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EFCC Admits Writing London Police Against Ekweremadu, Fmr. Deputy Senate President

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has blamed his continued detention in a United Kingdom Court on a letter purportedly written by Nigeria’s anti corruption agency.

Ekweremadu on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’) of being responsible for his travails at the London Court where he is in detention.

The Senator, who has been in custody in London over an alleged organ harvest told the Federal High Court that the anti-graft agency wrote a letter to the London Court that made the foreign court to refuse to admit him to bail.

Ekweremadu’s allegations were contained in an application he filed before the Abuja court seeking order of the court to set aside interim order granted in favour of the Federal Government for forfeiture of his 40 properties in the country and outside the country.

However in a swift reaction, EFCC, told  the Court that it was not behind the continuous detention of former Deputy Senate President.

Counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, told Justice Inyang Ekwo while arguing his counter affidavit filed in opposition to a motion filed by Ekweremadu’s eldest son, Lloyd, seeking a court order vacating the November 4 interim order of forfeiture on 40 properties linked to his father.

In the application brought by his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, Ekweremadu claimed that the forfeiture order was granted the Federal Government in error because the EFCC suppressed information and facts in respect of the properties.

Specifically, the detained Senator alleged that the EFCC fraudulently obtained the forfeiture order for government by concealing information that investigation on the 40 properties started as far back as 2008.

Among others, he alleged that the EFCC was fully aware that he was in detention in London when the application for forfeiture of the properties was filed and argued.

He said that the anti-graft agency deliberately refused to disclose to the court that he was in London detention and would not be able to counter the forfeiture request.

The Senator therefore prayed the court to set aside the forfeiture order and stay proceedings in the matter until he resolves his ordeal before the London Court.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Silvanus Tahir SAN denied that his client was behind Ekweremadu’s ordeal.

He however admitted that EFCC wrote the London Court based on a special request adding that it was a normal routine for anti-graft agencies to exchange information that would be of help to one another.

Tahir did not oppose request for stay of proceedings till Ekweremadu fully resolve his matter before the London Court but however, vehemently opposed the request for setting aside of the forfeiture order.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo after taking arguments from parties fixed January 25 next year for ruling in the matter.

The Court had on Friday November 4 ordered  interim forfeiture of 40 landed property linked to Ekweremadu in some parts of the country and outside the country..

Justice  Ekwo issued the order following an ex -parte motion filed and moved by Ibrahim Buba, lawyer to the EFCC.

Justice Ekwo, who granted the motion, ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order of the property in a national daily within seven days.

The judge had directed that anybody who has interest in the forfeited property to indicate within 14 days of  the publication of the interim forfeiture order on why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The affected property include 10 property in Enugu, three in the United States of America, two in the UK, one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory.

Demola Seriki, Nigeria’s Ambassador To Spain, Dies of Cancer

By
The Source
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Demola Seriki

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki, has died. A former Minister of State, for Defence, he died in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, of Cancer.

His children, in a statement same Thursday, confirmed his death.

The statement reads: “It is with heavy heart and profound gratitude to Almighty Allah, that we announce the loss of our much- loved and admired patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, His Excellency, Ambassador Demola Seriki on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

“He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, in Madrid, Spain.

An indigene of Lagos State, Seriki was born on November 30, 1959. He was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, with concurrent accreditation as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United  Nations World Tourism Organization.

He was married to the youngest sister of Billionaire Rasaq Okoya of the Eleganza fame.

His body, is expected back to Nigeria in the next couple of days.

Imo EXCO Okays N474b 2023 Appropriation; 25,000 Imolites to be Empowered, Friday

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Executive Council has approved an estimated N474billion appropriation for the 2023 fiscal year.

Rising  Wednesday from December 14,  2022 weekly meeting, the Council said Governor Hope Uzodimma is set to present the budget proposal to the Imo State House of Assembly for  consideration.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the  Exco deliberations, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba said that the Council also approved a proposal by the Governor to empower  25,000 Imo indigenes on Friday, December 16, 2022, an activity that would be followed by another empowerment of 27,000 people  next week.

Flanked by the Commissioner for Works, Barr. Ralph Nwosu, Budget and Economic Planning,  Dr. C. C. Osuala, Commissioner for Special Project, Stanley Obidiegwu, the Chief Political Adviser and Head Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu and Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser,  Oguwike Nwachuku, Emelumba said that Government is making efforts to ensure that the night landing facilities at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport are installed before the Christmas.

The idea, he added, is to enable Imolites coming from outside the country to land at the State’s airport instead of going through the Port Harcourt airport.

In the same vein, he said Council noted with satisfaction that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved that all the expenses incurred on Imo Airport by the State government in terms of infrastructure provision and renovation be refunded, including the amount the government is expending on the ongoing dualization of the roads to ease movement from Ngor Okpala to the airport.

However, he said Government noted with regret the attack on expatriates handling the road constructions on the Owerri/Okigwe road and Owerri/Mbaise/ Umuahia road, noting that the kidnappers are detractors who don’t want the progress of Imo State.

To that effect,  Government assured that all contractors will be given adequate security going forward and that the projects will go on unimpeded.

‘’Their plan is to stop the good works by Government and slow down the progress of the roads hence government has assured all contractors of increased security.”

On the recent promotions of the Civil Servants announced by Governor Uzodimma, Emelumba noted that the Exco approved that baring any hitch on documentations, all promotions affecting the Civil Servants are to be pay rolled  for December 2022 salary.

The Council, he said, also decided that an all stakeholders meeting with the aim of reviewing the revenue and multiple levies in the Transportation Ministry and agencies in Imo State will be convened soon.

Also, Council noted with delight that Imo contingents to the recently concluded Sports Festival at Asaba,  Delta State garnered 45 medals, and that the State emerged the best from all the South East States.

But he said Council regretted the death of an Imo boxer, Ikechukwu Igboanugo, who died in active service at the festival.  “Government accepted to bear the cost of the burial of the contingent to ease the family’s hardship, among other interventions that would be worked out.”

According to the Council, all Imo indigenes are encouraged to come home for the yuletide celebrations without harbouring any fear of molestations and harassments.

Those who may find it difficult to come home due to transportation hitches have been assured of government’s plan to send buses to Lagos and Abuja that will bring them home and equally take them back.

Qatar 2022: France Ends Morocco’s Fairytale Run, To Face Argentina In Final

By
Akinwale Kasali
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France vs Morocco at Qatar 2022

By Akinwale  Kasali

Goals in either half from Theo Hernandez and Kolo Muani was all the France Team needed to book a place in the final of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, after a pulsating encounter with the Atlas Lion of Morocco.

As expected, the Moroccans gave the France team a good run for their money in the Semi Finals at the Al Bayt Stadium, as Coach Walid Regragui of Morocco stuck with the starting line- up that defeated Spain and Portugal.

But the fire power of the France Team could not be matched by the less fancied African Team.

Hernandez scored the opener as early as the fifth minute to send fear into the spines of the Moroccans who never rested on their oars to find the equalizer which never came to reality.

On two occasions, the Moroccans hit the woodwork, calling the France Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris into action, forcing him to make great saves.

Also, the partnership of Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate paid off as they made some goal line clearance, so also was Jules Kounde who did same late in the second half.

Less than 25 seconds after coming in to replace Ousmane Dembele, Kolo Muani pounced a deflecting ball from a shot from Kylian Mbappe to tap in the second goal of the match.

As the Mexican referee signaled the end of the pulsating encounter, the Moroccan players and their fans could not hold back tears, as they wept bitterly for failing to get to the finals.

With the defeat, Morocco will face Croatia in the third place match on Saturday, 17th December, 2022, at the Al Bayt Stadium.

The Croatians lost to the Argentina National Team 3-0, with Julian Alvarez scoring a brace while Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot.

France will take on Argentina in the finals, with the European Nation gunning to defend the World Cup triumph it won four years ago in Russia.

For the Argentine side, Messi will be hoping to make history as winning his first World Cup trophy and giving the Argentines the World Cup it has failed to win since 1986.

The last time Argentina won the World Cup, Late Diego Armando Maradona led the Albaceleiste to the Trophy.

Soludo Releases Government House Awka To Atiku

By
The Source
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Atiku Abubakar and Charles Soludo

By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, has given the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, full access to Government House facilities in Awka.

Atiku will visit Anambra State on Thursday, 15th December to flag off his Presidential Campaign.

Soludo is an All Progressives Grand Alliance,  APGA, Governor.

According to Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Director Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign, who brifed the Press in Awka, Atiku would visit Soludo for a parley, after which he would meet the Anambra Council of Traditional Rulers at same Government House. Its Chairman is the revered Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

APGA has its own Presidential Candidate, whose name, politically, only a few people know. A retired Chief Judge of Anambra State, Peter Umeadi, he is yet to launch his Presidential bid. And APGA hardly mentions him.

But the State is home to the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi. Very popular, particularly with Youths country-wide, Soludo, in a stinging essay dismissed Obi’s Presidential ambition as a waste of time. However, Obi is one of the three frontrunners in the race.

For the records, Soludo had earlier allowed Obi to use the banquet hall at the Government House, Awka, to brief Anambra Monarchs on his Presidential ambition. They endorsed him on that day.

Obi was the Governor of Anambra State for two terms of eight years.

Police Service Commission Promotes 745 Officers, Imposes Punishments On Ten

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police

By Ayodele Oni

As part of incentives to boost the morale of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), the Police Service Commission, (PSC) has approved the promotion of 745 Senior Police Officers.

The Commission also considered and approved the proper placement of five Commissioners of Police and one Deputy Commissioner.

A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday in Abuja stated that the commission

also treated 14 appeals and petitions and nine Pending Disciplinary Matters from dismissed and serving Police Officers.

According to the statement, the decisions were some of the high points of the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Commission, which ended in Abuja on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, and presided over by Commission’s acting Chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd).

The Commission promoted two Deputy Superintendents of Police, to Superintendents of Police, 696 Assistant Superintendents of Police to Deputy Superintendents of Police and 47 Inspectors of Police to unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP11).

Out of the 47 Inspectors promoted to unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police, ASP11, 44 were from the Police Zone 9.

The commission approved the reduction in rank of four Police Officers and gave  six others punishment of severe reprimand.

It reinstated six officers, retired two in public interest, promoted one, DCP Emmanuel Eze to CP and retired him.

It reviewed the punishment of reduction in rank of Inspector Falade Kayode, exonerated him, and restored his rank of ASP 1.

Osun: Gov Adeleke Suspends Mining Activities, As PDP Accuses APC Of Colluding With Miners

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ademola Adeleke

By Ayodele Oni

Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed immediate suspension of activities of mining firms operating in the state.

This was  contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The suspension order is coming just as the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state accused immediate past administration of colluding with miners to rip off the state of revenue.

Government statement reiterated the administration’s resolve to recover all fund owed Osun state and stop the reaping of state assets from mining to revenue collection.

The statement reads, “All operators are to report to the Committee on Assets Verification and Recovery chaired by Dr B.T Salami with copies of their Memorandum of Understanding which governs their relationship with the state government.

“The suspension of the operators is to remain in force until the conclusion of the ongoing review of the MOU between the state as the owner of the licences and the operators. All operators are to report to the committee on Monday by 12pm.

The PDP in a statement by the caretaker committee accused APC of holding brief for the mining companies to protect exposure of its complicity in mining banditry.

“We are not surprised as there are credible reports on how the mining companies regularly settle top officials of the APC and its government.

“When the People’s Governor now exposes the nest of corruption, the state APC cannot even disguise to manifest its complicity. Osun people have taken judicious note of APC condoning and facilitating the fleecing of Osun natural resources.

“The Executive Governor has transparently addressed the state. He has nothing to hide. Only those hands in glove with Segilola has something to fear and that probably explains why the APC came out so shamelessly to defend those mining companies.

“The 13 percent derivation payment was openly announced by the Federal Government in 2019 and whatever names anybody called it, Osun deserves billions of returns from her God given natural resources.

“Even APC in advancing her hatchet job, confessed that 13 percent derivation was to be paid to solid mineral states from royalties by mining companies.

“Osun also demands immediate action on the cleaning up of her environment. Our mining field, the entire Osun East, is an environmental disaster zone.

“Is APC saying mining companies should continue environmental degradation without paying for cleaning up? Is APC happy that Osun People are reeling under sicknesses and dying due to the activities of Segilola and other companies.

“We note that the APC should be ashamed of its bareface approach at sidestepping the core issues of revenue loss to the state as evidenced in the revelation of Governor Adeleke.

“It is disappointing that the APC failed to appreciate the enormity of the damage it had wrecked on the state. Perhaps, it is still lost in its fraudulent style of governance that it could not realize the determination of the new administration to ensure sanity and probity in the management of public resources.”

Ondo Supremacy Tussle: Isinkan Monarch Accuses Deji Of Akure Of Overstepping Bounds

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The supremacy tussle between Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and Iralepo of Isinkan Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin- Adimula in Ondo state, has reechoed again with both pointing accusing fingers over ownership of some farm settlements.

The state government has repeatedly warned traditional rulers not to extend their supremacy beyond their territories.

The two monarchs had earlier clashed over right to install a head in one of the communities.

Isinkan monarch is accusing Deji of Akure, of invading some communities that belong to Isinkan kingdom in Akure south local government areas and laying claim to them.

The Akure Monarch, had on Tuesday came in a motorcade to the communities from Adebowale junction on Ondo road to Itanoniyan, Oke-Ilero, Omu, Araromi Aladodo among others and met with those he described as his Olus in the area.

Oba Aladetoyinbo reportedly told the Olus that the communities belong to Akure and direct them to disregard whatever the Iralepo is doing and be ready to defend their communities.

The alleged invasion raised tension in the area as youths of Isinkan had mobilized to resist the Deji from entering the communities.

It took the intervention of the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Olofin-Adimula to put the tense situation under control.

Oba Olofin-Adimula explained that when he got the information that Deji would be coming to the communities, he had to send to the leaders and youths of the communities not to engage in any fight with anyone over the provocative visit.

He said the communities the Deji invaded are under the jurisdiction of Isinkan kingdom, noting that what the Akure Monarch did was tantamount to invitation to anarchy.

“The Deji has taken Ondo State government and our kingdom to the court on this matter. As a matter of fact we have cases in the court of appeal and Akure high court as Instituted by him.

“Has there been any judgement in his favour to have warranted his invasion? The Deji is only looking for trouble and want to disrupt the peace in the state capital.

“Isinkan people are not Akures. Isinkan land is not part of Akure land from time immemorial”

Oba Iralepo said he has a judgement from the state high court stating the boundaries between Isinkan and her neighbours.

“The normal thing the Deji should have done would have been to wait for the outcome of the courts before this show of shame. Is he afraid of anything?”

“The fourteen (14) so called Olus he had gone to see were installed by the Deji illegally on our land, we are only waiting for the determination of the court cases to show them the door.

“The illegally proclaimed Olus on lsinkan land include among others; the Olu of Omu lsinkan, admitted in a court document that his grand father “Familokun” was installed as Olomu lsinkan by lralepo Aladetoyinbo of isinkan who reigned between 1932 and 1976.

“His biological father “Adewole” Olu Omu lsinkan was installed by Oba Iralepo, Joseph Olu Ojo who reigned between 1978 and 2021 and the same lralepo installed him “ldowu” as the Olu Omu lsinkan, the position he held for nine (9) years before the Deji of Akure coerced him to regularize the same chieftaincy at his palace.

“Same as the one called Olu lta Oniyan “Mr Muyiwa ” that the Ministry of local government and Chieftaincy affairs had written a warning letter to since 2010 not to parade himself as Olu on Isinkan land.”

“lralepo is the prescribed authority over lsinkan land and all these places belong to the domain of lsinkan.

See the document of Oba Ademuagun Adesida in 1971 where the Oba and the Deji in council had stated clearly the demarcation of lralepo of lsinkan land.

“I again appeal to the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN to prevail on this Deji so that he does not set the State capital on fire.”

However the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi denied any invasion saying the allegation was a figment of the imagination of the accusers.

His chief Press Secretary, Michael Adeyeye said the Deji in company of some people visited Olus in some communities and they conducted themselves peacefully throughout their stay in the communities.

“There is no invasion anywhere, let them provide evidence of what was destroyed, because we were there peacefully and everything went on peacefully and we are back home now.”

Banks Get 12 Months To Sell Shares In Power Firms

By
James Orji
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President Buhari

The federal government has given commercial banks in the country with investments in some power distribution companies, Discos 12 months to sell of their shares. The banks have up to 60 percent equities in the said power firms.

The banks have now been given a one year ultimatum to find new serious investors to buy the shares.
The ultimatum came as the Buhari administration ramp up efforts to restructure the power sector due to their abysmal delivery of service to Nigerians.

Speaking on the issue, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu said banks have “no business of providing electricity” adding that some banks have been directed to sell off their shares in six power distribution firms.

Aliyu spoke in Abuja at the 11th edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Noting that the directive is in line with the federal government’s efforsts to restructure the sector, the minister named the affected power firms to include; Abuja, Kano, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan and Port Harcourt Discos.

Aliyu, who gave the ultimatum, said the government was monitoring the operations and divestment process of the six DisCos to ensure compliance with the core objectives of restructuring the power firms, adding that the fedr6eal government is determined to put the Discos o their feet.

He said the government sacked the previous core investors to make them more responsible, adding that the government was determined to put the DisCos on their feet.

He said the federal government had earlier sacked the previous core investors due to poor performance and constituted new boards and management to run them.

He said, “For the benefit of the doubt when I say we have restructured the Discos this is just saying it mildly.

“Restructuring means that we have sacked the core investors. We have sacked the management and allowed the lenders to take over.

“Either banks or the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) hold the franchise.

“So the banks have taken over 60 per cent ownership. We have allowed the banks, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take control.

“The lenders provided the chairmanship of the Discos. The BPE provided part of the management, including the managing directors and then the CBN provided the chief financial officer (CFO) and the auditor.

“So this is the position we are now with the six discos. They are Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benin, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. One may ask why only six? What about the rest?

“You know we have 11 of them. Three out of the 11 Discos are performing well, that is two in Lagos and one in Enugu. They are not doing badly.

“Jos Disco was re-concessioned in 2022 and Yola was re-concessioned last year. These two Discos are working very hard to improve. So we have to give time to settle down.

“In a way, we have restructured the whole of the 11 discos in one way or the other. Now, it is to help them since we have made them more responsible. We are trying to help them to get on their feet.I hope and it is not going to be forever because banks are not in the business of providing electricity.

“So we have given them six months to one year to find someone serious to sell their 60 per cent equity to those in the business of electricity. This is the situation now and we are monitoring,” the minister said.

Polaris Bank CEO Harps On IT To Combat Cyber Fraud

By
James Orji
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0

Adekunle Sonola the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank Limited, has harped on the need for audit professionals  to acquire digital and technological skills in other to be able to fight cyber and other Internet related fraud.

He said the importance of information technology, IT, to the profession cannot be over emphasised in the current digital age.

Sonola spoke at the 54th quarterly meeting of the Association of chief Executives of Banks in Nigeria, with the theme: ‘Cybersecurity Threats and the Challenges of Building Sustainable Financial Sector: the Way Forward’ and was represented by Segun Opeke, Executive Director, Lagos Business of the bank.

He explained that technology solutions must be built to encapsulate audit capabilities for satisfactory audit objectives, adding that professionals must begin to use cutting edge technologies ” as core levers” in their business.

Calling for audit parnership among banking institutions, Sonola said this is necessary because technology has changed the landscape of banking.

The chief executive said, “From my perspectives, some of the following issues will aid our contribution to managing cyber security risks and their related threats to financial services.

“The audit function can no longer remain analogue and gathering loads of files and documents to review transactions and events after the fact. To be relevant and truly add value in this digital age, audit professionals must begin to build and acquire IT and digital skills.

“We have to move the audit function to the cutting edge of technology and begin to speak languages like machine learning, AI, cloud computing, IoT, as core levers of your trade.

“When technology solutions and applications are being conceived to meet operational or business needs in our institutions, the audit function must be actively involved in that process and ensure that audit capabilities are built into technology solutions in a manner that satisfies audit objectives.

“With the pace at which technology is changing the banking landscape, coupled with the interconnectedness of the financial system against the backdrop of open banking, audit partnership among financial institutions must lead the frontier of collaboration.”

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