Alleged N322m Fraud: Court Adjourns Nwaoboshi’s Trial

A Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State Monday, adjourned to May 28, further hearing in the trial of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, representing Delta North, Delta State.

Nwaoboshi was re-arraigned on Friday, October 5, 2018, alongside two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suinming Electrical Limited, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N322million.

EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade made this known through a statement in Abuja.

Orilade said one of the charges reads: “That you, Peter Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited, between May and June, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did acquire a property described as Guinea House, Marina Road, Apapa, Lagos, for the sum of N805million, when you reasonably ought to have known that the sum of N322 million out of the purchase price transferred to the vendors by order of Suinming Electricals Limited formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011(as amended) and punishable under Section (15)(3) of the same Act.”

At the resumed hearing today before Justice C. J. Aneke, the prosecution counsel, Wale Ogunde, SAN, informed the court that he received a notice from the defence counsel on March 26, that it would not be convenient for the first defendant to be present in court during the proceedings scheduled for today and May 7.

“In view of this notice, I told my witness, who works in a bank, that the case would not go on today. I also assured him that I would convey the next adjourned date to him.

“Up until I sighted both the defence counsel and the defendant in court today, I had not received any counter-notice that the defendant would be present in court today”.

EFCC Confirms Saraki Probe to Cover 16 Years

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday said its probe of Senate President, Bukola Saraki will cover his activities from 2003.

The agency also denied that the investigation started after Saraki was appointed Ambassador-at-large of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

Tony Orilade, EFCC spokesman, urged the public to disregard the “false connection” which the report sought to establish between Saraki’s ambassadorial appointment and the probe into his earnings when he was a state governor.

A statement he signed read: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a publication and wishes to correct the deliberate falsehood and misinformation it served the general public”

“For the avoidance of doubt, investigation into the Senate President’s activities while he held sway as the governor of Kwara State started long before his nomination and emergence as IHRC ambassador.

“In fact, the Commission’s letter to the Kwara State Government House which sought an inquest into Saraki’s earnings as the state governor, from 2003 to 2011 was dated Friday, April 26, 2019, predating his announcement as IHRC ambassador at large which came on Sunday, April 28, 2019, with two clear days.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard the false connect the writer sought to establish between Saraki’s IHRC ambassadorial appointment and our inquiries into his earnings as a state governor.

“We wish to restate our resolve to resist distractions from any quarter in our efforts to rid the country of corruption and corrupt elements.”

Nigerian Army Bans ‘Okada’ in 7 States

The Nigerian Army on Sunday announced ban on the use of motorcycles in the North West region.

It said the ban under exercise HARBIN KUNAMA which seeks to wipe out banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the zone, affects Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kastina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger states.

The Army said it would not tolerate the use of motorcycles within the hinterland, particularly around the forests where the armed bandits and kidnappers hibernate.

It called on the government of the affected states to enforce the order in their respective states in conjunction with the security agencies.

Acting spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement said: “The Nigerian Army over time has observed the use of motorcycles by armed bandits, kidnappers, criminal elements and their collaborators as enablers to perpetrate their heinous crimes especially in the states within the north-west geopolitical zone of the country.

“This informed the decision and directive to ban the use of motorcycles within the hinterland particularly around the forests where the armed bandits, criminals and kidnappers hibernate and all around where troops are conducting operations alongside other security agencies.

“While this may cause some inconveniences to some law-abiding citizens in the area, the need to use all means possible to stop the dastardly activities of these bandits across the North West part of Nigeria needs no emphasis.

“The general public, particularly in the North West and some parts of North Central in Nigeria where Exercise HARBIN KUNAMA is ongoing are enjoined to bear with the NA as concerted efforts are being made to combat the insecurity menace ongoing within the area

Ngige Playing Ethnic Card – Labour Reports Minister to Buhari

Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Monday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, to order.

The NUP accused the minister of attempting to split the body by playing the ethnic card.

The Labour union alleged that Ngige was sponsoring people from his tribe to cause confusion.

NUP’s position followed the emergence of another pensioners’ body – Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPAN), which recently asked the Ministry of Labour for registration.

Reacting, NUP General Secretary Elder Actor Zal, in a statement said: “Our attention has once again been drawn to the renewed efforts by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to illegally regroup, despite the pensioners’ resolve to remain in one indivisible union.

“To achieve this ignoble objectives, Dr. Ngige deliberately went shopping for few disgruntled elements within the union from his tribe, organised them and sponsored them with government money, including PHCN superannuation fund to the tune of N407 million recently collected by the self-appointed interim president of the minister’s pensioners’ association.

“We want to alert the general public that the effort of the minister is self-serving and is not in the best interest of the country. Furthermore, what the minister is about to do is not only contrary to existing labour laws, it will (also) amount to proliferation of industrial unions.

“This is what the labour law is actually guiding against. Section 3(2) of the Trade Union Act clearly settles this matter when it says “no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place where there already exists a trade union."

President Buhari Gives Appointment to Ex-Minister Accused of Corruption

President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the appointment of former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama-Yusuf, as member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC.

Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Jigawa State, Auwal Sankara, confirmed the appointment and revealed that Maitama-Yusuf was nominated by Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Governor of the state.

He wrote on Facebook, “In recognition of his hard work, resilience and steadfastness in the progress of APC and development of Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, the Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has facilitated the appointment of Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).”

Maitama-Yusuf’s appointment letter read: “Pursuant to section 5 of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act cap. N129, LFN2004, and all powers enabling the Honourable Minister of Transportation in that behalf, and consequent upon your nomination by the governor of Jigawa State, I am pleased to inform you of your appointment by the Honourable Minister, as a member of the Directors of Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“Your tenure of appointment shall commence on the date of inauguration of the board and shall subsist at the pleasure of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 8 of the above-referenced Act.”

Rema - Why

Mavin Records new artiste and the next big act in the Nigeria music industry Rema comes through with another banger tagged “Why“.

Rema has been trending after his introduction by Mavin’s Boss, Don Jazzy in which he dropped a 4 track EP. His hit song ‘Dumebi‘ has been buzzing heavily on speakers and DJ’s playlists. This music is just too dope! 

Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD MUSE!!! 

Lit Vybez ft Zlatan Ibile - Dey Ur Dey

Hightunes Records artist ‘Lit Vybez’, comes through with a new single titled ‘Dey Ur Dey’ which he features “Leg Work” master Zlatan.

The song “Dey Ur Dey” is a good one and it’s Off his recently released E.P titled ‘ Fire Vybez’.

Production credits goes to Zanku Hit Maker,

Rexxie - The hot producer! 

Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD SONG!!! 

Ice Prince ft DJ Tunez - Hello Esther

Super Cool Cats Boss, Ice Prince Zamani collaborates with Starboy official disc jockey, DJ Tunez this new single they titled “ Hello Esther “.

Shortly after the successful release of his record and visual to “Feel Good” featuring Phyno and Falz.

Finally, Ice Prince unravel the enigma behind the name Esther. It is a feel good track for your listening pleasure - a very dope song!!! 

Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD NOW

Shatta Wale - Changer

Leader of the Shatta Movement, Shatta Wale comes through yet again with another new song titled ‘ Changer ’ produced by Paq .

The self-proclaimed King of African Dancehall released the song after back-to-back releases since the turn of the year. A very dope song!!! 

Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD MP3

Yemi Alade ft Rick Ross - Oh My Gosh (Remix)

Effyzzie Music Group superstar African diva, Yemi Alade serves us with the remix of her hit song titled “Oh My Gosh” featuring American rapper, Rick Ross.

The remix comes a few days after the release of the official music video for “Oh My Gosh”. With production credits Coming from DJ Coublon.

Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD MP3

Oladips ft Mayorkun - Places

LRR Entertainment Rapper, Oladips dishes out a new melodious single dubbed “ Places”.

The new single features DMW Act, Mayorkun (TMOL) to return a melodious and an awesome tune!

Production credits goes to Amazing Sleek........Download, Listen and Enjoy!!! 

DOWNLOAD MP3

Anambra Assembly Makes Genotype Test Compulsory Before Marriage

In the bid to reduce the number of sickle cell patients in the state, the Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a bill that makes genotype test compulsory before marriage.

The new law also seeks to reduce abuse, stigmatisation and exploitation victims of sickle cell anaemia go through in the state.

According to the law, no religious body or marriage registry "shall perform solemnisation of Holy Matrimony", without presentation of a sickle cell disease prevention certificate from the intending couple.

"Anybody who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N200,000 or imprisonment to a term of three years or both," the law states.

Speaking after the passage of the bill, Ezeani said that love is blind but the new law would ensure that lives are saved, and unnecessary death prevented.

Tinubu-Ojo: I Can Choose Anybody to Head Computer Village Market

The leader of traders in Lagos and the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has said that some traders in the Computer village market who protested against the appointment of Iyaloja and Babaloja in the market on Tuesday were ill-informed.

Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, Tinubu-Ojo, said all the markets in the state were under her control and the computer village market cannot be an exception.

According to our constitution, I can choose anybody from any local government in the state to head the market, all the iyaloja and babaloja in all the Lagos markets are my representatives in the market where they operate.

"They cannot tell us they are not pepper sellers, everybody cannot be textile dealers; they can't tell us that computer village will be exonerated (sic) from other markets."

They don't have the initiative that the person leading the protest has finished his tenure and wants to remain in power... "Computer village is not just an ICT hub, there are a lot of commodities being sold there; nobody can say it is wrong to select a babaloja and iyaloja for the market."

Atiku: Buhari Can Order Army to Produce his Certificates if They Existn

     

In a joint petition filed on March 18, the former Vice-President and his party urged the tribunal to declare them the authentic winner of the February 23 presidential election, insisting Buhari did not possess the educational qualifications he claimed to have in his INEC Form CF001.

They said in the reply filed on April 15 by their legal team, led by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), that having not been able to attach his academic certificates to INEC Form CF001, Buhari had falsely claimed that his certificates were in the custody of the Nigerian Army.

The joint reply filed by Atiku and the PDP read in part, "In further response to paragraph 381(iv) of the 2nd respondent's reply, aver that the petitioners have no knowledge of any certificates or alleged qualifications issued to the 2nd respondent (Buhari), but contend that 2nd respondent falsely represented that his certificates are in the custody of the Nigerian Army when the 2nd respondent by his own admission is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The petitioners also stated that "the purported training and courses", which Buhari claimed placed him "head and shoulders above" Atiku regarding educational qualifications to contest the presidential election, "did not culminate in the issuance of any certificates he claimed in his INEC Form CF001".

They stated, "In reply to paragraph 383 of the 2nd respondent's reply, the petitioners aver that the 1st petitioner (Atiku) is eminently qualified to contest election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and had indeed attached evidence of his educational qualifications to his INEC Form CF001 submitted to the 1st respondent, unlike the 2nd respondent (Buhari) who did not attach evidence of the qualifications he claimed in his INEC Form CF001 because he does not possess them as he falsely claimed."

Messi to Receive Prestigious Catalan Award

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is set receive Catalonia's highest distinctions, the Creu de Sant Jordi.

The award was created in 1981 by the Catalan government to recognise individuals who have successfully contributed to the identity of the region.

Lionel Messi is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, amassing five Ballon d'Or trophies and enjoying spectacular success at Barca since making his debut in 2004.

He has won 34 major honours as a Barca player – more than any other player in the club's history – and is its all-time record goalscorer with 598 goals across all competitions.

Nigeria Election: INEC Reveals What Will Happen to Electoral Offenders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday called for decisive actions against electoral offenders in the country.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Stakeholders’ Forum on Future of Elections in Nigeria, organised by a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in Abuja.

Yakubu, who was represented by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission was in full support of the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission to punish offenders.

“It is time to take decisive action to break the cycle of impunity through the promulgation of an Electoral Offences Commission/Tribunal to handle matters relating to electoral offences.

“The commission has made it clear that it lacks the capacity and wherewithal to continue the prosecution of electoral offenders.

“And it is for this reason that the commission supports and will continue to support the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission/Tribunal to process, arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders,’’ he said.

Yakubu said that INEC was set to design strategies to checkmate the act of vote buying and selling.

Senate Directs Minister, Agency to Return Alleged Diverted N14.3billion

 

The Senate has directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah and acting Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Engineer Terhemba Nongo to return alleged diverted N14.3 billion from 2017 NEPZA budget into the National treasury.

The upper legislative chamber in a letter written to that effect by Chairman of its Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Mohammed Nakudu Sabo (APC Jigawa South West), warned the Minister and NEPZA boss to either comply with the directive or be ready to face serious legislative action against them.

The dissatisfaction of the committee as explained by Senator Sabo in Abuja Monday was as a result of the alleged fraudulent way the diverted N14.3billion was hurriedly transfered from NEPZA account into a private company called Nigerian Special Economic Zone Company Account between April 8, to10 with disregard to earlier warnings.

The alleged diverted fund, according to the Chairman, was first warehoused in NEPZA account with the CBN from 2017 budget allocations before it was moved into the private company account about two weeks ago.

“To prevent this fraud, my committee wrote a letter to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the 8th of this month not to release the money but very annoyingly, the money is confirmed to have been released and transfered by NEPZA in collaboration with the Minister into a private company account.

“This is unacceptable and will not be condoned, hence the need for the money to be returned into national treasury,” he said.

Gunmen Kidnap UBEC Chairman, Daughter; Kill Driver on Kaduna-Abuja Highway

 

Armed men have reportedly blocked the Kaduna-Abuja highway, opened fire on some vehicles and abducted two people.

NAN reports that the attack was said to have occurred at about 3 pm around Katari village on Monday and resulted to the death of one person.

Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, said the attackers kidnapped the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Muhammad Abubakar and his daughter while his driver was shot dead.

Sabo, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna, said two victims of the attack were rescued.

“Today April 29, we received information through DPO Katari that at about 1530hrs, he got a distress call that armed men in military uniform intercepted a Land Cruiser SUV with Reg. No 07E o4 FG and Toyota Sienna with Reg. No SLJ 465 TN at Kurmin Kare Village along Kaduna -Abuja Expressway, opened fire on the vehicles and in the process the driver of the SUV was shot dead.

“While the occupants, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, who is the Chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and his daughter were kidnapped.

“The occupants of the Sienna; one Alowonle Olalere and Onuka Victor both of Ibadan, Oyo State were injured and rescued to Katari Police Station.”

Teni is my sugar Mummy and I'm planning to get her pregnant soon - SEPH voiced out in an interview

Artiste TENi is my SugarMummy i am planning to get her Pregnant Soon

In an interview with VibezTV, Fast rising act; SEPH also known as Global Boy speaks on said:- “am seriously Crushing on Teni, I want to impregnate her because am sure she can’t cheat”.

💯SEPH Global boy is one of the next rated artist in Nigeria at the moment who has a couple of hit singles to his name, his latest hit single SEVEN DAYS featuring Nigerian veteran actor Jide Kosoko currently gaining airplay home and abroad, So we decided to have an interview to know what more he has in stock for the industry, plans & upcoming projects and so on. Enjoy it 👇

❓SEPH Global boy thank you for coming through

What Does the name SEPH implies ?

▪Strength to Entertain People’s Heart

❓where do u base?

▪I am a surulere base Afro dancehall music act

❓Apart from Music what other things do you do?

▪i just finished with studies so for now am placing more focus on my career but soonest i will be diverting into business, like i have passion for real estate, importation & exportation and so on.

❓What’s ur relationship status?

▪i am currently single and seriously searching😁

❓Searching? Do you mean there is no serious woman👩🏽 in your life right now?

▪No, most definitely i have wonderful people in my life both male & female but basically to me for as long as anyone hasn’t been join in holy matrimony then i consider myself as being single.

❓ Who inspires you in the industry and why?

▪Definitely wizkid, wizzy is a very talented & hard working act that has done so well not just for himself but the entire Africa music🎵 industry putting our sound on the world map🗺, i think such lifestyle & great achievement is worth emulating.

❓In a saturated music environment in Nigeria, what makes you unique?

▪Truly I would agree with you that the industry is saturated, everybody is unique in their ways, my plan is to bring back the good old days where you can enjoy good music not just by the beat and sound but my well structured lyrics where everybody can vibe along with, you will agree with me that most of the content nowadays are not quality interms of lyrics, rythms, messages, etc. Which is why am setting new pace for informative, educative & entertaining sound that could bless both the body, spirit & souls of my listeners.

❓Like we know you’re already in the industry weather doing great stuffs, some artist get into the industry and months later we don’t hear about them again, what measure are you putting in place to continue being in the industry knowing fully well that there are lots of competition?

❓what record label are you in presently

▪ i am a freelance artiste right now, am currently seeking a reputable Record label or management to work with

❓What are your plans and projects?

▪i am working on so many serious project right now, been recording some massive sounds also am working on collaborations with some of my senior colleagues and the plan is to alongside Wizzy dominate the world…

would be dropping my EP (Extended playlist) before ending of the year.

Am coming up with some dope & classy world class videos that will wow my fans & make them more proud of my brand…

And so many other great plans i will be unveiling soon.

❓To you, what are the challenges mostly facing Growing artiste in the industry?

▪ One of the major challenges we have is that the top artiste have monetized the industry so this is like a big challenge for us because Talent alone is not appreciated anymore else you have real money to push your brand, no Oap or media personalities wanna support or help no matter how talented you are except you sort them, its not their fault because even the top act are paying them to get them favor their brand. Which is not supposed to be. Its better advice not to even do music if you don’t have money to promote your music else you will be totally frustrated. The industry is too intimidating.

❓who is your female celebrity crush?

▪Hmm the big question, well most of them are married or I should say taken but Currently my new crush which i see like my #SugarMummy already is TENi, am sure she would probably be ssingle too that makes me lucky…

❓ wait you mean TENI

makanaki

Yes of course, i so much love the babe.

❓Wow, hardly have i seen anyone crushing on TENi, why did u choose her?

▪Am sure Teniola cannot cheat On me..

Even if she want to cheat, who is sleeping to cheat with?

She is only my spec lol. Most men don’t love ladies that big but for me that makes me safe.. Lol

❓What are your expectations, Where do you see yourself in 5Years time?

▪Gl🌍bal, certainly we are G🌍ing Gl🌍bal..

❓I love that, Global. I guess that is why u are called Gl🌍bal B🌍y, what is your level of success that would make you consider yourself to finally be Gl🌍bal.

▪Until my name fade out on the Sky for the whole wide world to see just like the sun, stars & moon. It seems impossible to

Man but with God all things are possible so i strongly believe it will happen..

❓Wow big dreams I guess, so you want your name written on the sky? How about winning Grammy lol

▪Grammy is huge but not d biggest, i am gonna get it & more but my dream is as big as to see my name is boldly display in the sky for the world to celebrate Me.

❓What will be your advice to the upcoming talents?

▪Don’t stop don’t quit, i know u will feel or think of quitting but trust me as difficult & impossible it looks, Grace is valid. When its ur time ur clock will work without battery, Never stop believing your time will come.

❓Amazing, how can your fans connect with you?

▪ on all social media i am @Globalboyseph and for important enquiries or bookings; +2349093886153 Sephentertainment@Gmail.com

Documents Show Osinbajo, Fashola Lied About Rise in PowerGeneration

Power generation and supply in the country has plumetted from 4,000 megawatts to 2,039MW.

In February, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, had claimed that power generation in Nigeria had improved by 100% within the space of three years.

In April 2019, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had also claimed that power generation had improved from 4000mw to 8100mw.However, documents seen by Vanguard from the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo state: "On April 23rd, 2019, average power sent out was 87,061.8 MWh/day.

"The situation is compounded because the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was not able to complete the rehabilitation of the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline System.Consequently, Egbin, Omotosho, Olorunsogo and paras power stations were not able to generate power for transmission and distribution, thus forcing many electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to express their helplessness to consumers.Corroborating the document, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, said : "The National Grid is experiencing reduced power generation due mainly to emergency maintenance by NGC of its gas pipeline supplying gas to Egbin, Omotosho, Olorunsogo and Paras Power Stations."

"This was reportedly caused by leakage on the Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline, necessitating the total shutdown of the four power generating plants on 25th April, 2019."