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NDLEA arrests 60 at Abuja ‘Go hard or Go Home’ party

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2024

NDLEA arrests 60 at Abuja ‘Go hard or Go Home’ party

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has apprehended at least 60 persons over drug-related crime in the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspects were arrested at a drug party with the theme ‘Go hard or Go Home. Pick Your Poison,’ on Friday.

The party, which was reportedly organised by one Stanley Ikechukwu, comprised 25 males and 35 females.

The anti-narcotics agency made this known in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

According to the statement, at least six suspects were arrested at the venue with different drugs, NDLEA’s operative raided the venue of the party after receiving reliable information about the party

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The statement read in part, “In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Friday night disrupted a drug party dubbed ‘Go hard or Go Home. Pick Your Poison,’ where 60 suspects comprising 25 males and 35 females were arrested at an apartment in Sun City estate in the Federal Capital Territory. The raid followed credible intelligence about the drug party organised by one Stanley Ikechukwu who was arrested at the venue.

“At least six of the suspects: Victoria Adoga, Hamza Yari, Joanne Joy, Socchima Valentine, Jago Imole and Charles Indobuibisi were arrested with different quantities of ecstasy and cannabis.”

Babafemi said the Chairman of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) directed that 20 of the suspects who tested negative for drugs be released unconditionally.

He stated that 33 others who tested positive for illicit drugs were to be released on bail and would report at the agency’s FCT command on Monday to begin treatment and counselling.

NDLEA arrests 60 at Abuja ‘Go hard or Go Home’ party

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$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Former Power and Steel Minister Olu Agunloye

$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, opposed the application of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, to travel abroad for a medical check-up.

This was following an application filed by Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, which prayed the court to allow him to travel overseas for medical examination.

Attached to his application were a report from the University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter of review of a medical report from the Federal Road Safety Corps, and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst requesting him to quickly travel abroad for medical evaluation and attention.

Agunloye is facing seven counts bordering on fraudulent Mambilla Power Project contract award to the tune of $6bn.

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He was arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja in January 2024.

A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, noted that Adedipe reminded the court about his pending application at the proceedings on Monday.

But the prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, told the court that a counter-affidavit was written and filed by Hussain Babangida, a prosecution witness and an investigator with the EFCC.

Mohammed urged the court to refuse the application on the ground that Agunloye could be a flight risk, having demonstrated an unwillingness to present himself for trial until he was declared wanted.

“This is our written address and we rely on all the resolutions in the counter-affidavit and we adopt the same with the exhibit attached. We are expecting our noble lord to dismiss the defendant’s application on the credit of the complainant’s counter affidavit,” the statement read.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till July 17, 2024, for ruling.

$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17

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Many people trapped as Abuja hotel building collapses

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Many people trapped as Abuja hotel building collapses

A four-storey building attached to the Westbrook Hotel in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja collapsed on Monday night, trapping numerous individuals under the debris.

An eyewitness reported that there may be fatalities, citing the lack of coordination among emergency responders hindering efficient operations.

“There is a possibility that there could be some people inside the collapsed building who may have died. I saw two people being pulled out from the rubble now and taken to the hospital while rescue operations were ongoing. The emergency responders are not coordinated yet for efficient operations,” an eyewitness told newsmen.

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Emergency responders, Newstrends gathered, are working to rescue those trapped in the rubble, with at least two people pulled out and taken to the

The collapsed building is situated near the Westbrook Hotel, with nearby landmarks including Jima Plaza and the National Worship Centre (Assemblies of God Church).

Many people trapped as Abuja hotel building collapses

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Court releases man in Lagos prison after 15 years without trial

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Court releases man in Lagos prison after 15 years without trial

In Lagos State, one Kazeen Adeshina has regained his freedom after spending 15 years behind bars without charge or trial.

The release of Adeshina from correctional facility was orddred on Monday by an Ikeja high court.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala gave the order while ruling in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked No: D/16997MFHR/24 filed by Adeshina’s counsel, Ben Okeke.

Ogala, in her ruling, averred that the arrest and continued detention of Adeshina in the custody of the Medium Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos without a trial was wrong, unlawful and unjustifiable.

She added that it was a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification Enforcement Act, Cap.10.

“As afore-stated, there is unchallenged fact that this applicant has remained in custody for about 15 years and is yet to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The presumption of innocence enshrined in our constitution remains sacrosanct and it is indeed a travesty of justice for this to occur without administration of criminal justice, no matter where the delay emanates from.

“Counsel to the first respondent has exhibited correspondence to the police to transfer the suspect for arraignment since 2003 which has remained unattended to and it appears that this applicant has fallen through the cracks and thus remained in custody for such years without trial.

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“The presumption of innocence in our constitution remains sacrosanct and it is clear to this court that no good cause has been exhibited necessitating the continued remand of the applicant and therefore this court finds that the applicant is entitled to the declaratory order sought,” she said.

The judge, thereafter, ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the applicant from the custody of the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre.

The applicant’s counsel, Okeke, had filed the suit against the Lagos state attorney-general, the commissioner of police and the Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos state as first to third respondents, respectively.

The applicant had prayed the court for a declaration that the arrest and continued detention of Adeshina in custody without a formal charge or trial was wrongful, illegal, unjustifiable and a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.

The applicant’s counsel said: “An order directing the immediate and unconditional release of the applicant from the custody of the third respondent, Medium Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Lagos.

“An injunction restraining the respondents, their agents or privies from further breach of the applicants’ fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

“An order admitting the applicant to bail pending his arraignment in court and for such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

“The applicant filed in support of the application, the affidavit of urgency of six paragraphs as well as a supporting affidavit of 15 paragraphs deposed to by Joe Ameh, the Executive Coordinator in the office of Zarephath Aid dated March 8.”

The applicant’s counsel referred the court to the provisions of Section 35 (1) of the Constitution and submitted that it was inferable that whenever a deprivation of right to personal liberty is sought pursuant thereto, such deprivation must satisfy two conditions to satisfy the approval of the constitution.