NSCDC arrests150 operators of illegal oil bunkers.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested over 150 operators of illegal oil bunkers in some parts of the country.
Commandant-General of the corps, Ade Abolurin, said this on Saturday, while addressing 50 personnel of the corps who had been chosen for anti-vandalism training in Kaduna State.
We have also arrested two foreigners from Ghana and China in the Lagos metropolis over illegal bunkering; we have also been able to discover some illegal refineries.''
Abolurin said the 150 operators of the illegal oil bunkers were arrested in separate operations by men of the corps in Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Imo and Niger.
He said the corps was working with the Nigerian Army, Police and the State Security Service to check the activities of illegal bunkers on the sea.
We are making efforts to create a crime free environment in order to make Nigerians appreciate the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
We will try and carry out our mandate, in this case, we will be ready to face challenges,’’ he said.
According to him, about 100 newly-trained sniffer dogs will be graduating from their training camp.
The dogs, he said, would be deployed in checking the activities of criminals.

Customs boss urges PROs and the media to be good image makers.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service Abdullahi Dikko, has urged public relations officers of the service and the media to be good image makers of the service. 
Dikko made the call on Saturday in Owerri at the closing ceremony of the training workshop for its public relations officers and reporters covering the service.
The workshop has as its theme; ``Fostering Effective Customs-Media Relations.''
Represented by Joseph Haruna, Area Comptroller, Imo/Abia command, Dikko said the workshop was organised to brainstorm on how to move the service forward.
He said it was also to foster a mutual relationship between the service and the media and ensure effective communication between both parties and the public.
I want to assure you that the management of the NCS will be interested in receiving the communiqué and we will deliberate on it and every aspect of it will be put into action,’’ Dikko said.
The customs chief urged journalists to make the public relations office of any command as their first point of call.
He also urged the public relations officers to feel free to express their challenges and needs to their area comptrollers.
Dikko further urged the officers to work harder and improve in the discharge of their duties to project the image and activities of the service to the public.

Police offers N1 million reward for information on Boko Haram.

A cash reward of N1 million for individuals and groups that provide “useful information” that could lead to the arrest of suspected Boko Haram members has been announced by the Nigerian Police Force.
The cash reward which is one of the force’s renewed efforts to end the Boko Haram killings and bombings in Borno State extends to information being provided to the police for arrest and recovery of arms and ammunition in the state.
Spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, Samuel Tizhe, who said this in a statement in Maiduguri assured members of the public that any information provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality to ensure peace and tranquility.

Police Pay Tributes To Late DIG Haruna.
 
Minister of Police Affairs, Retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, has urged officers and men of the Nigeria Police to emulate the dedication and commitment of late DIG Haruna John.
Olubolade gave the advice in Abuja at the police parade organised for John who died in a police surveillance helicopter that crashed in Jos on March 14.
The DIG’s orderly, the pilot and an engineer were also killed when it crashed into a house at Kabong on the outskirts of Jos.
He described John as a professional who was loved and liked by the police personnel, urging those coming behind him to emulate him.
Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, who led march pass to pay last respect to late DIG, described John as a warrior who left indelible mark in the fight against men of the underworld.
Abubakar, represented by the DIG in charge of Administration, Suleiman Fakai, said John was “Mr. Operations who waxed stronger and became an indispensable force sought by many to proffer solution to difficult policing challenges.
He said John, as a Commissioner of Police, Anambra, Niger, FCT and Benue states as well as Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, recorded achievements in combating crimes.
A police ambulance bus with registration number, NPF 5060C conveying a decorated white casket containing the body of the late DIG arrived at the Force Headquarters at 10.40 a.m.
A team of senior police officers marched pass the casket from the bus to the venue of the funeral ceremony where Reverend Father Raphael Fagbohun prayed for the repose of the late DIG’s soul.
Present at the occasion were Chief Parry Osayande, the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President, Industrial Court and Osita Chidoka, Corps Marshal, FRSC.

Police investigate violence that followed death of three Lagos residents.

Police officials in Lagos arrested two people in connection to the violent protests that followed the death of three Ajegunle residents who were killed in a tragic well incident.
Spokesman of the police command, Joseph Jaiyeoba, who confirmed the arrests to news agencies, told reporters that the investigation into the tragic demise of Malam Ishiu, Momoh Jare and Abdulmalik Zuberu is ongoing.
Their deaths had been reported at the Tolu Road Divisional Police Station, Ajegunle, late morning on March 14.
The spokesman said the well served tenants of the house at No. 69, Fasasi St., Olodi-Apapa, including the three victims.
There was no foul play involved in their deaths. According toe the police report, two persons had initially fallen into the well while fetching water and had drown. The third fell in while attempting to rescue his neighbours.
“Some of the youths in the area began a violent protest and started stoning the police and the fire servicemen that went there and burnt two vehicles. Two of the protesters have been arrested,” Jaiyeoba said.
He added that the remains of the deceased have been extracted from the well and transported to the morgue at Isolo General Hospital.
Peace returned to the area shortly after during the burial for the three men, when police officials had a dialogue with members of the Hausa community in the area.

Atiku, 5 others in prison over N32.8b police pension scam.

An Abuja High Court at Gudu has remanded the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Atiku Abubakar Kigo and five others in Kuje Prison, following allegation that they conspired and diverted the sum of N32.8 Billion from the Police Pension Fund.
The other accused persons who were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) alongside Kigo were Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira.
There was a mild drama in the court as the trial began. Two lawyers, Adeniyi Awomolo and John Egwuonu separately announced that they will be representing the accused persons.
Presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Abubakar Talba however asked each accused person to identify their counsel, clearing the air for the case to commence.
Each of the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the 16 count read to them.
Mr Awomolo, the counsel to the first defendant, made an application for bail, which was supported by the counsel to the other five accused persons, Mr Egwuonu based on the fact that the accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court of the law, therefore the accused persons can be admitted to bail.
The counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacob who did not object to the applications of the defence counsels, asked the court to set another date for the bail to be formally argued.
Though the accused persons begged the court to allow them to remain in the Custody of the EFCC pending the determination of their bail applications, the judge declined their request, saying that: “there is no law permitting the remand of an accused person in any other place apart from prison custody.”
He thereafter ordered the six accused persons to be remanded in prison till next Tuesday when their bail application will be argued.
Consequently, the accused persons were moved to the Kuje prison.

72-Year Old Nigerian, 456 Others Languish In Brazil Prisons.

 
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa says 457 Nigerians, including a 72-year-old woman, Fausat Abosede are languishing in various prisons in Brazil.
Dabiri-Erewa said the committee had visited Brazil and was touched by the pitiable condition of the inmates.
She said the visit was prompted by a hint it got from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Youth Without Borders, led by two Nigerians, Taiwo and Kehinde Afolabi.
The lawmaker said out of the figure, 14 of the inmates were females, who were being kept at Sao Paulo Women Plenipotentiary Prisons.
She said one of the women had completed her term and was undergoing a rehabilitation training.
Dabiri-Erewa said the delegation was, however, disturbed by the predicament of 72-year old Abosede, who told the delegation that she went to Brazil for medical treatment, through a Nigerian.
She said the woman decided to return to Nigeria when she realised that the treatment she was promised was not forthcoming.
Abosede was, however, arrested at the airport in September 2011, with drugs in a bag she claimed was given to her by an acquaintance, named Patricia, to deliver in Nigeria.
The lawmaker faulted the Brazilian authorities for keeping the old woman in prison, contrary to the laws of the country,which stipulates that a suspect of her age be kept in house arrest, pending sentence.
Dabiri-Erewa said the committee had formally presented Abosede’s case and those of other inmates to the Director, Department of Immigrations of Ministry of Justice of Brazil, Dr. Izaura Miranda, who had expressed surprise on the woman’s case.
She said the official had since commenced investigation into the various cases.
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to sign the Memorandum of Understanding presented to it in 2009, which would facilitate the exchange of prisoners and repatriation of criminals between Nigeria and Brazil.
She said the committee had also worked with the assistance of an NGO in Brazil, the IITA, and the Nigeria Consuler Officer, Jane Okocha.
The committee, she added had provided assistance to the inmates and formally requested that Abosede be put under house arrest pending her trial, in line with the Brazilian law.
The lawmaker said the committee had also interacted with the Nigerian community in Brazil who complained of “total disconnect between them and the Nigerian Embassy.”
She called on the Minister of Foreign affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, to do something about the situation, so that Nigerians living there would enjoy full consular services.
According to her, the committee met with some members of Brazilian Parliament, President, Petrobras Nigeria and the President, National Bank of Social and Economic Development to explore areas of interest between the two countries.
Dabiri-Erewa said the bank had indicated its interest to invest in Africa, especially in Nigeria.

Shun Bribery, Corruption, SFU Compol Warns.
 

The new Commissioner of Police attached to Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos, Compol Johnson Ogunsakin has warned policemen and officers in the unit to shun bribery and corruption.
Addressing the men and officers on resumption of duty, Ogunsakin said What matters most is for all to have an iron cast integrity which cannot be tainted because bribery and corruption cannot make us successful policemen.
Until his promotion and appointment as Commissioner of Police, he was a Deputy Commissioner of Police ‘F’ Department, (Infotech) Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He was enlisted into the force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. He hails from Ikere- Ekiti in Ekiti state.
A vastly experienced police officer, Ogunsakin holds a B.A (Hons) degree in political Science/History. He also bagged an Advanced Diploma in Law, Diplomacy and Conflict Management. He had attended several courses in Nigeria and overseas which include Company Fraud Foundation course at Detective College, Hendon, London.
He held various appointments as Director of Operations, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Head, Investigation, ICPC, Officer in charge of Inspector-General of Police, Monitoring Unit, ACP, Force Secretary, ACP, Provost Marshall, ACP in-charge of FCT, Criminal Investigation, Abuja and ACP in-charge of Interpol, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.
His hobbies are, reading, squash and music. Ogunsakin is happily married and has children.

4 Arrested For Robbery .

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Lagos Police Command have arrested four suspected robbers including Augustine Ngozi, 23, who claimed to be a ticketer with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, at Biode area, Ojota Motor Park, Lagos.
The other gang members in police net are, Emmanuel Clement, a 24-year old okada rider who allegedly confessed to the police that he was carrying the other suspects on his okada whenever they had an operation.
Another okada rider, Sola Oyekola, 21, claimed he trained as a welder and needed money for his freedom ceremony and to set himself up.
The fourth suspect, Emmanuel Clement, 24, allegedly confessed that he was a bag snatcher at Ojota Motor Park area.
He said he had joined the gang for operation twice and N10,000 that he was given, he had expended on clothing and jewellery.
According to police sources, the four suspects were arrested recently at Ojota near the bridge when they robbed a woman and her two daughters in a Toyota Avensis of telephone sets, jewelleries and a bag containing N115,000 cash
However, luck ran out on the suspects when the victims raised the alarm after the operation and two of the suspects were arrested on the spot.
They led policemen to their hideout where the other two accomplices were nabbed.
A police source said the four suspects have made useful statements to SARS investigators but they will remain in their custody until investigations have been completed after which they will be arraigned before a court.

Police Commissioner threatens to dismiss errant officers.

The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umar Manko, has warned that police personnel found to have been involved in corrupt practices would be dismissed.
Manko who gave the warning in Ikeja during his maiden meeting with newsmen, also said any officer found wanting on his duty post would be redeployed.
Corruption is a major challenge in the Nigeria Police, However, in Lagos State Command, there would be no room for that, as it is going to re-organise the X-Squad Unit.
The X-Squad would be out all the time to monitor officers, I want members of the public to also call the Commissioner through these phone numbers 08034752664 and 08060224385 to report errant officers.
Manko said any officer, who receives bribe, and any person, who gives bribe, would be arrested for prosecution when we ascertained the fact.
The police commissioner, while assuring the people of the state of adequate security, said that officers of the command had no reason to fail since the state government was providing all needed logistics.
Manko said all road blocks in the state had been removed in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
He urged newsmen to be objective in their reportage of the command.
He also called on traditional rulers in the state to join the community policing and report promptly criminal activities in their domains.
Manko, who was redeployed from the Edo Command, replaced Yakubu Alkali who retired on March 12.
NNPC, Police forge partnership against pipeline vandalism
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has entered into partnership with the Nigeria Police to combat pipeline vandalism.
Its spokesman, Levi Ajuonuma said the partnership would help to end the menace of pipeline vandalism and security threats to key oil and gas facilities.
Ajuonuma said the decision was arrived at a meeting between the NNPC Group Managing Director, Austen Oniwon, and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in Abuja.
He quoted Oniwon as saying the alarming cases of pipeline vandalism were posing a threat to the operation in the oil and gas companies in the downstream and upstream sectors.
Ajuonuma said Oniwon called on the Police to assist the NNPC to check the incidence of encroachment of pipeline right of way.
He said the Inspector General pledged the readiness of his officers and men to work with the NNPC to achieve this mandate.
Ajuonuma said Abubakar announced the formation of a Special Police Anti-pipeline Vandalism Squad to protect the vast outlay of oil and gas pipelines.
Lagos Police Command advises bank chiefs to double check their security personnel.
The Lagos State Police Command has advised managers of the various banks to double check their security personnel and ensure that only those with the requisite knowledge about security were employed.
Spokesman for the command, Joseph Jaiyeoba who gave the advice in Lagos said banks that engaged people with no atomic understanding of securing any place or thing ran the risk of having their premises easily breached.
The spokesman said by using men or women with some military or paramilitary experience to secure properties of bank customers, theft would be checkmated adequately.
According to him, there have been frequent complaints by bank customers of losing their property kept in some bank’s entrance lockers.
He said It is sad to note that customers who go to the bank to transact business are dispossessed of their valuables there.
Jaiyeoba said the existence of such a crime around bank premises show the quality of security personnel they employ.
The spokesman urged every bank manager to apply strict screening of those they employ as security men with the support of the police.
He said It is necessary for us to provide a Security Clearance Paper to anyone seeking to work as a security man or woman in any bank.
Jaiyeoba also said bank managers should endeavour to double check those who stood as guarantors to their would-be security personnel.
According to him, In fact, carrying out adequate documentation of every bank’s security personnel will help checkmate the committal of crimes from within.
Jaiyeoba also urged bank staff with their security personnel to be at alert always and question persons loitering around their premises.
He said the less the crime committed within the confines of any bank, the better for its image and for its customer satisfaction.

AISSON PRESIDENT TURNS 57
President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu is fifty-seven. 
Ekhomu, a security expert of international renown is the first chartered security professional in Nigeria and West Africareceiving the Certified Protection Professional designation in 2000.
He is the Africa Representative of the International Foundation for Protection Officers.
Author of the best-selling book on security awareness titled “Effective Personal and Corporate Security,” Dr. Ekhomu authors the column Red Alert in ThisDay Newspaper.
A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) No. 14210 Dr. Ekhomu was born in Irrua, EdoState on March 26 1955. 
He obtained the BA (History) from Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina USA 1977.  M.A (Political Science) from the IowaStateUniversity, Ames, Iowa 1979; and PhD (Public and International Affairs – Policy Management) from the University of Pittsburgh, USA 1985.  He attended the Security Officer Training Academy of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania USA (1986).
He obtained the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act 235 Lethal Weapons Licence in 1986.
Dr. Ekhomu is the Chairman of Trans-World Security Systems Ltd., Chairman of the School of Management and Security and Chairman of Trans-World Consultants Limited. 
He is also President of Trans-World Security Systems Inc. of Chicago, IllinoisUSA.
Ekhomu is the Regional Certification Representative of ASIS International (Africa Region 21), former member of the CPP-IDG Committee of the Professional Certification Board (PCB) of ASIS International.
He is the former Regional Vice President (RVP) West & Central Africa of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS International) – 2002 to 2007; former Chairman of ASIS Nigeria Chapter – 1999 to 2001.
Member of the International Review Board of the Journal of Security Education (New York, NY), National President of the Global Association of Private Security Practitioners (Abuja, Nigeria); Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Security and Safety of Nigeria. 
Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM); Member of the Academy of Security Educators & Trainers (USA), National Fire Protection Association (USA), and the International Organization of Black Security Executives (USA).
Ekhomu holds the chieftaincy title of Fiwagboye of Ilewo (OgunState) and Ogbeni of Irrua (EdoState).
He’s a biographee of Who’s Who in Nigeria (2003), Corporate Nigeria Who’s Who in Business (1992).  Who’s Who in Finance and Industry – USA (1987), International Youth in Achievement-USA (1981), Who’s Who Among Students in AmericanUniversities and Colleges (1977).
 From March 2005 to December 2010 he has authored a weekly column on security awareness - RED ALERT published in SATURDAY PUNCH newspaper (Lagos, Nigeria).  
He writes a column on security matters for a magazine SECURITY WATCH AFRICA captioned RED ALERT AFRICA. 
From 1986 to 1987 he wrote a column captioned CORPORATE SECURITY in BUSINESS CONCORD Newspaper (Lagos, Nigeria).
He has written several articles in scholarly journals and has contributed chapters to some books.
In January 2011, Dr. Ekhomu received the Quarter Century of Service Award from ASIS International. 
He was the recipient of the Police Community Relations Committee Area A Lion Building Ambassador of Peace Award 2010.
In March 2010, he was invested with the National Daily Newspaper “Special Recognition Award for Private Security Services in Nigeria.”
In November 2007 he was awarded the Golden Star Award for Private Security (Operation) by Security Watch Africa. .
He was the recipient of the International Day of the Family Awards 2006.  In 2004, Dr. Ekhomu was named the Private Security Chief of the Year by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria.

Police Commissioner, Umar Manko

As Army, Airforce announce ban on use of military stickers, similar items

Security agencies in Lagos State may soon clamp down on illegal aliens in the State just as the State Police Command strategises on the best way to check the current influx of the aliens into such high row areas of the State like Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

The State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko who gave hint of the clampdown while briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the State Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Babatunde Fashola at Lagos House, Marina midweek said the security agencies are meanwhile monitoring the influx of the illegal aliens.

Manko added that for those who are not Nigerians the security agencies will take action in accordance with Nigerian laws. He noted that the security agencies including the Immigrations are collaborating on this and urged the citizens to continue to remain vigilant and be law abiding, adding that they should also avail themselves of the Emergency toll free numbers of 767 of 112 when in any distress situation and to pass useful information to security agencies.

On how the Police intend to maintain security in the state, despite the banning of checkpoints, the Police Commissioner said what the Inspector General of Police directed was not that there should not be Police presence on the roads but that Police should remove barriers on the road.

He explained that barriers are different from not finding Police on the roads, adding that the barriers which have been removed and remains removed have been replaced by motorized patrols and foot patrols.

On efforts to curb the recklessness of okada riders in the state, Mr Manko said any close observance of the activities of the State Police Command along the Ikeja axis in the last four to five days will show that the Police have been impounding most of the motorcycles that flout the law.

He said the Police Command has discovered of recent that the okada riders have been using them to commit crimes, stressing that this is a situation which the State will not tolerate.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Commandant of the Airforce Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Tony Omenyi said following the abuse of Nigeria Airforce stickers, the use of the stickers have been banned.

He said from now on, the Police has been empowered to remove the Airforce car stickers on any car that it is affixed on, adding that all those who have it on their cars should remove them immediately.

“So, I am appealing to Lagosians to avoid confrontation with the Military and remove Airforce stickers from their cars. And this affects Airforce personnel too. Nobody is allowed to have Airforce stickers on their cars”, he added.

Also speaking on the same issue, the Nigerian Army Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Pat Aken gave an update on the ban by the Army on the use of its stickers, saying the ban is not restricted to stickers but anything that creates a false impression of belonging to the force.

“Anything that creates the impression that one belongs to the Army is banned even for serving personnel. Lagosians should note that anybody parading himself with a sticker is a fraud and would be sanctioned accordingly”, the Army Chief reiterated.

Also present during the briefing were State Director of the State Security Service, Achu Olayi, Navy Commodore Mio Njoku and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox (rtd).

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Fashola Hands Over Security Command And Control Centre

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has handed over the Lagos Security Command and Control Centre at Alausa, stating that the Command Centre has brought about the collation of useful data that has been of tremendous benefit to the State's developmental programmes.

The State Governor who spoke at the Alausa location of the Command Centre added that it has enabled a breakdown of the data collected into the number of cases per month by local government and by type of emergency.

"Cases are categorised by medical emergencies, motor accidents, burglaries, traffic robberies, car thefts, vehicle fire outbreaks, building fire outbreaks, civil disturbances, collapsed buildings, abandoned cars, suspicious activity and kidnaps/missing persons.

This data is compiled on a monthly basis and provides the opportunity to study trends and deploy emergency services to the areas where they are needed most".

"No human endeavour will thrive where there is insecurity. The growth of the Lagos economy, and increasing investment attraction have been driven significantly by the maintenance of law and order and very high level of security, which gives assurance that Lagos is a secure place to live in and do business", the Governor stated.

He informed that calls to the toll free numbers of 767 and 112 have steadily increased from 417,000 calls in 2008 to approximately 32,000,000 calls recorded at the end of 2011, adding that over the same period, just over 62,000 incidents that were actual emergencies were escalated to the various Lagos State emergency support agencies.

He stated that the bulk of over 31 million calls were unnecessary or test calls that did not require any action from emergency services, adding, "In a population of over 18 million people, 62,000 emergencies may seem a good index; but we must do more through agencies like the Safety Commission, to reduce the number of emergencies"

Governor Fashola stated that In October 2011, out of 2,776,036 calls, 683,802 were fake emergency calls with the remainder being largely requests for services such as leaking pipes, potholes etc which should have been directed to the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies rather than to emergency services, adding that by November the number of fake calls had increased to 1,131,545 out of a total of 4,228,995 calls and keeps growing.

He said whilst the call centre operators are doing their best to answer as many calls as possible, the fact is that in a State that is home to 18 million people, it is practically impossible to attend to all emergency calls with the added burden of fake ones. "The implication is that help may be slow in coming to someone who genuinely needs it; perhaps even ourselves".

"As awareness has grown, plans have also been finalised to increase the call centre operator capacity to 100 operators per shift to cope with increased demand. This will of course provide the much needed gainful employment that our unemployed youths so desperately desire", Governor Fashola said.

He also acknowledged the cooperation of the GSM operators – Airtel, Glo Mobile and MTN who have provided the platform by which citizens are able to dial the Command Centre free of charge and also thanked MTN for its contribution of N150 million towards the construction of this state-of-the-art facility.

While appealing for restraint and a sense of good citizenship, the Governor also advised that all calls are recorded, and that in time government may decide to enforce the law against fake callers as a deterrent.

For many years, we had longed for a facility such as this. A simple 3-digit number that we could call in times of emergency. Your Government has provided it and it is maintained with your taxes. It is a life-saving device and not a toy", the Governor said.

Governor Fashola said the introduction of toll free 3-digit number in Nigeria is yet another example of how the government has refused to remain static and continues to explore and exploit Information Technology driven solutions to enhance its services to the citizenry.

Governor Fashola explained that one of the problems the administration noticed when it inaugurated the emergency 3-digit, 767 & 112 numbers was that the security, ambulances, fire service and other first responders encountered difficulties in locating points of distress because there were no street signs and this led to the embarking on the street signage programme to be followed by house numbering.

"We have since installed 23,000 (Twenty Three Thousand) signs in 54 Local Governments and the final phase to install another 23,000 (Twenty Three Thousand) signs in 3 Local Governments (Alimosho, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki) has been approved by the State Executive Council. Simultaneously, approval has also been given for the numbering of each house in Lagos State to assist with identification".

He reiterated that street signage are not just identity tags but are part of the security infrastructure and often make the difference between whether a life is lost or saved while urging everyone to co-operate with the enumerators and also to protect the street signs and house numbers from damage.

The Governor also cautioned all those who name streets after themselves without formal application and approval to desist because It is an infraction of the laws and a challenge to the efforts to maintain law and order, warning that Government would respond to the challenge very vigorously by bringing such persons to justice.

Governor Fashola recalled that when he first took office as the Governor in May 2007, he was aware then as he is now, that one of the primary responsibilities as a government is to ensure the safety and security of lives and property and to fight crime and renewed this commitment on the 29th of May 2011 when he was sworn in to serve and lead this great State for another four years, adding that the handing over is a tangible manifestation of those promises.

"Back in 2007, to demonstrate the seriousness with which we planned to enforce law and order, I set up a security committee headed by the former Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith, with a specific mandate to propose long-lasting measures that would reinforce security in Lagos State.

The committee came up with several recommendations, one of which was the establishment of the Security Trust Fund (STF) in collaboration with the private sector, and the establishment of a Communication and Command Centre".

He stated that the first task of the Trust Fund was to revamp the Lagos State Police Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) and provide support to other agencies relevant for the enhancement of public safety and security and in addition set up a temporary communication room and call centre for the RRS pending the completion of this facility.

Said he: "The scope of the Communication and Command Centre was expanded in April 2008 with the introduction of the Lagos State Emergency toll free numbers - 767 and 112. The service commenced with 18 call centre operators at a centre in Surulere. From that location, emergency calls received from citizens were escalated to the various security and safety agencies for prompt response".

"In February 2009, an additional 15 call centre operators were added to the service at the RRS Command and Control Centre in Alausa. Upon completion of this facility, the entire operations were moved here on the 12th of July 2010 and an additional 97 operators were employed, bringing the total number to 120 operators, working 3 shifts, in batches of 40 operators per shift, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".

Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Adebiyi Mabadeje said the centre will vastly assist the State Government in planning and preparing for challenges ahead to provide a better environment for its residents.

He explained that the Command and Control Centre will aid the centralization and coordination of activities of the Lagos State Ambulances Services (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire Service, Rapid Response Service (RRS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and Environmental Task Force.

He added that the Centre will also assist in allowing the State get a clearer picture of the number of incidents (emergency, security or otherwise) which will lead to better service delivery and planning for the future.

The Governor later cut the tape to officially hand over the centre before undertaking a guided tour of the facilities in the Centre.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

LAGOS ASSEMBLY COMMENDS SECURITY TRUST FUND, PROMISES IMPROVED SECURITY

The Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade has promised Lagosians improved and adequate security.

The statement was made during the Committee’s courtesy visit to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

The lawmaker commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Fola Arthur Worrey for his performance so far and urged him not to relent in his efforts towards ensuring security of lives and properties in the State.

Olulade used the occasion to call on well-meaning citizens of the State and private sector operators to support the Trust Fund through donation to assist them in the discharge of their duties.

Arthur Worrey had thanked the members of the House of Assembly for passing the motion for the Trust Fund to be set up and for the visit while urging them not to rest on their oars in the discharge of their duties.

In a related development, the Committee also visited the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps where the Committee expressed appreciation to the organization for supporting the State Government to boost security in the State.

Responding, the Deputy Commandant of the agency, Commandant Waziri Baba Goni thanked the Lawmakers for supporting security strategies through meaningful legislation and pleaded with the State Government for more recognition and support from the Government.

Ahmadu Giade, the NDLEA chairman.

8,639 suspects arrested with 195, 283.9kg illegal drug in 2011

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said that a total of 8,639 suspected drug traffickers were arrested with 195,283.917 kilogrammes of various types of illegal drugs in 2011.

The agency said it had successfully prosecuted 1,501 cases, out of which 1,491 cases were won, while 10 were lost and 701 cases are pending as of December 2011.

NDLEA’s Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, who made this at a media briefing in Lagos, noted that there was an increase of 1,851 in the number of persons arrested in 2011, over that of 2010.

According to him, the largest seizures of drugs were recorded in the South-West and South-South states, adding that it was an indication that more effort was required to halt the spread of the substances in the country.

Ondo State had the highest seizures with 55,473.31 kg, Edo is second with 40,633 kg, while Delta is third with 26,823.14 kg.

Giade said Oyo recorded a seizure of 15,331.37 kg to take the fourth position, while Lagos state came fifth with 10,406.1 kg.

The NDLEA Chairman said Kano State had the highest number of arrests in relations to drug offences with 1,281, adding that Lagos came second with 382 suspects, made up of 339 males and 44 females.

He said Anambra was third with 361 arrested persons, comprising 301 males and 60 females.

According to him, Katsina followed with 350 arrests, made up of 314 males and 10 females, while Rivers occupied the fifth position with 349 arrests, made up of 314 male and 35 females.

The chairman said the agency also recorded seizures of amphetamine stimulants in the northern states of Borno and Zamfara.

On the total number of arrested suspects, the chairman said that 8,072 were males and 567 females, while cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) constituted the largest seizures with 191,847.91 kg.

He explained that Psychotropic substances are 2,985.45 kg; cocaine is 410.805 kg, while heroin is 39.752 kg.

According to the NDLEA chairman, when compared with the seizures made in 2010, the quantity of drugs seized in 2011 weighed 178,120.725 kg, with cannabis having the highest quantity of 174,661.59 kg.

Giade said Psychotropic substances came next with 2,550.622 kg, followed by cocaine with 706.433 kg, while heroin is 202.08 kg.

Similarly, the NDLEA Chairman announced that a total of 918 hectares of cannabis farmlands were traced and destroyed in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Oyo states in 2011.

He disclosed that a total of 187,505.57 kg of seized and forfeited drug exhibits were publicly destroyed in 2011, in eight states and Abuja.

ADEYEMI IKUFORIJI LAGOS SPEAKER

N503 million Fraud: Speaker of Lagos state House of Assembly asks court to quash case

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to quash the 20-count of fraud and money laundering brought against them by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji who is standing trial for conspiring and accepting various cash payments amounting to N503 million from the House without going through a financial institution.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants had sometime between April 2010 and July 2011 conspired and accepted various cash payments amounting to N503 million from the House without going through a financial institution.

Misters Ikuforiji and Atoyebi were first arraigned before Justice John Tsoho on March 1, 2012. Justice Tsoho had unceremoniously withdrawn from the case, allegedly due to the attitude of counsel in the matter for his action.

The accused were later re-arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke, following the re-assignment of the case to him by the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

At the resumed hearing in the matter, the EFCC’s lawyer, Godwin Obla had told the court of the pendency of the charge and prayed the court for same to be read to the accused persons for their plea to be taken.

The charge was read to the accused persons, who pleaded not guilty to each of the count.

Counsel to the accused persons, Tayo Oyetibo urged the court to admit them to bail, on self recognition as Ikuforiji is the third citizen in Lagos State while Atoyebi is an aide to Speaker.

The anti-graft agency did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to impose stiffer bail condition for Atoyebi.

The court in a short ruling, granted bail to the Speaker on self recognition, while the Clerk of the Lagos Assembly, Segun Habiru stood as surety for Atoyebi.

Ikuforiji, meanwhile praying the court to quash the charge, argued that the act of the Lagos State House of Assembly being an arm of the government of Lagos State cannot be subjected to the criminal jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

He said the Speaker of the state House of Assembly by virtue of Section 92(1) and 95(1) of the constitution is the presiding officer/principal officer of the House of Assembly.

EFCC SEIZES SHUAIBU'S PROPERTIES

N4.56b Pension Scam: EFCC Seizes Shuaibu’s Properties

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has seized six properties belonging to a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Sani Teidi Shuaibu standing trial over a N4.56 billion pension scam.

The interim forfeiture is sequel to an order of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja made on July 11, 2011.

The Court granted the order “restraining all persons including persons hereinafter referred to as RECEIVERS in the Schedules hereto attached, by themselves directly or through another, (whether natural or otherwise ) including, but not limited to all parties listed in all the schedules hereto attached, whether or not named in Charge No FHC/ABJ/ CR28/2011, that is to say and such other persons yet to be identified, from removing, Alienating, Disposing of, Dealing with or Diminishing the value of, assets or properties being suspected proceeds of crimes or otherwise, held or owned by or in the names of persons suspected of the alleged Financial Crimes in Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.

“That the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is hereby permitted to seize and retain custody of all such properties or assets of persons listed in the schedules attached to this Motion, which assets are suspected proceeds of crime or the value thereof until the final determination of Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.”

The court also granted an order permitting the Executive Chairman of EFCC to seize and retain custody of all the properties or assets of persons (as listed in the attached schedules) though not yet charged but found to be connected with the transaction or allegation contained in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.

List of schedules of properties/assets of Dr. Teidi which the court ordered taken over by the EFCC are: (a) No 24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; (b) Brefina Hotel at plot 1106, (Beside MTN) warehouse, adjacent to vines Hotel, Durumi, Abuja; (c) A house at No 1, Shuaibu close, opposite Governor’s House, Idah; (d) Riba-ile petroleum Ltd; (e) M.R.S Ajaka (registered as Riba-Ile oil Ltd; (f) M.R.S Idah station, Idah, registered with Hammo oil, Nigeria; (g) NNPC Mega station, Idah junction, Ayingba, registered with Hammo oil, Nig. Ltd. (h) MRS Filling Station at Ganaja, Lokoja; (i)Registered with A.Y Ted oil Ltd; (j) A mansion at Idah, opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; (k) SunTrust Properties company Ltd; (l) Plot B59, Dawaki Extension layout, Bwari Area council, Abuja; (m) An Estate of about 10 bungalows, lying and being at Dantata Street, Nyanyan, FCT, Abuja.

The properties which were taken over by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC during an operation at the weekend included two choice buildings and four filling stations.

One of the buildings located at No.1 Shuaibu Close, G.R.A. Idah, Kogi state is an imposing 8-bedroom twin duplex, a 5 units 2 bedrooms apartment, two-room security house and a mosque all scattered in the expansive compound.

The property at the Polytechnic Road, directly opposite Federal Polytechnic, Okenya, Idah, Kogi state is an unpainted one storey duplex with multiple sitting rooms and apartment built within.

The third property that was seized was a non-functional filling station, located 100 metres away from Ajaka police station. It has a small office building with four rusted and non-functional fuel pumps and a leister generator in a small generator house.

At Agbeji in Ayingba, Kogi state, a thriving MRS filling station located at Agbeji along Ayingba Road, a few metres from Confluence Fertilizer Company Limited was also seized from Dr. Shuaibu.

An NNPC Mega station along Lokoja-Enugu High Way, Ayingba and a Texaco filling station with a shopping mall along Ganaja Road, opposite Ibra Petroleum and Petrochemical Limited, Lokoja, Kogi state were among the properties seized from Dr. Shuaibu.

Dr. Shuaibu, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi and 30 other suspects are facing trial on a 134 count charge bordering on diversion of pension funds, abuse of office, using ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million into their accounts monthly and diversion of the same amount through award of fictitious contracts to companies which they manage. Ukamaka Chidi is a former Deputy Director (Finance and Accounts), in the pension office while Aliyu Bello was a Personal Assistant to Dr. Shuaibu.

Other accused persons are Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures.

Others are Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWing Procurement Services Ltd, Woodland Industries Nig Ltd.

Others are Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Ltd, Fafama Estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum

Count one of the 134 count charge reads “that you Dr. Shaiubu Sani Teidi, Phina Ukamaka Chidi Computer Plaza, Essential Gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures at various times, between 2008 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, conspired among yourself to induce the pension department, office of the head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, to deliver to you, various sums in the aggregate N176, 910, 650 property vide the medium of a contract induced by false pretences, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006”.

Former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida

Babangida's $12.4bn Oil Windfall Loot: Judgment On Okigbo Report For April 27


A Federal High Court in Abuja, Wednesday, fixed April 27 to deliver judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to disclose how the $12.4 billion oil windfall money that accrued to the Federal Government between 1988 and 1994, was spent.

The suit was filed before the High Court by six civil society groups led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

Though the judgment has been stalled since last year when hearing was concluded on the matter, however, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, today, ordered all the parties to appear on the next adjourned date to re-adopt their processes to enable him to give verdict on the case.

Specifically, the plaintiffs beseeched the court for “an order of mandamus compelling the respondents, individually and/or collectively, to publish detailed statement of account relating to the spending of $12.4 billion oil windfall between 1988 and 1994, and to publish in major national newspapers a copy of the statement of account.”


It would be recalled that in 1994, the Federal Government constituted the Pius Okigbo Panel with a mandate to investigate the activities of the CBN and recommend measures for the re-organization of the apex bank.

In the course of its assignment, the Okigbo Panel reportedly uncovered that about $12.4 billion that was reserved in the ‘Dedicated and Special Accounts’, was depleted to $200 million by June 1994.

Consequent upon the alleged mismanagement of the said $12.4 billion by the then military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, the investigative Panel, recommended an immediate discontinuance of the said ‘Dedicated and Special Accounts’.

In their suit however, the plaintiffs further pleaded the court to order the respondents to not only prosecute anyone indicted by the report, but to also recoup the money from them and return same to the national treasury.

Kelvin Igho

Man Who Used Governor’s Phone To Dupe Paraded

A 32-year old man, Kelvin Igho, who was dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, has been arrested and paraded by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, for allegedly using Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s phone to dupe prominent people.

Igho swapped his phone number with that of the Osun State governor and he started using it to dupe important personalities including a Personal Assistant to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani and others.

Luck ran out on Igho on 20 December 2011 when an aide to Oshiomhole reportedly paid N50,000 into his account at a branch of Intercontinental Bank in Lagos.

As the suspect made effort to withdraw the money, he was arrested by police detectives attached to Ikotun Division.

But Igho managed to escape from police custody leaving his phone behind and allegedly retrieved the telephone line.

Four policemen attached to Ikotun Division were arrested and detained in connection with the escape of the suspect.

The police made efforts to re-arrest Igho and succeeded when, after several calls in about three months, Igho picked his call and policemen were able to trace him using the call log. He was picked up in his hideout in Ikotun by operatives of SARS.

He was consequently detained at SARS headquarters in Ikeja for interrogation.

In his confessional statement, Igho claimed to be a commuter bus driver plying Oshodi/Lagos Island route but he said when his bus had a fault, its owner withdrew it from him.

Igho admitted he once served in the police and had issue with the authorities when he was tried for alleged robbery and dismissed.

He said the court later acquitted and discharged him but he decided not to return to his police job.

Police sources said Igho will soon be charged to court.

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South)

Senator Ndume asks court to quash terrorism charges against him

The trial of a Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume who is being prosecuted for acts of terrorism has been stalled following an application to quash the charges filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Hyelzira Nganjiwa.

At the resumed trial in Abuja, Mr Nganjiwa informed the court that he had filed a motion on notice seeking to quash the charges against Mr Ndume on the ground that the proof of evidence filed does not disclose a prima facie case against the accused person.

Following Mr Nganjiwa’s motion, the prosecuting counsel, Olufunmilayo Fatunde told the court that she needs time to respond to the motion.

Based on the prosecutors demand for time to study the defence counsel’s application, the Presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned sitting to 26 April.

Mr Ndume, in his motion, predicated on nine grounds wants the court to quash the charges on the ground that the charge is devoid of essential ingredients to suggest the commission of the offences for which he has been charged.

Other grounds include the none disclosure of the commission of any offence by the prosecution and the lack of jurisdiction and competence of the court to try, hear and determine the offences as contained in the charge sheet signed by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Justice Kolawole, while adjourning the trial ordered Mr Ndume to return to the court on the 26th of April when the counsels are expected to adopt their written addresses.

Mr Ndume is standing trial for allegedly providing logistic support to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram contrary to the terrorism prevention act of 2011.

NSCDC BOSS

Civil defence parades 87 fake corpers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday in Abuja paraded 87 suspected fake corps members who were arrested in Nasarawa based on intelligence reports.

The Deputy Commandant-General (DCG) of NSCDC in Nasarawa State, Walter Akubuiroh, who disclosed that the 87 culprits were arrested, said Due to the security situation in the country, our officers have been keeping surveillance and any abnormality noticed will be immediately investigated, and this arrest is the result of that surveillance”.

Mr. Akubuiroh said most of those arrested were young people, desperate graduates, who for various reasons could not go for the national service and were lured into the illegality by a cartel.

The DCG further said some of the suspects escaped during the raid, but he assured that the command was making efforts to arrest them.

The suspects, aged between 20 years and 30 years, were first camped in Nyanya, Abuja before they were moved to Toto in Nasarawa State, where they were given kits and call-up letters.

They were also training regularly and waiting for deployment letters for their primary assignments before they were rounded up by officers of the NSCDC on Tuesday.

JTF MEN IN ACTION

Soldiers kill nine members of Boko Haram in gunfight in Kano.

Military authority on Wednesday said soldiers have killed nine suspected members of a radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram who attacked a town in Kano.

Operatives of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) kill eight members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

This was disclosed by Brig. General Iliyasu Abba while addressing journalists in Kano.

He said the attack by the Boko Haram happened in Tundun Wada in Kano state.

Brig. Gen Abba said the militants were gunned down when they engaged the soldiers in a gun battle while trying to escape from the village.

He said the sect members set fire to a bank and attack a police station before fleeing.

According to the military spokesman, the attackers stole police uniforms, Kalashnikov rifles, bulletproof vests and ammunition before leaving for a road back to Kano.

There, military forces who received a distress call from the town attacked them, killing nine suspected sect members, he said.

Soldiers arrested two suspected sect members, who the military paraded before journalists Wednesday.

Security officials have also confirmed that two persons were killed and others when unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a local gathering spot in Kano.

The Human Right Watch had reported that Boko Haram was responsible for killing more than 200 people this year alone attacking via suicide bombers and assault-rifle shootouts.

The sect has rejected efforts to begin indirect peace talks with the Federal government calling the government “infidel”.

ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR

Police Commissioner orders Hausa, Yoruba communities to form peace committee

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Umaru Manko, on Tuesday directed the Yoruba and the Hausa communities in the Ketu-Mile 12 area to set up a 12-man peace committee.

Manko gave the directive at the meeting he held with representatives of the two ethnic groups at the State Command Headquarters, Ikeja, as part of efforts to promote mutual relationships in the area.

Manko directed that the committee should also have some senior police officers as members.

Haruna Mohammed led the Hausa representatives to the meeting, while Mr Ashowade Adesina led the Yoruba delegates.

During the peace meeting, both groups agreed on the need to promote peace and mutual understanding among themselves, claiming that a clash which occurred in the area on Sunday was blown out of proportion.

The delegates accused hoodlums of taking advantage of the incident to cause mayhem.

Police spokesman Joseph Jaiyeoba had told NAN on Monday that the clash was caused by the death of a man, allegedly beaten up by members of group on the suspicion of a stealing a motorcycle.

Jaiyeoba said that one person had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said that the peace committee would start meeting after its inauguration by the police commissioner.

Police arrest 6 armed robbery suspects in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command said it had arrested six suspected armed robbers and recovered some arms and ammunition in the past four days.

The command spokesman, SP Joseph Jaiyeoba, said the suspects were being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.

According to him, two suspects were arrested on March 18, 2012, with three locally made guns and some live cartridges, by a team of Mobile Policemen at a black sport in Epe town.

Besides, Jaiyeoba disclosed that three suspects were arrested on March 6, 2012 by a team of policemen attached to the Orile Division while smoking Indian hemp.

He said that one locally made pistol and four cartridges were recovered from the suspects “who had been terrorising motorists in the area”.

The command spokesman also announced that one suspect was arrested on March 16 by a team of Rapid Response Squad.

The suspect, he said, had a toy gun inside a Toyota Camry car with registration No. XX 885 GGE on Eko bridge.

Jaiyeoba advised the public to be more security-conscious and to “report any suspicious character to the nearest police station for necessary action”.

He restated the command's commitment and determination to continue to protect lives and property in the state.

Oyo police boss seeks cooperation with security agencies

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Tambari Mohammed, has solicited the support of other security agencies in the war against crime.

Mohammed made the plea in Ibadan during a courtesy visit to the state’s Director of State Security Services(SSS), Charles Ugwu, and the State Commandant, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Bello Paiko.

He called for unhindered information sharing between security agencies in the state to ensure effective war against crimes.

Responding, the Director of SSS, who commended Mohammed for the visit, said the police and his outfit were working to achieve the same goals.

Paiko, on his part, said the police boss was the first to visit the Corps and promised to partner with the police command.

New Osun police boss assumes duty

The new Osun Commissioner of Police, Mrs Kalafite Adeyemi, assumed duty in Osogbo, a statement signed by Taiwo Olugbemileke, the Police Public Relations Officer, announced.

The former Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusegun Solomon, was promoted to the rank of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in a recent promotion exercise.

According to the statement, Adeyemi, who hails from Rivers, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Jos as well as LL.B and LL. M degrees.

She joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as a Cadet ASP in 1984 and had since served in various capacities before her present posting.

The statement described Adeyemi, who had since March 2010 been promoted to the rank of CP, as an erudite scholar, author, disciplinarian and professional strategist.

According to the statement, the new CP is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

She is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and International Women Police Association.

Police rescues mother, three children from kidnappers in Effurun

The Police in Delta has arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued a woman and her three children in Effurun, near Warri in Delta.

Charles Muka, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Asaba on Tuesday that the suspect was arrested on Monday, while the hunt for other members of the gang was on going.

According to Muka, the armed men, operating on two motorcycles, kidnapped the woman and her three children in Effurun, while in her car.

He explained that the timely information given to the police by the public had led to the

``The Divisional Police Officer in Effurun received prompt information from good spirited Deltans, mobilised and stormed Ogunu in search of the kidnappers in synergy with some youths.

``The effort paid off, as one of the kidnap suspects was arrested and the woman and her three children were rescued unhurt.''

Muka said that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.

Mujahid Dokubo-Asari

Asari Dokubo says N74billion is not enough for amnesty programme

The former President of the Ijaw Youth Council and Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has insisted that the N74 billion budgeted for the rehabilitation and retraining of the Niger Delta ex-militants in the 2012 budget was not enough.

Dokubo-Asari demanded that a 10-day oil production proceeds should be allocated to the programme, since the country’s oil production had risen to 2.6 million barrels per day, as against 680, 000 before the amnesty programme was instituted.

According to him, the increase in the crude oil production is part of the gains of the amnesty programme.

With all these gains, one expects that the operators of the amnesty project should have been encouraged and applauded.

Instead, what we see is rebuke, recrimination and an attempt to scuttle the project by those who contribute next to nothing in the upkeep and maintenance of the Nigerian state but are now calling for a probe into the amnesty project” he stated.

The former militant leader noted that the current $74billion budgeted for the amnesty amounts to just two days of oil production “It is important to state that going by the 2012 budget passed by the National Assembly, the amnesty project budget is about N74billion annually.

Which means that amnesty project budget for a year is far less than two days oil production.”

He argued that the resources allocated for the amnesty is inadequate and suggested that “10 days oil production proceeds, after removing cost of product and percentage proceeds due to joint ventures partners, should be allocated to the training and education of the people of the oil-bearing communities through the amnesty project.”

The ex-militant also alleged that a company owned by an ally of the late Head of state, General Sani Abacha produces 400, 000 barrels of oil per day, claiming that the company makes N2.3bn annually, despite the death of the owner.

“If a dead individual is raking N2.3billion in 365 days, why should N74billion be allocated to the amnesty project from resources gotten from underneath their soil?” he asked.

This is how the Nigerian state is been run and managed at the expense of the vast majority of her people.

While some people pretend to be blind to these painful realities, some of us will not join the bandwagon of the blind men, these inequity, injustice and blatant insensitivity must be checked now if we are to have a stable polity” he added.

The NDPVF leader added, “Most people will be wondering why I have chosen to speak in favour of the amnesty project, even though I hate the tag amnesty, I know that the managers of the project have managed it so well to the benefit of the recipients.

Asari also called for further development of the amnesty programme stating that “at present, most people who hitherto, would have been committing crimes in the creeks are now meaningfully engaged, learning and acquiring skills in various universities, polytechnics and technical institutions all over the world.

As it is said, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop; the people managing the amnesty project have used the project to rehabilitate and read admit the ex-militants who lived the life of criminality into civil society.”

He also called for the amnesty tag be dropped from the programme “if this project is expanded and the amnesty tag is dropped, the belief by most of us that we are been criminalized for standing up for our right will be removed and more people will benefit from the project.

ARUNMA OTEH SEC BOSS

SEC boss denies allegation of corruption.

Head of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Nigeria, Arunma Oteh has denied, among other things, spending N850,000 on meals or purchasing cars worth N42 million.

In a bid to salvage its bruised reputation of the SEC, the Commission released a press statement in which it denied several allegations of unlawful practices leveled against it by the House of Representative Committee on the Capital Market.

The Committee led by Herman Hembe launched an investigation into the SEC on Tuesday 13 March which opened up the flood gates of accusations and counter accusations.

Shocking revelations followed each probe session, including allegations that the SEC boss had lived in the lap of luxury even as the nation’s Capital Market took a tailspin for the worse.

Arunma Oteh, appointed to head the SEC in January 2010, was accused of splurging with a N850,000 feeding budget, as well as lodging at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja for an eight-month period following her appointment – instead of the 28 days permitted by law – which cost the SEC N30 million.

Her credibility and competence under attack at the probe sessions, Ms. Oteh went on the defensive.

The embattled SEC boss in turn questioned the credibility of Hembe whom she claims had demanded N39 million from her ahead of the committee’s investigation and another N5 million a week before the probe.

With both parties squaring off for another round of public hearings on Tuesday, the Commission, in press statement signed by Mr. Obi Adindu and posted on their website, is responding to the shocking accusations made during the probe public hearings.

During the first of the public hearings, the Hembe led committee alleged that the SEC boss had consumed a whooping N850,000 in meals daily.

The press release addressed this allegation first, promptly denying it. “No, Ms. Oteh has never consumed a meal worth N850,000 no has she ever submitted such a bill to the SEC,” the release stated.

It further clarified that it had reviewed the bill, which the SEC boss was said to have racked up during her 8 month-long stay at the Hilton Hotel following her her assumption of duty, and found that “the highest charge for food was N83,400″.

According to the statement, Ms. Oteh had charged that amount two months into her stay at the Hilton, on 24 March 2010, because of “an official dinner hosted by the SEC with a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria to provide technical assistance to SEC Nigeria”.

The SEC claimed the hotel’s billing records would prove as much, but still fails to clarify how the N30 million hotel bill was amassed or why the DG SEC had spent seven more months than was lawful at the expensive lodgings.

The statement said Ms. Oteh had left the hotel on her own accord even before the Commission had provided her with suitable accommodations as she had been “unhappy with the lack of privacy at a hotel accommodation and for security reasons.”

It further denied renting property for Oteh, contrary to allegations made during the hearings.

The SEC leader “lives in a rented accommodation procured in her personal capacity on her own account,” the statement claimed, adding that after several failed attempts to procure suitable accommodation for Ms. Oteh, “the Commission offered rental allowance to Ms. Oteh in lieu of official accommodation”.

The question remains, how much is being disbursed as “rental allowance”? Allegations made during the public hearing implied that the Commission spent as much as N62 million in rent for the SEC boss’ plush Maitama residence.

The committee asked the management of the commission to explain a memo that was issued by the Technical adviser to the DG, Franca Chukwuogu to the Head of Administration.

In the Memo (CADEO) dated 26/01/2011, Ms Chukwuogu had demanded through the head of Administration that the commission pay the rent for a five bedroom bungalow as the official rent for the DG. Another Memo from the Head of Administration, Bello Ibrahim showed that the rent for the five bedroom apartment at Maitama district of Abuja cost the commission over N62 million.

The Committee asked the management of the commission to explain why it paid the rent of the DG despite the enactment of the monetisation policy by the Federal government.

The House of Reps Committee further investigated claims that the Commission purchased four cars for the SEC boss at N42 million.

“She uses the two pool cars assigned to her, one in Lagos and one in Abuja,” the statement said. “The two pool cars were purchased to replace two old cars that were subject to frequent breakdowns. The purchase of these cars followed due process and the provisions of the public procurement laws.”

Finally, the SEC boss denied compromising “her regulatory function by engaging Access Bank staff on secondment”.

“Laid down rules, procedures and processes have been strictly complied with by the SEC since January 2010 (including in the processing of any transaction involving Access Bank).

The seconded Access Bank staff were: a project adviser and a communication assistant, and these two areas are not at the core of the SEC’s regulatory function.”

The Commission, in the press release statement, conceded that many Nigerians suffered losses as the equity market fell from a capitalization of N12.6 trillion at its peak in March 2006 to N3.99 trillion at its lowest in February 2009.

It further insisted that it had taken serious steps toward identifying the causes of the market downturn in Nigeria and putting a stop to further decline.

“Since Ms. Oteh assumed office as SEC DG,” the statement reads, “she has led a reform program to restore market integrity and revive investors’ confidence”.

The reforms implemented by the SEC boss included “charging over 260 individuals and entities before the Investment and Securities for market abuses that led to the downturn, and seeking orders of disgorgement and restitution of investors”.

The SEC claims reforms set in place by Oteh have resulted in boosting the equity market capitalization which now stands at N6.6 trillion.

Ms. Oteh has faulted the public hearings, describing it as a “Kangaroo court”. During the last session, the SEC boss expressed her disgust at the line of questioning at the public hearings.

I believe that if we want to carry out an investigation in the interest of Nigeria and not in your own interest, I should not be subjected to what you subjected me to because the SEC did not give you N5 million in cash,” Ms. Oteh said addressing Hon. Hembe during the last public hearing, which she called unfair.

Hembe says all the counter-accusations and allegations of bias made against the Committee would be taken into consideration and invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, present at the hearing, to fully investigate the Committee as well as himself.

NDLEA Boss Ahmad Giade

Britain, Nigeria Partner Against Drug Money

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has disclosed that it is currently in talks with Britain’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, SOCA, for a partnership against drug money between both countries.

The disclosure was made during a meeting between NDLEA Director General, Mr. Femi Ajayi and the Director of SOCA, Mr. David Armond at the National Headquarters of NDLEA in Ikoyi Lagos.

Ajayi, who received the SOCA delegation, expressed optimism that the partnership will further deepen the working relationship between both countries.

“Nigeria is committed to the fight against organised criminal syndicates. We are prepared to partner with the United Kingdom.

It is imperative for us to collaborate in the war against illicit drugs and prevent international drug syndicates from having advantage.

This meeting will help in advancing our strategies in drug control,” Ajayi stated.

SOCA Director said that Britain is interested in partnering with Nigeria in tracing the illicit proceeds of drug traffickers particularly assets of Nigerians convicted in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking.

“We are interested in working with our partners who recognise and are willing to deal with the threat of drug trafficking and organised crime.

Drug trafficking is a threat to all of us. It encourages corruption because of the huge profit involved.

We have expertise in a number of areas and we think we can explore this in tracing the assets and drug proceeds of syndicates.

We need to be strict in identification of illicit drug proceeds and take them away,” Armond stressed.

ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR

Nigeria’s Fraud Unit Gets New Helmsman

Mr. Johnson Babatunde Ogunsakin has been appointed the new Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.

The unit’s spokesperson, Mrs Ngozi Isintume, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

Until his posting, Ogunsakin was Deputy Commissioner of Police `F’ Department at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He replaced Mr Chiwike Asadu, who had been deployed to the Kwara State Command.

Isintume said that the Commissioner assumed duty at the Special Fraud Unit on Monday.

The spokesperson noted that Ogunsakin was appointed into the force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1982.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/History, Advance Diploma in Law Diplomacy & Conflict Management. He also attended various courses in Nigeria and abroad.

Ogunsakin also held various appointments, including Director of Operations, EFCC; Head Investigation, ICPC, ACP; Force Secretary; ACP Provost Marshall and ACP in-charge of Interpol at Force Criminal Investigation Department.

Herman Hembe and Arunma Oteh

Chairman House committee on capital market steps down

Chairman, House of Representatives committee on Capital Market and other Financial Institution, Herman Hembe has stepped down as the chairman of the committee probing the activities of the Nigeria Stock Exchange and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This is following allegations by the Director-general of SEC, Oteh Arunma that Hembe demanded a bribe of N39 million from SEC for the ongoing probe.

She also accused Hembe of demanding N5million from the commission to enable him travel to the Dominican Republic to attend an Emerging market conference without embarking on the journey.

Hembe in an address to the House plenary on Tuesday stated that ” I demanded and took no bribe but rather fought hard to resist any such tempataion.”

The lawmaker therefore tendered his resignation as the head of the committee but affirmed that he will head to the court to clear his name “that has been marred” he said.

The House has set up an ad-hoc committee headed by Ibrahim El-Suid from Taraba state to continue with the probe.

The new committee has 21 days to conclude the probe.

The House also mandated its Ethics committee to probe the allegation while the public hearing continues.

The SEC DG on Thursday made the accusations in response to the claims by the Committee that she has mismanaged the affairs of the commission and the committee was out to tarnish her intergrity.

She questioned the credibility of the Chairman of the committee in conducting the probe, considering her allegations.

In his response, Mr Hembe noted all the allegations listed by the SEC and subjected himself and the committee to another probe which he ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take up.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Fashola Wades Into Illegal Demolition Of Building

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has ordered the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Offences (Enforcement) Unit to wade into the illegal demolition of a bungalow located at 42, Adebisi Awosoga Street, Dopemu, Lagos State, by suspected thugs.

The building is owned by Chief Binjo Onasanya, a businessman, who petitioned Fashola over the illegal demolition.

He said he had all the necessary documents for the land, including the Certificate of Occupancy and approved building plan.

Officials of the taskforce have already pulled down a fence erected around the demolished building by a particular family claiming ownership of the property and have been monitoring developments on the land since the illegal demolition on 15 January, 2012.

In the petition dated 5 March, 2012, he alleged that his bungalow was demolished by one Mr. Bunmi Ikuomola and Duro Ikuomola, stating that he bought the land from the Oniwaya Family on the strength of a Supreme Court judgement delivered in SC/86/87 Ikuomola vs Oniwaya.

He said the judgement declared the Oniwaya family to be the owner of the parcel of Land at Onilekere, Dopemu, adding that after the execution of the Supreme Court judgement and the eviction of the late Mr. Omolere Ikuomola from the land, “I, like several other purchasers, bought the land and premises at 42 Adebisi Awosoga Street from the Oniwaya family —it, being part of the land adjudged in SC/86/87.”

“I have been in possession of the property from the date of purchase and installed tenants into the premises. I have obtained a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of same. I also have obtained an approved building plan from the Lagos State Government.

“Much later, after I and the occupiers have settled on the land, Omolere Ikuomola family instituted another action in suit No. ID/611/2005 claiming that certain portion of the land in respect of which execution was levied, do not form part of the Supreme Court judgement. That case is still pending in the High Court of Lagos State as final judgement has not been given in the case,” he explained in the petition.

He alleged that on 13 December, 2011, policemen from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon invited my tenants to the police station on the strength of a petition written by Mr. Duro Ikuomola, saying that the petition alleged that the house was fraudulently bought by him.

“In a most bizarre demonstration of lawlessness, Mr. Duro Ikuomola and Bunmi Ikuomola immediately, after leaving the police station mobilised thugs to the site and broke all the Nigerite roofing sheets. I immediately notified the police at Alagbon before whom the petition was pending. The police did not make any arrest,” he alleged in the petition.

According to him, while the petition was still pending at Alagbon, and while still thinking that the police would play a neutral role by calling them to order, surprisingly on Sunday 15, January 2012, the Ikuomola family allegedly took a bulldozer to the house and destroyed same with all the properties within the premises.

“I am shocked and traumatised by this act of barbarism, which these men have exhibited. I am humbly appealing to your good office for assistance by looking into the matter. I have lost confidence in the police.

There’s a pending case in court, which has not been concluded and I am therefore surprised that while the case is pending, my adversaries will take the law into their hands in a state that is showing and preaching excellence,” he stated in the petition.

Acting on the petition, Fashola has asked the taskforce to take up the issue and ensure that there was no further encroachment on the piece of land.