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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron, Recovers Meth, Precursors, Guns In Imo

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives also arrested the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo.

He said that the cartel, with operational bases in Imo and Rivers, became a target of the agency following intelligence indicating it was responsible for the distribution of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine.

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This, he said, was especially in the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.

According to him, after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the agency on Friday, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state.

“The suspect was caught with a member of his cartel, Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.

“Exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; and 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate.

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“Others are a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges,” he said.

Babafemi said that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

He said that additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth were recovered.

“Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo , led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.

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“While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the Federal Government.

“Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings.

“Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities,” he said.

Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operations.

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Marwa stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there was no hiding place for them in any part of the country.

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Simon Ekpa: FG’s attempt to extradite self acclimated freedom fighter may hit brickwall

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The Federal Government’s attempt to extradite pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa, from Finland to face terrorism charges in Nigeria may hit brickwall.

According to The Africa Report, this is due to Finnish legal restrictions.

The self-declared prime minister of the Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE) was arrested alongside four others by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over terrorism related activities.

The Finnish police said they suspect that Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”

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Nigeria’s defence chief, General Christopher Musa while reacting to the arrest, said the country will proceed to push for Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria.

While Finland has confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, the country made it clear that, according to Finnish law, the country will not extradite its nationals outside the European Union or Nordic countries.

This further complicates Nigeria’s request since there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.

Even though Finland and Nigeria are in contact, the legal framework prohibits the transfer of citizens for trial in non-EU countries.

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According to reports, everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech

“The issue of an extradition treaty is very fundamental. If there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there can be no legal basis or justification for extraditing Ekpa,” a Lagos-based lawyer Festus Ogun said.

Vince Onyekwelu, former British Police Officer and National Security Risk Strategist said the chances of Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria are also slim.

Onyekwelu said while appearing on Arise TV:

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“Professionally speaking, the Finnish Authorities have done their due diligence and have every right to arrest Simon Ekpa. It is left for the court to look into the request by the Chief of Defence Staff to extradite Ekpa to Nigeria. However, with the absence of an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland, Ekpa’s extradition will seem unlikely.”

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Minimum wage: Yobe Gov approves N70k for workers

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Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective December 2024.

This is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.

The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.

The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.

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The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.

The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.

According to a statement signed by the spokesman to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, the Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery

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Retired 85-year-old Col bags P.hd

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A retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, aged 85, is among the first set of doctoral degree students produced by the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, disclosed this at the weekend, while briefing the press on activities to mark the 16th convocation ceremony of the university.

He said the first set of PhD holders to be produced by the institution totalled 67.

“I am happy to inform you that the university will, at this 16th convocation ceremony, graduate its first set of doctoral degree holders.

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“They are 67 in number and the list included a retired Army Colonel, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, who is 85 years old. And he is getting his PhD in Educational Technology.

“I salute his courage and doggedness to pursue this dream of his. Even younger ones shy away from this kind of task.

27 First Class
“Also, out of the 4,140 graduating students, 27 have first class. We are also graduating 4 M.Phil, 275 Master’s degree and our best graduating student is Adedeji A. Adedamola with CGPA of 4.91.

“We are also giving honorary degrees to four distinguished Nigerians namely: Dr Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, Prince Oluyemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, Otunba Jaiyeola Wasiu and Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi,” he stated.

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Prof. Banjo, who is winding down his tenure as the VC of the first university of education in Nigeria, added that some projects would be inaugurated by the Visitor, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“We are happy to say that within the last one year, we have done some projects to add to what we have on ground. We have expanded the Medical Centre and the fund used was from our internally generated revenue.

“We are also weaning ourselves of epileptic power supply as we have our own Independent Power Project. It is 800 kva which can be scaled up.

“Even as it is, it is enough for our needs. It is less expensive than what we pay monthly as electricity bills to the power firm serving this area,” he said.

The VC also disclosed that the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, would deliver the convocation lecture titled, “From classroom to cloud: Leveraging digital literacy for national development.”

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