Crime

ICPC: Absence of Co-Accused stalls Kawu’s arraignment over Alleged N2.5bn Fraud

Published

5 years ago

April 18, 2019

The scheduled arraignment of the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Moddibo Kawu, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) could not hold due to the absence of the co-accused, Dipo Onifade in court.

Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Onifade, Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited and the Chief Operating Officer respectively, are facing a 12-count charge bordering on abuse of office, money laundering and misleading a public officer with the intent to defraud the federal government in contravention of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

They were to appear before Justice F. O. Giwa, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over their alleged involvement in the mismanagement of the N2.5 billion seed grant for the Digital Switch-Over programme of the federal government.

Counsel to Onifade, Alex Iziyon (SAN) at the scheduled arraignment today informed the court of his absence, saying that he was on transit from Kaduna to Abuja, and asked the court to stand down the matter for an hour.

Justice Giwa obliged him, only for Iziyon to later tell the court that his client could not be reached since 6am when they last exchanged messages. He accordingly sought for an adjournment to enable his client attend while assuring the court of his presence on the next adjourned date.

ICPC counsel, Henry Emore, did not oppose the application for adjournment but urged the court to be ready to proceed with the trial immediately after their arraignment on the next adjourned date.

The trial judge, before her ruling, warned that Onifade should be told to stop traveling on the same day that the court sits, insisting that he should endeavour to be in court before 9am on the next adjourned date of 2nd May 2019.

Crime

Navy acquires 12 UAVs to improve fight against maritime crime

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

2 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.