The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Two fake soldiers, Customs officers, 92 others paraded in Kano

    Two fake soldiers, Customs officers, 92 others paraded in Kano

    • 26 kidnap, cultism suspects held, ammunition recovered in Nasarawa

    The police in Kano State yesterday paraded two fake soldiers, two fake Customs officers and 92 other suspects arrested for various offences.

    Operatives who arrested the suspects during raids, also recovered several weapons and items suspected to have been stolen by them which included three locally made guns, some deadly fabricated weapons, four motor vehicles, two tricycles, six motorcycles, a roll of power cables and two Plasma TVs.

    Other recovered items were an Air Conditioner, two jerrycans of 25 litres of palm oil, a gas cylinder, a ceiling fan, some wrist watches, 28 peg iron symbols in cemetery for grave identification, 20 cartons of Codeine Syrup, 45 parcels, 303 wraps of dried cannabis, Exol Tablets, 30 pieces of Diazepam and 30 pieces of Suck and Die.

    The state Commissioner of Police (CP) Mohammed Usaini Gumel, said: “So far, a total of 96  suspects were arrested for offences ranging from drugs and substance abuse that formed the motivating factor for violent crimes in the State such as mobile phone robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, theft of motor vehicles, etc.”

    Among the suspected criminals paraded were 38 armed robbers, 52 mobile phone snatchers and six illicit drug abusers, among others.

    CP Gumel said the achievements were recorded by intensified drive for policing and engagements with concerted intelligence-led operations, round-the-clock visibility patrols, synergising with the military and other sister security agencies, as well as massive support of the media towards public sensitisation on the need to shun crime and criminality

    Similarly, Nasarawa State Police command said it arrested 26 kidnapping and cultism suspects at different locations across the state.

    Spokesperson for the command, DSP Rahman Nansel, disclosed this while parading the suspects in Lafia, the state capital. He said they had all confessed to committing the offences for which they were arrested.

    According to Nansel, three of the suspects, Jibrin Idris, 20, Manu Kauji, 20, and Tukur Sule, 20, were arrested on April 30, around 4pm, with 155 rounds of 7.6 by 39mm live ammunition, by police operatives attached to Awe Division who acted on credible information.

    “Upon interrogation the suspects confessed that they were sent by one Idris of Katsina State to purchase the ammunition at Ibi, Taraba state before they were arrested at Tunga village, Awe LGA.

    “A follow up investigation by men of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit led to the arrest of Idris Abdullahi of Kankara, Katsina State, the father of a suspect earlier arrested where one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 323 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm and 14 rounds of 7.62 by 51mm live ammunition, totalling 492 rounds were recovered from the suspects as exhibit,” he said.

    He said other kidnap suspects were arrested in Wamba local government area of the state, and about 13 cultists were arrested in Masaka, Karu local government area of the state with ammunition.

    The police command spokesman said, all the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

  • Cult clash claims ‘Commissioner’ in Delta

    Cult clash claims ‘Commissioner’ in Delta

    • CP orders arrest of cops over ‘brutality’

    A Cult suspect identified as “Commissioner” has been killed in renewed cult rivalry at Orhuwhorun community in Udu council area of Delta state.

    Residents of the community reportedly scampered to safety as sounds of gunshots by suspected gang members of the deceased, who were on a retaliatory mission, rented the air, around noon, yesterday.

    The situation also forced business owners to shutdown activities.

    The Nation gathered that Commissioner died from several matchet cuts after gunshots from his assailants failed to bring him down, Tuesday evening.

    However, news of his death filtered into the community yesterday, throwing residents into panic.

    Some roadside traders have returned to their trade at the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Wale Abass, has ordered the detention of policemen caught in a recent viral video assaulting some persons at Ekredjebor Community, Ughelli North LGA.

    He condemned the act and ordered the detention of the officers involved.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, DSP Bright Edafe, said the officers involved would face internal disciplinary mechanisms and punishment in line with extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations.

    Edafe in a statement yesterday, said: “The command is aware of a trending video recorded at Ekredjebor community in Ughelli North LGA. The video captions some policemen, who went there for an operation, carrying planks and assaulting some persons. The command wishes to state that the act of the officers concerned is condemnable and absolutely unacceptable.

    “It is not in the command’s character to assault members of the public who we are supposed to protect. More so, planks are not part of police accoutrements, and it is absolutely unprofessional of them to assault members of the public in whatever guise.

     “The erring officers have been identified and the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Wale Abass has directed their immediate detention. Internal disciplinary mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that they are punished in line with the extant laws as stipulated in the police act and regulations to serve as deterrence to others.

  • Three jailed 20 years for N45.6m shares theft belonging to dead man

    Three jailed 20 years for N45.6m shares theft belonging to dead man

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday sentenced three men to 20 years imprisonment each for N45,686,184.72 fraud.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke found the trio -Kasumu Ademola, Salau Mikailu, and Ganiyu Isola- guilty of, among others, stealing 298,550 stocks belonging to a deceased, Joseph Adeniji Adeyemi.

    The sentence followed their prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful fund conversion, and laundering of the sum.

    The EFCC brought Ademola, Mikailu, and Isola before the judge on February 4, 2019, alongside a stockbroking firm, CSL Stockbrokers, on an eight-count charge of money laundering, conversion, and retaining of fraud proceeds to the tune of N34 million.

    Their arraignment followed a complaint received by the commission from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail.

    During proceedings in 2021, they changed their plea to “guilty”, while the prosecution amended the charge to, among others, exclude the stockbroking firm.

    In the amended charge, the trio was accused of conspiring to unlawfully convert the late Joseph’s 298,550 stocks valued at N34m.

    They were also accused of unlawfully retaining N9.481 million in their bank account.

    The offences contravened sections 18(a); 15(2)(b) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Act.

    At the resumption of proceedings yesterday, their lawyers Messrs O. Muyideen and A. Olufemi prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that they had been in detention since their arrest in 2018.

    The court was told the convicts’ change of plea saved the court’s time and they had turned to new leave with a promise to never engage in crime.

    Justice Aneke sentenced each convict to five years imprisonment on each of the four counts, with the sentence to run concurrently.

    The jail term commences from the date they were taken into custody.

    The judge also ordered the convicts to make restitution of the proceeds of the crime to the late Joseph’s family.

  • ‘Quack health workers abandon patients with complications’

    ‘Quack health workers abandon patients with complications’

    Anambra State Ministry of Health has cautioned residents against patronising hospitals operating with unqualified officials, forged licence and in unhygienic environment.

    Head, Medical Services Department, Dr. Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu, gave the warning after sealing off three hospitals at Alor in Idemili South Local Government over quackery.

    He advised them to patronise general hospitals for proper medical care, instead of risking their lives at unapproved facilities.

    Chukwulobelu said the hospitals were sanctioned for employing uncertified medical personnel.

    He described as more worrisome, cases of uncertified health workers, who abandoned their patients and relocated to other countries when they encountered complications.

    Read Also : Zamfara recruits 1,793 health workers

    Wondering why people risked lives over monetary gains, Ugochukwu assured the citizens of continuous regulatory oversight of hospitals.

    He said: “The hospitals were shut by Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Team for operating without licence, forged licence, unqualified workers or in unhygienic environment according to health management.

    “We also discovered some uncertified health workers, who treat patients and perform medical procedures, only to leave the country when complications arise.

    “We therefore call on community stakeholders, religious bodies and individuals to show interest in activities in their localities, especially health.

    “They should also report to the ministry, any suspected facility or shop involved in quackery, to assist in saving millions of lives and contributing to the health sector of the state.”

  • Suspension of members: Ex-Enugu APC chair lauds party’s position

    Suspension of members: Ex-Enugu APC chair lauds party’s position

    Former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, has lauded a statement by the national leadership of the party, cautioning state chapters against incessant and arbitrary suspension and expulsion of members. 

    Nwoye, a serving federal commissioner representing Southeast in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), described the position of the national leadership of the ruling party as a “good development”.

    Speaking with reporters after visiting ex- Senate President Ken Nnamani at his Amechi country home in Enugu South Local Government over the death of his wife, Jane, Nwoye said such action by states, particularly Enugu, remained counterproductive to the party.

    “The caution by the national leadership of our great party is a good development. But I still maintain that the issue of the so-called ratification of the purported suspension of bigwigs of APC in the Southeast by some people is illegal, because there is no such thing like ratification in our constitution, which is the law guiding our operation,” he said.

    Read Also : JUST IN: Abbas, Kalu, other lawmakers meet APC NWC

    The Southeast APC led by the National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, recently announced the ratification of the suspension and expulsion of some key members of the party in Enugu and Abia states, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, Dr. Ben Nwoye, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffery  Onyeama, ex-Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, Director General of Voice of Nigeria Osita Okechukwu, former Enugu State House of Assembly Speaker Eugene Odo, among others.

    Nwoye said it was unfortunate that the same people, who allegedly worked against the victory of APC in the Southeast, “are now tarnishing the image of the true progressives in the region.”

    “The anti-APC agents, who worked for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) during the general election, are the same people constituting illegal panel to suspend and expel the real progressives in the zone.

    “They just woke up one morning, converged on Owerri, Imo State capital, to announce the suspension and expulsion of key members of the APC, without charges against them, or right to be heard.

    “Suspension is not done in a court of public opinion. You must give the affected person fair hearing, and the person must be entitled to an appeal,” he said.

    “These people doing this in the Southeast are paid agents of the PDP. They are job seekers, who want to reap where they did not sow. Their plan is to destabilise our party in the Southeast,” he added.

  • Ondo flood victims get relief materials

    Ondo flood victims get relief materials

    People affected by the 2022 flood disaster in Ondo State have received relief materials worth millions of naira from the government.

    The items are mattresses, pillows, blankets, noodles, bags of rice, bags of beans and building materials.

    Others are grinding machines, sewing machines, hair clippers, bags of cement, roofing sheets and ceiling boards.

    Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, who launched the distribution of the materials in Akure yesterday, said the gesture was part of the presidential palliatives to Year 2022 flood victims in Ondo State, championed by the Ministry of Niger Delta, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    Represented by the Director, Internal Audit, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Tajudeen Fasasi,  Adegoroye said President Muhammadu Buhari had shown concern and love for the people of Niger Delta by approving distribution of relief materials to flood victims in the region.

    He said it was to alleviate the challenges that came with the 2022 flood, in addition to earlier assistance to the affected states.

    He said: “These materials will be distributed in the identified local governments in the Niger Delta states, to forestall diversion or any irregularity.”

    “The communities affected by the flood were identified by NEMA through the needs assessment they conducted after the flood. The identified communities have been earmarked to be given these relief items, to rehabilitate the people.

    “The items will be handed over to NEMA for distribution to the beneficiaries as identified in the affected communities. Government officials and security personnel have been assigned to monitor the distribution, to ensure these items get to those for whom they are meant.”

    NEMA Director General Mr. Ahmed Habib, represented by Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, said the exercise was the first phase, adding that the second phase would begin soon.

  • Wike donates N500m to teaching hospital

    Wike donates N500m to teaching hospital

    • Facility to serve the poor, says Odili

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has donated N500million to the newly inaugurated PAMO University Teaching Hospital, an offshoot of PAMO University of Medical Sciences owned by former Governor Peter Odili.

    He said the support of his administration to PAMO University, Port Harcourt since its inception had proved to be worthwhile and not misplaced.

    The governor said in its five years of establishment, from 2018 to 2023, PAMO University of Medical Sciences was being celebrated because of the quality of students it had produced.

    Wike, who spoke yesterday before inaugurating PAMO Teaching Hospital in Iriebe town, Obio/Akpor Local Government, said the institution was the first private university established in Rivers State.

    He attributed the success story to the commitment, passion and sense of purpose by Dr. Odili.

    He said Odili, after his years as governor of Rivers State, did not go into retirement or relocate to Abuja to join association of former governors, but established PAMO University to offer more service to the society.

    Wike said: “Many states have money, how many have been able to put it for people to see that yes, you have money? So, having money is a different thing.

    “You may have money, but may not be able to use that money for the good of the people. So, this is what public officers should always learn that you still have a lot to serve mankind.”

    He recalled the criticism that greeted his administration’s support to PAMO University, but said similar support would be given to Wigwe University, the new private tertiary institution established in the state.

    He said he had promised to reconstruct an access road to Wigwe University, and assured the citizens that any other of such investment would also attract state government’s support.

    Dr. Odili said: “What Governor Wike has done is invaluable, unquantifiable; we cannot put a figure on it. The PAMO family, PAMO Educational Foundation, PAMO Clinics and Hospital Ltd, PAMO University of Medical Science, the Board of Trustees, and Governing Council, and Board of Directors, in humanity, we are dedicating this centre named after you for the service of humanity. This complex will be called Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike complex.”

    He said PAMO University Teaching Hospital was designed to be accessible to the poor.

    Said he: “This will be the destination of hope. People who are ill will need services here. This centre will be known for having workers who will treat their patients like their employers.”

  • 60 Dukes to Obaseki: we’re not party to break-up of Benin kingdom

    60 Dukes to Obaseki: we’re not party to break-up of Benin kingdom

    No fewer than 60 Benin Dukes (Enigie) have backed out of the purported plot to bring down the heritage of Edo people, arising from calls by some Dukes on the Edo State Government to create a parallel Benin Traditional Rulers Council (BTC), for the seven local governments in Edo South Senatorial District.

    Denying plot to break up Benin kingdom, the ‘loyal Dukes’ yesterday in a letter to Governor Godwin Obaseki said the request to the state government by the ‘aggrieved Dukes’, who had been rejected by their subjects, was illogical and a threat to the source of creation of Benin kingdom.

    Edo South Senatorial District/Benin kingdom consists of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde councils.

    The ‘loyal Dukes’ letter to Obaseki came after some ‘errant Dukes’ conspired and wrote a petition against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to Edo governor last November, seeking the creation of BTC across the seven Benin local governments, but the ‘loyal Dukes’ urged Obaseki to confine the petition by the ‘rebellious Dukes’ to the waste bin of history.

    Signatories to the ‘loyal Dukes’ letter to Edo governor included HRH Osagiede Festus (Enogie of Iguogbe), HRH Igbinidu Idurobo Ernest (Uwan-Esigie), HRH Alfred Osagie Erhauyi (Iyanomo) and HRH Anthony Osagie (Umegbe), among others.

    The ‘loyal Enigie’ pledged their loyalty to the first-class monarch and urged Edo government not to grant the request “by the contemptible interlopers, who lacked the courage of their own conviction, as they were accused of attempting to undermine the peace and cohesion in Benin Kingdom in particular and Edo State at large.”

    Dukes loyal to Oba of Benin said: “For some forms of autonomy, devolution of powers and independence of Oba of Benin, whose forefathers and by definition our ancestors that initiated the structure of Enigie and still appoint Enigie to date, should not be decentralised or whittled down.

    “We have since realised that we erred and have also gone to the palace of Oba of Benin for atonement for our sins, and apologised physically to His Royal Majesty, for this our regrettable misstep, borne out of inadequate knowledge of the subject matter and mistakes by allowing our signatures to be collated for a wrongful use, without circumspection. 

    “As Enigie, who are fully aware of the whole essence of the letter, and what it seems to achieve, we the undersigned hereby disassociate ourselves from the letter and peregrinations of the Enogie of Egbaen/Siluko, and insist that our signatures were obtained fraudulently for misrepresentations of facts about the actual intent.”

    The ‘loyal Enigie’ said they had reunited with the Oba of Benin, whom they described as their father, as his subjects.

    They sought forgiveness, which, according to them, had been granted unequivocally, noting that the eminent traditional ruler remained their source.

  • Go after Adebutu, cohorts, CSO tells security agencies

    Go after Adebutu, cohorts, CSO tells security agencies

    A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Centre for Grassroots Development and Crime Prevention, has urged security agencies in Ogun State to apprehend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 18th governorship election, Oladipupo Adebutu and his cohorts for allegedly committing electoral fraud.

    The CSO alleged that Adebutu, hiding under a fictitious foundation, distributed about N200,000 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards issued by Zenith Bank PLC and loaded with N10,000 each, with the intention to buy votes across the state and influence the outcome of the electoral process to his favour, thereby violating electoral law.

    The organisation in a statement by its National Coordinator, Taiwo Salako, in Abeokuta, alleged that the magnitude of the electoral fraud perpetrated by Adebutu and his party, the PDP, during the poll, was unprecedented in the state.

    It called on concerned authorities to address the infraction and make the perpetrators face the wrath of the law.

  • Govt urges Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy associates on resilience

    Govt urges Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy associates on resilience

    The Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LKLA), Ms. Folasade Coker, has advised associates of the academy to exhibit resilience, as they confront leadership challenges in their mandate of institutionalising public sector leadership in Lagos State.

    She spoke yesterday at a leadership and governance seminar facilitated by the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), at the training centre, Magodo. 

    Coker urged the associates to keep alive the memory of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, by relaxing and enjoying the leadership journey, as there would be challenging moments and tough times.

    She said the hallmark of a leader was to remain resilient, no matter the situation. 

    Said she: “It is not by accident that you have been chosen to be associates of LJLA, which was established to raise leaders, who would impact positively on their generation. As you are aware, the leadership journey is full of challenges, just like any other human endeavour. Thus, it behoves you to be resilient, especially as you start this journey with the academy.” 

    Coker hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership that led to the creation of the academy. 

    The executive secretary acknowledged the efforts of the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, “who is significant to the founding of the academy.”

    She also appreciated the efforts of the then permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Abiodun Onayele. 

    The Director General of Public Service Staff Development, Mr. Adekunmilola Adio-Moses, told the associates that they were expected to move mountains, adding that they could dream and achieve the impossible. 

    Mr. Femi Solaja, director, Learning and Development, PSSDC, took the associates through the public service rules and the workings of government, as well as a detailed history of Lagos State.