The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Magu to Sun newspaper: Seeks N5bn compensation for libel

    Magu to Sun newspaper: Seeks N5bn compensation for libel

    Ibrahim Magu, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),has written a letter to the publisher of the Sun Newspaper in Abuja seeking a N5 billion naira compensation.

    Wilson Uwujaren, Head Media and Publicity, EFCC said this on Thursday in a statement in Abuja.

    He said Magu was seeking the compensation for “libelous imputations and statements” made against him in a story published on the March 25, 2017 edition of the Saturday Sun.

    “The publication was captioned “Magu under fresh probe over 2 Abuja Mansions”.

    The spokesman said that Magu’s solicitor, Wahab Shittu, noted in the letter that the authors of the story – Fred Itua, James Ojo and Lawrene Enyoghasu, “wilfully and maliciously made false, destructive, and defamatory statements” against him.

    He said that the paper quoted unidentified sources.

    Uwujaren said that the writers of the “offensive” report, had maliciously alleged that Magu owned “two mansions on different streets in highbrow Maitama area of Abuja”

    “This is a case which they could not substantiate, and which in fact was false, and nothing but the figments of their imaginations.

    The statement said that Magu further reiterated that “neither himself nor his wife own any property in Maitama.

    He said further that Magu in addition to the demand for N5 billion compensation, has charged the publishers to issue a public apology and immediate retraction in writing of these false libelous statements”, within the next seven days.

    The statement also demanded that it must be published on the front page of the newspaper.

    ” Failure of which, “legal remedies including monetary damages, injunctive reliefs, and an order that you pay necessary costs including solicitor’s fees for your defamation”, will be taken.

    It added that the publishers are also to provide “written assurance within seven days, that they would cease and desist from further defamation” of Magu’s name, integrity, and reputation,

     

  • EFCC arrests woman over N45m herbal cure fraud

    Ibadan Zonal office of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), says it has arrested one Aminat Okiribiti for allegedly conspiring with others to defraud a woman  of her money, under false pretence.

    Mr Ayo Oyewole, the EFCC Head of Public Affairs, Ibadan Zonal Office, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday that the suspect had engaged in Advance Fee Fraud.

    Oyewole stated that Okiribiti, with others now at large, had allegedly conspired ,using the pretence of providing cure and spiritual solution to health challenges, to defraud the women (name withheld) of a sum of N45 million.

    He said that Aminat, age 34, married to one Wande Okiribiti (47) who is still at large, had confessed to committing the crime.

    He said she had confessed that some of the money obtained from the victim, was collected by her through her bank account in a new generation bank, located in Ibadan.

    Recounting her ordeal, the complainant said that she met Wande (suspect’s husband) sometimes in October 2014 at Utako, Abuja while in search of a cure for the health challenges of her children.

    According to her, “Wande presented himself as a local herb hawker and a spiritualist capable of providing solutions to all problems and lured me into believing he had the cure to my children’s challenges.

    “I subsequently made different payments as advised, totaling N45 million, but became suspicious at the request for funds transfers, which continued without solution to the problem.”

    Oyewole said that the complainant, having suspected foul play, wrote petitioned the commission, necessitating the arrest of the suspect.

    He urged members of the public to be wary of the age-long tactics to avoid falling into the hands of fraudsters.

    Oyewole said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

     

  • Procurement Act: CISLAC petitions Dogara, committee over mobilisation fees

    Procurement Act: CISLAC petitions Dogara, committee over mobilisation fees

    An advocacy group, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has petitioned Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the House Committee on Public Procurement to suspend moves to increase contract mobilization fee from 15 to 50 per cent.

    CISLAC mobilisation Director, Auwal Ibrahim during a briefing, yesterday in Abuja, stressed that such decision would amount to promoting corruption in the procurement processes.

    Auwal argued further that the development is contradictory to provisions of the extant laws, adding that the Act was setup during administration of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an instrument to check corruption.

    The House is on the verge of reviewing the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 to reflect an increase in the mobilization fee to 50 per cent, removal of the Finance minister as chairperson of the public procurement council and plans to include national defense and security agencies in procurement processes.

    He explained that, “As contained in the extant law, a mobilization fee of 15 per cent to contractor is to enable the contractor to move their equipment to site, while another 30 per cent payable after an inception report, otherwise referred to as interim performance certificate is submitted.”

    “This is followed by another 50 per cent payment when half of the work is done and a balance of 5 per cent is payable after completion of the work. This is the standard worldwide and any contract that fails to meet up with the above is deemed to have commit an offence and punishable under section 58.

    “From the above, it is very clear that payments to contractors are in sequence to guide against abandoning the work and not drag government into unnecessary controversies. The recommendation therefore to give up to 50 per cent mobilization fees will not only further encourage corruption. The 15 per cent as contained in the law (Section 35 of the PPA) is purely a mobilization fees, which implies assisting or mobilizing the contractor to site, and not advance payment,” Auwal added.

    However, the group advised President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute and inaugurate the National Council for Public Procurement (NCPP) in order to sincerely fight corruption and sustain the change agenda.

    CISLAC added that the bill as read on the floor of the House should be discarded because it is allegedly against the principle of transparency and accountability.

  • Man docked for alleged theft, gets N8.1m bail

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted N8.1million bail to 23-year-old man, Najim Janedu, docked for allegedly stealing 92 doors and windows worth N8million.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, granted the defendant bail after he pleaded not guilty to two-count charge of joint act and theft preferred against him.

    The judge also ordered the defendant to produce a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He adjourned hearing till May 17.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Franklin Banjo of Suite 36, Lungi Barracks reported the matter at Apo Police Station on Jan.16.

    Ogbobe said that the complainant alleged that on Jan.15, he was on patrol of beats, as the Security Manager of Immaculate Security Service, Abuja.

    “It was while on patrol that he discovered that one Gowon Abraham, a security guard of the company, now at large, “criminally formed a common intention with the defendant,’’ Ogbobe said.

    “They stole 92 doors and windows worth N8million that were kept in the building,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor also said that during police investigations, the phone of Gowon Abraham who is now at large was found in the possession of the defendant.

    He said that the defendant could not “even give account of his action.’’

    The offences were contrary to Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    .

  • Osinbajo departs for France over anti-corruption, integrity forum

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday left Abuja for Paris to attend the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum.

    According to a statement issued by the Vice President’s Spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande in Abuja, Osinbajo is one of the speakers to feature at the global conference.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Vice President left for the forum after attending the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    The forum is scheduled to hold from March 30 to March 31.

    The OECD forum brings together global leaders, ministers, business leaders and civil society representatives to discuss issues of governance.

    Such issues include “the cost of corruption to society, the use of political donations to buy influence, developments in corporate liability for graft and the role of export controls to counter bribery”.

    During the conference, Osinbajo would hold bilateral talks with the Secretary-General of the organisation Angel Gurria.

    The talk would review and explore relationship between Nigeria and the body, including how to further strengthen mutual cooperation in areas of good governance, integrity and anti-corruption efforts.

    While in Paris, the Vice President would also hold a number of meetings with the French Minister Mr Bernard Cazeneuve.

    Founded in 1961, OECD’s mission includes the attainment of global economic development through supporting sustainable economic growth, boosting employment and raising living standards.

    The mission includes contributing to the growth of world trade and maintaining financial stability among other objectives.

    Osinbajo is expected back in Abuja at the weekend.

     

  • Osinbajo for OECD Anti-Corruption, integrity forum in Paris

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is scheduled to attend the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, (OECD’s) Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum holding in Paris this week from March 30-31.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande said that due to the effect of corruption and abuse of public office on democracies, the OECD forum will bring together global leaders, Government ministers, business leaders and civil society representatives.

    Issues to be discussed include the cost to society of corruption, the use of political donations to buy influence, developments in corporate liability for graft, and the role of export controls to counter bribery.

    The Vice President who is one of the featured speakers at the global conference was billed to leave Abuja Wednesday night after participating in the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    During the conference, Prof. Osinbajo would hold bilateral talks with the Secretary-General of the organisation Angel Gurria to review and explore the relationship between Nigeria and the body including how to further strengthen mutual cooperation in the areas such as good governance, integrity and anti-corruption efforts.

    Founded in 1961, OECD’s mission includes the attainment of global economic development through supporting sustainable economic growth, boosting employment, raising living standards, contributing to the growth of world trade and maintaining financial stability among other objectives.

    While in Paris, the Vice President will also hold a number of meetings with the French Minister Mr Bernard Cazeneuve.

    He is expected back in Abuja at the weekend.

  • Police parade former DSS personnel, others for robbery, kidnapping

    Police parade former DSS personnel, others for robbery, kidnapping

    • Police say arrested DSS was dismissed over N310million scandal

    The Police yesterday in Abuja paraded a former personnel of Department of State Service and ten others for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping and armed robbery.

    The suspects were arrested after they kidnapped one Alhaji Isa Salami Former GM PAN, MD Nigeria Paper Mills Jebba and Chairman Gateway Insurance.

    The victim was rescued from the kidnappers hideout, a two bedroom house rented by the kidnappers in remote side of Suleja Town of Niger State.

    The gang consists of the gang leader, the second in command, a former DSS personnel, driver, guards, and the supplier of registered sim cards which they use for their operation.

    Those paraded are; Kelvin Emeka, Ndubushi Prince Uzor, Abdulraheed Maigari, Sunday Travnor, Zayor Alfred, Avah Joseph, Gabriel Friday, Rajab Baba Ishiaka, Ali Sani, Nuhu Sule and Mohammed Abubakar.

    Items recovered from them included one AK 47 rifle, three AK 47 magazines, 90 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, two pistols, 14 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and two bedroom flats at different locations in Suleja.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddab5f” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The Police disclosed that the arrested former DSS personnel had earlier been dismissed by the service for alleged involvement in a N310million foreign exchange scandal belonging to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.[/quote]

    Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja at the Force headquarters, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood said operatives of IGP Intelligence Response team IRT jointly with Anti-kidnap Squad of FCT Police Command swung into action following the kidnap of Alh. Isa Ozi Salami.

    Alhaji Salami was the former GM of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria PAN, MD Nigeria Paper Mills Jebba and Chairman Gateway Insurance.

    Highlighting the roles played by each member of the gang, he said: ” Kelvin EMEKA 28yrs overall gang leader, who was earlier Charged to Gwagwalada High Court in October 2016 with 3 others for Kidnapping and armed robbery of several people in Abuja.

    “The suspect and his gang members were released by the Court on 8/12/16 less than 8 weeks after been Charged for Kidnapping and Armed Robbery.”

    “Ndubisi Prince Ozor, the second in command was also charged to Court for Armed Robbery in November 2016 and was released by Court on 25/1/17.

    Continuing, Moshood said: “Abdulrasheed Maigari 35yrs native of Donga LGA Area Taraba State a 2006 Political Science graduate of Bayero University Kano recruited into DSS as a graduate Officer and was dismissed and charged to court for robbing N310million with some dismissed Army Personnel in Abuja.

    “He was also released by Court and he immediately joined the gang and became the Coordinator and also rented the two houses where victims were kept.”

    Others who were paraded are: “Sunday Tyavnor, he is the arms dealer who Sold the AK47 Rifle used for the kidnappings for four hundred and seventy thousand Naira (₦470,000) and the two (2) Pistols for sixty thousand Naira (₦60,000) each he was arrested in Nasarawa State.

    “Mohammed Abubakar 21yrs native of Mokwa LGA Niger State supplier of pre-registered Sim cards to the kidnappers.”

    Other members of the gang were guards responsible for guarding and securing the victim from escaping.

    The police added that the suspects were identified by the victims, adding that they also confessed to the crime admitting to the various roles they played in the commission of various kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes linked to them.

    The police noted that they will be charged to court on completion of the investigation.

    The Inspector General of Police assured members of the public of adequate security and urged them to co-operate with the Police personnel deployed in their localities.

  • Court adjourns reverend father’s rape case until May 25

    A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday adjourned until May 25 to commence hearing in a case of rape of a minor brought against a reverend father, Anthony Ochigbo.

    The case which is being tried by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf was adjourned after the prosecuting counsel, Mr John Ijagbemi, wrote the court asking for adjournment.

    Ijagbemi said he was attending another court for a different case.

    The court had sometime in November 2016 adopted the bail condition given to Ochigbo earlier in another court.

    The counsel told the court that Ochigbo, 44, of Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja, on Aug. 15, 2016 allegedly abused a 10-year-old girl sexually.

    He said Ochigbo had an unlawful sexual intercourse with her in the church which contravened  Sections 31 (1) and 32(2) of the Child Rights Act, 2003.

    Ochigbo was earlier arraigned before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on Aug. 30, 2016 during courts’ vacation.

    Adeniyi granted him a N2 million bail with two sureties, who must be civil servants not below Grade Level 14.

    In addition, he said the sureties must be reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

  • Dokpesi received N2.1bn from ONSA – Witness

    Dokpesi received N2.1bn from ONSA – Witness

    A prosecution witness, Mrs Zainab Kokobili, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that Raymond Dokpesi, received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
    Kokobili, the third prosecution witness to testify in Dokpesi’s trial, confirmed that the money was paid in four different occasions from the ONSA.
    Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Holdings Investment Company Ltd., was arraigned on a six-count charge of money laundering and procurement-related offences.
    Kokobili, a banker with First Bank, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Olaleke Atoglabe.
    She said that as a relationship manager, she manages the account of Daar Holdings Investment Company and other accounts in the bank.
    She said on Feb. 6, 2016 she was invited to EFCC office through their Fraud and Investigation Unit to make statements on the case.
    Kokobili read from the company’s statement of account, saying that N2.12 billion was paid into the account in four tranches of N500 million, N500 million, N620 million and N500 million between January and March 2015.
    She said the balance on the company’s account was N113, 885.28 before the first tranche of N500 million was paid into the account on Jan. 22, 2015.
    “On Jan. 22, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million, it was a credit. Before the payment of N500 million the balance on the account was N113,885.28.
    “On Feb. 4, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N500 million.
    “On Feb. 9, 2015 – RTGS, being payment by ONSA: N620 million only. It was also a credit.
    “On March 19, 2015 – the narration is RTGS being payment by ONSA: N500 million,” the witness said.
    She also said that N2.12 billion was disbursed from Daar Investments and Holdings Limited after receiving instructions from Dokpesi.
    “The customer sent instructions to the bank for payments. Money was paid after getting confirmation from the customer.
    “High Chief Raymond Anthony Alegho Dokpesi was the signatory who sent instructions for the payments,” she added.
    Justice John Tsoho admitted in evidence the witness statement made at the EFCC’s office and bundles of documents submitted to the chairman of EFCC.
    Under cross examination by the defence counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi, the witness said that Daar Investment was a customer of the bank not Raymond Alegho Dokpesi.
    The case was adjourned till May 24 and May 25 for continuation of trial.

  • Man jailed for stealing tyres

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 21-year-old forager, Ibrahim Shehu, to one month imprisonment for stealing two tyre rims worth N96,000.

    Shehu, a resident of Jabi Park, Abuja, was convicted on a count charge of theft, an offence he admitted committing.

    The judge, Sadiq Abubakar, however, gave the convict an option of N5, 000 fine.

    He said that the punishment would serve as deterrent to others.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Dalhatu Zannah, told the court that one Haruna Samaila of Cross Country Motor Park, Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on March 23.

    Zannah told the court that the convict committed the offence on March 22 at Jabi area of Abuja at about 8:p.m
    “He was, however, caught and handed over to the police.

    “He confessed to the crime during police investigation and the stolen items were recovered from him,” he said.

    The offence is punishable under Section 288 of the Penal code.