Why PDP must not come back !! ‘I can’t afford to buy panadol’ – Metuh begs EFCC to unfreeze his accounts

Olisa Metuh, a former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has begged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to unfreeze his accounts.

Metuh is facing a seven-count of‎ criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N400 million.

At the Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday, Metuh claimed he could no longer feed his family, because of the restriction placed on his account by the anti-graft agency.

“They seized all my accounts in every bank in this country. As I am don’t have money to buy Panadol or water to drink.

“They have alleged in this case that N400m was stolen. Why would they not limit it to that amount? I don’t know how I am going to feed my family? I don’t have access to any money at all.

“I am ready to end this case and submit myself to the judgment of this court. I am in total shock as I am here talking to you,” he said.

Okon Abang, the judge, asked Onyechi Ikpeazu, Metuh’s counsel, to discuss the issue with Sylvanus Tahir, prosecution lawyer.

- Daily Post

Terrible country !!! 2 key witnesses die after giving evidence against Nyako

Two vital prosecution witnesses who gave evidence in the trial of former Adamawa Governor Murtala Nyako have died mysteriously.

Adekunle Odofin, a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, made the startling revelation before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

According to the detective, the two witnesses made “crucial statements” during the investigation into a N29 billion fraud case.

Odofin told the court that the two persons were very vital to the prosecution of the case.

Nyako is being prosecuted by the Commission, alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29 billion.

Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.

Testifying as the twentieth prosecution witness, Odofin, who started his testimony on June 23, 2018 and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence, told the court on November 26, 2018, that one Mohammad Maj Iro, who was the General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, the Regional Manager in charge of North-East, and the Account Officer of Adamawa State 200 accounts, domiciled in Zenith bank, died after making “crucial statements”, at the time of filing the case in the court.

While being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, on November 27, 2018, the detective told the court that the Commission also extended invitation to one Dalhatu Abdulmalik, who was the cousin to Nyako.

The commission invited the Director of Ameak Investment Limited, Kirkelly Investment Limited and Pilkola Engineering Limited, who also died after giving his statement.

Odofin said Mohammad Major Iro pulled out over N800million from the Adamawa State account, and credited it to Crust Energy Limited, the 9th defendant in the case, taking orders from Nyako.

Odofin explained that the pattern of two accounts belonging to the State (Special Service Department, SSD, and Secretary to the State Government, SSG) drew the attention of the EFCC.

According to him, “the behaviour of these accounts, showed how money was being withdrawn in multiples of Ten Million Naira on different dates, running into billions of naira, by late Mohammad Maj Iro”.

“The question is, why did Maj Iro withdraw money from Adamawa State account, without being a staff of the state government?

Investigations revealed that memos were originated from permanent secretaries of the SSD, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidado and that of the SSG, Emmanuel Ibrahim.

“Having generated these memos, same were forwarded to SSG for transmission to the number one citizen of the State, the governor. Upon the approval of these memos, same came back to the SSG”.

He explained that vouchers were raised after the approval of the memos, in the name of the Permanent Secretary, the Accountant and cashier as the same and now taken to Maj Iro.

“Having received these cheques, Maj Iro, being a seasoned banker, pulled out these monies from the two accounts ( SSD and SSG) and he starts crediting various individuals and corporate accounts, most especially, without the knowledge of the account owners”, the witness added.

“Maj Iro credited Zenith Bank accounts of the 5th to the 9th defendants (Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited), out of the money he pulled out from Adamawa State accoun. Part of the money Maj Iro transferred to Tower Asset Management Limited, the sum of N678,000,000 (Six Hundred And Seventy Eight Million Naira) was transferred to Crust Energy on different dates.

“Maj Iro also transferred N160, 000,000 out of the money he pulled out from Adamawa State account to a company called Maxion Option Limited. Maxion Option Limited transferred same to Crust Energy  Limited zenith bank account”.

The witness further told the court how Maj Iro disbursed millions of naira to the companies used to launder state funds.

“Maj Iro also transferred sums of money on different dates to Sabore Farms Limited. Out of the money transferred to the company by Maj Iro, the sum of N20million was transferred to Mainstream Energy Limited. Another N20million was transferred from same Sabore Farms to one Sanni Hello of Mainstream Energy Limited. Another N10million was transferred to Crust Energy Limited”, Odofin said.

Statements made by Maj. Iro at the Commission, were tendered and admitted in evidence by the court.

According to the court, “Statements made by Maj. Iro on June 21, 2014; June 24, 2014; July 2, 2014; July 10, 2014; July 15, 2014; July 22, 2014; July 23, 2014; August 29, 2014 and October 22, 2014 admitted in evidence as LL40-1 to Ll40-9, respectively”. Also, statements made by Dalhatu Abdulmalik were tendered and admitted in evidence.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to November 29, 2018 for continuation of trial.

- PM News

Lai: EFCC recovered N540bn through whistleblowing policy

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N540 billion through the federal government’s whistleblowing policy.

According to Segun Adeyemi, media aide to the minister, Mohammed said this while speaking at the 71st general assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

The minister who was represented by Sunny Adejoh Baba, director of public relations and protocol in the ministry, said the media should align itself with programmes of the government aimed at ridding the country of corruption.

“To this end, as at May this year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through the Whistle Blower Policy, has recovered over N527 Billion, $53 million, and £122,890,” he said.

“Anything short of this would amount to a criminal abdication of a sacred duty which could spell doom for our collective national life.

“We have had enough sordid examples to learn from that we ought not to allow a repeat at this critical time of our national development.

“It is therefore of utmost importance that the media and specifically, broadcast media, do not allow itself to become a purveyor of fake news and hate speeches.”

He said the government is committed to ensuring that the media carries out its role as “watch dogs.”

“Anything short of this would amount to a criminal abdication of a sacred duty which could spell doom for our collective national life. We have had enough sordid examples to learn from that we ought not to allow a repeat at this critical time of our national development,” Mohammed said.

“It is therefore of utmost importance that the media and specifically, broadcast media, do not allow itself to become a purveyor of fake news and hate speeches.”

- TheCable

South Africa raises minimum wage to N91,225 — three times NLC’s demand

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the national wage bill into law, bringing the national minimum wage to 3,500 Rands or N91,225 per month.

As per hourly pay, the Act fixed the country’s minimum wage at $1.45 (N527) for every 60 minutes of human labour.

The president, who signed the bill into law on Monday, said the law was aimed at reducing inequality in the country, and advance living wage with the second biggest economy on the continent.

“The National Minimum Wage Act sets South Africa’s first national minimum wage at R20 an hour – equivalent to R3 500 per month, depending on the number of hours worked,” a statement from the office of the president read.

“The President’s signing of the new law comes four years, to the month, after the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) first began deliberations on the protection of low-paid workers, fair and effective competition in the labour market, and the challenges of labour instability, caused by violent strikes and the duration of strikes and wage inequality.

“While national minimum wage will not end income inequality, it provides a firm and unassailable foundation, which is agreed to by all social partners, from which to advance the struggle for a living wage”.

The law, which will improve the pay of over six million workers in the country, is expected to take effect from on a date to be announced by the president.

This is coming at a time when the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) are demanding a raise in Nigeria’s minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 per month.

The federal government has expressed its readiness to meet NLC’s demands, which pales in comparison to what South Africans will now earn, but state governors are still at variance with the federal government.

South Africa’s minimum wage is due for review in 18 months.

- TheCable

Real Madrid in cruise control, beat Roma 2-0

Gareth Bale’s goal set Real Madrid on their way to 2-0 victory over Roma in the Champions League as they cemented their position at the top of Group G.

Bale capitalised on a defensive error from home defender Federico Fazio to put the holders in front against the run of play after the break.

Spain winger Lucas Vazquez ensured the La Liga side claimed all three points, tapping in from close range after Karim Benzema’s cushioned pass from a Luka Modric cross.

Earlier Viktoria Plzen’s 2-1 victory at CSKA Moscow had confirmed both clubs would progress to the knockout stage with a game to spare.

There was though a question mark over who would qualify as group winners – with Real and Roma both starting the game on nine points.

Real, holding the upper-hand on head-to-head criteria after their 3-0 win in the reverse fixture, survived an attacking barrage from the hosts before securing top spot.

Prior to kick-off the packed Stadio Olimpico rose as one to acclaim club legend Francesco Totti, with the 42-year-old inducted in the club’s Hall of Fame.

Totti spent his entire 24-year playing career with the Italian club before retiring in May 2017 after scoring 307 goals in 786 appearances.

- BBC

Trial ends in 10-year old N4.7b money laundering charge against Ladoja

Trial has ended in the 10-year-old case of alleged N4.7 billion money laundering charge preferred against a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and one of his aides, Waheed Akanbi.

The former governor in his evidence in the witness box during his examination-in-chief, denied authorizing the sale of Oyo State Government shares at discounted price.

He told the court that the decision to sell the shares were taken by the State Executive Council upon his return to office on 11 December, 2006, following the nullification of his impeachment by the Supreme Court.

The former governor added that proceeds generated from the sale of the shares were deployed towards projects execution.

“On our return to office, we found out that most of the items we had in our budget in 2006 were not touched. We were then looking for money and the second defendant, who was the commissioner of finance, was saddled with the responsibility of looking for the money. He then came up with the idea of selling the shares

“We later called functionaries at the Ministry of Commerce but they told us that the shares have been tied down to the purchase of rice. We then found a way of freeing the shares and at that point, the second defendant made his submissions to the State Executive Council on the sale of the shares and it was approved.

“A memo was later raised by the commissioner of finance and I approved it. I had no dealings with either the Portfolio Manager, Fountain Securities Ltd or its Managing Director, Chief Kola Daisi”, he said.

Ladoja added he was not privy to the total amount of money that was realized from the sale of shares and that he did not personally benefit from it.

He said: “It is for the officials to follow-up with the revenue, my job stopped at the point of approving the sale of the shares. The revenue generated from the sale of the shares were expended on certain projects.”

Recalling the events that led to his impeachment on 3rd January, 2006, Ladoja said: “the group that called for my impeachment was led by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu.

“The politician believed he has a right to security votes because he is securing the state but I thought otherwise. It was a running battle until I later found out that the presidency was involved. Some members of the State House of Assembly were promised a lot of things by Adedibu. I later got to know that my Deputy was also involved in the plot to remove me”.

He added that after his impeachment, one of his aides, Chief Adewale Atanda, advised him that he should leave Ibadan for Lagos to avoid any threat to his life.

He said he only stayed in his house for just two weeks before he relocated to a ‘safe house’ provided for him by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the Lagos State Governor.

“I had to find a place to be meeting my lawyers and supporters. So, Chief Atanda suggested that we should use a space in his hotel, Heritage Court and Inns.

“Throughout my stay in the hotel, I was responsible for the entertainment of my guests and there was no time the place was closed to public,” he said.

Upon cross-examination by the prosecution’s lawyer, Olabisi Oluwafemi, the former governor said he declared his assets on assumption of office in 2003.

He added that the sold shares were purchased during his tenure as governor of Oyo State.

Justice Idris has fixed 18th January, 2019, for parties to adopt their written addresses.

- PM News

Ebonyi parades 2 over alleged female genital mutilation

The Ebonyi Government on Tuesday paraded two women in Okpuitumo community, Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state over alleged genital mutilation carried out on 11 girls.

Also paraded were five parents of the victims for allegedly approving and presenting their daughters for the illegal act, following their arrest by the police.

Parading the suspects in Government House Abakaliki, Mr Donatus Owo, Chief Press Secretary to the wife of the state governor, said that they would be charged to court immediately.

Owo said the act violated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of the state.

“Those perpetrators have been arrested by the police command.

`We now have local government monitoring committees at the council level and the state monitoring committee headed by Mrs Stephanie Ekumankama, the Special Assistance (SA) to Wife of the Governor.

“For the local government, it is the chairpersons and for the communities, we have the traditional rulers.

“Now, anybody they arrest would be forwarded through this channel and we will now get lawyers and take them to court.

“The governor has clearly directed that they should be charged to court; the two women and the parents of the children.

“The parents are about five here and the fine is N200, 000 or five years imprisonment or both,” Owo said.

The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Stephen Ukpa, who witnessed the parade of the suspects, regretted that some of his subjects still engaged in the practice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the leadership of the community had placed a ban on FGM in June 19, 2017.

One of the suspects, Mrs Margret Ofoke while responding to questions, however, denied having knowledge about the ban placed on Female Genital Mutilation in the community.

She also denied knowing about the VAPP law of the state.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ekumankama, faulted her claims, adding that the government had carried out proper sensitisation on the FGM ban.

She said the suspects had devised a new strategy of carrying out the act under the cover of the night.

“The act is being carried out in the night. The governor and his wife Mrs Rachael Umahi are not happy at all, and they are asking that the law should take its cause.

“Ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to law. We have done several programmes and stepped it up at the community level to ensure that everybody is aware.

“Abakaliki happens to be one of the local governments under Izzi clan and then, we did a major programme there where all the traditional rulers denounced the practice in their communities.

“I want to believe that they are not ignorant to have done it in the night,” Ekumankama said.

- PM News

Reps probe $1bn arms procurement, demand release of dead soldiers’ names

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, began investigation into the 1 billion dollar appropriated for procurement of arms and equipment in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East.

The lawmakers also demanded that the Nigerian Army should, after due consultations with families of soldiers killed in the Nov. 18, insurgents’ attack in Metele village in Borno, release all their names.

The resolution was sequel to a motion by Rep Chukwuka Onyema (PDP-Anambra) at the plenary presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of 1 billion dollars for the procurement of security equipment to be used in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

Moving the motion, Onyema, who is the Deputy Minority Leader, noted that many Nigerian soldiers of the 157 battalion were massacred by Boko Haram insurgents, who now called themselves Islamic State West Africa, in Metele in Borno State.

According to him, the initial figures of the casualty put the death toll at 44 but as more details emerged, it is now confirmed that many more soldiers and officers were killed together with their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba, while others are still missing.

“The House notes that according to reports, the insurgents carted away large consignment of weapons from the Melete army base which security experts say would embolden them and pose great danger.

“The House observed that while the news of the attack and death toll continued to increase, neither the President nor the Minister of Defense or the army authorities said anything about the report as there was silence for more than five days.

“The House notes that the President and C-In-C finally broke his silence six days after the attack in a statement issued on his behalf,” he said.

The lawmaker said it was unfortunate that in the last one year, no fewer than 600 Nigerian soldiers were killed by insurgents, mostly in Borno State around the fringes of the Lake Chad.

He enumerated instances of attacks launched by Boko Haram against Nigerian soldiers within the year under review.

Onyema, who expressed regret that while the executive continued to insist that the insurgents had been technically defeated, he said they seemed to be waxing stronger on a daily basis.

“The House recalls that twice in three years, the Commander-In-Chief gave directives to service chiefs to permanently relocate to the Theatre Command Centre in Maiduguri until Boko Haram is defeated,” he said.

He said it was disheartening that with the recent happenings in the North, all the successes and gains made against the insurgents had been reversed.

Contributing, Rep Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said it was high time Nigeria began to change tactics in order to checkmate the audacity of the insurgents.
She urged the Federal Government to take a cue from Pakistan and review the curriculum of its military.

Rep Aminu Shagari (PDP-Sokoto), who queried how the recently appropriated money was used, described the attack as sad.

Rep Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau) called for the sack of the service chiefs.

On his part, Rep Idris Ease (APC-Plateau) called on the House to treat the matter dispassionately and not to be affected by political sentiment.

Rep Rimande Shawulu (PDP-Taraba) recalled that last year, there were reports that about 6, 000 members of the Islamic State in Syria (ISIS) found their ways to the sub-Saharan Africa.

According to him, some of the things we are seeing now are not unexpected.
He argued that the porous nature of the country’s borders was another challenge.

Shawulu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Army, however said that there was the need for the security agencies to account for the funds appropriated to them.

Other lawmakers who contributed in the Senate include Reps Johnson Agbonayinma, Stephanus Gyang, Aminu Shagari, Edward Pwajok, Zakari Mohammed, among others.

The Speaker, Mr Dogara, after over an hour deliberation on the motion, described the development as an eye-opener.

He said it was time the leadership in the country began to take responsibility and not to apportion blame.

When the motion was out on a voice vote by the speaker, the lawmakers unanimously adopted it.

An ad hoc committee to investigate all funds appropriated for utilisation by the Armed Forces for the fight against insurgency was set up by the House.

The committee was also charged to look into the operational lapses that led to the killings of the soldiers.

- PM News

Sex-for-mark: Court refuses to grant Prof. Akindele bail

An Osun Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Tuesday refused to grant bail to a former lecturer in the department of management and accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele, who was accused by his student, Monica Osagie, to have demanded for sex in exchange for marks.

Justice Maureen Onyetenu, in her ruling, ordered Akindele to be remanded at the Ilesa prison custody until the next date of adjournment fixed for December 17 for consideration of bail and to allow more evidence from the prosecution counsel on the possibility of bail.

She also ordered the prosecution counsel from the ICPC to produce more video evidence to further substantiate the allegation.

DAILY POST recalls that the Senior Legal Officer, ICPC, Mr Kehinde Adetoye had prayed the court to deny the defendant bail on the ground that he might not make himself available for trial when released.

Adetoye said the defendant had refused to appear in their office at Abuja after a written agreement to honour any invitation extended to him.

The Defence counsel, Mr Francis Omotosho, however told the court that his client should be granted bail pending the final determination of the case, saying a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the bail application had been forwarded to the court with a written address.

- Daily Post

Police parade man for allegedly raping pregnant woman in Akwa Ibom

27-year-old Victor Frank aka ‘Akpan Prophet’ was among the suspects paraded by the Akwa Ibom State police Command on Monday for committing various crimes, ranging from murder, armed robbery to rape.

Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Ikot-Akpanabia, the commissioner of police, CP Musa Kimo told newsmen that Victor Frank, leader of Iceland cult invaded the residence of his victim (name withheld), whisked the woman away and had a carnal knowledge of her.

He maintained that the suspect after committing the unlawful act subsequently brought out human skull and compelled the woman who is also pregnant to take an oath of secrecy that she would never disclose the incident to her husband.

The husband, having gotten wind of the rape incident reported the matter to the police division which led to the arrest of the suspect.

The suspect, in interaction with journalists, confessed to the crime, saying that the woman was his girlfriend before she got married.

Meanwhile four human skulls were recovered from him.

Also arraigned was four members of a robbery syndicate, who arrived Uyo from Aba on Sunday with the intention of robbing banking layout at UdoUdoma in Uyo. The suspects included: Victor Onyekelu male, 32, Ifeanyi Nwangele male 33, Christian Ogbeh male, Ezenwa Chibuzor male 35.

The Commissioner said, “The arrest was made after a tip-off from members of the public and with our crack team of detectives in the streets, we were able to round them up at about 4:30am at their hideout.

“Two double barrel guns loaded with cartridges were recovered from them.”

The leader of the gang, Victor Onyekelu who denied being a criminal said he bought the guns from his friend in order to use it for security work which he came to look for in Akwa Ibom state.

Kimo further paraded two Tricycle (keke) operators, Donald John and Blessing Christopher who have been terrorizing the residents of Atiku Abubakar and dispossesing the unsuspecting passengers of their belongings, especially ladies.

But one of the suspects, Donald John, said, “I am not a keke snatcher, I am just a 419 man (fraudster), I have stayed in the prison for four years and when I came out I decided not to go into robbery again but to do 419 because my mother is in the mortuary and I need money to bury her.

“I was at Atiku Abubakar Way inside my friend’s keke looking for passengers when the members of FSARS intercepted us and arrested us,” he said.

- Daily Post