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Tag: law enforcement

  • JUST IN: Two Officers Killed As Gunmen Attack Police Checkpoint In Abia

    Two officers of the Nigeria Police Force were reportedly murdered on Friday night when a group of dangerous criminals attacked a police checkpoint at the well-known Opobo Junction, near the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway in Abia State.

    Another officer reportedly sustained some injuries from the attack, which unsettled residents of the area.

    It was reported that the police were stationed at the junction for their regular evening patrol before the assailants attacked them.

    A witness described how the attackers, who were armed and dangerous, arrived in a Sienna SUV.

    He explained that just a few minutes into the police officers’ regular night shift, multiple police squads arrived in the area as people began to evacuate the scene.

    SaharaReporters quoted the witness as saying that the event led to widespread panic, forcing local businesses and market vendors to shut down, with some even leaving their goods behind to find safety.

    The latest attack on security officials is coming a month after gunmen attacked a military checkpoint at the Obikabia Junction in Aba, Abia State.

    The attackers, who also set fire to the military vehicle, were believed to be carrying out the sit-at-home order issued by IPOB across the Southeast region to commemorate Biafra Day, a holiday celebrated in the area every year.

    The heavily armed individuals, dressed in black, were reportedly spotted firing at the junction intermittently.

  • Alleged N80bn fraud: Again, Bello absent in court …wants case transfer to Kogi

    Alleged N80bn fraud: Again, Bello absent in court …wants case transfer to Kogi

    The embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has failed to appeared in court as he wants he case transfered to Kogi State.

    At the resumed proceeding in the matter Thursdays, Bello, failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea to the charge against him.

    The embattled Bello, is facing a 19-count charge before the federal high court, raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

    In a letter to the Chief Judge through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, maintained that only Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the allegations levelled against him.

    Counsel to Bello, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, brought the attention of trial Justice Emeka Nwite to the letter his client wrote to the CJ.

    He said, “My lord, after the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I went back and gave a report of what happened in court to our team.

    “However, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting in substance, that this matter be administratively transfered to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe have territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.

    “That letter was received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers and the office of the of honourable CJ wrote the prosecution team through Mr. Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps has been activated, whereof he was directed to provide a response to the request for transfer of the matter.

    “My lord, as of this morning, I am not aware whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance to the directive of the CJ.

    “We are also not in receipt of any decision that has been made on this request by the CJ.

    “I am also aware that this administrative directive of the CJ has been formally communicated to this court.

    “We have filed an affidavit wherein we attached two documents referencing the details that I have just highlighted.

    “My duty is first to the court. As of the moment, I am not urging anything from the court, but just to present the facts as they were,” Adedipe, SAN, added.

    On his part, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, urged the court to compel the defence lawyer to explain why the defendant was not in court, despite an undertaking he made on June 13 to ensure his presence in court for arraignment.

    He prayed the court to dismiss “the story of the defence lawyer as dilatory and a further attempt to treat this court with scorn.”

    The EFCC counsel argued that the letter to the CJ did not discharge the undertaking that were made by the senior lawyers representing the defendant.

    Pinhero, SAN, further argued that even where a petition is forwarded against a judge to the National Judicial Council, NJC, it does not stop proceedings on cases pending before the judge.

    Consequently, he applied for the court to invite the two senior lawyers representing the former governor to show cause why they should not be dealt with for contemptuous conduct.

    Bello, who piloted affairs of Kogi state for eight years, is facing a charge bordering on his alleged complicity in money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2billion.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor, alongside his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, were complicit in money laundering.

    Also the defendant briefed his lawyers to file an application to set aside an arrest warrant that was issued against him on April 17, as well as to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

    He insisted that the EFCC acted in breach of a subsisting judgement of a High Court in Kogi State when it entered the charge against him and also applied for a bench warrant to be issued for his arrest.

  • Explosion rocks Port Harcourt

    Explosion rocks Port Harcourt

    There was pandemonium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday as a middle-aged protester carrying dynamite got killed while trying to discharge an explosive.

    The incident happened in front of Hotel Presidential at about 9.45am on Tuesday. 

    According to an eyewitness account, the corpse of the victim was taken away hurriedly as security agents trooped to the location where the incident occured. 
     
    Another eyewitness, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said that the protesters caused heavy traffic while on procession to their destination.

  • Court Adjourns Hearing In Case Against Emir Bayero, See New Date

    Court Adjourns Hearing In Case Against Emir Bayero, See New Date

    A Kano State High Court has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by the Kano State Government seeking to restrain the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and four other emirs from parading themselves as emirs to July 2, 2024.

    Presiding over the case, Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu listened to arguments from both sides before deciding on the adjournment.

    Counsel to Ado Bayero, Barr. Ibrahim Muktar, and the counsel representing the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the House of Assembly itself, Barr. Ibrahim Isah-Wangida, also presented their cases before the court.

    The court was initially set to address a motion on notice filed by the plaintiffs, concerning an interlocutory injunction following an interim order granted by the court, however, the first defendant had served the plaintiffs with a counter-affidavit, necessitating a response.

    The respondents in the case include Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir Nasiru Ado Bayero of Bichi, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar II of Karaye, Emir Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa of Rano, and Emir Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya of Gaya.

    Other respondents include the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Army.

    The case was previously slated for hearing on June 11, 2024.

    However, Mr. Abdulsalam Saleh, counsel to the IGP, informed the court that attempts to serve the first to fifth respondents had failed due to a Federal High Court order preventing harassment and intimidation.

    As a result, the counsel for the applicants, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), requested another date to complete the necessary applications for service on the respondents.

    Justice Aliyu directed that the emirs be served through the office of the Kano State Commissioner of Police and adjourned the matter to June 24, 2024, for hearing the motion on notice.

    During Monday’s proceedings, Barrister Abdulrazak Ahmad confirmed that Bayero had been served and requested the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the Kano State High Court lacks jurisdiction over the case.

    Contrarily, Barr. Ibrahim Isah-Wangida, representing the government, maintained that the court has jurisdiction and requested the court to hear the case in its entirety, including the originating summons.

    Justice Aliyu subsequently adjourned the case to July 2, 2024, to consider the pleas from both sides and continue the hearing of the case filed by the Kano State Government.

  • BREAKING: Sultan Must Be Guarded Jealously, Shettima Tells Sokoto Govt

    BREAKING: Sultan Must Be Guarded Jealously, Shettima Tells Sokoto Govt

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has told the government of Sokoto State that His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, must be guarded jealously.

    The nation’s number two citizen said this at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit, which is being broadcast live on Trust TV.

    The event is ongoing in Katsina State.

    “In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.”

    “And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you, Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima said.

    Shettima spoke after the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola raised the alarm that the Sokoto government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan.

    Governor Ahmed Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

    In his statement, Akintola said Nigerian Muslims would reject any thought of deposing the Sultan.

    “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now, using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

    “MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

    “Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola said.

  • Kano Emirate Tussle: Federal agents sack Sanusi’s guards

    Kano Emirate Tussle: Federal agents sack Sanusi’s guards

    The Police have taken an active role in the Kano emirate tussle as it descends fully into the arena, sacking the local security arrangement that previously guided the main Palace of the Emir after the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi.

    Famously called ‘Yan Tauri’ the bulk of the local security were hunters, drawn from various parts of the state to secure the palace following rumours that federal authorities would forcefully return Aminu Ado-Bayero who is now being protected at the Nasarawa mini Palace by security agencies of the federal government.

    According to Premium Times, security agents took control of the main emir’s palace, called Gidan Rumfa, on Sunday evening, during an exercise akin to a game of cards between the hunters and the government agents.

    A security source confirmed to journalists that the hunters had been sacked.

    “You can see for yourself that the hunters are no longer here,” a police officer at the palace noted.

    “Some of them left behind their machetes to conceal their identity after they were asked to vacate the palace or face the wrath of the security agents”, a resident said.

  • BREAKING! Christ Embassy Headquarters On Fire

    BREAKING! Christ Embassy Headquarters On Fire

    The headquarters of Believers Love World, the mega church popularly known as Christ Embassy, is currently on fire.

    The cause of the fire outbreak at the church in Oregun, Lagos, is unknown as of the time of filing this report.

    When contacted, Okunbor Nosa, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), told Daily Trust the cause was not yet known.

    Videos and pictures of the incident are circulating on social media.

    In one of the videos, heavy smoke was seen billowing from the building painted in white.

    Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders were seen making efforts to contain the inferno.

    Details later…

  • PSC asks police to provide evidence of corruption in recruitment exercise

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has asked the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to provide evidence that the recent constable recruitment exercise was marred by corruption.

    In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said NPF does not respect the commission’s mandate to recruit personnel for the police.

    The NPF had said the recruitment exercise was marred by gratification and irregularities.

    “The Commission demands that the Police should provide verifiable evidence to prove the allegations peddled against it as it is obvious that it is a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it,” the statement reads.

  • Rivers LGA crisis: No tenure extension for chairmen, Fubara declares

    Rivers LGA crisis: No tenure extension for chairmen, Fubara declares

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has held a crucial meeting with heads of security agencies in the State amidst the ongoing local government succession crisis.

    Rising from the state council security meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Governor warned against what he described as a grand plot to arrest his supporters.

    He said his administration would no longer allow arresting his supporters on trump-up charges, saying security agents must pass through him before undertaking such action.

    The Governor assured that he would fearlessly lead the way to ensure peace in the state and also protect all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth.

    Fubara said no extension of tenure of elected local government chairmen, explaining that the law was unambiguous on it adding that the court also affirmed the position of the law.

    The Governor said: “Let me also say this. I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, thy are standing on the side of truth. 

    “If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course”.

    Governor Fubara further said: “Let me assure everyone, more especially, the great and peace- loving people of Rivers State: the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure. 

    “The court said so, and whoever that is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this State.

    “I assure everyone of you that whatever it takes to make sure that we maintain peace and order, we are not going back on that”.

     Fubara explained that the Security Council Meeting was called because of the recent threat to the peace of the state by the outgone chairmen of the local government councils.

    He said: “You are all aware that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday, 17th June, 2024, and today, we have ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to be in charge while they await further directives.

    “It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs of invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that the needful will be done.

    “We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State,” he added.

    He thanked the media and the peace-loving people of the state for their support, and urged everyone to continue to remain law-abiding for the unity and progress of the state.