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  • Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    The details of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s meeting with security agencies over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country has emerged.

    Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, revealed that Gumi had been invited over some of his remarks. 

    The minister said Gumi was not above the law and would be interrogated if security agencies deemed his comments reckless.

    This comes after Gumi continued his advocacy for amnesty for bandits in a recent radio interview, saying that many took to banditry because of alleged neglect and marginalisation from the government.

    The cleric has been photographed with various bandit groups on numerous occasions, while some Nigerians have called on security agencies to arrest him over his alleged ties with terrorist groups.

    In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said he had a productive interaction with security agencies who invited him over his alleged connections with bandits.

    The cleric stated that his meeting with the security agents centred on how to curb banditry in the North West region of the country.

    Gumi said there was no cause for alarm and thanked well-wishers and journalists who called to check on him.

    He wrote: “Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.

    “Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying — each in his own sphere — to tackle the monster bedevilling the nation. There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect.

    “We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace.”

  • Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria

    Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria

    A key Binance executive detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has reportedly escaped custody.

    According to PREMIUM TIMES, Anjarwalla, 38, managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held.

    The escape occurred when guards allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers.

    The dual British-Kenyan citizen is believed to have left Abuja aboard a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about his departure despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport.

    Efforts are underway to determine Anjarwalla’s destination and facilitate his return to custody.

    An Immigration official revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Anjarwalla escaped using a Kenyan passport, sparking inquiries into how he acquired the document given that his British passport was in official custody.

    This has led to speculation about the oversight and privileges granted to the detainees, including phone access, which may have facilitated the escape plan.

    The National Security Adviser’s office, through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication, acknowledged the incident but has yet to provide further details.

    Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, leading to a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange.

    Following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, the duo’s detention was extended to prevent evidence tampering.

    Charges against Binance and the executives include failure to register for taxes and issue invoices for VAT, as well as aiding subscribers in evading taxes.

    This incident comes amidst a broader crackdown by the Nigerian government on financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorism financing, with Binance allegedly being used for such activities.

    The government claims that over $21.6 billion was traded by anonymous Nigerian users on Binance, contributing to economic destabilization and Naira depreciation.

    The saga adds to Binance’s legal woes, following a guilty plea to money laundering charges in the US and a significant settlement with the Department of Justice.

    Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s trial in the US has also been delayed, casting a shadow over the cryptocurrency giant’s operations globally.

  • How Two Police Officers Were Killed By Unknown Gunmen On Saturday In Imo

    How Two Police Officers Were Killed By Unknown Gunmen On Saturday In Imo

    Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have killed two police officers along old Gariki Road, Okigwe Council Area of Imo State.

    This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, on Saturday in Owerri

    While giving an account of how the incident happened, the police said the gunmen threw dynamites at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four others survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.

    “On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.

    “More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence,” Okoye said.

    The CP, therefore, urged the general public, especially the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information to assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest police station or via 08034773600, 08103341610.

    He also appealed to the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe.

    He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State.

  • UK-based Nigerian YouTuber Emdee Tiamiyu Arrested Over Alleged Fraud  

    UK-based Nigerian YouTuber Emdee Tiamiyu Arrested Over Alleged Fraud  

    A Nigerian YouTuber based in the United Kingdom, Emdee Tiamiyu, has been arrested on allegations of fraud.

    In a video making the rounds on social media, Tiamiyu, who made headlines few months ago following a controversial interview with the BBC over Nigerian immigrants, is now facing scrutiny over a financial dispute involving the UK government.

    The incident traces back to a recent BBC interview in which Tiamiyu made remarks about Nigerian students in the UK, suggesting that many use the student visa system not for academic pursuits but to work and bring their families to the country.

    The interview reportedly influenced the UK government’s decision to impose restrictions on Nigerian students, specifically barring them from bringing family members to the UK unless they are enrolled in PhD programmes.

    Following the controversial interview, Tiamiyu is alleged to have defrauded the UK government of £160. 

    Reports suggest that the funds, intended for resettlement purposes, were instead used by Tiamiyu to construct a house in his native Ogun State in Nigeria.

    The allocation of the resettlement funds by the UK government was presumably to aid Tiamiyu’s integration and financial stability within the country, particularly after his asylum claim post-interview.

  • FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch

    FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch

    The federal government has taken over the prosecution of four suspected terrorists who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku.

    The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke were earlier slammed a three count charge which has been increased to five in the amended charges.

    At the resumed proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the
    Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, announced the taking over of the trial from the Inspector General of Police

    The AGF, through his counsel, David Kaswe, invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to assume trial of the terrorism charges.

    Consequently, he pleaded with the court to put off the arraignment until another date to enable him to study the case file.

    He said that the Inspector General of Police has already been directed to make the case file available to the Federal Ministry of Justice for approximate action by the AGF.

    Meantime, April 15 has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendants on the amended charge.

    Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.

    The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family.

    In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

    They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped, and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.

    The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies, which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

    Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

    “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

    “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

  • Sheikh Gumi Reacts As FG Names His Ally, Tukur Mamu As Terrorism Sponsor

    Sheikh Gumi Reacts As FG Names His Ally, Tukur Mamu As Terrorism Sponsor

    Popular Nigerian controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has declared that the Department of State Services (DSS) has no right to declare his ally, Mallam Tukur Mamu, a terrorist financier.

    Recall that the Federal Government recently released a list of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, involved in terrorism financing.

    Among the individuals named on the document is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu.

    It is worth noting that Mamu has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022. The cleric is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

    Mamu was apprehended at the time with his family members while en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

    During a recent X Space organized by Daily Trust, Sheik Ahmad Gumi stressed the importance of not granting security agencies the power to categorize an individual as a terrorist financier, particularly when the matter is already being handled by the court.

    Despite facing charges related to terrorism financing in a Federal High Court in Abuja, Mamu firmly pleaded his innocence.

    Sheikh Gumi described the situation between Mamu and the security agency as a misunderstanding, refraining from further comments as the case is currently being handled by the court.

    “Mamu’s case is in court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to a media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.

    “Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” The Islamic scholar noted.

  • EFCC arrests man over death threat against its Chairman

    EFCC arrests man over death threat against its Chairman

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have announced the arrest of one Kayode Cole over a death threat against the chairman of the anti-corruption agency, Ola Olukoyede.

    This was disclosed in a post on its X handle on Wednesday, March 20, stating that Cole made the death threat through his Instagram page handle: “#1billionsecretss” while commenting on a story.

    The post reads in part: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 18, 2024, arrested one Kayode Cole for issuing a death threat against the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede.

    “Cole was arrested at the Lugbe axis of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

    “The suspect made the death threat through his Instagram page handle: ‘1billionsecretss’ while commenting on a story posted by a popular Instagram blogger, Instablog9ja on February 1, 2024.

    “Instablog9ja had posted a story with the caption: ‘A Religious Sect Is Laundering Money for Terrorists. We Traced N7 Billion Fraud Proceeds to another Religious Group – EFCC Chairman’.

    “Reacting in the comment section of Instablog9ja, Cole stated that the EFCC Chairman will be dead in six months.

    He said: “He will be dead in six months. This man will be dead in 6 months remember I said it.

    “In the course of interrogation, the suspect claimed that he was just ‘chasing clout’.”

  • Senate Joint C’ttee Holds Closed Meeting With Service Chiefs Over Killing Of 16 Soldiers…Security takes precedence over other sectors – Lawan

    Senate Joint C’ttee Holds Closed Meeting With Service Chiefs Over Killing Of 16 Soldiers…Security takes precedence over other sectors – Lawan

    The Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce is currently in a closed meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs over the recent killing of troops in Okuoma community, Bomadi local government area of Delta State.

    The meeting which started at exactly 3:42pm has in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan; and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

    Recall that the Senate, during plenary on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, mandated the joint committee to investigate the incident.

    The upper chamber also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.

    The Joint Committee is chaired by Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence.

    Moments before the commencement of the meeting with the Service Chiefs, members of the Joint Committee observed a minute silence in honour of the 16 Military personnel killed in Okuoma community last Thursday.

    Speaking on the incident, Senator Lawan in a speech delivered at the investigative hearing by the Joint Committee recalled that, “The troops of 181 Amphibious battalion, on Thursday, 14 March, 2024, went on a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Delta State. An incident occurred resulting in the loss of a Commanding officer, two Majors, a Captain and 12 Soldiers during the peace mission.

    “The troops on the peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi local government area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths, which resulted in the death of officers and men.

    “Acknowledging the gravity of the attack on the military personnel, the Senate at its plenary on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024, mandated the Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce to investigate the incident.

    “The Senate also urged urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.”

    Senator Lawan further underscored the need for the federal government to prioritise the issue of security, noting that same takes precedence over investment in any other sector.

    He described the killing of the 16 soldiers as “barbaric”, and appealed to Nigerians to support the Armed Forces by volunteering information that would lead to the capture and prosecution of those behind various forms of insecurity across the country.

    The former Senate President said, “We, in the Senate, and, indeed, the National Assembly, will always support our military in whatever way we can. [And] the National Assembly has that history. We try to at all times make meaningful appropriation for resources to be available. We know it has never been enough and, in fact, I will take this opportunity to commend our Armed Forces for doing so much with the little we can afford.

    “The insecurity in our country takes precedence over any other consideration and, therefore, it is the position of the Senate that no investment in any sector can be more important than ensuring that we are secured as a country.

    “We, therefore, are very sad as a parliament over this tragic incident. It is our hope in the Senate that those who perpetrated this barbaric and horrific act are captured and the law takes full course on them.

    “I want to appeal to Nigerians that this is our Armed Forces and they cannot secure us without us as citizens playing our part. Therefore, every citizen is supposed to support our Armed Forces. And those in the area where this incident happened must volunteer information because this is the only way we can stop something like this from happening another time.”

  • Full Names of 15 Terrorism Sponsors Released By FG 

    Full Names of 15 Terrorism Sponsors Released By FG 

    Following the directive of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Sanctions Committee on Monday, March 18, revealed the identities of 15 entities including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change firms that have been sanctioned over alleged terrorism financing.

    The nine individuals under sanctions are

    1. Tukur Mamu

    2. Yusuf Ghazali

    3. Muhammad Sani

    4. Abubakar Muhammad

    5. Sallamudeen Hassan

    6. Adamu Ishak

    7. Hassana-Oyiza Isah

    8. Abdulkareem Musa,

    9. Umar Abdullahi

    The six BDCs and firms are

    10. West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited

    11. Settings Bureau De Change Limited

    12. G. Side General Enterprises

    13. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited

    14. Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited

    15. Alfa Exchange BDC.

  • FG Releases List Of Those Responsible For Terrorism Financing In Nigeria

    FG Releases List Of Those Responsible For Terrorism Financing In Nigeria

    The Federal Government has released a list of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, involved in terrorism financing.

    The details of the development were revealed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and made available on Tuesday night.

    The document, entitled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024,” disclosed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, where specific individuals and entities were recommended for sanction following their involvement in terrorism financing.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List,” the document read in part.

    Among the individuals named on the document is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

    According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransome payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

    The document also said one of the individuals is “the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on July 5, 2022.”

    Another was described as “a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

    “The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar, aka One Eyed Out, led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”

    The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.

    “The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”

    Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”

    The agency said the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.

    “The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”

    Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”

    According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”

    He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m between 2016 and 2018.”

    The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”

    Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”

    Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”