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Tag: Investigation

  • Commissioner orders investigation into police misconduct in Enugu

    Commissioner orders investigation into police misconduct in Enugu

    Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered investigation into alleged unprofessional conduct of police operatives in Nsukka area of the state.

    “I have ordered the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State CID Enugu, to immediately investigate the allegations so as to bring culprits to book.

    “Victims of the alleged acts of misconduct should volunteer information to aid the investigation,’’ he said in a statement issued in Enugu on Sunday by police spokesman in the state, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

    Uzuegbu explained that his directive followed recent receipt of social media reports alleging unprofessional conduct on the part of some police officers in Nsukka town.

    “I call on residents to remain calm,’’ the commissioner pleaded.

    He reaffirmed his unwavering stance against unethical conduct on the part of police operatives and reassured of maximum protection of the rights of citizens in accordance with extant laws.

    “I enjoin the citizenry to support the police reform agenda by remaining law-abiding and by promptly reporting acts of police misconduct for necessary disciplinary actions,’’ he stressed.

    Uzuegbu urged residents to report acts of police misconduct in the state by calling telephone number: 08099854883 or by sending emails to infoenugupolice@gmail.com.

  • Investigation launched into Saudi visa cancellation – FG

    Investigation launched into Saudi visa cancellation – FG

    The Federal Government on Tuesday urged all affected passengers of  Air Peace whose visas were cancelled and deported from Saudi Arabia to remain calm and that an investigation into the “unfortunate” incident has been launched.

    This is contained in a statement by Francisca  Omayuli, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    According to Omayuli, reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah indicated that Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 transported 264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport and landed at the King Abdul-Aziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah on Nov. 13.

    She said in the statement that on arrival at the Hajj Terminal,  the Saudi immigration authorities informed the passengers that their visas had been cancelled and 177 passengers had to be evacuated on the same flight back to Nigeria.

    No fewer than 87 of the passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah, she added.

    Omayuli explained that the Saudi authorities are yet to give reasons for the cancellation of the visas and the outright ban imposed on 18 of the passengers from Saudi Arabia for various offences they committed in the past.

    “Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners, who are willing to guard against recurrence of this unfortunate incident.

    “In this regard, investigation is ongoing in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

    “The affected passengers are, therefore, implored to keep calm, while the matter is being resolved,” the statement quoted Omayuli as saying.

    The House of Representatives had condemned the cancellation of the passengers’ visas, describing the act as embarrassing.

    They urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, take the necessary diplomatic steps to protect Nigeria’s image and ensure the full implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

    The lawmakers also called for the protection of Nigerian national carriers flying to Saudi Arabia and protect the Nigerian travelling public.

    They also mandated the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and that of Interior and Pilgrims Affairs to launch an enquiry into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the visas and report back within two weeks.

  • ICPC set to monitor 1,932 projects nationwide

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to begin its Phase 6 tracking of constituency and executive projects across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) valued at N500 billion.

    In a statement released on Friday, spokesperson for ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, said the proposed operation will track a total of 1,932 projects, as part of efforts to promote enhanced service delivery.

    The primary objectives of this initiative which commenced since 2019, is to investigate fraudulent procurement practices in public contract awards, ensure full execution of all publicly funded projects, adhere to project specifications and ensure compliance with regulatory requisites.

    The commission will also prioritize scrutiny of special intervention agencies and capital funds projects handling, in addition to the execution of projects by key bodies like the North-East Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Niger Delta Development Commission, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ecological Fund Office, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), among others.

    Ogugua said the focal states for this phase include Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo States, as well as the FCT.

    The Phase 6 operation is scheduled to commence on October 16, one year after the Phase 5 operation carried out in November 2022.

  • Adamawa assembly investigates recurring boat mishaps

    Adamawa assembly investigates recurring boat mishaps

    The Adamawa House of Assembly has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the recent boat mishaps that claimed 26 lives in Yola South and Fufore Local Government Areas of the state.

    The Speaker, Mr Bathiya Wesley, stated this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Yola.

    He said the committee has been mandated to unravel the cause of the accidents and make recommendations to avert future occurance.

    Wesley said the committee would be headed by Mohammed Buba-Jijiwa and Kate Raymond-Mamuno as member.

    Others are Suleiman Alkali; Umar Bobbo-Ismail, Mr Japhet Hammanjabu, Kabiru Mijinyawa and Moses Yarima.

    According to Wesley, the committee will engage local council chairmen and community leaders to sensitise the affected riverine communities on the imperative of using life jackets.

    “We expect them to report their findings to the House within seven days,” he said.

  • NSIB begins investigation into incident involving United Nigeria Airlines

    NSIB begins investigation into incident involving United Nigeria Airlines

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has commenced an investigation into an incident involving a United Nigeria Airlines Embraer ERJ145 which occurred en-route Lagos from Abuja on Thursday by 6.33 p.m. (local time).

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by Dr. James Odaudu, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, signed on his behalf by Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, NSIB General Manager, Public Affairs.

    The statement said the affected aircraft marked 5N-BWY had 51 passengers and four crew members onboard during the incident.

    According to the statement, the aircraft landed on Runway 18R of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off the runway but without any injury or fatality.

    “The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video, or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

    “The bureau can be reached through info@aib.gov.ng and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.

    “The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT assume the cause of the serious incident until a formal report is released,” the statement said.

    It stated that the bureau would release the preliminary report soon.

    NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria.

    This is with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence.

  • UNICAL VC assures NBA of transparent investigation of suspended Dean

    UNICAL VC assures NBA of transparent investigation of suspended Dean

    Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, has assured the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) that the ongoing investigation of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of faculty of Law, would be transparent and devoid of bias.

    Obi gave the assurance on Wednesday in Calabar when officials of the NBA, led by the first National Vice President, Mrs Rose Bala, paid her a courtesy visit.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) who spoke against the backdrop of allegations of sexual harassment of female students and abuse of office leveled against the embattled Dean, applauded the NBA for its show of concern.

    “A committee has already been set- up to carry out a thorough investigation to authenticate the veracity of the allegations; the matter will not be treated with kid gloves.

    “The corporate image of the institution is at stake, a cogent reason why we will ensure that fairness and transparency are deployed in the course of the investigation,” she maintained.

    Expressing dismay over the ugly incident, she said her administration would stop at nothing to stamp-out unethical practices in the Institution.

    The VC added that those found guilty would be made to face the full weight of the law while the University Management would beam its searchlight on the Faculty of Law to forestall a reoccurrence.

    Earlier, Bala said that the essence of the visit was for the association to get the right information.

    She commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University management for their stance on the issue, while stressing the need for the victims to be counselled to be able to speak-up about their experiences without fear of victimisation.

    Bala also requested the Vice Chancellor to integrate NBA members into the panel investigating the matter.

  • Benue council chairmen only suspended to pave way for investigation- governor Alia

    Benue council chairmen only suspended to pave way for investigation- governor Alia

    Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has described as blatant lies allegations emanating from a section of the media that he has sacked Local Government Council Chairmen in the state.

    Recall that council chairmen who were elected under the platform of the PDP accused the governor of sacking them

    But Alia while reacting in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Sir Tersoo Kula at the weekend in Makurdi, explained that the governor only upheld the recommendation by directing the Council Chairmen to handover government property in their possession and offices to the various DGSAs of their council’s.

    He expressed disappointment with the action of the Council Chairmen by resulting to blackmail and lies, insisting that they were only suspended from office and not sacked as was being speculated, arguing that the move was to pave way for a seamless investigation.

    The governor maintained that he merely acted on the correspondence from the State House of Assembly which recommended suspension of the said Council Chairmen, stressing that further actions could only be taken when investigations into the corruption allegations levelled against them would be completed.

    Governor Alia who equally denied knowledge of any court judgement describing such a development as mere speculations, pointed out that as a law abiding citizen, he would never do anything to breach a court order, arguing that even if there was any court order compelling government not to sack the Chairmen, there is no order barring government from investigating the Chairmen.

    The governor who wondered whether the council Chairmen have been misled into assuming that they are entitled to political immunity as elected council chairmen, advised them to feel free if they have no skeletons in their cupboards by allowing those carrying out investigation to complete their assignment rather than jumping here and there, advising that if they must come to equity they should be prepared to do so with clean hands.

    The cleric governor who insisted that the  Council Chairmen remained suspended from office pending the outcome of investigation, urged them to be patient as they would be availed the opportunity to defend themselves before the House of Assembly ad-hoc committee, assuring that those who would not be found guilty would be reinstated.

    The council chairmen who were elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, by the immediate past government last Saturday, during a press conference in Makurdi, accused the Father Alia APC led government in the state of flouting a court judgement by going ahead to sack them from a two year term in office.

  • NAFDAC reveals outcome of investigation on noodles produced in Nigeria

    NAFDAC reveals outcome of investigation on noodles produced in Nigeria

    The National Agency of Food Drugs (NAFDAC) on Thursday said that noodles produced in the country did not contain Ethylene Oxide or its metabolism.

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, disclosed this at a media briefing organised to present the outcome of its investigation on whether noodles produced in the country contained ethylene oxide.

    Adeyeye said the investigation was occasioned by the recall of Indomie Instant Noodles Special Chicken Flavour by Malaysia and Taiwan, on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

    She said:” At the time of my initial press release on the issue, I assured the public that thorough investigation of the products would be conducted both at the factory and market levels and that our findings would be communicated.

    “As soon as we received the news of the product recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan, immediately I requested the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to carry out investigation and random sampling of Indomie instant noodles from the production facilities.

    “And extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.

    “Imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban by the Nigerian government many years ago to foster local production.

    “Samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country to ensure robust investigation.
    “A total of one hundred and fourteen (114) samples of instant noodles and the seasonings were received, while samples were also colleted from Lagos, Abuja and Kano”.

    According to Adeyeye, findings show that Ethylene oxide or its derivative was not found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria and their seasonings.

    Adeyeye said: “The compound of interest, ethylene oxide, is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and has been implicated as a cancer-causing chemical.

    “We did not only analyse for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings, we also analysed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples”.

    The D-G explained that the delay in the analytical activities in the laboratory was not deliberate.

    She noted that the agency placed orders for the procurement and supply of certified reference materials (standards), reagents and chemicals from overseas.

    She reassured Nigerians that the agency would continue to remain proactive and committed to its responsibilities of protecting the health of the public.

  • Prevent interference with Fayemi’s investigation by EFCC – Group tells Tinubu

    Prevent interference with Fayemi’s investigation by EFCC – Group tells Tinubu

    A civil society group, Justice and Equity Forum, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to allow interested individuals to interfere in the ongoing investigation of former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi by the anti-graft Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering.

    The forum made the call in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Olumide Adetifa, in Abuja on Thursday.

    Adetifa alleged that available information revealed that Fayemi was hobnobbing with a former governor of Kebbi State, who is from the same state with the chairman EFCC in an attempt to undermine or truncate his investigation by the agency.

    He also urged the president not to allow himself to be drawn into the arena of hindering justice by suspects.

    Adetifa called on all leaders of thought, law enforcement agencies, and concerned citizens to remain vigilant, support the ongoing investigation and report any instances of hobnobbing that come to their attention.

    “It is only through collective efforts that we can safeguard the integrity of our justice system and ensure that justice is served,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayemi had in a statement by his Media Adviser, Ahmad Sajoh, recently confirmed being invited by the anti-graft agency over alleged money laundering under his administration.

    Adetifa said that the group strongly condemned any attempt at hobnobbing aimed at undermining ongoing investigations against the former governor.

    “We firmly believe in upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency, and it is with great concern that we address this issue today.

    “Any form of hobnobbing, such as engaging in close social or professional relationships with the intent to protect or shield a suspect from facing legal consequences, poses a significant threat to the integrity and effectiveness of criminal investigations.

    “Such actions obstruct the pursuit of truth, compromise the rights of victims, and erode public trust in the legal system,” he said.

    He said the that group firmly believed that no individual should be above the law and that everyone must be held accountable for their actions.

    “The deliberate interference in investigations undermines the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and disregards the rights of victims and society as a whole, which seek justice and closure,” he said.

    He said that the organisation stood in solidarity with all law enforcement agencies and legal professionals dedicated to upholding the rule of law over the issue of Ekiti treasury.

    He also called on individuals in positions of power and influence to prioritise justice over personal relationships and ensure that the investigation process remains independent, transparent and fair.

    He said that the consequences of hobnobbing to undermine criminal investigations are far-reaching with a lasting impact on the society.

    “It perpetuates a culture of impunity, allows criminals to evade justice, and fosters an environment where criminal activities can thrive without consequences. We must not allow such actions to go unchecked.

    “It is only through collective efforts that we can safeguard the integrity of our justice system and ensure that justice is served,” he added.

    He pledged that as an organisation committed to promoting justice and accountability, his group would continue to advocate for the rights of the Ekiti people.

    He added that the group would continue to raise awareness about the importance of independent investigations, and hold accountable those who attempt to obstruct the course of justice.

  • Alleged corruption: NDYC calls senate to investigate EFCC Boss

    Alleged corruption: NDYC calls senate to investigate EFCC Boss

    The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NYDC), has called on the house of Assembly to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the series of allegations levelled against  Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in order to restore public confidence in the Commission.

    The National Coordinator NYDC Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, made the call in a statement, on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to Uwejeyan, the recent allegations leveled against  Bawa, if proven true, have the potential to severely undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the commission. It is therefore essential that a thorough investigation is conducted into these allegations.

    The group asked that the EFCC Chairman to step aside for a thorough investigation into the series of allegations levelled against him and called upon the chairman of the EFCC to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the sources of funds that facilitated his accommodation during the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

    “Reports indicate that he secured six opulent rooms at the Hilton Hotel in Mecca, and similarly resided in Sheraton in Jeddah, incurring a staggering expenditure nearing $300,000. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Mr. Bawa owes the Nigerian public and the Senate a detailed account of the origin of these substantial funds.

    “He should step aside to ensure that the investigations are not influenced or compromised in any way, allowing for an impartial examination of the allegations brought against him.

    “And called on all relevant stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the Nigerian public to support this call for Mr. Bawa to step aside for a thorough investigation into these series of allegations. We must all work together to ensure that the EFCC remains an effective institution in the fight against corruption, upholding the principles of justice and accountability, the statement reads.

    The group further maintained that the Senate as custodians of our democracy, holds the power to make crucial decisions that directly impact the well-being and future of our country especially as it concerns key institutions like the EFCC, and so should demonstrate their commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and accountability and it will also reaffirm the trust of the Nigerian citizens in the legislative process, showing that their concerns are heard and addressed with sincerity.

    “We implore you to prioritize the greater good of the Nigerian people over any undue influence or personal agenda that may compromise the pivotal role of the EFCC in combating corruption.

    “The EFCC, as an institution charged with the responsibility of combating economic and financial crimes, plays a crucial role in our society. It is imperative that the commission operates with the highest standards of professionalism, credibility, and trustworthiness. And any allegations of misconduct or impropriety involving its leadership must be treated with utmost seriousness.”