Fubara prays Appeal Court to vacate order stopping Rivers’ allocations

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday prayed the Court of Appeal to set-aside the judgment that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing monthly allocations to Rivers .

The governor, through his counsel Yusuf Ali, SAN, prayed a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Hamma Barka, to vacate the high court order which he said was issued in bad faith.

He urged the appellate court to allow his appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1303/2024, and nullify adverse orders that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court made against the state in the judgment she delivered on Oct. 30.

Fubara’s plea came on a day the Justice Barka-led panel consolidated five other appeals that arose from the said judgment of the high court.

The appeals were marked as: CA/ABJ/CV/1277/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1196/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1287/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1293/24 and CA/ABJ/CV/1360/2024.

Aside Fubara, other appellants in the matter are the Rivers State Government, the Accountant-General of Rivers State and Zenith Bank Plc.

The lower court had restrained the CBN from further allowing the Rivers government to draw funds from the consolidated revenue account.

The restraining order followed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, which was brought before the court by the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers House of Assembly.

Read Also: EFCC arraigns REA director Garba Bulkwang for alleged N223.4m fraud

Defendants in the matter are the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF).

Others are Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers; Rivers Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC; Chief Judge of Rivers, Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi; Chairman of RSIEC, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli and the Government of Rivers .

The appellants, through their respective counsel, urged the appellate court to allow their appeal.

Similarly, the The Martin Amaewhule-ledfaction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, through their team of lawyers led by Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, asked the court to dismiss the appeals and affirm the high court’s judgment.

After all the parties adopted their briefs of argument on , the panel reserved its judgment till a date that would be communicated to the parties.

The factional members of the Rivers Assembly loyal to the immediate past governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, had persuaded the lower court to withhold all federal monthly allocations meant for Rivers state.

They predicated their case on the ground that gov. Fubara refused to comply with an order of court that directed him to represent the 2024 Appropriation Bill of the state, before them.

Gov. Fubara had insisted that the Amaewhule-led group had since ceased to be lawmakers in the state.

He alleged that, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which sponsored their election, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
(NAN)

EFCC arraigns REA director Garba Bulkwang for alleged N223.4m fraud

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Mr. Sulieman Garba Bulkwang before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja for fraud.

According to a statement on the agency’s official X page on Friday, Bulkwang is being prosecuted on a five-count charge bordering on criminal diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N223,412,909 (Two Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine Kobo).

The statement reads: He is being prosecuted on a five-count charge, bordering on criminal diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N223,412,909 (Two Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine Kobo).

Read Also: Police nab two over alleged kidnap, murder of aged woman

“Count one of his charge reads: That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG, while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did counsel one Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze, the Managing Director of Cees Assist Resources and Brainstask Value Resources (consultants to REA) to transfer the sum of N138,123,969 (One Hundred and Thirty-eight Million, One Hundred Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira) out of the sum of N279,330,000.00 (Two Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) paid to the consultants by REA, when you knew that the said sun of N138,123,969.000000 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

“Count two reads “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) sometime in July, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly converted the sum of N45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Milion Naira) being part of the money cumulatively paid to the bank accounts of Dammy Gold Programme Ltd, World Class Business, Green Haven Company And De-Sam Rose – Base Ltd by consultants to REA when you know that the said sum of N45,000.000 .00 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) (b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“He pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges after they were read to him and in the absence of defence counsel.

“The prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional center.

“Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till February 3, 2024, for the defendant’s bail application and ordered that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center.”

Police nab two over alleged kidnap, murder of aged woman

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

The Police Command in Enugu State has detained two suspects from Akpugo community in Nkanu West Local Government Area for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of a 70-year-old woman.

The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe made this known in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad had detained Ikechukwu Okoye, 33, and Juliet Ogbodo, 39, who are both lovers.

Ndukwe said that the suspects were accused of the kidnapping, murder, and burying of their kinswoman, Mrs Mary Nwatu in a shallow grave sometime in September 2024.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was reported missing on Sept. 15, 2024, after all efforts to locate her proved unsuccessful.

“On Oct. 5, 2024, Ikechukwu Okoye, identified as the principal suspect and a kinsman of the victim, began contacting her children, demanding a ransom of N6m.

Read Also: JUST IN: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland over charges of terrorism

“Upon his arrest, which followed credible intelligence reports, Okoye confessed to kidnapping Mrs Nwatu on Sept.14, 2024, around 8a.m.

“He stated that the children of the aged woman came to look for their mother when he kidnapped, murdered, and buried her in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in a neighbouring compound,” Ndukwe said.

The command’s spokesman said that Okoye also confessed to demanding a ransom from the victim’s children, initially asking for N6m which was later negotiated to N3m.

Ndukwe said that he eventually received payment of N20,000 which was for him to allow the children to hear their mother’s voice via the phone before further payments.

“On her part, Juliet Ogbodo, who is Okoye’s intimate girlfriend, confessed to being aware of the crime but failed to report it to the police or any other relevant authorities.

‘The victim’s remains have been exhumed and deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“The suspects, along with any other individuals found complicit in this heinous crime will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

(NAN)

Why Nigerians must pay to obtain new national ID card – NIMC

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says Nigerians will have to pay for the new multipurpose national Identity card due to limited government revenue.

The Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, Dr Peter Iwegbu, said this at a two-day roundtable organised for journalists in Lagos.

He said the payment was to ensure that it was produced for only those who needed it.

Iwegbu said the decision was made to avoid repeating the mistake of the past efforts to issue physical cards to Nigerians for free, which many did not collect.

Iwegbu said over two million cards were produced in a previous attempt to issue free National ID cards by the NIMC, but many of them had not been collected till date.

“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.

Iwegbu explained that the government could not fund the production of ID cards due to limited revenue.

Also speaking, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr Lanre Yusuf, said the idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past.

Yusuf described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card, which meant that individuals must need the card before initiating a request for it.

“To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location.

Read Also: JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu presents N3tr budget for 2025

“The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to the less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.

“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality,” Yusuf said.

He noted that the multipurpose ID cards were expected to launch soon, with sample test cards already received.

Yusuf added that the NIMC had partnered with banks for Nigerians to request and collect their cards from any bank branch to facilitate a seamless experience.

“NIMC is working with banks across the country, which will make it possible for people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card.

“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the card powered by AfriGO, was launched in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System.

The card will be enabled for all government intervention and services across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

(NAN)

JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu presents N3tr budget for 2025

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has presented the sum of N3.005 trillion before the state House of Assembly as a proposed budget for the year 2025.

The budget which is tagged the “Budget of Sustainability.” focuses on capital projects aimed at economic growth and development.

A breakdown of the budget shows that N1.7 trillion was proposed for the Capital budget while N1.2 trillion was set aside in the budget before the lawmakers for the recurrent budget in the coming year.

Read Also: Former UK deputy PM John Prescott dies at 86

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised the budget’s focus on infrastructural development and sustainability.

He reassured Lagosians that the budget aligns with the state’s commitment to maintaining fiscal responsibility while addressing critical needs in education, healthcare, security, and the environment.

The budget proposal now awaits deliberation and approval by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

PICTORIAL: Davido receives luxury car as 32nd birthday gift

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

Nigerian global music sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been presented with a premium Escalade 600 luxury car as a birthday gift from one of his favourite automobile brands.

The company announced the gesture on their Instagram page, thanking the star for his continued loyalty and patronage.

Read Also: Davido to host livestream concert for fans to mark 32nd birthday

“On your birthday, our brand, MR JAY AUTOS LLC, has decided to gift you this new Escalade 600 premium luxury. We appreciate your patronage and love for the brand. Happy birthday Oriande @davido. Cheers to many more years.”

Davido who turns 32 today, November 21, responded with affection, commenting, “Love you” on the post.

Former UK deputy PM John Prescott dies at 86

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

John Prescott, a Former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who served under Tony Blair and helped transform the country’s Labour Party, is dead.

Prescott’s family announced his passage on Thursday.

He was aged 86.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86,” the statement read.

Prescott who was a former merchant seaman and trade union activist who served as a member of parliament for Hull in northern England for four decades, died “peacefully” at a care home, according to his wife Pauline, and two sons.

“He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery,” they added.

The privately educated lawyer who appointed working-class Prescott to help appease the Labour left as he moved the party to the centre ground, Blair said he was “devastated” at Prescott’s death.

“There was no one quite like him in British politics,” he told BBC radio.

Keir Starmer, who became Labour’s first prime minister since 2010 after a landslide general election win in July, called Prescott “a true giant of the Labour movement”.

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“He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as deputy prime minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation,” he added.

“So much of John’s work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.”

Prescott, who was appointed to the House of Lords, suffered a stroke in 2019 and had been suffering from Alzheimer’s.

He stopped being a member of the upper chamber of parliament in July because of his health problems.

Prescott served for 10 years as Blair’s deputy following Labour’s landslide 1997 general election win. During a campaign stop in north Wales, he punched a protester who threw an egg at him.

He also acted as a mediator between Blair and his finance minister Gordon Brown, who also helmed the transformation of Labour in the 1990s and had designs on power.

JUST IN: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland over charges of terrorism

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

Reports from local publication Yle indicate that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities.

According to the police, Simon Ekpa, identified as the main suspect, was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were apprehended “for financing a terrorist crime.”

“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said.

Read Also: Mali PM Kokalla Maïga dismissed after criticising military rule

The police statement further revealed: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”

The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”

Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

The four other suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement confirmed, adding that international cooperation has been integral to the preliminary investigation.

Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.

In 2023, Ekpa was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.

He had declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”

Mali PM Kokalla Maïga dismissed after criticising military rule

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga has been dismissed after he criticised the military rulers’ handling of the transition to civilian rule.

The secretary general of the presidential office, Alfousseyni Diawara, announced the decision on national television stating that “the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated.”

The move came after Maïga’s remarks at a rally in Bamako on Saturday, when he accused the junta of unilaterally and indefinitely postponing the transition process that was initially set to begin on March 26.

Read Also: Dubai Racing Club announces Zoho as Exclusive Technology Partner

Maïga also expressed frustration over the lack of debate on the issue, claiming he has been left to rely on media reports for updates.

While military leader Assimi Goïta had previously promised elections would be held in February, those plans have since been delayed “for technical reasons” with no new timeline provided.

Goïta was among the rebels to overthrow the government in 2020 and then became interim president after another coup in 2021.

He then announced a 24-month transition timetable starting in March 2022 to return Mali to civilian rule.

The government has yet to announce who will replace Maïga as prime minister. (www.nannews.ng) (dpa/NAN)

Dubai Racing Club announces Zoho as Exclusive Technology Partner

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Newsaccessadmin

Dubai Racing Club (DRC) has named Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, as its exclusive technology partner for the next two years.

This partnership will focus on digitising DRC’s operations, with the aim of enhancing the club’s high-profile events and ensuring a seamless, world-class experience for visitors, participants, and staff.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at Meydan Racecourse, attended by His Excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club, and Prem Anand Velumani, Associate Director of Strategic Alliances, MEA at Zoho.

As the organiser of major events, including the prestigious Dubai World Cup, the DRC will leverage Zoho’s comprehensive suite of digital solutions through Zoho One, the operating system for businesses, to streamline key operations. By implementing Zoho One, the club will enhance various aspects of its event management, from ticketing and sales to logistics and customer relationship management (CRM).

HE Al Ali commented on the partnership: “We are pleased to welcome Zoho as our official technology partner this season. Technology is a cornerstone of our long-term vision for the Dubai Racing Club and the continued development of the horse racing industry.

“Zoho brings a wealth of expertise, and we look forward to collaborating with their team to create tailored solutions for our clients. From sophisticated CRM systems and streamlined accreditation processes to innovative mobile applications designed to enhance the experience for horse owners and racegoers, we are focused on setting new benchmarks for excellence.

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“This partnership brings us one step closer to establishing Meydan as one of the most technologically advanced racecourses globally.”

The DRC will leverage Zoho’s web and mobile applications to improve accessibility and communication across platforms. Zoho CRM will play a pivotal role in managing ticketing and sales, offering a seamless and personalised experience for attendees.

Zoho’s apps will also support critical operational functions such as accreditation, simulcasting, parking and barricade management, and order management, all of which will be fully digitised to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

“We are thrilled to be the exclusive technology partner of the Dubai Racing Club, an iconic institution that plays a central role in global equestrian sports,” said Prem Anand Velumani, MEA at Zoho. “This partnership presents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how Zoho’s comprehensive suite of solutions can support DRC’s operations and its commitment to excellence.

“By utilising Zoho’s customisable tools, DRC will be able to digitise and optimise critical operations, driving greater collaboration, agility, and a seamless guest experience. We are proud to help position the DRC at the forefront of digital transformation in the regional and global equestrian sports industry.”

Zoho’s solutions will also streamline guest and VIP stand management, ensuring a smooth experience for high-profile visitors. Zoho’s apps will assist with venue navigation, while an all-in-one analytics dashboard will provide the DRC’s internal team with real-time data to evaluate performance and track ROI across all operational areas.

This integrated approach will allow the DRC to optimise its event management processes and deliver an exceptional experience for participants, staff, and guests alike.

The two-year partnership will see the DRC fully harness Zoho’s suite of solutions to drive digital transformation across all aspects of its operations. As the club continues to grow, Zoho’s innovative digital solutions will play a pivotal role in ensuring the optimisation and success of every operational facet—from event coordination to customer engagement.

Known for hosting some of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, the DRC attracts audiences and participants from around the world. The Dubai Racing Club’s next meeting at the Meydan Racecourse is scheduled for November 22, 2024.