CRIME
EFCC Arrests PDP Governor After Handing Over
- The report that the EFCC has arrested the former governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has been debunked by the ex-PDP governor.
- Terver Akase, the governor’s media aide, dismissed the report and noted that Ortom would make himself available to EFCC or any other anti-graft agency if invited.
- Akase in a statement, disclosed that Ortom had consistently said he ran a transparent government and that he had nothing to hide.
Makurdi, Benue – Samuel Ortom, the former governor of Benue State, has commented on the report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is making a move to arrest him. Terver Akase, the media aide to former Governor Ortom, in a statement on Monday, May 29, denied the report,
Why EFCC is after PDP former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state
According to Akase, the ex-governor has “nothing to hide”, adding that the immediate past governor ran “a transparent administration” as Benue state governor.
The governor through his media aide also disclosed his readiness to honor any invitation from the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency that needs clarification about his days as governor of Benue state. Akase said the report that was published by some online news media, not legit.ng, was unfounded and far from being the truth. His statement reads in part:
“It is pertinent to state categorically that His Excellency Samuel Ortom has nothing to hide and will be available if and whenever the EFCC invites him.”
Latest about Samuel Ortom, EFCC, Benue State, PDP, 2023 Election
Ortom was one of the prominent governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that advocated for a power shift to the south in the opposition party and subsequently endorsed the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party, against his party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He lost his senatorial bid and the PDP subsequently lost the governorship election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state during the 2023 election.
Ortom speaks on venturing into journalism after leaving office before May 29
It was earlier reported that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said he may return to freelance journalism after leaving office ahead of May 29. The PDP governor had earlier promised to hand over before May 29, the constitutionally required date for the official handover The governor then urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to leave the country for Niger and support the incoming Bola Tinubu administration.
CRIME
Kano anti-corruption agency invites Ganduje over alleged ‘Dollar Videos’
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) says it has invited former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to appear before it over alleged dollar bribe videos.
The chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Rimingado, confirmed this to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.
Rimingado said that the commission was expecting Ganduje to appear before it next week to have the opportunity to clear his name in the ongoing investigation.
“I have signed a letter to invite him for questioning at the commission next week because this is what the law says and we will provide ample opportunity for him to defend himself.
“There is what the law provides; the law is coercive in nature, it compels obedience. The law doesn’t lobby you to come and do certain things.
“There are procedures and we will follow all the necessary steps to do what is needful,” he assured.
The PCACC chairman also reacted to an allegation by the Coalition for Northern Civil Society Groups that the commission started the investigation so as to ridicule the former governor and stop him from getting federal appointments. He simply said that the “fact speaks for itself”.
Rimingado said that since the video came out in 2018, the commission had indicated its intention to investigate, but since the governor then enjoyed immunity, there was a limit to what the law allowed the commission to do in that regard.
“This is why on my return as the chairman few weeks ago and the fact that the former governor no longer enjoys immunity, we decided to reopen the investigation and give the former governor the opportunity to clear himself or otherwise.
”Moreso, as the videos have continued to cause the state and citizens of the state ridicule across the globe,” Rimingado said.
He called on all citizens of the state that had useful information that would further help the investigation to come forward, promising that such information will be treated confidentially.
Rimingado also appealed to residents of the state and civil society organisations to support the commission to root out corruption in the state.
He urged them to do so by providing necessary information on any case of corrupt practices, promising that the commission would ensure justice, regardless of whoever was involved.
CRIME
Akwa Ibom man paraded for killing only son during argument
One Aniekan James has been paraded by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for the alleged killing of his only son, Odudu James, aged 35.
During the parade of the suspect and 268 others apprehended for different offences, the Commissioner of Police for the state, Olatoye Durosinmi, revealed that Aniekan had purportedly taken the lives of numerous individuals in Lagos and Abia states.
According to the police commissioner, the suspect was apprehended on June 16, 2023, by the Ukanafun Division operatives.
“On June 16, 2023, one Aniekan James of Ikot Ndot village in Ukanafun LGA was arrested by the Ukanafun division for shooting his 35-year-old only son, Odudu James, who had been having a war of words with him. The suspect is alleged to be a habitual murderer who has committed murders in Lagos and Aba states,” he stated.
Additionally, the commissioner presented the individual suspected of kidnapping the vice-chancellor of a private university, who was taken while on his way home by his former household staff.
The commissioner further stated that the outstanding ransom amount, exceeding N2 million, and the Toyota Corolla employed in the abduction had been successfully retrieved. The vice-chancellor, also, has been reunited with his family.
”On April 14, 2023, around 10.30am, the vice-chancellor of a private University in the state was kidnapped on his way home.
“Two days later, being the 16th, in a prompt and discreet investigation, operatives of the anti-kidnap squad of the command arrested one Prince Thursday Okon, a former domestic worker of the VC. He was sacked because of his criminal tendencies; he then masterminded the kidnap. He was arrested along with two of his gang members, Saviour Sunday Luke and Richard Friday, all of Ikot Ebam village in Mkpan Enin LGA.
“The sum of N1,270,000 cash was recovered as part of the ransom paid, while N250,000 was left in one of the suspects’ accounts. The Toyota Corolla used for the operation was also recovered. The VC has been reunited with his family.”
CRIME
“That 2 minutes will cost him 10 years” – Smart store owner traps unsuspecting thief, locks him inside store
An unidentified man recently found himself making headlines for his ill-fated attempt to steal from a store owner.
Entering the store discreetly, the suspect donned inconspicuous gray attire and approached the store cashier, demanding access to the cash register in order to pilfer its contents.
Meanwhile, a vigilant lady who had been keeping an eye on him discreetly began to distance herself from the counter, urging other customers to do the same.
After a few minutes, all the customers followed suit and left the store, waiting outside while the suspected thief carried out his thieving spree. However, when he finished satisfying his urge to steal, he discovered he was unable to exit the store.
Desperate and realizing the gravity of his situation, he sank to his knees, imploring the store owner for mercy and release. Regrettably for him, his pleas fell upon deaf ears, and in a short span of time, the authorities were notified. The police promptly arrived at the scene and took him into custody.
In response to this incident, a concerned TikTok user named Scott expressed his thoughts, saying,
“Those two minutes of greed may cost him a decade behind bars.”
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