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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Fraud: Court Sentences Vietnam Billionaire To Death

  A top Vietnamese property tycoon was sentenced to death on Thursday in one of the biggest corruption cases in history, with an estimated $27 billion in damages. A panel of three hand-picked jurors and two judges rejected all defence arguments by Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, who was found guilty of swindling cash from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over a decade. “The defendant’s actions… eroded people’s trust in the leadership of the (Communist) Party and state,” read the verdict at the trial in southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City. After the five-week trial, 85 others were also sentenced on charges ranging from bribery and abuse of power to appropriation and violations of banking law. Four were given life imprisonment, while the others received jail terms ranging between 20 years and three years suspended. Lan’s husband, Hong Kong billionaire Eric Chu Nap Kee, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Lan embezzled $12.5 billion, but prosecutors said Thursday the total damages caused by the scam now amounted to $27 billion — a figure equivalent to six percent of the country’s 2023 GDP. The court ordered Lan, 67, to pay almost the entire damages sum in compensation. The death sentence is an unusually severe punishment in such a case, although the country is a leading executioner globally, according to Amnesty International. Lan and the others were arrested as part of a national corruption crackdown that has swept up numerous officials and members of Vietnam’s business elite in recent years. She appeared to say in final remarks to the court last week that she had thoughts of suicide. “In my desperation, I thought of death,” she said, according to state media. “I am so angry that I was stupid enough to get involved in this very fierce business environment — the banking sector — which I have little knowledge of.” Protests Hundreds of people began to stage protests in the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a relatively rare occurrence in the one-party communist state, after Lan’s arrest in October 2022. Police have identified around 42,000 victims of the scandal, which has shocked the Southeast Asian country. Among them is Nga, a 67-year-old Hanoi resident who told AFP Thursday that she had hoped for a life sentence for Lan so she could live to fully witness the pain her actions had caused ordinary people. “Many people worked hard to deposit money into the bank, but now she’s received the death sentence and that’s it for her,” said Nga, using a pseudonym to protect her identity. “She can’t see the suffering of the people.” Nga has so far been unable to retrieve the $120,000 she invested with SCB. Lan was accused of setting up fake loan applications to withdraw money from SCB, in which she owned a 90 percent stake. Police say the scam’s victims are all SCB bondholders who cannot withdraw their money and have not received interest or principal payments since Lan’s arrest. Prosecutors said during the trial they had seized more than 1,000 properties belonging to her. Authorities have also said $5.2 million allegedly given by Lan and some SCB bankers to state officials to conceal the bank’s violations and poor financial situation was the largest-ever bribe recorded in Vietnam. Do Thi Nhan, the former head of the State Bank of Vietnam’s inspection team, was sentenced to life in prison for receiving bribes. She said during the trial that millions of dollars was handed to her in Styrofoam boxes by the former CEO of SCB. More than 4,400 people have been indicted during Vietnam’s corruption crackdown, across more than 1,700 graft cases, since 2021. A top Vietnamese luxury property tycoon — Do Anh Dung, head of the Tan Hoang Minh group — was sentenced to eight years in prison last month after he was found guilty of cheating thousands of investors in a $355 million bond scam.

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Okuama killings: Troops ‘arrest three community leaders’, recover high-grade weapons

  Troops of 63 brigade of the Nigerian Army have reportedly arrested three leaders of Olota community, in Ughelli South LGA of Delta, in connection with the death of 17 officers. The army personnel were killed on March 14 while on a peacekeeping mission to Okuama community. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, the arrests were made on Wednesday. The three community leaders were apprehended with two speed boats of 75 horsepower outboard engines — while purportedly plotting their escape.   Although the arrested community leaders were not named, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had declared eight persons wanted, including Clement Oghenerukevwe, monarch of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom in the state. Zagazola said the arrest of the three individuals followed painstaking efforts by the military to track down the masterminds and killers of the officers, which made them to look beyond Okuama. The troops were also said to have recovered assorted weapons and ammunition believed to be stockpiled for communal clashes.   “Zagazola learnt that in the course of the raids, cordon and searches being conducted, the troops recovered assorted high-caliber military-grade weapons in many of the communities where the operation is going on,” the publication said. “In one of such searches, the troops stormed the residence of one Mr Kenneth in Olota who escaped on sighting the soldiers. “The team discovered one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62 MM Nato and 19 rounds of 7.62 Special MM in his house. “A further search of other locations within the community led to the discovery of 4 G3 fifties and Magazines, one pump action gun and 3 SMGs, Magazines and 476 cartridges. Citing an intelligence source, the publication said the troops had acted on a directive to mop up the arms and ammunition and disarm the communities. After the killing of the army personnel, President Bola Tinubu and the military high command promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Russian Air Defence System, Trainers Arrive In Niger

  Russian military instructors have arrived in Niger with an air defence system and other equipment as part of the West African nation’s deepening security ties with Moscow, state television announced late Thursday. Niger’s military government agreed in January to step up military cooperation with Russia, after expelling French forces that were helping fight jihadist rebellions in several Sahel nations. The Tele Sahel broadcaster showed a Russia transport plane arriving at Niamey airport on Wednesday night. It said “the latest military equipment and military instructors from the Russian defence ministry” had arrived. Russia will help “install an air defence system … to ensure complete control of our airspace”, the report said. One instructor was quoted as saying that “We are here to train the Niger army and help it use the equipment that has just arrived. The equipment is for different military specialities.” The head of Niger’s military government, General Abdourahamane Tiani, spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 26. The two leaders discussed security cooperation as well as “global strategic cooperation” against “current threats”, authorities said at the time, without elaborating. Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, had been a frontline partner of the West in battling jihadists in the Sahel but has turned to Russia since the elected president was ousted last year. Niger has also joined neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso — also ruled by military leaders after coups — to create a joint force to battle long-running jihadist insurgencies. The United States has some 1,000 troops in Niger though their movements have been limited since the coup and Washington has curbed assistance to the government.

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

NAFDAC bans Turkey-made soap, tracks fake Indian injection powder

  The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has banned the sale of Turkey-made Dex Luxury Bar Soap. It also called on Nigerians to watch out for the counterfeit of Tandak injection powder made in India. NAFDAC, on its website, said Dex Luxury Bar Soap does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation, explaining that it contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional, which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system, causing harm to the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitisation. “As a result, a ban on the marketing of the product has been placed by some regulatory and public authorities in the EU,” NAFDAC stated on its website. With barcode number 8694965531, NAFDAC noted that the product is manufactured in Turkey It said although the product was not in the NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers were advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the product. “The product’s authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of adverse reactions, or substandard and falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. “Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” it said. The agency also alerted Nigerians to the sale of counterfeit Tandak injection 1.5g powder and water for injection. It said the product was discovered in Gombe State and was reported to the agency by Marcson Healthcare Ltd., the marketing authorisation holder. NAFDAC noted that the product is manufactured by Intracin Pharmaceuticals in Gujarat, India. “Tandak® injection of 1.5g powder is a co-formulation of Ceftriaxone 1000mg and Sulbactam 500mg. It is prescribed for use in the treatment of various types of bacterial infections. “It fights against the microorganisms by preventing their growth and further spread of the infection. Ceftriaxone+Sulbactam 1000mg/500mg Injection should only be administered under the supervision of a healthcare professional,” NAFDAC wrote on its official X account. Differentiating the original product from the counterfeiter product, the agency said the batch number of the original product is BN: 23P24, while the counterfeited has 22P21 as its batch number. The original was manufactured in August 2023, and will expire in July 2025; while the fake was manufactured in May 2022, and will expire in August 2026. It said the original brand has a hologram on the primary carton but the counterfeited brand does not have it. A mobile authentication service label is present in the original product but it is photocopied/scanned in the fake product. The original product has a green cap on the vial while the cap on the vial of the fake one is white. It also noted that while the leaflet insert is present in the original product, the fake product has none. “NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states. “Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng “Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” it said.

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

DAILIES TOP STORIES: Power generation drops 32.31% to 2,775MW

  Friday 12 April 2024 Lagos-Calabar highway: FG plans compensation in nine states, puts cost at N15tn Junior Pope: AGN suspends riverside movie shootings, police launch probe Govt shuts Dosunmu market, Sanwo-Olu hints at building demolition Kingmakers decide on Olubadan today Abducted Taraba varsity students regain freedom Beijing Slams US-Japan-Philippines Summit, Says S. China Sea Actions ‘Lawful’ Tinubu, Nwifuru, Uzodimma Mourn Ogbonnaya Onu Odili Pronounces Fubara Political Leader Of Rivers State JAMB Says 2024 UTME Notification Slip Ready For Printing Four In Custody As Navy Investigates Death Of Civilian Staff, Ifeanyi Onumaegbu Troops Raid Illegal Armoury In Delta, Arrest Three Suspects NAF Air Strikes Eliminate Terrorists In Zamfara UK panel to rule over Nigerian doctor’s exchange of free treatment for sex with patient Withheld salaries: We’ll only pay half to non-academic staff — FG Lassa fever kills 150 in Nigeria — NCDC Wigwe: Why Ogunbanjo’s family sued charter company over helicopter crash Sack: We’re Living In Fear – CBN Staff Troops arrest top ISWAP Commander, Abu Saidu Tinubu’s policies yielding positive results in currency market, says Kyari SSANU rejects FG half salary payment plan Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Fubara Warns LG Chairmen Loyal To Wike

  Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State says local government chairmen disrespecting him will fall into the pit they have dug. He said this while inaugurating the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the state, on Thursday. Upon sighting the Chairman of ONELGA at the event, the governor expressed surprise, saying LGA chairmen have formed the habit of staying away from state functions. Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is having a cold war with the governor, is believed to be in control of local government structure in the state. While inaugurating the centre, the governor said, “I’m surprised that I saw the chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government here. I’m very surprised because before now, any event that had to do with the state government, all the local government chairmen, as it were, didn’t participate. “I hope when you leave here, they are not going to sack you because I know you are not loyal to me. Or when you leave here, you will grant a press interview that it was not you, but your shadow? “But let me say it here. Every one of you who thinks you are disrespecting me, you have already dug your pit. You will fall inside it. That is the truth. Our minds are very open. We do not wish anyone bad, but we expect you to know and do what is right. For those of you who have chosen to take the part that you think is that way that leads to your salvation, safe journey.” Away from politics, Fubara said when he assume office in May, over 340 primary healthcare centres across the state were in deplorable condition. He commended Dr Peter Odili-owned PAMO Educational Foundation, which built ONELGA healthcare centre, for the project. On his part, Odili said he was motivated to undertake the project because two years ago, when floods ravaged Ndoni town, the health centre in the community was destroyed, leaving people within 50km radius without immediate healthcare services. Odili, who endorsed the governor as the political leader of the state, urged him to continue in his strides of people-oriented projects execution, touching the lives of the people directly with his governance. He stated, “Let me congratulate you for winning the hearts of Rivers people by standing up to your oaths of office to defend the interest of all Rivers people in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are proud of you,” “Politics is over and it’s now time for governance and you have hit the ground running, you have touched the critical sectors such as education, health, and others in less than one year in office.”

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Libya emerges Africa’s highest oil producer as Nigeria’s output drops 6.8% to 1.23 mbpd

  Libya has emerged as the highest crude oil producer in Africa following the drop of Nigeria’s output by 6.8 per cent to 1.23 million barrels per day in March 2024, from 1.32 bpd in February 2024. On the other hand, Libya’s oil output rose by 5.4 per cent to 1.236 million bpd in March 2024, from 1.173 million bpd in February 2024, according to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.   OPEC, a permanent intergovernmental organisation of 12 oil-exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries, disclosed this in its April 2024 Monthly Oil Market Report, MOMR, obtained by Vanguard, said the output was based on data it obtained from official sources in Nigeria. Based on secondary sources, OPEC stated that Nigeria retained its leadership position on the continent as it produced 1.398 million bpd while Libya produced 1.161 million bpd during the period. However, OPEC stated: “According to secondary sources, total OPEC-12 crude oil production averaged 26.60 mb/d in March 2024. “According to secondary sources, total OPEC-12 crude oil production averaged 26.60 mb/d in March 2024, 3 tb/d higher, m-o-m. Crude oil output increased mainly in IR Iran, Saudi Arabia, Gabon, and Kuwait, while production in Nigeria, Iraq, and Venezuela decreased.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has expressed concerns over the capacity of the industry to meet its domestic crude obligations to local refineries, insisting that supply to local refineries remain a priority. Speaking at a meeting to review Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation as contained under Section 109(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA 2021, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, insisted that priority must be given to crude supply to local refineries. Komolafe pointed out that the overall objective of the government was to ensure that Nigeria became a net exporter of refined petroleum products. “Producers should satisfy their domestic crude oil supply to the domestic refineries so that, as a nation, we seize the opportunity to reverse the ugly trend by ensuring that we develop our midstream and end up being a net exporter of petroleum products, especially now that we are trying to exit the subsidy regime. The only way to sustain that is to become robust in our domestic refining capacity.”

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

FULL LIST: Top universities in Nigeria

  Covenant University has been ranked above the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, as the best university in Nigeria for the second time, according to Times Higher Education‘s 2024 rating. Analysis of the latest ranking on Thursday showed that the university based in Ota, Ogun State, is among the top 1,000 universities in the world. The 801st-ranked university in the world first gained prominence in 2018 after it got the prize for the best university in Nigeria and the sixth-best university overall. The University of Ibadan followed Covenant as the second-best university in the country, while the Federal University of Technology, Akure clinched third. The ranking web said the World University ranking includes 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. “The Times Higher World University ranking includes 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. “The table is based on our new WUR 3.0 methodology, which is carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across five areas; teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook,: it said. Other universities that achieve the top ranking in Nigeria include the University of Ilorin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Afe Babalola University, the University of Benin, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Port Harcourt. Among the 15 top universities, nine are located in the South West, two in the South East, two in the South-South, one in the North West, and one in the North Central. See full list below: 1. Covenant University 2. University of Ibadan 3. Federal University of Technology, Akure 4. University of Lagos 5. Bayero University 6. University of Ilorin 7. University of Nigeria 8. Afe Babalola University 9. University of Benin 10. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 11. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology 12. Lagos State University 13. Nnamdi Azikiwe University 14. Obafemi Awolowo University 15. University of Port Harcourt 16. Abia State University 17. Akwa Ibom State University 18. Alex Ekwueme Federal University 19. Babcock University 20. Baze University 21. Bells University of Technology 22. Benson Idahosa University 23. Delta State University, Abraka 24. Edo State University 25. Edwin Clark University 26. Elizade University 27. Evangel University, Akaeze 28. Federal University of Kashere 29. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun 30. Federal University of Technology, Minna 31. Federal University of Technology, Owerri 32. Fountain University 33. Landmark University 34. Nassarawa State University, Keffi 35. Niger Delta University 36. Plateau State University 37. Thomas Adewumi University 38. Veritas University 39. Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano

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Post Date : April 12, 2024

Abducted Students Of Federal University Wukari Regain Freedom From Kidnappers

Two students of the Federal University Wukari abducted by suspected kidnappers have regained their freedom. The students were released by their captors late night on Thursday, close to Chinkai village of Wukari local government area of Taraba state. The head of information and protocol unit of the university, Ashu Agya, disclosed this to channels television via a telephone interview. According to her, a ransom of 700 thousand naira was paid in exchange for their freedom. The kidnappers had earlier requested a ransom fee of 50 million naira. Channels Television had earlier reported that the students were kidnapped at about 10:00pm on the 1st of April, at an eatery located outside the school premises. On the said day, the kidnappers attempted abducting more students which failed and led to the beating of the students and shop owners as well as ransacking of their shops. About 90 percent of the staff and students of the institution live outside the school premises as stated by the Vice Chancellor during the recently conducted convocation ceremony. One of the shops attached to the hostels accommodating these students outside the school premises was the one attacked and two students who work as staff of the eatery abducted. The students returned to rewrite their examinations as a result of the carry over they had. Giving further details about the development, the authorities revealed the identities of the kidnap students as Joshua Sardauna from the Economics Department and Obianu Elizabeth of Microbiology department.

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