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NSCDC uncovers illegal local refining site in Rivers

The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has uncovered an illegal local refining site at a very thick forest in Nembe/Akwa area of Etche Local Government, Rivers State.

This was contained in a statement by CSC Babawale Afolabi National Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters, Abuja

According to the statement, based on credible intelligence, the CG’s SIS swung into action, and while conducting an intensive operational tour for over 7 hours, the team uncovered the process of carrying out the heinous crime where oil well-heads were vandalized and both rubber and galvanized metal pipes were inserted to divert crude oil to locally constructed refinery with cooking oven, storage tanks and reservoirs.

“The CG’s SIS Commander, DC Appolos Dandaura, decried the unrepentant and destructive nature of those perpetrating this untoward acts despite the efforts of the Security Agencies to curtail the tide.” It said

He affirmed that the squad, upon its commissioning till date, has made tremendous achievements in the fight against Crude oil theft across the nation, just as he appreciated the public’s confidence in the NSCDC through credible intelligence

It said the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products will not cease as those arrested and their sponsors would be brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“It is very pathetic that in spite of the continuous destruction of numerous illegal bunkering sites, arrests and prosecution of suspects after thorough investigation many are still engaging in the illegal oil bunkering business unrepentantly; but let me assure the public that the credible information received are well appreciated because Intelligence is the bedrock of Security; we cannot do it alone except the communities partners with us by giving actionable intelligence that would help us carry out the task successfully and we will not relent in war against oil theft”. It said

“During the operational tour we recovered the following exhibits: One (1) Red RWD 5200 Maxmech Gasoline Generator, 1 yellow Robin made pumping machine, many hoses and galvanized metal pipes, about 5,000 pieces of sack used for bagging AGO and already extracted DPK, over 10,000 packs of cellophane bags used for bagging the contents, 7 pieces of head flash lights, 2 packs of tiger super head batteriesand 1 Plier,” it further said.

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Court denies Yayaha Bello bail

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for an alleged N110 billion fraud.

In her ruling, the judge held that Bello’s bail application was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.

In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.

She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”

The 16-count charge preferred against Bello has to do with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

He is alleged have used state funds to illegally acquire properties, at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja , No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among many others.

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Man arraigned for unlawful possession of human skull

A 52-year-old man, Akeem Rasheed, has appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of a human skull.

The defendant who resides at Jegede area, Ibadan, was charged with two counts of improper interference with dead body and unlawful possession of human skull.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the police.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. David Adepoju, told the court that on Oct. 11, at 1.00 a.m., at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Rasheed improperly interfered with a dead human body.

He said that the defendant allegedly exhumed a corpse from its grave, removed the skull and burnt it.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant burnt the human skull into ashes for spiritual purposes.

He said the offences contravened Section 242 (1) (b) and 352(A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

She , thereafter, adjourned the case until May 5, 2025 for hearing.

NAN

News

EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abia State

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, have arrested twenty-two suspected (22) internet fraudsters.

They were arrested on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Umuagu and Olokoro in Abia state in a sting operation.

Items recovered from them include six exotic cars, eight laptops and 36 mobile phones.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.