FG Fails To Dock Kidnap Suspects Due To Non-availability Of Interpreter

Arraignment of five men, accused of abducting some pupils and staff members of Nigeria/Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun State on January 13, 2017, was on Tuesday stalled due to non-availability of an interpreter in court.

When the case was called before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, the defendants said they do not understand or speak English language well, except Pidgin English.
Case was stood down for more than an hour to search for an Interpreter but to no avail, after which the court adjourned till Wednesday to enable the court provide an interpreter.

The Justice Tsoho said, “It is regretted that the court could not locate an interpreter to translate proceedings to pidgin English, therefore, the court adjourns to tomorrow to look for a competent and unbiased interpreter.”

Defendants, Bekewei Agbojule (a.k.a Asari), Egbasimokumo Ayeomi (a.k.a Effiong), Godspower Olopele, Toki Okuba and Super Allen Baye (a.k.a Yanga), were alleged to have been involved in the acts of hostage taking and receiving of ransom, acts of terrorism punishable by life imprisonment under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

The five-count charge preferred against the defendants by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the defendants were alleged to have conspired among themselves and with others at large and demanded the sun of N800 million as ransom after they seized and detained their victims.

They were said to have demanded N800 million as ransom, but later reduced it to N50 million, which was allegedly paid to them before releasing the victims.

Seven pupils and staff members of Nigeria/Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun State, allegedly abducted by the defendants were Stephanie Nwosu, Zainab Olatubosun, Rebecca Agodi, Radiyan Aminu, Rashidat Ibrahim, Hanat Aderinto and Deriyo Yaziel.

Prosecution also alleged in counts four and five that the same set of defendants, along with others at large, on December 16, 2016, at Asolo Bridge, Ikorodu Expressway, Lagos, seized at gun point one Joshua Olayinka Audu, Rita Morah, Kendra Abiose and four others.

They were said to have, after seizing the six victims in Ikorodu, gone ahead to detain them at Ibafo Creek, Ogun State and allegedly demanded a ransom of N2 million from the family members of the victims and received the money before releasing the abductees.

The prosecution alleged that the offence of conspiracy to commit hostage taking was an act of terrorism contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, and punishable under the same Section of the Act.

It alleged that other offences of seizing, hostage taking and demanding of ransom were also acts of terrorism said to be contrary to Section 15 (1) of Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, and punishable under the same section of the Act.

Third count charge reads, “That you, Bekewei Agbojule, a.k.a Asari, of College Road Abapa/Arogbo, Ondo State; Egbasimokumo Ayeomi, a.k.a Effiong of Opuba village, Arogbo town, Ondo State; Godspower Olopele of Araromi Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos; Toki Okuba of Ijaw village behind Opic Estate, Isheri, Ogun State and Super Allen Baye a.k.a Yanga of Opuba village, Arogbo, Ondo State, on or about January 13, 2017, at Nigeria/Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to wit: hostage taking in that you detained some staff and students of Nigeria/Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun State, namely, Nwosu Stephanie, Olatubosun Zainab, Agodi Rebecca, Radiyan Aminu, Rashidat Ibrahim, Aderinto Hanat and Deriyo Yaziel and demanded from their family members a monetary ransom of N800 million, which you later reduced to the N50 million and received by you before releasing them.”

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CCB - Corruption Fight Needs Proper Investigation

After failing to secure the conviction the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, over allegation of false declaration of his assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has cited lack of proper and diligent investigation as responsible for unsuccessful prosecution of public office holders of corruption related cases.

The Acting Chairman of the Bureau, Mr Ngusha Agom Tor, who disclosed this on Tuesday however said proper investigation is capital intensive and added that without proper investigation of cases, it will be difficult to secure conviction.

Recall that Senate President Bukola Saraki was recently discharged and acquitted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on false assets declaration charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

He speaking at the 2017 Children’s Forum organised by the Bureau to mark the International Children’s day in Abuja, Agom Tor who took over the affairs of the Bureau from Mr Sam Saba in acting capacity noted that the fight against corruption can only succeed if there is proper investigation of cases.

-You know if a case is properly investigated, the possibility of securing conviction is high. It will be difficult for the defence lawyers to knock it off in court because there will be water tight evidence, but it is very costly.

-Take the case of James Ibori for instance, it cost the Metropolitan Police huge sums of money to investigate the case that nailed him. The Bureau does not have that kind of funds to embark on such investigation especially if it involves foreign trips. he lamented.

Meanwhile, in his address at the Children’s Forum, the Acting CCB chairman called on youths in the country to shun corruption in all its manifestation and to report every act of corruption or abuse of office to the Code of Conduct Bureau or other ant-corruption agencies.

He tasked children to ask their parents who are public officers, but stupendously rich, the source of their income.

Agom-Tor said the Nigerian youths must take their future in their hands by being in the vanguard of the fight against corruption.

Theme of this year’s children forum is, “Nurturing the values of honesty and accountability in the Nigerian youth.”

The highlights of the event included debate competition, drama presentation by schools, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as well as presentation of gifts and awards.

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It’s Time For The Nigerians To Own Homes - Emefiele

Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says Nigerians who wish to own homes through mortgage financing can now do so.

He speaking at the launch of ‘My Own Home Scheme’, an initiative of the CBN in collaboration with its partners, in Abuja on Monday, Emefiele, who was represented by Tokunbo Martins, director banking supervision at the CBN, explained that the aim of the scheme is to increase access to housing finance for Nigerians.

Emefiele said the initiative which is under the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme (NHFP) is purely driven by “public-private partnership,

If you seeking the capacity to purchase a home through mortgage this is the time… the time has come for you…. he said.

Through the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), mortgage guarantee scheme and housing micro-finance scheme several people have become home owners already and nobody must be left behind.

Under the scheme potential mortgage clients, who cannot make 20 percent initial down payment of the value of a piece of property but have the capacity to make regular payments, can access mortgage, but on the basis of third party guarantee.

The NHFP was set up by the federal government for the purpose of ensuring improved access to housing finance and housing in general for Nigerians.

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The Scholes backs Rooney to fight for (England)

The former England midfielder Paul Scholes believes Wayne Rooney still has a role to play for the Three Lions.

Rooney was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Germany and Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, having been battling a knee injury while the England boss also had doubts over his lack of game time.

Rooney has made only nine Premier League starts for Manchester United this season and scored just five club goals with his future at Old Trafford in doubt.

But Southgate has said record England scorer Rooney, who has 119 caps, remains in his thoughts and Scholes feels he should stay as part of the squad.

“Wayne has been a sensational footballer for England and Manchester United for nearly 15 years. He is greatly respected and I still think he has a part to play with United and England,” he told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek.

“He has great experience, he can pass knowledge on to young players and it’s up to Gareth if and when he wants to use it.

“I don’t want to talk about him going to another English club, I hope he gets himself back into the United team. He has a fight on his hands but the Wayne Rooney I know is someone who will face that challenge and try to do it.

“He still has a prominent role to play for England and United. There’s been a lot of speculation over where he goes now but Wayne, with what he’s done, has earned the right to do what he wants to do. I hope he does stay and fight.”

England are top of Group F by two points ahead of facing Lithuania at Wembley as they aim to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

It will be Southgate’s first competitive match since he was appointed full-time boss in November and Scholes believes the ex-Middlesbrough manager deserves time despite a lack of success in club management.

“As an England manager you’d probably like to earn your stripes, I don’t think he’s done that on the European stage or the domestic stage with club management,” he said.

“He did great with the [England] under-21s but we’ve been down every other route, down the route with so-called super coaches and it hasn’t worked. Now we have a passionate man in charge.”

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President Buhari is to attend Climate Change Conference in Morocco

The President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22, in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 14-16.

Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, will participate in the official opening plenary on November 15 where he will deliver his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22.

Presidential address is expected to highlight, among other key issues, Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts.

He will also rally international support for the clean-up of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta and the resuscitation of the Lake Chad Basin.

While in Marrakech, the President is scheduled to attend the Africa Day Commemoration at COP 22 with the theme, “Moving from Commitments to Action with Intended Nationally Determined Contributions and African Renewable Energy Initiative.”

He will also attend the Summit of African Heads of State on the sidelines of the Climate Change conference.

COP 22, which will be attended by representatives from 197 countries including world leaders, environment ministers, government officials as well as a wide range of representatives from civil society and the private sector, is the first meeting of State Parties since the entry into force of the landmark Paris Agreement on November 4, 2016.

Legally binding international Agreement on climate change, among others, addresses issues of global warming, including its impact on food security and agriculture.

It would be recalled that President Buhari signed the Paris Agreement on September 22, 2016 at the margins of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Buoyed by that commitment, the Nigerian delegation is optimistic that COP22 will provide a platform to promote and enhance delivery of the purpose-driven environmental sustainable agenda of the Federal Government.

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Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

35 -year- old man, Michael Atanda, who has been extorting money from four ladies with threat to expose their nude pictures on the social media has been arrested in Lagos.

Atanda, a computer science National Diploma holder of a popular computer school based in Ikeja, was arrested on Thursday by the surveillance Team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command after about five days of baiting and monitoring.

Police in a press statement said the accused, ex – convict and father of three, had collected N121,000:00 from his four girlfriends with the threat but wanted the ladies to pay more or have their nude pictures leaked on social media.

Suspect who bears Segun Bayo on facebook and a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile – Ife, reportedly said he usually adds several ladies on Facebook and after two weeks, he would start chatting with them.

+ The profile picture on my facebook account is that of a guy based in London, and so as part of my introductions to ladies, I tell them that, I am a Construction Engineer as well as that my parents and I are living in Europe” the suspect said.

+ After sometime, I would lure them into sexual conversations during which, I persuaded them to send their nude pictures to me. They would send and I would send mine to them too.

+ Before that I would pretend that I was seeking a serious relationship with them, and that very soon, I would be coming to Abuja on a business trip, during which I would see them.

+ I would again feign my seriousness by calling them with the aid of computer software that transforms my Nigerian line into an international line. Meanwhile, I would warn them that I was calling through a public phone booth.

+ As soon as they have sent their nude pictures, I would come up with all manners of stories. And begin to extort and blackmail them. Through this means, I have collected over N121, 000:00 from my latest victims.

+ I was jailed last year in a similar circumstance after fraudulently collected N700, 000:00 from a lady I met through a dating site. I was eventually bailed but the case is still pending in the court” he confessed .

+ I have collected only 10,000:00 from Funmilola, Motunrayo, N6,000, Joy, N5,000 and Lizzy, N100,000:00” .

Apart from Lizzy, who reported the incident but declined to press charges, three other suspects, who were discovered during investigations, acknowledged on phone calls they have been paying the suspect so that he doesn’t leak their nude photographs online.

Though, investigators have reached out to more victims after checking the suspect’s facebook conversations with a number of ladies, all of them have reportedly refused to come forward, after confirming they were paying the suspect through his bank statement.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Suprintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that the Police were carrying out a thorough investigation on the case to aid prosecution. Suspect has been transferred to SCID for further investigations.

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Buhari’s daughter tackles BBOG

Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative (AFRISEI) has rejected allegations of franchise infringement levelled against her by the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, led by former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili.

The refutal is contained in a statement co-signed by the President and Secretary of AFRISEI, Hajiya Hadiza Buhari-Bello, a daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, and Don Uche, respectively.

BBOG advocacy group, via a statement jointly signed by Aisha Yesufu and Oby Ezekwesili, had dissociated the BBOG group from a fund-raising event organised by Hadiza Buhari-Bello, daughter of Nigeria’s president.

Event tagged Official Inauguration and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Chibok Girls Endowment Project, took place at the Peace Corps of Nigeria premises, Abuja on October 17, with the #BringBackOurGirls inscription on the backdrop.

While demanding an immediate retraction and unreserved apology from the organisers of the event, the BBOG also urged the general public to disregard attempts at linking the group to the event.

However, Hadiza Buhari-Bello and Uche stated that contrary to Yesufu and Ezekwesili’s allegation, AFRISEI did not need to lean on the BBOG to be of service to the Chibok Girls.

They maintained that they had no reason “to steal anything from BBOG or use its name to achieve any advantage.

The Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative has its own defined objectives and it didn’t need to steal anybody’s ideas to operate in line with its own objectives,’’ the statement stated.

While praising the activities of the BBOG to raise and sustain awareness about the plight of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, the President’s daughter said that their organisation had broader objectives beyond the Chibok girls.

They said though the Chibok girls were within the priority of their organisation, their commitments to humanitarian causes does not end with Chibok schoolgirls.

Given the size of the problem at hand, the more organisations we have assisting Chibok and other devastated communities, the better for the country,’’ they said.

According to them, as a charitable organisation, AFRISEI is committed to empowering the youth and the less privileged in the area of job creation and skill acquisition.

It is also committed to supporting the education of the less privileged students, giving material support to the downtrodden; the internally displaced persons.

AFRISEI is committed to educating the masses to discourage unhealthy practices such as child trafficking, child abuse, child labour and gender discrimination.’’

AFRISEI president and secretary said there was no law that prevented their organisation from assisting the Chibok schoolgirls, adding that as a charity organisation, they offered help to people in distress, including the Chibok girls and other Boko Haram victims.

They noted that AFRISEI was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and issued certificate of incorporation on July 14, and hence would never engage in illegal activities by stealing someone else’s franchise.

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Obanikoro offers to refund N785m slush fund

Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro may soon be let out of custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following indications that he has agreed to make refunds of the money he allegedly collected from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Anti-graft agency accused the ex-minister of collecting N785 million from ONSA while in office.

His friends and associates are understood to be rallying around him to raise the funds as a first step to secure his bail.

Obanikoro is understood to be targeting  N100 million as first installment  of the refund.

From ONSA, about N4.685 billon was transferred to Sylva McNamara Limited, a company allegedly linked to the ex-Minister.

Obanikoro told EFCC interrogators  that N3.880 billion of the N4.685 billion was allocated to Governor Ayodele Fayose  of Ekiti State  and  Senator Iyiola Omisore.

He also said he handed over $5.377 million (about N60 million then) cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Tope Aluko and other party stalwarts.

He said the balance of N785 million was expended on alleged anti-Boko Haram campaign in Lagos and the South-West.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-minister has been cooperating with detectives and he appears willing to refund some cash out of the N785 million traced to Sylvan McNamara.

“I think his associates and friends have rallied around him, having discovered that the bulk of the cash from ONSA went to Fayose and Omisore.

“I think he might initially refund N100 million to get bail reprieve in order to prevail on others who benefited from the N785 million to repay the slush funds.

“The refund is one of the issues delaying the granting of bail to the ex-minister.”

Obanikoro had said:  “The balance of N785 milion were used to prosecute the following: 1. procurement of souvenirs for the promotion of anti-Boko Haram insurgency in Lagos; 2. N200million for surveillance activities; 3. N200 million and other remaining funds were for operations managed by Taiwo Kareem.

“Taiwo Kareem impressed the former NSA with his management of pre and post-election funds. To God be the glory, the two elections were carried out without any loss of life

“When bomb blast occurred in Lagos on the 25th of June 2014, the NSA was disturbed and told me of his commitment to ensure that such doesn’t reoccur.

“He expressed the grave consequence that the reoccurrence will have not only on Lagos but the economy of the entire country.

“He emphasised the need for local input to complement the activities of security agencies. This is how Sylvan McNamara was introduced.”

The EFCC had discovered that Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons,   was used to launder the N4.745 billion.

The company, which was incorporated in November 2011 had the following as its directors: a close aide of the ex-minister, Ikenna Ezekwe (700,000 shares) of 51 Simpson Street, Ebute-Metta; Idowu Oshodi (299,000 shares) of 8, Prince Tayo Adesanya Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi; and Elizabeth Adebiyi (1,000 shares) of 3, Adedoyin Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere.

Ikenna Ezekwe’s account  has been  de-frozen by the EFCC since the slush funds were not traced to him.

Ezekwe has also been removed as the director of the slush company.

A document said: “To set the stage for the use of the company for money laundering, the board of directors on May 7, 2012  passed a resolution that the company should open an account and appointed Mr. Gbolahan Obanikoro, Ikenna Ezekwe, Ms. Theresa Matuluko (Secretary) and Mr. Babajide Obanikoro as the signatories to the account.

“The board added that the signing combination be that any of the signatories can sign alone.”

The EFCC claimed that  when it was time to illegally draw the N4.745 billion from ONSA as war chest for Ekiti Governorship poll, ex-minister Obanikoro made the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited available and coordinated the disbursement.

The contacted, Obanikoro’s spokesperson, Jonathan Eze, said he was not aware of the development.

And the source close to him, however, said “it is true.”

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The EFCC re-arrests Fani-Kayode as N4.9bn money laundering

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday picked up former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi  Fani-Kayode, on the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Fani-Kayode was stopped by three EFCC operatives at about 1:55pm just as he stepped out of Justice Muslim Sule Hassan’s court where he and four others were on trial on a N4.9 billion money laundering charge levelled against them by the commission.

Operatives, one dressed in white kaftan and the others in black suits, asked him to follow them to the commission’s office, but allowed him to speak to the press.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arrested me on a matter touching on, I believe, a case in Abuja which we have already acknowledged the fact that the matter is for November 10 and my lawyers have appeared in court.

“My lawyers have undertaken to produce me in court. They have written a letter which has been acknowledged by the EFCC, saying I’ll be in Abuja to answer to those charges on November 10.

“They will not take my life; I am not scared; I’m not intimidated, and I will not be silenced.

“I am very proud of the fact that the Nigerian people are beginning to understand what is going on in this country.

“They can re-arrest me a thousand times, torture me, lock me up, beat me, deprive me of food and my phones; they can do anything to me, I will never change,” Fani-Kayode said.

He was then led to a white Toyota Hiace bus which had barricaded the court’s gate and driven away.

Earlier, the EFCC opened its case against the former Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Fani-Kayode is standing trial alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenandi Usman, and Danjuma Yusuf, as well as a firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd.

They were arraigned on June 28 on a 17-count charge bordering on unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money in the tune of about N4.9 billion.

They each pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail.

Prosecuting counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo called his first witness, Mr Idowu Olusegun, a media consultant with Paste Posters Company (PPC).

Olusegun testified during evidence-in-chief that he was paid N30million in cash by the PDP Campaign Organisation for media consultancy services worth N54 million during the entire period of the electioneering.

Witness said his company got the contract via a proposal letter it wrote on January 28, 2015 to the campaign organisation whose address is at 14B, Samora Michael Avenue, Asokoro, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The negotiations, his firm printed A2 sized campaign posters at N50 per unit and A4 sized campaign fliers at N20 per unit after which he was invited to the organisation’s office in Abuja and given N30 million in cash.

He told the court that he had demanded to know why payment was made in cash and was informed by one Mr Oke that cash was the approved means of payment.

Witness testified further that Mr Oke had been the person communicating with him throughout the pendency of his engagement to do the media jobs, but that he assumed that Mr Oke acted on behalf of second defendant, Fani-Kayode.

Olusegun added that a balance of N24 million was not paid to his company, and after his testimony, the court adjourned till November 14 and 15 for continuation of trial.

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Lagos set to impose death sentence on kidnappers

Lagos State Government may soon join the growing number of states such as Edo, Ogun and Anambra that have imposed death sentence on kidnappers.

According to a private member bill sponsored by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, any person, who kidnaps, abducts, detains, captures or takes another person by any means or tricks with intent to demand ransom or do anything against his/her will commit an offence, and liable on conviction to death sentence.

The bill went through a public hearing on yesterday at the Lateef jakande Auditorium within the Assembly premises with some stakeholders in attendance.

Attempt to kidnap is also criminalised under the bill and it was suggested that such a person would be committed to life imprisonment.

Also, the bill is against false representation to release a kidnapped or abducted person under Section 4,  and this attracts seven years imprisonment.

Furthermore, the bill provides that any person, who knowingly or wilfully allows or permits his premises, building or a place belonging or occupied to which he has control of, to be used for the purposes of keeping a person kidnapped is guilty of an offence under the law and liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of 14 years without an option of fine.

A legal practitioner, Mr Richard Komolafe from the United Action for Change (UAC), who spoke at the stakeholders meeting, commended the bill but said that death sentence was no longer fashionable all over the world.

Komolafe said:”Hanging itself is inhuman by conventions as against life imprisonment. I appreciate this bill, it is very timely, but we hope it will be passed in time.”

He, however, urged the lawmakers to find a way of not getting genuine rescuers from being roped in cases of pretentious kidnap.

Another stakeholder, who is the Director of Legal Drafting in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Yejide Kolawole, who also commended the bill, said that it was essential that element of conspiracy and attempt to kidnap be added in the bill.

“I suggest 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy to kidnap, depending on the level of involvement. However,  seven years penalty for section 4 is too mild. I suggest  20 years to deter those who would want to engage in the crime.

“On Section 5, anyone who instigates kidnapping should be given a stiffer penalty of 25 years, though the person does not participate overtly in act.

“On Section 7, owners of a building used to aid kidnapping should have a higher punishment than mere forfeiture of property,” she said.

Also, a Chief Magistrate in Lagos State, Mrs Seri Sholebo said that it was fundamental to add conspiracy to kidnapping, stressing that the ministry had not been able to convict offenders on conspiracy since 2011.

Sholebo however, suggested 180 days window for trials of offenders rather than the stipulated 60 days due to anticipated delay in handling the cases.

A Director in the Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD), Mr. Borokini Fatai wanted to know what could happen if the trial could not be concluded within 60 days, as he said that a defence counsel could ask for the withdrawal of the matter after the stipulated number of days.

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Governor Fayose: Obanikoro’s return planned to nail me

Testimony of former Minister of State (Defence) Musiliu Obanikoro in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to be rattling Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

Obanikoro claimed that he gave Fayose N2.3 billion, which came from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) in the run-up to the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Apparently troubled by Obanikoro’s evidence, Fayose, in a statement made available to reporters yesterday, alleged that the ex-minister’s return from the United States was “arranged and compromised” in a bid to nail him (Fayose).

Governor also described Obanikoro’s surrender to the EFCC as part of “Fayose-Must-Be-Implicated-At-All-Cost” project, urging the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to channel its energy towards providing food for hungry Nigerians.

Dismissing the claim that Obanikoro had confessed to the EFCC on the receipt of funds from Dasuki to sponsor his 2014 governorship campaign, Fayose said he was only reacting just to fulfil all righteousness because Nigerians are more interested in having food on their tables.

He claimed that the APC and the EFCC were conducting a media trial, urging them to halt all salvos being fired at him and wait for him to present his defence.

He said: “We have gone beyond this stage of media trial. EFCC should rather keep its gun powder dry. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. They said more than this in the 2006 poultry scam blackmail. Despite that, I am the governor today.”

Fayose added: “Those who arranged the dramatic and compromised return of Senator Obanikoro to Nigeria obviously did so in continuation of their project ‘Fayose must be implicated at all cost’ but I am not bothered because my election was legitimately funded.

“However, if this is why they are intimidating judges and the judiciary, it won’t work as far as my own matter is concerned as no one can play God.

“As far as I am concerned, I am busy here in Ekiti attending to the welfare and well-being of my people. I won’t be distracted.”

The Fayose challenged the EFCC to also investigate the funding of APC elections, expressing outrage that “financial assistance from Nigerians is now criminalised”.

He said: “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC, must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission.

Also yesterday, Fayose dispelled the rumour that he had shut down the Ado-Ekiti branch of Access Bank Plc following last Monday’s attempt by agents of the EFCC to arrest Mrs Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode, the wife of former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, in the bank premises.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said it had nothing against the bank and there was no reason whatsoever to shut down the financial institution.

He said: “The attention of the state government has been drawn to rumours making the round, especially on social media, that Ekiti State Government has shut downý a branch of Access Bank in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

!!This is definitely coming from the warped minds of opposition elements, whose mouths have been locked by the sterling performance of Fayose and the unprecedented support he is enjoying from the people of the state.

For the sake of clarity, Ekiti State Government has no axe to grind with the management of Access Bank. Also, the state government does not license banks and can’t withdraw same.

We enjoin the good people of Ekiti State and Nigerians in general to disregard such unfounded rumours.

They should not let themselves be dragged to the level of the unintelligent like the opposition people have shown by embarking on this type of insinuation they probably brought from the pit of hell.!!

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President Buhari Meets 21 Released Chibok girls and said your best time has come

President Buhari told the 21 freed Chibok girls yesterday that their best time has come.

He promised that the Federal Government would take over the education of the girls.

President received the girls and their parents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the girls who experienced the worst of life in the hands of their Boko Haram captors would now get the best the world could offer.

21 girls are the manifestation of our doggedness and commitments to the release and return of the Chibok girls.

“While joining their parents to rejoice and praise the Almighty, we shall redouble efforts to ensure that we fulfill our pledge of bringing the remaining girls back home. Already, the credible first step has been taken and Government will sustain the effort until all the remaining girls return safely

“These 21 girls will be given adequate and comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support. The Federal Government will rehabilitate them, and ensure that their reintegration back to the Society is done as quickly as possible.

“Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life. Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies.

 ”These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best that the world can do for them.  The Government and all Nigerians must encourage them to achieve their desired ambitions.”

He expressed appreciation of the Federal Government for the patience and understanding the Chibok girls’ parents have shown.

The President also thanked Nigerians and the International Community for their support and prayers, and for not losing confidence in the government’s ability to secure the safe release of the girls.

The Chairman of Chibok Local Government, Ya’aga Yarakuwa, who spoke for the Chibok girls’ parents, thanked the government for preventing the Chibok community from been erased from Nigerian map by Boko Haram.

He however informed the President that Chibok community is still suffering security challenges as the village was attacked on Tuesday.

He urged the government to take over the welfare of the 21 girls.

Also said many of the Chibok girls’ parents had died, adding that the President’s wife, Haji Aisha, had supported the parents with N30 million.

He pointed out that Chibok was in need of good roads and that the rebuilding of the school was yet to be completed.

One of the girls, Rebecca Mallam, who spoke on behalf of the others, thanked the Federal Government for securing their release.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, called for prayers for the president in his determination to secure the release of the remaining girls and other innocent Nigerian in captivity.

She said that since the girls were released, the government had been taking care of their needs.

This girls were presented to Mr. President by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

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Buhari’s wife, Senate to partner German company on reproductive health

Wife of President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and the Senate, Wednesday pledged to partner Merck Pharmaceuticals – a German company – on reproductive health issues in the country.

Mrs. Buhari who is also the initiator of Future Assured and the Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso disclosed this during the “Merck More than a Mother” in Nigeria Campaign Launch in Abuja.

“Merck More than a Mother” initiated by Dr. Rasha Kelej – Chief Social Officer of Merck – aims to empower infertile women by improving access to information, education, healthcare, change of culture, mindset and to de-stigmatize infertility.

Mrs. Buhari in a speech read on her behalf by the Vice President’s wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo,  pledged her support in the implementation of “Merck More than a Mother’s” activities in Nigeria – with emphasis on creating awareness and providing information and education on causes of infertility; facilitating access to healthcare; and economic and social empowerment of infertile women.

She expressed her willingness to help strengthen advocacy for women with infertility challenges through her Future Assured Initiative Project.

On his part, Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, said the Senate would initiate a legislation on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the country.

Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, in her remarks, called for partnership between government and the private sector to make infertility treatment affordable.

Saraki’s wife who spoke on behalf of wives of other Senators said that they would carry the message of the “Merck More than a Mother” campaign to every Senatorial District in the country.

Panel discussion by fertility experts and policy makers during the launch called for an end to the stigmatization of infertile women; creation of awareness and education on the causes of infertility and management since over 85% of the cases are caused by infections which can be treated and prevented.

They added that it also involved building advocacy for the development of ART laws to improve the governance and quality of fertility care; improving access to fertility care by integrating it into public reproductive health services and building the capacity to provide quality and safe fertility care through training.

The panelists also supported the empowerment of infertile women who form a vulnerable part of the population and noted that infertile women in Nigeria and many other African countries who can no longer be treated have been empowered socially and economically to lead independent and happier lives through “Empowering Berna” initiative.

“Empowering Berna” is part of “Merck More than a Mother” campaign.

The panel included Senator Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, the Chairman Senate Committee of Health; Minister of Health, Prof.  Isaac Adewole, Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan and Uganda’s Minister of State for Health, Hon. Sarah Opendi.

Others are a Member of the Kenyan Parliament, Hon. Joyce Lay; National Coordinator, Future Assured, Dr. Mohammed Kamal; President of Africa Fertility Society, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru and Chief Social Officer of Merck Pharmaceuticals, Rasha Kelej.

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DSS should probe more corrupt judges, Protesters urge Buhari

President Buhari has been urged to ensure that corrupt judges are flushed out of the system.  

Call, which was made at a rally Wednesday in at the Federal High Court, Alausa, Lagos, saw placard-carry protesters urging the President to wipe out corruption in the judiciary and other arms of government.

Some of the placards read, “We support total probe of the judiciary”, “Probe more judges”, “Justice is not for sale, Probe the court”, “Corruption is worse than Boko Haram.”

Protesters also admonished the president not to deter to take decisive action on the judges saying all the judges so far indicted or arrested for corruption should immediately resign considering the magnitude of the case that the DSS has built against them.

Lagos Coordinator; Human Right and Anti-Corruption Coalition, Desmond Abiona who spoke on-behalf of the masses said Nigerians are sad that the judiciary that should be the last recourse of the common man is a bigger problem than what we had hoped it would solve for us.

“How many terrorists have we successfully convicted and put away for good?”  he quried adding that  corrupt judges have not allowed it. They rather receive bribes and allow killers roam the land with explosive belts and AK47 than deploy the judiciary as a tool for curbing terrorism. “

According to the activists, the case of those that have been given lenient punishments or bailed from the DSS net is a slap on the wrist by the National Judicial Council (NJC) urging the president to ensure that they must face the law court.

“The DSS must widen its investigation to take in all the petitions that the NJC has ever discarded given the fact that the council has demonstrated it tends to shield corrupt judges. The arrested judges should be charged to court within the shortest time possible to that they cannot claim their rights were violated.

“We want to clearly warn the judges that would be handling the trial of these arrested men that Nigerians would be watching closely and this is no time to play fraternal games. In addition to accepting bribes and being corrupt there is also something called conflict of interest and Nigerians will be watching.”

“The DSS must widen its investigation,” adding that Nigerians are not expecting anything less.

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Probe my children, family members if corrupt – Buhari tells EFCC

War against corruption may gather more steam soon, going by President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest pronouncement.
The President has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to probe even his own children or members of his family implicated in corrupt practices.

He said he would not forgive the anti-graft agency if it fails to pobe any allegation of corruption against his children and family members.

A sketch of Buhari’s tough anti-corruption mindset and plans was contained in a book, “Muhammadu Buhari: The challenges of leadership in Nigeria”, which is authored by Prof. John Paden.

The book reveals how Buhari inspired the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu as a school boy to develop anti-graft traits.

It adds: “Buhari’s attitude is to let the chips fall where they may in particular cases, although reform of the judiciary is one of his larger goals.

“Buhari has often said that if any of his own children were accused of corruption, and the authorities did not investigate, he would never forgive the authorities.”

It was also learnt that the President has rebuffed pressure to save his allies in the All Progressives Congress(APC) from being probed by anti-graft agencies.

In spite of their close family ties, it was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to save the former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki because his policy is that there should be no sacred cows in the anti-corruption war.

It was also revealed for the first time that Buhari does not have any grudge against Dasuki despite the latter’s involvement in the August 1985 coup, which led to the former’s removal as a military head of state.

“On numerous occasions, Buhari has urged public officials to do their duty without fear or favour. He has also tried to inspire younger generations to regard public service as an honest calling.

“For example, the current acting head of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu was a schoolboy in Borno when Buhari was military governor in 1975. Buhari gave a talk to a group of boys that included Magu and urged them to do their best.

“Magu was inspired and became a professional policeman.

“In 2015, Buhari asked Magu to head the EFCC, a dangerous job if done well. By mid-May 2016, Magu had secured 143 convictions of corrupt officials.”

Unknown to many, the book has revealed how Buhari resisted pressure to save his allies in APC from being arrested or prosecuted for corruption.

It also unfolded Buhari’s vision for a set of specialized anti-corruption tribunals to fast-track the war against corruption.

The book adds: “The EFCC has been functioning since the administration of President Obasanjo, when it was under the direction of Nuhu Ribadu, a policeman and lawyer who initially was effective before political pressures began to intrude.

“Under President Jonathan, the EFCC was directed by Ibrahim Lamorde and seemed, from the outside, to be functioning well. Inside, however, rumours of corruption among EFCC officials abounded.

“Under President Buhari, the acting chair of EFCC has been Ibrahim Magu, who seems to have taken his lead from Buhari’s determined fight against corruption.

“The widespread investigations conducted by the EFCC and the number of referrals to prosecutors have been unprecedented in EFCC’s history.

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NBA Asks DSS To Release TheS/Court Justices

NBA, had demanded immediate and unconditionally release of two Justices of the Supreme Court who were arrested after a raid on their homes by operatives of Department of State Services early Saturday morning.

Association warned that there will be consequences if demands are not met immediately at a press conference in Lagos addressed by its President, President, Mr Abubakar Mamoud, SAN.

He spoke to journalists alongside three past Presidents of the association, namely Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, on the arrest and detention of the two Justices of the Supreme Court and the invasion and harassment of judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Gombe and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“DSS has been carrying out raids in the houses of Justices of the Supreme Court and that of judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Gomber and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Some family members of the judges were manhandled. We gathered that the raids were carried out at 2a.m.

“We condemn the raids in the strongest possible terms. We are in a democratic society and we cannot accept a situation where armed masked DSS operatives invade the homes of the Justices the Supreme Court and judges of our high courts.

“This is a ploy by the executive to intimidate the judiciary and we will not accept it. The NBA will not accept it.

“I want to emphasise again that we’re not under military rule and we cannot accept this Gestapo style of operations.

“First, the NBA demands the immediate and unconditional release of the Justices the Supreme Court still being held by the DSS without further delay.

“The DSS should limit itself to its constitutional duties and responsibilities.

“We demand that President Muhammadu Buhari should call his security agencies to order as this kind of practice is not acceptable under a democratic rule.

“It there are issues affecting judicial officers, there are established processes and procedures for handling them and we demand that these constitutional processes must be obeyed.

“I have declared a state of emergency on the legal profession over the matter and I have invited past Presidents and Secretary Generals of the association,” the NBA President said.

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Niger Delta: Minister says violence won’t solve problem

Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed has declared that violence will not resolve the Niger Delta issue.

He admonished those aggrieved by the plight of the region to embrace peaceful tools of seeking redress.

Speaking at the command screening of the action thriller movie ‘Oloibiri’ in Abuja on Thursday night, the Minister said that in violence, “there are really are no victors, for whichever end of the divide one falls, there remain only the wounded and trauma of bloody memories.

“In its essence, ‘Oloibiri’ the movie speaks of the Niger Delta to us Nigerians, to our essence as humans, as a nation, as students of history and hopes of our tomorrows. ‘Oloibiri’ in its form points out to us that in addressing wrongs, the place of diplomacy can never be successfully replaced with violence; for the violent creates victims of himself and others, and in all of these it is the land who loses precious citizens.”

He said that the Buhari Administration, in laying a strong foundation for the speedy development of the Niger Delta, has begun the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, which was launched last June.

Alhaji Mohammed also noted that the federal government has commissioned the Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa, as part of efforts to complete all abandoned water projects to improve livelihood.

Among those who witnessed the command screening of the film were the Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed, Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Environment Ibrahim Usman Jibril and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Paul Boro.

Also in attendance were some of the stars who featured in the movie, including Mr. Olu Jacobs and Mrs Taiwo Ajayi Lycett.

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EFCC driver, others arrested for breaking into property seized from Badeh

A driver in the employ  of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nasiru Isa, is in the soup for allegedly breaking into a  property seized from a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd).

Sharing the same fate with him are: mobile police officer, Corporal Aliyu Ismaila; Abubakar Jibrin; Abdulsalam Ado; Ibrahim Babangida; Reuben Dauda; Hassan Aliyu; Sani Yusuf and Murtala Mohammed.

They will be arraigned for offences bordering on criminal breach of trust, attempted theft, conspiracy and impersonation.

Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said a mobile policeman, Corporal Aliyu Ismaila, and a carpenter, Yakubu Muhammad, were implicated in the alleged theft.

Uwajaren described the driver, who joined the commission about 18 months ago, as “a member of a criminal syndicate that attempted to break into a sealed property by the EFCC, with the intent of carting away goods suspected to be proceeds of money laundering.”

He added: “The syndicate includes a mobile police officer, Corporal Aliyu Ismaila, Abubakar Jibrin, Abdulsalam Ado, Ibrahim Babangida, Reuben Dauda, Hassan Aliyu, Sani Yusuf and Murtala Mohammed.

“Located in the choice area of Garki, Abuja, the property is currently under investigation by the agency, and became a subject of interest, in the aftermath of findings into the N3.9 billion fraud case involving a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd). The property was also linked to the wife of the former CDS.

“Investigations by EFCC operatives revealed that shortly after the property was sealed, some individuals moved about 12 bags believed to contain items linked to money laundering offence, into the property.

“On August 30, 2016 operatives of the EFCC as part of monitoring activities on the sealed property, had gone to site to execute a search.

“However, members of the syndicate took to their heels on sighting the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

“A carpenter, Yakubu Muhammad, who was hired by the syndicate was left behind and was subsequently arrested by the operatives.

“The carpenter, who has been cooperating with operatives, confessed that he was not in the know of the illicit activity, as he was only brought in by the syndicate to assist with the use of his carpentry tools to break into the property.

“Investigations revealed that one of those in the know about the goods was the brain behind the scheming to steal them.

‘The syndicate decided they would need to subdue the security man at the property, which would mean they would need to involve security man in the syndicate. Subsequently, Isa was contacted.

“To further beef up the security aspect of the crime, he also contacted his friend, Ismaila, who came for the ‘operation’ fully armed. In perpetrating the crime, Dauda had posed to be a senior staff with the EFCC, while Jibrin posed as an intelligence police officer in the office of the Inspector General’s office.

“However, nemesis caught up with them on August 30, 2016 when they were caught in the act of breaking into the property, having successfully overpowered the security guard at the entrance of the property.

“They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

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FG explains flooding on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The River Niger overflows its banks, flooding the Lokoja-Abuja road. PHOTO: Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

The Federal Government yesterday blamed  the flooding of portions of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on some companies which built structures on water channels along the road.

But it directed the contractor handling the flooded portions to provide more palliatives to ameliorate the difficulties caused to motorists by the development.

In a statement explaining the cause of the flooding at a portion of the road opposite the Mountain Top University (MFM) in Ogun State where construction is currently ongoing, government said the flooding at the portion became severe because the various structures built along the road had blocked the water channels through which runoffs were to flow away from the road, adding that the water retention spot of the whole area had been blocked off by building on the wet zones.

The statement explained that these locations, which are now built up, were the drainage basins where surface runoff was directed when the road was built about 40 years ago.

It said the flooding has also been accentuated by some of the communities in the area believed to be discharging their runoffs to the road where drains are yet to be provided, adding that the rains have also been unusually heavy in the past few days, thereby undermining the palliative efforts recently done by the contractor.

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The U.S, Russia reach Syria deal

Russia and the United States have agreed to coordinate air strikes against Islamist militants in Syria, part of a detailed agreement to reduce the violence there.

The plan will begin with a “cessation of hostilities” from sunset on Monday, the BBC reports.

Syrian forces will end combat missions in specified opposition-held areas.

Russia and the U.S will then establish a joint centre to combat jihadist groups, including so-called Islamic State (IS).

A Syrian opposition coalition has cautiously welcomed the agreement.

“We hope this will be the beginning of the end of the civilians’ ordeal,” said Bassma Kodmani, a spokeswoman for the High Negotiations Committee.

“We welcome the deal if it is going to be enforced.”

Turkey welcomed the plan, and said aid needed to reach those in need “from the first day.”

The European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, urged the United Nations to “prepare a proposal for political transition” in Syria.

British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, urged Russia to “use all its influence” to ensure the Syrian government “delivers on its obligations.”

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