NEWS AND STORIES
Business and Economy (1166)
By GBENGA OMOKHUNU, Abuja/ THE NATION
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Tunji Disu as the new head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
DCP Abba Kyari, who occupied the post, was suspended at the weekend following his alleged involvement in the sharing of $1.1m loot by internet fraudstar Hushpuppi, according to an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
A statement on Monday by the Force Police Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
“The IGP has charged the new Head of the IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit.
“He also assured citizens that the IRT will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.
“Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the IRT, DCP Tunji Disu, a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.
“DCP Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.
“He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others.
“He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies”.
The posting, Baba said, is with immediate effect.
By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Tajudeen Adebanjo/ THE NATION
The Police have begun probe of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abba Kyari, for his alleged involvement in internet fraud perpetuated by Rahman Abba (aka Hushpuppi).
The commencement of the investigation followed the Police Service Commission’s (PSC ) approval of a four-man special committee set up by Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali to review the allegations against Kyari by the United States Government.
PSC also approved Alkali’s recommendation for the suspension of the DCP pending the outcome of the probe. The suspension commenced on Saturday.
Kyari, who heads the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force, has since denied any involvement in the fraud as contained in documents presented to a U.S court by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The IGP had in a letter to the PSC dated July 31, explained that his request for Kyari’s suspension was is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the NPF.
The letter partly reads: “The suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference.
“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.”
Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba said the four-member panel probing the suspended officer is headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Joseph Egbunike.
He however, did not give the names of the three other SIP members in his statement.
Mba’s statement reads: ”The SIP, comprising four senior police officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).
“The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the FBI.
“The SIP is also to obtain a detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations leveled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.”
The IGP, said Mba, reaffirmed the commitment of the NPF to the rule of law and absolute respect for the rights and privileges of Kyari throughout the period of the investigations.
“The PSC however, directed the IGP yesterday to furnish it with information on further development on the matter for necessary action.
“The commission’s decision was conveyed in a letter with reference, PSC/POL/D/153/vol/V/138 to the IGP today (Sunday, August 1),” was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, and Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a Justice of the Supreme Court and PSC Commissioner.”
By: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja/ THE NATION
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba had recommended immediate suspension of embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari from the Nigeria Police Force pending outcome of an ongoing internal investigation involving him.
Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, was indicted by a US Court in California over alleged involvement in internet fraud of over a $1.1million by with Ramoni Abba aka Hushpuppi.
Kyari has since denied any involvement in the internet fraud case which victim was said to be a Qatari businessman.
But the IGP, in his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July 2021, noted the recommendation for suspension of the officer is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
He said: “The suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference.
“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.”
A four- man panel has been set up by the IGP to investigate the FBI’s indictment.
The panel is expected to thoroughly review documents sent to the Police Force by the FBI.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said: “The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).
“The SIP, inter alia, is to undertake a detailed review of all the allegations against DCP Abba Kyari by the US Government as contained in relevant documents that have been availed the NPF by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“The SIP is also to obtain a detailed representation of DCP Abba Kyari to all the allegations levelled against him, conduct further investigations as it deems fit, and submit recommendations to guide further actions by the Force Leadership on the matter.”
By Stephanie Busari and Nimi Princewill, CNN Updated 6:40 AM ET, Fri July 30, 2021
Abuja, Nigeria (CNN)A high-ranking Nigerian police officer is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly making an arrest at the request of Instagram influencer Ramon Abbas, who has pleaded guilty to money laundering, according to the US Justice Department.
'Arranged arrest'
By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja/ THE NATION
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba has ordered an internal review of the allegations leveled against the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari.
The investigation follows Kyari’s alleged involvement in the $ 1.1 million loot bribe involving celebrity internet fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abba, Alias Huspuppi.
The IGP vowed to inform the general public of the outcome of the internal investigation.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said: “Sequel to the receipt of allegation and indictment processes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against one of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, DCP Abba Kyari, the Inspector General of Police IGP Usman Alkali Baba psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered an internal review of the allegations.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of justice and the strengthening of its professional relationship with the FBI and other international partners.
“Further developments on this case will be communicated to members of the public accordingly”.
By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna/ THE NATION
Justice Gideon Kurada of Kaduna High Court has discharged and acquited leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat.
The IMN leader and his wife stood trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, among other criminal charges since December 2015, following a clash between his followers and convoy of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai in Zaria.
The court had fixed July 28 for ruling in the no-case submission filed by Zakzaky.
Justice Gideon Kurada had fixed the date after the prosecution and counsel to the defendants addressed the court on the no-case submission prayer
Briefing journalists after the secret trial, counsel to Zakzaky, Marshal Abubakar, said the court upheld their no-case submission and agreed the case lacks merit.
Details Shortly….
By Abankula with Kadiri Abdulrahman/ PM NEWS
Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele said the apex bank will not renew the operating licences of Bureaux de Change (BDCs).
Simultaneously, he said the bank will stop selling the weekly $20,000 to the,.
According to him, international development finance institutions, embassies and others are supposed to patronise the importer and exporter window, where there is transparency.
Henceforth, previous allocation of foreign exchange to BDCs will now be given to banks to sell to customers, he said.
As of November last year, the CBN had licensed 2,991 BDCs.
Out of them, 1,777 were registered in Lagos and the entire Southern Nigeria, while the remaining 1,214 were registered in Northern Nigeria.
There is a wide gap of about N100 between the official dollar exchange rate and the BDC rate.
BDCs and regulation
” The BDCs were regulated to sell a maximum of 5000 dollars per day, but CBN observed that they have since been flouting that regulation and selling millions of dollars per day.
“The CBN also observed that the BDCs aid illicit financial flows and other financial crimes. The bank has thus, decided to discontinue the sale of forex to the BDCs with immediate effect.
“We shall, henceforth, channel all forex allocation through the commercial banks,” he said.
He urged the commercial banks to ensure that every deserving customer got his forex demand, adding that any bank found circumventing the new system would be sanctioned.
“Once a customer presents all required documentation to purchase forex, the commercial banks should ensure they get the forex.
“Any customer that is denied should contact the CBN on 0700385526 or through the email- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ” he said.
Stakeholders have been calling on the CBN and its MPC to take urgent steps to halt unending depreciation of the Naira.
Recently, a past President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, urged the MPC to focus on policy decisions that would curb rising inflation and stabilise the Naira.
By Saxone Akhaine, Abdulganiyu Alabi (Kaduna) Ahmadu Baba Idris (Birnin Kebbi)/ GUARDIAN.NG
Muslim group urges FG to address insecurity
Twenty-eight students of Bethel Baptist School in Kaduna regained freedom from kidnappers on Saturday night, as negotiation by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders for the release of the remaining 87 continued with the armed bandits.
A woman and her children that were kidnapped from Kachia were also freed by the bandits the same night.
The 28 students were brought to the Bethel school premises to reunite with their parents. The students had been with bandits for 20 days.
Kaduna CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said yesterday: “Twenty-eight of the Bethel Baptist School Students were released to us on Saturday night. Before now, six of them were released, making 34 of them that have been released. We have 87 of them that are still with the bandits. We are trusting God that something will be done and we will have a way out of the problem.”
Hayab, who was silent on the issue of ransom said: “We will not deny or confirm that ransom was paid. This is because their parents were involved. Let me explain to you why we don’t want to go into that. We still have 87 with them there. If we start talking about it, it will jeopardise our negotiation.”
BUT the President of Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, said the convention did not pay ransom to secure the release of the student, as Baptists don’t believe in ransom payment to evil-doers.
The Convention is the umbrella body for Baptist congregations in the country.
Akanji said this after handing over the released children to their parents who thronged the school premises to pick their children.
“What we said when we came originally was that we, as a church, do not believe in ransom payment and we will not pay any ransom because it is not right to pay people who have done what is wrong in order for release the children,” he said when asked whether ransom was paid to secure the students’ release.
“The kidnappers did not just release the 28 students; they also released one woman and her children that were kidnapped from Kachia. We asked our driver to take her in a bus to Kachia, her village; so that we can attend to the students.”
THE Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently find lasting solution to the issue of kidnapping and related vices in the country.
In a statement in Birnin Kebbi yesterday by the National President of MSSN, Shehu Abubakar, stressed the need for federal and state governments to intensify efforts towards ensuring that life and property were protected.
“The ultimate responsibility of every government is to maintain peace in the society. The rate of crime is alarming,” he added.
By Alao Abiodun/ THE NATION
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou-based lawyers of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has decried the unfair treatment of his client in the custody of Brigade criminelle in Benin Republic.
The Nation reports the Cotonou Court of Appeal on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the suit involving Igboho to Monday.
Salami, while speaking to BBC Yoruba in a live update monitored by The Nation on Saturday said: “We are five lawyers handling his case. When we visited Sunday Adeyemo at the police station, he was not beaten but what they did that is alien to the law here is that they handcuffed him inside the police cell after locking the cell.
“This makes eating and movement within the cell difficult for him to the extent that someone has been helping him in this regard.
“Apart from being a lawyer, I am also a professor of law at a university here in Benin Republic.
“Part of what we teach our students is human rights. Human rights frown at the action of the police.
“I called the attention of the police commander and the prosecutor to this but still nothing changed.
“At the moment, Sunday Igboho’s hands are in chains at the police station. This is not good at all.”
By Samuel Oamen/ THE NATION
Founder of The Living Faith Church International aka Winners’ Chapel Bishop David Oyedepo has broken his silence on the recent sack of over 40 pastors by the church.
He was reacting to allegation by one of the affected Pastors, Peter Godwin, that they were sacked for not generating enough income.
Godwin, who was in one of the church’s branches in Ekiti State, had claimed: “I was told by the management that the church doesn’t operate at a loss.
“They also told me that the total income that is being generated from my station should be able to cater for my welfare and accommodation, so as a result of low income, I’m hereby dismissed.”
Nigerians reacted massively to the issue on social media with some stating it was within the rights of the church to hire and fire while others said the church was wrong to use income generation to evaluate pastors.
Speaking to the church on the matter, Oyedepo said the sacked pastors were “unfruitful and blatant failure.”
He said: “People are confused about our Ministry. I learnt some fellows said, “you know, they are not bringing income, that is why they asked them to go”.
“We asked you to go because you are unfruitful. Unfruitful! Blatant failure. Doing what there? We have no patience with failure here.
“When we employed 7,000 people at a time, social media was dead.
“We have more employees in this organisation than most of the states. No one is owed a dime salary and we don’t borrow, we don’t beg. Ask our bank whether we take overdraft.
“We are covenant bound, working in the light of God’s word, enjoying an open Heaven.”
He said the sack was not about money. According to him: “Money? Nonsense. We have never lacked it and yet we have never prayed for it.
“We are just simply obeying God and He is backing up what He is asking us to do. Awesome God.”
More...
By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja/ THE NATION
• Court okays EFCC's request to appeal order in Oronsaye's trial
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has restored the orders the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained to freeze the accounts and interim forfeiture of assets belonging to Jide Omokore, an ally of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The accounts, which contain various sums, are domiciled in a popular bank, while the property are said to be located within and outside the country.
In a judgment, a three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Moore Adumein, set aside the September 10, 2020 decision by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, vacating the freezing and interim forfeiture orders obtained on May 3, 2016 by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency had obtained the orders before the commencement of Omokore’s and others’ prosecution before a Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged $1.6 billion money laundering charge.
Those being tried with Omokore are: Victor Briggs, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC); Abiye Membere, ex-Group Executive Director of Exploration and Production at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.
While their trial had not been concluded, Omokore and his firm – Energy Property Development Limited – went before Justice Mohammed with a fundamental rights enforcement suit, claiming their accounts in the bank and other assets were unlawfully seized by the EFCC.
In his judgment on September 10, 2020, Justice Mohammed agreed with the lawyer to Omokore and his firm, Ojukwu Chikaosolu, that the property and funds were wrongly confiscated.
He ordered their release, a decision the EFCC appealed.
Justice Peter Ige, in the lead judgment of the Appeal Court, upheld the argument by EFCC’s lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, that Justice Mohammed ought to have declined jurisdiction over Omokore’s and his firm’s fundamental rights enforcement suit.
He held that the suit was wrongly constituted, thereby denying the trial court the jurisdiction to entertain it.
The judge said Omokore and Energy Property could not lawfully file a joint suit to enforce their fundamental rights under Section 46(3) of the Constitution.
Justice Ige held that each of them ought to have filed separate suits to challenge the alleged violation of their rights.
In determining the case on the merit, the Appeal Court found that from the evidence presented before the lower court, the EFCC acted lawfully in freezing the accounts and seizing the assets involved.
It set aside the orders by Justice Mohammed, struck out the suit by Omokore and his firm, and restored the freezing and interim forfeiture orders made on May 3, 2016 by Justice Binta Nyako (also of the Federal High Court in Abuja).
In a separate decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja granted a request by the EFCC for permission to appeal a ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja in the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Stephen Oronsaye, and others on fraud-related charges.
Those being tried with Oronsaye are: Osarenkhoe Afe, Frederick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistics Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.
The EFCC had attempted, in the course of the trial, to tender two confessional statements by Afe, but Justice Ekwo, in a ruling on October 6, 2020, upheld the objection raised by the defence and rejected the documents on the grounds that the statements were made in the absence of Afe’s lawyer.
In a ruling on December 21, 2020, Justice Ekwo declined the prosecution’s request for leave to appeal the October 6, 2020 ruling.
The judge held that such an interlocutory appeal could be combined with any other appeal to be filed at the conclusion of trial.
The EFCC subsequently went before the Appeal Court with an application for leave to appeal the lower court’s October 6, 2020 ruling.
A three-man panel of the Appeal Court, also led by Justice Adumein, granted EFCC’s request for leave.
In the lead judgment, Justice Ige said: “I am satisfied that the appellant has made out a prima facie case for the grant of the application for leave.
“There is no impediment showing why the application should not be granted by this court in favour of the applicant. The applicant has fulfilled all that the legal principles prescribe for the exercise of discretion in her favour.
“It is hereby ordered as prayed by the applicant in terms of the motion on notice dated and filed on January 5, 2021, brought by the applicant.
“Order is hereby made granting leave to the applicant to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Coram: I. E. Ekwo, J., delivered on October 6, 2020, …on questions other than those of law alone.”
Both decisions of the Appeal Court, sighted in Abuja, were delivered during virtual court sessions conducted on May 11 and June 10 this year while members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were on strike.
By Alao Abiodun/ THE NATION
Yoruba Nation Agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has been arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, The Nation can confirm.
His media aide, Olayomi Koiki, has also fled the country, it was learnt.
Igboho was arrested at an airport in Cotonou on Monday night.
Several supporters who are close to the embattled agitator confirmed his arrest to The Nation on Tuesday.
One of them said Igboho had a Benin Republic passport and was on his way to Germany before he was arrested on Monday night.
“It would have been difficult for authorities to arrest him outside the country. He had a German passport with 10-years validity
“Forget the insinuations and reports that his location was tracked in Nigeria, it was difficult for intelligence sources to track his location, he has been in an undisclosed location in Benin Republic since about two weeks.”
Operatives of the Department for State Security (DSS) on July 1 raided his Soka, Ibadan residence where two of his men were killed and 13 supporters arrested.
Ighobo escaped the raid and was later declared wanted by the Service. He had gone undergrounds since then.
The Federal Government had alerted Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) formations to be on the watch out for agitator, disclosing Igboho had perfected plans to flee the country.
Omo Yoruba Ronu TV, which airs shows related to Igboho and Yoruba Nation agitation, in a terse post on Tuesday said: “I urge you to stand with your own, who has not committed any crime. Self-determination is not a crime.
“They are still standing with killer herdsmen who have killed over 20,000 Nigerians under Buhari & even asking that everyone should give them land and we budget billions for them.”
An ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri also said: “The reported arrest of Sunday Igboho in Cotonou is unfortunate. He is a hero freedom fighter who defended us.
“We must now repay his good turn and also defend him by gathering resources for his legal defence. Igboho deserves the same commitment from us that Buhari has shown and continues to show to killer herdsmen and bandits.”
Efforts to reach Igboho’s media aide, Koiki proved abortive as at the time of this report.
By Samuel Oamen/ THE NATION
A Pastor with the Living Faith Church International aka Winners Chapel, Peter Godwin, has alleged he and 40 other pastors in Ekiti State were sacked by the church for not generating enough income.
In a trending letter on social media dated June 25, 2021 by the Executive Secretary of the church, Adebisi Aboluwade, the pastors were asked to vacate their official accommodation and hand over their identity cards to their respective area pastors.
One of the letters sighted by The Nation reads: “Consequent upon the recent performance reviews which revealed that your church growth index falls below expectations.
“Please be informed that your services as a pastor in charge are no longer required from this commission with immediate effect.
“You are to vacate the official accommodation (where applicable) and hand over all properties of the ministry in your custody, including your staff identity card to the area pastor before departure.
“May you find grace for a new beginning. Peace.”
Godwin, who said he is one of the pastors affected in Ekiti State, in a trending video, said he was employed on August 28, 2020.
The pastor said, on July 1, he received a call that the state pastor wanted to see him and that he was surprised to see about 40 other pastors when he arrived.
According to him: “When I got there, I saw other pastors too, over 40 of them. So, I joined them.
“A few minutes later, we were [each] issued a letter. I opened the content of the letter to see what was there and I saw that it was a sack letter.
“So, I called the management the next day to find out what happened since I wasn’t involved in any dubious activity or evil act. I was told by the management that the church doesn’t operate at a loss.
“They also told me that the total income that is being generated from my station should be able to cater for my welfare and accommodation, so as a result of low income, I’m hereby dismissed.”
Attempts by The Nation to get official reaction of the church have not been successful.
By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja/ THE NATION
A Federal High in Abuja has threatened to issue arrest warrants against former Aviation Minister, Stellah Oduah and eight others named in a charge pending should they fail to attend court on the next date.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the warning on Monday when Oduah (now a serving Senator, representing Anambra North Senatorial District) and some other defendants were absent at the proceedings with no explanation from their lawyers
Named with Oduah, as defendants in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.
In the 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, the nine defendants are accused, among others, of engaging in the laundering of about N10billion.
They are particularly charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with an old generation bank.
At the mention of the case on Monday, the court noted only the second and third defendants (Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi) were present.
The development prompted the prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) to complain about the absence of the other defendants without any explanation from their lawyers.
Details shortly…
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