₦airaland Forum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted that despite initiating a bogus allegation bordering on fraud of over $8.5million against Abia-born businessman and philanthropist, Ikenna Kingsley-Onwuzuruike, popularly known as Nwanta Anayoeze, it has no evidence whatsoever to prove the concocted accusation.

The anti-corruption body while testifying before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where it opened a case on the matter says it did not receive any formal petition from any quarter against the accused Mr. Kingsley-Onwuzuruike.

The EFCC said it acted only on its own based on mere suspicion that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nwata Anayoeze Oil and Gas Ltd, is corrupt.

A witness from the EFCC Abbas Suleiman who spoke under cross-examination said the commission only suspected the accused person of the offence based on the statement it obtained from his bank account.

The EFCC had dragged the accused to court on an Eight count charge of advanced fee fraud, accusing him of obtaining an Egyptian man over $6.5million and another woman of $2million by tricks despite not having single evidence to back up the claim.

But Suleiman, who was pressed for evidence by the Lawyer to the defendant, Barr. Reuben Wanogor, said even the letters the EFCC wrote to the Embassies of Thailand and the United States of America while investigating the matter did not elicit any response.

"We only arrested Chief Ikenna Kingsley-Onwuzuruike because we suspected his statement of bank account", he said.

The trial Judge, Justice AT Muhammad after listening to the witness, adjourned the matter.

Speaking outside the courtroom, Wanogor said the statements of the prosecutor is in line with the position of his client that he knew nothing about the imaginary allegations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, launched an App, Eagle Eye, designed to ease the process of reporting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, ABN TV reports.

Speaking during the launch, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, described the App, being the first of its kind by any law enforcement agency in Nigeria, as a product of ingenuity by a staff of the Commission, being an application that was conceived, designed and developed by the EFCC.

According to the EFCC chairman, the initiative is a clear demonstration of his pledge on the assumption of office, to run an agency that is technology-driven. “The Eagle Eye represents a new experience in information sharing and crime reporting between the public and the EFCC”, he said.

Apart from complementing the existing channels for reporting economic crimes, the unique advantage of this application, the EFCC Chairman further explained, is that it eliminates direct person-to-person interface in the reporting process and guarantees anonymity which is an added incentive to effective whistleblowing.

While appealing to members of the public to take advantage of the App in bringing cases of corruption and economic crimes to the knowledge of the EFCC, Bawa said, “with the App, those who hitherto were afraid to report corruption cases to the Commission either for fear of being identified by the culprits or having their identities revealed, can now do so with the assurance of full anonymity”.

He emphasized that the Eagle Eye App will go a long way in aiding the reportage of fraudulent activities of individuals particularly in the case of Money Laundering through Real Estate. “With the Eagle Eye, Nigerians and Non-Nigerians can easily take a picture of a property suspected to have been fraudulently or corruptly acquired and report through the App seamlessly”.

He also said that as media practitioners, journalists occupy vantage positions not only in helping to bring the knowledge of the application to the public, but also making use of it and helping others to understand how it could be deployed to further the fight against economic crimes including corruption. “With the Eagle Eye, you have at your fingertips a device that will ultimately ensure that there is no hiding place for the corrupt in Nigeria”, he further explained.

On how it works, the EFCC Chairman said, Eagle Eye is a user-friendly application, with features that can be navigated by any literate person. The first step, he said, is to download it to device from either the Apple or Google play store.

For those who want to key into the Whistle Blowing Policy of the Federal Government and obtain a reward for reporting corruption, the EFCC Chairman said such persons should indicate in the information they are providing; just as he said that there are penalties clearly stipulated in the laws, for giving false information that could mislead the Commission

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has described as 'FAKE NEWS making rounds in some sections of the media that he called for the imprisonment of the re-arrested leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Describing it further as thrash, the Governor in a statement on Saturday made available to ABN TV by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu vowed to take legal action against those behind the manufacturing and circulation of the fake piece of information.

While stating that the Governor had just returned to the country on Friday after a successful investment trip, the Commissioner called on members of the public to ignore the information, insisting that the governor has not granted an interview to anyone.

"Governor Ikpeazu returned to the state yesterday after a successful investment trip abroad, as announced.

"He did not grant any interview to anybody anywhere on the subject matter.

"We are set to take legal actions against those we have identified to be involved in publishing and sharing fake news against the Governor and Abia State," he said.

....Commissions Immaculate Heart Avenue Aba

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has commissioned the newly reconstructed Immaculate Heart Avenue Aba executed by his administration, in continuation of his "Kinetic Abia Inspection and Commissioning Programme".

The Governor also assured that he will complete the Osisioma flyover, Eziukwu, Omuma, Ngwa Road, and other strategic projects initiated by his administration before the end of his tenure in 2023.

Governor Ikpeazu while addressing newsmen at the project commissioning on Friday assured the next administration that will come after him may not need to revisit the roads, saying they are constructed with rigid pavement technology as a deliberate effort to raise the quality of the projects, ABN TV reports.

While stating that the Immaculate Heart Avenue road constructed with rigid pavement technology has a life span of about 25 years, the Governor reiterated the readiness of his administration to build roads with drainage systems.

While thanking the Speaker and members of the Abia State House of Assembly for being key players in the success of his administration, the Governor assured that he will continue to work selflessly for Ndi Abia till the end of his tenure.

"I want to thank members of the House of Assembly for their support. Without their support, it will be difficult to get the funds to do these roads. I want to ask them to continue to support us because the power we hold is in trust for the people and the essence of Government is to do that which will lead to a better life for the people", the Governor said.

Speaking, the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu said that the road is very critical to the residents of the area in particular and the people of Aba in general, adding that the continuous commissioning of roads by the present administration is proof that the administration has fulfilled its campaign promises. He assured that the Governor will continue to commission more roads until 2023.

Also Speaking, the Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Chinedum Orji, Chairman, House Committee on Works, Ginger Onwusibe, and other members said, based on the achievements of the Governor, they will do everything within their powers to assist him to do more of such roads for the people.

They said anyone who does not appreciate the efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in infrastructural development does not love Abia State, pointing out that the House is proud of him and will continue to support him in taking Abia to higher heights.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu said the road is very important to the economic growth of the area and State, adding that street lights will be installed soonest while the road will connect the Ogbor Hill area of Aba.

In an address presented on behalf of the Chairman, Osisiọma Ngwa LGA, Christian Kamalu, the Deputy Chairman thanked the Governor for the show of love to the people and said they will not take it for granted.

He said the people of Osisiọma deeply appreciate Governor Ikpeazu's benevolence to the Council and listed several other roads constructed and delivered by the Governor including the ones currently under construction.

In their various speeches, former Commissioner for Transport & Housing, Prince Enyinnaya Ubani, President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), Sir Lawrence Obetta, the Chairman Landlords Association, Immaculate Heart Avenue Road, Aba, Prince Nwaeze and a representative of SS Anthony & Jude Catholic Parish, Rev Fr Francis Onuoha, thanked the Governor and noted that the development will help checkmate the activities of hoodlums in the area as security agents can now patrol the vicinity seamlessly.

The Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, State PDP Chairman, Sir Alwell Asiforo Okere, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Sir Don Ubani, the state Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke among other stakeholders and interest groups witnessed the ceremony.

Very influential members of the ruling PDP in Abia state on Thursday dumped the party for APC with an assurance to help the party gain power in the 2023 governorship election.

ABN TV reports that the former PDP stalwarts are, Arc Anagha Mba, Dr. Blessing Nwagba, Chief Silvanus Nwaji, and Chibuike Nwokoukwu.

Receiving them at the secretariat of the party in Umuahia, the state capital, Abia state chairman of APC, Honourable Donatus Nwankpa thanked them for seeing the future APC represents in the state.

He assured them that they will be treated equally with existing members of the party, urging faithful not to discriminate against the new decampees.

The chairman while urging them to contribute meaningfully assured them that the party in the state is not factionalised.

He also charged members of the party to mobilize Abians to participate in the ongoing INEC continuous voters registration.

In their speeches, Chief Chibuike Nwokoukwu, Dr. Blessing Nwagba, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, Architect Anagha Mba appreciated APC for the opportunity given to them and the state exco for the privilege.

Hon Blessing Nwagba thanked APC for the opportunity and said her interest is to add to the development of Abians and the society, while women have good representation in government because they are qualified with respect to men.

She added that Abia deserves better and her entrance in APC, will ensure Abia gets better and seek their support to draw dividends of democracy to Abia.

Chibuike Nwokoukwu, SAN, expressed optimism that APC will win the governorship election come 2023.

He assured that he will help in mobilizing new members to the party.

The Aso Villa residence of the former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday played host to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain; Marcelino Cabanas Ansorena who embarked on a cordial visit to Kalu's home.

Arriving Senator's residence at about 7:16pm, Spanish Ambassador was warmly received by Senator Kalu alongside the Spanish Deputy Head of Mission, Juan Torres  Reus.

Shortly after exchanging pleasantries, Marcelino expressed his gratitude for Nigeria's hospitality since his four years in office, he said that during the course of his duties he made many friends across the nation's ethnic groups particularly the  Igbos of the Southeast.

The duo engaged in discussions centred within the COVID-19  Pandemic, Spain's humanitarian projects in the North East, trade Volume, strengthening economic and political ties. 

Asides from the influx of Spanish investors into our country, the Spanish envoy mentioned the Spanish Government's efforts at combating human trafficking, prostitution and the forensic training of our nation's security agencies.

Marcelino and his staff was also treated to a light dinner reception by Kalu.

Niger Delta activist and leader of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND Asari Dokubo has expressed satisfaction with the recent re-arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying he (Dokubo) promised to smoke him out from hiding.

Asari Dokubo also accused Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of defrauding 'Biafrans' a lot, stating that he receives defence funds without giving an account of the spending.

In a viral audio message obtained by ABN TV, the Ijaw nation activist further accused Nnamdi Kanu of demanding payment from all Biafrans on monthly basis in order to be part of the Biafra nation when actualized.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsROTmLIRG0
"You are demanding that all Biafrans should pay money to you on monthly basis or they will not be allowed to enter Biafra.

"Doesn't that make you a con man, an extortionist? Now you allege, the law says he who alleges must prove, that you gave me N20 million, video doesn't lie. When I started it last year leading to election, you were so cowardly not to respond to me. You sent your followers to respond to me and they said a lot of things and I demanded the evidence that I demanded N200 million from you.

"I have never been a member of IPOB, you gave me N20 million, tell us is it by bank transfer, is it by cash, who brought the cash to me. I'm waiting. Produce the evidence" he challenged Nnamdi Kanu.

Describing Kanu as a liar and a con man, he also challenged him to show what he does for a living.

"Where are you working? Who is paying you? Where do you get the money to gallivant everywhere? Do you pick money? Do you print money? Or does money fall from heaven?

"You called me a pipeline contractor, yes we make billions. So which one are you doing" he queried further.

He accused Nnamdi Kanu of preying on the gullibility of innocent Biafrans by extorting money from them.

Asari Dokubo said Nnamdi Kanu and his family lost nothing in the Biafran war, insisting that his (Dokubo) family lost a lot including his grandmother, an outstanding Kalabari princess whom he said was nearly executed.