Tension in Delta as police allegedly kill commercial motorcyclist over N100 bribe

There is serious tension in Onicha- Olona community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State following the alleged killing of an unidentified motorcyclist at a checkpoint in Issele-Uku/Issele-Nkpitime road.

The incident which happened on Tuesday morning resulted from the refusal of the commercial motorcyclist to offer a Hundred Naira bribe to the officers.

DAILY POST gathered that the officers flagged the commercial motorcyclist whose name is yet to be known, demanding One Hundred Naira from him, but he refused.

His insistence angered the police officers as they hit him with the but of their guns leading to his instant death.

Youths in Onicha-Olona community in a protest have now besieged the police Station in the area, demanding that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, provide the officers that carried out the dastard act.

Contacted, the Delta State Acting Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Andrew Aniamaka said he was in a conference. - Daily Post

Face of corruption : Ex-FCT minister Akinjide holds plea bargain talks with EFCC

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday she was holding plea bargain talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Akinjide is standing trial alongside a former Senator from Oyo Central, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, for laundering N650 million.

EFCC said they allegedly received the money former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Trial was billed to resume on Tuesday, with EFCC set to call its witness, but Akinjide’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), said the N650million had been returned to the Federal Government as part of the plea bargain.

He said: “My lord, the charge before this court is essentially in relation to the PDP campaign funds for the 2015 elections in Oyo.

“Before trial commenced, the defendants who were chieftains of the PDP in Oyo at the time, acting on the collective decision of the party, decided to refund the monies mentioned in the charge.

“In the light of the above, before the trial commences full-blown, we are imploring the court to allow parties to explore possible amicable settlement.

“I have had a talk with the lead counsel for the prosecution, and so, going forward, we think it wise not to subject this matter to further adjudication, so as not to waste the time and resources of the court.

“In that light, I have suggested that all counsel meet, so as to look at a way forward on this charge, especially considering the fact that the monies complained of, has already been refunded.

“My application, therefore, is that this court adjourns further hearing, pending the outcome of discussion by counsel.”

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed that the money had been returned, adding that the case was not only about the money but the fact that the defendants allegedly dealt “with proceeds of unlawful activity.”

He added that the N650 million was recovered from Akinjide and not from chieftains or principal members of the PDP. - The Nation

Ekiti : Court remands 3 men for gang raping 14 year-old-girl

Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of three men-Samuel Farotimi, Ajimoko Sunday and Tayo Ilugbo-who allegedly conspired and raped a 14-year-old girl.

The accused – Farotimi, 27; Sunday, 40 and Ilugbo, 30, whose addresses were not provided at the court are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape on Tuesday at an Ado-Ekiti Court.

Magistrate, Mrs Dolapo Akosile who gave the ruling ordered the remand of the three men.

Earlier the prosecutor, Sgt. Oriyomi Akinwale told the court that the accused committed the offences on or about January 29, at about 09.00.p.m at Odo- Ado-Ekiti.

He said the accused conspired among themselves and raped the 14-year-old girl while coming back from an errand.

The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened Sections 33 and 31(2) of the Child’s Right Law of Ekiti State Cap C7.

Akosile adjourned the case until March 14, for mention.

Edo boils as policeman allegedly pushes about-to-wed man to death over bribe

Upper Igun Road area in Benin City, the Edo State capital has gone aflame following the death of an about-to-wed man reportedly caused by a policeman.

An eyewitness said the police stopped a man and his fiancée after they allegedly disobeyed traffic rules and demanded him to pay N2, 000.

The source said the defaulters pleaded to pay N1, 700 as they had nothing on them because of their forthcoming wedding but the officer refused.

His refusal to pay the said amount angered one of the police officers, who allegedly pushed him into a moving trailer and he was crushed to death on the spot.

The officers disappeared from the scene after they realized the man had been crushed to death.

The incident sparked violence in the area as youths of the community set the police vans ablaze.

“As we speak, they are threatening to burn down the divisional headquarters. Upper Igun is on fire as we speak,” the source said

Speaking with DAILY POST on phone, a police officer, who would not want his name mentioned because he was not authorized to speak on the incident, claimed that the deceased was trying to snatch the officer’s gun.

“The man (deceased) was trying to snatch his gun and he had to push him away. It was not deliberate. He never saw the trailer coming,” the officer said.

Reacting to the development, the State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the police has commenced investigation into the incident.

Kokumo stated that nobody has been able to state what actually happened except from hearsay evidence.

He said all eyewitnesses statements that have been obtained did not state categorically that they were present when the deceased was pushed by the policemen,

His words, “We are investigating the allegation. We want eye witness to give a proper account. Nobody has come out to say it was the police that pushed the man. The allegation was made against the police and we will investigate.”

“Investigation is ongoing it is unfortunate that it happened. Nobody has said he saw the policeman pushed the driver.”- Daily Post

Court hears how gang used social media to kidnap, rape women

Five men on Tuesday appeared before the newly inaugurated Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, for allegedly using social media to lure, kidnap and rape two women in Lagos.

The accused are Gabriel Obinna, 20, Nnadozie Akabueze, 21, Hector Ugochukwu, 32, Chinedu Ezechukwu, 21 and Godwin Balogun.

They are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and rape.

They denied the charges when it was read to them.

The prosecutor, Mrs O. Akinsete, requested that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

“We humbly apply for a date to come for trial and that the defendants be remanded in custody,” the prosecutor said.

Akinsete said the defendants committed the offences at 4.30 p.m. at the Happy Hour Hotel, Agege, Lagos, on July 25, 2016.

“The defendants posed as a female called Vanessa on social media platforms like instagram and tinder.

“They befriended and lured the two complainants (names withheld) to the hotel on two different occasions.

“When the women arrived the hotel instead of meeting their ‘friend’ Vanessa, they encountered the five defendants who were lying in wait.

“The complainants in their similar experiences were beaten, gang-raped by the men and forced to call family and friends to send money for their release,” she said.

The presiding judge, Justice Sybil Nwaka ordered that the alleged gang-rapists be remanded at the Kirikiri Prison and adjourned the case until February 15 for trial.

The prosecution said the offences violated Sections 260(1), 271(3) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011.

Face of corruption !!! EFCC Witness Reveals Badeh’s Wife’s Role in Laundering N3.9bn NAF’s Funds

The trial of Air Chief Alex S. Badeh, former Chief of Air Staff resumed on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the cross-examination of the nineteenth prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki.

Madaki, an operative of the EFCC had earlier narrated how his team of investigators discovered millions of naira diverted by Badeh from Nigeria Air Force’s accounts through companies supposedly owned by members of his family.

At the sitting today, Madaki, while responding to questions by Badeh’s counsel, Akin Olujimi, SAN, told the court that the Zenith Bank account allegedly used to launder the funds had ‘Mary Badeh’, the first defendant’s wife, as its sole signatory.

Referring to Exhibits H1 to H47, Madaki stated that, “Mary Badeh became the sole signatory to the account of Iyalikam Nigeria Limited in a letter signed by one Salamah Badeh, dated June 23, 2004, but acknowledged on March 21, 2016.”

In yet another revelation, Madaki said, “The directors of Prince and Princess Multiservices Ltd (another company through which NAF funds were allegedly laundered) as indicated in the Certificate of Incorporation, as at August 22, 2007, are the first defendant and members of his family. The sole signatory to the bank account for this company is the first defendant’s wife, Mary Badeh."

On the observation by Olujimi that statements of the account of the first defendant from 2007 to 2011 were withheld by the EFCC and not included in the proof of evidence presented before the court, Madaki said:

“The first defendant still has a case to answer involving the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. I requested from our Lagos office the statements of accounts that were relevant to the case being investigated. The statements generated from November 2012 to 2015 were the ones relevant to the case at the time of the investigation.”

In the absence of further questions for the PW19 whose cross-examination started about six months ago, O. A. Atolagbe, counsel to EFCC, applied for an adjournment.

According to Atolagbe, the adjournment was to enable him review evidence of the witness under cross-examination to see if there is a need to re-examine him.

Justice Abang adjourned to February 26, 28 and March 1, 2018, for a possible re-examination of the witness and continuation of trial.

Badeh is being prosecuted alongside Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, by the EFCC for allegedly using Nigeria Air Force, NAF, funds for personal enrichment and the acquisition of choice properties in Abuja.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media, and Publicity

EFCC recovered N511.9bn in 2017, says Magu

Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the commission recovered about N511.9 billion in 2017.

Magu said this on Monday when he appeared before a budget defence session organised by the house of representatives committee on financial crimes.

He listed the monies recovered to include N473.065 billion, $89,258,124.97, £294,851.82, €7,247,363.75, 443,400 dirhams and 70,500.00 South African rand.

Giving a breakdown of the figures, he said the monies include the more than $43million discovered in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos state and the N449 million discovered at a plaza in Victoria Island, also in Lagos.

He also included “the N32 billion and $5 million which was forfeited to the federal government by a former minister of petroleum resources”.

The EFCC chairman added that the commission also recovered more than N329 billion from petroleum marketers in Kano, €6.6 million on behalf of the Nigerian Ports Authority as well as another N1.1 billion by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Also recovered were the N27.7 billion being withheld in tax by banks, the more than N4 billion recovered as subsidy fraud funds among others.

While briefing the committee on EFCC’s performance of the 2017 budget as well as its proposed 2018 budget, Magu said: “A major challenge in the implementation of the capital estimates is the late and insufficient release of funds appropriated.

“Presently, funds have not been released for the furnishing of the new head office complex expected to be handed over by March 2018. We need the committee’s intervention in that regard.” - Cable Nigeria

Couple running baby factory arrested in Lagos

A couple, Adeola Adebayo, 50; and 40-year-old Binta Adebayo have been arrested by the Lagos police command for allegedly harbouring pregnant women and selling newborn babies.

The couple residing at the Treasure Palace Close in the Igando area were arrested on Sunday by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command.

Three heavily pregnant women were reportedly found at their apartment as at the time of arrest.

They were identified as Favour Osikwemeh, 19; Precious Emmanuel, 27; and 25-year-old Onome Oputi.

The police alleged that the couple were in the business of harbouring pregnant women and selling their babies without consent.

Osikweme, who is seven-month pregnant, narrating her ordeal said a friend, Lepa, took her to Binta in December 2017 to stay with the woman until she put to bed.

She explained that Binta had yet to acquaint her with the plan to sell her unborn baby.

She said, “I was not told it is a baby factory. I was staying with my friend called Lepa. She told me that her apartment was too small and she took me to the woman’s house to give birth to my child.

“I have been with the woman since December 2017. She (Binta) told my mum that I was working for her, but we didn’t negotiate payment for my child.”

Another pregnant girl had this to say: “My sister took me to the woman after I was impregnated by a foreigner. The woman then promised to settle me as soon as I am delivered of my baby,” she said.

Upon interrogation, Adeola said he was not aware his wife ran a baby factory, claiming that they were not living together.

He said, “The police arrested us for running a baby factory, but I don’t know anything about it. I was arrested in front of my house. The police interrogated the pregnant women who told them that I didn’t know anything about it.”

His wife, Binta denied running a baby factory saying the pregnant women were workers in a shop where she sold drinks wholesale.

She said, “I am not running any baby factory. I have never sold any baby. Two of the three women only helped me with my business. They help me sell drinks at the shop. They don’t stay with me.

“The other woman (Oputi) is my daughter-in-law, and she has been living with me for over four years. She is my son’s wife who is now in Cameroon and she has two children for him. If I sold babies, how come I didn’t sell my two grandchildren?”

The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, parading the suspects said they usually sold children without their mothers’ consent.

He said, “They harboured young pregnant ladies until they are delivered of their babies. Afterwards, these babies are taken from them and sold without the consent of the young mothers.

“During the raid, three young women were rescued. They are Favour Osikwemeh, 19, (seven months pregnant), Precious Emmanuel, 27, (seven months pregnant), and Onome Oputi, 25, (nine months pregnant).

“The victims will be handed over to NAPTIP for care, while the couple will be prosecuted.”

Daddy Freeze reacts to photos of Bishop Oyedepo’s $40m private jet

Controversial On Air Personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze, has written about Bishop David Oyedepo’s $40million Bombardier Challenger Private jet in his Dominion Hangar at Lagos Airport.

The Bishop’s private jet surfaced online yesterday.

In an Instagram post, Freeze wrote: “Nigeria just overthrew India, according to worldpoverty.io by having the largest number of people living in extreme poverty. India, despite her population at 1.3billion still has less poor people than we have and we are only 194 million. If this private jet spirituality makes sense to you, It doesn’t make sense to me!

“The greatest commandment Jesus gave us was to love our neighbors as ourselves.

“How can you claim to love your neighbor as yourself when you send a bus to pick your neigbor, while you ride a $40million dollar jet?

“They tell us to obey Malachi…. how can you obey Malachi and disobey Jesus? Are you a Malachian or a Christian? ~FRZ #FreeTheSheeple, Romans 13:9 New Living Translation.

“For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These–and other such commandments–are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Matthew 22 [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’c [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’d [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Terrorism : Fulani herdsmen strike in Ortom’s village, destroy governor’s farmhouse

Fulani herdsmen, on Monday, attacked Gbajimba town, all in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing two persons, and destroying Governor Samuel Ortom’s farm house in fresh attacks in the area.

The latest attack came less than 24 hours after Yogbo, another community in the same local government area, also came under heavy attack by suspected herdsmen, which left six persons dead and several property and farmlands destroyed.

Confirming the latest attack at the State Police Command Headquarters, the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni and Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Shawon, said the herdsmen, who were backed by militant gangs, stormed the communities in the afternoon, yesterday.

“The herdsmen, backed by their militia, invaded Waku village this afternoon (yesterday) and killed two persons. They are also getting close to Gbajimba town, the local government headquarters and as I speak with you, they have attacked and sacked Governor Ortom’s farm house in Gbajimba.

“Our fear is that if we are not careful, they might overrun the local government headquarters the way they are going,” he said. - Daily Post

‘Benue: Fulani Herdsmen killed 2000 people in five years’

Not less than 2000 people have been killed in Benue State with properties valued in billions of Naira destroyed by marauding Fulani herdsmen between 2013 and the early part of 2018.

This is even as Governor Samuel Ortom has called for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mr. Ibrahim Idris for his failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of these “heinous” crimes.

Breiefing newsmen in Makurdi ,the State Commissioner for Information, Lawrence Onoja Jnr. said the figure represents the official recorded number of people killed in the state within the period noting that other deaths were not recorded .

Onoja who expressed concern at the recent security situation in the state regretted that authorities have failed to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who issued the threats and had fulfilled their pledge to launch offensive on Benue communities.

“The leaders of Miyeti Allah Kautal Hore have neither been arrested nor were they invited for questioning, rather different strategies have been devised by some of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property to divert attention from the real issues”.

He cited media statements credited to the Minister of defence and the IGP over the Benue killings saying such statements coming from the nation’s top security chiefs may have confirmed the fears expressed by many people that the herdsmen unleashing murderous attacks on Benue may have the backing of some highly placed individuals within the security apparatus of the country.

“When those who are entrusted with the sensitive task of protecting lives and property of innocent Nigerians resort to placing unjustified blames on the good intentions of the Benue State government to promote peace and security, then such people have unknowingly or knowingly become part of the problem we have on our hands today in the country”.

It would be recalled that the Senate recently gave the IGP two weeks ultimatum to arrest and bring to book perpetrators of the New Year attacks on Benue community which he has failed to do until now.

“I insist that Ibrahim Idris, by his comments has demonstrated his incompetence as a Police chief and “we have lost confidence and trust in him since clearly he either lacks the capacity to apprehend these armed Fulani militia or by his inaction and utterances portrayed himself as complicit in the grand plot to disposess our people of their ancestral land by violent means”.

“We call on the Federal Government to immediately relieve Ibrahim Idris from his position as the Police IGP as he has failed woefully in his duties especially as the two weeks ultimatum given him by the Senate to apprehend the killer herdsmen have elapsed without any meaningful arrests of the culprits but has resorted to unprofessionally trading blames rather than confronting the problem without fear or favour”.

He also recalled the the president had  ordered the IGP to relocate to Benue in the wake of the new year day killings to restore peace and order saying that available records show that the police chief was sighted in the state for just a day or two after which he relocated to Nasarawa state.

“It is obvious that the Police Boss does not accord any urgency and seriousness in arresting the perpetrators of the mass murder of our people and his body language may have embolden these militia herdsmen to further lay false claim of ownership to the Benue Valley through the so called right of conquest”.

The Information Commissioner insisted that the State Government will neither stop speaking out on the injustices done to Benue nor suspend the Anti-Open Grazing and Establishment of Ranches Law for any reason and urged the police and other security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities by enforcing the law. - The Nation