Arsenal ready to up their efforts to land Monaco man

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Alexandre Lacazette this evening, but they aren’t willing to take their time on negotiations this summer.

According to a report from the Evening Standard, the Gunners are ready to up their efforts to prise Thomas Lemar away from AS Monaco’s grasp this summer.
Lemar enjoyed a hugely successful campaign last term, breaking through for Monaco and establishing himself as one of Leonardo Jardim’s key players.

His performances off either wing helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and after such an impressive campaign, top European clubs are interested in his services.
The Gunners are said to have made Lemar their next top target, but Monaco will be a tough nut to crack. It’s claimed that while Arsenal are prepared to offer up £30m for the France international, the reigning French champions will demand more than double that.

Riyad Mahrez is claimed by the Evening Standard to be Arsenal’s backup plan if they cannot land Lemar this summer. - 

Why is Alexandre Lacazette such a good signing for Arsenal?

Alexandre Lacazette is finally an Arsenal player!
The Frenchman’s transfer from Lyon to North London was confirmed this afternoon for what is an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract.

It’s claimed that the deal is worth in the region of £50m, so it’s certainly a big move from Arsenal as they gear up for a crucial 2017/18 season, starting in August.
Lacazette has been linked with a move to Arsenal for a long time now, and it’s sure to be a relief to all the Gunners fans that he has finally put pen to paper on a contract with the club.

So, we all know it’s a huge day for Arsenal. But just what makes Alexandre Lacazette such a valuable addition for the club?
I’ve taken a look at five reasons. - Read Sport

''Republic of rob them i rob you'' : Atiku’s wife says Pastor who defrauded her of N918m was her `errand boy’

Wife of former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, Mrs Titi Atiku, on Wednesday disclosed that a pastor who alleged defrauded her of N918m, Akpan-Jacobs, was her “errand boy.”
Titi made the claim while being cross examined by the Pastor’s counsel, Amos Ibe at an Ikeja High Court sitting in Lagos.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Akpan-Jacobs with a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
The company was created in 2000 and is owned by Mrs Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes, her German business partner.
Atiku was alleged to be the major shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares.

According to Mrs Atiku, “I paid N49 million for the land used as the premises of THA Shipping, my partner Fred Holmes never contributed to the buying of the land but he contributed to the building of the property.

“The N49 million was given to Akpan-Jacobs to purchase the land, but did not know who he bought the land from.
“He never contributed a dime, he was just like an errand boy.”

Responding to Atiku’s claim that Akpan-Jacobs was her errand boy, Ibe asked: “He was made a Managing Director (MD), how can an errand boy be made an MD?
“He was made an MD to stand in for Mr Fred Holmes because Holmes had not resigned from his job.
“When it was time for Akpan to step down as the MD, he refused because by then he had perfected his fraudulent acts.”

Mrs Atiku dismissed claims by Akpan-Jacobs that he owned and promoted THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd and only brought her on board to bring in big briefs and clients.
“Is he the one who bought the land, built the building? He was merely supervising.

“My clout gave the company a lot of prestige, a lot of people wanted to do business with us and people brought a lot of containers to us,” she said.
After listening to cross examination, the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the case till July 6 for continuation of trial. - Daily Post

30 year old man remanded for defiling 5-year-old girl in Port Harcourt

A thirty year old man, Ekene Uzoukwu is now cooling off in Port Harcourt Prison for allegedly defiling a five year old girl in Rumuomasi area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

The accused, Ekene Uzoukwu is facing charge of defilement of a minor which attracts life imprisonment as penalty if found guilty.

When the matter came up in court, the Senior Magistrate, Lenu S. Baridam ordered that the charge be read out to the suspect, but he was not allowed to take the plea.
The court adjourned to July nineteen this year for consideration of bail.
Meanwhile, members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has joined in the matter to ensure justice is done on the matter. -Daily Post

'Pot Goje to kettle Fashola': Quit if the job is too much for you

Danjuma Goje, senator representing Gombe central, has advised Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, to “quit honourably” if the work is too much for him.
Goje said this at plenary while drawing the attention of his colleagues to some critical statements Fashola made about the 2017 budget.

Fashola had said the national assembly inserted some projects outside the purview of his ministry into the budget.
But the senator said Fashola’s comment was an attempt to “mislead the Nigerian public, to black paint the national assembly on the 2017 budget”.
“Initially I wanted to come under motion but because, yesterday the house of reps took up the matter, since we are on the same page with the house, I feel I should not come under the motion,” Goje said.

“But I will like to use this opportunity to advise the minister, that he should remember that he is now a minister and he should behave like a minister.
“He is not a governor and this national assembly is not Lagos state house of assembly. This is an assembly composed of very patriotic Nigerians, very experienced Nigerians. Many have done his job, many were governors before him.
“Fashola should know that he is dealing with the national assembly of Nigeria. If the job is too much for him, because the ministry is too big – it comprises of three ministries, probably the job is too much for him. If he cannot adjust, he should do the honourable thing, he should do the needful.

“No matter of blackmail by him, no amount of propaganda by him or his surrogate will stop this national assembly to discharge its duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”
The lawmaker said that he would hold his fire for now since the house of representatives had summoned over the issue.
“For now, I will seize fire, watch and see how the house will handle him, then we leave him with them. If they are not satisfied and they pass him to us. Then we will take him over,” he said.

Senate President Bukola Saraki says said the upper chamber of the national assembly would wait for the outcome of the matter at the house of representatives before taking any other action.
“I happy that the house of reps is taking up this issue. I think it is a matter that we must be responsible, especially those who are in the cabinet to look at issues from the national point of view and the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.
“We would definitely wait for his appearance at the house of representatives before further contribution.” - Cable Nigeria

Stupidity : We can’t defend him — FEC disowns Osinbajo on nominees’ confirmation

The federal executive council (FEC) has distanced itself from the statement of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on the confirmation of nominations made by the executive.

In April, Osinbajo had told select media organisations, including TheCable, that he was in support of the view of Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, that the executive did not need to send the name of Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to the senate for confirmation.

“There is an argument, whether or not we need to present him (Magu) for confirmation and that’s a compelling argument from Femi Falana,” Osinbajo had said.

“His (Falana) argument is that under the constitution, section 171, and if you look at that section, it talks about the appointments that the president can make. They include appointments of ministers, ambassadors and heads of agencies such as the EFCC. In that same section 171, the constitution rightly said that certain appointments must go to the senate such as ministerial and ambassadorial appointments. Those of heads of agencies like the EFCC do not have to go to the senate. That’s what the constitution says. But the EFCC act, which of course as you know is inferior, says that EFCC chairman should go to the senate for confirmation.

“I am sure that even a pocket book lawyer knows that when a legislation conflicts with constitution, it’s the constitution that prevails. I agree with Mr Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the senate.”
Two months after the statement was made, the upper legislative chamber refused to accede to Osinbajo’s request of confirming Lanre Gbajabiamila as the director-general of Nigeria Lottery Commission.

The senate also resolved to suspend the consideration of all nominees which the executive sends to it for confirmation, asking Osinbajo to withdraw his statement.
Fielding questions from reporters at the post-FEC briefing, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, said the cabinet cannot defend what it did not decide on.

“Although the issue came up for discussion at the cabinet meeting since the cabinet was not particularly connected or reached a consensus to maintain a particular position, it cannot begin to defend what it did not decide on,” Malami said.
“The fundamental consideration about the alleged statement is the fact that at no point ever did the federal executive council sit down to arrive at the decision in one way or the other as far as the issue of nomination or otherwise is concerned.

“So, I do not think it constitutes an issue for the federal executive council to make any clarification about because it has never been considered by the FEC.” - Cable Nigeria 

Right Enforcement: Court Dismisses Azibaola, Jonathan’s Cousin’s Suit Against EFCC

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Robert Azibaola, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Azibaola, through his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, had contended that the EFCC had no right under Sections 293 and 294 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, to detain him.
In the suit, Azibaola claimed that the Sections are for capital offences for which a legal advice from the Attorney-General is required before a charge could be filed.

Azibaola further claimed that the Sections do not apply to financial crimes.
The respondent (EFCC), however, argued that Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2011 empowers it
to detain suspects based on remand warrants issued by magistrate
courts.

In a well considered ruling, Justice Olatoregun dismissed the suit noting that the EFCC acted within the provisions of the law.
Azibaola was alleged to have received $40m in September, 2014 from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who is also facing trial for allegedly diverting the funds meant for procurement of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.


Azibola also allegedly received another N650million from Dasuki on December 8, 2014. - EFCC

Tupac Prison Letter Reveals He Dumped Madonna Because She's White

A prison letter written by Tupac Shakur is up for auction and is likely to fetch over $100,000. But it’s the subject matter that’s gotten everyone’s attention.

In the letter to Madonna, Tupac admitted that he ended their relationship because she’s white.
“For you to be seen with a black man wouldn’t in any way jeopardize your career,” he confessed in the letter dated January 15, 1995. “If anything it would make you seem that much more open and exciting ... But for me at least in my previous perception I felt due to my ‘image’ I would be letting down half of the people who made me what I thought I was.”

Tupac goes on to write that he never meant to hurt Madonna, and explained even further his reasoning.
“As you can see I have grown both spiritually and mentally. It no longer matters how I’m perceived," he wrote. "Please understand my previous position as that of a young man with limited experience with a extremely famous sex symbol.”

“I offer my friendship once again time this time much stronger and focused. If you are still interested I would like to further discuss this with you but some it couldn’t wait ... I felt compelled to tell you… just in case anything happened to 2 me.”

At the end of the letter, Tupac asked the singer to visit him in jail.
“I don’t know how you feel about visiting me but if you could find it in your heart I would love to speak face to face with you. It’s funny but this experience has taught me not to take time for granted,” he wrote.

Madonna confirmed their relationship in 2015 in an interview with Howard Stern, and said she was introduced to Tupac by Rosie Perez.
The last Tupac prison letter sold for more than $170,000. Read the rest of the letter via TMZ here. - The Root

Court Fines Kamba for Delaying Trial

Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 ordered one Ibrahim Kamba, a suspected land racketeer, to pay the sum of N15,000 as fine to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for delaying trial.

Kamba was arraigned on March 23, 2017 on one-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
He was alleged to have been involved in a land scam to the tune of N7million.

The case, which was initially slated for March 27, 2017 for commencement of trial, has suffered several adjournments due to the continued absence of the defendant in court.

Having obliged the defendant with several adjournments, the court, at the last sitting (June 14, 2017) warned that it would no longer tolerate any action from either of the parties aimed at frustrating speedy trial of the case.

At the resumed trial today, though Kamba was present in court, his counsel, Azeez Hassan from the chambers of Hassan Liman, SAN, sought for further adjournment to afford his client more time to recover from an undisclosed illness.

Counsel to EFCC, Vou Dalyop, however kicked, urging the court to impose sanction on the defendant for what she described as “a calculated attempt by the accused to evade justice”.

According to her, the EFCC had always been bringing its witnesses to court at great costs. She, therefore, urged the court to award a sum of N100,000 against the defendant as fine.
Apparently miffed by the conduct of the defendant, Justice Halilu awarded cost against the defendant and adjourned to October 9, 2017 for trial to commence. - EFCC

Chairman of scammers : Ex-Custom Boss, Inde Loses Bid to Vacate Forfeiture Order on Properties

Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on July 4, 2017 dismissed an application by Abdullahi Dikko Inde, former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, urging the court to vacate its earlier interim order of forfeiture in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

It would be recalled that, the EFCC had on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 recovered seventeen exotic vehicles in a warehouse of the former Comptroller-General of Customs located at Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna.

The recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the Commission received that stolen money and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former custom boss’ premises.

Following the recovery, the EFCC on February 24, 2017 secured an interim forfeiture order of the court against the properties.

However, Inde’s counsel, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, through a motion on notice urged the court to discharge the said order of interim forfeiture against his client’s properties.

But in a considered ruling on Tuesday, the court dismissed the application and held that “the EFCC has the power to obtain an order of interim forfeiture in respect of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime”.

The ruling was in respect of consolidated applications in suits Nos. FHC/KD/CS/20/2017, EFCC V ALH. DIKKO Inde and FHC/KD/CS/23/2017, EFCC V ALH. ABDULLAHI DIKKO Inde filed by the EFCC Kaduna and Kano Zonal offices respectively. - EFCC
 

Bribery: EFCC Confronts Nwobike With Illegal Texts

Hearing in the ongoing trial of Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, continued on July 4, 2017, before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of the State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, giving a blow-by-blow account of how the senior lawyer allegedly offered gratification to judicial officers and perverted the course of justice.

At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, via a projector mounted within the courtroom showed details of the SMS text messages between Nwobike and one Baruwa, a judicial officer.

While addressing the court, Oyedepo stated that Nwobike received an SMS text message, where Baruwa had expressed his gratitude for the special package sent to him by Nwobike through one Kelani.

Oyedepo said:  “You received and read a text from Mr. Baruwa, saying, ‘Thank you, Sir. Kelani gave me your special package.

“On June 3, 2015 at 10.10a.m., you received a text from Mr. Baruwa, saying ‘Good morning, Sir. I just got a golden handshake from Mr. Felix Sir.

 “Exhibit D2 is a statement of accounts from your law chambers. On January 17, 2011, you transferred N50, 000 to Mr. Baruwa.”

Oyedepo also showed the court how Nwobike, in another SMS text message, on November 27, 2015 had given a deputy registrar of the Federal High Court, simply identified as Jide, the details of a case involving one Godwin Ewekolu and the Inspector General of Police.

Nwobike was said to have expressly told Jide, in the text message, the urgency of assigning the matter to Justice Kurya, who was then a judge of the Federal High Court.

The prosecution counsel further told the court that while a company named Brokeyard Marine Oil and Gas Services Limited was under investigation by the Commission, Nwobike was said to have forwarded details of the suit between the company and Skye Bank Plc to Jide.

However, in his response, Nwobike denied the allegations, saying the messages were confirmation text messages.

He said: “On whether I knew that Brokeyard Marine Oil and Gas Services was under investigation by the EFCC, I don’t know because I don’t work for the EFCC.”

Nwobike was also said to have sent a text message to Jide about a criminal charge filed by one of his clients, Dr. Femi Thomas, who was allegedly caught at the Murtala International Airport with $200million.

In the text message, Nwobike had asked Jide to ensure that the matter was assigned to Justice Seidu of the Federal High Court.

While addressing the court further, Oyedepo said: “This suit was eventually assigned to Justice Seidu.”

The case has been adjourned to July 12, 2017 for continuation of trial. - EFCC

Land of Scammers :$1.6 billion Oil Scam;: Court Admits EFCC's Evidence Against Omokore

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, on July 5, 2017 admitted documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of Jide Omokore, the embattled chairman of Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited, for a $1.6 billion fraud.

The documents, which include Internal Memos from the Group Managing Director (GMD), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and letters from the NNPC to the Director, Banking and Payment Department of the Joint Ventures Companies, and Payment Schedules, were admitted and marked as Exhibits Atlantic 14 - Atlantic 28.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, tendered the documents in evidence through the third prosecution witness, Mohammed Abiri, a former accountant with the NNPC.

While being led in evidence by Jacobs, Abiri, who was also a technical assistant to the GMD, Finance and Accounts at NAPIMS, and a former chief supervisor at Chevron Joint Ventures, gave insights into the operations of the NNPC, particularly the OML60 series.

He said: “The OML60 series is a joint venture between Agip Oil Company and NNPC in ratio 60:40 and in 2012 there was divestment, during which OML60 series was transferred to NPDC and NAPIMS.

“Between 2016 and 2017, NPDC has paid $194 million and N43 billion totalling $466 million.”

When asked by Jacobs, whether Omokore’s companies made payments with respect to the OML60 series, Abiri said: "To the best of my knowledge I am just hearing about these companies for the first time and cash calls were never paid by them."

Justice Dimgba, thereafter, adjourned to July 10, 2017 for continuation of trial.

Omokore is standing trial along with Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere, David Mbanefo, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

They were re-arraigned on November 21, 2016 on a nine-count amended charge, of criminal diversion of about $1.6 billion alleged to be proceeds of petroleum products belonging to the federal government. - EFCC

Lacazette scores more than Morata – Houllier says Arsenal's business tops Man Utd

Arsenal are getting better value with Alexandre Lacazette than Manchester United will for Alvaro Morata, according to Gerard Houllier.

Lacazette's impending move to the Gunners will reportedly cost a club-record £52million, but Houllier, former boss of Lyon, Liverpool and France, believes that represents a good deal.
He compared the fee to United's big-money 2015 signing of Anthony Martial and current pursuit of Real Madrid forward Morata, likening the soon-to-be Arsenal striker to club legend Ian Wright.
"If you compare his statistics to the other strikers, this season he scored 37 goals," Houllier told talkSPORT about Lacazette.

"When you think Anthony Martial cost €80million Morata is about to cost €90m, Morata hasn't scored as many goals as Lacazette.
"Morata has played 136 games and scored only 47 goals. Strikers are very expensive at the moment."
Houllier believes Lacazette will be an ideal fit into Arsenal's style and praised the 26-year-old's track record.

"More like Alexis Sanchez than Olivier Giroud - Ian Wright is a good comparison," he said on Lacazette's style of play. "He is very mobile, very quick, good in short spaces, has good skill and he scores goals.

"He was the top scorer in France in 2014-15, the best player in the league in 2015 and has been the best French scorer over the last three seasons.
"He scores more than 25 goals every season. One thing he will bring to Arsenal is obviously goals, scoring is his main asset.

"He has good technique, is good at using short spaces and is a hard-working, modern player. He can attack, he can defend quickly.
"I'm not surprised Arsene Wenger fancied him very quickly. He will fit in their game. He will suit their passing game, the way they build up, their approach. He is very good near the box.

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"He is a bit like Ian Wright. You don't seem to see him and then suddenly he moves." - Goal

Corruption infested reps ask Jonathan to testify in probe of Malabu deal

The house of representatives ad hoc committee probing the award of oil prospecting licence (OPL) 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas has asked ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to testify in the ongoing investigations.

The committee said in the interest of “thoroughness, natural justice and fair play”, it was imperative that evidence should be taken from the former president.
In a statement, the panel said it had conducted an extensive investigation into the OPL 245 saga and that it was drawing to a close.

“Mr Jonathan was the president at the material time the ministers brokered the deal that led to the allegation of $1bn diversion of funds,” the statement read.
“Mr Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the public prosecutor of Milan in Italy;
“A UK court judgment in relation to an application to return part of the money being restrained, castigated the Jonathan administration as not having acted in the best interest of Nigeria in relation to the ‘deal’;

“Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the constitution, the committee has decided to request that former President Goodluck Jonathan gives evidence as to his role in the matter.”
While responding to questions on the clarifications sought from Jonathan, Razak Atunwa, chairman of the committee, said the former president was at liberty to make a written submission to the committee or otherwise.

He also said the former president’s response would determine the next line of action to be taken.
“The proper thing is that the committee has taken a decision that he must give evidence,” he said.
“Section 89 of the constitution requires that we ask for the evidence; we’ve asked him for evidence and he must give evidence, we have asked him to give his response and submission.
“A matter entirely for him is, he may desire to send us a written submission, and we consider every written submission. We take it one step at a time.

“The normal proceeding for a committee hearing investigating such matter is to take a written submission and whatever comes out of that will have to be decided at the committee level.’’
The lawmakers started focusing on Jonathan after Buzzfeed, an American news website, reported that Jonathan benefitted from the sale of the oil block.

In April, Atunwa said the lawmakers were considering inviting Jonathan to assist in their inquiries.
“The committee is aware of recent information that has come to light, both nationally and internationally, indicating that former president Goodluck Jonathan may have been complicit in the controversial OPL 245 deal,” Atunwa had said.

“These facts have firmly placed former president Jonathan on the committee’s radar. The committee believes that former president Jonathan may well be in a position to assist it with its inquiries.”
Jonathan has since denied the allegation that he benefitted from the deal, saying it was struck before he became president.

The sale of the block, which is considered as one of the most lucrative on the continent, has been replete with allegations and lawsuits.
In the deal finally consummated in 2011, only $210 million of the $1.3 billion paid by Shell and Eni for the block went into federal government coffers as “signature bonus”.

The rest was paid to Malabu Oil and Gas, mainly owned by Dan Etete, who, as petroleum minister in 1998, had awarded the lucrative licence to himself.
The sale to Malabu was nullified by Obasanjo in 1999 and assigned to Shell — without a public bid.

Ownership was suspiciously reverted to Malabu thereafter, leading to legal action by Shell who later resorted to negotiating directly with Etete after Jonathan assumed office in 2010.
A year later, the $1.3 billion deal was struck, with Malabu getting $1.1 billion from Shell and Eni to its transfer ownership, while the signature bonus was paid to Nigeria. Cable Nigeria

Man allegedly kills wife for locking his manhood with charms

A 52-year-old man, Andrea Mukwendi, from Doma, Zimbabwe has allegedly killed his wife after claiming she locked his manhood with charms, thereby reducing his bedroom performance.

Mukwendi, of Plot 14 in Mhangura was arraigned before Chinhoyi Magistrate Patience Chirimo and charged with murder.

The Prosecuting, Eugine Moyo told the court that “Mukwendi had a marital dispute with his wife over allegations that she had used ‘juju’ to lock his manhood to prevent him from engaging in extramarital affairs.”

According to the prosecutor, the suspect failed to come to terms with what transpired and struck his wife with an axe twice on the right ear whilst she was asleep. She died on the spot.
Magistrate Chirimo, however, remanded the suspect in custody for trial next week. - Daily Post

Corruption Arena : Gov. Yari Of Zamfara Built Lagos Hotel With N500m, $500k Paris Club Funds – EFCC

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500m and $500,000 said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favor of the 36 states of the federation.

The sums of money said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited were allegedly linked to Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that the sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the NGF’s bank account on the instruction of Yari.

The commission also alleged, in an affidavit filed in support of its ex parte application seeking the interim forfeiture of the sums of money, that the N500m was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.
It also alleged that the second firm, Gosh Projects Limited, utilized most of the proceeds of the alleged loot, transferred to it for the purchase of building materials for Yari’s 100-room hotel project in Lagos.

Gosh Projects was also said to have used part of the looted funds for the purchase of treasury bills and transfers to offshore accounts. 

Our correspondent learned on Tuesday that Justice Nnamdi Dimgba made the interim forfeiture order of the sums of money to the Federal Government in a ruling delivered on June 30, 2017.
The judge also ordered that any person(s) or body with interest in the funds must, within 14 days of the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily, show cause why an order of final forfeiture to the Federal Government of the funds should not be made.

The ruling was delivered in an ex-parte application jointly filed on June 19, 2017, by the Federal Government of Nigeria (the first applicant) and the EFCC (the second applicant).
First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited and Gosh Projects Limited, from whom the allegedly looted funds were recovered, were joined as respondents. 

After the application was moved by the EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Ben Ikani, on June 30, Justice Dimgba granted the three prayers sought by the two applicants.
The judge granted prayers, including “an order of interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria (the first applicant) of the sum of N500,000,000.00 recovered from the first respondent (First Generation Mortgage Bank Ltd.) and presently in the possession of the second applicant (EFCC) in its Recovered Funds Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“An order of interim forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria (first applicant) of the sum of US$500,000.00, recovered from the second applicant (Gosh Projects Limited) and presently in the possession of the second applicant (EFCC) in its Recovered Funds Account domiciled with the CBN.”

In an affidavit filed in support of EFCC’s ex parte motion, an operative of the anti-graft agency investigating the case, Mr. Osas Azonabor, alleged that investigation had revealed that the Paris Club refund involved “complex case of money laundering.”

According to him, firms that had no contract with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, which was holding the Paris Club refunds in its account on behalf of all the States government, were used to divert about N2.2bn from the NGF account.
The investigator alleged that the sum of N500m, recovered from First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, was part of the N2.2bn “fraudulently transferred by the NGF to BINA Consults and Integrated Services Limited on December 23, 2016.

He accused Yari of giving the instruction for the transfer of the N500m out of the N2.2bn to the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.
On how the alleged fraud was discovered, the investigator said the commission, sometime in January 2017, received intelligence in respect of a case against the NGF.

Azonabor stated that the intelligence alleged conspiracy, criminal misappropriation of public funds involving the sum of N19,439,225,871.11 out of the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favor of the 36 states of the federation.

According to the EFCC investigator, a preliminary investigation conducted by the commission “revealed that the 36 state governments, under the auspices of the NGF, engaged the services of Bizplus GSCL Consortium”.

He said the state governments also asked Bizplus GSCL to “recover amounts due to the states from first line charge made on them from 1995 to 2002 for a success fee of two per cent payable by the NGF.”
The investigator said it was agreed that two per cent of the total amounts due to the states as payment to Bizplus GSCL Consortium. - Punch

Press Release : Court Orders Buhari, Osinbajo To Tell Nigerians Names Of All Suspected Looters

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today ordered the Federal Government to “immediately release to Nigerians information about the names of high-ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.”

The judgment was delivered today by Hon Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari following a Freedom of Information suit number:  FHC/CS/964/2016 brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The suit followed disclosure last year by the Federal Government of funds recovered from some high-ranking public officials and private individuals.

In her judgment, Justice Shagari agreed with SERAP that “the Federal Government has legally binding obligations to tell Nigerians the names of all suspected looters of the public treasury past and present.” Joined as Defendants in the suit are the Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Muhammed and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Justice Shagari also granted the following reliefs:
A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff with up to date information relating to the following:

To widely disseminate including on a dedicated website information about the names of high-ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered since May 2015
The circumstances under which stolen public funds were returned
SERAP is now processing a certified true copy of the judgment.

Timothy Adewale, SERAP deputy director who argued the case on behalf of SERAP and was in court this morning when the judgment was delivered said “This is a victory for justice, rule of law, transparency and accountability in this country. The judgment shows the way forward in the fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators. We will do everything within the law to ensure full compliance by President Mohammadu Buhari and Acting President Osinbajo with this landmark judgment.

It would be recalled that the Ministry of Information last year published details of the recoveries, which showed that the Nigerian government successfully retrieved total cash amount N78,325,354,631.82, $185,119,584.61, £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 between May 29, 2015, and May 25, 2016. Also released were recoveries under interim forfeiture, which were a combination of cash and assets, during the same period: N126,563,481,095.43, $9,090,243,920.15, £2,484,447.55 and €303,399.17. Anticipated repatriation from foreign countries totalled: $321,316,726.1, £6,900,000 and €11,826.11. The ministry also announced that 239 non-cash recoveries were made during the one-year period. 

The non-cash recoveries are – farmlands, plots of land, uncompleted buildings, completed buildings, vehicles and maritime vessels.
Subsequently, SERAP issued an FOI request and gave the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed 14 days to disclose the names of all suspected looters.

The request reads in part: “While we believe that suspects generally are entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, SERAP opposes blanket non-disclosure of names of high-ranking public officials from whom some of the funds were recovered.”

“SERAP insists that the public interest to know is greater than any other legitimate interest that the government might wish to protect. The Nigerian government has an obligation to balance whether the risk of harm to the legitimate aim (that is secrecy of ongoing corruption investigation and presumption of innocence) from disclosure of the names of public officials is greater than the public interest in accessing the information.”

“According to public interest test, even if the government demonstrates that the publication of the names of public officials would substantially harm a legitimate interest, it is nevertheless obliged to disclose the requested information if, as it is the case here, the public interest in disclosure is sufficient enough to overweigh the harm.”

“SERAP believes that the recoveries, specifically from high-ranking public officials (and not private individuals), are matters of public interest. Publishing the names of those public officials will provide insights relevant to the public debate on the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat a culture of grand corruption and the longstanding impunity of perpetrators in the country.”

“The gravity of the crime of grand corruption, the devastating effects on the socially and economically vulnerable sectors of the population, and the fact that recovery of huge funds from high-ranking public officials entrusted with the public treasury raise a prima-facie case and therefore amount to exceptional circumstances that justify naming those high-ranking officials in the public interest.”

“SERAP also argues that Nigerians are entitled to the right to truth derived from the obligations of the government to carry out an investigation of violations of human rights and crime of corruption committed within its jurisdiction; to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible; and to ensure that victims have the simple and prompt recourse for protection against violation of fundamental rights, as well as to ensure transparency in public administration.”

“SERAP believes that the right to truth allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption and in turn development of democratic institutions as well as provides a form of reparation to victims of grand corruption in the country.”

“Publishing the names of public officials involved could go a long way in preventing senior public officials from turning the public treasury into a private cash box. SERAP argues that the public interest in publishing the names of the high-ranking government officials from whom funds were received outweighs any considerations to withhold the information, as there would be no prejudice against those whose names are published as long as the information is appropriately framed and truthful.”

“There is a general public interest in promoting transparency, accountability, public understanding and involvement in the democratic process. While the government in some limited cases can legitimately place restrictions on the public’s right to access certain information, attempts of the Nigerian authorities to justify the total closure of information related to the names of public officials from whom funds were recovered on the basis of “ongoing criminal investigation” and “presumption of innocence goes far beyond the limitations allowed under international law, and would promote secret recoveries.”

“The information being requested is not related to detailed investigatory activities of anticorruption agencies regarding the recoveries so far made. Similarly, the mere fact that the information being requested is related to ongoing investigation does not necessarily mean that the information could not be disclosed. In addition, governmental agency has the obligation to prove that the disclosure of the names of public officials would disrupt, impede, or otherwise harm the ongoing or pending investigations or presumption of innocence.” 

Maradona: Insigne can wear 10 if he outscores me!

Diego Maradona has thrown the gauntlet down to Lorenzo Insigne, with the Argentina legend challenging the Napoli forward to beat his club-record goals tally in order to get his hands on the number 10 shirt.

It is a jersey that Napoli retired in 2000 in honour of Maradona, who netted 115 goals for the Serie A side during a spell that encompassed his famous exploits in Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph.
Insigne is also a revered figure at the Stadio San Paolo and Maradona joked that the Italian would be allowed to wear the shirt number he once donned provided the 26-year-old met one condition.

"If he scores more goals than me, then he can wear it," he explained at a media conference on the eve of receiving honourary citizenship of Naples, before tipping Maurizio Sarri's men for a title the club have not won since Maradona helped them to the championship in 1989-1990.

"I hope this can be the right season for the Scudetto, as they have the right experience now not to drop the points where they did last time. If they hadn't have done that, we'd have been champions already.

"I think this is the right moment for Maurizio Sarri, Pepe Reina, Insigne, Dries Mertens and all the others. They can prove that Napoli can win the Scudetto.
"Many generations have passed since my day. Now the dads have to find videos of my goals to play to their sons. Even the youngest kids know me in Naples and that makes me very proud."
A more likely man to overhaul Maradona's scoring record is Marek Hamsik, who is only three short of taking top spot.

Maradona added: "I hope he does. The record is there to be beaten. I hope he scores many goals and helps Napoli to win, so I can send my congratulations."

Rudiger completing Chelsea medical in Los Angeles

Imminent Chelsea signing Antonio Rudiger is believed to be completing his medical in Los Angeles rather than in London, according to reports in Italy.

Rudiger, 24, was rumoured to be flying into London yesterday to tie up the loose ends of the deal, however, it has been revealed that the defender is currently on holiday in the USA after winning the Confederations Cup, and will have his medical tests in Los Angeles ahead of completing a move to West London.

Antonio Conte has been chasing Rudiger for a while and the Premier League champions look set to announce their first big summer signing of what’s expected to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge.

The AS Roma player will cost the Blues €35 million (£30m) plus €4 million (£3.5m) in add-ons. The German international was also on Pep Guardiola’s list, but he has decided on a move to London over Manchester.