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DEFENCE

Court Jails Ex-Air Force Chief, AVM Mamu Over Corruption

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The Supreme Court, Political Parties and Internal Democracy
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By Gowon Emakpe, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mohammadu Mamu, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Holding Company and Air Force Commanding, Training Command at the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.

This followed the appellate court’s reversal of his earlier discharge and acquittal on corruption charges by Justice Salisu Garba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous judgement yesterday,  convicted and sentenced Mamu to two years imprisonment in respect of one (count two) out of the four counts.

The judgment read by Justice Yargata Byenchit Nimpar, which also had Justices Abdu Aboki and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim acquitted him on three other counts – one, three and four.

Mamu was one of the senior military officers accused of abusing their positions by the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP), which was mandated to look into contracts awarded for military procurement.

The EFCC filed a four-count charge against Mamu in 2016 and was tried before the High Court of the FCT, following which Justice Garba, in a judgment on June 29, 2018, discharged and acquitted him on all four counts and held among others, that the prosecution failed to prove its case, a decision EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir appealed.

Justice Nimpar faulted the trial court’s rejection of the confessional statement made to investigators by Mamu, which the prosecution tendered in evidence at trial, noting that “the trial court failed in its duty by applying principles of law in a flawed manner, leading to the striking out of the confessional statement.

“He (the trial judge) erred. There was no legal basis for that action. Considering the evidence before the court, there was corroboration for the confessional statement particularly, the SEI Ltd’s payment for the cars, to the fertilizer company in which his (Mamu’s) daughters are directors.

“I find the confessional statement good to be evaluated for weight. I therefore disagree with the trial judge and find that the confessional statement was properly in evidence and must be evaluated along other pieces of evidence before the court.

“The sum of $300,000 was not legitimate income from his (Mamu’s) employers. Mr. Hima Aboubakar was not respondent’s employer and had no business paying the respondent any sum as appreciation. This is coming at the backdrop of the admission by the respondent that he got more than he was allegedly entitled to.

“On count two, I find for the appellant that it proved the allegation beyond reasonable doubt. I find the respondent guilty on count two. On counts one, three and four, there was no direct admission and even though it was established that the respondents got cars paid for by SEI Nig Ltd (Hima Aboubakar) and delivered by Coscharis.

“Flowing from above therefore, the respondent is discharged and acquitted on counts one, three and four of the charge, but guilty of count two.

“Considering the circumstances and the facts in this appeal, particularly the fact that the respondent quickly refunded the sum of $300,000, there is no history of previous conviction before the court. Therefore, in exercise of the court’s discretion, the respondent is hereby sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and in the alternative, an option of N500, 000 fine,” Justice Nimpar said.

DEFENCE

Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members 

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 Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.

Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.

The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.

” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.

” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.

” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.

The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people

Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.

He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.

The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom 

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.

DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.

John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.

She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.

John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and ⁠assorted charms.

According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.

“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.

“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.

John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.

The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

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 The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.

DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.

John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.

She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.

m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.

”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.

The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.

The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.

According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.

She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN) 

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