Crime
Akwa Ibom Sen Bassey Albert bags 42-yr jail term for corruption
The serving Senator for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, also known as OBA, has been jailed for 42 years for corrupt engagements.
The Federal High Court in Uyo, delivered the judgement following a successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Akpan who is also the YPP governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom State was said to have been checked into Ikot Ekpene correctional centre, where he would possibly serve his long jail term.
Akpan was said to have received from Jide Omokore while serving as finance commissioner in his State, a BMW X5 (Bulletproof) worth N50 million; in December 2012 another Infinity QX 56(bulletproof) worth N45 million was also received from the same source.
In November 2013, he received a Toyota Landcruiser V8 (bulletproof) valued at N40 million and in March 2014, he received a Range Rover, valued at N40 million; in September 2014, another Toyota Hiace High Roof bus valued at N27 million was received from the businessman.
is alleged to have received at different times between 2012-2014,Toyota Hiace High Roof buses valued at N16 million and six units of Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N36 million.
The EFCC which was investigating money used for the 2015 elections, spotlighted one Jide Omokore, who was suspected as a conduit through which illegal funds were used for elections.
While interrogating the businessman, he mentioned his numerous transactions with Obong Bassey Albert, who by this time had become a Senator.
The EFCC on June 24, 2019 arraigned Sen. Bassey Albert at the Federal High Court, Uyo and the case has been ongoing since then despite several chronic delays by Sen. Albert’s team.
While the case was ongoing at Ikeja, Obong Bassey Albert, through his lawyers, filed a preliminary objection to the jurisdiction of the court. They prayed the court as follows, “There is nothing in the proof of evidence that suggested that any aspect of the alleged crime against the first defendant was committed outside Akwa-Ibom State and in Lagos State.
The EFCC on June 24, 2019 arraigned Sen. Bassey Albert at the Federal High Court, Uyo and the case has been ongoing since then despite several chronic delays by Sen. Albert’s team
The convicted senator was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, the ruling party in the state, before he defected months ago to the YPP, where he secured the party’s ticket for the 2023 governorship election.
He seemed to have enjoyed a lot of support especially from the youth, even as his supporters had accused Governor Udom Emmanuel of setting him (OBA) for imprisonment so that the PDP candidate, Pastor Umo would have a smooth sail to victory.
The governor had denied the allegation personally and through his aides, insisting that he had neither testified, authorized anybody to testify in the case; nor tendered any document from government
***CP restates commitment to safety of lives, property in Kogi
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in Ankumi forest, near Obajana in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.
A statement from SP William Ovye Aya, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on Tuesday in Lokoja said that the two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded in an exchange of fire with the Police and died as they were being taken to the hospital.
Aya said the operation which was in continuation of the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crime in Kogi State also led to the recovery of one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines and two live Ammunition.
He explained that the operation was consequent upon a tip off received on Monday, May 27 at about 11:30hrs, that some armed hoodlums numbering about three were sighted inside Ankumi forest.
“Immediately the Divisional Police Officer of Obajana Division, CSP Oguche Richard, mobilized his patrol team in collaboration with the Fulani Vigilantes and moved to the area at about 14:30hrs”, he said.
According to the PPRO, on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, attracting corresponding response from the team resulting in a gun duel that lasted a while.
Aya said, “Due to the superior firepower of the Police team, two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while the other escaped with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the scene include, one AK 47 rifle with two magazines and two rounds of live Ammunition. Effort is on going to trail and apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
The Command’s Spokesman further told newsmen that the suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital at Obajana and their bodies were brought to the command headquarters in Lokoja.
He said that the bodies were deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue in Lokoja.
Aya further said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, commended the officers for their unwavering commitment and dedication in sustaining the tempo in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality.
The Commissioner, he said, also assured Kogi people that the Police “is ever determined to sustain the tempo, in synergy with other Security Agencies, in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.” (Ends)
An unspecified number of workers of Dangote Cement Company Plc, Okpella, Etsako West local government of Edo state have been abducted after unknown gunmen Wayland the staff bus
The unfortunate incident was said to have happened on Monday.
The workers were in a staff bus conveying them back to Okpella town after the close of work when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.
An eyewitness confirmed to this online newspaper that the incident happened after the gunmen laid ambush for the workers after emerging from the bush and forcing the bus to a halt at gunpoint before taking their victims into the bush.
“They were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the numbers of the workers that have been kidnapped,” the source added.
The alleged rape of a female student of the Ajayi Crowther University by two security guards is not being treated with kids gloves as the authorities of the institution have commenced investigations
This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi John Atoyebi.
Atoyebi said, “Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo received with shock a report of an alleged rape of one of our female students last night, Thursday May 9, 2024 by two members of our vigilance group.
“The Management promptly handed over to the police, the two people alleged to have committed the crime while the university has set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.
“The Management wishes to assure all stakeholders that ACU will not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.
“Raising Godly intellectuals is our primary goal in ACU and we will not allow any act of misconduct capable of diverting our attention from our goal.
“Heavy penalty awaits anyone who is found culpable after our thorough investigation.
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