NEWS
Ortom Inaugurates 15 Commissioners in Benue

From Chris Gaga, Makurdi
Fifteen new Commissioners have taken oath of office as members of the Benue State Executive Council (EXCO).
Swearing – in the cabinet members at the Benue People’s House in Makurdi on Monday, the state Governor, Samuel Ortom warned the new appointees not to divert public funds meant for the execution of public projects into private pockets.
He urged the new Commissioners to comply strictly with the core values of his Administration which he listed as “transparency, accountability and fairness” among others for seamless implementation of the programmes, saying he will not hesitate to drop anyone found wanting.
“I wish to emphasise that all public servants under this Administration should not dare to convert funds meant for the execution of public projects for the people’s welfare and wellbeing into private pockets.
“This is unacceptable and contrary to public fiscal responsibility and we shall not hesitate to use the big stick against such conduct,” the governor noted.
He emphasized that his administration has embarked on aggressive internal revenue generation with a view to meeting campaign promises.
According to him, the situation was why his adminstration is currently re-organizing the machinery of Government in some sectors for effective service delivery.
“Let me stress that every appointee must perform satisfactorily in order to continue to be part of our team.
“You are therefore requested to acquaint yourselves with Administrative Guidelines, Financial Regulations and Office Procedure to enable you discharge your duties effectively,” he added.
He said though the new Commissioners were coming when government was facing some challenges, they must strive to deploy their experience to bear on the collective determination to respond to the challenges and expectations.
“These include the imperative to meet our obligations as Government as well as enhance our capacity to respond effectively even with lean budgetary expenditures,” he added.
The Commissioner include Michael Gusa Esq, Justice; Hon. David Olofu – Finance; Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Education; Unenge Aondoaver Bernard, Lands and Survey; Chief Dennis Ekpe Ogbu, Housing and Urban Development; M-erga Kachina, Industry, Trade and Investments; Mrs. Laadi Ajene Isegbe, Youth and Sports; Rt. Hon. Ngunan Addingi, Information, Culture and Tourism.
Others are Dr. Ongbabo Elaigwu Sunday, Health; Engr. Alexander Shaapera, Works; Dr. Timothy Aondona Ijir, Agriculture; Engr. Joshua Dondo Ahire, Water Resources; Dr Oyiwona Godwin Emmanuei, Energy, Science and Technology;Mrs Igirgi Nyiazungwe, Women Affairs and Victor Dzungwe Ukaha, Rural Development.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mike Gusa pledged total commitment of members of the EXCO to the success of the Ortom administration.
CRIME
Troops arrest 10 Robbers, rescue 3 Victims in Kaduna

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The military high command, yesterday said its troops deployed on internal operations in Kaduna state has arrested ten armed robbery suspects at Kafanchan town in Jema’a local government area of the state.
A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko stated the names of the arrested suspects as: Messrs Manga Ismail, a 22 – year-old, Idris Haruna (Ban Sambo), 20- year-old, Sani Bali, 19- year-old.
Others are Shamsudeen Ladan, 25 – year-old, Abdulmajid Yau (Sele), 22 – year – old , Abubakar Hassan, 23 – year-old, Abbas Aliyu, 15 – year-old, Mohammed Umar (Jazuli), 17 – year – old, Jonathan Vincent (Bamai), 19 – year-old and Stephen Joseph, 25 – year-old.
According to him, items recovered from the criminals include: TV, DVD, gas cookers, Mattresses, woofer, phones, scissors, among others.
Gen. Onyeuko also said on the same day, troops acting on intelligence reports, conducted a cordon search operation at Fanock Village, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and found a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABUJA KUJ 452 AZ with no occupant.
Onyeuko explained that Troops conducted search operations in the surrounding bush and rescued 3 kidnaped civilians comprising two females and a male.
Speaking further, he said :”Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in a sustained effort to eliminate criminals elements in their Area of operation on 28 June 2022 based credible intelligence conducted clearance operation in conjunction with vigilantes at Kan Duniya Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, neutralized notorious bandit and kidnapper.
“Similarly, on the same day, troops on fighting patrol sighted 2 x suspected kidnappers around Sara High Ground Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State on a motor cycle, suspects abandoned their motor cycle on sighting troops and fled.
” Troop exploited area and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 magazines, 1 motor cycle, 1 iron digger and 2 black jackets amongst others”, he said.
Foreign News
Husband of Slain Kenyan Runner Tirop Seeks Plea Bargain

The husband of slain Kenyan distance runner Agnes Tirop is seeking a plea bargain after initially denying a charge of murder, his lawyer said yesterday.
Tirop, a rising star in the world of athletics, was killed last October in her home in Iten, a high-altitude training hub in western Kenya for top runners.
Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich was arrested after a dramatic late-night chase the day after Tirop’s body was found with stab wounds, and has been in custody ever since.
The 41-year-old denied a charge of murder at a November court appearance.
But in the latest twist in the legal saga, his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua told the Eldoret High Court that Rotich was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of attracting a more lenient sentence.
The prosecution said it was not against the idea of a plea bargain but wanted Tirop’s family to be involved in the process.
A hearing on Rotich’s request will take place on 22 September.
NEWS
HEDA Petitions ICPC over Allegations against Ex-CJN

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the allegations against the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman, HEDA, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, yesterday in Lagos.
Suraju, in a letter to the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, urged the commission to stand tall over the allegations of corruption, maladministration and incompetence leveled against Muhammad.
“As a leading anti-corruption organisation in Nigeria and non-partisan human rights and development league, we call on the ICPC to commence investigation into the budgetary allocation, utilisation and development process of the judiciary with a view to sanitisation of that critical arm of government,” he said.
Suraju said it was widely reported that the immediate past CJN responded to the allegations brought against him by 14 Justices on the aforementioned allegations.
“It is unarguable that the judiciary is the last hope of the helpless and its judges are only meant to be heard and not seen.
“However, these allegations made by fellow Justices of the apex court against the CJN cannot be overlooked as it is weighty and must be diligently investigated by the commission in order to protect that vital institution.
“If the Supreme Court of Nigeria is infested with corrupt persons, then our democracy is doomed, ICPC and others relevant bodies should rise and act fast to redeem the temple of justice from possible collapse,” HEDA said. (NAN)