Television Nigerian

Prof. Dibu Ojeriende, a former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), reportedly misappropriated N341.9 million from the National Examination Council (NECO) to set up a personal printing press, school, and structures, according to the High Court of Niger State in Minna.

Dr. Jimoh Olatunde, a prosecution witness, testified before the trial judge, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, in the ongoing trial of Ojerinde, that N216, 297.443 was deceitfully withdrawn from NECO account for payments for 17 fictitious printing contracts, which was in reality used to establish the printing press.

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In a 10-count accusation of official corruption and abuse of authority brought against Ojerinde by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Olatunde is the first witness to appear before Justice Mikailu (ICPC).
The witness, who is a former Department Director and Head of Treasury at NECO, said in a statement signed by ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, “We follow due process for the award of contracts strictly on paper but I am confirming to this court that I know what went on underneath despite perfection of all the documents and processes.”

“For example, most printing contracts were awarded to these 17 companies owned by a friend of Prof. Dibu Ojeri­nde between 2004 and 2005. In NECO, he was in control of all printing supplies.

“When he wanted to set up a printing press for Prof Dibu Ojeriende, he submitted a handwritten bill for N246, 914, 890, and I was told to pay 87.6%, or N216, 297.443, alone.” Through the award of phony contracts to the 17 companies, we perfected all of the documentation.”

The witness testified about the several properties he obtained in Minna for Ojerinde using various fronts, including one Alhaji Muri Lamidi and a fictitious address in Kontagora, Niger State, while being led in evidence by counsel to the ICPC, Ebenezer Shogunle.

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The witness also listed before the court a multi-story building known as ‘TejumolaHouse’ in Ojodu, Lagos, which was purchased from Intercontinental Bank for N27 million in 2003 in the name of Doyin OgbohiIndustries Ltd, and Sapati International School in Ilorin, Kwara State, which was built at an initial contract sum of N98.6 million.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been accused by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike of taking convention delegates for granted.

The Governor made the statement in response to Atiku’s recent statements that he will always win the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket.

Atiku made the remarks after paying a visit to his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday.

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“Have I ever failed to get the ticket?” Atiku said when asked if he was sure about securing the party’s ticket. I am optimistic that I will be able to obtain the ticket.”

“I didn’t anticipate him, frankly speaking, to state that he will always take the party’s ticket,” Gov. Wike said on Sunday in response to the remarks. That is taking the delegates for granted and going too far.

“People should keep an eye on things because the PDP convention will be shocking.” People should keep an eye on what is going on. People have a tendency to undervalue a large number of people, which is not helpful in politics.”

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The Governor also stated that his party will follow the Independent National Electoral Commission’s new agenda.

President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken out against the mistreatment of Nigerians and Africans on the Ukraine-Poland border.

A video circulating on social media showed Africans being pushed to the back of the line and barred from boarding the train from Ukraine to Poland.

Some Nigerian students were compelled to give up their seats for Ukrainian citizens, including a lady with her newborn.

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), the President emphasized that in the face of conflict, everyone, regardless of nationality, should be treated equally.

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Condemning their acts, Buhari stated that Africans, including Nigerians, have the same right to safe passage under the UN Convention, regardless of the color of their passport or skin.

“While efforts to initiate discussions between Russia and Ukraine are underway, the safety and human rights of approximately 4,000 Nigerian citizens and many more from friendly African nations currently stuck in Ukraine are paramount on our thoughts,” the statement said.

“There is a lengthy tradition of Nigerians and other Africans learning in Ukraine, particularly medical, stretching back decades.” The bulk of Nigerian residents are currently enrolled as university students.

“There have been terrible allegations of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to let Nigerians to board buses and trains headed towards the Ukraine-Poland border, based on video footage, first-hand testimonies, and those in communication with their wards or Nigerian diplomatic authorities.”

“A Nigerian lady with her young child was videotaped being violently pushed to give up her seat to another person in a widely circulated video on social media.

“There have also been allegations of Polish officials just rejecting Nigerian citizens from Ukraine admission into Poland.”

“After being denied entry to Poland several times, a group of Nigerian students has concluded that they have no choice except to travel via Ukraine and attempt to depart the country via the Hungary border.”

“However, it is critical that everyone is treated with dignity and without prejudice.”

“Under the UN Convention, everyone fleeing a war situation has the same right to safe passage, regardless of the color of their passport or their complexion.”

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The President prayed for people affected by the crisis and backed every diplomatic effort to settle the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world’s largest airplane, the Antonov AN-225, was destroyed.

The massive aircraft, dubbed “Mriya,” or “dream” in Ukrainian, was parked at an airfield near Kyiv when it was struck by Russian forces, according to CNN.

Authorities in Ukraine have stated that the plane will be rebuilt and that they would continue to defend their country.

“Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya,’ but they will never be able to destroy our goal of a powerful, free, and democratic European State,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. We’re going to win!”

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The Antonov Company claimed in a tweet that it couldn’t confirm the plane’s “technical condition” until it was evaluated by experts.

Ukroboronprom, the Ukrainian state military organization that manages Antonov, acknowledged in a statement on Sunday that the aircraft had been damaged but would be rebuilt at Russia’s expense.

“It is expected that the restoration of Mriya will cost over 3 billion dollars and take more than five years,” according to the statement.

“Our mission is to guarantee that these expenditures are covered by the Russian Federation, which has intentionally harmed Ukraine’s aviation and air cargo sectors,” the statement stated.

One of the engines was dismantled for repairs, according to Antonov Airlines’ director, and the plane in Khiv was unable to take off that day, despite the required directives being delivered.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest plane was in considerable demand as a transport plane.

Nkoyo Toyo, Nigeria’s former ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, has urged Nigerian political parties to focus more on the electorate in order to enhance turnout in next year’s general election.

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The stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party and 2023 governorship candidate in Cross River State addressed following the state’s bye-election results on Saturday.

The former member of the House of Representatives was reacting to poor voter turnout in bye-elections in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency, where the ruling APC and the opposition PDP divided seats with slender victory on both sides.

The election results, according to Ambassador Toyo, are a reflection of the progress of politics in the state.

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Toyo also voiced confidence in the outcome of yesterday’s bye-elections in the state’s northern and southern districts.

Parties, she added, should educate political stakeholders on the work required to win in 2023.