LAND OF U BE THIEF !!! How Magu failed to cooperate with UK to enable them charge Diezani Alison-Madueke to court

A report by the Presidential Probe Panel has revealed how Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegedly failed to cooperate with authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) to facilitate effective prosecution of the case of ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

NAN reports that Magu was on Saturday night interrogated by the panel headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami over allegations of lack of transparency in managing recovered assets and mismanagement by the commission.

The Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA) Report accused Magu of failure to cooperate with the UK authorities to facilitate effective prosecution of Alison-Madueke’s case.

PCARA also accused Magu of deliberately refusing to provide documentary evidence that would make the office of the nation’s Attorney-General to commence the extradition process of Alison-Madueke.

“In the Diezani Alison Madueke case, the Acting Chairman is failing to further cooperate with the UK NCA to enable them to charge the Former Minister to court in the UK.

“The Acting Chairman despite his knowledge that Mrs Madueke will not be extradited to Nigeria until after her trial in the UK, has consistently been accusing the UK government on the pages of print and electronic media of not wanting to extradite her to Nigeria,” the report maintained.

“This has strained the EFCC relationship with Europe’s most strategic partner,” the report further observed.

Magu, who is being held at the Police headquarters, Abuja, is expected to reappear before the Salami probe panel on Monday, to defend himself against several other allegations.

- DAILY POST

12 classes of Nigerians banned from applying for police constable jobs

The Nigerian Police Force announced Saturday that online applications for enlistment as constable will begin on Tuesday 14 July.

Its portal www.policerecruitment.gov.ng will remain open till 23 August.

Interested applicants for the 40,000 vacancies, according to an advertisement signed by DCP Frank Mba, must have National Identity Number(NIN).

They must have five credits in WASSCE or NECO, GCE or NANTEB, at not more than two sittings.

They must also be between 17 and 25 years.

The advertisement however lists some categories of people who cannot apply for the jobs.

These are:

* Short men and women. The advert says a female applicant must be at least 1.64m tall, while a male applicant must be at least 1.67m.

* Male applicants must have a minimum chest measurement of 34 inches.

*Female applicants must not be pregnant.

*All applicants with financial problems or ‘pecuniary embarrassment’ are barred.

* Applicants with impediment of speech

*Gross malformation of teeth or jaw

*Knock knees

*Bow legs

*Bent Knees

*Deformed hands

*Defective eyesight or squint eyes

*Amputation of any part of the body.

Read the advert for the constabulary jobs:

- PM NEWS

'Rashford is amazing' - Fernandes defends Man Utd star's goalscoring form

Marcus Rashford deserves more credit for his "amazing" teamwork for Manchester United despite his goal return drying up, Bruno Fernandes says.

Rashford reached 20 for the season in all competitions with a penalty in the 5-2 Premier League win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

This has been the England forward's most productive campaign of his career in terms of goal involvements, but he has not yet scored from open play since the Premier League returned last month.

Fernandes has had no such trouble finding the net, his four goals in his past three league games helping him to win the Premier League Player of the Month award for the second time in a row.

But the Portugal star insists Rashford is hugely important for a United side unbeaten in 17 matches and with a top-four finish now in their own hands.

"I think everyone is talking about Marcus not scoring a lot of goals but he is doing an amazing job," Fernandes told United's website ahead of Monday's clash with Southampton.

"The game he is playing now, maybe he is not achieving his goals and everything but, with everything we are doing now, he will achieve more goals and more assists.

"In the games, in the complete football, because football is not just about goals and assists, it is about the team and Marcus is playing very well for the team.

"I hope Marcus can find more goals because he deserves it for the work he is doing for the team, and nobody sees it because everyone sees the goals and who scores and assists. The work he is doing for the team is amazing.

"Marcus was injured for a long time so it's difficult to find that confidence again, to do things like shoot from far out. But he is doing an amazing job for the group and I think he deserves credit for this."

Fernandes drew attention to Rashford's off-the-ball run in the 3-0 win at Brighton that helped to create the space for the swift counter-attack that ended with Fernandes volleying in United's third goal.

"The play we did, the way we came to score, means it's one of the best goals from a team [perspective] that I've scored,” he said.

"That's because of all the teamwork. We won the ball with the header from H [Harry Maguire], Nemanja [Matic] takes the ball and Mason [Greenwood] did an amazing run but, at that moment, Rashy did a perfect run.

"He was one of the far [off] guys but comes so fast to the goal that defenders know if they give him space, he will score. 

"So maybe he [the defender] closes him down being closer to the ball and, when the cross comes over, and it was a great ball by Mason, after that I just need to score the goal."

- GOAL

BOKOHARAM BUSINESS !! Report: 356 soldiers fighting Boko Haram resign citing loss of interest

At least 356 soldiers have reportedly resigned from the Nigerian army, citing loss of interest as their reason.

The soldiers, The PUNCH reports, are mostly from the north-east theatre of operation where the Boko Haram insurgency has persisted for more than a decade.

Their ranks include master warrant officers, warrant officers, staff sergeants, sergeants, lance corporals, corporals and privates.

Although the Nigerian army denied the resignation which it described as “fake news” via its Twitter handle, a military source told TheCable on Sunday that the soldiers truly resigned.

The source said some of them involved in the war against Boko Haram are “tired”, citing a recent onslaught by the insurgents as one of the reasons.

“Some of these soldiers are tired. We’ve lost many of our colleagues,” the source said.

“The last attack on troops in Damboa, more than 20 soldiers died and up till now 50 are still missing, yet the authorities said only two died.”

According to The PUNCH, the soldiers are among 380 personnel whose application for voluntary disengagement from service was recently approved to take effect from January.

Twenty-four others reportedly gave their reason as “to take a traditional title”.

The approval for the resignation was said to be in a circular signed by T.E. Gagariga, a brigadier general, on behalf of the chief of army staff.

The circular read: ”In compliance with the provisions of Reference A, the COAS vide Reference B has approved the voluntary and medical discharge of the above named MWO, and 385 others listed as Annexes A and B.

“The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave December 3, 2020, while their disengagement date takes effect from January 3, 2021, in accordance with the Nigerian Army Administrative Policy and Procedures No 27 Paragraphs 3 and 4.

“Accordingly, I am directed to request formations and units to release all affected soldiers to report at the Headquarters, Garrison, with their unit service documents for documentation.

“All forms of military-controlled items, arms, ammunition, and items of combat kits are recovered from the soldiers prior to their disengagement date and certify that they are properly de-kitted. Please acknowledge.”

The war against Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east has experienced some setbacks recently — with casualties recorded by the Nigerian military.

About a week ago, over 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush by the insurgents, barely four months after about 70 soldiers died in similar circumstances.

Amid the setbacks, President Muhammadu Buhari recently told the service chiefs that their excuses would no longer be tolerated.

- THECABLE

Tottenham vs Arsenal: What will happen before I leave Spurs – Mourinho

Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, says he is confident of winning trophies at the club before his three-year deal expires.

Mourinho arrived in November after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked, but Spurs have already been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup during his time.

Spurs find themselves in ninth position in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s North London Deby, but Mourinho said he needs time before he can succeed at the club.

“How long it took for Jurgen [Klopp] and Liverpool?” Mourinho said.

“Four years, four seasons.

“Buying one of the best goalkeepers in the world, buying one of the best centre-backs in the world and so on and so on and so on.

“I’m focused on my three-year contract. I believe that in my three-year contract we can win trophies. If we don’t, but the club does it in the new era if I stay here only for three years, I will be happy with that,” Mourinho said.

- DAILY POST

Nigerian returnees narrate ordeals in Lebanon

A 31-year-old Nigerian, Temitope Ariwolo, and some others who were stranded in Lebanon have narrated their ordeals after being evacuated back to Nigeria by the federal government.

Three months after news of her ordeal in Lebanon reached Nigerians, Temitope, and 21 other Nigerians landed in Abuja. Some of them are relieved to be alive to tell their stories.

Temitope had travelled to Lebanon after she was promised a good job but ended up as a domestic hand.

Temitope was initially stopped from leaving for Nigeria and subsequently charged for stealing and attempted murder of her employer after the story of her maltreatment was broken by Aljazeera television.

She was beaten by Mahmoud Zahran, the husband of her employer, Feyzeh Diab, on April 25 in their Choueifat residence, South of Beirut.

Speaking to journalists in at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, Temitope said: “I am happy being home. Going to Lebanon was like (going to) a hell.

“Nobody knows that will happen there. I advise other Nigerian girls to stay here in Nigeria and try to make it, because going outside there was like hell for me, not only in Lebanon.

“What I experienced in Lebanon, I don’t even pray for Satan to experience.”

Also on the plane from Lebanon on Saturday was Peace Busari who was offered for sale in Lebanon.

Busari had initially turned down the government’s first offer to be evacuated home.

She had told government officials and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) after her rescue that she would prefer to stay back.

Besides, she said she was happy back thereafter securing a new job.

She turned down all the pleads including the one from her state government Oyo state.

But NIDCOM boss, Abike Dabiri-Arewa in a tweet on Saturday announced the evacuation of the two ladies.

The tweet reads, “29 Passengers just departed from Lebanon. And guess what? Temitope, who was left behind last time, accused of murder is on board. And so is Peace Buhari .the girl who was put on sale on FB and rescued by the Nigerian mission. Recall the story below.”

Excited by Temitope’s return, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe said her return as a dream come true.

“It is a dream come true. The House of Representatives made a commitment to Nigerians, that we would say NO to human trafficking just like we are saying NO to rape,” Akande-Sadipe said.

“Today, Temitope is back home. Unfortunately, I will not allow her show her face because the whole issue has not come to an end. We really want to understand what happened in court back in Lebanon.

“We are happy, she is happy to be back home and I hope this will be a sign to other young girls out there who want to go abroad for greener pastures to ensure that the circumstances they are going into are the expectations they have when they signed up for these agents.

“At the same time, NAPTIP has made a commitment to enforce all laws to ensure that these agents stop doing this very dehumanizing behavior that put out girls not as domestic staff but as slaves.

“Today as a nation, we need to celebrate that this young girl’s life was not lost in such an experience”

The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli said Temitope would be quarantined for 14 days, then rehabilitated and empowered.

She said: “we are going to rehabilitate her in a shelter and empower her.

“Of course, she has to be quarantined for two weeks. That is the law. After 14 days, we will take her to the shelter; give her some psychosocial support because she is traumatised.

“We have to counsel her, rehabilitate her and empower her. In fact, she has so many people who are ready to empower her.

“We can only start the job of arresting after have profiled her properly and we have counselled her. Then we can get all the necessary information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.”

- PM NEWS

STINK COUNTRY !! FLASHBACK: In December, pastor who ‘bought’ Dubai property for Magu ‘prophesied’ Buhari would retain him

One of the ways in which some pastors end the year in this part of the world is by giving prophecies about the incoming year.

Many followers do not joke with the utterances of their religious leaders during that period.

Among those who “prophesied” in December 2019 was Emmanuel Omale, founder of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, Abuja.

Omale had reeled out a list of things he said would happen in 2020 and one of the things he highlighted is President Muhammadu Buhari retaining Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“President Buhari has seen the great success of his war on corruption under Ibrahim Magu and he will submit his name for re-appointment and confirmation in spite of massive gang up,” he had said on December 31, 2019.

Magu is currently being interrogated by a panel headed by Ayo Salami, former president of the appeal court.

He has been accused of not being transparent in managing assets recovered by the commission.

Magu was arrested on Monday by a combined team of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and force criminal investigation department (FCID) after failing to honour two invitations from the panel.

He has been detained since then and the police authorities on Thursday withdrew his security.

In the report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA), which probed assets recovered by the EFCC from May 2015 to May 2020, Omale was said to have been used by Magu to launder funds.

He was reportedly uncovered during an investigation on EFCC’s activities by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

According to the report, the cleric bought a landed property on behalf of Magu worth N573 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Below are some of the things Omale said in his end-of-the-year message:

•  The war on corruption will jail two ex-governors who are currently serving as senators.
• Let’s pray for the health of a former Nigerian president who may not make it to 2020.
• There are a lot of enemy arrows being shot at the first lady, and her immediate family. She requires special prayers to avert tragedy.
• The Nigerian security agencies should activate their intelligence gathering mechanism to avert a terrorist driver ramming into early morning commuters in Abuja.
• A serving governor from north-west Nigeria will experience tragedy in his family, but seeking the face of God will prove beneficial.
• Governor Rotimi Akeredolu must pray against terminal illness.
• So also, a prominent minister from the south-east needs to get closer to God, to avoid calamity.
• A retired general from the north-east may be implicated in a coup attempt.
• Two major markets will be engulfed in flames. Traders should insure their shops and goods.
• The rains will be unusual in their pattern this year, and we will see severe flooding nationwide.
• Kidnapping on major highways may increase around Easter period but this can be mitigated by security agencies’ diligence
• I see a burning petrol tanker around Lokoja engulfing several vehicles.
• President Buhari may effect minor cabinet reshuffle.
• The deputy senate president should pray against enemy’s attack on his health.
• I see prosperity for a lot of Nigerians despite a severe dip in the economy that will affect fixed salary earners.
• A major old generation bank will face serious challenge and may collapse except for Gods intervention.
• Christians should be exemplary in their conduct, especially one of the largest churches in south-west that may be immersed in big scandal.
• A telecommunication magnet from the south-west should pray against stroke and eventual bedridden paralysis.
• The chief of staff to the president, Mallam Abba Kyari, is trusted by the president. He should therefore pray against a well-orchestrated setup that may result in his removal.
• President Trump may still get re-elected unless the Democrats field Mr. Bloomberg.
• A major airline will face a major crisis that will collapse it if they don’t seek the face of God.
• Governor Obaseki will find it hard to get re-elected in Edo state, unless he seeks the hand of God.
• The naira will depreciate against major international currencies; we need God to intervene.
• A former President of Ghana will win elections in Ghana.
• The price of petrol will go up.
• An ex-militant in Bayelsa will die in an assassination and this may throw the region into turmoil.

- THECABLE