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Tag: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

  • President of Nigeria, VP, Others Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine on Live TV

    President of Nigeria, VP, Others Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine on Live TV

    It has now been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari, his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and other prominent Nigerians would be among the first set of Nigerians to receive the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine on live television.

    This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, while speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

    READ ALSO: 731 NYSC Members in Batch B Test Positive for COVID-19

    Shuaib said: “This is to help drive awareness on the virus and the vaccine administration in the country when it finally arrived.”

    READ ALSO: Lagos Deputy Governor Loses Brother to Complications Arising from COVID-19

    He urged Nigerians not to be hesitant on the vaccines when they arrive as key government officials like president, vice president and SGF would take it on live TV.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Vice President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says the brutal slaughtering of at least 43 farmers, who have been buried last weekend, just outside of Borno State capital, Maiduguri last week is a major tragedy.

    The VP expressed sadness over the ugly incident in while speaking to newsmen in Abuja Wednesday.

    “We suffered a major tragedy when terrorists attacked the Borno Farming Community. As a brother, father and Nigerian, I am incredibly devastated by these acts of violence.

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    “The President and I acknowledge that we must continually review the conventional means of dealing with some of these security challenges, especially the randomness.”

    Commenting on the measure to curtail tragic occurrences as this, VP Osinbajo indicated optimism that strengthening local intelligence and community policing will be effective.

    “I have spoken to Governor Babagana Zulum and former Governor Kashim Shettima. A lot more focus will be placed on local intelligence and community policing so we receive information quickly and react faster.

    Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the farming community in Borno State. We will ensure justice is served.

    READ ALSO:

    #EndSARS: Nigeria Appeases UK Government

    On Tuesday, terrorist group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility in a video for the brutal attack on the farm workers in Northern Nigeria just as the death toll rose to 76. The Commissioner for Information in Borno State, Babakura Abba Jatau confirmed the rise in the number of victims of the massacre as search for more bodies began after the burial of the initial confirmed 43 corpses.

    Gunmen on motorbikes according to villagers, attacked farmers on a rice field near Zabarmari village.

    Video:

  • #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    It’s a gathering of prominent people from all walks of life as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government formally inaugurated an eight-man team led by the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, at an event tagged “Consultative Forum on Rebuilding Lagos” held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa.

    The forum was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola; Chief Judge of Lagos, Kazeem Alogba; and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by the group’s Executive Director, Mansur Ahmed.

    Also, captains of industry, members of organised private sector and members of diplomatic corps graced the event aimed at restoring the infrastructure destroyed in the wake of violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests.

    Speaking at the event, Osinbajo described Lagos as a critical federating unit around which Nigeria’s fortune is tied.

    He said as a city with flourishing economy, Lagos deserved the support of both the government and private sector to heal, noting that the task of reconstructing the destroyed assets would be painful and costly.

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    Osinbajo charged the rebuilding committee, which was announced fortnight ago, not to be discouraged by the enormity of the task before them, while also urging them to pursue the rebuilding process with an objective to restore trust between the government and citizens.

    The vice president pledged President Muhammadu Buhari’s support for the Lagos State-led recovery effort, but said the presidency still awaits the full report of Lagos destruction in order to know the level of support required from the Federal Government.

    According to him, “On behalf of the Federal Government, let me assure you that we stand with the great people of Lagos as you undertake this difficult journey of rebuilding the lost assets. It my conviction that Lagos and the nation at large will emerge from this crisis better and stronger.”

    Also speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila said the level of destruction was heartbreaking and the loss on hardworking people was monumental, praising Sanwo-Olu for his doggedness and courage to lift the spirit of Lagos State in the face of devastation.

    The Speaker said the effort to restore Lagos would go beyond budget, adding: “It requires special intervention from the Federal Government.”

    In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu described the proportion of the devastation suffered by Lagos State as unprecedented, saying the coordinated violence set Lagos economy, the fifth largest in Africa, back by hundreds of billions of Naira.

    READ ALSO:

    #EndSARS: ‘Do not Intimidate Nigerian Youth, Unfreeze Accounts’ – Tunde Bakare

    The destruction, the governor said, tore down the fortress of Lagos commerce built over centuries ago, adding that those who carried out the violence made an attempt to ruin values that stood the state out as centre of creativity and innovation in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu said the consultative forum was to set the stage for the necessary public-private partnerships and collaborations required for the task of rebuilding and restoration of the infrastructure that was destroyed.

    He said: “The violence we witnessed last October is the most widespread carnage the state has seen in decades. Every aspect of life and livelihood in Lagos was affected – government buildings, offices, public monuments and historical archives, public infrastructure and very sadly too, private property and investments.

    “The violence has, no doubt, set our economy back by hundreds of billions of Naira, and impacted our confidence.

    “We have, however, found hope and great strength in the offers of assistance from far and wide, which culminated in the constitution of the Lagos Rebuild Committee to coordinate our efforts to rebuild and upgrade our state.

    “We seek to restore the infrastructure that was destroyed, to revive the energy and confidence of everyone who has been affected by these losses, to help restore the confidence of the people of Lagos in the infinite potentials of Lagos. Lagos State Government cannot do this alone. We need all the help that we can get.”

    The governor disclosed that his administration would be setting aside a huge amount of money as the state’s collateral in the recovery effort, adding that the Cardoso-led team that would be coordinating the Trust Fund would be given legislative backing through an Executive Bill that would soon be transmitted to Lagos State House of Assembly.

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    He promised that money that would be donated into the Trust Fund would go into rebuilding and re-tooling security infrastructure, strengthening public transportation systems, restoring judicial and local government operations, rebuilding damaged public monuments.

    Sanwo-Olu emphasised that transparency and accountability would be foundational elements in the implementation of the mandate of the rebuilding committee, noting that the fund-raising and disbursement would be supervised by FBN Trustees Limited.

    Emefiele, on his part, said the unrest impacted greatly on the national economy, adding that Lagos particularly must sustain the recovery effort to protect its economy from catastrophic consequences.

    Given the magnitude of losses and devastation that trailed the unrest, the CBN governor disclosed that Bankers’ Committee and key stakeholders in the private sector would be unveiling a recovery blueprint next week to support all households and businesses affected by the crisis.

    The intervention being delivered under Coalition Against COVID-19 (Ca-COVID) Alliance would lead to an effort of rebuilding all the razed police stations and a five-year plan to generate millions of job for the youth.

    “I am pleased to note that the Ca-COVID Alliance will, over the next week, be unveiling a blueprint that will provide details of our planned support that positively affect households and businesses. This is in addition to measures that will create millions of jobs for our youths over the next five years. Many parts of the country were affected by the unrest, but Lagos remains the worst hit.

    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is fully aware of the vital relationship between security and a prosperous economy. The damage done on police stations in different parts of the country can undermine provision of adequate security, which is vital to households and businesses.

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    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is committed to the rebuilding and rehabilitation of all the 44 police stations destroyed in the unrest. More than half of the police stations are in Lagos; funds will be provided to rebuild these stations,” Emefiele said.

    He added that Bankers’ Committee had started to take stock of private businesses destroyed in the violence, pointing out that those with existing loan facilities and those with no loan would be supported to come back on their feet.

    Also speaking, Cardoso promised that members of the rebuilding committee would give their full commitment to the recovery process, pointing out that the best decision Sanwo-Olu took was to get the private sector involved in the rebuilding effort.

    “The task may seem though and arduous, but it is not unachievable. We will do it,” Cardoso assured.

    Other members of the rebuilding committee are: the Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN; Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Co-founder and CEO, Flutterwave, Gbenga Agboola; Vice Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola – all representing the private sector – and a representative of an International Donor Agency.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Jimi Hotonou, are members of the committee representing the public sector.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARSProtests: Osinbajo’s NEC Embarks on Youth Engagement at Zonal and State Levels

    #EndSARSProtests: Osinbajo’s NEC Embarks on Youth Engagement at Zonal and State Levels

    In furtherance of the resolution of an emergency meeting of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led National Economic Council (NEC) last week, the Ad-Hoc Committee set up to engage with youths, civil society organisations, and different strands of leadership across the nation in the wake of the recent protests have swung into action.

    At a meeting presided over by Osinbajo on Tuesday, the committee decided to promptly embark on a two-pronged engagement process: zonal and state-based respectively.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo interacting with members of the NEC via teleconference, State House, Abuja.

    For the state-based engagements, each of the 36 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister would meet with the leadership and representatives of the identified groups.

    READ ALSO:

    #EndSARS Violence Won’t Discourage Officers from Performing Constitutional Duties – IGP

    This would then be immediately followed by zonal interactions where Osinbajo and members of the committee would feature.

    The engagements would not only include youth groups but also traditional, religious and political leaders. Civil society groups would also be involved as well as opinion moulders like the media.

    The interactions would feature issues around employment, social safety nets and national unity and security of lives and properties, among others.

    Tuesday’s meeting, which was attended virtually by all governors representing each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, also formally adopted some terms of reference.

    These include: “To engage representatives of youths, cvil society organisations and others, political, religious and traditional leaders on employment and social safety net programmes among other issues;

    “To engage with the security agencies and develop ways of delivering more control to governors who are the Chief Security Officers of their states;

    “To recommend effective solutions to the rising divisiveness and propose ways of strengthening national unity;

    “To develop a framework for the coordination of action steps to be taken by both the federal and state governments in response to the fundamental issues underlying the #EndSARS protests.

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    “To co-opt and or invite any individual or corporate body that may facilitate the work of the committee; and

    “Report to council with such recommendations as may be considered appropriate.”

    It would be recalled that last Thursday after more than four hours of deliberations at NEC emergency meeting, it was resolved that the deeper reasons behind the #EndSARS protests and its fallout should be addressed by both the federal and state governments.

    Members of NEC Adhoc Committee on Public Engagements all of whom attended today’s meeting are: Osinbajo – Chairman; Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State representing North-west; Babagana Zulum of Borno State representing North-east; Abubakar Bello of Niger State representing North-central; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State representing South-west; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State representing South-east; and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State representing South-south.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • MSMEs Survival Fund: FG Pays N30,000 to 333,000 Artisans

    MSMEs Survival Fund: FG Pays N30,000 to 333,000 Artisans

    As part of the Federal Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), a total number of 333,000 artisans across the country has been paid the sum of N30,000 one-time grant.

    This was disclosed in statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, who explained that the payments were made to verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, which is implemented under the MSMEs Survival Fund.

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    The first stream of payments, which started on Tuesday, included beneficiaries from the FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Plateau and Delta States. The paid beneficiaries from the first batch of the applications for the scheme submitted between October 1 and October 10.

    The MSMEs Survival Fund scheme is a component of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP), which was developed and implemented by an Economic Sustainability Committee established by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020, and headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    READ ALSO:

    https://echotitbits.com/governor-sanwo-olu-approves-full-reopneing-of-lagos-markets/

    The ESP-Survival Fund is aimed at supporting the vulnerable MSMEs and averting job losses in the face of the coronavirus pandemic that has created critical economic shocks across the globe.

    States under Stream 2 include Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Taraba, Bayelsa

     

  • Labour Strike: How Speaker of House, Gbajabiamila Pushed for Further Talks Before Expiration of Notice

    Labour Strike: How Speaker of House, Gbajabiamila Pushed for Further Talks Before Expiration of Notice

    • Gbajabiamila Calls for More Time to Negotiate with Executive on Labour Demands

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday implored the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give room for enough time for negotiations with the executive arm of government over the industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday.

    The Speaker, who gave the appeal when he met representatives of organised labour later met with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha to deliberate on the outcome of his meeting with the labour leaders.

    The labour unions had threatened to embark on industrial action from Monday if their demands for the reversal of the increase in electricity tariff and Premium Motor Split (PMS) were not met.

    Gbajabiamila, while meeting with the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, in his office on Sunday, expressed concern over the consequences of a shutdown of the nation’s socio-economic activities on Nigerians, while disclosing his intentions to interface with the executive for a possible amicable resolution of the demands of the Labour unions.

    Gbajabiamila said it is incumbent upon the House as elected representatives to see how they can intervene and perhaps a third voice, would be able to broker some kind of amicable solution to the ongoing impasse while citing instances where the House had successfully intervened.

    He said: “In good conscience, we are on the same page, or most of the time, we’re on the same page, and you know, that we, the leadership of the House of Representatives are on the same page with you.

    “But what is the consequence, and that’s the bigger picture of going on strike. When we have a complete government shutdown, the people we seek to protect, invariably end up holding the short end of the stick.

    “So it ends up defeating the purpose. You know, sometimes, no matter how long negotiations or talks last, sometimes at the end of the day, it may be the better route to take.

    “The budget is coming to the National Assembly. Some policies that are being considered and that will make sure to cushion the effect of this includes the provision of food items, distribution of grains, reduction on taxes on minimum wage, payment of some special allowances from October to January 2021, involvement in the ownership of housing programs through household and mortgage outlets by the NLC and TUC members, and special policy of government vehicles autogas, which is an alternative to PMS for public establishments.

    “I think these policies and more will go a long way and this can be provided in the budget but it is a couple of weeks away or less. So this is an appeal”.

    After the meeting, Wabba said the outcome of the interface with the executive as promised by the Speaker would determine the next line of action of the Labour unions.

    He said: “We told the Speaker how the discussion with the Federal government went and how the meeting was adjourned, so, he has also promised to try and intervene at his own level to see to it that we don’t inflict more pains on Nigerians.

    “In the course of the discussion, we had also realized that the House of Representatives has actually done a lot on these issues, including recommendations to the government which we have shared mutually

    “But the bottom line is that we want this burden that has now been shifted to Nigerians as consumers is also lifted so that we can have a decent life”.

    On the strike, he said, “If the issues are not addressed, we have given notice and that notice will certainly expire by tomorrow (Monday) and all the actions we have pronounced will take effect”.

    Present at the meeting were Deputy House Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason; Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Rep. Mohammed Ali Wudil and the Chairman, House Committee on Power, Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu.

  • Photos: Federal Executive Council [FEC] Meeting Underway in Abuja

    Photos: Federal Executive Council [FEC] Meeting Underway in Abuja

    Before the FEC meeting, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaks with Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and one other FEC member at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.
    A screenshot of other FEC members who joined the meeting electronically.
    President Muhammadu Buhari stands at attention while the Nigerian national anthem is rendered.

     

  • Osinbajo Chopper Crash: AIB indicts Caverton Helicopter for crash in Kogi

    Osinbajo Chopper Crash: AIB indicts Caverton Helicopter for crash in Kogi

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Tuesday released its final report on the cause of a near fatal crash of a helicopter conveying Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Kabba, Kogi State, over a year ago.

    According to the report released by AIB Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Engineer Akin Olateru, the Bureau blamed the crew members for what it described as a misjudgment of distance, inappropriate landing techniques and non-adherence to the landing process.

    Olateru in the report, did not spare the helicopter operator as Caverton Helicopters was indicted for its failure to conduct a risk assessment of the landing preparedness.

    According to a statement issued after the incident in 2019, Caverton Helicopters had blamed “unusual weather conditions” for the crash landing of an Agusta Westland 139 chopper with registration number 5N-CML carrying Osinbajo alongside 11 others including the crew members.

    The Vice President was scheduled to flag off the distribution of traders’ money to market women in Kogi State.

    File Photo: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo went ahead with his activities in Kabba, Kogi State despite the crash of his chattered chopper, 2019.

    The commissioner said the helicopter crew had initially sighted the football field before losing visual contact with the ground and the external surrounding.

    The report stated that at 1:43 p.m, the helicopter experienced a hard landing on the right main landing gear and rolled over and the occupants were evacuated without injuries.

    However, the Commissioner said 11 days after the crash, the bureau issued two interim safety recommendations to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Caverton.

    The other three reports were two incidents involving Ilorin Aviation College at the Ilorin International Airport and Aero Contractor Port Harcourt- Lagos flight which experienced smoke on board.

    Tobiloba Kolawole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    a

    Kiki Osinbajo and Friends at the launch of Glamd Africa.

     

    Inside Kiki Osinbajo’s Glamd Africa

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

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

    Inside Kiki Osinbajo’s Glamd Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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