News
Group accuses IGP of frustrating investigation of forged titles, fraudulent sales of properties worth billions of naira

A group operating under the aegis of Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture, INAHURAT, has accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun of using his office to frustrate investigation of a case of “conspiracy, forgery of titles, theft, criminal trespass and fraudulent sale of properties”, in Guzape and Katampe areas of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement made available to CAPITAL POST on behalf of the group by Barrister Maxwell Chibuike Opara on Wednesday, said, the properties on PLOTS 1861, 1862, 1863 KATAMPE AND PLOT 4022 Guzape district belong to Mrs. Collen Mero Yesufu a 79-year-old grandmother were criminally sold and the Inspector General’s meddlesomeness has continued to make the right owner to suffer injustice.

The statement noted that the properties which were fraudulently acquired by one, Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac, alias Bilikisu Ishaku Aliyu of Homadil Realty Limited and Co., was a subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which the Police was aware.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, before the statement was forwarded to CAPITAL POST, the group expressed concern over how Kayode Egbetokun has turned the Office of the Inspector General of Police into a transactional office when he was supposed to ensure justice for the cheated grand mother.
They insisted that the suspect be made to face justice, hence, the Inspector General should not use his office to shield the suspects from proper investigation, thereby allowing Mrs. Collen Mero Yesufu a 79-year-old grandmother to suffer injustice.
“We also urged the IGP to refrain from interfering in the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, and to allow due process to take its course.”
The initiative insisted that the IGP was complicit in the injustice against the right owner of the affected properties which it has earlier issued rebuttal to his denial of handing hands in the matter.
The statement recalled: “On December 30, 2024, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a public statement on behalf of the IGP, denying any interference and dismissing our claims as
“mischief” He further stated that the IGP had no business dealing with civil matters.
“However, in response to this misleading and inaccurate statement, we convened another pressbriefing on January 8, 2025, where we presented credible evidence of how the IGP had actively frustrated the investigation from the moment the petition was submitted to his office.
“We provided details on how the EFCC diligently carried out a thorough investigation, prepared a report, and proceeded to court for a forfeiture order against the suspects.
“We highlighted that the court had already ordered the suspect, Bilikisu Ishaq Aliyu, to show cause why the properties should not be forfeited to the rightful owner Mrs. Collen Mero Yesufu.
“We declared our loss of confidence in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) regarding this case due to their complicity and deliberate obstruction of justice. We commended the EFCC for their professionalism and dedication in handling the matter fairly and without bias.”
They insisted that the IGP was in a clear attempt to cover up their complicity, even as the Nigerian Police hurriedly filed criminal charges against the suspect—not in the interest of justice, but rather to divert attention from their initial efforts to frustrate the case.
This, the Police arraigned her in court secretly without the notice of the fraud victims and bail granted to her without any objection, adding that the last-minute move is a calculated strategy aimed at creating a distraction from the evidence already presented against them.
The group asserted that the Police was undermining the EFCC’s work by taking control of a case that is already far advanced under the EFCC’s jurisdiction, while they condemned the shielding of the suspect from proper legal consequences through the manipulation within the Police system.
They call on President Bola Tinubu to order full scale investigation of the case, given that there is a flaring abuse of power by the inspector General of Police as the said properties are worth billions of naira.
The INAHURAT further called on the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies to scrutinize the conduct of the police in this matter and ensure that officers who abuse their powers for personal or political interests are held accountable.

News
Plateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm

The Plateau state government has expressed concern over violence in Shimankar (Menkaat), Shendam Local Government Area, of the State which unfortunately caused unnecessary tension within the community.

In a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Joyce Lohya Ramnap, made available to journalists in Jos, it condemned in strongest terms and warned such violence would not be tolerated any longer.

The statement called for dialogue to differences and disagreement before it snowballed into violence, adding that government will not allow anyone to undermine peace and unity of the State.
Part of the statement read: “I want to reiterate the Plateau State Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding peace and security for all citizens, especially during such tense moments.”
Acknowledging the swift response of law enforcement agencies and the traditional institutions in containing the situation, we are calling for even greater collaboration between community leaders, security agencies, and the public to prevent further escalation,thus the need to maintain peace, calm and restraint from all parties.
“We urge the people of the community to pursue peaceful resolutions to any disagreements instead of resorting to violence.”
In line with the administration’s “Time is Now” vision under the leadership of Governor Mutfwang, I want to emphasise that the state is focused on ensuring lasting peace and harmony, irrespective of religious or tribal differences.
Government is also assuring the public that security agencies have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the root causes of the skirmishes and to ensure that those responsible for any breach of public peace are held accountable.
Towards this end, Plateau citizens are to remain vigilant yet peaceful and to actively support all efforts to de-escalate the situation as the State Government is committed to fostering a peaceful coexistence for all citizens, the statement further reads.

News
Governor Alia distances self from protest against Benue CJ

As protest rocks Benue State against the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese for relocating the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the protest.

Protesters in their hundreds from Benue State took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, for a peaceful protest from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their outrage over the Benue CJ’s decision.

Prior to Monday’s massive protest Justice Ikpembese raised security concerns and moved the Tribunal to Abuja, a development that triggered protest as they are saying the Tribunal would have remained in Makurdi for them to monitor proceedings.
The tribunal is currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
The Benue State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, had questioned the CJ’s unilateral decision, noting that neither the governor nor his office had been formally notified.

News
Shehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence

Civil Rights Activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has debunked the former Governor, Malamn Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani has diverted the Local Government Councils allocation to buy properties abroad.

Shehu Sani said El-Rufai’s allegation is “falsely crafted to smear the name of of the Governor because of the N420 billion investigation hanging on him like the sword of damocles.”

Reacting to the allegation on Monday, Shehu Sani challenged the former Governor to release proofs of purchases of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London by Uba Sani publicly.
He said, Kaduna people would not forget in a hurry how Nasir El-Rufai plundered the State in eight years as Governor of the State, stressing that he should stop pushing falsehood into the public space.
He said: “As Kaduna indigenes, we are all living witnesses to how El-Rufai plundered the State and now investigation has indicted him and he should face it rather than pushing falsehood into the public domain.
El-Rufai should be bold enough to show proofs linking governor Uba Sani in the purchase of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London, then we will take him serious.
“But he should be ready answer for the whereabouts of N420 billion because that money is substantial enough to develop Kaduna State to an extent”, Shehu Sani maintained.

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