Category: Nigerian

The Gusau Local Government’s Mada district’s residents have left their homes as a result of recent bandit attacks.

When the bandits killed one local vigilante and kidnapped about seven people on Thursday, the most recent attacks in Mada and the nearby villages began.

At around 5:00 pm on Friday, the same Mada Community came under attack once more by the bandits, who also kidnapped three people while firing a lot of gunshots at the locals.

Later on that day, 12 people were killed when gunmen attacked the Gidan Bangi community in the Ruwan-bore under Mada district.

Numerous residents left their homes in search of safety in communities like Kwatarkwashi as a result of the frequent attacks.

One of the locals claims that after a string of attacks, members of the affected communities had planned to demonstrate, but the security agencies prevented them from doing so.

Read Also:  Zamfara urges residents to buy guns to defend themselves against bandits

SP Mohammed Shehu, the state Police command’s spokesperson, did not answer multiple phone calls placed to him, making attempts to speak with him unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, in an effort to combat the growing trend of insecurity in the state and its surroundings, the government has instructed citizens to get guns so they can protect themselves from bandits who seem to be wreaking havoc on the state.

Mr. Ibrahim Dosara, the Zamfara Commissioner for Information, released a statement on Saturday that included the instruction.

“Govt. has henceforth directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as Govt. has directed the State Commissioner of Police to issue licence to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves,” the statement partially read.

Francis Atuche, a former managing director of the now-defunct Bank PHB Plc, was found guilty of fraud totaling N25.7 billion by the Court of Appeal, which met in Lagos yesterday.

In addition, the court upheld Ugo Anyanwu’s conviction for participating in Atuche’s crime and serving as his co-defendant.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu’s decision from the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, was partially upheld by a three-judge panel of the court, which included Justices Sadiq Umar, Adebukola Banjoko, and Kayode Bada.

The defendants appealed their conviction after receiving their sentence on June 16, 2021, and they asked the appellate court to reverse the lower court’s judgement.
The court continued its adjournment until yesterday to reach a decision after hearing the appeal in April.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCCarguments )’s were supported by the three-person panel, which unanimously dismissed the appeal in a decision that was condensed and read by Justice Umar.

According to Justice Umar, “all but one of the issues were resolved in the respondents’ favour.”
The arguments of Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), who brought the case on behalf of the EFCC with the approval of Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, were upheld by Justice Okunnu when the pair were sentenced last year (SAN).

In 2011, the defendants were charged by the EFCC with the N25.7 billion fraud and appeared in court before Justice Okunnu.

But after about three years, Atuche and the other defendants went before the Court of Appeal to challenge the lower court’s jurisdiction over their trial.

Despite ordering Justice Okunnu to leave the trial in a ruling issued in September 2016, the court left the charges against the defendants in place.

When the appellate court’s decision stood, the EFCC petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse it and order a trial.

The apex court instructed that the case be sent back to Justice Okunnu for further proceedings after hearing from the EFCC’s attorney.

In order to contest the former banker’s claim that the money in question was stolen rather than loaned, Atuche and his wife went back to Justice Okunnu. Pinheiro was with them.

The money belonged to the bank, so the judge agreed with Pinheiro that it could be stolen.

“Neither the first defendant nor the third defendant refuted the prosecution’s evidence that the loans were used to buy shares. “They argued more that the funds provided as a loan could be used for any purpose, Justice Okunnu said.

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Atuche and Anyanwu were then given sentences, while Atuche’s wife was declared innocent.

The assets and money worth N19,178,253,050 that Atuche is alleged to have kept in 24 banks were also ordered to be frozen by the Ikeja High Court on September 2, 2021.

In April, Atuche’s request for a pardon was denied by the Council of State.

Even though his name was one of the 162 that the Council was given permission to present for clemency, it did not appear on the final list of the 159 criminals who received state pardons.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted down a motion to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to an amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act that would allow statutory delegates to attend political party congresses and conventions.

As the countdown to the 2023 elections heats up, the failure of the assent has denied elected public officials the opportunity to participate in the recently concluded primary elections of political parties in the country.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted down a motion to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to an amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act that would allow statutory delegates to attend political party congresses and conventions.

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As the countdown to the 2023 elections heats up, the failure of the assent has denied elected public officials the opportunity to participate in the recently concluded primary elections of political parties in the country.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested six members of a notorious cult group who had been on the command’s wanted list for their roles in a series of cult clashes in Shagamu and its environs that resulted in the deaths of at least four people.

The arrest of the suspects was announced in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi. Azeez Abiola, Rafiu Osokoya, Ogunsanwo Waheed, Toheeb Ayodele, Kolawole Adegbenro, and Azeez Taiwo are the suspects.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended after the Police Command’s Anti-Cultists Unit Team, led by Mr. Shobiyi Oluwatoshin, received information that the hoodlums were holding a nocturnal meeting in the Ayepe/Odogbolu area.
He said: “Upon the information, the team moved to the area where the suspects were rounded up, but some of them escaped.

“On interrogation, the suspects confessed to belonging to the Eiye confraternity, who have been unleashing terror in Sagamu since the beginning of this year.

Read also:  Court stops INEC from ending voter registration

“They confessed to killing of one Animashaun in Sagamu and another person simply identified as Ekwe also in Sabo area of Sagamu.

“They further confessed that their group was responsible for the death of one Adigun and Elewure both of whom were killed at Isote area of Sagamu early this year during one of their nefarious operations.”

The PPRO said the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, who commended the team for a well done job, has ordered a massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang.

He also directed that the arrested suspects be arraigned in court as soon as possible.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not be able to end voter registration on June 30, 2022, as scheduled by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Honourable Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon (Court 10) granted an order of interim injunction on Monday (SERAP).
SERAP and 185 concerned Nigerians filed a lawsuit against INEC earlier this month, requesting that the court “declare the failure of the electoral body to extend the deadline for voter registration to allow eligible Nigerians to exercise their rights as unconstitutional, illegal, and incompatible with international standards.”
In the suit, SERAP had asked the court for “an order restraining INEC, its agents, privies, assigns, or any other person(s) claiming through it from discontinuing the continuous voters’ registration exercise from the 30th June 2022 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The suit was adjourned to 29th June, 2022 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
The suit followed the decision by INEC to extend the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties by six days, from June 3 to June 9. But the commission failed to also extend the online pre-registration which ended May 30 2022 and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ending 30 June 2022.

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In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1034/2022 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, and transferred to Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the failure of INEC to extend the deadline for voter registration is not a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and international standards.”
SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that the failure of INEC to extend the deadline for voter registration is a violation of eligible Nigerians’ rights to participate freely in their own government, equality and equal protection.”

SERAP is also asking the court for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to extend voter registration by a minimum of three months and take effective measures to ensure that eligible Nigerians are able to register to exercise their right to vote in the 2023 general elections.”

The group argued in the suit, that “Enforcing unrealistic voter registration deadline while extending the deadline for party primaries would deny and abridge the constitutional and international human rights of eligible voters.”

“INEC mandates ought to be exercised in a fair, just and non-discriminatory manner. The extension of voter registration would ensure that Nigerian voters are treated equally and fairly. The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it.

“Extending the voter registration exercise would also bolster voter confidence in the electoral process.”

It also noted that “Extending the voter registration deadline would provide more time for eligible voters, including young people, the elderly, people living with disability, as well as those resident in states facing security challenges and living in IDP camps to participate in the 2023 elections.

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“Extending the deadline for voter registration would be entirely consistent with constitutional and international standards, and the Electoral Act. Any such extension would also not impact negatively on INEC’s election calendar and activities.”

Segun Oni, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, claimed on Friday that some desperate politicians are already breaking the peace agreement signed before the National Peace Commission led by Gen Abdudalami Abubakar.

Oni claimed that rather than following democratic principles in the June 18 Ekiti election, those he referred to as “oppressors” had allegedly used unlawful arrests to dehumanise and demobilise his supporters.

Mr Adeniran Tella, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), and other security formations, according to Oni, must be neutral and ensure justice, fairness, and equity for the election to be peaceful and trouble-free.

Oni, speaking to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Friday, warned INEC, the international community, security agencies, observers, and other stakeholders about the importance of strict adherence to democratic ethos in the election’s conduct.

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“For this election to be valid, all forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, and EC8D must be stamped and signed by the REC, not by any other agent or staff.” Nobody will be able to smuggle any kind of fake results once the REC stamps and signs them.

“Polling officers must upload results at polling units in the presence of party agents,” says the law. In the event of a network failure, INEC must provide alternative network providers.

“There should be no way for anyone to tamper with the results.” The backbone of democratic practise is the election. If you haven’t interacted with the public in the four years since your election, you will be rejected. Subterfuge should not be allowed to win an election.”

“I will keep to the peace accord,” Oni said, referring to the importance of peace for the election’s success. However, peace can only be guaranteed when justice, equity, truth, and fairness are upheld.

“However, when people are kidnapped, every peace document becomes invalid.” Tell them not to set fire to this state. Those who have been kidnapping my supporters should be brought to justice right now. They’re putting people’s patience and tolerance to the test.

“Three days ago, one of my supporters was arrested and detained by a section of the police for alleged kidnapping.

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“They shouldn’t set fire to this state.” If someone commits an offence while believing they are the authorities and go around arresting people at night, the peace agreement is immediately shattered.

“As a governor, I did not steal, which is why the Ekiti people support me, and I should set a good example for all our politicians to learn how to be content.”

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 204 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members have surrendered to troops in the country’s north-eastern region.
According to reports, the figure was made public on Wednesday, June 15 when army headquarters gave an update on its recent operations via its official Twitter page.

According to the army, the terrorists surrendered to troops deployed to deal with security issues in Borno State’s Bama Local Government Area.

The army boasted that a counter-offensive against Boko Haram fighters has continued to be a huge success.

“Today, 15 June 2022, the ongoing offensive onslaught against terrorism in the North East recorded another feat as 204 Boko Haram fighters, including their family members, surrendered to troops in Bama LGA of Borno State,” the tweet reads.

“The terrorists who have surrendered are still being profiled.”

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Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had earlier this year announced that a total of 47,975 terrorists and their families had’surrendered’ to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast between September 2021 and then.

While naval troops of Operation Delta Safe, operating in the Niger Delta region, discovered and deactivated 49 illegal refineries and arrested 22 vessels involved in illegal fishing, the army claimed that it had neutralised at least 17 top terror commanders and 35 armed bandits.

Maj. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), confirmed the statistics to journalists in Abuja.

7,000 Boko Haram and Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) fighters surrendered to troops with members of their families between March 10 and March 24, according to the top officer, bringing the total number of insurgents who have laid down their arms to 47,975.

Nigeria lost a $1.7 billion lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase, a US investment bank, on Tuesday over the transfer of proceeds from the 2011 sale of Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245.

Nigeria claims JP Morgan was “grossly negligent” in transferring funds paid by Shell and Eni to an escrow account controlled by a former minister, Dan Etete, who was convicted of money laundering in a separate case in France in 2007.

Nigeria sought damages in the amount of $875 million paid to Etete’s company, Malabu Oil and Gas, in three instalments between 2011 and 2013, plus interest, for a total of over $1.7 billion.

JP Morgan should have known there was corruption and fraud in the transaction, according to the lawsuit, and there were red flags that JP Morgan should have seen and stopped the transfers.

It was unable to back up its claim.

The Federal Government claimed it was the victim of a “fraudulent” scheme because payments “were suspected to have flowed,” according to its lawyer Roger Masefield.

It claimed JPMorgan had failed to fulfil its obligations by allowing bank transactions in 2011 and 2013 despite “reasonable grounds” to suspect fraud.

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Judge Sara Cockerill dismissed the claim in a 137-page ruling on Tuesday at London’s High Court, ruling that Nigeria had failed at the first hurdle because there was no evidence of a fraud against the country.

She noted that the Nigerian government could not prove that it had been defrauded, and that while “JP Morgan would have done things differently” with the benefit of hindsight, “none of these things individually or collectively amount to triggering and then breaching” the bank’s duty of care to its client.

Judge Cockerill stated that the bank was “aware of a risk” of fraud at the time of the 2013 payments.

“There was a risk – but it was nothing more than a possibility based on a shaky foundation based on the evidence.”

In February, Masefield argued that Nigeria’s case hinged on proving that there was a fraud and that JP Morgan was aware of the risk.

The lawyer told the court at the time, “The evidence of fraud is a little short of overwhelming.”

“Under its Quincecare obligation, the bank was entitled to refuse to pay as long as it had reasonable grounds to believe its customer was being defrauded,” the court wrote.

Quincecare is a legal precedent that states that if a bank believes it will be defrauded by making a payment, it should not do so.

The judge ruled that there had been no Quincecare breach and that Nigeria had failed to prove its case.

According to the Financial Times, Nigeria was “naturally disappointed by the outcome of the judgement and will be reviewing it carefully before considering next steps,” according to an unnamed Nigerian official. The FRN will continue to fight fraud and corruption while also working to recover funds for Nigerians.”

“The judgement reflects our commitment to acting with high professional standards in every country we operate in, and how we are prepared to robustly defend our actions and reputation when they are called into question,” JPMorgan said in a statement to the Financial Times.

How it all began

Etete awarded OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas, an oil company in which he has a large stake, as an oil minister under Sani Abacha’s military rule in 1998.

Following Abacha’s death and the country’s return to democracy, successive administrations challenged Etete’s rights to the field until a deal was struck in 2011 to end the impasse by selling the field to Shell and Eni.

The oil giants paid about $1.1 billion, and Malabu relinquished its interest in OPL 245, allowing international oil companies to buy the block.

The agreement would later lead to a criminal trial for the Italian government’s alleged corruption.

The defendants were, however, discharged and acquitted by a Court of Milan in March 2021, after a three-year trial.

Read Also:  Over 1.5m people in Zamfara receive COVID-19 vaccines – Official

As a result, the Federal Government filed a lawsuit seeking a $1.7 billion award against JP Morgan Chase Bank, which facilitated the transaction, for allegedly failing to meet its Quincecare obligations when it transferred $810 million to Malabu from the proceeds of the OPL 245 sale.

In the trial, the Nigerian legal team accused Mohammed Bello Adoke, the Attorney-General of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, of corruption.

Adoke, on the other hand, has consistently denied the allegations.

Over 1.5 million people in Zamfara have received COVID-19 vaccines, according to Dr Tukur Sama’ila, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board (PHCB).

Dr. Sama’ila made the announcement on Tuesday in Gusau at the board’s quarterly media engagement and sensitization meeting.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the media, health partners, and executives from the state’s health ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), according to Nigeria’s News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, the purpose of the meeting is to inform the media about the board’s programmes and activities aimed at improving health-care delivery.

“We invite you, especially the media, to this meeting to seek your support in advocating for various challenges and promoting our activities,” he said.

Despite the lingering security challenges, he claims that the state was able to achieve tremendous success.
He explained that Anka has the best performance record out of the state’s 14 Local Government Areas, with a 57 percent success rate.

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“We expect other LGAs to achieve up to 70% achievement records by September of this year,” he said.

Pregnant women in the state have a low rate of delivery at health facilities, according to the Executive Secretary.

He stated that “one of the major challenges we are facing in Zamfara is women having their babies in their homes.”

“This is fantastic; our antenatal care (ANC) data is constantly rising in our facilities, but only 70 to 80 percent of our pregnant women attend ANC in hospitals, and delivery rates are extremely low.”

“Immunization is another area of difficulty; we have the vaccine, and we have eligible children, but the vaccine is not reaching them.”

“We have issues with noncompliance, children not being available, and religious and cultural challenges from communities,” he explained.

Behavioral change, he believes, is also a major source of concern that requires serious consideration.

“We’re also pleading with the media to promote COVID-19 vaccination and child birth spacing to the general public in the state to dispel myths about these issues,” he added.

Aliyu Maikiyo, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, reiterated the state government’s commitment to continuing to support health care delivery in a statement.

“We are all aware that the current administration, led by Governor Bello Matawalle, has built 147 standard Primary Health Care Centers in each of the 147 political wards in the state’s 14 LGAs.

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“Among the administration’s major efforts are the recent recruitment of health personnel for state general hospitals, the establishment of a state contributory health care agency, and the upgrade of the state-owned drugs management agency, among others.”

“The current administration has been working hard to ensure that counterpart funding for various partnership programmes to improve health care delivery in the state is paid,” Maikiyo explained.

The Permanent Secretary praised the state’s partners, particularly UNICEF and the WHO, for their generous assistance in health care delivery.

Mustafa Alinkilo, the Programme Manager, State Emergency, Routine Immunization Coordination Center, also spoke, urging the media to intensify the state’s immunisation, health facility delivery, and ANC activities awareness campaigns.
Alinkilo also stressed the importance of raising public awareness about integrated Primary Health Care.