Two witnesses brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have told the court how the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, and his company, Dextra Investments Limited, transferred the sum of $2million allegedly collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The first prosecution witness, Nneka Ararume, a wealth manager dealing in management of equities, fixed income instruments and real estate, said she collected the sum of $2million dollars from Mr. Metuh sometime in December 2014.
She explained further that she went ahead to change the money to its naira equivalent through two bureau de change operators she engaged.
She said, “He gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.
“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”
She said she changed the dollars into Nigerian currency and had it transferred to Mr. Metuh’s account.
The second witness, a bureau de change operator, said he had the sum of $1 million dollars exchanged to N183 million and transferred to the account of Dextra Investments Limited.
He however said he had no knowledge of either Mr. Metuh or his company, Dextra investment Limited, before that time.
Mr. Metuh is standing trial for allegedly collecting N400 million from Mr Dasuki’s office

After several warnings by the Medical and Health Workers Union, Lagos State Council, to Lagos residents to avoid drinking cassava flakes commonly known as garri, in order to prevent Lassa fever, some garri sellers have complained of low patronage.
It will be recalled that Razak Adeofalade, the chairman of the union had over the weekend stated that house rats that cause Lassa fever are mostly in contact with garri, hence the need for campaign against drinking of the staple food.
“We will go into premises, market places and teach people the best practice of storing of food items from contacts with rodents. We are waging total war and that is: `War against rats,’ and that is what we are going to do to ensure we do not have another victim of Lassa fever in the state. We will also be telling them to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed raw and cooked at the appropriate temperature,” Adefolade had said.
Checks by Lagos Metro in some popular markets in Lagos revealed that though garri is readily available, its patronage has dwindled.
Speaking with Lagos Metro, Mrs. Aina Olowofela, a garri and beans seller at Mile 12 Market, lamented bitterly about the sudden drop in purchase.
“I get my garri especially from Ondo State. My customers know that I sell quality garri. Ever since the government said people should stop drinking garri, the demand has reduced.
“I have customers all over the state. It is not as if they are not buying at all but people would rather buy the yellow one and make eba with it than buy the white and sour one.
“My prayer is that this Lassa fever would soon stop. Ebola came and went, so I believe that Lassa fever would also go or else it would spoil business for us,” she said.
Also commenting on the low sales, another garri seller who simply called herself Mama Agnes, called on the government to do something about the spread of Lassa fever.
“Since the government started campaigning against drinking garri, my business has suffered. Before now, I sell garri more than the other products like yam flour and wheat. But with the rate at which things are going, I pray this Lassa fever does not finish my business.
“I still drank from the garri yesterday and nothing happened to me. I believe people can only catch Lassa fever if they live in dirty environment,” she said.
Another foodstuff seller at the Binikonu Market in Ojota who declined to give her name, called on the government to help stop the spread of the disease.
“I have all sorts of rat killers in my shop. I always tell my customers this. Garri is the poor man’s food. The government should not discourage people as such. The fight against Lassa fever should cut across all types of food. Even the food we buy at our local canteen or eatery is not safe anymore,” she said

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee, investigating alleged fraudulent practices in the collection and management of non-oil revenue remittances by MDAs, has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, if he fails to appear before the Committee, on Tuesday, to account for the revenue collected and remitted to the Federation Account.

The Committee had, on Thursday, walked out representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, because their Directors-General were absent at a meeting in the National Assembly.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the absence of the DGs of the two agencies, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Rep Chike John Okafor, said some government agencies treat the National Assembly with disrespect especially in honouring invitations during the course of oversight functions.

Okafor said that if the EFCC Chairman fails to appear on Tuesday to give account of the money the commission collected on behalf of the Federal Government and how much had been remitted to the coffers of government, the Committee would have no other option than to issue a warrant of arrest on him.

He condemned the absence of the DGs of NDLEA and NAFDAC, who sent representatives, as they were said to be having a meeting in the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, wondering if the NSA by law was more important than the National Assembly.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embark on a series of research that could enable it discover the real source of its misfortunes, ‘in-fighting’ ‘implosion’ and other internal problems that has been rocking it of late.
This advice was given by the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, yesterday, while reacting to a statement credited to the PDP National Secretary, Adewale Oladipo, who said that some party members were being “used by the APC to draw political capital from the present challenges facing it (PDP)”.
The ruling party said it was marveled that PDP had continued to blame everyone but itself for ‘its self-inflicted problems’ which, it added, led the party to ‘the sorry state’ it currently finds itself.
Buni said: “The PDP now sounds like a broken record with its daily conspiracy theories blaming external forces and unseen hands for its electoral misfortunes, in-fighting and mind-boggling corruption charges and ongoing probe of some PDP leaders and the immediate-past PDP-led administration.
“The question begging for answers is: Why does the PDP choose to grope in the dark while reality stares it in the face? Did the PDP not know that it will one day pay for the impunity, recklessness and shocking mis-management of the country’s common wealth perpetuated under its watch for 16 years?.”
He noted that the APC has no hand in the in-fighting and resultant implosion being witnessed in PDP’s hierarchy.
“The APC reiterates that PDP members who are genuinely inspired by the APC-led administration are welcome to the APC fold. It is their right to abandon a sinking ship and join one that is smooth-sailing,” he concluded.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday rewarded members of the nation’s Under-16 Football Team that won the 1985 FIFA Championship when he was military Head of State.
He announced a reward of N2m each to the players that included Fatai Atere, Nduka Ugbade, Jonathan Akpoborie, Baldwin Bazuaye, Victor Igbinoba and late Kingsley Aikiobare among others.
Buhari announced the rewards at a presidential reception organised for outstanding athletes/officials who did Nigeria proud in recent sports competitions.
The event was held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari however caused a stir when he first mistakenly announced rewards of N200m each for the players.
Amidst excitement in the hall, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, mounted the podium to correct the error
lalasticlala,mynd44

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu on Wednesday appealed to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, to assign more judges to EFCC cases.
Magu who paid a visit to the Lagos State Chief Judge also urged her to consider the possibility of putting magistrates sitting in the Igbosere division of the court in charge of remand orders for suspects being investigated by the anti-graft commission so as to expedite hearings in EFCC’s cases.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Lagos State Judiciary Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Grace Alo.
Applauding the state judiciary for its commitment to stamping out crimes in the society, the EFCC boss stated that the commission had secured no fewer than 103 convictions at the Lagos State High Court.
Magu said, “As of 2015, we have had 103 convictions; it shows the commitment and zeal towards the fight against corruption. For such a judiciary we must thank the Chief Judge and her team for a job well done.”
The Chief Judge in her response stated that the judiciary under her watch will do all it can to stamp out corruption.
Atilade, while calling on the anti-graft agency to embrace the option of plea bargain, stressed that by doing so, those who have looted the treasury will be made to return them.

Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to soft pedal in his fight against corruption warning that the federal government may run into problem with the manner the anti-corruption war is being fought.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent on Thursday, Fasehun, who condemned in strongest terms the handcuffing of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, by the security agents said thatthe way the Buhari administration is downgrading and embarrassing national leaders in his fight against corruption is not healthy for the country.
“Look, I am appealing to those in power not to dig into some of these reported scams because it may unearth situations the government itself may not wish to unearth. With the way they are going, national leaders are being involved and a country boasts of its national leaders”.
“By the time you downgrade every national leader, you disgrace and embarrass them, and there will be no country to think of. I understand plea bargaining is going on, that is good enough”.
Also speaking on whether he was shocked when it was reported that Afenifere leader , Olu Falae, partook in the arms scandal when he received the sum of N100m from PDP chieftain, Chief Tony Anenih, Fasehun said that Falae is a man of integrity who will not get himself involved in such a dirty deal.
“I know Olu Falae will not commit that atrocity. I can vouch for him that he will not. When we were in detention together, I used to call him ‘pastor’. He is one of the cleanest men to come out of Africa”.
“ I know he didn’t commit that offence. I don’t mind being proved wrong but I know I am ninety percent right. Falae will not take money that doesn’t belong to him by right. He is not part of this $2.1b mess. He admitted that his party collected the money but that he did not handle the money” he said.

A whooping N8.5billion has so far been spent by the Nigeria’s highest lawmaking body, the National Assembly on the amendment of the 1999 constitution since the exercise first started in 2007, our investigation reveals.
The sum of N1billion was first spent on the constitution amendment ad-hoc committees of the Senate and House of Representatives in 2007 under the chairmanship of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and Deputy Speaker, Honourable Austin Okpara.
LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that the exercise was bungled due to a ‘smuggled third term’ clause that was allegedly inserted into the document, which led to the rejection of the entire bill on the floors of both chambers of the National Assembly.
It was learnt that apart from the N1billion approved for the exercise, the government of the day spent another whooping N2billion allegedly used to compromise senators and members of the House of Representatives to support the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The second attempt to review the 1999 constitution successfully cost the nation another N1billion under the chairmanship of Deputy Senate President , Senator Ike Ekweremadu and co-chaired by the then Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Usman Bayero Nafada during the Senate Presidency of Senator David Mark in the 6thAssembly.
LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation reveals that apart from the N1billion appropriated for the exercise in the 2009 budget, the ad-hoc committees received foreign donations and assistances amounting to another N1.5billion to assist the National Assembly carry out a successful constitution amendment.
Some sections of the 1999 constitution were amended including the financial autonomy of the National Assembly as an independent arm of the government, which gives the institution the powers to draw its funds straight from the Consolidated Revenue Account, otherwise known as first-line charge.
The success recorded by the 6th National Assembly by amending some sections of the 1999 constitution spurred yet another attempt by the 7th National Assembly where another whooping N1billion was approved for the exercise still chaired by Senators Ekweremadu and former Deputy Speaker, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha.
It was equally gathered that the aides from multinationals operating within the country as well as foreign nations and international organisations including a certain international development bank in the region also sent in various donations, cumulatively amounting to N2billion.
http://www.leadership.ng/news/492239/nass-spent-n8-5bn-constitution-amendment-8-years
cc:lalasticlala,obinoscopy

Former minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to lead the presidential committee to rehabilitate infrastructure and resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the north-east.
According to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, the committee would be inaugurated soon.
Speaking on Friday at the state house, Abuja, in response to a goodwill message delivered to him by Women In Politics Forum (WIPF), President Muhammadu Buhari announced that all forms of assistance and aid in this respect generated locally and from foreign countries as promised by the group of seven of industrialised countries,G7 will be channeled through the committee when it is inaugurated.
He said that he had compiled a list of damaged infrastructure,including schools and bridges and handed it to the leaders of the G7 and the United States.
He furthers, “I didn’t ask for a Kobo (in cash). It is up to them to choose what they will undertake. Already,some of them have sent teams to verify our assertions.” The president decried the impact of the Boko Haram violence on women and children declaring that they are its worst victims.
“In the northeast, what I saw for myself and on those clips is a source of concern for people with conscience. They are mostly women, and children who are orphaned. Some of them don’t even know where they come from. This is the pathetic situation in which the country has found itself, ” he said.
He said that the fight for the return of the Chibok girls is ongoing and “continues to be a most worrying issue” to his government, emphasising that the administration will do all within its powers in making the best efforts to secure their freedom.
The president acknowledged the case made by the WIPF for better representation of women in his government and assured that women would fare very well in the composition of parastatals and their boards in the first quarter of this year. He also defended the records of the administration in response to criticism that it is slow, arguing that steps must taken with caution to avoid mistakes.
“People say we are slow. We are trying to change structures put in place by our predecessors in office for 16 years. If we hurry it, we will make mistakes. That will be a disaster, ” Buhari said

A former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, on Sunday advised Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State against building N17 billion airport in Lafia.
He said that instead of building the airport, the governor should provide other infrastructure that would spread across the state.
Mr. Maku, a 2015 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state, gave the advice while speaking with journalists in his country home in Wakama, Akun Development Area.
He said this amount could be used to provide other infrastructure for the people to provide them job opportunities, fight poverty and boost their living standard.
“What Lafia needs is an airstrip, where aircraft can land in case some very important personalities may visit the state for one reason or the other.
“For Al-Makura to build N17 billion airport in Kwandare, his village, is not the priority of the people of the state for now.
“The money can be used to establish factories, industries, construct rural roads, provide potable water and electricity to the rural populace.
“There is a high rate of poverty among the people, especially at the grassroots, a problem that has been compounded by lack of access roads, electricity and drinkable water,” he said
He called on the Federal Government and the aviation authority to reverse the construction of an airport in Lafia at this time of economic hardship.
The former information minister also urged Nigerians to use the Yuletide to continue to pray for peaceful coexistence in the nation.
According to him, no nation or country can achieve meaningful progress without peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Mr. Al-Makura, on December€ 11, inaugurated the N17 billion cargo airport project in Kwandare, Lafia

In a strange twist of fate that has sent the Nigerian online community into shock, a businessman, Egheomhanre Eyieyien, hours after a clairvoyant Facebook post, died on Christmas Day.
In the commemorative message posted at 8.05am same day, Egheomhanre wrote, “I hear in my spirit the words; an unusual Christmas Day; an uncommon day; completion; conclusiveness; unmistakable proofs, ear-tingling testimonies… to the person who can believe God. Merry Christmas!”
However, Egheomhanre’s only brother, Iyere, barely five hours after, announced the passing of his brother on the social networking site.
Iyere, in a post on his page, said, “My only brother, Pastor Egheomhanre Emmanuel Eyieyien (29th April 1967 – 25th December 2015), went to be with the Lord this morning after a brief illness.
“My heart is heavy. What can I say but thank God for a life well spent? He fought a good fight. The crown he worked for all these years is now resting majestically on his head. Jehovah be praised!”
Both brothers’ accounts have since been inundated with over 671 comments from well-wishers as of 6.30 pm when this report was filed on Saturday.
Iyere wrote under his brother’s post, “You heard right my beloved brother. I have known you all my life. It is an honour and privilege to have been you younger brother. I will miss you. I am already missing you.”
Among those that commented was a popular economist, Ayo Teriba, who expressed shock at the strange occurrence.
Teriba said, “It is a thing of marvel to know this was Eghes’ last ever Facebook post! He had these premonitions only a few hours before he went into his rest, and even put them in writing, (and) tagged a few friends, before posting it on his wall! May his soul rest in peace!”
Another relative, Odianosen Eyieyien, wrote, “The shocking news that brought tears to our eyes. We bless the hours we had with you. RIP Uncle Egheomhanre Eyieyien.”
According to an autobiography published online by Egheomhanre in 2013, who was a senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress for Edo-Central, he was given the pet name ‘Eghes’ by his mother, which means “My time has come” in the Bini language.
He was the first of his parents’ two sons and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Pharez Limited, which he founded in 1998. He was a self-described ordained pastor, as well as a member of the Sub-Committee on Strategy, Research and Advocacy of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
He is survived by a wife of 13 years and son

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, has told a delegation of religious leaders that he used his personal income to rebuilt a church that was destroyed during religious unrest at Rogo local government area in Kano.
Sanusi II, said: “I renovated the said church to help avoid a situation where a Christian believer might feel offended and his religion disrespected”.
Emir Sanusi II, stated this during a oneday Inter-Religious and Community Conference organised by Kano State government with the theme: “Towards Strengthening Interfaith and Community Relations for Harmony, Peace and Sustainable Development, held at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, Kano State, yesterday.
The Kano emir urged the followers of the two major religions to respect each other’s religion to avoid future religious disharmony in the state and the country at large.
Meanwhile, the chief host of the occasion, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje disclosed that research has shown that most of the religious conflicts experienced in the country were in one way or the other triggered by elite to divide the adherents of their respective religions.
He said Islam and Christianity enjoin followers to live in peace and preach peace as neither of the scriptures of the two religions preach violence.
Ganduje expressed optimism that the people of Nigeria will embrace each other irrespective of religious conviction, noting that his administration decided to convene the conference considering the fact that Kano is adjudged to be truly Nigeria’s state with cosmopolitan nature.
He charged the participants to practice what they have learnt from the conference.
Among participants at the conference were, Kano CAN chairman, Ransome Bello as well as other Christians and Muslims clerics

No fewer than 150 Muslim youths and Imams worshipped together with Christians during Christmas service in Kaduna to strengthen peace, unity and religious tolerance in the state, theNews Agency of Nigeria reports.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessary Fellowship Ministry led the service in Kaduna.
He said the prayer was to promote peaceful co-existence among different faith organisations “and to shun ethno-religious and political differences affecting the state for decades.”
Buru said, “More than 150 Muslims youths and Imams, traditional title holders and various groups attended Christmas service with their Christian brothers in order to promote peace and harmony and religious tolerance across the state.
“Prayers were offered by both Muslim and Christian scholars and we also pray for the unity and development of the country.”
The general overseer expressed satisfaction over the large number of Muslims who attended the service, as some Muslim youths protected the Church by providing security service.
He said, “I am very happy with what I witnessed today; today is a very special day to all Christians all over the world, it is surprising to see that not only Christians came to worship with us today.
“We have large numbers of Muslim youths and traditional title holders who joined us in prayer; this is a clear fact that Nigerians can really be their brothers’ keepers; it is amazing.
“We all must remember that we are from same parents (Adam and Eve) and we all worship one God.’’
Among the traditional title holders at the prayer was Alhaji Ahmed idris, the Chika Soran Zazzau and Hakimin Unguwar Ma’a’zu, who led a team of some Muslims to the pastor’s house to congratulate him and wish Christians a Merry Christmas and happy new year

Firefire:

Happy Birthday.
I wish you all the best.

francoray:
Why is it a breaking news?

Wike is a goner

All hail the lion of ubima

largehead:
I would have said u were Mad, But since u said 2day Iz ur B.day, then I wish you a great day