Nigerian Eye

EFCC arrests Gombe SEMA Secretary, others over alleged IDP materials diversion

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Secretary, Dr Danlami Rukuje over alleged diversion of materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). 
 
The arrest was disclosed on the commission’s website. 
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Rukuje was arrested following a tip-off received by the Intelligence and Special Operations Section (ISOS) of the commission. 
 
The arrest was carried out by the EFCC officials at the Gombe Zonal Office on Wednesday. 
 
“The materials, which include cans of paints and bags of cement meant as building materials donated to the state by the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiatives (PCNI) never made it to the IDP camps. 
 
“Investigations revealed that they were, instead, diverted to other areas including markets for sale. 
 
“A team of operatives acting on the information, immediately swung into action and located shops where the materials were being sold. 
 
“The Gombe State Fertiliser Grinding Plant, where some of the materials were kept, was also raided. 
 
“A storekeeper at the state’s Emergency Agency, Isa Garba, was subsequently arrested. 
 
“Further investigations led to the arrest of a staff of the state’s Fertiliser Grinding Plant, Mu’azu Suleman. 
 
“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the commission said.

Latest-News EFCC arrests Gombe SEMA Secretary, others over alleged IDP materials diversion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Secretary, Dr Danlami...

'Nigerians have no option than to return APC to power in 2019'

08:29 Unknown 0

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Nigerians have no option than to return the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in 2019, the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the party, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, has stated. 
 
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He said Nigerians will massively vote for the party again based on the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. 
 
Shuaibu spoke when he received the Deputy Director of the Research Office, International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Dong Weihua at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. 
 
Weihua led a Chinese delegation on a working visit to the APC. 
 
He said the party has restored the confidence of Nigerians in governance through diligent implementation of its campaign promises. 
 
He said before the coming of the Buhari government, impunity was the order of the day while corruption was an accepted norm. 
 
The APC chieftain said: “I make bold to say that there is no other option before Nigerians other than the APC. 
 
“We inflicted a very big injury on the former ruling party in 2015. During the campaigns, we realised our own method benefitted us because our manner of campaign was devoid of any hate speech. 
 
“Theirs was full of hate speech and Nigerians clearly saw the difference. 
 
“After we took over as a government, we brought out to the open for Nigerians to see the amount of damage done to the economy to every fabric of the Nigerian society. 
 
“Impunity became a culture. Corruption was an accepted norm. That was how we found this country. We promised Nigerians that we will fix the economy, ensure security of lives and property and fight corruption no matter who is involved.” 
 
He maintained despite the rot APC met on ground, the current administration has quickly delivered on its electoral promises. 
 
“The eyes of Nigerians are open. They know who is sincere about things. Nigerians know which party to choose when elections come in 2019. 
 
“So I can assure you we are very confident in 2019 for a re-election,” Shuaibu added.

Latest-News 'Nigerians have no option than to return APC to power in 2019'

Nigerians have no option than to return the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in 2019, the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the ...

READ - The Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011

08:24 Unknown 0

<blockquote>
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<ul>
<li>Proscribed Organisation.</li>
</ul>
 
 
(1). Where two or more persons associate for the purpose of or where an organization engages in— 
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(a) Participating or collaborating in an act of terrorism; 
 
(b) promoting, encouraging or exhorting others to commit an act of terrorism; or 
 
(c) setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism, the judge in Chambers may on an application made by the Attorney General, National Security Adviser or Inspector General of Police on the approval of the President; declare any entity to be a proscribed organization and the notice should be published in official gazette. 
 
(2) An order made under sub-section (1) of this section shall be published in the official gazette, in two National newspapers and at such other places as the judge in Chambers may determine. 
 
(3) A publication made under sub-section (2) of this section shall contain such relevant particulars as the judge in Chambers may specify: 
 
(i) a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organization commits an offence under this Act and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a maximum term of 20 years; 
 
(ii) for the avoidance of doubts, political parties should not be regarded as proscribed organizations and nobody should be treated as such because of his or her political beliefs. 
 
(4) It is a defence for a person charged under sub-section (3) of this section to prove that the organization had not been declared a proscribed organization at the time the person charged became or began to profess to be a member of the organization and that he has not taken part in the activities of the organization at any time after it has been declared to be proscribed organization. 
 
(5) The Attorney General upon the approval of the President may withdraw the order if satisfied that such proscribed organization has ceased to engage in an act of terrorism— 
 
(a) the proscribed organization or person affected by the order made an application on notice; and 
 
(b) he is satisfied that a proscribed organization has ceased to engage in the acts specified in sub-section (1) of this section and that there is no likelihood of the organization engaging in such acts in the future and shall be published in the official gazette.</blockquote>

Latest-News READ - The Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011

Proscribed Organisation. (1). Where two or more persons associate for the purpose of or where an organization engages in— (a) Pa...

Governors shouldn’t earn same salary, says Masari

08:24 Unknown 0

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If Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has his way, governors should not be earning the same salary. 
 
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The governor says this is because while some states have the financial capacity to pay big, those with smaller income cannot afford to compete paying big salaries. 
 
He spoke in an interview in Katsina. 
 
Drawing a comparison between his state and Lagos State, Masari, a former House of Representatives Speaker said: “I, as a governor, I should not be earning the same thing as the governor of Lagos because his revenue base is different from mine. 
 
“The revenue base in Kano is higher than mine. These are the areas we really need to look at and address.” 
 
The governor expressed support for devolution of power to the states but claimed he does not understand what restructuring, as being advocated by some Nigerians, means. 
 
He said: “I believe strongly in devolution not to the extent of weakening the central government because here, we need the central government so that it can carry the nation forward to a greater height, because a weak central government can bring the nation down. 
 
“But at the same time, I do not see the rationale of the federal government concerning itself with primary and secondary education. These are the responsibilities of local governments and states. 
 
“I do not see the business of the federal government in constructing boreholes, primary healthcare centres, fixing the salaries for my councillors here, fixing the same salary with Lagos. 
 
“I believe in devolution, my friend, but restructuring, I don’t know what it means.”

Latest-News Governors shouldn’t earn same salary, says Masari

If Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has his way, governors should not be earning the same salary. The governor says this is beca...

Nigerian police recover IEDs, petrol bombs from Nnamdi Kanu's house

08:14 Unknown 0

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The Police in Abia State said yesterday that soldiers recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs from the house of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in the state. 
 
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The items are now in the custody of the police, according to Police Commissioner Anthony Ogbizi. 
 
Ogbizi briefing the visiting Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Operations, Force Headquarters, Taiwo Lakanu, in Umuahia said the Station Officer of the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters in Aba that was attacked last week by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) died yesterday. 
 
He had sustained serious injuries when the station was attacked by the arsonists and was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment. 
 
Ogbizi said the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) died early yesterday in an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving medical attention. 
 
The Police Commissioner also said 37 suspected members of IPOB were arrested in the state in connection with last week’s unrest. 
 
The suspects will be arraigned in court tomorrow. 
 
Thirty of them were arrested by soldiers in Isiala Ngwa area of the state, while the remaining seven are accused of having a hand in the Friday looting and burning of the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters. 
 
Police Commissioner Anthony Ogbizi told the visiting Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Operations, Force Headquarters Taiwo Lakanu that efforts were on to arrest more suspects in connection with the mayhem. 
 
He said soldiers recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs from Nnamdi Kanu’s house. 
 
The items are now in police custody. 
 
He added that the Station Officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who sustained serious injuries after he was attacked by the arsonists, died early hours of today in an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving medical attention. 
 
He recalled how arsonists forcefully broke the police station’s entrance zone and destroyed almost everything. 
 
He said: “They were armed with petrol bomb. They burnt police vehicles and carted away three pump actions and other police materials. Some officers were injured and in fact as I’m talking to you, one of the injured police officer, an ASP is dead. 
 
“The doctors tried their best to save him, but they couldn’t. Now, we have lost a soul. And you know what it takes to train a police officer. And you know the vacuum created. Once a police officer is gone, it takes a minimum of one year to train another 
 
The seven we arrested will be charged for murder, arson and conspiracy for breach of the law. 
 
“Simultaneously, they carried other attacks on law abiding citizens of this nation. You could see along the road the destruction of vehicles belonging to citizens. Certainly you cannot say that that is a peaceful demonstration. I think this attack was orchestrated to get arms which they succeeded in doing. Thank God the police succeeded in securing other arms. They attacked a bank may be with the intention to get more money to buy arms. 
 
“IPOB, going to that extent, cannot say that it is a non-violent movement. While this one was happening here, along the road in Isiala Ngwa, the same IPOB members in droves confronted the military and the military were able to arrest up to 30 of them. 
 
“They will be prosecuted for rioting and unlawful assembly and other things. While that was going on, the same IPOB carried attack of various manner in Umuahia and even tried to collect a rifle from a female military officer. In the process, the military resisted and were able to arrest 19 of them. 
 
“At the same time, along the road leading to Umuahia, they set up bonfire attacking the police and innocent citizens and pulled out traffic stands. The vicinity where the Attorney General of the State, Assistant Inspector General Zone 9, Commissioner of Police, and other residents live. They attacked the quarters of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 9 and that of the Commissioner of Police. 
 
“And the house of the self acclaimed leader of IPOB, Kanu was the house they usually come out from to carry out these attacks and information reaching us is that they have started gathering there. Many exhibits were recovered from there like petrol bomb and coat of arm of Biafra. 
 
“I know that 90% of Abians are not in support of this, but a few hoodlums and some others from other states operating under the disguise of IPOB with the motive to cripple the economy of Abia. If this is not planned, how could they come in droves to carry out these attacks? At a time, a mobile patrol vehicle was moving and IPOB members poured petrol on the van with intent to burn it. Imagine if that was successful. I’m glad that eastern governors have proscribed the organisation. 
 
On the allegation by IPOB that security agents whisked away Kanu’s father and some members of the IPOB leader’s family, Ogbizi said “We don’t have Kanu’s father in police net.”

Latest-News Nigerian police recover IEDs, petrol bombs from Nnamdi Kanu's house

The Police in Abia State said yesterday that soldiers recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs from the house of the...

Only courts can pronounce a group terrorist organisation – IPOB

08:14 Unknown 0

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said yesterday that its declaration as a terrorist organisation by the Defence Headquarters was a clear breach of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. 
 
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The DHQ, on Friday, pronounced IPOB a ‘militant terrorist organisation’ in Nigeria for allegedly “clandestinely and actively terrorizing the general public.” 
 
Major-General John Enenche, Director, Defence Information (DDI), listed IPOB’s acts of terrorism as: the formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorized blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks. 
 
But IPOB, in a statement yesterday, faulted the step taken by the DHQ, citing Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. 
 
It argued that the Section stipulates that “only a judge can declare an organisation proscribed based on proven case of acts of terrorism and such case will be presented to the judge through an application made by the attorney-general or the National Security Adviser or the Inspector General of Police with the approval of the president. The judge’s declaration will thereafter be gazetted.” 
 
It then posed the following questions: “Which judge did the DDI make such application to and was it approved by the president prior to submitting the application? 
 
“Where is the approval given to the DDI by the judge? When and where was the Judge’s declaration gazetted?” 
 
It said: “In particular, this deceitful act is a violation and interference into the judicial arm of government and it is an overreach. It is also a deliberate act in contempt of a subsisting ruling in a competent court of law. 
 
“IPOB, whether led by Nnamdi Kanu or led by the DOS, is not a terrorist organisation because no court of competent jurisdiction has so declared it. The so-called declaration by Major-General Enenche is null and void and of no effect.” 
 
Besides, IPOB said there is a subsisting court order which says “IPOB is not an unlawful society/organisation.” 
 
It said the order was made in a March 1, 2017 ruling by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja. 
 
“Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako gave her judgment having studied the conditions for an organisation to be deemed unlawful as stipulated in section-62 of CAP C38 L.F.N. 2004,” Emma Nmezu and Clifford Iroanya, who identified themselves as spokespersons of IPOB said in the statement. 
 
They added: “Up till this day, that ruling from Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako has not been upturned by any court.” 
 
It asked the military authorities to fire Enenche for issuing the statement. 
 
The IPOB position is shared by the Second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Monday Ubani. 
 
He said,” I advise that they take a critical look at the dictionary meaning of “terrorism” before they take the decision to declare IPOB as one. 
 
“The second issue and most importantly is that declaring any organisation as a terrorist group must comply with legal and executive procedures absence of which makes a mockery of the declaration. 
 
“I do not think that the present declaration complied strictly with known procedures for declaration. America declared Boko Haram a terrorist group after due compliance with processes and procedures. 
 
“Is the President of the country really aware of this declaration? What of the Attorney General of the Federation? Are they all aware?” 
 
“Strenuous and conscious efforts must be made by all parties to stop this brewing conflagration to reduce tension in the polity and pursue peace to a logical conclusion. Development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity”.

Latest-News Only courts can pronounce a group terrorist organisation – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said yesterday that its declaration as a terrorist organisation by the Defence Headquarters was a c...

Nigerian troops launch manhunt for Nnamdi Kanu

08:04 Unknown 0

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 Nigerian troops yesterday launched a manhunt for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu , barely 24 hours after the group’s proscription. 
 
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Nothing has been heard about Kanu since the proscription. 
 
Some sources yesterday said he had gone underground. 
 
Kanu is on bail for the alleged treason charges preferred against him. 
 
It was learnt yesterday that his bail sureties might be asked by the security agencies to account for him. 
 
Besides, security agencies are probing IPOB leader’s alleged foreign links. 
 
Investigators are said to be analysing a video clip of Kanu and a Turkish citizen as part of the probe. 
 
A source, while confirming the search for Kanu, said: “Troops have been given a firm order to fish out and arrest the IPOB leader. As a prelude to it, the Defence Headquarters on Friday declared IPOB as a terrorist organisation. 
 
“Intelligence has, however, revealed that Kanu might have gone underground. As I speak with you, troops have actually searched his house and he was not found there.Troops have a mandate to arrest him wherever he might be.” 
 
Asked what if he is not found the source said: “ We might follow legal process by holding his sureties responsible. These sureties will have to produce him.” 
 
On the probe of Kanu’s alleged foreign links , another source said:”We are looking into the allegations of foreign support for Kanu. We are doing a profiling of his foreign contacts. We have some clues but we need to dig deeper.” 
 
NE can also confirm that government insisted on non-withdrawal of soldiers from Abia State to avoid a situation whereby the IPOB will “take advantage and unleash mayhem” on innocent citizens. 
 
Sources said the presidency overruled Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the withdrawal of troops because the police alone could not cope with the “grave security” situation. 
 
“The governor wanted a political solution to a military matter. But the federal government cannot watch and allow the situation to degenerate,” one of the sources said. 
 
“Before Kanu was released on bail, these same governors in the Southeast, political leaders from the zone and others prevailed on the federal government to allow him home. 
 
“Some of these governors and Igbo leaders made a commitment that they would ensure that Kanu did not abuse his bail conditions. 
 
“The government bent backwards and ensured that Kanu was released on bail. But you can see what has happened. All those who gave the guarantee that Kanu would respect his bail bond have been made to look foolish. 
 
“Intelligence on IPOB revealed that without troops on the streets, the situation would have been worse.” 
 
The Embassy of the United States has asked Americans in Abia and Plateau states to review their security and maintain a high level of vigilance. 
 
The Embassy’s cautionary note was contained in its travel alert. 
 
It said: “Curfews have been declared in Abia and Plateau states because of violent attacks accompanied by threats of reprisals. 
 
“Exercise caution in these areas; review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. 
 
“Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.” 
 
The National Leader (Southsouth) of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Senator Roland Owie, yesterday faulted the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organisation. 
 
In a statement in Abuja, Owie said the declaration smacked of double standards. 
 
He said: “Now that IPOB has been declared ‘Terrorist group, the government should immediately declare Fulani herdsmen, Terrorist group.” 
 
Owie added: “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to walk the way of justice and equity in handling the affairs of Nigeria and stop pretending that all is well. 
 
“The gravest mistake of non-equitable administrations all over the world is the denial of wrongdoings on their part. Unfortunately for such administrations, they forget that God cannot be mocked.” 
 
“Gravitation will help a person if he builds the side of his house straight and plumb; but gravitation will oppose him and make his house fall down if he builds it out of plumb.”