EFCC arrests suspected Internet Fraudster

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office has arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Michael Ehizele.

The suspect was arrested in collaboration with a sister security agency. Upon his arrest, three phones and an exotic car, Benz C300 AMG were recovered from him.

The suspect has made useful statement and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are complete.

The arrest of the alleged internet fraudster is in line with the directive of the acting Executive chairman, Ibrahim Magu to rid the society of internet fraud and cyber crime.

- PM NEWS

CHIEF LOOTER ! ANIMAL TALK !! Emefiele: We will make it difficult for people to bypass our economic policies

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says his next tenure would be used to pursue policies that will further diversify the economy and make it difficult for people to circumvent policies.

Emefiele, who was recently confirmed for a second term as governor of the apex bank, made this known on Friday at a special convocation of the University of Nigeria (UNN), where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in business administration.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we have a role to play to make sure things get better,” he said.

“I will also emphasise that Nigerian policymakers are good at developing policies, but the biggest challenge of the Nigerian economic policy is that people try circumventing policies.

“Given this opportunity now, we will make it very difficult for people to circumvent economic policies.

“We must learn to respect our policies. If you don’t respect the economic policies of this country, and you fall short of our economic policies as an economic saboteur, you will be dealt with.”

According to the CBN governor, a lot still has to be done to ensure that the economic growth experienced so far is consolidated.

“Challenges still remain such as ensuring that the pace of GDP growth remains well ahead of our annual population growth at 2.7 percent. But this can only be achieved if we continue to support efforts aimed at improving domestic production of goods in Nigeria.”

Recently, the CBN boss warned that businesses that engage in smuggling will be blacklisted and barred from carrying out transactions with commercial banks.

His second term will begin on June 3.

- THECABLE

Ogoni Women accuse army of deliberate, systematic killing

Ogoni women, under the aegis of Ogoni Women of Praise have called on Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to take steps to end the constant harassment of peaceful Ogoni community dwellers by the Nigerian army as the shooting in Ogoni communities is causing extreme fear and sending Ogoni women and children to early graves.

Coordinator of the group, Mrs Comfort Daada made the call on Saturday in reaction to yesterday’s heavy shooting by the army in Yeghe, Gokana Local Government Area, noting that the attitude of the army against the Ogoni people, especially the community of Yeghe must be discouraged as it appeared to be a deliberate plot to systematically kill the people .

The septuagenarian said there was no incident in Yeghe warranting any shooting and that to be faced with the sudden fright of a military raid is only killing innocent people especially women and children. She said the government was treating citizens in the most unpleasant ways by allowing the military to become an instrument of torture.

Daada said yesterday’s night raid was reminiscent of the Paul Okuntimo’s era and that the army should be advised against that as it seriously hurt the women, children and innocent citizens, including the strangers among them.

She said the fear and torment experienced by the community dwellers was horrendous and is gradually sending the indigenes to death.

“We are extremely terrified and many of our women and children are falling ill out of fear” she said. Narrating the case of a woman who collapsed and died just hearing the sound of gunshots during an army raid, Daada said what the army was doing in Ogoni was a way to gradually send people to early graves.

She urged the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to take urgent measures to protect Ogoni citizens and end the spate of military repression in the land.

- PM NEWS

How I used fake Penis to pass Olympic drug test – Ex-NBA Star, Lamar Odom

Former National Basketball Association,NBA, star and ex-husband to reality TV star, Khloé Kardashian, Lamar Odom has revealed how he used a ‘fake’ penis to pass a drug test for the Olympics in 2004.

The 39-year-old who was offered a spot in the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team confessed that he had to purchase a prosthetic penis filled with his trainers urine to pass drug test because he had been “smoking weed every day that summer.”

Lamar added that he knew he wouldn’t pass to compete at the Olympics in Athens, Greece if he had not come up with a way of passing the drug test by using a fake penis.

He revealed this in his new memoir, Darkness to Light, posted by the PEOPLE.

Lamar wrote: “The joy of being named to the twelve-man roster quickly turned to anxiety when Olympic officials informed me that I would have to pass a drug test before officially joining the team.

“There was absolutely no way I was going to pass. I’d been smoking weed every day that summer. Panic set in. We started googling ‘fake penises’ and studied different ways to beat a drug test.

‘After an exhaustive search we ordered a giant, rubber, black c*** to arrive the next day

“I then got my drug-free trainer to urinate into the reservoir of the phallus, which was hidden in the balls as the tester arrived at my home.

“He handed me the rubber penis and left the bathroom as I strapped it on

“I unzipped my pants and carefully slid the fake penis through the zipper hole. To get the pee to come out of the tip, I had to squeeze the shaft repeatedly.”

He added that he later passed the test and went on to play on the U.S. National Team and won a bronze medal in the Olympics in 2004.

Rcalls that Lamar earlier in the week confessed to being a sex addict and slept with over 2000 women.

- DAILY POST

Juventus president reveals who made decision for Allegri’s departure

Juventus president, Andrea Agnelli, has claimed that it was outgoing boss, Max Allegri, who made the decision to leave the club.

Speaking at a press conference to pay tribute to Allegri, Agnelli refused to discuss the club’s next manager.

The Bianconeri announced on Friday that the 51-year-old would be departing the club at the end of the season despite having a year left on his contract.

Allegri has won five successive Serie A titles since replacing Antonio Conte in 2014.

“Today I’m here to speak only about Allegri and celebrate what he’s achieved at Juventus.

“He’s written this extraordinary story by himself. I won’t be answering any questions about the Coach for the 2019-2020 season.

“Max has been very courageous since the start, the circumstances in which he arrived was difficult.

“We had to wait 14 months, until the memorable July 16 2014, when he accepted to become – amid general protests – the coach of Juventus.

“As we were about to drive up, we were alerted that the crowd was waiting for us. The driver wanted to take us to a secondary entrance, but I insisted we’d come to the main gate, because we had no reason to hide or be ashamed.

“It takes huge courage to take Juve on July 16 and go on to the Scudetto and Champions League Final in the same season. That takes cojones and Max has them.

“These five years have been marvellous for me. Five Championships, four consecutive doubles – these achievements are extraordinary.

“We also had 18 months as neighbours, and Andrea Barzagli was living between us too, so we had breakfast together at the same bar almost every day. We shared visions of life, football and everything else, seeing each others’ kids grow up.

“We came back to win the title against Napoli when everyone had already written our sporting obituary. This season we won with weeks and weeks to go.

“I think above all and else, I have found a friend, someone I can confide in on many, many, many matters. At this point, I also have to consider the planning and future of Juventus.

“When this team comes together in July, it will begin with the objective of winning, both in Italy and in Europe,” Agnelli said.

Agnelli then confirmed that it was Allegri’s hope to end on a high, that was the reason for the break.

“As time went on, we all considered and analysed various situations and I cannot deny there is some sadness in realising this was probably the best moment to close one of the most extraordinary eras in the history of Juventus.

“This is what happens when intelligent people look at a situation and decide to end on a high rather than drag it forward.

“Max was the director of all this, the leader of the orchestra, so I want to present him with this jersey.

“Thank you Max for everything you’ve done for Juventus and me,” he added.

An emotional Allegri added: “I thank the President and all the players in all my years.

“I’m leaving this team with success and with great potential. My exit changes nothing.

“I still have a great relationship with Juventus, the President, vice-president Pavel Nedvěd and sporting director Paratici.

“When I arrived, I found a great structure. I’m confident in this company, they’re a great company. These are wonderful men.

“Tomorrow we must celebrate for two things. First because we won the historic eighth Scudetto and second because Barzagli is leaving, the Professor of defending.

“I am very emotional, sad and moved. But enough is enough. Tomorrow we need to celebrate against Atalanta,” he said.

- DAILY POST

Boko Haram: Red Cross begins construction of 3,000 houses for Yobe returnees

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has disclosed that the incident that befell its workers in Borno state last year has forced them to slowdown their humanitarian activities in Yobe state.

Head, Damaturu Sub-delegation, Farrukh Khan disclosed this at the breaking of Ramadan fast Saturday, organised by the ICRC to honor communities where it operates withing the state.

Khan said, “the ICRC Damaturu Sub-delegation which is in charge of Yobe state had reduced the number of activities for the past eight months following the unfortunate incident involving two of our colleagues in Borno state last year.

“We will never forget their dedication and commitment to serving their, but we must carry on just as we were told by Hawa’s father.”

Khan further stated that ICRC has commenced the construction of 3,000 houses in Gujba local government area of Yobe state, the biggest ICRC’s shelter project in Nigerian.

“Building 3,000 houses using eco-friendly bricks remains a key project to serve the communities of Gujba LGA.

“395 housing units have been completed. In due course, we shall finalise plans to resume the project which has brought succour to the people of Buni Yadi,” he said.

According to the Head of the Sub delegation, ICRC has continued to support three primary healthcare facilities in Gujba, Kanamma and Gambir with medical supplies and incentives for their health workers.

“In 2018, we supported over 9, 000 returnees in Ngirbuwa, Goniri (Gujba LGA), Gaidam and Kanamma (Yunusari) LGAs with seeds and food items as well as 21 messages containing family news have been delivered to families,” he mentioned.

Farrukh Khan added that ICRC remains committed to its mandate of assisting people affected by armed conflict and other cases of violence.

- DAILY POST

BACKWARD BRAIN !! Why Nigerians should weep once every month – Aregbesola

Former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, says Nigerian citizens should observe a day of weeping every month.

The Nation reports that he said this during the weekend at a symposium to mark the birthday party of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

Speaking on Nigeria’s population and the revenue it generates, Aregbesola said: “We don’t remember that we are poor here in Nigeria. If we have a deep thought, we ought to have a day of weeping every month.

“If we don’t work harder to improve our fortunes, we would continue to be poor. In 2017, Brazil had a population of approximately 200 million people almost about what Nigeria had.

“That year, Brazil had a revenue of about $600 billion and a budget of $700 billion. Nigeria in that same year made $13 billion and a budget of $23 billion. Are the two countries equal?

“Today, OPEC allowed Nigeria to extract and sell 2million barrel of crude oil per day but we don’t get that quantity. Even if we get 2million barrel per day and if the price rises to $100 per barrel, it means our income will be $200 million.

“If you divide this by 200 million people, it amounts to $1 per every Nigerian. We have to check our population by practicing birth control. If we don’t address this, we would have huge problems to deal with. We would also need every able-bodied person to work.”

- DAILY POST

2023: You are not God – Ohanaeze attacks Amaechi for saying Igbo won’t be president

The Apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Saturday lambasted the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for saying the South East can’t produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chuks Ibegbu in an interview with DAILY POST said Amaechi is not God as such can’t decide the political future of the region.

Amaechi had asserted that the South East can’t demand for the presidency in 2023 because the region failed to vote for Buhari in the just concluded presidential election.

However, Ibegbu described the Minister’s remark as disgraceful and an affront on the people of the South East.

Stressing that Igbo elites are found of talking down the region, Ibegbu cautioned those affected to desist from such act.

According to Ibegbu: “It’s very unfortunate that an Igbo man of that calibre could make such a statement in public, it’s very bad.

“There is no Yoruba or Hausa man that would say his people would not produce president for one reason or the other. Whether we voted for Buhari or not it’s not for Amaechi to make such statement.

“It’s a very big affront on the political dignity of the Igbo people. Let me tell you it’s not for Amaechi to tell Igbos where to learn politically.

“He can advise but it’s a tragedy for him to go to the public to make such a statement. If he is not happy with the way Igbos voted he should have kept it to himself or advised them quietly, I’m disappointed by that statement.

“Besides, Rotimi Amaechi is not God to decide the political future of anybody including the Igbos, it’s a very disgraceful , unexpected of him and besides some Igbos voted for Buhari just like some Hausas and Yorubas did so there is no essential tribalising the political scenario. It’s not a tribal thing Atiku won in Oyo and Ondo States and almost won Lagos State so is it not Yorubas that voted for Atiku. In the North Atiku made a very strong presence so what will Amaechi say about the Yoruba and Hausas that voted for Atiku .

“This is very disgraceful and many Igbo elites are found of doing this, condemning their people publicly. It’s very unfortunate”.

- DAILY POST

Facebook bans Israeli firm ‘using fake accounts’ to post news about Nigeria

Facebook has banned Archimedes Group, an Israeli company, for using fake accounts and pages to post political news about Nigeria.

Archimedes Group is a political consulting and lobbying firm that boasts of its ability of wining elections worldwide.

In a post, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy,  explained that the accounts and pages were identified through “internal investigations”.

He accused firm of coordinated inauthentic behaviour, saying so far, Facebook has removed 265 fake accounts.

“Today we removed 265 Facebook and Instagram accounts, Facebook Pages, Groups and events involved in coordinated inauthentic behavior,” Gleicher said.

“This activity originated in Israel and focused on Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Angola, Niger and Tunisia along with some activity in Latin America and Southeast Asia. 

“The people behind this network used fake accounts to run pages, disseminate their content and artificially increase engagement. They also represented themselves as locals, including local news organizations, and published allegedly leaked information about politicians. The Page administrators and account owners frequently posted about political news, including topics like elections in various countries, candidate views and criticism of political opponents.

“Although the individuals behind this network attempted to conceal their identities, our investigation found that some of this activity was linked to an Israeli commercial entity, Archimedes Group. It has repeatedly violated our misrepresentation and other policies, including by engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior. This organization and all its subsidiaries are now banned from Facebook, and it has been issued a cease and desist letter.”

Facebook said it is constantly working to detect and stop this type of activity because it does not want its services to be used to manipulate people.

Assuring its users of its commitment to continually improving to stay ahead, the social media giant said it is investing heavily in building better technology, hiring more people and working more closely with law enforcement, security experts and other companies.

In February, Facebook had partnered with Dubawa, a fact-checking website in Nigeria, to help assess the accuracy of news and reduce the spread of misinformation.

- THECABLE

EFCC arrests 22 ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys’, seizes exotic cars

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Advance Fee Fraud Section, Abuja Headquarters in collaboration with men from the Benin Zonal Office in an operation on Friday arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters at Sapele, Delta State.

A statement by EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said working on intelligence reports, the suspects, who are between the ages of 18 to 30 years, were smoked out from their hideouts in an early morning operation.

“A day earlier, the operatives from Abuja had arrested two suspected internet fraudster in Ughelli, Delta State”, it read. 

“Items recovered from the suspects include laptop computers, iPhones, phones, ATM cards and three exotic vehicles. The cars are Benz C350, Benz ML 350 and Chrysler 300.

“The raid on the internet fraudsters is one in the series by operatives of the Commission in line with the directive of the acting Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu to rid the entire country of internet fraud and cybercrime.”

The statement added that the suspects have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon investigations are completed.

- DAILY POST

Why AAC’s suspension of Sowore as Chairman does not stand – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it only has Mr. Omoyele Sowore as the substantive National Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC).

DAILY POST recalls that AAC days ago suspended Omoyele Sowore, chairman of the party.

Ezenwa was earlier in the day announced as the new national chairman after the party said it had suspended Sowore for alleged corruption.

But, INEC reacting in a statement signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, secretary to the commission on Friday said the electoral body only recognises Sowore as Chairman.

The statement reads: “The commission after reviewing the content of the letter has established the following.

“There is no documentary evidence that a meeting of the AAC National Executive Committee (NEC) was convened by the National Chairman as required by Chapter 9 Section 59(a) of the Constitution of AAC.

“The party did not provide a 21-day notice of the NEC meeting as required by Section85(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“There are no minutes or evidence of attendance of the AAC National Executive Committee meeting where the National Chairman and eight (8) others were purportedly suspended.

“Accordingly, the Commission shall continue to recognize and relate with Mr. Sowore Omoyele as the substantive national Chairman of the African Action Congress.”

- DAILY POST

Falana cries out, reveals how judicial system favours rich against poor Nigerians

Human right activists and constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the Nigerian legal system for favouring the rich over the poor.
He lamented that the country’s bar and bench as well as the criminal justice system works in favour of the rich as against the poor.

Speaking at the 2019 law week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Epe branch in Lagos State, he lamented that the country’s legal system treats the rich with respect.

According to Falana: “By virtue of section 17 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law.

“But in practice, the rich and poor defendants are not treated equally by Nigerian courts. Apart from the fact that rich litigants have the means to hire the services of the best lawyers in any area of the law, the courts are manned by judges who are not neutral in the class struggle being waged daily by the Nigerian people.

“Notwithstanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been accused by the bourgeois media of engaging in Gestapo tactics with respect to the treatment of suspects, it cannot be denied that the rights of influential criminal suspects are well respected by the commission.”

He stated that the rich defendants have continued to frustrate their prosecution by conniving with some senior lawyers.

The activist lamented that rich suspects do apply to be kept in EFCC’s cells rather than police and prison cells.

He said: “The big men and women implicated in allegations of serious economic crimes being investigated by the commission usually receive polite letters of invitation, telephone calls or text messages advising them to contact named investigators whose telephone numbers are supplied.

“If and whenever influential criminal suspects report themselves they are treated with the utmost courtesy by the investigators. Since they are presumed innocent until they are proved guilty by the State they are never paraded before the media, regardless of the gravity of the offence committed by them.

“Unlike what obtains in western countries it is infra dignitate to subject big men and women to the restraint of handcuff in Nigeria. Hence, hell was let loose when a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party on trial for money laundering was recently handcuffed by the Kuje prison authorities.”

- DAILY POST

Manchester City are innocent until proven guilty – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City are innocent until proven guilty, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday in response to alleged breaches by the 2018/2019 English Premier League champions of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

European football’s governing body UEFA has referred Manchester City to an independent judicial chamber after an investigation opened in March.

“We are innocent until proven, I’m sorry,” the Spaniard told reporters when asked whether his side’s success on the field had been in any way undermined ahead of Saturday’s 2018/2019 English FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London.

Manchester City will become the first team to win the English domestic treble if they beat Premier League rivals Watford, who have never won a major trophy.

“If UEFA decide we did something wrong, OK we’ll be banned, we’ll be punished or whatever they decide,” said Guardiola, who emphasised he would remain manager next season.

“But we are innocent right now. I know the people are waiting for it to be guilty… but that is where it is… I spoke with the chairman and CEOs, and I know exactly what happened and what they did and I trust a lot.”

Asked again about the possibility of a UEFA Champions League ban, Guardiola closed the subject.

“Everything is suggesting, what would happen. I don’t know. We are innocent today. We’ll see in the future.

“I don’t know what is going to happen about UEFA. UEFA are now working with the lawyers from Manchester City, Manchester City is open to expose all the papers,” he added.

German publication Der Spiegel had reported in March that the club’s Abu Dhabi owners inflated sponsorship agreements to comply with FFP requirements.

Manchester City said on Thursday they were “disappointed, but regrettably not surprised, by the sudden announcement of the referral” and were confident of a positive outcome.

FFP rules are intended to prevent clubs receiving unlimited amounts of money through inflated sponsorship deals with organisations related to the owners.

With Juventus announcing on Friday the departure of manager Massimiliano Allegri, Guardiola was quick to rule himself out of the running.

“How many times do I have to say? I’m not going to go to Juventus in Turin, I’m not going to move to Italy,” he said. “I’m going to stay, if they want, two more seasons here. I have a contract.

“I’m satisfied working with this club, with these people here. I’m not going anywhere.”

- PM NEWS