UN Chief: "I call on Israel, as the occupying Power, to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank

 

#Gaza: "I call on Israel, as the occupying Power, to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank against attacks, violence and intimidation" - UN chief @antonioguterres pic.twitter.com/MTwRnC71Po

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 18, 2024

Why EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, April 18,  2024 declared a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello wanted in connection with an alleged money laundering ..

 

Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 arraign a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

He was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).

Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. 

Count one of the charges reads: That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

 

Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

 

Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

 

The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle. As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

 

COMMAND YOUR DAY PRAYER POINT FOR TODAY THURSDAY 18TH APRIL, 2024 (+YORUBA EDITION)

BY OLUSEGUN TIMOTHY O.

READ: ISAIAH 60

 

1. My Father, use me as an instrument of blessing to my generation.

 

2. You Host of Heaven, surround my altar of prayer for right now.

3. Mercy of God, fall upon me for unbelievable help that will showcase my destiny.

 

4. Spirit of Holiness, possess my life now.

 

5. Fire of Holy Ghost, ignite my prayer life in Jesus' name.

                  YORUBA EDITION 

1. Baba mi, lo mi gegebi irinse ibukun fun iran mi.

 

2. Eyin ogun orun, e yi pepe adura mi ka lati isinsinyi lo.

 

3. Aanu Olorun, ba le mi fun iranlowo to soro gbagbo lati gbe ayanmo mi ja gbangba.

 

4. Emi iwa mimo, gbe mi wo nisinsiyi.

 

5. Ina Emi-Mimo, tan ina igbe aiye adura mi ni oruko Jesu.

JESUS IS LORD NO CONTROVERSY.

WAR AGAINST TERRORISM: NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS INTENSIFY OFFENSIVE, OVERRUN ISWAP/BOKO HARAM STRONGHOLD, RECOVER HEAVY ARTILLERY GUN, GUN TRUCKS

In a major victory against terrorism, Nigerian Army troops have successfully overrun a Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) stronghold in Borno State. The intense offensive is part of Operation Desert Sanity III, involving  a combination of artillery and air bombardments, as well as ground battle along Ngumne, Kawaran, and Mangu Axis in the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle. .

Despite facing threats of improvised explosive devices and resistance from the terrorists, troops engaged them with heavy firepower, rooting out the terrorists from their stronghold. As a result of the successful operation, the gallant troops recovered vital armaments and other equipment, including two gun trucks, a 105mm Pack Howitzer, two exploded improvised explosive device cases, and a burnt Rocket-Propelled Grenade tube. The enclaves were also destroyed by the troops.

This audacious operation demonstrates  Nigerian Army's commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of the region. The recovery of heavy artillery and Gun trucks marks a significant setback for the terrorists.

Source: NIGERIAN ARMY

NIGERIAN ARMY: ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT OF SOLDIERS IN THEFT AT DANGOTE REFINERY

The Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned about the alleged involvement of two of its personnel in a reported case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

This act of criminality, which was prevented by the proactive intervention of vigilant troops and private security operatives on duty at the refinery, is totally unacceptable and highly regrettable. It does not, therefore, represent the ethics and values of the NA.

The two suspects have been identified and are currently under custody.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the two suspects were hired by a civilian contractor simply identified as Mr Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some Armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery's premises. Unknown to the soldiers, the said contractor, sensing trouble as they approached the security post, excused himself from the vehicle and bolted, leaving them behind. 

Further investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the depth of culpability of the apprehended soldiers.

Additionally, the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody.

The NA is working closely with the management of the Dangote Refinery to ensure a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident.

The NA wishes to reassure the general public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be meted out to the culprits, as no act of criminality will be condoned amongst its personnel.

The NA remains steadfast in ensuring that the key values of discipline and integrity are adequately entrenched amongst its personnel. We shall also continue to cultivate and promote dedication and a culture of accountability and ethical behaviours within our ranks.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU

Major General

Director Army Public Relations

17 April 2024

Tehran deploys warships to Red Sea as Iranian President Raisi vows ‘slightest attack’ will be met with a ‘strong and fierce response

Iranian President

As the world calls for calm in the middle east, President Raisi vows ‘slightest attack’ will be met with a ‘strong and fierce response’.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi  said any “tiniest attack” by Israel would bring a “massive and harsh” response, 

He affirmed strong response  as concern over the threat of full-scale war in the Middle East persists.

 Raisi’s warning came on Wednesday as he spoke at Iran’s annual army parade. 

The world is braced for potential retaliation to Iran’s attack on Israel which took place over the weekend. Israel has pledged to respond, despite calls for it to hold back persisting on all sides, and the UK’s foreign minister suggested on Wednesday as he visited Israel that it has decided to “act”.

Israel's political and military leaders pledged to respond, despite persistence calls for Tel Aviv to hold back and restraint on all sides including the UK’s foreign Minister's suggestion on Wednesday as he visited Israel that it has decided to “act”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Raisi hailed Iran’s direct attack on Israel, dubbed “True Promise”, and reiterated recent threats of a “strong and fierce response”.

Since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, an attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas in October, set off the war in Gaza, Iranian allies in Lebanon and Yemen have been engaged in low-level hostilities with Israel.

However, a suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria on April 1 prompted Iran’s first-ever direct attack against Israel.

“The people of the world saw that after the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, ‘True Promise’ collapsed the Zionist regime’s false hegemony,” Raisi asserted.

Calling that attack “limited” he claimed that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime”.

Iranian officials have declared that any retaliation by Israel would be met with a swift response.

“That is the time when the supporters of the Zionist regime will find out that their hidden power will not be able to do anything,” the president said, according to a statement published on his official website.

Decision to act’

Raisi also hit out at Israel’s allies. “Those countries that sought to normalise relations with this cruel and criminal regime, are ashamed before their nations today,” he said.

Fears that Israel’s war on Gaza risks an escalation into all-out war have peaked as Israel’s response to Iran’s attack is awaited.

Israel’s allies in the United States and Europe, Japan and Australia, have called for restraint, just as Russia and China have urged caution from Iran. However, Israeli officials have pledged that a response will come.

It's a  right to show solidarity with Israel. It’s right to have made our views clear about what should happen next but it’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act,” the UK’s foreign minister, David Cameron, told reporters during his visit to Tel Aviv.

“We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible, and in a way that … is smart as well as tough,” he added.

Red Sea preparations

As part of Tehran’s preparations for an Israeli response, Iran’s naval commander said on Wednesday that warships will be deployed in the Red Sea to escort Iranian commercial shipping.

“The Navy is carrying out a mission to escort Iranian commercial ships to the Red Sea and our Jamaran frigate is present in the Gulf of Aden in this view,” Naval Commander Shahram Irani said, according to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency.

Tehran is ready to escort vessels of other countries, he added.

The Red Sea has seen significant disruption to Israel-bound shipping due to attacks from Yemen’s Houthi group.

The Iran-backed group has been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians and against Israel’s continuing war on Gaza.

Source: Aljazeera news