Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 23rd March 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 23/03/21
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Six Convicted Fraudsters in Abeokuta To Refund Victims, Lose Properties
The Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, secured the conviction of six fraudsters before Justice Mohammed Abubakar of a Federal High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convicts are: Kareem Babatunde Olamide, Idowu Timothy Tobi, Anifowose Ahmed Adedeji, Alimi Quazeem Folarin, Gabriel Obiseasan Ayobami and Abesin Ayobami Sodeeq.
They were convicted for fraudulent impersonation, contrary to section 22(2)(b)(i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 and sentenced to various jail terms.
While Idowu was sentenced to six months imprisonment, Anifowose and Gabriel bagged four months jail term each. Kareem and Abesin got three months imprisonment while Alimi bagged two months.
The judge, however, gave Anifowose and Gabriel an option of N200, 000 (Two hundred thousand naira) each as fine while, Kareem was given an option of N100, 000 (One hundred thousand naira) fine.
The court also ordered the defendants to restitute their victims.
Alimi is to restitute the total sum of Eleven million twenty-six thousand, eight hundred and sixty-four naira, twenty-nine kobo (N11, 026, 864: 29) to his victims (John Castro, Romone Rockitt and Robert Reaman), through the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is to forfeit one iPhone 12 mobile phone and one black Lexus iS250 to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of his crime.
Abesin was ordered to restitute his victim the sum of $2,300 (Two thousand three hundred US dollars) and forfeit one iPhone XS Max and one small Nokia Torchlight phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Similarly, Gabriel is to restitute his victim the sums of $750 (Seven hundred and fifty US dollars) and N726, 000 (Seven hundred and twenty six thousand naira). He was equally ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, one Apple MacBook, Hp Laptop, one iPhone X and one Samsung S9.
Idowu is to pay the sums of $100 (One hundred US dollars) and 25 Euros (Twenty five Euros) to his victims. He will also forfeit a black iPhone XR mobile phone to the Federal Government, while Kareem will forfeit iPhone 7.
Anifowose is to return the sum of $400 (Four hundred US dollars) to his victims and forfeit one Apple laptop, a Samsung S9 and iPhone 11 Pro Max to the Federal Government.
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Years After Going Out Of Spotlight, APC Gives Ambode Fresh Appointment
Years after going out of the spotlight over the loss of his reelection bid, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State into its Contact/Strategy Committee.
John James Akpanudoehede, National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), announced this in a Monday statement.
He said Mai Mala Buni, chairman of the CECPC, has approved the constitution of the high-powered 61-member under the chairmanship of Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Jigawa State.Below is a list of the committee members1. H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar – Chairman2. H.E. (Sen.) Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege – Member3. H.E. Alh. Yahaya Bello – Member4. H.E. Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum – Member5. H.E. Alh. Inuwa Yahaya – Member6. H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule – Member7. H.E. (Hon) Aminu Bello Masari – Member8. H.E. Simon Bako Lalong – Member9. H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Member10. H.E. Dapo Abiodun – Member11. H.E. (Sen.) Hope Uzodinma – Member12. H.E. David Nweze Umahi – Member13. H.E. Alh. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Member14. H.E. (Sen.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako – Member15. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Danjuma Goje – Member16. H.E (Sen.) Kashim Shettima – Member17. H.E. (Sen.) Ibikunle Amosun – Member18. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Umar Jibrilla – Member19. H.E. Timipre Sylva – Member20. H.E. Rauf Aregbesola – Member21. H.E. (Dr) Chris Ngige – Member22. H.E. (Sen) George Akume – Member23. Abubakar Malami, SAN – Member24. Hajia Sadiya Umar Faruq – Member25. Mallam Adamu Adamu – Member26. H.E. Akinwunmi Ambode – Member27. H.E. Mohammed A. Abubakar – Member28. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Adamu Aliero – Member29. H.E. Gbenga Daniel – Member30. H.E. Sullivan Chime – Member31. H.E. (Sen.) Iyiola Omisore – Member32. H.E. Mamadu Aliyu Shinkafi – Member33. H.E. Saidu Dakingari – Member34. Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole – Member35. Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara – Member36. Sen. Julius Ali Ucha – Member37. Sen. Ganiyu Solomon – Member38. Sen. Margaret Okadigbo – Member39. Sen. Jibrin Wowo – Member40. Sen. Anthony Oduma Agbo – Member41. Sen. Robert Ajayi Boroffice – Member42. Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa – Member43. Sen. Khairat Gwadabe – Member44. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha – Member45. Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila – Member46. Hon. Usman Mohammed – Member47. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu – Member48. Hon. Abubakar Lado Suleja – Member49. Hon. Makinde Peter Abiola – Member50. Hon. Blessing David Onuoha – Member51. Alh. Kashim Imam – Member52. Mrs. Mimi Drubibi Adzape – Member53. Olorugun Emerhor Ortega – Member54. Obong Umana Okon Umana – Member55. Prince B.B Apugo – Member56. Chief Ify Ugo Okoye – Member57. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa – Member58. Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman – Member59. Princess (Hon) Miriam Onuoha – Member60. Ideato C. Ideato Okoli – Member61. Dr. Ikechi Emenike – SecretaryAkpanudoehede said the high-powered committee would be inaugurated at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja by 2:00 pm on Tuesday.
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E2%80%94journalist-who-exposed-bribery-video-cries Blame Governor Ganduje If Anything Happens To Me—Journalist Who Exposed Bribery Video Cries Out
The Publisher of Daily Nigerian, Jaafar Jaafar, who exposed a video in 2018 showing the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, stuffing dollars in his pockets, has cried out that the governor should be held responsible if anything bad happens to him.
Jaafar stated this on Monday following renewed threats to his life, over the video clips which showed the governor collecting dollars, believed to be kickbacks from contractors handling various projects awarded by the Kano State Government.
Ganduje had in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa on Friday, said the government was making plans to deal with those who released the videos.
In the face of the renewed threats, the journalist wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Adamu, Mohammed Adamu, through his counsel, Barrister Abdullahi Gumel.
Speaking through his lawyer, Jaafar noted that although Ganduje is a sitting governor and a member of the ruling party, the IGP would handle the matter professionally, diligently and speedily.
The petition partly reads, “That our client (Jaafar Jaafar) has de facto been made persona non-grata in his home state and lives in perpetual fear in the rest of the country including Abuja. Thus, he and his family have essentially been hiding for fear of their lives.
“As if the above was not enough, Mr Ganduje recently indicated that he and his supporters are scheming underground to ‘deal with’ our client. Ganduje made this statement on a popular BBC Hausa programme, “A Fada A Cika”, which aired on March 19, 2021. He insisted that he would not reveal their plans despite an opportunity to clarify what he meant.
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Ganduje Under Fire Again As Fresh Video Nails Him For Collecting Millions In Kickbacks
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“It is our client’s and our firm belief that by the above statement, Ganduje clearly said that he and his supporters are scheming to harm our client. This is also an approval or ratification of his supporters past stalking, harassment and threats to our client. Importantly, Ganduje is by this statement instigating, inciting, aiding, abetting and procuring his supporters (especially those he is working secretly with) to harm our client, his family and property. This has caused our client unprecedented fear of violence and has alarmed and distressed him.
“Sir, the above facts must be seen in the contest of the fact that Mr Ganduje, being a sitting Governor and member of the ruling party, is one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria. He has thousands of diehard supporters, including those directly and indirectly employed by him. Thus, his words carry weight in the minds of thousands of supporters across Nigeria who may be incited to attack our client.
“Sir, we believe you will agree with us that journalism and whistle-blowing are not a crime. It is our clients’ belief that the footages they published, which they firmly stand to this day, are genuine and the accompanying stories are truthful and fair account of the circumstances surrounding the footages.
“It is against this backdrop that we write to you urging you intervene to: (a) investigate what Mr Ganduje is scheming, with whom and how and halt same; (b) protect our clients from further harm, threats and harassment from Ganduje and his supporters; and (c) get Mr Ganduje to issue a statement calling on his supporters and cronies to stop threatening and harassing our clients.
“In view of the forgoing, the governor should be held responsible if anything happened to our client.”
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E2%80%99t-afford-face-probe-says-presidential-aide Nigerians Flaunting Lifestyles They Can’t Afford To Face Probe, Says Presidential Aide
Lauretta Onochie
An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie, has stated that Nigerians who flaunt lifestyles they cannot afford offline and online will be investigated by the anti-graft agencies.
These include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Lauretta Onochie
Onochie stated on her Twitter on Monday that lifestyle audits were now legal in the country.
She added that Nigerians could be called upon to explain how they acquired certain properties.
She said, “Lifestyle Audit is now legal in Nigeria. Those who flaunt lifestyles they cannot afford can now be investigated by any of the graft agencies to produce evidence of the sources of their wealth.
“You can now be called upon to explain how you acquired certain properties.”
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Again, Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers In Abia
File Photo
At least three police officers attached to the Abia State Police Command have been killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
SaharaReporters gathered that the police officers serving at the Abiriba police division were killed in Abiriba in the Ohafia Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
File Photo
Those killed were identified as Inspector Austin Ugwu, Inspector Longinus Ugochukwu and PC Ama Ifeanyi.
The officers were ambushed around 8.30 am by the gunmen who killed them and took away two of their riffles.
The incident comes barely a month after two police officers were killed by armed men who invaded a police station in Aba, Abia state.
The attackers also burnt all the operational vehicles parked within the premises of the police station.
Security operatives have been killed and police facilities destroyed by gunmen who cart away rifles in similar attacks in the South-East and South-South regions, giving the impression that the attacks may have been coordinated.
No fewer than six policemen, four naval officers, two prison warders have been killed in neighbouring Anambra state in the last two weeks.
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Group Gives Africa’s Richest Man, Dangote Ultimatum To Reduce Price Of Cement
The Nigerian Students and Youths Association (NISYA) has asked the Nigerian government to end all forms of monopoly in cement production and distribution in the country.
Specifically, the group in a protest in Benin City, Edo state, accused Dangote Cement Company, owned by African richest man, Aliko Dangote of increasing the price of its product by 100 per cent.
It gave the cement company and others 48 hours’ ultimatum to revert to the old price, adding that failure to heed the call would amount to blocking the highway to stop the distribution of cement in the state.
The spokesperson for the group, Osemudamen Elvis Ogbidi, said, “We reject the incessant increment in cement prices. We are suffering in all sectors ranging from education to agriculture, health, and security. Are they saying Nigerians should no longer build houses?
“They increased cement from N2, 000 to N4, 000 in Edo State, yet the raw materials are got from the state.
“You produce cement here, yet the price has been in increased by 100 per cent. In the North, cement is sold for N2, 000 and here in Edo it is sold for N4, 000, while in Abia State, a bag of cement is sold for N6, 000.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to ban all forms of monopoly in the cement industry, if they support other cement companies the way they have supported Dangote, there will be competition in the industry and that will bring down the prices and companies will produce quality products for higher patronage.
“If Dangote does not revert to the old price, we will barricade the Benin By-Pass and make sure every truck is sent back,” he said.
Also, a former Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Students and Youths Association, Mr Ikehi Lawrence said the bone of contention is the government’s inability to have a good price control mechanism.
He said that prices should not be increased arbitrarily.
“The problem is that the government should be responsible and responsive. In a serious country, there must be a price control mechanism. That is what the government should do,” he said.
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Suspend Bill On Hijab Use, CAN Tells National Assembly
The Christian Association of Nigeria has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to suspend a bill before the House of Representatives seeking to institutionalise the use of hijab in the country.
In a statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, CAN said the bill is ill-timed and uncalled for.
The bill titled ‘Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021’ seeks to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution and other international laws that recognise the right of females to adorn hijab in both public and private establishments in Nigeria.
The body said sponsors of the bill are all out to compound the security problems and issues currently surrounding the use of Hijab in public and Christian schools.
CAN also questions if the lawmakers should be more interested in making laws seeking to promote one religion when they ought to make laws that will address the insecurity issues and economic predicaments in the country.
The statement read, ‘According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the ‘National Assembly shall have the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution’.
“To what extent does this controversial bill seek to promote peace, order and good governance? Has the dress code become part of the Exclusive Legislative List? While the citizens are expecting the National Assembly to make laws that will address the lopsided appointments, insecurity, unemployment and economic predicament, our lawmakers are interested in making laws that seek to promote one religion. This is unacceptable in a country with multiple religions.
“Candidly speaking, it is not the wearing of hijab that is our problem, it is the legislation of the wearing of it in private schools, especially of the schools whose proprietors have a different culture to that of wearing of the hijab. If anyone travels to Rome, it is common saying that he or she should do as the Romans do since he was not forced to come! If any Christian pupil goes to a Muslim School, he or she should abide by their practices there and vice versa.
“Why should a Muslim student come to a Christian school which operates under different dressing culture and insist on her own culture? That appears provocative and disrespectful! Legislating the wearing of hijab in private schools would lead to the trouble that those who started it may not be able to handle. Abandoning school uniform for religious dressing is going to divide the students along religious lines and further polarise our society. Should the children of Ifa worshippers (god of divination) wear Ifa costume to the school as well? Is that not going to bring confusion? Will the wearing of the religious dress make one student brighter in class than the other? What are we legislating for?
“CAN has been consistently calling on some state governments that are enforcing the wearing of hijab in the public schools to exempt the Christian schools where hijab culture is alien. We are not against the wearing of hijab in public and Islamic schools but our schools should not be included unless those states are looking for trouble. We have resolved to close down our schools and colleges to protest against this ungodly and disrespectful policy.
“We should return to the status quo ante where we were before the politicisation of hijab. Let those who want to be wearing hijab go to schools where it is allowed. Alternatively, let those state governments return our schools and stop funding them. We can manage them. We did not beg the government ab initio to partner with us. It was the government that couldn’t provide enough school that came in subtly to partner with us but now going another mile to take over completely.
“Can the government own what they did not spend their money to build? Those who took over our schools did not tell us that our religious traditions and culture would be eradicated. We call on all Christians in every legislative house, including the National Assembly, to arise and speak for the Church if they have not compromised their faith for political reasons and if they fail to do so, God Himself will ask them of their stewardship one day and equally fight for His Church.”
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CAN Dares Nigerian Govt To Release Names Of Terrorists, Bandits, Murderous Herdsmen In Prison
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the Federal Government of treating criminals with levity.
This follows the attack on Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who was ambushed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits along Tyo-MU Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday.
The Christian body challenged the Nigerian government to bring out a list of bandits, terrorists, murderous herdsmen and kidnappers in prison or police custody.
Ortom was allegedly attacked by over 15 gun-wielding herdsmen while inspecting his farm near Makurdi. He was said to have narrowly escaped death.
In a statement issued by CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, the body said the attack on a sitting governor goes a long way to show the collapse of the security architecture.
The body urged the Nigerian government to immediately outlaw the Fulani Nationality Movement which claimed responsibility for the attack.
The statement read, “We are worried, sad, shocked, disappointed, and pained at the collapse of the security architecture of the government and the failure of those in charge to rise to the security challenges. If a state governor is unsafe despite all the security operatives in his convoy, then who is safe?
“We welcome the Presidential directive and that of the Inspector General of Police that the investigation of the matter should be thorough and we hope that the matter will not be swept under the carpet. We are disappointed that the shadowy group, the Fulani Nationality Movement that claimed responsibility has not been outlawed and the herdsmen leaders who publicly threatened the Governor are still going about their businesses as if they have done nothing unusual.
“Is the government waiting till they have successfully carried out their evil and wicked enterprise? What are these people turning the country into, in this century? If these murderous Fulani herdsmen are not Nigerians, as we are being told, why do our security agencies appear powerless before these criminals? Are they holding superior ammunition? Are they waiting till everyone results in self-defence with the attendant consequences?
“The primary responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of the citizens. If President Muhammadu Buhari wanted his name to be written in gold, let him fix the security problems in this nation before his tenure is over.
“We challenge the Federal government to roll out the list of names of the kingpins of those murderous herdsmen, kidnappers, bandits and terrorists in the prison and Police custody and those under trials. As long as the government continues treating these criminals with kid gloves so also will they continue operating with impunity!”
The body joins several others who have since called for investigations into the attack, stating that the culprits should be arrested and prosecuted.
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Nigerian Man Caught Smuggling 25 Venezuelan Women Into Trinidad
A Nigerian national and a Trinidadian have been arrested for allegedly smuggling 25 Venezuelan women into Trinidad during an anti-crime exercise conducted at Icacos overnight.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Force disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The exercise, which was conducted between 3 pm on Saturday and 5 am, on Sunday also included officers of the South Western Division’s Intelligence Unit.
During the exercise, officers paid special attention to the Icacos area where they arrested the Venezuelan women for illegal entry into the ports of Trinidad, and the Nigerian and the Trinidadian for aiding and abetting in suspected human trafficking.
The detained persons were taken to the Santa Flora and Erin Police Stations and the Immigration Department was contacted.
Investigations are ongoing, according to the police.
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2023: PDP Considers Atiku, Saraki For Presidency, May Dump Zoning
The Peoples Democratic Party is planning to return former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as its candidate in 2023 as part of efforts to win the presidential election.
Top party sources told Sunday Telegraph that the PDP believed that it is better to repeat the 2019 formula, which it used to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari – an election which was deemed to be won by Atiku.
It was learnt that within the PDP hierarchy, the belief is that Buhari did not win the election against Atiku, but muscled him out with the power of incumbency.
But in 2023, where Buhari would not contest, it is strongly believed that an Atiku candidacy would be able to beat any other candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
It was learnt that the PDP is still divided on the zoning of the presidency because of a battle between Atiku and the South-East Caucus of the party, who are strongly arguing that it is their turn to take a shot at the presidency.
But within the party, many believe that a ‘strong candidate’ like Atiku is needed to wrest power from the APC first before the case of the South-East would be considered.
It was further learnt that should the Atiku option fail to fly because of age and other factors, the party might settle for a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as the second option.
The PDP presidential primaries held in Port Harcourt in 2018 ahead of the 2019 elections, Atiku beat Saraki to the third position while Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, came second.
But it was learnt that some powerful forces within the PDP are rooting for Atiku, following his strong showing against President Buhari in the 2019 election, which the party insists was lost to Buhari’s incumbency factor.
Although it was learnt that Tambuwal still has a strong interest in running for the president with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as his possible running mate, it was learnt that most governors of the party believe that an Atiku candidacy would be strong enough to battle the APC, which may settle for a candidate from the South, going by sentiments within the party.
The PDP has not hidden its desire to field a candidate from the North for the 2023 election.
In fact, the party’s 2019 Election Review Committee, headed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, had recommended that the ticket should be thrown open to every interested Nigerian.
The committee submitted its report last week. It was learnt that the only major obstacle to Atiku’s candidacy is coming from the South-East, a region which feels marginalised and is seriously spinning with the party to be given the slot.
It was also learnt that the South-East caucus of the party is also negotiating that in the event that Atiku runs, he should do only one term.
He is expected to retain his running mate in 2019, Peter Obi, again, although some forces within the party are rooting for a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Obi’s replacement on the ticket.
However, a source at the party’s headquarters said the leaders of the party are not well disposed to the Ekweremadu calculation. A party chieftain said, “A lot of governors in the PDP have made up their minds that it is either Atiku or nothing. So, definitely, PDP’s ticket is not coming to the South. It is not. Some forces within the party want to use former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to push out Peter Obi. Others said it can’t work. Ekweremadu is overambitious.
“He wants to be governor too in Enugu State, even as he is also chasing the Vice Presidential ticket. The powers in PDP are telling him to go for governorship.
“The major problem is that the South-East Caucus is pushing that Atiku should do one term. If he does one term, Peter Obi will come in.”
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