Crime Facts

Ned Nwoko: I received N1bn allocation for constituency projects

  Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, says he was able to attract N1 billion worth of projects for his constituents. Nwoko said this when he appeared on ‘Mic On podcast’, a programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television. There has been renewed interest in allocations for constituency projects for federal lawmakers, after Jarigbe Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River north, claimed recently that some “senior” senators got N500 million for projects. Jarigbe made the claim when the senate deliberated on the allegation by Abdul Ningi, now suspended senator representing Bauchi central, who claimed that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion. Nwoko said he would have preferred a scenario where the constituency project allocation to every senator is fixed. “The way it is done now, you basically rely on your weights and contacts to see what you can get for your people,” he said. “Well, it is just the system. Just the system. It is a system in Nigeria… like I said, I’d have preferred a situation where we all know what we are getting — you don’t need to lobby for it and it is a standard thing. “All the 109 senators from the onset should know what is going on in their particular district. “A better approach would have been for senatorial uniformity. So if they say that everyone should get about N1 billion, so be it. But this way, you rely on your weight and contacts to see what you can get for your people. “This is not money for us. It is money for projects within our senatorial districts. So if you have roads, water projects, training programmes all aggregate to a certain sum.” Asked if he received as much as N1 billion in allocation, the senator said: “Of course, I did. That’s why I am who I am. But these are projects for my people.” The senator said he does not want to know who the contractors executing the projects are, but only cares about the delivery of the projects he has been able to attract to Delta north. On March 13, Ali Ndume, chief whip of the senate, said presiding and principal officers received more in constituency project allocation because “some animals are more equal than others”.

Guinea Electricity Chief Sacked After Power Cut Protests

  Guinea announced on Saturday that the head of its national electricity company had been sacked after repeated power cuts sparked deadly protests in the military-ruled country. Laye Sekou Camara of Electricity in Guinea (EDG) was dismissed along with his two deputies, Fode Soumah and Abdoulaye Kone, in a decree signed by junta chief General Mamady Doumbouya. The managing director and deputy of Guinea’s national oil company were also dismissed in a separate decree. “Those responsible for this situation (linked to the power cuts) owe us an explanation and everyone must take their share of responsibility,” Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah told the press on Friday. The decision comes after two children, aged eight and 14, were shot dead amid violent protests on Tuesday in Kindia, 130 kilometres (80 miles) east of Conakry. Clashes also erupted between protesters and security forces in Conakry on Thursday after a power cut plunged much of the capital into darkness. In a statement, EDG said the blackout was the result of “an incident on a high-voltage pylon”. Guinea, which is poor despite considerable mineral and natural resources, has endured decades of dictatorial rule and suffers from fuel shortages and power cuts. AFP

Cable cut: Internet services partially restored, says MainOne

  Digital infrastructure company, MainOne, has announced the successful restoration of services for a portion of its customers. The company said it was making moves to restore services for others by utilising capacity acquired on available cable systems. The company disclosed this in an update shared with PUNCH Online on Saturday. “We have restored services to some customers and are actively working on restoring services to others via capacity acquired on available cable systems “The estimated repair time is for our submarine cable fault to be fixed, to enable our services to become fully restored, and to independently supply capacity to our customers,” MainOne said. Related News Submarine cable repairs may last five weeks – MainOne MainOne unveils subsea cable system in Akwa Ibom MainOne’s acquisition finalised as Equinix announces ownership On Thursday, cuts to the undersea cable supplying Internet connectivity to Nigeria and countries in the West African sub-region led to a significant degradation of data services. MainOne provides connectivity and hybrid cloud solutions to commercial and microfinance institutions, including ISPs, government agencies, small to large enterprises, and educational institutions. On Friday, the service provider revealed that it had a maintenance agreement with Atlantic Cable Maintenance and Repair Agreement to provide repair services for its submarine cable. It said the repair process for its damaged submarine cable may take up to five weeks. With MainOne’s infrastructure crucial to banking operations, major financial institutions are seeking alternative solutions to ensure uninterrupted banking activities in the country amidst the service disruption.

‘Bloody’ Ramadan Friday as Gaza strike kills 36 relatives

  Displaced by Israeli bombardment, the Tabatibi family gathered in central Gaza to eat together during the first Friday night of Ramadan, a reunion that soon turned into a bloodbath. An air strike hit the building where they were staying as women prepared the pre-fasting meal, killing 36 members of the family, witnesses told AFP on Saturday. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which provided the same death toll, blamed Israel for the strike in Nuseirat, as did survivors. Asked about the strike on Saturday, the Israeli military said it targeted two “terror operatives” in Nuseirat “throughout the night”, without elaborating. “The circumstances of the incident are still being reviewed,” it said. Mohammed al-Tabatibi, 19, stood in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, where the bodies of his relatives were spread out. “This is my mother, this is my father, this is my aunt, and these are my brothers,” Tabatibi, whose left hand was injured in the strike, said through tears. “They bombed the house while we were in it. My mother and my aunt were preparing the suhoor food. They were all martyred,” he added before the bodies were stacked on a truck to be driven to a cemetery. Because there were not enough body bags, some of the dead –- including at least two children -– were wrapped in white cloth stained with blood, AFPTV footage showed. The first Friday of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month which began on Monday, passed peacefully in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, despite concerns about tensions at the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. But it was a different story in Gaza. The strike in Nuseirat was one of 60 “deadly air strikes” reported overnight by the press office of the Hamas-run government, from Gaza City in the north to Rafah in the south. “This is a bloody night, a very bloody night,” said Salama Maarouf of the Hamas-run government media office. – ‘Look at the extent of the destruction’ – The war in Gaza erupted with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,553 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. In Rafah, where the majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have sought refuge, more bloodshed is feared after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday he had approved plans for a military operation there. Yet even before any such operation begins, air strikes continue, including one early Saturday that witnesses said killed Issa Duhair, the muezzin of a mosque, along with his two sons. Mahmoud Duhair, a 41-year-old relative who lives nearby, described the muezzin as “a good man” who, as usual, dutifully performed the call to prayer before dawn on Saturday, then went to eat with his family “when his house was struck”. Back in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, Yussef Tabatibi said the true toll of the strike that killed 36 members of his family could rise. “Some of the martyrs we are unable to retrieve. We lack equipment, bulldozers, machinery, or anything else, ” he told AFP, his hands and sweatshirt covered with dust from trying to clear rubble. “We retrieve them only with our hands. We brought shovels and hammers, but to no avail. Look at the extent of the destruction.”

Man rapes 13-year-old sister

  The Lagos state Police Command has arrested one Adepoju Ifedayo for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old sister. This was made known in a statement shared by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on his X account on Saturday. Sharing a picture of the suspect, Hundeyin wrote, “Adepoju Ifedayo reported to the police that his neighbour allegedly defiled his 13-year-old sister. “Investigation showed that he indeed was the culprit but was trying to divert attention. “Following the survivor’s claim that she sighted a firearm in his room, a search was conducted in his apartment, leading to the recovery of two locally made firearms and three live cartridges – another count: unlawful possession of firearms. Investigation is ongoing.”

Edo PDP Chairman Abducted in Benin

  Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. According to The PUNCH, Aziegbemi was abducted in his vehicle along Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, Edo State, around 11 pm on Friday. His driver was in the vehicle, but only the chairman was abducted. The driver narrated how the abduction played out to The PUNCH. He said Aziegbemi had just left a meeting at the government house and was going home in his vehicle when he was kidnapped. “When we left the government house, heading home at about 11 pm, I noticed a car trailing us, so I decided to take another diversion. We never knew they were kidnappers,” said the driver. “A few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed breaker and blocked our car in the front and also behind as they prevented us from going back. Immediately, the gunmen pointed guns at us and ordered our chairman to enter their car and took him away, while also driving his ‘jeep’ with him,” he added. He also said the abductors abandoned Aziegbemi’s car and took off in their vehicles. Chidi Nwabuzor, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this incident. “It is confirmed. The case is in the jurisdiction of the New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station, which is where it happened,” he was quoted as saying. “The commissioner of police has given a marching order to the tactical teams of operatives to go after the gunmen and we pray that by the grace of God, we will be able to rescue him unhurt.”

Tinubu’s Appointees Are Nigeria’s Problems – Allen Onyema

  Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has said President Bola Tinubu is not the problem of the country but his appointees. He said Tinubu means well for Nigeria, but the government officials working with him are undermining his efforts. Enchanted by the Beautiful City near Cambodia Border – Nếm TV Onyema made this known in an exclusive interview with Vanguard. He lamented the ordeals his airline encounters despite the phenomenal support it is offering to Nigerians and the economy. Onyema, however, said that Tinubu will surmount the country’s challenges amid criticisms from Nigeria, saying that he faced a similar experience when he became Lagos governor. “However, what happened to those after him? Do they pick calls? Do they even listen to you? The problem is not President Tinubu. He means well but he should look at his appointees,” Onyema said. “It is the appointees of the government that cause problems, not the elected man. They block the elected man from seeing the truth about things. “As far as I know President Tinubu, he means well for the country. When Tinubu came on board in 1999 as governor of Lagos, on the back of Brigadier General Buba Marwa’s successes, people were not patient because Marwa created a large shoe. “For anyone to fit into those shoes, he had to outperform Marwa. When Tinubu came in, people were crying, just like it is happening now. But when he hit the road running, he outperformed whatever Marwa had done. “Sincerely, I believe it is the same way now. He inherited something not so good and I believe he has that vision, goodwill and good intent to help this country. What he needs is the right people to work with. That is all.” The Air Peace also said that local investments are what Nigeria needs to achieve a vibrant economy. He said, “Like I always say, it is only indigenous investments that can protect this country. Foreign investments are good, but you also have to encourage indigenous investments to stabilize and succeed. “Indigenous investments provide the real jobs and when the chips are down, they are the ones to save the country. When I talked, nobody wanted to listen to me, but I beat my chest and I am happy today. I am absolutely happy for what I have done for this nation in the last few days. “Do you know the millions of dollars or billions of Naira Air Peace has single- handedly saved for this country by what we did? From N17 million, we brought a Business class flight to London down to N4 million. From N6 million we brought economy class flight down to N1.2 million and even afforded our students a further 15 per cent of the N1.2 million.”

Gunmen ‘abduct’ FirstNews editor Segun Olatunji in Lagos

  FirstNews, an online news platform, says Segun Olatunji, its editor, was on Thursday abducted from his home in Lagos. Olatunji, a former Kaduna bureau chief of The PUNCH, was reportedly picked from his house in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state by gunmen. In a statement issued on Saturday, the management of the media platform linked the incident to a recent story published by FirstNews titled, “Revealed: “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers”. It said the news article was also published by other online platforms. The management also said the abduction may be because of another report titled, “EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials – Investigation”, which it said was later pulled down. According to the statement, his wife, Abiodun Olatunji, said the armed men numbering ten arrived at their residence a few minutes after 6 pm without disclosing where he was being taken to. “Some armed men dressed in military uniform totaling ten in number (two in uniform and the remaining 8 in mufti but all armed) arrived at our residence at Dauda Oriyomi street, Iyana Odo along Joke Ayo in Abule Egba area of Lagos State and took away my husband,” Abiodun Olatunji was quoted as saying. “They refused to state his offence and where they were taking him to despite all the efforts to make them do so.” Daniel Iworiso-Markson, publisher of FirstNews, said there has been no trace of Olatunji, as his phone line has been switched off. Iworiso-Markson added that no one has reached the family or the management of FirstNews to explain why he was abducted. “The management of FirstNews is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know his whereabout and the reason why he was arrested,” Iworiso-Markson said. “FirstNews (online & print) is a reputable independent digital news network that prides itself on being a frontline media outfit committed to engaging her world-class audience with factual, authentic, and credible information. “We conduct our journalism activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism and legality, while exercising our rights to freedom of expression and information, all in a bid to ensure credible reporting of the news behind the news in Politics, Business, Education, Sport, Health, Entertainment and many more. “If there was any infraction that borders on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather that this gestapo style of arrest that reminds one of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled.”

Four Senior Officers, 12 Soldiers Killed In Delta

  The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic killing of four senior officers and 12 soldiers in Delta State. It was gathered that the slain military personnel responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State, before they were killed on Thursday, March 14. Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the victims were surrounded by some community youths when troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peace mission in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” the statement read. “The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.” Arrests Made The defence spokesman said the incident has been reported to the Delta State Government, adding that the CDS has also directed that the culprits be unmasked. According to him, some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. He also reiterated the commitment of the military to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in various parts of the country. “The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government. “However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.

Resign if you’re desperate to replace Abure, LP replies NLC president

  The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party took a different dimension on Saturday after the National Working Committee of the opposition party accused the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, of desperately seeking to replace its National Chairman, Julius Abure. The allegation was a response to an open letter written on Friday by the political wing of the NLC, the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission. In the letter jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the commission, Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, Abure and the NWC were accused of proposing a ‘secret’ national convention in Umuahia, Abia State capital on March 27 that will re-elect Abure to continue running the Labour Party as a ‘sole administrator.’ While stating that the circular was passed without the input of stakeholders, especially the NLC, the letter also alleged that Abure had in April 2023 tried to extend his tenure in office by two years unilaterally but was stopped at the instance of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who insisted that the right thing be done.   Describing the planned convention as illegal, the political wing of the NLC called for the immediate resignation of Abure as the party chairman and the constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organise a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party. But the leadership of LP kicked against the directive which it claimed was being orchestrated by Ajaero over his alleged ambition to become the next national chairman of the party. Reacting in a statement titled ‘Resign as NLC President to Contest LP Chairmanship, Labour Party advises Joe Ajero,’ the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, said the leadership of the party will not take order from unionists who are not card-carrying members of their party. Ifoh also stated that the said national convention planned to be held in Umuahia on March 27 will go on as planned. He said, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a press 4elease titled ‘A misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanour gone too far’ written by the NLC’s Political Commission as an agent of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC letter did not come to us as a surprise or a shock. It was long expected before now, having known that the NLC was going to engage itself in this misadventure. “Nigerians will recall that in 2014, NLC has been involved in a war of blackmail and attrition against the Labour Party and its leadership. It was only recently, following the civil and diplomatic approach adopted by Julius Abure when he assumed leadership that he was able to get the then President of the NLC, Ayuba Waba, and the then President of the Trade Union Congress, Olaleye Quadri, to a truce where the NLC, TUC and Labour Party agreed to work together in harmony. “Unfortunately, the rascality of the current president of the NLC, Joe Ajero, has destroyed the successes already recorded. It must be noted that the NLC and its political commission have become a bundle of contradiction and paradox. The Nigeria Labour Congress has written several letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission and to the party on the need to conduct a national convention.” Continuing, the LP spokesman stated that the leadership of the party eventually yielded to the agitation for the national convention, which was fully backed by Article 14:4b of the party Constitution. Ifoh added that if the NLC president and his loyalists are not contented with the provision, Ajaero should be advised to quit his position and officially join the race to wrest power from Abure. He however urged the unionists to consider becoming members of the party at ward level as genuine politicking starts from the grassroots. “At this point, the leadership of the party wants to ask the NLC, what exactly do they want? If Joe Ajero is interested in the leadership of the party, he is therefore advised to resign as the President of the NLC and join in the contest for the National Chairmanship of the party that is scheduled for the convention on the 27th of March, 2024. “We have advised the NLC before now that party politics is played at the ward level and not at the national level. If NLC is interested in taking the leadership of the party, it should go and engage in the mass mobilisation of its members to join the party at the grassroots. It will shock Nigerians to know that members and officials of the NLC are not even card-carrying members of the Labour Party. All over the country, NLC members are supporting either the APC or the PDP. “We must note that undue interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress on the affairs of the party has become worrisome and it has become needful to emphasise here the distinction that the Labour Party has a life of its own different from that of the Nigeria Labour Congress. We therefore want to advise the NLC and its commission that it should focus only on its statutory responsibilities of defending the workers and the workers’ rights. “In conclusion, we note that the Labour Party will be going ahead with our party programmes and our convention will be held. We have consulted with our stakeholders and the consultation is ongoing and we will continue to consult until March 27 when the new leadership of the party will emerge,” he stated.