– “We are Julius Berger, and we are besting every technical challenge and progressing at good pace”, says JBN Project Manager
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has said that the country’s engineering construction leader, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is helping the state government to actualise its dream for a better transportation network for Lagos.
He spoke in Lagos weekend at the completion of the first Pile Cast on the Lagos Opebi-Maryland Link Road bridge through his Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye.
According to the governor, “…what Julius Berger is doing here is not unexpected. They are known for good quality work. Like the Commissioner for Transportation will always say, what we have here is a collaboration between the Ministry of Works and Lands and Housing.
“It is something that we thought about and decided that this was the best network that will work for Lagos. So, what Julius Berger is doing here is they are seriously bringing to fruition our ideas on paper. And so far, so good,” she added.
Speaking while explaining the basics of the Link Road project to Lagos State government officials, the Project Manager, Denysenko Dmytriy said the first pile cap being completed is the first in a lot more to create a stable foundation for the bridge to be constructed over them. “It also offers a larger area for the spread of the concrete load that would eventually be on the piles,” he said. The Project manager also said that the project has been very challenging given its difficult terrain, “because all water from Ikeja come through here before it discharges into the Lagoon. Nevertheless, we are Julius Berger and we habitually, professionally deliver excellent strength and quality even in challenging topographies. This project is very important to Lagos state government because of its unique utility, and we remain strongly committed to its accomplishment,” he further said.
The Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge has a total length of 3.89 kilometres consisting 2829 metre road length with 276-metre Deck-on-Pile Bridge and 474 metre Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall approach sections. The Lagos State Government’s Legacy Project as it called in official circles, whose construction is taking off 20 years after conception, is expected to link Opebi in Allen Avenue area with Ojota and Maryland through Odo-Iya Alaro underpass.
Sanwo-Olu at the flag-off ceremony last January said that the project scheduled to be completed in 2023, is strategic because of the huge traffic bearing capacity of the area, as it will help reduce the perennial gridlock along the Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Road that leads to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. According to the Governor, “…in consideration of the exponential growth rate of commercial activities and services within this axis, and to address the challenge of the huge traffic burden occasioned by the growth, we decided to provide carefully designed innovative solutions to ease the daily gridlock experienced by commuters around Opebi / Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way/ Ojota/Mende corridor.” The Governor further stated at the time that, “… as you are aware, there is presently no direct link between Opebi, Maryland and Ojota. The available road infrastructure that links the axis is also limited in its connectivity options, thus during peak periods, the high traffic volume within the axis usually congests the Ikeja Traffic Network.”
Among representatives of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the event were Regional Manager Technical, Thomas Balzuweit, Engr. Nath Ikem, Engr.
PRESIDENT BUHARI CELEBRATES NIGERIA’S ICONIC THESPIAN, JIMI SOLANKE, AT 80
President Muhammadu Buhari joins the performing arts industry in celebrating one of the country’s most celebrated thespians, Jimi Solanke, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Describing the veteran songwriter, actor, performer, visual artist, poet and storyteller as a national hero, the President thanks him immensely for using his talents and works to help shape the modern and vibrant creative industry in Nigeria.
President Buhari hopes that Baba Agba’s repertoire of works and skills , which is a signpost of the best in Nigeria’s culture, drama and entertainment, will continue to inspire a new generation of Nigerians to work on using the theatre to address contemporary issues , promoting peace, unity and progress across the country.
The President prays for God’s continued guidance and blessings on the octogenarian, and wishes everyone celebrating with the legend bountiful success in their endeavours.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 5, 2022
Two Jailed for Romance Scam in Abuja
The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of two fraudsters, Destiny Unabor and Confidence Ekeanya before Justices A.A Halilu and S.B. Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo and Bwari respectively, for charges bordering on impersonation and romance scam.
Unabor created a Facebook page with the name, Steven Zheng, a Singaporean engineer, and professed love to Seika Goto and Jennifer Chen, both Chinese nationals, in an attempt to obtain financial benefit from them.
Upon arraignment today July 4, 2022, he pleaded guilty to a one count charge.
In view of his plea, Justice Halilu sentenced Unabor to one year in prison with the option of a fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira only). He is also to forfeit his phone and laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Similarly, Justice Belgore sentenced Ekeanya to one year in prison with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) fine. He is also to forfeit his mobile phone and laptop and restitute $650 (Six Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) to his victim.
He was jailed after pleading guilty to a one count charge. He induced one Mr. Collins, an American, to deliver the sum of $5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars) to him over a phantom romantic relationship while pretending to be Stephanie, based in London.
Media & Publicity
4 July, 2022
YOU’VE INDEED BEEN A WORTHY AMBASSADOR OF OUR COUNTRY, PRESIDENT BUHARI TELLS BARKINDO, OUTGOING OPEC SECRETARY-GENERAL
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja expressed the nation’s gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the country.
Receiving Barkindo at State House, the President said posterity will remember him kindly for making the nation and himself proud during his six years of meritorious service at the helm of affairs as the 4th OPEC Secretary-General from Nigeria.
The President directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to mobilise the oil and gas industry to organise a befitting welcome reception in honour of Barkindo.
‘‘You have indeed been a worthy ambassador of our country. We are proud of your achievements before and during your appointment at OPEC and the proud legacies you will leave behind.
‘‘Your time in charge of the affairs of OPEC has been a very challenging one for the global oil industry. Oil producers were finding it difficult to come together to address challenges that were crippling the oil market.
‘‘Not long after, the world was faced with the COVID-19 pandemic that sent crude prices spiralling down at an alarming rate. You showed incredible leadership to rally industry players and pushed through the turbulent times.
‘‘There is no doubt about your efforts in putting together the Declaration of Cooperation which is the largest in the history of OPEC and the global oil industry and also the longest in duration in the history of the organization. This was a herculean task,’’ the President said.
The Nigerian leader heaped more praises on his compatriot for providing experienced administrative management to OPEC, adding that his efforts have placed the organization in a stronger position to confront the challenges it will face in the coming years.
In his remarks, Barkindo attributed his success to the tremendous guidance, charisma and international gravitas of President Buhari; support from OPEC secretariat in Vienna; and cooperation by members of the organisation.
He recounted how the counsel from President Buhari helped in the birthing of the Declaration of Cooperation of OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries, after he assumed office in Vienna, Austria in 2016 during a downturn in the sector when oil prices plunged to less than 10 U.S dollars per barrel.
‘‘It was very obvious to me that this was beyond OPEC alone to address. We needed to get the support of other leading oil producers around the world.
‘‘I recall that I did consult with you and I drank from your fountain of wisdom and your deep reservoir of knowledge of OPEC and global affairs.
‘‘With your advice and guidance, I set out to various capitals around the world to try to persuade them to understand the gravity of the situation and the need for them to urgently join hands with OPEC.
‘‘I did explain to them that they do not have to be full members of OPEC but we could work together in a framework of cooperation and on the 10th December, 2016 we signed this historic agreement in Vienna and on the 1st January, we started working together and we were able to assist the oil market restore stability.’’
The former OPEC Secretary-General noted that the Declaration of Cooperation, which is now in its sixth year, also helped the organisation to navigate the turbulence in the market occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
He explained that amidst COVID-19, the organisation took a decision to withdraw 9.6 million barrels per day from the market- the highest ever adjustment in its history- for a duration of two years.
He added that OPEC is now in the final lap of restoring the production figures due to rebound in the global market and economy.
Barkindo stressed that ‘‘throughout the period of my tenure I have continued to benefit from the President’s international goodwill and everywhere I visited in the world both within OPEC and outside OPEC, the first person your fellow Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings, ask me of is; how is my brother, President Muhamamdu Buhari.’’
Having survived the major turbulences in 2016 and 2020, Barkindo expressed confidence that the worst is over and the future looks very promising for the organisation.
He, therefore, thanked President Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve, pledging that Nigeria would continue to play its leadership role in OPEC as well as in the global oil industry.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 5, 2022
Court Convicts One, Two Arraigned for N18m Fraud in Maiduguri
Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on Monday, July 4, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Horso Amma Abba to seven years imprisonment.
Abba was arraigned on April 11, 2019 by the Maiduguri Zonal Command on a one count charge that bordered on obtaining by false pretence. He was alleged to have sold a property belonging to Alhaji Ahmed Kois Abdulkarim without his consent and diverted the proceeds to his own use.
The count reads: “That you, Hurso Abba Amma, between September and November, 2016 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced one Muhammad Nur to deliver to you the sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) only in payment of consideration for purported sale of a house situate at behind Umar Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State under the fasle pretence that you were authorised to sell same for an on behalf of the real owner which fact you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 1 (1) (b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively.”
The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Haruna Abdulkadir, presented three witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Fadawu said the prosecution had proved the case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, convicted and sentenced Abba to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. The judge further ordered that the prison term shall take effect from July 4, 2022.
In another development, the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC today arraigned the duo of Umar Mustapha and Al’amin Idris before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, on two counts of conspiracy and cheating to the tune of N15,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira).
Count two reads: “That you, Umar Mustapha, Zanna Mala Bukar and Al’amin Idris sometime in March 2020 at Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, induced Abubakar Gimba to deliver to you the sum of N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) under the guise that the said amount represent payment for the purchase of a purported plot of land laying and situated in GRA Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Maiduguri, Borno State and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”
The defendants pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges preferred against them.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, prayed the court for a trial date and remand of the defendants pending the determination of the case.
Justice Kumaliya ordered the remand of the defendants in prison custody and adjourned till July 25, 2022 for commencement of trial.
Media & Publicity
4 July, 2022
Atiku’s Missteps, Wike’s Righteous Indignation
By Erasmus Ikhide
HATE or like Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s (NEW) style of politics; his objective stance on what he believes in, his refusal to call a spade by other names, or his failure for pretext to become another person in order to acquire power. Politics would have been described differently if it’s devoid of intrigues and intricacies. Those are the attributes that set the no-nonsense first class ‘Mr Projects’ Governor of Rivers State apart from the rest.
Wike’s righteous indignation – even though it’s at the realm of rumour mill that he’s about to quit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) or abandon its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – he would not be doing the unthinkable because of the absolute injustice meted out on him in a political party that openly subscribes to equity and justice.
First, it’s difficult to believe that PDP minders in their widest imagination would allow Atiku Abubakar from Northern Nigeria to fly the party’s presidential ticket against the constitutional provisions that talked about rotation. Second, what qualifies an Atiku Abubakar to be ranked above Governor Wike who has been dubbed “PDP Conscience” for his untiring moral and financial support at a time Atiku Abubakar was hawking himself to be nominated by the APC under its presidential ticket?
What’s the reward for commitment, resilience and party loyalty if inconsistent character, political prostitute like Atiku Abubakar who has been junketing from one political party to another without ideology should be rewarded for debasing the same PDP in the past? Why should Governor Wike support a prodigal, compulsive political opportunist whose only political deposit has been that he comes from a region with manipulated population and make-believe myths of being in possession of stolen wealth with an entitlement mentality?
It’s even more infuriating that Governor Wike who scored fourteen (14) out of seventeen (17) votes cast to nominate PDP Vice Presidential candidate was left in the cold for little known Governor Ifeanyi Okowa whose only contribution was that he opened Delta State treasury for Dollars rain on PDP delegates on Atiku’s behalf.
For a fact, the combination of Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa as one of the major opposition political parties has deflated the hope of Nigerians who were looking up to the party for redemption after seven years of the APC’s ruinous administration. This is because perception is everything in politics. Nigerians see Atiku Abubakar as a doyen of corruption, Fulani fundamentalist and a precursor of bloodbath.
The other day, Atiku Abubakar quickly pulled down his tweet condemning the roasting alive of Deborah Samuel after Islamic bandits threatened him with a-no-vote in next year’s presidential election. How can such unstable hermit who barely visit Nigeria from his Dubai base each time elections are around the corner be trusted?
Atiku’s missteps and Wike’s righteous indignation has become the PDP’s knew Achilles heel because you can’t step into the same river twice! It’s even more so now that Nigerians have an alternative to the leprous and vanquished APC and PDP. Nigerians are now ‘ Obedient ‘ in Labour Party!!
Erasmus Ikhide contributed this piece from Lagos Nigeria via: ikhideerasmus@gmail.com
Court Convicts Man for N6m Scam
The Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, July 4, 2022, secured the conviction of one Chike Akwitti (alias Dr. Justified Iseoma Nnaemeka) before justice Sylvanus Origi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The convict was arraigned on December 16, 2015, on a four count charge of obtaining by false pretence and theft to the tune of about N6,370, 000(Six Million Three Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira).
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Chike Akwitti alias Dr. Justified Isioma Nnaemeka, ‘Emeralds Chike’ between the 2nd and 8th of December, 2015 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did with intent to defraud obtain the total sum of N5,000,000.00( Five Million Naira Only) from one Nkechi Joy Ani under the false pretence that the money would be used to finance property transaction which pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges, setting the stage for his full trial. The EFCC through the prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi called four witnesses and tendered documents in evidence.
Justice Origi on Monday, July 4, 2022, convicted the defendant, who is still at large, on counts one, two and three, but acquitted him on count four.
The judge adjourned the matter to 13 July, 2022, for sentencing.
Media & Publicity
4 July, 2022
July 3, 2022
LIRS OPTIMIZES PAYMENT PROCEDURE ON eTAX FOR TAXPAYERS
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) is currently optimizing its payment procedures for utmost efficiency and taxpayers’ convenience.
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the Agency, as part of its digitalization process, is discontinuing all previously used bill references effective from August 1st, 2022.
Consequently, according to the Chairman, only the Enterprise Tax Solutions (eTax), generated bill references will be acceptable for tax payments.
The eTax platform, (https://etax.lirs.net) which went live in October 2019, was launched by LIRS to engender seamless tax operations and reduce compliance costs to taxpayers. Since its launch, eTax has improved the effectiveness of tax administration in Lagos State.
Mr Subair added that the eTax was built as a one-stop shop for all tax transactions, and it is in the same spirit that the generation of bill references, required for all tax payments is now exclusive to the eTax platform.
He reiterated that by the cutoff date of August 1st, 2022, eTax would become the only authorized channel to generate bill reference for tax payments and other tax-related transactions in Lagos State.
To generate a bill reference on e-Tax, taxpayers can use the 5 easy steps below:
- Visit https://etax.lirs.net
- Input your Payer ID and password to log in
- Select revenue type, and upload schedule (For PAYE & Withholding Taxes)
- Generate a bill reference
- Make a payment on any of the multiple channels available, using the generated bill reference.
For further assistance on eTax or other related enquiries, taxpayers are enjoined to call LIRS customer service hotline on 0700 2255 5477 or send email to etaxinfo@lirs.net.
Visit the website: https://lirs.gov.ng, Follow on Twitter:@lirsgovng, Facebook: @lirsgovng, Instagram: @lirsgovng
Signed:
Monsurat Amasa
Head, Corporate Communications
LIRS
Internet Fraud: Eight Convicted in Ibadan
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, July 1, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of eight internet fraudsters before different Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State on separate amended one count charge each of fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The offences contravene Section 22 (2) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The convicts are Alabi Gift Jesse, Sulaimon Qudus Olasukanmi, Ridwan Gbolahan Olayiwola, Adenuga Adeniran Sunday, Afuye Adeniyi Emmanuel, Yusuf Ademola Matthew, Adele Fuad Ayinde and Olayinka Taiwo Olaniyi.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Upon their pleas, prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur and Shamsuddeen Bashir, urged the courts to convict and sentence them as charged.
Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced Jesse to eleven months imprisonment, while Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court convicted and sentenced Emmanuel and Matthew to six months community service each.
Similarly, Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court convicted and sentenced Olasukanmi, Olayiwola, Sunday, Ayinde and Olaniyi to six months community service each.
The convicts were ordered by the courts to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government.
Media & Publicity
4 July, 2022
Press Statement
Akeredolu Appoints New Members Of OSOPADEC
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has approved the appointment of Nuel Olatunbosun Elehinle and Olafusi Kehinde Akintoroye as members of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The appointment takes immediate effect.
The new appointees are to replace Mrs. Morenike Witherspoon and Mr Abiola Oladapo, who resigned their appointments as members of OSOPADEC to contest elective positions in their respective state constituencies.
Governor Akeredolu congratulates the new appointees, while charging them
to work for the development of the mandate areas and the state at large.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
July 4, 2022.
Court Jails One in Abuja for $10,000 Fraud
Justice C.O Agashieze of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting in Kwali Abuja has convicted and sentenced Mayor Adonor to a fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) for obtaining money under false pretence.
He was jailed on July 1, 2022 after pleading guilty to one -count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, preferred against him by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The count reads, ‘that you Mayor Adonor (AKA Zack Chang, Mayor Mei, Alex Chang, Chen Wei and Efua Chang) sometime in 2022, at Abuja FCT within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, through your Facebook account cheat by pretending to be a Chinese oil and gas engineer based in Italy and in that regard you tricked your victim by name Karen with intent to obtain $10,000 (Ten thousand US Dollars only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 321 and 322 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 respectively.’
Based on his plea, Justice Agashieze convicted and sentenced him to a fine of N50,000.
Adonor began his journey to the Correctional Centre when he was arrested by operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent dealings. He was prosecuted and convicted.
Media & Publicity
July 2, 2022
