…As CDS vows, ‘We are coming after bandits, terrorists’***

The unknown gunmen, who kidnapped the Benue Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mathew Abo, have allegedly demanded a ransom of N60 million from his family.

A family source told newsmen on Friday in Makurdi that the abductors made the demand in a phone call to a member of the family on Friday.

The source, the recipient of the call, whose name was withheld for security reasons, said the “kidnappers have resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home for their demand”.

The source said they called and placed their phone on loudspeaker so that the beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.

It was reported that several gunmen stormed the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam in Ukum LGA and kidnapped him on 24th Sept. around 8 pm.

Eyewitnesses highlighted that the kidnappers came on four motorcycles, and ordered everyone in the house, including the Commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down before they took away the victim.

The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles and sped away.

Gov Hyacinth Alia, in his reaction, has strongly condemned the abduction and directed security operatives to ensure the safe release of his Commissioner.

However, when asked if the kidnappers have made contact with either the family or government, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, simply said “Investigation is ongoing”. 

In another development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa has said that the military will flush out bandits and terrorists from the country.

The CDS made the commitment on Friday in Kaduna when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Uba Sani at government house.

He said, “For terrorists and bandits, it’s just a matter of time. We are coming after them and we are going to get them to leave the country completely.”

According to him, “we are re-assessing our theatres of operation to make them more robust and more result-oriented.”

He explained that the military is expanding its operation to close the gap while changing its mode of operation which could be both kinetic and non-kinetic.

“As military officers, you must take the two operations together, deploying more troops to close the gap in other to make it more difficult for terrorists to move about freely,” he noted.

The CDS also appealed to everyone to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements, adding that everyone has a role to play in security.

Musa reiterated the desire to make Kaduna peaceful, following its strategic nature, and the fact that people regard Kaduna as a home to all.

He assured that the military would come out successful from all the security and economic challenges.

On his part, Gov. Uba Sani renewed the state government’s appeal for the prolonged stay of the Special Forces in the ongoing campaign against banditry and terrorism.

He also requested that Operation Safe Haven in the Southern Kaduna general area be expanded due to the challenges around Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Kauru and Sanga Local Government Areas (LGAs).

He said such an expansion will go a long way in containing threats and consolidating ongoing efforts in those areas.

The governor also noted that measures are required in the Birnin Gwari general area, to restrict bandits and terrorists from using the Kuduru, Kuyanbana and Kamuku forests as their hideouts.

He said there is also the need to further constrict the corridors connecting Birnin Gwari with neighboring States like Zamfara, Niger and Katsina, and stop criminals from using the corridors.

According to him, “we have stepped up efforts towards inter-state collaboration in the fight against banditry and terrorism.”

Sani said he is in constant touch with his colleague Governors and strategies are being finetuned to deny criminal elements safe havens or hideouts in any of the neighbouring states in the North West or North Central.

He also assured of the state government’s commitment to sustain the cordial relationship with the military.

“Remember that you can always count on our earnest prayers, sincere support and best wishes as you lead the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.

…Using posting, promotion, and auction of SUV vehicles***

Even policemen are no longer being spared again as two men, Nura Mohammed and Abubakar Iliyasu were today docked in a Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly swindling 21 retired and serving police officers, to the tune of over N100 million.

The defendants, whose addresses were not disclosed, were arraigned before Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke on three counts of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and cheating by deception.

They both pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against them by the police.

The Prosecution Counsel, Abdulrashid Isyaku-Sidi, told the court that the first defendant, Mohammed on July 24, presented himself as CSP Wale, the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Olawale.

He added that Mohammed and one  Ismaila Ayedade now at large, told the officers that they were from the Department of Operations and Director of Promotion, Police Service Commission.

“The defendants deceived the officers by using posting, promotion, auction of SUV vehicles, and exoneration from disciplinary action to defraud them to the tune of over N100 million.

“The affected officers paid the said money into various account numbers provided by the defendants,” he said.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 322, and 324 of the Penal Code.

The Magistrate admitted them to bail in the sum of N2 million each with two sureties in likes sum that must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Nweke ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant in grade level 15 and their addresses be verified.

He, therefore adjourned the case to Oct. 17 for hearing. 

…Says Erinle and his company were guilty as charged***

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday sentenced a U.S. ex-convict, Kolawole Erinle to 12 years in jail for defrauding Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) of 1.4 million dollars.

 Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Erinle to a five-year jail term on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretense.

Oshodi held that the defendant and his company were guilty as charged and that the prosecution had effectively proved the case against them beyond every reasonable doubt.

He said: “The prosecution argued that Erinle spoofed the email address of the financial controller of J.E. Dunn, by faking the domain name of jedunn.com to jedunn.org.

“An act which was premeditated so that when KCUMB was about to pay J.E. Dunn, you provided Bank of America details in the name of E. Dada Autos.

“And after the wire transfer of 1.4 million dollars into it, in March 2019, you caused the money to be transferred in tranches of 850,000 dollars and 460,000 dollars into the second convict’s account, which you also control.

“The evidence shows that you, Erinle, transferred the proceeds of your crime to your nominees, including your mother and your wife, and also acquired vehicles and other properties as captured in exhibit P to P1.”

The judge further said he had considered the prosecution’s submissions that the convict had a prior conviction for bank fraud in the US but had not changed for the better.

“I have considered the fact that notwithstanding your prison term, which you have confirmed to me as sentencing for 23 months, you have not changed from committing offences.

“I have considered the preceding as aggravating factors, though you said you are sorry but I do not believe that you are genuinely remorseful.

“I hereby find you guilty of count two and three and you are hereby sentenced to five years for count two and 15 years for count three,” he said.

Oshodi ordered that the sentencing should run concurrently from Feb.10 when he was remanded by the court.

The convict’s company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Ltd., was fined N50 million and also ordered to be wound up by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with the proceeds forfeited to the Federal Government.

The convict was also ordered to make restitution to the victim, with all properties and vehicles recovered from them by the EFCC, which were to be sold and applied as restitution to the victim, through the FBI.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Temitope Banjo, called four witnesses through whom several documentary pieces of evidence were presented, while the convict testified as a sole witness in the case.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Section 8, (a) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.