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Army Arrests 12 Imposters, Warns Against Use Of Military Belts, T-shirts

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2022

Editor

The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Umar Musa, has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects impersonating military officers to commit crimes in Lagos and Ogun states.

A statement by the division’s spokesperson, Major Olaniyi Osoba, on Wednesday, said the suspects were paraded for the offence.

Osoba said Musa, while briefing the press during the parade, said not all persons in Army uniform were military personnel.

The statement read, “The 81 Division, Nigerian Army, has arrested 12 suspected imposters fully dressed in military camouflage portraying the Nigerian Army in a bad light during Operation Checkmate within Lagos and Ogun states.

“The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Umar Musa, in a press briefing, dispelled the unfounded narrative that all illicit acts committed by persons dressed in military uniforms are always by military personnel.

“He noted that persons displaying military banners and accoutrements, such as belts and stickers on vehicles and driving commercial vehicles in military uniform as well as driving civilian vehicles painted in army colours are most often not personnel of the Nigerian Army.

“He said in an effort to curtail the ugly trend, the division had heightened the activities of Operation Checkmate to ensure regular arrest of imposters and offenders within the division’s area of responsibility. The GOC disclosed that over 150 impostors were arrested from January last year till date.”

During the parade, Musa was quoted as saying preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects specialised in mounting roadblocks along the Ajah Road to extort money from motorists, as well as indulging in other illegal duties while dressed in the Nigerian Army uniform.

“Similarly, the GOC said some arrested suspects fully dressed in military uniform were caught along the Ilaro border area of Ogun State, where they smuggled rice and other contraband.

“The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over to the police for further action. He, therefore, urged members of the public to desist from wearing military uniform and T-shirts, displaying military banners, belts and stickers on vehicles as well as driving civilian vehicles painted in army colours,” he added.

News

EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.

Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.

In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.

He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.

Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.

Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.

Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.

The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.

Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.

He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.