EFCC to Investigate Halliburton Case as More Witness Testifies Against Ex-Chair PDP

Anti-Graft War: Sagay Charges EFCC to Be Resolute

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to relent in carrying out its mandate of ridding the country of economic and financial crimes.

Sagay, who led some members of the committee to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, on April 7, 2016 also stressed the pivotal role the anti-graft agency has to play in winning the war against corruption.

“The common interest of Nigerians is at stake, because corruption affects everyone, and we have the same objective, therefore you can rely on us to give you support in all ramifications,” he said.

While commending the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, for rejuvenating the activities of the anti-graft agency, Sagay noted that there was still much more to be done.

“The energy you have brought in to the activities of the EFCC since your assumption of office has encouraged us, and we want you to continue to do more,” he said.

Re-echoing the views of Sagay, the committee’s secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, stressed the importance of securing convictions in cases involving high profile individuals.

“We commend you for your efforts, but there is need to further enhance the good work you are doing by securing convictions in high profile cases,” he said.

Reassuring the committee of the Commission’s resolve not to relent in its efforts, Magu, used the opportunity to intimate the committee of some of the reforms he has initiated.

“We are restructuring the operations aspect of the Commission and weeding out the bad eggs,” he said. “We are also carrying the anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots.”

He added that the efforts of the agency were yielding results, noting that the EFCC was determined to get to the root of major corruption cases in the country, including the Halliburton case.

“We are getting back the confidence we have been lacking,” he said.

He further told the committee that the Commission was facing a major problem with regards to accommodation, and there was a need to have an Academy equipped to international standards.

Other members of the committee at the meeting include Prof. Sadiq Isa Radda, Prof. E. Alemika, Prof. Femi Odekunle, Ona Peters, Ola Olukayode, and Olusegun Odesina.

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How Ex-PDP Chair, Haliru, Son Got N300m - Witness

 

Stella George, a witness, in the ongoing trial of Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today told Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja that, there was an inflow N300million (three hundred million naira) from the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA, to the account of BAM Projects and Properties Limited, owned by the accused.

 

George, a banker with Sterling Bank, while being led in evidence today by counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, stated that, on March 18, 2015 a sum of N137, 200,000 ( one hundred and thirty seven million, two hundred thousand naira) was  transferred to Kumu Golo Limited and another transfer of N178,800,000 (one hundred and seventy eight million, eight hundred thousand naira) was made to North  Polo Global Services same day.

 

According to her, the Certified True Copies (CTC) of account opening package, mandate card and statement of account from January 2015 to date of BAM Projects and Property Limited, as well as copies of instruments used for inflow and outflow from the account were all made available to EFCC on request.

 

Under cross examination by the defence counsel, Solomon Umoh, SAN, George said that, although she was obliged to know her customers especially the account owner but, she did not know anything about the companies who received the money under reference.

 

The former PDP chief is being prosecuted alongside his son, Bello Abba Mohammed, on a 4-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 

It would be recalled that, the first prosecution witness (PW1) Rouqayya Ibrahim, an operative of the Commission, had in his evidence on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 stated that a payment of N300m was made in two tranches to the accused company’s account of BAM Projects and Properties Limited from the funds meant for the procurement of arms through the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA.

 

 

The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2016 for continuation of trial.

 

PROPERTYBANK, TRUSTBOND MORTGAGE LAUNCH RENT ACTUATION FOR HOME SEEKERS

 

PropertyBank, a leading real estate marketing brand, has launched an innovative rent product solution, "Rent Actuation" specially created for home seekers who cannot afford their rent at the moment.

This innovation is packaged under a working agreement between PropertyBank and TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc., which offers 80 per cent to rent a house at any location in Lagos and Abuja.

PropertyBank is an online real estate marketing platform with a arrays of properties covering residential, commercial, industrial properties, warehouses, and plots of land.   

Rent seekers who are currently unable to afford their choice of properties can now live in their choice houses by contacting PropertyBank for options of houses selectable from the platform while TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc. will provide funding.

Under the product, the subscriber will contribute 10 per cent minimum equity contribution with no collateral. One year rent is repayable within 6 to 9 months while two years rent is repayable within 12 to 18 months. The disbursement of funds is subject to meeting terms and conditions of TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc.

According to a senior official of PropertyBank, “Trust Bond’ is our mortgage banker with a National mortgage banking license with offices in Lagos and Abuja. Their presence in these cities gives residents the opportunity to access rent loan for properties provided by PropertyBank."

PropertyBank, owned by Property Vault Limited offers an online tool that guides home-buyers through the process of owning a home, and renting an apartment. The platform owners have weeded out fraudulent acts as they intend to finalize the offer, negotiates with the listing agent and coordinates closing.

"With www.propertybankng.com you can search for your perfect home to buy or rent by area, price and property type; call, chat or mail our agents for further information, clarity and enquiries as well as schedule visit time to see desired properties,"

 According to the Chief Executive Officer, Property Vault Limited, Mr. Andy Morkah, "the goal of the Rent Actuation plan is to empower consumers with the most thorough information in the market and bring them in direct contact with the agents. 

"At PropertyBank, we help you find your perfect property. Our listings aim at providing you with as much information as possible and an in-depth insight on each property. Our Agents are well equipped and they have the direct mandate for each property straight from the owners, bringing greater efficiency to the Nigerian real estate market. Searching for properties and full acquisition have been made easier, transactions can now be concluded in a maximum of 48hours."

Mr. Morkah explained that the online brokerage firm has signed-on properties from developers and direct brief agents within Lagos and Abuja and have generated more than 7,000 properties in the portal. "Our competitive edge is our in-depth service delivery, as well as our team of seasoned professionals united by a firm resolve to deliver decent housing to Nigerians,” he said.

EFCC Arraigns NAMA MD, Four Others for Alleged N6.9bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, April 7, 2016 arraigned five staff of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) before Justice Kuewumi Babs of the Federal High Court Lagos on 21- count charge of conspiracy, forgery and money laundering.

The accused persons are Ibrahim Abdulsalam, managing director of the agency; Nnamdi Udoh, former managing director (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, general manager, procurement;  Agbolade Segun, general manager, finance; Clara Aliche, director finance;  Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Limited and Multeng Travels and Tours Limited.

The accused persons are alleged to have conspired and stole the sum of N6, 922,676,815 (Six Billion, Nine Hundred and Twenty Two Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifteen Naira ) from NAMA.

Troubles began for the accused persons after the Commission received a petition accusing some management staff of NAMA of engaging in acts of grand corruption. A team of Operatives were assigned to investigate the matter where it was discovered that the accused persons allegedly stole the said monies through fictitious procurement contracts, fictitious container clearing and fraudulent cash advances.

One of the charge reads that: "you, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Nnamdi Udoh (still at large) Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Limited and Multeng Travels and Tours Limited, on or about the 19th day of August, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this  Honourable Court, with intent to defraud conspired amongst yourselves to induce the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 (Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Naira) to Delosa Limited, Air Sea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedules Systems Limited under the pretense that the said sum represented the cost of clearing consignments belonging to the said Agency and you thereby committed an offence 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”.

When the charge was read to them, the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court for a trial date and to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

However counsel for the first accused person O. Oshoogun pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application. All other defence counsel aligned themselves with Oshoogun in urging the court to remand their clients in the custody of the Commission.

In his response, Oyedepo told the court that the proper place to remand accused persons was prison custody. He further added that the detention facility of the Commission was overstretched.

Justice Babs upheld the submission of the prosecution and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody while adjourning the matter to April 12, 2016 for hearing of bail applications.

Shareholders Applaud Zenith Bank Management, Approve N57bn Dividend

The shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have commended the Board of Directors for an impressive financial year ended December 31, 2015, as they approved a total dividend of N56.5 billion for the period.

The Shareholders Group said despite the challenges in the environment and the harsh economy witnessed in the country, the bank posted an impressive result.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders association of Nigeria, Mr. Sunny Nwosu, said the bank had done well in 2015 by giving shareholders dividend.

He encouraged the management to maintain its good corporate governance principles, which he said had positively impacted on the bank’s profitability.
Reviewing the 2015 financial year, the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia said: “The bank has remains committed to delivering superior returns to our shareholders as we declared an interim dividend of 25 kobo per share and a final dividend of N1.55, bringing the total dividend for the period to N180 as against N175 per share paid the previous year.”

He noted that owing to a number of domestic and external factors, 2015 was a very challenging year for operators in the banking industry.

For the bank, total deposits was N2.33 trillion for the year ended December 31, 2015,  representing an increase of 3 per cent over the previous year's figure of N2.27 trillion. Also profit after tax rose by 6.8 per cent from N92.48 billion in 2014 to N98.78 billion.

Gross earnings similarly grew by 6.6 per cent from N372.01 billion in year 2014 to N396.65 billion in 2015.

For the group, the performance indices were no less impressive. The Profit after tax jumped by 6.2 per cent from N99.45 billion to N105.66 billion while group total asset rose by 6.7 per cent, from N3.67 trillion to N4.01 trillion in 2015, while customers' deposits grew marginally by 0.8 per cent during the same period, from N2.54 trillion to N2.56 trillion. 

Group shareholders fund grew by 7.5 per cent, from N552.64 billion in 2014 to N594.35 billion and gross earnings similarly grew by 7.2 per cent, from N403.34 billion in 2014 to N432.53 billion in 2015, the financial report also showed.

Ovia, however said, in the face of a very challenging operating environment, Zenith Bank has maintained its culture of outstanding performance and industry leadership.

“As a bank, we are monitoring developments both in the domestic and global economy and applying pragmatism and dynamism, as appropriate,” he said.

Also the Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo, added that the bank would continue to build a strong portfolio which is an important disposition for an effective and efficient model, saying this is expected to further impact business options in line with extant dynamics and influence prospects open to the bank.

 Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Peter Amangbo and Executive Director, Adaora Umeoji at the bank’s 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Civic Centre, Lagos on Wednesday.

Linda Ikeji Replies Wizkid..... Read Details

Linda Ikeji Replies Wizkid, Says He Bought His Porsche On Hired Purchase

FUEL SCARCITY, HOW SUDDENLY HAS YOUR GOVERNMENT SEEMINGLY NOSEDIVED:Being an open letter to Mr. President by the Edo Forum of Patriots.

President Muhammadu Buhari,

President Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Villa Abuja.

Dear Sir,

FUEL SCARCITY, HOW SUDDENLY HAS YOUR GOVERNMENT SEEMINGLY NOSEDIVED:
Being an open letter to Mr.  President by the Edo Forum of Patriots.

10 SIGNS TO KNOW THAT YOUR FRIEND IS A LESBIAN

So, if you want to know if someone is a lesbian, what are 10 lesbian signs to look for? Some lesbians are very open about their sexual orientation, but others do not wish it to be known and are really good at covering up their lesbian signs.

Landlord Set To Kick Wizkid Out Of His Rented Lekki House, Served Quit Notice

Apparently Wizkid is not quite the Lagos landlord that we thought he was. LIB reports that the pop star was served with a  quit notice from his Lekki phase 1 home yesterday April 1st.

According to LIB, the “Pakurumo” crooner’s eviction notice was received by his ‘reps’, his rent is said to have expired since January this year.

Meet The Daughter Of Jamaican Reggae Star Who’s Now A Queen In OsunState

Chanel Chin, daughter of Jamaican reggae star, Ludlow Chin also known as Bobo Zaro is the new queen of Iwo Kingdom following her marriage to King Adbul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi.

Nigeria Army Denies Protest By Soldiers

RE: ANGRY SOLDIERS BLOCK, RELEASE GOC OVER FOOD, WATER SHORTAGE 
The attention of the Nigerian Army was drawn to a news story on the online page of Daily Trust newspaper titled “Angry soldiers Block, Release GOC Over Food, Water Shortage” written  by Shehu Abubakar. 

While acknowledging that indeed troops that captured the strategic forest of Alagarno,  experienced some logistics problem  that include water shortage, due to some unforeseen circumstances which is normal in war situation, it is not true that the troops behaved in  the manner he stated. If Alagarno is truly inaccessible, how did the gallant troops rout out the Boko Haram terrorists in the forest? The concoction of this story and the release of yet another video by some remnants of Boko Haram terrorists  could be more than mere coincidence. Therefore, one begin to wonder what is the motive behind such false story by the reporter.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Brigadier General VO Ezugwu indeed visited the troops and also supplied water to them. The GOC did not leave the troops as insinuated. Rather, the troops hailed the GOC for his passion and empathic disposition towards the soldiers. As a matter of fact, he actively participated in clearance operations along Bulablin - Alargano axis with the troops and was with them in their defensive location throughout. 

Consequently, the Nigerian Army wishes to request the retraction of this story by the paper and also enjoin reporters to always cross check their facts before filing their stories. They should also understand that  misinformation by Boko Haram terrorists and their sympathizers greatly assist their evil activities.

The public is urged to disregard the story and continue to support the Nigerian Army in the  fight to end terrorism and insurgency in our beloved country. 
You are kindly requested to disseminate this rejoinder to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind cooperation. 

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman 
Acting Director, Army Public Relations