Olukoyede tasks Nigerians on monitoring of Constituency Projects

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigerians across the country to rise up to the task of monitoring constituency projects being embarked upon by their elected leaders in order to drive positive changes and development in their environments.  He gave the charge in Kano  while speaking at a “One -Day Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Citizens’ Participation In The Implementation Of Constituency Projects In Nigeria” hosted by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies.  According to him, sustainable development can only come when Nigerians take initiatives to interrogate projects being embarked upon by politicians in their respective constituencies. “We must recognize that true and lasting change comes when communities are empowered to hold their leaders accountable, particularly in the monitoring of constituency projects”, he said. Speaking on “Imperatives of Community Driven Anti-Corruption Fight: Enhancing Constituency Project Service Delivery in Nigeria” the EFCC boss took both politicians driving the projects and the people to task. To this end, he highlighted five crucial areas that will enhance accountable project delivery. They are “Community Engagement, Transparency in Funding  and Execution, Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms, Public Access to Information and Partnership with Anti-Corruption Agencies”. “There must be deliberate efforts to involve communities in the identification of their priority projects. This ensures that projects are aligned with actual needs rather than being imposed or politically motivated”,  he said.  He also stressed that constituency project funds must be fully disclosed to the public and the details of the contractors, timelines, and budgets should be made available for community scrutiny. “This will not only promote transparency but also give communities the tools to monitor progress effectively”, he said. He equally stressed. the need for availability of public data on constituency projects in order for communities to have easy access to relevant information to help them make informed decisions about the projects in their areas.  “When communities report discrepancies or suspected cases of corruption, these reports must be promptly investigated. By working together, we can build a feedback loop that ensures prompt action is taken against any corrupt practice”, he said.  Olukoyede explained that corruption remained the bane of development  in all sectors of the economy,   stressing  that it  erodes public trust in government. “Corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and stifles the very projects designed to uplift communities. Across the country, many Nigerians have voiced concerns about constituency projects  that are meant to bring direct benefits to local communities through infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more. Unfortunately, the impact of corruption has, in some cases, hindered the full potential of these initiatives.”

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PDP suspends Dino Melaye 

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended former Senator from the state, Dino Melaye from the party. Melaye was suspended by the PDP exco in Ayetoro Gbede, Ward 1 following his refusal to honour a summon. The Ward exco explained that Melaye was suspended for anti-party activities and alleged misconduct. The resolution to suspend the former Kogi West senator was taken by the Ward party executive committee during a meeting in Aiyetoro/Luagba Ward 1 on Friday to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged anti-party activities against him. It was signed by the Ward Chairman, Abayomi Osamika and Ward Yodson Dayo, Secretary. The resolution sighted by DAILY POST reads: “Senator Dino Melaye’s conduct has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party and his continued membership is no longer tenable. “Therefore, the Ward party exco hereby suspends Dino Melaye from the Peoples Democratic party, effective and immediately. “The suspension is in line with provisions of Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution which empowers the Ward party excos to take disciplinary actions against erring members.”

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Nigeria, a country governed by law, categorically denies any human rights abuse

The Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference on Tuesday in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria. The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation. Ajaero, who probably considers himself above the law, was slated to speak at the same conference where the UK TUC leader attacked Nigeria. His actions, however, have serious consequences, as no one is above the law in Nigeria. Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation.   Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution. We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. In the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office. Mr. Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI. We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation. Besides, the Nigerian Government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens. There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government. While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship. Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC. As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies. It is worth reminding Nigerians and the global community that the federal government recognises that the labour movement exists to protect and defend the interests of its members. What is also worth noting is that Labour, in most cases, only advances ideological positions that fly in the face of economic realities. Many ideological stances of the labour unions in Nigeria in the past have only stunted the economic growth and development of the country and even compromised the material well-being of the workers and the poor people they protect. A case in point was the strong opposition of the NLC and TUC to the sale of Port-Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to Bluestar Consortium, promoted in 2007 by Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Seventeen years after the labour movement forced the successor government of Umar Yar’ Adua to cancel the sale of the two refineries, none of the four government-owned refineries worked. In the obverse, Mr. Aliko Dangote, one of the promoters of Bluestar, has built the largest single-train refinery in the world. In a twist of fate, the same Labour Movement that fiercely opposed Dangote from taking over the two refineries in 2007 hailed him on completing his 650,000-bpd refinery in Lagos. The administration of President Tinubu will continue to promote the best economic interest of Nigerians despite the current challenges. It will also continue to pursue policies and programmes that will expand national economic output and create prosperity for our citizens. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy)

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Oil theft: IGP Squad busts illegal refinery, arrests four suspects 

The operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) have once again made a significant breakthrough in the continuous fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and economic sabotage. This milestone achievement was marked after the operatives, in collaboration with the department of operations, Rivers State Command, on 12th September 2024, made discovery of a storage facility in Trans Amadi, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, used in dealing and processing illegally acquired Crude oil.  This operation had led to the arrest of four (4) suspects namely; Emmanuel Nwachi ‘m’ 58 years; Adamu Bala ‘m’ 35years; Nura Musa ‘m’ 22 years; Bashir Abubakar ‘m’ 28 years, and the recovery of 40,000 Litres of petroleum products, stored in 67 white storage tanks. The team however destroyed the site and recovered the equipment and machines used in committing these crimes. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM., has reemphasized the commitment of the Force to tackling every form of crime, criminality and corruption, extending to those involved in this economic sabotage. The Force remains unyielding and will continue to bring these perpetrators to book. 

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Nigerians stranded in Marrakesh, FG frowns at Air Maroc 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) has frowned the treatment melted to Nigerian passengers by the Authorities of Air Maroc in Marrakesh.  In a post on his X handle, the Minister claimed the passengers whom are mostly Nigerians are being subjected to sleep on the floor at the airport.  His words; “I have just been informed of the inhuman treatment some Nigerians have been subjected to by ROYAL AIR MAROC @RAM_Maroc in Marrakesh, Morocco.  “My information is that the flight took off from Casablanca and was headed for Abuja, but had to make an emergency landing in Marrakesh for some technical reason(s).  “However, the passengers, majority of whom are Nigerians, have been left without care at the terminal and without food and decent shelter, with women and children sleeping on the floor! Whilst I call on ROYAL AIR MAROC @RAM_Maroc to immediately remedy this situation. “I have directed the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA to immediately engage ROYAL AIR MAROC NIGERIA @royalairmarocng to bring immediate relief to these Nigerians.” Air Maroc are yet to make official statement on the development as at press time. 

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Wanted ‘drug baron’ behind 4 cocaine shipments to S’Arabia, Qatar arrested

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have taken into custody a wanted drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu (a.k.a Barryshine) two years after coming under the radar of the anti-narcotics Agency. Suleiman who is the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd came under the Agency’s watchlist over his alleged role in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos between 2022 and 2024. His name first featured on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger on Qatar airlines flight to Saudi Arabia, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was arrested at the MMIA in possession of 400 grams of cocaine, which was concealed inside female footwears. Investigation later revealed that one Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, who is a brother to Suleiman hired the arrested drug courier. Further facts  emerged that the flight tickets and other travel expenses of the suspect were sourced by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu. A few days after the  arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga was also arrested on November 24, 2022, with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in male footwears while going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia. The suspect, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga confessed that one Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan (a.k.a Teacher) who was later arrested and convicted by the court, hired him for Suleiman. Lawal further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan linked him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through investigation as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye (a.k.a Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje and Ejeoto) While investigation of the two cases subsisted and the manhunt for the baron was ongoing, two drug mules were arrested at the MMIA on June 21, 2024 on their way to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects who was later identified as Aikhomoun Daniel (a.k.a Oladapo Olanrewaju) expelled in observation custody a total of 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022kg, which he ingested, while the second suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji excreted 60 wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 662 grams. Further investigation later revealed that the two arrested couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji were recruited by the same Igbono  who works for the baron and featured in 2022 during the arrest of Ajesegiri Kehinde Sidika and Lawal Lateef Oyenuga. Financial investigation conducted by the Agency also linked the baron Suleiman to the arrested suspects and two of his associates who recruit traffickers for him: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both currently at large. As a result, the Agency blocked the bank accounts linked to members of the cartel after which Suleiman was eventually taken into custody on August 26, 2024 for further investigation. In his statements, Suleiman claimed he is into property development and hotel management while he lives in Lagos and Paris, France. He also stated that he runs another business that deals in cloths with his wife at Balogun market, Lagos Island, adding that his regular visits to Saudi Arabia was to perform lesser hajj. He said he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land). Already, some properties traced to Suleiman include: two houses at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta and his Barryshine hotel at 95 Freeman street, Yaba, Lagos. Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos has granted an application by the NDLEA for the extension of the detention of the drug kingpin Suleiman for 30 days and to declare his two associates: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both currently at large, wanted. Ruling on the motion ex-parte in suit number: FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu said “an order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.ka ‘Igbono’, ‘Murphy’, ‘Femi Iwaya’, ‘Ade Iwaya’, ‘Baba Eje’, ‘Ejeoto’ wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Barryshine).” The judge also ruled that “an order is hereby made declaring one Olarenwaju Ramon Abdulahi wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in the drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Baryshine) with respect to the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika who was arrested at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in foot wears.” Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for the painstaking two years investigation that culminated in the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual arrest of the kingpin behind the cartel. He said this demonstrates that the long arm of the law will always get whoever is involved in the criminal trade no matter how long it takes.

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Beckham attends Eriksson’s funeral in Sweden

The funeral of Sven-Göran Eriksson, the first foreign manager to coach the England national team, was held on Friday in the small Swedish town of Torsby where he grew up before embarking on an illustrious career at the pinnacle of European football. A soft-spoken but determined coach, Eriksson guided teams in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, winning major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job in 2001, managing stars such as David Beckham, who was among the attendees at the service. Eriksson announced in January that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and spent much of the following months reconnecting with many of the places and people central to his career before he died last month. He fulfilled his dream of managing Liverpool, after leading the club in a charity legends game against Ajax at Anfield in March. The funeral took place in Torsby, a rural town of less than 5,000 people near the border with Norway, and was attended by several hundred people inside the church. Some 200 seats in the neo-Gothic church from 1898 were reserved for his family, friends and players from his career in the football world, according to his agent. The remaining seats were open for the public, according to Eriksson’s wish Others followed the service on a big screen set up outside and the funeral was given blanket coverage by Swedish media. The wooden coffin was wheeled in by pallbearers at the church Friday morning. Next to the casket was a photo of Eriksson on a small table. The floral wreaths included ones sent by FIFA and Lazio, the Italian team that Eriksson led to the Serie A title in 2000. Others attending the funeral included the Swedish coach’s longtime partner Nancy Dell’Olio. Tributes flowed in from prime ministers, clubs and former players following the news of his death while national teams including England and Sweden played with black arm bands during the the September international break. Eriksson, known in Sweden simply as “Svennis,” led England to the 2002 and 2006 World Cup quarterfinals, and to the 2004 European Championship, managing a golden generation of players that besides Beckham included stars such as Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. He began building his international reputation when he guided Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup in 1982 and went on to win silverware as coach of Portugal’s Benfica and Italian clubs Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria. Unable to end England’s trophy drought, he left the helm of the national side in 2006, going on to coach Manchester City and Leicester City as well as Mexico and Ivory Coast and clubs in China and Philippines.

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Pyrates frown at bullying innocent Nigerians by security agencies 

The National Association of Seadogs, NAS, (Pyrates Confraternity), has unequivocally condemned the actions of security agencies that trample upon fundamental human rights and undermine Nigeria’s democratic values. NAS, in a statement by its Capoon, Dr Joseph Oteri, expressed concerned that in the face of Nigerians’ current economic challenges and the escalating insecurity gripping the nation, security agencies were adding to the burden by bullying innocent Nigerians. Citing the cases of the recent arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC , Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the charges of terrorism against several anti-high cost of living protesters, the association said it is highly distressing to witness security agencies resorting to bullying innocent citizens under the guise of combating terrorism and related charges. The statement read, “The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) is deeply troubled by the current economic challenges facing Nigerians and the escalating insecurity gripping our nation. “It is evident that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is grappling with many economic issues such as high inflation, foreign exchange rate volatility, low productivity, weak governance, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges not only threaten our growth prospects but also jeopardize stability. “In addition to these pressing economic concerns, insecurity in Nigeria is on the rise. The recent report by SBM Intelligence revealing 7,568 people kidnapped in 1,130 incidents between July 2023 and June 2024 paints a grim picture of the pervasive insecurity plaguing our country. “Amidst these alarming circumstances where Nigerians are already bearing the brunt of economic hardships and living in fear due to escalating insecurity, it is highly distressing to witness security agencies resorting to bullying innocent citizens under the guise of combating terrorism and related charges. “The reports coming to light about #EndBadGovernance protesters facing terrorism charges for exercising their constitutional rights through peaceful protests are deeply concerning. “Furthermore, individuals such as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress being subjected to arbitrary probes without clear justification only fuel this worrying trend. “It is utterly unacceptable that instead of addressing these critical issues affecting our nation, both economically and regarding security, innocent citizens are being targeted unjustly by security agencies.” The NAS Capn said such heavy-handed tactics violate fundamental human rights and erode trust between citizens and those entrusted with ensuring their safety. He added, “The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) unequivocally condemns these actions by security agencies which trample upon basic human rights and undermine democratic values.” Therefore, NAS has called for a thorough investigation of innocent Nigerians being unjustly persecuted. It added that Nigeria’s democracy was built upon principles such as fairness, justice, and equality before the law. It is incumbent on all relevant authorities at federal, state, and local levels to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating violations against Nigerian citizens are held accountable within Nigerian laws and international human rights standards. “We urge all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and media professionals, among others, to collaborate to find lasting solutions that will improve the overall safety and well-being of our fellow compatriots. “It’s time for us all to unite to condemn bullying against innocent Nigerians and give them a voice. “They do not deserve injustices perpetrated on them, especially during this period when many families are struggling due to harsh economic realities coupled with pervasive insecurity across different parts of Nigeria. “We must stand together to ensure that such injustices are not tolerated in our society,” he concluded.

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