NewsmakersNG
Segun Atanda/

Nephew of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who slumped and died on Thursday, was widely admired for his jokes.

Going by NewsmakersNG’s findings, the late Deji Tinubu was a-laugh-a-minute man, and his Twitter account has been more fun than a barrel of monkeys, as the saying goes.

A die-hard football fan of Nottingham Forest, the late Tinubu shared one last joke on his Twitter handle, @dejitinubu, hours before he slumped and died in Epe:

He tweeted: “If not for birds and booze I would’ve played for England !!!!!”

NewsmakersNG learnt that he was...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/26/tinubus-last-joke-his-final-moments/

NewsmakersNG
Ronke Kehinde/

“I LIVED IN LIBERIA AND GHANA AND GUINEA ON AND OFF, AND LEARNED MANY THINGS, ESPECIALLY FROM MY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER FELA.”

That was a quote from one of Hugh Masekela’s interviews celebrating his friendship with the late Nigerian composer and pioneer of the Afro-beat genre, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who flavored much of the South African Jazz player’s music.

If Masekela, who died today had one last wish, it would be to meet Fela in heaven and sing that great number with him once again: LADY.

Masekela died battling prostate cancer.

NewsmakersNG presents you excerpts from one of Hugh Ramapolo Masekela’s memorable interviews:
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/24/hugh-masekela-joins-fela/

NewsmakersNG

Segun Atanda/

Here are the faces of two bankers accused by their employers of stealing N40.5million from two customers’ accounts and the bank’s vault.

Thirty-nine-year-old Walter Ekomaye and Ebenezer Adelowo, 31, were named and shamed by their employers – First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

After their arrest, the EFCC revealed today that Ekomaye and Adelowo made illegal withdrawal of N23million from customers’ accounts and stole N17.5million from Automated Teller Machine (ATM) deposits.

They were http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/19/unmasked-fcmb-officials-accused-of-stealing-n40-5million-depositors-money/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/11/live-and-let-die-see-what-don-wani-did-with-blood-money/
Segun Atanda/

Videos and photographs have surfaced online showing the enormous real estate of filthy rich Don Wani, the militant who was killed by the Military after he killed 25 people returning from a Cross Over Service on New Year Day in Rivers State where he had earlier killed many more...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/11/live-and-let-die-see-what-don-wani-did-with-blood-money/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/08/the-life-and-crimes-of-don-wani-how-cold-blooded-militant-met-bloody-end/

Segun Atanda/

Until he struck again for the umpteenth time on New Year Day, most Nigerians didn’t know how heartless Don Wani was.

Wani, who was killed at his hideout in Enugu yesterday, left a trail of crimes across the Niger Delta region where he had maintained a well kitted private army roaming the land without any serious challenge.

Case-hardened and cold blooded, Wani, the leader of the dreaded Icelanders cult group operating in the Niger Delta region, never spared the young, the old, women or children when he strikes.

On New Year Day, he mowed down not less than 25 worshipers returning from the Cross-Over Service in Omoku, Rivers State, without batting an eye.

But that was not the first time Wani would be sending a message that he was the meanest militant in Rivers State.

In March 2016, Wani and his cult group had invaded Omoku, killed four brothers, decapitated two of them and kept the severed heads as trophies.

The victims were: 15-year-old SSS 2 student, Chisom Udoh; 23-year-old man identified as Christian; Felix Philip, a second year NCE student at Federal Government College, Omoku, and one Daniel, who was preparing to write his WASCE and UTME. They were killed inside a room.

Before then, Wani and his men had blown up Agip gas pipeline in Akala Olu village, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

There have been...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2018/01/08/the-life-and-crimes-of-don-wani-how-cold-blooded-militant-met-bloody-end/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/30/more-dead-men-found-on-fgs-list-of-board-appointees/

Pat Stephen/

More dead men are being dug up from the latest list of President Muhammadu Buhari’s board appointments.

At the last count, Nigerians have identified five names of dead people on the list since NewsmakersNG first published the discovery of the late Second Republic senator and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Francis Okpozo who made the list as Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC).

Okpozo died at 81, in 2016, and the Presidency issued a statement on December 28, 2016 expressing condolences to the government of Delta State on his death.

The other discoveries are: Rev Fr Christopher Ierwua Utov, Retd DIG Donald Ugbaja, Garba Attahiru Kaduna, and Umar Dange Sokoto.

The late Utov is...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/30/more-dead-men-found-on-fgs-list-of-board-appointees/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/30/fg-appoints-dead-man-as-board-chairman-of-nigerian-press-council/

Segun Atanda/

A man who was dead and buried over a year ago has made the list of newly appointed board members of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC).

Senator Francis Okpozo died at 81, in 2016, and the Presidency issued a statement on December 28, 2016 expressing condolences to the government of Delta State on his death.

The late Okpozo has now been appointed as Chairman of the NPC Board.

Until his death during a brief illness in Benin City, Edo State, the late Okpozo was a Second Republic senator and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The list of President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees released by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Friday contained...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/30/fg-appoints-dead-man-as-board-chairman-of-nigerian-press-council/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/22/oshiomhole-opens-up-on-scandalous-mansions-linked-to-him-on-social-media/

Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/

Do you think any reasonable person will believe it?

That was the first reaction of former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, when NewsmakersNG asked him about the ownership of a photographed magnificent estate in circulation on social media, which is being linked to him.

He sent a terse statement to NewsmakersNG explaining all he knows about the mansion said to have been built in Iyamho area of Edo State with a police station opposite it and a mobile police unit beside it for protection.

He stated: “Just imagine how they abuse social media to slander? Imagine to what malicious, wicked and criminal extent some people can go to defame other person’s character. The picture here is a mansion in Los Angeles USA and it belongs to famous Hip Hop musician Dr. Dre. He bought it from Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. But one demented and frustrated Nigerian named Ralph Odua, who lives in USA, knowingly and intentionally posted this image on Edo Political Forum and claimed the mansion is located in Iyamoh Edo State and that it belongs to ex-governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“Since then other persons have shared it in other social media platforms with different captions but all indicating that it is located in Iyamoh, Edo State. Are we that gullible to accept this criminal defamation of someone’s name as normal? Incidentally many...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/22/oshiomhole-opens-up-on-scandalous-mansions-linked-to-him-on-social-media/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/22/buhari-dares-trump-in-historic-move-as-nigeria-votes-with-127-countries-against-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/

Segun Atanda/

Nigeria stood up to be counted among 128 countries that defied President Donald Trump on Thursday and voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to withdraw its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that voted in favour. His warning did appear to have some impact with nine countries voting against the resolution and 35 abstaining.

Nigeria has been on the Top Ten list of countries receiving huge aids from the United States (US).

President Trump had announced during the Group of 20 Summit in Germany, on July 8, to give Nigeria and three other countries $630million in aid. The other countries are Yemen, Somalia, and South Sudan.

According to US authorities, the aid would assist such countries where conflict has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in more than 70 years.
Other African countries among the...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/22/buhari-dares-trump-in-historic-move-as-nigeria-votes-with-127-countries-against-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/18/police-raid-kidnappers-den-rescue-abducted-old-man-in-abia/

Matilda Omonaiye/

Another abducted old man has been rescued during a raid of kidnappers den in Abia by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) today.

Today’s rescue of 76-year-old man, Elder Benjamin Okoye, has come six days after the IRT led by ACP Abba Kyari smashed a similar gang that kidnapped an 80-year-old man, Chief Felix Ogbonna.

Just like Ogbonna’s kidnappers who claimed to have started operating last month and made over N6.75million paid in dollars, Okoye’s abductors who claimed to have formed their gang inside prison, said they also started kidnapping after leaving jail last month.

Today’s operation was handled by a combined team of IRT operatives and CPS Aba Police Personnel.

The police told NewsmakersNG that...
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/18/police-raid-kidnappers-den-rescue-abducted-old-man-in-abia/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/12/gallant-cop-named-fear-makes-history-at-nigeria-army-war-college/

Segun Atanda/

One-time Mobile Police Commander, Ikioye Livingstone Orutugu, celebrated for his feats during police campaigns to end the Ife-Modakeke War that started in 1997 and subsequent massive bank robberies in Lagos, has made another historic accomplishment.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) nicknamed FEAR has emerged as the only non-military officer in the pioneer set of 33 participants in the historic Course 1 at the premier Army War College in Nigeria.

Orutugu, a PhD holder, once served as Commander MOPOL 22, in Lagos, that teamed up with RRS and other units to fight the war, when the state was battling to wrestle itself free from the stranglehold of a wave of bank robbers with large well-armed gangs numbering over 50, thereby forcing the police to start using armoured personnel carriers (APC).
The Army War College training conducted with the support of British and American advisory teams was meant to...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/12/gallant-cop-named-fear-makes-history-at-nigeria-army-war-college/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/11/soyinka-centre-commends-story-on-aregbesolas-opon-imo-scam-at-award-ceremony/
Segun Atanda/

The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola briefly took center-stage at the NECA House in Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) displayed a story that got special commendation in the Online Category at the 12th edition of its annual award ceremony.

The story entitled: “Aregbesola and the Scam Called Opon-Imo” was written by Ebere Ndukwu for Ripples Nigeria online newspaper.

Judges described the story as exceptional and Ndukwu received a Prize presented by human rights lawyer, Jiti Ogunye.

Here is the story as published by Ripples Nigeria:
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/11/soyinka-centre-commends-story-on-aregbesolas-opon-imo-scam-at-award-ceremony/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/04/sen-arise-kidnapped-police-not-aware/

Matilda Omonaiye/

Twenty-Four hours after a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was allegedly kidnapped along Okene-Lokoja Road, the police say they are not aware.

NewsmakersNG learnt that Sen. Ayo Arise was abducted along with his Personal Assistant and driver while returning to Abuja on Sunday.

A family source told NAN in Ado-Ekiti on Monday that the kidnappers struck and led the three into the bush at gunpoint.

Arise once represented Ekiti North Senatorial District, in the National Assembly

The abductors allegedly contacted the family and demanded N80million ransom.

One of the closest allies of Arise, who wanted to remain anonymous, told NAN: “They (kidnappers) have contacted us and demanded a sum of N80million ransom.

“We are worried because we don’t know his situation.

“The family is working hard to secure his release and we have contacted all the relevant agencies, including the police to come to our aid.”

Meanwhile the Police Command in Kogi said it was not aware of the reported kidnap of the senator.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, ASP William Aya, alleg...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/04/sen-arise-kidnapped-police-not-aware/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/01/did-cia-kill-bob-marley-a-russian-journalist-has-a-story-to-tell/

Segun Atanda/

A Russian journalist has stoked anger in black people all over the world with a sensational story on how the CIA allegedly killed iconic reggae superstar, Bob Marley, in 1981.

Baxter Dmitry’s story is on YourNewsWire.com.

NewsmakersNG is hereby running the story in full, followed by the result of our own investigations:

CIA Agent Confesses On Deathbed: ‘I Killed Bob Marley’



A 79-year-old retired officer of the CIA, Bill Oxley, has made a series of stunning confessions since he was admitted to the Mercy Hospital in Maine on Monday and told he has weeks to live. He claims he committed 17 assassinations for the American government between 1974 and 1985, including the music icon Bob Marley.

Mr. Oxley, who worked for the CIA for 29 years as an operative with top-level security clearances, claims he was often used as a hitman by the organization, to assassinate individuals who could represent a threat to the goals of the agency.

Trained as a sniper and marksman, Mr. Oxley also has significant experience with more unconventional methods of inflicting harm upon others, like poisons, explosives, induced heart attacks and cancer.

The 79-year-old operative claims he committed the assassinations between March 1974 and August 1985, at a time when he says the CIA “was a law unto itself.” He says he was part of an operative cell of three members which carried out political assassinations across the country and occasionally in foreign countries.

Most of their victims were political activists, journalists, and union leaders, but he also confesses to assassinating a few scientists, medical researchers, artists and musicians whose ideas and influence “represented a threat to the interests of the United States.”

He claims he had no problem with going through with the assassination of Bob Marley, because “I was a patriot, I believed in the CIA, and I didn’t question the motivation of the agency. I’ve always understood that sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.”

But Mr. Oxley confesses that Bob Marley remains unique among his victims, as he was the only victim he “felt anything for.”

“The others were assholes. Bob Marley was Bob Marley. I was no closer to being a long-haired hippy back then than I am now, but I must admit Bob’s music did move me. It held some power over me.”

He claims to have “mixed feelings” about Bob Marley’s death. On the one hand, Marley was “a good man, a beautiful soul” with “profound artistic gifts” who did not deserve to have his life cut short. But according to Mr. Oxley, Bob Marley was also placing the goals of the CIA in jeopardy and threatening the existence of the United States:

“He was succeeding in creating a revolution that used music as a more powerful tool than bullets and bombs. Bob Marley in 1976 was a very serious threat to the global status quo and to the hidden power brokers implementing their plan for a new world order. As far as the agency was concerned, Bob Marley was too successful, too famous, too influential… A Jamaican Rastaman who started using his funds and fame to support causes around the world that were in direct conflict with the CIA… To be honest, he signed his own death warrant.”

“It’s not like we didn’t warn him. We sent a...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/12/01/did-cia-kill-bob-marley-a-russian-journalist-has-a-story-to-tell/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/29/senate-upset-over-unstable-security-situation/

The Senate has decried what it describes as worsening security situation in Nigeria following the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks.

Consequently, the upper chamber today, in Abuja, set up an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the situation.

This followed the adoption of a motion on “The Worrisome State of Security in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states” sponsored by Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) during plenary.

He, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the fight against insurgency in the North-East with the relocation of the Armed Forces Command to Borno.

Ndume raised concerns that in 2017, the level of attack by insurgents had escalated to a worrisome level.

He said, “In the year 2017, more than 357 civilians were killed during attacks in the North-East,

“The cases of suicide bombing in Borno and recently Mubi in Adamawa that killed 50 people and wounded several others continue to escalate.’’

Ndume said that 14.8 million people were affected by the crisis adding that the estimated cost of destruction was put at over N2.75 trillion.

“Its on record that 85 per cent of the destruction is in Borno; up to 1.8 million people are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) out of which more than 80 per cent are living in host communities,’’ he said.

In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, said: “I am worried about the situation in the North-East. When the matter came up last week of several killings in Adamawa, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed told the whole nation that what we are seeing in Adamawa is the last effort of the dying horse.

“It appears that Ndume disagrees with him and I disagree with him too. That is why this Senate is worried about the situation not only in the North-East but all over the country. “Since we have set up a committee to deal with this matter we should refer...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/29/senate-upset-over-unstable-security-situation/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/29/police-go-after-rogue-herdsmen-kill-2-seize-413-stolen-cows-50-sheep/


Two cattle-rearing bandits have been shot dead in Kaduna and hundreds of livestock recovered, after a shootout with the police.

According to the Commander of the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Mr Abba Kyari, 413 stolen cows and 50 sheep were recovered from the bandits in Kagarko bush, along with one locally-made AK47 Rifle.
The police told NewsmakersNG in a statement: “On the 27/11/17 at about 0200hrs, IRT operatives on Operation Absolute Sanity along Abuja-Kaduna expressway engaged some armed robbers moving with hundreds of stolen cows. During the fierce gun battle, two of the armed robbers met their Waterloo as others fled and abandoned 413 stolen cows and 5O sheep.
“The cows and sheep were moved to Katari Town where...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/29/police-go-after-rogue-herdsmen-kill-2-seize-413-stolen-cows-50-sheep/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/24/n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-court-dismisses-suspects-bail-application/

Ladipo Sanusi/

Freedom today eluded a suspected fraudster being held by the police over alleged N787.5million land fraud in Lagos.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe of Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, in Lagos, dismissed the bail application of Kings Court Realtors’ boss, Emeka Okoronkwo, for lacking merit.

Okoronkwo was detained on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, after detectives allegedly found that a US-based Nigerian businessman, Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku, was led to the Lagos lagoon when he asked to see 150 plots of land that he had paid over half a billion naira for.

Okoronkwo had filed a bail application asking the Court to order his release from police detention on medical ground.

He also challenged his detention without allegedly being charged to Court, claiming that it’s a breach of his fundamental human rights.

Opposing his claims, the lawyer representing the police, Sgt Morufu Animashaun, tendered a medical certificate from the police hospital, which certified the suspect as medically sound and void of any health-threatening ailment.

The Police had also told the Court that the suspect’s right was never breached, as a charge containing ‘his nefarious acts’ has been filed before a higher court in the state, but the charge is yet to be assigned to any court.

The Police thereby urged the Court to dismiss the suspect’s bail application for lacking merit.

In her ruling on the suspect’s bail application, Magistrate Komolafe upheld the police’s submission and dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

NewsmakersNG broke the story, ‘Fraudsters Sell Lagos Lagoon for N787.5million, on November 16, 2017.

The Police had filed a criminal charge at the magistrate’s court against Okoronkwo and another suspect, Michael Owolabi Alonge who is on the run, but the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge.

Nwabuoku allegedly...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/24/n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-court-dismisses-suspects-bail-application/

NewsmakersNG/
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/23/n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-court-fixes-friday-for-ruling-on-emeka-okoronkwos-bail-application/
Ladipo Sanusi/

Friday, November 24, has been fixed for ruling on the bail application of Kings Court Realtors’ boss, Emeka Okoronkwo, who is being detained over alleged N787.5million land fraud in Lagos.

Okoronkwo has filed his bail application before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe of Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

Okoronkwo is being detained on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, after detectives allegedly found that a US-based Nigerian businessman, Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku, was led to the Lagos lagoon when he asked to see 150 plots of land that he had paid over half a billion naira for.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the Force Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (FCIID) had filed a criminal charge at the magistrate’s court against Okoronkwo and another suspect, Michael Owolabi Alonge who is on the run, but the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge.

Nwabuoku allegedly paid N577, 590, 792 in installments among other charges, plus another N18million for bush clearing in February, after which the land agents allegedly sent him pictures and videos of caterpillars in action at a purported site at Ifedele Agunbiade Village, Sangotedo, in Eti-Osa area of Lagos.

Okoronkwo who had admitted receiving payments from Nwabuoku is claiming that the client is at fault since he allegedly paid N603, 000, 000 for 100 plots and... http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/23/n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-court-fixes-friday-for-ruling-on-emeka-okoronkwos-bail-application/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/21/war-over-n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-rage-online-as-friends-defend-suspect-threaten-showdown-with-victim/
Segun Atanda/

A storm has been brewing over NewsmakersNG story about a US-based businessman who was allegedly shown nothing but the lagoon after he was charged N787.5million for 150 plots of land in Lagos.

Mr Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku told the Police how he had paid N577, 590, 792 in installments among other charges, plus another N18million for bush clearing in February, and how the land agents, Mr Michael Owolabi Alonge and Mr Emeka Okoronkwo, were sending him pictures and videos of caterpillars in action at the purported site at Ifedele Agunbiade Village, Sangotedo, in Eti-Osa area of Lagos. But, when he traveled to Nigeria to see the site, he was led to the lagoon.

The story went viral on social media, and thousands of readers from all over the world are polarized in their long thread of reactions on NewsmakersNG’s Facebook page and other platforms. Some of them expressed pity and shared similar experiences, while others either mocked and lampooned the victim or condemned the suspects.

The reactions also had political, spiritual and ethnic dimensions with comical illustrations and memes.

A reader, Mr Albert Oladapo Ogunwusi, posted on the thread: “Things like this happen when ppl (people) don’t want to pay lawyers. Any roadside legal practitioner would have perforated this fraud in no time and offered useful counsel. Imagine somebody who was to buy a piece of land that is worth several hundreds of millions and you don’t hear of the involvement of a single legal practitioner.”

Another reader, Mr Babatunde O. Gbadamosi stated: “Speaking as a stakeholder in the real estate industry, this is really sad, but unfortunately, quite a common occurrence.

“His first mistake was looking in the wrong place for cheap land. The only vendor selling “cheap” land is government, since they get the land for free and paid scant compensation for it, if at all.

“His second mistake was failing to use professionals with something to lose. A reputable lawyer, a registered surveyor and a reputable real estate agency would have saved him the money he lost.

“His third mistake was his willingness to spend that much money without viewing the property himself along with the aforementioned professionals first.

“For those telling him to involve relatives, they can be truly horrible. I can’t count the number of times relatives of people abroad, appointed to contact me in their behalf, have demanded that I inflate the cost of property to accommodate their own needs, in one case by as much as 100%!”

Okechukwu Ihemenandu Nwaosu stated: “This is inhuman; this is why most investors from abroad find ut difficult to do business with Nigerians, what stops them from acquiring the land for him and collect their fees. What their myopic nature didn’t tell was that an investor that can put down such amount of money is capable of turning it over after investing and whenever he needs any other property he will still call on them. It’s indeed a shame to some idiots that dupe people with the intension to better our society.

Raphael Ifezue posted: “This is what usually happens to people like this who don’t trust their close relatives. Someone on ground should have done due diligence on the properties concerned.”

Further investigations by NewsmakersNG have revealed more about the 45-year-old victim, Mr Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku and the suspect, Mr Emeka Okoronkwo, the Country Managing Partner of Kings Court Realtors who the police are set to arraign tomorrow, instead of the earlier December 5 date, because he has complained of ill health and he is being kept at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.

Background checks through reputable US organisations brought no negative report on Nwabuoku. The checks show that Nwabuoku has been a lead engineer for El Paso Corporation’s Wolfcamp Program in West Texas, and he had lived in Katy and two other addresses in Houston, Texas, before moving to Richmond where he allegedly stays now.

Further checks on Nwabuoku who has a Cadillac – 2015 Escalade and a 2013 Mercedes Benz in his garage became necessary amid questions on the source of his wealth, even from one of his old school mates at the University of Ibadan (UI) who made uncomplimentary comments underneath the story, on newsmakersng.com, attacking the victim and NewsmakersNG.

The alleged schoolmate, George Arnold, stated: “I know this character called Kennedy Nwabuoku very well in our days in University of Ibadan and also lived with him in the USA. He cannot be defrauded because he is FRAUD personified. I will reserve my comment on this write up until I can hear the other side of this story. I won’t be surprised if he paid greatly for this story to hide some facts. Time may be able to tell us. We are still waiting for him here in Houston.”

Arnold later apologized for insulting the publishers in a mail to NewsmakersNG. Three days after his post a group of Okoronkwo’s friends also sent a rebuttal to NewsmakersNG.

Okoronkwo had allegedly told the police that he received N603million only from Nwabuoku for 100 plots which are yet to be delivered.

Here is the full text of Okoronkwo’s friends’ rebuttal titled ‘PURPORTED SALE OF LAGOS LAGOON: THE SHAME OF A NATION’:

“Our attention has been drawn to your publication titled as...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/21/war-over-n787-5m-lagos-lagoon-fraud-rage-online-as-friends-defend-suspect-threaten-showdown-with-victim/
Emeka Okoronkwo

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/20/efcc-re-arraigns-oil-and-gas-dealers-for-n7-3bn-fraud/

Rotimi Morgan/

Two players in the oil and gas industry were re-arraigned in court today over alleged fraud of N7-3billion.

The Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dragged Ogbor Elliot, the Managing Director, Danium Energy Services Limited, and Godwin Okoronkwo, the Managing Director, Petrosol Energy Limited, before Justice M.S. Hassan of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy and forgery to the tune of N7.3billion.

A statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, says: “They were arrested following a complaint received by the Commission from one Eddy Henshaw, an employee of a new generation bank on March 17, 2017.

“The complainant had alleged that sometime between January and February, 2017, Danium Energy Services Limited, one of the bank’s customers that enjoy credit facilities, approached the bank to finance three different Purchase Orders for the sale of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, to Total Nigeria Plc, with a cumulative value of N12, 134, 700, 000.

“He further alleged that the bank financed two of the Purchase Orders for the sum of N4, 103, 100, 000.00 and N4, 015,800,000.009 respectively, after allegedly receiving confirmation from Total Nigeria Plc.

“However, the purchase orders were discovered to have been forged when the bank approached Total Nigeria Plc for payment 21 days after financing the transaction.

“The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

“Following their pleas of not guilty, the...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/20/efcc-re-arraigns-oil-and-gas-dealers-for-n7-3bn-fraud/

NewsmakersNG/
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/20/breaking-police-arrest-suspected-killers-of-lagos-apc-stalwart-onwa/

Police investigating the murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart in Lagos have arrested four suspects, four months after the killing at Festac Town.

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ubah, aka Onwa, was shot dead at Festac Town, in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, inside his SUV on July 21, 2017, on the eve of the state’s council elections.
The Lagos State commissioner of police (CP), Mr Imohimi Edgal, paraded four suspects in connection with the killing at the state command headquarters today.

He identified the suspects as Michael Fashola, who allegedly shot Onwa dead; Muftau Toyosi, Abidemi Kolawole, and Fatai Onifade aka Apese, who claimed to be a member of vigilance group in Festac Town.

Before his assassination, NewsmakersNG learnt that Onwa was also the Head of Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Community Policing Youth Vanguard, who was seen as a police informant.

On the day he was killed, Onwa had received a phone call from someone he allegedly knew very well requesting to meet him at a certain location within Festac Town.

The killers riding on a motorbike had accosted him at 7th Avenue, in Festac Town, where one of them shot him at close range.

He died on the spot.

According to the police, the assassins left with his mobile phones and wallet to make it look like a robbery.

The suspects, however, told NewsmakersNG today that they...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/20/breaking-police-arrest-suspected-killers-of-lagos-apc-stalwart-onwa/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/19/anambra-guber-obiano-in-landslide-victory-sweeps-all-21-lgas/

Ranti Kayode/

Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has trounced his opponents in the elections held yesterday.

According to reports coming from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obiano’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), defeated his opponents in all 21 wards in the state.

INEC has released the full result in Awka today.

The last local government areas won by the party are:http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/19/anambra-guber-obiano-in-landslide-victory-sweeps-all-21-lgas/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/19/kenny-martins-friends-lift-sadiq-dabas-spirit-with-donations/

Segun Atanda/
Efforts to raise N20million for the treatment of ailing Nigerian actor, Sadiq Daba, received a big boost today from Chief Kenny Martins and his friends.
The businessman, who joined the campaign to raise fund for Daba days ago, revealed that he spent time with the actor today to lift his spirit after mobilising over N10million for him.
He said, ““I want to thank dozens of my friends who have sent in donations. Some even forwarded screenshots of bank debits.”
While calling for more support, Martins told NewsmakersNG: “I just met with Sadiq Daba in his home; very high in hope and spirit. Thanking Nigerians for their concern and support. I spoke from there to Soni Irabor, who is coordinating this donation drive.
“My friend on a family visit to USA called Sadiq and committed to N10million to make up the fund drive that has reached almost half way its target.
“Sadiq has never talked to any newspaper, never disowned his own plight/need. Please support.”
Daba has been receiving the support through his UBA account 1005382276 with the name Abubakar Sadiq Daba...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/19/kenny-martins-friends-lift-sadiq-dabas-spirit-with-donations/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/16/exclusive-fraudsters-sell-lagos-lagoon-for-n787-5million/
Segun Atanda/

A US-based Nigerian businessman was dazed in Lagos, when land agents led him to the lagoon after the part-payment for 150 plots offered for N787.5million.
Kennedy Chukwuemeka Nwabuoku told detectives led by DCP Abutu Yaro, at the Force Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon, how he had paid N577, 590, 792 in installments among other charges, plus another N18million for bush clearing in February, and how the agents were sending him pictures and videos of caterpillars in action at the purported site at Ifedele Agunbiade Village, Sangotedo, in Eti-Osa area of Lagos.
Nwabuoku told the police that he bought the unseen land with a foreign partner and had paid in fiduciary trust, sending monies on different occasions through his company KenBouk Global Investment Ltd.
Identified as Emeka Okoronkwo and Michael Owolabi Alonge, the agents, according to Nwabuoku, had offered the land for sale at N5, 250, 000 per plot with Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
NewsmakersNG learnt that members of Nwabuoku’s family in Nigeria who wanted to see the site were told that the land was in an area bought by prominent Nigerians like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, and it was cordoned off so that ordinary citizens could not gain access.

When he became suspicious, Nwabuoku sent the C of O to a friend to verify, and the friend found that no such land or location described in the document existed.

He decided to visit Nigeria and inspect the land for which he had paid the property agent, Okoronkwo, who was identified as owner of Kings Court Realtors at Plot 321A, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island.

When he was quizzed by the police on November 8, 2017, Okoronkwo allegedly admitted that he collected N603, 000, 000 for 100 plots, agency fees and legal fees through transfers to Kings Court Realtors’ accounts in two banks.

Detectives found that Nwabuoku transferred the monies in the following order over a period: N229, 000, 000, N86, 000, 000, N120, 000, 000, N41, 300, 000, N11, 291, 000, and N90, 000, 000.

They also found that the C of O given to Nwabuoku is a fake one, and that Alonge who introduced him to Okoronkwo “masterminded the fraud”.

According to the detectives, fictitious persons were listed in the Deed of Assignment that the suspected fraudsters also gave to Nwabuoku.

When Nwabuoku arrived and insisted he must see the site before further payments, Alonge allegedly took him to a...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/16/exclusive-fraudsters-sell-lagos-lagoon-for-n787-5million/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/11/bad-news-for-nigeria-as-moodys-downgrades-first-bank-access-bank-gtb-others/
Segun Atanda/

Things are not looking up for Nigerian banks in the International financial market, says the latest report from Moody’s.

Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB), First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc featured prominently in a statement issued by Moody’s Investors Service yesterday following its latest Global Credit Research.

Moody’s, a leading provider of credit ratings, research, and risk analysis, explained that weakening government capacity to support banks in distress led to the downgrade of the Nigerian banks.

According to Moody’s, weaker credit profile of the Nigerian government exerts pressure on banks.

“The secondary driver of today’s rating action is the Nigerian banks’ significant holdings of government securities, which generally exceed 100% of their core capital, linking their credit profile to that of the government. In view of the correlation between sovereign and bank credit risk, the banks’ standalone credit profiles and ratings are constrained by the rating of the government,” says the statement obtained by NewsmakersNG.

In its rating of FBN, Moody’s says: “The outlook on the deposit and issuer ratings remains negative. The affirmations reflect (1) FBN’s still weak asset risk metrics, with non-performing loans (NPLs) estimated at over 20% of gross loans as of June 2017, albeit on a declining trend, (2) still tight – although improving – foreign currency liquidity, counterbalanced by (3) the bank’s resilient pre-provision profitability…”

Last year, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) disclosed that it had 217 chronic debtors in its books, which included companies and individuals owing banks huge debts.

AMCON then published on its website 100 of the 217 chronic debtors, as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The 100 debtors owe N953.43billion.

Moody’s statement further says: “Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has today downgraded to B2 from B1 the long-term local currency deposit and issuer ratings of four Nigerian banks…and the long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings of Bank of Industry, a Nigerian development bank…

“Today’s rating action follows Moody’s downgrade of Nigeria’s government bond ratings to B2, with a stable outlook, from B1, with stable outlook, on 7 November 2017…and reflects (1) the government’s reduced capacity to provide support to Nigerian banks in times of stress and (2) the banks’ significant holdings of government securities linking their credit profiles to that of the government. The decision to downgrade banks’ long-term foreign currency deposit ratings follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling for foreign currency deposits to B3 from B2.”

Moody’s also downgraded to B3 from B2 the long-term foreign currency deposit ratings of Access and GTB, as well as those of Union Bank, and FBN. Concurrently, Moody’s downgraded the baseline credit assessment (BCAs) of GTB to b2 from b1.

Bankers told NewsmakersNG today that the implications of these downgrades is that banks would find it more difficult to raise foreign funding which, by extension, could affect corporate businesses that depend on them for long term credit.

It also means those with bond would have their ratings downgraded, which negatively impacts yield.

One of the experts told NewsmakersNG: “In one word, if GTB for example wants to borrow $100million from Citibank before the downgrade, it could have accessed it at say 5% per annum, but with the downgrade, which means higher risk, Citibank may not want to lend the money at less than 6 or 7%.

“GTB, Zenith, Access and UBA currently have Eurobonds in excess of $2billion, subscribed by mostly foreign based institutional investors. Same goes for government bond held by private individuals.”

“I expected one of the banks not to...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/11/bad-news-for-nigeria-as-moodys-downgrades-first-bank-access-bank-gtb-others/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/10/how-justice-ajumogobia-juggled-11-concealed-phones-under-her-clothes-to-frustrate-investigators-efcc/

Azeez Folorunso/

Prosecutors gave graphic details today of how a Federal High Court Judge tried to cover her tracks with 11 mobile phones while she was being investigated.

They told a Lagos High Court, in Ikeja, how Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia concealed 10 mobile phones from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who were investigating her activities.

While giving evidence in Court, Abdullahi Lawal, an EFCC operative, told Justice Hakeem Oshodi how Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia hid the phones under her clothes.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla, who was accused of bribing her with N5million.

They were arraigned on November 28, 2016 on 30 counts charge.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Lawal said that Ajumogobia tried desperately to contact most of the people she knew the anti graft agency would invite for questioning, in connection to an investigation on how she came about monies in naira, dollars, and pounds in her bank accounts which EFCC alleged was above her lawful emolument.

He said, “Because she was under investigation, we wrote a letter to her employer, the National Judicial Commission requesting for a detailed breakdown of her salary and allowances.

“The NJC replied and it was discovered that her annual salary as at the time of investigation was N5.3million while her allowances were N7.5million.

“When we asked Justice Ajumogobia about the transactions of $50,000, $70,000, $20000, $30000, and $55,000 traced to her Diamond bank account, she told us that the monies were proceeds from lands she sold in Benin and Asaba.

“She further informed the EFCC that her lawyer, one Grant Ezenwa, helped her to sell the lands. But when Ezenwa was contacted, he claimed to have sold just a piece of land for her in Benin at the cost of N9. 7million.

“We set out with Justice Ajumogobia to Benin to confirm the authenticity of her claims. On our way, we discovered that the judge was making desperate phone calls to some people.

“When we found out that she was interrupting our investigations, a mobile phone was seized from her.

“We also discovered two more hidden under her clothes. When we got to Benin, Ajumogobia denied knowing the location of her land and properties. In frustration, we decided to lodge in a hotel for the night. One of our operatives later found Ajumogobia making calls in the bathroom. We recovered an additional three phones from her.

“The next day on our way to Asaba, we recovered three more phones from her. Again, two phones were recovered by our female operatives from her cloth.”

The EFCC operative further revealed that...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/10/how-justice-ajumogobia-juggled-11-concealed-phones-under-her-clothes-to-frustrate-investigators-efcc/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/10/efcc-reward-n15billion-whistleblower-blows-hot-over-magus-millionaire-statement-writes-buhari-denies-receiving-commission-dispute-efcc-figures/

Azeez Folorunso & Ladipo Sanusi/

Controversy is trailing yesterday’s declaration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the man whose whistle blowing led to the discovery of over N15billion, in various currencies inside a flat at Osborne Towers in Lagos, is now a millionaire

Few hours after declaring the man a millionaire, his lawyers called NewsmakersNG raising concerns over the claim. The lawyers also disputed the N13billion official EFCC figure, claiming that the actual recovered sum was N17billion.

NewsmakersNG put the figure at N15billion when it broke the story on April 12, 2017.

According to the lawyer, Yakubu Galadima Esq, who has also written a Letter of Complaint to President Muhammadu Buhari, the EFCC has refused to pay or communicate with the whistle-blower since the money was discovered.

“He is yet to be paid his legitimate commission,” he said.


A copy of the Letter of Complaint from the Whistle-blower’s lawyers to President Buhari.
Galadima added: “The claim by the anti-graft Chairman Ibrahim Magu in Vienna, Austria, two days ago that the whistle-blower is now a millionaire after the commission has redeemed its pledge is an attempt to mislead the whole world.”

In his reaction, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, told NewsmakersNG that he would not comment on the matter unless the name of the whistle-blower is given to him even though the identity is meant to be protected.

Galadima later gave details during a meeting with NewsmakersNG correspondent at Lagos High Court, in Ikeja, today.

He said that the agency lied by saying the whistle-blower has been paid a whooping sum of N325million being 2.5 per cent of the $43million, N23.2million and £27,800 recovered from a flat at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi.

Galadima insisted that the actual total sum recovered in the apartment was N17billion contrary to EFCC’s N13 billion claim.

He said, “The whistle-blower is...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/10/efcc-reward-n15billion-whistleblower-blows-hot-over-magus-millionaire-statement-writes-buhari-denies-receiving-commission-dispute-efcc-figures/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/09/woman-dupes-ex-lagos-police-commander-n20million/

Segun Atanda/

A magistrate in Lagos today heard how a businesswoman duped former Area ‘F’ Commander in Lagos, ACP Noah Adeosun, of N20million.

According to charges read at Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos today, Omirafe Taiwo allegedly defrauded the officer who is now retired of N20million.

Taiwo, 39, whose address is unknown, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, issuance of dud cheque and stealing.

She denied the charge.

But Sgt. Friday Mameh, the prosecutor, insisted that the accused and others still at large conspired and committed the offences at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, between April and Sept. 21.

He said the accused fraudulently obtained N20million from...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/09/woman-dupes-ex-lagos-police-commander-n20million/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/09/n15b-ikoyi-money-court-orders-forfeiture-of-osborne-flat/

Ladipo Sanusi/

A Federal High Court, in Lagos, today ordered the temporary forfeiture of Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 were discovered in April.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had uncovered the money stashed in iron cabinets, following a whistleblower’s alert.

NewsmakersNG broke the news of the discovery of the money and also exclusively published that the flat belonged to the wife of Ambassador Olusola Oke, the sacked Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Folashade.

The report by NewsmakersNG was later corroborated by the EFCC.

Justice Saliu Saidu ordered the forfeiture of the flat to the Federal Government following an ex parte application by the EFCC.

The EFCC said it found out that Mrs. Oke made a cash payment of $1.658m for the purchase of the flat between August 25 and September 3, 2015.

She allegedly purchased the property in the name of a company, Chobe Ventures Limited, to which she and her son, Master Ayodele Oke Junior, were directors.

The EFCC stated that...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/09/n15b-ikoyi-money-court-orders-forfeiture-of-osborne-flat/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/08/a-peep-into-queensland-academys-big-investment-why-school-is-catching-them-young/

Ronke Kehinde/

Queensland Academy is offering a glimpse into the evolution of some artistic genius on Saturday.

The school is exhibiting works of promising art students who are toeing the path of Picasso, Dali, Durer and Michelangelo, who started at a tender age and delivered world renowned masterpieces in their teens and twenties.

NewsmakersNG was present at a preview today for a taste of what’s coming up on Saturday. It was an impressive array of works in various medium rendered by pupils from age six to 15. They have been molded, by the Academy, into strong artists who can compete favorably anywhere in the world.


Adebalogun Quadri with ‘Life of a Mother’.
The show on Saturday, entitled ‘Catch Them Young’ is Queensland Academy’s second edition. It’s an art exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, and textiles designs, craft and fashion, opening at the school hall, on Ebem-Oha Street, off Okota Road, Isolo, by 10am.

The school coordinator, Mr Omotosho Afolabi, said: “Art is in every area of our lives and it takes a great and good thinker to come up with a beautiful work of art.”


Other exhibiting students with Tie & Dye works.
Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Design, Yaba College of Technology, spoke at the preview thanking the management Queensland Academy for giving art a chance.

He said the college was investing so much on students and it’s an investment for life.

His words: “Most of the students who have left the school have won laurels in one way or the other.

“Beginning of the world started with art. Art is life. God is a great Artist. Everything He created is beautiful. Art is in every facet of life; medicine, engineering, teaching and so on.”

Mr. Osasame Nosirime, one of the art teachers and coordinators, said this year’s exhibition would mark the 30th anniversary of the school.

The first edition was in 2013 and one of the leading exhibitors, Omoiyola Ayomikun, got national recognition. She was invited to Aso Rock to meet President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those participating in the ‘Catch Them Young’ show include: Princess Enebeli in primary class. She painted ‘A Group of Dancers’. The dancers join hands to form love. She says there is...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/08/a-peep-into-queensland-academys-big-investment-why-school-is-catching-them-young/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/07/breaking-armed-robber-ends-jail-term-resumes-duty-on-lagos-highway-same-day/

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/

Special Forces on Operation Mesa have just caught a suspected armed robber in action at Mile 2 area of Lagos.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ajibola Olufowobi, who said he had just been released from jail earlier today, was allegedly caught at Mile 2 as he tried to escape after snatching phones while riding a motorbike at night.

NewsmakersNG caught the drama live as the security agents went after Olufowobi in hot pursuit.

When he was caught, he begged the soldiers for mercy.


Olufowobi being taken away by Op Mesa men tonight.
He said that he didn’t want to go back to jail as he just regained freedom from Ikoyi prison today after serving a jail term.

Olufowobi, who snatched a phone with his partner on a motorbike, ran frantically to escape arrest as soon as the OP MESA men on patrol sighted him and fired a warning shot. But, he couldn’t run fast enough.

He said his father was...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/07/breaking-armed-robber-ends-jail-term-resumes-duty-on-lagos-highway-same-day/

NewsmakersNG
http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/07/news-analysis-rising-oil-price-raises-hope-of-a-new-dawn-as-buhari-presents-n8-61-trillion-budget-of-consolidation/

Dipo Kehinde/

Are you wondering why there was a smile on the President’s face today as he presents the 2018 appropriation bill?

This is probably the reason why: President Muhammadu Buhari has suddenly found the strength to ride the stumble out of Nigeria’s horse today.

He told the National Assembly that he was very pleased today as he presents a princely N8.61 trillion appropriation bill for 2018 fiscal year, which he called Budget of Consolidation. The budget is 16 per cent higher than that of 2017.

Although he didn’t reveal it, the President’s pleasant outlook was flowing from the fountain of the crude oil price that has just hit its highest in 2 ½ years today.

The 2018 budget is based on crude oil benchmark of US$45 per barrel with estimated daily production of 2.3 million barrels. But oil price shot beyond $61 per barrel today.

OPEC Basket stands at $61.05 today. This is good news for Nigeria, the oil producing nation that has not been able to adequately finance its budget in the last two years.

The increase in oil price and the 0.45 growth in the non-oil sector appear to have reassured the President that efforts towards capacity building and infrastructure development would not be in vain.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the oil price is rising, in part, because of Saudi Arabia’s constant barrage of production-cut rhetoric. The kingdom has been insisting in its latest publicity blitz that OPEC would maintain its production cuts.

Experts say this...http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/11/07/news-analysis-rising-oil-price-raises-hope-of-a-new-dawn-as-buhari-presents-n8-61-trillion-budget-of-consolidation/