The Nation Newspaper

Tag: questioning

  • Murder: Police invite Senator Sani for questioning

    Kaduna State Police Commissioner Austin Iwar has invited Senator Shehu Sani for questioning in a homicide investigation.

    The police said he is a person of interest to the probe and requested the kaduba Central senator to report on April 30.

    A letter, with ref.  no. CR: 2000/KDS/VOL 5H/72 was routed through the Clerk of the National Assembly. A copy of it was sent to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    “This is in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide transferred to this office by 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, alongside with exhibit audio CD in which your name was mentioned by the principal suspect,” CP Iwar said in a letter to Sani.

    But the Senator alleged that the Kaduna State government had concluded plans to frame him up with a murder case, necessitating the move by the police to label him as person of interest.

    One Isa Garba, one of the suspects in a murder case was said to have implicated the federal lawmaker.

    It was gathered that Sani’s name was mentioned when the suspect, said to have participated in the killings of one Lawal Madugu, implicated another person called Bashir Hamdada.

    Although he did not pick telephone calls put across to him by our Correspondent, the police commissioner was reported to have said that the case was not politically-motivated.

  • Jang: ICPC didn’t invite me for questioning

    Former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has dispelled rumours of being invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses (ICPC).

    The senator, who represents Plateau North, said he was shocked to read in some newspapers that he may be declared wanted by ICPC if he continued to disregard its invitations.

    Jang, who reacted through his media aide Clinton Garuba, said he is confident of defending his administration and will not shy away if given the opportunity.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has been drawn to publications saying the ICPC declared him wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitations. The development came as a rude shock since there has never been a time the commission invited him.

    “Those who know the Senator would attest to his willingness, at all times, to give an account of his tenure as governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015.

    “As an elder statesman, who has contributed to the progress, development, unity, and longevity of Nigeria, Senator Jang has nothing to hide throughout his outstanding years of service to the people of Plateau State and Nigeria.

    “As a testament to his firm believe in the tenets of probity and accountability, the Senator is ready to visit the ICPC today, if he is properly invited.

    “Meanwhile, we have instructed our lawyers to write to protest this sort of media trial.”

  • Jang: ICPC didn’t invite me for questioning

    Former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has dispelled rumours that he was invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    The senator, who represents Plateau North, said he was shocked to read in some newspapers that he may be declared wanted by ICPC, if he continued to disregard its invitation.

    Jang, who reacted through his media aide, Clinton Garuba, said he would defend his administration, if given the opportunity.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has been drawn to publications saying the ICPC declared him wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitations. The development came as a rude shock since there has never been a time the commission invited him.

    “Those who know the senator would attest to his willingness, at all times, to give an account of his tenure as governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015.

    “As an elder statesman, who has contributed to the progress, development, unity, and longevity of Nigeria, Senator Jang has nothing to hide throughout his outstanding years of service to the people of Plateau State and Nigeria.

    “As a testament to his firm believe in the tenets of probity and accountability, the Senator is ready to visit the ICPC today, if he is properly invited.”

    “Meanwhile, we have instructed our lawyers to write to protest this sort of media trial.”

     

  • Questioning the answer

    Questioning the answer

    Alhaji Saleh Bayeri, the National Secretary-General and member of the Board of Trustees of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), has been speaking to the media. He has been saying things about the problematic Herdsmen Question.

    On the recent carnage in Benue State attributed to herdsmen, Bayeri was quoted as saying:  “There is no country where there are lots of cows including South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, there is nowhere you can tell me that there is a  total ban on open grazing. What is normally available is that there should be open grazing for those people who think it is traditional and cultural to do it because that is their only form of exercise, leisure and pleasure, because that is their culture; we also have grazing reserves for those who would want to start learning how to settle and then the ranches for those who are wealthy and into livestock only for commercial purposes.”

    Is he saying that the country must accommodate open grazing because some people can’t think of any other way, even when their way causes conflict and avoidable loss of lives?

    Bayeri also said: “The Fulani herders in Nigeria are not doing it for commercial purpose, mostly. They keep the animals as their tradition. For instance, if a Fulani man has fifteen cows and all the cows are worth N10 million, even if you triple the amount, the Fulani man will not sell them, because he inherited them as a tradition from his father and he is expected to hand them over to his own children. These animals have been passed from one generation to another; they are not his own. So, I want Nigerians to know that the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria are not commercial type. They are not traders, they are not doing business; they are rather sustaining their age-long tradition by keeping the cows. No matter how hungry they may be, they will not sell their cows to buy food or shoes; you can see them going about without shoes or homes, they won’t part with the cows for anything because it is a generational wealth they must keep and pass on to the next generation.”

    If there are herdsmen who are not commercial herders, it must mean such herdsmen do other things to make money to keep them going. What else do such herdsmen do to survive without having to sell their cattle?

    Bayeri sounds like a defender who will say anything in defence of Fulani herdsmen. The answer to the Herdsmen Question can’t be left to herdsmen and their defenders.

  • EFCC invites Bello’s aide for questioning

    EFCC invites Bello’s aide for questioning

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Chief of Staff to Niger State Governor, Mikail Alamin Shekwoaga, for allegedly obtaining money under false pretence and abuse of office.

    The invitation was contained in a letter addressed to Secretary to the state government, titled: “Investigative Activities, Letter of Invitation”.

    Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Development Agency (NSPHDA) Dr. Yahaya Nau’zo was also invited.

    The letter reads: “This office is investigating a case of obtaining money under false pretence and abuse of office, in which the need to obtain clarification from your workers have become imperative.

    “In view of the above, you are requested to release the Executive Director (NSPHDA), Dr. Yahaya Nauzo, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Mukail Alamin Shekwoaga, for interview at 5 Ademola Crescent Wuse II, Abuja, on December 11, at 10 am.”