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  • Manager, others charged with N250m recharge cards theft

    A manager  and three other workers with Mind The Gap Company in Yaba, Lagos Mainland and three others were yesterday arraigned an Igbosere  Magistrates’ Court  for allegedly stealing  N250 million worth of recharge cards.

    Oluwatosin Ogundana, 36,  Ayotunde Anuoluapo, 31, Shittu Abolore, 31, and Demi Mayungbe, 26, are standing trial before Chief Magistrate O.O. Oshin on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh told the court that the defendants committed the offences between January and December 2017 at the firm’s Yaba office.

    Mameh alleged that the defendants obtained various bulk purchased recharge cards valued at N250million belonging to their employer under the pretext that they would sell them and remit the proceeds into the firm’s account.

    The court heard that they  sold the recharge cards but converted the money to their own use.

    Mameh said the fraud was uncovered when the firm’s Managing Director, Mrs Ifeoluwa Fashola, audited her  books.

    Fashola petitioned the officer-in-charge of Zone II, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Adamu Ibrahim, who ordered an investigation.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Oshin granted Ogundana N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum, each of whom must deposit N500,000 in the court registrar’s account.

    The others were granted  N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Their trial begins on March 27.

  • Obanikoro junior, Jonathan’s ex-adviser,others defect to APC

    Obanikoro junior, Jonathan’s ex-adviser,others defect to APC

    Prominent members of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including Babajide, son of former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, have dumped the party.

    Mr. Ali Gulak, the former Special Adviser to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, is among prominent members of defecting PDP members.

    Senior Obanikoro had recently left the PDP to join the APC.

    Babajide, who lost chairmanship position of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area twice on the platform of PDP, joined the APC at Ward C, in his Ikoyi constituency.

    He was received into APC by members led by the Ward Chairman, Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr. Wale Edun.

    Speaking at the declaration, Babajide said his defection to APC was to be closer to the people and to contribute his quota to his constituency.

    He regretted that he had once had differences with the APC as a result of his membership of the PDP.

    Obanikoro said he had retraced his steps to be part of a progressive party, promoting the development of the state.

    “I thank you for the warm reception and I assure you that I will do my best to take the party to greater heights.

    “Also I will do my best to ensure that I carry everyone along and we further build the party together in this area,’’ he said.

    Gulak, along with other prominent members of PDP are to defect to APC today  in Yola.

    The Adamawa APC chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal, said the party was ready to receive the PDP members in a ceremony.

    “We are waiting for the big ceremony that will signify the final death of PDP tomorrow.

    “I don’t want to say much about the prominent members of PDP joining us tomorrow; just be there to see for yourself as the big catch we made,” Bilal said.

    Governor Muhammadu Bindow had recently announced that APC was talking to some prominent members of PDP who will soon join APC.

    The defection ceremony is to take place at the Ali Modu Sheriff faction secretariat of the PDP in Yola.

  • Ambode, Okowa, Wike, others win Independent newspapers Awards

    Ambode, Okowa, Wike, others win Independent newspapers Awards

    In keeping with its avowed commitment to promoting the common good and rewarding excellence in the society, the Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of the Daily Independent,  Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent titles, has nominated Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the Independent 2017 Man of the Year.

    The governor will receive the award at an event on Saturday at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is Governor of the Year and Rivers State Governor  Nyesom Wike Political Icon of the year.

    For his sterling role in weathering the storm of the killer-herdsmen in his state Benue State Governr Samuel Ortom will be decorated as  Governor of the Year on Security, while Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi is Agriculture Governor of the Year.

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal is the 2017 Grassroots Governor of the Year. The Outstanding Deputy Governor of the Year is Otunba Titilayo-Tomori of Osun State.

    The newspaper also nominated Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu,Lagos State Speaker Mudashiru Obasa is Outstanding Legislator of the Year (National) and Outstanding Legislator of the Year (State) respectively.

    Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, is Party Leader of the Year.

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is Bridge Builder In Leadership

    Alhaji Rasak Okoya gets Life Achievement Award, Dr. Wale Babalakin, Most Outstanding Aviation Terminal Operator of the Year.

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) are the Federal Agency of the Year and Most Outstanding State Agency of the Year respectively

    Most Outstanding Telecommunications Company of the Year is Globacom Limited.

    Harry Song is Musician of the Year. Saidi Balogun and Patience Ozokwo are Actor and Actress nominees of the Year respectively.

  • N12.4b arms fund: Court adjourns Dasuki’s, others’ trial till March 22

    N12.4b arms fund: Court adjourns Dasuki’s, others’ trial till March 22

    A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court yesterday adjourned until March 22, hearing in the trial of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Standing trial along with Dasuki are a former minister, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda; former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Shuaibu Salisu, a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son Sagir and their family company Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 22-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and fraudulent diversion of public fund to the tune of N19.4billion.

    Justice Hussein Baba -Yusuf adjourned the trial after Dasuki’s counsel Mr. Adeola Adedipe drew the court’s attention to an application dated November 3, 2017 for an adjournment, pending the outcome of a Supreme Court judgment on March 2.

    “For the interest of justice and fair hearing, the matter is adjourned until March 22 for hearing,” Justice Baba-Yusuf ordered.

    Adedipe said the application is praying for the court to grant him an adjournment pending the outcome of Supreme Court judgment on March 2 in Dasuki’s case.

    He said the outcome may have direct effect on the case in the high court.

    Counsel for the first defendant (Yuguda) Mr. Olajide Ayodele (SAN) and Dr. Kayode Olatoke for fourth and fifth (Bafarawa and son) submitted that they are in support of the application in the interest of fair hearing and justice.

    Other counsel in the matter also aligned with their submissions.

    Objecting, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolegbe, asked the court not to grant the application, adding that “the application here is predicted on the appeal at Apex court”.

    He, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the application and go ahead with the hearing.

    According to him, the application was tantamount to stay of proceeding.

    At the last sitting, the prosecution had informed the court that he had just returned from the Supreme Court, where an appeal filed by Dasuki on a decision of the court was heard and judgment reserved for March 2.

    He informed the court that Dasuki withdrew his application before the Supreme Court asking for the trial at the high court to be adjourned pending the hearing of his appeal at the apex court, which was earlier fixed for January 24.

    The withdrawal and striking out of the application, he added, was as a result of the apex court’s decision to hear the appeal after which it reserved judgment.

    He stated that there was need for the second defendant to also withdraw his application dated November 3, pending before the high court.

  •  ’Military operations in Benue, Taraba, others will avert further bloodshed’

     ’Military operations in Benue, Taraba, others will avert further bloodshed’

    A group, The Middle Belt Conscience Guard, has described the launch of operation rat race in the middle belt part of the country by the Nigerian Army as a timely intervention to avert further bloodshed in the region.

    The group called the Middle beltans to give their maximum co-operation to the military, saying it is important for them to allow the military get rid of killers under whatever guise.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Convener /National President, Prince Raymond Enero, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, for always leading the Nigerian Army to protect the sanctity of lives of all Nigerians.

    He said: “As law abiding people, we appeal to members of all our communities to provide information that will enable troops track down the killers that are clouding our land with sadness.

    “The people of the Middle Belt region would be the ultimate winner when Operation Cat Race succeeds as we expect it to. We look forward to a time when the states in the Middle Belt would no longer be used as the poster states for avoidable bloodletting.

    “We are eager to a return to a time when the entire area covered by the North-Central geo-political zone and outlying areas are back to providing an abundance of plant and animal produce to nourish the country with surplus left for export.

    Such expectation can only come to fruition when farmers and herders are not at each other’s jugular, when expats and investors can visit to prospect without fear of being kidnapped and when people are confident of their safety while in transit for their legitimate livekihood.”

    He said the group had wished for this kind of military operation owing to the menace of the identified security problems that falls within the remit of the operation.

    He said: “We have learnt that other military and security services will be collaborating with the Nigerian Army during the operation that would target killer-herdsmen, cattle rustlers, armed bandits, kidnappers, armed militias and other criminal elements in addition to providing training for troops.

    He said similar deployments of troops in certain other geo-political zones were greeted with unnecessarily sensationalized, politicized and demonized by groups that have dark agenda for their people.

    According to Enero, such attitude was even as the larger population in these areas hailed the succession of the operations by the Nigerian Army as helping to restore peace, sanity and stability in their towns and villages.

    He appealled to the political class to desist from the tendency to exploit an operation like this for selfish gains, stressing that the sanctity of the life of the people is greater than any monetary, material or positional gains anyone could hope to make.

    He said:  “This is why we warn state governors, the leadership of farmers’ groups or associations, the leadership of herders’ groups or associations, traditional and religious leaders not to engage in any acts that would deprive the people of the Middle-Belt of the advantages of the military exercise. Because we see this as a timely intervention to avert further bloodshed in our region, we will not hesitate to rise against anyone that that stands in the path of our return to peace.”

  • Citi Group, Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC, others to handle $2.5b Eurobond

    Citi Group, Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC, others to handle $2.5b Eurobond

    Nigeria is set to take $2.5billion Eurobond to refinance external borrowing, following yesterday’s approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

    Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun broke the news at a post-FEC briefing in Abuja.

    Others at the briefing were Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika and Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu.

    Mrs. Adeosun said that the government had re-appointed a consortium of banks to handle the $2.5 billion Eurobond.

    The banks are: Citi Group, Standard Chartered, StanbicIBTC, Whitten-Case and African Practice.

    On the potential savings on the proposed USD2.5 billion refinancing, Mrs. Adeosun said the estimated proceeds of N762.5 billion will be used to redeem the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB).

    She said: “At estimated current NTB rates of 15% (following mop-up operations by the CBN), the savings from the refinancing of N762.5 billion of Domestic Debt using external capital raising is about  N64 billion per annum.”

    On the impact of the use of the proceeds of the USD500 million issued in November 2017, she said “The proceeds about N162.50 billion were used to redeem NTBs which matured in December 2017.

    “The immediate impact was a significant drop in the Bid Rates at the Auctions of both NTBs and FGN Bonds. In December 2017 and January 2018:

    “NTBs dropped from about 16% to 13%. FGN Bonds dropped from about 16-16.50% to 13.50%

    “This translates to savings for Government on new borrowing while also making the cost of borrowing for the real sector cheaper since the sovereign rate serves as a benchmark for other borrowers.” she added.

    Mohammed, said the reinstatement of Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof. Usman Yusuf, would not stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from continuing with his ongoing probe.

    The information minister had admitted that he was not aware that EFCC was probing Yusuf.

    Yusuf, who was suspended by Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole on July 6, 2017 over allegations of fraud but was reinstated on Tuesday via a presidential directive.

    Mohammed said: “I am not aware that the EFCC is investigating the recently reinstated Executive Secretary of NHIS but if that is the case I don’t think his reinstatement is a bar to any investigation.”

    “The fact that he has been reinstated does not mean that the EFCC will not continue with its investigation, that is what I said.” he added

    Sirika said the Council approved the substitution of Messers Lufthansa consulting, a member of the consortium that will provide transaction advisory services for the establishment of Nigeria’s National carrier

    He said: “Council considered and approved that substitution with another company AMG (Airline Management Group) with Avia Solutions GE to join the other members of the consortium to continue providing that the same cost of N341,200 million.

    Dambazau said FEC approved the purchase of N483.21 million operational vehicles for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    He said “For the first category of procurement including five percent VAT is N14.490 million and second category which is 25 of them is N8.347 million. The total including painting in immigration colours N4.095 million, totaling N483.210 million.”

  • Ex-convict, four others held for ‘robbery’

    THREE persons, including an ex-convict, Lateef Adediran, have been arrested by the police for alleged robbery.

    Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) operatives from Onikan, Lagos, caught Adediran on January 28, around Ijoko-Otta, Ogun State, during an operation by his gang.

    The others are Emmanuel Abiola and Kayode Ogundipe, who were described  receivers of stolen goods.

    It was gathered that the police recovered two locally made pistols, a single barrel gun, 24 live cartridges and assorted charms from the suspects.

    According to the police, Adediran  took detectives to the gang’s hideout where Wasiu Adenusi (Babanla) and Ayo Nureni alias Gomes were arrested.

    Spokesperson of the Zone 11 Command, Onikan,  Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the suspects specialised in robbing residents of Lagos and Ogun.

    She said: “The suspects specialised in terrorising Abeokuta, Sango and Ijoko-Otta. The ZIS received a distress call that robbers were in action around Ijoko-Otta. The operatives moved swiftly into action and in the process, Adediran was arrested. In the course of investigation, it was discovered that he was an ex-convict’’.

    “He led detectives to the gang’s hideout and the others were arrested. The suspects confessed during investigation that they have been in the business for years. They said they have receivers who buy stolen goods from them after each operation.”

    Badmos said the AIG Adamu Ibrahim has directed that discreet investigation be carried out and suspects be charged to court upon conclusion.

     

  • Citi Group, Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC, others to handle $2.5b Ruroband

    Citi Group, Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC, others to handle $2.5b Ruroband

    Nigeria is set to take $2.5billion Eurobond to refinance external borrowing, following yesterday’s approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

    Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun broke the news at a post-FEC briefing in Abuja.

    Others at the briefing were Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika and Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu.

    Mrs. Adeosun said that the government had re-appointed a consortium of banks to handle the $2.5 billion Eurobond.

    The banks are: Citi Group, Standard Chartered, StanbicIBTC, Whitten-Case and African Practice.

    On the potential savings on the proposed USD2.5 billion refinancing, Mrs. Adeosun said the estimated proceeds of N762.5 billion will be used to redeem the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB).

    She said: “At estimated current NTB rates of 15% (following mop-up operations by the CBN), the savings from the refinancing of N762.5 billion of Domestic Debt using external capital raising is about  N64 billion per annum.”

    On the impact of the use of the proceeds of the USD500 million issued in November 2017, she said “The proceeds about N162.50 billion were used to redeem NTBs which matured in December 2017.

    “The immediate impact was a significant drop in the Bid Rates at the Auctions of both NTBs and FGN Bonds. In December 2017 and January 2018:

    “NTBs dropped from about 16% to 13%. FGN Bonds dropped from about 16-16.50% to 13.50%

    “This translates to savings for Government on new borrowing while also making the cost of borrowing for the real sector cheaper since the sovereign rate serves as a benchmark for other borrowers.” she added.

    Mohammed, said the reinstatement of Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof. Usman Yusuf, would not stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from continuing with his ongoing probe.

    The information minister had admitted that he was not aware that EFCC was probing Yusuf.

    Yusuf, who was suspended by Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole on July 6, 2017 over allegations of fraud but was reinstated on Tuesday via a presidential directive.

    Mohammed said: “I am not aware that the EFCC is investigating the recently reinstated Executive Secretary of NHIS but if that is the case I don’t think his reinstatement is a bar to any investigation.”

    “The fact that he has been reinstated does not mean that the EFCC will not continue with its investigation, that is what I said.” he added

    Sirika said the Council approved the substitution of Messers Lufthansa consulting, a member of the consortium that will provide transaction advisory services for the establishment of Nigeria’s National carrier

    He said: “Council considered and approved that substitution with another company AMG (Airline Management Group) with Avia Solutions GE to join the other members of the consortium to continue providing that the same cost of N341,200 million.

    Dambazau said FEC approved the purchase of N483.21 million operational vehicles for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    He said “For the first category of procurement including five percent VAT is N14.490 million and second category which is 25 of them is N8.347 million. The total including painting in immigration colours N4.095 million, totaling N483.210 million.”

  • Okiro, GOS, others honour Osiyemi at 68

    Friends, family and associates gathered yesterday in honour of the former Chairman Mushin Local Government, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, as he marked his 68th birthday.

    Osiyemi, who began the day with a thanksgiving service at Christ Apostolic Mission Church, Palmgrove, was full of praises to God for sustaining his life.

    Guests at the service included Chairman, Board of Commissioners of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mike Okiro, Senator Adefuye Odugbemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kehinde Bamigbetan, among others.

    Durojaiye, Osiyemi’s uncle, described him as “a good boy, hardworking, amiable, patriotic and reliable.”

    He urged him to continue working hard and keep on following God, adding that he did the best he could in politics despite all the challenges.

    Durojaiye added: “We all owe it a duty to keep Nigeria as one. In re-structuring, Nigeria must remain one because there is benefit in our size.”

    Okiro described Osiyemi as his good friend, “a trusted person and a respected politician”

    Adefuye said: “I nominated him to be the Chairman and I have never regretted it because he performed well and I am always happy when I see him because he is a good boy. He is outspoken and his yes is yes and his no is no’: that is a rear quality of a politician.”

    GOS said: “We have had a cordial relationship for over 40 years and he has always been himself. He knows what integrity is all about. He is a God-fearing man and he should keep serving God.”

    He urged youths to emulate some of Osiyemi’s attributes, including being humble, focused and living in peace with others.

    Bamigbetan said the celebrator when he was the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor managed the perception of the government.

    “He is a symbol of inspiration and a man we can all rely on,” he said.

    “The Church’s Parish Pastor, Pastor Daniel Adeeko, said the celebrator is committed to Gods work and always have a good attitude towards church.”

  • Alleged $1.6m theft: Trial of airline, others resumes tomorrow

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till tomorrow and Wednesday further proceedings in the trial of Emirates Airlines and six others.

    They were charged with conspiracy and stealing of four bags from a passenger Prince Chu Ikem Orji. One of the missing bags contained $1, 630,000million, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) said.

    Named in the 11-count charge are Emirates Airlines, Pathfinders International Limited, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Abayomi Adekambi Abiola, Isiaka Adedeji, Awonubi Abayomi, George Ipekhia and others at large.The prosecution said they conspired on December 19, 2007 at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja to commit a felony by stealing four bags tagged EK 428682, EK 428583, EK 650162, EK 650161.

    Prosecuting counsel Mike O’Osong said they collected the bags from Orji after promising that they would keep them intact for onward delivery to him at Guangzhou China, but failed to do so.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge which the police said contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act of 2004.

    On June 21, 2012, Emirates Airlines and six others filed motion to quash the charge on the ground that there was no prima facie (evident) case against them.

    Justice Mohammed Idris dismissed the application, following which they appealed. But, the Court of Appeal upheld Justice Idris’ refusal to quash the charge and dismissed the appeal.