Flowerbud News

Category: Security and Crimes

  • Alleged N30m fraud: Court remands ex-lawmaker in Kuje correction centre

    Alleged N30m fraud: Court remands ex-lawmaker in Kuje correction centre

     

     

    Abuja:  A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, ordered Mr Suleiman Dabo, the immediate-past member of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Zaria Constituency, to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending ruling in his bail plea.

    Justice James Omotosho gave the order following Dabo’s arraignment by the police on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged fraud to the tune of N30 million.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dabo was arraigned alongside his company, Ohman International Venture Ltd., in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/363/2021, as 1st and 2nd defendant.

    In count one, the ex-lawmaker and his company, sometime in October and November, 2017, were alleged to have conspired to obtained the sum of N30 million by false pretence from Mrs Folashade S. Mojeolaoluwa.
    In count two, Dabo and the company, sometime in October and November, 2017, were alleged to have defrauded Mrs Folashade S. Mojeolaoluwa of the sum of N30 million through a GTBank Account No: 0172410075 with account name: Ohman International Venture Limited.

    It alleged that the defendants had, on the pretence of selling a scrap vessel ship known as ADNAN 101, commited the act “when you presented yourself to Mrs Folashade S. Mojeolaoluwa as the bonafide owner of the scrap ship.”
    In count three, they were alleged to have converted the N30 million to themselves, the property derived directly from the proceeds of theft with the aim of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the money.
    The offences were said to be contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act and Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act LFN 2011, among others.
    However, they both pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
    Police counsel, Mathew Omosun, prayed the court to order his remand in view of his non guilty plea.
    But A.S. Egene, who represented Dabo in court, opposed Omosun’s application.
    Egene said there was a pending bail application dated Nov. 3, 2021, though another one dated Nov. 3, 2023 was also before the court
    He sought to withdraw the Nov. 3, 2023 process and it was struck out.
    The lawyer, who said a brother judge handling the case before admitted Dabo to bail, urged the court to grant their prayers in the same bail terms.
    Omosun objected to the application, saying a counter affidavit dated Sept. 8, 2022, was filed in that respect.
    Justice Omotosho then observed from the court file that the ex-lawmaker was absent in court in about eight times since the matter was reassigned to him.
    Egene pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
    “As a lawmaker, he should know that the temple of justice must be respected,” the judge responded.

    In a short ruling, Justice Omotosho held that in view of the fact that the defendant had been absent in the past proceedings for about eight times, the court would adjourn to consider and study the case file judiciously and judicially to arrive at its ruling.

    He consequently fixed Feb. 5 for ruling on the bail application.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Army tasks troops on sensitivity to emerging threats, use of social media

    Army tasks troops on sensitivity to emerging threats, use of social media

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:   The Nigerian Army has tasked officers and troops on sensitivity to emerging threats within their operating environment and acceptable use of social media.

    Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, gave the task on Saturday while declaring open a Security Sensitisation Lecture for Officers and Soldiers at the Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu.

    Dada said that the lecture was aimed at educating the troops on emergent security issues, threats and how best army personnel could respond to them.

    He said that it was expedient to brainstorm from time to time and to share updates on emerging security threats and strategies to counter such threats.

    The GOC further emphasised the Nigerian Army’s commitment to training of personnel to improve operational effectiveness in line with international best practices.

    He added that the significant successes recorded by the Division would be attributable to adequate training.

    The GOC also advised troops to be vigilant in observing and identifying security threats in their respective areas of responsibility/operation and promptly responsive to such threats.

     

    This, he said, would proactively prevent security breaches.

    Dada commended the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army), Maj.- Gen. Thompson Ugiagbe, for dedicating time to deliver the lecture to officers and troops of the Division.

    Delivering the lecture, Maj.- Gen. Ugiagbe clarified that the sensitisation lecture became necessary considering some significant international and national developments in contemporary security threats.

    He stressed the need for troops to be loyal, disciplined and ensures personnel, material and information security, adding: “If compromised, could jeopardize national security”.

    The Chief of Military Intelligence charged the officers and soldiers to show a high level of discipline and professionalism in their daily operational tasks and engagements.

    He further noted that the Nigerian Army had a sacred obligation to ensure that personnel perform their duties within the ambit of the law.

    “To this end, all personnel must take security awareness seriously,” he said.

    Ugiagbe also stressed on the need for compliance with extant regulations for acceptable use of Social Media in order not to run contrary to the provisions of the Armed Forces Policy on Abuse of Social Media.

    High points of the lecture were interactive session as well as questions and answer sessions between officers/troops and the special lecturer, the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army). (Flowerbudnews)

  • Female banker kills self in Lagos

    Female banker kills self in Lagos

    A female marketing employee of a bank in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has committed suicide.

     

    The deceased, 32-year-old Amarachi Ugochukwu, was said to have drunk an insecticide.

     

    PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Monday within the premises of the bank.

     

    Ugochukwu had around 1pm made her way into the restroom, where she drank the insecticide, unknown to her colleagues.

     

    Other members of staff had started looking for her when the phone she left on her table kept ringing and she was not around to pick the calls.

     

    A police source confirmed to our correspondent that Ugochukwu was later found dead inside the toilet with the bottle of insecticide and her suicide note.

     

    In the suicide note made available to our correspondent, the lady blamed hard economy for her decision to end her life, saying nothing was working well for her.

     

    Nothing is working in my life. My figures are low. My brain is clogged up. The economy is getting harder. My decisions are wrong. My mind is messed up. The future doesn’t seem bright at all. I see extreme hardship. I can’t bear the pain anymore,” she wrote in the suicide note.

    Ugochukwu apologised to her parents and other members of her family in the suicide note.

     

    “I’m sorry mum, I’m sorry dad, I’m sorry Nene, Okwe, Toto, Nazor, Chuchu, Ifunanya,” she added.

     

    She concluded by writing, “Dear Lord, have mercy on me!”

     

    PUNCH Metro gathered that the manager of the bank had reported the incident to the police

    Ugochukwu apologised to her parents and other members of her family in the suicide note.

     

    “I’m sorry mum, I’m sorry dad, I’m sorry Nene, Okwe, Toto, Nazor, Chuchu, Ifunanya,” she added.

     

    She concluded by writing, “Dear Lord, have mercy on me!”

     

    PUNCH Metro gathered that the manager of the bank had reported the incident to the police.

     

    The bank manager had reportedly told the police that Ugochukwu locked herself up in the toilet to commit suicide, and she was found dead when the door was forced open.

     

    Our correspondent gathered that a medical doctor examined Ugochukwu and confirmed her dead

     

    The corpse was removed by the police and deposited at Ikorodu General Hospital for autopsy. The police in Lagos are investigating the incident,” the source added.

     

    Contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not pick several calls made to his phone, neither did he reply a text sent to him.

  • COAS charges troops to remain loyal, disciplined, dedicated

    COAS charges troops to remain loyal, disciplined, dedicated

     

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged Nigerian Army troops to remain loyal, disciplined and dedicated in order to ensure elimination of all forms of criminality in the country.

     

    Lagbaja gave the charge on Tuesday in Enugu while addressing troops during his operational visit to the Headquarters of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    He cautioned troops not to be swayed by fabricated social media lies and misinformation, adding: “You should not allow dissident/criminal groups to indoctrinate you to do wrong things and take wrong decisions”.

     

    The COAS noted that the Nigerian Army remained an embodiment of discipline, noting that it would not tolerate any soldier or officer flaunting the constituted rule and law of their host community or state.

    Lagbaja also said that the Army holds the welfare of its troops and their families to a very high esteem, adding that it had prompted the inauguration of various projects with the headquarters and the Abakpa Military Cantonment.

     

    He noted that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was also working to ensure that the officers and soldiers welfare remained a top priority.

    According to him, in line with my Command philosophy, one of the pillars which is sound administration; the Army High Command is poised to carry out massive renovations in our barracks nationwide.

     

    “We are also addressing challenges that affect young families – we are talking about Command Secondary School, Command Primary School, water supply in our barracks, electricity and even the welfare of our departed colleagues.

    “The President has taken it upon himself to address the backlog of severance.

     

    “You must have heard it, over and over again, that he has approved the payment of the backlog of the group life assurance claim to the families of our departed colleagues that had been outstanding since 2011.

    “So, he had approved N18.4 billion to clear that backlog. That will be done,” he said.

    The COAS noted that the Army on its own had instituted Group Personnel Accident Insurance to cover the gap in the event that soldiers who are deployed on operations perhaps within Enugu or any other place have an accident.

    “Then, the insurance company will pay claims. We are doing all these to cater for your welfare and wellbeing.

     

    “However, as the saying goes, to whom much is given; much is expected. So, my charge to you is to remain loyal to the Constitution of Nigeria and the government of the day,” he said.

    The army chief warned army personnel not to engage in illegal duties or get involved in civil matters that do not have any bearing or connection to their official duties, adding: “The Army is too busy to engage in frivolities”.

     

    High points of the COAS visit included the unveiling of the remodeled Headquarters 82 Division Office Complex and face lift of its major offices and visitor’s room.

    The COAS also inaugurated renovated Block 12 and 13 accommodations for corporal below personnel and gave keys to its new occupants; did ground breaking of officers’ transit accommodation and inaugurated the new Dragon Officers’ Mess all in Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Police arrest pastor, 43, for alleged defilement of 16-yr-old girl

    Police arrest pastor, 43, for alleged defilement of 16-yr-old girl

    The Ogun Police Command says it has arrested a 43-year-old pastor, Clinton John, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld) at Agbado area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Ota on Saturday.

    Odutola explained that a family at Giwa Agbado reported a case of alleged defilement of their 16-year-old girl by John at the Agbado Divisional Police Station.

    “The family reported that their daughter had been repeatedly treated for recurring infections and exhibited frightful tendencies that made them suspect that she might have been involved in sexual intercourse.

    “But she was concealing the identity of the person as the parents needed to persuade her and she later confessed that one John, a pastor of Mega Healing Ministry, had fiercely been having carnal knowledge of her, since November 2022.

    “Their daughter further stated that the pastor threatened to kill her, if she ever revealed the cagey affair to anyone,” the PPRO added.

    She further stated that the suspect on interrogation confessed to the crime and admitted that he severally had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl.

    According to Odutola, the rape survivor has been issued with medical forms for treatment and examination, while the suspect will be transfered to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation. (NAN

  • Gunmen kidnap another traditional ruler in Imo

    Gunmen kidnap another traditional ruler in Imo

     

     

    By Peter Okolie

    Owerri:  Gunmen on Saturday abducted the Traditional Ruler of Orodo Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo, Eze Samuel Ohiri, in his residence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the heavily-armed four-member gang stormed the residence of the former Chairman of Imo Council of Traditional Rulers in a green-colour Toyota Highlander.

    “They arrived in a commando style and headed straight into the palace where they kidnapped the traditional ruler, but his cousin, who was with him managed to escape.

    “They dragged the traditional ruler into their vehicle and drove towards Umuaka-Orlu Road,’’ a palace source said on the condition of anonymity.

    Confirming the abduction, the Police Spokesman in Imo, ASP Henry Okoye, said the command had begun investigation into the matter.

    “Police have started intense investigation and we have taken some steps to ensure that the victim is rescued and his kidnappers arrested.

    “The suspects will be made to face the full wrath of the law, when arrested,’’ Okoye said.

    Kidnap and murder of traditional rulers have become a regular occurrence in Imo.

    Gunmen kidnapped the Traditional Ruler of Otulu Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA, Eze Joe Achulor, in similar manner on Nov. 25, 2023.

    They killed him the same day and dumped his lifeless body on Mbutu Road, a neighbouring community in Aboh-Mbaise LGA.

    On July 17, 2023, the Traditional Ruler of Ezuhu Umuamadi Nguru Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Eze James Nnamdi (Mirioma), was gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

    The traditional ruler was shot multiple times when the gunmen invaded his palace.

    On May 25, 2023, gunmen killed Victor Ijioma, the Traditional Ruler of Eziorsu Autonomous Community in Oguta LGA.

    Ijioma was shot inside his car as he was driving through Umuamaka Junction on the fateful day.

    The assailants set him ablaze in his car before fleeing the scene.

    In October 2021, three traditional rulers were killed when gunmen attacked Nnenasa Community in Njaba LGA.

    The traditional rulers were holding a meeting when the assailants struck. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • NAPTIP rescued 470 human trafficking victims in Katsina – Commander

    NAPTIP rescued 470 human trafficking victims in Katsina – Commander

     

    By Abbas Bamalli

    Katsina:  The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it rescued 470 victims of human trafficking in Katsina in 2023.

    The NAPTIP Commander in the state, Mr Musa Aliyu, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Katsina.

    According to him, within the year under review, the command arrested and convicted four human traffickers.

    “We received 25 cases of human trafficking and two cases of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP).

    “In 2023, the command rescued 470 victims of human trafficking, and reunited them with their respective families,” the NAPTIP commander said.

    According to him, the command is expecting some rehabilitation items from the NAPTIP headquarters to enable it rehabilitate trafficked victims.

    He disclosed that NAPTIP, in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration on Policy Development (ICMPD), organised a series of sensitisation for border communities.

    “We also carried out sensitisation programmes in conjunction with the Katsina government, for Religious and Traditional leaders, and also for youths in Mai’adua, Baure and Mashi Local Government Areas,” he said.

    Aliyu explained that the command, through the ICMPD, was able to conduct free medical treatment for 80 victims of human trafficking.

    He pointed out that the medical outreach had become necessary to address issues of trauma and sexual exploitation of victims of human trafficking. (NAN)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Police begin screening of recruits Jan. 8 – Spokesperson

    Police begin screening of recruits Jan. 8 – Spokesperson

     

     

    By Desmond Ejibas

    Port Harcourt:  The Police Command in Rivers says it will begin screening of applicants who had indicated interest to join the force on Jan. 8.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, announced the commencement of the screening exercise in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    She said that the programme would be held at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt from Jan. 8 to Jan. 29.

    “This is to inform the general public, especially all indigenes of Rivers , who applied for ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that screening will hold from Jan. 8 to Jan. 29.

    “Applicants are expected to come with the required documents for the physical/credential screening exercise at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road.

    “The required documents are evidence of physical/mental fitness from a government recognised medical hospital and evidence of good character from each village/district head of applicants,” she stated.

    Iringe-Koko said candidates should also come forward with original and duplicate copies of their certificate of origin, duly signed by chairman or secretary of their local government areas.

    “Other documents include original and duplicate copies of national identity card/slip and original and duplicate copies of birth certificate or declaration of age.

    “Applicants are also expected to come along with printout of their application form; duly completed guarantor’s form and their invitation slip.

    “Candidates should also present recent passport photographs and two white flat files as well as expected to wear clean white T-shirts and shorts for the exercise,” she added.

    The police image maker advised candidates to arrive at the venue of the screening exercise not later than 8 a.m. daily during the recruitment.

    She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu had assured that all statutory entry requirements as clearly stated in the Police Acts and Regulations would be followed accordingly.

    “CP Disu has also urged the shortlisted applicants to conduct themselves in an orderly manner to avoid acts capable of undermining the exercise.

    “The screening is totally free,” Iringe-Koko stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  •  Communities, traders score Area Commander high

     Communities, traders score Area Commander high

    The three major communities in Sango main market,Hausa,Yoruba and Igbo have scored the Sango Otta Police Station Area Commander, ACP Muhammed Sani Musa, high,describing  him as a fine officer who detests tribalism when performing official duty during and after official hours. (more…)