Lagos Red Cross learn to swim

Following the prevailing waterways accidents in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria occasioned by the flooding of the major cities, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, (NRCS) Lagos State branch has decided to train her officials on how to swim.

 The three days training was concluded last week with the officials equipped with various skills on how to rescue people involved in accidents on waterways and flooding.

Fifty-members and officials of NRCS members gathered at the Muhammed Abubakar Swimming pool located inside the Police Training College, Ikeja Lagos received the training under the supervision of Instructor Sunday Adeneye, the Lagos State Red Cross Disaster and Relief Adviser.

Speaking at the end of the training, the Instructor said the course  is  designed  for  the  fearful/novice  participant  in  order  to orientate  oneself  to  the  aquatic  environment and to help one gain basic aquatic skills.

 “It’s for us to update ourselves with waterways. We have been doing well on the land but we have not done anything regarding rescuing people from flood and waterways accidents, so the introduction to Water Skills lessons can help us overcome the fear of the water and to learn the basic skills to achieve a minimum level of water competency,” he added.

“We contracted a certified Water Safety Instructor and a swimming coach for the participants and he will work on the foundations of swimming such as floating, gliding and gaining comfort in the water.”

According to Adeneye, the participant officers paid for their training in order to have basic skills necessary to rescue people, vehicles, boats, cars and canoes that were involved in accidents on waterways. He further explained that its part of the officers sacrifice and contribution to the society at large in making waterways accident-free, safe and habitable.

According to him, funding is the major problem of the Society as there were no support from corporate, private of government for the training and called on the spirited individuals, governments at all levels, corporate bodies for their support adding that the scheme will go a long way in helping the society in times of disaster.

Fear grips NDLEA staff over postings…may move headquarters to Abuja

By

Emeka Ibemere

If available information reaching DailyCrimeReporters.com is anything to go by, then majority of the staffs of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the No 4 Shaw Road Ikoyi, Lagos State, the present headquarters of the agency may move to Abuja, the federal Capital Territory, FCT,.

 The officers also are in a frenzy and fearful mood over an impending nation-wide posting being compiled by the Administration department of the agency. According to available information, The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah rtd, is planning relocating the headquarters of the agency for easy administration and close to the seat of power just like every other government Parastatals.

 It was gathered at the weekend that the nine months old leadership of the agency has concluded plans to carry out all embracing re-deployment of officers before the end of the week, along with the movement to Abuja.

According to our source, the action was a routine system of the agency but in the last 10 years, the former Chairman, Mallam Ahmadu Giade refused utterly to carry out the operation for the best reason known to him. The few postings he did our source also disclosed was to punish some staffs that disagreed with his system of leadership.

Our impeccable source in Abuja also claimed that some of the staffs have stayed 13 to 15 years in one post for long and few postings carried out by Giade favoured his friend-officers in the agency, while those in his ‘bad book’, were redeployed to areas said not to be juicy.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah rtd was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. He took over from Ahmadu Giade who completed his two-term tenure of 10 years in office on November 24, 2015.

This current posting would be the new chairman’s first serious assignment since coming into power. Meanwhile mixed feelings are trailing the purported posting of officers across more than 37 commands and special commands of the agency. Some of the officers were said to be happy while others are afraid of the impending postings. Under the crippling financial position of the agency, gloom and frustration has become the second nature of NDLEA officers. Greater majority of officers have not known promotion for an upward of 13 years.

Giade was said to have allegedly awarded double promotions to his cronies. These ugly injustices in the agency are what the officers said they want the new chairman to reverse. Attempt to reach Mitchell Ofoyeju to comment on this proved abortive.

Meanwhile another source claimed that movement to Abuja is subject to accommodation and that the agency has not gotten a place yet whiles the redeployment and postings are all subject of rumours and that it has not been made official. But our investigation shows that there are strong indications of the new changes coming up in the agency, soon.

PROF. DIKE HOSTS ORLUZURUMEE NEC MEMBERS

Prof. Francis Dike (SAN) has enjoined the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) of Orluzurumee  to work circumspectly to restore the socio-cultural union to its pride of place, achieve tangible milestones and realize its goals for the interest of the preponderant majority of Orlu people and not to pander to parochial and selfish interests. Dike, who is the new BoT Chairman of Orluzurumee gave this charge to members of the NEC of the apex socio-cultural union of Orlu zone when he played host to them at his Owerri residence last weekend.

This was on the occasion of a courtesy call on the erudite professor of law who emerged BoT Chairman of Orluzurumee in a unanimously choice among 12 prominent nominees in the last election of the organization which also witnessed the maiden meeting of the new executive, where they reviewed issues of importance, set new goals and made commitment to take the union to greater heights.

Among issues that were deliberated on and resolution reached are constituting the college of patrons, inauguration of the Board of Trustees and standing committees, conducting elections in the 12 local government branches and the remaining organs of Orluzurumee, viz. the youth wing and the women wing.

In his opening remarks, Chief Emeka Diwe, the re-elected President of the union recalled events before and after the elections and advised members of his executive to work assidiously to make the desired impact expected of the apex socio-cultural union. He promised to leave the organization better than he found it.

In his words, “We will take Orluzurumee to the next levels, make it stronger and compellingly attractive by restoring its glory; make it an association that will take greater initiatives that will be beneficial to all Orlu people and a vehicle of economic, social and cultural enhancement for the best interest a preponderant majority of the people of Orlu Zone.”

 He eulogized the excellent personal qualities of the new BoT Chairman saying, the overwhelming support his nomination received above those of other top sons of Orlu Zone is an eloquent testimony of his (Prof. Dike’s) impeccable pedigree. Diwe describe him as a round peg in a round hole and noted that his emergence as BoT Chairman marks a new beginning in the history of the organization, a breath of fresh air.

 In his response, Prof Dike expressed gratitude for electing him BoT Chairman saying, he will do all in his power to see that Orluzurumee is repositioned to seek the greater good of Orlu people. Waxing philosophical, he said, “You can’t lift yourself by your shoe lace. I am your son, whatever I am is by you and for you. We owe a duty to develop Orlu, make it different and set the pace for others to follow.

“I want to tell you that you have promises to keep and you have milestones to reach. No matter what you are, you must submit yourself for selfless service to this noble organization. And when you are called to serve, you should be ready to serve in any capacity.”

Prof. Dike further said his earnest expectation is a stronger Orluzurumee and a greater and more united Orlu. He counseled the new national exco to have great plan for the zone and prayed that they receive strength from God to achieve their goals for the benefit of Orlu people and Imo State in general.

EFCC Arraigns Five Suspected Oil Thieves

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday,  27  July, 2016 arraigned five suspected oil thieves: Sokari Iminabo;  Segun Olagunju;  Uche Emmaneul, Obinna Ezinne and Tiny Patience before Justice I.J.Watilla of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a two count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.

 The suspects were arrested on 26 April, 2016 at Anyako waterside in Sama Community,  Asari Toru Local Government, Rivers State by troops of the 130 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. At the point of arrest, the suspects were in possession of a locally constructed metal tank, housed in a Man Diesel truck with registration number SOKOTO XA 614 BDN to convey illegally refined Automative Gasoline Oil (AGO) concealed in poultry feeds.   

 They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

 Count one of the charge read:  "that Sokari Iminabo, Segun Olagunju, Uche Emmaneul, Obinna Ezinne, Tiny Patience and Adebowale John (now at large) on or about the 26^th April, 2016 at Anyako waterside in Sama Community of Asari Toru Local Government, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; dealing in petroleum product without appropriate authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) act 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act”.

 In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel J.N. Dogonyaro asked for a trial date. However, the defence counsels:  C.I.Akpudi, M.O.Nkwocha, Greg Okenili, H.N,Emiremi moved different applications for the bail of the suspects. 

Justice Watilla admitted them to bail on the following conditions: 1st defendant was granted bail in the sum of Two Million Naira and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. The 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants were also granted bail in the sum of Two Million Naira each and two sureties each in like sum; each surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and one of the sureties must be a civil servant on grade level 10 and above. The 4th defendant was also granted bail in the sum of Four Million Naira only and a surety in like sum. The defendant must deposit his International Passport with the court and report every Monday to sign attendance at the court's registry. 

The judge ordered that all the defendants be remanded in prison custody until they meet their bail conditions and adjourned the matter to 14 September, 2016 for hearing. 

EFCC Arraigns Ex- Ebonyi Council Chair, Two Others for N25m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC  on Thursday, July 28, 2016 arraigned a former Coordinator of Afikpo South Local Government Development Center of Ebonyi state, Ugwuocha  Okoroafor; his treasurer, Christian  Chukwu  Owo, and the administrative officer, Mrs. Anne Eke Agwu before Justice E.A. Ngene of the State High Court, Afikpo,  on a 15- count charge of conspiracy and stealing of public funds totaling over  N25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million Naira).

Okoroafor and his alleged accomplices were said to have at various times between 2013 and 2015 raised vouchers for payments supposedly for contract awards, salaries  and independence day celebrations in the names of staff of the council, who denied receiving such funds.

Investigation into the matter which was reported by Center for Prevention of Corruption and Human Right Initiatives and some staff of the council, revealed that the accused persons padded their salaries and that of other staff in connivance with a staff  of the bank where the local Government’s account is domiciled . 

The sum of N16, 000,000 and N8, 000,000 were at different times traced to the accused person’s account which their income profile could not justify.  

When the charges were read to them, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges,  prompting counsel to the accused persons, M.O. Njoko  and B.O Igwenyi (SAN) to ask the court to release their clients on bail.  

The court granted bail to each of the accused persons in the sum of N500,000   and one surety each in like sum. The surety the Judge ruled, must be a resident of the state, who has a landed property within the jurisdiction and must present evidence of three years tax payment.

The matter has been adjourned to September 21, 2016 for commencement of trial.

Forensic Auditors Seeks EFCC’s Support

The President of the Association of Forensic and Investigation Auditors, Victoria Enape, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to sustain its assistance in training of its members on the practical aspect of forensic auditing with a view to effectively tackle corruption in Nigeria.

Enape made the call on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 when she led other members of the Association on a courtesy visit to the Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja.

“The Commission has all it takes to provide the needed support to meet the modern day challenge in tracking and tackling all shades of corruption in the country”, Enape stated.

She appreciated the Commission for the support it had rendered in the past especially in the area of training of its members at the EFCC Academy.

She also used the opportunity to inform the EFCC boss of the Association’s first international conference coming up in November, urging him to be present and sponsor some staff of the Commission to attend.

In his brief remark, Magu assured the Association of the Commission’s continued support adding that, the war against corruption can only be won with the collaboration and support of all stakeholders.

Other members of the team are: Anjorin F. Abraham (Secretary), Philips O. Salawu, Uchehara Chris Chigo, Crawford C. Oti, Anugwo C. Jonathan, Uche Chinedu, Joseph Enape, Anauche M. Chima and Jonathan Rosemary

EFCC Kicks Against Bail for Agbele

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission has said it will immediately appeal the ruling of a Federal Capital Territory High Court which today granted bail to one Abiodun Agbele, a suspect who is being investigated by the Commission for a range of alleged criminal infractions bordering on fraud and money laundering.

 Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, in a ruling which the Commission described as “shocking” today offered bail to Agbele and ordered the EFCC to pay the suspect N5million as compensation for unlawful detention. The judge claimed that the failure of the EFCC to charge Mr. Agbele to court, since his arrest, amounted to an abuse of his fundamental rights.

But the Commission described Justice Adeniyi’s conclusion as “curious” against the background of the information presented to the court, which included the fact that the suspect is being held with valid remand warrants issued by competent courts.

The EFCC, however, said it is filing a motion for a stay of execution of the ruling.

Magu Woos NBA, Vows to Go After Money Launderers

EFCC Press Release

The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has called on legal practitioners to join hands with the Commission in its bid to free Nigeria of corruption.

He gave this charge on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the opening of a one-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACC at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja.

According to Magu, the EFCC cannot stamp out corruption in the country without the support of all stakeholders.

“We consider everybody a stakeholder, as the EFCC does not have monopoly of knowledge to defeat all shades of graft", he said.

The anti-graft czar urged legal practitioners to always play by the rule and avoid being used by corrupt elements to pervert justice adding that, “what is important is the interest of the nation which should be placed above any other interest"

Magu, who commended the bar for being good partners in the fight against graft, however decried the attitudes of some lawyers who compromise on their jobs for criminals to escape justice.  He added that lawyers have a greater stake in the war more than any other class of professional.

In reiterating his commitment towards fighting money laundering, the EFCC boss warned that, “we will not stop going after people who are involved in laundering money. It doesn't matter who you are, the law is a respecter of nobody especially those who commit crime.

“Whether you are EFCC, SAN or whatever, sooner or later we will start going after people who buy properties with stolen funds as well as people who help others to escape justice”, Magu declared.

In his keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed urged members of the bar to examine themselves with a view to develop workable ways to curb corruption.

Justice Mohammed who spoke through Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun charged them to look inward as individuals in the system, and collectively as a body to improve the legal system.

“You have a role to play as an individual and it is when we all change our attitude that we can see it reflected in the society. No doubt, the legal profession is crucial in the maintenance of a high quality of justice delivery within the justice system and such success or failure of our fight against corruption will depend on our willingness to take the right ethical path", the CJN charged.

“Anti-Corruption, Ethics of the Legal Profession and Justice Sector,” was the theme of the workshop.

Suswam: CJ Overrules Judge, Asks Him to Continue with N3.1bn Fraud Trial

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has returned the corruption case file of a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, to Justice A.R. Mohammed and ordered him to continue presiding over the case.

Suswam is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, along with his Commissioner of Finance, Okolobia Okpanachi, on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of state funds to the tune of N3.1 billion.

It would be recalled that Justice Mohammed had on June 6, 2016 handed off the case, and informed the court of his decision to return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. He had cited a May 27,
2016 report published on an online news medium – SaharaReporters, in which it was alleged that Suswam “entered into a financial agreement” with him in order to grant the former Benue State governor “a soft landing in the case”.

Despite persuasive arguments from the prosecution, led by Rotimi  Jacbos, SAN, and Suswam’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, that the said report be discountenanced, the trial judge averred that, “justice or
the fairness of it is not as the judge, prosecution or defence sees it”. Jacobs urged the court to “take cognisance of all the witnesses the prosecution had called so far, which would cost the state
resources to recall for the trial”. Daudu, too expressed confidence in the trial judge.

In returning the case file, the Chief Judge noted that “there were no complaints or allegations of bias against the judge, either from the prosecution or the defence”, and so Justice Mohammed should continue with the case where he stopped.

Their trial has been fixed for October 4, 2016.

Pastor, Accomplice Bag 14 Years for Forex Trading Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 11 2016, secured the conviction of Pastor Emmanuel Markus Anga and Atin Victor Generous before Justice Abubakar Jauro of Gombe State High Court on two count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretense.

Anga and Generous are alleged to have in November 2013, deceived David Madison, into believing that they were employees of Gora Commanding Resources, a foreign exchange investment concern allegedly owned by Philemon Gora (who is still at large) and tricked their victim into expecting that his investment of five hundred thousand (N500, 000.00) would yield ten percent (10%) interest on a monthly basis. He only received the 10 percent interest in the first month of his investment, while all the effort to recover his money proved abortive.

Count two of the charge reads, “ that you, Pastor Emmanuel Markus Anga, Atin Victor Generous and Engr.Philemon Gora (Now at large) sometime in November 2013 at Gombe, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did fraudulently obtain the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500, 000.00) from one Mr. David Madison under  a false pretense that the said sum was to be invested in foreign exchange trading which sum you never invested, instead diverted same to your own personal use, thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, LFN 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Justice Jauro, sentenced the convicts to seven years imprisonment on count one (conspiracy),  while Generous bagged another seven years on count two (obtaining by false pretense).  The sentences are to run concurrently from July 11, 2016.

Justice Jauro, also ordered Generous to restitute to the victim to the tune of five hundred thousand naira (N500, 000.00).

Chimamanda inspire kids in Airtel Reading for Leading Campaign

Emeka Ibemere

Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has flagged off its Airtel Reading for Leading Campaign, a CSR education programme aimed at helping underprivileged children in public primary schools and providing them with access to relevant, high-quality text books.

Renowned Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, recently flagged off the campaign at the Airtel corporate headquarters in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos. The occasion was attended by children of Airtel’s pilot adopted school, Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle, Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, who was represented by the company’s Human Resources Director, Gbemiga Owolabi, noted that  Airtel is not just passionate about education, we are also intensely interested in helping children – especially underprivileged kids – to succeed, actualize their dreams and become the true leaders of tomorrow.

According to him, “Airtel’s love for and concern for underprivileged children is unarguably the critical ingredient that has spurred us to initiate the ‘Reading for Leading’ campaign initiative. With this project, we intend to provide over three thousand (3,000) relevant books to children across our six adopted schools. “In implementing this glorious initiative, my colleagues, across our regional offices in Nigeria, will come out en masse to purchase and endorse these books, read to the children, teach and mentor them, and ultimately spend quality time with our adopted pupils.”

At the event, Chimamanda encouraged the children to develop a love for reading, noting that reading will make them better, more rounded and improve their vocabulary as well as oratorical skills.

She particularly advised the kids to read story books and other fictional literature, saying that prose and imaginative narrative play a pivotal role in building, nurturing and developing young minds.

Chimamanda, author of Americanah, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and the Thing around Your Neck, also commended Airtel for supporting primary education and for creating solid educational opportunities for underprivileged children.  The Airtel Reading for Leading” campaign is aimed at promoting good reading culture among children living in rural communities starting with the 3000 children across Airtel’s six adopted schools in Nigeria. “Reading as we know awakens the power of imagination, aids vocabulary, increases knowledge and broadens horizon hence our desire that the campaign will motivate and inspire the children to learn leadership through reading,” the CEO noted.

The Airtel Reading for Leading campaign is a partnership with Longman and Macmillan. Under the initiative, Airtel employees will buy over 3,000 high quality and relevant textbooks for children of the company’s six adopted schools.