Crime Facts

Alvan Ikoku college lecturer slumps, dies in lecture hall

The Management of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education has confirmed the death of a senior lecturer , simply identified as Mr Echetama, who slumped and died in a lecture hall on Tuesday. The Acting Public Relations Officer of the college , Mr Joseph Okwulehi , who confirmed the death to newsmen in his office on Wednesday, said the Provost of the college is engrossed in a series of emergency meetings over the issue. He said the management has advised the staff and students of the institution to be calm and wait for the official position of the institution on the issue . “ I can confirm to you that a senior lecturer slumped in a classroom on Tuesday and was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri . NAN reports that Echetama , until his death , was a senior lecturer at the Department of Business Education . Meanwhile, the development has forced students to keep away from lectures over an emerging rumour that the sudden death of the lecturer was connected to COVID -19. Students were seen on Wednesday vacating school hostels, while others fled the school premises for the fear of contracting the dreaded virus . Some of the students who spoke to NAN said they decided to avoid lectures when the rumour emerged that the lecturer died of Coronavirus complication. A final year student of the institution, Mr Frederick Anyawu, said the development has forced lecturers to suspend lectures. He said students decided to keep away from the college until the issue is sorted out . Another student in the department of economics , Mr Okechukwu Eze, said the development has caused skeletal activities in the institution. NAN

FG to Nigerians: Fight back, confront bandits whenever they attack you

Minister of Defence, Major General (rtd) Bashir Magashi, has asked Nigerians to summon courage and stand up to the gunmen wreaking havoc across the country. Speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the screening of Service Chiefs by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Magashi described those who abducted staff and students of a secondary school in Kagara community in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, as cowards. He said Nigerians have the responsibility to ensure there is adequate security around them. Magashi said, “Well, is it the responsibility of the military alone? It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary.” “We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes the bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots, everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression. “Why should people run away from minor aggressions? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away.” The Minister also dismissed the clamour for Nigerians to be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves. “It is an issue currently even in the developed country. They are still debating on whether to continue (to allow people bear arms) or stop. But I don’t advice Nigerians to bear fire arms for internal use,” he added.

Army lacks power to investigate crime ― Court

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, held that the Nigerian Army has no power to arrest, detain and investigate crimes. Justice Taiwo Taiwo, while delivering judgment in a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Miss Grace Anita Paul against the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigeria Army, Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Police Force held that the Nigerian Army would be usurping the fun by delving into arrest, investigation and arrest over crime allegation. Miss Paul had, in her suit alleged that officers of the Nigerian Army invaded her residence and abducted her to Mambilla Barracks in Abuja on October 24, 2019, where she was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. She said she was kept in a guardroom with other male inmates and later transferred to the SARS where she was kept for more than two months without charge or trial. Justice Taiwo, in his judgment held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law. While dismissing the objections of counsel to the Nigerian Army, A.A. Mohammed (SAN), the Judge held that the Military should not usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act which empowers the Police to detect and investigate the crime. Akpomiemie also argued that the detention of the Applicant by the defunct SARS of the Nigeria Police is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. Justice Taiwo held that for democracy to thrive, all agencies of government should act within the law and awarded damages of N5 million against the 1st and 2nd Respondents (The chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army) and N10 million against the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Police Force sued as 3rd and 4th Respondent respectfully. The Judge also made an order of perpetual Injunction restraining the Nigeria Army and the Nigeria Police from further violation of the rights of the applicant. The court also ordered the Police to return all her seized items within seven days.

Wife kills husband for calling another woman in her presence in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a woman identified as Queen Beatrice for allegedly killing her husband Emmanuel Ikujuni at Omotosho town in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State . It was gathered that the suspect hit the head of the deceased with a plank following an argument that ensued between them when the deceased was allegedly calling another woman in the presence of his wife . The deceased was said to have fallen down after he was hit with the plank . Immediately , his neighbours rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was said to have given up the ghost before he could be admitted. A sister to the deceased , Imoleayo Ikujuni, who confirmed the incident , narrated that the suspect challenged her late brother for calling another lady . She said , “ During the fight, she hit him with a plank and he died . The police have arrested her. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Akure for further investigation. ” The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tee – Leo Ikoro , confirmed the incident and said an investigation has commenced on the matter . A police source said the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary while the police were awaiting the report of the autopsy .

BREAKING: Lagos airport runway opens after Azman Air aircraft landing incident

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has opened the runway of the Muritala Muhammed Airport, domestic wing, Lagos after Tuesday’s night incident involving an Azman Air aircraft. The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu who confirmed the reopening on Wednesday said it took the combined efforts of relevant stakeholders to evacuate the aircraft from the runway. Recall Azman Air Boeing 737 aircraft with registration 5N SYS, and flight number ZQ2325 on Tuesday night had a tyre burst after landing on runway 18 R of Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Though no life was lost in the incident, the mishap forced the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to close the runway to flight operations. While confirming the closure of the runway, Mrs Herrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, had said: ” Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby announces a temporary closure of Runway 18R/36L at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.” “The closure is due to a landing incident involving a Boeing 737 Azman Air aircraft with registration 5N SYS, and flight number ZQ2325. The aircraft had a tyre burst after landing on this runway.” “All passengers and crew onboard the aircraft were safely evacuated at 1908 hours, and officials of FAAN Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, AIB, and NAHCO are already working to ensure the aircraft is towed out of the runway, so as to restore normalcy.”

EFCC Arrests Medical Doctor, 17 Others Over Alleged Internet Fraud in Owerri

Ibe Pascal Arogorn,Owerri Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday arrested a 28-year-old medical practitioner, Chijioke Precious and 17 others over alleged internet fraud in Owerri, Imo State. The 17 others whose ages range between 21 and 34 are; Anthony Joshua, Henry Mezie, Chukwuebuka Ahiwe, Michael Chinagorom, Jossy Irokwe, Ibe Chukwuebuka, Iroadinma Chibuike, Uchechukwu Divine and Nwosu Emmanuel. Others include Kenneth Williams, Mmesoma Oparanozie, Chikezie Ogochukwu, Uchenna Ejiogu, Victor Chijioke, Chidera Cyprian, Chukwuebuka Precious and Anyaehie Kelvin. They were arrested based on intelligence around 1am on Wednesday at Umuguma area of “World Bank” in Owerri, Imo state. Recovered are 7 luxurious cars which include, one green lexus ES350, one blue Lexus ES320, two Toyota Venza, one silver Lexus RX 350, one black Toyota and one white Mercedes Benz 4Matic. Other items recovered include over 20 sophisticated mobile phones, more than 12 laptops, four inverter batteries, one big screen television and jewelries suspected to be proceeds of crime. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

School abduction: Niger gov orders immediate closure of boarding schools, says no rasom will be paid to kidnappers as Senate ask Buhari to declare emergency on insecurity, Buhari reacts

Ibe Pascal Arogorn The Governor of Niger State , Abubakar Sani Bello, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the bandit ravaged areas of the state. The Governor said the action is necessary to save the life of the students as the areas have already been taking over by bandits. He said this after a brief meeting with heads of security agencies in the state at the Government House, Minna on Wednesday. Bello also cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy all necessary mechanisms to help in containing the situation as it is now out of hand . We won’t pay ransom to kidnappers, says Niger Gov Governor of Niger State , Abubakar Sani Bello, has said his administration will not pay ransom to kidnappers . Bello said this following the abduction of some students and staff of Government Science College in Kangara , Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State in the early hours of Wednesday. Declare state of emergency on security, Senate tells Buhari The Senate on Wednesday asked the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd ) , to declare a state of emergency on security without further delay . The red chamber made the call following a point of order by Senator Sani Musa ( APC, Niger East) , on the abduction of students and staff of the Government Science Secondary School in Kagara, Niger State in the early hours of Wednesday . Musa said the terrorist who whisked their victims away were dressed in military uniforms. He said the actual number of students abducted was not known but that the school had over 1000 students . The Senator said security agencies had explained that they were on the trail of the criminals . The Senate demanded the implementation of its ad hoc resolution on security and urged the combined team of military and police to set up an operation to destroy criminal camps across the country. Senator Sabi Abdullahi , also from Niger State , said the kidnappers and bandits were emboldened by the successes being recorded in the state in recent time as about 100 people had so far been kidnapped in the state. He said the forest from the FCT which extends to Niger up to Zamfara State was being used by the criminals . He said the fact that the bandits have invaded Niger State was an indication that the safety of lives and properties of FCT residents is being threatened. Senator Bima Enagi, also from Niger State , declared that the Buhari regime was incompetent to handle security challenges in the country . He said , “ We need to amend the constitution so that governors should be chief security officers of their states since the government at the centre had failed to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. “ The Federal Government is busy giving palliative instead of creating employment, thus aggravating insecurity . The President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan , described the kidnap of the students as unfortunate . He , however , said the security agencies had challenges with personnel and funds . He said , “ Abduction of students from school happens in the northern part of Nigeria . “ With incidences like this , parents would be scared to take their wards to school, and the efforts of the past and by present leaders at providing education would be defeated. “ Service chiefs have to secure the schools and have to carry the states along . ” Buhari dispatches security operatives to Niger state In response to the abduction of school children in Niger state, the Presidency through a statement isued by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu, revealed that a team of security operatives have been dispatched towards the rescue of the abductees The statement read in part, “ President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State , following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen. “ Following these reports , the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives . “ The President has also dispatched to Minna , Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials , community leaders , as well as parents and staff of the College. “ President Buhari has assured all of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga , and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future . ”

US court sentences Obinwanne Okeke ‘Invictus Obi’ to 10 years in prison for cyber crimes

“Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million in losses to his victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Today’s sentence further demonstrates EDVA’s and FBI’s worldwide reach in vigorously pursuing justice on behalf of American victims and others and holding international cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes.” According to court documents, Obinwanne Okeke, 33, operated a group of companies known as the Invictus Group based in Nigeria and elsewhere. From approximately 2015 to 2019, Okeke and others engaged in a conspiracy to conduct various computer-based frauds. The conspirators obtained and compiled the credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Virginia. As part of the scheme, Okeke and other conspirators engaged in an email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industrial and farm equipment. In April 2018, a Unatrac executive fell prey to a phishing email that allowed conspirators to capture login credentials. The conspirators sent fraudulent wire transfer requests and attached fake invoices. Okeke participated in the effort to victimize Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11 million, which was transferred overseas. Additionally, Okeke engaged in other forms of cyberfraud, including sending phishing emails to capture email credentials, creating fraudulent web pages, and causing other losses to numerous victims. “The FBI will not allow cyber criminals free reign in the digital world to prey on U.S. companies,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners at the Department of Justice and our foreign counterparts to locate cyber criminals across the globe and bring them to the United States to be held accountable.” Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Samuels prosecuted the case.

Glorious Exit Of Jakande: A Contradictory Sober Reflection.

By David Adenekan “Ki a to ri erin odi inu igbo, ki a to ri efon o di odan”, Baba kekere sun re o. The writer of this piece was fortunate to meet Alhaji Lateef Jakande as a child. At the early hour of every morning, Alhaji Lateef Jakande would have a brief stop at our family house in Ebute-Metta, Lagos and come out from the vehicle to shout with a loud voice “Adenekan, your Tribune Newspapers are at your door”. Chief Raji Afolabi Okeowo Adenekan would immediately rush out of the house to exchange pleasantries with his friend. I was about seven years old. My dad was one of the earlier distributors of Tribune newspaper in the Mainland division. My big brothers and my mother were part and parcel of the exercise as they were not spared in this chain of newspaper distribution. This was how much I knew and how close I was to Alhaji Lateef Jakande before he became the governor of Lagos State in 1979. The glorious exit of Alhaji Lateef Jakande brings to mind the issues of leadership in our today’s Nigeria. Why are you a leader? Are you a leader to serve people or you are a leader for people to serve you? What will be your legacy after your tenure? These are some of the questions we need to address as we celebrate the glorious exit of Alhaji Lateef Jakande. At this juncture, a logical and discerning mind should be able to draw a parallel line between democracy and affluence. What and what is expected of a leader when given the mandate to serve? Are you a selfless leader that will transform the common wealth of the people into good and benefit of all the citizens or is the ultimate goal of your ambition, a self aggrandizement and a display of oppressive behaviors and tendencies at the detriment of the masses? This posited argument and fundamental question is one of the reasons for this essay as we X ray and compare the leadership as well as stewardship of two notable past civilian executive governors of Lagos state. Paradventure, we may draw a parallel line between these two powerful figures in Lagos state politics. Historically, and without a doubt you cannot devoid the influence of money from power politics. This is because the position of power and authority automatically attracts wealth and fame. However, the question is, where do you draw the line? Are you using your position of authority to undermine or influence how your government conducts business and breaching the codes of conduct which invariably translate into conflict of interest by giving your blood related family members plum jobs in your government for the benefit of your family, and against the overall interest of the people you are called to serve or what kind of affluence are you craving for as a democratic leader? Now, let’s dissect the life of Alhaji Lateef Jakande as the former executive governor of Lagos state and using his achievement and affluence as a parameter. A search light into the life and wealth of Alhaji Lateef Jakande both in and out of government connotes a life of moderation. There is no record that he turns the properties or wealth of Lagos state into his personal use or he uses his position as governor of Lagos state to enrich or put his family members in a position of authority. In fact, from a reliable source, it was gathered that his wife did try to influence him to make Deji Jakande his son a councillor in Lagos state. He rebuffed such a move and declared that leadership is not given but earned. He told his son to learn the art of leadership by proving himself to his ward that he can be a good councillor. Yes, Deji Jakande was never made a councillor under his leadership as the head of progressive movement in Lagos state for almost two decades. Is this not a sharp contrast between Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the de facto governor of Lagos? Is senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu not using his power and influence to accumulate wealth from the resources of Lagos state and putting members of his family in position of power to further expand his empire of ill gotten wealth at the detriment of Lagosians? A reference point is the unresolved bullion van “Watergate Scandal” that is still pending with the so called Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as petitioned by a human rights activist; Comrade Deji Adeyanju. Another reference point is the Alpha Beta “Water Gate scandal” that has been in the news for almost two decades. A glimpse at the following facts as reported by OCCUPY LAGOS MASTER GREED support all of these arguments: TINUBU-IN-GREED Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘s vineyard. Sade Tinubu, daughter – Administers Lagos markets, with revenue reportedly over ₦15bn/year Seyi Tinubu, son – handles Lagos outdoor advertising sector reportedly pulling in over ₦19bn/ year Fola Tinubu, (Primero) nephew – handled state funded BRT corridors. Takes over public transportation services in Lagos metropolis from unit operators worth N120bn/year Remi Tinubu fuels Light Up Lagos generators N36bn/year Bola Tinubu (Alpha Beta) – earns 15 % of Lagos gross internally generated revenue of N480bn Bola Ahmed Tinubu N500m monthly pocket money from Lagos House 15,000 copies of The Nation newspaper purchased by LASG daily N5bn Lagos Morgues and Laboratories under Tinubu consultancy N13bn annual Lagos road toll gates under Tinubu consultancy Yet, he is eyeing presidential seat.. OCCUPYLAGOS MASTERGREED Yes, all of the above may not be true as reported. However, as I once posited in one of my articles few years ago that “o jo ga te, ko jo ga te ofi ese mejeji jo ara won” This may be interpreted as it seems like a parallel line but the obvious similiarites cannot be denied. Is it not the obvious fact that since the inception of this dispensation in 1999 there was no senator that

Bandits attack government college in Niger, kill one student, abduct many

At least one student is feared killed, and several others abducted after armed bandits attacked government college in Niger State. The attack took place at the Government Science College Kagara in Rafi Local government area of the state. Some teachers and their family members residing within the College Staff Quarters were also said to have been abducted by the gunmen. According to Channels , a government source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the attack. The attackers were reportedly dressed in the school uniform in what looked like a premeditated attack and the dead student was identified as Benjamin Doma. According to the source, the attackers were said to have stormed Government Science College Kagara at about 2:00 am on Wednesday and started shooting sporadically. In the process, a student was killed while some others sustained gunshots. Some staff of the College and their families were also abducted from their homes during the attack. The source could not, however, give the number of persons abducted and those injured as at the time of filing the report.