Crime
One killed, four kidnapped in Ebonyi communal clashes
The communal clashes between the people of Oso-Edda, Amasiri and Nde Ndukwe Communities in Ebonyi State took a turn for the worse as one person was feared dead, while about four persons were abducted but later freed in a fresh crisis that erupted in the affected communities.
It was gathered that properties worth millions of naira were allegedly destroyed in the crisis.
Oso-Edda is in Afikpo South Local Government Area while Amasiri and Nde Ndukwe communities are in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the State.
The affected Communities have been having a dispute over a land at their boundary location for many years now but it has been managed by both sides of the divide from snowballing into a mayhem.
Details of how the clashes started remain sketchy at this time but sources in the area allege that the Nde Ndukwe and Amasiri people invaded farm settlement villages in ÌsÍ-Edda and started destroying houses, farm produce and every property in sight.
The invasion started on Mondáy and lasted till Wednesday when security agencies stepped in to restore normalcy.
It was learnt that one Chima Orji of Idima Autonomous Community in Afikpo South Local Government Area was brutally murdered and beheaded.
The head was taken away by the invaders and is yet to be found at the time of this report.
Worst hit is Okporojo village in Oso-Edda, which is said to have been reduced to rubbles and ruins.
Four persons were abducted but were later freed after a peace meeting organised by the Chairmen of both councils in conjunction with some Monarchs and Head of Security Agencies in the area.
The Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama confirmed the incident in a statement.
He described the situation as pathetic and painful and called on the entire Edda clan to remain law abiding.
He said the situation has been brought under control by security agencies in the State.
“I, Hon. Prince Chima Ekumankama, wish to call on the good people of Okporojo, Oso and Edda Clan in general to remain calm and law abiding over the unwarranted invasion of Okporojo in Oso and other part of Edda Clan by our neighbours of Nde Ndukwe and Amasiri of Afikpo North LGA, where properties, farm produce worth millions of naira and a life was lost.
“The situation is pathetic and painful, thus while I sympathise with all those affected, I implore the good people of Oso and Edda in general to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as the situation is under control,” he said.
Mr Ekumankama said, “It is very wrong and barbaric for anyone to take another’s life under whatever guise.”
He implored security agencies to deal decisively with anyone found breaking the laws of the land.
Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama, also confirmed the release of the abducted persons.
He said his administration is working with security agencies to quell the situation and prevent a reoccurrence.
Police spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu said he was waiting for report from the Divisional Police in the area before commenting on the incident.
“Once I get the authenticated information about what is going on there, then I will react,” he said.
This development has caused a scare in the area as some rural dwellers, including business owners were reported to have started migrating to Abakaliki for safety.
A native of Oso Edda community who didn’t want his name in print said, “I really don’t understand the reason for this crisis. I travelled and started hearing about this ugly episode. I have told my wife to take my kids back to Abakaliki. I don’t want to hear any story.”
Hearing in two separate money laundering suits filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against British national, James Nolan, could not proceed on Wednesday at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
The matter, which was scheduled for adoption of final written addresses of parties by Justice Donatus Okorowo, suffered setback due to failure of Nolan’s counsel, Michael Ajara, to file and serve his processes on the EFCC”s lawyer, Bala Sanga.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Okorowo had, on Nov. 20, 2023, fixed today for adoption of the final addresses after Nolan, who jumped bail and fled Nigeria in the alleged 9.6 billion dollars Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Ltd scandal, opened his defence in absentia without calling any witness.
Ajara had told the judge that he did not intend to call any witness upon resumed hearing in the matter in the last adjourned date.
He said after his evaluation of the EFCC’s evidence, he would rely on the case of the prosecution and Sanga did not object, upon which the matter was fixed for today.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, Ajara had not filed their final written address.
The lawyer prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him do the needful.
The anti-graft agency’s lawyer, Christie Makar, who held Sanga’s brief, did not oppose the oral application.
Justice Okorowo consequently adjourned the matter until May 6 for adoption of final written addresses.
NAN reports that the EFCC is prosecuting Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited and Nolan in the charged marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/272/2022 as 1st and 2nd defendants in the case.
Also, the commission is also prosecuting the sister case marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2022 filed against Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd, another company, and Corrado Fantoli as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively before Okorowo.
Fantoli, also a foreigner and an associate of Nolan, was one of the suspects behind the alleged $9.6 billion P&ID fraud.
The suspect, said to be at large, alongside the company, was arraigned in absentia on Nov. 25, 2022, on eight-count money laundering charge.
He was not present in court or represented by a lawyer when they were arraigned.
The court also declared him wanted and ordered for his arrest anywhere he is sighted after Sanga made application to the effect.
Fantoli and Giovanna Beccarelli, who had also been declared wanted and an arrest warrant issued against her, were said to be directors and signatories to the company’s Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0123849451.
Resorts Express Concept Nigeria Ltd and Trinity Biotech Nigeria Limited are two of the over 30 companies associated with the $9.6 billion scam.
NAN reports that other cases linked to the scandal are currently before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, Justice Zainab Abubakar of FHC, Abuja, besides other charges at FCT High Courts.
A Business and Property Court in London presided over by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales had, in October, quashed the 11 billion dollars awarded against Nigeria in a case filed by the P&ID.
Judge Knowles held that the award was obtained by fraud and that what had happened in the case was contrary to public policy.
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, and the Nigerien Air Force on Tuesday eliminated scores of terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in Damasak and Mobbar local government areas of Borno State.
A statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the interdictions were under the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF.
Gabkwet said the terrorists had attempted to attack troops of Sector 4 of the MNJTF at Lada, a border town between Niger Republic and Nigeria, and subsequently fled across the border into Nigeria.
He further stated that they were observed hibernating in the village with their motorcycles hidden under trees.
“Subsequently, airstrikes from the Air Component of OPHK and Nigerien Air Force, under the watchful eye of Niger’s Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, struck the terrorists’ locations.
“Real-time ISR footage later confirmed numerous terrorists were eliminated and several structures within the targeted areas destroyed.
“It has also led to the reduction in terrorism and other forms of cross-border crimes perpetrated by criminals crisis-crossing the borders to evade justice,” he added.
Abuja American School writes EFCC, to refund Yahaya Bello’s $760,000 children’s school fees
N7.6bn project: ICPC, TETFund boss disagree over detention claim
NEMA confirms 3 dead, 2 injured in Kano building collapse
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Finance3 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update2 months agoUNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update1 month ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Infotech4 weeks ago
World Backup Day: NITDA urges Nigerians to ensure backup of data
-
Health1 week ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Health3 weeks ago
Immunisation: FG, GAVI seek synergy with Sokoto Govt.
-
Infotech2 weeks ago
Forex for Beginners: Unveiling the currency exchange and how to trade it
