CRIME
ICPC Begins Investigation into Cash Transfer Fraud in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi state Commissioner of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Patrick Chilezie Ogwuegbu has launched investigation into the allegations of fraud in the implementation of the ongoing conditional cash transfer programme in Kogi State.
The Commissioner, while reacting to the allegation of shortchange in the implementation of the ongoing conditional cash transfer in Adavi local government area of Kogi state filed by one Hauwa Suleiman before him, promised that the case will be critically looked into based on its merit for necessary action in accordance with the laws of the land.
The petitioner, Hauwa Suleiman had petitioned the Commissioner alleging that the desk officer, Memunat Ohunene Abdusalam connived with the Senior Special Assistant,SSA to Governor Yahaya Bello on (Security) for Adavi local government area, Joseph Omuya Salami to shortchange beneficiaries.
Suleiman who expressed surprise that almost nine months after submitting the petition to the ICPC Commissioner, nothing has been heard from him said that she was pained by the level of conspiracy to shortchange beneficiaries some of whom were swapped and replaced with able bodied energetic people who shared the money with the Desk officer for Adavi local government, Memunat Ohunene Abdusalam.
A copy of the petition made available to our Correspondent in Lokoja by Hauwa Suleiman who is a facilitator for three communities in Adavi alleged that the desk officer had been pocketing not less than three million Naira every month through illegal deductions from beneficiaries.
She also accused the Desk officer of fraudulently swapping names of genuine beneficiaries with fake ones and sharing the proceeds with them, while some of the genuine beneficiaries were left to die without receiving a penny before their deaths.
Suleiman gave a specific instance of late Ajako Azeez, whose money was still being claimed nine months after his demise.
She also gave the instance of another beneficiary, Sule Kekere, whose name was replaced with that of Hannah Yusuf who is a young lady while Kekere happens to be an elderly vulnerable man.
“All these and many more were included in the petition submitted to the commissioner nine months ago but nothing have been heard since and even now when the latest payment is being made,the practice of shortchanging the people continues.”
“I am pained to see how people are being shortchanged while the genuinely vulnerable people who are supposed to be the real beneficiaries were left to languish in penury.”Suleiman lamented.
DAILY ASSET’s attempt to speak with the desk officer of Adavi, Memunat Abdusalam met a brick wall as she did not pick repeated calls to her phone.
She also did not reply the message sent to her on WhatsApp.
When our correspondent contacted the Kogi state Commissioner for Independent corrupt practices commission, ICPC,-Patrick Chilezie Ogwuegbu said that it was not true that nothing was being done as the commission has launched investigation into the allegations.
According to him, the petitioner have been invited and had even made her statement which had been sent to the appropriate quarters who have launched the investigation.
“We do not conduct our investigation on the terms of the petitioner and we also do not conduct our investigation on the pages of newspapers,we also do not give daily reports to petitioner,she can only have any information when we conclude our investigation” the commissioner said.
On the allegations that some of the genuine beneficiaries have died and even though their money was still being paid to some other persons the commissioner said that was not included in the original petition and therefore, was not part of the on going investigation.
” She will need to bring a fresh petition if she had new evidence that requires further investigation” he added.
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.
A Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, was found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.
The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.
“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00am after she returned from a vigil in her church.
“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.
“The law enforcement agency has been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.
“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.
He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.
Also mourning the death of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.
Faith Igba, the PRO of the department, said the demise of Ayandare was a profound loss to the department.
Igba urged the members of the department to come together and be of help to one another, asking those going through challenges to seek help.
“During this difficult time, we urge everyone to come together in support of each other. The mental well-being of our members is of utmost importance, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek help.
“Our faculty offers counselling services, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Comrade Modupe’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Let us honour her memory by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for all,” he said.
Speaking on the death of Ayandare, Victor Akinpelumi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, said that the institution had confirmed the incident but was yet to know the cause of the death.
Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, said that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.
Media Group Confers Lifetime Patron Award on Ogbodo for Community Devt
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja In a ceremony that underscored his dedication to humanity and his community, Medical Director of Lydia...
FCT Court Urges Renovation of its Complex Burnt During EndSARS Protest
Share The FCT Customary Court, Dutse, Abuja has appealed to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to facilitate the renovation of...
Group Cautions NASS Against Tax Reforms Bill
Share The Northern Youths Assembly has cautioned the National Assembly against passing the Tax Reforms Bill from the executive before...
Ondo poll: Court Declines to Disqualify Edema as NNPP Candidate
ShareAn Ondo High Court in Akure on Thursday set aside the suit challenging the candidature of Mr Olugbenga Edema as...
Woman Bags 3 Years Imprisonment for N5.8m Visa Fraud
ShareA Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday sentenced a 40-year-old woman, Danielle Justin, to three years imprisonment for alleged N5.8m...
Millions of Children Experience Daily Domestic Violence in Schools, Homes Globally – WHO
Share Hundreds of millions of children and adolescents around the world face daily violence in their homes, schools, and elsewhere...
DHQ Confirms Emergence of new Terrorists’ Group in N/W
ShareThe Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorists’ group known as ‘Lukarawas’ exacerbating insecurity in the North...
Navy Arrests 3 Suspects with Stolen Crude Oil in A’Ibom
ShareThe Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka has arrested three suspected oil thieves carrying a boat containing crude oil...
50% of Maternal Deaths are from 174 LGAs in Nigeria – Pate
Share By Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, on Wednesday, revealed...
Tinubu Gives Wike Marching Order to Develop, Grow Arts, Tourism Hubs in Abuja
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu has...