The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has asked the new leadership of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Abdulrasheed Bawa to beam its search light on the activities of Ebonyi state government, described as ‘shrouded in secrecy.’ The group also condemned what it called “abandonment of Ezza natives in Okaleru, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state who have remained displaced from their ancestral homes since February 2020 due to the construction of a so-called Ebonyi International Cargo Airport.” In a statement released to newsmen Tuesday in Abuja and signed by AESID President Amb.…
Author: Francis Francis
Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Youths, Alhaji Mai Turere Abubakar has asked Afenifere and Others to call their children to order. In a statement on Monday which was obtained by TNC, Alhaji Turere said: “Nigeria as one indivisible entity, is a reality, many nations will fight to have. Our diverse cultures, resources and religions are an advantage many of us fail to see. We as law abiding youths from a particular part of the country have over the years tried to build bridges across our cultural divides. This has been in the best interest of us all. Unfortunately, actions…
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, is one of the research paper presenters at the 4th Chinua Achebe International Memorial Conference at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. This development was contained in a statement issued by Uzordimma Nzeribe, Ministry of Information & Public Enlightenment. According to the statement, the conference will start on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and end on Thursday, March 11, on the theme “Reevaluation of African Values in the face of the Crisis of the 21st Century”. The conference is organized by the Institute of African Studies of the…
The Anambra State government has expressed grief on the passing away of the respected journalist Uche Ezechukwu and the iconic musician Daniel Ian Mbaezue, popularly known as Dan Ian. A statement by the Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba said “Uche Ezechukwu was a much travelled journalist and linguist who had the interest of his beloved Anambra State dear to his heart. A foundation staff member of the defunct Satellite newspapers in Enugu, and Daily Triumph in Kano, he later became the founding editor of Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s magazine New Globe and was on the editorial board of Haroun…
An American sperm donor, Ari Nagel, has disclosed that he has fathered 78 children currently has 13 women pregnant. He also disclosed that in his early days as a sperm donor he used to have sex with women to get them pregnant; however, he now delivers his seed in a cup as he fears having unprotected sex with all of the women he helps. According to the Mirror, Nagel, who is nicknamed ‘the sperminator,’ revealed he used to have sex with the women to help them conceive. The report said Nagel told the Clair Bryne Live programme he does not…
Popular social media figure, Reno Omokri has starred up controversies on Twitter after he advised men to remove finance from their relationships. According to him, removing finance from a relationship will help to ascertain if the love is real. “Dear men “Not everyone you care for cares about you. Many care for what you do for them. A girl who calls you boo may boot you for a new boo if you can no longer foot her bills. Finance should never be part of romance, so you can know if it is real,” he tweeted. Reacting to the post, some…
The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a Dutch couple: Peiter Borremans and Nkechi Borremans alongside Lagon Trade Limited before Justice E. A Obile of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for suspected fraudulent dealings involving a marine Tanker Vessel to the tune of $330,000(Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars). They were arraigned on two- count charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office on Monday, arraigned Senator Umaru Tafida Argungu before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court on one count charge of criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N419, 744, 612. 30 (Four Hundred and Nineteen Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twelve Naira, Thirty Kobo). The former Senator who represented Kebbi North in the 6th Senate, is alleged to have diverted the said sum which was paid by the Sokoto State government as 40percent equity stake in Hijrah Investment Nigeria Limited, owners…
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State on Monday convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters to two years imprisonment each without an option of fine. The duo were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a separate two-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretences. One of the counts against Edebiri reads: “That you Osas Edebiri (alias Stephen Michael ) on or between the month of December 2019 , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents containing false…
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Olujimi Ige, has disclosed that funds accessed by the State Ministries, Departments and Agencies from the proceeds of the N100bn Bond issued in January 2020, were used for developmental and capital projects across the State. Commenting on the Bond issued early last year by the State government, Mr. Ige added that some of the projects embarked upon by the MDAs across the State are nearing completion, noting the capital projects cut across different sectors including Health, Education, Works, Housing, Drainage and Agriculture amongst others. Ige also revealed that significant progress…
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, has said that virtual assets and cryptocurrencies are risky for implementation in Nigeria. Owasanoye made this known in his presentation to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions during its hearing on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies and matters arising therefrom. He said, “Virtual and cryptocurrencies pose serious legal and law enforcement risks for Nigeria. The current National Identification Number registration and linking with SIM cards is a pointer to the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, has secured the conviction of one Oluwatoyin Henry before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on one count of obtaining by false pretence. The charge reads: “That you Oluwatoyin Henry sometimes in 2019, at Ogbomosho, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred United States of America Dollars (USD$1,200) from one Betty Mosley, when you falsely represented to him that you are a citizen of United States of America by name…
The trial of a former governor of Kaduna State, Muktar Ramalan Yero, before Justice Z. B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna continued on Tuesday, with the tendering of evidence by the first prosecution witness (PW1), Jonah Abimaje. Yero is being prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his alleged involvement in the ‘sharing’ of N700million provided by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election. Abimaje, who was Head of Operations at Ahmadu Bello Branch Kaduna, and acting regional Head…
President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened by the fatal crash of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft on Sunday in Abuja that claimed the lives of seven personnel. This development was contained in a statement by Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu. The statement said “On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to family members, friends and colleagues of those who died as a result of this tragedy. “The President joins the Nigerian Air Force, the military and other Nigerians in mourning the unfortunate loss of the dedicated and courageous personnel, who died in the line…
In line with the State Government directives on strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols in schools below tertiary level, the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has trained OEQA Evaluators, Proprietors of Private Schools, Principals of Public Senior and Junior Secondary Schools and Head Teachers of Public Primary Schools on safe school protocols. Speaking during the virtual training, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, commended participants for expressing keen interest to improve their knowledge on the safe school protocols, adding that the safety of students…
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, reserved ruling on the bail application filed by Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) till February 24. Maina is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of money laundering. The defendant was granted bail in June 2020 but subsequently fled the country, forcing the court to revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest. Upon his arrest and repatriation from Niger Republic, trial resumed with the court remanding the defendant in Kuje Custodial Centre. However, on January…
President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the Republic of Chad for what he calls the effective “security back-up” given to Nigeria in fighting against insurgency. The President spoke Friday at State House, Abuja, while receiving in audience, Mr. Ahmat Oumar Ahmat, a Special Envoy of President Idriss Deby Itno. Buhari said the need for security collaboration with “our neighbours was why his first trips on assuming office in 2015 were to Nigeria’s immediate neighbours”. “I went round because we needed to work together. The peoples are the same, cultures are similar, so it was important that we also worked together on…
The Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, arraigned one Andrew Eigbokhaebholo, a staff of the University of Calabar, before Justice S. M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State. He was arraigned alongside his company, Panandy Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited on one count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N11, 470, 000. 00 (eleven million, four hundred and seventy thousand naira) only. The defendant who claims to be a travel agent, allegedly obtained the sum from a complainant on the pretext of…
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, arrested a 28-year-old medical practitioner, Chijioke Precious and 17 others over alleged internet fraud in Owerri, Imo State. The 17 others whose ages range between 21 and 34 are; Anthony Joshua, Henry Mezie, Chukwuebuka Ahiwe, Michael Chinagorom, Jossy Irokwe, Ibe Chukwuebuka, Iroadinma Chibuike, Uchechukwu Divine and Nwosu Emmanuel. Others include Kenneth Williams, Mmesoma Oparanozie, Chikezie Ogochukwu, Uchenna Ejiogu, Victor Chijioke, Chidera Cyprian, Chukwuebuka Precious and Anyaehie Kelvin. They were arrested based on intelligence around 1am on Wednesday at Umuguma area of “World Bank” in…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned one Obetta Hillary Chinweuba before Justice R.O Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Enugu on a four-count charge of obtaining forgery, impersonation and obtaining N4,000,000.00 by false pretence Chinweuba who pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the Commission, allegedly swindled his victim under the guise of transferring to him, a fiat for the sale and distribution of the 2018 Ministry of Transport badges and emblems for commercial vehicles in Enugu State. It was a false claim as he had no such faith but forged the…
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday pledged that the Federal Government will support more massive investments in Lagos State to boost its economic potential as one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities. The President spoke in a video goodwill message to the Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit, themed ‘‘For a Greater Lagos: Setting the Tone for the Next Decade.’’ Buhari said his administration recognises Lagos as central to the economic fortunes of Nigeria and has in the last few years demonstrated commitment to supporting it unleash its full socio-economic potential. ”One of the significant ways in which our support has manifested to Lagos State is…
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) In a letter to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004. Bawa, 40, is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes. He has undergone several specialized trainings in different parts of the world, and was one of the…
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 28 internet fraud suspects at different locations in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State. The suspects include Emanuel Duke, Fortune Stephen, Okpesa Kenneth, James Taiwo, Lamina Toyeeb, Amusa Ahmed, Lezor Ture Bright, Kehinde Adeleye, Godwin Obayuwana, Ajao Sodiq, Adebimpe Ayo, Iwuala Jesse, Joseph Duke Otega, Amusa Ridwan, Ememerurie Daniel and Gift Ogbaro Others are: Ayokunmi Adeyinka, Michael Stephen, Lateef Olatayo, Sunday Richard, Kazeem Jubril Alade, Muhammed Abubakar, David Stephen Jonah, Usman Olatunbosun Ituah Eghoboi, Tayo Joshua, Osume Collins, and Musa Husseini. They allegedly…
A couple, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick and his wife, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle, have been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, found them guilty on all four counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, The couple, in a classic advance fee fraud scheme, fleeced one Dunni Olateru Olagbegi N53, 713, 260.00 (Fifty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira) in cash and bank transfer through a spiritual…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, has secured the conviction of a former Deputy Chief Registrar of the Oyo State High Court, Mutiat Omobola Adio. She was convicted after pleading guilty to a fresh charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense and issuance of Dishonored Cheque contrary to Sections 419 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000 and Section 1 (1) (b) of the Dishonored Cheque (Offences) Act, Cap. D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Adio is alleged to have obtained a 2000 Model Toyota Pathfinder SUV valued…
A Disc Jockey, Blessed Michael is to spend six months in prison for cloning the Facebook accounts of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retd) and Mariya Dangote, daughter of industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and using the false identities to solicit money from unsuspecting victims under various guise. The convict who was prosecuted before Justice Mohammed Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court, Kaduna on a one-count amended charge bordering on cheating by impersonation, employed the cloned Facebook account of the retired army chief in soliciting from persons seeking enlistment into the army. In the same vein,…
In a bid to encourage residents of Lagos State, especially the Adolescent and Young People (AYP) know their HIV status, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has conducted Free HIV Testing Services (HTS) at the Ozone Cinema, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. The annual outreach, usually done in commemoration of Valentine’s Day, is designed to conduct free HIV testing, sensitise and enlighten the populace on the factors associated with the virus as part of the Agency’s mandate of preventing its spread in the State through targeted interventions. Whilst addressing pressmen at the HTS Center on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO),…
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has described the death of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande as the “demise of the last of the real Awoist among the so-called Awo-cap-wearing progressives.” The party in a statement by its Zonal Director Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka, admonished President Muhammadu Buhari and his “All Progressives Congress (APC) self-appointed progressives to allow Lagosians to mourn their hero in peace and stop their crocodile tears over his death.” The PDP said if not that teaching of history was stopped in the country, the present and future…
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, has reiterated the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that women are protected from the negative effects of violence against them in society. Dada promised that the State will not relent in its efforts to put in place policies and programmes aimed at creating a sustainable environment for women to achieve their full potential in Lagos State, while continuing to mobilise all public enlightenment apparatus and sensitisation programmes to educate everyone on the need to put an end to gender-based violence. She disclosed this at a sensitisation programme for…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office has secured the conviction of one Alhaji Ahmadu Abdullahi before Justice Darius Khobo of State High Court sitting in Kaduna. According to the commission, the convict was arraigned on 26th September, 2018 on one count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N3,308.500 (Three Million, Three Hundred and Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira). The convict was said to have defrauded one Chigbo Nwafor, owner of Nwafor & Sons Nigeria Limited of the said sum under the guise of helping the victim purchase some bags of salt,…
