The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted heads of government agencies of a new pattern of fraud to which they may fall prey, especially during the transition period to President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term.
Vulnerable to the pranksters are CEOs of government agencies or people looking for appointments.
According to the secret agency, the fraudsters use names of the supervising authorities of the CEO to extort or fleece them (the CEOs) of huge sums of money.
“Believing that these fraudsters actually act on behalf of highly placed government functionaries, the victims are deceived to part with their valuables including money.
“In other instances, heads of agencies are made to feel that there are incriminating materials against them for which they must pay or be arrested by security agencies.
“Those also targeted are persons seeking new appointments or renewal of terms. It is envisaged that the act may be at its peak during this transition period when prospective appointees are jostling for positions.
"This notice, therefore, serves as an early warning to possible victims who are hereby advised to be wary of the antics of these merchants. Also, they are enjoined to promptly report to security agencies, when approached by suspected fraudulent persons desirous of using names of high ranking public officials to defraud them.
“On the part of the Service, it will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to apprehend the fraudsters as well as ensure the security and integrity of the nation”.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied tapping the telephone lines of Nigerians.
A political group had alleged that the DSS had tapped the telephone lines of Nigerians.
But Mr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the organization was committed to its professional ideals and would not engage in unethical conduct.
He said the DSS had been criticized by unpatriotic citizens who fed the public with fake news and hate speeches against it.
The spokesman said that the social media had been awash with wrong information regarding the operations of the DSS that were misunderstood and misrepresented.
“It is obvious that some merchants of violence are determined to use their platforms to misinform the public for their selfish and political ends,” he said.
He warned mischief makers against misleading the public, adding that the law would catch up with them.
“The DSS is a responsible organization and thus professionally adheres to the ideals of intelligence and security governance expected of it in a democracy,” he said
Afunanya urged the public to disregard the claims of the political group.
He said that the DSS should be left out of politics to maintain its usual transparency and neutrality in the discharge of its mandate.
The Department of State Services has issued a disclaimer for former director-general Lawal Daura who was sacked last year, after mounting a blockade of the National Assembly.
In a rare statement on Tuesday by spokesman Peter Afunanya, the secret service agency warned that
“any person or group that further engages him or his representatives/associates does so at their own peril”.
The service also debunked notions that Daura still remotely controlled its affairs.
“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to insinuations and wide speculations that its former Director General, Alhaji Lawal Musa DAURA mni, still controls affairs at the Agency, long after his removal from Office.
“While the Service debunks this false belief, it warns that any person or group that further engages him or his representatives/associates does so at their own peril.
“The Service will not tolerate acts of impersonation designed to undermine it and will decisively deal with person(s), no matter how highly placed, that may engage in such behavior. The public should, therefore, note this and avoid circumstances under which unsuspecting persons may be deceived.
“On the other hand, the DSS continues to recommit itself to the core values of professionalism, selflessness, vigilance and the rule of law that it has always been identified with”.
Daura was sacked ignominiously on August 7 last year by acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after sending hooded servicemen to block the National Assembly, an action that provoked national and international outrage.
Daura, 65 years old, was appointed by President Buhari on July 2, 2015.
President Buhari later appointed in September 2018, Yusuf Magaji Bichi as Daura’s replacement.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is reprehensible that President Muhammadu Buhari, is covering bribery and corruption allegations against Adams Oshiomhole.
The opposition party in a statement on Wednesday, entitled ‘Oshiomhole Corruption Allegation’ said they have it on good authority that the president mounted pressure on the DSS, to release the National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was said to have been detained and grilled by the security agency.
According to PDP, the allegations slammed against Oshiomhole include funds stolen from Edo state treasury, bribe collected from APC members etc.
See full statement below
The revelation that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency is concealing alleged bribery and corrupt practices involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, who is being investigated by the DSS is reprehensible.
We are privy to the pressure from the Buhari Presidency on the DSS, which reportedly detained and grilled Oshiomhole, to let him off the hook for fear that his investigation will unearth the complicity of the Presidency and other key APC members in the scam.
Information available to us reveals that apart from the billion of naira, allegedly stole from the coffers of Edo State, he is facing charges of allegedly collecting billions of naira bribe from some ministers and other APC sources in Adamawa, Rivers, Kano and Imo states.
This is in addition to allegedly collecting billions of naira from Presidency sources to influence electoral officers, independent observers and certain polling organizations ahead of the 2019 election, part of which was allegedly diverted for personal use of some APC leaders.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has written a letter to the Acting Director-General, Department of State Security, DSS, Mathew Seiyefa, to as a matter of urgency release the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, the Shiite leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-zakzaky and his wife, Hajia Zeinab El-zakzaky and hundreds of others illegally being detained by the DSS.
Falana, while congratulating the new DSS boss on his appointment, said the former sacked DSS DG, Lawal Daura committed lots of atrocities as innocent people were detained for years and months without trial and that even when such people were ordered to be released by the court, he would flout the order.”
“We are, however, compelled to draw your attention to the fact that our law firm has had a running battle for the last three years with Mr. Musa Daura, the immediate past Director-General of the SSS as a result of the incessant arrest and detention of Nigerian citizens and foreigners without trial. Some of the infringements of the human rights of criminal suspects and other persons perpetrated by Mr. Daura.
“Apart from not obtaining orders from Magistrate Courts for the remand of suspects in line with section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Mr. Musa Daura treated the orders of several courts for the release of detainees with contempt. He became so power drunk that he harassed judges and lawyers who challenged his penchant for subverting the rule of law. At a stage we had to remind him that the brutal military dictators who trained minions like him did not succeed in cowing us into submission when we were fighting for the restoration of democratic rule in the country.
“Unfortunately, the public officers who have a bounden duty under the Mohammadu Buhari administration to call Mr. Daura to order have turned themselves into the defenders of his pompous impunity by making nebulous references to “national security” or “public interest”. Hence, Mr. Daura has willfully ignored the order of the federal high court made on December 2016 for their release of Sheik Ibraheem and Hajia Zeinab Elzakzaky from the illegal custody of the SSS,” he said.
Falana said even though El-zakzaky lost his right eye as a result of the injury sustained when he was shot by soldiers in Zaria on December 15, 2015, Daura rejected the recommendation of eye specialists that the detainee be flown abroad for medical treatment to prevent the loss of his left eye in the custody of the SSS, adding that Mrs El-zakzaky who was also shot during the violent military attack had been denied access to medical experts who have offered to extract some bullets from her body.
“Thus, the SSS has subjected the couple to excruciating physical pain and mental agony in violation of their fundamental right to freedom from degrading treatment guaranteed by section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 as amended. As you are no doubt aware, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), a former National Security Adviser is standing trial for treasonable felony and corruption before the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court respectively.
“Although the defendant has been admitted to bail by both trial courts, the SSS has continued to detain him without any legal justification. As if that is not enough, the order of the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States directing the Federal Government to release Col. Dasuki on bail pending trial has also been treated with disdain by the SSS. Even though the defendant has not been charged with culpable homicide the defenders of Mr. Daura’s disobedience of court orders have belatedly turned round to accuse the defendant of being responsible for the death of over 100,000 people!
“However, we have just confirmed that hundreds of other criminal suspects are being detained in dehumanizing conditions in the several detention facilities of the SSS in Abuja and in all the states of the federation. From the information at our disposal, the detention of majority of the suspects is not connected to national security in any material particular. For instance, our law firm has recently secured the release of two Indian nationals (Messrs Nittin Verma and Umesh Asudani) who were held in the detention centre of the SSS in Abuja for over 7 months on grounds that they had allegedly defrauded a Kano-based businessman.
“Before the suspects were illegally arrested by the SSS, the same complaint was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which had admitted the suspects to administrative bail. As Mr. Daura could not defend the detention of the suspects he caused an official of the SSS to swear to a false affidavit in the Federal High Court to the effect that they were involved in terrorism,” he explained.
Falana stated that on account of corruption and abuse of office which characterized the tenure of Daura, the SSS took over many criminal cases that were being investigated by other security and anti-graft agencies, and that by compromising such criminal cases, he exposed the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration to ridicule.
He said a number of the suspects in the custody of the SSS had been held incommunicado for about three years in contravention of section 6 (2) (c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which had imposed a duty on all detaining authorities in Nigeria to notify the next of kin or relative of every suspect of the arrest at no cost to the suspect, adding that two of the victims of such prolonged incarceration were Mr. Jones Abiri, a journalist and Mr. Peter Collins Opume, an undergraduate of the Niger Delta Delta University, Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, as b0th citizens had been detained in the SSS dungeon in Abuja for over two years without trial.
The human rights lawyer added that based on the instruction of the Committee to Protect Journalists, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in New York, United States, his law firm filed an application at the Federal High Court last month to secure the enforcement of Mr. Abiri’s fundamental right to personal liberty, saying that as the SSS could not justify the prolonged detention of the journalist, Mr. Daura decided to rush him to a Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja where he and Mr. Opume were arraigned on a trump up charge of sending a text message to an official of an oil company on or about June 26, 2016.
Falana, therefore, demanded from the new DSS boss to discontinue the frivolous charge pending against Abiri and Peter Collins Opume at the Wuse Magistrate Court; release the hundreds of detainees that were languishing without trial in the various detention centres of the SSS; release Col. Dasuki and other criminal suspects who had been admitted to bail by municipal and regional courts and release Sheik Ibraheem Elzakzaky and Hajia Zeinab Elzakzaky from illegal custody in line with the orders of the Federal High Court.
He asked Seiyefa to respect the rights of suspects to consult legal practitioners of their choice before making, endorsing or writing any statement or answering any question put to them after arrest; draw the attention of all SSS investigators to the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 which had criminalized the use of torture in all security agencies; ensure that all detention facilities of the SSS were inspected monthly by the visiting Judge of the Federal High Court in accordance with the provision of section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and stop the SSS from further usurping the powers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with respect to the investigation of allegations of murder, stealing, fraud, money laundering, corruption and other economic and financial crimes which are not connected to national security.
Falana further demanded from the new DSS boss to ban the operatives of the SSS from wearing masks as no military or paramilitary official was authorised by law to hide his/her identity in the course of performing official duties and ensure that the SSS operates within the ambit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and the National Security Agencies Act.
Mr. Lawal Daura, the sacked Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) by Acting President Osinbajo, has been arrested.
Colossusgists.com understands that Daura was arrested by a combined team of the Police and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for “breaching national security”.
News of the arrest sparked wild jubilations at the DSS headquarters. Daura is currently being detained at the SARS headquarters.
Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has sacked Lawan Daura, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Spokesman of the acting president, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement.
The Statement reads:
“The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the termination of the appointment of the Director-General, State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura with immediate effect,” the statement read.
“Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.”
No reason was given for the action but Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer in the organisation. It isn’t clear now if the move was due to the early morning siege of the National Assembly by the DSS.
Although the sureties had anticipated that the detained ex-NSA would be handed over to them, sources, however, said the DSS boss might need to contact the presidency before finally handing over Dasuki to the sureties in compliance with the ruling of the court.
The warrant of release dated July 16, 2018, with a title: ‘Verification of Bail Conditions’ and signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Mba Nkem A. Omotosho, was served on the DSS headquarters and the AGF in Abuja.
The warrant of release read in part: “Pursuant to the judgment Order made on Monday, July 2, 2018, granted by his lordship, Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu, directing various conditions to be fulfilled prior to the release on bail of the applicant (Dasuki).
“I have scrupulously verified the entire conditions of the bail as ordered by his lordship and the three ambits are fulfilled.”
“Hence, the respondents, the Director-General, DSS, and AGF are hereby notified as directed by his lordship for the subsequent compliance of same.
“Attached herewith is the enrolled order of the court and all the necessary bail documents for your perusal and aggrandizement.”
Before the latest judgment by Justice Ojukwu, the judge, on his fundamental human rights, Dasuki had previously perfected bails granted him by four different judges of high courts including Justice Ademola Adeniyi and Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Federal High Court and Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf and Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Courts.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice also ordered his immediate release from detention.
At the time of this report, friends, associates, and well-wishers of the former NSA had stormed his residence eagerly awaiting his final release from detention by the federal government.
Dasuki is being prosecuted by the federal government for alleged corruption and possession of arms
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday ordered the Department of State Service to produce the detained former National Security Adviser, Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court ruling will allow Dasuki testify in defence of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh who is standing trial for allegedly diverting 400 million naira belonging to the government.
Metuh had applied to the Federal High Court to invite Dasuki as a witness in his trial but his request was denied by Justice Okon Abang.
Mr. Metuh, however, appealed the ruling and won at the Court of Appeal where the trial judge directed Justice Abang to fix a date which the DSS must produce Dasuki in court and other subsequent dates.
Dasuki had earlier been arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the same court on a five-count criminal charge bothering on possession of firearms alone.
In the two new counts, the Federal Government alleged that between July 16 and 17 2015 at the Abuja residence, Colonel Dasuki was found to be in possession of the sum of a total sum of 210,000 US Dollars.
The Federal Government claimed that the monies were part of proceeds of unlawful deals, contrary to section 15(2) of the money laundering prohibition act 2011; charges which Colonel Dasuki denied in his plea.
He was again re-arraigned on April 6, 2017, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on seven counts of criminal charges, bordering on illegal and unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, as well as for money laundering offenses.
The Department of State Services, DSS, has made public names of suspected kidnappers arrested in 2017 with support of other security agencies.
In a statement signed by a DSS spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo yesterday, the agency noted that the arrest of gang members of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, among other high profile terrorists in the country, was made possible through its tactical operations.
The statement reads;
************************************
The hunt for the notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwaza (aka Ghana), led to the arrest of some of his close associates. For instance, on June 9, 2017, the trio of Dondo Orsaa, Terhile Mbaloha and Teryima Ihiambe (aka Clark) were apprehended at various locations within Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State for their sustenance of kidnap operations across Benue and Taraba States.
During the operation, one AK-47 rifle, a 9mm Pistol, Ammunition and complete set of Army uniform were recovered from ORSAA. Relatedly, on 10thApril, 2017, one Terna Sapko, an informant to the Akwaza syndicate was arrested around the Army Barracks in Takum, Taraba State.
The Service on June 9, 2017 in Aviele, Etsako West LGA of Edo State arrested 15 kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila MADU, a dismissed soldier.
Another member of the gang, Ibrahim Topa sustained gunshot injury on his left leg while trying to escape. Similarly, in Ebonyi State, one Chinonso Onwe (a.k.a Abino Flash) was arrested at Izhia Community, Ohaukwu LGA “on June 1, 2017, by the Service in collaboration with the Community’s Security Council for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping. He was identified to be a member of the confraternity.
During his arrest, two locally made pistols and a pair of Nigerian Army fatigue were among items recovered from him.
Falgore Forest Criminals:
Prior to those arrests, the Service on May 11, 2017, in collaboration with the Military, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five suspected Kidnappers/Cattle rustlers namely – Sani HASSAN (aka Ashana); Suleiman Abdullahi (aka Dogo Sule); Bashiru Abdullahi (aka Lamo); Amadu Abdullahi (aka Mallam); and Auwalu Sanda (aka Maitaru).
Alesa Abdulkarim:
Also, on May 17, 2017, along the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) road, Rivers State, the Service arrested one Alesa Abdulkarim, for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mayowa Akinkuade.
Similarly, on May, 19 at Achala Autonomous Community, Obowo LGA, Imo State, the Service arrested one Chinyere Onyeanulum for his connection with the kidnap of one Jennifer Chizitere Anuruo.
Aminu Aliyu:
On May 28, 2017, the agency also arrested Aminu Aliyu in Sokoto State for the kidnap of Ifeanyi Amos (a Nigerian Army Captain) on May 27, 2017 along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.
Yusuf Aliyu:
On June 7, 2017, Yusuf Aliyu was arrested at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa, Kaduna-North LGA, for his suspected membership of the syndicate terrorizing users of the Abuja-Kaduna Road.
Isah Baki-led Gang:
Again, on June 9, 2017, at Dankande village, Rigachiku, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, the Service confronted a notorious kidnap gang. Though Isah BAKI, leader of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds, three of his members namely: Hassan Abdullahi (22 years), Abubakar Abdullahi (27 years) and Suleiman Abdullahi (30 years) were arrested.
On the same day, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Road in Kaduna, the Service engaged another dangerous kidnap group and arrested two of its members: Yusuf Sani and Yusuf Adamu. Two AK-47 rifles and nine live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects who are currently being interrogated.
Abdulhamid Isiaka:
Committed to the effort aimed at achieving a terror free country, the Service sustained its counter terrorism/insurgency operations. To this effect, it continued the degrading of the capabilities of these terrorist elements. Consequently, the Service in a joint operation with the Military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid Isiaka (aka SMALL) and Habib AUDU, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively.
It is instructive to note that ISIAKA is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu Uwais, a most wanted terrorist. While in Libya, Isiaka had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States.
He, however, became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorist acts. Isiaka has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against the terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis.
The Department of State Services has accused businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, of diverting about 80 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (commonly called petrol), kept in his custody by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The agency stated that Ubah shunned NNPC’s repeated demands for the product estimated to be worth N11bn in order to cause artificial scarcity of the product.
It stated that Ubah’s action could plunge the country into widespread scarcity of PMS and economic chaos.
According to the agency, the act amounted to economic sabotage punishable by death. These were stated in a counter-affidavit and written submission filed by the DSS in opposition to an application by Ubah, asking a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi, Abuja, to set aside an order for his detention for 14 days.
Justice Yusuf Halilu had granted the order to the DSS on May 10, 2017, allowing the agency to keep the suspect in custody for 14 days pending the completion of an ongoing criminal investigation against him.
The DSS’s lawyer, Mr. G. Agbadua, told Justice Halilu on Tuesday that Ubah was plotting to plunge the nation into economic and social crisis by creating artificial scarcity of petroleum product.
The DSS’ counter-affidavit deposed to by one of the agency’s operatives, Mr. Safwan Bello, stated, “The respondent (Ubah) was arrested on reasonable suspicion of his involvement in the commission of crime. He converted PMS, belonging to the NNPC, kept in the custody of his tank farm, to his personal use.
“The respondent refused to return the PMS to the NNPC after repeated demands. The PMS is worth over N11bn. The action of the respondent is affecting the distribution of petroleum products to the populace.
“The action of the respondent is sabotage of NNPC’s activities as it relates to the distribution of petroleum products. If not for the urgent steps taken by the Federal Government, the action of the respondent would have plunged the country into widespread scarcity with its attendant effect on the economy.
“Petroleum is the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy. NNPC is a major stakeholder in the petroleum industry in Nigeria. An attack on the Nigerian economy is an economic threat to national security dimension.
“The Nigerian populace will suffer untold hardship if NNPC is unable to discharge its statutory responsibilities, including distribution of petroleum products as well as generating revenue for the country.
“The action of the respondent, if not checked, is capable of undermining the NNPC in the discharge of its duties. Investigation into the activities of the respondent is yet to be completed. A premature released of the respondent will adversely impact on the investigation, which is nearing completion.”
Agbadua stated in a written address, which he adopted during the Tuesday’s hearing, that the alleged diversion of the petroleum product by Ubah was not only stealing, but an attempt to cripple the nation’s economy.
He stated that the act was punishable by death under the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.
He stated,
“The action of the respondent (Ubah) to sabotage the distribution of petroleum products is a capital offence under the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.
“The act of the respondent was capable of plunging the country into chaos as a result of scarcity of product had the NNPC not taken a proactive step to forestall such situation. This clearly brings the action of the respondent under the provision of the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.
“The punishment of sabotage under this Act attracts death penalty. It is clear that the respondent was arrested for the conversion of the property of the NNPC. It is not just ordinary stealing, it is stealing of the lifeblood of the nation.
“Oil is the major source of revenue of the Federal Government. Stealing of the revenue is a crime against the economic interest of Nigeria and therefore, falls within the purview of economic threat of national security dimension.”
Agbadua stated that the gravity of the alleged offence informed why a diligent investigation was required to ensure prompt prosecution of the respondent.
He added that this was why the DSS sought the permission of the court to detain Ubah pending the conclusion of investigation.
The DSS had arrested Ubah upon complaint by the NNPC that the businessman diverted over 80 million litres kept in the tank farm of his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, based in Lagos.
The DSS said Ubah’s continued detention was based on the order granted by Justice Halilu.
Agbadua contended that as against the argument by Ubah that the diversion was purely a civil case, his action was criminal and was allegedly intended to threaten the nation’s economy.
He also justified the DSS’ involvement in the investigation of the case, arguing that the alleged offence fell within such issues that the DSS could investigate.
He said the act was not only punishable under the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004, but also under Section 383 of the Criminal Code.
Ubah had applied to the court to set aside the detention order, arguing among others, that the court was misled by the DSS, which allegedly suppressed material facts from the court.
Arguing Ubah’s application earlier, his lawyer, Mrs. Ifeoma Esom, prayed the court to either set aside its order of May 10 or order the businessman’s release on the grounds that his continued detention was unjustifiable.
Esom argued that the issue on which Ubah was being held was purely civil and contractual.
She stated that provision had been made for penalty in the case of default under the circumstances of the case.
Esom stated that Capital Oil and Gas had been one of the largest “throughput provider” for the NNPC for a long time.
She stated, “The failure to re-deliver is expressly stated by the contract to be a mere breach of contract, remediable by the payment of penalty to the owner. There can therefore be no issue of crime in conversion of products under a throughput contract (regardless of the ordinary connotations of those words).”
Justice Halilu adjourned until May 25 for ruling.
Source
PunchNG
The office of the editorial board member of THISDAY Newspapers, Sonnie Ekwowusi, was on Tuesday invaded by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said the development was connected to a a ‘Pro-Life, Pro-Family conference’ he was organizing, as well as a report condemning the sexualisation of school children in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, the board member said the whole episode started last Friday.
“I got a call from one Peter asking me to come over to the DSS office at Shangisha in Lagos.
“When I told them I could’t make it, they sent some operatives to my office. They ransacked it and made away with some files.
“The DSS invaded my office over a pro-life, pro-family conference I am involved in. They said they wanted to find out if the conference was registered.
“So yesterday, I went to their office and met the same Peter who told me he was dashing to somewhere and would have to re-invite me.
“What are the functions of the DSS? Can they dabble into conference matters? What has national security got to do with women’s rights which is what we are championing?
“From what I gathered from sources, a group of women petitioned the DSS about our forthcoming Pro-Life, Pro-Family conference, claiming that what we stand for is against their interest.
“Meanwhile, what our conference stands for is championing women and child’s rights. We have held it for five years and this year, it will take place at NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“We have the conference in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the state House of Assembly. Our past conferences have helped the government to make laws on domestic violence.”
The Department of States Services, DSS, on Friday explained it had secured a court order authorizing it to detain the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, in its custody for at least 14 days.
The DSS counsel, Peter Oluremodu, who appeared before Justice Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday with a notice of objection to the order to produce Ubah in court, said Ubah was being detained on the orders of Justice Y. Haliru of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The lawyer said the order was lawfully obtained in compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Ubah’s lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, urged Justice Idris to hold that the DSS violated his order by not producing Ubah.
Ubah had described his arrest as an attempt to blackmail him.
The oil magnate said the claim by the DSS that he was involved in theft of petrol kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in his tank farm in Lagos was wrong accusation.
DSS last Friday picked up Ubah over his connection with the missing petroleum product, valued at over N11bn.
It said Ubah’s action amounted to economic sabotage, with “capacity to negatively impact on national economy”.
In an official statement by Suleman Dahun, the Nigerian Navy has released the list of candidates who are successful in the aptitude test for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 24 held on December 17, 2016.
The Navy spokesperson, disclosed that applicants are to check www.joinnigeriannavy.com or www.navy.mil.ng for their names.
He said;
“Successful candidates are to report at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Ojo, Lagos State for further screening commencing from 10 April 2017.
“The Exercise will involve the screening of academic certificates/credentials, medical test, physical fitness test, written and oral examinations."
Dahun said successful candidate should come for the screening with various items including originals and photocopies of academic certificates/credentials, writing materials, and three pairs of white (unmarked) vests and navy blue shorts.
“Candidates who fail to report on the above stated date stand disqualified,” he said.
He disclosed that that it was an army captain in charge of the security of the place that ordered the action.
Maigari, who is part of a kidnap gang that has been terrorising Abuja for some time now confessed that he was part of the security men who stole N310 million from the house of Sen. Saraki in 2015.
According to him, it was an army captain in charge of the security of the place that ordered the robbery. He said his share from the stolen N310million was N30million.
It was gathered from the report that Maigari is a graduate of political science from Ado Bayero University, Kano. He was enlisted into the Department of State Service (DSS) as a Senior Intelligence Officer in 2011 and was later posted to the Maitama residence of Saraki in 2015.
He said:
“I served in operations department at Gombe and Osun Commands of the DSS before my dismissal in 2015. Before I was dismissed, I was posted to the home of the Senate President Bukola Saraki in Maitama and in November 2015, I can’t recall the exact date, three vehicles brought in the N310 million into the compound and the army captain who was on ground that day ordered that we should take the money away because he suspected the money was government money which could have been wrongly appropriated and could, therefore, be taken.
“We were four DSS operatives and four army officers involved and we drove the three cars to a house in Suleja where the money was shared. I got N30 million and I bought a car and took it to Kaduna state where I hid the rest of my share.”
Maigari explained that when he returned to Abuja, he was asked to report at DSS headquarters where he was interrogated over the theft and detained for five months, dismissed and charged to court. He was remanded in Kuje Prison but later granted bail by the court on health grounds.
Maigari was among kidnappers who kidnapped Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami last month and were apprehended by the police after their leader collected N2.8 million and was still spoiling for more money when luck ran out on them. Meanwhile, a group known as the National Assembly, Stand up for Nigeria (SUN), has called for Sen. Saraki to step down.
Source
Sun News
Exactly three months after they declined to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Senate yesterday affirmed their December 15, last year’s position on the EFCC’s acting chairman.
The Red Chamber relied on three-paragraph memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated March 14, affirming the Services’ earlier report on Magu.
Below is the Report:
In August 2008, following a search at his residence during the tenure of Farida Waziri (AIG/rtd) as the commission’s chairman, some sensitive EFCC documents which were not supposed to be at his disposal were discovered. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the Force.
In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of “Action prejudicial to state security, withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer,” and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as Chairman of the EFCC in 2011, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the commission when Lamorde served as Head of Operations of the agency. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.
Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40 million, at N20 million per annum. This accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/rtd), a questionable businessman and ally of subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service.
For the furnishing of the residence, Mohammed enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed to lavishly furnish the residence at the cost of N43 million.
Investigations show that the Acting EFCC chairman regularly embarks on official and private trips through a private carrier, Easyjet, owned by Mohammed.
In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri, alongside Mohammed and a third generation bank chief, who was being investigated by the commission over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke.
Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for First Class air travels. On 24th June, 2016, he flew Emirate Airlines’ First Class to Saudi Arabia to perform the Lesser Hajj at the cost of N2, 990,196. This is in spite of Mr. President’s directive to all public servants to fly Economy Class.
Investigation also revealed that Magu parades a twin personality. At one level, he is the czar who has no friends, no favourites and is ready to fight corruption to a standstill. However, with a key friend in the person of Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/rtd), a controversial businessman, he has betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the present administration.
Whereas Magu portrays himself as very secretive, he has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship with Mohammed who, by his confession, approaches ‘clients’ for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns. This was facilitated with official secrets divulged by Magu and from which dealings he is believed to have been drawing considerable benefits.
This was evidenced by the number of official and classified documents he made available to his associates, especially Mohammed.
After a search of Mohammed’s premises, a forged letter of the Office of the Vice President, dated 20th May, 2016, was recovered. The letter was a fictitious investigation report from Vice President to Mr. President, requesting for approval to commence further probe into a matter allegedly involving Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum.
Attached to the letter were two EFCC letters dated 13th April, 2016, and another 24th March, 2016, addressed to the vice president being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Dumebi Kachikwu. Similarly recovered during the search were information on assets and personal details of Kachikwu.
Also, following the arrest of three former Airforce chiefs by EFCC, namely, Alex Badeh, Umar and Adesola Amosu from whom huge sums of money and property were recovered, Umar and Badeh were arraigned in court.
It was only after the arrest of Mohammed by this service that the EFCC hurriedly arraigned Amosu. Mohammed later confessed that he never wanted Amosu tried, describing him as his former boss and he saw in Magu, a willing accomplice.
Furthermore, findings revealed that in a bid to settle some personal scores, subject placed one Stanley Inye Lawson on a Security Watch Action, while in actual fact, Lawson was working in the interest of the Federal Government. However, the action was later expunged following the discovery that Lawson was falsely accused by Magu for personal reasons.
The circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to EFCC at the instance of the former chairman, Lamorde, and their close working relationship ever since is a clear indication of his culpability in the allegations of corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde-led EFCC.
To cover his tracks, Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations. This, coupled with discoveries that such police cronies have acquired a lot of landed property, lends credence to the questions about his integrity.
In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.
Defending himself before the Senate yesterday, Magu promptly fired back that the DSS lacked integrity to indict him. He insisted that he did not know how the house he was living in was rented.
Nigerian singer, TuFace Idibia popularly known as Tuface has said rumours that he was arrested by the Department of State Security Services is not true.
Yesterday, rumours went viral that he was threatened and arrested by men of the DSS over the planned nationwide protest which he later cancelled.
While reacting to the news, the music icon took to his Facebook page and wrote:
“Thanks for the concern guys. I’m fine and free. Reports about DSS arrest are not true. We are still compiling your response for the leadership. State your opinion on social media with the hashtag #IStandWithNigeria. Peace! One luv!!”
The ancient town of Oghara in Ethiope West local Government Area of Delta was in a carnival mood on Saturday as former governor James Ibori arrived home after being deported to Nigeria on the completion of his jail term in a UK prison.
Ibori, who was convicted by a British court on charges of money laundering, arrived at the Benin Airport on Saturday aboard a chartered plane, IZYAIR, with registration number India Zulu Yanky (5NIZY) from Abuja. He was initially scheduled to land at Osubi Airstrip in Warri.
The flight, a Challenger 60, landed at Benin airport at about 2.25pm. Ibori had landed in Abuja on Saturday morning, and was taken by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation.
Ibori stepped into his country home Oghara at about 3:30 pm.
His residence was thronged by well wishers and political associates, who came to rejoice with him.
Hundreds of people marched round the town carrying leaves while some painted their faces with chalk. Musical bands entertained the crowd at various points.
Ighoyota Amori, a former senator representing Delta Central, said the return of Ibori was a good omen to the people.
“We are happy that Ibori is back, people are jubilating, the crowd you see here and the enthusiasm that has been displayed today showed that we really missed him. This is the only way for us to appreciate that our leader who left us long ago is back. His coming is a beginning of so many good things to come, by his presence today, l am sure we are gaining back all we have lost. Ibori remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but it is not time to discuss politics. All his followers around are members of PDP,” Amori said.
Lovett Idisi, member representing Ethiope East and Ethiope West Federal Constituency, thanked God for the safe return of Ibori.
“We prayed that all our PDP faithful should be steadfast now that we have a pure political direction. Their support has not been in vain, I believe now that our leader is out, we will have a sense of direction. We are a sheep with a shepherd right now. In my constituency, we now have somebody to consult without travelling overseas,” Idisi said.
One of Oghara’s youth leaders, Efe Moses said the return of Ibori would turn things around for the good of the town.
“We are grateful to God for the return of our chief (Ibori). Sure things will turn around for better from now on in Oghara. Ibori is our father and we can die because of him,’’ Moses said.
See photos below:
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