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Cubana Chief Priest Out On N10m  Bail, Pleads Not Guilty To Naira Abuse

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Cubana Chiefpriest

By Akinwale Kasali

Socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest,  has been granted Bail to the tune of N10 million by the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of Abuse of the Naira leveled against him by anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned by the EFCC  17th day of April, 2024, on a three-count charge bordering on abuse of Naira at the Federal High Court Lagos.

The  Commission had charged the socialite for the abuse of the Naira for over two hours at Eko Hotel. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of 10 million naira.

One of the counts read stated: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in January 2024, in Lagos, during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”

Counsel to the accused informed the court that his client has health challenges relating to palpitations and that the Honorable should admit the Defendant to bail in the most liberal terms.

It should be recalled that on the 5th of April, 2024, the EFCC had arraigned popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges and secured conviction of Bobrisky to six-month imprisonment without bail option on Friday, April 12, 2024.

PDP: Trouble Afoot As Imo Group Writes PDP National Leadership, Warns Against Anyanwu’s Presence At NEC Meeting, Says It’s Illegal

By
The Source
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Senator Samuel Anyanwu - Sam Daddy

By Gideon Njoku

A pressure Group within the Imo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, known as Imo Critical Stakeholders, has urged the National Chairman of the Party, Ambassador Illya Damagun, not to allow the National Secretary of the Party, Samuel Anyanwu, popular as Sam Daddy, be the Secretary during the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at the Abuja Headquarters of the Party.

The Group, in a letter addressed to the National Acting Chairman, signed by  its Chairman, Professor Obioma Iheduru, and copied to the Presidential Candidate of the Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Atiku Abubakar, BoT Chairman, Dr Adolphus Wabara, and Chairman PDP Governors Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, said it would be illegal for Anyanwu to sit as the National Secretary of the Party at the NEC meeting. It insisted that if allowed, it would have serious unsavoury implications for the Party.

Reason: The Group said Anyanwu has since been removed as the National  Secretary of the Party by a competent Court.

The Group: “A cursory and a sincere look at events of the recent past would invariably reveal that it will amount to a senseless political jamboree if Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu is allowed to sit and record the proceedings of that meeting in a non-existent capacity as the National Secretary of PDP.”

It continued: “Let us recall that an Enugu high court presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah, while ruling on a motion on notice filed by Nwabueze Ugwu seeking to declare Anyanwu’s seat vacant, compelled the national chairman of PDP and others concerned, to recognize Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye as the candidate recommended by the South East Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP to replace sacked Anyanwu.”

It expressed shock that ” the acting national chairman and the NWC never heeded to this ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction like the Enugu high court. The acting national chairman and his NWC members rather chose to obey another order of an Abuja federal high court which barred the PDP from sacking the erstwhile national secretary”

But it argued that: “For the purpose of clarification, it must be stated here that whenever two courts of concurrent jurisdiction issue orders on the same subject matter, it is binding on the entity concerned to obey the first order. The Enugu high court that sacked Anyanwu sat on October 24, 2023, while the Abuja federal high court that gave him judgement was in session on January 9,2024. A state high court and a federal high court are co-equal.”

On the implications for the Party if Anyanwu is allowed to be Clerk, the Group noted:

“The PDP has by itself become a lawless group that chooses and picks which court orders to obey.

*”If Anyanwu clerks that meeting the fate of PDP canadidates he endorses are already jeopardised and will provide legal armour for our political opponents.

*”Let it be known that if Senator Anyanwu records the proceedings of that meeting, the decisions and resolutions arrived at in the said meeting will be rendered null and void and of no effect, going by the Enugu State high court judgement earlier cited.

*” Should thus happen, it may lead to a barrage of legal actions that may invariably paralyze the activities of PDP in the ensuing months.”

Following is the full text of the letter dated April 16, 2024:

“Imo PDP Critical Stakeholders

Port Harcourt Road,

Owerri.

April 16, 2024

“Acting National Chairman,

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

Wadata Plaza,

Abuja.

Attn: Amb. Illya U Damagun

“Sir,

“Illegality and consequences of Sen Samuel Anyanwu clerking the NEC April 18, 2024 meeting

“We are excited that the much awaited meetings of the National Working Committee (NWC), in conjunction with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party are now billed for Thursday, April 18, 2024.  By available records, it is now exactly 19 months since the NEC last met and that was as far back as September 8, 2022.

“Legally, this is a gross violation of  section 31 (4) (5) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (as mended), which stipulates that NEC shall meet at least once  every quarter at the instance of the national/ acting chairman or at the request of 2/3 of its members.

“Taken together, therefore, we commend all our leaders who must have fought courageously towards making these April 18 meetings a possibility.

“A cursory and a sincere look at events of the recent past would invariably reveal that it will amount to a senseless political jamboree  if Senator Samuel  Nnaemeka Anyanwu is allowed to sit and record the proceedings of that meeting in a non-existent capacity as the national secretary of PDP.

” Let us recall that an Enugu high court presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah, while ruling on a motion on notice filed by Nwabueze Ugwu seeking to declare Anyanwu’s seat vacant, compelled the national chairman of PDP and others concerned, to recognize Hon Sunday Ude- Okoye as the candidate recommended by the South East Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP to replace the sacked Anyanwu.

“Shockingly, the acting national chairman and the NWC never heeded to this ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction like the Enugu high court. The acting national chairman and his NWC members rather chose to obey another order of an Abuja federal high court which barred the PDP from sacking the erstwhile national secretary.

“For the purposes of clarification, it must be stated here that whenever two courts of concurrent jurisdiction issue orders on the same subject matter, it is binding on the entity concerned to obey the first order. The Enugu high court  that sacked Anyanwu sat on October 24, 2023 while the Abuja federal high court that gave him judgement was in session on January 9,2024. A state high court and a federal high are co-equal.

“Again, it is  trite legal knowledge that whenever a matter has been adjudicated on, the constitutional path to tow is for the other party to go on appeal. Regrettably, Senator Anyanwu and his co – travellers never followed this road of honour, legality, and constitutionalism. Rather, they decided to tear our judiciary into shreds by still going to the same federal high court rather than heading for the court of appeal.

“Since the Enugu high court’s judgement which sacked Anyanwu as PDP national secretary has not yet been vacated by a superior court, we, therefore, make bold to state that it is a clear case of abuse of court  processes by Senator Anyanwu to sit in that meeting.

“The deleterious consequences thereof are:

“(1)The PDP has by itself become a lawless group that chooses and picks which court orders to obey.

“2.If Anyanwu clerks that meeting the fate of PDP canadidates he endorses are already jeopardised and will provide legal armour for our political opponents,

“(3) Let it be known that if Senator Anyanwu records the proceedings of that meeting, the decisions and resolutions arrived at in the said meeting will be rendered null and void and of no effect, going by the Enugu state high court judgement earlier cited.

“4. Should this happen, it may lead to a barrage of legal actions that may invariably paralyze the activities of PDP in the ensuing months.

“In conclusion, we, the Imo PDP Critical Stakeholders, hereby call on the Acting National Chairman and other members of NEC not to allow Senator Samuel Anyanwu to sit-in and act as national secretary of the party for the April 18 NEC meeting or any meeting thereafter in that capacity, if the party must still remain relevant in political dynamics of  Nigeria.

“Signed:

Prof Obioma Iheduru

0806 369 7500

Chiarman, Imo PDP Critical Stakeholders.

“Copy:

  1. HE, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, National Leader, PDP
  1. Dr Adolphus Wabara, Chairman, BoT, PDP,
  2. HE Senator Bala Mohammed, Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum”

The Imo PDP Critical Stakeholders is presumed to be strongly pro-The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha  and very strongly anti-Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Members have never been in support of Anyanwu’s position in the Party, and have continuously opposed his stay. He is accused of alleged sabotage of the Party which, they insist, has led to the bad performance of the Party in the State, and the exit of many Party members.

Electricity: The Many Lies Of Power Minister, Adelabu 

By
James Orji
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0
By Nduka Chukunyere 
As has become the bane of governance in Nigeria, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has willy-nilly walked nto a quick sand and is struggling to grab what whatever ever he can before he gets consumed. With next to nothing to show for his over six months in office, and no clear, discernible path way for a sustainable future for the power sector, the former CBN deputy governor is grabbing at anything in sight and brandishing same as his achievement thus far.
Of course one can understand such desperation. The minister knows quite well that perhaps his time will soon be up! His principal is turning the heat on non performing ministers and other appointees to either shape up or ship out. With the launch of the monitoring platform by the office of the special adviser to the president on policy and coordination where citizens are expected to access and score government office holders on their performance, Adelabu knows there is no hiding place.
This can only explain why Adelabu can blatantly attempt to hoodwink Nigerians by taking credit for projects executed by his predecessors. Even worse is his effort at trying to rubbish all the hard work put in by persons before him who worked tirelessly to move the power sector forward.
While on a media round last week, the minister tried to pull the wool over the eyes of discerning Nigerians by claiming that nothing had been done to actualize the Zungeru power project when as a matter of fact, the project had indeed seen the light of day long before he came into office.
These are the facts!
Recently, the Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu, announced the completion and testing of the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric power plant. However, this milestone was actually achieved during the Buhari Administration.
Under the control of NCC and with engineers from TCN, the Ministry, and Mainstream in attendance, the full load test of Zungeru HPP was successfully conducted on May 25, 2023, starting at 7 am through to 1 am on May 26, 2023. The plant achieved a peak capacity of 718MW and was stable, with all monitoring equipment producing results consistent with technical specifications.
The pending matter was the transfer of the asset to the preferred bidder, Penstock Ltd., a subsidiary of Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, following the approval of NCP. It is therefore inconceivable for the current leadership in the Ministry of Power to state that the plant was recently completed and tested when it was successfully done in May 2023.
Perhaps Nigerians would have excused the minister with just one howler. The tragedy however is that he is going to great lengths to rewrite history. Remember the Presidential Power Initiative of the Buhari Administration? Well, Adelabu seem to have convinced himself that no progress was achieved before he came into office and wants Nigerians to believe that it is only now that the first phase of the project (10 power transformers and 10 mobile sub-stations) is being implemented.
But that is a clear misrepresentation of reality. Again, these are the facts.
It is well known that all the 10 power transformers and mobile substations were delivered during the last administration, with two of the power transformers already installed (one in Apo substation in Abuja and the other in Aja, Lagos).
My honest advice to Minister Adelabu who clearly seems out of his depths in evolving far reaching, holistic and innovative policies that can move the needle in the power sector is to beat a retreat from this destructive path. He must acknowledge and give credit for the good work done by others before him. He should then endeavour to build on such wins for the betterment of the sector and indeed the nation. After all, as the saying goes, facts don‘t lie.
 Chukunyere is a public affairs commentator 

Ondo APC Gov Primary: Aspirants Express Fear Of Participation By Non Party Members, Petition National Chairman

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Tonye Cole DG Resign

By Ayodele Oni

Few days to the Governorship Election Primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo State, some aspirants have petitioned the National Leadership of the Party over alleged anomalies observed in the voters register to be used for the primary election.

The Primary Election, which will be direct, comes up on Saturday.

According to the petition to the National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Ganduje, with the present status of the voters registers, some members of the party may be deprived of the chance to vote for aspirants of their choice.

The petition also accused one of the aspirants of printing fake membership cards to be distributed to his loyalists.

Signatories to the petition are Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Wale Akinterinwa, Prince Diran Iyantan,

Prof Dayo Faduyile, Hon. Gbenga Edema and Hon. Jimi Odimayo.

They claim “We, the undersigned, are aspirants from the South senatorial district of Ondo State, who have collected forms to participate in the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial primary election slated for the 20th April, 2024.

“We have noticed some issues of concern in respect of the said primary election which if not resolved quickly, may hinder the smooth running of the primary and may be detrimental to a free, fair, credible and acceptable election.

“One of the issues is that of the revalidation of the membership register to be used for the primary election.

“While we commend the position of the party to revalidate the existing membership register which is the certified true copies, as certified by INEC, and based on this directive of the party, as aspirants, we have paid over N300m to the coffers of the party to cover the annual dues of all party members whose names appear on the register.

“Unfortunately, the exercise was shrouded in so much of secrecy that a lot of our party members especially our numerous supporters could not have their membership cards revalidated before the committee that came from the Headquarters left Ondo State for Abuja.

“We have been inundated by reports that a particular aspirant has gone ahead with massive printing of fake party slips, which he has distributed to a lot of persons who are not even our party members.

“The intention of this aspirant is to corrupt the integrity of the membership register on the day of the primary by making accreditation of party members impossible as non-party members have already been recruited to flood the venues of the primary election that day.

“This massive and pervasive production of the membership cards will certainly precipitate a situation where everyone holding membership cards, notwithstanding that their names are not on the register, will be allowed to vote without accreditation. Voting without accreditation remains illegal and unacceptable.

“Mr. Chairman should note that Section 77(2) (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, makes it mandatory for all political parties to have a credible membership register which must be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and certified by it, not later than 30 days before the Congress.

“To avoid any Legal or Constitutional conundrum, we advise that the party makes accreditation of party members mandatory at the election venue, and that every member of the party whose name appears on the membership register already certified by INEC should be allowed to vote once he/she is able to present his/her membership slip for accreditation.

“It is our prayer therefore that the leadership of the party make available to us the membership register already validly certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the only lawful register to be used by the party for the conduct of the primary election slated for 20/04/2024. No other register can lawfully be used.”

Uzodimma Appoints Kema Chikwe’s Son, 15 Others, His Special Advisers

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

By Charles Igbo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved the appointment of 16 Special Advisers (SAs) as efforts are in top gear to deepen the gains of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government of his second term.

One of them is Andy Chikwe, the first son of Dr Kema Chikwe. Until recently, Dr Chikwe, former Aviation Minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Party, PDP. His last son was also a Special Assistant to the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha during Ihedioha’s brief tenure as Imo State Governor, no thanks to the Supreme Court which sacked him from office in 2020 in favour of Senator Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In fact, Dr. Chikwe was, also, a former PDP National Women Leader and a BoT member of the Party.

However, she has since given the PDP a wide berth due to the simmering crisis which engulfed it in Imo State where, a source from her said she had to endure insults from those young enough to be her children.

Dr Chikwe has, since, shifted her loyalty to Governor Uzodimma in appreciation of the developmental strides of the Governor, especially, in the provision of infrastructure, and more especially, roads.

The appointments of the Special Advisers by Governor Uzodimma are with immediate effect.

The newly appointed SAs are:

*Barr. Leo Awazieama

Joseph Oputa

*Mrs. Ijeoma Ikegwuruka

*Comrade Austin Chilakpu

*Dr. Patrick Uzoma

*Dr. (Mrs) Obianuju Nwokejiobi

*Chidi Onyewuchi

*Andy Chikwe

*Amarachi Anyaehie

*Tonia Chimenem Chinda

*John Ikeaka

*Mrs. Chinyere Emeziem

*Mrs. Esther Ukachukwu

Ezechi Chukwueme

*Humphrey Ikeaka

*Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Pat Ekeji

Governor Uzodimma congratulated the new appointees and urged them to brace up to contribute their quota in the overall interest of Imo State.

Northern Governors Take Security Challenges To US, Attend Symposium On Peace, Security

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The issue of insecurity in the Northern part of Nigeria is receiving global attention as the Africa Centre at the United States Institute of Peace, has invited Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State and nine other Governors to a symposium on peace and security in Northern Nigeria.

The symposium which starts on Monday, will explore the pressing security challenges in the region.

The governors are from the Northwest and North Central zones of the country,

A statement by Ibrahim Kaula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Radda, said other governors are Uba Sani, Kaduna; Abba Yusuf, Kano; Nasir Idris, Kebbi and Umar Namadi, Jigawa.

Others are Ahmad Aliyu, Sokoto; Dauda Lawal, Zamfara; Hyacinth Alia, Benue; Mohammed Bago,Niger and Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau.

According to him, the symposium, scheduled for April 23 to 25, 2024, in Washington, will explore the pressing security challenges in the region.

He said that the invitation was in recognition of the crucial role of state governors in mitigating security threats and fostering peace.

“The symposium aims to enhance the capacity of the governors in conflict prevention and peace building across Nigeria through dialogue and collaboration.

“The Africa Centre seeks to empower governors to address the underlying causes of instability and strengthen peace building initiatives at local and state levels.”

He added that the Northern governors and other participants will engage in panel discussions focusing on the drivers of insecurity and opportunities for stabilisation.

This, he said, is to deepen understanding of the complex security landscape, identify strategies to address the challenges, and explore opportunities for sustainable peace and development in the region.

Kaula further disclosed that a special panel discussion will be held focusing on Strengthening Commercial Business and Two-Way Trade Between Nigeria and the U.S.

“This is to explore collaborative efforts between the governors, Nigerian civic groups, private businesses, and the international community to attract investments, generate employment, and foster economic development.”

Geometric Ready To Be Part Of Efforts To Reinvent The Industrial And Business Fortunes Of Aba – Prof Nnaji

By
The Source
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0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The founder and Chairman of the multi million-dollar Geometric Power Plant, Aba, Professor Barth Nnaji has expressed the optimism that, in no distance time, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State ,will reclaim its pre-eminent position as one of the industrial hubs of Nigeria.

This is even as he has lauded Governor Alex Otti for setting  Abia on the part of accelerated economic growth and development through massive investment in infrastructural renewal.

Prof Nnaji who spoke on Tuesday, April 16 2024, when he received in audience members of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, of the forthcoming First Aba Investments, Investors,and Industrialists Summit at the Corporate Headquarters of the power generating and distribution giant in Aba, assured that the outfit will key into any meaningful and impacting programmes designed to reclaim the lost glory of Aba as a giant in industry and business activities.

“We are happy that the present Abia State Government is massively investing in infrastructural projects . There is no doubt that investors will be attracted to areas where the needed infrastructures are available . So in that case ,we appreciate the visions and efforts of Governor Otti,in providing the enabling environment. for the thriving of business activities.

“We are also not unmindful of the fact that the problem of insecurity which contributed to the down-turn in the economic and business fortune of Aba has been considerably improved.

“And I believe that before the time of the Summit, we will be fully ready to play our roles at Geometric, as regards the issue of power supply.

“Aba and its environs ,that is the Aba Ring Fence will  be needing 100 mw of power and here we have in place a system that can generate 141 MW out of the 188 MW over all installed capacity.

“We will support and encourage any well intentioned efforts aimed at reinventing Aba in particular,and Abia state in general.” Prof Nnaji stated

Earlier, the leader of the LOC for the Aba Investment Summit, Comrade Chucks Ibebgu said the visit of the committee was to interact with the Geometric management as well as seek their support and cooperation for the proposed investment Summit.

“The Summit is majorly geared towards sensitizing and encouraging investors who over the past years were forced by some circumstances to relocate their businesses.

“We believe that most of the circumstances that triggered the exodus of industrialists and investors are no longer there. In fact, the Summit is to let investors understand that there is now an enabling environment for them to operate .

“With the imposing presence and prospects of Geometric, improved security arrangements, and infrastructural facilities ,investors don’t have any thing to worry about .

“The Summit will serve to rally prospective investors ,lure back those that left ,and show case the immense potentials of Aba as destination choice for investors .” Ibegbu noted.

He, therefore, appealed to authorities at all levels, particularly, the Federal Government to continue its support to the Aba Power outfit, so that it can meet the high expectations of the people.

“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Federal Government and Abia state authorities for their immense support for the Geometric project.

“We also wish to thank the Federal Government for the efforts it is making to improve Gas supply to the Power plant .We understand that right now there are  issues affecting adequate Gas supply,which in turn is affecting the abilities of the company to meet its obligations to the consumers . We will appreciate if the authorities concerned will expedite action towards rectifying the problems.” Ibegbu noted

Kano Govt Behind Ganduje’s Suspension-APC

By
James Orji
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0

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, says Abdullahi Umar Ganduje remains its National Chairman of the party.

The party made the clarification following the recent suspension of the embattled national chairman by some APC executive of his ward in Kano.

The state chapter of the party had since over-tuned the suspension, and suspended the party’s official involved in the controversy.

According to a statement issued in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Monday, the party said the suspension was a nullity, stressing that Ganduje remains in his position.

The statement signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the action of some APC officials in Kano state, who suspended the national chairman of the party is of no effect.

The statement reads: “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to media reports of the purported suspension of the National Chairman, HE Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, from the party by the Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

“The purported suspension was the devious act of a group of impersonators of ward officials out to cause mischief and create confusion in the otherwise peaceful Ganduje Ward chapter of our party. The perpetrators of this criminal act are not card-carrying members of APC in the ward but are individuals affiliated with senior officials and representatives of the NNPP.

“This act procured by officials of the ruling NNPP in Kano is part of the despicable programme  of political persecution launched by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano State.

“The purported suspension is downright criminal, and of no effect whatsoever. The legitimate Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward has since denounced the action and reaffirmed Dr. Ganduje as a bonafide member of the Party in the Ward, and in good standing.”

Ganduje, the immediate past Kano state governor was suspended by his APC ward officials who said the allegation of bribery against the national chairman has brought disrepute to the ruling party.

Nigeria To Save $4bn From Single Window Project, Says Tinubu

By
James Orji
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0

President Bola Tinubu has launched the Single Window Project, a new website that will further facilitate Nigeria’s international trade.

The project was launched in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

President Tinubu while inaugurating the national portal said the country could save close to $4 billion annually.

The Single Window project is a cross-government website, which according to the president would expedite cargo movement and optimise inter-African trade, thereby facilitating $2.7bn worth of annual paperless trade.

Tinubu stated: “We cannot afford to lose an estimated $4bn annually to red tape, bureaucracy, delays and corruption at our ports.

“The benefits of this initiative are immense. The paperless trade alone is estimated to bring an annual economic benefit of around $2.7bn US dollars.

“Countries like Singapore, Korea, Kenya and Saudi Arabia have already seen significant improvement in trade efficiency after implementing Single Window Systems. It is time for Nigeria to join their ranks and reap the reward of a streamlined, decentralised trade process.”

Cubana Chief Priest Faces Six Months Jail As Fear Grips Naira Abusers

By
James Orji
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0
Cubana Chiefpriest

Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest could be jailed for at least six months for allegedly abusing the naira.

The socialite businessman was arrested on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, operatives, and has since ben detained in their Lagos facility.

Okechukwu’s arrest has further hallmarked EFCC clampdown on suspected abusers of naira, following the conviction, last week, of Olanrewaju Okuneye aka Bobrisky by the commission.

The magazine reports that the cross-dresser was sentenced to six months imprisonment, without an option of fine for tampering with the national currency by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The anti-graft agency said Okechukwu would be arraigned in the court before the end of the week.

According to the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the Night club owner will be arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts charge bordering on abuse of naira, by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

in a suit filed on April 4, 2024, by Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior advocate on behalf of EFCC, Pascal Okechukwu, allegedly on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

One of the charges read: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”

If convicted, Okechukwu faces not less that six months in jail.

Meanwhile, it was learned that the fear of arrest by the EFCC has gripped other prominent Nigerians who had in recent past abused the naira by spraying the currency in parties and other social events.

The spraying of naira and other currencies is commonplace at Nigeria’s social events.

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