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Anti Corruption Group Hails Removal Of SGF, NIA Boss

Anti Corruption Group Hails Removal Of SGF, NIA Boss

Follow @NigeriaPI An anti-corruption group has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari over the removal of Babachir Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Ayo Oke as Head, National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The Chairman of the group, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Mr Debo Adeniran gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos. According to him, the development will further boost the anti-corruption fight. NAN reports that the President had in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina on Monday announced the sack of the officials. It would be recalled that Lawal had been suspended in April over alleged violation of due process in the award of contracts while Oke was suspended over the discovery of huge sum of foreign and local currencies in a Lagos apartment allegedly owned by the NIA. Adesina said the sacking of the two officials was based on the recommendations of an investigative panel set up by the Federal Government, headed by Vice -President Yemi Osinbajo with Mr Boss Mustapha named new SGF. Adeniran said the removal of the officials would give the right signal that the present administration was serious about its anti-graft fight. He added that the development would also serve as deterrent to people who think they were too powerful to be caught by the anti-corruption web. “We are extremely delighted at the sacking of these two officials as it would send the right signal about the seriousness of the anti-graft fight. “It will no doubt serve as deterrent to impunity...
$43.4m: EFCC resumes probe of Osborne Towers’ cash

$43.4m: EFCC resumes probe of Osborne Towers’ cash

Follow @NigeriaPI The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has resumed probe into the $43.4million cash recovered at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos linked to ex-Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke, for which NIA laid claim. President Muhammadu Buhari, had stated that the nation’s security and anti-corruption agencies were free to probe sacked Secretary to the Government of the Federation, BabachirLawal, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke. EFCC had reportedly received the report of the Presidential Investigative Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on interrogation of some suspects. It was learnt that more suspects from the NIA are to be invited for interrogation by the anti-graft agency in respect to that. According to the Nation, a top source in the anti-graft agency, who spoke under anonymity said: “On Tuesday, we resumed the ongoing probe of the $43.4million, 27,000 pounds and N23.2million recovered on April 12, 2017 from the seventh floor of a four-bedroom apartment at Osborne Towers located on 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. “We have shortlisted more suspects for interrogation and we are likely to pick them up any moment from now. Some of the suspects are NIA men including those in the Finance Unit. “Don’t forget that the then Acting President approved the redeployment of NIA’s Director of Finance and some officials in the Finance Unit as part of the ongoing review of the finances of the agency.”‎ “The detectives are being led by the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, who has reconvened the team handling the investigation. “Some of the detectives might still visit...
Steer clear from Ogun politics, GNI tells ‘moneybags’

Steer clear from Ogun politics, GNI tells ‘moneybags’

Follow @NigeriaPI As political actors are warming up ahead of the 2019 general election, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun in 2015, Gboyega Isiaka, has warned political money bags to steer clear from the next gubernatorial race. This is just as he declared that the 2019 governorship contest in Ogun State would not be for the highest bidder or expansion of personal political fiefdoms. Rather, the gubernatorial race, he sad, would be based on ideas and ideals capable of transforming the lives of the electorate. Isiaka spoke in Abeokuta, on Tuesday, at a public dialogue and empowerment programme of The Believe Movement (TBM), held at the pavilion of Ake Palace. He, however, admonished the electorate to reject inducements while exercising their voting rights in the next general elections. GNI, as he is otherwise known, disclosed he will take another shot at the governorship seat in 2019, expressed confidence to take over the mantle of leadership of the state from the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. “Let me state without equivocation that I am in the 2019 governorship race and more determined this time around to contest and win convincingly,” Isiaka failed to clinch the number one seat in 2011 and 2015, boasted. He, therefore, called on people to be wary of rumour mongers as the 2019 politicking intensifies, insisting that he would continue to build strategic relationships and networks for the ultimate realisation to make life more abundant for the people. GNI, further, noted that the failure to make proper choice in the nation’s electoral process had led to a situation where the political...
DSS produces Dasuki in court for Metuh’s trial

DSS produces Dasuki in court for Metuh’s trial

Follow @NigeriaPI The Department of State Service, DSS, has finally produced detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, before the Federal High Court in Abuja to testify in the ongoing trial of erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh. Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki Trial Justice Okon Abang had on October 23, issued subpoena compelling the ex-NSA to appear and give evidence in trial of the former PDP spokesman who is answering to a seven-count corruption charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his company, Destra Investment Ltd. Justice Abang equally summoned Former President Goodluck Jonathan who was also discribed as a vital and crucial witness in the matter. Meanwhile, since the subpoena was issued, neither Jonathan nor Dasuki has appeared before the matter. Whereas the court bailiff had yet to serve the subpoena on Jonathan, failure by the DSS to produce Dasuki yesterday led to the defence lawyers urging Justice Abang to issue a warrant of arrest against its Director General, Mr. Lawal Daura. Meanwhile, Dasuki has gone before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to quash the summon for him to testify in the trial. Justice Abang will this morning rule on whether or not he should hands-off the case pending the decision of the appellate court. More details...
Driver kidnaps boss’ brother, girlfriend over loan request

Driver kidnaps boss’ brother, girlfriend over loan request

Follow @NigeriaPI The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the driver of a hotel operator on Victoria Island, William Olowoloju, for allegedly kidnapping his boss’ younger brother and the victim’s girlfriend. Olowoloju and three others –Ayo Akinola, Segun Teluwo and one Akindamola – reportedly kidnapped the victims, Dumebi Azuka and Rebecca Omokoro, on Elegba Festival Drive, Oniru Private Estate, Victoria Island, at about 11.30pm on Saturday, October 21. The lovers were driving out of the estate in a Ford Jeep when the abductors reportedly waylaid them at gunpoint and tied them up. They were said to have driven the victims to their hideout in Agodo Alara village, Ogijo, Ogun State, and demanded N20m ransom from the hotelier, Edwin Azuka. It was learnt that after the case was reported to the police, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad trailed the suspects to the den. The Acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Edgal Imohimi, who paraded the suspects on Tuesday, said the victims were rescued unhurt. He said, “Apart from the Jeep with number plate, LND 995 ES, one locally-made gun, a battle knife and four Automated Teller Machine cards, among others, were recovered from them. “The suspects will soon be charged to court on completion of investigation.” Also paraded were 50 suspected cult members, armed robbers, and drug peddlers arrested in the Ikorodu, Oshodi and Lagos Island areas of the state. “The command once again appeals to the people of Lagos to be vigilant to make the state safe and secure. Whenever you see something, say something,” Imohimi added. Speaking with our correspondent, Olowoloju, who hails from Ekiti State, said...