A man who claims to be a Yoruba film actor, Olumide Olajide, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding traders in Ibadan, Oyo state capital with fake bank alerts.
The actor was paraded alongside his partner, Wemimo Adeyanju, a Higher National Diploma student of Purchasing and Supply at a polytechnic in the South-West at the state police command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
On how he generated the fake bank alerts, Olajide said he would ask for the account numbers and names of the sellers after buying goods from them, after which he would use the information to generate their details by dialling the USSD code of his bank.
After generating the recipient’s name, he said he would alter the old bank alert sent to him by his bank and change the date and the amount, and resend same to the recipient. According to him, the fake alert sent will show on the recipient’s phone as a genuine alert from his bank.
“I did it just three times before I was arrested. After seeing the alert, they would allow me to go away with the goods paid for with the fake bank alert. I went to another shop and a woman recognised me through the display photograph on my WhatsApp and raised the alarm.” The undergraduate also disclosed that he went out with the prime suspect.He admitted that Olajide used the fake bank alert to purchase some items on an occasion that he accompanied him.
Police in Lagos has said it is on alert over threats by by the agitators for Oodua Republic, members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and 22 other groups to disrupt law and order in Lagos by attacking soft targets.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu said this at a stakeholders’ forum on security chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the state secretariat, Alausa on Monday.
“The command has taken notice of agitators for Oodua Republic by some Yoruba separatist groups and the threats to disrupt law and order in the state.
“Twenty four of these groups have been identified and being closely monitored.
“Similarly, the threat of IPOB to attack soft targets in Lagos is equally being put on the radar of the command intelligence gathering and other security services in the state.
“Strategies are being put in place to neutralise their activities,” Odumosu said.
He, however appealed to the public to be vigilant and report suspicious movements within their environments.
“The command is using this medium to solicit for the support of all and sundry to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies. Let us adopt the slogan of “when you see something, say something.”
Banker turned Blogger; Charles Odibo, is an erstwhile Marketing Communication Manager of Fidelity Bank and two other banks, who was notoriously known for running several rackets while he was in active service. February this year, he launched a website aimed at promoting the Igbo people, which was well applauded by all sundry for his interest in moving the South East region forward. Not many knew his motive was for selfish financial gains and not for the interest of the Ndigbo’s. In other to achieve his motive, he organized and unleashed media attacks on Imo State Government under the leadership of our hardworking and indefatigable Governor; Hope Uzodinma. It came as a shock to many on the obvious lies he posted on his blog, but those who know him attest to the fact that; he is a pig who will always return to the dirt no matter how clean you wash it. He has a double-faced personality, who is thirsty for government appointments and financial gains.
Some said; “he is so shameless that he would sell his dignity for monetary gains. More reason he was denied a juicy government appointment by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, whom he always lobbied for appointment by sponsoring media campaign and opinion piece for. Iheodiah rebuffed his appointment due to his unprofessional conduct.”
Last week, he published a piece of false and concocted information embedded with lies from the pit of hell to create unrest between the Imo State Government, Governor Hope Uzodinma and Imolites, who are currently battling the issues of insecurity. Sources said; ever since the Supreme Court sent his benefactor packing as Governor of Imo, he has vowed to use the media to peddle and sponsor fake news to create unrest in the state. “Imolites are wise enough to stand by their hardworking Governor who is also recovering from an attack on his country home recently. Employing a campaign of calumny by pitching the Imo state government and its indigenes against itself, is an act unworthy of a patriot.” A senior political appointee said.
From a thorough investigation carried out by Concerned Imolites, Charles Odibo, the co-founder of a failed mobile app, Tomachy, also threatened the Government of Imo State by vowing to continue posting fake news about them in the guise of exposing them. He was even said to have demanded for funds from Imo State Government in other to ceasefire from the cheap blackmail and media attack. A government appointee who claimed anonymity averred that; “He has sent several messages soliciting for funds to stop the bad press and also threatened that if his demands are not met, he will keep on attacking Imo State Government and Governor Uzodinma. He said there are more stories about Governor Hope-led administration stored in his kitty, to be release soon.”
According to the code of conduct of the noble pen-pushing profession, Charles has contravened some section in the constitution, which frowns at blackmail, defamation and threat. If found guilty of the above crimes, it’s outright suspension from the profession and can also be tried in the court of law for cyberbullying and other related crimes. Imo State will give no room for such media practitioner, who would only use their platform to promote dichotomy instead of celebrating the good works the Governor has been doing to restore the lost glory of Imo State. ”Governor Hope loves the media and he has always supported them at every slightest opportunity nobody will hold us to ransom at the point. Our state will never fall for such threat from that filthy attention seeker. It’s against our ideology, we don’t negotiate with blackmailers and scammers like Charles, knowing where his allegiance belongs. “Imo State has zero-tolerance for quacks like him hiding under the guise of a media practitioner, who loves interviewing the keyboard. Such practices are part of the menace tearing apart the journalism profession.”
People like Charles Odibo are the reason Federal Government has raised plans to regulate the online media space to curb blackmailers and fake news peddlers like him from misleading the general public with untrue information. Another Government source said; using an hammer to kill a fly in this situation is not necessary, we know his background during his days as a marketing head in the banking sector, he was never straightforward, he was not dependable and trusted. He was even alleged to have been involved in several shady deals. “People like this should not make way into government. He should be ignored. Since he launched the media platform earlier this year, we have heard several complaints of character assassination and defamation of character. That’s not what Journalism is all about. People like him should not be encouraged. Imolite are behind our Governor and we stand by him in solidarity. Any attempt to cause further unrest, the fangs of the law will strike him.”
The Presidency on Friday derided the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, for criticising the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), over his alleged failure to contain insecurity and wanton killings of Nigerians by banditry gangs.
The Presidency attributed Mbaka’s criticism of the President to a decision by Buhari to reject a contract request made by the cleric.
Mbaka, who supported the President during the 2015 and 2019 elections, made a U-turn on Wednesday, asking Buhari to resign or be impeached for not doing enough to tackle widespread insecurity.
The cleric told his congregation that no civilised leader would remain in power with the spate of violence across the country.
He regretted that Buhari could maintain grave silence in the midst of widespread violence and deaths of Nigerians.
“How can people be dying and the chief security officer of the country would be sitting down without making any comment? Gunmen attacking people everywhere. Buhari should have resigned honourably following his (alleged) failure as a leader.
“Let me tell you that if it were in a civilised country, President Buhari would have resigned by now. So, it is amazing that he has chosen to sit tight while people are dying daily,” he said.
Mbaka also called on the National Assembly to impeach the President, saying Nigerians were facing intense poverty and insecurity.
But the Presidency lashed out at Mbaka on Friday, saying the cleric was aggrieved because Buhari rejected a contract request by him.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement titled, ‘Father Mbaka is everything apart from what he claims to be.’
The statement read, “An outsider distilling the avalanche of verbiage will be surprised that after supporting the President two times to win the Presidency, Father Mbaka has made a complete U-turn, preposterously asking President Buhari to resign or be impeached.
“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of presidential aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support.
“Anyone familiar with President Buhari knows that he doesn’t break the laid-down rules in dealing with contracts or any other government business for that matter. He requested the appropriate authorities to deal with the matter in accordance with the laid-down rules.
“Inside the Villa, discretion prevailed, that if those pictures and requests were made public, the followers would turn against the religious leader. None of it was released. Now, this is what is eating Father Mbaka.”
However, many Nigerians slighted the Presidency’s claim, saying there was nothing wrong with the cleric’s demand for contracts as long as he is a Nigerian and qualified for the job.
A Twitter user @firstladyship said, “While I cannot independently verify this story (Presidency’s claim), I think we can now see the monsters in charge of Nigeria.
“When asked to resign or be impeached, they resort to cheap blackmail to curry public sympathy. The Presidency, through Mallam Garba Shehu, has once again reached out to their supporters, through virtue signalling. This bothers on morality.”
Another Twitter user @nyotjoel said, “The effort by this government to whip up public sentiments against Father Mbaka, rather than address the genuine concerns raised, is quite ridiculous. What’s the connection between Mbaka seeking contracts and the state of insecurity currently grappling the nation?”
@FS_Yusuf_ also tweeted, “Garba Shehu is shamelessly telling us that Rev Mbaka asked for some contracts as gratification for supporting Buhari. Ladies and gentlemen, please does this change the fact that this country is run by terrorists?”
Likewise, Henry Shield tweeted, “No Mbaka slander will be tolerated. You (Presidency) are backing Pantami, we will back Mbaka.”
Also, @Komrade_Konrade tweeted, “One peculiarity about the Buhari-led government is that it’s never objective. Once you’re in bed with them, they’ll hold it against you anytime you disagree with their agenda. Yes, he (Mbaka) asked for contracts. Is that a criminal offence?”
Meanwhile, a former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, described both the Presidency and Mbaka as “blackmailers and scammers” who don’t deserve the attention of Nigerians.
Fayose stated this while reacting to the rift between the Presidency and Mbaka.
“The Presidency and Father Mbaka are nothing but blackmailers and scammers. They don’t deserve the attention of Nigerians,” Fayose said via his Twitter handle @GovAyoFayose on Friday.
In its reaction, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress said it would report Mbaka to the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, if the priest continued to threaten the President and cause disaffection for the regime.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, in a statement said, “One will wonder whom Father Mbaka is emulating because the Lord Jesus Christ did not threaten to bring down the government during his own time, in fact, Jesus Christ obeyed and honoured constituted authority That’s why he paid his tax.
Also reacting to Mbaka’s outburst, the Catholic Diocesan Director of Communication, Enugu State, Fr Benjamin Achi, said though the diocese had yet to be officially informed about the ruling party’s threat to petition the Pope, it would issue an official statement on the matter when that happens.
“Well, we haven’t received any official information on that. But when that happens, we will respond accordingly. We are going to issue an official statement,” the priest said.
Following the confirmation of the presence of Boko Haram in Niger State by the Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, it has been gathered that about 65 communities in Niger State have resorted to negotiating and signing a peace deal with the insurgent to avoid future raids.
This development came few days after the terror group displaced more than 5,000 villagers from their homes in some local government areas in the state.
Though the Nigerian Army said it was unaware of Boko Haram’s incursion into Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in the state, said he could not dispute Bello’s claim about the influx of the terrorist group into the state.
He said, “The executive governor is the chief security officer of the state. Are you expecting the police to dispute or go against the pronouncement of the executive governor?”
Our correspondent gathered that communities in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa and Kukoki distrists in the Shiroro area of the state had negotiated with the terrorists for a peace deal after reaching an agreement to pay certain amount of money.
The communities were said to have also purchased at least six motorcycles worth N500,000 for the terrorists.
Yusuf Sani, the co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth, said, “This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with the terrorists are more than 40.
“While some communities have already sealed up deals for ceasefire with the terrorists and are currently reaping the benefits, others are on the verge of finalising theirs.”
Sani also said the communities had paid “not less than N20 million to sign the peace deal with the terrorists.”
President Muhammadu Buhari says he is disappointed he is receiving the blame for the recent attacks in Benue state.
Following a series of killings in the state by gunmen, Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, had call for the urgent intervention of the federal government.
About 11 soldiers, who were on peace keeping task, were recently killed in the state.
Ortom had also asked the president to rise up and address the nation since he took an oath of office to secure and protect lives and property.
Garba Shehu, presidential spokerson, in a statement on Thursday, said Buhari is pained by the killings, but sad that the governor will blame the attacks on the president.
“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state,” the statement reads.
“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.
“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.
“The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom.
“President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.
“Those citizens, regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.”
He said while the president will continue to keep security agencies on their toes, there is a need for cooperation to promote peace.
He said Benue, under the Ortom administration, ought to cooperate with the federal government in the implementation of a number of national programmes to address the underlying issues affecting peace, progress and development.
Buhari, therefore, urged the governor to place the welfare of the people above all other interests.
Members of Boko Haram have taken over farmlands and farming activities in Geidam town, in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The insurgents, who displaced majority residents of the town, were also said to have taken to preaching jihadist sermons to the few remaining people, mostly aged men and women, while also giving cash to them.
Gambo Abdullahi, an indigene of Geidam residing in Damaturu, said the town was still being occupied by the insurgents, while the Nigerian army troops were restricted to the western area.
He said, “The Boko Haram fighters are still in Geidam, they are in charge of the town.
“Since they sent everyone out of the community, they have been preaching radical sermons to the old men and women that stayed behind. After the preaching, they give N20,000 to convince them to join them in the Jihad movement.
“They have also taken over the farms of locals. They are harvesting the villagers’ produce and also weeding out grasses as if they will be in the town or a long time.”
Another local source in Damaturu, Mohammed Saleh, said some of the few people that stayed back in the displaced community had fled by foot to a nearby Kalgeri community.
He said, “Their is no vehicular movement to Geidam town as every vehicle stops at Kalgeri, my parents left Geidam for Damaturu yesterday. They trekked several kilometers to Kalgeri where they boarded a car to Damaturu.”
Meanwhile the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, during a visit to the operational theatre of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri on Thursday, said a cache of arms was stolen from the Nigerian Army base in Mainok by Boko Haram insurgents who attacked the base last Sunday.
He said the war would be won by the Nigerian Army because more arms would be supplied to end the counter insurgency fight.
“We have defeated the Boko Haram insurgents several times. If for one time they came and we lose some equipment, I can assure you we will overcome. The COAS assured.
The Ministry of Finance told the Senate Committee on Army on Thursday that the Federal Government spent N198.84bn to fight terrorism from 2019 till date.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, in the finance ministry, Aliyu Shinkafi, said all the funds appropriated for the war against insurgency had been released to the military authorities.
The Permanent Secretary told the committee that N75bn was appropriated and released in 2019, adding that 7bn was released in 2019.
Shinkafi said N2.5bn was released in 2019 and tagged as ‘administration.’
The Permanent Secretary also told the senators that N75bn was appropriated in 2020 but that N74.99bn was released.
He said, “In the current year, N100bn was appropriated and we have released N19.4bn for the first quarter.
“Just yesterday (Wednesday), we released N19.95bn for the second quarter,” he added.
Ndume however, brought out a letter from the Chief of Defence Staff where he said the military authorities complained that they had shortfall of N50bn as far as releases from the Finance Ministry was concerned.
Ndume expressed dissatisfaction with the non appearance of the Minister at the meeting.
He therefore asked the committee’s secretariat to summon her, alongside the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze; and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru for Tuesday.
Ndume said, “Honestly, we are not happy that the Minister of Finance is not here today despite the fact that she was duly invited and she knew the importance of the issue we invited her to discuss with us.
“We were blaming the military but the soldiers are claiming that they have no equipment, arms and ammunition to work with because there was no money to buy them.
“We have invited the minister now to explain why her ministry was not funding the operations of the Army and she is not here. This is not acceptable.”
The committee also asked the ministry officials to come back next Tuesday with details of the releases made from 2019.
Popular Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele has paid a condolence visit to his friend in the ministry, Prophet Joshua Iginla, the General Overseer of Champions Royals Assembly, who lost his mother, Deaconess Moraimo Lasisi Iginla two weeks ago.
Primate Ayodele during this historic visit described the death of Dcns Moraimo Lasisi Iginla as a huge loss to the body of Christ as she was also a servant of God before she died. He defined her as a great woman of faith, a woman of valour, and a woman whom God has singled out among others to be called Blessed.
He urged his friend in the ministry, Prophet Joshua Iginla to continue with the Legacy his mother left behind as He has always done while encouraging him not to mourn like those without hope because she is definitely resting in the Bosom of Christ.
Also, Primate Ayodele expressed his Love for Prophet Joshua Iginla and his ministry, describing him as a friend and Brother in the ministry. Continuing, He mentioned that they share a border of the same local government from their state in Ekiti.
‘’When I heard about the death of Mama, I was pained because it is a huge loss to the body of Christ. It’s obvious she labored for the Kingdom of God before resting in the Lord’’
‘’I would describe her as a woman of faith, woman of substance, and a blessed woman among others. The bible made us to understand that ‘‘By their Fruit, we shall know them’’ and I can tell that You, My Brother (Prophet Joshua Iginla) as her son tells it all.’’
‘’I want to urge you to continue in the legacy she left behind as you have always done because that is the only way to keep her blessed memory alive’’
‘’As painful as it is, the word of God has made us understand that as Christians, we shouldn’t mourn like those without Hope concerning those who sleep in the Lord because certainly, they are resting in the bosom of the Lord’’
‘‘I am Glad she was a staunch follower of Christ till She rested, May her gentle soul rest in Peace, Amen’’
In his response, Prophet Joshua Iginla appreciated Primate Elijah Ayodele for taking time out to visit him on the death of his mother, describing it as a meeting he will always live to be grateful for.
Furthermore, The two spiritual giants spoke about the insecurity that has befallen Nigeria for many months without any hope of light at the tunnel. It is worthy of note that Primate Elijah Ayodele has always said the solution to Nigeria’s insecurity problem is God only. Therefore, they both agreed to embark on powerful prayers for Nigeria solely against insecurity as soon as possible.
Also, after the meeting, Prophet Joshua Iginla took Primate Elijah Ayodele around his massive church building of 80,000 capacity, including the Pool Of Bethesda in his church.
He also mentioned that the 80,000 capacity building will be dedicated in May while asking for the Presence of Primate Ayodele for the church dedication
The leader of INRI evangelical spiritual church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has released a strong message for the governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma regarding the unfortunate events that has been happening in Imo state for some time.
We recall that yesterday, the country home of the governor was attacked and razed by fire, with properties and vehicles getting burnt to ashes.
Primate Ayodele in a live session revealed that Governor Hope Uzodinma is being fought by forces of Imo land and that they want to ensure the state is ungovernable for him.
The man of God made it known that this is happening because Hope Uzodinma became governor in a wrong way, and that he is not meant to be governor of the state, hence, the coming together of forces to fight him.
He however stated that the solution for peace to return to Imo state is returning Emeka Ihedioha as governor of the state, if not, the forces will continue to attack.
‘’ It’s unfortunate that this happened to Hope Uzodinma who has been working well to see that everything goes well in his state.
The fact is the forces are fighting the governor and that is why the state is being ungovernable for him. There is a conspiracy in his government and the forces of the land are fighting him. This happens when something that doesn’t belong to you is given to you; forces will come together to fight you, forces are fighting him, let them do what is right by restoring Emeka Iheadioha back as governor of the state for peace to reign’’
Also, the man of God blasted the SSA On media to President Buhari, Garba Shehu for his comments on Isa Pantami’s travails.
Garba Shehu had said that Isa Pantami, a minister of communications was young when he made some statements that encouraged terrorism, and that he has changed his orientation now.
Also, he compared the situation of Isa Pantami to that of Kemi Adeosun who resigned due to some discrepancies in her NYSC ceritificate. The presidential aide noted that Kemi Adeosun’s case is higher than Isa Pantami’s.
Primate Ayodele in his reaction maintained that Garba Shehu is one of the people misleading this government, and that he needs to think deeply before saying anything.
‘Garba shehu is one of the people misleading Buhari’s government, I am not sure he thinks very deeply before commenting on issues, Kemi Adeosun’s case doesn’t even warrant resignation because it was not totally her fault, but she willingly resigned because she is a woman of integrity, honour and note when she discovered that her certificates are not in order
But what Pantami has done is related to terrorism, it involved terrorist groups, its shameful, he doesn’t even need to say anything, the first thing is to resign before anything if he is an honorable person, this position they are dragging is just for the main time, why stain yourself forever for a post that won’t exceed eight years? Garba shehu also needs to be investigated for supporting Isa Pantami in such way, With Isa Pantami in this cabinet, it’s a disgrace to Nigeria, this will cause chaos, conspiracy in his government, why must he still be there, on what account? Are they serving the nation or their pocket? Someone who is serving the nation will leave with honour and not wait till anyone to molest him because as it is now, he has been molested by this act. This also berates out DSS, Senators who did screening for him’’
Furthermore, He adviced the government to beef up the security in nigerian universities because the terrorists are everywhere in the country.
