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EFCC arraigns REA Director for alleged N223.4m fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Mr. Sulieman Garba Bulkwang before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja for fraud. He is being prosecuted on a five-count charge, bordering on criminal diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N223,412,909 (Two Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine Kobo). Count one of his charge reads “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG, while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did counsel one Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze, the Managing Director of Cees Assist Resources and Brainstask Value Resources (consultants to REA) to transfer the sum of N138,123,969 (One Hundred and Thirty eight Million, One Hundred Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira) out of the sum of N279,330,000.00 (Two Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) paid to the consultants by REA, when you knew that the said sun of N138,123,969.000000 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.” Count two reads “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) sometime in July, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly converted the sum of N45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Milion Naira) being part of the money cumulatively paid to the bank accounts of Dammy Gold Programme Ltd, World Class Business, Green Haven Company And De-Sam Rose – Base Ltd by consultants to REA when you know that the said sum of N45,000.000 .00 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) (b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” He pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges after they were read to him and in the absence of defence counsel, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional center. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till February 3, 2024 for the defendant’s bail application and ordered that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center.

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Edo Governor, Okpebholo suspends recruitment into cicvil service

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension of recruitment into the State’s civil service until further notice. The Governor has also ordered for a comprehensive review of all recruitment exercises carried out by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration between May-November 2024. In a communication notice signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor on Friday, the Governor accused heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitment exercises into the State’s civil service. The notice read: “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo is in receipt of report of the clandestine activities being perpetuated by some Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government in the State. “Preliminary investigation reveals that these bodies have continued to issue back dated letters of employment to their cronies without due process. “For the avoidance of doubt, this Administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes. “In light of the foregoing and in order to arrest this ugly trend, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has directed the immediate suspension of all employment processes as well as the review of all appointments carried out since May, 2024 by Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government. “Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to note and comply with the above directive.”

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Enugu to host 23rd National Sports Festival

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The National Sports Commission (NSC), after its top management meeting, has announced Enugu State as the host of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival. The Coal City State emerged top from a competitive bidding process and the state is set to deliver a world-class event. The National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to celebrate sportsmanship, national unity and sporting excellence. Before Enugu State takes center stage, the 22nd edition of the festival is set to hold in January 2025 in Ogun State, with the Gateway State buzzing with pomp and pageantry, as the Games draw closer. Honourable Bukola Olopade, the former chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and current NSC Director General, revealed that the Gateway Games will host over 15,000 athletes. He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to supporting Ogun State in delivering a premium tournament. With Enugu’s selection for the 23rd edition, the festival promises to uphold its legacy of excellence, inclusivity, and showcasing the best of Nigerian sports talent, while unearthing talents good enough to fly the flag of the nation internationally. This marks the first time the South-Eastern State will be staging the event since its inception in 1973. The 21st edition of the Games was hosted by Asaba, Delta State, with over 11,000 athletes participating in the grand tournament. With Ogun State billed to host the next edition of the games in January next year, it also marks the first time the host of the subsequent Games is known before the end of the current Festival. This development will give Enugu State enough time to prepare adequately for the games and will also enhances the Corporate image of the Festival.

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13th Women AFCON: Super Falcons to know group stage opponents on Friday

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Nine-time champions Nigeria will know their opponents for the group phase of next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations competition when the draw is conducted at the Technic Centre of the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Sale, outside Rabat, Morocco on Friday evening. The field of 12 finalist-teams will be framed into three groups of four teams each, with the top two teams in each group, as well as the best two third-placed teams in the three groups, advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition scheduled for Morocco. Of the 12 previous tournaments held since Nigeria hosted the inaugural in 1998, the Super Falcons have been victorious nine times, with Equatorial Guinea winning twice and South Africa sweeping to victory in the last edition, also hosted by Morocco in July 2022. All the four top-placed teams in that last edition are also in the field of 12 this time, viz Cup holders South Africa, hosts Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria. Also qualified are Ghana, Algeria, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Senegal, Tanzania and Mali. The 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place 5th – 26th July 2025.

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Finnish Police arrests Simon Ekpa

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Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has reportedly been arrested on Thursday, by Finnish authorities on . The district court of Päijät-Häme subsequently ordered his imprisonment for allegedly spreading terrorist propaganda on social media. According to reports, the alleged offence was committed in 2021 in Lahti municipality, Finland. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the arrest, adding that four other men were also detained in connection with suspected terrorist offences.

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Army brutality: COAS orders probe into viral video

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The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered an immediate investigation of a video showing the brutality of civilians.  In a statement signed by Director Army Public Relations, Major General, Onyema Nwachukwu on Tuesday, the COAS craved to unravel the true circumstances surrounding the altercation.  “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media platforms, purportedly showing a senior Army officer and 2 other soldiers in an altercation with a man and woman within the Abuja metropolis. “The circumstances leading to this incident are not clear at the moment.  “The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  “Therefore, we urge the public to be rest assured that due diligence will be applied to reach a logical conclusion on this matter,” the statement read. 

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Okpebholo suspends Market Unions, Associations in Edo

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The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has suspended all Market Unions and Associations in  the State with immediate effect. The Governor has also ordered the Police and other security agencies to arrest defaulting leaders of the various suspended Unions and Associations without any delay. The decision of the Governor was contained in a communication notice issued by the Secretary to State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, and dated 19th November 2024. The Governor said the decision was informed by the disturbing activities of market Unions in the State. He said reports abound that the Executives of the Unions and Associations either out rightly prevent farmers from disposing off their wares directly to consumers at the markets or arbitrarily fix prices of staple food at the detriment of the low income earners in the State. The statement read: “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to the disturbing activities of market Unions in the State. Reports abound that the Executives of these Unions either out rightly prevent farmers from disposing off their wares directly to consumers at the markets or arbitrarily fix prices of these staple food at the detriment of the low income earners and generally, the citizens of the State. “Their actions have ultimately led to an astronomical rise in the prices of staple food in the State, thereby making life unbearable for the common Edo man. “Edo State Government views this action with serious concern and considers it extortionist in nature which should not be allowed to thrive. “While Edo State Government appreciates the role of market traders and their contribution to the economy of our dear State, it will not however serve as justification to allow a few individuals under the guise of Market Unions Executives and for their selfish reasons, continue to hold the entire State to ransom through their selfish and extortionist activities. “Following from the foregoing, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension of the activities of all Market Unions in Edo State with immediate effect. “Security Agents have been put on alert, and any person or group who decides to flout this directive would be held accountable.”

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