October 2024 – Page 26

Post Date : October 12, 2024

S’African policemen face trial for robbing Nigerian rapper

The South African Police Service has arrested four of its officers for robbing a Nigerian rapper of jewellery worth R20 million, approximately N1.9bn. The suspects, Jacobus Groenewald, Bradley Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati allegedly invaded the Nigerian national’s residence in Llandudno, Cape Town, on September 14 and stole his jewellery. According to reports, the officers were busted by the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit and accused of staging a robbery in the artiste’s house. Groenewald, Minnaar, Mafanya, and Soldati appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last Thursday on aggravated robbery charges. A Cape Argus source said the policemen were part of a group of eight who allegedly used their SAPS uniforms and vehicles to rob innocent people in the upmarket suburb. “They went to the home of a rich Nigerian and told those in the house they were searching for a wanted Nigerian but instead they stole jewellery valued at R20 million,” the media stated. “They were so stupid they left their fingerprints all over the house as they stole Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds and ivory items. It was all brand names. But they planned the robbery. They are based at different stations but basically, they formed a syndicate,” the source said.

Post Date : October 12, 2024

Nigerian jailed seven years over US fraud

A Nigerian, Oludayo Adeagbo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in the United States over a multimillion-dollar business email compromise scheme. This was disclosed by the US Department of Justice in a release from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri. According to Argentieri, the defendant was involved in multiple cyber-enabled BEC schemes in an attempt to steal more than $3m from victim entities in Texas. Court documents, according to DOJ, revealed that the 45-year-old also targeted local government entities, construction companies, and a Houston-area college. It added that Adeagbo, who also held a British passport, conspired with his accomplices to defraud a North Carolina university of more than $1.9m. He arrived in the US in August 2022 after he was extradited from the United Kingdom to face criminal charges filed in Charlotte and Houston. On April 8, the Nigerian man pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his criminal conduct in both cases. He pleaded guilty following the transfer of his case from the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas to the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. “Oludayo Adeagbo and his coconspirators perpetrated transnational cyber-enabled fraud schemes that targeted schools, government entities, and companies across the United States, and caused millions of dollars in losses,” the DOJ said. Meanwhile, his Nigerian conspirator, Donald Echeazu, 42, was extradited from the UK to the US, over the same fraud in which a North Carolina university (the University) lost more than $1.9 million via a BEC scheme. On May 16, 2023, Echeazu was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by a year of supervised release and was also ordered to pay $655,408.87 in restitution for his role in the conspiracy.

Post Date : October 12, 2024

New bill requires tax ID for bankers, stockbrokers to open bank accounts

The federal government has proposed a new bill that will require individuals engaged in banking, insurance, stock-broking, or other financial services to provide a tax identification number (TIN) before they can create a new account or operate an already-existing one. The bill, which has been submitted to the national assembly, aims to foster tax compliance and improve the country’s revenue collection process. The bill, dated October 4, is titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruing to the Federation, Federal, States, and Local Governments; Prescribe the Powers and Functions of Tax Authorities, and for Related Matters”. “A person engaged in banking, insurance, stock-broking, or other financial services in Nigeria shall make the provision of a tax ID, a precondition for opening a new account or operating an existing account,” the document reads. Also, the bill stipulates that any non-resident supplying taxable goods or services to any individual in Nigeria or deriving income from the country is required to register for tax purposes and obtain a tax ID. However, non-resident individuals who derive only passive income from investments in Nigeria will not be obliged to register; instead, they will need to supply the pertinent data as directed by the relevant tax body. The bill under consideration confers jurisdiction upon the applicable tax authority to automatically register and issue tax IDs to individuals who are required to apply for one but choose not to do so. In such cases, the bill states that the tax authority is required to promptly notify the individual of their registration and the issuance of the tax ID. According to the document, failure to comply with the requirements may result in administrative penalties. The bill states that if a taxable individual does not register for taxes, they will be penalised N50,000 in the first month of non-compliance and N25,000 in each month after that.

Post Date : October 12, 2024

DAILIES TOP STORIES: Wike, Bauchi gov’s face-off splits PDP

Saturday 12 October 2024 Fuel price hike: Nigerians lament worsening hunger, soaring transport fares 16 states carpet EFCC amid lingering N776bn fraud cases Chief judge denies Nnamdi Kanu’s recusal request Poultry farmers seek govt help on rising feed costs IPMAN laments fuel scarcity over price disagreement with NNPCL ‘Harsh training discouraging youths from military service’ APC knocks Amaechi for urging protest against fuel hike Detained Binance executive to receive treatment in Abuja hospital ‘Nigerians Are Suffering,’ Ndume Begs Tinubu To Reduce Petrol Price Forfeiture Of Assets: Court Refuses Emefiele’s Application To Stay Proceedings FG Gives Approval For Marketers To Lift Fuel From Dangote Refinery Edo: BVAS Allegations Baseless, Unsubstantiated, Says INEC Ekeremor LGA APC Suspends Lokpobiri PDP Crisis: Court Bars NEC, BoT From Sacking Damagum As Acting National Chairman Kano Governor Donates ₦100m To Market Fire Victims Tinubu heads for France after ‘productive discussions’ with Ibrahim Masari in UK State governors agree to allocate 15% of annual budget to education New bill requires tax ID for bankers, stockbrokers to open bank accounts UN: Refugees displaced by conflict in Sudan rises to 500,000 Ajaero: We accepted N70,000 minimum wage for govt not to increase fuel price Borno Police Command re-arrest escapee after Maiduguri jail break Regionalism Will Open Doors For More Agitations – ACF Scribe Alleged N50bn fraud: Arrest, prosecute Ganduje now or resign, groups tell Olukoyede Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Post Date : October 11, 2024

“NIN, ATM Card“, FG unveils requirements for accessing N40,000 per 50kg rice

As Nigerians grapple with severe hunger, the Federal Government has announced the necessary documents needed to access the subsidized price of N40,000 for a 50kg bag of milled rice. To obtain the rice, citizens must present several documents, including their National Identification Number (NIN), an ID card, and an ATM card for registration and payment. After completing these steps, beneficiaries will need to clear a separate verification process by government officials before receiving their rice. In Abuja, individuals should go to the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) with the required documents. Once documentation and payment are complete, they will proceed to the Central Business Area beside the First Bank Branch by NNPC Towers to collect their 50kg bag of milled rice. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, addressed the potential challenges of distributing such a critical staple during this difficult period. He stated, “The Federal Government is aware of the potential challenges associated with the sales of an important staple such as rice, and has deployed a multi-disciplinary machinery of government to ensure the transparency, wider reach, and success of this exercise.” Kyari emphasized measures to prevent fraud, including limiting distribution to one bag of rice per person and verifying beneficiaries through identification methods like the NIN and phone numbers. He expressed optimism that the injection of 30,000 metric tons (1,000 trucks of 30 metric tons each) of rice into Nigeria’s food supply will significantly reduce rice prices and benefit other closely related food items. The rice will be distributed to states across the country to ensure equal access, but beneficiaries must have the required documents before making a purchase.

Post Date : October 11, 2024

Fuel scarcity looms, IPMAN warns

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alhaji Okanlawon Sulaiman Olanrewaju has said that the current price which the NNPC is imposing on marketers is too high and may cause another round of fuel scarcity. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, he stated that NNPCL wants to sell at N1,010 to marketers, added that the price is even higher than what the nation’s petroleum company sells at its outlets. “The problem IPMAN is facing in the downstream oil sector is confounding. We realize that what NNPC is imposing on us is too much. “NNPCL is the sole off taker from Dangote oil refinery and the amount the NNPCL wants to sell to us is too high. “NNPC wants to sell at N1,010 to IPMAN. This price is even higher than what NNPCL sells at their retail outlets after including transportation cost. “That’s a very difficult situation they are putting us. We may not be able to survive in that kind of situation because we’ll have to sell to same members of the public. “Definitely, it’s like they want to tag us as bad marketers”. Okanlawon, who described the situation as unacceptable to marketers, said that, “We don’t really know why they are doing that but definitely, we’ll not accept it. It won’t work”. He continued, “presently, our members have paid a lot of money about N15 billion into NNPCL account for months and they’ve not given us the product. “This is for about two to three cargoes at the old price of N750 per litre. And now they want to increase the price after about three or four months. “They’ve asked us to top up the money paid to them before we pick the product. And that’s what they have been doing always. “We cannot continue doing that. Our president has instructed that every member of the IPMAN should stay put until further notice as we’ll be having our NEC meeting on Wednesday next week. “It means that marketers will not pay that money until our discussion”, he said. While lamenting the situation, the IPMAN spokesperson said that marketers take loans for business in banks, adding that the loans attract high interest rate. “Economically, what they want us to do doesn’t sound well. Because we sourced the money from banks and we’re paying money on it. “We all know the way interest rate is going up in banks. They also go to banks even with better negotiation powers than us individual marketers. The IPMAN official, who agreed that the stay off directive by leadership of the association to marketers could lead to non- availability of fuel in circulation, said that it is likely to disrupt distribution of fuel, “because by the time we didn’t pick product for sometimes and we start exhausting what we have, definitely, there’s going to be scarcity”. He was also against the call for return to fuel subsidy regime, saying that, “returning to the subsidy era will distort all the process already in place. “Achievements have been made. There may be some hitches along the line, but it’s better we take these steps. It may be tough now. “The step the government is taking is good. By the time we’re in full deregulation, it’s going to bring about real competition in the downstream oil sector which is good for the economy. “NNPC should not be the sole off taker of Dangote fuel. If it’s opened up, the price would be crashing down. We the IPMAN members are not finding it easy because we can’t plan our business.”

Post Date : October 11, 2024

Two Herders Killed In Fresh Plateau Attack

Two herders have been reportedly killed while one other is missing in separate attacks on villages in Riyom and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State. The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Babayo Yusuf, gave the names of the deceased as Bashiru Iliyasu and Yahuza Idris, saying the former was killed in Jol village of Riyom LGA while the latter was killed along Maikatako road in Bokkos on Thursday. The group added that many cattle were also shot dead during the incident. The chairman stated that the victims were killed while rearing cattle in the areas, adding that security agencies including Department of State Services (DSS) and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) had been informed about the incident. He said, “It is quite unfortunate that these innocent herders who were struggling to earn a livelihood would just be killed. What have they done to deserve this atrocity? This kind of atrocity should not continue because it would not help whoever is behind it. “We are calling on all stakeholders especially the security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attacks and prevent further attacks on our members. We are demanding the police to also rescue the missing herder.” The spokesman of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to the inquiry by our correspondent on the attacks.

Post Date : October 11, 2024

NEWS EXTRA: Police nab 14-year-old for stealing cable

A 14-year-old student, simply identified as Sulaiman Abubakar, has been apprehended by the security officers at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing wire and cables within the complex. Abubakar, a JSS 2 student of Eleyele High School, Ibadan, was said to be pilfering the items in the main bowl of the stadium, on Thursday night. Investigations by PUNCH Online revealed that he gained entrance into the main-bowl during the training session of the Shooting Star Football Club of Ibadan. An informed security source told our correspondent that he had confessed that he slept in one of the rooms after the training. “He (suspect) said, during an interrogation, that he slept in one of the rooms overnight after the security officers securely locked all entrances to the main bowl,” the security source said. One of the traders, who preferred anonymity, also said, “Upon interrogation, the boy confirmed that he broke the pipes with a big stone to cut the camera cables and wires that connect the canopy light. “He also admitted that he planned to sell it. And the items stolen, according to people, were estimated to be N300,000.00.” It was further gathered that the mother of the suspect, who lives at Sabo Area, Mokola, was said to have fainted when she saw her son being handcuffed. “It took the intervention of the stadium workers to revive her. When she later regained consciousness, she stated that the boy offended her the previous night and he was penalised,” she said. When contacted, the General Manager of the state Sports Council, Tunde Ajibike, confirmed the incident. Ajibike said he had since been handed over to the police for further investigations. “Yes, it was true. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, has visited the scene of the incident. “The commissioner, after visiting the stadium for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the attempted theft, admonished members of staff of the Sports Council, the landlords of the Stadium, to be more vigilant. “She said maintenance of security at the stadium is the responsibility of all stakeholders. The commissioner pledged that the State Government will strengthen the security network of the sports complex to guide against future occurrences,” the Sports Council GM said.

Post Date : October 11, 2024

PDP chairman can only be replaced through convention, says court

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, declared that Umar Damagum remains the Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman. Justice Peter Lifu stated this while delivering judgment in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/579/2024, instituted against the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the political party by Senator Umar Maina. Maina, who claimed to be the chairman of PDP in Yobe state, instituted the suit against PDP and eight others. Maina in the suit approached the court with claims that some party stakeholders have been holding secret meetings to forcefully remove Damagum from office which is in gross violation of the party’s Constitution. He said that a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Phillip Salawu, was to be presented as Damagun’s replacement. Maina claimed that upon becoming aware of the plan, two separate letters complaining against the unusual secret meetings were delivered to the national secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and that despite the acknowledgment of the two letters, the National Secretary and BoT members have never deemed it fit to act on the letters and their claims. The plaintiff, through his lawyer Joshua Musa (SAN), prayed the court to invoke articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution to stop the move to replace Damagum as the acting national chairman. The plaintiff specifically asked the court to declare that the national chairmanship of the PDP is rotated between the north and south regions and not through any other procedure not enshrined in the PDP’s Constitution. In his judgment after going through the PDP’s Constitution and exhibits, Justice Lifu agreed with the plaintiff that Damagum can only be replaced at the national convention of PDP or through an order of a court. Justice Lifu held that only Damagum must be recognised as the PDP national chairman until the national convention of the party which is scheduled for December next year. The court barred the PDP NEC and BoT from removing Damagum as the chairman. The judge held that in line with “Articles 42, 47 and 67 of PDP, officers can only be elected at the National Convention of the party”. Justice Lifu added that PDP members are bound by the Constitution of the party and as such must always act in line with the provisions and obedience to the party’s law Justice Lifu also held that any attempt to truncate the un-exhausted four-year tenure of the northern region without the national convention of the party would amount to an affront to the Constitution of the PDP. The judge also dismissed the opposition of the defendants to the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standing to bring out the case and that the court lacked jurisdiction. Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff predicated his suit on the protection of the PDP Constitution from being violated and the northern region where he hailed from being short-changed from the four-year tenure. He also held that Damagum having been appointed from the northern region where the former national chairman Senator Iyorcha Ayu hailed from is entitled to serve out the remaining tenure of the national chairman. Justice Lifu said that the plaintiff having displayed his PDP membership card before the court and having raised the fundamental issue of protection of PDP’s Constitution had sufficient interest and justiciable cause to institute the case. The judge therefore declared that PDP NEC and BoT are bound by the party’s Constitution and that Damagum as national chairman can only be replaced through the national convention of the party. He also held that “Damagum having been appointed from the northern region where the former national chairman Senator Iyorcha Ayu hailed from is entitled to serve out the remaining tenure of the national chairman”.

Post Date : October 11, 2024

PDP faction appoints new acting national chairman

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party shows no signs of resolution, as the integrity faction on Friday announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as acting National Chairman. In the early hours of Friday, the National Working Committee, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba for alleged anti-party activities. Shortly after, another faction of the NWC, through a statement from Ologunagba, announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu for similar reasons. Ologunagba, representing the integrity group, stated that Mohammed’s appointment takes effect immediately and is in line with the PDP’s amended constitution from 2017. The statement read in part “Following the suspension of His Excellency, Ambassador Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman. “The appointment which takes immediate effect is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) “The NWC calls on all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholder,s and members of our great Party to remain focused at this critical time especially as the NWC commences arrangements towards the holding of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled for Thursday, 24th October, 2024.”