N4.7 Billion Fraud: Ekiti Protesters Demand Governor Fayose’s Resignation

July 7, 2016

Thousands of protesters on Thursday stormed the major streets of Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, calling for the immediate resignation of Governor Ayodele Fayose on account of his involvement in a N4.7 billion fraud and corruption case under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The protesters, who were mostly residents of the state, also voiced support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against all forms of corruption in the country. Students, youths, commercial drivers, artisans, and traders took place in today’s protests alongside members of civil society organizations as they hoisted placards and walked through Fajuyi Park to Ejigbo junction chanting anti-corruption messages.

Some leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Ekiti State led many of the protesters, our correspondent noted.

Addressing the protesters, Kemisola Olaleye, the Ekiti State APC deputy chairperson, said the residents of the state were tired of the Fayose-led government, accusing the governor of using immunity to shield himself from his acts of impunity.

“We are tired of the one day, one problem of [the] Ayodele Fayose-led administration in Ekiti State and we also don’t want him as our governor [anymore],” said Ms. Olaleye. She added, “We are raising our support for President Muhammadu Buhari for his war against corruption.”

Taiwo Olatubosun, the Ekiti APC’s publicity secretary, asked the EFCC to further beam its searchlight on Governor Fayose’s governance of Ekiti State.

“It is obvious that the anti-graft agency is only talking about Fayose’s account in Zenith Bank, but we have it on good authority that his account in Access Bank contains much more than what they discovered in Zenith Bank,” he said.

He also alleged that the governor’s account at Skye Bank contains a larger deposit than what the EFCC found at Zenith Bank, insisting that all the deposits came from state funds.

“Last week, Governor Fayose moved money from Access Bank with three vehicles at about 8 p.m.,” Mr. Olatubosun further alleged.

He asked agents of the EFCC to “investigate all these things as Ekiti has become a house of fraud under Fayose.” He vowed that the APC would continue to resist all forms of immunity by Mr. Fayose’s administration in the state.

Olatubosun claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the direction of Governor Fayose, had concluded plans to recruit thugs from neighboring Ondo and Oyo state for a rally against President Buhari on Friday.

Speaking at Thursday’s rally, Olaoluwa Samuel, the contact and mobilization leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ekiti State, called on the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies in the country to thoroughly probe Mr. Fayose’s administration.

An official of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Ekiti State asked Mr. Fayose to submit himself for investigation regarding the N4.7 billion reportedly released by the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014 to fund the governor’s election. The CNPP also demanded that the members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly accused of certificate forgery should submit themselves for prosecution by the anti-graft agency.

In a press statement Thursday’s protests, the CNPP asked Fayose to offer state residents an account of how he spent N1.5 billion to acquire property in Abuja and Lagos. [myad]

Another Nigerian Beaten To Death In Italy

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

A few days after a Nigerian, Fola Orubiyi was stabbed to death in London, another Nigerian, 36 year old law lecturer, Emmanuel Chidi has been beaten to death in Italy as his girlfriend watched.

Chidi was hacked to death in a racist attack by a right-wing football fan in a central Italian town.

Italian officials confirmed on Wednesday that Chidi was walking with his girlfriend, Cinieri, in the heart of the small town of Paolo Calcinora on Tuesday, when they had racial abuse heaped on them by the supporter of a local football club.

The matter was said to have led to an altercation and Chidi was brutally beaten on the head until he fell to the ground. He never recovered consciousness and died in hospital on Wednesday.

“As mayor of a town that is welcoming and open to integration, I feel I’m living in a nightmare,” the town’s mayor said.

Chidi had been living in the area for eight months and was lodged in a shelter run by Catholic charity Caritas.

His girlfriend had lost her baby after a perilous Mediterranean crossing.

The head of the community don Vinicio Albanesi called the incident in Fermo “cold-blooded provocation” and recalled in this connection that not so long ago before the churches of the city were laid explosive devices.

Hundreds of migrants arrive daily in Italy. The Italian interior ministry said last week that a total of 70,930 people landed between January and June — almost exactly the same number as the same period in 2015 and only slightly higher than in 2014.
Source: Agi news agency. [myad]

Presidency Protests Killing Of 17 Year Old Nigerian In London

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

Nigeria Presidency has protested over the killing of a 17 year old Nigerian, Fola Orebiyi in Londong, saying that it is unacceptable to the country.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Nigerian government said that the stabbing to death of Fola was one brutal incidence too many and called for investigation into the matter.

The statement which was signed by Abika’s Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the killing of Fola and other extra-judicial killings of Nigerian citizens in UK was becoming worrisome.

She called for a thorough investigation of the incident and urged the UK Government to ensure that justice prevailed.

The Presidential aide condoled with the family of the deceased over the ugly incident and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

She said that while Nigeria would not condone crime and criminal tendencies, it took exception to the harassment, killing and execution of its nationals abroad unjustifiably.

The statement said that Fola was stabbed to death during a street clash by a gang of youths on Sunday at Notting Hill, London, adding that he was reportedly chased down the busy road, where he was stabbed in the neck in front of shocked passersby and tourists.

It added that efforts by the Police and paramedics to resuscitate him when an ambulance arrived, proved abortive.

Reacting to the death, the deceased’s neighbour, Osman Sahal, told the police: “He was a nice boy and very considerate; none of us can understand how this could have happened.

“As far as I knew, he was never in trouble. I suppose we must now wait for the police to investigate,” Sahal was quoted as saying.

Orebiyi, who completed his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Holland Park in London, was studying for his `A’ levels at the Chelsea Academy before his death, the statement said.

It said that London Police had arrested a yet-to-be identified 15-year-old boy in connection with the death.

NAN. [myad]

CBN Confirms That All Nigerian Banks Are Healthy

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has made it clear that contrary to what it called ‘malicious rumours and unfounded speculations that some banks in the country have gone or may be going into distress,’ all the banks in the country are operationally healthy.

A statement Wednesday by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said: “The CBN wishes to reiterate in the strongest terms that these rumours and speculations are untrue and do not reflect the actual health of the individual banks and,indeed, the entire banking industry.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the infusion of a new Board and Management for Skye Bank Plc is a proactive regulatory action meant to ensure that the bank does not continue to fail in its relevant prudential ratios. Neither Skye Bank nor any other bank in the industry is in distress.

“Therefore, the CBN would like to request the general public to ignore speculations or rumours to the contrary as they could only be the handiwork of mischief makers who do not mean well for the Nigerian banking system and its economy.

“As the regulator of the industry, the CBN hereby reassures the banking and general public that their deposits remain safe in any Nigerian bank. There is no need for panic withdrawals from any bank.

“Going by both the CBN’s Examination Reports as well as analysis from market watchers, International Credit Rating Agencies, and Development Finance Institutions, the Nigerian banking industry remains strong in spite of the global economic challenges emanating from the collapse of global commodity prices.

“We therefore urge the banking public to remain calm and go about their normal businesses without panic. It is important that we do not create problems when none exists.” [myad]

Barcelona superstar, Messi To Spend 21 Months In jail And Pay £1.7 Million Over Tax

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

A Catalan court has sentenced the 29-year-old Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi to 21 months in prison over tax charges on Wednesday. He was also fined £1.7million even as his father, Jorge was found guilty of three counts of tax fraud.

The lawyer of the father and son has however described the sentence as “incorrect” and vowed to appeal to the Spanish Supreme Court.

Regardless of the appeal, under Spanish law, a prison sentence under two years can be served under probation; meaning Messi and his father are unlikely to go to prison.

The court ordered Messi to pay a fine of around 2 million euros (£1.7million) and his father to pay 1.5 million euros for the crimes.

During the four-day trial last month, Messi and his father denied any wrongdoing. Both said the player was unaware of the tax issues that led to the fraud charges.

But the court agreed with the state prosecutor that Messi and his father did have at least some knowledge of the corporate structures created to lower his tax burden in Spain.

Last month, Messi denied having any knowledge of tax issues that sparked fraud charges against him

Messi denied having any knowledge when he gave evidence in a court in Barcelona last month

Tax inspectors testified that they found evidence that Messi’s father used companies in countries such as Uruguay, Switzerland and Belize to reduce tax on the player’s income from image rights. Messi’s father said he was told by a legal adviser that the practice was legal.

Barcelona issued a statement to ‘give all its support to Leo Messi and his father.’

The club said that it ‘considers that the player is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case.’

The court ordered Messi to pay a fine of 2 million euros (£1.7million) and his father to pay 1.5 million euros

Messi told the court he had signed documents without reading them because he trusted his father

‘FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposition of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defense of his honesty and his legal interests,’ it said.

The 29-year-old Messi is Argentina’s career-leading scorer with 55 goals in 113 international appearances.

But he has lost three Copa America finals with Argentina – in 2007, 2015 and 2016 – and announced his international retirement after last month’s penalty shootout loss in the final to Chile.

With Barcelona, in contrast, Messi has won four Champions League titles, three Club World Cup trophies and eight Spanish league titles. The forward has scored a Spanish league record of 312 goals.

Speaking for less than 15 minutes a court last month, Messi said he never suspected any wrongdoing

This is just one legal case involving Barcelona’s players.

Earlier this year, Javier Mascherano was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence for not paying all his taxes for 2011 and 2012.

Adriano is also being investigated for alleged tax fraud, while Neymar has had to testify before a judge because of alleged irregularities involving his transfer to Barcelona. He and the club are accused of withholding the real amount of the transfer fee, in part to avoid paying the full amount of taxes. [myad]

We Lost An Entertainment Icon, Actors, Musicians Associations Mourn Bukky Ajayi

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

The Actors Guild of Nigeria and the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria have described the death of veteran Nollywood actress, Bukky Ajayi, as the loss of an entertainment icon.
Reacting to the news of the death of Ajayi which occurred on Wednesday morning at the age of 82, AGN and PMAN described her demise as a big loss to the entertainment industry.
Agility Onwura, the Chairman, Federal Capital Territory chapter of the AGN, told NAN Ajayi died at a time when the young generation of actors was still drawing from her wealth of experience.
“The news of her death came to us as a surprise. She died when her wealth of experience and guidance were most needed by the younger generation of movie stars.
“Though at 82 one can say she was quite old, but we in the entertainment industry were still learning from her.”
Also, Pretty Okafor, the National President of PMAN, mourned the late actress, extolling her contributions to the growth of Nollywood and the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
“She was an enviable professional, who inspired us with her outstanding roles in many home movies. Her exit will leave an indelible footprint on the entertainment industry generally.”
Okafor, however added that solace should be drawn from the fact that the late actress lived a fulfilled life as a professional and role model to many.
“Her life and achievements should be celebrated, because 82 years is quite a feat to celebrate.”
Okafor prayed to God to grant the family of the late veteran the fortitude to bear the loss, while urging them to emulate her life of hard work and dedication to service.
Late Ajayi started acting in the 70s, featuring in the popular movie series such as Village Headmaster.
She later got a role in Amaka Igwe’s “Checkmate” and so many home videos.
Ajayi also worked as an announcer, presenter and newscaster at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

At her last known public function, the 2016 edition of the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, she was brought in on a wheel chair. She confirmed that she was ill at the 2016 AMVCA, where she won one of the two Nollywood legends awards on offer.
Sadiq Daba won the second one.
Ajayi received a standing ovation when she was called to receive the AMVCA Industry Merit Award.
She had said: “I just want to say to all my friends and non-friends thank you very much.
“You do not know how much this award means to me.
“If I have offended in one way or another, please find it in your heart to forgive me and if you think you have offended me, don’t worry I have forgiven you a long time ago.
“I am very happy from the bottom of my heart. I wish I could stand up, but if I do, I will fall.
“But you all standing for me, I say thank you.” [myad]

Students To Pay N2, 500 For Post UTME Screening In Universities

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

Students who are seeking for admissions into Nigeria universities and other higher institutions are now to pay the sum of N2, 500 each for the post UTME screening.

This was one of the decisions taken when representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education met with other stakeholders in the tertiary education sub-sector.

A statement by the Secretary-General of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Professor Michael Faborode on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the agreement was reached after a deliberation of officials of the ministry, federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The secretary-general said that it was agreed that the post-UTME screening should be sustained following the scrapping of the Computer Based Test.
“From the statement made by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan at the meeting, there is no objection to screening by universities as long as it is not another CBT.
“She agreed that universities should advertise and the maximum fee that should be charged for the screening should be N2, 500 – bank charges inclusive.”
According to the statement, the association will formally convey its stance to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.
The recent announcement by the education minister, scrapping the post UTME, raised controversies in many quarters. [myad]

Ebonyi Governor Empowers 500 Women, Youths With N.5 Million Each

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has empowered 500 women and youths with initial sum of N500,000 each, to enable them engage in businesses of their choice, with particular preference for food production.

The Governor, who spoke when his wife, Rachael, flagged-off campaign against female genital mutilation in Abakaliki, said that once any of the beneficiaries is able to show evidence of N1 Million in his account at the end of the first year, such person would receive additional N1 Million to boost his business.

According to the governor, the next batch of 2,100 would be selected and empowered within a very short period in his administration’s drive to produce successful farmers and millionaires during his tenure in office.

“Within three years of our administration, we will fulfill all our campaign promises made to Ebonyi people. In the next two days, we will assemble about 2,600 of our youths and women for empowerment and half of it will be our women. We are going to launch operation one hectre per person.

“We will assemble 500 of our women and it is going to be an ongoing process. There will be three women in each ward. What we want to do is to give empowerment of minimum of N500, 000 each to farmers but we won’t give it to somebody who has no plan.’’

On female genital mutilation, Umahi condemned it, saying that the law against it will be looked into to provide severe sanction for offenders.

“Our women are gift to us, our women are important to us. We must support them and whatever that pains them, we must fight against it.

“I challenge all the women especially those in positions of authority to rise up and fight t this female genital mutilation because we want to have complete eradication of that.

“The wife of the President is the great friend of my wife. Why I like her most is that she has adopted herself as a mother of all. She is not into partisan politics; she’s travelling round the country and even wives of PDP Governors usually follow her.

“She doesn’t discriminate; she carries everybody along. And I think that is the kind of love we need. I continue to emphasize unity irrespective of political affiliation; when we have faced election and done with election, let us fear God and continue to live in unity. So, I have so much tremendous respect for this woman. She has taken my wife as her very dear daughter in the envy and jealous of men.

“I must thank my wife so much. One of the qualities she has is her humility and passion for the down trodden, she has a large heart.” [myad]

Buhari Mourns Shinkafi Who Died In London On Wednesday

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto State over the death, on Wednesday in a London hospital, the former boss of the National Security Organisation (NSO) and Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi.

In a statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari described the departed politician, administrator and technocrat, as an expert whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria remains indelible, adding that others carried on where he left off.

The President recalled that Shinkafi who was also former Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs, played frontline roles in the activities leading to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country.

He asked members of his family, friends and associates to take solace in the fact that the late Umaru Shinkafi played the parts assigned to him diligently, conscientiously and patriotically, even as he called on them to emulate the good virtues that he left behind.

Umaru Shinkafi died in a hospital in London at about 4:07pm Nigerian time.
family source hinted that his body will be flown back to Nigeria on Friday for burial at Abubakar III burial ground in Sokoto.
Shinkafi is survived by three wives and five children.

One of his daughters is Zainab who is married to the present Kabbi state governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu even as another one, Hadiza is married to Zamfara governor, AbdulAzeez Yari. [myad]

Govt Approved Freight Forwarders Thumb Up For Maritime Agency’s Restructuring

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2016

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has commended the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its commitment to the on going restructuring exercise in the Agency for enhanced efficiency.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NAGAFF, Chief Chidiebere Enelamah who spoke when a delegation of NAGAFF Executive Members paid a courtesy visit on the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said that the NIMASA boss is a dynamic and focused personality even as he commended him for his astute leadership quality, in restructuring NIMASA.

He asked him to remain resolute in his determination to make Nigeria a major maritime hub in Africa.

Chief Enelamah called on the NIMASA DG to partner with NAGAFF to enthrone professionalism and efficiency in ports operations for the economic benefit of the country.

The NAGAFF delegation also welcomed the idea of a new shipping line being championed by the Minister, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, saying that it was high time the nation took more than a passing interest in its huge import/export trade.

Responding, Dr. Peterside thanked members of the delegation for their solidarity and assured them that NIMASA will undergo the entire gamut process of restructuring, reformation and repositioning in order to emerge more productive.

The DG who described the job of freight forwarders as indispensible to the shipping and logistics chain, assured the delegation that the current Management took professionalism very seriously and therefore committed to partnering with NAGAFF, for that cutting edge expertise that only professionals can provide.

He said Freight Forwarders are a major stakeholder group in the maritime sector which NIMASA must collaborate with in the area of revenue generation given the Nation’s determination to diversify the economy from being oil dependent.

Dr. Peterside stated that “because the country has come to a realization that oil is not enough to build our economy based on its dwindling price in the International market, we need to partner with relevant stakeholders to make our maritime sector more viable.”

The DG who promised to convey the support of NAGAFF for the National Carrier to the Hon. Minister of Transportation also assured the delegation that the Federal Government is committed to the actualization of the vision of a National Fleet for Nigeria.

In his words, “we shall endeavor to do everything constitutionally possible, to ensure that a National Carrier is floated shortly. The Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has already inaugurated an implementation committee for its establishment”.

High point of the visit was the investiture of the Director General as a Fellow of NAGAFF with two other management staff of the Agency, the Director of Maritime Services, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa and the Head of Corporate Communications, Hajia Lami Tumaka. [myad]

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