Cybercrime Unit of Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL and National Central Bureau in Abuja has arrested two suspects for their complicity in a major multi-million Euro scam over the procurement of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
The suspects are: Babatunde Adesanya a.k.a Teddy, 50-year-old Master degree holder in Cell Biology; and Akinpelu Hassan Abass, 41-year-old Managing Director of Musterpoint Investment Nigeria Limited.
They are described as “members of a sophisticated transnational criminal network, cloned the corporate website of ILBN Holdings BV, Holland to transact with and defraud one Freiherr Fredrick Von Hahn, a representative of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia.”
The arrest of the suspects was sequel to a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) received by the Bureau from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice conveying a request from the German Government for investigations into a fraudulent transaction on the procurement of the COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment linked to a Nigerian-based bank account.
“Discrete investigations by INTERPOL Nigeria revealed that the suspects and their Holland-based cohorts, one Eduardus Boomstra and Geradius Maulder, specialised in identity theft, cyber-stalking, cloning of corporate websites amongst other cyber mischiefs to defraud unsuspecting members of the public across the world.
“In this instance, the suspects fraudulently obtained from Mr. Freiherr Fredrick Von Hahn a sum of 1.5m Euro and another 880,000 Euro as advanced payment for the supply of COVID-19 PPEs valued at 14.7 million Euros. Disturbed by the non-arrival of the PPEs, Mr. Freiherr Fredrick Von Hahn eventually visited the corporate office of ILBN Holdings BV in Holland to inquire reasons for the delay in supplying the items only to find out that the company never did business with him and that the transaction was a scam.
“The fraudsters merely cloned the company’s website and falsely presented themselves as representatives of the company before subsequently executing the fraudulent transaction. Consequently, he reported the case of fraud to the Police in Holland and this led to the arrest of Eduardus Boomstra and Geradius Maulder in Holland and investigations extended to Nigeria.
“Investigation by INTERPOL Nigeria further revealed that Babatunde Adesanya received 498,000 Euro from Eduardus Boomstra and Geradius Maulder through his Citibank London account and transferred same to an account number domiciled with a Lagos branch of a leading commercial bank in Nigeria belonging to Musterpoint Investment Nigeria Limited,” said a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja on Sunday.
While commending the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL, Garba Baba Umar, and operatives of INTERPOL Nigeria, Cybercrime Unit for a job well done, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, assured members of the public and the international community of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling cybercrimes and other transnational crimes.
He reiterated that there would be no hiding place for internet fraudsters in the country.
The statement added that the suspects would be arraigned before a competent court of law soon.
President of the Centre for Change and Women Arise, Joe Okei-Odumakin, has condemned the recent hike prices of petrol and electricity tarif, describing the latest pronouncements by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government as woeful combination of hardship.
Okei-Odumakin charged Nigerians to rediscover themselves and reject the new government’s measures which run contrary to sweet promises made during the 2019 general electioneering campaigns.
“The recent hike in the prices of fuel products and electricity tariff are woeful combination of hardship from a Goverment that was making sweet promises to the people over a year ago.
“To choose a moment when governments around the world are looking for ways to make life bearable for their peoples in the midst of Coronavirus cannot be an attitude reflective of a caring government.
“These steps are not acceptable and should not be accepted.
“Nigerians are encouraged to rediscover themselves and say clear NO to these measures.
“While the Buhari government should have taken the respite offered by the patience of the people as golden opportunity to fulfill its election promises of a better life for Nigerians, it should not take it as liberty to continue to inflict further hardship on the people,” Okei-Odumakin said.
National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, weekend tasked the Federal Government to review the current means of revenue generation and criteria used for allocation to states and local governments in the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of the ultra modern Ondo State Internal Revenue Service Complex tagged Revenue House in Akure, Tinubu described the current formula as faulty, saying the present revenue approach has created rooms for an encroachment into the statutory areas of revenue generation of state and local governments.
While explaining that his position should not be interpreted to be criticising the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, the APC national leader said he has a strong belief in national unity and even development of the country.
He described revenue generation as a very important means for the survival of any economy, adding that if any government at any level is denied needed revenue, development agenda may suffer greatly.
Tinubu also described Ondo State as a great potential for energy, economy and agriculture, noting that when the potentials were fully utilised and youths were engaged, social unrest in the region would become history.
“If all the South-west governors embark on physical federalism, which is what the country needs at this time. We are APC and in government today, but that does not translate to the fact that we cannot find faults and criticise ourselves to achieve the best for the country.
“The cumbersome revenue formula of the Federal Government today needs an urgent review. It has to be reviewed for the progress of the country.
“The South-west governors should be consistent in the level of financial inquisitiveness as to where and why and when the revenue formula will be at par with the physical federalism of the country.
“There are various encroachments that I have noticed and with you as a lawyer and financial experts, you should reform the financial bottlenecks in the country today.
“What is the element of stamp duty in the context of federal allocation? What element of transaction belongs to the state? Why are we getting involve in what should be a residual matter of the state? We need to tell each others the truth and not smile always. We will not be afraid to do the right thing for the country because it belongs to everyone.
“You can equally use the synergy with the Odua investment to collaborate not only on Amotekun syndrome. Amotekun is a creation of necessity for hoodlums caused by unemployment, frustration and hunger,” he said.
After the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu along with the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship election and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others held a meeting with Ondo State traditional rulers at Dome International Event Centre and later stormed Akure Township Stadium for the flag-off of Akeredolu’s re-election campaign.
Speaking during a meeting with the traditional rulers, Tinubu said APC leaders in the state as well as South-west and national level are united to ensure that Akeredolu is re-elected in the October 10 guber poll in the state.
He urged all the traditional rulers in the state not to relent in their support towards Akeredolu’s re-election, charging them to implore their subjects and people to work tirelessly for the governor’s second term bid.
He also implored the people of the state not to allow opposition to win the state, noting that voting for APC would be an added advantage to the South-west’s quest for 2023 presidency.
According to him, “We are all united to work for Akeredolu’s re-election so that APC will continue to govern Ondo State and other states in the country. We commissioned Revenue House today. Governor Akeredolu has performed very well and he deserves to be re-elected based on his performance and achievements in office in his first term.
“I want to implore all traditional rulers to endorse Akeredolu and work for his re-election. His re-election is in the interest of the people of Ondo State and Yoruba land at large. As the ruling party at the federal level, we should allow continuity in Ondo State.
“Please, we are here to tell you and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983.”
While addressing party supporters at the stadium, Tinubu said: “You don’t fight the PDP. There is no point fight a corpse inside the coffin, just settle down and calmly nail their coffin.”
He tasked the party members to rally round Akeredolu and give him all the support he needs to lead the state.
“Unity and adherence to collective purpose are hallmarks of progressive politics. Our ability to place the public welfare above our personal ambitions is what differentiates us from the political regressives who would rather that the general welfare suffer so they can fulfil their personal whims and wishes.
“As progressives, we must carefully tend to our bridge of unity. We must never allow it to break. We entered politics and governance to serve the people and this purpose should always bind us in ceaseless fraternity and togetherness,” Tinubu said.
Also, speaking during the flag-off rally, Sanwo-Olu appealed to the people of the Sunshine State to vote for Akeredolu, who he described as a progressive man that has brought real development to Ondo State during his first term in office.
He said: “We are here today to campaign for Governor Akeredolu and his re-election has been endorsed by traditional rulers in the state. Akeredolu has really performed well during his first term in office and his achievements are visible in different parts of the state.
“On behalf of the National Campaign Council, I want to appreciate all of you. I want to say to you that Ondo State is receiving first class governance.
“Ondo State is receiving a progressive man that has brought about real development. Aketi has done well and I want you to re-elect him. Thank you for your support. We will see you in October for a resounding victory for Aketi.”
Presenting the party’s flag to Akeredolu, Buni said APC is united and the party would work toward winning the election.
He added that the party’s campaign for the APC candidate is easy because Akeredolu has delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State in the last four years.
Buni also received business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, and former Commissioner in the State, Femi Adekambi, and others who defected to APC during the event into the fold of the ruling party in Ondo State.
In his remarks, Akeredolu commended all his colleagues and other party leaders and members as well as people of Ondo State for turning out in thousands to witness the APC governorship campaign flag-off.
He appealed to the people of Ondo State to vote for him in the October 10 governorship poll.
The rally was also attended by a former Interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande; Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; Deputy Chairman, APC National Campaign Council and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Slyva; and a former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, among others also attended and appealed to the people of Ondo State to come out in large numbers to vote for APC during the governorship poll.
File Photo: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (File Photo)
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Friday suspended the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun, over the recent announcement of 5% levy on Audio and Visual contents of all Physical and Digital Platforms in the state.
The Sanwo-Olu administration dissociated self from such levy, saying it would be insensitive to impose such policy on an industry that has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is no levy on Audio and Visual contents of all Physical and Digital Platforms in Lagos State.
“The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun, is said to have announced a 5% levy.
“The state government hereby dissociates itself from the said announcement in the media.
“The Executive Secretary, who was not authorised to make such an announcement, has been suspended, pending an administrative enquiry.
“The fifth pillar of the THEMES Agenda, the development policy of this Administration, is Entertainment and Tourism.
“Practitioners are partners in our effort to ensure that Lagos State remains Africa’s leader in entertainment.
“The Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu Administration is not insensitive to the fact that the industry has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and empathizes with this and other sectors of the economy.
“All stakeholders in the Entertainment Industry are advised to disregard the said publication,” said a statement by Lagos State Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assured that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, would win the October 10 guber election in the state.
The President urged APC to work diligently and ensure fairness in electoral processes, while returning governorship candidate of the party for second term in office.
The President, who presented the party’s flag to the candidate at the Presidential Villa, said the reconciliation process in the state branch of the party had provided a solid ground for an easier clear victory for the candidate than he achieved in his first term.
While assuring Akeredolu of the party’s full support, the President said a peaceful and fair election that reflects the will of the people should be upper most.
He urged adherence to the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the party’s mechanism for resolving differences was most effective, and would be sustained to strengthen relationships, and project the objectives of the party as people-focused and development oriented.
NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye
National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of Covifor Remidesivir 100 mg Injection for treatment of any illness.
NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
According to her, the label on the vaccine indicates that it was “not for distribution in the United States, Canada or European Union,” thus creating suspicion about its efficacy.
“The product is suspicious, and it could possibly be a falsified product. The general public is hereby warned to desist from the use of such product,” Adeyeye declared.
Remdesivir is an antiviral medication currently being studied for the treatment of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Ahead of the September 5 re-opening of airports for international flights, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has released the list of the approved airlines for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to the list, the airlines approved include: British Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Middle East Airline, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airline, WA, Turkish Airline, Virgin Atlantic, Air Peace, Asky, Ghana and Air Cote d’lvoire.
Airlines not approved include: Air France, KLM, Ethiad, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Air Almaroq, Lufthansa, Angola and South Africa Airways.
The minister stated that Lagos airport would welcome British Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Kenya Airways on Saturdays, while Ethiopian Air, BA, Egypt Air, Middle East and Turkish Airline would be on ground in Abuja.
Available airlines on Sundays include: Delta, Air Senegal, Virgin Atlantic, Ethiopian, AWA and Turkish, while Abuja airport would receive BA, Egypt Air, Ethiopian, Emirate and AWA.
For Lagos on Mondays, Turkish, Air Senegal, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, AWA, Kenya Airways and British Airways would be on ground, while BA, Emirates, Ethiopia and AWA would be available in Abuja.
Explaining how the decision was arrived at, Sirika said the available information was based on the Foreign Operator Carrier’s Permit which is statutorily required by law for every airline operating in Nigeria; the COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force; and other guidelines and restrictions from other countries.
He added that all intending travellers to Nigeria must test negative to COVID-19 by PCR in country of departure and the test of the PCR must be done four days before departure, preferably 72hrs before boarding, noting that PCR would only be accepted from identified laboratories from certain countries.
He said: “All intending passengers are required to register on an online Nigeria International Travel payment portal at http//:nitp.ncdc.gov.ng and also pay for a second repeat test to be done in Nigeria.
“Once payment is completed, passengers will receive an email for selected laboratory of their choice, providing them with the laboratory link to register for the PCR test on the 7th day of their arrival.
“Passengers would be allowed to chose a sample collection centre and an appointment time and date for sample collection.
“A list of private laboratory provided and the sample collection centers will be available on the NCDC website.
“Passengers will also fill the online self declaration form also located the same payment platform and submit online or submit for presentation on arrival.
“They must ensure that the information, contact details provided on the platform are correct and verifiable and can be reached when needed.
“Passengers must inform port health officials on arrival of any changes in their health, state completion of the health self declaration, in other words, take responsibilities.
“Prior to boarding, passengers must upload their COVID-19 negative test result on the payment portal and will have a copy for presentation at the airport.
“Prior to boarding, all travellers will undergo screening for fever and would be questioned for COVID-19 symptoms.
“Passengers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to board the flight and airlines must only board passengers with COVID-19 test result done within the stipulated four days.
“Airlines that board passengers without the negative COVID-19 PCR test will be sanctioned as follows:
‘Non-Nigerian airlines will be refused entry and return to country of origin. So, airlines would be made to return the people back to where they boarded from and the cost will be borne by the airline.
Sirika explained that Nigerians would be allowed entry and subjected to compulsory quarantine for 14 days at a government approved facility at the cost of the passengers.
Airlines would be fine $3,500 per passenger for failure to comply with the pre-boarding requirement.
The minister said passengers who fail to submit themselves or declare their PCR test would be placed on watch list for six months and denied foreign travel, assuring that test result would be available within 24 days.
He pointed out that passengers who display COVID-19 symptoms on arrival would not be allowed to self quarantine, but would be placed on institutional quarantine.
National Coordinator, Presidencial Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria, Sani Aliyu
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have sharply disagreed over the imposition of nationwide curfew to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the Federal Government on Thursday struggled to review the nationwide curfew from 10pm-4am to 12am-4am, Makinde announced the total cancellation of human and vehicular restrictions in the state, saying “the curfew was abolished after a series of review of the situation.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, announced that henceforth both human and vehicular movements were expected to be restricted between 12am and 4am.
“I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4am nationwide, effective from 12:00 tonight (Thursday).
“This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that might be returning from abroad,” Aliyu said during a briefing at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Federal Government had imposed a nationwide curfew on May 4, 2020 from 6pm to 8am, but later reviewed it from 10pm to 4am on June 1.
However in Oyo State, Makinde on Thursday said there’s no more prohibition of people’s movements.
File photo of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The governor, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, advised residents of the state to continue to comply with the COVID-19 protocols, adding that “the cancellation of the curfew did not mean Coronavirus has disappeared completely.”
Makinde directed the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) not to relent in data gathering and analysis in order to appropriately situate the context of the virus within the state.
The governor, besides, approved the conversion of Aawe Isolation Centre to a Level 3 Primary Health Care Centre, directing that the facility should be decontaminated and handed over to the Hospital Management Board.
Makinde’s administration has also approved that except for the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo in Ibadan, other isolation centres in the state could be converted to Level 3 PHC.
But, the governor said “whenever a spike in COVID-19 cases is noticed in the location where any of the facility is situated, such a facility will be re-converted as an isolation centre or a part of it will be so utilised as an isolation centre.”
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has welcome the judgement by the United Kingdom (UK) court granting Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions in a $10 billion arbitration case with Process and Industrious Development Limited (P&ID) in Nigeria.
A judge of the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, Ross Canston, had Thursday granted Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions.
The Federal Government described the judgement as right and just, alleging that it would provide a strong prima facie case that the fraudulent gas deal with P&ID and the subsequent judgement debt of $10 billion against Nigeria was a clear attempt to cheat the country of billions of dollars by a company that had not invested one Naira in the country.
“On the arbitration award, it is a source of huge satisfaction that the UK Court, among others, had ruled that:
‘‘Nigeria has established a strong prima facie case that the Gas Supply and Processing (GSPA) was procured by bribes paid to insiders as part of a larger scheme to defraud Nigeria.
‘‘There is also a strong prima facie case that that (P&ID) main witness in the arbitration, Mr. Quinn, gave a perjured evidence to the Tribunal, and that contrary to that evidence, P&ID was not in the position to perform the contract.’’
The Presidency expressed delight with the processes that led to this outcome in the English Court, noting that it has given relief to the Nigerian government to further protect our national assets from criminally-minded organisations and individuals.
The views of the UK court thus provide sufficient grounds for the Federal Government to go ahead and challenge the alleged frauds perpetrated by the company and overturn the arbitration award.
Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the team of lawyers who represented Nigeria in the matter with P&ID.
He reassured all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community of his unwavering commitment to fight corruption in all its forms and manifestation.
In keeping to her promise, Russia has begun mass deliveries of her newly discovered Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to the world as the country handed over the vaccine to Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on Friday in Abuja.
Russia had registered the Sputnik V adenoviral vector-based vaccine and it had been described as the world’s first despite it not having undergone large-scale trials to prove its safety and effectiveness.
Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, handed over the vaccine to officials of the Ministry of Health during the envoy’s courtesy visit to the ministry.
Shebarshin explained that countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Mexico, among others have expressed interest in the Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The Ambassador charged Nigeria to put together a team to interface with his Embassy to drive the process of human trials not just for the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, but to explore further disease and health areas where the Russian Federation has expertise to manage with vaccines.
Shebarshin admitted that he’s a non-scientist, explaining that he’s in the ministry to formally hand over the Russian-made vaccine against COVID-19 to Nigeria with an aide memoir which explains the details for Nigerian teams to study and get ready for further researches, patronage and application.
Responding, Ehanire said Nigeria has been participating in series of knowledge exchange, contacting different research bodies and countries to find solutions to the COVID-19 challenge.
The minister admitted that Nigeria has contacted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria for right of access immediately the Russian COVID-19 vaccine was announced.
Russian Envoy and ministry’s officials reached a consensus decision to immediately refer the vaccine to the necessary professional institutes and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health beginning with the National Agency for Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and for a team of scientists and advisors to the ministry to get to work on possible patronage of the Russian vaccine to alleviate the plight of Nigerians under the COVID-19 pandemic.
A ministerial team is also expected to be raised to continue further engagement with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria on the vaccine as well as other areas of interests highlighted at the meeting.
Ehanire was supported by the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, and other top management of the ministry and other Nigerian scientists, researchers and advisors, who participated in the meeting online.
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