MAD woman nabbed with N.2m in Anambra

Agents of the Anambra State government on Wednesday arrested a woman suspected to be insane with money said to be well above N200,000.

The woman who is suspected to be in her 50’s and always seen at Aroma junction with lots of wastes, which she keeps as her property was arrested by officials of the state government from the ministry of women’s affairs and child development.

DAILY POST gathered that the officials who were on patrol to mop up insane people whose number were steadily increasing in Awka, approached the woman and led her into their van, but she protested that she would not leave behind her property.

“So, the officials told her they could not carry all the waste she referred to as property, but she should take anything that was most important among all she had.

“That was when she ransacked the waste and dug out money which were neatly stacked according to their denomination. The money which consisted all denominations, but mostly small bills were very big, and that was what attracted people here,” an eyewitness told our reporter.

A passerby said she has been seeing the woman, and that despite being seen as a mad woman, she was usually neat, and also bought her own food when she was hungry.

Eyewitness said she did not disclose the source of the money, but it was suspected that the money may be proceeds from alms. Another eyewitness said she may also have made the money through men who sneak in at night to have sex with her.

Hon Ndidi Mezue, commissioner for women’ affairs and child development could not be reached on the main motive of the ministry’s arrest of insane people, or the whereabouts of the arrested woman.

Her aide who picked her call simply said that the commissioner was in a meeting and would call back. She, however, did not call as at the time of filing this report. - Daily Post

FirstBank battles Arisekola Alao’s company over N8.5 billion debt

In bid to recover a debt of N8,856,570,029.81 from Lister Flour Mills Nigeria limited a company promoted and predominantly owned by Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, who died on 18 June 2014, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has refiled a suit against two directors of the company, Mrs Khadijah Alao -Straub, Mr Ismail Alao and a sister company, Lister Oil limited.

The suit which was filed pursuant to order of a Federal High Court in Lagos, south west Nigeria, was filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Barrister Olamide Balogun on 10 October.

In a statement of claim accompanied with statement of witness on oath of account officer in classified Asset Management Department of First Bank, Mr Ololade lawrence, it was alleged that Mrs Kahadijah Alao-Straub acting as director alongside the other erstwhile directors of Lister Flour Mills of Nigeria, obtained various credit facilities which she personally guaranteed from First Bank Nigeria Limited, while Lister Oil Limited guaranteed the repayment of the loan.

Between 24 January 2011 and November 2013, First Bank granted the following credit facilities to Lister Flour Mills Nigeria Limited with its operating office at 21 Creek Road, Apapa Lagos as a customer.

The sum of N2.5 billion for the purpose of supporting the civil construction of proposed biscuit manufacturing factory belonging to Lister Confectionery Nigeria limited at Ibadan, the importation and installation of 600MT production plant for Lister Flour Mills Limited and the interest capitalization of the loan.

The sum of N3.5 billion for the purpose of supporting the importation and installation of five biscuit production lines in respect of the proposed biscuit manufacturing factory belonging to Lister Confectionery Nigeria Limited.

A term loan in the sum of N80 million for the restructuring of the expired temporary overdraft facility in the sum of N80 million as part of existing facilities at an interest rate of 18 percent per annum and a restructured term loan in the sum of N150 million.

First Bank Nigeria Limited aver that the facilities granted Lister Flour Mills now in receivership were duly accepted and fully utilized as Mrs Khadijah Alao-Straub and other erstwhile directors then acting on behalf of the company made a full draw down on all the facilities.

The loans were secured by a pefect deed of Mortgage debenture dated 23rd of October, 2002 over the company’s undertaking,goodwill and assets which include the entire parcel of land lying at Idiroko Olomoyoyo, Ibadan -Ijebu-Ode Road, Ibadan, Oyo stste containing area of approximately 31 acres.

Various deed of guarantee dated 22nd of May, 2013, the Lister Oil Mill Limited and Mr Ismail Alao guaranteed the repayment of the loan facilities.

When the loan became due and owing to the persistent failure of Lister Flour Mills to liquidate its indebtedness to the bank, the bank called in the facilities and serve demand letters for immediate payment of the outstanding debt.

However, the company acting through the defendants demonstrated nonchalant attitude towards liquidating the company’s indebtedness.

Upon continual refusal of the company and the defendants to liquidate the company’s indebtedness to the bank, and in accordance with the provision of the deed of debenture the bank on the 29th of September, 2015 appointed Receiver/Manager over the assets of the company.

The bank avers that the Lister Flour Mills indebtedness to the bank is a colossal sum of which stands in the sum of N8,856,570,029.81.

The bank contended that the company’s failure to liquidate its indebtedness to the bank adversely affecting the Bank’s business operation as the funds packaged as facilities to Lister Flour Mills Company are third party depositors/stakeholders funds, and if the funds packaged as facilities for the company being third party depositors/stakeholders funds remain unpaid, it will have more devastating effects on the business of the bank and the resultant effect will be multiple on the economy of the country.

The bank stated further that its books are always examined by the regulatory authority and the bank has always been queried severally by the regulatory authority on the account of Lister Flour Mills company which are always colossal debt and also the bank has been given final notice by the regulatory authority of impending grave sanction if the accounts of the Lister Flour Mills continued to be in debt.

Consequently, the bank’s claim against the defendants are as follows:

Judgement against the defendants jointly and severally in the sum of N8,856,570,029.81as at 8th September, 2015 and interest to accrue.

Order of injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from frustrating or disturbing the Receiver/Manager in performance of its duty.

Cost of this suit assessed at N5 million.

The defendants have not filed any defence.

The case has been adjourned for mention - PM NEWS

‘Level of deterioration at Port Harcourt refinery shocking’– MD speaks on challenges

Shehu Malami, managing director of Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), says the poor state of infrastructure at the refinery is shocking.

Malami made this known in an interview published in a quarterly publication by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The PHRC MD who has been at the helm of affairs for almost two years said one of the worst experiences he encountered was an oil spillage caused by the failure of an atmospheric residue storage tank in January.

“The greatest challenge was that of poor state of infrastructure. When I came back to PHRC as managing director, I was shocked at the level of deterioration of the facility,” he said.

“That notwithstanding, we tried to do our best in running the refinery with the help of the top management of NNPC.

“The result of the poor state of infrastructure was that every day we were having one challenge or the other. It is either a heat exchanger is failing or an air fun cooler is leaking, or a pump is bad, and so on.

“The worst failure we experienced was that of the atmosphere residue storage tanks. One failed in January this year spilling a lot of oil in the bund wall surrounding the tank. The second tank failed towards the end of April 2018, but this failure was noticed very early.

“The other challenge has to do with the people; people think they can come here and sit down and you can just package a contract and handover.”

According to him, some units of the refinery had to be shut down because of haulage constraints.

“In the new refinery, the crude distillation unit (CDU) and the vacuum distillation unit (VDU) are available. We were only forced to shut them down because of haulage constraint,” he said.

“The major problem for us is that the catalytic reforming unit (CRU) has not been available for very many years and, although we made every effort to bring back the unit and had the support of top management, especially the COO (Chief Operating Officer) Refineries and the GMD (Group Managing Director), our efforts did not yield the desired result.” -THECABLE

Senate asks CBN to increase maximum ATM withdrawal to N40k per transaction

The senate has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to direct commercial banks to increase the maximum amount customers can withdraw from automated teller machines (ATMs) to N40,000 per transaction.

The maximum is currently N20,000. The senate also asked the apex bank to suspend ATM card maintenance fees.

The upper legislative chamber directed its committees on banking and finance to conduct an investigation into the propriety of ATM card maintenance charges and to also invite Godwin Emefiele, governor of CBN, to explain why the charges are allegedly skewed in favour of the banks.

The resolution of the senate was sequel to a motion sponsored by Gbenga Ashafa, senator representing Lagos east.

While moving the motion, Ashafa said the CBN is becoming “insensitive” to the plight of Nigerians.

Contributing to the debate on the motion, Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, said the numerous charges by the banks are unacceptable.

“If we have institutions in Nigeria, they should make sure to do their jobs to protect Nigerians,” Ekweremadu said.

“Banks should have recognisable charges to let customers know what they are up against.”

On his part, Adeola Olamilekan, senator representing Lagos west, said the banks should stop cheating Nigerians of their hard-earned money.

“I have stopped using ATM for transactions,” Olamilekan said.

On his part, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the lawmakers must always protect the interest of the people.

“This is a motion that touches on the lives of every Nigerian irrespective of what party you belong to or political affiliation you might have and that is why we are here, to always defend and protect the interest of our people,” he said.

“We need to look at ways to ensure that our resolutions go beyond just the debates — so that whatever action we take will come into effect.”

The motion was adopted by the senate after it was put to a voice vote by Saraki. -THECABLE

Voting Buhari will hasten 2023 Igbo presidency – Group

Igbo leaders in Lagos APC said on Wednesday that voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in the upcoming presidential elections would hasten the chances of the Igbo, clinching the presidency in the near future.

The group, led by the Lagos APC Spokesman, Mr Joe Igbokwe, made the declaration at an interactive session with political correspondents in Lagos.

Igbokwe said there was need for Igbos not to allow the sentiments of a vice-presidential slot to becloud their sense of reasoning over an anticipated Igbo presidency in 2023.

“We should support PMB, instead of Atiku and there is need for the Igbos to key in so as not to lose out in the scheme for power.

“Politics is a game of numbers. Igbos must demonstrate commitment through their support and key in with a political party that would guarantee the realisation of their aspirations.”

According to Igbokwe, there is need for Igbos to strategise to win the trust and friendship of other geo-political zones, to guarantee their support for an Igbo president in 2023.

“The president has even said so that he will support an Igbo presidency in 2023. It is wise that we also support him in 2019.’’

The APC chieftain argued that the Buhari administration had achieved so much in infrastructure development in the South East and had broken grounds that should guarantee his return.

“Apart from being members of the APC, as Nigerians we believe that the president has integrity; is hardworking, intelligent, dependable and is also not corrupt. But sentiments will not allow some people to see it,” Igbokwe added.

On issues of endorsement of candidates in Lagos, the spokesman urged politicians to be wary of fake Igbo groups in Lagos.

“We have noticed that all manner of people gather themselves every election year to extort money from the state, promising to deliver Igbo votes to our party in Lagos.

“Over the years, we have noticed that these political entrepreneurs whose aim is to make money and nothing more continue to swindle leaders every election year.

“It is our wish, therefore, that all matters pertaining to Ndigbo in APC Lagos will be routed through this body that is set up to provide synergy that will galvanise our people into action.

“This will lead to more votes for the APC in Lagos State, given the Igbo numerical strength in the state.” - PM NEWS 

Arrested suspects confess selling 31 human heads, many body parts

The suspected ritualists on parade with the human heads and body parts

Eight suspected ritualists arrested by the police in Ilorin Kwara state have confessed selling 31 human heads to some yet-to-be identified prominent personalities in the country.

They also confessed selling vital body parts for rituals and spiritual powers.

The suspects were busted by a Police Joint Investigative team, following the arrest of the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub, in whose house police found 11 human skulls, human bones, hairs, and powder suspected to be grinded human bones and charms.

Police searched Yakub’s home on 5 October following reports of missing persons, kidnapping, murder, killings for rituals, and exhuming of the dead, removal of human skulls and other human parts.

According to police spokesman, deputy commissioner Jimoh Moshood, the Inspector General of Police on receipt of the situation report from the Kwara State Police Command immediately directed the IGP Monitoring Unit to proceed to Kwara State and assist the Kwara State Police Command in their investigation of the matter, arrest perpetrators to bring them to justice.

“The Police Joint Investigation Team on arrival in Ilorin, Kwara State on the 5th of October, 2018 assisted by the personnel of ‘D’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Adewole, Kwara Police Command, working on actionable intelligence from public spirited individuals in the area, swung into action, obtained search warrant and moved into the house of one Azeez Yakub.

“Further investigations by the Special Team of the IGP Monitoring Unit led to the arrest of Seven other suspects, Azeez Yakub, Abdulrasaq Babamale, Aishat Yunisa, Lukman Saka, Ahmed Yahaya, Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) – Vigilante Commander, Adeta Zone, Ilorin, Soliu Ayinde a.k.a Baba Fawasi, Abdulganiyu Bamidele.

The suspects:

Azeez Yakub a.k.a Baba Muri (Principal Suspect) who is a notorious armed robber and had been arrested, charged to court and convicted to prison several times. This suspect now in Police custody has made confessional statement to the Police investigation Team. He confessed and admitted that one Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin), the vigilante commander in Adeta Zone, introduced him to the business and also supplies the human skulls and other body parts for him to sell. Eleven (11) Human skulls were recovered from his possession during police search on his residence.

The principal suspect confessed that Abdulfatai Kadri has brought to him twenty (20) human skulls that he exhumed from the Ilorin Community Central Burial ground situated after Eid-praying ground in Ilorin.

He further admitted that Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) usually brings in the human heads to him in batches of four, six and eight for safe keeping and usually collect them within a day or two, and also informed him of the personalities in Ilorin and others he usually supplied the heads.

Abdulrasaq Babamole was mentioned by the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub. Babamole was alleged to have bought one human skull from Yakub. Powder suspected to be pounded human bones was recovered in his possession. He has also confessed to the crime and admitted his role

Aishat Yunisa a.k.a Iya Alagbo was also mentioned by the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub to be a member of the gang. She deals in selling human body parts. During interrogation, she confessed and admitted to have supplied two human skulls she obtained from Azeez Yakub to one Ahmed Yahaya and Lukman Saka

Ahmed Yahaya and Lukeman Saka were indicted in the confessional statement made by the Principal suspect, Azeez Yakub. They confessed to have bought two human skulls from the principal suspect through Aishat Yunusa. They ground the skulls for rituals.

Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) is a vigilante Commander in Adeta Zone. He was indicted by the Principal suspect as the man who introduced him to the business of selling human body parts. He was also the supplier of human skulls and other body parts to Yakub. He is still being investigated on his criminal roles in the incident.

Soliu Ayinde a.k.a Baba Fawasi – this suspect also in police custody confessed and admitted to be a member of the syndicate who receives human parts from both Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) the Vigilante commander and Azeez Yakub the Principal suspect. In his possession was recovered human bones cut-off from the leg of one of their victims. He admitted to the Police investigators that the Principal suspect Azeez Yakub and Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) are working together. At a time he requested for human skull from Azeez Yakub, in his presence, Azeez Yakub called Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) to bring the human skull after collecting Fifteen Thousand Naira N15,000 from him.

Abdulganiyu Bamidele: He confessed and admitted to buying human skull from the principal suspect, Azeez Yakub and supplying same to his friend one Kayode still at large. - PM NEWS

Ibori loses appeal against UK graft conviction

Mr James Ibori, former governor of Delta convicted of money laundry in a British court.

James Ibori, who was jailed in Britain for laundering tens of millions of dollars in stolen public funds, through British banks and properties, lost an appeal against his conviction in London on Wednesday.

Ibori was governor of oil-producing Delta State in Southern Nigeria for eight years.

He had pleaded guilty in a London court in 2012 to a 10-count charge of fraud and money-laundering, involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million).

He received a 13-year jail sentence of which he served half, as is common in the British system.

Ibori, who is now back in Nigeria, appealed against his conviction, alleging misconduct by British Police and prosecutors, which he argued, tainted the judicial process. -PM NEWS 

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu’s kinsmen blow hot over monarch’s whereabouts

The Afaraukwu-Ibeku community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State has demanded the whereabouts of Eze Israel Kanu following the aftermath of the 2017 “Operation Python Dance II”.

The community had declared Kanu missing after the alleged attack on his palace in September 2017.

Kanu is the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Autonomous Community and father of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday, Chief Emeka Ezebuiro, the President General of Afaraukuwu Ibeku Development Union, said that the community was still at a loss over the disappearance of their royal father.

NAN quoted Ezebuiro as saying that the community had been passing through psychological trauma since the monarch got missing.

In a statement jointly signed by the president-general along with the traditional rulers of Okwulaga and Enyiukwu Autonomous Communities, Eze Eddy Ibeabuchi and Eze Philip Ukaegbu, respectively, the community called for the immediate release of the missing traditional ruler.

The community further distanced itself from the newspaper publication alleging that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu “was playing politics with the plight of our traditional ruler.”

It absolved the governor of complicity over the continued disappearance of the octogenarian monarch.

It said that Ikpeazu had at different meetings with the community leaders promised to engage other South-East governors to facilitate the return of the traditional ruler.

The president-general said that the governor had openly resisted alleged pressure to dethrone Kanu on the grounds that the monarch did not commit any offence against the laws of the land.

“We wish to state that our people have never accused Ikpeazu of being the mastermind of the attack on our community.

“We were privy to the efforts he made to stave off the attack as well as his exemplary post-crisis management efforts.

“We, therefore, wish to call on politicians and their hirelings to desist from meddling in our matter for cheap political gains,” the community said. - Daily Post

2019: Why I took back property I gave to APC – Mama Taraba

The former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in the present administration, Aisha Alhassan, a.k.a Mama Taraba, has revealed why she allowed her supporters take back property she donated to her former party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former Minister said it was not wrong because of the level of injustice they meted to her.

Alhassan last month decamped from the APC to the United Democratic Party, UDP.

She said she never ordered the removal of the donated items, but however, gave the nod when her supporters insisted.

“I did not even give the directive but when they called and told me that was what they wanted to do, I gave them the go ahead,” she told reporters in Jarlingo

“There was no point stopping them because of the kind of injustice the party meted on me. If I had left the party freely, I could decide to leave the items there but you know the circumstances.

”I bought the items to furnish the Secretariat and now that I have moved on to the UDP, it is not out of place that I move with what belongs to me.” - Daily Post

Fayose: EFCC gives update on probe of ex-gov

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who on Tuesday reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Abuja in accordance with his promise is still being interrogated by the commission.

Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Asked why Fayose was still detained for over 24 hours, Uwujaren said “we are still within range. We are not keeping him but interrogating him.”

Fayose’s tenure as governor ended on Monday, and he had on Saturday, presented “Hand-over Note’’ to his successor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was inaugurated on Tuesday.

On arrival at EFCC office, the former governor had said “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.

“And, like I said to EFCC, they should await my arrival. They had been to my house; they cordoned off my street which I feel personally was unnecessary. It is unwarranted.

“I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask, I will be able to respond appropriately.”

He had in a letter to the EFCC sometime ago, said his term of office “to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution shall lapse by Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.

“As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm.

“It is to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.” - Daily Post