Crime Facts

Ex-minister Jerry Agada is dead

Former Minister of State for Education and one-time national president of Nigerian Association of Authors, Professor Jerry Agada is dead. Agada died at the age of 68. A source told our correspondent that Agada who is chairman, Benue State Civil Service Commission died at Federal Medical Hospital, Makurdi in the early hours of Tuesday. The source added that he had been hospitalized for the past one week before he died around 08:00 am Tuesday. The family is yet to issue any statement but a close family source confirmed his death.

2 in court for beating policewomen

Two men: Gbenga Adekoya and Abiodun Adesope, were on Tuesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting two policewomen. Adekoya, 34, an apprentice, Adesope, 35, a businessman, who are residents of Ifo in Ogun, are being tried for alleged conspiracy, breach of peace and assault. According to the Prosecutor, ASP Clifford Ogu, the accused persons committed the offences on Dec. 19 at Ojokoro, Lagos. Ogu said the defendants conspired to assault Insp. Yemisi Olurunfemi and Sgt. Ajoke Ige while they were performing their lawful duties. “The complainants were controlling traffic when the defendants’ vehicle drove against the traffic. They stopped the vehicle and pleaded with them to reverse and take the right lane. “But instead, the defendants who were passengers jumped down from the vehicle, ordered the complainants to leave the road saying that Nigerians do not need the police again. “When the complainants refused to comply, the accused descended and started punching them severally all over their bodies. “A police team on patrol, who received a distress call, stormed the scene and arrested the defendants,” he explained. Ogu said that the offences contravened Sections 168, 174 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 174 prescribes a three–year jail term for assault while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy. Following their pleas of not guilty, Magistrate (Mrs) S.K. Matepo released the defendants on bail of N50,000 each with one surety each in like sum. Matepo said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The magistrate adjourned the case until Jan. 20, 2021, for further hearing.

Lai: Bandits deliberately attack schools to attract global concerns

The Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says terrorists target schools for abduction of vulnerable children to embarrass the government and inflict damage on the credibility of a nation . Mohammed was reacting to the abduction and rescue of 344 schoolboys in Kankara and 80 Islamic school students both in Katsina State as well as 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe , in 2018. The minister , who featured on a Special Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria , said attacks on such soft targets were deliberate because it would attract global concerns . “ These are all terrorists who want to embarrass the government and catch the attention of the entire world . “ The psychology is to inflict the most serious damage on the credibility of a country , giving the impression that if you cannot protect the most vulnerable in the country , such government is incompetent, ’’ he said . The minister , however , commended the nation ’ s security and intelligence agencies for their promptness , synergy , and professionalism in ensuring the rescue of the victims. He noted that no country in the world is immune to terrorist attacks . “ The US with all its technology and intelligence prowess could not avert the 9/11 which cost almost 2, 000 lives. “ With all its acclaimed security expertise, the US could not save almost 200 children killed and injured in various school shooting incidents between 2010 and today. “ The MH13, which is a militant group cult group based in Los Angeles, has been tormenting the US for decades. “ France has lost about 289 people to terrorists between 2010 and today. “ Only recently, in March 2019, 49 people were shot dead in shootings at two mosques in ChristChurch in New Zealand , ’’ he said . The minister said the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , regime met the Boko Haram and banditry challenges. He noted that the approach of the government in confronting insecurity was better and more effective than any previous administration. “ In 2014 when a similar abduction happened in Chibok , Borno State , the government then took three whole weeks before any meaningful action was taken. “ The parents of the victims were blamed at a time when they said they did not cooperate by giving the names, addresses, ages and sex to help in the rescue mission. “ On our part, we did not wait for that ; we were bold, focused and went straight into action to rescue the children, ’’ he said . As part of lessons learnt from the abductions , the minister said state governments were advised to be proactive. The minister gave an assurance that the administration would continue to work toward providing adequate security for not only students but Nigerians in general . ( NAN)

N7.1bn fraud: Court fixes Feb 2 to commence ex-Gov Kalu’s retrial

….as CJ transfers case-file to Abuja The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has slated February 2, 2021, for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arraign former governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, for the commencement of his retrial as ordered by the Supreme Court. Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, has equally transferred Kalu’s case-file to Abuja. It will be recalled that Kalu, who piloted affairs of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, was earlier found guilty and handed a 12-year jail term by the Lagos Division of the court. The trial court convicted the former governor alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and a former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu, for allegedly stealing about N7.1 billion from the state treasury. However, the Supreme Court, in its judgement on May 8, quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial of the defendants by the EFCC. In a unanimous decision by a seven-man panel of Justices, the Supreme Court, nullified the entire proceedings that led to Kalu’s conviction, stressing that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, was already elevated to the Court of Appeal, as at the time he sat and delivered a judgement against the defendants. It noted that Justice Idris was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at December 5, 2019, the day the former governor and his co-defendants were found guilty of the money laundering charge against them. According to the Supreme Court, Justice Idris, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal before then, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge. It held that the Fiat that was issued to him by the Court of Appeal President pursuant to section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, was unconstitutional. In its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, the apex court held that President of the Court of Appeal acted beyond her powers when she authorized the trial Judge to return to the high court to deliver the pending judgement. He held that the Court of Appeal President, by issuing a letter to Justice Idris to return to the Federal High Court to conclude the trial of Kalu and his co-defendants, usurped the power of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Judges for both superior courts, as well as the power of Chief Judge of the High Court to assign cases to Judges under him. Consequently, the apex court held that since Justice Idris returned to the trial court based on an unconstitutional directive by the Court of Appeal President, the judgement and subsequent conviction of the defendants amounted to a nullity. It, therefore, ordered that the charge in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/26/2017, which EFCC entered against Kalu and his co-defendants, should be remitted back to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to any other judge for the trial to commence de-novo (afresh). The judgement followed an appeal Kalu’s firm, Slok, lodged to challenge the jurisdiction of the high court that tried the matter and found the Defendants guilty. Vanguard learned on Tuesday that the Defendants will be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo to whom the CJ has assigned their case-file.

Olu of Warri not dead, only indisposed, says palace

Director of Palace Administration, Olu of Warri Palace, Chief Maleghemi, on Tuesday, announced that the reported death of Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli was untrue. In a statement in Warri made available to journalists, Chief Maleghemi said “His Majesty is indisposed and currently receiving medical attention by a team of qualified medical specialist.” Details later…

Garba: Repentant bandits helped in securing Kankara schoolboys release

The Presidency, on Tuesday, said repentant bandits played a role in securing the release of over 300 schoolboys abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara , Katsina. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu , said although no ransom was paid , there were negotiations between the major actors , adding that while the talks were on , the troops of the Nigerian Army encircled the Zamfara forest where the hostages were held. Speaking on the conflicting accounts surrounding the release of the schoolboys on Tuesday morning, Shehu said the most important thing was that the boys have reunited with their parents. He said , “ In all of the things that played out , we must thank God for bringing these children out. The glory also belongs to the nation . I don ’ t see much conflict in all of these things. “ The security services – Army , police, intelligence agencies – showed good judgement and capacity by promptly responding to the kidnap of those students and then locating exactly where they were being held. “ Having done that , they quickly mobilised and surrounded the entire place to ensure that they do not go out and they do not come in. So , whatever followed after that is to reap from the gains of what has been done . ” Shehu said the security forces locked in on the captors of the students in the Zamfara forest , adding that no single shot was fired to avoid fatalities . “ So , the military having identified where they were, in less than 24 hours after the kidnap , they patiently waited for the process of the negotiations to be concluded . And at the end of it, everyone is happy that it ended the way it did, ” he stated . On whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the students , Shehu said , “ All of the leading actors said no ransom was paid . The governor of Zamfara State , who had a policy of engagement with the bandits leading to the surrender and renouncement of bandits , used reformed bandits –repentant bandits – to gain access to those that were in the forest and they had them ( schoolboys ) released. “ So , to the best of our knowledge, all the leading actors in Katsina and Zamfara States said no ransom was paid. ” Shehu also described as ridiculous claims that the Kankara schoolboys ’ abduction was stage – managed. The Kankara students ’ abduction is not the first in the history of the nation . Non – state actors had in the past abducted hundreds of secondary school girls from Chibok , in Borno State ; and Dapchi in Yobe State . Some of them eventually regained freedom while a number of them were detained in the enclaves of their abductors and sexual abusers .

EXTRA: Bribe-seeking policemen strip Rivers driver naked, vandalise vehicle

There was pandemonium in the Ada George area of Port Harcourt , Rivers State , on Monday when a group of policemen strips a bus driver , identified as Emenike , over alleged refusal to pay bribe . The drivers in the area were said to have repeatedly lamented harassment by task force and policemen, even as they protested against the Monday ’ s harassment of Emenike. Drivers’ welfare Chairman , Choba unit , Bestman Chile , said a policeman demandied bribe from the driver but the latter defused to part with any money. He said , “ He entered Emenike ’ s vehicle and told him to drive towards the police. “ On his way, the policeman started hitting him with a baton and fought for the control of the steering with the young man . “ After the driver stopped the vehicle, some policemen came and started beating Emnike , stripped him naked and vandalised his vehicle. “ We are drivers. We can’ t fight police. Right now the road is blocked. We will block the road like thus till when the police come to pay for this damage and treat the young man . ” Following the blockage mounted by the driver to protest the alleged police harassment, there was a gridlock , as passengers were seen trekking long distances to get to their destinations . Meanwhile, some bus drivers accuse a female cop whom they identified as ‘ Mama G’ of continually harassing and extorting bus drivers. c When contacted , a spokesman for the state police Command, Nnamdi Omoni , confirmed the incident, but added that he had yet to get the details.

Nigeria’s oil faces threat as electric vehicle sales rise

The rising number of countries gradually shifting from fossil fuels and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles may pose a major threat to Nigeria ’ s crude oil exports . Sales of electric cars topped 2. 1 million globally in 2019, surpassing 2018 – already a record year – to boost the stock to 7. 2 million electric cars, with China leading the charge , according to the International Energy Agency . It said nine countries had more than 100, 000 electric cars on the road while at least 20 countries reached market shares above one per cent. “ In 2019, electric vehicles in operation globally avoided the consumption of almost 0. 6 million barrels of oil products per day , ” the IEA said . The demand for crude oil is expected to continue to decline following the surging sales in electric vehicles in Asia and Europe. Carmakers have sold more than 500, 000 battery electric cars in Europe during 2020, compared to only 354, 000 sold during the whole of last year across the region, a UK newspaper , The Guardian , reported earlier this month. Europe is the biggest regional export market for Nigeria ’ s crude oil , followed by Asia . An energy expert, Mr Bala Zakka, told our correspondent on Monday that the shift towards the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy would impact Nigeria ’ s oil export revenues. He said , “ It was a wrong thing for us , first of all , to export raw material . Organised nations convert their raw material into finished goods . Why can’ t we convert our hydrocarbon endowment and start producing petrochemicals ?” An economic expert, Prof Obadan Mike , said weak demand had continued to affect the market for crude oil adversely , adding that oil had continued to be characterised by low prices. “ The implications of weak recovery for global demand for crude oil , upon which Nigeria depends for its fiscal and foreign exchange sustenance , are very grave, ” he said at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting, according to a new document released by the Central Bank of Nigeria . He added that continuing weak oil market ‘ compounds the challenges in Nigeria ’ s fiscal operations and is not helpful to the country ’ s external sector and macroeconomic stability objectives ’ . The United Kingdom had said last month that it would stop selling new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2030. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson , said in February that he was bringing forward a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040 to 2035. Other countries including France and Norway have also announced plans to ban new internal combustion engines over varying timeframes .

Gunmen abduct daughter of ex-Jigawa Speaker, 2 others; kill policeman

A gang of gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, stormed Bosuwa village in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State and abducted the daughter of a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, and two other persons. The bandits were said to have operated in Jahun Local Government, where they abducted a business mogul before proceeding to Bosuwa village. They headed to the former Speaker, Isah Zakari’s house, where they abducted his 25-year-old daughter Zainab Isah Zakari and one Sule Isah, aged 70. It was reported that efforts to rescue the victims by the policemen on duty were rebuffed, and one of them was killed by the bandits. The Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa Command, SP Abdu Jinjiri, has confirmed the incident, saying bandits had kidnapped the daughter of the former Speaker and one other in Bosuwa village and one other person, while a police officer on duty was gunned down. Jinjiri stated that the command was investigating the matter as it has deployed its men to fish out the culprits.

Makinde a “baby governor”, not leader of South-West PDP – Fayose

A former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, once again knocked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the leadership of the South-West PDP. Fayose described Makinde as a “baby governor”, adding that the Oyo governor is his follower and not his leader. The ex-governor stated this in Lagos on Monday while receiving prominent members of the party who paid him a solidarity visit. The delegation was led by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South District in the National Assembly. Among the delegation were Olafeso, former House of Representatives member, Lad Ojomo, ex-House of Assemblymember, Niyi Ogunboye, Chief Ibini Oyedele, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Pastor Larry Ogunmusere, Ife Akinsoyinu, Sola Ebiwonjumi, Olusola Adewo, Adeolu Akinseye and Ebenezer Alabi. However, Fayose added that it was earlier agreed at Makinde’s house at Ibadan, Oyo State that an ex-Ondo State Information Commissioner, Dr Eddy Olafeso, should be the next PDP National Vice Chairman (West). He, however, warned Makinde to earn leadership and not claim it as a title. Fayose added, “Tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title. He also bashed Makinde’s supporters for calling him an “APC man.” He queried why he wasn’t called such when he supported the Oyo State governor and worked for his victory in last general elections. “Can I be an All Progressives Congressman and be fighting Buhari (the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)? I was governor at 42. He is a governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde. “Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving,” Fayose added Fayose, however, commended members of the delegation who visited him for “not sitting on the fence.” He stated, “It is dangerous to sit on the fence. I don’t play to the gallery.” However, Senator Tofowomo, who led the prominent members, said Fayose was a credible leader of the PDP in the South-West. Tofowomo added that Fayose will be supported because he was accessible, a grass-roots operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.