Crime
Govt Urged To Provide Security For Students
As Nigeria continues to grapple with several security challenges that directly impact on her economy and lives of citizens, Government at all levels have been called to provide profound security for students especially the females.
Edutainment Communicator and Veteran Broadcaster, Debrah Ogazuma made the call Thursday in Lokoja at the 8th Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) with the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy.”
According to her it has become obvious that since the capture of Chibok girls, the girl child education has been seriously threatened.
Ogazuma, who regretted the impact of the abduction of the Chibok girls and more similar cases to the girl child, lamented that the most attacks on the educational institutions were targeted at the females.
She called on the authorities to work towards putting an end that even as urged them to put in place measures for healing when such girls regain freedom from their adoptors.
To the media, she urged not to remain silent rather work assiduously towards changing the narrative through their reportage.
Speaking on digital economy, Ogazuma who insisted that Nigeria must follow the trend of digitalization for economic growth, regretted that power deficiency has been a major issue.
She noted that the future is driven with innovation and full of opportunities for expanding digitally added that Nigeria must engage the younger generations in order not to be left out.
Is Nigeria going to allow insecurity, power deficiency to constitute huge block for the emerging land scape of its economy?”, she queried.
Proffering solution Ogazuma stated that traditional method of involving traditional rulers reporting and fishing out possible dangerous elements seeking entrance into their community must be reactivated.
Communities she said should do more to ensure that they are not totally helpless.
On power, she called for replication of setting up of small power plants by Communities which she said has been done in some communities within states in the country.
Crime
$345,000 Fraud: EFCC Withdraws Arrest Warrant For Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Crime
Counsel To Otudeko Protests Alleged N12.3bn Fraud Charges
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.