Crime
ICPC charges ex-AFN Secretary-General over alleged $150,000 fraud
ICPC charges ex-AFN Secretary-General over alleged $150,000 fraud
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Secretary-General of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Amaechi Akawu, over his alleged role in a $150,000 scam.
According to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwa, Mr Akawo was arraigned by the commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 4.
He was arraigned before the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, on charges of corruption, including money laundering and fraudulent diversion of public funds.
The anti-corruption agency had accused the former Secretary-General of diverting funds released by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) for the successful hosting of the CAA Grand Prix Competition in Delta State, also known as the 2017 Warri Relay Competition.
The defendant allegedly committed the offences in July and August 2017, when he was said to have diverted sums of money from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for personal use.
The ICPC alleged that Mr Akawo actions violated Sections 1 (a) and 16 (1) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 and are punishable under relevant sections of the same Act.
Akawo pleaded not guilty to all the charges and then filed for bail.
ICPC prosecutor, Mashkur Salisu, did not object to the bail application but urged the court to grant him bail on stringent terms to ensure the defendant attends his trial.
In the ruling, the trial judge, Mr Ekwo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N15 million, with one surety. The judge ordered that the surety must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and must deposit his passport with the court registry.
The case was thereafter adjourned until May 16 and fixed May 17 to 18, 2022 for further trial dates
Crime
Gunmen attack churches, abduct unspecified number of worshippers in Kajuru, Kaduna
Gunmen attack churches, abduct unspecified number of worshippers in Kajuru, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Bandits have attacked two churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers.
A reliable source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Jan. 18 at about 11:25 a.m., when the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim Church II in the community.
The source said the exact number of worshippers taken to an unknown destination was yet to be ascertained as the community was still gathering details.
Kurmin Wali, he noted, is located in a remote, forested area with difficult terrain, which has complicated immediate access to the scene.
Following the incident, troops of 1 Division and other security forces were mobilised in collaboration with community stakeholders to the area, while concerted efforts were intensified to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Gunmen attack churches, abduct unspecified number of worshippers in Kajuru, Kaduna
Crime
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Zamfara State have rescued two victims abducted by suspected bandits during a midnight attack on a residence in Gusau Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on Sunday at Igala Quarters, Damba area of Gusau, when a group of armed men stormed the house of one Nasiru Kurya and fired sporadically before abducting his wife, Surayya Nasiru, 30, and two other persons.
“On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men to the scene and confirmed the incident. A search operation was immediately launched across the area,” the source said.
He explained that during the combing of the vicinity and adjoining routes, the police rescued two of the abducted victims identified as Nura Sani, 23, and Abdulgafar Hassan Buba, 23, unhurt.
The source added that the rescued victims were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, for medical checks and further care.
According to him, efforts are in top gear to rescue the remaining abducted victim from the hands of the bandits and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
Crime
Missing inspector, four villagers escape from abductors in Zamfara
Missing inspector, four villagers escape from abductors in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A police inspector earlier reported missing, Aliyu Ibrahim, and four villagers have escaped from their abductors in Zamfara State, the police have confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims fled from the kidnappers’ den and made their way to safety, with the inspector currently receiving medical attention at a military facility in Farin Kasa village.
The source said that following the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state directed that an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) be dispatched from Gusau to convey the inspector to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for further treatment.
“Inspector Aliyu Ibrahim and four villagers have successfully escaped from captivity. The inspector is stable and undergoing medical care, while arrangements are being made to move him to FMC for comprehensive treatment,” the source said.
He added that security agencies had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the remaining abducted villagers and to recover the firearms carted away by the kidnappers during the incident.
According to the source, operations to track the criminals are ongoing across the affected areas as part of broader measures to curb banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State.
Missing inspector, four villagers escape from abductors in Zamfara
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
