EFCC arrests man at Kano airport for failing to declare $207,000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Sani Abdullahi, at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, over alleged money laundering.

Abdullahi was arrested during the screening of passengers boarding the China bound Ethiopian Air from Kano.

He was alleged to have failed to fully declare the sum of 207,000 dollars (N63,135,000) in his possession.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by EFCC spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade, Abdullahi declared the sum of 86,000 dollars (N26,230, 000) but concealed the sum of 121,000 dollars (N36,905,000)

Orilade said the concealed amount was discovered after he was searched by operatives of the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence is contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended).

Orilade, however, said the suspect had been granted administrative bail and would soon be charged to court.

- PM NEWS

Dangote poorer by $2bn, Adenuga richer by $3.9bn… here are Africa’s billionaires

Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man for the eighth consecutive time although his wealth dropped by $2 billion from $12.2 billion in January 2018 to $10 billion in 2019.

This is according to Forbes’ Africa Billionaires List released on Wednesday.

Mike Adenuga, chief executive officer of Globacom with interests in oil exploration and real estate, moved up to be Africa’s second richest man.

The American magazine said Adenuga’s net worth dramatically increased from $5.3 billion to $9.2 billion.

Abdulsamad Rabiu, chief executive officer of BUA Group, featured on the list for the first time since 2015.

Rabiu’s Kalambaina Cement firm merged with Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, which he controlled, in December 2018. He now owns 97% of the entity.

Kalambaina, which operates a new cement production facility, started selling cement in mid-2018. Separately, Rabiu’s OBU Cement recently expanded its operations, adding a new production line.

Folorunsho Alakija, whose net worth dropped to $1.1 billion from $1.3 billion, was ranked 19th.

The rank was a tie with South African banker, Michiel Le Roux.

Commenting on the reduced net worth of the personalities, Forbes said “buffeted by plunging stock prices and weaker currencies, the number of African billionaires has shrunk to just 20, down from 23 a year ago.

“Four people fell off Forbes’ annual list of the continent’s richest since last year while one returned to the ranks after a four-year absence. All but four members of the list have smaller fortunes than a year ago.”

In a per country ranking, Egypt and South Africa are tied with five billionaires each, followed by Nigeria with four and Morocco with two. Forbes found one billionaire each from Algeria, Angola, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

- THECABLE

Police propose fake news prohibition act

The Nigeria police force has proposed a fake news prohibition act in the country.

The police made the proposal on Wednesday during a conference on countering fake news organised by the BBC world service in Abuja.

But some experts at the programme including Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, argued that rather than introduce a new law to fight fake news, existing ones should be implemented.

Decrying the spate of fake news in Nigeria, Abayomi Shogunle, head, public complaint rapid response unit at the force headquarters, said such laws will also curb circulation of fake news on social media.

“Should the freedom of expression cover fake news, my answer is know. Do we need a legislation to fight fake news? My answer is yes,” he said.

“And I believe Nigeria, we are still not doing enough to fight fake news. There should be fake news prohibition act; not just cyber crime act. There should be fake news prohibition act.”

Soyinka, however, said Nigeria has “sufficient legislation to check fake news”.

“So it is left for the law enforcement agencies to take these a little more seriously. Beyond the physical harm, fake news also disrupts the mentality of a vulnerable generation,” he said.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said to curb fake news, especially on the social media, there should be more collaboration between countries.

“The traditional media obviously operate in a more responsible manner and the simple reason it is so is because there are consequences and it is much easier to hold them to account to help regulate social media,” he said.

“(But) there is an opportunity for more collaboration; in other words, shouldn’t we be looking at some kind of conventions and agreements between nations.”

Festus Okoye, a national commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acknowledged that fake news constitutes a “serious” challenge to the forthcoming elections.

He suggested a way out of the problem: “I think we should try to understand the dynamics of social media and try to compete. If a fake story is out, you put out the rebuttal and let both compete. In terms of the traditonal media, I believe we should have more specialisation, better training.”

- THECABLE

Ondo pastor nabbed for allegedly impregnating 16-year-old-girl

A pastor, Josiah Akinsuyi, with the Christ Apostolic Church in Ondo State has been apprehended by the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State command for allegedly impregnating a 16-year-old girl in the state.

It was also gathered that the pastor had also been having affair with the victim’s elder sister before he was exposed.

The state Commandant of the Corps, Pedro Awili, who disclosed this while parading the suspect at the NSCDC headquarters in Alagbaka area of the state capital, stated that the incident was reported by the father of the victim.

According to Awili, the victim confessed to her father that she was already four months pregnant after pregnancy test had been conducted on her.

The commandant further revealed to newsmen that the girl and her family stayed within the same neighbourhood where the pastor’s church is located at Abusoro in Ijoka area of Akure, adding that the suspect took over from one Sunday Babatunde, who also had been having carnal knowledge of the girl before now.

His words, “Our investigation revealed that the pastor has had carnal knowledge of the girl for three good times and we have carried out pregnancy test which proved that the girl is four months pregnant.

“Investigation also revealed that the elder sister of the girl has something doing with the pastor because the first time he wanted to have carnal knowledge with her, she was not cooperating and she informed her sister about it which she asked her to cooperate with the pastor.

“One of the times the pastor slept with her was in the classroom of one private school owned by his wife. Though, the pastor denied having any intercourse with the girl and I’m not expecting him (Pastor Akinsuyi) to accept the allegation.

“The girl confessed to us that the pastor had earlier promised to give her N50,000 but he failed on his promise and maybe because he did not redeem his promise and not attending to her again that make the girl confessed to her father.

“And the girl has confess that the pastor impregnated her,” he said.

The commandant, who admonished pastors to be seen as role models in the society, assured that the pastor would soon be charged to court for prosecution.

- DAILY POST

TRANSFER NEWS : Man United wins race ahead of Liverpool to sign Villarreal star

Former Premier League champions, Manchester United have won the race ahead of Liverpool to sign Villarreal defender, Adrian Corral.

United and Liverpool are both interested in signing Carral in recent weeks.

According to Spanish outlet, Super Deporte, United are on the verge of completing the signing of the youngster from the La Liga side.

The report also claimed that the 16-year-old has already told Villarreal that he will not sign professional terms with the club.

Corral will join United’s academy, which is currently run by former Red Devils’ manager, Nicky Butt once the deal is finalized.

- DAILY POST

Forbes releases 2019 list of richest men in Africa

Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote has retained his place as the richest man in Africa.

He remained number one on the newly released Forbes’ list of African billionaires.

He, however, lost almost $2bn compared to his last year’s worth.

The list was released on Wednesday.

Dangote’s estimated $10.3 billion net worth is nearly $2 billion less than a year ago.

Another Nigerian, Folorunsho Alakija was one of the billionaires, who suffered a drop in their net worth between last year and this year, as she held No 19 on the 20-man list.

The rating magazine reports that Alakija’s net worth dropped due to a decline in the value of one of Nigeria’s most productive oil fields.

Mike Adenuga, the owner of Globacom, emerged Africa’s 5th richest man. He is worth an estimated $9.2 billion.

Others are Nigeria’s cement mogul Abdulsamad Rabiu, who runs and owns the BUA Group, standing at number 16 on the list for the first time since 2015.

Here are the richest Africa’s Billionaires

1. Aliko Dangote – $12.2 billion net worth

2. Nicky Oppenheimer – $7.7 billion net worth

3. Johann Rupert – $7.2 billion net worth

Nassef Sawiris – $6.8 billion net worth

Mike Adenuga – $5.3 billion net worth

6. Naguib Sawaris – $4 billion net worth

7. Issad Regrab – $4 billion net worth

8. Koos Becker – $2.8 billion net worth

9. Mohamed Mansour – $2.7 billion net worth

10. Patrice Motsepe – $2.4 billion net worth

11. Aziz Akhannouch – $2.2 billion net worth

12. Yasseen Mansour – $1.9 billion net worth

13. Strive Masiyiwa – $1.7 billion net worth

14. Othman Benjelloun – $1.6 billion net worth

15. Mohammed Dewji – $1.5 billion net worth

16. Youssef Mansour – $1.4 billion net worth

17. Stephen Saad – $1.2 billion net worth

18. Michiel Le Roux – $1.2 billion net worth

19. Onsi Sawiris – $1.2 billion net worth

20. Desmond Sacco – $1.1 billion net worth

21. Christoeffel Wiese – $1.1 billion net worth

- DAILY POST

Three SS-1 students remanded for raping classmate

Three Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1) students (names withheld), who allegedly gang-defiled their 15-year old classmate, were on Wednesday remanded in a juvenile home.

The teenagers aged: 16, 16 and 14-years were docked at a Tinubu Chief Magistrates Court which also doubles as a Family Court.

They are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual assault and defilement.

The chief magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered that the boys be remanded at Borstal Training Institution in Adigbe, Abeokuta, pending the receipt of legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).

The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the boys committed the offences in July 2018 at Makoko area of Lagos State.

She said that the boys gang-defiled their 15-year old classmate at her resident.

“The boys claimed that they came to visit their female classmate at her house while her parents were not around.

“They offered her a drink which was suspected to contain some sleeping pills and that was the last the girl remembered when she became conscious.

“When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she was naked and bleeding while the boys had disappeared.

“She raised an alarm which led to the arrest of the accused.

“The girl has since been traumatised and hospitalized as a result of the incident,” she said.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 260 (1) (2) (4), 261, 263 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case was adjourned until Jan.16 for mention.

Borstal Training Institution is where juvenile offenders are remanded.

There, they would receive both educational and vocational trainings aimed at rehabilitating and reforming them before they would be reintegrated into the society.

- PM NEWS

PL : Ruthless Man City bang nine past Burton

Holders Manchester City can look forward to defending the League Cup in next month’s final at Wembley as Gabriel Jesus struck four goals in a 9-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in their semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.

Kevin de Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez were also on target against Nigel Clough’s League One side as City ensured their visit to the Pirelli Stadium on January 23 is a mere formality.

After also thrashing Rotherham 7-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday with a much-changed side, Pep Guardiola was able to again hand a rest to a number of his key players but named a strong side with De Bruyne continuing his comeback from injury.

And the Belgian set the tone for the evening by heading City into a fifth-minute lead as he timed his run into the box perfectly to head home David Silva’s cross.

Clough admitted before the game it would take a “miracle” for Burton to blunt the Premier League champions’ might over two legs.

So it proved, but the visitors missed a glorious chance to get straight back on level terms when Marcus Harness blasted over Lucas Akins’s cross when completely unmarked inside the penalty box.

It took City until the half hour mark to double their advantage, but a glut of three goals in seven minutes followed to put the tie to bed before the break.

Jesus headed home his first from close range after Bradley Collins had denied Leroy Sane before the Brazilian slotted home Silva’s cushioned pass via the inside of the post.

City didn’t need any luck, but still got some when Zinchenko’s intended cross then looped over Collins to make it 4-0.

Other sides may have slacked off in the second period, but with competitions for places so fierce among Guardiola’s side, the hosts were ruthless to match the Catalan’s biggest ever win as a coach.

Jesus powered home a header to complete his second hat-trick of the season.

De Bruyne was then replaced by home favourite Foden, who was surprisingly left out the stating XI, just before the hour mark.

It took just four minutes for the 18-year-old to score his third City goal as he profited from the rebound after Collins did well to parry Jesus’s first effort.

Jesus did soon have his fourth with a delicate finish from Sane’s cross and City’s dominance was summed up when right-back Kyle Walker strode forward to fire home his side’s eighth of the evening.

Mahrez made it nine seven minutes from time and those City fans still in the Etihad cried for a historic 10th.

But that was the only thing City fell short of on the night with a final meeting against Tottenham or Chelsea on February 24 guaranteed.

- PM NEWS

Soyinka attacks Obasanjo for supporting ‘a devil’ to become Nigeria’s president

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has attacked former President Olusegun Obasanjo again, saying he is supporting a man he called ‘a devil’ several years ago to become Nigeria’s president.

Soyinka, who was a panelist at the event tagged, ‘Nigeria 2019: Countering Fake News,’ organised by BBC News, charged Nigerians to be wary of Obasanjo who pretended to be the conscience of the nation.

Though Soyinka did not mention names, but his utterances ostensibly refers to Obasanjo and his former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

Punch quoted Soyinka as saying that if the former leader had been referring to a certain person (Atiku) for eight years as a devil and is now telling Nigerians to vote for the devil, then there was a reason for Nigerians to express some doubt.

According to Soyinka, “We have got to develop a very healthy scepticism. If someone in a position of power for eight years has lectured a nation for eight years and after that continued year after year to continue to direct the minds of a whole nation in one direction, only saying ‘this is Lucifer from hell’ for eight years in office and several more years out of office, saying this is Lucifer and then one day he changed his left hand and says behold your redeemer, which of the two is fake news?”

 - PM NEWS

I’m ready to pay N30,000 as new minimum wage – Adamwa Governor

Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa, on Wednesday promised to pay N30, 000 minimum wage to workers if the National Minimum Wage Bill is passed into law.

Bindow spoke in Yola, when he addressed members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who were on a protest march to press for payment of the new minimum wage.

The governor, who received the labour leaders at the gate of the Government House, said that the welfare of civil servants had always been his concern.

He praised labour unions for the support accorded to his administration.

The workers, led by Mr Ibrahim Walama, who represented NLC President, vowed to vote out governors that refused to pay the N30,000 minimum wage in the 2019 governorship elections.

Walama said the rally would have taken place on Tuesday, but for the inauguration of the governor’s campaign.

He said the N18,000 minimum wage was too meagre to cater for a civil servant and his family hence the need for an increment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that workers chanted solidarity songs, and marched through major roads within the metropolis.

- PM NEWS