The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Police in Kano parades 216 suspected criminals

    Kano State Police Command has arrested 216 suspected criminals, allegedly involved in robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, currency counterfeiting and drug dealings.

    The Police Commissioner in Kano, Alhaji Iliyasu Ahmed who paraded the suspects on Friday, said the suspects were arrested within the Sallah period.

    The commissioner said the arrest was made mostly by personnel of Operation Puff Adder.

    Ahmed said nine of the suspects were arrested over armed robbery and 16 for kidnapping.

    He said that two kidnapped victims were rescued by the police.

    The commissioner added that 34 thugs locally known as ‘Yandaba’, were also arrested in various locations with dangerous weapons during the Sallah period.

    Read Also:Police parade 49 for alleged robbery, cultism

    According to him, 51 other suspects were arrested at different criminal hideouts where large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp and other intoxicating substances were recovered.

    “This is in addition to tracking one suspect at his hideout in Warawa Local Government Area after allegedly stabbing one other person to death,” he said.

    He added that the command had also swooped on five suspected fraudsters and high profile scammers on land matters and that N400,000 and four motor vehicles were recovered from them.

    According to Ahmed, another five suspects were also arrested for counterfeiting local and foreign currencies.

    He however stated that operation Puff Adder which was recording tremendous success would be sustained throughout the state, until all non repentant criminals were arrested and brought to justice.

    The commissioner commended law abiding members of the general public for their cooperation during the just concluded Sallah festivities which ended peacefully.

    (NAN)

  • Police arraign Enugu monarch for alleged attempted kidnap

    Police in Enugu State has arraigned the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ugwuaji, Awkunanaw Autonomous Community of the state, Igwe Christopher Nyia for alleged attempted kidnapping among other charges.

    Nyia, 60, was arraigned before an Enugu South Magistrates Court presided over by Mr A. P. C. Amalu on four count charges allegedly committed with others at large in November, 2014.

    He was said to have conspired to commit misdemeanor to wit: malicious damage/unlawful detention, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Sect. 517 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Nyia was said to have willfully and unlawfully destroyed the house of one Hillary Okoye valued at N1.6 million and committed an offence punishable under sect. 451 of the same law.

    He was said to have also unlawfully detained one Chinaza Agah against her will and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Sect. 365 of the Criminal Code Act.

    Read Also: Kidnapped college provost regains freedom in Benue – Police

    The last charge was that the monarch attempted to kidnap one Chinaza Agah and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Sect. 86 (1) of the Criminal Code Act.

    When the charges were read, the monarch pleaded not guilty and elected for summary trial.

    The defense counsel, Prof. Osita Ogbu applied for the quashing of the charges against his client on grounds that the case had earlier been heard and dismissed by an Enugu Magistrates Court in 2016.

    Ogbu said the case was dismissed due to lack of diligent prosecution.

    The counsel, who tendered the certified copies of the proceedings, said it was surprising that the prosecution would bring up the matter again.

    The defense counsel also said the laws on the basis of which his client was arraigned, did not apply to Enugu State.

    He said the law was a creation of the National Assembly adding that the body had no constitutional powers to make laws for an offence applicable to Enugu state.

    Ogbu said that criminalisation was a residual matter under the 1999 Constitution and amended except in treasonable felony.

    He said his client was charged under the criminal code applicable in Abuja, adding that Enugu State had its own Criminal Procedure Law.

    “The powers to enact general criminal laws are incidental which is not applicable here. These offences are under the legislative powers of the state assembly,” he said.

    He said that under Sect. 36 (12) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, “a person could only be brought to the court for an offence prescribed by a valid law.

    “We urge the court to quash the charges and discharge the accused person as he is not charged under any valid law,” he said.

    Ogbu however, applied for the bail of his client should the court find no valid reason to quash the charges.

    He said that the monarch was conscientiously attending court proceedings even when the prosecution was not attending prior to the initial dismissal of the case in 2016.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Mr D. T. Abi opposed the bail application on the grounds that the allegations were heinous.

    Abi however, told the court that the case was not dismissed on its merits but on technical grounds.

    He said that under the circumstance, the police have the powers to re-arrest and bring the accused back to the court.

    He said the charges were applicable to the state as the NASS had the powers to make laws for good governance of all parts of the country.

    Abi prayed the court to discountenance the submissions of the defense counsel and deny bail.

    However, Amalu granted the accused bail for N1 million and one surety in like sum.

    The matter was adjourned until Sept. 2 for hearing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that members of Obeagu Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Autonomous Community had earlier trooped out en mass in solidarity with their monarch. (NAN)

  • Banker Bags 10yrs Imprisonment for Stealing In Ekiti

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a former cashier with Fidelity Bank, Ado Branch, Michael Ihinolurinjon to ten 10 imprisonment for stealing customers’ deposit.

    Ihinolurinjon was on Thursday, found guilty of a two-count charge of stealing money from the bank’s vault and diverting customers’ deposits of a criminal case filed against by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.

    Justice Abiodun Adesodun in her judgement said Ihinolurinjon stands guilty and accordingly convicted to serve a prison of 10 years with a fine options of N100, 000 on each of the counts.

    The convict was also ordered to pay a sum of seven million naira as restitution to Fidelity Bank Plc, being the petitioner in the case.

    The bank had written a petition to the EFCC alleging that while still a staffer, Ihinolurinjon stole the sum of N8,891,000 (Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand Naira) from its vault, and also failed to remit a total of N7,251,600 (Seven Million, Two Hundred and Fifty-One, Six Hundred Naira) he collected from customers to the bank’s account.

    The bank also accused Ihinolurinjon of absconding from duty ‘upon sighting one of the customers whose cash he had fraudulently diverted’.

    Following the petition, the Commission went into investigation after which the accused was originally charged with obtaining through false pretence in a one-count charge filed in 2017.

    The charge was later amended to a two-count, bordering on stealing, upon which he was re-arraigned on June 24, 2019.

    “Our preliminary review showed that Michael fraudulently diverted the sums of N8,891,000 and N7,251,600.00 of the branch vault and customers’ cash respectively. The cash deposit of N7,251,600 received by Michael from various customers between 1/9/16 and 19/9/16 were neither posted to their respective accounts nor the cash accounted for,” the bank stated in its petitioned dated October 17, 2016.

    The offence, according to the EFCC prosecuting counsel Abdulrasheed Suleman, contravenes Section 390 (g) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    He called nine witnesses to testify against the convicts.

  • ‘Uwelu Spare Parts Market inferno receiving Edo Govt’s attention’

    The Edo State Government has described as erroneous, insinuations that its response to the Uwelu Auto Spare Parts Market inferno was cliché, stating that the incident is receiving government’s attention.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said, “hours after Governor Godwin Obaseki visited the Auto Spare Parts Market in Uwelu, an 8-man panel of inquiry was inaugurated by the state government.”

    He continued, “The panel which is headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters (Edo South), Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, has commenced work and has one week to turn in its report in line with the terms of reference it was given.”

    Osagie explained that government’s approach is the standard practice with an emergency of such scale, stressing “We consider the inferno a major setback for the economy and an emergency that deserves the state government’s attention.

    Read Also: US backs Edo State’s anti-human trafficking model

    “It is not true that our response to such a massive fire incident that destroyed huge investments in a major sector of the auto industry is ‘a cliché’ as erroneously stated by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo State Chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Though, it is Governor’s Obaseki’s style to allow development to speak for itself, we, however, wish to inform Nehikhare that the state fire service is undergoing revamp just like several other sectors of the state.”

    He added that plans to procure new trucks from Innoson Motors are at an advanced stage and the integrated revamp will correct the observed gaps in the response rate of the state fire service to emergencies.

    “What Nehikhare failed to mention in his press statement is the fact that the PDP did not leave any foundation for the APC-led government to build on, with respect to managing emergencies like the Uwelu fire incident.

    “Edo people and residents feel the impact of the Obaseki-led government where ever they live and it is not true that governance in the state is suffering.

    Roads and other infrastructure are being built, enduring policies and programmes are being designed and executed across all sectors, to address the developmental challenges of our people on a daily basis,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Barcelona’s Coutinho joins Bayern on loan

    Barcelona have confirmed that an agreement is in place to loan Philippe Coutinho to Bayern Munich.

    The Brazilian midfielder has failed to impress since joining the La Liga champions and Barca have been keen to offload their big-money signing as they revamp the squad.

    He was offered to a number of Premier League clubs before the English transfer window for buying players slammed shut but were knocked back, and a move to the Bundesliga now appears to be the next stage of Coutinho’s journey.

    An agreement in principle has been put in place between the two clubs, with the deal almost complete but not formally closed, with the player being left out of the La Liga season opener against Athletic Bilbao as the move inches nearer.

    Read Also: Barcelona, Bayern Munich agree deal for Coutinho

    Barcelona have often used Coutinho on the left wing and have just signed Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, with the Frenchman joining Ousmane Dembele as an option on that flank ahead of the Brazilian in the pecking order.

    Additionally, the Catalan giants have been heavily linked with a move for former star Neymar, who would be another big name ahead of Coutinho in an already stacked forward line.

    However, when he arrived from Liverpool, the long-term vision for Coutinho was to replace Andres Iniesta as a creative force in midfield. He was not often trusted to play in that position, though, and now Frenkie de Jong has been added from Ajax, joining Arthur and Ivan Rakitic as central options.

  • Conductor charged with beating up policeman

    A bus conductor, Quadri Mustapha, who allegedly punched a policeman in the mouth, was yesterday brought by the police before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Mustapha, 25, of Jakande area, Isolo, Lagos, was arraigned on a two-count charge of breach of the peace and assault before Magistrate F. O. Hughes.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Ishola Samuel alleged that Mustapha committed the offence at about 4pm on July 17, at Oshodi bus stop, on the Oworonsoki Expressway.

    The court heard that the defendant assaulted Mr. Olumide Sonoiki, a constable, who was on lawful duty.

    Read Also: Businessman arraigned for allegedly receiving stolen property

    Mustapha, who was allegedly obstructing traffic by dropping-off passengers on the highway, punched and injured Sonoiki when he challenged and ordered him to move his vehicle.

    Mustapha pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Hughes granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum, among other terms.

    The case continues on September 9.

  • Head hunter, son killed in Kogi

    The Chairman of Bunu Hunters in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Caleb Oshe and his son, Sunday have been killed by gunmen.

    The government condemned the killing, saying those behind it would be apprehended and prosecuted.

    In a statement yesterday through the Director-General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Yahaya Bello described the killing as unacceptable.

    He called for restraint, saying: “Security agencies have been deployed to ensure the arrest of the murderers.”

    The police command confirmed the killing.

    Spokesman William Aya, confirming the incident, said a detachment of operatives had been deployed in the area.

    He said: “The story is true. The Commander Kabba, DPO ‘A’ Division Kabba, Sole Administrator Kabba/Bunu Local Government with his exco and other security agencies visited the scene. The bodies were on the floor.

    “The Commissioner of Police (CP) assured the family and the villagers that investigation is on. The police will do everything to bring the perpetrators to book,” said Aya.

    Read Also: Kogi govt. debunks alleged herdsmen attack at Lokoja park

    The CP appealed to people to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands.

    Governor Bello condemned the killing, saying security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those behind the murder are apprehended and prosecuted.

    In a statement through his Director-General (Media and Publicity), Kingsley Fanwo, the governor said such is “unacceptable to his government and the people of Kogi State.”

    He called for restraint, as security agencies have been deployed to ensure the arrest of the murderers.

    “As the governor, the security of lives and property is what I have sworn to protect. It is, therefore, unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to murder our citizens.

    “Every life is important to us, and we will stop at nothing to arrest the masterminds of the heinous crime.

    “Our administration has placed premium attention on security and it is, therefore, unfortunate that we still have flashes of such dastardly act.

    “It is too early to attribute the killing to anyone, and no one should take the law into his or her hands. The late Caleb Osho was not only the head of the vigilance group in Suku, but also the person responsible for logging activities in the community. Given the centrality of Suku community to the politics and economy of the area, we have no choice but to allow security agencies launch investigation into the circumstances leading to the crime. We will support them to achieve success.

    “I’ve directed the security adviser to mobilise security agencies to the place, which has been done. Our people must be protected from the pangs of anti-social criminals, who will surely lose the battle against our well woven security architecture.

    “I commiserate with the family of the late Mr. Oshe and the entire Suku community over the irreparable loss. We will ensure that justice is done. We will spread our security dragnet to avert this kind of security issue.”

    The governor warned residents not to launch any reprisal, assuring them that the security agents on ground have all it takes not only to protect them, but also to apprehend the murderers.

    “I have directed the security agencies to make sure the area is well combed, to ensure anyone bearing unauthorised arm is made to face the law,” Bello said.

  • 40million denied access to telecoms service – NCC boss

    Over 40 million Nigerians are denied access to telecommunication services due to the inability of tele communication firms to spread their services to rural areas, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, has stated.

    Dambatta canvassed the need of a new techno-paradigm shift in the communication sector to find solution to the challenges in the communication industry.

     Dambatta, who spoke during emerging technologies consultative and ICT innovation forum for North-West, stated: “We are addressing this deficit in two ways. One is to address the infrastructural deficit in the long term.

    “In the short term, we need to deploy more and base transiver stations. At the main time, the base transiver stations are stations are about 58, 000; and that is not enough for a population of about 190 million.

    “At an average of 10 base transiver stations per year, it going to take this country 20 years to bridge the gaps and bring tele-communication services to people living in the rural areas.

    “People living in the rural areas don’t have the patience to wait for 20 years. So, we are looking at rural technology solutions that can bridge the gap in two years. This is ongoing.”

    According to him, NCC is driving the local content, using the ICT Eco system with the resources available such as the infrastructure, technology facilities, human intelligence to improve the economy, adding “if those infrastructures are available, they can now be used to drive wealth for the 40 million Nigerians who are not benefitting from such services.

    He noted: “Whereas Mobile Network Operators have developed infrastructure to support voice services and access to data, it has become expedient for them to unlock new services and sources of value generation and revenue streams in their operation.

    “It has, therefore, become necessary to innovate on how to access on how to access segments of the Consumer wallets not presently allocated to communication by providing solutions to Consumer needs in other vertical areas of education, health, government services made available through telecoms network infrastructure. We have to be innovative to make different aspects of our lives work.”

    He also promised that NCC will encourage the various tech hubs and start-ups across the country so they can flourish and achieve their set goals, adding that, “we intend to assist the various tech hubs with the right regulatory intervention to ease their operations.”

  • Businessman charged with defrauding Chinese

    A businessman, Chibuike Amadi, yesterday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly collecting handbags worth N2.16 million from a Chinese, under the false pretence that he would pay her after sales.

    Amadi, 28, who lives at 11, Akiosun Street, Ijesha, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Sergeant Mishozumu Samuel said the defendant committed the offences on March 26 and April 26 in Agege, Lagos.

    Read Also: Businessman arraigned for allegedly receiving stolen property

    He alleged that the accused collected the handbags from the complainant, Mrs. Linling, (a Chinese), with a promise to pay her after he would have sold them.

    The prosecutor said the defendant knew that he was making a representation he knew was false.

    He said the defendant, who did not pay the money, also failed to return the goods to its owner.

    Magistrate O. D. Njoku admitted the defendant to N300, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on August 28.

  • Trader allegedly absconds with clients’ $2,900

    A foreign exchange (forex) trader, Olufemi Oluwade, who allegedly absconded with two of his clients’ $2,900 dollars (about N1.1million), was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Oluwade, 39, of 5, Oyawale Street, Idimu, Lagos, was arraigned by the police before Mr. A. I. Abina on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Ishola Samuel alleged that Oluwade committed the offence in May on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.

    He alleged that the defendant obtained $2,900 from the complainants, Olamide Fashipe and Wilson Emele, with a promise to invest it in forex trade business.

    Read Also: Trader arraigned for stealing 100 bags of beans

    The court heard that Oluwade absconded after collecting the money.

    Oluwade pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Abina granted him N200, 000 bail with one “responsible” surety in the like sum, among other terms.

    The case continues on August 28.