News

Alleged extortion: Customs officer arrested

The Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Mr Dalha Wada-Chedi, has handed over the officer alleged to have extorted N500,000,00k from a car buyer, Muhammad Ahmad, to the Customs Police Unit.

The suspected officer, who was alleged to have committed the offence along Mokwa-Jebba Road in Niger, was on Monday handed over to the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) of the unit in Kaduna

The comptroller, while addressing newsmen in the premises of the unit confirmed that the suspected officer involved in this unwholesome act was an operative of the unit deployed to Mokwa Patrol Team.

Wada-Chedi said that the unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday as reported by the complainant.

The comptroller said, “Upon hearing the alleged unfortunate incident, I directed the Police Unit in the Zone that is responsible for enforcing discipline in the Service to apprehend the Officer and move him to the Unit’s Headquarters here in Kaduna for further interrogation.

“Also, the complainant was invited to assist in the investigation as well.

“The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team frown at such an unruly behaviour, as such the disciplinary committee will be diligent and firm.

“In fact, the service is very pragmatic and practical in disciplinary cases and this one will not be an exception.”

According to Wada-Chedi, the suspected officer was handed over to the APM Customs Police Unit for further investigation.

He added, “The Officer is hereby handed over for discreet investigation and the findings of the investigation will be transmitted to NCS-HQ for further action by the Nigeria Customs Service Board.

“It is the only body that handles the Appointment, Promotions and Discipline of all Senior Officers of the Service.
“This unprofessional and ungodly act will see be condoned.

” A thorough investigation has just commenced by this handing over to unravel the facts surrounding the allegation and the outcome shall be made public to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We are deeply concerned and we assure the general public that the matter will be treated with the deserved vigour, decisiveness and transparency”.

Wada-Chedi assured the public that the unit would give routine updates as the investigation progresses.

The comptroller promised that the investigation would be concluded as soon as possible, adding, “justice and fair hearing will be ensured.”

While appreciating the understanding and usual support of the public, he said, “I am humbly urging the public not to relent in rendering such invaluable support to us.”

News

Bauchi SSG resigns, Gov Mohammed announces replacement

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Bauchi State, Mr Ibrahim Kashim has resigned with immediate effect.

The State Governor, Bala Mohammed has accepted the resignation and announced Mr Aminu Gamawa as his replacement.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity in Bauchi on Friday.

Until replacing Kashim as SSG, it was gathered that Gamawa was the Chief of Staff, Government House. He was directed by the Governor to take over as SSG with immediate effect in an acting capacity.

“Governor Bala Mohammed has accepted the resignation of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ibrahim Kashim with immediate effect .

“The Chief of Staff, Government House, Bauchi, Mr Aminu Gamawa, has been directed to take over from him in an acting capacity.

“Governor Mohammed, on behalf of the government and the people of Bauchi State, thanked him for the services he rendered to the State and wished him well in his future endeavors,” the statement reads

News

U.S. returnee arrested at Lagos airport for duping 139 Australians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected online fraudster known as Osang Otukpa for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars.

Otukpa was arrested by EFCC operatives in a stakeout at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States of America on December 6.

“Otukpa goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson.

“He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG).

“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform,” a statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Friday in Abuja reads.

Oyewale said that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

News

Ex-kogi Deputy Speaker is dead

The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Enema Paul, is dead.

He died of an undisclosed illness in Abuja at a private hospital in the early hours of Saturday.

Before his death, Hon Paul was the member representing Okura State Constituency in the current 8th Assembly in Kogi State.

Hon Paul stepped down as Kogi State Deputy Speaker on health grounds, and he was later replaced by the member representing Ibaji State Constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has commiserated with the family of the former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Enema Paul, whose demise was announced early Saturday.

This is contained in a press statement signed and made available to journalists in Lokoja by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed.

He described the deceased Assembly member as a friend, temperate, humble, team-playing, committed lawmaker, and public servant.

According to Rt Hon Umar, the former Deputy Speaker was a man who exemplified commitment to the unity of the state, having demonstrated a genuine desire to enhance pro-people legislation for overall development.

He noted that the late Enema Paul was also a devoted Christian who saw beyond religion and whose godliness and commitment to family values were unquestionable.

The Speaker prayed to God to grant the immediate family and members of the current and immediate past Assembly the fortitude to bear the huge loss.