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Nigerian Army announces burial arrangement for late COAS, six others

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Chief of Army Staff

 

  • The Minister of Defence Bashir Magashi describes as a rude shock the death of  Attahiru barely four months in the saddle

The burial proceedings of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Ibrahim Attahiru, and six other senior officers has been slated for Saturday in Abuja.

The deceased lost their lives in a military plane crash in Kaduna on Friday.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, said the event would commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 10 a.m. respectively.

Mr Yerima said that the internment for the late COAS and six other senior officers would take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja by 1p.m.

More Nigerians have been reacting to the death of the army chief and others in Friday’s plane crash.

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, described as a rude shock the death of Mr Attahiru, barely four months in the saddle.

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Mr Magashi said that the mishap that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, alongside others senior officers and his aides, represents a huge national disaster.

Mr Magashi stated this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadir, on Saturday in Abuja.

He condoled President Muhammadu Buhari, the military and the Nigerian Army in particular as well as his immediate family and Nigeria in general.

Mr Magashi described late Mr Attahiru as a gallant, dogged, disciplined and dedicated senior officer who died in the line of duty to his fatherland.

He recalled his unblemished track records of service to the nation as Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and as General Officer Commanding, GOC.

He said these dedicated services culminated in his elevation to the enviable three-star status as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in January.

According to Mr Magashi, the emergence of Mr Attahiru as army boss at such a critical time in the nation’s efforts at surmounting internal security challenges is symbolically strategic but impactful in the annals of the service.

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“Although, the late General died when his service is needed most, his short but eventful tenure as the Chief of Army Staff and over three decades of dedicated, selfless and patriotic service will never be forgotten,” he said.

Mr Magashi prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and to grant him Alijannat Firdaus as well as prayed God to grant the nation, the military constituency and his beloved family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

 

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Metro News

Alleged abuse of office: EFCC files additional proof of evidence against Emefiele

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an additional proof of evidence against Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing trial on a 26-count charge before a Lagos high court.

 

The former CBN governor and Omoile pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The commission had presented two witnesses to testify against Emefiele in the trial.

 

At the resumed hearing on Friday, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Emefiele, was expected to continue the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness.

But Ojo told the court that he just received the additional proof of evidence from the EFCC which was filed on Thursday.

The counsel said he needed to study the additional proof of evidence to be able to cross-examine the prosecution witness.

 

He also accused Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel, of attempting to engage in “trial by ambush” at the expense of the defendants.

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“My lord, there is a need to adjourn this case. We were just served these huge documents by the EFCC in court,” Ojo said.

 

“The prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting. This is trial by ambush.”

On his part, Adeyinka Kotoye, counsel to the second defendant, said he was served the additional proof of evidence five minutes after arriving in court.

 

Kotoye accused the EFCC of not being diligent in the prosecution of the case and attempting to ambush the defence team.

In response, the EFCC counsel said it is unfair to describe the service of processes by the prosecution as “ambush by trial”.

 

Oyedepo said the additional proof of evidence served by the commission was some of the documents retrieved from the phone of John Adetona, a former aide to Emefiele, who was listed as a witness.

 

Oyedepo said the documents were served in preparation of the testimony to be given by Adetona before the court.

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He added that Adetona was not meant to appear before the court today or on May 9.

“The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents were printed from has not given evidence before the court,” Oyedepo said.

 

“In preparation for his testimony which is not coming up today or May 9, the prosecution rather waiting for the defense to formally place a demand for the hard copies, the prosecution team printed the documents out.

“How does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness?”

 

Oyedepo prayed that the court should order the defence team to complete the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

 

He added that the new documents do not affect the continuation of cross-examination of the witness.

 

However, Emefiele’s counsel disagreed, saying that he needs to study the new documents and that there might be new information to help the cross-examination.

 

In his ruling, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, agreed with the defendants’ counsel and adjourned the matter to May 9.

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’s daughter as senior aide

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall, daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, a.k.a KWAM1, as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

The development was leaked to the public in a viral video of her father thanking the governor, and congratulatory messages on her Instagram page, @damimarshall_.

 

In the viral video, her father, KWAM1, while performing on stage at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

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Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

 

Until her appointment, Damilola was a principal partner at a law firm, Damilola Ayinde Marshal and Co.

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Metro News

Police identify officer who shot man dead at Lagos petrol station

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The Lagos State Police Command says it has identified a police officer who shot a man dead at a petrol station in Obalende area of the state on Wednesday.

 

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

He said that the officer whom he did not name is serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU), Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos. The PRO said investigation on the incident is still ongoing.

 

He wrote, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos. Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.

 

“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.”

The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.

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Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with… https://t.co/apTMnaIbsm

— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) May 2, 2024

 

The tragedy reportedly happened while motorists and residents in the area struggled to purchase fuel at petrol station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The deceased alongside others who had been on a queue to purchase petrol was said to have resisted an attempt by the police officer to jump queue and buy fuel which resulted in ensuing fracas that led to the officer shooting the victim who eventually died.

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