Crime

Alleged corruption: Court fixes Sept. 22 for judgment on Ganduje’s fundamental right suit

Published

5 months ago

July 26, 2023

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday fixed Sept. 22, to deliver judgment on a fundamental right enforcement suit filed by the former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

Recall that the court on July 7, restrained the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission (KNPCACC), Nigeria Police and six others from inviting, harassing or arresting Ganduje, family or any of his appointees who served under his administration, pending the hearing and determination of substantive originating motion.

Ganduje through his counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, filed a motion exparte, dated July 7, on fundamental rights enforcement procedure Rules 2009 under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The applicant is seeking the court to restrain PCACC from arresting, investigating and inviting him over the alleged bribe dollar video.

The respondents are the KNPCACC, Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Others are the Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of Kano state.

When the case came up for hearing, Counsel to the applicant, Matthew Burkaa SAN, filed a further affidavit in response of the respondents counter affidavit.

He said the fundamental right suit was to protect the right of Ganduje and also sought to protect his family members and political appointees.

“My Lord, we are not saying Ganduje should not be invited or investigated, but rather do it according to law,” Burkaa said.

Counsel to the PCACC, Femi Falana SAN, told the court that the applicant’s immunity has expired on May 29.

“We have filed 23 paragraph counter affidavit, four exhibits and a written address as our argument.

“This case is a public interest litigation not personal. The applicant wants to use the order to protect his reputation and protect parties that are not before court,” he said.

Falana said the court cannot protect the names of those who are not before the court.

“This court has no jurisdiction, this is a gaging suit.

“The PCACC invited the applicant to investigate alleged N1 billion theft. Therefore, if you are invited you must honour the invitation,” Falana said.

He therefore urged the court to dismiss the exparte it earlier granted the applicant.

Counsel to Nigeria Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, and Counsel to the DSS, Mr IB Bulus, aligned themselves with the first respondent.

Counsel to Attorney General of Kano, Mr Khalifa Hashim, filed a three paragraph counter affidavit dated July 19, praying the court to dismiss the exparte.

Justice A M Liman adjourned the matter to Sept. 22 for judgment.

Crime

Navy acquires 12 UAVs to improve fight against maritime crime

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2023

NewsDirect

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, on Friday, said that the Nigerian Navy had acquired 12 Comstrac System Ovation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to improve the fight against maritime crime.

Ogalla made this known at the commissioning ceremony of the UAVs and the adoption of the revised Local Operating Procedure and Local Training Order, held at the Naval Air Base, Ojo, Lagos.

The CNS was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Adm. Zakariyyah Muhammed.

Ogalla said that the surveillance UAVs would complement the already existing air assets of the Nigerian Navy, while supporting the surface ships and maritime domain awareness platforms.

“In an era where the nature of warfare is evolving rapidly, embracing cutting-edge technologies becomes imperative for enhancing our national security.

“These UAVs, with their advanced capabilities and versatility, will undoubtedly enhance our naval surveillance for furtherance of strategic capabilities.

“I have no doubt that this will rejig the Nigerian Navy towards better service delivery in the maritime domain of our dear country,” he said.

The CNS added that the Navy was expecting five more helicopters within the forst quarter of 2024 which would enhance its maritime capabilities.

“This will make safer waters for both local and international maritime trade,” he said.

Ogalla commended the Western Naval Command for innovative and dogged efforts toward maintaining credible maritime presence and curtailing criminalities in its area of operations.

Crime

Gov. Radda suspends school principal for alledged sexual scandal

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2023

NewsDirect

Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has directed for immediate suspension of a staff of Ministry of Education in the state for alleged sexual harassment of a female student.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Katsina.

The statement said, “Gov Dikko Radda has received a report of alleged sexual harassment against one Lawal Ibrahim, now a staff of the Ministry of Education.

It said Ibrahim was the then Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dantankari, Dandume Local Government area.

“In consequence therefore, the governor directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education to immediately suspend Lawal Ibrahim and investigate the allegation with dispatch.

“Take appropriate action and report back to the governor.”

The statement further directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate the allegation.

“The Commissioner of Police should investigate the allegation, and to also investigate the Divisional Police Officer, Dandume, for compromise on the matter, and report back to the governor,” the statement said.

Crime

Ogun Govt. places N50m bounty on killers of Oyekanmi, Finance Director

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2023

NewsDirect

The Ogun Government has announced a reward of N50 million for any information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) attached to Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi .

Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the reward in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday.

According to the statement, Information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

” Such information can be sent to the underlisted telephone numbers:
08037441955
08033074371
08081775020
08034062773
08032136765. ”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspected armed robbers on Nov. 29 shot dead Oyekanmi, and carted away government funds.

Oyekanmi had cashed an undisclosed amount of money from a branch of Fidelity bank in Abeokuta, and was heading back to the office when he was waylaid by the gunmen.

According to source, the gunmen, about five of them, shot the accountant dead at Kuto bridge in Abeokuta and went away with the government’s money.

It was gathered that Oyekanmi and other aides who sustained gunshot injuries during the attacks, were rushed to the State General Hospital, Ijaye, where the accountant later died.