#JUNGLEPOLICE ! OPC members who arrested Isikilu Wakili still in our custody – Oyo Police

 

Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday disclosed that four members of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) are still in the custody of the command.

Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi made this revelation in a conversation with DAILY POST in Ibadan.

DAILY POST recalls that the command had Sunday arrested the four OPC members.

The OPC members were arrested after the group captured Isikilu Wakili, a Fulani herdsman.

Wakili has been accused of masterminding a series of attacks, killings and kidnappings cases in Ibarapa geo-political zone of the state.

DAILY POST gathered that the zone had witnessed security breaches over alleged activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen

Among notable persons killed in the zone by suspected gunmen are Mrs Sherifat Adisa and Dr. Fatai Aborode.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports circulating in Ibadan, claims the arrested OPC members had been transferred to Abuja for further investigation.

The Police Command in the State has, however, insisted that all the OPC members are still in Ibadan.

Police Spokesman, Olugbenga Fadeyi told DAILY POST that the OPC members were still in Ibadan, contrary to insinuations that they had been transferred to Abuja.

Fadeyi told DAILY POST that the OPC members were at the Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku in Ibadan.

Fadeyi said, “They are still at CID, Iyaganku, Ibadan.”

- DAILY POST

Gunmen reportedly invade Benue Community, kill scores

 

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday morning reportedly invaded Tor-Donga, an area in Katsina-Ala Local Government of Benue State, killing scores while many were left injured.

DAILY POST gathered that there was tension in the community as both farming and other economic activities in the area came to an abrupt halt.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Anene Sewuese Catherine told our correspondent that the command was yet to receive the report.

“I have received several calls on that but the command can’t confirm it now. We are yet to get the report”, she said.

Recall that gunmen a few days ago shot and killed the older brother of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, Dr Terkura Suswam in the same Sankera axis of the state.

The state governor, Samuel Ortom had in reaction to the death of Terkura, declared total war on all criminal elements in the state.

Meanwhile, there have been speculations that the unrest in the area could be traced to the killing of a gang leader, Mr Terwase Akwaza known as Gana who was declared wanted by the state government but later killed by the military.

- DAILY POST

HOPELESS PARITY !! We are the only hope for Nigeria in 2023 – PDP

 

The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the party is the option for Nigerians and ready to take over power from the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2023.

Speaking on Arise Television, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said the former ruling party was ready to take over power through the ballot box in 2023.

Ologbondiyan said the challenges of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism are a clear indication that Nigeria needs to be rescued.

He said: “Our party is the hope of Nigerians as we speak today. The acts of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have subsumed our nation.

“It shows clearly that Nigerians are thinking of who will rescue our nation.

The PDP is ready and prepared to take over the mantle of leadership through the ballot box in 2023.”

- PM NEWS

We’ll crack down on those hiding loot in UK, says British high commissioner

 Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says ill-gotten money is not welcome in the UK.

Laing spoke while signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK and Nigeria for the return of the loot recovered from James Ibori, former governor of Delta state.

She said the MoU will ensure the return of over £4.2 million recovered from the associates and family of Ibori to the Nigerian government.

“The return of these assets to Nigeria has been subject to a number of hard-fought legal challenges by third parties which were defeated in the UK courts,” she said.

“We will ensure the full weight of law enforcement to crack down those who use, move or hide their proceed of crime in the UK.”

The high commissioner said transparent asset recovery is a priority for both UK and Nigeria governments.

“It is vital that this agreement makes strong provision for transparency, monitoring and accountability,” she said.

“It is a guiding principle of both UK and Nigerian governments that stolen assets should be used for projects that benefit Nigeria’s poor.”

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, said the federal government is committed to ensuring the transparent management of all recovered assets.

“The assets returned will support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria,” Malami said.

“The projects are the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Abuja – Kano road and the second Niger Bridge that are being executed under the supervision of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

“The project will boost economic growth and help alleviate poverty by connecting people and supply chains from the east to the west and to the northern part of Nigeria.”

- THECABLE

£45 !!! N30, 000 minimum wage: NLC announces nationwide protest Wednesday

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi chapter has scheduled to embark on a nationwide protest on Wednesday.

The NLC said the protest is against the National Assembly’s moves to remove the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List.

Ikechukwu Nwafor, the Chairman of the NLC in Ebonyi State confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Nwafor also urged the National Assembly to stop playing politics with the N30,000 minimum wage.

He said: “You all know that the issue of the minimum wage has been a big issue in this country but this is a situation that has been taken care of by the law of this country through the minimum wage act.

“It is very unfortunate that up till now, so many states are yet to implement the N30, 000 for workers; some have paid fake wages like peanuts to its workers.

“So, the issue on the ground now is the bill sponsored in the national assembly requesting the removal of minimum wage from the exclusive list. We are going out tomorrow, being Wednesday, to say that such a move to remove it is not obtainable.

“Minimum wage is the right of workers and should not be politicised as established by law. If the national assembly does that, what will the fate of workers be?

“We are going out to tell the whole world that we are against any bill to remove workers’ salary from the exclusive list.

“Politicising minimum wage is a crime against workers’ wellbeing and a crime against humanity.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 signed into law the N30, 000 national minimum wages.

- DAILY POST

How bank lodged N1.1bn into Dikko’s lawyer’s account – ICPC tells Court

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told a Federal High Court, Abuja how a private lawyer, Mr. Umar Hussaini allegedly received the sum of N1.1 billion from Cambial Ltd, an estate development firm over the sale of 120 units of houses for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Mr. Hussaini is facing a 2-count charge of obtaining by false pretence contrary to and punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 before Hon Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

While testifying as 3rd Witness for the Prosecution on Tuesday, an operative of the Commission, Mrs. Yetunde Ope-Faniran, told the court that Hussaini, who was a private solicitor to the late Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, received the sum of N1.1 billion from Cambial Nigeria Ltd through the bank account of his law firm, Capital Law Office under the false pretence that he was an external solicitor to the Nigeria Customs Service and that the money was required as “completion security deposit” for the sale of 120 housing units for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Court was told that an examination of the statement of account of Capital Law Office with Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc showed that the lodgment of the N1.1 billion had been masked but the account statement of Cambial Ltd with Zenith Bank PLC reflected the transfer of the money to Capital Law Office on the 6th of April, 2010.

The Court further heard that the Defendant told officers of ICPC that the money paid to him on the instruction of the late NCS boss was “death benefit of a deceased relative of Dikko”.

The witness added that the Defendant could not however provide the name of the alleged deceased relative and that investigation revealed that Hussaini transferred much of the money to a Bureau De-Change (BDC), which then converted into $3 million and handed over to late Dikko through one of his subordinates, one Alhaji Garba Makarfi, who was then an Assistant Comptroller General of Customs.

The witness said that both Dikko and Makarfi denied instructing Hussaini to receive any money from Cambial Ltd or receiving any money from Hussaini through the Bureau De Change prompting Hussaini to tell investigators how the money was spent to acquire properties for Dikko.

According to the witness, Hussaini allegedly made voluntary statements in which he narrated how he received dollar equivalent of N22 million from Dikko to buy a plot of land and later supervised the building of a block of four-bedroom terrace apartments in Jabi sometime in 2010.

In statements made to Investigators, the defendant allegedly narrated how he also registered and acquired premises of Exotic Cuisine and Bakery Ltd in Gwarimpa, Abuja on behalf of late Dikko.

He further revealed that he was a registered shareholder of some companies including Svishtov Ventures Ltd and Svishtov International Farms Ltd in Kaduna State which he managed and operated on behalf of the late NCS boss.

Continuing in her testimony, the prosecution witness said that the ICPC is investigating an attempt by yet to be identified persons to transfer the ownership of one of the companies, Exotic Cuisine and Bakery Ltd to late Dikko’s daughter, Aisha Dikko, through forgery of the signature of the defendant.

Investigators traced and interviewed the lawyer who purportedly filed the Change of Directors Form with the Corporate Affairs Commission and he also denied knowledge of the signature on the documents.

Under cross-examination by Ibrahim Wangida, counsel to the defendant, the witness alleged that Forensic Report established that both signatures of Hussaini and the lawyer who filed the documents with the Corporate Affairs Commission were forged but Investigation did not link Mr Hussaini with the forgery.

The witness further stated that her investigation also showed that allegedly Hussaini paid N250 million to one company named Abyss Motors Ltd which could not be traced.

She confirmed that none of the money paid to the defendant was linked to the Nigeria Customs Service or to death benefits of any relative of Dikko.

The witness also alleged that Hussaini returned about N350 million to Cambial Ltd.

Pressed further by the defense counsel, the witness said she was aware that late Dikko secured a judgment stopping ICPC from arresting or prosecuting him before he died but denied knowledge of any similar judgment in favour of Hussaini.

The case was thereafter adjourned to the 28 and 29 April, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

- PM NEWS

OIL MONEY ! DELTA MONEY !! FG: £4.2m Ibori loot will fund 2nd Niger bridge, Lagos-Ibadan expressway

 

The federal government says the £4.2m loot recovered from James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, will be used to fund three infrastructural projects including the second Niger bridge.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), listed the two other projects as the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kano expressways.

The government had earlier deployed $321 million loot recovered from Sani Abacha, former head of state, for the construction of the same projects.

The fresh loot was seized from Ibori who was convicted of fraud and money laundering by a UK court in 2012.

It will be returned to Nigeria following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday by the federal government and the UK.

At the MoU signing in Abuja, Malami said Nigeria remains committed to combating illicit financial flows and ensuring that forfeited or recovered proceeds of corruption are deployed “to the benefit of the masses.”

“It is to be recalled that the Nigerian Government had all along provided the required mutual assistance and backup to the British authorities while the prosecution of James Ibori lasted in London and today, we are rightfully taking benefit of that cooperation,” he said. 

“Hence, in consonance with existing framework or model engaged in the management of previous recoveries, the Federal Executive Council under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the instant repatriated funds should be deployed towards the completion of the following legacy projects: the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano expressway and the Lagos – Ibadan expressway under the coordination of the Nigeria Social Investment Authority (NSIA) to ensure integrity of the process.”

The minister of justice also said a civil society organisation has been engaged to monitor how the recovered funds will be used to fund the three projects.

“We have established, as a government, a reputation of transparency and accountability of utilization of recovered assets as a nation. These assets will in no way be different in terms of application,” he added.

- THECABLE

Again, Nigeria threatens to ban flights from Netherlands, UAE

 

Nigeria has threatened to ban flights from the UAE and The Netherlands as a reciprocal action.

The warning by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Is the second in five weeks.

On Monday, the PTF ordered the Ministry of Aviation to decide on measures permissible under the laws and international obligations.

Boss Mustapha, the Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, spoke at a briefing in Abuja.

“For over a month, Nigeria has been engaged with the authorities of the UAE and The Netherlands over pre-departure testing requirements passengers should meet before travelling from Nigeria”, he said.

Nigeria had earlier sanctioned Emirates because the airline violated guidelines issued by the PTF.

The latest threat followed UAE’s use of rapid COVID-19 tests on customers before they were allowed to board flights to Dubai.

- DAILY POST

COVID-19: Nigeria records 371 new cases — but 461 recoveries in 24 hours

 

Nigeria’s daily COVID-19 count again remained relatively low on Monday with 371 new cases confirmed in 16 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the new positive samples in its update for March 8.

Lagos recorded the highest number of fresh infections with 102 cases, followed by Enugu with 65 new infections, and Edo with 56 new cases.

Other states with new cases were recorded as follows: FCT (23), Ogun (20), Osun (18), Bayelsa (18), Rivers (15), Kaduna (14), Plateau (10), Oyo (8), Bauchi (7), Kano (5), Delta (4), Nasarawa (3), Niger(2) and Ekiti (1).

According to the NCDC, 461 recoveries were recorded on Monday which include 104 community recoveries in Lagos state managed in line with guidelines.

A total of 138,502 discharges have now been made.

However, 13 new deaths were recorded, which brings the total number of fatalities to 1,982.

Out of 158,906 confirmed cases since the first case in 2020, 18,422 are active cases.

- THECABLE

Bandits abduct 49 persons in Rafi, Wushishi LGAs of Nigeria

 Armed bandits have allegedly kidnapped 49 persons in Rafi and Wushishi Local Governments Areas of Niger State.

DAILY POST gathered that the bandits rode on motorcycles and parked far away from the village, while they walked to the village and unleashed attack while they were fast asleep.

It was gathered some of the bandits were left behind to watch over the motorcycles while others trekked into the village to carry out the dastardly act.

Eyewitnesses said upon arrival, the bandits moved from house to house, woke their victims up, stole their property and walked them out to where they parked their motorcycles.

Efforts to contact the Chairman of Rafi Local Government, Alhaji Ismaila Modibo Kagara for reaction on the matter were abortive.

In a similar development, bandits abducted 19 natives of Kutunku in Jangaru Village in Wushishi Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen stormed the area in the early hours of Monday, shooting sporadically to scare away the people.

Victims abducted were made up of eleven male and eight female.

One of the residents of the area told DAILY POST that the gunmen beat up a lot of people during the attack.

The resident also stated that among the eight women abducted, two of them were supposed to be married off this weekend.

It was further learnt that the bandits have not contacted the families of the abductees.

A senior local government official in the area who would not want his name mentioned, confirmed the development.

He said, “We heard about the invasion of the village by bandits and kidnapped some persons. A report has been sent to the Divisional Police Officer in Zungeru, but we are yet to hear from him. It is quite unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the state police command, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

- DAILY POST

Duchess of Sussex: ITV cautions Piers Morgan over vitriol

 

A senior executive at British broadcaster ITV has spoken to presenter Piers Morgan about his criticism of Duchess of Sussex Meghan, the wife of Prince Harry.

Morgan, a former CNN presenter, has long criticised the couple, saying they have damaged the royal family and sought publicity on their own terms, without the scrutiny that comes with the job.

ITV Chief Executive Carolyn McCall told reporters that Kevin Lygo had spoken to Morgan in recent days about his comments.

She said ITV has many voices, was committed to supporting mental health and that the company could not control what he said on Twitter.

“ITV has many voices and we try and represent many voices on ITV every day,” she said. “It’s not about one opinion.”

On Monday, Morgan’s vitriol against Meghan drew a counter-attack from Nigerian UK-based lawyer and activist, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.

She described Morgan’s attack as disgusting and disgraceful.

- PM NEWS

Law permits me to remain in office till 2023, says IGP

 Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), says the law permits him to remain in office until either 2023 or 2024

Adamu, who was appointed in 2019, clocked the mandatory 35 years in service on February 1, and was expected to have been replaced by the president.

But, on February 4, President Muhammadu Buhari extended Adamu’s tenure by three months.

Maxwell Opara, a legal practitioner, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/106/21, took the IGP to court contending that by virtue of section 215 of the Nigerian constitution and section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Adamu cannot continue to function as the IGP, having retired as a serving member of the force.

However, in his defence, the IGP told the federal high court that the new Nigeria Police Act gave him a four-year tenure, which would only lapse in either 2023 or 2024.

He insisted that his tenure will lapse in 2023 if counted from 2019 when he was appointed as the IGP or 2024 if counted from 2020 when the new Nigeria Police Act came into force.

In the counter affidavit filed by Alex Iziyon, defendant counsel, Adamu contended that the office of the IGP is not governed by the general provisions applicable to the rest of the police force.

He said the provision of “section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 which is that ‘Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier,’ is with due respect, inapplicable to the office of the Inspector General of Police in the circumstance.”

He also said the effect of section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 “is that immediately a person is appointed into the office of the Inspector-General of Police, a new legal regime is triggered off”.

The IGP said from the various provisions of the law, it was “discernible” that “the office of the IGP is conferred with a special status, unique and distinct from other officers of the Nigeria Police force”.

“Therefore based on our submission above, the combined effect of Sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, is that the 2nd defendant can validly function as the inspector general of police after midnight of February 1, 2021, in so far as he was a serving member of the Nigeria police force during the period of his appointment, as his tenure in office is specially regulated by Section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act which stipulates in unambiguous terms that upon his appointment he stays in office for four(4) years,” he said.

“Therefore, if the 2nd defendant’s tenure in office is calculated from January 15, 2019, when he was appointed into the office of the inspector-general of police, his tenure lapse in 2023.

“However, if his tenure in office is calculated from 2020 when the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 came into force. his tenure in office ends in 2024.”

Faulting the submissions of Opara, IGP said the plaintiff was “not directly in a position to know” if his tenure has ended.

“He is clearly not a staff member of the 2nd defendant (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

“He failed woefully to state in his affidavit how he got the information that the 2nd defendant had retired from the Nigeria police. He also failed woefully to tender any document to support his claim.”

- THECABLE

THIS MAN : 74 YEARS OLD MAN !! 2023: ‘Atiku for Nigeria’ inaugurated in Enugu

 

A  group made up of loyalists, supporters and associates of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a group tagged ‘Atiku For Nigeria’  as a platform for selling the candidacy of Adamawa born politician to Nigerians as suitable person as their next president ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking during the launching of the group in Enugu on Monday, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia  said the clamour for Igbo presidency 2023 cannot be meaningful until the country is restructured.

The Enugu State-born politician stated that the issue of Nigerian presidency is currently beyond the ethnic question, but about the leadership that can make serious innovations to change the structure of the country with executive powers.

“I am Igbo and I want the Igbo people to become president, I can however tell you that unless Nigeria is restructured to give governance ownership to the people which only Atiku Abubakar will do, an Igbo presidency will have no meaning.

“The National Assembly has more Northerners than the rest, so, it will require that leverage from a nationally acceptable president like Atiku to restructure Nigeria, to empower the youths and the Nigerian women.

“We must not miss this opportunity. This is not about Atiku; it is about all of us; it is about the youths, the Nigerian women and the future of this country. Atiku doesn’t have to be president again but we are all begging him to offer himself again in the interest of this country, and he has accepted to lead Nigeria to the land of promise,” Onyia stressed.

Flagging off the organisation, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Nat Yadume, who is a long-time associate of Waziri Adamawa, noted that only young people have energy and drive for the development of Nigeria.

“Those who are here are mostly the political followers of Atiku Abubakar; people who believe so much in him and have always expressed satisfaction with his leadership. And I am happy  that members of the movement have evolved to holding political offices, like the serving Zamfara State Commissioner who is physically present at the inauguration.

“Atiku is just one man that if not given the support, will not realise the opportunity to impact our lives so, we must give him our maximum support.

“There a lot of people that will discourage us but if we put our acts together, we can realise our potentials and deliver together,” Yadume said.

He commended the Chairman, Governing Council of the AFN, Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas for remaining consistent in the cause of advancing the Atiku project.

In his goodwill address, Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi, another aide of ex-VP expressed gladness for witnessing the official birth of Atiku for Nigeria.

“You have not made a wrong choice by following Atiku so we have to continue working  together to realise the set mandate. We must promote unity and be prepared to work together,” Fabiyi said.

Highlight of the event was the official inauguration of Atiku for Nigeria by the Chairman, Governing Council of the organisation, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas.

While accepting the new assignment, the  Director-General of ‘Atiku for Nigeria’, Barr. Sunday Umeha pledged not to betray the worthy trust reposed in him.

“We been the given the mandate and I have no doubt that with people like you, we will get to the expected destination.

“This assignment has given me the impetus to work harder and in the coming week, I look forward to working with the Governing Council closely to chart a way forward for this movement.

“The Atiku for Nigeria project is one on national rebirth and reconstruction towards a Nigeria that works for all. The reason is by no means far-fetched; the leadership has been weakest link on our journey through nationhood. Unfortunately, while this fact has all too been acknowledged and theorized by keen observers of the Nigerian state, we have somehow continued to repeat the mistakes of the past, while expecting a different outcome.

“Nation building is a collective effort. Thus, achieving the Nigeria of our dreams must be can be done together,” Umeha restated.

Officials that were inaugurated include the Director-General, Barr. Sunday Umeha; his Deputy, the Commissioner of Science and Technology, Zamfara State, Hon. Zanna Lawal; Assistant DG, Hon. Oludare Olatunde; Secretary of the organization, Hon. Meshach Onyeche and Director of Research and Planning, Amb. Golkuna Yohanna Gotom.

Dignitaries present at the occasion include the Senior Special Adviser to Abbas on Foreign Affairs and Human Relations, Collins Onyeaji; Mr. Remi Adebayo as well as  Hon. Adekunle Ayobami, Pastor Dene Abel, Mr. Veadams Ighodalo and Hon. Samuel Egboja representing  Oyo, Rivers, Benue, Edo and Abia states.

- PM NEWS

CHIEF BANDIT !! Nigerian Army issues strong warning to Sheikh Gumi over ethnic comments

 

The Nigerian Army has warned popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and other “opinion merchants”, to exercise restraint with their utterances.

This was contained in a statement on Monday signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima.

The Army said contrary to Gumi’s statements to bandits recently that Christian soldiers were the ones killing the bandits, the Army does not deploy troops along religious or ethnic lines.

“While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the respected Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, it is however important to restate that the Nigerian Army as national institution, does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.

“Therefore, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants are please enjoined to exercise restraint not to drag the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute,” the statement read in part.

A clip emerged, in which the cleric “was seen telling bandits that soldiers involved in attacks against them were non-Muslims. Gumi further stated that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non-Muslims.”

- DAILY POST