EFCC INTERCEPTS $2.8M FROM TWO MONEY LAUNDERERS AT ENUGU AIRPORT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday intercepted $2.8million from two people suspected to be money launderers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the EFCC acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, and made available to newsmen.

He said, “the suspects, namely Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, allegedly working for a company: Bankers Warehouse, were nabbed based on intelligence report.”

EFCC said upon their arrests, they were caught with consignments of two suitcases, containing $1.4 million each, totalling $2.8 million, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air evening flight to Lagos.

The statement read, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been in the business of conveying cash for “some notable banks”, for over six years and were in the process of doing same for Union Bank Plc, located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were caught.

“the suspects further confessed that they had so far carried out such assignments, “four times this year.

“They are presently giving useful information to operatives of the Commission, and will be charged to court soon.”

POLICE DECLARES MELAYE WANTED OVER ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE

Senator Dino Melaye, has officially been declared wanted and placed under arrest by the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, for attempted culpable homicide.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP, Jimoh Moshood, which was sent to Post-Nigeria, on Friday evening.

The statement reads in full:

SENATOR DINO MELAYE IS BEING ARRESTED BY THE POLICE, TO ANSWER TO THE CASE OF ATTEMPTED CULPABLE HOMICIDE, ON THE SHOOTING OF A POLICE OFFICER, SGT. DANJUMA SALIU, WHILE ON DUTY, BY SENATOR DINO MELAYE AND HIS ARMED THUGS, IN KOGI STATE, ON 19th JULY, 2018.

The Police Operatives currently at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye, are to effect his arrest, to answer to the case of attempted culpable homicide, on the shooting of a Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF), while on duty at a stop and search point, along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa road, in Kogi State.

The above offence was committed by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs, in Kogi State, on 19th July, 2018, when they shot and wounded a Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF), while on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa road, in Kogi State. The Police Officer is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack, and still under intensive medical care.

The Police Investigators have written the Clerk of the National Assembly, for Senator Dino Melaye to report at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja, for him to answer to these offences against him under investigation at the Kogi State Police Command, but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.

The Police Operatives will continue to be in wait at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye, until he surrenders himself for arrest. The offence for which Senator Dino Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature, and not compoundable.

The Force will not tolerate attack on its Personnel, by any individual, no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course.

Members of the public will be kept informed on further development in the investigation of the matter.

Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA.

Arik Air Notification of Flight disruption 

Posted by Lateef Lawal

Arik Air said that there would be a slight disruption of its flight during the Christmas period.

This was contained in a statement issued by the airline yesterday.

The development has been attributed to some operational issues and adverse weather conditions in the coastal areas, especially Benin, Enugu, Asaba and Warri.

The airline said:"Therefore some flights may either be rescheduled or cancelled, subject to aircraft and airport closure time constraints". 

"We regret the inconveniences this disruption will cause our customers and want to assure them of our sincere efforts to reducing the impact to the barest minimum. 

"Our staff shall contact customers affected by this disruption, making alternative arrangements for them or refunds as the case may be. 

"Arik wishes to assure that it considers the safety of customers and crew as paramount. Arik will therefore only operate safe and secure flights. All hands are also on deck to make all flight experiences pleasurable", the statement concluded.

Tina Beloveth Powerful: Fraudster forms new college in Nigeria.

Tina Beloveth Powerful has been on the run since she failed to turn up for sentencing after being found guilty of fraud at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court.

A fraudster who skipped court bail after being found guilty of running a bogus business school has started a similar venture in Nigeria.

Tina Beloveth Powerful, 50, who was found guilty of fraud and false advertising in July 2015, claims the case against her was later expunged.

She unexpectedly contacted the BBC to back Theresa May in the Conservative leadership contest on Wednesday night.

Thames Valley Police confirmed a warrant for her arrest was outstanding.

Nothing had been heard of Powerful since June 2016 when she claimed she wanted to be Nigeria's first female president.

On Wednesday, she contacted a BBC reporter on Facebook from Nigeria, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" and saying Mrs May should be given time to "finish what she has started".

Powerful then claimed she had been given a "police discharge certificate" clearing her of her case.

She added she would return to Milton Keynes, where she was "one of the builders of the local community".

When Powerful sent the BBC a copy of the document, it was actually a "notification of decision to release without charge" relating to her arrest for failing to turn up at court for sentencing.

Powerful said she was now "championing the cause of good leadership in Nigeria and beyond".

The BBC discovered she is running a new business school in the Nigerian city of Enugu.

Powerful ran her fraudulent Everest School of Transformational Management from her flat in Milton Keynes

Powerful first came to prominence in 2013, when her Havard School was sued by American university Harvard.

The case was settled out of court, but a BBC investigation found the school, which changed its name to the Everest School of Transformational Management, was offering courses without the correct accreditation.

Milton Keynes Council Trading Standards launched its own investigation, resulting in Powerful being found guilty of "dishonesty".

She failed to turn up to court for sentencing three times before leaving the country.

The BBC discovered she formed another business school in Bedford while on trial.

The BBC asked Thames Valley Police what was being done to bring Powerful to justice, but the force had not replied at the time of writing.

President Buhari warns Governor Amosun against anti-party activities

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly warned Governor Ibikunle Amosun to desist from anti-party activities as details of their meeting have emerged. 

The duo met on Monday, December 10, in Abuja and according to Daily Independent, the president sternly warned the Ogun governor not to engage in activities that may affect the party. 

The president reportedly frowned at Amosun’s statement that while he would support the All progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election, he will not support the candidate of the party, Dapo Abiodun, in the gubernatorial contest. 

President Buhari reportedly told Amosun that he requires total loyalty from him urging him to learn to sacrifice personal interest for the collective interest of the party.

Abdulsalami Abubakar Adekunle Akinlade who is Amosun’s preferred governorship candidate left the APC for the Allied People’s Movement (APM), a move Governor Amosun endorsed. 

According to source, “From the feelers we got, the president did not mince words in telling Governor Amosun that as the national leader of the party, he will not support any form of anti-party activities. 

He told the governor that he cannot put one leg in APC by saying he will support him, while putting another leg in APM declaring support for another governorship candidate.

“The president told him he cannot claim to be working for the APC while all his foot soldiers have left for the APM and the governor also gave them maximum support.

“From what we are getting, this is the president’s final warning to Governor Amosun as the party’s campaign will kick off soon. Don’t also forget that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has since penciled down the governor for punishment after rebuffing the reconciliation meeting set up to reconcile aggrieved members.”

Another source said Amosun was in a dilemma about whether to support APC or APM. “I believe the governor is in a dilemma now and we expect him to make a very important decision in the coming days." 

Meanwhile, the APC governorship candidate in Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, December 11, said Governor Ibikunle Amosun will be part of his campaign team, in spite of his (Amosun) grouses against the party. 

Abiodun stated this while addressing a press conference at his Iperu-Remo home, where he presented his running mate, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and his manifesto for the 2019 governorship contest. 

He said: “Of course, the governor of Ogun state is the leader  the party. And when I am flagging off my campaign, it is the incumbent governor that would help me flag it off. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that the issues of misunderstanding would be resolved soon. 

“I am sure the governor of Ogun state will help me in flagging off my campaign. And I am sure he will raise my hands up as the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”

 

OPC NEC ENDORSES OSINBOTE, NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Prince Osinbote, New National President, Oodua People's Congress(OPC).

The National Executive Council(NEC) members of the Oodua People's Congress(OPC) yesterday formally endorsed Prince Osibote Oodua as the new President of the  sociocultural group after the demise of the erstwhile founder and life president, Dr Frederick Isiotan Fasehun last Saturday, 1, December, 2018.

His endorsement came about after members of the NEC exhaustively his candidacy and his antecedents in the development of the Congress in the past. 

The NEC meeting held at the Century Hotel, Okota was Chaired by the Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi, who national executives on the choice of Prince Osinbote, popularly called " Osin-Koboko " by the late Dr Fasehun.

It was after the discussions that a motion for his endorsement was moved by the 1st Vice President of the Congress, Comrade Lateef Lawal and seconded by the National Financial Secretary, Alhaji Kazeem Lawal. All NEC members subsequently adopted the motion and the Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi a.k.a Askari, proclaimed Prince Osinbote as the new National President of OPC.

Prince Osinbote who is a native of Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State is an astute businessman.

He was later introduced to State Chairmen and their executives from Lagos State, Ogun State, Oyo State, Osun State, Edo State, Kwara, Ondo state, Ekiti State and Kano State including other members of the Congress who were present.

In his short acceptance speech, the new President commended members of the national executive council of OPC who believed in his leadership capability by endorsing him to lead the Congress after the demise of Dr Fasehun last Saturday.

He enjoined all the leaders of the Congress from Zonal, Local Government, States and National levels to ensured the continued entrenchment of discipline among the rank and file of the Congress including respect for contituted authorities at all levels as laid down by the late founder, Dr Frederick Fasehun.

He also assured that with the support of all members of OPC, in pursuance of the ideals of the organization, he would not rest on his oarse in taking the Congress to higher heights.

Press Release by Comrade Lateef Lawal, 1st Vice President (Administration), OPC

Young African Business Leaders Converge in Lagos for Under 40 CEOs Forum

Young entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the African continent will gather in Lagos for the 3^rd edition of the Under 40 CEOs Forum holding at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Thursday, 6^th December 2018.

Under 40 CEOs Forum—a live interactive event—is an extension of the Under 40 CEOs television show. The forum offers a unique opportunity for current and aspiring CEOs to meet, share ideas and collaborate to create economic value across the continent.

Convened and hosted by Familusi Akin Babajide (FAB), Executive Director - Africa, Under 40 CEOs, this year’s forum is themed “Wealth Creation, Management and Inclusion - Innovative Strategies To Induce Economic Prosperity.” 

The 2018 forum will also include the launch of the book “Under 40 CEOs: How We Made It In Africa - Volume 1.” It is a 220-page book featuring insights from the stories of 52 young African business leaders from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

According to FAB: “About 500 young aspiring business leaders are billed to attend the event, and an additional 10,000 young people will be joining the conversation via Facebook live on www.facebook.com/under40ceosafrica and also on Twitter.”

Like previous editions, the 2018 Under 40 CEOs Forum will feature an array of notable speakers, including established professionals and technocrats, as well as emerging young business leaders from both the public and private sector.”

Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili is a chartered accountant who served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Federal Minister of Education. Dr Oby also served as the Vice-President of the World Bank's Africa division. Ezekwesili was a 2018 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prizefor her work in transparency in the extractive sector.

Dr Ola Brown is the CEO of Flying Doctors, an emergency air ambulance service with a pool of 20 aircrafts and 44 doctors who deliver care en route to one of Nigeria's hospitals. The company is the first air ambulance service in West Africa.

Adeola Azeez is a seasoned banker with over 20 years of professional experience, more than half of which has been as Deputy Country Representative/Deputy Managing Director of Deutsche Bank Nigeria.

Victor Ndukauba has a broad experience in investment research, Capital Raising, Financial Advisory and Asset Management. He began his career with the Corporate Finance Business Unit at the Lagos office of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Victor is the Deputy Managing Director at Afrinvest West Africa.

Akin Oyebode is a former banker, strategist and social commentator. He is the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. Before his appointment, Akin was the head of SME at Stanbic IBTC Bank.

About Under 40 CEOs

Under 40 CEOs launched on TVC Entertainment and TVC News on the 9^th of October, 2015 and subsequently launched on Silverbird Television Network on the 13^th of January, 2017 and has spotlighted inspiring young business leaders aged 40 and under from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

Business leaders that have been featured on the show include Aisha Pandor of Sweep South, South Africa, Adebola Williams of Red Media; Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Group; Tony Usidamen of Uburu Solutions; Noble Igwe of 360 Group; Bola Ray of EIB Networks; Alex Brahm of SMSGH; Oluyomi Ojo of Printivo whilst discovering inspiring CEOs like lawyer Aderemi Oguntoye of Oguntoye and Oguntoye; Senyo Hosi of Ghana Chambers of Bulk Oil Distributors; Abiola Adekoya of RMB Stockbrokers, Ran Neu Ner of The Creative Counsel, South Africa and  Ade Adegoke of Oando Foundation amongst others.

With over 87 episodes till date, and serial entrepreneur, Familusi Akin Babajide (Mr FAB), as the host, Under 40 CEOs has since gone on to inspire and motivate millions of would-be young business leaders across Africa to take action and join in the rebuilding and re-shaping of the African continent.

Under 40 CEOs currently reaches  7,500,000 viewers every week with a social media following of over 150,000 and growing with a cumulative social media content reach of over 8.6million.

Oba Akiolu of Lagos reveals why Obasanjo is Nigeria's major problem of today

The Oba of Lagos, His Highness Oba Rilwan Akiolu has said Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the major problem of Nigeria today.

The monarch in an interview with Vanguard, said the former president was “running after” Lagos when in government, instead of focusing on the country’s investments.

"The major problem of Nigeria today is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. When he was in government, he was running after Lagos while someone was cornering all the blue-chip companies that belong to the country.

He cannot win election in his ward in Abeokuta. He ignored all Supreme Court judgements which were in favour of Lagos State.

He told me that ‘Tinubu is stubborn, each time he goes to court even if he wins, I will make the condition of the court unenforceable’.

I told him, it is true Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stubborn but his stubbornness is based on popular support. Tinubu is a good man and an achiever, but stubborn to a fault; if I tell him he’s stubborn, he will say he is taking after me,” he said.

Akiolu speaking about the 2019 elections, advised Nigerians to vote for candidates based on their manifestoes and not for money.

He said: “It is unfortunate, many Nigerians are deceiving themselves. The kind of politics we play here is ‘money politics.’ Politicians should bring their manifestoes and their followers should make sure they deliver on their promises.”

“But for some people to line-up somewhere and be collecting $20,000, $25,000 to pick a presidential candidate is wrong. If the person gets there, he will first recoup his money. I pray those people should not get there.”

Oba Akiolu praising President Muhammadu Buhari for not being “materialistic”, labelled other politicians as theives, adding that if they came to visit him he would tell them to their faces.

“It’s unfortunate that Buhari did not stay long as Head of State in 1984, Nigeria would have been better. Buhari is one of the few, politicians who are not materialistic.”

“Majority of them are ‘grab –grab’ politicians. Let me use this medium to tell all those politicians moving about because election is coming, that if they are not ready to hear the truth, they should not come to my palace. “I will tell them that they are thieves, Nigerians know them, and youths should not allow politicians to use them.,” he said.

source:Legit

President Buhari summons Service Chiefs over killing of soldiers along Nigeri-Chad boarder

President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned service chiefs to an emergency security meeting over the reported killing of some Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram sect along the Nigeria-Chad border on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably gathered that the urgent meeting was necessitated by the latest security development across the battle fields in the North East region of the country.
A reliable source, who preferred not to be named, confirmed this development to NAN in Abuja on Friday.
NAN learnt that Federal Government pronouncement on the latest victims of Boko Haram insurgency was being delayed because families of the victims were being identified and contacted.
“The president has called an urgent meeting with the service chiefs.
“And the families of the latest victims of the Boko Haram are being identified and contacts made before a government pronouncement on the tragic attacks.
“This, we understand is the reason for the silence of the government over the incident,’’ the source added.
It would be recalled that Buhari had earlier dispatched the Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, to Chad for an emergency meeting with the Chadian President, Idris Deby, on the insecurity at the Nigeria-Chad border.
Dan-Ali had on Thursday briefed the president on security development across the country including the recent killing of some Nigerian soldiers by the Islamic West Africa Province, a breakaway Boko Haram sect, operating along Nigeria-Chad border.
AFP had quoted security sources on Nov. 21, saying no less than 44 soldiers were killed during the attacks, which occurred at Metele, a remote village bordering Nigeria and Chad.
Diplomatic sources, however, told NAN that the minister of defence would also be meeting his Chadian counterpart during his mission to Chad, to identify what had led to the recent increase in Boko Haram terrorism in the area.
The sources, who preferred not to be named, said: “Nigeria has a Chad problem in the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The source said that force was put together to secure the Lake Chad Basin area and repeal the Boko Haram terrorism attacks against all the countries neighbouring the lake.
According to the sources, Chad is believed to have its own internal security challenges and this has reportedly led to pulling away the troops manning that country’s border around Lake Chad.
“That lacuna is being exploited by the Boko Haram terrorists, who go in and out of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon to launch terrorist acts.
“This is a clear illustration of the fact that terrorism is beyond national borders,” the sources added.
Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said he was aware that the defence minister would be going to Chad, adding, “I’m unaware of his mission there’’. (NAN)

Headache for Atiku, huge jubilation in Aso Rock as APC win by-elections in two states

The ruling APC is currently making huge strides towards the 2019 general elections after the party secured significant wins in two by-elections in Kwara and katsina state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as winner of the Katsiba by-election into the House of Representatives.

The election was conducted in the Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal constituency in Katsina state on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kusada was the speaker of Katsina state House of Assembly before his election on Saturday. Prof Adedayo Hamza, the returning officer who announced the result on Saturday in Kankiya said Kusada scored 48,518 votes to emerge winner.

Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up. Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency is 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes 2,331.

The total number of votes cast was 73,073. Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner, advised political parties to intensify voter education and management of polling units.

He commended the political parties, security agencies, mediamen and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the by-election.

APC’s OPERATION CLIP SARAKI wings record first major success.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has recorded its first post-Saraki success in Kwara State, an indication that the party’s move to reduce the Senate President’s influence in the state is taking shape.

Winner of Kwara bye-election, Mr Tunji Olawuyi, has said that his victory at Saturday’s Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero and Irepodun federal constituency bye-election in Kwara State as a victory for the people of the state.

Olawuyi said that the success was a sign of more victories to come for the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 general elections in Kwara.

He said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday at Omu-Aran, Kwara, while reacting to the outcome of the poll.

Olawuyi polled 21,236 to emerge winner, while his closest rival, Mr Saheed Alatise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 18,095.

“This is a happy moment for me because we have been doing this for a long time. When your time has come, no one can stop you but at the same time, I give glory to God, because it is the best time Allah has created for me.

“My party believed in me to put me forward for the assignment and I thank God I have delivered,” he said.

Olawuyi, who described his party as the best in Africa, said he was never scared of the opposition because he is a grassroots politician that is loved by his people.

He said because of the fact that his people love him and follow him with passion, he will always defeat his opponents in a free and fair election.

Olawuyi said the state government’s statement that the election was between the PDP and the security agencies was laughable because it was what they were used to.