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  • EFCC invades home of Finance Director of Atiku’s company

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on Saturday, said to have invaded the Abuja residence of the Finance Director of Atiku’s group of companies, Alhaji Babalele Abdullahi.

    A statement by Atiku’s media adviser, Mr, Paul Ibe, said the EFCC operatives, numbering about two dozen, stormed Absullahi’s Maitama District home at 8.30 am.

    Ibe stated that the operatives came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus, marked Abuja CS 522 RSH; and a Toyota Hilux van.

    The statement said, “They came with a search warrant to search  the house and office of Babalele and found nothing incriminating.They then proceeded to his office at Oakland  Centre in Maitama and found nothing incriminating there.

    However, they took away some documents of landed property.

    “Not done, the EFCC officials stormed his Wuse residence where  they again found nothing incriminating after the search.

    Afterwards, Babalele was taken away to the EFCC office in Wuse  to make a statement alongside Mr. Lawan Ayuba.

    “It was gathered that the petition relied upon to invade the  residence and office of Babalele was authored by a brother of  the wife of President Buhari.

    “As a law abiding citizen, Atiku Abubakar recognizes the  constitutional role of the EFCC and indeed any other agency of  the government to carry out investigations, but will not be cowed  by any attempt to blackmail him into mortgaging his mandate”.

    The statement added that the invasion of Abdullahi’s home was  part of the desperate moves by the authorities to make Atiku  congratulate and concede the mandate to President Buhari.

  • BON AWARD FOREMOST PAN NIGERIAN EVENT – JURY

    After delivering results that had many smiling home at the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, which held at the weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State, Chairman of the jury, Mr, Niran Adedokun, used the opportunity provided by the award show , to congratulate all filmmakers in Nigeria, for what he described as “yeoman’s job that they do in spite of the harsh conditions which they work.”

    While noting that filmmaking in Nigeria, as it is across the world, is work in progress, he urged producers to continue to explore the richness of Nigeria’s diverse cultures in their production.

    He said: “…every year, filmmakers take on new challenges in moving the industry forward in the stories that they tell and in the technical quality of their productions. And we are pleased to say that this year, 2018, is no exception at all.”

    In recognition of the 10th edition of the award scheme, Adedokun said, “Over the past ten years, the awards have remained consistent as the foremost pan Nigerian award with a deliberate bias for the promotion of films produced in the nation’s indigenous languages.”

    He congratulated everyone who was nominated, describing all as winners, while also thanking the Executive Director for BON Awards, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi, and his team for the opportunity to serve.

    BON Awards is presented annually by Best of Nollywood Magazine, to honor outstanding achievements in the Nigeria motion picture industry.

    Held at the Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, on Saturday, December 8, the 10th anniversary edition rewarded deserving filmmakers and industry veterans in the competitive and honorary categories. The event which began with a red carpet, witnessed a convergence of stars, who also made impressive fashion statements.

    The evening saw prolific director, Tope Oshin, clinching Director of the Year, for the movie ‘We Don’t Live Here Anymore’; while Tana Adelana and Kelechi Udegbe won Best Actress and Actor of The Year (English language movie category), for the movies ‘Body Language’ and ‘Bedroom Points’ respectively.

    Anchored by Helen Paul, other celebrities in attendance, some of who won awards at the event include, Yemi Solade, Femi Adebayo, Faithia Williams, Segun Arinze, Nobert Young, Femi Branch, Dayo Amusa, Liz DaSilva, Muyiwa Ademola, Bukunmi Oluwasina , Omowunmi Dada, Blessing Egbe, Ayo Mogaji, Tope oshin, Yomi Fash Lanso, Francis Sule, Judith Audu, Oreoluwa Adedoyin, Nosa Obaseki , Jumoke Adelaja, and Jasmine Fakunle among others.

  • Ex-deputy Governor, Ize-Iyamu spends first night in prison

    A former Deputy Governor of Edo state, Mr, Lucky Imasuen and a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu spent their first night in prison custody after they allegedly failed to meet the bail conditions granted them by a Federal High Court.

    Others arraigned alongside Imasuen that also spent Thursday night in prison were State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony.

    They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on eight count charges of laundering the sum of N700 million.

    The money was believed to be part of the $115m Allison Diezani pilfered from the treasury to fund the 2015 general elections.

    They were granted bail of N10 million each, with sureties in like sum who must be in grade level 16 and above and must be house owners, with Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) that should be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar.

    Justice P.I Adjokwu remanded in custody pending when they meet their applications for bail despite plea by counsel to Ize-Iyamu, Mr Charles Edosomwan, that they be kept in the custody of the EFCC.

    However, a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, explained that only one of the five could not meet his bail conditions.

    Nehikhare said the other four decided to spend the night in prison in solidarity.

    “They are all in high spirit and expected to perfect their bail condition today”.

  • Breaking: Court remands Ize-Iyamu, Orbih, others

    A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has remanded Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Dan Orbih, a former Deputy Governor, Mr, Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony to prison custody.

    They are to remain in prison pending when they meet their bail applications.

    Read Also:EFCC may re-arrest Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu and others were arraigned on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on eight count charges of laundering the sum of N700m.

    Justice P.I Adjokwu remanded them to prison custody after rejecting a plea by Counsel to Ize-Iyamu, Charles Edosomwan that they be kept in the custody of the EFCC.

     

    Details later….

  • Ijaw people most marginalised, says Dickson

    Ijaw people most marginalised, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has described Ijaw people of the Niger Delta as the most unfairly treated in the entire country.

    Dickson in a statement signed Monday by his new Chief Press Secretary, Mr, Francis Agbo, spoke when the Roland Oweilaemi-led Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) visited him in his office in Yenagoa.

    He asked the youths to continue projecting issues of economic marginalisation and environmental pollution affecting the region.

    Dickson urged them to collaborate with the government in addressing the age-long problems of underdevelopment of the Ijaw nation by successive administrations at the federal level.

    He said: “The Ijaw nation is oppressed in Nigeria, and those of us in positions should fight and protect the Ijaw interest. The weapons and strategy for the struggle must change.

    “For 60 years, there is no road to Bonny and Brass, where crude oil is lifted daily. No airport in the Ijaw nation, no oil company operating in the state pays taxes to contribute to the economy.

    “The IYC must continue to raise the legitimate issues without fear of intimidation. I expect you to mobilise and raise the consciousness of the people about the precarious situation we are in”, said the Governor.

    He lamented the state of the region despite its huge contributions to the economic growth of the nation.

    He called on political leaders and persons in positions of trust to protect the collective interest of the Ijaw people.

    But Dickson said that the struggle to emancipate the Ijaw nation was no longer about carrying weapons, “but through intellectual and persuasive means”.

    The governor regretted that there were no boarding schools and functional hospitals in Bayelsa after 20 years of its creation until his administration came and changed the narrative.

    He also appealed to the youths to shun all forms of vices, including cultism and drug abuse.

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, Oweilaemi said Dickson succeeded in giving the Ijaw nation a sense of direction, purpose and a respectable identity in the comity of ethnic nationalities.

    He called on the Federal government to allow the people of the region to establish and manage the proposed modular refineries in the region.

    He added that it is one way the people of the region would be compensated for all the degradation they had been subjected to.

    The youth leader reiterated the 90-day ultimatum to all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to relocate their corporate headquarters to the region, in line with the directive of the federal government.

  • Ambode employs 250 persons with disabilities into civil service

    Ambode employs 250 persons with disabilities into civil service

    …Empowers 2,000 others, organizations with grants, assistive technologies, mobility aids

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr, Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday announced that in line with the promise he made at a recent Town Hall Meeting held in Ojo, the State Government would soon distribute letters of employment to 250 persons living with disabilities who would be deployed to the State Civil Service as well as the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The Governor also in furtherance of his promise to run an all-inclusive government, distributed various assistive technologies, mobility aids and financial grants to 2,000 persons living with disabilities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in taking care of such categories of people.

    Items distributed included brand new 30-seater Hyundai and 12-seater Hyundai Buses, 500 White Canes, 1 Index Express Embosser with Duxbury Braille Translation Software, 10 Accessible Desktop Computers With Jaws Screen Reader, 20 Tactile Metric Sets, 100 Taylor Frame, 60 Magic White Boards, 6 Magnetic Boards, 300 Wheel Chairs, 50 Special Wheel Chairs (Rough Riders for people with Spinal Cord Injury), and 25 Computer sets for people living with hearing impairment.

    In addition, 10 NGOs dealing with issues of disability in the State were given N500, 000 each as grants, while 500 people with disabilities received N100, 000 each as financial empowerment.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at De Blue Roof, LTV8 in Ikeja, Governor Ambode, who was represented by the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, said the development was a major testament to the commitment of his administration to demonstrate in practical terms the commitment to ensure an all-inclusive government and to empower persons living with disabilities to become wealth creators and employers of labour.

    He said: “To reinforce our determination to support persons living with disabilities to realise their dream, a N500million Trust Fund was established last year on the first anniversary of this government for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Lagos State. This was followed with the inauguration of a board to ensure judicious management of the Fund.

    “Today, we are witnessing the presentation of this Fund to the first set of beneficiaries. Our focus is to move away from the previous charitable orientation of empowerment towards a more socially and economically oriented approach of enablement that will make people living with disabilities to become wealth creators and employers of labour.

    “For the first phase of the programme, we are presenting vehicles, equipment, funds to enable individuals, homes and NGOs take charge of their future, start businesses and create wealth for themselves,” Governor Ambode said.

    While congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor urged them to remain strong, steadfast, committed to their enterprise and make judicious use of the items and funds given to them, saying that their success would go a long way in changing the perception of those who are skeptical about their abilities.

    The Governor also assured those yet to benefit from the Fund that the scheme would soon get to them, just as he charged members and governing board of the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) to work harder to ensure that greater number of people supported under the programme before the end of the year.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said: “Let us use this opportunity to assure all that in fulfillment of the promise made during the Town Hall Meeting at Ojo, 250 people with disabilities will soon receive letters of employment into the State Civil Service as well as Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the State.

    “We are already leading the way and it is my expectation that individuals, private and corporate entities will partner with the State Government by contributing generously to the Trust Fund.”

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Principal of Pacelli School for the Visually Impaired/Blind located in Surulere, Sister Jane Onyeneri said the gesture by Governor Ambode was highly commendable coming at a time the country was grappling with economic challenges.

    She said by the development, Governor Ambode had demonstrated that “he is a man of his words and ready to fulfill whatever promise made to the people.”

    Also, Chairperson of Joint National Association Of Persons Living With Disability, Lagos State Chapter, Deaconess Beyioku Alasa and Mainland Coordinator of People Living With Disabilities, Mr Kehinde Oshilaja, commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to the welfare of people with disabilities, saying that the development had indeed proved that the Governor is a man of integrity who is always ready to fulfill whatever promises made.

     

  • How bank gave Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia waivers on account opening

    How bank gave Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia waivers on account opening

    An Ikeja high court heard yesterday that none of the persons listed as directors in the corporate account opened by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia at Diamond Bank visited the bank as at when the account was opened.Adebisi Onanuga

    A staff of the bank, Ademola Oshodi disclosed this yesterday to the court at the resumed trial of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla before the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to Economic and Financial Service Commission (EFCC), Adebayo, who was giving evidence on waivers given to the judge by the bank, said he did not meet any of the directors of the company as at the time he was opening the account contrary to usual practice.

    He told the court that the company, Nigel and Colive, is into general business and is located at No. 18, Lai Ajayi Bembe Road, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He reiterated that when officials from the bank inspected the business premises it was still under construction.

    He said contrary to stipulated requirements, the fact that the business premises given by the judge was uncompleted was overlooked by the bank officials because the judge was considered a good customer.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Obla are jointly being charged by the EFCC for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

    Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia is facing a 26-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

    Mr Obla, on the other hand, is facing a two-count charge bordering on offering gratification of N5 million to Mrs.

    The anti-graft agency alleges that Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia, while serving as a justice of the Federal High Court, Lagos, unjustly enriched herself by illegally receiving $793,800 from various sources between 2012 and 2015 in three Diamond Bank accounts.

    The witness told the court that he filled the account opening forms himself but that they were executed and signed by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    He also said that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is the signatory to the account Nigel and Colive which is a corporate account.

    The witness also told the court how cash deposits ranging from N900,000 to N8.8 million were made by him on behalf of the judge into her corporate account with the bank.

    He said the money were either picked up from either her office, her home or from her Bureau De Change operative and that he made all the deposits himself on her behalf.

    Counsel to Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia, Omotola Akonni (SAN), however, requested for permission to cross-examine Mr Oshodi at the next date of adjournment.

    “I hereby request for time to cross-examine the witness at the next adjourned date, I just came in from a proceeding at the Federal High Court and I need time to settle and prepare adequately,” he said.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi granted the request of the senior lawyer and adjourned to March 10 for cross-examination of the prosecution witness and March 17 for a continuation of trial.”

    Counsel to Obla, Mr, I.A Adedipe, in his submission, also requested that the international passport of his client earlier handed over to the court as part of his bail conditions should be released to enable him travel abroad.

    In his ruling, Justice Oshodi granted Adedipe’s request for the release of his passport.

    “The Chief Registrar shall release the passport of the second defendant to travel overseas from February 5 to March 5 and return his passport to the Chief Registrar on or before March. 6″, he ordered.

  • Jennifer Obayuwana still waiting for Mr Right

    Jennifer Obayuwana still waiting for Mr Right

    The continued wait of celebrity beauty, Jennifer Obayuwana, for the right man to walk down the aisle with is turning into the proverbial waiting for Godot. Since the charming Executive Director of Polo Avenue got herself engaged to Peter Saleh, anticipation has been high among social events watchers that she would finally shrug off the cloak of spinsterhood which has stuck to her like a Siamese twin.

    But the engagement seems to have become like the numerous false dawns in Samuel Beckett’s classic play which yielded nothing but dashed hopes, as the pretty lady has reportedly called off the romantic alliance with handsome Saleh.

    It will be recalled that Jennifer and Peter got engaged at Eko Signature of Eko Hotels and Suites, on New Year eve in 2015. The friends and family members who had queried their relationship will no doubt feel vindicated as Daddy Girl — as Jennifer is fondly called — has moved on and immersed herself in her business.