The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) over the misapplication of N2.5 billion seed grant released to the agency by the federal government for its digital switch-over programme.

The commission, in a statement signed by Rasheedat Okoduwa, its spokesperson, on Thursday said it has so far quizzed the NBC Director General, Ishaq Kawu, and other top management staff of the agency over their alleged involvements in the misapplication of the fund.

The presidency had in 2016, released N10 billion to the Ministry of Information and Culture for the digital switch-over programme which entails migration of telephone lines from analogue to digital platforms and a White Paper was issued directing that the process be specifically handled by government-affiliated companies.

Based on the guidelines provided by the White Paper, two companies were nominated to handle the process, one of which was ITS, an affiliate of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). About N1.7 billion was released to it as seed grant for the commencement of the switch-over.

However, ICPC said on Thursday that through investigation, it discovered that the process was fraught with alleged corrupt practices.

“It was alleged that Mr Kawu fraudulently recommended a private company called Pinnacle Communications Limited, to the Minister of Information and Culture, for the release of N2.5 billion against the guidelines contained in the White Paper.

“The N2.5 billion was paid into the Zenith Bank account of Pinnacle Communications Limited in May/June, 2017 for the programme.

“The DG NBC during interactions with the Commission could not justify why the government White Paper was flouted leading to the release of money to an unqualified company,” the statement said.

It added that the Managing Director of Pinnacle, Dipo Onifade, during interrogation confirmed the release of the funds to the company. He could not justify that the money was used for the purpose of digital switch-over.

The commission also said through investigation, it discovered several suspicious transfers of large sums of funds from the account of the company into the bank accounts of several organisations and individuals.

It found out that N100 million of the fund was paid into the personal bank account of Mr Onifade in Zenith Bank which he claimed was for legal services that he had rendered to the same Pinnacle Communications where he is employed.

Also investigation revealed that another N450 million was transferred into the account of Sabdat Investment Limited, a Bureau de Change, which then converted the money into dollars and handed it over to the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, Lucky Omoluwa, in his Kaduna residence as he usually did with other funds.

Mr Omoluwa had repeatedly failed to honour invitations, the Commission said.

“He had also sought the leave of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the investigation as well as unfreeze the Zenith Bank account of the company that was frozen by ICPC, but was however ordered by the same court to appear before ICPC for interrogation before the next adjourned date of 3rd December, 2018 before his case would be heard.

” In compliance with the court order, Mr. Omoluwa has appeared before the Commission where he made useful statements to investigators,” the ICPC added.

greyham:


If you like keep allowing these politicians sweet talk you with their nonsense.

Atiku will get to Aso rock and it will be business as usual.

You see petrol you're paying N145 at the pump, expect higher prices next year.

Mark this quote

The department of State Services (DSS) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for allegedly receiving at least $55million in bribes before and after the party primaries all over the country.

In October, SaharaReporters had reported how Oshiomhole and his cronies received up to N50million in bribes to award last-minute tickets to undeserving members of the party. The DSS subsequently grilled Oshiomhole last week, with reports emerging that the former labour leader had been asked to quit the office.

Oshiomhole responded by saying the DSS did not hire him, hence couldn’t demand his resignation from office. But SaharaReporters can now confirm that not only is the DSS asking for Oshiomhole’s removal from office, the agency is asking the presidency to prosecute him.

SaharaReporters can also confirm that the figures mentioned earlier are nothing compared to what the DSS documented in a report it forwarded to the presidency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) some days ago.

“Total $55 million is what Adams is alleged to have received. Some party chieftains claim it is $80 million,” a source aware of the contents of the report told SaharaReporters.

According to report, $17 million is what Oshiomhole allegedly received as bribe from Zamfara: $10 million for him, $7 million shared between Farouk Adamu, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; Niyi Adebayo, former Governor of Ekiti State. He received from other party chieftains, too.

“Adamu was the collection coordinator,” said the source.

“Hope Uzodinma, the APC governorship candidate in Imo State, gave $3 million; Rochas Okorocha, Governor of the state, offered $500,000 but it was rejected; Dapo Abiodun, the APC candidate in Ogun State, paid $5 million. The DSS also said some of the money was paid into Oshiomhole's niece’s account.”

It is unclear if Buhari will follow the recommendation of the DSS for Oshiomhole’s prosecution, as SaharaReporters understands there is pressure from Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the APC, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to give the former Edo State Governor a soft landing.

“Their thought is that with the 2019 election so close, such upheaval will not be in the interest of the party’s aspiration for victory,” the source said.

kingkakaone:
Where is that meanchris who talked about tribalism yesterday, come and see your people throwing jibes at other tribes when the topic is not even related.

WORLDPEACE:

You have written the kind of article every right thinking person should write. I believe people like us abound but we don't speak up enough. Check my profile and see similar article I have written promoting peace. You have earned my followership. I'd advise that you spend time on quora more if you don't already. It is a place for intellectuals from all over the world. Not a place for sentimentality. Seun is to blame for this. He has become a heartless capitalist who gets rich off of all these tribal rubbish. It generates traffic for him. If he does not want nairaland to be like this, it will not. But he is making money off people hating one another.
I am Yoruba and I believe you when you say you are not a hateful person.

Officialpdpnig:


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2310681019159954&id=1831818307046230&anchor_composer=false

Atiku is finished

Officialpdpnig:
Buhari is seriously panel beating Atiku on Atikus support group Facebook page.

You need to read the comments. Nigerians unanimously say No to Atiku

Obi said it'll be determined by market forces that could mean the price could increase or decrease.

Develpeast:


The first hate I experienced was in the west when you are surrounded by the yorubas. They look at you with such disdain that start asking yourself why did you come here the first place.

resurgent4oodua:



You have exposed yourself as being just another igbo man. Leave other Nigerians to suffer under Buhari since Igbos are the best thing since the milky way and they are the richest.

Let us continue Nigeria as presently constituted and continue our strive to prosper. God will bless every every tribe in Nigeria in Jesus Name. Amen.

#istandwithbuharitill2023

Mujtahida:

And when you obstruct their march to Aso rock it would put food on your table, build and maintain worthy social infrastructure for the society, create employment, tackle crime and insecurity, take us from poverty to prosperity?

pryme:


I have read your post, I will only say you should speak for yourself.
Coming out to say Ibos are not tribalistic is like saying Nnamdi Kanu believes in one Nigeria.

It's very glaring that Ibos are tribalistic, just look at the large following Kanu has, calling Nigeria a zoo and all the citizens that don't agree with biafra, if you guys were not tribalistic how come no one is calling him to order, even the so called elders have become spineless all of a sudden, to me their silence is only a sign of approval. If you have a problem with bad governance why not call out the leaders and and the dirty politicians, instead you start a war with the entire country calling us names even when most of us are going through the same hell.

Look at nairaland any post that is pro biafra has more likes and shares even if it's the most absurd statement you have ever seen. The reverse is the case if it's anti biafra. Am using biafra because it's like that is now the face of Ibos, any Ibo person that will come out to make a post that conflicts with ipob will be tagged an AFONJA.

I have been here for a very long time, and I saw how it all started.
Calling Lagos a no man's land is not only disrespectful, it shows Ibos are Ingrates.
It's no news that Ibos believe they are the superior tribe that's why they don't want to be a part of anything that they are not the head of, even if they are not competent to handle that position.
my job has exposed me to alot of tribes in this country and you saying Ibos are not tribalistic is a lie.

resurgent4oodua:


I am interested in pushing igbos back into Alaigbo.

If the igbos can't wage a frontal war against us in our greatest city(lagos) then they are the greatest cowards this country has ever seen. I don't see what offence yorubas have. committed against igbos to warrant the hatred.

But for now, as far as peace can be maintained, igbos can continue their trading business in the SW unhindered. But igbos will never attain Presidential power in Nigeria as far as Hausas and Yorubas are still in Nigeria Nigeria. We would rather give power to the South South than allow igbos get there.

#istandwithbuharitill2023

resurgent4oodua:


I can still endure the Hausa Fulani with his religiously induced murderous rage because he's not boastful or rude to me in yorubaland.

For now, the only way we can punish the igbos for their hubris is to obstruct their March to Aso rock while conceptualizing further ways to cut down this hateful tribe.

seunmsg:
These wailing ipob people no get sense at all. Is Ogundamisi on the ballot? Peter bigot Obi's image is currently being trashed all over the country and your response is to attack Ogundamisi. How will this help Peter the bigot Obi when he goes to Kaduna and other northern States to campaign?

Ogundamisi is not contesting so this is good publicity for him till he decides to contest for president or vice president. On the other hand, northerners that Obi deported and burnt down their mosque are awaiting with stones and sticks for him. Let him show face in Kano or Kaduna and you will see what will happen to him.

Corrinthians:
Pained soul.

Corrinthians:
Dasuki is their Hero.

Atikwu is their Hero.

IBB is their Hero.

Zakzaki is their Hero.

Fayose is their god.

FFK is their god.

They hate Tinubu.

They hate Buhari..

They hate Yorubas and call them Afonjas.

They hate Hausas and Fulanis and call them parasites.

Yet they worship the names above.

Would there ever be a more confused set of people than these guys?

Modphase:
As fair as this write up is I must admit it is flawed. If any1 tease Igbos about the love of money. They tease the Ijebus more for greediness n the Abokis for backwardness. An Igbo comedian was busy cracking jokes on n about Yoruba, I laughed this off growing up but I did take offend to it at that time because it was a subtly way Igbos use in insulting Yoruba.

This is exactly what one Nwaipkwe idiot does daily on NL until I started quoting him to make foolish n hopeless joke about his tribe n their actors n actresses. You came to the West n you can clearly see how fairly the Yorubas deal with different ethnicities.

It is crazy some Igbos want us to hate Hausa simply because they are not as educated. No Igbo I repeat can form superstar to any Yoruba. Coming top in class na shii to me, I am doing a lot beta than those that came top of my class in life today.

Igbos should know they are not superior to the most nauseating Aboki, you were just lucky civilization came to you before them. How fast n much you accepted n adopted it is your father’s problem. Nobody in Nigeria will give up their right for you to thumb your chest over. The earlier you learn this the better for all of us.

shakmati:
Wise words. Spoken like an elder.

I am Igbo and I was born and raised in the south east. I just left the south-east a few years ago to study in the west. I got admission at the age of 17, so I have 17 years experience with Igboland and it's people. I can never remember when I had any conversation with my father or any elderly person bordering around the yorubas or any tribe in Nigeria. When we discussed the civil war, I and my dad, his stance was that it was an Igbo man that betrayed the course and ultimately caused our loss. He never told me anything about the yorubas or try to instill a kind of sensitivity in me for anyone.

I was taught everyday that hardwork pays. My father will always tell me, the world is a big place and opportunities abound. One thing I learnt from my parents is that I should know my worth, be respectful when it's needed and never cower for anyone or anything.

When I left the east for tertiary education, I met a very different society. There was this should I say scorn that follows when people learn you're Igbo. They're fast to tell you, your people love money. They'll make fun of your accent, make fun of your place, like "this one is from Aba na", this one na igbotic boy, this one na Onitsha boy". It wasn't nice. It kind of made me timid for a while until I topped my class and they all started to respect me.

I can recall I first came to nairaland around 2013. I was so disappionted at the level of hate between the Igbos and the Yorubas. The kind of degrading things people said to a whole tribe and the responses.. it wasn't nice at all. And I won't lie, it was influencing.. you'll see yourself liking a comment that strikes back to an insult on your tribe and sometimes you'll even be the one to reply.

On the Biafra issue. From my side, I learnt about the war during a brief history class I took in SS1 before fully switching to science in SS2. The teacher was trying to pull sentiments to the Igbo side but majority of my classmates were convinced that the war was ill-timed. Though you can't write off what led to the war, the relentless massacre of Igbos in the North anytime there was any little issue but I left it there in that class.

When I spoke to my father about Biafra during the heat of the Nnamdi Kanu debacle, He told me the Biafra issue was bound to resurface because Nigerians have not kept up their end of the bargain, and things were generally bad with the country. I analysed the whole issue on my own and my main stance is that war will not solve the problem and Nnamdi Kanu was calling for war, hence, my writing this article then.
https://www.nairaland.com/4053580/when-did-allow-hate-take

I have heard people say that Igbos are beclouded with hate. Our parents teach us to hate and the rest of it.. IT IS NOT TRUE!. 80% of childhood friends are Igbos, no one has told me his father told him to hate anybody. Maybe the kids raised outside Igbo land are told so, probably because the ethnic tension is there already but in Igboland, our parents don't have time for hate.

The hatred all over the place now is as a result of the internet. People write provoking things and people respond in a provoking way. The funny thing is that we the youths are championing hate, blowing the embers.. letting politicians and charlatans plant hate.. Our parent's time is almost over, it's bad in this our time but I bet, it'll be worse in the time of our children. The generations coming after us will suffer it and it will be the fault of this generation.

We may have different political ideologies but hatred is universal. If we don't kill hate, hate will kill us.

Don't accuse the Igbos of being hateful, I am Igbo, I was never hateful.. I am not hateful (at least I'm trying not to be) and I am against hate speech. The seed we are planting today, thinking "YES, I have dealt with this Ipob, or this Afonja, or this Aboki" with our little comments on social media will grow to consume us one day, if not us.. our children.

Let us all agree to disagree

Maka Echi - Because of tomorrow
From a Concerned Citizen