Lawyer’s Absence Stalls Akingbola Trial  

The trial of former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Francis Atuche was yesterday stalled as the lead defence counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) was unavoidably absent due to national assignment.

Atuche is standing trial alongside Funmi Ademosun, before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court, over alleged financial impropriety in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the case came up today, Chief Idigbe, who was represented by N.K. Oragwu, through a letter asked for a short adjournment to enable him attend a national assignment, which was opposed by the prosecution lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

Pinheiro, in opposing the adjournment argued that since there are other senior advocates in the defence team the absence of Idigbe should not stall the trial.

He said there was no justification in granting the adjournment as he considered the excuse for absence as tendentious and spurous.

Pinheiro said should the court grant the request of the defence by adjourning, a cost of N100,000 should be awarded in favour of the prosecution to cover the expenses incurred for flying the prosecution witness from Abuja to Lagos and having passed the night in a hotel.

Counsel to Ademosun, Chief Robert Clarke, supported the request of Idigbe and urged the court to grant it.

According to Chief Clarke, “Chief Idigbe said he would like to continue with the cross examination himself and I think it is important to grant his request to enable him continue with the line of thought being followed. Breaking that line of thought especially in a criminal matter in a cross examination stage could amount to injustice.”

He concluded that the defendants have rights to choose who conducts their matter.

Justice Onigbanjo in his short ruling on the matter subsequently granted the defence request and adjourned the matter till 9 July , 2012 for continuation of trial.

ACN says Jonathan’s trip to Brazil is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership.

The Action Congress of Nigeria has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on a trip to Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

The criticism became imperative as the trip is coming Nigeria is facing what amounts to a national emergency, as citizens continue to die from gun and bomb attacks in several cities.

Jonathan's trip to Brazil is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership....ACN

Its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed said the decision by the President to travel two days after dozens of innocent Nigerians, including women and children, were killed or maimed by suicide bombers in Kaduna state, is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership.

Mohammed said the fact that the trip was announced by the presidency as the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, was being terrorized by attackers raised serious concerns about the Jonathan Administration’s commitment to the security and welfare of the citizenry.

According to him, the President should have cancelled the trip as a symbolic act of a caring leadership and out of respect for the souls that were lost and are still being lost within the space of a few days, wondering whether the President has become helpless and inured to the fate of his compatriots.

Citing examples of world leaders that have cancelled trips to global events, he said in April 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao cut short his Latin American tour and returned home after a strong earthquake hit the west of China. 

This year, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir returned home early from his visit to China, due to the rising tension along the border of his country with Sudan, and even a phone-hacking scandal was enough for British Prime Minister David Cameron to cut short an African trade tour and return home in 2011.

POLICE CHIEF

8 Kidnappers Arrested At FESTAC Town  

The police in Lagos have arrested eight suspected kidnappers, including their victim who turned out to be a suspected duper.

The suspects had taken their victim to a hotel in the area for a business transaction.

The victim had allegedly collected some money from them on the pretext of securing documents to take them to China.

The suspects demanded a refund of their money. But the victim had been telling them that his master who will take them to China was away.

That the victim had in an attempt to pacify the group taken them to a hotel in Festac Town.

After spending about N100,000 on food and drinks on them, and being unable to pay the bill, he dropped his car and left with the gang members.

The victim was later taken to a hideout in Iba area where he was kept in a room, while the group demanded for N10 million from his family.

The victim allegedly issued the gang a N5 million dud cheque, and promised to pay the balance later.

While in the house, the victim sent out a distress message on a piece of paper which he threw into the next compound, promising to pay N200,000 to anyone who found the paper and called in the police for his rescue.

Some one picked the piece of paper and contacted the police at the Ojo Police Station who stormed the place and rescued the victim.

The victim was later arrested with the suspects following an investigation which revealed that he had allegedly duped the gang members earlier.

The alleged kidnapping was a way of paying the victim back in his own coin before the police arrested them.

Area E Commander, Dan Okoro, confirmed the incident, saying investigation was still on.

Okoro threatened to deal ruthlessly with any hotel proprietor within his area of command that harboured criminals and kidnappers.

ACN says Jonathan’s trip to Brazil is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership.

The Action Congress of Nigeria has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on a trip to Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

The criticism became imperative as the trip is coming Nigeria is facing what amounts to a national emergency, as citizens continue to die from gun and bomb attacks in several cities.

Jonathan's trip to Brazil is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership....ACN

Its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed said the decision by the President to travel two days after dozens of innocent Nigerians, including women and children, were killed or maimed by suicide bombers in Kaduna state, is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership.

Mohammed said the fact that the trip was announced by the presidency as the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, was being terrorized by attackers raised serious concerns about the Jonathan Administration’s commitment to the security and welfare of the citizenry.

According to him, the President should have cancelled the trip as a symbolic act of a caring leadership and out of respect for the souls that were lost and are still being lost within the space of a few days, wondering whether the President has become helpless and inured to the fate of his compatriots.

Citing examples of world leaders that have cancelled trips to global events, he said in April 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao cut short his Latin American tour and returned home after a strong earthquake hit the west of China. 

This year, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir returned home early from his visit to China, due to the rising tension along the border of his country with Sudan, and even a phone-hacking scandal was enough for British Prime Minister David Cameron to cut short an African trade tour and return home in 2011.

Pope calls for end to attack on Christians in Nigeria

Pope Benedict the sixteenth has appealed for an immediate end to what he called terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid reprisals.

The bombed Church in Kaduna

The Pope at his weekly general audience on Wednesday expressed his concern on the persistent suicide and bomb attacks on Churches saying, he is following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist attacks are continuing especially against Christians.

A number of Churches have been attacked across the states in northern Nigeria with untold number of deaths. Such suicide attacks have continued unabated in the last three weeks, killing people during the Church service.

The Pontiff appealed for calm, urging the perpetrators to stop killing the innocent. 

He also appealed to all groups in the country to shun “the path of vendetta” and work towards building a peaceful society where people were free to practice their religion.

Reprisals attacks in Kaduna on Tuesday, following the bomb attack on three churches in Zaria, has led to the death of dozens while gun feuds in Yobe state, since Monday has also claimed a number of lives.

The escalating violence has raised fears of wider sectarian conflict in a country reeling from months of attacks on churches, government buildings and other sites by the Islamist Boko Haram sect.

48 hours after gun battle between the Joint Task Force and suspected members of the Boko Haram sect broke out in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital; residents are still held back in their various homes and offices.

This is happening due to the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the city on Monday, which has crippled economic activities in the north east state.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Egbuniwe said his officers and other security agents are working on dispatching those that were trapped in various places during the attack, to their various homes.

He said the attack caughtt up with so many people in their places of businesses, offices among other places of livelihood, hence efforts is being intensified towards taking them to their respective homes.

On the relaxation of the curfew the CP said the police command in collaboration with other security agencies are still studying the situation and will relax it only when normalcy has been restored.

He noted that the situation is generally calm at the moment but the relaxation of the curfew will not be rushed as they are working on ensuring permanent peace in the state.

People have remained indoors since Monday, when series of gun feuds rocked the city, living residents in their homes for fear of attack coupled with the prevailing 24 hour curfew yesterday by the state government.

Sambo meets service chiefs over insecurity in the north.

Following the persistent violence in Kaduna and Yobe states, in the last three days,Vice President Nnamadi Sambo, met with all the service chiefs in Abuja to discuss and review the security situation in the states .

The meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa behind closed door, was attended by the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi; the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and the Director-General of State Security Service,  Ekpeyong Ita.

Others were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Umar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed.

Figures from police and the Red Cross showed on Wednesday that at least 80 people have been killed since Monday in clashes in the two states triggered by Boko Haram, the fundamentalist sect that is waging an insurgency against the government.

According to General Azazi, there was no iota of truth in the claim that the crisis in these two states had escalated, adding that even though it was serious before, the security agents were in control.

He also stated that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, was already discussing with religious leaders on how to end the crisis.

The General noted that what should be paramount in the mind of Nigerians was how to extend the discussion to the national level.

He said the discussion in Kaduna was not late, adding that talking could never be late.

Chief of Defense staff and IGP in Kaduna

The Chief of Defense staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, has arrived in troubled Kaduna state with the Acting Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar in a bid to address the raging violence in the state.

The security chiefs went into a close door meeting with the governor of the state, Patrick Yakowa, as soon as they arrived.

Kaduna state came under siege after a spate of suicide bombings, targeting churches sparked a wave of reprisal and counter reprisal attacks that has left over 60 people dead.

Earlier, the security chiefs commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate bomb blast which rocked three churches in the state on Sunday.

They both assured residents that security agencies will collaborate more to ensure that normalcy returns to the state.

The Police boss has also revealed that more police officers are being deployed to troubled spots in both Kaduna and Yobe states in order to forestall any further security breach.

The Kaduna state government on Tuesday, re-imposed a 24-hour curfew all over the state, following a renewed outbreak of reprisals.

The Vice President Nnamadi Sambo, had on Tuesday, met with all the service chiefs in Abuja to discuss and review the security situation in Kaduna and Yobe states, following the persistent violence recorded in the two states, in the last three days,

The meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa behind closed door, was attended by the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi; the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and the Director-General of State Security Service, Mr. Ekpeyong Ita.

Others were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Umar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed.

Figures from police and the Red Cross showed on Wednesday that at least 80 people have been killed since Monday in clashes in the two states triggered by Boko Haram, the fundamentalist sect that is waging an insurgency against the government.

FRSC BOSS CHIDOKA OSITA

FRSC Corps Marshal warns officers on physical fitness

Corps Marshal of FRSC, Osita Chidoka has warned officers and men of the commission to remain physically-fit or be shown the way out of the service.

Chidoka gave the warning in Ilorin while addressing officers and men of the zone 8 command.

He warned that any officer who failed physical fitness test would be retired on medical ground.

The FRSC boss, represented by Boboye Oyeyemi, the Deputy Corps Marshal Operations, said the corps had zero tolerance for indiscipline.

He said several officers had been sacked as a result of indiscipline, stressing that the command would not condone any act of indiscipline.

Chidoka said the FRSC would be 25 years old in the next few weeks and must be seen to be above board.

He advised officers and men on patrol not to condone extortion and corruption on the highway.

The Corps Marshal warned that any officer caught taking bribe or involved in corrupt practices on the road would be dealt with appropriately.

He stressed the need for those on patrol to make use of the four-point approach of persuasion, education, subtle force and enforcement.

Chidoka said traffic offenders should not be booked for all offences, adding that men of the corps should also refrain from pursuing offenders on the highway.

He advised officers and men of the corps across the country to avoid friction and work closely with other agencies.


FRSC to reduce 4,000 yearly accident rate by half by 2020, says Chidoka

Road accident rate now stands at 4,000 yearly in Nigeria, but the FRSC says it is working to reduce the rate by half by 2020.

Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka made this known in Jos on Monday in a message to road corps members.

Chidoka spoke through Adeyemi Omidiji, the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics.

He said the goal of FRSC is to ensure that by 2020, the 4,000 annual road accidents in the country were reduced by at least 50 per cent.

Chidoka said the commission would soon take delivery of equipment from the World Bank in aid of  its activities.

NDLEA BOSS AHMADU GIADE

NDLEA arrests 136 drug traffickers Akwa Ibom in 6 months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom said it arrested 136 drug traffickers in the last six months.

The command also said it seized 17.10 grammes of cocaine, 46.6 grammes of heroine, 86.7 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, and 27.5 litres of the drug called combine.

The state commander of the agency, Josephine Obi, said this at the commencement of activities to mark the 2012 United Nations Anti-Drug Trafficking and Abuse Day.

Obi said those arrested were 117 males and 19 females, adding that 21 of them had been convicted.

The theme of this year’s celebration is: Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs.

The NDLEA boss said the UN had set aside the day for global awareness of the devastating effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking with a view to sensitise the global community to combat the scourge.

She blamed the proliferation of illicit drugs on individuals, who collaborated with dealers to frustrate efforts by the agency to stop the sales and consumption of the illicit drugs.

Obi lamented that some people did not see anything wrong in the sales and consumption of illicit drugs, but were rather hostile towards the agency, which they saw as disturbing their means of livelihood.

Obi said that many of the places previously raided by the agency had resumed full drugs operations, but gave the assurance that the agency would do all it could to stamp out the tide.

Kaduna violence: IGP vows to end violence in Nigeria

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has said the police will do everything “humanly and operationally possible” to end the spate of violence in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, the IGP 

Abubakar appealed to residents in Kaduna state to remain calm while efforts are being made by the government and security agencies to find a permanent solution to the persistent violence.

He warned criminal elements who have been carrying out campaigns of violence on innocent Nigerians and institutions to desist forthwith, as the Police and other law enforcement agencies will not sit back idly and watch them put the life of innocent citizens at jeopardy.”

In addition, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ‘A’ Department, Suleiman Fakai, who is also coordinating Police operations in North-West Nigeria, is already in Kaduna where he is personally coordinating Police operations.

Kaduna government relaxes curfew

The Kaduna State government on Monday relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state following Sunday’s bomb blast which rocked churches in both Zaria and Kaduna town.

The Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa

The Special Assistant to Kaduna State governor on Media, Reuben Buhari who confirmed the decision said people can now move from 2pm to 6pm today, on Monday.

A dusk to dawn curfew will come into place from Tuesday, restricting movement to from 6am to 6pm.

According to him, the decision to relax the curfew came as a result of intelligence and security report from security agencies.

Buhari advised residents of the state to remain calm, law abiding and cooperate with security agencies as the government is working hard to prevent any further breach of peace in the state.

Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa on Sunday imposed a 24 hour curfew in the state following bomb blasts and retaliatory violent protest in parts of the state.

Explosions at three churches in Kaduna state killed over 34 people on Sunday, leading to reprisal attacks which led to scores of death.

Two explosions rocked churches in the town of Zaria, moments from each other. A suicide bomber drove a blue Honda civic into a church, burning the front entrance and damaging the building.

Some militants also threw bombs at another church, killing four children who were playing on the streets, said resident Deborah Osagie, who lives opposite the church. 

She added that the militants were later caught by a mob and killed.

Another blast hit a third church in the state’s main city of Kaduna, causing unknown number of casualties, witnesses and the National Emergency Management Agency said.

Kaduna violence: Doctors confirm 66 deaths, 140 hospitalised 


Some 66 persons have been confirmed dead following Sunday’s bomb attacks on three churches in Kaduna State.

Red Cross officials also said on Monday in Kaduna that 140 victims of the attacks were taken to various hospitals for treatment.

That two churches were bombed in Zaria and one in Kaduna on Sunday.

They are Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) located at Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari, Zaria, ECWA Church situated at Wusasa, Zaria and Shallom Church of God at Tirkania area of Kaduna metropolis.

The Chief Medical Director of Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, Huseini Yahya, said the hospital received 10 bodies, while two died in the hospital.


Similarly, Khalid Lawal, Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, near Zaria, said ten bodies were brought to the facility, while two victims died on arrival.


Chief Medical Director of St. Luke’s Hospital, Wusasa, Zaria, Taylor Adeyemi, said three of the 40 victims of ECWA church blast were brought to the hospital died.


Adeyemi said most of the victims brought to the hospital were children.

Public Relations Officer of St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna, John Sunday, said the hospital received 36 bodies and three other victims died on arrival.

Sunday also said the hospital admitted 72 injured persons who were receiving treatment.

Ex-DIG calls for retructuring of Police to reflect best practices

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Abdulrahim Yusuf said the security challenges facing the country could be overcome if the police reform was effectively implemented.

Yusuf told newsmen in Okene, Kogithat presently, the police could not deliver the services expected because of lack of modern equipment and poor quality personnel among the rank and file.

The ex-DIG, who was among guests at the 2012 Ebira national conference, accused politicians and civil servants of compounding the security problems through the violation of provisions of constitution and massive corruption.

He said there was a total disconnect between the people and the elected leaders, which had created room for criminal activities to thrive.

Yusuf said election rigging was gradually becoming institutionalised in the country.

He said this was already manifesting in the behaviours of politicians as stealing of public funds by politicians and civil servants had become the order of the day.

Former Minister of Defence, Tokunbo Kayode, has suggested the creation of a department of home security and a department of national intelligence to check insecurity in the country.

Kayode’ssuggestion coincided with former Osun Governor Bisi Akande’s call for Nigerian youths to be given military training to as part of efforts to stop violence in parts of the country.

A former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada, Abdullahi Atta said greed and the collapse of value system were largely responsible for the woes bedeviling the country.

Atta,who was the Chairman of this year’s edition of Ebira National Conference, urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and other men of conscience not to leave the affairs of the country in the hands of politicians alone.

Aliyu calls on FG to release white paper on bomb blasts

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State called on the Federal Government to release its white paper on the various bomb blasts in the country.

Aliyu said the white paper would enable the government identify persons connected and be punished accordingly, adding that Nigerians would also know those responsible for the attacks. 

He said available records showed that some groups were cashing in on the act committed by the Boko Haram for their own selfish interest.

ARMY CHIEF

Army confirms death of one officer in Kaduna attack

The Nigerian Army has said one of its officer, a Sergeant died in the bomb attacks on churches in Kaduna by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

Assistant Director of Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division, Kaduna, Colonel Usman Sheka confirmed the death.

Sheka said the attackers hit the officer who was on guard duty at Shalom Church of God, Trikania, Kaduna.

The three churches, Shalom Church of God, Trikania, Christ the King Catholic Church, Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari and ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria were attacked attacked by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

The police confirmed that 16 people died in the three attacks.

Others who sustained various degrees of injuries are receiving treatment at St. Gerards’ Hospital, Kaduna and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria.

The State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state to enable security agencies to restore normalcy.

Jonathan expresses sadness over multiple blasts in Zaria, Kaduna churches.


President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the multiple explosions that rocked churches in Kaduna and Zaria on Sunday.

Jonathan expressed his sadness in Abuja at a special service to commemorate the 2012 Fathers Day.

When called upon to give his remarks, the visibly gloomy Jonathan said he received the news of the blasts in the course of the service and was really sad about the development.

The president said he had consolation in God who is capable of handling every situation and healing the nation.

He solicited the support and prayers of every Nigerian for the peace of the nation and for the success of his administration.

Bombing of churches threatens national unity

Senate President David Mark has described the endless bombings of churches as a threat to national unity.

He urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, explore all necessary measures to halt the carnage.

Mark who was reacting to bombing of churches in Wusasa, Zaria and Kaduna in Kaduna State, urged victims of the attacks not to engage in reprisals.

Tambuwal calls for restraint
 
House of Representatives, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has called for calm following the rising tension  caused by the multiple  bomb blasts of churches in Zaria and other parts of Kaduna.

Tambuwal said attacking innocent people who know nothing about the blasts, in the name of reprisals, will worsen an already complicated situation.

He said the increasing number of attacks on places of worship, especially on Sundays, required greater caution on the part of the victims and adherents of other faiths.

Bombings: IG orders massive deployment of police in Kaduna

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered massive deployment of police personnel in Kaduna to restore calm following the bombing of three churches in the state.

Abubakar appealed to residents of the affected areas to remain calm and avoid taking laws into their hands as the police and other security agencies were doing everything possible to end the incessant attacks.

He also urged opinion leaders to desist from making inciting or inflammatory statements capable of aggravating the situation.

Abubakar, however, warned criminal elements carrying out campaign of violence against innocent citizens and institutions to desist from such acts.

According to him, the police and other law enforcement agencies will not sit back and watch such people put the life of innocent citizens in jeopardy.

The appeal and warning followed reports of breakdown of law and order in the affected areas as youths took to the street to protest the attack on the churches.

He said as part of efforts to restore normalcy in the state, Suleiman Fakai, the Deputy Inspector General of Police who coordinates police operations in the North West, had moved to Kaduna.

The Acting Inspector General of Police, who spoke through Force Deputy Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said Fakai would personally coordinate police operations in the state.

ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL

Bomb explosions hit 2 churches in Zaria


Several people are feared dead as two separate bomb explosions hit two churches simultaneously in Zaria, Kaduna State.


The explosions occurred at ECWA Church, Wusasa, and CKC Church at Yoruba Road, Sabon-Gari, Zaria.


An eyewitness at CKC Church, Bala Mati, said the suspected suicide bombers rammed into the church premises in a `Golf IV’’ vehicle, defying orders by security officials at the gate to stop for a check.


He said that he saw about 13 bodies after the explosion.


At Wusasa, another eyewitness, Johnson Maki, said the bombers came in a Honda Accord (2008 model), hitting the security posts and knocking down the part of the church building.

Divisional Secretary of the Red Cross in Zaria, Lawal Umar said not less than 30 persons sustained varying degree of injuries in the suicide attack.


 He said nine injured persons were taken to St. Lukes Hospital, Wusasa, for treatment, while nine others were ferried to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in the Shika neighbourhood of Zaria.


Police Public Relations Officer in the Kaduna State Command, DSP Aminu Lawan also confirmed the explosions, saying policemen had been deployed to the areas.


Lawan, however, appealed to the general public to be security conscious while going about their normal activities, assuring them that essential security measures were being put in place.

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

GOC warns troops against flouting laws on peace keeping operations


The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Garba Wahab has warned soldiers deployed to UN Mission Areas against violating laws guiding peacekeeping operations.

Wahab gave the warning during the graduation of 800 soldiers who participated in pre-deployment training at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre in Jaji near Kaduna.

According to him, any soldier that runs fowl of the law will be repatriated and sanctioned.

There were one or two allegations which have been investigated and found out to be true and the UN has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct by troops.

Nothing is worse than for Nigerian soldiers to be sent out to safeguard somebody and to turn round and abuse their women.

In this regard, you should strive to live above board and avoid anything that will ridicule the good image of our dear country built over the years in the area of international peace and security.

He said the Federal Government has confidence in their capability ``as such, your performance must be of highest standard.``

Earlier, the Commandant of the centre, Major General John Zaruwa said the troop had received appreciable level of training to ensure effective performance in any peace support operation.

The commandant said the centre had so far trained 43,000 soldiers who were deployed to the United Nations Mission in Darfur.

He said the troop had been equipped with 'Advanced Rifle Marksmanship' and Field Training Exercise to deal with challenges of peacekeeping missions.

POLICE LOGO

Police not sleeping over insecurity in Nigeria

Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has said the police are not sleeping over  unresolved insecurity challenges in the country, assuring that innovative strategies being adopted would soon end the menace.  

Abubakar, who spoke at Iragbiji, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, at the foundation laying of Police Institute for Training and Indoctrination sited in the town, said the current security challenges in the country are worrisome, hence the need for collaborative efforts by all Nigerians.

The IGP, who was represented by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Olajide Akano, declared that the police would henceforth monitor all aspects of the nation’s economy, with a view to preventing corruption and insecurity. 

He therefore, urged the public, irrespective of age, to co-operate with the police in the task of ensuring security of lives and property in the country, saying the police are determined to fight terrorism to a stand still in Nigeria, and would not relent in the battle until sanity is restored. 

Abubakar, who was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Jagun Asoludero of Iragbiji land by the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Ayotunde Olabomi, stressed the need for all and sundry to join hands with the police to fish out known terrorists and criminals in their areas.

Army hands over 5,000 guns to civil defence corps

The Nigerian army has handed over five thousand G3 guns and twenty-five thousand 7.2mm live   ammunition to the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps to enhance security, check  terrorism and put an end to the Boko Haram menace.

Nigerian Army offered to train the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps staff  to enable them meet up with the challenges of terrorism as some of its  personnel are retired military or police officers.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said warns conflicts perpetrators, especially the Sect known as Boko Haram to know that if they think that killing innocent people is the only way to make a statement and press their demands, saying no amount of war, bomb blast, suicide bombing would solve the problem as the Federal Government would continue to do all it can to enhance security.

He dismissed the claim of Boko Haram that the Federal Government was insincere and could not be trusted, saying Time has changed and things have changed with time.

The Minister said Federal Government has always opened the door for dialogue with Boko Haram, yet it hear of reports stating that the government is insincere, whereas Boko Haram never spoke with the Federal   Government.

General Officer Commanding 1 Division Army, Major General Garba Wahab said the exercise of arming the Civil Defense was in line with the directives of the Federal Government in order to enhance security and fight Modern Terrorism.

In his remarks, the Commandant General of Civil Defence Corps, Ade Abolurin  assured that the arms handed over to them would be used according to international and local laws.

The Nigerian Civil Defense Corps was founded in 1967 as a voluntary corps providing complimentary service to the Nigerian citizens and was inaugurated in 2003 as paramilitary yet with no arms, right to arrest or conduct  house search.

Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar,

Never! No road block again, vows IGP

The Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, declared that mounting of road blocks by policemen belongs to history.  


Abubakar said the proscription of road blocks at his assumption of office, was part of the strategy to make the police corruption free, efficient and effective.


He pledged to raise the performance level of the force to an admirable level and said monitoring teams would soon be inaugurated to go round all police formations and units to ensure compliance with the new order.


He said following persistent complaints by the public about the police, he decided to effect a big change to meet the expectation of the people.


The police boss urged Nigerians to take the advantage of the new order in the police and cooperate with his men by volunteering information.


Governor Rauf Aregbesola expressed concern over the security situation in the country and challenged the police authorities to concentrate efforts on restructuring the force to achieve the desired efficiency.


He made a case for the eradication of the present unitary system of operations of the police, stressing that over concentration of police power at the centre is an impediment to efficiency. 


The governor pledged a first instalment of donation of N200million by the State government for the take off of  the  MD Abubakar Institute for Training and Indoctrination.


The Aragbaji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, expressed gratitude to Governor Aregbesola for supporting his community and the police training institute.


He conferred the honorary chieftaincy title of  Jagun Asoludero  of Iragbiji on the IGP  in appreciation of his efforts to curb crimes in the country.

Farouk Lawan

$620,000 bribe: Lawan, Police disagree over bail terms

 

Embattled Representative Farouk Lawan returned home from police custody yesterday but under one condition: he must produce the alleged $620,000 bribe not later than this week.


He had been in detention for 72 hours.


His lawyer however dismissed any such suggestion, Israel Olorundare said his client signed no such undertaking.


Lawan who was suspended by his colleagues as Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, at an emergency session, has hired four Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Olorundare to handle his case.


The others are: Rickey Tarfa , Sam Ologunorisa and Mike Ozekhome .


The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Task Force, Ali Amodu granted Lawan bail at about 4pm yesterday in the presence of one of the counsels, Tarfa.


The bail was contingent on, according to a police source, a written undertaking by Lawan to produce the alleged bribe sum of $620,000.


His international passport which was seized by the police during a search on his residence in Abuja on Friday has not been released.

LAGOS PPRO Ngozi Braide

Police arrest man whose gang specialises in toy-gun robberies

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a middle-aged man whose gang has been terrorising members of the public with toy gun in Ikeja area of Lagos.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday.

Braide said the suspect and others now at large, attempted to carry out their criminal activities at the Police Officers’ Wives Association Market, Alausa, when a team of police men who had been on their trail, arrested the suspect.

According to her, They attempted to use the toy gun on the operators of a business centre at POWA market.

She said they had earlier stolen one Blackberry phone at another business centre in the same market and the exhibit was recovered from the suspect.

The spokesperson advised members of the public, particularly business centres and offices to be security cautious, urging them to report strange movements to the police.

She called on members of the public to employ community policing in their areas by watching over their neighbours’ houses, offices or business centres.

Braide said the suspect had been transferred to the State CID, Panti, Yaba, for investigation to enable the police to arrest the others.

Ihejirika tasks taskforce on counter terrorism to abide by rules of engagement.

The  Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Onyeabor Ihejirika, has tasked the Special Task Force on Counter Terrorism to abide by the rules of engagement in tackling terrorism in the country.

Ihejirika gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of 214 batches 4/12 of Basic Counter Terrorism Course in Kachia, Kaduna State.

The course was organised for personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Army.

Represented by the Commander, Nigerian Corps of Artillery, Major-General Amon Kwaskebe, Ihejirika urged the graduates to exercise professionalism in discharging their duties.

Director, Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Centre, Brigadier-General Tijani Golau, said participants were trained in tactical combat shooting, fighting in build up area, weapon handling and unarmed combat.

Golau said all the participants completed the four weeks course and had met the standards required of special trained force.

He said six officers and 148 men from the Nigerian Army, seven officers and 53 personnel of the NSCDC graduated from the four weeks course.

NSCDC Commandant-General, Ade Abolurin thanked the Nigerian Army for empowering the personnel to address security challenge in and outside the country.

Represented by the NSCDC zone ``B’’ Zonal Commander, Bartholomew Ezegbo, Abolurin said the training was a continuous exercise.

He commended the synergy between the corps and other security agencies in fighting crime.

Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar

FG To Reform Police With N1.5trn

The Federal Government is set to fund the reform of the Nigeria Police with the sum of N1.5trillion, about 32 per cent of the total amount needed for the programme.

States and Local Governments are expected to provide 28 per cent while the balance has been allocated to the private sector.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who said this at the meeting of the committee on the Interim Implementation on the Reform of the Nigeria Police in the State House, Abuja, demanded for a comprehensive plan to enable stakeholders to support the police in areas of need.

He directed the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, to collaborate with the sub-committee already set up to come up with the actual needs by the police for further action.

The Vice President, who advised that the requirements of each of the state police command be harmonised to ensure that standard was maintained, also spoke on the role of the Civil Defence Corps, noting that the corps should assist the police in its responsibilities.

IGP redeploys indicted anti-kidnapping boss in Delta.

The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, has bowed to the pressure mounted by the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and members of the state’s House of Assembly on the kidnapping spree in the state.

Disturbed by the pressure, Abubakar redeployed the controversial Head of the state command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Dickson Osamwonyi, a Chief Superintendent of Police.

Osamwonyi was two months ago fingered in the kidnapping activities across the state and its neighbouring towns, arrested alongside his team members and detained at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on the orders of the IG.

His release two weeks ago has since pitched the Governor and the lawmakers in the state, who maintained that the crime resurfaced immediately after Osamwonyi’s release, against the IGP.

Since Osamwonyi’s release, no fewer than five prominent Deltans, including the soccer star, Christian Ogbodo, who was kidnapped while packing his car during a church service at the Zion Prayer Ministry, in Ekpan axis of the state; the former chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, and of recent, the cousin of the Governor, Pa, Samuel Uduaghan.

Although, the command’s recorded successes by arresting the socccer star’s suspected kidnappers, Paul Okpoiowa, Lucky Otekere, Solomon Ojakpa, Maduabuchi Okafor, Ogeteni Justice and Ochuko Orukeren, when men of the Anti-Terrorist Squad in synergy with local vigilante swooped on their hideout in Emevor in Isoko North Local Government Area of the state and recovered one AK47 rifle, No 4011197 and 59 rounds of live ammunition, the IG, exornerated Osamwonyi from the allegations, saying, no concrete evidence was advanced against him and the force will not crucify him on mere hearsay.


Fulani, Hausa clash leaves 2 dead in Ibadan

Pandemonium was the order of the day at the popular Bodija Market, Ibadan, when some violent Hausa men threw sanity to the wind unleashing terror on some policemen leaving two persons dead and a police post burnt.

Similarly, eleven vehicles and nine motorcycles were either burnt or vandalized while the bloody clash forced thousands of marketers and trad-ers out of the market, abandoning their shops and wares.

Some butchers whose shops were close to the place left their meat on the table and ran for dear lives.

When the hoodlums besieged the police post, all detainees under investigation were set free, but the quick re-sponse of security men which included police-men, the state security team tagged Operation Burst, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and soldiers checked the escalation of the crises.

All the stalls, shops, banks and filling stations located in the area were deserted, while the troubled spot was barricaded by fierce-looking policemen.

Speaking with journalists at the scene, one of the officers at the police post said the genesis of the crisis was the clash between a Hausa man and a Fulani who were fighting over a commercial sex worker in Bodija.

EFCC BOSS

EFCC, Sylva’s in-law in cocaine tango

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Richie Imoh Tommy, brother-in-law of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, are currently entangled in controversy over an alleged bag of cocaine.

The controversy erupted as the anti-graft agency yesterday raided the Abuja residence of Tommy.

The operatives were in search of documents and evidence as part of EFCC’s ongoing prosecution of Sylva for the alleged alleged financial crimes perpetrated during his four-year tenure as governor of oil-rich Bayelsa, home state of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Although Tommy was taken into custody by the agency after the raid, a statement attributed to him   read: “In an apparent plot targeted at former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Abuja residence of his brother-in-law, Richie Imoh Tommy.

They conducted a thorough search of the house, and when they found nothing incriminating, they produced a bag which they said contained cocaine.

On that basis, Tommy was arrested and has been denied access to his lawyers.

Tommy completely denies ownership of the said bag, and wonders why even without a test or investigation, EFCC would claim to have found cocaine in his house. Besides, it remains curious how EFCC suddenly became a drug-busting organ.

Tommy believes that the EFCC assault on his residence and the allegation of a cocaine-laden bag is another desperate mission targeted at his in-law, the former Bayelsa State governor, by agents of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren said he was not aware of any bag of cocaine.

He said part of what were recovered from Tommy’s residence were international traveling passports of the former governor’s children, some files containing documents of properties of Sylva in diverse places, share certificates of companies in names of different persons suspected to be proxies of the former governor and some other materials incidental to the ongoing trial of Sylva.

Uwajaren said the EFCC is empowered by law to conduct raids such as the one it did at Sylva’s in-law’s residence and would not be deterred in its bid to establish the truth regarding the ongoing trial.

The immediate past governor of Bayelsa State regained his freedom on Thursday , 7th June after spending two days in the custody of the EFCC.

He is facing trial over allegation that he diverted 6.5 billion of naira from the Bayelsa State treasury while he was governor.

The EFCC on Tuesday, 5th June arraigned him on a six-count criminal charge bothering on conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence contrary to section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004, as well as section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004.

Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court in Abuja had remanded Sylva in EFCC custody after he pleaded not guilty during his first appearance on Tuesday, 5th June.

SENATOR NDUME

Boko Haram: Ndume Loses Bid To Stop Trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the application filed by embattled Mohammed Aliyu Ndume seeking to quash the four-count terrorist charge filed against him by the Federal Government.

Ruling on the application, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that the accused has a case to answer as there was no dispute that Ndume had link with at least a member of the Boko Haram, one Umaru Konduga Ali, who is currently serving three years imprisonment for same offence.

The court further held that from the document before it, it was obvious that the accused person was a member of the Presidential Committee on Security for the North East Zone, adding that it was the committee that provided the accused person the leverage to establish contact or connection with the Boko Haram sect.

He, however, noted that “it is not a good reason for probable defence. It is not a legal basis to quash the charge.”

On the argument by the applicant that the charges were an abuse of court process, the judge held that Ndume was arraigned before the court on December 12, 2011, a week after the charge before the Chief Magistrate was withdrawn.

The court also disagreed with the applicant’s argument that it lacks jurisdiction because procedure has not been followed.

Justice Kolawole held that “No law that said terrorist group must be proscribed before any of its members can be charg-ed.

$10,000 cash found in Farouk Lawan’s home

The police has began a hunt for the $600,000 cash allegedly collected as bribe from oil marketer, Femi Otedola by the embattled former chairman of the House of Representatives  had hoc committee on fuel subsidy payments, Farouk Lawan even as hope dimmed for his release from detention.

The decision to keep Lawan in custody followed his refusal to disclose to his team of police interrogators led by CP Amodu Alli where the alleged bribe money is kept.

His failure to disclose the whereabouts of the money was also said to have informed the decision to seach his Apo legislative quarters residence by police detectives for about two hours yesterday.

The raid on Lawan’s house located on Ogbonnaya Onu Close,  Apo Legislators’ Quarters, Abuja, led to the seizure of his diplomatic passport and $10,000 found in the house.

Associates of the embattled law maker faulted the refusal of the police to grant him bail in spite of appeals for such from his lawyers.

“Why is Lawan in detention and Otedola not? If it was bribe, there must have been a giver. This is an attempt to cow and humiliate him.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that even though investigation is still ongoing the legislator has not been denied any of his fundamental human rights as he is being allowed access  to his lawyers, friends and family members who may want to visit him in custody.

EFCC arraigns 2 over N120m World Bank loan scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Adegboye London and Mr. Sylvanus Benedict before Justice Idris Kutigi of FCT High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and fraudulent conversion of funds.

Before taking their plea, the prosecuting counsel, Gift Odibo sought the court’s consent to file a motion on notice to amend a two-count charge filed earlier in the court which was granted.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to both charges when read to them. The prosecution consequently asked for a date for the commencement of trial. 

But counsel to the accused persons, Mr. J.A. Ako, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail.

The prosecuting counsel, Odibo objected to the application on the ground that she was only served the motion in the court. She added that she could not respond orally and would need time to prepare a written response to the bail application.

While adjourning the matter to June 19 for hearing of the bail application, Justice Kutigi ordered that the suspects be remanded in EFCC custody.

Fresh N1.5bn fraud rocks House of Reps

Even as the dust raised by the alleged $3 million bribery scandal in the House of Representatives is yet to settle, another storm is already raging in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

This is as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun investigation into an alleged strange massive cash withdrawals running into N1.5 billion from the House accounts.

The fresh scandal has already led to the invitation and interrogation of about four officials of the National Assembly.

It was, however, gathered that the withdrawals were made before the present Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, assumed office.

$3m bribe: House moves against Lawan, Asks EFCC to investigate Otedola’s firm

The House of Representatives  at an emergency session yesterday moved against  its  embattled chairman of ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawan, who is facing investigation over alleged collection of  $620,000 from Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas, Femi Otedola

The bribery scandal rocking House of Representatives ad hoc committee that probed the petroleum subsidy payments also took a messier twist  as the House  asked Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti corruption agencies to commence investigations on Zenon Petroleum and Gas and Synopsis Enterprises Ltd.