N8bn scam: Cash assistant has N134m in one account, says EFCC

More of the N8bn currency fraud suspects being taken to a court in Ibadan, Oyo State

Hearing in the Central Bank of Nigeria N8bn mutilated currency fraud suit continued at the Federal High Court, Ibadan on Wednesday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told the court that one of the accused persons, Mr. Ayodeji Alase, had N134m in one of his bank accounts.

The EFCC told the trial judge, Justice A.O. Faaji, that Alase, a primary six certificate holder, started work at First Bank as a guard before he was promoted to the position of a cash assistant.

The lead prosecution counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), also told the court that the accused had property worth hundreds of millions of naira.

Alase, according to the anti-graft agency, has a duplex at Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, a shopping complex, a warehouse at Podo, a fenced plot at Dugbe, a block of four flats at Apeye, two plots of land and five-bedroom flat in other parts of the state capital.

He was alleged to have a credit balance of N132m in one of his bank accounts.

The commission also alleged that Alase possessed a block of five-bedroom flat at Apete area of Ibadan and a supermarket at New Garage, Apata area of Ibadan.

Other accused persons, including Olaniran Adeola, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano and others were also said to own property in South Africa, filling stations, cement shops, schools, supermarkets, exotic cars and buildings in several locations in Nigeria.

One of the accused, Mrs. Afolabi Olunike, was alleged to be the owner of a duplex, several plots of land, a storey building and another three acres of land.

Earlier during the hearing, Alase had delayed court proceedings when he claimed not to understand English Language when charges were read to him. But Jacob rose to fault his claim, alleging that although Alase was employed as a guard, he rose to become a cash assistant in First Bank Plc.

Justice Faaji later ruled that an interpreter should be provided for Alase to ease communication between the court and the accused. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On Wednesday, cases were heard before Justice Faaji in batches with the first set of accused persons slammed with a 28-count charge.

They are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola, Toogun Phillip, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano, Oyebamiji Akeem, Alase, Ajiwe Adegoke and Idowu Oguntade, who is still at large.

Three officials of the CBN were among the accused, while others were from Wema Bank Plc and First Bank Plc.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi, told the court that the accused persons were charged with a 28-count charge which included forgery of documents, conspiracy and stealing.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons were charged with intent to defraud and conspiracy to commit an offence punishable under the Nigerian law.

They were also accused of sharing among themselves mutilated currency meant to be destroyed and destroying and defacing some boxes used to move the currency from one bank to the other. They all pleaded not guilty to all the charges and despite efforts of the counsel to the accused persons to secure bail for them through oral application, Justice Faaji ruled that they should be remanded in prisons pending further hearing.

The case was adjourned to June 8, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.

Nigerians won’t regret electing me, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday assured Nigerians that he would do all within his powers to ensure that they would not regret entrusting national responsibility to him by electing him during the March 28 presidential election.

He said his administration was capable of fixing the nation’s problems.

Buhari made the submission in an address he delivered to members of the Nigerian community in Niger during his visit to the country.

A copy of his speech was made available to journalists in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Buhari told the Nigerian community that his government was just coming on board and was still in the process of setting out appropriate modalities on how to actualise its agenda of revamping Nigeria as contained in the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that Nigerians voted for him based on the party’s manifesto.

He however urged them to exercise patience because “the task of rebuilding Nigeria is an arduous one.”

He reiterated his position that to ensure accelerated development, his administration would concentrate on challenges of insecurity, near economic collapse, pervasive corruption and power shortages.

Buhari said, “I want to reassure (you) that we are going to tackle these challenges head on.

“Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us.

“We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

“However, daunting as the task to surmount these challenges may be, they are by no means insurmountable.

“There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives, we must consciously work to improve the democratic system.”

Buhari also assured them that his government would be resolute in ensuring that the country’s regained its enviable position among the comity of nations.

He however said he needed all Nigerians, including those in the Diaspora, to partner his administration in order to realise the dream.

“I want to conclude by urging you to continue to remain law-abiding and to continue to be good ambassadors of the country as we embark on the journey of rebirth, development, evolution and integration,” the President concluded.

Fayose’s thugs beat PUNCH correspondent in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose

Some thugs loyal to Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday descended on The PUNCH Correspondent in Ekiti State, Kamarudeen Ogundele, beating him to stupor while on official duty.

The thugs, who continued to lay siege to the House of Assembly Complex and all roads leading to the state capital, attacked him around noon on Bank Road, very close to a road-block mounted by the police near the Assembly complex.

He had gone to gauge the mood in town when the thugs descended on him for trying to take the picture of women praying for peace in the state, about 200 metres away from the Assembly complex.

Many of the loyalists of the governor and members of the Peoples Democratic Party lined up all the major streets leading to the complex to prevent the 19 APC lawmakers from gaining entry to the assembly to actualise their move to impeach Fayose.

His dress was torn into shreds by the hoodlums who were angry with him for taking picture after seizing his phone.

He said, “I was about leaving the place when I saw the women praying for peace to reign in the state. I felt it was a spiritual approach to the trouble in the state, so I decided to take the picture. The thugs emerged from their hideouts and swooped on me.

“I kept shouting ‘I’m a journalist’ but they did not show me mercy as they pounced on me. They were like 50 persons kicking me all at the same time. They dragged me out of the car and continued hitting me. At a time, one of them went to carry a big plank of wood in an attempt to hit my head.

“Two policemen raced to the scene to intervene but they were overwhelmed by the mob. One of the policemen started shouting, ‘run, run, run, don’t let them kill you!’ I thought the end had come because they continued beating me. Luckily for me, a few among them felt they had beaten me enough and started fighting their colleagues to let me go. I capitalised on their disagreement and with the help of the police, I quickly escaped.”

The governor later called one of the leaders of the Nigerian Union of Journalist in the state to apologise for his supporters’ action. He also expressed regret over the mob action.

While condemning the incident, Fayose said the action of the overzealous men should not be taken for action of his government.

He assured journalists that they would be guaranteed freedom to discharge their duties without fear or favour in the state, and without intimidation from any quarter.

Meanwhile, riot policemen took over the Efon Alaaye, the border town of Ekiti State with Osun State, where some supporters of the PDP had prevented free vehicular movement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Idowu Faleye, has said the insistence of the 19 APC lawmakers to impeach Fayose would definitely affect their political future in the state

Buhari capable of leading Nigeria, says Edwin Clark

Chief Edwin Clark

A former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has once again canvassed support for President Muhamadu Buhari.

He described the President as being capable of leading the country; therefore, he should be supported by all Nigerians.

Clark, who was one of the staunch supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan, spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at his residence when he received a group, known as Probity Ambassadors Organisation of Nigeria.

He said though he was among those who campaigned against the emergence of the President during the election, Clark said since Nigerians voted for him (Buhari), the President must be supported in order to enable him succeed in the task ahead.

The foremost Ijaw leader added that the way former President Jonathan conceded defeat had also made the task of running the country easier for the President.

Clark said, “I have congratulated President Buhari and today, he is our President. He’s not the President of a section of the country.

“Buhari is fit for the job and he’s capable of leading us. We will support him.

“Campaigns are over and a winner has emerged. We must come together after the election and give our support to the President.

“The loser of the election, who had all the powers to do and undo, came out to congratulate the President.

“That action of the former President is the best thing that has happened in this country.”

He said that former President Jonathan took that action of congratulating President Buhari because of his love for the country.

“You can only be the President of the country when it is intact. All of us must join hands together to support President Buhari,” he added.

He asked those who might not agree with the President to wait until 2019, when elections would be held again.

He said, “This is when there will be another opportunity for election.

“Then Nigerians would determine if the President has done well or not. Democracy has come to stay in the country.”

He asked Nigerians to learn from the attitude exhibited by the people of the United Kingdom, who he said had forgotten about their last election which was held in May.

Clark said, “Members of both the Conservatives and the Labour Party are living together in peace now as if nothing had happened.”

He also said that those who thought he would die because his party, the Peoples Democratic Party and former President Jonathan lost the election, were short-sighted.

He said that as an elder statesman, he was bound to support whoever wins the election to lead the nation.

AI wants Ihejirika, Badeh, others probed for war crimes … asks ICC, Buhari to launch investigation

Badeh; Ihejirika

Amnesty International has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands to investigate some former and serving Nigerian service chiefs for war crimes.

The crimes, according to the global civil rights organisation, were perpetrated during the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East between March 2011 and 2014.

It said in a   comprehensive report, entitled, “Stars on their shoulders, blood on their hands: War crimes committed by the Nigerian military,” that no fewer than 8,000 persons were “murdered, starved, suffocated and tortured to death “in the North-East during the period.

AI added in the report which was presented in Abuja on Wednesday by its African Director (Research and Advocacy),   Netsanet Belay, and Senior Director of Reseach,   Anna Neistat, that it had “compelling evidence”   for the investigation of the former and serving service chiefs as well as “mid-level and senior-level military commanders.”

The rights group outlined the roles and possible criminal responsibilities of those along the chain of command – up to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff.

It therefore   listed a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, among the nine senior military figures that should be investigated for their command and individual roles in the commission of the crimes.

The others are Maj. Gen. John   Ewansiha, Maj. Gen. Obida Ethnan, Maj. Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed, Brig.-Gen. Austin Edokpayi and Brig. Gen. Rufus Bamigboye.

The AI report revealed that since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention while no fewer than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed in February 2012.

It said, “We call on President Buhari to end the culture of impunity that has blighted Nigeria ,and for the African Union and international community to encourage and support these efforts. As a matter of urgency, the President must launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the crimes detailed in the report and hold all those responsible to account, no matter their rank or position. Only then can there be justice for the dead and their relatives.

“The Nigerian military, including senior military commanders, must be investigated for participating in, sanctioning or failing to prevent the deaths of more than 8,000 people murdered, starved, suffocated, and tortured to death.

“Based on years of research and analysis of evidence – including leaked military reports and correspondence, as well as interviews with more than 400 victims, eyewitnesses and senior members of the Nigerian security forces – the organisation outlines a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East of the country.

“The organisation has also submitted to the ICC a list of names of military officers who should be investigated for their possible role in the crimes under international law and serious human rights violations documented in this report.

“They (officers) would be responsible if they knew or if they should have known about the commission of the war crimes and failed to take adequate action to prevent them or ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought to justice.”

According to AI, more than 1,200 people were victims of extrajudicial killings by the military and associated militias in the North-East   while the worst case documented   took place on March 14, 2014 when the military killed more than 640 detainees who fled Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, after a Boko Haram attack .

According to the report, the conditions of detention in Giwa Barracks and detention centres in Damaturu “were so overcrowded that hundreds of detainees were packed into small cells where they had to take turns sleeping or even sitting on the floor.”

The report added that “at its peak, Giwa Barracks   which was not built as a detention facility   was accommodating more than 2,000 detainees at one time.”

The organisation said it had also petitioned the ICC with a view to ensuring the prosecution of the indicted officers for war crimes in Nigeria.

AI added that it had already shared the findings of the research and relevant evidence with the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC.

“AI has also shared the findings of this research and relevant evidence, with the office of the ICC . The organisation has also submitted to the ICC a list of names of military officers who should be investigated for their possible role in the crimes under international law and serious human rights violations documented in this report,” it added.

Buhari acknowledged receipt of the AI report   and promised to study it with a view to taking an action on it.

He said in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,   Garba Shehu,   from Niamey, Niger Republic that the report contained many disturbing allegations that needed to be looked into.

“I assure you that your report will be looked into.We will not tolerate or condone impunity and reckless disregard for human rights,” he added.

But the Defence Headquarters said the AI report smacked of extreme bias “which is disturbing coming from an otherwise reputable organisation that is expected to be just and fair to all.”

The DHQ added in a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade,   that the serving and retired senior military officers mentioned by AI   had no reason whatsoever to indulge in the 

allegation made against them.

“It is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified senior officers, in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation as well as the image of the military. The action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose,” it stated.

The DHQ noted that each of the previous allegations made by AI had been thoroughly responded to and cleared in the public   and insisted   that the human rights organisation had taken a premeditated position, “which is far from noble.”

It added,   “It is curious that a body that has never been able to seriously condemn terror in Nigeria now claims to have done an extensive research with the aim of discrediting the nation’s effort at curtailing terror.

“It is clear that Amnesty International becomes more active in presenting distractive allegations whenever the terrorists are losing ground in the battle. It is very unfortunate that Amnesty International has used this report to further confirm its questionable interest in the counter-terrorism effort in Nigeria.”

The DHQ advised AI to stop playing the role of an irritant coming up loudly only when the terrorists are losing out and remaining silent or complacent whenever they (terrorists) heighten   their atrocities.

It said that it was   unfair of AI to persist in effort to discredit the military by seeking all avenues to stigmatise individual officers purely to satisfy an agenda against the security agencies and image of Nigeria before the international community.