The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that following forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature, and the seal of execution were different from the original.
Continuing the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, a forensic analyst has confirmed that the document used to request payment of $6.2 million to foreign election observers was forged.
He also confirmed that the signature were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The two documents, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election tendered in evidence were admitted in evidence by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.
Nigeria is committed to using innovative and digital technology to prevent, identify and manage conflicts of interest, including by assessing and mitigating corruption risks through effective and transparent financial disclosure, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Speaking at the 10th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta in the United States, from December 11 to 15, 2023, Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer said: “As corruption is now aided by the development in technology, we are improving our operations to meet this emerging challenge.”
He said Nigeria has established the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) for increased disclosure of procurement information to all stakeholders in order to ensure improved transparency and accountability, to prevent corruption and enhance active citizen participation for better service delivery and improved ease of doing business.
The Minister said Nigeria has suffered from the damaging effects of corruption, including loss of billions of dollars to foreign havens, stolen and expatriated by corrupt leaders and their foreign accomplices, including multinational companies, adding that the diversion of strategic resources continues to challenge Nigeria’s growth and development.
Saying that Nigeria had taken bold and proactive measures to combat corruption and continued to make significant progress in its efforts to prevent and combat corruption, block leakages, and recover its stolen assets, he stressed that Nigeria is committed to beneficial ownership transparency and has adopted a roadmap for implementation.
The Minister said Nigeria had deployed a holistic Beneficial Ownership Register encompassing all sectors, adding: “The Beneficial Ownership Register is online, searchable, and publicly available at no cost.”
According to him, “We believe that focus must be placed on the opaque shell companies that are seeking to exploit sovereign states for their own financial gains at the expense of the security, health, education, economy and infrastructural development of the developing nations. We reiterate the importance for beneficial ownership information to be publicly available and accessible.”
The Minister argued that asset recovery is the “kernel of the anti- corruption fight” as “criminal convictions without asset return will not dissuade the corrupt or serve as sufficient deterrence.”
He said Nigeria expects the conference to continue to re-emphasize clear, unambiguous and uncomplicated modalities for assets recovery and return since proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows constitute a huge chunk of resources needed for sustainable development.
The Minister stated that Nigeria was not relenting in its efforts at the national level to recover the proceeds of corruption.
He explained that to facilitate the identification and recovery of illicit funds, the government enacted new laws and issued regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022; the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020; among others, to provide sufficient punitive measures and strengthen the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing framework to address gaps in its review.
The Minister reiterated “Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the implementation of our obligations under the convention.”
Chief Government Ekpomupolo and Comrade Chris Isiguzo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to confer a national merit award on the former militant commander in the Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
Chief Chris Isiguzo, Chief Government Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo and Liman Shuaibu
The honour, according to the national leadership of the NUJ, is in recognition of Tomplo’s contributions to the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta and the success recorded in the war against crude oil theft and pipelines vandalism being spareheaded by the ex-commmder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, made these revelations, during a visit to Tompolo at Oporoza Community, Warri South West LGA, Delta State, during the weekend.
He said the formal presentation of the award to Tompolo would take place during the forthcoming annual conference of the association in Abuja, in February.
Isiguzo led some national leaders of the association , including National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman, as well as state and local chapter leaders of NUJ to the meeting.
Isiguzo, while briefing Tompolo and his aides, said in arriving at the decision, the NUJ profiled the activities of the former militia, especially his involvement in the restoration of a lasting peace in the region.
Isiguzo said Tompolo contributed largely to the relative peace in the hitherto war-ravaged oil-rich region.
Chief Government Ekpomupolo and Comrade Chris Isiguzo
Also, Isiguzo hailed Tompolo for his relentless commitment to put an end to the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other sharp practices associated with exploration of crude oil and production as well as transportation of petroleum products.
According to the NUJ president, Tompolo, through the instrumentality of his pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), the nation’s waterways have become a nightmare for criminal elements and economic saboteurs.
Isiguzo recalled some giant strides recorded by TSSL under the leadership of Tompolo in the manhunt for the oil buccaneers and illicit oil barons along the nation’s waterways especially the recent arrest of MT Kali, illegally siphoining crude oil from Pennington Oil field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
Isiguzo admitted that with the patriotic zeal of TSSL in the pursuit of the oil thieves, the nation’s crude oil production was on steady rise, adding that this development “is ultimately pushing the nation on the path of sustainable economic recovery and prosperity.”
Isiguzo said the NUJ aligned with other stakeholders within and outside the country, who have poured ecomiums and accolades on TSSL and its operators for satisfactorily performing its oversight functions over the surveillance and protection of the nation’s economic assets.
He said, “Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the NUJ has profiled your activities and we are impressed by your patriotic zeal to ensure that Nigeria works again by your pursuit of those pilfering the nation’s oil wealth. The NUJ is glad to note that crude oil production is gradually on the rise and we can meet the OPEC quota with ease. With more revenue from additional crude oil production, we can have more money to run our money.”
“The NUJ also acknowledges the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta for which you have played pivotal roles. For these significant contributions you have made towards the nation’s growth and development, the NUJ has decided to honour you with one of our prestigious awards.”
“We are here to formally intimate you about the decision by the NUJ to accord you this well-deserved honour. To demonstrate the seriousness attached to this engagement, I have with me the National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman as well other leaders of the NUJ from the state council and Warri chapter of the association .”
“We seize this opportunity to also formally invite you to the investiture and presentation of the awards during our national conference in Abuja in February,” Isiguzo added.
Responding, Tompolo, who was joined to receive the NUJ delegation by a former member of Bayelsa State House Assembly, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei and his Media Adviser, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, expressed gratitude to the NUJ for the honour accorded.
The ex-militant leader said he was elated that a strategic stakeholders in the Nigeria project such as NUJ has recognised and appreciated his contributions to national development and singled him out for the award.
Tompolo assured the NUJ and Nigerians that the award would spur and trigger him to do more for the country.
Members of the NUJ in the entourage of the national President include the immediate past Chairman of Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, a Senior Journalist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo and Chairman of Warri Correspondent Chapel of NUJ, Mr. Okies Vicky-Okpomor, one of his predecessors and Vanguard’s correspondent, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, ThisDay newspaper Senior Correspondent, Mr. Sylvester Idowu and Mr. Gbenga Ahmed of Independent Television (ITV), Benin-city, among others.
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) has set forth ambitious plans to significantly expand the state’s health insurance scheme, with a goal to extend coverage to one million enrollees within the next 12 months.
The ambition was announced yesterday by the Chairman of the commission’s governing board, Dr Augustine Obidi during the inauguration of new board members in Asaba.
The move comes as part of a broader strategy by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure that all residents of the State can avail themselves of quality medical services.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chairman highlighted the pressing need to broaden the reach of the health insurance scheme, emphasizing the importance of proactive healthcare measures for the overall well-being of the state’s residents.
According to him, ‘’Now that the full complement of the governing board is in place, we must hit the ground running. In subsequent engagements, the roadmap will be unveiled. These include but not limited to;
‘’Exponential increase of enrollee population (We think one million enrollees per year is possible), increased awareness of the scheme, digitization of the commission, redefining the access-to-finance program, registration of all residents, staff motivation, among others’’ he said.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines, the Director General of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, said that in seven years, the state has registered 1.8million enrollees into the scheme making it the highest public health insurance in the country, adding that over 30 percent of the state’s population have been covered.
‘’We need to do more. Our mandate is to ensure that all Deltans are registered in the scheme. In the next one year, we will bring in at least One Million more and that will represent over 40 percent of the state’s population’’ he said.
One of the board members who spoke to journalists after the inauguration, Deacon Okezi Odugala pledged to deploy his wealth of experience in the civil society to deepen sustainable development processes in the state’s contributory health commission.
Members of the governing board of the commission took the oath of office/allegiance administered by the Commission’s director of legal services.
It is quite unfortunate that both people who lost their party tickets and those who failed to install their lackey in elective positions came together to fight a man who God used to give Delta State the best hand that can pilot the affairs of our lives and state for another eight years. The wickedness was so strong that they recruited an ex-Governor from Rivers State to help them to snatch the mandate freely given to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori by deltans at the Supreme Court just to stop Senator Dr Okowa’s popularity.
The gang-up and underhand game to steal Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s mandate was so strong that even his lordships in their admirable wisdom have to keep the public in suspense concerning the exact date for judgement delivery for fear of inducement and intimidation from the forces who are using the name of Mr President.
Mr President being a strong democrat, resisted and refused to influence judgements in favour of his political party despite the irresistible pressure on him by these demons who don’t care if the outcome of the apex court judgement will throw the states into crises of unimaginable proportions. All they are after was to grab power through the backdoor in order to be called godfather.
Dr Okowa is not after the title and honors affiliated to the word godfather, but wants to leave the state in a safer hand; in the hand of a man who will not go after the wives of his subordinates, a man who will not leave governance for globetrotting and pleasure, but a man that will outperform him in every areas of governance and take the state to a greater height.
At the peak of this ungodly scheming to disgrace Dr Okowa by unseating Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the praying spirit fell upon deltans who went to their knees to conquer the battle in the realm of the spirit, this was manifested the day judgement was given all over the state.
What the Bible said in Proverbs 29:2a, (when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice) manifested throughout the length and breath of Delta State on Friday 19th of January, 2023. Despite the hardship in the country, people opened the doors of their bars and restaurants to feed the jubilating crowd because of the sound judgement that not only protected their mandate but also saved lives and properties.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not demonstrated his leadership skills in prudent management of scarce resources but, also being able to save some funds for signature projects across the state. This is happening when some of his colleagues have borrowed hundreds of billions of naira in less than one year in office.
We urge these people to refrain from anything that is capable of causing crises in the state for the benefit of all, we appeal they jettison the thoughts of trying to bring Okowa down, rather come with innovative ideas than will place our state as par with Tokyo and Dubai please.
Senator Dr Okowa is not in competition with anyone, but wants to see Delta State move to an enviable height for the benefit of all deltans.
The Obi and Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom , Uche Irenuma 11 has described the victory of the State Governor , Right Honorable Sheriff Oborewori at the Supreme Court as a re -affirmation of the collective mandate freely given to him by all Deltans in the march 18, 2023 Governorship Election in the State.
Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori
In a Congratulatory Message to Governor Oborewori, on behalf of the good people of Abavo Kingdom, Obi Uche Irenuma 11 described the Apex Court’s affirmation of the Governor’s Election as victory for Democracy and restoration of the People’s confidence in the Judiciary and Electoral Process.
The Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom said it was instructive to note that Governor Oborevwori emerged victorious in all the thirty eight legal suits meant to stop him from being Governor from the lower courts up to the Supreme Court insisting that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is a Child of Grace.
Obi of Abavo
The Abavo Monarch urged the Governor to remain focused in the implementation of the M.O.R.E agenda adding that the Supreme Court Victory should spur the Governor to do more for the greater good of all Deltans. He prayed God to continue to grant the Governor good health, Sound Mind, wisdom and knowledge to pilot the affairs of Delta State in the years ahead..
President of the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance, Oyamendan Oziegbe has called on APC delegates in Edo State to Vote Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Dr. David Imuse
Oziegbe who stated this in a statement after the monthly of the political pressure group in Port Harcourt,Rivers State said it was time to put Edo State on the right track of development with well articulated policies and programmes geared towards liberating the Edo people from the claws of underdevelopment.
“We the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters For Good Governance have decided to throw our weight behind Dr David Imuse based on his enviable track record of service and capacity to deliver,he is a man of destiny,we appeal to the good people of Edo State to support our noble choice”.
“We shall mobilize all sons and daughters within the state and beyond to galvanize support for this great man Dr. David Imuse”.
Dr. David Imuse
According to the President, Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance. “Dr David Imuse had all the qualities required to fly the party’s flag in the 2024 Edo state governorship election and win the election”.
“We have seen from among all the governorship aspirants drumming for the Edo State government House, that Dr. David Imuse had distinguished himself as a man of proven loyalty to the party, a man with competence,capacity,calm temperament and political sagacity to take Edo State to a higher pedestal”.
“With his wealth of experience, we believe that he is proper and fit to govern Edo state. We urge all well meaning APC members in Edo state to use their power to deliver Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer”.
“The time for governmental experiments is over, we need a charismatic leader that will govern Edo state for the good of all Edo people irrespective of religion,ethnicity and political affiliation”.
Oziegbe said “Dr. David Imuse retired as a Director, Nigerian Army Medical Corps. He is a household name that lives among the people. He knows the delineation and peculiarities of Edo state having served as the party chairman and had transversed the state’s 292 wards, a record three times in the last ten years”.
The Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Lawrence Okolie, has congratulated the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, on his victory at the Supreme Court on Friday.
In a statement he personally signed, the astute Lawmaker, who rose to the National Assembly on the platform of Labour Party (LP), described Oborevwori’s victory as a legal vindication that further strengthens the Delta State and the nation’s democratic process.
While urging Deltans to rally behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a stronger and more prosperous Delta., Ngozi Okolie noted that “In every coronation, there is a process. Today, GOD has through the Supreme Court concluded the election of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori as the Governor of Delta State. I pray that GOD will guide and guard him to do his best for Delta State.
“I urge all including those that challenged the victory to support our Governor for the betterment of our dear state. Afterall, what we all seek is the development of our dear state. Congratulations to our Governor, Congratulations to Delta State, Congratulations Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
“This momentous triumph signifies not only a legal vindication but also reinforces the trust and confidence Deltans have placed in the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori”
The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba today, Tuesday 16, January, 2023, granted the motions and prayers filed by Mrs Oghenetejiri Nwafili, wife of unlawful detained Delta Politician and Estate Agent, Mr. Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili, against the Delta State Commissioner of Police for continuously detaining him illegally since July 23, 2023, when he was reportedly arrested at Okpanam, near Asaba by officers of the Anti-Kidnap Squad, a Unit of the Nigeria Police Force serving at the Delta Police Command.
CP Wale Abass
This newspaper gathered that Ben Nwafili, who was a House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East State Constituency in 2019 General Elections, was picked up (for unknown reason) in vicinity near his Okpanam residence on the fateful day while his Toyota Corolla Saloon car and his telephone handsets were taken along with him and enquiries by his wife, Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili, a mother of three and businesswoman subsequently revealed that her husband was taken and detained at the Anti-Kidnap unit of the Delta Police Command.
Federal High Court Asaba
In a Motion on Notice filed by the Nwafilis lawyers, Onyeisi Chiemeke Esq. and Mkenchor Jeffrey Esq. of Onyeisi Chiemeke & Associates, the legal counsels sought the Court’s declaration that the arrest on 23rd July, 2023 of Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili and his continuous detention at the instance of the Commissioner of Police without trial is a violation of his right to fair hearing, dignity to human person, liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by Sections 34, 35, 36, 41 and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 6, 7 and 12 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights and Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili
The Motion on Notice and Prayers were granted by Justice F. A. Olubanjo, of the Federal High Court, Court 1, Asaba, while Nwafili’s lawyers await for the date for hearing of the case.
According to a document by Mrs Oghenetejiri Nwafili (Affidavit in Support of Motion on Notice by Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili’s lawyers) made available to Spade Nigeria News online; several attempts by her to see the husband and ascertain what his offence was, were thwarted by the police.
CP Wale Abass
On 19th September, 2023 she had written a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Asaba urging him to release the husband; a hypertensive and ulcer patient or charge him to court but since then, there had been no response from the Commissioner of Police.
It was gathered that since his arrest and detention six months ago, no charges have been brought against him, neither have the police allowed his family or doctor access to him despite efforts by his wife, Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili to ascertain from the Delta State police authorities what her husband’s offence is.
Nwafili’s legal counsels, in their Suit filed on 2nd of November, 2023 at the Federal High Court, Asaba sought to enforce his fundamental rights by releasing him with immediate effect and also compelling the Commissioner of Police to pay Nwafili the sum of N15million for illegally detaining.
The detainee’s lawyer also sought the Federal High Court’s Order for his immediate release and a further Order restraining the Commissioner of Police or his agents, from harassing , threatening, arresting and detaining Nwafili as such actions constitute a breach of his rights of dignity to human person, liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the afore-mentioned Sections of 35, 36, 41 and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 5, 6,12 and 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap. A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Motion on Notice also sought the Court’s order awarding the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira only) to Nwafili against the Commissioner of Police jointly and severally for the arrest, detention, harassment, torture which are all violation of the detainee’s Fundamental Rights of dignity of person, personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the various aforementioned sections of the Nigerian Constitution and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The lawyers are also seeking Order of the Federal High Court to compel the Commissioner of Police to produce Nwafili on the date of hearing the suit.
In her Affidavit in Support of the Motion on Notice, wife of the detainee Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili among other things, said that her husband who was arrested within the vicinity of their Okpanam residence has been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatments to the point that he has been held incommunicado and it has been extremely difficult to maintain regular contact with him.
She also disclosed that despite her personal petition dated 19th September, 2023, the Commissioner of Police has continued with violation of her husband’s right while the husband’s Toyota Corolla Saloon car and telephones reportedly seized by the police have been with the police till date at the Police Command Headquarters, Asaba.
The businessman also alleged that her husband has been a hypertensive and ulcer patient who has continuously been denied of his orthodox and traditional treatments thereby worsening his health situation with the possible consequence of death if not promptly released or charged to court.
CP Wale Abass
Efforts by Spade Nigeria News Online contacting the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) through phone calls and Whatsapp message for comments on the arrest and illegal detention of Mr. Nwafili, were not successful as DSP Edafe’s phone was not answered as at the time he was called.
The Asagba of Asaba , Professor Chike Edozien has harped on the need for all to work towards the effective development of the City.
Asagba Vocational Training Centre Asaba
The Asagba made the call during the official groundbreaking of Asagba of Asaba Vocational Training centre located at the back of the Federal College Technical Asaba.
The Asagba while delivering his address said he was elated to see his dream of having a vocational training centre coming to reality.
The revered monarch who was represented by the Odogwu of Asaba, Obi Nwanze Oduah said the building of the vocational training centre and adjoining luxury Estate will attract more investors to Asaba as well as solve the issue of housing in the city.
The consultant to the Asagba of Asaba on Land matters and Water front projects, Architect Ofili Mordi in an interview said the citing of the Asagba Vocational training centre was part of decisions reached by the Federal government to ensure that part of the vast area of land allocated for the Federal College Technical Asaba was to create a buffer zone of human habitation and invigorate human activities in that location to ensure that hoodlums do not use the location for their nefarious activities.
Architect Ofili revealed that the Federal government mandated Asaba Esia global services limited to be in charge of the Development of the location and the company partnered with Big C Estate Property.
The Chief Executive Officer of Big C Real Estate and Properties, Ambassador Dr Aforjama Joachim assured that the company would create a luxury estate that would be the talk of all Estate in Asaba and thanked the Asagba of Asaba for finding them worthy to be partner in ensuring that human activities take place in the area.
The ceremony which was attended by the ambassadors of Big C, featured the official launching of the Project.
