A security guard at Greater Scholars International School, Lekki, identified only as Mr David, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly raping a four-year-old pupil of the school.
A viral tweet posted by a Tweep, Omolomo @TheVawulence, alleged that the pupil was raped by the guard, beaten and warned not to inform anyone.
The child, however, told her father.
The Tweep alleged that the pupil’s father was threatened by thugs when he reported the case to the police at the Ajiwe Police Station.
Efforts to speak with the child’s parents were abortive, as her father promised to call back but he had yet to fulfil the promise as of press time.
The Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the suspect was in custody and a medical test had been conducted on the pupil.
He said, “The suspect would be transferred to our gender unit headquarters on Monday morning.”
In an earlier tweet, Hudeyin wrote, “The suspect has been arrested and is still in custody. A medical report that would ensure a conviction is expected. We don’t pander to emotions but deal with evidence to prove issues beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency, in a statement on Twitter, said the pupil had been referred for medical and psychosocial support.
It read, “Alleged defilement of a four-year-old by a security guard at Greater Scholars Int’l School on May 3rd, 2023; we received a report of this case though our toll-free line and acted promptly by referring the child for medical and psychosocial support.
“We also alerted the Ajiwe FSU Police Division for investigation. The suspect is currently in police custody. The case would be transferred to Gender, Lagos State Police Command before it is charged to court on Monday. We will continue to provide you with updates as the case progresses.”
Several calls to the phone number listed on the school’s Instagram page to confirm the claims yielded no result.
Two of the numbers rang out, while the third one was picked by a hostile male who claimed that the number was a private line and could not have been posted on the school’s page.
Truecaller revealed the owner of the line as Promise.
Reluctantly he said, “This is my private number and not an official line and cannot be used for any official communication. I do not know where you got this number.
“This is Greater Scholars High School that you are calling. I do not have any four-year-olds at the high school. The youngest person at the high school is 10 years.”
Calls to other numbers listed on the school’s Instagram page were unanswered and an enquiry sent to the email address was yet to be replied to as of press time.
A request from Promise for the contact of the administrator for the primary school was abortive. He stated that they do not work on the weekends.
He added, “The case is with the police. The security agencies are on the matter.”
The Osun State Police Command has told residents of the state to check the state command headquarters at Osogbo for their missing goats following the recovery of 15 goats from two inter-state livestock robbers.
Police operatives on Wednesday arrested the two suspects while they were making attempts to move the animals to Lagos.
The suspects, Naheem Ibrahim, 46; and Suraju Isiaka, 33; were arrested by the Safer Highway Patrol team working along Odeomu/Sekona Road.
A statement by the police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said the suspects were heading to Lagos in a Lexus SUV with the animals stolen across Osun State when they were intercepted by the policemen.
Opalola said, “Today, May 10, 2023, around 3.10am, police team from Safer Highway Patrol along Odeomu-Sekona axis, arrested the above-named suspects in possession of 14 live goats and one dead goat (she-goat).
“Upon interrogation, they confessed to having stolen the goats from different locations in Osogbo, Ikirun and lla-Orangun to be sold to one lya Bisola at Mile-12, Lagos State. More so, the suspects confessed to have been operating in Osun State since 2019.”
She said the suspects confessed that their time of operation was between 8pm and 10pm before night guards at various locations reported for duty, adding that the goats were usually sold between N5,000 and N10,000.
In an update on the incident contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson on Saturday, the police urged residents of Osogbo, Ikirun, Obagun, Iree, Eripa, Otan-Ayegbaju and Ila, the communities where the goats were believed to have been stolen from between 9th and 10th May, to report at the command headquarters in Osogbo with proof of ownership.
The statement read in parts, “This is to inform the general public, especially the residents of Osogbo, Ikirun, Obagun, Iree, Eripa, Otan-Ayegbaju and Ila, whose goats are missing between 9th and 10th May, 2023, to report/come to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Police Command Headquarters, Osogbo, for possible identification and collection.
Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has cautioned the church and society at large against mounting unnecessary pressure on public office holders, particularly in terms of financial commitments.
He said the fight against corruption would be easier to win if the church and society lessen inancial pressures on government officials.
Soludo spoke on Saturday at the first Session Of 13th Synod Of Anglican Diocese Of Awka at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church Agulu, Anaocha Council Area of the state themed, “Running the Christian Race: Implications For The Family In Perilous Times” attended by over 30 Archbishop and Bishops.
He said part of his administration’s code of conduct included banning public donations by government functionaries.
According to him: “For the church, if we must fight corruption, we must lesson the incredible pressure on those holding public offices.
“You can imagine someone whose salary is #300,000, making a pledge of N2million to the church because he wants to please the crowd, where do you want him to get it from? Of course he must have to steal to pay.
“That’s one of the things we’re trying to address by entrenching as part of our code of conduct not making public our donation. You can’t say you were pressured by the priest.”
Describing the church as critical partner and most important civil society group, the Governor commended the church her support to his government, calling for its sustenance.
Some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC are currently meeting with former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George.
The APC leaders, currently in a closed door meeting with George, are leader of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership of the party in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Though the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, Vanguard was reliably informed that the APC leaders are seeking George’s support for the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as he assumes power on May 29.
It was also gathered that the APC leaders are mounting pressure on George to cease further media attacks on Tinubu.
Again, Labour Party’s faction leader Apapa warns Peter Obi against disrupting Tinubu’s May 29 inauguration
AdminTHE Alhaji Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party has called for an investigation into Peter Obi and other individuals who are allegedly working to prevent the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP faction, Abayomi Arabambi, made this known to journalists in Abuja yesterday.
His statement came amidst the growing tension and uncertainty surrounding Tinubu’s inauguration.
Some opposition figures have called for a boycott of the event, while others have filed lawsuits to stop the ceremony.
However, Arabambi said Obi and others who are trying to stop Tinubu’s inauguration are engaging in activities that are anti-democratic and should be held accountable.
He said, “If anyone calls for an interim administration, including Peter Obi, they should be arrested by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba-Alkali.
“Nobody is above the law. You cannot seek to plunge Nigeria into war and also say you want to rule that country.
“We, in the Labour Party, are saying a capital ‘NO’ to such an evil call by Peter Obi that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should not be sworn in come May 29.
“Henceforth, anyone calling for the establishment of an interim administration and threatening fire and brimstone and conducting themselves in a way that is likely to cause a breach of peace should be arrested.”
Arabambi also criticized the LP’s legal team for failing to brief the faction on the petition related to the alleged attempts to stop Tinubu’s inauguration.
According to him, the Apapa-led Laboir Party cannot continue to rely on lawyers who are not committed to their cause and who do not share their values.
“I also want to allay the fear of Nigerians, the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led Labour Party is not interested in withdrawing any matter from the presidential election petitions tribunal, but as the National Chairman (Apapa) confirmed, he has a right to know what is going on with the petition.
“If the Party’s legal team at the tribunal in Abuja fails to honour our ultimatum and brief us on the petition within 48 hours, we will appoint new lawyers to take over the case,” Arabambi said.
Nevertheless, Arabambi reiterated that the LP faction led by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa is committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that the will of the people is respected.
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to support the incoming administration and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the country.
Nigerian Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has reacted to the order given by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for his arrest over an assault on a police officer.
Kuti in a video being circulated on the internet on Saturday, was captured manhandling a police officer.
THE WHISTLER reports that the police chief on Saturday asked the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to effect his arrest.
But reacting, Kuti in an Instagram post noted that the police officer in question had apologised over an alleged attempt to murder him and his family.
Kuti said, “He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose his job.
“I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, has ordered the arrest of Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti over an assault on a police officer.
Kuti was captured on a short video manhandling a uniformed police officer along an expressway in Lagos State.
The police chief on Saturday asked the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to effect his arrest.
The Lagos Police Command in a series of tweets by its spokesperson Ben Hundeyin read partly:
“The IGP has equally ordered a IGP Orders Arrest Of Seun Kuti Over Police Assault.
“The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
“IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crispeedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
“IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”
Says ‘It Is Like Calling For Anarchy’
The President, National Patriotic Elders’ Forum of Nigeria, Dr Bature AbdulAziz has described those calling for the suspension of swearing-in of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as ignorant of the law.
AbdulAziz told journalists in Kano on Sunday that the renewed calls for the suspension of swearing-in of the president-elect could destabilise the country.
He said: “Some people are ignorantly talking about the swearing-in of the president-elect in spite of the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution and the laws.
“The matter is in court and clearly explained by the law.
“Calling for the suspension of the swearing-In of the president-elect beyond May 29 is like calling for anarchy because Nigeria would be without government, and become a norman land.
“I am worried that some people are hellbent in causing uncertainties in the country for reason best known to them.
“Why are you calling for the suspension of the swearing-in, what you are asking for has no position in the law”.
He said the law permitted the president-elect and any governor-elect to proceed with the swearing-in while the case is still in court.
As May 29 swearing-in of declared winners of the 2023 general elections draws nearer, some Nigerians claim the new Electoral Law is flawed by allowing the inauguration of winners whose victories are being contested in courts.
A few also blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for ‘deliberately’ working against its own guidelines. According to them, the myriads of election litigations in the aftermath of the general elections are orchestrated by INEC’s compromises during the polls.
Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie, a civil rights activist, told our correspondent on Saturday that, “Election that was held on February 25th, and hearing starting on 8th May is just a waste of two months.
“Our constitution or whatever stipulates six months’ hearing of election cases should have made the election to take place more than six months before the handover. This will ensure the case is ended before handover.
“Our country is full of avoidable obstacles which we put there to ensure that things never work well. We see things working well without stress as a taboo, and that is very unfortunate. It is the same in everything done in Nigeria, and it our cause of backwardness as a country.”
Publicity secretary, Labour Party, Enugu State, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ohabuenyi Ezike, stated that, “Not concluding electoral litigations before swearing in winners whose victories are being contested is promotion of corruption, injustice and rape of democratic principles because as we have witnessed in this country, people who didn’t win elections here have lasted in political offices they didn’t win for years because of this worthless Act or policy.
“I belong to the class of Nigerians who prefer that the whole legal electoral processes are concluded before the swearing-in of the elected persons into office.”
Osmond Onuh, an author and political scientist, said, “Nigeria’s 2023 general elections have come and gone. The battle ground has now shifted to the judiciary where the legal fireworks have commenced.
“But personally, I am not comfortable with the six months’ timeline it will take court to decide election matters in Nigeria. I, like many other Nigerians, are of the view that election matters supposed to have been concluded before the swearing-in of any elected official whose position is being contested. The general notion is that the judiciary would be compromised once the person you are deliberating against is the person paying you.
“The general belief was that the Electoral Act 2018, as amended, would take care of this, but unfortunately, it was not so. Being in court with someone who controls all the levers of power is tantamount to fighting a man with AK 47 with a bare hand.
“We are aware of how the electorate trooped out en masse to cast their votes in numbers, believing that the BVAS will be the game-changer in 2023, but it wasn’t so. If INEC could be compromised when the person was just a contestant, is it now that the person holds the political power that you will get fair justice?”
Recall that Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, told THE WHISTLER in Enugu on Friday that, “It’s a constitutional aberration not to swear in INEC-declared winners in the 2023 elections on May 29”, describing it as ‘perplexing’.
Ikpeazu’s view is contrary to that of Nigeria’s foremost constitutional lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.
Ejimakor told our correspondent that, “If the result declared by INEC does not accord with the Electoral Act, it then follows that such result does not, ipso facto, accord with the Constitution, because the Electoral Act is a product of (and subservient to) the Constitution – the grundnorm. The river never flows backwards. Thus, any repugnancy in the Electoral Act must yield to the demands of the Constitution.
“Thus, by virtue of Section 1(2) of the constitution, inaugurating a new President on May 29 while the Court (as the final umpire) is yet to call the final result would mean that persons (or a group of persons) have taken control of the Government of Nigeria in a manner that does not accord with the Constitution.
“If a new President is sworn-in on May 29 and subsequently, the Tribunal or the Supreme Court (again: the final umpire) invalidates the election, what would you say happened to the Government of Nigeria during the period the sacked President held office before the final judgment?”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has told an aspirant for the speakership of the 10th National Assembly, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and a Deputy Speaker aspirant, Benjamin Kalu, that they have what it takes to lead the 10th House of Representatives.
Sanwo-Olu who said this on Saturday, when he received Abbas, Kalu and other members-elect of the Green Chamber at Lagos House, Marina, noted that looking at the pedigree and resume of both, he believes that they are well qualified to lead the 360-member-house.
The governor admonished the aspirants to make the interest of the country the centrepiece of their aspiration, adding that the objective must be about joining forces with the incoming administration of the President -elect, Bola Tinubu, to better the lots of Nigerians.
“I have read about Speaker and Deputy Speaker aspirants. Your pedigree and resume speak to excellence. I believe you have what it takes to lead the House of 360 members from diverse backgrounds, so that we can have purposeful executive-legislative engagement and bring about meaningful dividends of democracy to our countrymen.
“At the end of the day, your aspiration is not about you or your colleagues in the chamber but about Nigerians. The objective must be about joining forces with the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make life better for the people, improve economy and strengthen security. Greatest good must be achieved for the greatest number,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the aspirants to ensure that their engagement is total, transparent and inclusive.
According to him, other aspirants would be engaged, adding that his wish is that the decision of the party, All Progressives Congress (APC), is respected.
“I have observed that despite having the support of the party, you are not resting on your oars and taking anything to chance. I urge you to ensure that your engagement is total, transparent and inclusive. Other aspirants are eminently qualified to do the same engagement. They are known to us and they will be brought to the room for conversation. Our wish is to ensure that the position of the party is respected and adopted on the Green Chamber when the House convenes,” he added.
In his remarks, Abass who is from Kaduna State, North-west, stated that the unity of the country and that of the House are top on his agenda.
The Speakership hopeful also noted that their aspiration to lead the Green Chamber was to create a constructive relationship between the executive and the legislature that would be devoid of rancour.
He said: “Our agenda is to make sure the country is united to confront the current challenges. We undertake this task of leading the House to create a constructive relationship between the executive and the legislature that will be devoid of rancour. Where there will be differences, we will ensure issues are resolved through dialogue. Stability of the House is sacrosanct. We will heal the wound, particularly from various contestants in this race.”
On his part, Kalu who is from Abia State, Southeast said the House of Representatives under Abbas leadership would project institutional trust in the 10th assembly, adding that the decision of the lower chamber of the National Assembly would reflect the interests of Nigerians.
Early this month, reports emerged that Tinubu has settled for Abbas and Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
It was gathered that Abbas and Kalu were picked as the preferred candidates during a meeting held at the Defence House, the current official residence of the president-elect.
Also, Tinubu reportedly adopted Sen. Godswill Akpabio from Akwa-Ibom State, South-south and Barau Jibrin from Kano State, North-west as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.
Meanwhile, the current Deputy Speaker of the Green Chamber, Idris Wase, is not backing out of his aspiration to become the next Speaker of the House.
It was gathered over the weekend that he is dangling the position of the Deputy Speaker before the opposition parties in his bid to become Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Ken Nnamani, a former senate president, says the death of Jane, his wife, is a “big loss”.
Jane died on May 4 in Enugu after a brief illness. She was 58.
Speaking with journalists at the weekend in Abuja, Nnamani said his wife was a great pillar of support to him and their children.
Nnamani said while he was serving as senate president, his wife shouldered the responsibility of raising their children and he only supported her financially.
“Everyone that has come across my wife will miss her so much. Not only because of her beauty but because she was a paragon. A paragon has nothing to amend. When you talk about personality, you are talking about the totality of an individual,” he said.
“I was fortunate to have a wife that was well created by God. We have been together for about 34 years. She has no blemish. If I have a choice to choose another wife — if there is a second coming, I will choose her.
“She is late. The last time we spoke was Thursday when she was asking me how my stopover in Germany went because I normally pass through there for my annual checkups. We spoke in the morning and she was asking me how far I have gone with my test.
“After that, she went to the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, to remove lipoma and the little surgery at the back was successful. Later the issue of high or low sugar came up and complicated things and that is where we are today.”
The former senate president denied reports that his wife died while attempting to undergo a tummy tuck.
“I read somewhere that she went to do a tummy tuck. She had no tummy to tuck anywhere because she was naturally well-created. People are just being mischievous by writing all kinds of things. If they can place the picture of their mother, sister or girlfriend side by side with my wife, let the world see who requires any patching,” he said.
“She was naturally endowed by God and I am one of the lucky ones enjoying natural endowment.
“What is paining me is that she stayed back in the United States to take care of our four children. She played a great role in building up our children. My only contribution was that whenever I had money, I send it to them.
“When I was answering senate president in Nigeria, she was in America taking care of the children. She only visited once. She was not interested in coming to answer the wife of the number three citizen. She concentrated on the children.
“Her demise is a big loss to the family. Those who don’t know her are talking about tummy tuck. She is not in that business, she was naturally created.
“Social media is very good. But if there will be a third world war, I think it will start from the social media because of the type of things they formulate and say.”
Nnamani also refuted reports that he was suffering from a stroke, adding that he is hale and hearty.
Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara state, says he bought 250 copies of a book written by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, for N250 million.
On Thursday, Malami launched the book titled: ‘Traversing The Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector: My Travails and Triumphs’.
The book was launched at an event in Abuja, the country’s capital.
Malami used the book to chronicle his successes and challenges as the AGF and minister of justice for eight years under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during the event, Yari, who was the chief launcher, said the book will be ueful to persons who are hoping to follow the footsteps of Malami as attorney-general.
“My own is a simple business — to launch the book, name the amount of launching and state how it is going to look like in the market,” he said.
“It is a very rich book for anyone that may eventually look at it, read it and especially those that will likely follow his (Malami) steps after office.
“The book will be priced at launching for N50,000 per copy and a market price of N5,000.
“I, the chief launcher, bought about 250 copies of this book for the cost of N250 million.
“Some of my friends that were supposed to be here and absent.
“I spoke to them from home they asked me to buy each copy at N1 million, that is N25 million for 25 copies. Auwal Lawal Gombe — also 25 copies for N25 million.
“The total from my own side is going to be N300 million.”
Yari will represent Zamfara west senatorial district in the 10th national assembly.
The former governor is eyeing the senate presidency and he has commenced campaign activities to achieve his ambition.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has nominated Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, for the position.
In May 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Yari over alleged fraud relating to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
The former Zamfara governor was arrested in connection to the fraud allegations levelled against Ahmed Idris, the suspended accountant-general.
…as Sanwo-Olu, IGP, others honor for nation building
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has put side by side, the performances of Nigerian leaders post-independence and what is obtainable now and concluded that Nigerians of those days are much better.
Speaking during the National Daily Awards in Lagos, Obasanjo said that even though politics was ranging then like the country is experiencing today, they were determined to ensure they chose the right leaders who made the right decisions for the country.
“In fact, in making choices of leaders, I will say Nigerians of post-independence make the right choices of leaders. We all know that if your choice is right, the performance and consequences will be right.”
Obasanjo who is the keynote speaker at the occasion, recalled the opinion of world leaders about Nigeria immediately after independence but regretted that the country is not living up to that expectation. “When the then Prime Minister went to the United Nations post-independence, the world referred to Nigeria as a giant in the sun, not even a giant of Africa.
“But the question is, have we lived up to that? If we have not, the question is why? Are there certain qualities that leaders in the post-independence era had that are absent in leadership today? We talk about values, have our values changed? What is Nigeria today, and what is the Nigeria we want? How do we get the Nigeria we want?”
“Over a long period of my life in peacemaking and mediation, I have come to realize that peace, security, and stability are essential ingredients for the development and growth of any country. Without justice, equity, and fairness, no country can attain greatness.
“When you look at us individually, there is something unique about Nigerians. Wherever they go, they excel individually. Today, when you look globally, Nigerians are doing great things individually. It’s time for us to unite and take the country to where it’s supposed to be.
“If we fail to do so, then our existence is useless. We need to make a difference so that we can leave behind a better society.”
Corroborating his views, Chairman of the Occasion and Former Minister of Health and Social Services, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said that people generally look up to leaders, so it’s important that leaders demonstrate capacity, character and lead by example.
“As a country, we urgently need a rebirth of a national ethos. What kind of Nigeria do we want? What role should everyone be playing towards the emergence of such a Nigeria? And how can we own that consciousness and drive it regardless of our current circumstances, regardless of whether we are rich or poor, high or low.”
Speaking on the motivation behind the awards, Editor-in-Chief, National Daily Newspaper, Sylvester Ebhodaghe said that despite the challenges and uproar in the country, it will not be out of place to honor patriotic Nigerians who are making a difference.
“At the National Daily Newspaper, we consider it important to encourage the few Nigerians who, in spite of the challenges, make sacrifices to do their best. Not that they want to be recognized, but because they believe that building a just, socially cohesive, equitable, and economically viable society rests on each of us doing our part.
“We believe that the best way to encourage men and women who still believe in this great country and are willing to give everything to make it work is to recognize and encourage them to continue doing the good things they are doing.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babjide Sanwo-Olu, Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba were among the eminent Nigerians who received awards for outstanding performances.
Awele Elumelu has bought 2,063,484,991 units of shares in Transnational Corporation making her the second-highest individual shareholder in the business.
She now controls 5.076 per cent share of Transcorp with the new acquisition.
Transcorp said the transaction took place on May 12, 2023 — days after her husband who is the Transcorp Chairman, Tony Elumelu, acquired the most shares in the business.
“As noted in our previous communication, the Company welcomes the continued expression of confidence in its leadership and management by the investing public, as we continue our unwavering commitment to superior stakeholders’
returns, anchored in our ideology of Africapitalism. Rest assured, we are committed to remaining resolute in executing our Group’s strategy of making strategic investments in key sectors within the Nigerian economy, transforming Africa, and contributing positively towards building prosperity for all,” Transcorp said in a regulatory filing.
Elumeleu had rushed for more Transcorp shares, ramping up his stake to 10.5bn shares or 25.9 per cent ownership of Transcorp, apparently to forestall a repeat of a recent event where the Chairman of Geregu Power Plant, Femi Otedola, quietly acquired shares in the conglomerate to become its highest stakeholder.
HH Capital Limited, a company controlled by Elumelu, holds a total of 9,991,173,177 units, representing 25.58 per cent of the Company’s total shares.
He holds 273.1 million units directly, according to Transcorp’s 2022 books.
Otedola’s scramble for Transcorp shares had seen the billionaire acquiring 5.5 per cent of the business.
He later raised his stake to 6.3 per cent, making him the second-highest shareholder behind UBA Nominees, which hold 9.3 per cent.
At the time of the purchase, Otedola became more powerful than Elumelu who had only 567,087,234 direct and indirect shares as of December 31, 2022.