Couple declared wanted for ‘fraud’

Enugu State Police Command has declared a couple wanted for alleged N63 million forgery and fraud in a mortgage  institution.

Spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement in Enugu yesterday that the Criminal Intelligence and  Investigations Department had begun investigation  into the matter.

He said the wife, Mrs. Chinyere Amalunweze, 36, an indigene of Umuegbu Ego village, Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State is fair in complexion and a former worker of a mortgage  institution.

Amaraizu said the husband, Mr. Tony Amalunweze, 38, from Umulumgbe community in Udi Local Government of Enugu State, who lives at 2a, Akpugo Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, is dark in complexion.

“They were alleged to have been involved in a case of conspiracy, forgery and fraud in which they defrauded a mortgage institution of N63 million and escaped.

“The command is asking the public with information about how they can be traced, to report to the nearest police station,” he said.

Falana backs Danjuma on Nigerians right to self defence

Human rights activist and Lagos-based lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has backed the former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) on his call for Nigerians to defend themselves against killers.

Falana insisted that the Constitution recognised the right to protect one’s self from violent attack.

He stated this at a training programme on libel organised by the Vintage Press Limited on Wednesday.

The ace lawyer, who noted that the media had been awash with suggestions that Danjuma’s comments were call to anarchy, said the retired army officer could sue critics on interpretation of his statement for libel.

He said, “Some of the reactions on Danjuma’s statement could be libelous. What Danjuma said is accommodated under our Constitution.”

Falana observed that although Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution recognises the right to life, such right might be lawfully circumscribed in accordance with Section 33(2).

He added, “Section 33(2) says a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

“If the government is unable to save you as in the case of Benue, Kogi and Zamfara attacks, you have a right to defend and save yourself.

“So, if you insult Danjuma that he is inciting violence, that could be a ground for him to sue you for libel.” - Daily Post

Police may embark on mass sack – Intersociety

The International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) on Wednesday raised alarm over alleged plot to carry out ethnic and religious cleansing in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

This is contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi; Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Programme, Barr Obianuju Joy Igboeli; Head, Democracy & Good Governance Programme, Barr Chinwe Umeche; and Head, Public Security & Safety Programme, Barr Jacinta Ezinwanne.

The body said it doubted the claim by the federal government on discovery of 80,115 ghost police officers and men.

It read: “According to media reports quoting a data obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; there are 80,115 ghost police officers in the staff strength and payroll of the Nigeria Police Force, from its previously quoted staff strength of 371, 800.

“In the same ministerial report, the total staff strength of the Federal Government of Nigeria, said to have been updated as at February 2018 was put at 607, 843 including 469 MDAs with staff strength of 316, 158 and the Nigeria Police Force with “291, 685 serving police officers”.

“This was further broken down to 100,822 as total staff strength of Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Prisons Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Security & Civil Defense Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps; all referred to “paramilitary formations”. Federal civil servants also accounted for 90,000 while the remaining 120, 000 others were drawn from the Armed Forces including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, State Security Service and the National Intelligence Agency.

“Contradictorily, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Kpotum Idris had last month during the presentation of the proposed 2018 budget of the Nigeria Police Force at the National Assembly claimed that, from the NPF updated records of December 2017 the NPF is presently populated by 300,892 officers and maintains 6,900 formations.

“The 6,900 police formations, according to him, include 12 Zonal and 37 State and FCT (Abuja) Commands, 128 Area Commands, 1,388 Divisional Commands, 1,579 Police Stations and 3,756 Police Posts. The IGP further claimed that the Force presently has a total of 14, 306 vehicles in its car fleet.

“It is therefore, shocking and alarming how, in spite of the foregoing police staff database management and clearly established staff query processes, the Buhari Government still announced without concrete evidence that the staff strength of the Nigeria Police is criminally over-shot by 27%.

“In other words, the NPF is overpopulated by 27% ghost police officers or 80, 115 out of 291,685 sworn police personnel. This is not only incredible and mind boggling, but also nothing short of recording another inglorious and dark feat.

“Also, if truly there are “80,115 ghost police officers in the NPF”, why have the Chairman of PSC and IGP not spoken elaborately on such sensitive issue? Was there a presidential visitation panel set up to probe the staff strength and payrolls of the NPF? If yes, who were members of the panel? When was its report submitted and to whom?

“Who and who were indicted particularly at the Force Headquarters and the Police Service Commission? Was there also a well publicized ministerial or police or oversight panel so set up for same? If yes, who were its members? Who constituted it? When was its report submitted and to whom? “Who and who were indicted?

“We demand that the names of the so called “80,115 ghost police officers” be made public. This will enable Nigerians and international watchers as well as possible innocent victims to have full details and enable them seek administrative, public and legal remedies and avoid being victimized by the Government.

“Human rights groups and media practitioners are hereby called upon to forensically follow the development so as to ensure that the Government announcement is not a ploy or grand design to perpetrate racial or religious cleansing in the Nigeria Police Force or sweep the scam under the carpet if it truly happened as officially announced.” - Daily Post

President Zuma to appear in court on graft charges April 6

South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma, is due to appear in court on April 6 to face charges of corruption in a years-old $2.5 billion arms deal, his lawyer said on Monday.

On March 16, the National Prosecuting Authority earlier waid it would seek to prosecute Zuma on 16 charges, including fraud, racketeering, corruption and money laundering.

The case is a dramatic development on a continent where leaders rarely face their accusers in court.

“It was served at my Durban offices. The court date is April 6,” Michael Hulley said referring to the summons.

He declined to comment on how his client would respond.

Zuma has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Zuma, who was forced to resign by his ruling African National Congress in February, was at the centre of a 1990s deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in South Africa for years.

Zuma was deputy president at the time of the arms deal.

Schabir Shaikh, his former financial adviser, was found guilty and jailed in 2005 for trying to solicit bribes for Zuma from a French arms company.

The previous charges were filed against Zuma but then dropped by the NPA shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009.

Since his election nine years ago, his opponents have fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated.

Zuma countered with his own legal challenges. - Cable Nigeria

Transfer news : Manchester United 'trial' for Saudi striker Al-Sahlawi

Saudi Arabia striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi is reportedly set to hone his World Cup preparations by training with Manchester United.

The 31-year-old has 26 goals in 33 appearances for his country, who will kick off Russia 2018 in the opening match against the host nation in Group A.

Preparations for Juan Antonio Pizzi's side were dealt a blow by Tuesday's 4-0 defeat against Belgium but Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia, tweeted on Wednesday to announce Al Nassr forward Al-Sahlawi would be operating in esteemed company for the next three weeks.

"It was agreed with Manchester United for Mohammed Al-Sahlawi to join for a training programme for three weeks," Al-Sheikh's post read. "May God benefit him."

Reports in Saudi Arabia maintain there is no intention on United's part to make an approach for Al-Sahlawi, who had been criticised for a "decline" in his performance in a Twitter post from Al-Sheikh reacting to the Belgium game.

Earlier this season, the administrator was present at the signing of a strategic partnership between United and GSA, under which the 20-time English champions will help the Saudi body to develop its football industry as part of its "2030 Vision" initiative.

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"This relationship is part of an exciting programme we are undertaking to transform sport in Saudi Arabia," he told the club's official website at the time of an agreement that will involve United lending business and sporting expertise to clubs and sporting authorities in the Gulf state. - Goal

From grandfather, to father to son: Chelsea's Marcos Alonso makes football history with Spain debut

Marcos Alonso has followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps by winning his first cap for the Spanish national side.

Alonso came on as a substitute for Spain's friendly game against Argentina on Tuesday night, which was the Chelsea defender's first appearance for La Roja.

But, in doing so, Alonso also became just the seventh third-generation player to feature for their nation.

His grandfather, Marcos Alonso Imaz, won his first cap for Spain against France on March 17 1955.

Alonso's father, Marcos Alonso Pena, then made his debut for the nation against England on March 25 1981.

Alonso now joins a small group of third-generation players to have debuted for their nation. They are: Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Javier Hernandez (Mexico), Warren Feeney (Northern Ireland), Hazem Emam (Egypt), Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia) and Andre Schembri (Malta).

Alonso had, until this week, been overlooked by Spain coach Lopetegui despite playing a key role in Chelsea's title-winning team of 2016-17.

Indeed, he admitted last week he was surprised at his call-up to Spain's squad for games against Germany and Argentina but revealed he was "eager" to prove himself to Lopetegui.

The 27-year-old said: "Whether it's late or not, the important thing is that I'm here. I'm grateful. I tried not to think too much about it.

"My focus was on doing well at Chelsea and this was a welcome surprise. This is a reward for the work I've done in recent years. I was training when I found out.

"I went in the locker room and all of my team-mates congratulated me. I'm thrilled and looking forward to this experience.

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"It's a chance to prove myself and for me to adapt quickly to the side and hopefully, to return to the national team more times." - Evening Standard

Libya : 611 Nigerians voluntarily return from in March

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday said a total of 611 Nigerians had voluntarily returned from Libya in March.

The South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, made the disclosure while receiving a new set of 166 returnees who arrived from the volatile North African country.

Suleiman noted that the Nigerians were assisted back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

He said the Federal Government, some state governments and the IOM had set up various schemes to rehabilitate and reintegrate the returnees back into the society.

Suleiman urged the returnees to focus on the task of getting back on their feet and contributing their quota to national development.

“You have seen it all and you are in the best position to sensitise and create awareness against the evils of human trafficking, as you have seen the dangers of seeking greener pastures in foreign lands, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees arrived aboard a chartered Nouvelair Airbus aircraft with registration number TS-INA.

The aircraft landed at 8.08pm at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The returnees comprised 101 male adults, two male children, 56 female adults, three female children and
four female infants.

Officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) , the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police were also on hand to receive them. - NAN