by Admin | Sep 29, 2016 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI A Ponzi scheme by definition is a version of a fraud that rewards early investors with massive returns from the cash invested by newer investors. Ponzi schemes typically do not have an underlying asset or enterprise upon which the investment is built; rather cash payout is sustained from the investment of investors who come in later. In this article, we will provide tips on how you can determine if a scheme is a Ponzi scheme or not. The returns are astronomic One of the most notable elements of a Ponzi scheme is that the returns investors get are astronomically high. A typical Ponzi scheme pays early investors as high as 20 per cent monthly in returns. Based on this, perpetrators of a Ponzi scheme promise early investors very high returns in the hope that the early investors will spread the “good news” thereby inviting more contributors to the scheme. Once new contributors join the scheme, their money will now be used to pay out high returns to older investors. Of course, investors/contributors to the scheme really do not care so far as they continue to get their returns along with the capital. Returns are consistently high and steady It’s almost impossible to see a business that promises to guarantee the same return, come rain or sunshine. When someone tells you he will pay you 20 or 30 per cent return monthly consistently and doesn’t break that promise, that should start to give you a cause for concern. It’s a bit ironic as no one expects not to be paid a return when they invest. But there are...
by Admin | Sep 29, 2016 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI A Bureau De Change operator, Murtala Abubakar, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not confirm the source of the $4m cash given him at the Presidential Villa by a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa. Abubakar said this on Tuesday when he appeared as a witness before a Federal High Court in Lagos where Dudafa is being prosecuted for money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Standing trial on 23 counts with Dudafa is Joseph Iwejuo. The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged concealment, retention of proceeds of crime and failure to give information to the anti-graft agency. The witness, Abubakar, had on Monday told the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, that Dudafa gave him cash sums running into N1.6bn through five companies. At the resumed trial on Tuesday when he was being cross-examined by Dudafa’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, Abubakar told the court that he had no reason to think that the cash sums given to him by Dudafa to change were from an illegal source. Asked by Oyewole if the transactions he did with Dudafa were illegal, Abubakar said, “My Bureau De Change is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. I ensure the people I deal with are not criminals. My transactions with Dudafa were not in contravention of any CBN rules. If we know money is from a question source, we reject it.” Abubakar added that he had no reason to question the source of the currencies that Dudafa gave him. “I know that he is a...
by Admin | Sep 23, 2016 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI Experts say companies with inexperienced managers often perform below expectation because they are unable to use good business strategies. They also point out that a proper understanding of business management techniques will prevent premature failure of start-ups. According to them, goal-setting and other fundamental business management skills can assist in decision making. They add that not all business management skills can be acquired in the classroom because most are learnt on the job. In order to build a sustainable business, there are management techniques that are indispensable. Monitor and measure performance Every business manager must make it a habit to monitor cash flow, especially when large amounts are involved. Though not all managers are accountants, they need to have a basic knowledge of accounting in order to identify loopholes. A business consultant, Mr. Caleb Makinde, suggests regular audits of a company’s finances and comparing them to the past financial statements in order to predict future expenses, revenue and cash flow. “In other departments as well, all employees’ performance should be benchmarked and incentives such as training can be provided where there are knowledge gaps,” he adds. Employ professionals for important tasks Business owner- managers often do not have all the skills needed for business operations, as such, they need people who have a track record of experience to work with them. Makinde says sometimes it is advisable to outsource some tasks that are crucial to the success of the business. He adds that it is important for experts in the areas of tax planning, procurement, quality control, accounting among others to work with budding entrepreneurs. Manage your...
by Admin | Sep 23, 2016 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI A former Governor of Adamawa state, Mr. James Bala Ngilari, was on Thursday granted bail by Justice Nathan Musa of the Adamawa State High Court, Yola, in the sum of N1m and a surety with a property in Yola who must provide a court affidavit of means to that effect. Ngilari was remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission custody on September 21 following his arraignment on 19 charges bordering on alleged rigging of procurement process in the award of contract worth N167m. The court has adjourned till October 10 for commencement of trial. Ngilari is being tried alongside his former Secretary to State Government and his Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Ibrahim Welye and Sanda Lamurde respectively. Ngilari is the third former governor of Adamawa State to be charged for fraud after two former governors of the state, Murtala Nyako and Umaru Fintiri, who have been arraigned by the EFCC for alleged fraud. The EFCC had charged Ngilari for violation of procurement laws in the award of contract of N167m to one El-Yadi Motors Limited for supply of 24 units of Toyota Corolla vehicles. Source:...
by Admin | Sep 23, 2016 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, under the chairmanship of Dr. Philip Tachin, has allegedly awarded contracts worth N7bn without due process. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the board chairman, in conjunction with key officials of the board, had awarded the multi-million naira contracts to cronies and friends without going through tenders and due process. It was also gathered that in the last three months, they hurriedly awarded contracts worth the amount mainly to politicians, their friends and associates without going through the necessary processes. According to investigations, it was alleged that in the awards of these contracts, 70 per cent was paid upfront while 30 per cent was for kick-back after the projects had been inflated above the norm. “Though they are doing everything possible to cover the illegal and shady deal but many people who are aware of what is going on are not happy with the whole deal. This is despite the zero tolerance of Governor Ortom-led administration for corruption”, a source said. Another source said the whole thing was being covered. He said, “They are doing everything secretly so that the governor may not know because if he knows, they are in big trouble.” Meanwhile, two cashiers of the SUBEB, Paul Mella (Cashier 2) and Jacob Agera (Cashier 1) have been arrested by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja, for hoarding financial information concerning the board. When contacted, the SUBEB Chairman, Tachin, said the two financial officers of the board were actually arrested and taken to Abuja for questioning. He said, “The police officers from Abuja came...
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