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ICPC to arraign El-Rufai’s finance commissioner, accountant general in N64m fraud

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By Francesca Hangeior

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has announced plans to arraign three former appointees of the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, in a new ₦64 million money laundering case.

The former appointees include the ex-senior Special Adviser/Counsellor to the governor, Lawal Adebisi, the former Accountant General of Kaduna State, Umar Waziri, and the former Finance Commissioner, Yusuf Inuwa.

A statement on Thursday by the commission’s spokesman, Demola Bakare, revealed that Solar Life Nigeria Limited, the company whose bank account allegedly received the diverted funds, has also joined in the suit.

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“In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial division, ICPC is accusing Mr. Lawal of conniving with the two other accused persons to divert the total sum N64,800,562 in three tranches of N10,000,000,00, N47,840,000.00 and N7,320,562.00 to the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria limited where Mr. Lawal is believed to the sole signatory.

“The four accused persons are expected to appear in court on Friday, 17th of January, 2025 to take their plea,” the statement added.

Last week, the ICPC, in a separate charge, arraigned the former chief of staff and commissioner of finance in Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, for a money laundering suit.

ICPC, in a two-count charge also filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, accused Saidu of accepting a cash payment of N155,000,000 from Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.

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Signatures of 3 senators on report suspending Natasha in 2025 were forged – Oshiomhole Declares As Fight Against Akpabio Continues

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In a fresh twist to the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that signatures of at least three senators on the report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were forged.

The allegation, made by the former Edo State governor and current Senator representing Edo North, comes amid heightened tensions between Oshiomhole and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for six months in early 2025 following a Senate committee report on her conduct, which included allegations of unruly behavior and conflicts with the Senate leadership.

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According to reports circulating from Senate proceedings and shared widely on social media, Oshiomhole declared during a session or related discussion that the document authorizing or supporting the suspension bore forged signatures. He reportedly pointed out discrepancies suggesting that not all listed senators had actually appended their signatures to the report.

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Gunmen Kidnap Ondo Traditional Ruler, Police Begin Manhunt

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Some gunmen on Saturday reportedly invaded the Ode Oriya community in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State and abducted the traditional ruler of the community, Adeniyi Adelana.

A source said the hoodlums stormed the community at about 8 pm on Saturday and went to the residence of the 60-year-old community leader, whisking him away to an unknown destination in the bush.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday, said the state command had commenced a rescue operation in the forest.

“The Ondo State Police Command has launched a coordinated rescue operation following the abduction of a community leader by suspected kidnappers in Ode Oriya Village, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

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“Preliminary reports indicate that at about 8:05 pm on the reported date, a group of approximately six armed men stormed the residence of Mr Adeniyi Adelana, aged 60, the Baale of Ode Oriya Village. The assailants reportedly invaded the premises under the cover of darkness and forcefully whisked the victim away through a nearby bush path to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives and other security personnel to the scene. The area was swiftly secured, and a preliminary assessment of the crime scene was conducted as part of ongoing investigative efforts,” the PPRO said.

Jimoh added that the victim’s wife, who sustained a gunshot injury to her right hand during the attack, had been taken to the hospital, where she was receiving treatment.

“She was promptly rescued and taken to a nearby medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment and responding positively to medical care,” he said.

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According to him, a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation was activated, with security operatives combing nearby forests, bush paths, and suspected escape routes “in a determined effort to track the movement of the kidnappers, secure the victim’s safe release, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

“Tactical deployments have also been strengthened across the area and adjoining communities to enhance operational effectiveness,” he added.

The police spokesman also said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical units, intelligence assets, and operational teams of the command to intensify efforts toward the swift rescue of the victim and the arrest of those responsible.

“The command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that the victim is reunited safely with his family while all those involved face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO added.

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US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes after takeoff

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A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to the base authorities.

The incident occurred soon after departure, prompting an immediate emergency response at the site.

“Emergency crews immediately ⁠responded to the scene ⁠and the situation ⁠is ⁠ongoing,” the base wrote on Monday in a ‌post on X.

At the time of reporting, officials had not confirmed any casualties, and the cause of the crash remained unclear.

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The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic bomber designed to carry nuclear weapons, with a payload capacity of up to 70,000 pounds. Each aircraft is estimated to be worth about $110 million.

The crash comes less than 24 hours after another deadly aviation incident in the United States in which 12 people were killed when a plane went down near an airport in Missouri.

The fatal crash occurred on Sunday near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, south of Kansas City, the state’s largest city.

“Troopers are on scene assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office of a Fatal Plane Crash near the Butler Memorial Airport,” the Missouri State Highway Patrol posted on X.

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“At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished,” it said.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing said the aircraft was being used for skydiving operations.

He added that emergency teams were alerted at about 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday after reports of a crash and fire.

According to him, firefighters quickly contained the blaze, while describing the scene as “brutal.”

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“It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,” Ewing said.

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