Justice Emeka Isiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has convicted and sentenced a fake travel agent Iheanacho Chikwendu, to seven years imprisonment for defrauding his victims the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira only).
He was jailed on March 19, 2021 after a four- year trial in a 10-count charge preferred against him by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charges bordered on obtaining money by false pretense.
Count One of the charges reads: “That you Iheanacho Chikwendu on or about the 15th September, 2016 at Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Four Million Naira only N4,000,000.00 through your First Bank Plc Account number 3078148618 by false pretense, when you presented yourself as a travel agent to Mary Nwankwo and capable of procuring a Canadian Visa for her daughters, a pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under 1(3) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thereby prompting a full-trial of the case that lasted four years.
Justice Isiagor, in his judgment, found Chikwendu guilty, convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on counts 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and discharged him on counts 1, 4, 9, & 10 of the charges. He ordered him to make a restitution of N9million to the victim.
President Buhari receives Virtual Update from Fertiliser Producers and Supplier's Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) in State House on 25th Mar 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said a new basic chemicals platform worth $1.3b that will produce ammonia and fertilizers in Nigeria will be ready for commissioning in the coming months.
Speaking at an audience with Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), President Buhari said the new plant will be built in partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco.
‘‘His Majesty, the King of Morocco and I, have agreed to extend the current Phosphate supply agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and Nigeria.
‘‘We both believe that to consolidate and expand on the successes recorded thus far, we must secure raw material supplies to our blenders.
‘‘Furthermore, to improve the balance of trade between Nigeria and Morocco, the two countries have signed an agreement to develop a $1.3 billion Basic Chemicals Platform in Nigeria that will produce Ammonia, Phosphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid and various Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilisers using Nigeria’s gas reserves, ’’ he said.
The President added that the new plant when completed would complement the existing Dangote and Indorama Chemicals facilities which produce urea, ammonia and other industrial raw materials.
‘‘When we combine these projects with the existing 44 blending plants, Nigeria will indeed become a regional and global fertiliser power house,’’ he said.
On the activities of the FEPSAN, President Buhari expressed delight on the progress they have made over the past five years, saying that despite the country going through recessions during the period, investments in the fertiliser and agricultural inputs sector continued to grow.
President Buhari with Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele as he receives Virtual Update from Fertiliser Producers and Supplier’s Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) in State House on 25th Mar 2021
‘‘Though many investors chose to take their monies out of Nigeria, you continued to invest. Today, we are seeing the fruits of your smart, long term and patriotic decisions.
‘‘This is why all Nigerians should be proud of the personal commitments and sacrifices you all made in getting us to where we are today.
‘‘Another commendable trait worth mentioning is that all your investments have been balanced between urban and rural Nigeria. These are the types of investments needed to address the unemployment and security challenges our nation is facing today,’’ he said.
He assured them that the Federal Government would continue to ensure a conducive business environment for these investments to flourish.
On the issue of security, the President expressed concern that the lack of employment prospects and opportunities in most rural communities had remained a major contributor to insecurity.
He noted that for decades, previous Government policies have focused on urban development at the expense of rural inclusion.
‘‘In the last four years, we have worked hard to bridge some of these economic imbalances through our various agricultural and financial policies to attract employment opportunities to rural areas.
‘‘As we continue to expand our security operations to bring an end to these challenges, it is important to note that peace and prosperity can only be sustained if we collectively and actively support investments that take opportunities to our rural citizens.
‘‘I therefore urge our governors, bankers, investors and entrepreneurs to look beyond our cities when it comes to investments.
‘‘As we have seen from Nigeria’s 5-year fertiliser revolution, if investors are willing to endure the short term ‘start-up’ pains, they will surely benefit from long term sustainable and substantial gains,’’ he said.
The President commended Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Mr Thomas Etuh and his FEPSAN team, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, security and intelligence agencies and all Federal and State Government agencies for their collaboration in making the project possible.
‘‘I will also use this opportunity, on behalf of Nigerians, to thank my brother and friend, His Majesty, the King of Morocco for being with us during this difficult but exciting journey.
‘‘This mutually beneficial partnership between our two countries is a true example of how intra-Africa trade and partnership should work,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Mr Thomas Etuh, FEPSAN President recounted that in their first meeting with the President five years ago, he gave the association a mission to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on import, enhance fertiliser availability and affordability and create jobs over a 4-year period.
‘‘Today, 4 years later Mr President, I am proud to inform Your Excellency, and indeed all Nigerians, that mission is accomplished,’’ he said.
Etuh told the President that from 3 blending plants operating at 40 per cent capacity in 2016, today Nigeria has 44 blending plants most of which are operating at full capacity.
‘‘From focusing on one fertiliser blend (NPK20:10:10) in 2017, today, we have countless numbers of crop specific blends coming up across the country.
‘‘From being reliant on imports, today over 60 per cent of raw materials used in fertiliser production are locally sourced.
‘‘From having fertiliser scarcity which led to rationing, today any farmer can buy as many bags as he or she wants.
‘‘As a matter of fact, some farmer associations even give customised orders for their specific crops. On behalf of the Nigerian farmers we wish to thank Mr President for empowering them,’’ he said.
The FEPSAN leader added that from being an unbankable sector that was on the verge of bankruptcy, the members of the association in the last 3 months alone have been able to raise bank guarantees and funding of close to N100 billion.
‘‘Mr President, just 4 years ago, FEPSAN used to beg for money. Today Sir, the banks are begging us to take their money,’’ he said.
Youths block firms’ premises in Rivers over alleged negligence
The attack on the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) crude oil pipeline at the weekend might not be unconnected with the battle to control and influence surveillance contracts being handled by Dalong Security Company.
Sources in the Igbomotoru Community, in the Southern Ijaw Council of Bayelsa State, where there has been tension since the attack by suspected militant told The Guardian.
According to report, a former militant leader, ‘General’ Endurance, allegedly involved in illegal bunkering, was suspected to be behind the attack, which has now forced other crude oil platforms on the Ogboinbiri axis and adjourning communities to shut down to prevent fire outbreak and damage to the crude oil supply route in the area.
‘General’ Endurance is said to be engaged in a battle of supremacy with another former militant leader from neigbouring Peremabiri Community in an attempt to dominate and take over oil pipeline security surveillance job in the area.
It was also learnt that residents of the community contacted the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) code named Operation Delta Safe and reported the activities of the militants, but they were still awaiting the deployment of security operatives.
A source in the community said: “We have reported their activities to security agencies and we expect to curtail their activities. Most members of the community are afraid to speak out.
“The boys engaged in sporadic shooting and they vandalised two Agip pipelines and set them ablaze close to the Beninkurukuru bush. The fire has led to the shutting down of some other facilities in the area.”
Another community source said the Igbomotoru people have dissociated themselves from the activities of Endurance and his boys, while a JTF source, who confirmed the development, said the Sector 2 Command of the JTF in the state, was investigating the incident.
When contacted, spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, Major Victor Odukoya, said he would get back with details, but he could not do so as at the time of filling this report.
Similarly, no fewer than 100 youths yesterday demanded for the reinstatement of two of their Chiefs, who were disengaged from surveillance contracts by the company without cogent reasons.
The youths from Ayamakede and Ugamakede communities in Andoni Council of Rivers State, aided by juju priests, blocked the premises of Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil in the GRA area of Port Harcourt
They are accusing the firms of negligence and insensitivity to their plight.
Speaking to newsmen during the protest, their spokesman, Awaji Etemila, said the firms had not employed indigenes of the communities for over five years, adding that the companies promised to provide electricity for them but had failed to fulfill their pledge.
Responding, Assistant Community Relations Manager of Green Energy, Enya Goodluck, appealed to the protesting youths to nominate three persons to negotiate with its management on the issues bothering them.
File Photo: President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari (L); Nigeria Senate President, Ahmed Lawan at a the launch of the armed forces remembrance emblem
The President of the Nigerian Senate has ruled out impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari by the National Assembly over insecurity in the country despite attributing the persistent insecurity in the country to “failure of the executive”.
Senate President Lawan made the comment during finals of the first Plateau North Peace, Unity and Reconciliation football tournament organised by Istifanus Gyang, representing Plateau North District in the Senate, saying such action would not solve the problem.
Lawan, who was represented by Senator representing Benue North-East District, Gabriel Suswan, said: “Impeaching President Buhari is not the focus of the National Assembly as that may not solve the problem of insecurity in the country. But desperate action is needed by the commander-in-chief to allay the fears of Nigerians.”
According to Suswan, any incident of insecurity that has persisted, like what the country is witnessing today, is failure of the executive, either at the state or national level. “What we are facing today requires desperate action by the executive but that is forthcoming.”
He reminded Buhari that he is President for all, and should, therefore, act in the interest of Nigerians.
“We in the National Assembly have continued to do our best. We have passed motions and resolutions, but most of them have not been respected. The president needs to put the interest of Nigeria above any other,” the former governor said.
Suswan expressed backing for the bill to establish a special commission for armed forces, which recently divided the Senate. He, however, said that the bill, which seeks to take the power to appoint service chiefs, hire and retire them from the president, was not as crucial as deployment of troops to take out insurgents terrorising communities.
At the tournament, a former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang and Gyang appealed to President Buhari to grant executive pardon for former governor of the state, Joshua Dariye and his Taraba State counterpart, Jolly Nyame, who are in prison.
Gyang said: “We from Plateau North are appealing to the president that in view of the recent judgment by Supreme Court that absorbed Dariye of criminal misappropriation, and on health grounds, he should be granted executive pardon.”
Local investors have expressed fear that economic challenge in Nigeria, said to have continued to dampen investment drive and trigger apathy in the Nigerian capital market since the 2016 recession and now fueled by the effect of COVID-19 lockdown may lead to a forceful takeover of investments by foreigners.
The Chief Research Officer of Investdata Consulting Limited, Ambrose Omordion said if the Federal Government fails to make Forex available to foreign investors to repatriate their dividend, it would not only push local investors away from multinationals operating in Nigeria, it would also increase the quantum of unclaimed dividend in the capital market.
“If they find it difficult at the Forex market, they may decide to buy more shares with the money and if this happens, Nigerian investors will be short-changed while foreign investors will eventually take over the companies.
Omordion exercised fear about the unhealthiness of the situation for the market and urged that local investors must be encouraged to participate actively in multinational firms to create more wealth for the country.
The fear is might be valid as a research by The Guardian revealed that foreign investors constitute a large proportion of unclaimed dividends in multinational firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) such as Nestle, Unilever, and Nigerian Breweries, among others.
It was further reported that shareholding structure of Nestle Plc, the biggest multinational company on the NSE showed that Nestle S.A Switzerland controls 66.50 per cent, while Stanbic IBTC Nominees hold 6.28 percent. Free float (Others) constitute 27 per cent. For Unilever Plc, Unilever Overseas have 75.96 per cent stake Stanbic IBTC Nominees control 5.01 per cent, while 19.03 per cent is free float.
“The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NSE have been working hard to reduce the quantum of unclaimed dividend so that people will have access to their return on investment.
“Government should find a way to make sure that these people have access to Forex, even if they want to invest, it should be a fresh investment. Before now, they find it easy to repatriate their money and that is why they can invest more because they know that they are getting good returns from Nigerian companies” Omordion said.
Sunny Nwosu, the founder of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), said local investors are ready to sell off their shares to foreign investors at any additional value on the share price.
“If they add N10 or N20 to the value of shares, Nigerians will sell because there is much hunger in the land, most of these retail shareholders have no money to meet needs of their families.
Kalev Mutond, the former powerful Congolese intelligence boss. DR.
Image: The Africa Report
The home of Kalev Mutond, the DRC’s former head of the intelligence agency ‘Agence Nationale de Renseignements’ (ANR) was heavily surrounded by armed police officers 3am on 11 March.
The Africa Report wrote that Kalev Mutond’s residence in Binza/Ma Campagne, located in the Joli Parc district of Ngaliema, Kinshasa was searched during the night of 10 to 11 March and he has since pleaded his case before a loyal government minister.
It was reported that arrest and search warrants, which had been signed on 10 March by public prosecutor and magistrate Robert Kumbu Phanzu, were presented to his daughter, Isabelle Ihemba Kayombo, at around 5am. Magistrate Phanzu had however been recused from this case on 8 March, reports stated.
National deputy Kayombo, who also lives in the residence, agreed to accompany the police officers while they searched her father’s office, his vehicles, main house and two outbuildings. While they did not remove anything, they refused to leave copies of the two warrants.
A former director-general of the Agence Nationale de Renseignements (ANR), Mutond has received around a dozen complaints filed by people who present themselves as victims of former President Joseph Kabila’s rule. In a letter dated 12 February and addressed to Justin Inzun Kakiak, the current head of the ANR, the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Appeal of Kinshasa/Gombe requested the latter’s approval as required by law to initiate proceedings against his predecessor.
In a letter addressed to the prosecutor general on 23 February, which we were able to consult, Mutond wrote that Kakiak felt launching this procedure against his predecessor would be a bad idea.
According to our The Africa Reports, the same prosecutor general asked the prosecutor at the Court of Appeal of Kinshasa/Gombe on 11 March to “reassign” all of Mutond’s cases to another magistrate, for the “serenity” of justice. Mutond had argued that, as a former head of the ANR, he had the rank of minister and could not be judged by the Court of Cassation.
On the evening of 11 March, Mutond discreetly visited Kitenge Yesu, President Tshisekedi’s high representative. To help him plead his case, the former ANR boss was accompanied by Adolphe Lumanu, a former minister who has remained close to Kabila. Their host was not receptive to their approach and told Mutond to cooperate with the justice system. Thisekedi was later informed of this meeting.
Already under US sanctions since December 2016 and regularly targeted by human rights groups, Mutond is – according to this document – implicated for “physical and moral torture, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, death threats, and the attempted assassination” of Jean-Claude Muyambo Kyassa, the former president of the Lubumbashi bar association who was arrested in 2015 and pardoned in early 2019, and Cyrille Doee Mumpapa. These two men have been fierce opponents of Kabila since 2015.
Mutond’s legal troubles began after he was arrested and had his passport confiscated in February 2020 at Ndjili international airport in Kinshasa. His team of lawyers, led by president of the bar Cyprien Mbere Moba, have denounced this “political-judicial and tribal relentlessness”, The Africa Reports wrote.
Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike Saturday warned that should his counterpart in Benue State, Governor Samule Ortom be killed, the Federal Government of Nigeria be ready for a civil war.
The threat was coming after the alleged assassination attempt on the life of Governor Ortom by “herdsmen”.
“The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government would be held responsible if Governor Ortom is assassinated. If they kill Ortom, they should be prepared that there will be no more Nigeria. It could lead the nation to a civil war and they should be prepared to bury Nigeria.
“This is not a first, during the 2019 elections the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Major General Jamil Sarham, and APC Chieftains had concluded plans to assassinate me.
“We have gotten to such a low point where even incumbent Governors are brazenly threatened with death”, Governor Wike lamented.
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday condemned the attack on Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, describing it as “reckless” and an “assassination attempt”.
Governor Ortom was attacked earlier on Saturday by suspected herdsmen while visiting a farm in Makurdi.
But his security detail was able to repel them.
Mr Ortom said he ran for “more than one and a half kilometres without stopping” to escape the assault.
“The party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to put machinery in motion by ordering an immediate manhunt, arrest and prosecution of the assailants and beef up security around the governor,” the PDP said in a statement signed by spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan.
“The PDP expresses shock that the assailants trailed Governor Ortom and opened fire on him and his aides along Makurdi/Gboko road, in an attack that by every indication is aimed to assassinate the governor.
“Our party is worried that this brazen attempt at Governor Ortom’s life is coming on the heels of his outspokenness in exposing those allegedly behind the incessant attacks of communities in the state and demanding that the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility on the protection of life and property in the state.
“The PDP fears for the life of Governor Ortom and we urge Nigerians to hold the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration responsible over its failure to take a decisive step to check the escalated insecurity and brazen attacks on innocent Nigerians.
“The PDP however calls on Governor Ortom not to be deterred by the attack but to remain courageous and at alert, at all times while providing leadership to the people of his state.
“The party also calls on the people of Benue State to be calm and vigilant while providing useful information to security agencies to flush bandits and criminal elements out of the state and other parts of the country.”
File photo: Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has hailed Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as a political player with no bitterness.
Speaker Gbajabiamila made the comment in a congratulatory statement on Saturday on the occasion of thje 57th birthday of the Enugu Governor.
He said Ugwuanyi, who was a member of the House of Representatives until 2015, has been a friend worthy of being celebrated.
The Speaker said despite Ugwuanyi’s membership of a different political party, the Enugu State governor plays politics without bitterness, which is a virtue of a good politician.
The Speaker recalled with nostalgia Ugwuanyi’s contributions to the development of the Legislature when he served as a member. He congratulated the Enugu State Governor for marking his 57th birthday in good health and wished him more years under God’s protection and guidance.
The Coat of Arm of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Federal Government has inaugurated the reconstituted National Productivity Order of Merit Award Committee, for the purpose of selecting deserving awardees for conferment.
The Committee is tasked with the responsibility of selecting and recommending individuals and organisations for confernment of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by Mr President.
Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, stated that “the reconstitution of this Committee and its inauguration today demonstrate Government’s commitment to issues of productivity and its enhancement in Nigeria.”
Ngige enjoined the Committee to come up with a list of awardees for 2019 and 2020 for approval for conferment of the 2021 NPOM Award by Mr President.
He urged the Committee to apply probity and fairness in the discharge of their responsibility.
He disclosed that the NPOM Award was “instituted by Government to recognize and honour productive individuals and organizations in Nigeria in the year of the award for achievements made in the three preceding years.”
The Committee has Barrister Ikechi Uko, a representative of the Productive Sector, as Chairman, and Ms A.O Adenugba, a Director in National Productivity Centre, as Secretary.
The other members of the Committee are Alhaji Habu Adamu Jajere, representing Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Mr Uche Nwokedi, SAN, representing Nigeria Bar Association (NBA); Senator Adawari Pepple, representing Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Mr Jamiu A. Abdulkareem, representing the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and Mr Victor Eburajojo, mni, representing Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
The rest of the members are Mr Jatau Kandu, representing Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity; Hon. Adamu Ali Wudil, representing House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity; Chief Hilary Edime Amodu, representing the Creative Sector; Dr Yerima Peter Tarfa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Dr Kashim Akor, Director General, National Productivity Centre (NPC).
The Minister noted that the specific objectives of the NPOM Award are to institutionalize productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organizations in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria; and to recognize and highlight the contributions of the individual workers, as well as organizations, to higher productivity.
The other objectives of the Award are to reward the most productive workers and organizations in both public and private sectors for diligence, high performance, high productivity and research achievements; encourage and foster the spirit of healthy competition amongst workers, firms and companies in Nigeria, and encourage the spirit of self-reliance.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday called on the Federal Government to use 25% of funds expended on fuel subsidy to provide health insurance for vulnerable Nigerians.
Governor Okowa stated this when he received the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olurunnimbe Mamora at Government House, Asaba.
“If 25% of the money being used to subsidize today is spent to provide health insurance for Nigerians especially the poor it will help us to reduce maternal mortality in our country,” Governor Okowa said.
In another development, former Senate President Bukola Saraki was in Detla state on a working visit on the invitation of Governor Okowa, his one-time seat mate at the Senate.
During this working visit, Saraki commissioned the reconstructed DLA Road and its adjoining streets and the Government Primary School, Junior Staff Quarters in Asaba.
“I must say, Governor Okowa’s administration’s commitment to the growth and development of Asaba and Delta State is laudable and commendable — as seen through his work in the areas of education, infrastructure and human capital development”, Saraki said.
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