Crime Facts

EXTRA: I support Twitter ban wholeheartedly: Ned Nwoko

Billionaire Ned Nwoko has announced his support for the Twitter ban in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Nwoko while speaking at a June 12 lecture organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council had said, “on the current issue with Twitter in Nigeria, I wholeheartedly support the position of the Federal Government.” Nwoko maintains that social media needs to be controlled and regulated in countries. “There should be a measure of control and regulation for social media in countries where they have a presence,” he said. Buttressing his reason for his support of the Twitter ban in Nigeria, Nwoko stressed that the social media platforms must pay taxes to governments and provide employment for some Nigerians for the over 100 million population that subscribed to their services. The Buhari-led government had suspended Twitter indefinitely in Nigeria citing the persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. The government also noted that social media platforms must register and obtain licences to operate in Nigeria.

Twitter, Facebook undecided on FG’s licensing order as losses rise

As the suspension of Twitter gets into the second week, the Federal Government is yet to release conditions for the reversal of the indefinite suspension despite claiming to be in talks with the social media company. While the Federal Government plans to enforce the licensing of over-the-top (OTT) players, it appears such a move is not a priority for players. The Guardian learnt at the weekend that the players, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Koo and Twitter might snub the Federal Government’s move, as they preface OTT operators in the meantime. A senior official of Facebook, who spoke anonymously with The Guardian at the weekend, said the social media platform is not responding to issues as regards licensing and registering of Facebook in Nigeria. “If it is to respond to why we deleted President Buhari’s post, yes, we can respond to that, which we have been doing. Such posts negate the principles of Facebook. But whether we are coming to register formally here, we are not responding to that, at least for now,” the official said. Last year, Facebook announced plans for an office in Nigeria, which was to be located in the commercial and tech hub of Lagos. But five years after the CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced same plans during his visit to the country, the tech giant has made no further move on it. The office location is expected to be secured and become operational by the second half of 2021. During the said period, although not confirmed, the company might begin the recruitment of a team of engineers, sales, partnership, policy, communication experts and register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). As revealed by Facebook’s Head of New Product Experimentation, Ime Archibong, the attraction to Nigeria was borne out of the pool of tech talents within the country. Despite the ongoing faceoff between Twitter and the Federal Government, the co-founder and CEO of the platform, Jack Dorsey, on Saturday, tweeted the flag of the country in an apparent reference to the celebration of Democracy Day in Nigeria. But some hours later, as June 12 protests topped the trends chat in Nigeria and across the world, Twitter CEO in another tweet said: “The people of Nigeria will lead bitcoin” despite Nigerian authorities clampdown on the trading of cryptocurrencies. Dorsey’s take was a direct reaction to an oped written by NFL star, Russell Okung in Bitcoin Magazine. Okung, a Nigerian descendant and self-acclaimed Bitcoin proponent, advised Nigeria to focus on achieving “economic independence and financial sovereignty” by establishing a Bitcoin Standard. Nigeria is one of the largest cryptocurrency markets in the world, though the country’s Central Bank has prohibited financial institutions from trading in cryptocurrency. This new move, many say, show a Twitter company not ready to buckle to the demands of the Federal Government. Even the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who last week said that Twitter had approached the government for negotiation, at the weekend, however, described Twitter’s approach as “tepid”, noting that there has been no follow up from an initial message from Twitter received through a foreign mission that the social media company was open to negotiation. The micro-blogging platform, which is currently accessible to Nigerians who have bypassed government’s restrictions through VPN, promised that it will continue to advocate free and open Internet everywhere as it continues to amplify the trend #KeepTweeting, #KeepitOn and other hash tags in defiance of government’s ban. Already, Twitter has commenced recruitment for talents for its office in Ghana, which is expected to equally serve the Nigerian market. Notably, Facebook has been running its African operations from its South African headquarters, the first on the continent, for the past five years. Headed by Nunu Ntshingila-Njeke, the activities were planned with an initial focus on Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. According to a statement in 2020, operations from the planned Lagos office are anticipated to boost growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The team will be responsible for building African-focused products while contributing to the growth of the African tech ecosystem. MEANWHILE, the cost of suspension of Twitter’s operations by the Federal Government continues to rise. About 10 days into the ban, the losses have hit at least N25 billion. While social media influencers who earn a living from monetized tweets and other social media posts have started counting their losses, brands running marketing campaigns are exploring options, as the hope of immediate lifting of the suspension dims. The government had noted that the suspension was temporary but later said it would be indefinite. Both Twitter and the Federal Government, last week, said it would be indefinite. According to NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and governance of the Internet, each hour of the suspension costs Nigeria $250,000 (N102.5 million), bringing the daily loss to N2.46 billion. It means the economy would have lost approximately N24.6 billion in the past 10 days. But social media influencers, who feel the pang of the suspension directly, said millions of Nigerian youths have lost their livelihoods in the past week, as Twitter is central to instant communication marketing. An influencer, Benedict Amama, told The Guardian the two jobs he was handling when the suspension came could fetch him a reasonable amount of money. “The campaign has been cancelled because the time frame has elapsed. That means I have lost the money. Thousands of campaigns scheduled for the past week were either cancelled or put on hold. The ban is more impactful as Twitter campaigns are the most active social media marketing in Nigeria,” he said. Another social media entrepreneur said an average social media influencer would have lost N100,000 to N200,000 in the past week, warning that continued suspension would worsen restiveness among youths. There is no data showing the number of youths earning a living from social media but those in the business said the number is huge and growing by the day. With the suspension, more than 39 million active users have been prevented from accessing their Twitter accounts

12 dead in Shiyan gas explosion in China

No fewer than 12 people have been killed and 39 seriously injured after a gas line explosion tore through a residential neighbourhood in central China. Responders to the early yesterday morning blast in the city of Shiyan in Hubei province sent more than 150 people to the hospital, according to officials quoted by state media. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Stall keepers and customers buying breakfast and fresh vegetables at a food market were the majority of victims when the explosion hit shortly after 6am, according to the reports. This morning, a deadly gas explosion ripped through a residential area in the central Chinese city of Shiyan. The blast struck a two-storey building built in the early 1990s, which includes pharmacies, restaurants and other businesses. More than 900 people were evacuated from the area. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a thorough probe into the cause of the blast in order to create a “good atmosphere” for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Communist Party on July 1

Woman sells two daughters for N300,000

Police in Ogun have arrested a housewife, Blessing Ebuneku Agoro, for allegedly selling her two daughters for N300,000 to a childless couple. The suspect was arrested following a report at Redeemed Camp divisional headquarters by her husband, Oluwaseyi Agoro, that upon his return from a trip on June 8 he could not find his two daughters. He said all efforts to get his wife to tell him the girls’ whereabouts were abortive. Police spokesperson Abimbola Oyeyemi said in a statement yesterday that the divisional police officer Alabi Akinjide detailed his detectives to apprehend the suspect. “On interrogation, the suspect explained to the police that her husband left home for the past two years, and while he was away, she found it difficult to cater for the two children with her other two children she had for another man. “She stated further that while she was contemplating what to do, one Kolawole Imoleayo introduced her to a couple in Port Harcourt who are in dire need of children, and she sold the two daughters to the couple at the rate of N300,000. “Her confession led to the arrest of the said intermediary, Kolawole Imoleayo. They are both assisting the police in their investigation,” Abimbola stated. Police said the children must be rescued and brought back to their parents as soon as possible.

Kola Abiola: This Isn’t The Democracy My Dad Died For

Chief Kola Abiola, son of the self-acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, has knocked the current set of leaders over the state of the country, saying this is not the democracy his late father and those who laid down their lives for the country died for. Abiola died in detention years challenging after the military for annulling the election adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of the country. He added that it was not the kind of democracy several Nigerians laid down their lives for. Kola Abiola spoke about this during the Tribe Naija, 2021 Democracy Day Fireside chat, which held in Abuja, on Saturday. Speaking on the theme: “This thing called democracy,” Kola saluted the memories of Abiola, his business and political associate, General Musa Yar’ Adua, lamenting that their dream for one indivisible Nigeria was still being pursued decades after their demise. He said: “Today is an emotional day for me. I want to give honour to my late dad, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR, Gen. Yar’Adua, GCON and many more that have passed on in the name of democracy. “I have travelled all over Nigeria since 1978. I have been to every corner of Nigeria, either by road or by air, and I see everywhere as home. I walk everywhere and I am safe. So why do we want to see this end? “I am not impressed with the democracy that we are in today, because it is not what my father and others died for. It’s not what they put their lives on the line for. “And I want to make sure we get what they will be proud of in their graves. The mantle is now for me to make sure that happens and that is what I mean by completing that bridge.” Kola on the occasion, launched an awareness application, Tribe Naija, a mobilisation tool aimed at rallying young Nigerians on the imperative of getting their choice of elective office holders right in 2023 and beyond. His statement comes hours after the Abiola family accused the Federal Government of failing its promises to them after setting June 12 aside as Democracy Day. President Muhammadu Buhari had approved June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018, in order to honour Abiola.

Brazil-returnee caught with cocaine hidden in pants at Lagos airport

One Udogwu Johnson, a passenger on Qatar Airways flight from GRU in Brazil, was on Friday arrested at the ‘D’ arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with nine wraps of cocaine weighing 300 grams in his pants. Also, an Uber driver and two other suspected traffickers have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with different quantities of cocaine at the airport. The Uber driver, Lawal Rasheed, was said to have been arrested at the SAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, when he brought a consignment from his client to a freight forwarder for export to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. A statement on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said when the package was searched, 150 grams of cocaine concealed inside two pieces of air freshener were discovered. According to him, a follow-up operation the following day led to the arrest of Egbo Maduka in his residence. “Investigations have so far confirmed that Egbo is behind the two seizures of 50 grams of cocaine in hair attachment and another 150 grams of cocaine concealed in air freshener, heading for Malabo. The seizures were made on June 4 and 8, 2021, respectively,” Babafemi said. Similarly, a 27-year-old final year Petroleum Engineering student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Ali Mohammed, was arrested with 3.032kg of cannabis sativa at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos, on Thursday, June 10, 2021, following a tip-off. Under interrogation, Ali, who hails from Nguru, Yobe State, but was brought up in Lagos, claimed that while on his way to the motor park in Iddo from Obalende, where he lives, he met an acquaintance, Ahmed, who upon learning that he was travelling to Bauchi via Kano, implored him to help deliver a travel bag containing the seized 3.032kg of cannabis sativa to one Ugo, who lives in Sabon Gari, Kano. Ahmed allegedly told the suspect that he would send Ugo’s phone number to him through SMS to facilitate the delivery of the consignment in Kano. The suspect, who admitted knowing that the bag contained drugs, however, denied receiving or being promised any form of gratification for agreeing to take the substance to Kano. The Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the MMIA and Lagos State commands of the agency for the feats and charged the officers and men of the two commands not to rest on their laurels. He asked them to remain vigilant and intensify the ongoing offensive action against drug cartels in their areas of responsibility. ,,

Ndume To Military: With N895bn Extra Budget, No More Excuses

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has said the military no longer has excuses not to deliver in the war against insurgency. Ndume said this in a statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day. Last week, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had submitted a supplementary budget of N895 billion to the National Assembly for consideration. Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who said over N700 billion from the N895 billion has been earmarked for tackling all forms of insecurity, promised that the National Assembly would give speedy approval to the supplementary budget. In his statement, Ndume said the money would boost the fight against insurgency. “On the issue of insecurity, I have been advocating an increase in the military funding but that has now been done by the recent submission of the supplementary budget of over N800 billion by the executive arm of government to the National Assembly, majority of the money is meant to address the security challenges in the country. This is a commendable effort by President Buhari. “With this now, there is light at the end of the tunnel because if the materials and necessary military hardware and equipment are immediately purchased, and handed over to the military, I am sure that the Nigerian Army who are known for their gallantry in international assignments will be able to do more to defend the internal security challenges confronting Nigeria.” The senator representing Borno South commended Buhari over his Democracy Day broadcast, saying Nigerians had been worried over his continued silence on critical national issues in recent times. He also urged the Federal Government to spend borrowed money on critical infrastructure and possibly agriculture and not on payment of salaries and other recurrent expenditure. The senator said: “Concerning the issue of foreign borrowings, the problem is not about borrowing because the idea is not bad. Even developed nations also do the same thing. “It is what the government do with the money that is important. The concentration on infrastructure development by the Buhari administration, especially in the area of railway and roads is commendable.

Supporters flood Abuja streets with Tinubu’s posters

SUPPORTERS of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, have flooded streets of the Federal Capital Territory, with his campaign posters. Several posters bearing colorful images of the former Lagos State governor were seen pasted in strategic locations within Abuja, on Sunday. Some of the areas include: highbrow Maitama District, Central Business District, as well as areas around the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress. Some of the posters had inscriptions such as “TinubuNe”, “Happy Democracy Day, Tinubu Advocates Group,” “Jagaban Nigeria” among others. Although Tinubu is yet to declare any intention to vie for the 2023 Presidency, several support groups have sprung up to drum up support for him. A group which calls itself Disciples of Jagaban, which said it was determined to drag Tinubu into the 2023 presidential race, said Tinubu was the most suited person to succeed Buhari. National president of the group, Abdulhakeem Alawuje, who spoke to reporters in Abuja, said, “The peace, love, unity and harmony of this country has never been disturbed like this. “All this is happening just for those crooked politicians to disorganize us, but unfortunately for them we have gone far ahead of all their evil strategies. “We are supporting Tinubu and calling on him, begging him, inviting him to contest the 2023 presidential election for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. “You can believe me that Tinubu has laboured so much for the development of this country. We all know how he laboured to give us President Muhammadu Buhari. “We need continuity. We need somebody that will continue and consolidate on the achievements President Buhari is making. We need somebody that knows the house, and that is Bola Tinubu.”

Uzodinma To Set Up Commission Of Inquiry On Imo Killings

Governor Hope Uzodinma has pledged to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of some people during the period Imo state was gripped by insecurity. To this effect, the governor has promised to set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into the cases of killings occasioned by the recent security challenges. He dropped the hint on Saturday when he met with leaders from Imo State at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Owerri, as part of activities to mark the 2021 Democracy Day. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser, Media Oguwike Nwachuku, said that a Commission of Inquiry had become necessary so that Imo people will have a clearer picture of what happened few weeks ago when some lives were lost as a result of the fight against insecurity in the state.

TB Joshua’s burial may hold July 9

The late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Joshua may be buried on July 9, 2021 on the premises of his church in Lagos State. Joshua died last week in Lagos State at the age of 57. A member of the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Sunday, said the date was fixed after the immediate and extended members of the family of TB Joshua met at the residence of the deceased in Lagos State on Friday. The family decision is contrary to the expectation of the monarch of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, and some other traditional rulers in the Akoko area, who wanted the late pastor buried in his hometown, Arigidi Akoko. The traditional rulers were of the opinion that if the late cleric was taken to his hometown for burial, it would further give the town global recognition as the deceased’s worshippers all over the world would want to visit it to see his tomb and would also make the church to continue the project already embarked upon by the late founder. But the family member said the wife, Evelyn, and the children of the late cleric prevailed on the other family members over the burial place and date at the meeting. The source said the burial arrangement would take place between July 5 and July 9, 2021 He said, “The extended family members, his (Joshua) wife and children held a meeting on Friday and it was decided that he should be buried in Lagos and the burial programme will be between July 5 and 9. “It was on the insistence of the wife and the children that the other family members agree on the place of burial because they said they saw revelations that he should be buried in Lagos. Since they said it was spiritual, the family agreed with them.” However, one of the community leaders in Akokoland, Chief Ladi Bello, said since the decision had been taken on the burial arrangement of the deceased, the ongoing project left behind in Arigidi Akoko by the late pastor should not be abandoned. “Now that the burial will take place in Lagos, his legacies must be sustained while his projects in Akokoland should not be abandoned,” Bello urged. Meanwhile, SCOAN did not hold any of its three services on Sunday as the church remained shut. Our correspondent who visited the church on Sunday, however, noted that the main gate remained open for pedestrians, church staff and visitors. Also, residents of the area said business had been poor since the demise of the cleric. A resident, who gave his name as Kunle, added that they expected that it would get worse. “All hotels will really suffer. People who come from far and wide to visit the prophet lodge there, but things will not be the same again. ”