Month: November 2020

Military Court Demotes Major-General Adeniyi Over Viral Boko Haram Video.

Major-General Olusegun Adeniyi has been convicted by a military court in Abuja, newsmen learned on Monday.

Mr. Adeniyi was found guilty of violating military social media guidelines and it was ordered that he be demoted by at least three years by the military tribunal that heard the matter in Abuja.

Tokunbo Obanla, a Nigerian Army private who was arraigned alongside the military chief, was also found guilty and sentenced to 28 days of hard labour. Both convictions would take effect subject to confirmation by the military board.

The verdict came about seven months after a video went viral on social media of Mr. Adeniyi complaining about a dearth of serviceable military equipment to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast.

The major-general was summarily suspended from work by the Nigerian Army, which subsequently filed charges of military social media guideline violations against him.

The major-general strongly denied wrongdoings, with his lawyers saying today’s tribunal judgement would be appealed to higher military authorities.

Papa Bouba Diop – Senegal legend and former Portsmouth and Fulham midfielder – has died aged 42.

Senegal legend and former Portsmouth and Fulham midfielder – has died at the age of 42.

Papa Bouba Diop scored the goal which helped Senegal beat France 1-0 in their opening World Cup game in 2002. He played for Fulham, Portsmouth and West Ham.

Breaking: FIFA suspends CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad.

The head of African football Ahmad Ahmad has been suspended by FIFA for five years for corruption, the global governing body announced Monday.

Ahmad, from Madagascar, has been president of the African Football Confederation (CAF) since March 2017 and was standing for re-election when FIFA banned him for “governance issues”.

In their statement, FIFA said that Ahmad had “breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF President”.

Ahmad has also been fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($220,000) by FIFA for the misdeeds, which related to “the organisation and financing of an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca” and his involvement in CAF’s dealings with a sports equipment company.

Kidnapped APC Chairman Found Dead.

The kidnapped chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Phillip Shekwo, has been found dead.

This was confirmed to Channels Television by the Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe.

Longe said the body of Shekwo was found not far from his house in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, and has been evacuated to the Dalhatu Araf specialist hospital.

Shekwo was earlier kidnapped in the late hours of Saturday at his residence in Lafia.

Scribbles Urban had earlier reported that the State Commissioner of Police, Dele Longe, confirmed the incident to journalists in Lafia, the state capital.

He said Mr Shekwo was abducted from his Bukan Sidi residence around 11 p.m. on Saturday.

He also said he has deployed the police to comb the various forests and flashpoints in the state to ensure his release.

Kidnappings of high profiled individuals have become rampant in Lafia, the state capital and hometown of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Wazobia FM Staff Allegedly Commits Suicide Two Days After Losing His Job.

A former Wazobia FM official has apparently committed suicide two days after losing his job, Scribbles Urban have learned.

Hillary Okechukwu was a sales executive with the Lagos based broadcast company until November 18 when he was asked to resign following accusations of misappropriating company funds.

Mr. Okechukwu, whom colleagues said had been with Wazobia FM for at least 10 years, suffered cardiac arrest from drug overdose on Friday, colleagues said.

The station’s management held an urgent meeting on Saturday night to discuss the matter, but officials largely clear themselves of any wrongdoing in the circumstances that led to Mr. Okechukwu’s exit and his eventual death, sources revealed under anonymity to prevent official reprimand or worse. 

Colleagues said Mr. Okechukwu did not appear to suffer from any mental health crises before the incident.

Suicide prevention centres are rare in the country, which could have contributed to Mr. Okechukwu’s inability to get help before it was too late.

Some colleagues have revealed that the development had left them demoralised, hoping it would nudge the station’s management to start prioritising personnel welfare. 

Mr. Okechukwu is survived by a wife and two children.

Kidnapped ABU Students Regain Freedom After Family Members Paid Ransom.

After days in captivity, the nine abducted students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria have been released.

The students, from the Department of French, were travelling to Lagos for a programme at the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) in Badagry.

On the 15th of November, it was reported that kidnappers had abducted the nine undergraduates of the French department along the Kaduna-Abuja highway while embarking on a road trip to Lagos for an academic programme. 

Julius Mutum, a brother to one of the victims has now tweeted that his sister and the others have been released.

The kidnappers requested for a million naira as ransom for each victim and after the families of the abducted each paid the ransom, the children were released. 

Ashiru Tijjani Zango, ABU head of security, also confirmed to newsmen Sunday morning that the students have reunited with their families.

“Yes it’s true, I called the head of department and she confirmed to me that the students have been released. She said she will contact the family members before they make it public,” Mr. Zango said.

The head of security however did not confirm if any ransom was paid. 

Just In: APC Chairman Abducted.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Nassarawa state, Phillip Shekwor, was abducted by unidentified gunmen from his residence on Saturday.

Gunmen stormed his home along Dunamis church, Bukan Sidi around 11pm and took him to an unknown destination. 

The State Commissioner of Police, Dele Longe, confirmed the incident to journalists in Lafia, the state capital.

He said Mr Shekwo was abducted from his Bukan Sidi residence around 11 p.m. on Saturday.

He also said he has deployed the police to comb the various forests and flashpoints in the state to ensure his release.

Kidnappings of high profiled individuals have become rampant in Lafia, the state capital and hometown of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Jibrin Giza, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works in Nasarawa State, was kidnapped in his Shabu residence. He was later released after paying ransom.

Apart from Lafia, kidnapping for ransom has become common across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle has facilitated the unconditional rescue of another 11 kidnap victims without paying ransom.

He secured their release through the carrot-and- stick initiative of his administration.

Governor Muhammad received the rescued kidnapped victims on Saturday night at the Government House, Gusau.

Ten of the victims were male and a female from Bukkuyum local Government Area.

Muhammad explained the peace accord and reconciliation process with repentant bandits will be sustained in the state while the unrepentant ones will face the full wrath of the law.

He directed the victims should be taken to the hospital for medical attention before final release to their respective families.

Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed Dauran, told the Governor the victims were released as a result of the peace initiative and stakeholders meeting summoned by Governor Matawalle with all critical stakeholders from Bukkuyum local Government Area on Thursday.

NUC Dissolves LAUTECH Joint Ownership; Hands Institution To Oyo State.

The Osun State government has ceded the ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology to Oyo State, thereby ending the longtime crisis which had plagued the institution.

As a result of the transfer of ownership, both states have mutually agreed on the terms of settlement while the joint ownership of LAUTECH has been formally dissolved.

However, it was gathered that while the main University ownership was transferred to the Government of Oyo State, the College of Health Sciences, Osogbo was ceded to the Government of Osun State.

The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, announced the resolution of the impasse during a press conference in Abuja.

Rasheed said the sole ownership of LAUTECH has been formally transferred to Oyo State.

He explained that while the main University ownership was transferred to the Government of Oyo State, the College of Health Sciences, Osogbo is ceded to the Government of Osun State.

“It is gratifying to note that after extensive deliberations, negotiations and consultations, both owner states mutually agreed terms, and the joint ownership of LAUTECH was formally dissolved.” He said.

“The mutually agreed dissolution was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of agreement by the Executive Governors of Oyo and Osun States witnessed by the Attorneys-General of both States, giving legal effect to the transfer of ownership of LAUTECH to the Government of Oyo State and the College of Health Sciences, Osogbo to the Government of Osun State.” He further stated.

LAUTECH was established in 1990 by the old Oyo State with the main campus located in Ogbomoso, while the Teaching Hospital was subsequently established in Osogbo.

When Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State in 1991, both states became joint owners of the institution.

However, over the years, the joint ownership arrangement became characterised by governance and management challenges, affecting the appointment of the Vice-chancellor and other Principal Officers, as well as the irregular payment of staff salaries.

Investigation Panel Recommends Ibrahim Magu Sack.

The Justice Ayo Salami panel has recommended the sack of Ibrahim Magu, a commissioner of police, as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The remarks were made when President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the final report of the Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel on alleged infractions by the suspended Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

The panel, which submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, also asked the president to appoint the new EFCC chairman in an interim position for two years.

The Panel recommended that Buhari should also look outside the police force in appointing the next chairman, the panel recommended.

Magu is being investigated following allegations made by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

They include the “alleged sale of seized assets to cronies, associates and friends.” Magu denies the allegations.

In his address, The President said so far, his administration has kept faith with the promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption. He promised that the nation shall attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges.

“Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State!” President Buhari said.

The report containing four boxes of exhibits were presented to the president at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The Salami Panel, which was inaugurated by the president in July, was given 45 days to carry out its assignment but the timeframe was later extended after the panel requested for more time.

Magu was allegedly accused of corruption, mismanagement, lack of transparency in managing recovered assets by the commission as well as abuse of office by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Gbajabiamila’s SSS Officer Who Killed Newspaper Vendor Identified.

Abdullahi M. Hassan has been identified by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as the officer who opened live rounds and killed a newspaper vendor in Abuja on Thursday.

The officer was named in a statement by the Speaker on Friday afternoon.

It came hours after witnesses at the scene told newsmen that the shooting came from a police officer, although the police have denied firing the fatal shot.

Witnesses said there were multiple shots from the Speaker’s convoy, making it difficult to immediately identify the bullet that killed the vendor Ifeanyi Elechi.

More details soon…