Some religious fanatic are predicting the end of the world - They claimed some of the plagues mentioned in the bible have started to come to pass - Their position was also supported by Great Pyramid researchers and experts David Meade who is a Christian numerologist has predicted that the world will end on September 23 and his prediction has matched that of stargazers who claim to have decoded the Egyptian pyramids. The Punch reports that the stargazers said the Great Pyramid was a date marker of when the apocalypse would set in. In a report by Daily Star, Meade used bible verses to match the position of heavenly bodies and said a giant planet called Nibiru or Planet X will crash into Earth and the world will end. In his book titled Planet X – The 2017 Arrival, the numerologist analysed and predicted that Nibiru will first appear in the sky on September 23 and crash into earth in October. Some Christian fanatics claim a total solar eclipse will occour in the US on August 21 and insist it will herald the coming of the prophesied 10 Biblical plagues. Incidentally, Daily Star Online reported that the so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse would also occur on September 23 which it said meant the beginning of Armageddon. Some experts also claim the Great Pyramid also points to the same date. Mr. Meade said: “It is very strange indeed that both the Great Sign of Revelation 12 and the Great Pyramid of Giza both point us to one precise moment in time – September 20 to 23, 2017. “Is this the end of the Church Age and the transition to the Day of the Lord? “There couldn’t be two greater witnesses.” Significantly, astronomers from the California Institute of Technology confirmed the discovery of a real planet up to 10 times the mass of Earth located in the outer reaches of the Solar System. Reverend Donna Larson and Robert Binnion also agree with the prediction that the world will end in 2017. They all agreed that the 10 plagues mentioned in the bible has started pointing to the report of unusual swarms of insects. NAIJ.com had reported that the emergence of Donald Trump as President of the United States, heightened the fear that the world may indeed be on the verge of another great war. Recent polls suggest that since Trump took charge of enough nuclear firepower, many are afraid he might seek to blast humanity off the face of this planet. However, that’s not the only threat the world facing at the moment, according to Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute – in fact, humanity is facing three existential threats right now. Metro UK reports that the three biggest risks humanity face are Pandemics, Extreme Climate Change and Pandemics, Extreme Climate Change and Nuclear War – and there is a ‘dire need’ for world leaders to act.
Please Donate To Bitcoin Address: [[address]]
Donation of [[value]] BTC Received. Thank You.
[[error]]
Monday, August 14, 2017
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Police foil plot to bomb Third Mainland Bridge
The police have foiled an attempt by a notorious Niger Delta militant group operating from the creeks of Ikorodu and Arepo on the outskirts of Lagos and Ogun states to blow up the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
A top commander of the group, Abiodun Amos, who is also known as Senti, an Ijaw from Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State, who is also said to be the group’s explosive expert, was arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who trailed him to a river bank at Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Two AK47 rifles hidden in a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag were found with the suspect. He led the IRT operatives to a vehicle parked discreetly within Ikorodu, where a large catche of dynamite and detonators was recovered— from its boot.
It was also learnt that Amos’ arrest followed intelligence generated by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which was passed on to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, indicating that the group was at its final stage of carrying out an attack on the Third Mainland Bridge—Africa’s longest at 13 kilometres.
The IGP, who was said to have been miffed by the report, directed his operatives at the IRT, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abba Kyari, to investigate the report. It was confirmed that the group was actually planning to blow up the bridge at the end of November. The group, detectives discovered, had acquired large quantities of dynamite and several other explosives for the attack.
In October 2016, the group, which has no known identity and was notorious for pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and bank robberies, demanded for amnesty, threatening to disrupt the economy within Lagos and Ogun states if the Federal Government did not dialogue with it and grant its members pipeline protection contracts.
The leader of the militant group, known as “General” Ossy Ibori, who coordinated most of the bank robberies and high profile kidnappings, including that of three schoolgirls at Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu, four landlords at Isheri North, Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Goriola Oseni and many others within Lagos and Ogun states, boasted in an interview that his group had over 21 “generals” commanding 7,800 battle-ready boys.
He added that the group was rich enough to fight the Federal Government as it had acquired thousands of military grade arms and ammunition, which he said would be deployed in disrupting the economy within Lagos and Ogun states, should the Federal Government fail to dialogue with the group and grant its wishes.
Sources disclosed that the IRT operatives made several arrests within Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos State. One of the suspects is said to have given the police the information, which they used in trailing and arresting Amos, who was on his way into the creeks.
The 43-year-old suspect confessed that his group was formerly into pipeline vandalism but they resorted to kidnapping when it became difficult for them to vandalise and sell their stolen petroleum products. According to him; “ we went into bank robberies and kidnapping because we wanted to get government attention and all we wanted was for them to grant us amnesty and also offer us pipeline protection contract. We have made several appeals and the government is not listening to us. “General” Ossy said ‘if we don’t blow up the Third Mainland Bridge government’ they would not listen to us. We had concluded plans and we decided to carry out the attack by November ending. I am the group’s explosive expert and before I was arrested we were going into the creek to conclude plans on how to carry out the attack.”
Police spokesman Don Awuna, a deputy Commissioner (DCP) said: “Yes, an individual was arrested. On sighting the policemen, the second suspect jumped out of his car and escaped into the bush, abandoning the operational vehicle.
”On searching the vehicle, two cartons of Gelatine dynamite explosives and hundreds of detonators were recovered in the boot of the car. Efforts are in progress to arrest the remaining gang members”.
A top commander of the group, Abiodun Amos, who is also known as Senti, an Ijaw from Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State, who is also said to be the group’s explosive expert, was arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who trailed him to a river bank at Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Two AK47 rifles hidden in a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag were found with the suspect. He led the IRT operatives to a vehicle parked discreetly within Ikorodu, where a large catche of dynamite and detonators was recovered— from its boot.
It was also learnt that Amos’ arrest followed intelligence generated by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which was passed on to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, indicating that the group was at its final stage of carrying out an attack on the Third Mainland Bridge—Africa’s longest at 13 kilometres.
The IGP, who was said to have been miffed by the report, directed his operatives at the IRT, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abba Kyari, to investigate the report. It was confirmed that the group was actually planning to blow up the bridge at the end of November. The group, detectives discovered, had acquired large quantities of dynamite and several other explosives for the attack.
In October 2016, the group, which has no known identity and was notorious for pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and bank robberies, demanded for amnesty, threatening to disrupt the economy within Lagos and Ogun states if the Federal Government did not dialogue with it and grant its members pipeline protection contracts.
The leader of the militant group, known as “General” Ossy Ibori, who coordinated most of the bank robberies and high profile kidnappings, including that of three schoolgirls at Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu, four landlords at Isheri North, Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Goriola Oseni and many others within Lagos and Ogun states, boasted in an interview that his group had over 21 “generals” commanding 7,800 battle-ready boys.
He added that the group was rich enough to fight the Federal Government as it had acquired thousands of military grade arms and ammunition, which he said would be deployed in disrupting the economy within Lagos and Ogun states, should the Federal Government fail to dialogue with the group and grant its wishes.
Sources disclosed that the IRT operatives made several arrests within Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos State. One of the suspects is said to have given the police the information, which they used in trailing and arresting Amos, who was on his way into the creeks.
The 43-year-old suspect confessed that his group was formerly into pipeline vandalism but they resorted to kidnapping when it became difficult for them to vandalise and sell their stolen petroleum products. According to him; “ we went into bank robberies and kidnapping because we wanted to get government attention and all we wanted was for them to grant us amnesty and also offer us pipeline protection contract. We have made several appeals and the government is not listening to us. “General” Ossy said ‘if we don’t blow up the Third Mainland Bridge government’ they would not listen to us. We had concluded plans and we decided to carry out the attack by November ending. I am the group’s explosive expert and before I was arrested we were going into the creek to conclude plans on how to carry out the attack.”
Police spokesman Don Awuna, a deputy Commissioner (DCP) said: “Yes, an individual was arrested. On sighting the policemen, the second suspect jumped out of his car and escaped into the bush, abandoning the operational vehicle.
”On searching the vehicle, two cartons of Gelatine dynamite explosives and hundreds of detonators were recovered in the boot of the car. Efforts are in progress to arrest the remaining gang members”.
Troops recover Shekau’s Qur’an, flag
The military gave more details yesterday about the capture of Sambisa Forest, including Camp Zero and Camp S (shape), the last bastion of the Boko Haram insurgents.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the military team that battled the sect, Major-Gen. Lucky Irabor, said yesterday that sect leader Abubakar Shekau’s Qur’an and flag were recovered.
Gen. Irabor, who gave an update on “Operation Rescue Final’’ in Maiduguri, said: “We believe that the Holy Book and the flag were abandoned by Abubakar Shekau while he escaped.
“The book will be taken to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, for onward presentation to Mr President.
“We have also made a lot of arrests. Our troops in Damboa arrested about 15 Boko Haram members. We also arrested one Musa from Potiskum on Christmas Day.
“On Dec. 26 our troops also intercepted two Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri.
“We, therefore, warn residents of the state to be wary of people coming to hide in and around their houses.
“We are also warning residents to report any suspected Boko Haram members hiding in their houses to the relevant security agencies and any failure to do that would be tantamount to supporting and sympathising with the sect’s activities,’’ he said.
Gen. Irabor added that troops arrested about 1,240 suspected terrorists during a mop-up operation by troops inside the forest.
According to him, 413 of the suspects were adults; 323 were women; 251 male children and 253 were female children.
He said: “We are interrogating them to know whether they are Boko Haram members, because there is no way somebody that is not their member would live inside Sambisa forest.
“We are still on the trail of the terrorists and I want to assure you that all escape routes have been blocked.
“Within this period, also, about 30 fleeing suspected Boko Haram members have surrendered to the Niger Multinational Troops on the shores of the lake Chad and we learnt that they were taken to Diffa in Niger Republic.
“The suspects include 24 male and six female.
“We would like to use this opportunity to encourage the terrorists to give up the fight because the window is still open,” the commander said.
Gen. Irabor noted that the Sambisa Forest was abandoned without any government presence which made it easy for the insurgents to take advantage of the area.
He said the activities of the army in the area would not affect the original purpose of the land which is a game reserve.
He added that the army would construct roads into the forest, and called on the government and other individuals to support the army in its endeavour to succeed in the fight.
He said the operation was still on going at the Sambisa forest and other parts of the North East to ensure a total wipe out of the terrorists
Gen. Irabor pleaded with individuals and organisations to assist the military with useful information about the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their midst and support or logistics to end the insurgency completely and permanently.
He urged the government to move in quickly and establish civil authorities in the liberated areas to enable residents return to their various communities.
“Let me state that we have won the war by destroying terrorists’ fortress, and smoked them out from this forest. We are however in a transition phase after winning the war against Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism. We need to win the peace now”
The Theatre Commander also denied the picture of a Whiteman being circulated on the social media as a suspect arrested by troops during the operation in Sambisa forest.
“That picture of the Whiteman being circulated as an arrested Boko Haram suspect from Sambisa Forest is not from us. That picture is not from the army. It is not our picture”, Gen. Irabor said.
Niger Republic’s Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said dozens of Boko Haram fighters had given themselves up to authorities in southern Niger.
The minister said 31 young people from Diffa, who were enrolled a few years ago in Boko Haram, decided to surrender.
The fighters arrived in the remote desert town of Diffa in groups and were being held by local authorities.
“I learnt that the first who surrendered were not arrested, and I surrendered.
“We expect a pardon from the government so that we can participate in the development of the country and help us get rid of the trauma,’’ a former Boko Haram combatant told reporters.
In June, tens of thousands of people fled Diffa as Boko Haram swept the region.
Five Niger Republic soldiers were killed by the militants near Diffa in September.
It was not clear what would become of the ex-Boko Haram fighters, but authorities said there was the possibility of reintegrating them back into society.
A security source said a meeting had been held in Diffa to discuss “the conditions of surrender”, without providing further details.
Boko Haram has killed 15,000 people and displaced over two million during a seven-year insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic state in Nigeria.
In recent years, its attacks have spilled into neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad.
Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters surrendered in Chad in October and November as the group ceded territory.
The group controlled an area about the size of Belgium in early 2015 but has since been pushed back by international forces, including troops from Niger.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday announced that the army captured Boko Haram’s last enclave in the vast Sambisa forest on Friday.
Etete, 12 others set for trial in Italy
Dan Etete
Last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) slammed a seven-count charge of money laundering and fraud on Mr. Etete and others at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Italian prosecutors have filed the notice in a Milan court, accordin g to Premium Times.
Apart from Etete, another Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Obi, is among the 11 individuals to be charged by the Italian authorities. Shell and Eni are also to be sued to take the defendants to 13. Mr. Obi and his firm, EVP, had laid claim to about $110 million of the $1.1 billion paid by Shell and Eni for OPL 245, considered Nigeria’s richest oil block.
The money is trapped in Switzerland where it has been frozen by a court.
Mr. Obi sued Malabu for $110 million in London, which he said was his entitlement for helping to facilitate the deal between the oil majors and Malabu.
In July 2013, the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, presided over by Lady Justice Gloster, ruled in favour of Mr. Obi that he was entitled to “a fee of 8.5% of the total disposal consideration of $1.3 billion”.
Following the court’s ruling, the money was transferred to EVP’s Swiss accounts. However, Italian authorities who had by then started investigating the fraudulent deal asked Swiss authorities to freeze the money where it has since remained.
Others found culpable by Italian authorities include: DescaJzi Claudio, the CEO of Eni; his predecessor, Paolo Scaroni; Roberto Casula, Armanna Vincenzo, Antonio Pagano, Ednan Agaev, Luigi Bisignani and Falcioni Gianfranco.
Italian prosecutors are also charging Eni and Royal Dutch Shell for their involvement in the deal as multinational firms.
As part of their findings, Italian prosecutors said officials of Italian oil giant Eni may have received $50 million bribe from the $1.1 billion the company and Shell paid into a Nigerian government account in 2011.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Saraki, Dogara, governors, others hail governor-elect Akeredolu
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Akeredolu’s victory did not come as a surprise going by his excellent credentials.
He urged the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory by working with stakeholders to move the state to the next level.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, maintained that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a proof that the party is still loved by Nigerians.
“The election of Akeredolu and the APC is a clear indication of the popularity of our party.
“I would like to congratulate my learned colleague and commend our great party for a successful campaign,” he said.
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun hailed the people for choosing Akeredolu and the APC.
Amosun said: “This is one choice that will bring unprecedented progress, infrastructural development as well as social and economic growth to the sunshine state.
“Akeredolu’s victory portends a good omen for the collective development and progress of the Southwest.”
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha described the victory as a confirmation of the party’s popularity in the Southwest.
He said it was also a testimony of the people’s love for President Muhammadu Buhari.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom congratulated the people for making a “loud and clear decision”.
He described Akeredolu’s victory as well deserved as it has further confirmed the confidence Nigerians have in the APC administration.
Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for a free, fair, credible and peaceful election.
In a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the onus is on the political class to rally round the governor.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said the people made the right choice.
Fayemi described Akeredolu’s triumph as a victory for democracy.
The minister said the people have demonstrated their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance ,which Akeredolu represents.
The APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general election in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, has urged the governor-elect to be humble in victory.
Peterside said APC would always win free, fair and credible elections.
He called on the governor-elect to see his emergence as the wish of the people.
Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi, in a statement, said: “Your Excellency, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint. Congratulations on your well deserve victory.”
A Second Republic Senator, Pa Olorunimbe Farunkanmi, urged Akeredolu to keep a large heart and embrace all aggrieved members.
The Chairman, APC Elders Council, advised Akeredolu to be magnanimous in victory.
The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) congratulated the people for their faith in democracy.
In a statement by its Chairman, Olawale Oshun, ARG praised Akeredolu and other candidates for pursuing their ambitions within the ambit of the rule of law.
Such maturity and statesmanship, the group said, is needed to restore the pride of Yoruba land.
“We urge Akeredolu, as the guardian of the people’s mandate, to continuously and consistently prove himself a leader worthy of his people’s trust, by constantly communicating his vision and managing the resources of the state towards the development and wellbeing of Ondo State.”
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Seun Egbegbe denies phone theft allegations
Embattled filmmaker, marketer and CEO of Ebony Films, Seun Egbegbe, has denied stealing some phones as alleged. According to the estranged lover of popular actress, Toyin Aimakhu, he was on his way to get money from his car to pay for the phones when an alarm was raised, with the shop attendant accusing him of theft.
An official statement from Egbegbe states that though story is pretty laughable, he has a responsibility to set the records straight.
“To say the least, the news did not only grossly misinform unsuspecting public; it also portrays traces of campaign of calumny by some mercenary hell bent in destroying my name, for reasons best known to them…
“I want to state here categorically and emphatically that though I was at Computer Village to address some issues, but I was never arrested for stealing 10 iPhone 7s, as stated by the writer of the story. The matter has since been resolved by the Nigeria Police; and the issue of me stealing phone is devilish from the said writer,” he said.
According to information, a mob at the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos State, Tuesday, beat up the filmmaker for allegedly stealing nine iPhones at a shop in the area. It was learnt that Egbegbe had gone to the shop around 10am with the intention of buying some iPhones.
He was said to have left the shop with the phones, telling the seller that he wanted to pick money from his jeep. However, according to reports, he attempted to leave in his vehicle without paying for the phones when the sales boy raised the alarm, drawing the attention of other traders in the area who stopped the vehicle and dragged Egbegbe out.
Liverpool legend Gerrard quits soccer
Gerrard, 36, played 710 times for the Reds, winning eight major trophies, but joined MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015.
He is England’s fourth most-capped player with 114 appearances and captained the “Three Lions” at three of the six major tournaments the side featured, the BBC reports.
“I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career,” Gerrard said.
“I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
“I fulfilled my childhood dream by pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool.”
Gerrard had been linked to a job in management with MK Dons after announcing he would leave LA Galaxy, but said on Wednesday the opportunity came “too soon” for him.
On Thursday, the midfielder said he will take time to consider his options before making an announcement on the next stage of his career “very soon,” adding: “I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be.”
Sunday, November 20, 2016
CBN Gov proposes N100b tax on mobile phone users
•Calls longer than 3 mins to attract surcharge
•Says economy facing stagflation
Mobile phone users will be in for hard times if proposal by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to the federal government to introduce mobile phone call tax becomes a reality.
The Governor, who broke the news at the 2016 Annual Bankers’ Dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Friday night, in Lagos, said such tax, targeted at the middle, upper class and long phone call makers, can generate N100 billion annually into the federal government coffers.
Speaking on the theme: “Policy options for reversing Nigeria’s economic downturn” he said the country’s economy is currently facing a classical case of “stagflation” and although the 2016 budget is well on track to tackle it, there is need to boost revenue generation base though increased taxes.
He suggested that government could explore opportunities for more revenues to wriggle out of stagflation and recession by introducing a negligible telecom surcharge to be paid by initiator of a telephone call.
“There are several ways we can raise additional revenue to finance the increased expenditure that is needed to engender fast and sustainable growth in the economy. I think we can consider introducing a negligible telecom surcharge to be entirely borne by the initiator of a call. In order to protect the poor and vulnerable amongst us, we could structure it to only take effect after the third minute of talk. Some analyses have indicated that the government could earn about N100 billion per annum from this alone,” he stated.
Emefiele explained that the surcharge will mainly be borne by middle and upper class people since many poor people do not make calls for more than three minutes.
He explained that stagflation occurs when a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is falling or stagnant while unemployment and inflation are rising, all simultaneously.
“As recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate, Nigeria’s GDP growth decelerated by 0.36 per cent and 2.1 per cent in the first and second quarters of 2016, respectively. More also, the rate of price inflation for the months of September and October were 17.9 per cent and 18.3 per cent, respectively, while official statistics also indicate that the country’s unemployment rate increased to 12.1 per cent and 13.3 per cent during the first and second quarters,” he stated.
Emefiele said that stagflation is a difficult condition for policymakers to deal with, insisting that no single macroeconomic policy can address rising inflation and slow growth simultaneously, because fighting inflation may require implementing policies that might, in the short term, be inimical to economic growth, whereas expansionary policies to stimulate growth usually worsen inflation.
Still on taxes, the CBN boss said government could also consider introducing minimal property taxes across the country. “This not only raises money for the government but also could be a veritable weapon against corruption since it creates a database of who really owns homes in this country. Another option to consider would be to fully implement the 2003 Cabotage Act. This is Act stipulates that all cargoes and passengers in the inland and coastal waters be transported by ships and ferries built, owned, crewed and manned by Nigerians,” he said.
Emefiele explained that contrary to the requirement of this Act, there are several foreign-owned vessels providing shipping services locally. “Out of about 600 ships that operate within our waters, only about 60 of them are owned by Nigerians and are mostly idle, in violation of the Act. Industry sources suggest Nigeria may be losing as much as N2 trillion annually from this anomaly. In addition to raising revenue, a full implementation of the Act could also spur job creation, capacity building, and significant backward integration,” he said.
Speaking further, he said that exchange rate is simply a price that is determined by the forces of demand and supply.
He said that while the proposal may seem controversial, variants of this policy have proven to be highly effective in other climes and even here in Nigeria. “For example, throughout the early days of South Korea’s economic renaissance, the government intermittently used excessively stiff tariffs, quantitative restrictions and prohibitive inland taxes to effectively ban many items with potential for high imports, and simultaneously, offered generous and subsidized loans to firms for export promotion causes. In fact, at some point, about 93 per cent of total imports into South Korea were subject to one or more such restrictions,” he said.
Emefiele admitted that interest rates are a veritable tool for curtailing inflation but with inflation at over 18 per cent, the regulator would be abjectly failing on one of its cardinal objectives if it cuts interest rates at this time. “Second, for those who say we need a rate cut to spur growth, we need to remind that high inflation is highly inimical to economic growth. Indeed, many empirical studies have estimated the threshold level at which inflation becomes significantly growth retarding to be 11 per cent for developing countries. With ours at 18.3 per cent, one must question the judgment of cutting interest rates at this time,” he said.
The CBN Governor insisted that interest rates reflect not just the cost of capital but also the cost of doing business, hence, the need to also look at interest rates from the perspective of the lender. “Given that most banks have to individually provide security, power, and other infrastructure, it is not surprising that some of these costs are passed on to customers in the form of high interest rates. Notwithstanding these facts, we will continue to use moral suasion to encourage commercial banks to be more considerate in interest charges on customers,” he stated.
Ondo 2016: Who succeeds Mimiko?
EXPECTEDLY, next Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State has been much discussed within and outside the Sunshine State, thereby generating a lot of heat with individuals, groups and zones poised for a political showdown as the date for the election that will determine who succeeds outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko inches closer.
For months, indigenes of the various zones in the state have gone to town with demands that their respective areas should be given the opportunity to produce the next governor of the state. And given that the three senatorial zones had all produced a governor for the state in the past, the battle for which zone gets the next shot has been an open one.
Beyond the zones, the struggle for who succeeds Mimiko is also tough within the political class in the state. While the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which returned to power in the state following Mimiko’s defection from the Labour Party (LP) in October 2014, is unwilling to be eased out of power, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) which has been struggling to oust the Mimiko-led administration since 2012 is bent on taking over.
And recently, the hitherto moribund Alliance for Democracy (AD), emerged as a third force emerged in what many had thought would be a two horse race between the PDP and the APC. The defection of Olusola Oke to the AD from the APC after failing to win the party’s governorship ticket band his eventual emergence as the flag bearer of the AD, threw the party up as a contender in the fierce power struggle.
Expectedly, before the parties picked their governorship candidates, the different zones and interest groups lobbied vigorously for the frontline parties to pick one of their own as governorship candidate. Spats flew and tension rose.
Negotiations followed severe disagreements occasioned mostly by permutations and agitations. At the end of it all, amidst confusion and crisis in all three cases, the three leading political parties settled for, or were helped to settle for candidates that will hopefully, contest next week’s Guber election.
Ironically, at the end of the anxious wait by all and sundry from far and near, all the three senatorial zones got one of their sons running for governor on the platform of one of the frontline political parties. And the stage appeared set for a battle of the zones. Analyst went to work and predicted an election that is too close to call.
The ruling party, which produced its candidate first, shocked not a few pundits when it settled for Eyitayo Jegede, the immediate past Attorney-General of the state, who is from the same Central senatorial zone as outgoing governor Mimiko. The opposition APC pitched its tent with the agitation for power to move to the Northern senatorial district when it announced Rotimi Akeredolu, another former Attorney-General of the state, as its candidate. And after much intrigues, the AD endorsed Olusola Oke, from the Southern senatorial district as its flag bearer.
Promptly, political realignment beyond political party membership commenced. Pundits predicted a tough contest and the candidates and their parties capitalized on the zoning debate as much as they could in their campaigns. With each candidate working hard to secure the votes of the people from his zone, the real battle appeared to be about who can pouch more votes from his opponents in their strongholds.
A twist
But all that was before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) jolted the political calculations on ground and unexpectedly substituted Jegede’s name with fellow party man, Jimoh Ibrahim, on the strength of a court order. Though Mimiko and the PDP in the state kicked, Ibrahim, who is a chieftain of the Senator Modu Sherrif-led faction of the PDP, is still on INEC’s list as the party’s candidate till today.
Expectedly, Jegede and his party went to court to seek redress when it appeared a political solution was in sight. But rather than give a directive on the matter, the Court of Appeal, Abuja, reserved judgment ’till when it is ready’ in the appeal filed by Jegede seeking to be re-listed as candidate of PDP in the Nov.26 election.
Justice Ibrahim Salauwa led two other Justices of the panel to reserve the judgment after arguments were adopted by counsel to parties. “Now that counsel to parties have concluded arguments on this appeal, the judgment is reserved. Parties would be informed when we are ready,” the judge said.
The development further complicated the chances of the ruling PDP in the forthcoming election as the uncertainty over who will eventually fly the party’s banner in the election remains. Pundits insist it is too early to conclude that Ibrahim is the final choice of the party. “Not with INEC saying it will continue to obey court order on the matter,” a party source told The Nation on Friday.
Ibrahim’s unexpected entrance into the picture, not only changed the PDP’s candidate, it also disrupted the earlier “all zones contest” arrangement as the candidate of the Central senatorial district, Jegede, paved the way for another Southern senatorial candidate, that is Ibrahim himself, who is from Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
Should he remain the candidate of the party till election day, pundits say Ibrahim will be jostling for the votes of the southern voters with Oke, who is from the same area as him. Similarly, the emergence of Ibrahim in place of Jegede, should it subsists till voting day, has turned the electorate in Ondo central, made up of Ondo and Akure kingdoms, into the beautiful brides of the contest.
“Now, whoever is able to garner the most votes in Akure and Ondo is most likely to win the race. Ironically, the central senatorial district is the most populated, followed by the south and then the north in a distant third position. Jegede’s disqualification has altered earlier permutations and the people of the central senatorial district may just decide who wins the race.
“And of course, Mimiko will play a crucial role in who wins the election now that his candidate, Jegede is no longer in contention. If he decides to dump his party’s new candidate and pitch his tent elsewhere, his choice will seriously impact on the outcome of the election. As it is, it is not likely he will support Ibrahim’s candidacy,” a chieftain of the ruling party from Akure explained.
Mimiko’s dillemma
Barely two weeks to the November 26th date of the gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the camp of Governor Mimiko is still grappling with the uncertainty created by the unexpected substitution of Jegede’s name with fellow party man, Jimoh Ibrahim, by INEC. The Nation learnt that following weeks of uncertainty over Jegede’s fate, many of Mimiko’s associates and political supporters are already expressing worry over what they describe as a very serious threat to his succession plan.
According to inside sources, the governor’s men are scared of the possibility of the election holding without their camp having a say in who succeeds Mimiko. An aide to the governor, who revealed that discussions are in top gear within Mimiko’s political family on how best to approach the development before it is too late, said while the governor and a few of his lieutenants are still hopeful that Jegede will surmount the legal hurdles before him and contest the election, many of their supporters are of the opinion that there is an urgent need for a fallback position in case their candidate remains shut out of the race.
“It is a very complex situation, especially for us in Mimiko’s political family. We are worried that those who want to ensure the political failure of our governor are the ones behind Jegede’s travails. The plan is to frustrate his succession plans. And we all know how dangerous it is for a governor to leave office and hand over to someone who doesn’t share his views.
“With Jegede, Mimiko got it right. He went for someone the people of Ondo are happy with. Many people see Jegede as the man to complete our party’s dream for the state. The acceptance was massive and it was certain that he will win the election. But the enemies struck and through Jimoh Ibrahim and his cohorts, they threw spanner in the works, creating confusion in our camp,” our source said.
He, however, added that a lot depends on the governor regarding what his camp will do should Jegede fail to win his way back into INEC’s list of governorship candidates early enough. According to him, not a few people are worried that the development has halted Jegede’s electioneering campaign.
“Most worrisome is the disruption of our campaigns. The time is ticking and we are worried, very worried. But the governor is still very optimistic that Jegede will make it and contest the election. But not a few of our leaders are asking for an alternative political arrangement that will ensure that we are not shut out of the process that will produce the next governor of the state,” he added.
Sources close to the governor also said in spite of his determination to stop the governorship dream of Ibrahim at all cost, he is wary of entering into any arrangement that will portray him as working against the interest of the PDP in Ondo State. This has seen him threading softly with suggestions by his associates that he endorse one of the candidates already cleared for the race by INEC.
“As a loyal party man, Mimiko is wary of being seen to be engaging in anti-party activities. He strongly believes that the PDP will still unite and find its feet soon. He has been severally advised to give directive to his people to support one of the candidates already in the race, most especially on the platform of any other party aside the PDP,” a source said.
“No, it’s not about party at all. I’m in PDP and by the way I also heard a lot of rumours doing the rounds about me going to APC or making alliances with other parties. There’s nothing, absolutely nothing like that. I want to assure the people of the state, members and officials of PDP that in this gubernatorial election, Jegede will contest as the candidate of PDP,” the governor said recently.
But while the governor is still optimistic that Jegede could still make the ballot, many of his associates and aides, according to reliable reports, are urging him to consider pitching his tent elsewhere before it is too late. It was gathered that several meetings have been held to discuss the possibility of an alternate plan.
An aide of the governor, who debunked rumours that the governor is already supporting a particular candidate in another political party, said while there are talks about the necessity and possibility of such an action now or later, convincing the governor to buy into such plan, given his confidence in Jegede, remains a serious dilemma.
“The governor is hopeful and we share his assurances, but quite a number of our people are impatient with the court process which Jegede is hoping to benefit from. To this end, we are already having talks about the need for an alternate plan. What is difficult now is convincing the governor to key into this and then deciding who that could be.
“It is not true, as at today, that Mimiko or his faction of the PDP, is already supporting any of the candidates out there. Yes, there are talks, but we are in a dilemma as to how to go about it. It is not an easy decision, especially for Governor Mimiko. But those who are worried are justified because our succession plan is obviously threatened,” he said.
Our source also confirmed the fact that several overtures have been made to the governor’s political camp by various political parties and individuals within and outside the state, since the substitution of Jegede’s name with Ibrahim’s, but quickly added that Mimiko is yet to promise any of the parties or candidate his support.
“The truth is that people, within and outside the state, have been talking to him about the election on the strength of the removal of Jegede’s name. They all want his support for their candidates. He is the political leader of the state and they all know it. They know they cannot win in Ondo without Mimiko. But he hasn’t promised anyone of them his support,” our source said.
However, our sources all confirmed the fact that the governor and his camp will never make do without the candidacy of Jimoh Ibrahim as the flag bearer of the ruling party. “One thing is sure; we will never work for Ibrahim as the PDP candidate. We will never support his ambition. He is not our candidate. He will never be,” an associate of Mimiko affirmed.
Similarly, Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Banji Okunomo, said Ibrahim is not keen about being governor but is only working for some fifth columnists outside the PDP. According to him, Ibrahim had ceased to be a member of the PDP, whose non-membership of the PDP had been verified at the ward, local government or state levels, having openly defected to the Accord Party.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Efe Sodje Former Super Eagles defender and his brothers charged with fraud in UK
A probe found alleged irregularities at the SSF which as a registered charity company has enjoyed tax exemptions.
Super Eagles defender Efe Sodje and his three brothers have been charged with fraud in the United Kingdom.
The Sodje brothers, Efe, Sam- also a former footballer- Stephen and Bright are been charged for fraudulent activities at their charity, Sodje Sports Foundation (SSF).
A probe by the National Crime Agency found alleged irregularities at the SSF which as a registered charity company has enjoyed tax exemptions and other benefits.
“Four people have been charged with fraud offences after an investigation by the National Crime Agency,” an NCA spokesman is quoted to say by Daily Mail.
“Bright, Efetobore, Samuel and Stephen Sodje were charged with fraudulent trading and bailed until November 14 when they will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.
'The four were arrested on July 13 after a three-year NCA investigation into alleged irregularities at the Sodje Sports Foundation.”
The Sodje brothers are due in court in November 2016.
Efe has 44 caps for the Super Eagles, having played in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup.
His brother Sam also played for Nigeria.
The Sodje brothers, Efe, Sam- also a former footballer- Stephen and Bright are been charged for fraudulent activities at their charity, Sodje Sports Foundation (SSF).
A probe by the National Crime Agency found alleged irregularities at the SSF which as a registered charity company has enjoyed tax exemptions and other benefits.
“Four people have been charged with fraud offences after an investigation by the National Crime Agency,” an NCA spokesman is quoted to say by Daily Mail.
“Bright, Efetobore, Samuel and Stephen Sodje were charged with fraudulent trading and bailed until November 14 when they will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.
'The four were arrested on July 13 after a three-year NCA investigation into alleged irregularities at the Sodje Sports Foundation.”
The Sodje brothers are due in court in November 2016.
Efe has 44 caps for the Super Eagles, having played in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup.
Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Rohr meets with Wenger, Mikel in tour of England
The NFF have released photos of the German coach with Arsenal manager Wenger at their London Colney training ground.
The Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr on Wednesday, October visited Arsenal and Chelsea training grounds where he met Arsene Wenger and John Mikel Obi.
As Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Rohr is making trips around Europe to visit Super Eagles players at their respective clubs and also meet their managers to discuss their development.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have released photos of the German coach with Arsenal manager Wenger at their London Colney training ground.
Rohr was meeting with the manager to discuss Arsenal and Nigeria international Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi was promoted to the Arsenal first team in 2015 and has impressed so far this season as he continues to feature regularly for the Gunners.
Alex Iwobi has become an Arsenal regular and full Nigeria international in the last year
He scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Plateau United on Wednesday, October 5.
A few days later he scored his first competitive goal for the Super in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia.
Rohr was also met his captain, Mikel Obi at Chelsea training ground.
Michael Emenalo, John Mikel Obi and Gernot Rohr (Twitter/NFF)
In the photos released, the 63-year-old German coach also met Chelsea’s Director of football, Mike Emenalo who is also a Nigerian.
It is also likely that Rohr will meet Chelsea coach Antonio Conte to know Mikel’s place in his team.
John Mikel Obi has not featured for Chelsea this season (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The 29-year-old midfielder has not made any appearance for Chelsea this season and Rohr will be concerned.
“Nice to bring Chelsea and Nigeria together yesterday...@NGSuperEagles Gernot Rohr met with @ChelseaFC Michael Emenalo Chelsea and Nigeria together yesterday,” Mikel Obi wrote on Twitter.
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo also shared a photo of him and Rohr writing; “Thanks for the visit Coach Gernot Rohr.”
Rohr is also expected to pay a visit to Kelechi Iheanacho at Manchester City and Ahmed Musa at Leicester City.
As Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Rohr is making trips around Europe to visit Super Eagles players at their respective clubs and also meet their managers to discuss their development.
Iwobi was promoted to the Arsenal first team in 2015 and has impressed so far this season as he continues to feature regularly for the Gunners.
He scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Plateau United on Wednesday, October 5.
A few days later he scored his first competitive goal for the Super in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia.
Rohr was also met his captain, Mikel Obi at Chelsea training ground.
In the photos released, the 63-year-old German coach also met Chelsea’s Director of football, Mike Emenalo who is also a Nigerian.
It is also likely that Rohr will meet Chelsea coach Antonio Conte to know Mikel’s place in his team.
The 29-year-old midfielder has not made any appearance for Chelsea this season and Rohr will be concerned.
“Nice to bring Chelsea and Nigeria together yesterday...@NGSuperEagles Gernot Rohr met with @ChelseaFC Michael Emenalo Chelsea and Nigeria together yesterday,” Mikel Obi wrote on Twitter.
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo also shared a photo of him and Rohr writing; “Thanks for the visit Coach Gernot Rohr.”
Rohr is also expected to pay a visit to Kelechi Iheanacho at Manchester City and Ahmed Musa at Leicester City.
Corruption How Buhari's Minister was indicted and charged with fraud in 2000
A committee set up by the Donald Duke govt in Cross River in 2000 was said to have found Usani guilty.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, was indicted and charged with fraud in 2000 by the Cross River state government, Premium Times authoritatively reports.
Usani, who after serving as the Cross River commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development in 1999, was indicted by a committee set up by the Donald Duke administration.
According to the report, the committee was set up to investigate financial impropriety among officials of the preceding military administration in the state.
In the report filed by the committee headed by Orok Oyo, Usani was said to intended to defraud the state government.
The committee also said Usani refused to apply government approved scales when he paid out some money as fees to Gersh Henshaw & Company, a firm of estate surveyors and valuers.
The firm reportedly handled the contract for the valuation of vehicles, workshops and equipment belonging to the Cross River State Water Board.
The valuation was said to be part of the African Development Bank water project in the state.
According to the committee, the state government lost N16.323 million because of Usani’s "deliberate" action.
The then governor Duke was said to have accepted the committee's report and further directed that the N16, 323,150 be recovered from Usani, and that he should be prosecuted as well.
Investigation by Premium Times revealed that the state government filed a complaint against Usani at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
It was, however, discovered that after CCB forwarded the case to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for trial, the state government swiftly requested that the case be discontinued, without giving any reason for its action.
A letter addressed to the CCB Chairman by the then secretary to the state government and dated July 5, 2001, said the instruction to drop the case against Usani and others charged along with him came from the governor, Donald Duke.
It was gathered that in CCB's reply, it informed the government that the tribunal, in accordance with Duke's instruction, had on September 12, 2001 discontinued further criminal proceedings, and struck out the case against Usani and others.
The newspaper reported that Duke did not respond to its inquiries on why he ordered the discontinuation of the trial.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused by the opposition of only targeting officers of the immediate past government and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in his anti-corruption war and conveniently leaving out alleged corrupt members of his cabinet and associates.
Usani, who after serving as the Cross River commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development in 1999, was indicted by a committee set up by the Donald Duke administration.
According to the report, the committee was set up to investigate financial impropriety among officials of the preceding military administration in the state.
In the report filed by the committee headed by Orok Oyo, Usani was said to intended to defraud the state government.
The committee also said Usani refused to apply government approved scales when he paid out some money as fees to Gersh Henshaw & Company, a firm of estate surveyors and valuers.
The firm reportedly handled the contract for the valuation of vehicles, workshops and equipment belonging to the Cross River State Water Board.
The valuation was said to be part of the African Development Bank water project in the state.
According to the committee, the state government lost N16.323 million because of Usani’s "deliberate" action.
The then governor Duke was said to have accepted the committee's report and further directed that the N16, 323,150 be recovered from Usani, and that he should be prosecuted as well.
Investigation by Premium Times revealed that the state government filed a complaint against Usani at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
It was, however, discovered that after CCB forwarded the case to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for trial, the state government swiftly requested that the case be discontinued, without giving any reason for its action.
A letter addressed to the CCB Chairman by the then secretary to the state government and dated July 5, 2001, said the instruction to drop the case against Usani and others charged along with him came from the governor, Donald Duke.
It was gathered that in CCB's reply, it informed the government that the tribunal, in accordance with Duke's instruction, had on September 12, 2001 discontinued further criminal proceedings, and struck out the case against Usani and others.
The newspaper reported that Duke did not respond to its inquiries on why he ordered the discontinuation of the trial.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused by the opposition of only targeting officers of the immediate past government and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in his anti-corruption war and conveniently leaving out alleged corrupt members of his cabinet and associates.
Ondo Election INEC denies Jimoh Ibrahim's $1M bribery allegation
The $1million claims of Jimoh Ibrahim against officials of INEC has been denied by the electoral commission.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied allegations of request for a $1million bribe by billionaire and Ondo state factional guber aspirant, Jimoh Ibrahim.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 24, 2016 by the commission, INEC denied allegations that two of its employees, Toyin Babalola and Segun Agbaje, requested for bribe from Ibrahim.
The commission further maintained that the allegation has been found to be false after a preliminary investigation.
“The Commission hereby states, for the record, that from its preliminary investigation, nothing could be farther from the truth,” the statement read.
On the encounter between Toyin Babalola and Jimoh Ibrahim, INEC said "upon encountering Mr. Ibrahim, Mrs. Babalola told the candidate that she already was in possession of the court document and that the exchange lasted only 15 minutes. Three lawyers who witnessed the encounter said that at no time did Mrs. Babalola ask for $1 million."
Continuing, INEC said: “It should however be noted that court orders/judgments are served by court bailiffs and not individual parties. Furthermore, INEC Only receives nomination papers from the national chairmen of political parties or their designated officials, not aspirants,” the statement added.
On the allegation that INEC REC, Segun Agbaje had tried to set up a meeting with Jimoh Ibrahim in London, INEC denied Ibrahim's allegation saying it was the billionaire, who attempted to arrange a meeting with Mr. Agbaje through an intermediary.
However, Agbaje had refused to meet Ibrahim in London and told him that he would only meet in the Ondo State INEC office during official hours.
Jimoh Ibrahim, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State, had accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Segun Agbaje, of conducting shady deals ahead of the election and Toyin Babalola, the commission’s Acting Director of Legal Services, of demanding a $1 million bribe from him.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 24, 2016 by the commission, INEC denied allegations that two of its employees, Toyin Babalola and Segun Agbaje, requested for bribe from Ibrahim.
The commission further maintained that the allegation has been found to be false after a preliminary investigation.
“The Commission hereby states, for the record, that from its preliminary investigation, nothing could be farther from the truth,” the statement read.
On the encounter between Toyin Babalola and Jimoh Ibrahim, INEC said "upon encountering Mr. Ibrahim, Mrs. Babalola told the candidate that she already was in possession of the court document and that the exchange lasted only 15 minutes. Three lawyers who witnessed the encounter said that at no time did Mrs. Babalola ask for $1 million."
Continuing, INEC said: “It should however be noted that court orders/judgments are served by court bailiffs and not individual parties. Furthermore, INEC Only receives nomination papers from the national chairmen of political parties or their designated officials, not aspirants,” the statement added.
On the allegation that INEC REC, Segun Agbaje had tried to set up a meeting with Jimoh Ibrahim in London, INEC denied Ibrahim's allegation saying it was the billionaire, who attempted to arrange a meeting with Mr. Agbaje through an intermediary.
However, Agbaje had refused to meet Ibrahim in London and told him that he would only meet in the Ondo State INEC office during official hours.
Jimoh Ibrahim, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State, had accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Segun Agbaje, of conducting shady deals ahead of the election and Toyin Babalola, the commission’s Acting Director of Legal Services, of demanding a $1 million bribe from him.
CBN Another suspect in N8bn currency scam seeks plea bargain
The plea bargain will be the second in the case in which bank officials allegedly conspired to steal N8bn defaced naira notes.
Another suspect involved in the N8 billion Central Bank currency scam is currently negotiating for a plea bargain, NAN reports.
One of the suspects being prosecuted, Tope Akintade, has begun the process for plea bargain arrangement with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission’s counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, told a court on Wednesday, October 26, that the arrangement is yet to be completed with the defence counsel, Femi Edema.
Akintade is one of the several bank officials who allegedly conspired to steal and conceal mutilated and defaced naira notes amounting to N8 billion, from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He had disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is believed to be the reason for his decision.
He is the second of the accused persons to opt for a plea bargain.
Earlier in the month, Ademola Oni had pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for each of five charges for which he was convicted. Since the charges are to run concurrently, Oni will only spend two and a half years in jail.
On Wednesday, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, adjourned the trial of the accused persons till November 18.
The adjournment followed the illegibility of copies of documentary evidence produced by the EFCC.
The judge said that it is necessary to give all the parties concerned in the matter equal opportunity to read what is contained in the first two sheets of the documentary evidence given by a prosecution witness, Omotayo Igbosanu.
All the defence counsel had complained about their inability to read the documentary evidence made by Mr. Igbosanu as contained in the illegible pages.
Kolawole Babalola, Adeola Olaniran, Philip Togun, Ibrahim Salami, Emmanuel Odiah and Tope Akintade, along with others, have been standing trial on multiple charges.
The charges borders on alleged conspiracy, forgery, theft and recirculation of N8 billion currencies belonging to the CBN.
Igbosanu, the Head of Currency Processing and Disposal Unit of CBN, Ibadan branch, told the court that the accused persons only destroyed N98 million out of the possible N610 million.
He added that Sterling Bank of Nigeria sent 61 boxes containing a total sum of N610 million out of which the accused persons replaced cut newspapers or lower denominations with moneys meant for destruction.
Another suspect involved in the N8 billion Central Bank currency scam is currently negotiating for a plea bargain, NAN reports.
The commission’s counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, told a court on Wednesday, October 26, that the arrangement is yet to be completed with the defence counsel, Femi Edema.
Akintade is one of the several bank officials who allegedly conspired to steal and conceal mutilated and defaced naira notes amounting to N8 billion, from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He had disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is believed to be the reason for his decision.
He is the second of the accused persons to opt for a plea bargain.
Earlier in the month, Ademola Oni had pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for each of five charges for which he was convicted. Since the charges are to run concurrently, Oni will only spend two and a half years in jail.
On Wednesday, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, adjourned the trial of the accused persons till November 18.
The adjournment followed the illegibility of copies of documentary evidence produced by the EFCC.
The judge said that it is necessary to give all the parties concerned in the matter equal opportunity to read what is contained in the first two sheets of the documentary evidence given by a prosecution witness, Omotayo Igbosanu.
All the defence counsel had complained about their inability to read the documentary evidence made by Mr. Igbosanu as contained in the illegible pages.
Kolawole Babalola, Adeola Olaniran, Philip Togun, Ibrahim Salami, Emmanuel Odiah and Tope Akintade, along with others, have been standing trial on multiple charges.
The charges borders on alleged conspiracy, forgery, theft and recirculation of N8 billion currencies belonging to the CBN.
Igbosanu, the Head of Currency Processing and Disposal Unit of CBN, Ibadan branch, told the court that the accused persons only destroyed N98 million out of the possible N610 million.
He added that Sterling Bank of Nigeria sent 61 boxes containing a total sum of N610 million out of which the accused persons replaced cut newspapers or lower denominations with moneys meant for destruction.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Woman Catches Her Husband and Another Woman in Fast Food Joint...What She Did Next is Shocking
A woman who got so angry after seeing her husband and another woman inside a fast food joint has reacted in a drastic manner to teach them a lesson.
The angry wife caught her husband inside a restaurant with another woman and decided to deal with the pair by giving them the embarrassment of their lives.
She boiled hot water and while it was still hot, stormed the fast food joint and poured it on them.
According to the woman, who shared the story by herself on break_or_makeup, she concentrated the hot water on the other woman with her husband.
However, she is now very bothered because since the incident, her husband has not come back home.
She is now worried that something may have happened to him.
Below is how she put the story:
She boiled hot water and while it was still hot, stormed the fast food joint and poured it on them.
According to the woman, who shared the story by herself on break_or_makeup, she concentrated the hot water on the other woman with her husband.
However, she is now very bothered because since the incident, her husband has not come back home.
She is now worried that something may have happened to him.
Below is how she put the story:
One of Two Suspected Lesbians Arrested by Policemen in Port Harcourt
Policemen in Rivers state have arrested one of two lesbians who went on the run after their illicit affair was exposed to the public.
*Photo used for illustrative purpose*
One of the two married woman declared wanted by the Lagos state Police command over alleged criminal activities, including lesbianism, has been arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Daily Sun reports that the women, have been on the run since their alleged criminal activities were reported to the Police. The suspects were exposed while committing the dastardly act in one Alhaji Osilo’s house each time he was away, by the man's neighbour who felt the suspects would be bad influence to others.
The husband of one of the ladies, ogunwale Abiola Idowu, was said to have ignored reports about his wife's shameful conduct.
A police source said “it is true, the illicit act of lesbianism against Ogunwale Abiola and her mate Monisola Adeko was reported to us and we have commenced Investigation in the alleged act of lesbianism by the two women. We have identified the women and we will soon apprehend them. It was Abiola partners’ husband, osilo that reported the matter to us. You know that the act is against the law of our land, we must enforce the law.”
Since the two lesbians were reported to the police, they have been on the run. Luck however ran out of Monisola who was apprehended at the weekend in Port Harcourt where she had been hiding.
The police said the suspect, has made useful confession, but denied knowledge of the whereabouts of her accomplice as she claimed they lost contact. The police have confirmed that her alleged accomplice, Abiola had since relocated to either North America or Europe.
Mr Frank who spoke for the Kelani family said: “The kelani family of Abeokuta frowned at our son, Abiodun for marrying a woman who has made the family a laughing stock”
Monisola’s husband Alhaji Osilo spoke to Daily Sun "Yes, my neighbours opened the can of warm that Abiola has been doing the ungodly act with my wife in my house anytime I was away. I could not stomach such evil that was why I reported the matter to the police,”
When contacted, Abiola’s husband Mr Abiodun Kelani said, ” I don’t know what the police are saying. My wife is not in the country at the moment .Let the police do their job and let me be.”
One of the two married woman declared wanted by the Lagos state Police command over alleged criminal activities, including lesbianism, has been arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Daily Sun reports that the women, have been on the run since their alleged criminal activities were reported to the Police. The suspects were exposed while committing the dastardly act in one Alhaji Osilo’s house each time he was away, by the man's neighbour who felt the suspects would be bad influence to others.
The husband of one of the ladies, ogunwale Abiola Idowu, was said to have ignored reports about his wife's shameful conduct.
A police source said “it is true, the illicit act of lesbianism against Ogunwale Abiola and her mate Monisola Adeko was reported to us and we have commenced Investigation in the alleged act of lesbianism by the two women. We have identified the women and we will soon apprehend them. It was Abiola partners’ husband, osilo that reported the matter to us. You know that the act is against the law of our land, we must enforce the law.”
Since the two lesbians were reported to the police, they have been on the run. Luck however ran out of Monisola who was apprehended at the weekend in Port Harcourt where she had been hiding.
The police said the suspect, has made useful confession, but denied knowledge of the whereabouts of her accomplice as she claimed they lost contact. The police have confirmed that her alleged accomplice, Abiola had since relocated to either North America or Europe.
Mr Frank who spoke for the Kelani family said: “The kelani family of Abeokuta frowned at our son, Abiodun for marrying a woman who has made the family a laughing stock”
Monisola’s husband Alhaji Osilo spoke to Daily Sun "Yes, my neighbours opened the can of warm that Abiola has been doing the ungodly act with my wife in my house anytime I was away. I could not stomach such evil that was why I reported the matter to the police,”
When contacted, Abiola’s husband Mr Abiodun Kelani said, ” I don’t know what the police are saying. My wife is not in the country at the moment .Let the police do their job and let me be.”
Mourinho Shocks Manchester United Players with 'Strange Behaviour' Following Chelsea Disaster
The Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho has apparently shocked his players by not leading training himself, preferring to sit in his office and watch from a distance
Manchester United's stars are shocked at Jose Mourinho's "cold" and "distant" approach in training following their 4-0 loss at Chelsea, according to The Times.
The Portuguese suffered his heaviest-ever Premier League defeat on Sunday at Stamford Bridge and blasted his side's "incredible defensive mistakes" after the result.
Mourinho kept up his line of accusation ahead of their EFL Cup fourth round clash against Manchester City in midweek, calling the players "boys", and it appears his approach in training reflects his attitude towards his squad at the moment.
It is claimed that it is Rui Faria, Mourinho's assistant, who is leading training at the club's Carrington complex. Mourinho, meanwhile, is alleged to watch from a distance or work in his office most of the time.
The cold treatment has reportedly come as an unpleasant surprise to those who thought Mourinho would give them special attention.
The Times claims that Mourinho has no intention of changing his approach to the Man Utd squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal any time soon either.
Herdsmen: Fayose raises alarm as Presidency urges calm
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, made the appeal yesterday when he met with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
At the meeting, MACBAN spokesman Baba Othman Ngelzarma said his group was not opposed to the new Ekiti grazing law but rejects a situation where Governor Ayo Fayose deliberately leads the constant attacks and killings of their cows.
He said his group may stop the supply of cattle and goats to Ekiti State.
“We are in support of the law stopping grazing from 6pm to 6am but oppose a situation where armed men shoot and kill our cattles during the day.
Ojudu thanked the association for the meeting.
He said in a democracy every opportunity for dialogue should be explored.
The special adviser said the symbiotic relationship between the herdsmen and the people should be explored.
Governor Ayo Fayose has alerted communities to the threat by MACBAN.
MACBAN, in a statement at the weekend, claimed that the Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshals (EGEM) on October 21, killed five cows.
Ngelzarma urged the Federal Government to intervene “before this macabre incident develops into a feud involving our members and the Ekiti State government”.
At a briefing at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, Fayose dismissed MACBAN’s claim that five cows were killed on Friday.
He said the cows are alive and in the government’s custody.
The governor accused the Federal Government of backing the herdsmen to attack communities.
Fayose said: “Four days after this threat was issued, the Federal Government is yet to act.
“The silence of the Federal Government has further confirmed the insinuation that there is a plot to support the herdsmen to invade some boundary towns and villages in Ekiti State.”
The governor continued: “I am therefore using this opportunity to put Ekiti people, especially residents of boundary towns, on red alert. Ekiti people must be prepared to defend their land against these Philistines, whose attributes and characters are extremism, violence, bloodshed and destruction.”
The governor said: “Why didn’t Miyetti Allah warn its members when they were killing Nigerians and destroying farmlands?
“Are their cows more important than human lives?
“To us in Ekiti, 5000 cows cannot be equated to human beings who are being killed daily by herdsmen across the country.
“MACBAN should know that cattle farmers are not different from other farmers.
“If they want to rear cows in Ekiti, they should do so in accordance with the laws of the state.
“After all, law prohibiting sale and consumption of alcohol was made in Kano State and the law is being enforced while Sharia Law made in some states in the North is also being enforced.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti State Bill that was signed into law on August 29 remains in force.
“MACBAN should tell its members to comply with this law by seeking from the government designated land for grazing, which the government is always willing to give.
“It is strange that the association kept silent when its members killed two people and injured several others in Oke-Ako in Ekiti State.”
Budget: Buhari writes NASS to borrow $29.96bn external loan
The president also requested for virement of N180.8 billion in the 2016 budget for provision of needed votes for some critical sectors across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Buhari made the requests in two separate letters to the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, which were read on the floor of both chambers.
The president, in the external borrowing plan, explained that targeted projects cuts across all sectors with special emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation.
Other sectors he said included poverty reduction through social safety net programmes and governance and financial management reforms, among others.
According to him, the cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing (rolling) plan is $29.960 billion.
This is made up of proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274 billion, Special National Infrastructure projects $10.686 billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5 billion.
He explained further that the loan was very necessary in view of the serious infrastructure deficit in the country.
He said the country had huge infrastructure deficit and enormous financial resources required to fill the gap in the face of dwindling resources.
“This is in addition to the inability of our annual budgetary provisions to bridge the deficit. It has become necessary to resort to prudent external borrowing to bridge the financing gap.
“This will largely be applied to key infrastructure projects namely power, railway and roads among others,” he added.
Buhari said the N180 billion would be moved from monies already appropriated for special intervention programmes both recurrent and capital for funding of critical recurrent and capital items.
He said the request arose due to shortfalls in provisions for personnel costs; inadequate provision ab initio for amnesty programme; continuing requirements to sustain the war against insurgency; and depreciation of the Naira.
The letter reads in part: “In the course of implementing the 2016 Appropriation Act, several MDAs have presented issues pertaining to salary shortfalls, the settlement of part of which has led to the depletion of the Public Service Wage Adjustment.
“This Vote, which had a provision of N33,597,400,000, now has a balance of N2, 758,296,000.
“The provision for NYSC in the 2016 budget is inadequate to cater for the number of corps members to be mobilised this year.
“In fact, an additional N8.5 billion is required to cover the backlog of 129,469 corps members who are due for call-up but would otherwise be left out till next year due to funding constraints.
“Similarly, the provision for meal subsidy for the Unity Colleges is inadequate for the number of students in the schools.
“Due to the devaluation of the Naira, the budgetary provisions for the foreign missions are no longer sufficient to cover all their costs.”
In another letter dated Oct. 24, the president also requested the National Assembly to approve the virement of funds appropriated for special intervention (recurrent) and special intervention (capital) to fund some critical recurrent and capital items.
According to him, the reasons for the request for virement, include shortfalls in provisions for personnel costs; inadequate provision ab initio for some items like the amnesty programme; continuing requirements to sustain the war against insurgency and depreciation of the naira.
“However, considering the fact that budgeted revenues are running behind target due to the renewed violence in the Niger Delta.
“Also there are no supplementary revenue sources, the most viable option for now is the virement of appropriated funds from heads or sub-heads that may not be fully utilised before the end of this fiscal year,” Buhari added.
An analysis of the proposed virement shows that Public Service Wage Adjustment (PSWA) will gulp N71,800 billion.
“Contingency N1.2 billion, margin for increase in cost N2 billion for cadet feeding – Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, N932.4 million; amnesty programme N35 billion; internal operations of the armed forces N5.205 billion.
“Operation Lafiya Dole N13.933 billion; NYSC N19.792 billion; foreign missions N14.667 billion, and augmentation of meal subsidy/direct teaching and laboratory cost of N900 million bringing the total to N166.630,886,954 billion.
“Statutory transfers to Public Complaints Commission is estimated to gulp N1.2 billion while the virement in respect of capital expenditure for the Nigerian Air Force is N12.708 billion.
“Capital Supplementation: Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) is N1.5 billion bringing the total to N14,208,367,476 billion.”
Lastly, the president requested that N300 million be vired from the budget of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to fund the construction of 132KVA sub-station of fallen transmission towers, replacement of glass insulators at Gwaram, Jigawa. (NAN)
Jonathan: Dasuki didn’t steal $2.2b weapons cash
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has replied his administration’s critics, saying former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki could not have stolen the $2.2 billion cash voted for arms purchase.
He also said his administration may not be perfect but he did his best.
Besides, he advised Nigeria and other African countries on how to break even – they should invest in education and youth entrepreneurship.
It was all at a lecture on Youth Entrepreneurship at the famous Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.
The text of the lecture and some parts of the transcript of the question session were released to the media yesterday by PRNigeria, a military propaganda outfit against Boko Haram during the Jonathan administration.
The ex-President said: “They said the National Security Adviser (Sambo Dasuki) stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion.
“We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2 billion; so where did we get the money to buy all those things?
”Yes, there were some issues. Yes, there are still corruption issues but some of it were overblown. I’d say exaggerated and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible.”
But Jonathan said he would not want to speak futher to avoid engaging in any act of subjudice to the ongoing court process.
He added: “One thing about the issue of corruption is that these matters are in court; let’s allow some of these processes to end. Lately, some judges’ (homes) were also invaded. There are so many things involved and we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.
“I don’t want to be seen as a former president challenging what the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court to look into them.”
He said allegations of corruption were not unique to his administration, adding:
“You will see that it has become a major topic whenever there is a change of government … I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria; there is corruption. If you look at corruption, there is almost no country that is free; the degree varies, the perception varies.
“Transparency International talks about the way corruption is being perceived in different economies; why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived?
It depends on the issue raised in the media every day.”
Earlier in his lecture, Jonathan said his administration might not have been perfect but it offered Nigeria the best.
He said: “We may not have been perfect, but we did our best, and our best yielded an era of unprecedented economic growth for Nigeria. A growth that proved the truism that a nation’s wealth is not underneath the ground but between the ears of her people.
“Under my watch, Nigeria was projected by CNN Money to be the third fastest growing economy in the world for the year 2015 and rated as the largest economy in Africa and the 23rd in the world by the World Bank and the IMF, with a GDP above half a trillion US dollars. “
He expressed confidence that Nigerian youth and African youths could lift up the continent to a glorious economic era.
Jonathan said: “Nigeria has a crop of talented youth but the nation has not properly keyed into the global sports industry. The Fund would have been a catalyst to promoting the Nigerian sports industry by promoting training, welfare of athletes and manufacturing of sporting equipment, among other things.
“Distinguished audience, let me conclude my speech by urging contemporary African leaders to see youth entrepreneurship as a collective project transcending national boundaries. I believe in the Nigerian youth and indeed African youths. My conviction is not only an emotional one, but one grounded in my experience with youths from all over the continent.
“You will agree that foremost in the minds of many youth is a desire to develop their dreams and potentials.
“Placing them closer to the driving wheel, does a lot for their confidence. Despite incredible challenges, Nigerian youths are achieving great things and placing Nigeria positively in the world map.
“Nigerian youths are an inspiration to their leaders. I once said that I was not elected President of Nigeria to spread poverty, I was elected to generate and spread wealth.
“My belief in this regard is that getting a job or being a worker cannot completely cure the disease of poverty. It is only your own business that can provide such security and give you the financial freedom you need to prosper.
“That was why my administration introduced these initiatives and policies to enable Nigeria’s youths take their own destinies in their hands.
“You can appreciate that there was a lot of emphasis on education during my time at the helm of both my State and my Nation. This is because the richest people today are those who develop ideas and commercialise them.
“Viable ideas can only come from educated minds, and money pursues ideas. My three flagship programmes, i.e. the gifted and talented children schools in Bayelsa State, the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development and the ICT Incubation Centers (Co-Creation Hub) were geared towards developing that calibre of youth.”
Jonathan reeled out how his administration initiated many programmes to encourage youths to develop their talents.
He said: “My administration came up with various programmes to encourage young entrepreneurs. The most popular is the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria “YouWIN.”
“It was a unique intervention launched in 2012, which targeted youth with unique business proposals in start-ups and expansion of existing enterprises. YouWin is structured as a competitive cyclic initiative which invites and reviews business plans submitted by youth. Young people who wanted to be entrepreneurs were asked to submit their business proposals. The best business plans were chosen based on relevance, profitability, demand and practicability.
“The winners were trained and given grants. YouWIN was multi-sector- cutting across light manufacturing, food processing, and the service sector. The motivation for this program is for young people to go into SMEs, create jobs for other young people with the expectation that some would grow to large scale businesses.
“In addition to YouWin, under our broad based Agricultural Transformation Agenda, we developed the Youth Employment in Agriculture Program [YEAP] – and like many of our other youth programs, we incorporated the youth themselves in its design. This took a complete value chain approach from farming to processing and marketing.
“Just like in the YouWIN initiative, my administration gave young farmers grants and training. The young people who were involved were called “Nagropreneurs”.
“We also launched The Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS). The objective of this program was to provide temporary work experience for fresh graduates, to enhance their capacity to attract permanent jobs. Eligible graduates are posted to corporations and companies in the private and public sectors. They received practical training and mentorship for a one-year period, within which remuneration is paid by the government.
“This enabled the young graduates to acquire relevant experience. We also increased the allowances due to Youth Corp members by more than 100% in 2011. This was in line with our policy of youth empowerment and development.
“To ensure that the Nigerian youth benefit massively in the ICT revolution, we created a special Ministry of Communication Technology. We wanted the Nigerian Youth to be self-employed and exploit the advantages of ICT.
“The ministry, among other things, improved broadband penetration, set up ICT incubation centres in Lagos and Calabar. The efforts of the Young software engineers at the Lagos Co-Creation Hub (CC Hub) became so successful that it did not only give birth to many thriving start-ups, but their activities also attracted the attention of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg who chose it as his first stop during his first ever visit to Africa. One sector we deliberately encouraged to stimulate job growth for Nigerian Youth was the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“We identified Nollywood as a sector that can employ many young people. We provided a grant of $200 million and for the first time, Nollywood became a major contributor to our GDP. In 2014, Nollywood contributed 1.4% to our GDP. The sporting industry was also not left out. We encouraged our young people in that sector. I was to launch a Fund to encourage sporting activities in the country but I had to bow out by 29th of May 2015.”
The high point of the session was Jonathan’s reaction to the ongoing trial of his former NSA for alleged mismanagement of about $2.1m arms cash.
Dasuki had on December 13, 2015 said he disbursed the cash on Jonathan’s instructions.
The ex-NSA said: “I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardize my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.
“That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.
“The money was for delegates that attended the nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-IC) for distribution on the instruction of the President.
“Based on the statement of Director of Finance and administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use.
“I also noted the statement of Sagir Bafarawa whose company is Dalhatu Investment which he stated that he received the sum of N4,633,000,000 from the account of the Office of the NSA. I authorized the payment . The money was for vehicles, motorcycles for youth empowerment and women sent to Saudi Arabia. I got the proposal from the President. I do not have the proposal; it should be at the office in the Villa.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Designed by St. Samuel