FG STOPS LOTTERY BY GSM OPERATORS

*Says It Is Fraudulent!

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate stoppage of any type of promotional lotteries by mobile phone operators in the country.
The Minister of Information,Professor Dora Akunyili at a meeting with some of the stakeholders in her office regretted that telecom companies now re-defined their business focus from core telecom service provision to defacto lottery vendors.
She wondered: “Why should they employ all manners of tricks to lure unsuspecting subscribers into parting with their hard earned money with the promise of huge rewards.’’
The Minister noted that many of such promotions neither followed due process and nor approved by Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission.She warned the companies to equally stop invading subscriber’s privacy through unsolicited text messages.
Professor Akunyili clearly stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not oblivious of some challenges such as equipment compatibility and interoperability and promised to look into them in good time.
The Minister stated that the present administration was displeased with the poor quality of service of Mobile phone operators which has become a recurring decimal and promised to tackle them head on. She therefore directed the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to submit to her office within two weeks a comprehensive plan of action on how to improve quality of service.
Prof. Akunyili regretted that Drop calls have remained a problem despite constant appeals for improvement. Also, poor voice signal quality and reception are becoming peculiar to Nigeria. This, in turn wastes money and time as well as create image problem for the country.
This is because Nigerians are   seen as having a culture of shouting on phone instead of talking. Other areas identified by the Minister of concern to Nigerian telecom subscribers are high tariffs, number portability, which gives the Consumer the freedom of choice to move from one network to another without having to lose his/her number and the issue of Lottery.
On the issue of Towers and Masts, the Minister enjoined operators to abide by the regulations guiding their location and erection.  Also, the rights of other corporate and individual citizens should not be infringed upon. Similarly, adequate care must be taken to ensure that exhaust fumes from generators do to constitute health hazard.
Aside from stressing the imperative of consumer education on telecom products, services and packages, the Minister also mandated the NCC to demand that Operators submit education manuals to it for vetting on service bouquets before they are introduced into the market.



 

GUINEA'S ELECTION

*Polls close after high turnout 

  in historic presidential election

For the first time since their country achieved independence from France in 1958 Guineans voted amid high turnout in a peaceful presidential election on Sunday.

Polling wound down peacefully Guinea on Sunday in a landmark election offering voters their first chance to freely choose a leader since the coup-prone West African state won independence from France in 1958.
Fifty years of exclusive rule by “lifetime president” Sékou Touré (1958-1984) and then Lansana Conté (1984-2008) was followed by twelve months of a violent military regime headed by captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who led the coup that brought him to power. After a six-month transition period organised by Camara's second-in-command, Sékouba Konaté, 24 civilians – including one woman – are now hoping to win the favour of the 4 million registered voters in the country.
Among them, three are considered favourites: former prime ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo (Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea) and Sidya Touré (Union of Republican Forces), as well as long-time opposition leader Alpha Condé (Guinean People's Rally). The  final results will not be known until next week.
A turbulent end to the campaign
The 8,424 polling stations throughout Guinea closed their doors shortly after 6pm local time, bringing an official close to an election campaign that saw outbreaks of violence in its final days.
On Thursday at least one supporter of Diallo died and 20 others were injured during clashes with supporters of Sidya Touré when the two camps crossed paths at Coyah, a town located 50 kms to the east of the capital city, Conakry.
As a precaution against violence, roads within and between cities were to remain blocked off to traffic until midnight and the country’s borders were closed all day.
But according to Paté Dieng, director of operations for Guinea’s Independent National Electoral Commission, “no incident was reported” at polling stations during the vote. In a brief statement, Dieng also called for administrators of Guinea’s various voting centres “to continue to receive voters coming to carry out their civic duty”.

Several hundred local and international observers from the EU, the International Organisation of Francophonie and the Economic Community of West African States were deployed throughout Guinea.

While neither the turnout nor the partial results of the election have yet been revealed, electoral observers released a statement saying that “the electoral process is far from being over … and it is proceeding now to the essential phase of counting, centralising and announcing the results”.

They also called for “all candidates and their supporters to wait for complete and definitive results in the same atmosphere of serenity and tolerance that prevailed during the campaign, and to use only legal means to resolve any contention over the outcome”. 

'The start of a new era'
Since the start of voting around 7am, masses of voters began converging in front of polling stations. “This Sunday is a historic day,” said Aboubacar N’Diaye enthusiastically, as he arrived at a Conakry elementary school to exercise his right to vote. “It’s the start of a new era for Guinea.”
He said today marks a significant departure from elections of the past. “Previous votes were chaotic and full of cheating. When you went to vote for your candidate, there were people telling you, ‘You need to vote for this one or that one.’ Today there’s real transparency.

France24

NahcoAviance’s MD/CEO Commends Air Nigeria

(Posted by Lateef Lawal,Press Center,MMIA,Lagos)

The Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahcoaviance), Mr. Bates Sule, has commended the new management team of Air Nigeria for the significant improvement in its operations as well as public perception recently. 

Speaking in response to remarks by Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye Managing Director/CEO of Air Nigeria on the airline’s planned expansion of frequency beginning July, 2010, during his courtesy visit,Mr. Sule applauded the proposed expansion of fleet and domestic operations and called for a more strategic relationship between the airline and nahcoaviance as a way of further strengthening the long-standing cordial business relationship between the two organisations.

Mr. Sule said that nahcoaviance’s strategic business re-engineering programme which has led to massive purchase of brand new ground support equipment and service re-orientation  has placed it in a vantage position to offer unique, cost-driven and comprehensive services to the airline in all its stations.

Apart from the deliberate programme to phase out aging equipment, the company’s consistent effort at boosting service delivery under the current management of has witnessed the recruitment of hands-on professionals in various key areas of operations and support services. 

In the last month for example, key strategic position of chief operating officer was filled with the appointment of Mr. Norbert Bielderman with over 28 years of hands-on experience in ground handling operations, project management, feasibility study, strategy implementation and logistics chain management. 

Prior to the coming of the chief operating officer, the company had recruited Mr. Kayode T. Ojo ,formerly of Lagos Discount House as Executive Director, Finance and Strategic Planning. 

The conscious effort at service enhancement by nahcoaviance has yielded positive results in business expansion through strategic partnerships with Dana Air and Aero leading to the recent contracts for the handling of Dana in Kano and Aero in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. 

With the partnership agreement nahco aviance becomes the handler of choice for the two airlines in all their stations. In addition, a ground handling contract was signed with Air Midwest recently licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
These strategic partnership arrangements are in line with nahco aviance business expansion and diversification drive which will in the long run position the company as a one-shop provider of airport and ancillary services to its esteemed clients.

Air Nigeria, formerly Virgin Nigeria is one of the 34 domestic and international airlines serviced by nahcoaviance. 
The company is the only Nigerian member of aviance (Aviation alliance) the first ever global alliance of 11 airport service providers servicing 126 airports in 18 countries. The aviance alliance provided the platform for the recently concluded re-branding and change of corporate brand name from nahco to nahcoaviance

GLOBACOM CHAIRMAN FLEES NIGERIA

*Wanted By EFCC Over 17.5m Euro Siemen Bribery Scam       Globacom Chairman, billionaire and oil magnate,Chief Mike Adenuga has allegedly fled the shores of Nigeria to escape interrogation and possible prosecution.  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sought to interrogate Adenuga and his second wife, Titi in connection with its investigation into the 17.5 million Euro Siemens bribery scandal.    Adenuga had earlier written the anti-graft agency claiming that he was part of the Federal Government delegation to South Africa to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup soccer competition and that he would make himself available to operatives of the agency as soon as the assignment was over.  It was later discovered at the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) that Adenuga was not on the government delegation.  According to a circular obtained from the office, those on the list included Senate President David Mark (head of delegation), Governor Bukola Saraki (Kwara State); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State); Sports Minister, Isa Bio; Youth Development Minister, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; Women Affairs Minister, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; Information and Communications Minister, Dora Akunyili, and former football federation secretary, Sani Toro, who served as secretary.    Government delegation to South Africa has since returned to Nigeria including other government officials, state governors, legislators and businessmen who trooped to South Africa to watch early matches.  In fact, the Nigerian Super Eagles has officially left South Africa after they failed to qualify for the round of 16 but Otunba Mike Adenuga has deliberately stayed away from Nigeria. "Mike has gone underground.  He won't meet with the EFCC, he used the world cup as an excuse to buy some time but the Super Eagles early elimination exposed his plan," a source said. Last week, the commission interrogated two Executive Directors of Globacom telecommunications company, Mrs. Gladys Alabi and Mr. Mike Jitubo in its investigation into the 17.5 million Euro, bribery scandal. The commission also grilled former Legal Adviser Ministry of Finance Mrs. Agbamuche, former Legal Adviser Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) Daba Jubrin and a former NITEL employee R. Olusanju on June 18, 2010.  Siemens Managing Director, Mr. Alain　DeCat; Siemens General Manager Finance & Accounts, Mr. Tunde Orija; Managing Director C. Woermann Nig. Ltd, Ralf Henrich; and Chief Accountant C. Woermann Nig. Ltd, Mr. Olusegun Olaniyi; three former Communication Ministers, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Retired Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Chief Cornelius Adebayo have all been interrogated by the commission.  C. Woermann Nigeria Limited, a German mechanical consulting firm is alleged to have handled the disbursement of brides to Nigeria officials. Globacom in statement following the news of Adenuga’s invitation declared that the company was not in any way involved in the Siemens bribery scam.  The telecommunications company said that the only relationship it ever had with Siemens, as a private company, was when it awarded a single contract in 2003 to the German firm for the provision of GSM and broad access infrastructure in some parts of the country.  The company it stated was also awarded part of the National Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, which has since been completed.  The company added that since Siemens executed the contract, Globacom has not engaged the telecommunication equipment manufacturing company for any other project. "It should be noted that the equipment supply and installation contract forms the basis of the only relationship that Globacom has had with Siemens. It was and remains a normal business interaction that was entered into by Globacom purely to meet its network expansion needs. Globacom has had no other form of relationship or dealings with Siemens, the statement noted.  Adenuga, who also owns controlling shares in Equitorial Trust Bank Plc (ETB), Conoil, and other business interests was first arrested at his Okeowo Victoria Island, Lagos residence on Sunday, July 09, 2006, after the businessman refused to honour several invitations to appear at the commissions office for questioning following its investigation into the questionable deposits of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds into Equitorial Trust Bank. Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice president was alleged to have approved the deposits. The then Nuhu Ribadu led EFCC in a statement justifying Adenuga’s arrest said, "EFCC visited Chief Adenuga’s home on Sunday, 9th July 2006, only after several invitations to him, over a period of more than three months.　  He refused to honour the invitations. "Even at his Victoria Island, Lagos home, for over seven hours, Adenuga, among other evasive tactics employed by his family and staff, refused to see EFCC operatives or allow them entry; "The 14 operatives (not "over 40" or "over 70" as reported in the media) had no choice than to extract Chief Adenuga in a professional manner, with due respect for his rights as a citizen of Nigeria and in accordance with established rules and regulations.　 Consequently, no injury was done to his person or damage to his property. "Chief Adenuga was subsequently taken to our Ikoyi, Lagos offices where he answered questions in relation to EFCC investigations.　  He was released on bail immediately after.    "The Commission’s investigation of Chief Mike Adenuga has certain international dimensions that EFCC may not be in a position to make public at this stage.　 But, once the Commission has reached a comfortable point in its inquiry, everything would be made public; "It must be emphasized however, that EFCC’s invitation to and interaction with Chief Adenuga is normal.　 No crime has been established against him.　 He is innocent until proven otherwise.　  However, the Commission wishes to reiterate that no one is above the law."  It is unclear whether the commission would formally declare Mr. and Mrs. Adenuga wanted if they fail to submit themselves to operatives of the commission for interrogation

EX-GOVERNOR NYAME APPROVES WITHDRAWAL OF N330million WITHOUT DUE PROCESS, says Witness

A principal  witness in the on-going corruption charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC  against  former governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame, Mr. Dennis Orkuma Nev , a Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Government House on Thursday  June 24, 2010 told Justice Adebunkola Banjoko of the FCT high court how the former governor unilaterally raised and approved the sum of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000),  for the visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the state, without following normal processes of disbursing funds.  Nev  said that memos for  the amount were raised on a single day ,11th April,2007, and payment vouchers approved  at the government house rather than the ministry of finance.
Besides, Nev also disclosed how over two hundred  million naira (N200, 000, 000)   was withdrawn by some officials of both the Taraba state government house,  specifically,  the cashier, Joel Andrew and the then Taraba State liaison officer, in Abuja for the governor’s private use.
He also disclosed that  a memo was brought to him for approval for the release of Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) to the state PDP Chairman who sought for financial assistance.
 Attempts made by the defence counsel, Charles Edosonwan to challenge the admissibility of the memos presented as exhibits on the ground of certification was overruled by Justice Banjoko.  He had argued that tendering the documents contravenes some sections of the Evidence Act and that the witness cannot be the certifier at the same time. He further said that the witness had been in possession of the exhibits for too long a time such that its authenticity can be questioned. He also faulted the exhibits on the ground that they were not sealed.
However,  Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs argued that the prosecution had complied with two of the requirements of Section 111 of the Act and that the issue of sealing of the exhibit  was not a pre-qualification but conditional. He averred that once the exhibit has the date of certification, name of the officer certifying, amount paid, and official title of the officer, it is deemed enough certification.
 In her ruling,  Justice Banjoko  said that “It is clear that reason of certification is to enable admissibility. It is clear really that the document is not sealed but substantial requirement has been made. The attitude to shift the onus from a narrow technicality is not to be allowed.”
 When asked if taking the money approved by the governor personally to him was a normal practice, the witness said “As a permanent Secretary, it is not normal, but each assignment has its own peculiar way of tackling it, so this one was the way it was handled.”
 A staff of Zenith Bank who is also a prosecution witness had on Tuesday narrated how aides of the former governor made cash lodgements of hundreds of millions of naira in a coded account on behalf of Nyame . After Nev’s testimony, the trial judge adjourned continuation of trial to tomorrow, Friday, June 25th ,2010

N6.9 Billion($45 Million) Jumbo Hard Drugs seized in U.S

*92 Pallets of More than 
 40,000 pounds of cocaine,
 methamphetamine and 
 marijuana seized

The U.S Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday announced the seizure of approximately 2,750 pounds of cocaine, 67 pounds of methamphetamine and 38,000 pounds of marijuana following the traffic stop of a tractor-trailer in San Bernardino County, California.

The tractor-trailer was carrying a shipment of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana with an estimated street value of approximately $45 million dollars. 
The driver, Fernando Luevano, age 32, from Fontana, was arrested and booked at the Central Detention Center for Possession, Transportation and Sales of Narcotics. His bail is set at $5,000,000 and he was  arraigned Friday, June 25, 2010 in Rancho Superior Court in San Bernardino, California.
“This was a brazen transportation of 40,000 pounds of drugs, more than 18 tons of drugs that could have ended up in neighborhoods throughout California,” said Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge. “This seizure will have a direct impact on the availability of these dangerous drugs in our communities.”
Sheriff Rod Hoops stated, “This is one of the largest seizures in the county and I will make every effort to continue this aggressive fight against drug traffickers entering San Bernardino County.”

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at approximately 11:00 a.m., the San Bernardino Sheriff’s High Intensity Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer for a traffic violation while traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County. After making contact with the driver, Luevano, the deputy found that the paperwork for his load was not in order.
Leuvano gave consent to search the vehicle and upon opening the trailer, the deputies noticed an overwhelming odor of marijuana. A further search of the trailer yielded 92 pallets containing thousands of heat sealed packages of illegal narcotics. Field testing of the packages yielded positive results for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
The DEA Riverside Office and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Narcotics Division are continuing this joint investigation.

Air Nigeria Chairman,Jimoh Ibrahim May Acquire London Hotel

After acquiring Virgin Nigeria Airways which he renamed Air Nigeria, the maverick young Nigerian billionaire Jimoh Ibrahim is the only African who has shown interest to acquire the Cumberland Hotel, a four star hotel in the heart of London, the capital of Britain. Jimoh Ibrahim who is said to have made substantial commitments for the hotel few years ago has vast interest in hospitality industry as the owner of some star hotels in Nigeria including Nicon Luxury Abuja, Nicon Hotel Lagos and others in some state capitals including Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Akure.
According to the Economic Confidential findings other business magnets from Asia, Middle East and America have indicated interest for the Cumberland hotel. Those so far being named include Malaysian investor, Quek Leng Chan; Indian hotelier, Gulshan Bhatia and Singapore magnet, Kwek Leng Beng.
The hotel which has more than 1000 luxury bed rooms, suites and apartments with 26 conference rooms and gym, was the first hotel in London to have telephone in each room after its construction in the 1920s.
It was put for sale by the Royal Bank of Scotland for a £220mn asking price due to a distressed loan as the bank is making efforts to get rid of its non-core assets.
Attempts by Economic Confidential to track and speak to Jimoh Ibrahim were unsuccessful as he was shuttling between Nigeria and London on weekly basis in the last few months.
With the largest ownership in the NICON insurance and Nigeria Re-insurance with businesses in the oil sector and properties, Jimoh Ibrahim after acquiring Virgin Nigeria Airline for$250mn,  also recently paid $6.5mn to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc for full and final settlement of indebtedness of Virgin Nigeria to the bank. He has taking over the controlling share of the Virgin Nigeria from the British billionaire, Richard Branson.
He disclosed that his company would acquire more aircraft to make it ten by October 1,2010 while creating more jobs and guaranteeing the security of the jobs of the existing personnel.
He said the Air Nigeria will build its operations on enduring timeless principles of loyalty, customers’ confidence which it will earn through establishment of commitment to service delivery. He added that the rationale for adopting the new identity for the airline was informed by the desire to have an airline that reflects the culture of Nigeria, as a country that deserves a viable carrier, that reflects the Nigerian identity, as well as safeguard the integrity of the country.
 

N5.6BN AVIATION SCAM:

*FAKE COMPANIES USED IN CONTRACT BID, SAYS    WITNESS *Ex-MD,IYAYI SPILL THE BEANS (Posted By Lateef Lawal,Lagos) More shocking revelations are coming out of  the on- going trial of  the former Minister of aviation,  Professor Babalola Borishade, and four others:  Rowland Iyayi, T. A. Dairo, George Eider and Avsatel Communications Limited  by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  over their  alleged fraudulent involvement in the N5.6 billion safe tower project. At the resumed hearing of the case last Wednesday, June 9, 2010, before Justice Umar Sadiq of the Federal Capital Territory High Court,  sitting in Maitama, Abuja,  principal prosecution witness,  Reuben Omosie, testified that in the course of  his investigations of the case,  the former Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency,(NAMA), Roland Iyayi, confessed that F- Colman and Aero Enterprises, the two companies involved in the scam,  were all fictitious companies used in perpetrating the N5.6billion scam. This revelation did not go down well with the accused persons,  as counsel to the 3rd accused, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo,  SAN, in his efforts to discredit  the witness,  prayed the court to discountenance his cross examination by the prosecution, saying that all his testimony are already contained in the proof of evidence. He also kicked against the admissibility of Iyayi’s written statement, saying that it would be illegal to do so. He argued that the statement made by Iyayi was not voluntary as claimed by the witness, rather, it was made under duress. All the other counsel aligned themselves with the position of Awomolo. In his response,  counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC,  Sylvester Hon,  objected to Awomolo’s reservations,  saying there was no authority in the Evidence Act limiting a witness during cross examination. He also said that by objecting to the  admissibility of the accused written statement, the defense counsel were merely rooting for trial within trial, buttressing that all these are avenues to delay proceedings. The presiding Judge,  Justice Umar Sadiq after listening to all the arguments, ruled that the defense counsel could  go on with trial within trial, if they so wished. The case has been adjourned till  7th July 2010 for continuation of trial

NDLEA ARRESTS DRUG JAILBIRD

*ALSO IN THE NET IS A 

  TRADITIONAL DOCTOR

  & 5 OTHERS

(Story Posted By Lateef Lawal;Lagos)

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtalla Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have apprehended an ex-convict, Uzoaru Oliver over drug trafficking. The suspect tested positive for drug ingestion on Thursday June 3, 2010 during the screening of passengers on Iberia flight to Madrid, Spain. 

Also arrested include a traditional doctor, Longe Moshood Adewale, 58, and five others for alleged drug related offenses.

While on observation, Uzoaru expelled 60 pieces of powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine weighing 915grammes. Uzoaru was first arrested April 9, 2009 while about to board a KLM flight to Holland with 1.273kg of cocaine in his stomach. 

He was charged to court and sentenced to eight months imprisonment after which he regained his freedom on Friday December 11, 2009. 

Prior to his first arrest, Uzoaru lived in Padova, Italy for nine years before returning to the country in January 2009. The ex-convict who used to sell fridges is married with a child and hails from Orlu in Imo State.

In his confession, Uzoaru blamed his involvement in drug trafficking on human error and frustration. “All I know is that it was a big mistake. It is not a good thing to be in this condition, but I was frustrated and could not explain how it happened again. When I came out of the prison, there was nothing for me to do. 

I even begged for transport money to get home. In the process, I met a contact that prepared another international passport for me because NDLEA seized my first passport. I would have been paid 2,000 Euros but unfortunately I was caught again. It is a mistake and I regret everything” he lamented.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said that the situation would have been prevented if the court had sentenced him to 15 years as stipulated by the Act. According to the NDLEA boss, “this unfortunate situation where drug convicts gets re-cycled in avoidable. 

The re-arrest of the ex-convict is an indication that light sentences do not deter. This is a collective responsibility and we must all work towards a drug free Nigeria of our dream because a crime that is highly lucrative requires stiff penalty to enforce compliance”.

The traditional doctor Longe Moshood Adewale who was caught on June 8, 2010 attempted to board Iberia flight to Paris with 77 pieces of cocaine which he is still expelling. He is married to two wives and has nine children. According to Longe, he had fortified himself with charms and was surprised that he was found with drugs. “I am a traditional doctor and prepared myself before the trip, so it is shocking that they were able to detect me” Longe stated. He hails from Iperu in Ogun State.

NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar gave the name of other suspects as Okwara Calistus Chinonye, 30, Mgbakogu Nnaemeka, 34, Kadaji Hadija Shettima, 57, Emeto Lucius, 42 and Uzoma Nnaemezie Gerald, 39. 

Emeto Lucius a trader based in Italy for over 14 years ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.535kg for a fee of 2,800 Euros. He was to board Air France to Paris when he was nabbed. His reason is that he lost his job and his trading business was in financial distress. 

He hails from Imo State.  Mgbakogu Nnaemeka that sells cars at his home town Asaba, Delta State was nabbed on June 3, 2010 for ingesting 46 pieces of cocaine weighing 950 grammes. 

He was to board an Iberia flight to Madrid.

Uzoma Nnaemezie Gerald a cleaner in Greece also confessed to have swallowed 85 pieces when he was arrested on June 6, 2010. Luck ran against the Imo State suspect while he was attempting to board an Iberia flight to Madrid. He would have been paid 3,500 Euros.

A 57 year old female trader at Akute who is the only female among seven suspects equally fell into the NDLEA dragnet on June 6, 2010 on her way to London in an Arik flight. She ingested 85 wraps of cocaine for which she would have received 3,000 Euros. 

Okwara Calistus Chinonye, who lives in Spain, was caught on June 3, 2010 on his way to Madrid in an Iberia flight. He swallowed 100 wraps and was to be paid 6,000 Euros. He said that he lost his job and he met his contact at a night club.

Some of the suspects are still under observation.

PHOTO: (top to bottom)-Oliver,Longe and Kadaji Hadija

 

Police Seize Billion-Dollar Cocaine Haul in Gambia

Some two tonnes of cocaine with a street value of roughly a billion dollars (835 million euros) has been seized in Gambia, a British official confirmed Wednesday.

Twelve people of various nationalities were also arrested after investigators discovered the drugs in an underground bunker in a warehouse outside the Gambian capital Banjul.
West Africa is a major stop off point for drugs, often from South America heading to Europe, although officials say it is impossible to say exactly where this consignment was heading at this stage.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report of the raid by the BBC and said more details would likely be released later. The BBC reported that large quantities of cash and arms were also seized.
Agents from Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency working in west Africa played a supporting role in the operation, providing forensic assistance.
In March, Gambian President Yayha Jammeh said there would be "zero tolerance" for drug-trafficking after 11 senior officials were arrested as part of a probe linked to drugs.
"I have zero tolerance for criminals. I have double zero tolerance for drugs," Jammeh told state radio.

AFP 

NDLEA DISCOVERS 70 ACRES OF CANNABIS FARM, ARRESTS SEVEN MAN SYNDICATE AND 2 GHANIANS

The Ekiti State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered six farms measuring about 70 acres of land used for illicit cannabis cultivation at Omuaran camp, Ise-Ekiti in Eseorun council area of the State. A seven-man syndicate including two Ghanaians that specialises in dry season cannabis cultivation were nabbed red handed while working on the plantations.  Apart from the farms that are ready for harvest, there are several cannabis nurseries suggestive of further expansion of the farms. The six farms have also been destroyed and the command is making efforts to arrest all persons connected to the illicit act.

According to the Ekiti State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Bamidele Akingbade, the all year round cultivation of cannabis through the use of irrigation has increased the risk level of Ekiti in terms of illicit drug cultivation, trafficking and abuse. “The action of the syndicate is criminal and regrettable. Unfortunately, this is a sign of what to expect in the new planting season because the plantation is massive and no one will expect that such farms exist in the State. The good news however is that we are prepared to trace and destroy all their cannabis farms” Bamidele assured.

The commander warned farmers in the State to weigh the consequences of cannabis farming as anyone caught will be made to face the legal sanctions as provided by the NDLEA Act. The suspects apprehended at the cannabis farms are Mustapha Jubril and Wilson Nketiah both Ghanaians while their Nigerian collaborators are John Agada and Abu Jamiu. The   three female members of the syndicate are Veronica Sunday, Bilikisu Jamiu and Kuburatu Dauda.

The NDLEA Commander also sent a strong warning to cannabis farmers that no matter how far they travel to perpetrate their inglorious trade, the State Command under his leadership is ready to locate the farms arrest the cultivators and bring them to justice. Bamidele disclosed that his deployment to Ekiti State by the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency Ahmadu Giade is with a clear mandate to clean up the State and incapacitate drug barons cultivating cannabis and trafficking illicit drugs in Ekiti land.

Mustapha Jibril, 53, that deals in timber at Akure said that he came to Nigeria in 2009 but was introduced into the drug business because of his poor financial status. “I accepted to work at the cannabis farms because of poverty. They supply us food and there is agreement that after harvest we shall be handsomely rewarded. My wife and four children live in Volta region of Ghana. I feel sad over my involvement” he stated. The other Ghanaian, Wilson Nketiah also said that poverty made him to engage in cannabis cultivation. According to Wilson “I do not like the job. I was only doing it because I needed money to go back to Ghana. Our living condition is very poor. We work and live in the farms, we suffer mosquito bite and even when it is raining we have nowhere to run to except the little tents. My wife and three children live at Eastern region of Ghana. I know they will be very sad if they hear of my involvement in drugs”.

John Agada one of the suspects who hails from Ofagbo in Kogi State said that he agreed to farm cannabis because he has not be successful in life. “I work in cannabis farm because I could not get a job. I used to cut palm nuts but at the end of the day there is very little or no profit to sustain me. I started farming cannabis in January 2010” John stated. Veronica Sunday from Kwale in Delta State is also involved in cannabis cultivation with her husband. She also blamed their involvement on poverty. “I work in the cannabis farm with my husband but it is poverty that made us to do it”.

While returning from the farm operation, a man carrying a bag of cannabis in a motorbike at about 4pm was stopped on suspicion and found to be carrying fresh weeds of cannabis when searched. The suspect, Osho Akindele was identified by the officers as a second time offender as he was two months ago sentenced to a year imprisonment with an option of fifty thousand naira fine which he paid. Osho stated that it is safer to carry cannabis in the afternoon as people will think it is foodstuff. In his words, “we used to carry cannabis at night but now afternoon appears safer because people will not suspect that it is cannabis. They will think that it is foodstuff. This arrest is just my bad luck”.  When asked why he went back into the trade after his recent conviction, he said that he was invited to sell it and pay the owner.

The commander also warned that no matter how highly placed anyone caught shall be made to face the full wrath of the law adding that those arrested would be arraigned soon.

 

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs

08034088136