CBN, EFCC, others set to go after ‘loan sharks’ who exploit, humiliate poor Nigerians Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have commenced rights violation investigation into the money lending industry.

A document signed by Babatunde Irukera, Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC for the Joint Regulatory and Enforcement Committee, said this in Abuja on Monday.

Irukera said Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and National Information Technology Development Agency were also members.

He disclosed that the committee would lead efforts to address multiple potentially dubious conducts of certain money lenders, otherwise known as loan sharks.

According to him, the meeting resolved to collaborate, pursue urgent enforcement action against already known violators while investigating others, as well as criminal prosecutions where applicable.

He regretted that the act was fast becoming a dominant and abusive practice targeting some of the most vulnerable in society.

“Continuing complaints about questionable repayment enforcement practices including public shaming and violations of privacy have led to significant and understandable consumer aggravation and dissatisfaction.

“Others are arbitrary, unjust, unreasonable, or exploitative interest rates and or loan balances calculations, harassment and failure of consumer feedback mechanisms, among others have caused consumer aggravation.

“Initial inquiries demonstrate that many of the purported lenders are not legally acceptably established or otherwise licensed by the appropriate authorities to engage in the services they ostensibly provide.

“A joint taskforce of analysts and enforcers was also created and immediately activated.

“The agencies recognised and welcome products and providers that bridge the lending gap for consumers who would otherwise be ineligible for conventional loans from traditional financial institutions.

“However, this must occur within legally acceptable parameters of transparency and fairness,’’ he said.

Mr Irukera said in furtherance of resolutions from the meeting, the commission had created a dedicated email address to receive complaints, identity of businesses or individuals involved in these practices.

He said the e-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NAN

Boko Haram terrorists have taken over five communities in Rafi and Shiroto Local Government Areas of Niger state, according to Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government.

He disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, the state capital, on Monday.

He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka, Madaka, in Rafi LGA and Kurebe, Gussau, Farina Kuka in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds.

He said the terrorists move freely in the affected areas, wielding sophisticated and menacing weapons.

Matane said the state has already notified security agencies for proper urgent security measures.

”We have spent over N2 billion on the security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the last two years.”

“We will continue to accord priority attention to the welfare of security personnel deployed to enable them wipeout all those involved in the illegal acts for peace, progress and political stability.

“We equally appealed to residents to volunteer reliable information on movement of bad characters to the nearest security outfits for security action.

”We have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders as well as stakeholders to mobilize residents to support the effort of the government in the ongoing fight against criminal elements,” he said.

Matane, also acknowledged and applauded the Niger state government efforts at tackling the menace.

He said the government will not rest on its oars to bring to a halt security challenges confronting the state.

NAN

Bandits on Sunday night carried out a punitive attack on Kwarin Mai Saje community in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State over the failure of the residents to pay a N3 million levy.

During the attack, the bandits raped women and abducted six people after looting the village of valuables, according to a resident.

The brutal outlaws had initially imposed levies on 13 communities in the area, but Kwarin Mai Saje was not included.

However, a gang associated with banditry kingpin, Ada Aleru, dragged Kwarin Mai Saje into its own illegal tax net two weeks ago.

Sama’ila Tsafe, a native of the area, told our correspondent that the bandits felt the residents disrespected them by not paying up.

“The village was attacked yesterday by bandits numbering about 100. They looted the village of every important property and raped many women in their houses. They also kidnapped six people during the attack that lasted for several hours.

“It was not as if the villagers didn’t pay, they couldn’t gather the whole three million naira. They sought for assistance and came up with N600,000 but the bandits felt bad that they couldn’t get the whole money imposed on the villagers,” he said.

He said the attack on Kwarin Mai Saje will probably serve as a warning to other defaulting villages in the area.

The state’s police spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack.

The phone number of Mamman Tsafe, a retired deputy inspector-general of police who is the Special Adviser to Governor Bello Metawalle on security matters, was also not available.

PT

Suspected armed bandits have reportedly killed at least 15 people in Goronyo and Illela local government areas of Sokoto State.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who confirmed the attack on Monday, said 12 people were killed in Illela while three lost their lives in Goronyo.

The governor stated this shortly before he presented the 2022 Sokoto appropriation bill to the state House of Assembly on Monday.

He said the attacks occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning in the said council areas.

Tambuwal condoled with those who lost their loved ones in the attacks.

The two are among council areas where the state government has shut down telecommunications network and banned weekly markets to curb the activities of bandits.

However, the measures have not deterred the attacks as reprisal attacks involving bandits and vigilante groups have intensified in Sokoto.

Bandits have been reported to be establishing administration in many rural communities in the state, imposing taxes on villagers.

PT

Atrocious killing of unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate on the night of October 20, 2020, can be equated to a ‘massacre’ in context, the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters has said.

The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel made this known in its report submitted to the Lagos State Government on Monday.

In the report, titled, ‘Report Of Lekki Incident Investigation Of 20th October 2020’, a copy of which was sighted, the panel said at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullets wounds or assaulted by soldiers who stormed the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.

Although the Lagos State Government has not released the report, civil advocacy group, Enough is Enough Nigeria, has.

Page 294 of the bulky 309-page report partly read, “The atrocious maiming and killing of unarmed, helpless and unresisting protesters, while sitting on the floor and waving their Nigerian flags, while singing the National Anthem can be equated to a ‘massacre’ in context.”

Also, page 295 of the report said, “It was alleged and corroborated that the soldiers had their vans parked at the Lekki Toll Gate and removed as many bodies and corpses of the fallen protesters which they took away with their vans.”

In its recommendations, the panel emphasised that all those involved in the attack on youths should be made to face disciplinary measures.

It also stated, “The Panel recommends that the Lekki Toll Plaza be made a memorial site for ENDSARS Protest: By renaming to ‘ENDSARS TOLLGATE’.

“The panel recommends that October 20th of every year, the day is made a ‘Toll Free Day’ at the Lekki Toll Gate as long as the tollgate exists.

“That Oct 20th of every year be made EndSARS day Nationally for the remembrance of our falling youth.

“That for the purpose of restitution, healing and reconciliation the federal Government needs to publicly apologize to the youth for abruptly undermining the protest with their state actors.

“The Government should do all it can to bridge the gap of distrust with the Youth.

“A monument memorializing the lives lost and those injured at the Lekki Toll Gate with the names inscribed on the Monument.”

The panel report negates the consistent claim by the Federal Government of Nigeria that there was no massacre at the toll gate, a focal gathering point during last year’s nationwide demonstration against extrajudicial killings and police brutality by operatives of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had staunchly maintained that the Lekki incident was a “massacre without bodies” and had threatened to sue Cable News Network and another international media house that claimed otherwise.

Punch

... recommends body to take over human rights abuses as Sanwolu receives Panel of inquiry report

…AG heads 4 man c’ttee on White paper, implementations

…I’ll reveal contents if, Adegboruwa vows

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution on Lekki Toll Gate shooting Incident and cases of Police brutality as well as human rights violations, Monday presented it’s report to Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, for further action and implementations.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who received the report from the panel at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, pledged to treat the report appropriately, saying history is there to judge the state government well or otherwise. The panel was led by Doris Okuwobi, a retired judge, while other members comprised of: Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, Patience Udoh, both representing the Civil Society, Taiwo Lakanu, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Segun Awosanya, human rights activist, Olutoyin Odusanya, Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center, and Temitope Majekodunmi, a youth representative

While receiving the report at the presentation ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu, constituted a Four-Man Committee, led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN to prepare a White Paper for the purpose of implementing the findings and recommendations expressed in the report and to give it legal backing; as well as send the report to the National Economic Council for implementation. Other members of the committee are; Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu; Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructures, Engr. (Mrs.) Aramide Adeyooye and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs. Tolani Oshodi.

Sanwo-Olu who promised to release the White Paper within two weeks for public knowledge, promised not to tinker with the report and recommendations as submitted by the Panel. According to the governor: “The committee will very quickly, look through and bring forward a white paper within the next two weeks that will be considered at the Lagos State Executive Council and would be gazetted as a white paper coming from the panel of enquiry.

“We will ensure that the recommendations that are coming out that will be turn into a white paper will be made available to the public, we will do it appropriately, so that history will judge us well and we will have a document that will stand the test of time, that’s what the tribunal law says, so that it will be properly documented and gazetted in government’s records.“We hope the report would bring healing, reconciliation and restitution,”he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Okuwobi expressed deep appreciation to the State government and all the stakeholders who appeared before the panel and the team for uncommon resolve and good team work.

Okuwobi, who disclosed that the panel awarded a total of N410 million to 70 victims of Police brutality, said 235 petitions were received with only 14 of it being on the alleged Lekki shooting incident.

“As much as the panel desired to have taken all petitions, the ones that were not taken by the panel were those that did not comply with our rules, so in this report, we made recommendations for a body to take over human rights abuse cases in Lagos State” Okuwobi said.

The two-volume reports were presented to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Monday by the Chairman of the Panel. Justice Doris Okuwobi (retired), who disclosed that part of their recommendations include the establishment of a body to take over human rights abuses in Lagos based on the fact that the panel could not hear over 40 petitions submitted to it.

Recall on October 19, 2020, the Lagos state government, led by Governor Sanwo-Olu, set up a nine-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force and the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

The panel was set up as a response to one of the demands of youth during the #EndSARS protests, which is investigating cases of police brutality and providing restitution to the victims.

While inaugurating the panel, Sanwo-Olu, said it was “in line with the resolution of the National Economic Council on October 15, 2020, chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.”

The governor added that the panel was set up based on Section 5 of Tribunals of Inquiry Law of Lagos State (2015) which gives the panel the powers to procure evidence and summon any person to attend its proceedings to give evidence.

The state government, however, extended the locus of the Judicial Panel on October 21 to include the investigation of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll shooting incident.

A N200 million fund was approved by the state government as compensation for victims as part of it’s responsibilities of providing restitution to the victims of police abuses in the state,

The panel had six months duration to accomplish its tasks, from October 2020 till April 2021 which was later reviewed.

The judicial panel commenced sitting on October 26, 2020, but heard its first case on October 27, with over 100 cases heard by the panel as of April.

A total number of 235 petitions were received by the panel between October and December 2020. Out of this number, about 112 cases were brought up before the panel.

The cases included cases those already struck out, and those undergoing hearing, as well as those with judgments.

Out of the 112 cases brought before the panel, 10 were struck out for want of diligent prosecution while four cases were withdrawn by the petitioners. Numerous cases were also brought up before the panel.

Adegboruwa tasks Sanwo-Olu on report

However, in a statement released by Adegboruwa, titled:”Lagos EndSARS Panel Submits Report,” threatened to release contents if the promises made were not fulfilled.

The statement read in part: “The Lagos State Judicial Panel on #EndSARS has today, November 15, 2021, submitted its report to the Lagos State Government, in a brief ceremony at Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The Panel sat for well over one year, listening to testimonies of petitioners, their witnesses, experts and lawyers. The Panel divided its assignment and report into two principal segments to cover general cases of police abuses and the special case of the Lekki Toll Gate Incident.

“Compensation was paid to deserving cases of police abuses while a special case was made for victims of the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of October 20, 2020.

“True to his word, the Governor of Lagos State granted total independence to the Panel, as we worked according to our conscience and based upon our common convictions.

“Specifically for the Lekki Toll Gate Investigation, we set up certain crucial issues for determination, as to whether:

“There was any protest at the Lekki Toll Gate, the nature of the protest, the presence and mission of soldiers at the Lekki Toll Gate, whether blank or live bullets were shot by the soldiers, whether there was any death and if so, the numbers involved, whether there was any massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, and if so, what evidence is available in proof thereof, whether the police were at the Lekki Toll Gate and if so, whether they shot and killed the protesters, among others.

“The Panel answered these questions truthfully, frankly and courageously, based on the evidence led before it, believing that the crimes against humanity that took place at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, would never happen again in our nation.

“The Panel made far-reaching recommendations concerning the major actors that were found culpable, in order to achieve true healing and reconciliation.

“Although I have my own copy of the report of the Panel, I will trust His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State to fulfill his promise to Nigerians to make the findings and recommendations of the Panel public. That is the only way to build a true nation and avoid a repeat of the atrocious acts of security agencies against our people, especially the youths, the vulnerable and the helpless.

“I thank the Government and people of Lagos State, fellow Panel members, the Nigerian Bar Association, Civil Society, our Comrades far and near, the media and all those who inspired and encouraged us on the path of truth and justice.

“It is my view that Lagos State having appeared before the Panel as a party, having tendered documents before the Panel and led witnesses to take a position on the Incident of the Lekki Toll Gate, it will be unfair and improper for Lagos State to be a judge in its own cause, by seeking to review the report of the Panel.

“However, the Governor explained to me that this would only be done to enable the government implement the findings and recommendations of the Panel and not to tamper with it or mutilate it. I believe His Excellency.

“I will however, keep observing the turn of events and at the appropriate time, one may be forced to state the FULL contents of the report if the promises made are not fulfilled.

“I can NEVER and will NEVER subscribe to anything that would amount to covering up the report of the Panel.

“We have done our work in the best way that we could. Nigerians should demand for justice against all culprits who have been named in detail, in our report.”

Vanguard

The Federal government of Nigeria has demanded for full autopsy on the sudden and mysterious death of Ìtùnú Babalola, a Nigerian, sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Côte d’Ivoire for alleged human trafficking.

In a statement signed by the Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa and released by the Commission’s Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, she stated that Itunnu’s case was drawn to the attention of NIDCOM about five months ago.

Dabiri-Erewa, described the death of Itunnu as a tragic blow, at a time the Nigerian mission in Côte Divoire had paid and engaged the services of a lawyer to handle Itunnu’s appeal case, “Unfortunately, Itunnu died abruptly while all hands were on deck to seek both legal and diplomatic intervention for her by Nigeria.

“Itunnu was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for an offence she did not apparently commit.

“Itunnu had accused an Ivorian of robbery at her residence and insisted on filing a case against him.”

The accused who happens to be related to an Ivorian police man, asked her to drop the case, but she refused.

Itunnu went ahead to file charges against him and allegedly used a different name ( not her real name ) to file the case and somehow a case of robbery which she filed mysteriously turned to a case of human trafficking against her.

She was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment while the Nigerian mission in Cote d’Ivoire supported by the Nigerian community, got her a lawyer, paid part payment of legal fees for the lawyer, to appeal the judgment, while at the same time seeking diplomatic intervention from the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The staff of the Nigeria mission had also visited Itunu in prison, a distance of over four hours from Abidjan.

While the appeal case was on, Itunu was said to have complications from diabetes and was rushed to the hospital.

The fees for the treatment was paid by the Nigerian mission through the lawyer whose services were engaged by the mission, unfortunately, she died suddenly after a few days of admission at the Hospital.

“Her death, will however, not stop the appeal in court in order to vindicate her of the charges against her”, NIDCOM boss assured. 

Sun

Hustle and Bustle, a club owned by Obinna Iyiegbu, businessman popularly known as Obi Cubana, has been shut indefinitely.

The management of the club shut down the fun spot after a clubber was electrocuted.

The incident was said to have happened on Sunday.

Confirming the tragic incident, the club said it had suspended activities “till further notice”.

“We are closed till further notice. This is due to the loss of our esteemed client. We are deeply saddened by this situation and need time to heal from it,” the statement read.

“Our prayer are with the families of the lost soul. May her soul Rest In Peace. We sympathize with the family on this unbearable loss. Kindly bear with us as we pass through this storm.”

Daily Trust

A resident doctor working with the Cardiology Department of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Crystal Akpan has allegedly committed suicide.

Sources in the hospital said that the young medical doctor took his life by ingesting a chemical substance suspected to be Sniper.

The reason for his action is unknown but the unconfirmed report said Dr. Akpan may have taken his life after failing a professional exam which he had written for some years without success.

The deceased was married with three kids. 

..Nigerians express anger, blames govt for failure to protect citizens home and abroad

Nigerians have taken to social media to express deep anger over the ‘death’ of a ‘wrongfully jailed’ Nigerian lady, Itunu Babalola.

According to reports, 21-year-old Babalola from Oyo State was a trader based in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire.

Her apartment had been burgled by an Ivorian in September 2019 and she had reported the incident to the police but DPO informed her that the suspect was his nephew.

He reportedly offered her a settlement worth roughly N100,000 to drop the case, an amount lesser than the N300,000 worth of stolen effects.

Babalola was subsequently arrested when she refused the settlement, charged to court for human trafficking and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A journalist, David Hundeyin, had shared the story of Babalola on Twitter in March 2021 and the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission had said it was working to prove the innocence of Babalola.

NIDCOM, headed by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had confirmed that the lady was charged and incarcerated for a crime she didn’t commit.

“Following painstaking investigations by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigeria Mission in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, it is now confirmed that Itunu Babalola, a Nigerian living in Abidjan was wrongfully charged and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit.

“Plans are underway to engage the services of a legal luminary to prove the innocence of Itunu Babalola at the Court of Appeal after the accused had spent two years out of a ten-year jail term for an offence she did not commit,” the commission had promised in a statement.

However, many Nigerians were shocked on Sunday night when Hundeyin, who had been following the case, gave serial updates that Babalola’s contracted an infection in the Ivorian prison.

The journalist uploaded photos of the young lady in an emergency situation being attended to on a stretcher by medical personnel.

Some were gutted that eight months after NIDCOM promised to ensure justice was served on the matter and secure the lady’s freedom, Babalola still remained behind bars in the Francophone West African nation.

Many were equally heartbroken when Hundeyin announced hours later that the young lady gave up the ghost.

“I have just received a message from Cote d’Ivoire about Itunu Babalola. She is still in prison in Abidjan where she has contracted a serious infection and apparently she is dying. All those promises by NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri, OYSG etc – audio. She’s finally dying,” Hundeyin wrote.

“Itunu is dead. She died this night. Just confirmed,” he later tweeted.

His post attracted over 1,100 retweets and over 3,500 comments as of press time, with many berating NIDCOM for allegedly neglecting the lady.

@DavidHundeyin stated, “Nigeria does absolutely nothing for the citizens, especially southerners but expects the citizens to love the country and uphold some magical patriotism. RIP Itunu. So sorry to her family.”

@DrOlufunmilayo tweeted, “This same govt that abandoned Itunu to die will suddenly arrange and pay huge money to transport her corpse home. Money they never had to save her from jail. Energy they never had to fight for her. The money they never had to treat her.”

“Someone needs to call out that country’s judicial system! Someone needs to call out Nigerian Govt who can’t help their citizens home or abroad,” @DanielRegha demanded.

“Nowadays, I just feel so sorry for every Nigerian, including those in diaspora! We’re in a lot of trouble! The system failed us!” @Petraandra2 lamented.

Another tweeter, @fvckgotti, called out the NIDCOM chair, “@abikedabiri, you once stated this girl is in safe hands. you tweeted the foreign affiars ministry were on deck to Abidjan to save this lady. I’m not quite surprised when even in our own country, we fall prey/victim of circumstance not to talk of needing help when we are away. Damn Broken heart.”

Punch