Crime Facts

Breaking: Mutiny leaders announce arrest of Mali president and Prime Minister

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was detained on Tuesday by mutinying soldiers in the capital Bamako, two security sources told Crimefacts news . Soldiers had earlier in the day mutinied at the Kati military base about 15 km (9 miles) outside of Bamako and rounded up a number of senior civilian and military officials.A spokesman for Keita could not be reached for comment. A mutiny in 2012 at the Kati base led to a military coup that toppled then-President Amadou Toumani Toure and hastened the fall of Mali’s north to jihadist militants, who continue to operate across the north and center of the West African country. Keita has faced mass protests since June calling for his resignation over alleged corruption and worsening security. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse issued a brief statement calling for dialog and urging mutinous soldiers to stand down. The United States , France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) all condemned the mutiny.

Blasphemy: Execute judgement -Shari’ah Council to Ganduje

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to as a matter of urgency ensure the execution of the judgement of Upper Shari’ah Court Kano, which convicted an Islamic gospel singer, Yahaya Shariff Aminu accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.). The council applauded the courage of Qadi Ali Kani of the Upper Shari’ah Court Kano for charging, trying and convicting Aminu. An upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of Kano State while delivering judgement on 10th August, 2020 said Aminu, 30, was guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March. How Kano singer bagged death sentence for blasphemy Kano Court sentences 70-year-old rapist to death by stoning. SCSN in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmed said the execution of the court judgement will serve as a deterrent to others. He added, “The council commends the courage of Qadi Ali Kani of the Upper Shari’ah Court Gyadi-Gyadi Kano in the case of C. O. P. vs Shariff Yahaya Shariff No. CR/43/2020 decided on 10th August, 2020 where the accused person was charged, tried and convicted for the offence of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.). “The calls by some so-called human rights groups to pardon the culprit should not deter the state government from doing the right thing as this case is purely an Islamic affair and in consonance with the religion, culture and wishes of not only the people of Kano, but the majority population of Nigeria who are Muslims.” “The council reminded Nigerian’s especially the secular human rights group that the judgement is in line with the Supreme Court judgement in the case of Abubakar Shalla vs State (2007) 12 MJSC at page 52 to 53 paragraph G-B, which says ‘that the position of the Law under Shari’ah is that any sane and adult Muslim, who insults, defames, or utters words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium, contempt of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death.’ “We therefore call on Muslims to be mindful of their utterances as the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Say should say what is right or keep silent.” The Islamic gospel musician had gone into hiding after he composed the song. Protesters had burnt down his family home and gathered outside the headquarters of the Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, demanding action against him. Also critics said the song was blasphemous as it praised an imam from the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood to the extent it elevated him above Prophet Muhammad.

Barcelona Fire Eric Abidal As Sporting Director

Barcelona have sacked Eric Abidal as sporting director, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday, a day after dismissing coach Quique Setien. “FC Barcelona and Eric Abidal have reached an agreement for the ending of the contract that united them,” the club said on its website. Like Setien, Abidal, a former French international defender, has paid the price after Barca ended a season of internal conflict by surrendering the La Liga title to Real Madrid and then suffering a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Court convicts FBI suspect

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Abiona Akinyemi Festus to two years imprisonment for internet fraud. The convict who was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of internet fraud was on wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigations of the United States Department of Justice. The FBI, in a petition dated July 10, 2019 had appealed to the Ilorin zonal office of the Commission to ensure Festus’ arrest and prosecution, for his roles in multi-million naira international scam. One of the charges read, “That you Abiona Akinyemi Festus (Ella Jones), sometime between January 2011- May 2016 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court by means of fraudulent trick used the email address ellajones05@yahoo.com to bypass online security and obtained the sum of N5, 950, 000 (Five Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), only from retirement accounts, held by an insurance company for public workers in the United States of America.” Festus pleaded guilty to the charges, upon which the Head of Advance Fee Fraud, EFCC, Ilorin zonal office, Olamide Sadiq, reviewed the facts of the case, which included that defendant was arrested based on a petition from the FBI linking him to the offence. Justice Taiwo convicted him as charged and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each of the two counts with a N300, 000 option of fine on each of the counts. The judge also ordered him to return the sums of money he cornered to the FBI.

Anyone insulting me is wasting his time –Oyedepo

THE ,General Overseer,of the Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners ’ Chapel , David Oyedepo , has said anyone insulting him is wasting his or her time . He also disclosed that his church planted 520 new parishes on Sunday , August 16 , 2020 . Oyedepo has been under intense criticism over his comments on Sunday , warning the Federal Government to expunge the part of the newly – signed amended Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 , that gives the supervising minister the power to remove the board of trustees of churches without recourse to the court . Amongst those who criticised the cleric is the President ’s aide on Social Media , Lauretta Onochie, who tweeted on Monday, “ I hope this is not true . If it is , Oyedepo will have to manufacture his own country and live by his own laws . As long as he lives and operates within the entity called Nigeria , he will live by Nigerian rules and laws . He will do as Henry ’s told by the law . Enough of lawlessness .” But Oyedepo in a sermon on Tuesday morning tagged , ‘Breaking Limits ’ aired via the church ’s social media platforms , said , “ If I ever preached a message where there is no laughter , don’t listen to it . I have been laughing like this 76 till forever since I found Matthew 6 : 33 . I have been laughing at the devil and smiling as I serve . You insult me , I enjoy it . You insult me and I stop going to work because you insult , I will be a big fool. I am going to work . “ They said , see his legs . Yes , I thank God for my legs . See his nose , yes, He made it and He did it beautifully. See how short he is , that’s the size He made me for so I can save more clothes. You know, He that sits in heaven shall laugh. If you are not laughing, you are not seated in heaven. And we are seated in heavenly places , so what should we be doing ? Laugh. As they insult you ? Laugh . As they mock you? Laugh . As they abuse you? Laugh . Anybody insulting me is wasting his time . One , I didn ’t hear . Two , even if I heard , it won’t pain me . Anybody praising me is expressing his opinion . One , I didn ’t hear . And even if I heard, it won’t blow my head because if you praise anything in me , it is Jesus.” He added , “ Nobody has the power to determine how many people worship Jesus. No force on earth has the power . When I ’m lifted up , I will draw all men to myself . So , get all the facilities ready . The devil is tired . You ask him and he will tell you. I am tired because there are churches today that are just pushing the frontiers of the gospel in spite of the devil . “ As at last night , we got the report of 520 of our new churches planted . The Lord shall send the rod out of Zion , rule thou in the midst of thou enemies. It’s a divine agenda. No policy under heaven can stop it . 520 churches planted on the 16 th of August. If I were the devil , I will start mourning now. Shame on the devil .”

Jonathan briefs Buhari on Mali Crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday received his immediate predecessor in office, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at State House, Abuja. Jonathan,who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to the Republic of Mali, briefed on the political situation in the West African country, as corollary to efforts by West African leaders to restore stability to the country. President Buhari and four other ECOWAS leaders had visited Bamako, Mali, last month, followed by a virtual extraordinary summit of the sub-regional body. Jonathan, who was in Mali from Monday to Thursday, last week, recounted his meetings with the stakeholders, including political and religious leaders, Ambassadors of US, France, Russia, Germany, European Union, and other important personalities key to peace and cohesion in the country. The main opposition group, M5, he said, continued to insist on the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a position not acceptable to ECOWAS, which insisted only on democratic process in change of power within its jurisdiction. “We told them that no international organization, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and others, would agree with their position. We continued to emphasize the need for dialogue,” former President Jonathan stressed. He added that the Constitutional Court had been reconstituted and inaugurated, while vacancies in the Supreme Court had been filled, thus sorting out the judicial arm of government. President Buhari thanked Dr Jonathan for what he called “the stamina you have displayed” on the Mali issue, and counseled further consultations with the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger

Pastor Accused Of Laundering Money For Magu Threatens To Sue Presidential Panel Over Allegations

Pastor Emmanuel Omale of Hand of God Prophetic Ministry alleged to have laundered funds for ousted Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has threatened to sue the retired Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Probe Panel for the accusation against him. Omale was alleged to have bought a landed property on behalf of Magu worth N573m in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He was also invited to the panel to testify on the connection between him and Magu. However, the panel failed to ask him about the N573m when he appeared upon invitation. Sources privy to the panel invitation said Omale was asked about his trip to Dubai and the source of fund of his church. “To the chagrin of the lawyer and pastor, the panel questions completely ignored any issue relating to the allegations of N573m or house in Dubai. “The panel and the chairman rather questioned him on his latest trip to Dubai where he met with Magu at the hospital. “The pastor provided evidence of his personal payment for his hotel stay during the period. “When asked if he stayed in the same hotel with Magu, the pastor confirmed Magu stayed in the hospital with his wife when he visited and had no knowledge of any hotel stay. “The chairman then queried the church’s source of funding, the pastor’s lawyer then expressed his disgust at the line of questioning. He informed the panel that the church sources funds like every other churches and mosques,” a source said. It was also reported that the pastor accused the panel of misleading the public, adding that it was serving as a tool in the assassination of characters of innocent citizens. It was also added that the panel asked the pastor to make available his wife for It was also added that the panel asked the pastor to make available his wife for questioning. “The panel chairman inquired if the pastor would make available his wife when so requested and this was when the lawyer took 20 minutes to fire the panel and its chairman. “He accused him of being a disappointment to every discerning Nigerian who reposed confidence in him and his ability to do justice. “When leaving the panel, the pastor threatened to consider all possible legal action to redeem his image against the panel,” the source added.

Teacher, jailed 28 months for stealing N28,000 in Jos

An Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama in Jos on Tuesday sentenced a 30 – year – old teacher, Thomas Joshua , to 28 months imprisonment for stealing N 28 ,000 . The Judge , Malam Lawal Suleiman, sentenced Joshua after he pleaded guilty to breach of trust and theft. Delivering judgment on the first count of theft , Suleiman, however , gave the convict an option of N 10 , 000 fine on each count. He also ordered the convict to pay N 10 ,000 as compensation to the complainant , Mr Ibrahim Saidu. He said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to those who might want to indulge in such criminal acts of stealing. Earlier , the prosecutor, Sgt . Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported at the Mista Ali Police station on Aug. 16 by Saidu. Gokwat said that Joshua was given a phone to keep by the complainant but he removed the sim card and withdrew N 28 ,000 from the complainant ’s bank account without his consent . The prosecutor said that the offence committed was contrary to the provisions of sections 297 and 272 of the Penal Code of Plateau State .

Exclusive :People thought I acted when I fainted -Pondei break silence on his Collapse

Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Expanded Interim Management Committee, EIMC, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, Tuesday, opened his heart on the ill- starred incident at the House of Representatives, where he unexpectedly fainted while being questioned by lawmakers, a month ago. Pondei, undoubtedly stressed but back to his feet, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard newspaper, hw disclosed that he had a mysterious and unpredictable health challenge and was stunned people thought he was acting. Speaking on the delay in passing the Commission’s 2019 Budget, he revealed: “A minor typographical error was noticed and we asked for 10 minutes to amend the errors, but the presentation was stepped down. The National Assembly, NASS, has since gone on recess .” I noticed a new bounce in NDDC activity after your last appearance in the House of Representatives, are you back to your feet now, what really happened to you on that day ? I had an unexplained, unexpected health challenge. It is ridiculous to think that people believed I was acting. I would not pray for anyone to experience what I went through. I do not run from issues. I have put all that behind me. Despite the allegations against you and other EIMC members, you seemed not to be perturbed anymore, as you have gone back to work, what is the adrenaline? This is because the accusations/allegations were laughable. From N40 billion missing, the probes now became extra-budgetary spending. After accusing the EIMC of embezzlement of N40 billion, nothing was substantiated. The IMC is then asked to refund monies paid for historical debts owed contractors, service providers and allowances paid to staff. Some lawmakers said NDDC was mistaking projects they facilitated to their constituencies for contracts awarded to them and calling them contractors, don’t you think the Commission is, indeed, mixing up things up? The Forensic Audit will determine that. We are told that the lawmakers actually facilitated the projects to their constituencies, but also insisted on the contracts been awarded to them or their proxies. It is obvious that some of the beneficiaries used proxies to collect contracts from the Commission, don’t think you think they were ingenious than you people in NDDC? That seems to be the case. The current EIMC decided to change the way things are done in the NDDC and this is responsible for most of this face-off. Again, the Commission admitted that some people might have used names of some influential Niger -Deltans to obtain contracts, why did things degenerate to such low in NDDC? This is because there were no checks or balances. The NDDC was a place for political patronage and raising war chests for elections. So much about NDDC contracts’ cartel allegedly run by MD, ED- Projects and ED-FA, have you heard of this cartel and are you part of it? want you to investigate this discretely, ask staff at the Headquarters. I am not part of any cartel. Instead, I have tried to eliminate this by reducing interaction between staff and contractors. Gratification had been going on as a routine procedure. Nepotism in processing of files and payments also exist. Before all these distractions, the EIMC was working seriously on this issue of people being asked to pay percentages to staff. NDDC in its letter to Senator Nwaoboshi did not directly link him to the contracts it asked him to refund money, does it mean the Commission has no direct evidence to show that he had anything to do with the companies? I’ll skip this In the case of Joi Nunieh, your predecessor, she had denied approving contract she was asked to make refund? I’ll also skip this What made you to write IGP over Senator Nwaoboshi, could it be that the Minister of Niger Delta is using you against him, as Nunieh insinuated? No, the Honourable Minister is not using the EIMC. We also wrote about other contracts. But the contracts NDDC allegedly gave to lawmakers and other prominent N’Deltans were not given during your tenure, why is the Commission raising dust as if it happened recently? This is because payment/non-payment of these contracts contributed to the face-off and the lawmakers were denying ever doing contracts associated with the NDDC. Please, what really is the problem with the passing of NDDC’s 2020 budget? When was it submitted? What is delaying passage? Is there any demand on NDDC that is causing the delay? The 2019 and 2020 NDDC Budgets were submitted in October 2019. The 2019 Budget was passed in the first week of March 2020 and the approval given on the 20th March The signed copy of the approved budget was not received by the NDDC until second week of April 2020 during the Covid-19 lock-down. The Commission tried its best to see if implementation of any projects could be started. Unfortunately, the 2019 Budget expired on the 31st of May 2020 and the next day, we got communication from the Committee Chairmen of the NASS informing us of the expiration of the budget. In between the probes by the NASS, we tried to present the 2019 budget performance and defend the 2020 budget. A minor typographical error was noticed and we asked for 10 minutes to amend the errors, but the presentation was stepped down. The NASS has since gone on recess. The uproar by the media and many Nigerians was because the expenditures for N81.5 bn were weird, just as the reasons given for them were scandalous for EIMC supposedly on a purifying mission, why do you think you were unfairly judged? This is not true. The current EIMC did not spend N81.5bn. This was the joint expenditure by both IMCs from October 2019 to 31st May 2020. The current IMC between 20th February 2020 and 31st May, 2020 spent N59.1bn. Out of this, N38.6bn was for capital expenditure, paid to contractors and other expenditure incurred by previous managements. The balance was for recurrent expenditure, including backlog of debts owed to service

Bandits Kill Village Head, Three Family Members, One Other In Kaduna Communities

Some gunmen have killed the village head of Bugai and three other family members in Maido Ward of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to a source, the incident took place on Saturday, August 16, 2020, when the attackers stormed the community and killed the village head, Dan’azumi Musa. It was gathered that the gunmen after killing Musa, proceeded to set his house ablaze, leading to the death of three other family members named Solomon Aniya Musa, Adi Musa and Maryamu Irimiya. Crimefacts gathered that another person named Gimba Bulus was attacked and killed at Sabon Gida Idon while he was working on his farm with his family on Monday by Fulani militia. His wife and three children managed to have escape from the attackers. Spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Muhammad Jilge, could not be reached for comments when contacted.