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Tag: suspects

  • EFCC arraigns more suspects in Abuja

    EFCC arraigns more suspects in Abuja

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it would arraign three suspects before a Federal High Court, Abuja, today over alleged N1.4billion fuel subsidy scam.

    The EFCC arraigned Ebong Afia for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N3million.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said the fuel subsidy suspects are Helyn Aninye, Chizobam Ben – Okafor and Pon-Specialised Services Limited.

    The statement said: “In continuation of the on-going prosecution of individuals and organisations indicted in the fuel subsidy scam, the EFCC will today arraign three new suspects before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja.

    “The trio will be docked on an 18-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence.

    “They allegedly obtained N1,413,507.951.50 from the Federal Government as subsidy from the Petroleum Support Fund , purportedly for the importation of 15,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).”

    The commission also confirmed the arraignment of Ebong Afia before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N3million.

    Another statement said: “The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the defence counsel O. Akpokona informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused and prayed it to exercise its discretion in favour of his client; assuring that he would not jump bail.

    “He also asked the court to take judicial notice of the fact that the accused is a first time offender, and currently on EFCC administrative bail.

    “Prosecution counsel Odibo Iwebafa didn’t oppose the bail application, but prayed the court to issue conditions which will ensure the accused is available for trial.

    “The judge, while adjourning the matter to November 14 for trial, granted the accused bail in the sum of three million with one surety in like sum.”

     

  • Eight suspects arrested for killing two policemen in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested eight suspected gunmen for killing two policemen on Tuesday.

    Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on phone.

    He said the suspects were arrested in an uncompleted building at Kofar Dawanau Quarters in Dala Local Government Area.

    The police chief said three AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects, adding that two of the rifles belonged to the two policemen who were killed on Tuesday.

    Idris said: “The area was cordoned off by the security operatives and we succeeded in arresting eight suspects. Three AK 47 rifles were recovered from the uncompleted building where the suspects were arrested.”

    He promised that any innocent person among the suspects would be released after interrogation.

    The police chief assured that the command would ensure the protection of life and property.

    Idris urged the residents to cooperate with security agents to enable them perform their constitutional duty more effectively.

    He said: “The cooperation of the public assisted in the arrest of the suspects.”

    The police chief also urged the public to report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agents for prompt action.

  • Alleged N1.051b subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign four more suspects today

    •Four suspects in trouble over N2.9m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said four more suspects will be arraigned today in Abuja for alleged N1.051billion fuel subsidy scam.

    AIhaji Saminu Rabiu, Jubril Rowaye and two companies, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited – are to face trial.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects allegedly collected the subsidy to purportedly import 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The EFCC said the suspects would be arraigned before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently obtaining N1, 051, 030, 434, 63 from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

    “Thirteen suspects were arraigned before Lagos courts on Friday, October 5, on similar charges. They are Aro Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The five companies involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited,” he said.

    The EFCC has arraigned the duo of Uzoma Loius Jerry Okonkwo and Okonkwo Ugochukwu alongside their companies – Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solution Limited – before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos , on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Louis Jerry Okonkwo, Ugockukwu, Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solutions Limited were said to have on September 8, 2009 in Lagos obtained from Dezern Nigeria Limited under the false pretence that the money was the cost of 33,000 litres of DPK, knowing this to be false.

    The offence is contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 read in conjunction with section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel Anselem Ozioko prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody, pending the hearing of the case.

    Defence counsel Frank Ndigwe, however informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused persons and urged the court to consider the application.

    Justice Okechuku Okeke adjourned the matter till October 29 and November 1, 9, and 19. He ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

     

  • INEC assures on prosecution of voter’s cards suspects

    •Confirms involvement of worker

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday assured the public that it will prosecute those caught with voter’s cards in Ondo State, regardless of their status or party affiliations.

    A statement issued by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, hailed the Ondo State Police Command for taking a proactive step in arresting the suspected electoral offenders.

    He vowed that the electoral body would get to the root of the matter to fish out the political party behind the electoral fraud.

    The REC confirmed that a worker of the commission, whose name he refused to mention, was involved in the electoral fraud and he had been arrested by security operatives.

    The statement reads: “The attention of INEC has been drawn to the arrest of a man with over a thousand voter’s cards issued by INEC purportedly given to him by a junior staff engaged as a security man by the commission, who has also been arrested by the police.

    “Save for the voter’s cards and campaign materials of two of the political parties contesting the October 20 poll, no other electoral materials were found in possession of the suspects. For the purpose of emphasis, no ballot papers were found in their possession.

    “Preliminary investigation by the commission indicates that some people did not collect their voter’s cards after registration last year. The unclaimed cards are in the custody of the Electoral Officer.

    “Collection by proxy is prohibited and it is not part of the security man’s duties to handle, distribute or in any way deal with voter’s cards.”

     

  • JTF kills Boko Haram chief, 30 other suspects in gun duel

    JTF kills Boko Haram chief, 30 other suspects in gun duel

    It was another bad day for Boko Haram – the fundamentalist sect responsible for the insurgency in some parts of the North – yesterday.

    A member, who is believed to be the field commander of the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, was shot dead in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, in a gun duel.

    Also killed were 30 other members. Ten others were arrested.

    The JTF, which announced the killings, also said it recovered arms and ammunition from the sect’s hideout.

    Also in Yobe, gunmen believed to be members of the sect, opened fire on residents of a village and killed two people. Many others were injured.

    In Borno State, three Chinese construction workers were killed.

    Killed in Damaturu was a man called Bakaka, who is believed to be the field command of the Boko Haram sect.

    In a statement, JTF spokesman Lt. Eli Lazarus said Bakaka was killed alongside 30 sect members. Ten members were arrested after a search at a hideout in Khandahar in the state capital.

    The statement said: “In the early hours of Sunday, 7th October 2012, men of JTF in Damaturu, Yobe State on cordon and search operation in suspected Boko Haram hideout at Kandahar and the cemetery areas of Damaturu, engaged in a gun battle with the suspected terrorists.

    “About thirty (30) suspected Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in the battle which lasted several hours. In the battle, the notorious, one-eyed Bakaka, the field commander of Boko Haram in Damaturu and a close associate of Abubakar Shekau, was killed. Ten (10) others arrested during the battle are presently assisting investigators to track other senior members of the terrorist group.

    “Six (6) rifles, ninety (90) rounds of ammunition, several handsets and sim packs were recovered. Other items recovered include; knives, bows and arrows, diggers, knives and two (2) keke napep tricycles. Also, three (3) cans of IEDs recovered were detonated.”

    He said the success so far recorded in the operation shows the cooperation of the residents, adding: “JTF wishes to appreciate the support so far received from the peace-loving and law-abiding people of Yobe State, urging them to volunteer more information that will lead to arrest of other suspected terrorists. JTF further requests that people should remain calm and go about their lawful activities as efforts are geared towards ensuring the safety of lives and property.”

    The statement also announced the appointment of Colonel I.S. Ali as the new Commander of the JTF in Yobe state.

    Ali is to take over from Colonel Dahiru Abdulsalam who proceeds to Defence College for further military studies. Until his recent appointment, Colonel Ali was a Deputy Director at the Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations (DATOPS).

    Two people were killed when unknown gunmen opened fire on residents of a village in Yobe, Police Commissioner Patrick Egbuniwe said yesterday.

    “So far we have confirmed two people killed on Saturday by these criminals who went about shooting indiscriminately in the village,” Patrick Egbuniwe told AFP.

    The gunmen stormed Dogon Kuka village and opened fire on residents, he said.

    “The JTF (Joint Task Force) has deployed there and we are awaiting comprehensive details of casualties,” Egbuniwe said.

    He declined to say if the attackers were members of the Boko Haram.

    The village, inhabited mainly by Muslims, is about 70km from Damaturu, the state capital.

    Suspected Boko Haram men reportedly shot and killed three Chinese construction workers in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Gubio Local Government Area, about 89 kilometers from Maiduguri, Premium Times reported.

    The Chinese are said to be working for a construction company, working on several projects in the state.

    Reports indicate that the victims, who regularly visited local markets, were shot as they patronised a local market.

    Kaduna State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of two people in Zaria by gunmen at a pub.

    Kaduna police spokesman Aminu Lawal, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State, that the incident, in which one other person was injured, took place on Saturday night along King’s Road, Sabon-Gari area of the town.

    Lawal said security operatives were on the trail of the gunmen, adding that there were clues that would assist the police in tracking down the killers.

    While applauding the people for reporting the incident, he urged them to be more security conscious and to promptly report any suspicious characters in their midst.

    An eyewitness told NAN that the gunmen came in a vehicle and opened fire on their victims at the pub.

    “The incident led to the death of two people and another was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

    “The security agents were alerted and they responded promptly. The security personnel pursued the killers but I can’t say what happened next.”

  • Voter’s cards suspects to face trial

    Voter’s cards suspects to face trial

    The suspects found with voter’s cards are to be charged to court today or tomorrow, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    A Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Mr. Olaolu Oladapo and his wife were allegedly arrested with voter’s cards last Saturday. They were said to have claimed that they got them from INEC officials.

    A source said an INEC official, who is suspected to be a guard may have been involved in the incident.

    The couple was arrested by a team of policemen from the Area Commander’s office in Ondo town for having thumb printed ballot papers ahead of October 20 election.

    More than 100,000 already thumb printed ballot papers in favour of LP were found in their posession.

    Also found in their possession were 150,000 voter’s cards belonging to people across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    A group on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Independent Campaign Network (ICN), yesterday challenged the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, to clear the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) name over the arrest of the suspects.

    A statement signed by ICN’s Director, Communication and Strategy Bureau, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, alleged that some officials of the electoral body at the local level had compromised with the LP on how to rig the October 20 poll.

    Oladimeji, who said he was not surprised by the arrest, stressed that they were aware of the plot by the LP governorship candidate, Olusegun Mimiko, to buy voter’s cards in the areas he believes he cannot win, at N20,000.

    He urged the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to transfer the state REC if he fails to clarify the name of the electoral body in the ongoing election malpractices.

    The statement reads: “We learnt from sources that a worker of the INEC has been arrested over the allegation of electoral fraud. We are still expecting Orebiyi to explain to us what he knows about this ongoing election fraud because we got from sources that the alleged INEC worker duplicated the key to the Ondo West Local Government Electoral Officer’s (EO’s) office and after he opened the door, he was able to lay hands on the unclaimed voter’s cards.

    “INEC and Orebiyi must speak out on the alleged role played by the worker of the commission. Though Orebiyi, at several stakeholders’ meetings, had been presenting himself as an unbiased umpire, with the revelation, we do not trust him. Jega must transfer Orebiyi if he fails to explain the stand of the electoral body.

    “ACN and other opposition parties have been raising the alarm over the relationship of the LP and some INEC officials. With this arrest, it is now clear that the LP conducted illegal voters registration and INEC was aware of this criminal activity. We will continue to reveal the illegal strategies of the present government to rig the poll.”

  • Mubi killings: SSS arrest two suspects

    Mubi killings: SSS arrest two suspects

    •Jonathan gets interim report

    President Goodluck Jonathan is in possession of a preliminary security report on the Independence Day anniversary massacre of 40 students in Mubi, Adamawa State.

    The report suggests that the killings might not be unconnected with the Students Union Government election held at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi on the eve of the attack.

    The State Security Service (SSS) has already arrested two suspects alleged to be the masterminds of the killings.

    A source familiar with the matter said: “From the Interim Report, the SSS has succeeded in arresting two suspects who are strongly alleged to be the masterminds of the killings.

    “The government was also briefed that the killings had a strong link with the outcome of the Students Union Government election at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

    “Some aggrieved students were alleged to have embarked on revenge following the defeat of their candidates.

    “The Interim Report shocked the government because it underscored the level at which our youths have degenerated.”

    But government is not ruling out other clues, sources said.

    One source said: “The Police and other security agencies are working on other factors which could have caused for the genocide.

    “Some suspects have also been arrested by the Police. Their interrogation might provide additional clues to the security challenge in Mubi and those behind it.

    “Also, for such violence to have been perpetrated, it suggests a kind of arms pile up in Mubi. The security agencies and the police are expected to get to the root of how students were involved in gun running.

    “There is a suspicion that the killings might be a spill over of the political situation in Mubi and the state. Security agencies are to probe those behind the violent syndicate operating in the commercial town.

    The probe of the killings also involves remedial steps to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence. “So far, a full-scale investigation is still in progress and the nation will be briefed accordingly.”

     

  • Cynthia: Three more suspects appear in court

    Cynthia: Three more suspects appear in court

    Three more persons yesterday appeared before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court for the alleged murder of C6ynthia Osokogu, bringing to seven the total number of those so far charged with her murder.

    They are Gideon Okechukwu (39), Nonso Ifechukwu (22) and Emeka Chinonso (27). Before them, the quartet of Okwuno Echezoma Nwafo (33), Ejike Ifechukwu Olisaeloka (23) and Maduakor Chukwunonso (25) were charged on Okechukwu was alleged to have conspired with Nwafo and Olisaeloka to kill Cynthia; Ifechukwu and Chinonso were said to have recieved her stolen phone from Olisaeloka.

    The late Cynthia, a post-graduate student of the Nassarawa State University, was allegedly killed after being drugged in a hotel at Amuwo Odofin, a Lagos suburb, on July 22, by Nwafo and Olisaeloka.

    Yesterday, the Osokogu family tentatively fixed October 5, for her funeral.

    Okechukwu, a taxi driver was said to have driven the suspected killers out of the hotel, is facing an eight-count charge of felony, conspiracy, robbery and murder, among others.

    Prosecuting Superintendent of Police (SP) Chukwu Agwu said Okechukwu, on July 21, at Room No. C1, Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos conspired to murder Cynthia thereby, committing an offence punishable under Section 231 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    Okechukwu, the prosecutor said, conspired with others to kill Cynthia by administering on her an obnoxious substance known as Rohypol Flunitrazepam tablets via Ribena fruit juice.

    The accused was also said to have joined others in binding the late Cynthia’s hands with chain and padlock. They also allegedly used cellophane tapes to bind her legs, neck and mouth. Blows were also said to have been dealt on her. She was said to have been bitten, tortured and strangled to death.

    Okechukwu was said to have robbed Cynthia of her Blackberry handset, Bold 5 model; International Passport with No- AO1249397 dated July 3, 2009; National Driver’s Licence with No. GRE0002AA dated March 15, 2010; a pair of shoes; a hand bag; a vibrator; as well as a Jewellery box containing three wrist watches, four rings, three pairs of earrings, a pendant, a necklace, hand chain and a single earring, while armed.

    According to Agu, the value of the properties stolen, is yet to be ascertained.

    Okechukwu was also alleged to have joined others to forcefully and unlawfully have carnal knowledge of Cynthia, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 258(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

    Okechukwu’s plea was not taken as the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    He was remanded in prison custody by Magistrate S.O. Aka-Bashorun, pending advice from the Director, Public Prosecution (DPP).

    In a separate charge with number TA/58/2012, Ifechukwu and Chinonso were said to have received Cynthia’s stolen phone, despite knowing that “it was unlawfully obtained.”

    They pleaded not guilty and Magistrate Aka-Bashorun granted them N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Magistrate Aka-Bashorun adjourned the case till October 3.

    The Osokogu family said it tentatively fixed October 5, for Cynthia’s burial “with the belief that the machinery of justice would not be impeeded.

    A funeral mass has been held for her in her Delta State home town without her body on August 27. Her brother, Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Osokogu, who spoke on behalf of the family, gave reasons for the delay, saying: “The police have not called the family to collect the body. The case is still at the Magistrate’s Court. The court cannot try murder case. The second hearing is slated for October 3. And we believe that it will be transferred to the High Court; afterwards the police can seek for permission to release the body for burial. We are not in a hurry to bury her as justice must take its full course. The family has resolved to fix the new date Friday, October 5, if everything goes as planned.”

    The family also denied that it abandoned the body at the morgue.

  • Five kidnap suspects held in Imo

    THE police in Imo State yesterday arrested a five-man kidnap gang.

    Two victims, a man and a woman, who were abducted yesterday morning in Owerri, the state capital, were rescued.

    Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, police spokesman Vitalis Onugu said the gang was responsible for many kidnapping and robberies in the state.

    Onugu said: “Two suspects, who are security men at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), invited their confederates in crime from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to Imo to pick two of their victims. The information got to us and we monitored their movement from Port Harcourt. We arrested them as they wanted to abduct their victim.”

    Commissioner for Police Baba Adisa Bolanta assured residents that the command would rid Imo of crime.

    He said: “The command has all it takes to wipe out kidnappers and armed robbers from the state, but we need the co-operation of the public in intelligence gathering.

    “They should come up with credible information on the activities of criminals among them. This would help the police to foil crimes before they are committed.”