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The EFCC has arrested a man for allegedly committing a N2.7 million fraud

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The EFCC has arrested a man for allegedly committing a N2.7 million fraud

EFCC arraigns Odobor Chukwunalu on a two-count charge for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2,700,000 under false pretence. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating alleged fraud in the banking sector.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office, arraigned Odobor Chukwunalu before Justice Okon.Abang of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

Read also: EFCC files a motion in the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, seeking the final forfeiture of N2.42 billion and $5.78 million linked to former First Lady Patience Jonathan

Chukwunalu was charged with two counts of collecting a sum of two million seven hundred thousand naira (N2,700,000) solely via deception.

“That you Odobor Chukwunalu on or about the 24th day of May, 2019 in Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N2,700,000 from Ese Oniovosa Festus, which was paid into account number: 6012022195 domiciled at Keystone Bank Plc operated by you with the false prete

When the charge was read to him, the defendant pled not guilty.

In light of the defendant’s plea, prosecution attorney Isa.K. Agwai requested a trial date from the court. However, the defendant’s counsel, Lawrence.Ayewa, pleaded with the court to give him bail, stating that the defendant has been on EFCC administrative bail.

Justice Abang set bail for the defendant at N4 million with one surety who must be a resident of the court’s jurisdiction and have a landed property with a Certificate of Occupancy.

Justice Abang ruled that the defendant be held in the prison of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the completion of the bail terms, and that the case be adjourned until July 29, 2021.

Just in: Jega receives new appointment from Buhari

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Just in: Jega receives new appointment from Buhari

Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been named Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Jos by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, said Buhari also confirmed the appointment and reassignment of Chancellors to 42 federal universities while speaking to press in Abuja on Thursday.
Prof Anthony Anwuka and Udoma Udo Udoma, both former ministers, were also named chairmen of governing bodies.

Udoma will chair the council of Bayero University in Kano, while Anwuka will chair the council of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun, Delta State.

Both Udoma and Anwuka were ministers during Buhari’s first term.

Prof Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo of the University of Abuja, Malam Adamu Fika of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Dr. Sonny Kuku of the University of Benin, Chief Ikechi Emenike of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Ballama Manu of the University of Maiduguri are the other Chairmen of Councils.

The President also approved the re-constitution of Governing Councils of 23 Federal universities and Inter-University Centres (IUCs) when their tenures expired on May 8, 2021, according to Adamu.

The Chancellors will be introduced to the University Community at an investiture ceremony to be held during the next convocation event, according to the minister.

The investiture will take place before the conferment of degrees at the convocation, he said.

Read also: The NBET Board will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the N7.68 billion budgetary allocation

“In respect to the university, the Chancellor shall have priority over all other members of the institution, and when he is present, shall preside at all convocation meetings held for conferring degrees,” he stated.

HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv (University of Benin), Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III. CON, JP. Ewi of Ado-Ekiti (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University), Bauchi, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III. CON, JP. Ewi of Ado- HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland, and HM Obi Ofala Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha (Ahmadu Bello University), Zaria (Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State).

HRM King W S Joshua Igbugburu X, Con, Ibenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, (Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State), HRM Professor Joseph Chike Edozien. CFR, Asagba of Asaba, (Federal University Gashua, Yobe), HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammed Idris, CON, Emir of Fika (Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State).

HRH Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, Emir of Gombe (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike), and HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1, Emir of Lafia (Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa), among others.

”I’m being attacked because I follow the law,” Onochie says in response to INEC’s nomination.

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”I’m being attacked because I follow the law,” Onochie says in response to INEC’s nomination.

Lauretta Onochie, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, said she is being harassed over her nomination as INEC national commissioner because she always follows the law.

Onochie stated this during her opening remarks at the Senate Committee on INEC’s screening of her as an INEC national commissioner nominee.

She stated she was not partisan and that she followed due process and followed the law in everything she did.

Read also: Nigeria Demands Full, Unconditional Return Of Looted Artefacts From Germany

” I’m not a partisan by nature. Not only from the PDP, but also from certain APC members, I’ve seen numerous petitions opposing my nomination.

“I’m not a believer in partisanship. No one should be concerned about my nomination as INEC commissioner for Delta.

”As far as I’m concerned, I follow due process and the law, which is why I’m being attacked,” she explained.

The Senate has been advised not to approve Lauretta Onochie as the commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Villagers flee as Boko Haram terrorists launch a new attack in Yobe.

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Villagers flee as Boko Haram terrorists launch a new attack in Yobe.

Suspected Boko Haram members opened fire on Katarko community in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, leading inhabitants to run to safety.

A middle-aged woman and her sister were also hurt by the militants.

The attackers reportedly stormed the village in the early hours of Thursday, but were repelled by forces from Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai, who had been dispatched to the area.

Katarko, 18 kilometers south of Damaturu, the state capital, has been attacked at least 15 times.

The hamlet was last assaulted on March 16, 2021, when rebels set fire to a primary school and a healthcare center.

In northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram and its spinoff, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and uprooted millions.

The Nigerian military has consistently stated that the insurgency has been mostly vanquished, and any losses are frequently downplayed.

Read also: President Muhammadu Buhari Decorates Army Chief With New Rank of Lieutenant General

Insurgents have begun targeting soldiers in recent months, waiting in ambush for them.

Since January 2021, hundreds of soldiers and officers have reportedly been killed.

Two explosive-laden cars plowed into a military convoy in Wulgo, killing at least 33 soldiers.

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Bana Jundullah were identified as the suicide bombers. Four military vehicles, according to the organization, were also destroyed.

The rebels also killed roughly 20 soldiers in Malari, Borno State, in February.

Following solid intelligence, the soldiers went on patrol to remove some Boko Haram fighters in the area when they were ambushed by the gang.

The court releases Ojerinde, a former JAMB registrar, on bail for N200m.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has released bail to Adedibu Ojerinde, former registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), for $200,000.

Ojerinde was arraigned on Tuesday on an 18-count charge of misappropriation of funds to the tune of N900 million.

The commission alleged that the former registrar committed numerous frauds while heading JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).

The case was adjourned until July 8 after Ojerinde pleaded not guilty.

The defendant’s attorney, Peter Olorunnishola, sought bail in light of the constitution and section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Ebenezer Shogunle, however, pleaded that bail be denied.

He claims that the defendant breached the ICPC bail terms, according to him.

The defendant decided to avoid his family members for questioning, as stated in his bail conditions.

While other people were being questioned, Ojerinde also insisted on accepting a plea bargain to stall the investigation.

He also stated that the defendant may hinder the investigation and scare witnesses.

However, the judge found that they were not conditions for bail.

The judge said that there was no evidence that the defendant jumped administrative bail or would intimidate witnesses.

Read Also:  House of Representatives aspirant Congratulates Okowa on his 62nd birthday

The applicant’s request for bail was granted in the sum of N200 million and two sureties of equal value.

The sureties must be a Nigerian resident and must provide evidence of tax payment for three years.

One of the surety pledges will be a professor in a federal university, with documentary evidence proving their professorship.”

a property owner in the FCT of Abuja, second surety The certificate of occupancy must be deposited with the registrar of this court.

“Suitors’ residences will be verified, with pictures that display the street name and number being exhibited.”

The court also ordered that the defendant’s international passport be returned to the registrar of the federal high court, where he is also standing trial.

The NBET Board will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the N7.68 billion budgetary allocation

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The NBET Board will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the N7.68 billion budgetary allocation

The board of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc is expected to meet this Friday (tomorrow) to discuss the company’s N7.68 billion budgetary allocations in the 2021 budget, which an insider described as “strange.”

According to an insider, the emergency board meeting was called as a result of a media report alleging that ‘’the company was being used as a conduit to siphon public funds,” especially after it was discovered that NBET Plc was allocated N7.68 billion in the 2021 budget – for projects outside its mandates.

It was alleged that its 2021 budget included N630 million for the purchase of transformers; a budget for “electrifying communities across the country” — a project that should have been handled by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which is in charge of electrifying rural and unserved communities.

The NBET allegedly proposed in the same budget to provide 500KVA transformers for Uwan and selected communities in various states for N150 million; supply and installation of transformers in selected areas of Gombe North senatorial district for N100 million; and N50 million for provision of 500KVA/11 and 300KVA/11 at various locations in Dawakintofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Kano.

Other items allegedly approved for execution in the 2021 budget by NBET include electrification of Nasarawa Toto in the North Central zone for N30 million and electrification of Gudus, Nyalun, Kunkyam, Yuli, and other selected communities in Plateau State for N300 million.

Despite the fact that these projects fell outside the purview of NBET, the company was said to have asked the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve the contract awards.

However, one of the board members told THISDAY that some of them learned about the issues from an online newspaper report and wondered how those items got into the budget of a company whose sole mission is to buy power from generating companies (GenCos) and sell it to distribution companies (DisCos).

I’m not sure why people fail to learn from history. Recently, the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), an anti-corruption agency, went after MDAs that allocated funds for purposes outside of their mandates.

“It was widely publicized. I would have thought that the fear of the ICPC would have served as a deterrent to the NBET’s top management staff not to consider this alleged enticement from the National Assembly,” the source said.

The board member questioned how NBET intended to ‘’scoop out the monies” from the company and begin electrifying communities and purchasing transformers while operating outside of its mandate.

“This kind of scandal has never occurred before. Some members of the National Assembly will always go after MDA chief executives they believe are not doing their jobs properly”

And I’m not sure how this could have happened given that the Hon Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning is the Chairman of the Board of NBET; the Director-General (DG), Budget, is a board member; and the Director-General, Debt Management Office is also on the Board of NBET. As Vice Chairman of NBET, we also have the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“I also wonder how NBET will electrify communities across the country if that is not part of its mandate.” Maybe there’s something I don’t know about. So I’m not sure if the NBET’s role has evolved to the point where it now performs some aspects of the REA’s role.”

Given that NBET’s license is up for renewal, the board member suggested that NERC modify NBET’s license to allow it to begin purchasing and distributing transformers as well as electrifying communities.

Nigeria Demands Full, Unconditional Return Of Looted Artefacts From Germany

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Nigeria Demands Full, Unconditional Return Of Looted Artefacts From Germany

The Federal Government has demanded a full and unconditional return of the 1,130 Benin Bronzes that were looted from the African nation in the 19th century and domiciled in German museums.

In a statement, Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, stated that Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, made the demand in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, during separate meetings with the German Minister of State for Culture, Prof. Monika Grutters, and the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas.

Reacting to comments by Prof. Grutters that Germany was ready to make a ‘substantial return’ of the 1,130 looted artefacts, Alhaji Mohammed, who led the Nigerian delegation to the talks, said the return should be whole rather than substantial.

He also said the issue of provenance, which has to do with the place of origin of the artefacts, should not be allowed to unduly delay the repatriation of the artworks, adding: ”That they are known as Benin Bronzes is already a confirmation of their source of origin (which is
Benin).”

Later, at a meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mohammed said there should be ”absolutely no conditions attached” to the return of the artefacts, which he described as an idea whose time has come.

Saying there was the need for the parties to commit to definite timelines for the return of the Benin Bronzes, the Minister of Information and Culture said it was necessary to conclude all necessary negotiations in a very short term.

He said the ongoing discussion between Nigeria and Germany on the return of the artworks is not just the end of an era but the beginning of a new vista of stronger relations, pivoted by cultural
diplomacy, between both countries.

Alhaji Mohammed thanked the Government of Germany for taking the lead in the global efforts to repatriate all artefacts that were looted from Nigeria and indeed from the African continent

President Muhammadu Buhari Decorates Army Chief With New Rank of Lieutenant General

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President Muhammadu Buhari Decorates Army Chief With New Rank of Lieutenant General

President Muhammadu Buhari today Wednesday 7 July 2021 elevated and decorated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya with his new badge of rank of Lieutenant General. This is coming after the National Assembly screened and confirmed the COAS in line with the constitutional provisions.

Speaking shortly after his decoration, the COAS expressed his appreciation to the President for appointing him to serve and command the Nigerian Army as the 22nd COAS. He pledged to discharge his duties professionally and diligently with utmost respect for the fundamental rights of the citizenry. Lieutenant General Yahaya also assured the President of his loyalty to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Present at the event were  the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Wife of the COAS, Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, and other senior government officials.

The COAS, on arrival at the Army Headquarters, after his decoration, was received by Principal Staff Officers, who felicitated with him on his well deserved decoration. They also presented him with a customized congratulatory card for his elevation to the enviable rank of Lieutenant General. This ceremony took place after he had inspected a regimental  Special Quarter Guard mounted in his honour; a cherished military  tradition that is symbolic to signpost the significance of his arrival in Army Headquarters for the first time in Lieutenant General rank  since he assumed command on 28 May 21.

Buhari govt spends N1.5bn monthly on school feeding in Kano – Ganduje

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Buhari govt spends N1.5bn monthly on school feeding in Kano – Ganduje

Kano State Govenor Abdullahi Ganduje says President Muhammadu Buhari administration spends N1.5billion monthly on school feeding in the State.

Ganduje gave the figure on Tuesday when he hosted the technical committee on the National Home Grown School Feeding programme (NHGSF).

He stated that Kano has the highest number of population in Nigeria and also the highest number of public schools.

Ganduje said his administration operates free and compulsory education system, while Almajiri education has been integrated.

Jigawa monarch raises alarm over quality of FG school feeding program

The Kano helmsman, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, said these resulted in higher pupil enrollment.

“When education is made free and compulsory, the number of pupils will definitely increase, even if you cannot afford it because it is compulsory”, he noted.

Commissioner of Education, Muhammad Sanusi-Kiru, said Kano has 1.2 million pupils covered in the school feeding programme.

He called for validation of data of the beneficiaries to 2 million due to increased enrollment.

Sanusi-Kiru added that there are 12,258 food vendors benefitting from the NHGSF.

The commissioner said each cook receives N82,000 every 16 days to prepare food for the pupils in primary one to three.

I was aid N50,000 to deliver 173 parcels of hemp to Daura — Suspect

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I was aid N50,000 to deliver 173 parcels of hemp to Daura — Suspect

A 50-year-old Mr. Sunday Isaac, who was arrested while trying to deliver 173 parcels of Indian hemp from Zaria in Kaduna to Daura in Katsina has said he was promised N50,000 for the delivery job.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after being paraded by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), he said the money would be given to him after delivering the message.

It was reports that Isaac was arrested alongside one Hamisu Salisu, the bus conductor, while the bus driver is still on the run.

Parading the suspects, the NSCDC spokesman in Katsina State, DSC Mohammed Tukur, disclosed this while handing over the suspects and the exhibit to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to him, “the arrest followed a tip-off the Katsina State Command received and immediately swung into action and was able to arrest the suspects and the exhibit on July 6, 2021 around 7:30pm.

“The exhibit was conveyed all the way from Lagos State in a trailer carrying fish, belonging to a fish dealer in Katsina.”

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