SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON CITIZEN ASAR MICHAEL SESUGH'S DEATH. (PHOTO).#PRESS RELEASE.

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 Setting the Records Straight on  Citizen Asar Michael Sesugh's  Death The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  considered it imperative to clear the air on some recent incidents at its Makurdi Zonal Directorate,  Benue State.   Operatives of the Directorate arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28,  2026.  They were profiled and kept in custody for further investigations after obtaining a Remand Order at a Magistrate Court.  Shortly after their arrest,  specifically on May 4,  2026,  three of the suspects sought permission to use the lavatory at the Directorate's  Holding Facility and were permitted.   They cashed in on the opportunity,  broke the toilet's roof and escaped from detention.  Several efforts were made to re- arrest them to no avail. However,  fresh intelligence came on Thursday,  May 21,  2026 that one of the escaped suspects,   As...

APPLE'S STATEMENT ON MINERALS MUST BE 'VERIFIED'-DRC. (PHOTO).


 Apple's statement on minerals must be 'verified': DRC


International lawyers for the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed Apple's decision to stop sourcing minerals from there due to worsening conflict, but said they would press ahead with their cases against the company in Europe.


Criminal complaints were filed against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium this week on behalf of DR Congo, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, Reuters reported.


DR Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones.


But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres, rapes and other crimes, say UN experts and rights groups.


'Satisfaction and caution'


Apple said on Tuesday that it strongly disputes the claims and has told suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from DR Congo or Rwanda.


The lawyers representing DR Congo said on Wednesday they welcomed that statement with "satisfaction and caution."


"Apple's statements about changes to its supply chain will have to be verified on the ground, with facts and figures to support them," the lawyers said in a statement to Reuters.


"Apple's statements do not change the past and the crimes that are alleged to have been committed," they added, saying it was now up to the French and Belgian judges to rule on the case.


Mineral traceability


There has been no comment from either nation's prosecuting authorities.


The lawyers argue that Apple used minerals pillaged from DR Congo and laundered through international supply chains, making it complicit in crimes taking place in DR Congo.


Apple does not directly source primary minerals and says it audits suppliers, publishes findings and funds bodies that seek to improve mineral traceability.


"As conflict in the region escalated earlier this year we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refiners must suspend sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda," Apple said in its statement on Tuesday, using an abbreviation for DR Congo's full name.


It did not say when suppliers were notified.


"We took this action because we were concerned it was no longer possible for independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms to perform the due diligence required to meet our high standards."


Apple said the majority of the minerals in question in its phones and computers are recycled.


Since the 1990s, DR Congo's mining heartlands in the east have been devastated by conflict between armed groups, some allegedly backed by neighbouring Rwanda, and the Congolese military.


Millions of civilians have died and been displaced.


Competition for minerals is one of the main drivers of conflict as armed groups sustain themselves and buy weapons with the proceeds of exports, often smuggled via Rwanda, according to the UN experts and rights organisations.


Rwanda denies benefiting from the trade.

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