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Forfeiture Order On Okorocha’s Property A Witchhunt- Counsel

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The interim forfeiture order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on one of the property belonging to a former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has been described by one of his Counsels as another political witch-hunt.
Barrister Okey Anyikwa,  maintained that the said property was acquired in 2007 before he became governor in 2011.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, gave EFCC, the nod to seize a property in Abuja that belongs to the former Governor after  the anti-graft agency said that its investigation revealed that sometime in 2018, Abtisal Global Ltd and Archivisual Solution Ltd, companies in which Okorocha is believed to have interest, received N222 million from the Imo State Government Treasury to develop and improve on the said property.
EFCC told the court that it reasonably suspected that the property was part of proceeds of unlawful activities of the erstwhile governor.
But reacting to the Court Order,  Anyikwa, explained that the property was acquired in 2007 by Etha Venture, a company with limited liability.
He argued that the plot by the EFCC to seize a property worth over N15 billion because of N220 million claimed to have been taken from Imo State treasury to renovate the building is ridiculous.
According to him, “we learnt that the EFCC went to confiscate a property belonging to Okorocha after they got an interim forfeiture order. Our investigation showed that the property was acquired by a company, Etcha Venture, a limited liability company in 2007, so it cannot be said that the property belongs to Okorocha entirely. EFCC is claiming that N220 million was used to renovate the building, but I am aware that  the property was put to use as a hotel that has been funding the Rochas Foundation Colleges for over 20 years.
“In as much as the matter is subjudice, common logic shows that it is nothing but political vendetta against the person of Okorocha” he said.

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Security

3 Arrested In FCT Over Illegal Wildlife Trade

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The suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the National Park Service, has arrested three persons over alleged illegal trade in endangered wildlife species in Abuja.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor.

The suspects, identified as Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban, were arrested in different parts of the country’s capital.

According to her, the suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

She stated that Usman and Abdullahi were found with 15 Senegalese parrots and one African grey parrot, while Jagaban was arrested for hawking three dead antelopes.

“The suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act,” the statement read in part.

“The trio is to remain in custody while investigation continues.”

NESREA Director-General, Innocent Barikor, reiterated that trafficking in endangered species remained a crime under Nigerian laws, and anyone caught culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.

Barikor emphasised on the need to protect endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He added that all living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability.

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‘26 Dead, Three Injured’ As IED Explodes In Borno

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No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.

Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.

The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.

“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.

“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”

Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.

The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.

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Oodua Group Urges Police Chief To Probe Alleged Gun Runner In Asaba

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The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.

Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.

The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.

Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.

According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.

Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.

The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.

The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.

“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.

In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.

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The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.

The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.

They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.

The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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