The house of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged illegal withdrawals from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends account by the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC.
The House’s resolve was sequel to a motion by a member from Delta State Mr Ndudi Elumelu during plenary.
Elumelu stated that the dividends from the NLNG are supposed to be paid into the consolidated revenue funds account of the federal government and to be shared among the three tiers of government.
The lawmaker said without due consultation with the states and the mandatory appropriation from the National Assembly, the NNPC illegally tampered with the dividends account to the tune of $1.05 billion.
According to him, there was no transparency in the extra budgetary spending as only the group managing director and the corporation’s chief financial officer has the
knowledge of how the funds were spent.
He expressed concern that there are no records showing the audit and recovery of accrued funds from the NLNG dividends account.
Adopting the motion, the house mandated its Committee on public account to invite the management of NNPC and that of NLNG to conduct a thorough investigation and report back in four weeks.
Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai has lunched “Operation Sahel Sanity” to tackle terrorism, banditry, Cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the Northwestern part of the country.
The Operation which was flagged off at the Nigerian Army Super Camp 4, Faskari in Katsina State was designed to flush out criminals in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger states.
Lt. Gen. Buratai explained that, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the military to end all act of terrorism and other criminal activities in the country, hence the need to adopt new tactics to accomplish the task.
He said, Special Forces would continue onslaught to flush out bandits terrorizing innocent people in the region, as operation end in September, 2020.
Similarly the COAS inaugurated Ten military operation vehicles named, Mime Resistance Ambush Protector (MRAPs) nicknamed CONCARARS, Constructed by the 107 Brigade Maiduguri using Local materials with a view to boosting military operations to ensure peace and security across the country.
The Nigerian Army however, appealed for the support of Nigerians by providing information that would lead to curbing criminal activities.
This is not a good time for the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, as his fate to continue serving in that capacity hangs in the balance.
After hours of being grilled by the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, reports said Magu was taken into a “custody” by the operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) where he faced another round of interrogation.
The interrogations are expected to continue today.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has been having some running battle with Magu in the last few months.
This led the minister to write an official letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, recommending the sacking of EFCC Acting Chairman.
In the memo to the President, Malami based his recommendation on several grounds “ranging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct” by Magu.
Little wonder, the Salami panel quizzed Magu on Monday over various allegations, including discrepancies in the reconciliation records of EFCC and the Federal Ministry of Finance on recovered funds; declaration of N539 billion as recovered funds instead of N504 billion earlier claimed; and insubordination to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, by not seeking his approval on some decisions.
Other allegations are: Magu’s alleged refusal to provide enough evidence for the extradition of ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke; deliberate late action on the investigation of Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) leading to legal dispute; non-respect of court order to unfreeze a N7 billion judgement in favour of a former Executive Director of First Bank; deliberate delay in acting on two vessels seized by Nigerian Navy leading to the loss of crude; favouring of some investigators called Magu’s Boys; reporting some judges to their presiding officers without deferring to the AGF; sales of seized assets to cronies, associates and friends; and issuance of investigative activities to some media prejudicial to some cases.
While there were hues and cries over his purported arrest on Monday, a member of PACAC, Prof. Femi Odekunle, rose in defence of Magu, saying “those sent to invite him for whatever reasons best known to them invited some press along and made it look like an arrest.
“That mischief has been confirmed by some apparent afterthought denial by the DSS (Department of State Services) that it was not an arrest,” he said.
Odekunle described his statement as “a preliminary reaction of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) to the alleged ‘arrest’ of Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
But, PACAC, in a statement on behalf of the committee by its Communications Officer, Aghogho Agbahor, described Odekunle’s press release as his “personal opinion.”
“The attention of the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has been drawn to a statement circulating in the media space credited to one of its members Professor Femi Odekunle.
“The press release is the personal opinion of the member under whose name it was released and not that of the committee. If the committee consistent with its mandate has any view on the matter, it will be channeled to the President and not to the media,” Agbahor said.
Odekunle, while further defending Magu, explained that the real information was that EFCC Acting Chairman was only invited to appear before a panel “set up not long ago concerning some alleged memo by Malami, regarding some alleged malfeasance by Magu, along with nominations for his replacement.”
According to him, “While PACAC has not had a formal meeting on this development, I have discussed with the Chairman and some other members and the following can be considered as PACAC’s preliminary reaction to this development.
“The alleged originating Malami memo, up to the current ‘arrest’ seems an outcome of power-play by power blocs in the corridors of power in which Malami appears to be an arrow-head or major agent of a power bloc that is not really interested in, or in support of, Buhari’s anti-corruption fight.
“One can recall the earlier non-confirmation experience of Magu by the 8th Assembly, orchestrated by a power bloc and supported by the DSS ‘Security’ reports.
“One can also note the non-resubmission of Magu for confirmation since May, 2019 despite the apparent willingness of the 9th Assembly to consider it this time around.
“Furthermore, one must take cognisance of the alleged memo referred to earlier i.e by Malami concerning alleged corrupt practices by Magu, along with his own nominations for Magu’s replacement.
“Again, we cannot forget Malami’s demand of certain high profile case files from Magu which the latter has been resisting.
“The position of PACAC is that while Magu, or any official of whatever status, must be nailed if found to be corrupt, the President must be careful not to shoot its anti-corruption fight /modest achievements in the foot, and not to forget that EFCC under Magu has been the Administration’s anti-corruption poster-face.
“It may not be contestable that Malami has been exploiting his alleged loyalty and closeness to the President for his personal /power bloc agenda.
“For, to the best of PACAC’s knowledge and observations, Malami has not manifested any genuine commitment to the anti-corruption fight. Samplers: The nolle- prosequi entered in a case of corruption against Orubebe in relation to alleged malfeasance while Minister of Niger Delta Ministry; his secret meeting with fugitive Maina in Dubai under whatever guise/ excuse; his involvement in the surreptitious reinjection of the same Maina into the Civil Service; his supervision of Obono-Oblas’ kangaroo Asset Recovery outfit which Obono subsequently ran out of the country when exposed by some ICPC investigation; his non-due attention, by design or default, to the P&ID matter since 2015 until it was blown open by humongous financial damage to the country; etc.
“Notwithstanding the situation at hand, the hope of PACAC is that the President would wake up to the ongoing shenanigans of power players that are working from the inside against his anti-corruption fight. We are also counting on the experience and dexterity of the new Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari whose loyalty to the President and good of the country cannot be doubted, and we also hope that the demonstrated integrity of retired Justice Salami would carry the day for thoroughness, fairness and justice in the interest of the anti-corruption fight.”
From all indications, Magu may be forced to step down as the EFCC Acting Chairman. For now, the intrigues and power play continue over Magu’s replacement.
Partially collapsed building at 56 Command Road by Onitolo Street, Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos
A building, located at 56 Command Road by Onitolo Street, Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos has partially collapsed due to heavy rainfall.
The incident, which occurred Monday, was confirmed by the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA) in a statement it posted on its twitter page.
“It was discovered that the wall of an uninhabited two-room bungalow collapsed. Further investigation gathered at the scene of the incident revealed that the wall of the two-room bungalow collapsed due to heavy rainfall.”
While no lives were lost, the agency moved to avert any form of accident.
“No mortality nor injuries recorded at the scene of the incident. The affected area was condoned off to prevent a secondary incident”, LASEMA explained.
BUA's cement factory located in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
One of the leading West Africa’s cement companies, BUA Cement, has announced plans to establish a three million metric tonnes cement factory and 50 megawatts power plant in Guyuk and Lamurde local government areas of Adamawa State in the North-eastern region of Nigeria.
BUA is Nigeria’s second largest cement producer by volume with cement plants in Sokoto and Edo states.
The company’s newest plant in Sokoto is expected to be operational in 2021. When completed, the Guyuk Cement Plant would bring BUA’s total capacity to 14 million metric tonnes per annum.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, at Government House in Yola, the Chairman of BUA Group, AbdulSamad Rabiu, said preliminary findings show that the two local governments of Guyuk and Lamurde are reputed to have good quality of limestone deposits.
He added that BUA Cement is ready to begin the investment in the state, noting that BUA would use new technologies to supply power to the proposed cement plant and communities of Guyuk and Lamurde in addition to providing three thousand direct and five thousand indirect jobs.
The chairman explained that the Guyuk Cement Plant would be the major investment in the North-east by BUA.
He therefore solicited for support of the governor to set up the factory in Guyuk, pointing out that the company has made a decision to source its raw materials locally and it has invested billions of dollars in various sectors across Nigeria.
He urged the Fintiri administration to support BUA to actualise the Guyuk Cement project and commended the governor’s achievements within one year in office in many sectors of development despite the economic challenges in Adamawa State.
In his response, Fintiri said his administration’s effort in exploring local contents has started yielding results and appreciated BUA Group for showing interest in establishing the cement plant in Guyuk.
He assured the management team of BUA that the state government would make whatever is needed available and provide the necessary support which would create enabling environment so that BUA Cement company in Guyuk would become a reality.
The governor also expressed readiness of the government to protect the investment once it’s established, assuring that his administration would maintain a good relationship with the company for the benefit of the state.
The self-acclaimed social media influencer accused of fraud, Adedamola Adewale Rukayat
A self-acclaimed social media influencer, Adedamola Adewale Rukayat, also known as Adeherself has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
In a statement Tuesday morning, the EFCC Tuesday, the defendant was arrested following intelligence received by the Commission on the activities of some young men allegedly involved in internet fraud in the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
The count read: “That you, Adewale Adedamola Rukayat, on or about the 15th day of June, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents titled “WhatsApp”, which representations you knew or ought to have known, was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 (8)(b) and 1 (3)(d) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006”.
Adewale however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. In view of her plea, prosecution counsel, S.O. Daji, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that she be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
The defence counsel informed the court of a bail application for his client and also prayed for a short date to enable its hearing.
Justice Solebo adjourned the matter to July 13, 2020 for hearing of the bail application and also ordered the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody.
In June, Adeherself, 20, and her accomplice, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola were arrested for internet fraud at the Agungi area of Lekki, Lagos State.
Their arrest was said to be sequel to intelligence linking them to online fraudulent activities with two brothers, Lasisi Wasiu Adeleke and Lasisi Riliwan Adeniyi, who are at large.
“They were arrested at a four-bedroom duplex belonging to the two run-away fraudsters,” EFCC said.
The antigraft body said during interrogation, Adewale (Adeherself) confessed to being a ‘picker’ in cyber fraud.
The commission said the model usually posed as a lady to hoodwink her foreign “preys”.
EFCC listed items recovered from the suspects to include two Toyota Camry 2009 model cars, and a sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira only), which was found in Adewale’s account.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government may July 24 close the popular Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for repair works.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olukayode Popoola.
He explained that consultations are ongoing for another phase of repair works to begin on the Third Mainland Bridge on July 24.
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the consultations were geared towards evolving a perfect traffic management architecture among others.
“We want to do maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge very soon. Most likely from July 24. We may close it from July 24.
“We are still working out the modalities, and when we perfect the traffic management plan, we will move to the site.
“Everything being expected for the repairs of the bridge had arrived in the country, that is why we want to start the repairs now,’’ Popoola said.
African Development Bank Group has announced the appointment of Wambui Gichuri as Acting Vice President (Agriculture, Human and Social Development) effective July 5.
Wambui joined the African Development Bank Group in 2018 as Director, Water Development and Sanitation. She currently oversees the bank’s water sector programme of over $ 4.5 billion covering 44 countries and multinational projects.
Commenting on her appointment, the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, said: “I am very pleased that Wambui agreed to step into this role as Acting Vice President.
“The Vice Presidency Complex on Agriculture, Human and Social Development has some of our largest programmes and flagship initiatives.
“With her extensive experience, leadership, people management skills, and strong execution capacity, I am confident that she will help strengthen the team and accelerate execution on critical programmes and initiatives.”
Wambui supervises two divisions: the Water Development, Coordination and Partnerships, and Water Security and Sanitation divisions, as well as the African Water Facility divisions, a project preparation facility.
She also leads the development and coordination of the technical programme, manages the department’s human resources and budget and the development of extensive partnership activities.
Her leadership role includes water sector policy dialogue, strategy and business development, and spearheading innovations.
Before joining the African Development Bank, she worked for the World Bank where she served in various capacities for 20 years, including 17 years in water resources management, supply, sanitation, irrigation and drainage, with vast experience in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Wambui holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from University of Nairobi, Kenya (1988); a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Economics (1986) and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Sociology (1983) from the same university.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debunked media reports that its Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
EFCC, in a statement on Monday afternoon by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, explained that Magu only honoured an invitation extended to him by a Presidential Panel reviewing the activities of the commission.
“Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday, July 6, 2020, honoured an invitation by a Presidential Panel reviewing the activities of the EFCC, at the Banquet Hall wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“He was served the invitation to the Panel, while on his way to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for a meeting.
“The EFCC’s boss was neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation. A member of a legal team from the EFCC is also with him on the Panel,” the statement said.
Department of State Services (DSS). Monday denied news report that it has arrested the Acting Chairman, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
DSS said the story was not correct.
It was widely reported on Monday that Magu was arrested by DSS over allegations that he has four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
The report said EFCC Acting Chairman was arrested at commission’s Wuse II office, adding that he’s now undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters in Aso Drive.
But, DSS, in a short statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it did not arrest Ibrahim MAGU, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as has been reported by sections of the media.
“The Service, has since, today, 6th July, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest.”
Another report also explained that Magu was not arrested but invited for an interrogation by a Presidential Panel at Aso Rock Villa.
DSS had, in a 2016 report, accused Magu of living in a N40 million mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40 million at N20 million per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43 milliom.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9 million. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” DSS report said.
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