₦airaland Forum

The village council chairman of Usung Atiat community in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State allegedly exhumed the corpse a 61-year-old Aniefiok Daniel Effiong after the family of the deceased failed to provide some items before he was buried.

The family of the deceased have petitioned the state Deputy Commissioner of Police over alleged desecration of his corpse by the village council chairman and others.

The remains of a 61-year-old Effiong, were said to have been allegedly exhumed on the order of the village council chairman, Chief Aniedu Thompson Okon because the deceased family failed to give him some items.

Prior to the interment of the deceased remains, the village council via letter signed by the Chairman and Secretary-in-Council, Ikobong John, on September 20, 2021, sent a letter to the family, demanding for the following items to be given to the council before burial date: 1 she goat, 5 tubers of yam, a jar of palmwine, 1 crate of mineral, 1 carton of beer, 1 bottle of kai-kai (local gin), 1 bottle of Lords Dry Gin, garden egg, tobacco, ntuen ibok (alligator pepper), condiments and firewood.
In the letter, the council said the items were for to be given as punishment for an “abnormal act” committed by the deceased while alive.

“Note: Failure to bring the items, no burial should be conducted in the village,” the letter warned.

The family were, however, not told the “abnormal act” referenced by the village council and went ahead with the burial on September 25, 2021.

The petition, dated September 27, 2021, signed by the deceased’s cousin, Uduak Effiong Bassey and titled “A case of desecration of corpse and unlawful possession of arms perpetuated by Mr Aniedu Okon Thompson (Chairman, Village Council), Ikobong John (Chairman, Village Council), Udo Lincoln, Udo Iboro Akpanusen, Mfon Sunday Udoakpan and others.”

The petitioner alleged that in addition to the letter, the village council chairman verbally threatened him that the burial would not hold, citing one Silas Akifa as witness.

“Akifa together with me were able to identify the above persons desecrating the remains of late Aniefiok Bassey, firing gunshots into the air and eventually dumped the corpse by a bush track and covered the grave,” he said.

“As at the time of writing, the corpse is still left abandoned by a bush track and this constitutes abomination, an act that is capable of plunging the village into crisis.”

The police command was “as a matter of urgency, intervene in this matter and bring the culprits to justice to forestall breakdown of law and order in Usung Atiat village.”

Three underaged Fulanis have been rescued from a from a suspected kidnappers’ den by Hunters Group of Nigeria, alongside the Kogi State Vigilante Service.

It was gathered that the rescued underaged Fulanis were kidnapped from Chikara Community along Lokoja–Abuja road some 13 days ago by the busted kidnap syndicate which operated within that axis.

Spokesperson of the Hunter Group, Abdullahi Yahaya, stated that the rescued boys were not hurt and were in perfect condition while the arrested kidnappers were handed over to the appropriate authorities, alongside confiscated weapons for further investigation.

Yahaya commended the state government and the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Engr Bashir Gegu, for their support in providing logistics for their operations in the area.

Reacting to the development, Kogi State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd), said such security success by the operatives was proof that the security network of the state was strong and solid enough to tackle all forms of criminal vices.

According to Omodara, the morale boost from local vigilantes across the state have continued to record good results because of the morale boost and support the Governor has continued to give as well as the cooperation from the citizens and synergy between the security operatives.

He noted that the continued efforts of the Kogi State Government to keep the momentum as the safest state in the country were so far yielding remarkable results noting that the Governor has severally made a commitment to securing the lives and property of the citizens and make the state a no go zone for criminal elements.

He reiterated that government at all levels would continue to make efforts towards sustaining the drive for a peaceful Kogi State by making every nooks and cranny of the state unsafe for criminal elements and their sponsors.

Fejoku:
An poorly reported news which didn't include the reason behind the stoning that led to his death. This is a technical staff of a whole national TV station that was stoned to death like a dog. Shame on Nigeria
Did NTA even show the sad news for all to see? Shame on Nigeria.
R.I.P

“The reality of life. The two most important days in ur life, the day u are born and the day u find out why."

“My brother and friend today marks ur exit from this world, u were cut short at ur prime but we take solace in the Lord and keep praying God to give the young family u left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost and grant u eternal rest in his bosom.

“Adieu Engr Onwukwe Chukwu Obiahu! Adieu Brother!! Adieu Friend!!! Adieu the GSSA Old Boy.!!!! God be with u till we meet again.”

Commercial banks and other corporate offices operating in Enugu and Abia States on Friday removed Nigerian flags in their premises in compliance with an order by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that they didn’t want to see Nigerian flags anywhere in the southeast on October 1, 2021.

Sources told our reporters that most organisations in the states removed the Nigerian flags in their premises at the close of work on Thursday.

Checks within Abia State revealed that the Nigerian flags at Okpara Auditorium and some government offices along Library Avenue in Umuahia were still standing at the time of filing the report.

Our correspondent who monitored the compliance of residents of the state to the IPOB sit-at-home order reports that there was a total compliance as markets including popular Ariaria International Market, Eziukwu, Cemetery, Shopping Center, among others were deserted by traders.

A few commercial tricycle operators were seen on the road. Many people trekked to their locations after waiting endlessly for taxis and commercial tricycles to convey them to their destinations.

Filling stations in the state did not open for business as many that had needs for fuel resorted to black market sellers, causing some motorists to hike fares.

The story was not different in Enugu State as markets, fuel stations, departmental shops and eateries did not open for business.

In Imo State, arsonists on Friday attacked the house of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former leader of Orlu Legislative Council, Hon. Nwagba Gozie, in Orlu.

Hoodlums on Thursday equally set ablaze the palace of HRH Eze Obi Ralph Ekezie, the traditional ruler of Obor Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area. .

No life was lost in the incident which occurred at about 4pm as the monarch and his family members were in Owerri, the state capital when his palace was engulfed by the inferno.

An eyewitness, who spoke to newsmen in confidence, said the arson caused some damages to the monarch’s property and two other buildings around his community, a neighboring community to Omuma, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s hometown.

He also said the fire was later put out by the combined efforts of good-spirited individuals in the community.

The monarch, who spoke to newsmen on the phone, confirmed the incident but blamed those he called enemies of progress in his community for the burning of his palace.

The monarch further said he was monitoring the development from his abode in Owerri,

He expressed sadness, saying “the level of damage can’t be ascertained now but when he gets home tomorrow.”

Residents in the state stayed at home on Friday to observe the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in their demand for a Biafra nation.

The situation virtually paralysed both economic and social activities in the entire state. All the markets, shops, and motor parks remained closed. Even artisans did not go out as usual for their daily business activities.

There were no vehicular movements in different parts of the state including Mbaise, Okigwe, Wethedral, Duglas, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Aba Road. Streets in Owerri were practically empty as motorists and commercial vehicles were nowhere to be found to convey few stranded passengers on the roads to their destinations.

The situation at the premises of hotels, filling stations, eateries, motor parks, commercial institutions, business centres in Owerri was the same as their gates were also locked up.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation also gathered that a bus driver yet to be identified was burnt alive inside the bus at Mbaise area of the state by gunmen.

Also set ablaze by the gunmen at the same Mbaise was a truck heading to Owerri.

It was learnt that the bus loaded with passengers was coming from Owerri before it was attacked and set ablaze at Oboma Nguru Mbaise, while the truck heading to Owerri was equally burnt at Ahiara junction.

Contacted, the Police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam confirmed the burning of the traditional ruler’s palace, saying “it is true.”

Shuaibu Yohanna, pastor of New Life for All Nation Church in Masu village, Sumaila Local Government Area, Kano state, who was killed by a mob, has been put to rest.

On Thursday, September 30, the deceased preacher was buried in his hometown of Gingi in Katsina State’s Musawa Local Government Area.

Yohanna died on September 23 as a result of fatal wounds he sustained during a mob attack allegedly carried out by some irate youths of the community.

He was the Northeastern Evangelist of New Life Church and the CAN chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area in Kano State, Nigeria, until his murder.

The pastor was claimed to have been targeted when a man named Sabo Idris, who was supposed to have converted to Christianity, was accused of murdering his elder brother’s wife, Zainab Balan’iya, with a wooden pestle after a disagreement.

Idris was claimed to have surrendered to police, but this did not alleviate community tensions.

Yohanna had reportedly intervened in the matter but was accused of hiding the suspect who is a Christian convert. The mob lynched him and also burnt down his church, house and school.

Yohanna’s wife escaped with their children the night of the attack. The pastor’s house, church and school were reportedly burnt by the mob.

Nigerian Car Dealer Faces 20 Years In US Prison Over Alleged Money Laundering And Investment Fraud
The founder and CEO of Big-T Autos, Tochukwu Abel Edeh, has been arrested in the United States of America over alleged money laundering.

The 31-year-old, who was arrested on September 2, 2021, was indicted in Federal Court in Boston on Thursday, September 30.

According to the US Department of Justice, Edeh allegedly operated an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud schemes.

Edeh allegedly conspired with others, in or around 2015, to launder and transmit proceeds of Ponzi-style investment fraud schemes based in Nigeria.

A statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, reads:

“A Nigerian national was indicted today in federal court in Boston in connection with allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud schemes.

“Tochukwu Abel Edeh, 31, a Nigerian national previously residing in Jacksonville, Fla., was indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to conduct unlicensed money transmitting business. Edeh was previously charged by criminal complaint and has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 2, 2021.

“According to the indictment, Edeh managed used car dealerships and currency transfer services in Texas, Florida and Nigeria. This included a trading company as well as a cryptocurrency and e-commerce firm, both of which were based in Nigeria, through which Edeh exchanged Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for profit.

“The indictment alleges that in or around 2015, Edeh conspired with others to launder and transmit proceeds of Ponzi-style investment fraud schemes based in Nigeria. Specifically, the schemes purported to offer trading and Bitcoin investing services when, in fact, investor funds were allegedly stolen and later victims’ investments were used to pay purported returns to earlier investors. Edeh allegedly laundered the fraud proceeds using a network of co-conspirators in the United States and using his personal and business accounts in the United States and Nigeria. Edeh, along with his alleged co-conspirators, did not hold money transmitting licenses in their respective states of residents, nor were they registered as money transmitters as required by federal law.

“The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to conduct unlicensed money transmitting business provides for a sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

“The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”

Five members of a notorious kidnap gang have been arrested by professional hunters in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State,

The five suspects were arrested in an early morning operation at Atami, a suburb of Osara community on Tuesday, September 27.



The Senior Assistant to Okehi LG chairman, Hon Abdulraheem Ohiare Ozovehe on Media & Publicity, King Habib, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said that the gang has been terrorizing Okene-Lokoja road and Okene-Auchi road of Kogi State.

The statement said the suspects were presently with security agencies while investigation is ongoing to recover their sophisticated weapons.

The suspects are: Tukur Saleh, Ahmadu Sanni, Yusuf Sanni, all from Bauchi; Abubakar Saleh (Baba Wuro) and Isah Saleh, both from Kano State.

“We shall leave no stone unturned in a bid to rid Okehi LGA and our environs of all forms of criminality,” Hon Ohiare said.

“Fortune @fortunateumunname ….. I can’t believe you’re gone. Since we met u never left my side. for one day… Your page says it all. You really were all about me like nothing else mattered. You went from a complete stranger to one of my closest confidants within weeks. There is nowhere I entered that you and your lens didn’t enter. I can’t even believe I’m writing a tribute to you right now wtf we still had so much more to do. Your workshops. Your studios. Trips. Shows. Scenes. Moments. All of it. I can’t believe you didn’t give me the chance to fulfill the rest of my promises to you. my heart is so heavy right now and I’m just so grateful I met you. You truly were the best kid. A rare breed and I’m so grateful that we got to travel the world and create so many iconic moments with you. You are irreplaceable and you are gone now but I will make sure you are never forgotten! I swear it! This next one’s for you! RIP lil bro. Love you forever ❤️ #FortuneShotItAll”

“I have just landed at New York for #HARASSBUHARIOUTOFNEWYORK. I’m still in the plane. Join me at Nigeria House at 12 noon on Friday, September 24, 2021. From there we will move to the UN Building. Buhari must not be allowed to destroy Nigeria by suffocating her in debt. Debt that has made the Naira worth less than the Zimbabwean dollar. All because Buhari wants to build a $2 billion railway for his first cousins in Niger Republic, and the first naval base in a desert in Kano.
Everybody who joins me gets this cotton #HARASSBUHARIOUTOFNEWYORK T-shirt in either Black or White.”

No fewer than 63 newly inducted doctors of the University of Calabar have been told to prioritize the health needs of patients if they must excel in the medical profession.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, who stated this during the 52nd Physicians’ Oath Taking Ceremony (Sponsio Academica) charged the inductees to always place the well-being of their patients on the front burner.
While congratulating the inductees for scaling the hurdles in the course of their training, she urged them to adhere strictly to the ethics of the medical profession and imbibe the spirit of excellence and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The VC, who described the college as the flagship of the institution, said: “I am proud of the products from the college because they have been making great exploits all over the world.

‘’I am happy to be part of your success stories and I urge you all to be good ambassadors of the institution’’.
This came as she reiterated her administration’s commitment towards partnering with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) towards achieving a common goal, especially in the continuous training and retraining of doctors.
She also thanked the inductees’ parents for the sacrifices and commitments in the course of training their children and prayed to God to grant them long life to enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

“I congratulate you all for the great achievement; another journey has begun in your life.
“You have chosen a profession that is employable and I want to urge you to be good ambassadors of your alma mater. Bring your experience to bear in your profession and imbibe the spirit of excellence and teamwork,” she said.

In his remarks, the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Victor Ansa, said that the induction was the beginning of the Physician’s journey into the real world, thereby urging them to display the skills they have acquired from the institution for the good of humanity.
Describing the medical profession as a ‘noble profession’ he charged the inductees to live above board in every area of their endeavors.
He said their practice must be patient-centered, with palpable competence, efficiency, honesty, diligence and transparency.
The Provost said that 10 automatic internship employment would be given to ‘deserving doctors’ who are willing to serve in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof. Ngim Ngim, said that what the inductees were witnessing was a direct product of their devotion and commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
He said the knowledge, skills and ethics they have imbibed over several years of training will see them through their career as doctors, even as he admonished them to reflect and ponder on the Physicians’ oath and abide by it.
In the same vein, Cross River State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Innocent Abang, who welcomed the graduands into the association, urged them to unlock their God-given potentials in the course of practicing their profession.
Speaking shortly after administering oath on the graduands, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, advised the inductees to remain hardworking, focused, assiduous and ever ready to acquire as much knowledge and skills as possible during the period of their internship and the initial years of practice.

The Registrar cautioned the graduands against unethical practices even as he urged them to ensure annual renewal of their license to practice.
“The induction is the beginning of your journey as a doctor and you must practice this profession with humility. Respect your teachers and elders so that you can grow in the profession,” he said.
The induction lecturer, Prof. Michael Ogirima, who spoke on the topic, ‘’Doctor, Attend to your Health’’ called on the doctors to attend to their own health and well-being in order to provide care of the highest standard.

On his part, the Best Graduating Student, Dr Emediong Saturday Etuk, who spoke on behalf of other inductees, thanked the University Management for providing a conducive learning environment for them, which he believed, contributed to their success.
He also thanked staff and lecturers in the Medical College for their enormous support and encouragement.

The highpoint of the occasion was the award of prizes to deserving graduands and presentation of memento to the induction lecturer by the Vice-Chancellor.

A man has put up his kidney for sale to raise money for his brother’s school fees.

Felix Joel is 26 years old, but he has played the patriarch role for his family for so many years that he is at his tail end.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke’s Hillary Lisimba, the small-scale trader from Kisumu’s Manyatta estate revealed that he became a father figure at a very young age. According to him, he has three younger brothers who were left in his care after his father’s demise in 2007.

“I was in Class 7 when I started taking care of them through the business of mali mali because my mom is jobless”, he said.

He added that his own education ground to a halt in 2017 while he was still in his first year at Masinde Muliro University where he was studying Animal Science.

Joel reiterated that after putting his own education aside, he got into a full-time business and started a stall in Migori which has been helping him pay his siblings’ bills.

“I also had a contract to supply beans to one of the schools but it ended when students were sent home last year due to COVID-19. I haven’t been able to get it again”, he explained.

Given that he is the family’s only breadwinner, Joel laments that his visits to the Constituency Development Fund offices and Ward representative have not borne fruit.

Joel’s younger brother 17-year-old Morgan is expected to join Kenyatta University on October 4 for a course in Agricultural Education and Extension. Pushed to the wall and with no hope in sight, he made the difficult decision to walk around with a banner announcing his intention to sell his kidney for his sibling’s education.

“I have bigger problems that I can’t even start saying now. My dad was polygamous so as we speak we don’t even live at home, but that’s another story altogether”, he concluded.

As of the time of filing the story, Joel was yet to receive any financial support nor an offer, but he is hopeful that his message will reach a well-wisher.

In a publication by Vanguard News on February 24, 2021, with the headline “Repair of Enugu-PH expressway to be completed July 2021 — Fashola”, the minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said that the rehabilitation of the Lokpanta to Enugu and the Aba to Rivers State boundaries on the Enugu –Port Harcourt expressway, would be completed, July, 2021.

The Minister who was represented by the Abia State Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Onuoha Bede, stated that the Aba to the Rivers State boundary is almost 40% completed and would be ready before the July completion deadline.

In his words; “At Lokpanta axis, the one to the Enugu boundary is 98% completed while the one on Port Harcourt boundary is almost 40% completed. Before July which is the deadline for completion, they would have made appreciable progress. The one at Aro-Ngwa is still lagging, we are held in a court suit and we are appealing if the Abia state government can intervene to get a resolution to that problem so that we can enjoy the benefits others are also enjoying. We seize this opportunity to appeal to the Abia State government to resolve the issue with the Aro-Ngwa trailer park so that construction work can begin.”

Two months after the deadline given for the completion of the road, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway remains a death trap.

A Facebook user, Mr Francis Opaku, posted pictures of the current state of the road.
“Oh God for how long we will continue living in pain every day in Aba. Men are dieing every day by day. ��������� This is Enugu pH express way near NIGER STONE close to Ariaria junction we are living in pains in this Area. ������ “, he wrote.

In the comment section of the post, some residents of Aba called on God to help them as they have lost hope in the government.

“We are really suffering in Aba, God please come for our rescue”, Amarachi Chinedum commented.

“God Intercede for us”, Mhiz Lucy wrote.

“Indeed abians are suffering… God please help us oo
Most of our mothers are crying due to they trek a long distance just to reach to their place of business. Beggars increase day by day. God please help us”, Anene Anselem wrote.
“Chaii God please help us ooo”, Amakor Patricia typed.

“Kai God help us”, Favour Praise commented.

“God please help us”, Miracle Aguzie wrote.

EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Port Harcourt.

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eleven ( 11) suspected Internet fraudsters in an early morning sting operation.
The suspects: Chidindu Michael; Timothy Emmanuel; Nweke Joseph Jeff; Francis David; Pedro Enuaghanam Nnaemeka; Promise Amesi; David Eke; Michael Okoroaha; David Achi, Justic Arugba and Collins Wedeh, were arrested on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Ozuobo Area, off NTA Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

They were arrested through surveillance and verified intelligence on their suspicious internet- related criminal activities.

Items recovered from them include: one wine- coloured Lexus ES 350 car; six Plasma Television sets; three laptops; ten( 10) mobile phones of different brands; one LG Home Theatre; one black and red Boom Speaker; one Hisense Speaker; one Hisense Sound Bar, 5 Automated Teller Machine( ATM) cards of different banks and two Apple wrist watches .

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

“Please � Facebook family help me call this guy until he refund my #32,000. I’ve been doing business with him almost a year now. He deliver goods for me within 2days, untill last month after making payment for goods he stop picking my calls and switching off his lines.
Okoro Godwin +2349043731987, 09098190168. Please � let’s call him until he refund my money. Thank you”

Senator Dino Melaye has denied the report that he told people to stop posting the pictures he took with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

Hushpuppi, known for his flamboyant lifestyle is currently in prison in the United States is facing criminal charges including conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams.

The fraudster pleaded guilty to the charges and indicated some persons.

Following this development, there have been several reports on the internet space that Senator Dino Melaye is begging people not to post the pictures he took with Hushpuppi as he does not want to be dragged in the crime committed by Hushpuppi.

Dino has taken to his social media page to debunk such reports. According to Dino, he has never told anyone not to post his pictures with Hushpuppi.

The senator said he his a political celebrity and as such can take pictures with anybody regardless who they are.

His post reads; “There was never a time I asked people not to post my pictures with Hushpuppi or anyone for that matter because there is no reason to. Am a political celebrity, please continue posting jare. Wetin bird chop na im e go carry fly. SDM”

There was never a time l ask people not to post my pictures with Hushpuppi or anyone for that matter because there is no reason to. Am a political celebrity, please continue posting jare. Wetin bird chop na im e go carry fly. SDM