The Nation Newspaper

Tag: former governor

  • How former governor blew N5.7b on politics, by ex-aide

    Money withdrawn in cash, witness tells court

    A witness told yesterday of how about N5.7 billion Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) funds went down the drain.

    Mr Nasiru Ingawa, Special Adviser to former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema on SURE-P, said at the Federal High Court in Katsina that Shema directed him to spend the cash on politics.

    The former special adviser testified at the resumed hearing of a fraud case against Shema.

    Shema is standing trial before the court on a 26- count charge bordering on fraud, in contravention of Section 15(2d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended.

    The offences are punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Act.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred the charges.

    Ingawa told the court that he was the Special Adviser to Shema on SURE-P  from June, 2014 to May, 2015.

    “I remember him (Shema) telling me that we were going to use the funds for politics and that we would extract our savings from there,’’ he said.

    He said that the duo wrote memos for certain programmes and used half of the money; the remaining half went into savings.

    Ingawa also said that the department made direct purchases from which a certain percentage would go into savings.

    He added that sometimes, they wrote memos for programmes not implemented at all.

    ‘’The tradition is that I had to sit down and discuss with him on any programme; if he agreed, he would instruct me on exactly how much the savings should be from that programme,’’ he said.

    The witness testified that, sometimes, he gave the funds to Shema directly; other times, he (Shema) instructed him who to give.

    ‘’All money from SURE-P account were withdrawn in cash, with the exception of few programmes which the withdrawal was done with cheques,’’ Ingawa said.

    After the evidence, the prosecution counsel, Mr O. I. Uket, applied for adjournment, which the defence counsel did not object to.

    Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari adjourned the hearing till January 14, next year when the trial will continue.

    The former governor was arraigned on a 26-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering of N5.7 billion SURE-P funds on July 17.

    The trial started de novo (afresh) following the transfer of the trial judge Justice Babagana Ashigar. He was replaced by Justice Shagari.

    When the charges were read to him, Shema pleaded not guilty to all the 26 counts.

    Defense counsel Mr A.T Kehinde, (SAN), moved an application for his client to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted to him. Prosecution counsel Jibrin Okutepa, (SAN) did not object to the bail application of the defendant. He informed the court that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act provided that an accused already granted bail could continue to enjoy the terms of the previous bail conditions. The previous bail conditions, the court directed the defendant to deposit his international passport in the court registry. Justice Shagari granted the former governor bail on the conditions previously provided by the court and adjourned the case till yesterday for trial.

    The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) was established by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to re-invest the savings from fuel subsidy removal on critical infrastructure and social safety net programmes with direct impact on citizens.

    The scheme was established in January 2012 when the government announced the removal of subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Its core objectives being to provide employments for unemployed graduates through internship programmes and create a database of unemployed youths and reduce social vulnerability through the mechanism of the policy.

    Shema is also standing trial before Katsina State High Court for alleged diversion of about N11 billion state funds during his tenure following a petition by the state government to the EFCC.

    Shema is being tried in the second case alongside three others – former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, ex- Katsina ALGON Chairman Lawal Dankaba and former Permanent Secretary Ministry for Local Governments Lawal Rufai.

    They are facing 24 count charges of alleged misappropriation of about N11bn of local government funds.

  • Lucky Igbinedion becomes grandfather

    Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, is over the moon at the moment. The source of his ecstasy is none other than one of his daughters, Ehi Igbinedion, who was recently delivered of a set of cute twin girls.

    The elation felt by Ehi and her handsome beau, Femi Oni, is almost rivalled by the joy pouring out from the former governor. He has been on a high since hearing the good news.

    Ehi and Femi got married at a high octane ceremony three years ago. Unlike other celebrity couples whose marriages crumble like a house of cards after a few months, theirs has been waxing stronger and stronger.

    The birth of their twin daughters is just one more sign that the medical doctor couple who already had a daughter are made for each other. As the grandfather of the girls beautifully named Oluwaseun Gabriella and Oluwasegun Bernice, Chief Igbinedion is already spoiling them with lots of love, offering the kinds of gifts only a rich grandfather can provide.

  • Adeleke was a great philanthropist – Jonathan

    Adeleke was a great philanthropist – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has extended his condolences to the family of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke as well as the government and people of Osun State over the death of the lawmaker and former Governor of the State.

    The ex-president’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze.

    He described the late Adeleke as a national icon and great philanthropist who was warm and lively.

    He said: “I received the news of the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke with a sense of great personal loss. It is hard to imagine that the very lively and warm
    ‘Serubawon’ has died.

    “Though I am saddened by his death, I give God the glory for his life of contribution to Osun state, where he was the first civilian governor and to Nigeria, where he was an icon and to humanity in general because he was a great philanthropist.

    “He will be greatly missed and the void his death has caused will be hard, if not impossible to fill. May his soul rest in peace and may he achieve al Janna firdaus.

    “I pray that God grant his family and supporters the fortitude to bear his loss. Adieu great Asiwaju of Ede,” he stated

     

  • Obi commends Chimamanda

    former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has commended the literary Icon, Chimamada Adichie Esege, for organising Writers’ Workshop to encourage what he called the flowering of the literary culture in Nigeria.

    Obi made this commendation on Friday when he attended the closing ceremony of the workshop where awards were given to those that distinguished themselves.

    Further, Obi called on Nigerians who distinguished themselves in their various fields to emulate Chimamanda by seeking ways to give back to the society.”

    What Chimamanda is doing today is trying to encourage young writers through practical and real mentorship. I thank all the companies supporting her because this is investing in what will add value to the society thus, amounting to fulfillment of social responsibility,” he said.

    Obi, who recalled the support his government offered to writers, including partnering with renowned writers such as Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike to encourage budding writers, said all hands must be on deck to groom many Chimamandas that will hopefully take the baton from the Achebes and Soyinkas.

    Speaking at the event, Chimamanda said the selection for the workshop was based purely on merit and decried those reading ethnic influence; insisting that ethnicity must not be associated with all events and that it was high time Nigerians look more at merit than any other consideration.