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How 20 Years Old Kidnapper Abducts, Kills Son Of Police Officer

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Bauchi State Police Command, has arrested a 20-year-old, Rabi’u Adamu, for allegedly kidnapping and killing 12 years old Christopher Bala.

The suspect, resident in Magama-Gumau of Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, allegedly abducted and murdered 12-year-old Christopher Bala.

The victim was a son of ASP Bala Yarima serving in Gumau Police Division under Bauchi State Police Command.

According to the Police, the suspect had collected N200,000 as ransom, but later decided to murder and bury the victim in a shallow grave for fear of being caught.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Muhammed Wakil, said detectives attached to Toro Police Division tracked and arrested the suspect.

Further inquiries uncovered disturbing details of extortion and a blood relationship between the suspect, the victim, and the victim’s family.

“Adamu eventually confessed to the kidnapping and the tragic murder of young Christopher. He admitted to having extorted N200,000 ransom from the victim’s father, ASP Yarima.

“He admitted that fearing that the murdered Christopher recognized him, he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill.”

He noted that having followed established procedures, the Police Command exhumed the victim’s remains, adding that a postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.

“Subsequently, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the State Commissioner of Police.”

Ekiti: Persons With Disability Demand Access To Public Buildings, Healthcare

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By odele Oni

Persons With Disability, (PWD) in Ekiti State have cried out over their neglect by Government in the areas of access to healthcare, inability to enter public buildings and education above secondary school.

The demands by the PWDs were put forward at a forum in Ado Ekiti organized by Ekiti state chapter of Justice Development and Peace Initiative, (JDPI), of the Catholic church.

The Director of JDPI in Ekiti State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade who briefed participants at the forum, said discussions centred on how to enhance the rights of PWDs within Ekiti State and validation of citizens agenda.

“We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.

“They gave kudos to government for free education up to the secondary schools in special schools. So what happened to PWDs in other public schools, government equally needs to pay attention to this.

“They also gave kudos to the government as regards participation in people and also the people of Ekiti state for allowing them to come out to vote and they are prepared to ask for our votes when they come out for positions.

“Accessibility of public premises and building which is a particular right for physically challenged people, visual impaired and hearing impaired is also another area that is a red area because attention is needed.

“For them their experiences have not been very palatable eg banks, public places, no consideration for PWDs, no facilities for PWDs and so we have been able to look at this and we will be urging all of us to treat PWDs like human like us and give them their due rights.”

Rev Akingbade tasked residents of the state to accord equal rights to Persons With Disabilities, as their protection is fully enshrined in the statute.

He said: “Today’s meeting is for PWDs within the context of their right. This is not the first time we are meeting with them, this meeting is for us to consolidate on early conversations we have had with them.

“Today we have been able to validate citizens agenda as it affects PWDs. We administered questionnaires first to 1702 persons in Ekiti State from the 16 local governments and 78 were PWDs. Secondly, we carry out interviews with 337 persons, 47 were PWDs and so we have started the process of validation of citizens agenda which is basically to ask people on what government can do for them.

“The meeting today was to interact with them on what they want government to do for them with regards to the rights enshrined in the law, Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 and Law for the Ekiti State 2020.

“To the glory of God the conversation has been very successful. We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.”

Falana Faults Declaration Of Eight Suspects Wanted Over Murder Of 17 Soldiers Illegal, Warns Army

Akinwale Kasali

March 29, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

A senior Lawyer, Femi Falana, has said the declaration of Eight Persons wanted in connection to the killing of 17 Soldiers in Okuama Community, Delta State, by the Nigeria Army is illegal. He has urged the Army to withdraw the declaration.

In a statement on Thursday Falana said: “ The decision of the Defence Headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal. Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters. If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence counsel to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled”.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday promised to punish perpetrators of the heinous crime, and advised the elders and chiefs of Okuoma to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime.

But Falana warned the Military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers by publishing names of suspects that it had declared wanted.

He said: “The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the Military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.

“In Dr Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that “It must be stated here without equivocation that the defendant [Nigerian Army] has no right to declare the plaintiff wanted without following the appropriate procedure.

“The Judge further said that the defendant cannot arrest the plaintiff arbitrarily without making a formal report to law enforcement agency with the mandate to enforce law and order. Otherwise, it would transmute to self-help. The duty of the defendant is to make a formal report to the appropriate authority like the police and await the outcome.

“ In Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, the Army, Inspector General of Police & the Nigerian Police Force the Federal High Court where held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody, anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law.

“Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday, warned the military not to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act which empowers the police to detect and investigate crime.

“ We have also read the 8 people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters it is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order.

“In Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a high court in Abuja ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lacks (EFCC) the powers to declare anyone wanted without obtaining a court order or charging the suspect with an offence.

“The presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa ruled that though the EFCC could declare as wanted persons who fail to honour its invitation for investigation, it could only do so if it obtains a court order for that purpose. So, the decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.

“Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a Military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters.

“If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence Headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”

Kaduna Governor Offers Scholarships To 137 Abducted Freed Children, N10m To Family Of Dead Teacher

The Source

March 29, 2024

Kuriga Students Released from Kdinappers Den

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The recently freed 137 abducted School children from kuriga Government Secondary School and LEA primary school on Thursday March 28 2024 formerly reunited with their parents and guardians.

But they did not return empty handed . They returned with a scholarship offer from Governor Uba Sani Foundation, and a firm promise that their schools will receive a face lift from the Kaduna state Government.

However , the school children returned without one of their teachers – Malam Abubakar – who lost his life in the abductors’ den owing to some complications in his health conditions.

Governor Sani of Kaduna who disclosed this at the Government House before handing over the school children to their wards announced the donation of the sum of N10 million to the immediate family of the deceased teacher in addition to a promise of over seeing the education of his children.

The Kaduna Governor who was visibly elated by the safe return of the school children from captivity, reiterated his commitment to ensuring their wellbeing and educational pursuit, adding that his administration will take all steps necessary to return normalcy to Kuriga which he said is known for its peaceful nature.

Governor Sani noted that the State Government, before handing over the school children provided adequate psychological assistance through counseling and series of therapy sessions ,with a view to canceling out the trauma and psychological torture which they must have passed through while in captivity.

The Governor, however, insisted that no ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the school children,noting that the federal Government through the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris had earlier denied any suggestion of payments to the abductors .

The school children were rescued last Sunday March 24 ,after spending about 16 days in the abductors’ den in Zamfara State ,having being whisked away from their schools on Monday March 7 2024.

LP Declares Ejiofor, BoT Chair Impostor Amidst Deep-seated Crisis

James Orji

March 29, 2024

Julius Abure - Labour Party National Chairman

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has dismissed the existence of a Board of Trustees in the party.

The party’s position followed an earlier claim by its BoT chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor that he had taken over the party after the expiration of Aburi’s tenure.

Abure was on Wednesday re-elected in a controversial National Convention of the party in Anambra state.

Some key stakeholders in the party, including its presidential candidate in the last election, LP caucus in the House of Representatives, amongst others did not take part in the convention over unsettled matter with the party’s National Chairman.

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it did not recognize the congress because the umpire did not monitor it as required by the law. LP has dismissed the suggestion, stating that it’s within its power to organsie the congress.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, described Ejiofor as an impostor who is not known to the party.

He said Ejiofor no longer hold a significant position in the party having resigned 20 years ago, and has stopped attending the party’s meeting for years.

According to the statement Ejiofor “is not even known in his ward and has not paid a single dime as membership dues which qualifies him as a member. It is surprising that after he was ‘visited’ by some leaders of NLC, he suddenly woke up from his slumber.”

“The point here is that the Labour Party is not aware of the existence of any Board of Trustees. Recall that NLC has continued to propose for the reconstitution of the BoT as well as the convocation of the national convention.

“Over 90 per cent of persons being suggested to form membership of the proposed BoT have since left the party to join other political parties, some even contested various political positions on the platform of other political parties while some others featured prominently in the presidential campaigns of the other political parties even when Labour Party equally featured a candidate in the 2023 general election.

“This is what desperation in the ranks of the NLC can cause. Why not let the man enjoy his retirement? Why drag him into your mess? Let Ejiofor show evidence of one meeting he convened in the last one decade of his so-called BoT.

“Enough of all these political muscles flexing, Julius Abure has just been elected by the convention for the first time as the national chairman of the Labour Party. We urge our detractors to please sheathe the sword and join us to salvage the nation.”

The magazine reports that some leaders of the party, including its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has dumped Abure and are now searching for his replacement.

Tinubu Appoints New CCB Chairman

James Orji

March 28, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a new chairman for the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

His name Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.

Bello, according to the statement is a consummate baker with vast experience in law enforcement and consultancy.

The new appointee, the president was quoted as saying would lead the CCB with integrity and turn the agency around for good.

The statement said: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

“Dr. Bello is a consummate professional with more than 25 years of work experience in consulting, banking, law enforcement, financial services, and academia.

“The President anticipates that the new Chairman, upon confirmation by the Senate, will lead the Bureau with utmost integrity toward the realization of its mandate of maintaining high standards of public morality in the conduct of government business and ensuring that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standards of morality and accountability.”

Tinubu $1trn Economy: CBN Sets Deadline For Bank To Recapitalise

James Orji

March 28, 2024

In line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to enlarge the country’s economy to $1 trillion, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed all banks to increase their capital base.

In the new regime, commercial banks, merchant banks, non-interest banks, and others are expected to increase their capital base to the maximum of N500 billion and minimum of N10 billion as the case may be.

The move represents one in the series of the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN to catch up with the ambitious plan of President Tinubu to enlarge the country’s economy to $1 trillion from the current figure of less than $400 billion, analysts say.

Nigeria is currently the second biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of $395 billion, South Africa comes top of the table in the continent with a GDP of $401 billion, while Egypt ranks third with a GDP of $358 billion, according to checks by the magazine.

President Tinubu after taking office last year said the country has more potential and resources to double the economy within a decade.

Delivering the opening address at the 29th edition of the Nigeria Economic Summit, NES, held in the nation’s capital, Abuja last November, Tinubu said his government planned to enlarge the economy to $1 trillion by 2026, adding that a $3 trillion economy is possible within 10 years.

He said: “Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, a $1 trillion economy is possible by the year 2026 and a $3 trillion economy is possible within this decade. We can do it.

“We’ve done double-digit inclusive and sustainable competitive growth. This is our agenda and I’d like to charge you- the captains of industry here present, to commit yourselves to and redouble your effort to our vision of a renewed hope.”

The CBN governor had also recently hinted the banks to prepare for recapitalization in other to enlarge and strengthen the nation’s financial system.

The last time the banks recapitalize was in 2005 when Charles Soludo was the CBN governor.

According to a circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustafa, to all commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks the CBN said this must be achieved in 24 months starting from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026.

Also, the apex ban stated that the directive is applicable to promoters of new banks in each category.

Hakama Sidi Ali, CBN spokesperson who later spoke on the matter gave the breakdown as its affects all classes of banks.

Ali said the new minimum capital base for commercial banks with national authorisation has been raised to ₦200 billion, while the new requirement for those with regional authorisation is ₦50 billion.

She added that the new minimum capital for merchant banks would be ₦50 billion, while the new requirements for non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations are ₦20 billion and ₦10 billion, accordingly.

Reconstruction Of Roads, Katsina Govt. Compensates Property Owners With N900m, As APC Dissolves Committees

The Source

March 28, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Katsina State Government on Thursday March 28, 2024 announced that the about 331 identified property and other business owners affected by the dualization of the 1.5km Kofar Soro – kofar Guga road in Katsina metropolis have been compensated .

The State Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Kaita, who supervised the disbursement exercise said the State Government paid out a total sum of N832,721,954 to the beneficiaries.

According to Dr Kaita, the prompt compensation of the affected persons is in line with the avowed commitment of Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s administration to the promotion of the wellbeing of the people, particularly, at this trying period of economic hardship in the country.

“The swift disbursement of compensation clearly demonstrates the unwavering dedication of the administration in upholding the. welfare and rights of the affected individuals .

“This timely action will ensure the provision of a conducive environment for them to vacate the area before the commencement of the project” the Commissioner noted

Governor Radda had, on March 13, inaugurated the reconstruction/ dualization of the roads in addition to the 0.5 km Spur road from Galadanci to Hassan Usman Katsina House in the heart of Katsina city.

When completed, the roads are expected to ease traffic congestion and allow for free flow of human and vehicular movements, as well as create a conducive environment for the thriving of business activities.

Meanwhile the All Progressive Congress APC, Katsina State Chapter has dissolved the standing stakeholders Committee of the party in all the 34 Local Councils of the State .

The State Chairman Abu Musawa ,who made the announcement in a press statement on Thursday said the dissolution of the committees which played a key role in mobilising votes for the party in the last general elections takes immediate effect, adding that at the appropriate time, the party will take steps to reconstitute them.

While appreciating the contributions of the members of the dissolved Stakeholders Committee in the electoral fortunes of APC at all levels ,Alhaji Musawa urged them to continue to work for growth of the party.

Released FirstNews Editor, Segun Olatunji Says Those At Corridor Of Power Behind His Ordeal

Akinwale Kasali

March 28, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

After 12 Days in detention, Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, has blamed those at the corridor of power for his ordeal.

He said his abduction and incarceration are connected to his journalistic work, which displeased certain powerful individuals.

Speaking after his release, Olatunji said, “I was at home with my son on Friday, March 15, watching ‘Journalists Hangout,’ when I noticed soldiers outside”.

He described how his encounter with the military spiraled into a series of events that included being blindfolded, flown to Abuja, and detained without charges.

“An officer, who introduced himself as Colonel Lawal, approached me. I inquired about their reason for seeking me. He didn’t provide a clear answer, only stating they were from the military,” Mr. Olatunji continued.

He also stated that his phones were seized. After a blind-folded journey, he found himself handcuffed, both hands and feet, and stripped of his belongings in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

During his detention, Mr. Olatunji said he experienced physical discomfort due to excessively tight handcuffs, which led to numbness in his right hand and leg.

He disclosed that while in detention, interrogations focused on specific stories published by FirstNews, especially those criticizing the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President.

“The first story was an accusation against the Chief of Defence Intelligence. I informed them that it was a general story, and they did not say much about it.

“They also inquired about a story we published regarding the Chief of Staff to the President. This was the major issue. This is why I had mentioned to some people earlier that those responsible for my arrest were individuals in the corridors of power, suggesting that these stories were the reason for my detention.

“It was evident that certain individuals in positions of power were unhappy with the work being done by FirstNews,” he stated.

Mr. Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction, described the fear and confusion she felt as armed men took her husband from their home.

While the Publisher of FirstNews, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and Mr. Olatunji’s colleagues and family endured days of uncertainty, the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) diligently worked to locate Mr. Olatunji, confronting various government and security agencies.

Their efforts met with denials until a press statement by the IPI and subsequent pressure on military officials led to Mr. Olatunji’s admission and release.

According to the Management of FirstNews, Mr. Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organization,” disclosed IPI Nigeria.

President, Musikilu Mojeed, during a briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

The leadership of the IPI, NGE, and NUJ criticized the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for its actions, which they deemed anti-democratic and a potential threat to press freedom. They urged President Bola Tinubu to reprimand those responsible.

The Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, emphasized the importance of a free press.

He stated, “If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but is instead subservient to power, it simply serves as an extension of power.”

Uwugiaren added that the media community would remain vigilant and plan to consult on further actions regarding this incident.

He explained that the outcry over Mr. Olatunji’s detention underscored ongoing concerns about press freedom and civil-military relations in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Olatunji thanked those who supported him, notably mentioning Mr Yomi Odunuga, whose involvement aided his release process.

Enugu: LP Loses Six House Assembly Members To PDP

The Source

March 28, 2024

By Charles Igbo

The crisis rocking the Labour Party has triggered a run in its Enugu Chapter.

On Thursday, it lost its six members in the Enugu House of Assembly to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The six members who defected to the ruling party in Enugu are Ejike Nwa Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North 1, Johnson Ugwu, Enugu North, Princess Ugwu, Enugu South, Pius, Pius Onyeka Ugwu, Nsukka West, Williams Amuka, Igbo-Etiti East and Osita Eze, Oji River.

The defection of the Lawmakers during Plenary on Thursday did not take most people by surprise. On Sunday, they had attempted to dump the LP, but it didn’t quite work out as the venue became rowdy.

Their defection is a product of what the Speaker, Uche Ugwu described as “the existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the National level and across all the State Chapters.”

Bemoaning the fate of the Party in which not a few Nigerians had so much confidence in, Ugwu noted:

“Regrettably, the Party has evolved into a state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

“The Labour Party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas has regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfill the aspirations of the electorate.”

Incidentally LP said it held a National Convention in Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday where it reelected Julius Abure as National Chairman by affirmation. But the event was boycotted by its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, its only Governor, Abia State’s Dr Alex Otti, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and most of its elected members including members of the House of Assembly.

The Board of Trustees, BoT members of the Party who also boycotted the Convention, has since distanced itself from the outcome. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade S. Ejiofor, the BoT dismissed the reelection of Abure as a no- event, and said it has taken over the running of the Party.

Why Abure and Co. chose to hold the much condemned Convention in Nnewi where the Party has no stake, remains a question still not answered.

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