Nasarawa Police launches Operation Puff Adder, arrests 14 kidnappers

The Nasarawa State Police command on Monday said it has arrested 14 suspected kidnappers terrorizing people within the Mararaba-Udege axis in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

The state police commissioner, Mr. Bola Longer stated this as the command launched its Operation Puff Adder to vigorously combat the activities of kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits and cultists in the state as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Briefing journalists shortly after the inauguration, CP Longe, disclosed that the suspected kidnappers were arrested following a tip off from members of the public.

The police commissioner disclosed that when the 14 suspected kidnappers were arrested, five persons were able to identify the arrested suspects as their abductors sometimes ago.

Longe went further to explain that kidnappers in that part of the state hide on the mountain tops and caves and only to come out from such hideouts and carry out their criminal practices and them recoil back immediately at the end.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Police command has launched its Operation Puff Adder to re-dominate and reclaim the state from heinous criminals who were bent on threatening the nation’s internal security.

When launching the operation, CP Longe said that “the operation will cover all inch of the state, as the battle will be taken to the planning cum operational theatre of the criminal elements, including the mountain tops and its crevices, no matter how remote until the last vestiges of criminality is annihilated.”

“I want to equally sound a serious note of warning to the criminal elements, hoodlums/cultists and their ilk in whatever form or group to desist from their nefarious activities as their criminal enterprise would not be allowed to flourish in any part of the state,” the commissioner of police maintained.

Teacher caught sending WAEC answers to student arraigned in court

A 24-year-old teacher, Oluwaseun Adegoke, who allegedly sent West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) answer booklet on the internet to a student, appeared in Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday.

The police charged Adegoke, who live in Orile-Agege, Lagos, with unlawfully assisting a candidate in the course of an examination.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 17 at a private school in Agege, Lagos, NAN reports.

He said that the defendant scanned a WAEC answer booklet of a student while the examination was still on and sent it on Whatsapp to assist some students.

Odugbo said that WAEC got information that the answer booklet of a student was on the internet.

“On getting to trace the school, it was discovered that the defendant posted it.

“The case was reported and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 324(3)of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section prescribes 10-year jail term for unlawfully assisting a candidate in the course of an examination.

Following his plea of not guilty, Magistrate Mrs Emeka Opara, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Opara ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government(LASG).

She adjourned the case until June 26.

NFIU guidelines on LG funds illegal, say govs

The governors of the 36 states, acting under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, have rejected the financial autonomy recently granted the 774 local government areas in the country.

The autonomy is being guaranteed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

The 36 governors also approached President Muhammadu Buhari on the actions taken by the NFIU, which they accused of dabbling into a matter that was “beyond its mandate.”

The Chairman of the NGF, who is also the outgoing Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, was said to have signed a letter to the President on behalf of his colleagues.

In the letter, the governors expressed dismay and angst at the NFIU’s “brazen attempt to ridicule” their collective integrity and “show total disregard for the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended.”

Head, Media and Public Affairs of NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said the governors, via the letter, also accused the NFIU of usurping their powers.

Recall that the NFIU, which was excised from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, set June 1, 2019, as the take-off date of the new order, making it compulsory for all LGA allocations to go straight to their respective bank accounts.

The decision is contained in the guidelines released by the NFIU after a lengthy meeting with officials of commercial banks in Abuja.

The NFIU, in its guideline, also pegged the total amount of cash that could be withdrawn from any LGA in a day at N500, 000.

But the NGF, in its letter to President Buhari, titled, Re: NFIU Enforcement and Guidelines to Reduce Crime Vulnerabilities Created by Cash Withdrawal from Local Government Funds throughout Nigeria Effective June 1st, 2019, condemned the directive.

Copies of the letter, which is dated May 15, 2019, were sent to the Attorney- General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu; the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Yusufi Bichi,  and all the other 35 governors.

The governors drew the attention of the President to section (6) (a) and (b) of the Constitution, which confers on the states and the National Assembly the powers to make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to the local government councils in the Federation and within the states, respectively.

Also, the governors added, Section 162 (6) expressly provides for the creation of the States Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid all allocations to the LGAs of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.

The letter read in part, “The attention of the NGF has been called to certain guidelines to the above subject recently released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and purportedly set to become operational,  effective June 1, 2019.

“The NGF wishes to express its dismay and angst al the attempt to ridicule our collective integrity and to show total disregard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended.

“We kindly invite Mr President to note S.7(6) (a) and (b) of the Constitution, which confers on the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, the powers to make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to the local councils in the Federation and within the state respectively. “

The NGF Chairman argued that nothing in the NFIU Act 2018 gave the body the powers that it tried to exercise in the guidelines that it released. He said the unit was acting in excess of its powers and in doing so, it showed complete disregard for the constitution.

Yari also accused the NFIU of “stoking mischief and also deliberately seeking to cause disaffection, chaos and overheat the polity.”

The NGF said that local government councils were not financial institutions, but creations of the constitution. The governors added that they are not reporting entities and therefore, not under the NFIU in the manner contemplated by the the latter’s so-called guidelines.

The statement added,  “In principle, the NFIU should concentrate on its core mandate of anti-money laundering activities and combating financing terrorism as prescribed in the Act establishing it. It should desist from encroaching on or even breaching constitutional provisions.

“The NFIU is the Nigerian arm of the Global Financial Intelligence Units. It was once domiciled within the EFCC, but now, for the purpose of institutional location, it is domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

The governors, according to the statement, further told President Buhari that the NFIU was only mandated to trace or track laundered money that finds its way into terrorism financing and report such to the nation’s security agencies.

The governors, therefore, contended that the NFIU should comply with “those standards on combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and its proliferation as stipulated and not dabble into matters that are both constitutional and beyond NFIU purview.”

Gov. Akeredolu reveals cause of corruption in judiciary

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday blamed the corruption in the judiciary in recent times on challenges arising from the incursion of strange elements into the nation’s legal system.

Akeredolu said this on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of four judges of the state High Court in Akure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four male judges are: Bamidele Olupitan, Olajide Abe, Ademola Enikuomehin and Tope Adedipe.

The governor explained that it was sad to note that even judicial officers at the appellate courts were not immuned from the malady of corruption.

“The average citizen must be able to perceive the intervention of the Bench as credible regardless of the outcome. Litigants must leave, believing that justice has been done.

“A judge must be a shining light to the society since his conduct and behaviour reflect the public image of the judiciary.

“The future of the judiciary and indeed the nation depends, to a large extent, on how our judges perform their duties, effectively,” he said.

According to the governor, since judges decide the fates of the citizens, there is the need for them to be decent, professionally disciplined and incorruptible to achieve a better society.

Earlier, Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu, the Chief Judge of the state, commended the governor and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, for their positive interest in the affairs of the judiciary.

Akeredolu equally lauded the governor for his commitment to the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and urged the new judges to brace up for the task ahead.

She however solicited more support from the state government especially in the appointment of more judges, magistrates, personnel of the customary court and other staff to fill the yawning gap.

Responding on behalf of others, Olupitan expressed gratitude to the state government for the opportunity to serve and promised to influence the judiciary positively.

He assured the governor that the new judges would justify the confidence reposed on them, noting that they were conscious of the onerous task ahead of them.

Atiku not in same league with Abiola, Ekwueme – BMO

The 2019 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been described as not in the same democratic league with the late Chief Moshood Abiola and Dr Alex Ekwueme.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that it was “evil for anyone to make such comparison’’.

The statement was signed by BMO’s Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke.

The group said the comparison that Atiku media handlers are trying to sell to Nigerians was totally off the mark.

“Facts on the ground do not support this position they made in response to Federal Government’s allusion to Atiku as a threat to the nation’s democracy,’’ the group said.

BMO said it was another attempt by Atiku media handlers to rewrite history in order to paint Atiku in good light.

“Anyone that is saddled with the task of painting a good picture of a serially tainted politician would throw words around and hope that no one would notice the fallacies,’’ it said.

The statement said Atiku’s political antecedents cannot be associated with that of a democrat.

“Here is a man that is willing to move and has actually moved three times between two different ruling parties and the opposition after failing to have his way.

“None of the people his media men have name-checked in their recent statement has had to change parties to satisfy a selfish desire.

“Both men were known to have suffered perceived injustices in their political journey, but like true democrats, they stayed back to help build their respective political parties,’’ the statement said.

It said Atiku was a desperate politician that was known to have threatened violence at a forum in Abuja, shortly after he lost PDP Presidential ticket in a bitter contest to then President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Before then, there was an unprecedented intra-party acrimony that was so characterised by mudslinging that the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had to issue a statement calling for peace in the ranks of the ruling PDP.

“These facts are very much in the public domain, so it is preposterous that the Atiku camp is seeking to feed Nigerians with a red herring,” the group said.

BMO also wondered why the former vice president and his media handlers would seek to rubbish history with false narratives on the actual role he played in the dying days of military rule.

“His media aides want Nigerians to believe that he joined forces with MKO Abiola and Ekwueme to fight the then Abacha dictatorship, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

“Nigerians would recall that Atiku Abubakar was a ranking member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on whose platform Abiola ran for the Presidency on June 12, 1993.

“Since he lost out in his bid to be the running mate to Abiola, he clearly went off the political radar and was not even known to play a major role in the electioneering campaigns,’’ the group said.

The statement noted that there was also no record of his participation in efforts spearheaded by activists to force the military government to respect the wish of the people.

It added that even when Ekwueme took up the gauntlet to lead the political opposition against the late General Abacha, Atiku was never part of the politicians in the forefront of that initiative.

The group maintained that the only time Atiku and Ekwueme could be mentioned in the same sentence is when a list of the country’s former Vice Presidents is drawn.

“Yes both of them were Vice Presidents at different times, but Nigerians know that while one is the epitome of loyalty and had been acknowledged by his principal, the other had on several occasions been described in uncomplimentary terms by his own,” it said.

Fayemi presents staff of office to new Ekiti monarch

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has presented the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Olufemi Aribisala.

Performing the official presentation to the new monarch at Oke Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area, Fayemi called on the traditional institution to partner his administration in ensuring better standard of living for the people.

He said his administration was passionate about carrying out meaningful programmes that would have direct impact on the people.

Represented by his Deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, the governor charged the new royal father to work harmoniously with his people to accelerate the rate of development of Oke-Ayedun community.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, on Sunday said the process of selecting a new Alaaye was consequent upon the demise of the last occupant of the throne, Oba Jacob Fatunase Ala, on March 22, 2018.

The governor explained that the selection and enthronement of Oba Aribisala was in accordance with Paragraph 1, Section 8 of the Chiefs Edict of 1984 as amended in 1991, which was further amended as Ekiti State Chiefs Law in 2010.

Noting that the selection of Oba Aribisala was devoid of political coloration and influence, Fayemi reminded the new king that his position demands considerable diligence, sacrifice, initiatives and perseverance.

The governor appealed to the people of the community to demonstrate the spirit of oneness and sincerity of purpose by supporting and cooperating with the monarch.

Fayemi urged the people of the community to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the community, admitting that government could not sufficiently satisfy all the needs and aspirations of the people due to its limited resources.

Commending the roles of royal fathers across the state in the sustenance of peace and stability in their domains, Fayemi implored them to display high sense of responsibility and sincerity in carrying their subjects along when taking decisions that had to do with their welfare.

Fayemi also seized the opportunity to call on all Ekitis both at home and Diaspora to partner his administration in its drive to restore the values of the people of the state.

He reiterated his commitment to implementing his cardinal programmes of social investment, knowledge economy, infrastructure and industrial development, agricultural and rural development.

In his acceptance speech, the new monarch promised to work with all his strength and intellect to surpass the achievements of his predecessors.

Oba Aribisala called on those aggrieved to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to move the community forward in the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

Earlier in his address, the Coordinating Director of Ikole Local Government, Gabriel Fasanmi, disclosed that five out of the six kingmakers voted in favour of Oba Aribisala.

Fasanmi added that out of Usinola and Ilero ruling houses in Oke Ayedun, the chieftaincy declaration clearly stated that the next ruling house is Ilero ruling house where Oba Aribisala Olufemi came from.

Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Adeniyi Familoni, revealed that the selection process of Alaaye was keenly monitored in accordance with the extant laws and traditional rites of the people of Oke Ayedun.

Familoni implored the traditional institution in the state to always carry their subjects along in decision making.

NGF Chair: PDP governors drum support for Fayemi, reject el-Rufai

Indications emerged over the weekend that governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may queue behind Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State ahead of their Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai who is also in the race to succeed outgoing chairman and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari. 

The seventh NGF poll will hold on Wednesday in Abuja.

According reports the Kaduna State governor may back out of the contest following talks among All Progressives Congress (APC) governors.

NGF has produced six chairmen in the last 20 years of the nation’s democracy.

They are: Alh. Abdullahi Adamu, (Nasarawa, 1999 – 2004), Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom State, 2004 -2006), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo, 2006 – 2007), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Kwara, 2007- 2011), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers, 2011 -2015) and Abdulaziz Yari (2015-2019).

The Southwest, the Northeast and the Southeast have not chaired the NGF.

Most PDP governors are said to be uncomfortable with El-Rufai because of his derision of the opposition and hardline on some national issues, especially from the religious perspective.

El-Rufai is seen by some PDP governors as one of the architects of the defeat of the opposition party in the last general elections.

The governors will attend  their last National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday. They will use the opportunity to elect a new chairman.

A PDP governor said: “We have decided not to support El-Rufai as the next chairman of the NGF because his temperament is not good enough for this office. He is a courageous,  brilliant and smart individual but if he leads NGF, his caustic comments can create discontent among us.

“Also, he has a headmaster instinct, which does not fit into a forum where we are all colleagues. Since Fayemi has indicated interest, we prefer him as a moderate.”

Another PDP governor said: “The Kaduna governor does not care a hoot about PDP, a party which provided him the opportunity to climb up leadership positions. He has derided us during the campaign; we will pay him back in his own coin.

”The outgoing NGF chairman, Abdulaziz Yari, has set a template of dialogue with the Presidency for interventions, including the latest N649.43billion and we need another governor who can continue.

“We don’t want any NGF chairman who will use the forum as a platform for 2023 general elections. We respect el-Rufai, but we won’t give him this opportunity.”

An  outgoing APC governor  said: “We want to go into the NGF election united, unlike the case in 2011 when we had a split among ourselves. The APC governors are already building consensus too around Fayemi.

“The ongoing talks may lead to the withdrawal of el-Rufai from the race, more so a governor from Northwest has just ended his tenure as NGF chairman. Equity demands that the office should be conceded to another geopolitical zone.

“I think the candidature of Fayemi is more acceptable to both APC and PDP caucuses. He is also a ranking governor in our midst.”