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Tag: ex-minister

  • Alleged diversion of N2b contract funds: Ex-minister, perm sec to testify

    Alleged diversion of N2b contract funds: Ex-minister, perm sec to testify

    Ahead of their arraignment tomorrow, the Federal Government has lined up 11 witnesses to testify for the prosecution in the case of alleged diversion of about N2.3 billion meant for dualisation of Section IV of the East-West road involving ex-Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godsday Orubebe, and three others.

    Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba (an assistant director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars), Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and the company are named in the charge, marked: CR/265/2016

    Among those scheduled as prosecution witnesses are Orubebe’s successor in the Niger Delta Ministry, Dr. Stephen Orise Oru, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, two senior personnel in the ministry – Annietie O Effiong and John Ngene.

    Also included are a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Works, Joseph Gande (who claimed to have been assigned to, among others, monitor execution of the project), consultants and community leaders in Akwa Ibom State.

    They were initially scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on August 18. It was shifted to August 30 when prosecution lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court his agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) was yet to effect service of the charge on the defendants.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that the prosecution altered the charge, raising the counts from five to six.

    According to court documents filed last week, Dr. Oru is expected to testify in relation to his role in the project as Niger Delta Affairs minister from 2014.

    It was learnt Oru may testify that on assuming office, all relevant decisions in relation to the single lane running through Eket Town had been taken.

    In a proof of evidence served on the defendants, Oru is also expected to speak among others, that “a meeting of stakeholders was convened by his predecessor, Godsday Orubeb, where the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, elders of Eket community, chief of staff to ex-Governor Godwill Akpabio and others attended.”

    On his part, Ngene is expected to state all he knew about the contract and how “the compensation fund of N2.3 billion was released to Messrs Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Ltd for further release to the appointed consultants for disbursement to beneficiaries, which Messrs Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Ltd failed to do.

  • Maduekwe, ex-minister laid to rest

    Maduekwe, ex-minister laid to rest

    The remains of the late Ambassador, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, a former minister of Transport and later Culture has been laid to rest in his country home Asaga Ohafia.

    Maduekwe was buried after a funeral service by the Presbyterian Church.

    Speaking at the funeral service, Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu described the deceased as a wonderful family man, a great patriot, a warrior and hero who lived well.

    Nigeria, he said, lost a patriot with his demise.

    He said Abia is proud of the deceased whom he said was a worthy son and lived a life worthy of emulation.

    The governor recalled the late Maduekwe served Nigeria and Abia State selflessly, pointing out that his death shows the ephemeral and transient nature of life.

    He stressed the need for the living to have a good relationship with God so that testimonies will flow when they die.

    Ikpeazu said: “His death is a painful one, though to us it is harvest time but we cannot question God who gives at his own time and takes also at his own time.

    “We however thank God because he lived well and left many legacies.”

    Senator Ita Enang extolled the sterling qualities of late Maduekwe who he said served Nigeria at various capacities with diligence and sincerity.

    In his sermon, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Most Rev Emele Mba Uka, cautioned people to be careful how they live so that good things will be said when they die.

    He called on Nigerians not to celebrate looters but emulate people with integrity and sincerity like the late Maduekwe, who he said left his foot prints on the sands of time.

    Daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Ultra Dike, in a funeral oration described her father as a good and selfless man who served God diligently without any reservations.

    The funeral service was witnessed by several eminent persons including Ikpeazu and his wife, Nkechi; immediate past first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Senators Theodore Orji, Senators Enyi Abaribe and Mao Ohuabunwa attended the funeral service.

    Others were Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio; House of Representatives members and members of the BoT of the PDP, led by Senator Wali Jubril.

     

  • Imo govt, ex-minister quarrel over plan to demolish his home

    •Govt: action not meant to intimidate anyone

    A former Minister of Interior, Capt Emmanuel Ihenacho, has faulted the alleged plan by the Imo State Government to demolish part of his building in Owerri, the state capital.

    The building, which is on Orlu Road, was recently marked for demolition by the engineering firm working for the state government.

    But the government defended the action, saying it was part of its urban renewal efforts to make Owerri a modern city befitting its state capital status.

    Ihenacho, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in last year’s general elections, vowed to resist the attempt to demolish his property.

    The former minister described the government’s action as a violation of his rights to own property.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Owerri, Ihenacho said it was sheer intimidation for anyone, nay government, to demolish his property without any correspondence to him or deliberation with him.

    He said: “My attention was brought to the demolition mark on my wall by an engineering firm working for the state government. I wonder how someone would remove my walls with any form of correspondence with me. I have owned this property for years, even before the emergence of this administration. So, it would be wrong for anybody to ask me to remove my property. I have rights and I want people to respect my rights. If I allow it, that means I am a slave without any right in Nigeria.”

    But, a statement in Owerri, the state capital, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “In our response, we want to reiterate that Governor Rochas Okorocha has vowed to build a state we all can be proud of. He has also pledged to make Owerri, the state capital, a model city, especially when the state capital is now adjudged one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. That has been the reason behind some of the construction works going on on some major roads in Owerri, including MCC/Uratta Road, MCC/IMSU Road, Orlu/Amakohia Road, Mbari Road and the relocation of some markets.

    “In the course of doing all these, certain structures, including block outfits, have been touched or removed. Their owners have always exhibited high level of understanding because they know that the governor meant well, ab initio. The whole exercise was never targeted at any particular individual.

    “In other words, if the fence or building of Captain Ihenacho has been affected by the construction or rehabilitation works going on on Orlu/Amakohia Road or somewhere else, it would invariably enjoy the same fate others have had. It is not a personal thing as to warrant his launching media attacks on the governor. He should have even been expected to commend the governor for the good job, considering the enviable level of his exposure.

    “Threatening fire and brimstone should not have been the best approach, especially when one recalls that he had aspired to govern the state for progress…”

  • I own no property in Panama, says ex-minister

    I own no property in Panama, says ex-minister

    Former National Planning Minister Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, has described as total falsehood report that he allegedly owns two luxury pent-houses in Panama. He said the allegation is a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and the reputation he built over the years.

    According to a document retrieved by PREMIUM TIMES from the leaked Mossack Fonseca database, Gbadamosi was alleged to have bought the property in 2008, while serving as chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA).

    In a telephone interview with The Nation, Gbadamosi said: “The report is a total falsehood. None of my14 passports including the diplomatic passport, which I had while I was a minister, tallied with the quoted passport numbers. In fact, I don’t even know where Panama is. It is a calculated attempt to tarnish my image and name, which I have laboured to build over the years.”

    The Septuagenarian who is a big art collector, writer and businessman, wondered if the originators of the documents have checked on his bank accounts balance to ascertain how he allegedly transferred such fund for the property.

    The report alleged that the the first pent-house Gbadamosi bought was valued at N436,800,000 ($1,365,000.00) in Ocean park Tower 2, and consists of a surface area of 537.33 square metres on 35th floor. The property is allegedly registered under the onwnership of Ciclones Corporation Inc.

  • How ex-minister bought two houses in Panama with shell firm

    A former Minister for National Planning, Rasheed Gbadamosi, owns two expensive and luxury penthouses in Panama, documents retrieved by PREMIUM TIMES from the leaked Mossack Fonseca database have shown.

    Gbadamosi, writer, businessman and bureaucrat,  bought the property in 2008, while serving as chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

    The septuagenarian shelled out a staggering N836.8 million ($2.6 million) for the penthouses in a swanky tower in Panama, PREMIUM TIMES said.

    An official of Mossack Fonseca said in one correspondence that Gbadamosi was so enamoured, and in so much haste to acquire the exotic property that he once offered to fly to Panama in a private jet to inspect them.

    Details of Gbadamosi’s luxury acquisitions were part of the internal data of the Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca, obtained by the German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) with PREMIUM TIMES and over 100 media partners in 82 countries.

    According to the documents, sometime in early 2008, the former minister approached Gilberto Aleman, a Panamanian real estate broker, to help him secure two posh penthouses, owned by Nicolas Corcione, owner of Ciclones Corporation Inc. and Cosmopolitan Corp., the companies under which the property was registered.

    Valued at N436,800,000 ($1,365,000.00),  the first penthouse  Gbadamosi bought, is in Ocean Park Tower 2, and consists of a surface area of 537.33 square metres, on 35th floor

    The property is registered under the ownership of Ciclones Corporation Inc.

    The second penthouse, Penthouse 5, is in the same building as the first, Ocean Park Tower 2. It consists of a surface area of 479.88 square metres, on the 39th floor of the building. It is registered under the ownership of Cosmopolitan Corp.

    Ocean Park Tower 2, which was completed in 2006, is one of the most expensive residences in Panama City. Located within the lush, Punta Pacifica area of the city, Ocean Park Tower 2 is a 44-floor glassy skyscraper that stood at 463 feet.

    According to Panama-guide.com, an English Language website in Panama, the building, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, comes furnished with controlled security and high-end luxury finishing.

  • Ex- Minister of Education, Birmah, leaves PDP

    Ex- Minister of Education, Birmah, leaves PDP

    A former Minister of Education under late General Sani Abacha, Alhaji Dauda Birmah, yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said he left the party because the leadership of the party turned its back on him.

    Birmah also said that he left the PDP because he was not allowed to vote as a national delegate for the governorship candidate of the party, Nuhu Ribadu, and its presidential candidate in the 2015 general elections, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former presidential candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) did not disclose which party he will join.

    Birmah, who announced his decision to leave PDP to reporters in an interview in his Asokoro home in Abuja, said that his next political party will be communicated to his followers soon.

    He said: “The time has come for me now to categorically state that I am not in the party because I do not want my supporters and other people who take me seriously to believe that I am part of what is happening today.

    “They are trying to re-engineer the party. They have gone to the market and have exchanged its goat for a monkey. I do not want to be a part of that. I have decided to leave the PDP.

    “I will decide which political party to go to and that will be my final destination politically in a partisan manner.”

    He added: “The milestone of my falling apart with the PDP was when Bamanga Tukur was removed as the national chairman because his stand was contrary to the characteristic stand of the PDP because they always wanted three or four people sitting in some smoked filled room to determine what people should ordinarily decide in a convention or in primaries.

    ”That was the point at which I parted company spiritually with the PDP. In the PDP I was elected as the national delegate for my local government.

    “There was only one national delegate and I was elected. But you will be surprised that when we wanted a congress to nominate a governor in Adamawa, the PDP removed the primaries from Yola and brought it to Abuja.”

     

    ”Almost all the delegates were in Yola while they came to Nyanya and collected political prostitutes as delegates. I did not participate in the nomination of the governor and I did not participate in the nomination of the president.

    “If at my level I will be a member of a party and they will refuse to allow me to participate then you know that I should no longer belong to that party.”

     

     

  • EFCC probes N4b deposits in ex-minister’s account

    EFCC probes N4b deposits in ex-minister’s account

    Agency to retrieve $400,000 paid in bid to change poll’s results

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigators have discovered that about N4billion was channeled through the account which former Finance Minister Mrs. Nenadi Usman operated for  campaign funds purposes, it was learnt at the weekend.

    The account is titled “Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited”. A substantial part of the funds was disbursed to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains ahead of last year’s general elections.

    Mrs Usman, who has been detained since last Thursday,  is being interrogated by operatives of the anti-graft agency in Lagos.

    An EFCC source said: “Mrs Usman was asked to report in our Lagos office so as to be able to secure a remand warrant which will assist us to interact with her.

    “There are many issues which she ought to respond to but there is a subsisting directive given to FCT courts to stop granting remand warrant to EFCC. If the anti-graft agency does not detain for  a while, the ongoing investigation will be disrupted.

    “The EFCC is not after perpetual detention but it needs time to dig into facts available to it. For instance, the account provided by Nenadi Usman had over N4billion from different depositors, including individuals and organisations.  The list of those who made funds available ought to be screened by the EFCC.”

    On the fate of Mr. Azibaola Roberts (former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin) who has been detained over $40million(N12.7b) obtained from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), the source said: “He was also moved to Lagos to be able to complete ongoing investigation.”

    “You know he was arrested in respect of payment of $40million by ONSA for a contract which was tagged as purchase of tactical equipment for Special Forces.

    “But the cash was actually disbursed by ONSA to pacify militants in the Niger Delta.”

    The EFCC is investigating a former Minister for allegedly collecting $400,000 (over N120million) from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) to alter the results of the presidential election from Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe and Kano. The cash is believed to have been allocated to bribe election officials.l

    But the ex-minister diverted the cash into personal commitments instead of using it to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to falsify the results.

    All attempts by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to retrieve the money from the former minister before the May 29, 2015 handover date failed.

    The ex-minister is believed to have obtained the over N120million from ONSA without any “justifiable” purpose.

    The former minister was said to have been jittery on March 29, last year on the outcome of the presidential election. She rushed down to the Presidential Villa for what she regarded as an “urgent electoral rescue matter.”

    It was learnt that she demanded for the $400,000 (over N120million) from the Presidency to bribe electoral officers in the Northeast and Northwest to “alter the presidential poll’s results in favour of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan”.

    Although some top Presidency officials had reservations on the agenda of the ex-Minister because of the ethical disposition of ex-INEC chairman Prof. Atahiru Jega, she secured the cash from ONSA.

    It was gathered that she told the Presidency that she had done a good homework which will lead to the alteration of results from the Northeast and Northwest.

    Investigators believe the ex-minister diverted the cash to personal use.

    When it was obvious she was only being smart, Jonathan telephoned the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Muhammadu Buhari on March 31, last year to accept defeat.

    A source said: “The more we dig into the mismanagement of the $2.1billion arms deals, the more fresh facts are revealed. You can see an individual collecting N120million to bribe INEC officers.

    “Moves by the government of Jonathan to retrieve the cash from the ex-minister before the handover date failed. When the pressure was much, she said she had used it to assist a governorship candidate in the APC who was in need.

    “Besides the N120million, the ex-minister was also involved in the misuse of public funds for campaign. She is being investigated by the EFCC.

    “But she has to cough out this N120million before we move into how public funds were diverted to campaign.”

    About a fortnight ago, the EFCC arrested the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) in Cross River State, Gesila Khan and four others over a N650.9million 2015 bribery.

    The other suspects  and the cash against their names are Fidelia Omoile (Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ;

    Uluochi Obi Brown (INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    Materials for the presidential and senatorial polls were retrieved from the home of some of the suspects.

    EFCC operatives recovered also many documents on financial and landed properties from the suspects.

    Some of the documents include receipts of payments made into their accounts.

    The suspects allegedly committed the fraud in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    There were indications that many INEC staff and ad hoc workers got bribe.

  • $2.1bn arms deals: N1.5bn traced to ex-minister’s son

    $2.1bn arms deals: N1.5bn traced to ex-minister’s son

    Dasuki’s ex-aide loses embassy job 

    A bureau de change operator has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)   that N1.5billion was paid into his account for the son of a former Minister of Finance.

    Salisu Umaru said he did not know what the minister’s son used the cash for. The former minister and his son were not named “so as not to jeopardise the investigation”. The cash is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion “phoney” arms deals funds.

    Also at the weekend, it was learnt that the army has replaced one of its officers under probe for the phoney arms deals, Col. Nicholas Ashinze, with Col. M.A. Abdullahi as the nation’s military attaché to Germany.

    Col. Ashinze is to refund N7.3million, which was paid to him as estacode and air fares.

    Salisu, who  gave the EFCC details of how the N1.5billion was wired into his company’s account, said he never knew what the cash from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was meant for.

    He said : “I was invited by EFCC and when I reported, I was shown my company’s account statement with Zenith Bank called Jabama Ada Global Nigeria Limited in which there was an inflow of N500million on 5/2/2015 and N1billion on 16/4/2015 into the account from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “On the inflow of N500million into my company’s account  on 5/2/2015, I wish to state as follows : That on the same date(5/2/2015), I paid the equivalent of US$2,380,952 to the son of the minister, being the equivalent of the said N500million at the rate of N210 per dollar.

    “I do not know what he used the money for. My own business is to buy and sell dollars. It  is only the minister’s son that can explain what the money was meant for. The minister’s son signed and collected the said N500million.

    “On the N1billion inflow into my company’s account on 16/4/2015, I wish to say the money was disbursed as follows: $1,000,000, being the equivalent of N220million; and $327,000 (equivalent of N72,600,000) were paid cash to the son of the minister while the sum of N704,400,000 was transferred to various accounts based on the instruction of the minister’s son. He gave some of the instructions through text messages. Some of the instructions were also received from the father.

    “I also want to state that I do not know what the N1billion was meant for and what it was used for.”

    Col. M.A. Abdullahi’s initial nomination for the job was turned  down by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

    Gen. Minimah was said to have favoured Col. Ashinze because he speaks German fluently.

    Col. Ashinze had been ordered by the army to refund N7.3million, including an estacode of N6million and N1.3milion air fares.

    But the embattled former military aide to Col. Dasuki asked the army to prevail on the EFCC to lift the restriction on his account to be able to refund the cash.

    A top source said: “Ashinze has been replaced with Col. M.A. Abdullahi as Defence Attaché to Germany because the EFCC is yet to conclude investigation of some military officers.

    “In fact, Ashinze was replaced as soon a he was shortlisted for interrogation and before the EFCC began his drilling.

    “While in EFCC’s custody, the military police brought the letter asking him to refund the N7.3million allowances. He said the army should lift the ban placed on his account to effect refund of the money.”

  • How Peterside can succeed as NIMASA chief, by ex-minister Iheanacho

    How Peterside can succeed as NIMASA chief, by ex-minister Iheanacho

    • Indigenous ship Owners promise to support agency’s new head

    Former Minister of Interior Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho has advised the newly-appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, to court indigenous ship owners.

    Iheanacho, who is the Chairman, Genesis Shipping Worldwide, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He added that indigenous ship owners would support Peterside.

    Ihenacho said: “It is our hope that he would concentrate his efforts in a genuine attempt to grow indigenous capacity through a judicious use of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).”

    The mariner said the new director-general must make Cabotage provisions work.

    Iheanacho explained that Peterside would need to understand the difference and the distinction between the administrative responsibilities for the safety of shipping and security of the maritime environment.

    The mariner said: “Safety of shipping and its associated costs is a NIMASA function while the security of the marine environment is the responsibility of the Navy.”

    He said NIMASA should be refocused to carry out its core maritime industrial safety and local capacity development responsibilities,

    “while simultaneously demilitarising the outlook and presentation of the agency”

    “We welcome Mr Peterside as the director-general of NIMASA. He is a good man. We hope his appointment would mark the beginning of a positive change in the focus and administrative interventions of the agency(NIMASA),’’ Iheanacho told NAN.

  • Ex-minister, Agunloye, dumps PDP for SDP

    Ex-minister, Agunloye, dumps PDP for SDP

    Former Minister of Power and Steel Olu Agunloye yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Agunloye, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP, said he defected to the SDP because of what he called “power of choice”. The Erusu-Akoko born politician was also an aspirant of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    He left to join PDP shortly after Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) emerged as ACN candidate in 2012.

    The former minister who was received into the SDP by the National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae , said he joined the SDP to realise his dream of serving the state.

    According to him, “it is from the vantage position of my right to power of choice, my constant and unabated interest in the progress and sustainable development of our state, my perpetual desire for youth employment and women emancipation, all of which have been established over a long period that I see a beacon of hope in the SDP.”

    Agunloye said the SDP remains the only party that can proffer solution to the present predicament, dilemma and misfortunes of the people.

    He condemned the administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, saying the PDP-led government has failed the people with poor power supply, lack of employment, among others.