Ebonyi Gov, Umahi in Trouble Over Involvement in N23bn Diezani Poll Cash

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi

The EFCC has set its searchlight on the trail of the governor of Ebonyi, David Umahi in connection with slush funds collected from for Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, is in trouble with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The commission said last night it had discovered that Umahi collected the sum of N400 million allocated to the PDP in the state to compromise last year’s Presidential poll but he diverted the cash to two of his companies and used it to build two hotels in Port Harcourt and Abakiiki.

The commission has already arrested and questioned many suspects, including bank officials, who have made statements linking the governor and his companies.

EFCC sources said, “This case involving some chieftains of the PDP in Ebonyi State and some companies emanated from the alleged N23,2999,705,000, disbursed by the erstwhile Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke during the 2015 Presidential election out of which N400million was traced to Ebonyi State.

“In the State, Kelechi Igwe (incumbent Deputy Governor ), Fidelis Nwanwko and Ambassador Frank N. Ogbuewu collected the money to prosecute the 2015 general election.

“The duo of Fidelis Nwankwo and Ambassador Frank N. Ogbuewu were invited and they disclosed that they collected the N400million from Fidelity Bank and handed it over to Access Bank on the directive of the then Deputy Governor who is now the incumbent Governor, Engr. David Umahi.

“The Operations Manager of Access Bank Abakaliki was invited and he revealed that the money was paid into the accounts of Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort Ltd and Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd. domiciled in Abakaliki.

“The statement of the accounts of the companies that were analysed disclosed that the sum of three N300million was paid into the account of Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort Ltd and N100 million into the account of Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd and subsequently withdrawn by Chinyere Egwuche.

“The movement of the fund from one account to another and the subsequent cash withdrawal of N300million in tranches of N50million are clear features of money laundering. “The above companies were discovered to have been incorporated by the incumbent Governor of Eonyi State in 1993 and 2011 respectively.

“Consequently, letters of invitation were written to the Managing Directors of the companies where the money was paid but the letters were returned undelivered as the addressees refused to collect them.

“Thereafter, Austin Umahi, Maxwell Umahi, Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo were arrested. Investigation revealed that Chinyere Egwuchu and Mabel Dikibo were the signatories to the account of the companies.

“It was also discovered that one of the suspects, Chinyere withdrew the N300million paid into the account of Osborn La-Palm which, according to her was used to further construction of Osborn La-Palm hotels in Abakaliki, Uburu and Port Harcourt, while the N100million paid into the account of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited was transferred to a certain David Umahi Faith Foundation. They volunteered statement and were released on bail to reliable sureties.

“In furtherance of this investigation, the property belonging to the companies were identified and the Commission’s stickers “Under Investigation” were placed on them. However, legal machineries are being set in motion to seal the companies in case the suspects refused to wholly refund the monies that were fraudulently collected by them.”

"In the meantime, the sum of N90million has been refunded. Investigation is still in progress,” a top EFCC official confirmed.

Source: Vanguard

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Watch Video..Mammoth crowd as Obaseki takes oath of office as Edo governor Benin – The Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin, was filled to capacity as the new Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki took oath of office on Saturday.

Obaseki

The main bowl of the stadium was filled to capacity as well-wishers, associates, friends and family members thronged the stadium to witness the ceremony.

Among the dignitaries, who were at the event, which also marks the end of Adams Oshiomhole’s two terms as governor of the state, was the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Some others were Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Gov. Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar of Bauchi State; Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun; and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ondo, Rotimi Akeredoolu.

Also at the event, were former military Head of State, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and a host of ministers such as that of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Watch Video...

Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party candidate in the Sept. 29 gubernatorial election in Edo State, won the two-way contest with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winning most of the votes.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu of PDP came second in the votes collated and announced by INEC.

After collating the results across the state, INEC said APC won 13 of the state’s 18 local government areas.

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Tight security as new Edo governor, Obaseki, takes oath of office

Governor Elect of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki

Benin – The vicinity in and around the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, where the new Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, will take his oath of office has been put under tight security and heavy surveillance.

Security personnel drawn from the Police, Army, Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been positioned in the area to forestall any unforeseen security breach.

The road leading to the stadium and other adjoining streets within the precinct of the stadium are under heavy surveillance by security personnel.

Although the surrounding area of the stadium is heavily guarded, there is free-flow of traffic to and from the stadium due to the presence of the police and officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission.

Former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, whose government was inaugurated on Nov. 12, 2008, handed over the reign to Obaseki last night at a brief ceremony at the Government House in Benin.

Obaseki, who is of the All Progressives Congress, had on Sept, 28, won the Edo governorship election of Sept. 28 by defeating the People Democratic Party candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

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Drama as Village Chief Priest Runs for His Life After Youths Destroy His Evil Forest in Imo (Photos)

A village chief priest has been given the horror of his life after youths stormed his abode in the forest to destroy it.

Many repentant youths of Umuemeri Uguru Nwenkwo autonomous community in Aboh, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, have destroyed a popular evil forest in their area forcing the chief priest to flee.

This is following months of intense prayers led by Rev, Fr. Kirian which made the youths denounced evil practices and gave their lives to God.

On Tuesday, November 8th, the youth launched a final war against evil in their communities by destroying the evil forests and trees in the community.

A Facebook user and CEO of Silver Sports Media, Owerri, Kennedy Onwunali posted the photos and the story.

According to him, the Chief Priest fled the village after the rampaging youths took over the forest.

See more photos below:

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Nigerian military bomb oil thieves in Niger Delta region...WATCH VIDEO

Screenshots from the air strike in Rivers state.

The Nigerian Air Force has shared a video of air strikes against oil thieves who have reportedly resumed oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

The video of the operation in Rivers state showed the air component of Operation Delta Safe destroying a new set of barges and canoes used by the thieves.

Watch Video...

“In its relentless effort to stop illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed new set of barges and canoes used by oil thieves for conveying stolen petroleum products in Rivers State.

“While on armed patrol over Isaka and Bille towns, Nigerian Air Force helicopter sited and set ablaze 2 illegal oil barges and canoes containing drums filled with stolen products.

“Another set of 2 barges were also destroyed in a similar operation conducted around Kidney Island and Alakiri town on 10 November 2016.

“The latest operations showed that illegal bunkering activities have resumed around Bille and environs.

“Nevertheless, the NAF will not relent in its pursuit to put an end to these acts of economic sabotage by ridding the region of these criminal elements,” the post on Facebook read.

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Lagos tenant tears neighbour’s manhood over toilet bowl

A 41-year-old man, Michael Essien, has reportedly inflicted serious wound on the manhood of his neighbour, 24-year-old Okechukwu Chiagba, in Lagos State over accusation of using a defecation (toilet) bowl, popularly called ‘potty’, without his permission.

The incident occurred on Friday in a ‘face me I face you’ apartment in Shasha, the Egbeda area of the state.

The victim, who narrated the story to the Punch, said: “On Thursday night, my wife went out to use the toilet. We normally use potties. But when she got to where she put her potty, she could not find it, so she came back to ask me but I told her I had not seen it.

“She went outside to look for it and that was when she saw our neighbour (Essien) coming out of the toilet with it.

“My wife came back to report to me. I was preparing to go out and challenge the man for using my wife’s potty when my wife cautioned me not to go.

“She said she would prefer to go and meet the man’s wife and talk to her. I agreed and let the matter go.

“The following morning (Friday), I went to work but when I came back in the night, I saw the potty at my entrance, even though we usually kept it out of sight in a corner of the house.

“When I asked my wife about it, she said she did not know who put it there, so I picked the potty and put it under the staircase where we usually kept it.

“When I was returning it, Essien blocked my way and said I should not put it there again, I asked why and he said because my wife was accusing him of using the plastic.

“I told him that if my wife really accused him, all he needed was to deny or ignore her that he really did not use it.

“I tried to go past him and put the potty there but he pushed me to the ground. We were about to fight when neighbours separated us. I went inside and sat down.

“Later, I went to put on a boxer and sat outside to take fresh air. I was receiving a call when I heard ‘I will surprise you today. I will show you today.’

“I turned around and he rushed at me. We were fighting when he grabbed my manhood and held on to it so tightly that I fell down and fainted.

“I think he did not know that I had actually fainted because I was told he still held on to it even when I had passed out. I learnt that it took three men in the compound to force him to let go.

“I was later told that after Essien let go, my neighbours realised how serious my injuries were as I laid unconscious on the ground, so they quickly revived and rushed me to a hospital where I was stitched up and hooked on a drip.”

Chiagba further explained that he had not been able to walk properly since the incident, adding that he had expended a lot of money on treatment and believed Essien must be made to reimburse the money he spent on his treatment.

But Essien, a Calabar, Cross River State indigene, who has since been arrested by policemen from the Egbeda Police Division, Lagos, said he did not mean to inflict such an injury on Chiagba.

According to the police image maker, Dolapo Badmus, Essien has been charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in the state for battery and assault.

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RCCG pastor's son stabbed to death in Canada

Solomon Odekunle, the 21-year-old student who was stabbed to death by a Burundian in Canada.

– The death of a 21-year-old Nigerian studying in Canada has thrown the family into an unprecedented state of mourning

– The aspiring Economist was reportedly stabbed by a Burundian during a fight with another person over a woman

– Late Solomon’s dad is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, Nigeria and has since traveled to see things for himself

– Police say the suspect has since been arrested and charged with second-degree murder

Solomon Odekunle, a 21-year-old son of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor has been reportedly hacked to death in Ottawa, Canada.

Reports say he was seen stumbling out of Piper’s Bar and Grill, a popular hangout in the capital city with torrential blood flow from his neck.

The young man was later pronounced dead in the hospital after collapsing a few steps away according to eyewitness account given to the police.

The young Nigerian was said to have been stabbed by one Joe Ndikuriyo, a 27-year-old Burundian during a fight over a woman, in what was described as the 17th victim of homicide in Ottawa since the beginning of 2016.

Solomon, The Punch investigations showed, was studying Economics at the University of Ottawa having gained admission in 2012 and when the parents were visited at their Rotimi Williams Estate, Fagba the father had reportedly traveled while the mother who could also not bear the pain, had moved out of the house temporarily.

Deborah, the deceased’s sibling also studying in Canada, was totally broken by her brother’s death as she shared some emotional posts on the social media.

“If I did know it would be your last, I would have given you more than a fist bump. I would have gotten down on my knees and give you the deepest bro-hug.

“If I did know it would be your last, I would have pleaded with the drama leader to allow the rehearsal to linger a little so you and Peter could make us giggle a little more with some frog jump.

“If I did know it would be your last, I would have treasured those great words you shared with me a couple of months ago in the technical department, have them handwritten with the best calligraphic pens, framed and given to you right after doing those frog jumps.

“To the Solomon I saw last week, to the Solomon that finally got his picture taken properly last week, to the Solomon with an intellectual smile and chubby cheeks, to the Solomon his friends described as kind-hearted and meek, see you next,” she wrote.

While also encouraging those attending the wake keep organised in memory of the slain student, Deborah said: “We would be having a memorial service for Solomon in Ottawa Friday evening and it is open to anyone that would like to come. Please, if you make it down, don’t cry because my dad would be there. I also believe that as Christians, we do not mourn, we celebrate life.”

Staff Sgt Bruce Pirt in a report by CBC News, said: “We do have some bloodletting that covered quite an extensive area, we have to make sure it’s all connected to the same incident. As we investigate further, we’ll be able to tighten up that scene and make it smaller and smaller.”

Meanwhile, the suspect who was recently served a two-week jail term for possession of weapons, has since been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

In another development, the story of the gruesome stabbing which led to the eventual death of Damilola Taylor in the U.K is set to be told via a movie to be premiered by the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC.

The film titled Damilola, Our Loved Boy will be shown next week Monday, November 7 at 8:30pm on BBC One.

Recall that Damilola Taylor was killed on November 27, 2000 less than two weeks to his 11th birthday. He was stabbed by two brothers Danny and Ricky Preddie (who later admitted that they wanted his coat) on his way home from a computer class. He later bled to death in a stairwell.

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Nigerian man who has 97 wives speaks up

Masaba Bello

One of the most extraordinary octogenarians living anywhere in the world today is Alhaji Pa Bello Abubakar Masaba, the man with 97 wives and over 190 children.

The man, who is said to preside over a 5,000 strong household in Bida, Nigeria, is an Islamic scholar and faith healer. In 2008, the man was detained for weeks for not following the sharia law of marrying not more than four wives.

He was ordered to divorce about 82 of his wives, leaving him with just four (at that time because he later married more), as prescribed by Islam. He refused. The case dragged into an Abuja High Court, where he was released after the testimony of 57 of the wives that they married him willingly.

Nigerian man has 97 wives

In an interview with a foreign newspaper, Masaba disclosed how he continues to write his name into the Guinness Book of Records, as Nigeria’s most prolific man, by marrying even more wives every time he sees a new ‘Miss Right’.

When asked how Masaba satisfies his women sexually, the octogenarian said his sexual power is from God. ”In his wisdom, God has given me the power and strength to give them the sexual portion they need. If I didn’t satisfy them, they would leave,” he said.

Recently, there were rumours that the 87-year-old ‘spectacular’ polygamist died after a brief illness. Vanguard contacted him and he dismissed the rumours of his death, saying “I am still alive, bubbling in good health.”

Masaba, who dismissed the rumour on phone yesterday, described the rumour as a deliberate act by his detractors to bury him while still alive. He said:

“My dear, I am still alive, hale and hearty. At least, you can hear me speak and certainly, a dead person cannot speak. The rumour is baseless and can best be described as the work of my detractors because they envy what God has done and what He is still doing for me.

I am seated outside of my house and I am speaking with you live in Bida without any problem with my health. What I am doing is divine. It is an assignment and I will keep doing it till the end.”

Wow!

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Donald Trump’s victory pushes his fierce critic, Warren Buffet, to second richest in the world

Warren Buffett

The victory of President-elect Donald Trump, has pushed one of his fiercest critics, Warren Buffett, to the second spot on the world’s rich list.

According to Bloomberg, Buffett added $5.8 billion to his fortune this week, leading gains for the world’s wealthiest as he leapt over Spain’s Amancio Ortega and Amazon.com Inc. founder, Jeff Bezos, to reclaim the number two spot.

In campaigning for Hillary Clinton, Buffet said: “How in the world can you stand up to a couple of parents who lost a son and talk about sacrificing because you were building a bunch of buildings?”

“Trump and his family have sacrificed nothing; building buildings is not sacrifice. I ask Donald Trump: ‘Have you no sense of decency, sir?’”

Clinton and Buffet

Buffett gained some billions as shares in Wells Fargo & Co. soared 13 percent in the two days after the election on perception that a Republican administration would bring less regulation.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., owned by Buffet holds a 10 percent stake in the San Francisco-based lender.

Carlos Slim, Mexico’s wealthiest person, saw his fortune fall by $5.4 billion as the peso fell to a record 20.78 per dollar. Ortega, founder of clothing retailer Zara, lost $2.5 billion and fell to the number three spot after Buffett.

Bill Gates remains the world’s richest person, with an increase of $180 million, bringing his total fortune to $87.1 billion.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook chief executive officer,  lost $1.6 billion of net worth while Amazon’s CEO Bezos was down by $3.9 billion.

Billionaire donors to the two campaigns overwhelmingly favoured Clinton, with 17 members of the Bloomberg index giving $21.1 million to her campaign.

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Trump includes sons, Ivanka’s husband in transition committee

Donald Trump, Jr, Eric Trump, Ivanka, and Jared Kushner, her husband, are among members of the transition committee of the billionaire businessman.

All the three children have roles in the Trump Organisation, according to the company’s website.

Ivanka is the executive vice-president of development and acquisitions, charged with domestic and global expansion of the company’s real estate interests.

Donald is an executive vice-president, and works to expand the company’s real estate, retail, commercial, hotel and golf interests nationally and internationally, while Eric is executive vice-president of development and acquisitions, responsible for new project acquisition.

During the campaign, the incoming president deflected questions about how he will handle conflicts of interest as president by saying his children would run his companies in a “blind trust”.

An observer pointed out that this would not really be a blind trust because the director of a blind trust is supposed to be independent of the trust’s ultimate owner.

Some advisers and donors who supported Trump’s campaign, and Pam Bondi, Florida’s attorney-general who was richly compensated after dropping a lawsuit against Trump University, is also in the team headed by Mike Pence, vice-president-elect .

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