Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the removal of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Kogi state, Ali Janga.
Janga was removed alongside some senior police officers in the state command, over their alleged role in the escape of some six suspects, who reportedly implicated a member of the National Assembly from the state, Senator Dino Melaye.
And consequent upon this, the police ordered that the lawmaker and the escapees be placed on the INTERPOL watch list for possible arrest.
The suspects were arrested in connection with alleged armed robbery, kidnapping and other related crimes, with two of them naming Melaye as their financier.
The ousted police boss, who confirmed the suspects escape from police custody in a press statement, Wednesday morning, said: “The Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command, today, March 28, 2018, received news that six suspected criminal elements namely: Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama; Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small; Aliyu Isa; Adams Suleiman; Emmanuel Audu; and Musa Mohammed; who were under detention at the ‘A’ Division Lokoja, escaped from lawful custody.
“Four of the suspects were on court remand, including the two that indicted Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu.”
Janga further said, “consequently, all the six suspects, Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu were sent for watch listing and red notice by the INTERPOL for immediate arrest anywhere we see them.
“Investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, while the 13 police officers who were on duty when the incident occurred were defaulted and detained for interrogation.”
CP removed
Notwithstanding, the IGP has announced the immediate removal of Janga and named the CP in charge of Federal Operations, Esa Sunday Ogbu, as replacement.
The order was contained in a statement yesterday, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood.
The statement read in part: “IGP Idris, dissatisfied with the circumstances surrounding the escape of six suspects, including two principal suspects, Kabiru Seidu; aka Osama, Nuhu Salisu; aka Small, who indicted Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu in a case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearm already filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, which came up in court today, March 28, has ordered the immediate removal of CP, Kogi state Command, CP Ali Janga.
“The Commander, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), in the state; the DPO, ‘A’ Division, Lokoja; and other Police officers implicated in the escape for negligence, dereliction of duty and gross misconduct
in the escape of the six suspects, have also been transferred out of the state and are facing serious disciplinary action.
“CP, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Esa Sunday Ogbu, has been directed by the IGP to immediately proceed and take over as the new CP.”
The spokesperson further stated that: “On the order of the IGP, the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squad, Personnel of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have already arrived in Kogi state to work with the police personnel in the state for immediate re-arrest of the escaped suspects.
“They are to also carry out detailed investigation into the escape and bring all those involved to justice.
“The Force wishes to implore the good people of Kogi state to remain calm and assist with useful information to the Joint Police Investigation Team. They can report any information they have on the escaped suspects to the nearest police station.”
Melaye reacts
Reacting to the development, Senator Melaye (APC, Kogi West), gave the IGP a 48- hour ultimatum to produce the two suspects, who allegedly implicated him in a criminal case, and also believed to have escaped from police detention in Kogi state.
The lawmaker also threatened to sue the police boss for “mental assault” if he fails to produce the suspects.
Melaye gave the ultimatum in a point of order he raised at
PIGB: NASS
By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the Petroleum industry, the National Assembly, yesterday passed the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Governance Bill.
The passage of the PIGB saw the introduction of five percent fuel levy on fuel sold across the country, monies that would be used to finance the Petroleum Equalisation Fund as established under the bill.
This followed consideration and adoption of the conference committee report on the PIGB at plenary yesterday.
Section 36 (1) (a) of the bill provides that: “There shall be established the Petroleum Equalisation Fund into which shall be paid all monies payable to the Equalisation Fund by way of a five per cent fuel levy in respect of all fuel sold and distributed within the federation which shall be charged subject to the approval of the Minister (of Petroleum).”
Other sources of funding
the plenary yesterday, declaring stating that they are “presumed innocent until proven guilty and they also have right to life.”
He reminded the Senate of how Isah Misau (APC, Bauchi Central), brought the issue of his(Melaye’s) alleged persecution by the Nigerian police to the floor of the Senate on Tuesday as well as the body’s resolve to investigate the matter.
“Mr. President, the social media this morning was awash with the news, and I have made confirmation that the suspects in my case who said I gave them guns and money, there is a reported case in Lokoja that there was jail break at 5am this morning and the two suspects have escaped.
Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, yesterday hit the National Assembly, Abuja, in their thousands, with a call on the lawmakers to speak up against the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
The protesters, who described the APC-led government of Muhammadu Buhari as tyrannical, expressed concern over their leader’s health status.
Their position was made known by the secretary, Academic Forum of IMN, Abdullahi Ahmed Musa.
He expressed members’ willingness to die for El- Zakzaky’s release if the need arose, threatening to mobilise over 10 million of its members from all over the country to the PEF, according to the Bill, include; subventions, fees and charges for services rendered as well as net surplus revenue recovered from petroleum products marketing companies.
According to the bill, the Equalisation Fund shall collect all revenues and levies charged; determine the net surplus revenue recoverable from any oil marketing company and accruing to that company from the sale by it of petroleum products at such uniform prices as may be fixed by the minister; determine the amount of reimbursement due to any oil marketing company for purposes of equalisation of price of products among others.
It also seeks to provide for the governance and institutional framework for the petroleum industry.
Specifics
Specifically, the PIGB seeks to unbundle the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), provide for the establishment of Federal Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated,
“We were all supposed to appear before the Lokoja High Court this morning. My lawyers were in court at 9am and the case was called up and the prosecutor of the Nigerian Police could not produce the two persons.
“Instead of producing the two persons, they asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for an arrest, but the judge refused to grant their prayers and the judge said despite the fact that I have not been served, I sent representation to the court. And the main accused persons are absent in court.”
He further explained that rumours had it that the suspects were moved from detention and that they may have been killed, because yesterday two occupy the nation’s capital city.
“The status quo of the present day Nigerian is underscored by the fact that the country is trapped in vicious circle of misgovernance.
“Sheikh El-Zakzaky was attacked in his house, at age 65. The humble cleric together with his wife were shot severally at close-range, and brutally tortured by the Army before handing them over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
“We are deeply concerned about the health of our incarcerated leader and we believe that it is necessary that the National Assembly compel those holding him to release him unconditionally to enable him seek for proper medication.
“We will not stop protesting and challenging this tyrannical
Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management Company and National Petroleum Company and Petroleum Equalisation Fund.
The regulatory bill balkanises NNPC and creates the National Petroleum Commission.
It also scraps the Petroleum Inspectorate, Department of
Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), and establishes the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission which will take over the functions of the three agencies.
Also, the bill empowers the commission to administer
and enforce policies, laws and regulations relating to all aspects of petroleum operation; monitor and enforce compliance with the terms and conditions of all leases, licences, permits and authorisations issued in respect of any petroleum operations.
Furthermore, it defines and enforces approved standards for design, construction, fabrication, operation and maintenance
international organisations were in Kogi based on his petition to find out what was happening.
“And the Senate has set up a committee that will start vigorous investigation today. Surprisingly, these two people have now been declared escapees.
“I want to use the opportunity and on the principle of justice, to call on the IGP that within 48 hours, he must produce these accused persons because they are presumed innocent until proven guilty; they also have right to life.
“So, Police must, as a matter of urgency produce these two accused persons; failure to do so, I will sue the IG for mental assault. Nigeria is not a banana republic,” he threatened.
government and the tyrants ruling it until Sheikh El-Zakzaky is freed from this tyrannical detention. They have murdered over 1,000 of our members, and we are ready to mobilise over 10 million of our members to occupy Abuja, if nothing is done to ensure his speedy release. We are all ready to die for the sake of our leader. We are not free without the freedom of Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife Zeenah and all Nigerians that are detained on the basis of oppression,” the group said.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Kabir Gaya, assured them that both chambers of the National Assembly would set up committees to look into their grievances.
for all plants, installations and facilities utilised or to be utilised in petroleum operations; establishes, monitors, regulates and enforces health and safety measures relating to all aspects of petroleum operations; establishes the framework for the validation and certification of national hydrocarbon reserves; advises the minister on fiscal and other issues pertaining to the petroleum industry; and undertakes evaluation of national reserves and reservoir management studies.
It also empowers the body to issue licenses, permits or authorisations for downstream gas, petroleum products, storage depots, retail outlets, and transportation and distribution facilities for the industry.
Speaking after the bill was passed, Senate President Bukola Saraki, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill into Law.
“I hope with this, we will get the assent of Mr. President and hopefully open a new page for the petroleum industry,” he said.
in the escape of the six suspects, have also been transferred out of the state and are facing serious disciplinary action.
“CP, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Esa Sunday Ogbu, has been directed by the IGP to immediately proceed and take over as the new CP.”
The spokesperson further stated that: “On the order of the IGP, the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squad, Personnel of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have already arrived in Kogi state to work with the police personnel in the state for immediate re-arrest of the escaped suspects.
“They are to also carry out detailed investigation into the escape and bring all those involved to justice.
“The Force wishes to implore the good people of Kogi state to remain calm and assist with useful information to the Joint Police Investigation Team. They can report any information they have on the escaped suspects to the nearest police station.”
Melaye reacts
Reacting to the development, Senator Melaye (APC, Kogi West), gave the IGP a 48- hour ultimatum to produce the two suspects, who allegedly implicated him in a criminal case, and also believed to have escaped from police detention in Kogi state.
The lawmaker also threatened to sue the police boss for “mental assault” if he fails to produce the suspects.
Melaye gave the ultimatum in a point of order he raised at
Minister (of Petroleum).”
Other sources of fundingthe plenary yesterday, declaring stating that they are “presumed innocent until proven guilty and they also have right to life.”
He reminded the Senate of how Isah Misau (APC, Bauchi Central), brought the issue of his(Melaye’s) alleged persecution by the Nigerian police to the floor of the Senate on Tuesday as well as the body’s resolve to investigate the matter.
“Mr. President, the social media this morning was awash with the news, and I have made confirmation that the suspects in my case who said I gave them guns and money, there is a reported case in Lokoja that there was jail break at 5am this morning and the two suspects have escaped.
“We were all supposed to appear before the Lokoja High Court this morning. My lawyers were in court at 9am and the case was called up and the prosecutor of the Nigerian Police could not produce the two persons.
“Instead of producing the two persons, they asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for an arrest, but the judge refused to grant their prayers and the judge said despite the fact that I have not been served, I sent representation to the court. And the main accused persons are absent in court.”
He further explained that rumours had it that the suspects were moved from detention and that they may have been killed, because yesterday two occupy the nation’s capital city.
international organisations were in Kogi based on his petition to find out what was happening.
“And the Senate has set up a committee that will start vigorous investigation today. Surprisingly, these two people have now been declared escapees.
“I want to use the opportunity and on the principle of justice, to call on the IGP that within 48 hours, he must produce these accused persons because they are presumed innocent until proven guilty; they also have right to life.
“So, Police must, as a matter of urgency produce these two accused persons; failure to do so, I will sue the IG for mental assault. Nigeria is not a banana republic,” he threatened government and the tyrants ruling it
