Ghanaian Actor, John Dumolo is set to face prosecution for allegedly stealing state vehicle, local report says.

Kwame Baffoe, Supervisor of the Task Force on the Retrieval of State Assets made this know that the popular artisite will be arrested, charged and prosecuted for stealing a state vehicle.

Dumelo, 33, had sent one of the cars, black V8 Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GE 8118-16 to a workshop in Abelempke, Accra for total rebranding when National Security Operatives pounced on it.

But the Supervisor of the Task Force said Dumelo will be arraigned before court for attempting to rebrand the state vehicle.

Baffoe said “the officers involved, we have the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) [and] the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), they are building a docket on that and at the appropriate time, he will be arraigned before court. He should be charged for theft because this is a criminal offence.”

According to reports, one of the vehicles is a Toyota Land Cruiser V8. After the state officials cross-checked the chassis number (VIN number), the car was state-owned.

Dumelo confessed that the car was given to him by the former First Lady, Lordina Mahama.

The police have arrested a minister with the Mountain of Fire Ministries, Mr Franklin Chinedu for allegedly defrauding a widow of her husband’s gratuity.

According to P.M.EXPRESS  the widow,  Charity Onje Isaac, was deceived through a false prophecy and lost the N850,000 she was paid by her late husband’s employer, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

Charity said Chinedu prophesied that he was divinely authorised and directed to collect the money from her and she obediently complied before she realised that she had been duped.

The incident happened at Biliaminu Close, at the Oke-Afa area of Isolo.

She went back to the pastor’s apartment only to discover that he had packed away from there.

The widow explained that she met Chinedu who told her about the death of her husband and the gratuity.

He also told the woman that serious prayer was needed to be done so that FAAN could release her husband’s money.

She said when the money was eventually released, Chinedu invited her and told her that God said she should give him the money.

Charity said she did not know what came over her as she handed the money over to him.

She said she realised what happened when she had no money to feed the family, and she started looking for the pastor and then reported what happened to the church.

The matter was reported to the police at Ejigbo division who arrested Chinedu and charged him to court for fraud.

Chinedu who hails from Iseke in Ideato in Imo State said he prayed for the woman and the money was paid and he borrowed the money from her but was unable to raise money to pay her back.

When Chinedu was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two  sureties in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.

The matter was adjourned till 26 April 2017.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says President Muhammadu Buhari is empowered by the constitution to appoint Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for as long as possible.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme, on Friday, Falana said it was incorrect to say that Ibrahim Magu could not remain as the acting chairman of the EFCC because he was rejected by the senate.

The lawyer said that according to section 171 of the constitution, the president does not need to ask for confirmation of some appointments.

He explained that the senate could only confirm ambassadors and heads of foreign mission as provided for in section 171 subsection 2 of the constitution.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the executive is not on the receiving end of sound legal counsel while adding that the 8th senate may expose the national assembly to “unfathomable ridicule”.

“To be honest with you, I sympathise with the senate because if care is not taken, these set of senators will have the end of the day expose the national assembly to such unfathomable ridicule,” Falana said.

“It will be unfortunate, a tragedy to the country, every public officer has his or her power defined by the constitution. The moment you go outside that you have engaged in impunity. Section 171 of the constitution has vested the power in the president to appoint any person to that office or act in that office and the duration is not specified.

“Of all the positions listed there, positions to be occupied by public officers without any reference to the senate – secretary to the government of the federation, permanent secretaries, head of service and heads of extra-ministerial departments like the EFCC and the ICPC.

“With profound respect, in sending the letter to the senate for confirmation, the president relied on section 2 subsection 3 of the EFCC Act but that section has to be read subject to the constitution.

“So if you do that, section 171 takes precedence over section 2 subsection 3 of the EFCC Act. So does the president need to ask for confirmation? No.

“Unfortunately, the executive is not exposed to sound legal advice on this matter, with profound respect. In that section 171, subsection 2, you also have position of ambassadors and heads of our foreign missions. But that subsection says they shall be confirmed by the senate.”

He said since the national assembly was already working on an alteration of the constitution, the senators could effect amendments to “the limitations of their powers under the constitution”.

Falana said after such amendments had been effected, the senators could then refuse to entertain a rejected nominee.

“But in the case of the others, there is no provision for confirmation. So assuming that interpretation is even wrong, once you refuse to confirm, that does not annul the acting capacity of an officer,” he said.

After South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma reshuffled his cabinet, leading to the sack of his finance Minister, its currency, rand has dropped more than 5% overnight

Zuma fired his Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, alongside eight other ministers.

Mr Gordhan was seen by many as a bulwark against corruption in an administration that is facing growing criticism.

The president said in a statement that his midnight cabinet reshuffle was about a “radical socio-economic transformation”.

Malusi Gigaba, previously the Minister of Home Affairs, has replaced Mr Gordhan

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday alerted the public of adulterated petroleum products.

NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, said caution by consumers could forestall explosion, knockdown of engines, equipment or any such other ugly incidents leading to death or injuries.

“The call for caution becomes necessary following reports that products from vandalised pipelines, or adulterated products are being sold to unsuspecting members of the public”, he noted.

“This has led to untoward incidents involving consumers of petroleum products in parts of the country.

“When in doubt of the quality of a purchase, consumers are advised to seek assistance from any offices of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, NNPC depots or offices nationwide.

“Products from NNPC depots are subjected to strict quality control to ensure that they are fit for use,’’ he said.

Ughamadu urged motorists and other consumers of petroleum products to desist from panic buying.

“The NNPC has over 32-day sufficiency for petrol and adequate volumes of diesel and kerosene to meet their demand,’’ Ughamadu assured

Senator Stella Oduah, claims that she was one of the best aviation Minister Nigeria ever had.

In a recent interview with journalists, Oduah who is currently representing the Anambra North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate said, “I think with all sense of humility, I was one of the best ministers to ever serve in aviation. The evidence is there. I didn’t do it because I was just a minister. I coined the word “transformation”, and I wanted transformation to be personified. I wanted it to be on the record that indeed we can transform.

”All we need to do is to ensure that we do all we have to do and think outside the box. If you remember how Abuja, Lagos and Enugu airports used to be. We did a holistic transformation. Again, it is just to prove that transformation is doable. All it requires is hard work and good people to implement the strategy” she said.

Some suspected fraudsters, who specialised in cloning phone numbers of ministers, politicians and aides to President Muhammadu Buhari, have been apprehended by the police.

The suspects were identified as Chief Ovie Ogogo, 47; Abdulazeez Eragbe, 40; Babatunde Oshamoto, 49; and 25-year-old Samuel Idah.

Fourteen phones with SIM cards allegedly registered with names of top government officials were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

Among those impersonated by the syndicate, according to the police, are Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibeh Kachukwu; and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

They were also accused of impersonating a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

It was also learnt that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police, led by ACP Abba Kyari, trailed the syndicate to a hotel in Kaduna State on Tuesday, after receiving complaints from some victims.

A police source disclosed to one of our correspondents that the suspects impersonated Moguno to collect N13m from a Ghanaian, who wanted to get an oil block in Nigeria, and posed as Lawal to swindle one Nnamdi Udo of N4m under false pretences of helping him to get a federal appointment.

“They also posed as the Chief of Staff to the President and collected N2.5m from one Mr. Bishop, who was looking for a contract, and another N700,000 from one Shehu Dan Yahaya, who was seeking a federal appointment.

“Ogogo, a native of Omoku Rivers State, impersonated prominent citizens from the South-South and South-East; Eragbe impersonated prominent persons from the North; Oshamoto posed as prominent citizens from the South-West and North-Central; while Idah supplied them SIM cards registered with the names of the top government officials.

“They were arrested in a luxury hotel in Kaduna and had confessed to impersonating several prominent citizens,” the source added.

Another senior police officer disclosed to newsmen that the suspects confessed to have realised N20m in six months from their criminal activities.

He added that the mastermind of the gang was based in the United Kingdom.

He said, “Ogogo is their leader; but they mentioned one Prince Maurice, based in the UK, as their gang leader.  Fourteen different phones, several registered SIM cards, and a diary containing phone numbers of several top government officials, were recovered from the suspects.

“Ogogo further confessed that they had made over N20m from their criminal activities within the last six months.”

Parading the suspects on Thursday in Abuja, the police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said all the suspects confessed to the crime.

He said, “On March 23, 2017, the Intelligence Response Team arrested these notorious criminals who posed as top government functionaries.

“The four-man syndicate, led by one ‘High Chief’ Ovie Ogogo, was arrested in a hotel in Kaduna State. All the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to have impersonated several prominent citizens and made over N20m within the last six months.”

The police said other suspects would soon be arrested, while those in custody would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation.

A High Court in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, presided over by Justice H. Saleeman on Thursday sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempting to commit culpable homicide against a professor with the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi.

The convicts, who are Onimisi’s former driver, Mr. Opeyemi Esan; one Mr. Benjamin Musa and Mr. Oluwasegun Ajiboye, were convicted of robbery, punishable under Section 1 (2) Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R 11, LFN 2004.

The Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kamalden Ajibade, who led the prosecution, had told the court that the professor disengaged the service of Esan due to his unruly behaviour.

Ajiade added that Esan was aggrieved with his dismissal and organised a robbery attack to retaliate the sack.

Esan, in his confession to the police, was said to have owned up that he recruited Musa and  Ajiboye  from Lagos State to deal with his former boss.

Ajibade said, “On September 10, 2016, at the Senior Staff Quarters, University of Ilorin, the accused, while armed with weapons, including guns and machetes, robbed Onimisi and his family of their property, including a car, handsets, jewellery, and other valuables.”

Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has asked publisher of the Sun Newspaper in Abuja to pay him N5 billion naira damages over a report concerning ownership of mansions in Abuja.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Head of Media in a statement Thursday said Magu was seeking the compensation for libelous imputations and statements made against him in a story published on the March 25, 2017 edition of the Saturday Sun.

It said the publication was captioned “Magu Under Fresh Probe over 2 Abuja Mansions”.

Magu’s solicitor, Wahab Shittu, in the letter complained that the authors – Fred Itua, James Ojo and Lawrene Enyoghasu, “wilfully and maliciously made false, destructive, and defamatory statements”.

Magu said that the writers of the report maliciously alleged that Magu owned “two mansions on different streets in highbrow Maitama area of Abuja.

“This is a case which they could not substantiate, and which in fact was false, and nothing but the figments of their imaginations”.

Magu further reiterated that neither himself nor his wife owned any property in Maitama.

Magu, in addition to the demand for N5 billion compensation, wants the publishers to issue a public apology and immediate retraction in writing of these false libelous statements, within the next seven days.

Magu also demanded that it must be published on the front page of the newspaper.

”Failure of which, legal remedies including monetary damages, injunctive reliefs, and an order that you pay necessary costs including solicitor’s fees for your defamation will be taken”, the letter reads.

It added that the publishers were also to provide “written assurance within seven days, that they would cease and desist from further defamation” of Magu’s name, integrity, and reputation.

The Vice-Principal of Day Secondary School, Maitumbi in Minna, Niger State, Mohammed Mohammed, has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16-year-old JSS III student.

Mohammed, who was arrested on Wednesday, is also being investigated for having carnal knowledge of six other students of the school.

The vice-principal, according to a police source, had been allegedly having sex with the 16-year-old student in his office, adding that virtually on a daily basis Mohammed would invite the girl to his office on the pretext that he wanted to counsel her only to end up having sex with the girl after which he would give her either N100 or N200 for transport.

The Christian Fellowship Association (CFA) of the school blew the lid off the matter when it observed that one of its members was pregnant and subsequently reported the case to the state Child Rights Agency which in turn brought in the police, leading to the arrest of the randy vice-principal.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has dismissed claims by his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Nyesom, to the effect that he was constructing the Aliade-Onu-Obarike-Ito-Otukpo and Makurdi-Naka-Adoka roads, describing it as a tissue of lies.

Reacting to publications in some dailies, Ortom asked if the N4 billion Wike claimed he had spent on the road was captured in the 2017 budget of Rivers State. A statement by his Special Adviser, Media, and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, said there was no evidence that Wike did what he claimed to have done.

It read: “We read reports in a few national dailies on March 30, attributed to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that there were plans to disrupt his road projects in Benue State. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Benue State does not lack road projects under the Ortom administration, which has mobilised contractors back to site on 11 roads abandoned by Governor Wike’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, regime in the state.

“In spite of the recession, Governor Ortom is also constructing two major highways and 17 rural roads across the state, while contracts have been awarded for six other highways. “Governor Wike’s claim was ridiculous because Benue State is not part of his state and even if he had constructed all his roads, he needed to have contacted stakeholders in Benue State, especially those from the benefitting communities. “There is no evidence that he did that.” Reacting to publications in some dailies, Ortom asked if the N4 billion Wike claimed he had spent on the road was captured in the 2017 budget of Rivers State.

A statement by his Special Adviser, Media, and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, said there was no evidence that Wike did what he claimed to have done. It read: “We read reports in a few national dailies on March 30, attributed to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that there were plans to disrupt his road projects in Benue State. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Benue State does not lack road projects under the Ortom administration, which has mobilised contractors back to site on 11 roads abandoned by Governor Wike’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, regime in the state. “In spite of the recession, Governor Ortom is also constructing two major highways and 17 rural roads across the state, while contracts have been awarded for six other highways.

“Governor Wike’s claim was ridiculous because Benue State is not part of his state and even if he had constructed all his roads, he needed to have contacted stakeholders in Benue State, especially those from the benefitting communities. “There is no evidence that he did that.”

Source:

A 55-year-old man, Magaji Dansale, has allegedly defiled his seven months old step-daughter in Marmachi village of Musawa Local Government Area, Katsina State.

The baby’s mother, Zeenat Muntari, told newsmen that she separated from the baby’s father and married Dansale. According to her, she must have drunk some substances that made her to sleep for several hours, which paved way for her husband to commit the act.

According to her, when she woke up to breastfeed the baby, she noticed blood in her private part, adding “I informed my husband about the matter; he started weeping, saying that some people will start accusing him.

“In the morning, while I was washing the baby’s clothes, he also brought his trouser for me to wash and I noticed blood stains on it. “He later went to the bush and brought me some leaves to treat her, saying it is pile. The baby was later taken to Malumfashi General Hospital, where the doctor confirmed to us that she was defiled and informed the police. “I am suspecting him, because only he and I were in the house when the incident happened.”

The baby was later referred to Turai Yar’Adua Maternal and Child Hospital, Katsina. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isa, confirmed the incident and said that the police would brief the media today.

Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has promised to ensure harmonious relationship between the Hausa and Yoruba in Ile-Ife.

The monarch spoke yesterday when he received the Judicial Commission of Enquiry headed by Justice Moshood Adekunle-Adeigbe in his palace.

He said he had met with the Chairman of the National Council for Traditional Rulers, Sa’ad Abubakar and Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi to discuss on the crisis.

Oba Ogunwusi, who pleaded with the commission to be neutral, said: “My recent trip abroad afforded me the opportunity to meet with the two prominent Northern monarchs to discuss the way forward.”

Pointing out that the Yoruba are culturally oriented, the monarch noted that the tribe should be the light for peace and harmony in the country.

Justice Adekunle-Adeigbe assured that the panel would do justice to their findings and recommend appropriately.

He assured the monarch that members of the commission would not trade their integrity for anything.

The panel head also promised to bring perpetrators to book and ensure that all warring factions were appeased.

He said: “We are here to inform you of our mission. We are men of integrity and assure you that we will be totally neutral in our duty. We will do our job without fear or favour to anyone or group in the matter. We hope to have your support.”

While addressing the Hausa community at the scene of the crisis, the Commission Chairman advised them to continue with their businesses, asking for necessary information that can assist the panel in discharging its duties.

During the visit, members of the commission did a sight-seeing of some affected buildings and addressed Yoruba and Hausa leaders.

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday granted the Commandant of Peace Corps, Mr. Dickson Akor, bail in the sum of N10 million.

In his ruling, Justice Tsoho said Akor must produce “one surety in the sum of N20 million and must be resident within Abuja, with title document; must have title of land property and two passport photographs.

“The defendant must submit his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar.”

Justice Tsoho adjourned till May 23 for commencement of trial.

The Federal Government arraigned Akor and the Incorporated Trustees of the Corps on a 90-count criminal charges, bordering on alleged conversion of money directly derived from extortion to the tune of about N1.4 billion.

In the suit filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the defendants were also charged for wearing of uniforms and other identification marks, contrary to section 24 (1) of the Private Guard Companies Act Cap P30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 32 (1) of the Act.

The charges filed by the prosecution counsel, Aminu Alilu, accused the defendants of laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, contrary to Section 7(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related Offences Act, Cap A6 laws of the Federation, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The use of electronic voting (e-Voting) system, electronic transmission of election results and the deployment of Electronic Card Reader (ECR) were some of the amendments to the Electoral Act, 2010, passed by the Senate yesterday.

With the amendments, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will, beginning from 2019 general elections, electronically transmit election results to collation centers.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 and for other related matters (SB 231 and SB 234).

The bill has provision for the use of e-Voting by INEC during future elections, use of ECR and INEC power to modify the voting process if there is a challenge.

The Senate also approved a provision to enable INEC transmit the result of elections electronically in an encrypted and secured manner to prevent hacking.

To address the incident that happened in Kogi State, during the last governorship election, the amended Electoral Act provides that if a candidate dies before results of elections are declared, the results will not only remain valid but belong to the political party that lost its candidate.

It also added that in such a scenario, the INEC should suspend the elections for 21 days to allow the affected political party conduct fresh primaries to choose a new candidate.

The Bill also gives political parties power to adopt direct or indirect primaries in choosing their flag bearers, while qualification or disqualification of candidates for elections will be solely based on the Constitution.

In his comments after the adoption of the report, Senate President Bukola Saraki, thanked his colleagues for a job well done and expressed optimism that the Bill would further improve the nation’s electoral system and also contribute to good governance.

Saraki said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for this job well done. I want to particularly thank the members of the Committee on INEC and particularly the former chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Kyari, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all the members of the committee who have worked very hard to ensure the passage of this very important bill which addresses our electoral process and goes on to strengthen our democracy.

“We have touched on new areas which I believe will improve the credibility of our elections and by so doing, definitely improve our democracy and good governance.

“Most importantly, I think, are some of the new sections we have added, in the area of technology, the smart card reader, and particularly the area of collation which has been an area of great concern.

“Collation of results after the polling units and some of the additions we put on the electronic way by which the compilation of results can be done, I think will go a long way to reduce some of the irregularities we have seen before.

“This is a great work you have been able to put together today and I want to commend everybody. I am also happy that we have passed the amendments very early. My concern has always been that if we don’t do it now, it will get more difficult as we get close to the 2019 elections.

“We hope that with this Bill that we have passed, very soon, we will sit together with the House of Representatives to be able to get the copy to the President for assent.

“I think when signed into law, it will enable INEC to have something to work early enough. I think what we have done today will really put our electoral law among the best that we have and it will go a long way in improving our electoral process,” Saraki said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that corruption was responsible for the Boko Haram insurgency in the north or east. He also stated that the vice has caused untold humanitarian disasters, promoted the death of 20,000 while displacing 2 million persons.

Osinbajo made the revalations while speaking Thursday at the ongoing meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD’s Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum in Paris, France. The vice president also said that illicit financial flows from Africa to other parts of the world were on the increase and had cost the continent a capital flight of USD50billion annually.

He therefore called for a united against corruption and illicit follows especially from Africa. He said: “Mr. Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, there is now hardly any credible opposition to the notion that corruption and Illicit financial flows constitute perhaps the gravest challenge to development. And this is especially true of developing countries. “Besides, we have seen in Nigeria, in recent years, how corruption directly fueled the terrorist insurgency in the North-East.

And how in turn that has led to one of gravest humanitarian disasters in the world; 20,000 fatalities and 2 million people displaced. “Also the adverse implications for education, healthcare, social services, infrastructure and indeed quality of life no longer require making a case . “Corruption and illicit financial flows are different.

But they really must be twinned. This is because for practical purposes it is an eminently more sensible approach to treat most of the sources of illicit financial flows as corrupt activity, within a broader use of the term. “It is also clear that most economies ravaged by corruption, usually-both as a cause and consequence-do have institutions that are too weak to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. International collaboration is therefore the smartest and most effective approach to apprehend and deter perpetrators, and ensure restitution of stolen assets.

” Of particular note on the continental level is the ground breaking work of the of the Thabo Mbeki Panel on illicit financial flows from Africa. The initiative which was sponsored by a joint commission of the AU and the ECA, alarmed at the prospect that most African States despite earnings and official development assistance, would still not meet MGD targets in 2015, noted that Africa loses USD50billion annually, in illicit financial flows.

“The Panel’s far reaching conclusions and recommendations again underscore the overwhelming importance of global collaboration, especially to bridge the huge capacity gap between the large corporations and organized crime identified as the foremost perpetrators and facilitators of corrupt activity in and illicit flows from Africa. Yet more needs to be done.” Osinbajo noted that as a country committed to stamping out corruption, Nigeria has mapped out some measures to fight it.

Some of these measures, he said, included establishing a seven man Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, the Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform fund with the support of three international Development Partners; Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and the Open Society West Africa, the Whistleblower initiative launched barely eight weeks ago and signing of several bilateral mutual legal assistance treaties on collaboration on financial crimes and corruption with numerous countries. Regretting however that no frantic international efforts were made to assist African countries where mostly the funds were being ferried abroad, the vice president said that the countries where stolen funds were being stashed away should be held responsible. “Secretary-General, We must work collaboratively to ensure transparency in financial transfers, and outlaw secrecy jurisdictions.

“There must be more rigorous enforcement of rules promoting transparency in the international banking and financial systems, especially more stringent KYC rules on customer identity, source of wealth, and even country of origin. “Countries hosting global financial centers, and other usually targeted destinations of illicit flows must be held more accountable to enforce mechanisms which ensure transparency of ownership, control, beneficial ownerships, trusts and other legal contrivances that may be used to camouflage financial or other assets. “Open contracting and information systems, are also crucial.

Responsible government authorities ought to have information about which companies won what contracts, and what they have paid as taxes to governments in host and home countries. This is especially important for the extractive industry. Nigeria is committed to these standards having joined the Open Government Partnership in 2016.

“Tracing, freezing and Return of stolen assets has proved in many cases to be exceptionally difficult for most African countries. We in Nigeria have seen just how difficult it is to get back stolen assets from the international financial system, such as banks that ought not have received those funds in the first place if even the most routine questions were asked. “A robust global framework on repatriation of stolen assets which ensures quick restitution to victim countries is long overdue.

“Your Excellencies, there is consensus that corruption and illicit financial flows out of Africa, inexorably delay the attainment of development goals, worsen practically all human development indices and trap the majority of her people especially the most vulnerable in a cycle of misery.

Only a united global action has the power to reverse this trend. We respectfully urge that this power be exercised more vigorously and without further delay”, Osinbajo said.

Abdulmumin Jibrin, suspended member of the house of representatives, is of the view that President Muhammadu Buhari has been living below expectation regarding some actions he ought to take.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Jibrin said history would be unkind to the nation’s number one citizen if he does not get his priority right.

Jibrin said the country had been moving “too slow coupled with uncertainty and crisis everywhere”.

“History will be kind to PMB for his intergrity, building opposition and ending insurgency but may never forgive him for his many inactions,” Jibrin tweeted.

“PMB’s inaction are so numerous that you are tempted to doubt if he is aware of his inactions and all the absordity presently going on.

“Is this the Muhammadu Buhari we know? the no nonsense general? Noooooo something is wrong! if not, we would have seen more decisive actions.

“Could it be PMB’s access to information and current happening is restricted in an attempt to reduce his worries and help him fully recover?

“Could it be some powerful people are aware of this situation PMB may be in and are taking advantage of it and/or taking things for granted?

“Well, things are not adding up! uncertainty and crisis everywhere, we are moving too slow when we can move faster. Is the C-in-C even aware?”

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC) representing Nasarawa West Senatorial district has said that President Buhari’s reconciliatory moves with the Nigerian Senate was timely.

Speaking in Abuja, the Senator explained that the committee headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo which was set up by the President himself would strengthen the relationship between the executive and the legislature, saying the development was good at this time.

He was optimistic that issues discussed at that level, particularly as it concerns responsibilities of both arms and their differences would be sorted out in the interest of Nigerian democracy.

“The committee which was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to settle with Nigerian Senate was timely and I want to say that the development is needed this time for smooth running of our democracy.”

Senator Adamu who is also Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture and Rural Development added that herdsmen attacks across the country could end if government was allowed to create grazing policies.

He noted that herdsmen like other citizens, have the right to graze and live, noting that attempt to resist them and their livestock would always result to crises.

According to him, the high mobility of herdsmen to parts of the country to graze and market their livestock often create challenges, since they do not have right of way.

He strongly advocated for grazing bill, saying the Senate was committed to ensuring that steps were taken in such direction.

“I know that in our efforts, we have different versions of grazing bill, we will harmonise them before passing it into law,” Abdullahi maintained.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Nigerians will never forget the “iniquities” of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the APC, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Abdullahi accused the PDP of attacking the ruling party in order to seek relevance or gain the upper hand in its “internecine war”.

He was reacting to a statement, which the Ahmed Makarfi caretaker committee released on Wednesday.

The Makarfi group had criticised the federal government over the situation in the country.

But Abdullahi said if APC has not been talking about the “plethora of PDP iniquities”, it is not because it has forgotten, but it only chose to “pick up the pieces of the PDP wreckage and move the country forward”.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) finds Wednesday’s statement attributed to Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, the purported spokesperson of a rump of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) quite regrettable,” Abdullahi said.

“As a party that was formerly in the opposition, the APC is aware of the role a thriving opposition can play in sustaining democracy. However, it appears that the marginal group that Adeyeye belongs believes that it is only by attacking the APC that it can find its relevance or gain the upper hand in the PDP’s internecine war.

“We need to remind Adeyeye’s group however that although Nigerians may have forgiven the PDP, two years after the party left the country in ruins, but we have not forgotten.

“Nigerians have not forgotten that it was under the PDP-led administration that the terrorist group, Boko Haram seized a sizable portion of Nigeria’s territory, created a Caliphate and hoisted its own flags.  It took the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari to reclaim our territory and pride.

“Today, Boko Haram insurgents are virtually defeated and are on the run, and no millimetre of Nigerian territory is currently held by the insurgents. We have forgiven, but we have not forgotten.”

Abdullahi taunted the former ruling party, recalling the famous line: “stealing is not corruption”.

“Under the PDP, a party that does not consider corruption to be stealing, corruption enjoyed an unprecedented prosperity,” he said.

“Nigeria recorded some of the most unimaginable, shocking and astounding cases of corruption ever experienced in our history, or in the history of any country.  Funds meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition required to fight the Boko Haram insurgency were stolen by agents of government and shared among themselves. It was a classic case of kleptocracy.

“The PDP-led administration was sending soldiers to battle without weapons and sharing the money. Worse still, when soldiers protested the lack of weaponry, the PDP-led administration added wickedness to weakness and court-martialled them, sentencing some of them to death, and others to long terms of imprisonment. If Nigerians have graciousness to forgive the PDP for the wanton corruption, we will not forget.

“Nigerians also remember that it was under the nose and watchful eyes of the PDP that over 250 Nigerian girls were abducted.  It took the party more than a month to even make a statement! PDP went about bandying conspiracy theories while innocent Nigerian girls were being held in captivity.

“Nigerians will not forget that under the PDP, over 20 Nigerian youths died and thousands were seriously injured while looking for jobs. the PDP-led administration organised a fraudulent Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise and lured young people desperate for jobs to various stadiums across the country after extorting them. In the end, the exercise ended in tears, sorrows and blood. None of those who survived got the job and, worse still; the officials responsible for the calamity were protected by the PDP. We cannot forget.

“Nigerians remember that under the PDP, whistle-blowing was a crime.  When a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor exposed the stealing of $20 billion from the national treasury, he was suspended and hounded out of the government. We have not forgotten.”

One of the ambassadorial nominees rejected by the Senate, Dr. Jacob  Igbekele Daudu, on Thursday demanded an apology for a purported report by the Department of State Service describing him as deceitful and corrupt.

The report was said to be the basis for rejecting the nominee, who is from Ondo State.

Daudu, who spoke in Abuja, in the company with his lawyer, Mr. Babs Akinwumi, said he had not personally seen the said report, but learnt of it when the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs quoted from the report.

The report was said to have described him as deceitful and corrupt while serving as the Chairman of the Ondo State Agency for Road Maintenance and Construction.

But, he said he presented himself to the DSS for screening for the ambassadorial nomination in February 2017 without the officials of the agency raising any issue. He wondered why it would suddenly turn around to issue a damaging report against his person without hearing form him.

He said, although, he was surprised at the sudden turn of events, he suspected that his rejection and the last minute withdrawal of supports by Senators from his state were informed by a January 16, 2017 letter by his state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, raising objection to his nomination.

His lawyer, Akinwumi, noted that it was ironic that the Governor Akeredolu-led Government of Ondo State, in a March 26 letter, disparage his client from whom the governor had sought assistance.

The lawyer, in his protest letter to the Director General of DSS dated March 27, 2017, demanded among others, immediate withdrawal of the said damaging report and a public apology to be aired on electronic media and published in print media, failing which he will seek redress in court after 7 days.

A copy of the letter showing it was received by the DSS on March 28, read, in part, “Our client is a renowned Architect, former Council member of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria  and had served as the elected Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Ondo State chapter. He co-ordinates the National Infrastructure Backbone for Nigeria, with the involvement of many multinational investors.

“Your report has no doubt impugned and damaged the character and reputation that our client has built in over 50 years of his existence. There is no doubt that you acted ultra vires of your mandate under any enabling law establishing the DSS to warrant your organisation to reach such conclusions about our client.

“It is ridiculous and interesting that the same DSS that interviewed, screened, cleared and approved the appointment of our client as a Commissioner in Ondo State after his tenure as the Chair of OSARMCO, could now backtrack and indict him over the same position.”

Copies of the letter were also sent to President Mohammad Buhari; the Senate President, Chairman,  Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Attorney General of the Federation and the  Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission.

Source:

http://punchng.com/corruption-allegation-ondo-ambassadorial-nominee-demands-apology-from-dss/

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared not less than eighty-six suspects wanted for various crimes in the country.

Here are the 10 most wanted.

1. Former governor of Jigawa state, Saminu Turaki is wanted by EFCC in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N36 Billion.

2. Government Tompolo, the Ex-Delta Militant leader, is wanted in a case of conspiracy, illegal diversion of the sum of N45.9 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

3. Iliasu Olanrewaju Abdul-Rauf, the National Coordinator, Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Abuja, allegedly collected the sum of N1.7Billion under the guise of awarding contracts for the establishment of rehabilitation centres across the 36 states of the federation.

4. Former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, for offences bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence. Maina is allegedly complicit in the over N2 billion Pensions Biometric Scam in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

5. The Managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, Kennedy Izuagbe, is wanted in a case of Conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune of over N3.6 billion. In the course of investigation, Izuagbe went underground and all efforts to reach him have proved abortive.

6. Abdullahi Usman Adamu alias Dan China is alleged to have received a part payment of $500,000 USD through his company Guroje Mining Company for the supply of 3000MT of Lead Ore to a Chinese Company, Shengjia International (HK) Limited. Three months later, Dan China has not supplied the goods and is presently at large.

7. Olabode Jacob O Obayomi, the owner of Standard Chartered Securities Limited of 116-118, Lagos House, Central Area, Garki, Abuja is wanted in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Diversion of Public Funds and Breach of trust involving the unauthorised sale of over N251 million worth of stock belonging to Ebonyi State Government.

8. Etim Ekpo Okima, managing director/ chief executive officer of Etisko BDC, 11, Abibu Oki Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case of stealing and issuance of dud cheque.

9. Osita Emmanuel Okereke, DG National Taskforce to Combat Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapon, (aka NATFORCE), is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Impersonation. Okereke who was arrested with several incriminating items, including, bulletproof vests has jumped bail.

10. Agbebi Samuel Adebanji of Hepa Global Energy Limited, 33, Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos, whose photograph appears above, is wanted b for conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum Product. He was on board vessel MT Good Success carrying 1,459 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, instead of the 350 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, it was licensed to carry.

Source: www.nigerianeye.com

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday disclosed that the nation’s economy was gradually recovering from the current economic recession.

Buhari made the disclosure when he received the outgoing Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Fahad Bin Abdullah Sefyan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and sent to newsmen said, “Noting that the last farming season was quite good, and the Nigerian economy was gradually reviving, President Buhari said the two countries would have more areas to collaborate in future.”

The President stated that the relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia is a mutually beneficial one, which should grow stronger in the years to come.

Insisting that both countries enjoy strong ties, Buhari noted that apart from visiting Mecca and Medina for religious reasons, a lot of Nigerians are in Saudi Arabian universities.

“I quite appreciate the relationship between the two countries,” the President said.

On his part, the outgoing Ambassador who spent 20 months on tour of duty, said he loved it in Nigeria and would have wanted to stay longer if not that he was now due for retirement.

Commending Buhari for visiting Saudi Arabia in February 2015, Sefyan said there should be reciprocal visits between the leaders of both countries.

Speaking on the issue of security in Nigeria, the outgoing Ambassador observed that the President is doing well.

“I think you are doing very well, Your Excellency. We know what you have done with Boko Haram, and we applaud you,” he said.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has advised the senate leadership to shelve its plan to summon Itse Sagay, a professor, over a comment he made against the lawmakers.

The human rights advocacy organisation said the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, which is populated by “childish and irresponsible persons with questionable character”, lacked the moral right to summon Sagay.

SERAP, in a statement by its executive director, Adetokunbo Mummuni, said the proposed invitation of Sagay goes against the constitutional powers of the senate.

“The Senate is not immune from constitutional control simply because it’s a law-making body. In fact, the Senate has neither special immunity from the operation of the constitution nor special privilege to invade the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to freedom of expression of Prof. Sagay or other citizens for that matter,” he said.

“The framers of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) would never have contemplated a legislative power without responsibility, and the Senate can’t continue to carry on in a manner that implies its law-making and oversight powers are not open to question.

“Therefore, its powers under the constitution ought to be exercised reasonably and responsibly, consistent with the fundamental notions of peace, order, good governance and the public interest.

“The human rights of Nigerians are secured against not only executive lawlessness but also legislative excesses. To trample on citizens’ freedom of expression is to thwart the ideals of representative democracy and the rule of law.

“The National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria but recent events in the Senate would seem to stir the public anger. It seems curious that the Senate will be giving a raw deal to the heads of the two leading anti-corruption bodies in the country—Ibrahim Magu of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Itse Sagay of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.”

Sagay had earlier informed the senate that he has the constitutional right to air his views, adding that he does not belong to the category of government officials that can be summoned by the lawmakers.

A Nigerian pilot who works for Air Djibouti has become the first African pilot in history to fly solo around the world.

Ademilola “Lola” Odujinrin completed the final leg of his historic journey Wednesday afternoon, landing safely at Washington Dulles International Airport.

The pilot has completed the entire circumnavigation in a Cirrus SR22, stopping in more than 15 countries on five continents, returning to Washington DC, where his journey began back in September.

The flight is part of Project Transcend, a foundation which aims to inspire young people to achieve their goals, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Ademilola says: “Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day flying around the world. We have a responsibility to lead by example and follow our dreams. I want African children to think: ‘I can do this too!’”

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Air Djibouti’s Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, and Cardiff Aviation’s Chairman, Bruce Dickinson, who have supported me throughout this journey. Without them, this would not have been possible.”

Both formed part of a high-level delegation to welcome the historic aviator on the tarmac at Dulles Airport, including: the Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States, His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh; Senior Director of Strategic Planning for Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, Mr. Dawit Michael Gebre-ab; and Chief Operating Officer of Air Djibouti, Mr. Moussa Houssein.

Other distinguished guests included the CEO Africa World Press, which plans to publish a book on the journey.

Ademilola has logged over 4,000 hours as a commercial Boeing 737 pilot since earning his pilot licence six years ago.

The Chairman of Air Djibouti, Aboubaker Omar Hadi,  says: “By supporting initiatives like Lola’s flight around the world, Air Djibouti hopes to inspire a new generation of pilots in Africa and help to pave the way for the aviation industry to thrive in the region.

“The benefits will be felt within the region, as this will encourage more intra-African trade and sustainable economic development.

“With the commencement of the Single African Air Transport Market set for June 2017, air travel in the continent is positioned to grow rapidly and become a key contributor to the region’s economic and social development.”

Globally, the aviation industry represents a massive opportunity for African economies to play a larger role.

It is estimated that 2017 alone will see approximately four billion airline passengers worldwide, as well as over 50 million tonnes of cargo being transported by air.

Less than two weeks that Borno state governor, Ibrahim Shettima named an estate after Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in his state, the Lagos state counterpart has replicated the honour by naming a bridge after the revered All progressives Congress, APC, leader.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other dignitaries witnessed the commissioning of Aboru-Abesan link bridge, roads and a new Statue of the leader in Alimosho Local government area of the state.

See photos:

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Thursday described as “misleading” reports in a national Newspapers, that it had dumped the Computer-Based Test mode in the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, four years after its introduction.

The organisation said contrary to the report, it would continue all its examinations using CBT mode.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the spokesperson of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the clarification became necessary “following the misleading caption” that it had dumped CBT and adopts eight keys.

He said, “The headline was not only misleading but capable of causing panic, distortion and confusion in the minds of Nigerians particularly the candidates planning to take the UTME of a well-conceived CBT examination which the Board was consolidating on the gains and feat recorded.

“This report was mischievous because more than 10 other journalists were there at the retreat where the eight keys intended to make the navigation of the examination easy and friendly for first time user of a computer or any electronic device was restated.”

According to him, the misleading captions of the activities of JAMB by the Newspaper, even when its reporters were at such functions, was a clear demonstration of an orchestrated attempt to pull down JAMB and underrate her desire to improve the fortunes of the education sector as it concerns public examination.

Benjamin said, “In our attempt to make CBT friendly, JAMB introduced the use of 8 keys without a mouse. This, we have explained to Nigerians, and all stakeholders at the just-concluded strategic planning Retreat on “Supervision and Evaluation of the conduct of the 2017 UTME” in Kaduna, where we had the privilege of having over a 100 distinguished scholars from the academia, civil society and other critical stakeholders.

“At the meeting, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, restated the determination of JAMB to continue to innovate on policies that will ease the phobia for CBT, one of which is the introduction of the use of 8 keys without a mouse and nowhere was the issue of dumping CBT contemplated.

“We see this embarrassing caption as deliberate effort to thwart the Board’s noble intention. The question we are asking is: on what platform will the 8 keys be?

“In view of this, we call on all Nigerians to disregard this misleading report and to appeal to the Newspapers to desist from this inglorious attitude of allowing its beautiful medium to be used for the subversion of developmental strides of JAMB.”