EFCC arrests Chinese nationals for bribing officer with N100m

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May 12, 2020

Two Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for offering bribes worth N50 million to a top official of the anti graft agency.

The EFCC disclosed in a statement posted on its verified Twitter page that the suspects, Meng Wei Kun and Xu Koi, who were arrested in Sokoto on Monday allegedly offered to bribe the Zonal Head of the agency in the State, Abdullahi Lawal with the objective of compromising ongoing investigation of corruption.

“The bribe was allegedly offered in a desperate bid to compromise ongoing investigations of a construction company, China Zhonghao Nig. Ltd, handling contracts awarded by the Zamfara State Government in the sum of N50,000,000,000.00(Fifty Billion Naira)”, the commission stated.

The EFCC’s investigation of China Zhonghao Nigeria Ltd is in connection with the execution of contracts for the construction of township roads in Gummi, Bukkuyun, Anka and Nassarawa towns of Zamfara state, including the construction of 168 solar- powered boreholes in the 14 local government areas of the state.

The EFCC stated that due to “the consistency and professionalism of investigation being conducted, the company reached out to Lawal with an offer of N100,000,000( One Hundred Million Naira) as bribe to “bury” the matter.

“In a grand design to trap the corrupt officials, Lawal played along. On Monday, two representatives of the company Meng Wei Kun and Xu Kuoi offered him cash totalling fifty million naira in their office along airport road, Sokoto. The cash was offered as a first installment.

“The suspects were promptly arrested with the cash as an evidence”, EFCC stated.

China Zhonghao Nig. Ltd is being investigated for alleged conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement, official corruption, abuse of office, stealing and money laundering obtained against the Zamfara state government through inflated and uncompleted contracts awarded to the company.

Investigations have so far revealed that China Zounghao Ltd has received payments of over N41 billion from the Zamfara State government out of which about N16 billion equivalent to over $53 million was allegedly diverted and traced to some bureau de change operators .

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President Buhari may appoint ex-Minister, Gambari as Chief of Staff

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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May 12, 2020

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There are speculations that a former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari is set to be appointed as Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Muhammad Buhari, a vital position within the seat of power that has remained vacant since the death of Abba Kyari in April.

President Muhammadu Buhari (r); Ex Minister of External Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari

While the Presidency is yet to give any concrete information on Gambari’s choice as the new CoS, a source close to government in Abuja said that the appointment is true but would be disclosed by President Buhari at the Federal Executive Council meeting, which will hold virtually for the first time on Wednesday.

However, moments after the speculation circulated, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu was reported by Daily Post to have responded to clarification by simply texting “I have not been briefed”.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu

Professor Gambari served as the Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985.

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Ex-Abia Governor, Kalu escapes 12year prison term after Supreme Court ruling

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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May 8, 2020

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Orji-Uzor-Kalu1-653x365 — Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu

The 12year jail term handed to former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu, has been nullified by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a unanimous decision by the seven-man panel of Judges, led by Honourable Justice Amina Augie, the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal High Court in Lagos lacked jurisdiction to convict the trio of Kalu, his Slok Nigeria Limited firm and a former Director Of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu

Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu and associate

Nigeria’s apex court held that, as at when Kalu and other defendants were convicted for siphoning about N7.1 billion belonging to Abia State, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Liman, was no longer a Judge of the Federal High Court because he had already been promoted to the Court of Appeal.

On the basis of this, the Supreme Court thereby vacated the judgement of the Federal High Court in Lagos that convicted Kalu and Co, therefore ordering a fresh trial.

In his remark, after exiting the prison, the former Governor of Abia State, who is a serving Senator said, his five months incarceration gave him the opportunity of learning “invaluable lessons” about Nigeria and the citizenry.

The Senate Chief Whip, who is representing Abia North Senatorial District at the upper arm of the National Assembly was found guilty of fraud and money laundering in December 2019, and subsequently, sentenced to 12year imprisonment.

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Breaking: Buhari appoints rtd. IGP Abba as Chairman, Police Board of Trustees

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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May 6, 2020

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FB_IMG_1588780030248 — Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa Council Chamber. File Photo: (Credit - Femi Adesina)

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of retired Inspector-General of Police, Barrister Suleiman Abba, CFR, Mni, as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.

Read details here – Updated:Buhari Appoints ex-IGP Abba as Chairman Police BoT

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Ekiti: Governor Fayemi takes pay cut, all political appointees included

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 28, 2020

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fbcc43a8fbd79699d56ce0e0141d9e36 — Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi

Salaries of political appointees in Ekiti State have been slashed by 50 percent as directed by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The Governor’s directive was Confirmed this Tuesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Muyiwa Olumilua, who disclosed that the 50 per cent slash on salaries is binding on the Governor, the Deputy Governor, commissioners and all political appointees.

Olumilua clarified that while all political appointees from the bottom up are affected, civil servants are not included in the pay cut.

“Salaries of civil servants will not be affected by this directive and shall maintain the status quo,” Olumilua stated.

The Commissioner disclosed further that Governor Fayemi’s decision was as a result of the financial strain caused by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic and to enable the state save from the pay cut purposely to channel the funds into the implementation of planned developmental projects.

He noted that “this sacrifice is for the welfare of the Ekiti people, which should take pre-eminence over and above all other considerations”.

According to the Commissioner, global economies have been severely affected, a situation that has also put a strain on Nigeria’s finances, including Ekiti and other states.

Olumilua added that as a responsive and responsible government, the Fayemi-led administration has taken stock of its financial situation and thus taking proactive steps.

He further noted that the current reality in the nation is a constantly decreasing receipts from the Federation Account, as well as the state’s dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). These, he said has caused the government to wake up to tackle its fiscal realities.

“With promises made to the Ekiti people while seeking their mandate, coupled with the moral duty of improving their welfare, a time for making difficult decisions is at hand, and make them we must,” Olumilua said.

Olumilua went ahead to appreciate the patriotism, patience, and cooperation exhibited by affected political office holders in the state.

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Breaking: Robbers allegedly attack Abeokuta residents – Video

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 23, 2020

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Robbers have been reported to have stormed Ogun Radio, Rounder and Adeun areas along Aiyetoro road in Abeokuta.

The incident was reported by a resident, Bola Hussein, who lives in the E2 area of Olomore Housing Estate in Abeokuta this Thursday afternoon.

In a telephone chat with Echotitbits, Hussein confirmed the robbery incident, saying she had been in touch with friends who live in the affected areas.

Hussein expressed fear that the robbers will not spare her area as her home is only about a 10minute drive from the affected areas.

She said “There is a robbery going on, we don’t know what is happening, The chairman of our landlord association informed everybody now. We have been calling people living in Adeun, Ogun Radio, rounder, they said the robbery is going on right now. They are really attacking people entering houses.”

It was gathered from Hussein, that the robbers were forcing their way into houses one after the other and attacking occupants. she also stated that the Assistant chairman of the Landlord Association in her area identified as Deluola, called to warn resident of the impending attack.

“The Assistant Chairman of our landlord association in E2 Olomore, gave us the information when he called about 30 minutes ago,”

While It is however not clear if the police in Abeokuta have responded to the incident as at 3pm, Hussein said “she has been hearing the whistle of security men, vigilantes alerting themselves”.

Meanwhile, another resident of Sabo, Terry Asibor, who spoke to Echotitbits confirmed that he has seen videos on Whatsapp statuses of neighbors around Sowunmi, a neighborhood close to his home.

He stated that, in the videos, security officials were seen ushering some boys in their vehicles.

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Officers of Police Command Ogun believed to have arrested some suspects involved I’m Thursday’s attack on some residents In Abeokuta

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Lebanese authorities arrest man who put up Nigerian lady for sale

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 23, 2020

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Abike-Dabiri-NIDCOM Chairperson — File Photo: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Authorities in Lebanon have arrested a man, identified as Wael Jerro for advertising the sale of a Nigerian lady on social media.

The arrest was confirmed by the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in a tweet it posted on Thursday, April 23, a day after Lebanese authorities condemned Jerro’s dehumanizing Facebook advertisement of a Nigerian citizen.

https://twitter.com/abikedabiri/status/1252641878744367104/photo/1

The commission revealed that the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon had immediately initiated necessary cause of action to ensure the arrest of the suspect and release of the victim. The Nigerian Mission in Lebanon was said to have reported the matter to the host government requesting immediate manhunt for the suspect.

NIDCOM noted that the Lebanese Ministry of Labour issued a statement condemning the act and described it as unethical and in contravention of the country’s laws. It also stated that Labanon’s Ministry of Labour will also commence legal action against the suspect on the grounds of human trafficking.

The victim was said to have hailed from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital after retrieving her international passport that was obtained from her in May 2018.

While a legal action against the suspect before a court of competent jurisdiction is expected to commence soon, the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon has demanded an unconditional release of the Nigerian lady.

Last Tuesday, an Instagram user with the handle @thereneebisaad had reported the incident when she posted on her page details of the suspect and the victim.

She wrote: “Dear People, come and see what this human is doing. Selling this Nigerian housekeeping lady for $1000. This is NOT OKAY‼”.

The Instagram user claimed that Jerro had advertised the Nigerian lady whose name as stated on the passport posted online is Busari Peace Ufuoma on a Facebook buying and Selling closed group. She added a translation of the suspect’s caption as:

“Domestic worker from Nigeria for sale with new legal documents. She’s 30 years old, she’s very active and very clean. Price: 1000$‼”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NbRDaHh4H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Former Attorney General of Nigeria, Richard Akinjide dies at 88

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 21, 2020

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A former Minister of justice in the second republic, Richard Akinjide has died at 88 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

News of the death of Akinjide, who first served as Federal Minister of Education in the government of former Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa was received on Tuesday.

While confirming the death of the renowned legal luminary, Spokesperson of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Tonye Akinrionola notes that Richard Akinjide was brought dead to the hospital.

Late Richard Akinjide was until his death the oldest member of the exclusive “Former NBA Presidents Group” that the NBA President often consults on important issues concerning the legal profession.

Akinjide was born in 1930 in Ibadan and attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Aremo in Ibadan from where he proceeded to Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife. Upon completion of his secondary school studies, passing out in Distinction, Aggregate 6, he relocated to the United Kingdom in 1951 to study LLB degree in Law at the University of London and in addition earned a certificate in Journalism. In 1955, he was called to the English Bar.

Late Akinjide was a member of the Nigerian Bar, as well as the Gambian Bar.. In 1978, he rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Before setting up his law firm, Akinjide & Co, he had practiced briefly with S.L Durosaro.

Mr Akinjide was a contributor to West African Pilot and Daily Times. He also taught International Commercial Arbitration at post-graduate level at the University of Ibadan.

He was a member of the Judicial Systems Sub-Committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee of 1975-1977 and later joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978. He became the Legal Adviser for the party before hwas later appointed the justice minister when President Shehu Shagari assumed office.

In a statement released on behalf of the office of the President, Nigerian Bar Association and signed by the National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal expresses sadness at the passing of one of Nigeria’s finest professional.

Lawal states that “Chief Akinjide, was steeped in the ethics of the Bar, a brilliant advocate – one of the finest in the legal profession.

He described the deceased as a renowned leader of politics and thought.

“His contributions to the Bar as President between 1970 to 1973 were immense. And until his demise, he was always on hand as the oldest member of the exclusive “Former NBA Presidents Group” that the NBA President often consults on important issues concerning the legal profession”, Lawal states.

The NBA says it is committed to supporting the family of Chief Richard Akinjide as the family plans a befitting burial for the late Attorney General.

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Insurgency: Nigerian Military repels terrorists in attack on Geidam town

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 21, 2020

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Nigerian Military 2 — Nigerian Military Officers (File Photo)

The Nigerian Military have repelled an attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) terrorists. At about 11:30 pm on Monday, April 20, the terrorists launched an attack on Geidam town, the Headquarters of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State but met a strong resistance from the Nigerian troops.

In a statement by the Coordinator, Defence Headquarters (DHq) Media Operations, Major General John Enenche stated that troops belonging to 159 Battalion in Sector 2 and the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole “swiftly intercepted and engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of fire.”

Enenche described that the heavy response of fire by officers of the Nigerian Military successfully aborted the attempted attack by the criminal elements.

“The terrorists were forced to retreat, scampered in disarray into different locations and within surrounding bushes. At the moment, troops are on pursuit of the fleeing terrorists.”

It was gathered that during the fierce exchange of fire 13 terrorists were killed, 2 gun trucks and 6 AK 47 rifles were recovered from the insurgents.

The DHq Media Operations Coordinator stated that while the terrorists have been subdued and troops have embarked on what it called exploitation operation to hunt down fleeing insurgents, Geidam town and environs is now normalized.

The late night operation however left no casualty or loss of equipment for the Nigerian Military.

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10 people die in Zamfara trailer crash

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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April 19, 2020

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A ghastly auto accident have killed about ten people along Kaura Namoda – Gusau road in Zamfara State.

The crash, which happened on Sunday, April 19 involved a trailer conveying passengers who were returning from Kasuwar Daji market where they had gone to buy some goods.

The spokesman of the state police command, Muhammad Shehu confirmed the unfortunate incident earlier today.

Shehu explained that the accident claimed the life of 10 persons on the spot and their bodies had been taken to the mortuary.

“Bodies of the deceased passengers have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Mortuary, Gusau and will be handed over to their relations for burial”, Shehu said.

The police spokesman stated that some other 45 persons who were lucky but sustained injuries were also transferred to the FMC, Gusau for treatment.

Shehu however, warned that “the command is appealing to the general public, especially drivers of commercial vehicles to refrain from reckless driving and obey all traffic regulations.”

He noted that violators of traffic laws will face the wrath of the law.

Shehu added that the Commissioner Of Police in the state, Usman Nagogo had ordered for immediate investigation to unravel the cause of the road mishap.

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