Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Police arrest 94-year-old man for defiling minor in Adamawa

The Police Command in Adamawa has apprehended 94-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl in Tappare ward, Ganye Local Government Area.

SP Suleiman Nguroje, the command spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Yola on Wednesday.

He said the suspect, who is a herbalist, was believed to be in the habit of deceiving young girls to defile them.

“It happens that on August 12, while the victim was passing by the suspect’s house, he called her into the house and took advantage of her by having an unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

“Investigation, so far reveals that the suspect while committing the act rubbed some concoction in the form of perfume on the victim which made the victim ill after the incident.

“It was as a result of the illness when questioned by her mother, she opened up to her about what happened,” he said.

Nguroye said that the victim’s mother reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ganye.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Afolabi Babatola directed the officer-in-charge of Family Support Unit of the command to investigate and ensure diligent prosecution of the suspect.

The commissioner called on members of the public particularly parents to monitor their wards against criminally minded elements.

He also urged residents to report cases on Gender Based Violence.

08/24/2023
Again, Emefiele’s arraignment stalled; ex-CBN gov settles for plea bargain

Suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele’s arraignment on alleged breach of procurement laws and contract inflation, was again stalled on Wednesday.

Strong indications have also emerged that the detained former CBN Boss, has opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government, hence, the indefinite hold on the arraignment.

NIGERIAN ANCHOR gathered that the arraignment on a 20-count charges slated for Wednesday August 23, was not listed in the cause list before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja

It was also gathered at the courtroom that the arraignment was shifted at the instance of the detained CBN Chief.

Authoritative sources confided in our correspondent that Emefiele and his-co accused, Saadat Yaro have opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government.

Speaking on the development and the defendant’s absence in court, counsel to the defendant, Kehinde Akinlolu, confirmed the shift in the arraignment.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Kehinde Akinlolu SAN confirmed the shift in the arraignment when contacted on phone, adding that a new date may likely be issued by the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf.

At the time of filing this report, operatives of the Department of State Service DSS who used to escort him to court were not seen, as well as his legal team.

Meanwhile, the court has commenced proceedings on matters on the cause list.

More details later…

08/23/2023
Military taskforce apprehends 39 suspects linked to Plateau attacks, banditry

Over the course of one week, troops from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the military taskforce responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, have apprehended 39 suspects involved in cases of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

According to Captain James Oya, the Media Officer of OPSH, the arrests took place between August 14 and August 21 in various locations.

The troops, during their operations, successfully recovered illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition from the suspects. Among the detained individuals, two were long-sought individuals connected to multiple armed robberies and kidnappings. The recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action Magnum gun, an AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm “special” ammunition, and a mobile phone.

One of the arrested suspects was identified as both a kidnapper and an arms dealer, apprehended in Kuba village within the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau. Additionally, two members of the militia group responsible for an attack that led to the death of 21 individuals in Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau on August 10 were also among the detainees. These individuals were found to be in possession of two AK-47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles, and four pump-action cartridges.

A drug syndicate operating in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau was also targeted in a sting operation, leading to the arrest of seven drug peddlers and the confiscation of a significant amount of drugs.

The troops also addressed issues related to grazing, impounding 307 cows that were grazing on farmlands owned by locals in the Kubat and Mabel communities of Mangu and Bokkos local government areas, respectively.

During the same time frame, the taskforce responded to 37 distress calls, successfully rescuing 17 kidnap victims.

It also thwarted numerous attempts of cattle rustling and repelled attacks on vulnerable communities, with a focus on areas such as Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom in Plateau.

Captain Oya reiterated OPSH’s dedication to reinstating sustainable peace across all parts of Plateau.

He assured that the operation’s officers and personnel would remain swift in their response to threats against the safety and property of citizens.

The ongoing efforts of OPSH underscore the commitment of the military to curbing criminal activities, ensuring the safety of residents, and fostering a more secure environment within the region.

08/22/2023
Businessman Akindele denies N150m bribe allegations, secures N500m bail

Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele, has vehemently denied allegations of offering a N150 million bribe to the police in a bid to evade justice in a fraud case.

The Managing Director of Duport Midstream Company entered a plea of not guilty to the one-count charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Tuesday.

The charge, brought forth by the Inspector General of Police, represented by counsel Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, alleged that Akindele attempted to offer N150 million to suppress investigations into a petition against him lodged by Summit Oil International Limited.

The charge also stated that Akindele made an initial payment of N50 million to a team of investigators led by Ibrahim Ezekiel Sini from the Federal Investigation Bureau.

In the petition by Summit Oil, Akindele was accused of colluding with others to misappropriate $5,636,397 and an additional N73,543,764 belonging to the company.

Upon the reading of the charges, Akindele pleaded not guilty, prompting the Police counsel to request an adjournment to gather witnesses to substantiate the case against the defendant.

However, Akindele’s defense counsels, Mr. Henry Eni-otu and Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi from Law Corridor, made a compelling case for the defendant’s release on bail under lenient conditions. The defence highlighted that Akindele had been in police custody for over three weeks concerning the petition.

Eni-Otu invoked Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, seeking the defendant’s admission to bail and assuring the court that Akindele would fully comply with the bail terms.

In a swift decision, Justice Hamza Muazu granted bail to Akindele, setting the amount at N500 million, with two sureties required to have property ownership within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and verifiable title documents.

As of the latest update, Akindele’s legal team, along with his friends and associates, were in the process of fulfilling the bail conditions for his release. The trial date, however, remains pending.

This case marks another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law, demonstrating the legal system’s commitment to a fair and transparent judicial process.

08/22/2023
Police neutralise 2 suspected kidnappers, rescue victim in Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu State has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued one male kidnap victim at the outskirt of Enugu metropolis.

The Command also recovered the victim’s black-coloured Lexus 350 SUV alongside one locally made revolver gun loaded with four cartridges and another locally fabricated pistol belonging to the criminal elements.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that police operatives, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Olasoji Akinbayo, carried out the successful operation on Aug. 20 at about 8:00 p.m. at Centenary Layout along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway.

He said that the police operatives were drawn from the NPF Special Forces, Awkunanaw Police Division and tactical teams of the command.

“Following the policing thrust and renewed crime fighting impetus of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, a combined team of police operatives rescued a male kidnap victim after a gun fight with the hoodlums.

“One of the miscreants, simply identified as “Baron”, was neutralised on the spot in the ensuing shootout, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“However, further manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang led to the discovery and recovery of the lifeless body of the second neutralised hoodlum.

“The second neutralised hoodlum was simply identified as Chukwunonso a.k.a. “Nolly”, in the morning hours of Aug. 21 in a forest at the location of the gun duel,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the two neutralised criminals had been on the watch-list of the command.

According to him, the operational success was due to the swift response to a distress call on the kidnap of the victim along Agbani Road, Enugu, in the night.

The police spokesman commended the operatives for quickly adapting to his newly introduced crime-fighting strategies.

He said that the commissioner had previously tasked police officers and other personnel of the command to sustain the tempo.

“There will be no breathing space for unrepentant criminals in the state, under his (Uzuegbu) watch as the Commissioner of Police,” he added.

08/22/2023
Peter Obi leads LP rally for LG election in Edo

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, on Monday in Benin, led a mega rally for the party ahead of the September 2 Local Government Area election in Edo State.

Addressing the teeming party members who trooped out for the event, Obi described the local government area system as “where development, particularly of the grassroots is domiciled.

“Local government is the nearest to the people and it is supposed to be the root for ensuring development for the people.

“The three most critical areas of development are health, education and poverty eradication and they are responsibilities of the local government.

“So, for the system to work, for a country to develop well, it is the local government as everything that has to do with development is domiciled in the local government.

“That is why it is critical to our development and sustainability. As a governor, I was prevented by litigations from conducting local government election for over six years.

“So, we are here today to support our candidates in the forthcoming local government election in Edo. We will support them with everything,” he said.

Obi, however, tasked voters in the state to vote en mass for candidates of the party in the election, assuring them that in doing so, their future would be protected.

Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for putting modalities in place for the conduct of the election but warned, however, that the election must be free and fair.

“We have the best candidates that can man the local government system in Nigeria, hence, the need for the people to vote for all our candidates in the coming local government election,” Abure said.

Also speaking, Mr Olumide Akpata, governorship aspirant for the 2024 election in Edo, urged the electorate not to entertain fear but to go out and vote all LP candidates in the election.

Akpata, immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said the candidates were persons of impeccable character, who could deliver on the programmes of the LP.

08/21/2023
Suspended Adamawa REC petitions NBA over planned disciplinary action

The suspended Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, Esq. has petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urging it to stay action on the alleged moves to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

Ari argued that the subject-matter of his actions is pending before the Adamawa State High Court in Charge No. HC/ADSY/15/2023, which was filed on July 5, 2023.

He submitted that the move to discipline him will amount to double jeopardy since the matter is subjudice before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Mr President, your alleged anticipated referring me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee may result in double jeopardy against me and a breach of my fair hearing contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as Amended,” Ari stated.

He expressed optimism that the alleged plans to refer him to the LPDC will remain only an allegation, adding that the “Nigeria Bar Association, has been in the forefront of advising against comments or taking steps on matters pending before courts of law in the overall interest of justice”.

“It is in the light of the above, especially the pending cases and criminal charge on the same subject matter, that I request that you stay any action regarding the subject matter of my duties as Resident Electoral Commissioner during the Adamawa Gubernatorial Elections and to refrain from referring the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as to do otherwise would violate sections 144, 145 and 149 of the Electoral Act; Section 36 of the Constitution and; will grossly undermine the proceedings in the various courts,” Ari wrote.

The acknowledged copy the petition by Ari, titled: Re: Fallout Concerning My Role As Resident Electoral Commissioner Concerning The 2023 Adamawa State Governorship Election, Request For Stay of Action Thereto” was dated August 21, 2023, and addressed to the NBA President.

Ari said his letter was informed by reports and speculations in the media space that he would be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee following his role at the Adamawa State supplementary Gubernatorial Elections of the 15th April, 2023.

As a member of the NBA and a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, Ari told the NBA President that the circumstances which led to his actions as the INEC’s REC, which is allegedly the loadstar of his reference to the disciplinary committee is also the subject matter in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023; charge no. HC/ADSY/15/2023, and Election Petition No. EPT/AD/GV/01/2023, are all pending before superior courts of record in Nigeria.

Ari explained that the various suits are seeking the interpretation of sections 144 and 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022, regarding the proprietary or otherwise of his declaration of Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru as winner of the Adamawa Gubernatorial Election.

“Indeed, on 22nd July, 2023, I would have had an opportunity of presenting those facts at the Adamawa State Governorship Tribunal, for the benefit of the whole public and for posterity’s sake, but for the sustained objection of the Respopondents who objected to my being a witness in the Petition of Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru” Ari told the NBA.

He reminded the NBA President, that as legal practitioners, “we have been admonished to refrain from making comments on issues that are still pending before the courts so as not to prejudice them.

“With the preceding in mind, I am constrained, out of my deepest respect for the NBA and the rule of law, to only, briefly, state the facts, in order keep you abreast with the events that led to the subject matter of the alleged intention to bring me before the Disciplinary Committee and which, as I earlier mentioned, is still subject of various litigations.

“I would continue to maintain the position, due to documents available to me and now before the Tribunal that on the 15th April, 2023, I was compelled by the prevailing circumstances at the time and for the need to uphold the integrity of the Commission to declare Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru as winner of the Adamawa Gubernatorial Election based on the vacuum created as a result of the complicity of the Returning Officer and two National Electoral Commissioners aimed at thwarting the transparency of the said elections.

“It is pertinent to note that the Commission, who is the 1st Respondent in the Election Petition, which basically revolves round the lawfulness or otherwise of my declaration, resulting to my suspension from duty, litigations and the speculations of disciplinary action against me, listed 25 witnesses but could not produce any. The same applies to the 37 Respondent, PDP, who listed 15 witnesses.

“Similarly, the 2nd Respondent, His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri listed 15 witnesses but was only able to secure one hostile witness who gave evidence in support of the Petition,” Ari told the NBA President.

08/21/2023
Agbakoba calls for EFCC unbundling, investigative focus under new AGF

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has urged the newly appointed Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to initiate a process of unbundling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while confining its role to investigations.

Agbakoba’s advice was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday, where he reiterated the urgent need for substantial reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Alongside the proposal to unbundle EFCC, he also put forward the suggestion that the responsibility of prosecution should be handed over to a freshly established National Prosecution Agency.

Displaying confidence in the capabilities of the new AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Agbakoba highlighted several other pivotal reforms.

These include the implementation of a decentralized Police Force at local, state, and federal levels, a comprehensive overhaul of outdated legal statutes, and the imperative of a streamlined justice system reform.

As Nigeria aims to strengthen its legal framework and justice mechanisms, Agbakoba’s recommendations point toward a more focused and efficient approach in dealing with financial crimes and other legal matters.

See the full statement below:

URGENT TASKS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

There are pressing tasks to be carried out urgently by the new Attorney General of the Federation. Major reforms of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the utter confusion in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies in particular EFCC and ICPC is urgently needed. Also there is need to unbundle EFCC and restrict them to investigation only while a new National Prosecution Agency ought to be established.

Another key reform would be a complete decentralized Police Force at local state and Federal levels. Major revamp of our outdated laws is urgently needed to follow the Rwanda example that modified 1000 laws. Last but not least the AGF must work on Speed of Justice. It’s a crying shame it takes upwards of 15 years to conclude cases from the High court to the Supreme Court.

Finally but not exhausted is to create sector specific dispute resolution Agencies to free up the utterly cluttered dockets of the regular courts.

The other very important task before the Attorney General will be the unnecessary and wholly inefficient matter of over centralization of our superior courts. There is no better time than now to hack down the highly centralized Court systems in Nigeria. The AGF is invited to consider major constitutional amendments to create a system of Federal and State Courts. State Courts ought to have exclusive Jurisdiction over matters related to them. This is also the case for Federal Courts whose Jurisdiction must be limited to Federal causes. This will free up the Clutter at the Supreme Court and make it the Policy Court it ought to be in the first place

We have a Brilliant AGF in Lateef Fagbemi SAN. Am convinced this will be a simple task for him. He is a very good colleague and I have the highest confidence in his abilities

Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN

08/21/2023
Allow us fix moribund refineries, female engineers beg Tinubu

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), at the weekend appealed to President Bola Tinubu to give female engineers an opportunity to fix the nation’s moribund refineries.

Newly-elected APWEN Lagos Chapter Chairman, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, made the call during the association’s public lecture and Annual General Meeting in Ikeja.

Owolabi assured that female engineers spread across the various arms of the profession could fix the refineries within a year.

“All women engineers are ready to come together and see how we can proffer solutions, making sure that we revamp these refineries.

“So, we call on our president to challenge female engineers to revamp and rehabilitate these refineries, and I want to assure you that, within a year, just challenge us, we will make sure that the refineries would be put to operation by the grace of God,” she said.

She said any nation aspiring for development must empower its indigenous engineers and manpower.

“It is imperative that our homegrown engineers are empowered and granted the right opportunity to showcase our competence,” she said.

She said women had inbuilt natural qualities of being good managers and being excellent, adding that their talents should also be explored in building roads and other critical infrastructure.

Owolabi said Nigeria should reduce reliance on foreign experts and give opportunity to local engineers who are equally or more competent than their imported counterparts.

“I want to also implore our leaders, especially our president and governors, to empower indigenous engineers because we are very good.

“A country without engineers cannot develop,” she said.

Owolabi, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, promised that her administration would focus on mentorship and skill development for young engineers.

She also pledged collaboration with other NGOs while reeling out planned development programmes for three Lagos communities.

“Together, we shall shatter barriers and triumph over challenges in reaffirmation of the fact that gender should never constrain one’s potential in any domain,” she said.

The guest speaker, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, speaking on the theme, “The Role of Female Engineers in Building Sustainable Infrastructure”, said rising fuel prices required urgent measures for green alternatives.

Abdul, a former APWEN President, said green buildings reduce wastes, conserve energy and ensure huge energy savings and enormous long-term benefits.

She said Lagos was investing heavily in renewable energy while listing completed and ongoing interventions in various sectors, including health, education, housing and transportation.

Abdul said the various options available were wasting because some Nigerians have a class mentality not allowing them embrace local researches.

She cited examples of viable technologies, developed by “our forefathers”, being ignored because people want to move with trending foreign technologies.

Abdul advised APWEN to adopt communities and train them on how to generate power from their wastes.

She also enumerated measures female engineers could adopt against work place discrimination and how to receive mentorship from male counterparts without bruising their ego.

Panelists at the event proffered solutions to the multifaceted problem of inadequate water supply in Lagos State.

They enumerated ways mentorship and advocacy could grow capacity of female engineers.

08/20/2023
N5bn Palliative: Physically challenged persons demand 5% approved for states, LGs

The National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) has demanded a five per cent share of the N5 billion palliative approved by the Federal Government for states and local government councils.

The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of N5 billion to states, local government councils and the Federal Capital Territory as palliative.

In a reaction, the National President of NAPWPD, Mr Rilwan Mohammed, in a statement in Kaduna at the weekend, appealed that five per cent of the fund should be allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the states.

Mohammed explained that the demand was in tandem with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Prohibition Act.

He added that Section 25 of the Disability Law also provided that in situations of risk or humanitarian emergencies, PWDs should be accorded preference and protection.

He also expressed displeasure that the PWDs were not carried along in the decision to support the states and the local government councils with the funds.

“The disability law provides for a sharing formula to accommodate PWDs, who are usually excluded when they are lumped with other people during allocation of relief support.

“It is to address this problem that we are asking for five per cent to be allocated to PWDs in line with the provision of the law,” he said.

The president stressed the need for a clear template or clarity on how marginalised groups like the PWDs would be accommodated in the utilization of the N5 billion palliative.

He noted that the association has been extremely disturbed and sorely worried over the suffering of its members due to the fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

“The impact of the removal has continued to have a debilitating impact on PWDs who are largely poor and vulnerable.

“The inability of PWDs to afford decent food, healthcare and necessities of life have been compounded and made worse with the recent situation in the country.

“Our members now find it difficult to access public transport as the transport system is largely inaccessible and unaffordable to members of the disability community,” he said.

He lamented the rapid multiplier effect of the subsidy removal on the price of goods and services, adding that the development was making life unbearable for the poor, particularly PWDs.

Mohammed implored the federal, state, and local governments to tackle the challenges of public transportation and consider the peculiarities of PWDs.

He said that for the public transport system to be accessible to PWDs, buses and other means of transportation should be fitted with adjustable ramps and handrails for wheelchair users.

“The vehicles should also be fitted with signage and electronic display for directions with audio announcements for the benefit of the deaf and the blind.

“All these are provided for in the disability law.

“Our demands, therefore, are not based on charity requests but consistent with legal provisions,” he said.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno announced the approval of the funds at the end of the National Economic Council meeting on Aug. 17 in Abuja.

Zulum had explained that the measure was to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on petrol.

He, however, explained that the fund was on the basis of 52 per cent grants and 48 per cent as loans to be repaid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) within 20 months by the states and local councils.

08/20/2023