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Tag: false

  • Jim Iyke: assault story false

    Since the report of his purported assault of a Dana Air staff emerged online, colleagues of Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke and filmmakers alike have been divided on a segment of the social media on the issue. While some were quick to castigate the actor for being in the news again for his ‘bad boy’ personae, others pleaded caution, saying it is necessary to hear the actor’s side of the story.

    Thus, when the actor refuted the story, claiming it was concocted because he was merely being accompanied by a policeman at the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, those who had pleaded for retrain chided the others for being judgmental.

    According to Iyke, he was running late to catch a Dana Air flight to Abuja when an ‘overzealous’ security guard got into an argument with his Personal Assistant (P.A), only for the former to invite the police, claiming the P.A hit and pushed him.

    He explained that it was merely a matter of tempers fraying which was later resolved amicably, saying that he was shocked upon arrival to hear that he was rumoured to have been arrested by the police.

    The narrative did not go well with the actor’s critics who feel that indeed, there is no smoke without fire.

    According to one of them, “…If he didn’t touch the Dana staff, there’s no way the police would ask him to follow them as seen in the clip. Even if he didn’t, he must have created a scene which was deemed to be disturbing the peace and had to be asked to go with the police.”

    “I have witnessed three personal flips of Jim Iyke over the years; two in Surulere in 2005 … and another at AMAA 2007 or 2008 in Bayelsa. My conclusions are not based on this report,” says another.

    His critics believe the thespian has anger management issues that needed to be taken care of. “He himself confessed to going for therapy in an interview with City People or some other soft sell mag some years back,” another recalled.

    “Some of us still remember how he used to beat up his ex-girlfriend (name withheld) then, we also will not forget how he beat up Pat Osaigbovo ( a soft sell journalist who relocated to Europe) in Winnis hotel .  He even destroyed several bottles of assorted drinks inside a store beside Winnis hotel in the process of beating up the journalist,” another recounted.

  • Hawaii residents left terrified after false missile alert

    A push alert that warned of an incoming ballistic missile to Hawaii and sent residents into a full-blown panic earlier was a mistake, state emergency officials said.

    The emergency alert, which was sent to mobile phones, said in all caps, “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.”

    Hawaii Emergency Management Agency spokesman, Richard Repoza said it was a false alarm and the agency is trying to determine what happened. The alert caused a tizzy on the island and across social media. Jamie Malapit, owner of a Honolulu hair salon, texted his clients that he was cancelling their appointments and was closing his shop for the day. He said he was still in bed when the phone started going off “like crazy.” He thought it was a tsunami warning at first.

    “I woke up and saw missile warning and thought no way. I thought `No, this is not happening today,” Malapit said.

    He was still “a little freaked out” and feeling paranoid even after hearing it was a false alarm. “I went from panic to semi panic and `Are we sure?” he said. Tensions have already been high on the Island as rhetoric between Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-Un in recent months. A White House Official said that President Trump had been briefed on the issues with the emergency alert.

  • Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of raising false alarm against security agencies.

    The governor, on Wednesday, claimed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives were behind kidnapping and robbery in the state.

    Rivers APC, at a news conference in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone,  Secretary Emeka Beke and other leaders of the party, accused the governor of having sewn police uniforms for thugs used by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by declaring three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with hungry and angry youths returning to crime.

    Wike alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed showed that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which, in all cases, turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500,000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s bait in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave the way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the Army and Police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killing and beheading in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the Army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the Army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave the way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

    Rivers APC also called on Rivers people and Nigerians not to fall for the antics of Wike, stressing that they must remain vigilant.

    It admonished security agencies to refuse to be dismayed, demoralised or distracted by the antics of the Rivers governor, but must continue to work to secure the state from the grip of Wike’s killers, who it said were on a rampage across Rivers 23 councils.

    The party said: “Rivers State APC considers Wednesday’s accusation against the police, particularly against the SARS, as patently malevolent, mischievous and intended to mask the next phase of killings by Wike’s killers.

    “The police and other security agencies must remain focused and have their eyes on the ball, to forestall worsening security situation in the state, a situation that is already getting out of hand.”

    Rivers APC also urged the peace-loving people of the state to continue to endure Wike’s bad governance till 2019, when they would have the opportunity of effecting  change through their votes, asking them to prepare to vote wisely for all candidates of the main opposition party, to move forward.

     

     

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.

  • How false petition led to Nigeria’s suspension

    How false petition led to Nigeria’s suspension

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that a false petition by a former director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)  to the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units led to the suspension of the country from the body.

    The ex-director, who was removed during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has been fighting back.

    It was learnt that the suspension has nothing to do with the rating of the anti-corruption agenda of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It was also gathered that the Egmont Group was only demanding greater autonomy for the nation’s NFIU.

    NFIU was suspended on July 5 at the plenary of the Heads of FIUs which took place in Macao

    Investigation revealed that the suspension of NFIU had more to do with vested interests than any challenge with the anti-corruption war.

    A top government source said: “What Nigeria is facing today may have been self- inflicted as certain citizens with vested interests in the running of the NFIU are known to regularly feed the world body of FIUs with false information regarding the situation in Nigeria.

    “The issues that culminated in the recent suspension of Nigeria were predicated on a false petition by a former director of the NFIU who, embittered by the manner of dismissal from service, painted a false imagery of siege on the NFIU with the objective to compromise information from the Egmont Secure Website.

    “Though this allegation was investigated and proven to be false by the Egmont Group, it triggered the placement of the NFIU on the Egmont Group support and compliance process, which necessitate a review of the entire compliance requirement of the NFIU.

    “It is noteworthy that the Egmont Group recognizes that that an FIU can be located or domiciled in any larger entity, but that there must be a clear cut dichotomy of its functions and operations in the larger entity.”

    The source added: “The suspension of Nigeria was a carryover of the problem in NFIU since 2013.

    “The challenge predate this administration. No one can blame the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu or the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau.”

    The highly-placed source also clarified what the Egmont Group wanted from Nigeria in the last three to four years.

    The source added: ”It is only demanding for greater autonomy for the NFIU in terms of having its funds and control over its staff”

    “What is happening to NFIU is not strange or peculiar to Nigeria. Germany suffered a similar fate when its FIU was placed on suspension after it was moved from the German Police where it had been domiciled, to the Custom.

    “The Egmont Group is not averse to having FIUs domiciled in law enforcement organizations. Most FIUs are indeed domiciled within existing law enforcement organizations except for a few that are stand alone.”

  • Danjuma warns against false reports

    The Coordinator of the Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programme (NDRPP), Tikari Danjuma, has urged media houses, including the online media, to get their facts right before going to town.

    Recent reports on the constitution of the NDRPP had erroneously addressed the former Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) as the coordinator of the body, fuelling confusion and agitation in some quarters.

    In a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State, by his spokesman, Chief Yerin Ekpedibo Yerin, the NDRPP chief advised the media to avoid reports that could drag the Danjuma family into unnecessary controversy.

    Tikari said Gen. Danjuma, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative (PCNI), has nothing to do with the NDRPP.

    The statement said: “Tikari was appointed into this office strictly on merit and his unparalleled commitment to the activities of the Niger Delta. The Lt.-Gen. is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI), which has nothing to do with the NDRPP.”

    “A particular Abuja-based online medium is hereby warned not to use the office of the National Coordinator to play dirty politics or practise junk journalism. The office is strictly for security and pipeline surveillance; any attempt to further muddle the good name of the coordinator will be met with appropriate court action.”

  • Two arraigned for ‘false’ accusation

    The police have arraigned two men for allegedly giving false information and accusation against an innocent man.

    Patrick Onomhante, 54 and Dickson Igoche, 52 are facing three counts of conspiracy, false accusation and making false statement under Sections 94, 95(c) and 96(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011, before Magistrate B.O Osunsanmi.

    Prosecuting Inspector Simon Imhonwa told the court that the defendants committed the offence against one Paul Njoku.

    He said the defendants alleged threat to life  and unlawful diversion of assets belonging to Fountain Guards Limited.

    Imhonwa said that their allegations, which were found out to be false, led to the arraignment of Njoku, who happened to be the owner of the said company.

    The alleged offence, Imhonwa said was committed on February 26, 2014, around 11:45am at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence  Department (SCIID) Panti-Yaba.

    However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

    In his submission, Defense counsel, AEP Oyenetor urged the court to admit the defendants to bail in liberal terms, noting that the matter had been taken before another court.

    The lawyer said: “Your honor, this matter has been taken to another court and the defendants have been in custody since then. I pray the court to grant them bail in liberal terms.”

    Granting her relief, Magistrate Osunsanmi admitted them to bail in N100,000 each with two sureties and adjourned to January 13.

  • Odubu’s assassination theory false, says Edo govt

    Odubu’s assassination theory false, says Edo govt

    The government of Edo State yesterday reacted to the reported attack on Deputy Governor Pius Odubu.

    In a statement signed by Hon. Commissioner for Information and Orientation Kassim Afegbua, the government said: “Our attention has been drawn to newspaper reports and subsequent Press statement by the Odubu Campaign Organisation on the alleged assassination attempt on Dr Pius Odubu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State and a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    “While we condemn in very strong terms the ugly incident at Auchi, we note, however, that the conclusion of the Odubu Campaign Organisation on alleged assassination attempt appears hasty as preliminary reports suggest that the fracas at Auchi was caused by thugs loyal to the Odubu campaign imported in two truck-loads to Auchi who attacked other party loyalists not sold to the Deputy Governor’s aspiration.

    “It is instructive to note that the Deputy Governor was inside the secretariat building of the APC in the company of the Party Chairman in  the Local Government, Alhaji Umoru Akokhia, addressing the delegates while  thugs loyal to him who had become unruly fired gunshots at other APC loyalists who were outside protesting against his visit.

    “We gathered authoritatively that the first shots were, in fact, fired by Odubu’s security detail in an attempt to scare away the party faithful who were against the hoodlums imported to their domain by the Odubu Campaign Organisation, before thugs loyal to him fired at the party’s loyalists.

    It should be noted that among those who sustained injuries are APC loyalists who are presently receiving medical attention in the hospital. It is laughable that the Odubu Campaign Organisation will allege that the Deputy Governor, with full compliments of security details, was shot at, yet no casualty was recorded on the other side and nobody apprehended.

    “Given the above scenario, we find it lousy for anyone to impute assassination theory as propounded by the Odubu Campaign Organisation, especially when investigations are still ongoing and the police are yet to submit their findings on the fracas. A responsible campaign organisation should have waited for investigation reports before jumping into reckless conclusions.

    “The Governor has already directed the Commissioner of Police to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the incident and whoever that is found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed. It should be understood that democracy is all about inclusive participation and contestation of ideas, and not rule of the gun. Every gubernatorial aspirant who truly wants to govern the state must live by the rules of the game and not the size of his guns and political thugs. Campaigns are generally a very interesting aspect of democracy, hence, it must not be reduced to bloodletting.”

  • Orubebe charged with false assets declaration, accepting N70m bribe

    Orubebe charged with false assets declaration, accepting N70m bribe

    The Federal Government has filed charges against former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Peter Orubebe for alleged false declaration of assets and acceptance of a N70 million bribe.

    The four-count charge filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on October 8 this year, is now pending before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The Nation learnt yesterday that the CCT has scheduled Orubebe’s arraignment for November 9.

    Orubebe is accused, in counts one and two, of failing to declare his ownership of two properties in Abuja.

    In counts three and four, the ex-minister is alleged to have received a N70 million in bribe from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, whose company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited, had been awarded contracts by the ministry.

    Count one reads: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011 did make a false declaration in your Asset Declaration Form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011, and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act.

    Count two: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did made a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro district, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act.

    Count three: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under Section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act.

    Count four: “That you Godsday Orubebe, while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013 asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of the Skill Acquisition Centre in Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (¦  1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act.”

    CCT’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibraheem Al-hassan, who confirmed that a charge is pending against Orubebe before the tribunal, said summons was served on the ex-minister on October 29.

    He said the tribunal has scheduled Orubebe’s arraignment for November 9.

     

  • FALSE ACCUSATION: I didn’t grant any interview – Plateau FA boss

    FALSE ACCUSATION: I didn’t grant any interview – Plateau FA boss

    • Says he will back any candidate from the state

    Plateau State FA Chairman, Sunday Longbap, has denied reports credited to him that he will not nominate Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidential aspirant and owner of Premier League Clubside, Ambassador Chris Giwa, for the post of the Presidency.

    Longbap was alleged to have refused to nominate Giwa because of financial mismanagement.

    But an angry Longbap in a telephone interview with SportingLife on Thursday described the reports as a fabrication.

    He also alleged that some people who are aggrieved are trying to use his name to settle score with their perceived enemy.

    “My brother, I am still in shock with the publication because I have received series of phone calls from well wishers asking me about the publication and between me and God, I didn’t grant any interview with anybody concerning Ambassador Chris Giwa or any candidate,” Longbap told SportingLife.

    “I saw the publication and I was sad. It was a assumption of the writer of the story. Nobody has brought form for me to sign and let me say it loud and clear that I am under obligation as State FA chairman to sign for any candidate as far as the candidate is from Plateau State. And anybody coming for nomination for support must have the backing of entire executive board of the State FA. I was surprised when people stated calling me of the purported article in the media.”

    Longbap also warned media to try and verify their report before going for publication.

    “People should find another means of venting their anger to the people of Plateau and not using my name. If they have any grievances they should find another means. I am still taking my time to know what to do with the originator of the story.”

  • False report has taught me lessons, says Mrs. Ajimobi

    WIFE of the Oyo State Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, yesterday said the publication of her fictitious arrest in London has strengthened her.

    Mrs. Ajimobi, who addressed reporters at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan where she visited cancer patients, also said that the issue has taught her to be more careful in all that she does.

    She, however, cautioned against playing dirty politics.

    She said: “The report has made me a very strong person and it has helped me to be more careful in everything I do. The news has not been a palatable one. I don’t think we should play dirty politics.”

    The Oyo State branch of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also condemned the false report.

    In a release by its secretary, Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye, ALGON advised the media to always check facts before reporting stories that could malign individuals or organisations.

    It said Mrs. Ajimobi built her reputation over the years through hard work and integrity.

    The statement reads:  ‘’Mrs. Ajimobi went to London to perform her motherly role by taking her 14- year- old daughter back to school.

    “Before she became the First Lady, she had always been making trips to London to see her children who school there and for some people to start questioning the fact that she had travelled out of the country 52 times since the inauguration of her husband as the governor is laughable”.