Crime Facts

You’re corrupt, unfit for public office, Atiku hits Tinubu

  The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization has described the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as corrupt and unfit for public office owing to his alleged corruption. According to the PDP campaign, it’s APC counterpart is trying to market “ a wobbly, wonky and narcotic-devastated Presidential Candidate. This was contained in a restatement signed by the Spokesperson of the Atiku-Okowa Campaign, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja, late on Wednesday. He said the Atiku-Okowa Campaign Council decided to mock the Tinubu campaign over its failed attempt to impute illness on the healthy and energetic Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Ologbondiyan said, “The campaign also describes as ludicrous the failed attempt by Tinubu , the famed Lagos property stripper, who has gained notoriety as corruption personified and the living example of the ‘artful dodger” , to impugn the impeccable character and integrity of the incoming peoples’ President, Atiku. “It is imperative to observe that our campaign had focused on issues and refrained from Tinubu’s appalling health issues prior to this ignoble public dance of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign. “However, since Tinubu by himself has opened the channels for Nigerians to examine his ill-health, we have no other option than to further expose that the APC Candidate must be suffering from manifest Parkinson’s disease accompanied with incontinence. “For clarity, Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder which symptoms include shaking hands, stiffness of limbs, difficulty with coordination, problem with balance when walking; articulation disorder, memory problems as well as general mental and physical weakness which are all being witnessed in the APC Presidential Candidate. “This perhaps accounts for the desperation, the endless gaffes, the articulation errors, the incoherence, the many blunders and disconnection from reality for which Asiwaju Tinubu has become the butt of weird jokes among Nigerians and internationally.“ He further said, “It is rather unfortunate that the APC Presidential Candidate, who cannot stand erect or walk up an elevation unaided, who is plagued by visible tremor of the hands, who palpitates at the slightest physical exertion and who is reported in the public space as being challenged by incontinence could attempt to speak on the health status of any Nigerian. “Moreover, some medical professionals have associated certain cases of nerve cell death with narcotic use and unhealthy lifestyle and our campaign urges Tinubu to examine himself in that regard. “Furthermore, Nigerians find it incongruous that the tarnished Asiwaju Tinubu who is badgered by a smelly criminal past including the $460,000 forfeiture sentence for narcotic related offence by a Court of competent jurisdiction in the United States; alleged looting of Lagos State treasury and stripping of her property; cases of forgery, impersonation, perjury, inconsistencies in name, age as well as questionable educational background, ancestry and genealogy could attempt to speak on corruption and integrity. “Asiwaju Tinubu should rather hide his face in shame given his malodourous activities for which well-meaning Nigerians have dissociated themselves from his Presidential Campaign. “In any case, Nigerians are aware that Tinubu is not ethically, physically and mentally fit to hold office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, unlike the decent, honest, physically, mentally and emotionally fit Atiku Abubakar, who exhibits the manifest readiness, intellectual alertness, capacity and experience to lead our nation at this critical time. “Those pushing Emilokan’s candidature cannot claim to be unaware that he is not fit to preside over a country of 200 million people. They just don’t wish Nigeria well.”

Okowa earned PDP’s Vice-Presidential ticket – Ayu

  National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on Wednesday said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta earned the party’s Vice-Presidential ticket for the forthcoming general elections as he inaugurated the multi-billion naira Ogheye Floating Market in the state. He said that the market, like the State Secretariat in Asaba, also built by Okowa, were great wonders that had stood out in the country and beyond. Ayu described the governor as “a brilliant and articulate statesman” who had continued to offer greater services to his people. “Okowa is an articulate and brilliant statesman and the leaders of our party, the PDP, decided that Delta State has to be rewarded for its contribution to the growth and development of the party and Nigeria,” he said. Ayu added that Okowa’s socio-economic development of Delta was outstanding, and said that it was that he would bring the “culture” to national stage when PDP would take over governance in the country. Other projects inaugurated by the PDP Chairman were Odokun Secondary School; 3-km pedestrian road linking Oboghoro to Ogheye-Dimigun and a pedestrian bridge crossing Jorojoro creek to Ogheye-Dimigun, all in Warri North Local Government Area of the state. He said that the projects, including the floating market would contribute immensely to the growth of commerce in the coastal communities in the state. The PDP Chairman called on the Federal Government to give more support to governments of Niger Delta states, saying that the people of the region deserved a better deal for their sacrifices and contributions to nation’s economic mainstay. He remarked that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had set the country backward for over 50 years, and urged Nigerians to support his party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation. He said, “thank you Deltans for the support you have given to us in our journey so far to recover and rebuild Nigeria. “I am happy to come back to the State for the second time as National Chairman of our great party to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who by the grace of God will become our next Vice-President in a few months. “I first took note of Okowa’s works as Governor when he built the best State Secretariat in the country and I remember telling him that the nation was taking note of his contributions to the development of his people. “Some political parties will come to campaign to the people, make all manner of promises to deceive the people into voting for them but when they come into office they don’t fulfill their promises and that’s criminal. “But the PDP which I was a founding member was formed to work for the people and we are particularly proud of our governors who are hoisting the party’s flag high. “I am happy that there is continuity in governance here in Delta and the three governors so far, have not disappointed Deltans,” he said. Ayu said Okowa’s outstanding works and contributions to the party earned him the Vice-Presidential ticket and described him as a brilliant and articulate man who, had continued to offer greater services to the party and the country. “Okowa is an articulate and brilliant statesman and we the leadership of the party decided that Delta State has to be rewarded for its contribution to the growth and development of the party. “The poverty in the Niger Delta must be tackled and it must not be left for the state governments alone. Concerted efforts must be made by all stakeholders, including the Federal Government and oil companies, to the development of the region. “You are the second son of the Niger Delta that would be fortunate enough to ascend to such a high office from the region and it is our hope that you pay special attention to the needs of the people of the Niger Delta when you become the Vice President of the country. “I was here last year to inaugurate a road named after my friend, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, and the multi-billion naira storm water drainage projects in Asaba. “I also inspected the Model Technical College in Asaba that was built almost like a university which you replicated in other parts of the state and I believe the people of Delta will not forget you,” he told Okowa. In his remarks, Governor Okowa paid tribute to his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who conceived and started the construction of the market which was later abandoned due to financial constraints and non-performance by the contractor. “I was part of the initiative when I visited Warri North for the inauguration of projects at Oboghoro and Utonlila communitie and I visited the market project and assured that we would take steps to re-award the contract. “We got a local contractor, an indigine of the community to take up the job and we thank God that in two years, he was able to deliver and it is important to state that our people have the capacity to do great things,” he said. Okowa urged the party hierarchy to support the development of the region, pointing out that “it costs so much to execute projects in the Niger Delta”. “When we take over government of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, I am sure that we will get to understand that the people of the Niger Delta truly have a very difficult terrain. “If it costs a billion to build a project in some other states, it could cost up to N5 billion to execute such projects here,” he said. In his remarks, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended the governor for ensuring the completion of the age-long market, adding that its completion would improve the growth of commerce in the area. He said that the area was known for abundance of oil and gas but regretted that the people had not benefited from the proceeds from the exploitation of the resources. The Warri monarch further said that building the market was commendable as commerce

UK shut Obi’s company over account issues – Report

  For failing to submit its annual accounts, authorities in the United Kingdom, have struck off Next International (UK) Limited, a company largely owned by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. An online platform, Premium Times, reported that the company was removed from the record in September 2021, following a first and second gazette notice of “compulsory” strike off of the entity. In the UK, a compulsory strike-off is imposed on a company by creditors or by the Companies House for non-submission of annual accounts or failure to notify Companies House about a change of official registered office address. Once a company is struck off, its details will be removed from the Companies House register and the company ceases to exist. Next International (UK) Limited failed to submit its annual accounts for the year 2020, hence, the company was struck off and dissolved in 2021. Before a company is struck off, however, the UK requires the Companies House’s Registrar to send at least two formal letters to the company warning that a failure to file its annual accounts will lead to its removal from the register. According to UK Liquidators, a financial consulting firm, if Companies House receives no reply to its letters, it will then publish a first ‘strike off notice’ in the Gazette, which is the official journal of public record. The first official notice to strike off Next International was issued on 22nd June 2021, then a second notice was given on 31st August 2021. A final gazette to dissolve the company was issued on 7th September 2021. Before its final dissolution, records show that for four consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) the UK Companies House had to always issue a “first gazette notice for compulsory strike-off” before Next International filed its annual account. Then immediately the company submitted its annual accounts, a gazette will be issued to discontinue the compulsory strike-off action. A private limited company, Next International was incorporated on 16t May 1996. Mr Obi was listed as a director while his wife, Margaret, served as secretary. Next International (Nigeria) Limited (with 999 ordinary shares) and Mr Obi (with one ordinary share) were listed as shareholders. Records show that the company was registered as business “agents involved in the sale of a variety of goods” in England and Wales. The firm reported taking a mortgage from Lloyds TSB Bank Plc for a property on 53 Clyde Road, Croydon. On May 16, 2008, 14 months after assuming duties as governor of Anambra State, Obi resigned as the director of Next International. He took office on March 17, 2006 but continued to serve as a director of the company in violation of Nigerian law. In Nigeria, a person is statutorily required to withdraw from engaging in or directing a private business, except if it is farming, upon becoming a public officer, Section Six (6) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides. The former governor admitted to Premium Times in 2021 that he did not declare these companies and the funds and properties they held in his asset declaration filings with the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Nigerian government agency that deals with the issues of corruption, conflict of interest, and abuse of office by public servants. At the time, Mr Obi said he was unaware that the law expected him to declare assets or companies he jointly owns with his family members or anyone else.

Marketers predict six-month fuel scarcity, prices rise

  The supply hitches associated with the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, may persist till June this year, oil marketers stated on Wednesday. Nigeria’s downstream oil sector has been grappling with cases of incessant petrol scarcity since last year. The sole importer of the commodity – Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has repeatedly complained of the enormous burden of shouldering fuel subsidy for the country. On Monday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said NNPC was selling petrol at a loss because of its mandate from the Federal Government as regards fuel subsidy. “If you are a businessman, look at it from this perspective, that you are now in the business where you are mandated to sell at a loss to the public. That is not an easy job, I must tell you,” the minister stated. Last week, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government had budgeted about N3.6tn for fuel subsidy till June 2023. Reacting to the development, oil marketers stated on Wednesday that the fuel supply crisis in many parts of the country that often leads to fuel scarcity, might persist till June, based on the government’s plan to end petrol subsidy in that month. The National Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, told our correspondent that fuel imports and subsidy were making Nigerians suffer. He said, “This issue of subsidy and the importation of petroleum products are the major reasons why we are suffering like this and having epileptic supply of PMS. This may drag till the current administration leaves in May or till June this year. “The exchange rate is affecting fuel imports, which is also why the cost of petroleum products are high. We use too much naira to chase the few dollars that are available. So the solution is for us to refine our crude here and get our depots working.” He added, “Also, we should note that most times when an administration is leaving, there is usually scarcity of products. It happened during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan. “This is because suppliers will be very weary of selling petroleum products so that their debts will not be carried over to the next administration. Successive governments have suffered this epileptic distribution of petroleum products during transition to a new government. “The government is winding up, and if you are a supplier you have to be careful in terms of supplying petroleum products. Remember that when Jonathan was there, marketers who were supplying products stopped and went on strike, demanding that they must be paid their arrears.” The President, Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, also stated that the availability of petrol for marketers to distribute had remained an issue of concern. “Let there be products to sell. That is what we are yearning for. Once that problem is sorted, then others shall be addressed too,” he stated. Commenting on the issue, a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr. Sam Nzekwe, told our correspondent that the crisis in the downstream oil sector would be best addressed when Nigeria’s refineries become functional. IPMAN complains The Chairman, IPMAN Satellite depot, Akin Akinrinade, told The PUNCH that its members were yet to take delivery of any product from the state oil firm. He said, “We have yet to see anything. They promised us something in December, but now they said January. All they’ve done is ask us to submit names and change from the old system-NNPC Express to NNPC Retail. Other than that, we are yet to receive any product. “But I can assure you that this scarcity will continue well after June if NNPCL does not supply us products directly and at regulated price.” Akinrinade also said the price of fuel had hit between N222/N225 at private depots as of last Friday. National Operations Controller, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, also told The PUNCH that his members were yet to get any product from the NNPCL. “We are still waiting. We will wait until the middle of this month before we react. But as of last week, our members buy fuel above N200 per litre. But information reaching me is that as of today, the price has increased to N230 per litre, without transportation and other expenses”, he said. In December, Osatuyi had told The PUNCH that his members were holding strategic meetings with the new NNPCL Retail Managing Director, Hubb Stockman, who promised to supply them products directly at government regulated price of N148/litre starting from this month. However, members of the association, according to Osatuyi and Akinrinnade, were yet to receive any products despite having compiled necessary lists, and switching from the old NNPCL Express platform, to the NNPCL Retail as directed by Stockman. The PUNCH reached out to the Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, on why some of its members did not have products. He had yet to respond as of the time of filing this report. However, a top member of the MOMAN who claimed anonymity told The PUNCH, that although the scarcity had eased, some of its stations currently do not have supplies. “The scarcity has eased and things have gone back to normal. No queues and our stations sell at normal regulated prices. However, some of our stations who don’t have supplies will be supplied”, he had told The PUNCH last Thursday. The spokesperson for the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Adewole Olufemi, said the depots were in need of more fuel supplies from the NNPCL. “Until and unless the queues are completely eliminated, we’ll require more volume than usual, DAPPMAN cannot be satisfied. We’re working with the sole supplier, NNPC Ltd and the regulator to ensure PMS is available nationwide”, he said regarding the scarcity. On skyrocketing ex-depot’s prices, Adewole said just like the NNPCL, depot owners were also on a recover-all-cost regime.

Palace guard, friends gang-rape lady seeking wedding support

  Zazzau Emirate Council, Kaduna State, has dismissed a palace guard, Sama’ila Tsiwa, for allegedly raping a woman. The Media and Publicity Officer of the Emir, Abdullahi KwarbaI, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “Sama’ila Abubakar Rimin Tsiwa, a palace guard, has been dismissed with immediate effect from the services of the Zazzau Emirate Council for raping a lady on a mission to the palace.” According to the statement, the incident happened when the guard lured the lady, who was preparing for a wedding and came to seek assistance from the Emir through him. Kwarbai said instead of Rimin Tsiwa taking the lady to the Emir, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the suspect lured her to a location where he and his friends gang-raped her. The statement explained that the council had directed the police to speed up investigations and ensure the prosecution of the culprits. The council promised to follow up on the case to ensure justice was served.

Villagers protest killings, burning of vehicles in Imo

  Elderly men, women and Youths of Arondizugo, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo state, on Wednesday continued to protest over the alleged killings and burning of vehicles by suspected hoodlums in their communities. The youths were seen on a video that went viral on social media, they marched around the Ideato North communities demanding no further delay for government to intervene in their situation. At the time of filing this report, some of the villagers who could not give reasons for the attacks described some of the killings as “strange happenings” and linked to politics. The latest was the alleged killing of a young man and a tricycle rider whose names were withheld. It happened Tuesday night at Ndiejezie Izuogu in Ideato’s local government area of Imo State. They lamented the burning of about three vehicles one of the vehicle’s plate numbers was given as a YAB-225DY Range rover vehicle. One of the villagers who preferred not to mention his name said: “My brother these killings have been happening for some time. We have cried for help nothing is happening. Even sometime last year, our royal fathers from Arondizugo came out and protested. I saw you were among the journalists that they addressed and pleaded for government intervention because this is too much. “We want the government to come and save us. We don’t need much delay again. We are in pain now. We want an end to these killings and burning of vehicles. “Many of roads are not safe now. this is bad we want help. let us end this killings. We are tired. Why the killings? why these troubles. We want government to end it.” However, at the time of filing this report, the elders in the various villages were still having strategic meetings to see how to end the reported killings and burning of vehicles. When the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Micheal Abattam, was contacted he was yet to respond.

DAILIES TOP STORIES: INEC final list: North-West, S’West top 93 million voter register

  Thursday 12 January 2023 UK shut Obi’s company over account issues – Report Chime, Nnamani, others shun Tinubu’s Enugu rally Palace guard, friends gang-rape lady seeking wedding support Marketers predict six-month fuel scarcity, prices rise CCTV exposes Ogun hotel murder suspect  FG orders closure 2nd Niger Bridge, others for work to resume You’re corrupt, unfit for public office, Atiku hits Tinubu Why 110,000 passports remained uncollected – Immigration Service PCN arrests 10 people, closed down 3,000 illegal pharmacies in Nigeria Villagers protest killings, burning of vehicles in Imo Tension in UNIZIK over murder of 200 level student Boko Haram wanted to destroy Nigeria — Buhari Okowa earned PDP’s Vice-Presidential ticket – Ayu Elections: Nobody Should Be Undecided At This Time, Says Kukah Buhari’s ‘Best’ Speaks To His Level Of Preparedness For Office – Kukah Why I Resigned As Labour Party Lagos Chairman – Salako Absence Of Evans’ Lawyer Stalls Re-Arraignment Ghana’s inflation rises to 54.1% — highest level in 22 years NNPC’s failure to file counter affidavit stalls Araraume’s N100bn suit against Buhari Edo train attack: 20 people abducted — not 32, says commissioner Court voids law prohibiting unmarried police officers from getting pregnant No Plans To Postpone 2023 Election, Says INEC Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Don’t let Kanu die in detention, Ikenga begs Buhari

  Spokesman for Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has called on President Muhammadu to release Nnamdi Kanu from detention to avert him dying out of ailing health. Ugochinyere made the call in a press conference in his hometown, Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Wednesday. The opposition spokesman said he was informed by Kanu’s lawyer that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader needed serious medical attention. Ikenga stated that Kanu should be released in obedience to a court judgement that had discharged him earlier. He maintained that letting Kanu off the hook will ensure justice and fair play, and help in restoring peace in the South East. Ikenga argued that the Niger Delta militants were negotiated with, to restore peace in the area and therefore wondered why the federal government has refused to give attention to the issues causing agitation in South East. He also condemned the allegation of terrorism levelled against the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, describing it as baseless, unwarranted and a fallout of the hatred against the southern part of the country. Ikenga, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Ideato Federal Constituency, submitted that he will record a humiliating victory over his opponents at the polls. The human rights activist added that they will defend their votes with everything legitimate to ensure that fraudulent politicians are retired. He lambasted Imo State House of Assembly for voting against the autonomy of the legislature, local government and judiciary, dismissing the them as sycophants.

93.4m persons eligible to vote, says INEC

  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there are 93.4 million registered voters in Nigeria. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, announced this on Wednesday at a meeting with political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. At the meeting, Yakubu presented the voters’ register to the political parties ahead of the elections and in accordance with the 2022 electoral act. He said the voters’ register now contains 93,469,008 registered Nigerians eligible to vote in the forthcoming elections. According to Yakubu, Lagos leads with 7,060,195 voters, followed by Kano with 5,921,370, and Kaduna with 4,335,208. By gender distribution, the number of male voters stands at 49,054,162, while female voters stand at 44,414,846. Also, youths aged 18 to 34 make up the majority by age with a figure of 37,060,399, representing 39.66 percent of the voters. According to occupation, students lead with 26,027,481 voters. More to follow…

ISWAP fighters surrender in Niger Republic after ‘fleeing from Boko Haram attacks

  Ten members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedly surrendered to the Niger Republic armed forces. According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the ISWAP fighters had earlier escaped Boko Haram’s attacks in Kayowa and Toumbun Gini – north-eastern communities in the Lake Chad – before being accosted by security forces in Tumour, Niger Republic. TheCable learnt that the ISWAP fighters surrendered on Tuesday due to the fear of battlefield elimination following intensified rival attacks. The publication said continuous rival attacks between December 31, 2022, and January 8, 2023, by Boko Haram on ISWAP bases have caused the death of scores of its fighters. Zagazola Makama said the sustained onslaught led Abu Umaimah, the Boko Haram leader had led to the destruction of the strategic bases of ISWAP in Toumbum Allura, Kurnawa, Kayowa, and Toumbun Gini. The attacks have also reportedly forced ISWAP’s Abu Moussab al-Barnawi and other commanders to flee. “The continued rivalry clash between JAS and ISWAP seems unending as several efforts by the groups to join forces against the Nigerian military and MNJTF appears impossible,” the publication said. “It is against this backdrop that ISWAP is desperately seeking the support of foreign ISIS mercenaries from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Somalia to help them defeat the JAS.” Zagazola Makama reported that Albarnawwy, returned to Lake Chad on January 10 with 300 fighters to announce a major onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorist groups. The publication added that while the development had influenced military operations positively, Operation Hadin Kai could leverage the clashes to sustain its operation to finally decimate terrorists’ activities in the region.