Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 20th February 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 20/02/20
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Group Warns Nigerians To Beware Of Human Traffickers Online
Nigerians have been urged to be conscious of the activities of human traffickers operating online via social media, mobile apps and other online platforms.
The Migrant Project gave this advice while noting that human traffickers whose interest is to exploit women, men and children through forced labour and commercial s**, now recruit unsuspecting persons online, often via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Dating Sites, amongst others.
Recall that SaharaReporters had published an article in January revealing how a Facebook user tricked people into releasing their children to be trafficked into slavery.
Tayo Elegbede, Media Lead at The Migrant Project, said that the organisation had noticed a disturbing rise in the modus operandi of human traffickers.
He noted that predators posed online either as travel agents with enticing deals, recruitment agencies with job offers or as lovers via dating sites and social media platforms, who would build trust before unleashing their inhumane intent.
“They now recruit, groom and control their victims online, riding on the possibilities of digital anonymity which makes it easier and cheaper for them to reach and recruit their victims online,” he said.
Elegbede explained that the traffickers conducted their nefarious activities in structured sequences by establishing Facebook and Instagram accounts, WhatsApp groups, fake business names and addresses to lure unsuspecting victims.
“Traffickers are capitalising on the growing desperation of many Nigerians to migrate abroad at all costs.
“They identify vulnerable persons with low self-esteem, ignorance and an interest in migrating, then reach out to them with deceptive offers. This is always the case of supply meeting demand, however, it often turns out to be sour too fast.”
The group cautioned Nigerians to be careful and report online content, personality or organisation with suspecting offers, promises and operations lacking clarity and credibility to avoid being a victim of human trafficking.
TMP also charged social media sites to improve their community control policies to downplay contents and sanction organisations involved in human trafficking.
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E2%80%93pa-adebanjo Buhari Illiterate, Nigeria Has Been Unlucky With Political Leadership –Pa Adebanjo
Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere Chieftain and elder Nigerian statesman, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is an illiterate and returning the country back to the dark ages.
Pa Adebanjo, who spoke at a lecture titled: ‘Restructuring: Building a Knowledge-Based Economy’, organised by the Voice of Reason in honour of her Founder, Late Prince Goke Omisore, also lamented that Nigeria had not been lucky with the right political leadership since return to democracy.
The Afenifere chieftain stated that, “Despite far-reaching resolutions submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari on how to restructure Nigeria politically, economically and socially, Buhari is less-concerned because he does not know what restructuring means.
“President Buhari is an literate, he does not know what restructuring means, he is less concerned about the future of Nigeria, he is only bothered about his cows.”
Adebanjo called on Nigerian youth to unite and form a movement that would facilitate how they would regain power from the old guard.
He added, “I am 92 now, I want to challenge the younger generation to take their destiny into their hands.
“There is little to what I can do, the energy is no longer there.
“I want you to take the bull by the horn, take Nigeria back from the hands of your oppressors and build a society that will make you proud among your fellow young people in the global economy.”
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E2%80%94akerele-ogunsiji Nigerian Government Wasting Resources, Energy On Amotekun —Akerele-Ogunsiji
Toyosi Akerele-OgunsijiToyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji
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Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, a social entrepreneur and human development expert, has slammed government in Nigeria for spending energy and resources to create Amotekun.
Akerele-Ogunsiji, who spoke at an event in Lagos, also lamented that the funds budgeted for education, infrastructure and other humanitarian needs of the country was not enough.
She said Nigeria has been so backward that the leadership was fighting a supremacy battle over Amotekun when countries were already fighting security issues with drones, satellites and robots.
She said “Nigeria is backward educationally but our hovernors are fighting the Presidency over Amotekun when countries of the world including neighbouring Ghana are already using drones, robotics and other technology borne out of research to fight insecurity.”
The social entrepreneur urged Nigerian students to challenge the older generation by demanding a better Nigeria.
She noted that the elites and political leaders were only willing to leave the stage for their children currently being raised in Harvard, Oxford, and Buckingham to take over.
She said, “In Nigeria, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering would call an illiterate auto-mechanic to fix his faulty car.
“Most graduates of Electrical Engineering in Nigeria cannot repair damaged bulbs, they need local electricians to do it for them.
“Our computer science graduates in Nigeria cannot type on Microsoft Word, it is that bad.
“The political elites in Nigeria love our backwardness because if Nigeria was developed, their wealth and hegemony will reduce.
“We should invest in innovation and research. Education is the only weapon we can use to wage war against hunger, insecurity, unemployment.
“Facebook is a mere application but today, it is one of the richest companies in the world. That is what research and innovation can do for a nation.”
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Boko Haram Terrorists Kill Many, Capture Military Truck During Attack On Borno Community, Chibok
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Tens of people were killed following an attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Korongilum, a community under Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources revealed that the terrorists also killed operatives of special forces stationed to counter insurgency in the local government.
The insurgents had stormed the community, shooting sporadically and also setting houses on fire.
“People were just returning to their houses from the farm when the insurgents came in.
“They came in through Forfor,” a resident said.
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JUST IN: Boko Haram Attacking Chibok Community
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It was gathered that members of the Special Forces comprising military, vigilante and hunters mobilised to the community to repel the attack.
However, they were met with superior firepower as the insurgents were well equipped.
“When the special forces mobilised to the scene, the attackers ambushed them, killing scores of special forces.
“Two gun trucks belonging to the military and two Hilux vans owned by vigilante were taken away by the attackers.
“The insurgents gained entry into the camp after forcing the military to withdraw and looted food items,” military sources said.
It was also gathered that the insurgents withdrew from Korongilum after the encounter.
They however, attacked Nchiha community along the withdrawal route and caused havoc in the community.
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E2%80%94buhari Lawmakers Doing Enormous Work Behind Camera, Pay Justified —Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that contrary to popular perception in the country, members of the National Assembly were working.Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said this during the launch of Green Chamber Magazine, a publication of the House of Representatives in Abuja on Wednesday.He said, “Hitherto, the public perception of the National Assembly is that of a bicameral legislature where overly comfortable and highly overpaid members merely stuff wads of currency notes into their pockets for little work done. “This wrong perception has resulted partly from the lack of understanding of the enormous work of lawmakers, especially outside the glare of television cameras.“In addition, it will help the house to tell its own story, rather than relying on others to take charge of their narrative. “It is said that no one can tell your story better than you. This magazine is long overdue. But like the saying goes, it’s better late than never.”
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JUST IN: Lagos State Puts 63 Persons Under Lassa Fever Surveillance
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Prof Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commisioner for Health, has put 63 persons under surveillance over Lassa Fever concerns.The move follows the isolation of the index haemorrhagic fever patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba.The commissioner disclosed this at a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.Abayomi while speaking to journalists on Wednesday said, “We have identified 63 of the persons he may have been in contact with since his arrival from Ebonyi State into Lagos, Lagos Law School, the Nigeria Air Force Clinic and LUTH.“He was then referred to the Nigeria Air Force Clinic, Onikan, where he was managed further and was referred to LUTH when there was no improvement.
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Lagos Admits First Lassa Fever Patient
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“The test was confirmed as positive on February 17, 2020, and he was immediately transferred to the isolation containment facility in LUTH.“We hope that with our proactive approach, we will stop the spread from person to person and limit this index case as tightly as possible.”
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Police Arrest One Suspected Killer Of Aso Rock Official
Police have arrested one Edirin Ohonre in connection with the death of Laetitia Dagan, an Assistant Director of Administration at the State House, Abuja.
Dagan was murdered in her home by some gunmen on Monday night.
It was reported that she got home around 11pm when the gunmen broke into her apartment and assassinated her.
The police on Wednesday announced that Ohonre was arrested for being involved in the death of Dagan.
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JUST IN: Aso Rock Official Assassinated In Abuja
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According to the police, Ohonre is being investigated by the homicide department of the force.
They added that he is giving useful information to unravel others involved in the killing presently at large.
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Bayelsa Assembly Elects New Speaker
Abraham Ngobere has been sworn in as new Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Ngobere represents Brass Constituency 3 and was Deputy Speaker of the House until his latest appointment.
Earlier, former Speaker of the Assembly, Monday Obolo, resigned from his position.
Member representing Ekeremor Constituency 3, Michael Ogbere, was also elected as new Deputy Speaker of the House.
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Insecurity: Senate Moves To Establish Commission Against Illegal Use Of Guns
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday considered a bill seeking to establish the National Commission Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.Sponsor of the bill, Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC – Kogi West), said the functions of the commission when established will among others include identifying sources and routes of small arms and ammunitions; identifying those involved in the illicit trade; and providing harmonisation of intelligence and information collection.According to Adeyemi, the proliferation of small arms and weapons is a phenomenon responsible for destabilising the peace, development and threatening the national security of some countries in Africa.Noting that the local root cause of conflicts are numerous and diverse, Adeyemi, however, said that in all local conflicts, the diffusion of illegal arms and weapons of terror has played a decisive role in the escalation and intensification of these conflicts.He said, “The proliferation of these weapons affects the intensity and duration of violence and encourages militancy rather than a peaceful resolution of unsettled differences.“In Nigeria, this has become a serious security challenge, there is general insecurity as most parts of the country experience high level crimes perpetrated using illicit arms.“The effects of illegal arms and weapons of terror in Nigeria are self-explanatory an calls for concerted effort by all and sundry to successfully prosecute this war against terror. The support, collaboration and involvement of all genuine stakeholders is a condition precedent to winning the war.”Senator Adamu Aliero while lending his voice in support of the passage of the bill, accused men of the Nigeria Customs Service of conniving with arms dealers to smuggle in small arms into the country through the borders.He added that if the bill was not passed into law by the National Assembly, “violence will continue” unabated.The bill which scaled second reading on the floor during plenary was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on National Security and Intelligence to report back in four weeks.
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E2%82%AC25bn-fraud-efcc-presents-first-witness-case-against-four-oil-firm-directors €2.5bn Fraud: EFCC Presents First Witness In Case Against Four Oil Firm Directors
The trial of four alleged fraudsters, Abayomi Kukoyi, Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze and Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze alongside a company, Petro Union Oil and Gas Company Limited, commenced today, February 19, 2020 before Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants were arraigned on February 13, 2020 on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, attempt to steal and forgery to the tune of £2,556,000,000 (Two Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-six Million Pounds).
They however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
One of the counts preferred against them reads: “That you, Petro Union Oil and Gas Company Limited, Prince Isaac Okpala (now deceased), Abayomi Kukoyi, Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze, Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze and Princess Gladys Okpalaeze (now at large), on or about 29th December, 1994, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently procured a Barclays Bank cheque dated 29th December, 1994 in the sum of £2,556,000,000.00 (Two Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty- six million Pounds) made payable to Gladstone Kukoyi and Associates, purporting the said cheque to be meant for foreign investment in the construction of three refineries and petrochemical complex in Nigeria, when you knew the said cheque to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 and punishable under the same section.” €2.556bn Fraud: EFCC Presents First WitnessThe trial of four suspected fraudsters, Abayomi Kukoyi, Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze and Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze alongside a company, Petro Union Oil & Gas Company Limited commenced today, February 19, 2020… pic.twitter.com/mkwlDGS7nk— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 19, 2020
At today’s sitting, the prosecution called its first witness, Adun Howard, who narrated to the court events that led to the charge.
Led in witness by the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Adun, a former operative of the EFCC, now a banker with United Bank for Africa, PLC, told the court that sometime in November 2004, the Commission received a petition from the chambers of Joshua Mba and Co. alleging that a cheque of $2.5bn was deposited on behalf of Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited with Union Bank, and that the bank failed to pay the recipient of the said money.
“We invited Isaac Okpala to adopt the petition and he also volunteered statements. We thereafter wrote a letter of invitation to Union Bank, and they sent two representatives.
“During investigation, we did not see any proof that will make us continue with the investigation, so we wrote to the complainant that there was no evidence. The complainant however wrote back to us asking us to write Union Bank requesting for the cheque deposited with them, which we did.
“I received the cheque Union Bank brought to the Commission, and I signed for it. I also registered it with the exhibit keeper.
“Isaac Okpala later wrote to the EFCC, requesting that the cheque be released to him, I processed the bond to release, which he signed and was released to him,” Adun said.
The petition, correspondences to Union Bank and the complainant were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits.
Justice Liman had earlier in the proceedings, granted all the defendants bail in the sum of N22m each, and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be owners of landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court which will be verified by the Lands registry. The address of the defendants will also be verified by the court registrar.
The matter was adjourned till March 4, 5, 6, 2020 while the defendants were remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
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