The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday November 2, 2023, arraigned Morris Gbiki Karinane before Justice P .I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The defendant was arraigned on one -count charge bordering on alleged illegal dealing in petroleum product without a requisite license.
The charge reads:
“That you, Morris Gbiki Karinane on the 15th day of July, 2023, at Krakrama Waterways in Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority to deal in Petroleum Product, dealt in unspecified quantity of Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO laden in a Wooden Boat and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(17)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Punishable Section 1(17)(b) of the same Act”.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of the plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. B. Ubi prayed the court for a trial date.
However, counsel to the defendant, M.D Atimi informed the court of his application for bail of the defendant, urging the court to grant his client bail on the most liberal terms.
Justice Ajoku ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Service pending the hearing of bail applications.
The matter was adjourned to November 6, 2023 for hearing of bail application.
Karinane’s case started when he was intercepted and arrested by the officers of Nigerian Navy, NNS Pathfinder, Rumolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State in July 2023 for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products without license at Krakrama Waterways in Rivers State. He was apprehended onboard a wooden boat containing an unspecified quantity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
Media & Publicity
November 3, 2023
COURT JAILS 41 INTERNET FRAUDSTERS IN OYO, OGUN
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of 41( forty one) internet fraudsters to various jail terms in Oyo and Ogun States respectively.
They were jailed after pleading guilty to one -count charge each preferred against them by the EFCC. Justices Ladiran Akintola and Adebukola Olajide of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan; Justices Abiodun Akinyemi, A.A. Babawale and B.B. Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta and Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, jailed the 41 convicts.
The convicts are Siyanbade Timilehin Omobosola, Ilugbo Emmanuel Adekunle, Odude Ayomide Michael, Aderounmu Gbenga Michael, Oluwole David Dare, Habeeblahi Abdullateef Akande, Ololade Sunday Olamide, Ibrahim Victor Abayomi, Adewusi Mojeed Adedeji, Afeez Lekan Jimoh, Peter Seyi Iyanuoluwa, Olatunde Abass, Alan-Oni Joseph Opeyemi, Adetunji Abolaji Adeola and Ogunmola Oluwabori Micheal.
Others are: Ajayi Raymond Damilare, Cyril Stephen Oluwaseyi, Adekunle Solomon, Olalekan Taoreed Miller, Oladipupo Imoleayo Falohun, Moboluwaduro Olalekan Soetan, Ibikunle Oluwadamilare James, Olumoroti Ayomide Segun, Fetuga Olajide Abiodun, Agbolade Mayowa Oluwafemi , Felix Folorunsho Ayodele, Dauda Rokeeb Opeyemi, Adeife Adeleke Oluwasegun, Agbe Simon Abuo, Alonge Timileyin Israel.
The rest are: Lasisi Hassan Ayobami, Olakode Ajibola Ibrahim, Ogundiya Fredrick Olajide, Emmanuel Chidi Peter, Ayanmo Taiwo Wasiu, Daud Sodiq Temidayo, Hammed Ibrahim Ola, Adenuga Tope Lekan, Ibrahim Odewande Olasumbo, Adekunle Habeeb Olamilekan and Monday Blessing Patrick.
Upon their arraignments, they all pleaded “guilty” to the one- count charge when it was read to them individually. Consequently, facts of the cases were reviewed by the prosecution as they prayed the courts to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
The courts, having listened to the submissions and prayers of the prosecution and defence counsels, convicted and sentenced Patrick, Olasumbo, Lekan, Ola, Temidayo, Olajide, Ibrahim, Ayobami, Israel, James, Soetan, Solomon and Oluwaseyi to one year imprisonment each while Olamilekan was sentenced to nine months jail term and Falohun to ten months imprisonment.
Also, Wasiu, Peter, Oluwafemi, Abiodun and Olumoroti bagged three months imprisonment each but Oluwafemi, Abiodun and Olumoroti were given option of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine each in lieu of their sentence.
Furthermore, Oluwasegun, Opeyemi, Ayodele, Damilare, Micheal, Adeola, Opeyemi, Abass, Iyanuoluwa, Jimoh, Adedeji, Abayomi, Olamide, Akande, Michael, Adekunle, and Omobosola were convicted and sentenced to six months community service each as Adekunle and Omobosola got a N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine alongside their sentences respectively.
The courts also convicted and sentenced Abuo, Miller, Dare and Michael to three months community service each but Abuo got a N50, 000.00 fine in lieu of his sentence while Michael was to pay a fine of N30k alongside his sentence
The convicts were ordered to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria, including a green colour Toyota Highlander with Registration Number: LSD – 400 – GX and one sky blue colour Toyota Camry with Registration Number: DG – 453 – FT.
All the 41 convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the EFCC for internet-related offences. They were investigated, prosecuted and convicted.
Media & Publicity
November 3, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS ISLAMIC SCHOLAR, SHEIKH YUSUF ALI
President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the death of foremost Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Ali, who died in the early hours of Monday, at 73.
The President sent a message of condolence to the family, students, and followers of the Kano-based scholar who held the position of Sarkin Malamai of Gaya Emirate.
President Tinubu described the death of the religious leader as one that reverberates across the country in view of the late scholar’s wide network of followers, especially among the Tijjaniyya sect in Nigeria and beyond.
“As a teacher, poet, jurist, Islamic preacher, and herbalist, Sheikh Yusuf Ali has impacted a multitude of people throughout his life. His life was dedicated to the search and propagation of knowledge,” the President said.
President Tinubu sympathized with the late Sheikh’s family, his followers, the government and people of Kano State, and the Nigerian Muslim community over the loss. The President prayed for the repose of his soul.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
November 6, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
TIME FOR ATIKU ABUBAKAR TO FINALLY GO AWAY AND END HIS AMBITION TO BE PRESIDENT
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate in last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, unraveled on Monday at a press conference in Abuja where he finally found his voice after more than 96 hours to respond to his trouncing at the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on his grossly incompetent election petition appeal.
We were wrong to expect that Atiku at 77 would play the statesman and sportsman and accept, with equanimity, the verdict of the highest court and the people of Nigeria.
Instead, he unashamedly constituted himself into a demagogue and anarchist in the way and manner he sought to pull down and delegitimize all the institutions of State, all in a futile bid to achieve what he could not get via the ballot box.
At his press conference where he laboured, in vain, to once again manipulate public opinion and blame the judiciary for his self-inflicted defeat in the 25 February Presidential election, Alhaji Atiku launched a diatribe against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and judiciary, particularly our apex court, for not bending the law and the constitution to satisfy his whims and caprices.
Atiku tried very hard to perfect his act of misinformation by seeking to lay claim to faux morality and higher ideals when in actual fact his entire life is antithetical to any higher ideals.
For instance, Atiku claimed he worked along with others to end military rule in Nigeria when he was known to be in bed with the same junta who held democracy hostage and incarcerated his mentor, Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd), till death. He distanced himself from him while in detention to keep alive his governorship ambition on the platform of one of those inglorious Abacha political parties.
Atiku’s brand of politics is such that once an electoral process or election does not go his way or pave the way for his victory, democracy becomes dysfunctional and must therefore be imperiled. For him, democracy should either go his way or the highway.
The PDP candidate was uncharitable and pugnacious in his choice of words and his view about Nigeria. We can only imagine the level of frustration that could make a former Vice President of Nigeria to hold such pessimistic view of a country where he once occupied the second highest position. The PDP candidate said Nigeria is doomed just because he failed to achieve his personal ambition.
We want to tell Alhaji Atiku this: Nigeria is not doomed. It is only Atiku’s inordinate ambition to be President that is doomed. Nigeria is moving forward and set to achieve its manifest destiny as one of the most respected and successful nations of the world under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Contrary to Atiku’s gloomy submission on our democracy, we are excited to tell the world that our democracy is thriving and blossoming. It is the reason, for the first time, since 1999 the character of our National Assembly and its outlook reflect the diversity and plurality of the choices and preferences of voters as a rainbow coalition of different parties as opposed to the practice in the past where just two parties dominated the national parliament.
In today’s Nigeria, votes count. No amount of deliberate distortions of facts about our recent election by Alhaji Atiku and his partner, Peter Obi can vitiate the continuous improvement of our electoral process which local and international observers have hailed. As declared by the Supreme Court, IReV was not designed as an online collation centre. It was simply a public viewing centre for results.
PDP and Atiku, including Peter Obi’s faction of Labour Party cannot continue to insist on their own reality against commonsense, logic and the law.
Atiku and his army of hirelings knew why they lost the election. The PDP candidate lost because Nigerians preferred Bola Ahmed Tinubu and voted for him to be president. Tinubu, along with his APC, won because he offered a better vision for our country’s future. The All Progressives Congress as a united and formidable party which ran a well-coordinated campaign with his rank and file intact.
Atiku lost because he went into a major election with a fragmented and tattered umbrella that could not hold together. There was no way Atiku and PDP could have won the election with the party platform under which he contested broken into four parts. If Atiku was not harboring a delusion of grandeur, we wonder how he could have envisaged any possible pathway to victory with Mr. Peter Obi’s Labour Party, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s NNPP and PDP G-5 Governors who took away possible PDP votes, while the APC went into the election as a strong, viable and unified entity.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claims he loves Nigeria and embraces “integrity” so much. We found such claim to be sheer hypocrisy as Atiku remains one of the worst examples of kleptocracy in Africa. The US Congress lists Atiku’s money laundering as one of the very rare cases of corruption at the highest level of governance in the world.
His avarice sent congressman William Jefferson to jail after the FBI busted a bribery scandal in which Atiku was involved from head to toe and for which he was marked down by the U.S. agency.
Now as we get to the proper business of governance after Atiku’s unwarranted distraction, we have picked some clear lessons going forward. One is that our institutions must be strengthened on diligent and sturdy wings, enough to withstand and identify from afar rabble-rousers who masquerade as statesmen.
Second, our institutions must also ensure that corrupt, desperate, self-serving serial losers should not have a space in our democracy. Because if they don’t win the battle, they might burn the nation.
We want to advise Atiku that after over three decades of elusive bid for the Presidency of Nigeria, he must now end his unprofitable bid and go away from any venture that will further pollute the political atmosphere and national harmony.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES YABA FLYOVER, AS LAGOS RED RAIL LINE RACES TO COMPLETION
- Don’t turn the bridge to trading area, Governor warns
- Lagos to start test run of Red Line trains
Yaba flyover – one of the four bridges being concurrently constructed by the Lagos State Government along the Red Line rail corridor – is now open to traffic, creating a new commuting and connectivity experience in Lagos Mainland.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, commissioned the T-shape overpass that will serve as an alternative route to access Ebute Metta, Oyingbo, Yaba and Surulere.
The project, undertaken by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has brought traffic relief to motorists and commuters plying Yaba, as it has solved congestion and delays associated with railway level crossing, which hitherto hindered free movement in the vicinity.
The overpass bridge also eliminated pedestrian and vehicular interference on the rail tracks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and collisions between trains and vehicles.
A euphoric crowd of residents thronged the ceremony where the Governor and members of the State’s cabinet gathered to formally inaugurate the project.
Sanwo-Olu said the event marked the beginning of the completion phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line, which spans 37 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo. He stressed that the delivery of the infrastructure bore testament to his administration’s determination to develop and proffer sustainable solutions to transportation challenges facing the State.
The Governor said the remaining overpasses at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo were at their completion stages, disclosing that the bridges would be opened to traffic before the end of December 2023.
He said: “Today, we are witnessing another leap in the fulfilment of our promise under the Traffic management and Transportation pillar of our development agenda. Three years ago, we undertook the task to construct four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja, the objective to bring relief to our teeming residents by reducing congestion and improving travel time as well as the cost of commuting. Over the years, we recorded avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings, most of the time due to human errors.
“Today, we are formally inaugurating a key component of the infrastructure projects initiated to bring about traffic improvement and solutions to the challenges encountered. This event is, therefore, significant because it signifies the completion phase of the Red Line project. Before the end of the year, other overpass bridges at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo will be formally commissioned and there will be no more occurrence of train-vehicle accidents at these locations.”
Sanwo-Olu said the delivery of the Yaba flyover reflected his Government’s plan for an integrated transportation system, stressing that the infrastructure had turned the area to a hub of rapid bus and rail transportation.
In the coming weeks, the Governor said the Red Line trains would begin pre-inauguration test run, as the construction races to the end. This, he said, will be followed by commissioning and formal operations of the metro line in 2024.
Sanwo-Olu urged road users to protect the infrastructure from vandals and arsonists, while also warning against turning the bridge to a trading platform. He served last notice to all those engaging in illegal trading on the railway tracks, instructing law enforcement officers to ensure compliance.
He said: “These projects have been implemented at huge cost. We should not feel unconcerned when societal enemies are bent on destroying our commonwealth. I ask all road users to protect this bridge from vandals and other societal enemies.
“Let me reiterate that this bridge is not a market place; the steps, ramps, and sidewalks are not for displaying wares. Our law enforcement agencies have been given strict instructions to ensure zero tolerance for any misuse of this facility.”
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) was designed to provide to 25 transport imperatives, which include creation of multiple transport choices for residents, introduction of integrated transport system, making the transit system attractive, convenient, affordable and accessible, reducing urban transportation-induced emissions.
He said the infrastructure would optimise the usage of the road network and aid urban transport planning.
“The STMP also provided for a long term financing of the investment plan,” the Commissioner said.
LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo said three out of the four remaining bridges had been completed and awaiting commissioning. The only outstanding project, she said, is the Mushin overpass, which is due for completion by December.
“In the coming weeks, Mr. Governor will be commissioning the remaining overpasses one after the other, until the main project, the Red Line, is commissioned for operations. The operation of the Red Line and its ancillary infrastructure will have an exponential effect on the economy of the State,” she said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
02 NOVEMBER 2023
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU DELIVERS, INAUGURATES OYINGBO FLYOVER
- ‘Lagos a model for other States’ – Ekiti Governor Oyebanji
- Lagos opens second Red Line train infrastructure
Oyingbo, a province in Lagos Mainland, welcomed a new flyover that slices through the well-trodden transport convergence, altering the landscape with its exalting piece of engineering.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, opened the T-shaped Oyingbo Overpass Bridge to traffic, marking the delivery of another ancillary infrastructure of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on invitation of Sanwo-Olu, commissioned the project undertaken by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
Inauguration of Oyingbo Flyover came three days after Yaba Flyover – another key Red Line infrastructure – was commissioned by Sanwo-Olu.
The Oyingbo Flyover serves as a major transit link between Lagos Island and Mainland, ascending from Murtala Mohammed Way in Ebute Metta and dropping traffic into two separate arterial roads – Iddo and Costain.
The project solved vehicular congestions and delays, which hampered free movement in the vicinity. The overpass also eliminated pedestrian and vehicular interference on the rail tracks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and collisions between trains and vehicles.
Sanwo-Olu said the investment would not only enhance uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic at level crossings along the Red Line corridor, but the infrastructure would also improve commerce and life quality of the residents.
He said: “Today, we are opening another Overpass Bridge constructed to ensure safety of lives and uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic at level crossings along the Red Line. This key project, which is the second of the five bridges undertaken by Lagos State Government along the rail corridor, has been delivered in Oyingbo, famous for being a thriving centre of commerce.
The siting of this infrastructure in this area is strategic and intentional to achieve a seamless integrated intermodal transport system for the people. Oyingbo Flyover is an important bridge connecting Oyingbo Station of the Lagos Red Line to the Oyingbo Bus Station. The infrastructure has also opened new connectivity for motorists and commuters going to the Island from the Mainland.”
Sanwo-Olu said the opening of Oyingbo Bridge came at the right time in view of the announced maintenance work on Third Mainland Bridge, which prompted the closure of Ebute Metta sections serving as passageways for motorists going to Lagos Island.
Oyingbo Flyover, the Governor said, will now provide alternative routes to access Lagos Island. He warned against misuse of the facility, stressing that the State Government would not tolerate illegal activities, including trading, under the bridge.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the contract for the bridge had not only harnessed the local engineering expertise, the infrastructure had also enabled skill transfer and developed local engineering solutions. The Governor disclosed that students of engineering from tertiary institutions based in Lagos were engaged throughout the period of the construction for them to learn and derive value.
Oyebanji said Lagos had become a model for transformative leadership, progressive reforms and good governance, praising Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his electoral promise to the people.
The Ekiti Governor said: “The commissioning of this massive infrastructure project speaks to what is possible when you have a thinking leadership and a government that works with a vision at the helm. We have seen Lagos evolve to become a great city under the grand vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who laid the foundation for the development initiatives being implemented by his successors in Lagos.
“Ekiti State has a lot to learn from Lagos in terms of creating a practicable development vision that will be passed on to successive administration. This is the first time, in several years, which Ekiti is witnessing unbroken transition to Government by same political party. Ekiti is toeing the same path, as we are committed to build on the foundation laid by my predecessor.”
Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the flyover further attested to the drive of the Governor’s development blueprint, known THEMES Plus Agenda, to deliver an integrated transportation master plan aimed at making Lagos a competitive city.
LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, praised Sanwo-Olu for demonstrating courage to ensure timely completion of the Red Line infrastructure.
Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Hon. Omolola Essien, described the event as ”momentous occasion”, noting the bridge was “a symbol of progress” for the Lagos Mainland residents.
She promised to galvanise residents in protecting the bridge and prevent illegal trading under it.
“I sincerely extend the appreciation of Lagos Mainland residents to Mr. Governor for his unwavering commitment to the transformation of Lagos and our city. I believe this infrastructure will improve the quality of life of the people and ease transportation within this axis. We promise zero tolerance to trading under the bridge and we will preserve the infrastructure,” she said
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
05 NOVEMBER 2023
14.4 million pills of opioids seized in Lagos raids as trafficker excretes 86 wraps of heroin
– NDLEA arrests 3 blind members of drug syndicate; intercepts 3.2kgs Saudi-bound cocaine
No less than Fourteen Million, Four Hundred and Eighty One Thousand, Five Hundred and Nineteen (14, 481, 519) pills of Tramadol and bottles of codeine syrup worth over Thirteen Billion Naira (N13,000,000,000) in street value have been recovered by operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in three major busts of drug cartels operating in Amuwo Odofin, Idumota and the SAHCO shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
The three intelligence-led operations began with the raid of House 8/10 Hon. Wahuha Avenue, Divine Estate, Ago Palace area of Amuwo Odofin on Sunday 29th October, where 490,000 pills of tramadol and 81,519 bottles of codeine syrup measuring 4, 510, 000mls were recovered.
In a similar operation on Tuesday 31st October, NDLEA operatives swooped on a secret warehouse operated by a billionaire Idumota trader, Nwaoha Anayo located at Onitire, Aguda area of Surulere where Twelve Million Seven Hundred Thousand (12, 700, 000) pills of tramadol were recovered.
In the same vein, at least six members of a syndicate using their official cover to facilitate the smuggling of illicit drugs through the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouse at the Lagos airport into the country have been arrested and One Million Two Hundred and Ten Thousand (1, 210, 000) pills of tramadol seized from them in a painstaking operation that lasted for weeks. The six suspects already in NDLEA custody include: Oladele Sanya-Olu; Lawal Itunu Temitope; Sanamo Alla Daniel; Udeh Felix Monday; Musa Mutalib and Unege Evans Icibor, while three other suspects: Sarki Mubarak Salami; Abdullahi Aliyu (aka Aboki); and Monday Anwal, are now on the run and wanted by NDLEA.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 29th October intercepted yet another businessman, 50-year-old Nwokolo Ifeanyi Anthony during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 to Amsterdam, Netherlands via Paris, France at the boarding gate and was body scanned. The result turned out to be positive for illicit drug ingestion.
The suspect who travelled from Lagos to board the flight was subsequently kept under observation for some days during which he excreted a total of 86 pellets of heroin weighing 1.330kilograms.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, attached to courier firms on Monday 30th October intercepted 22 parcels of cocaine concealed in the walls of a carton containing sewn local fabrics popularly called Aso Oke, heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested three blind men operating an illicit drug ring between Lagos and Kano, while another blind member of the syndicate is still at large. The lid was blown off the group following the arrest of a blind suspect, Adamu Hassan, 40, along Gwagwalada expressway Abuja with 12kgs of skunk on his way from Lagos to Kano on Saturday 28th October. Investigations however established that he was totally oblivious of the content of the bag handed to him to deliver in Kano.
Follow up operations then led to the arrest of the arrowhead of the syndicate, Bello Abubakar, 45, who is also blind. In his statement, Bello who is married with five children said he has been living in Lagos for 30 years but started the illicit drug business five years ago.
Another suspect, Muktar Abubakar, 59, who is equally blind has been living in Lagos for 40 years and married to three wives with 14 children. Both Muktar Abubakar and Bello Abubakar are joint owners of the business, while the third suspect, Akilu Amadu, 25, also blind equally contributes money to the criminal trade and was indeed the one who delivered the consignment to Adamu at the motor park in Lagos to deliver in Kano. Another blind suspect who is the expected receiver of the consignment in Kano, Mallam Aminu is currently at large.
While operatives in Osun on Saturday 4th November stormed the Obada sawmill forest in Owena-Ijesa, Oriade LGA where they arrested a suspect, Monday Sylvester, 37, on a 6.01 hectares of cannabis farm which was destroyed and 489.8kgs already processed plant recovered, their colleagues in Edo raided a trans-loading point inside Avbiosi forest, Owan West LGA where 603 kilograms of the illicit substance were seized.
Also, NDLEA officers in Ogun state on Friday 3rd November recovered a Toyota Sienna bus from a ditch, at Ajebo Area, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 460kgs of the same substance, while a total of 116.5kgs of cannabis sativa belonging to a suspect at large were seized at Olagunju, Mushin area of Lagos.
The Commands and formations of the Agency continued their war against drug abuse, WADA, advocacy lectures across the country. Some of the sensitization lectures in the past week were organized by: Zone N command of NDLEA in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom state command for principals of secondary schools in the state; Kano state command at Government Science and Technical College, Wudil; Gombe state command for students of Haruna Rasheed College of Health Sciences, Dukku; Anambra state command for students of Community Secondary School, Ezi-Awka; Zone I command in collaboration with Osun command of the Agency and the State Ministry of Education for over 320 secondary school principals in the state; Oyo State command at Anglican Grammar School, Starlight, Ogbomoso with 2,032 students in attendance and Ogun state command for students and staff of Gateway Junior Secondary School, Abeokuta.
While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Lagos, Osun, Edo and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain focused as the Agency expands its operations against drug cartels.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 5th November 2023
OSITA NWAJAH BOWS OUT OF SERVICE
Staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 1, 2023 celebrated the retirement of the Director of Public Affairs, Commander of the EFCC, CE Osita Nwajah who bowed out gracefully from public service, after attaining the peak of his career.
At a colourful send-forth party held at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission, Jabi, Abuja, Nwajah was commended for his pioneering roles in raising and building the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC.
Secretary to the Commission, Muhammad Hammajoda, applauded the former Director for the meritorious service he rendered to the Commission over the years, wishing him success in his future endeavours.
Acting Director, Public Affairs, DCE Wilson Uwujaren, described Nwajah as a leader, mentor and gentleman who left a flourishing journalism career 20 years ago to join the service of the EFCC as a pioneer Head of Media and Publicity.
“All that we have in this Department is the initiative of the celebrant. He nurtured the department from a single Unit to a Department of five Units today. He virtually announced EFCC to the rest of the world through strategic communication. He came up with the vision of a radio station, more than ten years ago and the vision is now a reality today. We are delighted that we had the opportunity to work under Osita. As he is leaving, I wonder how we are going to cope without him, but I want to assure you that his vision for the Department, God willing, will not be disappointed”, he said.
Many colleagues, at the event, described him as a gentle genius, excellent administrator, principled, silent achiever and goal- getter who is totally dedicated to the service of the nation.
Responding, Nwajah, who almost broke down in tears while trying to express his appreciation at the massive show of love for him, said that he will surely miss his time with the Commission, adding that he spent the bulk of his working life at the EFCC.
“Honestly, I was going to shed tears here, all I can say is that my time here came with no regrets. I am grateful for working with each and every one and I will continue to cherish all of you in my heart. He promised to continue to identify with the Commission, assuring that “you are still going to be seeing me around”.
Nwajah, a pioneer staff of EFCC, joined the Commission on October 29, 2003 and rose to become a Director on October 29, 2014, championing the preventive mandate of the Commission in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Prior to joining the Commission, he held senior editorial positions in The News/Tempo and Tell Magazines respectively. A former Editor of the defunct Anchor Newspaper, Nwajah was a CNN African Journalist of the year in 1999 and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.
Media & Publicity
November 1, 2023
Ezekiel Joseph Oyo jumped bail and efforts are being made to bring him to trial for money laundering offences -EFCC
The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested Ezekiel Joseph Oyo on April 5, 2023 at the Life Camp area of Abuja metropolis, sequel to discreet surveillance and actionable intelligence on his suspected involvement in internet fraud called Picking2, online romance and money laundering.
He was introduced to the fraudulent practice through one of his friends, Bruno, based in Germany. To ply his nefarious business, he opened a wallet address with a user name: Hubert.elwood@outlook.com. Through this wallet address, he received into his block chain, a total fraudulent transaction of $3,982,260.91( Three Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars, Ninety-One Cent).
He got the money from Remitano, a Visual Digital Company based in Seychelles on March 3, 2023. He benefitted $50,000( Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from the fraudulent bitcoin business.
Upon his arrest, investigators at the Abuja Zonal Command of the Commission undertook his detailed profiling, granted him administrative bail with two sureties provided by him. It took his sureties three weeks to meet up with some modest bail conditions offered them and Oyo was released after the conditions were met.
Investigators recovered a total sum of $27,000( Twenty Seven Thousand United States Dollars) from him and the recovery was duly reported and documented. It is a blatant lie that investigators provided sureties for him. Would Sureties provided by investigators spend three weeks to perfect Oyo’s bail conditions, if indeed they were provided by them? The purported $107,000( One Hundred and Seven Thousand United States Dollars) ascribed to EFCC investigators is untrue and unfounded. How could a suspect that benefitted $ 50,000 from his transactions offered $107,000 as bribe? Every wild claim made against investigators at the Abuja Zonal Command are mere trumped-up fabrications and should be ignored. All items recovered from him, including a Mercedes Benz C43 AMG, are in the custody of the Commission.
Oyo jumped bail and efforts are being made to bring him to trial for money laundering offences.
Media & Publicity
November 3, 2023
The Facts on the Naval Boat in 2023 Supplementary Budget
Following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, it is important to provide some clarifications.
First, we need to make clear that President Bola Tinubu’s administration respects the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern. We thus consider it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues.
- What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President. It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features.
- The Naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous administration. President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations.
- The payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence. The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion out which N62 billion was approved by the President.
- President Tinubu is focused on securing our country and territorial waters. The Federal Government under his leadership is investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from our oil and gas, marine and blue economy.
In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges. Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
November 2, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
BAYELSA, IMO, KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS: PRESIDENT TINUBU APPEALS FOR FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTORAL CONDUCT
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja appealed to all candidates participating in the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, as well as the electorate to ensure free and fair elections.
The President made the appeal at the presentation of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) flags to the standard-bearers in the upcoming elections.
He presented the party flags to Chief Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second-term in office, and Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for Kogi State.
“All I am pleading for is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well,” the President stated.
The President expressed optimism about the party’s chances of victory in the off-season elections, noting the hard work and records of the candidates, as well as the collective efforts of party officials, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
He said the collective efforts of these party men were factors inspiring his optimism in the forthcoming elections.
”I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure a handover to our candidate, Usman Ododo. We are happy to have Hope Uzodinma, the great hope of our party and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing.
”Timipre Sylva, congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.
”We are all facing this crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope, and we have Hope Uzodinma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.
”I want to thank the active national leadership of our party, the NWC, and our hardworking chairman. He is doing a good job, and I thank him very much,” President Tinubu said.
The APC National Chairman commended the President for endorsing the candidates and for taking time out of his busy schedule to present the flags to them.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 2, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU MEETS FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY AS NIGERIA PREPARES FOR RETURN OF $150M ABACHA LOOT
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, expressed his appreciation to France for the return of $150 million stolen from Nigeria by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
In addition to the recovery of another tranche of Abacha loot, the President acknowledged the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme — a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.
The agreement was signed by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, at an earlier event at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Tinubu commended the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, noting that this progress followed his visit to Paris after his inauguration.
“Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives,” the President told Catherine Colonna, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, who delivered the news.
The President, while emphasizing the need to reinforce collaboration on both political and economic fronts, welcomed the growing cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.
On the situation in Niger Republic, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said Nigeria is monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country, and exploring diplomatic channels to avoid bloodshed.
“Leadership is about responding to the needs of the people; their cries, and their frustrations. Nigeria shares a border with Niger across the expanse of seven Nigerian states, and most of these states are very populated. Therefore, I need to guide ECOWAS carefully and steadily so that we manage our anger carefully.
”We have a colleague and a democratically-elected leader, President Bazoum, being used as a human shield. If we are not careful, he and his family can be endangered.
”I am deploying all appropriate back-channel strategies to avoid bloodshed in Niger Republic. We recognize the wishes of our people; they do not want war, but that does not mean we can not take bold and decisive action,” the President affirmed.
President Tinubu said Nigeria will continue to galvanize international partners in the determined pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger Republic.
The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed the readiness of France to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.
She proceeded to extend a formal invitation to President Bola Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum.
Speaking on the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes.
“It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,” she said.
Ms. Colonna also commended President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, saying: “We support your efforts at ECOWAS. We are behind you because we believe that constitutional order is a treasure for all countries, and democracy must be a reality.”
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 3, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS REFORM AND REACTIVATION OF PRESIDENTIAL PROJECT DELIVERY TRACKER
President Bola Tinubu has directed the reactivation of the Presidential Delivery Tracker to empower Nigerians to track the implementation of projects across the country in real time.
Speaking at the closing session of the three-day Cabinet Retreat, on Friday in Abuja, the President said that his determination to ensure the active and direct participation of citizens in governance is unwavering, noting that all Nigerians must be given the opportunity to track and report on the implementation of projects across the country.
President Tinubu said he has asked his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, to immediately reactivate the tracking system in a way that maximally leverages on cutting-edge digital innovation to provide real time oversight capability for the benefit of all Nigerians.
President Tinubu also redefined the priority areas of his administration as:
- Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.
- Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.
- Boost agriculture to achieve food security.
- Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development.
- Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
- Focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development.
- Accelerate diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation.
- Improve governance for effective service delivery.
The President further implored all members of his cabinet to work very hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
“I want to reiterate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is about more than just economic growth. It is also about building a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians. It is about creating jobs, improving education and healthcare, and reducing poverty. It is about ensuring that all Nigerians have the opportunity to succeed.
“I know that we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am confident we can achieve our goals. We have a strong team in place, and we are committed to working together to build a better future for Nigeria.
“Let me remind you that our people are not interested in excuses, political games, or procrastination. Neither am I. They are interested in tangible results. They seek solutions to the problems that have long plagued our great nation. The challenge before us demands that we must put aside personal ambitions and focus on adhering to the performance bond we have all signed up to on this day. These performance bonds represent a contract we must uphold,” the President said.
The President also emphasized the importance of data in governance, saying: “Data is the lifeblood of effective governance. It enables us to understand the challenges we face so that we can design and implement effective solutions as well as monitor and evaluate our progress. Without data, we are flying blind.”
The climax of the retreat was the signing of performance bonds by ministers and permanent secretaries alongside President Tinubu, who charged all implementing authorities to unfailingly demonstrate diligence, innovative thinking, commitment, and an unrelenting focus on results.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
November 3, 2023
