Five weeks after the inauguration of two judicial commissions of inquiry to look into the activities of ex-Governor Samuel Ortom while in office, Arewa PUNCH investigations reveal that they are now set to quiz him and his aides.

Our correspondent reports that the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, had on February 26, 2024, inaugurated the two judicial commissions of inquiry to look into the activities of his predecessor, Ortom.

The inaugurated probe panels are the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Income and Expenditure of Benue State Government from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, while the other one is the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies and Markets (both state and local government owned markets), as well as moribund companies from or before May 28, 2015 to May 28, 2023.

The two commissions of Inquiry comprise 16 members with their chairmen drawn from the South-West and North-East.

They are retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo from South-West who will chair the former and Justice Appolos Idi (retd) from Gombe, North-East will preside over the latter commission.

Arewa PUNCH further findings indicate that tongues are already wagging over the cause(s) of the delay in the take-off of the probe panels.

When our correspondent contacted the state Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, on Monday, he dismissed the idea of any possible obstacles that might be hindering the sitting of the panel.

Mnyim assured the residents that the panels would begin to sit from next week.

“There are no obstacles at all. The point is that the panels are waiting to begin sitting after Easter, so by next week, they will commence sitting,” the Attorney General of the state told Arewa PUNCH.

The two judicial commissions of inquiry are, among others, to identify the income of the Benue State Government from May 28, 2023, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

They will also look into the expenditure and utilisation of the Benue State income from 29 of May, 2015, to day 28 of May, 2023.

Also, they are to identify all the Benue State bank accounts and examine the propriety or otherwise of the transactions in the accounts from day 29 of May, 2015 to the day 28 of May, 2023.

Further more, they will identify the various loans taken by the Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and ascertain the appropriateness of the utilisation, interest charge on the loans and the possible abuses thereof.

The probe panels will equally identify the loan(s) given out by the Benue State Government, the alleged waiver, and the possible abuses thereof.

Finally, the panels will identify the special interventions, including but not limited to the Bailout Funds, Paris Club Refunds received by the Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and the application thereof.

Though the immediate past governor, Samuel Ortom, through his media aide, Terver Akase had stated that he was ready to face the panels and also urged all his aides to prepare to appear before the two panels.

The Federal Government and the International Criminal Police Organisation have commenced the process of extraditing a Binance chief, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from detention on March 22.

Security agencies had in February arrested Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, two executives of the crypto-currency firm, Binance Holdings Limited, over alleged money laundering.

They were detained in ‘a safe house’ in Abuja on the order of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Among other charges, the firm and the two executives were arraigned for $35,400,000 money laundering at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

But on Friday, March 22, Anjarwalla escaped from detention and left the country using a Kenyan passport.

On Tuesday, top government sources confirmed to The PUNCH that the process of extraditing the fugitive had begun.

The sources noted that Anjarwalla’s absence would not affect the arraignment of Binance and Tigran and Gambaryan in court on Thursday over a five-count money laundering charge.

“Mr Anjarwalla’s extradition process has begun. The Federal Government is working as did with INTERPOL to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria. He’s a fugitive that escaped from lawful custody, and his other partner is still in custody and would be arraigned on Thursday alongside their company, Binance,” a source noted.

Another source revealed, “It is true that the Federal Government has commenced the process of extraditing Binance’ Anjarwalla in order to bring him back to Nigeria to answer to his money laundering case in court, among others. The arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan in court on Thursday will also aide Anjarwalla’s extradition.”

Meanwhile, a top security source confirmed to our correspondent that the soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla were being grilled by special investigators drawn from the military, Department of State Services, the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Intelligence Agency.

“The soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla have been detained as you know, and they’re still being grilled by special investigators drawn from various security and intelligence agencies and services- the military, DSS, NIA, and the police, all hands are on deck as it is a matter of national security.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC will on Thursday arraign Binance Holdings Limited and two of its senior executives Gambaryan; and Anjarwalla, th fugitive over alleged $35,400,000 money laundering.

The EFCC had on Thursday, March 28, charged Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, Anjarwalla with $35,400,000 money laundering.

The EFCC which has now fully taken over the case from the Office of the National Security Adviser, has also detained Gambaryan, and obtained a court warrant to arrest and extradite Anjarwalla.

Confirming the development to our correspondent on Friday, impeccable sources noted that Anjarwalla would be arraigned in an absentia alongside Binance and Mr Gambaryan who’s now in EFCC custody.

“The detained Binance executive, Gambaryan is now in custody of the EFCC. The NSA has totally handed over the matter to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution. The commission has charged Binance, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla to court for $35,400,000 money laundering, and they’ll be arraigned in court on Thursday, April 4, 2024.” a source noted.

Another source revealed that, “The EFCC is now partnering the International Criminal Police Organisation, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Kenyan government, to effect the arrest and extradition of Mr Anjarwalla, the fugitive who fled from lawful custody in Nigeria.”

Following the takeover of the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities committed by Binance, the EFCC had filed five-count charges bordering on money laundering against the crypto-currency giant and two of its executives, Anjarwalla and Gambaryan.

The court documents obtained by our correspondent revealed that the charges were filed on Thursday, March 28, 2024, before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja division.

The charges read, “That you, Binance Holdings Limited (“aka Binance”) Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla (now at large), between January, 2023 and January, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court carried on specialized business of other financial institution without valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial, Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under section 57(5) of the same Act.

“Count two, that you, Binance Holdings Limited (“aka Binance”) Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla (now at large), between January, 2022 and January, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in business of other financial institution (other than insurance, stock broking and pension fund management) without valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 58(5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

“Count three, that you, Binance Holdings Limited (“aka Binance”) between January, 2022 and January, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court not being an authorized dealer in Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market used your virtual asset services platform to unlawfully negotiate foreign exchange rates in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 29(1) (c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring And Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

“Count four, that you, Binance Holdings Limited (“aka Binance”) Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla (now at large), and other persons at large between January, 2023 and January, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to conceal the origin of the proceeds of your unlawful activities and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 21 (a) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“Count five, that you, Binance Holdings Limited (“aka Binance”) Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla between January, 2023 and December, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court concealed the origin of a cumulative sum of $35,400, 000 (Thirty Five Million, Four Hundred United States Dollars) generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The Federal Government, on Monday last week, contacted the INTERPOL and issued an arrest warrant for the apprehension of Anjarwalla, who escaped from lawful custody.

The PUNCH reported on March 26, 2024 that the accused used a Kenyan passport to escape, while his colleague was still in custody.

According to the report, Anjarwalla, escaped from Abuja through a Middle East airliner.

The office of the NSA had confirmed the escape of Anjarwalla in a statement issued in Abuja on March 26 by the Head of its Strategic Communication, Zakari Mijinyawa, who stated that preliminary investigation showed that the escapee fled Nigeria using a smuggled international passport.

Anjarwalla escaped from ‘a safe house’ where he and his colleague were detained guarded by heavily armed soldiers.

Financial Times had on February 28, 2024, reported that two executives of the company were arrested and detained after they flew into the country as a result of a ban on their website.

On March 12, 2024, the FT reported that the EFCC asked Binance to share data on its 100 top users in Nigeria as well as all transaction history for the past six months.

According to the report, the request is at the centre of negotiations between Binance and Nigeria.

The pump price of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, has dropped from about N1,700/litre which it sold for a few weeks ago, to around N1,350/litre in some locations across the country following the sale of the commodity by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

It was gathered on Tuesday that the $20bn worth refinery started pumping out diesel to the domestic market last Wednesday.

It sold a minimum of one million litres to each registered oil marketer that got the product from the plant since it commenced diesel sale.

Officials of the multi-billion dollar plant and oil dealers confirmed that the product was dispensed to marketers at between N1,225/litre and N1,300/litre depending on the volume of purchase.

This came as it was also gathered that the refinery would start releasing Premium Motor Spirit to the domestic market in May this year.

“They started pumping out diesel to marketers since last week. They also promised to sell aviation fuel soon. Some of my members confirmed this to me after making the purchase,” the National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, told one of our correspondents.

He added, “So some of our marketers have started getting the product, but as an association we have not got the product yet, because we want to get the actual rate that it will be sold to us when we buy in bulk. However, they have started selling diesel because some of our marketers have started buying.

“They are selling at N1,225/litre and the minimum volume they are giving is one million litres per marketer. Also, they assured us that they will release more products, but for now this (diesel) is what they are starting with. So we are expecting them to release PMS anytime from now.”

Maigandi said the move by Dangote would definitely lead to a crash in diesel price, as the commodity rose to a high of about N1,700/litre recently.

“The price of diesel is going to fall because of the release of products from Dangote refinery. In fact, it is already coming down in Lagos,” Maigandi stated.

Another oil marketer, who is the Chief Executive, AF Ralph Oil and Gas Ventures, Dr Ralph Arokoyo, confirmed that the refinery had started the sale of diesel to dealers, adding that the plant started dispensing the product last Wednesday.

Asked if Dangote refinery had started supplying diesel to the market, Arokoyo replied, “Yes they have started. They started diesel sales last Wednesday and they have sold to many marketers including members of IPMAN and MEMAN (Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria), as well as other private registered independent dealers.”

When also asked about the minimum volume being sold to dealers and at what rate, Arokoyo said, “One million litres is the minimum and the rate is okay considering what other major tank farms are selling, which is why people are trooping to the refinery now.

“The price ranges between N1,250/litre and N1,300/litre depending on the volume you are buying. This is good news for Nigerians because in the last few weeks the price of diesel hovered between N1,600 and N1,700/litre.

“But in many locations across the federation, the prices are beginning to drop due to the emergence of products from that refinery and as the products are being dispatched since last Wednesday. Now you can get AGO (diesel) in some stations at N1,400/litre.

“Some are even doing N1,350/litre now and I want to believe that in a couple of weeks to come, we should see more reduction in the price of the product as more products from the plant hit the market and spread very well across the country.”

On whether the company informed dealers when it would start releasing petrol into the market, Arokoyo replied in the affirmative.

“They (Dangote refinery) said it (petrol) will be available between now and May, which is next month. We are optimistic about this, because PMS is largely used by Nigerians,” the oil marketer stated.

A senior official at Dangote refinery confirmed the sale of diesel to marketers, as the source noted that Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, would soon be released to the market.

“The product (diesel) is everywhere and they (marketers) are accessing it with ease. The product has been on sale to marketers since last week and the transactions have been better.

“The price of the product in various locations of the country will come down, and it is already coming down in many parts of Lagos since we started releasing products to marketers,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

The Dangote refinery has faced a series of hurdles as it strives to release refined products into the market after it was officially inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May last year.

Recall that on February 8, 2024, indications emerged that lingering regulatory approvals stalled Dangote Petrochemical Refinery’s plan to release aviation fuel (Jet A1) and diesel for sale in the Nigerian market in January.

The report had stated that weeks after the January 31 timeline set by the management of Africa’s largest refinery to begin sale of its petroleum product in the local market, the refinery was still battling to cross the hurdles of the several layers of regulatory approvals.

It stated that the development came after the refinery began the production of refined petroleum products at the expansive facility.

On January 12, 2024, Dangote refinery announced that it had commenced the production of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and aviation fuel or JetA1.

Aliko Dangote, in a statement issued by his firm at the time, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice towards the actualisation of the project.

Dangote also thanked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NMDPRA and Nigerians for their support and belief in the historic project, as he revealed that the facility would pump out diesel and aviation fuel in January, subject to regulatory approvals.

He said, “We thank President Bola Tinubu for his support and for making our dream come true. This production, as witnessed today, would not have been possible without his visionary leadership and prompt attention to details.

“His intervention at various stages cleared all impediments thereby accelerating the actualisation of the project. We also thank the NNPC, NUPRC and NMDPRA for their support. These organisations have been our dependable partners in this historic journey.

“We also thank Nigerians for their belief and support in this project. We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals.”

The refinery, Africa’s largest with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was built on a peninsula on the outskirts of the commercial capital Lagos.

Nigeria has for years relied on expensive imports for nearly all the fuel it consumes but the $20bn refinery is set to turn it into a net exporter of fuel to other West African countries, in a huge potential shift of power and profit dynamics in the industry.

Meanwhile, the National Vice Chairman of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, also confirmed that Dangote refinery had commenced the sale of diesel to marketers.

However, Fashola said IPMAN had yet to start receiving diesel from the private oil refining company.

“Yes, it is correct (that Dangote has started selling diesel), but not yet to IPMAN. Some marketers are already getting allocation, we are still waiting for our own. We’ve put in our request, and I am very sure that at the appropriate time, they will call us,” Fashola stated.

On the current price of diesel, he said, “In filling stations now, diesel ranges from N1450, N1500 to N1600, depending on the location”.

Fashola noted that Dangote’s diesel would have a positive effect on the price of the product, saying “at least there would be a difference from the imported one”.

While saying there was no financial commitments made yet, he expressed confidence that the independent marketers would fuel from Dangote this month.

“No financial commitments made yet, but we’ve put in our papers to make known our intentions and our requests. When they issue allocation, then we can talk of financial commitments,” he stated.

Meanwhile, a diesel distributor in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Kayode Lawal, said the pump price of diesel is now between N1420 and N1500 as of Tuesday.

Also, an attendant in Badagry Lagos State, Bose Opeyemi, told our correspondent that the product now sells at the rate of N1,395 in some parts of Badagry, Lagos State, while some sell at N1,450.

In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Saheed Babalola, who is a quarry agent, also said he got a litre of AGO at the rate of N1,45O

The foreign exchange (FX) resumed on Tuesday after the Easter holiday with the Naira appreciating to 1,238.3 as Bureau De Change (BDC) operators bought at N1,220 per dollar, cash and transfer to customers at N1,265/$.

The Naira appreciated further to 1,225 per dollar on the parallel market, also known as black market.

This represents 1.99 percent appreciation over N1,280 closed last week.

The Naira strengthened in both the official and parallel market segments following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s move to clear all verified FX backlogs (final tranche of $1.5bn).

The Naira which appreciated by 21.8 percent month-on-month in March 2024 is expected to maintain the trend in April, following the policy measures of the Central Bank.

A report by Afrinvest Securities Limited noted that Naira strengthened 21.8 percent m/m against the base currency

In the parallel market segment, the Naira gained 19.6 percent m/m against the USD to close at N1,300.00/$1.00. Similarly, daily average turnover in the NAFEM segment improved by 8.7 percent m/m to settle at $857.8m (as at 28/03/2024).

Our outlook for April suggests that the naira would trade within similar band as the CBN continues its activities to mop up liquidity and attract more capital.

inflow via increased Open Market Operations (OMO) sales following its decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 bps to 24.75 percent,” analysts at Afrinvest said.

The Nigeria Police has opened up on why the Force cannot arrest crossdressers in Nigeria.

In an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that they cannot be arrested because it is a very tricky situation.

He established that cross-dressing is not yet a punishable offence in Nigeria.

He also stated that even if there might be allegations of people who cross-dress also being a part of the LGBTQ community, there is no specific evidence to back that up, hence they cannot take them to court.

“There are some cases that are always very difficult to prove. I’m not ruling out that we have many of them. Let us be reasonable, you can’t have someone you want to prosecute without having credible evidences against them. I have not read anywhere where crossdressing is an offence in Nigeria.

“Some of them that are into crossdressing, the allegation is that they are into something else. That’s where the problem lies. We need to have enough proof, credible evidence to prove that they are actually into that. All those offences are natural offences in Nigeria and they are punishable under our laws”.

Adejobi’s comment comes at a time when some Nigerians question the moral stance of crossdresser Bobrisky, who was recently named the best female dressed at a movie premier by Eniola Ajao.

No fewer than 15 universities in the United Kingdom have announced plans yo sack some workers and even stop running some courses because of the sharp decline in enrolment by foreign students including Nigerians.

According to a report by University World News, the sharp decline in foreign students enrolment was particularly felt at the postgraduate level.

The development is also connected to the decision by the Uk government to reduce international students, as some concessions given them that level have been whittled down.

Also, there are concerns too that the high cost of living being experienced globally may negatively affect enrolment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.

From the prestigious Russell Group Universities to mid-tier universities and Scottish institutions, the current situation is not sparing most universities.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently introduced a voluntary severance scheme in the face of staff redundancy due to its financial difficulties as a result of a notable decline in international student enrollments, a consequence of post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies.

RGU cited escalating cost pressures and a considerable reduction in public funding as contributing factors.

Gbolahan Olugbemi, a  Deputy Commissioner of Police attached to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID), has allegedly taken his own life in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The body of the DCP, who had served as an aide to former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was reportedly discovered in his apartment with a noose around his neck hanging.

Though, full investigation is yet to be carried out to ascertain the cause of his death, a source told Vanguard that it looks like a su*cide.

The deceased DCP Gbolahan Olugbemi was said to have come home for the Easter celebration and arrived at his residence at Petros Academy Street, Federal Low cost area with no one accompanying him.

The deceased officer whose age is put at 50 plus was the Aide De Camp of late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala during his eleven month tenure from 2006-2007.

 It was gathered that his residence has been cordoned off and sympathizers stood in clusters mourning the tragic end of the gallant officer.

One of his neighbours said, “Sometimes, he came home with police security. In fact l saw him recently driving personally into his beautiful mansion.”

“It’s only him we see around. His family is not usually seen with him.”

The source further disclosed that the man had been battling with depression for quite a long time.

Due to his effective policing, he was was recommended for commendation for his handling of the ENDSARS protests in 2020.

Before his death, Olugbemi had served as Divisional Police Officer in Ilupeju Area Commander in Ajah, and was Personal Assistant to two former Commissioners of Police in Lagos State.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been sworn in as the fifth Senegalese President.

The 44-year-old Faye becomes Senegal’s youngest President.

DAILY POST reports that he took over from Macky Sall on Tuesday, April 2 in an event witnessed by African leaders in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar.

“Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of President of the Republic of Senegal,” Faye said before the gathered officials.

He also vowed to “scrupulously observe the provisions of the Constitution and the laws” and to defend “the integrity of the territory and national independence, and to spare no effort to achieve African unity”.

The formal handover of power with outgoing President Macky Sall will take place at the presidential palace in Dakar.

Napoli might look into the Super Eagles squad, as they look for a replacement for Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen is all but set to leave the Italian champions this summer.

However, the Serie A side are now looking at the 23-year-old’s compatriot, Victor Boniface to replace him.

Boniface, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in just 15 starts.

His impressive displays have seen him win the Rookie of the Month award four times consecutively.

However, he suffered an adductor injury, which has sidelined him for most of the Rückrunde while Leverkusen continued their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.

Italian transfer expert, Niccolò Ceccarini, has shed light on Napoli’s transfer plans, mentioning Boniface among the strikers on their radar.

Ceccarini stated, as reported by Calcio Mercato, “In addition to him, there is also Benjamin Sesko. Also in this case the evaluation is the same as Gimenez, Leverkusen’s Boniface.”

Shade Ladipo, the Nigerian media personality, has found love again — about four years after her split from ex-partner Jide.

The OAP took to her Instagram page to share a video of a surprise proposal from her new lover.

Ladipo expressed her excitement as she walked over the red roses and balloons prepared on her way in.

She also picked up a love card prepared for her in the living room while gushing over her picture with her partner.

Ladipo also displayed her silver-plated engagement ring.

“I said yes again. 2nd time is a charm #MrsA,” she wrote in a terse post.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Susan Ladipo (@shadeladipo)