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Binance: House of Reps absolves self from $150m bribery allegations

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The House of Representatives has absolved itself from the bribery allegations levelled against some of its members by the Head of Financial Crime Compliance of Binance, Tigran Gambaryan.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of house, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr in Abuja on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan had named three members of the house who allegedly demanded a $150 million bribe from him.

Gambaryan, in his verified X account on Friday, named Philip Agbese, Obinna Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke as the lawmakers who demanded the bribe from him.

However, Rotimi Jr, in his reaction, absolved the house, as an institution, from any bribery allegation by the Binance executive, saying it was only made against some of its members.

He restated the commitment of the house to integrity, probity and transparency, in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

“As an independent arm of government, the house upholds due process, the rule of law and constitutional oversight.

“These allegations, which have been previously circulated last year, are directed at individual members, not the institution itself,” he said.

Rotimi Jr said that the members named in the bribery allegations had assured the house leadership that they never had any such dealings as reported.

According to him, one of the members has already instituted a legal action to clear his name, while others have been encouraged to do the same, in pursuit of justice and for protection of their reputations.

The spokesman emphasised the importance of the active involvement of both the Nigerian and United States governments, saying that the matter had evolved into a government-to-government engagement.

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He lauded the Federal Government of Nigeria for prioritising national interest over external commercial pressure, including rejecting financial settlement offers from Binance.

The lawmaker affirmed Nigeria’s integrity and zero-corruption tolerance.

He said: “These facts raise serious questions about the credibility and intent of the allegations being peddled.

“As the matter is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and remains the subject of ongoing diplomatic engagements, the house will refrain from further comment, in line with established parliamentary, judicial and diplomatic principles.”

Rotimi Jr urged Nigerians not to be swayed by unfounded rumours but to rely on verified facts.

‘The House of Representatives urges the public to rely on verified facts and not be misled by recycled claims, aimed at discrediting Nigerian institutions and public officials.

“The house remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.” (NAN

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Police Successfully Rescues Two Abducted Federal University Lafia Students

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued two students from the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) who were kidnapped on Sunday, March 30.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday in Lafia, Police Spokesman SP Ramhan Nansel provided details of the incident. He reported that the command received an emergency call regarding an attack on a student lodge around 9:20 PM on March 30, during which two students were taken hostage.

“At approximately 9:20 PM on March 30, we were alerted to an attack at a student lodge located behind Nasara Estate, Tudun Kauri, Lafia. During this assault, two Federal University Lafia students, Sadiq Adinoyi and Sakina Adinoyi, were abducted,” SP Nansel stated.

Following immediate instructions from Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and ‘A’ Division in Lafia were dispatched to locate the assailants.

Nansel elaborated that, based on technical intelligence, the rescue team identified the location where the victims were held— a forest area behind the 500 housing unit along Doma Road.

“The team engaged the suspects in a gunfight within the forest. The overwhelming firepower of the police forced the assailants to retreat, abandoning the victims, who were safely rescued,” the spokesperson noted.

Additionally, one suspect, identified as Ibrahim Musa from Abuni village in Awe Local Government Area, was apprehended at the scene. Nansel indicated that the suspect has provided valuable information and is aiding ongoing investigations.

On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Nansel expressed gratitude to the anti-kidnapping unit for their unwavering efforts in the rescue operation. He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to combating crime and encouraged officers to remain resolute in their mission to eliminate criminal activities in the state.

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Lawmaker urges FG to curb incessant killings in Benue

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Rep. Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo-Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged the Federal Government to curb the escalating insecurity and incessant killings in Benue.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Onuh, of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the incessant attacks and killings in Otukpo in Benue, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that required immediate attention.

She appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators, bringing them to justice and restoring peace to the affected communities.

“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level in recent weeks.

“Every day we witness the senseless murder of innocent people and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” Onuh said.

She claimed that people were being killed and kidnapped repeatedly, yet nothing seemed to be happening to the perpetrators.

“Families mourn their dead, return home, and brace for the next attack by suspected herdsmen,” she added.

Onuh claimed that a retired customs officer, Mr Onche Akatu was brutally murdered a day ago while two members of his family were kidnapped in Asa 2 community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

“Should the dead man now rise to pay ransom for their release? My heart bleeds,” she lamented.

Onuh also said that a nursing mother, Mrs Felicia Ochigbo, was recently slaughtered in the Old NTA Area of Asa community among several other killings in Benue communities.

“As I speak to you now, people are running away from their communities without even knowing if where they are going is even safe.

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“Are these killers above the law?

“Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she queried.

The lawmaker also raised concerns that the fear of violence had forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, adding that the development was worsening food shortages in the region.

Onuh advised the youths against jungle justice or reprisal attacks, emphasising that taking the law into their own hands would only escalate the crisis.

She assured her constituents of her commitment to working closely with political leaders and security agencies to put an end to the heinous acts plaguing her constituency.

“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end.

“Our people deserve to live in peace,” she said. (NAN)

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DSS arrests 2 principal suspects involved in Uromi’s tragedy

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two principal suspects allegedly involved in the killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of Edo State last week.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Friday Ituah, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the suspects were apprehended in Uromi town following credible intelligence.

According to him, operatives of various security agencies are hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incident.

Ituah stated that they have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.

On Monday, the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo paid a condolence visit to Kano State. He revealed that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing and were to be moved to Abuja for further interrogation.

Governor Okpebholo, who visited the State to condole with the government and families of the victims, had vowed that justice would be served and those involved in the killing would be brought to justice.

Governor Okpebholo had also assured the families of the victims that adequate compensations would be paid.

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