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Oyo reopens Shasha market

Vincent Ufuoma
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Oyo reopens Shasha market

THE Oyo State government has ordered the reopening of Shasha market, Ibadan.

Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, had directed that the market be shut down and imposed a curfew on its surrounding areas following the violence between Yorubas and Hausas that resulted in the loss of lives and properties in the market two weeks ago.

But during a meeting in Ibadan on Tuesday, the governor ordered that the market be reopened for the traders due to the economic situation.

He also said the state is considering palliative measures for some of the affected traders.

“Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Sasa market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today,” he said.

“When my brother governors visited Seriki Sasa palace, while we were working around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job,” he said.

“If you look at Oyo state, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.

READ ALSO: Old Edo video resurfaces online amidst Hausa, Yoruba clash in Oyo State

“Since peace more or less returned to the market and the community, we have given the go-ahead that the market should be reopened.

“I have also given instructions for some palliative works to be done. I have instructed that solar light be installed in the market so that any time of the day or night, we will see what is going on in the market.

“The situation in our environment, economic activities are really very germane and basic. We have people out there, what they will make today, is what will determine whether they will eat tomorrow or not. And when you shut the place down, and people get hungry and again angry, then you precipitate another set of issues. So closing the market for an extended period of time, is actually not sustainable.”

While ordering that the market annexe of Shasha, established in Iroko during the crisis, be shut, the governor instructed relevant agencies to renovate the market and fix solar lights around the community to enhance security in the area.

“The Iroko market will remain shut. From what we heard, the promoters of that market were actually part of the people causing confusion and causing problems at Shasha market,” he said.

“We will take a long-term view of Iroko market, but in the meantime, it remains shut.”

On the curfew placed on the market, the governor said once he gets the go-ahead from the commissioner of police that peace has returned to the community, the curfew would be lifted.

Despite agitations by Nigerians, Senate confirms ex-service chiefs as ambassadors

Lukman ABOLADE
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Despite agitations by Nigerians, Senate confirms ex-service chiefs as ambassadors

THE Senate has confirmed former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors despite several agitations by Nigerians.

During Tuesday plenary, Ahmad Lawan,  Senate president, confirmed Sadique Abubakar, Muhammad S. Usman, Ibok-Ete Ibas and Tukur Y. Buratai as non-career ambassadors for Nigeria following their nominations by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Their confirmations followed a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Adamu Bulkachuwa, senator representing Bauch North in the Senate.

Before the confirmation, Enyinnaya Abaribe,  Senate minority leader, had questioned the rationale for the consideration of the former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

“I wanted the committee chairman to tell us what informed their decision to dismiss the petition against the non-career ambassador-designates,” Abaribe said.

Countering the position of Abaribe, Lawan said although the Senate had called for the removal of the former service chiefs before their resignation, they could still be considered for other positions.

According to Lawan, the Senate’s call for their removal as service chief did not ‘cross over to their nomination.’

“On that call, the nominations cannot be nullified because we said they should be changed,” Lawan stated.

After their nominations, a civil society organisation had written to the National Assembly to reject them as non-career ambassadors.

In a petition signed by Nwazuruahu Shield on behalf of the Leadership and Accountability Initiative, the group said the nomination was insensitive to the “millions of citizens whose lives and livelihoods have been permanently ruptured by the failures of the nominees while in office.”

Chidi Odinkalu, a professor of law and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), had also said that the nomination of the former service chiefs as ambassadors would not hinder their prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Briefly, this isn’t exactly good news for the former service chiefs. To begin with, to enjoy Sovereign Immunity (that’s what it’s called) in international law), they have to be accredited to another sovereign as Nigeria’s ambassadors. Carrying a diplomatic passport isn’t enough,” Odinkalu said in a series of tweets.

Senator James Manager, Mike Ozekhome and other prominent Nigerian owners of real estate in Dubai

Amos ABBA
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Senator James Manager, Mike Ozekhome and other prominent Nigerian owners of real estate in Dubai

DATA gleaned from Dubai’s land registry has helped unveil prominent Nigerian investors, especially politicians, senior government officials, businessmen and their families who are currently taking a slice of Dubai’s lucrative real estate market.

The list features notable Nigerians such as Mike Ozekhome, SAN, a lawyer and human rights activist, and James Ebiowou Manager, a senator in the 9th Assembly currently serving his 5th term.

A trove of data obtained by the The ICIR from the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, C4ADS, a US-based nonprofit, also showed that over 800 Dubai properties estimated at N146 billion are linked to Nigerians.

This amount could fund two-thirds of the Nigerian Army’s annual budget and is three times more than the annual budget of the country’s electoral body the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, according to a Carnegie report.

Mike Ozekhome, SAN

In 1987, Ozekhome co-founded the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), arguably the first human rights organisation in Nigeria, where he was the pioneer director of Legal Services and member of its governing board.

Records by The ICIR show that Ozekhome owns three apartments/flats at the Lago Vista C, one of the three residential tower buildings in the Lago Vista complex, and located in Dubai Production City.

READ ALSO: Dubai Properties: Buratai’s wife, Jimoh Ibrahim and other prominent Nigerians who own properties in UAE

A standard studio flat for rent at Lago Vista costs between $8,167 to $10,890 per annum while a 2-bedroom apartment is available for rent at $17,696 annually, according to Bayut, an apartment rental agency based in Dubai.

Ozekhome built his reputation as a human rights lawyer, having worked with the late Gani Fawehinmi, who was branded as the “Peoples Lawyer”, first as a junior counsel before rising through the ranks as a senior counsel and to the Deputy Head of Chambers of Gani Fawehinmi, Chambers.

In 2010, he was one of 19 senior legal practitioners conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, but his astute reputation as an activist lawyer suffered a blow when he started representing politically exposed persons who were being prosecuted by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.

Ozekhome is a counsel to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Ayodele Fayose, former Governor of Ekiti State, all who have faced corruption charges in court.

In 2018, protesters mobbed Ozekhome and tried to stop him from mounting the podium to speak at the 14th Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture as they accused him of defending corrupt individuals in court and shielding them from justice.

James Ebiowou Manager

In 2003, Manager was first elected to the Senate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, representing Delta South Senatorial District where he was appointed to the Works Committee, Niger Delta Committee, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Committee.

He has been re-elected for four terms consecutively since then. However, Manager’s name was also listed as a property owner in Dubai, which has been referred to as the ‘Money Laundering Paradise’ according to a published C4ADS report named Sandcastles.

Manager was listed to be the owner of two apartments/flats at the First Central Hotel, Dubai, reputed to be equipped with 524 modern apartments that boast contemporary finishes and an enticing cosy ambience which was stated on the hotel’s website.

READ ALSO: Tafa Balogun, Olisa Metuh and other prominent Nigerians who own properties in Dubai

In May 2009, he raised the issue of the damage caused by the continued military bombardment of communities in the oil-rich Gbaramatu clan, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, leading to a senate resolution urging the Committee on Defence and Army to take action.

Osita Ben Chidoka and wife, Chidinma Imaga Chidoka

Chidoka was appointed Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in 2007 where he spearheaded the agency’s good fortunes until he was appointed Minister of Aviation in July 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The ICIR records show that Chidoka owns two apartments/flats at Azizi Feirouz, a mid-rise residential building by Azizi Developments in Al Furjan, Dubai.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2018 questioned Chidoka over his alleged involvement in a N3.9 billion fraud where part of the contract sum was fraudulently diverted to shady companies rather than to execute the project under his watch as a minister.

Investigations by the anti graft agency revealed that various payments were made to the former minister and some of his family members, including his younger brother, Obinna Chidoka, who is a member of the House of Representatives.

Chidoka was also accused of diverting part of the contract sum for the use of the company and his cronies rather than the execution of the project.

Chidinma is currently the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Images Nigeria, a photography agency where, according to her LinkedIn Page,  she leads a dynamic team who “love the idea of taking a story, retelling it in pictures and making it part of history”.

A lawyer, she graduated from the University of Ibadan and the Nigerian Law School before delving into the business after her study at the Harvard Business School.

Osita Responds

In an interview with The ICIR, Chidoka explained that he did not buy the properties while he was in office.

“I started the project with my partners in 2015 and completed it in 2018 after I had left office. It was our desire to hedge foreign exchange fall that we had anticipated,” he said.

“I don’t mind the story because the properties were bought in my name and my wife’s name but your story has to be factually correct. I would have provided definitive proof of the land documents but I am currently out of the country. If I can’t get them I’ll refer you to Dubai’s registry which is open to the public,” he said.

The former minister also told The ICIR that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had wrongfully invited him for questions in 2018 because he did not play any role in the disbursement of the alleged sum of N3.9 billion fraudulently diverted by the aviation ministry to shady companies.

“I went to the office of the EFCC because I was invited, the case was dismissed because I was not in office when the monies were disbursed. In 2015, while I was leaving office because we didn’t win the election I put every contract on hold until my successor took office, so I was not charged to court by the EFFC neither was I detained,” he said.

He said he voluntarily presented himself to the EFCC for interrogation after he was invited by the anti-graft agency for his alleged involvement with the procurement and installation of sensitive security cameras/ infrastructure in five international airports.

NOTE: The ICIR previously reported that Chidoka and his wife own six properties. A further check revealed that the couple only owns two-properties on the third and the tenth floor at Azizi Feirouz building, Dubai.
Ozekhome owns three, not seven properties while Manager owns two, and not four properties.
The error is regretted. 

Another unclassified COVID-19 variant found in Nigeria – NCDC

Vincent Ufuoma
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Another unclassified COVID-19 variant found in Nigeria – NCDC

THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says a yet to be classified new COVID-19 variant has been found in Nigeria.

Chikwe Iheakwazu, the director-general of the NCDC, stated this while speaking at the weekly briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday.

While stating that the new variant dubbed B.1.525 was first discovered in a sample collected on November 23 from a patient in Lagos State, he added that it has only been found in fewer countries.

Iheakwazu also stated that it has not been classified as a variant of concern.

“So far, this has been detected among cases in five states in Nigeria. B.1.525 cases have also been reported in other countries in travellers from Nigeria,” he said.

“The ‘B.1.525 is yet to be classified as a variant of concern until it is associated with any significant clinical impact.”

VISIT ICIR COVID-19 DASHBOARD

He said Nigeria is scaling up its sequencing capacity to help it understand the ongoing transmission of the new variants.

He said about 100 samples will be sent to the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), at the Redeemers University in Ede, Osun State for sequencing every week.

In December, The United Kingdom variant (B.1.1.7) of the virus announced in September was reportedly discovered in Nigeria by scientists at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), at the Redeemers University in Ede, Osun state.

Reacting, Iheakwazu said Nigeria has now confirmed 54 cases of the variant within its borders.

He noted that scientists are monitoring the strain to understand its circulation rates in the country.

“We have confirmed 54 cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant between November 2020 and February 2021,” He said.

“That is a significant number out of the 400 we have sequenced since the beginning of the outbreak.”

The NCDC boss urged the public to continue to adhere to all non-pharmaceutical measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus.

“While sequencing is important for us to understand the situation, handwashing, physical distancing and the proper use of face masks are very important to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Since its outbreak, Nigeria has recorded over 150,000 COVID-19 cases and over 1,800 deaths with 129,391 recoveries from the virus.

Hijab controversy: 10 schools to remain shut over protest in Kwara

Lukman ABOLADE
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Hijab controversy: 10 schools to remain shut over protest in Kwara

THE Kwara State government has said that the 10 schools involved in Muslim headgear controversy are to remain shut until further notice.

According to NAN, the directive was contained in a statement signed by Mamman Jibril, secretary to the state government, on Monday.

Jibril said the schools were to remain shut until the government concluded and made its position known to the public.

The affected schools were: Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) College, Sabo Oke; St. Anthony College, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School, and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

Others are Christ Apostolic Church Secondary School, Asa Dam; St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo Oke; St. John School, Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale; and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

He added that the official pronouncement of the Kwara State government was likely to be made known this week.

READ ALSO: Despite agitations by Nigerians, Senate confirms ex-service chiefs as ambassadors

“The government urges parents, officials and authorities at the affected schools to maintain peace and avoid making comments or doing anything that could cause further misunderstanding and heat up the polity,” Jibril said.

The Kwara State government had Friday directed the immediate closure of some missionary schools in Ilorin pending the resolution of issues surrounding the use of Muslim headgear, otherwise known as Hijab, in the schools.

Kemi Adeosun, permanent secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said a government committee comprising of Muslima and Christians had met Friday towards resolving the matter.

“Government calls for calm and urges parents and religious leaders to avoid actions or comments that may further split the two communities,’’ Adeosun stated.

A video seen by The ICIR shows how some students in uniforms and hijab were prevented from entering the school premises.

Victor Dada, proprietor of Baptist Senior Secondary School, Surulere, said the use of the Hijab would not be allowed because it was a missionary school.

“It is not a matter about this morning alone, it is a matter of about two to three days ago. They  said that Muslim students in our school must wear Hijab, we made it clear that that is not possible because this is a mission school,” Dada said.

He added that although the school was run by the government, the Baptist owned it and whatever was not in line with the principle of the Baptist church would not be allowed.

Rights group seeks investigation into arrest order on journalist by press secretary

Lukman ABOLADE
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Rights group seeks investigation into arrest order on journalist by press secretary

A civil society organisation, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has called on Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger State governor, to investigate reports that his chief press secretary, Mary Noel-Barje, ordered the arrest of Adebayo Ayinde, a reporter with The Punch.

This is contained in a statement signed by Segun Fatuase, MRA’s project director, and  made available to The ICIR on Monday.

According to MRA, Noel-Barje also directed security personnel to bar the journalist from the Niger State Government House for undisclosed reasons.

MRA charged the governor to immediately relieve Noel-Barje of her office if it was established that she engaged in using law enforcement agents to intimidate, harass and prevent the journalist from carrying out his professional duties.

The group said Noel-Barje was also harassing other journalists and antagonising the Government House Press Corps instead of supporting them and facilitating their work of giving effective coverage to the programmes and activities of the state government.

“It is obvious that she is not serving the best interest of the Governor or the State Government but pursuing other agendas that are clearly inimical to government’s success,” the statement read in part.

READ ALSO: Gunmen release video footage of kidnapped persons in Niger State

The group further said that Noel-Barje was reported to have sent The PUNCH correspondent’s pictures to some security men in the state and instructed security operatives at the government house to bar him from entering the premises.

MRA noted that security men at the government house confirmed that the chief press secretary had told them to arrest Ayinde but did not provide any reason for the directive.

“It is certainly not the role or function of a Chief Press Secretary, who should facilitate good relations between the government she is serving and the media, to be ordering the arrest of journalists or obstructing the performance of their professional duties.

“It is apparent from her actions that Ms Noel-Barje either does not know her job or is too incompetent to carry out her duties properly,” Fatuse added.

The Punch had reported that its journalist was harassed by Noel-Barje in an attempt to ‘coerce’ him into writing stories from her point of view.

Ayinde, who is a Niger State House correspondent, told The Punch that one of the security operatives attempted to evacuate him from the government house.

“The man beckoned on me and when I approached him, he wanted to take me out of the government house. He said I must follow him. When other colleagues saw his move, they rallied around and insisted that I would not follow him.

“It was during the argument that we got to know that the CPS told the security aide to arrest me. Many of the security officers confirmed it,” said Ayinde.

EFCC arraigns ex-Lagos Scholarship Board boss for allegedly diverting N127m

Vincent Ufuoma
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EFCC arraigns ex-Lagos Scholarship Board boss for allegedly diverting N127m

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Stephen Oshinowo, former executive secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, for an alleged 127 million naira fraud.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he was arraigned on Thursday on an amended eight-count charge brought before Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

In one of the counts, Oshinowo was alleged to have converted the sum of 30 million naira belonging to the state government.

“That you, Stephen Osinowo, sometime in 2018, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being a civil servant, dishonourably converted to the use of Oshinowo Adenike the total sum of N30 million (Thirty Million Naira), property of Lagos State Board,” the count read,

“That you, Stephen Oshinowo, between 8th day of February, 2016 and 30th day of December in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being the Secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, dishonestly converted to your own use, through Julikam International Limited, the sum of N39, 934,919 (Thirty -nine Million Nine Hundred and Thirty-four Thousand Nine Hundred and Nineteen Naira) property of Lagos State Board,” another count read.

READ ALSO: Hijab controversy: 10 schools to remain shut over protest in Kwara

The EFFC said its investigation showed that Oshinowo, at various times, allegedly diverted, to his personal use, the sum of 127.164 million naira meant for the board.

The charge was read to the defendant and he pleaded “not guilty.”

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Usman Buhari, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded.

The defence counsel, Lawal Pedro, on his part, urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable it hear the bail application of his client.

The judge thereafter adjourned until Friday for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody.

Why former Imo State governor, Okorocha, was arrested

Lukman ABOLADE
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Why former Imo State governor, Okorocha, was arrested

ROCHAS Okorocha, incumbent senator representing Imo North and former governor of Imo State, was arrested by the police on Sunday for allegedly trying to unseal Royal Spring Palm Hotel in Owerri, the state capital. The ICIR takes a look at the issues surrounding his arrest and release.

In a viral video that surfaced online Sunday, the two-term governor was seen being led into a police van at his wife’s hotel in Owerri. The sealed property, Royal Spring Palm Estate, is said to be owned by Okorocha’s wife.

Okorocha was said to have breached the government’s directive by “forcefully breaking into the property alongside some thugs.”

After the former governor was taken to Imo State Police Command, he was eventually released but could be charged to court over breach of government directive.

Confirming the arrest, Orlando Ikeokwu,  police public relations officer, said the command received a distress call from residents of the community.

“We discovered that Senator Okorocha allegedly led some people to the place sealed by the state government. This generated unrest and some youths from Owerri stormed the place,” Ikeokwu said.

READ ALSO: Senator James Manager, Mike Ozekhome, other prominent Nigerian owners of real estate in Dubai

“Right now, he is in our custody and the commissioner of police has directed a full-scale investigation into the incident.

“If found culpable, he would be prosecuted according to the provision of the law,” he said.

Okorocha, while addressing his supporters at the Imo State Police headquarters, Owerri, said he was released after the Presidency intervened in the matter.

“They kept me there (police headquarters) and about 11:30 pm they asked me to go. I want to thank the Presidency for intervening in the matter. Governor Hope Uzodinma should not take my peaceful disposition for granted.

“He should remember that he will not be remembered by how many people he fought, but by how many projects he built.”

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Imo State commissioner for lands, had sealed the Royal Spring Palm Estate in compliance with a government directive on the recovery of public property and land.

Okorocha, Alleged Corruption

A probe panel set up by the short-term governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha, to investigate the treasury of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) had indicted Okorocha of spending the state’s money on vehicles and campaigns.

This is contained in the report of the panel chaired by Romanus Ezeogu which disclosed that the senator also used ISOPADEC’s fund for campaign activities. The report also alleged that the senator diverted over 311 billion naira allocated to ISOPADEC from the bailout fund, Paris Club refund, local governments’ joint labour salary/pension, and Secondary Education Management Board Account, among others.

Two other commissioners who served under Okorocha, now members of the House of Representatives, Chike Okafor and Paschal Obi, were also indicted for misappropriation of the ISOPADEC’s fund.

It could also be recalled that the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had said it was investigating Okorocha after the end of his tenure as governor of the state.

Some Imo citizens accuse Okorocha of forcefully taking over private property without compensation and converting public property to personal use.

Former commissioner for information and strategy under Emeka Ihedioha,  Declan Emelumba, had accused Okorocha of forcefully taking over people’s property, stressing that many of his victims would like him thrown into jail.

Lagos introduces mobile platforms for verification of travellers’ COVID-19 tests

Vincent Ufuoma
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0
Lagos introduces mobile platforms for verification of travellers’ COVID-19 tests

THE Lagos State government has introduced a verification mobile platform to validate the authenticity of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests done within the private laboratory consortium and all state public laboratories for outbound flights.

This was contained in a statement issued by Akin Abayomi, state’s commissioner of health, on Sunday.

The statement, which was seen by The ICIR, stated that the platform could be accessed through an app and the use of unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) codes.

The USSD option, available on all networks in Nigeria, could also be accessed outside of Nigeria as long as the mobile line was on a Nigerian telecommunications network, the statement said.

“The USSD option can be accessed by dialling 3513119# on the 9mobile network and 5550019# on all other networks and following the onscreen prompts to verify results. The first 30,000 result verification will be free – courtesy of the Lagos State Government. Subsequent verification will attract N50 per usage for the user/client.

“The Lagos State COVID-19 Result Verification App can be downloaded through Google Store, Apple Store or directly through the internet, using the link.

“It will utilise the laboratory reference number to verify the COVID-19 PCR test, validating the result real-time and passengers can download their result sheets, which can be shown to anyone requiring it.

READ ALSO: Another unclassified COVID-19 variant found in Nigeria – NCDC

“The App version can be used and accessed within and outside of Nigeria but unlike the USSD, does not require a Nigerian telecommunications network,” the statement noted.

“It is available once it is downloaded and the internet is available. It is noteworthy to mention that verification through the app is free at all times.

“The process can be used by all clients who require the validation of COVID-19 PCR results, such as Airports, Airlines, Work-related processes and passengers themselves.

“The Lagos State Government would also be placing personnel at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to assist in the verification process of the COVID-19 PCR results for all outbound passengers.”

“Following the re-opening of the economy, and the airport borders, it has become increasingly necessary for outbound passengers to take COVID-19 PCR tests before departing Nigeria as a prerequisite for travel to specific destinations.

“Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements have taken advantage of the situation to enrich themselves by falsifying COVID-19 PCR results and selling them to passengers,” it further noted.

The statement added that the state government continued to frown at the falsification of COVID-19 PCR test results, and anyone caught in this illegal practice would be prosecuted.

“The State Government will continue to strengthen its response against this pandemic to protect the lives and livelihood of all Lagosians and residents,” it said.

Dubai Properties: Buratai’s wife, Jimoh Ibrahim and other prominent Nigerians who own properties in UAE

Olayinka SHEHU
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Dubai Properties: Buratai’s wife, Jimoh Ibrahim and other prominent Nigerians who own properties in UAE

Additional report by Damilola Ojetunde, Samson Samuel and Isah Abdul Azeez

SOME of the prominent Nigerians found to have owned properties in Dubai, a city in United Arab Emirate (UAE), also include Kanayo Olisa Metuh, the wife of former Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party; Umma Kalsum Turkur Buratai, wife of Tukur Buratai, the immediate Chief of Army State; Ibrahim Jimoh Folorunsho, the chairman and chief executive officer of Global Fleet Group and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, founder and Pro-chancellor of the Baze University.

The ICIR had earlier published a report about properties belonging to Mustafa Balogun, a former Inspector General of Police, Olisa Metuh, Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State as well as Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State and senator in the 9th Assembly.

Centre for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), a US-based nonprofit newsroom, shared a dataset with The ICIR which was first published Saturday, February 20.

Read Also: Tafa Balogun, Olisa Metuh and other prominent Nigerians who own properties in Dubai

Kanayo Olisa Metuh

Kanayo Olisa Metuh is the wife of the jailed former PDP Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh. She owns two properties including hotel apartments located at Fakhrudeen Hotel Apartment and the Summit in Dubai.

Metuh, her husband was convicted on February 25, 2020, by Okon Abang, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Metuh was found guilty among others to have fraudulently received N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.

Following a review of the High Court’s judgement by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Metuh was discharged of the sentence.

On December 16, 2020, the Appeal ruled set aside the conviction handed down on him by Abang citing bias, without considering the merits in the money laundering case.

He was later sentenced to seven years in jail.

According to the judge, Metuh’s wife was among the recipients of the N400 million taken from the Office of the former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

She was reported to have been giving N50 million.

Umma Kalsum Turkur Buratai

Umma Kalsum Turkur Buratai is the wife of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, lieutenant-general Tukur Buratai.

According to C4ADS’s database, Buratai owns one apartments at Wyndham Hotel Dubai Marina Tfg.

The former COAS in defending his family ownership of luxurious properties in Dubai during an interview with BBC HARDtalk interview with Stephen Sackur in 2017 said his family made an investment in properties in the Middle East city in 2013 after details of the properties became public leading to a scandal surrounding his asset declaration.

According to him, “Substantial property is just an investment, my family do their own private business they should afford to have such property in Dubai.”

When pressed during the interview about the type of property, he said, “The type of property you are talking about is not the ones people are talking about. The property I invested was far back as 2013 before I became the chief of army staff, I never dreamt of becoming the chief of army staff and people are accusing me as if it is today.”

Ibrahim Jimoh Folorunsho

Ibrahim Jimoh Folorunsho is a lawyer, businessman and Chief Executive officer of Global Fleet Oil and Gas Limited.

In November 2020, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) froze the bank accounts of the controversial businessman and also took over some of his assets over his N69 billion debts.

AMCON took over the properties from the businessman following an order granted by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The properties seized from the businessman by the agency include the building housing NICON Investment Limited at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja and the building of NICON Lekki Limited also at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

Others are the building of Abuja International Hotels Limited located at No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos; another property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja; the former Allied Bank Building on Mile 2, Oshodi Expressway, Apapa Road, Lagos; Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja; a residential apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; NICON Hotels Building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos as well as the NICON Luxury Hotel’s Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.

In response to AMCON action, Jimoh Ibrahim in a press statement alleged that the agency obtained by deceit the interim court order of injunction it got in respect of some properties, majority of which did not belong to him.

He also went to the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court urging it to set aside the order for non-disclosure and misrepresentation of material facts.

He further urged the court to order AMCON to pay N50 billion indemnity for its alleged failure to conduct due diligence before obtaining the said order and for misrepresentation and concealment of fact.

But the Lagos Court in its ruling on the 16th of February, 2021 declined the application to vacate the interim order used by the AMCON to seize the properties belonging to him for an alleged N69.4 billion debts.

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The ICIR records show that Ibrahim currently owns 22 apartments/flat, amongst the highest at Ocean Heights in Dubai, UAE capital.

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is a politician, founder of Baze University Abuja and a former member of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The Kaduna State former house of representative and senate member was also a former staff at the Security Printing and Minting before entering politics.

He was also one of those who opposed Former President Olusegun Obasanjo third term bid agenda at the National Assembly.

According to the records available to The ICIR, Datti owns the highest number of properties at 22.

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