metro
N17b cash: EFCC detains social investment scheme coordinator, Halima
N17b cash: EFCC detains social investment scheme coordinator, Halima
Few hours after her suspension, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.
She was still being detained as at press time last night.
The interception and recovery of the cash followed some alleged payments of billions of naira by the agency without presidential approval.
It was learnt that the EFCC might have recommended Halima Shehu’s suspension to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Her suspension, based on preliminary investigation, was to pave the way for an unfettered probe of the infraction.
Operatives of the commission, who were drafted to the National Coordinator’s private office and home, arrested her at about 8pm yesterday.
After searching her home and office, she was taken into custody at about 9pm for interrogation.
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It was also learnt that the EFCC was closing in on a director of the agency, who was allegedly complicit in the huge payments into the suspicious accounts.
But, some crack operatives of the EFCC will today interrogate a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, for allegedly laundering N37, 170,855,753.44 during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete.
The ex-minister has disowned the implicated contractor.
She might be quizzed today by a team of interrogators.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that following intelligence, the EFCC uncovered “unusual movement of billions of naira” from NSIPA’s account.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC raised a red flag on the suspicious payments of billions of Naira into some individual and corporate accounts. Preliminary investigation showed that there was no presidential approval for the payment of such humongous funds
“Pre-emptive steps were immediately put in place to track the suspicious funds. So far, about N17 billion has been intercepted and recovered from some accounts by this commission.
“Our team is working round the clock to trace the remaining billions of Naira suspected to have been laundered from the Social Investment cash.”
N17b cash: EFCC detains social investment scheme coordinator, Halima
metro
18 feared killed as truck crushes fully-loaded bus at Abia police checkpoint
18 feared killed as truck crushes fully-loaded bus at Abia police checkpoint
No fewer than 18 travellers were feared dead in a crash on the Umuahia-Enugu axis of the Port Harcourt Enugu Highway on Thursday morning.
An 18-seater commercial bus was at the checkpoint awaiting police clearance when a truck driver lost control and rammed into them killing the driver and all the passengers.
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Mr Bananas Okereke, an eyewitness, told our reporter on a telephone that the bodies of victims still littered the scene at 8:20 am.
He said: “The road is blocked by protesting bus drivers and other motorists who are asking that the policemen who caused the accident be brought back to the scene.”
“Colleagues of the bus driver and other road users have taken over the road, demanding Justice for the victims. They vowed to remain there until Governor Alex Otti visits the scene.”
18 feared killed as truck crushes fully-loaded bus at Abia police checkpoint
metro
Five arrested for operating illegal refinery in Rivers
Five arrested for operating illegal refinery in Rivers
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 5 suspects for allegedly involved in illegal refining of crude oil stolen from pipelines in Odagwa community in Etche area of Rivers.
Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, told journalists on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Mr Abdussalam was represented by Lt-Col. Ishaya Manga,Commanding Officer of 29 Battalion under the division.
He said that the suspects were arrested engaging in illegal bunkering of petroleum product at the refinery site.
“The arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of illegal bunkerers in the area, who are bent on sabotaging the nation’s economy.
“In response, troops were deployed to identify, locate and destroy all illegal refineries within the division’s area of responsibility.
“Upon arriving at the site, our troops uncovered hand dug reservoirs used for storing of stolen crude oil.
“It is regrettable that this economic sabotage against the Federal Government is having negative impact on socio-economic activities and the health of citizens,” he said.
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Mr Abdussalam said that troops also seized about 225,000 litres of crude oil from the site.
“About 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil were found in five different reservoirs, while many others were empty.
“Troops also discovered several metallic pots used for cooking and refining crude oil into petroleum products at various locations in the area.
“The operation is ongoing and we are optimistic of making further discoveries,” he added.
He expressed concern about the destruction of vegetation and environmental degradation in the community.
The army chief pledged that those responsible for these heinous crimes would be brought to justice.
“We commend the local population for providing credible intelligence that aided us in discovering this illegal refinery in the deep Etche forest.
“It’s hard to believe that something like this is taking place here. Even drones would struggle to capture everything that is happening here due to the tense vegetation.
“The suspects will face prosecution for their crimes against the country,” he said.
Five arrested for operating illegal refinery in Rivers
NAN
metro
Kano govt bans male DJs from female events
Kano govt bans male DJs from female events
In Kano State, male Disc Jockeys (DJs) have been prohibited from officiating at female-dominated events, authorities in the northwest state have said.
The Commander General of Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, announced the ban on Wednesday.
He made the announcement at a meeting with the representatives of DJs in the state.
According to him, the move became imperative in order to prohibit mixing of males and females during events and stop other indecent and immoral activities.
Sheikh Daurawa stated that only women would now be allowed to officiate at women’s gatherings, saying Kano is an Islamic State and can’t allow unfettered mixing of opposite genders.
He said, “As an Islamic state, it is unacceptable for us to allow the indiscriminate mixing of males and females at the same event. This is because this act can promote and spread immorality.”
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He noted that previously another meeting was held with owners and managers of event centres in the state in order to sensitise them about the relevant laws guiding their activities.
In his remarks, the representative of the DJs, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as DJ Farawa, commended the board for inviting and advising them on the new guidelines introduced by the board to guide their business.
He said, “We are happy with the invitation of the hisbah board to our union of DJs. They have given us guidelines on the sanctity of prayer times during events, as well as the need to prevent the mixing of males and females during those events.”
Ibrahim noted that all DJs performing in the state must adhere to the new guidelines issued by the board to avoid being sanctioned.
He said, “This is why we are calling on all DJs to register with our union in order to benefit from the guidelines that have been issued.”
He warned that non-registered DJs performing in the state would not be protected by the union if they were found to have violated the hisbah guidelines
Kano govt bans male DJs from female events
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