Senate has been vindicated on Magu’s case, says Abdullahi

The Senate yesterday hailed  the leaked report of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, on the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as a vindication of its rejection of Magu’s nomination as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Spokesman for the Red Chambers, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said in a statement in Abuja that the DSS report was even more damning that the one the agency sent to the Senate on Magu.

The Senate based its rejection of Magu on the report.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the statement, said: “Following several calls made to me today (yesterday) by journalists seeking my comments on the leaked report on Mr. Ibrahim Magu which was more damning than the one submitted to us, I can only say that myself and my colleagues have been vindicated.

“From that report which is now public, it is obvious the DG SSS even tried to give Magu soft landing in the report that was sent to the Senate. The recent report is messier and shows that our decision not to confirm his nomination was right.”

He asked Nigerians to “continue to have full confidence and trust in the Senate as it discharges its responsibilities according to the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

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Niger politician jailed for child trafficking

Niger’s appeals court has sentenced an exiled former presidential candidate to one year in prison for child trafficking, the final ruling in a long-running case that his lawyers have dismissed as politically motivated.

Hama Amadou, the main challenger to President Mahamadou Issoufou in the 2016 presidential election, has been living in France since last year when he left Niger for health reasons just days before a run-off.

He has repeatedly denied charges that he and his wife were part of a plot, including several others, to falsely claim the parenthood of around 30 children from neighbouring Nigeria who were to be sold on to wealthy couples in Niger.

The verdict was read in the absence of Amadou’s lawyers, who had boycotted the trial in protest.

The case was initially dropped by a Niger court in 2015, but was reinstated by the appeals court later in the year.

Issoufou took power in April 2011, and has worked closely with Western nations to boost security in the vast, arid Sahel region where Islamist militants are intensifying their insurgency.

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Man in court for stealing refrigerator

A 26-year-old security guard, Fidelis Guchong, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a refrigerator valued at N40,000.

Guchong of Spears Security Organisation, Kugbo village, is facing trial on a count charge of theft.
He denied the charge, while the judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety in like sum.

The judge adjourned further hearing till April 25.
The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Yerima Hassan, the Manager of Spears Security, reported the matter at Apo Police Station on March 6.

Ogbobe said that the complainant alleged that the defendant, a staff of the company attached to a beat at Gudu District, dishonestly stole one nexus fridge worth N40, 000.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant opened the warehouse where he was employed to guard and stole the fridge.
He also said that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to have committed the crime.

“He sold it to one Henry Danladi of Durumi II,’’ Ogbobe said.
The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 289 of the Penal Code.

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3 in court for alleged kidnap of 16-year-old girl

Three people were on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly kidnapping a 16-year-old girl.

The defendants- Ogei Blessing, Jennifer Ewenyor and Ogei Mabel all from Delta state, were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and kidnapping.

They all denied committing the offences.

The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko,
however, ordered the remand of Ogei Blessing and Jennifer Ewenyor, while he granted bail to Ogei Mabel in the sum of N600,000.

The judge explained that he granted the defendant bail because she is a nursing mother.
He said‎ that Ewenyor and Blessing should file their bail application and adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

Prosecutor Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Mrs Cynthia Ogeide and Mrs Chioma Douglas reported the matter at the Special Tactical Squad, FCT Command in January.
He said the defendants conspired and kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and further gave her out for “sex slavery.’’
He said when the defendants were arrested; they gave the police false information, which misled the police from conducting a thorough investigation.
The prosecutor added that one Miss Favour, who allegedly harboured the 16-year-old girl was now at large.
The offences contravened Sections 97, 397 and 217 of the Penal Code.

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