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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC arrests suspect for alleged $1m fraud

    EFCC arrests suspect for alleged $1m fraud

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a  suspected fraudster, Adekunle Balogun a.k.a Malam Salihu, for alleged fraudulent $1million deal.

    The suspect was also said to have impersonated the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

    A statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said investigation into the case was still in progress.

    The statement said: “The 44- year- old Ordinary Diploma certificate holder in Textile and Polymer Technology was picked up by operatives of the commission in Lagos for allegedly duping one Precious Chukwuma Emelue of N100 million by deceiving him into believing that he would assist him in retrieving $1million from a Pakistani bank: Kan-Cern Limited, which payment was allegedly stopped by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “Emelue claimed that, in 2012, he met one Mr. Perry Kandoharty (a Diplomat with the Pakistani High Commission) in Lagos. In the course of their discussions, Emelue told Kandoharty that he was widely experienced in deep-sea fishing. And after much deliberation, they both agreed to work together on a business.

    “Emelue would provide land for a fish processing factory in Nigeria and space for the development of fish ponds. Emelue claimed that Kandoharty sent him a mail informing him of a deposit of $1,000,000.00 into Kan -Cern Limited.

    “It was this fund, allegedly stopped by IMF, which Balogun made him believe he could pull out for him.

    “In the course of his dealings with Emelue, Balogun allegedly obtained money in different installments from him “to obtain certificates from authorities” handling drug, anti-terrorism and money laundering  issues.

    The suspect was also alleged to have impersonated the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde and used his name to extort his victim.” But Balogun denied  that he impersonated the EFCC chairman.

    “I didn’t call myself Lamorde. What I told him was that Lamorde was a lion and I’m the only tiger that can approach him”, he said. The statement added that several items were recovered from the suspect during a search of his house.

    They included documents bearing the names of the State Security Service (SSS); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); and Insurance companies among others.

    “Balogun would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded”, the statement added.

     

  • Student jailed for ‘possessing’ fraudulent documents

    A student of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Akinyele Akintayo, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for being in possession of fraudulent documents.

    The convict was sentenced by Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, after he pleaded guilty to the crime.

    He was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for being in possession of the said documents used to facilitate internet fraud.

    The convict who entered a plea bargain deal with the EFCC was found guilty on ‎three counts charge under Section 318 of the Criminals Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    Subsequently, the judge sentenced him to three months in prison for each count‎ without an option of fine.

    ‎During the sentencing, counsel to the EFCC, Olubunmi Bosede, said the convict was arrested on March 21 in Lagos while being in possession of an electronic mail address with the name Susan Alexander.

    The commission alleged that the convicted had intended to use the document to perpetrate internet fraud‎, adding that he sent messages to one Love Betsey, claiming that his father had deposited the sum of $5.6 million dollars in a hidden box with an insurance company.

  • EFCC to court: Fani-Kayode has a case to answer

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday to dismiss the no-case submission made by a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.

    It said Fani-Kayode, who was charged for money laundering, has a case to answer.

    A no-case answer is a term, whereby a defendant seeks acquittal without having to present a defence.

    The defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), argued yesterday that the commission did not make out any case against his client to warrant calling witnesses in defence.

    Adedipe said: “The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against him before this court, and by so doing, he has joined issues with the prosecution, leaving them to prove their case beyond doubt.

    “The prosecution called six witnesses, and of all these witnesses, none of them came forward to give any evidence that they had any financial transaction with the accused.

    “PW3 (a Superintendent of Police) told this court that nobody came forward to say that he gave any cash to the accused.

    “PW5 (a former aide) gave evidence that it was one Kolade, who gave him the money he lodged into the account of the accused, and this does not prove anything against the accused.”

    The lawyer said the prosecution had confronted Fani-Kayode with his statement of account during trial, asking him to defend it.

    But Adedipe argued: “If an individual receives several sums of money from different sources, he is expected to lodge same, and so, the fact that certain amounts were found in his account, does not amount to an offence.

    “I, therefore, respectfully urge this court to discharge the accused of all counts in the charge.”

    The EFCC’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo, maintained that the prosecution made out a case for Fani-Kayode to open his defence.

    Following an amendment of the charges from 47 to 40, Fani-Kayode took a fresh plea before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on March 6.

    The judge adjourned verdict on the no-case submission till November 17.

  • Oil subsidy fraud: EFCC recovers N5b

    Oil subsidy fraud: EFCC recovers N5b

    •Prosecutes 40

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it has recovered over N5billion in the oil subsidy fraud it is investigating.

    It also said more than 40 suspects were being prosecuted.

    The Executive Chairman of the crime bursting outfit, Ibrahim Lamode, spoke yesterday in Enugu at a workshop on “Effective Reporting of Financial Crimes”.

    He said the EFCC secured one conviction and recovered property valued at over N1billion in the pension fraud.

    The EFCC boss, who was worried that a few “cynics have  talked about the commission maintaining a low profile”, said no such thing existed, adding that cases abounded in their offices across the six zones of the country.

    According to him, there was need to pay attention to the cases.

    Lamorde said: “The commission is investigating a fraud in an old generation bank in Port Harcourt, where a customer, conspiring with his wife, who is a banker with a new generation bank, defrauded the bank of N855million.”

     

    “The suspect, Uchenna Ogbonnaya Dike, cashed in on system glitches to perpetrate the scam within five months, by transferring funds from the bank into accounts in the new generation bank.

    “Other accomplices in the scam are on the run. But the commission will get them, as we are determined to check fraud in the banking sector.”

    He urged reporters to take interest in cases that are either being investigated or prosecuted by the commission.

    His words: “The current situation where the media interest in corruption cases fizzles after arraignment is unhealthy. You must be prepared to track the trial of corruption cases, as this will not only help in putting such matters in public consciousness, it will also be a disincentive for compromise by errant judicial officers.”

    The EFCC chairman said the decision of the commission to sponsor the workshop underscored the importance it attached to the role of the media in the fight against corruption and economic crimes, adding that the anti-graft war could not be won without the support of the media.

     

  • Governor ‘storms’ Bureau de Change, blows N300m in one hour

    Governor ‘storms’ Bureau de Change, blows N300m in one hour

    A serving northern governor is under investigation for allegedly changing N300million to dollars and ‘blowing’ it under one hour.

    He allegedly exchanged the cash to lobby party leaders for governorship ticket.

    According to findings, the recklessness of the governor was allegedly spotted through financial intelligence.

    It was gathered that the governor had approached Bureau De Change in Abuja for the change of Naira for the dollars.

    It was learnt that he opted for foreign exchange to avoid the movement of the bribe sum being trailed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    According to investigation, it was learnt that the operators of the

    Bureau De Change were also shocked by the huge exchange transaction by the governor.

    A top source, who knew about the sleaze, said: “It is just unfortunate that a serving governor exchanged N300million for dollars in Abuja to lobby some party leaders for governorship ticket.

    “After getting the dollars, he met with some officials of a party in order to sway the ‘final’ decision of the party in his favour. After about an hour, the cash was already disbursed.

    “But he has forgotten that the electorate will determine his fate, not naira or dollars. His predecessor spent the same way and lost out with the party.”

    Another reliable source added: “Due to the curious nature of the transactions, the Bureau De Change operators became suspicious and raised the alarm. The operators were jittery because they could be held accountable by anti-graft commissions if the deal is uncovered.”

    An anti-graft agent said since the transactions were traceable, the allegation against governor was being looked into.

    The agent said: “The suspicious transactions by the governor are already being looked into. All the processes will be trailed, no hiding place for anyone again. We will also expose the beneficiaries of the illicit transactions to the relevant agencies for probe. So, the said transaction is certainly under investigation.”

    The Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, had in January at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja, warned Bureau de Change operators against abetting money laundering by desperate politicians seeking election in 2015.

    He said in part: “You have to realise that the nature of your illicit transactions facilitates money laundering and terrorism financing.

    “With the situation politically, we have to be very careful with the kind of money that either comes into the country or goes out of the country and the avenue used is mostly the Bureau De Change operators

    “We believe engaging them is key to what we are doing. Moving forward, they will have to comply with the law. If not, they will be sanctioned or prosecuted.”

     

  • Rector petitions EFCC over poly chiefs

    Rector petitions EFCC over poly chiefs

    The Acting Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Bayelsa

    State, Ms. Emilia Bribena, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes  Commission (EFCC) to probe the principal officers of the institution.

    In a petition to the Rivers State office of the agency, she accused the officers of  alleged fraud.

    According to her, the officers connived with others to allegedly defraud the institution of millions of naira.

    She alleged that they collaborated with key members of the Governing Council to carry out the alleged fraud.

    The acting rector also alleged that besides signing cheques to withdraw funds from the institution’s account without her approval, the officers also brought a fake tender document and manipulated a non-existent bid process to divert over N300 million meant for TETF fund projects in the polytechnic.

    She said she reported the matter to the Federal Ministry of Education, but the inability to submit the financial report on the 2012 TETF fund projects delayed the process.

    Ms. Bribena alleged: “They have tried all means to get this TETF fund money. As you know, if you don’t account for the previous year’s funding, you will not be able to access  new funds. I don’t want them to soil my hands. They have been putting pressure on me.”

     

     

  • Oshiomhole to sue EFCC, Ize-Iyamu

    Oshiomhole to sue EFCC, Ize-Iyamu

    The Edo State Government has said it will sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly becoming a “political commission”.

    It said a legal team had been assembled to challenge the authority of the EFCC to “become a political commission”.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole spoke yesterday at a town hall meeting in Benin, the state capital.

    The governor said he was taken aback when the EFCC investigated the impeachment of former Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea, whereas several other impeachments had occurred across the country.

    He said: “Our own EFCC is now Economic Financial and alleged Political Crimes. I am still unable to understand how EFCC assumed the responsibility to investigate the impeachment of a deputy speaker. That is how far the EFCC has degenerated.

    “When armed robbers are looking for thieves, then the story will change. We are watching how things will go. We have assembled a legal team to take EFCC to court to challenge their authority to become a political commission. We will fight them on our feet and never beg them on our knees. We will show them respect but never shall we display an act of cowardice. We want to see how far they can go. The greatest weapon is to deliver on good governance.”

    Oshiomhole hinted that his administration would sue Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu over alleged libellous statements credited to him after a supposed bomb attack on a building owned by the cleric.

    The governor noted that he was consulting “to find out if he (Ize-Iyamu) is right to make that criminal libellous statement and get away with it”.

    He said the “self-inflicted wound” and purported bombs were meant to divert attention from the criminal acts on the Edo State House of Assembly, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors wanted to attract sympathy that they were suffering for joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oshiomhole said it was sad that the orgy of violence in Edo State reared its head when Pastor Oze-Iyamu and others defected to the PDP.

    He said: “The poster Pastor Ize-Iyamu carried to the airport reads: ‘Mr. President, see what we are suffering for supporting you’. All of these are designed to appeal to the PDP to grant more concessions, having portrayed themselves as people suffering because they defected.

    “Edo State has always been peaceful. The APC and PDP had co-existed peacefully in Edo State without such ugly incidents as witnessed in the past few weeks. It is clear that the defectors are introduced the spectre of violence to the state since they have no new values to add.

    “We have it on good authority that Pastor Ize-Iyamu had boasted to the powers that be in Abuja that he would get more than half the members of the state House of Assembly to defect to the PDP. However, since he has been unable to do that, he resorted to self-inflicted attacks to give the impression that he is a factor and force in the PDP and in Edo politics.”

     

     

  • Court adjourns ruling on ex-AG

    The Kebbi State High Court has adjourned ruling till November 7 in the corruption case preferred against a former state Accountant-General, Muhammad Dan-Atto, and his business partner, Musa Yusuf, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Sabiu Rabiu said the adjournment was to enable him study the submission of the counsel.

    EFCC operatives arrested Dan-Atto in July and took him to Abuja for interrogation.

    Before his retirement last month, he was rearrested and charged to court on a 20-count charge of advanced fee fraud (419), embezzlement and money laundering, among others.

    Dan-Atto and Yusuf denied the charges.

  • APC, Amaechi shut down Port Harcourt

    APC, Amaechi shut down Port Harcourt

    •All APC’s presidential aspirants honour Governor at seventh anniversary of Supreme Court victory

    Tumultuous crowd and all the presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to honour Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The occasion was the seventh anniversary of his Supreme Court victory, leading to heavy traffic in the Garden City.

    The Rivers Solidarity Convention, with theme: “Seven Years of Change We Can See,” took place at the 40,000-seater Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, at the Greater Port Harcourt City, near the Port Harcourt International Airport, along the ever-busy Port Harcourt-Owerri Federal Road, recently dualised by Amaechi’s government.

    Yesterday’s anniversary was also used to inaugurate the stadium, constructed by the Amaechi administration to boost sports in Nigeria, while thousands of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, led by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emmanuel Deeya, who defected to the APC.

    The elaborate celebration was transmitted live on the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels Television; the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Silverbird Television (STV).

    The APC’s presidential aspirants at the event were a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.); ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the Governor of Kano State, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso; his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    Also in attendance were the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed and his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki, as well as a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and his predecessor, Segun Oni, an engineer, who is also the Deputy National Chairman, South, of the APC, lawmakers and other eminent personalities.

    Buhari said the APC, from next year, would provide security and development in Nigeria, while Atiku urged Nigerians to vote for APC in 2015 to eradicate poverty and ensure steady electricity, good roads and good schools, among others, with Kwankwaso noting that Amaechi is ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria, as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

    Okorocha assured that the APC would provide the best presidential candidate with vision for Nigeria, not based on religion or tribe, while Nda-Isaiah stated that God gave Rivers people good governor Amaechi, declaring that he had never seen the kind of crowd at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium before.

    Odigie-Oyegun assured that the APC would wipe out corruption in Nigeria and that APC is in charge of Rivers State, contrary to the claim of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the progress in the state could be replicated at the centre and all over Nigeria.

    Amaechi, who danced so well, while addressing the unprecedented crowd, urged Nigerians to punish out the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan with their votes in 2015, in order to bring about the much-desired change.

    The former head of state said: “I do not think there is anything remaining. All that needs to be said has been said, but I stand here to congratulate the Governor of Rivers State and you the good people of Rivers State. You have been lucky for seven good years and you are going to remain lucky for one more year, God willing.

    “I assure you that the coming together of APC of the major opposition so-called political parties is to make sure that we consolidate what is lacking in Nigeria, security and development, and God willing, APC from next year, will provide them. God will answer our prayers.”

    The former vice-president noted that he had been associating with the state since 1985 and had not seen the kind of progress in those years, like he had seen in the last seven years.

    Atiku said: “Do you want the progress to continue? Do you want to feel the projects? Do you want to eradicate poverty? Do you want to go to good schools? Do you want good roads? Do you want power? Vote APC. Vote APC. Vote APC.”

    Kwankwaso, while also speaking, said: “Let me start by congratulating my friend, my brother, my Chairman, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Let me congratulate him for the projects and programmes he had executed in this state in the last seven years, one of which is this very big stadium.

    “Let me also congratulate you for being a good Chairman for Governors of this country and let me also congratulate you for ensuring peace and stability in this country. We are very much aware of the relationship that existed between this part of the country with the Northern part of the country and other parts.

    “This governor (Amaechi) has worked so hard in the last seven years to ensure good relationship between us. I want to assure you that many of us from the other parts of the country will continue to work together with you and the other good people of this state and also this part of the country.”

    The governor of Imo State spoke so passionately about the crowd at the stadium and the massive support Rivers people gave the NGF chairman.

    Okorocha said: “My people, my people, let me say that today (yesterday), my eyes have seen the good works of a gentleman. I am simply tantalised, mesmerised and flabbergasted. Today (yesterday), we have seen a sign of change; the change has come and the change must be.

    “Let no one contest on the platform of tribe or you can become a tribal leader. We need a national leader that can move this nation forward. My prayer is that may the Almighty God, who has started the good work in Amaechi, may He continue with him in Jesus’ name.”

    Nda-Isaiah said: “Exactly this day, seven years ago, God gave you a good governor, who vaunted the life of the people. He built schools and did other good things. The best thing he did for you is to move from PDP to APC.

    “I hope you heard what the governor (Amaechi) had said. In 2015, I hope the other parties are watching. I have never seen this kind of crowd before and whoever is planning to rig will have to contend with this crowd.”

    The national chairman of the APC also berated President Jonathan for describing Rivers APC as a party that existed only on billboards and posters.

    Odigie-Oyegun said: “Like your governor (Amaechi) said, in Benin, during the PDP’s Southsouth campaign, he (President Jonathan) told the whole nation that APC does not exist in Rivers State. That it is only a poster party. We were worried and we were concerned. Your governor, a fantastic man, was challenged.

    “So, today, he (Amaechi) brought all of us here. The entire leadership of the APC is lined up here today. .

    “Those of you who believe that the progress in Rivers State can be replicated at the centre and all over Nigeria, say yeah. Those who believe that APC will wipe out corruption in this nation, Nigeria, give me one gbosa. Those who believe that APC will guarantee better security for this country, give me another yeah.”

    Amaechi, who was so relaxed, in spite of the intimidation and persecution by the Federal Government and President Jonathan, said he was at the stadium to test his popularity.

    The NGF chairman said: “They (PDP leaders) have made too much noise. The President (Jonathan) says we exist only on posters and billboards. So, we brought a large billboard for him. If the President is not watching (the rally), they will give him security report.

    “This stadium is 40,000 sitting capacity. I built it. It was built by me. One of them campaigning for Rivers governorship (Chief Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Minister of State for Education) was the contractor to do the roads. He abandoned the roads and took N3 billion and left. Now, he wants to be governor.

    “I challenge them to an integrity test. Any of them from Abuja to Rivers State, I challenge them to an integrity test. I have worked with them. I have their records and their (records) are in the Office of the Governor.

    “We have developed 750 megawatts, but the problem is Federal Government not allowing us to distribute electricity.

    “We were to give Port Harcourt water. As I am talking to you today, the Minister of Finance (Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) has refused to move the file again back to Executive Council for approval, so that you can have water. They do not care for you. They want you to die of water-borne diseases. Punish them with your votes. Punish PDP with your votes. He (Jonathan) is our son, why can’t we have water?

    “The problem we have is that the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) is no longer working. Corruption is at its industrial scale. Thieves are thieves because we now have an industry called corruption.”

    The Rivers governor also lauded all the members of the National Assembly for standing by his government, stressing that eight of the members of the House of Representatives from the state came with him to the APC, while the rest betrayed him, declaring that they would be punished by Rivers people with their votes in 2015.

    The NGF chairman also thanked Rivers people, for keeping him as governor and standing by him, stressing that he had no choice, but to deliver on his promises

    Amaechi also stated: “They said the reason why the President (Jonathan) is not performing in Rivers State is because he is quarrelling with the Governor of Rivers State. Okay, what is the quarrel between the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Governor of Cross River State that the roads from Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State is abandoned? Are they quarrelling too? It is more of lack of performance.

    “When the President (Jonathan) spoke in Benin, he spoke in a stadium that was less than 20,000-sitting capacity. When TAN (Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria) held their rally in Port Harcourt, they held it at the 16,000 capacity Elekahia stadium and this was a Southsouth rally. The rally in Benin was Southsouth. The rally in Port Harcourt was Southsouth. This one (APC mega rally) is Port Harcourt rally.

    “Do you remember Ebola? To show you how much the President hates us, he visited Lagos, did he visit Rivers State? He did not care. He wanted all of us to die, but I took it as a challenge and said none of us would die. Whatever it will take, I will do what I can by God’s grace to protect Rivers people.

    “Can you see our airport (Port Harcourt International Airport)? The president lands at the airport. But see how we look like refugees. They say there is no light at the airport. What did we do to them? We gave him the highest votes in the country and the punishment we get for giving him the highest vote is operation nothing. So, APC is the solution to protect our interest. We must go there to vote out the PDP. It is not about our son.

    “They tell you that you should not vote for these people, because they are Hausa people, they are Muslims, but the refinery in Rivers State was built and commissioned by Tafawa Balewa, he is a northerner. Shehu Shagari started NAFCON, Ibrahim Babangida commissioned it. IBB started the Eleme Petrochemical Company, Sani Abacha completed it. They are all northerners; they are all Muslims. NLNG was started and completed by Abacha and he is a northerner and a Muslim. Bonny NLNG, NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry were established by northerners.

    “In fact, when Yar’Adua was alive, Niger Delta Ministry was working, Now it is only one item: East-West Road, and they say he (President Jonathan) is our brother. He is not my brother. My brother is the man who delivers on his services for me. If the President says he is our brother, let him call one project (his administration has embarked upon in Rivers State).”

    The representative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe, while speaking, stressed that yesterday’s rally was better than any of the rallies in Nigeria during the 2011 campaigns, stating that anybody Amaechi supports would do well.

    Abe, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), declared that the charlatans and noisemakers (PDP leaders) that Nigerians were seeing now, they would no longer see them from May 29, 2015.

    While speaking on behalf of the members of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro constituency of Rivers State and the Chairman of the Rivers APC Contact Committee, described Amaechi as a man of integrity and character.

    Peterside, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), noted that with the trust Rivers people have in Amaechi, they would go for APC, all the way, while assuring that Rivers people are solidly behind the youthful governor.

    The Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, stated that Amaechi had brought change to the state and transformed Rivers, as well as being the face of modern democracy, with 25 of the 31 lawmakers “solidly” behind him.

    The Rivers Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Chris Oruge, maintained that labour is in support of Amaechi, while expressing surprise that just last Wednesday, some PDP leaders sent thugs to his office to kill him for supporting the NGF chairman, declaring that Amaechi is performing and Rivers workers are behind him.

    The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers chapter, Chika Onuegbu, described Amaechi as a listening and performing governor.

    In his welcome address, the Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, an engineer, who is also the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee of the seventh anniversary, stated that the giants Rivers people and other Nigerians are seeing today, they will see them no more from May 29, 2015, but to stand for progressive change and have the courage to sweep them into oblivion.

  • Lawmaker faults detention of Edo speaker, others by EFCC

    Following the detention of principal officers of Edo State Assembly, namely, the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and Majority Whip, Folly Ogedengbe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of forgery which many believed ought to be the purview of Nigerian Police, Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie yesterday said the National Assembly may be forced to review the EFCC “to remove any area of ambiguity for which the EFCC will want to hide under to be used as political tools by the ruling government.”

    Speaking to journalists on the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly which culminated in the arrest and detention of the trio last week, Osagie said his statement became necessary so as not to allow members of the public be deceived by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been justifying the detention of the lawmakers.

    “I am speaking as someone who intervened in the matter and not one who was told or heard. I am not speaking out of hearsay. I was there and asked question why they were invited by the EFCC and I was told why they were invited by the EFCC,” he said.

    Osagie, who is seeking to become the senator to represent Edo South senatorial district said: “First, the EFCC is questioning the regularity of a motion filed on the impeachment of Ebea (Festus) as Deputy Speaker on the ground that the said motion could not have been proper since a member complained that his signature was forged.

    He said it was practically impossible for the EFCC to successfully prosecute the allegation of forgery against the lawmakers.