A former member of the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, has been declared wanted by the Ebonyi State Government over his alleged inciting comments on Facebook.
The government said the inciting comments allegedlly made by Okorie, Mr Okorie, who represented Ọhaọzara, Ivo and Onicha federal constituency from 2011 to 2019, contributed to the beheading of Ebubeagu Operative in Ivo Local Government Area two weeks ago.
According to the StateCommissioner of Information, Uchenna Orji, the decision to declare Okorie wanted was taken after a report on the crisis in Ivo was presented to the State Security Council by security agencies.
“The council noted the report on the issues and the revelations contained in that report and therefore resolved to declare wanted Hon Linus Okorie for the publication of inciting statements, some of which were posted on Facebook that were traced to be part of the inflammatory publications that really incited that very tension that led to the beheading of the Ebubeagu official,” Mr Orji said.
Mr Orji said some other persons were accessories to the “gruesome murder”.
He said the council urged security agencies to expedite action on the investigation with a view to bringing to book all those involved.
The Security Council meeting was chaired by Governor Umahi and attended by heads of security agencies in the state.
Reacting, the former federal lawmaker, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said declaring him wanted was a ploy by the to silence opposition in the state Ebonyi.
“It is also a ploy to distract attention from the carnage that Ebubeagu has been wrecking on the people of Ebonyi State as symbolised by the riots and killings in Akaeze in the past few days.
“Governor Umahi is simply looking for a high profile scapegoat to take attention away from the many lives lost to Ebubeagu operatives across the state, and he has chosen me using his State Security Council,” the former lawmaker said. alleging that the government was planning to use Ebubeagu to eliminate him on the excuse that he was evading arrest, the Government was also planning to close down his event centre in Abakaliki.
While alleging that the Government was planning to use Ebubeagu to eliminate him on the excuse that he was evading arrest, the Government was also planning to close down his event centre in Abakaliki.
The National Executive Council(NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), has called off its planned nationwide protests slated for January 27 and February 2, 2022, against the the Federal Government’s planned removal of fuel subsidy.
The NLC President noted that the suspension was consequent upon the federal government’s latest decision to halt the fuel subsidy removal.
According to him, “following the reversal and reapproach by government, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress met this morning (Tuesday) virtually to consider the new position of the government.”
”The NEC after vigorous debates took a decision to suspend the planned nationwide protest scheduled for January 27, 2022, and the national protest scheduled for February 2, 2022,” the NLC President posited.
Two police personnels have been been killed by gunmen during an attack in Kwalam village in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Lawal Shisu, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the gunmen also set one of the improvised police vehicles ablaze during the attack.
According to him, preliminary investigation, reveals that the gunmen had invaded the residence of a 60-year-old man identified as Alhaji Ma’aru Abubakar in Kwalam town, and abducted him in the early hours of Sunday.
“Upon receipt of the report, we mobilised a team of policemen and headed to the scene and upon arrival, we engaged them in a gun duel and they fled away,” Shisu said.
He identified the slained policem as ASP Anas Usaini and Insp. Sunusi Alasan.
The PPRO, assured residents if the area that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest the fleeing attackers and bring them to justice.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the assassination and burning of Ogun monarch, Oba Ayinde Odetola, on Monday by unknown gunmen in Olu of Agodo, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State.
The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that it was only the traditional ruler that was killed, as against claims that his aides or children were also killed in the incident.
“Yes, it is true. Only the Oba was killed. He was burnt in his car. The Commissioner of Police was there today. The place has been deserted as we speak. But we are trailing the perpetrators and we shall bring them to book,” Oyeyemi said.
Oyeyemi added that the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, was at the scene of the incident to assess the situation.
The monarch’s alleged assassination and burning may not be unconnected with the power thussle over the traditional stool.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday,issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, believed to be residing in the UK.
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon granted the request, after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdullah, made an oral application.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had fixed Nov. 3, 2021 for the EFCC to give a report on its effort at extraditing Alison-Madueke to the country to stand her trial, and for possible mention of the case.
But on the adjourned date, the case was stalled as neither Abdullah nor Alison-Madueke was in sight. Justice Olajuwon then fixed today, Jan. 24, for the matter and adjourned for report or or for possible mention of the matter.
NAN reports that though Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was initially the presiding judge in the matter, the case was reassigned to Justice Olajuwon, following the transfer of Ojukwu to the Calabar division of the court. It would be recalled that Ojukwu had, on Oct. 28, 2020, rejected the EFCC’s prayer to issue a warrant of arrest against Alison-Madueke, citing the commission’s failure to enforce the earlier criminal summons, which the court issued on the former minister since July 24, 2020, saying court orders are not made in vain.
The commission had, in requesting for the criminal summons in July 2020, claimed that it was required to facilitate the ex-minister’s extradition to Nigeria.
Faced with the failure of the ex-minister to honour the summons, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Abdullah, urged Justice Ojukwu to issue a warrant of arrest against her, saying that the extradition process failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest.
The judge, who turned down the request, directed the lawyer to file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and adjourned for report and possible arraignment of the defendant (Alison-Madueke).
However, when the matter was called on Monday, Abdullah was in court. He told the court that all efforts by the agency to get the ex-minister extradited when the matter was before Ojukwu were unsuccessful. Abdullah, who made an oral application for an arrest warrant, said the application was part of the requirements by the office of the AGF for the extradition.
He said that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the International Police (INTERPOL) the impetus to bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her. Justice Olajuwon then granted the application and adjourned the matter sine die pending when the defendant (Alison-Madueke) is arrested and produced in court. NAN reports that Abdullah had, in an application, urged the court “to issue an arrest warrant against Alison-Madueke, who is believed to be in the UK to enable all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest her anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before the court.”
He said since the summon had not been able to achieve the desired result, the need for a warrant of arrest cannot be over-emphasised. NAN reports that the court had, on July 24, 2020, ordered the former minister to appear before it and answer to the money laundering charge filed against her by the EFCC.
The court gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 brought by Abdullah. The EFCC had accused the former minister of fleeing the country for the UK in order to escape justice, among others. The lawyer, in a document filed along with the motion ex-parte, said it sought to question Alison-Madueke, without success, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.
He said it also wanted Alison-Madueke to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”
Abdallah said the agency was investigating Alison-Madueke‘s business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited, among others.
He added that Alison-Madueke was also required to clear air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 2015 prior to the elections.”
He said it equally wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and Jeweleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified property that were linked to her In Nigeria, UK, U.S., United Arab Emirate and South Africa.
It would be recalled that the EFCC Chairman, Abdultasheed Bawa in the April 2021 edition of the agency’s in-house magazine, disclosed that the anti-corruption commission recovered 153 million dollars from Alison-Madueke. Bawa said the agency also recovered the final forfeiture of over 80 property in Nigeria valued at about $80 million from the former minister, who has been living in the UK since leaving office some years ago.
The EFCC boss said he would want the former minister to face trial in Nigeria. Besides, as part of the ongoing investigations of the former Petroleum Minister, the EFCC. on Dec. 15, 2021, said it arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72.87 million still in the coffers of the bank.
Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe were quizzed by operatives over the latest discovery. Okonkwo, who is the chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over $153 million and another $115 million by the commission.
While all the 153 million dollars were recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115 million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission bribery matter, are in various courts. the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had disclosed in a statement.
A middle-aged man, Oluwaseun Olabode, who allegedlly beat up his pregnant wife to death, has been arraigned before an Akure High Court.
The prosecution led by H.M Falowo Esq, a Chief Legal Officer of the State Ministry of Justice, alleged that the Defendant committed the offence on April 3, 2020 at 7:00pm in Oke-Ogba Estate,Akure, the Ondo State.
The prosecution stated that Olabode beat his wife, Adaeze Olabode, and hit her with a blunt object on the right side of the heavily pregnant wife’s abdomen, leading to her eventual death on April 14, 2020.
Father of deceased, while testifying before Hon. Justice A. Adebusoye, stated that his deceased daughter suffered violent maltreatments from her husband andher mother-in-law, Stella Olabode.
According to him, the deceased, at a point in their marriage, attempted to commit suicide and left a suicide note behind, emphasizing that he intervened in the matter by brokering peace between the couple.
The Anambra State Police Command has announced its resolve to launch investigation into the death of an 11-year-old schoolboy, who was allegedlly beaten up by his teacher at St.Valerian Catholic School in Onitsha.
The State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, while speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ikenga Tochukwu, assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
“We have not got official report on that yet. But somebody had called me telling me about the matter. Now that you have reminded me, we shall look into the matter and I will get back to soonest,”he stated.
Izuchukwu David Onwualu, an 11-year-old JSS 1 student allegedly died after he was manhandled by his Basic Science teacher.
The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), has dismissed rumours making the rounds that the group has drawn the map of the Republic of Biafra.
Media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement, disclosed that such claims were merely aimed at creating mutual suspicion among the people of the region that constitute the proposed Republic of Biafra.
“We understand that some people in the coastal region of Biafra are misinformed and deceived with false information that IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and Igbo have drawn the map of Biafra. It is false and intended to use us against ourselves.“
“The issue of Biafra map should not generate any heat because we know ourselves. The Ijaw National Council (INC) should understand and remember that their brother, Frank Opigo, initiated the name Biafra which we answer today.”
He added that the Igbo never claimed conquering any part of the former Eastern region because, “Our fathers saw themselves as one family, and today, IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have toed the peaceful steps and accommodating spirits of our fathers”.
“Being part of Biafra will never be by coercion but a voluntary matter through referendum.“
“No tribe in the old Eastern region and Western region should allow themselves to be deceived because Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB did not draw map for Biafra, instead, we are staking our precious lives for all and it is the sacrifice we owe to pay for the realisation of our freedom and independence.”
The group’s Spokesman accused those making such claims as working to undermine the realisation of its agitation.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced new restrictions for New Zealand New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has cancelled her wedding after announcing new Covid restrictions.
The entire country is set to be placed under the highest level of Covid restrictions after an outbreak of the Omicron variant.
The restrictions include a cap of 100 vaccinated people at events and mask wearing in shops and on public transport.
New Zealand has recorded 15,104 Covid cases and 52 deaths.
Ms Ardern confirmed to reporters on Sunday that her wedding to television host Clarke Gayford would not be going ahead.
“I am no different to, dare I say it, thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill,” she said.
“That will far, far outstrip any sadness I experience,” she added.
New Zealand to reopen to vaccinated visitors Men caught sneaking KFC into lockdown-hit Auckland The new restrictions come into force at midnight on Sunday local time (11:00 GMT).
It comes after a cluster of nine Omicron cases were confirmed.
A family who had attended a wedding in Auckland tested positive after returning home to the South Island. A flight attendant also contracted the virus. Officials say the level of community transmission from the group is expected to be high.
Indoor hospitality venues and events will have their capacity capped to 100 vaccinated people or 25 if vaccine passes are not being used. This also includes gyms and weddings, the New Zealand Herald reports.
Students including year four and above will be required to wear masks in school.
New Zealand has operated under strict Covid rules since the start of the pandemic, allowing it to keep deaths to a minimum. It was one of the first countries in the world to close its borders and quashed earlier outbreaks with lockdowns.
But since the emergence of the Delta variant, Ms Ardern has switched from a total Covid elimination strategy to pushing for higher vaccination rates and treating the virus as endemic.
It’s thought that about 94% of the country’s population over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated and 56% of those have had their boosters.
Last year, the country announced plans to reopen borders as part of a staged reopening. Foreign travellers will be the last group to be granted entry into the country, from 30 April. (BBC)
Imo State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old ex-convict, Onyekachi Alozie and his wife, Oluchi, for kidnapping, murder, and burning the corpse of a 71-year-old man, Chief Precious Okorie.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hussain Rabiu, while parading the suspects, disclosed that the deceased was kidnapped on November 12, 2021, as reported by the family members.
According to the C.P, the case was reported by family members of the deceased and the commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Oladimeji Oyeyiyewa, and his operatives to swiftly swung into action and arrested the gang leader, Agubata Maxwell Chimezie known as “THE BOSS”, whileOluchi was arrested on December 20, her husband was picked up on January 10, 2022 in Owerri.
It was gathered that the gang blindfolded Okorie, took him to their hideout in the forest, collected his Toyota car and ATM card and withdrew the sum of three million, five hundred thousand naira (N3.5 million) from his account,
C.P Rabiu, disclosed that the victim’s Toyota Camry car was recovered from an auto painters workshop where the gang leader went to repaint and resold it for the sum of one million naira (N1million).
Upon interrogation, Alozie confessed to the alleged kidnapping of the Chief for having a sexual affair with his wife and took the police operatives to the forest where the charred body of the deceased was recovered
“I’m an electrician by profession but went into armed robbery and kidnapping. I was at the Nigeria Correction Centre twice for kidnapping cases.”
” I was detained at the Nigeria Correction Centre after I was arrested and prosecuted by DSS operatives in 2018 but discharged by an Nkwerre High Court and released from prison in 2021.“
“When I was at the Nigeria Correction Centre, my wife Oluchi was visiting me and bringing food. I did not suspect her with late Chief Okorie.”
“She only told me Okorie was a Good Samaritan. Then one day, I overheard their conversation on phone, where Okorie was saying he was eager to see my wife.”
“I was angry and forced my wife to call the deceased to see her in the hotel.”
“My wife confessed to me that she’s been having a sexual relationship with the 71-year-old man in the hotel.“
“I threatened to kill my wife, and so she called him back and told him to wait for her in the hotel. I then arranged for him to be kidnapped.”
“My gang leader, Agubata Chimezie a.k.a “the boss” kidnapped Chief Okorie in his car and took him to the forest. I demanded a ransom of N20million but the family members paid only N1.5m as ransom,” he said.
“It was some of our gang members who did the job. They did not give me any share from the N1.5m ransom collected from the deceased’s family members, they promised to give me my share the second time that they were demanding another ransom from the deceased’s family member”.
While denying knowledge of how the deceased was killed, he however, confessed to have collected two hundred and ninety thousand naira (N290,000) from the sales ofthe victim’s car.
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