News
ICPC Arraigns Two Men Over Visa Scam, Forgery
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arraigned Ihueze Uche Kelvin and Onuora Felix over alleged visa scam and forgery.
The duo was dragged before Justice Babangida Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 35, Jabi, Abuja, on a 16-count charge bordering on forgery.
Counsel to the commission, Golden Iwuagwu, said before the court that Kelvin had connived with Felix to forge statements of account of five banks namely: Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank and First Bank of Nigeria for his clients, who are now at large, to present at the Indian High Commission, Abuja, with the intent to obtain a visa, an offence that is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.that’s
The court was also told that Kelvin allegedly forged five letters of recommendation for tourism visa purportedly signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, with the intent to mislead the Indian High Commission in order to procure visas for his clients, thereby contravening Section 363 of the Penal Code Act.
ICPC further informed the court that the accused persons forged National Assembly staff identity cards, thereby committing an offence which is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Their lawyers, N. M. Nwosu and Ifeanyi Ajegbu, in their bail applications, asked the court to grant them bail in liberal terms pending the final determination of the case.
Justice Hassan, while ruling on the bail applications, granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety in like sum.
He also said the sureties must not be below Grade Level 12 in the employment of the Federal Government and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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