June 2022 – Page 45 – Crime Facts

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Muslim-Muslim ticket: APC National Stakeholders kick, say it will fuel more division

A group of party men and women under the aegis of All Progressives Congress APC National Stakeholders has kicked against calls by some partisans to paid a Muslim running mate with the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it will fuel more division in the country. This was as APC stakeholders from the North East called on the party to cede the presidential running mate slot to the geopolitical zone in order to neutralize the threat posed by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku y who is equally from the zone. On its part, professionals in the APC have described as acceptable, the processes leading to the emergence of Tinubu at the recently concluded Special Convention and Presidential Primary of the party, saying it was time mode professionals were appointed into positions of governance. No to Muslim-Muslim ticket The APC National Stakeholders said it is deeply concerned about the raging controversy which has heated the polity in the last few days. In a communique read by Engr. Aliyu Audu at the end of its meeting, the stakeholders said; “Why we are conscious of the fact that religion should not be a determining factor in our leadership selection process, the peculiar circumstance the nation finds herself calls for reflection in the decisions we take, so long as they bother on our national lives “Today, the country is deeply divided within our fault lines of ethnicity and religion and we cannot afford to jettison this sensibilities in critical decision making. This is why we think that the All Progressives Congress must be guided by the sense of these sensibilities in the selection of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party. To do otherwnise would be to further fuel what divides us and give room for mischief makers to take advantage of our differences. Nigeria is in dire need of good governance and this can come from either a Muslim leader or a Christian leader. “But in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness which the northern governors demonstrated a few days ago, the leaders of the north on whose shoulder the emergence of the Vice Presidential candidate rests must also demonstrate this spirt by ensuring that the candidate comes from the Christian faith. “The northern APC has in its fold capable individuals from the Christian faith with proven track record that can deliver just like anyone from the other faith. Their capability to deliver on the ideals of party aside, they also have the capacity to win elections for the party. Suffice to add that no individual wins elections for any political party, it is the collective of all and we are sure the APC can achieve this. “The APC National Stakeholders therefore call on the APC to narrow her search of the Vice Presidential candidate of the party to a northern Christian whom we have in abundance. Doing this will ensure national inclusion, help to manage our differences and promote national unity”, the stakeholders stated. N’East want VP slot On its part, the North-East APC Youth Stakeholders Forum said the zone has continually given bloc votes to the APC and supported candidates from other regions right from its inception. The forum said “looking at the current pathetic situation that region is faced with due to insurgency and other social unrest, zoning the position of the Vice President to the North East will neutralize the PDP Presidential candidate and mobilize massive support from the region and other zones to ensure victory for Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu”. “We therefore, appeal to our national, states, critical and non-critical stakeholders especially our father President Muhammadu Buhari and our candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led APC National Working Committee to hearken to our cry”, said its Chairman, Haruna Sardauna. Also, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the APC Professionals Forum, Dr Nkem Okeke said the forum endorses the democratic and transparent processes that produced Asiwaju Tinubu as APC’s Presidential Candidate and is willing to mobilize all professionals in the party to ensure that the winning streak that began in 2015 continues next year. He said; “The Forum pledges our 100% support and commitment to massively mobilize for our candidate in the run up to the 2023 Presidential election. “We urge our flag bearer to prioritize the roles and inclusion of professionals in his campaign strategy. “The forum urges the party leadership to use the success of the primaries as a turning point to re-engineer APC as an ideological one, not just a platform to win elections. “The Forum in partnership with the leadership of our party will convene retreats to re-evaluate our party’s journey ahead of the post- Buhari era”.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Lebanese driver faces manslaughter as crushed Lagos lady dies

The Lagos State Police Command says it will amend the charges against the Lebanese driver, John Greg, who crushed a lady, Omotola Akinsanya, while driving against traffic on Sanusi Fafunwa Street, in the Victoria Island area of the state. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the amended charges will reflect the new reality now that the lady has died. “The case is already in court and now that the lady has died, we are going to amend the charges to reflect the new reality. We may charge him with manslaughter,” Hundeyin said. The PUNCH gathered that the deceased’s brother, identified as @wellzpapi, announced the death of the 31-year-old on Twitter. “My sister Omotola has passed away,” the victim’s brother wrote. He also attached an obituary notice to the post. The PUNCH had reported that Omotola was battling for her life after being crushed by a Toyota 4Runner driven by Greg, who reportedly drove his vehicle on top speed against traffic. After ramming into the victim, it was learnt that Greg reversed his car and zoomed off from the incident scene in a bid to escape. A good Samaritan, who witnessed the accident, boarded a motorcycle and chased Greg, who was apprehended and handed over to the police.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

‘Register With CAC, Delete Harmful Accounts’: FG Sets Rules For Facebook, Twitter, Others

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Monday issued new regulations for Internet platforms available in Nigeria. A statement signed by NITDA spokesperson, Hadiza Umar, said the new code was designed to protect the “fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem.” The code requires Internet platforms to “register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.” It also requires that they comply with all regulatory demands and comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law. On content moderation, NITDA said Internet platforms must “provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform.” They must also “provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and deleting any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.” NITDA said the new rules were “developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others. “Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups. The results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.” The draft Code of Practice notes that Internet platforms must promptly obey court orders directing it to provide “information under its domain or any assistance to any authorised government.” It is not yet clear how the new rules will be implemented. Nigeria suspended Twitter in June 2021 for several months after the social media network deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Buhari administration has sought to pass more stringent laws regulating Internet platforms, especially social media networks.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Customer, friends lynch, burn Lagos sex worker for keeping Quran in room

The Lagos State Police Command has charged three suspects to court for allegedly beating a prostitute, Hannah Saliu, to death and setting her corpse ablaze for keeping the Holy Quran in her room. PUNCH Metro gathered that one of the suspects patronised Saliu and after having sex with her, he reportedly paid her N1,000 for the service. The customer was said to have left her room when she suddenly discovered that her N5,000 had gone missing. She reportedly ran after the customer and accused him of stealing her money. The accusation, however, degenerated into an argument. The customer was said to have mobilised his friends to Saliu’s room to search for the missing money. While searching the place, the friends reportedly found a Quran underneath her pillow. A source said Saliu was questioned for possessing the Quran with the kind of job she was doing, adding that the customer and his friends, who became infuriated by the discovery, pounced on her, beat her up and set her ablaze. The source said, “What happened was that the girl was a prostitute and a customer patronised her and after sleeping with her, the customer paid N1,000 for her service. “But when the customer was leaving, he stole the prostitute’s N5,000 and after discovering that her money had gone missing, the prostitute chased him to ask for her money. “The Northerners, who were with the customer that the girl accused of stealing her money, asked if she was sure that he stole her money. So, they decided to go and search her room where she attended to her customers. “While searching the room, they found Quran under her pillow and started asking what she was using the Quran for as a prostitute. So, they started attacking her; they stabbed her, took her out and set her ablaze. “The incident happened at Alaba Rago, where a lot of Northerners reside. The girl that was killed also came from the North. Their grouse was that she was not supposed to be carrying Quran because of the kind of work she was doing.” The state Police Public Relations, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. He said, “The case is at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, and three suspects have been charged to court. The incident happened in April.” A source identified the suspects as Abubakar Musa, Sarauta Monsur, and Surajo Yusuf. PUNCH Metro had reported that a second-year student of Home Economics at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Deborah Samuel, was lynched by fellow students over an allegation of blasphemy.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

2023: Ebonyi Votes Belong To Tinubu, Not Peter Obi – Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has said the people of the state will vote for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 poll. He said credible voters in the state will not vote for Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, adjudged as the most popular presidential candidate from the region. Obi has been pulling crowds among ordinary Nigerians, particularly on social media. But speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of five Commissioners and two Special Assistants into his cabinet, on Monday, the governor said: “We will not vote for Labour Party, we will only vote for APC. Our vote is for APC and not for the Labour Party. “Our agenda is Ebonyi agenda. We will vote for our presidential candidate in the person of Tinubu. We must strive to liberate Ebonyi State and that is our agenda.” Daily Trust had reported how Umahi berated the South-East zone’s delegates in the just-concluded APC presidential primaries, saying they “traded” their votes At the primary won by Tinubu, the Ebonyi governor garnered just 38 votes, the highest by any South East aspirant. He had said the outcome of the primary made him lose confidence in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo sociopolitical group. , “You (Ebonyi delegates) have made yourselves reference points of steadfastness in the country and when people are seeking trustworthy people, they will come for you. “I have lost total confidence in the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization and will openly confront anyone who challenges the Ebonyi agenda,” he had said.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Man Pours Boiling Water On Sleeping Wife

A retiree, Mr Isaac Ekeh, on Friday morning, May 31, poured boiling water on his wife, Stella, while she was sleeping. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident happened at Satellite Town, Alakija, in Amuwo-Odofin LGA of Lagos State. Mrs Ekeh, an educationist, who sustained high degree burns, told NAN in a telephone interview that, “My children, husband and I ate dinner together on the fateful day before we went to bed. “Isaac (husband) woke up around 3am, boiled water which he used to bathe me while I was sleeping in the bedroom. My scream alerted my children who stormed my room as my body was already peeling. “My children rushed me to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, where I am receiving treatment.” She further said, “What baffled me was that we did not quarrel, no fight, no disagreement that would have warranted him to scald my skin.” The mother of four added that her husband travelled to his village in Owerri, Imo State, after causing her grievous harm. When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “I do not have a report of such; the case was not reported,” adding that, “The woman should go to any police station nearest to her and report.”

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Benue attack: Death toll rises to 15, many displaced

Many people have been reportedly displaced after suspected herders attacked Igama community, in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. PUNCH Metro gathered that the death toll of the attack climbed to 15 on Monday. Our correspondent had reported that suspected herders invaded the community in the early hours of Sunday. The council Chairman, Amina Audu, had said nine corpses were recovered from the community. Giving an update on the incident, Audu, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone, said six more corpses were recovered on Monday, adding that people were still searching for missing persons. She said, “Today (Monday), we have recovered additional six corpses. If we add to the nine corpses we recovered yesterday (Sunday), it means 15 corpses have been recovered so far, but our people are still in the bush searching for missing persons. “It was an unprovoked attack; the killers also stormed Effeche, a neighbouring community, but no life was lost there.” The chairman further said thousands of people had been displaced and now taking refuge in several places in the area. The state police spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to get details of the attack.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Yobe North: I Won’t Step Down For Lawan – Machina

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District, Bashir Sheriff Machina, last night vowed not to step down for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. Machina, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, said he contested the party’s senatorial ticket and the delegates overwhelmingly voted for him. Following the defeat of Lawan at the just-concluded presidential primary, there have been moves to reclaim the Yobe North ticket for him. Lawan has been representing the senatorial district since 2007 when he crossed over from the House of Representatives to the Red Chamber. Machina said he is ready to slug it out with the candidates of other political parties at the February 25 elections. “As far as I’m concerned, I contested for the Yobe North senatorial ticket and I won the election. I was confirmed elected because there were other contestants but I was the one that was qualified. I happened to be unopposed. “I am still the candidate; I have not withdrawn and I will not withdraw for anybody. I am being approached by some persons but I will not withdraw, Insha Allah,” he said. A party member loyal to Machina, Hussaini Mohammed Isa confirmed to Daily Trust that a lot of pressure was mounted on the candidate to hand over the APC senatorial ticket to Lawan. He, however, faulted the move by some leaders, saying that Machina laboured for the ticket. On their part, Lawan’s supporters said they want him to continue representing the senatorial district in the Red Chamber. Saleh Mohammed maintained that Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan is so far the best performing senator ever produced by the zone.

Post Date : June 14, 2022

Bitcoin Slumps Below $23,000 In Crypto Crash

Bitcoin tumbled Monday to an 18-month low under $23,000 in a broad cryptocurrency crash, as investors shunned risky assets in the face of a vicious global markets selloff, just seven months after the virtual unit surged to a record high. The world’s most popular crypto asset also took a heavy knock from news that crypto lending platform Celsius Network paused withdrawals, citing volatile conditions. Losses accelerated as major exchange Binance temporarily suspended bitcoin withdrawals but advised customers to use other networks. World stock markets have plunged since Friday when data showed US inflation at a fresh four-decade high. That heightened global recession fears and sent investors fleeing risky cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether — and embracing traditional safe assets such as the dollar. ‘Severe bruising’ “Bitcoin and ether are continuing to get a severe bruising in the ring,” said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter. “They are prime victims of the flight away from risky assets as investors fret about spiralling consumer prices around the world.” The digital currency dived more than 16 percent to hit $22,603 in afternoon London deals, striking a level last seen in December 2020. Bitcoin has now tanked by 66 percent since striking a record peak $68,991.85 last November. Investors sought safety Monday with the US central bank seen likely to aggressively ramp up borrowing costs further to combat runaway inflation. Bitcoin’s decline worsened after the news from Celsius Network. “Today we are announcing that Celsius is pausing all withdrawals, swap, and transfers between accounts,” the platform said in a statement. Celsius made the move “due to extreme market conditions”, it added. The total value of customer deposits had already shrunk by more than half to under $12 billion in May compared with the end of last year. Market sinks under $1.0 trillion The global crypto market is now worth less than $1.0 trillion, data aggregator CoinGecko revealed Monday. That is down from a level of more than $3 trillion at its peak seven months ago, when the market rode a wave of massive investor demand amid growing acceptance from large financial institutions. In a sign of the growing importance of cryptocurrencies, two countries, El Salvador and the Central African Republic, have taken the gamble of adopting bitcoin as legal tender — despite strong criticism from international financial institutions. Inflation ‘too hot to handle’ In recent years, the crypto sector benefitted from a vast infusion of cash due to easy money policies from the world’s biggest central banks. However, rampant inflation has sparked tighter monetary policy across the globe, helping to send the industry crashing. “The worry is that inflation is becoming too hot to handle by central banks who will be forced to douse economies with jets of freezing water, in the form of much steeper interest rate rises, to get it under control,” added Streeter. “With the era of cheap money coming rapidly to an end, traders are becoming much more risk averse and turning their backs on crypto assets.” AFP

Post Date : June 14, 2022

2023: Moghalu exits ADC after losing presidential ticket

African Democratic Party (ADC) presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, has resigned from the party after he failed to clinch the presidential ticket. In a letter posted on his official Twitter account, Moghalu cited fundamental clash of values with ADC leaders as a reason for leaving the party. Recall Moghalu lost in the primaries to Dumebi Kachikwu, on June 8. Kachikwu garnered 977 votes in the primary election of the party that was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Moghalu, who was the presidential candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the 2019 elections, could only poll 589 votes. In a letter written to the National Chairman of ADC, Chief Okey Nwosu, Moghalu claimed the conduct of the election “revealed a fundamental clash of values between me and your leadership of the party.” He said his resignation is with immediate effect while noting that his sacrifices for the party was jettisoned for an immediate gain during the primary election and accused Nwosu of not providing a level playing field contrary to his memo to the aspirants before the contest.