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UPDATED: EFCC arraigns ex-Taraba governor, Darius Ishaku over ‘N27bn fraud’

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, over allegations of fraud.

 

Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs, before a federal capital territory high court in Maitama.

 

Both are being prosecuted on a 15-countcharge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27 billion.

 

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them.

 

Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecution counsel, asked the court for a trial date as well as accelerated hearing on the matter.

 

However, Paul Ogbole and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero, respectively, made oral bail applications which the prosecution opposed, insisting on formal applications.

 

Sylvanus Oriji, presiding judge, adjourned the matter till October 3 for hearing on bail applications.

READ  Father, son docked over alleged N5.6bn fraud in Lagos

 

The judge ordered the remand of the defendants in EFCC’s custody.

 

Ishaku was governor of Taraba state between 2015 and 2023.

 

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor to question financial issues during his administration. He was later released on bail.

 

On September 27, 2024, Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the commission.

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13 dead as mining site collapses in Plateau

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At least 13 persons have been reported dead after a mining site collapsed in Bassa LGA of Plateau. 

Joshua Riti, chairman of the LGA, said the incident occurred on November 10. He added that seven of the deceased hail from Bassa LGA

The collapsed mining site is conterminous with Jos south and Jos north LGAs.

“This is an unfortunate incident. These young people were only out in search of a means of livelihood,” NAN quoted Riti as saying.

“They went out to put their energies to good use to sustain and meet up with the current economic hardship in the country but met their untimely death.

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.”

Majority of the victims were said to be aged 18-30.

Mining accidents are becoming a recurring decimal in resource-rich Nigeria.

In June, a mining site collapsed in Niger state following a downpour. Seven persons were eventually rescued. 

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In January, two people were killed and 77 injured in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, due to the activities of “illegal miners”. 

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US lists Nigerian among 15 most wanted criminals, places $25,000 bounty on his head

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The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone who could provide it with information that could facilitate the arrest of a Nigerian, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, who is reportedly facing trial for the alleged murder of his child.

It was gathered from a statement credited to the Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, and obtained from the agency’s website on Monday, that Olawusi has also been named among the 15 most wanted fugitives in the US.

Freeman noted that Olawusi, who lived in Rhodes Island, US, was arraigned on two counts bordering on first-degree murder caused by inflicting bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He added that the incident occurred on April 3, 2017, after police operatives and firefighters found the three-month-old child and rescued him at the hospital where it was discovered that the child had suffered injuries in 18 parts of his body. The discovery was said to have led to the arrest of Olawusi.

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Upon his arrest, Olawusi was charged in court on April 20, 2017, but his whereabouts became unknown after he was released the same day while the trial was pending.

 

Freeman added that the infant died six months after being hospitalised as a result of the injuries he had allegedly sustained from his father’s abuse which prompted the prosecuting department to include a murder charge in the ongoing trial.

He said, “A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest.

“Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-month-old son bleeding from the mouth and nose at a residence on April 3, 2017.

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“The child was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated to regain a pulse. An examination at the hospital noted 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of long-term abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain injury, and fractures of the child’s ribs, clavicle, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later.

 

“Providence police arrested and charged Olawusi on April 20, 2017, with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day and subsequently fled. The murder charge was added following the infant’s death on October 31, 2017.”

The US Supervisory Deputy Marshall noted that after frantic efforts to locate Olawusi, it was discovered that he had fled the country on June 20, 2017, while stressing that further investigation revealed that he was receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.

 

He added that the suspect has been placed on the wanted list because he could pose a danger to children and other members of the public and the US would deploy all its resources to ensure that he faces justice.

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“Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice. We have placed Mr Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.

 

“Olawusi, who uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Information regarding his whereabouts may be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App,” Freeman concluded.

 

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Two killed in Ogun ‘armed robbery attack’

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The Ogun police command says suspected armed robbers have reportedly killed two persons during an attack in Abeokuta, the state capital.

A statement on Monday by Omolola Odutola, police spokesperson in the state, said the incident occurred in the parking lot of Diamond Dumplings, GRA, in Abeokuta.

The police spokesperson said that three armed individuals, traveling in an unregistered black Toyota Hilux, stopped a black Mercedes Benz GLE 350 and demanded its keys.

“The incident occurred at about 12:30a.m in the parking lot of Diamond Dumplings, GRA, Abeokuta,” Odutola was qouted as saying.

“Three armed men in an unregistered black Toyota Hilux confronted the occupants of a black Mercedes Benz GLE 350 with a DLA license plate, demanding the car keys.

“The assailants opened fire, hitting one Ola (surname unknown) and one Shobanke Oluwatimileyin and two others.

“The Divisional Police Officer from Ibara, responding to distress calls, arrived the scene and ensured the area was secure before transporting the victims to the hospital.

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“Upon their arrival, the attending doctor confirmed two fatalities, while the other two individuals are receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta.”

Odutola said a probe has begun to uncover the circumstances surrounding the double fatalities and possible “cult” involvement connections.

She added that efforts to capture the suspects would continue, and the public would be kept abreast of developments in the investigation.

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