A presidential candidate in the forthcoming election in Ecuador has been shot dead at a campaign rally.

Fernando Villavicencio, a member of the national assembly, was hit with torrents of bullets as he stepped into his vehicle after the rally on Wednesday.

A former journalist, he was one of eight candidates vying for the country’s presidency.

Before his death, he had constantly condemned the relationship between organised crime and government officials and had promised to embark on a crackdown on the gangs if elected as president.

Shortly after his demise, Los Lobos, the second-largest gang in the country, claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to BBC, Galo Valencia, the deceased’s uncle, said they were about to leave the venue of the campaign ground when Villavicencio was hit with three bullets to his head.

“We were just a few metres from the school when we were hit by a hail of about 40 bullets. He was hit by three bullets in the head,” he said.

Another eyewitness, Carlos Figueroa, said that shots started just “30 seconds” after the late politician “left through the main door”.

Responding to the incident, Guillermo Lasso, the president of Ecuador, declared a state of emergency.

The state of emergency is expected to be in place for 60 days and armed forces have been mobilised to protect citizens and manage the election process.

“Organised crime has come a long way, but the full weight of the law is going to fall on them,” the president said.

Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT) in the red chamber, says she is yet to receive an extra allowance.

While addressing his colleagues on Monday, Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, said money has been sent by Magaji Tambuwal, clerk of the national assembly, to the senators to enable them “enjoy” their holidays.

Soon after the remark, Akpabio was informed by his colleagues that he was speaking before live television and press cameras.

Upon realising the magnitude of his comment, the senate president beat a hasty retreat.

“I withdraw that statement,” he said.

“In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the senate president has sent prayers to your mail boxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”

Akpabio’s initial remark elicited angry reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians positing that federal lawmakers are tone deaf and reside in a bubble, amid the economic hardship confronting the average citizen.

Asked about the senate president’s comment, Kingibe said Akpabio was referring to “statutory” allowance paid to senators.

“I did not receive any prayer but I will check my emails for the prayers. Truthfully, I don’t know what he was talking about,” she added.

“Most people assumed that our allowances are being paid — some statutory things that we are paid.

“I don’t think it was anything extra that we’re supposed to be given. I certainly haven’t seen anything extra.”

Asked to comment on the high cost of governance as it relates to senators’ allowances, the FCT senator said there is nothing she can do about it.

“Yes, truthfully, that is so. I know that I can’t change anything,” she said.

“So I have a constituency office and a development office where I do development programmes for the people.

“Hopefully, anything extra… I’m new and we’ve been paid very little. But as they come in, a lot of it will go towards funding that office, the development programmes.”

An ex-convict, Mumini Oseni, 25, has been arrested in Osogbo, Osun State capital for luring a girl with N50 in an attempt to abduct her.

The suspect who was arrested by the men of the Amotekun Corps at Obanisola Street, Osogbo, was said to have been previously convicted of armed robbery.

Oseni was caught when the victim raised the alarm which attracted the attention of her mother, forcing the suspect to attempt to flee the scene.

But he was arrested before he could escape from the area by Amotekun operatives who responded to the distress call.

Confirming the arrest in a statement in Osogbo on Monday, the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (retd.), said, “The operatives of Amotekun arrested the culprit in Osogbo while trying to kidnap a young girl around Obanisola Street, Powerline area, Osogbo and the young girl raised the alarm which attracted the mother of the girl and the neighbours.

“Complaint was lodged at the Amotekun Olorunda Command and operatives swung into action. He was immediately apprehended. During a cross-examination, Mumini Oseni confessed to perpetrating the act. He is an ex-convict jailed for armed robbery.

“The suspect has been handed over to the police for subsequent interrogation and prosecution.”

Orire Agbaje, a 400 level Economics student of the University of Ibadan (UI), has been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as a member of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms.

TheCable understands that Agbaje is the president of The Tax Club, University of Ibadan, as well as the president of the Nigerian Universities Tax Club.

On her LinkedIn profile, Agbaje describes herself as “assertive and hardworking”.

“Presently, I’m an undergraduate student of University of Ibadan reading Economics; I major in International and Monetary Economics,” her profile reads.

Agbaje in a handshake with Tinubu at the State House

“My love for crunching digits made me take up Accounting (ICAN) and further exposed me to Corporate finance and taxation which l’m learning on. Academics aside, I’m into Sports and volunteering.”

“I like being productive in whatever I engage in. I also have great leadership and interpersonal skills.”

The committee, which comprise experts from both the private and public sectors, was inaugurated by Tinubu on Tuesday.

Agbaje in a group photo with other members of the tax reforms committee

The committee is responsible for various aspects of tax law reforms, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration.

“The Committee, in the first instance, is expected to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days,” Tinubu said.

“Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year.”

Taiwo Oyedele, a tax and fiscal policy expert, is the committee’s chairman.

Pete Edochie says he gave up on Nigerian elections after the annulment of the June 12 1993 polls.

The actor, in an interview, said he has no lust for partaking in political discussions because they give him no hope.

He told Chude Jideonwo, the media entrepreneur, that the annulled poll is the only credible one Nigeria has had.

Nigeria held a presidential election on June 12, 1993, the first since the 1983 coup ended the second republic.

The election was the outcome of a transition to civilian rule spearheaded by the military ruler Ibrahim Babangida.

The unofficial result of the election, although it wasn’t declared, indicated a victory for Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

But the winner was never announced as the election was annulled by Babangida who cited electoral irregularities.

The annulment led to protests, political unrest, Bababagida’s resignation, the emergence of a weak interim civilian government, and the ultimate continuation of military rule in the country with Sani Abacha as the head of state.

Edochie said the annulled 1993 poll never saw electoral irregularities as Babangida’s government had suggested.

“That election was the freest and the best election we have had in this country. I am 76, so, if I’m not saying it with fear of contradiction, I am saying it with plenty of authority and with plenty of conviction,” the veteran actors said.

“You didn’t see people snatching ballot boxes, creating problems, shooting around and scaring people. That election was cancelled, and I lost hope. Ever since, we have never had a free and fair election.”

The actor likened the annulled 1993 polls to that of 2023 which saw Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat the populist Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), which is still in court, to be elected as the president.

“A lot of people say that history repeats itself because we learn nothing from history itself. History offers us a lot of lessons, but we prefer to ignore those lessons and keep repeating our mistakes,” Edochie added.

“Each time we have an election, there’s always chaos, consequent upon it, because somehow there is this element of criminal ingenuity in our constitution. We want to find a quick fix for something which is not necessarily right.

“You find old politicians (septuagenarian, octogenarian politicians), who have little, or nothing left to offer the country. But they want to remain there till infinity. That’s not in the interest of the country.

“The youths of this country have been insulted. Their sensitivity is brutalized. Their aspirations asphyxiated. 2023 comes and what do you see? You have to pay a hundred million to purchase a declaration of intent form.

“How many youngsters are going to come out and do that just so they can take part in politics? Again, it is the hand of the octogenarian political journeyman that we see in play and that’s not very good.”

Davido has congratulated Tunji Adeleke, his cousin, over his recent appointment as chairman of the local government service commission in Osun.

Tunji’s appointment was announced by Ademola Adeleke, the state governor, in July.

In his congratulatory message to his cousin via Twitter, Davido described Tunji as “a leader”.

The music star said he believes the politician “will do well” while also showing his support for him.

“Congrats @Tunegee on your emergence as the Chairman local government commission Osun state,” he wrote.

“You are a leader and you will do well. We are at your back.”


Tunji Adeleke is the son of the late Isiaka Adeleke, a former governor of Osun and a brother to the incumbent governor of the state.

In July 2020, Tunji completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Adeleke University.

He also disclosed how he spent ten years studying at four different universities.

“Finally! Took me 10 years and 4 universities. Started back in 2010, took breaks in-between for various reasons, completed 2020,” he had said.

“I am a living testimony, it is not how fast but how well. Congratulations to me.”

In October 2022, he announced the completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, flagged-off construction of the first phase of the 1,350MWs Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant (GIPP) in Abuja,
The first phase is expected to deliver 350Mws of the entire project.
Speaking at the official groundbreaking event, the President said part of his campaign promises was to use all available energy sources to increase power generation beyond the current installed capacity of 12,000mw.
He explained that the Joint Venture (JV) will have General Electric (GE), China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on board.
Describing it as another important piece of national infrastructure, the president noted that the
He explained that the ground-breaking was highly significant to the nation, as it marked the first bold step in his administration’s effort to establish a strong and virile energy sector and deliver uninterrupted power to all Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria cannot become a productive and industrialised economy, tackle poverty or create thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs if it cannot generate, transmit and distribute reliable electricity.
“To accelerate our economic growth, we must remove every obstacle slowing our progress.
“That this project is taking off so early in the lifetime of this administration should serve as notice to the residents of Abuja and, indeed, to all Nigerians of our determination to bring positive change to this nation,” the president said.
Also, he said his administration would continue to vigorously pursue the implementation of other low-carbon energy solutions, such as solar, hydro, wind, thermal, and biofuels, for both on-grid and off-grid power systems.
“We will focus on rural electrification to improve the standard of living of people in rural communities and re-energise their socio-economic opportunities.
“Therefore, the investment of NNPC Ltd alongside its partners in the installation of additional 350mw will surely increase the energy supply level to Nigerian homes and businesses, catalyse economic empowerment, and, ultimately, renew the hope of our energetic and creative citizens,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said the project is a giant step towards achieving the Company’s Gas & Power mandate to add 5GW into the National Power generation by 2024.
Currently, he said NNPC and partners are delivering about 80OOMW to the national grid from Afam VI and Okpai Phase 1 thermal power plants with a combined installed capacity of 1,0OMW.
” We have also completed Okpai Phase 2 project that will add up to 320MW of power to the national grid and progressing with other power plant projects across the coun including those along the AKK pipeline route ,” he added.
He explained that the Gwagwalada IPP is among the NNPC flagship projects along the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano corridor. Adding that this is part of the 3,600 cumulative power capacity, which includes Kaduna IPP (900MW) and Kano IPP (1,350MW).
“We know that expanding access to energy will change the game. It will create a better investment climate and promote balanced economic growth, a win-win situation for the Nation and for NNPC as a commercial energy company,” he said.

The Ondo State Police Command on Friday said it had begun the trial of a man, identified as Bode, for killing one Tunde Akinmoyewa with a dane gun at Laoso Village in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

According to the police, the 27-year-old man, who was described as an ex-convict, was shot dead by his friend while testing a new locally-made gun last Tuesday.

However, a source stated that the deceased was shot dead by his friend while testing a bulletproof charm at the village.

The source said, “To test the efficacy of the charms, Tunde asked his friend (Bode) to shoot him first. After Tunde’s friend picked up the guy and shot him (Tunde), suddenly, he fell down and died on the spot.

“Having seen what had happened, the suspect took to his heels before the neighbours arrived the scene and has not been arrested.”

The source also stated that immediately after he was shot, the deceased was rushed to the nearest hospital in the village, where he was confirmed dead.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said, the command had commenced an investigation into the matter and efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect.

She said, ” One Tunde Akinmoyewa, an ex-convict who is also a cultist, while testing a locally made gun believed to be newly procured was accidentally shot by one of his boys named Bode, surname yet unknown, as a result of which he died while being taken to hospital for medical attention.

“Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue while efforts are in top gear to arrest the suspect.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday, narrated how he lost his first grandchild to medical negligence at a federal hospital in 2019.

The Senate President shared his experience while speaking during the screening of the ministerial nominee from Lagos State, Dr Tunji Alausa.

He said, “Just like every other person here, I have been a victim of medical neglect. I lost my first grandchild in 2019, in a federal medical centre. He died through bleeding.

“He was placed on a drip that ran into the night. There was no help, no doctor, no nurse and he bled until he lost over 60 per cent of his blood.”

Akpabio speaking further noted that the boy eventually went into a coma and efforts to revive him with a defibrillator were unsuccessful because the hospital had not used it (the defibrillator) for years.

“They went to go and bring a defibrillator to attempt to revive the heart, but it did not work. I said for how long, they said it stopped working eight years ago.

“I used my hand and struggled with my physician, I could not revive him. I had to close his eyes and put him in the mortuary, and then I proceeded to Port Harcourt for our party’s rally,” Akpabio said.

James Cleverly, foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, will visit Nigeria on Tuesday to discuss stronger partnerships between both countries.

Cleverly’s visit is part of a four-day trip to Africa which he began on Monday.

The UK government said the foreign secretary arrived in Ghana to pledge a £40 million boost for the country’s businesses.

The foreign, commonwealth, and development office added that Cleverly also launched a £3.9 million UK programme to tackle illicit flows of illegal gold and the social, environmental and economic harms the trade causes both in Ghana and in the UK.

During his visit to Nigeria, the foreign minister will meet with key government officials to discuss positive future of partnerships.

The aim of the visit is to drive economic growth, trade and investment opportunities.

Cleverly will conclude his tour when he visits Zambia on Thursday.

“I want the UK to be increasingly driving future-focussed, mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries operating in the world’s largest free trade area,” the foreign minister said.

“From investments in clean energy to companies turning waste products into fashion items, there is so much potential for economic growth across Africa.”

This is Cleverly’s third visit to Africa since his appointment.

In 2022 he visited Kenya and Ethiopia, and in March 2023, he visited Sierra Leone

The Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji raided the hideouts of terrorist kingpins, Ado Aliero and Dankarami.

The air operations were conducted in Zurmi, Tsafe, Faskari, and Jibia Local Government Areas in Zamfara and Katsina States between July 28 and 29.

It was gathered that no fewer than 16 terrorists were killed during the air raids on Dankarami enclaves.

A military report on the operations sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday stated that the raids were conducted after an intelligence report.

It read, “In continuation of efforts to rid the Northwest region of terrorists and their activities, strikes have recently been heightened in the entire region between July 28 and 29, 2023.

In continuation of efforts to rid the Northwest Region of terrorists and their activities, strikes by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji have recently been heightened in the entire region.

“Specifically, in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, the air component obliterated at least 16 terrorists in enclaves believed to belong to terrorist Kingpin Dankarami.

“The strikes were conducted following credible intelligence of the whereabouts of terrorist kingpin Dankarami, known for collaborating with other kingpins in the area to carry out violent attacks on some communities in Zurmi LGA.

Similar air strikes were carried out at terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero’s enclave near Asola Mountains in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State following information that the kingpin and his foot soldiers have been responsible for recent abductions and cattle rustlings in communities within Tsafe and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State.

Mallam Kabiru Umaru, a local farmer near Tsafe who witnessed the strikes revealed that structures within the location were destroyed but the few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing the location after the strike.

When contacted, NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, stated that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar had ordered increased air operations in the region.

He said, “The increase in air strikes especially in the Northwest in line with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to all Air Component Commanders to ensure they, alongside sister services and other security agencies, free the entire region of terrorists and other criminal elements.

“So far, the CAS has expressed satisfaction with the level of successes recorded just as he has enjoined the component commanders to sustain the tempo.”

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has blamed the recent hike in the price of fuel partly on the alleged extortion by the operatives of the Department of State Services and the police and other levies by Federal Government agencies.

The National President of the association, Chinedu Okoronkwo, made the allegation at a public hearing convened by the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on the recent hike in the pump price of fuel.

Okoronkwo added that IPMAN members no longer engage in the direct importation of fuel as they are presently owed about N250 billion by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

This is just as he called on the Federal Government to instruct all its agencies to put a stop to arbitrary charges which are built into the price of fuel by marketers.

On how to address the challenges in the oil sector, the President recommended a switch to Compressed Natural Gas even as he added that the only way for Nigeria to make meaningful progress was to remove fuel subsidy to enable the government to save to fund critical infrastructure.

“In spite of the excruciating pain of subsidy removal, it is something that can act as a succour in the country if we must live and be happy.

“Energy everywhere is critical..It is on the security list of every nation and God has given us the best in gas that can last for over 500 years.

“What we require now is to build the market; the demand will be there. We need this House to help us build the market.

“Everyone is feeling the pinch, everyone has taken the bullet and palliatives are just for some time.

Also, a partner of IPMAN and the Managing Director of Gas Analytics and Sorutiral Index, Brian Amonu, said that Nigeria has more gas than crude oil.

Amonu noted that the reason a lot of gas is flared in the country today despite its environmental hazards is that there is no organised market for the product.

“This solution lies in the Central Bank of Nigeria; in it lies a N250 billion gas expansion facility.

“The objective of that facility is to support the utilisation of natural gas; we have written to CBN since last year way ahead of subsidy removal. We have had meetings convened by the former Finance Minister and the CBN, NNPCL, and other stakeholders and we told them the solution to subsidy removal can be implemented in one day.

“Nigerians, vehicle owners, and state government should be given access to borrow N200,000 to convert their vehicle or tricycle from that N250 billion.

“That will catalyse investments along the value chain because you need to have a large pull of converted vehicles to justify the investment to deliver that gas to every part of the country.

“The solution is here, we have been preaching this since last year. The government does not have to do anything new; there is funding at CBN to support this.

“The only way natural gas can be a substitute is by providing loans for vehicle users; every country that transitioned from petrol subsidy to natural gas- India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran either gave free kits. Subsidise the kits or give access to loans to make it easy for people to convert vehicles and catalise investments,” he said.

Two siblings, Godwin Enahoro and Rosemary Enahoro, were on Friday arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos Island for allegedly defrauding a woman by obtaining $98,700, which is equivalent to N74.2m under the pretence of helping her recover her property.

The defendants are facing 10 counts of conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining, stealing, threat to life and receiving stolen property.

The prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the first defendant and others still at large conspired to commit the offence.

He said the incident took place between June 7 and 13, 2023 in Lagos.

Osuji said the first defendant, on July 7, 2023, fraudulently obtained $13,500, from one Catherin Faw.

The prosecutor also said on June 13, the first defendant further obtained $85,200, from the complainant.

He accused the first defendant of falsely presenting himself to Faw as an INTERPOL agent in a position to help her recover her property.

Osuji also told the court that the second defendant received N10m, being proceeds of fraud, property of Faw.

The siblings pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail by Magistrate E. O. Ogunkanmi in the sum of N5m each with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate adjourned the case till August 25, 2023, for mention, while the defendants were remanded pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The Ondo police command says its operatives have arrested a 47-year old man identified as Godson James, for allegedly killing a police officer along Ifon-Benin road, in Ose LGA of the state.

Funmilayo Odunlami, spokesperson of the command, said the suspect was fleeing from policemen along the route.

He said the officers had been alerted of a crime he committed in Akure, the state capital, before he killed the policeman.

However, the suspect, while being paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, said he killed a “criminal” in self-defense, and not a police officer.

“A woman, Oshodi Mubowale, reported at Police Scorpion office Akure that on the 21 of July, 2023 unknown man (six) with an unregistered Ford Jeep came to her shop at No 1 Omolere shopping complex Adesida market Akure through One Thomas Toyin aged 48years and Omonigba Kehinde aged 47years both traders in the same complex,” Odunlami said.

“The said man requested he needed a cash sum of Six million naira (N6,000,000.00) but he was only able to get a cash sum of Four Million Four hundred thousand naira (N4,400,000.00) from her under the pretence that he will send the money back through bank transfer but failed to do so.

“However, the complainant later called him and he kept giving excuses.

“She was able to trace him to De Javu hotel Alagbaka together with some of her relatives but the said man found a way to escape in his own car.

“In the process they had to pursue him with another vehicle but they later turned back after series of phone threats from the man.

“The policemen and military men at the checkpoints within the axis he took were alerted.

“In the process of trying to evade arrest, he intentionally ran over an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to Ifon division, ASP Emmanuel Oyewole at Police Pin down, Ori Ohin, with his vehicle.

“The officer was confirmed dead in the hospital.

“He was later arrested by officers of the Fourth Brigade headquarter, sobe in Edo State.

“The suspect, Godson Tender James aged 47, was handed over to the police with the sum of 1.515 million naira by the military.”

This story is published in partnership with Report for the World, a global service program that supports local public interest journalism.

Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the federation, says there are 1.5 million workers under the federal government’s payroll.

Akabueze spoke on Monday during an investigative hearing session with the house of representatives ad hoc committee.

The committee sought to investigate the mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering and gross mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The director-general also said the personnel cost of the federal government was over N5 trillion.

“As of 2016 when I became director-general of the budget office, the office had 500 people and authorised establishment of 520 and we determined that we didn’t need 500 people,” he said.

“So, over the last seven years, we have come down from 500 to now 318. Not only have we not redrawn, we have significantly reduced our numbers and managed the personnel cost of the government, which as of 2015, was about N1 trillion.

“Today, it is over N5 trillion and as much as we desire to depopulate the growing number of unemployed people in the country, the reality is that the government is not really a direct job creator.

“The role of government is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to create jobs. The total number of people in the employment of the federal government nationwide, including all of the security services, the military and all of that, is under 1.5 million people.

“There are people who still argue that the government is overstaffed. I don’t agree in aggregate because my view is that we are overstaffed in some areas and significantly short-staffed in other areas like in our policing and other agencies.”

Speaking also at the investigative hearing, Folashade Yemi-Esan, head of civil service of the federation, debunked the allegations that her office receives a 10 percent bribe whenever waivers are given to agencies.

Yemi-Esan accused some agencies of violating waivers given to them on job recruitment.

“We render service to MDAs and we do not request for any kind of percentage, whether 10 percent or one percent, we do not,” she said.

“In fact, the first time I heard that rumour I called the director and permanent secretary in charge of waivers and told them that I must not hear that kind of thing anymore. If they were doing it before, I really don’t think that would have happened.”

‘SIGNATURE FORGERY’

On her part, Muheeba Dankaka, chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), said some staff of the commission forged her signature to give fake letters of employment to unsuspecting Nigerians.

Dankaka said she was accused by some comissioners of the FCC of job racketeering, involving the recruitment of some persons in a manner that was not in tandem with extant laws.

According to Dankaka, some persons in the commission “forged her signature to give fake letters of employment”.

The Senate has cleared the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for a ministerial role on Monday.

Wike after reeling out his Curriculum Vitae and achievements, noted that his passion for Nigeria propelled him to accept the ministerial offer.

He said, “I accepted the offer to serve as a ministerial nomination because of my passion to serve Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the lawmakers representing River State represented by Senator Barinada Mpigi ( PDP, Rivers Southeast) during the screening told Nigerians that Wike was the best in the state.
He said, “His Excellency former Governor Nyesom Wike is our best in Rivers State. He is our leader and role model.

“Distinguished senators, we employ that you should let him just take a bow and go.

“His resume is insufficient to enumerate the works that he has done.”

The Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, thereafter, told him to take a bow and leave.

Earlier, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, had extolled the former governor stating that he was thrilled by the work he did in Rivers State.

Barau said, “The first time, I got to River State; I was shocked because of the impact of the work that you did in the state.

“In fact, I thought I was abroad and not in Nigeria. Will you be able to replicate the same work if you were confirmed as a Minister?”

The PDP chieftain who was seen in a video shared by a tweep, Imran Muhammad arrived at the National Assembly complex with his wife on Monday.


The former Rivers governor was part of the first set of ministerial nominees Tinubu forwarded to the Senate.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Senate will commence the screening of the ministerial nominees submitted to it by President Bola Tinubu.

Economists and civil society organisations have backed the appointment of a special investigator to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other Government Business Entities by President Bola Tinubu.

The experts and groups in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday said the investigation was necessary to ascertain if there were any infractions or alleged abuse of office by the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and other top government officials.

Their comments came on the heels of Tinubu’s appointment of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee, as Special Investigator to probe the CBN, NNPCL, and other Government Business Entities.

In a letter sighted by The PUNCH on Sunday, Tinubu directed the special investigator to work with security and anti-corruption agencies to provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments, whether private or public.

According to the letter, the appointment takes immediate effect and the investigator is to report directly to the President on a weekly basis.

Findings by The PUNCH on Sunday revealed that other GBEs the probe would cover include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the FRCN.

This development came barely a week after Emefiele was arraigned in court for illegal possession of firearms and granted bail, but the Department of State Services rearrested him.

The President, in the letter which he personally signed, said the move was in continuation of the government’s anti-corruption fight.

The letter, dated July 28, 2023, read, “In accordance with the fundamental objective set forth in section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), this administration is, today, continuing the fight against corruption by appointing you as a Special Investigator, to investigate the CBN and Related Entities. This appointment shall be with immediate effect and you are to report directly to my office.

“The full terms of your engagement as Special Investigator shall be communicated to you in due course but require that you immediately take steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key Government Business Entities, further block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public).

“You are to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment. I shall expect a weekly briefing on the progress being made.”

The president also attached a copy of his directive suspending Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the CBN on June 9, 2023.

Groups react

Meanwhilem, experts and groups in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday said the investigation was necessary to ascertain if there were any infractions or abuse of office by the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, said that the investigation had become necessary to ascertain if there were any infractions or abuse of office.

He said, “It is a new administration, and if there is any reason to suspect that the case has not been managed well, the only way to get the facts out is through the normal audit and maybe a forensic audit. It is not out of place.

‘’If there is any suspicion of abuse of office, the normal thing is to do a forensic examination to ascertain whether there was any infraction or abuse of office. You need to get the facts before you can take action against anybody. That is what it is.”

Also, a professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, also supported the investigation.

Currency in circulation hits N2.26tn, says CBN
He said, “Any investigation is worth it. There is a need for investigation to determine the transparency and accountability of their job and to ensure that they have been working in the context of corporate etiquette. So, there is nothing wrong with the investigation at all.”

An economist with the School of Management and Social Sciences, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof Bright Eregha, observed that the Federal Government might have ordered the probe because it felt the apex bank did not perform well or stick to its mandate.

He added that the probe would also be extended to other government enterprises such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other entities, stressing that the investigation might restore confidence in the system.

Eregha said, “Knowing fully well that the CBN ought to be an independent body, however, we see in the last government, that independence was not really there in terms of the CBN governor not being involved with political issues.

“We saw what transpired in terms of his affiliation and moves. And then, there is the issue of the Naira redesign. I think this government just thought that the CBN is not doing well regarding the sanctity of the central bank in terms of its independence. So they felt a need to do a number of investigations.

‘’Don’t also forget that the CBN in the past has been involved in a lot of financial support to several sectors. I think the current government felt that for us to move forward, they need to investigate.

“That investigation is not only on CBN, it is also looking at other financial institutions. I’m also thinking it will go beyond the financial institutions to companies like the NNPC and all these places that we need to investigate to restore some level of confidence in Nigeria.’’

But the Chairman of the Foundation for Economic Research and Training, Professor Akpan Ekpo, expressed worries that the audit of the apex bank might send the wrong signals to potential investors.

He, however, maintained that the President might have his reasons for ordering the probe.

He stated, ‘’My worry is that to have made the audit of the central bank so open will send wrong signals to potential investors; foreign investors, who will start wondering whether our apex bank has serious problems. That is my take

“But as a president, maybe he knows what we don’t know. When you start probing your apex bank, then you send a wrong signal in terms of the direction of the economy and in terms of what will happen going forward. Already, there is a challenge with getting investors to come in and there is a challenge with our forex reserve. It is depleting every day.’’

On the choice of the special investigator, Ekpo said, “I don’t know him but I wish he had sent someone completely neutral.”

CACOL, others comment

The Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, said Obazee must investigate the monetary policy of the suspended governor of the Central Bank, and the illegality of the redesign of the naira note, noting that the former CBN boss should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity if it is found that the implementation of the policy had political undertones.

Adeniran noted, “They should investigate how the former Governor of the CBN changed the Nigerian monetary policy and the illegality that was perpetrated when he didn’t do due diligence before he changed the colour of the naira. We need to see whether he had good reasons for changing the colour of the naira or otherwise because basically, the naira doesn’t have a problem. It is the monetary policy that he put in place that could have been the problem.

“They should look at the monetary policy he implemented, and if there is any political undertone, for the implementation, or the changing of the colour of the naira without recourse to due process, and if he were to be politicking with the lives of Nigerians, then he should be seen to have committed a crime against humanity.

The Executive Chairman of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, said the appointment showed the laxity of agencies of government such as the National Assembly, who should ideally checkmate activities of government, adding that anyone discovered to have looted public funds should be prosecuted and banned from holding public office

“We commend the effort to recover every looted fund from every looter. So, we are calling on the administration of Bola Tinubu to ensure that everyone that has done something wrong must be not only investigated, but also if there is any evidence of looting or stealing public funds, the monies must be returned, and those people must be barred from holding public offices. We hope that this probe would be carried out without any political consideration or cover-up,’’ he counselled.

The 2023 promotional examinations for federal civil servants will commence on August 14, a memo obtained from the Federal Civil Service Commission by The PUNCH has revealed.

The memo, dated July 28, 2023, was signed by the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Tukur Ingawa; and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein; all Permanent Secretaries, among others.

“The Federal Civil Service Commission would like to inform all accredited candidates of the dates of the written examination (local leg) as contained in the attached timetable.

“Candidates are advised to take a very close note of the date scheduled for their Cadre and Salary Grade Level and report at the stated venue for the exercise by 7 am prompt.

“Permanent Secretaries/Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of MDAs are to please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned for compliance, please,” the memo read.

In the details of the examination schedule, civil servants on Grade Levels 14-15 will have their examinations between August 14 and 15; those on Grade Levels 15-16 will take theirs from August 16 to 17; while August 18 was fixed for those on Grade Levels 16 and 17.

David Timilehin, a realtor, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a controversial land deal involving Marcus Tibetan, a prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ, and Omolara Akintonde, a former first lady of Ogun state.

TheCable had reported how Timilehin accused Tibetan of collecting N65.5 million from him to procure land near the recently inaugurated Dangote refinery in Lagos state.

Timilehin said, in 2022, Tibetan informed him of the availability of two hectares of land (30 plots) supposedly in Ketu, Epe area of the state, belonging to Akintonde, the prophet’s church member. Timilehin said he paid the N65.5 million cost of the land to the prophet to be transferred to Akintonde.

But a year after, Timilehin has not been allocated the land; neither did he receive a receipt of payment nor any documentation of the land. Instead, he has been involved in a back-and-forth conversation with the prophet and Akintonde.

Timilehin said he also discovered the land is not anywhere close to the Dangote refinery, adding that the land belongs to the Lagos state government and is not meant for private use. He then requested a refund, saying he was no longer interested in the deal.

Despite evidence of bank transfers to Tibetan, the prophet, in an interview with TheCable, denied receiving money from Timilehin, while Akintonde insisted she has no business with Timilehin since he didn’t pay the money to her account.

Timilehin said the prophet and the first lady has not refunded his money.

LAWYER WRITES EFCC: PROPHET DUPED MY CLIENT, HIS ADOPTED SON

In a letter dated June 15 to the EFCC, Ayo Durojaye, Timilehin’s lawyer, said his client has been like an adopted son to the prophet, adding that his client also sees the cleric as a godfather and confidant, hence Timilehin trusted him.

Timilehin added that Tibetan and Akintonde have blocked his contact and there are indications they have travelled out of the country.

“I keep telling them that I am too young for what they are making me pass through. It’s like they want to kill me before my time. The regard I have for the prophet is no more. I took him as a spiritual father. But he has betrayed that trust,” Timilehin said.

“At one point, he sent me his account details showing how he transferred money to Akintonde. But I discovered that the account he sent money to is a company account belonging to one Mid-Oil Petrochemical Company which is allegedly partly owned by Akintonde.”

“But since I had no direct dealings with Akintonde, the onus is on him to collect the money back from the woman and pay me. What the woman is saying is that she did not collect money from me, which is true. I paid the money to the account of Prophet Tibetan

“I have suffered so much in the last few months since I began the battle to get my money back. I am not asking for any other thing apart from my money. Let him return my money. Nigerians who know Prophet Tibetan should prevail on him to return my N65.5 million.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over the coup in the Niger Republic that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

TheCable reported that Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard, was declared as Niger’s new head of state.

Bazoum’s presidential guard had held him hostage in the palace on Wednesday, on account of “bad governance and worsening security”.

Some of Bazoum’s supporters took to the streets of Niamey, Niger’s capital, in protests, clashing with those who were in favour of the coup.

Following the coup, the office of the Nigerien president through its Twitter account, said it remained positive that democracy would prevail.

“The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it,” the tweet said.

In a statement released on Friday by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesperson, the former president said he was concerned about the safety of Bazoum and his family.

“As to be expected, I, just like millions of other Nigerians, am shocked by the latest turn of events in Niger Republic, our neighbour to the north,” the statement reads.

“Concerns have been raised about the fate of democracy as a system of government in the country and in the wider sub-region, and equally so, about the safety of President Mohammed Bazoum and his family.”

“I and my family are as much concerned about these as is everyone else.”

Bazoum had survived an attempted coup days before his inauguration as president in 2021.

Buhari described the action as “utterly naïve” and warned “coup plotters to learn a lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments”.

BUHARI HAILS TINUBU FOR ECOWAS INTERVENTION

Following the initial signs of the coup on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu, also the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the actions in Niger.

Tinubu said ECOWAS would not tolerate any anti-democratic acts in its region and said the union would do everything in its power to ensure peace returns to the West African country.

Shortly after his statement, President Patrice Talon of Benin was deployed to Niger to assess the situation.

Buhari, a former ECOWAS chairperson, applauded Tinubu’s speedy intervention and expressed hope that the situation will be completely rectified.

“It is heartening to note that the ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already dealing effectively with the matter and our hope and prayers are that the unwanted situation will be completely reversed and the safety and wellbeing of President Bazoum and his family are ensured,” the former president said.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, transmitted the list of his proposed cabinet members to the Lagos State House of Assembly for ratification.

The PUNCH reported that, according to a tweet on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, 30 per cent of the commissioner-nominees are women, while others are youths, technocrats and politicians.

Some members of the governor’s cabinet during his first term in office made the list, while a number of others did not.

Among former cabinet members who made the list are former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; his Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Mr Sam Egube; ex-Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; ex-Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyooye; and his Education counterpart, Tokunbo Wahab.

Among former cabinet members dropped by Governor Sanwo-Olu are former Commissioner of Finance, Rabiu Olowo; former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN; and ex- Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Yetunde Arobieke.

Below is the full list of the cabinet member-nominees sent to the Lagos State House of Assembly by Governor Sanwo-Olu on Friday:

1. Mr Afolabi Ayantayo
2. Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun
3. Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi
4. Mr Gbenga Oyeriinde
5. Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN)
6. Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende
7. Mr Ibrahim Layode
8. Dr Dolapo Fasawe
9. Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka
10. Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu
11. Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo
12. Abiola Olowu
13. Dr Adekunle Olayinka
14. Mrs Bolaji Cecilia Dada
15. Aramide Adeyoye
16. Mr Idris Aregbe
17. Mr Yakubu Alebiosu
18. Mr Tokunbo Wahab
19. Bola Olumegbon
20. Dr Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya
21. Mr Kayode Roberts
22. Mr Moruf Fatai
23. Mr Seun Osiyemi
24. Mrs Barakat Bakare
25. Prof. Akin Abayomi
26. Mr Gbenga Omotoso
27. Olalere Odusote
28. Dr Rotimi Fashola
29. Mr Mosopefolu George
30. Mr Tunbosun Alake
31. Ms Ruth Olusanya
32. Mrs Folashade Adefisayo
33. Mrs Folashade Ambrose
34. Dr Olumide Oluyinka
35. Mr Yomi Oluyomi
36. Mr Sam Egube
37. Dr Jide Babatunde
38. Mr Olalekan Fatodu
39. Mrs Solape Hammond

This came barely 24 hours after the Senate unveiled the list of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed cabinet members at plenary on Thursday.

Former US president Donald Trump said Friday he would not end his run for the White House if convicted and sentenced in any of the criminal investigations threatening to derail his tumultuous comeback bid.

The Republican frontrunner was discussing the multiple indictments he faces as he pushes for a second term, a day after prosecutors broadened the charges against him over his handling of classified government documents.

Asked by radio host John Fredericks if being sentenced would stop his campaign, Trump quickly responded: “Not at all. There’s nothing in the constitution to say that it could.

“And even the radical left crazies are saying not at all, that wouldn’t stop (me) – and it wouldn’t stop me, either,” the 77-year-old added. “These people are sick. What they are doing is absolutely horrible.”

The twice-impeached former president was first indicted in the classified documents case last month, accused of endangering national security by holding onto top secret nuclear and defense information after leaving the White House.

The Justice Department added charges Thursday to its more than three dozen counts against Trump, who was found by a judge in a civil trial in May to have raped a writer in Manhattan in the 1990s.

– Mounting prosecutions –

Trump is also facing dozens of felony charges in a case involving hush money payments to a porn star in New York and is bracing for indictment in separate state and federal investigations into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

In a major development Thursday in the documents probe, Special Counsel Jack Smith alleged that Trump, who is scheduled to go on trial at the height of the campaign in March and May next year, asked a worker at his beachfront estate in Florida to delete surveillance footage to obstruct investigators.

Trump, who denies all wrongdoing, was also charged with illegally retaining national defense information over a document he is accused of showing to journalists at his New Jersey golf club.

Trump’s defiant radio interview came as he and rival Ron DeSantis prepared to appear on the same platform for the first in the campaign alongside almost the entire Republican presidential field at the Iowa party’s annual Lincoln Dinner.

The fundraiser in Des Moines later Friday – seen as a landmark in the early presidential cycle – comes with DeSantis facing his own challenges.

The 44-year-old has seen Trump’s lead widen from 13 points in February to 34 points now, as he has failed to connect with voters and has been beset by a series of largely self-inflicted controversies.

– Nazi imagery –

The DeSantis campaign was forced this week to fire a staffer who promoted a video featuring Nazi imagery, and the candidate sparked outrage by suggesting he’d pick anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead his public health policy.

Aides also announced they were firing a third of the campaign’s staff as they acknowledged wild overspending, and the Florida governor earned further opprobrium as he defended his state’s heavily criticized new curriculum teaching the benefits of slavery.

With Iowa and then New Hampshire voters due to pick their favored Republican nominee in six months, most of the candidates have been camped out in the states, attending campaign events daily.

Other speakers at the Lincoln Dinner include Trump’s vice president Mike Pence, who is running a lowly fourth in the primary behind businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina senator Tim Scott will also take the stage.

DeSantis, who has been restrained in his responses as he has been attacked relentlessly by Trump, told SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” in a segment due to air Friday that he was against the former president’s prosecution.

“I’m going to do what’s right for the country. I don’t think it would be good for the country to have an almost 80-year-old former president go to prison… I think the country wants a fresh start,” he said.

AFP

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new management team for the Nigeria Customs Service.

This is coming weeks after the President appointed Adewale Adeniyi as the acting Comptroller General of Customs and retired some of the management members of the service.

In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, the appointees include three deputy comptroller generals and three assistant comptroller generals.

In the statement, Adeniyi while thanking the retired members of the management for their meritorious service, congratulated the newly appointed officers.

He charged them to redouble their efforts to ensure the service achieves greater heights in its
mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.

The appointed officers include, “DCG FO Okun, DCG MBA Musa, DCG A Hamisu, ACG K Olumoh, ACG AB Mohammed, ACG A Alajogun,”

MaxAir says one of its aircraft is temporarily trapped in Niamey due to the ongoing military coup in Niger.

In a statement on Thursday, the airline’s management said the aircraft had successfully dropped off the last group of Niger pilgrims it became stranded.

Although the aviation firm did not state the number of passengers on board, it was reported that the airline, a B-747-400, landed in Niamey with 360 Nigerian pilgrims onboard and about 18 crew onboard.

“MaxAir Limited regrets to announce that one of our aircraft has been temporarily trapped in Niamey, Niger, after successfully dropping off the last group of Niger pilgrims,” the statement reads.

“The safety of our crew and staff on board is assured, and we are actively seeking approval to depart as soon as possible.

“The situation is a result of ongoing unrest in the country. Our management team is in constant communication with local authorities and is working diligently to resolve the matter promptly.

“We extend our gratitude for the patience and understanding of our passengers and their families during this time. Updates will be provided regularly as the situation progresses.

“MaxAir Limited prioritises safety above all else and remains committed to the well-being of our passengers and crew.”

Earlier today, Niger soldiers announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from office, leading to the suspension of all institutions and closure of the country’s borders.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Monday in Rome, said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration had mobilised over half a billion dollars for the nation’s food system transformation.

According to a statement signed on Tuesday by the State House Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, Shettima announced this at the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome, Italy, adding that the goal was to overhaul Nigeria’s food systems.

The statement was titled, ‘Tinubu administration mobilises half a billion dollars for Nigeria’s food system transformation – VP Shettima.’

Speaking at the event declared open by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the VP outlined Federal Government’s plans for the funds.

“They are set to be channelled towards innovation finance for food system transformation, the development of Nigeria’s agro value chain, and our Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programmes,” he said.

Shettima stated that the funds were secured through a combination of “domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, climate funds and leading agro-businesses.”

“The VCDP is co-funded by the Nigerian government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development and has empowered vulnerable farmers and youth to engage in commercial partnerships with some of the biggest food processing and marketing firms in the world, such as OLAM, a world-leading agri-business company operating in over 60 countries with an annual revenue of about $39.8bn,” the Vice President added.

The Vice President also told his audience that in the wake of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria, the government embarked on the immediate release of grains and fertiliser.

He added partly, “President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in food security and took it as a livelihood item within the National Security Council.”

The Management of the University of Calabar has withdrawn the admission of 638 students for failing to live up to academic expectations.

Among the expelled students is the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Ayambem Ekom, who was a 100 Level students in the Department of Economics.

The immediate-past Chairman of the Board of Media and Community Relations of the university, Dr Joseph Ekpang, confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Tuesday.

The affected students, across 15 faculties and departments, were expelled from the institution over poor Cumulative Grade Point Average.

In the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Resource Management, the Department of Agricultural Economics recorded 10 casualties.

In the Faculty of Allied Medical Science, 24 students were withdrawn from the Department of Medical Laboratory.

Others include Faculty of Art and Social Science Education, Department of Art Education – 29; Faculty of Art, Department of Christian Religious Studies – 86.

The Faculty of Basic Medical Science, the Department of Anatomy had 25 students on the list. In the Faculty of Biological Science, the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, 66 students dropped.

Others included Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentistry – eight; Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering – 15.

Ayambem was recently embroiled in a Speakership tussle with the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Florence Obi.

Ayambem defeated the Vice Chancellor’s son, Hilary Bisong, to become Speaker of Cross River 10th Assembly.

There was a mild drama at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State on Tuesday as the remaining ten witnesses scheduled to testify against the member representing Obingwa-West state constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA), Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu, refused to testify in court.

The petitioner and the candidate of the Labour Party LP, Mrs. Victoria Onwubiko, had filed a suit challenging the victory of Hon. Erondu Jnr in the 2023 general polls. During their last sitting, Mrs Onwubiko’s lead counsel had informed the court that they would bring more witnesses to testify on Tuesday and subsequently close their case.

However, during the proceedings on Tuesday, the lead counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Raymond Nkannebe, surprised the court by requesting an adjournment to a later date. He explained that the witnesses they had expected in court earlier had disappeared from the court premises.

The tribunal chairman, Hon. Justice Kutigi, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, stating that time was of the essence. He revealed that the tribunal was handling 15 other cases with limited time to conclude.

Hon Kutigi warned that such behavior would no longer be tolerated and advised the petitioner to close their case if their witnesses were not forthcoming to avoid unnecessary delays.

The court eventually adjourned the hearing to August 3, 2023, to give the petitioner an opportunity to bring their witnesses to court and close their case.

On July 14, 2023, seven out of the ten witnesses called by Mrs Onwubiko to testify against Hon Erondu Jnr had absconded without giving their testimony.

During cross-examination, one of the witnesses initially alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register was not used, and the Biomidal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) used in the state constituency election was malfunctioning.

However, he later reversed his statement and admitted that the INEC voter register was used, and BVAS functioned properly, as he himself had voted using the system.

Another witness also confessed during cross-examination that there was no mutilation or alteration of exhibits, especially Form EC 8A, which was the result sheet, as he had earlier alleged.

Mrs. Onwubiko’s suit (EPT/HA/11/2023; Mrs. Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko Vs Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr) alleged that Hon. Erondu Jnr was wrongly declared the winner of the Obingwa-West state constituency election. She sought the court’s declaration of herself as the rightful winner.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked banks to vacate a post-no-debit restriction placed on the bank accounts of 440 individuals and companies.

A post-no-debit means that all debit transactions, including ATMs and cheques, on the accounts, have been blocked but can receive inflows.

The circular, signed by A.M. Barau on behalf of the CBN director of banking supervision, on Tuesday, also instructed banks to notify the concerned customers of the development.

The apex bank did not state any reason for the action.

The companies on the list include Bamboo Systems Technology Limited, Escale Oil & Gas Limited, Rise Vest Technologies Limited, Chaka Technologies Limited, abokiFX Limited, Nairabet International, Northwood Energy Services, Proport Marine Limited, among others.

“You are hereby directed to vacate the Post-No-Debit restriction placed on the accounts ofthe underlisted bank customers at our instance,” the circular reads.

“You are also required to inform the concerned customers of the vacation accordingly.”

In 2021, CBN instructed banks to freeze accounts of 18 companies, ranging from bureaux de change (BDCs), construction firms, investment companies, laundering services, and property companies.

The affected companies included Bakori Mega Services, Ashambrakh General Enterprise, Namuduka Ventures Limited, Crosslinks Capital and Investment Limited, IGP Global Synergy Limited, Davedan Mille Investment Limited and Urban Laundry.

Others were Advanced Multi-Links Services Limited, Spray Resources, Al-Ishaq Global Resources Limited, Himark Intertrades, Charblecom Concept Limited, Wudatage Global Resources.

Treynor Soft Ventures, Fyrstrym Global Concepts Limited, Samarize Global Nigeria Limited, and Zahraddeen Haruna Shahru were also included.

All the 18 companies have had their bank accounts unfrozen by the apex bank.

Some victims have recounted their ordeals after they lost a total of N5.4m to an online investment site that reportedly crashed when they were due to withdraw their money.

Three of the victims, in separate interviews with PUNCH Metro, narrated how they were allegedly swindled of their money with a promise of reaping profits from the online investment.

One of the victims, Kwara-based Abdulfatai Oluwashina, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday, said he was referred to the cryptocurrency mining platform by his friend, Bilikisu Dada.

He said he lost N1.8m while his wife lost N550,000 to the scheme.

Oluwashina said, “I started on February 7, 2023, till May 20. The money I lost to the scheme is about N1.8m.

“On May 20 when the site crashed, I unknowingly put an additional N250,000. The profit is meant to be reaped gradually. If you put money now, you would start reaping the following day. But the way they structured it, if you put in N300,000, you cannot reap up to N80,000 till the time they introduce another investment.

“They know Nigerians are gullible. Most of us are gullible. If you put in N300,000 now, when you reap up to N100,000, they will introduce another machine such that you would not withdraw that money. You would buy another machine or even add more money. We were trapped in that something.

“My total investment was about N3m but I was able to withdraw some, I have about N1.8m with them now. I referred my wife who also lost N550,000.”

She lamented that since May 20, the online platform had gone blank with ‘Bank service upgrading’ written on the site.

“The system is now crashed and it is no longer opening,” he lamented.

Bilikisu, based in Maiduguri, Borno State, who introduced Abdulfatai said, “I was a victim too. Our money went like that. I invested about N1.3m. They started in November 2022 to April 2023. I don’t know anywhere to report to. They are into mining cryptocurrency. The people who fell victim that I know are more than 20. I got to know about the platform online.”

Another victim, Ojo Oluwaseun, who is also based in Maiduguri, said, “We were thinking it was a legitimate investment. They told us they had some machine that is like Bitcoin. We downloaded their application from PlayStore. I invested up to N1.5m. A lot of my friends invested more than that. I referred many people. I started with them in March. I was able to withdraw N60,000 and N180,000 the first and second time respectively.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that the anchors removed themselves from the group after the development and their numbers stopped going through.

Calls put across to two of the anchors identified simply as Mark and Amanda by our correspondent did not connect.

A link to the site shared with our correspondent did not load as well.

The investments and securities tribunal sitting in Abuja has ruled that the operations of Agropartnerships, an agritech crowdfunding platform, are illegal in Nigeria.

The court also ordered that the bank accounts of Agropartnerships, Farmforte, Osazuwa Osayi, and Osayimwense Uyi — “used for unlawful capital market operation” — should be frozen.

The five-member panel of the tribunal led by Abubakar Ahmad, the chairperson, delivered the decision on June 8.

Other members of the tribunal are Nosa Osemwengie, Jude Udunmi, Albert Otesile, and Emeka Madubuike.

BACKGROUND

In the early days of 2022, some investors took to social media to lament how some Nigerian agritech crowdfunding platforms were delaying the payment of returns of their investments.

In January 2022, Agropartnerships, an investment platform powered by Farmforte Limited, appealed to investors to be patient over such delays.

“Several factors including global supply chain challenges and processing machinery breakdowns have contributed to our operational downtimes,” the firm had said.

In February 2022, the firm said it had designed specific payout timelines to settle investors, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic affected its business operations.

Osayimwense Uyi, co-chief executive officer of Agropartnerships, spoke in a video posted on the company’s official Instagram page.

In March 2022, the agritech crowdfunding platform said payouts will resume in July 2022.

Some days later, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sealed the premises of Agropartnerships and Farmforte for allegedly engaging in illegal investment activities.

The apex capital market regulator accused the companies of carrying out capital market activities without a licence.

THE COURT CASE

Displeased by the operations of Agropartnerships, Farmforte, and other platforms, SEC approached the investments and securities tribunal with a suit seeking to declare the activities of the platforms illegal in Nigeria.

In the suit, the capital market regulator prayed the tribunal to freeze the bank accounts of the defendants and subsequently distribute the funds therein to members of the public who deposited them.

The defendants in the suit are divided into two sets.

The first set is; Farmforte Agro & Allied Solutions, Palmhub Agro-development, Freshforte Retail Services, Forest Capital Limited, Veritas Vision International, Agropartnerships Technology Limited, Cropuscle Investments Limited, Cropuscle Healthcare Limited, Kayvees Ventures, Kayvee Nigeria, Castore Agency Services, Travelforte Services, Agvo Services, Farmforte Ventures, O & B foods, Osazuwa Osayi, Osayimwense Uyi, and Mutiu Adebowale, who are 1st to 18th defendants, respectively.

The second set of defendants are; Access Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Keystone Bank, Polaris Bank, Providus Bank, Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa, Wema Bank, and Zenith Bank.

Interested parties in the suit are Obironke Adegbulugbe, Paul Okunaiya, Sarah Chidebelu-Eze, Abimbola Odedeyi, Micheal Olowokere, and Esther Olabisi Olowokere.

The suit was initially filed on February 28, 2022, and amended on January 20, 2023.

During the hearing of the suit, SEC argued that the first set of defendants operated an “unregistered collective investment scheme by calling for deposits from unsuspecting members of the public with a promise of guaranteed returns”.

The regulator told the tribunal that members of the public deposited funds in the bank accounts operated by the first set of defendants in the purview of the second set of defendants.

SEC said the first set of defendants had “no clear business model or investment plan” to support the claim they made to unsuspecting members of the public.

The regulator presented Onuoha Onuoha, a police officer, and the six other interested parties, as witnesses.

During proceedings, the first set of defendants — 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 18 — did not call any witness to give oral evidence as the statements on oath were put on evidence.

In a joint final written address by the first set of defendants, they argued that the tribunal did not have the “jurisdictional competence” to adjudicate over the matter and that it is not empowered to make final orders of forfeiture.

They also argued that the evidence provided by SEC did not sufficiently prove the case in the suit.

THE COURT RULING

In the certified true copies of the judgment seen by TheCable, the tribunal held that it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the case as legally backed by sections 284 and 294 of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

“A cursory look at the claims of the claimant against the background of the subject matter and personal jurisdiction of the tribunal discussed above lead to no any other conclusion than that the claims border on capital market activities and as such this tribunal has the exclusive jurisdiction to bear and determine them,” the tribunal said.

“It is therefore our considered opinion that this tribunal has the subject matter jurisdiction to entertain this suit contrary to the submission of the first set of the defendants.”

The tribunal also ruled that the funds discovered in the bank accounts of the first set of defendants should be moved to an interest-yielding escrow account for eventual distribution to interested parties in the case.

“Consequently, it is ordered as follows: the claimant (SEC) to seal up all business premises of the 1st, 6th, 16th, and 17th defendants anywhere found in Nigeria for engaging in unlawful capital market operation,” the tribunal ruled.

“First, 6th, 16th, and 17th defendants to render accounts of their activities since inception till the date of judgment, particularly in respect of the running of Farmforte Agro and Allied Solutions Ltd (the 1st defendant) and Agropartnerships Technology Limited (the 6th defendant) to the claimant.

“All assets traceable to the 1st, 6th, 16th, and 17th defendants wherever found in Nigeria or outside Nigeria to be forfeited and taken over by the claimant for the satisfaction of the claims of the investors.

“First and 6th defendants to pay a penalty of N500,000 each. Sixteenth and 17th to pay a penalty of N100,000 each, in line with section 67(2) of investments and securities act, 2007.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army on Saturday destroyed the hideout of the Indigenous People of Biafra in Delta State.

The enclave located in a forest in Asaba was destroyed during a clearance operation carried out by troops of 6 Division.

According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the members of the group engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered.

The statement read in part, “In the early hours of the morning, the troops raided the fortified enclave positioned in the middle of a forested high ground. The troops overpowered the IPOB fighters in the exchange of fire that followed the encounter, compelling them to abandon their hideout in disarray.”

He noted that one of them was arrested while weapons were recovered from the hideout.

“The troops captured one of the fleeing fighters and recovered five AK 47 rifles, three Pump Action semi-automatic rifles, one G3 rifle and one single-barrel gun. Other items recovered include live cartridges, electric saws, machetes, an axe and an IPOB flag,” the statement added.