DSS arrests suspended CBN Governor, Emefiele

By Dansu Peter 

The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has been arrested, multiple media reports suggest.

Reports say he was arrested by the men of the Nigerian Secret Police, the Department of State's Security. The arrest was reported shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has earlier suspended the CBN Governor. He was suspended due to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy, the Presidency said. 

Prior to Emefiele’s suspension, the DSS, on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, sought an order to arrest the CBN Governor.

The security agency accused Emefiele of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J.T Tsoho, however, refused to grant the application of the DSS.

The court said such an application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.

BREAKING: Court sentences Osun billionaire hotel owner to death by hanging

By Dansu Peter 

Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, the billionaire owner of of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife has been sentenced to death by hanging by Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ọjọ́ over the murder of Timothy Adegoke. 

Earlier, Justice Ojo declared that Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, where Timothy Adegoke, an OAU postgraduate student was allegedly killed was culpable of murder.

The judge in her ongoing judgement said the owner of the hotel and two of his workers, based on the circumstances of the case established by the prosecuting counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, are found culpable of conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful killing of the deceased.

Transport minister in maritime contract mess two weeks to exit

By Dansu Peter 

With less than 20 days to the end of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, minister of transportation, has been accused of attempting to hijack the award of a lucrative maritime contract.

It was gathered tgat Sambo pressured relevant government institutions to terminate a procurement process and give the contract out to July Seventh Ventures Limited, a company linked to a former governor of Ogun state.

The job in contention is the channel dredging contract by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Following the expiration of the previous Bonny Port dredging contract, the NPA management initiated a process to contract the task to qualified companies through an international competitive bidding process.

Aside the documented communication, the minister was said to have told persons involved privately that his attempt to seal the deal is at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari, who, Sambo allegedly claimed, had directed him to give one of the channels to his long-term associate and former governor.

A search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) shows that two directors of July Seventh Ventures Limited, who served under the former governor, were appointed into the position around the time Sambo began pushing for the company to take over Bonny Port dredging through the now controversial process.

In his bid to hasten the process and push for the contract, Sambo is working round the clock to pull the strings and ensure the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is pressured into giving its nod on the deal, according to insiders.

The minister also reportedly held a weekend meeting with Mamman Amadu, director-general of BPP, and the leadership of the NPA on May 6.

The minister also took the BPP boss to see a top presidential aide at home to have the process fast-tracked, it was alleged.

But Mamman was said to have pointed out the implications to both the minister and the presidential aide, pleading with them to allow the NPA management conclude the process already in the pipeline.

The process for engaging new dredging companies for the three politage districts covered by the NPA was halted following refusal by its management to issue award letters to the pre-qualified companies, despite the certificate of no-objection issued by the BPP.

The NPA management, in a letter dated November 23, 2022, employed some technicalities along the initial procurement process to justify its request for cancellation of the almost concluded process and restarting it.

Disturbed by the suspicious moves, two of the pre-qualified companies in the botched procurement process, Messrs Dredging and Reclamation Jan De Nul Limited and Red Star Global Construction Limited approached federal high courts in Lagos and Abuja separately challenging the attempt to cancel the procurement process.

With the new legal challenge, both the BPP and Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, have advised against the termination of the process pending the determination of the matter.

In a letter dated February 22, 2023, to one of the plaintiffs signed by the director solicitors of the ministry, she indicated that the attorney-general of the federation is unable to intervene on the matter in view of its pendency in court.

Insiders, however, said Sambo has refused to yield any ground.

Buhari responsible for insecurity in Benue, Nigeria - Benue Youth

By Dansu Peter 

The Benue Youth Forum, BYF has vehemently accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being responsible for the widespread of insecurity in Benue state and Nigeria as a whole.

The youths said it read with utter shock and disappointment a statement by  Buhari wherein he blamed Governor Samuel Ortom for the Federal Government's inability to protect lives and property in Benue state.

The President of the BYF, Terrence Kuanum in a  statement issued in Makurdi said its equally laughable how Buhari will be comparing himself with a state Governor in terms of achievements 

Kuanum said, "In the said statement by the loquacious Garba Shehu, the President claims that the security situation in Benue state was aggravated by Governor Ortom's refusal to accept and work on intelligence given to the Benue governor.

"What was most laughable about the statement is how the President would choose to compare himself with a state Governor in terms of achievements. And talking about achievements, perhaps the President needs to be reminded that no federal road is motorable in any part of Benue State as we speak. His administration has abandoned the state in every aspect of development. 

"Garba Shehu should inform Mr President that more than 200 innocent Benue people have been killed by armed herdsmen in the last two months and President Buhari or any of his appointees have not bothered to visit the state to see the level of devastation caused by the attacks and to console the people. 

"BYF wonders if Ortom's alleged refusal to treat intelligence as expected is responsible for the President's failure to end banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, religious tension and general insecurity especially in the North and his home state of Katsina.

"The President apparently wants Nigerians to believe that states like Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno and others are experiencing massive bloodletting because the governors of those states failed to accept and work on intelligence available to them.

"It is indeed unfortunate that the President has a tradition of blaming others for his colossal failure to guarantee the security and welfare of Nigerians.

"Also worrisome is the President's celebration of the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections in Benue state. But mocking Benue people does not in anyway invalidate the fact that Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC used instruments of state to militarize the polls and practically captured the state for their cronies who they believe would subvert the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state to cede land to Fulani pastoralists.

:Buhari should be aware that Benue people are still standing tall despite the militarization of the elections and would not be cowed by the antics of enemies of the state. 

It was ironic and shameful that a federal government which cannot protect Nigerians would deploy heavy military presence to Benue state to intimidate the people and ensure that its favorite candidates won the elections. 

"The Benue Youth Forum also expects the governor-elect to be mindful of the fact that he is seen as an ally of enemies of the state and should be cautious not to mortgage the lives of the people for political convenience and correctness.

"We call on the Benue APC to retrace its steps and change the narrative of rationalizing the killings in Benue state and desist from accusing the people of killing their loved ones.

"We once again state our resolve to stand by the law banning open grazing in Benue state and maintain our commitment to legally resisting any attempt to tamper with the law and pave way for land grabbers and merchants of death to have a field day in the state" he said

4 die, 11 rescued while fasting in forest to see "Jesus"; pastor arrested

By Dansu Peter 

                  (Picture only illustrative) 

FOUR brainwashed congregants have reportedly died in Kenyan forest while fasting to see Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

According to Kenyan police authority on Saturday, they have arrested a local cult leader who parades self as pastor following the death of 4 followers he reportedly told to starve themselves in order to “meet Jesus”.

Eleven other followers of the Good News International Church led by Makenzie Nthenge were taken to hospital, three of them in critical condition, after being rescued Friday in the Shakahola forest near the town of Malindi.

 My Pastoral Work Doesn't Stop Me From Singing Secular...

Police said they feared more victims would be discovered.

“The pastor is under arrest after he surrendered because he knew we were looking for him,” said Charles Kamau, criminal investigations chief of Malindi sub-county.

 

He was taken into custody, ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Monday.

Police raided the forest on the Kenyan coast on Friday after receiving reports of “ignorant citizens starving to death under the pretext of meeting Jesus after being brainwashed by a suspect, Makenzie Nthenge, a pastor of Good News International Church”.

The four dead have not yet been identified.

BREAKING: Police dismisses 1 inspector, 2 sergeants for unprofessional conducts

By Dansu Peter 

THREE officers of the Nigerian Police Force in Kano, Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu, Sergeant Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sergeant Isah Danladi have been dismissed for professional misconduct, the authority has said. 

According to the police authority, arising findings on video evidence widely circulated on Friday 7th April, 2023, on social media of high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms against some policemen from Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1, Kano,  and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the Force Provost Marshal, three officers from the SPU Base 1 Kano have been dismissed for the offences of discreditable conduct to wit misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.

The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi were attached to a musician in Kano on escort duties. In the course of their duty on Friday 7th April, 2023 at Kahutu Village, Katsina State, the officers repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air despite police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedure and relevant Force Orders; and disregarding the possible risk to the crowd at the location which included children. The act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the Force and the nation at large.

The Nigeria Police Force hereby warms all officers to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the extant laws to avoid running foul of its provisions and attracting attendant sanctions. Supervising officers have also been tasked to ensure continuous and detailed lectures of their men to ensure they are well acquainted with all necessary standard operating procedures.

Property developer challenges AGF over legality of theft charges against him

By Dansu Peter 

A property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe has challenged the legality of the charges brought against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

The AGF had, in a charge accused Osakwe of electricity theft to the tune of N11 million.

But, Osakwe, through his Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, accused the office of the AGF of being used to harass and intimidate his client.

When the proceedings came up before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Osakwe challenged the legality of the task force that investigated the process leading to the filing of the charges against him on the ground that, the task force is unknown to law.

Osakwe had through his counsel filed a motion seeking to halt his arraignment on the ground that the special investigative task force on electricity set up by the Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice was unlawful.

The Counsel drew the attention of the court to a pending suit challenging the legality of the panel that investigated his client and appealed to the court to stay  proceedings pending the determination of the suit.

The federal government, in a criminal charge filed against the property developer, Mr. Cecil Osakwe, over alleged N11 million electricity theft, accused him of tampering with electricity meters which resulted in the loss of N11 million in revenue to the Federal Government.

JUST IN: Dokpesi Arrested in UK Airport

By Dansu Peter 

An emerging reports suggest that the media doyen, Chief Raymond Aleogu Dokpesi, the owner of DAAR Communications has been arrested. 

He was reportedly arrested by the United Kingdom UK police at the London Heathrow Airport as he touched down from a connecting flight via Frankfurt on Sunday evening ahead of a scheduled political meeting with Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. 

The reports claimed Mr Dokpesi, the owner of broadcaster AIT, was picked up at London Heathrow Airport as he touched down from a connecting flight via Frankfurt on Sunday evening, according to The Whistler, which first reported the incident citing passengers on the same flight. 

It was not immediately clear why Mr Dokpesi was arrested, but The Gazette learnt that he was still at the airport as of 12:06 a.m. on Monday. The Scotland Yard did not immediately return a request seeking comments.

According to source,  Chief Dokpesi might soon be cleared through immigration and be released, although the reasons for his arrest remained fuzzy even to his associates as of late Sunday. 

Alleged ₦70trn Stamp Duty Fraud: GTB, Zenith, First Banks Fingered; single account with 5 BVNs discovered

… strange number, name used to receive alerts

Report according to Forefront Magazine and other source suggest that, following the whistle blown over the scandal allegedly committed by a high wired syndicate of some Nigerians in the Presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria, emerging facts indicate that one of the leading commercial banks in the country, Zenith Bank is highly connected to the brewing N70 trillion Stamp Duty scandal.

The revelation on the scam of worms on the Stamp Duty started in January 2021 when some whistle blowers through diligent investigation unveiled series of accounts numbering 29 and situated in 17 banks in the country allegedly being used to loot and hide funds amounting to over 70 trillion Naira.

This was as it was also learnt that 17 other commercial banks, persons and corporate organisations may be equally linked to the damning scandal.

Some Court papers sighted by Forefront News showed that Zenith Bank remains the major beneficiary of what is turning out to be the biggest financial scam ever since the enthronement of democracy in 1999.

Following diligent investigation to determine the culpability or otherwise of some key actors and the volume of money allegedly stolen, several banks and accounts were monitored by security agencies.

As a result of the investigations, one of the accounts with the name Okam Eze Zenna drew special interest of the investigators as they discovered that the phone number on the account name used to receive alerts as part of the Banking procedures were routed to the phone number of one Okoro Comfort, who was the person receiving the alerts up till this year, 2022.

Similarly, the investigators found it worrisome that a Bank Verification Number (BVN) attached to the account domiciled in the Zenith Bank had five different BVN numbers namely; 22173355534, 22376914983, 22193440291, 22367697055, 22235680190.

When drilled by the investigators, according to Court documents, Comfort Okoro denied any knowledge of such accounts, saying that the information was strange to her.

The investigators were particularly puzzled that Zenith Bank could allow multiple BVN on one account which is contrary to the provision of the law and against the spirit and letter of banking rules in approved by Financial regulators in the country.

In keeping with rules in accordance with the provisions of the law, the services of a law firm, Ndarani SAN & Co. Solace Law Chambers was enlisted and armed with the required and needed information, Lawyers approached the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Minister of Justice for a mandate to go proceed with the investigation which was granted.

However, the approval to go ahead with the investigation had a proviso; “to report back to the office of the AGF monthly/periodically on progress made as contained in the mandate letter.

Following the approval by the office of the AGF for the probe and with the conviction that these suspicious accounts were likely operated by some individuals in some of the Federal Government Agencies, Ministries and Institutions of Public Policy, the investigator extended his tentacles to other offices to wit; the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and the Accountant General of the Federation, for a mandate to proceed as a matter of emergency to recover the suspected slush funds for the collective well-being of Nigerians and Nigeria.

Armed with the required mandate, Solicitor Ndarani & Co proceeded further with the probe which culminated with a suit with no: FHC/L/CS/968/2021, was filed in August 2021, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Peter Odo Lifu against 17 banks namely Zenith Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Plc, Citi Bank Ltd, Stanbic Ibtc Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, by the AGF office, directing the 17 Defendant Banks to file an Affidavit of disclosure before the court within 72 hours deposed to by the Chief Compliance officer of each defendant bank on the following account numbers;1012280444, 1012280441, 1012280442, 1012280443,1012280445, 0310000215, 0023293870, 2065764772, 3002365490, 3002385500, 3002001167, 3002001174, 3002001150, 1018980553, 2005942905, 1750027157, 2006367288, 0562014829, 2023346558, 0010213668, 2087399132, 1210538828, 1210527113, 0122891205, 0230718662, 0074582449, 5742004252, 0281556229, 0022974884; and to make such available to the Agent Law firm of Ndarani & Co.

The suit however, suffered several adjournments with some of the actors growing cold feet, while some of the suspected public institutions, banks and public officials moved decisively to frustrate the case using some Coalition organisations.

In the meantime, Justice Lifu has adjourned the case marked No: FHC/L/Cs/968/2021 till March 6, 2023.

The trial judge had on the March 7, 2022, adjourned the case to March 31, 2022 for ruling before the last adjournment date till March 2023.

Sources: Forefront Magazine, Political Economist 

DSS Indictment: Groups call for CBN Governor, Emefiele's resignation within 24hrs

By News Proofs 

Pro-democracy groups, Stand Up For Nigeria, and the National Conscience Movement have called for the "immediate resignation" of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The groups made the demand at a joint press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, December, 20, 2022.

The Convener, Tobias Ogbeh, who addressed the well-attended conference, said the call became necessary following the abrupt indictment of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele for terrorism, financing, sundry economic crimes and abuse of office by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The groups said: "Gentlemen of the press, we thank you for honouring our invitation to this all important press briefing during which we shall be adding our voice to those of individuals and organizations that have weighed in on a matter of great national importance. In this instance, we are referring to the indictment of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele for terrorism, financing, sundry economic crimes and abuse of office in a manner that has hurt the interest of Nigeria and the wellbeing of citizens.

"We consider this indictment weighty, coming from the Department of State Services (DSS), which is convinced of what it had found to the extent that it approached a court for leave to apprehend the near fugitive CBN Governor. We invite you to note that the crippling fuel shortage in the country has partly eased after that agency read the riot act to marketers that were using fuel queues to sabotage the nation.  This show that the DSS is out to dismantle the structure of economic terrorists in our midst. It is for this reason we are not surprised when the wheel turned to Emefiele.

"Our groups noted that instead of challenging the DSS with proof of his innocence, Mr. Emefiele is rather banking on organized protests by his associates on the streets. It is equally obvious that the CBN Governor is attempting to alter the issue at hand by turning the entire issue of his involvement into a media drama in the expectation that he can distract Nigerians from demanding action on his indictment.

"In our view, there have been a handful of seemingly unrelated issues that we believe Nigerians must now demand that Mr. Emefiele provides explanations for. Taken in isolation these are like routine matters but when interrogated against the background of the DSS indictment the consequences are alarming because it is obvious we had entrusted the most sensitive part of our national life to a man that has no qualms with making profit from anywhere.

"First, national intervention programmes handled by the CBN were largely used to benefit people known only to Emefiele and his associates. The programmes were also likely exploited as cover to funnel funds to questionable recipients, which could explain the how and the why of terrorists not running short of funds to sustain their logistics for the war they have been waging against Nigeria. We are now no longer amazed that the banking sector had not been helpful in tracking terrorism financing, including the baffling scenario of bandits receiving ransom into bank accounts from where they convert same into forex and export abroad.

"Let us not forget that against the norm and global best practice, a servicing CBN Governor went partisan and was for a remarkable length of time a presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Please note that this partisanship is most likely at the root of Emefiele’s anger. He had engaged in some of the crimes the DSS now wants to arrest him for as a means of creating scenarios to campaign with but after being rejected and told off by the public opinion, he became vindictive to the point where he no longer cares whether his actions destroy Nigeria or not.

"Emefiele’s economic sabotage is well documented as it has plunged Nigerians into untold suffering. We have watched in alarm as he moved from one deliberate and calculated monetary policy bungle to the other. While these may seem like ineptitude or crass incompetence on the surface, we now know that these destructive policies were implemented to enable Emefiele’s associates to benefit from the damage he is causing the country.

"The latest of these misadventures is the introduction of re-coloured 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes, which Emefiele’s associates have again hijacked to the detriment of citizens. Contrary to the assurances he gave President Muhammadu Buhari to secure approval for the exercise, commercial banks ran short of available notes within six hours of the December 15 200 take off date while all the touted benefits were proven untrue within 48 hours.

"What we find most baffling is the temerity with which Mr. Emefiele is attempting to precipitate civil unrest with the draconian cash withdrawal policy that is programmed to inevitably incite nationwide protest and breakdown of law and order. The cashless policy is desirable but should be demand driven, which means Nigerians should be allowed to grow into the culture of electronic transaction and not coerced into it in a manner that will cause them to revolt. But it seems Emefiele is precipitating a mass revolt with the draconian measures announced so far, which can only indicate he is working for an interest other that of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Could he be working for the opposition?

"On the strength of the foregoing, Stand Up for Nigeria with the National Conscience Movement is hereby demanding that Mr. Godwin Emefiele resigns his position as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria within the next 24 hours. If Mr. Emefiele has not resigned upon the expiration of our 24 hour ultimatum, we shall reconvene to unfurl measures that will ensure he complies. We are confident that Nigeria will not enter the year 2023 with Emefiele at the helms of affairs at the CBN."

Gun Running: AGF urged to withdraw no prosecution notice against Abba Moro, to pave way for fresh prosecution

By Dansu Peter 

The Attorney General of the Federation,  AGF, Abubakar Malami have been urged to.immediately withdraw all the no- prosecution notice on the Senator representing Benue South, Senator Abba Moro to pave way for fresh criminal prosecution against the Senator 

Achepa Oche Francis, in a petition submitted to the office of the AGF and dated 12th December,  urged the AGF  to reopen the allegations of gun running pending against the Senator. 

"Some years back, Senator Abba Moro was indicted for gun running and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Abuja.

" However, in a bid to cover his tracks and make him eligible for political office, his political godfather, Senator David Mark, using his influence as Senate President then entered an arrangement with the then Attorney General of the Federation, Bello Adoke, to enter Nolle prosequi, which was consequently granted.and paved way for Abba Moro to become a Senator. 

Francis in  the petition alleged that the Nolle prosequi was granted under fraudulent circumstances as no evidence suggested due process. 

He added that Abba Moro went berserk afterwards and also engaged in numerous activities that undermine national security. 

"He has constituted a grave security challenge in Benue State as it is on record that he empowered thugs and other criminal elements that led to the proliferation of arms in Okopkwu local government area of the state.

"It is also on record that as minister of the Interior, Senator Abba Moro was arraigned in court for procurement fraud and job recruitment racketeenng that caused monumental fraud.

"Even though he was discharged as the case was not adequately handled, there were also loopholes cited in the judgment 

"This is because the processes that led to it were not transparent and was influenced by his political godfather to pave the Way for him to be appointed minister. 

"Senator Abba Moro has been criminally involved in acts that threaten peace and tranquility in Benue state and its environs because of his interest in the forthcoming elections in the state

"The fact can be buttressed by his sponsorship of violence against perceived political opponents, especially in his local government area. 

"The Honorable Minister may wish to know that if urgent steps are not taken to revisit all criminal cases against Senator Abba Moro, he will continue with his criminal tendencies, which have threatened peace in Okpokwu Local Government Area and Benue state at large. 

"We also appeal to the Honorable Minister to mandate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to appeal his acquittal over fraud-related cases as minister of the Interior by engaging experts to handle the appeal in a court of competent jurisdiction. 

"We desire that the processes that led to the convoking of Nolle prosequi by the former attorney general of the federation be revisited as soon as possible with a view to unravelling if due process was followed, of which we doubt. 

"The threat posed by Senator Abba Moro is such that if urgent steps are not taken, it could make a mockery of the anti-corruption drive of this administration. It also indicates that the government is selective in prosecuting the war against corruption. 

Francis said the allegations against Senator Abba Moro are too graveous to be ignored. 

He added that  it is on these  heels that there is evidence that suggests that he subverted the law either by his connection in the political circles or by the fact that he has some powerful godfathers with a history of notoriety in undermining the interest of the country. 

"We trust that the honourable minister will act in the country’s best interest as the country’s Chief Law Officer to ensure that justice is served. Senator Abba Moro should made to pay for his atrocities to serve as a deterrent to others that pride" he added

Volunteer Guards: Benue youths deny use as killer squad

By Dansu Peter 

The Benue Youths Forum, BYF has vehemently denied the use of the recently established volunteer guards as a killer squad.

The BYF urged residents against the operations of the guards to seek leagl redress. 

BYF in a statement issued in Makurdi by its President, Terrence Kuanum insisted that the  guards is operating within the law establishing it.

The group said it read with awe a statement credited to one faceless body under the pseudonym, Benue Coalition on Human Rights calling for the abolition of the Benue Sate Community Volunteer Guards, BCVGs.

"In the statement signed by two individuals of questionable characters, Solomon Semaka and Okwori Onaji who claimed to be the President and Secretary, the faceless group alleged that the Benue State security outfit was being used to molest political opponents.

"We want to make it clear to those enemies of Benue state that the BSCVG is a creation of the law which came into existence through a legislation that was made with input from various stakeholders across different segments of the state and can't be abolished by mere allegations that can not be substantiated in the first place.

"That the group is calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser who have shown little or no interest in ending insecurity in the state to orchestrate the scrapping of the body is a clear indication that those making those calls are tools in the hands of those behind the incessant killings and destruction of property in Benue state" he said 

The BYF added that the  creation of the BSCVGs to compliment the conventional security agencies is probably yielding results, hence the desperation of those perpetrating violence in the state to see it disbanded.

"The Benue Youth Forum also wonders why a group that openly supports the creation of local security outfits and arming them with weapons in other parts of the country, will turn around to be highly against a similar outfit which has been denied the permission to bear arms by the Federal Government for obvious reasons.

"Also curious is the fact be that the said Solomon Semaka who has openly declared support for the killings in Benue state and has a close tie with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who have taken responsibility for most of the killings in the state is a signatory to that nauseating statement" he said

The groip called  on any individual or groups to report any acts of misdemeanour committed by any member of the BSCVGs.

"We totally condemn the action of those sellouts who are out to discredit the outfit for peanuts.

"It is worthy to note that the BSCVGs are not immune to the law and are operating under strict supervision of the conventional security agencies and would be sanctioned appropriately if they are found wanton in the discharge of their responsibilities.

"We also want to reiterate that anyone who has any unsavory experience with the any member of the volunteer guards should go through legal channels to express his grievances, rather than embarking on a futile voyage to painting all the operatives with one brush.

"The BYF once again commend Governor Samuel Ortom for observing due diligence and obeying the rule of law to create the BSCVGs which is also contributing to tackling insecurity in the state.

"We equally renew our call on members of the security outfit to be law abiding and committed to the task of protecting the state legally.

"We once again declare our support for the BSCVGs and urged the Benue State government not to be deterred by misguided elements, sponsored by political desperados to distract the Ortom-led administration" the BYF said

FG Files Criminal Charge Against Property Developer, Osakwe Over N11m Electricity Theft

By Dansu Peter 

The federal government has dragged a property developer, Mr Cecil Ezem Osakwe before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of  a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over alleged N11m electricity theft.

In the charge, Osakwe was said to have tampered with electricity meters which resulted in the loss of N11m revenue to the federal government.

Osakwe was said to have been caught by the officials of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, allegedly stealing electricity at various properties including his residence 11 Aso drive, Abuja.

According to the officials of the power company, the scale of electricity theft by Osakwe at a number of other properties he manages is still under investigation.

Apart from the fresh charge of theft filed against him, Osakwe, the managing director of Abeh Signature Limited, is also facing a criminal charge of N130m fraud before a High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory.

He failed to appear before Justice Idris Mohammed, for his arraignment. He claimed he was not served with the charge sheet.

At the last adjourned date, Justice Idris returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the court.

The case has however, been assigned to Justice Mohammed Madugu of the FCT High court.

In the fresh charge signed by Mohammed Baba Ali, assistant director in charge of prosecution in the ministry of justice, Osakwe was said to have interfered with electricity supply which resulted in loss of revenue to the federal government, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(10) of the miscellaneous offences Act.

The two count charge dated 2nd of August, 2022 read: "That you, Osakwe Ezem Cecil, sometimes in the month of September 2021 at No 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully interfered with supply of electricity by converting same which led to the losses of revenue and that in naira value about N11, 000,000.00 thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(10) of

 the miscellaneous offences Act.

*That you, Osakwe Ezem Cecil, at No 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully interfered with electricity fittings, metres and appliances knowing and that you are converting supplying of electricity illegally, you thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 1(10) of

 the miscellaneous offences Act.

N130m Fraud: Despite AGF's Insistence On Criminal Prosecution Of Property Developer, Judge Transfers Case File To CJ

By Dansu Peter 

Justice Mohammed S. Idris of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Jabi, has transferred the case file of a property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe, to the Chief Judge of the court, despite reservation from the counsel from the office of the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr Una Matthew, that the instruction from his principal was to go on with the criminal prosecution.

The absence of Osakwe in court makes it the third time he failed to appear in court for arraignment

to face the criminal charge of fraud and criminal intimidation filed against him by the federal government.

In June, the federal government dragged Mr Osakwe, managing director of Abeh Signature Limited, a property development company before the court over allegation of N130m fraud.

When the case came up Monday, September 19, the prosecutor told the court that the case is for arraignment of the accused person.

But counsel to the accused person, Mr Victor Giwa, on his part told the court that they have a pending petition before the AGF, asking him to intervene in the prosecution of his client.

He prayed the court to adjourn the case for two weeks to await the intervention of the AGF.

But Mr Matthew expressed reservation to the submission of the defense counsel, saying that the instruction he had from the office was to go on with the prosecution of the case.

According to him, he is not aware of any petition and he had no instruction regarding that.

He informed the court that it was the highest investigative body of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Force Intelligence Bureau FIB, that carried out a thorough investigation and referred the case to the AGF for legal advise and prosecution. 

He prayed the court to proceed with the arraignment of the accused person, who obviously was absent from the court for the third time.

Despite the objection by the prosecution, the judge agreed to either adjourned the case for two weeks or send the case file back to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.

In a short ruling, the judge transferred the case file back to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.

For the third time, Osakwe, 54, failed to appear before the court after being charged for fraud. 

However, at the last adjourned date, his lawyer, Orhakioyamhe Emmanuel Esq. , 

gave an undertaking to the court to produce him on September 19.

But again, they failed to do so.

According to the court processes with charge number CR/244/2022, dated June 9, 2022 and filed on June 14, 2022, Mr Osakwe is accused of Advanced Fee Fraud punishable under section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation 2004.

In the charge signed by Mr M. B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, he was also accused of criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

He was said to have threatened Ms Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimately from him (Osakwe) her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartments, Maitama Abuja.  

According to court documents, in February 2021, she entered and concluded a contract to purchase a two bedroom apartment at Maitama, and after full payment, Osakwe refused to issue her a receipt and sign the Deed of Assignment but rather began to threaten and make life miserable and unbearable for her.

The charge against the accused read, "That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, the sum of N130,000,000 00 (one hundred and thirty million naira) only being payment for the purchase of a two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, located at 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja from one Ms Asabe Waziri which property you failed to deliver neither did you refund her money. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 (1) and punishable under same section of the Advance Fee Fraud, Cap. Ab, LFN, 2004.

That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court threatened Ms Asabe Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimatety from you her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a Maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, 1, Mekong close, Abuja, from you and the deeds of assignment thereof. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 396 (2) and punishable under section  397(a) of the penal code law (cap 89)

According to a letter of response signed by Yunusa Shuaibu, the Executive Secretary of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, (REDAN), as regards the membership of Osakwe, REDAN said Abeh Signature Limited is not their member. 

A long term member of the association said "The Association is bounded by strict rules and conduct such that  clients are treated with utmost regard, complaints are not taken lightly, hence, some developers who do not want to be regulated, shy away from joining the association for reasons best known to them."

End

Certificate forgery: Group drags Petroleum Minister Sylva to court, wants him removed from office

By Dansu Peter 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of Certificate forgery. The group, Transparency Advocacy For Development Initiative, TADI while speaking with the media in Abuja said there is an urgent need to ascertain the true identity of a one-time Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. 

TADI  Director of Compliance, Comrade Adamu Kabir Matazu said during an investigation that  took the group to the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, it was discovered that Chief Timipre Sylva instituted a libel case against one Jackson Ude.

" In the course of hearing, Chief Timipre Sylva signed a Verification of Interrogatories Answers dated April, 2022 and attached various academic documents in proof of his identity. The said academic documents include a First School Leaving Certificate with No. 092915 dated 1st July, 1976 issued to ANAGHA TIMIPERE who finished from Ajeromi Central IA School, Araromi-Apapa, Lagos State, Nigeria. Also, Chief Timipre Sylva claims to hold a West African Examination Council (WAEC) General Certificate of Education with Certificate No. PO851528 and Candidate No. 21735215 dated December 1981 issued to MARLIN ANAGHA TIMIPRE with the following results: English Language – Grade 6; Literature in English – Grade 6; Religious Knowledge – Grade 3; History – Grade 3; and, Commerce – Grade 6. We uncovered also that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources parades a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from University of Port-Harcourt dated 19th August, 1986 issued to ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN. Finally, he holds a Doctorate Degree in International Relations (Honoris Causa) from UBIS University in Geneva, Switzerland dated 22nd September, 2011 and issued to Chief Timipre Sylva.

"You will agree with us that the certificates mentioned above have visible anomalies and do not depict the true identity of CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA. We are confused as to who CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA is; who ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN is; who MARLIN ANAGHA TIMIPRE is and who ANAGHA TIMIPERE is. There is no evidence anywhere showing that CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA ever changed his name from ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN to TIMIPRE SYLVA in 1986 after he purportedly graduated from University of Port-Harcourt. Our investigation reveals that there is also no record that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as the case may be, either in the name of ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN or TIMIPRE SYLVA. The question we as well as other anti-corruption crusaders all over Nigeria are asking is: WHO IS CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA? 

While we are still asking, records abound that CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA intentionally presented the aforementioned inconsistent academic documents before the Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Screening Committee in 2007 as well as the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives in 2019 under oath for purposes of screening into the positions of Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, respectively.

"In a bid to get answer to the rather disturbing question of WHO IS CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA, our Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) on Thursday, 1st September, 2022 filed an Originating Summons before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria against the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and five other Defendants. The suit which is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1563/2022 seeks amongst other reliefs; A DECLARATION that by the interpretation of Sections 366, 364 and 158 (2) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja 1990 read together with the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Mr. Timipre Sylva sued as 7th Defendant is overdue for arrest and prosecution by the Director-General of DSS and IGP for the offences of identity theft, impersonation and forgery. 

"We are also praying the Honourable Court for AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS COMPELLING the Director-General of DSS and IGP to perform their legal duties under Sections 1, 2 (3) and 8 of the National Security Agencies Act, 1986 read together with Instrument No. 1 of 1999 as well as Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020 by forthwith arresting and prosecuting Mr. Timipre Sylva sued as 7th Defendant for the offences of identity theft, impersonation and forgery punishable under the extant laws. In addition, we are asking for AN ORDER REVOKING the International Passport of Mr. Timipre Sylva and restraining him from travelling out of Nigeria to take refuge either in London, Dubai, Canada, United States of America or any other part of the world to give room for his speedy arrest and prosecution. 

If the Honourable Court is magnanimous enough and grants all our prayers contained in the Originating Summons, then we will be expecting AWARD OF EXEMPLARY DAMAGES in the sum of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) jointly and or severally against the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th Defendants for failure, refusal, or neglect to perform their legal duties by not properly profiling the 7th Defendant and giving verified information about the true identity of the 7th Defendant during his screening as Governorship and Ministerial candidate before the Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Screening Committee in 2007 as well as the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives in 2019. 

"It is our hope that the suit will be assigned to a Presiding Judge and a date fixed for its hearing in the coming week. As soon as that happens, we will inform the media to meet us in front of the Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja for an elaborate briefing. In the interim, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari who incidentally is joined as 4th Defendant in our suit to act fast by removing CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA from his cabinet on moral grounds. Let it not be that the huge gains recorded by Mr. President in the fight against corruption since the past seven years will be rubbished by a single man whose academic records and character are questionable. As it happened in the case of Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, we advise CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA to honourably resign his position as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources without further delay before he is put to shame" he said.

Benue Youths reject establishment of Vigilante group by Miyetti Allah

By Dansu Peter 

The Benue Youth Forum, BYF has received with concern and total rejection, plans by Miyetti Allah to establish vigilante groups across the country.

The BYF describes as very curious, a situation whereby a private group with known tendencies of violence which has taken responsibility for majority of the killings of innocent Nigerians, particularly in Benue State saying it wants to float vigilante group in the country. 

It will be recalled that the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah, Engr. Hassan Saleh had in an interview with International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR threatened that "the Fulani communities are mobilising their own security outfits and that their people will not be in thousands, but in millions" apparently to challenge the conventional security outfits.

He further boatsted that "it is the only way they can fight back the powers that be against them."

A statement by the President,  Benue Youth Forum, Terrence Kuanum  described it as a clear call to war against ethnic nationalities by the Fulanis who are using their proximity to power in Nigeria to disposses other tribes of their ancestral lands if such threats are taken lightly. This is one of the reasons that have persistently made Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom to keep calling for the arrest and prosecution of the leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for their avowed complicity in the invasion of Benue communities and gruesome murder of over 5000 unarmed people, as well as destruction of properties worth billions of naira and displacement of millions of people,  thereby creating a cruch humanitarian crisis.

"This is a reminder to all of a similar threat by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in 2017 who vowed that blood will flow in Benue State if the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was not scrapped by the state. What followed thereafter was the killing of over 70 innocent persons in their sleep in January 2018. These killings have continued ever since. 

"The Benue Youth Forum sees this open declaration to establish private Vigilante Group across the country as another affront on the sensibilities of the Nigerian State. The Federal Government must not allow this blood thirsty group have their way. The Forum makes bold to say that Miyetti Allah as a tribal association has no legal rights to establish Vigilante groups when their members don't have definite location as wonders where the groups will be stationed.

"The Benue Youth Forum further notes that, the cattle breeders group want to create parallel governments in places they find themselves as they clearly said they were creating groups to fight against established security outfits as claimed by the Secretary of the Association.

"The Forum alleges that the Fulani group are simply on another voyage to legalise the incessant killings of Nigerians to take over their lands.

"We wonder what would become of our communities if they surreptitiously create a military wing under the guise of a Vigilante group when even now that members of Miyetti Allah have not officially formed Vigilante Group, their members bear prohibited arms and wage war against ethnic nationalities across Nigeria.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the Fulani as an ethnic group have no legal rights to establish Vigilante groups anywhere they find themselves, but should rather subject themselves to constituted authorities wherever they settle.

"The Benue Youth Forum calls on the cattle breeders to obey laws of states where they settle especially the anti-open grazing legislations if they have genuine intentions of living in those areas.

"The body calls on the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies in the country to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah so as to nip in the bud, this evil plan to float another terror arm in the name of a Vigilante group and unleash mayhem on the people.

"We therefore urge state governments across the country to be vigilant as the cattle breeders clearly want to convert their militia groups into a pseudo-security outfit to further expand their killing fields.

"The Forum is ready to resist any attempt to impose on the people a group of merchants of death disguised as vigilantes.

"Back home, we encourage Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state who has been the leading voice in exposing the hidden agenda of the Fulanis to once again, rise to the occasion, rally people of goodwill and forestall the impending disaster as usual" he said

Local Security: Youths want FG to grant request for arms procurement

By Dansu Peter 

Coalition of youths from across the country have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to grant the requests of Benue State Governor,  Samuel Ortom and his fellow Governors from across the states for the procurement of arms and ammunition so as to enhance local security in their respective domains.

The youths made this known in a statement signed by Hon. Goodluck Ibem,President General, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL). Leader of COSMBYLA, Terrence Kuanum, Coordinator, Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents,  Shittu Waheed,Coordinator,  South West Youth Leaders Forum (SWYLF) and Tito Zokumor,President, South South Youth Forum (SSYF).

The youths said its part of efforts towards supporting the initiatives of the Benue State government and governments of states in the South-West to localise security in their areas based on the peculiarity of the challenges confronting their people.

The Coalition appeals to the president Muhammadu Buhari-led administrarion to grant the requests by Governor Samuel Ortom and his South-West counterparts to procure arms for the Benue Community Volunteer Guards, BCVG and the South-West security outfit, "Amotekun" to bolster security in their states.

They also  commended  the country's conventional security agencies for the frantic efforts they are making to tackle insecurity in the country even to the extent of occasionally paying the supreme sacrifice, but observes that there is need for states to have localised security outfits to compliment the mainstream agencies in the task of securing lives and property, hence the need to allow them bear arms to function optimally and without much threat to their own w9lives.)₩

"COSMBYLA also appeals to President Buhari not to listen to those who claim that the local security outfits would be used to intimidate political opponents, noting that those who are against the formation of BCVG and "Amotekun” should rather be suspected as part of the collaborators or allies of the perpetrators of heinous crimes in parts of the country.

"The Coalition observes that it won't be altruistic to sacrifice human lives and properties of Nigerians on mere speculations that the security outfits may be used as objects of oppression in the hands of the state governors to molest and intimidate their political opponents and the electorate during electioneering period and pose a threat to the electoral process. It posits that human lives should be given more preeminence than mere fear by political desperados at a time that lives are being snuffed out of people on a daily basis without cause.

"The Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly also reminds relevant authorities that the fear that the Benue Community Volunteer Guards and the South-West version, "Amotekun" would misused arms at their disposal if allowed to bear weapons is unfounded, since they are fashioned to operate within the law, in collaboration with conventional security agencies for proper synergy, coordination and effective results.

"The Coalition makes it clear that the local security outfits were a creation of the law in the various states where they are domiciled and calls on security agencies who were carried along in the formation, recruitment, training and unveiling of the BCVG and "Amotekun" to throw their weight behind the demand to arm the local security outfits for sustained security in Benue State and the South-West.

"It enjoins states of the federation that are yet to establish local security outfits to take proactive steps towards having initiatives that would enhance local intelligence gathering and security so that the criminals chased from areas that have become hotbeds for them would not find anywhere in the country as a save haven for their nefarious activities.

"The group empathizes with the millions of people who have been displaced due to attacks by herdsmen and other terrorist groups, especially in Benue state and stresses that granting approval for the local security outfits to bear weapons would help in preventing further humanitarian crisis occasioned by the dastardly acts of those merchants of death who the people have been made to believe that are foreigners. COSMBYLA wonders why those who have made Nigeria a killing field are said to be foreigners, yet are not seen as a people on a dangerous mission to subvert the territorial integrity of the country even as they usually annex parts of the sovereign nation and hoist their flags as a mark of victory.

"It regrets that some people and groups are desperate to see that the BCVG and Amotekun are not allowed to carry arms for political reasons and calls on all those against moves to secure the people and their property to reflect on the importance of lives and property.

"The body states unequivocally that denying the local security outfits arms and ammunition may be a stumbling stone to arresting the humanitarian crisis occasioned by herdsmen and terrorist groups which have killed and maimed hundreds of people, destroyed properties worth billions of naira and displaced millions of people including women, children and the elderly who are now living in difficult conditions in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camps, a situation that clearly undermines their human rights.

"The Coalition of Youth Groups laments that the activities of herdsmen and terrorists groups have crippled the economy of various states in the federation as investors are scared of coming to invest and those who have been here are running away from the country for fear of putting their monies where they are not sure of security and return on investments. It also notes with pains that even those who are not displaced are not any better than those in camps for internally displaced persons, IDPs as their means of livelihood have been utterly destroyed.

"The Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly reiterates its call for the arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah who have taken responsibility for the massive invasion and killing of people in Benue and some states in the South-West to at least, give a sense of justice to relations of victims of their callous acts. The group believes that a situation whereby the Miyetti Allah openly threatened to violently resist the law banning open grazing in Benue state by unleashing terror on Benue communities and made good the threat without being arrested is unacceptable. It also laments that the cattle breeders also vowed to resist attempts to regulate their operations in the South-West and they are keeping to their word by destroying lives and property in that part of the country and the entire Southern Nigeria.

"The Coalition commends Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state and his counterparts in the South-West states for taking bold steps towards safeguarding the lives of their people and encourages them to remain resolute in their resolve to protect the lives and properties of people in their states.

"The body pledges its support for the Benue State government and those of the South-West towards ensuring that they embrace ideas aimed at making the security and safety of their people a priority. It also calls on Nigerians to be unanimous in supporting the initiatives of the Benue state government and those of the South-West towards ensuring the protection of lives and property of the people as insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere" they said

Kuje Jailbreak: Nigerian Secret Police, DSS breaks silence on escape of personnel

By Dansu Peter 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has said none of its personnel escaped from the kuje prison during the bomb attack that rocked the facility on Tuesday night. 

In a statement issued and signed by its spokesman,  Peter Afunaya, the DSS said its attention has been drawn to an online Vanguard newspaper report of 6th July, 2022 captioned: Kuje Prison Attack: One Suspect Reportedly Caught After Hot Chase by Gallant Officers.

He said the report alleged that one of the escaping inmates who “claimed to be a DSS personnel was apprehended by NCS operatives near Kwali after a chase.” The report further stated that the so called DSS operative also claimed to be “carrying out a special mission in the forest”.

While debunking the report, Afunaya said the Service wishes to state that none of its personnel was involved in the escape episode.

" In fact, at the point of the attack on the prison, no DSS personnel was an inmate at the holding facility just as the claim of carrying out a special assignment was non-existent. The Vanguard report is not factual and therefore misleading. The public is advised to disregard it" he said

Again, Osakwe Charged With N130m Fraud Fails To Appear In Court

By Dansu Peter 

For the second time in two days, a property developer and managing director of Abeh Signatures Limited, Mr Cecil Osakwe, charged with alleged N130m fraud by the federal government has failed to appear before Justice Mohammed Idris of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for his arraignment.

Though, his counsel, Orhakioyamhe Emmanuel Esq. , claimed he was not served with the charge.

Osakwe's lawyer assured the court that his client will appear before the court on September 19, 2022 to face his trial 

The accused person failed to appear before the court twice to face the criminal charge of fraud and criminal intimidation filed against him by the federal government.

His lawyer told the court that he was not in court because the police failed to serve the charge sheet on him personally but assured the court that he will produce him on the next adjourned date.

The prosecutor, Mr Una Matthew, during the proceedings told the court that Osakwe's counsel undertook to serve the charge on his client.

“The police told us that the charge has been served on the accused through his lawyer”, Mr Matthew said 

 But Orhakioyamhe denied signing any undertaking.

After it was established that the accused person was not served with the charge sheet, Justice Idris adjourned the case to September 19 for the arraignment of Osakwe.

On July 5, 2022, the court ordered Orhakioyamhe, to

appear before him to offer explanation why his client, Mr Cecil Osakwe, failed to show up for arraignment over alleged Fraud N130m.

Last month, federal government dragged Mr Osakwe, managing director of Abeh Signature Limited, a property development company before the court over allegation fraud.

The prosecutor, Mr Una Matthew, had told the court that the accused person, Mr Osakwe had been served the charge sheet through his lawyer, adding that there is proof of service before the court.

He called on the court to issue a bench warrant against the accused person.

 But Justice Idris in a short ruling ordered Osakwe's lawyer to appear before the court to explain his client's absence in court.

According to the court processes with charge number CR/244/2022, dated June 9, 2022 and filed on June 14, 2022, Mr Osakwe is accused of Advanced Fee Fraud punishable under section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation 2004.

In the charge signed by Mr M. B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, he was also accused of criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

He was said to have threatened Ms Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimately from him (Osakwe) her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartments, Maitama Abuja.  

According to court documents, in February 2021, she entered and concluded a contract to purchase a two bedroom apartment at Maitama, and after full payment, Osakwe refused to issue her a receipt and sign the Deed of Assignment but rather began to threaten and make life miserable and unbearable for her.

The charge against the accused read, "That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, the sum of N130,000,000 00 (one hundred and thirty million naira) only being payment for the purchase of a two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, located at 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja from one Ms Asabe Waziri which property you failed to deliver neither did you refund her money. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 (1) and punishable under same section of the Advance Fee Fraud, Cap. Ab, LFN, 2004.

That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court threatened Ms Asabe Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimatety from you her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a Maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, 1, Mekong close, Abuja, from you and the deeds of assignment thereof. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 396 (2) and punishable under section  397(a) of the penal code law (cap 89)

According to a letter of response signed by Yunusa Shuaibu, the Executive Secretary of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, (REDAN), as regards the membership of Osakwe, REDAN said Abeh Signature Limited is not their member. 

A long term member of the association said "The Association is bounded by strict rules and conduct such that  clients are treated with utmost regard, complaints are not taken lightly, hence, some developers who do not want to be regulated, shy away from joining the association for reasons best known to them."

End

Prison Break: Terrorists stole ₦82m, $36,000 during attack - Officials claim

Culled from People's Gazette 

Inmates held at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja are threatening a deadly riot after officials claimed a large chunk of money kept for the prisoners had been carted away by Boko Haram insurgents who breached the facility on Tuesday night, two sources with information have informed Peoples Gazette. 

The money had been kept with at least five prison officials, including those manning the commissary, for several months, officials said. 

“One prison guard told 13 inmates this afternoon that all the money they kept with him had been stolen,” an official said. “He bluntly told them that the N26 million is no longer in his possession.” 

The prison, about 43 kilometres southwest of downtown Abuja, was breached at about 10:00 p.m. by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. While some detainees refused to take advantage of the jailbreak, all prisoners affiliated with Boko Haram escaped, according to defence minister Bashir Magashi.

At least 84 Boko Haram assets were believed held at Kuje prior to the attack, which lasted about three hours without any consequential intervention from security forces. About 600 inmates escaped in total, although officials said some had voluntarily returned. Actual roll-call statistics remained unclear as of Wednesday evening, nearly 24 hours after the attack.  

President Muhammadu Buhari visited the facility for a few minutes on his way to the airport on a foreign trip to Senegal Wednesday afternoon, inspecting the damage while assuring correctional managers of support. 

As the president departed the scene, prisoners began shouting that they’d lost money during the raid, while some threatened violence should officials fail to return their cash.

“Yes, that is the problem we’re confronting now,” an official said when asked for corroboration Wednesday evening. “Some people lost money in naira while some lost in dollars.”

The official said the money belong to wealthy individuals inside the prison. 

“It’s those big men that are more enraged because they kept millions with the warders,” the official said. “About N82 million was declared missing and four people are looking for $36,000.” 

“We don’t know what the prison management will do about the matter because the money was not kept with the warders officially,” our source added. The officials spoke under anonymity because they did not receive permission to comment on internal prison disputes. 

A corrections spokesman did not return a request seeking comments about the missing cash and threats of violence thereof. 

The facility holds politicians including former Taraba Governor Jolly Nyame and federal lawmaker Farouk Lawan. Disgraced police chief Abba Kyari is also held at the centre, as well as former pensions directorate grunt Abdulrasheed Maina. 

In a recent letter protesting his protracted incarceration before a federal judge, Mr Kyari said he was funding a lot of activities at Kuje prisons, including monthly cable TV subscriptions.