The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UBAH

  • ‘Ubah never an APGA member’

    A Governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, was never a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), it was revealed yesterday.

    His campaign organisation debunked the claims that the aspirant had altercations with APGA Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh.

    The campaign’s spokesman, Jerry Obidike, said: “For the record, Ifeanyi Ubah was never a member of APGA, so, the issue of dumping APGA is neither here nor there.

    “It is true that Ubah had supported APGA financially or otherwise. This support arose out of his philanthropic spirit, which cuts across political affiliations.

    “He decided to leave the sinking ship and use the Labour Party (LP) to achieve his governorship ambition next year.

    “Ubah believes that his ambition would be better realised in a party with one spirit and a party that affiliates with the yearnings of the masses.”

     

  • Anambra 2014: Confusion as Ifeanyi Ubah dumps APGA for Labour

    Anambra 2014: Confusion as Ifeanyi Ubah dumps APGA for Labour

    •NLC, TUC deny adopting him as candidate

    •LP: He is just an aspirant

     

    There was confusion yesterday over the alleged adoption of business mogul, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra state.

    Ubah, the owner of Capital Oil and Gas Plc, met with officials of the LP in his country home to finalise his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    It was learnt Ubah requested to use the LP platform to actualise his governorship ambition, a demand, sources said, received a massive support at the meeting.

    It was also gathered Ubah might be declaring for the LP this weekend.

    A source at the meeting said: “His posters had no party tag and he has approached our party to be allowed to be the governorship candidate.

    “We accepted him and we met on the procedure to do the declaration first for Labour Party before any other thing follows.

    ‘’He dumped APGA for our party and we are watching how things will turn out because I know he has been automatically adopted as our candidate.”

    The state chairman of Labour Party, Chief Sam Oaregbunam, confirmed the party met with Ubah but denied he had been adopted as the party’s candidate.

    Ubah, he said, has to go through the party’s primary, first as stipulated in the Electoral Act under the supervision of INEC before being declared as the candidate.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Anambra State chapter also distanced itself from the purported adoption.

    Its chairman, Comrade Patrick Obianyo, said that organised labour has not endorsed Ubah or any other candidate.

    According to him: ’’We are not Labour Party that was speculated to have endorsed him. We are the organised labour and not the Labour Party.

    The state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Justin Okoye, maintained the body cannot sell its stand on none partisanship for anything.

    ‘’We are workers and there is no way we would be partisan but we must be involved in making sure that the right person emerges as the governor of Anambra State.

    “There is no candidate for now but if a good candidate emerges from the Labour Party, we would support the candidate to become governor of Anambra State.”

  • Ubah not qualified to judge Obi, says aide

    The Senior Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on Media and Publicity has called on Nigerians to ignore oil magnate Ifeanyi Ubah’s assessment of Obi’s performance.

    Valentine Obienyem said Ubah was not qualified to pass judgment on Obi.

    Obienyem said it was wrong for Ubah to consign Obi’s achievements to the pages of the newspapers.

    “Yesterday, for example, the governor inspected the on-going Iyiowa-Odekpe Road, Obodoukwu Road at Okpoko and three bridges on the Atani- Ozubulu Road.

    “These projects are there for everybody to see. If Ubah is sure of what he was saying, I challenge him to name one project Obi claimed he has done that he did not do,” Obienyem said.

    The aide said Ubah should tell the people what he would do for them, if elected.

    Obienyem asked: “Let us face it, which Ubah are we even talking about? Is it not the same man who is living at the mercy of injunctions that will not last forever?

    “ It is only in Nigeria that people like him, who should be hiding in shame, will open their mouth and speak unadulterated nonsense.”

     

  • Ubah could have been Ojukwu’s choice, says son

    Son of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Emeka Ojukwu (Jnr) yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said his late father would have supported the governorship ambition of business mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah.

    Ojukwu spoke when the Ifeanyi Ubah campaign team visited the Movement for the Actulisaion of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader Ralph Uwazuruike.

    He said the late Dim Odimegwu-Ojukwu would have endorsed Ubah to replace Obi, if he was alive.

    Ojukwu Jnr described Ubah as an industrious Igboman, who has championed the cause of Ndigbo in line with the dreams of his late father.

    “Seeing me in Ubah’s company goes to tell you that if Ikemba was alive he would have done the same.

    Uwazuruike said his interest was to champion the cause of Ndigbo and would support every Igbo man whose interest is to fight the Igbo cause.

    “I support every Igbo man who comes to me, Ifeanyi is my close friend but that does not mean I have endorsed him, my interest is for those who will fight for Ndigbo.

    “As a father I welcome everyone who comes to me, I advise all of them to allow peace reign in Igbo land and I am working to resolve the crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    “All the parties have been coming to me for reconciliation.”

     

  • Ubah to Obi: allow Anambra people decide

    Ubah to Obi: allow Anambra people decide

    CAPITAL Oil and Gas Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Anambra State governorship aspirant Ifeanyi Ubah has pleaded with Governor Peter Obi to allow him concentrate on his political ambition.

    Stating that he has nothing against Obi, Ubah wondered why all government arsenals were targeted at him.

    He urged Obi to allow the people choose their governor rather than direct the campaign of calumny against him.

    Ubah said: ‘’I am a progressive and a democrat and that is why all the campaign of calumny is against me.

    ‘’I hold no grudge against anybody and I expect goodwill in return not hatred and back- biting.

    ”Leadership is by choice and our people should be allowed to make that choice rather than force somebody down their throats.

    “I am ready to serve and I made it known when it was time but some would deny their ambition.’’

    Ubah, who spoke to The Nation in his Nnewi residence, pleaded with Obi to face the business of governance.

    His words: ‘’I have nothing against Governor Peter Obi and I am sure personally he has nothing against me.

    “He led his executive council to visit me in Lagos and throughout the period we did Kerosene Direct programme in which we distributed kerosene, we were together and  I never noticed any ill-feeling.

    ‘’I suspect people around him must be telling him lies for what they stand to gain.

    “Since I declared my governorship intention, the war raged on without me knowing my offences.

    “I have kept quiet and have not reacted to all the allegations against me but I am fed up. One day I will talk and people would be surprised.”

    On the visits of the traditional rulers, House of Assembly members, Ubah said: “All these things you hear are all politically motivated and designed to cow my ambition.

    “But I am not going to be distracted because I am prepared to offer myself for service, unless the people say no.”

    But Obi’s Special Assistant on Media Valentine Obienyem said Ubah is only after himself.

    He said: “Every day you read the papers, it is Ifeanyi Ubah and Victor Umeh talking about Peter Obi.

    “Ifeanyi Ubah says Obi is after him. Why, I ask? Is Obi a creditor? Where does Obi come in?

    “In the past, some people became popular by deceiving others to believe that government was after them. I can see the same thing at play.”

  • EFCC arrests Ifeanyi Ubah over alleged N43.291b fuel subsidy scam

    EFCC arrests Ifeanyi Ubah over alleged N43.291b fuel subsidy scam

    Three suspects to face trial for N1.4b fuel subsidy scam

     

    For seven hours yesterday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled the Chairman of Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, over alleged N43.291billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    He was still undergoing interrogation as of press time.

    Ubah was arrested by the operatives of the commission early yesterday.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “His company was implicated in the scandal by the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led 15-man presidential panel, which re-investigated the fuel subsidy bazaar.

    “We had earlier invited Ubah for interrogation but when he did not honour the invitation, we decided to arrest him.

    “If nothing is found against him or his company, we will set him free. But if he has a case to answer, we will charge him to court.”

    Ubah was still undergoing investigation as of 5.05pm.

    EFCC spokeman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed Ubah’s arrest. The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police had in October last year arrested Ubah on a similar allegation.

    Based on SFU’s application, a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, remanded the Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas in custody of Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos over the alleged scam. Also charged and remanded with Ubah were Head of Trading, Nsikan Usoro, 35, Depot Manager, Godfrey Okorie, 41, General Manager, Chibuzor Ogbuokiri, 48; and Orji Anayo, 46, Executive Director (Operations).

    The case later went to a Federal High Court where Ubah was cleared of indictment by the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee. The coast is now clear for the EFCC to arraign three suspects for alleged N1.4billion fuel subsidy scam.

    Justice Olusumbo Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi yesterday gave the EFCC the go-ahead to prosecute Helyn Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and Pon-Specialised Services Limited.

    Uwujaren said: “The judge struck out their (the accused persons’) application asking the court to decline granting the EFCC leave to arraign them for fraud, forgery and conspiracy to obtain the sum of N1.413,507,951.50 from the Federal Government of Nigeria by false pretence as subsidy under the Petroleum Support Fund.

    “Justice Goodluck, in her ruling, affirmed that at this stage, there is no requirement to consider facts before the court; what is needed is to determine if a prima facie case against the accused persons is established. “I am of the view that the proof of evidence suggests elements of forgery and obtaining by false pretences and I, therefore, overrule the objection of the accused persons and hereby grant leave to prosecution to prefer charge against them.”

    “The accused persons were said to have “on or about 3rd day of March, 2011 at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain money under false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Petroleum Support Fund”.

    “The offence, according to the charge sheet, is contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

    “They were to be arraigned on November 26, 2012 but this was scuttled as their counsel, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who challenged the application of the prosecution seeking the leave of the court to prefer charges against the accused persons.

    “He argued that the proof of evidence did not disclose any offence against the suspects and urged the court to refuse the application.

    “But, prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, told the court that the proof of evidence supports the 18-count charge.

    “The case has been adjourned to May 30, 2013 for arraignment and June 11 and 12, 2013 for trial.”

  • Court orders Access Bank to withdraw suit against Ubah

    Court orders Access Bank to withdraw suit against Ubah

    … And Capital Oil

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered Access Bank Plc to withdraw a suit it filed against Capital Oil and Gas Limited and its promoter, Ifeanyi Ubah in England.

    The court ordered the bank to discontinue the suit within 48 hours and exhibit a notice of discontinuance at the next hearing date.

    Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling, faulted the bank’s decision to secure an order from a London Court despite a subsisting order of his court barring Access bank and others from interfering with the properties and business interests of Capital Oil and Gas Limited pending the determination of a suit by Ubah and his company.

    The judge upheld argument by lawyer to Ubah, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) that, by heading for London over a dispute in relation to a transaction that took place in Nigeria, the bank has “ridiculed the Nigerian judiciary.”

    He restrained the bank from enforcing the order made by the London Court against the assets and business interests of Capital Oil.

    The judge held that Ubah was at liberty to apply to his court for leave to commence contempt proceedings against bank and its principal officers.

    He further held the Ubah and his company could sue for damages if they so wish.

    The ruling was on an application by Ubah and his company, challenging the propriety of a worldwide assets freezing order obtained by Access bank from the London court on November 9 last year, in relation to issues that formed the subject of the pending suit before the Nigerian court.

    Olanipekun had argued on Friday that the respondents in the suit before the Nigerian court -Access and Coscharis Motors Limited violated the earlier order of the court.

     

  • Court refuses Capital Oil boss, others’ bail application

    Court refuses Capital Oil boss, others’ bail application

    Detained Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah and four principal officers of his company on Monday suffered setback in their bid to regain freedom.

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos refused their ex-parte application in which they sought to be released by the police.

    Also detained are Nsikan Usoro (Head of Trading), Godfrey Okorie (Depot Manager), Chibuzor Ogbuokiri (General Manager, Operations) and Orji Joseph Anayo (Executive Director, Operations).

    They were arrested on October 9 by men of the Police’s Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding the country of N43.291billion in fuel subsidy fund.

    Last Thursday, a Magistrate’s Court at Tinubu, Lagos, presided over by Magistrate Martins Omowunmi, granted a request for remand, brought pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos by the police, and ordered that they be kept in police custody for 14 days.

    The police said they were being investigated for offences bordering on economic sabotage, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

    They are accused of defrauding the Federal Government of the said sum “by falsely pretending that the company had imported and sold 538, 74 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit during the 2011 fiscal year through 26 transactions.”

    On Monday, their lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN) argued the ex-parte application with which he sought their release pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging their continued detention.

    Listed as respondents in the application were – the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police, SFU and Francis Idu Alonyenu (a Chief Superintendent of Police).

    The application marked: FHC/C/CS/1203/2012 contained two prayers.

    The first was for an order directing the respondents to admit the applicants to bail or release them from detention pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The second was for an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further arresting and detaining the applicants in relation to the same fuel subsidy issue pending the determination of the substantive suit.

     

  • UBAH TO F/EAGLES BEAT AMAJITA GET N2.3M CASH

    UBAH TO F/EAGLES BEAT AMAJITA GET N2.3M CASH

    •Players to get N1.6m

    •MVP N313,000

    •Officials N470,000

    OIL tycoon Ifeanyi Ubah has promised the Flying Eagles an instant cash reward of $15,000 (about NN2.3m) if they qualify for next year’s AYC. The Nigeria U20s will today battle South Africa’s Amajita’s for the ticket to the 2013 AYC in Algeria. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg qualifier in Nelspruit a fortnight ago.

    “This is our country and we know the role of football in its unification. And so my foundation will give this cash to the Flying Eagles to ensure they qualify for the AYC,” said the chief executive of Capital Oil and Gas, who is also the Nigeria Youth Football Ambassador.

    “This is the Ambassador’s bonus and it is our own little way of supporting the team.” A further breakdown of the cash reward shows that the players will get $10,000, officials $3,000 while the Most Valuable Player will get $2,000.

    Ubah also disclosed that he will host the country’s team to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, the Flamingoes, who reached the last eight before they lost 5-3 on penalties to France on Thursday.

    It would be recalled that Ubah also shelled out N10 million along with electronic capsules to the Flying Eagles when they reached the last eight of the 2011 U-20 World Cup in Colombia.