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JUST IN: Fubara Offers N100m Bounty On Rivers DPO’s killer

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Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has issued a bounty for the arrest of Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, also known as 2-Baba, and every member of his criminal gang for the killing of Divisional Police Officer Bako Angbashim in the Odiemudie Community of the state’s Ahoada East local government area.

A N100 million reward has also been offered by Fubara for information leading to 2-Baba’s capture and punishment.

Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, a monarch, was also given an indefinite suspension by the governor for his involvement in the murder.

Governor Fubara made this known in a statement he signed and issued on Saturday evening and made available to newsmen.

The statement said the monarch ceded control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.

The statement reads, “Yesterday, 8th September 2023 at about 7.00 pm, I was briefed on the security operations around the Odiemudie Community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, by a bunch of criminals, presently at large.

“S.P. Bako and his team ran into an ambush while returning from their operation where they were attacked by the criminals. Unfortunately, he was shot in the ensuing gunfire, captured and eventually murdered by his captors.

“Credible intelligence from the security agencies traced the entire incident to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and his criminal gang, who have established camps in the locality and are responsible for the resurgence of violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.

“As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our State.

“Accordingly, upon the review of the entire incident and the security situation in the affected areas with the security agencies, we have decided on the following measures to bring the murderers of SP Bako to justice and arrest the deteriorating security situation in the Ahoada East Local Government:

“First, the prime suspects, Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared wanted.

“Secondly, a bounty of one hundred million (N100,000,000.00) naira is hereby placed on his head for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.

“Thirdly, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, is hereby suspended indefinitely for acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.”

Continuing, the Governor said, “I reiterate our commitment to guaranteeing the security of all residents and assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to hunt down Gift David and his gang and bring them to justice.

“Finally, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I hereby extend my profound condolences to the family of SP Bako, especially the wife and children and the State’s Police Command for this irreparable loss.

“SP Bako was a fine, brave and dutiful police officer, who gave up his life to keep us safe and secure. He died in active service to his nation and we remember him for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.

“The Government of Rivers State will not allow his family to suffer the pains of his sudden and irreplaceable loss alone as we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”

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Justice at Last: Boko Haram Member Sentenced to Death for 2015 Maiduguri Terror Attack

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Yarima guilty of participating in acts of terrorism that led to the deadly attacks.

The court also imposed multiple prison terms on the convict for other terrorism-related offences.

SEE ALSO: MNJTF Commander Pledges End to Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno

Aside from the death sentence on count seven, the court sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out terrorist activities.

Justice Omotosho also handed him 35 years imprisonment on count one for professing membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group, and 30 years imprisonment on count five.

In addition, the court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment each on counts two, three and four.

The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to the prosecution, Yarima, who hails from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, belonged to Boko Haram between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.

He was also accused of accepting the teachings (Da’awah) of the sect’s late founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and remaining a member of the terrorist organisation despite its proscription.

The prosecution further told the court that Yarima travelled to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling in preparation for terrorist operations, an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

He was also found guilty of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence that attracted the death penalty under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.

“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi said.

 

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Again, Dangote Reduces PMS Gantry Price to N1,125/Litre

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N1,175 to N1,125 per litre.

A statement from the company on Thursday has it that this latest adjustment reflects the refinery’s ongoing commitment to ensuring price stability, improving affordability, and supporting Nigeria’s energy security objectives.

ALSO READ: NBS: Kerosene Price Dips as Diesel, Petrol Costs Rise

The price review underscores Dangote Refinery’s responsiveness to prevailing market conditions and its efforts to pass on cost efficiencies to downstream partners and consumers.

“Dangote Refinery remains focused on its broader mission of contributing to economic growth, enhancing fuel availability, and fostering a more competitive and sustainable petroleum sector in Nigeria,” the statement added.

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Why SEC Ordered Immediate Refunds Over Dangote Refinery IPO Promotions

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has explained why it directed capital market operators to immediately refund funds collected from investors in connection with a purported Initial Public Offering (IPO) by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Commission revealed that it had observed the circulation of advertisements, flyers, digital banners, and electronic messages across social media and investment platforms inviting members of the public to invest in the refinery through an alleged IPO.

ALSO READ: ‘Nigerian Marketers Import Dangote Fuel Via Lome Hub’

According to the SEC, the purported offer has not received regulatory approval, as the Commission has neither received nor approved any application from Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE for a public offering.

The regulator expressed concern that some registered capital market operators were actively promoting the unapproved offer and soliciting subscriptions from prospective investors.

Explaining the reason for its directive, the SEC stated that the campaign was misleading and amounted to market manipulation capable of creating false expectations among investors and undermining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.

The Commission noted that invitations encouraging members of the public to open accounts, pre-fund investments, or reserve guaranteed share allocations for the alleged IPO violate provisions of the Investments and Securities Act as well as existing market regulations.

As a result, the SEC ordered all registered operators, including stockbrokers and promoters of digital investment platforms, to immediately cease all advertising and promotional activities relating to the purported offer.

The Commission further directed operators to remove all related promotional materials from their websites, social media pages, and other communication channels within 24 hours.

In addition, firms were instructed to stop accepting deposits, investment commitments, account registrations, or expressions of interest linked to the alleged public offering.

To protect investors from potential losses, the SEC ordered any operator that had already collected funds in connection with the purported IPO to refund such monies within 24 hours.

The regulator warned that any operator that fails to comply with the directive risks facing sanctions under the Investments and Securities Act 2025 and the SEC Rules and Regulations.

The Commission also advised Nigerians to rely only on information released through approved regulatory channels and to ignore unofficial promotional campaigns or investment solicitations concerning the refinery.

SEC added that if Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE eventually decides to proceed with a public offering and secures regulatory approval, an authorised prospectus will be published in line with the law.

The directive comes amid reports that the Dangote Group is considering listing a 10 per cent stake in its $20 billion refinery through a Pan-African IPO expected in 2026.

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