TheNewsGuru

Tag: Adamawa State

  • You have a case to answer – court tells Nyako, son, others

    You have a case to answer – court tells Nyako, son, others

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) to enter his defence in the alleged N29 billion money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Abang gave the order on Monday while ruling on the no-case-submission filed by the former Adamawa Governor, his son Abdul-Aziz and other defendants in the matter.

    The other defendants are Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd.

    The judge said that he had painstakingly perused the evidence given by the 21 witnesses called by the prosecution and was of the view that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants.

    “I have calmly, carefully and painstakingly scrutinised the evidence adduced by the 21 witnesses in chief and under cross-examination including the oral and written arguments of all the defendants.

    “I have again carefully and painstakingly considered the evidence of the 21 witnesses and the massive documentary evidence and the extra judicial statements of the defendants.

    “I have carefully considered the legal arguments of all the counsel for the defendants, their written and oral arguments and the argument of the prosecution in this ruling.

    “It is my humble but firm view that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the defendants and they are required to enter their defence immediately.”

    The judge held that the no-case-submission filed by the defendants lacked merit and he accordingly dismissed it.

    He adjourned the matter until Oct. 4, Oct. 5, Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 for the defendants to open their case.

    The EFCC is prosecuting the former governor and his son, Abdul-Aziz; two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, over money laundering offences.

    The EFCC had arraigned them on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

    The trial began on July 7, 2015 and the anti-graft agency closed its case on Nov. 3, 2019 having called 21 witnesses to establish its case against the defendants.

    Instead of opening their defence, the defendants elected to file a no-case submission in which they argued that the facts adduced by all the witnesses called by the prosecution did not prove the allegation against them.

  • Police rescue kidnaped victim in Adamawa

    Police rescue kidnaped victim in Adamawa

    The Police Command in Adamawa says the operatives of the command in Song Local Government Area have rescued 22-year old Usman Manu, a kidnapped victim.

    DSP Suleiman Nguroje, the spokesman of the command, also announced in a statement in Yola on Wednesday that one of the kidnappers was neutralised.

    He said that the kidnappers demanded for a ransom of N3 million after their operation between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m on May 28.

    “Based on the report reaching us, armed men, numbering four invaded their houses, situated at Gola village, placed them at gunpoint and kidnapped a 22-year old Usman Manu.

    “The kidnappers later called and demanded for a ransom of N3 million and directed that the ransom be taken to them in a certain place situated at a remote side of Zumo mountain.

    “The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Alhaji, immediately deployed the command’s machinery and augment the strength of the operatives attached to Song Police Division and vigilantes.

    “The suspects, in an attempt to escape, fired gunshots to scare our men, but when the gunshots were returned, one of the kidnappers was neutralised and the kidnapped victim was rescued unharmed”, Nguroje said.

    He added that the police commissioner commended divisional police officer in Song and members of vigilantes for their resilience.

    He also directed the officers to sustain the tempo, go after the fleeing suspects while he urged the public to continue to report any suspicious character around their neighborhood.

    Nguroje assured the residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

  • Buhari condoles with Adamawa community over insurgents’ attack

    Buhari condoles with Adamawa community over insurgents’ attack

    President Muhammad Buhari has condoled with Kwapre community in Hong Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa over the recent Boko Haram insurgents attack.

    Buhari, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustafa, said this when he visited the community on Sunday.

    The president expressed his deepest sympathy and condolence to the affected community.

    ”I am in Kwapre to see things under the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari and to symphatise and condole with the community.

    ”I have seen the level of destructions which is tragic of monumental dimension.

    ”I am deeply saddened by what I saw and am assuring the community, government will do all what is possible to protect lives and property of the citizens,” he said.

    He said that from information available, over 78 houses ,12 shops, schools and four worship centres were destroyed.

    He said that securing communities was a collective responsibility adding that members of communities had great role to play.

    ”Government is going to take steps that will be quite effective to curtail the menace as much as possible.

    ”Government is going to help the community to reconstruct places destroyed, “ he said.

    Mr Musa Zarami, Manager, Humanitarian Affairs, North East Development Commission ( NEDC ) said that the commission had provided relief materials to the victims.

    ”The materials donated include bags of rice, maize, blankets, mats, detergents cooking oil among others, “ Zarami said.

    Mr Simon Yakubu, District Head of Dugwaba, thanked Buhari for the gesture.

    ”The destruction was devastating, because Kwapre has now turned into a ghost town as the entire community has been displaced.

    ”The visit of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has given us hope and encouraged us to return to our respective homes, ” Yakubu said.

    Boko Haram insurgents had on Friday, April 9 attacked the community, destroying lives and property.

  • BREAKING: Adamawa Senator involved in sex toy scandal defects to APC

    BREAKING: Adamawa Senator involved in sex toy scandal defects to APC

    Elisha Abbo, a Senator on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has defected to the ruling All Progressives (Congress APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Abbo on Wednesday announced his defection from the opposition PDP to the APC in a letter addressed to the Senate.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan read the letter during plenary session.

    In the letter, Senator Abbo explained that his decision to defect to the APC is because of the mismanagement of the PDP in Adamawa State by Governor Umaru Fintiri.

    Senator Abbo has been in the news for assaulting a woman in an adult toy shop in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Few weeks ago the lawmaker was asked to pay N50 million for assaulting a lady at a sex shop in Abuja.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Adamawa Govt. imposes 24-hour curfew

    Adamawa Govt. imposes 24-hour curfew

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has imposed a 24-hour curfew throughout the state, citing a breakdown of law and order in Yola, the capital.

    Fintiri declared the curfew in a special broadcast on Sunday, warning that the government will not fold its hands and allow some few elements to destabilise the relative peace enjoyed in the state.

    He said: “Fellow citizens, we cannot allow hoodlums and misguided elements to operate unchallenged when we are already battling with the challenges of insurgency, kidnapping, cattle rustling, banditry and farmer/herders’ clashes.

    “In view of the above, I have declared and imposed an indefinite curfew throughout the State, beginning from 3 o’clock Sunday, 25th of October, 2020.”

    He warned that the movement of vehicles, except those authorized, is prohibited during the curfew.

    He said the security development followed the activities of some misguided elements who have broken into warehouses owned by the State Government and carted away COVID-19 palliatives.

    The governor commended the youths in the state for not allowing themselves to be misled into doing anything untoward since the ENDSARS protest began in some parts of the Country.

    He said while the government respects the rights of the citizens to seek redress, it notes that there are civilized and responsible ways of channeling genuine grievances.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Government has, through the State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), distributed palliatives through the 260 wards of the State during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, to cushion the effects of the first and second lockdowns declared in the State.

    “Two weeks into the first lockdown, with an end to the pandemic not in sight, I directed that more foodstuffs be released to the people and distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas.

    “Considering the hardship experienced by workers, especially those at the lower cadre, I directed a third round of distribution of food items to all workers from Grade Levels 1 to 6,” Fintiri said.

  • Federal Poly Mubi postpones resumption

    Federal Poly Mubi postpones resumption

    The Management of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi has postponed the reopening of the institution scheduled for Oct. 26 till further notice.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Medan Ndodi, a Deputy Registrar, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Yola.

    Ndodi stated that the postponement was because of the insecurity posed by the #EndSARS protests.

    “The commencement of the academic activities is hereby postponed and a new date for resumption will be announced.

    “The Academic Board of the polytechnic regrets the inconveniences the new decision might have on staff and students,” he stated.

    Ndodi further stated that the decision was necessary to ensure the safety of the students who might likely move from different parts of the country to the polytechnic.

  • Adamawa Govt announces reopening of schools

    Adamawa Govt announces reopening of schools

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has directed all public and private schools in the state to reopen on Oct. 12.

    Fintiri gave the directive in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, on Thursday in Yola.

    The governor, however, regretted the long closure of schools due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    “I am pleased to announce Monday October 12 for resumption of academic activities from the basic to tertiary levels having wasted so much time.

    “As a government, we will not leave any stone unturned towards ensuring enforcement of the COVID-19 Protocols,’’ governor said.

    He directed the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to meet with stakeholders in the sector to discuss modalities for the reopening.

    According to him, school managers should observe the COVID-19 Protocols and provide the necessary requirements

    needed for the safety of students.

    “Schools must ensure washing of hands at entry points, use of face mask and hand sanitizers as well as social distancing and proper hygiene.

    “Any institution or school found wanting risk closure and sanctioning,’’ Fintiri said.

    He advised parents to take interest in the health of their children and wards by assisting schools in providing the basic requirements to fight the pandemic.

  • CAN Chairman tests positive for COVID-19

    CAN Chairman tests positive for COVID-19

    Bishop Stephen Mamza, Chairman, Christians Association Nigeria (CAN), Adamawa Chapter has tested positive for COVID-19.

    Mamza, who is a member of Adamawa State COVID-19 Committee, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday in Yola.

    The Bishop said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had confirmed his positive status.

    He said: “Today (Sunday), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed to me that I am COVID-19 positive and I have to go into total isolation.

    “One lesson that I want people to appreciate and understand is that everybody has to make himself available for testing if need be”.

    The Cleric noted that testing positive for the virus was not a death sentence, urging people to pray for him and all who tested positive.

    He urged the general public to take COVID-19 protocols seriously in order to help stop the spread of the pandemic.

    Mamza said in compliance with COVID-19 protocols he had gone into self-isolation and already started treatment.

  • Teenager dies after giving birth to triplets in Adamawa

    A 19-year-old teenager, Lilian Benedict of Bwaranji ward, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa, died on Sunday after giving birth to triplets.

    Mrs Josephine Geoffrey, Assistant Director, Nursing Services, Yola Specialists Hospital, confirmed the development on Tuesday in Yola.

    Geoffrey said that the teenager died as a result of Post Partum Haemorhrage.

    “She died as a result of bleeding after delivery and all the three babies are in good health condition.

    “Poverty and lack of early antenatal attendance also contributed to her death.

    “We therefore, advise parents whose young daughters are pregnant to, as a matter of urgency, attend early antenatal to avoid unnecessary complications during child birth,” Geoffrey told NAN.

    The assistant director, called on government, Non-Governmental Organisations and public spirited individuals to assist the babies by providing food and drugs to ensure their survival.

    Madam Kolostiki Benedict, mother of the deceased, said Lilian lost her farther when she was eight years old, and pleaded with Adamawa government to assist her to nurse the babies.

    Taliba Kanakuru, 26, the deceased’s boyfriend, expressed shock over her death and said they had concluded arrangements to get married after she delivered.

  • Many killed in Adamawa communal clash

    Many killed in Adamawa communal clash

    A violent conflict between two tribes in Lafia, a commercial border town between Adamawa and Gombe states, has claimed an unspecified number of residents.

     

    People of Lunguda tribe and their Waja counterparts in the community, engaged one another in an overnight bloodletting and destruction of valuable property.

     

     

    Many were killed while homes, domestic animals and other valuables were destroyed.

     

    Lafia is in Lamurde Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

     

    The conflict was said to have been sparked by a dispute over farmland.

     

    The state deputy governor, Chief Crowther Seth has visited the community accompanied by the Brigade Commander of the 23 Brigade Yola, Brigadier General Sani Gambo Mohammed, among other security chiefs.

     

    The deputy governor assured that government would investigate and bring perpetrators to book, warning against further escalation of the conflict.

     

     

     

    The state police command confirmed the incident yesterday, saying that 32 suspects have been arrested in connection with the conflict.

     

    Two councils have been locked down following the clash.