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Ex-governor, two ministers behind planned protests against us, says EFCC
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that a former governor and two former ministers are the arrowheads of the planned protests against it.
The anti-graft agency which on Wednesday alerted the public to the protests restated its advice to ‘’impressionable’’ youths, especially students, against being used by the “looters of our commonwealth.”
It also had a message for parents: ‘’prevail on your children and wards not to join protests against issues they have no clear understanding about.’’
The commission, however, said the support base of the masterminds had been weakened with the withdrawal of 259 civil society organizations from the planned protests.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated these while fielding questions from reporters at a news conference organised by the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee (SCIPC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Oyewole said: “Generally and holistically, all of these people that are talking about ending the EFCC, kill EFCC are tangentially affected by the activities of the commission.
‘’We know that our activities are affecting people who have one thing or the other to hide, and we know that it’s natural that they want to fight us.
“And that is why we came out publicly to make it known. We have a responsibility to tell the public.”
“If you have 259 civil society organisations(CSOs) coming out publicly to say that we are not going to support the protests, then their moral base is weakened.
“The CSOs are saying that their intelligence shows that an ex-governor and two former ministers are behind the protests. That is their intelligence.
“We also have our intelligence, but the sum and substance of everything is that the protests are not in the overall interest of the nation. Our youths should be wary so that they will not be recruited and used as cannon fodders in a cause that they don’t understand.’’
Like the EFCC, a group, the Coalition for Transparency and Economic Reforms (COTER), called on parents to warn their children and wards against ‘’thinly-disguised anti-Tinubu protests against the EFCC to avoid regrets.’’
“The major aim of the planned massive protests is to create panic, fear, and anarchy and ultimately scuttle the achievements of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu,” COTER said in a statement by its Coordinator, Adeshina Animashaun.
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone D, distanced its members from the planned protests.
The association said it stands with the EFCC in the fight against all crimes that tarnish the image of Nigerian youths.
“NANS Southwest hereby disassociates herself from any group of persons, organisations or individuals who plan to water down the efforts of the EFCC.
“We encourage all students and members of the community to refrain from participating in any protests that may arise and to continue supporting efforts to promote accountability and good governance,’’ said NAN’s Zone D Coordinator Alao John.
The anti-corruption agency also received the support of the National Orientation Agency(NOA) yesterday.
NOA revealed that it has mobilised its 4,000 members of staff to track the promoters of violence in the country.
The agency added that apart from activating its civil intelligence network, its 812 offices have been mandated to identify incident spots and individuals involved in the planned protests against the EFCC.
“A group has been recruiting young Nigerians, including students, through social media to protest against the EFCC’s operational activities, particularly in enforcing cybercrime laws,” NOA’s Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement yesterday.
“NOA, therefore, urges Nigerians to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest EFCC office or law enforcement agency or reach the NOA through the “Say Something” platform on the agency’s app, Mobiliser.”
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NSCDC, Tantita intensify joint efforts to combat oil theft in Niger Delta
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) have intensified their joint efforts to eliminate economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As part of his inspection of NSCDC operations in the area, Commandant-General Dr. Abubakar Audi led a group of senior officers to meet with Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of TSSL, and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, commonly referred to as Tompolo, in Warri and Oporoza, Delta State.
Audi and his team also toured the operational facilities of NSCDC operatives working with Tantita in far-flung creeks of the Niger Delta and other formations to assess their activities and encourage the frontline security agents.
The Commandant-General while paying a courtesy visit to Pondi said his operational tour of the Niger Delta was to enable him get first hand information of his men on ground and strengthen the relationship between the corps and Tantita.
Audi said the NSCDC would celebrate the gallantry of his men on March 1st adding that the occasion would recognise fallen heroes of the corps and empower the families of deceased officers.
He said: “We place high premium on the welfare of our staff that is why every March 1st we recognise our personnel who died on active duty by assisting their families through payment of life insurance benefits and other empowerment schemes.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Ltd, Mr Kestin Pondi, heaped praises on President Ahmed Tinubu for providing the enabling environment to fight oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
He assured of closer collaboration with security forces including the NSCDC in the ongoing efforts to tackle pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
Pondi said without the collaborative efforts of the NSCDC and other security agencies, the success record would have been impossible.
He said prior to Tantita’s involvement in combating oil theft, production levels hovered around 800,000 barrels per day, adding that the increased production was because of the collaboration with NSCDC.
He said: “The success recorded in the recent past is not without the collaborative efforts of NSCDC. At the moment we have over 450 personnel in our organisation who have been providing collaborative services to our personnel.
“It is worthy of note that as at the time we came on board, the nation was producing between 600000 – 800000 barrels per day in 2022, but as at today we have gone over 2 million barrels per day and this is largely due to our collaboration with you.
A former President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, hailed NSCDC and Tantita for their mutual relationship saying their operational style was in line with President Tinubu’s leadership approach of community and stakeholders’ engagements.
Describing President Tinubu as a community man, Eradiri said Tinubu’s approach was centered around the people adding that in similar way Tantita and NSCDC approach instilled confidence in people to protect oil facilities within their domain.
“This is in line with President Tinubu’s leadership style. President Tinubu is a community man. His approach has always been about the people. For some of us who have known him for years ago, we are not surprised that he is doing things differently.
“Recall that when he was campaigning he came to the Gbaramatu Kingdom. President Tinubu expanded the relationship with Tantita and consolidated on what he met and that is why the trajectory has been smooth. President Tinubu is the reason Tantita is succeeding and we want to commend him for believing in Tompolo and the people,” he said.
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Imo govt warns nightclub, lounge proprietors against selling hard drugs to customers
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The Imo Government has issued a stern warning to hotel owners and nightclub operators, urging them to refrain from permitting the use of hard drugs within their establishments.
This announcement was made in a statement signed by Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, and was shared with journalists in Owerri on Saturday.
According to Obonna, the state government has observed that hard drugs, especially cannabis, popularly called ‘loud’, are now being freely sold and consumed in public places, especially in lounges and nightclubs in the state, as if the drug is no longer prohibited by law.
He warned operators of nightclubs and lounges to immediately put an end to the consumption and sale of hard drugs, particularly in their business areas.
He said that any establishment found to be enabling or permitting the use of hard drugs would face severe consequences.
“The government is issuing this stern warning to lounge and nightclub owners across the state to note that the government will no longer tolerate the use of private businesses as havens for illicit drug use.
“We urge all lounge and nightclub owners to take responsibility for ensuring their patrons are not engaging in illicit activities.
“The Imo State Government is committed to protecting the health and well-being of its citizens, and we will not hesitate to take action against those who compromise this effort,” he said.
He added that the International Narcotics Control Board had expressed concerns about the growing trend of drug use and its impact on public health.
According to him, the Imo Government is taking proactive steps to address this issue and ensure a safer, healthier environment for all citizens.
“We appeal to all lounge and nightclub owners to cooperate with the government in this effort and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. Together, we can create a safer, more responsible tourism and entertainment industry in Imo,” he said.
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Watch Saturday episode of Your Family Lawyer on ‘How can I get a divorce under Islamic marriage
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Seasoned lawyer and progenitor of Your Family Lawyer, Chuma Chinye tackled how you can get a divorce under Islamic marriage.
Using vivid examples and solutions on how you can maintain a cool head when faced on how to get your rights under Islamic marriage.
Watch podcast below:
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