Okupe Convicted; Pays N13 Million To Escape 52-Year Jail Over Money Laundering

December 19, 2022

Former senior special assistant on media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe has paid the sum of N13 million to escape 52 year jail term slammed on him by an Abuja court over money laundering.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu had today, December 19, sentenced the former presidential aide to a 52-year jail term after he was convicted for money laundering and diversion of funds.

Okupe, who is currently the Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, was arraigned on a 59-count charge of money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for accepting N204 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, in 2014.

Justice Ojukwu found the defendant guilty in 26 out of the 59 charges. She ordered that the 26 charges which attract a two-year jail term each, would run concurrently.

The judge, however, gave the convict an option of N500, 000 fine in each of the counts, totaling N13 million to be paid before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

She ordered that Okupe be taken to Kuje correctional centre in Abuja to serve his jail term if he fails to pay the fine within the time frame.

However, a check by journalists at the court at about 6:00 p.m today showed that Okupe had paid the N13 million and went home a free man.

No Local Chief, Indigene Has Power To Allocate Land In FCT Except Minister – Aide

Editorial staff

December 19, 2022

Ikharo Attah , senior special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said that those who are patronizing local chiefs and indigenes in the allocation of plots of land in the capital territory are doing so at their own risk.

According to him, it is only the minister that has constitutional power to allocate in the federal capital.

Speaking today, December 19 while demolishing illegal structures at Guzape I and Guzape II, in Abuja, Ikharo said: “cleanup of illegal structures in Abuja will continue ‘during’ and ‘after’ the yuletide.

“We came here today to actually continue from where we stopped because some persons in FCDA informed us that we haven’t finished the job.

“The one at Kobi village in Guzape II, all the illegal structures on the road corridors were all removed today in order to give way to the infrastructural work that is ongoing in that area.

“The main Guzape I village here, we are trying to remove the illegal structures, shanties and all encroachment that are owned by non-indigenes were all removed here.

“We have warned the non-indigenes to stop buying land from the locals, the locals are up, you can see the village up there, they are in their respective homes watching what is ongoing”.

“We had earlier marked structures for removal and we are now here to remove them.

“When we came here they thought the locals will come and tell us when to remove and where not to remove. The locals are in their houses and those who bought land from them are crying and the Minister has asked us to clear to pave way for the infrastructural work that is ongoing in the area.

“We will be working deep into Christmas and probably ‘during’ Christmas and ‘after’ Christmas.”

One of the affected persons, who simply gave his name as Mr. Amos said he bought the land about two years ago for N120, 000 from the indigenes and moved in 2021.

“I built here in Kobi Sarki. I built about two years ago. I bought 25:30 square meters at N120,000, nobody told me that the land is illegal. I bought the land from the indigenes and they gave me a paper from Madaki’s house and it was the Emir that signed the paper they gave to me. I even paid for the signing of the paper, I paid N3k.

“I started building in 2020 and I parked in 2021, and I spent about N1 million to build the house and everything is gone now.

“Nobody informed us that the land is illegal; if they had told me I wouldn’t have bought the land or built here. The locals are supposed to tell us that they will still demolish the buildings.”

He said that he might be moving back to the village.

Also, Mr. Yohhana who was also affected lamented the fact that nobody told them that their houses will be demolished one day.

He said that the first demolition they held a meeting with the indigenous people and they assured them that no demolition for now but that now their houses are gone.

He said that he bought his land for N70,000 and he wants his money to be refunded.

He said the Madaki has already asked them to go after the people that sold the land to them in order to get their refund.

President Buhari’s 80th Birthday Gig In Aso Rock

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2022

Top operatives around the Presidency, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Chief of Protocol (SCOP), Ambassador Lawan Kazaure and others, gathered at the Presidential villa, Abuja, to give President Muhammadu Buhari a befitting ceremony to mark his 80th Birthday.

Here are the pics:

From left: Garba Shehu, Senior special assistant on media and publicity: Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijjani Umar; SGF, Boss Mustapha; present Buhari; Chief of Staff, Prof Gambari and SCOP, Amb. Lawan Kazaure.

Buhari and his top aides looking at the photos of the past Nigerian leaders.

Nigeria Takes Control Of Ajaokuta Steel Mill After Settling $496 Million To Indian Company

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2022

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has now taken full control of Ajaokuta Steel Company, having reacquired it by settling an Indian company, Global Steel Holding Limited (GSHL), the sum of $496 million.

Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, through his vice, Atiku Abubakar, had sold the Steel company to GSHL for a meager price, leading to a situation where 120,000 lost their jobs.

And with the full settlement of the amount with which the Indian company bought it, the Steel Company is fully back in the hands of Nigeria.

The settlement of the money to the GSHL, according to the government sources, is in fulfillment of the promise on September 3, 2022 that the contract with the Indian company would be terminated as soon as possible.

Ajaokuta steel company was built by the Soviets between 1979 and the mid-1990s but has never produced steel as the project was never completed.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami confirmed that the federal government has paid the company the sum of $496 million to resolve the dispute arising from the $5.258 billion which the corporation requested

He had said that the agreement to settle the Indian company was achieved inside the International Chamber of Commerce’s alternative dispute settlement framework.

The dispute, according to reports, followed the federal government’s revocation in 2008 of an agreement that handed control of the steelworks and the National Iron Ore Mining Company to GSHL.

In canceling the deal, the Umar Yarádua administration said the terms of the concession at the time were not favourable to the country.

The government said, five contracts signed between 1999 and 2007 that gave one firm group, Global Steel group, total control over the Nigerian steel market were the origin of the problems.

According to the justice ministry, a new administration in 2008 decided to terminate the contracts defying legal counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, which noted the termination cost in the form of damages.

It was reported that if the government had waited 55 days, the agreement would have been formally canceled and the government would have been able to recoup more than $26 million from Global Steel, the report says.

“This was because the firm appeared unable to pay the first tranche for the Ajaokuta shares before the first anniversary of the agreement (25 May 2008),” the statement reads.

“Global steel, in consequence, took the federal government to the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration, Paris, commencing arbitration in 2008. Although the Federal Government negotiated a settlement in May 2013, the previous administration failed to implement its settlement agreement,” the statement says.

Global Steel issued an anticipated claim in damages of around $10–14 billion against Nigeria in May 2020 and threatened to restart the arbitration.

The government said it agreed to pay over $400 million to settle the case once and for all after engaging PwCNigeria to do a comprehensive review to ensure taxpayers are protected.

With this development, the statement notes that President Muhammadu Buhari has now “rescued the steel industry from interminable and complex disputes as well as saving the taxpayer from humongous damages.”

Minister Pantami Takes Campaign For Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Economy To America

Editorial staff

December 18, 2022

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has taken the campaign for partnership to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy to the United States of America.

A statement today, December 18, by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Reuben Muoka, said that the minister took time up to hold a meeting with the top officials of the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (Space X) headquarters in Hawthorne, California, as well as a meetings at the World Bank Headquarters and and with Google Corporation.

The statement said that the meetings with the World Bank and Google were held on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders’ Forum (USALF), which took place in Washington DC, while the visit to Space X was a follow up to the events at the USALF.

It said that Professor Pantami was received at Space X by Samuel (Chad) Gibbs IV, the Vice President of Business Operations, on behalf of Elon Musk, Founder and CEO of Space X.

It said that both parties discussed how Space X can expand its presence in Nigeria, following their entry into the Nigerian market through the Starlink broadband service.

The Minister asked the Space X team to consider sourcing some of its engineers from Nigeria’s digital talent pool.

“During the visit, the Honourable Minister and his team were given a personalised tour of the SpaceX Rocket Manufacturing Facility, Starlink Assembly Line, and Product Development Facility.

“He also witnessed the live Space X rocket launch of 2 telecom satellites into orbit.

On the invitation of the World Bank Group, the Honourable Minister had a meeting with top officials of the Bank, including Vyjayanti Desai, the Practice Manager for the World Bank’s Identification for Development (ID4D) and Digitizing Government to Person Payments (G2Px) Programs.

“Also at the meeting were Franz Drees-Gross, Director of Infrastructure, World Bank West African Region and Michel Rogy, World Bank’s Digital Development Practice Manager for Africa and the Middle East.

“The World Bank team commended the Minister for his great leadership, which has led to significant development in Nigeria’s digital economy sector.

“The meeting also discussed how the Bank can further partner with Nigeria to strengthen the digital economy ecosystem in areas such as infrastructure, skilling, cybersecurity, and digital identity.

“Professor Pantami also had a meeting with Karan Bhatia, Vice-President, Government Affairs, and Public Policy at Google. Mr. Bhatia was full of praise for the Honourable Minister for the significant progress that has been made in the digital transformation of the Nigerian economy.

“He also commended the Minister for Nigeria Startup Act, noting the potential of the legislation to serve as a catalyst for rapid development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The Google Vice-President discussed the company’s growing focus on Africa and looks forward to expanding partnerships with Nigeria in areas such as skilling, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, among others.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under Professor Pantami’s leadership, remains committed to implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in order to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy remains a leading light, both in Africa and across the globe.”

Key Takeaways From President Buhari’s Visit To America, By Garba Shehu

Editorial staff

December 18, 2022

In the first in-person meeting with the American President Joe Biden, President Buhari established a personal equation with his US counterpart and got an important recognition for his democratic credentials and activism at home in particular, and Africa in general: “your legacy is a model,” says President Biden. There was a perfect meeting of minds.

This, coming from the remaining superpower still standing and the guardian and promoter of the values of democracy all over the world, is a major milestone as the President braces up to give the country its most open, most free and most fair elections in February next year.

Equally, it speaks to the fact the world is interested in what happens here and they are watching. Everyone is watching what happens in Nigeria and our politicians must watch their steps. President Buhari has cleared himself. He is doing all that is required of him to deliver free and fair elections, leading to the emergence of his successor in May next year.

Beyond the symbolism of the one-on-one meeting and their sitting together to watch the Morocco-Argentina World Cup semi-final, an incident that grabbed the attention of the world soon as it took place, Biden’s recognition of President Buhari as continental champion of democracy will come with admirable dividends.

One, the fact of the acceptance by the two leaders that we share with each other the values of democracy and human rights; that we are on the same page in regard to these values is indicative of deep ties between our two nations, working together to uphold free and fair elections, an important condition for democracy in Nigeria, West Africa and the rest of the continent.

In this context, the Biden promise to work for a permanent “G20” seat for Africa may, if all continues to work well between our two nations, lead to Nigeria earning a place in the all-important intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union, and possibly thereafter, a “G7” place and-wait for it-a Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council!

Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the US is important if a choice is to be made.

On the very important issue of peace and security of the continent, a key agenda item in the Biden-Africa summit, President Buhari was asked to lead. It is a recognition of Nigeria as the very important voice for Africa.

After President Buhari finished with his speech on AU Agenda 2063, essentially speaking about the defined goals of peace and security on the continent, President Biden left the meeting.

President Buhari spoke at the US Peace Institute. It is interesting that the President spoke at the Institute in 2015 at the commencement of his first term and was coming to do so when the curtains are about being drawn on his second term tenure.

Who invited him to speak at both points? It’s Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the diplomat and politician who was an Obama-era cabinet member and a friend of Nigeria who, not only extolled the virtues of President Buhari but played up the role of the administration in attaining a strategic partnership with the US.

Amb. Carson has just been named by President Biden to coordinate the follow up of the decisions on the just-concluded Summit. In this regard, it is not out of place to expect Nigeria drawing substantially from the USD 55 billion the Biden administration has put in the basket for Africa to draw from.

President Buhari, who has been waging a global battle for the survival of gas, Nigeria’s abundant resource as a transition energy from fossil fuels that are being blacklisted for causing global climate degradation, found the right place to take his case to, and it is getting a traction. With the US supporting Nigeria, President Buhari is building a consensus for our well-articulated energy transition plan that has gas a transition energy.

Following the successful CEOs’ roundtable and interactions with businesses at US-Africa Civil and Commercial Space Forum and Corporate Council on Africa-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum, US businesses reaffirmed their confidence and reinforced their commitment to deepening their business interests in Nigeria.

President Buhari presented a refocused roadmap clearly showing Nigeria’s commitment for a safer and healthier global climate, highlighting the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

He has prepared a ready-to-go blueprint for whoever succeeds him; a plan that has earned the respect of the US government, paving the way for a partnership to address conservation, climate adaptation and a just energy transition based on shared objectives.

Government plans to prepare well to draw substantially from the proposed US funding and from CocaCola Foundation which has indicated interest in their participation in our climate change and renewable energy plans.

In line with the plan to address clean and reliable energy supply, creating jobs and ensuring knowledge and technology transfer, the government of Nigeria and a US company Sun Africa LLC, signed a major agreement, right there before the representatives of Mr. Biden for the “development, engineering, procurement and construction” of 5,000 MW of solar generation and 2,500 MWh of battery energy storage power plants for up $10 billion investment from the US government.

The project portfolio location and size indicates the beneficiary states as including Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Jigawa, Nassarawa, Benue, Kogi, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, FCT, Kwara, Edo and Akwa Ibom. Megawatts of power availability ranges from 24, the lowest to 350, the highest.

In addition, 360 rural communities across the 36 states are to benefit from solar mini grids electrification infrastructure and smart meters.

While there are several crucial outcomes from the visit, I am excited to report that between President Biden and President Buhari, there is a perfect meeting of minds. While President Buhari was full of commendation for the leadership of Biden on global issues, it emerged clearly from these interactions that the two leaders share a common vision on democracy, human rights and the important role in Africa that Nigeria is playing. Nigeria is crucial to Biden and he seemed pleased that he found in President Buhari, an African role model. He held back nothing in showering encomiums upon him for especially sticking to two stipulated terms in office.

With impressive accomplishments trailing the seven-day visit, President Buhari has wetted the ground for whoever will be the next President from May next year. It will be in the nation’s interest to build on where the current President stops.

Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Argentina Emerges World Football Champion In Quarter

Greenbarge Reporters

December 18, 2022

Argentina has emerged World football champion today, December 18 after beating France 4-2 on penalty shootouts to claim the $47 million.
The game had ended 3-3 after 120 minutes of thrilling football action.
Argentina dominated the early exchanges and looked more dangerous going to forward.
Juventus winger Angel Di Maria wasted a glorious chance on 20 minutes shooting wide after he was set up Messi.
Olivier Giroud also headed wide for France a minute later.
Di Maria won a penalty for Argentina on 22 minutes after he tripped inside the box by Ousmanne Dembele.
Messi expertly slotted the ball into the net sending goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way.
La Albiceleste doubled their advantage 13 minutes later.
Di Maria fired home after he was set up by Alexis Mac Allister.
France manager, Didier Deschamps made two substitutions late in the first half.
Giroud and Dembele were replaced by Marcus Thuram and Kolo Muani.
Argentina continued their dominance after the break created a number of half chances.
France wobbled through with Kylian Mbappe firing wide from inside the box in the 70th minute.
Les Blues reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time.
Kolo Muani was fouled inside the box by Nicholas Otamendi and Mbappe sent the ball home despite Emiliano Martinez diving the right way.
The holders leveled two minutes later courtesy of a superb shot from Mbappe.
France took total control of the game afterwards, but it was Messi, who came close to scoring a late winner for with Lloris tipping his shot to the bar.
The game went into extra-time and Argentina were the better side in the first 15 minutes.
Lionel Scaloni’s side regained the lead in the 108th minute through Messi.
France fought back once again with Mbappe scoring his third of the game from another penalty.
Argentina won 4-2 on penalties to emerge winner.
Source: Promptnews online.

Buhari Is Africa’s Icon Of Democracy, Anti-Corruption At 80, By Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi

Greenbarge Reporters

December 17, 2022

Africa’s undisputed Icon for Democracy and Anti-Corruption marks his 80th Birthday on December 17th, 2022. Although Muhammadu Buhari’s initial rise to power, almost four decades ago, was as the military leader of Nigeria – Africa’s most populous nation – he has transformed, over the years, into an earnest advocate for democracy and constitutional order. However, even as a military ruler, one of the most memorable achievements of his first tenure in government, was an anti-corruption campaign that eventually resulted in the prosecution of many culpable persons; as well as the recovery of huge amounts of cash and other sizeable public assets that were illegally acquired. Baba Muhammadu Buhari’s reincarnation as a civilian leader in 2015, revived the yearning of millions of his compatriots for the return of his unique type of leadership, which is based on the formidable magnetism of his personal example of honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability. Since his return to political power, President Buhari has spearheaded an anti- corruption culture, which seeks to institutionalize the reforms by encouraging individual citizens to take ownership of them. No wonder the zero-tolerance policy of the Buhari Administration against corruption has already yielded results from the seizure of assets and properties bought with embezzled money from the Nigerian taxpayers. President Buhari’s remarkable success in tackling corruption at home, obviously impressed his brother African leaders, who unanimously nominated President Buhari in July 2017, as The African Union (AU) 2018 Anti-Corruption Champion for the 30th Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Meanwhile, perhaps the most enduring legacy of Baba Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency is his strong commitment to the respect of the constitutional order and the limitations of the presidential terms because he believes the democratic alternation is the pillar of a true democracy and a prosperous country. President Buhari has always brought his larger-than-life stature and credibility to manage each opportunity where reactionary political actors have sought to either subvert, repress, or silence the popular will of the struggling African masses.

For instance, in January 2017, President Buhari discharged, in a very exemplary manner, a unique mandate, as The ECOWAS Mediator who ensured that the former long-time Gambian ruler, Mr. Yahya Jammeh, handed over to his duly elected successor. Furthermore, on a very personal note, in June 2019, President Buhari did not spare his effort to find a solution in the political crisis that shook my country, the Benin Republic. It took the forthright, fatherly intervention of President Buhari to secure my release from an unjust two-month house arrest. Following my release, it took 8 months to nurse me back to health in Abuja, Nigeria and Baba Buhari relentlessly made sure I was well taken care of.
Last but certainly not least, I cannot fail to mention the decisive role played by President Buhari in the fight against the scourges of insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria and in the sub-region.
As Baba Muhammadu Buhari celebrates his 80th Birthday, my entire family and I join his beloved family and the grateful people of Nigeria, in thanking ALMIGHTY GOD for mercifully granting him the grace to witness a milestone that few Africans can take for granted. We also pray that ALMIGHTY GOD will grant Baba Muhammadu Buhari many more years of excellent health and divine wisdom, to enable him to provide more sage counsels and fatherly guidance to Nigeria in particular; and Africa, at large!
Happy 80th Birthday, Baba Muhammadu Buhari!
Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi was President of The Republic of Benin (2006 – 2016), Chairman of The African Union (2012 – 2013) and is ECOWAS Mediator for The Republic of Guinea.

We Still Remember How Peter Obi Chased Non-Indigenes Out Of Civil Service – SDP Scribe

Greenbarge Reporters

December 17, 2022

The National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alpha Muhammad, has recalled when the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi ejected non-indigenes from Anambra State when he was the Governor of the State.

In an interview with Muhammad said that the incident is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians, recalling that the non-indigenes, who were sent packing from the state, had to settle in Lagos State.

He spoke against the backdrop of th fact that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, would be an adopted candidate of the SDP immediately after consultations are concluded.

According to him: “When Peter Obi was busy increasing school fees in Anambra State, Tinubu was busy introducing free education, Anambra were rushing to Lagos to benefit from free education. Every day, you see a truckload of people going to Lagos in buses to benefit from Tinubu’s free education.

“When Peter Obi came, we know what he did to non-indigenes; people who are non-Anambra citizens in Anambra State were sent out of the civil service. Many of them ended up in Lagos.”

Muhammad claimed that the APC presidential candidate gave non indigenes of Lagos State opportunities in the civil service, political offices, among others.

Be added that Tinubu is the type of leaders that can unify the country.

When contacted, the media aide to LP presidential candidate, Valentine Obienyem, did not respond to calls put across to him to react to the allegation.

Also, he did not respond to a message sent to him on the matter.

Source: The Punch.

Buhari Has Shown It’s Possible To Serve Honestly, Selflessly, Osinbajo In 80 Birthday Message

Greenbarge Reporters

December 17, 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI AT THE CAMPAIGN FOR ACCEPTANCE SPEECH 2 ; President Muhammadu Buhar and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN congratulates each other while APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole looks on at the Campaign office after INEC Declared President Buhari as President-Elect for the second term for the 2019 Presidential Election. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 27 2019.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari, from birth, has shown that it is possible for one to serve his country honestly, forthrightly and selflessly.

In a personal message to the President, who marks his 80^th birthday today, December 17, Professor Osinbajo said: “Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a Governor, Minister, Military Head of State and as two-term Civilian President, demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly, forthrightly and selflessly.”
He and his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo congratulated the President on the occasion of his 80th birthday today, saying: “Dolly and I, and the family wish you many more happy years in peace and good health in Jesus’ name. Amen
“Happy 80th Birthday, Mr. President!”

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