The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • Army condemns soldier to death for killing Boko Haram suspect

    A soldier of the Nigerian army is to die for killing a Boko Haram suspect illegally.

    The general court martial (GCM) of the army sitting at 7 Division, Maiduguri, Borno state yesterday sentenced  Hilary Joel, a lance coporal, to death for the  murder of a suspected Boko Haram insurgent.

    The offence was committed in Damboa area of the state.

    President of the court martial,Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi,handed down the verdict yesterday.

    Five other soldiers were punished for  violation of human rights and other

    operational offences in Operation Lafiya Dole.

    One Sergeant Samuel Balanga was demoted  to private on two count of desertion and miscellaneous offences.

    Chima Samuel was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment  for aiding and abetting the  murder of a minor Yakubu Isah in Maiduguri while Aliu Audu, a corporal, who was  charged for assault was reduced to the rank of private.

    Sunday Ogwuche, a trooper, was sentenced to two years and five years imprisonment for stealing and unlawful possession of 641 rounds of 7.62mm  .

    The acting zonal coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Borno State Jumai Mshelia witnessed the proceeding.

    She expressed delight that the  Nigerian Army has shown that it is a disciplined organisation .

  • Army to curb insecurity in Abia

    •‘Aba ‘ll be safe for business, economic activities’

    The Brigade Commander of 14 Brigade at Ohafia in Abia State, Brig.-Gen. Audu Ibrahim, has promised residents of Aba and other parts of the state of the command’s willingness to curb kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.

    Ibrahim spoke during a tour of 144 Battalion at Ukwa in West Local Government Area.

    The Brigade Commander, who took over from Brig.-Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu, also said the command recently smashed a kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorising the state.

    He said the brigade was trailing fleeing members of the gang.

    Ibrahim hoped the war on insecurity would be won or reduce crimes through collaboration with other security agencies.

    According to him, the Army was aware of the major role Aba plays in the state’s economy and the nation’s.

    Ibrahim said the military would ensure that residents and visitors sleep with their eyes closed and do their businesses without fear.

    He called for prayers for soldiers fighting insurgency in the Northeast, saying: “In the face of your duties, you must be very professional in the manner you perform your duties. Aba is a place where there is high level of commercial activities. It is not your duties to go and settle cases between civilians; that is a civil affair. Your Commanding Officer will never do that. I, as a General, will never do that.

    “Therefore, we don’t expect you as soldiers to do that. Do not go out on illegal duty. If you are not sent on a lawful duty by your Commanding Officer, Company Commander, Platoon Commander, as the case may be, don’t follow others to do duties that you have not been sent to do. That will be a criminal breach of trust and you know that the Army frowns at criminal misconduct.

    “Always remember soldiers in the Northeast in your prayers. Support them spiritually. Their families are here. If you have any way you can assist the families they leave behind, please do that because they are our brothers and colleagues.”

     

  • 2015 polls: Kwara police, army, SSS, INEC, others shared in $115m ‘Diezani bribe’, says witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard how several individuals and public officials shared in an alleged bribe of $115 million paid by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general election.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) named the officials yesterday during the trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore, before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

    In two documents it tendered before the court, the anti-graft agency said the individuals and public officials benefited from N450 million and N155,220,000 out of the $115 million (about N36 billion) Diezani cash.

    The disbursements, which the EFCC claimed were bribes, were contained in a document titled, “Security and transportation per state”, and another one titled, “Kwara State”.

    According to the first document, the Resident Assistant Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Kwara State at the time got N1 million cash and the Commissioner of Police (COP) in Kwara State at the time received N10 million cash. The Deputy COP in charge of Operations got N2 million cash.

    Also, the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of operations and administration in Kwara State, received N1 million cash each.

    The document also showed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State for the 2015 general elections got N10 million cash. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State at the time received N5 million cash.

    The document added that INEC’s Head of Department, Operations and “his boys” were given N5 million. Other officers received and shared N2 million among themselves.

    Also listed as beneficiaries of the alleged bribe in the state were the “OC Mopol” and “his men”, who got N7 million, “2iC Mopol” and men in the state, who got N10 million; the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and his men, who got N2.5 million.

    The military in Kwara State was bribed with N50 million, according to the document, while other security agencies including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) got N20 million..

    An EFCC investigator, Usman Zakari, who brought the document, told the court that it was recovered from Belgore.

    Belgore is accused of collecting N450 million from Diezani and distributing same to beneficiaries in Kwara State.

    The EFCC said he handled the cash without going through any financial institution, contrary to sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    According to the commission, the offence is punishable under sections 15(3)(4), and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

    Standing trial along with Belgore for the offence is a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    The SAN and the don were arraigned on charges of money laundering on February 8, 2017 and they pleaded not guilty.

    Zakari is the second witness to be called by the EFCC in its efforts to prove its case.

    Testifying before Justice Aikawa yesterday, the witness explained that Belgore volunteered the list to the EFCC when he was invited and interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

    The investigator noted that Belgore’s endorsement on the document, stating: “document supplied by me, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN).”

    The second document the EFCC said it recovered from Belgore, also showed beneficiaries of a sum of N155,220,000 and the breakdown of what they got.

    Among them were 15 electoral officers who each received, 250,000; 15 supervisors, who got N100,000 each; state Returning Officers who got N1m, among others.

    The two documents were tendered by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo. They were admitted in evidence as Exhibit 7 and 7A, against Belgore and Suleiman, as their lawyers, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), raised no objection.

    In his evidence, Zakari told the court that the EFCC’s findings showed that the money was disbursed in cash to the beneficiaries.

    “My lord, the mode of payment, as contained in Exhibit 7, is cash payment. The payments were not done through any financial institution,” Zakari said.

    Justice Aikawa also entertained Belgore’s application seeking the dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the EFCC failed to attach an affidavit showing that it had concluded investigation in the case before bringing the case to court.

    But in opposition, the EFCC lawyer argued that the current law governing criminal cases in the country, was the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    He argued that the ACJA did not list filing of the said affidavit as one of the conditions that must be fulfilled before a criminal charge could be filed in court, stressing that the provisions of the ACJA were superior to that of the Federal High Court Practice Direction.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned till July 7 for ruling.

  • How Police, Army, SSS, INEC, others shared in $115m ‘Diezani bribe’ – Witness

    How Police, Army, SSS, INEC, others shared in $115m ‘Diezani bribe’ – Witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday heard how several individuals and public officials shared in an alleged bribe of $115m paid by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general election.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) named the officials Thursday during the trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

    In two documents it tendered before the court, the anti-graft agency said the persons benefited from N450 million and N155, 220,000 out of the $115m (about N36 billion) Diezani cash.

    The disbursements, which the EFCC claimed were bribes, were contained in a document titled, “Security and Transportation per State”, and another one titled, “Kwara State”.

    According to the first document, the Resident Assistant Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Kwara State at the time got N1 million cash, the Commissioner of Police (COP) in Kwara State at the time received N10m cash, while the Deputy COP in charge of Operations got N2 million cash.

    Also, the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of operations and administration in Kwara State, received N1 million cash each.

    The document also showed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State for the 2015 general elections got N10 million cash, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State at the time received N5 million cash.

    According to the document, INEC’s Head of Department, Operations and “his boys” were given N5m, while “other officers” received and shared N2m among themselves.

    Also listed as beneficiaries of the alleged bribe in Kwara State were the “OC Mopol” and “his men”, who got N7 million, “2iC Mopol” and men in the state, who got N10m; the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and his men, who got N2.5m.

    The military in Kwara State was bribed with N50m, according to the document, while other security agencies including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) got N20m..

    An EFCC investigator Usman Zakari, who brought the document, told the court that it was recovered from Belgore.

    Belgore is accused of collecting N450m from Diezani and distributing same to beneficiaries in Kwara State.

    The EFCC said he handled the cash without going through any financial institution, contrary to sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    According to the commission, the offence is punishable under sections 15(3)(4), and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

    Standing trial along with Belgore for the offence is a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    The SAN and the don were arraigned on charges of money laundering on February 8, 2017 but they pleaded not guilty.

    Zakari is the second witness to be called by the EFCC in its efforts to prove its case.

    Testifying before Justice Aikawa on Thursday, the witness explained that Belgore volunteered the list to the EFCC when he was invited and interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

    The investigator pointed out Belgore’s endorsement on the document, stating: “document supplied by me, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN).”

    The second document the EFCC said it recovered from Belgore, also showed showed beneficiaries of a sum of N155, 220,000 and the breakdown of what they got.

    Among them were 15 electoral officers who each received, 250,000; 15 supervisors, who got N100, 000 each; state Returning Officers who got N1m, among others.

    The two documents were tendered by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, and admitted in evidence as Exhibit 7 and 7A, against Belgore and Suleiman, as their lawyers, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), raised no objection.

    In his evidence, Zakari told the court that the EFCC’s findings showed that the money was disbursed in cash to the beneficiaries.

    “My Lord, the mode of payment, as contained in Exhibit 7, is cash payment. The payments were not done through any financial institution,” Zakari said.

    Meanwhile, Justice Aikawa entertained Belgore’s application seeking the dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the EFCC failed to attach an affidavit showing that it had concluded investigation in the case before bringing the case to court.

    Moving the application on Thursday, Belgore’s lawyer, Shofunde, argued that the failure of the EFCC to attach an affidavit saying it had concluded investigation before filing the charges was a fundamental breach of the Federal High Court Practice Direction and which had rendered the charges incompetent.

    He urged Justice Aikawa to quash the charges and free his client.

    But in opposition, the EFCC lawyer, Oyedepo, argued that the current law governing criminal cases in the country was the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    He argued that the ACJA did not list filling of the said affidavit as one of the conditions that must be fulfilled before a criminal charge could be filed in court, stressing that the provisions of the ACJA were superior to that of the Federal High Court Practice Direction.

    Besides, he referred Justice Aikawa to Section 221 of the ACJA which barred a judge from entertaining any application challenging the competence of charges in a criminal case in the middle of trial and Section 396(2) of the Act, which barred a judge from ruling on any such application until judgment is delivered in the case.

    While urging the judge to dismiss the application, Oyedepo said granting it would “amount to slaughtering justice on the altar of technicality.”

    Justice Aikawa adjourned till July 7 for ruling.

     

  • Court orders AGF, Army, IGP to produce WHO consultant

    Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Army to produce in court a medical doctor, Mohammed Mari Abba, who was accused of having a link with Boko Haram

    The court also ordered the Army to otherwise charge him to court.

    Abba, a consultant with World Health Organisation (WHO), was allegedly arrested in Yobe State in 2012.

    He had asked the court to declare his arrest and detention since 2012 without a valid court order as illegal and unlawful, grossly unconstitutional and a grave infringement on his fundamental rights to personal liberty.

    He asked the court to award him N500 million as damages for his illegal detention.

    In her ruling, Justice Nyako  told the Army to show cause why she should not order that the suspect should be released unconditionally, if they fail to produce him.

    Joined in the suit to enforce his fundamental rights are Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Nigerian Army and the Director-General, State Security Service.

    Justice Nyako held: “The first thing I wish to raise in this case is on the case of the applicant. This applicant (Abba), who is suing in person is ‘missing’?. From the applicant’s case, which is not by proxy or on his behalf , is rather puzzling to me. The applicant, according to his wife, who deposed to the affidavit in support of the application is being kept by the respondent in an undisclosed place and his whereabouts are unknown.

    “However curiously, I have come across a process in the file dated 10/06/16 on behalf of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th respondents (AGF, FG, IGP, CDS), which claimed that the applicant has been charged in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/138/2015.

    “If this is correct, then, it will be safe to assume the 1st, 2n?d, 3rd and 5th respondents have an idea where the applicant may be.

    “I hereby order the 1st, 2n?d, 3rd and 5th respondents to produce the applicant before the court within 60 days? or charge him to court. On the alternative, they should show cause why I should not order them to release the applicant unconditionally.”

  • Army probes 1,400 suspected insurgents

    Army probes 1,400 suspected insurgents

    The Army is probing about 1,400 suspected Boko Haram insurgents in its detention facility.

    The outgoing theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, stated this yesterday at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State, when he handed over to his successor.

    Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru took over from Gen. Irabor, who has been deployed as Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    According to Gen. Irabor, some insurgents were intercepted; some were arrested while some willingly surrendered.

    “Investigation is still on and I assure you that many of the terrorists have owned up that they took part in the activities of Boko Haram.

    “They are still undergoing de-radicalisation, as part of efforts to reintegrate them fully into becoming meaningful citizens.

    “On how many we have taken to court, I can only say we are collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to begin that process,” he said.

    Gen. Attahiru urged the media to continue to support the military to help it win the war against insurgency.

    According to him, a multifarious approach is required to win the war. He promised that the command will continue to partner relevant stakeholders and the civil society to win the war.

    “The command will also open a human right desk where cases of erring officers and soldiers will be reported and treated,” he added.

    Gen. Attahiru was presented with the military command’s flag after signing the handing and taking over notes.

    He later inspected the Quarter Guard where the old flag was lowered and a new one hoisted to signify the change of command.

    Gen. Attahiru, who was the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, was until his appointment, Director of Administration, Defence Headquarters.

  • Borno residents appeal to military on suicide bomb attacks

    Borno residents appeal to military on suicide bomb attacks

    Borno residents have appealed to the military to intervene in the increased suicide bomb attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

    Across section of those interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri made the appeal on Sunday in Maiduguri.

    Malam Bakura Modu, a local hunter said that the wave of attacks especially in Maiduguri, has created negative impression about the current situation in the state.

    “There is no doubt that the military has recorded great successes against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    “But the recent spate of suicide bomb attacks is creating wrong impression in the media that the group is still strong,” Modu said.

    He said that the military must live up to the expectations by finding quick solutions to the bombings.

    Modu said local hunters were ready to join the military in the search for the insurgents in the bush.

    “We have been expressing our willingness to join the fight against the insurgents in the bush, but the military had always turned us back.

    “We are hoping that this time around they will consider our proposal,” he said.

    Mr Samuel Anjukui, a retired police officer corroborated Modu’s claim.

    “The military has within a few months decimated the insurgents, reclaiming territories and rescuing many abducted persons.

    “But the recent up surge in the number of suicide bomb attacks has created worries in the minds of the people,” Anjukui said.

    He added:” In the last few months it is almost certain that incidences of bomb blasts will occur every weekend.

    “The situation has even worsened now as the blasts have almost assumed a daily dimension”.

    Anjukui, however, expressed optimism in the ability of the military to address the situation.

    “The military has the capabilities to address the problem; it must therefore rise up to the occasion by halting the negative trend.

    “It is either they make use of high technology for early detection of explosive materials or take the battle to the door steps of the insurgents in the bush,” he said.

    Malam Musa Inuwa a civil servant offered a different perspective.

    “I think that the natives hold the key to ending the ugly trend the military has done its best by degrading the insurgents.

    “But ending the crisis depend on the natives because the insurgents live among the people, they plan their attacks among the people.

    “As long as the people are not willing to expose them, the attacks will continue,” Inuwa said.(NAN)

  • Army denies alleged molestation of IPOB women in Abia

    The 34 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, has denied that its personnel attacked and assaulted women group from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during its meeting on Saturday at Abiriba.

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had alleged on Friday that soldiers from the military cantonment, Ohafia, Abia, molested some women at a meeting at Abiriba.

    The spokesman of the brigade, Maj. Oyegoke Gbadamosi, debunked the allegation in a telephone interview with the the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Umuahia.

    He said that contrary to media reports, the soldiers neither molested nor assaulted any women.

    He explained that some soldiers keeping security in the area only approached the women to ascertain the nature of their gathering near a military checkpoint.

    “The venue of the meeting was just about six metres away from the military checkpoint.

    “So the soldiers on duty approached the women and sought to see their leader in order to ascertain from her the essence of the meeting.
    |
    “On getting there, they were told that their leader went to the palace of the traditional ruler of the area,” he said.

    Gbadamosi said that the soldiers immediately proceeded to the palace to confirm if the monarch was aware of the meeting.

    He said that when the soldiers got to the palace, the monarch confirmed to them that he was aware of the meeting, adding that at that point, the soldiers returned to their duty post.

    Gbadamosi said that some policemen were also present at the venue of the meeting.
    |
    The brigade spokesman said the soldiers went back and encouraged the policemen to ensure that there was no threat to public peace.

    “Surprisingly, while the soldiers were making their way back to their duty post, they saw some of the women rushing down to the palace half-naked.
    “Why will the soldiers molest or assault women? Women are harmless; it is not true that soldiers molested and beat up the women,” he added.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Abia command, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed to NAN on phone that the meeting was peaceful.

    “I was told that the meeting held peacefully.

    “Although there was initial attempt to disrupt the meeting, it later took place in a peaceful atmosphere,” Ogbonna said. (NAN)

  • Army arrest soldier who injured civil servant

    Army arrest soldier who injured civil servant

    A soldier who injured a judiciary worker in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital following an argument on right of way on Wednesday has been arrested by the Army.

    The Commander, Two Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Abdu Hassan, disclosed this yesterday.

    Hassan, who visited the injured civil servant, Goodwin Udoaka, at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) where he is receiving treatment, said Regimental Inquiry was in progress to ensure appropriate disciplinary measure was taken to prevent future recurrence.

    The commander’s visit to the hospital was contained in statement by the assistant director, Army Public Relations, Capt. Shuaib Umar.

    Hassan assured the command would provide necessary support to ensure his quick recovery of Udoaka.

    Wife of the injured, Mrs. Udoaka, thanked the Commander for finding time despite his tight schedules to visit her husband.

    She said:  ”I want to thank you very much sir on behalf of my husband and my children. God will bless you sir.”

  • Aba landlords petition Enugu Disco over crazy bills

    The landlords in the commercial city of Aba have petitioned against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, (EEDC), over what they described as crazy bills including forcing consumers to repair damaged electric transformers.

    They accused the EEDC of enslaving Aba residents with estimated and spurious bills, alleging also that the company uses security personnel, including Army, Police and members of Civil Defence Corp “to compel the residents to pay for blackout”.

    In a petition submitted to the Abia State House of Assembly, which recently passed a vote of no confidence of the EEDC, the Landlords said the company was frustrating the business community of Aba.

    In the petition which they have earlier submitted to the National Assembly, Aba Landlords also accused the company of deliberately refusing to install prepaid meters for Aba consumers.

    The landlords said, “So we want to create avenue to stop them from charging us with estimated bills to meet up with their monthly target, hence the people pay more for electricity consumption than we pay for house rents”.

    The petition said, “Enugu has prepaid meters, Anambra has standard meters which are read and bills given accordingly, Abia must be so”.

    “We want the Abia House of Assembly to compel EEDC to stop the use of force, high handedness and intimidation of the poor, innocent and civil citizens of Aba”.

    The landlords also urged the House to ask the company “to refund the entire excess bill to the respective consumers and to refund 12 months payment to all consumers and return all cables they cut and carted away from Consumers.

    Receiving the petition, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu commended the landlords for speaking out on what they are passing through in the hands of the company, saying that the matter of the activities of the company is before the House.

    The Speaker said, “EEDC has failed; there is no doubt about it. They have failed woefully; there is no way we can move forward without power and organizations like EEDC cannot provide this. We have not gotten it right”.

    Kanu said that the House is planning to have an interface with the regulatory body, NERC, to mount pressure on them to find out if EEDC has met its mandate and if they have not, the regulatory body should think of revoking the license.