Crime
Reps Call For Arrest Of NCAT Director, Auctioneer For Selling Hol
The House of Representatives has taken decisive action, ordering the immediate arrest of an alleged unlicensed auctioneer and the Director of Quality Control at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
This move comes amidst allegations of providing false information under oath regarding the sale of two helicopters valued at a staggering $1.2 billion.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Public Assets has called upon the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to spearhead an investigation into the controversial sale, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing probe.
The Committee on Public Assets arrived at its resolution following an intensive five-hour session with the College’s management and other pertinent entities.
Recall that in December 2023, the House launched an investigation into the state of public assets in the country.
The committee’s primary objective is to recover trillions of naira in assets, including dormant public assets both within and outside Nigeria.
They aim to investigate the rushed sale of two helicopters valued at $2.4 billion, which were allegedly sold for $1.2 billion without the necessary approval from the Federal Executive Council, just days before the end of the Buhari administration in 2023.
During the session, attendees included the NCAT management team, representatives from the Nigerian Army, and other relevant stakeholders crucial to the inquiry.
Chairman Ademorin Kuye, representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, expressed deep concern over the discrepancy in the sale prices of the helicopters, highlighting potential procedural irregularities.
He stated “We requested documents of any kind of joint venture, there is no response to that whether you have one or you do not.
“We requested a list of assets including comprehensive description and specifications of all your listed assets, rented apartments including acquisition dates and methods and the current status and conditions of such assets.
“We cannot say specifically that you have satisfied all of these requests. Though you tried to answer some of them, your responses are not adequate.
The committee further criticized the purported engagement of an unlicensed auctioneer who reportedly failed to adequately respond to inquiries.
Responding to these allegations, Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, expressed frustration that the Army’s request to utilize the helicopters for counter-terrorism operations had been denied.
Alkali strongly advocated for the recovery of the two helicopters.
Meanwhile, committee member Midala Balami, representing the Peoples Democratic Party from Borno State, characterized the documents submitted to the committee as falsified, adding to the growing scrutiny surrounding the controversial sale.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
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.
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………..
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