Crime Facts

Facebook Twitter Youtube
Post Date : July 13, 2021

Two die of Delta variant in Oyo

Two persons have been lost to the new Delta variant of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Oyo State. One person is also isolated and receiving medical attention at one of the state isolation facilities while contact tracing has started. The state Incident Manager and Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Olabode Ladipo, yesterday confirmed the development. He said the variant would have entered into the state through movement of people travelling around the world, urging people to take more seriously the guidelines and extra measures advised. Ladipo noted that adhering to such would go a long way to help stem the tide. Oladipo said: “Contact tracing is ongoing. Two of the cases are deceased but contact tracing is ongoing. “As it is, one of contact is currently in isolation in the state facility but let me assure you that every form of effort is being proved to ensure that all the contact of everyone that we have received so far in the last two, three weeks are followed up and anyone of them that is positive, we will ensure that isolation is given.” On the likelihood or fear of further outbreak of the variant in the state, the incident manager said: “I foresee a situation in which if people actually adhere to those regulations that were spelt out, we might be able to tame that tide.” When asked on the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine given to people earlier, Oladpo said the number of people vaccinated so far is so minute when compared to the larger population and as such people need to be more cautious. “Yes, we have been vaccinated. Vaccines have been given but we need to also understand that in Oyo State just like in any other state of the federation just around one per cent of the population has been vaccinated that leaves a chunk that is still there. “In Oyo state, we have been able to vaccinate about 90,000 people and in a state where the population of people is about 8.9 million, it has not reach the threshold that should be able to confer any form of herd immunity in population.

Read more
Post Date : July 13, 2021

2023 presidency: Northern group rejects Zoning, says it’s needles, unconstitutional

The North-Central People’s Forum (NCPF) has said zoning of the presidency to any region is needless, unconstitutional and should be jettisoned in the build-up to the 2023 general poll. Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, Secretary General of the forum, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji, said competence should be the guiding principle in the choice of who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. He said Nigerians should vote for a competent person, who has integrity and is committed to ending the avalanche of challenges bedevilling the nation, rather than agitating for zoning of the top job to a particular region. Bolaji, who described as needless, the recent resolution of southern governors that the South should produce the next president, argued that the North-Central, South-East and North-East have been shortchanged in the political equation of the nation and should be recognised if zoning must be operational. “That is our position because that stand will popularise the country. Competence is what we stand for and it can come from anybody from the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. “We have to put the facts straight, if we don’t, then we don’t love this country. That’s why we are saying we need competent leaders. “Nigeria as a country needs a leader that would do the right thing, someone who is detribalised and a nationalist. Even if Northern governors come out tomorrow and say the presidency should be zoned to the North, we will say the same thing. It is high time Nigeria moved forward,” he said.

Read more
Post Date : July 13, 2021

Ayade fires Cross River housing commissioner

The Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has sacked the Commissioner for social housing, Chris Njah. The sack was announced in a statement by Ayade’s special adviser on media and publicity, Christian Ita. It will be recalled that since his defection to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) the governor has sacked dozens from his cabinet including aides. “The state governor, His Excellency Prof. Ben Ayade has approved the relieving of Mr. Chris Itafu Njah of his appointment as Commissioner for Social Housing with immediate effect,” Ita said in the statement. “The governor thanked Mr. Njah for his services to the state and wishes him well in his future endeavors.” Although no reason was given for the sack, it may not be unconnected to Ayade’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC. Cross River State chapter of the PDP accused the governor of sacking his commissioners and aides who may have developed cold feet to defect with him. Just over a month ago, the governor relieved the following commissioners who are still PDP members – commissioner for Women Affairs, Rita Ayim, she is now the Publicity Secretary for the PDP Caretaker Committee, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Asu Okang, Commissioner for New Cities Development, Mike Uribe, Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry, Ntufam Donatus Etim and Commissioner for Special Duties, Francis Etta. The governor has also directed the sacked commissioner to return government properties and vehicles in his care with immediate effect.

Read more
Post Date : July 13, 2021

Drama as Sanwo-Olu arrests suspected robbers on Lagos highway

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has reportedly apprehended three persons for attempting to rob a motorist on a highway in the state. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, when the governor was passing through the Ojota highway. The suspects were said to be attempting to dispossess a motorist of his vehicle, when the convoy of the governor arrived the scene. “The war against criminality in Lagos State has gone a notch higher as the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personally arrested a gang of suspected criminals, which specialises in harassing motorists and road users in traffic,” a statement issued on Monday by the state reads. “The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo Monday morning while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa. Help however came for the motorist as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to forcefully drag him out of his vehicle. “The security personnel attached to the Governor swooped on the suspects, retrieved the dangerous weapons from them and arrested the three of them.” In photos of the incident released by the state, the governor is seen addressing the robbers, before they are taken away by security operatives.

Read more
Post Date : July 13, 2021

Tambuwal Backs Electronic Transmission Of Votes

The Governor of Sokoto State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has backed the calls for the electronic transmission of votes. Tambuwal in a statement he signed on Monday stressed the emphasised the need for the lawmakers to give the country an electoral law that allows free, fair, and credible polls. He also faulted the alleged plan by the federal parliament to disempower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from transmitting results of elections electronically. House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has backed the calls for the electronic transmission of votes. Tambuwal in a statement he signed on Monday stressed the emphasised the need for the lawmakers to give the country an electoral law that allows free, fair, and credible polls. He also faulted the alleged plan by the federal parliament to disempower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from transmitting results of elections electronically. READ ALSO: ‘We Stand By Press Freedom’: Reps Allay Fears Of Attempt To Gag The Press “Some have argued that internet penetration in all parts of Nigeria is not assured. This is exactly why the bill should give INEC the prerogative of introducing electronic transmission of votes in any election,” he said. “In any case, INEC has demonstrated and assured that it has the technology to transmit votes electronically even without the internet. INEC had also assured that with the new process and technology, any interested Nigerian could track or monitor the results of the election from his or her house. “It is a credible, free, and fair election that will ensure that the voters decide any electoral contest. The Edo and Ondo States elections where electronic transmission of votes cast from the unit level ensured that the voters’ wishes were respected are good examples. PDP won in Edo and APC won in Ondo as a result.” See the full statement issued by Tambuwal below: ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VOTES: AN APPEAL TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I am minded and constrained to add my voice in making this appeal to the sitting members of the National Assembly, not as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, nor as Chairman of the PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM, not even as the Governor of Sokoto State but as a Nigerian citizen and former Speaker of the House of Representatives. We believe, that it is in the national interest to bequeath to Nigeria an Electoral Act that will contribute to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria irrespective of party platform. We have seen many times where a person may be in the ruling party today and in the opposition party tomorrow. We have also experienced a situation where party leaders would want to frustrate the re-election of a sitting member, even in the same political party. What guarantees the re-election of a member of the National Assembly or indeed any other contestant should be his performance and appeal not the dictates of any godfather either as Governor, President or Party leader, or stakeholder. It is a credible, free, and fair election that will ensure that the voters decide on any electoral contest. The Edo and Ondo States elections where electronic transmission of votes cast from the unit level ensured that the voters’ wishes were respected are good examples. PDP won in Edo and APC won in Ondo as a result. Some have argued that INTERNET penetration in all parts of Nigeria is not assured. This is exactly why the bill should give INEC the prerogative of introducing ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VOTES in any election. In any case, INEC has demonstrated and assured that it has the technology to transmit votes electronically even WITHOUT THE INTERNET. INEC had also assured that with the new process and technology, any interested Nigerian could track or monitor the results of the election from his or her house. “Once results of elections are announced from the collation centers, down to the wards, Local Governments and final collation centers, any person can monitor it without any human error”, INEC announced recently. The international community, INEC, the entire Civil Society, almost ALL the political parties are in support of ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VOTES. One must distinguish ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION of votes from ELECTRONIC VOTING, which in my view is a little bit more problematic, though achievable. My intervention is not a partisan one. It must be seen as a contribution from someone who has had varied experiences as a legislator, a former Speaker, a sitting Governor and one who has been involved in the leadership of political Parties. As you decide this question, please, be guided by the wishes of your constituents who should be ultimate arbiters in a democracy. Rt.Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (CFR) Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Read more
Post Date : July 13, 2021

Corruption has increased poverty, inequality in Africa – EFCC chair

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said that the African Vision (Agenda 2063) will be a mirage if corruption was not decisively dealt with on the African continent. According to him, corruption has increased poverty and inequality on the continent. Bawa stated this on Monday, at the virtual meeting of the 5th African Union Day of Anti-Corruption with the theme: ‘Regional Economic Communities: Critical Actors in the Implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.’ He stated that graft presents a major threat militating against the actualization of the “Africa of good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law… which is the vision of African Agenda 2063”. The EFCC chairman, who was represented by the Director of Intelligence, Abubakar Saád, observed that corruption is a threat to the dream of a united and prosperous Africa, according to a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren. “It (Corruption) has drastically increased the prevalence of poverty and inequality on our continent. Our continent continues to suffer from rampant debilitating capital flight and illicit financial flows, accompanied by a consistent decline in the standard of living and quality of life of our people”, he explained. He, however, remarked that the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption signed in Maputo, Mozambique, on 11th July, 2003 and its coming into force in 2006, has brought about remarkable progress in the fight against corruption. “It has also provided a fulcrum for Regional Economic Communities to synergize anti-corruption efforts undertaken by National Anti-Corruption Authorities and measure the impact of prescribed interventions,” Bawa noted.

Read more
Post Date : July 12, 2021

Withdraw Onochie’s nomination as INEC commissioner, Wike tells Buhari

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the nomination of Ms. Lauretta Onochie as national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission. He said the desperation of Mr. Presdient and the ruling All Progressives Congress to foist Onochie was a bad omen for the country’s democracy. Wike made the call during the presentation of a six years progress report to mark the second year of his second tenure as governor held at the Obi Wali Internation Conference Center in Port Harcourt on Monday. “For goodness sake, the nomination and desperation of President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled National Assembly to foist an invalid Ms. Lauretta Onochie on Nigerians as INEC’s national Commissioner is a bad omen for our democracy. “By any standards, the most fundamental consideration against the appointment of an electoral umpire in a democracy is the likelihood of bias, which in this case, is heavily weighted against Ms. Onochie, as a notorious and repulsively partisan dye-in-the-wool member of the APC. “Despite the flood of protests against her nomination and the general lack of trust in our capacity to remain impartial, it seems the APC-led Senate is determined to confirm her appointment as part of their grand design to rig the 2023 general elections well ahead of time. “Knowing Nigerians would overwhelmingly reject them in a free, fair and transparent contest managed by a strong and independent election management committee. “As a Governor and concerned Nigerian who loves this country so much and wants our democracy to survive, I wish to appeal to Mr. President to, for the sake of his legacy, withdraw Ms. Onochie’s nomination to avoid creating more credibility problems for his INEC and restore confidence in our electoral system. “Where Mr. President lacks the courage to so do, then, the National Assembly, which has a responsibility to defend our democracy must endeavour to wake up on the right side of history by rejecting her nomination,” Wike stated. He said the state will soon pass and introduce the law banning open grazing throughout the State to further strengthen our criminal laws to advance the safety and security of people of the state, noting that “We have worked hard and will continue to support the security agencies to fight crimes and keep lives and property safe and secure in our State.”

Read more
Post Date : July 12, 2021

Shehu Sani dumps PRP

Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, says he has “stepped aside” from the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). PRP has been embroiled in an internal crisis, which has seen the party being led by two factions. Attempts to reconcile the Falalu Bello and Sule Bello factions have failed, as both sides have laid claim to being in charge of the party’s affairs. In September 2020, stakeholders sacked the Falalu-led faction and announced Bello as the interim national chairman. But Falalu dismissed his sack, saying it was illegal. The crisis has also caused controversy in other states — including in Anambra, where two candidates of the party, Ebele Precious and Nnamdi Nwanwuo, have been elected at separate primaries as candidates for the PRP in the November 2021 governorship election. In a letter dated July 9, 2021, and addressed to the party chairman in ward 6, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, Sani said the notice to leave the PRP is with immediate effect. “I wish to officially notify you of my decision to step aside from the Peoples Redemption Party. This notice takes effect from today,” the letter reads. “I hope we shall continue to relate in the spirit of our struggle, our shared history and our common ideological principles.” Shehu Sani joined the PRP in October 2018, after he failed to win the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 Kaduna central senatorial seat. The national working committee (NWC) of the APC had cleared Shehu Sani as the only candidate for the senatorial district but Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, kicked against it. Subsequently, a primary election was conducted in the district and Uba Sani, the preferred candidate of el-Rufai, was declared winner. The serving senator had boycotted the primary and filed an appeal, but Uba Sani’s details were sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the APC candidate for the election. Shehu Sani served as senator from 2015 to 2019.

Read more
Post Date : July 12, 2021

Electoral fraud: Court grants N10m bail to jailed UNICAL professor

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene, has granted bail to Professor Peter Ogban in the sum of N10 million pending his appeal. Ogban, a professor of Soil Science of the University of Calabar, Cross River state was given a 36 months jail term and a fine of N100,000 after the court found him guilty of electoral fraud levelled against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The Presiding Judge, Justice Pius Idiong, said in his ruling on Monday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum who must reside and have properties within the jurisdiction of the Court. Others include the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy signed by the State Governor and two passport photographs each of the applicant and surety to the Registrar of the Court. Justice Idiong held that though the applicant did not prove exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, the applicant may have to serve the terms of the sentence before the determination of the appeal. Counsel to INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo, explained that the conditions for bail must be perfected before the applicant can be released on bail. Recalled that the INEC had taken Ogban to court on two counts of fraudulently tampering with the election results in favour of the All Progressives Congress party during the 2019 General Election in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. PunchNG Menu: Video Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Privacy Settings Electoral fraud: Court grants N10m bail to jailed UNICAL professor Patrick Odey 12 July 2021 Kindly share this story: Gavel The Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene, has granted bail to Professor Peter Ogban in the sum of N10 million pending his appeal. Ogban, a professor of Soil Science of the University of Calabar, Cross River state was given a 36 months jail term and a fine of N100,000 after the court found him guilty of electoral fraud levelled against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The Presiding Judge, Justice Pius Idiong, said in his ruling on Monday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum who must reside and have properties within the jurisdiction of the Court. Others include the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy signed by the State Governor and two passport photographs each of the applicant and surety to the Registrar of the Court. Read Also UNICAL prof jailed for electoral fraud applies for bail Jailed professor and electoral fraud Afe Babalola seeks law barring convicted dons from jobs Justice Idiong held that though the applicant did not prove exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, the applicant may have to serve the terms of the sentence before the determination of the appeal. Counsel to INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo, explained that the conditions for bail must be perfected before the applicant can be released on bail. Recalled that the INEC had taken Ogban to court on two counts of fraudulently tampering with the election results in favour of the All Progressives Congress party during the 2019 General Election in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. The court found Ogban who acted as the Collation/Returning Officer during the National Assembly elections guilty of manipulating and falsifying the scores of election results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas in favour of the All Progressives Congress party.

Read more
Post Date : July 12, 2021

Zulum Discards Reports Of Boko Haram Governor In Borno

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has dismissed a report on the appointment of a governor over some territories in his domain by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP). Last week, videos of the alleged appointment of a Boko Haram governor went viral on social media. The interim council of the terrorist sect was said to have named one Abba Kaka governor of some territories in Borno. But speaking with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, the governor said the claim lacks substance. He stressed that “he is fully in charge of the state.” Zulum said his administration was not investigating the issue. “We are yet to validate the authenticity of this report that ISWAP appointed governor in Borno state. So, as the governor of the state, I think it’s not right for me to speak on something that I don’t have full knowledge of.” Asked whether he would investigate, Governor Zulum said no, blaming the report on the social media. He added: “Not investigating. This report is not authentic. You have just seen somebody writing something on social media… I think on Facebook… You’re a journalist, I think we have to prove reports beyond reasonable doubts, before commenting on such reports. “As far as I’m concerned. I’m the governor of Borno State and I don’t have any information that we have another government in the Nigerian state. Yes. And I’m very much in charge.” The governor said he was at the presidential villa to seek the president’s assistance to repatriate the over 200,000 Borno indigenes who fled to Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic as a result of insurgency. He stressed that he needs to bring them back because the security situation in the state has improved. He said: “Now that we have started witnessing gradual return of peace to Borno State, these people that are taking refuge in our neighbouring countries are willing to return home. “Therefore, Borno State government picked a date of 27th of November 2021 for the commencement of the repatriation process, especially to local government areas of Abadam and Guzamala. “So, I came to brief Mr. President, to solicit his support, with the view to ensuring hitch-free repatriation exercise.” The governor, however, declined to place a figure on what it might take to implement the repatriation, saying: “I can’t quantify, but I think the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with its agencies; NEMA, the Refugee Commission and indeed the Northeast Development Commission, lastly the Borno State government, have the capacity to shoulder the responsibility of the repatriation exercise.” Governor Zulum, while speaking on the fate of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) still in camps in the state, said government was also working on returning them to their communities. “On the issue of internally displaced persons, yes the IDP camps are not palatable, that is why the government of Borno state and indeed the federal government, are exploiting the potentials of resettling them back to their own communities or relocating them to areas that are safe,” he said.

Read more
Search

Account

Cart

  • Main menu