Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Nigeria

  • You’re unfit to lead an agency like EFCC, PDP condemns Magu

    You’re unfit to lead an agency like EFCC, PDP condemns Magu

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday said the President Muhammadu Buhari-Federal Government must not cover for the indicted Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but ensure that he answers for alleged corruption, reported violation of rules, victimisation of Nigerians and stealing of recovered funds for which he has been suspended.

    “What Nigerians expect at this time is for the Federal Government to ensure Magu’s prosecution in court as well as take necessary and decisive steps to restore the integrity of the EFCC by ensuring that Magu’s replacement as EFCC Chairman is thoroughly screened to avoid the ills and violations experienced under the suspended acting chairman,” PDP said.

    The party described Magu as not only being unfit to lead an agency like the EFCC, but has also allegedly “reduced the anti-corruption agency to a house of corruption and a partisan witch-hunt organisation that thrives in violation of rules, abuse of investigation processes, manipulation of court procedures as well as a vehicle to harass and extort money from innocent Nigerians.”

    The opposition party stated that “Magu should be made to provide answer to allegations in the public space that he was more interested in securing politically induced convictions rather than justice, for which he allegedly turned EFCC into a terror house where innocent Nigerians are harassed with trumped-up charges and convicted on media trial even before being allowed to defend themselves in court.”

    The party said: “There are also allegations of violation of rights, including allegedly making his victims to make statements in custody without the services of their lawyers. This is in addition to insinuations in the public that the indicted EFCC boss was also harassing certain judges to get conviction on cases.

    “Similarly, there are several cases of officers and ranks of the commission whose employment in the service were unjustly suspended or terminated.”

    PDP accused Magu og destroying “the integrity of the anti-corruption agency with his manifest selective fight against corruption, in which no member of the current administration, including those who have been openly indicted for corruption, has been prosecuted by EFCC.”

    “Nigerians can recall that under Magu, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, was bold to state that once a corrupt person joins the APC, all his sins are forgiven.

    “Moreover, the memo by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, detailing charges of diversion of recovered funds, secret sale of seized property and insubordination among others now validates the position of most Nigerians that Ibrahim Magu lacks the required discipline, exposure and experience to head an agency like EFCC,” the party added.

    PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also urged “an investigation into the alleged connection between the indicted EFCC boss and certain judges handling EFCC cases, while calling on the judiciary to sanitise the courts in this direction.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ortom to Buhari: Declare herdsmen in Benue as terrorists now

    Ortom to Buhari: Declare herdsmen in Benue as terrorists now

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Saturday told President Muhammadu Buhari to declare armed Fulani herdsmen killing innocent people in the communities of in the state as terrorists.

    The governor’s call was coming after the incessant herdsmen attacks on different communities of the state in the last couple of months.

    The latest of such attacks took place Friday night at Tse-Chembe community near Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state, where the herders murdered seven persons in cold blood and left many others badly injured.

    Ortom, who condemned the invasion and killings, described the situation as unacceptable.

    He alleged “Benue State has a law which prohibits open grazing of livestock, and stresses that only a terrorist group would deliberately choose to violate the legislation as Fulani herdsmen have done since the law was enacted in 2017.”

    The governor added that “declaring the armed herders operating in Benue State as terrorists will end the wave of impunity and guarantee the rule of law.”

    He called on people of the state, especially those living in the affected areas to report any suspicious persons to security agencies.

    Ortom commended “officers and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt responses to distress calls, particularly that of yesterday when the people of Tse-Chembe came under herdsmen’s attacks.”

    He reassured Benue people that his administration would “not surrender the state to criminal elements, be they herdsmen or any other group.”

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said “no amount of threats and attacks will stop the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.”

  • You don’t meet constitutional requirements to impeach Deputy Gov. – Ondo Chief Judge

    You don’t meet constitutional requirements to impeach Deputy Gov. – Ondo Chief Judge

    Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has explained why she could not set up a seven-man investigative panel for the impeachment proceeding against the state’s Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

    The chief judge explained that she could not constitute the panel until all constitutional processes are followed.

    It would be recalled that Ondo State Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, had written to the chief judge, informing her that impeachment notice has been served on Ajayi, which was signed by 14 lawmakers.

    Oleyelogun informed Justice Akeredolu that setting up of the panel was in line with section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    READ ALSO: Ondo 2020: INEC prescribes mode for primaries, quells speculations

    “By the Resolution of the House today pursuant to Section 188 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended it was resolved that the allegations be investigated forthwith.

    “It is in line with the above that we request you set up the seven-man panel to conduct the investigation as resolved by the Honourable House, and the Panel report back to the House,” reads a letter to the chief judge by the speaker.

    The chief judge, however, in a letter dated July 9 and addressed to the Speaker, said the lawmakers have not completed the constitutional process that would lead the Speaker to invite her to set up an investigative panel as stipulated by the constitution.

    Justice Akeredolu said she also received a letter from Kayode Olatoke SAN that the matter of the impeachment of Ajayi was subjudice.

    The chief judge said: “The Deputy Governor, Hon. Alfred Agboola Ajayi, must be served with notice of impeachment signed by not less than one-third of members of the House of Assembly of the state.

    “The notice to be served on him must state that he is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office and must specify the particulars of the gross misconduct.

    “He must be allowed to respond to the allegations.

    “Within 14 days of receipt of the notice of the Honourable Speaker, whether or not the Deputy Governor responds, the House of Assembly shall pass a resolution supported by not less than two thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly that the allegations be investigated.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Blogger dares Osinbajo, again alleges daughter illegally acquired N800 million property

    Blogger dares Osinbajo, again alleges daughter illegally acquired N800 million property

    The blogger, Jackson Ude, who alleged that Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo collected the sum of N4 billion, a part of recovered stolen funds, from the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibrahim Magu, has  declared that he was not afraid of the Vice President.

    The Vice President had on Thursday, asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to investigate allegations that he received N4 billion from Magu.

    READ ALSO: I never requested N4b from Magu – VP Osinbajo refutes

    Osinbajo’s petition, addressed to Adamu through his lawyer, Taiwo Osipitan and dated July 8, 2020 asked IGP Adamu to initiate criminal proceedings against Jackson Ude if the allegations are proven to be untrue after investigation.

    And reacting to this, Ude said the Nigerian police cannot arrest him and insisted that Osinbajo must first resign as Vice President before dragging him to court.

    He said that since the Vice President is denying the allegation, the Presidential Panel investigating Magu and the police, should be compelled to release the verbatim transcripts of Magu’s confessions.

    Ude, a former Director of Strategy and Communications under President Goodluck Jonathan administration,wrote on his twitter page: “Since Osinbajo, the Star Boy, is denying, let’s have lawyers compel the Presidential Panel investigating Magu and the Police, to release the verbatim transcripts of Magu’s confessions. This is not about waving immunity.

    READ ALSO: Magu Probe: Osinbajo requests IGP investigates N4billion allegations by blogger

    “I am not afraid of Osinbajo and his minions. If he indeed wants to go to court, he needs to resign first, and sue me. He cannot be VP and be using state resources to intimidate the Judiciary. He cannot wave an immunity that he didn’t place. Osinabjo should resign first!

    “Osinbajo should have used the U.S Police, FBI or even the CIA to charge me for criminal defamation. Using the Nigerian Police is a waste of poor Nigerian taxpayers money. Except his aim is to arrest me in Nigeria, lock me up forever. Anyway, perhaps Na my ghost dem go arrest”, Ude stated.

    In another statement, Ude who seemed not done with the Osinbajos hurled another salvo, this time claiming that the Vice President’s daughter, Kiki Osinbajo acquired a property in Abuja with stolen funds.

    In his words, Ude, without any substantiated reference wrote: “How did Kiki Osinbajo, VP Osinbajo’s daughter, earn N800million she invested in the property housing her Glam’d Africa Beauty House in Abuja on 10 Durban Street, Wuse 2. Abuja?”

    Property alleged to have been bought for N800 million by Kiki Osinbajo, daughter of Nigeria’s Vice President.

    However, investigation revealed that the house Ude claimed Ms. Osinbajo acquired has number 40 on it, while the current property housing the said Glamd Africa business belonging to the VP’s daughter is number 10.

    In her reaction, Kiki Osinbajo debunked the alleged illegal purchase of a property worth N800 million and described the claim it as “unbelievable”.

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    Kiki Osinbajo and Friends at the launch of Glamd Africa.

     

    Inside Kiki Osinbajo’s Glamd Africa

    READ ALSO: EFCC: FG confirms Magu’s suspension, Umar’s appointment as Acting Chairman

    Kiki Osinbajo in a statement posted on her Instagram page stated that: “For me it is completely unbelievable that a grown man will sit in his home and lie about me, a grown man who possibly has children my age.

    Inside Kiki Osinbajo’s Glamd Africa

    “Like many young women in Nigeria I work hard , It may be difficult for people like him to understand that a young woman can work hard and succeed on her own steam.
    Anyone can verify the ownership of the property of Glamd Africa at Agis in Abuja. I am a tenant in that property. My landlord’s name is Mr Musa Adams”, Ms. Osinbajo stated.

  • EFCC: FG confirms Magu’s suspension, Umar’s appointment as Acting Chairman

    EFCC: FG confirms Magu’s suspension, Umar’s appointment as Acting Chairman

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to allow for unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.

    READ ALSO: Magu Probe: Osinbajo requests IGP investigate N4billion allegations by blogger

    This is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice made available to newsmen on Friday the 10th day of July, 2020.

    READ ALSO: EFCC: DCP Mohammed Umar resumes as Acting Chairman, PDP berates Govt.

    According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regards.

  • Magu Probe: Osinbajo requests IGP to investigate N4billion allegations by blogger

    Magu Probe: Osinbajo requests IGP to investigate N4billion allegations by blogger

    Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has written to the Inspector General of Police damanding investigation into some “vicious and malicious” allegations that he had obtained part of a N39 billion recovered loot in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Vice President’s move follows allegations by an online journalist, Jackson Ude, who in an article published in Point-Blank news on the 8th of July alleging that VP Osinbajo collected N4 billion from the suspended EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

    Vice President Osinbajo, who wrote through his lawyers is asking the Inspector General of Police to conduct full investigation into allegations made by Ude from Point-Blank news.

    The blogger had also alleged that embattled Magu is begging for a soft landing from the presidential panel because of the alleged illegal transaction between him and the Vice President.

    According to the letter written by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s lawyers from the chambers of Bayo Osipitan and Co dated 8th July 2020, Ude’s allegations were described as vicious and malicious meant to portray the vice president as a dishonest and disloyal public officer unfit for the office of the vice president.

    The letter called for a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Jackson Ude, noting that if those claims are found to be false, then criminal proceedings for criminal defamation should be brought against Jackson Ude.

    Osinbajo’s call comes on the heels of an ongoing probe into the operations of Ibrahim Magu as acting boss of the EFCC.

    Magu, who is believed to have been removed from office is spending a fourth day in the custody of the Nigeria Police.

    This comes as the presidential panel continues its investigation into the activities of the commission under the leadership of Magu.

    The panel is reported to have extended its probe to properties alleged to have been acquired by Magu in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    On Tuesday night, a team of security officials reportedly searched his homes in Abuja and were reported to have left with some documents, although it was not confirmed if anything incriminating was found during the search.

    The investigation of Magu followed the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami

    Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was said to have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding the removal of Magu as the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.

    Meanwhile, the Presidency believes the probe has reinforced the commitment of the Buhari administration to transparency and accountability.

  • EFCC: DCP Mohammed Umar resumes as Acting Chairman, PDP berates Govt.

    EFCC: DCP Mohammed Umar resumes as Acting Chairman, PDP berates Govt.

    A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mohammed Umar, has been appointed as Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The appointment of Umar by President Muhammadu Buhari comes after Ibrahim Magu, who is being investigated for alleged corruption, was suspended.

    Recall that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami had In his petition against Magu recommended to the President three candidates to replace the now suspended Acting Chairman, Umar’s choice as Acting Chairman is a deviation from that list.

    Mohammed, who, until his appointment, was the Director of Operations at the anti-graft agency, resumed duties yesterday, Wednesday.

    The presidential probe panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, is specifically looking into sundry documents and meeting with persons connected to the case at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Reports have it that access to the premises of where the probe panel is sitting was heavily guarded by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the Federal Government immediately begin prosecution of Magu.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday, observed that the alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC among other forms of sleaze, as detailed in the memo by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, as well as the DSS report on Magu’s activities, further exposed the racket that the fight against corruption had become under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

    It stated that Magu’s indictment reinforced its position that the hyped corruption war by the EFCC under Magu had been a huge scam.

    Also, an arm of the party known as the Peoples Democratic Party Youth Alliance (PDPYA) called for immediate resignation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for his involvement in the case. Magu, who is under probe on a 22-count charge of fraud, alleged that he gave N4 billion out of the N39 billion he recovered to Osinbajo.

    In a release made available to newsmen yesterday, Kalu said the development was clear evidence that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had only been paying lip service to the corruption fight.

    In the same vein, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has asked security agencies to tighten the noose around Magu, for him not to escape. Fayose yesterday called on the DSS, the police and other security agencies to place the suspect on the country’s watch list, so that he would not disappear into thin air.

    This is just as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) called on the panel to be thorough and fair in its investigation. According to the Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), while it is unclear what the real issues are, “CISLAC is concerned about the conflicting signals it sends to Nigerians. Being that Magu heads a very sensitive position in a government agency tasked with the investigation of financial crimes, it is thus pertinent that the case be handled with all diligence and transparency to ensure that the gains in the fight against corruption are not lost in the battle for supremacy and political advantage.”

  • Ondo Politics: Assembly suspends Deputy Speaker, one Other

    Ondo Politics: Assembly suspends Deputy Speaker, one Other

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has suspended the Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, and another member, Adewale Williams.

    The two lawmakers were suspended over an alleged unruly behaviour.

    Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of the House, Jamiu Maito has resigned his appointment.

    READ ALSO: Updated: Ondo assembly divides over impeachment, Deputy Governor goes to court

    The resignation letter was read on the floor of the house on Wednesday by the Clerk of the House, Bode Adeyelu.

    The three lawmakers were part of the nine members of the House that are opposed to the impeachment notice served on the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi yesterday.

    14 members of the House signed the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor, including the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun.

  • Explosion kills seven employee at Benin River Valve Station – NNPC

    Explosion kills seven employee at Benin River Valve Station – NNPC

    An explosion at Gbetiokun, OML 40 oil field operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), on behalf of the NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture has killed seven people.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru who stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday during the process of installing a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production.

    Obateru stated that investigation into the the unfortunate incident, which caused 7 fatalities has commenced. He added that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has been duly notified and Form 41 was being prepared for the Industry regulator as required in circumstances of this nature.

    The bodies of casualties have been deposited in a morgue in Sapele, while families of the personnel involved are being contacted by their employers: Weld Affairs and Flow Impact, which are consultants to NPDC.

    The Group’s spokesperson stated that all personnel on board the platform had been fully accounted for.

    NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in his condolence remark commiserated with the families of the bereaved, praying that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones.

     

  • Okoro, of Village Headmaster Passes on

    Okoro, of Village Headmaster Passes on

    Veteran Nigerian actor, Mr. Jimmy Johnson, popularly known as “Okoro” is dead.

    The deceased,  aged 80, and very prominent in the then popular Nigerian TV comedy series, Village Headmaster died this morning at an Abuja hospital.

    Details later…