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Tag: Abuja

  • Teenager bags 5 months imprisonment in Abuja for stealing television set

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced an 18-year-old boy, Uche Ani, to five months imprisonment for stealing a television set valued at N365, 000.

    Ani, who resides at Karmo Health Centre area, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to a three-count charge bothering on shop-breaking and theft.

    The Judge, Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option of N10, 000 fine and also ordered that the recovered items be returned to the owner.

    Sadiq warned the convict to be of good behaviour and to desist from committing crimes after serving out his punishment.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had informed the court that on April 14, one Faith Opara, the convict’s neighbour, reported the matter at the Karmo Police Station.

    Zannah told the court that the convict and two others now at large, criminally broke into the complainant’s shop at Karmo at about 2:00a.m. and stole a plasma television set valued at N365,000.

    The prosecutor said the convict was caught where he was trying to sell the television.

    Zannah said that during police investigation and interrogation, the convict made confessional statement.

    He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 79, 356 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to try him summarily under Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    NAN

  • El-Zakzaky: PDP demand probe of Shiite, police clash in Abuja

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday called for an immediate inquest into the alleged violent clash between security forces and members of the Shiite movement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The clash, which rendered human and vehicular movement cumbersome, lasted for several hours as men of the Nigeria Police Force struggled to restore order in the affected parts of the city.

    In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said an inquest into what truly led to the crisis would go a long way in determining the causative factors of the chaos, which expectedly grounded business activities in the city centre.

    “Our party is gravely worried over the handling of security in the nation’s capital and the near breakdown of law and order, which resulted in stampede and disruption of public and private businesses in the city centre.

    “The PDP has noted that the development is linked with protests over the continued refusal of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to release the leader of the group, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, despite being granted bail by courts of competent jurisdiction.

    “The PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy across the country are deeply concerned by the continued erosion of democratic tenets by the APC administration, resulting in avoidable crisis in various parts of the country,” he said.

    The leading opposition party called for immediate solution to prevent the crisis from further escalation.

  • Shiite Abuja protest : Police denies reports of deaths, arrest 115

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, said it arrested 115 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN) during a violent protest in Abuja.

    The police also debunked stories in the social media that some lives were lost.

    “No life was lost in the violent protest as the police operatives deployed to quell the protest were professional in handling the situation,” police spokesman,DSP Anjuguri Manzah said.

    The reports that the leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was arrested by the authorities after a clash with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in December 2015.

    NAN also reports that the Shiites had organised several protests across the country demanding the release of their leader.

    DSP Anjuguri Manzah, in a statement, said that the protesters also injured 22 policemen and destroyed government and police vehicles during the protest.

    Anjuguri said that items recovered from them are: Catapults, Iron bars, Stones, Ball bearings and Pink head bands.

    He said that the protesters also attacked innocent citizens, disrupted business activities, obstructed traffic and smashed windscreen of vehicles in the affected areas.

    He said said that a Joint Team of detectives from the command in conjunction with operatives from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, have commenced investigation into the incident.

    “The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation,”he said.

    “The FCT police command hereby warns members of Shiites movement from further disrupting the peace, harmony and free flow of traffic in FCT,” he said.

    He advised members of the public and parents not to allow their children or wards, to be used as instrument of violence in any demonstration by any group.

    The spokesman warned that anyone caught in the act of violent demonstration or any act capable of causing the breach of public peace would be made to face the wrath of the law.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja after 3-day private visit to Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday returned to Abuja after a 3-day private visit to his country home Daura in Katsina state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential aircraft carrying the president and some of his aides took off from the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, at about 10.45a.m.

    The aircraft landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 11.28a.m.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammed Bello, some security heads and other presidential aides welcomed the President at the airport.

    It would be recalled that Buhari on Friday joined the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq and other community members to observe the third day prayers for late Sen. Mustapha Bukar (APC-Katsina North).

    The President, who arrived Daura on Friday afternoon, made straight for the residence of the late senator where he was received by the Emir, members of the Daura Emirate Council and members of the family of the deceased.

    Buhari also on Saturday received some serving Senators who paid a condolence visit at his country home Daura over the death of Bukar.

    He thanked the senate members for their support and show of solidarity with the people of Katsina North senatorial district in particular and Katsina state in general.

    The Senators who paid the condolence visit to the President included Ovie Omo-Agege, Ali Ndume, Babajide Omoworare, Adamu Abubakar, Yusuf Yusuf, Hassan Adamu, Abu Ibrahim and Umaru Kurfi.

  • 2019: APC Governors meet Buhari in Abuja today

    Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are billed to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in their bid to pressure the president to seek re-election in 2019.

    The meeting which has been fixed for 2.p.m, may also deliberate on some national and party issues including the President’s disapproval of tenure elongation for APC national executives.

    Recall that the governors had on Feb. 22 met behind closed doors, after which the President pledged to address the nation on whether he will seek re-election in 2019.

    The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, who spoke to State House correspondents on the outcome of the February meeting, said the president was to address the caucus of the APC on the matter.

    “We discussed so many issues that affect the nation, our party and Mr President’s ambition to run for 2019 elections.

    “Anyhow, Mr President in his usual manner has requested that we give him time and that he will address the nation and the caucus of the party very soon.

    “So we should be full of expectations that Mr President will make officially known to Nigerians his intentions.

    “But we hope that his response will be in line with what the governors are thinking,’’ Okorocha said after the February meeting.

  • Buhari departs Lagos, attends in-law’s wedding in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday departs Lagos after a 2-day working visit, where he inaugurated some projects and chaired the 10th Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquium.

    On Buhari’s return, he went straight to the National Mosque Abuja where he performed the 2-Raka’at Juma’at prayer.

    The President also witnessed the wedding fatiha of Hamza Ahmed and Hadiza Jika which was performed immediately after the prayer session at the mosque.

    Dignitaries who graced the event were Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governors of Nasarawa and Bauchi states, Alhaji Tanko Almakura and Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar respectively.

    Other personalities at the wedding were the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu, cabinet ministers and former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmodu Ali.

    The groom, Hamza Ahmed, is the younger brother of Aisha Buhari, the president wife.

  • Illegal firearms: Police announce plan to commence raiding Abuja homes

    The police in Abuja on Wednesday made known its intentions to start raiding homes suspected to be hiding illegal firearms.

    It however warned residents in possession of such prohibited arms to voluntary surrender such before they are caught.

    The FCT police commissioner, Sadiq Bello, said in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon that officers around the capital city would soon intensify operations to forcibly take possession of unlicensed weapons.

    Recall that on February 22, Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ordered a nationwide seizure of illegal arms and ammunition from people across the country.

    The order was issued in the wake of killings across the country, especially the farmers-herders crisis that has seen hundreds killed this year alone.

    Idris hopes the exercise would help curb violent crimes ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “In view of the expiration of the period approved by the IGP for the voluntary submission of the prohibited firearms, the command will commence the mop-up exercise which will include raids, cordon-and-search of premises or buildings or hideouts where these illegal/prohibited firearms are reasonably suspected to be kept,” the commissioner said.

    “As such, any individual or group of persons found in possession of any prohibited firearms henceforth will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.

    Bello also announced that officers across the FCT made the following arrests as part of their crimes fighting measures within the past few months:

    ”On 3rd December, 2017 at about 2000hrs, at Utako, two robbery suspects, Samuel Jatau-22yrs old and Emmanuel Friday-28yrs were arrested sequel to a report that the principal suspect, Samuel Jatau with others now at large, robbed a lady of a Toyota Camry 2007 model and ATM cards which they used to withdraw money from the victim’s account. In the course of investigation, Emmanuel Friday was identified as the receiver, his arrest led to the recovery of six (6) robbed cars that were sold at Uyo and Port-Hacourt. Exhibits recovered include a locally-made revolver pistol, one live ammunition, one ash colour Lexus Jeep, one wine colour Honda CRV, one green colour Toyota Camry 2000 model, a black Honda V6 and another green Toyota Camry “big-for-nothing”.

    ”On 16th March, 2018 at about 0300hrs, Police operatives arrested one Destiny Jacob during Stop-And-Search at Gwarinpa. He was arrested while in possession of a Toyota Corolla which he and his gang members robbed from the owner at gunpoint on 15/3/2018 at about 2230hrs at Kado Expressway while posing as passengers in the vehicle. Exhibits recovered are locally-made pistol, two live ammunition, a knife and two First Bank ATM cards.

    ”On 27th February, 2018, at about 2030hrs, in response to distress call that a lady was being attacked by armed robbers at Dutse Alhaji, one Kelvin Michael was arrested at the scene while his two accomplices were arrested a day after. A locally-made pistol was recovered from them and they also confessed to the crime.

    ”On 20/2/2018 at about 2000hrs, Police operatives on Stop-And-Search arrested three armed robbery suspects that were in a taxi, two locally-made pistols were recovered from them. The three suspects, Tersor Moga, Usama Tijjani and Samuel Ezra were arrested on their way to Wuse for a robbery operation. The revelation by these suspects led to the arrested of Musa Mohammed Sani and Abdulkadir Muktar as the receivers. Exhibits recovered include two locally-made pistols, three live cartridges and one 7.65mm live ammunition.

    ”On 7/3/2018, one Mohammed Chado was arrested at Bafate Village in Niger State where he was hiding after he sold a Toyota Camry 2000 model that was given to him for washing, he escaped with it sold it for N450,000 and used the money to marry a wife. The stolen car has been recovered.

    ”In another development, on 21st February, 2018 at about 2230hrs, Police operatives on Stop-And-Search duty at Wuye by Airport Road intercepted and arrested three members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity Cult who were returning to Apo after their cult meeting at Lugbe. During a search conducted on the suspects, three locally-made pistols, one live cartridge, one expended cartridge, and two sharp knives were recovered. The suspects arrested are, Sunday Ogbodo ‘m’-19yrs, Chukwudi Peter ‘m’-23yrs and Joseph Nwali ‘m’-24yrs.

    ”On 23/03/18, acting on tip-off, Police operatives arrested one Frank Ogbo ‘m’ and Daniel Chinemerem ‘m’ at Computer Village, Wuse Zone 1, where they went to configure a phone that was robbed at Apo Mechanic Village. When one of the suspects (Frank Ogbo) was searched, a locally-made revolver pistol, four rounds of live ammunition, one sharp knife and one toy gun as well as the robbed phone was recovered.

    ”On 22/3/2018, one Mari Habila ‘m’-25 years was arrested by Police operatives for criminally using his friends phone to transfer the sum of Five Hundred and three thousand (N503,000) naira to his personal account through internet banking. The criminal act was committed on 11/2/18 while the suspect’s friend was sleeping, the suspect was arrested at Gwarimpa as a result of discreet investigation. On interrogation, the suspect confessed that he used part of the stolen money to buy a blue colour Golf 3 car with Reg. No. XD 266 GWL, which has been recovered as exhibit.

    ”The Command has also smashed and arrested members of a housebreaking syndicate that broke into Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Mabushi on 28th February, 2018 and stole five (5) plasma television sets, two cameras and wall fans. Discreet investigation launched led to the arrest of three (3) suspects and receivers; they are: Munir Abdullahi ‘m’-26yrs, Hayatu Ya’u ‘m’-29yrs, Muhammed Isah ‘m’-33yrs, Abba Bashir ‘m’-27yrs and Salisu Muhammed ‘m’-29yrs. Exhibits recovered from the receivers are nine (9) flat screen television sets and one desktop computer.

    ”Other notable achievements of the Command in the period under review include the arrest of two handbag/phone snatchers, one vandaliser of manhole covers, three battery thieves, and eleven one-chance robbers with three of their operational cars.”

     

  • Abuja MOU Moves Against Substandard Shipping In Africa

    Abuja MOU Moves Against Substandard Shipping In Africa

    In a bid to harmonize port state control inspection procedures that will lead to the elimination of substandard shipping in the West and Central Africa sub-region, the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will host its 3rd Ministerial Conference and 9th Port State Control Committee Meeting with the aim of developing a unified system of Port State Control inspection procedure for the region.

    The 3rd Ministerial Conference themed “Tightening the Net: Regional Cooperation to Eliminate Substandard Shipping” and the 9th Port state Control Committee Meeting will hold in Accra, Ghana from 27th -28th of March, 2018.

    The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi and the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside will join other Ministers of member states and CEOs of the Maritime Administrations to review and assess the implementation level of actions identified at the previous ministerial conferences and agree on further actions required to improve maritime safety in the region.

    Speaking ahead of the meeting, the DG NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside noted that NIMASA’s commitment to regional integration is aimed at improving shipping.

    “African Maritime Industry has come of age, this is why we owe the continent, through our regional cooperation the responsibility of creating a frame work that will aid the reduction and eventual elimination of substandard shipping, prevention of marine pollution and improvement of the living and working conditions of seafarers aboard ships”, he said.

    The Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Barr. Mfon Usoro, noted that the meeting will present an opportunity for the Ministers and CEOs of Maritime Administrations of member states an opportunity to identify common areas of concern that require consolidation. She further said that the conference will ensure the strengthening of capacity of members States and their Maritime Administrations in order to target sub-standard ships, achieve desired regional harmonization and cooperation of port and flag state implementation processes that will also lead to improving the living and working conditions of shipboard officers and crew as well as ensure prevention of pollution in the region’s waters.

    According to Usoro, this year’s event would be highlighted by the issuance of Ministerial Declaration by Ministers of Transportation in the Abuja MoU region to guide the future activities of the MoU. The conference will also feature the inauguration of the Honourable Minister of Transportation of Ghana (Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah) as the new Chairman of the MoU.

    The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region generally referred to as Abuja MoU is one of the 9 Regional MoUs and national MoU established pursuant to IMO Resolution A.682 (17) of 1991. The Organization operates under a Cooperative Agreement with the IMO. Abuja MoU was established on 22nd October 1999 as an inter-governmental organization comprising of the Maritime Administrations of countries abutting the Atlantic coast of Africa. Parties to the MoU include Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Cote d’voire, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo, South Africa and Liberia

  • FG seeks forfeiture of Ekweremadu’s 22 properties in Abuja, Dubai, London, US, others

    The Federal Government has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order of temporary forfeiture of about 22 properties allegedly owned by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Abuja, London, the United States and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    In the ex-parte application filed on yesterday by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP), Ekweremadu is accused of breaching the Code of Conduct for public officers by allegedly failing to declare about 22 properties in his last assets declaration form.

    The application filed pursuant to Sections 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act; 8 of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act and Section 44 (2)(k) of the Constitution, seeks mainly an order for interim forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.

    The ex-parte application was filed for the SPIPRPP by Festus Keyamo (SAN). It prays the court for an order “temporarily attaching/forfeiting the properties listed in Schedule B hereunder to the Federal Government of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of further inquiry/investigation by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property and/or possible arraignment of the respondent (Ekeremadu)”.

    The grounds relied on by the applicant include that the properties listed in Schedule A hereunder were the properties declared by the Respondent in his Assets Declaration Form at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    It stated that investigation/inquiries have revealed that the properties listed in Schedule B also belong to the respondent and so belonged to him when he declared his assets in Schedule A.

    The applicant added that the properties listed in Schedule B were not declared in Ekweremadu’s assets declaration form. It added that preliminary investigation by the applicant reveals that a prima facie case of a breach of code of conduct for public officers had been made out against the respondent.

    But Ekweremadu, in a statement, defended his integrity.

    According to him, there is no asset to forfeit to the government.

    He said the filing of a motion for the recovery of his assets was part of the politics of the 2019 general election.

    He said in the statement by his Media Adviser Uche Anichukwu: “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been drawn to a motion ex-parte filed by Festus Keyamo Chambers on behalf of the so-called Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property for an order to temporarily forfeit assets it claimed the senator did not declare with the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

    “Senator Ekweremadu, however, wishes to state unequivocally that he declared all his assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by law.

    “The so-called panel sought and obtained his Assets Declaration Forms, but could not look at them since it is clearly out on a vendetta and smear campaign championed by Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla.

    “This is clearly part of the politics of 2019, and is further exposing those who colluded with the dismissed former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike and his cronies to steal and doctor his will.

    “The Senator has, nevertheless, briefed his lawyers and will meet the panel in court.

    “Again, Senator Ekweremadu wishes to assure all his supporters and well-wishers that there is nothing to worry about. “Like others, this too shall pass.”

    Details of the properties are as listed below:

    Those in Abuja
    •No. 11, Evans Enwerem Street, Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja.
    •Plot 2633 Kyami, Abuja.
    •Housing Estate (Plot 1106 CRD, Cadastral Zone 07-07, Lugbe, Abuja.
    •Plot 2782 Asokoro Extension, Abuja.
    •Houses at Citi Park Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
    •Plot 1474 Cadastral Zone BD6, Mabushi, Abuja.
    •Congress Court, Abuja.
    •Flat 1, Block D25, Athletics Street, (24th Street) Games Village, Abuja.
    •Plot 66, 64 Crescent, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.Plot 1518, Maitama Extension, Abuja undeveloped land (purportedly valued at N10 Million);
    •Plot 2882, Asokoro Extension, Abuja (purportedly valued at N13 Million);


    Those in London
    •Flat 4 Varsity Court, Harmer Street, WIH 4NW, London.
    •52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6 7AB, London.
    In Dubai:
    •Room 1903, The Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai.
    •The Address Boulevard, 3901, Dubai
    •2 Flats of Burij Side Boulevard (the signature), Dubai
    •Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/1/114, Dubai.
    •Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/115, Dubai.
    •Apartment No. DFB/12/B 1204, Park Towers, Dubai.
    •Flat 3604, MAG214, Dubai.
    •Villa No 148, Maeen 1, The Lakes Emirates Hills, Dubai.


    Those in USA:
    •4507 Stella Street, Bellavida Estate Kissime, Florida, USA.
    •2747 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA.
    •2763 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA


    The Fed Govt added listed the properties declared by Ekweremadu in his assets declaration form of June 5, 2015, as contained in Schedule A to its application to include:


    •5 Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters, House A40 Apo Quarters, Apo, Abuja (purportedly acquired with a loan of N13.5 Million from Bank PHB);
    •10 Bedroom House with Guest Chalet & Boy Quarters, 2 Jim Nwobodo Street, Apo, Abuja (purportedly acquired with a mortgage loan of N412, 200, 000.00 from Aso Savings & Loan);
    •7 Bedroom House with Pent House & Boy quarters, Plot 147A Mabushi, Abuja (purportedly valued at N3, 471, 922.1 acquired with salaries & allowances);
    •2 RM Apartment, MAG 214 Dubai (purportedly bought for $ 50,000.00);
    •4 Bedroom Town House, The Lake Dubai (purportedly bought for $20,000.00);
    •4 RM Town House, Florida (he claims he bought this House from a loan of $155,000.00 gotten from PHB)
    •Plots 2 & 10, Republic Layout, Enugu (undeveloped land, purportedly valued at N4 Million);
    •2 RM Apartment, Burjside Boulevard, Dubai, UAE (he claims he bought it for $250,000.00);
    •One Room Apartment, Emirate Garden, Dubai, UAE (He claims he bought it for $60,000.00);
    •Park Tower, Dubai, UAE (He claims he bought it for $250,000.00);
    •3 Room Town House (2), Club Corticle, Orlando, USA (he claims he bought this property for $200,000.00);
    •4 Room House, Plot 1496 AI Thannyah, Fourth, Dubai, UAE (he claims he bought this property for $250,000.00);
    •4 Bedroom Terrace House, Games Village;
    •6 Bedroom Storey House & Boys Quarters, Amachara MPU, Enugu;
    •4 Bedroom House and Boy Quarters, Federal Housing Estate, Enugu;
    •3000 Square Meters of undeveloped land at Amachara, MPU, Enugu;
    •5 Hectares of land, Tutu District, Abuja.
    The government also gave details of Ekweremadu’s investments in and outside the country to include:
    •5, 100,000 – Citi Park Luxury Hotels Ltd (purportedly valued at N350 Million);
    •8, 000, 000 – Prime & Power Media Ltd ((purportedly valued at N30 Million);
    •300,000,000 – Bety Air Ltd ((purportedly valued at N5 Million);
    •40, 000 – Prime & Power Konsult Ltd ((purportedly valued at N42 Million);
    •50,000 – Power Properties Ltd (purportedly valued at N50 Million);
    •70,000 – Spider Construction Ltd (purportedly valued at N35 Million).


    In his assets declaration form on June 1, 2007, Ekweremadu was said to have declared the properties and investments listed below:


    •4 Bedroom Terrace House, Games Village, Abuja
    •A Storey Building at Amachara (MPU) (Country home)
    •A Storey Building & Boy Quarters with Boys Quarters at Federal Housing, Enugu;
    •Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja;
    •2644.60 Square meters of undeveloped Land at Asokoro, Abuja;
    •1000.577 Square meters, Kurubuma Layout, Abuja
    •3000 Square meters, Amachara MPU.
    •40, 000 – Prime & Power Konsult Ltd (purportedly valued at N40 Million);
    •50,000 – Prime Properties Ltd (purportedly valued at N50 Million);
    •70,000 – Spider Construction Ltd (purportedly valued at N36 Million)

  • EFCC, ONSA arrest Boroh, recover $9m cash from Abuja home

    Operatives of EFCC and ONSA, have discovered $9 million cash at the residence of the sacked Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Tarelah Boroh.

    Boroh, who was Special Adviser on Niger Delta to President Muhammadu Buhari has also been arrested.

    The discovery of the cash was made a few hours after his arrest by a combined team of EFCC and operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujiaren, confirmed the arrest and cash recovery in response to THISDAY’s enquiries.

    A senior security agent said Boroh was picked up from his home in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Monday.

    He was reported to have been taken back to his residence at about 3 a.m. Tuesday by the security operatives who raided his house for hours and made the cash discovery of $9 million at his home.

    He remains in the custody of the EFCC.

    “The former adviser was driven to his home in an unmarked car after his arrest. His home was searched for several hours and about $9 million cash was discovered in several safe boxes in several parts of the house,” the senior security agent stated.

    “The combined team of EFCC and the National Security Adviser operatives were very thorough with the search. Indeed, at a point, the operatives broke all the locks in the home including his wife’s closet. The recovered cash has been deposited at the Office of the NSA.”

    Buhari sacked Boroh last week and announced Prof. Charles Dokubo as his replacement.

    In the statement announcing Boroh’s dismissal, it said the NSA, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), had been directed to probe the activities of the Amnesty Office from 2015, when Boroh was appointed, especially allegations of financial impropriety and other acts that were allegedly detrimental to the objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    According to investigations by THISDAY, Boroh’s sack, investigation and arrest by the EFCC may not be unconnected to a petition, among others, that was sent to the president last August.

    The petition to Buhari dated August 21, 2017 was signed by one Timi Angalabiri, on behalf of the Niger Deltans for Accountability and Good Governance (NDAGG).

    The group requested the president to suspend the ex-Amnesty Programme boss “for a credible investigative inquiry to commence into the non-payment of tuition fees and living expenses of recently graduated Niger Delta students in universities across the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

    The petitioner further pleaded with Buhari to use his good office to prosecute Boroh and others for allegedly diverting the sum of N70 billion.

    Shortly after the petition was written, rumours swirled about Boroh’s sack by the president, but they were dismissed by the former Amnesty Programme boss.

    “This story about my suspension and even sack has been off and on in the media, but the truth is that I have not been sacked and no one should disrupt the relative prevailing peace in the Niger Delta region with such fake news,” he had said.

    “What is happening is the handiwork of political enemies and those who do not want the region to be peaceful. The rumours they are peddling are just rubbish and unfounded. Under my watch, the programme, candidly speaking, has helped greatly to stabilise the region.”

    The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers and 10 other militant groups Tuesday threatened to attack oil installations in the Niger Delta if the sacked coordinator of the Amnesty Programme was not reinstated in four weeks.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Johnmark Ezonbi, leader of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, said the federal government would “hear from them” if Boroh was not reinstated.

    He said the sacked coordinator of the Amnesty Programme played a significant role in prevailing on the militants to end the attacks on oil installations, warning that it was obvious that the government was toying with the destiny of the Niger Delta.

    The statement by Ezonbi read: “The federal government will hear from us at the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum as no single stone will be left unturned as the administration prefers to go back to the recession period when Boroh played a major role by visiting the creeks with other stakeholders to prevail on the boys to drop their arms and embrace peace.

    “We will embark on a well coordinated destruction of all major delivery oil pipelines after the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum without looking back.

    “I want to warn that any intruder into our planned action in four weeks time, if the federal government fails to reinstate General Paul Boroh, will be severely dealt with without mercy because our attacks will make the security agencies in the creeks very small.

    “We are fully ready to take on anybody as we have the instruments of warfare that will make the biggest military might marvel at our coordinated attacks.

    “We are ready to dirty our rivers and creeks with our oil, it is better we spill it than allow government use it to develop other parts of the country.”