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FEATURES

FEATURES

As part of the ongoing probe of the looting of $6, 230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, has asked the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to place three suspects on Red Notice.

The suspects – Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar and Odoh Eric Ocheme – have been placed under watch-list for arrest anywhere in the world.

The Federal Government had on January 18 charged them to court for offences relating to money laundering, fraud, forgery and conspiracy, among others.


The affected persons were alleged to have forged the signature of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari to steal $6, 230,000 from the CBN.

The notice to the INTERPOL followed an order of Justice I.E. Ekwo, upon a motion ex-parte of January 18th, 2024, for the warrants of arrest of the suspects.


The Federal Government has also filed a six-count extradition charge against the three suspects.

The suspects were alleged to be on the run.

Obazee made the request in a February 12th, 2024 letter to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in the National Central Bureau of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Abuja.

The letter was in respect of a “request to watch-list and placing on INTERPOL Red Notice on three defendants involved in a case of conspiracy and fraud.”


Signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo, the letter reads:

“Reference is made to the above subject. The Special Investigator, appointed by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Related Entities and other Key Government Business Entities (KGBEs) kindly requests you to place the above-named individuals on INTERPOL RED NOTICE.


“In the course of the Special Investigator’s assignment, Mr. Odoh Eric Ocheme, (a staff member of the CBN) now at large, and the other two accomplices, also now at large, were discovered to have conspired and forged documents in the name of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, with which they stole about US$6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars) in cash, from the coffers of the CBN.

“Consequent upon the above, a charge was filed and warrants of arrest have been issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division presided over by Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2024 B/w: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Adamu Abubakar & 2 Ors for the arrest and production of the defendants named above for their arraignment.

“The data page of Odoh Eric Ocheme’s Nigerian International Passport No. B50082800, duly certified true copies of the warrants and the Order of the Court to that effect are hereby attached.

“The Special Investigator, therefore, prays you to use your good office to request that the defendants be placed on INTERPOL RED NOTICE, with a view to apprehending and repatriating them from any of the INTERPOL member states to which they may have flown.

“While counting on your timely cooperation in this regard, kindly accept the esteemed regards of the Special Investigator, please.”

Justice Ekwo had granted an ex-parte order for the issuance of the warrants for the arrest of the three defendants

The Certified True Copy of the order, which was made available by the Registrar of the court, Mrs. Chioma Chijioke, reads: “Upon the Motion ex-parte dated and filed 18th January 2024 praying for the following Orders:

“An Order of Court issuing Warrants for the Arrest of the defendants/respondents.

“And any further or Order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in

the circumstances.”

The Federal Government filed an extradition charge against the three defendants on January 18 before the same Federal High Court in Abuja Division.

In the case, the Federal Government, through its Prosecuting Counsel, Chief Superintendent of Police Celestine U. Odo, accused the three of conspiring to commit forgery.

It also lined up nine witnesses and 14 exhibits against the defendants

The government said the alleged offence was contrary to paragraph 3(6) and punishable under Section 192)[c] of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.

For using forged documents to take $6,230,000 from the CBN, the government said the suspects would face trial for an offence punishable under Section 1(2)[c] of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.

The suspects are wanted for trial for obtaining property by false pretence, contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1(3) & Section 10 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14 of every year, is just around the corner. February has long been recognised as the month of love as Valentine’s Day is widely observed annually on the 14th of this month. In many countries, people celebrate this occasion to tell their loved ones how they feel through beautiful flowers and gifts.

On the other hand, many Eastern countries choose not to celebrate Valentine’s Day because of different religious beliefs.

Here are the countries that don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day

1. Uzbekistan


Uzbekistan is well known for its long history and diverse culture with Islam as the dominant religion. The country was tolerant of Valentine’s Day celebrations for many years until 2012 when an internal decree that bans the celebration of this holiday was issued by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Enlightenment and the Promotion of Values.


Instead of observing Valentine’s Day, people in Uzbekistan celebrate the birthday of their country’s hero – Babur – a Mughal Emperor. Valentine’s Day is not illegal, but it is strongly discouraged in favour of commemorating Babur.

2. Iran


In recent years, Iranian authorities have aimed to forbid Valentine’s celebrations, calling the holiday a “decadent Western custom” and threatening shops and restaurants with prosecution if they sell Valentine’s Day gifts.

Despite this, numerous restaurants in Tehran have reported been fully booked and many shops have been seen selling teddy bears and chocolates. Because they are defying the law, establishments use lookouts to see if inspectors are on a Valentine’s Day patrol.


3. Malaysia


Malaysia is a federal, constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia, divided by the South China Sea into two regions. The constitution grants freedom of religion, but it is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country, the population of which is approximately 60 percent Muslim. The capital is Kuala Lumpur.


Since 2005, the celebration of Valentine’s Day has been banned. The Malaysian Islamic Development Department blames the holiday for everything from abortion to alcohol and takes the stance that it is a link of negative ills that can invite disaster and moral decay among youth. There is even an annual anti-Valentine’s Day campaign to reinforce the view. Anybody going out and celebrating does so at their own risk, including arrests.

4. Indonesia

No law expressly prohibits the celebration of the day in Indonesia. However, in some areas of the country such as Surabaya and Makassar where people have more radical Muslim views, intimidation tactics or small-scale bans are used while in Bando Aceh, there is an outright ban.


5. Saudi Arabia


In Saudi Arabia, conservative officials strictly impose the ban on the holiday. Selling roses, red products and love-themed cards are banned in advance of February 14. The phenomenon has led to the creation of a black market of Valentine’s day products.


6. Pakistan


Pakistan is another country that has mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. Pakistan has been subject to numerous riots surrounding the celebration of Valentine’s Day. In 2014, two universities in Peshawar and Pakistan clashed with each other’s beliefs over the ideology of Valentine’s Day in the eyes of Islamic Law.

Students threw rocks at one another, which eventually led to gunshots being fired from both sides, injuring three students, according to Wedded Wonderland.


A private citizen petitioned the High Court in Islamabad to have the day banned. Finally, on February 7th, 2018, the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine’s Day celebrations and media coverage, claiming that it was a Western cultural import that contradicted Islamic teachings. Not everyone in Pakistan agrees with this decision, especially university students and flower vendors who did well on Valentine’s Day.

7. India


Owing to its independent revolution from the British empire in 1947, the Indian government refused to advocate Western values and culture.

In 2015, party leader Chandra Prakash Kaushik told The Times of India “We are not against love, but if a couple is in love then they must get married … if they are not certain, they should not belittle love by openly going around together.”

8. Russia


Technically, Russia does celebrate a type of Valentine’s Day, but it is very different from the traditional holiday. On March 8, Russians celebrate International Women’s Day in much the same way that Western cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Gifting each other flowers and chocolate is very common on this day, as is expecting husbands and boyfriends to do all the cooking and cleaning, letting women have a full day of rest.

Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day because of a saint, Russia chooses to celebrate the love for their women, paying tribute to women across the globe and equal rights, according to Wedded Wonderland’s report.

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has given the green light to Air Peace for international flights to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, US.
This decision comes after Air Peace submitted a request to the ministry on January 12, 2024, seeking approval for flights to New York.

In a letter dated February 9, 2024, the ministry, represented by director H.T. Ejibunu, conveyed the approval to Air Peace. The letter, referencing number FMA/ATMD/0186/S.5/X/696, highlighted that the approval aligns with the existing ‘Open Skies’ agreement between Nigeria and the United States.


The letter stated, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 12, 2024, on the above subject and convey the minister’s approval for the designation of Air Peace Limited to operate commercial international flights into and out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States of America.”

Air Peace was advised to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States for necessary documentation before commencing operations. The airline was also instructed to comply with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) 2023 part 18.5.11 and liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fulfill requirements.


Currently, Air Peace operates regional and international flights. Some of the airline’s routes include Cameroon (Douala), Gambia, Ghana (Accra), Liberia (Monrovia), Senegal (Dakar), Sierra Leone, Togo, India, South Africa (Johannesburg), and Cote d’Ivoire and now US.

The Federal Government plans to establish a National Commodity Board to solve the escalating food inflation in the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known on Tuesday at a two-day, high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems and resource mobilization held in Abuja.

Shettima explained that the board would be given the mandate to assess and regulate food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items.


He said the event was an attestation of the government’s efforts at mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring food security for Nigerians.

Shettima noted that food security was one of the eight areas of priority declared by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

This, according to him, led to the declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

He highlighted ongoing policy reforms by the administration to ensure food and water availability and affordability.

“Our solution to the potential food crisis has become immediate, medium, and long-term strategies.

“The short-term strategy entails revitalizing food supply through specific interventions like the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.

“It also entails fostering collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources for efficient farmland irrigation, ensuring year-round food production; and addressing price volatility by establishing a National Commodity Board.

“This board will continually assess and regulate food prices, maintaining a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items.”

He assured that the Tinubu administration was fully investing in the restoration of degraded land.

Gunmen attacked the Senator representing Imo-North senatorial district (Okigwe zone), Senator Patrick Ndubueze, leading to the unfortunate demise of one of his security personnel.

Senator Patrick Ndubueze, affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured his senatorial position after winning the National Assembly elections held on February 25, 2023.

A reliable insider disclosed to the Nation that the assailants invaded the senator’s home in the early hours of Monday, February 12.

The source also noted that despite the senator’s escape without injury, one of his police officers was tragically killed during the attack.

Senator Patrick Ndubueze

He said: “The news of Senator Patrick Ndubueze being attacked is true. They stormed his residence at Umualumoke and killed a policeman working for him.

“They invaded his house, and one of his policemen was gunned down in the process. It could be the same set of hoodlums that also ambushed the Correctional Service in Okigwe and set prisoners free after killing a police inspector and abducting the officer in charge of the centre.”

The source expressed concern over the escalating situation in Okigwe, likening it to a war zone and causing fear among residents, leading many youths to flee to safety.

“Okigwe has become a war zone where no one is saved. We are living in total fear. Most of our youths have run away for fear of being killed. Our security agencies are not doing enough to combat crimes in the state. Yet, there are so many of them (security men) in this area,” he lamented.

Naija News gathered that the spokesperson for the Imo state police command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and announced that the state’s commissioner of police, Aboki Danjuma, has mobilized a tactical team to track down the assailants.

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified the relationship between himself and a lawyer cum politician, Daniel Bwala.

According to Atiku, in a statement released on Tuesday by his media office, and made available to Naija News, Bwala is a former spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation and not his former aide.

The statement noted that “it is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr. Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.”

It added that Bwala served as a spokesperson to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization in the 2023 election, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson was terminated, and Bwala has also moved on.

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, therefore, urged the public/media to stop defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar, but recognize him by his current vocation and alliance.

“Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign.

“Subsequently, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson has terminated, and Bwala has moved on with his career.

“This, therefore, serves as notice to the media and the interested public to desist from defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar.

“We duly urge the public to henceforth recognize, introduce, and define Daniel Bwala by his current vocation and alliance,” the statement noted.

Naija News reports the clarification by Atiku comes amidst the recent fraternization and declaration of support by Bwala for the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bread makers and caterers in Nigeria have disclosed their plans to proceed on a nationwide strike as from February 27, 2024.

This was made known in a statement by the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON).

The National President of AMBCON, Mansur Umar, made this known in a statement read on his behalf by the Kogi State Chairman of the association, Gabriel Adeniyi, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, their decision to go on strike is due to the failure of the federal government to implement the agreement it entered into with the association in 2020.

The association lamented the growing prices of materials used by its members and called for the immediate implementation of financial support palliatives for bakers as promised by the Federal Government as post COVID-19 support programmes for Small and Medium Enterprises for bakers who have lost over 40 per cent of their membership and still counting.

It also called for the suspension of all forms of taxation on the bakery industry for now at the Federal, state and Local Government levels.

The statement by the association said the strike was due to the “multifarious increase in the prices of baking materials such as flour, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, petrol, diesel all occasioned by subsidy removal and forex deregulation.”

It added that, “Multiple taxations from several federal, state, local government agencies fees and levies, hike in business activities in Nigeria are also some of the reasons for the impending strike action.”

The statement noted that, “The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials such as flour, sugar, butter, yeast etc as applicable to other commodities as have recently been done by the federal government and Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders as well as reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.”

Other demands outlined by the association include the development of cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane in Nigeria, and the removal of multiple taxations at all government levels.

AMBCON also called for the setting up of a price control and monitoring committee as allowed by the constitution as amended and other conditions that will strengthen the ease of doing business in the country.

Yetunde Kuti, the wife of Nigerian musician Seun Kuti, has shared the challenges she faced when deciding to marry into the Kuti family.

In an interview with Yourviewtvc, Yetunde reveals her family’s concerns and misconceptions.

The singer’s wife, shared that despite her family’s reservations about her marrying Seun Kuti, she defied their warnings and married the singer.

During the interview, Yetunde disclosed that her family held preconceived notions about her husband based on the polygamous history of Seun’s father, Fela Kuti.

According to her, her relatives warned her that if she married Seun Kuti, she would be just one of his 35 wives, comparing it to Fela Kuti’s marriages.

Despite the warnings, Yetunde emphasized that she chose to challenge societal stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding marriage.


In her words;

I have always had the idea of not wanting to be married, and my family was expecting me not to get married, especially to Seun. I grew up with people whose marriages were not stable and looked at it from their perspective, and I realized that everybody has their own reasons why their marriages didn’t work, and people can’t just continue like that.”

“There’s a sacrifice that one has to make, but some people don’t want to make the sacrifice. My family said my life would end if I married Seun Kuti and that I would just be one of his 35 wives. They said his father married many wives and that he would marry more than him.”

Nigerian singer, Ewaoluwa Olatunji, known as Ewa Cole, has filed a lawsuit against filmmaker Funke Akindele and music executive Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ for alleged copyright infringement of her songs in the film ‘She Must Be Obeyed’, produced by SceneOne Entertainment and co-directed by Akindele and JJC Skillz.

The series, featuring Nancy Isime, Abdulateef Adedimeji, Akah Nnani, Veeiye, Waje, Patience Ozokwo, Rachael Okonkwo, and Mike Ezuronye, streamed on Prime Video.

Through her legal representative Adewale Williams, Ewa Cole claimed ownership of the songs ‘Opoor’ and ‘Bhad Garl’, reproduced without her permission in the series.


The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, also names Tony Ugiagbe (Topage), Waje, Veeiye, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Ltd. (BoomPlay), Amazon Web Services Inc., and Apple Inc. as defendants.

Ewa Cole alleges that ‘Bhad Gyal’ and ‘Opoor’ were reproduced by Waje and Veeiye after Topage, the song producer, informed her of their rejection.

She contended that the songs were used without authorization and without crediting her, constituting copyright infringement.

The suit reads:


“Sometime in June 2021, Our Client was contacted by one Mr Fony a.k.a Tony Age to produce soundtracks for the movie “She Must Be Obeyed” series being produced by Scene One production, Funke Akindele and her crew at that material time. The movie starred several celebrities like Veeiye (as Tito); Waje (as X-cite)}; Shaffy Belfo as Iya Siyanbola, amongst others,” the petition reads.

“Our brief revealed that after writing and recording the two songs, “Bhad Gyal” and “OPOOR” in a music studio with the aid of Mr. Tony a.k.a Tony Age (who was working with the “She Muse Be Obeyed” crew as that time), she handed over the tracks to him with the understanding that Funke Akindele and her crew will reach out to her for payments and recognition.

“After weeks of waiting, Our Client received the sad news that her songs had been rejected and would no longer be deployed in the production of the series only for Our Client to shockingly discover thereafter that she has been lied to and scammed, and that her songs were in fact REPRODUCED by Waje and Veeiye and deployed for the production of the said movie without Our Client’s permission or approval or any credit to her. As a matter of fact, the “Bhad Gyal’ song was mimed by Waje while on stage in the movie, whilst the OPOOR song ran through the background of the entirety of the series.

“The “She Must Be Obeyed” series released in September 2023 and premiered by Amazon Prime Video is now been watched round the globe and generating several revenues for Amazon, Apple Music, BoomPlay, Funke Akindele, and her crew without even the least recognition of Our Client as the author of those songs.”

Ewa Cole is also demanding N300 million in damages for the alleged infringement of her work.

She asked that the court grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further copyrighting, performing, or reproducing her musical works.

She also prayed that the court would order the defendants to share 45 percent of the profits made in the use, performance, reproduction, and distribution of the two songs.

Last modified on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 16:32
Comedian and media personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, has confirmed that he has remarried.
 
He disclosed this in the latest episode of the Offair Show.
 
He, however, did not reveal the identity of his new wife or when the marriage took place.
 
“I am married. My second marriage. My first marriage ended, obviously, it’s everywhere on the internet.
 
“My first marriage didn’t end because I cheated. I’m not going to talk about why it ended because it’s my private life. I’m not going to talk about it,” Nedu said.
 
It would be recalled that the actor’s first marriage ended in 2018 after he accused his ex-wife, Uzoamaka, of paternity fraud.
 
[NaijaTimes]