Crime
SERAP sues PMB, others over alleged missing N3.1 billion in Finance Ministry

SERAP sues Buhari, others over alleged missing N3.1bn in Finance Ministry
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sued President Muhammadu Buhari over his failure to probe alleged N3.1 billion of public funds missing from the Federal Ministry of Finance and prosecution of suspects.
Joined in the suit as Respondents are: Abubakar Malami, SAN, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; and Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
The suit followed the grim allegations by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2018 and 2019 annual audited reports that N3.1billion of public funds were missing, misappropriated or unaccounted for.
In the suit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, the organization is
seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Buhari to ensure the investigation of the alleged missing N3.1bn of public funds, the prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible, and the recovery of any missing public money.”
According to SERAP, “Investigating and prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any missing public funds would serve the public interest, and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs, and undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of opportunities.
“It is in the interest of justice to grant this application. The suit is in keeping with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], particularly the provisions on oath of office by public officers, and section 15[5] which requires the authorities to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Complying with constitutional requirements and international standards on transparency and accountability would ensure effective and efficient management of public resources, and put the country’s wealth and resources to work for the common good of all Nigerians.”
The suit read in part: “The failure to investigate the allegations of grand corruption in the Ministry of Finance constitutes a grave violation of the duty placed on the authorities to take appropriate measures to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.”
“President Buhari’s constitutional responsibility to ensure the investigation and prosecution of allegations of corruption, as well as recovery of any missing public funds is contained in Section 15[5] of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that ‘the State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’, and in the Oath of Office in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
“According to the report of the Auditor-General for 2018, the Ministry of Finance spent N24,708,090.00 on pre-retirement training but without any document. The consultant hired also failed to quote any price as cost of the training but the Ministry paid N5,670,060.00 to the consultant.
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N2,885,772,493.27 released to the ministry from the Service Wide Vote to take care of estacodes and other allowances for representing the Federal Government in meetings, and contribution to Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
“According to the 2019 report of the Auditor-General, the Ministry paid N20,466,744.00 as cash advances to staff of ‘You-Win’ between 8 February and 18 December, 2018 but the Ministry has failed to retire the money.
“The advances were granted for the purchase of store items, repairs and other services that would have been made through the award of contract. Government lost N2,046,674.40 which would have accrued as taxes had these jobs been undertaken through award of contracts. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The Ministry also reportedly paid N15,471,850.00 to two consultants for capacity building in Kano and Adamawa States but without any supporting document, contrary to paragraph 603 (1) of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted, and wants it recovered.”
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Crime
Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons

Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with air components and local security stakeholders, have intensified clearance operations in the North East to deny Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists freedom of movement and access to logistics.
Zagazola Makama report that the sustained onslaughts across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States have led to the arrest of several logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons and explosive devices, and the neutralisation of insurgents in ambush operations.

In one of the recent breakthroughs, troops in conjunction with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators at the Biu main market on July 10.
The suspects Isah Abdullahi, 45, and Abdullahi Mohammed, 35, both from Liya village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, were intercepted while attempting to collect suspected terrorist-bound supplies delivered from Kano to the Biu Motor Park.

Items recovered from them included a sack containing 13 pairs of military desert boots, 20 high-wattage 9-volt batteries, and five pairs of slippers, all labeled with Isah’s phone number as the recipient.
Similarly, on July 13, troops acting on intelligence and working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested a 65-year-old logistics courier, Shaibu Bulama, at the Damasak Motor Park in Mobbar LGA.
Bulama, a native of Alagarno village in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State, was found with a white Toyota pickup truck. The vehicle contained two bags of rice, two cartons of pesticide sprayers, five gallons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and other assorted items hidden under the seats.
Meanwhile, in a targeted ambush on the same day, OPHK troops, alongside CJTF and local hunters, intercepted insurgents crossing between Ngoshe and Agapalwa in Gwoza LGA. One terrorist was neutralised while others fled, abandoning a bicycle and other supplies.
As part of the post-Operation Sand Fury exploitation in Malam Fatori general area, troops on July 13 discovered a partially buried corpse believed to be that of a terrorist. They also recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and rounds of ammunition near an infiltration route used by insurgents along the fringes of Lake Chad.

In another key development, troops provided armed escort to over 3,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to their ancestral homes in Darel-Jamel from Bama on July 13. The military says the secure return of the IDPs is a critical aspect of stabilisation efforts supported by the Borno State Government.
Also, on July 14, troops conducting farm patrols near Banki in Bama LGA were alerted by a local farmer who discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried in his field. A joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully detonated the IEDs, which included mortar and artillery bombs already primed for detonation.

The same day, another IED was uncovered by troops in Molai, along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road axis. The EOD team detonated the device and recovered pressure plates and batteries suspected to be used for future attacks.
Elsewhere, acting on credible human intelligence, troops laid ambush near a terrorist crossing route in Tinush, a remote settlement in Kalabalge LGA. During the engagement, troops recovered 3 AK-47 magazines, 6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 rocket-propelled grenade bombs, 57 rounds of PKM belted links, and a locally fabricated pistol.
In a related development, 16 family members of terrorists — including four adult females and 12 children — surrendered to troops in the Bama axis. Preliminary investigations indicated they fled from the Bakura Jega enclave, seeking safety from intensified military pressure.
In furtherance of logistics strangulation operations, troops on July 14 stormed Kudzum in Michika LGA of Adamawa State. During the raid, they recovered three motorcycles, 105 jerricans of PMS, and a tricycle believed to be part of the insurgents’ smuggling network.
A military source Zagazola that the combination of offensive clearance, ambush, counter-IED actions, and coordinated strangulation of terrorist logistics across the North East forms part of OPHK’s renewed strategy to degrade insurgent capabilities.
“These recent operations underscore the commitment of the Armed Forces to maintaining pressure on the terrorists and limiting their movement, logistics resupply, and capacity to threaten civilian populations,” the source said.
The military has assured residents of its determination to sustain the tempo of operations in synergy with state governments, community vigilantes, and international partners.
Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons
Crime
One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community

One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command says it has launched an investigation into a brutal attack in Gidan-Mallam village, Mokwa Local Government Area, which left one person dead and two others critically injured.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama, that the incident occurred in the early hours of July 15 when unidentified assailants armed with cutlasses and sticks attacked three men Mohammed Maidaji, Abubakar Mani, and Mudasiru Halide along the Bokani-Madaji road.
Police sources said the victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital in Mokwa, where Halide, unfortunately, died while receiving treatment.
His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community
Crime
IPOB/ESN gunmen kill two in ambush on police team in Imo

IPOB/ESN gunmen kill two in ambush on police team in Imo
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), on Thursday launched a deadly attack on a police team on investigative duty at a fuel station in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Zagazola understands that the incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. at Umueze Junction, O.C Paul Fuel Station, where the officers had accompanied a complainant to follow up on an investigation.
According to sources, two motorcycles carrying armed men stormed the fuel station and opened fire on a black Lexus RX 330 vehicle conveying the officers and the complainant.
The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO 1), DSP Ndubisi Achazie, narrowly escaped the ambush, but Inspector Okechukwu Ezema sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, where he was confirmed dead.
The complainant, died on the spot, and his body was deposited at Zander Mortuary, Mbaitoli.
The attackers also made away with the Lexus vehicle used by the victims, though no police firearm was reported missing.
A joint security operation involving the military, tactical police teams, local vigilantes, and hunters has been launched to track down the fleeing assailants.
The police have described the act as terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to hunting down IPOB/ESN cells responsible for the attack.
End
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