CRIME
Financial, Cross-Border Crime Constitute Deadly Tripod Tragedies – NASS Clark
By Blessing Bature-Akpakpan
Clark to the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde Amos has said that financial crime, cross border crime and Electoral Fraud constitute deadly tripod tragedies standing against the accelerated progress and stability of Nigeria.
Amos who was represented by the director, internal audit Mr.
Kayode Oluwasami stated this during the 6th annual conference on financial crime, cross border crime and Electoral Fraud, organised by forensic insight international limited that the various danger that financial Fraud posed tragically to the country, made the Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian Government in 1999-2003 to establish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to combat the menace.“Cross border crime is illegal and notorious activities carried out by individuals and groups across national international borders, saying the stark leakages coming out at our various border posts across the country is a major contributor to the proliferation of small arms and other offensive ammunition that have found their ways into the deadly hands of kidnapping kingpins and other violent bandits terrorizing our people today.
“On the other hand electoral fraud, voter fraud or vote rigging is what I will call illegal interference with the process of election which is the major challenge to our political and democratic system,” Amos said.
He urged that in order for our democratic process to have any meaningful impact on the masses in who sovereignty resides, all relevant constituted authorities must do the needful, so that the process will be sanitized even as we all look up eagerly towards the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
The CEO, Forensic Insight International ltd, Tunji Aworinde said the objectives of the conference aimed at identifying common crimes and behaviors besetting Nigeria including bribery and corruption, money laundering, abuse of political power and impunity, cybercrime, terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping, trafficking, electoral fraud and violence among others that these crimes threatened Nigerian economy and wellbeing of citizens, making the country unattractive for businesses and investments to strive.
Aworinde added that the conference is an opportunity to campaigning against some of the economic and social vices in Nigeria and Africa enhance capacity building anticorruption agencies.
“We have refused to fold our hands or remain indifferent to all the social ills ongoing in the country, and in view of the election coming up its only apt that we lend our voices and say no to electoral fraud, campaign to the hearing of our people to be wise in the choice of their leaders, because the leaders we choose today will determine not just our future but also the future of our children whether for good or bad,” Aworinde said.
The assistant Director, Analysis and Compliance, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Mr Muhammad Jiya said curbing the menace of money laundering and associated predicate offences required strong and effective collaboration and synergy between reporting entities competent authorities and international organizations, adding that country and all stakeholders must ensure full compliance with international standards on combating money laundering and the financial of terrorism and proliferation set by the financial action task force as well as all domestic law and regulations terrorism financing.
He said Nigeria financial intelligence unit as the agency in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing is poised to collaborate with stakeholders local and international by providing credible and actionable intelligence on money laundering terrorism financing
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.