March 2021 – Page 20

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Again, hoodlums attack another police station in Anambra – fourth in one week

Gunmen on Sunday attacked a police station in Mgbakwu in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State. A source told our correspondent that they carted away some arms and ammunition during the attack. This brought to four police stations attacked in similar circumstances within a week in the state. Anambra State, for two weeks now, has been under attacks by hoodlums carrying guns. No fewer than six policemen, four naval officers, two prison warders and others had been killed in the siege. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the Sunday incident, said the hoodlums were repelled by cops on duty. While stating that the command was on top of the situation, he warned the hoodlums to stay away from the state. The PPRO said, “The Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas has assured the people of the state that the command is not deterred by the criminal actions of some unscrupulous individuals and groups in the state hell-bent on fomenting and unleashing violence and mayhem in the state. “He reiterates that the command will not relent in its commitment to delivering on its mandate of ensuring that peace, safety and order reign supreme in all nooks and crannies of the state. “The CP stated this on the backdrop of the unwarranted attack by some armed hoodlums on Mgbakwu Police Outpost, Awka North LGA , in the early morning hours of 21st March, 2021. “The hoodlums armed with guns and dangerous weapons had attempted to burn down the station but were successfully repelled by the police personnel on duty. “The CP warns the criminals not to test any further the resolve and ability of the police and other security agencies in the state to apprehend and bring them to justice.”

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Cult War: Police Arrest Three Over Beheading Of Alleged Cultist In Anambra

Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Awka The police have arrested three principal suspects involved in the killing of a suspected cultist in Anambra State. Governor Willie Obiano disclosed this on Sunday while briefing reporters on the security situation in the state at the Government House in Awka, the state capital. “Saturating the media waves is a horrifying video of the killing and beheading of an alleged cultist by members of a viral cult group. This is most despicable and a terrible act,” the governor said. He added, “I wish to inform Anambra citizens and residents in the state that the police have arrested three principal suspects and on the heels of their accomplices. They shall all face the full wrath of the law. “I have ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities. This state shall no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism.” The governor warned that those who try the government’s will in this regard would have themselves to blame and urged the youths to shun cultism and embrace meaningful lifestyles. According to him, all kinds of touting in the state in whatever guise, especially in Onitsha will no longer be tolerated by the government. “Security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent citizens, drivers, etc. The madness must stop,” Governor Obiano said. On Friday, suspected cultists were said to have stormed Oghalegbu, a village in Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state where two persons were reported to have been killed. One of the victims who were alleged to be cultists reportedly had his head severed from his body and taken away by the assailants in the presence of his mother and siblings. The killing was said to have followed a sporadic shooting at the popular Nkwo Okija market by rival cult groups, while one of the groups later headed to Oghalegbu village.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

One officer dies after unknown gunmen attacked Imo police division headquarters

….Imo CP Warns perpetrators to stop Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Owerri The Imo state police command on Sunday said one officer died after unknown gunmen attacked police division headquarters in Isiala Mbano LGA of the state. Crimefacts.news had reported how unknown gunmen attacked Imo police division in Isiala Mbano LGA on Saturday night. According to Orlando Ikeokwu , the police spokesperson in the state said, “On the 20/03/21, at about 1830hrs hoodlums whose number could not be ascertained, attacked the Divisional Police Hqrs, Isiala Mbano, shooting sporadically, operatives of the Division successfully repelled them. After the encounter it was discovered that the hoodlums detroyed some doors and windows. “However, no arm(s) was taken away, Regrettably, one Inspector, whom was on duty at time of the attack, gave up the ghost while receiving treatment as a result of injuries sustained during the melee. “Meanwhile, the commissioner of police in Imo state, CP Nasiru Mohammed has visited the station to evaluate the extent of damage. Stating further, “the CP decry the level of damage in the Division, which he termed as barbaric. “He further encouraged officers not to detered by this attack, but be charged to brace up the challenge and ensure policing activities continues in the area. “He warned whoever thats responsible for all the attacks to desist from it, or be prepared to face the law, ” the PPRO said.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Bill to ban imputation of Rice, prescribes life imprisonment for offenders – is underway in the House of Reps

A law to prohibit the importation of rice into the country is underway in the House of Representatives. A Bill exclusively obtained by VANGUARD is entitled:” An Act to Provide for the Prohibition of Importation into Nigeria of Rice and the Penalty for the Contravention of the Said Prohibition and other Related Matters”. The Bill sponsored by Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, warns, that “Any person who brings, causes to be brought, induced any other person to bring or attempts to bring Rice into Nigeria, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment, as stipulated in section 2 of the Export (Prohibition) Act”. Section 2 of the Export Prohibition Act, states that:” Any person who takes, causes to be taken, induces any other person to take or attempts to take out of Nigeria any of the goods specified in the Schedule to this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for life”. The Bill also states that “(2) in addition to the penalty specified in the subsection. 1, of this section, (a) the rice, as well as any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or another thing whatsoever used in connection with the importation, all the assets, movable, or immovable, including motor vehicles, of any person convicted of the offence, shall be forfeited to the Federal Government”. The Bill warns that “Any customs officer or other person who aids, counsels, procures, or conspires with any other person to commit an offence under this section, shall be liable on conviction to the same punishment as prescribed for the offence under subsection (1) of this section”. The piece of legislation, adds that “An offence committed under this Bill, shall be triable by the Federal High Court”. The Bill is expected to be considered and passed by the House this month.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Mark on Ortom attack: Benue people not weak… citizens may resort to self help

David Mark, a former president of the senate, has condemned the attack on Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state. Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen had attacked the governor’s convoy on Saturday at Tyo Mu, along Makurdi-Gboko road. In a statement through Paul Mumeh, his media aide, Mark said if a governor’s security cannot be guaranteed, citizens may have to resort to self-help. “If a state governor can be so brazenly attacked, what would they not do to the ordinary citizens,” he said. “Let me state clearly that Benue people are receptive and accommodating. But this should not be misconstrued or mistaken for weakness. Enough of this malady. “If our government and security operatives can no longer guarantee peoples’ safety in their homes, farms or places of business, I am worried that the situation may compel citizens to resort to self help. “That is the situation, we cannot contemplate and must not be allowed to happen because the consequences would be catastrophic. “Therefore, federal government and all the security agencies must of a necessity come to terms with the painful reality of the unabating insecurity in the land and resolve to end it.” The senator, who also hails from Benue, urged Ortom not to be deterred by the incident. He noted that the governor has lived up to his oath of office to defend and protect the lives and property of Benue people without compromise. He also advised all citizens to be security conscious at all times and to provide information regarding any suspected activity to security operatives. The attack on Ortom’s convoy had been widely condemned by many, including the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) and Northern Governor’s Forum.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

EXTRA: Herbalist, bricklayer arrested over killing of housewife for ritual

A 29 years old herbalist Baoku Gbuyi and a 27 years old Bricklayer Olamide Odulaja have been arrested by detectives of Ogun State Police command, for allegedly killing a housewife, Modupeola Folorunsho and her 4 years old son, Peter Folorunsho for money ritual. The arrest of the suspects, according to a statement by the command spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, followed a report received at Ijebu Igbo division from the victim’s husband. Oyeyemi said, Folorunso reported on 14th of February 2021, that his wife and his son went out since the previous day and were yet to return, and that efforts to locate her and the little boy didn’t yield any positive result. He added that “upon the report, a case of missing person was incidented, and the DPO Ijebu Igbo Division, SP Kazeem Solotan detailed his crack detectives to unravel the mystery behind the sudden disappearance of the woman and her son”. “The detectives embarked on technical and intelligence based investigation, which led them to the arrest of Olamide Odulaja at Ibadan”. “On interrogation, Olamide confessed that he and one herbalist abducted the victim and her son on the 13th of February 2021, and that the victim and her son were killed for money ritual at the house of the said herbalist”. “He stated further that, it was the herbalist who burnt the woman’s head which he used for him”. “Upon his confession, detectives went after the herbalist who resides at Araromi street Japara Ijebu Igbo”. Oyeyemi added, “on getting to his resident, it was discovered that the herbalist has taken to flight having heard about the arrest of Olamide”. “Subsequently, all the adjoining divisions were alerted to be on look out for the fleeing suspect. He was eventually traced to Kajola village, where he was arrested by the DPO Awa Ijebu with the assistance of hunters and local vigilantes”. “On interrogation, the herbalist confessed that it was Olamide Odulaja who approached him for money ritual following which he asked him to bring a human head as one of the material to be used”. “He stated further that they both conspired to abduct the woman and her son and slaughter them for that purpose”. “He confessed further that he burnt the woman’s head with some other herb which he gave to Olamide to use. When asked about the little boy, he said that his head and remains was dumped inside a pit latrine”. The State Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who commended his men for their display of investigative intelligence has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and diligent prosecution. The CP who described the incident as the height of man’s inhumanity to man, warned those who are out looking for money ritual to desist as only hardwork backed with prayer can lead to success. Culled from The Vanguard

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Aba Resident Beat Up Security Guard Who Allegedly Raped 10-Year-Old Girl

Residents of Graceland Avenue, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, on Sunday beat and paraded a 60-year-old man who allegedly raped a 10-year-old girl. The suspect, who is also a resident of the area, was said to have tricked the minor into coming to his room, where he quietly slept with her and asked her to remain quiet. The man popularly known in the area as “Mbaise” (name of his hometown), is said to be a security guard in a secondary school in the area. Eyewitnesses told Daily Trust that the victim whose mother is late, lives with her father and two younger brothers that are often left in her care. Madam Doris, a neigbour to both the victim and the accused, said the victim told her initially that she was inside the accused’s room, but overstayed. She said, “I saw her moving out of the compound, when I asked her, she said Uncle Mbaise sent her on errand. “After a long time, I did not see her. Later when I saw her, I asked her where she has been, she said she was inside Uncle Mbaise’s room. “Then I asked her what she was doing there and if she saw any of her mates there? I was actually not suspecting anything when I made those inquiries. “So, I left her. Later she told her fellow little children how Uncle Mbaise took her into his room, pulled off his trousers and lay on top of her. “I decided to wait so that when her father returns, he’ll ask Uncle Mbaise if the statement from the little girl is true. This was on Saturday before the father decided to make move today being Sunday. “People have been complaining that he has been touching their little girls whenever they get to his side, but there has not been any evidence until this one. “What he did is disgraceful. One man has done same thing here before and he also saw how that one went, he’s repeating same again.” Our Correspondent, reports that the victim’s father, who refused to report the matter to the police, shocked the crowd when he said if the accused had approached him privately, they would have settled the matter amicably. Daily Trust reports that the attitude of the man, whose daughter was allegedly raped, angered the residents. A resident, Somto Agu, said, “You just heard how the man who said he’s her father is messing up the matter. From what I know because I stay here, this man will go free. I can’t cry more than the bereaved. “What shocks me most is that after beating the man, and others suggesting we should take him to police, the girl’s father who raised alarm initially refused to take any action. But my worry is that this is not the first time such a thing is happening in that particular compound. “They’ve covered up the first and today again, it seems they want to do the same because we’ve been beating him up until the people in the compound came and took him inside.” Meanwhile, the accused after several efforts meant to make him speak, refused to utter a word. He neither confirmed nor denied the allegation leveled against him. When contacted to know if the man actually reported the alleged rape of his daughter to the police, Abia State Police Spokesman, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, said no one briefed him on the matter.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Oshiomhole Have Questions To Answer, Obaseki Speaks On Probe Of N30bn Project

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said his decision to probe the N30 billion Benin Water Storm Project awarded by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, is due to the massive fraud in the contract. Obaseki stated this in Benin at a reception in honour of Chief Dan Orbih, who was recently elected National Vice Chairman, South-South, People Democratic Party (PDP). Obaseki said the money he raised for the development of the state were frittered away by some persons. “As the then chairman of the State Economic Team, I believed Edo must develop. So, I sacrificed my time for eight years raising funds from the capital market and the World Bank to develop the state but the money were frittered away by some persons.” “Yes, I was part of that administration, but with what I have seen in the books, I look like a fool. While I was arranging finances and other things for the government, I didn’t realise that the money I was raising for the state were being frittered away. People must be held accountable. “I don’t like probing, but it has become very difficult because when I look at the contracts that I have awarded in 2020, and the cost of awarding the contracts, when I compare them to the ones awarded 10 years earlier, people have questions to answer. “The truth must be told, Edo people must know how they awarded 200 million dollar contract 10 years ago with every amount paid but it is yet to be completed,” he said. According to him, qualified engineers and other professionals will be invited to carry out assessment of the projects, lamenting that the Benin Water Storm project designed to deflood the city has created more flood. “I wasn’t the one that talked about hospital, they went and started making videos on social media accusing me of something I did not do. So I set up a panel to know what really happened and now the panel has told what happened, now they are trying to stop us from taking action according to reports,” he said. He said it is callous for those who did something wrong relating to the Benin Storm Water Project to accuse him of abandoning the project, saying “they have been reporting us from one palace to the other on what they did wrong”. “As custodian of the state resource, when we finish our tenure, we are ready for others to probe us, government money is supposed to be for the benefit of the people. People must be held accountable for their actions,” he said. On the 2023 presidency, Obaseki said the South-South region must be allowed to produce the next president. He said region was cheated as it has not completed its two terms as president. “Presidency must come back to South South and you (Orbih) must go round the country to let them know that we can’t be cheated. We expect you will deliver the presidency to the zone.” Credit: DAILY TRUST

Post Date : March 21, 2021

SERAP Sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila Over ‘Missing N4.4bn NASS Funds

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over “their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three annual audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.” The suit followed the publication of annual audited reports for 2015, 2017, and 2018 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds, sought the recovery of any missing funds, and asked that the evidence of recovery should be forwarded to his office.” In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/366/2021 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus directing and compelling Dr Lawan, Mr Gbajabiamila and the National Assembly to perform their constitutional oversight functions to ensure prompt and transparent investigation into the allegations that N4.4 billion budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing and unaccounted for.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “By the combined reading of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UN Convention against Corruption, which Nigeria has ratified, the National Assembly has legal duties to combat corruption, and promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.” According to SERAP: “transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and wealth is essential for promoting development, people’s welfare and well-being, and their access to basic public services, as well as good governance and the rule of law.” SERAP is also arguing that “The National Assembly has legal responsibility to ensure that the serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation are promptly, independently, thoroughly, and transparently investigated, and to end the culture of impunity that is fuelling these allegations.” According to SERAP: “The failure of the National Assembly to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies the allegations documented in the annual audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 is a fundamental breach of the oversight and public interest duties imposed on the legislative body by sections 4, 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “Granting this application would serve the interest of justice, reduce corruption and mismanagement, as well as end impunity of perpetrators, and advance the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.” “This suit seeks to vindicate the rule of law, the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability. Government agencies and institutions are responsible to a court of justice for the lawfulness of what they do, and of that the court is the only judge. The National Assembly has no legally justifiable reason to refuse to investigate the allegations documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.” “Obedience to the rule of law by all citizens but more particularly those who publicly took oath of office to protect and preserve the Constitution is a desideratum to good governance and respect for the rule of law. In a democratic society, this is meant to be a norm.” It would be recalled that SERAP had in a letter dated 30 January 2021 requested Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly may have been misappropriated, diverted or stolen.” The letter, read in part: “The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710. The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.” “The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December, 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.” “The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money.” “The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.” “The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.” “The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.” “According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.” “The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.” “The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.” No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Post Date : March 21, 2021

Bashir Tofa To FG: It Is Very Dangerous To Ignore Asari Dokubo

An elder statesman, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, has warned the federal government not to ignore the Biafra Customary Government (BCG) proclaimed by Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF). Alhaji Dokubo, who had announced himself as the leader of BCG had also said provincial structures would be set up for the government; but the FG, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had reacted to the proclamation by describing it as a ‘theatre of the absurd by a joker seeking attention.’” Reacting to this development, Alhaji Tofa, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, said, “Alhaji Asari Dokubo may be considered as a joker by the unwise. What if his utterance is only an early stage in a larger plan? Threats to this country should not be taken as a joke.” He said he wondered if the FG would have maintained such a position if it had been someone from the North who said a fraction of what Dokubo said. The National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate in Nigeria’s June 12, 1993, presidential election, the result of which was annulled, also commented on the clamour for zoning for the 2023 presidential election, opining that zoning was detrimental to the unity of the country. Tofa said, “It is the sign of backwardness to continue propagating a divisive presidency, rather than the one that will serve all Nigerians equally and justly,” adding that the blame for this backwardness was on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said, “The PDP started this foolish idea. They have damaged the political climate of this country while thinking it was for the best. Now it has become what may destroy this country if care is not taken.” He also said there was nothing wrong with the idea of the presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate of a party to be from the same religion as was the case in 1993 when Chief MKO Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe (Muslims) ran on the ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Tofa, however, said, as lofty as that was, Nigeria “is now too polarised for the Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket to be dared by any party.”