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Post Date : March 23, 2021

Students’ Nude Videos: Judge’s transfer stalls trial of 19-yr-old cybercrime kingpin in Ekiti

The trial of a 19-year-old suspected cybercrime kingpin, David Oritsegbeyiwa Ofoeyeno, who blackmailed female students with nude videos, has been put on hold over the transfer of Justice Uche Agomoh, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. Ofoeyeno was arraigned before the Federal High court for allegedly defrauding some girls by bullying and threatening them with their nude videos. Four witnesses, three of which were Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, female students and victims of Ofoeyeno cyber tricks, and the Director of Students’ Affairs of the university, were expected to testify against the suspect, on Tuesday. Ofoeyeno, a 300-Level student of Media and Communication Studies at ABUAD, was being tried for allegedly defrauding students of the university and other institutions, by flaunting their nude videos, which he acquired through tricks and handiworks of other syndicates. When the matter, which has reached a witness stage, came up on Tuesday, Justice Agomoh announced to the court that she had been transferred to Ibadan, Oyo State Division of the Federal High Court. The jurist said: “Let me announce to this court that I have been transferred and I have just two days more to spend here in this Judicial Division. “The prosecution has four witnesses lined up for today(Tuesday) and if I should begin with the trial, I can’t take all the four and there would be an adjournment. “So it is better to adjourn this case, so probably the case can be taken over by another Judge,” she stated. After the prosecution and defence counsel had consented to the position canvassed by the judge, Justice Ugomoh adjourned the case to April 22 for witnesses to testify in the matter. The prosecution was being midwifed by Akin Fadeyi Foundation in collaboration with ABUAD. In 2020 The Ofoeyeno’s prosecution commenced in 2020, after receiving a litany of complaints from some students that the accused person had extorted millions of naira from them through threats that he was in possession of their nude videos and could upload such on social media platforms. The 19-year-old Ofoeyeno was discovered to be the kingpin of a cyberbully cartel across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, following six months of covert investigations carried by the University, following a complaint on the foundation’s Flagit app. Ofoeyeno was docked on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony with cyber fraud, attempt to defraud, impersonation, threat to expose nudes and cyberstalking, among others. He was alleged to have cyberbullied 17 identified Nigerian girls across various universities in Nigeria, including Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, and Kaduna State University. But four of his victims were at the same institution with him and were minors when the action started. Allegations against him in the charge, which has the Inspector-General of Police as the complainant, is that Ofoeyeno aka Chaz, between September 2019 and October 2020, conspired to commit felony to wit cyber fraud against a young girl who was then a minor (name withheld) and committed an offence punishable under Section 27 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act 2015. He was also alleged to have sent electronic messages that he has the nudes of his victim, with a threat to make it public with the intent to defraud and obtained some money from her, committing an offence punishable under Section 14 (2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention Law, 2004). He was alleged to have used a bank account number with the name Amaju Gina Olamateyo to obtain the money from his victim, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act 2015. An account that investigators at Akin Fadeyi Foundation declared was untraceable because it had no BVN, adding that the bank should be investigated. Commenting on the logjam necessitated by the judge’s transfer, ABUAD’s Students’ Affairs Director, Mr Wahab, said the prosecuting counsel could still exploit the option of filing an application for fiat, so that the transferred judge could still be presiding over the case from her new Division. “The prosecuting counsel sees this as a good option and a possibility so that this case can be adjudicated upon expeditiously and without delay,” he said.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

Secessionists are frustrated by Nigeria’s situation ― Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said those agitating for the dismemberment of Nigeria were probably frustrated by the situation in the country. The governor agitated for the removal of a uniform wage structure from the exclusive legislative list. Speaking during a television programme monitored in Abuja on Tuesday, Fayemi who is also Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum said “frankly, some of the people who are talking about secession are doing so out of frustration but I don’t think that is the solution to Nigeria’s predicament. “I have unfailing optimism that in spite of all our challenges, this country will triumph and survive current challenges. We as leaders must focus on the role of protecting lives and property and focus on safety and security as the primary responsibility that we have.” Nonetheless, the governor advocated for a restructuring of the country as a way out of the current quagmire insisting that to make life better for Nigerians, “we must deal with the structure of the country.” He said: “I have been on record several times on matters of security that and matters of economic development, we may need to look at other ways of managing diversity and difference in our country and that devolution of power is an idea which time has come. “We should reduce the number of items we have on our exclusive list and devolve them to state and local authorities. “The first among them is internal security because we need multi-level policing. Nigeria is the only federation with a unitary policing system.” Speaking on the vexed issue of moving the power to determine minimum wage from exclusive to the concurrent legislative list. The governor said it was the right thing to do. “Governors are saying that if we want to carry restructuring to its logical conclusion, then we should not have a national minimum wage. “They are not stopping at that; they are saying that all wage structures that are uniformly defined nationally are problematic. “For example, there is no reason why the governor of Ekiti State should earn the same salary as the governor of Lagos State or Rivers State. “The resources are not the same, power purchase is not the same, expenditure you incur living in Ekiti is not the same while rent is not the same. “Even in the United States, the minimum wage is not national. Even in the First Republic, the Western Region had a better minimum wage than the Federal Government.” When reminded that restructuring was a campaign promise of the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) to which he belonged, Fayemi said having submitted its report to National Assembly on the matter, it was now left for legislators to do what was right.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

Tension in Bayelsa community as militants set ablaze Agip oil pipelines

There is rising tension in Igbomotoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government over the alleged attacks and setting ablaze of Agip pipelines by some armed men, over the battle to control and influence the surveillance contracts being handled by a security company known as Dalong Security. The attack on Agip Trunk pipeline route has led to the shutting down of other oil platforms along the Ogboinbiri axis and others in the area to avoid fire outbreak and heavy damage to the crude oil supply route in the area. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the armed men, suspected to be former militant leaders, led by one self-styled General Endurance, who is alleged to be involved in illegal bunkering operation and one of those involved in the supremacy battle against another former militant in Peremabiri community, is out to dominate and take over oil pipeline security surveillance jobs in the area. It was gathered that the members of the Egbematoru community have reached out to the Joint Military Task Force code-named Operation-Delta-Safe to report the activities of the armed gun and awaiting the deployment of security, “Yes, we have reported their activities to security agencies and we expect to nip their activities in the bud.” “Most members of the community are afraid to speak out. These boys engaged in sporadic shooting and they vandalized two Agip pipelines and set them ablaze close to the Beninkurukuru bush. The fire has led to the shutting down of some other facilities in the area.” Another community source argued that the people of Igbomotoru have dissociated themselves from the activities of self-styled Endurance and his boys. A senior JTF source, who confirmed the development on condition of anonymity, said the incident is being investigated by the sector 2 commands of the Joint Military Task Force in the state, revealing that they suspected those involved in the illegal bunkering activities in the area.” Contacted on the development, the spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, Major Odukoya said he would get back on the details. But he is yet to get back to our correspondent before filing the report.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

2023 Elections Will Not Hold If Insecurity Persists, Says Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that if the insecurity challenges in the country persist, the 2023 elections will not hold. Governor Ortom stated this on Tuesday when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The governor who arrived at the Villa unaccompanied met with the President over issues of insecurity in the country. He thanked the President for condemning the attack on his farm but said: “that there will be no 2023 elections in Nigeria if insecurity persists”. Briefing journalists after meeting with the President, Governor Ortom disclosed that the nation is sitting on a keg of gun powder without meaningful progress being made on the issue of security. Speaking on the protection of the constitution, Ortom appealed for the provisions of the constitution to be protected to enable equity, fairness, and justice in the country. He criticized the issue of impunity in the country which he said has been allowed to fester, thereby urging the Federal Government to immediately prosecute anyone found culpable of breaching the law. On the question of reports alleging that attacks on his convoy was a pseudo claim, the Governor explicitly appealed to everyone not to politicize the issue of attempted assassination on his person. He made the emphasis that the attack on his convoy by about 15 gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, while on a visit to his farm was not stage-managed. While asserting that he has not done anything wrong in enacting an anti-open grazing law beneficial to the state, he said the demand by the cattle breeders association, Miyetti Allah to repel the law would be impossible to fulfill, because it went through due process, hence the matter is clearly beyond him. He prayed that what happened to him would not be experienced by anyone else. The governor commended other governors, colleagues for standing by him during the attack.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

COAS: We will deal with agitators, insurgents

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has vowed to deal decisively with those threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, warning that those behind such discontents must drop their plans or be ready to face the firepower of security forces in the country. Attahiru handed down the warning in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital during the first Commanding Officers Workshop 2021 tagged: “Repositioning the Nigerian Army to Defeat Contemporary Adversaries in a Joint Environment” held at Ibom Hall. According to him, the Nigerian Army would soon surmount attempts by some individuals who are seen to have compromised the territorial integrity of the country by the declaration of sovereignty on behalf of ethnic nationalities in the country. He called on the participants at the workshop to commit themselves to the dictates of their duty to the nation. The COAS said that he would continue to provide mission-oriented training through workshops and build capacity for the military that would make the army dependable and feared by all adversaries. “The Nigerian Army under my leadership would remain proactive and jointly work with other security agencies to decisively deal with threats facing the nation. “The Nigerian Army under my watch remains resolute and is poised more than ever before to decisively deal with individuals or groups that threaten the peace, security and stability of our great nation,” he said. In his remarks, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom said the security challenges confronting the nation calls for a military that was ready and equipped to face the problems. Emmanuel, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, urged the military to intensify and expand the strategies, techniques and tactics needed to contain all insecurity across the country. He commended the various security agencies in the state for the synergy and harmonious working relationship among them which has brought about security in the state and promised to continue to support them. “With the security realities confronting our nation, the military more than ever should be ready and equipped to face and confront these realities by ensuring that the service maintains the highest possible standard of continuous training for optional performance. “It is reassuring that in spite of other operational commitments across the country, the new Chief of Army staff has considered it necessary to organise this workshop. “To ensure greater cohesion in the service to impact positively on the leadership, operational effectiveness and efficiency of our commanding officers,” Emmanuel said. Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 6th Division, Maj-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said the workshop was the first major achievement of the chief of army staff. He said that the workshop was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it was an opportunity to enhance training and build capacity for military officers.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

In Edo community where residents drink, bath in same stream with cows

About 2,500 inhabitants of Ogbalise-Okpe, a deserted sleepy and farming village near Ayegunle, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, shockingly fetch water to drink and cook their meals, wash and bathe in the same stream that herdsmen marshal their cows to drink and pollute. The Edo hamlet with homes built with mud and roofed with thatched leaves is completely lacking in basic amenities of life, including electricity, water and school. Farmers from bordering Ondo and Kogi states and far-flung Taraba State take advantage of the arable land to come to the village to farm both food and cash crops. NDV trekked to the only stream in the community and confirmed the claim by villagers that their major source of water for drinking and bathing is also frequently used by herdsmen, who usually take their cows there to drink and once cattle stop over, the entire stream is messed up. Our children have no school to attend- Usman, resident A resident, Jeremiah Usman, who appealed for government’s intervention said: “The government has not done anything for us, neither the state nor the local government. In this place, we do not have school, no light, no water, we are just abandoned. I call on the government of Edo State to help us so that we can access the needed amenities. “A borehole can give us clean water, we have many children but we do not have school for them to attend, they just stay and play at home. We drink from same stream with cows,”he lamented. Another lady in the village said: “We need water because water is life. We have only one stream here, it is from there we fetch water to bathe, to wash our clothes, it is from there we fetch our drinking water and sometimes, herdsmen bring their cows to drink water from the same stream so we need government’s intervention.” Activist appeals to govt., others An activist, Festus Symperr Ray of Afemai Development and Transformation Initiative, ADTI, who also bemoaned the sufferings of the people, asserted: “We, in ADTI, wish to add our voice to that of the residents to our kind-hearted member representing Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency and also deputy majority leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpatason, leadership of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State Government and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of this community. “They should remember that this community also have eligible voters who cast their votes during elections and, therefore, entitled to enjoy democratic dividends like others,” he added. Credit: VANGUARD

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

State assemblies shut over failure to implement financial autonomy

State assemblies have been shut across the country following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). The legislative staff are protesting the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the state legislature. Activities at the various legislative complexes were grounded as of Tuesday morning as the staff stayed out of their offices. PASAN declared the indefinite strike on Monday after several protests to press home their demand for the autonomy. Usman Mohammed, its national president, had said at a press briefing in Abuja that the industrial action became necessary following the unwillingness of the federal government to implement the financial autonomy act of 2018 and a presidential order to that effect. “The union having exhausted all attempts aimed at asking for the implementation of the financial autonomy by the federal government after 21 days, 14 days and seven days ultimatums; at this juncture, the union has no other option than to direct our members to embark on an indefinite strike,” he had said. Two weeks ago, the legislative staff held a demonstration at the National Assembly complex after the expiration of the last ultimatum issued to President Muhammadu Buhari over the matter. In May 2020, the president signed an executive order granting financial autonomy to the legislature and judiciary across the 36 states. The gazetting of the order was, however, suspended after the president met with governors — triggering rumours that the governors were frustrating the move. But Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state governor, recently said the governors and other stakeholders will soon meet to finalise the framework for the implementation of the financial autonomy.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

After Attack, Buhari, Ortom Meet At Aso Rock

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Governor Ortom was, on Saturday, attacked by gunmen while returning from his farm in Tyomu community along Makurdi-Gboko highway. Condemnations trailed the attack from governors and various groups across the country. Subsequently, President Buhari had on Sunday ordered security agencies to carry out what he called an “open and transparent” investigation into the attack. Buhari is of the All Progressives Congress while Ortom is of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Details later.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

PDP Rejects Court Judgement On Imo North Senatorial Bye-Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja on the December 2020 Imo North senatorial district bye-election. In the judgement delivered on March 18, the court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. Reacting to the court’s decision in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party wondered how a matter that had been decided by the Supreme Court could be overruled by a Federal High Court. “This judgment further heightens our fears that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government is bent on using certain officials within our judiciary to suppress the opposition and subvert the will of the people,” the party alleged. It added, “It was clear to all that the Supreme Court on February 5, 2021, upheld the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the candidature of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as APC candidate for Imo North senatorial district bye-election. That verdict of the Supreme Court puts to rest the candidature of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. “It is therefore bizarre that a Federal High Court which Senator Ifeanyi Araraume had approached to declare him the authentic candidate and order INEC to issue him Certificate of Return had done so in flagrant disregard to the Supreme Court ruling on the same matter.” The PDP described the decision of the court as a direct miscarriage of justice, saying it posed a great danger to the nation’s democracy and should not be allowed to stand. It stated that its candidate in the poll, Emmanuel Okewulonu, scored the highest valid votes cast since courts of competent jurisdictions had disqualified the two APC candidates, Frank Ibezim and Senator Ararume, less than 24 hours to the election. The party explained that INEC excluded the names of the two candidates in the final list that was released on the strength of the disqualifications. It claimed that INEC’s refusal to quickly declare Okewulonu as the winner of the election sold the electoral umpire out as being under the heavy influence of superior power. “Had INEC done the needful at the time of the election by declaring Chief Okewulonu the winner, we would not have come to the current sorry pass where conflicting judicial orders are being churned out every second. “We, therefore, reject this recent judgement and call on INEC to handover the Certificate of Return to Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, who is the authentic winner of the December 5, 2020 Imo North senatorial bye-election, sequel to the ruling of the Supreme Court,” the PDP said.

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Post Date : March 23, 2021

At last, Gbajabiamila accepts diaspora petition rejected by Deputy Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has accepted a petition filed by the Mutual Union of Tiv in America. The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, had prevented the lawmaker representing Gwer-East/Gwer-West Federal Constituency in Benue State, Mr Mark Gbillah, from laying the petition before the House. Gbillah brought the petition back at the plenary on Tuesday and it was admitted. Gbajabiamila said, “I believe this is the same petition that has been causing a lot of misunderstanding. The misunderstanding came from the issue of signature. “Having cleared that misunderstanding, please, go ahead and lay your petition to be given proper attention. “Thank Hon Mark Gbillah. Thank you for your patience.” Wase, who presided over the plenary of March 10, 2021, had prevented. A drama had played out as Wase prevented Gbillah from laying the petition, claiming that the House does not entertain petitions from outside the country, asking the Benue lawmaker if MUTA was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Wase had also said he was not convinced that Nigerians in America could protest against insecurity in Nigeria, ruling that the House would not admit the petition. Gbillah had faulted the Deputy Speaker, stating that the Constitution gives Nigerians the freedom of association, adding that the House has committees that handle issues relating to foreign affairs and Diaspora. The lawmaker also cited the example of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission chaired by a former member of the House, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which intervenes in the affairs of Nigerians in other countries.

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