Crime
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 21, 2022 re-arraigned a former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on an eight count amended charges bordering on money laundering. The re-arraignment is sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice M.G Umar, from the State.
Yero is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Nuhu Somo Wya (a former minister), Ishaq Hamsa (a former Secretary to Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state) for their alleged involvement in the receipt and disbursement of the sum of N700 million paid to them by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
At today’s sitting, the prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, told the Court that the case was for re-arraignment of the defendants and urged the court to ask them to take their pleas.
The charges were read to the defendants and they all pleaded ‘not guilty’.
One of the amended counts reads: “That you, Muktar Ramalan Yero (while being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna ( whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: indirectly taking possession of the sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira) which you ought to have known forms part of unlawful activity to wit; bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Another count reads: “That you Mukhtar Ramalan Yero ( whilst being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Ishaq Hamza (whilst being the secretary to the Kaduna state government), and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did indirectly take possession of the aggregate sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira),which you reasonably ought to have known forms parts of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011( as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Following their pleas, the defence counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman urged the court to extend to the defendants, the terms of the bail earlier granted them by the former judge.
The prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, appearing with M.E Eimonye and P.C Onyeneho, did not object to the application.
Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants on the same terms earlier offered them by the court.
The case was adjourned till 16th, 17th and 18th January, 2023, for trial.
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
Suspected cattle rustlers injure youth in isolated attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A youth has sustained injuries after he was reportedly attacked by suspected Fulani cattle rustlers at Bakkanuk Village in Forof District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 8:50 a.m. on Oct. 5, when troops of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), responded to a report of an attack on a VGN youth identified as Mr Kamaillo Godfrey Benedict.
The troops, upon arrival at the location, found the victim with injuries, while the suspected attackers had fled the area.
Benedict was evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical treatment.
Troops have commenced efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.
Suspected cattle rustlers injure youth in isolated attack in Plateau
Troops arrest three suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7, Sub-Sector 71, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested three suspected kidnappers at Ungwan Haruna Village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were arrested at about 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 by troops deployed at the Wasa Station.
The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Nura Manu, 26-year-old Alhassan Yari Samaila and 28-year-old Abdullahi Abubakar.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were on the wanted list of security agencies over their alleged involvement in kidnapping activities within Sanga Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
The suspects remain in custody and are undergoing interrogation as security agencies work to establish their wider involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
Troops arrest three suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
Crime
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
Breaking!
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
By: Zagazola Makama
An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, and Western Nigeria Security Network aka Amotekun officers, at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State, eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida.
Security sources said Ohida aka Anwar, who was on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states, was killed alongside many members of the terrorist organization by the security forces who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, continued the sources, Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of North central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
Through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, continued the sources, the DSS was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to
attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections. This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” offered one of the sources.
He said Ohida planned and executed the 31st December 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station, Owo, Ondo State, carting away right AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive. He mentioned the 28 July 2022 Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
He also blamed on Ohida, the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the 23rd April, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers, and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command police station.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 2020 attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers, not to mention the several attacks he launched across parts of the country,” he added.
“We may not immediately realize it, but the elimination of Abdussamad Ohida represents a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.
“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months after after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, is a very big blow to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, and underscores the growing efficiency of our security services,” he declared.
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
Suspected cattle rustlers injure youth in isolated attack in Plateau
Troops arrest three suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
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