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N80bn Fraud: Disgraced Accountant General Suspended

By
James Orji
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EFCC Arrests Accountant General Of The Federation- Ahmed Idris

By James Orji

Disgraced Accountant General of the Federation, AGF Ahmed Idris has been suspended. Idris was suspended on Wednesday by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

The AGF was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Public Information at the EFCC disclosed, in Abuja, that the AGF was arrested for allegedly misappropriating N80 billion.

According to the EFCC spokesman, verified intelligence reports showed that Idris raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

Uwujaren added that the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and in Abuja.

He explained further that Idris was arrested after he failed to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts.

In a letter announcing his suspension, Ahmed said the AGF cannot remain in office while investigation is ongoing over the issue.

In the suspension letter marked HMFBNP/AGF/SUSPENSION/5/2022 and dated May 18, 2022 the minister said the suspension became necessary “to allow for proper and unhindered investigation in to the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406”.

The suspension letter reads: “Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May, 2022.

“During this period, you are not expected to attend to your place of work or contact any official in your Office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised.”

Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency said on Wednesday that it has moved the suspended AGF to Abuja for interrogation.

Access Bank Emerges Best Performing Stock, Awosika Best Chairman Of The Year

By
James Orji
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Access Bank has emerged the best performing stock in 2021 by the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX).

The Bank earned this recognition at the 2022 Nigerian Investor Value Awards (NIVA) organised by BusinessDay in collaboration with the Nigeria Exchange Group. Also, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Bank, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika emerged as the ‘Board Chairman of the Year’ under the listed company awards category.

Access Bank was named the best stock in the ‘Financial Services -Banking’ category for its exemplary performance and creating value on the NGX compared to other quoted banks in the past year. Similarly, Awosika was adjudged the best based on her outstanding leadership and business strategy during the period under review.

The Nigerian Investor Value Awards recognises leaders of public and private companies who have created sustainable alpha-generating value for their shareholders through their strategic priorities, operating efficiencies, organisational values, and market engagement activities.

The listed segment of the awards recognises stellar performance of the public companies creating value on the Nigerian Stock Exchange based on criteria such as share price, dividend payments, sustainability, brand value, market leadership and business strategy against their peers in the year under review.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Temi Popoola, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Capital Markets, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, said the award by the Businessday Media Limited underlined Nigeria Exchange Group’s goal of promoting actionable and effective multi-stakeholder dialogue on issues central to a well-functioning financial system.

The Publisher, Businessday, Frank Aigbogun said the NIVA, formerly known as the Top 25 CEOs Award, recognises the contributions of astute businessmen and women who toil day and night to ensure the Nigerian economy grows. He noted that the capital market has remained strong in the mix of the global realignment that is going on consequent upon the Ukrainian crisis.

The NIVA award is a further affirmation of Access Bank’s leadership in promoting sustainable banking practices, financial inclusion, and the diversification of local economies through altruistic CSR initiatives that have impacted the lives of many people.

Oshiomole Vs Fayemi: SW PDP Says APC Previous Election Victories Questionable

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Fayemi and Adams Oshiomhole

By Ayodele Oni

Allegation of electoral fraud levelled against Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi by former Chairman of All Progressive Congress, (APC), Adams Oshiomole, has continued to generate mixed reactions.

Fayemi has denounced the allegation, describing Oshiomole as someone “still experiencing a post traumatic stress disorder on account of his removal as Chairman of APC.”

But the South West People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said the trending video footage has further exposed how the ruling APC has been manipulating election processes in the country.

The opposition party in a press statement by Chief Sanya Atofarati, the PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, said the former Edo State Governor was not saying anything new but only confirming the APC falling house of fraud.

“The revelation by Oshiomhole should not come to anyone as a surprise but a confirmation that the APC is a party founded on fraud whose purported past electoral victories have been questionable.

“We have seen the electoral abracadabra perpetrated in Osun against PDP in 2018 and the insidious role played by Fayemi to rig PDP candidate out of his hard won victory after he had fraudulently laid seige using federal might to ‘reclaim’ Ekiti from PDP.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP candidate only yesterday, reminded Nigerians of how he was robbed of Presidency through the APC rigging machine in 2019.

“These are not mere hear- say but empirical facts that the PDP clearly won in 2019.

“Oshiomole was only stating the obvious the same way another APC Governor recently accused his fellow governors of being Yahoo-yahoo Governors.

“The PDP and other concerned Nigerians would continue to watch in amusement the tragic-comedy and the flip flops of the APC until they were swept away by the broom in 2023 even as more revelations would be made known to the public in days to come.”

2023 Election: Aspirants In Ondo Defy Governor, Insist On Primary Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Aspirants jostling for various political positions during next year’s general elections in Ondo state have turned down the plea by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to produce consensus candidates among themselves.

The aspirants, after series of meetings with the Governor and leadership of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in the state refused to step down for anyone among them insisting on primary election.

Next year’s election in the state will produce candidates for the three Senatorial seats, nine House of Representatives and 26 members for the State House of Assembly.

The Governor, at a meeting in Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure had called on all National and State Assembly aspirants from the State to discuss a way forward in ensuring APC win across the State.

The Governor, who had assured aspirants that there would be a level-playing field, advised that they do not have to all enter into the race in such a large number.

He, however, called for negotiation and consideration of consensus where applicable.

In another strategic meeting with the State Working Committee, Party Leaders and Stakeholders, the Governor alongside the State Party Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, after deliberation, had thrown open some Senatorial Districts, Federal and State Constituencies for a contest among the aspirants due to disagreement.

At the meeting, the Leader of the party in the State mandated that a very transparent and fair Primaries be conducted owing to the fact that a consensus could not be reached in the aforementioned Senatorial districts, Federal and State Constituencies.

He urged all party delegates to exercise their franchise and present the best candidate and party flagbearer at the polls.

The Districts and Constituencies opened for contest are; Ondo Central, Ondo South Senatorial districts, Ileoluji/Okeigbo & Odigbo Federal Constituency,

Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, Ile-oluji/Okeigbo Constituency, State House of Assembly.

Others are Odigbo Constituency one, and Akure South Constituency one, State House of Assembly.

The leadership of the APC in the state has warned that “On this note, it is now imperative to call the attention of all party leaders and stakeholders in the state to adhere to Mr. Governor’s decision and charge our delegates to act in the interest of the party so that credible aspirants who will win for the party in the general election can emerge.

“Governor Akeredolu is known for his fearless stances and Talk and Do beliefs. He has repeatedly called for fairness, equity and justice for all interests even beyond the shore of Ondo State.

“It is consequently believed that Mr Governor’s decisions shall be strictly followed by the party leadership in the State and unarguably gives room for a level-plain ground contrary to the imposition rumours in some baseless quarters.”

2023: Trouble Rocks APC, As Former Kano State Governor, Shekarau, Joins NNPP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ibrahim Shekarau Joins NNPP

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 election gathers momentum, the ruling Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, in the past few weeks has witnessed a gale of defections. The latest is that of Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Governor of Kano State who has joined the bandwagon.

Shekarau has officially joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, dumping APC.

The defection of Shekarau  comes days after former Director General of APC National Leader and Frontline Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s Support Group, AbdulMumin Jibrin,  joined the NNPP.

The tweet reads, “BREAKING- Sen Ibrahim Shekarau joins NNPP”.

Shekarau alongside another former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwanso, have now formed an alignment going into the 2023 General Election.

It would be recalled that Shekarau gave the Presidential Seat a shot in 2011, but lost the election to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Abdulmumin in a statement, blamed Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for the defections from APC to other parties.

ASUU Strike: Obaseki Laments, Says It Has Worsened Drug Abuse Among Youths

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

An end to the lingering strike by the Academic Staff of Union of Universities, ASUU, is still a long walk ahead as the Federal Government and  ASUU Executives are yet to reach a compromise.

This situation has  become worrisome, not only  to parents and guardians  but to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who is embittered at the increase in the abuse of drugs by youths in the State.

Lamenting, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governor claimed that the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike is worsening the  rate of drug abuse in the state.

According to the him,  Edo recorded 19 drug abuse cases in February, 34 cases in March and 23 cases in April.

He made this disclosure while reviewing the state’s security situation for the months of February, March and April

Obaseki said: “Drug abuse is now the number two issue of concern in our State,”

Our analysis shows that there has been a high rate of consumption of drugs in the last few months.

“This isn’t unconnected with the ASUU strike which has kept many students at home and idle.’’

The review came during a joint security meeting between the State Government and representatives of various security agencies in Edo.

“I use the opportunity of this meeting to appeal to ASUU and the Federal Government to do all they can to end this strike as soon as possible,”

“This is in the interest of the children so that we don’t keep them at home and destroy their lives.

“If they aren’t going to school, as you know the idle mind is a devil’s workshop. One way we hope that we can reduce the use of drugs is if we take these children back to school.’’

It would be recalled that the ASUU Executive after a meeting extended the ongoing strike by three months as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is yet to find a lasting solution to the demands of ASUU thus crippling the educational institutions of the country.

IPOB: No Reprieve For Kanu

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

No reprieve is coming the way of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, following the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja not to grant him bail.

Kanu, who is currently in detention, is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on charges bordering on terrorism and treason.

Prominent leaders from the region have been appealing to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for his release from detention.

But those watching the trial of the IPOB strongman, who is currently in the custody of Department of State Services, DSS,  insist that he’s not likely to regain his freedom while President  Buhari remains in office.

While on a State visit to Ebonyi State, penultimate week, the President re-affirmed his earlier position, to Igbo leaders, that the IPOB leader will not be released until the case runs its full course in the Court.

He spoke during a meeting with leaders of the region at the Government House in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Friday.

Buhari, had last November, told Igbo leaders, led by First Republic Aviation Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi, that he will not interfere with the court process.

While ruling on the bail application for Kanu, brought by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Justice Binta Nyako, held that “the application is premature and refused with liberty to re-file and re-apply”.

The Judge cited the decision of the IPOB leader  to jump bail when he was granted bail in 2017.

Until Kanu explains why he jumped bail four years ago, Nyako said he will not be granted bail.

Kanu, had in 2018 claimed that the federal government granted him bail in order to cage him.

“They gave me conditional bail to cage me and IPOB but I refused,” Kanu said in a statement by Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman.

However, it has been pointed out that Kanu was forced to flee to safely after the Army invaded his father’s Palace where he was, and shot at people, and allegedly killing a couple of them, including the family dog. Until the incident which also forced his parents to flee, Kanu was enjoying the bail in his Afaraukwu Abia State Community.

Sadly, his parents both died in exile. Both were buried same day.

Sokoto Killing: Obi Denies Panic Report To Igbo To Flee The North

By
James Orji
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Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu Report on Igbo to Flee North

By James Orji

The Obi of Onisha, Nnaemeka Achebe, has denied reports that he directed Igbo living in the Northern part of Nigeria to return home in the wake of the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State on May 12, 2022.

Deborah, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was killed by some Islamic fundamentalists for, allegedly, blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Tambuwal had called for calm, while security agencies arrested and arraigned two suspects only, connected with the killing of Deborah, the 200 level student in the school by her killers who, after stoning her, set her ablaze.

In spite of steps so far taken by the State government to restore peace, the development has however, led to panic in the ancient city, particularly among non-indigenes from the South after reports that some criminally-minded people were planning mayhem.

Already, some Churches and shops belonging to non- indigenes have been torched by some aggrieved Muslims demanding the release of the suspects connected with the murder.

In the face of the apprehension, the Obi of Onisha was said to have directed Igbo living in the region to head back home to avoid being caught in the violence likely to erupt again.

Denying the viral report in the social media, the Traditional Ruler said he did not issue any directive asking the Igbo living in the Northern part of the country to relocate back home.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Chinyelugo Anionwu, his Chief of Staff, the Obi said the report was fake, that he had issued no statement to that effect.

The statement said, “The attention of Imeobi Onicha Palace has been drawn to a statement to the effect that His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, has called on every Igbo living in the North to come back home immediately.

“The statement which has gone viral on social media is fake and should be discountenanced.”

Meanwhile, Deborah’s father, Emmanuel Garba, has disclosed that Policemen and other Security Personnel sent to rescue his daughter from her killers did not do enough to prevent her from being killed.

Garba, who had earlier handed the killers of Deborah to God, said the security agents watched as his daughter was being murdered, noting that they had the opportunity to save her life, but left her to die.

Narrating what happened Garba said: “More than 100 Policemen were there. They were more than 100. The DSS people there were not many. The DSS people tried to rescue her but left it to the police when they came in about five to seven vehicles, including the Civil Defence. But see what eventually happened.”

When asked if the Police Officers deliberately did what they did, he said: “Well, what can I say? If they did it deliberately, I leave them to the hands of God because I believe that if the Police and the other security agencies wanted to rescue her, immediately they shot in the air and the mob dispersed, they could have taken her into one of their many vehicles and zoomed off.”

Dr Peter Odili Suffered Humiliation, Betrayal In Our Hands – Wike

By
The Source
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Peter Odili-Mary Odili and Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he  has never seen a man as humiliated and betrayed as Dr Peter Odili, former Governor of Rivers State. Yet, said Wike, Odili remains forgiving.

Wike spoke at a State Banquet at Government House Porthacourt, Monday night, he organised on behalf of the Hon Justice Mary Peter- Odili, JSC,  to mark her 70th birthday, and retirement from the Supreme Court.

Justice Peter-Odili, a very accomplished Jurist, and a former First Lady of Rivers State, retired from the Supreme Court on May 12, 2022, the day she turned 70 years, after 44 years of meritorious and credible service to her fatherland.

Speaking at the banquet, Wike said Dr Odili made many enemies in Rivers State over his insistence that an Ikwerre must succeed him, Odili, as  Governor of the State.

However, Wike regretted that after Odili’s sacrifice which made it possible for an Ikwerre to become Governor, it was Ikwerre that put him in the dock.

Odili had chosen his political  godson, Chibuike Amaechi, who  also, was Speaker of the House for eight years, thanks to him, to succeed him. But Amaechi inexplicably rejected by President Olusegun Obasanjo. As a last resort, Odili, in conjunction with Amaechi, chose Amaechi’s cousin, Celestine Omehia as replacement. Amaechi was in Ghana where Odili flew him to, without an international passport, when the Supreme  Court pronounced him Governor.

Apologising profusely to Odili, Wike, an Ikwerre himself, said Ikwerre people owed Odili an apology for humiliating and betraying him, and finally putting him in the dock.

Recall that Amaechi, as the Governor of Rivers State, was the one who, to the shock of not a few Nigerians, put Odili in the dock when he  set up what he called a Truth Commission where all kinds of people made what were seen as spurious allegations against his benefactor, Dr Odili.

Recalling that period without mentioning names, Wike lamented what Dr Odili went through for  Ikwerre people, and later, in their hands.

Wike: “I have never seen a man who has suffered such humiliation. I have never seen a man who has suffered betrayal in life like Dr Odili. There is no politician in Rivers State serving at the Federal and State level since 1999 that would deny passing through the tutelage of Dr Odili.”

The Governor was, particularly, grateful to Justice Peter-Odili who he said gave him access to her husband, and thus laid the foundation of who he, Wike, is today.

My Presidency Will Eliminate Mutual Suspicion, Ensure Unity, Inspire Patriotism, Anyim Assures S’West PDP Delegates

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim Meets PDP South West Delegates

Former Senate President and frontline Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has assured that his presidency will eliminate mutual suspicion, ensure unity and inspire patriotism.

Anyim gave the assurance on Tuesday in Ibadan when he addressed all the Southwest PDP delegates.

Presenting what he called his “pathway to a greater Nigeria,” to the party delegates from all the six states of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun, Anyim described the Southwest as the brainbox of the nation and promised to partner with the zone on the issue of restructuring.

“The Southwest sets the pace and national standards. The clamour for restructuring started from here. And the restructuring the Southwest is agitating for is restructuring for growth, peace and progress of Nigeria. On this, I will partner with the Southwest.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) told the delegates and party leaders that he is running for the presidency in order to reposition the country on the path of growth, peace and prosperity.

“The purpose of my being here today is to present to you my informed pathway to rebuilding and refocusing our country on the path of growth, peace and prosperity,” he said.

Anyim said from the vantage positions he has held in government, he understands the challenges confronting the country today and equally has clarity of what the solutions could be.

Outlining his understanding of the problems and what he called evidence-informed pathway to resolving them, Anyim put the solutions under three broad categorizations: Political, Economic and Social integration.

Anyim said his foremost agenda when he becomes president is to build a political foundation for greater Nigeria, cognizant of the fact that the “greatest challenge of our nationhood today is the lack of consensus on the structure of the country, its governance system and national ideals or aspiration.”

The frontline aspirant said:

“I make bold to say that the absence of consensus on these areas account for the disunity and mutual suspicion that threaten our country today.

“At the formation of our nation (Union), there were lots of negotiations, constitutional conferences and even the Willinks Commission to allay the fears of the minority tribes. The lesson here is that the buy-in-of all component segments of the nation is required to build the nation.

“Given that democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people, therefore, any policy of government that does not have the buy-in of the people is not likely to succeed. This accounts for the failure of several attempts to advance our nation.”

As part of his Political consolidation process, Anyim said a PDP government under his watch “shall provide a platform for broad-based consultations and frank dialogue on a generally acceptable new foundation for our nation,” and also “put the machinery in place to harvest the views and secure the buy-in of all components of our polity and build consensus on the structure of the federation, an acceptable governance system and benchmark agreed national aspiration to which all shall commit.

“Consensus building shall be the hallmark of our administration. We shall deploy a visionary leadership style that shall respond to the aspirations of the people,” he further said.

When he becomes president of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, Anyim said mutual suspicion will be eliminated, unity of purpose ensured, patriotism inspired, and Nigerians shall be united in their commitment to building a nation of their dream.

Welcoming the aspirant earlier at the PDP zonal party secretariat, the National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Mr. Soji Adagunodo, said Anyim has all the qualities needed in a leader that can refocus Nigeria.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, who hosted Anyim at Government House, said he was pleased with the quality of aspirants that have emerged in the PDP for the 2023 presidential election.

Singling out Anyim, Makinde said his experience as Senate President, SGF and experienced lawyer stands him out.

“You are eminently qualified to be the leader of this country,” the governor told the former Senate President.

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