their names deleted from the automated salary paying system and nominal roll.

The governor noted that more than 1,000 employees were yet to comply with the directive.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to making discipline and zero tolerance for corruption its watchwords.

Credit: NAN

Alleged Killings Of Herdsmen: Group Threatens To Drag IPOB To ICC

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The Conference of Minority Tribes of Nigeria (CMTN), has said it will drag the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague following the alleged killings of some Fulani herdsmen in Abia State.

The group which condemned the killings of the northerners, described it as a crime against humanity. Recall that bikerings have followed the allegations by the Department of State Services, DSS, Abuja Headquarters, that members of IPOB killed some Fulani herdsmen in Abia State, and dumped them in gutters.

But this allegation, the separatist group, other groups, as well as the Abia State government, has denied, describing it as a lie from the pit of hell. In separate press statements, they condemned the DSS, accusing the nation’s secrete police of wanting to spark another ethnic pogrom in Nigeria.

However, addressing a press conference on Monday, in Abuja, Secretary General of CMTN, Comrade Samson Babalola said these alleged killings marked a new low in what had been cordial relations between ethnic nationalities in Nigeria that have always accepted each other as family. He said other ethnic groups strongly condemned government forces when it clamped down on IPOB’ protests and had even planned sympathy marches in support of IPOB and its leaders that are being detained.

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Housewife Threatens To Sue Edo State Over Alleged Loss Of Pregnancy

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One Mrs. Oghosa Ejemai who allegedly lost her seven-week pregnancy and sustained injuries, following alleged attack by officials of the Edo State Government, yesterday threatened to sue the State Government for the sum of N100 million for assault.

She alleged that the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Isimeme Iriogbe supervised her alleged assaults along with his staff.

Mrs Ejemai spoke in Benin when she was presented to journalists by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Chris Nehikhare, at the state secretariat of the party.

She explained that she was in her shop at 14, Mis­sion Road, Benin City, at about 5:00p.m. on February 2, 2016, when some people led by the Commissioner stormed her shop and started packing her wares, adding that in her attempt to prevent the commissioner and his team from taking her goods, she was slapped and hit.

“They tried to push me into a vehicle, hit my head and fired shots into the air. People rushed at me that day. I was taken to the Benin Central Hospital and reported to the Oba market police station.

“The third day, I started bleeding. So I went to the hospital. At the hospital, doctor confirmed that I had lost my seven-week-old pregnancy.

“When they called me to come and pick my goods, I only saw about five per cent of the goods taken from my shop. They told me to take whatever was available as they don’t usually release seized goods,” she said.

But in a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Trans­port, Mr. Iriogbe said Mrs. Ejemai was trading along the walkway and had attacked officials who came to clear the walkway of traders and their wares.

“She was trading along the walkway and she ac­costed the officials that were clearing the walkway. She almost tore the dress of one of the women who was removing the wares. By going to the PDP for her press conference, it means her blocking the walkway was political

“I expect her to be at the court and we shall meet there because the court is for everybody. I acted de­cently and I did not beat her.”

Credit: Sunonline

Court Grants N300,000 Bail To Alleged Rapist

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A Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted Ibrahim Ali to bail in the sum of N300, 000 for alleged rape of a 10 year-old girl.

The presiding officer, Umar Kagarko, said the court admitted the defendant to bail because of the number of days he spent in custody during interrogation.
Kagarko ordered Ali to produce a reliable surety in like sum.

He said the surety must be a public servant with a reasonable grade level and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case till May 31 for hearing.

Ali of Bwari was arraigned on a two-count charge of rape, threat and criminal intimidation.

The Prosecutor, Olajide Olanipekun, told the court that Saadiya Haliru of Shere Bwari, reported the matter at Bwari Police Station on Feb. 9.

He said that Ali had on Jan 25, had unlawful and forceful carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

Olanipekun said that the incident took place at an uncompleted building at Shere village, Bwari in FCT.

The prosecutor said police investigations revealed that Ali also threatened to kill the girl if she told anybody about it.

He said Ali had confessed to the crime, adding that the offence contravened Sections 283 and 397 of the Penal Code.

Ali pleaded not guilty.

Credit: NAN

Fani- Kayode, Falae, Others Named In Alleged N3.145bn Fraud

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Investigators at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said Monday they have uncovered evidence showing how prominent politicians, mostly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, allegedly shared N3.145billion in the build up to the last presidential election.
Named in the alleged bazaar are a former aviation minister and director of media for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign organization, Femi Fani-kayode; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Olu Falae; a former finance minister, Nenadi Usman; a former Imo state governor, Achike Udenwa; former minister of state for foreign affairs, Viola Onwuliri and politician Okey Ezenwa
A source at the anti-graft agency, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, said the money was paid by the Central Bank Nigeria into the account of the Ministry of External Affairs Library, from where it was moved into the account of a private firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.
“It was from the Joint Dimension’s account with Zenith Bank that the money was shared to various individuals and organizations for purposes that are not stated,” the source said.
The sources described Mr. Fani-Kayode was the chief beneficiary of the disbursement as he allegedly received a whooping N840million, paid in three tranches into his Zenith Bank, Maitama branch, with number 1004735721.
The first tranche of payment involving N350million allegedly hit the account on February 19, 2015.

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Alleged False Assets Declaration: Saraki Docked Before CCT

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The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has been docked and trial is expected to commence before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13 count charge of alleged false assets declaration.

 The Supreme Court, through its judgment delivered on February 5, 2016, had paved way for the trial to begin after dismissing the Senate President’s objection to the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case.

The Danladi Umar-led tribunal subsequently fixed Thursday for the commencement of the trial, but it later shifted the date to Friday, following a request by Dr. Saraki’s new lead counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN).

In the charges instituted by the Federal Government, Dr. Saraki was accused of making false assets declaration in his forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a two-term Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Alleged N2.3 Bn Scam: How Ex-NIMASA Boss Asked Me To Share N121 Million- Witness

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday presented the sixth witness in the ongoing trial of a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, and five others for the alleged diversion of N2.3 billion.

Others are Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Ameche Juan, Blokz and Stonz Limited and Alkenzo Logistics Limited.

At the resumed hearing Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, led in evidence one Uchenna Emenalo, younger brother to Emeka Emenalo, the owner of O2 Services Limited, the company that was allegedly used to divert part of the proceeds from the Committee on International Shipping and Ports Security in NIMASA.

Mr Emenalo told the court that he approached the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche, as a former school mate to help him secure any contract that his brother’s company, O2 Services Limited, could handled.

The witness further disclosed that after his discussion with the third accused person, he was asked to provide their company’s name and account details.

The witness told the court how, between March 2014 and June 2015, O2 Services Limited, received about One Hundred and Twenty One Million which he personally disbursed based on instructions from the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche.

The third accused persons provided him with different account number into which the said amount was paid.

When confronted with exhibit P17a and b, which are documents that supposedly emanated from O2 Services Limited as Contract Application Document and Invoices for payment, the witness said the signatures on the documents were neither his, nor his brother’s. Asked whether any of the contract awarded to his brother’s company were executed, the witnessed said ‘no’.

Earlier in his evidence, Mr Emenalo admitted that O2 Services Limited is into Agro Allied Products and lacked competence in security related services.

The witness also denied knowing any General Manager, Field Operations at O2 services Limited as the company is solely run by his brother.

During cross examination, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, counsel for the first accused person, asked the witness if he runs any business by himself to which he answered, no.

Mr. Emenalo also confirmed that Mr. Ekene told him that the contract was security related but that their company would be registered as RSO, Registered Security Organisation.

E.D Onyeke, counsel for the second accused person, asked the witness if in the statement he made to EFCC he mentioned the email address of his brother or the address of O2 Services Limited.

Mr. Emenalo said he only used his house address in his statement as he was not asked the office address. The witness also said the same thing when he was asked if he gave the EFCC a copy of his brother’s company letterhead.

When asked by Mr. Adio, counsel to Ekene, whether he benefitted from the money that was paid into O2 Services Limited account, Mr. Emenalo admitted receiving the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Naira for Logistics and bank charges.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Alleged N2.1bn Fraud: EFCC Re-Arraigns Dokpesi

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?The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, re-arraigned the Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, ?High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Dokpesi ?who was initially docked before the court on December 9, 2015, is facing a six-count criminal charge. He was alleged to have ?received about N2.1billion from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for Peoples Democratic Party’s ?presidential media campaign.

According to the charge which was signed by the Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, the fund was released to the accused person by the erstwhile NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, ?between October 2014 and March 19, 2015.

The funds were allegedly transferred from an account the ?office of NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN?, to a FirstBank? of Nigeria Plc? account owned by DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited The prosecution maintained that the transaction was in breach of ?section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act, as well as under section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004. EFCC equally joined Dokpesi’s firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM, as the 2nd defendant in the suit.

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NDDC Top Official Arrested For Alleged Recharge Card Bribery

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested one Roberts Obuoha, a director in the project management department of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement Tuesday that Mr. Obuoha, an engineer, was arrested for attempting to bribe the EFCC Zonal Head (South-South), Ishaq Salihu.

Mr. Uwujaren added, “The suspect, who is under investigation with the commission, was invited to write a statement in a case of contract Splitting and over inflation.

“He was quizzed and offered administrative bail, but when he reported the next day to perfect his bail, he went to the Zonal Head’s office and offered him the sum of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) to buy recharge card.

“The suspect claimed that he offered the said money to Mr. Salihu in order to build a good relationship with him.

“The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Summons More NAMA Officials Over Alleged N5b Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has summoned three more staffers of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to appear before it in Abuja today in furtherance of the investigation it launched into the finances and expenditures of the aviation agency.

The newly summoned members of staff are the agency’s Director of Finance, Mrs. Clara Aliche, the ICT General Manager, Mr. Ajiribido Bolarinwa, and the Project Manager, Mrs. Felicia Agaubata.

A source within NAMA, who confirmed this to The Guardian in Lagos yesterday, explained that the EFCC issued the fresh summon after examining some of the vouchers and other related documents it took from NAMA during its unscheduled visit to the agency last Friday. The anti-graft agency had, during the visit, demanded the Director of Finance, Aliche, who was not around, and left an invitation order for her to appear before it in Abuja.

This latest invitation, though could not be confirmed by NAMA’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Olajumoke Aduke Adetona when The Guardian asked her to react to the information, was not denied by her when she said “ I don’t have information, I can’t confirm (about what is going on in the EFCC), I was not even around when the EFCC came last week.”

Credit: Guardian

Alleged N1trn Rail Contracts Scam: Reps Invite Amaechi, NRC MD, Others

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Members of the adhoc committee of the House of Representatives on failed rail contracts have summoned the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, Seyi Sijuwade; former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Mohammed Bello Haliru; and former Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, to explain their roles in the alleged N1 trillion rail contracts scam.

The adhoc committee is headed by Ehoizuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, PDP, Ikpoba/Oha Federal Constituency. They are expected to appear before the committee tomorrow  during the investigative hearing.

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Agbonayinma, confirmed that all the stakeholders had been duly informed and were expected to show up unfailingly tomorrow.

Asked why the Minister of Transport was invited, despite the fact that he is barely three months old in office, Agbonayinma said:  “The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, was also invited to tell us all he knows, though he just assumed office but you know government is a continuum.

“This 8th House is 100 per cent in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s crusade against any form of corruption.

“We are not out to witch-hunt anybody but anyone found wanting in the course of this investigative hearing will be adequately exposed although as you are aware, not until it is proven by a competent court that such persons are guilty you can’t say they are guilty.”

Credit: Vanguard

Obanikoro Responds To EFCC Probe Of Sons Over Alleged N4.8billion Fraudulent Payment

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The immediate past Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Musiliu Obanikoro has challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to sincerely publish the names of the directors and signatories to the Sylvan McNamara Limited account that allegedly received N4.8billion from the office of the National Security Adviser.

In a statement circulated on his behalf by his media aide, Jonathan Eze, Mr. Obanikoro said the EFCC should provide details of the real signatories to the account “as at when the said money was paid instead of demonising and deceiving Nigerians with vague, contrived and distorted information”.

“Obanikoro is appalled by the public political persecution embarked upon by these agencies noting that there is nowhere in the world where investigations are being conducted using the pages of the newspapers,” the statement said.

The former minister also “queried the wisdom and logic of bandying figures and associating same with his sons who are thorough bred professionals in their own rights reminding them that the court of law is and remains the judicial institution for trying cases and not whipping sentiments in order to give the dog a bad name and hang it.”

Saying he served the nation in various capacities with enviable and untainted records of public service, Mr. Obanikoro urged the EFCC to be straight and above board in its investigations and avoid speculations and conjectures that are infringing on the fundamental human rights of his sons.

The statement reads in parts, “Associating my sons to the Sylvan McNamara account that allegedly received funds from the office of the embattled National security Adviser is highly preposterous and unthinkable.

“I am particularly amazed by the fact that trials and investigations are being done using the media unconventionally just to satisfy the cravings of political entities who are desperate to rub my hard earned reputation in the mud.

“I am using this medium to challenge … the EFCC to publish in good conscience the signatories and the names of the directors of the said company and to restate that I shall conclusively pursue this injustice and infringements to a logical end.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Quizzes Jonathan’s Ally Over Alleged Multibillion Dollar Deals

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday evening questioned Jide Omokore, an ally of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, and Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited.

It gathered the arrest was in connection with a series of multi-billion dollar petrol import and crude export deals.

Multiple security sources said that Mr Omokore, who was  later released on Wednesday evening, made revealing statements.

Operatives said he was expected to return with some required documents.

Atlantic Energy Limited was one of the companies that allegedly received multibillion dollar worth of public assets without due process by the Jonathan administration in 2011.

The company, which was created less than a year earlier and had not produced a droplet of oil, was awarded controlling stakes in two lucrative oil blocks – OML 30 and 34 – for just over $50 million each.

The deal, which was signed by the immediate past minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, gave Atlantic Energy Limited a controlling 55 percent stake in the oil block.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Senate Clears Air On Alleged Missing 2016 Budget

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Controversy appears to be trailing the passage of the 2016 budget, as there are reports that the budget is missing.

A federal lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that there were fears that the 2016 budget had disappeared from the National Assembly.

President Buhari on December 22 presented the 2016 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The Senate on resumption of plenary on Tuesday went into a closed-door session which lasted for nearly two hours.

The lawmaker said the issue of the whereabouts of the budget was discussed during the closed door meeting.

The source further said the Senate had directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter.

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Ex-militants Threaten War Over Alleged Amnesty Budget Slash

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Niger Delta ex-agitators, under the aegis of Presidential Amnesty Phase II, on Monday threatened war over the Federal Government’s alleged plan to slash the 2016 budget for the Presidential Amnesty Office.

They argued that the proposed N20bn for the initiative was unacceptable to them.

The ex-militants comprises those in the 6166 Presidential Amnesty Phase II, 3142 and 20192 Ex-militants Phase III and Phase I.

While the protesters said the amount could not cater for their monthly stipends, they urged the Federal Government to respect the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with them.

The ex-militants in a peaceful protest around major streets of Warri, Delta State, on Monday carried placards with inscriptions such as “Senate President, beg President to leave the amnesty budget alone;” “We say no to the plan to reduce the amnesty budget;” “Buhari, please don’t force us to go back to the creeks;” “Saraki, leave our budget alone;” “Ex-militants reject the 2016 amnesty budget;” and the amnesty budget should increase and not reduce.”

Credit: Punch

Army Petitions NHRC Over Alleged Assassination Attempt On COAS

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The Nigerian Army has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai along Sokoto road in Zaria, Kaduna State on Saturday, December 12, 2015 by members of the Shiite sect.

Presenting a two-page petition to the NHRC, the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar, said that personnel on the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff responded to gunshots fired at their convoy by members of the sect in order to provide a safe corridor for the Army Chief and his convoy.

“The Chief of Army Staff wishes to reiterate and assure the Shiites nationwide that the Nigerian Army is not in any way against them but was forced to respond to the brutal attack by some misguided elements within them,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, who received the petition on behalf of the commission promised to investigate the alleged attack in order to prevent a recurrence.

He acknowledged that the formal complaint by the Army was an indication that it recognises “the fact that Nigeria is in a democracy and that issues such as this must be handled under the rule of law”.

Credit: ChannelsTV

EFCC Arrests Former Minister, Others Over Alleged $2billion Arms Deal

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and a number of top officials from the office of the National Security Adviser over the controversial arms procurement scandal surrounding former NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Multiple sources at the EFCC said Mr. Yuguda was arrested Monday afternoon and was currently being quizzed by detectives.

Our sources said a huge amount of money; “running into billions” was allegedly traced to the former minister from funds meant for arms procurement.

“The funds were directly transferred to him from the NSA office and he has been unable to explain the rationale for the transfer,” a source said.

“The transfers were made to his account between December 2014 and May 2015.”

Also arrested over the same matter, according to our sources, are some senior officials at the NSA office, including the director of finance.

“The suspects are being grilled by crack detectives and may not be allowed to go home soon,” one source said.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said he was yet to be briefed on the arrests.

“I’m aware that our detectives are looking into the case but I’m not sure who and who has been taken in,” Mr. Uwujaren said on telephone.

He promised to revert as soon details become available.

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EFCC To Arraign Suswam Tomorrow Over Alleged N3.1Billion Fraud

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Barring any last minute change of plan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will formally arraign a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow, November 4.

The anti-graft agency had on Monday October 2, filed a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mr. Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, are alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.

The offence, the EFCC says, is punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 20111, as amended in 2012.

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Anambra Community Calm After Alleged Relocation Of Boko Haram Suspects

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Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra is peaceful and calm after the relocation of 47 Boko Haram suspects.

A correspondent who visited the prisons facility on Thursday, reports that there was heavy security presence at the entrance of the prisons.

Boko Haram suspects had been transferred to Ekwulobia minimum prisons in June amidst protests.

A native of the town, John Ezendu, said there was nothing to be excited about as there had been no threat to the tranquility of the community since the suspects were transferred to the town.

Mr. Ezendu said that what was important to the people of the town was for the government to construct good roads in the area as host of such facility.

“We understand that the Boko Haram suspects have been moved from here; that was no problem to us, as you can see there is no excitement.

“What we are praying and hoping for is the construction of our roads so that we can enjoy the benefit of federal presence”, he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Police Arraign Three Teenagers Over Alleged Gang Rape

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Three teenagers, Elijah Adebowale, Suleiman Balogun and Shefiu Adam, were on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Adebowale (15), Balogun (16) and Adam (14), who all resides at the Iju area of Lagos, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momah, told the court that the teenagers and three others, now at large, committed the offences on Oct. 5, in an uncompleted building at Olopade St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

Momah said that the accused all conspired to lure the 13-year-old to the building, where the six of them took turns with her.

She explained that the accused persons spotted the 13-year-old coming out of a church and sent her to get drinks for them.

According to Momah, the accused offered the 13-year-old a bottle of assorted drink that was already spiked and each of them all had carnal knowledge of her.

The prosecution submitted that the offences contravened Sections 409 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against them.

Credit: NationOnline

75 Year Old Man Arraigned For Alleged Possession Of Human Head

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The police on Thursday arraigned a 75-year old, James Adeniran, and three others in an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged conspiracy and possession of human head.

The other three accused persons were Tope Omoleye,19, Femi Ajayi, 20, and Dada Owoeye,45.

Prosecutor Caleb Leramo told the court that the accused persons on Oct. 27 at Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area conspired and unlawfully had in their possession human head of one late Peter Ajayi.

Mr. Leramo said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 329 (a) of the Criminal Code of Ekiti State, 2012.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

Their Counsel, Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to admit his clients to bail, promising that reliable sureties would be available to take them on bail.

Magistrate Richard Adegboye granted bail to each of the accused persons in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Mr. Adegboye adjourned the case till Nov.23, for hearing.

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Quizzes Former Gov. Of Kebbi Over Alleged N3.8b Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday quizzed former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari over alleged mismanagement of N3.8 billion.

As at 5.24p.m yesterday, the former governor, who was invited by the EFCC, was still at the agency’s Operations Department.

The EFCC’s operatives had earlier grilled Dakingari’s wife, Hajiya Zainab (the daughter of late President Umaru Yar’Adua) and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Haliru Bello Mohammed, over alleged N2 billion contracts and money laundering in the state.

A reliable source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said the invitation of the ex-governor followed a petition on non-execution of some contracts in Kebbi State when he was in charge.

Read More: thenationonlineng

Senate To Probe Igali Over Alleged N3.5 Billion Scam

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Barely a week after the Permanent Secretary in the Power Ministry, Godknows Igali, disclosed that N2.74 trillion had been spent in the drive for better electricity supply since 1999 without anything to show for it, the public servant himself is to be investigated over some alleged scams in the sector.

The Senate has received a petition accusing Igali of diverting N3.5 billion meant for payment of beneficiaries of the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS), The Guardian has learned.

In a petition submitted to the Chairman of Senate Adhoc Committee on Power, Abubakar Kyari, NAPSAS alleged that the ministry recruited 7,200 youths for the apprenticeship scheme which was expected to last for six months, but stopped abruptly.

Read More: ngrguardiannews

Reno Omokri Defends Buhari Over Alleged Lopsided Appointments

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Former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri  on Tuesday made a case for Buhari over the president’s alleged lopsided appointments saying appointments should be made on merit and not sectional interests. Omokiri made the statement in his article titled As Buhari blazes the trail for merit.

Read article:

Recently there was a big uproar about the appointments made by President Buhari. I disagreed with those who complained that the President’s appointment were lopsided.

Appointments should not be made on the basis of ethnicity, region or religion.Appointments should be made strictly on merit!

As far as I am concerned, the President can appoint all his appointees from the same state as long as they are the best Nigeria has to offer.

Read More: vanguardngr

ICC Commences Probe Of Oba of Lagos Regarding Alleged Threat on Ndigbo

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has commenced investigation on the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, for alleged threat to sink the Igbo residing in Lagos State into the lagoon, if they failed to vote for the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) dur­ing the April 11, 2015 gover­norship election in the state.

It has been reported that the son of the late former governor of old Anambra State, Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, had petitioned the ICC over the Oba’s alleged threat. The ICC had earlier in the year, acknowledged re­ceipt of Onoh’s petition and promised to give consider­ation to his request.

In the second corre­spondence to Onoh, with reference number OTP-CR-140/15, and dated Au­gust 13, 2015, ICC’s Head of Information and Evi­dence Unit in the office of the prosecutor, M. P. Dillion, said they were analyzing the situation identified in the petition, with the assistance of other related communi­cations and other available information.

Part of the ICC’s latest letter to Onoh read: “Un­der Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the prosecutor must consider whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the ju­risdiction of the court have been committed, the grav­ity of the crimes, whether national systems are inves­tigating and prosecuting the relevant crimes, and the in­terests of justice.”

Read More: sunnewsonline

EFCC Arrests 2 Tourism Travel Agents Over Alleged N70 Million Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two officials of a travel agency for allegedly swindling and defrauding several Nigerians to the tune of N70 million.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
It stated that the two officials, Mr Banabas Magi, an accountant and Mr Owoseli Samuel, General Manager of the agency were arrested on Monday and had since been detained by the commission.

According to the statement, victims of the travel agency had on June 5, petitioned the EFCC, alleging that they have been defrauded by the company.
It explained that the travel agency claims to provide tourism services to Nigerians by providing holiday vacation, including accommodation to them at resorts in some designated countries.
It stated that the petitioners also accused the agency of deceiving them through marketers into parting with their money for promised trip overseas that never materialised. It stated that the two officials were granted provisional bail by the commission but were yet to meet the terms.

Credit: NAN

EFCC Begins Probe Of Ex-Governor Akpabio Over Alleged N108.1bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun investigation into alleged theft of N108.1billion of Akwa Ibom funds by former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The action followed a petition forwarded to the commission by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong.

Mr. Ekpenyong had on June 8 petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the EFCC, calling for Mr. Akpabio’s probe and accusing him of looting Akwa Ibom state treasury.

Investigations showed that several other indigenes of the state who have demanded the investigation of the former governor, have been invited by the EFCC to adopt their petitions.

Read More: premiumtimesng

KFC Runs DNA Test on Alleged ‘Deep Fried Rat’, Guess What They Found

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Last week the Internet recoiled in horror when a man in California posted a video of what appeared to be a deep-fried rat that had been served to him at a local KFC. However, it seems that KFC got hold of this alleged rodent and ran some DNA tests on it and found that it really was just a piece of chicken that happened to be oddly rat-shaped.

KFC tells ABC News that last week “the customer’s attorney turned over the product in question for testing at an independent lab, and the results officially confirmed what KFC knew all along — the product was chicken and not a rat as he claimed.”

Just in case you need a remind, here’s an image of the alleged food in question. While we now know it’s chicken, there’s no doubt that it really does look like a rat that’s been rolled in batter and tossed into a deep frier.

KFC-fried-rat

Police Storm Ministry To Arrest Perm Sec, Others Over Alleged N1.9b Fraud

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THERE was a mild drama at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja Wednesday as a Special Police Squad from the Office of the Inspector General of Police stormed the ministry in search of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Linus Awute.

Also on the list of the police were the Chief Executive Officer/National Coordinator of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi; Director, Emergency Health Response, John Akintunde Kehinde; and Head of Nigerian Ebola Mission to Sierra Leone and Liberia, Dr. Joshua Obasanya.

The individuals, according to the Police were wanted in respect of an investigation in respect of a petition over alleged mismanagement of the N1.9 billion fund approved for Ebola intervention by the outgone government.

However, Prof. Nasidi told The Guardian on phone Wednesday that he was in Washington and was not aware that the police wanted him.

Reminded that the police claimed to have written him inviting him to present himself for questioning, he noted: “I have not received that correspondence. Maybe because I am in Washington.”

Awute and other officials wanted by the police could not be reached for comments.

Read More: ngrguardiannews

PDP Scorns Alleged Buhari UK Gaffe

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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed disappointment with President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, over his alleged snubbing of handover programme lined up by the Federal Government to transmit power to him by Friday.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said such behavior was a measure of lack of “democratic discipline.”

He claimed Buhari owed Nigerians explanations on why he snubbed the prayer sessions scheduled for Friday and Sunday for Muslims and Christians respectively to usher in four years of his in-coming administration as well as the “embarrassing protocol gaffe and low-down treatment” that characterized his visit to British Prime Minister David Cameron last Saturday.

“Nigerians, as citizens of a sovereign nation were thoroughly embarrassed when they saw their President-elect cheapened and kept waiting at the door of 10 Downing Street to see the British Prime Minister due to shoddy arrangements by his handlers,” said Metuh.

“Indeed, they are becoming increasingly worried about the frightening unpreparedness of the APC for governance and the huge embarrassments they have been attracting to our nation. We know that the APC has been lying over issues,” said Methu.

“We also know that the APC and the President-elect have been flip-flopping and reneging on their campaign promises; but to embarrass the nation by embarking on such a sensitive visit without adequate preparations is shameful and completely unacceptable.”

Metuh said the APC had continued to give signals that it lacked the capacity to face the challenges of governance.

“Such has been evidenced in the uneasiness of the President-elect who in apparent loss of confidence in himself has started reneging on his promises of quick fixes while confessing in a meeting with APC governors-elect on May 5, 2015 that he has ‘started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day.”

Buhari assumes power on Friday following his victory over incumbent Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.

Credit: CAJ News

Youths, Mothers Protest The Alleged Killings In Plateau State By Military (SEE PHOTOS)

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United Plateau youth came out in their numbers to protest the alleged recent incessant killings in Plateau state by men of the Nigerian army. The youths and mothers sat and occupied the express road of old Air Port, causing heavy traffic jam for hours. See photos:

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I’m Not Afraid Of Trial For Alleged Drug Offences In America- Kashamu

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The controversial Peoples Democratic Party Senator-elect in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, on Wednesday, said he is not evading trial for drug related offences in the United States of America. Mr. Kashamu, an American fugitive, said the American authorities only needed to follow due process and not abuse his human rights if a trial were to hold.

The senator- elect insisted that a court in the United Kingdom had cleared him of the drug charges. “On the U.S case, I wish to state for the umpteenth time that the United States as the bastion of democracy and the Rule of Law would not lend itself to any form of abuse of the fundamental human rights of an innocent soul, especially one that has been arrested, tried and freed by its most trusted ally – the United Kingdom.

“I am not running from any trial. All I have asked is for the relevant parties to follow due process – if they believe that I yet have a case to answer. I stand with the almighty Allah Subhana Wa Tala. He is the protector of all men. He is my refuge and shield. Let no one play God!’

“I believe in the supremacy of the almighty Allah who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish. He is the ultimate decider of the fate of all mortals. When He says yes, no man can say no and when He says no, no man can say yes!,” Mr. Kashamu said.

Credit: premiumtimesng