Crime Facts

Redeem Your Collapsing Government, Sack Minister of Power, CD/HURIDE tells Tinubu

  Despite the apology by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu to Nigerians over his unfortunate gaffe of poor electricity usage, two human and pro-democracy groups have asked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to sack him with immediate effect. Adelabu had in an unguarded moment when he was defending the astronomical Increase in electricity tariff blamed Nigerians for being responsible for epileptic power supply in the country because they took advantage of cheap power supply The groups, Campaign for Democracy (CD) in the South East and Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’Foundation (HURIDE) in a joint statement rejected the apology by the Minister, saying that by his utterances and comportment he is not fit to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The groups in the statement signed by the chairman of CD in South East and Executive Director, of Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’Foundation HURIDE, High Chief Dede Uzor A Uzor, said the Minister should not even wait to be asked to throw in the towel before doing that giving his unguarded falsehood. The groups said that Adelabu is one of those Nigerian leaders who believe that leadership position confers on them the authority to lord it over the people they are supposed to serve and talk down on them. They also said if Tinubu is a democrat as he mouths, he should by now have flushed out the Minister, saying those in leadership positions from the President to the Ministers, Governors, Senators, House of Representative members and others should know that they are the servants of Nigerians, not their masters. j ” These type of garrulous public office holders always put their boss in trouble as Adelabu has done to Tinubu. He has already created an image problem for the Tinubu administration. The president should flush him out now” said the rights groups. The groups also condemned the outrageous increase in electricity tariffs by the Federal Government, saying there is no justification whatever for that arbitrary and astronomical Increase. They said there was no power supply to justify such a huge and mindless increase coupled with already biting economic hardship due to subsidy removal from petrolatum products and massive devaluation of the naira even when we are witnessing serious national outrages The rights groups said the arbitrary increase without gauging the opinions of teeming Nigerians signposts a Government that is insensitive and unpopular. ” Tinubu Government is already unpopular. The Government is collapsing, yet they went ahead to increase electricity tariff most arbitrarily” said the groups. They said the Tinubu Government, in fact the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not done anything to improve the electricity supply in Nigeria. They questioned why the government should encourage monopoly in the industry, saying that most of the distribution companies ought to have been split into three, four or five to allow for healthy competition just like in the Communication industry The human rights bodies said that the distribution companies do not do anything to improve the electricity supply in the country but like vampires, they suck from Nigerians their hard-earned resources. They said that the greater part of the problem of electricity was corruption both from the Government and distribution companies, lamenting that about 50 Percent of consumers are yet to be metre and it is a deliberate policy by DISCOs’ to continue to milk consumers dry through crazy, arbitrary and astronomical billings, High Chief Dede Uzor fumed

75 Nigerians attempt to flee country —but were captured

  The Nigerian Navy (NN) said on Wednesday that it has arrested a total of 75 stowaways who attempted to travel out of the country through criminal and unconventional ways of hiding under the rudder of cargo ships sailing out of the nation’s waters. While decrying the menace, the Navy warned of the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway which include severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death.   Director of Naval Information, Commodore A Adams-Aliu made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the force is concerned by the upsurge in cases of stowaways in Nigerian waters. He said, “For clarity, the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) defines a stowaway as someone who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo without the consent of the shipowners or the master or any other responsible person.   “Migration as a stowaway is illegal, dangerous and is considered a security threat to ship-owners. “In line with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the NN deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to vector Quick Response Teams (QRT) to all parts of Nigeria’s territorial waters. “Consequently, the NN apprehended about 75 stowaways from August 2023 to April 2024. Specifically, the details of stowaways extracted by the NN between August 2023 and April 2024 are shown in a table seen by Vanguard. August 2023, Vessel, MSC MARTHA, 5 Stowaways apprehended in Lagos Channel, September 2023, Vessel Charminar Panama, 8 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, October 2023, Vessel, Gwangzhou Highway Panama, 11 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, November 2023, Vessel, NATAL, 8 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy In December 2023, Container Vessel Teme, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, December 2023, Vessel, Grande Guinea, 2 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, December 2023   In January 2024, Vessel, MT FRONT ALTIERS, 3 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, February 2024, Vessel MT CHIP, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, March 2024, Vessel, MT Advantage Love, 3 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, March 2024, Vessel, MT Lysias Valleta, 9 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy and April 2024, Vessel MT PRINCESS ERIN, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel bringing the total to 75 between August 2023 – April 2024. Commodore Adams-Aliu continued, “During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels. “All apprehended stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.   “The NN wishes to enlighten the general public on the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway. “These include severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death. “Hence, the NN uses this opportunity to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on such misadventures.”

Kaduna assembly warns el-Rufai’s son after ‘subtle threat’ to speaker

  The Kaduna state house of assembly has expressed concerns over the “subtle threat messages” directed at Yusuf Liman, the speaker of the house, by Bello el-Rufai, a federal lawmaker. Bello, a lawmaker representing Kaduna north federal constituency, is the first son of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state. On Tuesday, the Kaduna house of assembly established a committee to examine the finances of the state under the administration of el-Rufai. The 13-member committee was tasked to investigate loans, grants and project implementation from 2015 to 2023 — the period in which el-Rufai served as governor. In a statement on Wednesday, Suraj Bamalli, the media aide to the Kaduna speaker, said after the committee was established, Bello, in now-deleted posts via X, insulted the assembly and called for a “fight”. Bamalli alleged that the federal lawmaker also sent “insulting and subtle threat messages” to the Kaduna speaker via his WhatsApp account. “Shortly after the establishment of a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna State, Hon. Bello el-Rufai took to social media with two tweets, now deleted, insinuating a call to “fight” and disrespecting the entire legislative arm of government,” the statement reads. “Additionally, he sent insulting and subtle threat messages to the Rt. Hon speaker of Kaduna state house of assembly, Hon Yusuf Liman via WhatsApp. “The screenshots of these tweets and messages have been widely circulated, causing concern among the citizens of Kaduna state.” Bamalli said it is “disheartening” that a federal lawmaker would resort to such behaviour and attempt to obstruct legislative duties. He added that the assembly remains committed to serving the people without fear or favour. “The members of the Assembly took an oath to uphold the integrity of their office and ensure due diligence in their duties, regardless of any attempts at intimidation or threats,” Bamalli added. “Threats and intimidation from anyone, including federal lawmakers, will not deter the Kaduna House of Assembly from its pursuit of justice and accountability.”

[BREAKING] Alleged N80.2bn Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Ex Kogi Gov Bello, Relation Tomorrow

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday, April 18, 2024 arraign a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. He will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo). Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Count one of the charges reads: That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”. Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”. The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle. As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024. It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

AYU’s WITHDRWAL: PDP NEC to elect North-Central Chairman tomorrow

  All is now set for the election/appointment of a National Chairman for People’s Democratic Party PDP inview of the latest development and action by Former Chairman of the Party Iyorchia Ayu who today in a great show of Party patriotism and commitment withdrew all his pending Appeals at the Court of Appeal where He was challenging the Party for removing him from office. In a notice of withdrawal of appeal tagged CA/MK/88/2024 SUIT NO: MHC/85/2023 dated April 15, made available to journalists, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Makurdi, Benue State capital, revealed that Ayu has withdrawn the appeal against the respondents filed on the 27th day of June 2023 via Notice of Appeal dated the 26th day of June 2023. The lawsuit which was between Ayu (Appellant) and Engr. Terhide Utaan and the PDP as the respondent, read in part, “Take notice that the appellant herein intends and doth hereby wholly withdraw the appeal against the respondents filed on the 27th day of June 2023 vide Notice of Appeal dated the 26th day of June 2023.” Reacting to the news, the G60 People Democratic Party lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly commended Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, for withdrawing a lawsuit, noting that the action that made the Acting Chairman, Umar Damagun refuse to step down until the withdrawal of all cases pave way for him to hand over to North Central. According to the G60 PDP FEDERAL lawmakers led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ideato Rep, Ayus Action has removed the last bottleneck and excuse been given by Damagun to hang on to power and opened the express way without any excuse for Damagun to revert back to his position as Deputy Chairman. The lawmakers who have been clamouring for reform of the party including the resignation of the acting chairman, Umar Damagun, stated that with this withdrawal, PDP NEC will proceed with the election of North Central candidate as National Chairman, during their NEC meeting tomorrow. They insisted that despite the plot of rogues in the party working for the All Progressive Congress, APC, the stepdown of Damagun is irreversible.

Soldiers steal cable at Dangote refinery

  The Nigerian Army has arrested two soldiers for alleged involvement in the stealing of armoured cable at Dangote refinery in Lagos Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, April 17. Nwachukwu said the army was “deeply concerned” about the incident, but the criminal act of the two soldiers was “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable, does not, therefore, represent the ethics and values of the Nigerian Army.” He said: “Preliminary investigation reveals that the two suspects were hired by a civilian contractor simply identified as Mr Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some Armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery’s premises. Unknown to the soldiers, the said contractor, sensing trouble as they approached the security post, excused himself from the vehicle and bolted, leaving them behind. Further investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the depth of culpability of the apprehended soldiers. Additionally, the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody.” Nwachukwu said the army was working closely with the management of the Dangote Refinery to ensure a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident. He assured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be meted out to the culprits, adding that no act of criminality would be condoned amongst its personnel. He said: “The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in ensuring that the key values of discipline and integrity are adequately entrenched amongst its personnel. “We shall also continue to cultivate and promote dedication and a culture of accountability and ethical behaviours within our ranks.”

Two courts give conflicting orders over Yahaya Bello

  A federal high court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant against Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi state. Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, granted the arrest warrant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday. However, in a dramatic twist, a Kogi high court presided over by I. A Jamil has restrained the anti-graft agency from arresting the former governor. More to follow…

Ayu Withdraws Suit Challenging Removal As PDP Chair

  The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorcha Ayu, has withdrawn his appeal, which sought to challenge his removal as the party’s national chairman.   The executive committee of the PDP in Igyorov ward in Gboko Local Government Area of Kogi State had in 2023 suspended Ayu over alleged anti party activities. They also claimed that Ayu was not paying his membership dues and did not vote in the March 18 governorship and the House of Assembly elections in Benue State. Dissatisfied with the party’s decision, Senator Ayu approached the court to challenge his removal. However, a Federal High Court in June last year affirmed the decision of the party to sack Senator Ayu, a judgement that led to an appeal, which he has now withdrawn. Ayu’s withdrawal was made known in a notice tagged CA/MK/88/2024 SUIT NO: MHC/85/2023 dated April 15, and made available to Channels Television on Wednesday. It read in part, “Take notice that the appellant herein intends and doth hereby wholly withdraw the appeal against the respondents filed on the 27th day of June 2023 vide Notice of Appeal dated the 26th day of June 2023.”

CBN cuts loan-to-deposit ratio to 50%

  The Central Bank of Nigeria has released a new regulatory directive to enhance lending to the real sector of the Nigerian economy. The directive, issued on April 17, 2024, with reference number BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/005 and signed by the Acting Director of Banking Supervision, Adetona Adedeji, signifies a notable shift in the bank’s policy towards a more contractionary approach. In line with the new measures, the CBN has reduced the loan-to-deposit ratio by 15 percentage points, down to 50 per cent. This move aligns with the CBN’s current monetary tightening policies and reflects the increase in the Cash Reserve ratio rate for banks. The LDR is a metric used to evaluate a bank’s liquidity by comparing its total loans to its total deposits over the same period, expressed as a percentage. An excessively high ratio may indicate insufficient liquidity to meet unexpected fund requirements. All Deposit Money Banks are now mandated to adhere to this revised LDR. The CBN has stated that average daily figures will be utilised to gauge compliance with this directive. Furthermore, while DMBs are encouraged to maintain robust risk management practices in their lending activities, the CBN has committed to continuous monitoring of adherence and will adjust the LDR as necessary based on market developments. Adedeji has called on all banks to acknowledge these modifications and adjust their operations accordingly. He emphasised that this regulatory adjustment is anticipated to significantly influence the banking sector and the wider Nigerian economy. The circular read in part, “Following a shift in the Bank’s policy stance towards a more contractionary approach, it is crucial to revise the loan-to-deposit ratio policy to conform with the CBN’s ongoing monetary tightening. “Consequently, the CBN has decided to decrease the LDR by 15 percentage points to 50 per cent, proportionate to the rise in the CRR rate for banks. “All DMBs must maintain this level, and it is advised that average daily figures will still be applied for compliance assessment. “While DMBs are urged to sustain strong risk management practices concerning their lending operations, the CBN will persist in monitoring compliance, reviewing market developments, and making necessary adjustments to the LDR. Please be guided accordingly.”

Tinubu directs inclusion of NOUN graduates in NYSC scheme, law school

  President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Education to include graduates of the National Open University in the National Youth Service Corps scheme. Tinubu also resolved the longstanding admittance of NOUN Law graduates to participate in Law School in the country for equal opportunities. He made the disclosure during his presentation at the 13th convocation ceremony of NOUN on Saturday, at the university’s Convocation Arena, Jabi, Abuja. Before now, NOUN graduates in 2017 were assured by the former vice chancellor of the institution, Abdallah Adamu, that they would soon be able to participate in the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Law School. Adamu, in an interview, said, “The fact is that the National University Commission law doesn’t allow those who do part-time studies to do NYSC, and the original Act that established NOUN says we offer courses by correspondence, and that is the expression NYSC is using to say ‘if it’s a correspondence course, then it is part-time, if it’s part-time, then the students are not eligible for NYSC.’ A few years later, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt squashed a suit by Law graduates of NOUN seeking admission into the Nigerian Law School. Some graduates of the NOUN Law Department instituted a legal action on May 12, 2015, against the Council of Legal Education, the National University Commission, the Attorney General of the Federation and NOUN over their refusal to admit them into the Law School. In their suit, the graduates wanted the court to compel the relevant authorities to make provisions to include graduates of the NOUN in the Nigerian Law School as benefiting from law graduates from other institutions. But Tinubu gave the new directive through the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Biodun Saliu, who represented him at the convocation on Saturday, adding that the opportunity is within the age bracket as allowed by the law. He said, “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme. “The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns or uncertainties should be promptly addressed by the Federal Ministry of Education. “We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access, and affordability. “Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria.” The president noted that the gathering was not just a celebration of the graduates’ academic successes but also highlighted the crucial role that Open and Distance Education has in shaping the nation’s educational framework. He, therefore, affirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing ODL to expand access to higher education across the nation, emphasizing that the utilisation of ODL is essential for meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The president expressed satisfaction with what NOUN has become, stressing that it is a central figure in advancing the government’s commitment to achieving educational goals through ICT.