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366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF

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1 year ago

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Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF

The Federal High Court sitting in Dawaki, Abuja, on Monday, convicted four Boko Haram financiers.

They are Modu Aisami, Zana Zarama, Umar Mohammed, and Bunu Kame.

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The AGF’s  Special Assistant on  Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele,  said the prosecution team led by the AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), secured the convictions in separate cases before Justice Binta Nyako and Justice Emeka Nwite.

He said the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.

“The defence counsel was led by the Director, Criminal Justice in Legal Aid Council, F. A. Bakre.

“According to the charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M. B. Abubakar, Aisami provided funds for the terrorist group by buying food products from the group, having reasonable grounds to believe that the proceeds would be used to commit a terrorist act, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 13(1)(a)(ii) of the Terrorism Provision Amendment Act, 2013,” the statement said.

Ogundele said Justice Nyako convicted the defendant having pleaded guilty to counts 2 and 3.

“I hereby sentence the convict to 20 years imprisonment for each of the offences. They are to run concurrently,” Nyako was quoted to have ruled.

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He said the judge also convicted Zarama and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment for concealing the identity of a Boko Haram member, Modu Sulum.

Ogundele said Justice Nyako added that the jail terms should run from the day the convicts had been in custody.

Justice Nwite, in another trial, convicted the duo of Umar Mohammed and Bunu Kame and sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment.

Meanwhile, the AGF, also on Monday in Niger State, disclosed that the Federal Government secured a total of 366 convictions in the trial of Boko Haram terrorists that was conducted in 2017.

He added that 896 suspects were discharged for lack of evidence while 61 other cases were subsequently adjourned for further hearing.

The AGF spoke on Monday at the commencement of the trial for the fourth phase of the arrested suspected terrorists in Niger.

He said,  “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this special event marking the resumption of the prosecution of terrorism suspects. This day is special for many reasons. First, the day marks yet another step forward in the journey of ensuring the security and safety of Nigeria and Nigerians, a duty that is of utmost importance to all of us gathered here, as it is the primary duty of government to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens.

“I must acknowledge the fact that we have come a long way in this initiative. The first phase of the Kainji Prosecution Project commenced in October 2017 with remarkable achievements where we recorded a total of 366 convictions, 896 others were discharged for want of sufficient evidence and 61 other cases adjourned for further hearing.

“There have been three phases of the exercise so far, spanning between October 2017 and July 2018. I must, at this point, challenge all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum is sustained, seeing how important this assignment is to the well-being of our beloved country and her people. “

Emphasising the importance of the trial,  the AGF warned that if mismanaged, the situation could fuel insecurity and plunge the country into existential crises.

He said,  “Terrorism has cost us a lot as a nation. From the communities directly affected, to the staggering losses in human and material resources, displacements, political and economic instability, and the general atmosphere of fear it has created, all point to how crucial this exercise is to our progress and prosperity as a nation.

“Conversely, if the process is mismanaged and, as a result, the insecurity situation is allowed to fester, it may lead to existential crises in the very long run. I, therefore, pledge my total support to the cause as I urge the stakeholders once again to continue in a good job.”

Fagbemi said the trial would be open and compliant with the constitution, adding that the Ministry of Justice would continue to deploy the right resources to improve its prosecutorial capabilities.

 “The ministry is also continuing to support efforts towards deradicalisation and reintegration of deserving terrorists,” the AGF added.

366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF

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Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

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December 21, 2024

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Nigerian military troops

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested four suspected members of Ambazonian rebels in Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambazonia is a rebel group operating in neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

A statement on Saturday in Jalingo by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, said the suspects were arrested at a hotel in Takum town.

The statement said that acting on credible intelligence, the suspects were tracked and apprehended.

According to the statement, during initial interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with their Nigerian collaborators.

It said that four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects now in detention undergoing further investigation.

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The statement also said that in another operation following actionable intelligence, troops deployed at Natilde community in Bantaji District of Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB, transporting 19 pieces of stolen pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

It said that further collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30.

“The recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and necessary action.

“The 6 Brigade Nigerian Army will remain resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance our collective efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the statement added.

 

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

(NAN)

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NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

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10 minutes ago

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December 21, 2024

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NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) is entirely free of charge. The Commission emphasized that it neither charges nor authorizes its staff or Front End Partners (FEPs) to demand payment for NIN registration.

In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for extortion and pledged to take decisive action against offenders. To ensure compliance, the Commission has directed security agencies to identify and prosecute any staff or FEPs involved in such illegal activities.

“Anyone caught engaging in extortion will face sanctions in line with the provisions of the law, including the withdrawal of licenses for culpable FEPs,” the statement read.

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NIMC also urged the public to report any cases of extortion. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] or by calling 0700-2255-646. The Commission assured Nigerians that all reports would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures would be taken to address any violations.

Reaffirming its commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery, NIMC pledged to provide seamless and hassle-free enrollment processes for all Nigerians. The Commission expressed its determination to eliminate corruption and protect citizens from exploitation during NIN registration.

This announcement is a clear signal of NIMC’s dedication to upholding integrity and ensuring that the NIN enrollment process remains accessible and free for all. Nigerians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any attempts at extortion to help maintain the credibility of the system.

NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

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Like Ibadan, stampede claim 10 lives for Abuja Catholic church, 17 in Anambra

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20 minutes ago

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December 21, 2024

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Like Ibadan, stampede claim 10 lives for Abuja Catholic church, 17 in Anambra

The stampede occurred on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice and other palliatives at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama area of Abuja.

It was gathered that the church had made it a point of duty to give back to the society every year.

Victims of the stampede are mostly women and children.

Confirming the incident, the FCT Police Command said ten individuals died, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

A statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, reads: “This tragic event, which happened at about 6:30 am, led to a stampede that claimed the lives of ten (10) individuals, including four (4) children, and left eight (8) others with varying degrees of injuries. Four (4) of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are receiving medical care.

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‘’To prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, the Command hereby directs that all organizations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning any public event, charitable activity, or large gathering in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance. This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from their negligence.

’The FCT Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property in the Territory. Members of the public are encouraged to collaborate with the Police by adhering to these guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies through the FCT Control Room via 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234”

In a related development, 17 residents of Okija community in Anambra state have reportedly lost their lives in a stampede.

The stampede was said to have occurred on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice.

This comes days after the death of about 40 children following a stampede during a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Like Ibadan, stampede claim 10 lives for Abuja Catholic church, 17 in Anambra

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