The kidnapped Emir of Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government area of Kaduna State, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, has regained his freedom barely 24hrs after his abduction.
One of the kingmakers of the Emirate Council, Dahiru Abubakar, confirmed the development to The Nation.
The Emir was released on Monday afternoon, few hours after bandits demanded N200 million ransom for the monarch and 10 other family members kidnapped with him.
Abubakar did not however say whether the N200 million ransom was paid or not before his release.
The Nation reliably gathered only the 85- year- old second class Emir was released with the bandits said to be holding on to other abductees.
The Emir, according to another source, addressed his subjects immediately he returned to Kajuru.
The suspected Killers of a 300-level student of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Olajide Blessing Omowumi, have been accused of using wooden toy gun to perpetrate the crime allegedly linked to them as the Department of State Service (DSS) tendered 40 items as exhibits.
Among the items tendered by the DSS operative, Mr Igwe Imo, included a wooden toy gun, allegedly used by the suspects to commit the crimes.
The suspects; Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Timileyin Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladoja were brought to court for alleged rape, murder and armed robbery.
The first three suspects are standing trial for alleged rape and murder of the 24-year-old student in their Tanke, Ilorin residence early last month.
Other items tendered as exhibits included one blue Samsung phone with IMEI 352031/496383/6, one black lanovo phone, one golden Nokia phone with model number TA-1053, one motherboard, one blue itel phone, one black hp 15 laptops with model number 15-r002se, one black hp pro book 45ogi with serial number 2CE3481LIP, and two other laptops, as well as two hard drive (500gb).
Also, the DSS presented three witnesses, who included the girlfriend of the eighth accused, Zainab Olaiya. The witness told the court that Akande Taiye called her with a phone number suspected to be that of the late Blessing Olajide.
She was tracked and invited by the DSS and this later led to the arrest of the accused person through her.
A policeman, Adewale Adesola, while being led in evidence described the sixth accused person as a neighbour he had known for the past 15 years.
He said the accused person gave him the stolen phone for safe keep. However, the police officer said in court on Monday that he kept the phone with him between June 10 to 12, 2021 but yet to institute an investigation on the item when he was invited by the DSS.
Though, he claimed to have queried the accused about the source of the phone which he suspected to be a stolen item.
One of the defence counsels during cross-examination queried why the witness kept the phone for that long without investigations and also laid bare the fact that the witness helped the sixth accused to write a statement while in DSS custody.
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf also came down hard on the seventh accused lawyer, Sikiru Solagberu, on Monday for reportedly disrespecting the court.
The judge described the content of the press interview granted by the lawyer as irritating, while he also fumed that the lawyer had to deliver a letter telling the court of his decision to withdraw from the case through his secretary.
He, however, accepted Solagberu’s apology through his counsel, Kehinde Eleja SAN, and discharged him accordingly.
It is recalled that the court had on June 7, ordered the arrest of Sikiru Solagberu, counsel to one of the suspects standing trial for alleged rape and murder for exhibiting conduct unbecoming of a lawyer after court proceeding by making uncomplimentary remarks in some television stations and social media platforms.
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf later adjourned the case till Tuesday, June 13, 2021, for further hearing on the matter.as the Department of State Service (DSS) tendered 40 items as exhibits.
Among the items tendered by the DSS operative, Mr Igwe Imo, included a wooden toy gun, allegedly used by the suspects to commit the crimes.
The suspects; Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Timileyin Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladoja were brought to court for alleged rape, murder and armed robbery.
The first three suspects are standing trial for alleged rape and murder of the 24-year-old student in their Tanke, Ilorin residence early last month.
Other items tendered as exhibits included one blue Samsung phone with IMEI 352031/496383/6, one black lanovo phone, one golden Nokia phone with model number TA-1053, one motherboard, one blue itel phone, one black hp 15 laptops with model number 15-r002se, one black hp pro book 45ogi with serial number 2CE3481LIP, and two other laptops, as well as two hard drive (500gb).
Also, the DSS presented three witnesses, who included the girlfriend of the eighth accused, Zainab Olaiya. The witness told the court that Akande Taiye called her with a phone number suspected to be that of the late Blessing Olajide.
She was tracked and invited by the DSS and this later led to the arrest of the accused person through her.
A policeman, Adewale Adesola, while being led in evidence described the sixth accused person as a neighbour he had known for the past 15 years.
He said the accused person gave him the stolen phone for safe keep. However, the police officer said in court on Monday that he kept the phone with him between June 10 to 12, 2021 but yet to institute an investigation on the item when he was invited by the DSS.
Though, he claimed to have queried the accused about the source of the phone which he suspected to be a stolen item.
One of the defence counsels during cross-examination queried why the witness kept the phone for that long without investigations and also laid bare the fact that the witness helped the sixth accused to write a statement while in DSS custody.
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf also came down hard on the seventh accused lawyer, Sikiru Solagberu, on Monday for reportedly disrespecting the court.
The judge described the content of the press interview granted by the lawyer as irritating, while he also fumed that the lawyer had to deliver a letter telling the court of his decision to withdraw from the case through his secretary.
He, however, accepted Solagberu’s apology through his counsel, Kehinde Eleja SAN, and discharged him accordingly.
It is recalled that the court had on June 7, ordered the arrest of Sikiru Solagberu, counsel to one of the suspects standing trial for alleged rape and murder for exhibiting conduct unbecoming of a lawyer after court proceeding by making uncomplimentary remarks in some television stations and social media platforms.
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf later adjourned the case till Tuesday, June 13, 2021, for further hearing on the matter.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday released Regulatory Guidelines and Framework for Mobile Money Services in the country, warning operators against charges or fees that could lead Mobile Money savings wallet account holders to suffer reduction in their principal sum on the wallet.
The regulator stated that the introduction of mobile telephony in Nigeria and its rapid growth and adoption among other factors have underscored its decision to issue the framework as it will create an enabling environment for the orderly introduction and management of mobile money services in Nigeria.
It said: “The Framework defines the regulatory environment as a policy path towards achieving availability, acceptance and usage of mobile payment services.”
The apex bank also said that the objectives of the guidelines are to ensure a structured and orderly development of mobile money services in Nigeria, with a clear definition of various participants and their expected roles and responsibilities.
It is also meant to specify the minimum technical and business requirements for the various participants recognized for the mobile money services industry in Nigeria; and promote safety and effectiveness of mobile money services and thereby enhance user confidence in the services.
The Guidelines on Mobile Money Services stated that the Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) shall not carry out the following activities: Grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees (directly or indirectly); Accept foreign currency deposits; Deal in the foreign exchange market except as prescribed in Section 4.1 (ii & iii) of the extant Guidelines for Licensing and Regulation of Payment Service Banks in Nigeria; Insurance underwriting; Accept any closed scheme electronic value (e.g. airtime) as a form of deposit or payment; Establish any subsidiary; Undertake any other transaction which is not prescribed by these Guidelines; And any other activities that may be prohibited by the CBN.
On interest distribution on savings wallet, Section 10.1.3 stated: “Fees and charges for the management of the investment shall not be more than 10 percent of interest income on savings wallet funds investment; Where an MMO operates a savings wallet, i.e., a wallet earning interest, it shall expressly inform subscribers of the following:
“The minimum balance on the savings wallet that qualifies to earn interest; The allowable number of withdrawals to be entitled to earn interest; The minimum savings period to earn interest; The applicable balance that would earn interest.”
It further states that the procedure for determining interest amount distributable to subscribers should stipulate the minimum percentage of interest income to be distributed to subscribers and the proportion to be retained by the MMO, if applicable; the applications of section 10.1.3 (b) (i) to (v) in distributing interest shall be automated.
The section further stated: “On no account whatsoever, shall a Mobile Money savings wallet account holder suffer diminution in the principal sum on his/her wallet as a result of fees or charges; Deposit Money Banks serving as settlement banks are prohibited from off-setting any other transactions of the MMO, including the transaction wallet pool accounts, against the savings wallet principal pool accounts and savings wallets interest pool account; and MMOs shall comply with the minimum disclosure requirements on the financial statements as stipulated by the Bank’ Section 10.1.2 of the guidelines stated: Funds on saving wallets shall be invested in only the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB); MMOs shall be treated as mandate customers of CBN for NTB subscription through the CBN NTB window, and MMOs shall have a process to determine appropriate cash balance on its Savings Wallet Principal Pool Account that will meet its savings wallets customers’ withdrawal requirements at every point in time.”
The late Nigerian songwriter cum comedian, Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi popularly known as, Sound Sultan, who died after a battle with cancer, has been buried in the United States.
He breathed his last after battling lymphoma — a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells.
The deceased’s funeral followed at 9pm on Sunday at the Marlboro Muslim Cemetry in New Jersey.
Sound Sultan’s career in show business started in the 90s when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.
He released his hist single ‘Mathematics’ in 2000. After independently releasing other singles and featuring in the hits of other singers, he was signed by Kennis Music.
Under Kennis Music, Sound Sultan released four albums. After his contract with the label expired in 2007, he partnered with Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas.
Sound Sultan, in 2009, married Chichi Morah, his long-time girlfriend, with whom he had three children.
As reactions continue to trail the invasion of the residence of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, by Operatives of Department of State Security (DSS), Some Yoruba traditional rulers from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi states, on Sunday called for the immediate release of his 13 aides who were arrested by the
The royal fathers , under the banner of the Forum of Yoruba Obas, also demanded adequate compensation for the families of two aides who were shot dead by the DSS during the midnight invasion of Igboho’s house, located at Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
In a statement titled: “The Position of The Yoruba Obas on the Invasion of Sunday Adeyemo’s House by the DSS and State of The Nation”, the traditional rulers described the invasion as illegal and a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of Igboho, his aides and the deceased.
According to the statement signed by the president of the forum, Oba Samuel O. Adeoye, who is the Molokun of Atijere kingdom in Ondo State and his secretary, Olukotun of Ikotun Ile, Oba Abdurasaq Adebayo Abioye in Kwara, “We strongly condemn in its entirety the invasion and the gruesome murder of the people at Sunday Igboho’s house on the1st July, 2021.”
“As traditional rulers we cannot bury our heads in the sand like the ostrich on a very sensitive issue like this which if not well managed could further polarise the oneness and unity of Nigeria, considering the recent calls by prominent people in and outside the shores of Nigeria for the disintegration of Nigeria as one indissoluble and indivisible entity.
“We believe that the killing by the officers of the DSS is unwarranted and unjustifiable, a violent breach of the fundamental right of those who were killed by the overzealous officers at Sunday Adeyemi’s house his residence.
“We hereby call for the immediate release of those arrested at his residence. We demand that there must be adequate compensation for the family of those people who were murdered during the operation. We equally in the same vein call on President Muhammadu Buhari to cause a discrete and holistic investigation on this volatile issue.
“While we as custodians of tradition and advocates of peace will not shield or encourage anyone to break the law of the land, we make bold to state that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear and unambiguous that the governor of the state is the Chief Security Officer of the state and as such Governor Seyi Makinde ought to be apprised of any move to cause the arrest of anyone in Oyo State who has or is likely to cause serious security breach before such a person or group of persons can be arrested.”
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Sunday, July 11, as the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
This is contained in a statement by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto on Sunday.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee on Saturday received reports on the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
“The Sultan accepted the report and accordingly declared Sunday, July 11, as the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
“He felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” he said.
The Sultan urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country while wishing them happy Eid-el-Kabir in advance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dhul-Hijja is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
It is a sacred month in Islam, one in which Muslims perform the Ḥajj (Holy Pilgrimage) as well as observe the Festival of Sacrifice.
With the declaration by the Sultan, Nigerian Muslims will observe the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir on Tuesday, July 20, which is equivalent to the 10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH. (NAN)
Tragedy struck in Ebonyi State when lightning killed three persons in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area.
The incident occurred around 3 pm on Friday in Ngodo community and another community in the ancient town after a heavy downpour that lasted for some hours.
A resident of Afikpo, Iheukwumere Okogwu Otu who spoke to Tribune Online, said one of the deceased was from Cross River State and has lived in the area for years.
“Yes, it is true that thunder killed three persons in our place. There was heavy rainfall that day which was accompanied by serious thunder and lightning.
“The lightning occurred in two different places. It killed two in Ngodo community and another person in another place. One of those that was killed is from Cross River State who settled in Afikpo,” he said.
He described the incident as unfortunate and the first of its kind in the area.
Another person, Eze Christian Egwu told Tribune Online that the heavy downpour which he said started about 10 am on that fateful day was so serious that the residents couldn’t go out for the day businesses.
Egwu, the Youth President of Egeburu-Amaokwiri in the area, said the heavy downpour lasted for over five hours before the lightning struck and killed the victims.
He, however, said only two persons were killed by the disaster.
“My sister, what you heard is true, it is true but two persons were killed and it occurred in Ngodo. It is true that lightning struck two persons dead in Ngodo.”
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the police spokesperson DSP Loveth Odah were not fruitful as her lines were not reachable at the time of filing this report.
Presidency: Only DSS, Police, AGF can determine his fate
By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Gbenga Aderanti and Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
The camp of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho, on Saturday denied that he was about to soft pedal or dialogue with the federal authorities.
Reacting last night to Friday’s offer by the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, to intervene in the face-off between government and Igboho, the spokesman of the activist, Olayomi Koiki, said there had been no contact between the monarch and the agitator lately.
Koiki also denied that Igboho was about to drop the agitation for a Yoruba nation.
But the Oluwo said only Igboho “can speak for himself” on whether he is ready for talks of not.
“Nobody can speak for him,” he told The Nation on the phone last night.
The Presidency itself appeared to play down the matter when contacted on Saturday.
A source said only the Director of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, could determine Igboho’s fate.
It was the DSS that coordinated the raid in the activist’s Ibadan residence penultimate Thursday, arrested some of his aides and declared him wanted.
Igboho has since gone underground.
Koiki, his spokesman, told The Nation yesterday that he was not aware of any contact lately between Oba Akanbi and Igboho.
“Not at any time, not even a single call,” he said.
But he admitted that Igboho visited the oba way back in 2018 to reciprocate a similar one by the traditional ruler to the activist.
He said it was on that occasion at the Oluwo’s palace that the photograph of Igboho prostrating for the oba, now trending on social media, was taken.
“The news that Chief Sunday Adeyemo visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi is not true,” he said.
“The 2018 picture was taken during a return visit after he (Oluwo) came to chief’s house.”
He insisted that Igboho has also not dropped his agitation for a Yoruba nation.
He said any claim to the contrary is a lie.
He promised to give a comprehensive response soon by way of an audio message.
Contacted last night on the reaction from Igboho’s camp, Oba Akanbi said: “It is only Igboho that can speak for himself now. Nobody can speak for him.
“If he wants to continue fighting the way he has been fighting, let him go ahead.
“If he wants his normal life back, let him go for peace. It is either he goes for peace or continues with ‘catch me if you can,’ with the DSS.
“The option is there for Igboho, but I won’t advise him to talk or say a word until peace is made.
“To return his life back to normal is my desire.
“Anybody that wants to lead the agitation can go ahead. It is Igboho that has something to protect. He has a life.
“He is our son, we won’t allow something bad to happen to him. He has a name.
Read Also: Gani Adams to Ooni, Alake, others: please forgive Sunday Igboho “Sunday Igboho does not deal with some of those people who say they are speaking for him.
“Why didn’t you ask them when they spoke with Igboho?
“It is unfortunate that the majority of them are pushing him. They will just continue to push him until they kill him.
“To the extent that the DSS could claim responsibility that they attacked his house. They (DSS), said: ‘We went to Igboho’s house and we killed two people.’
“I think they just want to push him into trouble. Even before the current agitations, he was not poor. He was only misinformed and he has realised this.
“Did you hear anything from his mouth? Did you hear his voice disputing what I said?
“Government is beyond what they are seeing, what they are saying. Let them come out with where Igboho said this or that. Let them produce Igboho’s recording.
“I would advise Igboho not to say anything against the government. He should have his life to protect. He should keep quiet till we solve the present problem.
“Those people pushing him cannot do anything for him, rather when he gets into trouble, they will all run away and leave him to solve his problems.
“They have pushed him into trouble. He has a house, and he can’t go there.
“His wife is in trouble. His people are in a problem. His family members are in trouble.
“He is now running like a fugitive. He has been declared wanted. His passport has been seized.
“Those people pushing him, why can’t they come to the street and continue from where he stopped?
“Those who are speaking for him right now are not his closest aides.
“Some of them speaking for him are using him to make money.
“I told him that some of the people making noise were just pushing him. He did certain things that were beyond him, especially the idea of going to open the border. No government would allow that.
“Some of them are trying to justify their action by comparing Igboho with the bandits in the North. Do the bandits have a house? Do they have a name?
“Igboho has a house; he has exotic cars in his compound. He had been made a long time ago. Some of these people pushing him just want to make money.
“We will speak to the government to forgive him. This same government honoured MKO Abiola. Those who did bad things to Abiola did not honour him.
“Abiola was not on good terms with Buhari, yet it was the same Buhari that honoured him.
“The Igbo elders may not speak about Nnamdi Kanu and plead on his behalf and assure the government that they would tell him to stop some of the things he is doing.
“But we as Yoruba elders would not allow things to get worse. What we are doing right now is to find a way of getting him out of the trouble.
“He has a house, he can’t live in it. He has a car, he can’t ride it. His German passport has been seized.
“If the Igbo do not talk about the activities of Kanu, we would talk about our own before they start killing people in Yorubaland.
“Would you say how unknown gunmen have been killing people in the South East is good? Is that what we want in Yorubaland?
“We will draw his attention to it that ‘young man, where he is going is not good.
“I think the media hype entered Igboho’s head and those who are making money from the Diaspora are not telling him the truth.”
Only DSS, Police, AGF can determine Igboho’s fate — Presidency
A Presidency source said only the Director of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) could determine Igboho’s fate.
“The Oluwo is one of those who are supporting the government and offering advice from time to time. We have read what he wrote,” the source said.
“But only the DSS, the police and the AGF can determine how Igboho’s case will be treated. They can decide his fate.”
A security source said: “It will be difficult to adopt a different approach for Igboho. Before negotiation, he must first of all respect the law of the land by surrendering.
“He is promoting secession, which is treasonable. The question of peace talks is political. Let him honour security agencies’ summons before seeking refuge.
“Security agents recovered arms from his residence .We have some of his aides with us and they have made some revelations. He needs to come and clarify a few things.”
The Oluwo, in his Friday letter to President Buhari, pleaded for forgiveness for Igboho and asked that the order for his arrest be ‘slowed down’ to enable him (oba) bring him to Abuja for possible peace talks.
He was confident that Igboho would drop his agitation for the creation of a Yoruba nation.
“He has pledged his readiness to listen to us,” the Oluwo said.
He added: “I promise your Excellency that Igboho will mind his steps henceforth. He has suffered a lot.
“He would step down agitations. I will bring him for a peace talk at an appropriate time.”
“He visited my palace sometime in 2018. I give pieces of advice when sought. Instead of Igboho to distinctively differentiate between agitation towards government and inter groups activism, he failed.
President Muhammadu Buhari has given a fresh marching order to the military to respond to the worrying situation in a language that the bandits understand as he condemned repeated bandit killings in Zamfara and Kaduna states.
Buhari in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu, said the president noted that the military and other security agencies are now working on new methods and policies that are yielding good results in many of the troubled parts of the country and calls for a crushing response to the killing of innocent citizens in the rural communities.
He also averred that the nation, its military and the entire population need to summon the courage required to defeat the bandits and terrorists. President Buhari condemned some politicians making utterances on security, merely seeking applause, advising them to join the ongoing genuine efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.
He expressed the nation’s sorrow over the loss of lives, urging security agencies to do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of attacks with impunity.
Former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has gone back to school to obtain a Masters degree in London varsity .
President of African Development Bank, AFDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina stated this on Saturday.
Adesina made this known while delivering the convocation lecture for the graduating students of American University of Nigeria, in Yola.
Adesina said Atiku is studying for a Masters’ degree in international relations.
“He loves education and its power to create transformation change”, Adesina said of Atiku, who he described as his benefactor, mentor, big brother, and friend.
“I was joking with him recently and asked why at his age, he had gone back to study for a Masters’ degree in international relations in the UK.
“He told me that he wanted to obtain the degree, so that he could find out why he did the things he did while in government”.
Atiku who was born on 25 November 1946 in Jada Adamawa state, is 74 years old.
He started schooling at the age of eight, attending Jada Primary School.
After completing his primary school education in 1960, he was admitted into Adamawa Provincial Secondary School in the same year.
He graduated from secondary school in 1965 with a Grade 3 in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Following secondary school, Abubakar studied a short while at the Nigeria Police College in Kaduna.
He left the College when he was unable to present an O-Level Mathematics result, and worked briefly as a Tax Officer in the Regional Ministry of Finance, from where he gained admission to the School of Hygiene in Kano in 1966.
He graduated with a Diploma in 1967, having served as Interim Student Union President at the school.
In 1967 he enrolled for a Law Diploma at the Ahmadu Bello University Institute of Administration, on a scholarship from the regional government.
After graduation in 1969, during the Nigerian Civil War, he was employed by the Nigeria Customs Service.
He retired from the Customs in April 1989 and plunged into politics and business.
