Former lawmaker goes to jail for stealing N1.4b

A former member of Kogi State House of Assembly, Gabriel Dauda was on Monday sentenced to two years imprisonment for fraud and money laundering by a Federal High Court in Lokoja.

Justice Inyang Ekwo convicted Daudu on 77 out of 208 charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Daudu, was the Caretaker Chairman of  Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State between January and July 2008,

In the trial which started in April 2010, the EFCC called 13 witnesses and tendered 47 exhibits to prove its case against the convict.

The defense counsel, Mr. O.J. Onoja, SAN called seven witnesses to prove Daudu's innocence, but the court found him guilty as Justice Ekwo held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

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More trouble for Giwa FC as NFF imposes extra sanctions

Giwa FC found itself in deeper waters on Monday as the Nigeria Football Federation not only upheld the sanctions imposed on it by League Management Company, LMC but also meted additional punishment.

After a meeting of its disciplinary board in Abuja on Monday, the NFF said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Ademola Olajire that the sanctions imposed on Giwa FC by the LMC were in line with its rules and regulations.

Giwa earned the sanctions following crowd trouble during its Match Day 12 fixture in the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL game played on April 17, 2016 in Jos, Plateau State.

In a statement upholding the LMC sanctions on the club, the NFF said ;

“ After a careful observation of all documentary evidence presented before it, the NFF Disciplinary Board hereby rules as follows;

“The NFF Disciplinary Board wishes to state clearly that adequate invitation notice was served to GIWA FC requesting that they forward their written submission to the secretariat of the NFF Disciplinary Board.

“NFF Disciplinary Board hereby adopts all sanctions earlier pronounced by the LMC which the NFF Disciplinary Board after careful observation noted, are in in line with the Rules and Regulations Guiding the LMC.

“NFF Disciplinary Board also added additional sanctions to GIWA FC for further violating sections of the FIFA Code of Ethics, FIFA Disciplinary Code and the LMC Rules and Regulations.”

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the additional sanctions involved fine, suspension of some team officials and banishment from the club's home ground.

“A fine of N5 million for the discontinuation of the match and that the match shall be continued behind closed doors at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, 27th April, 2016, from the point of disruption (i.e. from the 74th minute).

“The result of the match at the point of disruption shall stand (i.e. 0-1); Due to the disturbances as stated in paragraph 2 above, Giwa FC is banned from the Rwang Pam Stadium

“This shall be for its next three home matches, which shall be played at the Ilorin Township Stadium, Ilorin, Kwara State.

“... due to the persistent nature of such disturbances by supporters of Giwa FC in the match under review, Giwa FC shall play its remaining home matches behind closed doors.

“Supporters of the Club are banned from all League match venues for the remainder of the season; provided that the LMC reserves the right to lift the ban at any time.

“This would be on the condition of receipt of firm and satisfactory assurance and commitment (including training and orientation seminar for supporters of the Club under the supervision of the LMC).

“Giwa FC is expected to guarantee responsible behaviour and orderly conduct of supporters of the Club."

The NFF also imposed a fine of N750,000 on the club for failure to control its players and officials.

“A fine N500,000 being N250,000 each – for assault on the referee and the match commissioner.

“Giwa FC is required to ensure, within the next seven days, that in addition to the apprehension of one Sodiq Goje, his co-culprit identified as one Mustapha Apiya is also apprehended and prosecuted.

“This is for assaulting the Referee, failure of which a fine of N25,000 per day shall accrue, until such a time that the offender is apprehended and charged to court.

“For acts and conduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute, a suspended two-point deduction is imposed on Giwa FC subject to any subsequent incidents of disturbances by supporters of the Club in breach of the League Rules for the remainder of the season,’’ the statement added.

The football federation also condemned the actions of Yakubu Daylup, Administrator of the Club, and David King, the Media Officer of the team who were indicted for inciting the spectators to attack the match officials

“This act is a breach of Art. 53 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code hence; both officials of the club are hereby suspended from all football related activities for a period of twelve (12) months.

“Upon expiration of twelve months they are to write an official letter to be of good conduct and submit same to the NFF before they can be allowed to participate in any football-related activity.

“The NFF Disciplinary Board further notes that for failure to cooperate with the Disciplinary Board which is a breach of Art. 42.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, Giwa FC is hereby further fined the sum of N500,000 which is to be paid to the NFF as procedural cost for the NFF Disciplinary Board.

“This decision is in line with Art. 59.1 of FIFA Code of Ethics,’’ the statement said.

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La Liga delegation arrive Abuja (Photo)

La Liga delegation on arrival at the corporate headquarters of the League Management Company, LMC in Abuja on Monday

Photo by League Management NG

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How estranged lover roasted ex-girlfriend's family to death in Abuja

An embittered lover boy simply known as Sunday has submitted himself to the police in Abuja after killing his estranged girlfriend and four other members of her family.

Until the tragic incident, Sunday, 18 lived with his mother as a tenant in a house owned by his ex girlfriend's mother.

Close sources said that the landlady's daughter had called off her relationship with Sunday following irreconcilable differences.

Thereafter, Sunday reportedly threatened to deal with the landlady's family.

On the day of the incident, Sunday reportedly waited for the deceased family to go to bed, after which he doused the apartment with petrol and set it ablaze, killing his former girlfriend, her mother and three grandchildren.

Sources said that having satisfied himself that the family had perished in the inferno, Sunday went to the police station in Bwari and gave himself in.

Confirming the story , the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, said the Commissioner of Police has ordered that Sunday be transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

He added that Sunday would be prosecuted after investigation is completed.

“The inferno reportedly lasted for hours before residents were able to put it out.

“Five persons were burnt to death in the incident; it was unfortunate. The CP has directed that the suspect should be transferred to the homicide section of CIID.

“Investigation is still ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court after the investigation.

“Charred remains of the five victims have been removed from the razed apartment and deposited in a morgue,” he said.

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Economic hardship: Buhari orders release of 10,000 tonnes of grains

Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe has been directed to release10,000 tonnes of grains from the National Strategic Grains Reserve for distribution across the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive in Abuja on Sunday as part of measures to cushion the effects of the economic crisis Nigerians are currently battling with.

A presidency source said that it is expected that the release of the grains would help to check the astronomically rising cost of food stuff and the concomitant exploitation within the market system.

President Buhari gave the directive in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

“The Presidency however asserts that the devastation of the economy was caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and the lack of planning by the past administrations and one that should not be blamed on the Change Agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“The Presidency firmly rejects the insinuations that poverty and lack are products of the Change mantra.

“This should be dismissed as an erroneous and misplaced opposition criticism. The President understands the pain and the cries of the citizens of this country and he is spending sleepless nights over how he can make life better for everyone.

“Contrary to assertions by a faction of the opposition Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, the President’s energy and focus are on changing the lives of Nigerians, with a view to making it better than he met it.

“Change is a process. Change does not happen overnight. Change can be inconvenient. Change sometimes comes with pain. Over the past year, the government has been working night and day to deliver on its promise of change to Nigerians, and the painful process is still ongoing.

“This is work in progress. As life gradually returns to normal in much of the country and the northeast in particular, agriculture will resume and traders from neighbouring African countries will once again feel safe to do business with us–yet another boost for our economy.

“But it Is only when we appreciate where we are coming from that we will grasp the full meaning and essence of what the ongoing journey entails," he said.

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Troops kill five Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa ambush

Five of some Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Sambisa forest on motorcycles and bicycles on Sunday were killed in an ambush by troops of the 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade on their way to Fulawani village.

Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman said in a statement on Sunday that several items including  5 motorcycles, 9 bicycles, 80 new pairs of bathroom slippers, assorted laundry items, polythene bags and mats were recovered from the terrorists.

"At the early hours of today, Sunday 24th April 2016, troops of 81 Battalion and some elements of 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade, ambushed suspected Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Sambisa forest to Fulawani village. The ambushed terrorists were trying to link up with other terrorists or members of their families to relocate to other places. It will be recalled that the troops intercepted a group of women and children yesterday who claimed to have escaped from the terrorists enclave in Sambisa forest. However, during screening and interrogation, it was confirmed that they were the terrorists’ advance party relocating to a new safe haven following intense tactical operations by troops.

"The troops sprang a surprise ambush on the group of escaping terrorists from Sambisa forest crossing towards Alagarno mounted on motorcycles and bicycles, killing 5 of them and recovering a number items. These include 5 motorcycles, 9 bicycles, 80 new pairs of bathroom slippers, assorted laundry items, polythene bags and mats. From all indication, the terrorists intended to link up with their wives and children earlier mentioned, who were obviously despatched to wait for them close to Fulawani for onward movement to other locations.

"It is also assessed that the recovered items were for sale in other locations where remnants of the terrorists were hiding but in dire need of logistics. Further investigation also revealed that the terrorists were fleeing Sambisa forest to other areas for safety as they could no longer withstand the continued bombardment by both Nigerian Air Force and the ground troops," the statement said.

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Sack former governors serving as ministers, CNPP advises Buhari

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all former governors serving in his cabinet as ministers.

The CNPP advised the President to appoint tested technocrats in their place to drive his change agenda.

The Secretary General of the CNPP, Chief Willy Ugwu who made the call in a statement during the weekend recalled that some of the former governors are tainted with corruption, having left their states with empty treasuries.

“For President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed in his change agenda, all former governors in his cabinet must be sacked to create room for technocrats to run his government if he must succeed.

“Some former governors serving in this government not only left their respective states with empty treasury but also in heavy debts such that it took the President’s bailout fund for salary arrears of states’ workers to be paid.

“It will amount to effort in futility for the President to be labouring to attract investors as they will not entrust their hard-earned resources to well-known bad managers. This is the reason the Buhari government, which will be one year next month, yet has nothing to show for it except hardship and more hardship across the country despite the change mantra, ” he said.

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