Diversion of bailout fund: EFCC arrests Gov Okorocha’s aides

Three top aides of the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha are now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Cable reports that the suspects allegedly diverted the sum of N2 billion bailout fund received by the state from the Federal Government for payment of salary arrears of civil servants.

The EFCC in a statement it released on Thursday, March 3 said as follows :

“Their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made cash withdrawal of N456.532m between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015 from the government house account domiciled in Zenith Bank.

“However, it was revealed that the said amount was given to an aide of the chief of staff to the governor, following approval and directive by the Principal Secretary to the Governor.”

The detained suspects are Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha; Uzoho Casmir,  Director of Finance, and Iheoma Kenneth.

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Dickson sets up medical team for Ese Oruru

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson has disclosed that his government has set up a team of psychologists and other medical experts to assist Ese Oruru on her road to recovery.

Dickson made the disclosure to newsmen in Yenagoa after a closed-door meeting with the Orurus at the Government House.

“I told the family that it could have been worse because their daughter may have disappeared forever.

“This matter has to do with enforcement of the laws of the State. Everything has to be done to protect the girl-child, like Ese’s case has shown.

“This is not a religious matter, but the right of a young girl to grow up with her parents.  I want to use the opportunity to assure all that the police and the directorate of public prosecution are working to see that this matter is pursued to its logical conclusion.

“There are questions begging for answers. How come adults who saw a minor in far away Kano did not deem it right to return such minor to the lawful custody of her parents?

“We want to know who could have saved this situation but did not. We have set up a team that includes psychologists and others.We are ready to support and standby Ese, not just now but in the days, months and years ahead," he said.

Meanwhile, Ese's mother, Mrs Rose Oruru has thanked the media and Nigerians for their support in the rescue of her daughter.

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Ese abduction saga: Police to sack indicted officers.

The Police Service Commission, PSC declared at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday that it will sanction any police officer found wanting in the abduction and forced marriage of Ese Oruru.

The declaration is coming on the heels of the order by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase that the roles played by police detectives and other officers in the abduction drama be investigated.

In a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Public Relations, the PSC said ;
“The Police Service Commission will not hesitate to sanction any Police Officer no matter how highly placed, who is found culpable in the abduction saga of Ese Oruru, who was said to have been abducted and forced into marriage in Kano.

“The Commission is waiting on the on-going investigation of some police officers on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, and will ensure that any police officer found to have compromised himself either by omission or commission in the saga will be flushed out.”

The PSC commended the IGP for his swift action in rescuing the minor from abduction and forced marriage and reuniting her with her parents.

The Commission pledged to work with the IGP to ensure that Nigerian children are guaranteed of their right to life.

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IDP gives birth in camp

Photos: Baby girl welcomed at Malkohi IDP in Yola http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/03/photos-baby-girl-welcomed-at-malkohi.html

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AFCON 2017: Siasia invites 42 players. See the full list

Head of Super Eagles rescue team, Samson Siasia has released a list 42 home and foreign based players for the two-legged AFCON 2017 clash between Nigeria and Egypt.

The first leg of the qualifier is scheduled to take place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on March 25, while the return-leg comes up at Alexandria, Egypt on March 9.

Siasia unveiled the list of 22 home based and 20 foreign based players in Abuja after a meeting with Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Technical and Development Committee.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that invited players are expected to reports to camp in Abuja on March 7. The team will move to Kaduna on March 21 for the March 25 encounter.

Egypt presently leads the group with the maximum 6 points from two matches while Nigeria is in the second position with 4 points from the same number of matches.

Here is the full list of the invited players.

HOME-BASED
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Olufemi Thomas and Emmanuel Daniel.

Defenders:
Kalu Orji, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Mathew Etim, Austin Oboroakpo, Sincere Seth, Segun Oduduwa, Chima Akas, Chris Madaki and Oke Ogogatewho.

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew, Usman Mohammed, Etebo Oghenekaro, Yau Hassan and Stanley Dimgba.

Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi, Chisom Chikatara and Godwin Obaje.

FOREIGN-BASED
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme and Daniel Akpeyi.

Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Stanley Amuzie, Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo.

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Azubuike Okechukwu.

Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Aminu Umar, Odion Ighalo, Aaron Samuel, Alex Iwobi and Fanendo Adi.

NAN

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Ese Oruru now 5 months pregnant for Yellow

To add to the agony of the Oruru family, it has been discovered that their daughter Ese is carrying a 5 months pregnancy for the man who abducted her for eight months, Yunusa Dahiru, aka Yellow.

This is believed to be the reason why police have been shielding her from the press since her arrival from Kano.

According to a close and reliable source, Ese was covered in hijab to conceal the pregnancy.

The source said that it was because of the pregnancy that IGP Solomon Arase had Ese transported by air after her rescue.

Meanwhile, the police Chief has vowed that any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty in the abduction saga will be dealt with according to the law.

He also said that the abductors and all those who played ignominious roles in the saga will be brought to deserved justice as the only way to make a clear statement that violators of the rights of Nigerian children would not be allowed to escape the wrath of the law.

Arase appealed to the press to respect the privacy and other protective rights of the traumatized girl-child, Ese and her family at this moment, saying it is the minimum international requirement in a case of this nature.

He disclosed that Ese was at the moment receiving psychological and emotional support from officers of the Gender and Child Protection Unit of the Police Force, which handles cases of this nature and cases of violence against children.

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Excited inmates welcome Abba Moro to Kuje Prison

Inmates at the Kuje Prison could not believe their eyes on Monday when former Interior Minister, Abba Moro was ushered into their midst as an inmate.

While some of the inmates were bemused, others were excited that Moro who officially visited the facility as a Minister barely a year ago was now there as an inmate.

Justice Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Monday remanded the former minister in prison custody over his alleged complicity in a N676million job scam pending the determination of his application for bail.

The former minister arrived Kuje prison around 12 pm on Monday after which he was subjected to the standard procedure for receiving new inmates..

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