Crime Facts

HERDSMEN: Convene national security meeting now, Tinubu tells Buhari

All Progressives Congress chieftain , Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, backed the ranching system as a way to end the near perennial herdsmen -farmers clashes being recorded in the country . In a statement titled , ‘ Tinubu’ s Statement On The Herder Crisis , ’ the APC chieftain said nomadic herders in the country must realise that they are fighting a “ losing battle against modernity and climate change” , and so , must embrace a ‘ sedentary ’ mode of cattle -rearing. He also lamented that those who should know better were the ones inciting farmers and herders to clash in the country. Of late , nomadic herders in parts of the country , especially in the South – West geopolitical zone , have been accused of trespassing on farmlands of host farmers with their cattle . Farm produce worth millions of naira have been destroyed in the last few months . Some herders have also been accused of raping women in host communities, kidnapping the rich and in some cases , killing host residents, amongst other unprintable crimes . Many leaders in Yorubaland including a chieftain of socio -political group , Afenifere , Chief Ayo Adebanjo , had said Tinubu was afraid to speak on the herders crisis because he does not want to jeopardise his 2023 presidential ambition and because he does not want to offend the President Muhammadu Buhari. But the former Lagos State governor broke his silence on the matter on Saturday . In the statement made available to The PUNCH by his spokesman , Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said , “ The herder- farmer dispute has taken on acute and violent dimensions . It has cost too many innocent lives while destroying the property and livelihoods of many others . It has also aggravated ethnic sentiment and political tension. “ Despite the efforts of some of those in positions of high responsibility and public trust, the crisis has not significantly abated. Sadly , others who should know better have incited matters by tossing about hate- tainted statements that fall dangerously short of the leadership these people claim to provide . We all must get hold of our better selves to treat this matter with the sobriety it requires . ” He also said , “ What is happening has been terrible …We do both herder and farmer grave injustice by allowing the herder to continue as he is – fighting a losing battle against modernity and climate change. In that fight , desperation causes him to flail and fight the farmer , who too is a victim of these impersonal forces. ” Tinubu noted that both innocent and law -abiding farmer and herder need to be recompensed for the losses they have suffered . “ Both need further assistance to break the current cycle of violence and poverty , ” he said . He recommended that the Federal Government convene a meeting of state governors , senior security officials , herders and farmers representatives, along with traditional rulers and religious leaders . “ The purpose of this meeting would be to hammer out a set of working principles to resolve the crisis , ” he stated. The APC chieftain opined that the meeting must come up with policies that will help, amongst other things, the herders to transform to a more sedentary method of cattle – rearing. “ Help the herders’ transition to more sedentary but more profitable methods of cattle -rearing. Unoccupied public land can be fenced into grazing areas or ranches and leased to herders on a very low -cost , nominal basis . The leasing is not intended to penalize herders. “ Rather , the nominal fee is intended to ensure the herders are invested in the project and incentivized ( by reason of their investment) to use the land provided. “ This aspect will also mitigate any resentment over herders being given land for free . Government , in turn, being a responsible lessor , must help with supplemental feed and water in these areas. This will enable herders to better maintain and care for their livestock thus enhancing their incomes , ” he said . The APC stalwart further said the meeting should resolve to “ assist farmers increase productivity by supporting or providing subvention for their acquisition of fertilizer , equipment and machinery and , also, by establishing commodity boards to guarantee minimum prices for important crops” .

Police arrest two for raping 16 year-old girl in Anambra

…Arraign them to court for prosecution Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Awka The police in Anambra have arrested two suspects for gang raping a 16 year-old girl to unconsciousness. Recall that on 19/2/2021 a 16 years old girl was brutally gang raped by two men at Osumowo street Awada in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, leaving her unconscious due to excessive loss of blood. Reacting to the incident, The Anambra state police public relations officer, Haruna Mohammed said, “Following the report,police detectives trailed and arrested the suspects namely, (i).Chidiebere Uzoma ‘m’ aged 45years of Ukaegbu Street Awada and, (ii).Uchenna Nwegbu ‘m’ aged 23years of Osumowo street,Awada. “Meanwhile, victim was taken to the hospital for medical Examination where penetration and multiple lacerations of her hymen was confirmed.She is presently receiving treatment.Upon interrogation,the suspects have voluntarily confessed to the alleged Crime. “Consequently.the suspects were arraigned before the magistrate court Idemili on the 11/3/2021 for prosecution after investigation was concluded.

Apprehension in Kano over foreign camel caravans

RESIDENTS of Rimin Zakara and Doraji Babba communities of Gwale and Ungogo Local Government areas of Kano state have since Wednesday been filled with apprehension and fear over the presence of foreign camel caravans in their neighbourhood. It was gathered that some residents of the communities on seeing the strange caravans decided to relocate their families for fear of the unknown. One Malam Muhammed Ibrahim,a resident of Ungogo local government area, which is about five kilometres to the state capital, told Saturday Tribune that he relocated his family Wednesday night to Kano city, saying he did not know the mission of the men said to be foreigners. Also, Alhaji Shuaib Sunmaila, another resident of the area said “his wife and children could not pass the night in our house, as we were afraid, not knowing their mission and we thought they could attempt to kidnap or attack since they came towards the night, when everywhere was in darkness.” Though, those interviewed disclosed that some foreign camel traders used to sell camels in the state, but that the numbers were not as much as those seen in the two local government areas. They stated that the foreign camel sellers used to transport their camels in trucks, but these unusual ones came in caravans. Some non-indigenes who built houses in the areas because the place is now a beehive of activities also had to engage security personnel to guard them in the night. While speaking with the spokesman of the Nigeria Police in the state, DSP Abdullahi Haruna over the development, he confirmed that, “the command received several reports that they noticed the presence of strange people in the outskirts of Ungogo and Gwale local government areas of the state.” He added that the state Commissioner of Police Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, “without wasting much time dispatched a team of investigators to the area to ascertain the authenticity of the claim.” He stated that the police team also went to where the caravans were stationed on the outskirts of the two local government areas, noting that when they confronted them, nothing incriminating was found on them. Source: The TribuneOline

Lecturer jailed over romance scam

Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Friday, convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old lecturer at the Kwara State College of Health Technology Offa, Adebisi Ademola, to six months imprisonment over his involvement in love scam. Ademola was among the 33 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on September 14, 2020 in Offa area of Kwara State. The defendant was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on romance scam, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria. The charge reads: “That you, Adebisi Ademola (a.k.a Dawn Ayero) sometime in September, 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to commit an offence of cheating by personation by pretending and representing yourself to be a white lady called Dawn Ayero to one Donald Oakes who is purportedly in love with the said Donald Oakes as it is contained in your gmail account: dawnayero@gmail.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.” The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Following his ‘guilty plea’, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, invited to the witness box, one Olumide Olasode, an operative of the Commission to review the facts of the case. He narrated how intelligence report led to the arrest of the defendant on September 14, 2020 at Offa area of Kwara State. Petition from concerned citizens of Offa, statement of the defendant and all the fraudulent messages printed out of his email were tendered and admitted in evidence by the Court. Akoja, thereafter, urged the Court to convict the defendant based on his plea, the exhibits tendered and the evidence of the sole prosecution witness (PW1) Consequently, Justice Oyinloye found Ademola guilty of the charge and accordingly sentenced him. He, however, gave him an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira). The judge in addition, ordered the forfeiture of convict’s phone, used as instrument to perpetrate the crime, to the Federal Government.

Supreme Court affirms Dariye’s conviction on breach of public trust

….quashes misappropriation charge The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal that convicted former Plateau sState governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, for criminal breach of trust brought against him by the Federal Government. The apex court also upheld the 10-year jail term imposed on him by the Court of Appeal along with the conviction but however quashed the criminal misappropriation of funds against the former governor which earned the him one year jail term at the Court of Appeal. Delivering judgment in an appeal filed by the former governor, Justice Hellen Ogunwumiju held that the Court of Appeal and a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory were right in their findings in the criminal breach of trust filed against the former governor under Section 315 of the Penal Code. Justice Ogunwumiju in the unanimous judgment prepared by Justice Ejembi Eko which she read however disagreed with the two lower courts in their findings on the misappropriation of funds and subsequently quashed it. The misappropriation of funds brought against Dariye under Section 309 of the Penal Code carries a maximum of two years imprisonment. Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the FCT had in 2018 sentenced Senator Dariye to 14 years imprisonment in the criminal breach of trust, but was reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal. The two-year imprisonment imposed on the former governor in the charges of miss- appropriation of funds was also redused to one year by the appellate court A five-member panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili, had, after hearing Dariye’s appeal on December 17, 2020, fixed judgment for March 12, 2021. Dariye had, in his appeal, prayed the apex court to upturn the November 16, 2018 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which convicted him and sentenced him to ten years for diverting public funds estimated at N1.162 billion while he was the Governor of Plateau state. A three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Stephen Adah, in its decision, upheld an earlier judgment by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), delivered on June 12, 2018. The trial court convicted Dariye on 15 counts relating to the offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation, contained in the 23-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In upholding Dariye’s conviction, the Court of Appeal noted that the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) effectively proved its allegation of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation against the ex-governor. The Appeal Court however faulted the trial court for convicting Dariye on counts 12 and 23, which it said the prosecution did not prove. It also faulted the trial court for imposing the maximum sentences on both offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation. The Appeal Court proceeded to reduce the 14 years sentence for the offence of criminal breach of trust to 10 years, and reduced the two years sentence for criminal misappropriation to one year.

Missing Arms Money: Monguno Backtracks, Says ‘I Was Quoted Out Of Context’

The Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) has denied the reports on NSA Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtrd) saying funds meant for arms procurement were missing under the immediate past Service Chiefs. According to a statement by the ONSA and made available to Daily Trust on Friday, Monguno said he was quoted out of context in the reports on the interview he had with BBC Hausa service. The statement stressed that the NSA said he only reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to deal decisively with insecurity and President Buhari’s continued commitment to provide all necessary support to the Armed Forces, including the provision of arms and equipment. The statement read, “The attention of the Office of the National Security Adviser has been drawn to some media reports regarding Armed Forces equipment during an interview with the BBC Hausa service. “We would like to state that the NSA was quoted out of context as he did not categorically say that funds meant for arms procurement were missing under the Former Service Chiefs as reported or transcribed by some media outlets from the BBC interview. “During the interview, the National Security Adviser only reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to deal decisively with insecurity and stated President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued commitment to provide all necessary support to the Armed Forces, including the provision of arms and equipment. “In the interview the National Security Adviser clearly informed the BBC reporter that Mr President has provided enormous resources for arms procurement, but the orders were either inadequate or yet to be delivered and that did not imply that the funds were misappropriated under the former Service Chiefs. “The NSA also informed the reporter that, Mr President is following up on the procurement process as is usual with contracts relating to military equipments, in most cases the process involves manufacturing, due diligence and tedious negotiations that may change delivery dates.” It added that the NSA at the Aso Villa Media Briefing, said questions relating to Defence procurement should be channelled to the Ministry of Defence. “All Security and Intelligence agencies are working together to bring an end to insecurity with the full support of Mr. President and Stakeholders including the media and civil society as part of a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to address our security challenges,” the statement added.

No increase in fuel price —PPPRA

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency has said it does not fix the price of Premium Motor Spirit , otherwise known as petrol. It said this in a statement issued on Friday to clarify a misunderstanding that followed a template it issued on its website . The template was taken to mean that , as from March , petrol would be sold at a lower retail price of N 209. 61 and at an upper retail price of N 212. 61. Clarifying the template , the PPPRA in the statement signed by the Executive Secretary , Abdulkadir Saidu, said the template was only indicative of current market trends and do not translate to an increase in the pump price of PMS . The statement said , “ The attention of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency ( PPPRA ) has been drawn to speculations about the increased pump price of PMS . “ The PPPRA by this release wishes to state clearly that the Guiding Prices posted on our website was only indicative of current market trends and do not translate to any increase in pump price of PMS . However , publications by the media to this effect have been misconstrued and thus misleading. “ The Agency wishes to remind the general public of the introduction of the Market Based Pricing Regime for PMS Regulation 2020 as gazetted by the Federal Government . Based on this regulation, prices are expected to be determined by market realities in line with the dictates of market forces. “ One of the conditions for the implementation of the Market-Based Pricing Regime for PMS Regulation 2020 is the monthly release of Guiding Price to reflect current market fundamentals . “ The PPPRA in line with its mandate to maintain constant surveillance over all key indices relevant to pricing policy, monitors market trend on a daily basis to determine Guiding Prices. “ The Agency is not unaware of the challenges with the supply of PMS due to some concerns leading NNPC to be the sole importer of PMS . PPPRA is also mindful of the current discussion going on between the government and the Organised Labour on the deregulation policy. While consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing, PPPRA does not fix or announce prices and therefore there is no price increase. The current PMS price is being maintained while consultations are being concluded . “ Even though market fundamentals for PMS in the past few months indicated upward price trends, the pump price has remained the same and we are currently monitoring the situation across retail outlets nationwide. “ While assuring the public of adequate products supply as the average PMS Day Sufficiency as of March 11, 2021, is over 35 days, the PPPRA pledges to continue to perform its statutory function in ensuring that the downstream sector remains vibrant as well as support both government and members of the public . ”

180 students, staff rescued, 30 still missing in Kaduna school abduction, says govt

Following attack at Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi Local Gvernment Area of Kaduna State, the state government has said 180 students have been rescued, while 30 students are still missing. This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Friday. The statement said: “Troops of the Nigerian Army in the early hours of today, Friday, 12th March 2021 rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. “The armed bandits in large number attacked the institution around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff. “The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 metres to attack the first facility. “The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division, Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force. “Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly. “The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students. However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for. “Some of the rescued students were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility. “Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops for their swift response and the rescue of the 180 citizens. He also wished the injured students a speedy recovery. “As of the time of this update, a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police and DSS are conducting an operation to track the missing students.”

EXTRA: Don’t Dare Me, Wike Warns Akpabio

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of of Rivers State has warned the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, not to dare him. Wike, who spoke in Port Harcourt at the commissioning of Trade Union Congress (TUC) office, on Friday, took a swipe at the Minister for accusing governors in the region of mismanaging 13 percent derivation fund. He said it was disingenuous for Akpabio, who is a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to accuse incumbent governors of financial recklessness just because they did not attend the inauguration of Niger Delta Development Commission ((NDDC) headquarters building in Port Harcourt on Thursday. “We knew when Akpabio was governor, what he was doing? In fact, he saw himself as a god then. Now, he has the temerity to insult South South Governors. We will meet one day. If he did well, why did he fail Senatorial election? If his people love him, why did he fail Senate election? Ordinary senate? And you will come and talk to us.” Governor Wike accused the minister of sponsoring militants to cast aspersion on Niger Delta governors by demanding that they should account for N55billion they received. He wondered how the minister came about the said amount. “You (Akpabio) went and started sponsoring so-called militants that we should render account of N55billion. Where did we get the N55 billion? If we got N55billion, then he got N200 trillion. You cannot insult people.” He explained that the inauguration of the NDDC headquarters building was planned without resort to the governors in the region to know if the date was suitable for them. The governor also said Akpabio lacks the morality to ask what the governors have done with the 13 percent derivation, when he got more money as a governor because Nigeria’s economy was better then. “I have told him (Akpabio) to talk less. Now, he is taking on South-South governors, we will tell him that when he was governor, he was acting as a king. There was money as at that time. What was the exchange rate N150 to a Dollar, today we are almost having N500 to a Dollar. Akpabio had money and he had the temerity to say ask South-South governors what they are doing with 13 percent of their money.” “I am not a sycophant. I am not an inconsistent person; I don’t give a damn. He cannot say he has been seeing me in his villa. So if he wants to talk, let him concentrate on his state, not to venture again and talk about Rivers State. If he does it again, he will regret meeting Rivers State… I will show a video where Akpabio said the President should come and learn from me what I am doing here. I will show the video soon.” The governor alleged that the minister defected to the All Progressives Congress was because he was afraid that the government might unleash the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on him. “That is why Nigeria cannot move forward. Everybody is running away, because when they send EFCC, you run to the other party, then they protect you. That is the party , that is government that is fighting corruption. Akpabio is now moving round happy. He no longer takes his blood pressure medicine.”

NFF President Pinnick Elected Into FIFA Executive Council

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has been elected into the FIFA Executive Council. Pinnick, 50, was elected as a member of the FIFA Council during the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly which was held in Rabat, the Moroccan capital on Friday. He beat Walter Nyamilandu of Malawi to the position. He is the third Nigerian to be elected into the FIFA council. Late Etubom Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu were the other persons from the West African nation to have occupied that post. The former Delta Football Association (DFA) Chairman was also elected as the fifth vice-president of CAF. Motsepe Leads CAF Earlier in the day, South African billionaire, Patrice Motsepe had emerged as the President of CAF, taking over from Ahmad Ahmad. “Africa needs collective wisdom, but also the exceptional talent and wisdom of every (national football association) president and every member nation,” he said. “When we all work together, football in Africa will experience success and growth that it has not enjoyed in the past.” Africa has suffered serious setbacks in recent years with all five qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia eliminated after the first round — the continent’s worst showing in 36 years. Last November, Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad became the first CAF president to be banned by FIFA, with a five-year suspension for “governance issues” cut to two after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Just a few weeks ago, Motsepe, Ivorian Jacques Anouma, Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya and Senegalese Augustin Senghor were locked in an intriguing struggle for the presidency. But FIFA-brokered meetings of the contenders in Morocco and Mauritania led to mining magnate Motsepe becoming the sole candidate. Senghor and Yahya were given the first and second vice-president roles. Anouma, who initially declared the pact “undemocratic”, is a former FIFA executive committee member and becomes a special advisor to Motsepe. As some CAF officials railed against alleged interference by the world body, FIFA president Gianni Infantino played down the role of his organisation. “I am delighted that FIFA has been able to contribute, even if just a little, to this crucial moment for football on this great continent,” he said.