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FG Uncovers, Seizes More Assets Belonging to Abba Kyari, Files 24 Charges

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The Federal Government has uncovered 14 assets, including shopping malls, residential estate, polo playground, lands and farmland belonging to a former commander, Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Kyari was said to have failed to disclose his ownership of the properties in different locations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State.

Over N207m and Є17,598 were also discovered in his various accounts in GTB, UBA and Sterling Bank.

In the fresh 24-count charges filed against Kyari by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, J. Sunday, dated August 30, 2022, the Attorney-General of the Federation stated that the suspended DCP allegedly disguised his ownership of some of the properties.

The case filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/22 had as co-defendants, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, who are believed to be the beleaguered policeman’s siblings.

Also, the Federal Government filed separate 24-count charges against Kyari’s former deputy, Sunday Ubua, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who is under suspension.

An affidavit in support of the charge deposed to by a litigation officer with the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Stephen Kashawa, explained that Kyari, who is facing trial for dealing in cocaine, was subjected to general and financial investigation when he was transferred by the police to the NDLEA headquarters on February 14, 2022 for investigation.

He added that the financial investigation which extended to his properties led to the filing of charges for non-disclosure and conversion of large sums of money.

The deponent further said the case was ready for trial and that all the witnesses were available to proceed to trial.

The Federal Government said Kyari knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his asset at plot no 1927 Blue Fountain Estate, Karsana, Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 35(3)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecutor also alleged that the embattled DCP did not declare his ownership of an estate at Linda Chaulker Road, Asokoro Extension; plot no. 5 titled BO/4546; plot no. 9 titled BO/1037; plot no. 10 titled CER/4319 and plot no 33 titled BO/4319, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Furthermore, the AGF said the suspended DCP, who is facing prosecution for illegal cocaine dealing alongside six others, failed to reveal his ownership of a shopping mall titled, NE/1229 and a polo playground with plot no. 270, both located in Maiduguri.

The charges also said the former IRT commander did not make full disclosure of his ownership of farmland along Abuja-Kaduna road and a plaza under construction in Guzape, Abuja.

Count 11 read, ‘’That you, DCP Abba Kyari, male, adult and you Mohammed Kyari, male, adult, on or about February 14, 2022, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court in order to disguise the true ownership of the property situate at plot no. 33, Bama Road, GRA Extension, Maiduguri, Borno State, covered by certificate no. BO/4319 issued by Borno State Government by deposing to a false affidavit at the Federal High Court in suit no. FHC/NG/Cs/9/2022 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, (as amended).’’

In an attempt to disguise the ownership of a plot of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy no: 000271 issued by Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, Kyari was alleged to have also deposed to an affidavit at the Federal High Court, Maiduguri in suit number, FHC/NG/CS/9/2022, contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

The AGF equally accused Kyari of deposing to an affidavit to hide his ownership of plot no 9, BOTP/63 covered by the grant of right of occupancy no. BO/1087; a shopping mall at number 4, Aliyu Close along Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, covered by Certificate of Occupancy no. NE/1229.

The charges revealed that the DCP knowingly converted N28.4 million in his GTB account number 0121075250; N65.2m in his GTB account number 0138360064; N95 million in UBA account number 1002250112 and N16.9 million in Sterling Bank account number 0072451994.

The first defendant was similarly accused of failing to declare in the NDLEA assets declaration form the sum of Є17,598 in two GTB accounts, being proceeds of unlawful activities; N2.9 million in UBA; N366, 258.77 and N88.000 in Sterling Bank.

In the charges against Ubua with number FHC/ABJ/407/22, the government revealed that he did not disclose a N100 million life insurance policy with First Bank of Nigeria Insurance Limited, including several millions stashed in different bank accounts.

The defendant was said to have converted N118.6 million using First bank account 3018154763 and $30,516.36 using Polaris Bank account 2630046721.

The ACP was accused of converting between January and March, 2022, the sum of N40.8 million in his Polaris Bank account number 1060047951, being proceeds of unlawful activities.

The government said Ubua acquired a block of lock-up shops at Utako bus terminal, Abuja for N16.8 million and also converted N33 million and N227.5 million using First bank account number 2005502596. The defendant was further accused of converting N40.8 million and another N33.7 million.

Count one read, “That You, Sunday Ubua, male, adult, on or about the 14th day of February, 2022, at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency headquarters, Port Harcourt Crescent, off Gombiya Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets in the NDLEA assets declaration firm by not disclosing your N100 million life insurance policy with First Bank of Nigeria Insurance Limited contrary to and punishable under section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.’’

The NDLEA had earlier marked six residential houses and one plaza in Maiduguri belonging to the embattled former IRT commander.

The two-storey shopping plaza, Assurance Plaza, located along the Giwa Barracks Road in Maiduguri, has about 100 stores.

Six other residential houses within the Maiduguri New Government Residential Area allegedly belonging to Kyari were also marked by the NDLEA, 48 hours after a suspected drug dealer linked to the N3 billion worth of tramadol intercepted by the then Kyari-led IRT team was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA in Lagos.

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Rivers Crises: Ikwerre, Eleme, Emuoha LG Secretariats Set Ablaze

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The newly built council secretariat at Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government area has been set ablaze.

A resident in the area confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Monday even as videos circulating on social media show the administrative building on fire.

Police authorities have not commented on the incident and the extent of damage is still unclear.

This followed the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the commissioner of police.

The Emohua Local Government Council secretariat has also been set ablaze. Some youths blocked the entrance chanting songs in solidarity with the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and insisting that the new chairman David Omereji would not be allowed to take office.

Earlier, some sections of the Eleme council secretariat went ablaze.

A former ambassador Oji Ngofa who hails from Eleme told Channels Television that the newly elected chairman of the council Brain Gokpa came to the secretariat accompanied by his councilors and supporters.

According to him, the LG boss, however, discovered that a few of the buildings in the council had been set ablaze.

The new council chairman, his councilors, and supporters have vowed to take over the secretariat come what may. The Chairman accuses his predecessor for the arson attack and says he has reported the incident to the police.

In Emohua council, some unknown individuals have barricaded the entrance to the secretariat. They’re resisting the resumption of the new Chairman, David Omereju. In a social media video, they can be heard chanting “No Wike, No Rivers State!”

So far, no arrests have been made and the police are yet to release any statement on the situation. There is a palpable fear of a potential outbreak of violence in some councils of the state.

The incident adds to the list of issues that have propped up since Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s swearing-in of the new chairmen in Rivers State on Sunday.

Saturday’s election was filled with drama, intrigues, and twists in the lead-up. There were also explosions, protests, and gunshots during that period and on the day Rivers residents went to the polls.

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IGP Egbetokun Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Police Personnel from Rivers LG Secretariats

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The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the secretariats of the 23 LGAs of Rivers state.

The officers had been deployed to “seal and safeguard” the LG secretariats.

Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, announced the development in a statement on Monday.

“The newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, conveyed the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state,” the statement reads.

In June, the secretariats were sealed over the rivalry between caretaker committee chairpersons loyal to Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor; and chairpersons who owe fealty to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Iringe-Koko said the directive “is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions”.

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariat, which were earlier secured by police personnel,” she added.

“The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.

“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its readiness to maintain peace and order across the state and will continue to act professionally in discharging its duties.

“We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to evolve.”

The development comes barely 24 hours after Fubara swore in 23 newly elected local government chairpersons.

Before the poll, Fubara alleged that the IGP was taking orders from Wike — a claim the police refuted.

Rivers state has been embroiled in crisis due to the rift between Fubara and Wike over control of the political structure of the state.

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Akwa Ibom Gov Appoints Daughter, Helen, As Acting First Lady

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as the acting First Lady of the state.

This follows the death of his late wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

On Friday Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, led a delegation of dignitaries, including Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, and wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly, to condole with Governor Eno.

Senator Tinubu praised Governor Eno’s decision, noting that it reflects practices seen in the United States and is a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy. “I want to thank God for Patience’s life, though short, she completed her race. May God comfort you, your family, and your children.”

Meanwhile, Governor Eno reflected on his deep bond with his late wife, describing her as his “greatest supporter and toughest critic.” He introduced his daughter as the new acting First Lady.

He said, “It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office.”

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