Crime Facts

Imo Police investigate chopping off of politician’s manhood

The Imo Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the chopping off of the manhood of a politician in Orsu Local Government of Imo State. Commissioner of Police Imo State CP Abutu Yaro, in a statement issued by the Police Command Public Relation Officer CSP Michael Abatham, confirmed obscene video that has gone viral on social media where a man was seen tied horizontally to a stick undergoing inhuman act by some suspected hoodlums. The CP said that already a high power investigation team had been inaugurated to commence technical investigation into the viral video. According to the CP, the essence of the investigation is to unravel the truthfulness of the video and to trace the location, and ascertain if it actually occurred in the state or not. The top police officer informed the people that his men were already on top of the situation. He assured that as soon as that was clarified, the outcome would be made public for all and sundry to know the real facts surrounding the viral video. Yaro used the medium to call on the good people of Imo State to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses. He advised anyone with useful information about the viral video to come forward with it . or contact the Command’s Radio Room. The victim said to be a politician in Orsu Local Government Area, LGA, and simply identified as Matador Enyi-Oha, was alleged to have suffered the humiliating torture in the hands of some unknown hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB. In the viral video, the man was seen stark naked, both his hands tied horizontally to a stick and subjected to inhuman treatment by the suspected hoodlums. A voice in the video was heard accusing the man of being a saboteur responsible for the military bombardment of Orlu during an encounter with the Eastern Security Network, ESN. The man who hails from Ihite Ikea in Orsu LGA of Imo State was a Personal Assistant to a former member of the House of Assembly and a Special Assistant to a Federal Lawmaker but presently working for the government. The Tribune Onine gathered that he was accused of being instrumental in leading the Nigerian Army to bomb Orsu and after that he allegedly collected money from the government, which he shared among people in Orsu LGA and said that nobody was killed in the bombing when in actual fact a lot of people lost their lives in the military air bombardments.

Open Grazing To Attract Three-Year Jail Term As Ogun Assembly Passes Bill

The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a bill banning open grazing. The bill, which was passed at plenary on Thursday, puts offenders at the risk of three years jail term. Southern governors had during their last meeting in Lagos fixed September as deadline for open grazing practice, a development which has been subject of controversy. However, few days after the Southern governors meeting, the Ogun assembly passed the Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Bill 2020 into law. The lawmakers said this would address incessant clashes between herders and famers. Long title of the bill reads, “HB No. 045/OG/2021- A Law to Regulate Animal Grazing, Establishment of Cattles Ranches in Designated Grazing Areas of Ogun State and for other Matters incidental thereto and connected therewith.” The bill scaled the third reading and final passage following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Agriculture by the Sponsor, Ganiyu Oyedeji, at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo. Oyedeji, thereafter, moved the motion for the adoption of the report, seconded by Hon. Olusola Adams, and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote. The legal framework was later read and adopted clause-by-clause. Thereafter, the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion for the third reading as it was seconded by Hon Wahab Haruna. The Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers. Part of a section of the bill prescribed a jail term of not less than three years without the option of fine “including the forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his/her control to the State Government for anyone who rears, herd or grazes any livestock in any part of the State except within the permitted ranches or anyone who rears cattle or livestock outside the permitted ranches after the commencement of the law.” Responding, Oluomo directed that the Clerk to prepare a clean copy of the bill for the assent of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Police shoot man dead in Asaba

The police in Asaba, Delta State has killed a boy believed to be in his twenties after the vehicle he was in screeched from the road and crashed into a fence. Detectives who trailed the Mercedes Benz car with five occupants following a tip-off, to the DLA road axis of the town, on Wednesday night, had shot at the tyres of the vehicle to demobilise it. Eyewitnesses account said one of the boys was shot dead, another arrested while three others managed to escape from the police and the scene of the accident. The incident occurred directly opposite Edward Udorah Street, off Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Road, Asaba, Delta State. Acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Edafe Bright when contacted, on Thursday, said the police had it on record that the boys were involved in a robbery operation and were escaping. “We had an intelligent report that they had just finished the operation and were moving towards DLA road. “So our men mounted surveillance, and when the officers saw the car, they flagged it down but they refused to stop. “As such, our men chased them to the point where their vehicle hit the fence. They opened fire on the officers who responded, and in the process, three of them escaped while one was shot. “One suspect was arrested while a locally-made gun was recovered,” Edafe said.

We must start to play our role as party in opposition — PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the time is rife for the party to begin to play its role as a party in opposition. Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-South of the party said this on Thursday, when he led the South-South party executive on a courtesy visit to Delta Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba. According to Orbih, the party is the hope of the people. “We must start playing our role as a party in opposition. We are the hope of our people. “About few days ago, the Senate approved another $6.1 billion loan about N2.34 trillion. “The conscious policy of the FGN to mortgage our future must stop. These loans are not deployed for economic productive ventures but for railway lines from Kastina to Niger. “What we spend in combating herdsmen atrocities and kidnapping if deployed in the Agricultural sector can make Nigeria provide enough food for the whole of Africa. “What a country so blessed but grossly mismanaged. When will they stop borrowing? Let our members in the National Assembly speak out and express our party’s stand on these loans. “Unfortunately, the committee in charge of loans has a PDP member as Chairman. How do people see us when we turn around to criticise the loans?” He stressed that in future the party’s legislators’ performance must be judged by their role in critical decisions on national issues. He also said that there was the need to have a South South stakeholders meeting to let the people of the region know the direction to go as the country approached 2023. “We commend Governors and leaders in the North who have thrown their support for the Southern Governors’ Lagos resolution. “By their support they have demonstrated their abiding faith in a united Nigeria that stands on the pillars of equal rights and justice. The South South PDP leader also called on the governor to mobilise the people of the state, especially the youth, to use the opportunity of the ongoing voter registration exercise to register to enable them to participate in the next election. “Now is the opportunity for them to send a strong message with their voter cards: “A message that will address their demands during the endSARS campaign. “A message that will change the failed government and bring back our country the way it used to be, One Nation, One destiny.” He disclosed that the team came on the visit “as part of our movement round the Zone to appeal to the Governors and leaders of our zone on the need for the party to remain focused and united. “To rescue Nigeria is a task that must be done. All hands must be on deck. “Those sleeping on duty should wake up and together we can save our people the horrors of bad governance. “As an opposition party we must rekindle the hope of frustrated and disappointed Nigerians that we can do it better. “For Nigeria to make progress, we must vote out those who have neglected our zone in terms of development,” Orbih said. He also noted that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had become “the National Headquarters of fraud”. He added that from news, the forensic audit had uncovered 12,128 abandoned jobs with no specific ownership, adding that what it meant was that the Niger Delta had been abandoned by NDDC. He stressed that Nigeria was sick, as there was hunger and insecurity as well as poor economic management. “His Excellency, as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ forum South South, you have a major role to play in reshaping the politics of our Zone. “Our party is the most viable vehicle to bail out the country from the mess we find ourselves.” Okowa, in his response, noted that as a party, the governors and leaders were doing their best to ensure that the party remained strong and united in the zone. He also noted that the deplorable state of federal roads in the South South was something that must continually be drawn attention to. On the issue of the NDDC, the governor said that the South South governors would continue to push for the constitution of the board, adding that forensic audit was not supposed to stop the constitution of the board. He noted that there was no doubt that the NDDC could be better run, and forensic audit would unearth lots of things. He further said that there was the need to rethink the loans process to be sure that a burden won’t be left for incoming administration to handle. He stressed the need for security situation in the country to be truly addressed, while every citizen must work collectively for the unity of the Nation.

Akeredolu orders night clubs to close by midnight

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has ordered all night clubs in the state to close daily operations by 12 midnight. Akeredolu, who expressed concerns over rising cases of insecurity in the state especially Akure, said noticeable cases are traceable to activities of cult groups and ancillary circumstances. The Governor, who spoke in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said nightclubs’ late hour activities have heightened what he described as an ugly situation. He said the locations of some of the nightclubs along major roads in Akure were most culpable. According to him: “In the light of the foregoing, government wishes to reiterate its ban on late hour activities of night clubs, pubs and public bars. “Succinctly, any violation of this ban from 12 midnight shall be met with a commensurate action by relevant authorities. “For emphasis, no nightclub, pub or public bar must operate beyond midnight, starting from today, Thursday, July 8, 2020. “Accordingly, relevant security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, have been briefed and directed to carry out this renewed vigour and directive in this regard.”

Suspension of lawmakers: Imo APC reacts, urges decorum

The Imo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised its members of the House of the Assembly to maintain decorum. The Publicity Secretary of the Party in the state, Mr Cajetan Duke, said this while reacting to the suspension issue during an interaction with newsmen in Owerri. Duke who described the Assembly as an independent organ of government, called on the suspended lawmakers to desist from acts capable of jeopardizing their public image and that of the legislative House. ‌ He noted that as law-abiding persons, the party would not only respect the independence of the Assembly but also align with any decisions taken by its leadership in the interest of democracy. “APC respects the independence of the House of Assembly and supports any disciplinary measures that make for decorum and we urge the suspended lawmakers to resolve issues using internal resolution mechanism”, he counselled. According to him, out of the six lawmakers who were suspended for alleged unparliamentary conduct, four were members of the ruling APC, an indication that it was not a case of a political witch-hunt.

Four die of food poisoning in Kwara community

No fewer than four members of the same family reportedly died of food poisoning in the Kwara community on Thursday. The incident, it gathered occurred around 7am in Olori village of Banni community, Kaiama local government area. Spokesperson of the Kwara Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Babawale Afolabi confirmed the incident. Afolabi said: “We received information about the death of two children of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar of Olori village, Banni community of Kwara North namely Umar Mohammed (25) and Kadir Mohammed (18). “They started vomiting around 4 am on Thursday and were rushed to General hospital, Igbeti. “They were tested and confirmed to have taken poisonous food. am on Thursday and were rushed to General hospital, Igbeti. “They were tested and confirmed to have taken poisonous food. READ ALSO: Kwara APC factions trade words over Gov AbdulRazaq, Lai Mohammed “After few minutes, the two died in the hospital.” NSCDC spokesperson said: “As the family members were preparing to bury their corpses, one of the grandsons of Abubakar; Umar Mohammed also died.” He added that a team of NSCDC personnel visited the family to condole with them. “As we were with the family members, we were told another grandson, Bashiru Mohammed has been rushed to another hospital, and on getting there, he was also confirmed dead in our presence,” Afolabi said. He added the personnel subsequently advised other family members who took the same meal with the deceased to go for a check-up at the hospital. He said that some other members of the family were admitted to the hospital for proper tests and possible treatment.

PDP releases official timetable for 2021 congress

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2021 congresses of the party. The congresses will hold in nine states which include Lagos, Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Borno, Kogi, Osun, Kwara and Ebonyi. The PDP pointed out that in the case of Lagos, Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Borno, Kogi, Osun and Kwara states, the tenure of the Excos by Section 47(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended) would be expiring, having been elected in 2017. The party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said, “For clarity, in Kogi State, congresses are to hold only in Wards and Local Governments, while in Osun, congresses are to hold in some respective wards only. “However, in the case of Ebonyi, congress would be conducted to elect new EXCOs following the dissolution of the state structure due to political realignments occasioned by the defection of the state governors and others to another party. “According to the timetable, the sale of nomination forms, including ad-hoc delegates forms has been scheduled for July 26 to August 27, 2021, while the last day for the submission of forms has been fixed for September 6, 2021. Sale of all forms are from the National Secretariat. “The NWC urges all members of the party and teeming supporters across the country, particularly in the affected states, to be guided by the official timetable and schedule of events and disregard any other document reported to have being earlier circulated by unauthorised persons.”

Feminist groups sue Buhari over alleged marginalisation

A coalition of women groups has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja against the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for allegedly marginalising women in his regime. In the suit, the groups are seeking an order of the court restraining the President from further violating the 35 per cent Affirmative Action Policy in the exercise of his constitutional and statutory powers of appointment. The feminist groups argued that the failure of the Federal Government to implement the 35 per cent Affirmative Action Policy was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Gender Policy 2006, and the relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. They also claimed that the predominant appointment of men into key positions in the country was unconstitutional. When the matter came up on Wednesday before Justice Donatus Okorowo, the lawyer to the plaintiffs, Marshal Abubakar, sought leave to regularise his processes. The counsel to the defendants, Ibukun Okoosi, also sought leave to file a counter-affidavit. The court granted their prayers and adjourned the matter till September 29 for arguments. The women groups consisted of Empowerment and Legal Aid Initiative, Women Trust Fund, Centre for Democracy and Development, West Africa Women Advocates Research and Documentary Centre, Vision Spring Initiative, and the Women in Politics in Nigeria. Also joined in the suit is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

BREAKING: Buhari Offers Fresh Appointment To Jega

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Jos. The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said Buhari also approved the appointment and reassignment of Chancellors to 42 federal universities. Two former Ministers, Prof Anthony Anwuka and Udoma Udo Udoma, were also appointed chairmen of governing councils. While Anwuka is to chair the council of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Udoma will chair the council of Bayero University, Kano. Both Udoma and Anwuka served as ministers in the first term of Buhari. Other Chairmen of Councils are Prof Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo, University Of Abuja; Malam Adamu Fika, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; Dr. Sonny Kuku, University Of Benin; Chief Ikechi Emenike, University Of Nigeria; Nsukka and Ballama Manu, University Of Maiduguri. Adamu also noted that the President approved the re-constitution of Governing Councils of 23 Federal universities and Inter-University Centres (IUCs) following the expiration of their tenures since 8th May, 2021. The minister said the Chancellors shall be presented to the University Community at an investiture ceremony to be organised during the next convocation ceremony. He said the investiture will precede the conferment of degrees at the convocation. “The Chancellor shall in relation to the university take precedence before all other members of the university, and when he is present shall preside at all the meetings of convocation held for conferring degrees,” he said. The appointed Chancellors include HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv (University of Benin), Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III. CON, JP. Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University), Bauchi, HM Obi Ofala Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, (Ahmadu Bello University), Zaria and HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland, (Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State). Others are HM, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, (Bayero University, Kano), HRM King W S Joshua Igbugburu X, Con, Ibenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, (Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State), HRM Professor Joseph Chike Edozien. CFR, Asagba of Asaba, (Federal University Gashua, Yobe), HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammed Idris, CON, Emir of Fika, (Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State). King Dandeson Douglas Jaja Jeki, Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, (Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina), HRH Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, Emir of Gombe, (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike) and HRH, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1, Emir of Lafia, (Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa), among others.