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It was a heartbreaking sight to behold for car owners whose cars were among the 44 auctioned by the Lagos state government some days ago.

In a report by Guardian Nigeria, some of the car owners whose cars were auctioned revealed the sorrow in their hearts watching their cars auctioned.

“My heart bled seeing my car auctioned in my presence. I tried bidding, but each time I bid, there was always someone adding N100, 000 to my offer. That was how I lost my car, which was auctioned for N1.2 million.” These were the words of a former owner of Toyota Corolla 2003 model whose car was auctioned yesterday told Guardian Nigeria.

It was mixed feelings for car owners and bidders as the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences auctioned 44 vehicles forfeited to the Lagos State Government for traffic offences.

Offenders had arrived with the expectations to bid for their vehicles and get their cars back at an affordable price but they were shocked to meet crowd of businessmen, ready with cash to also bid for the seized vehicles.

While some wore long faces as the auction continued, others openly wailed persuading bidders to let go of the auctioning. A woman in tears appealed to some police officers present to stop the auction at her bidding price, as it was the only source of income for herself and children.

The process usually starts with the car owner appealing to the crowd of potential buyers to allow them bid for their cars alone, starting with N100, 000 but some young men carrying nylon bags loaded with cash would scream N500, 000, N1 million and jerk up the price.

One of the owners of a Toyota Camry car collapsed when her bid of N100, 000 was raised to N1 million by another bidder. All entreaties and acts to curry public sympathy for moderate bidding fell on deaf ears as ready buyers raised the bid beyond the reach of the owners.

Some of the cars auctioned were Murano Nissan for N450, 000; Toyota Sienna for N850, 000; Honda CRV for N1.550 million; Toyota Corolla 2003 for N1.2 million; Toyota Camry 2008 model for N1.9 million; Hyundai car for N300, 000; mini bus for N505, 000; a 14-seater bus for N4 million, and a Mercedes Benz SUV for N9 million.

The owner of Hyundai Elantra 2008 model said he was arrested on November 10 for driving ‘one-way’ at Constain/Iponri Bridge, Surulere. He claimed that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) directed cars to ply ‘One-Way’ to ease traffic but was surprised he was arrested and arraigned before the mobile court while others were let go.

Spokesman for the task force, Taofeek Adebayo, said the exercise became necessary to punish offenders, with the aim of easing traffic on Lagos roads, adding that the action was not punitive but corrective in nature.

“This is purely to serve as a deterrent to law breakers because since the #EndSARS protest ended, motorists have been driving recklessly against traffic, driving on BRT corridors and causing obstruction on highways, not minding security personnel on the road, which contravenes the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.”

He noted that the exercise would continue, as more forfeited vehicles by the court would be auctioned to the highest bidder.

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, revealed that it has reached out to the British Government over the threat by the UK Parliament, to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials over their roles in the End SARS protests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this while fielding questions from State House reporters at the end of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the Nigerian government has reached out to present its own side of the story.

Onyeama also argued that lawmakers are not responsible for imposing sanctions.

“Yes, we have reached out to the UK government. The meeting that took place were Parliamentarians and they do not speak for the UK government which acts for the United Kingdom and they have also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that has happened.

“So, we have been in touch with them and engaging with them. Of course, as in any democracy, the members of parliament are able to also able to air their view.

“But what is important, is that a balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision,” Onyeama said.

Source:dailypost

Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, has said that his team defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon because his players dominated possession and scored goals against the host.

Two goals from Federico Fernandez (OG) and Tammy Abraham ensured the Blues defeated Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

“Today, we dominated possession, and we scored our goals and kept a clean sheet. Very happy with that,” Lampard told a post-match press conference after the game.

“We had to make sure the second one came, and when it did we saw the game out very well,” he added.

The win over Newcastle means Chelsea are now on top of the Premier League table with 18 points from nine games.

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture is against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on 29 November.

When the Ancestor owns up to his “fvck-up”, you should know it’s straight from the heart.

Few days ago, a video of 9ice went viral on the internet where he was seen touching and romancing an unknown lady.

In the video, 9ice also warned Yahoo Boys not to near the babe because she is obviously his property. He said this while pressing the girl’s breast.

Meanwhile, the Alapomeji boss who doesn’t want a broken marriage quickly took to social media to take responsibility for what he has done.

While admitting that his wife has always been his backbone, he went ahead to urge Nigerians to help him beg his wife because he doesn’t want a failed marriage.

9ice posted this video on his Instagram page with the Caption, “Save A Sinking Ship“.

From the caption, it can be deduced that all his not well in his home after the video went viral and we can only apologize to his wife, Sunkanmi, CEO of Lavish by Michelle Events to please give his husband a second chance to make things right.

Ahead of 2023 general election, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan has asked Nigerians not to vote for them if they have failed the people.

Lawan has also told Nigerians that the annual budget of the National Assembly is less than one per cent of the nation’s 2021 budget.

According to him, those who are not comfortable with the Senators in the present 9th Senate should not hesitate to vote them out in 2023 if they don’t like their faces.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja at a retreat for top management staff of the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission in Abuja.

Speaking further Lawan who warned that there could be anarchy if the Senate is scrapped as being clamoured by some Nigerians,

however described the Senate as a leveler which ensured that all parts of the country are equally represented unlike the House of Representatives where states with higher populations produce the highest number of lawmakers.

The President of the Senate also faulted the argument of those clamouring for the scrapping of the Senate because of the perceived jumbo pay being earned by the Senators.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress and a strong ally of President Buhari, Buba Galadima, has condemned the recent action of the Central Bank of Nigeria, freezing the bank account of #EndSARS promoters.

Speaking on Arise TV this morning, Galadima said the action is unconstitutional as Nigeria is not in a military regime.

“What the government has done is not right.

It has no such right or powers to block bonafide Nigerians from travelling out of the country or from accessing their (bank) accounts. Blocked for what? What have they done?

These young men were peacefully protesting the actions, omissions or commissions of government.

Why do you, after you persuaded them or after agents of government allegedly attacked or killed them, follow this draconian disposition of blocking their accounts? That is not constitutional.

I’m sending this message to Mr President whether he knows or he doesn’t know, let him be shown what I am saying. His people have no right to do what they are doing.

Please, they should desist and unblock the accounts of these young people and allow them to carry on with their normal activities as Nigerians. You cannot harass them, we are in a democracy, we are not in a military regime.”he said

The leadership of the House of Representatives is currently meeting with the heads of security agencies in the country behind closed doors.

The meeting, which began at about 2:15pm, is presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase.

Journalists and others were sent out of the venue as the meeting was about to begin.

The Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security 

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been told that the idea to regulate social media is a bad one.

The view was expressed by popular Nigerian comedian and video producer, Mark Angel.

He said that the move by the Federal Government to regulate the social media will lead to job loss.

According to the producer best known for the Mark Angel Comedy Series on various social media platforms, a lot of Nigerian youths earn their living by creating content on social media.

The producer of popular comedienne, Emanuella Samuel, spoke on Monday in a PUNCH Facebook Live Interview.

Mark Angel advised government officials and those pushing for the restriction of the social media to, instead, face other “major problems” in the country and leave the social media.

He said:

“Imagine you want to regulate social media when some of us are self-employed through social media.

There are no jobs, yet you want to restrict social media. I don’t even want to talk about that thing. Anybody that even tries it, it is God that will knock on his door and answer him.”

The former representative of Ishielu/Ezza North Federal constituency Hon. Peter Edeh has said that governor David Umahi did not sin by planning to defect to the All Progressive Congress, APC,

The ex-lawmaker made this known while interacting with newsmen in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.

Edeh who was a former commissioner in the state under PDP government but joined the APC in 2017 said the defection of the governor to APC will end all factions in the party.

According to him:

“We believe that the governor has clout and support in politics. We expected that his coming to APC will boost our chances of taking over Ebonyi State in the next elections. We welcome him with open hands.

“It will be pretty obvious that if a serving governor joins a political party under normal conventions and protocols, he becomes the leader of APC in the state. If you have an accepted leader, it is normal that all factions will die off naturally.

“For me, all the factions in Ebonyi APC will end and I don’t foresee any further problems or factions that will cause us forthcoming election in the state.

The governor can’t be a liability to APC as was alleged by my friend Teeje Yusuf, I know him very well he is a sharp guy but I think that people from his area are given to jesting.

“I don’t see how Umahi joining APC is a liability. I think it is a big bonus for us. Yusuf is probably jealous of that.

“There are only very few people in Ebonyi APC that have not been in PDP before. I was in PDP from 1999 to 2007; I was equally a commissioner in PDP. I left there for APC. Almost every member of APC in Ebonyi was once a member of PDP. I don’t think that the governor’s case is different.

“When we were trying to formulate the name of the new APC, anyway I was a member of the merger committee that formulated APC. We deliberately selected ‘A’ from ANPP; we selected ‘P’ from CPC and ‘C’ from Action Congress, AC. These were the three legacy parties. The political foundation of governor Umahi is APP and so, coming to APC is like coming home”

Starting her poultry farming business with just 100 chickens and no knowledge of Agriculture, Mrs. Ayodele Pamela has grown to be a millionaire farmer.

The CEO of O.O Ayodele Nigeria Enterprises started her farm 7 years ago in 2013 and she is still very much strong in the business and has even expanded in leaps and bounds.

Naijaloaded TV and Thefounders visited Mrs. Ayodele farm located in Ikorodu and she shared the secrets of poultry farming business and how aspiring farmers can start small and grow big in the business.

If you have ever had the intention of being your own boss, this business might just be the way to go for you.

Watch Video Below:

Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has warned residents of the state to desist from assaulting law enforcement agents or face the wrath of the law.

Onigbanjo gave the warning on Monday in a statement signed by Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, NAN reports.

The warning is coming a few weeks after the assault of some security agents by hoodlums who hijacked the End SARS protest.

“Members of the public are hereby warned to stop the harassment of officials of the state government carrying out their lawful duties,”

Onigbanjo said.

He said that one Ben Emmanuel has been arrested and charged to court for alleged assault on Mr Ismaila Lukman, an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

“Emmanuel was arraigned on Nov. 10 on a two-count charge of resisting a public officer and causing grievous bodily harm.

“The offences violate Sections 117(1) and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

“Chief Magistrate L.Y. Balogun has granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

“The case has been adjourned until Nov. 26 for trial,”

He added.

No less than six people have been kidnapped after gunmen stormed Karaji suburb in Kaduna State.

Among the victims of the incident, which took place less than 10 kilometres to the Government House, are five daughters of Pastor Istifanus Tiswan of the Christ Embassy Church.

They are Faith, Godsgift, Ruth, Damaris and Michelle.

The other victim is Haruna Barde, who escaped violence from his native village to take refuge in Karji as an Internally Displaced Person.

The kidnappers are yet to make contact with the families or local authorities.

Luka Binniyat, spokesperson for the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, in a statement described as worrying the deteriorating security situation in the area, which has led to the killing and kidnapping of residents.

He said:

“Kidnapping of our members almost on daily basis has become a source of severe worry for residents living on the fringes of Buyaya, Maraban Rido, Gonin Gora, Karji and Unguwan Juji, all suburbs of Kaduna that fall under Chikun LGA.

“Many have abandoned their homes to take refuge in safer areas. Meanwhile, natives of Katarma, Chikun ward, in same Chikun LGA are fleeing in droves across Kaduna river and taking refuge with their Gbagyi tribesmen in Sarkin Pawa town, in neighbouring Niger State as a result of fresh assaults over their community.

“These will add to the number of villages that our Gbagyi members have had to abandoned and flee for their dear lives after many of them have been destroyed and captured by Fulani militia in the past one year. Below are the numbers of Ggabyi communities in Kaduna State that are ravaged and destroyed by Fulani militia and occupied by them till date.”

He said so far, 45 communities have been displaced and occupied by their attackers.

They are, Kunai Ward, Kudo (Dau), Sunusi Dnakwala, Galu, Aguyita, Galuko, Galiwyi, Atopi, Onkoru, Anguwan, Badole, Manini, Hayin Damisa, Anguwan Nyako, Badimi,

Gnashi, Sarari , Giji, Dnapagbe, Badimi, Shelbula, Rafin yashi, Sabongida, Rafinyashi, Anguwan Amos, Manini, Hayin Dakachi Manini, Madalla, Abon, Kawuya, Gayam Ward in Birnin Gwari LGA Bordering Kunai in Chikun LGA, Rumanan Gbagyi, Rumanan Hausa, Malamo, Labi, Hayin Kozo, Muya, Shuwaka, Polwaya, Kaguru, Kasko, Nasarawa Kaguru and Dabbara Kaguru.

SOKAPU said the recent attacks are sequel to the killing of four Gbagyi men by armed Fulani men on October 6 and November 7.

“The men were ambushed and killed in Dande Village, which is part of Kasaya Village, in Kunai ward of Chikun LGA. They are: John Musa, 45, married with 9 children; Habila Ibrahim, 42, husband of two wives and father of 9; Maikudi Wasa, 25, single and

Samaila Audu, married to two wives and father of 7 children.

“David Umaru, 27 was injured in the incident,” the group said.

The group noted that despite the impact of the attacks, Governor Nasir El-Rufai had never visited any of the communities despite being in close proximity to the Government House.

“The effort of Operation Safe Haven under the Command of Maj. Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, who stationed enough of his men in Zangan District, in Atakad Chiefdom, Kaura LGA to make it possible for displaced atacked IDPs to return to their 9 abandoned communities. This has reduced the numbers of our occupied territories from 109 to 101 if Katarma village is added. The estimated IDPs from our affected communities are 50,000 and most of them live under sub-human conditions in IDP camps or squatting in squalor among poor communities safe enough to accept them in Southern Kaduna. Yet, it under this unspeakable atrocity against a large area of Kaduna state, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state has never visited any of the ravaged villages, some less than 30km from government House Kaduna. It would seem that far as both Kaduna state and the Federal government is concern these citizens don’t exist, and if they do, they don’t matter. It was therefore with shock and bewilderment that we read the visits of our governor, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, to far away Lagos last week while touring some of the damaged property during the #EndSars demonstration which was violently hijacked by mobsters. Our governor said that he was almost moved to tears when he saw the scale of the destruction of both private and public property. We are surprised that our governor has tears to shed and can show some humanity on someone’s else tragedy, not the more humungous one that bothers on genocide and physical destruction of no less magnitude right in his state,” the group added. 

Following the recent protest by youths in some parts of the country against the operations of the now disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, has said that among the lessons learnt from the incident are that Nigerians are now more sophisticated and know their rights better than before.

The society, the police boss added, are also more conscious and know how they want to be policed.

Adamu, who made the remarks in a message to the passing out parade (POP) of the first batch of the Special Constabulary at the Police Training School in Minna, Niger State on Friday, therefore charged the newly recruited special constables not to abuse their positions or take it as an opportunity to abuse the rights of others.

The IGP, who was represented by the AIG Zone 7, Mr Hosiah Kama, said: “You are therefore charged as you pass out and will be deployed accordingly to work with respective police divisions, to be professionals in the discharge of your duties, always respect human rights and be courteous to the members of the public.

“Remember, you are from this state and you are known by members of the community. Strive therefore to be good ambassadors of your respective families and do not be the reason why your families should be viewed with contempt and disdain.”

Adamu also defended the decision of the police to adopt community policing, saying: “It is to bridge the gap between the police and the policed,” stressing that it would further address and solve the issues of criminality in the country.

“Community policing is a global policing model, which is problem-solving based by emphasizing the impressiveness of partnering with the community in addressing the causes of crime and reducing fears of insecurity in the society. Community policing is a policing strategy, which advocates and inclines towards crime prevention and control, then reactive policing measures which widen the gap between the police and the policed.”

Adamu therefore implored the communities to cooperate with the newly recruited special constables, adding that the only way to solve crimes and criminal incidents in the community is for everyone to work and cooperate with each other.

The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, commended the IG for the recruitment of the special constables, who he said will be used for community policing, adding that with community policing, communities in the state that are bedevilled with insecurity can be at ease.

Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, said community policing will also bring security to the areas experiencing insecurity thereby making them more secured.

Four hundred and sixty three constables recruited from 10 out of the 25 local government areas of the state passed out at the ceremony.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, has disclosed plans to scrap payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in the state.

Abdulrazaq disclosed his plans in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday.

He disclosed that a bill would be sent to the State House of Assembly next week, asking lawmakers to scrap the law awarding pension packages to ex-governors.

The governor explained that the decision was in line with the call by residents of the state.

The statement reads:-

“The governor has listened to voices of the majority of the citizens opposing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. However, the governor feels it is time for the law as it is to give way. He would rather the state commits the scarce public funds to tackling the question of poverty and youth unemployment.”

This is coming barely three days after his counterpart from Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu took a similar step.

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 70-year-old man, Hunsu Sunday for allegedly defiling his 15 years old granddaughter (name withheld) and subsequently impregnating her.

The command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to newsmen in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the old man was on the 10th of November, 2020.

He said, “the suspect was apprehended following a complain lodged at Ado-Odo Divisional headquarters by the aunty of the victim who reported that the victim has been living with her grandfather since the demise of her mother”.

“She stated further that the victim came to inform her that her grandfather has been abusing her sexually for quite some time and she has been having strange feelings on her recently”. Upon the complaint, the DPO Ado-Odo, SP Michael Arowojeun detailed his detectives to the scene where the randy old man was arrested”. “On interrogation, he confessed having carnal knowledge of his granddaughter but claimed that he didn’t know that the victim is pregnant”, Oyeyemi said.

He added that the victim has been taken to hospital for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the anti-human trafficking and child labour unit of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and prosecution.

Isiaka Kareem, a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a former controller of finance and account (CFA) at the Kwara state government house, has denied making payments to the bank accounts of Bukola Saraki, former president of the senate.

Kareem told the Lagos federal high court on Wednesday that the N100 million received by Abdul Adama, an aide to Saraki, was provided for in Kwara’s budget as “security and contingency”.

The former CFA had earlier told the court that the former governor received about N100 million monthly.

The EFCC is seeking a permanent forfeiture of two houses in Lagos belonging to the former senate president — the property is located at 17A, McDonald Road, Ikoyi.

In June, the court declined an application seeking the final forfeiture of the property and asked the anti-graft agency to bring more evidence to back its claim that the houses were purchased through proceeds of corruption.

While appearing before Mohammed Liman, the judge, on Wednesday, the former CFA said he does not have any personal relationship with Saraki or know anything about the property and how they were acquired.

“Every month, when monthly allocations were disbursed, Adama would come to collect funds designated as security and contingency,” the witness said. In my office, we designated a form for everyone that came to collect funds and Adama signed the form every month for the funds he collected from my office. The allocation to government house was not static; it was less than N100 million when we started and it kept increasing over time. That was why I said it was not N100 million every month.”

The matter was adjourned till November 25.

In compliance with an order of the Federal High Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released an adjusted final list of candidates for the Imo North Senatorial District bye-election.

The adjustment became necessary on the premise of the court’s determination of the case between Lady Uchenna Onyeiwu versus APC and 4 others.

The information was contained in a document signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and made available to INEC Daily Bulletin.

As contained in the document, 14 political parties will field candidates for the Imo North bye-election. The parties and their candidates are: Accord party (A) – Ndubueze Chiwuba Patrick; Action Alliance (AA) – Emmanuel Ogueri; African Action Congress (AAC) – Nathaniel Chukwudi Uba; African Democratic Congress (ADC) – Chigozie Kennedy Onyinye; All Progressives Congress (APC) – Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume; All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – Charles Chibuike Onyeirimba; and Allied Peoples Movement (APM)- Raphael Nnadozie Mbachu.

Others are: Action Peoples Party (APP) – Ernest Ndidi Ezirim; Labour Party (LP) – Okorondu Nwachukwu Sunday; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – Okeafor Augustine Chukwujieze; National Rescue Movement (NRM) – Charles Okechukwu Amajouyi; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – Emmanuel E Okewulonu; Social Democratic Party (SDP) – Rita Ada Ibemere Okorafor; and Young Progressive Party (YPP) – Promise Anurika Nwadigos.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) group has denounced Pastor Sam Adeyemi for adding his voice to the End SARS agitation.

On Wednesday, APC Nigeria Support, which has 1 million followers on Twitter, told the cleric not “lose focus” or “join the fray”.

The comment followed Adeyemi’s reaction to a lawsuit against 50 Nigerians who endorsed the clamour for an end to police brutality.

They include David Adeleke – Davido, Damini Ogulu -Burna Boy, Folarin Falana – Falz, Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju, to mention but a few.

A citizen, Kenechukwu Okeke, filed the case at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja.

The applicant said between the October 28 and 30 the defendants used their Twitter accounts to conspire to “commit misdemeanor, to wit promoting or acting in such a manner with the intent to assist in the promotion of an unlawful assembly under the guise or composition of #EndSARS”.

In his response, Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, tweeted “Who sent this guy to file this frivolous lawsuit?”

Reacting, the APC group in an “open letter” said asking a “needless question” was “completely beneath” him.

It read:

“When a citizen has exercised his right to sue you and other people he believes are instrumental to the damage of his properties, as a pastor how can you be seen attacking a victim? As someone we all respect, you shouldn’t get yourself involved in the EndSARS propaganda. I expect that you will, by now, be playing the role of ensuring peace reigns and the government meeting the demands of the youths.

A tweet of that nature is not responsible and does not fit the personality you project. Being a pastor doesn’t excuse you from answering to the court of law. We should learn to deal with issues accordingly and appropriately. By now, we all know it is easy to unravel who is behind who and what in this new media age. Pastor Adeyemi, if it bothers you that much, you can find this out in less than 24 hours. But in my opinion, there are more pressing questions to be asked. We cannot afford for people like you to also lose focus. PLEASE SIR, DONT JOIN THE FRAY! Nigeria needs to be SAVED.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says that the N4 billion unspent money in its 2020 Budget is meant for recruitment of staff.

Mr Mohammed Umar, The Acting Chairman Of The Commission, Disclosed This On Wednesday In Abuja During Its Budget Defence, Before The House Committee On EFCC.

Umar said that the staff recruitment, which should have taken place in the year, was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the globe in the course of the year.

According to him, the commission was in the process of conducting the recruitment when COVID-19 took over, and that is why it still has N4 billion left unspent.

He said that the EFCC had also made submission to the committee detailing assets recovery, convictions secured, cases in court among others by the commission.

Umar listed some of the challenges faced by the EFCC to include lack of special courts to prosecute corruption cases, lack of personnel, poor release of funds for capital projects among others.

He said that the five per cent meant to be retained in the agency as part of money recovered had not been given to the commission as done in other places.

“I don’t think the five per cent to be retained in EFCC for assets recovery has been approved, because we have not gotten any money outside the budget approved,” he said.

The acting chairman however, proposed a total of N29.861 billion for 2021 operations.

Umar said that EFCC had 15 offices in the country, adding that it could not capture some states because it was better to equip those already established.

“It is better we equip the 15 offices than acquiring more, because some are not adding values to our investigations, so we are thinking of closing them.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rep. Zakaria Nyampa (PDP-Adamawa) had queried why the EFCC had N4 billion unspent in the 2020 budget approved for the commission.

“Going through your document in 2020, I discovered there are N4 billion unspent money for personnel and N879 million unused under overhead, I don’t know what you are going to do with this,” Nyampa said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ibrahim Dutse, the Chairman of the House committee, said it was ready to assist the EFCC to do its job, adding that any money voted for the commission must be released.

He said that the committee would intervene in any challenges faced by the commission to enable it discharge its duty effectively to the country.

A mother and her four-year-old daughter were kidnapped and gang-raped for two weeks after attackers lured the woman with false promises of well-paid work at a hospital in Pakistan.

Police said on Tuesday November 10, that a man has been arrested with two other accomplices still wanted for the violent crime which took place in Kashmore, a district in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

Pakistani news network Samaa identified the suspect as Rafiq Malik, adding that police are questioning him over the attack after he was remanded in custody for three days.

The report said the woman who was a hospital worker from Karachi was persuaded to attend to someone after the suspects offered her a large sum of money for the work. After she agreed to the offer, the woman and her daughter were abducted by the group.

It was also reported that protests broke out after the lead investigator Umar Sheikh suggested the woman was to blame for the attack, saying she should have travelled on a busier road during the day.

Amnesty International released a message in support of protesters saying:-