PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

Benue Electoral Commission Chairman, Others Arraigned for N500m Fraud  The Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Tuesday June 29, 2021, arraigned the Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Look Tersoo Joseph; the Secretary, Serki Mtomba Manaseh; the Treasurer,  Akange Akula and 5 other members/Commissioners :Abe Aboyi Augustine, Donald Kertyo,  Agber Aondona Emmanuel,  Sunday Agbaji, and  Ekoja Daniel before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State. The defendants were docked on a 23-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, forgery and  money laundering to the tune of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira only), Count one of the charge reads: "That you Hon. Look Tersoo Joseph,  the Chairman of Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Hon. Serki Mtomga Manasseh, the Secretary of BSIEC, Hon. Akange A...

  The trial of a former Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Alhaji Ope Saraki, resumed on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 with the 3rd prosecution witness, PW3, Dr. John Adeyeye Abiodun telling the court how the defendant introduced him to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited and how both agreed to refurbish and convert thirteen Toyota Hiace Buses to Ambulances. The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Saraki on two counts bordering on contract scam before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the State High Court sitting in Ilorin. Saraki, a cousin to the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly procuring a contract to the tune of N220million through Chemiroy Nigeria Limited, a company which he had interest. The contract involved purchase of 13 units of ambulances for General/Specialist Hospitals in Kwara State. The offence is contrary to Section 12 of the Independen...

AfreximBank to support Ogun infrastructural development with $200million ...to commence vaccine production with Gateway Pharmaceutical The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed its plans to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with an  envelope of $200m. The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Afrexim Bank, Benedict Oramah, who made this known when he led management of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday, equally said the bank would partner Ogun in ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and begins operations soon. Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines and other drugs, declared that Afrexim Bank is also ready t...

PRESS STATEMENT    We have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja, about  the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State. It is to be noted therefore, that no matter the gravity of the offences or charge preferred against him, Section 36(5) of the Constitution still presumes him innocent of the allegation.  He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja  today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge. As it is in the public domain, the matter has been consequently adjourned to the 26th Day of July 2021, for Continuation of Trial. The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date. We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial which is his constitutionally protected right. His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards, should be enforced. Our fortified Legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Office, on Tuesday June 28, 2021 arraigned one Mahmood Bello Abubakar, Managing Director of A.M Bello Nigeria Limited before Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja for allegedly obtaining N2.4million (Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from on Moses Okpara on the pretext of securing Federal Government jobs for his children and acquaintances. The offence is contrary to section 1(1) (a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charge was read to him. Prosecution counsel, A.U. Ringim thereafter requested that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre pending trial. The defendant’s counsel, G.E Ejekela however moved an oral bail application for his client which was refused by the court. Justice Kawu adjourned the case till September 30, 2021 for commencement of trial.

His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday has sworn-in 11 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries into office.  Governor Hope Uzodimma while addressing them said that their appointment is a testimony of their proven knowledge and competence in their career, stressing that they attained the position on merit after they passed a competitive examination. "I have come with a new order, which sees merit competence and diligence as the only criteria for attaining position of leadership. Any of you who play politics with his/her job will be treated as a saboteur, flee from corruption and nepotism for you to earn your career in glory". He said. Responding on behalf of her colleagues (Mrs) Ekenze Edith expressed gratitude for the appointment, assured Gov. Uzodimma of their loyalty and diligence in making sure that all policies of the administration *are* achieved for the development of Imo State. The list of the Newly *Sworn-in* Permanent Secretaries include:  Ekenze Edith C. (Mr...

   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on June 22, 2021 arrested one Umar Sale for allegedly attempting to defraud one Umar Mohammed Goniri over promises of offering him employment with the EFCC. Sale was picked up by operatives of the EFCC at the agency’s visitors’ gate at Jabi Abuja, when he arrived to keep an appointment he had fixed with the victim. The lid on the scam was blown following a complaint by Goniri, that the suspect accosted him by the visitor’s entrance and requested the sum of N50, 000.00 from him, to facilitate his employment with the EFCC. He further disclosed that the suspect had scheduled another meeting with him later that day for him to pay the money requested. Following this information, he was asked to play along while operatives of the Commission mounted surveillance around the headquarter complex. When Sale turned up for the scheduled meeting, he was arrested as he received marked $100 USD bill from the complainant. The suspect has ad...

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has stressed the need for enhanced regional cooperation in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the West African sub-region. He made this known while hosting the Inspector General of Senegalese Armed Forces (SAF), General de Division El hadji Daouda Niang in his office. According to the CAS, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other armed forces in the Region must synergize their efforts in view of the transnational nature of terrorism and its impact on the security of the entire Region. According to the CAS, past collaborations between the various armed forces in quelling and resolving conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and of recent The Gambia, are indicative of the import of regional cooperation and collaboration. In his words, ‘Now more than ever before is the time for us to come together to curb the current security challenges in West Africa.’ He went on to commend the Senegalese Armed Forces for always being on...

Ebonyi Man Dies While Having Hot Sex With A ( AE- FUNAI) student (Photo)  A married man who hails from Okposhi in Ebonyi State  has died while having hot sex with a young lady in the state. Sources gathered that the ugly incident happened at one of the Hostels in front of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo(AE-FUNAI) last week. According to report, the two lovers enjoyed the sex till it went sour. An eyewitness said, "they went into coma while this girl was resuscitated with the aid of an Oxygen, the man is 'resting' in a Mortuary now.". Igbo TV.

*Text of Press Conference on Tuesday  29th June, 2021 by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN on the Interception of Fugitive Nnamdi Kanu back to Nigeria to face trial* Self-aclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indegenous People of Biafra [IPOB], Nnamdi Kanu, has been through  the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services. He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11 count charge against him. Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day of June, 2021. Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State  is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued 17th October, 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos. It is recalled that Kanu was arrested  on 14th October, 2015 on 11 count charge bordering o...

 EFCC Arrests Travel Agent for Visa Scam The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal office have arrested one Mrs. Mary Aweh Olaleye,, promoter of Victoria Travels Resorts Ltd for allegedly obtaining Eight Million Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N8,480,000.00) from two prospective travelers by false pretence. She allegedly obtained the sum from the duo of Tochukwu Casmir Asika and Daniel Monday Alabi.under the pretext of helping to procure Canadian Visas and other travel arrangements for them. The complainants alleged that sometime in 2018,they contacted the suspect to arrange a trip to Turks and Caicos Islands for them, for which they paid him the sum of One Million naira(N1,000,000,00) each, totaling Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00). Two days to their departure,  the suspect allegedly informed them that the trip had been put on hold and offered them an alternative; a visa to Canada  which they accepted and paid a cumulative sums of Four Mil...

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says it is a disservice for political leaders to overlook the infrastructural and socioeconomic needs of their people to pursue their selfish ambitions. Such orientation in politics, Governor Wike noted is devoid of development, always sets the community and a greater percent of the people backward, politically. Governor Wike made the assertion at the flag-off ceremony for the re-construction of Mgbuitanwo community road by Senator Gabriel Suswan on Monday in Emohua Local Government Area. Governor Wike spoke of how important the Mgbuitanwo Road project that is being flag-off is to his administration and the people. He pointed out that the road project will stand as an undeniable evidence of the difference between a pro-people approach of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the egocentric posture of the All Progressives Congress (APC) politicking. "If there is one project that is very important, it is Mgbuitanwo Road. The essence of p...

 EFCC Docks Five Sokoto Officials for N553.9m Pension Fraud The Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 28, 2021, arraigned five senior officials of the Sokoto State Primary Education Staff Pension Board before Justice Muhammad Muhammad of the Sokoto State High Court, Sokoto, on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery. criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of the sum of N553,985,624.10 (Five Hundred and Fifty Three Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Four Naira, Ten Kobo).  The defendants include the Director of Finance and Supply,  Hassana Moyi; Secretary, Abubakar Aliyu; Deputy director, Halliru Ahmed; Accountant, Kabiru Ahmed and Dahiru Muhammad Isa, Cashier.   One of the counts reads: "That you Abubakar Aliyu while being the Secretary of Sokoto State Primary Staff Pension Board, Hassana Moyi while being the Director of Finance and Supply, Primary Staff...

...recover gun trucks, arms and ammunition  Troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation  HADIN KAI on Sunday, 27 June,  2021 dealt a devastating blow on marauding  Boko Haram ( BHT)  and Islamic State  West Africa Province (ISWAP)  while attempting to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe in Borno State. The terrorists, who came  mounted on  Gun trucks and several motorcycles  attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops. The Land troops, in their usual  dexterity  swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative.    The troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12  terrorists, with several others fleeing with gun shot wounds. The troops gallantly captured one Gun Truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushi...

The Lagos State Government has disclaimed an online viral post titled “New Lagos Traffic Offences and Fines” being circulated on social media platforms, advising that the motoring public should disregard the information in its entirety because it false and did not originate from the Ministry of Transportation or Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). A statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, emphasised that the purported new Lagos Traffic Laws were not issued by the Lagos State Government, warning all road users to be wary of unscrupulous and faceless elements, who are out to scam unsuspecting Lagosians of their hard-earned money. While noting that the existing Lagos State Traffic Laws are still in operation, he informed that interested Lagosians and the motoring public can access the State Traffic Laws on the Ministry of Transportation page, through the Lagos State website: www.lagosstate.gov.ng. The Commissioner also disclosed that...

Kwara Court Remands Unilorin, Kwara Poly Students over Love Scam The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 28, 2021 arraigned one Ganiyy Rasak, a 300Level student of the University of Ilorin and one Olakunle Adebisi, an ND II student of the Kwara State Polytechnic on one count separate charge bordering on love scam before Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. The charge against Ganiyy reads: "That you,  Ganiyy Rasaq Olarewaju (Richard Hadden), sometime in May, 2021 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Richard Hadden, a white female with a gmail account haddenrichard56@gmail.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code. " Particulars of the charge against Olakunle read: “That you, Olakunle Adebisi, sometime in May...

By Chukwunenye Nweke. Before the reporter could arrive Umuzocha Village Awka where the incident took place and the village hall where  the suspects were said to be  paraded before the public, the suspects have been taken to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses have confirmed to the reporter that three people who are of Awka origin were arrested  by the youths of Umuzocha Village over  alleged robbery and criminal possession of item( Keke Na Pepe) Eyewitnesses could not reveal the names of the suspects but said that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed  respectively that ,they are from Umuayom,Amudo and Amachalla Village Awka While  source outside Umuzocha Village Awka gave a different account of the story . The source  asserted that among the suspects that invaded the village, only one of  the suspects was arrested , and that the arrested suspect is from Amudo Village and by name,  Onyebuchi.

EFCC Arraigns Benue University Hospital Chairman, Others for Alleged N24.6m Fraud The Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the Chairman of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Professor John Ibu alongside Chief Abukenchi Suleiman and his company, ADB Motors Venters Nigeria Limited before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State on charges of conspiracy and obtaining N24, 650,000 (Twenty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).by false ppretence. They allegedly obtained the said sum from the Benue State University Teaching Hospital under the guise of purchasing a Toyota Landcruiser Prado 2018 Model which they never did.  The offence is contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act. Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Professor John Ibu, being the Board Chairman, Benue State...

Despite COVID-19, Nigerian public service living up to expectation – SGF Mustapha ...their contribution to development enormous - BPSR DG By Aliyu Umar Aliyu  The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has said that in spite of the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian public service is living up to its expectations. He was speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a a discourse organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to commemorate the 2021 United Nation public service day. Mustapha noted that, throughout the world, the contributions of Public Service in promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth are receiving increasing attention because efficient and effective management of the service that are critical to sustainable socio-economic development of nations. According to him, “Over the years, the Nigerian Public Service has been an integral and key part of Government, living up to expectation as it continues to provide the...

  The outstanding feat of the Lagos State Government and its Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in combating the COVID-19 pandemic has been acknowledged, through the presentation of special recognition awards by the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA). While Lagos State Government emerged as the Most Responsive COVID-19 State Government of the year at NHEA 2021, held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island at the weekend, Prof. Akin Abayomi bagged the award for the Most Outstanding COVID-19 State Health Commissioner of the year. Abayomi, who was on hand to receive both awards at the event themed “Celebrating Our Healthcare Heroes”, dedicated it to all health and frontline workers for their roles and sacrifices in the COVID response efforts. The Commissioner said the State Government has a policy of not receiving any awards for COVID-19 response because efforts aimed at preventing and managing the global pandemic are still ongoing, noting however that the State governmen...

 The Governor of Lagos State and Visitor to the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has appointed a former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Finance, Sir David Sunmoni and 12 others as members of the new Governing Council for the Lagos State University, (LASU). A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Barrister Tokunbo Wahab, noted that the appointments were based on the consideration of the report of the Special Visitation Panel on the appointment of the 9th Vice-Chancellor, which recommended the dissolution of the previous Governing Council of the University. He explained that with the appointment of new members for the Council, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had exercised the powers conferred on him by the Lagos State University Law, Cap L69 volume 7, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (as amended). While noting that Sir David Sunmoni is to serve as the Chairman of the 13-member Governing Council, Wa...

*Directs Tactical Units to Deploy Resources to Curb Crimes* The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has vowed to sniff criminals out of their hideouts within Lagos State as he ordered Area Commnaders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical Commanders to embark on massive raids of criminals at their identified blacksports across the state. The Commissioner of Police made the declaration today,  Monday 18th June, 2021, while addressing senior officers, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Departments at the POWA Hall, Oduduwa Ikeja-Lagos, on the general security of the state and the need to be proactive rather than being reactive to security issues in Lagos State. The Police boss empathised on the benefits and fundamentals of raids and constant monitoring of human conducts within their respective areas of responsibility with a view to taking charge of public space and providing adequate security for all and sundry in Lagos State.  In addition, the Commiss...

  Rita Daniels and Regina Daniels both celebrated their grandson and son on social media,but Regina Daniels made an announcement that she will pick thirty random fans to her son's baby bash only if they follow her husband,look she is forgetting about coronavirus and the insecurity in the country,anyway I wish her all the best. So let me start with grandma Rita Daniels birthday message to her grandson.She shared a beauty photo of her grandson rocking white outfit with the caption ''  Happy birthday my adorable. May Almighty God bless you with all the goodness of the world. You shall be voice to the voiceless, a pride to your parents, your generation and the world at large. No man or woman born of a woman will hurt you. You shall be a strong pillar in NED NWOKO’s dynasty. You shall make your parents proud. There shall be no evil deposition in your life. May you always be Divinely protected. You shall continue to dwell in wisdom, knowledge, Understanding and grace of God Almig...