News

Kaduna Govt to Set Up Inquiry Commission on Kajuru Killings

Published

5 years ago

March 3, 2019

Eric

The Kaduna State Government said it would set up a judicial commission of inquiry into the killings in Kajuru and Kachia Local Government Areas of the state.

Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i made the statement on Saturday when he visited
Maro, Karamai and Sakiya communities in the area where 40 persons were killed on Tuesday in alleged reprisal attacks.

According to the governor, the commission, to be chaired by a senior High Court Judge, will investigate the root causes of the crisis.

He said the committee would comprise of security experts who would also look into the killings and investigate those behind it.

Mr El-Rufa’i said the committee would further look at what could be done to address the issues, how many people were arrested and under investigation over the killings and their states, and why none had been convicted by the courts.

“I am here to sympathise and commiserate with you and to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed,” he added.

Over a hundred people have been killed in the area in the last two weeks in suspected ethnic religious attacks.

The latest killings occurred on Tuesday in Kajuru local government area where at least 30 people were murdered.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr El- Rufai visited the mass grave where 15 persons were buried in the area after the Tuesday attacks.

“It is very sad that people that have lived together side by side for hundreds of years have suddenly started killing each other,” he said.

According to him the cycle of violence particularly in Kajuru and Kachia must stop.

“It is not in our culture, our religion to permit anybody to kill; all those who engage in these are not godly people, but godless people, they are neither Muslims nor Christians,” the governor said.

He urged the residents to join in condemning the killings while calling on religious leaders to always preach peace.

“We must remember that this cycle of violence will never end as long as we believe in revenge and reprisals.

“We have community leaders, we have law enforcement agencies that you should report everyone that has done wrong, you should not take laws into your hands.

“Because if you don’t do so, anyone can take laws into his hands and the cycle of killings will never end,” he said.

Mr El-Rufa’i assured the communities that the government would continue to work towards ensuring peaceful coexistence and urged them to work with government and security agencies to restore lasting peace to the area.

He urged residents to be law abiding, reminding them that irrespective of their ethnic and religious differences, they were all creations of God and would account for the evil they committed.

“We will all stand before God for our actions, let us not do what is not in our Holy Books I beg of you; I pray God gives you the fortitude to bear the loss.

“While I sympathise with you, I am also worried because I am also going to stand before God to answer to what steps I have taken to prevent the killings.

“I have to explain every death before God, so I am more worried because it’s ultimately my responsibility and this is why I have to be here to apologise and commiserate with you,” the governor said.

On the complaint of the community of lack of communication network, the governor said the government would take it up with relevant agencies.

“Suggestions have been made to get satellite phones for the community leaders so that where ever they are, they can make calls in times of emergencies; Nigeria Air Force has helicopter that can get here in 20 minutes,” he said.

According to him, there are so many isolated vulnerable communities which the government is working on ways to respond quickly to whenever attacks occur.

Earlier, the Chief of Karamai, Maika Musa, expressed worry over the attacks and called on the government to bring the perpetrators to book.

He also disclosed that the affected communities were in urgent need of government intervention, including provision of food, to ease their pains.

According to him, the victims who are mostly farmers have lost their grains to the fire set by the bandits that attacked their communities.

He also urged the government to assist in providing access roads that would easily link them to the city. (NAN)

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

17 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.