Crime
NAPTIP Dismisses, Convicts Law Enforcement Officers For Misconduct
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has taken action against five of its personnel, including a deputy director, for engaging in various misconducts.
Vincent Adekoye, the agency’s spokesperson, announced the dismissals in a statement released to the press on Wednesday.
He revealed that the dismissed officers were found guilty of a range of offenses, including corruption, soliciting and accepting bribes from suspects and their relatives.
Adekoye further explained that some of the officers had compromised the integrity of their colleagues by leaking confidential information to the suspects, putting their lives at risk.
Additionally, the dismissed personnel were found guilty of violating their oath of secrecy, stealing and tampering with official records, and being absent from duty without proper authorization.
He said, “These offences are all contrary to provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.
“Two other officers were demoted by two ranks for soliciting for bribe from a suspect of human trafficking, while one officer was demoted by one rank for the negligence of duty.
“The disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Governing Board of the agency at its meeting on May 25, 2023.
“At that meeting, the board considered and ratified the decision of the agency’s Senior Staff Committee which earlier sat on the disciplinary matters in accordance with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.
“This is NAPTIP’s 37th conviction and counting for the year 2023,” he added
In addition, Adekoye revealed that a law enforcement officer has been found guilty and subsequently sentenced to prison by a Federal High Court in Sokoto.
The officer faced a two-count charge of trafficking, which is in violation of Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (2015). Following the conviction, the officer received a five-year prison sentence for each count.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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