Darius Ishaku: Transparency Group Lauds EFCC Over Renewed Commitment, Asks Yahaya Bellow to Submit himself to the Court

A leading anti-corruption and transparency group, Vanguard for Credible Representation (VCR), has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC), for its renewed commitment to fight corruption.

EFCC recently arrested and commenced investigation into allegations against the former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, filed fresh charges against the embattled former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello., and many other sundry investigations, making the Commission seeming to be regaining its mandate position.

According to a statement by its Head of Mission, Onche Ugbabe, on Thursday, the Group noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again proved that it is poised to carry out its mandate without fear or favour.

Describing the current commitment of the Commission and contributions of well-meaning Nigerians as worthy of commendation, Ugbabe noted that EFCC is surely making a remarkable steps in the direction of fight against corruption.

The statement read, “We are happy to commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its recent vigour in carrying out its anti-corruption mandate. The recent efforts will not only pave way for more collaborations and supports but will also enhance the image of the Commission.

“These efforts are inspirations, but must be extended to far and wide of the extent of corrupt practices in other to make it a remarkable story at the end.

“We again ask the former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, to submit himself to the Commission and keep his date at the law court. The Commission should also focus on the oil and other sectors as it is doing on the States.”

The Group restated its promise to stand behind the efforts of Federal and state governments, the EFCC, the ICPC, the NFIU, all security agencies and anti-corruption agencies and units, in the assignment of bringing to birth a new and prosperous Nigeria.

Why Do I Consistently Mention ErukuCity Plus Parental Guidance?
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Your heritage or background plays an undeniable role in shaping your life, regardless of whether you recognize its impact. Generally, people in Lagos, abroad, or worldwide have a historical ancestry or family lineage. You can quote me anywhere.

When individuals of high stature forget their humble beginnings, they potentially forfeit the opportunity to impart valuable life lessons to their children and inadvertently become educated yet culturally uninformed

ErukuCity, located within Ekiti Local Government of Kwara State, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, agricultural excellence, impressive sports records, robust security measures, quality educational institutions, and considerable influence on Kwara State politics, which I aim to highlight in an upcoming project celebrating my hometown’s exceptional qualities.

My origins trace back to ErukuCity, where I was raised in a Muslim family with deep ties to hunting and farming. The influential legacy of Balogun Dodondawa is prominent in our family history and throughout ErukuCity. Efforts are soon to be made to compile and highlight the late Balogun’s contributions to the community.

Under Parental Guidance And Wisdom, I Began My Journey:

In our adolescent years, while residing in our hometown, our parents frequently advised us to develop a practical proficiency or business venture, confident that it would enhance, not hinder, our educational aspirations

Whenever our parents mentioned this, I felt growing frustration with their ideology, believing their lack of education contributed to their premature advocacy for vocational skills as a supplemental income stream

It never occurred to me that our parents had a profound understanding of the potential challenges the country would face in the future. During my JSS 3 year at Methodist High School in ErukuCity, I distinctly recall a particular evening when my parents summoned me, saying, ‘Oluwaseun, we recognize your exceptional abilities, calm demeanor, and promising future. As individuals who were deprived of educational opportunities, with only a few graduates in our family and lacking vocational skills, we urge you to acquire a trade or skill while pursuing your education, as it will be invaluable to you and future generations.’ Despite my parents’ efforts to dissuade me, I remained resolute, stressing that I would not compromise my academic goals initially, and subsequently, I might establish a reliable alternative source of financial support or a secondary contingency plan.

Ultimately, with our parents’ passing, we, the next generation, remain; significantly, some of us have come to appreciate and integrate the counsel offered in the 80s, following our academic accomplishments.

Considering the current economic landscape in Nigeria and Africa, it is clear that sole reliance on one income stream precludes wealth accumulation, thus necessitating the cultivation of an alternative income source, or ‘plan B.’ My upbringing and heritage have been instrumental in my professional journey, and I remain grateful for the foundational values they have imparted.

I am deeply grateful to my late parents and the entire Eruku community for their invaluable support, which has profoundly influenced my personal and professional progress.

The forthcoming Part 2 will examine the outstanding heritage and notable accomplishments of the late Balogun Dodondawa in fostering the expansion and transformation of Eruku City.

Hello, I’m Oluwaseun Fabiyi, a journalist writes from Lagos.

Lawyers, CSOs kick as 2,412 protesters rot in detention

Lawyers and civil society organisations, CSOs, yesterday, decried the continued detention and incarceration of #EndBadGovernance protesters two months after the August 1-10 protests across the country.

As of last night, most of the detained protesters are yet to be prosecuted, with minors among those held in captivity in Police, Department of State Service, DSS, facilities or prisons.

Although some minors, who were arrested during the protest, have been released on bail, others are in the process of being granted bail, Vanguard’s checks showed.

40 charged to court in Nasarawa

In Nasarawa State for instance, of the 50 protesters arrested, 10 minors have been freed, while 40 adults have been charged to court, according to Police PRO, DSP Ranhan Nansel.

109 arrested in Sokoto

In Sokoto where 109 protesters were arrested, Attorney-General of the state, Nasiru Binji, said a significant number had been released on bail, while the rest were in prison custody.

6 freed in Kaduna

Similarly, in Kaduna State, six of those arrested have been freed on the order of the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, while three others have been charged to court.

Details on 600 in Kano uncertain

The situation in Kano State is alarming, as no fewer than 600 protesters (including 76, who displayed Russian flags) were arrested and later transferred to Police Force headquarters in Abuja. While it was gathered that many of them have been charged to court and bailed, the number of those still in detention could not be ascertained at press time.

The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP in Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir, said they were still compiling the details.

390 await freedom in Jigawa

However, in Jigawa State, of the 419 protesters arrested, 390 have been arraigned in court, as 29 have been released, according to Police PRO DSP, Lawan Adam.

Unclear situation over 9 in Zamfara, 97 in Borno

In Zamfara, the Police PRO, Yazid Abubakar, said nine protesters had been charged to court, but said he does not know if they were detained or granted bail by the court.

In Borno, 97 protesters were arrested during the protest but their condition remains unclear at the time of this report.

In Yobe, of the 51 arrests made during the protest, 35 have been sent to Potiskum Prison, while the rest are being detained by the police. The minors among them, are to be freed on bail.

No freedom for 23 detainees in Niger

In Niger State, 23 persons were arrested, out of which six have been arraigned and sentenced to jail terms, while 17 are in police custody.

1,090 yet to be prosecuted in Abuja

In the Federal capital territory, FCT, Abuja, no fewer than 1,100 were arrested, but only 10 have been arraigned.

Additionally, the hundreds of Northern youths who brandished Russian flags during the protests have not been arraigned, neither has the tailor who mass-produced and distributed the flags.

Those on trial for participating in the protest are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.

Trial Justice Emeka Nwite remanded the defendants in prison custody, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

51 freed in Plateau

The 51 protesters who were arrested in Plateau State for breaching the law on curfew but not on hunger strike, have all been freed.

There were, however, no arrests in Benue, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kwara and Kogi states, as many of the states adopted some strategies to prevent their citizens from joining the protests.

@VANGUARD