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We have power to investigate, arrest and prosecute, Police tells IIP-SARS Panel

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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

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VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

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VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

By: Michael Mike

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.

The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.

In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.

“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.

“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.

The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.

Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.

Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

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Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

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Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

By: Michael Mike

The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.

A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.

“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”

According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.

The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.

Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

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Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

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Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People


…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp

By: Michael Mike

Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.

Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.

She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.

“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.

“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”

Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.

“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”

She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

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