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ARASE LEFT WITH 24 POLICE VEHICLES –ACTING IG

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, says his predecessor, Solomon Arase, went away with 24 police vehicles while the seven Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, who retired alongside him, also carted away between seven and eight cars each.
Idris stated that he had written Arase to return the cars, which included two official bullet-proof BMW 7 series cars, adding that the retired police chief and his DIGs had yet to return the vehicles.
The IG, who said this during an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, explained that a special investigation team was already looking at the records of police vehicle purchases in the last three years as well as how they were distributed.
Arase, however, denied the allegations of his successor, saying he didn’t go away with any police vehicle.
The former IG, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, denied taking away 24 police cars, describing the allegations as a malicious propaganda.
Arase advised Idris to squarely face security issues confronting the country rather than engaging in “media propaganda.”
He said, “What am I going to do with 24 cars? Do I want to open a car shop? This is a malicious accusation. There are ways of verifying issues rather than engaging in media propaganda.”
But Idris, explaining the steps he had taken, said, “If you look through the windows of my former office and from the report from my (Force) transport officer, you would see cars but a week to the day I would resume, all these cars disappeared.
“So, what I am telling you is that I have signed a directive to my SIP (I have a special investigation panel, I set it up). It is going to investigate all the vehicle purchases, contributions to the police and the distribution of those vehicles in the last three years; we are going to look into that.
“When I took over, there was no vehicle, even the vehicle I would use. I discovered the last IG went away with 24 vehicles; the DIGs, some of them eight, some of them seven. The IG’s vehicles included two BMW 7 series, one armoured; and he left me with an old car.
“The last time I followed the President with it, he was asking me, ‘what are you doing with this old car’ because if you see the headlight, the thing has changed colour, which means they parked it and rains and everything had fallen on it, but the new ones that were bought, he (Arase) went with all of them; they are part of the 24.
“I wrote back to him and said, we have a policy that says when a policeman retires, if you are an IG, AIG, a CP, you are entitled to some vehicles; please, the extra, return it. Four vehicles are enough for an average human being, but what will you even do with four vehicles; but he took 24 vehicles, including two BMW cars.
“I wrote to him (Arase), I wrote to the DIGs.”
Idris disclosed that the Police Management Team would probe the last promotion in the Force following complaints by many police personnel that their juniors were promoted over them.
He explained that the probe was to address the discrepancies and complaints by aggrieved police personnel, who were allegedly short-changed during the exercise.
Idris stated that the probe panel would be set up to verify if the promotion was in line with the police service commission policy and regulations.
The IG explained that his focus was to run a democratic police organisation, which would be responsive and accountable.
He added that he had directed some audit firms to audit all police investments to make them more transparent and ensure that the rank and file, who were also shareholders, had more say in the police companies.
On strategies to curb the increasing wave of kidnapping and other crimes, Idris said he would strengthen, retrain and equip the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to be more responsive and responsible.
He said he recently removed some Area Commanders in Rivers and Kogi states when he learnt that they had been compromised.
-Punch

BUHARI ORDERS IGP TO RE-OPEN BOLA IGE, DOKUBO’S CASES

ABUJA — President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigation into the unresolved murder of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, and ex-Deputy National Chairman, South-South, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Aminosari Dokubo, and fish out the perpetrators. The killing of the two personalities caused national outrage, with Nigerians calling on the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to fish out the killers who have still not been found.

Recall that Chief Bola Ige was shot dead in his bedroom in Bodija, Ibadan, home at about 9pm on December 23, 2001, after he arrived Ibadan from Lagos at about 8.30pm. His security details were said to have sought permission from the former Attorney General to go and eat before the incident occurred. The gunmen, who were said to have been waiting in the vicinity, then stormed the house and tied up family members. One of the gunmen reportedly pointed a gun at a family member and asked him to lead them upstairs to Chief Bola Ige’s room. They allegedly moved the wife and his son to an adjourning room, locked them up before shooting their target in the chest. Vanguard gathered from sources that towards unearthing the perpetrators of these unresolved murders, the Acting Inspector General of Police has instituted a high powered investigation team, headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, to crack the case. Following the death of the late Bola Ige, several unsubstantiated allegations were made against several politicians and interest groups, with some even saying the ‘Cicero’, as he was fondly called, was killed to halt the rise in his political profile, while others said it had to do with his impending probe of the corruption in the power sector of the nation’s economy. Dokubo’s assassination On the part of Chief Aminosari Dokubo, the late PDP Deputy National Chairman was said to be returning to his base from Abuja after a meeting when he was waylaid by suspected assassins on entering Delta State. He was killed near Asaba on October 22, 2004. Dokubo’s assassination at the time was alleged to have been caused by certain disagreements with the powers that be in his political party, prior to the general elections. A source told Vanguard that the fact that the killers and their sponsors were still prowling the streets without arrest and prosecution for crimes against humanity, was a dangerous trend which, if not addressed, might lead to killing of more political leaders either now or in the future. It’s a new day— Bola Ige’s son Reacting to the development, Architect Muyiwa Ige, son of late Chief Bola Ige, said last night that it would be glorious, if the family could get justice 16 years after. Muyiwa, who could not hide his happiness, said President Buhari did not disappoint him, saying the matter was now in the right direction. He said: “I knew right from the advent of the administration of President Buhari that the matter would be resurrected. The President is in the right direction. To God be the glory. It’s a new day; we are happy, we will get justice after 16 years. “We are happy that all those who murdered our father, including the star witness, will be brought to justice. It’s good news.”

-Vanguard

Footballer Adam Johnson has lost first stage of his appeal for child sex conviction- Sister says

Former Sunderland footballer star Johnson was jailed for six years early this year after engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl fan but his sister Faye Johnson has now revealed that he has lost the first stage of his appeal but says he won't be deterred.

The England disgraced winger's sister Faye posted a message on Twitter, saying:

 'Absolutely devastated that the single judge has rejected my brother's appeal against sentence and conviction. But I can assure every supporter that it has made me stronger and I will never give up.' 

It is understood his sister's comments refer to the first stage of the appeal process, in which one judge looks at the case before deciding whether to put it before three appeal court judges.

Johnson can still apply to the full court to look at the case again, but the single judge's rejection means he will not receive public funding for the appeal and if it goes through he will have to fund the appeal case from his own pockets.

See her tweets below...

Bayern Munich unveil former Chelsea, R.Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti as new manager (photos)

Bayern Munich football club of Germany has unveiled former Ac Milan, Juventus,Psg, Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti as its new coach. He was first of all introduced to media before he and his wife were welcomed by dancers in traditional German attire in the club's stadium.

More photos after the cut.

 

Antoine Griezmann, C.Ronaldo & Renato Sanches win the awards at Euro 2016 (Full List)

Euro 2016 finished on Sunday with Portugal emerging as winners but Portugal's heroics diverted attention from the awards given at the end of the tournament. Here's a list of awards at the just concluded Euro 2016 Championship in France.

Awards:

-UEFA EURO 2016 Player of the Tournament: Antoine Griezmann (France)

-Young Player of the Tournament presented by SOCAR: Renato Sanches (Portugal)

-UEFA EURO 2016 adidas Golden Boot: Antoine Griezmann (France)

-UEFA EURO 2016 adidas Silver Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

-UEFA EURO 2016 adidas Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France)

-Goal of the Tournament - Robson Kanu (Wales)

-Top of Player Barometer: Dmitri Payet (France)

-Top goalkeeper on Player Barometer: Rui Patrício (Portugal)

-Most assists: Eden Hazard (Belgium), Aaron Ramsey (Wales) 4

-Top recorded speed: Kingsley Coman (France) 32.8km/h

-Most saves: Hannes Halldórsson (Iceland) 27

-Team of the tournament: Rui Patrício (Portugal); Joshua Kimmich (Germany), 

Jérôme Boateng (Germany), Pepe (Portugal), Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal); Toni Kroos (Germany), Joe Allen (Wales); Antoine Griezmann (France), Aaron Ramsey (Wales), Dmitri Payet (France); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

New Records

-Most career final tournament goals: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 9 – equal with Michel Platini

-Most career EURO goals (including qualifying): Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 29

-Most career final tournament appearances: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 21

-First player to score in four final tournaments: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016.

-Youngest player in a final: Renato Sanches (Portugal) 18 years 328 days

-Oldest player at a final tournament: Gábor Király (Hungary) 40 years 86 days

Alleged fraud: Lawyer asks Fayose to resign or be forced out

A human rights activist, Morakinyo Ogele, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Ayodele Fayose to resign or be chased out of office.

He threatened to lead a massive protest to chase him out of the Government House if he failed to resign.

Ogele, in a telephone interview with reporters on Thursday, also warned Fayose against blackmailing a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, as being the brains behind his alleged witch-hunt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to him, Fayose is no longer “fit and proper” to continue to occupy the seat of the governor going by the latest revelations of alleged purchase of properties within and outside the country with public funds.

Ogele, who is the National Coordinator of Ekiti Redemption Group, lamented that Ekiti had again been in the news for the wrong reasons under Fayose.

He stated, “I am now giving Fayose seven days to resign from office; pack his bags and baggage from the Government House and leave Ekiti, otherwise I will not hesitate to lead a massive protest to chase him out of the Government House.

“I want to warn Fayose to leave Femi Falana out of his problems. He should stop saying Falana is the one trying to remove him.

“Fayose should tell the whole world whether it was Falana that encouraged him to be involved in unprecedented corruption and looting of the people’s commonwealth.

“He should also tell the world whether it was Falana who directed him to receive kickbacks from contractors. He should equally tell the world whether Falana ordered him to be involved in Dasukigate”

Ogele added, “There is no way Fayose can convince the people of Ekiti State that he is fit and proper to rule Ekiti again because he has ridiculed Ekiti people before the whole world and the people are now regretting that Fayose is the governor of Ekiti State.”

Contact: editor@punchng.com

NO SECRET RECRUITMENT'S IN CBN, FIRS, OTHERS- PRESIDENCY

ABUJA- The Presidency has denied any secret recruitment of children and cronies of government functionaries at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and other juicy agencies and parastatals of government, saying that the reports about such exercise were “inaccurate”. The presidency also explained the reason behind the exclusion of the private sector in the current Economic Management Team headed by the Vice President Yemi Osinabjo as was hitherto the case.

Recall that the media especially the online platforms had been awash with reports that the cronies of officials of the present government including President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Osinabjo had been secretly employed by many lucrative agencies of government without due process, thereby causing palpitations in many quarters of the society. But speaking in an interview with select Journalists in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande refuted the claims, describing them as inaccurate. He rather stated that the government was sanitizing the recruitment process and indeed, the public service systems to make them more transparent. “These reports are inaccurate. What we heard is that government is working to ensure that we develop going forward in more transparent process. We are committed in going forward to ensure that some of these procedures are refined, fine-tuned and made to become more transparent,” he said. On the economic team, Akande said that it was government responsibility to take on the economy. “We have to understand that the attitude of this Presidency is to consider the management of the economy as a government responsibility. It is not something that this government believes should be done by bringing in some of the private interests into the economic team to take a decision that they will be directly involved with. “So our stand is that the management of the economy is a government responsibility,” he added. The media aide however explained that the private sector was not totally excluded as other stakeholders such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, had also been engaged by the government. “For instance, we have started meeting on constant basis with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). There have been meetings with arms of the economic sector of the country. There have been meetings with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and some other economic interests with companies, making presentations. “But generally, this thing is a government team and the team has been able to set out before the budget trying to figure out what the budget ought to focus on. After the budget was presented and eventually signed, there was also the publication of the strategic implementation plan which was produced in a reader friendly format. “All of these are the outcomes of what Economic Management Team does and it is also in the team that you have the heap of the whole physical and monetary policy and don’t forget that the monetary policy is always the duty and responsibility of the Central Bank which is an economic arm of government,” he said. Asked when the nation would begin to feel the impact of the economic team and indeed the first fruit of the regime, Akande said that the government of president Buhari was committed to charting a new way forward for the country. In any case, the presidential spokesperson said that the drastic reduction of corruption within the public circles was a laudable feat of the administration. “As much as we try not to say this, we know as a matter of fact that members of the past administration, most of them have come out to say they did not save for the rainy day. So we are dealing mostly with situations that have been caused even before this administration took over power. “The President and his team have worked hard and planned not only to save cost, not only to tighten public expenditure but to also diversify the economy like never before. So we are sure and we believe that going forward, things will begin to pick up again. It is taking a while because of the extent of the damage. “The first fruit is already in place because we have started rebuilding. I think to some extent, that question presupposes that building is still continuing, no! The rebuilding of the resources of this country that had stopped. I believe that a huge factor in the way Nigeria is today economically is corruption. “We can’t run away from that and the President has made it clear and I think everyone in the country now understands that and it is not going to continue. Effectively, he has reduced the corruption in Nigeria”, he said. Speaking on the delays encountered in the early implementation of the social welfare packages for the unemployed graduates, Akande attributed that to the late passage of the 2016 budget into law. “You have to agree that we do have some delay in the whole process because of the timing of the budget approval. For instance, when we came in at the end of May, there was no way the government could implement some of those social welfare schemes because it was not budgeted for. “So we had to wait for the budget process to kick in so that we can begin to put our ideas forward which was done and since the budget has been signed now, we are taking off”, he said.

-Vanguard