TheNewsGuru

Tag: Investigations

  • Ekweremadu: South-East govs demand full investigations into alleged assassination attempt

    The South-East Governors’ Forum has called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

    The forum also rejected what it described as “hasty conclusion’’ by the investigating security agency that the attack was a case of burglary.

    Director-General of the forum, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, made the call on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the governors’ position on the issue.

    Ortuanya said that the careful and methodical execution of the plot as reported pointed to something more sinister than burglary.

    According to him, if the mission was mere burglary, the so-called burglars would not have prevailed on the son to take them to his father’s bedroom.

    He said that the alleged attempted attack on Ekweremadu had cast a dark shadow on the security of lives and property in Nigeria.

  • We are not aware Dino Melaye was kidnapped – Police

    The Nigeria Police have reacted to the “purported kidnap” of Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West senatorial district.

    Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood said in a Thursday night statement that the Force Headquarters only read of the news of Mr Melaye in the media, but has no unique details about the development.

    “The Nigeria Police Force have not received any complaint or report in any of its Police Stations or Divisions throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or any other State of the Federation of the kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye from any of his family member, friend, associate or staff to indicate that the Senator has been kidnapped.

    “The attention of the police was drawn to the report of the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye in some sections of the media,” Mr Moshood, an acting deputy police commissioner, said.

    The spokesperson, however, said investigation would be conducted into the matter, urging anyone with actionable information to pass such to authorities.

    The police have “commenced investigation into the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye, and wish (sic) to implore any of his family members, relatives or friends who witnessed the kidnap or have information about the purported kidnap of the senator to report the incident at the nearest police station to assist the police in the investigation,” Mr Moshood said.

    The statement contradicted what Gideon Ayodele, a spokesperson for Mr Melaye, had earlier issued to newsmen.

    The aide said the police in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, were informed about the alleged kidnap on Thursday morning.

  • Why we won’t suspend investigations into NEMA fraud – Reps

    The House of Representatives committee on national emergency and disaster preparedness has said it is prepared to dig into the roots of the fraud at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) despite intimidation and blackmail from some quarters.

    Members of the committee stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly.

    They held the press briefing to address allegations that some suspended directors of the agency, in league with the former Director General of NEMA had “formed an alliance with certain members and illegally procured and stolen papers from NEMA files in their bid to exonerate themselves and challenge their suspension.”

    Speaking on behalf of the committee, Johnson Agbonayinma (APC, Edo State) said the committee had no special interest in the suspended directors, but rather got to know about it (allegations) from the Director General, Mustapha Maihaja.

    “The attention of the House of Representatives has been drawn to reports in some national dailies, on the ongoing investigation by the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness on the “Need to Investigate Alleged Violation of Public Trust in National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA).

    “We also want to put it on record that as at today there is no petition from any staff of NEMA to the Committee or the House of Representatives.

    “The issue of the suspended directors was mentioned by the Director General, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja himself during one of the committee hearing, when he introduced a new Director of Finance and we sought to know what happened to the former director and he admitted to suspending them.”

    He said the committee also sought to know whether the suspension followed due process because the same directors are witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

    “We have also observed with dismay, the ongoing campaign of calumny sponsored to pitch the House against the Presidency, especially His Excellency, the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN.”

    He said Mr Osinbajo’s “only involvement” is because according to the law establishing NEMA, Section 2 Sub-Section 2(a) the Vice President is the Chairman of the Governing Council.

    “We therefore want to know if the council under the vice president authorised the suspension of the directors.

    “Notwithstanding the provision of Section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which empowers the National Assembly to invite any person to appear before it, or its committee during investigations.”

    On the invitation of the vice president to explain his role to the committee, Mr. Agbonayinma said the committee resolved that the vice president can send a representative.

    He said the committee will leave no stone unturned until the truth is out.

    “We will also not shield any public officer who soil their hands no matter how highly or lowly placed.

    “We want to state unequivocally that no amount of blackmail or campaign of calumny will deter or prevent us from conducting.

    The committee is investigating the release of N5.9 billion food intervention in the North-east, another N3.1 billiin food intervention in the region, release of N1.6 billion for Libyan returnees, release of N1.6 billion flood intervention for 16 states and donation of 6,779 metric tonnes of rice by the Chinese Government.

    It is also investigating the payment of about N800 million demurrage on donated rice by the Chinese government and the N10 billion release from the Ecological Funds

     

  • IPC calls for thorough police investigations over shooting of female AIT reporter

    The International Press Centre, Lagos-Nigeria is calling for thorough police investigations over the shooting of female Africa Independent Television (AIT) reporter, Miss Owei Patience by gunmen on Friday, 8th December 2017.

    According to reports from The Nation online, “Owei, who covers the Government House, was attacked by gunmen at about 10:30 pm on Friday while returning from a church service. She was shot at close range and dispossessed of her mobile phones, cash and other valuables.”

    The Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement described the unfortunate occurrence as a great concern to the Nigerian media and its stakeholders.

    “It is unfortunate that we almost lost one of our own in the media to gunmen. This again points to the security lapses in the Nigerian society which calls for a serious concern and thorough investigations by the Nigerian Police.”

    IPC therefore calls the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa state to immediately investigate this attack as it is not the first of its kind. The culprits involved should be made to face the law.

    IPC also appreciates the efforts being made by the Bayelsa state government to take up the medical bill of Owei’s treatment in the hospital.

  • EFCC conducts better investigations than Police, Army, DSS, others – Magu

    ..says the fight against corruption now total

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu on Thursday said the Commission investigates better than any law enforcement agency in the country including the Police.

    Magu said this while responding to questions about the commission conducting shoddy investigations and prosecuting ineffectively

    “We investigate better than any other law enforcement agency in this country, including the police,” he said.

    Magu said he does not interfere with the work of investigators, adding that once any intelligence is received, the investigation must be concluded.

    The EFCC acting chair also declared that the war against corruption “is now total”.

    The commission, he said, is more determined than ever to fight corruption to a standstill and to sustain “the current momentum”.

    “We’re now going to declare total war on corruption. It is our responsibility to crush corrupt practices in this country,” he said.

    Magu spoke when he paid a courtesy call on The Nation head office in Lagos.

    He described the biggest challenge to the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-graft crusade as “corruption fighting back”.

    “It’s real and they (those fighting back) have all the money,” he said.

    Magu said there were no fewer than 125 high profile corruption cases still “hanging in court”.

    On the delay of such cases, Magu blamed it all on Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), who he said were used by rich and powerful suspects to frustrate cases.

    “How can 31 SANs go to court to defend one (suspected) looter? Sometimes judges are intimidated. Why should 31 SANs appear for a suspect? We need to ask questions,” Magu said.

    He said such lawyers adopt several strategies to delay cases, some of which have spent nearly 10 years in court.

    “They abuse the court process, file all kinds of applications and go on appeal, which goes up to the Supreme Court and back. They adopt different technicalities and delay tactics. Sometimes they provoke the judges and write petitions against them.

    “But I don’t control the judges. We don’t have control over what happens in court. Our role is to investigate,” he said.

    Magu denied allegations that EFCC does shoddy investigations and prosecute ineffectively.

    “We investigate better than any other law enforcement agency in this country, including the police,” he said.

    Magu said he does not interfere with the work of investigators, adding that once any intelligence is received, the investigation must be concluded.

    The Acting EFCC chairman denied any rift with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “I am a law-abiding citizen. I respect constituted authority,” Magu said, adding that he duly handed over the list of high profile cases as requested by AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    On loot recovery, Magu said one of EFCC’s strategies was to recover assets and funds suspected to be proceeds of crime by applying to the court for interim forfeiture orders, publishing a 14-day notice for the owners to show up, and then applying for a final forfeiture.

    He said the EFCC had appealed the acquittal of former Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari, who was discharged by an Appeal Court sitting in Yola of corruption charges.

    Magu denied that former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who is under EFCC investigation, had retrieved properties seized from him by the commission.

    “We have not released any property to Sylva,” Magu said.

    On his non-confirmation by the Senate, Magu said: “I strongly believe in God. When it’s time to leave I’ll leave.”

    On the threat by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units to expel the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for not being an independent entity, Magu claimed there were moves to meet the group’s demands long before the Senate intervened.

    He said before the Senate’s move to completely remove NFIU from the EFCC, there were moves to make NFIU a separate unit within the anti-graft agency and to secure the tenure of its director so it is not tied to that of the EFCC chairman.

    According to him, granting NFIU “some security and operational autonomy” was what the Egmont Group demanded.

    He believes the Senate’s move to pass a law to make the NFIU independent of the commission was a bid to “weaken the workings of the EFCC”.

    Egmont Group was created to provide Financial Intelligence Units around the world a forum to exchange information confidentially to combat money-laundering, the financing of terrorism and other predicate offences.

    Magu said the shooting at the EFCC had been referred to the police.

    “There is a real threat, but we are used to it,” he said, adding that the department that was attacked had been transferred to a safe location.

    He said the war against corruption could not be successfully fought without media support.

    “I believe all journalists are corruption fighters. Let everybody do the right thing. Let us mobilise everybody’s support in the fight against corruption. Consider yourself as if working for the EFCC.

    “Corruption is the worst developmental problem we have in this country. We need more support. This fight is for our collective good.

    “We should not allow ourselves to be purchased to the detriment of our co-existence. We need to mobilise everybody. Let’s do it together.

    “We need your collective support in whatever we’re doing. You have supported us and we ask for more support. We owe a duty to this country. We must do the right thing for our collective good.

    “We’re not going to completely kill corruption, but we have a collective responsibility to reduce it,” Magu said.

     

  • We are not investigating CJN, Walter Onnoghen – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday debunked claims that it was investigating the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen as earlier reported exclusively by The Punch.

    Aside from Onnoghen, the report, also listed other heavy political weights like, former first lady, Patience Jonathan; former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; serving Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi); and the Minister for Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi a Judge of the Federal High Court, Audu Kafarati, among others.

    Clearing the air on the alleged probe, the anti-graft body in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, said, though, there were petitions filed against Mr. Onnoghen at the time he was under consideration for his current position, the agency found no valid claim in the allegations and, as such, he was not under investigation.

    “The Commission wishes to state categorically that it is currently not investigating Justices Onnoghen and Kafarati,” stated Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the EFCC.

    “While Onnoghen was being considered for his present position, the Commission received some petitions which were investigated and found to be without merit and discarded.”

    Uwujaren said the report could create disaffection between the EFCC and the judiciary.

    He, however, did not deny the commission was investigating other politically exposed persons, like Messrs. Fayemi, Fayose, Yahaya Bello, Godswill Akpabio and Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, among others.

    The newspaper had reported that its story was sourced from a document sent, containing list of high profile suspected corruption cases, to the Attorney -General of the Federation by the EFCC.

    “It is important to state that this report did not emanate from the EFCC and the allusion to “an EFCC source” is diversionary and mischievous.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, cases under investigation communicated to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation by the Commission are classified information and it is troubling how such would be leaked to the media.

    “Indeed, much damage has been done to the Commission’s investigation activities by this leak especially as some of the cases mentioned are still at preliminary stages of investigation.,” said Mr. Uwujaren.

  • El-Rufai condemns attack on senators, journalists, orders immediate investigations

    El-Rufai condemns attack on senators, journalists, orders immediate investigations

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has condemned the attack on the two Senators (Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi) from the state and some journalists on Sunday by some thugs.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the violence occurred at the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Kaduna.

    The hoodlums had disrupted a press conference held by the two senators, Messrs Sani (Kaduna Central) and Hunkuyi (Kaduna North); and injured at least one journalist working for Liberty TV/Radio, in the violence that ensued.

    According to witnesses, including journalists, the hoodlums numbering over 100 were wielding dangerous weapons and overpowered police officers to unleash the violence.

    “Having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with the NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums,” said a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, Sunday afternoon.

    “The governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. The governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty.

    “The media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression,” added Aruwan.

    Sani had, in the wake of the violence, told newsmen that the hoodlums were sponsored by the Kaduna State Government. He said the press conference was planned to protest “manipulation of the party (APC in Kaduna)” by El-Rufai with whom he has been having running political battle since both officials came to their offices in 2015.

    Apart from Messrs. Sani and Hunkuyi, members of the House of Representatives, including Mohammed Soba and Mohammed Usman were also present at the press conference.

    Before the violence, Hunkuyi had told Journalists that they were sidelined in the election of the party’s delegates that held on Saturday.

    The elected delegates would represent the Kaduna APC during the non-elective national convention of the party

    Hunkuyi remarked that as stakeholders, they ought to be contacted and enabling environment provided for them to participate.

    “The list of the delegates were not known to us. The list was fake. So, we wrote two petitions to the national secretariat and zonal to buttress our grievances.

    “We hope the national body would look into our complaints and fix another date.”

    But the Kaduna APC, in its reaction by the publicity secretary, Salisu Wusono, said the election was “credible, free and fair.”

    The party insists on the suspension of Sani, an arrowhead of the bill to review the Nigerian Constitution to allow independent candidacy in elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that in his statement on Sunday, Aruwan did not respond to Sani’s specific allegations, but warned against political violence and attack on the press.

    “Politics should not be a desperate game. And desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen.

    “The government of Kaduna State will not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights,” said Aruwan.

    The Commissioner of Police for the State, while addressing Journalists, after the violence which ended only when he arrived, said the hoodlums would be arrested.

  • [JUST IN] Attempted murder case: Court orders Kashamu to submit self for investigations

    [JUST IN] Attempted murder case: Court orders Kashamu to submit self for investigations

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, to submit himself to the police for investigation into an allegation of alleged his attempt to murder a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikene/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Mr. Oladipupo Adebutu.

    Delivering judgment in a suit instituted by Kashamu, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ordered that the senator must honour all invitations extended to him by the Special Investigating Panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations contained in Adebutu’s petition.

    Justice Dimgba, who noted that the same special investigating panel had been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to investigate Kashamu’s counter-petition against Adebutu, ordered that the police must ensure that the police must conduct the probe in their facilities and not the houses of private citizens.

    But the judge ruled that any attempt by security agencies, particularly the police and the Department of State Service to capitalise on the said investigation by arresting the senator, incarcerating him and transport him to the United States of America to face illicit drugs charges would be unlawful.

    TheNewsGuru.com Adebutu had alleged that the Senator had along with some thugs made attempted to murder him during Peoples Democratic Party’s convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on August 16, 2016.

    The member of the House of Representatives then sent a petition dated August 22, 2016, reporting the alleged attempt ‎on his life to the Inspector General of Police.

    But in response, Kashamu wrote a counter-petition dated August 26, 2016, to the IGP alleging that Adebutu was instigating the police and the DSS to abduct and transport him to the US in relation to illicit drugs charges he had been cleared of and in violation of court orders stopping him from being extradited.

  • Panic as gunmen shoot EFCC official investigating judges

    Unknown gunmen have shot an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Austin Okwor last Saturday (June 24) while leaving his office in Port Harcourt.

    Okwor is presently receiving treatments after sustaining injuries from the gunshot.

    According to a statement by the spokesperson of the antigraft agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Okwor was one of the operatives investigating some sensitive cases including a case pertaining to alleged corrupt judicial officials.

    The commission said Okwor, who is attached to the Property Fraud Section of the EFCC zonal office in Port Harcourt, was shot on June 24 while leaving his office.

    The statement partly read, “Mr. Austin Okwor, an operative in the Property Fraud Section of the EFCC zonal office in Port Harcourt, had closed late for the day and as he left office, he was suddenly accosted by a gang of daredevil hoodlums who opened fire on him.

    “Luckily for him, he was able to shake off his assailants but not without sustaining some bullet wounds as they kept firing at him. He was rushed to a private hospital in Port Harcourt where he is receiving treatment.

    “According to Ishaq Salihu, Head of the zonal office, the incident has already been reported to the police in Port Harcourt. Okwor is one of the operatives investigating some sensitive cases including that pertaining to corrupt judicial officials.”

    The anti-graft agency said the victim had been receiving threat messages before the incident. One of such messages which he received last month was reported to the police.

    The commission said the incident underlined the hazards which operatives were daily exposed to in the discharge of their duties.

    It noted that on September 14, 2010, the head of the commission’s Forensic Unit, Abdullahi Muazu, was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Kaduna.

    Six months earlier, a team of prosecutors returning to Enugu after a court appearance in Owerri, Imo State, was attacked by gunmen who opened fire on them. Sergeant Eze Edoga, the police escort, was killed while a senior counsel with the commission, Joseph Uzor, was wounded but survived.

  • Fire incident: Pastor Adefarasin calls for investigation, thanks rescuers

    Sequel to the fire outbreak that engulfed the Abuja branch of the House on the Rock Church on Sunday, the Senior Pastor of the church, Paul Adefarasin has thanked individuals, government and non-governmental agencies that responded timely to the distress call of the church while also calling for an open investigation into the unfortunate incident.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the incident happened on Sunday, after the mid-year thanksgiving service and was eventually contained by men from the Fire Service and other sister emergency agencies.

    In a series of tweets on his handle, @pauladefarasin, the cleric called for calm and assure members of the church of the conduct of its regular daily/weekly services.

    “A fire incident occurred at about 2 pm on Sunday 25, June 2017 at the facilities used by the Abuja daughter church of the House On The Rock.

    “We remain profusely grateful to the Sovereign and Almighty God that there were no human fatalities or casualties.

    “While some parts of the complex were damaged by the fire, the swift co-ordinated response by many including the following: NEMA, the Federal Fire Service (Abuja), NJI, NNPC, Julius Berger, the HOTR staff & members, and several friends & well wishers of the house.

    “All of whom responded to the incident & contributed in no small way to the containment and eventual extinguishing of the fire.

    “We commend the professionalism of all the first responders and thank them for the invaluable service they rendered.

    “We are now working with the relevant authorities & consultants to ensure the structural integrity of the affected building. Even as we seek to determine the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

    “The weekly services will continue as usual, as the presently used service sanctuary remains unaffected.

    “The House On The Rock wishes to express her gratitude to all who inspite of the inconvenience of the torrential rainfall were available

    “And remained available to render assistance, encouragement and moral support during the incident.

    “Your prayers, love and moral support expressed in various correspondences are truly and very deeply appreciated.

    “We enjoin all our members, friends and guests to remain calm as we solicit your continued prayers in this season.

    “Let us all be comforted by the Scripture in Romans 8:28 which says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Thank you.”