Police arrest 124 rapists, sodomites in Kano

A total of 124 suspected rapists and sodomites have been arrested by the police within three months in Kano state.

Parading the suspects before newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Musa Majia said the police had recorded 115 cases of rape, sodomy and other acts of gross indecency in the state between April and June, 2017.

DSP Majia explained that 128 victims were involved in the crimes out of which 124 suspects had been arrested, 94 cases charged to courts, while 13 cases were under investigation.

The police spokesperson expressed sadness over the increasing rate of such crimes across the state, assuring that the police would continue to do their best to curtail the situation.

He said, “The state Commissioner of Police, Rabi’u Yusuf has promised that police will use professionalism and diligence in investigating any case bordering on rape and sodomy. Anybody that is found guilty in such crimes will be prosecuted in the court of law.”

He, therefore, urged the general public, especially parents and guardians, to be cautious and guide their children against the ugly trend.

He also appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers and other well meaning members of the society to join hands in fighting the social vices.

Aisha Buhari Did Not See The President During Her London Visit, Source Says

President Muhammadu Buhari was not allowed to see his wife during her recent visit to the United Kingdom, presidency sources informed SaharaReporters on Tuesday. In the stunning disclosure, the sources affirmed that the president has been kept away] from several of his aides and even those bodyguards who supposedly traveled with him.

The President's Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari who also frequents London to take care of himself, is still the manipulator-in-chief, according to the sources.  

Furthermore, SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Buhari has not spoken to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for several weeks following his departure from Abuja for a second round of medical treatment for an undisclosed medical condition suspected to be cancer.

The sources gave the example of Wednesday last week when members of Buhari's cabal called the Acting President and asked him to await a call from the ailing President, pointing out that no such call was received except one that was just a few seconds of hellos before the person hung up the phone.

SaharaReporters also learned that the public declaration by Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, that he met Buhari in London is a complete fabrication as Buhari did not at any time receive the Mr. Kalu, who recently decamped to the president’s All Progressives Congress party.   One particular presidency source told SaharaReporters they suspect Kalu was using that gimmick to intimidate the judge who is trying him for corruption, considering that he wore a turban to court a few days later.

Our sources confirmed that Buhari is incommunicado, and is only reached by two aides, Tunde Saburi and Sarki Abba, who have maintained stoic silence about his condition.
It is notable that when Mrs. Buhari returned from her recent trip, she sent messages to her family members in Adamawa claiming her husband was recovering fast but asked for intensification of prayers.

The cabal reportedly reduced access to Buhari in an effort to control information leaks to the public. They cabal reportedly as far as forging Buhari's signature so as to give the impression that he is still in control even after Buhari himself had handed over power to his vice, trying to create the impression that he is still in charge.

Mr. Kyari is said to be in charge of all the behind-the-scene moves.  It was he, they claimed, who a few days ago passed a fake document to Garba Shehu, one of Buhari's spokespersons, claiming that Buhari had given Osinbajo the go-ahead to sign the 2017 budget.  
According to their account, Osinabjo had already decided on the date he would sign the budget, a decision that was delayed only by a last-minute discussion to include some projects such as the Lagos-Apapa Port road repairs.   They said they were not surprised at Mr. Shehu's fake statement claiming Buhari sent a letter granting the Acting President the right to sign the budget.

Buhari is said to be rather unaware of his environment, his memory somewhat affected.  For instance, on his way to the UK, he was said to have asked if he was on his way to Sokoto.  Our sources said that the cabal working with Buhari might bring him back the same way he was returned in February, in a scheme to use his presence to perpetrate more fraud and control power. - Saharareporters

Chelsea told that £45 million not enough for Insigne

Lorenzo Insigne’s agent has claimed his client is fully focused with Napoli, despite interest from Premier League champions Chelsea, according to talkSPORT.

The 5ft 4’ winger impressed for Napoli in Serie A during the campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering nine assists in 37 appearances.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea have placed a £45 million bid for the Italian as Antonio Conte looks forward to a first season in the Champions League with Chelsea.

Insigne’s agent claimed that the rumoured £45 million offer “would be low.” Franco della Monica added: “The priority for Lorenzo, though, is to be wearing the Napoli shirt and be rewarded in an important way by his team.”

The Italy international signed a new deal with Napoli in April keeping him at the Serie A club until June 2022. Speaking about the new deal, the winger said: “I’m happy my childhood dream has finally come true.”

Colombian surgeon rebuilds acid victims' lives

Angeles Borda ignored the cat calls as she walked past the building site. But she couldn't ignore the nitric acid that her tormentor then threw in her face.

A decade on she is still disfigured. But help is at hand.
In Colombia, said by authorities to be one of the countries worst affected by acid attacks, a campaigning plastic surgeon is helping -- for free -- to rebuild victims' faces and lives.

Borda, a 32-year-old mother of three, has had the ninth operation on her face at Alan Gonzalez's pristine surgical clinic.
"I know that in a few months I will look better," she says.

She has never been sure who was behind the attack, though an ex-boyfriend has been suspected.

Rebuilding faces

Previously used to treating soldiers wounded in conflict, Gonzalez, 46, has since 2010 specialized in helping women disfigured by acid.
"Plastic surgery is not the surgery of vanity, but of life. The challenge is to give them back their hopes and dreams -- and above all, their smiles," he says.

"We don't just rebuild faces, we rebuild lives."
Official figures indicate that about 100 women get disfigured in acid attacks every year in Colombia, most of them in romantic disputes.
The country last year passed a law specifically targeting such crimes.

Struck by the "ignorance and intolerance" of such violence, Gonzalez helped set up Rebuilding Faces, an organization to help victims.
Since late 2010 he has rebuilt the faces of 15 women in some 300 separate operations.

Reason to live

Victims typically contemplate suicide, Gonzalez says.
On top of the trauma of the attack, they suffer discrimination and struggle to find work.
Borda works selling sweets on buses.

"I had two choices: sit there crying or go out and be seen the way I am," she says.
"What happened to me is very sad, but it is possible to live with the consequences. I have dreams, I have goals, and I have the strength to move forward."

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Another patient, Luz Nidia Mendoza, 37, says she has not worked since suffering an acid attack in 2011.
She was blinded and is missing seeing her children grow up.
"I hear them, I feel them, I touch them. But I cannot see them," she says.

Like Borda she says she would have killed herself if it had not been for her children.
"It is because of them that I am here."
She has had 25 operations, with more yet to come, to rebuild her cheeks, forehead, mouth and nose.

She is also hoping for a corneal transplant to be able to see again.
"Doctor Alan is an angel for us. We owe him a lot," says Luz. "He gives us courage. He gives us joy." - AFP

Anti-Graft War: EFCC Enlists Support of Compliance Officers of Banks

Mailafia Yakubu, the head of operation, Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC  today June 13, 2017 charged compliance officers of banks in the zone which comprises Edo, Delta, Ondo and Anambra states to collaborate with the EFCC in tackling economic and Financial crimes.

Yakubu stated this at  his maiden meeting with the compliance officers of banks, said the meeting became imperative due to the unscrupulous activities of some bankers who connived with fraudsters to defraud innocent people of their hard earned money.

 

He said there have been cases in the past where bank officials deliberately ignored EFCC's Post No  Debit, PND, orders on suspects account or inform  suspect about the PND to enable them make withdrawals using their ATM cards.

 

He further charged the bankers to uphold the tenet and principles of banking as making excuses after an offence had been committed will not be condoned.

 

"I am not here to intimidate anyone but to seek for your support in curbing  corruption. Whatever I do will be according to the law. Corruption is a cankerworm that is threatening our existence as a nation.

 

The earlier we join hands to deal with it, the better for us all."

 

In his response, Emmanuel Obanla, Compliance Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, commended the EFCC for the initiative. He said the banks were willing  to work with the Commission to ensure a seamless relationship so that corruption can be fought to a stand still.

Corruption: Justice Nganjiwa's Absence Stalls Arraignment

The arraignment of Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa, one of the judges recently recalled by the National Judicial Council, before Justice Akintoye of Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, was today stalled owing to the absence of the defendant in court. 

Justice Nganjiwa was to be docked on a 14-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment and giving false information to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The judge allegedly received $260,000 and N8.65 million through his bank accounts between 2013 and 2015 from suspicious and inexplicable sources.

 

When the matter was called today Justice Ngajinwa was conspicuously absent. His counsel, Robert Clarke SAN, who apologized for the absence, told the court that Justice Ngajinwa could not travel from his base in Bayelsa State due to flight problems, while promising that his client will be in court at the next adjourned date. The learned silk however drew the court's attention to the failure of the EFCC to attach the title 'Justice' to his client's name on the charge sheet, saying he had already filed a notice or preliminary objection to challenge the charge.

 

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo  expressed disappointment at the absence of the accused,  which he claimed is tantamount to disrespect for the court as the defendant was duly served.  "We are extremely disappointed by the willful refusal of the defendant to appear before Your Lordship. On the 9th of June, the defendant was served with the charge, which he acknowledged. He was also duly informed of the proceedings before My Lord today. It is an act of disrespect for the defendant not to appear before this court."

 

On the failure to attach the title 'Justice' to Nganjiwa's name on the charge sheet, Oyedepo said the status of the defendant is not an issue before the court. "As a matter of fact, all animals are equal. The status of the defendant has nothing to do with his appearance before Your Lordship. His decision not to appear before Your Lordship is deliberate and is an attempt to frustrate the expeditious trial of this case,"he said.

 

However, Clarke urged the judge to disregard Oyedepo's claim that his client deliberately refused to appear in court today.

 

Consequently, Justice Akintoye said she would give the accused the benefit of the doubt.

 

Clarke, while arguing his client's preliminary objection to the charge, contended that Justice Akintoye lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case because, according to him, only the National Judicial Council had the power to deal with the kind of allegations brought against Justice Nganjiwa, a serving judge, by virtue of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Oyedepo disagreed. He argued that Justice Nganjiwa had no immunity from  criminal prosecution.

 

The case has been adjourned to June 23, 2017 by Justice Akintoye, who ordered the defense counsel to produce Justice  Nganjiwa in court.

 

Update : Notorious kidnapper, Evans names victims (pics)

The notorious kidnapper arrested at the weekend, along with six members of his gang in Lagos, by police operatives from the intelligence teams has named some of his victims.

Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, alias Evans, told detectives that though he could not remember the number of people he kidnapped or the amount of money he collected as ransom, he was, however, able to mention a few.

In Edo and Lagos states, he remembered kidnapping Mr. Mbarikatta William Uboma at Festac Town on June 16, 2012, where the sum of N20 million was collected as ransom before he was released.

A police classified document containing Evan’s confessional statement revealed that Mr. Paul Cole from Ohafia in Abia State was also kidnapped by the gang on August 23, 2012, at Festac Town where N20m was also paid.

Mr. Mohammed Jamal, a Lebanese, who was kidnapped on August 19, 2012, at Ajah, paid N17m at Ojo area of Lagos to regain his freedom.

Evan’s gang also kidnapped Mr. Kingsley Nwokenta on September 19, 2012, after he left Lebanon Bar in Festac Town and he had to pay N15m in addition to his black Toyota Venza car that he forfeited to the gang before he regained his freedom; just as the gang also claimed responsibility for the kidnap of Mr. Anthony Ozoanidobi on October 10, 2012, along Marwa Road in Satellite Town where N15m was paid before he was taken to Apple junction, Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos and released.

Evans further stated that his gang also kidnapped Mr. Leo Abraham in Lagos on August 20, 2012, and dumped him at Badagry Road in Lagos after he paid N15m.

However, Ojukwu Cosmas, who sells Toyota parts at Aspanda Trade Fair, who was kidnapped on January 21, 2016, at Festac Town was not too lucky as he had to pay $1m to secure his release.

James Uduji who was kidnapped by the gang at Seventh Avenue, Festac Town late last year paid $1.2m after being held for six weeks before he was released, while Chief Raymond Okoye Odu-Na–Ichida who was kidnapped in 2015 also paid $1m to regain his freedom after two months in captivity.

Uche Okoroafor, a trader at Alaba International Market, Lagos, was kidnapped by the gang in 2015 and held captive for three months before he was released after paying $1m, just as Elias Ukachukwu, who was kidnapped by the gang in November, 2015 also paid $1m for his release.

Francis Umeh, a spare parts dealer at Aspanda, was kidnapped in July 2016, at Raji Rasaki Estate and released after paying $1m to secure his release.

The gang, however, recorded a fatal loss when in 2013, in its attempt to kidnap Chief Vincent Obianudo, the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors, met with stiff resistance from the policemen attached to the chief. The police opened fire and killed two members of the gang. Though the gang also killed a policeman and some of its members escaped, Chief Obianudo, who sustained bullet wounds during the attack, survived after several surgeries.

The last known victim of the gang in Lagos before it was smashed is Mr. Donatus Dunu, a pharmacist and importer of drugs, who was kidnapped on February 14, 2017, in Elupeju area of Lagos. The sum of N150m was paid by the victim’s family to secure his release, but Evans collected the money and refused to release the victim, insisting that an additional N300m must be paid.

The gang regretted that Dunu escaped from Evans’ detention camp in Igando on May 12, 2017, without paying the additional ransom.

In Edo State, the gang kidnapped Mr. Ohunyon Ernest in November 2011 and he had to pay N85m, just as Mr. Dan Odiete who was also kidnapped by the gang in Benin City in 2013, paid N100m to regain his freedom.

The owner of Uyi Technical who was kidnapped by Evan’s gang in Benin City in 2013 paid N100m before he was released, while Tom, kidnapped in Benin in 2012, paid N100m to the gang.

The owner of Kings Paint was also kidnapped in Benin City in 2010 by the same gang and had to pay N40m to regain his freedom even as Mr. Randeki, who was kidnapped by the gang in 2010 paid N30m for his release.

Evans, who was nabbed by a combined team of police officers and men from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) at his private residence in Magodo, Lagos, on June 10, was described by the police as a very intelligent suspect.

Other members of the gang that were also arrested at different locations include Felix Chinemerem, 36, from Arochukwu in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, and Nwosu Chikodi Chukwuma, aka Sudo, 42, and is said to have over 20 years experience in armed robbery and about eight years experience in kidnapping.

Other arrested members of the gang are Uchechukwu Amadi from Anambra State who the police described as the head of Evans’ detention camp, a female, Ogechi Amadi, said to be the woman that rented the house and cooks for the kidnappers and their victims in the camp.

The rest are Suoyo Paul, aka Nwana, 42, a native of Bayelsa State, and is said to be the one supplying the gang with rifles and ammunition, while Ikenna Emeka, 28, from Anambra State, said he participated in four kidnappings in Festac Town with Evans before Evans sacked him from the gang for stealing an expensive wrist watch and a ring from a victim without informing him. - Daily Post