National News
We have power to investigate, arrest and prosecute, Police tells IIP-SARS Panel
We have power to investigate, arrest and prosecute, Police tells IIP-SARS Panel
By: Michael Mike, Abuja
The Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday told the IIP-SARS that they have the power to investigate, arrest and prosecute any person allegedly involved in criminal breach of trust and cheating saying that they are empowered to do so by the Police Act.
The police was responding to Engr. Nicholas Ogbedo Azuka’s petition over alleged abuse of office and arbitrary arrest in a case of criminal breach of trust reported against him by Mr. Uzoma Nwachukwu and Mrs. Victoria Nwachukwu (couple), who had informed the panel that Engr. Azuka defrauded them while trying to purchase a property (house) from him.
Counsel to the police, Fidelis Ogwobe reiterated the powers of the police to effect arrest while investigating criminal breach of trust before the 11-Member Panel Chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) in respect of the petition.
According to Ogwobe, from the evidence before the panel, there is a valid criminal allegation against the complainant (Engr. Azuka) for which the police arrested and detained him. He cited Section 66 of the Police Act which he noted empowers the police to deal with such matters.
In furtherance of his reply on points of law to the written address of the petitioner, the police counsel recalled that the evidence of Mr. King Uzoma Nwachukwu and Mrs. Victoria Nwachukwu, who are 3rd and 4th respondents respectively in the matter shows that there is a valid criminal allegation against the complainant.
Responding to the complainant’s position that the police lack the power to recover money from him during their investigation of the aforementioned criminal breach of trust, Ogwobe told the panel that the police are empowered by the law to investigate cases of breach of trust which culminated into criminal acts.
On the contention by the complainant that the money recovered by the police during investigation should be returned to him, he argued that the Supreme Court has already taken a decision on similar matters, citing the case of Ajiboye Versus Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) where the Supreme Court held that courts (and by extension panel) should not allow any person to take a benefit of his crime.
Also Read: Fear grip travelers as bandits return to Abuja, Kaduna…
Rather, the police lawyer urged the panel to order the complainant to return the remaining alleged proceeds of crime still with him which he said amounts to N2.3m.
On their oral submission before the panel, Mr. and Mrs. Nwachukwu who did not have a lawyer to present their case before the panel said that they filed and served their written address in respect of the matter on all the parties.
Mr. Nwachukwu, though not a lawyer, addressed the panel on behalf of himself and his wife saying that they want the petitioner, Engr. Azuka to balance them the sum of N2.3m, having willingly refunded them the sum N1.4m earlier.
Besides, he prayed the panel to order in their favour, a compensation of N5m against the complainant, saying “we are suffering as a result of the debt and we do not have money to hire a lawyer to defend us”.
Earlier, Counsel to the complainant, Henry Ebu asked the panel to determine whether Inspector Henry of defunct SARS FCT played the proper role expected of a police officer in the matter and to also establish whether Mr. and Mrs. Nwachukwu are entitled to the reliefs they are seeking before the panel.
In addition, he pleaded with the panel to ensure that officers deserving punishment in the case did not hide under the cover of the Institution of the Police, but are rather fished out for appropriate punishment including dismissal where necessary. He said such measures will serve as a deterrent to other police officers in the field of operation.
The case was adjourned for a report of the panel.
We have power to investigate, arrest and prosecute, Police tells IIP-SARS Panel
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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