vivianblog2: After several days of extended interrogations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today arraign the former Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, for money laundering and embezzlement.
The arraignment of Suswam, who ruled Benue State from 2007 to 2015, follows the filing of a nine-count charge largely bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion against him at the Federal High Court Abuja on October 2.
Suswam and his former finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia were alleged to have diverted the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.
The offence is punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 20111 as amended in 2012.
It will be recalled that in a bid to set the stage for the prosecution of Suswam, the commission grilled him and his former finance commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, for many days last month but released them on administrative bail.
The two men, it was learned from their interrogators, were shown documents relating to the alleged crimes preferred against them and they were asked to defend themselves to enable the commission to determine their culpability or otherwise.
A source in the agency confirmed, last night, that the commission was convinced that the former governor and those who aided him to lauder the funds of the state must be charged to court.
The source said: “Barring any last minute hitch, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will formally arraign the former governor of Benue State,Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow, November 4, 2014.
“The anti-graft agency had on Monday, October 2, 2015 filed a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.”
While Suswam is facing the trial by the EFCC, he had successfully stopped his probe by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, by securing the order of the Benue State High Court to restrain the commission of enquiry raised by the governor from investigating his tenure.
It is not clear if Suswam will also get the same court to restrain the EFCC from proceeding with his trial.
spiritfada: President Mohammadu Buhari is expected to declare open a two day retreat for the confirmed ministerial nominees later this morning.
The retreat which would run from today through Friday would hold at the presidential villa in Abuja. Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina confirmed the development to Vanguard late last night.
“The retreat would open to moor in the villa”, he said.
It is believed that the exercise would herald the inauguration of the ministers
DONSMITH123: The cold war and mutual suspicion between the camps of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, may soon spiral into yet another clash, this time, over the composition and appointment of chairpersons of House committees. PREMIUM TIMES had reported the dissatisfaction among lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress, who complained that the composition of the committees favoured the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. They also said the development which saw PDP members appointed to some key committees, including works, petroleum resources, aviation, army etc., could sabotage the “change mantra” of President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Gbajabiamila accused Mr. Dogara of undermining him and other principal officers, who he said were not consulted by Mr. Dogara ahead of the appointments. In a letter dated October 20, addressed to Mr. Dogara, Mr. Gbajabiamila cautioned the Speaker against undermining his office as well as those of any Principal Officer in constituting the committees. In the letter, he reminded the Speaker of the several meetings they had during which the House Leader said he sought understanding of what was going on with the composition of chairmen and vice chairmen of the committees. “I did this because of the incessant rumour that same had been composed,” he wrote. “On each occasion you assured me that nothing had been done. From all indications, however, it appears that an announcement of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen is imminent and such may be done this week.” He continued, “Honourable Speaker, I acknowledge your right and prerogative to determine the leadership of the House Committees and I intend to work with you after such determination has been made. I intend and have stated privately and publicly to work with you for the progress of the House. “However, I am constrained at this point to ask that due consideration is given to the provision of our House Rules, Order 7 Rule 10 paragraph (a) which states that the Speaker shall in consultation with principal officers, appoint chairmen and deputy chairmen from among the members of the committees. “On the role of the Majority/House Leader: Order 7 Rule 27 (2) c says that the Leader of the House shall ‘liaise with committee chairmen and other functionaries of the House’.” By the foregoing, Mr. Gbajabiamila told Mr. Dogara that undermining the office of any principal officer would not strengthen Nigerian democracy and legislature. He said he had taken liberty to write the letter, hoping that Mr. Dogara would comply with relevant House Rules before announcement of the composition of the committees. Three days after the letter was forwarded, October 23, Mr. Dogara unveiled the headships of 96 special and standing committees, apparently confirming Mr. Gbajabiamila’s concerns. A lawmaker, Babban kaita (APC-katsina State) and an aide to the House Leader, told PREMIUM TIMES that the composition was made without consultation with the principal officers. Mr. Kaita said the aggrieved APC members could have taken action to stall announcement. But they acted otherwise in consideration of members of the public who had complained the legislative had spent much time fighting before, he said. Another member, Sunday Adepoju (APC-Oyo State), who resigned last week as the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Special Duties, said he took the step to protest “the strengthening of PDP at the expense of my party, APC.” Mr. Dogara’s spokesperson, Turaki Hassan, said the principal officers were duly consulted, and accused Mr. Gbajabiamila of lying.
akksplendor: For those who believe it's possible for someone to steal another person's penis, here's a bizarre story for you with photos...According to the story, an Indian supposed stole the penis of an Okada rider in the Satellite town area of Lagos on Saturday October 31st around 5.30pm.
He ran after the Indian man and started shouting which attracted the attention of others and his fellow okada riders. They even started beating him without anyone confirming. Na wa! Watch the video below...
360frolic: [img]http://3.bp..com/-SyQJoa0SzuY/Vjm2nbwyJAI/AAAAAAAHMtE/OJAGButD_Ic/s1600/CS6LKsbXAAAsJ52.jpg[/img] The Lagos state governor and some of his security chiefs went on an early morning patrol in the Onikan area of Lagos to see the situation for themselves. Many Lagosians have been complaining about the incessant traffic robberies that usually occurs early in the morning or in the evening. The governor has promised to do something about it and has so far increased police patrol on Eko bridge.
Somebody call 911 oooooooo. Prince take heart 9ooooooooo
blessingee: Prince Ebeano Supermaket on Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1 is currently on fire. At the time this report was filed, there was no fire service there. See Pictures from the scene after the cut..
marked10: The only female doctor to survive Nigeria’s Ebola outbreak, Dr. Ada Igonoh has given birth to a healthy baby girl in the Greater El-Monte Community Hospital in California, USA.
Since her conception, Dr. Ada has been placed under medical surveillance to ensure a hitch-free birth. Upon birth, the baby, who weighs 9 pounds and 1 ounce, has been certified Ebola-free.
To mark this wonderful news, the staff and friends of First Consultants Medical Centre are jubilant in celebration as they welcome a new lease of life to the institution and in memory of fallen colleagues and Survivors of Ebola.
morgist: The hmBayelsa State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, has mobilised women and youths of the party to evacuate refuse in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
On Tuesday, the APC rolled out refuse trucks, caterpillars and other earth-moving equipment to carry out clean-up of the various areas where heaps of refuse were noticed.
Also on hand to assist the operators of the refuse equipment were scores of party faithful, comprising young ladies, women and youths.
The party faithful, who adorned vests with inscription, ‘APC cleans Bayelsa,’ had trooped out with their brooms, buckets, shovels, rakes and other items to clean the state capital.
The party faithful were shared in groups to different parts of the metropolis to clear the garbages at strategic locations such as Swali market, Kpansia market, Kpansia Community Secondary School, Opolo market, among others.
But following the development, the Bayelsa State Government was said to have quickly mobilised contractors to clear the garbages.
The development saw the APC members and government contractors clearing the heaps of refuse side by side.
It was observed in Okaka area of the state that while the APC members were clearing the one opposite Berger, the government contractors were clearing the one opposite the FCMB.
Before the clash of interest, the government contractors had cleared the garbage dumps at OMPADEC junction, Ekeki Park near the Deputy Governor’s residence on Toolda Street as well as the one by Okaka Primary School.
Giving insight into what led to the exercise, the Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, lamented that the government had not been able to manage the environmental sanitation situation in the state.
This is just as the Dickson campaign team, Restoration Campaign Organisation, accused the APC of being responsible for the heaps of refuse in Yenagoa.
While carpeting the APC for engaging in the flash sanitation, RCDO described the exercise as “the deceitful style of campaign” by the opposition.
But Egba said, “The reason for doing this is simple: everybody living in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, now knows that the government is not able to manage the environmental sanitation situation in the state.
“As a result, epidemics and other diseases are likely to break out. There are instances where such rubbish is piled up in front of schools and market places. The private residence of the deputy governor is suffering similar fate.
“The idea is simple: to help the government clear up the places and to ensure that our people are able to live in epidemic and disease free environment.”
Egba said the exercise, which would be a continuous one, would be replicated in other parts of the state, noting that they had received invitations for assistance from other communities in the state.
Reacting to the development, Dickson’s campaign team called on the APC to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign.
The RCO advised Bayelsans and other residents of the state to be wary of the antics of the APC members “who are desperate to grab power through the back door by advancing various dubious means.”
The Director of Media and Publicity, RCO, Jonathan Obuebite, said the flash sanitation exercise carried out by the APC “has now confirmed to everyone the earlier assertion that it is indeed the so-called change party that is responsible for the heap of refuse around the state, particularly in Yenagoa the state capital.”
Obuebite described as embarrassing such cruel campaign strategy of the APC, adding that “they decided to carry out the show of shame on a day that is usually set aside by the state sanitation authority for evacuation.”
maxism2: Aceconnect finally unveil the front cover of the 5th Issue of they Magazine, Susan Eniolorunda Face Of Culture Nigeria Queen was the lucky queen to Graced the cover page of the Magazine which will be in distribution Nationwide in two weeks Stay Turn As u get to see full detailed interview with Susan Eniolorunda..
Queen Susan Eniolorunda also won an Award as the Beauty Queen Of the Year at the just concluded Most Beautiful Girl In Abuja. Other High Profile Celebs that also Appeared on the Magazine were Veteran Actor Kenneth Okonkwo Who recently was honored with the prestigious Democracy Hero Award in Abuja as Queen Douglas Debbie the just crowned Most Beautiful girl in Abuja and many more........ stay tuned as we keep you updated on the happening .
erakab2006: President Buhari meet Senate President Saraki to receive the official report of the screening of ministerial nominees that ended last week.
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I write to you great thinkers, I write to you students whose mindset is different from just coming to school to acquire certificates and become an employee but rather to become employers and great entrepreneurs.
Some great men never had this opportunities we are having today, yet they still come out successful in life. During the early days of Bill Gates struggling as a poor young boy, there was never anything like whatsapp, facebook, google etc yet he still comes out to rule the world as the richest man on earth as I write.
How did he do it? What did he do differently? Nothing my brothers and sisters, he only thinks differently. According to Brian Tracy, he said;"the difference betweeen the rich and the poor is their "thinking". There is a great POWER in that thing called "THINKING".
Bill Gates was a great thinker, despite the fact that he did not have access to what we all have access to today, yet he made use of what was available around him then, and see where he is today.
When people like Warren Buffet. Carlos Slim Helu, Dangote, Bill Gates are talking, a PHd Holder will fold back his arm and bow. Not because they are rich but because they think differently right from the early ours of their lives.
Are you a great thinker? The answer lies within your instinct and belief about life. If all you want to do is to go to school, acquire certificates and start working as an employee for a company or you want to be on top of the game, employ people, create businesses instead of depending on the government to provide jobs for you. It all depends on your thinking Sir/Ma.
Do you know we have more opportunities and better potentials to succeed financially even more than the people mentioned above? Today, we have google, whatsapp, twitter etc all on our palm. None of them ever had access to this platforms.
Mind you, this so called opportunity can either turn out to be a fortune or adversity for anyone depending on how we make use of it. How are you taking advantage of the opprtunties created by google, whatsapp, twitter, are you using them to add value to yourself or devalue yourself.
Success in life is far away from merely having a certificate, it depends on the kind of SKILLS you have, your ability to solve problems, your zeal to identify opportunities around you and use them to your advantage.
Be a great thinker. What you become tomorrow, is the product of your imagination. When like minds come together with creative imagination, they move the world.
Be a great THINKER!
As written by Genius (menzo4u) #iWRITE2INSPIRE
Dedicated to all students aspiring to become entrepreneurs
CONGRATS OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..will like to work with you sir
Blackberrybabes: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday appointed retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Chris Olakpe as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). His wealth of experience reportedly recommended him for the job.
His appointment, according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, 'is in response to the consistent complaints by the public on the situation of traffic on the streets of Lagos.'
The Governor had earlier on being reported to have dismissed the former 'docile' boss of the agency that has been responsible for the major traffic clearance in Lagos and one of the most notable state agencies in the country.
We hope and believe the traffic situation in the state which has been so poor of late, will surely be improved upon with the introduction of the new boss.
Today01: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized bullet-proof vehicles, huge cash and jewellery from five prominent Nigerians fingered in the money laundering allegation against former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. EFCC and its British counterpart, National Crime Agency (NCA), are probing the suspects for allegedly conniving with Alison-Madueke to commit the crime, it was learnt yesterday. The former minister was arrested in London on October 2 for alleged money laundering, bribery and corruption. EFCC has restricted the movement of the ”high-profile” suspects to Nigeria, pending the conclusion of investigation. Some of them may be extradited to the United Kingdom (UK), if the former minister is going to face trial. According to investigation, EFCC is still searching the companies and homes of more suspects linked with the former minister, following fresh clues. Most of the areas under surveillance are in Abuja and Lagos. A top source said: ‘’It is too early to declare whether they are guilty or not. But in line with international best practices, the EFCC has invoked the assets forfeiture clause in its Act to seize some choice bullet-proof vehicles, huge cash and jewellery from these suspects. ‘’The movement of the affected suspects has also been restricted to Nigeria pending the conclusion of investigation. ‘’The case at hand involves a high-net worth syndicate with tentacles across the strata of the society. But we are already cracking the investigation.’’ Asked if the suspects will be tried in Nigeria, the source added: ‘’It is uncertain or remote because the NCA has initiated a process in the UK, we will not want to duplicate the process. ‘’ If necessary, some of the suspects might be extradited to the UK for trial. This depends on NCA because EFCC is only collaborating with the agency.’’ It was learnt that some NCA officials are in the country to work with EFCC on the case. A source said: ‘’Some officials of the NCA are in the country for collaboration with the EFCC on this investigation of the allegations against the ex-minister. ‘’The EFCC has more knowledge of the terrain than the NCA in tracking down some of these suspects.’’ Neither the EFCC nor the NCA was willing to speak on record last night. Alison-Madueke and four others have been under investigation. On October 2, they appeared before the NCA team in the UK. The names of the four remaining suspects are being kept under wraps in ‘’order not to jeopardise investigation.’’ https://www.today.ng/news/31509/efcc-moves-against-diezanis-associates-seizes-cars-cash-jewellery
Politics › Re: EFCC Arraigns Suswam Over N3.1bn Fraud Today by j4sure(m): 10:16am On Nov 04, 2015
