News

Group hails military for silencing Terror Kingpin, Sububu

Published

7 months ago

September 22, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has ascribed the recent successful elimination of the notorious terror kingpin, Halilu Sububu to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring security and neutralising terror gangs in all parts of the country.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Chukwudi Enekwechi and Secretary Sunday Shedrach, TMV also noted that the military authorities have proved that they are up to the task of stemming the tide of banditry by neutralizing the bandit leader and several other terrorists in recent days.

It said: “It is on record that Halilu Sububu took up arms against the state in 2011, and since then, he had also trained other notorious bandit kingpins, including Shehu Rekep and Bello Turji.

“And together, these notorious criminals, with thousands of bandits, have been terrorizing local communities, kidnapping students, and wreaking unimaginable havoc in North Western part of the country from Zamfara to Katsina states.

“We are however delighted that the reign of terror by Sububu who is seen as the Osama Bin Laden of banditry has been brought to an end, as a joint team of Nigerian security operatives cornered and eliminated him along with some of his goons.

“It is noted that under President Tinubu, the military high command has raised the bar in the counter-terrorism war, especially as the military outfit charged with the task of combating banditry in the North West, code-named Operation Hadarin Daji took the bull by the horn and pursued Sububu and his men until they were smoked out and eliminated.

“We are also elated that a number of other terrorists, notably Sani Wala Burki, were eliminated by troops who also rescued 13 kidnapped students from his den.

“Within that same period, our soldiers also took out Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaler, four terrorists operating in Zamfara.

“This is a special feat achieved by the Tinubu administration and we believe that going forward the Nigerian military will intensify their efforts, through inter-agency cooperation, to secure all parts of the country from the nefarious activities of dare-devil terrorists like Halilu Sububu and their cohorts.

“For a terror-kingpin reputed to have extensive terror network even beyond the shores of Nigeria, and owning a gold mine in Zamfara state, his terrorist activities had become a pain in the neck of the affected communities, and by bringing it to an end it will be a soothing relief to the terrorised communities.

“We therefore commend the President’s resilient leadership in seeing that terrorism is wiped out from Nigeria and citizens are once again able to go about their normal businesses without let or hindrance.”

TMV also expressed hope that the military would not relent in its effort until other terrorist leaders, including Bello Turji, were check mated.

News

NUJ-FCT Unmasks Financial Scandal Under Ex-Leadership

Published

8 minutes ago

April 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…handover Ogbeche, Osadebamwen, others to EFCC for probe

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has concluded a comprehensive internal review of the immediate past administrative activities, revealing concerns about financial stewardship during previous leadership cycles. The findings have been forwarded to relevant oversight bodies for further evaluation.

Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, the Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike shared details of the inquiry conducted by a committee established by the NUJ Congress. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance organisational accountability and strengthen internal governance systems.

The five-man panel, chaired by veteran journalist, Comrade Tony Akowe, included Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka (Secretary), Comrade Akin Orimolade, Comrade Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Comrade Imam Umar.

The committee’s scope covered activities from December 2018 to October 2021, encompassing the periods of past administrations led by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osadebamwen.

According to the committee’s documentation, critical gaps were observed in record-keeping and transitional documentation. In addition, there was limited engagement from some former officeholders during the review process. The only available financial review for the period in question reportedly presented inconsistencies requiring further attention.

Among the most damning discoveries was the undocumented use of over N33 million purportedly collected as rent, with no supporting tenancy agreements or lease details. Other flagged transactions included N220,000 labeled as check-off dues and N392,000 under chapel remittances, both lacking sufficient documentation.

The probe further uncovered a deeply suspicious transaction involving Canopy Global Investment Limited, owned by Chief Oti Chidiebere. In July 2020, the company paid N24.5 million into the union’s UBA account. However, only N14 million was accounted for in the financial records. Despite Chief Oti presenting bank statements and receipts, the union issued no acknowledgment of the transaction, leaving a glaring N10.5 million unaccounted for.

Also raising red flags was the unexplained merging of a $148,000 balance from the union’s dollar account into a naira account, recorded as N6.148 million. This conversion lacked any documentation or justification, further deepening concerns about fiscal mismanagement.

In light of the findings, the committee made strong recommendations: inviting the EFCC, ICPC, and the Police CID to investigate, barring indicted individuals from accessing union bank accounts, and renegotiating all lease agreements under the supervision of licensed valuers.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the NUJ-FCT Congress, in its April 12 sitting, unanimously adopted the report. Members voted to dissociate the Council from Emmanuel Ogbeche, Patrick Osadebamwen, and Ochiaka Ugwu, barring them from conducting any business in the name of the union or accessing its funds.

The Congress also withdrew Comrade Gloria Essien’s role as NUJ-FCT representative at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over her non-cooperation with the investigation.

As a symbolic move, members directed that portraits of the former chairmen be removed from the NUJ Secretariat until further notice. A public disclaimer is also being issued to caution government agencies, diplomatic missions, and corporate organizations from engaging with the accused persons on behalf of the Council.

Letters detailing the probe’s outcome and adopted resolutions will be forwarded to the employers of all individuals named in the report.

Addressing the press, Comrade Grace Ike reiterated the Council’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.

“This union belongs to the people. We will not allow anyone to tarnish its name or abuse the trust of our members,” she said.

News

Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo

Published

2 hours ago

April 17, 2025

ADMIN

The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.

The court held that he has no case to answer.

Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).

Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.

However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.

Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.

The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.

According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.

Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.

Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.

They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.

However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.

Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

News

Lawmaker Slams NBA Over Rivers Crisis, Demands Return of N300m

Published

3 hours ago

April 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Hon. Solomon Bob has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Bar Association, accusing it of insincerity, hypocrisy and “misguided praetorian pretentions” following the association’s condemnation of the state of emergency in Rivers State in another statement on Thursday 10th April.

Recall that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu had on 18th March issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State after a prolonged crisis involving Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The crisis had assumed a dangerous dimension following a fresh impeachment move against the governor, leading to the blowing up of petroleum infrastructure amid threat to violence and social unrest before the president stepped in.

The president’s proclamation was followed two days later by the National Assembly’s ratification as required by section 305 of the constitution.

Justifying the declaration of a state of emergency in his home state in a statement made available to news men on Thursday, Hon. Bob said the NBA “cannot circumscribe or amend the clear untrammelled and discretionary powers granted the President by Section 305 of the constitution.

“Neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary – which the President is required to adopt under the same section”

The lawmaker stated further that the NBA does not have “the jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism.”

He claimed that an association of lawyers, which should be a model of democratic participation, has become a cartel for pursuing narrow interests to the point where the NBA is “unable to organise its elections based on the principle of universal franchise, devoid of zoning.”

Hon. Bob said that since after the fiasco of the 1992 conference, “so-called NBA elections are no more than predetermined coronation of regional or even ethnic hegemons”

While also describing the NBA’s statement as a distraction, the federal lawmaker stated further: “Having witnessed Fubara’s dangerous and incomparable incompetence first-hand, and the embarrassing diminution his actions have exposed my state to, I consider the statement arrogant and a gratuitous insult.”

He charged the NBA of “rank hypocrisy and insincerity because it stood idly by without a whimper when suspended governor Siminilayi Fubara exhibited the type of crass lawlessness and wanton irresponsibility never before seen in any state in Nigeria.”

Hon. Bob said that NBA’s priorities lay elsewhere. He claimed that “the NBA had got itself entangled in a sweetheart deal with Fubara, a quid pro quo, and it was set to use the Port Harcourt conference to whitewash the worst misgovernment of any state in Nigeria.”

He further stated that NBA’s statement on the Rivers situation carefully concealed their pecuniary interest and only belatedly admitted receiving a huge advance payment from Fubara after the authorities in Port Harcourt exposed the deal by publicly demanding a refund of the money.

He said NBA’s grudging claim that the sum of three hundred million naira was a gift is unreasonable and unbecoming of a “self-appointed ombudsman”, and proof that they were engaged in a relationship of compromise with Fubara.

He demanded that the money be returned to the coffers of the Rivers State government, failing which the authorities in Port Harcourt should take every necessary step to recover same.