Seven oil workers killed in an expolosion at the Benin River Basin

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed the death of seven oil workers killed in an explosion that occurred at Gbetiokun, OML 40, operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), on behalf of the NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture.

A statement from the corporation said the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 8 during the installation of a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production.

The statement said that a detailed investigation into the cause of the explosion has commenced.

”The bodies of casualties have been deposited in a morgue in Sapele, while families of the personnel involved are being contacted by their employers: Weld Affairs and Flow Impact, which are consultants to NPDC.” the statement adds

$9.7m seized by EFCC was part of the gift I collected after my tenure, Ex-NNPC MD tells court

The former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, has told a federal high court in Abuja that the monies seized from him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were gifts he received after he left public service.

The EFCC had in February 2017 recovered $9.7 million and £74,000 from Yakubu’s Kaduna residence.

He was subsequently charged to court and arraigned on six counts of money laundering.

He was alleged to have, as “group managing director of NNPC, between 2012 and 2014, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to avoid lawful transaction, transported to Kaduna $9.7million and €74,000.’’

Yakubu was also accused of failing to disclose the monies to the EFCC in his asset declaration form, a crime which contravened Section 27 (3) of the EFCC Act.

However, giving evidence as the first defence witness, the former GMD said 97 percent to 98 percent of the sum were gifts he received during celebrations which he hosted.

“The money was not received in bulk but in tranches of not more than $10,000 and not more than £5,000. And a substantial part of the money was given to me after I left office,” he said.

“And it was given to me on the occasions of birthdays, thanksgiving services, weddings of my daughters and other celebrations that I hosted after leaving office.”

He said he kept the money in a safe at home because he was yet to figure out what business to venture into.

“Because the money came unplanned, the plan was to think about the business venture I’ll embark on after retirement,” he said.

“I kept the money in the safe pending when there is a specific business venture I’ll embark on and as soon as that decision is crystalised, the business would be funded through a financial institution.”

Yakubu explained that the remaining two percent of the money was savings he got from estacodes.

“For over 25 years, I had reasons by virtue of my schedule, to travel to many parts of the world. So, I was entitled to estacodes in USD,” Yakubu explained.

“And any savings made during a trip, I came back with whatever I had and saved it. The savings estimated time of start was around 2010 to 2014.”

Currently, Yakubu is standing trial on only two out of the initial six counts preferred against him.

The trial court had struck out two counts while the court of appeal struck out another two.

He was then ordered to come back to the trial court to defend himself on the remaining two counts.

The case has been adjourned till July 22 for cross-examination of Yakubu.

Rapists to get life imprisonment in Akwa Ibom

Governor Udom Emmanuel

Governor Emmanuel Udom has signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (2020) which empowers judges to hand down life imprisonment to anyone convicted of rape in Akwa Ibom state.

The state’s commissioner for agriculture and women affairs, Glory Edet said the bill is aimed at discouraging the spate of violence in the society.

Edet said; “I think this is one of the best things that has happened to protect the female gender and as the commissioner overseeing women matters.

”I believe the women of Akwa Ibom, the children and even our men are happy because this law will teach defaulters a lesson.

“This law allows for the implementation of a lot of things we were praying for and prescribes stiffer punishment for violators of the Child’s Right Act, perpetrators of violence against citizens of both genders.

”Before now violators of the female gender had some years to spend in prison but VAPPL recommends life imprisonment to deal with the offenders and discourage the spate of violence in our society.”

The commissioner also disclosed that sensitisation and awareness campaign on the new law will soon be initiated.

Uwemedimo Nwoko, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice further revealed that the law also provides 14 years imprisonment for perpetrators of gender-based violence and any kind of sexual offence other than rape.

JUST IN: Buhari meets 3 APC governors over party crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with the leadership of the Progressives Governors Forum, led by Gov. Atiku Bagudu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bagudu was accompanied by Governors Simon Lalong of Plateau and Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa.

The agenda of the meeting between the president and the governors was unknown as at the time of this report.

NAN, however, gathered that the meeting may among other national matters deliberate on the ongoing political crisis in the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, by the appeal court.

NAN reports that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had on June 21 met with President Buhari over the APC crisis, where he challenged the leadership of the party across the country to make every possible effort to get the party reconciled.

”I believe that we have to deal with these challenges, this is the ruling party with the president; with the control of the National Assembly; with more governors than any other political party.

”So, I believe that we have to sort this out and that will make our work even better and easier when we have a stable party as the party is supposed to be part of the apparatus of running government.’’

Some APC chieftains across the country, including the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, are calling on the president to summon an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to address the crisis.

Nabena urged the President to convene NEC emergency meeting to deliberate on consolidating the APC’s control of Edo and Ondo States ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in the states.

But the acting chairman of the party Hillard Eta said a NEC meeting will be impossible now, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Party’s National Working Committee (NWC), has been divided into factions, each claiming leadership of the party.

The crisis followed the Appeal Court ruling affirming the suspension of Oshiomhole as the party’s National Chairman.

Senators earn luxury wages while workers are paid peanuts – Senator Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume has expressed disappointment with the wages Nigerian workers are paid across the country.

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Emmanuel Chapel themed, ‘Economic stability beyond COVID-19’, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Muhammadu Sanusi, vindicated his position on the high cost of running a presidential democracy which he said is no longer realistic.

Ndume said;

“We have a budget of N10tn and only 30 per cent is going to the majority, whereas 70 per cent will be spent on a few minority. The system we are practising now is not fair either morally or socially.

“In the current system, workers are not being paid living wages, whereas a privileged few are earning luxury wages. The National Assembly members, including me, for instance, are paid luxury wages.

“How can we live comfortably when only a few of us are living a life of luxury while the majority are living in abject poverty? The N30,000 minimum wage is too small; it can make workers engage in corruption in order to survive.”

The former Senate Leader also disclosed that lawmakers in the national assembly might kick against a change from presidential democracy to parliamentary system of government, because the current system of government works in their favour.

The senator who represents Borno South Senatorial District said;

“Parliamentary system is effective in the sense that the head of government is more or less one among equals of the parliamentarians.

“Therefore, accountability is achieved in the chamber in the sense that the prime minister has to be in the parliament every day, and he must give account of government to his colleagues.

“Also, ministers are selected among the elected parliamentarians. The idea is to reduce the cost of governance and make it more effective.”

Ndume also appealed to legal luminaries to come together and reach an agreement which will initiate the constitution amendment through referendum.

Alleged rape: I’m innocent until proven guilty –D’banj

Nigerian musician, Oladapo Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj, has said he is innocent of the rape allegation leveled against him until proven guilty.

D’banj

The 40-year-old singer said this on Monday when he shared a video of himself dancing on Instagram with a caption, “Innocent until proven guilty, Stop social media trial. #SAY no to rape and human rights violation”.

Dbanj is currently being investigated by the police for allegedly raping Seyitan Babatayo.

A little over two weeks ago, Ms. Babatayo’s friend, Benjamin Ese, alleged that Dbanj raped his friend (Seyitan) on December 31, 2018, at Glee hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Things took a confusing turn last week after Ms. Babatayo, was arrested and detained for accusing the singer of rape.

Ms. Babatayo’s lawyers, Olamide Omileye of Ojoge, Omileye, and Partners, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that their client was intimidated and coerced into withdrawing her accusation while in police custody.

He told this newspaper that their client deleted the tweets under duress while in police custody on Tuesday.

Ms. Babatoyo’s Twitter account, with username @Seyitannn_, was apparently used to promote D’banj’s newest single, ‘Stress-Free.’

The promotional post appeared alongside tweets wherein she debunked the report of her arrest and intimidation by D’banj and his team.

The incident had sparked outrage on social media with many celebrities reacting to the development.

Davido’s father settles Davido and Chioma’s relationship crisis (See details)

A popular Instagram blogger Cutie Julls has alleged that the rift and crisis existing between Nigerian power couple Davido and Chioma, has been resolved.

Cutie Julls revealed on Instagram that Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke called him to order because he would take no-nonsense.

The blogger celebrated the billionaire father and asked for God’s blessings on him and all other responsible fathers.

She wrote:

Now let’s celebrate a very responsible man in our society. Wanted to do this list yesterday but obviously got distracted.
Papa has called son to order and everything is settled.

This man is indeed a gentleman and very very perfect example of i.e; “I did not disgrace my parents so no child of mine will disgrace me”. A great dad indeed. God bless our heroes who strive at making us better and responsible people in society. : 🙌

FBI commends EFCC over indictment of 6 Nigerians for cyber crime

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for offering assistance to it in the investigation and prosecution of six Nigerians involved in Business Email Compromise( BEC) and wire fraud in the U.S.

United States Attorney, Joe Kelly and Special FBI Agent, Kristi Johnson, in a release made available to the EFCC, commended the Commission for its “ past and continued assistance in pursuing those that engage in Business Email Compromise and other fraud schemes”

Six Nigerians: Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh; Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin; Michael Olorunyomi; Felix Osilama Okpoh, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode and Nnamdi Orson Benson were indicted and sanctioned by the FBI for conducting elaborate fraud schemes involving alleged stealing of more than $6million from “individual victims and victim businesses both in Nebraska and other states”.

BECs are sophisticated cyber crimes involving electronic transfer payments or automated clearing house transfers. The six Nigerians indicted by the FBI are accused of “violations of federal laws: 1) Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud , punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000; 2) Identity theft and access device fraud, each punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000”.

The FBI described the EFCC as one of its “foreign colleagues abroad” and expressed appreciation for its “ commitment to working together”.

The EFCC and FBI were involved in a joint field operation against cyber criminals in Nigeria in 2019 which yielded significant dividends.

The operation , codenamed “Operation Rewired”, was a hit against trans-Atlantic syndicates of cyber criminals operating in intricate, sophisticated networks.

One hundred and sixty seven Nigerian suspected cybercriminals were arrested and a total sum of $169,850 and N92,000,000 were recovered from the suspects.

The FBI also presented certificates to operatives of the EFCC that took part in the joint operation.

Oby Ezekwesili’s mum dies at 78

The mother of Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu, has died.

A statement released by her media aide disclosed late Madame Ujubuonu died of cancer-related sickness in Abuja on Sunday night June 21.

She was 78 years old. Until her death, she was a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

A native of Ndodolu Village, Umunuko, Ukpor, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late Madam Ujubuonu was widowed after the death of her husband, Benjamin Ujubuonu, in 1988,
Born on April 18, 1942, Ujubuonu, a retired businesswoman, devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, the church, and service to humanity.

May her soul rest in peace, Amen.

60% of people in the South East don’t believe in COVID19- PTF coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu

Dr Sani Aliyu, the coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, says a survey recently conducted showed that 60% of persons residing in the South East do not believe that COVID19 is an issue they have to worry about or adhere to all the precautionary guidelines.

Aliyu said this while speaking at the presidential task force on COVID19 today June 22.

”Nigerians have continued to show persistent and remarkable lack of compliance to COVID19 prevention protocols which is quite worrying.

In the cities where the adherence to these protocols were high in the initial two weeks of the ease lockdown, progressively over time, citizens are letting down their guards and this remains of great concern. There is partial to total non-compliance to face mask and physical distancing protocols by the public. Many Nigerians only use their facemask either to avoid security agents or where they are told to do so.

There is also significant disbelief in the danger and impact of COVID19. In parts of the South East where we did a survey, 60% did not believe that COVID was an issue at all.

We clearly are not taking the pandemic seriously enough.” he said

A 58-year old man identified as Mallam Aminu Ado, has been arrested by men of the Nigeria Police for impersonating the widow of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, in a bid to swindle unsuspecting Nigerians.

Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, DCP Frank Mba, who paraded him before newsmen on Monday, June 22, said after the death of the former chief of staff, Ado who is also known as Al Amin Yerima, went on to impersonate the widow and reached out to prominent Nigerians asking for donations to enable him organize special prayers for the soul of the departed.

“In the course of doing that some of the prominent Nigerians became suspicious and reached out to us. He has been cooperative with the investigation and held back no facts. He is 58 years old. He had also had a stint with EFCC in 2019. He was charged to an Abuja High Court and was convicted and imprisoned for three months as a result of the plea bargain he successfully initiated by his lawyers,” Mba said

According to Mba, Ado had an app on his phone that changed his voice to a woman’s voice, which he used to perpetuate the criminal act.

When he was arrested, Ado claimed he was a family friend and was trying to organize a prayer for the soul of the departed. He however could not explain why he had to pretend to be a woman to solicit for assistance. He admitted he did it without the consent of the family.

Among those he contacted so he could swindle were the Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

He told the police that he knew these people very well as he was a politician and they have been talking.

“I am a politician and I have the ambition of being governor of Kano State 2023 insha allah,” he confidently said.