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Tag: five others

  • Kidnappings banditry: IG redeploys Kaduna CP, five others

    ACTING Inspector-General  of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate redeployment of Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Ahmed Abdulrahaman and five others.

    Abdulrahaman, who has been posted to Force Intelligence Bureau at the Force Headquarter in Abuja, will be replaced by Aji Janga, who, until yesterday, was the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the Acting IG explained that the redeployment was part of efforts aimed at rejigging the fight against armed banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes across the nation, particularly in Kaduna and other contiguous states.

    The statement on the posting reads: “The Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police Kaduna Command, CP Ahmed Abdulrahaman from the state to the Force Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    “CP Aji Ali Janga, who until now was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Bauchi State, takes over as the new helmsman in Kaduna Command.”

    Other CP’s affected by the redeployment include: “CP Habu Sani Ahmadu, former CP Intelligence, who is now posted to Bauchi Command. CP Omololu Shamsudeen Bishi, redeployed from Benue State Police Command to the Central Criminal Registry (CCR), Alagbon, Lagos.

    “CP Mukadas Mohammed Garba moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to Benue State Command as the new CP in charge of the state; the erstwhile CP in charge of CCR Alagbon, Lagos has now been moved to Force Headquarters, Abuja as the CP in charge of Armament.”

    The IG urged the redeployed CPs and other strategic commanders nationwide to take urgent steps towards initiating and implementing concrete crime prevention strategies aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space under their watch from criminal elements.

  • Alleged N544.1m contract abus: EFCC files 10-count charge against ex-SGF Babachir, five others

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal and five others are set to face a 10-count charge.

    The others are Hamidu David lawal; Sulaiman Abubakar; Apeh John Monday; Rholavision Engineering Limited  and Josmon Technologies Limited.

    All the suspects will face trial in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja next week for alleged N544, 119, 925.36 for the removal of Invasive plant species and simplified irrigation.

    No date has been fixed for the arraignment of the former SGF.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the charge sheet dated January 30, and filed by Offem Uket, M. S. Abubakar and Abba Muhammed, accused Lawal of holding “ indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Ltd by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE).

    The contracts are:

    *consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation at N7,009,515.96;

    *consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation at N6,453,318.38;

    *contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation at N272,524,356.02; and

    *contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation at N258,132,735.00

    The charges reads:  “That you, Engr. Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a Director of Rholavision, Hamidu David Lawal being a director of Rholavision Engineering Limited, Sulaiman Abubakar being a staff of Rholavision Engineering Limited on or about the 7th of March 2016 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did conspire to commit an offence to wit: fraudulent acquisition of property and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26 (1) (c ) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 12 of the same Act.

    “That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Hamidu David Lawal; Sulaiman Abubakar; Apeh Monday John being the Managing Director of Josmon Technologies Ltd and Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about February, 2016 at Abuja did conspire to commit an offence to wit: fraudulent acquisition of a private interest in contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 12 of the same Act.

    “That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about the 4th of March, 2016 at Abuja did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N272,524,356.02 by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about the 22nd August, 2016 at Abuja did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N258,132,735.00 by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering ltd, on or about the 7th of March, 2016 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly a private Interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7,009,515.96  by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (56F) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd, on or about the August, 2016 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N6,453,318.38 by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

  • Ekiti PDP suspends Deputy Speaker, Deputy Leader, five Others

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State yesterday suspended seven of its members in the state House of Assembly for alleged anti-party activities and disregard for party principles.

    Suspended were Deputy Speaker Posi Omodara, Deputy Leader of Government Business, Fajana Ojo Ade, Segun Adewumi, Badejo Anifowose, Olayode Omotoso, Cecelia Dada and Olanrewaju Olayanju.

    The PDP State Publicity Secretary Jackson Adebayo alleged that  the lawmakers connived with All Progressives Congress lawmakers to punish PDP members, actively partook in suspension of democratically elected local government chairmen and councilors who are PDP members and that they maintained silence when the House of Assembly p endorsed APC Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Adebayo said the PDP State Working Committee had constituted a panel to further investigate the extent of the damage the affected members have done to the party.

    He added that part of the committee’s mandate is also to find out other collaborators who are members of the party and recommend appropriate sanction if found culpable.

    In a swift reaction the Deputy Speaker, the deputy leader of Government Business and some other lawmakers, said the PDP SWC lacked such power, saying the party’s constitution Section 59 (3) stipulates that only the party National Executive Council could sanction or discipline them.

  • How oil marketers, five others diverted $8.4m AGO, by witness

    An Ikeja Special Offences court heard yesterday how two oil marketers – Osahon Asemota and Yusuf Yahaya Kwande – allegedly connived to steal Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) worth $8.4 million belonging to NADABO Energy Limited sometime in October 2008.

    A witness of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Chief Emefo Etudo, narrated how the product was diverted while giving evidence before Justice Mojisola Dada.

    The marketers are facing a three-count criminal charge with five companies – Trafigura Behee BV, Trafigura PTE Limited, Mettle Energy and Gas, Rembrandt Limited and Jil Engineering and Oil Services Limited – bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and receiving stolen property.

    Led in evidence-in-chief by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Etudo said the script of stealing 6.4 metric tonnes of AGO worth $8.4 million was well acted and executed by the defendants.

    He told the court that he had acted as a solicitor to Renbrandt and was deceived by Asemota to believe that the product was contaminated while he acted as his client.

    According to him, the cargo was not contaminated as being claimed by Renbrandt Limited, stressing that claims that the cargo was contaminated was a lie to deceive Nadabo Energy Limited and Spring Bank PLC.

    Etudo said was appointed by Nadabo to find out what happened to his cargo.

    He said: “He gave me power of attorney which was made before a commissioner of oath. I applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to know the status of directorship of the defendant companies.

    “We saw a charter part agreement, bill of lading of October 2008. Based on these two documents, it became clear that Trafigura supplied the cargo at offshore Cotonou and the cargo made its way into Nigeria territorial water.

    “The vessel, named MT Ozay 6, took the products to Lagos. They use MT Efeomo to carry out their stealing of cargo. Claims by the defendants that the vessel was in Cotonou in October was false. What they did so that the vessel will not be traced or tracked by Lloyd’s Intelligence of UK is that they switched off the transponder that was installed in it. By switching off the transponder, the vessel movement will not be known.”

  • Expectant mother, five others die as building collapses in Ondo

    Six people, including an expectant mother, have reportedly died at Igbabo town of Arogbo-Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State in a church building collapse.

    The expectant mother was identified as Dalen Gunubo.

    The building was said to be under construction when it caved in and fell on the people below.

    Sources said the Cherubim and Seraphim (C & S) church building was besieged by the some residents who were collecting the planks for propping it up for firewood.

    An eyewitness and an information officer with Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Monday Konwei, said: “The victims were on the church premises to gather firewood, which were the planks used in the church building, before part of the dilapidated old structure and the one under construction fell and killed six people instantly.”

    The Chairman of the local government’s Caretaker Committee, Bekewe Olowu, confirmed the development.

    Olowu described the incident as shocking and devastating.

    He condoled with the bereaved families and prayed to God to give the families the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The chairman added that a resident, Chief Ola Golabo, lost his two wives – Beni and Magi – to the building collapse.

    The traditional head of the community, High Chief Pose Tariwei Tanimawo, described the incident as most unfortunate.

    According to him, it had thrown the community into mourning.

    He urged the government to assist the residents in their trying moment.

     

  • Ekiti monarch, five others remanded in prison for murder

    Ekiti monarch, five others remanded in prison for murder

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief  Magistrates’ Court on friday ordered that the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Obasoyin Ganiyu, 50, and five other persons be remanded in prison for alleged conspiracy, attempted murder and murder.

    The other accused are Ajewole Sunday, 25,  Adetowoju Bode, 27,  Kayode Michael, 31,  Olowolafe Tola, 32 and Aluko Taiwo, 32.

    News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the accused were arraigned on a remand order by Ekiti Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Chafe, who was present in court.

    The order form alleged that the accused committed the offences of conspiracy, attempted murder of Ayodele Osanyinbola and murder of Kolade Adefemi.

    The offences are punishable under sections 324, 320 (1) and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    The offences were said to have been committed within Ado Ekiti Magisterial District on Monday.

    Prosecuting Inspector Okunade Johnson urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending receipt of legal advice from Office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The DPP, Mr Gbemiga Adaramola, attended the court proceedings.

    The plea of the accused was not taken. Their counsel, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, pleaded with the court to consider the nature of the case and admit his clients to bail.

    The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application and pleaded with the court to grant the remand order.

    Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye refused the bail application and ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison pending issuance of legal advice on the case.

    The case was adjourned till January 8.

  • Obaseki appoints Ihonvbere, Thisday Editor, five others Special Advisers

    Obaseki appoints Ihonvbere, Thisday Editor, five others Special Advisers

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed Prof. Julius Ihonvbere as Chairman, Strategic Planning Team, Governor’s Office. He also named six Special Advisers.

    Thisday Deputy Group News Editor Crusoe Osagie is his Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy.

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government,  Osarodion Ogie said the governor named Chief Osaro Idah as Special Adviser on Political and Community Matters, Prince Joe Okojie as Special Adviser, Agriculture and Food Security Programme, Mr Joseph Eboigbe as Special Adviser on Economic and Development Planning, Hon Gowon Yakubu, Special Adviser on Special Duties and Dr Joan Oviawe, Special Adviser on Basic Education.

    The statement said the appointments were a call to duty, sacrifice and leadership for the Special Advisers.

    It said the inauguration ceremony for the new appointees would take place on Friday June 23.

    Osagie, in this role, will be responsible for and oversee the entire media and communication system of the Edo State governor and will be in charge of implementing the media and communications strategy and policy of the government.

    He holds a Second Class Upper Degree in Agricultural Economics and Post Graduate certifications in Entrepreneurial Studies. He worked  in THISDAY for 17 years, holding various other positions, including Assistant Business Editor, Energy Editor and Industry/Agribusiness Editor.

    Obaseki said the appointments should not be misconstrued to be a call to business as usual but must be seen as an opportunity to make sacrifices and serve the people.

    “We have not appointed any one to office as a means of political patronage or reward. The debt we owe is only to the good people of Edo State who, against all odds, took their stand behind us and handed us the mandate to lead them. This debt I speak of which we owe the Edo people is the debt of service to all in fidelity, and a commitment to at all times ensure that we act in the best interest of the majority,” Obaseki said.