Crime Facts

Blasphemy: FG Silent Over Court Order To Free Facebook User

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation has failed to respond to inquiries on the status of detained Facebook user, Mubarak Bala, who was ordered to be released by a Federal High Court in Abuja. A message to the AGF was not responded to as of the time of filing this report. However, Dr Umar Gwandu, media aide to the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), told Daily Trust that the office had not decided on a response on the development yet. Also, the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, did not respond to calls to clarify the matter. Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday ruled that the detention of Bala constituted an infringement of his “rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of movement.” The judge further awarded the sum of N250,000 against the police in favour of the applicant. Bala was arrested and detained at the Gbasawa Police Station, Kaduna State and transferred to Abuja on February 28, 2020, after some people from Kano State petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Kano Command that he insulted the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH). Source: Daily Trust

One dies, 3 wounded as rice smugglers battle Customs officers

One person was shot dead and three customs officers were also wounded as they confronted rice smugglers at Kikelomo Area of Ayetoro in Ogun State on Tuesday. The wounded Customs officers serve at the Federal Operations Unit Zone “A’’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Deputy Comptroller, Usman Yahaya, said at about 0800 hours on Dec. 22, 2020, the officers who were carrying out their statutory duty of enforcing anti-smuggling laws acted on intelligence. “They intercepted six Ford buses laden with foreign parboiled rice at Kikelomo area of Ayetoro, Ogun State. “Upon interception, some hoodlums who were armed with dangerous weapons and charms while working in support of the smugglers, swiftly mobilised themselves and attacked our officers to prevent the seizure from being taken away. “Three customs officers sustained various degrees of injuries from the attack and in the pandemonium that ensued, one person was hit by a bullet in the process of resistance. “The wounded officers are currently receiving treatment at our medical facility while further investigations into bringing the perpetrators of the attack to book has commenced,” he said. He noted that he was very concerned about the loss of life and the serious injuries inflicted on the officers which were totally avoidable if only the youths were patriotic enough to know that the officers were just performing their lawful duties. He also cautioned youths to reject being used by economic saboteurs to confront operatives of the service from carrying out their lawful duties. “Normalcy has since returned to the area through combined efforts of officers of the service and the Nigerian Army. “While thanking law abiding citizens for supporting our operations, we also warn people with criminal intentions to immediately desist from such. “This is because officers/men of the unit are well mobilised, backed up by the extant laws and shall remain resolute at enforcing the laws without fear of intimidation,’’ he said.

COVID-19 second wave: Anambra shuts nightclubs

The Anambra government has banned nightclub activities throughout the state for one month. Don Adinuba, the state commissioner for information and public enlightenment, in a statement, said the ban takes effect from December 23, 2020. He noted that the ban is in response to reports of increasing incidences of COVID-19 in various parts of the world. According to him, a nightclub is a “super spreader of COVID-19”, as it is a place where people come into close contact. “Our people are returning from these places with high incidences of COVID-19 to celebrate the Christmas and New Year season with their families, friends, kindred, villages and towns and contribute to numerous development projects and programmes,” he said. “The Government is, therefore, obliged to act swiftly. We must do everything to avoid a situation where a lockdown will be inevitable. ” The suspension of activities at night clubs is the first in a series of measures which the Anambra State government will have to take to protect our people from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic which seems to be in its second wave in Nigeria. “Our people are, once again, reminded of the imperative to observe a social or physical distance of six metres, including during religious services. They have to wear a mask which covers their nostrils and mouth anytime they are out of their houses, because the nose and mouth are two orifices through which coronavirus enters our system. “The need to wash our hands regularly with running water and soap for at least twenty seconds cannot be overemphasised. The same goes for the need to apply sanitisers on our hands when they are not visibly dirty, otherwise soap will be better to use to wash our hands. “The Government and people of Anambra State have been exemplary so far in the fight against COVID-19. We need to display greater dedication in the campaign against the second wave of this highly contagious disease. Any person with an unusual headache and fever or loses the sense of taste or the sense of smell is advised to proceed immediately to the local government headquarters where trained officers will collect his or her samples for a COVID-19 test because fever and headache are not always symptoms of malaria or any other common illness. “Both testing for the pandemic and the treatment are free in Anambra State. Early detection often results in successful management of the case. “Our people have to bear in mind that any person diagnosed with the disease need not be treated in any of our protective care centres, otherwise known as isolation centres. Such a person can be treated at home. The Anambra State Ministry of Health has not lost any of the COVID-19 patients treated at home.” He explained that residents also have a duty to go the extra mile to make the state “the safest place in West Africa in every sense”. “Let us attend only functions which are absolutely necessary this Christmas and New Year season. Otherwise, let us stay at home and stay safe,” he added.

Zulum celebrates soldiers who have ‘never been defeated by Boko Haram’

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, has gifted soldiers of the Nigerian’s army’s 151 battalion in Bama with food and other items to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is celebrated December 25 by Christians to mark the birth of Jesus. The governor’s gift came a day after he expressed disappointment with troops, following the abduction of about 25 persons in Jakana, on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway. But while visiting 151 battalion soldiers on Tuesday, the governor said they have been part of the success story as the battalion has never been defeated by Boko Haram insurgents. “On the basis of fairness, I treat everyone or group on their own merit. While we have challenges in some areas, we have successes in others, and one of those areas is this 151 battalion because you have never been defeated by Boko Haram since formation,” he said. “This battalion has largely stabilised all the areas under your jurisdiction here in Bama. I am principally here to on behalf of the government and the people of Borno state, once again, register our appreciation as I have done here before and as often do to other battalions and their brigades across the state. All of you have been very gallant and patriotic. We acknowledge all your sacrifices and we also know that you all operate under difficult conditions in different operational locations. We came with our widows might. “Food will come your way and I have given a message to your commanders which will reach each one of you. Nothing can compensate for your sacrifices. We are grateful and we pray that Allah continues to protect all of you here and all our troops and volunteers and sustain your strength to remain undefeated.” During the visit, the governor also directed the construction of 200 new homes in Gurusoye, a village behind the battalion’s headquarters, where Boko Haram had destroyed during their occupation. The new homes, he said, would be for resettlement purposes and to create aesthetics that will attract a productive population for social and economic restoration in the area.

JUST IN: Gunman Kills Three Police Officers In France

A gunman has shot dead three police officers who were called to a domestic incident in central France. The officers were trying to help a woman who had fled to the roof of a house in the small village of Saint-Just early on Wednesday, reports the BBC. The gunman shot at the officers before setting fire to the house. A fourth officer was wounded in the incident. The woman was reportedly rescued. The suspect is said to be known to authorities on child custody issues.

FG keeps mum about Financial Times’ ‘failed state’ comment

The Federal Government is yet to react to the raging controversy over an editorial by Financial Times suggesting Nigeria is on the brink of becoming “a failed state.” The verdict came barely a month after an investigation by Cable News Network (CNN) which exposed the government’s alleged complicity in the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate during the nationwide #EndSARS protests in Lagos. The respected newspaper x-rayed the heightened insecurity in the country manifest in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism before warning that “Africa’s most populous country is teetering on the brink.” The publication wrote: “If the latest kidnapping turns out to be its work, it would mark the spread of the terrorist group from its north-eastern base. Even if the mass abduction was carried out by ‘ordinary’ bandits – as now looks possible – it underlines the fact of chronic criminality and violence. “Deadly clashes between herders and settled farmers have spread to most parts of Nigeria. In the oil-rich but impoverished Delta region, extortion through the sabotage of pipelines is legendary. “In its three remaining years, the government of Mr. Buhari must seek to draw a line in the sand. It must redouble efforts to get a grip on security.” The editorial advised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration “to restore trust in key institutions”, including the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2023 elections. It insisted that the country deserved a “generational shift.” “The broad coalition that found political expression this year in the #EndSARS movement against police brutality provides a shard of optimism,” the newspaper added, admitting that the country “has a relatively stable democracy” the youths could leverage “to reset the country’s narrative.” The editorial continued: “Extortion is a potent symbol for a state whose modus operandi is the extraction of oil revenue from central coffers to pay for a bloated, ruinously inefficient political elite. Security is not the only area where the state is failing. “Nigeria has more poor people, defined as those living on less than $1.90 a day, than any other country, including India. In non-COVID-19 years, one of every five children in the world’s out of school lives in Nigeria, many of the girls.” The medium’s stance is a confirmation of the lingering concerns. The 2020 Fragile States Index has suggested that Nigeria is marked as more fragile with 97.3 points as against the global average, which stands at 65.58 points. The country had reached 103.5 points in 2016. Recently, members of the organised private sector raised concerns about the rising level of insecurity, especially as it affects investments and food security. The insecurity has driven up the prices of food in northern states to an all-time high in the past few months. Just on Monday, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, expressed anger over what he described as routine attacks on travellers and villagers by insurgents along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

2 men arrested for planting human head in water tank

Imo State Police Command revealed that it has unravelled a seven-month-old murder jinx, following the arrest of two suspects, Onumajuru Godwin (61) and Agubosim Chukwuemeka (41), in connection with the incident. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Orlando Ikeokwu, who disclosed this, yesterday, via a statement, said a decomposed body has been recovered as an exhibit. The PPRO’s account read: “On May 4, 2020, one Onumajuru Godwin, 61 years old and Agubosim Chukwuemeka, 41 years old, both of Eziama Obiato in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters that one Emmanuel Onuwa, from Mbaitoli LGA, murdered an unidentified person, and hid the head in a water tank in his compound. “Following this report, Emmanuel Onuwa and his children were arrested and a decomposing human head recovered from the water tank in his compound. “However, the said Emmanuel Onuwa, in a bid to prove his innocence, through his lawyer, wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police, requesting that the case be re-investigated. “Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Akinmoyede, ordered a revisit of the matter. “Upon discreet and painstaking investigation, the police arrested the duo for planting the human head in the water tank. “Preliminary investigation revealed that both parties had been involved in a running battle over a land dispute, thus necessitating the setting-up of the allegation against Emmanuel Onuwa, to ensure that he is jailed, that way they can have unhindered access into the disputed land. “The suspects have confessed to the crime but claimed that they got the head from a corpse at Njaba Riverbank. “Efforts are ongoing to identify the corpse, while an investigation is ongoing.

FG, others lose bid to frustrate Abacha’s suit in Malabu oil deal

The Federal High Court, Abuja has declined moves by the Federal Government, Shell Nigeria Exploration, Nigeria Agip Exploration Company and others to stall hearing of a suit seeking to reclaim the Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245. The permit was originally awarded to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/201/2017, was filed in the name of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited by Mohammed Sani Abacha, son of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who claimed to own majority shares in the oil firm. In a ruling yesterday, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed the preliminary objections filed by the defendants, insisting that the court had jurisdiction to hear the case. Against the contention by the defendants, the judge also held that the suit was not caught by the Public Officers Protection Act and as such was not statute-barred. The presiding judge further ruled that the plaintiff was right to have included the Minister of Petroleum as a defendant since the minister, being a juristic personality, can sue and be sued. Justice Nyako held that the suit did not amount to an abuse of the court process, as the plaintiff rightly instituted the case. According to the judge, “no evidence exists that issues raised have not been determined by any other court.” After lawyers to the parties, including Reuben Atabo (for the plaintiff), assured the court that they were ready to proceed with the hearing of the substantive suit, Justice Nyako adjourned till March 9, 2021, for hearing. Defendants in the suit include the Federal Government of Nigeria, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Ltd, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd., Nigeria Agip Exploration Company Ltd., as well as former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete. In its statement of claim, the plaintiff stated among others, that it was not part of the purported allocation of the OPL 245 to Shell and Agip, and for which they allegedly paid $1.3 billion to Etete, with the FG providing the account into which it was paid as its actual shareholders were excluded from the process. The plaintiff added that it was also not part of the Bloc 245 Resolution Agreement of April 29, 2011, entered between the FG, Shell, Agip, and Etete, purporting to represent Malabu Oil, adding that it “did not relinquish any or all of its rights and interests in OPL 245 to any person or persons.”

EXTRA: DHQ to investigate alleged extortion by army personnel in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has promised to investigate the allegation that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were involved in extortion at checkpoints on major roads in Borno. Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno had on Monday alleged that security personnel including soldiers were collecting money from travellers on major roads in the state to the detriment of their duties. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria have internal mechanisms to check erring personnel and sanction them appropriately. Enenche said that reported cases of extortion from the public had always been investigated and given the desired attention. He, however, faulted what he described as “the media or open-air accusation” to tag gallant Nigerian Army personnel as extortionists in checkpoints in Borno. According to him, all personnel of the Armed Forces are patriotic and focused on their call of duty. “The High Command of the Nigerian Military hereby re-states the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other Security Agencies to tackling and ending terrorism in the North East,” he said.

Republican who used dead mother’s ballot ‘to vote for Trump’ arrested

Bruce Bartman, a Republican, has been arrested for allegedly using his dead mother’s ballot to vote for President Donald Trump in last month’s United States election. He was charged with unlawful voting and perjury for allegedly pretending to be his dead mother while casting his ballot in the November election in Pennsylvania. Prosecutors said the 70-year-old registered two dead people – his mother and mother-in-law – as Republican voters in the buildup to the election. He was said to have used the state’s online portal that allows residents to register to vote using either their driver’s license number or social security number. In a statement, Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware county district attorney, said the indictment “is the only known case of a “dead person” voting in our county, conspiracy theories notwithstanding. “Further, the prompt prosecution of this case shows that law enforcement will continue to uphold our election laws whenever presented with actual evidence of fraud and that we will continue to investigate every allegation that that comes our way,” he added. Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential election, but Trump has refused to concede after he and the Republican Party alleged foul play. They had argued among other things, that many ballots belonging to dead persons were counted in favour of Biden. However, officials said the voter fraud detected in the election is not enough to overturn Biden’s victory.