Crime
BREAKING – Court discharges, acquits Senator Jang of all 17 count charges
BREAKING – Court discharges, acquits Senator Jang of all 17 count charges
By Bodunrin Kayode
Former Governor of Plateau state senator Jonah jang who has been undergoing a long court battle for freedom has been discharged and acquitted by a Plateau State high court.
The court Presided by Justice Christy Dabup discharged Senator Jang today of all the 17 count charges leveled against him by the economic and Finance crimes commission (EFCC).
Reacting to the judgement, Jang in a signed statement said that truth always finds its way out, even years after because truth always prevails.
“I must confess that I had known from the onset that leadership was not an easy task but I stepped out to make a difference, having been a Military Administrator in two states.
“The benevolence of the Plateau people and the grace of God made me the Governor of Plateau State from 2007-2015. My previous experience as a Military Administrator and the driving force which was to leave a mark on the plateau as I did in my previous assignments never changed.
” It was with this zeal and drive that we implemented the 10-point Agenda anchored on a 3-Pillar policy to deliver the dividends of democracy for our dear state. Our desire to open up the state through infrastructural development was audible to the deaf and visible to the blind.
“This we were able to achieve with the meagre resources that accrued to the State at the time, in addition to the IGR raised in the state.
“Our Administration’s record speaks for itself as the state is dotted with developmental strides that affect the economy and the daily livelihoods of the people. Our primary role as a government was to provide security of lives, property and welfare through the provision of services for our people.
“We had done that to the best of our abilities via prudent management of the resources available to us, such that the average Plateau citizen could eke a living for himself.
“It is, however unfortunate that people whom I will best describe, for now, as the champions of retrogression and enablers of hardship for our people, came after us with bogus and fictitious claims of mismanagement. Thereby necessitating a protracted judicial journey of over 4 years, trying to prove our innocence in the courts.
“Because I knew that I was not guilty of the charges preferred against me, I saw the process as mere persecution and not a prosecution.
“Nigerians are witnesses to the fact that the current administration at all levels has spent more time passing the buck of their failure to the previous administration than they have given attention to governance.
“Little wonder, almost eight years after, it will seem that our achievements stand tall while the present Government has little or nothing to show for the goodwill that it enjoyed.
“In the course of this travail, I spent over a week in EFCC detention and another 10 days in the Jos Custodial Centre (prison). Those times we spent there, gave us another perspective on life and I count it a blessing because it has all ended today with this loud and clear vindication by the courts.
“The tortuous journey leading to my vindication today has only strengthened me to stand more on the path of truth and continue to work assiduously with well-meaning Plateau people and Nigerians for the good of our dear state, Plateau and the nation at large.”
The statement went further to state that ” I hold no grudge against anyone as I consider whatever I have gone through as the price I had to pay for choosing the path of leadership. I give God the glory for bringing me through and I call on all Plateau sons and daughters, including people of goodwill on the Plateau not to wish our leaders bad.
“Let us close ranks and speak with one voice so that Plateau will emerge out of its current state to take its rightful place of pride as the envy of other states. The Plateau we have always known and been proud of has taken backstage but the onus is on us to reclaim our state and build it to the land of our dreams as was planned by our founding fathers and the generation of past leaderships.
“I dedicate my victory in the court to God and the people of Plateau State with whom we worked to build a prosperous land. I thank the entire legal team led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN and Barrister Edward Pwajok SAN, my family who suffered all kinds of harassment and denigration through this period for standing firm and believing with me that it was only a phase that would pass.
“I am deeply grateful to my friends and associates for upholding me and all those who were persecuted alongside me in prayers and for their commitment to true friendship and camaraderie. I must thank the Judiciary for standing firm on the side of truth and justice not forgetting the Press on the Plateau for their unbiased coverage.
“The judicial journey of the past 4 years is not something to wish even the greatest of your enemies. It was not only distracting but robbed me of the time and attention to pursue personal goals. I had planned on retiring to my home place in Du but I, unfortunately, had to go out of my way to keep sourcing funds to pay my lawyers to secure representation in court. As genuine as those efforts are, freedom is better.
BREAKING – Court discharges, acquits Senator Jang of all 17 count charges
Crime
EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer
EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer
By: Dele Oyewale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.
Additionally, the Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident. It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.
More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty. There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act. The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.
Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17. The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.
The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.
However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment. Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.
Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy. Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established. Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission will surely bring him to trial.
The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security. Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts. The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere “Yahoo boys and girls”.
As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law. The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood. As a law enforcement agency of repute, the EFCC is unrelenting in riding the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.
While mourning the loss of its officer who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, the Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time.
EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer
Crime
Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition
Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.
During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.
The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition
Crime
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
In another blow to banditry in Zamfara State, two notorious bandits, Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u, have been killed in separate encounters with rival bandit faction of Dogo Geide.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Malama that Kachalla Idi Mai Randa, a known bandit leader responsible for multiple attacks in the region, was killed in an ambush laid by rival bandit Dogo Geide on Sunday evening.
The attack occurred following a series of violent confrontations between the two factions. Idi Mai Randa had previously led an attack that resulted in the killing of Gide’s boy, prompting him to vow revenge.
Idi Mai Randa’s death comes days after the killing of Ya’u, another notorious bandit who had been previously captured in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Ya’u, a close ally of Idi Mai Randa, had been implicated in numerous attacks and was believed to be in possession of significant weaponry. Although Idi Mai Randa denied any involvement with Ya’u’s weaponry, it is now confirmed that both he and Ya’u have met their Waterloo, with the story of their deaths reported from their emclave early today.
The troops of Operation Fansan Yanma in collaboration with it Air Component as well as federal security forces, continue to make significant strides in dismantling bandit in their hideouts in the region.
The joint effort has already resulted in the deaths of several high profile bandit leaders and the capture of important assets.
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
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