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#EndSARS: Edo Panel Orders Arrest Of Retired Police CSP Over Student’s Death

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The Edo State Judicial Panel of Enquiry for victims of SARS and related abuses has ordered the arrest of a retired Chief Superintended of Police (CSP) Carol Afegbai for failing to appear before it to explain her alleged role in the killing of a 500 Level student of University of Benin, Ibrahim Momodu in 2015.

A member of the panel, A. B. Thomas said that Afegbai who was then Divisional Police Officer of Ogida police station when Momodu was killed must appear before the panel to explain her roles in the killing if she has nothing to hide.

Thomas noted that if the court had not tried her when the case was first instituted, it was because she was not included in the suit, adding that she has to appear before the panel now that there is a petition against her.

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READ ALSO: ‘It’s Been Hell Taking Care The Children’, Lecturer Whose Wife Was Killed Tells Edo Panel

He said, “If she was not arrested by the high court, if she was not arrested by the court of Appeal, it is because she was not a party it was state versus the man who pulled the trigger but before us here, she has been mentioned and if we end the case without summoning her, it will seem she is above the law. Therefore, we summon the Commissioner of Police to produce Mrs. Carol Afegba before this panel”, he said.

In her ruling, Chairman of the panel, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (rtd) ordered the immediate arrest of Carol Afegbai.

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“Earlier, the panel had summoned the respondent to appear before this panel at today’s (Monday) proceedings and it is on record that she has failed to do so.

“It is of the view therefore of this panel that the respondent having failed to appear before the panel, a warrant of arrest should be issued for her to appear before the said panel.

READ ALSO: Police Brutality: “I Have Not Seen My Son Since 2011”, Father Of Deceased Tells Panel

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“It is hereby ordered that a warrant of arrest be issued forthwith on the said respondent who is named Carol Afegbai who shall appear before this panel following the order of this panel on the December 9, 2020”, she said.

The late Ibrahim Momodu was a 500 Level student of Faculty of Laboratory Science, University of Benin as at the time he was killed close to his family house at No 1, Igbobaewaye Street, off Siluko road by Textile Mill junction.

In a related development, a lawyer, Abraham Oviawe who is counsel to one Solomon Obode yesterday prayed the panel to invite the police officers who were allegedly involved in the killing of Benson Obode as the counsel feared that the alleged killers may have escaped from the Oko Correctional Centre and the Benin Maximum Correctional Centre along Sapele road, Benin City.

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READ ALSO: EndSARS: Judicial Panel Receives 9 Petitions, Promises Fair Play In Edo

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Malami Breaks Silence On Alleged Terrorism Financing

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A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has broken his silence on allegations linking him to terrorism financing, dismissing the claims as baseless, misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Friday, Malami said he was compelled to respond after a publication suggested that he and several others had connections to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

Malami described the claims as “unfounded, unfair and contrary to both my record in public office and objective facts.”

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The former minister stressed that he had never been accused, invited, interrogated or investigated by any security, law-enforcement or intelligence agency within or outside Nigeria for terrorism financing or any related offence.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Ex-AGF Malami’s Convoy Attacked In Kebbi [PHOTOS]

He said: “I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.”

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Malami noted that even the retired military officer cited as the principal source of the publication admitted that he did not accuse Malami or the other individuals of financing terrorism, but merely referenced vague “business” or “institutional” connections allegedly linked to some suspects.

He said the publication misrepresented this clarification and was politically exploited to create damaging insinuations about him.

Malami warned that normal professional or institutional engagements must not be misconstrued as evidence of supporting terrorism.

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READ ALSO:2027: Peter Obi Meets Ex-AGF Malami Amid Coalition Talks

To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust,” he said.

Highlighting his record, Malami listed several anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism reforms spearheaded during his tenure, including:

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Establishment of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as an independent entity

Enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

Enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

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READ ALSO:CSO Demands Malami’s Probe Over Alleged N1bn Car Gifts

He noted that improved inter-agency coordination under these laws contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

During my tenure, I worked to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” he said.

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Malami urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive national security issues, warning that careless publications can damage reputations and undermine confidence in state institutions.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international obligations, adding that he reserves the right to seek redress against any publication that misrepresents his role in the fight against terrorism financing.

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Otuaro Pledges To Expand PAP Scholarship As Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

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Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has expressed his unwavering commitment to expanding the PAP scholarship scheme.

The PAP boss made the pledge at a graduation reception for nine students who were awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by PAP in universities in the United Kingdom.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, said the successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.

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According to the statement, they graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

READ ALSO:PAP Seeks NCC Partnership On Beneficiaries’ Empowerment

Otuaro disclosed in the statement that 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

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According to Otuaro, the expansion of the scholarship scheme is aimed at creating more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.

He said under his administration, 7700 students have been so far deployed for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

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READ ALSO:Edo Govt, PDP Biker Over PRESCO’s Statutory Right Of Occupancy

According to him, aince he took over, he has deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.

According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

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The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

READ ALSO:PAP Conducts Verification For 3,171 Scholarship Beneficiaries, Presents 663 Laptops To Final Year Students

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Otuaro, who congratulated the master’s graduates on their successful graduation, stressed that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.

He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.

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Okpebholo Declares Edo Business-friendly

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Friday declared the state as Edo business-friendly environment and ready to welcome any investor to the state.

The governor spoke when he played host to members of the South – South Coalition of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (COSSCIMA).

The governor, who received his guests through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said his administration has provided the enabling environment for investors to promote their businesses.

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READ ALSO:Oshiomhole Criticises Obaseki’s Govt, Scores Okpehbolo High

The governor commended the COSSCIMA for deeming it fit to choose the stata as host to the annual general meeting of the body.

“It is not surprising that you pick the state as a choice because we have provided the enabling environment by investing in infrastructure and reducing insecurity to the barest minimum.

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“So, we assured potential investors that the state is safe, secured for all to come and invest,” he stated.

Also speaking, Hon. Omoh Anabor, Commissioner for Business, Trade, and Investment, said that the state was ready to partner any firm.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Okpehbolo Appoints New VC For AAU

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Earlier in his address, President of COSSCIMA, Hon. Indutimi komonibo said, “The Edo State Governor is doing a great job.

He, however, pointed out that nonetheless reiterated, “No government can succeed without partnering with the organized private sector.”

“We seek collaboration wherever we go. We carry the emblem of national development. Investors are looking for where their business will thrive. We understand the language of the business.”

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He stated that COSSCIMA membership cut across the six Chambers of Commerce that make up the South-South states of the federation.

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