... ... 10/03/21 | IYANDA'SBLOG

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10/03/21
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10:28 AM

A man convicted of criminal impersonation and fraud, Jamiu Isiaka has narrated how he spent the money he took from his victim. 

Isiaka was sentenced to 28 years for impersonating presidential aide, Femi Adesina after he was found guilty of defrauding a South Korean, Keun Sig Kim of $88,521, which amounted to about N30 million at the time. 

According to NAN, Isiaka told the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday that he spent the money to make some sacrifices for the petitioner. 

“Part of the money was used to buy a vulture, elephant skin, elephant intestines, the skull of a lion, and liver of a gorilla; all used as ingredients for the sacrifice,” he had said.

In June 2019, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the defendant on four counts, but he pleaded not guilty to all. 

But Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar on Thursday held that the prosecution had tendered enough evidence to convince the court that the defendant was guilty as charged.

The court found Isiaka guilty of the charges levelled against him and was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison on each count, to run concurrently.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of some properties recovered from the convict to the Nigerian government. 

The properties, which were found to be proceeds of crime include a four-bedroomed bungalow located at Oke-Foma, Ilorin; a Toyota Corolla car; a plasma television; home theatre; freezer; generator; washing machine, and an air conditioner.

The court also ordered restitution to the victim of the crime.

According to the prosecution, Isiaka had presented himself as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina; and also as a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the late Maikanti Baru, to Kim, a South Korean, to defraud him. 

Isiaka deceived the foreign national to collect various sums of money under the pretence of securing for his victim a marketing form and licence certificate approved by the NNPC, to buy crude oil in Nigeria. 

The counsel for the EFCC, O. B. Akinsola tendered evidence on how the defendant obtained the sum of $88,521 from his victim, under the guise of helping him to procure a contract.

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8:28 AM

The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has criticised a declaration made by President Muhammadu Buhari that the ban on the operations of Twitter in the country would be lifted it certain conditions were met by the American company.

 

SERAP urged Buhari to withdraw the conditions imposed on the microblogging site pending the final ruling of ECOWAS Court on the case.

It further stated that such a pronouncement by the Nigerian government might affect the expected judgement. 

 

SERAP had sued the Buhari-led government at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

 

Buhari had during Nigeria's 61st Independence Day anniversary on October 1, 2021, said the ban on Twitter would only be lifted if certain conditions including the ones surrounding national security, were met.

 

SERAP noted that the conditions given by the Nigerian government make a mockery of the case pending before the ECOWAS Court and also create an impression that the course of justice would be impeded.

 

A letter by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare on Sunday, urged the government to allow the court render a decision on the central issues in the case. 

 

The letter read in part; “Pushing conditions on Twitter while the ECOWAS case is pending would prejudice the interests of the Plaintiffs, undermine the ability of ECOWAS Court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, and prejudice the outcome of the case.

 

“It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, and to maintain the authority of the ECOWAS Court in the case. If not immediately withdrawn, the conditions would seriously undermine Nigeria’s international human rights obligations including under ECOWAS treaties and protocols, and have serious consequences for the public interest.

 

“Given that the only way in which SERAP and other plaintiffs can have a fair and effective access to justice is to allow the court to decide on the merits of the case before it, fairness and justice must, on the facts of the ECOWAS case, outweigh any stated national security conditions.

 

“Your government should allow the ECOWAS Court to decide these issues, especially as the Federal Government has made the arguments on national security before the court.

 

“The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any improper interference, direct or indirect.

 

“The principle of the independence of the judiciary has also been enshrined in the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, endorsed by the General Assembly in 1985.

 

“The Principles provide, inter alia, that it is the duty of all governmental and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary (principle 1); that judges shall decide matters before them impartially without any restrictions or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason (principle 2); and that there shall not be any inappropriate or unwarranted interference with the judicial process (principle 4).”

 

“SERAP therefore urges you to urgently withdraw the conditions imposed on Twitter, and to allow the ECOWAS court to decide on the suit brought by SERAP and other plaintiffs challenging the legality of the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. Judgment in the suit is fixed for 20 January, 2022.”

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8:28 AM

No fewer than 20 people were feared killed and 10 others missing as a jetty suddenly collapsed near Port Harcourt in Rivers State on Saturday.

It was learnt that the people of Isaka in the Okrika Local Government Area had complained about the deteriorating condition of the jetty to the state government but no solution was provided by the Nyesom Wike-led government.

Illustration

People's Gazette reports that Isaka, which is about 5km from Port Harcourt, is a fishing community in a maze of creeks.

It can only be accessed by water.

It was also gathered that the jetty was crowded by commuters who were in the town for a burial, when it suddenly collapsed.

During the incident, local divers attempted to rescue the victims but there were fears that many of those who drowned were already dead.

No medical and other emergency services were immediately made available at the scene during the incident.

A community leader, Same Aaron who informed journalists about the incident lamented the tragedy. 

However, residents could not immediately ascertain the number of caualties as rescue efforts were still ongoing on Sunday morning. 

The mishap came weeks after a boat submerged in River Niger, killing scores of people between Kebbi and Niger states, in North Central Nigeria.

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8:28 AM

Ibrahim Kadiri, one of the six Independence Day protesters arrested in Abuja on Friday for protesting against insecurity and the anti-people policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari regime has narrated how he was tortured and dehumanised by soldiers attached to Federal Capital Territory Police Joint Security TaskForce

The protesters were violently dispersed with tear gas and chased into the bush where they were beaten and brutalised by the gun-totting security operatives, led by female police officer ASP Altine Daniel, who arrived at the venue of the protest in a white Hilux vehicle.

Injuries inflicted on Ibrahim Kadiri, one of the Independence Day protesters arrested, tortured by soldiers in Abuja SaharaReporters Media
The names of the arrested and detained protesters include Benjamin Mannaseh, Mohammed Labaran, Danjuma Patience, Kingsley Bala, and Ibrahim Kadiri. 

Ibrahim, who is still recuperating, narrated his ordeal to SaharaReporters shortly after their release. 
He was arrested by policemen and handed over to the soldiers believed to be the 'torture squad' of the team, who tied him up and tortured him.
See Also ACTIVISM UPDATE: Police Arrest, Brutalise Angry Nigerians Protesting Against Buhari Regime In Abuja 0 Comments 2 Days Ago
He said he was taken to a location near Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where he was asked by the soldiers to get inside drainage with dirty water. 

He said injuries were inflicted injuries on his body.

According to him, one of the 'torture squad' members seized his mobile phone, removed the SIM card in it, and flung the phone into the drainage.

He said, "The police arrested me and handed me over to the soldiers. When we got to a location around Transcorp Hilton, they asked me all manner of questions. They asked how much were we paid to protest. Who sent us?
"They now asked me to lie down inside dirty drainage water and said I should be searching for fish. They beat me to the point that I didn't know that I could ever survive it.

"As I am talking to you now, I cannot walk because of the pain. The soldiers are the 'torture squad' because they are the ones who dehumanised me."

At the time of filing this report, the young activist was still in harrowing pain and could not walk.

One of the other detained protesters who spoke to SaharaReporters, Benjamin Mannaseh, said they were arrested when they went back to the protest ground to look for their phones and other belongings that got missing when they were tear-gassed.

He said they were taken to Galadima police station, from where they were moved to Garki. 
He said the Divisional Police Officer of the station instructed the officers to take them to the headquarters of the
disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), popularly known as Abattoir.

Mannaseh said they were locked up inside 'Sanctuary Cell', which is meant for sick people and those who sustained gunshots wounds.

Mannaseh said, "We were there in the sanctuary cell and the officer in charge of the cell came and told us that we should give them money or call our people to come and bail us with N200,000 but we told them that we committed no offence. They left us and instructed the leader of the cell to give us more beating."

Meanwhile, the six protesters were released around 7:00pm on Saturday.

The protesters had on Friday morning blocked Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road, Abuja to protest against insecurity, impunity, inflation, among others.

They also demanded the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari over his incompetence which has brought untold hardship and agony on Nigerians.

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8:28 AM

Six #BuhariMustGo youth activists arrested on October 1, Nigeria's Independence Day for calling for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari, have been released by the police. 

 

SaharaReporters learnt that the peaceful protesters were released on bail on Saturday night from the Nigeria Police Force detention. 

"They were released to Omoyele Sowore, Marshal Abubakar of Falana Chambers, and Miss Amnesty organiser, Tracy McWary," a source told SaharaReporters. 

 

The six protesters were brutalised and later detained by the police for demanding the resignation of Buhari. 

 

The names of the six protesters include Benjamin Mannaseh, Mohammed Labaran, Danjuma Patience, and Ibrahim.

Displaying placards that say ‘Buhari Must Go’ and chanting the same thing, the protesters blocked the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road early Friday morning.

The protesters, who were out as early as 7 am, also called for good governance, transparency, and an end to insecurity.

The protest coincided with the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.

The #BuhariMustGo and #RevolutionNow protesters were later violently dispersed and beaten after being chased into the bush by a detachment of armed anti-riot policemen, led by the notorious female police officer, ASP Altine Daniel.

 

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore had announced on Facebook, "Six courageous #BuhariMustGo youth activists arrested on October 1st for Independence Day action asking incompetent Pres. Muhammadu Buhari to resign have regained freedom from Nigeria Police Force detention. #RevolutionNow."

 

A human rights advocacy group, Coalition for Revolution (CORE), had commended Nigerian youths who trooped out to protest against Buhari's regime and called for the immediate release of the six youths arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police. 

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘CORE Salutes Patriotic Youths, Demands Immediate Release of #Abuja6’ by CORE conveners, Baba Aye and Gbenga Komolafe, which was made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday.

CORE argued that protest remains a fundamental human right of citizens, and not a criminal activity, hence, it has to be respected by the security operatives.

The statement reads, “In utter contempt of the protesters' fundamental rights and freedom of association, the police in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory arrested six CORE members over the protest. These include Benjamin Manaseh, Mohammed Labaran, Danjuma Patience, and Ibrahim.

“The youths and working-class people whose struggle paved the way for Flag Independence stopped agonising and started organising. That is exactly what the youths who organised and demonstrated yesterday under the CORE banner did. It is not enough to agonise. We must organise to win our total liberation.

“Protest is not a crime. Indeed it is a duty in a situation like that which millions of Nigerians are living through. And it is a fundamental democratic right.

“Thus, the Coalition for Revolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the #Abuja6.”

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5:28 AM

A popular presenter in Osun State, Otunba Olatunbosun Abe, famously known as Hinpele O International, has died.

A source at the Uniq 103.1 FM, Ilesa, Osun State, where he worked, confirmed it. 

The source said he died early on Sunday morning and that the son of the deceased, Kunle Olatunbosun Abe, had contacted the management of the station to inform it about the demise of his father. 

 

"Yes, he died in the early hours of today (Sunday); his son confirmed it. He had been in the hospital for weeks, treating an ailment," the source added. 

 

According to his profile on Facebook, he was born on June 14, 1956. 

 

He delighted many listeners with his programme on Uniq 103.1 Ara FM, Ilesa, Osun State till his last days. 

 

He attended Imuroko Modern School in Osun State and was the CEO of Hinpele O Production and Communication Limited.

 

On July 30, 2020, his Instagram post urged people to thank God for the gift of life. 

 

It read, "I am a winner2ce, Satan don lose battle patapata. Good morning my lovely people. How are you doing today? Happy Sunday to you all. Today is Sunday, July 26, 2020. You don't need to talk than to wake up and give God his food." 

 

He was married with children. 

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5:28 AM

Human rights activists have described Nigeria's 61st Independence Day celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja as unnecessary and a show of shame. 

 

According to them, there was nothing to celebrate with the daunting security challenges in the country.

Muhammadu Buhari

They also called on Nigerians to take their destiny into their hands and rise against the antics of oppressors who have mortgaged their future for decades.

 

The activists disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja during a public discussion titled "Political and Economic Crisis In Nigeria, The Way Forward," which was organised by the Socialists, Youths, Trade Unions, and Human Rights Crusaders. 

 

Speaking at the event, the Publicity Secretary, Movement for the Socialist Alternative (MSA), Oladimeji Macaulay said the Independence Day celebration at the Eagle Square was ridiculous and absurd. 

 

He added that Nigeria has nothing to celebrate since the country is being held down by corrupt leaders after 61 years of independence.

 

One of the panelists, Babatunde Oluajo, in his presentation noted that Nigeria would not in any way get better until Nigerians come together and mobilise to fight for socialism.

 

 

He added that with the current economic situation and growing menace of insecurity, Nigerians need to rise and fight to end insecurity and economic repression.

 

He said, "It is either we fight for socialism or we continue in barbarism.  We need democratically elected leaders to control the economy and manage it to meet the demands of everyone as against the greed of the few in the corridors of power." 

 

On his part, Jaiye Gaskia called on Nigerians to be ready as revolutionaries to take power from corrupt politicians through active participation in elections. 

 

He also urged Nigerians to build an alternative political order capable of rescuing the country from total collapse.

 

He said, "Only a society that is  democratically run is capable of ending starvation, hunger, and suffering."

 

Also speaking at the event, Ms. Mma Odi charged Nigerians to rise and fight for gender equality in workplaces and end attacks on women.

 

She expressed concern about how less than one percent of the population had continued to control the wealth of the entire country, thereby leaving millions of Nigerians in abject poverty.

 

She said, "It's time to build a solidarity movement to struggle for political power because without political power the present political and economic crisis will remain unresolved."

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