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Dismissed NECO officer in court over certificate forgery

Published

5 months ago

June 26, 2024

Dismissed NECO officer in court over certificate forgery

A former National Examination Council (NECO) staff member, Mrs. Rose Deffi, has been arraigned in court for allegedly forging the certificate she used to secure employment with the organization. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought charges against her following an indictment in 2020 during NECO’s nationwide certificate verification exercise.

This exercise led to the indictment of 89 NECO staff members for using fake certificates. The NECO Governing Board subsequently approved the dismissal of the indicted employees, and their cases were referred to the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.

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ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare informed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that Mrs. Deffi’s trial was initially scheduled for May 30, 2024, before Justice G.D. Fwomyon of the Plateau State High Court. However, the trial was delayed due to her absence. The court ruled that Mrs. Deffi should be served the charge sheet through substituted means and be produced in court by her lawyer at the next hearing.

Last Friday, when the case was called, Mrs. Deffi pleaded not guilty to all seven counts of forgery against her.

“In light of her plea, ICPC counsel Mr. O.G Iwuagwu requested another date for the commencement of the trial,” Bakare said. “The defence counsel, Mr P.M Lere, did not oppose this but asked the court to consider the bail application for his client.”

The ICPC counsel did not oppose the bail application but requested the court to set conditions to ensure Mrs. Deffi’s availability for trial. Justice Fwomyon granted Mrs. Deffi bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to September 26, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.

Dismissed NECO officer in court over certificate forgery

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Four people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday and Friday.

Local sources revealed that the victims, including two young men and a soldier, were attacked late Friday night.

Another individual, believed to be a cultist, was killed in his home on Thursday.

Chairman of the vigilance group Operation Shara, Nura Umar, stated, “The soldier and two boys were innocent victims attacked by suspected cultists. The incidents occurred near the BIPC area.”

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However, police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed only one civilian death, adding, “Operatives have been deployed to address the situation.”

The area has seen a surge in rival cult clashes in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety.

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

metro

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Published

5 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Senator Ali Ndume and Daniel Bwala

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, to apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, Ndume attributed his plea to Bwala’s earlier criticism of Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, a decision that led to Bwala’s exit from the APC over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It should be recalled that Bwala, previously a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, recently joined Tinubu’s team after being a vocal critic of the ruling party’s decision to present two Muslim candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala resigned from the APC in July 2022, condemning the party’s choice of Shettima as insensitive to Nigeria’s secular principles. At the time, he publicly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, sparking significant debate.

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In his statement, Ndume said, “I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. This gesture deserves serious applause, particularly in view of the roles played by Bwala in the recent past.”

Ndume praised Tinubu’s appointment as a move towards inclusivity and reconciliation, urging Bwala to work closely with Vice President Shettima. “You should work with the Vice President closely as your second principal to promote the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” Ndume advised.

He also encouraged Bwala to follow the example of key Tinubu allies such as Sunday Dare, Hadiza Bala Usman, and Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing the need for constructive advocacy. “These individuals defend and market Tinubu’s policies backed by facts and figures without being abusive or offensive. Bwala should adopt a similar approach,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots connection, Ndume added, “Charity begins at home. You must connect with the grassroots to ensure the administration’s message resonates with the people. I wish you success in your new assignment.”

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

Published

5 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye’s removal from the throne, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Apex court’s decision affirmed an earlier order of the Appeal Court asking Kalejaiye to stop parading himself as the Nloku of Iraye.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba Aji, the Apex Court granted the application to strike out Kalejaiye’s appeal for lack of diligent prosecution, as prayed.

“Appeal number SC/CV11112022 is at this moment struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,”’ the Supreme Court ruled to end the embattled monarch’s troubled reign as Nloku of Iraye.

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Justices Habeeb Adewale Abiru, M.M. Saulawa, Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, and Obande Festus Ogbuinya were with Justice Musa on the case.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State had in September 2022, halted the reign of the deposed Nloku of Iraye, Oba Kalejaiye, while ruling on the case (Appeal No: CA/1B/255/2015 Suit No: HCS/65/2019, an appeal filed by Kalejaiye against his deposition in 2015 by a State High Court sitting in Sagamu.

The Justices of the Appeal Court, led by Hon. Justice Moore A. A. Adumein, ruled that “the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of Hon. Justice Olugbenga Ogunfowora is hereby affirmed.”

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgment, Pa Olu Salau, head of the Sugbada royal family appreciated the Justices for doing justice to the matter brought before them in a brilliant, comprehensive, and incisive manner. He urged all parties in the dispute to accept the judgment as the will of God and the wishes of the good people of Iraye.