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Showing posts from May, 2022

INEC to partner ICPC, EFCC to stop vote buying

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 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will partner  with Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies to stop vote buying in the June 18, governorship election in Ekiti. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting with traditional rulers in the state ahead of the election in the state. Yakubu said that the commission would partner with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that voters are not induced by candidates or political parties . He assured that the commission would not condone vote buying in the coming election in Ekiti as it has been observed in some primaries conducted by some political parties in the country recently. According to him, the only important condition for a credible election is for it to be free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful. The INEC chairman said that was why the commission considered

Suspended AGF, Idris Ahmed names Buhari’s appointees, others as accomplices of alleged N200bn fraud

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The scandal involving suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris may consume a number of government officials as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensified its investigations. According to reports, based on the findings of the EFCC, the total sum in the series of coordinated scams traced to the suspended AGF is up to 200Billion Naira (N200,000,000,000). Recall that Idris was nabbed by  EFCC operatives on May 16, 2022 i n connection with a series of fraud that was initially thought to be N80billion. Three days after his arrest, Idris was suspended by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to enable him face his probe. In a PRNigeria’s Economic Confidential report, an internal source revealed questioning of Idris by detectives brought up names, companies, and staggering figures currently under probe. The suspect has made confessional statements, and provided traces of funds, withdrawals and deposits in local

Court grants Okorocha’s bail, asks him to submit travel documents

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha who is in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody over an alleged 2.9bn fraud.  Justice Inyang Ekwo who granted the bail on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 asked Okorocha to pay a sum of N500,000,000 and with a surety in the same amount. He was barred from traveling out of the country except with the express permission of the court. The judge ordered the Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly to deposit his traveling passport with the court registrar. In addition, the judge ordered that Immigration must be alerted in writing by the court registrar that Okorocha’s traveling passport is with the court, and as such, must not be allowed to move out of the country. The former governor, who is a presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC)  was arrested on Tuesday,  May 24, 2022 arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Bail: I thank Nigerians for their support – Okorocha

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File image of his first appearance in court. The Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas Okorocha, has thanked Nigerians for their support hours after he was granted bail by Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday. Okorocha stated this to newsmen in Owerri, on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemedo. Okorocha who was the former governor of Imo state was arrested by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, last Tuesday over alleged N2.9 billion fraud alongside five others. But in a statement by Onwuemedo said: “We want to inform the general public that, Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court Abuja, has graciously granted bail to His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha. His Lordship, in his wisdom, granted Okorocha bail on Tuesday, May 31, 2022,( today). Read Also EFCC arrested Rochas Okorocha Court grant Okorocha Bail “Okorocha had remained in the custody of the Economic And Financial Crime Commission, EFCC

Peter Obi clinches Labour Party presidential ticket after Pat Utomi, others step down

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Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He emerged at Labour Party’s Convention and presidential primary held in Asaba, Delta State on Monday, May 30, 2022. Earlier at the convention, Professor Pat Utomi stepped down for Obi. Utomi announced that Obi is a younger aspirant with the capacity to effect the needed change in the Nigerian system. Also, another aspirant, 45-year-old Joseph Faduri stepped down for the former governor. Recall, Obi who is formerly a presidential aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  dumped the party  on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 citing ‘recent developments in the party’. He became registered member of Labour Party on Friday, May 27, 2022 and subsequently obtained the party’s presidential nomination forms to contest the 2023 general election.  More details soon… © IR

Court remands Okorocha in custody over alleged N2.9bn fraud

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the remand order on Monday. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and an ally to the ex-governor, Anyim Chinenye, is expected to join Okorocha in the EFCC custody. Okorocha, Chinenye and five companies were arraigned on 17 counts of money laundering filed by the EFCC. Justice Ekwo adjourned till Tuesday for the hearing of the bail applications by Okorocha and Chinenye. The five companies are: Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited and Legend World Concepts Limited. The former governor, who is a presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was arrested on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial C

EFCC discovers fresh N90bn fraud against Accountant-General Idris Ahmed, opens long chain of corruption

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has discovered a fresh N90bn fraud allegedly committed by the suspended Accountant-General of Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris, bringing the scope of fraud allegations him to N170bn. Mr Ahmed Idris was arrested by the EFCC on the 16th of May 2022 over fraud allegations to the tune of N80,000,000,000. He was arrested in Kano after failing to honour the agency’s invitation. Since his arrest, Mr Ahmed Idris has been in the custody of the EFCC answering questions, some which have led to the discovery of a fresh N90,000,000,000 fraud. According to sources close to the situation, Idris Ahmed who is battling to secure his bail has exposed some top government officials involved with him in some transactions. Last night, the EFCC stormed the Abuja residence of the former Zamfara State Governor,  Abdulaziz Yari to arrest him  as one of the persons connected with some shady deals with the embattled Accountant-General. The EFCC has also grilled a Perma

Security operatives arrest one of those who beheaded Soludo’s lawmaker

A member of the notorious gang suspected to be responsible for beheading a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency, Okechukwu Okoye was allegedly arrested today at Amichi in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra state. The man whose name was given as Nnahadi Michael, was arrested by special tactical teams. His accomplice said to be a native doctor is still at large, but it was gathered that his shrine was destroyed. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, however, said he was yet to confirm the arrest, which is circulating in the social media. The suspect, who is already in custody, admitted during questioning to being part of the killer gang, saying that they killed three politicians, including the beheaded lawmaker. “We first of all strip them naked so they can say the truth”, he said.

BREAKING: EFCC arrests former Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari over a connection with the agency’s ongoing investigation of the N80bn fraud allegation of Ahmed Idris. The suspended Accountant General of Federation, Ahmed Idris, was arrested by the EFCC on the 16th of May, 2022 and has since then been in custody, answering questions on his alleged N80bn fraud. Mr Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, was however arrested on Sunday at his Abuja residence in connection with Ahmed Idris’s alleged N80bn fraud. His arrest comes just a few days after he won the ruling APC’s ticket for Zamfara West senatorial election holding next year. An election he won unopposed. According to reports, investigators are working with the lead that Mr. Ahmed Idris allegedly conspired with others to steal public funds which, by his role, he was meant to safeguard. One of his suspected accomplices is Mr Abdulaziz Yari, who was arrested today, EFCC sources to

JUST IN: Bayo Adelabu dumps Oyo APC, says he must contest in 2023

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Following the conclusion of the Oyo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election which saw the emergence of Senator Teslim Folarin as the party’s flagbearer in 2023, Chief Bayo Adelabu, the runner-up, has decided to leave the party. Eagles eye update earlier reported  Teslim Folarin wins APC ticket, set to battle Seyi Makinde for governorship seat  after polling a total of 954 votes to defeat five other aspirants including the party’s 2019 flagbearer, Bayo Adelabu, who polled 327 votes. Displeased with the results, Adelabu and several others announced their decision to dump the party for a yet to be disclosed party. He vowed to contest the 2023 elections with his supporters assuring him of their ultimate support. Adelabu while speaking on Sunday May 29, 2022 at his campaign office said success is sweet after the struggle and assured his supporters of victory in next year election. He said; “We shall be successful. We will rescue Oyo State next year. We shall be

BREAKING: Panic as EFCC operatives storm PDP presidential primary

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Operatives of the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) have stormed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary ground which is Mashood Abiola National stadium in Abuja. Details surrounding their presence at the venue of exercise were still sketchy at the time of filing this report. However, it is assumed that their attention have been called by rumour of huge some of hard currency to be shared to delegates by aspirants at the venue. The ongoing presidential primary of the PDP will come to an end tomorrow, May 39, 2022. No fewer than 811 national delegates will decide who emerges the party’s presidential flag bearer among the 14 aspirants. Some of the PDP presidential aspirants are; Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Muhammad; among others. Meanwhile, Muhammad Hayatudeen has withdrawn from the exercise, while Peter Obi

Oyo 2023: Teslim Folarin wins APC ticket, set to battle Seyi Makinde for governorship seat

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The race for who becomes the next Oyo State governor is set after the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its governorship primary elections late night of Friday, May 27, 2022. The APC governorship primary was keenly contested by six aspirants including Senator Teslim Folarin, a three-time Senator of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu, the party’s 2019 candidate, Akeem Agbaje, Azeez Adeduntan, and Hakeem Alao. After the voting process, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee announced that Senator Folarin polled a total of 954 votes to defeat five other aspirants who contested against him. Adelabu, who was his closest challenger, got 327 votes despite being absent at the venue of the election. Azeez Adeduntan had two votes, Akeem Alao had six votes, Hakeem Agbaje had 16 votes while 11 votes were voided. Senator Teslim Folarin was thereafter declared the winner of the election and emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate who will now battle it out with Governor Seyi Makinde in the u

Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat freed from police custody, denies cyberbullying allegation

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An Ibadan-based broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, who was arrested by the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) of Nigeria Police Force, has been released. Recall, Hamzat, who is the Managing Director of Agidigbo 88.7FM, in the early hours of Thursday, May 26, 2022, was arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State capital and was then taken to Abuja for interrogation. The station, in a statement issued by Yousuph Grey Adebayo, Head of Station, Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, insisted that Hamzat arrested only because he has been calling for justice in the murder of Mr. Timothy Adegoke. Confirming the arrest in a tweet on Thursday, Muyiwa Adéjọbí, the Force Public Relations Officer, said Hamzat was arrested for alleged cyberbullying. Adejobi claimed Oriyomi Hamzat had been invited several times by the force but he refused to honour the invitation after which the police secured an arrest warrant against the journalist. However, the management of his radio station confirmed his release in a statement on Friday, f

Why Agidigbo FM owner, Oriyomi Hamzat, was arrested -Police

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The Nigeria Police Force has given a reason for the arrest of ace broadcaster and owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat. In a statement on Thursday, the police said Hamzat was arrested in connection with a case of cyberbullying without stating who was bullied. The police’s reaction was contained in a statement by its spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, titled, ‘Oriyomi Hamzat was arrested by police with warrant – Force PRO’. The PUNCH had reported that Hamzat, who had consistently advocated for justice in a murder case involving Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife owner, Chief Rahman Adedoyin, was arrested on Thursday. The police claimed that the Ibadan-based broadcaster ignored their invitation severally, stating that the broadcaster is under investigation. The statement read, “The popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, was arrested in Ibadan today by our Force Intelligence Bureau operatives in connection with a case of Cyber Bullying under investigation “Oriyomi’s arrest was seq