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Offa Robbery: Witness Narrates How Suspects Were Tortured To Implicate Saraki

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A witness, Shamaudeen Bada has told Kwara State High Court how men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IGP led by DCP Abba Kyari tortured them to implicate former Senate President, Bukola Saraki in the April 5, 2018 Offa robbery incident.

 

Bada who was a former Vice Chairman of Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, recounted his experience on Thursday during the resumed trial of suspects in the robbery, at the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

 

Five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.

 

When families of the suspects threatened the police with court case, the IRT operatives said they were taking instructions directly from the Inspector General of Police, IGP and that there was no court from Kwara that can stop their operations, the witness narrated.

 

During cross examination at the resumed trial, he said while in detention, the IRT operatives promised them they would be freed if they name Saraki as their sponsor. He however said, Ayo Akinrinbosun was shot in the leg when he declined to indict Saraki.

 

“After he was shot, I became very nervous, depressed and my health started deteriorating. DCP Abba Kyari brought some nurses to treat me. Before I was eventually released, the police officers gave me conditions before I was released that I must not grant any press interview, I must not go to court and that I should quit politics,” he said.

 

The witness also disclosed that the police officers directly told him, that “You these Kwara boys, we will show you shege. We will take Kwara from your leader, Saraki.”

 

According to the witness, their arrest was politically motivated due to the failure of Alhaji Lai Muhammed’s camp at the APC Ward Congress against the Saraki’s structure. To deal with the Saraki camp, they needed to tag it with something to nail them hence Offa Robbery became their option which was a month after the the Robbery saga.

 

The prosecuting counsel was unable to conclude his cross examination of the witness due to the fact that a particular document was not brought before the Court. Hence, they sought for an adjournment to obtain the said document and the case was subsequently adjourned to the 16th ,17th and 18th of January, 2023 for continuation of cross examination by the prosecution team.

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Crime

Rivers State Police Inspector Fatally Shot By Gunmen

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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, and the entire command are in mourning following the tragic death of a Police Inspector, Sunday Baba.

Biztellers reports that Inspector Baba was shot and killed by unknown assailants on Wednesday night.

However the details of the incident remain unclear.

CP Disu expressed his condolences in a post via his X handle, recognizing Inspector Baba’s bravery and dedication to duty while serving in Rumuolumeni, Rivers State.

He wrote, “Yesterday night, Inspector Sunday Baba, a brave Police Officer serving at Rumuolumeni in Rivers State, made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.

“Though the perpetrators fled, we recovered their vehicle. Tragically, the officer’s phone revealed 59 missed calls, 51 of which were from his wife. We bore the heavy burden of delivering the heart-wrenching news to her.

“Being a Police officer means leaving home in good health, never certain of returning alive. Those who take the lives of police officers are murdering those who stand as the guardians of the people. Let’s honour the sacrifices of our officers, may their sacrifice not be in vain.

“Goodbye, Sunday. Rest In Peace, Fallen Hero, PoliceFamily, Ultimate Sacrifice.”

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Crime

EFCC Recovers N32.7bn, $445,000 From Humanitarian Ministry

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has noticed the rising tide of commentaries, opinions, assumptions and insinuations concerning its progressive investigations into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.

Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended officials of the Ministry to the alleged financial malfeasance.

It is instructive to stress that the Commission’s investigations are not about individuals.

The EFCC is investigating a system and intricate web of fraudulent practices. Banks involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated. Managing Directors of the indicted banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into the infractions.

Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. Additionally, the EFCC has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud. Investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily. The public is enjoined to ignore any claim to the contrary.

On the issue of the works of the Commission against Naira abuse, dollarization of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws relating to them, the EFCC appreciates the avalanche of public awakening, support and involvement demonstrated so far. Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recording of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life. These gestures amply demonstrate rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.

To this end, the Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira. Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024. However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.

At the moment, the Commission is investigating several celebrities involved in Naira abuse. Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.

The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.

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Crime

Gunmen Strike Police Checkpoint In Ebonyi, Officer Slain

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In Ebonyi State, a police officer has been reported dead following an attack by unidentified gunmen at a police checkpoint.

The Ebonyi Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident to Channels Television.

According to Ukandu, the gunmen, traveling in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle, launched the attack on Thursday morning at Ishieke junction along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway in Ebonyi Local Government Area.

The police spokesperson mentioned that the unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately at the officers, prompting them to respond with force to repel the attack.

Unfortunately, one officer sustained fatal injuries, and a patrol vehicle was set on fire during the confrontation.

The Ebonyi Police Command swiftly responded to the incident, with Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, dispatching additional police personnel to the scene.

Efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrators, with law enforcement actively pursuing leads to track down the assailants.

The police spokesperson further stated that peace and normalcy have been reinstated in the affected area.

He emphasized the Commissioner of Police’s appeal to residents to provide any pertinent information that could assist in capturing the fleeing criminals.

Additionally, he reiterated the commitment of the Ebonyi Police Command to combat crime and safeguard the lives and property of citizens.

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