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Interpol arrests three over cybercrime, rescues American lady held hostage for 16 months

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Interpol arrests three over cybercrime, rescues American lady held hostage for 16 months

OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja have arrested three suspects; Samson Inegbenesun, 30; Blessed Junior, 32; and Muhammed Zakari, 36, all male from Uromi in Edo State for cyber-related offences, including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.

The Police confirmed this in a statement released on Twitter on Sunday.

The suspects were arrested in Uromi following investigations into suspected fraudulent online procurement and supply of COVID-19 protective mask, received through the INTERPOL NCB Wiesbaden, Germany, the statement revealed.

Samson Inegbenosun, according to police investigations is an internet fraudster and a member of a Turkey-based online scamming syndicate.

He was supplying foreign and local bank accounts to receive fraudulent funds and used same as conduit to other feeder accounts.

The Police have recovered from him, a building apartment worth N20 million, a Toyota RAV-4 2015 model worth N6.5 million and a Toyota Matrix 2002 model valued at N2 million, which he procured with the proceeds of the crime.

The second suspect, Blessed Junior, returned to Nigeria from Italy in February 2020, but maintained close contacts and illicit dealings with his Italian associates, police said.

Junior has made over N120 million from internet fraud and other cybercrime dealings.

He also received 52,000 Euros recently from his criminal associates in Italy as commission for his active involvement in an international cybercrime deal.

He also owns a filling station established with the proceeds of the crime.

Mohammed Zakari, an expert in internet fraud, identity theft and impersonation, falsely claimed to be a British citizen.

He also posed to be one Kelly Galk on online dating apps, which he has been using to carry out romance scams and to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, locally and internationally.

According to the police statement, Zakari has made millions of naira from his illicit cybercrime transactions since he joined the syndicate.

Meanwhile, Police said they have rescued an American citizen confined in a Lagos hotel where she was held against her wish for over a year.

The victim, who hails from Washington DC, USA , is a retired civil servant in the US.

She arrived Nigeria on February 13, 2019 on a visit to one Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku, 34, a native of Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, whom she met on Facebook.

She was however rescued by Police operatives attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, Ogun State Annex, following information received from a Nigerian in the Meran area of Lagos State.

The rescue of the American lady came on the heels of a similar case of abducted Philippino lady who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.

The statement said all the suspects would be charged to court on conclusion of investigation and prosecuted in line with the Cybercrime Prevention/Prohibition Act, 2015.

Power Minister, Mamman Sale directs contractors to return to site after ease of lockdown

Amos ABBA
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Power Minister, Mamman Sale directs contractors to return to site after ease of lockdown

MAMMAN Sale, Minister of Power has directed contractors handling various power projects across the country to remobilise to sites, insisting the lockdown by the Federal Government has been relaxed gradually for work to commence.

Sale gave this directive during an inspection visit to the new Gagarawa  2 by 60 mVA 132/33 kV substation being constructed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Jigawa State.

Speaking on the impact of the pandemic on the power sector, the minister said the sector is among the worst affected with the entire value chain directly or indirectly counting losses.

“I can tell you that the impact of the pandemic is huge on the sector, however, we have joined the government effort to restart the economy with the easing of the lockdown and opening of the interstate road,” he said.

“I direct all contractors handling power projects to return to sites and work assiduously to recover from the losses recorded during this lockdown.”

Data released by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in 2017, shows that the country has over 1600 abandoned power projects in rural communities.

Nigeria would need an estimated $205 million  for these projects to be completed, according to a report.

Speaking on the Gagarawa Substation, the Minister commended the contractors for their unrelenting dedication to the project.

He said the substation when completed will boost power supply in over seven local government areas in Jigawa State, including an industrial area.

Muhammadu Badaru, Executive Governor of Jigawa State who also joined the minister on the inspection tour commended the efforts of the minister for delivering the projects which had lingered for over 20 years.

FCT Health Secretary tests negative for COVID-19, discharged from Isolation Centre

Abeeb ALAWIYE
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FCT Health Secretary tests negative for COVID-19, discharged from Isolation Centre

MOHAMMED Kawu, acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat,  has been discharged from Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja where he has been receiving treatment, after testing negative for COVID-19.

Kawu disclosed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday moments after he was declared free of coronavirus.

It would be recalled that the acting Secretary had announced that he and some members of his family had contracted the disease about two weeks ago.

Speaking about his experience as a coronavirus patient, Kawu said he had moderate to severe symptoms.

“I developed chest infection, so I had to be on antibiotics for some days. But thank God, myself and members of my family do not have the symptoms again and we have been discharged from the isolation centre.”

He said the final tests conducted on them returned negative which prompted the discharge and warned against stigmatizing victims of the disease.

“Even me, I was not spared. I heard that people around the neighborhood where I live were spreading the news in fear. So we need to really work on the stigma issue,”Kawu said

He  reiterated that COVID-19 is real noting that anybody can be infected and that the disease can be fatal.

“It is important that everyone follows all the extant guidelines of hand washing or sanitizing, maintain social distancing wearing of facial covering and staying at home,” he said.

NAFDAC considers 21 herbal products for COVID-19 treatment

Abeeb ALAWIYE
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NAFDAC considers 21 herbal products for COVID-19 treatment

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is considering 21 herbal products for the treatment of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)  symptoms.

The agency confirmed this development through its official Twitter handle on Saturday but did not name the herbal products or their manufacturers.

Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the agency in the statement also said the reports circulating on social media that the agency had approved Paxherbal for treating COVID-19 symptoms as “wrong and inaccurate.”

This consideration is coming at a time Nigeria and indeed the world contend with increasing cases of confirmed COVID-19 and attendant deaths without any cure at the moment.

Nigeria, on Saturday, recorded 664 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 31,987.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), with Saturday’s figure, the total tally of infected people in the country rose to 31,987 from 31,323 reported on Frriday evening.

Adeyeye said, “Paxherbal applied for Listing of Pax Herbal Cugzin capsule 290mg, which was approved by NAFDAC and listed as ‘safe to use.”

According to her, the applicant claimed that it is an immune booster and an anti-infective.

“However, as part of the labeling of the product, and in line with global practices, a disclaimer is on the product label, which clearly states that the claims have not been evaluated by NAFDAC.

“Therefore, the statements circulating on social media that NAFDAC has approved Paxherbal product specifically for treating symptoms associated with the coronavirus is wrong and inaccurate,” she said.

“Until a clinical study is done in a scientific manner, no herbal medicine manufacturer can claim effectiveness to treat COVID-19 associated symptoms. NAFDAC is currently processing 21 herbal medicinal products for ‘safe to use’ or listing status.”

The statement further read, “Many of the applicants claim that their products are immune boosters and anti-infectives useful for the relief of symptoms that could be associated with COVID-19. However, no clinical study has been done yet on any of the products to prove their claim of efficacy.”

Magu acquired N573m property in Dubai through unknown pastor, recovered N551b unaccounted for – Report

Lukman ABOLADE
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Magu acquired N573m property in Dubai through unknown pastor, recovered N551b unaccounted for – Report

A REPORT by the Presidential Investigation Committee probing corruption allegations against Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has indicted him of acquiring a property worth N573 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates through an unknown pastor.

The Committee which produced the report, according to The PUNCH was different from the one headed by Justice Ayo Salami, former President of Court of Appeal which is currently investigating Magu.

It was titled “Final Report of the Presidential Investigation Committee on the EFCC Federal Government Recovered Assets and Finances from May 2015 to May 2020,” published  by the Federal Government-owned News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The PUNCH reported.

The Committee was headed by Abdullahi Ibrahim, a former Minister of Justice.

According to the report, Magu was also accused  of failing to properly account for a recovered N551 billion  by the Commission under his watch.

The report revealed that Magu through a pastor named Omale has been laundering public funds to foreign countries.

It stated that Omale’s name was revealed through the investigation on activities of the EFCC by Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The report added that the unknown pastor had bought a property worth N573 million in Dubai on behalf of Magu.

“As an unknown pastor, the NFIU’s report showed the huge movement of funds ranging from N573, 228,040.41,” the report read.

The panel report further stated that between 2015 and 2020, over N550 billion has been re-looted by the Commission.

“Failure to report on the interest on actual lodgements clearly establishes that the interest element of over N550 billion has been re-looted relating to the period under review,” the report said.

“This is an apparent case of manipulation of data in a very brazen and unprofessional manner and this has greatly eroded the public confidence in the anti-corruption efforts.”

Other allegations levied on Magu in the report include failing to cooperate with foreign authorities over probe on former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke, and circulation of disproportionate figures on recovered loot in the public space.

Covid-19: Weak laws, poverty worsen gender-based violence in Bauchi during lockdown (PART 2)

Editorial
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Covid-19: Weak laws, poverty worsen gender-based violence in Bauchi during lockdown (PART 2)

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Magu’s suspension proves government’s commitment to corruption fight — Presidency

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Magu’s suspension proves government’s commitment to corruption fight — Presidency

 

THE Presidency on Saturday broke its silence on the investigation and suspension of Ibrahim Magu, former acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as a proof of the government’s commitment to ridding the country of corruption.

The government’s position was conveyed by Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman in a Twitter statement where it is stated that ‘Magu was not immune.’

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the suspension of Magu as the acting chairman of EFCC in order to allow for unhindaered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel into allegations of corruption and insubordination against him.

Shehu said the administration has shown that no one was above the law in the fight against corruption

“Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and guiding principle. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered,” he said.

“Magu was not immune – and regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.”

Shehu noted that the current administration had proven it was true to the cause, and that “no other administration in the history of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light and public domain such an allegation.”

He stated further that the fight against corruption is not a static one and that the EFCC is just one of the actors in the government cause to rid the country of corruption.

“We must realize that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor; and as we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution,” Shehu stated.

“What is however important is that there must be accountability and transparency and our people must realize that they would be held to account. This is the building block in the fight against corruption, the establishment of the concept of Accountability and the recognition of the Rule of Law.”

Magu is being investigated following allegations made by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The allegations include the alleged sale of seized assets to cronies, associates and friends, though Magu denied the allegations.

Ortom wants Buhari to declare herdsmen as terrorists

Ihuoma ILO
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Ortom wants Buhari to declare herdsmen as terrorists

SAMUEL Ortom, Governor of Benue State has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare the herdsmen killing innocent people in communities in the state as terrorists.

This was contained in a press statement by Trever Akase, spokesperson to the Governor on Saturday morning.

Ortom condemned the series of invasion and killings in several parts of the state allegedly carried out by herdsmen, describing the situation as unacceptable.

He emphasized that the state has a law that prohibits open grazing of livestock that was signed into law in 2017 but has been constantly violated by the Fulani herdsmen.

“Only a terrorist group would deliberately choose to violate the legislation as Fulani herdsmen have done since the law emanated in 2017,” Ortom said.

According to him, declaring the armed herders operating in the “state as terrorists will end the wave of impunity and guarantee the rule of law.”

He urged the people of the state, especially those residing in the affected areas to report any suspicious persons to security agencies.

Ortom also commended officers and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt responses to distress calls, particularly that on Friday when the people of Tse-Chembe came under herdsmen’s attacks.

The Governor however reassured residents of the state that his administration would not surrender the state to criminal elements such as herdsmen or any other group, adding that no amount of threats and attacks would stop the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.

Magu’s investigation must not end up as their usual paddy-paddy arrangement- Fayose

Seun DUROJAIYE
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Magu’s investigation must not end up as their usual paddy-paddy arrangement- Fayose

AYO Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State has called for a deeper probe into allegations levelled against Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a series of tweets shared on Saturday, Fayose submitted that a full investigation must be carried out on the sales of properties seized by the EFCC under Magu, adding that recovered loots that were ‘relooted’ must be ‘re-recovered’.

Fayose also emphasized that the investigations should go beyond proving Magu’s alleged corrupt practices and consequent elimination from office, but should expose beneficiaries and co-conspirators linked to the embattled former EFCC chief.

“This investigation must not end up as their usual paddy-paddy arrangement. It should not end up as a tool just to remove Magu because removing him will not be enough, the loots already ‘relooted’ must be ‘re-recovered’ and those who ‘relooted’ the loots brought to book,” Fayose said.

“Nigerians must know beneficiaries of the seized properties and how they were sold because most of these properties were bought by associates of Magu,  including some so-called human rights lawyers.

He added that “those holding money and properties in trust for Magu as well as those who must have helped him to launder money must be revealed.”

The former governor also alleged that some human rights lawyers were Magu’s promoters adding that “today,  they are the ones defending him.”

“These human rights lawyers were his promoters and today,  they are the ones defending him because they know that if this investigation goes deeper than just looking for what Magu did wrong so as to remove him from office, their dirty secrets will be revealed for Nigerians to see.”

It would be recalled that trouble started  for the suspended acting chairman of the EFCC after Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice  sent a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of corruption, abuse of office, insubordination among others.

Magu, who was picked up by security operatives attached to the inter-agency panel set up by President Buhari on July 6, has spent five days in detention, owing to ongoing investigations.

However, in a letter written by Tosin Ojaomo, his lawyer and sighted by The ICIR, addressed to  Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), he has requested that he be released on bail, promising to be available whenever called upon by the inter-agency panel investigating the allegations against him.

Police confirm arrest of deaconess, who tortured 14-year-old girl with hot knife

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Police confirm arrest of deaconess, who tortured 14-year-old girl with hot knife

THE  Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a middle-aged woman, identified as Madam Yemi for torturing a 14-year-old girl with hot knife.

Narrating the human rights abuse on Twitter, Chidi Odinkalu, a Nigerian human rights activist wrote that the woman, Yemi Awolola, who is a Deaconess at a Living Faith Church, Kaduna committed the domestic terror on the 14-year-old lady identified as Princess Michael.

 

He stated that the deaconess had approached Kajuru IDP camp to seek for the custody of the young girl from her parents.

Odinkalu explained that the woman and her children were putting knife on fire to burn their victim with it from face to genitals.

Confirming the woman’s arrest to The ICIR in a telephone conversation, Mohammed Jalige, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), stated that the woman was arrested on Friday for the crime.

Jalige said  the woman is still in the police custody.

“Yes, we have arrested the deaconess since yesterday, she is still in our custody,” Jalinge said.

He further said that the police are still investigating the incidence and would leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter.

But in a series of tweets on Friday , Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development  said it was investigating the matter.

Awolola at the police station

“The Ministry is currently investigating a distressing news of child labour & physical violence by Mrs. Yemi Awolola a staff of @NNPCgroup  Kaduna on one 14-year old Princess Michael whom MrsYemi keeps as a house help,” the Ministry wrote.

The Ministry also confirmed that Princess was given to  Awolola by her parents upon agreement that she will be supported to go to school.
However, for the 15 months of Princess’s stay with her guardian, she has been consistently abused and battered. She is made to sleep in the rest room and oftentimes is forced to drink pepper which Mrs. Yemi rubs on Princess’s body, it said.
The  case was brought to light when the woman and her family members used a lighter to burn Princess’s private part and also inserted same device into her vagina which landed the poor girl in a hospital in Barnawa.
It said Princess Michael will get justice for all  Awolola and her family have done to her warning that every other would-be criminals like her who think they can abuse a child in Kaduna State and go free, should please try and see.
While noting that it does not condone cases of violence on anyone let alone on a child, the Ministry vowed to mete out sanctions on  Awolola and her family on three counts: a. Child labour. S.29 (1) of the CWPL states that no child should be subjected to forced or exploitative labour and anyone who contravenes any provision of (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N50,000 or imprisonment for a term of 5 years or both. b. Violence against children: Part IV, S.28 (1) of the CWPL states that no person shall subject a child to emotional & physical violence & anyone who contravenes this, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than Two (2) years or fine of not less than N100,000 or both.
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