The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has impounded a N948million aircraft allegedly linked with a former governor of Borno State who is under investigation.
The aircraft was seized on Monday at the Maiduguri International Airport.
Anti-graft agencies have also placed two other private jets under surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The grounding of the three aircraft is part of the ongoing investigation which traced some looted funds by some former political office holders to the purchase of private jets.
It was learnt that a Dornier aircraft 328 linked with the former governor had been earlier impounded, but it resumed operations without EFCC’s clearance.
Upon sighting the aircraft in Maiduguri on Monday, after months of watch-listing, EFCC detectives swooped on the crew and seized it.
The plane is marked N805PG and 5NBMH. It allegedly belongs to Skybird Air.
Detectives have interrogated the suspected beneficial owner of the jet, Mr. Samuel Ayodele, the Managing Director of Skybird.
A “beneficial owner” is a legal term where specific property rights (“use and title”) in equity belong to a person even though the legal title of the property belongs to another person.
An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We impounded the Dornier 328 on Monday following suspicion in the manner in which it was acquired.
“Our detectives are working on clues that the aircraft belongs to a former governor of Borno State but it is being used by a front. We are already looking into relevant records; we want to establish who actually owns it.
“We are tracking how and when the aircraft was bought, where it was purchased, the mode of payment and the sources of funds. This is definitely an international transaction; it is easier to trace the inflows and outflows from any account.”
“There are also some petitions containing allegations against the former governor concerning the aircraft and some public funds. If the aircraft cannot be identified with the ex-governor, the EFCC will release it to the beneficial owner.”
Ayodele is said to have told detectives that the aircraft was originally with the defunct IRS Airlines, which bought it with a loan of about N948million from a bank.
The source quoted Ayodele as saying: “I bought the liability from the bank and took over the aircraft because IRS was not able to pay back the loan.
“It is a clean business. Since I graduated from school, I have been working in the aviation sector.”
According to Wikipedia, “The Dornier 328 is a turboprop-powered commuter airliner, initially produced by Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, which was acquired in 1996 by Fairchild Aircraft.”
Two other jets, suspected to belong to some former political office holders, have been placed on surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“The movement of the jets is presently restricted until the conclusion of our ongoing probe. All relevant agencies in the aviation industry are collaborating with us on these two jets. We are working on information made available to EFCC that they were bought with looted funds,” a source said.
On the identities of the owners of the jets, the source said they would not be disclosed until the EFCC has made substantial progress in their investigation.
Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause on any serving or former public officer or any Nigerian under probe.
“Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
Tag: Ex-governor
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EFCC seizes N948m aircraft linked with ex-governor
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Ex-Governor Kure dies in Germany at 60
A former Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure, is dead. He was 60.
According to a family source, Kure died in Germany during a treatment for kidney-related ailment.
The source said Kure was flown abroad three weeks ago following the relapse of his ailment.
He was governor between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He was also the 12th governor of the state and the third civilian governor after Emir Awwal Ibrahim(1979-1983) and Dr. Musa Inuwa(1992-1993).
The Chief Press Secretary to the former governor, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, confirmed his boss’ death last night.
Abdullahi said arrangements were being made to bring his body home for burial.
Born on February 26, 1956, the late Kure is survived by wife, Zaynab Kure , a senator between 2007 and 2015, six children; two daughters and four sons.
He was the Director of Engineering Services in the Federal Capital Territory before joining politics. A foundation member of the PDP, he became a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) after leaving office. He introduced Sharia law in Niger State in May 2000.
Chairman of the PDP in Niger State Mr. Tanko Beji, and former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday extolled the late Kure’ virtue.
Beji described his death as sad adding: “We cannot query God.”
He said the late governor had contributed immensely to the socio -political development of Niger State.
“He has left an indelible mark on the sand of times. May his soul rest in peace”.
Aliyu said “ I find it difficult to come to terms with the reality that my brother, my friend, has left us so soon. I have been in touch with his wife since he travelled outside the country for treatment. I never knew his time was near.
“Niger state has lost an illustrious son, Nigeria has indeed lost a great human asset. My brother Kure died at a time his contribution was needed. He was a peacemaker, a role model and a bridge builder. May Aljannah Firdaus be his abode. May Allah condole his wife, children and the entire Niger State.”
The Niger State government yesterday declared a three-day mourning for the former governor
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa,, flags will fly at half-mast throughout the period.
The Commissioner said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had also declared a work-free day on the day of the former governor’s body will be interred so as to accord him a befitting burial.
The statement said the government would miss his wise counsel
Vatsa cited the intervention of the former governor during the recent labour crisis in the state, saying the move showed him as an elder statesman whose main concern was for the good, progress and unity of the state.
House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, have has described the death of former Niger State Governor Abdulkadir Kure as shocking and unexpected..
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan Dogara said the death of the former governor, who he described as a progressive, is a big loss to the country.
It reads: “Dogara described the late politician as a progressive and seasoned technocrat whose experience and wisdom would be missed.
“The Speaker also extended his condolence to Kure’s immediate family and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
In Condolence to the Family, the government and people of Niger State, Gen. Babangida said: “My amiable Friend and Companion is gone. We that were left behind are on transit sooner or later.
“The sudden death of former Governor of Niger State, Engineer, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, this afternoon in Germany comes to me in a great shock but as a believer, All souls must taste dead sooner or later”.
He prayed for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for the late Kure and urged the family, people of Niger State and Nigeria at large to take heart and pray for him in his journey to the great beyond.
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Ex-Governor Obi rallies youths
Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has told youths that what they want to be in future is determined by the choices they make now.
Obi made this remark while speaking to the youths undergoing training at the Peter Akinola Foundation in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Obi who acknowledged that the country is presently in hard times, said that rather than be discouraged, the youths should see that as a challenge for them to remain focused and make the best out of any situation they find themselves. He encouraged those being trained to take the exercise seriously and see it as a possible avenue to future greatness.
The former governor urged the youths to form what he called “a healthy habit of self-examination, hard work and understanding of those things that make for greatness.”
Commenting on the problems facing governance in the country, Obi called for the reduction in the cost of governance at all levels.
“Those in authority run into trouble by spending money on frivolities that do not add to the progress of our society,” he said.
The proprietor of the Centre and the former Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Akinola said the centre invited Obi because over the years he proved himself as an exemplary leader who has the fear of God.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included General Theophilus Danjuma and Chief Chris Oshonkoye, among others.
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Niger fiscal agency to probe ex-Governor Aliyu’s brother
The Niger State Fiscal Responsibility Commission is to look into the books of the Niger State Development Company (NSDC), after being denied access to them in the last four years.
NSDC, which was under the leadership of ex-Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu’s younger brother, Ahmed Sani Chiroma, was said to have allegedly refused to submit its reports in the last four years.
The company was responsible of facilitating and driving investments in the state during Governor Aliyu’s tenure. It also collected revenue from the investments.
The Acting Chairman of the Niger State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Ahmed Lwafu, who sought an order from the House of Assembly, told the Speaker, Ahmed Marafa, that during the last four years, there was alleged impunity by powerful Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) officials, who refused to give financial information to the commission.
Lwafu alleged: “In the last four years, there was no time we requested information, especially about finance, from NSDC that we were given. There was a culture of impunity by powerful MDA officials, who refused to say how they operated and when we tried to get it by force, the powers that be stopped our probe.”
The acting chairman narrated how the attorney- general allegedly stalled their quest to tackle non-compliance.
“During these cases, we went to the attorney-general before any action could be taken to enforce and prosecute cases of non-compliance. The Ministry of Justice stalled this process.”
Marafa directed the Clerk to write the agencies mentioned to forward the financial records, activities and other documents requested by the commission for scrutiny.
He urged the acting chairman to report to him the findings of the reports.
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Ex-governor’s aide joins race in Ondo
Former Ondo State Special Adviser on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Hun. Niyi Light Ariyomo has joined the governorship race.
The Akure-born politician said he joined the race to make a difference, urging party chieftains to support his bid.
Àríyòmó was the Coordinator of the Information Technology Development Agency.
The aspirant bagged his first degree in Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure. He later bagged a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom) and a Policy Certificate in Science, Technology and Innovation from Harvard University, United States. Ariyomo did Ondo State proud in 2005 when he came top as the star candidate during his registration examination with the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) in Ibadan. He won the overall best prize (Lucas Price) in Civil and Structural Engineering while he also won the prize for distinction and the overall best position across engineering disciplines (Adeleke’s prize) in the same professional examination.
His team holds the credit for increasing the state’s IGR by over N4.7b within six months in 2007 without increasing rates payable. He was also a key factor in the formation of such agencies like the Wealth Creation Agency, and the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).
Àríyòmó said: “I am in the race to make a difference. I have the experience and capability. I am a patriot”.
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Security chiefs mourn ex-governor
Leads of security outfits in Bayelsa State have visited the family of the late ex-Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to condole with it on his death.
The security chief were said to have visited the Opolo home of the Alamieyeseighas in Yenagoa, the state capital, where they commiserated with the deceased’s family.
The Commander, Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, led the delegation.
The State Controller of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Nmeabe Legbosi; the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Desmond Agu and Police Commissioner Paul Okafor were on the delegation.
The security commanders signed a condolence register opened by the state government.
Legbosi said the the security chiefs were shocked by Alamieyeseigha’s death.
He commiserated with Governor Seriake Dickson, on behalf of the Controller-General of Prisons and other officers and men of NPS.
The NPS chief described the demise of Alamieyeseigha as an irreparable loss.
He prayed God to give the family, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation the fortitude to bear the loss.
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Ex-Governor Chime gets chieftaincy title
The immediate past governor of Enugu State, Chief Sullivan Chime has been conferred with the title of Dike Ejejemba 1 of Udi Ancient Kingdom.
The kingdom said Chime was honoured for his meritorious service while in office.
The conferment ceremony took place at Eke Square Udi and was performed by the traditional ruler of the t kingdom, His Royal Highness, Igwe Chris Ogakwu.
Chime’s successor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was the special guest, noted that his predecessor deserved the title.
He assured that the good work of Chief Chime when he was the governor would be sustained.
In a speech before the conferment of the title, the traditional ruler of the ancient kingdom, His Royal Highness, Igwe Chris Ogakwu observed that Chief Sullivan Chime is a worthy ambassador and son of the ancient kingdom and Udi.
He noted that during his period as the governor of the state that he saw Enugu state as his constituency. He added that the legacies Chief Chime left behind speak volumes for him in the state.
The President General, Udi Progressive Union, Hon Emma Eneoli, the people of the ancient kingdom noted that Chief Chime is a worthy ambassador that had done the people proud.
They noted that they were happy that Chief Chime served meritoriously against all odds.
They enumerated the things benefited by the people during Chief Chime’s period as a governor as provision of solar powered, boreholes, tarred linked roads, political appointments and
employment opportunities among others.
Responding thereafter Chief Sullivan Chime thanked his people for the honour done him, promising them of his cooperation.
He thanked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for attending the event.
He assured the governor of his continued support of his administration till his eight years tenure.
He noted that during his time in office that he served to the best of his knowledge.
Chime’s father was the immediate past traditional ruler of Udi kingdom.
He ascended the throne after serving in the cabinet of the legendary Dr. Michael Okpara administration in the First Republic as a minister.
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Court stops Ortom from probing ex- governor
A Makurdi High Court, presided over by Justice Iorhenmen Hwande, has ordered ‘stay of proceedings’ on the Judicial Commission of Enquiry and the Administrative Panel of Enquiry set up by the Benue State government to probe ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam administratin, pending the determination of the substantive motion.
Suswam filed a suit containing 10 motions supported by an affidavit at the High Court to restrain his successor, Governor Samuel Ortom, from probing his administration.
Justice Hwande said: “After considering the affidavit and addresses of counsel to Suswam and also having recourse to s.22(2) of the High Court law and order 40(3(1) of the High Court, civil procedure rules 2007, I’m satisfied that leave ought to be granted the applicant to proceed as prayed.
“Consequently, leave is granted the applicant (Suswam) to seek the relief as contained in the motion paper. Notice is to serve on the respondents, who may react where they choose.
“The leave is to operate as ‘Stay of Proceedings’, pending when the main application is heard.”
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Ex-governor to refund N2.9b
The Niger State Government yesterday asked former Governor Babangida Aliyu to refund N2.9 billion.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Dr. Ibrahim Dooba said the money was taken as loan on the eve of Aliyu’s departure.
It stated that although Governor Abubakar Bello would not witch-hunt any past leader, “the misappropriated money belongs to the people.”
He added: “They took this loan on the eve of their departure. And as was customary with that administration, they did nothing with the money.
“You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list.
“The office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), for example, was given N600 million. The records did not say what he would do with the money. Well, we want our money back. The money belongs to the people,” it said.
The statement added that the administration had prioritised the needs of the people, stressing that such looted but recovered funds would be expended on projects.
“Our people need food, shelter, security, roads, water and so forth. For example, the governor wants to start with the provision of potable water and in the coming weeks, we’ll provide water at predictable intervals to Nigerlites.
“On the problem of electricity, we have started an arrangement to rent a power plant from overseas to provide regular electricity before a permanent solution is found.
“Also, Minna-Kataeregi road, Kontagora-Tegina, Minna-Suleja, Bakeko-Katcha, Kaffin-koro, Kuta-Sabon Gari and Maitumbi-Maikunkele roads among others, are receiving urgent attention,” it said
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Ex-Governor Isiaka Adeleke unites Osun West district
The first civilian governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is a phenomenon. A rallying point for various classes of politicians in Osun State. He offers his wide shoulders for all and sundry to lean on. He has remained with his people through the thick and thin and identified with their yearnings and aspirations, offering solutions to their problems.
Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is a God-given philanthropist to humanity. His kind gestures cut across tribe, creed, religion and sex. He is for all, no wonder all are for him in Osun West District.
As we march gradually to the March 28, 2015 general election, in which Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke is contesting for the Osun West Senatorial District ticket under the banner of All Progressive Congress, it is pertinent to state, that the amiable politician, has not left any stone unturned in his bid to coast home to a sweet victory. Since December 2014, when he won the ticket to contest, Senator Isiaka Adeleke has thrown himself seriously into the contest, traversing the length and breadth of Osun West District.
As early as 7am, Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke was always on his feet for the daily campaigns, that has seen him on door-to-door, neighbor to neighbor campaigns to Ajagunlase, Ikire-ile; Iwo-Oke, Iwo township, Telemu, Ogbagba, Kuta, Ile-Ogbo, Ife-Odan, Ejigbo, Ikoyi, Orile- Owu, Apomu, Ikire township, Awo, Iragberi, Ara, Okinni, Aro, Ido-Osun, Offatedo, Dada Estate and various wards in Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas. The reception has been overwhelming, even when Adeleke arrived some of these communities at late in the night. The enthusiastic supporters and well-wishers were always patiently waiting to hear him out. The charismatic and lovable Isiaka Adeleke takes his own destiny in his own hands.
What is going on for “Serubawon.” What are his magic wands? This could be premised on his various seen and unseen positive contributions to individuals and communities, since he was elected the first executive governor of Osun State in 1992 at the young age of 35. Such were the nostaligic recollections of a large number of people in Osun West District of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke to their well being. They are true testimonies, coming from these electorate, twenty-two years after Adeleke left office as a governor.
One good turn deserves another stance is now at play. Isiaka Adeleke is now reaping bountifully from his past philanthropic gestures, most of which, he has even forgotten. It is a payback day for Senator Adeleke by Osun West Senatorial District people, who have resolved to give him the highest number of votes at the senatorial election, as a demonstration of their appreciation of him.
This is one of Senator Isiaka Adeleke moments of glory in his political career. The campaign tours of the colorful politician, that Adeleke is, reminds one of his great exploits between 1990 and 1992, when at the relatively young age of 35yrs, he ‘locked’ horns with the evergreen politicians in the old Oyo State and proved his mettle.