Home Blog Page 970

One Killed, Two Rescued, As Police Burst Criminal Gang In Anambra

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Nigerian Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Police authorities on Saturday, November 30, 2024, said they have arrested a couple who specialize in threatening residents with kidnap and

extort them in the process.

This is even as they informed that a notorious member of a dare devil criminal gang in the State has been neutralized.

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu  Ikenga, SP, said that the Police killed the gang member along Agulu/Nobi road on Friday night, November 29, during an exchange of fire between the armed group and a VIP convoy.

“Police Operatives from the operations department of the command, attached to a VIP, in the state on 29/11/2024, by 8.30pm.along Agulu/Nobi road ,demobilized one of the criminal elements in the State, and recovered one pump action gun, five cartridges, five machetes, two SUV jeeps and two pairs of desert shoes.

The hoodlums attacked the VIP convoy unprovoked, leading to a retaliation.

The Operatives resisted the armed men operating in a grey-coloured Lexus ES 330 with plate Nos ACA 551 MA and an ash-coloured Toyota Highlander with plate number SMK 544 ,who attacked their convoy unprovoked.

During the gun duel, the swift response by the Joint Security Team comprising the police and AVG operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer DPO, Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area, made the armed men abandon their vehicles and fled the scene with bullet wounds through a nearby bush”. the Police spokesman said

He revealed that police operatives in the process rescued two  kidnap victims who were  earlier abducted and shot by the armed men.

Unfortunately, one of the victims was pronounced dead, while the other is responding to treatment at a medical facility.

According to Ikenga, the victims were kidnapped on  Wednesday November 27, 2024 ,at about 7.00 am on Ugwnwasike/Ogidi Road ,in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State .

“The victims, he added, were shot by the abductors following the discovery that they were being trailed by security agents.

They subsequently abandoned the victims in the vehicle and fled the scene.

According to the State Police Command, Mr Okoye Kingsley and his wife Chidinma, were apprehended in Ozobulu,  Ekwusigo Local Council of the State ,together with multiple mobile phones and SIM cards.

The couple aged 36 and 27 respectively, are alleged to be in the habit of sending messages to Anambra residents asking for ransoms or threatening them with abductions in the event of failure to pay .

“Given reports of text messages and voice notes received by unsuspecting members of the public on threats of abductions, the Joint Security Force comprising the police and ACG acting on technology-driven information in the early hours of 29/11/2024 arrested a couple.

“The couple, Mr Okoye Kingsley 36 and Mrs Chidinma Okoye 27 years were arrested in Ozubulu ,Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state with phones and sim cards .

“The couple specialize in sending threatening messages to people and demanding ransom or they shall be abducted or killed.

“They all confessed to the crime and admitted to destroying some of the Sim cards which they had earlier used to commit the crimes” the Police stated.

Ikenga informed that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono-Itam, has ordered the case to be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad of the Command for a comprehensive investigation.

He also said that the suspects will be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.

Young Nigerian Medical Doctor Dazzles In UK University

By
James Orji
-
0
Dr Vanessa Jerry Uchenna

A young Nigerian woman, Dr Vanessa Jerry Uchenna, has been hailed for her academic excellence in the United Kingdom, following her outstanding performance at the prestigious University of West England in the UK.

The young medical practitioner who graduated with a distinction in Health technology, is the daughter of Dr. Jerry Uchenna Nwohu, a
security and strategic scholar and socialite.

Her Master’s dissertation, which was on how both clinicians and patients who have foot-drop perceive the use of ankle exoskeletons for ankle rehabilitation and independent living, received high praise from her supervisors and was recommended for publication in the University of West England, Bristol Journal.

Professor Comfort Nne Akujobi, a Professor of Clinical Microbiology, described Vanessa’s study as “fascinating” and highlighted its potential to bridge the knowledge gap in the management of patients with Foot drop. She emphasized the importance of publishing the findings in a high-impact journal to give it wide visibility

Also, Professor Yahaya Abdullahi Adadu, a Professor of Political Science, commended Vanessa’s dedication and resilience, noting that investments in education, especially in STEM fields, are crucial for Nigeria’s development. He encouraged her to consider publishing her research to contribute to addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges and inform policy decisions.

In the same vein, Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade (Rtd), a former Commandant of the National Defence College, Nigeria, congratulated Vanessa on her outstanding achievement, praising her courage and strength of excellence. He urged her to continue making a positive impact in the world

Ankle exoskeletons are wearable robotic devices designed to support and enhance ankle movement for patients who have difficulties in moving the frontal part of their feet due to neurological disorders.

They noted that her accomplishment underscores her potential in the field of health technology, and marks a significant milestone in her career.

The publication of her work in the university’s renowned journal highlights the quality and value of her research in her special field.

Northern Nigeria: So Blessed, So Wretched – Senator Shehu Sani

By
The Source
-
0
Senator Shehu Sani
  1. Most public schools are free, our young ones still don’t want to go to school.
  2. Most of us don’t want our spouses to work or use their skills or talents to earn a living or contribute to the family. When we die, we leave them as helpless widows at the mercy of a hostile society.
  3. Most young ones don’t want to serve as apprentices in workshops or retail outlets because they don’t have the heart and the patience to serve.
  4. Most parents in rural areas hand over their children to a religious teacher in the city and the religious teacher depends on the children to beg or steal in order to feed him and his family.
  5. For ethnic, religious and sectional reasons, we protected, defended, praised and refused to hold to account all our kinsmen who led the country at every wasted opportunity for over five decades.
  6. The bandits and terrorists that kill and kidnap our people and deny our farmers from going to their farms and denied our children from going to school are not from any country or from the south of the country; they came from our homes and from our families up north. We worshipped with them in the same mosque.
  7. We used to live together as one region in peace, brotherhood and love and then we divided and hate ourselves along religious lines.
  8. We don’t vote for people who will serve us, we vote for those who will give us spaghetti and grains.
  9. We concoct and spread all sorts of religiously inclined conspiracies to deny our children free health immunisation against diseases and we end up hundreds of thousands of blind, lame, crippled and deaf children, who grow up as impaired victims of polio, glaucoma or leprosy, begging in the streets of northern and southern cities. Even the kind of Bill Gates who regularly show interest in us, we have no kind words for him.
  10. Most of our women and Girls don’t have a business capital of 100k but they have an IPhone of N1.5m. They don’t have a capital of 100k but can ‘struggle’ to meet up a wedding asoebi of 500k.
  11. We deny most of our girl-children their right to go beyond secondary school because of the negative thoughts about the university.
  12. We don’t want our female children to wear uniforms. Whenever the recruitment portals for the Army, police, customs, immigration, civil defence are on, we don’t want our female wards to apply.
  13. When our children are graduating from universities, especially public universities, most of the parents that attend to celebrate and appreciate their children in such events are parents of the southern students from the south.
  14. Most of our industries and factories in Kano, Kaduna and Jos have since closed down when our kinsmen were in power.
  15. Our Farmers in rural areas are still farming with hoes for the whole period our kinsmen have been in power. The groundnut and cotton pyramids and fields disappeared long when our kinsmen were at the helm.
  16. All the spare parts, building materials and pharmaceutical stores in the north are private businesses owned by people from other regions whom were not in anyway backed, funded or supported by any Government.
  17. When our Kinsmen were in power, we attributed our poverty and insecurity to God and to our Sins; when our Kinsmen are out of power, we attribute our sufferings to the King.
  18. The FCT is in the north, can anyone explain why the people from the region couldn’t dominate the private businesses in the FCT and Suleja and Mararaba? Who should be blamed for this one.
  19. God gave us the largest land mass, the largest number of people, the most of the Rivers and the resources and livestock and gave us power for the most part of our history; which of the favours of our Lord can we deny?
  20. The North; 80% of our problem is ourselves and not anyone ‘outside of ourselves’.

Former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka Dumps PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Osita-Chidoka

By Akinwale Kasali

Osita Chidoka, former Aviation Minister has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Chidoka announced his resignation from the PDP during an appearance on Channels Television Politics Today.

He said that his desire to focus on his non-profit organisation, Athena Centre, influenced his decision to leave PDP.

His words: “Earlier today, I sent a letter to my ward in Anambra State resigning officially from the PDP. I am leaving the PDP; I am leaving politics for some time; I am focusing on the Athena Centre.

“I will work in concert with other Nigerians who want us to reform the political system to bring evidence-based governance and to support it. So, effective today, I am no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Chidoka also quit politics – for now.

“Stop Sending Me Text Messages, I Am Not Worried About Second Term,”  – Ekiti Gov Oyebanji

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has stated that he has been inundated with calls over whether he is interested in contesting for the second term of office.

The Governor clocked two years in office in October having been sworn-in on October, 16, 2022 to succeed Kayode Fayemi.

Oyebanji has been endorsed by different groups for second term including the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and his predecessors led by Ayodele Fayose.

Oyebanji’s latest position may have been as a result of declaration by Fayemi at a function in his country home last week that when the time to pick comes, those that are concerned will take a position.

The governor declared that he is not worried over agitations ahead of the 2026 Governorship election in the state, stressing that his political future is in the hands of God who has never failed him.

He stated this in Ado Ekiti on Friday night at the monthly Evening of Praise and Worship at the Jibowu Hall, Government House Ground, expressing confidence in God’s ability to work out things in his favour, and that God who did it for him in 2022, would do it again in 2026.

The Governor, who disclosed that he received text messages from politicians regularly, expressing anxieties over 2026, said his belief is that God’s plan supersedes any human agenda,  adding that he would not lose sleep over the development as God is in control.

Reflecting on his administration’s achievement so far, Oyebanji attributed the significant progress recorded across critical sectors in the state to divine intervention despite the economic realities.

He added that since he handed over Ekiti state to God, the state has enjoyed abundant peace, progress and prosperity.

The Governor pointed out that his focus remains on delivering good governance and fulfilling the promises he made to Ekiti people.

“God is in charge of everything including the 2026 that many people are anxious about. He will  take care of everything. For now, let us concentrate on the work that has been given to us and let us do it very well.

“For those that are worried about 2026, sending me text messages everyday, don’t bother yourself. God that did the last one will do it again.

“Don’t bother yourself. Some complain that I am not a politician, that I don’t understand politics. I am not bothered about this, nothing is going to stop my peace because I serve the God of peace.

“What God does not give a man, he cannot  have it and when God makes up his mind, nobody can stop him. So, I am just saying this so that you can stop sending me text messages expressing anxieties about 2026.”

FUTA Now World Class University – Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Lucky Aiyedatiwa on FUTA

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor,  Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has commended the management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) for transforming the institution to a world standard.

The governor noted that education is a powerful tool for transformation and a cornerstone of national development.

He made this assertion on Saturday, at the 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies of the university.

In his goodwill message, Aiyedatiwa congratulated the graduands, commending their perseverance and dedication, which culminated in their academic success.

He lauded FUTA’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adenike Oladiji, and the university management for their exceptional contributions to education, research, and technological innovation.

“You have transformed FUTA into a world-class institution with groundbreaking achievements. The calibre of graduates this university consistently produces is a testament to your resilience and commitment to excellence.”

The governor urged the graduands to be exemplary ambassadors of the institution by upholding the virtues of integrity, hard work, and resilience.

He reminded them of the competitive nature of the global landscape and encouraged them to use their knowledge and skills to positively impact society and their communities.

Aiyedatiwa also expressed gratitude to parents and guardians for their unwavering support for the students, acknowledging their vital role in the achievements being celebrated.

Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, the governor highlighted its commitment to education over the past four years, including regular salary payments, budgetary provisions, and financial interventions for state-owned institutions.

He assured the university community of continued collaboration and an enabling environment to promote academic development and innovation.

“In the years ahead, we shall continue to look forward to the university community for all-round collaboration in the onerous task of building a more virile and prosperous Ondo State.

“On our part as a government, we urge you to count on our administration to continue providing an enabling atmosphere required for flourishing academic development, innovation, enterprise, and knowledge.

“We share a collective vision and mission towards nation-building in support of the RENEWED HOPE agenda of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

The Governor further appreciated the university community’s support during the recent gubernatorial election, where his administration secured a resounding victory.

He pledged to deliver transformational development and more dividends of good governance under the renewed mandate.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladiji, emphasized that the institution remains committed to fostering excellence in education, research, and innovation.

She congratulated the graduands, describing them as the pride of FUTA, and commended their hard work, dedication, and resilience, which have led to their academic achievements.

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the unwavering support of parents and guardians, emphasizing that their sacrifices and encouragement were pivotal to the success of the graduands.

“Today, we celebrate your commitment to excellence. This success story is as much yours as it is theirs.”

Prof Oladiji highlighted FUTA’s ongoing commitment to its mission of advancing education through innovation in science, technology, and engineering.

At the ceremony, the University conferred postgraduate diploma, Masters, and Doctoral degrees on 1,280 graduands: PGD 344, Master’s 756, and PhD 180.

Tragedy: Idumota Automobile Spare Parts Market Gutted By Fire

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Idumota Automobile Spare Parts Market

By Akinwale Kasali

The popular Idumota Automobile Market was  late Friday night, gutted by fire. Several buildings and shops filled with car spare parts at Idumota, under bridge, in the Ebute-Ero area of Lagos Island, were razed. Billions of Naira were lost.

It was gathered that the fire broke out at about 11.00pm. Thankfully, there is no record of any loss of life before the intervention of rescue team.

Men of the Federal and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and Nigeria Police, among others, were at the scene to put the fire under control.

The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, and Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident.

The immediate or remote causes of the fire incident were yet to be ascertained as at the time of writing this report.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “On arrival of the LASEMA Response team at the incident scene, it was discovered that multiple buildings used as shops for sales of car spare parts were found engulfed by fire at the aforementioned location.

“Fortunately, no casualties were recorded at the incident scene. No injuries were sustained.

“Properties and goods worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed by the inferno. The rescue team worked together to curtail the fire, preventing it from escalating to adjoining buildings.

“The law enforcement agencies present at the incident scene activated crowd measures to ensure all-round safety at the incident scene.”

It was gathered that the move to  extinguish the fire is still ongoing, while dampening down exercise has commenced to stamp out the remaining pockets of fire.

The rescue teams were able to salvage valuable properties in the affected shops.

“Blackmail, Intimidation Will Not Upturn The Will Of Edo Electorate” –Gov Okpebholo Fires Chidoka, PDP

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Monday-Okpebholo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday November 30, 2024, raised  alarm over an orchestrated plan by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki and some forces within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stampede and arm-twist the Judiciary in the ongoing legal battle over the outcome of the Edo State Gubernatorial polls.

The accusation is coming on the heels of the blank condemnation of the polls and its outcome by the Former Minister of Aviation and erstwhile PDP Chieftain, Osita Chidoka .

On a Channel Television’s programme on Friday November 29, ,the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Minister, under the auspices of his non Governmental organization, Athena Centre  presented a damning report on the Edo Governorship election.

According to him, there are overwhelming evidences suggesting that the Prof Mahmoud Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, heavily manipulated the electoral process in favour of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

To this end, Chidoka, who on same Friday, announced his exit from the PDP, as well as a temporary break from active partisan politics, insisted that the election result. cannot stand .

“The evidence of systemic rigging observed in the election is so substantial that we  think this election should not be allowed to stand. If this stands, then there will be no elections in 2027”, Chidoka noted.

A statement from Fred Itua ,the Media Aide to the Edo State Governor, however, described Chidoka’s sweeping condemnation of the polls as a rehearsal of the PDP script to blackmail and intimidate  the judiciary into up- turning the popular will of the people.

According to him, such barefaced bullying tactics as exhibited by the former Aviation Minister is primarily targeted at  circumventing the electoral will of the Edo State people.

The Governor’s media assistant accused the PDP, Chidoka and his Athena Centre of indulging in armchair analysis of events  before ,during and after the September 21, 2024?, gubernatorial polls in Edo State .

Itua informed that throughout the election, PDP chieftains and their sponsored observers were holed up at the Government House, never bothered to carry out any field study, only to begin to churn out cooked up figures.

“First, the factional chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo state, is blind to the glaring reality that the party was spurned by Edo people in the last Governorship election because of their weakness.

“Overlooking its messy and divided house, the party is shopping for non-existent evidence to upturn the popular will of the people at the Tribunal.

“What exactly is the intention and or benefit of orchestrating a media trial as Mr Chidoka has done? It amounts to deliberate ambush.

“Even though the PDP and its hatchet man understand that discussing an issue that is sub- judicial is wrong, they are yet unrelenting in their shambolic plot to supplant facts with concoctions with the hope of arriving at their premeditated end .

“This case is already in Court and Tribunal, and it needs be allowed to run its full course without inhibitions.

“Thankfully, Courts do not pander to concoctions, prevarication, sentiments, red-herrings contradictions and orchestrations, but evidence and facts.

“We are hopeful that the Judiciary will remain firm in the face of this blackmail, intimidation, and orchestrated media attacks.

“The recent attempt by the PDP and her serial defector, Osita Chidoka, to arm-twist logic and employ demagoguery to whip up sentiments all-together, amounts to the last cry of a bull as the butcher’s knife serrates its chord and nothing more”, the Edo Government statement reads in part .

Governor Okpebholo, the statement warns, will neither be intimidated, nor blackmailed into jettisoning his decision to recover every kobo and Edo state asset wrongfully appropriated  by officials of the immediate past adminstration.

The statement revealed that the Edo State Government is very aware that the recent decision by the Governor to set up a panel to recover all stolen assets has unsettled the Immediate past adminstration and PDP in the State .

“In the coming days, more revelations about the financial heist, contract scam, abuse of power  and destruction of Edo State orchestrated by the Obaseki-led administration will be made known to Edo people” Itua stated.

Kebbi, Indonesia Partnerqship To Boost Nigeria’s Self Sufficiency In Animal Production – Ambassador

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Dr Usra Harahap

By Ayodele Oni

The Indonesian and Kebbi State Governments are set for collaboration in the areas of reading facilities, development fund, milk and meat processing unit, and sustainable pasture system.

With this collaboration, Nigeria is expected to achieve 60 and 40 per cent increase in its milk and meat production respectively in the next five years.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Usra Harahap disclosed this during a courtesy visit on Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

The ambassador was in Kebbi to further strengthen partnership between Kebbi State and Indonesia Governments following the visit of Governor Idris to Indonesia recently.

The ambassador was accompanied by a team of experts from Indonesia towards a fruitful and successful discussion.

Harahap said his visit to Kebbi was to further consolidate on the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Nigeria and Kebbi in particular.

“This visit aims boost the earlier collaboration between the Kebbi government and Indonesian government on artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

“This collaboration seeks to establish state-of-the-art reading facilities, development fund, milk and meat processing unit, implement sustainable pasture system and significantly improve milk and meat production by 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively within five years.”

The ambassador expressed the readiness of his country to assist Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in animal production and agriculture in general, adding that it would enhance livestock productivity and genetic improvement significantly benefiting the agricultural sector in Kebbi.

He noted that the proposed technical cooperation in artificial insemination and embryo transfer “reflect our self commitment to impacting on agriculture productivity and capacity building.

“Our premier objective is to achieve self-sufficiency in meat and milk production and processing. We are also increasing technical capacity in assisting with reproductive technologies for the benefit of all African sub-region.”

While assuring that both nations stand to gain from the partnership, the ambassador prayed that the collaboration would be taken to the highest level for the benefit of all.

Tracing the relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia to 1965, Harahap said Indonesia was ready to establish a centre in Kebbi under the Federal Ministry of Animal Health and Fishery.

According to him, the artificial insemination centre will play a vital role in fostering technical operation for artificial insemination and embryo transfer in Kebbi.

He said as a public service agency, the centre would focus on the production, marketing, testing and monitoring of livestock, covering semen quality, while strengthening artificial insemination method.

The ambassador assured that Indonosia had been practicing the method successfully for over 28 years, praying that the partnership would not only enhance the genetic quality of livestock in Kebbi, but would also serve as a catalyst for sustainable agricultural growth and economic development of the collaborating nations.

Responding, Governor Idris appreciated the ambassador for the visit, as well as the magnanimity of Indonosian government to sponsor two Kebbi veterinary doctors to Indonesia for a training on artificial insemination.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said: “We are glad, you sponsored their trip and training in Indonesia.

“We are also pleased that the team of experts that trained them followed up to see how those trained are able to cascade the training. We appreciate you very well for this very quick trip.”

Idris also appreciated the ambassador for leading the Kebbi State delegate to embryo transfer centre during their visit to Indonesia, saying that such visit had broaden their knowledge and experiences in the sector.

He said the cooperation marked the beginning of a very fruitful partnership in view of the fact that Kebbi has the highest number of veterinary doctors in Nigeria with one of the largest veterinary in the country.

The governor noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was blessed with highest livestock population in Nigeria, “we therefore wish to extend our gratitude to government of Indonesia for guiding our people.

“We also want to remind you of your pledge to sponsor more of our veterinary doctors for training on embryo transfer this year.

“It may interest you to know that Kebbi is the highest producer of rice and wheat in the country.”

Alleged Diversion Of Palliatives: Kano Anti-Corruption Agency Halts Investigation

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Kano Anti Corruption Agency Bursts Warehouse Hoarding Palliatives

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

After a public show, the Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission, has announced its withdrawal from the case of alleged diversion of a large chunk of palliatives by some persons in the State.

The Source reports that earlier in the week, the Commission had gleefully informed that it had launched an inquest into  the actual circumstances surrounding an alleged  diversion  of over 16,000 bags  of Federal Government branded rice and other items to  a private warehouse in the commercial hub of the North.

The Agency said it arrested some persons re-bagging the items meant for the people of the state to be resold at the open markets .

The rice and other items being re-bagged all bear the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thus   strongly suggesting that they may have formed part of several palliatives advanced to Kano people by the Federal Government, the Commission stated

But at a Media briefing on Friday, November 29, 2024 in Kano, Muhyi Magaji Rimigado the Commission’s Chairman, said the items   after all belonged to some philanthropists.

According to him, contrary to its initial suspicion suggesting that the  items may have been diverted from the Federal Government palliatives for the State ,it has been able to  establish that they actually belonged to individuals.

He, subsequently, announced the official withdrawal of the Commission from the investigation processes earlier commenced.

He further noted that the anti-graft agency has to back out ,since the suspected owner of the items -the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed to lay claims.

“The Commission has determined that the rice is owned by an individual . Since the Federal Government has not laid any claim to the consignment ,we are left with no choice ,but to withdraw from the case.

“It is true that the re-bagging was done using sacks with the President’s picture, and the words: “not for sale”, but as an anti-graft agency, we cannot proceed further now that an individual has provided proof of ownership and no official complaint has come from the Federal Government ” Rimigado emphasized.

The Commission’s Chairman noted  that although its mandate is to, among other things, ensure transparency and  accountability in the governance space, it will not over shoot its legal limit.

“Our duty is to investigate and prosecute cases within our jurisdiction. But without any Federal Government claims over the rice, we are legally restrained from pursuing the matter further” he stated.

But the sudden back tracking of the Commission though anchored on some legal  reasons appear to be clearly against the grain of pervading public opinion.

Not a few had been eagerly waiting for the outcome of the inquest in the face of alleged spate of diversion of palliatives that have been rocking the State since early this year .

Both the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, and the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP have, at different times, raised concerns about diversions of palliative materials by some highly placed Party and Kano state Government officials.

Not a few believe that the all barking, but not biting anti-corruption Commission may have been stampeded out of the investigation to, once again, shield some perceived entrenched interests that may have cut across party lines.

1...969970971...3,079Page 970 of 3,079