News

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a recent verdict, the Gombe State High Court delivered justice to perpetrators of employment scams, sending a strong message against fraud.

Ibrahim Abdullahi and Umar Usman found themselves on the wrong side of the law, charged with obtaining N682,847 under false pretenses.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that Abdullahi and Usman, separately arraigned, faced charges related to cheating and employment scams.

Abdullahi was accused of obtaining the Polaris ATM card of Aminu Adamu Idris and Muhammed Saidu Jibril under false employment promises, subsequently misusing it to secure a loan without consent.

Both defendants pleaded guilty upon arraignment. The prosecuting attorney, A.B. Kware, urged the court to consider appropriate sentencing, while the defendants’ attorney, R.A. Anthony, appealed for leniency, citing their regret and first-time offender status.

Judge Kereng, after finding them guilty, sentenced Abdullahi and Usman to one and two years in jail, respectively, alongside a N50,000 fine each.

In another case, Mohammed Soja faced six years imprisonment for similar fraud charges but was offered a chance for rehabilitation due to his father’s medical condition, with an option of a N150,000 fine.

Previously, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman received a 10-year sentence for obtaining goods under false pretenses.

The EFCC had arraigned Usman on one count in 2018 after he deceived a store owner in Gombe.

These verdicts underscore the judiciary’s commitment to combating fraud and protecting citizens from exploitation.

They serve as a reminder of the importance of due diligence in financial transactions and employment opportunities, emphasizing the need for vigilance against fraudulent schemes.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employees have expressed profound apprehension as the specter of job loss looms large following the appointment of Dr. Olayemi Cardoso as Governor.

In interviews with journalists, CBN workers voiced concerns that no department within the apex bank seems immune to the ongoing wave of terminations.

This unease intensified with the recent dismissal of another 50 colleagues, bringing the tally to approximately 117 employees shown the door in just 20 days, spanning 29 different departments.

Among those affected are directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers, and lower-ranking staff.

One employee lamented, “We’ve witnessed indiscriminate layoffs in procurement, development finance, and medical services.

“This trend suggests that other departments might face the same fate soon.

“I fear they’ll target those who worked closely with the sacked directors. Such apprehension doesn’t bode well for productivity or the system.”

Another senior staff member revealed, “Many sacked individuals received their letters quietly and left their offices feeling helpless due to the systemic structure.”

Under Cardoso’s leadership, the CBN has undergone numerous changes in policies and personnel, deviating significantly from the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Emefiele.

Even CBN vendors have voiced grievances, as some who completed contracts since last June await payment indefinitely under the new management, amidst suspicions that they might have benefited from Emefiele’s administration.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A political movement based in Kano, Arewa Renaissance Front (ARF), has criticized Governor Abba Yusuf for levying what they term as unfounded accusations against Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

ARF accused Yusuf of using unsubstantiated claims against the former governor as a shield to conceal his own failure in meeting the expectations of the people.

In a statement released by Aminu Gawama, the Secretary-General of ARF, the group alleged that Yusuf, along with his political mentor, former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are engaged in a vendetta against Ganduje.

According to the statement, these allegations were merely propaganda orchestrated by state-owned entities to divert attention away from the glaring inefficiencies and lack of direction in Yusuf’s administration.

The statement further highlights the public’s growing frustration with Yusuf’s tenure, questioning his accomplishments despite the ample fiscal resources available to the state. ARF denounced the judicial commissions of inquiry initiated by Yusuf to probe Ganduje’s tenure, labeling them as biased and aimed solely at depleting state resources.

ARF also condemned Yusuf’s selective targeting of Ganduje’s administration while absolving Kwankwaso’s tenure from scrutiny, characterizing it as a futile attempt to mislead the populace.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Benue State government solemnly laid to rest 17 victims of a recent brutal attack by armed bandits on Mbakyor community in Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government Area.

The harrowing incident, which occurred on the night of March 7, 2024, claimed the lives of 19 individuals, including a retired Army Officer and a young boy.

With two victims already interred due to rapid decomposition from the heinous acts, the remaining 17 were honored in a mass burial ceremony.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode, delivered a poignant funeral oration, condemning the tragic spectacle and emphasizing the urgent need for community vigilance.

He advocated for the formation of vigilante groups, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.

Expressing profound sadness, Governor Alia pledged relentless efforts by the government to address the security challenges plaguing the state and urged unity in combating insecurity.

In the wake of the attack, lawmaker Elias Audu criticized the perceived inefficiency of security agencies, questioning their response despite the availability of attack helicopters during the three-hour onslaught.

He commended Governor Alia’s swift actions, including the distribution of Easter aid to the bereaved families.

Prof. Vitalis Tarhule, President of the Masev Development Association, underscored the government’s duty to safeguard lives and property.

He highlighted previous attacks in 2014 and 2018, totaling 40 lives lost, and urged the establishment of a security post in Mbakyor to deter future violence by armed herdsmen.

As Benue mourned its fallen, calls echoed for proactive measures, community vigilance, and decisive government action to prevent further bloodshed and ensure the safety of its citizens.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a heartfelt address marking the conclusion of Ramadan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called upon all citizens to unite and recommit themselves to the profound task of nation-building.

Emphasizing the collective responsibility of shaping Nigeria’s future, President Tinubu likened the nation to clay, sculpted by the hands of its people.

“We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire,” he affirmed.

Speaking specifically to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, President Tinubu stressed the importance of unity in action. He described the holy season as a time of “total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.”

Extending his greetings to Muslims both within Nigeria and across the globe, President Tinubu offered prayers for the acceptance of their supplications and sacrifices by Almighty Allah.

Through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the president expressed his hope that the lessons, blessings, and joys of Eid al-Fitr would endure beyond the festivities, shaping the nation’s path forward.

As the nation celebrated Eid al-Fitr, President Tinubu concluded his message by extending warm wishes to all Nigerians, invoking a spirit of unity and prosperity for the nation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reappointed Yusuf Shuaibu Imam, famously known as Ogan Boye, to his former post as Special Adviser on Youth and Sports.

This decision comes amidst a flurry of eight other new appointments, which encompass a variety of key roles within the state administration.

Ogan Boye’s reinstatement comes with a controversial backdrop.

He was previously dismissed from his position alongside a Commissioner due to alleged threats directed at the Elections Petition Tribunal Judges in the State.

However, Governor Yusuf has decided to reinstate Ogan Boye and renominate the Commissioner, who was recently confirmed by the State Assembly for reappointment.

The fresh appointments, as announced by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, introduce a mix of seasoned professionals into critical positions.

Notable among these appointments are Prof. Ibrahim Magaji Barde as Special Adviser for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr. Abdulhamid Danladi as Special Adviser on Diaspora II, and Engr. Bello Muhammad Kiru will be the Special Adviser on Water Resources.

Dr Nura Jafar Shanono has been reassigned from his role as Special Adviser on Water Resources to become Managing Director at the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA), signalling a strategic shift within the administration.

Additionally, Baba Abubakar Umar has transitioned from Special Adviser to Executive Secretary of the Private and Voluntary Institutions Management Board.

Rounding out the new appointments are Nasir Mansur Muhammad as the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Aminu Hamidu Bako Kofar Na’isa and Engr. Mukhtar Yusuf as Deputy Managing Directors for KNARDA and WRECA respectively.

The Governor’s spokesperson stated that these appointments take immediate effect and are part of Governor Yusuf’s commitment to ushering in a new era of progress and development for Kano State by entrusting capable individuals with key responsibilities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Supporters of Comrade Julious Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), took to the streets of Gudu, Abuja, today to voice their grievances against what they perceive as unwarranted interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the affairs of their party.

Dozens of protesters, brandishing placards emblazoned with messages such as “On Abure’s mandate we stand,” “NLC leave Abure alone,” and “Nnawi’ National Convention is valid,” commenced their march from the new Abuja chapter secretariat.

The demonstration follows a recent escalation in tensions between the Nigerian Labour Congress and the leadership of the Labour Party, with the NLC accusing Abure of operating as a sole administrator within the LP. This accusation culminated in the NLC passing a vote of no confidence in Abure’s leadership and demanding his resignation.

The conflict between the two organizations has captured widespread attention and sparked debates regarding the NLC’s authority to intervene in LP’s affairs, as well as the underlying reasons behind their dispute.

Investigations by Vanguard have revealed that the ongoing power struggle between the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party and the Comrade Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress is jeopardizing the future of the Labour Party itself.

Central to the conflict is the battle for control over the party’s structure, with major stakeholders accusing Abure of treating the LP as his personal fiefdom, an allegation vehemently denied by Abure.

Trouble began brewing for Abure shortly after the 2023 general elections, when some party members, led by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Abayomi Arabambi, accused him of financial mismanagement. Subsequent court battles resulted in Abure’s leadership being upheld by the Court of Appeal.

However, fresh turmoil erupted when the party’s former National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Oparah, publicly alleged that Abure must be held accountable for over N3.5 billion, purportedly received by the party from the sale of forms and donations during the 2023 elections. Oparah’s outspokenness led to her suspension for six months on grounds of bringing the party’s reputation into disrepute.

Currently, the Abure-led NWC of the LP finds itself at odds not only with the NLC but also with the House of Representatives caucus of the party. This discord stems from Abure’s unilateral decision to proceed with plans for a national convention without soliciting input from party stakeholders.

As tensions continue to mount, the future trajectory of the Labour Party remains uncertain, with the specter of internal strife casting a shadow over its viability as a political entity.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Rwanda paused on Sunday to honor the memory of genocide victims, marking three decades since a brutal campaign orchestrated by Hutu extremists tore through the nation, leaving deep wounds as communities turned against each other in one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The relentless violence, spanning 100 days until the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel militia seized control of Kigali in July 1994, resulted in the deaths of 800,000 individuals, primarily Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.

Despite the immense tragedy, Rwanda has made strides toward stability under the firm leadership of President Paul Kagame, who helmed the RPF.

Nevertheless, the legacy of the atrocities persists, casting a shadow over Africa’s Great Lakes region.Following tradition, ceremonies held on April 7—the day when Hutu militias unleashed terror in 1994—commenced with Kagame lighting a remembrance flame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a solemn site believed to hold the remains of over 250,000 victims.

Accompanied by somber melodies played by an army band, Kagame laid wreaths at the mass graves, joined by foreign dignitaries, including several African heads of state and former US President Bill Clinton, who had acknowledged the genocide as a grave failure during his tenure.

The failure of the international community to intervene remains a point of regret, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to express remorse for France’s and its allies’ inaction, acknowledging they could have halted the bloodshed but lacked the resolve to do so.

Kagame is scheduled to deliver an address at a 10,000-seat arena in the capital, where Rwandans will later gather for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those lost to the slaughter.

The commemoration marks the beginning of a week-long period of national mourning, during which Rwanda will come to a standstill, with flags flown at half-mast. Public music, sports events, and non-remembrance-related television broadcasts are suspended.The United Nations and the African Union will also hold remembrance ceremonies to honor the victims.

Reflecting on the events, Karel Kovanda, a former Czech diplomat and the first UN ambassador to publicly denounce the 1994 massacres as genocide, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the genocide is never forgotten, asserting that the page cannot be turned on such atrocities.

The genocide, triggered by the assassination of Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, led to widespread atrocities fueled by virulent anti-Tutsi propaganda disseminated through various media outlets.

Countless individuals were brutally murdered, and tens of thousands of women were subjected to sexual violence.Rwanda has taken steps to address the legacy of the genocide, including establishing community tribunals for victims to confront their perpetrators. However, challenges persist, with hundreds of genocide suspects still at large, some reportedly seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

Despite the passage of time, Rwanda continues to grapple with the wounds inflicted by the genocide, endeavoring to ensure that the horrors of the past are never forgotten while striving to build a future rooted in peace and reconciliation.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a clergyman in Ilorin, Prophet Adeniyi James, on allegations of defrauding a member of his congregation to the tune of N3.9 million. 

James, who serves as the General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in Ilorin, was taken into custody by the Ilorin zonal command of the EFCC on April 2. 

Dele Oyewale, the head of media and publicity for the EFCC, revealed in a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday, that the arrest came following a petition lodged by the victim, Oluwole Babarinsa.  

Babarinsa recounted in his petition that during a church programme in 2021, James purportedly had a divine revelation about his (Babarinsa’s) imminent travel abroad. 

According to Babarinsa, James engaged him in a conversation about his preferred destination, to which he responded, ‘Canada’.  

Subsequently, James allegedly informed him of a friend in Lagos who could facilitate his relocation to Canada, albeit at a cost of N1.7 million for processing and an additional N2.5 million for flight tickets and travel documents. 

In his quest to fulfil the purported divine directive, Babarinsa resorted to selling some of his assets and taking out loans, ultimately amassing a total of N3,980,000, which he handed over to the prophet.  

However, despite the substantial sum provided, Babarinsa alleged that James failed to fulfil his promises. 

“The petitioner stated that all efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result,” Oyewale said, relaying Babarinsa’s frustration with the situation. 

The EFCC spokesperson affirmed that following the arrest, investigations into the matter are ongoing, with plans to arraign the suspect in court upon completion of the inquiry.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The FCT Police Command conducted a series of coordinated raids on notorious black spots and criminal hideouts in the Durumi and Dei-Dei areas of Abuja. 

The operation, carried out between March 31 and April 4, 2024, resulted in the arrest of eighty-five suspects for various offenses. 

Confirming the success of the raids, SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, highlighted the persistent criminal activities that had plagued these areas.  

She described the hideouts as notorious havens for hoodlums engaged in a range of illicit activities, including the peddling of hard drugs, manufacturing counterfeit currencies, and erecting illegal structures. 

During the operation, law enforcement officers executed search warrants on several structures within the targeted areas.  

This led to the seizure of numerous incriminating exhibits, including counterfeit paper and coins in both local and foreign currencies, light weapons, eight motorcycles, seven generators, various electronic gadgets, and a stash of ATM cards suspected to have been stolen from victims. 

Adeh stated that all the arrested suspects would undergo thorough screening, with those found culpable being profiled and subsequently arraigned in court to face justice.  

Additionally, the illegal wooden structures erected by the criminals were dismantled and set ablaze as part of efforts to deter further criminal activities in the area. 

CP Benneth Igweh, the Commissioner of Police for the FCT, reiterated his commitment to ridding the territory of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of all residents.  

He urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activities through designated emergency hotlines. 

Residents were reminded to contact the following police emergency contact numbers if there is newd: 08032003913 – 08028940883 – 08061581938 – 07057337653 – PCB: 09022222352 – CRU: 08107314192