Category: News

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Sokoto state government is ready to render all the necessary support and cooperation to the state Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corp FRSC in the discharge of its mandate.

State Deputy governor Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir stated this while receiving the new Corp Commander posted to the state who paid a courtesy visit in his office.

Alhaji idris Gobir said this was aimed at enabling the Corp discharge its mandate effectively.

Director Press to the Deputy Governor, Garba Muhammad said the Deputy governor would inturn all it takes to assist reduce the rate of accidents on roads.

He however stressed the need for the corp to always scrunise people applying for driving license.

This he said was due to the fact that many accidents were caused by unqualified drivers.

Alhaji Idris Gobir also called for effective measures to address the problem of overload by commercial vehicles.

In his contribution,the Head of service Alhaji Suleiman S Fulani assured that government would continue to explore ways of educating people with a view to help in reducing the rate of accidents in state.

Earlier,the corp Commander of the FRSC in state Abdullahi Maikano Hassan thanked the state government for its continued support to the corp.

He also acknowledged the rehabilitation.construction and reconstruction of a number of roads being carried out within the state capital by the current administration.

Corp Commander Maikano said this has greatly assisted in reducing the number of accidents in the state.

He however called for advice and suggestions from the state government as it relates to the conduct of their operations.

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has Flagged off the third phase of the palliatives distribution provided by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

The Governor described the palliatives as an effort meant to momentarily cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal to enable people of Benue State to forge ahead to sustain the status of the food basket of the nation through food security.

According to Governor Alia, Benue State took delivery of 25 trucks of maize, 35 trucks of rice and grains each, which will be distributed across the state devoid of political affiliations. Some of the beneficiaries include; the less privileged people, tricycle riders, women and youths among others.

He pointed out that apart from the 100 buses procured and handed over to Benue Links Transport Company, the state government earlier procured and distributed fertilizers to Farmers across the state, with plans to register WAEC and NECO for students in Government approved schools.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government for supporting all the states of the Federation with palliatives to help reduce the effects of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, palliatives distribution Committee and Commissioner of Power and Transportation, Barr Omale Omale, commended President Tinubu, over his intervention towards cushioning the hardship following removal of fuel subsidy. He equally appreciated the Governor for ensuring that the palliatives get to the people.

Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Mr James Iorpuu, who promised not to disappoint the governor and people of the state, assured that the items would be judiciously distributed.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) extends heartfelt congratulations to Senators Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, representing Sokoto North and Sokoto South Senatorial Districts, on their well-deserved victory at the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja.

Statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman and Secretary, Dalhatu Abdullahi S/Magori and Muhammad Nasir Bello said the Appeal Court’s judgment provides a renewed opportunity for the Senators to focus on improving the lives of their constituents.

The Council encourages Senators Wamakko and Tambuwal to remain committed toward fulfilling their electioneering campaign promises to their political supporters and, by extension, the entire people of Sokoto State.

In addition, the State Council extends its felicitations to the Members representing Kebbe/Tambuwal, Gada/Goronyo, Binji/Silame, and the Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituencies for their recent triumph at the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja.

NUJ calls upon all relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful rerun election in the 20 polling units canceled in Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency, following the recent declaration of the election as inconclusive by the Appeal Court in Abuja.

Edozie Akunyili, the son of the late Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), expressed his dismay over the sacrifices his family made for Nigeria, questioning their value in light of the prevalence of counterfeit consumer goods.

Edozie shared his sentiments in response to discussions on X, expressing concern about the impact of fake products on the Nigerian market. Users reminisced about Dora Akunyili’s efforts in safeguarding consumers against counterfeit goods.

One user mentioned the burning of Dora Akunyili’s house and office on the same day, highlighting her resilience in the face of adversity. Another user lamented the lack of justice for the Akunyili family, referring to the attempted murder of Dora Akunyili and the subsequent death of her husband.

Edozie Akunyili joined the conversation, acknowledging the sacrifices his family made for Nigeria. He expressed regret over losing his mother, particularly when faced with the prevailing corruption and impunity in the country. Edozie emphasized that his mother, dedicated to her work at NAFDAC, postponed necessary medical procedures, leading to her tragic death from cancer.

In reflection, Edozie questioned whether the sacrifices were worth it, considering the challenges Nigeria still faces. He expressed pain over the loss of his mother and the perceived lack of positive change in the country, stating, “When I see all the lies, corruption and dirty politics, it pains me that we lost our mother for nothing! Was it worth it?”

Dora Akunyili passed away on June 7, 2014, after a two-year battle with uterine cancer. Her husband, Chike Akunyili, was killed on September 28, 2021, in Anambra State. The Akunyili family’s reflections shed light on the challenges and sacrifices associated with efforts to combat counterfeiting and promote public safety in Nigeria.

Olaniyan Gbenga Amos, the Chief Executive Officer of Crime Alert Security Network, Ibadan, has been sentenced to 75 years in prison by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court. The verdict, delivered on December 14, 2023, follows his conviction on 35 counts of investment fraud.

Amos, along with his firm, Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited, faced charges brought by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges included obtaining money under false pretenses, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.

The court found Amos guilty on counts 27, 32, 33, 34, and 35, sentencing him to 15 years imprisonment for each count. However, he was acquitted on numerous other counts. The judgment mandates the sentences to run concurrently, and Amos is required to restitute the victims.

Amos, who had pleaded not guilty, was arrested and arraigned on December 14, 2021, by the EFCC. His fraudulent activities, involving fake investment ventures under “Crime Alert Security Network,” resulted in losses exceeding N1 billion for investors.

This conviction adds to three other ongoing trials that Amos faces before federal and state High Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court’s decision underscores the deliberate deception perpetrated by Amos, causing financial harm to numerous individuals who trusted his investment schemes.

The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes on Wednesday walked out lawyers from Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie, for misleading a cryptocurrency exchange company in Nigeria suspected to be operating at variance with extant Nigerian laws.

Recall that on the 5th of December, 2023,
Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative, Niger-Delta Youth Council and their partners petitioned Binance Holdings Limited, the operators of Digital Assets Exchange before the House Committee on Financial Crimes alleging a plethora of crimes and infractions against Nigerians and total disregard for extant laws governing cryptocurrencies which has posed a risk to Nigerians especially the youth who are vulnerable to such schemes.

The House Committee on Financial Crimes, swiftly summoned the Managing Director of Binance, Richard Teng in a letter dated 12th December, 2023 and signed by its chairman, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe requesting a hearing on the 18th of December, 2023.

However instead of honouring the invitation, lawyers from Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie appeared on their behalf.

Speaking at the hearing, the Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe described the appearance of lawyers from Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie Chambers a as despicable and unprofessional stressing that the National Assembly is not a law court.

The chairman therefore walked Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie out and directed that the company be given another date to appear.

A source at the National Assembly diclosed that, “to say we are disappointed with the infantile, treacherous, demeaning and insensitive treatment meted on the National Assembly by Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie is an understatement. By conniving with an illegal entity clearly operating at variance with existing laws and risking the Nigerian economy, the firm has shown that its loyalty is not with the country and its laws but to their pocket and selfish desires even if it means disrespecting the legislature. A case unfolding like the P&ID scandal.

By disgracefully walking Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie out of the hallowed Chambers of the National Assembly and venue of the scheduled meeting by the House Committee on Financial Crimes, the leadership of the National Assembly and indeed that Committee has shown that there is no room for crooks who are not worth their credentials and the trust bestowed on them. Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie should stop embarrassing itself and allow the needful to be done rather than protect illegality”.

Commenting on the outcome of the committee sitting, the National Coordinator of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, Amb. Solomon Adodo, the National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Council, Chief (Engr.) Jator Abido, on behalf of other partners, expressed their deep seated disappointment with the lawyers from Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie Chambers and wondered why a knowledgeable law firm could have the effrontery to treat the hallowed Chambers of the National Assembly with such disdain capable of bringing shame and ridicule on the House.

The group insisted that Binance Holdings Ltd must explain to the National Assembly and Nigerians the status of their operations in Nigeria by physically appearing before the House Committee on Financial Crimes with the relevant documents requested of them rather than enlisting the services of lawyers who have chosen the unprecedented route to promote gross ineptitude and primitive accumulation without any iota of patriotic commitment to the fatherland.

“Binance Holdings LTD. has a case to answer and they must avail themselves to the nation’s legitimate authority. You cannot be operating in the country and think you can disregard the laws of that country. Those beating the drums of disobedience to foreign firms whose operations threatens national security and economic stability must think twice. We are well within our mandate as civil societies and must continue to act as watchdogs to safeguard the economy and governance structure in the country. Those who are in bed with enemies of the country should know that their time is up”, the statement warned.

The groups equally cautioned Mr. Richard Teng, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Binance Holdings LTD. to desist from acts capable of earning him a warrant of arrest from InterPol and the possible freezing of the assets of Binance, adding that, “crimes such as money laundering, investments and securities fraud, tax evasion and failure to comply with regulatory frameworks are crimes of national security dimension whose punishments are stiff. There will be no hiding place when the law finally catches up with Binance.

The group finally urged unsuspecting Nigerians to distance themselves from Binance.com whose “operation of a virtual asset platform targeting Nigeria (including the country’s cyber space) and onboarding Nigerians, without due registration violates the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in the country respectively. Nigerians should therefore not fall victim to such fraud or even enable it”.

The Federal Government has been urged to urgently scrap the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and terminate the appointment of its Director General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote over incompetence, corruption allegations, amongst others
The call was made during a press conference addressed by Adegoruwa Omobolanle, National Spokesperson of Tinubu Shettima Support Campaign Council (TSSCC) on Tuesday in Ibadan.
According to Omobolanle TSSCC as a prominent grassroots organization committed to advancing good governance, grassroots development, and the welfare of Nigerian citizens is “deeply concerned about the recent appointment of the current Director General of NIMC, and growing cases of fraud within the commission.
TSSCC also added that stakeholders from the NIMC Director General’s home state and region are disappointed with her inefficacy and fraud allegations rocking the Commission, hence are in support of calls for her sack.
Part of his statement read: “We are deeply concerned about the recent appointment of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote as the Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and hereby call for immediate action to rectify the situation.
Unfortunately, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s appointment has proven to be a gross misjudgment, evident by her incompetence in effectively carrying out the duties of Director General/CEO. Under her tenure, NIMC has failed to fulfill its primary objective of providing a reliable and efficient national identity management system. This failure is a significant setback for national development and undermines the rights and interests of Nigerian citizens.
Additionally, corruption cases within NIMC have further tarnished its already diminishing reputation and it is an obvious fact that a person who is corrupt lacks the morality and capacity to check corruption. The alleged corrupt practices, misappropriation of funds, and lack of transparency have eroded public trust in the commission. Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s oversight in such cases is deeply concerning and raises questions about her ethical integrity and ability to lead effectively.
Furthermore, NIMC has been plagued by a range of other issues, including mismanagement of resources, inadequate staffing, and technological inefficiency. These issues hamper the commission’s ability to operate efficiently and provide the necessary services to the Nigerian population.”
Given the gravity of these concerns, TSSCC urgently calls for the following actions to be taken:
1. Terminate the appointment of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote as the Director General/CEO of NIMC, as her incompetence and alleged involvement in corruption cases makes her unfit for the position.
2. Conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the corruption cases within NIMC, ensuring transparency, accountability, and appropriate action against those responsible.
3. Scrutinize the overall operations and structure of NIMC, identifying and rectifying the root causes of its failures, including mismanagement of resources, inadequate staffing, and technological inefficiencies.
4. Consider alternatives to NIMC that can effectively address the primary objective of providing a reliable and efficient national identity management system, prioritizing competency and accountability.
It is crucial that immediate action is taken to rectify the situation at NIMC and restore public confidence in the commission. The provision of a transparent, effective, and corruption-free identity management system is paramount for the security and prosperity of Nigerian citizens