Crime Facts

Education: Nigerian youths are equal to their foreign counterparts — Minister

  The Minister for Youths and Sports Development , Mr Sunday Dare, said on Wednesday in Abuja that Nigerian youths are not inferior to their international counterparts due to their exceptional educational skills. The minister said this at the 2022 Pre-Departure Orientation for over 200 young Nigerians who had received the post graduate scholarship offered by the European Union (EU) which would run concurrently under its Erasmus+ pragramme. Dare, who was represented by Mr Olufemi Adeagbo, Special Adviser to the minister, says he was delighted by the initiative of the bloc to engage young Nigerians to pursue their education in Europe. “ I am even more delighted to know that a record number had been awarded the prestigious Erasmus scholarship to study in various EU universities this year. “The uninitiated and for those that might not know this programme provide opportunities for over four million participants to study, trained, get experience and do some volunteering. “These scholarships are in the fields of education, training, youths in sports from 2021 to 2027, placing very strong focus on social inclusion, grid and digital transition and also promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. “All these form the core of my mandate as the minister of youths and sports development in Nigeria. “ I therefore use this opportunity to wish the Nigerians beneficiaries of these programmes a very best of luck and they make the most of this opportunity,’’ he said. Ms Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that the bloc was proud of Nigerian performance of emerging in the second position after Pakistan. She added that Nigerian youths have great potentials to be in second position with over 200 awardees coming from six positions from last year at the Erasmus programme. Isopi said the beneficiaries for the 2022 Erasmus post graduate scholarship would have the opportunity to visit about six countries in Europe for their masters’ programmes. “The great potential of EU and Nigeria is the people to people relationship by building the future for the youths through education. “Education gives value to the lives of young individuals and this is what Erasmus+ programme offers to connect people around the world to become better in their various fields of endeavours,’’ she said. Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, lauded the Erasmus programme and also the awardees for being selected. Adamu advised the students to use the opportunity and make something for themselves, adding that they should not to take the opportunity for granted. The minister, who was represented by Mrs Ndajiwo Asta, the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, said that the initiative by the bloc was laudable. “It avails both students, teachers and educational staffs to benefit from the postgraduate programme. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of 26.2 billion euro. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transition, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. (NAN)

Remove stringent conditions on visas — FG begs Canadian govt

  The Federal Government has appealed to the Canadian Government to remove the stringent conditions preventing Nigerians from procuring its visa. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola made the appeal when the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja. In a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Afonja Ajibola, the minister said easing the visa conditions would boost investment and accelerate economic growth in both countries. Aregbesola also urged the Canadian Government to assist Nigeria with new technologies to ease the monitoring of Nigerian borders, high seas, land, railways and schools. He said such technology would also facilitate quick response to security issues and enhance investments in Nigeria. Earlier, Christoff said that the visit was to seek for bilateral cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of economy, security, technology, education and training of Immigration Service personnel. The high commissioner said that the traing of immigration personnel would ensure efficient border monitoring and enhance Nigeria’s security. Christoff said that the Canadian Government would review some of its visa conditions, so that Nigerians can access Canada without difficulties. Also, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said strengthening partnership and cooperation between Nigeria and Canada would enhance development in both nations, including areas of security.

Court jails NANS officer for Internet fraud

  The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has sentenced an officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to one year imprisonment for Internet fraud. Adeyemi Abiodun, Director of Logistics, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Chapter, was among 40 persons jailed by four judges of Oyo State High Court on related charge, according a statement by the EFCC on Wednesday. EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said in the statement that each of the 40 defendants was convicted on one count ranging from impersonation, obtaining money under false pretence, obtaining property by false pretence to forgery. The offences were said to be ontrary to Sections 419, 467, 484, 516 and 508 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Arrest, investigations and charge EFCC said Mr Abiodun, a 200 level student of Economics and Development Studies of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, was arrested on 30 March, 2022, alongside 79 others in a sting operation by the operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC at Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged internet fraud. It said its investigations revealed that, between July 2021 and March 2022, Mr Abiodun benefited from a N195, 274, 331 heist from cyber-fraud involving forgery of over 25 US banks cheques. The commission then charged him and Odaise Precious Abiola (aka Prezzy), who was said to be at large with conspiracy to forge various United States of America Banks cheques and purport same to be genuine on or about 30 March, 2022 in Ibadan. The alleged offence of conspiracy to commit forgery is contrary to Section 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.   Mr Abiodun and the others pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them by the EFCC. Guilty plea and conviction In view of their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Abdulrasheed Suleiman, Mabas Mabur and Samsuddeen Bashir reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered confessional statements and documents recovered from the convicts as exhibits and urged the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. Consequently, Mr Abiodun was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment each without the “option of fine”. Some others in his group who also pleaded guilty bagged three months jailed term and six months community service. Some other defendants were convicted and sentenced to six months community service each. Forfeiture Furthermore, the court ordered Mr Abiodun to pay $1,000 in restitution and forfeit a white Mercedes Benz CLA-250 with customised NANS plate number worth N16 million. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his gold neck chain and one ice neck chain worth N3.6 million, bitcoin worth $58, 854.88 one Apple MacBook Pro 2020 Model and an iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Other convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them. Read EFCC’s statement in full: EFCC Press Release NANS Executive Bags One Year Jail Term for N195m Internet Fraud…39 Others Convicted in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of Director of Logistics of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Chapter, Adeyemi Israel Abiodun to one year imprisonment for internet-related fraud. He is among 40 persons convicted on separate one count charges before four judges of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan. Their offences bordered on impersonation, obtaining money under false pretence, obtaining property by false pretence and forgery contrary to Sections 419, 467, 484, 516 and 508 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The other convicts are Yekeen Azeez Ishola, Okeniyi Sanuel Akiniyi, Theophilus Ademola Bukola, Salami Mohammed Adetayo, Pelumi Ajayi Temiloluwa, Lawal Abdullateef Olalekan, Okusanwo Mayowa Daniel, Oluwole Oluwasegun Ayomide, Adedotun Omodele Yusuf, Monday Nnaemeka Samuel, Idowu Adeshina, Olowe Nifemi Ayomide, Adubu Olamiotan Sunday, Kehinde Olatunji Kehinde, Oguntuase Tope Francis, Elijah Isaac Wisdom, Ogbanaya Chukwu Chukwu, Adekola Adekunle, Odebode Temiloluwa Kehinde, Joseph Odunayo Clement, Andrew Adekunle Masika, Usman Mubarak Damilare, Isiaka Olumide Hammed, Uawu Osita Henry, Kareem Afeez Alabi and Ogunyemi Ayobami Samuel. READ ALSO: EFCC arraigns Cubana manager over alleged $164,000 money laundering Others include: Mimiola Victor Olamide, Adeeko Kolade Emmanuel, Egberongbe Adedayo Quam, Oyelaran Olayiwola Jeremaih, Hammed Rilwan Ishola, Adefowora Omotayo David, Adedeji Ibrahim Olamilekan, Emmanuel Timileyin Akinbowale, Michael Damola Olanrewaju, Ayanyemi Olaide Samuel, Boye Timilehin Emmanuel, Timileyin Ajibola Idowu and Azeez Tolulope Ayoade. Abiodun was arraigned before Justice Iyabo Yerima while thirty-nine others were prosecuted before Justices Bayo Taiwo, Akintola Ladiran and Olusola Adetujoye between August 15, 2022 and August 23, 2022. The one count charge against Abiodun reads: “That you, Adeyemi Israel Abiodun and Odaise Precious Abiola (aka Prezzy) (at large) on or about 30th March, 2022 at Ibadan, within the Ibadan Judicial Division did conspire to forge various United States of America Banks Cheques and purport same to be genuine and thereby committed the offence of conspiracy to commit forgery contrary to Section 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.” Abiodun and the others pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them by the EFCC. In view of their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Abdulrasheed Suleiman, Mabas Mabur and Samsuddeen Bashir reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered confessional statements and documents recovered from the convicts as exhibits and urged the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. Consequently, Abiodun, Daniel and Ayomide were convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment each without the “option of fine”, while Akiniyi bagged three months jailed term and six months community service. ⓘ Other defendants were convicted and sentenced to six months community service each. Furthermore, the court ordered Abiodun to pay the sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) in restitution and forfeit a white Mercedes Benz CLA-250 with customized NANS plate number worth N16million, a

Killer Soldier: What Yobe Cleric Asked Me Before I Pulled The Trigger

  Lance Corporal John Gabriel, a soldier with registration number N/A13/69/1522, has opened up on how he tricked Sheik Goni Aisami-Gashua, a prominent cleric in Yobe State, before killing him. Daily Trust had reported how the cleric was shot dead after he offered lift to his killer on Friday night. Aisami was headed for Gashua from Nguru when his killer who was in mufti pleaded to join him to Jaji-Maji. As they proceeded on the journey, he tricked the cleric who alighted from his vehicle but never made it back again as Gabriel snuffed life out of him. Speaking when he was paraded by the police on Wednesday, the killer soldier who was attached to 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru, said the Sheik asked him two questions before he pulled the trigger. “We were approaching Jaji-Maji and the windows were wound down, so I told him (the victim) that I was hearing a sound under his vehicle and he said he was suspecting something under it and he wanted to park and check. After he parked by the roadside, he alighted and I followed him. After checking, he found out that it was not what he suspected. “”Meanwhile, I had removed my rifle and fixed the magazine when he was under the vehicle. When he didn’t find anything under the vehicle, I told him to check the back tyre, but as he was about doing so, I pointed my rifle at him and he asked me, ‘What did I do to you?” And I responded, you did not do anything to me. He asked further, ‘Do you want to kill me?’ And I said, ‘No I don’t want to kill you.’ So, he kept quiet and I fired a warning shot, thinking he would be scared and run away. But he didn’t run away. However as he made to enter his vehicle, I fired directly at him.” The death of the Islamic scholar had sparked a nationwide outrage, with many demanding immediate prosecution. In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, the National Chairman of Islamic propagation group, Izala Movement, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, had said the manner in which he was murdered showed its terrorism against the Muslim Ummah. “We condemn the assassination and we call on the Federal Government to quickly prosecute the assassins; let’s probe the motive of the killing. If it had happened that a Muslim killed a pastor, the story would have been different, we won’t let this go, we won’t keep quiet anymore,” he had said.

Alleged N25bn Fraud: EFCC Arrests, Grills NDDC’s Account Director

  Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Director, Finance and Account of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Eno Ubi Otu. Mr Otu is currently being grilled with regards to an alleged N25billion fraud. It is alleged that the finance director played a role in the diversion of over N25billion tax remittances. The suspect who arrived at the Commission in the early hours of Wednesday, August 24, 2022 was still being interrogated as of press time. A source disclosed that the arrest was part of a larger investigation of the forensic audit report of the NDDC. Spokesman of the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for confirmation.

2023: Buhari won’t betray APC – Presidency

  THE Presidency on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not indulge in any form of anti-party or betray candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2023 elections. The Presidency also warned aggrieved members of the APC that dumped the party or those that are in court against its official candidates that they are on their own, adding that nobody outside the party tent should link what they are doing to President Buhari. This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu titled, “For 2023, no Villa candidates, only APC candidates.” The statement read: “The Presidency wishes to put it on record, and at the same time, reassure faithful party members that President Muhammadu Buhari remains a ‘disciplined soldier’ of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and will, in all the coming elections, support only those candidates fielded by the party and no other. “This is a warning to decamped party members and some others who are still in court against official candidates of the APC that they are on their own and nobody outside the party tent should link what they are doing to President Buhari. “The President wishes to be quoted as saying that he is the “occupant of the high office of the President by the Grace of God who used the instrumentality of the APC to bring him to power with a historic verdict in 2015.” In 2019, he was returned with a bigger majority. “For the first time, a non-PDP government came to power with a huge majority after 16 years of the Fourth Republic. His constant refrain is: “I will not betray or undermine my party by supporting candidates other than those of the APC.” This statement is not against any particular candidate. However, our stand is clear that only those candidates fielded by the All Progressives Candidates, APC will enjoy the support of the President and they are the ones he will campaign for. However, we welcome support for our candidates at all levels by other parties. “The President says he will continue to support the party at all levels to enforce discipline, synchronization and coordination. “He also directs officials in and around the Presidential Villa and all those engaging in loose talk to resist making controversial statements that eventually end up hurting the party and the government, thereby providing a weapon for the opposition to use against the administration, the party or its candidates in the coming elections.”

APGA warns members against anti-party activities

  The All Progressives Grand Alliance, Anambra State chapter, has warned its members against anti-party activities, especially indulging in campaigning for candidates of other political parties. The warning is coming few weeks ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2023 general election. Anambra State has two presidential candidates: a former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi, vying on the platform of the Labour Party while Justice Peter Umeadi is under APGA. The warning came through the state chairman of APGA, Sir Nobert Obi, via a widely circulated letter and made available to journalists in Awka on Wednesday. The letter, which was also circulated to the members of the state working committee and all the local government areas and ward chairmen of the party was dated Aug 18, 2022 ref APGA/AN/08/60. In the letter, the chairman noted that his attention had been drawn to several anti-party activities by some of its members who, he said were consciously or unconsciously campaigning for candidates of other political parties.

Amid PDP crisis, Ayu meets guber candidates, says victory certain in 25 states

  The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday met with its governorship candidates ahead of the 2023 general election. The meeting was held behind closed doors at the party’s headquarters in Abuja. Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, who is seeking re-election, was absent from the meeting. The meeting comes amid the crisis rocking the leading opposition party. Briefing journalists after the meeting, Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the party, said the governorship candidates expressed concerns in their respective states. Ayu added that members are prepared and the party will win the governorship election in 25 states. “The candidates came and expressed their concerns in their various states; briefed us about the efforts they are making in their various states to win the election,” he said. “As you know, the elections will be won in the states, not just at the national level. I am very happy with the progress made so far in various states and some of the little issues that we have clarified. It was an extremely useful meeting. “So we are happy that the members of the party are very determined that we don’t just win at the national level, states of assembly, national assembly, or state governorship; we want to return about 25 state governors or more as we used to have.” Also speaking, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, described the mood in the party as “very excellent”. “The chairman has already spoken, you know we are loyal party members. We believe in the supremacy and sanctity of the party and he (Ayu) has already told you that the mood is very excellent,” he said. “The candidates are coming together uniting the party to discuss, even issues of reconciliation. So, it is a very democratic party.”

Campaign funds: No rift between Utomi, Obi – Labour Party

  The Labour Party has denied a news report that its Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and one of its leaders, Prof. Pat Utomi we’re engaged in a war of attrition over the party’s campaign funds. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Arabambi Abayomi, issued the disclaimer in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja, on Wednesday, He described the story as part of a coordinated attack launched by “agents, miscreants and misfits political characters loyal to the would soon defunct APC led administration.“ The party spokesperson said the Labour Party wouldn’t have dignified the false publication laced with deliberate falsehood or considered it necessary to react to such an epistle of personal bitterness ,ignorance and complete unintelligent outburst but for the benefit of the few in the public who may innocently be misinformed. According to him, authors of the write up were induced by “ethically rusty and morally depraved social misfit and miscreants known as ‘Unknown Source.” He noted that claims that allies of the Presidential Candidate of the Party, Mr. Peter Obi, have sidelined the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, and Professor Pat Utomi, who were earlier listed as signatories to the Labour Party’s campaign donation account, were figments of the imaginations of the author. Abayomi said, “The Labour party hereby states as follows: “The National Chairman of our great Party Bar Julius Abure, the presidential candidate of Labour party Mr Peter Gregory Obi and Prof Pat Utomi are one united , indivisible political families that enjoys cordial relationship that aimed to extinct the present clueless administration of President Buhari led APC and confined them to dust bin of history “That the National Chairman, Bar. Julius Abure, has not convened any meeting of the National Working committee or National Executive Council where the formation of Peter obi/Datti Campaign Council would be formally discussed before inauguration “There was never any Labour Party’s campaign donation account in existence nor an alternative fund-raising platform, tagged FUND40MB that was known to Labour party “Mr. Peter Obi, has never instigated any war through proxies in Labour party as he is busy with how to fix Nigeria from a consuming nation to a productive one where Nigerians will take back their country from the present administration that has put our country on Autopilot. The LP National Publicity Secretary further said, “Having set the records straight , it is important that this long empty epistle of calumny written here by this “unknown source” is a manifestation that he substantially lacks the capacity to correctly understand the complexities in rational thinking needed to be a responsible public commentator . “Such an unintelligent epistle usually comes from a programed puppet with a wholesome bitter and ignorant mind that is poisonous to the society because on what basis did he arrive at this warped opinion ?. “On any scale and in any measure he came to this level of peddling absolute distortion people ike this unintelligent Fellow wanting to re – write history are cancers that should be completely isolated in any decent Society. “For the information and education of the lilliputian political paw and puppet known as ‘unknown source’ and his ilk , it must be clearly emphasised that Labour Party National Chairman Bar Julius Abure , our Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Prof Pat Utomi , are already in the class of responsible and reliable leaders who will not only take the people to where they want to go but far much further to where they don’t know they have to be ,but ought to be .“

Lamido, cohorts caused PDP’s defeat in 2015 – Wike

  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, saying the latter has lost relevance politically. Lamido had while speaking on Channel’s Television ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday night said there was no need for any reconciliation between Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying nobody wronged the Rivers governor. But Wike in a statement through his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, on Wednesday, described the comments credited to Lamido as disgusting and disdainful. The statement reads,” We have observed with disgust the disdainful remarks made by the former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido about Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, during his recent interview on Channels television. “While, we cannot deny that Alhaji Lamido has an inalienable right to his personal opinion, we wish to declare that he, however, lacks the right to malign governor Wike, whose immense contributions to the sustenance of the Peoples Democratic Party are not in dispute. “It is rather appalling that at a time when concerted efforts are being made by lovers of true democracy and the unity of the party, to resolve some inherent contradictions plaguing the PDP, Alhaji Lamido and his cohorts, who have since lost their relevance in the polity, are busy creating friction and schism.” He said Wike has never claimed to be the custodian of the over three million votes in Rivers state. “But as the leader of the PDP and good people of Rivers State, anyone who underrates the governor’s political pedigree or dares to ignore his influence in the state and beyond will be doing so at his own peril. “We wish to remind Alhaji Lamido that governor Wike has never left anyone in doubt about his capacity to sway the voters in Rivers state in a direction that benefits the people and the state, in overall. political pedigree or dares to ignore his influence in the state and beyond will be doing so at his own peril. “We wish to remind Alhaji Lamido that governor Wike has never left anyone in doubt about his capacity to sway the voters in Rivers state in a direction that benefits the people and the state, in overall. “When he speaks, Rivers people will listen, no doubt. Perhaps, Alhaji Lamido thinks Nigerians are suffering from selective amnesia to have forgotten in a hurry, the ignoble role he and his cohorts played between 2014 and 2015, that culminated in the defeat of the PDP in the 2015 general election. “We hope that he is not up in such scheme again to cause a repeat of that history. Otherwise, if Alhaji Lamido has any modicum of conscience, he won’t be making disparaging comments about governor Wike, whom many have described as the pillar of the PDP since 2015,” he added. Continuing, he said, “We wish to state without equivocation that no well-meaning member of the PDP will describe governor Wike as ‘insignificant’ in the affairs of the PDP. With all modesty, only persons plagued by schizophrenia psychosis will ascribe any form of relevance to Alhaji Lamido, under whose leadership the PDP has woefully lost two governorship elections in Jigawa State in quick succession. “Under Lamido’s watch, as a governor of Jigawa State in 2015, the APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, scored a total 648,045 votes to defeat his PDP opponent, Malam Aminu Ringim, who scored a total 479, 447 votes. Worst still, in 2019, governor Abubakar polled 810,933, while the PDP candidate scored 288,356. “Such records depict that Alhaji Lamido cannot and does not have such political following that will benefit the PDP. Those who want electoral victory for the PDP are not dampening the morale required for a political offensive at APC, but Alhaji Lamido is cracking the wall of unity badly. “Let it be told that in 2015, governor Wike, as an opposition candidate in Rivers State polled 1,029,102 votes to defeat the then ruling APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, who managed to garner a paltry 124,896 votes. “And in 2019, the governor also won by landslide. These are marks of political sagacity and determination to keep PDP at a leading pedestal. “So, as the 2023 general elections beckon, we wish to advise Alhaji Lamido to redeem his battered political image by delivering Jigawa State to the PDP, if he can,” the statement read.