News
Tinubu appoints Oluyede as acting Chief Of Army Staff
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the new Chief of Army Staff.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
He said Oluyede would hold sway as the CoAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS),” the statement read.
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
News
End bad governance protests: Drama in court as four kids brought for trial slump
There was confusion at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, as no fewer than four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, slumped during their trial.
Recall the protest, which began on Aug. 1 to demand for good governance, ended on Aug. 10.
The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.
However, when the matter was called on Friday, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the 76 defendants, who had been in detention.
Shortly after they were called into the dock to take their plea, four of the children slumped in the open court.
The four of them were Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years) and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years).
They are 68th, 74th, 75th, and76th defendants respectively in the 10-count charge bordering on treason, among other offences.
The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, abruptly stood down the trial and rose.
Justice Egwuatu came back after some minutes later to continue with the trial
News
Top bankers under probe, Bobrisky case ongoing – EFCC
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said that it was investigating some bank executives for various offences.
The commission also said that it has submitted its preliminary report on the investigation of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the anti-graft agency, about five bank executives are serving various jail terms at the custodial centres in the country.
The Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, disclosed this while stating the achievements of the commission under Ola Olukoyede.
Uwujaren, who didn’t mention names of the bank executives under probe, noted that the banking sector has not been overlooked in the last year.
He said, “It’s just for us to look back and realise that EFCC has never shifted focus from any sector. Between 2009 and 2011, at least five bank executives were investigated and served their jail terms. There are still some that are under investigation.
“They are not politicians. Bank MDs are not immune to investigations or prosecution by the EFCC. We cannot mention names until those things are concluded. “
On Betta Edu, Uwajaren said, “I don’t know the outcome. But I believe that we have submitted a preliminary report to the president. And I believe that we are still on the matter.
“The last time I checked, we mentioned the number of bank accounts that we were monitoring. We were looking at about 140 accounts. And we know it takes time to look into and get the required information.”
On the investigation of controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky’s allegations, Uwujaren said he could face a fresh charge from the commission if the allegations against the EFCC are false.
Bobrisky had in a voice note shared by controversial social critic Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.
News
Alleged Impersonation: Police arraigned VeryDarkMan, gets N2m bail
By Francesca Hangeior.
A popular social media activist, Martins Otse, otherwise known as VeryDarkMan, was on Friday, arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 6, over an allegation that he falsely presented himself as a police officer.
The defendant, who was in the charge marked: CR/510/2024, accused of impersonation and making unauthorized use of the police uniform, pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
He was subsequently granted bail by the court to the tune of N2million with the two sureties in the like sum.
The court maintained that the sureties must not only be resident within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, but must also submit their passports to its registry.
According to the court, the sureties must also provide a means of identification and depose to an affidavit to provide the defendant for his trial, at all times.
It mandated the police which is prosecuting the matter to verify the address of the sureties who were equally directed to provide an evidence of payment of their utility bills.
The defendant was also directed to deposed to an affidavit that he would always make himself available for the trial.
It will be recalled that the VeryDarkMan was detained on Thursday after he honoured an invitation that was extended to him by the police.
The defendant was seen in a video that went viral on various social media platforms, wearing an uniform that was similar to that of the Nigeria Police Force.
He described himself as a CSP of an online division and jokingly urged his fans and followers to always acknowledge him with his new rank instead of referring him as an activist.
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