Pascal Okechukwu, celebrity Barman, popular as Cubana Chief Priest, has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okechukwu, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of lmo State on Social Media, was arrested by the EFCC at the Domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where he was to board a flight to Owerri, over the weekend.
He was picked up on allegations bordering on money laundering and tax fraud.
In 2021, his bosom friend and fellow socialite, billionaire Obi Cubana, was also picked up by the EFCC on same allegations. He was released after spending a couple of days at the Agency’s facility.
It is not known under which conditions Okechukwu was released. But this magazine gathered that he was released Monday night on administrative bail after meeting all conditions.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured Nollywood Stars that the Government will do its best to support and encourage them as they prepare for their forthcoming Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards scheduled for Owerri, the Imo State capital in December 2022.
He gave the assurance on Monday, April 4, 2022 when the Executives of BON Award paid a courtesy call on him at the New Executive Council Chamber Government House Owerri.
The Governor thanked them for choosing Imo State for this year’s event, noting that it was heart warming to note that a poll of Imo indigenes are in the Nollywood Industry.
“So Government will continue to support them to achieve their primary objectives.”
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Oluwaseun Oloketuyi who is the Executive Producer of Best of Nollywood Award had informed the Governor of their forthcoming Media Award in December this year and the choice of Owerri as venue.
He said they came to present the hosting right letter to the Governor and to appreciate him for the good work he is doing in the State.
He noted that “Best of Nollywood Award is a travelling award that will take you to different places of the federation which normally takes place every December.”
Oloketuyi noted that this is BON award 14th year and the second time they are coming to South East, noting that they have been to several states of the federation like Ogun, Kano, Kogi, Abia, Rivers and others for the Award programme.
He said they decided to come to Imo State because “the history and story of Nollywood will not be complete without mention of Imo State because there are lots of Imo indigenes who have done well in the industry.”
Answering questions from journalists, he explained that Imo will benefit in so many ways as the event will boost the state’s economy and promote it’s tourism potentials.
“School children will be educated on how to push forward in their careers. We will encourage those who are interested in acting. They must not go to school before making an attempt. It will open a lot of doors for Imolites.”
Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Education Policy that saw the South East benefiting from the establishment of the Federal College of Education Technical at Isu in Ebonyi State in 2019.
The Governor expressed the gratitude to the President when he received the Provost of the College and his Principal Officers who paid a courtesy visit on him at Government House, Owerri on Monday.
Governor Uzodimma said “the College of Education is a very good boost not only to educational potentials in the South East region but will go a long way in closing the gap in tertiary institution admissions, address the problem of unemployment in the region and stimulate the economy because of other activities that will be generated from the operations of the Institution.”
He appealed to those from the region to support the smooth take-off and sustenance of the institution as government, whether Federal or State, cannot fund education alone.
He canvassed the need for Corporate bodies and individuals to rally round the Principal Officers of the school for the smooth take-off.
Governor Uzodimma assured that his government will seek further discussions with the College’s authorities on possible specific areas of support by the Imo State government for a smooth take-off while enjoining the team to work hard to achieve success.
“Count on us and the State as partners,” he said, expressing confidence in the capacity of the Provost to stay afloat even in the face of turbulence that may herald the commencement of the institution.
In an address he presented to the Governor, the Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical Isu, Ebonyi State, Professor Okey Reuben Okechukwu said they were on a campaign that would take them round the five States of the South East, to solicit cooperation and assistance as the institution formally takes off October this year as one of the six newly established Federal Colleges of Education by President Buhari in September, 2019 for the six geopolitical zones.
Prof. Okechukwu recalled the several mandates and tasks assigned to them that include drawing up academic programmes, laying the timetable in line with national tertiary education calendar and sourcing students for admission accordingly.
He acknowledged the magnanimity of Mr. President in approving one billion Naira (N1billion) as take-off grant to be sourced from the Tetfund Intervention Fund, saying the College was optimistic the money will be released in record time to enable the authorities implement her programmes.
He specifically thanked Governor Uzodimma for his efforts while in the Senate and other patriotic South East leaders who fought for the College to come to the South East region and for them to be appointed as Principal Officers of the College.
He informed the Governor of the assistance the College has already received from Ebonyi, the host State, to include land allocation, temporary site, some school blocks for administrative take-off among others.
For commencement of full academic programmes the Provost enumerated myriad of challenges to include hostel accommodation, micro teaching laboratory, workshops and technical laboratories, ICT centre, transportation and others.
On what Imo State hopes to gain from the institution as one of the States of the South East, the Provost said they include employment, project development and students admission at the College which will be on pro-rata basis.
Four Schools, he said, had been approved for initial take-off by the National Council for Colleges of Education.
They include: School of Education and General Studies; School of Secondary Education Technical; School Of Secondary Education Sciences; and School of Education Vocational.
The Provost was accompanied on the visit by the Registrar of the College, Dr. Linus Nnamani, and the Bursar, Mr Offor Nwode Ojeh.
For the sustenance of indigenous language and promotion of cultural heritages, revered Monarch, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogúnwusi, Ojaja II, has advocated for Yoruba language to be spoken in Lagos households.
He said this was necessary so that our children won’t forget their roots and for Yoruba language not to go into extinction.
Clad in his traditional royal apparel, Oba Ogunwusi, arrived the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to pay a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The Monarch is said to have been a long time friend to the Speaker.
It would be recalled that In 2016, he commended the House of Assembly for its laudable steps towards promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas.
Also In 2017, when he led some chiefs on a visit to the House, Oba Ogunwusi urged other State Houses of Assembly in the Southwest to emulate the Lagos State House of Assembly in the promotion of Yoruba Language.
Speaking during the visit, he said, “I am very happy to be here and see the Lagos State House of Assembly, using Yoruba language to conduct its activities. I, therefore, enjoin all other Houses of Assembly in Yoruba Land to take a cue from this House.
“People in other countries honour and cherish Yoruba language, but sadly here at home, we seem not to cherish what is ours.
“I, therefore, urge the Lagos State House of Assembly to do all within its power to persuade other State Assemblies in Yoruba speaking areas, to see the sense in conducting their House businesses in Yoruba, as this is one of the surest way to promote our language and cultural heritage,” the revered traditional ruler said during that visit.
Meanwhile, the House, on Monday, passed a bill to establish a training institute for law enforcement officers in the State.
The ‘Bill for the Establishment of Lagos State Training Institute, to provide for the training of law enforcement officers,’ was read for the third time and subsequently passed at a sitting presided over by Speaker Obasa.
Obasa, thereafter, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a clean copy of the Bill to the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for assent.
Operatives of the of State Service (DSS) on Monday paraded a nursing mother among a six-man syndicate that specialised in the kidnapping of toddlers in Ondo State.
The Director of DSS in Ondo State, Mr Jonathan Kure, while parading the suspects at his headquarters, said that the syndicate had been terrorising the State by kidnapping toddlers between the ages of two and four years.
Kure said following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari and the support of its Director-General and Ondo State Government it launched a trackdown of the syndicate full of young men and a nursing mother.
He noted that the nursing mother was a member of the kidnap syndicate, and also helped to keep weapons for the syndicate and was a wife to one of the arrested kidnappers.
The Director, noted that he could confirm from intelligence report that they were the only syndicate that specialised in kidnapping of toddlers, but would not rest on its oars to ensure parents could sleep with their two eyes closed.
Kure said further investigation would continue and they would soon be charged to court.
The Director noted that the operation was carried out in synergy with the men of the Nigerian Army and appreciated the collaboration amongst the security agencies in Ondo State.
” They have tormented so many families, especially within Akure, following the directive of President Buhari and support of our DG, we were able to launch a crackdown.
“What you can see there are young me, what is even more touching is that one of their members is a nursing mother and wife of one of the kidnappers, she also plays a dual role of being the armoury of the group,” he said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items paraded along with the suspects included; laptops, cash, locally made guns and cash.
The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the DSS office assured indigenes and residents of the state of adequate security of their lives and property.
Aiyedatiwa urged landlords to always do proper profiling of their tenants and know the kind of work they do.
“Security is everybody’s business, if you notice anyone that is living above his means, let security check the person out,” he said.
There was pandemonium at Gate Bus stop, Ipaja, Mosan Okunola, Local Council Development Area of Lagos State as Area Boys and Motorcyclists, mostly the Hausa, engaged in a free for all fight, leading to the death of one person.
The said Area Boys are said to be ticketers and touts working for the Mosan Okunola LCDA.
According to eyewitnesses, the Motorcyclists had turned the estate to their park, causing traffic, as there is always congestion in the area, halting vehicular movement.
This, the area boys tried addressing which led to a fight as the Motorcyclists weren’t ready to adhere to the instructions given that they should leave the estate.
The Hausa Motorcyclists were said to have regrouped and unleashed mayhem on the Area Boys with dangerous weapons leading to the death of ene person.
The killer of dead person said to be known as Ola Federal,was apprehended.
It took the intervention of men of the Nigeria Police from Area P and Area M Police Divisional Headquarters to restore normalcy.
In a statement by the Police, it said, “Our officers responded to the violent fights that broke out in Baruwa/Gate area of Ipaja today.
Calm has been restored to the area. One person was confirmed dead.
“The killer and other suspects have been arrested while intensive patrols of the area is going on.
“Lagosians are urged to go about their lawful duties, especially in the axis as their safety and security is being made top priority”.
Former Kano State Governor and stalwart of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has showered praises on former President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s Government for leaving behind a military that was capable, disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Kwankwaso, who spoke on Channels Television said that he is very much shocked and surprised over what is happening in the country.
The former Minister of Defence during Obasanjo’s administration said that the Military incapability is a reflection of leadership failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
According to Kwankwaso: “It is very unfortunate that all of us in this country have to find ourselves in this problem. The issue of security, not only in Nigeria but all over the world is key,”
“And that is why our constitution and every other constitutions that I know put a lot of emphasis on the issue of security of lives and property.
“I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to become the Minister of Defence during the second tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and in that office I had the opportunity to work together with the Military. I believe that we left a military that was capable and disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of this country.
“I had the opportunity to visit them all over the world, especially here in Africa and other parts of the world where they had reasons to be for operations and they did it successfully and they all returned back. Now what we are seeing today, in my opinion, is a reflection of leadership. They [the military] are trying their best…
“So, put all this together, what we are seeing today, my humble self and many other people who are associated with the military and other security agencies, are very much shocked and surprised that some of these things are happening, happening not too far away from here in Abuja.
“Happening between here and Kaduna and many other parts of this country. I believe this is the time to advise the government to do whatever they can to get better improvements so that people can have confidence in this country”, Kwankwaso said.
Pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to, immediately, release popular socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged tax fraud and money laundering.
In a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the SERG said “the arrest of the Cubana Chief Priest is part of the deliberate harassment of Igbo sons and daughters for political reasons by the EFCC.”
Chief Willy Ezugwu, SERG National Coordinator
Arrested at the Lagos airport on Thursday, the Cubana Chief Priest is being quizzed by anti-graft operatives while the Commission is said to be on the hunt for his alleged accomplices.
However, the SERG noted that “money laundering and tax evasion allegations against the Cubana Chief Priest were the same allegations leveled against Obinna Iyiegbu, known as Obi Cubana, by the EFCC when he was arrested last year.
“Arrest of rich Igbos is now a fallout of an obvious script being executed by the EFCC as the Commission is now allowing itself to be used as agent of mischief against Igbos ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“When has the EFCC become a tax collector in Nigeria? If there is a tax evasion allegations against the Cubana Chief Priest, let the appropriate tax authorities take him to court.
“The EFCC is fund of arresting south east business moguls and keeping them in custody to source for evidence with which to nail them each time electioneering activities are ongoing.
“The detain-and-source for evidence tactics now seems to be a policy of the EFCC against South easterners who have continued to struggle to remain in business despite harsh economic conditions in the country.
“It is painful that the South East, which is without any reasonable federal government presence, will have her prominent citizens detained under any pretence for political reasons.
“These are people who have no other means of survival than trading and provision of services since the region was abandoned after the civil war in 1970.
“The SERG hereby demands immediate and unconditional release of Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest by the EFCC.
“We warn the EFCC to desist from harassing south easterners on fabricated allegations of money laundering and tax evasion just like they did to Obi Cubana at the pick of the Anambra State governorship election”, the SERG stated.
The Spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Emma Powerful, has indicted Simon Ekpa and group called, “Autopilot” as the brain, allegedly, behind unrest in the South-east.
Powerful claimed that the self-proclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, Ekpa and his gang are responsible for the criminal activities across the South-east region, distancing IPOB from the illicit act.
He informed the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, who recently decided to give amnesty to the Group, that the IPOB is not responsible for the criminal activities in the region.
The Separatist Group in a statement said, “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to tell Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State that IPOB is not responsible for the criminality in the Southeast, including Anambra State. The Governor should know that our enemies are committing atrocities using our name in their desperation to blackmail IPOB.
Simon Ekpa
“It is a certain Simon Ekpa and his criminal gang called Autopilots that are carrying out threats against people’s lives because of non-existent Monday sit-at-home. They are criminals, kidnappers and robbers. These people disturbing the peace of our people are not IPOB members. They should be treated as criminals. IPOB doesn’t shed blood. We are a peaceful movement.
“We wish to reiterate once again that IPOB has cancelled Monday sit- at-home order and anybody or group enforcing the relaxed order is neither from IPOB nor from IPOB volunteer group. Any Governor in the region who deemed it fit to stop non-existent Monday sit-at-home order in the region is free to do so.
“Anyone caught adding to the pain of our people in the name of enforcing Monday sit-at-home order will be treated like the enemy that he or she is.
“We, therefore, warn these agents of darkness using the name of IPOB to enforce a non-existent sit-at-home to desist because if we lay hold on them.
“Why should such unpatriotic elements be inflicting pain on our people and dragging our image to the mud?
IPOB remains a non-violent movement and our peaceful approach for Biafra restoration has not changed.
“It will be recalled that IPOB leadership called for the Monday sit-at-home, and the same IPOB leadership has cancelled it.
“Nobody was given the mandate to enforce the same suspended sit-at-home using the name of IPOB.
“The only day sit-at-home will be observed in Biafraland is when our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is appearing in court, and we shall as usual make it public for all to know.”
The group added: “We hereby direct community leaders, market leaders, church leaders, and other institutions of authority in Biafra land to arrest any hoodlum trying to enforce any sit-at-home on Mondays and hand them over to IPOB.
“Such criminal elements must be treated in a language they understand.
“Again it has become imperative to state that IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has nothing whatsoever to do with the recent attack on Nnewi South Headquarters/Secretariat”, the statement reads.
The anger was unmistakable. And most people agree, justified. It was sister against sister. Or, okay, half sister against half sister. But it was all in the family. The late Chief MKO Abiola’s family.
Hafsat Abiola-Costello, many agree, looked for trouble, her half sister’s trouble, and the trouble of many Nigerians.
Hafsat is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign of Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State.
Bello is aspiring to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari when the President’s tenure expires on May 29, 2023.
Neither the Abiola family nor anybody bothers with that. A brilliant, capable woman, Hafsat is free to work for anybody. But in her first public outing on the job, Hafsat seems to have put the wrong foot forward. She committed what many see as a sacrilege.
Hafsat Abiola Costello
Speaking on why she accepted to lead Bello’s Presidential aspiration campaign, Hafsat said she did because Bello has same character as his late father, MKO Abiola.
The obvious lie, according to people, outraged not a few people. They were shocked, and since then, condemnation against Hafsat’s comparison has been coming like claps of thunder. They say she mis-spoke. They say she has insulted her father’s name and memory. They say she owes the entire Abiola family and Nigerians who appreciate what her father stood for an unreserved apology.
But, perhaps, none was as outraged as Hafsat’s half sister, Tudun Abiola.
A lawyer, Tudun is a presenter at Arise Television. A daughter of Mrs Bisi Abiola, MKO Abiola’s third wife, Bisi, Tudun was stung that Hafsat equated their father to Bello.
Hafsat is the daughter of Abiola’s second wife, Kudirat, who was murdered while fighting for the actualisation of her husband’s Presidential mandate, and his release from an unjustified jail.
Speaking on Arise Television, she could barely contain her shock and anger. She said her half sister has run their late father under the bus. And abused his name and legacy. She spoke of her heartbreak and disappointment that Hafsat could dare such comparison. She reminded Hafsat that she had no permission to denigrate the Abiola name and legacy as that name does not belong to her alone. “It is our name”, she fired.
Following, some of what Tudun said about Hafsat’s comparison of their father with Bello.
“Dr. Abati, ( a co-presenter on Arise Tv) you did warn me that all kinds of characters would be coming on here, that I should brace myself. But I was quite dismayed with your interview yesterday.
“I have come to expect certain things from that Individual, but just because it is not surprising, does not mean it was not staggeringly inappropriate.
“I am referring to my half sister, Hafsat, who is the DG of Yahaya Bello’s campaign, and her making comparison to my dad.
“There were a lot of political players in his team, and not one of them decided to throw their father under the bus for the sake of their principal.
“Come out and talk about your principal, his antecedents and stands for the future of Nigeria and leave daddy out of this.
“It is not her right, because it is not her name. It is our name.
“It is the name of future Abiolas yet unborn who should be proud of the legacy. My father was tortured because according to the United Nations, it sees solitary confinement as torture. He was tortured and then, he was murdered and has left his legacy only for it to be abused in this fashion.
“And I did say that I was quite consistent because we had another gentleman on the show talking about another person he was campaigning for, and using my dad to score point. For me, it is unfortunate, being his child, everybody should just leave his name out of this.
“This is dishonesty. False equivalent, expuntation of a genuine struggle.”
Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 1993 Presidential election was locked up by the Military regime of the late General Sani Abacha after the election was cancelled by the Regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
