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JUST IN: Corruption Trial: EFCC Set To Appeal Oronsaye’s Acquittal In N2bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is ready to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, which on Monday, acquitted a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye of  N2bn money laundering charge brought against him and others by the Commission.

While dismissing the charge, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the Commission failed to establish the charges against the defendants.

However, in a statement, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said the the trial judge erred by overlooking the evidence of the 21 witnesses called by the prosecution in the course of the trial as well as the confessional statement of one of the defendants, Osarenkhoe Afe.

He said that the Commission has therefore decided to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

Oronsaye’s corruption trial commenced in 2015 when he was arraigned alongside the Managing Director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Osarenkhoe Afe and three companies – Cluster Logistic Limited; Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants had between 2010 and 2011 used some firms to divert public funds through procurement fraud.

The EFCC equally accused Orosanye and the others of using inflated biometrics enrolment contracts, collective allowances, and other schemes to siphon money from accounts containing pensioners’ funds.

But Justice Ekwo held that the anti-graft agency failed to supply the court, with ingredients that could establish the alleged corruption charges against Oronsaye.

The judge subsequently dismissed the charges in relation to Oronsaye, discharged and acquitted him.

Crime

Kebbi Vice Principal Killed, 25 Students Abducted by Bandits

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Bandits have killed the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducted 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.

The attack occurred on Sunday night in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state. Sources said the gunmen shot Makuku while he tried to protect the students before abducting several schoolgirls.

The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that 25 students were taken by the attackers.

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said Deputy Governor Umar Tafida had been sent to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who is currently out of the state.

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Crime

Kebbi Govt Confirms Abduction of Female Students in Maga School Attack

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The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that terrorists attacked the Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Sakaba Local Government Area, abducting an unspecified number of female students.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said on Sunday that the assault occurred in the early hours of the day, adding that details remain sketchy as security agencies continue their operations.

Idris noted that Deputy Governor Umar Tafida has led a delegation of senior government officials and security personnel to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.

According to local sources, the attackers stormed the school premises, shooting sporadically. A staff member was reportedly killed, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the invasion.

Security operatives have since intensified search and rescue operations as the government assured parents and residents that all efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.

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Crime

DSS Cracks Down on Plateau Violence, Arms Recovery

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The Department of State Services has recorded another breakthrough, arresting a man believed to be a major supplier of weapons to armed groups.

This comes Three months after arraigning suspects in the Yelwata and Plateau massacres.

In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms manufacturer, in a targeted raid on November 12th.

The operation took place at his workshop in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The arrest followed weeks of meticulous surveillance and the gathering of credible intelligence.

According to investigators, Abubakar confessed to manufacturing and distributing high-caliber weapons and ammunition.

These weapons were allegedly supplied to groups responsible for the recent violent attacks in Plateau State and other northern states.

Authorities seized a cache of evidence during the raid, including components of improvised explosive devices, various chemicals, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

The DSS is continuing its investigation, aiming to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the arms supply chain and bring them to justice.

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