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We Didn’t Seize Diamond Bra From Alison-Madueke – EFCC

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Court Orders Forfeiture Of Diezani Alison-Madueke's Houses , Cars

There was no diamond bra among items seized from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, set to be auctioned by the Federal Government, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said .

Bawa made the clarification while participating on a programme on a Lagos-based television station on Wednesday monitored in Abuja, declaring that if there was anything of such, he ought to know being the lead investigator for the former minister.

While informing that the government was yet to auction the property including jewelry seized from the former minister, Bawa said the diamond bra was a social media creation.

“Government has not sold a single property recovered. We are working towards that. You have accused us several times of media trial but I think it is good to be fair to everybody all times.

“This case is a two-way thing, there was nothing like diamond bra; it is just a creation of social media. I can tell you that for free because I am the lead investigator. I am not aware of it.

“If there is something like that I should know because I led the search and all of that. It is one of the things I mentioned to you that is one of the biggest problems we have is our attitude, we need to change for better,” Bawa said.

The anti-corruption czar said that the issue of investment and employment scam was a huge problem the commission was currently working on, adding that EFCC had received complaints from Nigerians who had lost over N200 billion to the scam.

“This issue of investment scam is something that we have have observed and we are working on that. In fact, as of the last briefing when we aggregated all the complaints involving investment scam, as well as employment scam, Nigerians have complained to us to have lost over N200 billion in complaints. It’s a huge problem.

“Ponzi schemes are going on left, right and centre and Nigerians have to be wary about anybody that is promising you some money doubling interest. How can you invest N500,000 and somebody is promising you N50,000 every month and at the end of that you collect your N500,000 back. What is he doing? What is he into? Is he investing in stock exchange? Why is it that he is the only person among 250 million Nigerians that has that idea to come with this investment idea to bring that kind of return? What they are simply doing is what it is.”

While disclosing that in some instances the commission had been able to make some recoveries, Bawa urged Nigerians with complaints about investment and employment scams to come forward to lodge their complaibts with EFCC, saying that “we have been working and we are still working tirelessly on all of that in all the commands.

“It was the subject of discussion at our last meeting with all the commanders across all the zonal offices. Anybody that has a complaint, please let him come forward with it.”

Speaking on some of the achievements recorded by the EFCC since he took over the helm of affairs as its chairman, Bawa noted that the anti-graft agency had been able to secure a total of 1,576 convictions from January to November, 2021, which he described as unprecedented.

He added that over 2,000 arrests were made by the commission, while 122 persons charged to court were discharged and acquitted.

“From January till date, we have arrested nothing less than 2,000 alleged suspected cybercriminals across this country.

“The 3,816 officers of EFCC, I assure you since I came on board as chairman, we have been cooperating, we have been working round the clock to ensure that we solidify our stand in the country as an institution, we are engaging stakeholders, we are collaborating with stakeholders from within and outside the country.

“We are deliberately trying to change some strategies regarding how some of these things are being done.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) one of your colleagues asked me in court and I told her that we have recorded from January to the 4th of November, 2021 unprecedented 1,499 convictions. This morning (Wednesday morning) I received a briefing regarding a number of convictions we secured as at yesterday. The number is 1,576. That is unprecedented number of convictions.

“We are changing the narrative here because I will also want to report that 122 were also discharged and acquitted. Compare that with the success that we have recorded in terms of convictions, it shows that we have lost less than 10 per cent.”

READ ALSO: Govt Begins Valuation Of Property Seized From Alison-Madueke, Others

He expressed satisfaction with the eight-year imprisonment handed down to the former chairman of the Presidential Pension Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, adding that the convict still has another case with the commission in court.

“The subject (Maina) has been convicted and he has been convicted. We are very happy with the judgment. He is going to serve eight years, cummulatively it is about 60 years. Restitution is made to the government and all that.

“We still have another case against him and of course the civil forfeiture procedure is taking place. Our job is to go to court, present our case and at the end of the day the judge will make pronouncement and then we hand over to the people that are supposed to take him into custody.”

Asked why despite being EFCC chairman he still goes to courts to testify against people being prosecuted, Bawa explained that he was duty-bound to testify in such cases as he investigated them before he became chairman.

According to him, “every leader is supposed to lead from the front and you have to lead by example. I have to be there, I have to show that yes it can be done.

“I am a practitioner, the difference is that the chairman is more of a supervisor, a coordinator of how things should be done, should be carried out. But then, before I became the chairman, I have investigated quite a number of cases myself. I have cautioned a lot of people, I have witnessed the recording of many statements. I have carried out a lot of investigations from analysis of complaints up to the conclusion of the case and taking the file to the legal department.

“I have to be the one to testify in those cases I was deeply involved. It so happens that I am the chairman and I have to go to the court to testify in those cases I investigated.”

While asserting that Nigerians are so religious to the extent that there is no country in the world that is so religious as Nigeria, Bawa lamented that that has not rubbed off positively on the people to change their character to do the right thing.

“If you spread the map, this country is a very religious country. There is no country in this world that is as religious as this country. The number of churches, the number of mosques we have, the way we are passionate about religion, that’s supposed to reflect in our character as Nigerians to do the right thing always, to change our attitude, and ensure that in every facet of our lives wherever you find yourself you are doing the right thing.

“This country is rich enough, it is big enough to take care of itself. That is the biggest frustration. Wherever you thought you are going to see some of these things are manifesting. But we are optimistic. Things are changing in this country. Opportunities are being blocked to do some of these things and people are talking.

“On our part, we are trying to engage religious bodies to ensure they preach some of these problems of anti-corruption to the extent that people will realise that we have this collective responsibility to ensure that the right thing is done for the betterment of all.”

 

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Arrest Interim Govt Plotters Now – Governors

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Tambuwal Emerges Chairman Of Governors' Forum
Governor Tambuwal

Governors of the 36 states have asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and prosecute those involved in a plot to put in place an interim government as part of moves to truncate the nation’s democracy.

Condemning the move, the governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum assured of their commitment to continue in the defence of Nigeria’s democracy as elected leaders.

In a statement on Friday by NGF Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal at the end of the 4th meeting of the Governors, he warned the DSS against issuing statements without arrest as that amounts to heating the polity.

Tambuwal said, “The Forum deliberated extensively on the alleged plot by some unscrupulous elements to install an interim government, as contained in the recent statement issued by the Department for State Services (DSS). Governors condemned in the strongest terms, any unconstitutional means of regime change and pledged its commitment to continue to defend Nigeria’s democracy as elected leaders.

“In addition, the Forum believes that issuing statements without arrests is akin to heating up the polity and causing unwarranted tension in the country. It called on the DSS to do its job by immediately arresting and prosecuting all those involved in the plot as a matter of urgency.”

Recall that the DSS had on Wednesday confirmed rumours that a section of the political class was planning for an interim government in order to truncate the result of the recently-concluded general elections.

The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya in a statement said that the agency had identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria but did not give the names of the masterminds.

The agency had said that the planners of the interim government had already held several meetings, during which they weighed many options to actualize their plot including sponsoring endless mass protests across Nigerian cities, securing a warrant to declare a state of emergency or a court injunction to stop the inauguration of the executive and the legislature at the federal and state levels.

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BREAKING:Lagos Govt Arraigns Chrisland School, Principal, Others Over Death Of Pupil Whitney Adeniran

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Chrisland pupil Whitney

The Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal and two other employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.

On Wednesday, the government of Lagos State had filed charges against Chrisland School and four others over the death of the 12-year-old pupil, Whitney Adeniran.

The school and its workers were accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts.

The workers who were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.

The school principal, Mrs Belinda Amao, broke down in tears while in the dock as the court and counsel tried to agree on a date for the commencement of the trial.

Whitney died during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Agege Stadium in Lagos on February 9.

Blessing Adeniran, her mother, had accused Chrisland of negligence over her daughter’s death.

The school’s management, however, dismissed insinuations that there was foul play in the death, saying she slumped in public.

Chrisland also argued that Whitney complained about “not-too-buoyant health” a few days before she died.

However, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed that the deceased died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

In the charges filed on behalf of the state government by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Babajide Martins, who disclosed that their negligence killed Whitney because they failed to ensure her safety.

The charge also disclosed that they all acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

The offences are contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015

If found guilty, the offences carry a penalty of life imprisonment and two-year jail terms respectively.

On Tuesday, the state government granted access to Chrisland High School, Opebi branch, to open for physical learning ahead of the school’s forthcoming examination after parents’ appeal.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered that the school be shut down on March 3, 2023, following the investigation into Whitney’s death.

Sanwo-Olu through the state Ministry of Education said the closure of the school would pave the way for unhindered investigation and afford all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grieve.

The reopening followed an appeal by the Parents of all Chrisland School Units who visited the Ministry of Education on Monday to seek the government’s understanding for “the sake of 500 plus students some of whom also have terminal examinations.”

The management of the school had tendered an apology over Whitney’s death.

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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