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PLASU Vice Chancellor Seeks Enhanced Support from Plateau Local Government Ministry
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University (PLASU), Prof. Shadrach Best, led a delegation to the Plateau State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on Thursday, January 9, 2025, to strengthen collaboration and secure greater support for the institution.
The delegation engaged in a high-level meeting with the Commissioner, Chief Ephraim Usman, and representatives of local governments to discuss pressing challenges facing the university and explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration.
During the meeting, Prof. Best acknowledged the crucial role of local governments as co-owners of PLASU and commended the commission for maintaining its funding contributions despite financial constraints.
He highlighted key issues affecting the university, including insufficient water supply, lack of adequate staff housing, transportation challenges, and growing security threats, especially for off-campus students vulnerable to criminal activities. Prof. Best appealed for increased support in staff training, logistics, and transportation while expressing gratitude for the commission’s ongoing commitment.
In his response, the Hon Commissioner Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman lauded the visit and recognized the pivotal role of PLASU in Plateau State’s educational advancement. He acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by local governments but assured the university of the commission’s dedication to addressing its challenges. Chief Usman pledged to boost support through increased remittances and collaborations with philanthropists and external stakeholders to enhance infrastructure and security. He also praised the state government for granting autonomy to the commission, enabling it to undertake proactive measures.
Hon. Nicholas Nshe, Chairman of Shendam Local Government Council and representative of the 17 local government chairmen reaffirmed the collective commitment of local governments to supporting PLASU. He emphasized the importance of education in driving societal development and pledged action on critical requests such as improved water supply and enhanced security. Highlighting past contributions like the drilling of boreholes, Hon. Nshe assured that local governments would work together to provide sustainable solutions.
The meeting underscored a shared determination among PLASU, the commission, and local governments to address the university’s challenges and foster a secure and thriving academic environment. Promises of increased collaboration and tangible interventions offer hope for resolving PLASU’s pressing needs and enhancing its role in Plateau State’s development.
Prof. Best, Chief Usman, and Hon. Nshe reiterated their commitment to the progress of PLASU and pledged to strengthen partnerships that would bolster the university’s contribution to the state’s educational and socio-economic growth.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a couple, Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, 25, in a fresh attack on the Angwan Ishaku community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), told Peoples Gazette that the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
In a statement sent to the Gazette, Mr Tengwong condemned the gruesome attack carried out by terrorists on Wednesday evening.
“The couple were both shot by the assailants while the husband was working in front of their home, leading to the immediate death of Mrs Grace Iliya at the scene, while her husband, who sustained serious gunshot injuries, was rushed to the hospital but sadly later gave up while receiving treatment,” he said.
Mr Tengwong noted that the attack came a day after the State Security Council meeting, where the Plateau government announced decisive measures aimed at addressing persistent attacks and destruction of farmlands across communities.
According to him, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on the couple and others in the area, and fled through the road leading to Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung-Sho road.
“The deceased woman had only recently finished breastfeeding their one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again. The tragic killing of the couple has now left the innocent twins orphaned and devastated their entire family.
“Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while their health conditions are yet to be confirmed,” Mr Tengwong said.
The group described the attack as barbaric, wicked, and inhuman, saying it reflects the worsening insecurity confronting residents of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities.
Mr Tengwong also called on the Plateau government to immediately provide support for the orphaned twins left behind by the deceased couple.
Efforts to reach the police spokesman in the state, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him remained unattended as of press time.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, sentenced a former Minister of power, Saleh Mamman to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering charges.
Mamman, who was absent in court, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503,73( Thirty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy Three kobo).
Justice Omotosho convicted him last week on all the 12-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC but deferred his sentence to Wednesday.
Count one of the charges reads:
“That you, SALEH MAMIVIAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73
{Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Count two reads:
“That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”
At Wednesday proceedings, Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN informed the court that the convict again was not in court and no reasonable excuse was given from his lawyers about his whereabouts. He urged the court to continue with the sentencing in his absence citing Section 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which provides guidelines for such an occasion.
Oyedepo also urged the court to order the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict to the Federal Government. The properties are, two units of four- bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja and a property located at No 12A & B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.
Also, Oyedepo, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, urged the court to order the forfeiture of cash recovered from Mamman’s house: $13,890, €19,960, £10,000 , 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹50,60,00 and 247 Saudi Arabia Riyadth . He also urged the court to direct that the convict refund the difference of the amount recovered and the amount remaining in the N22bn for which he was found guilty.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to 75years imprisonment: seven years each on counts 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11& 12 without an option of fine, three years on count 4 with an option of fine of N10m and two years on count 5 without an option of fine. The sentence will run consecutively from the date of his arrest.
Justice Omotosho ordered all national and international security agencies to arrest and handover the convict to the Nigerian Correctional center.
The post Court Jails Saleh Mamman 75 years for N33.8billion Fraud appeared first on Business Today NG.
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