There are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has abandoned the hunt for the Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, indicted for N2.1bn pension biometric scam.

We learnt that the EFCC lost interest in the case following the official protection enjoyed by the ex-director who was also promoted after his controversial reinstatement into the civil service by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in 2017.

Sources said the anti-graft body had abandoned the search for Maina, noting that “he is more or less a free man now.”

A source said, “Is anyone talking about Maina again? He is no longer a fugitive and the EFCC has abandoned the hunt for him. If you are in doubt, ask Ibrahim Magu (acting EFCC Chairman) for update on his case and hear what he would tell you.”

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said there was no update on the manhunt for the former director.

Maina was reportedly nursing a governorship ambition to rule his home state of Borno when he fled the country after he was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency in 2013.

He fled to the United Arab Emirates where he hibernated for three years until he was said to have met with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Dubai, in 2016, during which he was reportedly assured of his safety in Nigeria.

Shortly after this, Maina’s name was reportedly taken off the watch list at the nation’s international airports and he had been visiting the country more regularly from his foreign base.

It was gathered that the former PRTT chairman was being protected from arrest and prosecution by top officials in the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice.

Our correspondent also learnt that the former director, who was also placed on the International Police wanted list, was always in the country hobnobbing with senior officials.

A source claimed that Maina was “a friend of the government, no enforcement agency would dare take him into custody.”

Malami had, in November 2017, admitted before a Senate ad hoc panel probing Maina’s reinstatement into the civil service that he met with the former PRTT boss in Dubai.

Sequel to this, Maina resumed at the Ministry of Interior where he was promoted as Director, Human Resources Department, without sitting for the mandatory promotion examination.

Against the backdrop of the revelations, the President ordered the sacking of the director and the Senate also set up an ad-hoc committee to determine the circumstances that led to the return of Maina to the country and his reinstatement into the service despite being on the security watch list.

But the report of the committee headed by the then Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishments and Public Services, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP, Bayelsa Central), was not released till the tenure of the eight Senate lapsed.

Maina in January 2019, secured a court order stopping the EFCC from declaring him wanted.

Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court described the action of the anti-graft agency in declaring Maina wanted as unlawful, but the commission vowed to appeal against the order.

When asked if the commission had appealed the court order obtained by Maina against his arrest, the EFCC spokesman pleaded for time to find out from the commission’s director of legal department.

He later said he could not reach the director as calls to his phone rang out.

Checks, however, showed that Maina is still listed as a wanted person on the EFCC website.

Cc mynd44, oam4j

Source: https://www.jalabase.com/news/mainas-name-disappears-from-watch-list-n2bn-case-dropped/

Eazi man makes life “eazi” for these emerging artistes!

Nigerian Recording Artiste, Mr Eazi, has become an integral part of Ghanaian Reggae-Dancehall artiste, J. Derobie’s music career.

After being selected amongst last year’s Empawa100 an initiative spearheaded by Mr Eazi, J. Derobie, released his debut song – Poverty -which made waves across the world.

He went ahead to release his second single – Irie – which has been considered as one of the best Reggae songs to cone out of Ghana this year, according to listeners.

Prior to releasing his first album, J. Derobie has been gifted a few tools to help him record songs, by ‘Don’ Eazi.

Mr Eazi’s Empawa initiative which seeks to help emerging artistes to appear in the limelight and become successful musicians, is set to hit off on its second edition very soon. The first one birthed now popular artistes like, J. Derobie of Ghana and Joe Boy of Nigeria.

Cc Lalasticala, Fynestboi, MissyB3

Source: https://www.jalabase.com/music/mr-eazi-gifts-j-derobie-studio-equipment-ahead-of-his-album-release/

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong on Monday swore-in the new Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu, and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Noel Donjur.
They were appointed last Thursday by the governor.
Speaking on the occasion which took place at the Rayfield Government House in Jos , Lalong reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing dividends of democracy to the people.
The Governor said, “I wish to reaffirm my commitment to delivering good governance to the people of Plateau State in line with our campaign promises, with the support and understanding of everyone. The task though difficult ,is surmountable ,all we need do is always think Plateau and act Plateau.
“We are in our last lap and are resolved that the next four years will be devoted to consolidating on the gains we made and expanding on critical areas of development for the benefit of our people”.
The Governor warned the new appointees not to use their new positions as means for self-aggrandizement but to use their wealth of experiences to serve the people.
He added, “As the next cabinet is being constituted , you will be required to give proper direction, guidance and motivation to all the ministries and agencies of government for effective performance without undue rancour and distractions, you must lead by example and ensure that discipline is maintained and observed throughout the service .”

Cc: mynd44 oam4j

Source: https://www.jalabase.com/news/lalong-swears-in-ssg-chief-of-staff/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Office, on Monday announced the arrest of 113 internet fraudsters in Edo, Delta and Ondo states.

Those arrested, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, include a female suspected cyber fraudster who allegedly worked in collaboration with foreign counterparts on the dark web.

Benin Zonal Head of EFCC, Muhtar Bello, who announced this while briefing journalists in Benin, said the suspect was involved in obtaining and stealing people’s identification information, which she forwarded to her American collaborator.

‎Over 38 exotic cars and SUVs, among other items recovered from the suspects, were displayed to journalists.
“Her collaborator used it (stolen IDs) to file for fraudulent ‎tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

“She received her cut through Bitcoin.

“About 185 Bitcoins which, by current market value, is N656,371,490, have been traced to her,” Bello said.

He explained that the arrest was part of the EFCC strategic plans to rid the society of economic and financial crimes, especially Internet fraud and cyber crimes.

According to him, the Benin Zonal Office, from January to date, through intelligence, raided the hideouts of Internet fraudsters in its area of jurisdiction comprising Edo, Delta and Ondo states; and had arrested 113 persons so far.

Bello also disclosed that the Benin Zonal Office independently arrested a cyber criminal and two siblings who were involved in Business Email Compromise.

“The suspect’s modus operandi was searching for victims’ email addresses, especially official Business Email addresses, a phishing link and compromising the process in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.

“All the suspects would soon be charged to court.

“Also, the Commission has secured 53 convictions in the period under review, while prosecution of many cases were ongoing in court,” he said.

Cc mynd44 oam4j

Source: https://www.jalabase.com/news/efcc-arrests-113-internet-fraudsters-in-edo-delta-ondo/