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EFCC May Arrest Patience Jonathan

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EFCC May Arrest Patience Jonathan
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Former first lady, Patience Jonathan

By Obiejesi Kingsley

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, may soon pick up former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, over charges of money laundering, this website has reliably learnt.

The anti-graft agency has traced over $22.3 million to five bank accounts belonging to companies operated by aides of her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who are now facing similar charges.

But in a surprise twist, the former First Lady admitted that she is the owner and signatory to the five accounts. She said the money belonged to her and that she had never received any money from any unknown sources. But she was silent on the sources of the cash wired into the accounts.

A top source at the EFCC told the www.icirnigeria.org that the former first lady’s revelation had given new leads to investigators, stressing that “the way the investigations are going, we may soon arrest Mrs Jonathan for prosecution.”

Asked whether the anti-graft agency has been able to link her to any crime, the source said: “People who do money laundering don’t do it in their names. You cannot expect a first lady to walk into a bank with money and do such transactions. They always use third parties”.

He said there was no way Jonathan could escape prosecution with the ‘tonnes’ of evidence all linking her to the charges of money laundering.

Representatives of four of the companies allegedly used to launder money had pleaded guilty to the offence. The companies are: Pluto Properties and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Titans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited.

But her lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, described the representatives of the companies as unknown persons, as they allegedly did not show letters authorising them by their respective boards to represent them in the case.

The former first lady had also explained that she opened the accounts to facilitate her overseas travels, particularly for medical treatment, sundry purchases for herself and her late mother, Charity Oba.

She indicted Wampemo-Owei Dudafa, the former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to the former president, and Skye Bank officials for registering phony companies for four of the five accounts.

Nigerian Journalists Win Nomination For African Fact-Checking Awards

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Nigerian Journalists Win Nomination For African Fact-Checking Awards
Ghanaian Video Journalist, Edem Srem, won the maiden edition of the African Fact-Checking Awards
Ghanaian Video Journalist, Edem Srem, won the maiden edition of the African Fact-Checking Awards

Two Nigerian journalists have been nominated for the 2016 edition of the African Fact-Checking Awards.

One of them is Ajibola Amzat of the Guardian newspaper, whose story, “State of the Living Springs gasps for breath”, revealed the inaccuracy in the claims by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who claimed that Osun State received N176.5 billion between November 2010 to December 2014.

Amzat’s fact-checking, however, revealed that the actual amount released to Osun state within that period was N180.3 billion, showing a difference of N3.8 billion.

The other journalist, Adedayo Oketola, of Saturday Punch conducted a fact-check on the state of Nigeria’s first communication Satellite, ‘NIGCOMSAT 1’.

His report showed that four years after it was launched into the orbit, and billions of naira sunk into the project, NigComSat-1R, has done very little to deepen broadband penetration as promised and has not really played any critical role in the country’s development agenda.

The African Fact-Checking Awards, which is in its third edition, is aimed at honouring the best investigative fact-checking report carried out by African journalists in a given year.

Such reports expose misleading claims made by leading public figures across the continent, thereby holding them accountable to the people.

“We have received 130 entries from more than 20 countries this year, from Morocco and Egypt in the north to South Africa and Zimbabwe in the South,” read a statement on the website of the awards organizers.

The two Nigerians were nominated alongside: Henry Mhara (Zimbabwe); Alphonce Shiundu (Kenya); Arison Tamfu (Cameroon); Charles Mafa and David Julian Wightman (Zambia) and Phathizwe Mongezi Zulu (Swaziland).

The awards ceremony will take place on November 10, in Nairobi, Kenya

Shettima Assures Reconstruction Will Continue Despite Attacks

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Shettima Assures Reconstruction Will Continue Despite Attacks

shettima-assures-reconstruction-will-continue-despite-attacks

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has assured citizens of the state that reconstruction works would continue despite recent attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists.

He reiterated that his administration will not allow the attacks of “merchants and vendors of fear” to undermine the progress recorded so far by the Nigerian military.

The governor was responding to the reports of two separate boko haram attacks at the border villages of Logumani and Dara/Jamal, where an army officer and three soldiers were confirmed killed.

Shettima had relocated his office to Bama last week to personally supervise the ongoing reconstruction of the town which was captured by boko haram in 2014 but was liberated by the military in 2015.

“The Boko Haram insurgents are merchants of fear. They are also vendors of fear. They want to instill fear into us,” he said.

“I think we should be stubborn enough to follow our convictions against the wanton destruction of lives and property not only in this state, but the entire affected sub-region of the country.

“We have the courage to realize our dreams of an enduring peace in the state and the Northeast.”

Shettima insisted that the rebuilding and rehabilitation exercise in Bama had begun and would never be stopped irrespective of recent attacks by the insurgents.

“Any life that does not involve taking risk, is not a life worth living.

“At the end of the day what story are you going to tell your grandchildren?” he asked.

The governor also said he would go ahead with his planned visit to Gwoza and part of Askira-Uba local governments to also kick-start the reconstruction efforts there too.

Judge Steps Down From Kanu’s Trial

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Judge Steps Down From Kanu’s Trial

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An Abuja Federal High Court Judge, John Tsoho, has stepped down from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Tsoho is the second judge to do so following Justice Ahmed Mohammed’s decision to hands off the case in December 2015, after Kanu said he had no confidence in him.

The IPOB leader was charged with treason, accused by the federal government of  leading a separatist group.

He has been in detention since October 2015.

Kanu had written a petition to the National Judicial Council against Justice Tsoho whom he accused of “judicial rascality”, calling on the council to investigate him.

In the petition, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asked the council to investigate the trial judge for giving parallel judgements on the same request.

Ejiofor said that Tsoho had decided in favour of the defence in an application for the protection of witnesses by the prosecution, and later ruled in favour of the prosecution, without seeking the permission of a higher court.

At the opening of court session on Monday, another counsel to Kanu, Chuks Muoma, noted that it would amount to a great disservice if Tsoho should continue presiding over the case since there was a petition against him, before the NJC.

Consequently, Justice Tsoho announced he was stepping down, pending the decision of the council.

He added, however, that “Even if I am cleared of any bias by the NJC, I will not continue with this case.”

 

Army Asks Nigerians To Disregard New Boko Haram Video

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Army Asks Nigerians To Disregard New Boko Haram Video

army kaduna

The Nigerian Army has urged the Nigerian public especially residents in the Northeastern part of the country not to be bothered by the recent video released by the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, said in a statement on Sunday that “The video has shown beyond all reasonable doubt the earlier suspicion that the purported factional terrorists group leader (Abubakar Sheaku) is mentally sick and unstable.

Usman said Shekau in the video tried in vain “to deny the air raid by the Nigerian Air Force in which he was wounded.

He said Shekau’s “ranting” in the new clip “is also another sign that the end is near for him which is part of the signs of all wicked people.”

The Army spokesman urged Nigerians not to take the terrorist group seriously because “the facts on the ground speak for themselves.

“It is public knowledge that the military has been making concerted efforts to clear the remnants of the terrorists and rescue all persons held hostage by them especially the abducted Chibok Secondary School girls.

“This is a task that will be accomplished, no matter how long it takes. We are determined in this regards,” he said.

Usman pointed out that the video has shown that Shekau was not even a good muslim “as he was absent at the last Eid prayers video”, adding that reports say Shekau “could not even lead prayers.”

As for the Chibok girls, Usman reiterated that Boko Haram “must release them unconditionally.”

He added: “We want to assure Nigerians especially the residents of Maiduguri, Kano, Kaduna and Zaria not to panic as we have more than what it takes to defend them and deal decisively with the remnants of the terrorists group.

We would like to reiterate that Boko Haram terrorism as it was known, is gone for good. We are just counting down to the day when all the few remnants will be totally wiped out or brought to justice.

“However, a window still exists for the repentant ones among them to lay down their arms and surrender to justice,” the army colonel concluded.

Recall that on September 1, Leo Irabor, the army commander in charge of the anti-terrorism war in the northeast, also called “Operation Lafiya Dole”, maintained that Shekau had been killed.

“I can confirm to you that the original Shekau was killed, the second Shekau was killed and the man presenting himself as Shekau, I can also confirm to you that a few days ago, he was wounded.

“We are yet to confirm whether he is dead or not,” Irabo had said, insisting that “the army does not make statements that are not based on facts”

 

Patience Jonathan Opened Bank Accounts With Fake Documents

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Patience Jonathan Opened Bank Accounts With Fake Documents

 

Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan
Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan

New information has emerged on the case of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to a report by the PUNCH Newspaper, the Skye Bank accounts of the former first lady, which contained a total of $15million, were opened with fake identity cards and driving licences.

The EFCC, in the course of investigating a former aide of ex-president Jonathan, had frozen the bank accounts of four companies containing more than $15million in all, and the former first lady claimed the monies were hers.

Further investigations revealed she also has another account, in her name, with Skye bank containing another $5 million.

She had continued to claim innocence of any wrong doing, even after the companies involved had pleaded guilty to money laundry charges.

The anti-graft agency, however, said she would soon be invited for questioning.

The PUNCH reported that EFCC detectives had visited the Skye Bank branch where the accounts were opened and had obtained the files containing the former first lady’s information.

According to the EFCC source the newspaper quoted, “After three months of investigation, I can confirm to you that we are set to invite Patience Jonathan.

“We obtained the files from the bank and we realised that those accounts with the $15m were opened with fake identity cards, including driving licences.

“We took the cards and went to the Federal Road Safety Corps to verify if the cards were authentic. We found out that the cards were fake.

“So, this is not just money laundering but a clear case of fraud. If they had nothing to hide, why did they go to this length?” he questioned.

Journalists Arrested In Edo Still In Detention

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Journalists Arrested In Edo Still In Detention

journalists-arrested-in-edo-still-in-detention

10 journalists working for the Watchdog News, who were arrested by a combined team of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services, DSS, in Benin, the Edo State capital last Wednesday, September 21, are yet to be released.

Editor of the media house, Taiye Garrick, said they were also denied access to their lawyers.

The news crew, comprising of a Production Manager, three reporters, a Video Editor, three IT personnel, a Logistics Manager and a Driver, were arrested at a hotel in Benin on.

Garrick told newsmen that the team was in Benin to report on the situation of things and the level of INEC’s preparedness ahead of the gubernatorial election scheduled for September 28.

They were arrested by soldiers and DSS operative at their hotel, Douban Hotel in Benin.

The Army issued a statement the following day through its spokesman, Sani Usman, alleging that the journalists were arrested based on “credible security reports” and that “quite a number of incriminating items including INEC sensitive materials” were found on them.

However neither of the security outfits could explained why the journalists were still in detention.

The editor of the media house, alleged that he has been receiving threat calls and invitation from anonymous persons asking him to report at the SSS office in Abuja or elsewhere.

When contacted, the army spokesman refused to comment on the issue.

Only last Monday, a blogger, Jamil Mabai, was arrested and detained for a post in which he criticised the Katsina State government’s expenses.

A number of journalists have also been reported arrested in recent times for opinions that criticizes the government of the day in what activists say is a ploy to suppress the freedom of the press.

Shekau Still Alive; Appears In New Boko Haram Video

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shekau-still-alive-appears-in-new-boko-haram-video

Leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau, whom the Nigerian Army said it had killed, is still alive.

In the latest video released by the group, Shekau was seen flanked by two gun-wielding boko haram fighters on either side.

The video lasted for about 39 minutes, and Shekau spoke in Arabic, Hausa, Kanuri and English.

Recall that the Middle east-based terrorist group, the Islamic State, to whom Shekau had pledged allegiance, had announced the appointment of Musab Al-Barnawi as the new leader of Boko Haram in place of Shekau.

The announcement reportedly caused a division with the terrosist group with a faction siding with Shekau and the other pledging loyalty to the supposed new leader, Al-Barnawi who was said to be the son of the late Boko Haram founder, Muhammed Yusuf.

Shortly after the announcement, the Nigerian military said that Boko Haram has been largely decimated and that the new change in leadership was just an empty show.

Defence Authorities reiterated that both the original Shekau and the second one had been killed in the ongoing clearance operations in the Northeast.

In August this year, the group released a video purportedly showing only a handful of the school girls it kidnapped in 2014 from their school in Chibok, Borno state.

One of the fighters in the video said that the other girls had either been married off or had been killed in series of air strikes carried out against the group by the Nigerian military.

He said the group would only swap the girls with their members who are currently in detention in various prisons in the country.

Also, on September 13, a day after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the group released another video showing large numbers of its members praying at an eid ground.

In the video, one of the terrorists, wielding a sword, threatened that the group would capture Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Kaduna Govt. Flags Off $120 Million Potato Project

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Kaduna Govt. Flags Off $120 Million Potato Project
Governor Nasir El-Rufai laying the foundation stone of the would be potato processing factory
Governor Nasir El-Rufai laying the foundation stone of the would be potato processing factory

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has flagged off the construction of a Potato Farm and Processing factory said to be worth $120 million.

The factory, said to be the first of its kind in West Africa, is located at Manchok in Kaura Local Government Area of the state and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with Vicampro International, an agro-based company with branches in several countries.

At the ground breaking ceremony on Saturday, Governor El-Rufai noted that the facility would earn foreign exchange and reduce over-dependence on oil.

He pledged the state government’s commitment towards the promotion of agricultural practices to fast track development, diversify the economy and boost Internally Generated Revenue.

The Governor appealed to the host community to support and cooperate with the company in charge of the project.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, who was also present at the event noted that access to finance has remained a major challenge to most investors.

He however said that the issue was being addressed to ensure that investors with viable ideas were given the necessary support.

Emefiele pointed out that the drop in oil prices had affected  Nigeria’s economy, adding that diversification was the only alternative to overcome the economic crisis.

On her part, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, described the development as a giant stride towards moving the nation’s economy forward.

Gambo Hamza, the Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency, KADIPA, explained that the factory, upon completion, would need about 10,000 hectares of land for potato cultivation and has the capacity to process 2,500 tonnes of potatoes daily, create at least 30,000 jobs.

Items expected to be produced at the factory include French fries, Irish flakes and biscuits for local and international consumption.

Niger Delta Militants Attack Troops In Bakassi

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Niger Delta Militants Attack Troops In Bakassi

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The Nigerian army has said that suspected militants in several speed boats attacked troops deployed at Efut Esighi waterfront in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday and was led by Benjamin Simplee, also known as G1, a wanted criminal kingpin and leader of the Bakassi Strike Force.

“During the attack, a soldier was killed in action, while 2 soldiers were missing in action. They also burnt a buffalo pickup vehicle.

“The troops also killed 2 of the attackers while the rest escaped with gunshot wounds,” Usman stated.

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He added that a reinforcement group sent to the area had found the missing soldiers.

“In addition, the troops’ location has been reinforced with more gunboats and air component. The clearance and pursuit operation is ongoing,” he added.

The army said the attack would not deter it from the discharge of its duties, assuring that “the perpetrators of this dastardly act would be found and brought to justice.”

“The Nigerian Army wishes to send an unequivocal warning to all the criminal elements in the society that intend to attack any of its locations to have a rethink,” Usman concluded.

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