Crime Facts

Facebook Twitter Youtube
Post Date : September 15, 2020

Gana killing: Federal lawmaker expresses fear for his safety, other leaders

Says our youths will no more believe us, they feel betrayed The lawmaker representing Logo/Ukum/Katsina-Ala Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Dr Richard Gbande, has expressed fear for his safety and that of other leaders of the constituency who negotiated the surrender of the killed militia leader Terwase Agwaza alias Gana and his gang members. Dr Gbande lamented that the impression in his constituency since the incident had been that religious, traditional and political leader from the area who negotiated the surrender of Gana and his gang members betrayed and gave them out to the military. Recall that the wanted militant who Tuesday surrendered himself to leaders of Sankera axis of the state comprising Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas was killed by the military after being seized from the leaders near Gboko while being conveyed alongside his gang members to Makurdi to be granted amnesty by the State Security Council. The lawmaker who spoke yesterday in Makurdi said “the way Gana was killed by the military has created the impression that we lured him out and handed him over to his killers. It is sad because our youths will not believe whatever we tell them anymore. “As it is we are also scared for our own safety in our constituency because the youths are not happy with what happened. “If the military had caught him in the bush it would have been a different story but the fact that we the leaders ensured that he embraced the amnesty and in doing that got killed by the military the impression out there is that we sold him out which is completed untrue.” While describing the death of Gana in the hands of the military as extrajudicial killing, the lawmaker said, “even though I have been consistent in condemning the reign of terror Gana unleashed on our communities, extra-judicial killing of a surrendered repented militant cannot be condoned. “The Rule of Law and International Humanitarian Laws are sacrosanct and must always prevail hence, extra-judiciai killings of suspects is unacceptable. “If you arrest a person, he is under your control, and so as a professional military man you cannot gun him down. “Extra-judicial killing is an infringement of the citizens’ rights to life and state violation of international human rights charter of which Nigeria is a signatory.” The lawmaker who recommended that Nigerian security agencies be re-orientated on how best to protect the rights of the citizenry appealed to his constituents and youths in the area to remain calm and law-abiding. He called on the government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the militia leader and take further measures to address social, political, economic and environmental challenges that breed banditry and criminality in the region.

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

EFCC probe: Drama as Salami orders Magu’s lawyers out of proceedings venue

Two prominent Nigerian lawyers, who appeared for Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were on Monday walked out of the venue of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry taking place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on orders of the chairman, Justice Ayo Salami. The reason for the stoppage of the senior lawyers- Prof Zainab Duke Abiola and Mr Aliyu Lemu- from representing Magu in company with Wahab Shittu, who has been representing the embattled chairman, was not however made known by the eminent jurist. Competent sources at the tribunal said trouble started at about 11.50 am when Mr Wahab Shittu, who has been appearing for Magu, stood up to introduce the two other members of the legal team. But Justice Salami was said to have interrupted Shittu and insisted that only he would be allowed to defend Magu. Salami, thereafter, asked the security agents to walk them out the two respected lawyers from the venue. Prof Abiola, a renowned human rights activist, anti-corruption crusader, member of the British Bar and the Akasoba of Kalabari Kingdom, is also the widow of the late Chief MKO Abiola who lived and died for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. Upon arrival at the venue, Shittu introduced members of his team before the Panel and as soon as he finished speaking, Justice Salami ordered that only Shittu would be allowed to represent Magu, insisting that other members of the team would have to leave the venue. Spirited attempts by Shittu and Prof Abiola to explain the sanctity of legal representation for Magu were resisted by Salami and other members of the panel who refused to listen to their explanations. Reacting to the incident, Prof Duke Abiola expressed disappointment with the conduct of the panel. Mrs Abiola said: “What happened today has highlighted the nature and manner the panel of inquiry has been conducting its sittings secretly against the presidential directive and the instrument setting it up, that it should hold a public inquiry. It is unacceptable and patently illegal”. Prof Abiola further expressed the fact that she was appalled by the treatment meted out to her, saying that the development is unprecedented in the history of Nigerian legal system as even in the worst days of the Nigerian Military Junta, Nigerians had the right to be represented by lawyers of their choice.

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

Stay off Edo election, HURIWA warns Buhari

…….Violators will face consequences, INEC Chairman warns ……Police deploy 31,000 personnel for Edo election -IGP A foremost civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has counselled President Muhammadu Buhari to play the role of a statesman by staying neutral in the course of the exercise. This is as the party reminded Buhari that as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Nigerians expect him to champion a level playing field that would afford all participating political parties equal opportunity to test their popularity at the poll. Addressing journalists on Monday in Abuja, Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator of HURIWA faulted the alleged use of a Presidential jet by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign council for Edo election, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, describing the development as a breach of the 1999 constitution (as amended). He said; “HURIWA wants the President, Muhammadu Buhari to be a statesman and not interfere in the coming election in Edo state to select the governor of the state. HURIWA says it is completely out of order for President Muhammadu Buhari to be seen extremely concerned about the outcome of the election when in actual fact as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is holding the office on behalf of the entirety of Nigeria as he is not the President of All Progressives Congress. “The Nigerian President is by his oath of office expected to be above board and must not be seen actively promoting one-sided agenda but should be the champion of a pan Nigerian agenda. “We have observed with shock and disappointment that the campaign council set up by the All Progressively Congress headed by the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, flew into Benin, the Edo state capital on a presidential jet belonging to all of Nigeria. “If this trending news report is anything to go by, then we absolutely condemn this reckless display of political rascality and flagrant abuse of power which offends section 15(5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that, ‘he state shall abolish all corrupt practice and abuse of power’ ” By that singular action, the group noted that a clear instance of partisanship has been established by the Presidency. He continued: “We, in HURIWA view this naked show of reckless executive power manifested in the illegal use of the people’s jet for a partisan affair such as conveying the campaign team of the APC to Benin City as reported which we believe is meant to tell the electoral umpire that the President’s mind is that the electoral process be manipulated in favour of the party that controls presidential power which incidentally is the appointing authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “We hereby warn INEC to ensure that the governorship poll is free, fair, transparent and peaceful. INEC must not be intimidated by the federally controlled security forces or should they out of intimidation already displayed by the fact that the presidential jet was deployed to convey campaign team of APC, to then manipulate the electoral process. “We want to caution INEC that any attempt to rig the poll may not augur well for stability of Nigeria.” Onwubiko further warned the two major political parties, the APC and PDP to play by the rules by ensuring that any form of harassment, inducement or intimidation of voters is avoided. The group also called on security agencies to exhibit the highest form of professionalism, warning that they must not allow themselves to be used by politicians for their selfish gains. In what appears a pointer to the possibility of a re-run, HURIWA charged INEC to do everything possible to conclude the election and produce a winner on first ballot. “HURIWA wants the Edo state governorship poll to b a credible election. As stated by experts, we agree that inclusive elections provide equal opportunities for all eligible citizens to participate as voters in selecting their representatives and as candidates for election to government. “This right to participate is a broad concept and can only be subject to reasonable restrictions that are provided by law. “Authorities must take steps to assess and remove any barriers to the participation of all citizens. “This includes removing barriers for traditionally marginalized populations such as ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities; women, youth or elderly citizens; and persons with disabilities. “Reasonable restrictions on participation should be narrow, like a minimum age for voting and standing as an electoral contestant,” he added. It further condemned the stationing of military vehicles in the residence of Adams Oshiomhole, until recently, the national chairman of the APC. Violators will face consequences, INEC Chairman warns The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday warned that electoral violators would face the consequences of their actions, if caught during the Sept.19, Edo governorship election. Yakubu gave the warning during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC in Benin. He listed some of the infractions to include vote-buying, ballot box snatching and stuffing, multiple voting, hijacking and diversion of election materials among others. “Edo people must be allowed to freely vote for their preferred candidate without inducement or harassment. “We have been assured by the security agencies that thugs and their sponsors will not have the freedom to move around freely to disrupt the election or collation of results.’’ Yakubu also disclosed that the national headquarters of INEC would monitor the election throughout the state through a zoom situation room. “This zoom situation room will allow us receive live reports from the field. Accredited observers and the media will also be invited to join at intervals. “By doing so, the commission will receive first-hand information as the election is going on.’’ The INEC boss, however, reassured Edo people that their votes would count adding that only the choice made by the people of Edo would determine the outcome of the election. Yakubu explained that the commission would not take any action to the advantage

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

NSE: Market indices resume with 0.05% marginal growth

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened trading on Monday with a marginal growth of 0.05 per cent following buying interest in Dangote Cement and 16 other equities. Speficially, the NSE All-Share Index grew by 13.64 points or 0.05 per cent to close at 25,605.59 from 25,591.95 recorded on Friday. Also, the market capitalisation which opened the week at N13.350 trillion improved by N8 billion to close at N13.358 trillion. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Chemical and Allied Products, Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, Neimeth and Guaranty Trust Bank. The market breadth closed positive with 17 gainers against 16 losers. Neimeth led the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 9.55 per cent to close at N1.95 per share. Royal Exchange came second with 7.14 per cent to close at 30k, while Consolidated Hallmark rose by 6.90 per cent to close at 31k per share. CAP went up by 6.67 per cent to close at N16.80, while Regency Alliance Insurance appreciated by 4.35 per cent to close at 24k per share. Conversely, International Breweries led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, declining by 8.57 per cent to close at N3.50 per share. UACN Property Development followed with a loss of 8.42 per cent to close at 87k, while FCMB Group dropped 7.73 per cent to close at N2.03 per share. Fidson lost 5.41 per cent to close at N3.50, while Japaul Oil dipped 4.76 per cent to close at 20k per share. Also, the volume of shares transacted rose by 20.82 per cent with an exchange of 257.03 million shares valued at N3.32 billion in 3,567 deals. This was in contrast with a total of 212.73 million shares worth N2.28 billion exchanged in 3,239 deals on Friday. Transactions in the shares of Custodian Investment topped the activity chart with 49.27 million shares valued at N236.49 million. Guaranty Trust Bank sold 29.56 million shares worth N739.21 million, while Lafarge Africa traded 23.58 million shares valued at N306.38 million. FBN Holdings accounted for 19.63 million shares worth N100.12 million, while Access Bank transacted 16.38 million shares valued at N110.65 million. (NAN)

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

FG To Convert Cars, Generators To Run On Gas

As more reactions continue to trail the recent hike in the petrol pump price, the Federal Government says it will begin to convert cars and generators so that they can now run on gas, effective from next month. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva says this will be done free of charge for all Nigerians to cushion the effect of the hike. According to Mr. Sylva, the move would reduce carbon emissions as well as the demand for petrol since cars are capable of running on both gas and premium motor spirit. Mr Sylva who made the revelation on national television added that the government will encourage Nigerians to convert their cars to dual-fuel since gas is cheaper. The minister further explained that this will be done for free because the government is going to monitor the process. In recent times Mr Sylva has been speaking about the increase in the petrol price and what will be done to cushion its effect on Nigerians. During a briefing in Abuja on Thursday, September 3, the minister admitted that the deregulation of the petroleum subsector will be difficult for a while, he, however, noted that the process will pay off in the long run. According to him, the Nigerian government spends over a trillion naira yearly as a subsidy payment, explaining that the high cost forced the government to allow market forces to determine the prices of the product. The former Bayelsa Governor noted that the current price of petrol is a reflection of the global crude oil price. He revealed that the Federal Government is not working on any kind of policy to cushion the effect of the deregulation. Instead, it is introducing alternatives to petrol.

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

Vietnam Court Sentences Brothers To Death After Violent Land Clash

This picture taken and released by the Vietnam News Agency on September 14, 2020 shows defendants involved in a land dispute attending a court trial in Hanoi. Two villagers were sentenced to death for murder on September 14 by a Vietnam court, after a longrunning land dispute spiralled into rare violence which left three police officers and a villager dead. / AFP / Vietnam News Agency / Vietnam News Agency A Vietnam court sentenced two brothers to death Monday after a long-running land dispute spiralled into rare violence which left three police officers and a villager dead. Residents of Dong Tam commune in a Hanoi suburb have for years clashed with authorities, accusing the military of illegally seizing their farmland for an airport. In January officials attempted to erect a perimeter fence, but were met with villagers armed with “grenades, petrol bombs and knives”, according to the Ministry of Public Security. The clash left three police officers and an elderly resident, Le Dinh Kinh, dead. Villagers have a different account of the incident, accusing authorities of attacking Kinh in his sleep. He was believed to be the leader of the farmers’ resistance. Kinh’s two sons — Le Dinh Chuc, 40, and Le Dinh Cong, 56 — were among dozens arrested in the aftermath of the violence. The Hanoi court sentenced the brothers “to death for murder” of the three police officers, according to state media. Twenty-seven others were handed varying sentences, from a 15-month suspended sentence to life in prison. Defence lawyer Le Luan called the trial “unfair”, and said the defence team had proposed it be postponed pending further investigation into the incident. “We do not agree with the verdict given by the court today; we don’t even agree with the trial itself,” he told AFP. Human Rights Watch decried the “heavy sentences” coming after a “rushed” trial, which started last week. “This trial was plagued by serious procedural concerns that clearly undermined any possibility of fair process,” said HRW’s Phil Robertson. It is difficult to verify the authorities’ version of events, as the communist country strictly controls all media and information dissemination. Land disputes are common in Vietnam, where powerful individuals and companies often make claims on property. Freedom of expression is restricted, as is the right to protest, but flashpoints occur. In 2017, the Dong Tam villagers held more than a dozen police officers and officials, hostage, for several days at the airport site in a standoff that gripped the tightly-controlled country. AFP

Read more
Post Date : September 15, 2020

EFCC Arrest Two Lecturers, 28 Others For Internet Fraud In Kwara

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Ilorin zonal office, have arrested two lecturers of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa: Abdulahi Opashola and Adebisi Ademola and twenty-eight others over their alleged involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud. The twenty-eight other suspects are: Kingsley Essien; Tobiloba Adenuga; Tope Ayodele; Rasheed Mujib; Oladipo Opeyemi; Saadu Muktar; Oladejo Hammed; Hammed Tope; Ameachi Umenyi, Salauden Adam and Afolabi Gafar. Others are: Oladimeji Timi; Remilekun Adeolu; Audu John; David Momodu; Abdulkareem Samad; Adebiyi Sodiq; Dawodu Olusoji; Yusuf Amoo; Kehinde Olarenwaju; Philip Mike, Ademola Adebukola and Adeniyi Olamilekan. The rest are : Adeyemi Adedeji; Ajayi Teslem; Olawale Oladayo, Olasunkanmi Olawale and Adeleke Damilola. They were arrested at different locations within Kwara State, following intelligence gathered by operatives of the Commission over their alleged involvement in the offence. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest a herbalist who is also linked with the alleged offence. Items recovered from them include cars, phones, laptops among others.

Read more
Post Date : September 14, 2020

Mailafia still being held at DSS office in Jos over two hours after arrival

Having been invited for the third time in less than two months, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia on Monday morning honoured the invitation to appear before the Jos office of the Department of State Services, DSS. Dr. Mailafia arrived the vicinity of the DSS office at 11.09am accompanied by his wife, Margaret, his lawyer, Yakubu Bawa, clergymen from different denominations, some elders and youths who came to show their support. The 2019 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, was on arrival cheered by sympathizers who came out in their numbers holding placards with difference inscriptions, all calling for an end to the perceived persecution of the renowned economist. Speaking with journalists on arrival before being ushered into the premises of DSS, he said, “I am ready to perish for speaking the mind of million of Nigerian over the incessant killings of innocent citizens going on presently in the country. I don’t know why I have been invited again, this is the third time that they invited me to their office and I honor it. There has not been any instances that warrant any crises in the country after the interview which I granted a radio station in Lagos. Once again ,they have invited me so as a law abiding citizen of this great country, I honourably honour their invitation. “Let me say that this has nothing to do with politics, I spoke in the interview as a citizen of this country who loves the people of this country, I am the voice of thousands of voiceless people. Thousands of innocent people have been killed in this country in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Southern Kaduna, Benue and Plateau State where we are today. I am the voice of the holy martyrs and if I perish, I perish.” At the time of this report, he had spent over two hours and was still being held in the office.

Read more
Post Date : September 14, 2020

One Killed As Vehicles Collide With Train In Oshodi

One passenger was killed on Monday after a bus and a highlander Jeep collided with a moving commuter train at PWD inward Oshodi, Lagos. The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu who confirmed the incident said the bus with six passengers suddenly veered onto the tracks and collided with the train. “The agency received distress calls at 8.12 am on the above. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a passenger motor GGE 972 GE with six passengers had veered onto the train tracks while crossing the rail at PWD inward Oshodi and subsequently collided with a scheduled commuter train,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. The two vehicles were then dragged along for a stretch of the journey before the train managed to come to a complete halt. The Agency was able to successfully extricate a total of eight passengers, six with minor injuries were provided with on-site medical care while two males including a 20-year old sustained severe injuries and were taken to LASUTH for further treatment. The other adult male subsequently lost his life The accident vehicles were recovered off the road with the aid of the Agency’s Light rescue equipment while traffic management measures were put in place by the emergency responders, alongside taskforce officials and Nigeria Police. Members of the public, especially drivers of commuter buses are advised to obey traffic regulations to prevent loss of life, injuries, and transport delays. Additional investigations by LASEMA reveal that a third vehicle, a highlander Jeep was also involved in the collision and its passengers (two adult males) sustained serious injuries before being transported to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. The DG of LASEMA confirmed that one passenger has lost his life and been placed in the hospital morgue while the other is still undergoing treatment.

Read more
Post Date : September 14, 2020

ASUU, NASU shut out LASU VC, students as school resumes

……LASU protest, cheap blackmail – Lagos govt reacts Pandemonium broke in the early hours on Monday in the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus, when members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU, barred the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Olanrewaju Fagboun and students from gaining access to premises. It was gathered that the action was as a result of protest by the union members over non-payment of increment in salaries promised by the Lagos State Government after a year when the promise was made. This came on the heels of resumption as announced by of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for tertiary institutions in the state to reopen on September 14, 2020. Students in 300 and 400 levels were to resume Monday, with other members of staff that had been on lockdown as a result of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. Trouble started as early as 7 am as union members took over the entrance of the university from security personnel and turned back both human and vehicular movements from going in and out of the premises. All entreaties by the vice-chancellor to prevail on the protesters was not heeded. Speaking on the development, the Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations, CIPPR, Mr Ademola Adekoya, told our correspondent that the state government was talking with the unions. “We are hopeful that a settlement will be reached as soon as possible. The unions are discussing with the state government and a truce may be reached before the day runs out,” he said. Reports from the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu and the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, showed that normal academic activities resumed there. The Public Relations Officer of LASPOTECH, Mr Lanre Kuye, while commenting on the development, said staff and students were going about their normal activities. Mrs Funmi Makanjuola of ACOED said the students were registering and preparing to conclude their examinations put on hold by the pandemic closure. She explained that the examinations would start next week. Reacting on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser on Education. Tokunbo Wahab, said the protest was “uncalled for.” According to Wahab, “LASU like other subvented Ministries, Departments Agencies, MDAs, collect the sum of N450,000,000.00(Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) monthly from the Lagos State Government as Subvention. “The Government expects the institutions to also be responsible in the application of the funds and the staffing of the institutions. “We must also remember that they have Internally Generated Revenue, IGR which they generate and not accountable to anyone on how same is expended. “Aside the subvention , the government is also responsible for the infrastructural developments of the institutions and other ancillary things including payment for accreditation exercise for which the last one cost the government N450 million. “The government has never promised has never promised the union salary increment at any time. This purely, blackmail. “My appeal to the protesters is to have a rethink. Protest is not the right approach to solving this problems. The union should look inward by asking the management questions on finding and not heap the blame on the state government. “The present administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been so benevolent to LASU enough since assumption of office and should be commended rather than being condemned.” On phased resumption Wahab, a lawyer, stressed that compliance with COVID-19 safety rules is a vital prerequisite. Speaking earlier on a Morning Show, webinar hosted by Arise TV, while discussing the topic, “The New Norm In Education And LASG Online Teaching Aids For Out-Of-School Students, the Special Adviser said that no student would be allowed into classrooms without the school administrators ensuring adequate safety measures after six months of lockdown. According to Wahab, ” Reopening of schools will be in phases. On the 14th of September, Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions will reopen for the first time after six months of closure. “We are going to start with final year students across our tertiary institutions. Then after their exams, those in their penultimate year can resume.”. When asked about Lagos State government’s preparedness for resumptions in the tertiary institutions, Wahab said the government ably led by Sanwo-Olu and Incident Commander of COVID-19 Lagos, “is well prepared as every necessary preventive has been put in place to have the students back in school to continue their learning.” “One of the many lessons we learnt as a government during the pandemic is to always plan for uncertainty. Thank God, Lagos State government did better than many other states in managing the pandemic in regards to education,” he said. Wahab affirmed that, “Lagos State government is not owing any teacher even during Covid19 pandemic. But for private school teachers, it is definitely beyond State government capacity.”

Read more
Search

Account

Cart

  • Main menu