FEATURES
The Defence Headquarters was yesterday excited over the arrest of the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, and four others by the government of Finland over terror-related activities, hoping they would be repatriated to Nigeria to stand trial for the violence in the South East.
The reaction of DHQ to the arrest came, as both the Presidency and IPOB kept mum on the development.
Recall that Simon Ekpa had on several occasions, claimed responsibility for the Monday sit-at-home in the region and the killing of persons by those described as unknown gunmen.
A local report in Finland said Ekpa was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
In a statement yesterday published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes.
Why Ekpa is under arrest, by Finnish Police
The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.
The statement read: “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.
“Four other persons are suspected of financing the activity above. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested at the beginning of the week. International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
This is not the first time Ekpa has encountered Finnish authorities. In 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fund-raising fraud.
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local roles, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. He is also known for leading a separatist group in Nigeria advocating for establishing an independent Biafran state in the country’s South-East.
According to the NBI, Ekpa is suspected of using his leadership position in a Nigerian separatist group to promote actions that have led to violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria. These efforts are believed to have been coordinated from Finland, including through Ekpa’s social media channels.
“This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.
The NBI stated that its investigation focused on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
The police also suspect four other individuals of financing terrorism. All five were apprehended earlier this week.
Among the suspects, Ekpa resides in the Lahti region, while two others have addresses in Helsinki. One suspect has no registered address in Finland.
‘Notorious for separatist rhetoric’
Ekpa has also gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, particularly his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
In 2023, he declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
Finnish police stated that international cooperation had been crucial to the ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday (yesterday).
Ekpa has also publicly justified the use of violence.
“I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defence. They constantly attack us and have committed numerous war crimes. We have no choice but to defend ourselves,” he stated.
Responding to his arrest, his party NCP Secretary, Timo Elo, declined to comment on Ekpa’s possible membership of the party.
“We never say who is and who isn’t our member. That is confidential information,” Elo told Yle.
He did, however, said if a member of the party was suspected of terrorism offences, that would likely lead to his expulsion.
According to Elo, Ekpa’s role on the public transport commission, for example, should be assessed locally.
Ekpa became active in the “Biafra independence movement” in 2019. He was noticed by the Nigerian media after he posted a video claiming that Nigerian soldiers had been killed by Boko Haram. According to a Nigerian rights attorney, the purpose was to “disillusion Nigerians, especially soldiers, to resign from the army.”
In July 2021, Ekpa was announced the lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra, associated with the separatist organisation, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, after the arrest of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
However, Ekpa was not allowed to broadcast for violating the rules of the organisation.
In 2022, IPOB accused Ekpa of illegal activities, stating that it was a peaceful organization.
In July 2023, Ekpa led a faction of IPOB, claiming IPOB was dissolved in a vote, renamed “Autopilot”, and he became its spokesman.
In August 2022, Ekpa, who declared “full activation” of the Biafran government in exile, said: “We also wish to officially announce an alliance and activation of Biafra Government In Exile, BGIE, with the IPOB-Autopilot.
“In April 2023, he announced that he had been appointed as the prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, BRGIE.
Ekpa was born on March 21, 1985, in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State.
In September 2021, Ekpa denounced Nigeria and vowed to return the medal he won for the country at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships, and renounced his Nigerian citizenship the following year.
In July 2024, he said he had returned the medals to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ekpa was the Chairman of the Igbo Union Finland from 2015 until 2019 and has also served as the Chairman of the Playground Board, in the city of Lahti, Finland, a position he held between 2017 and 2021.
Since 2009, Ekpa has worked in the legal field, including as a legal advisor.
DHQ thrilled hopes Ekpa’ll be extradited to face justice
However, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, expressed happiness over Ekpa’s arrest.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Edward Buba, said in his reaction yesterday: “The CDS has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, following his deep involvement in fuelling terrorism in South East Nigeria.
“We are delighted about his arrest, and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigerians in our fight against terrorism.
‘’The CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria, so he will face justice.’’
On its part, the Presidency said yesterday it would be hasty to comment on whether the federal government would apply for the extradition of the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simeon Ekpa.
While the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said while it was the National Security Adviser, NSA, or the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice who was the right person to comment on the issue, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said he is yet to know the mind of his principal.
Bwala said: “You know that the role of a spokesman is to speak the mind of your principal, and you cannot preempt the principal until you hear so. For example, this event took place in Finland, so the natural thing is that probably the Embassy in Finland will brief the Foreign Affairs Office, then the Foreign Affairs Office will probably brief the National Security Adviser or the President directly, and then the President will take a position which will then give us the insight into his position on the matter, and we’ll be able to respond to the media.
“At the moment, the President is out of the country and probably must be on his way, and then there is no official statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. So, it will amount to, I don’t want to say gaslighting. It will amount to irresponsibility for a spokesman to take a position that is not the position of his principal.
“So, maybe a little more time will help us to be able to get what the mind of the President is regarding the matter. Usually, in a situation like that, it is not even the President that immediately acts in a nation of rule of law. In a nation of rule of law, the chief law officer of the country is the attorney general.
“So, probably the Attorney-General now will be coordinating with the Foreign Affairs Ministry if there is any government decision in respect of the matter. But I think that at this moment, in my view, I might be wrong, the procedure is that the embassy, which is our foreign office there, will brief probably the Foreign Affairs Minister.
“I think the Foreign Affairs Minister also must have travelled with the President, so it is too early to give a presidential opinion on the matter.”
But the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice reacted in the same manner, saying it is not fully abreast of what had happened.
Similarly, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, declined to comment on the arrest of the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government-in-exile, Simon Ekpa, and four other individuals who were arrested in Finland over terror-related activities. Contacted over the arrest by Vanguard, the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, said he had nothing to say yet.
“Simon Ekpa issue, I don’t have anything to say about it yet. I have not got any briefing for that from the IPOB leadership.”
[Vanguard]
The federal government has reinstated Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra state.
Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, permanent secretary at the federal ministry of education, announced Ikechebelu’s reinstatement in a letter issued on Thursday.
“Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, I am pleased to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister to reinstate you as the acting vice chancellor of the university with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
“Consequently, you are directed to take charge of the administration of the university.”
The letter directed Ikechebelu to oversee the university’s administration and refer matters requiring council approval to the education minister until a new governing council is established.
The federal government also reinstated Victor Modebelu as the university’s acting registrar.
Modebelu had previously served in the role before being replaced by Rosemary Nwokike, whose appointment was terminated on Wednesday.
BACKGROUND
In June 2024, Ikechebelu was appointed acting vice-chancellor of the 33-year-old institution.
However, in July, the university’s 10th governing council controversially replaced him with Bernard Odoh.
The council, chaired by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, was accused of bypassing proper procedures to appoint Odoh.
TINUBU DISSOLVES GOVERNING COUNCIL
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the university’s governing council over allegations of illegal appointments.
The council members removed include Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Amioleran Osahon, and Funsho Oyeneyin.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the government intervened after reports of illegal practices by the council.
“The government stepped in following reports that the council illegally appointed a vice-chancellor, bypassing established guidelines,” Onanuga said.
[TheCable]
Households experience 6.7 weekly power blackouts
In an apparent reflection of the multidimensional poverty in the country and the impact of continuous reduction in the purchasing power of Nigerians due to rising prices of goods and services, two-thirds of households in the country lack money to eat healthy, nutritious food, a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS has revealed.
The survey also showed that households in the country experience 6.7 power blackouts every week.
The NBS survey titled, “Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024). examines demographics, education, and health trends in Nigeria, comparing data from Wave 4 (2018/19) and Wave 5 (2023/24).
On food insecurity, the survey report stated: “Approximately two out of three households indicated being unable to eat healthy, nutritious or preferred foods because of lack of money in the last 30 days.
Similarly, 63.8 per cent of households ate only a few kinds of food due to lack of money, 62.4 percent were worried about not having enough food to eat, and 60.5 percent ate less than they thought they should.
“Between Waves 4 and 5, the proportion of households that reported being worried about not having enough food to eat because of lack of money increased significantly, from 36.9 percent to 62.4 percent.”
On access to energy, the NBS survey revealed that “82.2 percent of urban households have electricity, compared to 40.4 per cent in rural areas.
Nigerian households face an average of 6.7 power blackouts weekly.
“Cooking typically involves traditional three-stone stoves (65.0 percent), primarily using wood as fuel (70.2 per cent), but with use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rising significantly.
“Many households lack toilet facilities and rely on tube wells or boreholes for drinking water. Waste disposal is mostly informal, with 45.6 percent of households using bushes or streets.”
On asset ownership, the survey revealed that, “Overall asset ownership has declined since 2018/19. However, two-thirds of households have mobile phones, and about 21.3 percent access the Internet.
“The survey shows that 70.4 percent of households own their homes, with rural ownership at 80.1 percent, compared to 49.1 per cent in urban areas.
The absence of the counsel representing convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans has stalled his re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
When the matter came up before the court on Thursday, Justice Coker asked the defendant, Evans about his lawyer.
Evans simply responded, “I’m not sure if my lawyer is coming”.
Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were to be re-arraigned before the court on an amended five counts charge of murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.
When Justice Coker asked the counsel to the second defendant, Nelson Onyejaka, about Evans’s lawyer, Onyejaka explained to the court, “My Lord I tried his number and it’s not going. Even this morning I tried his number and he is not based in Lagos.”
The State Prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, then told the judge that the matter for the day was supposed to be for re-arraignment, but owing to the absence of the first defendant’s counsel, he asked the court to grant an adjournment.
Sule said, “It’s been a trend from the onset. From the beginning of the institution of this matter, the first defendant is the one who has been delaying this matter.
“It’s high time he gets a lawyer in Lagos or brief another lawyer to stand in for him so the matter can go on.”
Sule added that the matter is a 2017 matter and also told the court that the defendant applied for a plea bargain but he doesn’t know if he is still interested in going on with it.
After his submissions, Justice Coker ordered the prosecution to ensure that the Office of the Public Defender, OPD, is on the ground on the next date of adjournment.
The judge said, “OPD can represent the first defendant if his counsel is not present in court because the arraignment must go on at the next date of adjournment”.
The judge adjourned the case to January 30, 2025, for re-arraignment and ordered the first defendant to ask his lawyer to be in court on the adjourned date.
‘It’s Time To Calm Down, You Will Be 81 In 2027, You’ve Been Contesting Since 1993’ – Bode George Fires Atiku
AFOLABI
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Bode George, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to jettison any plan of contesting the 2027 presidency.
Speaking on Thursday during a press conference to mark his 79th birthday, George told Atiku to step down from the race and allow the younger ones to contest.
According to the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, it is time for Atiku to act like an elder and stop contesting for the presidency, which he has been doing since 1993.
“Now to Atiku, my advice is this: you will be 81 years old in 2027, and you have been contesting for the presidency since 1993. This is the time for you to calm down and act like an elder. I appeal to you in the name of the almighty Allah that you serve, take it easy and leave everything for prosperity,” – Bode George said.
Earlier, Naija News also reported that the PDP chieftain had expressed concern over the state of the opposition party, attributing its challenges to selfish interests among its members.
George called for urgent steps to rescue the party ahead of its forthcoming National Convention.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member said that while the party leadership was trying its best to ensure all members had a sense of belonging, some ‘desperados’ were doing everything possible to thwart their efforts.
Calling for a united PDP, George said that the party’s founding fathers, who had gone to the world beyond, would be crying in their graves because PDP has become “a shadow of itself due to selfish interests of some members.”
He described as disheartening and pitiable a situation where some pretentious members were already working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
The Defence Headquarters and a coalition of civil society organisations, CSOs, led by a Tinubu support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors of Nigeria, RHAN, and the Centre for Action Against Corruption, CAAC, on Thursday faulted claims made by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, concerning oil theft in Nigeria.
Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, which is executing the pipeline protection contract awarded by the Nigerian government, had while receiving the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Monday, accused the military, particularly the Nigerian Navy, of involvement in oil theft.
He accused the Navy of working at cross purposes with other state actors and private security outfits tasked with checking oil theft in the Niger Delta.
However, speaking at a biweekly update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, dismissed Tompolo’s claims, describing it as ‘cheap blackmail’.
The Defence Headquarters spokesman said: “As to the question regarding the Nigerian Navy and the CEO of Tantita, you see, I’m almost laughing because it’s laughable. But what I want to say about this situation is this: We seek cooperation, not conflict.
“But all this cheap blackmail has to stop. Come on, we should move faster. We need to act in the best interest of our nation, particularly at this time when we need that revenue. We will work together with our partners.”
Also speaking on the issue on Thursday, the CSOs, led by RHAN and CAAC, condemned Tompolo’s allegations, which they described as unsubstantiated, baseless, frivolous and lacking in merit.
At a press conference in Abuja, the CSOs insisted that Tompolo lacks the moral justification to denigrate the Nigerian Navy, highlighting his antecedents, including his history as a wanted fugitive and member of a militant coalition that terrorised and kidnapped oil workers.
Abdullahi Bilal and Olayemi Isaacs, leaders of RHAN and CAAC, respectively, who addressed journalists, noted that under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy has achieved significant milestones, including the destruction of illegal refining sites, arrest of sea pirates and reduction in maritime crimes while clocking over 21,630 hours of patrol, resulting in numerous arrests and seizures.
Warning that unsubstantiated allegations could lead to chaos and increased criminality, the CSOs urged the Nigerian Navy to remain focused and resilient in the fight against oil theft.
They added: “It is our collective responsibility to fight against those forces and interests which try to undermine our very collective existence and interests and ensure we annihilate them. This is why we are here today.
“This, to us, is an apt opportunity to take the bull by the horns and conscientise the public on the evil intentions of Tompolo and the sensitive nature of his allegation, as it tries to undermine the Nigerian Navy and also reduce the morale of the fighting gallant men in the field.
“We must also warn of the chaos, destruction and upsurge in criminalities if such misinformation and mischief continue unchecked and unmitigated. Our interest is the national interest.
“We believe that lifting this curtain of secrecy and mischief will move the nation forward, encourage the Armed Forces and indeed the security forces all over the nation, as the sacrifice to secure us.
“We, therefore, call on all lovers of peace and workers with God to join us to condemn this orchestrated onslaught against those men who have decided to haphazard their lives so that we can live in peace and quiet.”
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed concern over the state of the opposition party, attributing its challenges to selfish interests among its members.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday to mark his 79th birthday, George called for urgent steps to rescue the party ahead of its forthcoming National Convention.
He said, “As a loyal party man who lives, thinks, talks, breathes and defends the PDP, I have never left this party since it was formed, so today gives me a great opportunity to deliberate on the future of our party.
“Even as elders of the party are preparing to meet on Nov. 28 in Abuja to chart the way forward, I owe it a duty to declare openly that all is not well with our party. In fact, our party is derailing.
“This is unfortunate because the crisis in our party has further complicated the present tragedy in the socio-economic indices of our dear nation.
“I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis, if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed.”
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member said that while the party leadership was trying its best to ensure all members had a sense of belonging, some ‘desperados’ were doing everything possible to thwart their efforts.
Calling for a united PDP, George said that the party’s founding fathers, who had gone to the world beyond, would be crying in their graves because PDP has become “a shadow of itself due to selfish interests of some members.”
He described as disheartening and pitiable a situation where some pretentious members were already working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
George said, “They have one leg in PDP and another leg in APC. Such chameleonic characters are the ones trying to dictate the direction of this party.
“In the name of everything that is dear to our great party, this pretension must be stopped immediately by patriotic members of this party.
“Since the first elective convention of our party in 1999, when PDP was handed over to some of us as national officers, we have never had it this bad.
“If the PDP must rescue Nigerians from the vicious grip of APC in 2027, this must be a major agenda item during our NEC meeting in Abuja.”
Expressing the belief that the PDP was the only party that could save Nigeria, George said that the party must be ready to seize the opportunity to move the country forward.
According to him, the party must not allow disloyal elements to continue to use the platform for their selfish interests, saying “disloyalty is a very grave offence.”.
He added, “Unless we are united, with equity, fairness, and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027.
“If we want to win the 2027 presidential election, we should not allow ourselves to be divided, and those with divisive tendencies should be told in clear language that ‘Enough is Enough’.
“We must change the narratives now so that we don’t embark on a suicide mission, a self-destructive journey for our party in 2027.
“With the suffering in the land and the mismanagement of the economy, Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027 to kick APC out of Aso Rock.”
He urged the party members and leaders from the North to the South to use the forthcoming PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting as a golden opportunity before the next general elections in 2027 “to bury our differences and put on our thinking caps.”
According to him, the party should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the PDP does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027.
On the political crisis in Rivers and the feud between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, the PDP leaders urged Wike to “cool off immediately.”
Urging party leaders not to treat Fubara like an outcast, George called on all party leaders to rise in defence of the general interest of the party and sanity.
He said, “We should not allow the collective unity of this party to be fragmented. How we collectively address the issues at stake will be a major determinant of the fate of this party in months and years to come.
“It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 29, 2027, but, we can only go back to Aso Rock if we are united, not divided.”
He urged party elders such as Bamanga Tukur, Jim Nwobodo, Ahmadu Ali, Prof. Jerry Gana, Jonah Jang, Peter Odili, James Ibori, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo to rise to the challenges.
The PDP chieftain also urged Victor Attah, Donald Duke, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ibrahim Shema, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Saka Balogun, Ebenezer Babatope, Bello Haliru, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Ahmed Makarfi, and others not to keep quiet.
George called on the Chairman of the PDP BoT to invite all the afore mentioned elders for a meeting on the way forward before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
He said, “We cannot afford to fail and disappoint our founding fathers. Let me state categorically that Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027, but we must put our house in order.
“As leaders, we must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party.”
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Government to pay ₦10 million in compensation to Glory Okolie, a Nigerian student, for her unlawful detention and maltreatment by the police.
Delivering its judgment on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the court also directed the government to implement measures to prevent future human rights violations.
Okolie was arrested on June 13, 2021, and detained without judicial authorization. During her detention, she was reportedly denied legal representation, subjected to forced labour, and physically abused.
The case, filed by Okolie alongside the One Love Foundation and the Incorporated Trustees of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, argued that these actions violated provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Revised ECOWAS Treaty.
In its defence, the Federal Government claimed that Okolie was associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and argued that her detention was necessary for national security.
However, in the ruling, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves stated that Okolie’s prolonged detention without judicial oversight breached her fundamental rights to liberty and a fair trial as enshrined in Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter.
“The court found her treatment to be a clear abuse of human rights,” the judgment read.
The court ordered the government to pay ₦10 million in damages, cease all forms of harassment against Okolie, and introduce safeguards to prevent similar violations in the future.
The two co-applicant NGOs were not awarded damages due to procedural issues, the court noted.
The three-member panel presiding over the case included Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, Honourable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, and Honourable Justice Edward Amoako Asante.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Bukola Olabode, who allegedly defrauded Point of Sale operators and residents of Ihunbo in the Ipokia Local Government Area while impersonating a police officer, Punch Metro reports.
Our correspondent learnt on Thursday that residents apprehended the suspect on Tuesday, and subsequently handed over to officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, who later transferred him to the police at the Idiroko Division.
The Ogun State Police Command revealed to PUNCH Metro that the suspect’s modus operandi involved wearing a police camouflage shirt paired with jeans to execute fraudulent transactions using PoS machines.
The suspect met his Waterloo when he attempted a similar fraudulent act at the PoS stand of an operator named Mary Midoyin.
When his deception was discovered by the operator, the suspect was said to have fled the scene.
PUNCH Metro however gathered that the residents pursued him, leading to his eventual capture.
Odutola said, “The suspect was dressed in a police camouflage shirt, cap, and jeans when he committed the crime. Upon realising his cover had been blown, he quickly made a fake transfer to Mary Midoyin, a PoS operator, and collected N60,000 before fleeing the scene.
“Residents pursued and apprehended the suspect, handing him over to the NSCDC office in Ihunbo before he was transferred to the Idiroko Police Division. He has since confessed to defrauding PoS operators in the community.
“A Samsung phone, a black Itel phone used for the fraud, and a police constabulary warrant card were recovered from the suspect. Additionally, a round-neck T-shirt was found in his possession. He has since been detained.”
In a similar case reported by PUNCH Metro in 2022, a 38-year-old man, identified as Akinyemi Thomas, was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
The suspect was apprehended on Thursday while wearing a full police camouflage uniform beneath the bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway.
Caution Ganduje Over Threat Of Using APC Trademark Of Rigging To ‘Take Over’ Osun, Oyo – PDP Tells Tinubu
AFOLABI
The Southwest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, over a threat to ‘take over’ Osun and Oyo states in the forthcoming electoral processes.
Recalls that Ganduje, while speaking in Akure on Sunday following the victory of Ondo State Governor and APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had said, “Our next target in the South-West geopolitical zone is Osun and Oyo states. You know we are good at hitting our targets. We will do whatever is necessary to bring them into the fold so that we can gain more political opportunity in the South-West.”
Reacting to Ganduje’s statement, the PDP Southwest Executive Council, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, by the party’s Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Ganduje over the threat.
Atofarati said, “The PDP urges President Bola Tinubu to rein in the unwarranted threats made by APC National Chairman Ganduje to manipulate the electoral process in Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, using the APC’s trademark of rigging.
“We affirm, without equivocation, that Ganduje lacks the moral authority to speak on matters of credibility or democracy.”
The party also expressed disappointment in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the poor conduct of the Ondo governorship election.
PDP alleged defects in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and delays in the arrival of election materials in their strongholds and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate claims of misconduct by security personnel during the election.
He said, “We call on the Inspector General of Police to uphold the integrity of his office by investigating these allegations and ensuring that those responsible face justice.”
The PDP commended the efforts of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the party’s national leadership for their support before, during, and after the Ondo election.
The party further urged its members to remain law-abiding despite alleged intimidation, assuring that it would explore all legal avenues to seek justice.
More...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, arraigned, three men Saka Olubamishe, Omogoye Olusegun and Olumuyiwa Adesina, before the Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly obtaining N29,386, 500, under pretence of transferring dollar to Copart Auto Auction in America.
The defendants, who were arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, are facing three counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining preferred against them by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency’s prosecuting counsel, B. M. Isha, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime in July 2023 in Lagos.
Isha told the court that the trio conspired amongst themselves and fraudulently converted the sum of N29, 386, 500, property of Awolaja Sherri Ajibola and Akintoye Ganiyu, to their use.
The prosecutor said the defendants allegedly defrauded the victims by obtaining the cumulative sum of N29, 386, 500, under the false pretence that they had the dollar equivalent of the said sum at the rate of N750 per dollar to transfer to Copart Auto Auction in America which pretence they knew was false.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 280(2), of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015, 1(1) (a) and 1(3), of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Given their plea, the prosecutor, Isha, prayed to the court for a trial date.
But, counsel for the defendants, S. T. Ladokun, S. A. Oseni and T. F. Makinde, informed the court about the pending applications for bail on behalf of their clients and pleaded with the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms.
Consequently, Justice Abike-Fadipe granted them bail in the sum of N10, each with two sureties each in like sum.
The judge said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended its National Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman over an unauthorized statement.
The Forum announced the development in a statement issued by the Chairman of ACF Board Trustees, Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu and National Secretary, Murtala Aliyu on Thursday.
ACF said, “In particular, Mr. Osuman was quoted as saying that the North will back a northern candidate for the presidency, come 2027.”
The statement noted that “Our attention has been drawn to widely reported statements credited to Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, Chairman, ACF National Executive Committee (NEC), which were made during the meeting of the NEC, held on Wednesday, November, 2024, at ACF Headquarters, Kaduna.
“The statements were made by the NEC Chairman without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF and thus, reflected Mr. Osuman’s personal opinion only.
“ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect.”
The statement declared, “A Committee has been constituted for further investigations.”
Your Government Is Partial To Northerners, You Only Carry Igbos Along – Arewa Chair Slams Fubara
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Rivers State and Southern Nigeria, Musa Saidu, has expressed disappointment over the non-representation of northerners in the state.
He lamented that northerners were not represented in the recent appointment of commissioners, with an Igbo man from Abia State being the only non-Rivers State indigene on the list.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, Saidu condemned the persistent marginalization of Northerners in the state, and called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reverse the trend and ensure inclusivity in his government.
The Northern leader criticized Fubara’s government for being “entirely partial” against Northerners, accusing him of only favouring the Igbo community.
He said: “The biggest problem we are facing is because the government does not give us contracts. They pass through the Muslim community and these people in turn give us small.
“Since Governor Siminalayi Fubara held sway we have not benefited anything, we did not see rice, we did not see appointment and the marginalisation has continued from the Nyesom Wike era.
“We did not do bad to Governor Fubara. What we are seeing is that the policy of Wike has continued. We do not have any representative in the Rivers State Government House on behalf of the North.
“I am the only Elected leader and head of the Traditional Council. What I am saying is that the marginalisation has continued.
“We are calling on Fubara to reverse the marginalization of the Northerns in Rivers State and I have reported this matter to Chief Edwin Clarke that we are still marginalized.”
He called on the Governor not to, by his actions, create a divide in the Northern community, accusing him of sowing “deep animosity” amongst them.
“I am also calling on the governor not to divide our people. We did not stop the governor from appointing Commissioners but he should not do that on behalf North community without meeting the legitimate leadership.
“Until we see the governor and sit with him because we feel that the Governor is not running an all-inclusive government, his government is entirely partial against Northerns. He is only carrying the Igbos along because if he puts an Edo man I would have hope.
“Our position is that we are supporting him as governor because if Rivers State progresses we will progress,” he added.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially delisted companies that failed to file their annual returns for the past 10 years from its register.
The commission had earlier announced, on July 25, plans to remove dormant companies from its database, granting a 90-day grace period for non-compliant entities to take corrective action.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CAC confirmed it has struck off the names of companies that did not update their records despite the notice.
“The general public may recall that the commission issued a notice of intention to strike off names of companies that are believed to be dormant or not conducting business due to their failure to file annual returns for 10 years,” the CAC stated.
The commission emphasized that companies were given a statutory 90-day period to comply by submitting the necessary annual returns and sending an activation email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those who adhered to the advisory have been retained on the register, while defaulters were delisted.
Acting under its powers granted by Section 692(4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 3 of 2020, the CAC published the list of dissolved companies on its website (www.cac.gov.ng).
According to The Cable, the delisted companies are considered dissolved as of the date of publication, and the CAC warned that any transaction or deal with such entities is illegal.
Some of the delisted companies include:
Jolly Food Ind. Ltd
Dantama Biscuits Factory Ltd
Honeycrown Manufacturing Company Limited
Havila Gold Nigeria Limited
Print Express Limited
Hydeson and Avilson Nig Ltd
Innoson “Vinod” International Limited
Apapa Sea Stores Limited
Citigate Limited
Mutbish Guards Security Company Limited
Safol Integrated Ventures Limited
Eko Foods Limited
Myers Klein & Goldsmith Ltd
De-Luxe Colour Productions Limited
Marina Investment Limited
Dunlop Nigeria Industries Sales Limited
Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Limited
Other affected companies can be found here.
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has narrated how eight teenagers allegedly gang-raped and filmed a 14-year-old girl in the Ijebu-Mushin area of the state.
The narration was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Dyke Ogbonnaya, and obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday.
Ogbonnaya narrated that the suspects, which included 17-year-old Mathew Omotayo and seven others had taken the victim to a secluded room and had canal knowledge of her without her consent.
He added that the suspects also recorded the scene of the act and had continually used it as blackmail to deter the victim from reporting the incident.
He identified the other suspects as “Mojeeb Solomon, male, 16 years; Olamilekan Adefuye, male, 18 years; Damilola Ismail, male, 19 years; Emmanuel George, male, 17 years; Aborisade Paul Ayomide, male, 17 years; Paul Chukwuchebe, male, 19 years; and Lateef Adeoye, male, 16 years.”
Ogbonnaya said, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command Headquarters, Abeokuta, has arrested one Matthew Omotayo, male, 17 years and seven other suspected teenagers for alleged conspiracy, sexual abuse, unlawful sexual intercourse, exploitation and assault of a 14-year-old minor (name withheld) at the Ijebu-Mushin, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday, November 15, 2024.
“The alleged suspects, who claimed to be students of St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure, Ijebu-Mushin, Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state, took the said minor without consent to a secluded room and had violent sexual intercourse with her and putting the same event in a video form.
“According to the narrative of the assaulted minor, she was sexually abused the first time and was recorded and the alleged suspects threatened to upload the video on social media if she did not allow them to have her again which she also consented to until her resolved to report the matter to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Divisional Office at Ijebu-Mushin, Ogun State.”
The NSCDC PRO noted that the victim, however, reported the matter after she was allegedly beaten and verbally assaulted by the suspects.
He added that the victim’s statement led to the arrest of the teenagers while the victim was made to undergo a medical examination.
Upon conducting a preliminary investigation, Ogbonnaya noted that the command sought a remand order which was granted by a magistrate court sitting in Ijebu.
He continued, “The results of the investigations culminated in the application for a remand order by the state command’s legal officer through the Magistrate Court in Ijebu-Mushin, Ogun State.
“Upon the presentation of the matter by the prosecution counsel with several pieces of evidence, the court ordered a 60-day remand of the eight suspects after which the directives of the Department of Public Prosecutions on the matter should have been out.
“The Hon. Magistrate Sotayo granted the prayer of the civil defence legal officer to remand the suspects pending the outcome of the advice from the DPP, and he thereafter adjourned the matter to January 20, 2025.”
Reacting, the Ogun NSCDC commandant, Remilekun Ekundayo, stressed that the command would not tolerate abuse of minors while noting that perpetrators of such acts would be dealt with.
“Commandant Ekundayo has noted that the Corps will not tolerate any act of abuse on the girl child nor a minor either by teenagers, caregivers, guardians, and/or parents.
“She emphasised that anyone caught in such an indecent act would be dealt with decisively according to the dictates of the law,” Ogbonnaya concluded.