Home Blog Page 1324

Obiano To Be Arraigned Wednesday By EFCC Over Alleged ₦4bn Fraud

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Willie Obiano

By Adesina Soyooye

This is not the best of times for the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano. Obiano, who Governed Anambra State for eight years, is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Wednesday, January 24, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He will appear before the Court of the Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja to answer to charges which border on alleged money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350.

The number of charges against the former Governor is about nine.

Obiano’s tango with the EFCC which many thought had since gone cold, suddenly gathered steam

about a week after Barrister Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman, said he would  review all abandoned high-profile cases, particularly, those involving former Governors and Ministers.

Reveaked an EFCC source:  “We found that Obiano moved N4,008,573,350 from security votes into different accounts. The money at various times was changed into dollars and returned to Obiano by cash.”

EFCC’s Counsel,  Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, is expected to lead eight other lawyers to prosecute Obiano.

The charges against the former Governor, among other charges read:

“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of $156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

Recall that Obiano was, on March, 17, 2022, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested by operatives of the EFCC,  and stopped from boarding a flight to Houston, the United States of America.

His arrest took place hours after he handed over power to Professor Charles Soludo, at tye end of his eight-year tenure.

At the time, the EFCC had alleged that “Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.”

He was later released on bail after days of interrogation and allowed to travel to Houston, USA, on medical grounds.

HURIWA Calls For Enhancement Of Security, Funding For NYSC, Rejects Its Suspension

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has advocated enhanced security measures and increased funding for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The Civil Rights Advocacy Group, also, rejected calls for the suspension of NYSC, as its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko at a press conference in Abuja Tuesday, emphasized the NYSC’s integral role in shaping national identity, fostering unity, and empowering the youth over its five-decade history.

HURIWA categorically rejected the proposition to suspend the NYSC, highlighting its enduring mission to bridge ethnic and cultural gaps among Nigerian youths.

Onwubiko praised NYSC’s achievements, citing millions of Nigerian youths who have emerged as influential professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

“The core mandate of the NYSC, which is linked with national development, is a unifying force that instills discipline, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility in the youth” Onwubiko added.

He expressed concern that suspending the NYSC would undermine these foundational principles and deprive the nation of a vital institution.

Onwubiko acknowledged the prevailing security challenges in the country but emphasized that the NYSC is a victim and not the root cause. The rights group called on the government to implement comprehensive security measures that safeguard all citizens, including NYSC members.

The urgent need for enhanced funding was reiterated, with HURIWA calling on President Tinubu to expedite the passage of the NYSC Youth Trust Fund.

HURIWA National Coordinator further explained that, “ The proposed fund, derived from one percent of companies’ profits, aims to scale up the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) of NYSC, dedicated to training corps members for self-reliance after national service.”

Additionally, the critical shortfall of teachers in the country, as per the 2018 National Personnel Audit report, was highlighted.

HURIWA argued that scrapping the NYSC would be tragic for education in Nigeria due to the invaluable contributions of NYSC teachers.

Onwubiko affirmed HURIWA’s unwavering support for the NYSC and called on the government to address insecurity, create a conducive environment for the NYSC to thrive, and preserve its legacy.

The NYSC, through its mandate, was emphasized as a key institution instilling discipline, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility in the nation’s youth.

In the same vein, A civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has chided those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme over security concerns saying doing so will only amount to cowardice.

The CSO contended that the security challenges in the country cannot be used as yardstick to call for the scrapping of the NYSC adding that doing so will amount to emboldening the criminals and making a caricature of the nation and undermining gallantry of security personnel who are working day and night to ensure the total defeat and elimination of all forms of insecurity in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, SNM convener, Rev Solomon Semaka  described such idea as retrogressive and highly detrimental to the interest of the nation.

SNM wondered why the Human Rights and Justice Group International chose to hide under the banner of CSOs to attack the NYSC and by extension the unity of the country without any justification.

“This is not the first time a self-styled group will call for the scrapping or suspension of the Scheme and we like many Nigerians must rise up in defense of the mandate of scheme as given to us by our founding fathers”, it noted.

Outlining the imperative of sustaining the NYSC scheme and its invaluable legacies, SNM contended that it would amount to an act of cowardice to shut down the NYSC scheme because of insecurity.

“What Human Rights Group and Justice International are suggesting is as unpopular as asking people to stop traveling because of a few cases of accidents on our roads. Does anyone call for suspension of festivities because of increased roads accidents?

“Military barracks and Police Stations have also been attacked in most parts of the country but nobody has asked for the disbandment of the military or police, why is the case of NYSC different?

“For the unpatriotic groups and individuals calling for the disbandment of the Scheme as a solution to insecurity in the country, it is important to remind them that the NYSC is not a security agency. The reported incidents of kidnapping or death of Corps members and indeed that of any Nigerian is a painful and emotionally traumatizing experience that is highly regrettable but it is not the NYSC that should be held responsible.

“It is equally unpatriotic to blame security personnel directly because they are doing their best, even though there’s room for much improvement. Asking for the suspension of the Scheme is therefore, totally out of context as one cannot ask that a hospital be shut down because a few patients have died of a particular disease.

“What all Nigerians, including those calling for the suspension of the NYSC should do is to assist security personnel with the right intelligence to safeguard their communities from criminals. One thing is clear, suspending the Scheme won’t end insecurity in the country.

“We must remember the objectives of the NYSC scheme especially that of fostering unity and social interactions amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country. As a post-civil war initiative, the founding fathers of the Scheme were deliberate in ensuring that educated young Nigerians be given the opportunity to interact across cultural divides and foster unity and oneness.

“Not even a spineless critic will deny the fact that the NYSC scheme has not just achieved its objective of uniting Nigerians by putting an end to the suspicions and stereotypes that once existed but has helped to forge business partnerships and marriages across tribal and cultural divides. This alone should make the scheme  a sacred child of the state regardless of the challenges we face as a nation.

“Aside its immense and immeasurable contribution to fostering national unity and cohesion, the NYSC scheme has also contributed greatly in sustaining and driving the educational sector as well as the civil service. It is no longer news that most schools and government offices in both urban and rural areas are now staffed mainly with Corps members.

“In fact, most Corps members act as Principals and Head Teachers in most of those schools.  The situation is the same in the health sector where medical Corps members are heavily depended upon to ensure seamless health care provision in both rural and urban health centres and hospitals. What would now become the fate of these schools, hospitals and government offices if the federal government decides to listen to a few naysayers whose idea of a solution is nothing but to set fire on a house just to catch the mice destroying the crops in the house?

“The contribution of the Scheme in national programs such as Elections, Census, routine immunisation and Birth registration can also not be easily dismissed. The NYSC scheme offers a pool of ably qualified, patriotic, hardworking Nigerians who selflessly help to facilitate national programs with such efficiency that was never seen before.

“In fact with the introduction of Corps members as Presiding Officers and other supporting roles during elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election management has greatly reduced without a doubt. Could it be the reason why some persons are obsessed with scrapping the scheme? Who in his right senses will ask the federal government to suspend a scheme that has been very beneficial and the pride of every Nigerian youth except it is standing against his selfish and parochial interest?

“The benefits of the Scheme far outweighs the reasons our enemies are advancing for its suspension. The Scheme remains the largest employer of labour in Nigeria with more than a million Nigerian youths passing through its three batches annually. In fact every household in Nigeria either has a Corps member currently, an ex-Corps member or a prospective Corps member including the households of those calling for its suspension.

“What would have happened if those who have benefited from the employment opportunity offered by the NYSC were left jobless? We, therefore vehemently resist their lack of foresight or pure wickedness and stand shoulder to shoulder with the NYSC Scheme and its management in the pursuit of the Scheme’s vision and objectives across the country.

“It is rather unfortunate that those calling for the suspension of NYSC did not even deem it fit to acknowledge the excellent work the Scheme is doing to integrate skills acquisition in its programmes. While many well-meaning Nigerians are urging Mr. President to assent to the NYSC Trust Fund Bill to give the Scheme a financial backing to empower Nigerian youths towards ending unemployment and poverty, others, driven by selfish motives are calling for the suspension of the Scheme”.

Bye Election: Ondo PDP Alleges Politicians Using President Tinubu’s Name To Harass Opposition

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in  a letter to the President, Bola Tinubu, has urged him to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that people’s vote count during the forth coming Reps bye Election in Akoko North East /North West Federal constituency.

The party pleaded that the agencies saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the election should display professionalism to all parties.

The bye election in the federal constituency is coming up following appointment of Bunmi Tunji-Ojo as a minister

In the letter, signed by Kennedy Peretei, PDP spokesman in the state on Tuesday noted that, the bodies involve in the election should make the votes of the masses count.

The letter : “The February 3, 2024 bye-election in Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency in Ondo State will be another test for Nigeria’s democracy.

“Whether or not security agencies will be professional in the discharge of their duties or descend into the arena, muscling up opposition candidates, thereby creating tension that is avoidable.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter wishes to plead with Mr President to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible election. The people’s votes must count as any attempt to rig the election will be resisted.

“Our party notes the wilful attempts by certain elements in government with insatiable appetite for greed and avarice for power through any crooked means, to use this election to test the will of the people, no matter the dire consequences of such importunate and inordinate ambitions.

“These lazy politicians rather than meaningfully engage the electorates are again banking and shamelessly boasting on your support to skew the electoral process to their undue advantage.

“It is against this background that, we make this appeal to allow all those that will be on duty for this election to discharge their responsibilities professionally in order to strengthen our democracy.”

Crisis In Ogun State, As Speaker, Oluomo Is Impeached

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Olakunle Oluomo - Ogun Speaker

By Akinwale Kasali

Chaos broke out in the Ogun State House of Assembly Tuesday when the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, was  impeached.

The announcement of Oluomo’s impeachment was made during  Plenary Tuesday.

Oluomo, a third-term lawmaker representing Ifo State Constituency II, was impeached by 18  lawmakers out of the 26- member assembly.The plenary was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Bolanle Ajayi.

It was gathered that Adegoke Adeyanju, an All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker, representing Yewa North 1 State Constituency moved the motion for Oluomo’s impeachment, while it was seconded by another APC lawmaker, Ademola Adeniran, who is representing Sagamu II State Constituency.

It was also gathered that Adeyanju had entered the Assembly Chamber with the Maze in company of other lawmakers.

Speaking to newsmen after his election as the new Speaker, Elemide explained that the people of the State should expect the best from him.

He said: “We are law abiding Legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.

“18 members signed for me to be the Speaker. People should remain calm. We are in custody of all the authority of the House. We are saying that the new leadership will support the Governor.

He clarified that Governor Dapo Abiodun knows nothing about the impeachment.

New Speaker, Elemide is a third-term Lawmaker representing Odeda State constituency,

Damilola Soneye, who  represents Obafemi Owode State Constituency, noted that the office of the Speaker is meant to be first among equals.

*The Speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which bothers on high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.

Oguwike Reappointed Governor Uzodimma’s Media Adviser/Chief Press Secretary

By
The Source
-
0

By Charles Igbo

In his very first appointment of those who would work with him in his second term in office, Governor Hope Uzodimma reappointed his dependable and efficient Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, to the same position.

Oguwike’s reappointment by the Governor is seen by not a few people as an endorsement of loyalty and competence by the Governor.

He was reappointed by the Governor on the same day he dissolved the expanded Imo State Executive Council Members, a couple of days before two other appointments by the Governor followed.

Nwachuku studied at the University of Nigeria,  Nsukka, UNN, for his first degree and the University of Lagos, UNILAG, for his second degree.

The ever calm Nwachuku, also, holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

In his professional career, he had been the Editor of different National Newspapers for more than 20 years before Uzodimma invited him home in 2020 to work with him.

A well-travelled Reporter, Nwachuku is very competent in information gathering, copy editing and management.

He displayed professional competence in dealing with the Governor’s image- making despite the challenges faced in the first four years of his administration.

The accomplished Journalist and image-maker is married with kids

Shared Prosperity Doctrine And Nwadike’s Flight To Fantasy

By
The Source
-
0

By Declan Emelumba

The Latin maxim, ‘Nemo dat quod non habet’, which means “you cannot give what you do not have” is used to consign to the dustbin people who would often, and inexplicably so, take a flight to fantasy by claiming what they are not. This dictum is also used to qualify the emptiness of rabble-rousers who are in the habit of dropping names and claiming to be who they are not. Such people may be tolerated for sometime because of their nuisance value, but there comes a time when they are jolted back to reality so that they are not further encouraged in their foolery, and perhaps, to stop people from listening further to their balderdash. That time has come for Chief Batos Nwadike, who has played all these perfidious roles put together for too long a time. The time has come for him to be jolted out of his delusional fantasies. This is moreso because Nwadike recently crossed the delusional red line when he made the fatuous claim of being the originator of the ‘Shared Prosperity’ mantra of the government of  Senator Hope Uzodimma.

In a poorly worded article in which he stood logic on its head, Nwadike falsely claimed that he owned the intellectual property of the mantra which he wrongly claimed to have coined ahead of the 2019 general elections. He also went on to claim that some inner circle members of the Uzodimma’s administration went ahead to block him from assuming ownership of his so-called “intellectual property”, until Uzodinma acknowledged in his second term inauguration speech that his administration was running on the shared prosperity mantra. But Nwadike failed to show how that statement by the governor amounted to giving him credit as the originator of the mantra, which has been synonymous with Uzodimma’s administration. For the records and clarity, what the governor said in his inauguration speech was that his administration will CONTINUE (emphasis mine) to be driven by his shared prosperity philosophy. That should have said a lot to an undiscerning Nwadike.

Albeit, there were three things to take away from  Nwadike’s article, which was titled” Applauding the second term inaugural speech of Governor Hope Uzodimma”.

One : The shoddy piece by Nwadike would have passed for a good satire if the author had the intellectual ability to sustain the flow. Because he ostensibly lacked that, he ended up presenting an incoherent  wishy-washy write-up in the mould  that William Shakespeare would capture as ” full of sound and furry, signifying nothing”.  The only worthy outcome is that he ended up exposing his real intention, which was his miffed appreciation of the huge success of the ceremony, one  that attracted the esteemed presence of the president of the country, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, among other distinguished Nigerians. He obviously wanted the ceremony to be a flop. Since this did hot happen, he dubbed it,” an expensive event which was just only a second tenure that wouldn’t have been given such largesse of financial inputs ”

Nobody knows if Nwadike would have been given to such a vacuous dismissal of the ceremony if he had handled its planning.  This was a role he desperately and unsuccessfully sought, while he was in the government, but often failed to get because of his habitual lack of  comportment.  Be that as it may, how did Nwadike compute the cost of the event to have made ” the two-hour ” event very expensive? ”

TWO:  Nwadike, while falsely claiming that he originated the shared prosperity mantra, went on an ego trip by saying that Uzodimma acknowledged it as the philosophical fulcrum of his administration, thus  authenticating his intellectual ingenuity. This is simply a case of criminal fallacy. That was not the first time Uzodimma talked about his shared prosperity mantra. In almost all his speeches in the last four years, the governor had never failed to mention the shared prosperity mantra. It is obvious that even as a political adviser to the governor, Nwadike never paid attention each time the governor addressed an audience. I will return to the issue of the origin and originator of the shared prosperity mantra shortly.

THREE: The third matter in Nwadike’s article was to draw attention to the phantom sum of N70m, which he claimed he was being owed by the government from his ill-fated and disaster-infested tenure as the political adviser to the governor. I am almost certain that if Nwadike had N70m or had access to such some of money, he would not have accepted his appointment as a political adviser to the governor. It was unfortunate that in trying to win the sympathy of some gullible members of the public who are not abreast of what actually happened, Nwadike embarked on a voyage of lies, false claims, blackmail and impersonation.

Now, back to the issues of the origin of the shared prosperity mantra. As far back as 1992, Hope Uzodimma, as many people would remember, was already involved in the act of philanthropy.  His country home at Omuma and his offices in Lagos used to be a like a market place  with people thronging to seek one form of help or the other. Of course, he used to oblige them as far as his limited private resources could go. In the course of this philanthropy, he always lamented that it would take an individual 20 years to accomplish for a people what a government can achieve in a few days. He became increasingly conscious of the fact that he could actually do more for the majority of people if he was availed of public resources. The point here is that Uzodimma has been actively involved in shared prosperity since his adulthood. His desire to go into government was to be able to use public funds to extend and share prosperity with more people. This was how the idea of a shared prosperity began. It did not begin with government. Prior to coming into government, Hope Uzodimma enjoyed the reputation of a generous philanthropist who delighted in helping and supporting the needy. This can easily be verified. The government simply became a vessel to expand its scope and reach. Uzodimma believed and still believes that one could impact society more through government. The desire to improve the lives of citizens was his major motivation for joining politics. And for the records, he first sought the office of the governor in 2003 under the defunct Alliance for Democracy.

Indeed, when he was elected into the Senate in 2011, he demonstrated that shared prosperity desire through the sheer number of people he empowered in his constituency and beyond. I may not know the whereabouts of Batos Nwadike between 2011 and 2019, but I was with Hope Uzodimma, and he was always concerned about the empowerment of people, which practically translates to shared prosperity.

So it was not surprising to some of us who knew him closely that he formalised the doctrine of shared prosperity in his manifesto for the governorship election in 2018. Batos Nwadike was nowhere near when this manifesto was unveiled in Owerri in 2018. He should check the election manifesto to confirm that ‘shared prosperity’ was already the main doctrine of the Uzodimma agenda.

I, therefore, can not remember when and how Nwadike could have originated the shared prosperity  philosophy. For starters, the shared prosperity mantra is anchored on the 3R of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery. Since Nwadike claims to be the originator, I  challenge him to tell Imo people what each of these Rs stand for and the template for their actualization.

Until he does that, I submit that Nwadike’s false claim to an intellectual property that does not belong to him amounts to a manifest falsehood with a touch of mischief and deceit.

This misrepresentation is tantamount to impersonation. Therefore, until he proves otherwise,  Nwadike is actually guilty of attempted intellectual theft.

I leave the public to judge whether a Nwadike with his disjointed write up lacking in both logic and finesse can originate an intellectual property for a Hope Uzodimma, who over the years has demonstrated a rare degree of vision and intellectual capacity as a leader.

People in academics can confirm that intellectual property, including patents and copyright, requires a degree of creativity and rigour. To the best of my knowledge, Nwadike has never gone through such a rigorous academic process. He is, therefore, most unfit to pontificate on the same. This is the bitter truth.

Emelumba is the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Imo State

Uzodimma Okays Appointment of Ogwudire as Special Adviser, Diaspora Sports

By
The Source
-
0

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved the appointment of former professional basketball player, Mr. Kingsley Ogwudire, as Special Adviser, Diaspora Sports.

His appointment takes effect immediately.

The appointment is the third appointment the Governor would make since he was sworn-in on January 15 for his second term in office.

The first appointment he made on the same day he dissolved his first term expanded Cabinet members was the deserved immediate reappointment of Oguwike Nwachuku, his Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary.

Ogwudire, an accomplished Senior Executive Officer and Advisor with over 19 years of triumph in sports, banking and organisational operations, also had a remarkable career in the Nigerian Basketball Association (NBA) and other International teams.

A strategic leader with proven track record in financial management, operations and entrepreneurial ventures, Ogwudire is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of XCEPTION LLC, an outfit with which he pioneers innovative platforms to transform the athletic recruitment and fundraising landscape of the country, particularly Imo State.

He is currently spearheading an unprecedented Football and Basketball Showcase in Owerri, the Imo State capital, an activity that aims to identify and select promising young ones, aged 14 to 19, nurture their talents for potential scholarship opportunities in American schools as well as provide a pathway for aspiring athletes to pursue both their athletic and academic dreams.

Ogwudire, 52, studied Business Administration at Montana State University – Northern, Havre, Montana, and Foothill College, Los Altos, CA respectively, and boasts of incredible dual professional competences in sport and banking.

Governor Uzodimma is confident Ogwudire’s appointment will add value to the Shared Prosperity 3R Government of Imo State.

“Call For Removal Of Ganduje Cowardly Treacherous” – Kano APC Chieftain

By
The Source
-
0

By Daniel Maduka

  • Crisis Erupts In Gaya LGA

The recent call by a nebulous Youth Group within the All Progressive Congress, APC, for the removal of Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman, has been described as a distracting antics from cowardly and treacherous quarters, orchestrated by some fidgeting and scared political actors.

A Chieftain of APC, and prominent Yoruba Leader in Kano, Hon. Seyi Olorunsola who made this known in an interview with The Source on Tuesday January 23 2024, said the efforts being made by some detractors to undermine the status of the National Chairman of the Party as a beacon of sterling leadership and progressive politics in Nigeria will surely hit the rock.

The Source News Magazine reports that late last week a  Youth Group of APC in Kano had, at a press briefing called for the supplanting of  Dr  Ganduje, citing his inability to deliver the State to the Party at the last polls as a major reason.

But reacting to the clamour by the youth group, Hon Olorunsola one of the arrow heads in the APC battle of wit pre-Supreme Court judgement on the kano Gubernatorial contest, said amidst the ever dynamic landscape of Nigerian Politics, Dr Ganduje remains the most qualified to steer  the APC ship through the tempest.

According to Olorusola,the political trajectories of the APC National Chairman which spanned from his days as Commissioner of Works during the military era, through the advent of the current political dispensation in 1999 to date ,are widely hailed as the golden years of the renaissance of Kano state.

He noted that Ganduje,s celebral quality, was the major driving force behind what ever achievements recorded by history for the Rabiu Kwankwaso two tenures as Governor,as well as being the acclaimed leader behind the transformation of kano into a vibrant hub of commercial and social activities.

The Yoruba leader in Kano, wondered why some people rather than appreciating the uncommon leadership and intellectual qualities of a man who sacrificed all for what ever political glory they are presently enjoying,  have resorted  to some cowardly means to undermine him.

“Without mincing words, what sets Ganduje apart from his traducers is not just the economic development he midwifed in kano  ,but his remarkable abilities in  fostering  unity and harmony among the diverse groups in kano .

Through out his tenure as Governor ,the state experienced an unprecedented peace, devoid of sectarian and religious crises,a situation which prompted Southeast traditional rulers to collectively honour him in 2019 .

The same abilities to rally people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds are what he has brought to bear on the affairs of APC .

And because of this ,some people we know for their Emperor- like,arrogant and intolerant dispositions are daily getting scared, and looking for cheap means of dragging him down.

We know those behind the so called Youth group purportedly calling for a leadership change.

They are being sponsored by some people who almost every body in kano knows want to join the progressive train APC , but are too arrogant to accept the leadership of Dr Ganduje.” Hon Olorusola noted.

The APC Chieftain while appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an acknowledged astitute political actor to ignore the distracting antics of some scared political forces aimed at negatively disrupting APC,s progressive march , called on all party faithful across the country to rally round the National Chairman in his quest to consolidate on the gains from the last general elections.

The Kano APC,The Source reports, is billed to host a crucial and enlarged Stakeholders parley on Thursday January 25, 2024, with expectations high that among other resolutions ,a vote of confidence will be passed on the Dr Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the Party.

Meanwhile, a searing violence has  erupted in Gaya Local Council of the  commercial nerve center  of the North, between supporters of the two rival parties,- the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP and All progressive Congress APC.

Although as  at the time of reporting on Tuesday January 23, 2024, police authorities led by the commissioner Alhaji Mohammad Hussain  Gumel were still battling to arrest the situation and prevent the crisis from spreading to other parts of the state,  preliminary findings have blamed the crisis on alleged continuous mocking of APC Supporters and its gubernatorial candidate ,Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna over their loss at the Supreme court.

The current violent clashes between the two opposing parties and their supporters is coming at a time  when security agencies and many observers appear to have ruled out such a development.

Gov Mutfwang Imposes Curfew on Plateau LG To Avert Continued Killing

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Caleb Mutfwang - Plateau state Governor

By Ayodele Oni

To avert complete breakdown of law and order, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

He said the decision followed the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The statement read in the part, “Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies.”

According to the statement, only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.

It urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government Area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.

The statement added that the governor lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.

“He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured and assured them that the government will not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state.

“He promised that the curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves.”

$8bn Money Laundering Saga: CBN Messy Deal With MTN

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
MTN

By Tosin Olatokunbo

For more than three years the CBN shied away from the demand of many Nigerians to give details of the $8 billion Mobile Telecommunication Network, MTN Nigeria money laundering saga.

But the long wait by Nigerians who are interested in the matter may finally come to end, following a judgment delivered recently by an Abuja federal high court, presided over by Justice Kolowale Omotosho ordering the apex bank to provide details of the money repatriation settlement with the telecom giant, to the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, a human rights body.

The judgment was granted in favour of HEDA, which in 2021 dragged the CBN to court over the controversy.

Recall that MTN was fined in 2018 by the federal government for illegally repatriating over $8 billion belonging to the shareholders from Nigeria through four banks namely, Citibank, Stambic IBTC, defunct Diamond Bank and Standard Chattered bank.

MTN was later ordered by the federal government to return the money to the CBN, while the conniving banks were appropriately sanctioned by the apex bank which deducted the value of the fine directly from their deposits in its vaults.

Instructively, the CBN later went into an arbitration with MTN after the later challenged the matter in court, but failed to provide details about the deal to the public.

Following the settlement, not a few Nigerians have demanded to know the full details more importantly, after insiders alleged that national interest may have been compromised by some top CBN and government officials to get the telecom company of the hook.

In 2018, the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions led by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, had tried to probe both MTN and CBN over the matter, but nothing concrete came out of the probe, raising further questions on whether the National Assembly had also been compromised in other to free the foreign company from sanctions.

The suspicion became more pronounced after details of the ownership structure of the telecom firm showed that the federal government owns shares in MTN Nigeria, through the Nigeria Sovereign investment authority, NSIA. The Nigerian government is believed to own more than 18 percent shares in the company.

MTN Nigeria is owned by MTN International (Mauritius).

The federal government’s interest in the company, some say, may have been responsible for the cold feet it developed in prosecuting the firm.

According to sources in the apex bank, the federal government had midwifed a deal between the CBN and MTN which enabled the telecom firm to pay an undisclosed amount as fine for the infractions.

The fine which has yet to be made known to the public is believed to be around $800 million.

MTN should have been made to pay more, government critics insist.

The Underhand settlement appears not satisfactory to many Nigerians who are worried that the deal between CBN and MTN may not have been carried out purely on national interest.

Nigerians are demanding to know how much MTN was initially fined for the infraction, and the amount it actually paid after the out-of-court settlement, whether what MTN paid to CBN was proportional to the illegality committed.

They are also asking whether some federal government and CBN officials had received bribes in other to facilitate the deal which ensured that MTN received a slap on the wrist sanctions for a serious financial crime.

HEDA obviously went to court three years ago to clear the air on these suggestions, by demanding that the CBN be forced to provide the details of the deal as provided by the Freedom of Information Act, FOI.

The Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre had sued the respondent – CBN – in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1110/2021 over the apex bank’s failure to provide the information requested from it on the details of the improper repatriation of funds complaints against the telecommunication company back in 2021.

HEDA in a Motion on Notice dated and filed on February 22, 2021, sought an order of mandamus compelling the CBN to supply information requested as contained in the applicant’s request dated August 20, 2021.

The group also prayed the court for an Order of Mandamus, compelling the bank to provide the detailed information requested under the FOI. The respondent, in turn, filed a motion to strike out and/or dismiss the suit on grounds of jurisdiction.

The essence of the suit, HEDA said, was to ensure that transparency and accountability were strictly followed by the parties in the agreement, this could only be determined by revealing the terms of the deal, it argued.

On January 10, the court ordered the CBN to furnish HEDA with all the information it required.

Justice Kolawole Omotosho who made the ruling ordered: “the Respondent to supply the information requested, as contained in the Applicant’s Request dated the 20th of August, 2021 attached to the Affidavit in Support of this application as Exhibit HEDA I, to Wit: ‘The initial fine imposed on MTN Nigeria, The fine eventually paid by MTN Nigeria, The basis for the initial fine imposed on MTN Nigeria and any concession which led to a reduction of the fine; and The procedure through which the concessions were made.’”

The CBN has yet to respond to the judgement. Its spokesperson, Sidi Ali Hakama has also not responded to questions sent to her by the magazine as at the time of going to press.

1...1,3231,3241,325...2,975Page 1,324 of 2,975