Abia Speaker, Orji blessing to 7th Assembly – Deputy Speaker

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February 24, 2020

The Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu has described the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji as a blessing to the 7th Assembly and Abia State at large.

Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu made his feelings known in a release he signed recently and made available to ABN TV. He said Right from his time as the Majority Leader of the 6th Abia State House of Assembly till now Rt. Hon. Orji’s leadership acumen has catapulted him to the enviable position of the Speaker and has seized every opportunity he had to leave a footprint.

According to the Deputy Speaker, “Immediately after he was sworn in as the Speaker, he swung into action to reveal how prepared he was to shoulder the responsibility of leading other members of the house. He first started with proving to all of us what it means to be a standard engineer when he masterfully reconstructed our assembly complex to the admiration of all and sundry.”

Rt. Hon. Uchendu stated that “they say in life, you do not judge a book by its cover until you read or go through the contents. I wouldn’t have talked about Mr. Speaker if I had not had close encounter with him.” He explained that in the Speaker he has noticed that Mr. Speaker belong to the class of people who are naturally designed and prepared as leaders. Rt. Hon. Uchendu noted that “hardly will anyone who visits the assembly during plenary sessions know who belongs to which party. The Speaker has carried each and every member of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly along irrespective of party affiliation.”

He said that Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji’s diligence and dedication to work is second to none as the Speaker is always the first to come to work and the last to leave the assembly complex. He further stated that “the Speaker I know is naturally endowed with so much wisdom. His knowledge about life is unbelievable. He understands people and their conditions more than they even do.” He equally added that “He is very sympathetic, empathetic and unapologetically a born philanthropist. He has given many a reason to live again through his benevolence.”

Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu revealed that the 7th Abia State House of Assembly has passed several developmental, economic driven and life changing bills with many motions to go with it under the dogged leadership of Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji. He described the Speaker as just humane and regretted that “In this world we find ourselves, where those who do good are left unrecognized and maligned, I want to take a stance to tell the whole world that the Speaker of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji is a blessing to the 7th Assembly.”

Umahi sacks two aides over alleged involvement in PDP member’s murder

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Alex Enemanna

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February 24, 2020

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Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, on Sunday, announced the sack of two of his aides – the Coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre, Uche Ibiam; and Ogbonnaya Ibiam (Jr), who was his Technical Assistant on Security.

The two men were sacked over their alleged involvement in the killing of one Enyinnaya Ibiam, a Peoples Democratic Party member in the state.

They were accused of masterminding the violence that broke out in their ward in Unwana Community, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state on Friday during the PDP councillorship primary election, during which Ibiam was reportedly killed.

Umahi announced the sack on the state’s owned radio station in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Ugbala.

The statement read in part, “The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi, has directed the immediate removal from office and arrest of the Coordinator, Ubeyi Development Centre, Uche Ibiam and Mr Ibiam Ogbonnaya Junior, Technical Assistant to Governor on Security, for their alleged involvement in a murder case.”

“The governor also directed that security agencies should investigate the matter and prosecute all the suspects in accordance with the laws.”

Court orders arrest of NIMC manager over alleged fraud

By

Alex Enemanna

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February 24, 2020

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a Principal Manager with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Ms Jamila Muhammed, for failure to appear in court over allegations of corruption.

A statement from the spokesperson for the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said the NIMC manager and a former Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission, Mounir Gwarzo, were being prosecuted by the commission over their complicity in the N12.8m contract scam.

The statement said, “Gwarzo is facing six counts bordering on abuse of office for awarding several contracts to Outbound Investment Limited, a private company where he doubled as a director even while he was DG of SEC.

“On her own part, Ms Muhammed, as director of Outlook Communication Limited, is facing eight counts of gratification and abuse of office for running a private company while in the employment of the Federal Government, as her company was awarded contracts to the tune of N4,372,080 by SEC.”

The commission said their actions were contrary to sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same sections.

ICPC added that the arraignment of the two persons was slated for Tuesday, February 18, 2020, before Justice O. A. Adeniyi, but for the absence of Ms Muhammed, who was said to be sick and on admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Counsel for the ICPC, George Lawal, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant on the accused persons maintaining that there was no medical report to back the claim of ill-health by her counsel.

Justice Adeniyi ruled that Ms Muhammed should be arrested immediately and kept in the ICPC custody, while adjourning the matter till March 5, 2020.

CBN denies prohibition on domiciliary accounts deposits

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Alex Enemanna

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February 24, 2020

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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has said that it has not prohibited the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits by Deposit Money Banks.

In a statement on Sunday, the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, clarified the uncertainties surrounding the operations of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria.

He said, “The bank has not prohibited the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits by Deposit Money Banks.”

“Only electronic fund transfers into domiciliary accounts can be transferred from such accounts while cash deposits into such accounts can only be withdrawn in cash also.”

Okorafor, therefore, urged stakeholders and other interested parties to always endeavour to seek clarification on issues and avoid speculative tendencies which were detrimental to the financial system.

Woman, 3 others jailed 160 years over fake naira notes

By

Alex Enemanna

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February 24, 2020

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A woman, Hadiza Bello, and three other accomplices have been sentenced to 160 years in prison by a Federal High Court, sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, for dealing in fake naira notes.

The convicts were dragged before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission after they were caught at a checkpoint along Girei-Yola Road.

A statement from the ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said five suspects — Hadiza, Mohammed Dauda, Bello Salisu, Ali Adamu and Hassan Bello, were involved in a deal to exchange the sum of N5m counterfeit notes for N1m real notes, adding that Hassan, a native doctor, could not be sentenced because of his death before conviction.

The statement said, “A Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced four persons, including a woman, to 160 years’ imprisonment on a multiple-count charge of conspiracy and possession of counterfeit banknotes.

“Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who handed down the sentences to the convicts in the case brought by the ICPC, ruled that they would spend 10 years in prison on each of the four counts preferred against them.

“Three of the convicts, Hadiza Bello, Mohammed Dauda and Bello Salisu, had in March 2017, left Kaduna and were joined by the fourth convict, Ali Adamu, from Kano, to meet a native doctor, Hassan Bello, who was a counterfeiter at Wamdeo Uba, Borno State, with the intention to procure about N5m counterfeit banknotes to exchange for about N1m genuine banknotes from a customs officer.

“The deal with the customs officer did not go through for undisclosed reasons. However, as they made their way back, they were caught at a checkpoint on Girei-Yola Road, with counterfeit N1000 banknotes to the value of N5, 504,000 by soldiers on duty and subsequently handed over to the ICPC.”

The anti-graft body said an investigation launched by its officers led to the residence of the native doctor at Wamdeo Uba, where he was arrested.

“A search conducted on the premises revealed more counterfeit N1000 bank notes reading the same serial number to the value of N26,000.

“At the conclusion of investigations, except for Bello Salisu, who was charged with abetment to commit an offence of possession of counterfeit banknotes, the other four suspects, including the native doctor counterfeiter, were arraigned on four counts of being in possession of counterfeit banknotes, which is an offence contrary to sections 5(1) (b) and 6(2) (b), and punishable under Section 5(1) (c) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, cap. C35, LFN 2004,” the statement added.

In his ruling, Justice Anka found the accused persons guilty on each of the four counts and sentenced them to cumulative 40 years’ imprisonment each, although the sentences would run concurrently.

Boko Haram Attack Adamawa Community, Burnt Houses, Churches Health Centre, Killed Soldiers (Photos)

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ABN TV EDITOR

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February 24, 2020

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Two churches were burnt at the weekend by Boko Haram insurgents who attacked Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Residential houses, hospitals, shops and vehicles were also torched by the terrorists.

The Army on Sunday confirmed the death of a soldier.

The burnt places of worship are a parish of the Living Faith (aka Winners Chapel) and Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa, a Nigeria (EYN) church.

Last month, Boko Haram terrorists beheaded Rev. Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Michika LGA branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Adamawa State.

But as the level of insecurity rises nationwide, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said: “Prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons.”

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Sunday visited Garkida to sympathise with the people.

However, the 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in a statement also said another soldier was injured by troops of 232 Battalion, who engaged the insurgents in gun duel.

The statement by Major Haruna Mohammed Sani, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the 23 Armoured Brigade, indicated that the destruction would have been more extensive, but for intervention of the troops who killed some of the insurgents.

The statement reads: “Gallant troops of 232 Battalion of 23 Armoured Brigade under Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Garkida, Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, had thwarted a planned criminal attack on the peaceful town on February 21, 2020 by some criminal Boko Haram terrorists.

“The terrorists besieged the town in about seven gun trucks and a number of motorcycles, setting some buildings ablaze and causing unrest within the community.

“Instinctively, the gallant troops mobilised and intercepted the criminals’ advance and engaged the marauding criminals unleashing high volume of fire, leading to the elimination of several of the criminals while others withdrew in disarray, many of them with gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their withdrawal route.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while another soldier was wounded in action. The wounded soldier has since been evacuated to a military medical facility and is positively responding to treatment.”

The statement added that the Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Brig. Gen. Sani Mohammed, who visited the troops in Garkida on Saturday, congratulated them for their fighting spirit, but warned them to be vigilant as the terrorists may plan a reprisal “due to the casualties they suffered.”

Gen. Gowon and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, have advocated prayer as the surest means to ending the spate of killings and other forms of violent crimes in the country.

Gowon, who is the National Chairman and Convener of ‘Nigeria Prays’, spoke in COCIN LCC Millennium Quarters, Yelwan Kagadama , venue of the Northeast Zonal Prayer rally in Bauchi, Bauchi State.

”Let us be assured that our prayers are not in vain. I can say this with every authority that prayer can solve problems better than faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapon,” he told the rally participants.

He lamented the spate of insecurity and activities of insurgents and called on God to guide President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, in tackling the problems.

“I have no doubt in my heart that God will honour our collective prayers and intercession for our dear nation and heal our nation of our afflictions,” the former Head of State added.

Gowon thanked the leaderships of CAN, Bauchi State chapter , church leaders across Northeast and the entire body of Christ in Bauchi state for their collective resolve to stand in gap and fervently pray for peace, prosperity and security in the nation.”

Governor Bala Mohammed, who also attended the rally, said: ” We need prayers to overcome the challenges in the state. We have 1.3 million out of school children in the state. We need prayers to overcome the agents of darkness and under development in the state.”

Also on Sunday, hundreds of people in Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, prayed divine intervention in tackling the security problems in the country at the palace of the Emir , Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari.

The intercession was part of the special prayer organised by Sulu- Gambari to seek God’s guidance for 85 professors of Ilorin Emirate extraction.

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Mohammed Salihu, led other clerics to ask God to give Nigerian leaders wisdom and the will to win the anti- insurgency and banditry war in the troubled states.

The emir acknowledged and praised the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in curbing insurgency and other forms of crimes.

He, however, maintained that what the nation required to overcome the security challenges was divine intervention through prayers by the leaders and adherents of the two major religions in the country.

“I commend President Buhari’s efforts at ending insecurity in the country, but of paramount importance is the need for us to seek divine intervention through prayers in overcoming the insurgents, “Sulu- Gambari said.

The emir also hailed the steps taken so far by the Federal Government to forestall the import of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and spread of Lassa fever in the country.

Sulu- Gambari hailed the professors and urged them to use their vantage positions to better the lots of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara and Nigeria in general.

Boko Haram Attack Adamawa Community, Burnt Houses, Churches Health Centre, Killed Soldiers (Photos)

Boko Haram: Buhari Pardoned 104 Terrorists For Human Development Sake – Minister

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ABN TV EDITOR

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February 24, 2020

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The Federal Government, through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has explained why 104 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members were freed.

She said President Muhammadu Buhari granted amnesty to the repentant terrorists “so that they could be assisted in different areas of human development.”

According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, the Minister said this when she received the representatives of the Chief of Defence staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishaki, led by the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Maj.-Gen Bamidele Shaffa, in Abuja on Saturday.

Umar-Farouq said in ensuring that the current administration achieve its vision in addressing the insecurity and insurgency challenges facing this nation, the government had given a welcoming hand or an opportunity to repentant Boko Haram members to have a re-think.

“It is a very important programme for the ministry, one of the mandates of the ministry is to focus on the early recovery aspect of the North-East region and one of such components of early recovery is re-integration, rehabilitation of these affected communities and the repentant Boko Haram insurgents,” she added.

The Minister thanked the Operation Safe Corridor for their efforts and initiatives, adding that it would address the challenges of insecurity and “to a very large approached in the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of these insurgents adding that this strategy is very important especially in the North-East today.