News
Easter: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays
Factual Pursuit of Truth for Progress
The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18, 2022, as public holidays for the celebration of Easter.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, on Tuesday.
While urging Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, as exemplified by Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth, he asked them to pray for an end to the insecurity bedevilling the country.
The Minister, however, assured that the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the recent attacks by undesirable elements on the highways, airport and the railway are timely brought to an end.
The statement read in part, “Security is everybody’s business. I, therefore, urge Nigerians and foreigners resident in our country to display a high sense of citizenship and public-spiritedness at this critical time in the history of our country, by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in bringing peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry.
“While wishing Christians at home and in the Diaspora a happy and peaceful Easter celebration, we also call on Nigerians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity for all.”
Aregbesola assured Nigerians that the nation is inexorably on the path to greatness, despite the present challenges confronting her.
News
Kidnappers kill woman in Kaduna over failure to pay ransom
Kidnappers have killed a woman, Martina John in Kaduna State after her family failed to pay ransom at the specified date.
Acccording to her uncle, Makeri Danjuma Mohammad, the deceased was abducted two weeks ago from Katari village along Kaduna-Abuja highway.
She was brutally murdered by her abductors and her mutilated body dumped around Sabon Gayan Chikun Local Government Area of the state on May 13.
Martina was laid to rest on Saturday, May 14.
“Martina John is a niece to me. She was kidnapped from our community ten days ago and gruesomely murdered by her kidnappers for not paying the ransom at the time specified by them (kidnappers) May her soul rest in peace,” he wrote
“At the grave site of late Martina John today who was kidnapped from my community ten days ago, gruesomely murdered day before yesterday by her heartless kidnappers and her mutilated body dumped around Sabon Gayan near Kaduna. An unprecedented crowd of mourners graced her funeral today. May her soul rest in peace.”
News
Abducted Zamfara journalist regains freedom after six days in captivity
Zamfara-based kidnapped Journalist, Idris Haruna Magami, has regained freedom. He was released Monday evening, May 16, after six days in captivity
Idris Haruna a popular Radio presenter in Zamfara was abducted last wednesday while on his way to his hometown Magami, in Gusau local government area of Zamfara State
He is a staff of Zamfara State Radio and Television Services
Magami/ Dansadau road has been on the news for the wrong reasons following incessant attack on Communities, Commuters and Security operatives
Magami is about fifty kilometers from Dansadau, an area known as one of the hotbed of Banditry.
News
ICPC arraigns professor over $40000 bribe
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Professor John Kester Ifeanyichukwu over allegations of bribery and inducement of officers of the Commission.
In a single-count charge brought before Honourable Justice A.O. Otaluka of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court 12, sitting in Apo, Abuja, ICPC is accusing the Professor of issuing a cheque valued at $40,000 to a staff of the Commission.
The cheque was part of the $50,000 and a house in Abuja, promised to the officer to compromise the investigation by retrieving the accused person’s devices, MacBook S/N CIML8BUGDTY3, MacBook S/N W80204J7ATN and iPhone pro11 which were in the custody of ICPC for investigative activities.
John Kester Ifeanyichukwu had earlier been reported to the Commission by the Presidency for alleged acts bordering on corruption, extortion and money laundering.
ICPC, in a Charge No: CR/025/2022, informed the court of how the defendant allegedly induced one of its operatives to smuggle out a particular iPhone and a laptop and to replace them with a dummy that was to be provided by his personal assistant.
The accused person’s action is contrary to Section 18 (b) and punishable under Section 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. He was therefore admitted to bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and one of them must have a landed property in Abuja.
The trial judge also ordered that the Defendant’s international passport and other valid travel documents must be submitted to the court before the next adjourned date otherwise his bail will be revoked.
The case has been adjourned to the 21st of June 2022 for the commencement of hearing.
