Crime
TAN Accuses Wike Of Allocating National Railway Station Property To Private Entity
TAN Accuses Wike Of Allocating National Railway Station Property To Private Entity
TAN accuses Wike of allocating national railway station property to private entity. The TAN Transparency and Accountability Network, a civil society organization, has accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike of reallocating a public transport utility meant for the National Railway Station to a private entity.
TAN, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged conversion of the public transport utility, while demanding to know how the national asset was reallocated to a private company, NY New Construction Limited, despite warnings from relevant agencies in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
According to Comrade Michael Briggs, TAN’s National Coordinator, in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday, the FCT Minister approved the grant of Statutory Right of Occupancy over plot 1398 (A00) Central Area District measuring about 5.50Ha designated as Public Transport Utility (National Railway Station) to a private company on August 30, 2024.
Briggs emphasised that plot 1398 was initially reserved for the development of the National Railway Complex, aimed at providing seamless national railway services.
The reallocation of this land to a private company raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential mismanagement of public assets.
Briggs further explained that the National Railway Station in the Central Area was designed to offer top-tier railway services connecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with other parts of the country. The station aims to ensure a seamless transfer for passengers traveling on the National Railway to the city’s metro and bus systems.
The statement partly read, “Your Excellency, the National Railway Station located in the FCT is a vital piece of national infrastructure, designed to serve thousands of commuters daily, and connecting major cities across the country.
The recent decision by your favourite Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to convert this public asset for private use is a matter of grave concern and raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of public interest.
“The decision to convert the railway station was a clear violation of public trust. National railway infrastructure is a public asset held in trust by the government for the benefit of all citizens. Converting it, therefore, for private gain undermines this trust and sets a dangerous precedent
Your Excellency, the process leading to the decision to convert the station, has been shrouded in secrecy, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and lack of due process.
“We are still at shock of the hypocrisy of Minister Wike, who on live television accused past FCT Ministers of allocating bus terminals to a private company. Today, this same man is allocating national railway station to his cronies.”
Briggs used the medium to call on President Tinubu to immediately halt the conversation and order a transparent public inquiry into the decision-making process that led to this action, adding that there are documents to support their claims when called upon.
Wike
“We know that you have doffed your hat for this ‘hard working Minister’, but we are appealing to you to take immediate action on this national asset and uphold the principles of public trust, transparency, and accountability,” TAN appealed.
When SaharaReporters reached out to the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the minister, Mr Lere Olayinka, for comment on the accusation, he requested for the documents and details of the allocation.
However, after the details and documents were sent to him via WhatsApp, he did not answer subsequent calls.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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