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Federal Government Currently Probing Bandits Sponsors — Defence Headquarters

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The Defence Headquarters has stated that “investigations are actively underway” into allegations of banditry sponsorship in the North-West region.

The DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja, confirming that “relevant agencies tasked with such responsibilities were diligently investigating the matter.”

This development follows accusations and counter-accusations between the Minister of State for Defence and immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, and his successor, Dauda Lawal, over banditry sponsorship.

On Tuesday, Matawalle challenged Lawal to “swear by the Holy Qur’an” that he had no involvement in the sponsorship of bandits.

In response, Lawal vowed to “release evidence” against the minister and noted that he had reported the matter to the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu.

When asked about the military’s role in the allegations involving the two influential figures, the DHQ spokesman, Buba, said the matter “was being looked into.”

“When you talk about what’s going on about the sponsors, I can assure you that the relevant agencies that are saddled with that responsibility are doing a good job. And sooner than later, you will hear some announcements in that regard,” he said.

Buba emphasized that despite the situation, the military remained focused on “winning the war against banditry” and was concentrating on “destroying their fighting will.”

He added, “Winning a war is destroying the enemy’s will to fight. When you destroy the enemy’s will to fight, the war is over, you have won the war. And that’s why we are focused on destroying the enemy’s will to fight.”

Discussing the military’s achievements between July and September 2024, Buba reported that “a total of 1,937 terrorists, including 65 notable insurgent leaders” had been neutralized.

Meanwhile, the Tinubu Youth Network, a support group in the ruling All Progressives Congress, on Thursday called for Matawalle to step down as the Minister of State for Defence.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, the TYN Secretary General, Yusuf Muhammad, said the allegations against Matawalle were “too weighty to be glossed over” and damaging to the APC’s image.

“We want a thorough investigation to clear Matawalle’s name and uphold our party’s integrity. Association with individuals responsible for heinous crimes undermines our party’s values and the President’s anti-corruption agenda,” Muhammad said.

He argued that loyalty to the President should not shield Matawalle from investigation, stating, “loyalty should not supersede accountability. We urge Matawalle to step down and subject himself to a thorough investigation.”

“The Tinubu Youth Network is compelled to make a public appeal after several unsuccessful attempts to contact the leaders of our ruling party, the APC, regarding the allegations made by the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, against his predecessor and now the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

“A series of interviews granted on national television have gone viral. In these interviews, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, raised grave concerns about the issues he inherited upon assuming office. These issues include the accusation of sponsoring bandits and misappropriation of state funds by his predecessor and the junior Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle.

“These are serious matters that strike at the heart of governance, security, and the welfare of the people of Zamfara State and should not be handled lightly.

“We consider it our responsibility as youth to seek a thorough investigation into these serious claims to uphold the integrity of our party and our esteemed leader, the President. Failing to address these issues could hurt our party in the future.

“We want to emphasise that the issues at stake here are not just political problems, they encompass matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara State, the North-West, and Nigeria as a whole.

“This is why we are urging our esteemed leader, the President, to launch an investigation into the numerous allegations levelled against the state minister for defence, Bello Matawalle.”

Attempts to reach Matawalle for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful, as several calls to his aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, were not answered. He had also yet to respond to a message sent to him at the time of this report.

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Prison Officers Involved In Bobrisky Bribery Allegations Will Face Prosecution — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

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The Federal Government on Friday assured that all individuals implicated in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser “Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky,” will be prosecuted.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, commemorating his first year in office.

Earlier, the minister had launched a comprehensive investigation into accusations of bribery and corruption within the “Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).”

This came after reports emerged that “Bobrisky,” who had been sentenced to prison earlier in the year, had not served his sentence within the correctional facility.

As the investigation progressed, the Nigerian Government, through the “Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board,” suspended several senior prison service officers on Thursday, “September 26, 2024.”

The officers suspended include “Michael Anugwa,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) responsible for the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; “Sikiru Adekunle,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and “ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna,” stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who was accused of escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.

Another officer, “Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) managing the MSCC in Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly accepting payments on behalf of an inmate.

In addressing the unfolding bribery and corruption scandal, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo” called on Nigerians to remain patient during the investigation, assuring the public that all involved would be held accountable.

“We will not spare anyone, regardless of their status. The investigation is ongoing, but rest assured that no one will be shielded or protected,” the minister asserted.

He further clarified that the investigation went beyond the allegations linked to “Bobrisky,” noting that of the four suspended officers, only two were connected to the “Bobrisky” case. “This process will continue; it doesn’t end here,” he added.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo” expressed his trust in the integrity of the committee members leading the investigation, encouraging the public to have confidence in their work.

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: US Company Costco Denies Selling Baby Oil To Diddy

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American wholesale corporation, Costco, has denied selling “baby oil” to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

The federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.

In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” because he buys them in bulk from Costco.

Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell “baby oil.”

“None of the company’s US locations carry ‘baby oil,'” Costco told TMZ.

Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.

However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.

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BIG STORY

Naomi Campbell Gets 5-Yr Ban From Being Charity Trustee In UK For “Using Funds On Spa Treatment”

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Naomi Campbell, the British supermodel, has been banned from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years.

The UK Charity Commission found that her charity, Fashion for Relief, was “poorly governed and managed financially” by its trustees.

The investigation, conducted from April 2016 to July 2022, revealed that only 8.5% of the funds raised were spent on charitable grants.

Additionally, charity funds were reportedly used for Campbell’s stays in luxurious hotels, spa treatments, and cigarettes.

Campbell responded to the findings in an interview, expressing her concern and claiming she was not aware of these expenses, as she had entrusted the charity’s management to a legal employer. She said, “I was not in control of my charity.”

Veronica Chou and Bianca Hellmich, other trustees, were also sanctioned.

Hellmich was banned for nine years for receiving unauthorized funds, while Chou was banned for four years.

Tim Hopkins, part of the investigation team, stated that Campbell and the other trustees had failed in their legal duties.

Approximately £344,000 has been recovered, and an additional £98,000 of charitable funds has been protected.

The recovered funds were used to make donations to other charities and settle liabilities.

Campbell founded Fashion for Relief in 2005 with the aim of relieving poverty.

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