₦airaland Forum

GenBuhari:
No not when corrupt Obasanjo was controlling the judiciary.

What evidence of Abacha's looting did Obasanjo's govt present to prove Abacha was a looter?

Thursday, August 7, 2014

U.S. Forfeits Over $480 Million Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator in Largest Forfeiture Ever Obtained Through a Kleptocracy Action

The complaint alleges that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and others embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions of dollars from the government of Nigeria and others, then laundered their criminal proceeds through U.S. financial institutions and the purchase of bonds backed by the United States.

The judgment is the result of a civil forfeiture complaint the department filed in November 2013 against more than $625 million in the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action brought in the department’s history. The forfeiture judgment includes approximately $303 million in two bank accounts in the Bailiwick of Jersey, $144 million in two bank accounts in France, and three bank accounts in the United Kingdom and Ireland with an expected value of at least $27 million. The ultimate disposition of the funds will follow the execution of the judgment in each of these jurisdictions. Claims to an additional approximately $148 million in four investment portfolios in the United Kingdom are pending.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-forfeits-over-480-million-stolen-former-nigerian-dictator-largest-forfeiture-ever-obtained

As alleged in the complaint, General Abacha and others systematically embezzled billions of dollars in public funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the false pretense that the funds were necessary for national security. The conspirators withdrew the funds in cash and then moved the money overseas through U.S. financial institutions. General Abacha and his finance minister also allegedly caused the government of Nigeria to purchase Nigerian government bonds at vastly inflated prices from a company controlled by Bagudu and Mohammed Abacha, generating an illegal windfall of more than $282 million. In addition, General Abacha and his associates allegedly extorted more than $11 million from a French company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with payments on government contracts. Funds involved in each of these schemes were allegedly laundered through the United States.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-forfeits-over-480-million-stolen-former-nigerian-dictator-largest-forfeiture-ever-obtained

GenBuhari:
What evidence has Abacha's accusers ever provided to support their allegation that he looted?

tommyken:
You are absolutely right. I keep asking myself, could Abacha has stolen more than IBB, Obasanjo or Jonathan? I think this Abacha so called is a game the government use to play a bigger dance behind us.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

U.S. Forfeits Over $480 Million Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator in Largest Forfeiture Ever Obtained Through a Kleptocracy Action

The complaint alleges that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and others embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions of dollars from the government of Nigeria and others, then laundered their criminal proceeds through U.S. financial institutions and the purchase of bonds backed by the United States.

The judgment is the result of a civil forfeiture complaint the department filed in November 2013 against more than $625 million in the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action brought in the department’s history. The forfeiture judgment includes approximately $303 million in two bank accounts in the Bailiwick of Jersey, $144 million in two bank accounts in France, and three bank accounts in the United Kingdom and Ireland with an expected value of at least $27 million. The ultimate disposition of the funds will follow the execution of the judgment in each of these jurisdictions. Claims to an additional approximately $148 million in four investment portfolios in the United Kingdom are pending.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-forfeits-over-480-million-stolen-former-nigerian-dictator-largest-forfeiture-ever-obtained

Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

The Ogun State government has said that its doors are not open to Okada riders whose operations were recently restricted by the Lagos State government and are contemplating migrating to the state.

The Special Adviser on Public Communications to Governor Dapo Abiodun,  Remmy Hazzan, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The government was reacting to a statement credited to the Chairman Caretaker Committee on Transportation in the State,  Femi Adeniyi, who was on Monday reported to have assured the motorcyclists that left Lagos to the state of adequate accommodation.

Hazzan said the Ogun State does not have the capacity to cope with the menace and security challenge the influx of the Okada operators from Lagos and any other neighbouring state would pose.

He noted that Okada operation is fraught with many challenges, including that of security, which is the reason why their operations have either been totally banned or restricted in many parts of the country.

Hazzan said deploying motorcycles for commercial operation is not in the schedule of the National Transportation policy, adding that the Ogun State government is already looking into the issue with a view to coming out with a clear policy direction.

The special adviser noted that although its doors are open, it is only for genuine businessmen and foreign investors to take advantage of the proximity of the Gateway State to the nation’s commercial and biggest market.

The statement noted that Governor Dapo Abiodun, since his assumption of office on May 29, 2019, has put in place, measures to create a conducive environment for businesses.

He said, “As the state with the largest industrial base, Ogun State will continue to welcome more investors.

“The present administration, in its determination to further enhance the status of the state as the most industrialised, has put in place policies that would attract more businesses home and abroad.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun has been meeting with potential investors in the country and even travelled abroad in his efforts to attract more investors into the state.”

The statement further stated that the present administration is desirous of providing gainful employment for her teeming citizens, but with emphasis on agriculture.

It appealed to the people to go about their normal businesses as efforts have been made to prevent security breaches in the state.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, says following Federal Government’s effort to encourage local production, Nigeria may stop fish importation in 2020.

The minister made this known while receiving a delegation from the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) led by its National President, Dr Gabriel Ogunsanya in Abuja.

Nanono said time had come for Nigeria to look inward to tap into the huge potential in fisheries and aquaculture for local consumption and export.

He noted that measures were already been put in place by government to actualise the plan.

According to him, this is an area that we can join hands to promote fish production. We have to seriously reduce importation of fish into the country.

“Last year, we issued about one million licenses. This year, I virtually cut it into half.

“I hope next year we will further cut it so that in the next two years we may rely entirely on what we produce here.

“Since you are producers and probably processors it is important to take note of your development in the fish sector towards this, ” he said.

He further said, “In the next years, probably we will not allow importation of fish into the country.

“I know people are saying we can only rear catfish, tilapia and a few other species but most of the white fish they do not do well here.

“But I know for a fact that the consumption of catfish is very high in this country both the fresh one as well as the smoked one.

“In fact, I was made to understand that it now has export market. So, if you put your head together and work hard, the future is very bright for fish producers in this country,” he said.

The minister assured the association of the government’s readiness to assist where necessary to move the industry forward.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of NFAN, Dr Gabriel Ogunsanya, while commending the minister for his commitment to moving agriculture to the next level, called for assistance in some areas.

He urged the Minister to involve members of the association in training programmes of the ministry and other relevant agencies.

He said, “we need a letter of introduction to CBN, NIRSAL, BOI, BOA for timely intervention to boost the fish industry production business in Nigeria.

“We also pray for the minister to guarantee loans and credit facilities for the purpose of business expansion.

“The association also needs a letter of introduction to the 36 state governments and the FCT, Abuja.

“We also kindly pray that the minister looks into reactivating dormant fishery terminals, fish markets, hatcheries and develop brood stock bank for identified fish species and privatise the for utilisation of NFAN members.”

The president equally urged the minister to direct research institutes to embark on demand driven researches to benefit the entire industry.

He also called for measures to be put in pace to support commercial fish production from along the value chain for both local and export markets.

Ogunsanya also urged the minister to involve the association in the policy formulations for the fish industry.

He called for establishment of a liaison office space to ensure closeness to our mother ministry and smooth interface with your management.

On the gains of the association so far, the president said, it had made some progress in the last few years

He said, “the National Fish Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body for all fisheries and aquaculture industry value chain in Nigeria.

“It has the mandate and responsibility of bringing together every farmer and industry operator groups to obtain or share useful business information and training.

“The association was established by the Federal Government to play such roles long other things.

“We have carried out several advocacy enlightenment and training activities and programmes for both the existing and upcoming fish farmers, producers and processors.

“We have undertaken business development promotion engagements with MDAs and development partners including the CBN, NIRSAL, NEPC, SON, Quarantine and Raw Materials Research Council.

“Also, between Sept. and Oct. last year, we met with the AUIBAR Consultant on fisheries from Nairobi as well as the Cultivating New Frontier in Agriculture (CNFA), the prime implementing partners of USAID’s Feed the Future Project in Nigeria.

“All efforts in this regard are geared toward repositioning the industry and better the lot of the farmers and stakeholders.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the NFAN delegation was Dr Ladan Aliyu, Deputy National President and National Vice Presidents representing North West, North East, South South and South East.

Other executive members including the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Chidike Uko, were part of the delegation.(NAN)

Hypnotise:
It should be legalized for smoking

Hypnotise:
How can you say you grow marijuana not to smoke

GenBuhari:
It cannot be considered facts unless proven in a court of law of competent jurisdiction, until then it can only be considered an allegation.

GenBuhari:
There is no evidence Abacha is a looter, so if you gonna accuse him of looting you gotta go to court and convict him.

A 17-year-old housewife, Rabi Rabi’u, who stabbed her husband, Shamsu Salisu, to death in Katsina State last Wednesday, has explained that a misunderstanding on who should first charge their mobile telephone led to a scuffle in which he died.

I never knew that the stab would lead to his death.

GenBuhari:
Abacha was never charged to court and convicted of looting.Why are we not talking of Obasanjo Loot? Saraki Loot, Jonathan Loot?

Boko Haram’s fight is against everyone that’s not violent in their extremism. Their victims have been mosques and churches, schools and universities, students and lecturers, aid workers and community leaders. Their victims are everyone that’s not a raging lunatic.”

tartar9:
Will they also sponsor their education coz xtians will want to use them for prostitution.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, it was gathered, had also claimed that 80 percent of the state revenue was committed to payment of salaries and allowances, insisting that if government pays the minimum wage across boards “civil servants will smile but other citizens will be at the receiving end”.

TheDevilIsALai:
So even your Koran does not set the standard ?

NothingDoMe:
No land grabbing by the FG. Also the Benue people will participate in it and customize it to their taste. I don't know if it is true but I understand that the Fulani herdsmen would not want to see pigs being reared around them.

slimfit1:
Tram is a cheaper alternative

One good thing about the programme is that it is not going to take lands away from Benue State and give to any foreigner. That is one thing our people were very concerned about. It is for the development of livestock by Benue people for the benefit of Benue State. We have been allowed to domesticate the NLTP according to our own needs and the livestock we have in the state. We are focusing on animals like pigs, sheep, goats and cattle. We rejected Ruga, cattle colonies and other unacceptable programmes, but we have accepted the NLTP.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/benue-willing-to-participate-in-livestock-transformation-plan-commissioner.html

“The government is not unaware that enforcing this directive may lead to some job losses. The Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, plans to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order.

The Lagos State Government has promised to provide alternative means of transportation for Lagosians in the wake of its ban on commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in certain areas of the metropolis.

It also praised ‘keke’ and ‘okada’ riders for complying with their restriction from six LGAs, major highways and bridges.

The enforcement by the State Security Council began on Saturday.

The ban has been widely condemned by residents as the government made no alternative arrangements for commuters, leaving many trekking and struggling to find means of reaching their destinations.

The state said the ban, which is being enforced in 15 local government areas and local council development areas across the state, became necessary due to the casualty figures resulting from their operations.

In a statement released on the official Twitter page of Lagos State Government Sunday evening, the government said the level of compliance was over 90 per cent. “In fact, some of the ride hailing companies directed their riders to obey the directive. This is commendable,” it said.

According to the statement, “the high level of compliance has shown that Lagosians agree with the government on the need to stop the danger that commercial motorcycles and tricycles have become – a big threat to safety of lives and security of our people.

“The little discomfort experienced by commuters on some routes due to the absence of motorcycles and tricycles is noted. This will not last as alternatives are being rolled out.”

Alternative

It said a fleet of 65 buses will join the others on some major routes as from Monday February 3, 2020. “No less than 550 more buses are being expected. Besides, 14 ferries will be commissioned on Tuesday.”

It also said “this will further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters.

“The government is not unaware that enforcing this directive may lead to some job losses. The Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, plans to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order.

“Besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others.”

Warning

The government warned those who are planning to unleash violence on the state because of the ongoing enforcement to have a change of heart.

“Lagosians are peace loving and law abiding people, who will not embrace any disruption of their legal activities by failed politicians hiding under the evil of unwholesome activism.

“The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands. The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians.

“It will not fail to act when peace is threatened.”