Breaking: Explosion rocks Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers

An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The affected section of the major pipeline is currently on fire, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time.

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Husband bound, gagged by wife, children in Ogun community rescued (video)

A husband was rescued by residents of Oko-Filling, a neighborhood in Araromi, Ijoko, Sango Ota, after he was bound, gagged and left for dead by his wife and children following a dispute over his retirement benefits.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, at the family’s residence.

The husband had reportedly received his retirement payout and used a portion to open two shops for his wife in Abule after giving her N3 million, The Nation reports.

He also bought a N12 million car for himself while the family already owned a home in the area.

However, his wife and four sons, who are all university graduates, were not happy that he did not hand over the entire funds to them to use as they deemed fit so they attempted to pressure him for more money.

Shortly after acquiring the new vehicle for himself, he sold it, raising suspicions among neighbors.

A local landlord, who spoke to The Nation, revealed that the man was later discovered in his home with his mouth, hands, and feet bound.

“He was tied like an animal to be slaughtered. They (his wife and kids) got some Aboki men, about six of them to tie him up. It was the strange noise from their packing that alerted residents who gathered in front of the house to know what was happening.

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“Landlords in the area who could not endure the noise at that hour, decided to go out and find out what was wrong. When they got to his compound, they saw a Korope (small bus) outside packing properties.

“His wife and sons were the ones packing and so, the residents asked after the man. When the response given was not satisfactory, they forced themselves inside the house and saw the man completely bound with the Aboki people still inside the house, as though they were waiting to k!ll him.

“The man was untied and rushed to the hospital. He’s still at the hospital receiving treatment. The suspects were all taken to the police station. One of the Aboki men confessed it was the man’s wife that contracted them to tie him up. They were all taken to the police station that morning,” the landlord said.

An audio message recorded by the chairman of the Anjomo Community Development Association (CDA), Emmanuel Omola, corroborated the information from the landlord.

According to Omola, the woman had gone to the police station to report that her husband wanted to k!ll her.

He said: “The evening of 12th March, the wife went to the police station to report that her husband wanted to k!ll her. The police told her to go and get a bus to convey the policemen to her house to arrest her husband. She left the station and didn’t return.

“By the time she got to the neighbourhood, she went inside the house with some Aboki to tie the man and when they started packing the belongings, that was when the neighbours heard noise and that was what made them all gather there.

“By the time they got there, they saw that the children had come with a small bus (Korope) and they had packed loads there and were leaving.

“The residents entered the house and they met Aboki there and saw the man tied. The Aboki and the owner of the tricycle that conveyed them there confessed that it was the wife that called them.”

Omola advised people to always ask questions whenever they hear unusual noise in their surroundings.

“We shouldn’t be nonchalant about it, let us respond quickly. If not that the landlords responded fast, I believe the Abokis that were brought into that house wanted to kill that man, that’s what they have been told to do.

“So, if we hear noises in our neighbour’s house, we shouldn’t say it doesn’t concern us, just a swift response can save lives. If not that the landlords in the neighborhood went out, the man would have died.

“Now, the man is in the hospital, they said his penis is swollen. His wife, children and the Aboki are in the police station.

“Those of you who receive pension, know how you tell your family. I think the pension the man received is what almost led to his de@th.”

Husband bound, gagged by wife, children in Ogun community rescued (video)

Retrieve my seized assets from buyers, Diezani tells court

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum, requested the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to reclaim her seized assets from their buyers.

The former minister expressly sought that the court order the anti-graft agency to reclaim the seized assets from the persons or businesses to whom they were sold.

Diezani made this motion in a revised application filed on her behalf by her attorney, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

She requested an injunction to overturn the EFCC’s public notice, which served as the foundation for the public auction of her assets.

She also requested the court to declare the EFCC’s public auction a violation of legislative laws, including the EFCC Act of 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act of 2022.

Diezani claimed that the sale violated her right to a fair hearing, as stipulated by Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as modified).

She also requested an order prohibiting the EFCC from disposing of her properties as indicated in the public notice, as well as an order vacating the EFCC’s notice, which was based on a number of judgements and decrees in its favour.

She claimed that the final forfeiture orders imposed on her possessions breached her proprietary rights owing to a lack of jurisdiction and the denial of a fair hearing.

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The former minister also requested an extension of time to seek court leave to rescind, discharge, or set aside the EFCC’s public notice.

The EFCC published in a public notice that Diezani’s assets would be sold between January 9 and January 13, 2023.

Diezani filed a lawsuit against the EFCC shortly after the announcement.

In an originating action designated FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, filed on January 6, 2023, she requested an extension of time to apply for an order setting aside the public notice and preventing the auction of her assets.

However, in a counter-affidavit filed on March 14, the EFCC asked the court to dismiss the complaint.

The declaration, signed by litigation officer Oyakhilome Ekienabor, disputed various accusations made by Alison-Madueke.

Ekienabor noted that thorough investigations into the former minister’s actions during her tenure resulted in criminal charges against her in several courts, including the Federal High Court.

He referenced charges filed in 2017 and 2018 as evidence against her, stating that the properties were sold in accordance with final forfeiture orders issued by the Federal High Court on July 9, 2019, and September 10, 2019.

According to Ekienabor, the forfeiture orders did not violate Diezani’s right to a fair hearing, and the properties were disposed of in accordance with due process.

“The cases leading to the forfeiture orders were actions in rem, and the decisions are binding on all,” said the judge.

He noted that during the forfeiture proceedings, the court directed the EFCC to issue a notice seeking interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be forfeited.

Ekienabor further noted that Diezani was represented in one of the cases, but the court imposed the final forfeiture orders after considering her counsel’s views.

On February 17, Justice Ekwo allowed the former minister’s request to amend her claim, following a petition by her counsel, Godwin Iyinbor.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Iyinbor informed the court that an updated originating motion was filed and served on the EFCC on February 20th.

He asked for an adjournment to answer to the commission’s counter-affidavit, which was submitted on March 14.

Justice Ekwo underlined the importance of expediting the case, which has been pending since 2023.

Divine Oguru, the EFCC’s counsel, apologised for the delay in answering and told the court that he would be ready for the next hearing.

“We will be ready to go on the next adjourned date, my lord,” he said.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case to March 27 for a hearing.

Retrieve my seized assets from buyers, Diezani tells court