CRIME
PDP Makes U- turn, Lifts Suspension on Ortom, Fayose, Anyim, Shema, Others
By Johnson Eyiangho, Gom Mirian (Abuja) & David Torough, Makurdi
Two days after the sack of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as its National Chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday reversed the suspension of five members, former Governors – Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State), Ibrahim Schema (Katsina State), Senator Ayim Pius Ayim (Ebonyi State), Prof.
Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State).The PDP NWC also reversed the referral of Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue to the party’s national disciplinary committee.
In a statement issued yesterday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the decision was taken after the NWC “extensively discussed recent developments” in the party.
“The NWC recognised the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general,” the statement reads.
“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the constitution of the PDP.”
The PDP asked all members and leaders to be guided by the party’s constitution and the “new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our party at this critical time”.
Last week, the PDP NWC suspended Shema, Anyim, Ityavyar, and Aliyu over alleged anti-party activities.
However, the members protested their suspension, saying they were not given a fair hearing.
The decision of the PDP NWC to lift the suspension of the members comes days after Iyorchia Ayu was removed as the party’s national chairman and Iliya Damagum was appointed as the acting leader.
Ayu was suspended by his ward in Gboko LGA, Benue state.
A day after his suspension, a high granted an ex parte order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.
Benue PDP Suspends Ward Exco over Ayu’s Ordeal
The Benue State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the Kashi Philip-led Igyorov ward exco in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state over the crisis that led to the suspension of the party’s former National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The acting Chairman of the PDP in Benue, Isaac Mffo at a press briefing in Makurdi on Thursday, said the Igyorov ward executive is suspended for one month to allow for peace to be restored.
He also said the state working committee will henceforth take charge of the political affairs of the party in Igyorov ward where Ayu hails from.
On Tuesday, the national body of the PDP appointed Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the party to replace Ayu.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023, with regards to the Chairmanship position of our great Party,” the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, had said in a statement on Tuesday.
After careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our Party in an acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.”
Ayu was initially suspended by his ward in Benue for anti-party activities. The court thereafter restrained him from parading as the chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit which has been adjourned to April 17, 2023, for a hearing.
CCB Begins Atiku’s Investigation, Invites Keyamo
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) may have started investigation of the petition filed by the Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo, requesting the probe of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was gathered that the Bureau invited the petitioner, Festus Keyamo to its office over the matter.
Keyamo had accused Atiku of diverting public funds through special purpose vehicles while he was Nigeria’s vice-president.
The minister of state for labour and employment had given the CCB a 72-hour ultimatum to “arrest, invite, interrogate and prosecute” Atiku for the alleged offences.
The CCB, in a letter dated March 28, invited Keyamo to the bureau’s office in Abuja to adopt his petition.
“This invitation is to enable you adopt the aforementioned petition and to provide any additional information that may be material to this investigation,” the letter reads.
“You are requested to come along with one Michael Achimugu, to assist with enquiries regarding the attachments to your petition.”
Keyamo has also instituted a suit against the former vice-president before an Abuja federal high court.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/84/2023, Keyamo is seeking to compel law enforcement agencies to prosecute Atiku over the same offences.
Keyamo is praying the court for an order compelling the PDP standard bearer “to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Conduct of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for thorough investigation”.
The minister’s suit is premised on an audio recording released by Achimugu, Atiku’s former aide.
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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