Councillors Suspend Ogun LG Boss Who Accused Gov Abiodun Of Funds Diversion

Chairman of the Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo has been suspended by a quorum of councillors in the area following his allegation against Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Adedayo was suspended for three months on allegations of maladministration and financial mismanagement.

Confirming the development to ThePunch, the LG boss said policemen bombarded the LGA secretariat alongside some thugs on Thursday morning.

“It might be true. Policemen bombarded the office along with thugs this morning,” he told the newspaper.

Adedayo had recently accused Governor Abiodun of withholding federal government allocations meant for LGAs within the state.

Adedayo's suspension was announced in a letter signed by the leader of the Ijebu-East Legislative Council, Akindele Fasheyi, and the six others.

“The Legislative Council received various allegations that needed to be investigated, and it has directed Mr. Adedayo to appear at its next sitting on September 14,” the councilors said.

Recall that on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 18 of the 20 local government chairmen in Ogun State visited Abiodun, to plead with him for forgiveness regarding Adedayo’s purported utterances and letter.

UK-Based Nigerian Fraudster Extradited To U.S., Bags 90 Months Imprisonment

A dual U.K.-Nigerian national who was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom was sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. With today’s sentencing, all three defendants who were extradited from the United Kingdom in connection with this matter have been sentenced. Up

According to court documents, Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham, 44, was part of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multi-million-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died years before in Portugal. Victims were told that before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees and taxes and were instructed to make other payments. Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims. Abraham and his co-conspirators also convinced former victims to receive money from new victims and then forward the fraud proceeds to others. 

The other two defendants who were extradited from the United Kingdom also received prison sentences. On June 21, the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams sentenced Emmanuel Samuel to 82 months in prison, and on July 25, Judge Williams sentenced Jerry Chucks Ozor to 87 months in prison for their roles in the scheme. Two other co-defendants, who were extradited to the United States from Spain, have also pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in October and November.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We thank our colleagues at the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service for assisting with the successful investigation and extradition of these defendants and the United Kingdom’s National Trading Standards Scams Team for its help in identifying this and other transnational fraud schemes.” 

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has a long tradition of protecting American citizens from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division. “This result is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the USPIS, to protect our citizens from these scams.”

“International criminal organizations using schemes that target and steal from the elderly will be held responsible for their despicable actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown of HSI Arizona. “This case demonstrates HSI’s commitment, with our partner law enforcement agencies domestically and abroad, to prove wrong those who believe they are beyond the reach of the law. I thank all the law enforcement agencies that dedicated countless hours in making this investigation a significant success.”

The Consumer Protection Branch, USPIS, and HSI are investigating the case.

Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol, and authorities from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal all provided critical assistance. 

Insurgency: 23,000 Nigerians Missing’ – Minister Declares

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has disclosed that 23,000 people have been reported missing in less than a decade due to the effect of insurgency in some parts of the country.

Edu stated this in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement with the theme: “Where are you now”, to mark the International Day of the Disappeared on Wednesday. 

The minister noted that the figure represented half the number of missing people in the whole of Africa.

Edu further disclosed that the report of the missing people was released by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) as a result of the insurgency in some parts of the country.

“Today, over 23,000 persons are still missing,” Edu announced.

“However, it is likely that this is just the tip of the iceberg as a more efficient mechanism is needed to improve the reporting and forensically trace cases of missing persons,” she said.

She also described the issue of missing persons as one of the most critical and long-lasting humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts that needed sober reflection.

Edu promised that the Tinubu administration was committed to curbing the issue, hence the need to facilitate and strengthen the legal frameworks that would substantially address the incidences of disappearance. 

Reps Uncover N81.2 Billion Allegedly Spent To Plant Trees

House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the utilisation of ecological funds released to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has uncovered N81.2 billion allegedly spent to plant 21m trees in 11 states.

The investigation is from 2015 till date.

Rep. Isma’ila Dabo, the Chairman of the committee in Abuja, decried the persistent of environmental challenges in spite of funds put into the programme.

He said the funds put by the Federal Government and international partners necessitated the investigation.

He said the committee would embark on, on-the-spot assessment tour to all the projects executed under this scheme to ascertain the claims.

He said the committee was not out to scandalise any individual or organisation but only to ensure that public funds were utilised for the purpose they were given. 

“We will not shy away from pointing fingers where necessary, not out of personal animosity but simply in the national interest of our nation.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 11 states where the trees are planted are: Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.

He said it enabled the agency to implement the Nigerian component of the programme as an initiative of the African Union being implemented in 11 African countries.

This according to him, is to address the problem of land degradation, desertification, drought, climate change and livelihood of affected communities.

He saud the agency planted 1 million trees in Borno, Yobe and other states, adding that N2.4 billion was released in the first phase and N7.3 billion released in the second phase.

He added that the fund accruing into the agency’s account included 15 per cent of the ecological fund for the Great Green Wall, contribution of fund from the natural resources development fund and gifts.

Others include loans and grants in aid from national bilateral, multilateral organisations and donors, international and development agencies as well as individuals.

He said that the agency often got funds from donor agencies; however, he did not provide relevant documents on the amount received so far.

Fidelity Bank To Help Schools Prepare For New School Session With Edu Loan Product

As the summer break winds down, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has emphasised its devotion to help schools prepare adequately for the next session and deliver quality education.

 

Through its bespoke product known as the Fidelity Edu Loan, administrators of registered private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria can access loans of up to N180million.

 

In a chat with journalists, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede said, “At Fidelity Bank, we recognize the pivotal role quality education plays in the development of any nation and this informed our introduction of the Fidelity Edu Loan. Through the offering, privately-run educational institutions can access loans at a friendly rate for working capital needs like minor renovation on their school property, financing the purchase of school supplies like books, teaching materials, furniture or uniforms; and making salary payments.

 

“Similarly, schools can leverage the Fidelity Edu Loan to purchase fixed assets like school buses, generators and construct new school buildings.

To be eligible for the product, the requesting customer must have operated their educational institution for at least three years and should be duly registered with the relevant authorities.

 

“The Fidelity Edu Loan is part of our larger education finance proposition at Fidelity Bank as we aim to empower everyone within the education ecosystem, including the schools, parents and contractors, with amazing financial and non-financial products and services.

 

For instance, we have the Fidelity Personal loan which provides instant loans of up to N5million to employees of private and public organisations by simply dialing *770*08# from their mobile phones. This can become handy for paying school fees or meeting other personal needs”, explained Ede.

 

Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 8million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels. The bank was recently recognized as the Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking & Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Finally, Tinubu Appoints Board For NDDC

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) inclusive of the following Board and Management team members.

This is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The President said the appointment of the new board and management took immediate effect.

The following are the Chairman and members of the board:

Mr Chiedu Ebie – Chairman – Delta; Dr Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director / CEO – Bayelsa, and Mr Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin) – Rivers.

Others are Mr Victor Antai – Executive Director (Projects) – Akwa-Ibom; Mr Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director (Corporate Services) – Ondo and Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa

Also Mr Abasi Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom; Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta and Chief Tony Okocha – State Representative – Rivers.

Hon Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative – Edo; Mr Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative – Imo and Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative – Ondo. 

Chief Dimgba Eruba – State Representative – Abia; and Mr Asu Oku Okang – State Representative – Cross River.

The three zonal members of the board are Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative – North Central; Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative – North East; and Sen. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative – North West. 

“The President expects  that the new board and management team will ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.”  

Sanwo-Olu Appoints Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade As Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade as the Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA).

Agbaje-Okunade’s appointment, which takes immediate effect from today, was conveyed to her via a letter of appointment signed on behalf of the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola.

The Governor, in the letter, charged Agbaje-Okunade to demonstrate a high level of dedication, diligence and selflessness in the discharge of her duties to justify the confidence and trust reposed in her.

Agbaje-Okunade earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from University of Westminster, a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics, and professional certificate in Government from Harvard Extension School. She has other professional certifications in Scholarly Research from Transcontinental University, Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies from the University of Cambridge, and Policy and Strategic Studies from NIPPS, among other prestigious institutions.

Agbaje-Okunade was the immediate past Senior Special Assistant for Development Partnerships and Economic Planning to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Obaseki Sacks Deputy Governor’s Media Aides

Edo State Government yesterday disbanded the media crew attached to the office of the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

It was gathered that Governor Godwin Obaseki directed Shaibu to henceforth request for media coverage of his activities from the Ministry of Communication and Orientation. 

Obaseki stated this in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Chris Osa Nehikhare on Monday.

“This directive followed the unfortunate incident that happened during the colloquium held to mark the 60th anniversary of Midwest Referendum, where some journalists, who claimed to be the media crew of the Deputy Governor, attempted to force their way into the hall where the Governor and other dignitaries were already seated."

This act was against the accreditation protocol that had been established for the event coverage.

“The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,” he said.

Rejected Nominees: We Can’t Be Intimidated, Lagos Assembly Declares

Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday revealed that there are plans by some people to attack Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and other lawmakers over the recent screening and rejection of some cabinet nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The House, however, said its action concerning the nominees was in tandem with the constitution, which stipulates its responsibilities and, as such, would not succumb to threats and intimidations, including planned sponsored protests and analysis by some civil society groups and activists.

It also said it had refrained itself from revealing all that it discovered during the screening of the nominees while warning that “those who live in glass houses should be conscious not to throw stones.”

“Before today, I had been reliably informed of the plan to attack the Speaker based on the decision of the House concerning the nominees of the Governor, particularly the rejected ones,” Dr. Obasa said during plenary adding that he had been inundated with calls from people and members of the House.

The Speaker stressed that the House does not have any fight with Sanwo-Olu or the executive arm as projected by some people, who may not be aware of the actual reasons for the rejection of the nominees.

“There is this erroneous belief that we are waging war against the Governor. There is no basis for me and the House to fight the Governor. I will continue to say that the Governor is a brother and colleague in the Lagos project and service to the people of our State. 

“The Governor and I have been around in the system for long. While he was SA to the former Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, I was in this House as chairman, Committee on Rural Development. He was SA on Establishment and Pensions and I was chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments). While he was heading LSDPC, I was chairman, Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Then, I became the Speaker and when he became the Governor, I remained the Speaker. So it’s been a long journey together.

“But I wonder why anytime the House says no to a particular request of the Governor, it is taken by some people to mean there is a fight with the Governor. This House has passed so many resolutions that the executive arm refused to carry out, but people don’t see that as something to talk about and the House does not raise eyebrows. So I don’t know what brings the erroneous belief that the House is fighting the Governor, who is our brother and who we will continue to work with.

“However, we have a constitutional responsibility. Just as the Governor has the responsibility to inform the House about his nominees, the House has the responsibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ which we have exercised by confirming some and denying some and we have our reasons for saying ‘no’ to some of the nominees.  

“The House, as a body, has refrained itself from exposing what it discovered during the screening exercise and we are not going to be forced to spill to the public,” Dr. Obasa said.

Concerning the rejection of Prof. Akin Ababyomi, former health commissioner, Obasa said considerations went beyond his efforts in the fight against COVID-19 which he described as an isolated issue in the challenged health sector of the State.

“Before Prof. Abayomi, there were Leke Pitan, Dr. Jide Idris and others. COVID-19 was an isolated case that was considered. Before COVID-19, we had Ebola which was also taken care of under Babatunde Fashola.

“Beyond all these, we are the representatives of the people, their mouthpieces, eyes and ears. The health sector of Lagos is not just about COVID-19. We have general hospitals and other health care centres around the State. What can be said about them?

“Before Engineer Aramide Adeyoye, we also had Engineer Ganiyu Johnson and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Commissioner for Works and under whom the Ikoyi-Victoria Island link bridge was built while Babatunde Fashola was Governor. Under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor, there was masaive infrastructural development too.

“So we must stop making allusions concerning somethings we do not understand. They mentioned the former c
Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho and his experience. But how about actions in office?” Obasa asked. 

The Speaker added that as a politician whose party is in power, the priority of those in government should be the interest of the people.

He urged those planning to sponsor actions against the House to realise that protests and sponsored articles would not make the House rescind its decision.

“The civil society that is threatening to protest should do so because it is a constitutional right. But we are not going to be threatened or intimidated. We have said no, but if there is a convincing or germane reason for us to reverse our decision, we will, but not by threats.

“It is because we are successful as politicians that is why the technocrats are being appointed. And to our own estimation, if they have not done well, we have right to say no and we have said no.

“We don’t want instigations and conflicts, the executive and the House are working together; we are brothers and colleagues; we will continue to work together but we need to caution fourth columnists not to instigate crisis. And those that are living in glass houses need to be careful,” he warned. 

First Lady Discovers Talented Lagos Boys

-Organises 2nd Edition Of Parenting Seminar 

Lagos First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu under her pet project, Lagos Boy Child Initiative has organised the first ever kind of talent hunt competition for the boys with the aim of identifying their hidden talents, nurturing and showcasing them to the world. 

The All male competition which greatly aligns with the several pillars of THEMES Plus Agenda of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration took place on Friday and had participants within the age range of 9 to 16 years carefully selected from Badagry Division of Lagos State.

The keenly contested competition was done in two categories: Creative and Visual Arts and Science and Technology under which we have Robotics and Mechatronics. The panel of judges was selected from professionals, who assessed the boys without showing fear or favour. The areas of focus were chosen because boys are believed to be naturally energetic and these areas are appropriate means of expressing themselves.

The winners of the talent hunt competition will be announced at the forthcoming 2nd Edition of the Parenting Boy Child Initiative. 

The Parenting Seminar of the Boy Child Initiative with the theme: “Parenting and Leadership: Bedrock in raising Responsible Boys” will be held on Tuesday, 29 August, 2023. The seminar will focus on sensitizing parents on impacting values and positive influences in boys.

NWONAH OLUBUKONLA 

DD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 

OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY, LAGOS STATE

27/08/23

DSS Blocks Deputy Gov Shaibu From Greeting Obaseki In Church

Simmering crisis between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, took a new twist on Sunday as the Department of State Services, DSS, denied him access to the governor.

The incident happened at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, on Sunday, at a church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Edo State.

Shaibu, who was one of the guests, stood up to greet Obaseki, but a DSS operative blocked him just a few metres away.

Obaseki, who was seated beside his wife, Betsy, and Charles Aniagwu, a Delta State Commissioner, looked away as Shaibu fruitlessly explained to the plain-cloth security operative, who stood his ground before he (Shaibu) later returned to his seat.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Andrew Okungbowa, said the DSS operative was only doing his job.

“Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, neither was he aware what the security aides were doing. In fact, the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him. The church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal,” he said.

The deputy governor spoke with journalists at the venue after the embarrassing incident, pledging absolute loyalty to the governor.

He also described Obaseki as his elder brother.

Fidelity Bank Records Highest Earnings Per Share On The NGX For H1 2023

For the second year running, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has emerged the company with the highest earnings per share on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) based on half year financial figures.

According to a report by BusinessDay, Fidelity Bank, Seplat Energy, Total Energies, Okomu oil, Presco, Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria, BUA Foods, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Geregu Power emerged as the companies with the highest earnings per share within the review period.

Earnings per share (EPS) is a company’s net profit divided by the number of common shares it has outstanding.

It also indicates how much money a company makes for each share of its stock and is a widely used metric for estimating corporate value.

A higher EPS indicates greater value because investors will pay more for a company’s shares if they think the company has higher profits relative to its share price.

Fidelity Bank recorded an earnings per share of N184 in the first half of 2023 from N79 in the first half of 2022.

The shares outstanding stand at 32.01 million, with a price which stood at N7 and a traded volume of 32.15 million as of 12:59 p.m. on Friday.

The bank’s profit for the period stood at N53.3 billion in the first half of 2023 from N22.84 billion in the similar period of 2022.

Fidelity Bank’s cash and cash equivalents rose to N501.54 billion in the first half of 2023 from N276.07 in the first half of 2022.u

It would be recalled that the bank’s shareholders recently approved a capital raising exercise via a Public Offer for up to 10 billion Ordinary Shares and Rights Issue of up to 3.2 billion Ordinary Shares representing one new share for every 10 shares held to new and existing shareholders respectively.

Lawmaker Urges Tinubu To Release Nnamdi Kanu As Gift To Ndigbo

Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu as a gift to the people of South Eastern Nigeria.

Ogah, member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia in the House of Representatives, made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the insecurity in the South East region is due to the prolonged detention of the proscribed IPOB leader; the president should release him as a show of love to N’digbo.

Ogah said Kanu’s release would expose criminal gangs using the detention to cover their act of terrorism in the South East.

He noted that the president had done so much, but added that the only point of disagreement was the issue of giving only five ministers to the entire South East.

He appealed to the president to balance it, to show he really loved N’digbo as well as release Kanu, so that insecurity in the South East would reduce.

“The issue now is that we don’t even know those who are behind the insecurity in the South East.

“IPOB will tell you they are not the one, Eastern Security Network will tell you they are not involved.

“But some will say the reason is because they are holding Nnamdi Kanu. So my prayer to Mr. President is that he should give him (Kanu) to us as a gift,” he said. 

Nigeria Must Unite For Nation-Building To Deliver Better Future To Youths- Tony Elumelu

Chairman, United Bank of Nigeria, UBA Plc, Tony Elumelu, yesterday, said Nigerians must collaborate for nation-building to deliver a better future for youths.

Elumelu, who delivered a stirring address at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Annual General Conference said transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands. collective dedication

Drawing attention to the critical components of nation building, Elumelu outlined his vision for a renewed Nigeria. He stressed the significance of investing in the country’s youth, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, and building regulatory structures that reward success.

He also underscored the importance of instilling pride in the nation’s citizens and the necessity of embracing the African concept of “Africapitalism,” which promotes equitable prosperity and shared values.

“We champion the successes of Nigerians globally – in international leadership positions at the WTO, at the UN, at the African Development Bank, at the Afreximbank, in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts and in media, in film, in sports. Indeed, in virtually every human endeavour, Nigerians excel. 

“We live in a world, where the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade grew up in Lagos and the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, was born in Ibadan.

“In business, the Nigerian private sector is showing globally our capability, our ingenuity, our institutionalisation."

Speaking on the reality of Nigeria at home, he said the country is experiencing the disillusionment of youth, manifest in the tragic loss of talent, as many young Nigerians take risk to seek opportunities abroad.

“Opportunities that our fertile, bountiful country should supply."

“We see the plundering of our commonwealth through oil theft and pipeline destruction in broad daylight! We experience every day the impact of climate change,
We see our loved ones kidnapped and killed.

“Insecurity breeds disorder, feeds intolerance and destroys opportunity. Our country has experienced division – unnecessary division and the squandering of heritage."

Speaking further on the necessary steps to move the country forward, the serial entrepreneur pointed said, “transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences.

“Our private sector, our philanthropies, our civil society, all citizens must be brought together and be empowered – as real, valued and executing partners for this national renewal, this nation building. 

“Let us be inspired by the lessons of history, motivated by the sacrifices of our forefathers, guided by the wisdom of our elders, and energized by the aspirations of our youth,” he said. 

Police Raid Abuja Hotel, Arrest Manager For Alleged Abuse, Endangerment Of Minors

Gender Unit of the Nigerian Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday, raided Ignobis Hotels, Gado Nasco Road in Kubwa, Abuja, for alleged abuse, endangerment of minors.

The raid was led by Inspector Ossai Ojobo, an Investigation Police Officer, along with officials of the Social Development Secretarial (SDS), FCT Administration and representatives of a non-governmental organisation.

After the raid, the Hotel Manager, Mr Akbueze Chidi and a restaurant operator in the hotel, Ms Priscilla Abuyah, were arrested and taken to the Force CID for questioning and further investigation.

The raid followed a petition by Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN), an NGO, to the Social Welfare Department of the SDS, alleging that the hotel was harbouring minors and exposing them to sexual exploitation.

Mrs Joy Omokivie, the SDS Officer in charge of the case, told NAN, that the SDS channelled the petition to the Gender Unit of the Force CID to investigate the matter.

Omokivie added that the hotel was classified as a brothel by residents, where young girls, including underaged girls were being brought in for sex.

She said that in the petition, HRAN had alleged that a 12-year-old minor and her younger brother, 4, were staying at the hotel with a woman, purported to be their mother.

She added that after some investigations, the 12-year-old girl was rescued and currently in the custody of the Social Welfare Department, “while the young boy is still with the mother."

According to her, the raid was part of an ongoing investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations and if found to be true, rescue the minors and prosecute the culprits.

HRAN had in the petition accused the woman, Mrs Immanuela Austyn-Araki, a Bolt driver of abandoning the children in the hotel in the morning, leaving them to fend for themselves.

The NGO claimed that the children eat mostly snacks and noodles until she returns late at night or the following morning.

HRAN added that its investigation revealed that the woman lodged in the hotel with the children for more than two years, exposing them to all kinds of sexual conducts by other adults lodging in the hotel.

The group said that the girl was allowed access to the internet and accessing sites not suitable for underaged children, adding that the girl had an account on Tik-Tok where she uploads adult related contents.

According to the group, men, including the hotel owner, pay regular visits to the room occupied by the minors and their mother, whenever the mother is not around.

HRAN also expressed suspicion that the woman may be involved in child trafficking, alleging that there were under aged girls in the hotel premises working as commercial sex workers.

The NGO, thereafter, asked the police to investigate the matter with a view to save the endangered child and bring the culprits to book.

However, after reading the petition at the Force CID, the manager of the hotel and the restaurant operator declined making any response except in the presence of their lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel, Mr Eze Obasi, refuted the allegation, saying “I am a good Christian and a traditional title holder in my community.

“As such, I cannot be a party to sexual exploitation, abuse, or endangerment of underage girls in my hotel.

“All I know is that the woman in question was being maltreated by her husband and she came to the hotel with her children to seek refuge from her abusive husband.

“This complaint has been brought before me by four different groups and it has been settled.

“I do not understand why police officers will still come to the hotel to embarrass my clients in the name of police search for minors,” he said.

The raid that ended around 8:30 p.m., the young minor and the mother were not found at the hotel. 

We Will Avenge Killing Of Our Men In Niger, Others - Defence Chief Vows

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed that the military would hunt down and bring to justice, all terrorists, bandits and enemies of the state.

Musa said this on Friday in Abuja, at the burial of military personnel who died recently in combat and air crash in Niger.

He said that the military would not be watching and allowed the enemies of state continued to destroy lives and properties.

The CDS assured the terrorists that the military would go after them and avenge the death of its personnel that were killed while defending the nation.

The defence chief said the day that military buried personnel was one of the most difficult days in every commander’s mind, adding that he felt highly pained to bury his officers and soldiers.

“But I want to assure the families that their death is not in vain. We appreciate them, we pray for them and we will ensure that those that did this must pay for it.

“I use this opportunity to call all commanders, all troops all over Nigeria, that we must avenge this.

“Those that did this and those that have continued to kill our men wherever they are, we will get them out,” he said.

He vowed that the military would smoke them out and ensure that they never had opportunity to kill any other person.

“Today we gather here with heavy hearts and tearful eyes to bid farewell to our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

“We stand there today to honor their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty.

“Their lives were abruptly taken from us in the line of duty while responding to a distress call in the Chukuba community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger,” he said.

Musa said the event was to also celebrate their lives and extra extraordinary contributions they had made, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be remembered.

He assured the deceased families that the military would stand with them in their grief and would continue to support them during this difficult time.

“These men and women laid down their lives so that we can live in peace and security. They fought on the front lines against the forces of evil and ensuring that the flavor of hood and liberty continue to bend right in our nation.

“Their courage and dedication will forever be an inspiration to all to follow their footsteps.

“To the families who have lost loved ones notwithstanding our deepest condolences, we cannot begin to fathom the pain and sorrow that you are experiencing but know that deep in your heart, you are not alone in your grief.

“To our following heroes, we will honor your memories by continuing to fight against those who seek to undermine our peace and security.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to be the nation worthy of sacrifice.

“To the bandits, terrorists, and perpetrators of violence, we will haunt you down, we will bring you to justice and will restore peace and security to every corner of our nation,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 20 bodies of the deceased personnel were buried amidst tears at the National Military Cemetery in line with military tradition.

NAN recalls that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in an ambush in Zungeru general area of the state while seven were wounded in action.

The NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on Aug. 13.

The crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded ones, two pilots and two crew members.