The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urged all Service Chiefs in the country to step down to allow for the restructuring security architecture.

Senator Francis Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District in an amended resolution in a motion earlier moved by Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South Senatorial district, said: “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I hereby moved an amendment to the resolution that all the Service Chiefs should step down.



Senator Betty Apiafi seconded the motion and it was upheld by the Senate President.

In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan expressed concern at the large number of military officers who are leaving the war front.

He said there was the need for government to look into what is happening wrongly in the military.

https://www.inform.ng/post/resign-now-senate-tells-service-chiefs

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio to publish the names of lawmakers taking contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) within 48 hours or risks the full wrath of the House.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to send a communication to the minister today. The directive followed the adoption of a point of privilege.



He also declared that the Committee on NDDC can summon the ‘slumped’ Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Keme Pondei if it wishes so.

“I am giving the Minister 24-48 hours, to publish the names, the contracts, the companies, date, amount and the projects. I am directing the clerk to do so.
Failing which, this house will bring the full wrath of the house on him. It is important that we set this record straight. The Minister owes it to himself, to the committee, to people of Niger Delta, and the country to publish it. I will reserve my judgement. The minister came there to play games, but we do not play games here.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/publish-names-of-reps-nddc-contractors-or-face-our-wrath-gbaja-tells-akpabio

CONTRACT splitting is rampant in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio, said on Monday.

According to him, the management of the agency indulges in splitting contracts to outwit the minister and evade approval.



Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta in Abuja, the minister alleged that the agency spent “over N4.2 billion in a day in tranches of N49 million.”

The committee is probing how N40 billion was spent by the Interim Management Committee (IMC).

Akpabio was invited with the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.

Pondei fainted during the proceedings and had to be revived and taken to the hospital.

The minister also told the panel why Ms. Joi Nunieh was sacked as the agency’s managing director. Ms Nunieh, Akpabio said, was sacked, following a letter from the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, that she did not posses the requisite qualification to occupy a public office.

On the allegation that the agency had been awarding contracts without going through the procurement process and signing of necessary documents, the minister said only three contracts had been awarded since his assumption of office.

The minister hinted that in all the contracting processes, both the technical and financial bidding processes were conducted before they were awarded.

Akpabio, however, claimed that NDDC managers have been splitting contracts to evade his signature, saying he has no hands in the contract payments by the agency as government regulation does not allow ministers to pay for parastatals’ contracts.

He said: “It is not my business to approve payment for parastatal. Where they can come to me is when the payment is above N1 billion. Even at that, I must go to FEC to get approval.”

The minister said because of contract splitting, a minister could stay for four years in the ministry without knowing what was going on in the agency.

“Over N4.2 billion was spent in a day in tranches of N49 million,” the minister told the panel.

The management of the agency can award contracts less than N50 million while the board has the threshold of N500 million.

On the forensic audit ordered last year by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said the exercise was ongoing contrary, to Ms. Nunieh’s claim that the audit had not kicked off.

He added that nobody would have expected that the account of the agency would not be audited after 19 years of its existence.

Shedding light on what led to the sack of Ms. Nunieh, Akpabio said a memo from the late Kyari stated that “the former NDDC boss does not have an NYSC certificate”, adding that the letter formed one of the basis for her removal from office.

The other reason for her removal from office, he said, was insubordination and her refusal to honour a Federal Executive Council (FEC) invitation to offer explanation on certain actions of the commission.

Akpabio said:”She ignored the letter written to her by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry directing her to attend a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). She felt that she is bigger than the minister because she has a bigger budget.”

In a rather rowdy session, Akpabio said N2.5 billion for the forensic audit was included in the 2019 budget of the agency.

Amid the shout of ‘Hon. minister, it’s ok’; ‘Hon. minister, off your mic’, the minister kept talking, even when members urged him to stop his presentation.

Akapabio alleged that lawmakers benfit more from NDDC contracts.

He said: “Who are the greatest beneficiaries? It’s you people now…because if you look at your chairman…

“Are you asking me the benefits to National Assembly? I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts of NDDC are given to members of the National Assembly, but you don’t know about it. The two chairmen can explain to you. Let me explain…”

Akpabio however said “no” when asked whether he got a contract while in the Senate.

When asked if he had been usurping the powers of past managing directors and to what extent he had influenced or exercised such powers in the agency, Akpabio said: “If I find out that the MD of NDDC is not acting in the interest of the Niger Delta people, I will intervene. I had to do that once when I heard about the payment for Lassa fever. I called and found out that they had paid N2.9 billion and they were about to pay another N572 million. I had to intervene to say they should not because there was no budget at that time. The contractor wrote to me to approve N572 million.”

A member, Benjamin Kalu, accused the minister of not answering the committee members’ questions, but Akpabio denied, saying “I am giving you the facts.”

Kalu also accused the minister of usurping the functions of the managing director by writing a letter to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPP) to secure a letter of no objection.

But, Akpabio said: “It is the NDDC that eventually became the procuring agency. What happened was that we thought the government was going to pay for the forensic audit. But when the approval of the President came out, he said the NDDC should pay and so the letter we wrote was withdrawn.

“We had even gone to the federal tenders’ board. But eventually, the NDDC became the procuring agency.”

Akpabio also denied Ms. Nunieh’s allegations that she got his approval to share N10 billion from NDDC coffers to contractors.

https://www.inform.ng/post/nddc-spent-n42bn-in-a-single-day-akpabio-tells-reps

Pep Guardiola has said that Manchester City didn’t play very well in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal at the Wembley Stadium.



Aubameyang got the opener in the first half after a counter attack by Arsenal what uh defended well in the game.

Aubameyang also registered a second in the second half through another counter attack with Pepe playing a part in both goals.

The loss denied City a spot in the final which would have seen them defend the title they won last season.

“We started slow and without the way you have to play,” Guardiola said after the match at Wembley.

“We are always ready many times but today we were not.

“They defended well. It happened [when Arsenal played] against Liverpool too so we knew it. But we were not good.”

Guardiola will now prepare his men for their UEFA Champions League second leg round of 16 clash with Real Madrid.


https://www.inform.ng/post/why-we-lost-fa-cup-semi-final-match-to-arsenal-guadiola

By Reno Omokri

Sometime in 2012, it entered my heart to give back to Nigeria. I had invited some White Christian missionaries to Nigeria, in August 2012, and we visited an orphanage in Abuja, the Hope For Survival Orphanage. I was so shocked by the cramped conditions under which the children lived, that I went out and cried my heart out. 

I then vowed that I would build an orphanage that would be as good as the house my children lived in America. 

I started building in December 2012. I never stole a dime or did a fundraiser. I paid for this project myself, save for a $1000 contribution by my friend, Pastor Andy Cochran. I was in government for four years as a Presidential spokesman, and now I am perhaps the most vociferous critic of the General Buhari administration. Yet, nobody, not even the Buhari junta, can ever say I stole money. My hands are clean, and I am very fulfilled that I set a record, that you can serve in government in Nigeria without stealing. 

Work was slow, but I was determined. And then on Valentines Day, 2015, a few weeks to the Nigerian 2015 elections, everything came to a most abrupt halt. Why? Because Sahara Reporters wrote a story alleging that I was an armed robber, who robbed a house in Warri, Delta State, and stole money for use in the coming 2015 elections, which was to hold in two weeks.

I was aghast! No one has ever accused me of stealing money in government, let alone with arms. I had not been to Warri in years. The last time I went there was in 2012 when I had a meeting with Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor about evangelism. I felt it had to be a mistake. 

So, I wrote to Omoyele Sowore telling him he was mistaken. I gave him the facts. I showed him logs from Aso Rock, where I worked, proving that on the date and time he alleged I was robbing a house, I was in my office. I gave the names of a woman who was once an editor, who had met with me on the day in question. He ignored my mails. No response. The 2015 Nigerian Presidential election was in two weeks, and the story made my boss, President Jonathan look bad (which was the intention of the story). 

Why would you write a story like that without even verifying whether it was true or not? Both Sowore and his organisation had my contact details. Sowore has phoned me before. He knew how to reach me. How can you write such a damaging story without first reaching out to the person you are writing about? It goes against the ethics of responsible journalism, which says hear both sides, and when in doubt, leave out. 

I quickly engaged a lawyer and sued the man Sahara Reporters mentioned in their story as accusing me of armed robbery. At court, the man swore to an affidavit that he never made such allegations against me to Sahara Reporters and he does not know how they arrived at their claims. 

I then sent the affidavits he swore to Saharareporters and Omoyele Sowore and they ignored it. The traditional print media carried the story of the denial by the man cited by Sahara Reporters. Yet, both Sowore and his organisation refused to either take the story down or apologise. 

I then sued Sahara Reporters in Nigeria, but they dodged service of court papers. So, I travelled to the United States and engaged two lawyers, one in New York and one in California.

I was almost financially ruined. I had difficulty paying my mortgage because of the astronomical cost of hiring a lawyer in America (they bill by the hour). I had to stop work on the orphanage project and focused entirely on fighting to clear my name. My children were too ashamed to go to school because I live in a small Christian community in California. The people in our church had read the story, and I was the subject of malicious gossip. Eventually, I had to leave the church. I was scandalised in the community. 

The lawyer in New York wrote Sowore and appealed to him to remove the story and explained to him how financially draining this case could be for both him and I. Sowore would not budge and it looked like I may have had to remortgage my house to get the funds to pay for a long legal battle. 

Eventually, the lawyer in New York was able to discover that The Ford Foundation was sponsoring Saharareporters. So, he wrote to them and presented the facts to them. Then, and only then, did Sowore take the story down. He did not do this because he wanted to. He did it, only because he did not want his money threatened. 

What mattered to Omoyele Sowore was not my life that he was ruining with his blackmail or my children he was scarring psychologically by falsely labelling their father as an armed robber. His singular motive was to render then President Jonathan unelectable and ensure the election of General Muhammadu Buhari, via any means necessary, including lying against innocent people. The only thing that could stop him was a threat to his income. 

I thank God that on February 22, 2016, the orphanage, The Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for Orphans, was declared open in Benin city, Edo state, by Professor Pat Utomi, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and Arch Bishop John Praise Daniel, to the glory of God. My entire family was there. Foreign friends came.

The orphanage is now giving hope to the previously hopeless. However, the orphanage could have been opened earlier, if I did not have to waste multiple millions of Naira trying to clear my name from the reckless lies told against me by Omoyele Sowore, all because, to him, all is fair in elections. 

If you saw my photograph from that period, I looked like a person in the last stages of HIV/AIDS wastage. I could not eat. I could not sleep. I was traumatised. My grandparents were so affected by the blackmail against me by Sowore, that I feared it might lead to their untimely death. 

My family and I would gather and cry out to God and beg Him to vindicate me. It was the most trying period of my life. 

The money I wasted on this venture could have fed and educated orphans. It could have been used to do something more positive and useful to humanity than feathering the nests of already wealthy lawyers both here and in the United States. 

However, mine is not an isolated case. It is a pattern or blackmail, and media Terrorism engaged in by Omoyele Sowore, probably the most dishonest on Earth. 

I know several persons he has done this to, including and not limited to Pastors, people in business, and ordinary citizens, who he has targeted for destruction to suit his political motives. 

I know of a pastor whom Sowore targeted because the man had prophesied the death of his political Godfather, the Kaduna state governor, if he should sign his anti preaching Bill, The Kaduna State Religious Preaching (Regulation) Bill, into law. The pastor is in court against Sowore's medium and has promised to expose details when the case is concluded. 

Today, Buhari, who Omoyele Sowore admitted on Camera to bringing to power, is now doing to him what he did to others, and both Sowore and his website want to paint the picture of victims. No, they are enablers. They brought Buhari to power, and as we all know, the first person a dictator goes after, are those who brought him to power. 

Sowore is a woman scorned. He expected to be given a role in Buhari’s government, like Festus Keyamo. However, he forgot that when you sell your brother, even your buyer will not trust you. 

That is why it took less than 24 hours for Nnamdi Kanu to get bail. Because he is genuinely fighting for his people. However, it took months for Sowore to get bail. And he still did not make it. The judge herself later said she was “embarrassed” that despite reducing the bail conditions, no one came to bail Sowore. Who will want to bail a blackmailer? Who? 

A brutal blackmailer has met his match in a brutal dictator. It is a match made in hell, and both of them should be left to reap what they have sown. 

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”-Galatians 6:7.

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Avid traveller. Hollywood Magazine Film Festival Humanitarian of the Year, 2019.


https://www.inform.ng/post/how-omoyele-sowore-blackmailed-almost-ruined-me-my-familys-lives-reno-omokri

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, says some of the things he says annoy non-members of his church.

The 78-year-old cleric says should he have his way, he will restrict his sermons and activities to members of his church.

Adeboye, who said this during a sermon on Sunday titled ‘From Lockdown to Lifting Up’, said but “the lockdown has made the door open to everybody”.

He, however, appealed to his critics not to be offended with him over his comments, saying they are meant for his ‘children’.

In the sermon broadcast live via the church’s TV, Dove Media, the cleric said, “As a matter of fact, if there is a way of preaching this sermon just to my own children alone, that is what I would have done. Not because I’m selfish but occasionally there are things you say to your children that would annoy outsiders. And you keep on saying, but I am not talking to you, I am talking to my children. But now, the lockdown has made the door open to everybody.

“Some people see the glory but don’t know the story. Some people see me and say all kinds of things. It’s none of my business, I don’t need to answer you; I just need to keep on riding high with my king. I’m talking to my children, so others should not be angry with me. Before you take off, consider your landing.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/dont-be-angry-with-me-im-talking-to-my-children-adeboye-replies-critics/%3famp=1

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to resist all attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use the federal might in the Edo State governorship election by using the people’s might.

The party also expressed shock over the sudden demand by the APC for the transfer of the matter it instituted against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and two others to Abuja.

The PDP also denied the allegation that Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, bribed the party with N15 billion to secure the party’s governorship ticket.

Chairman of the Media Committee for the governorship election, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, thursday on behalf of the Campaign Council on Edo State Governorship Election (PDPNCEG) that the party was prepared to inflict on the APC its worst defeat ever.

He declared the PDP would contain the federal might with people’s might, assuring the Edo electorate that they would not be disappointed.

Dokpesi said: “We are fully ready under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike. And we assure our teeming supporters in Edo State that we are going to give APC the defeat they never imagined. We are battle-ready at any time.

“If they are thinking of federal might, we are thinking of people’s might. We are leveraging on the electorate.”

The party insisted that the matter with suit number: FHC/B/C569/2020 PDP V. INEC and two others originated from the Benin-city jurisdiction and not Abuja.

Dokpesi, said the demand by APC was fishy and violated the circular of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on transfer of matters between course divisions.

According to him, “The request by the APC violates the circular of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court dated August 6, 2018, and June 24, 2020, which cautioned against entertaining matters if the cause of action arose from outside judicial divisions.”

He said the PDP could have sued in Abuja jurisdiction but for the policy direction of the Chief Judge of hearing matters only within jurisdictions.

“The petition of the APC, therefore, contradicts the policy directive of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and we therefore expect the court to ignore same. More so, as the matter has not been heard in Benin-city jurisdiction,” he said.

Dokpesi, however, said the PDP has nothing to fear as it is confident in the judiciary to do justice.


https://www.inform.ng/post/we-will-resist-apc-federal-might-in-edo-pdp-vows

The APC campaign council, which accused Edo State government agents of destroying and removing the billboards of its candidates, said it had petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, and INEC regarding what it called a “criminal act”. It said the billboards and campaign posters were located at strategic points in Benin City and beyond.


National Vice Chairman of the publicity committee of the campaign council, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, said at a press conference in Benin City, the Edo State capital, that the action was “unfortunate” and “criminal.” Obahiagbon stated that the “outdoor billboards and indeed other campaign materials were duly paid for, designed and erected in full compliance with all legal requirements.”

He said, “We are convinced that this act of intolerance, carried out with impunity, foreshadows what the Edo State government has in store for the Edo voters and our supporters in the September 19 election following the emergence of incontrovertible facts that Mr. Godwin Obaseki is on his way to an embarrassing defeat.

“This unfortunate and criminal action took flight on Thursday, the 16th of July, 2020, when the Edo State government allegedly expressly told one Mr. Dave Giwa Amu who is parading himself as the Managing Director of the Edo State Signage and Advertising Agency, to commence immediate removal and destruction of our billboards.”
The campaign council also stated, “The Edo State Signage and Advertising Agency, purportedly led by the so-called Mr. Dave Giwa Amu, an avowed supporter of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, is an agency that is yet to receive the assent of the Edo State House of Assembly as the bill for its creation and operations is still being considered in the legislative chamber…

“This agency, as of today, is unknown to the laws of Edo State and is being weaponised by the state government, an interested party in the election, to give itself an illegal, unfair, unethical, fraudulent advantage as we approach the polls.

“This is an egregious and opprobrious escalation of other recorded acts of abuse of office and disregard for the law on the part of the Edo State government. It is a new low for a state government and a governor that has blurred and corrosively dimmed the lines on what is personal and official, reserves the interest of the state and that of the parochial interests of the man, who lead it.

“It is unfortunate that as the chief executive of the state, who is expected to commit to peace, rule of law and avoidance of rancour, Governor Godwin Obaseki has continued to heat up the polity with reckless and provocative comments, media blackmail and criminal actions of intolerance, including the mass destruction of opponent’s campaign materials.”

Obahiagbon stated that APC and its candidates remained confident that Edo people already knew where to place their thumbs on September 19 and would not be cowed by the “last kicks of a dying horse”.

The campaign council said, “We will, nonetheless, stop at nothing to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the state and that the governor is made to come to terms with the fact that all constitutional powers have limits and responsibilities and that as it has been said by scholars, nobility commands responsibility.”
But in a swift reaction, Osagie insisted that the Edo State government did not bring down APC candidates’ campaign billboards. In a statement, he said the allegations were ludicrous and unfounded.

He alleged in the statement, “Anyone who knows Ize-Iyamu very well knows that this is his approach to politics. He raises the alarm and cries wolf, when no one is chasing him. The state government has not removed any of his billboards. This is cheap blackmail to score lame political points.

“Ize-Iyamu is a politician that assumes relevance during every election cycle. This is what he does for a living and has no other job. It is not surprising to see these statements from him and his team. He should not be taken seriously, and his statements should be disregarded.

“He would go back to his cocoon after he has been defeated at the September 19, 2020 election and would most likely resurface after four years to repeat this cycle. So, we are used to his childish charades.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/apc-edo-govt-trade-words-over-campaign-billboard

17th July, 2020

*PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)*
WADATA HOUSE,
ABUJA.

Distinguished Leaders,

*OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON 2023 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NOMINATION OF THE PARTY.*

You may recall that at the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1998, Dr Alexander Ekwueme PhD, former Vice president of Nigeria during the aborted Second Republic that lasted between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983, as leader of the group of 38 distinguished leaders of our great country that sacrificed their time and resources for the formation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was seen as the frontline Presidential Aspirant penultimate to the National Convention of 1998.
You may also note that on the eve of the National Convention, some leaders across the country prevailed on the party to present someone from the Southwest geopolitical zone as candidate of PDP for the January 1999 presidential election, which the PDP won. The argument of these leaders was premised on compensating the Southwest geopolitical zone over the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election that was presumed to have be won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, of the now defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP. It was based on this that the ambition of Chief Ekwueme was sacrificed by the party in favour of retired general Olusegun Obasanjo, who got the nomination of the party despite the fact that he was never involved in the formation process at any level.

You may further recall that despite denial of Dr Ekweme, a native of Anambra state in the Southeast geopolitical zone, the PDP was still accepted in the zone across all level during that year’s general election.
Distinguished leaders, recall that penultimate to the expiration of the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the leadership of the party zoned the sole presidential ticket of the party for the 2007 general election to the Northern region, while the vice presidential slot that was zoned to the Southern region, was given to the SouthSouth geopolitical. Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, then Executive Governors of Katsina and Bayelsa states respectively, were nominated as presidential and vice presidential candidates for the party.
Distinguished Leaders, at the expiration of the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the year 2023, it is expected that power shifts to the Southern region in the interest of Justice, Equity and Fairness. This is because it will be unfair and highly unacceptable for a candidate from the North to emerge president to succeed President Buhari, a native of Katsina state in Northern Nigeria. The PDP, being a leading party in Nigeria is expected to show leadership and present a candidate from the South in compliance with the wish of patriotic Nigerians across all geopolitical zones.
While the Southwest and Southsouth zones have been given opportunity to fly the flags of the PDP in Presidential election on two occasions each, the Southeast zone, which has been the traditional stronghold of PDP has suffered victimization and extreme marginalization as a result from Federal government of the now ruling All Progressive Congress since 2015.
Considering the above, it is only fair to all sections of Nigeria irrespective of ethic nationality or political leaning, for the presidential nomination of PDP for the 2023 presidential election to be streamlined to a credible aspirant from the Southeast geopolitical zone.


Distinguished leaders, while we are not particular about any individual, may I assure you all that the Southeast geopolitical zone parades credible men and women that have made their marks over the years in both the public and private sectors, and would be willing to advance the interest of Nigeria and also implement the programs and manifesto of PDP for Nigeria.
Please be assured of our highest regards.
Thank you.

Yours truly,

Mazi Dickson Nnamdi-Iroegbu (DGN)
for: SOUTHEAST-2023 PRESIDENCY


https://www.inform.ng/post/group-writes-pdp-nec-urges-party-to-zone-2023-seat-to-southeast

The New York Times · 14 awa dem wey don passTyrese Haspil Is Charged With Grisly Murder of Tech C.E.O. Fahim Saleh

The personal assistant of a young tech entrepreneur who was found decapitated and dismembered in his Manhattan apartment this week was arrested early on Friday and is expected to be charged in the grisly killing, according to two officials briefed on the matter.

The entrepreneur, Fahim Saleh, 33, was discovered dead on Tuesday afternoon by his sister inside his $2.25 million condo in a luxury building on the Lower East Side, the police said. She had gone to check in on him after not hearing from him for about a day.

She found a gruesome scene: Mr. Saleh’s head and limbs had been removed, and parts of his body had been placed in large plastic bags. An electric saw was still plugged in nearby.

The personal assistant, Tyrese Devon Haspil, 21, was expected to be charged in a criminal complaint with second degree murder and other crimes.

Detectives believe that the motive for the killing stemmed from Mr. Saleh having discovered that the assistant had stolen tens of thousands of dollars from him, despite the fact that Mr. Saleh had not reported the man and had set up what amounted to a repayment plan for him to return the money, one of the officials said.

The police were expected to announce the arrest at a news conference later Friday.

Investigators have also concluded that Mr. Saleh was killed on Monday, the day before his body was found, and that the killer returned the next day to Mr. Saleh’s apartment on East Houston Street to dismember the body and clean up the crime scene.

Detectives believe that the killer, dressed in a black three-piece suit, white shirt and tie, wearing a black mask and carrying a duffle bag, followed Mr. Saleh off an elevator in his building and into his apartment, a law enforcement official said. He used a Taser to immobilize Mr. Saleh and then stabbed him to death.

Security video taken from inside the elevator shows the killer later using a battery-operated portable vacuum cleaner in an apparent effort to remove any traces of his presence, the official said.

New York City’s medical examiner announced on Thursday that Mr. Saleh had died from multiple stab wounds to his neck and torso. Initially, a law enforcement official had described the killing as a “hit” and said it looked “like a professional job.”

Detectives investigating the murder believe the killer’s work dismembering the body was interrupted when Mr. Saleh’s sister buzzed from the building’s lobby, another official said, prompting him to flee through the apartment’s back door and into a stairwell before the sister arrived.

Mr. Saleh’s family said in a statement on Wednesday that the gruesome killing was so shocking it was unfathomable.

“Fahim is more than what you are reading,” the family said. “He is so much more. His brilliant and innovative mind took everyone who was a part of his world on a journey and he made sure never to leave anyone behind.”

Mr. Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia to Bangladeshi parents who eventually settled near Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a small city on the Hudson River.

After graduating from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., in 2009, he built an app called PrankDial that allowed users to send prerecorded prank calls. Mr. Saleh said he eventually built PrankDial into a $10 million business.

Mr. Saleh went on to found Pathao, a motorcycle ride-sharing start-up in Bangladesh. He left that company in 2018 to begin a similar venture in Nigeria, an app known as Gokada.

At the time of his death, Mr. Saleh was the chief executive of Gokada and oversaw a shift in its business during a turbulent time. In February, Nigerian officials began enforcing a ban on motorcycle taxis in major commercial and residential parts of the country’s largest city, Lagos.

Gokada was forced to halt its ride-hailing business and laid workers off, but Mr. Saleh pivoted the company to focus on food and parcel delivery and business logistics.

“Fahim’s passion for Nigeria and its youth was immeasurable,” Gokada said in a statement. “He believed young Nigerians were extremely bright and talented individuals who would flourish if just given the right opportunity.”

Mr. Saleh was also the founding partner in a Manhattan-based venture capital fund, Adventure Capital, that invested in similar transit start-ups in Colombia and Bangladesh.

https://www.inform.ng/post/police-to-prosecute-pa-to-gokoada-boss-for-murder-of-tech-entrepreneur

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Campaign Strategy Team for Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is vying for the post of the Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, while inaugurating the team on Thursday in Abuja, said it was key to the success in ensuring that the Nigerian candidate emerged as WTO Director-General for 2021 – 2025 term.

Adebayo, in a statement by Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Assistant Director, Press Unit of the ministry, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to nominate Okonjo–Iweala as Nigeria’s candidate for the position of WTO Director-General was in good faith.

He said the decision was given the overriding consideration of the need to host Africa’s chance and for the promotion of gender mainstreaming at the world’s top trade post.

He expressed optimism that the Nigerian candidate would emerge as the next Director-General of WTO, based on her capabilities and wealth of experience at the highest level of World Bank, as a Development Economist, Diplomat and one of the Africa’s most trusted technocrats.

“An eminently qualified candidate in the position of Okonjo-Iweala with proven leadership, bold reformer, skillful negotiator with abilities to broker numerous agreements that would promote fair trade should be selected for Director-General of the WTO.

“I am confident that she possesses the qualities to lead the most important global multilateral body,” the minister said.

He, therefore, charged the team to develop winning strategy for the candidate and also called on stakeholders, media, public, private and trading partners to give necessary support that she required to emerge as WTO Director-General.

The Minister of State, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, who is the Team Leader of the Campaign Strategy team, pledged the full commitment of members of the team to deliver on its mandate.

“We must all get to work as a team in the most strategic and professional manner to deliver on this important assignment in line with the Terms of Reference,” she stated.

Katagum also expressed confidence that Okonjo–Iweala would emerge as the next WTO Director-General considering her pedigree and commitment in ensuring sustainable development and economic growth, not only for Africa but the world at large.

The Campaign Strategy team comprises officials of the ministry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; representatives of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The team also include officials from the Ministry of Finance, Nigerian Ambassador to ECOWAS and African Union as well as Geneva–based officials.

Source: NAN

https://www.mediaorchid.com.ng/2020/07/wto-fg-inaugurates-campaign-strategy.html?m=1

Spokesman of  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, says that the boast by suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, that he would be cleared and reinstated despite the allegations against him, is a huge affront on the integrity of the ongoing inquest by the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Investigative Panel on the activities of the EFCC.

The party said Nigerians were shocked when counsel to suspended EFCC acting Chairman, Wahab Shittu, boastfully declared that he has Magu’s instruction to inform the public that “he will be reinstated back to office”.

Nigerians are unease that such assertive statement by Magu’s lawyer holds more than meet the eyes and portrays the Presidential Panel as well as the Buhari Presidency as having compromised the probe.

Our party hopes that this is not a case of corruption fighting back in a frantic effort to shield accused persons from prosecution.

Already, the statement by Magu’s counsel has heightened public concerns that the probe have become a sham and that the allegations against Magu will eventually be swept under the carpet despite demands by Nigerians to prosecute the suspended EFCC boss in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The PDP wonders if Magu’s counsel is now informing Nigerians that the activities of the Presidential Panel, as well as the indicting memo by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, are all drama to facilitate Magu’s clearance at the Senate.

The party notes that the details of the allegations by the Attorney General of the Federation against Magu are in the public domain, including alleged discrepancy in the financial records of the EFCC funds, alleged stealing of funds recovered by the commission, alleged sale of property recovered by the EFCC, details of alleged acts of insubordination, among others.

This is in addition to issues of alleged violation of rules, abuse of investigation processes, manipulation of court procedures by the EFCC under Magu, which has allegedly become a partisan vehicle for persecution, harassment and extortion against innocent Nigerians.

There are also allegations that the EFCC under Magu was more interested in securing conviction and not justice; for which innocent citizens were harassed with trumped-up charges, denied bail, allegedly made to make statement in custody without the services of their lawyers and convicted on media trial even before being allowed to defend themselves in court.

Moreover, there are also insinuations in the public space that the EFCC under Magu was harassing certain judges to get conviction in cases, in addition to the manifest selective persecution in which no member of the current administration, including those who have been openly indicted for corruption, have been prosecuted by the EFCC.

The statement by Magu, through his counsel, is therefore a direct slap on the integrity of our justice system and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

What Nigerians and indeed the global community expect is for the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the African Union (AU) Anti-Corruption Champion, to take immediate steps to arraign the suspended EFCC Chairman before a court of competent jurisdiction to defend and clear his name over the very weighty allegations that have been brought against him.

Anything short of this will only signpost a huge compromise in the matter.

https://www.inform.ng/post/nigerians-shocked-over-magus-boast-of-return-to-efcc-pdp

President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended no fewer than 11 senior officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as the probe of the shenanigans under the stewardship of disgraced Ibrahim Magu deepened.




 

Authoritative Presidency sources told Inform NG on Tuesday night that EFCC executive Secretary Olanipekun Olukoyede was among the senior officials suspended.

According to the source, ‘they were suspended for various alleged criminal and corrupt infractions”.




The suspension of the officials was also to allow for unfettered investigation of the commission.

“All the top officials in the agency have been suspended, their offices locked, to prevent any tampering with files at the commission”, the source added.

President Buhari suspended Ibrahim Magu, the former acting chairman of the agency last week and appointed the director of operations, Mohammed Umar Abba, to hold forte.

The source said Umar Abba survived the temporary purge, as he was found not to be a part of the suspected underhand dealings in the agency.

Olukoyede became the Secretary to the EFCC in November 2018 following confirmation by the Senate.

The Ikere-Ekiti born senior lawyer was a former chief of staff to Magu. He replaced Emmanuel Aremo, whose five-year tenure expired in July 2018.

The former acting chairman of the agency is facing for the second week, grilling by the presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, over financial allegations and improprieties, including money laundering.

He is facing tough questioning over allegations that he re-looted funds recovered by the commission. And that he accepted bribes to pervert cases of graft.

He is also accused of mismanagement of recovered assets by the EFCC.

Among the issues Magu is helping the panel to resolve are wide discrepancies in figures of recovered monies published by the agency.

The panel has also asked him to react to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) report accusing him of siphoning money from the EFCC.

NFIU report showed that a particular Bureau de Change, owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Shanono linked to the Acting Chairman based in Kaduna has more than 158 accounts and has been receiving huge sums of funds.

The report also accused Magu of laundering money through Pastor Emmanuel Omale of Hand of God Prophetic Ministry.

Omale was alleged to have bought a landed property on behalf of Magu worth N573 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Another individual who is helping in laundering funds for the Acting Chairman and who has been referred to in several petitions is one Pastor Emmanuel Omale (Hand of God Prophetic Ministry).

“He is reported to have traveled to Dubai with Mr. Magu and his name was used in purchasing property in Dubai for Mr Magu.

“As an unknown pastor, the NFIU’s report showed huge movement of funds ranging from N573,228,040.41,’’ the report said.

Omale has denied laundering money for Magu.

Magu has also been accused of allegedly failing to give proper account of missing 332 out of the 836 recovered real estate property as of March, 2018.

https://www.inform.ng/post/more-trouble-as-buhari-suspends-efcc-secretary-10-others

Ah evil stepmother

Contrary to the rumour going round that Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, has been disqualified from contesting the primary election under the All Progressive Congress party, he has confirmed on his Facebook page that he wasn’t disqualified.

Akeredolu who posted his ongoing meeting with the Union leaders at the government House Akure, to resolve all the lingering issues with the workers, said he wished the disqualified APC Aspirant who was to meet the Appeal committee in Abuja today the best.




His words: “Currently in Akure meeting with Labour union leaders concerning their demands. I trust we shall all reach a compromise that is beneficial to all parties.

“I’d also like to wish my fellow aspirant meeting the APC Gubernatorial appeals committee today in Abuja all the best”.


https://www.inform.ng/post/i-wish-disqualified-ondo-apc-aspirant-the-best-akeredolu

The Vice President of Ivory Coast, Daniel Kablan Duncan has resigned from his position.

The Presidency confirmed Duncan’s resignation on Monday.



A statement by President Alassane Ouattara’s Secretary-General, Patrick Achi said Duncan resigned on personal grounds.

According to Achi: “The President of the Republic proceeded on Wednesday, July 8, to the signing of a decree terminating the functions of Daniel Kablan Duncan as vice president of the Republic.

“After several talks, the last of which took place on Tuesday, July 7, President Alassane Ouattara took note of this resignation and proceeded to sign the decree terminating Daniel Kablan Duncan.”

Duncan had previously served as Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire from 1993-1999 under Henri Konan Bedié and again from 2012-2017 under the current president, Ouattara.


https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-presidency-accepts-vice-presidents-resignation

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has alleged that nobody is more corrupt than Ibrahim Magu, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Kanu alleged that Magu helped Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari hide money he looted.



Speaking on Radio Biafra, the IPOB leader said: “Abba Kyari died on the 2nd day of April, we announced it, they were busy running around to get a mask for Abba Kyari instead of telling the people the truth.

“Abba Kyari embezzled #13.5 billion naira meant for Aso Rock Clinic. Himself and his family took over NNPC as their family business.

“There is nobody more corrupt than Magu the EFCC Chairman. He keeps money for Abba Kyari”.

A presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami is currently investigating the activities of Magu as Czar of EFCC.

The ongoing probe followed allegations of insubordination and corruption levelled against Magu by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

In view of the ongoing probe, Magu was suspended by the presidency and Mohammed Umar was picked to head the commission, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

https://www.inform.ng/post/nnamdi-kanu-backs-agf-malami-says-magu-is-highly-corrupt

Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki has opened up an a virtual meeting he had with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

The President and Obaseki had a virtual private meeting where they discussed about several issues related to Edo state. This is the first meeting Obaseki is having with the President since he officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.



Speaking on the meeting, Obaseki disclosed; “My relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari is that of a father and son.”

I was on a zoom meeting with the President, during which we engaged on development issues affecting Edo people and Nigerians. We also discussed measures to manage the spread of #COVID19.”

Photos below;



https://www.inform.ng/post/buhari-is-like-a-father-to-me-obaseki

Prophet Omale, who is also the General Overseer of Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministries International, Abuja, said this in a pre-litigation letter addressed to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.

In the letter which was signed by his lawyer, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), the cleric said he indeed met Magu in Dubai earlier in the year but it was not for the purpose of purchasing a property.



He said the suspended EFCC boss had travelled to Dubai for medical reasons and he only prayed with him.

Omale, however, admitted that indeed Magu attends his church.

The letter read in part:

“We, however, wish to make the following clarifications to put the public records straight: That our client is the General Overseer of an Inter-denominational/Multi-religious Prayer Ministry, which Mr. Ibrahim Magu attends.

“That our client, only visited Mr. Ibrahim Magu in a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, sometime in March 2020.

“That our client never laundered any funds whatsoever for Mr. Ibrahim Magu or for anybody whatsoever. Our client does not own any foreign bank account anywhere in the world.

“That there are no funds whatsoever traceable from Mr. Ibrahim Magu to our client’s bank accounts whatsoever neither has our client received any funds whatsoever from Mr. Ibrahim Magu. Our client has never received any funds whatsoever from anybody on behalf of Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

“That our client does not own any property in Dubai. His name was never used to purchase any property whatsoever in Dubai, United Arab Emirates or anywhere else in any part of the world, neither has he purchased any property nor properties for Mr. Ibrahim Magu in any part of the world whatsoever.”

He subsequently asked the Federal Government-owned news agency to retract the publication which had severely injured his reputation, character and calling.”

The report which had been submitted to the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), accused Magu of being unable to account for the interest generated from cash recoveries of over N500bn.

In the report, Magu was accused of buying a property in Dubai through Prophet Omale.
.
https://www.inform.ng/post/i-have-never-purchased-any-property-for-myself-or-on-behalf-of-anyone-outside-nigeria-pastor-accused-of-laundering-for-magu

The National Parents Teachers’ Association of Nigeria has said it is confused about the proclamation by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, that schoolchildren nationwide would not be allowed to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination slated for August 4 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  


The NAPTAN National President, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, said the association had resolved to meet Adamu by Monday to seek an amicable solution.

NAPTAN had in the last week of May called on the government to reopen schools nationwide “to pupils who will be sitting external examinations of the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council.”




The association said parents had resolved to work together with schools to put measures in place such as the provision of face masks, handwashing containers and hand sanitisers to minimise the risks of virus contraction by the pupils.

Reacting to Adamu’s directive that pupils would not be able to sit the WASSCE this year, Danjuma said parents were confused and that they would seek an audience with the government on the matter.

He said, “Surprisingly, we heard from the Federal Ministry of Education that the government has suspended the reopening of schools. This is very confusing; we don’t know what to do. We are waiting for whatever will come after this.

“On our side at NAPTAN, we are planning to go to the ministry and meet with the minister or his representatives to hear from them. It should be on Monday.”

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, had during the press briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 last Monday announced that the 2020 WASSCE conducted by WAEC would hold between August 4 and September 5.

But Adamu said on Wednesday that all federal schools would remain closed until it was safe to reopen them. He also urged state governments that had announced school resumption plans to rescind such.

https://www.inform.ng/post/wassce-parents-counters-minister-want-schools-reopened

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Saturday denied buying a N300 million house for his newly wedded son, Abdulazeez, in Abuja.

Malami, in a statement issued by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, also dismissed as untrue claims in a social media report that COVID-19 guidelines were flouted during Abdulazeez’s wedding fatiha held in Kano yesterday.



He daubed the report mischievous, deceitful, perfidious and “a clear violation of ethical journalism practices on verification of facts and authentication of claims.”

He challenged his accusers to name the vendor of the purported house and its location and to publish the title documents.

“God knows that I did not purchase any house for him in Abuja. Not even a rented house was secured for my son in Abuja, because he has no plan to live in Abuja,” Malami was quoted as saying.

The statement added: “The allegation of hiring private jets for the marriage was preposterous.

“It is common knowledge that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had neither a father nor mother anywhere in Nigeria to be conveyed to Kano for the wedding.

“Who then is the Attorney-General using the chartered flight to convey? Which jets are chartered? Who paid for the charter? Through which means was the money paid?”

He said the wedding fatiha took place “under strict observance of the protocols and guidelines of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.”

“It is important to note that the wedding fatiha took place in Kano on Saturday 11th July, 2020 in the morning.

“Any other activity before or after the wedding fatiha is not connected with the marriage and we therefore disassociate ourselves from it in its entirety.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-didnt-buy-n300m-house-for-my-son-malami

A staff of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano State, who converted to Islam could not control his emotions after the school donated a 3- Bedroom flat to him.

Abubakar Miller, a non academic staff of the school, accepted Islam on Thursday July 2, 2020.

Provost of the college, Yahaya Isa Bunkure, who handed over the keys of the house at Wailari Na’ibawa , Kano to Miller said the gift was to strengthen the Islamic brotherhood.

The provost described Miller as a hardworking and dedicated staff who has done a lot to the development of the College and urged him to maintain the tempo.

Miller who could not hide his joy after receiving the keys said“Islam is the religion of love, gratitude, and peace”, saying the past recent days have been very inspiring for him. 

He said he was overwhelmed by the love, care, and brotherhood shown to him since he became a Muslim.

He pledged to be more dedicated to his duties and prayed to Allah to grant his mercy to the college community.

https://www.inform.ng/post/college-of-education-rewards-staff-for-accepting-islam

Lawyer to the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Friday pleaded with the Presidential Investigation Committee to grant him bail.

He said Magu needed the bail because the print and electronic media had taken undue advantage of his detention to launch a campaign of calumny against him.

“It is unfortunate I am now being paraded like a common criminal. Please intervene and facilitate my release from the FCID detention,” Magu said.

He made six other demands including making the terms of reference of the committee available to Magu and giving him opportunity to know the allegations against him

He said witnesses were being called and examined by the committee behind Magu’s back and at the same time disallowing him and his counsel from participating in the proceedings involving such witnesses.

Magu’s counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu made the demands in a July 10, 2020 letter of plea to the panel.

He said: “We act as counsel of choice to Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, the Ag. Chairman of the EFCC hereinafter referred to as “our Client” and on whose behalf and specific instructions we write as follows:

“Our client has briefed and drawn our attention to the letter dated 6th of July, 2020 ref No. PIC/AR/VOL.1/01 wherein he was informed as follows:

“The above-mentioned panel is investigating above listed offences in which you feature prominently, and the need to obtain clarification from you has become necessary.

“You are therefore directed to with immediate effect accompany the Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Gabriel Elaigwu and team to report to the Chairman and members of the Committee today 6th July 2020.

“Ensure compliance and receipt of my warmest regards please.”

Counsel said that Magu, on receiving the said letter “followed the ACP Gabriel Elaigwu and team to the Banquet Hall, State House Abuja and has since then been in custody and appearing before your esteemed Committee.”

Shittu said since his appearance before the panel, he had not been served petitions against him.

He added:” Mr. Chairman, since the 6th of July, 2020 when our Client honored your invitation, he has been consistently applying to the Committee to be given the petitions containing the allegations of Conspiracy, Corrupt Enrichment, Abuse of Office/Power which request has not been honored or obliged till date.

“Our client has also informed us that he remains unaware of the terms of reference of this distinguished Committee.

“Sir, our client has also drawn our attention to the following:

” That he has been in detention and kept at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigerian Police Force, Area 10 Abuja since the 6th of July till date without being informed of the allegations leveled against him and the deserved opportunity to timeously study and respond to same.

“That witnesses are called and examined by the committee behind his back and without allowing him and Counsel of his choice to participate in the proceedings involving these witnesses.”

He said Magu was being maligned in the media including alleged keeping of secret accounts, acquisition of properties in Dubai and giving N4billion to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He added: “That both print and electronic media have taken undue advantage of the detention of our client to launch a campaign of calumny against him spreading in the process consistently highly prejudicial, damaging and untrue allegations on a daily basis.

“These unfounded allegations which never featured in the proceedings of the committee thus far include the allegation that our client gave the Vice President, Pro. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, the sum of N4billion and that our client maintains secret accounts, procured cronies to front for him and that he acquired properties in Dubai.

“These campaigns of calumny have greatly affected the moral of our client and damaged his hard-earned reputation and that of the Commission. That our Client as a result of this campaign of calumny has been paraded like a common criminal and subjected to all manner of insults and embarrassment just for serving his nation diligently and efficiently as the arrowhead of the anti-corruption agenda of this Administration. “This unfortunate development happening before the determination of the petitions by Honourable Committee with prejudicial consequences.”

The counsel made seven demands from Salami panel.

He said: “In view of our observations above, may we humbly request from your Lordship, the Chairman of the Committee and other distinguished members:

i) That our client will appreciate if afforded the privilege of the terms of reference of this distinguished Committee.

ii) That the petitions containing the allegations be given to our client to afford him the opportunity of knowing the allegations against him, study same and prepare a robust defence.

iii) That our client will appreciate the intervention of the Committee in ordering the release of our client from custody to enable him defend himself adequately and attend to his deteriorating health in custody.

iv) That our client be given adequate time to respond to the allegations against him including providing necessary materials and evidence before this Honourable Committee.

v) That our client be afforded the opportunity to confront the petitioners with his own defence.

vi) That witnesses be examined in his presence and that of his counsel.

vii) That our client be guaranteed his right to fair hearing including his right to liberty in the course of the proceedings of this distinguished Committee.

“My Lord, the Chairman of the Committee and Honourable Members, our client will appreciate your taking timeous steps in addressing the fundamental concerns of our client raised in this letter.

“Whilst awaiting your urgent intervention on the issues raised herein please be assured my lord of our best wishes and professional regards.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-is-subjected-to-media-trial-lawyer-of-embattled-efcc-boss-writes-panel

Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has applied to Mohammed Adamu, inspector general of police, to be released on bail.

In a letter dated July 10, 2020, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, Magu’s legal representative, asked the IGP to grant bail to his client on “self recognisance”

Magu was arrested on Monday and whisked to the presidential villa in Abuja where he was grilled by the panel headed by Ayo Salami, a retired president of the appeal court.

He was later moved to area 10 force criminal investigation department (FCID) of the police in Abuja where he has spent the night since Monday.

Magu’s travails followed a memo by Abubakar Malami accusing him of grave malfeasance.

He was alleged to have mishandled the recovered loot and sold seized assets to associates.

He was also alleged to have refused to subject himself to the supervision of the office of the attorney-general.

In a statement on Friday, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, media aide to Malami, said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of Magu as acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.

Meanwhile, the presidential panel probing the activities of the commission on Thursday grilled the so-called “Magu Boys” — a group of operatives believed to be favoured by Magu.

The boys have been accused of committing several atrocities — including blackmailing and extorting suspects, appropriating exhibits to themselves and selling off forfeited or seized assets without remitting the proceeds to government coffers.

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-writes-igp-adamu-begs-for-bail

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has written a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, demanding the probe of a blogger, Jackson Ude, who is also the publisher of an online medium, Point Blank News.

The petition dated July 8, 2020, is titled, ‘Criminal Defamation of the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), GCON by Jackson Ude’.

In the petition written on his behalf by his lawyer, Bayo Osipitan, the Vice-President said Jackson authored a story in which it was alleged that the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, who is facing a Presidential probe, told the investigative panel that he gave N4bn to Osinbajo.

 

The Vice-President said Ude was in the habit of publishing malicious articles against his person. He subsequently attached printed copies of some of the blogger’s reports to the petition.

Osinbajo said the articles were defamatory and capable of bringing him to ridicule before members of the public.

He called on the IG to probe the blogger with a view to prosecuting him for criminal defamation.

 

Osinbajo said Ude also likened him to alleged international fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, by calling him ‘Hush-bajo’.

https://www.inform.ng/post/n4bn-osinbajo-petitions-igp-seeks-probe-of-blogger-over-defamation

As the investigation into the corruption allegations levelled against the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, entered its fourth day on Thursday, the Secretary of the anti-graft body, Olanipekun Olukoyede and some of its directors have appeared before the panel. Tribune Online learnt that they were questioned by the Justice Ayo Salami led presidential panel.

As the investigation into the corruption allegations levelled against the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, entered its fourth day on Thursday, the Secretary of the anti-graft body, Olanipekun Olukoyede and some of its directors have appeared before the panel.




 

INFORM NG learnt that they were questioned by the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel on what they know about the 21-point allegations raised by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The EFCC officials were said to have shed light into the investigation to enable the panel to reach a conclusion and necessary recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari.




As the panel continued its activity on Thursday at the presidential villa, the commission has been left without a clear administrative head as the presidency is yet to formally request any of its senior officials to act in that capacity.

However, Magu, who has continued to be held in detention while his residences have been searched, is said to be faced with the prospect of being removed from the post.

https://www.inform.ng/post/efcc-secretary-directors-appear-before-panel-over-magu

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has clarified that the arraignment plastic surgeon, Dr Adepoju Anuoluwapo and her clinic, Med Contour, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly obstructing an investigation into the death of one of her patient, Mrs Nneka Onwuzuligbo, followed a complaint the commission received, and not a vendetta, as suggested in a paid write-up.

FCCPC in a five-count charge brought against Anuoluwapo and her cosmetic surgery firm MedContour Ltd alleged that the defendants shunned its investigation into the case and declined to produce documents required by the commission.

On insinuation of lack of jurisdiction to take up the matter, the commission noted that though the matter is before a competent court, the commission has powers to handle a complaint from any part of the country, as provided by the Act setting it up, just like other federal agencies.

The commission called on Anuoluwapo to concentrate on defending herself in court, rather than employing paid writers to malign the commission and the court, noting that it would not allow itself to be drawn it further reacting to paid write-ups, but will lead evidence to prove its case against the defendants in court.

It will be recalled that the commission had in a statement on April 14, 2020, by Babatunde Irukera, its Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Sections 17(s),(t),(x),(y); 18; 32; 123, 123-125; 127-130, said that it became aware of complaints and dissatisfaction with respect to certain elective/cosmetic surgical procedures carried out by MedContour services. Essentially, the allegations are that MedContour engages in conduct that is considered otherwise unprofessional, misleading and potentially injurious, including resulting in possible fatalities.”

The statement added: “The Commission’s initial review indicates that there is sufficient probable cause to inquire into the consumer protection aspects of the representations and services of MedContour, and its operatives. As such, the commission has opened an active investigation into the practices and processes of MedContour, its promoter, associates and employees.
This is not a professional/licencing or disciplinary inquiry. However, the issues of authorization of the business and or its promoters, associates or employees to conduct the subject surgical procedures; representations made to customers about their skills, generally expected outcomes for similar procedures, and assurances of specific outcomes in relevant cases; responsiveness during follow-up or post-procedure complaints; and transparency to consumers and applicable regulatory authorities, are implicated under FCCPA.

Sections 17(s),(t),(x),(y) and 130 prohibit obnoxious practices, require services to be safe and for the Commission to act to reduce risk of injury to consumers, as well as ensure services comply with applicable standards of care. Sections 123, 124 and 125 prohibit making misleading statements, issuing guarantees or statements about the efficacy skills or probable outcomes with respect to services that are untested or scientifically unproven, and Sections 127, 128 and 129 prohibit unfair or unreasonable contract terms, exclusion, or waiver of legitimate liability for prevailing standards of care.

“In furtherance of this investigation, the Commission is keen to gather additional information from consumers with previous experiences with MedContour or its operatives, whether the experiences were satisfactory or otherwise, and from persons who have any such relevant information, including about the experiences of others.

“The Commission, therefore, requests credible information in this regard in the form of a concise narrative of facts including the identity of the MedContour operatives the interactions occurred with,” the statement added.
https://www.inform.ng/post/prosecution-of-dr-anu-not-a-witch-hunt-fccpc

Many laws guiding the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite the country’s complex demographic composition, are unambiguous.

In protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 represents a threshold that must be respected by all businesses. It spells out the rights of consuners and sanctions for the violation of those rights.

The FCCPA also created the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) with the mandate to, among others, protect and promote the interest of consumers as well as promote and maintain competitive markets in the Nigerian economy.

In the light of the above, the FCCPC must be allowed to function without any form of underlying hindrances. Thankfully, the current leadership of the Commission has been proactive and diligent in ensuring that its mandate is achieved. Unfortunately, that has earned the FCCPC the latest media attacks, seemingly by acolytes of Dr. Anu Adepoju of Med Contour Services Ltd.

On 3rd July, 2020, FCCPC arraigned Dr. Adepoju and her plastic surgery clinic, Med Contour Services Ltd, at the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged evasion from investigation into a failed plastic surgery.

The said investigation followed complaints received by the FCCPC regarding failed elective cosmetic surgical procedures allegedly performed by Dr. Adepoju and her colleagues at Med Contour. Incidentally, the refusal of Dr. Adepoju to honour a summon to attend the Commission’s investigation and present relevant documents is the subject of her ongoing prosecution by the FCCPC.

One wonders why such an important matter, bordering on the safety and well being of citizens can be considered as a coordinated attack on Dr. Anu Adepoju, who allegedly conducted surgeries on her clients leading to all sorts, including death.

Vivian Onwuzuligbo, a family member of Nnneka Onwuzuligbo (a deceased client of Dr. Adepoju) reportedly made allegations to the effect that her sister died as a result of a failed cosmetic surgery carried out by the medical doctor. Other accusations in that respect litter the media space in the country.

FCCPC continues to insist that its investigation of Dr. Adepoju and Med Contour is about consumer protection and the services they are providing, and not an attempt to regulate the medical profession.




However, Dr. Adepoju’s cheerleaders are making frantic efforts to whip up sentiment and make Nigerians believe that she is being persecuted by an agency that allegedly has no powers to deal with issues bordering on the safety and welfare of her clients, in otherwords consumers of body enhancement services.

Now that the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, It is expected that Dr. Adepoju would harness her facts and evidence and proceed to defend herself and her clinic, instead of the futile media assault against the FCCPC. She should have no problem with going to clear her name of any wrongdoing in Court. Seeking public sympathy in a matter of grave consumer dissatisfaction with the services she renders should never be.

Nigerians have not lost hope in Nigeria to the extent that alleged infractions of extant laws and possible violation of consumer rights could just be swept under the carpet.

Good enough, the Commission does not appear distracted, and we urge its leadership to handle the Dr. Adepoju and Med Contour issue with utmost professionalism and arrive at a verifiable outcome that can satisfy public interest in a matter that has attracted high level outrage and condemnation.

The Senate on Tuesday received a formal request for the confirmation of 11 nominees as Judges of the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The request was contained in a letter read on the floor during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

The letter reads: “In accordance to Section 256(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed names of eleven (11) nominees as Judges of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja.

The nominees are: Abubakar Husseini Musa (Adamawa State); Edward Okpe (Benue State); Babashani Abubakar (Borno State); Emuesiri Francis (Delta State); Jude Ogho (Delta State); Josephine Enobi (Edo State); Christopher Opeyemi Oba (Ekiti State); Mohammed Idris (Kano State); Hassan Maryam Aliyu (Kebbi State); Fashola Akeem Adebowale (Lagos State); and Hamza Muazu (Niger State).

The Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, while relying on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules objected to the absence of a nominee from the FCT.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), while coming under the same point of order, explained to the contrary that the FCT already has Judges on the bench of the FCT High Court.

“What is being done by the National Judicial Council at the moment is to fill existing vacancies on the bench of the FCT Judiciary.

“What will become an issue is if you take list of the over 40 Judges of the FCT and any particular state is missing, that is when it becomes an issue.

“A major criterion is to ensure that states that do not have anybody on the bench are given priority. I just wanted to clarify that FCT has Judges on the bench of the FCT”, the lawmaker explained.

In a related development, the President also requested the upper chamber to confirm the appointment of three members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and pursuant to Section 1(2) and (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act LFN 2004, I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the following three nominees for appointment as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau. The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith.

They are: Barr. Ben Umeano (Anambra State – South East); Hon. Johnson Abonaema (Edo State – South South); Olayinka Babatunde Balogun (Ogun State – South West).

Also to be confirmed is the appointment of Umar Garba Danbatta, as Executive Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a second term of five (5) years.

According to President Buhari, the nominee’s appointment is In accordance with the provision of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

Meanwhile, the confirmation of the nomination of Idahagbon Williams Omoregie for appointment as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service.

The Senate President also referred the nominations of Usman Mahmud Hassan as Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to the Committee on National Planning and Economic matters; Tella Adeniran Rahmon as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Committee on INEC; Suleiman Sani as Career Ambassador; and the appointment of 41 Non-Career Ambassadors to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Committees are expected to submit their reports to the Senate in two weeks.

https://www.inform.ng/post/senate-receives-buharis-request-to-confirm-11-judges-for-fct-high-court-others

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been suspended by the Presidency.

Magu was arrested on Monday by a combined team of Department of State Services personnel and policemen at the Wuse II office of the EFCC to face an interagency committee investigating corruption allegations against him.

He was detained at the FCID in Area 10, Abuja, on Monday night on the orders of the committee that also questioned him on Tuesday morning.
https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-buhari-suspends-magu-as-efcc-boss

14 members of Ondo State House of Assembly signed the impeachment notice of Agboola Ajayi, the deputy governor of Ondo state 

See their names and signatures below: 

https://www.inform.ng/post/14-legislators-okays-ondo-deputy-governor-impeachment

FILE: Ondo State House of Assembly complex

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have commenced the process of removing the deputy governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi.

The members of the Assembly are currently deliberating in the Assembly on the allegation of gross misconduct against Ajayi.

On the premises of the Assembly, scores of armed policemen and the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are present to maintained law and order.




Details later.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ondo-legislators-commence-impeachment-proceedings-on-deputy-governor