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THE Ondo State Coordinator of the Youth Coordinated Campaign (YCC), Mr. Idris Usman, yesterday said the youths in the state will benefit more from the proposed South West political and economic integration if the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is allowed to rule the state. He said the South West region had witnessed a major set back during the eight years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the region, adding that the ACN had come out with a blue-print that is similar to the ideology of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Usman who stated this in Akure, the state capital, during a mobilisation programme, commended the chieftains of ACN, particularly the former Lagos State governor, Ahmed Tinubu for creating a platform that was advocating for the interest of the Yoruba. The coordinator stressed that the youths should embrace the political party that was interested in developing the states in the region, adding that forming an economic integration would help in fighting the high rate of unemployment.

THE Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Environmental and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori, has extolled the virtues of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, saying he had contributed greatly to the development of the state, particularly Ondo town. He spoke with The Nation in Ondo town, shortly after a redemption rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria[ACN] held on wednesday.

THE Ondo Youth Alliance [OYA], led by Mr. Oluwakayode Adeyemi has taken the awareness drive for the October 20 election to the United Kingdom [UK] and Ireland where he met with various youth groups of Ondo State and their friends on the need to vote the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu [SAN]. At a gathering in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, which culminated in the Europe-wide mobilisation, it was an unprecedented show of support for the Action Congress Candidate, Mr. Akeredolu, by the youths. In support of the youths, the gathering was attended by prominent Ondo State indigenes who have made their mark in the Diaspora like Dr. Taiwo Matthew, the first African to be elected as councillor in the Republic of Ireland. Matthew said: “This is a good show of support and a welcome development in raising the political awareness of the youths of today for the challenges of tomorrow.” One of the youths who advocated support for the ACN candidate stated that his support was based on the fact that he and his Nigerian friends wanted to come back home but they want a home that will be safe and progressive. According to him, “If what we see on television stations and read in newspapers about Ondo State is anything to go by, then the present governor does not have any business in government.” Mr. Sunday Kehinde, an indigene of Akure living in the Diaspora also expressed the need for positive sustainable change in the state, “a peaceful transition to a true democratic government formed by the ACN is what we desire and not one that will bring back the echoes of the 80s” Adeyemi implored who implored them to be good ambassadors of Ondo State in Diaspora until Nigeria passes the bill into law for its citizens to vote outside the country, said they should not shy away from the socio-political developments in their country, most especially in Ondo State. He said: “Until you are allowed to be part of the electoral process in Nigeria, encourage your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties resident in Ondo State to vote in Akeredolu in October.” He further reiterated the plans of the Chairman, Ondo State ACN in UK, Mr. Tunde Doherty’s plans to lead other UK and Europe party leaders to the state for the this month’s election. According to him, “the youths are no more interested in politics again in Nigeria because on several occasions, their leaders or representatives have failed them. But we have been telling the youths, particularly those in Ondo State to support the idea of ACN, because this is the only political party that has enough to give out to the youth. “For instance, the economic integration will not only create job opportunities for the youths alone, but also the six south west states to combine resources together. “In Ondo State, we have gas and with this, Ondo State can be generating electricity to the remaining five states in the region. “Already there is a train moving from Lagos to Osun, this is only achievable because the two states are under the same political party. If the ACN wins the election, there will be an easy dialogue between the remaining four states to have a joint train that would be moving across the South West region. “This will help in reducing the large population in Lagos and Ibadan because it will be possible then for people to be living in Ondo State and be working in Lagos. “In Agriculture, the integration will also assist in eradicating hunger in our society. We all know that Lagos has no enough land for farming, but in Ondo and Ekiti, there are virgin fertile lands. With this, it is possible for Lagos State to be using the land to grow agricultural crops for people’s consumption through the Economic integration.” He, however, urged the youths to vote massively for the ACN candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in order to bring the economic integration into reality. He said: “I was Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos for many years, despite the fact that I was not from Lagos. Not only this, he gave me an appointment in his cabinet. “I am not the only Ondo indigene who got such reward, the Lagos State House of Assembly majority leader, Hon. Adeyeye is from Ondo town, he also benefited from Tinubu’s gesture. “Mimiko benefited from this, because I took him there, he was weeping when we got to Tinubu residence in Lagos, but today he betrayed him. Mimiko is blackmailing all Ondo indigenes, but this is not true because real Ondo people are always loyal and humble. “During the Ekimogun Day in 2007, when Agagu was angry with Ondo people because of our support for Mimiko, we have no fund for that festival, we approached Tinubu who came to the event with other chieftains of ACN. Ilori said the ACN national leader donated N1million on behalf of Mimiko because he could not attend the event due to paucity of fund. “We are appealing to the ACN leaders, particularly Tinubu to forgive us and by October 20, we will use our votes to reward him by sending Mimiko away from government for the progressives to take over the Alagbaka Government House”. Also, another indigene of Ondo and Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly Hon, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, who addressed the people in Ondo dialect, described Tinubu as the authentic Yoruba leader. Adeyeye said he had the opportunity to be the Majority Leader of the House because Tinubu wanted Yoruba integration to be successful.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned 13 new oil marketers at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja for fuel subsidy fraud in the sum of N4.6 billion.

The EFCC alleged that they obtained the money by false pretence and using fake documents.

Ten of the oil marketers, made up of six persons and four companies, were arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru while the remaining three, made up of two individuals and one company, were arraigned before Justice Lateefa Okunnnu.

The six indicted oil marketers and their four companies were arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru on an eight- count charge.

The charges bordered on “conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy to forge documents and uttering false documents.”

The EFCC alleged that the marketers and their companies had conspired to and also obtain huge sums of money from the Federal Government of Nigeria, purpoting the sums to be payments for subsidy under the Petrol Support Fund for the purported importation of premium motor spirit from Europe to Nigeria.

Those arraigned before Justice Abiru were Anosyke Group of Companies Ltd; Ifeanyi Anosike; Dell Energy Ltd; Emeka Chukwu; Ngozi Ekeoma; Downstream Energy Sources Ltd; Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula; Rocky Energy Ltd; George Ogbonna and one Emmanuel.

According to the charge sheets, Anosyke Group of Companies, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma were arraigned on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N1,537,278,880.82, being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for purported supply of 15, 000 metric tonnes of premium motor spirit.

On the other hand, the commission arraigned Downstream Energy Sources Limited, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky Energy Limited, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah on an eight count charge also bordering on conspiracy to obtain property by false pretence, conspiracy to forge documents, forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N789,648,329.25, being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 14,273,0227 litres of premium motor spirit.

The EFCC claimed that all the defendants at various times forged different bills of laden for premium motor spirit not supplied all in a bid to claim the Federal Government’s subsidy on fuel.

The 10 accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel applied for a date for hearing of bail application for them.

They also prayed the court to order that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody as against prison custody.

Justice Abiru granted the request of the defendants as he ordered that they be remanded in EFCC custody.

He thereafter adjourned the matter till October 19, 2012 for hearing of their bail applications.

Eight oil companies and marketers were initially billed to appear before justice Lateefa Okunnu on Friday but the EFCC was only able to arraign only three marketers.

The three marketers arraigned before Justice Okunnu were made up of a company, ASB Investment Limited, and two persons, Aro Samuel Bamidele and Abiodun Kayode Bankole.

The three defendants and others yet to face trial were arraigned on an 18-count charge bordering on uttering, obtaining and falsifying documents to the tune of N2,326,927,210.07.

The three defendants who took their pleas before Justice Okunnu pleaded not guilty and the court fixed bail hearing for October 9, 2012 with an order that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.

Among the five persons and companies that were absent in court on Friday were Abdulahi Alao, the son of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao.

Abdullahi Alao and his company, Axenergy Nigeria Limited, will be appearing for the third time for offences bordering on fuel subsidy fraud since the fuel subsidy trials commenced.

In the current charge, Abdullahi was again alleged to have obtained under false pretence as well as forged bills of laden and other relevant importation documents to perpetrate fraud.

Trial in the matter involving Abdullahi Alao and four others will commence on November 22, 2012 before Justice Okunnu.

The police are awaiting the response of the Chairman of Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola, to an invitation for a follow-up interaction on the alleged $620,000 bribe allegedly collected from him by the suspended Chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Mallam Farouk Lawan.

But if the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), which is handling the case, runs into a brick wall, it may insist on its earlier decision to prosecute Lawan, the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Mr. Adam Jagaba.

According to findings, the Force Criminal Investigation Department(FCID), which is handling the case, had invited Otedola more than three weeks ago. The invitation was said to have followed a request by the prosecutor of the case, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have gone far in conducting additional investigation requested by the prosecutor. We have quizzed Lawan, Jagaba, Emenalo and a few others. But we still need to interact with Otedola on this matter.

“From our records, we have invited Otedola but we have not got any response from him yet. We are anxious that if he does not respond, we may not be able to offer additional information to the prosecutor.

“We are also suspecting that a subsisting civil case initiated by Otedola in court might prejudice investigation.”

Meanwhile, there were indications that some embassies have established watch-desks on the case to know how far the police will go in its investigation and whether the suspects will be prosecuted or not.

A diplomat, who confided in our correspondent, said: “Some foreign missions are actually interested in this case. It will serve as a barometer for measuring Nigeria’s commitment to anti-corruption campaign.

“Some of us have established watch-desks and it is amazing that not much has been heard in the last few weeks. Does it mean that your country is no longer interested in the case?

“Well, we are waiting to see how far you can go.”

The prosecutor had asked the police to interact with Otedola on the following gaps in its earlier investigation.

“He (Otedola) should be contacted so that he can provide the following: Copies of documents he submitted to Farouk Lawan after the public hearing investigation to clear his companies AP and Zenon Oil (with a view to comparing them with what the House supplied).

“All the telephone numbers he used in communicating with Farouk Lawan or any other person, related to this matter. Cautionary words to his statement or compliance with the Rules.

“To confirm whether SSS gave him the money in bulk or in bits of $20, $250, $120. Whether Otedola signed for the money at SSS with particular serial numbers or whether the SSS has a photocopy of the US dollar bills.

“A copy of memo/documents by AP, ZENON and FORTE Oil submitted to the ad-hoc committee (presentation) by the MD, Mr. Otaru. He is to confirm whether the $120,000.00 requested by the secretary was for (for Lawan or for himself) as the secretary of the Committee.

“To confirm whether it was the secretary who called him or he (Otedola) who called the secretary.

“To confirm how many video cameras were used for the coverage of the said sting operation. Where are copies of the recordings? How many bundles were the $120,000; whether only two bundles of $50,000 bills were given to Emenalo and account for the $20,000. The number of times he was visited by Mr. Emenalo.

“He should throw more light on why he went to the SSS and not the other anti-graft agencies? Why did he take the first $250,000 to Farouk’s hotel?

“Was there any lunch on 20th April in his house involving himself, Farouk and a former EFCC chairman and to comment on Lawn’s statement of 14/06/2012. He is also to comment on the allegation of plane load of 2.5 million USD he was alleged to have made to Lawan. To confirm audio recording of Otedola with Farouk, where it is and copies.

Otedola could not be reached for comment last night. His media minder, however, said he was not aware of police invitation to Otedola. He promised to get to the Zenon Oil boss but later called back to say his cell phone was switched off.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is due back home any time from now, it was learnt yesterday.

She was said to be near fulll recovery after about six weeks  in an hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Indication to her recovery and soon return emerged during the visit of  President Goodluck Jonathan  to the hospital on his way to New York to attend the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The President was reported to have told close aides that the First Lady was fast recuperating. Hence, according to sources within and outside the Presidency, her return was only a matter of time.

While there has been no official date for her return just as there was none for her sudden disappearance from the country,  the manner of her return is still shrouded in secrecy.

According to the sources  who confirmed her possible return, “it is not clear if the Presidency will want to make public  details of her return.”

On the manner of her return, the sources said it was not clear if she will come back in day time or steal in like late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The First Lady’s sudden disappearance from the Presidential Villa has been an issue of intense public discourse in the last few weeks. While some said she was rushed out as a result of food poisoning, others said it was as a result of ruptured appendice.

Some even say she was taken to the same hospital (kidney specialist) the late President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was taken to in Germany, insinuating that she might also be battling with a kidney problem.

Her Special Assistant on Media, Ayo  Osinlu, said for now, he has no idea when Mrs. Jonathan will return to the country, stressing that it was not in his capacity to find out.

Osinlu contested reports about the health situation of the First Lady. He noted that all reports about the medical trips  were lies and that he could be quoted authoritatively on that.

Osinlu, who had confirmed the foreign trip to a national daily, had insisted that  Mrs. Jonathan was only taking a rest and not seeking medical attention.

He said: “If you look at her itinerary in August, you will be wondering how she was able to accomplish that.”

He said the First Lady was expected back in the country this week but did not give a specific date.

Asked when the First Lady would return, he said: “I don’t know. I don’t have any information on that. You don’t expect me to call her and ask her, ‘When are you returning?’ Is she my mate?

“Ours is to ensure everything is in order to receive her once her return is made known to us. I do not have fresh information on that.”

Pressed further, he said,  “Nobody is going to put a gun on my head and force me to talk when I have no fresh information. My position is not different from what I told Daily Trust.”

Osinlu also refuted online report about the Firts Lady’s foreign trip, saying: “I can tell you authoritatively that the First Lady was not lifted by any air ambulance to anywhere. All those things are lies.”