The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is angry with property owners who have consistently failed to pay Outstanding Ground Rents of N29, 506,643,943.98 they owed the government, threatening to prosecute them shortly.
The Coordinating Committee on the Recovery announced that processes have already be commenced to deal with the recalcitrants.
The Director of Information and Communication in the FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule who also doubles as Chairman, Media and Publicity for Sub-Committee of the coordinating committee, in a statement today, Jun 29, said: “property owners who have failed to pay risk prosecution, revocation, or outright forfeiture”. According to him, the FCT Administration decided to set up this Coordinating Committee because after several appeals and notices served the affected property owners, they have remained adamant.”
He recalled that the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, Adesola Olusade had recently inaugurated a debt recovery committee with the mandate to recover the outstanding debts owed the FCT Administration with particular interest in ground rents and other sundry fees in the Land Administration as well as other Land related departments.
He said that the Committee is expected to formally start communicating to the affected persons and corporate bodies as from July 1, after which those who failed to comply in paying their outstanding debt would be prosecuted.
“The Administration is forced to adopt these measures due to the non-compliant by the affected individuals and corporate organizations.
“Government, therefore, wishes that the affected debtors will come forward and clear their outstanding debts to avoid prosecution, revocation, and forfeiture of their property.
“The Recovery Committee has already swung into action and perfected modalities towards achieving this onerous task, because the government needs resources to execute essential infrastructural projects in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The Committee, which has since been meeting to fine tune strategies for the task ahead, also warned debtors of dire consequences should they allow the committee to fully execute its mandate, if they refused to pay the outstanding land fees. The Committee wishes to assure that it will rigorously carry out its mandate to the latter, because ‘no stone will be left unturned’, in carrying out the assignment.”
A man described as notorious international fraudster, Scales Olatunji, will spend 235 years of his life behind bars for internet fraud and money laundering, amounting to N525 million.
Federal High Court, Uyo, presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke pronounced the sentence today, June 29, after handling the case since July 2, 2019 on 45-count charges bordering on identity theft, money laundering and conspiracy.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Scales Olatunji Ishola “M”, Meraiyebu Charles “M”(at large), Gabriel Adeyemi Olugbenga “M”(at large), Ojomo Oluwatobi Ayodele “M”(at large) and Adekola Oluwatoyin “M”(at large), between January 2017 and October 2018, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N525,172,580.00 (Five Hundred and Twenty Five Million, One Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira) only, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: fraud (Business E-mail Compromise and Identity Theft), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”
Another count reads: “That you, Scales Olatunji Ishola “M” on or about the 15th day of May 2018, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did send electronic messages (email) using emailoffice01@aol.com to one Monica Goulmoen of the Charity Association for providing girls and boys in Kobane with a football pitch, while impersonating a certain Per Ravn Omdal, a former Norwegian Football Association President, demanding the sum of €64,000.00 (Sixty-Four Thousand Euros) to be transferred to you via IBAN GB74HBUK40062132722119 which was paid and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”. EFCC ‘s counsel, Nwandu Ukoha opened the case on November 7, 2019 and subsequently tendered thirty-five(35) exhibits through four prosecution witnesses, which were all admitted in evidence against the defendant. He closed the case on January 29, 2021 for the defence to open its defence. Both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their written addresses in October 2021, before the court adjourned for judgment.
Delivering judgment, Justice Okeke said: “the evidence of the prosecution witnesses are consistent and the prosecution established the guilt of the defendant in the case of money laundering as it relates to count one to five of the charges.
“The prosecution also established the guilt of the defendant in the offence of cybercrime as it relates to count six to forty five of the charges. The prosecution, on the totality of evidence before this court, proved the charges against the defendant” The judge sentenced Olatunji to seven (7) years imprisonment on counts one to five, and five (5) years imprisonment on counts six to forty-five. The sentence, shall, however, run concurrently with effect from the date of arrest.
The court also ordered that the money in the convict’s account be forfeited to Norwegian citizens through the EFCC. Also, his properties: House No. 6, located on Road 2 West-end Estate, Ikota, Lekki, Lagos State and House No. 10, Donatus Odum Street, Ikate, Lagos State are to be sold by the EFCC and the proceeds restituted to the Norwegian victims. The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when operatives of the EFCC arrested him on March 20, 2019 at his Ikota , Lekki’s residence based on a petition from the Oslo Police District in Norway, requesting the assistance of the EFCC in investigating a network of Nigerians that had defrauded Norwegian citizens for years. Investigations revealed that the convict belonged to a syndicate of internet fraudsters who specialised in Business Email Compromise-BEC.
Spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba has said that the news making the rounds that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, has been suspended is fake.
In a statement today, June 29, the spokesman said that such report is completely false and a product of the imagination of mischief makers with the intent to destabilize the party, “create an impression of crisis within our ranks and mislead the unsuspecting members of the public.”
“It is clear that the false report is the handiwork of vicious anti-people forces who are agitated by the stability, unity and soaring popularity of our Party under the cohesive Sen Dr. Ayu led National Working Committee as well as the intimidating statures of our Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Sen Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa respectively.
“Our National Chainman Sen Dr lyarchia Ayu is on a short vacation outside of the country and he officially transmitted power to the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, to perform his duties in Acting Capacity pending his return in line with the provision of the Comititution of the PDP 2017 (amended).”
The statement said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was duly informed on the absence of the National Chairman and that Damagun will be performing the duties of the National Chairman in Acting capacity pending Ayu’s return.
This is even as the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, accused the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of treating Nyesom Wike unfairly, advising him to personally visit the Rivers State governor to mend fences after bypassing him as running mate despite the party’s selection committee’s recommendation.
Although Atiku had visited Wike after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary, both men have not met or spoken since the selection of the party’s presidential running mate.
Instead of Wike, Atiku picked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, had hinted that some aggrieved stakeholders of the party may head to court to seek the removal of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
He said that the PDP’s constitution provides for rotational presidency just like the Nigerian Constitution.
The Senate has confirmed all seven ministerial nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for screening and confirmation.
Those screened and confirmed were Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State; Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State; Ekumankama Joseph Nkama- Ebonyi State; and Goodluck Nanah Opiah – Imo State.
They were confirmed after being screened by the “committee of the whole” chaired by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The ministers-designate will replace those who resigned to pursue political bids.
Those who resigned were Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Mines and Steel, Uche Ogah; former Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; and a former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Senator Tayo Alasoadura.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed worry that Nigerians are fond of playing politics with just everything, warning that such attitude would not get the country anywhere.
He lamented that one of the problems of the country is that the nation plays politics with things that have very much to do with the national interest.
“We play politics with our security. We play politics with our economy. We play politics with almost everything. That, definitely, is not the way to go, if we must make progress in realizing our national aspirations and goals.”
Jonathan spoke at the launch of a book titled: “The National Conversation,” written by James Akpandem and Sam Akpe. The book deals with the intrigues that shaped the 2014 National Conference as well as the inside story of the conference.
Ex President said: “if we take politics out of our national calculations, we would all agree that with a fresh government, it would have been easier to achieve the implementation of the report.” he stated.
He said that he was determined to implement the 2014 National Conference recommendations because he was confident of winning the 2015 general elections, but that apart from losing the election, there was what he called “the gale of defections that hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at that time, as well as the length of time it would take to implement the report.
The ex-President said that those knowledgeable about the processes of constitutional reforms would know that to implement the Confab report, a number of alterations would be made in the constitution which would require the involvement of the National Assembly and State assemblies.
Jonathan who was represented by former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, said that such an elaborate review couldn’t have been possible at that time because the report submitted in August 2014, at a time when the country was already on the verge of a general election.
“It is also important to point out that at that time, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was a member of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had already moved out, with some members, to the opposition party,” he said.
He stated that the then Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki with some senators had moved out of the PDP.
“The statistics showed that a reasonable part of the two chambers were anti-government at that time.
The former president said that understanding that the parliament is under that kind of situation, it would have been imprudent on my part to take such a precious document, which he considered crucial to the nation’s development yearnings, to a parliament that would not give it due consideration.
“If we had a task that would require the alteration of the constitution, enactment of new laws, and amendment of some existing ones, there was no way that could have been done overnight.
“We were also fully aware that, for the segments of our population that were already suspicious of all the actions of government, our intentions could have been misread, especially against the backdrop of the ECOWAS protocol on constitutional reforms which states that no substantial modification shall be made to the electoral laws of the member states in the last six months before elections,” he said.
He said that when he contested the 2015 elections, expected to win a second term within which period he would have worked on the implementation of the Confab report.
“I felt that within the next four-year mandate, my first two years would have been dedicated to implementing a reasonable part of the recommendations.
“Whenever people say that I should implemented its recommendations, my feeling is either those people did not understand the political environment at that time, the length of time it would take to implement the report of a conference like that or probably were just playing politics with such an important matter.”
He wondered why comments, appraisal, and controversy have continued, many years after the conference.
“One of the questions that has been variously asked has to do with why my administration did not implement the recommendations of the conference before leaving office.
“Although I had offered reasons for this on many occasions and even addressed it in my book ‘My Transition Hours’, the concern has continued to recur. However, since this is the first major public event on the 2014 Confab after I left office, I feel obliged to offer further explanations on my thoughts on the conference.
“The essence of the 2014 Confab was to encourage a healthy conversation among the populace, address the queries agitating the mind of Nigerians and mend fences, where possible. At that time, it was obvious that the ethnic nationalities were singing discordant tunes about the state of the nation and the future of the country.
“The widening fault lines posed a clear threat to the stability and existence of our dear nation.
“In responding to the yearnings of the people, my administration inaugurated the conference to provide the opportunity for Nigerians to discuss their issues and agree on the way forward.”
He said that his message to the conference was very clear; that they could discuss everything, save for the sovereignty of our great country, Nigeria.
“I believe, like most Nigerians, that we are better off as one united country. The ethnic diversity and population of our great country can be deployed to enhance our economic development and our relevance in the global scheme of things.
“On the contrary, the disintegration into smaller fragments will diminish the status of our people and their standing in the world.”
He commended Akpandem and Sam for the great idea of documenting the experience of the 2014 National Conference, including the intrigues, scheming, interests, and the side attractions that formed part of the activities that produced the beautiful document we have as the report of the Conference.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of Justice Idris Kutigi, chairman of the Conference, who died in 2018.
However, he said that the vice chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and other members who are still alive can testify that he never interfered with any decision of the conference.
“I can recall a particular incident when the chairman and his vice approached me for my guidance on a pressing matter before them, but I bluntly told them to figure it out themselves.
“I reminded them that, apart from the representatives of the youths, human rights, and student groups, most of the members of the conference, up to 60 per cent of them, were older and even more experienced than myself. I encouraged them to deploy their vast experience to execute the assignment without interference.”
“I plead with Nigerians not to play politics with the 2014 Conference report. I believe that at the appropriate time, the country through a dedicated parliament will do the right thing. And the right thing is to duly and dispassionately consider the report of the conference with a view to implementing the recommendations for the good of the country.”
Group Managing Director of the Nigeria Nation Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, Mele Kyari has list factors that have been responsible for the rising prices of cooking gas and diesel in the country and that the only way to tackle the price rise is to increase the production of crude oil in the country.
Kyari, who spoke when he appeared before the House of Representative Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), headed by Abdullahi Gaya, over the rising cost of the products, also attributed the problem to vandalism of the oil facilities, which he said was responsible for the decline in production.
According to him, a few days there was a massive attack on one of the facilities and 27, 000 barrels were lost overnight, even as he said that non-functioning of the refineries in the country is also part of it.
Kyari said that besides the fact the Russia-Ukraine war was affecting the supply of products across the world, most major oil companies were also shutting down due to the energy transmission to eliminate fossil fuels.
He said that the unavailability of Foreign Exchange (FX) as a result of inadequate exports, was another reason for the problem.
He said that interventions are in place to ensure production improves in July to address some of the FX challenges.
Kyari also cautioned against suggestions that subsidies should be made available for diesel.
“In our country, we do not produce AGO (diesel) and we regret that our refineries are not working. Are we doing anything about it? Yes. We are working on getting them back to work. But they will not come back tomorrow.
“As a matter of fact, we have decided to do a quick fix for the Warri refinery. The reason is simple. We do not want to go the long route of doing comprehensive turnaround maintenance because we are concerned.”
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has dethroned and de-certificated two community heads, Obol Lopon of Nko, Obol Etim Ayomobiand, the clan head of Oyadama, Ovarr Vincent Erena, with immediate effect, over communal clash between Nko youths and Onyadama community of Abi Local Government Area at the weekend.
A statement today, June 28 by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Linus Obogo, said that Governor Ayade ordered Nko community to produce six soldiers believed to have been killed or missing. The youths had allegedly shot and critically wounded an army commander sent to quell the communal clash.
The state Security Council, made up of all service commanders, presided over by the governor had been meeting since yesterday, Monday morning over the killings and violence which had claimed lives of civilians and soldiers.
Sources said that Nko youths had allegedly shot an army commander on Saturday evening alongside six other soldiers, accusing them of taking side with their opponents. The soldiers were reported to have called for reinforcement from Edor Barracks in Ikom, leading to killings and burning of houses.
The youths accused soldiers of going from house to house, killing residents.
The government ordered the army to sustain its operation in Nko community until those behind the shooting of the six military personnel were produced or fished out.
The government also ordered the forfeiture of the land in dispute for greater public interest.
“The ownership of the disputed land has been revoked and taken over by the state government for overriding public interest,” the statement said.
But former special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, who hails from Ugep, a neighbouring community, has called on the army authorities to withdraw and stop wreaking havoc on Nko.
Meanwhile, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani who is an indigene of Nko, said that he would continue to make efforts to restore peace.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has said that its request for 5,000 additional Hajj slots has been turned down by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
The commission also said that its request to waive officials who are above 65 years was also rejected and as a result, officials who are above the 65 years of age are banned from this year’s hajj.
NAHCON, in a statement said that despite the high powered delegation led by the Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa after an official request were made before now, to actualize the offer, it was turned down.
“The visit became especially important to lessen Private Tour Operators’ genuine outcry over shortfall in number of clients they would be able to accommodate for the Hajj. It was also targeted at managing pressure of other Nigerians desperate to be participants in the season’s pilgrimage.
“Hence, NAHCON’s formidable team of representatives as well as the strong presentation made by our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, unfortunately, the promise could not be fulfilled.
“Therefore, Nigeria’s Hajj industry is left with its initial allocation of 43,008. In view of this, NAHCON wishes to solicit the understanding of those aggrieved due to the failure to be counted among this year’s successful Haji applicants. NAHCON beseeches them to accept it as the will of The Almighty and look forward to next opportunity if God spares our lives. The Commission has done its best but the Almighty has decided the rest.
“Indeed, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the NAHCON Chairman and other NAHCON management members, did their possible best to make sure that slots were distributed equitably. “It was however clear right from the start that not everyone who is qualified would make it to this year’s Hajj due to the relative low number of allocated slots.
“The Commission is aware of the agitation from all its publics, to wit, the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, subscribers through the Hajj Savings Scheme, Private Tour Operators, including its own staff as well.
“NAHCON management is consoled because it did not ostracize any group in the distribution of available Hajj seats, but of course, not all would be successful, because, the Commission was working within the boundaries of what was available.
“Yet, management understands the frustration of many who were desperate to participate in this year’s pilgrimage after two years of blockade. As people of faith we should remember that Hajj is a divine call that one would answer at the destined time; no matter one’s wealth, health status, age or free time.
“NAHCON assures those unable to proceed for the Hajj that their Hajj fare deposits are untouched and safe. Thus, the Commission will order release of their monies to them without delay should they request for a refund. If they decide otherwise, they should be rest assured that they will not be short changed in anyway. Similarly, NAHCON had sought for waiver for Hajj officials above 65 years of age who due to their relevance to the Hajj operation, their presence in Saudi Arabia is crucial. This request too was turned down by Saudi Arabia. Hence any official above 65 years is exempted from participating in the 2022 Hajj duties. While soliciting for the understanding of all concerned and indeed the general public, the Commission sincerely regrets all the inconveniences as well as all such obvious/likely losses associated with the incidences highlighted above.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has seen the prospect of Nigeria manufacturing own vehicles, clean energy trucks and cars, weapons, armoured mobile platforms and aircraft.
Professor Osinbajo, who spoke late last night, June 27, at the 5th National Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards Dinner held at the Presidential villa, Abuja insisted: “we have all it takes.” According to the Vice President the energy and creativity of young Nigerians, is already guaranteeing the prosperity of the country “and provide jobs and opportunities for the millions of youths coming into the job market yearly.
He said that the these MSMEs tell the story of the country’s great economic future, saying: “we are set to manufacture our own vehicles, clean energy trucks and cars, and we are on course to manufacturing our own weapons, armoured mobile platforms and aircraft. We have all it takes.” “I believe that MSMEs in technology and manufacturing especially in the clean energy or green economy deserve special mention. I am convinced that this sector will be crucial in global industrial development in the coming years and will leapfrog Nigeria to economic prosperity.” The Vice President commended some of the winners in particular, adding: “the first is Thinkbikes Limited, the winner of the BOI Award for Excellence in Manufacturing founded by Tolulope Olukokun, which produces solar and battery-run bikes that can go up to 50 kilometres on a single charge. “The second is Phoenix Renewables Ltd, the winner of the NITDA Award for Excellence in Innovation, founded by Mustapha Abubakar Gajibo. The company designs and builds electric and solar-powered cars, tricycles and also vehicle and engine parts. “The vehicles are now deployed for public transportation in the Maiduguri metropolis. By April they had conveyed over 21,000 passengers. I had the singular pleasure of driving one of the electric cars when I visited the Phoenix Renewables stand at the Borno MSME Clinic. “The third is the Clintonel Advanced Engineering Centre, Access Bank MSME of the Year Award winner, founded by Tochukwu Clinton Chukwueke. The company builds high precision parts, moulds, medical equipment, and auto engine parts.” The Vice President reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting small businesses by providing the enabling environment for them to thrive. He said that the improvement in the value of prizes given to award winners from an initial one star prize car in 2018 for the MSME of the Year winner to 10 cars in all categories in 2022, “is to underscore the significant improvement that has been built between the private sector and the Federal Government over the years.” Professor Osinbajo then announced arrangements for the establishment of MSME Shared Facility projects comprising the Kaduna State Tomato Paste Production Hub and the Ogun State refurbished Adire market. “Other facilities are now being established in Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Delta, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Abia and Kano States.” The high point of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners in the various categories including deserving States such as Edo for best State in Shared Facility; Imo for best State in Fashion; Borno for emerging State in Innovation and Ogun for best State in MSME Policy.
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will, this week, decorate his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari with that country’s national honour of ‘Great Collar of the Order of Prince Henry.’ The honour is part of the activities lined up by the Portuguese President, who personally invited Buhari to his country. The Nigerian President, who leaves the shores of Nigeria for Portugal today, June 28, according to a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, will also join his host to chair an enlarged bilateral meeting and witness the signing of some agreements bordering on issues of mutual concern. Garba Shehu said that President Buhari will also visit the Portuguese Parliament and hold discussions with its president, Dr. Augusto Santo Silva, as well as the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa. He said that in the course of the visit, the President is scheduled to address a Forum of Nigerian and Portuguese businessmen and hold separate meetings with select Portuguese Chief Executive Officers and prospective investors to Nigeria. President Buhari will also participate in the United Nations Ocean Conference, which began in Lisbon on Monday, June 27, and runs till July 1. The Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal and supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), aims to accelerate the adoption of science-based innovative solutions to challenges facing oceans and the global marine ecosystem. The Nigerian leader is also expected to engage members of the Nigerian community in Portugal on matters affecting them and developments at home. The statement said that the President will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare and Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami. Others are National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The statement said that Buhari will return to Abuja on Saturday, July 2.
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