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Army Probes Alleged Murder Of Businesswoman Caught With N1.7m By Soldiers

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The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had begun an investigation into the alleged involvement of its personnel in the extortion and murder of a businesswoman in Katsina State.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, dated May 25, 2021, but made available to journalists in Katsina on Wednesday, revealed that the woman was arrested by members of a local vigilante group in a commercial vehicle with N420,000 around 10 pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2021.

The statement added that the woman was apprehended in Yankara village along the Funtua/Gusau Road and handed her over to troops by the vigilantes for further investigation.

The woman reportedly died a few days after.

The statement explained, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to speculations over the gruesome murder and extortion of a woman in Katsina State. It was alleged that a woman was arrested in a commercial vehicle in possession of money estimated to be N420,000 by members of a local vigilante group on Wednesday, May 7, 2021, around 10 pm in Yankara village along the Funtua-Gusau Road and was handed over to troops in order to interrogate the source of the money. A few days later, the woman was said to have been killed by the troops.

“The Nigerian Army, therefore, wishes to inform the general public that it has commenced investigation into the matter and assures the public that anyone found wanting in connection with the allegation will be made to face the full wrath of the law. The Army pleads with the general public to remain calm as it is determined to get to the root of the matter.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to once again reiterate its commitment to the protection of lives and properties of the citizens in accordance with its constitutional responsibility and in strict adherence to the rules of engagement in its operations. Therefore, the Nigerian Army will not tolerate any act of misconduct and unprofessionalism from its personnel.”

Independent investigation by PUNCH, however, showed that the deceased had in her possession about N1.7m as of the time of her arrest.

Credible sources also revealed that after the murder of the victim, her remains were buried in a shallow grave, which was discovered later by security operatives in the course of the investigation.

None of the Nigerian Army personnel approached at the 17 Brigade in Katsina was ready to comment on the incident as they all referred inquiries on it to their headquarters in Abuja.

The spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, did not take his calls and had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile phone as of the time of filing this story.

BIG STORY

Court Sentence FCMB Branch Manager To 121 Years In Prison For Embezzling N112million From Customer’s Account In Anambra

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One of FCMB’s employees was sentenced to prison for fraud and embezzlement, which was the worst shock of the year for the prestigious financial organisation in Nigeria.

Mr. Nwachukwu Placidus, the bank manager at First City Monument Bank FCMB, Onitsha, Anambra State, was sentenced to 121 years in prison by Justice S. Odili at the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha, Anambra State, for embezzling N112 million from a customer’s fixed deposit account.

A former manager of the First City Monument Bank branch in Onitsha was found guilty and sentenced to 121 years in prison for stealing N112,100,000 in fixed deposit money from a customer for personal use.

The honourable justices delivered the verdict that resulted in this outcome. This is tantamount to a breach of trust by the former manager which has attracted a huge jail term.

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Lagos Government Intensifies Effort To Arrest Dolphin Underbridge Illegal Landlord

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The Lagos State Government has launched a manhunt for the individual who gave the apartments to tenants under the Ikoyi bridge after 36 illegal residents of the Dolphin underbridge bridge were apprehended.

It further revealed that during the clearance operation, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), the ministry’s enforcement unit, arrested no fewer than 36 renters.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for the environment and water resources, revealed this on Friday at a briefing for reporters regarding the government’s actions through the ministry during the previous year.

He said: “Just about 24 hours ago, the operatives carried out an operation that unearthed a major illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge Ikoyi.

“An unbelievable 80 rooms partitioned 10×10 and 10×12 and a container used for different illegal activities was also discovered.

“All the structures have been dismantled and a total of 36 miscreants who lived under the were arrested while efforts are being intensified to arrest the ring leaders who rented out the underbridge apartments which also add electricity supply,” it added.

The state government had earlier dislodged tenants under Dolphins Estate Bridge, who paid N250, 000 annually to yet to be identified landlords.

The tenants, who were dislodged in the process were discovered during an enforcement exercise by officials of the state government during demolition of illegal structures.

He added that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

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Olubadan: New Twist As Ladoja, Kingmakers Disagree On Settlement Terms

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The enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, took a new turn yesterday when the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, the former governor of Oyo State, and other kingmakers couldn’t agree on the terms of settlement that would have made the enthronement process easier.

While entertaining Mogajis in Ibadanland led by Chief Asimiyu Ariori in his Bodija residence, Ladoja indicated his willingness to drop the lawsuit he had brought against Olubadan-in-Council members, provided that both sides agreed to sign the settlement conditions as they were written.

He said: “Myself and other members of Olubadan-in-Council have been sitting together and talking. We have accepted to withdrawal the case.

“I heard that they have started signing the agreement. After all of them have signed, I will also sign my own aspect, and the next day, we will file for withdrawal of the case from court.

However, other members of Olubadan-in-Council who are defendants in the suit have argued that there is no need for signing of any terms of settlement paper, as they have already abided by the 1957 declaration.

A meeting held yesterday at Olubadan palace, Oja’ba was attended by Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Isioye-Dada and Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande.

The Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Otun Balogun Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade Salaudeen and Ekaarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeeez were absent.

Oba Adebimpe, speaking on behalf of other members of the council in attendance at the meeting, said event had overtaken the terms of reference as contained in the agreement paper, hence no need to sign it.

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