Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Friday, April 21, 2023.
PDP Members File N600m Lawsuit Against Omo-Agege, Army Over Illegal Detention
Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Delta State have filed a lawsuit against Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the Nigerian Army over alleged illegal detention.
The petition before the High Court Effurun in no EHC/ FHC / 17/ 2023 was filed by Mr Ochuko Polo Ogolor, Mr Godspower Onoyake, Mr Coffe Uko, Mr Oghor Ayevoh, Mr Alex Omofone, and Mr Friday Awhavbera.
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The plaintiffs are challenging the defenders; Omo Agege, the 63 brigade commander, Brig. Gen S. Aliu, Major I.H Liman Captain A.M Ayake, and the Nigeria Army for the wrongful arrest and detention.
Also, the petitioners demanded the sum of six hundred million Naira (N600 million) exemplary damages from them.
Omo-Agege had sent a petition to the Nigerian Army against Ochuko Polo Ogolor, the PDP Ugborikoko ward chairman, and four other supporters of the Uvwie Local Government Council Area which prompted their arrest and detention.
A source told Newsmen:
“The intention of the petitioners was to mislead the army with false narrative/ information to get the PDP supporters arrested and locked up throughout the general elections period. The army personnel of 63 battalion led by one Captain A S Ayak, allegedly in cahoot with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege under a tenuous petition, made some several unsuccessful attempts to arrest the targeted PDP members before the presidential election which they however succeeded in executing on the day of the presidential election when all party stakeholders were compelled to come out to work for the success of their party.
“So whilst carrying out their Civic duties on the 25th of February 2023, one Joan Joko Onomuaborigho, an aide to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege led soldiers to several polling units, pointed and identified some PDP leaders to Captain Ayake who ordered his boys to arrest them and eventually taken to Army Barracks Effurun.
“While being held in custody at Effurun barracks, several entreaties and legal representations to get the detainees released or charged to court were rebuffed by Captain Ayake and his brigade commander notwithstanding the dingy and most dehumanising treatment they were subjected from 25th February to 22 of March 2023 at the insistence of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in the delusional belief that incarcerating PDP strong supporters in targeted communities and local governments will pave way for him to manipulate himself to victory in the governorship election.
“The wrongly detained PDP members eventually released after three weeks of horrendous experience saw themselves admitted for various ailments in different hospitals in Effurun and Warri.
“So whilst carrying out their Civic duties on the 25th of February 2023, one Joan Joko Onomuaborigho, an aide to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege led soldiers to several polling units, pointed and identified some PDP leaders to Captain Ayake who ordered his boys to arrest them and eventually taken to Army Barracks Effurun.”
It was said that Omo-Agege and Major Liman did not respond to texts and phone calls, however, Captain Ayake who led the operation of that day said:
READ ALSO: Omo-Agege Rejects Delta Governorship Election Results
“I don’t want to care how you got my number. The human right. What did President Buhari say? President Buhari said that anybody that is scattering polling unit, that we should fire them. You no thank God say we no fire them. You are just talking to me. I don’t want to know you. Send the case to my office. I have evidence.
“Evidence de my hand. I videoed everything that day. So don’t even call my line. The federal government can even blame me. Is it because I arrested them? Fire anything to my office. I was deployed officially. I did not deploy illegally.
“If they are filing a case, let them file it. Don’t you know what happened in Lokoja when they tried that kind of a thing when the soldier fired them. Is it because I arrested them? Even though you as a human being if you are at the polling unit that day and people are beating you and pursuing you away, will you be happy? You went there to go and votes, then some boys, start disturbing the polling unit, will you be happy?
“Do you think, I will just see any human being and arrest them if they don’t do anything? Let us be sincere because somebody wants to give you money. Are they the only one in the polling unit? Let them write to the headquarter, they will summon me and I will respond.”
How Bandits Killed 1,266, Kidnapped 4,973 in 15 Months in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan has disclosed the total number of deaths and kidnap victims by bandits in 15 months.
Aruwan said at least 1,266 deaths and 4,973 persons were kidnapped across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The Commissioner disclosed this when he presented the first quarterly report of 2023 and the entire 2022 security situation for Kaduna State at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House council’s chamber on Wednesday.
According to him, casualties were victims of banditry, terrorism, violent attacks, reprisals, and communal clashes.
The number of dead victims in 2022 alone was a total of 1,052 persons, while 4,227 persons were kidnapped across the three senatorial zones.
He said:
“Between January to December 2022, 641 deaths were recorded in Kaduna central senatorial zone, while 349 deaths were recorded in Southern Kaduna senatorial zone and 62 deaths in the Northern senatorial zone bringing the total to,1052 deaths as a result of banditry and other attacks.”
For the first quarter of 2023, the commissioner said:
“214 persons were killed between January and March 2023, in attacks by bandits/terrorists, communal clashes, violent attacks, and reprisals.
“In Kaduna Central Senatorial District, 115 deaths were recorded, while, 61 deaths were recorded in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District and 38 deaths in the Northern Senatorial District.
“A total of 746 people were kidnapped in the first quarter, with Kaduna Central Senatorial District accounting for 492 deaths, Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 221 kidnapped persons, and the Northern Senatorial District recorded 33 kidnapped persons.”
READ ALSO: Bandits Kidnap 10 Secondary School Students In Kaduna
Aruwan listed other cases including rape and cattle rustling.
He said:
“Twelve (12) persons were reported to have been raped by bandits across the State from January to March 2023.
“Ten (10) of these were minors. There are certainly many more unreported cases of rape by armed bandits and only reported cases are highlighted.
” A total of 3,247 animals were rustled in the state in the first quarter, with 2,353 stolen from the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, accounting for around 73% of the total.
“Southern Kaduna Senatorial District had 864 animals rustled, with almost all of these(862) from Kachia LGA.”
All patterns of attacks were reprisals, and deadly communal and inter-ethnic clashes, the Commissioner said.
INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Fintiri
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the certificates to the newly re-elected governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and his Deputy Governor-elect, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta.
Both received their certificates of return around 5 pm on Wednesday at its national headquarters in Abuja.
Recall that Fintiri was declared winner of the state’s supplementary election on Tuesday held on Saturday in Adamawa State.
According to the results, Fintiri, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 9,337 votes beating Senator Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 6,513 votes.
At the end of result collation, Fintiri polled 430,861 votes, while Binani got 398,738 votes.
He was hence declared winner by INEC voiding the previous announcement by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari on Sunday.
It was gathered that Ari’s declaration of Binani as the winner was contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The supplementary election was scheduled for April 15 following last month’s governorship election which was declared inconclusive by INEC.
I’m Unaware of Achraf Hakimi’s Assets – Mother
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player, Achraf Hakimi’s mother, Saida Mouh has cleared the air concerning news of her son transferring his assets to her.
Daily Report Nigeria had reported that Habi Abouk ( Hakimi’s ex-wife) was requesting half of Hakimi’s property and wealth as part of a divorce settlement.
However, Hiba discovered that Hakimi had nothing to his name as he had put all his fortune in his mother’s name.
Meanwhile, the footballer’s mother has said she did not know he registered his assets using her as the recipient.
She further said even if the news of him transferring 80 percent of his wealth to her was true, what he did was correct.
Sadia Mouh affirmed that the 24-year-old footballer was only able to get rid of his 36-year-old wife by what he did.
She said:
“If he has taken any action to protect himself, I’m unaware of it. What’s the problem if the news is true? If my son does not do this, he will not be able to get rid of that woman (Hiba Abouk).”
Eedris Douglas: Bayelsa Govt Imposes Curfew on Tricycles
Bayelsa govt imposes curfew over murder of Eedris Douglas
The Bayelsa State Government has imposed a 13-hour curfew on tricycles movement in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The decision followed the murder of an Epie indigene by a tricycle rider on Wednesday evening.
The rider, a Huasa by tribe had stabbed the victim to death following during an argument over a fifty naira (N50.00) change.
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that the deceased identified as Edris Douglas, was rushed to two different hospitals before he eventually died.
The tricycle rider was also attacked and killed by angry youths around the Kpansia area in Yenagoa Local Government Area, where the incident occured.
The development has now led the Douye Diri-led government to impose a 7pm – 6 am curfew on tricycle, also known as keke.
Governor Diri also ordered for the arrest and prosecution of tricycle riders found with arms.
IPOB: Ohanaeze Fumes at Prolonged Nnamdi Kanu Detention
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has fumed at the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Ohanaeze claimed Kanu was still in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) because of the Federal Government’s alleged disobedience to a court ruling which had declared the release and freedom of the IPOB leader.
The Igbo group also called on the Federal Government to attend to the health challenge facing Nnamdi Kanu by allowing him go for proper medical care.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu Nosebleeding Profusely in DSS Custody – Lawyer
The statement read in part:
“Rising from a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze, 7 Park Avenue Enugu, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide led by Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu made the following observations:
“In strong terms, we frown at the level of injustices meted out on our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, especially as it borders on his health and the Federal Government’s continuous refusal to obey court orders.
“Security of lives and property are the fundamental responsibilities of every government and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s life is now at stake, if not given urgent access to effective medical attention, even as the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Soludo has accepted to stand surety for him.
“His health is paramount to the unity and stability of our dear country Nigeria, and to the millions of Igbo youths within and outside Nigeria.
“In patriotism, enhancing to rule of law, and for peace and stability to be sustained in Nigeria, we admonish the appropriate quarters of the Federal Government, to responsibly grant Mazi Nnamdi Kanu access to necessary medical attention, to ascertain his health status and subsequently release him unconditionally.”
Sterling Bank, one of the Nigerian commercial banks has been split into two different entities.
The bank is looking forward to operating as Sterling Holdings Company approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Sterling Bank announced it had completed an essential step in its ongoing efforts to shift from a financial institution to a holding company.
REAR ALSO: CBN Fines GTBank N128.6m Over Failure in Money Laundering Test, others
According to the bank, the move followed the delisting, transfer, and re-listing of all shares to the Sterling Financial Holding Company on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange.
The bank would convert to a non-operating financial holding industry to enable it to diversify its investment portfolio, expanding its presence in the financial markets.
After the necessary transition, the Sterling Holdings Company would begin operations with two banking subsidiaries– a conventional commercial bank, and an Alternative Bank Limited, set to operate as a non-interest bank.
21-Year-Old UNIZIK Graduate Scams German Lover $220,000
Atuonah Chioma, a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has been arrested by the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding a 50-year-old German national of $220,000.
The 21-year-old self-acclaimed model had promised to marry her German lover on Instagram, but instead, had fake romantic intentions toward him.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that the sum of $220,000 was transferred to her account by the victim.
She admitted to using some of the money to acquire a 2 bedroom Terrace apartment at Ikota, Lekki Lagos, and sending some to her mother.
SP Eyitayo Johnson, the Police Special Fraud unit spokesperson confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
READ ALSO: 14-Year-Old Boy Rapes 22-Month-Old Infant in Oyo
Eyitayo stated that the “the suspect, a 2019 graduate of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka; who claimed to be a Model and Proprietress of a Massage Spa known as The-Chi-Place, lured the 50-year-old victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby gaining the victims’ trust and goodwill.
“Miss Atuonah Chioma promised to marry the victim, invited him to Nigeria for visits on several occasions and convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria to live together as husband and wife.
“In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the victim was made to meet with Atuonah Chiomas’ parents at Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State where he received their blessings to marry their daughter.
“The victim was persuaded by the suspect (Miss Atuonah Cynthia) to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart, and forward the proceeds of the sale, together with his pension and life savings to her domiciliary account in Bank; to purchase a house in Nigeria where they will both live as husband and wife as well as to establish a joint business outfit as indicated in the bank transfer narration.
“During the interview session, the suspect admitted in her statement that the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars (USD 220,000) was transferred to her account by bye victim.
“Part of the proceeds was used to buy a 2-Bedroom Terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II, while some of the funds were sent to support her mother’s business and to pay the medical bills of her father.”
Hudu Yunusa-Ari: Buhari Approves Suspension, Prosecution of Adamawa REC
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), of Adamawa State from office.
Hudu’s suspension is coming on the heels of his controversial behaviour at the recently concluded governorship election in the state.
The suspension is pending the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct and actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.
Hudu Yunusa: Adamawa REC Beaten, Stripped For Declaring Binani Winner
This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Thursday.
The statement also ordered for the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the Inspector General of Police.
President Buhari also demanded an investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, on the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them.
Daily Report Nigeria recalls that Ari controversially declared Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the poll while collation of results was still going on.
The Independent National Electoral Commission quickly declared his pronouncement as null and void, adding that Ari usurped the powers of the Returning Officer by his actions.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the Adamawa governorship election on Tuesday by INEC.
Fintiri polled 430,821 votes to defeat Binani, who polled 396,788 votes to come second.
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