Nigeria ‘will experience’ severe humanitarian crisis in 2018 - Research institute

ACAPS, a Geneva-based research institute, says Nigeria will in 2018 experience “severe humanitarian crisis” due to violence, hunger and other factors.

According to a report released by the organisation, food security, displacement, health, and protection are expected to be Nigeria’s priority concerns in 2018.

Statistics provided showed that 5.2 million people are estimated as severely food insecure; 6.1 million people are in need of protection assistance in 2017, up from 5.45 million in 2016; 3.9 million people are in need of safe water in 2017, up from 3.6 million in 2016; and 3.4  million people are in need of nutrition assistance in 2017

The report said that Islamic extremism, specifically in Nigeria’s north-east, will restrict humanitarian access and worsen food insecurity and healthcare.

It also said key infrastructure such as health, education, and livelihood facilities will likely remain damaged due to the ongoing conflict.

Lars Nissen, director at ACAPS, said the report focused on countries where the crisis may not necessarily worsen but will remain severe.

“If 2017 did not look good, predictions for 2018 are no better,” he said. “Food insecurity is likely to deteriorate into 2018 in northeast Nigeria.” - Cable Nigeria

Armed robbers attack police station, kill two officers in Niger state

Some gunmen believed to be armed robbers, Wednesday evening, raided the Lapai Police Station, in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, killing two policemen and injuring four others.

The heavily armed gunmen, numbering 50 also raided a bank and took over the community.

Sources in the area, who witnessed the ugly incident, told newsmen that the robbers took the police unawares as they shot sporadically, leaving the police helpless.

The witnessed, who gave his name as Sule said, “This was the first of its kind. I have not seen that kind of thing until Wednesday when the hoodlums were shooting as if we were in a war situation.

“After killing the policemen and injuring four others, the robbers shot their way into the bank vault, from which they carted away money in sacks and Ghana-must-go bags.”

Four customers of the bank were shot, while 12 others were injured. The robbers came through Gulu-Lapai road in three vehicles. They later broke up into two groups.

“One group blocked the three major roads leading to the town, to ward off security personnel.

“They shot into the air and held the entire community hostage. There was panic and commercial activities were grounded as people scampered for safety. Traders hurriedly closed shop.”

The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Agbolahor, who led other senior officers on visit to the scene, said the police was investigating the matter.

Looters republic !!! ICPC detains four ex-Kogi commissioners for allegedly diverting N11.3bn

Four former commissioners in Kogi State under the administration of Captain Idris Wada, have been arrested and detained by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged misappropriation of N11.3 billion.

According to the ICPC, the four ex-commissioners allegedly connived with the former governor of the state to divert the huge sum of money that was meant for the provision of public services at the state and local government levels, thereby depriving the state and its people value for money.

The anti-graft agency gave the names of the suspects currently being held at its facility as Kayode Olowomoran, who was in charge of Culture and Tourism; Abdulrahman Wuya, who was in charge of Works, Onama Godwin, who oversaw the Transport Ministry and Ali Ajuh, who was commissioner for Budget and Planning.

The agency said, “The four men were arrested after ICPC commenced investigations into allegations that the suspects acting in connivance with the former Governor, former Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo and a former Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Frank Onoja, had obtained a N2 billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state and misapplied it.

“Preliminary investigations by the commission also revealed that the suspects allegedly partook in the mismanagement of another N8 billion bond that was raised to fund 57 projects across the state. The large sum of money released for the projects was far beyond the level of work done.

“Furthermore, the suspects are alleged to have benefitted from illegal deductions to the tune of N1.3 billion made from the funds of the 21 local government councils of the state by the same administration.

“As investigations continue, the suspects will remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the Commission,” a statement by the Spokesperson of the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said. - Daily Post

Face of corruption !!! Paris Club Refund: Court Freezes Seven Accounts Linked To Governors’ Forum

The Federal High Court in Abuja has frozen seven separate accounts which, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were used by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to launder the sum of N10bn said to be derived from the proceeds of the Paris Club refund.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole directed on Wednesday that the freezing order would last for 45 days within which the EFCC must either institute charges in respect of the transactions against the relevant suspects or apply to the court for an extension of the order.

The judge also gave seven days to the account owners, if interested in seeking the setting aside of the freezing order, to file an application which must be served on the EFCC.

The frozen accounts are 0002184449 with Jaiz Bank Plc and operated by HAD Properties Limited; 0025600864 with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and operated by Hassan Ahmed Danbaba; as well as 0005892453 with Access Bank Plc and operated by Melrose General Services Coy.

They also include one Access Bank account, 0045824054 and another Zenith Bank Plc account 1010948906, both of which belong to Bina Consult and Integrated Services.

The rest are two Access Bank Plc accounts – 0700755576 and 0700946008 – belonging to Farouk Adamu Aliyu and Malam Alu Agro Allied Company Ltd., respectively.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Ben Ikani, had moved the ex parte application seeking the freezing of the accounts on November 27, following which Justice Kolawole adjourned till Wednesday for ruling.

The commission alleged that its preliminary investigation had revealed that the N10bn was fraudulently diverted by the NGF under the guise of paying consultancy fee to BizPlus GSCL Consortium which the Forum engaged “to carry out reconciliation of accounts and recover the amounts due to the states” from the refund of the over-deducted payment of Paris Club debt by the Federal Government from 1995 to 2002.

In an affidavit filed in support of the EFCC’s ex parte motion, a member of the Special Investigation Committee, set up by the commission to investigate the alleged Paris Club refunds scam, Osas Azonabor, alleged that preliminary investigation had revealed that the NGF caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to pay N19,439,225,871.11 into its account for onward payment to BizPlus as consultancy fee.

But the investigator stated that N10bn of the N19.4bn paid to the NGF account by the CBN was fraudulently disbursed to the seven accounts of companies and individuals, who were not part of the said BizPlus GSCL Consortium.

Detailing how the fraud was allegedly perpetrated, Azonabor alleged that the NGF had agreed to pay a "success fee" of two percent to BizPlus GSCL Consortium.

But the investigator alleged that upon the success of the recovery, rather than stick to the two percent fee, the NGF caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to deduct five percent, amounting to the N19.4bn.

He said, “That sometime in January 2017, the applicant (EFCC) received intelligence in respect of a case against the Nigerian Governors’ Forum alleging conspiracy, criminal misappropriation of public funds involving the sum of N19,439,225,871.11 out of the Paris Club refund made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

“That preliminary investigation conducted by the commission revealed that the 36 state governments, under the auspices of the NGF, engaged the services of Bizplus GSCL Consortium to carry out reconciliation of accounts and recover amounts due to the states from line charge made on them from 1995 to 2002 for a success fee of two percent payable by the NGF.

“That investigation further revealed that contrary to the agreed fee of two percent as stated in paragraph 6 above, NGF caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to deduct five percent of the amount due to the states which amounted to the sum of N19.4bn (stated in paragraph 5 above) and paid the same into the NGF account, supposedly for onward payment to the Bizplus GSCL consortium.

“That our investigation of the case further revealed that a larger part of the amount stated in paragraphs 5 and 7 above was fraudulently disbursed by the NGF to individuals and corporate entities that were not part of the consortium.

“That the names, account numbers and bankers of the fraudulent beneficiaries of the criminal diversion of the public funds are as stated in the schedule to this application and that copies of the statements of accounts showing the disbursements is hereby attached and marked Exhibits EFCC1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 respectively.

“That further investigation revealed that those individuals and corporate entities were used by the NGF to launder over N10bn under the guise of paying consultancy fees to the Bizplus GSCL Consortium which, however, found its way to the various accounts listed in the schedule to this application.”

Justifying the commission’s request for the freezing order, Azonabor stated that the 72 hours stop-order allowed by law to be placed on any account suspected to be involved in a suspicious transaction or any crime had expired, but the investigation had yet to be concluded.

He maintained that the court order freezing the accounts was needed to enable the EFCC to carry out its investigation to a logical conclusion.

He said, “That further to the foregoing, I am aware that substantial amounts of the fraudulent disbursements into these accounts have further been laundered to some other accounts or withdrawn as cash. While a discrete investigation is currently ongoing, the 72 hours stop order allowed by law to be placed on any account suspected to be involved in a suspicious transaction or any crime has expired.’’ - PunchNG

CEO in court for using N10m mistakenly deposited to his account

One Olukunle Owolabi, the Chief Executive Officer of an oil and gas company,  was on Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Igbosere, for allegedly using the N10m mistakenly deposited into his bank account.

The man, who resides in Ogudu GRA, Lagos, is facing a 1-count charge of fraud preferred against him by the Police.

The defendant, 53, alongside his company, was charged before Magistrate F. O. Botoku.

The prosecutor, Chinedu Njoku, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 5.

Njoku said the incident occurred at 2, Tinubu Street, Lagos Island.

According to him, at about 11a.m the defendant fraudulently converted N10 million belonging to a bank, which was deposited into his account by Telecorev Nigeria Limited on March 31.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant’s account was last used by him in 2016.

He said he suddenly got an alert from the bank, he transferred the entire money into his account in another bank and used it in paying off his debts.

The defendant, during his arraignment, told the court that on March 31, he received an alert of N10 million.

Olukunle said he thought the money was from one of his customers or debtors.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of payment of tax to Lagos State government with verification of addresses.

Botoku, however, adjourned the case to December 19 for a mention.

The offence, he said is punishable under section 285 (5a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

99 percent importers evade duty - Nigeria customs

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) Thursday said that 99 per cent of the nation’s importers are non-compliant with the customs duty and charges.

According to him, the importers are unpatriotic to Nigeria even when they pay duty to other countries they deny theirs its dues.

Ali, who was speaking as the Chief Host at the public presentation of the book “Appraisal of Crime of Smuggling in Nigeria,” in Abuja, pointed out that the belief of a typical Nigerian, is that he does not owe his country any obligation.

Narrating his encounter with an importer, who settled all the charges for two cars  in Benin Republic and Niger Republic and evaded Nigeria’s, he said that  “somebody picked up two cars from Benin Republic, when he landed in Benin he paid every charges, he move them to Niger, and paid every charges he is supposed to pay.

“But those cars are destined for Nigeria. When he now comes to Nigeria, he decided to take an un-costumed route and brought those cars to Nigeria. And when we did apprehend those vehicles the question I asked him is why are you so unpatriotic?

“You could pay to Benin Republic, you could pay to Niger, and then coming to your own home, you don’t want to pay. He said the duty is too high.

“And I said then why did you buy the two cars in the first place?  This is the mentality of the Nigerian; he does not believe that he owes anything to his own country.”

The country, he said, cannot make progress in a situation, where people are not complying with the law and unfortunately, all that Nigerians think is how to circumvent the law.

He commended the author of the book, Musa Omale for not allowing his knowledge, experience and writing skills to die.

The customs boss noted that the book has made the job of the NCS easier and enjoined all the stakeholders to buy and read it.

He assured the author that the Nigeria Customs Service will deploy copies of the books to its libraries and commands.

Speaking with journalists, immediate past president of Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents, Chief Ernest Elochukwu noted that book is an exposure of the dimension of smuggling and the laws that are in place to tackle it.

He said that the fight against smuggling can also be viewed from other angles like the creation of an enabling environment that does not promote smuggling.

This, he said, government can achieve that by making sensible policies in terms of what it bans and does not ban.

He submitted that “when there is so much of ban in the list of items that could be imported into the country, especially if they are essential items, the issue of smuggling becomes inevitable.”

Meanwhile, the author said that what motivated him is that he has been in the Customs for past 26 years and as an experience officer about the level of damage of smuggling to the economy and decided to turn his research for PhD on smuggling into a book.- The Nation

20 Nigerian girls sold off in Libya

A Nigerian returnee from Libya has spoken of how 20 Nigerian girls were sold off as slaves in Libya.

He also gave a chilling account of how he and others were fleeced and transported to Libya with a promise of better life in Europe, only to land in penury and end up in jail in the north African country.

Many of the returnees, who are camped in Benin-City, the Edo State capital, look skinny and exhausted. Some of the women are carrying babies, whose fathers are not known.

Alex Otoide is one of the 168 Nigerians evacuated from the north African country, and are currently being rehabilitated by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The governor has promised to train them in skills required to reintegrate them back into the society.

Otoide said he witnessed the sale of 20 Nigeria girls in the prison where they were all kept.

“They sold about 20 girls in the night. I saw it. It was God that saved me.”

Recounting his ordeal, he said: “I left Nigeria with N500,000. I spent six months in Libya jail after the man that took my money ran away.

“We were 55 that travelled from here to Libya, 25 people died in the desert.

“More than seven people died from hunger and thirst inside the prison.

”Can’t you see how I look lean and hungry? I need to go for treatment.”

He said a fellow whose name he gave as Charles also a Nigerian, collected the N500,000 from him.

Apart from persuading them to travel, he also collected money in addition to running a transit camp in Libya for those travelling illegally across the Mediterranean to Europe.

Some of the deportees said Charles collected money for the purpose of taking them to Europe only to abandon them in Libya.

They claimed that Charles had several bank accounts with different names through which he collected money from victims.

He is also accused of running the Libyan camp where Nigerians are kept for days without food.

Another returnee Osas Blessing said Charles is among those nicknamed “burgers” or “connection man” on the Libya route.

He said: “I gave Charles N450,000 but when I got to Libya he increased it to N600,000. He is very wicked. He does not care for human life. He is a Benin man. He will say if you die you die. He pushed us into the sea at the wrong time.

“I heard he just left Nigeria with new passengers to Libya. He has frustrated many Nigerians.”

Another returnee who refused to give his name said another Nigerian known simply as “Biafra” was responsible for many atrocities committed against Nigerian migrants in Libya. - The Nation