₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the federal government to immediately arraign Ibrahim Magu, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

PDP said the delay by the Federal Government to arraign Magu, over allegations of fraud, was raising public apprehension over the integrity of the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

The opposition party stated this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to Ologbondiyan: “The party said the delay is heightening suspicion in the public space over alleged attempt to give Magu a soft landing to cover up for certain top officials of the Buhari administration, as well as some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged to have been indicted by the suspended EFCC chairman, in the course of the investigation by the Presidential Panel.

“The expectation of Nigerians, therefore, is for the Federal Government to immediately arraign Magu before a court of competent Jurisdiction and prosecute him in line with the dictates of our laws.

“Our party charges the Buhari Presidency to note that the world is watching the handling of the EFCC fraud case with keen interest.

“The Federal Government should, therefore, take immediate steps to arraign Magu and all those indicted in the matter before a court of competent jurisdiction without any further delay.”



https://www.inform.ng/post/efcc-pdp-demands-immediate-prosecution-of-magu-over-alleged-corruption

Award winning film director cum activist, Dickson Iroegbu is championing the cause for South East presidency in 2023. He also spoke on sundry issues as regards Hushpuppi, Magu, NDDC and his television program, Nigeria Right Now which airs on AIT. Excerpts:



Why are you calling for a south easterner to become president in 2023?

Power shift is part of the constitution of Nigeria. It is time for a south easterner to lead Nigeria. That is the most sensible and sensitive thing to do. Nigeria was established on a tripod. What is this crime that a south east Nigerian has committed against other parts of Nigeria that they cannot be deliberately reintegrated into the political mainstream? We need to balance power if we want this country to move forward. The south easterner has shown commitment to the Nigerian project more than any other tribe. We have capable hands that can lead Nigeria to the Promised Land. I have identified that this is the solution to the problem in Nigeria. What is wrong with having Peter Obi to lead Nigeria. If Peter Obi becomes the president, Nigeria will become a major construction site. I am calling on APC and PDP to save Nigeria from collapse. Both major parties must field a south eastern candidate in 2023, the same way we did in 1999 to appease the south west. We also did it in 2019 for Buhari and Atiku. If this is not done, Nigeria may not survive. That’s why I am championing this cause, nobody has sent me. Leadership has nothing to do with age. Young people must get involved in politics. I am part of the call for restructuring and the major restructuring is to allow the south easterner to lead Nigeria. If this is done, then our journey to nationhood has just begun. Every Nigeria of conscience must embrace equity, fairness and justice. Meritocracy must be promoted above tribalism and nepotism.

What are your views about Atiku contesting for presidency in 2023? You were his strong supporter in 2019.

I strongly supported Waziri Adamawa to become president of Nigeria in 2019. Unfortunately, Buhari stole his mandate. I am aware that Atiku loves Nigeria. After assessing what he represents, I understood that he has what it takes to unite Nigeria. However, I believe that come 2023, Atiku Abubakar will support his in laws. He is a great in law of the Igbos and we gave him every support and votes during the 2019 elections. We gave him everything we had. Atiku’s 2019 ambition was more like an Igbo project. It is time for Atiku to reciprocate the love we showed him. I will expect him to use his influence and raise Peter Obi’s hand as the presidential candidate of PDP in 2023. That will make him become the father of new Nigeria. He must not be president to turn Nigeria around. This is the time to show love to Nigerians. He must endorse Peter Obi as the new president. Nigerians are missing fatherly love. Atiku has the chance to become the father of modern Nigeria by not contesting for election again. Let him choose Peter Obi to lead this country. I am telling him to show selfless love to the south easterners and Nigerians as a whole.



Looking at Hushpuppi and his arrest in Dubai, is there any justification for cybercrime?

There is no justification whatsoever for crime. Whether cybercrime, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption etc. there is no way you can justify evil. The Huspuppi thing is a misrepresentation of who we are. It is against the resilient spirit of the Nigerian youth. It negates what we stand for. However, the society has given room to such unacceptable behaviour. The government has failed to make the environment conducive for hard work to thrive. I condemn what Hushpuppi has done to Nigeria’s image. The display of fraudulent wealth is very disgusting. Any youth that sees him as a role model has seen how he ended up. I am making movie about Hushpuppi’s story. I am already working on the script. I encourage Nigerian youths to be consistent with legal means of livelihood. There is no excuse whatsoever for yahoo yahoo.

Still on corruption, what are your views on Magu’s travail?

The EFCC foundation is wrong, what can the righteous do? When the president sent in Magu’s name for confirmation, the DSS submitted a damning report about Magu but the president ignored it. The president gave room for the Magu gate to happen. It was a terrible disappointment for the president to ignore the National Assembly and allowed him to be EFCC Chairman for five years. Magu had Buhari’s support in messing up that sensitive position. It is the job of the National Assembly to screen and scrutinize individuals who would be given appointment. This is a tip of the amount of corruption under Buhari’s Administration. I am totally disappointed with the damage Magu has done to Nigeria’s image.

NDDC having mismanaged 81 billion naira, do you think that the commission is still relevant?

Truth of the matter is that the Niger Deltans should cover their faces in shame. All the while I assumed that the lack of development in the Niger Delta is because the northerners are milking the region dry but you can see that they cannot manage the little that comes to them. How come the sons and daughters of Niger Delta are mismanaging the monies meant to develop the region. It’s a shame and I am disappointed with the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Apkabio. I thought he will use the opportunity of his ministerial position to do an uncommon thing for the entire south-south region. This public shame between Akpabio and Joi Nunieh has proved that they are incompetent. Niger Delta is terribly impoverished. However, NDDC is still relevant and should not be scrapped. We cannot throw away the baby and the bath water. The National Assembly must look into ways of amending the loopholes of NDDC and block all the leakages that give room for stealing resources. All those involved in the fraud must be prosecuted and punished.

Let’s talk about your television program, Nigeria Right Now. What inspired it?

It is my love for fatherland. Nigeria Right Now came about because these so-called politicians are like actors. And as a film maker, I decided to bring them together to hold a no holds barred interview to discuss national issues. I appreciate the owner of AIT High Chief Raymond Dokpesi for giving me air time to run the program even though I am not a staff of AIT. Through this program, I have had the opportunity of meeting so many prominent Nigerians such Dino Melaye, Usman Bugaje, Nuhu Ribadu and lots of National Assembly members. It is an unscripted program where we discussed issues and proffer solutions. I realize that Nigeria’s problem is something we can solve with ease. The program exposed me to the real issues of Nigeria even though I am not a journalist. Nobody can predict the show until the camera is rolling. I look forward to continuing in that direction and it is my own way of being the commander in chief of Nigeria. There is a lot of patriotic Nigerians who love this country.    

https://www.inform.ng/post/2023-atiku-should-endorse-obi-award-winning-director-iroegbu

Acting Managing Director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, has stated that the Commission could not get fair hearing from an investigative committee chaired by Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Professor Pondei made this remark at the sitting of a House Committee on NDDC to investigate alleged malfeasance on the part of the Commission.

The NDDC boss posited that Hon Tunji-Ojo had been accused on many occasions of crimes inimical to the growth and development of the Commission.

The MD/CEO was of the view that the Committee Chairman did not have the clean hands to sit in judgement over the affairs of the commission.

He, therefore, refused to speak to the Committee and rather took a bow and left.

The House Committee, based on the resolution at the plenary of the House in May 2020, is currently investigating the alleged spending by the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.

At the opening ceremony of the investigative hearing on Tuesday, the Committee Chairman, Tunji-Ojo, alleged that the IMC had spent the sum of N81.5bn from the coffers of the NDDC, from February to May 2020, without due process.

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-have-no-confidence-in-reps-committee-nddc-boss-pondei

Members of the Niger State House of Assembly have sacked the Majority and Deputy Minority leaders allegedly over issues affecting the smooth running of the House.

The affected key officers include Honorable Musa Suleiman, representing Magama constituency and Hon. Andrew Danjuma Jagaba, Munya constituency.



Raising the motion for the removal of the two lawmakers during the House plenary was Hon. Jibrin Ndagi Baba, Lavun constituency and was seconded by Hon. Mohammed Rama, Edati constituency. They said the members no longer have confidence in them.

He told the House, “Having consulted with my colleagues on the issues affecting the smooth running of this House, we no longer have confidence in the House leader and deputy leader.

” I then move that the two officers be removed. And, I so move.”

The members immediately nominated Hon. Mohammed Abbah Bala, Borgu constituency as the new Majority Leader and Hon. Binta Manmman, Gurara constituency as Deputy Minority Leader of the House.


https://www.inform.ng/post/niger-state-legislators-impeach-principal-officers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has moved the former Managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joy Nunieh out of her residence to Government House Port Harcourt.

Officers had stormed the home of the former Interim Chairman of NDDC, Joi Nunieh at 3, Owuru Creek view, off Herbert Macaulay Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.



Governor Wike’s visit was predicated by the invasion of the residence of Nunieh by officers of the Nigerian police force early Thursday.

The reason for the Governor’s interference is yet unknown, as the development is said to be coming ahead of Nunieh’s appearance before a Senate panel in Abuja investigating the activities of the NDDC today.

But sources say Nunieh is being invited for questioning by the Police, an information yet to be confirmed by the Spokesman of the Rivers State police command, SP Omoni Nnamdi.

President Buhari’s minister, Godswill Akpabio and Nunieh have been embroiled in war of words over allegations of corruption in the NDDC.

The former MD of NDDC, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, budget padding, fraud, among others, which the Minister has denied.

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-wike-relocates-ms-nunieh-ex-nddc-chief-to-government-house

W

Mr Ibu
Popular Nigerian Comic actor, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu, is of the opinion that the life-threatening pandemic ravaging the world, Coronavirus, is not in Nigeria.

In an interview with The Nation, the actor reportedly said he does not believe that COVID-19 exists in Nigeria nor does he care about its existence. According to him, he doesn’t know anyone who has been infected or has died from the novel viral disease.



“Nigeria, we are not supposed to be involved in this COVID-19, I see no reason why we should be involved. Only Nigerians in diaspora will have to partake in this devilish program.

We at home are oblivious, we are not supposed to be involved in any ceremony in trying to pretend or in trying to avoid. My brother, COVID-19 or 20 is not here, I don’t care. Why would China give us sickness and America embellish the technicality and then sell it to the world and people now begin to die when they know it’s killing. Thank God we have hot weather, the thing sef dey fear us.

I no dey fear anything I dey wear cloth waka on my own. Nothing dey here, nobody don die for this whole area, if you go another area nobody don die, go to stadium nobody don die. Let’s be sorry for ourselves.

I’m telling everybody not just the government this, say only what you know do not exaggerate it. Na we dey take our mouth call sickness by im own, sickness dey pass on its own but na we dey call am for Nigeria. You won’t see COVID-19 because it’s not here.”

On the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and activities of the NCDC, Mr. Ibu said,

“You know anybody?

Have you ever attended any burial and they say na this thing kill am? have you ever gone to the hospital them say this person na Covid dey hold am? have you ever seen a family them say somebody na Covid na em kill am yesterday for family wey you know? You cannot, dem say dem say na em me and you dey hear. Even the sickness dey fear us.

“Are they not human beings, let them bring a picture of at least one person killed by COVID-19 and we find the family of such a person.

COVID whatever is not in Nigeria, we have hot weather here, the disease is scared of us just as we are scared of it so it can’t come here.

It has affected so many industries in the country, it has driven us away from work because of the lies and gossip. Na small thing e remain hunger for don kill me since if no be say better people dey wey dey give us money.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/no-covid-19-in-nigeria-mr-ibu

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has written to the state Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, to investigate the claim made by a former Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde, that the 2016 governorship election was rigged in his favour.

Abegunde, shortly after his resignation on July 6, claimed that the 2016 election was won by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, and not Akeredolu.







The SSG said the poll was manipulated by bigwigs of the APC, including himself, just for Akeredolu to win at all cost.

But in his petition to the police commissioner, Akeredolu said the allegation of the ex-SSG needed to be adequately investigated by the security agencies. 




The petition to the state police boss was written through Mr. Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, a lawyer in the state.

The governor said the allegation was false, reckless, senseless, and criminal.  

The petition reads, "According to the official result of the governorship election published by INEC, APC and its candidate, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu polled 224, 842 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the election, Eyitayo Jegede, polled 150, 380 votes.

"The Alliance for Democracy and its candidate in the election, Chief Olusola Oke, came third, with total votes of 126,889.  

 "Our clients emphatically state that the much-publicised allegation of manipulation of the 2016 Ondo State election by Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde is diametrically spurious, false, reckless, senseless, and criminal. 

"It was made to scandalise our clients, particularly the governor, three and half years after the undisputed election, and after Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde parted ways with the current government of Ondo State.

 "You would agree with us that electoral integrity is a severe and sensitive issue in Nigeria. For any person to fraudulently procure the return of any other person to an elective office, whether directly or indirectly, is a criminal offence punishable with twelve (12) months imprisonment, under section 124(1) (a) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

"We have the instruction of our clients to call on your office to set all the necessary machinery in motion. 

"This is necessary to unravel the truth or falsehood in the allegation(s) of Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde, by conducting a thorough investigation into the allegation in this petition."



https://www.inform.ng/post/governor-akeredolu-demands-probe-of-ex-ssg-over-allegation-of-electoral-graft

The Acting Executive Director Project (EDP) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has accused the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of masterminding the current crises of financial recklessness rocking the NDDC board.

Ojougboh who made this known during a programme on Channels Television (Sunday Politics) alleged that Omo-Agege is fuelling the crises in the NDDC just because his anointed candidate for the NDDC Managing Director’s job, Chief Bernard Okumagba was dropped.



He said: “all these hullabaloo about NDDC money is all about one individual, the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Just because he was denied the right to nominate, appoint the MD of NDDC, so he must fight.

“If NDDC still have a mace he would have carried it. What does he want to achieve, to cause problem in the NDDC so that Mr. President and the society will say the problem with NDDC is too much, so the IMC should be sacked.

“If Omo-Agege is very sure of what he is saying, he could have brought someone who is verse in the affairs of the country, not Mrs. Joy Nunieh, a neophyte ust to disgrace me. You (Channels) could have investigated properly to know whether what Nunieh said was true before playing the video.

“How can she say I don’t stay in the office when every day, I leave office at 10am after I have done my office job and I go on inspection of projects which all of us agreed on during management meeting”.

He noted that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio had explained on Arise TV issues that led to the removal of Joy Nunieh from office. “So I don’t want to join issues with any body today but the only problem in the Niger Delta Development Commission is the issue of the Deputy Senate President.

“If you want to become the governor of Delta state, nobody is stopping you, go ahead and be, must you use NDDC to actualize it. You are the Deputy Senate President, you have oversight function over the senate, you have oversight function over the NDDC, must you produce the NDDC MD before you can be governor

It is an issue that nobody want to allow to happen. They found out that if he was allowed to nominate the MD, he (Omo-Agege) will not be able to properly exercise his oversight function and that was why Chief Bernard Okumagba that he nominated was dropped. It was also discovered that it was not the turn of Delta to produce the MD of the NDDC.

On the allegations of the immediate past MD of NDDC, he said they are laughable, revealing that she was even the one that brought Nwaoboshi files and gave to them. “Today she claims she was forced to implicate Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. The facts are there, investigation will surely reveal them.

I do know that before she was relieved of her position, one Ude of Pointblank News published an article that myself, the minister and one Uduaghan wanted to kill her, so a meeting was called and in that meeting, the issue of that tweet was discussed, if that was the meeting she was asked to take an oath then it is unfortunate. As EDP I was never asked to take the oath because nobody can intimidate me to lie.

“Omo-Agege want to use the chambers of the National Assembly to intimidate the IMC so that they can be removed from office. They want the IMC to be indicted so that it can no longer hold office for one year but God is with us.

I can assure you that after the session with the Senate, it was obvious that the money they alleged were squandered, contracts were paid from it, they were contracts we didn’t award, recurrent payments were made, nobody has said that Cairo Ojougboh or MD embezzled the money. The question they are asking is why were these payments made, these payments were made from the regulatory patterns we met on ground.

“And apart from that the MD was asked why was this payment made and he said it was to protect people of the Niger Delta. As we speak, 11 persons are incarceration, the commission is looking for money to bail them from Kidnappers.

What led to creation of NDDC was because there was crisis in the Niger Delta and a lot of youths became militants and rebels, so NDDC was a means of trying to calm them. So when you say N1.6 billion was used, it was not used to bribe anybody.

“It was not paid into my account or minister’s account. It was paid across board for people to go back to their constituencies to work. It is on record that since the IMC came on board, there had never be any riot or disruption of all activities.

“Because the IMC has stopped looting and leakages, we have a commitment of three trillion naira debt against the NDDC and out of it confirmed debt of 1.6 billion naira and because the commission has to continue, people who genuinely did their job were paid. Otherwise the activities of the commission will fail. If we have paid according to what we met we could have paid up to N150 billion.

“Then we said no that we will scrutinize the payments, while the forensic audit is going on. Why are they fighting us, basically because we have embraced the forensic audit. And Joy Nunieh said it, she didn’t accused the minister of stealing money, she said the minister wanted her to use the money from the commission to pay for forensic audit and that is the truth.

“NDDC has paid the first tranche to the forensic auditors, and forensic audit is ongoing and as I earlier said, the solution to problem of the NDDC is forensic audit, when that is done a lot of the chairmen of the National Assembly will run away. Contractors that have not done their jobs and are fighting us will run away.

“”The people who seat in their proxy offices in Abuja and share in proceeds from contracts in the Niger Delta will no longer have it. So these are the people who are fighting us.

“On the Lassa fever project, payment of 3.6 billion naira was made on lassa fever and medical equipments and I was not aware, yet I am the EDP. The minister was not also aware of it. And she is saying that there is no payment in the NDDC without the minister’s approval. She paid 2.9 billion naira for Lassa fever without the approval of the minister.

“The memo that led to the payment of the Lassa fever equipment and others didn’t passed through due process but yet she went ahead to pay”, he reiterated.

https://www.inform.ng/post/omo-agege-is-behind-nddc-crises-dr-ojuogbo-nddc-executive-director

Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied the claim that he failed to account for the interest in the N550 billion recovered fund kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, custody.

Recall that the Final Report of Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets, PCARA, surfaced at the weekend showing how interest rates accruing from N550 billion recovered by the anti-graft agency in the period from May, 2015, to May 2020.



The report said the EFCC, “Failure to report on the interest on actual lodgments clearly establishes that interest element of over N550 billion has been re-looted relating to the period under review.”

But in a statement by his lawyer Wahab Shittu on Sunday, Magu said such recovered fund kept with the CBN do not generate interest.

The statement added, “It is falsehood that Magu placed N550 billion recovered loot into a deposit account.

“The alleged transaction never featured in the proceedings before the Salami panel. Magu was never confronted with any such allegation by the panel and the news is blatant falsehood.

“To the best of Magu’s knowledge, no such amount is in any such account and he remains aghast at such outrageous figures. No one has confronted Magu with such allegations.

“All recovered funds are lodged in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Such recovered funds do not generate interest. This is elementary and can be verified from the CBN and the federal ministry of finance.

“This can also be confirmed from other government revenue generating agencies. Funds kept in TSA account do not generate interest.”

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Friday suspended Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC.

The agency’s Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, has taken charge and now oversees the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation into Magu’s case.

Magu, on Friday wrote the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, asking to be released on bail.

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

The acting EFCC Chairman was arrested on Monday and taken to the presidential Villa in Abuja, where he is being interrogated by a panel headed by Ayo Salami, a retired president of the Appeal Court.
https://www.inform.ng/post/i-never-siphoned-interest-from-recovered-loot-magu

A political activist and former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned series of allegations of corruption currently in the country, especially the alleged $800million oil fraud, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as Petroleum Minister.


He also called on the National Assembly to thoroughly probe the alleged fraud in the oil sector as reported in the media.


Frank said it is worrisome that such huge amount of money gotten from the oil rich Niger Delta region could be stolen while the region is lacking every developmental indices like good schools, hospital, good roads and others.


In a series of tweets on Monday morning, Timi Frank expressed contempt over the way President Buhari is running the affairs of Nigeria.

The outspoken political commentator highlighted some of the loots ravaging the system, as he called on the attention of the international community to provide succour.


"$800million Sales of Crude Funds stolen as alleged by an online media Pointblank. Gen Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari should resign as Petroleum Minister and President of this country. Under his watch, he has failed the citizens and Nigerians cannot breath anymore. I call on the oil producing community and Niger Delta Region at large to protest this current looting.


"This is exactly what the musical Prophet Fela called 'Authority stealing pass armed robbery'. We are disappointed that corruption has eaten deep into Nigeria, and Nigerians can't even breath. The fight against corruption and insecurity was just one of those campaign gimmicks General Buhari used in deceiving Nigerians.


"All those who are part of this $800million must be brought to book. This case must not be swept under the carpet. The 9th Assembly must probe these allegations."

Frank also called on the International Community to place visa ban on all those involved in the alleged looting.


"I call on the International communities, US, UK and all to place Visa ban on these looters and their families. This is a way they can help Nigeria to support the fight against corruption. Corruption has raptured the entire country. No government has looted Nigeria dry like Buhari's government. Our security, educational and healthcare systems have failed. Poverty, hunger and unemployment are now friends to the system.

"No Government has given Nigeria a bad image in recent times like General Buhari's Government; this administration has put a dent to Nigeria’s image internationally. They are the worst in terms of looting. Once you loot public funds you will be celebrated under Gen Buhari's watch. Despite all of this, even Magu will go scoot free, just like others. They are practically the role model of Yahoo boys.", Timi Frank stated.

https://www.inform.ng/post/800m-alleged-oil-fraud-atiku-ally-demands-probe-resignation-of-buhari

Despite being charged to court for allegedly stealing about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil loaded in a vessel, MT Akuada a.k.a. MT Kua, valued at N384m in 2009, Omoh-Jay Nigeria Limited was in 2019 granted an approval by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to dispose the crude oil and diesel in four sea vessels through an open bid.

According to a report by Saturday PUNCH, Malami last year granted approval to some operators in the oil industry to sell five sea vessels holding crude oil and diesel forfeited to the Nigerian Government.



The vessels valued at millions of naira and laden with tonnes of crude oil and diesel were seized by security agencies from illegal oil bunkering operators during different operations.


Abubakar Malami
In separate documents, the AGF directed Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd to dispose of the crude oil and diesel in four sea vessels through an open bid.

In another approval, the AGF mandated the firm to sell five vessels despite the fact that the firm and its Managing Director, Mr Jerome Itepu, stood trial at the Delta State High Court, Asaba, for allegedly stealing about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil loaded in a vessel, MT Akuada a.k.a. MT Kua, valued at N384m in 2009. The auctioneer was to get three per cent of the sale.

The EFCC had in 2015 arraigned four persons on charges of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen goods.

The accused included a businessman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Edo Central Senatorial District, Chief Francis Inegbeneki; Chief Executive Officer of Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd., Mr Jerome Itepu; Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd. and Ine Oil Ltd. owned by Inegbeneki.

The suit, numbered A/EFCC/1c/2015, was filed on March 24, 2015 by A.J. Arogha, Esq. and U.R. Ewoh, Esq. on behalf of the EFCC.

The accused were charged with “conspiracy, contrary to, and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006”.

According to the anti-graft commission, the accused, sometime in 2009, at Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of the court, allegedly conspired to “commit a felony, to wit: stealing and, thereby, committed an offence.”
It stated, “They were alleged to have committed the offence of stealing, contrary to section 383 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006, which is punishable under section 390(4)(c) of the same law.

“According to the particulars of the offence, they allegedly stole about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil loaded in a vessel, MT Akuada a.k.a. MT Kua, valued at N384m in 2009, being the property of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The third count indicated that the accused also allegedly stole about 4,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, loaded in a vessel, MT Hope, valued at N128m belonging to the Nigerian Government.

Inegbeneki, the second accused in the charge sheet, was also charged with allegedly receiving stolen goods contrary to, and punishable under section 427 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006, “having allegedly received from one Itepu (first accused) and Omoh-Jay (third accused), about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, knowing same to have been stolen.”

However, findings by the newspaper indicated that the AGF authorised Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd to auction the forfeited vessels.

In a letter dated April 3, 2019, with reference no. HAGF/ARMU/RMDOVSC/2018/T addressed to the Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the AGF said Omoh-Jay Ltd. had been granted approval to conduct an open bid and solicited the cooperation of the navy.

The letter signed by Malami, titled ‘Re: Suit no. FHC/ABS/CS/742/2017 FRN and Anor. vs unknown persons (arrested vessels), was received by the CNS on the day it was signed.

It read, “Please be informed that Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd. has been granted approval to conduct an open bid for content only for the following vessels: MT Asteris with crude oil, MV PSV Derby with Automated Gas Oil (diesel), MV Zahra with AGO and MV Long Island with AGO (with leave of court).
“For the purpose of disposal of the products under reference, the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requests the Chief of Naval Staff to kindly grant access and necessary support as always for the whole process.”

In the second approval, Malami directed Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd to conduct another open bid for five sea vessels, three of which were laden with crude oil and diesel.

The letter addressed to the MD of Omoh-Jay Ltd, dated September 9, 2019, with reference HAGF/ARMU/NSA/2018/1, was also signed by the Justice Minister. It was titled, ‘Re: Report on suit no. FHC/ABS/CS/742/2017 FRN and Anor. v unknown persons (arrested vessels).


It read in part, “Pursuant to your earlier instruction dated September 12, 2018, on the above subject matter, you are hereby instructed further to conduct an open bid sale for the following vessels: MT Asteris with crude oil, MV PSV Derby with Automated Gas Oil, MV Zahra with AGO, MT Peace and MV Anuket Emerald.”

It further directed the firm to revert with offers to the AGF for final approval before the conclusion of the sale.

“Be informed that the success fees remain three per cent of the total value recovered from the auction. You are, therefore, expected to submit acceptance letter within 72 hours of the receipt of this instruction,” Malami directed.

It was also gathered that the AGF has directed the EFCC to submit high profile corruption cases to his office.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how Malami was in the habit of taking over high profile corruption cases only for persons involved in such alleged infractions to be left the hook shortly afterwards.

For instance, Malami recently ordered security agencies to cover up an ongoing multi-billion naira fraud in Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending.

Also, he was behind the reinstatement of a former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service after his dismissal in 2013 for a N2bn theft of pension funds.

Another case taken over by Malami and which never saw the light of day was the N25bn fraud trial of Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe State.

The AGF stated that having thoroughly reviewed the matter, found no prima facie case while adding that it was weak.

Malami withdrew the charges against Goje from the court in exercise of his constitutional power, allowing him to now walk as a free man.

Analysts posit that with his latest order to the EFCC, many top corruption cases may fizzle out of reckoning in the coming weeks if events of recent past are taken into consideration.

https://www.inform.ng/post/sahara-reporters-reveals-how-agf-malami-granted-approval-to-firm-undergoing-fraud-trial

The Presidential Panel currently investigating the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is set to dispatch detectives abroad to comb banks with funds reportedly hidden by the embattled anti-graft agency.

INFORM NIGERIA earlier reported that Magu is being investigated by an inter-agency panel consisting of representatives from different security outfits in the presidential villa. He was arrested last week Monday and is still being held in detention by the Police.

 

Police sources disclosed to Vanguard that a team of investigators handling the matter had been directed by the Presidency not to compromise their investigations and that some of them will soon be dispatched abroad to comb banks where it was alleged Magu stashed huge sums of money.

Magu is facing several allegations of fraud and misconduct. Below are some of the allegations;

Alleged discrepancies in the reconciliation records of the EFCC and the Federal Ministry of Finance on recovered funds.

Declaration of N539 billion as recovered funds, instead of N504 billion earlier claimed

Insubordination to the Office of the AGF

Alleged late action on the investigation of P&ID, leading to legal dispute

Not respecting court order to unfreeze a N7 billion judgement in favour of a former executive director of a bank

Not providing enough evidence for the extradition of Diezani Alison-Madueke Alleged delay in acting on two vessels seized by the Navy

Alleged favouring of some investigators called “Magu Boys”

Reporting some judges to their presiding officers without deferring to the AGF

Alleged sale of seized assets to cronies, associates and friends

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-woes-deepens-investigators-combs-foreign-assets

Serves him right

Penaldo:
A report by Vanguard indicates that the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, who is facing trial before the presidential investigation panel over allegations of corruption levelled against him has reportedly shunned the cell of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).

The police management team was said to have abandoned him to his fate to carry his own cross following his refusal to identify with the police hierarchy while his reign as the commission’s boss lasted.



The newspaper noted that the information from the FCID, revealed that Magu now spends his night inside a mosque at zone 10 office of FCID, Abuja where he was ordered to be detained pending the outcome of his trial.

Buhari reportedly issues warning to ministers, senior police officers against offering assistance to Magu
The suspended acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is facing trial over alleged corruption.
Sources said that though he was supposed to be kept inside the cell at the zone 10 office of FCID, Abuja, he normally spends hours behind the counter in front of the cell and after appearing at presidential panel headed by the former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, he would be brought back and later taken to the mosque midnight where he slept up till Thursday, July 9.

It was gathered that FCID, zone 10, has been well fortified since Magu was detained there and extra efforts have been made to scrutinize both officers and men working there including visitors.

Furthermore, it was gathered that the police management team met early on Friday, July 10, and took far-reaching decisions over Magus’s trial.

Police sources, according to the report, said the management team decided that the embattled commissioner of police should be made to carry his cross based on the fact that while he was presiding over EFCC, he deliberately failed to respect senior police officers and never attended senior officers meetings chaired by the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed.

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly warned serving ministers, senior police officers and top government officials not to be seen offering any assistance over the case.

It was reported that Magu, who is under investigation by a presidential panel, was said to have made the denial when reacting to claims in the media that he transferred N4 billion to Osinbajo.

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-sleeps-inside-mosque-as-he-refuses-fcid-cell

The embattled National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been hit with another bad news as his preferred candidate for Ondo gubernatorial election was disqualified by the party's screening committee.

Screening Committee led by Tijani Tumsa has disqualified one of the aspirants on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ondo state governorship election but the identify wasn't revealed.

Daily Trust gathered the identify of the disqualified candidate was Segun Abraham believed to be a loyalist of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


The 12 aspirants who participated in the screening exercise were Incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Joseph Olusola Iji, Odimayo Okunjimi, Olayide Owolabi Adelaml mni, Issacs Duerimini Kekemeke, Olusola Oke Alex, lfeoluwa Olusola Oyedele, Olajumoke Olubusola Anifowoshe, Awodeyi Akinsehinwa Akinola Colinus, Olubukola Adetula, Dr Abraham Olusegun Michael and Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan.

Tijank said that the All the 12 aspirants were screened based on their presentations, educational qualifications and only one out of the 11 failed to meet up with the requirements set by the party.

In his words;

“Of the 12 aspirants fit for the election, the committee has deemed it possible to qualify eleven of the aspirants to contest for the primary. We understand of course that the 12th aspirant has the option of appealing the decision of the committee.

He said: “We commenced the screening exercise two days ago. There were twelve aspirants in all and I’m glad to report that they all showed up for the exercise and we were able to conduct the screening within the two days stipulated.

With Tinubu's choice gone, the sky is now clear for Rotimi Akeredolu to contest for second term.

First, it was his right hand man, Adams Oshiomhole who was removed from his position and now Segun Abraham, it appears there is more trouble ahead for Jagaban.

https://www.inform.ng/post/tinubu-godson-kicked-out-of-apc-race

A report by Vanguard indicates that the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, who is facing trial before the presidential investigation panel over allegations of corruption levelled against him has reportedly shunned the cell of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).

The police management team was said to have abandoned him to his fate to carry his own cross following his refusal to identify with the police hierarchy while his reign as the commission’s boss lasted.



The newspaper noted that the information from the FCID, revealed that Magu now spends his night inside a mosque at zone 10 office of FCID, Abuja where he was ordered to be detained pending the outcome of his trial.

Buhari reportedly issues warning to ministers, senior police officers against offering assistance to Magu
The suspended acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is facing trial over alleged corruption.
Sources said that though he was supposed to be kept inside the cell at the zone 10 office of FCID, Abuja, he normally spends hours behind the counter in front of the cell and after appearing at presidential panel headed by the former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, he would be brought back and later taken to the mosque midnight where he slept up till Thursday, July 9.

It was gathered that FCID, zone 10, has been well fortified since Magu was detained there and extra efforts have been made to scrutinize both officers and men working there including visitors.

Furthermore, it was gathered that the police management team met early on Friday, July 10, and took far-reaching decisions over Magus’s trial.

Police sources, according to the report, said the management team decided that the embattled commissioner of police should be made to carry his cross based on the fact that while he was presiding over EFCC, he deliberately failed to respect senior police officers and never attended senior officers meetings chaired by the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed.

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly warned serving ministers, senior police officers and top government officials not to be seen offering any assistance over the case.

It was reported that Magu, who is under investigation by a presidential panel, was said to have made the denial when reacting to claims in the media that he transferred N4 billion to Osinbajo.

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-sleeps-inside-mosque-as-he-refuses-fcid-cell

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Kosofe Constituency II, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh is dead.

Confirming his death, Hon. Sanni Ganeey Okanlawon from Kosofe Constituency 1, wrote on Facebook “ONE DEATH TOO MANY, TUNDE BURAIMOH, Sun re o”.


He was the Chairman, Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Information, Strategy and Security.

Buraimoh was also a former chairman of Kosofe local government

https://www.inform.ng/post/another-lagos-legislator-is-dead

July 9, 2020

Press Statement

…Urges APC To Desist from Fabrications

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mocks the All Progressives Congress (APC) for plotting to use fabrications in a section of the media to arm-twist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the Edo state governorship election for their rejected candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The party said that in sponsoring fake reports that PDP leaders were putting pressure on INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, on the Edo election, the APC has further exposed its hopelessness over their rejection by the Edo people and now seeks to blackmail the Commission.

Whereas we understand APC’s despondency over the soaring popularity of our party and candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the APC is worsening its woes by sponsoring fabrications against the expressed will of the people of Edo state to re-elect Governor Obaseki in the September election.

The APC, by now, should know that attempting to rig, by any way whatsoever, will surely be met with stiff resistance and dire consequences from the people.

Our party counsels the APC to blame nobody but themselves for having a discredited nomination process and being stuck with a blighted candidate, who has now become a symbol of a direct affront by corrupt political godfathers and cabal to the will, ability and liberty of the people of Edo state to chose their own leader.

The APC should blame themselves for presenting a candidate who was exposed by their party’s former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, as a person of questionable character, a treasury looter, acid bather, rusticated student; a politician, who is only good for “night meetings” and unfit to hold office as governor of Edo state.

The APC should also hold Oshiomhole responsible for indicting its candidate as a "fake pastor" that started carrying the Holy Bible because he could not practice as a barrister.

It is indeed disgraceful that 73 days to the election, all the APC has to offer is blackmail against our leaders, after its plans to derail the election has been exposed.

It is common knowledge among Nigerians that characters, such as ‘gandollar’, the killers in the Kogi election as well as manipulators in the Imo election, being paraded by the APC as the face of their campaign in Edo state, were foisted into office through rigging, bloodletting and manipulation of election results.

Nigerians already know how the “Gandollar” election was driven by mercenaries from neighboring countries who disrupted electoral processes and inflicted injuries and pain on our compatriots.

Nigerians can also recall how, in the Kogi election last year, gunmen and police helicopter were used to chase away voters, while an innocent woman, Salome Abuh, was killed by APC thugs in celebration of their bloodstained electoral conquest in the worst election in our political history as a nation.

The public has not also forgotten how an individual, who came a distant fourth in the Imo state governorship election, suddenly became the winner.

The PDP notes that it is only a discredited and rejected party like the APC that will enlist the services of known election manipulators, who have now started their assignment by sponsoring fake reports, to run its campaign.

Our party cautions the APC to desist from their plots to rig the Edo election as the people of Edo will firmly resist them. The APC should rather blame themselves for their woes and get ready to accept their inevitable crushing defeat at the poll.

Furthermore, the PDP counsels INEC to note the dangerous plots of the APC and insulate itself from their shenanigans as the tide in this election is already clear for all to see.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

https://www.inform.ng/post/edo-we-will-resist-any-attempt-to-rig-pdp-warns-apc

The management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, has urged the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel to investigate the alleged professional misconduct of a Lagos-based cosmetic surgeon and owner of Med Contour Aesthetic Clinic, Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju, PUNCH NEWS PAPER REPORT

The hospital, in a petition dated June 11, 2020, and signed by its Director of Legal Services, O. O. Olajide, accused Adepoju of professional misconduct during a surgery she performed on one Miss Nneka Onwuzuligbo at her facility.

According to LUTH, Adepoju had continued to perform surgeries despite the fact that her facility was sealed off by the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency.

In an affidavit attached to the petition, the hospital alleged that Adepoju referred the late Nneka from her facility to LUTH on January 3, 2019, on the pretext that she was being referred from the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.

The victim, according to the affidavit deposed to by a consultant surgeon, Prof. Andrew Ugburo, was presented to LUTH with severe respiratory distress and septicaemia with infected surgical wounds.

The affidavit read in part, “The patient was well until she developed a sudden onset of breathlessness within 24 hours after the said surgical procedure. The breathlessness was progressive and necessitated her being taken immediately to the General Hospital, Odan, from the theatre.

“There was no reference in the referral note from the General Hospital, Odan, about the details of the type of tumescent fluid that was administered, neither was the volume and the type of anaesthetic used provided. The breathlessness was said to be progressive. During the said two days, the patient received oxygen and intravenous fluids at Med Contour Hospital.
The patient was referred to (LUTH) without an informative referral letter. The accompanying note from the General Hospital, Odan, stated that the patient developed orthopnoea 16 hours after the surgical procedure.
“The informative referral letter from Dr Adepoju, who performed the surgery, was provided on the fourth day of presentation at LUTH upon my insistence and persistent request. The said referral letter dated, January 7, 2019, is attached herewith and marked as ‘Exhibit A

She was noted to have significant deterioration of the vital signs before referral to LUTH for intensive care management on account of progressively worsening symptoms.

“Details of the surgical intervention subsequently received from Dr Adepoju (Exhibit A) showed that she had liposuction of the anterior abdomen, back, flanks and arms with fat transfer to the buttocks and hips. The surgery was done under spinal anaesthesia. The tumescent technique was used where three litres of fluid were infused into the patient and five litres of fluid were aspirated. She had two pints of blood transfused before presentation on account of anaemia.

The account given about the patient further had it that there was no previous history of similar presentation in past surgery of myomectomy done three years before the liposuction and fat grafting. It was revealed that on the second day after the surgery, she was noticed to have persistent foul-smelling discharge from all the surgical sites.”

The hospital added that upon admission into LUTH, the first surgical debridement performed on the deceased on January 10, 2019, revealed extensive sloughing, with foul-smelling discharge from the deceased debrided hips and purulent discharges from puncture wounds on the anterior abdominal wall.”

It added that after the surgery, there was no improvement in the patient’s clinical state, hence the need to perform a second surgery on her, adding that after the second surgery, the clinical state of the victim improved till the 28th day of admission, when her vital signs deteriorated.

Ugburo further deposed that the victim developed multiple organ failure of cardiac, respiratory (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and renal failures and had a cardiac arrest on the 31st day of admission, adding that after cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was unsuccessful, the victim was certified dead around 9am on February 3, 2019.

However, LUTH alleged that Adepoju blamed the hospital for the death of the victim.

The affidavit further read, “Dr Adepoju has in a series of misleading and incorrect public statements in the social media absolved herself from liability in the management of this patient and put the blame on LUTH and its personnel, who availed the patient of their facilities and expertise. She directly impugned the competence of the hospital and her senior professional colleagues and teachers.

Dr Adepoju further claimed in the video that the patient ‘walked to LUTH by herself’. This is false as the patient was brought to LUTH in an ambulance accompanied by her sister, Quincy Onwuzuligbo, in a state of severe respiratory distress.

“She (Adepoju) accused the medical team at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital of being responsible for the death of Miss Nneka Onwuzuligbo. She claimed this was due to wrongful positioning of the patient, stopping all antibiotics resulting in mortality. She stated in her video that liposuction and fat grafting is a new area of surgery and doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital are ignorant of post-operative management of the condition.

Dr Adepoju instigated the relations of the patient and the public against the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and its doctors by saying that ‘the plastic surgeons and doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital should be asked about the death of Miss Onwuzuligbo Nneka’.”

While urging the panel to investigate the activities of Adepoju, LUTH stated that she obtained full registration as a medical practitioner on April 4, 2019, while she performed surgery on the deceased in December 2018, adding that she claimed to be a cosmetic surgeon without undergoing a residency training programme or being registered by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, on Friday, arraigned Adepoju before Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, Lagos, over her services which allegedly resulted in the death of Nneka.

Adepoju, alongside her hospital, Med Contour Services Limited, was arraigned for allegedly obstructing the investigation by the FCCPC into the case.

In the five counts pressed against her, the FCCPC accused the cosmetic surgeon of shunning summons by the agency to appear and produce certain documents.

When contacted by Metro, Adepoju claimed that Nneka only had pneumonia when she was referred to LUTH.

She added that she obtained her full registration as a medical practitioner in 2017, contrary to LUTH’s claim that she obtained her registration in 2019.

She said, “Nneka had the surgery done on December 31, 2018, while being awake; the surgery was successful and she was moved to the recovery room but the second day, we noticed that she was breathless and when we noticed that, we checked her blood oxygen level and it was normal even though she was breathing fast.

When we did that, we saw that she was having a respiratory issue and we thought that the best thing to do was to refer her to a facility that had a respiratory unit. The surgery she did was successful and she was fine; it was days after the surgery that she developed a respiratory issue and we referred her to LUTH.

“I contacted the Lagos Island General Hospital first, but it does not have a respiratory unit; so, we got an ambulance and a referral letter from the general hospital to LUTH. Getting to LUTH, she walked into the facility after getting down from the ambulance.

Getting into the facility, the doctors thought the breathlessness was caused by fat embolism, but after a test was conducted, there was no evidence of fat embolism. When she was leaving our facility, she didn’t have any form of infection. Her medication was discontinued at LUTH and she lay on her buttock and that alone made her lose fat, because when you put fat in the bum, she needed to stay away from sitting at least for two weeks to about two months so that there won’t be fat embolism.

She was on her buttock for a while and she was also not on her antibiotics for some time due to some test they wanted to run and I also realised that some of the management team were very judgemental towards the patient and myself, and I think those things did not make them give the best care to the patient, because they were already biased and judgemental from the onset.
She was placed on a ventilator for quite some time because the lungs could no longer function on their own. At the time she was leaving us, all she had was pneumonia and that was why we referred her. A doctor that we used to be partner was consulted to tell them about liposuction issue and he created a lot of bias and put a lot of fear in the family of the patient. They polluted the patient’s family mind and manipulated them to believe that it was the procedure she did with us that caused the issue she had.


Contrary to what LUTH said, I finished with the class of 2014/2015 and I obtained my full registration as a medical practitioner in 2017. I did not do residency because I’m not a plastic surgeon and the requirement to perform liposuction is your MBBS degree.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/fccpc-vindicated-as-luth-takes-on-dr-anu-adepoju-over-failed-cosmetic-surgery

The Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Gon Coulibaly. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Facebook page of Amadou]
The late Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Gon Coulibaly. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Facebook page of Amadou]
The Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, Gon Coulibaly, is dead.

Mr Coulibaly, 61, died on Wednesday evening after falling ill at a ministerial meeting.



He recently returned from France where he was treated for two months for a heart ailment.

On Wednesday, he felt unwell during a weekly cabinet meeting. He was taken to the hospital from there and died at the hospital, the BBC reported.

Mr Coulibaly had been chosen as the ruling party’s candidate for October’s presidential election, after Alassane Ouattara said he would not seek a third term in office.

Details later…

https://www.inform.ng/post/prime-minister-of-cote-divoire-gon-coulibaly-is-dead

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has reacted to reports that former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, gave him N4billion.

Reports had claimed that Osinbajo also allegedly gave instructions to Magu to release some of the recovered loots.


But reacting, a statement issued by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, on Wednesday, described the report as fake news.

He explained that Osinbajo has never been involved in such shady activities.


He said, “Inundated by wide circulation of Fake News about VP’s purported involvement in some EFCC recovery billions, please rest assured they’re all LIES: calculated to confuse and concocted to smear Prof. Osinbajo’s image.

“The VP hasn’t and will never be involved in any such shady activities.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-didnt-receive-n4bn-from-magu-osinbajo

Mohammed Umar, director of operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been named acting chairman of the agency, according to NAN.

The official news agency of the federal government said a top official of the commission confirmed that Umar has taken charge of the agency in the absence of Ibrahim Magu.

In operational hierarchy and by convention, the director of operations is next to the chairman.

Magu was arrested on Monday and whisked to the presidential villa in Abuja where he was grilled by a panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the EFCC.

The panel is led by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court.

Suspensions are usually imposed on chief executives under probe to avoid interference with investigations.

Magu’s travails followed a memo by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), in which the suspended anti-graft czar was accused of grave malfeasance.

https://www.inform.ng/post/umar-takeover-efcc-management

The suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, may be sinking deeper into trouble as police have reportedly discovered more ‘incriminating evidence’ against him following a thorough search in his residence in Karu and his official residence in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday.

A source close to the police told BusinessDay that a combined team of operatives of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) that stormed Magu’s two residences allegedly found some ‘incriminating materials’ that “could be deployed in the ongoing investigation of the embattled EFCC boss over the ‘weighty’ allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami”. The source, however, did not disclose the nature of the materials.

 

Inform NG had on Tuesday reported that Magu may spend a second night in detention after he was reportedly arrested by the DSS and detained at the police headquarters on Monday over fraud allegations. The source confirmed that Magu was returned to the Force headquarters to be detained again on Tuesday after he was grilled by the Ayo Salami- led presidential panel set up to investigate him.

Magu, who is a commissioner of police, is reportedly also being investigated by the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and may face dismissal if found culpable of the allegations, the source added.




Attorney-General Malami had on June 20 sent a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari with details of Magu’s alleged corruption and misconduct, alleging that Magu had misappropriated and relooted funds recovered from corrupt people and kept the proceeds to himself and cronies. Malami also recommended that he should be sacked.

One of the accusations against Magu was that he rented a house of N20 million annually paying N40 million upfront. The said amount was allegedly paid for by one retired commodore, Mohammed Umar, who was said to be under investigation by the EFCC for fraudulent deals. Magu was also accused of living a lavish lifestyle and more recently hiring a private jet to Dubai during the lockdown in clear violation of the rules. His excuse was that he went to do an investigation.

Magu had remained in acting capacity as the EFCC chairman for over four years because the 8th Senate led by Bukola Saraki refused to confirm his nomination as substantive chairman following a damning report against him by the DSS in 2016. He was again rejected by the Senate in 2017.

However, President Buhari retained him against the provisions of Section 2(3) of the EFCC Act 2004 which stipulate that the Senate must confirm a nominee before he could continue in office

https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-woes-deepens-more-evidence-uncovered

SGF is a fool

The church of Devil in Ohafia has fallen and her chief apostle and founder has been seized and brought away by the federal authority.

The Assemblies of sunshine Bearer Larger Church of Lucifer, popularly referred to as Church of Devil in Ohafia based by Mr. ifekwe Udo has been knocked down and vandalized by the youths of neighborhood for the evil it has initiated.


It was a factor of pleasure and happiness for the folks of Ohafia all over the world because the founding father of the named church above was arrested by federal authority.

 
Ifekwe Udo, often known as Lucifer or Fada-Fada has a query root concerning his Ohafia nativity. He grew to become common prior to now quarter of the last decade for his seen effort in offering employment alternatives for the jobless youths of the neighborhood. He gave the jobless youth bikes on rent buy.

He later opened a brothel additionally in Ohafia with allowed unisex.

Folks of Ohafia knew his evil practices however no person might confront him due to his connections.

He claims to have the ability Devil has. He’s recognized to make use of voodoo energy on his Members.

He was arrested this month by federal authority for violating the lockdown order and in addition for baby trafficking and terrorizing the neighborhood. The youth of the neighborhood angrily destroyed the satanic photographs outdoors the church

https://www.inform.ng/post/police-arrest-founder-of-ohafia-church-of-satan

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo state, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, have fired salvo at the APC leaders for “undemocratic character” exhibited during the crisis that led to their defecting to the PDP. Speaking during a visit to Engineer Gideon Ikhine’s camp office, Obaseki described APC as a lawless political party that has no regards’ for constituted authority.

“I’m very happy to stand here today and watch my brother Engineer Gideon Ikhine speak. Today you would agree with me that history is being made not only in Edo State, but in the entire country Nigeria. Democracy has taken a new direction.

“I was in a system before where old politicians see themselves as lords, where things are done with recourse to law. A political party that is lawless, party without idealogy, a party where people do things with impunity where integrity does not anything to them, a party where there is no justices and fairness, so I left APC because I do not like their impunity.” 

Also, Shuaibu said that Edo people are ready to swim the big ocean with Obaseki for continuation of the delivery of the dividends of democracy which he promised them in 2016. He however noted that the decision to dump APC was not an easy one, but said that it was necessary to follow his principal because of the love and wonderful work that the State Governor is doing in the state.

“I want to tell the peace loving people of Edo State that we are always there for them, we appreciate the support they have given to us since we came on board in 2016. We are together in this battle to free Edo State from the hands of bad people. 

“As the election draws near, I urged everybody to be calm and our great party the PDP so that we can both achieve our aims. I’m happy that Edo state is now a PDP state why APC is now the opposition party.

https://www.inform.ng/post/governor-obaseki-and-deputy-fire-apc-hail-pdp

The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 6,618 senior Police Officers. In the breakdown, one Assistant Inspector General, AIG of Police was promoted to Deputy Insector General, DIG of Police; four Commissioners of Police, CPs were elevated to AIGs while three DCPs were promoted to CPs.

In a press statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Police Service Commission, PSC, he stated that “The promotions were one of the highpoints of the 8th Plenary Meeting of the Commission which spanned a period of three weeks, and ended on Wednesday, July 1st, 2020. It was presided over by Commission Chairman, Musiliu Smith, retired Inspector General of Police.”



One Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olushola Oyebade, currently at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Jos, Plateau State was promoted to the next rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the South West geopolitical zone.

The four Commissioners of Police including one specialist were promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police are: Cp. Aisha L. Abubakar, CP. Veterinary Department; Cp. Asuquo A. A. Amba, former Cp, Bayelsa State Command; Counter Terrorism and currently CP. Ekiti State Command; CP. Nekereuwem A. Akpan, former CP. Cross Rivers State Command and Olafihan Adeniran Adeeoye, currently CP. Anti Terrorism.

The Commission also approved the promotion of three Deputy Commissioners of Police to the next rank of substantive Commissioners of Police. They are DCP Jonathan Towuru, Deputy Force Secretary; DCP Abiodun Alabi, National Defence College and DCP. Akande Kayode of the State House (Presidential Villa).

The three Assistant Commissioners of Police are : ACP. Adenola J. Oluwole, ACP. Valentine Olumese and ACP. Isa Jibril Grema who were all promoted to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police.

Eight Superintendents of Police including Omoruyi Godwin, Clifford Okwor presently of Anambra State Command and Uchendu Fransica Ngozi, Staff Officer Senior, SOS, also of Anambra State Command were also promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police.

607 DSPs were also elevated to the rank of Superintendents of Police. They include: DSP. Markus Goyom, Ifeoma Chukwu Ozuruigbo, Elizabeth Olajimoke Olatunbosun, Mina Mosese Anderson, Delta State Command and Mohammed Yakubu Ibrahim, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) 9th Mile, Enugu State Command. Others are Frank Omokhoje Longe, Delta State Command, Chukwudi Nwanze Simon, Ukadike Oyekachukwu Martins, Jemimah Okafor; Emeka Iheanacho, PPRO Zone 5 and Ede John Chukwuemeka.


The Commission also promoted 206 ASPs to DSPs among which were: Ignatius Ogoejbunam Atta, Mustapha Ali and Awe Vincent.

The Commission also 5,786 Inspectors to Assistant Superintendents of Police, ASP11. Some of the new ASPs are Egbo Rosemary Obianujunwa, Operations, Delta State Command; Abdulahi Mohammed; Elvina Chukwu, Oyo State Command; Balogun Olushegun; Amaka Onwude, CPS, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Command; Samuel Agu, Delta Command; Joseph Seyinko and Chinyere Mabeokwu of Enugu Area Command.

Chairman of the Commission has urged the promoted Officers to reciprocate the Commission’s gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of their fatherland. Smith said the Commission will continue to ensure that merit and seniority guide the promotion of Officers of the Nigeria Police.

https://www.inform.ng/post/police-service-commission-promotes-6618-senior-officers

Every bit of him cuts the image of a taciturn, harmless and easy-going individual. But Ndubisi Anthony is extremely dangerous. He poses as a shoe dealer on Ogbunabali Road, Port Harcourt City, but behind the visible business of buying and selling shoes, the 52-year-old indigene of Ngo-Okpala in Imo State has other secret criminal ventures, including kidnapping and killing his victims.

Anthony’s neighbours were shocked when he recently led a detachment of policemen to his well-built house situated at Umuebule 1 Community, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State. The house is a flat of about four bedrooms surrounded by a high fence. In fact, the fence, which is secured with a gate, made it impossible for neighbours to know what went on in Anthony’s compound. Little wonder nobody around suspected Anthony and his bloody enterprise.



Within the compound is a pit dug very close to the fence and covered with columns of concrete. Innocent people who entered his compound thought it was a mere soak away pit. Only Anthony knew that the pit was not meant for sewage alone but also served as a burial ground for victims of his illicit trade.

In his compound, he confessed to kidnapping people, strangling them and dumping their remains in the pit. Most of his victims’ bodies had completely decayed with their skulls remaining. But one was still fresh when the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Joseph Mukan, engaged some youths in the area to pull them out.

During interrogation, Anthony admitted luring his victims to his house under the guise of buying their goods or selling his to them. He would make his victims feel at home in his living room after offering them a special seat. He would even offer them drinks. But in the process, he would go behind them, hold their necks in his hands and twist them.

After confirming that they were dead, Anthony said he would drag them to his well-secured compound and throw them into the pit. Though he said he lived with his wife and about four children, it was discovered that the wife fled the compound before nemesis caught up with him while two of his grown children were no longer living with him.

Anthony said he started the business of kidnapping and killing in February this year, adding that he had so far killed four of his business partners. He said three of his victims were Togolese while one came from Aba in Abia State.

He said: “I sell shoes. I get my victims by luring them to bring shoes to my house. When they bring them, I tell them to sit down. When they had sat down, I would go behind them and strangle them to death. I have been doing this for a while.

“I collect their shoes when I kill them. I also collect their money. But after I did this last one, police started investigating it and they started looking for me.

“One of my customers called me to come, but when I got there, the police arrested me.”

He added: “I live here with my family. I kidnap people and kill them by strangling them. I invite them to my house. Some are my business partners. I ask them to come and supply me goods or to come to my house and buy from me.

“They bring their shoes to my house. I started doing this in February this year. Since then, I have kidnapped and killed four people. I kill them and throw them into the soak away pit. My wife goes to the market always and people can’t see me because the area is fenced.”

Anthony said he started kidnapping because of poverty, adding that he had so far received N800,000 from his victims’ families.

The last operation that blew his cover involved his business partner, Ajumiene Ofor, from Aba in Abia State.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the victim supplied him shoes worth N500,000 on credit and Anthony told his victim to come to his house for payment. On arrival at his house, the man sent the address to his wife in Aba.

The source said: “The discovery was made when a trader from Aba in Abia State left the address and phone number of the suspect with his wife upon departure to collect the sum of N500,000, being the cost of the goods he had supplied the suspect on credit.

“After waiting for 48 hours without any sign of her husband’s return, the wife of the victim reported the matter to the police who immediately launched an investigation into the matter.

“On interrogation, the suspect took the police to his house where fresh corpses were recovered from a 20-fit soak-away pit dug purposely for dumping of corpses.

“While the wife of the suspect has since abandoned her four children and ran away, two grown up children of the suspect have also taken to their heels while two little others demonstrated how their evil father strangled his victims in their presence.

“They said their father sternly warned them not to tell anyone about his evil deeds else he would apply the same treatment to them.”

Commenting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, said: “Operatives of the Aniti-Kidnapping Unit, in a sting operation on 29/6/20202 at about 1330hrs, arrested a notorious kidnapper and serial killer, one Anthony Ndubuisi ‘m’ from Ngo-Okpala in Imo State but resides at Umuebulu Etche LGA.

“The suspect, who was arrested through intelligence-led policing, on interrogation confessed to have carried out several kidnappings and killings of his unsuspecting victims, including three foreign Nationals and a Nigerian, the most recent being the kidnapping and killing of one Ajumiene Offor who was lured from Aba to his house for a business transaction but kidnapped and killed on 9/6/2020.

“In the course of investigation, the suspect led operatives to his house at Umuebulu, where he pointed to a septic tank that contained the bodies of his victims.

“On exhumation, we recovered three human skulls and the decomposing body of his recent victim. They have been evacuated and taken to the mortuary for autopsy.

“Investigation is ongoing and efforts have been intensified to arrest other members of his deadly gang.

“In the wake of his arrest, two pump action guns and some cartridges were recovered.”

Also the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, condemned the incident and declared total war against perpetrators of heinous crimes in the state.

He urged members of the public to increase their security consciousness and report all suspicious characters and movements to the police.

https://www.inform.ng/post/how-i-lured-and-killed-my-business-associates-evil-man-confesses

The minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has denied buying houses for his wives after assumption of political office.

The minister was reacting to a saharareporters publication, alleging that he bought three houses for his three wives in highbrow areas of Abuja.

“Our attention has been drawn to the grave falsehood Published by controversial online media, Sahara Reporters against the person of Honourable Minister Dr Isa Ali Pantami. The online media, has falsely accused him of procuring three houses within the period of his assumption of office,” the minister said in a statement by his spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman.



“For the purpose of setting the records straight, the Honourable Minister has not purchased a single property anywhere In the world, in the period he has been in office as a Minister. One of the apartments in the images published is one which the Honourable Minister has occupied since January 2017, more than two years before becoming a minister, while the other one is a house he rented since 17th December 2019. Two of the images are not even known to him.

“It is worthy of note that as a serving Minister, Dr Pantami’s salaries and allowances fall below his earnings as a Professor at the International University Madinah Saudi Arabia, where he still holds the record of being the first Nigerian to lecture at that level. He only returned to Nigeria out of the zeal to contribute his quota to national development.


“Dr Pantami is one of the few Nigerians who are driven by nothing, but an unequalled sense of patriotism and selfless service as demonstrated in his act of sacrifice, to answer the call to serve his country as a sign of his patriotism and selfless service. As a successful businessman in his own right who has been comfortable in life, he has carved a niche for himself in his character, deep sense of responsibility and successful feats.

“Dr Pantami’s integrity and credibility precede him, and his fight against corruption in both official and personal capacities have become a reference point not only nationally, but globally.

“The general public is advised to ignore all attempts to slander the name and image of the Honourable Minister. In the same vein, we plead with the Nigerian media to deploy the strategies of investigative journalism and avoid false sensationalism inorder to uphold the tenets of the noble pen profession.“

https://www.inform.ng/post/minister-debunks-rumoured-houses-says-he-has-never-bought-a-property-since-assuming-office

A screening committee of Peoples Democratic party to screen aspirants that will participate at the Ondo state governorship primary election has released names of successful aspirants it cleared to participate in the contest.

The committee, which is chaired by Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, cleared seven out of nine aspirants that participated at the screening exercise and disqualified two others.

The names of the seven PDP Aspirants with Clear Certificate and Certified to Contest the Indirect Primary of PDP include the deputy governor of Ondo state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, the PDP gubernatorial candidate at the 2016 election in the state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede SAN, and a former national vice chairman (southwest) of PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso.

Others are Mr Ebiseni Sola, Mr  Kunlere Boluwaji, Mr Okunomo Banji Ben and Mr Ayorinde Bode.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ondo-2020-pdp-clears-ondo-state-deputy-governor-jegede-others-to-participate-in-party-primary

French President Emmanuel Macron has named a new prime minister ahead of a major cabinet reshuffle.

Jean Castex was appointed to the job Friday, after former prime minister Edouard Philippe handed in his resignation earlier in the day.

Castex, a center-right politician like Philippe, had already been involved with the government after he was enlisted in April to help with its de-confinement plans.

In a statement Friday, Macron’s office said Philippe had handed in the resignation of the government, but that the current cabinet would remain in charge of governmental affairs until a new team was put in place.

In France, the president — the main political figure — selects the prime minister, who then forms the government. As such, the resignation paves the way for a cabinet reshuffle.

It comes after speculation that Macron was preparing a reshuffle to focus on the economic recovery post-coronavirus. Macron needed to decide whether or not Philippe should go, given that the prime minister had become more popular among the electorate in the aftermath of the pandemic than the president himself.

Macron will face a new presidential election in 2022 and the remainder of his mandate is likely to be heavily impacted by the ongoing health and economic crises.

Speaking earlier this month, Macron said: “With this epidemic, the global economy has come to a virtual standstill. Our first priority will be to rebuild an economy that is strong, ecological, sovereign and united.”

‘Limited’ policy maneuver
“The room for policy manouver is limited,” Tomasz Michalski, associate professor at the H.E.C. Business school in Paris, said via email.

“The economic measures introduced during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. worker furloughing schemes) adjourned the economic problems that are going to be felt strongly in the Fall with massive layoffs that are being prepared, bankruptcies and an ever more indebted French state.”

The French central bank said in June that it expects the country’s economy to contract by 10.3% this year, before returning to growth in 2021 and 2022.

“President Macron may need to extend social security programs even further to avoid mass protests. He might also need to raise taxes. In this context, as a counterpart, he wishes to complete the pension reform started over a year ago: to be able to claim that he fulfilled some of his campaign promises and repaired the French state for many years to come,” Michalski added.

Macron was elected in 2017 on a pro-European platform and reformist agenda, promising to make France’s labor market less rigid. He created his own centrist party, La Republique En Marche!, as an alternative to the conservative Les Republicains and left-wing Socialist Party — the two mainstream groups that had dominated French politics until then.

https://www.inform.ng/post/france-get-new-prime-minister

Suspected Nigerian fraudsters, Ramon Igbalode Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi and Olalekan Jacon Ponle a.k.a Mr Woodberry have been extradited to the United States.

They were arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates over high-level fraud, money-laundering and cyber-crimes.


The official page of Dubai Police confirmed their extradition on its official page.

FBI’s Director, Christopher Wray, thanked the Dubai Police for working towards extradition of the suspected cyber criminals.

https://www.inform.ng/post/uae-extradite-hushpuppi-others-to-united-states

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, has died of COVID-19 complications.

Adegbenro was said to have died at the state Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH in Akure, Ondo State capital on Thursday.

His death came a day after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu announced that he has tested positive for COVID- 19.

Details later.

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-dr-adegbenro-ondo-state-health-commissioner-dies-of-covid-19