Headlines
Senate Invites IGP over Kidnappings Across Nigeria
The Senate has invited the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, for a briefing over the spate of kidnappings across Nigeria.
The lawmakers said the invitation is to help profer lasting solution to the menace.
The IGP’s invitation is one of the many resolutions made after a deliberation on a motion on the “senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by armed bandits.”
The motion was sponsored by Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central).
The Briton, Faye Mooney, an aid worker, was killed in Kajuru Castle, a recreational location in Kaduna State last week.
The armed bandits killed Ms Mooney, Matthew Oguche, a Nigerian training assistant with the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), and kidnapped three others.
Leading the debate, Mr Sani said attacks on individuals, houses, and villages have become too many and not one suspect has been prosecuted for the crime.
He expressed worry that the bandits tend to be gaining more courage to perpetuate their acts “due to their acclaimed superior firepower.”
While stating that Kajuru and Kaduna State are under siege, he said the northern part of Nigeria has become a theatre of killings and kidnappings.
In his remark, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the recent happenings were not the first time a non-Nigerian (especially construction/aid workers) was kidnapped in the country.
He said if nothing is done, Nigeria will continue to be profiled as a terrorist state abroad.
“This nation’s security has been breached. Tourists who have plans of coming to Nigeria will now think twice before coming. And this is affecting our economy.
“It is important to take this issue seriously in order to protect our national image. Even if it means declaring a state of emergency in affected states, so be it,” Mr Ekweremadu said.
Andrew Uchendu, who condemned the act, blamed it on the idleness of the Nigerian youth.
“The truth is these things keep happening because the youth are idle and have a lot of energy.”
According to him, if the youth are engaged, the rate of such crimes will drastically reduce.
It was during the resolutions that Mr Ekweremadu suggested that the IGP be invited as he hoped he (Mr Adamu) will honour the invitation.
“Mr President, since we now have a new IGP – as the other one was uninterested in talking to us, let us invite him to give a holistic view of the state of kidnapping across the country with a view to finding a lasting solution,” he said.
This prayer was seconded and unanimously adopted.
The Senate also resolved to urge security agencies to immediately deploy the use of drones and interceptors in tracking kidnappers asking for ransom.
The Senate also resolved to fast-track the concurrence of the Police Reform and the Police Trust Fund Bills with the House of Representatives for transmission to the president for assent.
Other resolutions are to “urge telecommunications companies to provide security agencies with information in areas where there are kidnappings”, and “urge community leaders, traditional rulers and all stakeholders to co-operate with security agencies.”
The Senate also urged security agencies to give special security cover to foreign workers and tourists. It resolved to send a delegation to the British embassy to console with the British government.
The Senate, however, rejected a prayer to urge the executive to sign the Peace Corps Bill to engage the youth.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said he hoped that there would be cooperation from the IGP as he prayed for a strong relationship between the Senate and the security agencies.
According to him, the passage of the Police Reform and the Police Trust Fund Bills is proof that the Senate “is ready to work with them.
Premium Times
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 13-count criminal charge against the Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko and a former Managing Director of First Bank, Olabisi Onasanya for allegedly obtaining the sum of N12.3billion from First Bank.
They are to be arraigned on Monday, January 20, 2025, before Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
They will be arraigned alongside, a former member of the board of directors of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Soji Akintayo and a company linked to Otudeko, named Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
All four were listed as defendants in the suit filed by an EFCC prosecutor, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala on January 16, 2025.
According to the EFCC, the four committed the fraud in tranches of N5.2billion, N6.2billion, N6.150billion, N1.5billion and N500million, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.
In proof of the charge against the defendants, the EFCC intends to call representatives of First Bank including Cecelia Majekodunmi, Ola Michael Aderogba, Abiodun Olatunji, Raymond Eze, Abiodun Odunbola and Adeeyo David all of whom are expected to give evidence of the fraudulent misrepresentation of the Defendants and tender relevant documents.
The EFCC will also rely on the testimonies of representatives of Central Bank of Nigeria, representatives of Stallion Nigeria Limited and representatives of V-tech Dynamics Ltd.
Also included in the EFCC’s list of witnesses are one Farida Abubakar and Adaeze Nwakoby.
According to the Commission, the offences contravene Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and were punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
Count 1 of the charge says that Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N12,300,000,000.00 (Twelve Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira Only),from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied * for by V- Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
In Count 2, it was alleged that the defendants, on or about 26th day of November, 2013 in Lagos, “obtained the sum of N5.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V Tech Dynamic Links Limited which representation you know to be false.”
The 3rd count claims that the defendants, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, obtained N6.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for and disbursed to Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”
County 4 reads, that you, Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about 26th day of November 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the total sum of N6,150,000,000,.00 (Six Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only.), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Count 5 accuses Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about 11th day of December, 2013 in Lagos, procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain the sum of N1.5 billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The Federal Government has responded to recent remarks by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II regarding the economic reforms implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The Emir, speaking at a public event in Lagos, acknowledged the initiatives but stated he had chosen “not to help the government” by offering his endorsement.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government acknowledged Sanusi’s right to express his views, defended its policies, emphasizing that Nigeria is at a critical juncture requiring bold and transformative actions to address entrenched economic challenges. The statement highlighted key achievements, including exchange rate unification, the removal of fuel subsidies, and a reduction in the debt service-to-revenue ratio.
“These reforms are not being implemented because they are easy but because they are essential for Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth,” the statement read. It further noted that global institutions like the World Bank have projected positive growth for Nigeria’s economy, affirming that the country is on a path to recovery.
The government expressed disappointment over Emir Sanusi’s perceived reluctance to constructively support these reforms despite his economic expertise. “It is deeply disappointing that reforms widely recognized as essential by global experts—including Emir Sanusi II himself—are now being subtly condemned because of a shift in loyalty,” the statement added.
The government called on leaders, including Emir Sanusi, to prioritize the nation’s collective good over personal interests or partisan sentiments. “Rebuilding Nigeria requires unity, focus, and sacrifice from all stakeholders,” the statement emphasized. “This administration urges esteemed leaders to refrain from rhetoric that undermines public trust.”
President Tinubu’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to fostering economic inclusivity and sustainability. The government pledged to remain open to dialogue with stakeholders while focusing on policies aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
“Let history record this moment as a turning point—when leaders and citizens alike choose to prioritize the nation’s destiny over personal gain,” the statement concluded.
Eonsintelligence
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has declared that he will not offer any advice to President Bola Tinubu’s government on how to tackle the economic challenges facing the country.
The emir stated this on Wednesday during the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehimi held in Lagos.
Speaking as chairman of the event, Sanusi stated that he started by helping the government, but he has now resolved not to help the government anymore.
He said: “I can give a few points here about what we are going through and how it was predictable and avoidable. But I am not going to do that. I have chosen not to speak on the economy, or reforms, or to explain anything because if I do, it will help this government. But I don’t want to help this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I won’t behave like a friend.”
Emir Sanusi added: “They don’t even have people with pedigree that can come and explain to the people what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started by helping, but I am not going to help. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why they are pursuing the policies that they are pursuing.
“But I will say this one thing though. What we are going through today is at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible management. People were warning that if we continued the way that we were going, this is how we will end up but they refused to listen.
“Now, is everything being done correctly? No! When I am ready to talk about the economy, I will.”
Sanusi also charged lawyers to emulate the virtues of the late Gani Fawehinmi whom he described as an embodiment of good character now lacking in the legal profession.
