CRIME
ICPC to Track N3.5bn Constituency Projects in Kebbi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Constituency Project Tracking Group (CPTG), on Saturday said it was tracking projects worth N3.5 billion in Kebbi State.
The Team Leader, Mr Akibu Garba, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while inspecting a Solar powered borehole project in Yelwa East Ward of Yauri Local Government Area of the state.
The project was awarded in December 2016.
According to him, the committee was set up to monitor and track the performance of constituency projects and value work done.
He added that the committee was to also identify the contractual sum and contractors, unearth payments made, identify the status and persons behind the projects.
Garba added that the team would also track contracting companies for all statutory regulatory compliance, including tax obligation as well as ascertain the value and impact of the projects for the various communities, where they were established.
The team leader, who is also the Assistant Chief Education Officer, ICPC, Sokoto Zonal Office, said the exercise was part of the second phase of tracking of constituency projects across some selected states of the federation.
“We are to make recoveries, as the need may arise and also determine whether or not, the contract sum is inflated.
“This is done alongside tracing the level of compliance of the contracting companies, with the statutory compliance organisations.
“Moreover, the exercise is also aimed to recover bidding and tender documents for the constituency projects,” he added.
Earlier, while paying homage to the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Muhammad Zayyanu, at his palace, Garba briefed him on the mission of his team and appealed for the cooperation of the emirate council toward achieving success on the assignment.
Responding, Zayyanu commended ICPC for the initiative and recommended the tracking of an abandoned project of Garin Baka Dam, in Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.
The project sites visited by the group included Solar powered borehole at Tondi, Yelwa West, Yelwa Central, Yelwa North and Yelwa South Wards, respectively.
The group also visited the Community Hall at Yauri town, as well as office blocks at Birnin Yauri, all in Yauri Local Government Area.
NAN recalls that the CPTG began the second phase of tracking of constituency projects, having recorded huge success in the first phase of the exercise carried out in 12 states across the country.
The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Edo, Lagos, Osun, Imo, Sokoto, Kano and Kogi.
The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, during a pre-planning retreat for officers of the commission and stakeholders in CPTG on Nov. 13, 2019, stated that over 200 contractors had returned to sites to complete water, healthcare and other abandoned projects.
Owasanoye added that the CPTG recorded other successes that included the recoveries of six tractors, ambulances, dialysis machines and other hospital equipment from the sponsors of the projects across the 12 pilot states.
He explained that the successes further include the recovery of huge sums of money from the sponsors of the projects.
According to him, ensuring the distribution of hundreds of tricycles, grinding machines and other empowerment items, some of which were secured in 2016, to beneficiaries, were also part of the success.
He said but for the CPTG initiative, monies released by the Federal Government for the benefit of the people through the implementation of constituency projects, would have been diverted by the sponsors of the projects, contractors and other collaborators.
The ICPC boss also reiterated that the Constituency Projects Tracking exercise was not targeted at anybody or group.
According to him, it is a means of ensuring that the constituents are not shortchanged by their elected representatives in quality project delivery. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
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)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
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.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
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.