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SAN picks holes in the early Release of Drug Couriers

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, has described the plea bargain the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) entered into with two alleged international drug couriers last year as faulty

According to the lawyer, the plea bargain led to their release from the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service Centre.

The senior advocate disclosed that the duo of Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne were arrested at the car park of Enugu Airport by the operatives of the Inspector General of Police’s Response Team after they had been cleared by the NDLEA and other security officials at the International Airport in Enugu.

The IRT operatives were said to have acted on a credible information by a whistleblower.

Ikpeazu said it smacks of complicity on the part of the NDLEA to allow the drug traffickers and their sponsors walk the street while the policemen who through diligent work arrested them are in prison.

He wondered why the NDLEA has continued to object to bail and has done everything possible to ensure the policemen do not get bail.

The senior lawyer who spoke after the hearing of the case in court, explained that a good defence helps a judge to determine where guilt or innocence will lie, adding that men of the Police IRT are “persons that have added considerable value to society in many ways.”

According to him, the illicit drugs in dispute were intercepted by the IRT team at the parking lot of an airport, meaning that they must have been cleared to come into Nigeria by relevant authorities, including the NDLEA and not the police.

“When you look at the case itself and ask what precipitated the charge? It was that the Police IRT Unit was able to do that which the NDLEA was unable to do.

“They (IRT) were able to detect a drug cartel that had isolated the Enugu Airport (from Brazil to Ethiopia to Enugu Airport) for their drug transaction and they disseminate drugs all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

He said that it was ironic for the civilians that trafficked the drugs to be freed from prison because they entered into a plea bargain with the NDLEA which is an agency of the federal government.

“The people that imported drugs, the drugs were not concealed, they were tendered in court; and the people that imported such demonic and dangerous substances to be circulated to our children will walk (out of prison), while the people that intercepted them for prosecution are now being prosecuted.

“Authorities at the NDLEA and the Federal Correctional Services have confirmed that the duo of Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who pleaded guilty in court to charges of peddling hard and illicit drugs, entered into plea bargain with the NDLEA to serve just 16 months in prison as against 28 years that their offence ordinarily ought to have earned them”.

It could be recalled that the Policemen serving in the IRT arrested Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, at the car park of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu on January 19, 2022, following a tip-off by a whistle blower.

The two drug peddlers had successfully evaded NDLEA and other security agents at the airport and were are the verge of leaving the airport vicinity when the police officers on the IRT unexpectedly apprehended them and the drugs they had just ferried into the country.

Findings have also shown that the plea bargain with the drug couriers and their early release from prison may be breeding tension between the Police and the NDLEA.

A senior Police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity insisted in a chat that their colleagues may have been shortchanged in the drug burst and demanded that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order a high-level probe of the handling of the matter by the leadership of the NDLEA.

“Something is not right about this case at all. The police had swooped on the two after the whistle-blower revealed all their movements and activities right from Brazil to Ethiopia and Nigeria via the Enugu Airport. They arrived at Enugu Airport with over 21kg of drugs full to the brim in their 2 carry-on bags. Shockingly, despite the presence of all security agents including the men of the NDLEA at the airport, they were cleared,” the Police Officer added.

A number of Senior Police Officers are said to be particularly worried about the condition of ACP Sunday Ubua and his family.

According to them, Ubua, who was the Second-in-Command at the IRT, according them, knew next to nothing about the incident but currently being prosecuted and persecuted because he refused to ‘cooperate’ with the NDLEA against DCP Abba Kyari.

“He is languishing in prison while his wife is the hospital down with cancer and nobody is taking care of the children. This is so sad,” the Senior Police Officer added.

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ENSG Cracks Down on School Bullying, Orders Arrest of Culprits

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Peter Mba

The Enugu State Government (ENSG) has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying and physical assault of a fellow student at the Federal Government College, Enugu.
This is coming after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.

In a statement, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ndubueze Mbah expressed deep concern, labeling the incident as “emotionally distressing” and underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abuse in schools.
He confirmed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all those involved, including any school authorities who failed in their duties, face appropriate consequences.

“The safety and welfare of our students are paramount,” Prof. Mbah stated, pointing to the state’s significant investment in education under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as evidence of its commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
He warned that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence will be met with strict repercussions.

Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at FGC Enugu sought to clarify the situation, dispelling rumors of cult involvement.
PTA Chairman Dr. Chinedu Mba explained that the disturbance began when a student was found with Indian hemp.
He emphasized that parents should counsel their children on avoiding harmful behaviors and reassured the public of the PTA’s commitment to student safety.

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Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption

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A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.

According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.

Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.

The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.

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Protests Erupt in Abuja Demanding Investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank

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A significant protest was held today at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, organized by the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, calling for an urgent investigation into serious allegations against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB). The bank, under the leadership of Segun Agbaje, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, unsolicited account openings, and more.

The Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman addressed the crowd, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape since 1960. He emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in economic development and criticized the lack of action from regulatory and law enforcement agencies regarding GTB’s alleged infractions.

“The allegations against GTB are serious and cannot be ignored,” Usman stated. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize these claims and conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.

Participants in the protest voiced their concerns about recent operational failures at GTB, particularly a prolonged outage of the bank’s payment systems, which resulted in substantial losses for customers. The coalition called for the bank’s management to focus on resolving these critical issues instead of engaging in activities that undermine trust.

The protesters also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a proactive stance in investigating the allegations and ensuring accountability within the banking sector.

As the coalition continues its peaceful demonstrations, they remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice for affected customers and investors. This protest reflects a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system, as civil society seeks to foster an environment where corruption is actively challenged and addressed.

The response from authorities to this protest may significantly impact the future governance of financial institutions in Nigeria, highlighting the necessity for reform and vigilance in the fight against corruption.

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