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N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others

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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

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Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

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Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits suspected to be insurgents have killed two Hunters, operating under a local security outfit, and injured four others in a deadly ambush in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the incident occurred on July 24 at about 4:00 p.m. when the security team was on a routine patrol around Iburo village, located within the Galadiman-Kogo District.

The armed assailants, numbering in their dozens, opened fire on the patrol team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

Two members of the Hunters, identified as Jafaru Baba Ali and Baba Ustaz, both male, died in the attack, while four others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The injured personnel were evacuated and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical officials confirmed they are responding positively.

Security sources said the bandits also suffered casualties during the shootout but managed to retreat into the forest.

Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

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Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Usaini Usaini, for allegedly raping and killing a mentally ill woman in Kwasangwami village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources in Kano told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly trespassed into the residence of one Abdullahi Idris, 50, and attacked his 30-year-old daughter, Abula Idris, who was said to be mentally ill.

“The suspect forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim who later died as a result of the assault,” said the sources.

He said the village head of Kwasangwami reported the case to the police, and officers promptly visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Sir Sanusi General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Usaini was immediately arrested and taken into custody, while the case is under investigation.

The police assured members of the public that justice would be served.

Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The quiet morning calm of Unity Road in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, was shattered on Monday when neighbours made a harrowing discovery: two children, a four-year-old girl and her three-month-old baby brother, were found dead in their home, allegedly murdered by their own mother.

Zagazola report that the suspect, identified as Chidima Arinze, reportedly committed the act at her residence, No. 47 Unity Road, in what police sources describe as one of the most disturbing domestic incidents in recent memory.

According to a Police sources, the tragic event unfolded on July 21 at about 9:00 a.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trans Ekulu received a distress call. Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, the operatives met the lifeless bodies of Esther Arinze, aged 4, and Chibusoma Arinze, aged 3 months. Both victims reportedly bore marks of violence, suspected to have been inflicted with a sharp object. The scene was cordoned off, and forensic photographs were taken before the suspect was taken into custody.

The children’s remains were evacuated to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, where they were certified dead by a medical officer. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

The suspect, their mother, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Preliminary investigation is currently ongoing at the Trans Ekulu Division, while the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more discreet and comprehensive probe.

While police have not disclosed a motive, early speculation from community members points to a possible case of postpartum mental health crisis, though this remains unconfirmed.

“This is not something we’ve seen before in our area,” said one resident, who asked not to be named. “She was quiet, kept to herself. No one suspected she was struggling with anything.”

The Enugu State Police Command assured the public that justice would be pursued with thoroughness and sensitivity.

“We understand the emotional weight of this case,” a senior police official said. “Investigators are looking at every angle, including psychological evaluation of the suspect.”

Meanwhile, the Trans Ekulu community remains in mourning, stunned by a crime that unfolded behind closed doors in one of its homes.

“We are devastated,” said a neighbour. “Two innocent lives gone, and a mother behind bars. No one wins in this situation.”

Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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