Headlines
Trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi enters final phase
![Trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi enters final phase](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi.jpg)
A junta court will hear the final arguments in the 18-month-long trial of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi next week, a legal source said Tuesday, before reaching its final verdicts against the Nobel laureate.
Suu Kyi has been a prisoner since the military toppled her government in February 2021, ending the Southeast Asian nation’s brief period of democracy.
The junta court has found her guilty on every one of the 14 charges it has heard so far, including corruption, illegally possessing walkie-talkies and flouting Covid restrictions, and jailed her for 26 years.
Rights groups have slammed the trial as a sham and designed to remove the democracy figurehead permanently from Myanmar’s political scene.
Lawyers from both sides will make “final arguments” relating to five remaining charges of corruption on December 26, according to a source with knowledge of the case.
“The verdict will be given after that stage,” the source said, adding a date had not yet been set.
Verdicts in Suu Kyi’s previous trials have typically come days after final arguments.
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Each corruption charge carries a maximum jail term of 15 years. In previous corruption cases, the court has generally sentenced Suu Kyi to three years per charge.
Suu Kyi, 77, appeared in good health, the source said.
– Turmoil –
Since the coup, Suu Kyi has largely disappeared from view, seen only in grainy state media photos from the bare courtroom.
The country has plunged into turmoil, with some established ethnic rebel groups renewing fighting with the military in border areas and the economy in tatters.
Dozens of “People’s Defence Forces” eschewing Suu Kyi’s strict policy of non-violence have also sprung up to battle the junta and have surprised the military with their effectiveness, analysts say.
There are almost daily killings of low-level junta officials or anti-coup fighters, with details murky and reprisals often following quickly.
The military alleged widespread voter fraud during the November 2020 election, won resoundingly by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, although international observers said the poll was largely free and fair.
More than 2,500 people have been killed in the military’s crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.
Rights groups have accused the military of extrajudicial killings and launching air strikes on civilians that amount to war crimes.
The latest civilian death toll issued by the junta stands at over 4,000.
Defence
Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown
![Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Army-troops-scaled.webp)
Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Friday that troops had successfully neutralized 152 terrorists, arrested 109 suspects, and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages during operations conducted across the country in the past week.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, provided the update during a briefing in Abuja, noting that significant blows were dealt to terrorist strongholds in Katsina and Kaduna states. Key operations targeted two notorious terrorist commanders, Sadiku and Alhaji Yusuf, leading to the decimation of their enclaves.
“Sadiku’s base was located at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, while Alhaji Yusuf’s stronghold was at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” Buba revealed.
In addition, two female terrorist collaborators, responsible for negotiating ransoms with the families of kidnapped victims, were apprehended. Troops also recovered an impressive cache of 183 weapons and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition, including 95 AK-47 rifles, locally made guns, and other heavy arms.
“On the whole, the gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to take pride in putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of citizens,” Buba stated, calling for continued support from the public in the fight against terrorism.
In the North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, 63 terrorists were eliminated, 38 suspects were arrested, and 35 hostages were rescued. Buba added that between August 28 and September 4, a total of 196 terrorists surrendered, including 19 adult males, 70 adult females, and 107 children. A successful airstrike on August 31 also killed an ISWAP spiritual leader, Goni Sanda, along with several other terrorists in Borno State.
Meanwhile, in the North Central, troops under Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized three extremists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 28 hostages. In the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji forces killed 105 terrorists, arrested 21, and freed 36 hostages.
In the Niger Delta, under Operation Delta Safe, troops destroyed 58 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1.2 million liters of stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel. Additionally, 36 suspected oil thieves were arrested.
In the South East, under Operation UDO KA, two violent extremists were apprehended, and two hostages were rescued.
All arrested suspects, recovered items, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, Buba confirmed.
Headlines
EFCC Warns Businesses Against Aiding Criminals, Urges Compliance with Money Laundering Act
![EFCC Warns Businesses Against Aiding Criminals, Urges Compliance with Money Laundering Act](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/EFCC-e1698868766206.png)
EFCC Warns Businesses Against Aiding Criminals, Urges Compliance with Money Laundering Act
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) to ensure full compliance with the Money Laundering Prohibition and Prevention Act of 2022.
This warning was issued during a sensitization programme organized by the EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).
EFCC’s Acting Director for Lagos, Michael Wetkaz, highlighted the global efforts to combat terrorism and warned businesses not to provide a safe haven for criminal elements. “The financial institutions have been regulated, and terrorism has become a global concern. Nations have tightened measures to ensure criminals have no space to operate,” Wetkaz said.
He urged DNFBPs, which include casinos, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, lawyers, and other professionals, to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities. “If you allow these criminal activities to pass through your businesses, it will worsen the insecurity situation in the country,” he cautioned.
Aminu Ahmed, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reminded operators to report currency transactions above N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate bodies. He emphasized the importance of appointing compliance officers and adhering to anti-money laundering regulations.
The training also covered topics such as beneficial ownership, financial sanctions, and reporting requirements for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), with ACE II officer Folasade Oluwasanya stressing the importance of awareness in curbing financial crimes.
Agriculture
Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT
![Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Dr-Mariya-Mahmoud-Minister-of-State-for-the-Federal-Capital-Territory-FCT.jpg)
Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged the FCT administration’s commitment to sustaining investment in agricultural production in the territory.
Mahamoud said this at the inauguration of the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries of the 4th batch of the FCT Fadama Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme, on Thursday in Gwagwalada.
She said the initiative is aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods for the poor and vulnerable agricultural households in the territory.
The minister said the FCT Fadama CARES Programme would increase food security and the safe functioning of the food supply chain in the FCT.
She said the programme was designed to support the recovery of livelihood activities of the poor and vulnerable persons engaged in the agricultural value chain, with consideration to women and youths.
According to her, it is gratifying to note that within the first year of the current administration in the FCT, the Fadama CARES programme has disbursed grants to 3,150 beneficiaries under the third batch.
Mahmoud said the programme would provide grants to an additional 6,020 new beneficiaries under the fourth batch.
She said that 9,170 beneficiaries would benefit from the programme during the first year of the current FCT administration.
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