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  • Students Abducted as Kidnappers Attack University, Police Rescue one

    Students Abducted as Kidnappers Attack University, Police Rescue one

     

     

     

    Nasarawa State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia.

    The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, who disclosed the unfortunate incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the armed men attacked the school area on Tuesday night.

    He said the command received a distress call from the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the university at about 9:20 pm, reporting the abduction of students “residing at Living Seed Lodge, located in a bushy area on the outskirts of the students’ residential community”.

    The PPRO said upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives, and other security personnel to the scene.

    The operatives, according to the statement, swiftly mobilized and launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation within the surrounding forest, rescuing one of the victims.

    “The prompt response of the police led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students.

    “Efforts have since been intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining two victims still in captivity and the arrest of the perpetrators.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed all operational and intelligence assets of the Command to sustain the ongoing operation until the remaining victims are rescued unharmed.

    “He assured members of the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the criminals to justice” the PPRO added.

  • COAS passes out over 3,000 recruits, tasks troops on discipline, professionalism

    COAS passes out over 3,000 recruits, tasks troops on discipline, professionalism

     

    By: Zagazola Makama

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday passed out more than 3,000 newly trained recruits at the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, charging them to uphold discipline, loyalty and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

    Speaking at the passing-out parade of the recruits, Shaibu said the graduates represented a significant addition to the Nigerian Army’s manpower, in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen national defence and address the country’s prevailing security challenges.

    He said the recruits had undergone rigorous military training designed to prepare them for the realities of modern warfare and Nigeria’s evolving security environment.

    The COAS urged the soldiers to remain vigilant, disciplined and mission-focused, stressing that their loyalty to the Constitution and constituted authority must remain unwavering.

    According to him, the nation has invested heavily in their training and expects them to justify that confidence through courage, professionalism and selfless service.

    Shaibu described the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, as a strategic investment in the Nigerian Army’s training infrastructure and manpower development.

    He said the facility was part of ongoing efforts to expand the Army’s force generation capacity, noting that the graduation followed similar recruit pass-out parades recently conducted at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, and the newly established training depot in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The Army chief commended the Commandant, instructors and support staff of the depot for their commitment to producing competent and combat-ready soldiers capable of supporting ongoing military operations across the country.

    In his remarks, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, commended the Nigerian Army for establishing the training depot in the state.

    Nwifuru described the facility as a strategic national asset that had enhanced security, stimulated economic activities and created opportunities for residents of Ebonyi State and neighbouring communities.

    He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies to promote peace, stability and development.

    The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, government officials, traditional rulers, families of the recruits and other dignitaries.

    Highlights of the event included a ceremonial parade, precision drills and the presentation of awards to outstanding recruits.

  • DR Congo Ebola confirmed caseload tops 1,700 as WHO says outbreak still intensifying

    DR Congo Ebola confirmed caseload tops 1,700 as WHO says outbreak still intensifying

     

     

    KINSHASA, (Xinhua) — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported more than 1,700 confirmed Ebola cases as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the intensifying outbreak in the country’s conflict-hit east, with the true scale of transmission still unclear and treatment facilities under mounting pressure.

    As of Monday, the DRC had reported 1,708 confirmed cases, including 580 deaths, said authorities late Tuesday.

    According to a WHO Regional Office for Africa report released Tuesday, the outbreak in the DRC “continues to intensify,” driven by sustained transmission in hotspot health zones of Ituri and North Kivu provinces, growing numbers of community deaths and the spread of infection into previously unaffected health zones.

    The public health risk in the DRC remains “very high,” the WHO said, warning that sustained and widespread transmission continued to outpace the current response capacity.

    “The true scale has not yet been fully established,” Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, told reporters in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, epicenter of the outbreak.

    “We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot say it yet,” she said.

    HIDDEN CHAINS OF TRANSMISSION

    The WHO report said deaths before admission to treatment facilities remain a major concern in the country, suggesting delays in case detection, referral and isolation.

    Among 430 confirmed deaths investigated as of Sunday, 397, or 92.3 percent, occurred in the community or before admission to a treatment facility, according to the report.

    For health workers, community deaths are a critical warning sign, which suggests that surveillance, referral and isolation systems are still lagging behind the virus, allowing transmission to continue before patients reach care, it said.

    Contact tracing has improved but remains insufficient to quickly interrupt transmission. As of Monday, 12,412 contacts were under follow-up in the DRC.

    However, only 32.4 percent of confirmed cases had been detected through contact follow-up, indicating many infections outside known contact lists and “ongoing gaps in surveillance.”

    In support of the government-led response, WHO teams are working to reconstruct the history of each infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission” and isolate every contact case, Ancia said.

    The outbreak, declared on May 15, is unfolding in areas already marked by armed conflicts, mass displacement and overstretched health services. It has mainly affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC.

    Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said compared with previous Ebola outbreaks in Africa at the same stage, the current outbreak ranked first in terms of the number of cases and deaths.

    HEALTH CARE NEARING SATURATION

    The surge in cases is placing growing pressure on Ebola treatment and isolation facilities.

    The DRC has about 700 treatment and isolation beds across more than 22 Ebola treatment centers and care facilities. As of Sunday, 646 patients were in isolation nationwide, with official isolation occupancy standing at about 94.2 percent, according to the WHO report.

    Ancia said that treatment centers were “at saturation point” and that not all needs in Ituri province could currently be met.

    Still, WHO officials pointed to some gains in the response. Testing capacity has risen sharply from about 30 tests per day in Kinshasa to more than 2,000 per day, thanks to 10 decentralized laboratories established in affected provinces, including the latest one opened in Bunia, Ancia said.

    The response is also complicated by the wider humanitarian emergency in eastern DRC, where insecurity, displacement, poor water access and weak health infrastructure have increased vulnerability to diseases.

    Kaseya said the Ebola response could not be separated from the broader humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.

    He said that Africa CDC and partners had expanded their funding appeal from an initial request focused on Ebola response to a wider package covering health and humanitarian needs, and that addressing displacement, sanitation and insecurity would help contain multiple crises at once.

    “If we resolve these humanitarian aspects, we will defeat not only Ebola, but also measles and cholera, and also fight insecurity and give opportunities to young people,” Kaseya said.

     


    SEARCH FOR TREATMENT

    The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, unlike the better-known Zaire species.

    The WHO-sponsored PARTNERS clinical trial was officially launched in the DRC on Thursday, becoming the first clinical trial specifically evaluating therapeutics for the disease caused by the Bundibugyo species.

    The trial is assessing the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir, individually and in combination.

    “These drugs will be administered alone or in combination to assess their potential to improve survival among people with the Bundibugyo virus disease,” Ancia said, adding that more than 1,200 treatment doses were available, and that additional therapies could be incorporated as new evidence emerges.

    Kaseya said clinical trials had come “very late,” nearly two decades after the Bundibugyo species was first identified.

    He said Africa CDC was pushing to ensure that vaccines and treatment options could be available “before the end of the year.”

    A MIXED REGIONAL PICTURE

    Uganda has reported no new Ebola cases during the past two weeks. As of Sunday, the country had recorded 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths. Sixteen patients had recovered and two remained hospitalized. All contacts under follow-up in Uganda had completed the required 21-day monitoring period without new linked cases being detected, the WHO reported.

    In France, the imported laboratory-confirmed case reported to WHO on June 24 had recovered and was discharged from hospital on Saturday after two consecutive negative laboratory tests. Five passengers who had traveled on the same flight as the patient were quarantined and remained asymptomatic.

    The WHO said Uganda still faced a high risk of importation due to population movement from eastern DRC, while the imported case in France underscored the need for sustained surveillance, traveler awareness and cross-border preparedness.

  • FG’s clearance of N39bn ex-NITEL staff pension arrears, historic feat- TMV

    FG’s clearance of N39bn ex-NITEL staff pension arrears, historic feat- TMV

     

    By Iyiola Olalere

    The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has described the settlement of N39bn pension arrears of former staff of NITEL, PHCN and others under the defined benefit scheme as not only historical but commendable.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group noted that the move is commendable considering that those arrears have been outstanding for more than two decades.

    The statement read in part, “We note that the non-payment of the pensions had over the years subjected the pensioners to untold hardship. It is acknowledged that the payment will also cover pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

    “There is no doubt that this backlog of pension arrears had become a source of concern, not only to the pensioners and their immediate families, but also an embarrassment to the country.

    “We believe that workers who have devoted their young and productive age to serve the country should be remunerated as and when due, as this will inspire upcoming generations to contribute meaningfully to national development.

    “The approval also demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to the welfare of workers and protection of the dignity of labour.

    “We note that the payments reflect the federal government’s determination to ensure that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pensioners receive their entitlements promptly.

    “It is further noted that much of the pension arrears were inherited by the present administration and, in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda, all outstanding pension arrears are being settled, thereby bringing a new lease of life to public service.”

    The group added that it represents another milestone in the federal government’s efforts to improve the welfare of retirees and strengthen confidence in the pension administration under the Tinubu administration.

    End

  • Enthusiasts say Morocco, Egypt inspire fresh hope for African football

    Enthusiasts say Morocco, Egypt inspire fresh hope for African football

     

     

     

     

    By Vivian Ahanmisi

    Lagos:   Football enthusiasts have hailed Morocco and Egypt’s outstanding 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns, describing their performances as a landmark moment for African football.

    They said both countries proved African teams can compete with the world’s strongest nations rather than merely participating at the tournament.

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, Nigeria Rugby Federation General Manager, Azeez Ladipo, said their achievements reflected Africa’s remarkable football progress.

    He said African teams now approach the World Cup believing they can challenge and defeat leading football nations.

    He said: “The performances of Morocco and Egypt show how far African football has come.

    “African teams are no longer at the World Cup just to take part. They are there to compete, challenge the best teams and even win matches.”

    Ladipo attributed both countries’ success to sustained investment, careful planning and improved football administration over several years.

     

     

    “Their success is the result of investing in young players, improving coaching, running football better and giving players the chance to play in top leagues.

     

     

    “It shows that African football is moving in the right direction,” he said.

     

     

    He said the achievements should inspire young footballers across Africa and encourage governments and football authorities to strengthen development programmes.

     

     

    According to him, the success of Morocco and Egypt has enhanced Africa’s global reputation while demonstrating the continent’s immense football potential.

     

     

    “This achievement is bigger than football. It has made Africa proud and shown the world the great talent we have.

     

     

    “Other African countries should improve their local football, so that these kinds of achievements become common,” he said.

     

     

    Ladipo expressed confidence that more African nations would enjoy similar success at future international competitions.

     

     

    Sebioba Football Club coach, Abdulrahman Gbadamosi, described Egypt’s campaign as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

     

     

    He said Egypt exceeded expectations by displaying courage, resilience and composure throughout difficult matches.

     

     

    Gbadamosi added that reaching the knockout stage showed African teams were becoming increasingly organised, disciplined and mentally stronger.

     

     

    “Egypt have shown courage, unity and determination throughout the competition.

     

     

    “The players have represented not only their country but also the hopes of millions of Africans who want to see the continent succeed at the World Cup,” he said.

     

     

    He said Egypt’s achievement should encourage greater investment in grassroots football and youth development across Africa.

     

     

    Sports analyst, Monday Ahanmisi, also described Morocco’s and Egypt’s performances as evidence of African football’s steady growth.

     

     

    He said many football associations now prioritise player development, coaching education and improved sporting infrastructure.

     

     

    “Football in Africa has continued to improve. More African players now play in top leagues around the world and gain valuable experience.

     

     

    “This has helped national teams become stronger, more organised and more confident against the world’s best teams,” he said.

     

     

    Ahanmisi said both teams united supporters across Africa, with many fans celebrating their success as a continental achievement.

     

     

    “The performances of Morocco and Egypt have made many people believe that Africa can one day win the FIFA World Cup.

     

     

    “The journey is still difficult, but these teams have shown that African countries can compete with the best teams from Europe and South America,” he said.

     

     

    Football enthusiast Samuel Eze urged African governments and sports administrators to increase investment in football development.

     

     

    He called for improved sporting facilities, stronger youth academies, better coaching programmes and more competitive domestic leagues.

     

     

    “Africa has many talented players, but talent alone is not enough. We must train young players well, improve our sports facilities and give them more chances to grow and succeed.

     

     

    “The performances of Morocco and Egypt should encourage other African countries to improve their football and work harder to achieve greater success in future tournaments,” he said.

     

     

    The enthusiasts agreed that Morocco’s impressive run and Egypt’s memorable campaign had restored confidence in African football and highlighted the continent’s abundant talent.

     

     

    They said the achievements inspired millions of supporters and strengthened belief that Africa is steadily moving closer to becoming a major force in world football.

     

     

    NAN reports that, following Egypt’s elimination, Morocco now carries Africa’s hopes in the tournament.

     

     

    The achievements of both nations underline the continued progress of African football on the global stage. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

  • Senate advances bill to strengthen fight against counterfeit drugs

    Senate advances bill to strengthen fight against counterfeit drugs

     

     

     

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Abuja:  The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework against counterfeit medical products, fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods.

    Leading the debate, the sponsor, Sen. Sadiq Suleiman (APC-Kwara North), said the bill sought to repeal the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Suleiman said that the proposed bill also sought to prohibit the use of toxic substances to quicken the natural process to maturity of fruits and to review penalty provisions for hawking drugs, poison and other food products.

    (NAFDAC Operatives in action against counterfeiters)

    He noted that the bill would establish a more comprehensive legal framework to regulate counterfeit medical products, fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods.

    Suleiman said that every Nigerian deserved genuine, safe and effective medicines, lamenting that criminal networks had continued to profit from counterfeit products at the expense of innocent lives.

    According to him, counterfeit medicines contribute to infant deaths, treatment failures, antimicrobial resistance, worsening chronic illnesses and declining public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

    The lawmaker added that adulterated cosmetics, contaminated packaged water and unwholesome processed foods had exposed millions of Nigerians to preventable diseases, disabilities and avoidable deaths on daily basis.

    He acknowledged the efforts by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and other stakeholders.

    Suleiman, however, noted that criminal networks had become increasingly sophisticated, making it imperative to modernise existing legislation and strengthen enforcement mechanisms against counterfeit products.

    The senator said that the bill also prohibited hawking and sales of medicines in open markets, motor parks, roadside stalls, unlicensed premises and illegal online platforms.

    He said that offenders would face up to 15 years’ imprisonment, substantial fines and mandatory compensation where counterfeit products caused death or grievous bodily harm.

    The senator said that the bill empowered courts to order asset forfeiture, seize offending premises and strengthen criminal prosecution through accelerated trials and recognition of electronic evidence.

    He also proposed retaining NAFDAC as the principal enforcement authority, while establishing national and state task forces to improve intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement.

    “Counterfeit medicines have become silent weapons of mass destruction. They destroy lives, weaken healthcare delivery and undermine public confidence in genuine pharmaceutical products,” he said.

    Contributing, Sen. Samson Ekong (APC-Akwa Ibom South) described the bill as timely, saying victims of counterfeit medicines often ended up enriching casket makers through preventable deaths.

    “Health is wealth. The senate must send a clear signal that these abuses must stop and appropriate penalties must be enforced,” Ekong said.

    Also, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) said fake drugs had become widespread across urban and rural communities, contributing significantly to kidney diseases and other organ failures.

    “We are all potential victims of fake drugs. This legislation deserves the support of every senator because it concerns every Nigerian family,” he added.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, supported the bill’s objectives but urged lawmakers to establish a clear nexus with the NAFDAC Act to avoid duplicating existing responsibilities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate thereafter passed the bill for a second reading in a voice vote.

    After deliberations, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for public hearing.(NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)

     

  • EFCC arraigns ex-Port Harcourt Refinery Ltd MD, Dikko, over money laundering offences

    EFCC arraigns ex-Port Harcourt Refinery Ltd MD, Dikko, over money laundering offences

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Mr Ahmed Dikko, the former Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC), on alleged money laundering offences.

    Dikko, who was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 12-count charge, pleaded not guilty.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026, had named Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Ltd as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    In the charge dated and filed on June 22 by the commission’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, the anti-graft agency accused Dikko of using part of the funds to purchase a choiced property in Abuja.

    When the case was called, Iheanacho informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendants to take their plea and that they were ready to proceed.

    Ikechukwu Ajunwa, SAN, did not oppose the application but applied that a non-guilty plea be entered for the 2nd defendant, the company.

    After the charge was read to him, Dikko pleaded not guilty to all the 12 counts.

    In view of the non-guilty plea, the prosecution lawyer applied for a trial date, which Ajunwa did not oppose but informed the court that a bail application had been filed on behalf of the 1st defendant.

    He said a copy of the bail application had also been served on the EFCC.

    Iheanacho acknowledged the receipt of the process and told the court that a counter affidavit had equally been filed in opposition to the bail request.

    Moving the motion, Ajunwa said it was dated and filed on July 3 in line with Sections 34(4) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 158 and 156 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    According to him, the application is seeking for a leave for the defendant to be granted bail.

    “The grounds for the application are there my lord,” he said.

    The lawyer, who said Dikko would not jump bail or interfere with the trial, said the 1st defendant had been reporting to the EFCC’s office as part of administrative bail terms.

    Responding, Iheanacho said the commission, on July 7, filed a counter affidavit to oppose Dikko’s request.

    “We rely on all the paragraphs in our counter affidavit in urging the court to deny bail to the defendant.

    “We also filed a written submission and adopted same in urging the honourable court to reject the bail application,” he said.

    In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the court has the discretionary power to either grant or not to grant a bail.

    He said since bail is a constitutional rights of the defendant, substantial evidence must be placed before the court why the defendant ought to be denied the request.

    The judge consequently admitted him to a N150 million bail with one surety in the like sum who must possess a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He held that the surety must be a responsible citizen and must submit the documents of the landed property which should be verified by the court registrar.

    Justice Ekwo, who ordered Dikko to submit his international passport with the court, directed that the defendant must not travel outside the country without the permission of court.

    The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 12, Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 for commencement of trial.

    NAN observes that in count one, Dikko, the former MD of PHRC, on or about February 2024 in Abuja, did indirectly make cash payment of the dollar equivalent of the sum of N218, 375, 000.00 to one Hadeija Bashir.

    It alleged that the money was used for the purchase of Plot 558, Abubakar Umar Street, Katampe Extension, Abuja without passing through a financial institution.

    The offence is contrary to Sections 2 (1) (a), 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.

    In count two, he was alleged to have between Oct. 21st, 2022 and Oct. 25, 2022 in Abuja, indirectly retained in the Fidelity Bank Plc account number: 4020827615, operated by him, the sum of N100 million, being part of the money cumulatively paid to him by Ebenco Global Link Limited, a contractor to PHRC of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL).

    “When you knew that the said sum of N100, 000, 000.00 constituted proceed of unlawful activity.”

    Count three accused Dikko of indirectly retaining in his GTBank Plc account number: 0047037266, the sum of N90 million between Dec. 7, 2022 and Dec. 19, 2023 in Abuja, being part of the money cumulatively given to him by Ebenco Global Link Limited, a contractor to PHRC of NNPC.

    In count five, he was alleged to have, about May 20, 2022 in Abuja, indirectly took control of the sum of N30 million paid to him by Ebenco Enterprises, a business name of a contractor to PHRC, through the GTBank Plc account number: 0158257115, operated by Medinus Mildred Oluba.

    In count eight, the defendant was alleged to have, on or about June 26, 2023 in Abuja, disguised the origin of the sum of N 328, 710, 337. 50 (three hundred and twenty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and thirty seven naira, fifty kobo).

    The money was alleged to have been paid into the GTBank Plc account number: 0123201507, operated by Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited by OMSA Integrated Services Limited from the transactions involving NNPC Limited allocation of Vacuum Gas Oil for export.

    “When you knew that the said sum of N328, 710, 337. 50 constituted proceed of unlawful activity,” the count read in part.

    He was also accused of indirectly taken possession of the cumulative sum of N59, 200, 000.00, between August 2023 and January 2024 in Abuja, through his GTBank Plc account number: 0047037266 from the funds paid by OMSA Integrated Services Limited to Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited.

    Count 10 accused Dikko of procuring Ebenezar Oluwagbemiga of Ebenco Global Link Limited to take possession of an aggregate sum of N356, 412, 500.00 on his behalf, between June and January 2023 in Abuja, when he reasonably “ought to have known that the said amount represents proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    In count 11, Dikko was said to have, between October 2022 and May 2025 in Abuja, converted “the aggregate sum of $77,080 (seventy seven thousand and eighty United States Dollars) through Ibrahim Isa Yaro.”

    The fund was alleged not to form part of his known lawful earning as a former public officer with the NNPCL, formerly Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    In count 12, the defendant was alleged to have, between Dec. 22, 2022 and April 11, 2023 in Abuja, indirectly took control of the cumulative sum of N20 million paid to him by Ebenco Global Link Limited through the GTB Plc account number: 0233656547, operated his son, Ahmed Ahmed Dikko.

    The commission alleged that the said sum constituted proceed of unlawful activity and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

  • Court awards N10m fine against EFCC over defamatory comments against Olu Agunloye

    Court awards N10m fine against EFCC over defamatory comments against Olu Agunloye

     

    An FCT High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday awarded a fine of N10 million against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over defamatory comments against Dr Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power and Steel.

    Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a judgment on a rights suit filed by Agunloye through his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, dismissed the EFCC’s objections.

    Justice Kekemeke agreed with Adedipe’s argument that since the commission published the defamatory statement, the onus to prove the truth about the case rests on the anti-graft agency and had failed to discharge the burden.

    The judge, who said the EFCC is not a news agency but an investigative body, held that the commission cannot rely on its statutory obligations to make defamatory statements.

    The former minister had, in a writ of summons marked: FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024, filed by Adedipe, alleged that the commission defamed him through a publication it posted on its website.

    Agunloye, in the suit, named EFCC as sole defendant.

    The plaintiff sought a declaration that the website post made by the defendant on its official website and other allied online platforms, with the caption: “EFCC ARRAIGNS AGUNLOYE OVER $6BILLION FRAUD,” at “https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/9687-efcc-arraigns-olu-agunlove-for-6billion-fraud,” was false and defamatory.

    He sought an order for the commission to, forthwith, retract the defamatory publication against him, and consequently tender unreserved apologies on its official website and allied online platforms, together with two daily newspapers: The Punch and The Guardian.

    The ex- minister also sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the EFCC, either by itself or through any media (print or online), agents, or privies, from further publishing the said libelous statement about him and from further negatively inferring in any manner whatsoever, against his reputation.

    Agunloye, therefore, sought a payment of general and exemplary damages in the sum of N1 billion only, as compensation for the damage to his reputation, which was occasioned by the commission’s online defamatory publication on January 10, 2024.

    In his statement of claim, Agunloye, described himself as “76-year-old man, a reputable citizen of Nigeria and pioneer Corps Martial and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps.”

    He said he was overwhelmed with telephone calls and visits on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, by concerned friends and associates, over the spurious allegations by the EFCC that he had been involved in a whopping $6 billion fraud in relation to the award by the Federal Government of Nigeria to Messrs Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd regarding the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project.

    According to him, the defendant willfully and maliciously published the above defamatory statements on its official website and allied online platforms including Channels TV website, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) website, Punch Newspapers website, the Cable News website, the Vanguard News, Premium Times Nigeria website, Leadership News website, the Guardians, et al., with circulation in Nigeria and across the globe.

    He said so many of his colleagues and associates read the said online publication.

    He said the defendant carelessly, maliciously and intentionally published the falsehood agsinst hus person.

    He said the online publication falsely referenced the contract sum alleged to have been illegally and fraudulently awarded by him vis-a-vis the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project as $6 billion.

    He, however, said that the arithmetic calculation of each sum alleged above to have been corruptly received by him in view of the Mambilla Power Project is #5,221,000 (Five million two hundred and twenty-one thousand naira) only as against the $6 billion the defendant is alleging.

    Agunloye said the malicious publication came to him as a rude shock, having been falsely engendered, with the aim of inciting public outrage against him.

    He said it is false that he is standing trial for a $6 billion dollar charge as the the counts on the charge, marked: CR/617/23 FRN V. OLU AGUNLOYE, did not bear any connection with the $6 billion dollar allegation.

    His words: “This material contradiction shows malicious intent orchestrated to bring the claimant into disrepute.

    “These false allegations were also deliberately infused into the media space, to create prejudices against the claimant, the Nigerian Government and also the international community, because of the arbitral proceedings currently going on in France, at the instance of one Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd: in Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited v. Federal Government of Nigeria -ICC Case No: 26260/SPN/AB/CPB before the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France.”

    But the EFCC, in its counter affidavit, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirty.

    Delivering the judgment on Wednesday, Justice Kekemeke agreed with the claimant’s lawyer that the statement was neither fair nor accurate.

    The judge stated that the anti-graft agency made the publication knowing the truth that there was no mention of $6 billion dollars in its charge it filed against Agunloye in another court.

    The judge, therefore, agreed with the submission that the statement was made maliciously.

    He consequently granted all the reliefs sought by Agunloye with a N10 million fine against the N1 billion sought.

    In ddition to ordering the retraction and public apology, the court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from making further defamatory publications against the former minister.

  • Commission Dismisses 4 Senior Police Officers, Sanctions

    Commission Dismisses 4 Senior Police Officers, Sanctions

    bSC DISMISSES 4 31 Others – Official

     

    By Dianabasi Effiong

    FLOWERBUDNEWS:   The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of four Senior Police Officers, including a range of disciplinary measures against 31 others, following various acts of misconduct.

    The disciplinary measures were made known on Tuesday in a statement by Torty Kalu, the PSC’s Head, Protocol and Public Relations.

    He stated that the decision was reached at the Commission’s Plenary Meeting at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

    According to Kalu the four dismissed officers were found culpable of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct, and acts unbecoming of public officers.

    “In addition to the dismissals, the Commission approved a range of disciplinary actions that affected multiple officers. Ten senior officers received reductions in rank: three Superintendents of Police were reduced to Deputy Superintendents of Police, two Deputy Superintendents of Police to Assistant Superintendents of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police to Inspectors. Two officers were also compulsorily retired in the public interest.

    “Other sanctions included severe reprimands issued to ten officers, reprimands to five officers, warning letters to three officers, and a letter of advice to one officer. In addition, seven officers were exonerated and cleared of wrongdoing,” the statement added.

    Kalu said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), had emphasised the Board’s zero-tolerance on indiscipline within the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers.

    “The Commission will continue to uphold discipline in the Force and match all forms of misconduct with commensurate disciplinary actions. We would also continue to encourage and motivate hard work for deserving officers through our established reward system,” Kalu quoted Argungu in the statement.

    The PSC also reaffirmed its commitment to entrenching accountability, professionalism, and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.